Best Gift Ever

Hey there! I'm back. It's been a while since my last post. I have been very busy doing other stuff (work and personal things). My apologies for not sharing what's going on. Let me share something to you then.

Yesterday, Feb 24, was my mom's 57th birthday (if you read my previous blog my Dad's also 57.. just saying!) Something crossed my mind a few days back, I was thinking of a gift. I thought of buying bags, shoes, perfume and all other stuff that us girls would want to have. Then I realized, those are just common things she can buy for herself. So my dilemma was "What's best gift you can buy for your dearest mom on her special day?".  I can't yet afford traveling abroad, so budget wise, I did treat her and the family to dinner at Cafe Laguna Ayala, Cebu. Well, laugh at me if you think it's not even the best gift, but hey, moments with your loved ones can be the most precious gift that can be treasured for a lifetime. Agree? I am at some point, can be considered as one of most emotional person when it comes to my family. I may not show it through words (verbally) but definitely it should be obvious through my actions. Let me greet again my beautiful and loving mother a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I do love you so dearly Mama! To end this post, here's an inspirational quote from thedailyquotes.com.

Photo credit thedailyquotes.com

Water Snake

Chinese New Year is just sitting around the corner. I guess, some of you guys are already preparing for this celebration. I'm no Chinese but I am a fun of reading Chinese Zodiac Predictions. I mean, common, there is nothing to lose if I believe in them, right? Anyhow, I know that I do create my own destiny so maybe this could be my guide through my journey this year.

Photo Credit freevancity.com

To view whats best and what to avoid this year of the water snake, check-out some words of wisdom from the experts, Feng Shui. I already know what will bring goodluck to me this year. Hoping you can find yours too.  Kung Hei Fat Choi to y'all! 

Getting Ready for SINULOG

Sinulog is probably the most awaited festival of the Cebuanos. Also known as the grandest festival of the Philippines. Street party, dancing, local bands, fireworks display and a whole lot more will be expected. This celebration is in honor of our beloved Patron Saint, Senyor St. Nino. 

Photo source: MyCebuPhotoBlog

Photo source: knowburrp

So you will not miss any of the exciting and biggest events, check out the schedule of activities below. Pit Senyor everyone! :)

