Two beautiful generals Marc Jerick Chan and Caroline Lim were crowned as the Mr and Ms Gen Santos City 2011 during a star-studded pageant during the Tuna Festival. The pageant was hosted by Kapuso star Victor Aliwalas and Binibining Pilipinas World 2006 Anna Maris Igpit. Kapuso actress Claudine Barretto was a pageant judge along with local politicians, lifestyle writers, and young movers and shakers. Bloggers Fitz Villafuerte, Donna Congson, and yours truly were also judges. The pageant opened with the candidates parade in awe-inspiring silver and white Festival Attires. The candidates and their dedicated handlers crafted show-stopping sea-inspired attires which set the mood for an exciting beauty and talent competition. Lakan ng Kalilangan 2012 Gevic Romero and Frances Gonzalez were awarded with the Best in Festival Attire titles. The candidates sizzled in the swimsuit competition with their animal-inspired suits. Hunky Gian Cortes and sexy Ayana Grico bested the candidates as they were voted as Best in Swimsuit. Dressed up in elegant creations by Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines President Johnny Abad, the candidates wowed the judges and the audience members even more. Looking every inch a debonair, Marc Jerick Chan was awarded with the Best in Evening Formal Wear…
Tag: mindanao
Foot Spa at The Horizon Spa
I don't enjoy body massages and it would take a lot of convincing before I step inside a spa. My good friends Avel and Orman were able to successfully convince me to try out The Horizon Spa in General Santos City. And I had a very relaxing bonding experience with my Mareng Orman. We both decided to settle in for the foot spa. We each wore a comfy robe and picked a fluffly reclining chair next to each other. We were served some tea and our foot spa therapists began to work their magic. After some catching up, Orman easily snoozed while I watched some shows on the television set. It was a very relaxing bonding moment. Our other companions took quite a long time with their full body massages because they also fell asleep. Everybody loved their massages and were very much relaxed after the spa session. The Horizon Spa has a clean space and a relaxing ambiance, complemented by nice and competent therapists. Definitely a great place for spa addicts, and even people like me who are not so keen on getting massages. The Horizon Spa is located at the at the 2nd Floor of Tan Building, beside…
Five Things to Do in Zamboanga
I was in Zamboanga for a short time and I was only able to visit for a few places, but I enjoyed it and I am looking forward to visiting Zamboanga again soon. Here are the top five things I suggest you do in Zamboanga: Eat Curacha with Alavar Sauce First off, I apologize that I don't have a photo of this delicious sinfully great dish but me and my friends were excited to eat when it was served. So eat we did. Curacha is a crab species common in Zamboanga. It has more meat in the body than most other crab species. What makes the Curacha in Alavar Sauce even better than other curacha dishes is the Alavar Sauce. Alavar sauce is a combination of crab fat and coconut milk. It's a rich rich rich sauce that devilishly good. It complements the curacha well, and it's even great enough to be eaten with just about any meat... even with just rice. Mmm... Visit Fort Pilar Fort Pilar is a remnant from Zamboanga's colonial past. It is now a Catholic Marian shrine and a branch of the National Museum. A visit to Fort Pilar is a great way to know…
A Kapatagan Adventure
One of the hidden gems in Davao Region is Kapatagan Valley. It is known to mountaineers as one of the pathways leading to the Mt Apo trail. It is also the camp site of choice for Mt Apo trekkers. In recent years, it has become an exciting destination for those looking for a quiet respite from the hustle and bustle of city living. One of the resorts that is nestled in Kapatagan Valley is Camp@tagan, formerly known as the Mt Apo Highland Resort. Camp@tagan is composed of two resorts: Mirror Lake and Hillside. Mirror Lake is designed to be a comfortable halfway camp site for those preparing to trek to and assault the peak of Mt Apo. It has room accommodations and camp grounds equipped with a bonfire pit and a kitchen for easy food preparation and cooking. The cottages and the camp grounds are located alongside Mirror Lake which makes it an idyllic venue for bonding and team building activities, as well. Meanwhile, the still under construction Hillside Camp@tagan Resort is located along, where else, the hillside with a beautiful view of Mt Apo and the mountainside of Davao del Sur. It is the perfect escape for couples, families,…
Top 5 Reasons this Weekend will be Memorable
I am terribly excited to go to General Santos City this weekend. It's one of my favorite places in the Philippines, mostly because of the people. My friends Donna, Avel, and Orman are just three of the wonderful people who make my every visit memorable. This weekend, I will be visiting General Santos City once again. On Thursday, I'll be taking the bus to Gen San from Davao along with several bloggers from Davao and Manila. And I will be there til Tuesday or Wednesday next week. Long vacation is long! And super exciting! Here are the top 5 reasons why I am super excited: TUNA FESTIVAL 2011 I missed the Tuna Festival last year but I'm not going to miss this one. I have witnessed Gen San's Kalilangan Festival twice and those were fun experiences. This time, I'll be enjoying the Tuna Fest. I'm looking forward to taking peek at the Float Parade and the Street Dancing competition. Two Tuna Festival highlights that I am also looking forward to are the next two reasons why I am looking forward to this weekend. MR AND MISS GENSAN 2011 I have been a judge of the Queen of Mindanao Festivals Pageant…
Paraiso Verde Resort and Water Park Opens to the Public
I am not a beach or outdoorsy person, but there's one thing that excites me, a world-class tourist destination in my beloved Mindanao. Paraiso Verde Resort and Water Park has been teasing the public with the promise of a world-class resort and water park that will be the biggest in Mindanao and one of the best in the world. Paraiso Verde boasts of four exciting water attractions: the Moby Wave Pool, the largest wave pool in Mindanao that features a giant water bucket; the Adventura River Rapids which will take you on an adrenaline filled watery ride; the Wiggles Kiddie Pool for your little ones; and the Freestyle Swim Pool for no-frills swimming for fitness and recreation purposes. Plus they have food and beverage establishments, cozy cottages, a souvenir shop, and other facilities that will ensure that each guest is happy, comfortable, and safe. Sounds absolutely fun, right? Paraiso Verde spells pure fun for everyone. And the time is finally here. This weekend, Paraiso Verde will finally open its gates to the public in a Grand Opening Celebration that will surely delight everyone. On July 16, 2011 VIPs and Paraiso Verde's guests will be entertained only by the best. There…