PHIFBEX and HORECA Opens at PICC Forum!

PIFBEX (Philippine International Food and Bevarage Expo) and HORECA (Hotel Restaurant and Caterer Expo) officially opened yesterday with Pinoy Junior Masterchef Kyle Imao doing the ribbon cutting for the PIFBEX AND HORECA along with the tradecon president Mildred Cabalyero and the distinguished  exhibitors. PIFBEX runs from March 1 to 4 at the Picc forum 1-3 Roxas blvd. Pasay city 

First Philippines Scales

With over hundreds of exhibitors from different places in the Philippines (and there was also a booth from Indonesia), the PICC forum becomes a haven for finds not usually found in malls or food events.

We also met with some of the exhibitors that we met at the presscon of PIFBEX like Fesal Hotel, First Philippine Scales (Maker of Fuji Scales), Bem Chow (Famous for their Sisig and Tereyaki), Chicken Deli and Yamanko Sea Salts and Farm (Gourmet Sea salts and Organic Foods) 

Mrs. Myra David for Bem Chow

BLAH BLAH BLOGS: Leap Year Day 2012

This post is unique because it only happens once in evry four years. It's again Leap Day 2012!

And this day is made more exciting as it also the (supposed to be) last Leap Day of the earth before the 'great reset' on December 21.  As this day happens only once in every four years, I  wanted a blog post dedicated for this day. This is also the first Blah Blah Blog entry for the year 2012.

As we all know one complete revolution around the sun takes 364 1/4 days which made the fourth year complete those quarter days. And with February as the month with the least number of days, it became a standard for calendars as it balances the gap so there won't be delays in the seasons. 

And what makes this day interesting are celebrations made on this day like birthdays, anniversaries, events and all other occasions that won't have a date in the next 3 years. They would be celebrated earlier or on the first day of March. My best buddy actually will end his contract at work and at the dorm, sad but thanks to the connections of today, he won't be that far. And I think he will be back in just some time. I also had a look of green today, DLSU green is what I mean.


Today we celebrate this day, to do something we don;t usually do. For it is like life to live up to the fullest. This might not come again, if it does it would take some time. For perfect people, do something stupid, for underdogs, be the best and show the world you can. 


Today is Leap Year Day, today we are all amazing, today we are epic!

WORLDBEX Gears Up For 2012

As Worldbex capped off 2011 with the highly successful World Bazaar Festival - with over 700 booths and hitting a record high of more than 200,000 attendees - the event turned out to be an overwhelming success for the country’s top expo group. Supported by ABS CBN, Worldbex Services International (WSI) is the leading exhibition and event organizer in the Philippines.

This year, the group is back with their biggest event, the World Building and Construction Exposition 2012 (WORLDBEX). This trade show is hailed annually as Asia’s largest and most awaited construction event. It is scheduled to open its doors for exhibitors, professionals, traders, importers, exporters, associations, buyers and enthusiasts from March 14 to 18, 2012 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila, the WTCMM East Wing, and the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC). 

This year’s theme, “Building the Future,” aims to highlight the importance of the construction industry’s role in terms of the country’s economic growth. In line with this, a vital part of this year’s trade show is the WORLDBEX seminar series. The seminars will take place from March 15 to 17, 2012 at the PTTC. Twelve prestigious local and foreign speakers will tackle a wide range of topics concerning entrepreneurial architecture, leadership and management, urban planning, furniture design, and advocacies in the fields of architecture and construction.

ART IS A BANG: Pasinaya 2012 - The CCP Open House Festival

The Pasinaya Open House Festival is the CCP’s closing event to the February Arts Month. This festival has become the CCP’s most popular multi-arts festival that draws record numbers of audiences to numerous performances in all of its venues. The Pasinaya Festival has been a favorite for students and art lovers which made every year a success. And since its also love month today, it also serves a great venue for dates while also near Manila bay to catch the beautiful sunset.

Date & Time : Sunday, February 26, 2012 / 8:00am to 8:00pm

Venue: All CCP indoor venues and selected outdoor venues

Tickets : SEE ALL YOU CAN FOR Php 20.00

MABUHAY ang SINING at KULTURANG PILIPINO!

EVENTOLOGY: Philippine Inertrnational Food and Beverage Expo

TRADECON Launches 5th Annual Food and Beverage Expo

It's bound to be a delicous affair as chefs bartenders, caterers, restauranteurs, holetliers, and other foodies are coming together on march 1 to 4 as leader event manager TRADECON presents 5th annual PIFBEX (Philippine International Food and Beverage Expo) and HORECA (Hotel, Restaurant, and Caterers Expo)

The PICC Forums 1, 2, and 3 are going full on foodie mode as major players in the Food and Beverage Industry- from the sweetest neighborhood bakery owner to the most luxurious hotelier- converge and explore endless possibilities for their business.