Schedule of Activities
December 01-January 31, 2012	Sinulog Street Fair Osmeña Blvd.
December 30, 2012 (Sunday)	Sinulog 2013 Fun Run
7:00AM	Elimination of Sinulog Dance Crew and Music fest, Cebu City Sports Center
January 05, 2013(Saturday)
9:00 AM	Elimination of Sinulog Choral Competition, Cebu City Sports Center
January 10, 2013 (Thursday)	Opening Salvo: Walk with Jesus
4:00AM	Assembly Time (Area) Fuente Osmeña
4:30AM	Start of Walk-Fuente Osmeña Blvd., Basilica del Sto. Niño
5:30AM	Installation of Hermano & Hermana Mayores 2013
January 11, 2013 (Friday)	Sinulog 2013 Kick Off
2:00PM	Solemn Mass (Basilica del Sto. Niño)
3:00PM	Launching Parade (Basilica del Sto. Niño to Cebu City Sports Center)
7:00PM	Opening and Launching Program, Fuente Osmeña
7:00PM	Ms. Cebu 2013 Presentation
8:00PM	Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)
9:00PM	Street Party Bands
January 12, 2013 (Saturday)	Sinulog sa Kabataan-Lalawigan
1:00PM	Parade of Participants, Capitol Site to Cebu City Sports Center
2:00PM	Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan, Cebu City Sports Center
6:30PM	Cultural Show (Fuente Osmeña)
8:00PM	Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)
9:00PM	Concert @the Fuente Osmeña, Street Party Bands
January 13, 2013 (Sunday)	Sinulog sa Kabataan-Dakbayan
4:00AM	Cebu City 2013 Marathon – www.cebumarathon.com
1:00PM	Parade of Participants, Plaza Independencia to Cebu City Sports Center
2:00PM	Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan, Cebu City Sports Center
6:00PM	Grand Finals of Sinulog Choral Competition
6:30PM	Cultural Show (Fuente Osmeña)
8:00PM	Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)
9:00PM	Concert @ the Fuente O, Street Party Bands
January 14, 2013 (Monday)
6:30PM	Cultural Show (Fuente Osmeña)
8:00PM	Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)
9:00PM	Concert @the Fuente O, Street Party Bands
January 15, 2013 (Tuesday)
6:30PM	Cultural show (Fuente Osmeña)
8:00PM	Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)
9:00PM	Concert @ the Fuente O, Street Party Bands
January 16, 2013 (Wednesday)
9:00AM	Airport Welcome (Balikbayan Flights)
6:30PM	Cultural Shows (Fuente Osmeña)
7:00PM	Ms. Cebu 2013 Coronation Night, Waterfront Lahug Hotel
8:00PM	Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)
9:00PM	Concert @the Fuente O, Street Party Bands
January 17, 2013 (Thursday)
9:00AM	Airport Welcome (Balikbayan Flights)
6:30PM	Cultural Shows (Fuente Osmeña)
6:30PM	Sinulog Festival Queen Runway Competition and Photoshoot
6:00PM	Balik Cebu, Welcome Party @Ayala Center Cebu
8:00PM	Sinulog Idol Grand Finals (Fuente Osmeña Circle)
8:00PM	Handumanan @Ayala Terraces
9:00PM	Concert @the Fuente Osmeña, Street Party Bands
January 18, 2013 (Friday)	Visual Merchandising Contest (Dept. Stores and Malls)
4:00AM	Walk with Mary (Area) Fuente Osmeña-Sto. Niño
9:00AM	Solidarity Meeting (All Competing Contingent/Floats/Higante/Puppeteers) @Cebu City Sports Center Gym
6:00PM	Sinulog Dance Crew and Music fest Grand Finals, Cebu City Sports Center
7:30PM	Sinulog Festival Queen 2013, Cebu City Sports Center
8:00PM	Cebu Popular Music Festival, Cebu Coliseum
January 19, 2013 (Saturday)
6:00AM	Fluvial Procession of the Miraculous Image of Sto. Niño
9:00AM	Re-enactment of the Baptism of Queen Juana and Rajah Humabon Basilica del Sto.Niño
2:00PM	Solemn Procession of the Miraculous Image of Sto. Niño
7:00PM	Sinulog Fireworks Competition @SM City Cebu
7:00PM	Street party @Fuente Osmeña and Plaza Independencia
8:00PM	Kasadya Nite Mardi Gras @ Ayala Center Cebu
9:00PM	Music fest Grand Finals
January 20, 2013 (Sunday)	SINULOG GRAND PARADE
4:00AM	Mañanita Mass @Basilica del Sto. Niño
6:00AM	Pontifical Mass with His Eminence Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal
9:00AM	Sinulog Grand Parade Carousel Kick Off
7:00PM	Grand Finale and Grand Fireworks, Cebu City Sports Center
7:30PM	Street Party Bands, Fuente Osmeña
January 21, 2013 (Monday)
1:00PM	Awarding Ceremonies, Cebu City Sports Center
January 25, 2013 (Friday)	HUBO
4:00AM	HUBO Mass Ritual @Basilica del Sto. Niño
January 26, 2012 (Saturday)
1:00 PM	Screening of Finalists Short Film/Video Documentary Contest
1:00 PM	Sinulog 2013 Photo Contest Winners Exhibits
6:00PM	Awarding Ceremonies Photo Contest and Video Documentary Contest @SM City Cebu
February 03-10, 2013	Photo Exhibits “Winning Photo

New Year's Resolution

Starting my year with a twist. My resolution for this year is to try something new, like get myself into what they call workout (regular exercise). I don't do exercise because I don't think I need it. I always thought that since I'm skinny, I don't need it. To tell you honestly, I eat a lot. I love eating in between meals. My officemate once told me that if she eats with me, she's the only one who's gaining more weight. She always tease me that nobody wants to join my eating session anymore (boo!How lonely will I be..eating alone!). I know you know how fun it is to eat with someone. You'll never be bored. So what I'm thinking right now is to try some routines at home (not bad ei?). I'm afraid to go to the gym, why?, because my cousin before enrolled to one of the gym's here in Cebu and due to some unknown reason, he vomitted (yeah, inside the gym.. crazy right?) while doing the routine. Maybe he was stressed out or something. Enough f that experience and let's get back to reality, I wanted to get a firmer muscles, especially my arms and abs (yeah baby!). Most of us women really want to get those abs and don't even ask why (kidding!), because...because...because...of course to look healthy and SEXY! 

