The long wait has finally arrived. Two months of watching spectacular fireworks shows is worth enjoying. Starting February 11 until March17 and schedule of 7 to 8 pm, there will be live pyromusical performances from twelve different countries, which are more compared to last year, because of the addition of Malta, Italy and Netherlands.

If you want an extended celebration of New Year, this is the right place to bring the whole family. With really colorful lights in the sky and live music to hear in the background, your kids would truly enjoy their time.

With the touch of real experts on putting up fireworks display, Philippine hospitality can never be the same. This marks a dazzling standing across the borders of Asia. Not only to make it creative, but also to keep things safe, the most sophisticated technology will be used in the entire flashing and flaring of set fireworks.

Of course, we would not miss this occasion of showing a great performance with our own savor of culture and exhibition. Last year, the winner was China. Who can it be this 2012?

Ticket prices are available from: Php 100 (Silver), Php 300 (Gold), VIP (500) and up to Php 1,500 (Patrons – inclusive of dinner provisions.) Venue is at the SM Mall of Asia, the countries largest commercial center. With a lot of food outlets and stores to shop, attendees can use these amenities while taking pleasure of the scenic view. They are created to suit foreign and local tastes. Other featured activities are the “11.20.2011 Pasig River Run is Off to Set a New Guinness World Record” and “Filipina, Busilak sa Ganda!” for our Flores de Mayo last 2011.

All tourists and Filipinos are welcomed in this event! It is more fun in the Philippines.

Once again, all my family members – including my in-laws, participated in a marathon run last Sunday. We were all present during the Condura Skyway Marathon 2012. The premiere running event is actually an advocacy run. The proceeds from the previous events  have been used on various notable projects that protect and care for the marine environment such as the Tubbataha Reefs, the Donsol whalesharks and the Bohol dolphins. For this year, the proceeds will be used to save the Philippine Mangroves.

After our successful run, we celebrated  not only because all us broke our individual personal previous records but it was also my brother-in-law’s birthday. In fact, his birthday was also announced during the run and the participants in his category sung a happy birthday song for him. He didn’t know what to do when it was announced and when he was called to go up in the stage.

We planned to have a brunch near the staging area of the marathon. Good thing there are a lot of restaurant where the  marathon was held. Since we don’t have the time anymore to go home, take a bath and change our clothes, we just refreshed ourselves with rubbing alcohol and apply some mood perfume to kill any foul odors. What a trick!

Anyway, our celebration didn’t end there. We had another celebration when we reached my brother-in-law’s house. The whole family ate lunch together (yes another lunch) and of course the ever-present ice cream and cake in every birthday occasion. I think that was not enough because when the night comes, we all had a dinner in a seafood restaurant.

All of us agreed that the driving force for all us to run as a group is the food after the event. So it seems our mantra is now “the family that runs together, eats together”.

What about you? Do you run or do activities with your family? What keeps you on doing those activities together?

The Network for Enterprising Women (NEW) is pleased to announce the staging of the 5th Annual Women Entrepreneurs Conference. The Conference is expecting 200 participants to include women from top corporations, entrepreneurs of small and medium sized businesses, teachers, students and graduates of entrepreneurship courses, officers, and middle managers of government agencies and local government units, overseas Filipino workers and their families and also gender advocates in NGO’s and government.

Network for Enterprising Women (NEW) is founded in 2006. Specifically, NEW is a group of women whose advocacy is to create an environment where there is an exchange of business ideas, sharing of experience, and opportunity to network.

For this year’s conference, it will include topics on:

• Marketing and Innovation by Josiah Go of Mansmith and Fielders
• Inbound Marketing by Tricia Gosingtian of www.blog.triciagosingtian.com
• Business Economic Outlook for 2012 by Ronald Balbieran of the University of Asia and the Pacific.

Aside from the above mentioned names, the will also showcase the members’ different businesses as well as introduce other business ideas.

The Conference will be held on January 28, 2012 (Saturday) from 8:30am to 12:00nn at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Makati Avenue, Makati City.

Sponsor’s for this year conference are BusinessWorld, Manila Times, Entrepreneur Magazine, Working Mom Magazine, Lifestyle Network, HerWord.com, GoNegosyo and ProAccess.

For more information and reservations, please call 908-2558 / 0917-5408697 or email newomen@gmail.com. To register online, log on to www.newomen.net.

The Sinulog festival is one of the tourism’s well-known highlights in the country. Its event is a month long celebration starting from the 3rd Sunday in the month of January (from 2 to 31,) a really great way to start your new years. The feast is done in honor of the child Sto. Nino, whom is paraded in thanks and blessings through a procession and Mardi gras in Cebu, the City of Culture according to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN.)

