My Top 10 Vote: Emerging Influential Blogs 2010

The “Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for 2010 Writing Project” is something bloggers, both veterans and new, look forward to year on year. New blogs covet it because only “fresh” blogs (those usually created within a year and several months from the start of the contest period) can vie for the win. Think of this as an Actor’s Guild award version for blogs. Win peers over in order for them to vote for you and, if you get enough votes and rank high, you and your blog reign victorious. Having the badge as a top 10 winner for a particular year on your side bar is like wearing a prestigious crown from something big and for always. Gotta flaunt it when you have it. Horray!

Year on year, picking a top ten gets so darn harder. I intend to always be on a look out for fresh blogs that have potential. As much as possible, I’d like to find new authors with a passion for their chosen niches. They’re the ones who put a little more effort on their published stories and ideas. It’s like constantly looking for a diamond in the rough, if you may. Let’s start with my list.

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1. Jean Fernando‘s Trip of Treats. Jean’s passion for sharing about her latest travel destination, food find, home cooked recipe, and the places that she love are what her entries are mostly about. She chronicles her “trips” or “treats” with accompanying photos which, I bet, most of her readers would either hate, spite, envy, or love her for. Also, did you already see her kitchen? ENVY!

2. Tin Iglesias‘ Fashion Ate The World. Tin majors in Clothing Technology and her blog could prove that she’s on the right career track. She shares her love for her idea of fashion to the world, several finds at a time, from head to toe. She’s got hundreds of entries and she just started in May 2009! Now that’s dedication!

3. Carlos Palma‘s Foodie Manila. The photos of food in Carlos’ blog are so great, I practically coerced him to teach me the craft of making good tasting food look even better in photos. Yes, I still need pointers for this, moreso in lighting and food styling. Know what? He obliged! Horray, free crash course! Foodie Manila deserves this award with or without the promised tutorial. I mean, come on, just look at his website!

4. Lizz and Josh‘s Yes-No-Meh takes on a he said, she said theme where the authors either agree or agree to disagree on on particular topic, one blog post at a time.

5. Mica Rodriguez‘s Project 52 Weeks takes this undertaking to a whole different level by posting 1 video for every week of the year. Others do something similar with a photo a day. With video, the task gets more challenging. You have to give it to Mica whose passion is into directing short films.

6. Andrew dela Serna and Aileen Apolo‘s Tea Completely is the only blog in the country on the milk tea niche. One of them is Manila-based while the other is in Davao. The blog came about when both wanted to chronicle their take about milk tea finds from the grocery (instant or bottled) or from restaurants.

7. Orman‘s Ganda Ever So Much is as hilarious as any blog can get.

8. Ria Jose shares her love to make good food in Kusina Maria. She’d share the latest things as she learn them in cooking school to the latest gadgets that strike her useful for any kitchen.

9. Aileen Apolo‘s Mabuhay Ang Bagng Kasal. Aileen recently got married to Jay and in this blog, she shares recipes, tips, experiences, and her struggles. She just recently blogged about their first 100 days of married bliss.

10. Vince Golangco‘s When in Manila. I first heard about this blog during last year’s Philippine Blog Awards where Vince presented and did the videos for some of the major categories of the competition. I find his spoof videos entertaining, to say the least. He also shares about some of the notable happenings around town.

Good luck, y’all. In my book, you are all winners.

This writing project would not have been possible without the passion of the organizer, Janette Toral, and the support of the following sponsors: Events and Corporate Video, Budget hotel in Makati, Pinoy Party Food, Copyediting Services, PR Agency Philippines, Budget Travel Philippines, Send Gifts to the Philippines, Black Friday Deals, Roomrent – units for rent, Search Profile Index, and Corporate Events Organizer.

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Mantakin Mong May Binebenta Pa Palang Slumbook!

Wala na atang pinaka-swak pang pwedeng i-feature ko sa site ko ngayong Agosto, Buwan ng Wika, liban dito sa pinaka-kwela at mainit-init pang bagong produkto mula sa mga gumawa ng “Not The Planner 2010.” Alam nyo to, wag nyo ng i-deny pa. Dahil sa mga to kung bat tayo napasma nung mga bata pa tayo. Ito ay pinamagatang “akala mo lang wala nang slumbook pero meron, Meron, MERON!” Title pa lang, patok na patok na!

