It is a known FACT that I am a big fan of the Ayala Malls. While in Manila, I am always (almost everyday) in Serendra or Greenbelt. Some people even tease me about it. So I am really excited that Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) has finally invested in Davao City. In a join venture with Anflocor of the Floirendos. Today was the ground-breaking of the 10 hectare property where ALI and Anflocor is building a mall, and BPO buildings in a property development project called Abreeza. Of course I am more excited with the mall, than the BPO. I was there during the press conference and I am excited to share that Robinsons will be anchor store of Abreeza. I am crossing my fingers that Abreeza will be as great and homey as Serendra and Greenbelt. :) An Ayala executive kept on emphasizing that Abreeza will not just be a functional mall, but an experiential one. It won't open until the last quarter of 2010 but I AM SUPER EXCITED already! :D
It's An Honor, Thank You!
{I might be busy this weekend so I am posting this early.} Two of my blogs are now finalists for the Philippine Blog Awards 2008. My DotAStrategy Blog is a finalist in the Hobby and Recreation category. And Chikadora, despite what critics say, is a finalist in the Entertainment category. I have browsed through some of the other contenders and I am proud to be one of them, and even prouder that somebody considered my blogs worthy of their time by nominating it. Moreover, this blog, Life with Ria is eligible to be a finalist and maybe win (but I am not counting on it) in the Personal category. I have two other blogs that were nominated, but I am not expecting any more than I have already received. I am happy to have at least one blog being a finalist. Being nominated is an achievement in itself. A nomination, IMHO, means there is at least one person out there happy with the work I have done, and that to me is already an achievement. So thank you! Congratulations to all the other nominees and finalists! And an extra special congratulations to the winners, whoever they are! Congratulations also to…
Watch It, Badet
The lady standing in front of you is Ria Jose ang babaeng di mo pwedeng hawakan kasi baka di mo na bitawan from the Land of Durian and Waling-Waling, DAVAO CITEH! (The lady standing in front of you is Ria Jose girl you cannot hold because you might not let go of her from the Land of Durian and Waling-Waling, DAVAO CITEH!) I am totally stealing that line from Thank You Girls, a movie you must, must, must watch. It fun, funny, and light-hearted with some moments na nagmo-moment. The movie is full of LOL moments, especially the "question and answer portion" of the pageant. It's not just for the badets, it's for everybody. Plus, you get to pick up some very witty one-liners. :) Much love to Charliebebs Gohetia and the Davaoeño team that produced this fun film!!! So if you want to know the answer to this question: "If you are a teacher, how would you define the color violet to the visually-impaired?" watch the Thank You Girls, a Davao film, showing at the Robinsons Galleria IndieSine from September 24 to 30. Complete screening schedule available at THE Bakla's blog. Thank you girls! :D
My WordCamp Philippines 2008 Story
There used to be a time when Kuya Andrew would rant about how jealous he is of WordCamps elsewhere. And I would reply with a "WHAT'S A WORDCAMP?!" There was also a time I didn't what WordPress is, or that there were even WordPress.com blogs. And also a time when I didn't even know the difference between Matt Mullenweg and that other famous Matt internet person guy. To me, blogging was all about writing, researching, photos, linking... all the more geeky stuff, I went to Kuya Andrew to fix. Fast forward to 2007. Blogie became friends (sort of) with Matt M. for a Mindanao Bloggers Summit 2007 (MBS1) thing. Because of the friendship, and the huge success we had with MBS1, Blogie thought of the idea of organizing a WordCamp for Davao or Mindanao. Further inspired by our successful trip to Manila for iBlog 4, Blogie decided to rally the troops and convince me, Kuya Andrew, Migs, and Winston to make WordCamp Philippines happen. The pressure to move the venue to Metro Manila was surmounting and we just had to give in. Consultations with other bloggers via IM, Plurk, our blogs, and other means, helped us create, organize, and run…
My Philippine Blog Awards 2008 Bloggers' Choice Vote
I am a Filipina blogger and my vote goes to FILIPINO VOICES! My vote goes to FV because it has inspired me to become a better blogger. It has stirred in a lot of Filipinos the interest in politics and governance. To whom does your vote go to? For the complete voting guidelines, go here. Thank you to the PBA 2008 sponsors: Level Up! Games Nokia Blog Bank Smart Communications Josiah’s Catering Rsun Technology Store Yahoo XFM 92.3 Buddy Gancencia Reality TV Ultravision Photo and Video Click Booth Aloha Board Sports Sheero Media Solutions YourPinoyBroker.com Belo Medical Group Inquirer.Net Toshiba ROAM Magazine PLDT Red Box Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf 2go Havaianas PLDT California Pizza Kitchen Good luck to all the nominees and finalists! Wish I can be there.
Addicted to Frozen Yoghurt
Intense Chocolate During my last trip to Manila, my cousins and I went to Amara in Serendra at The Fort twice. Both times, my cousins were craving for frozen yoghurt. Amara's Intense Chocolate did not disappoint at all. It was like frozen native chocolate. We also got to try Mango and Chocolate. Chocolate was kinda blah and boring compared to the Intense Chocolate. Mango was a good alternative if you do not feel like having chocolate. Mango and Chocolate I am not addicted to frozen yoghurt. But my cousin, Tinky is. She kept on bugging us to find more yoghurt places. But since we'd always go out late, we always ended up at Amara. And she was happy with that. Tinky thinks Amara sources its frozen yoghurt from a supplier also sells at the Salcedo Market. Tinky enjoying her Intense Dark Frozen Yoghurt If you know of other good frozen yoghurt places or stores in Metro Manila, do comment here for her. (I'm blogging on her behalf right now, but do watch out for her own blog soon.) Kuya Andrew, Tinky, her boyfriend Allan, and me