Valentine’s day is celebrated just once in a year that is why lovers, “it’s complicated”, couples, partners, “friends” would try their best to make it extra special and worth remembering.

Whenever we think of Valentine’s Day, Roses and Chocolates always come first in our minds. Every girl has their own bouquet of flowers in different kind, style, color and sizes. I mean, if you are walking caught without even just a single flower on “V-Day” you will find yourself… well, let’s just say, out of place.

However, due to the law of supply and demand, we find prices of flowers and chocolates sky rocketing since many are purchasing it. Many would rush to “Dangwa” to buy fresh flowers of any kind.

Save yourself to the long queue of line, stress, time and effort in buying flowers for your “girl”. I found a perfect idea for you to try.

Island Rose is an online flower delivery in the Philippines which offers high quality roses that is straight from the farm with the freshest and widest selection of genuine Island Rose products at the fairest prices. They cater every flower that is suitable for your loved one.

www.islandrose.net is the official e-commerce site of the Philippine Cut Flower Corporation (PCFC) – the largest retailer and wholesaler of roses in the country.

All their flowers are imported from Europe and grown in their farm here in the Philippines. Flower bouquets are delivered in bud stage beautifully bunched and wrapped in Island Rose packaging with a personalized greeting card.

They deliver flowers to the Philippines via their partners, LBC, DHL, and Fedex (Air 21) so it is rest assured that it will arrive at your loved one safe and sound. This is a perfect surprise for those who are in a long distance relationship or even for those who can’t really make it that day even if you are not physically present. What’s great about Island Rose is that you can send gifts to the Philippines at anytime, anywhere and for every occasion.

BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE…

Interested buyers for Valentines Day can use this 10% discount code: VDAY022010

(This discount code is valid until February 20).

What are you waiting for? Just go to the website, click, then order.

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

Humans experienced technology at its best during Internet’s breakthrough. We can access everything in just one click. In contrast to the old times, wherein you really have to be physically there to actually know about what you want to know about.

The wonders of Internet have brought to us OLX. It is an online portal where you can buy and sell cars, gadgets and other stuff, canvass for prices, shop, look for a job, advertise and more in the Philippines and abroad. If you are into online shopping, wants to purchase items that are rare to find, into bargains, wants to find tickets for leisure and entertainment, wants to advertise your business, into real estate… OLX is a perfect website for you.

This website is very advantageous for people applying /looking for a job because OLX contains a vast Classified Ads depending on your needs. The great thing about it is that, you can post your own advertisement and even advertise yourself for free!

I actually had fun browsing and reading different ad placements in the Health Care section since I belong to the “unemployed nurse” status though I am currently studying after I graduated college. I was hoping to look for a vacancy as a nurse but to my dismay, I just found faces looking for the same thing.

Oh well, on the bright side, you can actually save money by just exploring OLX because instead of going to the busy offices in Makati and fight for jobs in Quezon City you just have to sit back, connect to the web and do some clicking. What an awesome relief right?

Important memories from birth to death, from friendship to building a family together, from entering pre-school to college graduation, birthdays, out of town trips, corporate events and a lot more… Photos, Videos, Souvenirs are always present.

We keep them for reference and documentation, as memorabilia, to advertise, to entertain… and for any other purposes we wish to do. I must admit I am guilty of posting it on Facebook, Multiply and my blog to share with everyone.

Most of the time we do videos and take pictures by ourselves but with some circumstances we hire professionals to do the job.

Buddy Gancenia is one of the best corporate, events, wedding videographer in the Philippines. He is highly experienced in producing and editing corporate, events and wedding videos. In turn, also have worked in several TV stations and its shows. He offers video coverage services that are unique and creatively done to cater your needs.

Buddy Gancenia can also produce corporate video for you company and business events as well as wedding video, if you want to have a “reality TV” touch in your own wedding.

Watch this teaser then you’ll know…

I have completed Simbang Gabi 4 times including this year. I have started attending it since 2002. So far, all my wishes were granted. The awesome part was this year’s wish because it was granted even before I finished Simbang Gabi. God is reaaaaally GOOD. He truly never let me down.

My Misa De Gallo experience for year 2009 was different because I attended mass at four different churches. The first day was at the Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Tagaytay City with my College friends, third day was at the Immaculate Conception Parish, Pateros also with my other College friends and a great way to end it was by attending the last stretch of Kraft Eden Cheese, Keso De Gallo— a nationwide event coinciding with the traditionally celebrated Misa de Gallo.

I, together with my mum and brother, Jeric had the privilege to attend our last day for Simbang gabi at San Guillermo Parish Church in Bacolor, Pampanga. The mass was in Kapampangan and I only followed through the mass because of the order, I even responded in Tagalog. (I was kind of worried if I were able to complete it because I didn’t understand the homily. Hihi). It was my first time to hear a Kapampangan mass and that was a splendid experience.