Dati-rati, ‘kala ko Pinoy ang may pasimuno ng mga slumbook. Sa US pala meron din nito pero slam book sya kung tawagin. Kajologan lang na biglang slumbook na sya sa colloquial. Taragais na ‘yan. Para sa mga hindi alam kung ano ito, dahil malay ko ba kung sing sira-ulo pa rin gaya naming Gen-Xers ang mga kabataan ngayon, ang tinatawag na slumbook ay usually isang notebook kung saan nakasulat ang mga imbentong tanong ng mayari nito na ginawa para pasulatan sa kanyang mga natatanging kaibigan. Andyan yung usual na Name, Address, Motto, Favorite Color, at mga kagaya pang “blanks.”

Kung marami kang slumbook na nasulatan noon, sikat ka. Kung marami kang napilit na sikat sa school mo na sumulat sa slumbook mo, mas sikat ka. Kung naka-yeba-yeba mo ang marami sa mga nauto mong sumulat sa slumbook mo sa murang mong edad na highschool, makati at pokpok kang haliparot ka nung bata ka pa. Ganun lang ka-simple yun.

Mapa-lalaki o babae dati ay may mga slumbook. Yung mga mayayaman, bumibili lang yan ng ready made at hard-bound na journals na magaganda ang design ng cover. Slumbook pa lang, may imaginary socio-economic divide na dati. Imaginary in a sense lang naman kasi wala namang mga matapobre sa school namin noon. Ang swerte ko nga eh. Yung mga naghihikahos naman sa buhay, yung notebook nila sa PE na wala namang nasusulat buong taon ang usually nacoconvert bigla para maging slumbook. Tinitiyaga lang nila itong sulatan ng mga katanungan, nilalagyan ng papel na overlay ang itsura ng mga artistang tulad nina Romnick at Sheryll as cover, tatahiin ang spine, at PRESTO! Instant slumbook!

Ang kina-iba siguro ng “akala mo lang wala nang slumbook pero meron, Meron, MERON!” slumbook na ito dun sa mga dati na nating nabili o nagawa ay mas bebenta to sa generation natin ngayon. Gawa itong Pinoy para sa Pinoy. Marami sa mga katanungan at blanks dyan ay nakasulat o may Filipino captions. Titigilan ko na pagsulat kasi alam kong dumudugo na ilong nyo kababasa nito.

On with the photos! Yung description ng specs, how to order, website, at FAQs ilalagay ko na lang pagkatapos nitong mga pics.

Maganda ang material ng slumbook. OK rin sa binding. Makakapal ang papel at alam mong de-kalidad. P200.00 lang sya. Mahal sya para sa kabataang nag-aaral pa lang pero sisiw na sisiw sa mga tanders na may mga trabaho na’t gustong gunitain ang days of our lives nung tayo’t mga virgin pang lahat.

Eto ang iba pang details na marahil gusto mong malaman tungkol sa “Akala mo lang wala nang slumbook, pero meron, Meron, MERON!” Notebook/Slumbook:

Size: 6in x 6in
Thickness: 1in
Cover: Chipboard covered with Red Cloth with black stamping
Paper: Bookpaper 60
Leaves: 123 leaves (246 pages)
Print: 90 pages 1 –color print
Price: PHP200 only.

Slumbook: 20 friends can sign!
Notebook: There are 90 leaves of notebook!

Website: Witty Will Save The World, Co.’s multiply page
Facebook page: Witty Will Save The World, Co.
More photos from the makers: please click here. (kung ako sayo, wag mo i-clock para may suspense ka pag natanggap mo ang bibilhin mong slumbook. Payong kaibigan lang, mamser)
FAQs on the slumbook and how to order: please go here.
Transact via text or email: through text 0906-4652191 or email wittywillsavetheworld at gmail dot com.

Na-excite ka ba? Aminin mo na! Give in! Uuuuuy, magte-text na yan! LOL. Sa mga utak sa likod ng Witty Will Save The World Co., galeng ‘nyo!

