We Welcome Pope Francis To The Philippines!

Today marks the first day and arrival of his holiness Pope Francis for his first Papal Visit to the Philippines. This is a monumental event for the nation where the majority are Catholics (including myself). The pontiff who was elected in 2013 became a popular figure as he showed a more charismatic and humble image for the papacy. With his simplicity and a more open heart for both Catholics and non Catholics, he gained the trust and love of the public as well as world leaders.

The 2015 Papal Visit has the theme "Mercy and Compassion" that are the creed of his ministry and a call to be compassionate for the poor and the weak. With many world events that have shocked the world recently, the Pope calls for justice and peace which is one of the factors that he was also chosen as Time Magazine's Person of the Year.

The Galeón Will Dock Soon at SM Mall of Asia!

The Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade was the world's first international trading route that crosses the Pacific Ocean from Manila to Acapulco. And it has been centuries since it started which paved way to many changes in terms of products, traditions, rare items and even genetics have shaped the nations of the Philippine Islands, Mexico and Imperial Spain. And even after all these years, the Galleon Trade has been linked to how Manila rose as a strategic location for trade and commerce. 


With centuries worth of tradition and precious items that were traded and shipped, it is no wonder that the Galleon arrival and departure is celebrated with music and festivities. The ties between Mexico of North America and the Philippines of the East linked the two hemispheres together and brought progress and knowledge to it benefactors. 

Visita Iglesia Diaries 2013

With the holy week now entering the Easter Triduum (Late Maundy Thurday to Early Easter Sunday), many Filipinos follow the tradition of Visita Iglesia which I also grew up with. And in the past years, I have being doing a blog/video documentation of my journeys going to the 14 churches (traditionally 7 or 8 to some but I opt to go with 14 for the stations of the cross and the abundance of churches in the city).

In 2013, I went on the Visita Iglesia journey with my fellow SCAns (Student Catholic Action) which was a yearly tradition of the organization. Touring around the city of Manila staring at PLM in Intramuros and first visiting the churches inside the walled city.

Now let me take you on what we went to the whole day with these churches, most of them are old and historical.

LAKBAYAN: Manila Bay Resorts To Rise By 2015

The Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment, Inc., (a subsidiary of Universal Entertainment Corporation, led by Japanese tycoon Mr. Okada, Kazuo) developer of the ambitious Manila Bay Resorts project, proudly shared its lofty goals in line with the ongoing construction of the 44-hectare facility to rise within the Entertainment City complex in Paranaque City come 2015. Top honchos president Masahiro Terada and vice president Kenji Sugiyama met with members of the press to share their ultimate vision for a huge and integrated resort with the three-hotel property (each a 15-storey-structure) bound to be home to the biggest casino in the country. The said Resort is touted as a natural, desirable addition to Manila Bay's cultural and commercial venues, with expectations of two plush hotels, a six-star and a five-star at that, and around 20 food and beverage destinations, retail and spa facilities, and residential properties.

Tutuban Center Celebrates Bonifacio Day With Lights and Endless Shopping

This year is Andres Bonifacio's 150th Birthdate as one of the most celebrated Filipino hero. And who would have known that Andres was born in now one of the busiest shopping places on earth, Divisoria.

Now known to be the center of affordable goods and a very wide selection, Tutuban Center has evovled from being originally a train station terminal now a wide complex which just recently opened their night market.

And Bonifacio Day is special at Tutuban as it also mark the start of lighting the giant Christmas Tree located in Bonifacio Plaza.

KakaoTalk Invades UST

The home of the growling tigers, University of Santo Tomas, has become one of the stops of the free call and messaging app KakaoTalk on its university tour which brought great news and promos to the students.

KakaoTalk has set up a booth and free wifi were students can register and download the app and are treated with snacks upon successful download and activation. Users have the chance to win limited edition KakaoTalk Friends Dolls of the characters such as Tube, Apeach, Frodo and Muji. They also shared their latest contest the KakaoTalk Ambassador which students can win prizes by being a active and influential KakaoTalk starter in their area.

32 Contestants Revealed for "Mr. and Miss Chinatown"

With our past deeply rooted with the Chinese, it is not surprizing that our genetic beauty is  prominent with rich Chinese heritage. And with many local beauties hailing from Chinese lineage, it would be fitting to have a beauty contest in search of the most beautiful and intelligent "Tsinoy" and "Tsinay".

Yesterday, the contestants of Mr. and Miss Chinatown were presented to the media at Lucky Chinatown Mall as they grow near the coronation night that will happen on June 30, aired on Sundays Best on ABS CBN. We were able to interview some of the female contestants who shared their experience as candidates and the activities that they have done. 

Will share more photos and information about the contestants in the facebook page, take a look at the candidates and their credentials and also tell us who is you bet to win this competition. 