Actually, the dance presentations itself serve as prayers for devotees as well as creative galas for artists and designers. For this Sinulog 2012, Mayor Michael Rama even appealed its local communities to be “Be hospitable, be vigilant” in preparation for its Asian theme with a funding of up to Php 40 million. President Benigno Aquino III and Vice President Jejomar Binay will grace their presence, much to the city’s glee and delight.

From December 15, 2011, ticket sales have been on going until the first day of the event itself. You can buy from the Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI). According to SFI’s Executive Director Ricky Ballesteros, they will need a better crowd control and improved performances from artists this year’s celebration rites. Although, last year, the festival was held really safe, just like in the past. Moreover, it seems that the crowd is so big in number to even pave way for what they are watching. Unfortunately, the venue can’t be expanded, so if you’re planning to go there this month, be sure to follow instructions and tell other spectators too. As for the artists, there were opened sponsored workshops to enhance their performances. This opportunity has shown more promises in just one event compared to other festivals in the country. Plus, they are free!

One of the much awaited contests is the Sinulog Idol. Wherein, there will be 12 finalists to watch. It is a singing competition in collaboration with the Center for Pop Music Philippines and Soundtraxx Productions Studio.

For a much detailed account, read below for the list and dates of Sinulog 2012 activities:

Dec 01 – Jan 31, 2012    Sinulog Street Fair, Osmeña Blvd.
December 11, 2011    2nd Sinulog Cup Baseball Tournament c/o Cebu City Sports Commission
December 12, 2011    Sinulog on the Spot Painting Contest @ Fort San Pedro
December 16, 2011    Launching and Sinulog Photo Exhibits @SM City
December 17, 2011    Sinulog Poster Making Contest @ Emall
December 30, 2011    Sinulog 2012 Fun Run
December 30, 2011    Sinulog Best Dance Crew Elimination
December 30, 2011    Sinulog Musicfest Elimination

January 05, 2012 (Thursday)    Opening Salvo: Walk with Jesus
4:00 AM    Assembly Time (Area) Fuente Osmeña
4:30 AM    Start of Walk-Fuente Osmeña Blvd. – Basilica del Sto. Niño
5:30 AM    Installation of Hermano & Hermana Mayores 2012

January 06, 2012 (Friday)    Sinulog 2012 Kick Off
2:00PM    Solemn Mass (Basilica del Sto. Niño) sponsored by the Sinulog Foundation Inc and Cebu City government
3:00 PM    Launching Parade (Basilica del Sto. Niño to Cebu City Sports Center)
7:00 PM    Opening and Launching Program, Fuente Osmeña
7:30 PM    Ms. Cebu 2012 Presentation @ Fuente stage
9:00 PM    Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)
10:00 PM    Streen Party Bands

January 7, 2012 (Saturday)    Sinulog sa Kabataan – Lalawigan
8:00 AM    2nd SINULOG FOOTBALL CUP c/o Cebu City Sports Commission
1:00 PM    Parade of Participants, Capitol Site to Cebu City Sports Center
2:00 PM    Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan, Cebu City Sports Center
4:30 PM    Awarding of Winners
6:30 PM    Cultural Show (Fuente Osmeña) Department of Education, Cebu Province Division
8:00 PM    Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)
9:00 PM    Concert @ the Fuente O , Street Party Bands

January 8, 2012 (Sunday)    Sinulog sa Kabataan – Dakbayan
4:00 AM    Cebu City 2012 Marathon – www.cebumarathon.com
8:00 AM    2nd SINULOG FOOTBALL CUP c/o Cebu City Sports Commission
1:00 PM    Parade of Participants, Plaza Independencia to Cebu City Sports Center
2:00 PM    Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan, Cebu City Sports Center
4:30 PM    Awarding of Winners
6:30 PM    Cultural Show (Fuente Osmeña)
8:00 PM    Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)
9:00 PM    Concert @ the Fuente O, Street Party Bands

January 9, 2012 (Monday)
6:30 PM    Cultural Show (Fuente Osmeña) University of Southern Philippines, Cebu Institute of Technology University, St. Paul’s College Foundation
8:00 PM    Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)
9:00 PM    Concert @ the Fuente O , Street Party Bands

January 10, 2012 (Tuesday)
6:30 PM    Cultural show (Fuente Osmeña)
8:00 PM    Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)
9:00 PM    Concert @ the Fuente O , Street Party Bands