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Rainy Day Tip: Saving Your Wet Leather Shoes

Other that tearing a door knob down and that Photoshop tutorial, I’ve something else up my sleeve. This age old tip is quite timely, too, for the rainy days. I’ll share with you steps on how to save your rain soaked leather shoes and I’ll show them to you with institutional lighting lit visuals. The header pic shows how this pair looked back in the day.

If your shoes have leather soles, get them off the fridge coils after around 12 hours to prevent them from deforming. The best thing about stuffing them shoes with paper preserves its form versus just drying them out plain.

Text on the images are reproduced below if they’re too small to read:

So my leather shoes got drenched from the rain a while ago. In this post, I’ll let you in on the “first aid” that can potentially save your pair from imminent death. The process is fairly simple, really, but you’ll have to act fast. Do this as you get home or say goodbye to thousands of pesos spent on quality footwear. Also, finding a perfect pair can be a bitch, yes? Do I have your attention now? Good. Now get a Sunday edition newspaper and we’ll get you started.

Tear off about an eighth of a broad sheet and stuff it into the tip of your shoe (if it’s a pointy as mine. Have it sized bigger as needed). Be sure to pack it in. You will want to get as much paper in there as possible. Then tear some more paper and stuff that shoe, leaving nothing between each layer by jamming everything in. This process (1) will facilitate the efficient transfer of water from the leather to the paper and (2) prevent mildew from forming on the damp inner sole and hide.

Remember to pack that paper in with your hands. Nothing can be as yucky as your feet now so having your hands in those shoes for just a few minutes won’t hurt. Won’t hurt as much as the cost you’ll have to spend buying a new pair if you don’t. Just take a shower as soon as you’re done. You’re doing a splendid job!

Don’t let that face stop you from stuffing. Not now! The shoes need saving! Show no remorse!

Pack it to the brim. Feel the sides of the shoe from the outside. If it feels “tender” in some parts, you know what to do… stuff it some more! Very good!

There’s a fairly good reason why that “Job Finder” page was left unscathed. It will do more good to you in that state than crumpled. Just in case…

… uhm, moving on…

Do the same with the other shoe. Do not use the glossy magazine style pages. They’re not as absorbent as the non-glossy recycled paper. The “Job Finder” page and the glossy magazine are all that’s left of the Sunday paper. WHODATHUNK THAT?! Now, you’ve one thing left to do…

If your refrigerator has those heat emitting coils on the back side, hang your shoes by the sole on them. The soles should touch the coils like so. If you don’t have ‘em coils, have the shoes air dried with an electric fan, instead.

Take the paper out after 24 hours. If the insides still feel damp, let it dry in front of an electric fan at low.

You shall have fully resuscitated them shoes after this round (after 48 hours, max).

Before wearing, get some baking soda and put some inside the shoes. It has the magical powers to remove the smell. Repeat as needed.

Shine, buff, and wear.

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A Narrative about Jeans, Epiphany, Take Two, Sale, and Savings

A month ago, I got this pair of Levi’s jeans from The Landmark for a discounted price of P1,750. The original price was P8,500. Slim fit, low waist, great detail, made in Japan, trusted brand, and a limited edition. And it’s black. Levi’s Black. Close to 80% off, rounded. For the record, nothing inedible has ever climbed my “most favorite” list faster than this 2-years off season pair of jeans (I did a quick research on Levi’s Black and found that 2-year off season bit out. No, I’m still not turned off).

I’ve been wearing them every week since.

It occured to me that at the rate I’m washing and wearing the same pair, they’d fade on me faster than that memory of a really bad one night stand. Or they could accidentally get bleached at the laundromat. Or they could get ripped apart after I find myself recovering from a freak knee-on collission with a tumbleweed rolling at 50mph while I happen to be prancing in one of them unmapped patches of deserts scattered all over Las Piñas (where they have a different time zone than the rest of the Philippines, allegedly). I stopped doing my GDP-related presentation as a solitary tear threatened to make a free fall down my left cheek. The fear swelled uncontrollably from my gut, upping me to my feet with a jolt, and then suddenly, BEHOLD! An epiphany.