Parallel to the nine-day Simbang Gabi, Eden brought the goodness of Filipino dishes to Pinoys in nine different towns including Bacolod City, Iloilo, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu City, Naga, Butuan City, Laoag and Pampanga.

After the mass, At least 300 “kabalens” enjoyed the “Cheesy Squash Puto” a recipe done by pupils from the San Matias Elementary School in Pampanga sponsored by Kraft Eden Cheese. I can see those pretty little smiles from them that brightened the whole event after tasting the YUMM-Y Cheesy Squash Puto. You’ll never notice that there was a veggie in it. It was some sort of an alternative for our famous Bibingka and Puto Bumbong every after a Simbang Gabi mass.

Everyone was happy eating, chatting, singing, playing and taking pictures… It was a peaceful, triumphant, and superb event. I felt the warmness of the event even though its really cold outside the Church because I was able to savor this experience with my family—the most important thing of all.

Keso De Gallo as it aims to will explore the wonders of our country’s cuisine while providing an extended feast that will bring joy and delight to as many families as possible, was indeed a great means of celebrating the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. This event really brought out the true essence of Christmas. Nothing beats sharing, loving and togetherness in this season.

Thank You Kraft Eden Cheese for this wonderful experience.

“Dahil kay rami talgaga nating nagagawa pag may Eden Cheese”

P.S

My mum kept on repeating this experience to our relatives during our family Noche Buena.

Kraft Eden Cheese broke the record of the “Most Number on Display, In a Single Day” last December 14, 2009 at the Araneta Coliseum with………

*insert drum roll sound effects here*

5, 845 Palatable Dishes with CHEESE!!!

There were 500 Chefs and 5,000 dishes in the event. Premier culinary school Magsaysay Institute of Hospitality and Culinary Arts (MIHCA) contribute the most of the research and student manpower in the making of the event, with the added help of other schools such as Regina Carmeli, St. Paul University-Manila, Centro Escolar University, Emilio Aguinaldo College, La Consolacion College and Arellano University-Manila.

In the event, there were also contests that the following schools participated. The Grand winner for the Cheese Carving Contest is Centro Escolar University and Grand winner for the Noche Buena Cook-Off Contest is La Consolacion College.

There were a lot of YUMM-Y dishes and I wished I could taste them all! It was my first event with this kind of cause.

With that, I can say, Filipinos have the habit of making a HISTORY!

Here is my previous blogpost http://www.littlenars.com/2009/11/11/be-a-part-of-history-with-kraft-eden-cheese/

Bobson offers a range of easy and relaxed casual clothing made for the laid-back lifestyle of today’s men and women. Their style includes Bobson Basic and the new-innovative Bobson Series II.

BOBSON Series II was launched onto the local jeans scene that created immediate following for its modified designs. The name Series II is synonymous with Edgy, Progressive and Modern. The BOBSON Series II includes an innovative denim line for ladies and men, shirts and tops designed for today’s men women

With Bobson, you can have more ways to be hip and fab. Bobson designs for ladies and men, can be mix and match for an unlimited trendy and style.

Bobson denims are trendy, new colors and washes, unique pocket details, appliqués, embroideries and finishes. Each denim piece has a slanted red leather belt loop at the back. Bobson Series II pants were designed with larger back pockets, wider waistband, and a red facing combination.

This is a perfect gift for Christmas and the holiday season. Bobson clothesline is available in all SM, RDS and leading department stores nationwide at reasonable prices (P850 for the jeans).

World Bazaar Festival will be open for shoppers from December 6 to December 14, 2009 at the World trade Center Manila. It has the best assortment of products and merchandise ranging from food, car accessories, fashion jewelry, toys, clothing, foot wear, plastic products and many more that paved way for upscale profits for long-time and first-time exhibitors in the yearly grand Christmas bazaar.

Since it is a joint project of ABS-CBN and Worldbex Services International, this 14-day event will feature a special Celebrity Village where shoppers can interact, meet and even buy items from their favorite stars. The village will feature artists and celebrities from ABS-CBN such as Judy Ann Santos, Ryan Agoncillo, Gladys Reyes, Christopher Roxas, Rica Peralejo and Donita Rose, G-Force Dancers Sheryn Regis, Cris Pastor, Miguel Mendoza, Phoemela Baranda, Gretchen Fullido, Mariel Rodriguez, Nene Tamayo, Bea Saw, Ruben Gonzaga, Jason Gainza, Pokwang, among many others.

Other World Bazaar activities such as the Manila Flair Open (Bottle for Supremacy), musical shows, Christmas decor center, Children’s playland and a night market will be sure to brighten up the 14-day holiday kapamilya extravaganza.

The World Bazaar is open Monday-Thursday at 12nn to 10PM and Friday-Sunday at 10AM to 12mn. Entrance  fee is  for only 30php. Here is the schedule of the 2009 World Bazaar Activities:

2009 World Bazaar Schedule of Activities (www.littlenars.com)

In its 9th year, World Bazaar Festival will give the gift of Pasig River rehabilitation to Filipinos via an initiative called Kapit Bisig sa Ilog Pasig. The project which aims to rehabilitate the moribund 17-kilometer river system, top-bills a partnership between Worldbex Services International and ABS-CBN Network.