Photos from (left) perezhilton.com and (right) socialvixen.com

I want those abs of Audrina Patridge!!! With that being said, while surfing the net, I actually found some of her routines from Shape.com. Check them out.

• Warm-up: Shadowboxing or Jump Rope

Photos from (left) shape.com and (right) health.com

How it works: Shadowbox (this uses a combo of punches and kicks) for two or three times a week or jump rope for 3 minutes. Then do 1 set of 20 repeats of each move in order without resting.You can try repeating the routine once or twice.

What you need: Nothing! A mat and jump rope are optional.

• Step 1: Cat Raise

How it works: Get in plank position on forearms, elbows under shoulders, with hands in fists and palms facing each other; pull abs in tight. (picture A)

Lift hips straight up. Hold for 2 counts, then return to starting position and repeat. (picture B)

• Step 2: Cross-Legged Lift

How it works: Lie faceup with legs extended over hips and arms at your sides, palms on ground. Bend right knee, crossing right foot over left thigh. Keeping left leg straight, use your abs to lift hips off the ground. (picture A)

Lower hips, then take legs down to 45 degrees off ground (picture B). Raise them to starting position and repeat entire move. Switch sides (crossing left leg over right) halfway through set.

• Step 3: Compound Crunch

How it works: Lie faceup with hands behind head, elbows out to sides and legs extended on the ground. Lift head and shoulder blades as you pull knees toward chest. (picture A)

Lower head and shoulder blades as you slowly extend legs 45 degrees off ground, keeping abs super-tight; repeat. (picture B)

• Step 4: Offset Bridge

How it works: Lie faceup with right knee bent, foot on the ground, and left leg extended over hip. Extend arms at sides, palms on ground. (picture A)

Push through right heel as you lift hips until body is aligned from shoulders to right knee. Lower hips until they nearly touch the ground, then repeat. Switch sides to complete set. (picture B)

Easy??? Looks easy on the pictures. Believe me or not, I did try her routines (2 repeats each) and I can feel that they're hitting my abdomen muscles pretty well. I heard muscle pain is COMING SOON! :( I hope I can commit to this EXERCISE thingie (cross-fingers!). 

It's never too late to start your year being healthy! Start your regular exercise NOW! 

Away for my Birthday

First of all, let me greet my ever dear father a happy birthday!

  Photo grabbed from freedesignfile.com

                                                                            

He won't be able to celebrate his 57th birthday with us since he's out there somewhere in Europe working (I know, I know he shouldn't be working anymore). Hopefully, if God permits, by next year he will retire and spend more of his time with us. He's the most amazing Papa in the whole wide word! He's not the perfect one but he is just the way he should be. So here's a big hug from the bottom of my heart! I love you Papa!! <3 See you sooon! xoxo

Photo grabbed from kaboodle.com

First Blood

Woohoo! This is my first blog ever! I know this doesn't sound exciting but to me, IT IS! I know that this blogging thing exists for quite sometime now but, hey, there's no harm in trying new things, especially this NEW YEAR. Maybe, you would ask why, how, and who influenced me in doing so, lemme tell you that I've been reading fashion blogs for almost 3 months now and I think I'm addicted to it. Can't let a day pass without reading all my favorite blogs!! I love how these people inspire others to look and feel good inside and out.

Starting this blog is not easy for me. I have this feeling that people might judge me for my grammar and poor vocabulary. I admit that I am not the best English writer in town, hell no, the best speaker as well but I accept this as a challenge. I'll consider this to be part of my learning process as I go along the way. 

I'll give you more of me in the coming days. I can't believe I'm blogging my heart out! Suuupper excited and nervous at the same time. Peace out!