January 11, 2012 (Wednesday)
9:00 AM    Airport Welcome (Balikbayan Flights)
6:30 PM    Cultural Shows (Fuente Osmeña) Department of Education, Cebu City Division
7:00 PM    Ms. Cebu 2012 Coronation Night, Waterfront Lahug Hotel
8:00 PM    Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)
9:00 PM    Concert @ the Fuente O , Street Party Bands

January 11-22, 2012    Sinulog Fiesta “OTOP Fair 2012″ Atrium A & B SM City Cebu Organized by Department of Trade & Industry -Cebu
January 12, 2012 (Thursday)
9:00 AM    Airport Welcome (Balikbayan Flights)
10:00 AM    Sinulog Festival Queen 2012 Photo Shoot
6:30 PM    Cultural Shows (Fuente Osmeña) Salazar Colleges of Science Institute of Technology, Cebu Normal University, Asian College of Technology
6:00 PM    Balik Cebu, Welcome Party @ Ayala Center Cebu
8:00 PM    Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)
8:00 PM    Handumanan @ Ayala Terraces
9:00 PM    Concert @ the Fuente O , Street Party Bands

January 13, 2012 (Friday)    Visual Merchandising Contest
(Dept. Stores and Malls)
4:00 AM    Walk with Mary (Area) Fuente Osmeña-Sto. Niño
9:00 AM    Solidarity Meeting (All Competing Contingent /
Floats / Higante / Puppteers) @ Cebu City Sports Center Gym
5:00 PM    Sinulog Best Dance Crew Grand Finals
6:30 PM    Cultural Shows (Fuente Osmeña) University of San Jose Recoletos, Southwestern University, Cebu Technological University
7:30 P.M    Metro Cebu Popular Music Festival, Cebu Coliseum
7:30 P.M    Sinulog Festival Queen 2012, Cebu City Sports Center
9:00 PM    Concert @ the Fuente O , Street Party Bands

January 13-15, 2012
9:00 AM    Devotees’ City organized by Cebu City Government
January 14, 2012 (Saturday)
6:00 AM    Fluvial Procession of the Miraculous Image of Sto. Niño
9:00 AM    Re-enactment of the Baptism of Queen Juana and Rajah Humabon Basilica del Sto. Niño
12:00 PM    8TH “THE STREET VIBRATION & BIG BIKE RALLY 2012, by V-max Owner’s Group, Inc. Cebu Chapter
2:00 PM    Solemn Procession of the Miraculous Image of Sto. Niño
7:00 PM    Sinulog Fireworks Competition @ SM City Cebu
7:00 PM    Street party @ Fuente Osmeña and Plaza Independencia
8:00 PM    Kasadya Nite Mardi Gras @ Ayala Center Cebu

January 15, 2012 (Sunday)    SINULOG GRAND PARADE
4:00 AM    Mañanita Mass @Basilica del Sto. Niño
6:00 AM    Pontifical mass with His Eminence Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal
9:00 AM    Sinulog Grand Parade Carousel Kick Off
7:00 PM    Grand Fireworks, Cebu City Sports Center
7:30 PM    Street Party Bands, Fuente Osmeña

January 16, 2012 (Monday)
1:00 PM    Awarding Ceremonies, Cebu City Sports Center

January 20, 2012 (Friday)    “HUBO”
4:00 AM    “HUBO Mass” Ritual @ Basilica del Sto. Niño

January 21-22, 2012    CEBU CHESS FESTIVAL – “WORLD’S LARGEST CHESS TOURNAMENT” @ the Cebu City Sports Center
January 28, 2012 (Saturday)
1:00 P.M    Screening of Finaslists Short Film/Video Documentary Contest
1:30 P.M    Sinulog 2012 Winning Photo Exhibits
6:00 P.M    Awarding Ceremonies Photo Contest and Video Documentary Contest @SM City Cebu

January 28 – Feb. 10, 2012    Photo Exhibits “Winning Photos Sinulog ‘10 @SM City Cebu
For added details: Contact The Organizers at 253700, 2545010, telefax 4164548

Aim to dig-up the coolest finds, but low-cut gifts this season? Visit the Novel Discovery Bazaar now. Any budget would fit in with its really cheap and affordable products sold in kiosks, stalls and “tiangges.”

Here are some shopping tips from Ms. Aida Gregorio, the project manager herself:

• Start at the most convenient time possible. You should allow only two hours of shopping hours.
• Wear cool and comfortable clothes as well as limit wearing jewelries or accessories that can add to the hassle of carrying things that you have shopped for from stall to stall.
• Write down everything you want to buy and who will be given the gifts.
• There should be a definite budget for each gift to give.
• Bring shopping bags in reasonable numbers that you can use as well as re-use for shopping at the bazaar.
• Keep the receipt.
• Check what you have shopped for numbers and repairs.
• Take care and look after your personal possessions.