Over 300 exhibitors will be present at the expo, including both local  and international  suppliers. distributors, and manufacturers covering the aspects of the F&B industry, from food service, to food processing and packaging, to catering, to equipment and storage, to ingredients and supplies.


Aside from the exhibition, the four-day  event will also feature a barter exchange seminar, cooking demos performed by professional chefs, a Dessert Making Competition, Cocktail Mixing Competiton, and the search for the Best Home Cook.

Party Pilipinas Welcomes Year of the Dragon This Sunday

VoX (Vocal Excellence) gives life to Chinese Zodiac Signs as interpreted by songs featuring GMA’s prime singers Jaya, Kyla, Rachelle Ann, Jonalyn, Maricris, Aicelle, Julie Ann and Protege grand winner, Krizza Neri.   

Birthday girls Glaiza de Castro and Kylie Padilla celebrate their special day on the show with equally stunning performances. Glaiza gives a rockin birthday treat while Kylie performs another air dance number.

Start your Chinese new year filled with love in a number showcasing popular love songs performed in duets. Fall in love like never before with Heart Evangelista and Kris Lawrence, Lovi Poe and Mark Bautista, Aljur Abrenica and Janine, Jake Vargas and Protege Denise, Jay Perillo and Protege Krizza, Nomer and Leana, and phenomenal singing loveteam, Julie Ann and Elmo.

ART IS A BANG: PASINAYA 2012 Call For Volunteers

Lets bring art closer to our lives this February! VOLUNTEER FOR PASINAYA 2012! lets enjoy music, dance, film, theater, visual arts, literature, culinary arts and more! Tell your friends, relatives, distant relatives, strangers on the street, everyone! PASINAYA 2012 Open House Festival is on Februrary 26, 2012.

Fighting Hunger Together at Sinulog 2012

Photo Credit: WFP/Philipp Herzog

WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. Each year, on average, WFP feeds more than 90 million people in more than 70 countries.

WFP Country Director and Representative Stephen L. Anderson and CEO of Julie’sBakeshop Joseph Gandionco at Cebu City jointly raising awareness about hunger. Proceeds from the sales of Julie’s “Bayan Bread" are helping school children in conflict and Sendong-affected areas of Mindanao.

WFP now provides RSS feeds to help journalists keep up with the latest press releases, videos

and photos as they are published on WFP.org. For more details

Follow them on Twitter: @wfp_media

For more information please contact:

Charlene Tordesillas, WFP/Manila, Tel: +63 2 7502561 Mobile:

Email Address: charlene.tordesillas@wfp.org

SM City North EDSA Welcomes The Year of The Water Dragon!

农历新年快乐!

Chinese New Year is Near and SM North EDSA is celebrating the new year with prosperity and happiness. The celebration kicks off at 4PM today at SM North EDSA the Block Atrium. See you there and prepare the celebration of the coming Lunar New Year! 

2012 End of the World Survival Guide!

I know many of you are wondering if this year is indeed the last year of our lives. The Ancient Mayans made a very accurate calendar that tells the world will end its era. But don't fret! There is still hope by preparing yourself with the essentials of survival. Axe Philippines bring you this informative (and sexy) video on how you can survive the end of the world.

More Survival tips after the jump!  #Survive2012

Traslacion 2012: The Feast of the Black Nazarene

Quiapo holds a lot of spiritual and personal attachments to many Filipinos including myself. And the celebration of the Traslacion this year is an event that I have always look forward every year to attend and now to feature in the blog. As a devotee this will mark my 9th year to attend this which started back in high school. And the thing is, I always go alone. 

Just like my other adventures, I do go on these trips solo with just a backpack or a mailman bag with everything I need for the long day. Though many perceive the Quiapo district as very dense, rowdy and unlawful place in Manila, the existence of Quiapo church and the Nazareno has somehow gave way to changes in the sights of the famed part of Manila. Though in reality, there is still chaos, crime, sex in the area, its massive structure and millions of followers has proven that faith can move mountains. Hopefully it would also change the district into a better community soon. 

Friendly Reminders for Devotees of the Black Nazarene

Here are some tips and warnngs that devotees and tourists should keep in mind when going to the feast of the Black Nazarene (Translacion 2012) in Quiapo and Luneta.

1. Pack less- don't bring unnecessary devices  that can be targets by snatchers.

2. Bring a towel and water umbrella and extra shirt - rain or shine it is still hot and you need to wipe the sweat off. the last two indeed will come in handy.