When I got my pair a month ago, there were two of the same kind the “sale” rack. Both sized 30 and black (but not Binay-black). Both of them in the same pristine condition. Both on sale. There’s a slim chance that the other sized-30 jean-clone is still on sale in that same mall, unwanted and unnoticed, waiting, nay, WANTing, for my crotch to fill, and re-fill (again and again, repeat to fade), its crotchular section.

I went home tonight with my second pair of the same slim fitting, low waisted, finely detailed black Levi’s that I already owned.  Total cost for two pairs, bought one month apart: P3,500. Total savings: P13,500.

There’s this scheming, marketing ploy I’ve read off a magazine not so long ago saying if you happen to find a pair of jeans that fit you perfectly well, get a second pair of the same “everything.”  It might take a while for you to find a better fitting replacement/favorite, it added.  Since I pride myself as always being the obedient but logical one, can somebody please help me wipe this stupid grin off of my face?!

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Davao Food Tourism with Davao “FAT”

On March in 2009, prior to me owning the high-power zooming ultra compact Lumix ZS3 and a Canon EOS 550D, I brought my trusty Nokia N82 camera phone to Davao City in time for the now annual Davao Food Appreciation Tour (DFAT) through the efforts and graciousness (not of the local DOT as you might think but) of local bloggers to show us visitors a different story to the city otherwise famous for its durian and suha. Think about it: taking upon a daunting task of getting select local restaurants’ buy-in to feed a group of hungry travelers from Manila for free is no easy task. But it’s happened AND it will again this year, this coming weekend, on its third straight year in a row. This “food tourism” project is the initiative of Davao City bloggers Ria, Drew, Blogie, and Chattee.

Looking back, let me re-count with words and a few food pron photographs how much of a swell time I had with good friends and great company. We did spend for our own airfare and accommodation, yes, but going to Davao with no other intention but to grub (and enjoy the city on the side) was IMHO a three-day travel-adventure worth saving up for.

During Lunch of the first day, we were sat inside the quaint Tadakuma Japanese Restaurant at Damosa where we were served one flavorful Japanese dish after another: Atuyaki Tofu, Sukiyaki, Yakisoba, Gomoku Chahan, and Gyoza. Of the lot, I’ll never forget their Sukiyaki, priced at a low P380.00 last year. Although I don’t have a photo of it here, I fondly recall its sheer magnificence (so not kidding) when I day dream inside meh Japanese fast food restos in Makati. Quite comparable to the Sukiyaki from the Jap resto along Pasay Rd and near Pasong Tamo (I’m not saying which, exactly LOL).

From this point, onwards, please hover on the images for descriptions. Thank you.

At dinner, we went to Aileen and Ria’s (the birthday girl 04.28 yay!) favorite restaurant, Lachi’s, where they served Cream Dory in Thai Sauce (limited release and “coming soon” back then), Breaded Tofu in Teriyaki Sauce, Laing Pasta (see how creative they are?), Pork Belly in red Bean Curd Sauce (also a limited release food item), Pork Marinara (pasta, Aileen’s favorite), Unforgettable Ribs (my ultimate favorite), and Ube Panna Cotta and Crème Brûlée for dessert. Lachi’s is famous for their Sans Rival, for those not in the know. I always make it a point to drop by this resto when I’m in Davao (Drew and Ria seem more than happy to oblige and take me there). Lachi’s, I overheard, makes cakes for several other restaurants in Davao City. Goes to show how good they really are in pampering a sweet tooth.

After dinner, we capped the night off with coffee (and stories) over at Kangaroo, a local coffee shop famous for their Alamid/Manos (cat poo LOL) coffee. Our group signed their guestbook like the self proclaimed stars that we are. I also bought mint chocolate chip cookies from the cafe as pasalubong for my boss (bribe for letting me take a leave that time).

On the second day, we went Zip-lining at Asia’s longest zip, The Xcelerator, first before lunch was served at a cozy restaurant called Pepper & Peppers. The most memorable dish they served was the Iberian Chicken: baked to perfection and glazed with spices that will make your mind spin in euphoria, despite it soaking in what appears to be heart-attack-inducing oil but is, in fact, zero-cholesterol-and-zero-trans-fat olive oil. I think you’ll have to call the store and order the Iberian Chicken in advance because it takes quite a while to prepare. It’s that special!