#DirtyFinger2013 Update: Burgos Elementary School

 Padre Burgos Elementary School used to be the biggest elementary school in the world in terms of students, it also the venue for a lot of precincts in  the vote rich Sampaloc district, and today it is also the venue where former president Erap Estrada votes as a Manileño. And as expected media flocked to cover his vote as his residence is just 200 meters away from the school. With a huge population, the school looks like it opened for its first day of school, and Altura street which serves as the entrance and exit of voters, watchers, and election officers is bombarded with tarpalins, posters and a storm of sample ballots which is somehow lesser than the last elections, I hope they are going green now. And since it is a school, the stores infront of it becomes a booming marketplace, at least for the whole day. So far there was no power outages and less to no lines (just like in our baranggay). It took me longer to commute than to find my name, fill the ballot and let the PCOS machine eat it.

The LEGWORKS Booze Cruise

Hit the music… pop up the booze… hop aboard… it’s time to party on a yacht! Turn up the beat as Legworks Events Management and Consultancy brings you the hottest pulse-pounding wild euphoric event this summer – The Legworks Booze Cruise.

Unleash that inner party soul of yours as we cruise along the serene waters of Manila Bay. Let that body sway in a carefree attitude to the heart-thumping beat of disco music courtesy of our guest DJ on-board. Heat up your veins on the inclusive two cocktail drinks of your choice. As if it is not enough to enliven your spirit, thirteen different kinds of mixtures are available on our mobile bar aboard giving you such cocktails as Margarita, Pole dancer, Cosmopolitan, and Venom. 

IGNITE Your Summer With Dance!

Watcha doin' this summer?

With many of kids and teens on a summer break, why not make this a perfect opportunity to learn the artistic skill of dancing. Now on its second year, you can now join IGNITE Summer Dance Class that will start this April 22!

Ignite Summer Dance Classes are series of client-centered sessions aimed at the wholistic improvement of technique , dance vocabulary, and performance of the student. With the most competitive price , a tried and tested program, and qualified instructors... Kids and teens will definitely have a fun-filled quality learning experience. There are also 6-8pm classes for adults/working professionals! Join now and invite your friends.

Enroll Now at 0942-8-IGNITE or directly at St. Augustine School of Nursing España.

Manual to Lyf is a proud media partner of IGNITE Dance Company together with Light TV Channel 33.

Global Pinoy Center opens at SM City San Lazaro

I am currently the foursquare mayor of five Global Pinoy Centers namely SM Megamall, SM North EDSA, SM Sta Mesa, SM Manila and SM Mall of Asia. The Global Pinoy Center (GPC) is indeed a great place for OFW and their dependents like me. There is one GPC in the SM Supermalls in the country and now opening its newest branch in SM City San Lazaro. 

SM San Lazaro is known to be the community mall of the Sampaloc-Blumentrit Area which is the landmark and favorite hangout place by many. It opens its Global Pinoy Center with the a grand celebration of Pinoy Culture and a toast to the succesful Pinoys who had made their mark internationally. And they are:

DepEd Advisory for Jan 9 for Manila Schools

Classes in Manila High School, Victoriano Mapa High School, Apolinario Mabini Elementary School, Geronimo Santiago Elementary School, Ramon Avanceña High School, Manila Science High School and Araullo High School in Manila which are on the route of the procession of the Feast of the Black Nazarene will be suspended on Wednesday, January 9, 2013 to ensure the safety of students.

Regular classes will resume on Thursday, January 10, 2013.

LAKBAYAN: Cafe Lupe at Rizal Park

Luneta has indeed reinvented itself from the dark days years ago. And as featured here in MTL with amazing transformation of the biggest urban park in the Philippines can now again claim its glory as a tourist destination for both foreign and local tourists. 

And with the Christmas and New Year season giving time for people to go out and spend time with family and friends. And indeed it was filled with a sea of people going around the park for the free concerts, bazaars, and the park features like the Chinese and Japanese Gardens, Kilometer Zero marker, Quirino Grandstand, and of course the Rizal Monument.

KATOTO: Kaibigang Totoo, Kardinal Chito!

Youth of the Archdiocese, its time to meet and greet our newly appointed cardinal with a special event meant to spend time with the beloved Chito Cardinal Tagle!

KATOTO: Kaibigang Totoo, Kardinal Chito! A Thanksgiving celebration for a gift of a Cardinal to the Philippines. This coming December 4, 2012, Tuesday 6PM at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Vito Cruz, Ermita, Manila.

Its FREE to all! So bring your family, friends and even your parish to this monumental event! For inquiries, contact the Archdiocese of Manila through 523-2814 or 404-3673

LAKBAYAN: Gran Prix Hotel Manila

As a thrifty yet practical traveler like me, I'm not usually a fan of hotels when travelling because I get weary with the location, the amenities and even the price. These factors hold me back and makes travelling stressful rather than relaxing. Well I'm glad that there is an "econotel" like Gran Prix Hotels and Resorts. They are actually exists in high traffic places like bus stops and main roads which is a great advantage above other hotels.