Prices for men and women t-shirts can range from Php 99 up to 150 only. On the other hand, shoes are offered in a buy-one-take one discount promo, which are made in high quality and in lots of sizes. There are also casual or formal blouses offered in 3 for Php 580, really affordable. You just have to buy once for 2 persons.

Store hours are: 11 am to 9 pm during Monday to Thursday and 11am to 10 pm during Friday to Sunday. This year, on its 11th run, there are 23 shopping days to enjoy. Namely they are:

• World Trade Center – November 18 to 27 and December 21 to 23
• PICC Forum – December 9 to 18

The proceeds of the bazaar will go to the GMA Kapuso Foundation, Associate Missionaries of Assumption and Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation. Helping are the hands of GMA Network and the Philippine Daily Inquirer to be able to acquire more buyers and sellers.

Crocodiles are one of the most beautiful reptiles living on Earth today. With scale colors of light green to dark green, they gracefully used their skin for camouflaged while basking at land or floating in water. It has two types the crocodylus porosus and crocodylus mindorensis (endangered.) The first one is commonly known as saltwater crocs and the largest species of its kind, according to the “National Geographic.” These are the ones available for sightseeing at the new “Crocodile Park Manila,” a city version of its Davao branch. Owned by the Philip S. Dizon or “PSD Group of Companies,” it belongs as one of their highest tourist attractions with only Php 200 as entrance fee.

With its common size of 5 meters and weight of 450 kilograms in males, swimming is not a problem for these reptile animals on the waters of Australia, India and some parts of Asia. Don’t worry saltwater crocs are not yet extinct. Currently, it has a count of up to 300,000. Though, illegal hunters, habitat destruction and more aversion towards them are seen today, especially for their being carnivores, which can be a threat to humans.

Schools can ask for reservations or other tourists who would want to see the crocodiles in live, the park is open for walk-ins on Sundays at 3:30 pm. The shows presented are just the same.

List of Shows in the New Crocodile Park Manila:

• Crocodile Feeding
• Crocodile Dancing
• Birdshow and Friendly Animal Encounter
• Wildlife Encounter Interactive
• Tightrope Walking
• Butterfly House
• Insectariums
• Ostrich mini-farm”
• Mini-petting Zoo
• Marine World

The new “Crocodile Park Manila” can be found within the vicinities of “Boom na Boom” carnival park at Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City. It aims to educate the Filipinos, specifically the youth, on crocodiles and its way of life. Don’t miss the fun now, visit their site for reservations!

This November 27, 2011, bring your family and friends to the “McHappy Day Fun Run 2011!” With a second time in a row, McDonald’s has again opened the event for the benefit of “Bright Minds Read” project in charity help. The Department of Education (DepEd) co-partners in making it successful. The organizer is the Eventking Corp. Together they make dreams of reading books and magazines for grade 1 students in the Philippines public schools possible.

The race venue and assembly is at the Mc Kinley Hills, Taguig City with levels of tracks in 1Km for kids with age 3-5 and 3Km for kids with age 6-12, 3Km for families in packs of 4 (though this ones already closed in registration,) and the 5Km for ages over 3 years old and 10Km open for ages 15 years old and above. The joining price for the race in 1Km for kids is Php 375, 3Km for kids is Php 425, 3Km for families in packs of 4 is Php 1,000, 5Km is Php 525 and 10Km is Php 725. You can register at any McDonald’s outlets.

Once joining, racers are asked to create their bibs in any style they want, place the best head dress for the occasion and wear their most favorite family costumes worn. These are special prices conditions that are awarded with gift certificates and cash for every winner, while the regular track prices waiting are also gift certificates and cash for every winner.

For more details on the “McHappy Day Fun Run 2011,” visit the www.mchappyday.com.ph today! Join the fun.

150,000+ runners will join this year’s 11.20.2011 Pasig River Run. The date of the race was included in the title showing a mirror of numbers, while the theme song will be “Salamin ng Ating Langit.” Assembly was held at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City and with the globe as the finish line. The Philippines is aiming another world record by exceeding the running number last year, which is actually the current international contender for the most set runs in a race named by the Guinness World Records.

This race is made possible by the joined efforts of Ms. Gina Lopez, who is the ABS-CBN Foundation Managing Director for “Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig,” and the 11.20.2011 Pasig River Run directors: Thumbie Remigio, PJ Villarta, Rio Dela Cruz and Eric Imperio. It is under the KBPIP, being a program for goals on developing the river through cleaning campaigns and fund-raising events. The organization is known for helping the communities of Calauan, Laguna through its relocating projects, adding improvement on technologies for cleaning the river’s water, training members of the River Warrior programs as well as implementing waste management procedures taught in communities concerned. All work for the Pasig river rehabilitation.