More city touring followed and at dinner, we went to Mamu’s where they served the best soup I had during my stay. It is here that I got to first eat salmon sashimi. First. You read that right. Contrary to the aura I project, I never got the hang of Japanese food from since I was little. To my joy and delight, my first salmon sashimi experience was ab-so-lutely fuckentastic! Mamu’s owner showed us around the hotel rooms of the adjoining Anisabel Suites. Had I known of this from before, I would have booked my stay at Anisabel, instead. Their Suite Room’s T&B has see-through showers with only a curtain dividing it from the bedroom. Perfect for the “first” during honeymoon night! OMG, an epiphany a year too late! Hahaha!

On our third and last day, we had lunch at Cafe Andessa, home to the Bicol Express Pasta. A MUST TRY! On my notes, I scribbled down “Iced Tea FTMFW! (woot) (rock) (panic),” just so I could remember how fantastic their iced tea is. Now I want one. Bummer. For dessert, we had Suman Latik and Turon a la mode. Looking at my year-old photos is making me hallucinate. Not good.

This coming weekend, DFAT shall happen on its third year. For first time joiners, you’re in for a wild ride, I assure you. To Drew, Chattee, and Ria, you guys are amazing. Every city needs a clone of each of you and collectively, you and your clones will take food tourism to greater heights all over the country. To the DOT, learn from these guys. To the guys I went with, you are the best company ever! To the rest of the participants this weekend, please take better photos than what I got with my camphone. That’s a dare ;)

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First Shots off my Canon 550D (Rebel T2i)

Got this baby on April 14 after much thought and internal deliberation (cost versus a 3-year warranty that’ll cover service and parts). I have now, ladies and gents, succumbed to the “this is long overdue,” “your talent deserves a DSLR,” “the point and shoot being as good as a DSLR is a myth,” and the “nothing feels better than composing your shot in-cam and not depend on post processing” advice I constantly get from peers. I bought a Canon 550D (Digital Rebel T2i in some parts of the world). Not a 7D as initially planned, shut up.

Shortly after purchase, I went on a trip to Legaspi City in Bicol, Donsol, Pili in Naga, and the Caramoan Peninsula in Camarines Sur all in 5 days. The trip deserves a lengthy post on its own and since it’s late and I’ve a bajillion things lined up for my Saturday, let me share with you the test shots I took with the 550D using a kit lens, an ultra wide angle, and a prime 50mm f/1.8 “plastic fantastic.” So far, I’ve done people, food, inanimate objects, and landscape mostly by tweaking the manual settings. Do critique and advise, if you must and let me know, my shots so I can improve on them as needed (yung mga nagbabalak magsabi para may masabi lang, tumahimik na lang at di ko yan kelangan LOL).

There you go. The cam cost plus Markku’s 10-22mm ultra wide angle (got a great deal from him, too) practically made my financial liquidity non-existent but still, I’m happy. Happy and awed like seeing a Butanding up close. Will share that story in a few.

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Super Junior Super Show 2 “Chu~” Performance Vid (HD)

The second and last vid I’ll post of Super Junior’s Super Show 2 concert is their performance of “Chu~.” Chica, a good friend who also watched the show in the SVIP Dance area commented, “were they just practicing on stage? What the heck were they doing situps with one on top of the other?!” I don’t get it that much either. It’s a fanservice that never fail to give fans the giddys. Notice the way the crowd would shout in deafening chorus when the boys do pseudo-intimacy-ish acts, albeit fleetingly? There you go.

In “Chu~,” their third to the final number (I think), RyeoWook, ShinDong, HeeChul, EunHyuk, and DongHae do their song and dance antics, cross dressed as ladies. Highlights for each might well be: Ryeowook’s dance adlib at the side of the stage (1:08-1:12), Shindong’s stunt (2:25-2:31), Heechul’s kawai pose (2:32), EunHyuk’s “slutty” dance moves – the part that cracked me up the most LOL (1:22-1:32), and Donghae’s final pose at the end of the song (3:05).

As mentioned in my “Sorry, Sorry” performance post, two posts back has all 32 photos I got during Super Junior’s last leg of Super Show 2. This vid and those shots go out to all SuJu fans. Enjoy!

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