Grand Prix Hotels are located in key areas like in Ermita, Pasay, Cubao, and have provincial branches in Tarlac, Boracay and Cebu. Soon they will also have a branch in Palawan. We took a look at one its (biggest) branch in Ermita which is just a few steps away from Robinson's Place Manila and also nearby shops, money changers and restaurants. It is within the building where Tesoro's shop is located. 

Team Manila Captures Vibrant and Well-Balanced Living at Avida Towers Prime Taft

Art meets life in the newest collaboration between Avida Land and Team Manila – a specially designed board-up for Avida Towers Prime Taft that reflects the vibrant atmosphere and lifestyle along Taft Avenue in Pasay City. Featuring lively and colorful hues of orange, blue, green in a kaleidoscope pattern, the board-up also contains images of dynamic living within the area – enjoying music, relaxation, shopping, and studying, among other activities.

Team Manila is a multi-disciplinary design studio known for their creativity and artistry as well as for their advocacy to inspire the best in young people through their bold, assertive, and nationalistic designs.

“We’re very excited about our partnership with Team Manila for this board-up which now surrounds the Avida Towers Prime Taft property,” said Tess Tatco, Avida Land’s Marketing Manager. “The design’s colors and patterns express the energy, enthusiasm, and fresh outlook that come from our target market in Taft. We feel that this vibrant fusion of young life is best complemented by what Avida Towers Prime Taft has to offer.”

Global anti-corruption leaders to visit Manila in 5th GOPAC conference

Prominent parliamentarians from around the world are expected to attend the 5th International Conference of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC), which will be held for the first time here in Manila. The conference, organized in cooperation with the Senate of the Philippines and the Southeast Asian Parliamentarians Against Corruption (SEAPAC), and with the full support of President Benigno S. Aquino III, will run from January 30 to February 2, 2013 at the Philippine International Convention Center. 

Good Leaders, Good Laws, Good Citizens is the theme of this year’s conference. The conference proper will be conducted for two days, with capacity-building workshops centered around it. John Williams, GOPAC founder and CEO, and Dr. Naser Al Sane, GOPAC Chair, will be joining the Manila Steering Committee along with an expected 500 international delegates from over 46 countries in debates and discussions on the following topics: Parliamentary Oversight and The Role of Good Audit in the Fight Against Corruption; Anti Money Laundering Laws v. Bank Secrecy; and Transparency in Public Procurement and Business and Civil Society Oversight.

Win Maroon 5 Concert Tickets with JBL!

You want to see the Maroon 5 concert in Manila, but can’t seem to find yourself tickets anymore? Look no further! JBL Multimedia Speakers is currently giving away Maroon 5 concert tickets for every purchase of the following items:

• JBL OnStage 200iD or JBL OnTime Micro...............One (1) General Admisson ticket

• JBL OnStage IV or JBL On Air Wireless...................One (1) Upper Box B ticket

Upon purchase of the above mentioned items, you will be given a claim voucher which you must bring with the receipt to Ticketnet, Yellow Gate of Araneta Coliseum, Araneta Center, Cubao Quezon city until September 17. 

So what are you waiting for? Visit your nearest JBL dealer to catch Maroon 5 Live!

REEL DEAL: The Bourne Legacy REVIEW

The long wait of Filipinos (especially action fans) is over, after many inconveniences with traffic with the supervision of the MMDA, The Bourne Legacy will be shown in theaters this August 8. A spin off from the very successful and acclaimed Bourne Series (Identity, Supremacy, Ultimatum), the movie now tells the story of another agent similar to Jason Bourne, Aaron Cross.


The movie goes on a world tour to many countries, not just the Philippines. From the cold mountains of Canada, to many Asian cities  showing the string theory of events that eventually lead to the crossroads of the meltdown of the program and its agents. Rachel Weisz, plays the beautiful doctor who accompanies  Aaron to travel to the other side of the world to Manila.


Of course, Pinoys who were part of this movie take pride of making this happen. And the view of Manila was really cool, for a true blue Manilan like me. The chase scene in the city was something really surreal to think that I also walked at those places. Also its my first time to see a Jeepney at a chase with passengers and falling moments. It also makes me think that Manila can be a place for parkour... perhaps? And El Nido is just... wow!

SM City Sta Mesa 3 Rainy Day Sale!

The 3 Day sale happens once again in SM City Sta Mesa this August 3, 4 and 5 with its mallwide sale from all stores inside the complex. And since the mall is just across the street from my school, the experience has been indeed more than the usual. I do pass by this mall almost everyday whenever I go home, but things change especially when sale season comes.

SM City Sta Mesa may be one of the oldest SM Malls in the Philippines, but it houses a lot of stores that one can spend hours just looking at the choices. Situated in the middle of the borders of Manila, Quezon City and San Juan, it brings people from these cities to what is was called "Centerpoint". Now with a new face as SM City Sta Mesa, still has been visited by a lot of patron ans also regular  shoppers.