11.20.2011 Pasig River Run Categories:

• 3 kilometers route – begins at the corner of Roxas Boulevard and V. Sotto Street CCP Complex
• 5 kilometers route – begins at the corner of Roxas Boulevard and Pedro Gil Street
• 10 kilometers route – begins at the corner of Ocean Drive and Bayshore Avenue
• 21 kilometers route – a ceremonial run all over Metro Manila that is allowed only for the KBPIP sponsors and its partners who would also want to run the event.

According to Lopez, she wants this to be a yearly event for runners and in order to reach their desired number of participants they have to designate stricter rules on the event. Wherein, runners are asked to finish the race up to the last point. Since last year, there were some who didn’t get the chance to cross the line and remained in clusters. This was really a seen problem at that time.

Moreover, expected proceeds of about Php 40 Million this year are aimed to benefit the Estero de San Miguel in rehabilitation of the river as well as others like Estero de Paco that streams in current among the 5 channels of Malacañang Palace.

11.20.2011 Pasig River Run registration and rules can be found at the site. http://kbpip.abs-cbn.com/

To be honest, our family don’t celebrate Halloween but this doesn’t mean that we don’t visit our relatives during these long vacation holidays. Actually this is one of the holidays that we are looking forward to because it gives us the opportunity to travel for a longer time.

Just like the holidays, we all look forward to reunions during Nov. 1 and 2. Wherein, we get to taste real Filipino dishes like “sapin-sapin,” “biko,”  and “puto,” lemon bisquits, “suman” and a lot more foods that are not only sweet but are every Pinoy’s favorite to eat during these times. If they are not cooked by grandmothers, our aunts or moms of course would love to sample their own Filipino style recipes of these goodies. Else, you can buy these from baking stores like Colette’s Buko Pie and Pasalubong, Mega Melt or Pancit ng taga Malabon.

If you want to bring flowers, you can order them now online at Manila Blooms. Other means can be at the Cebu flower market or in Manila, The Dangwa Flower Market, wherein prices are really low and cheap.

While our relatives, it is also fun to share stories and tales your cousins haven’t heard from you. This time stories are really scary and are part of the Filipino culture. You can share your personal accounts or experiences with “aswang,” “dwende,” “tikbalang,” white ladies and other mythical bodies seen during an eerie night. There are relatives who would even come from abroad just to visit during “Undas.” Surely, they would love to hear these scary stories from you.
Compared to other countries, here our culture shows that Undas can also be something to look forward to at the end of the year. There are even dancing in the streets, cemetery or other places any family can celebrate all night long. Costume parties are everywhere now in the Philippines. Usually they are held during this time of the year, but there are also some events and contests on Undas, like the “adobo Run After Dark 2011” to be held at the Aseana City, or the “World Anime Cosplay Summit 2011: Hero face off contest.” Though, it is not specifically Halloween, like how the westerns have.
You can share how you celebrate “Undas” with us! Just post your own version of stories through the comment box below.

My husband had been urging for the longest time to join running events in the past but I’ve been postponing it every time. It’s not that I don’t like running but the idea of waking up in early in the morning to practice makes me having a second thought.

But when my brother,  whose company is into advertising,  told me that he will sign us up for the Adidas King of the Road marathon, I cannot back out anymore since he told me that it’s

My sisters and our kids

FREE since they’re one of the sponsors. I immediately informed my husband and he was glad that I grabbed the opportunity.

So last Sunday, was my first official running event. The marathon was the final leg for the Adidas King of the Road – South East Asia race. It’s more of a fun run for us since my eldest son joined me and my husband on this, together with the family of my two sisters. There were a total of 9 of us including 3 kids who joined the 5K category.

We had so much fun during the run although the 3 kids were sometimes complaining that they’re thirsty already, and so we always make sure that they drink enough water on every hydration station. We brought 3 point-and-shoot cameras with us, one for every family, so we took pictures whenever there’s a chance.

We finished the event in less than an hour and we all received our first finisher medal! Aside from this, we also have a collection of colorful singlets!

My son with his cousin Jules together with Coach Jim Sarret

After the run, the kids had the opportunity to get a picture with Joy of Pilipinas Biggest Losers and Coach Jim Sarret as well.

With Joy Sy of Pinoy Biggest Loser

Since all of us enjoyed the event, for sure we will join another race in the future, and hopefully it’s for free again