3. Do bring footwear - though people said its tradition/devotion, do not torture yourself because there are many sharp and rough surfaces along the way.

4. Place your backpack in front - aside from professional snatchers there are also "slashers"

5. When planning to be a "mamamasan" (rope pullers) - better to have a group to always know where you are and know if you are OK.

6. For mass goes - to get inside the church it would take 1 mass to go in 1 mass to go out.

7. Know places in the Quiapo/Sta Cruz area - with swarms of people better know escape alleys and places to avoid also.

8. Bring candies and a mini first aid kit - better be safe even on your own. Candie help remove nausea.

9. Organize your things before going - this will save the hassle of looking for money, food and religious items. 

10. Be vigilant - though it a enriching faith experience to celebrated with solemnity. Crooks might take advantage of you even while in prayer.

For those who want to stay at home and avoid the chaos live streaming is available at www.manualtolyf.com and www.quiapochurch.com

Live Streaming from Luneta for the Feast of the Black Nazarene

For those who are devotees of the Black Nazarene, Here is the live streaming from Luneta for the Traslacion . Will be there later to avoid the chaos. Hourly masses happens from 3 AM-12 NN, 3 PM- 9 PM.  Procession will start 8 AM.

Viva Senor Nazareno!

I also hope to make a video blog within the day, you can also read the post I had for the feast last 2011 and 2010. Here is also a video of Nuesto Padre Jesus Nazareno inside the church.

MUSIC LYF: A1 Back in 2012 for Manila Concert!

British-Norwegian group A1 is expected to churn out their familiar tunes at their Manila concert on the evening of February 25, 2012. But one thing their Pinoy fans should look forward to is their new, exciting rendition of their smash hit “Like A Rose,” which arguably is their biggest song in the ears of fans this side of the globe.

Member Ben Adams who wrote “Like A Rose” is thrilled to announce their performance of the said version. “We have just updated it for a brand new version for 2012, which was amazingly fun to do! Very excited for you all to hear it!” He recalled, “I wrote it when I was 16 years old on my old upright piano at my parents house. I haven't told anyone this really as most people assume it's a love song, but it was actually originally written for my mom!”

GMA Network delivers breakthrough ratings performance in 2011

In the year ended, GMA Network, Inc. (GMA) altered television channel ranking as it overtook ABS-CBN in nationwide total day household audience share, placing the latter only to second rank - according to broadcast industry's more trusted ratings service provider, Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

Based on full 2011 nationwide data of Nielsen (December 25 to 31 based on overnight ratings), GMA posted a 34.2 percent total day average television household audience share, outscoring ABS-CBN's 31.1 percent and TV5's 15.6 percent by substantial gaps.

Watch Out 2012 !

Its 2012 now and MTL is cooking up something new this year.  I know that many are frustrated in making new year resolutions that will end up in failure. However I do look at it at a different way, making them GOALS. In this way there is a process to be followed, a way to monitor if it is improving or not. And this is what I am doing this year for my future project especially for MTL and the other blogs. 

And this year I think will be a year with more video blogs and features incorporated to written blog post. I am also considering podcast however people prefer looking at videos rather than listening to voice audio.

And yes, were cooking up two projects for 2012 which I have announced last year and still in the works to provide a quality output. Presenting Juan Minute and Okra Soup! Two short video shows with different  formats, one for live interviews and another for satiric comedy. Though Juan Minute was originally planned for 2011, my video experiments were the way for gauge and come up with techniques and how stitch them all together. I feel inspired to do this because of my readers like you who made the year and the blog wonderful.

For the meantime I had a video made for the new year... enjoy!

MTL Year Ender Report 2011!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012!

MTL has been truly blessed this year with growing number of readers, new design, own domain, and more events that brought so many things and experiences. 


Now that we are near 2012, lets look back on the higlights of MTL this 2011, but lets make it concise since we don't have all year. First is that MTL has increased in post due to the events and news it featured almost everyday. Which made me very busy yet very satisfied with the results.


I also encountered a lot of out of town trips like Baguio, Pampanga, Batangas, Quezon and Pangasinan. I also got a chance to be a speaker 2 times this year at Miriam College and the ICT Congress in Pangasinan.  I covered the Panagbenga festival last February with high school friends. Went to Pampanga for the CHEERS tour in Lubao and Sasmuan River Cruise. Had 3 day stay at Quezon for the BonPen Festival. 


This was also a year of video blog documenting my experiences which goes well with blog posts. MTL gets bigger and better this 2012 with more projects, more surprizes and more things keep you glued and tuned to MTL. Join us as we declare 2012 as the year of success!


Happy New Year from Manual To Lyf!