Part of the proceeds and net of costs of this year’s World Bazaar Festival will go Kapit Bisig sa Ilog Pasig. So from December 4-16 at the World Trade Center Manila, participants in the largest Christmas bazaar in the country will not only get the best holiday finds with the over 600,000 booths, they’ll also get the chance to help clean the Pasig River.

This was my first time to go to Christmas Bazaar as well as with my mom, we enjoyed going around and shopping for some unique finds that suits our tastes. There were also big discounts compared to buying at the malls. I was even more delighted when I knew that not only we had fun shopping but also we had the chance to help clean up the Pasig River. This was definitely a shopping experience for a cause. So what are you waiting for? Go to the World Bazaar and shop until you drop ?

Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig is the most comprehensive and ambitious effort to clean Pasig River to date. It has charted a seven-year campaign to tackle pollution, help relocate informal settlers, provide livelihood opportunities and launch a major information campaign.

For more information about Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig, SMS/call Mr. Mike Bayonito or Carlos Polangcos at + 639228354735/ +639189424303 or call through landlines (02) 5343615, 5341332, 5341334, 5316350, 5316374 starting July 25, 2009.

Zero In Peripheral exhibit is a theme of 5 museums in Manila which is composed of Lopez Memorial Museum, Ayala Museum, Ateneo Art Gallery, Bahay Tsinoy and Museo Pambata. Zero in Periphery is one treasure of knowledge, history and black box of our past that is documented by ordinary people and unknown heroes of the old Philippines.

For most of the people, it is a connotation that museums are only for kids but Zero in Periphery caters also to the “young at hearts”. It is good to have some trivia or nice-to-know facts that you can share your friends that were not taught to us in our formative years in schools.

I salute Zero in Periphery for bringing the biggest crater of Philippine history that was forgotten for centuries. I have gone to Museum Pambata and Ayala Museum and will definitely visit the other 3 museums.

Here’s a teaser for you to indulge yourself with:

Al Manrique’s artwork-Lopez Museum

Convention on the Rights of the Child-Museo Pambata

Potting and Ceramics @ Ayala Museum photo by James bk Seet

Chinese life in the Philippines- Bahay Tsinoy

Poklong Anading photo and lightbox installation - Ateneo Art Gallery

Zero-in is a proud achievement in Philippine museum practice. What evolved through a remarkable confluence of events, personalities, collections and histories has, five years hence, become proof that altruism is alive and well.

Zero In 8: Periphery represents a spectrum of mandates, audiences, acquisitional and educational benchmarks. For more info, contact Fanny San Pedro at 631-2417or visit www.zeroinmuseums.org

Zero-In Exhibition dates
Ayala Museum: The Ring of Fire: The First Southeast Asian Ceramics Festival opens September 21 until October 4, 2009
Ateneo Art Gallery: Beyond Frame: Philippine Photomedia opens on October 1 until December 15, 2009
Lopez Memorial Museum: Deleted Scenes opens November 12, 2009 until January 9, 2010
Bahay Tsinoy: Remembering opens November 12, 2009 until January 9, 2010
Museo Pambata: Invisible Children opens November 26, 2009 until January 5, 2010

Museum address and contact details

Ateneo Art Gallery
Ateneo de Manila University
Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights
Quezon City
Tel. No. 426.6488
Ayala Museum
Makati Avenue corner De la Rosa St. Makati City
Tel. No. 757.7117 to 21
Bahay Tsinoy
Museum of Chinese in Philippine Life
Kaisa-Angelo King Heritage Center
32 Anda corner Cabildo Streets
Intramuros, Manila
Tel. No. 527.6083 / 526.6796
Lopez Memorial Museum
G/F Benpres Building, Exchange Road corner Meralco Avenue
Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Tel. No. 631.2417 / 635.9545
Museo Pambata
Museo Pambata Foundation Inc.
Roxas Boulevard corner South Drive, Manila
Tel. No. 523.1797 / 523.1798 / 536.0595

For more info and Photo Credits: Azrael Coladilla

Immortal Call+ is the first and only call and text offer with NO EXPIRY! For Globe and TM subscribers. It is like the Immortaltxt promo but it has a free 5-minute call for 15 pesos. You you can have 50 Texts to Globe/TM PLUS 5-minute call to any networks. What a great bargain right?

Here are the steps to avail the Immortal Call+ :
1. Load Up at least 18 pesos
2. Text Immortal15
3. Send to 8888
4. Wait for the confirmation text that you are now subscribed to the service

*You need to maintain a balance of 3 pesos to enjoy the service.
*The 5 minute call are consumable for one long call or several calls
*No need to replace the 1st 3 digits to call unlike the other Globe promos. Just direct dial. ?
* Promo period is from November 8 to December 20, 2009.

Fore more inquiries click here.

As a prelude to the excitement and anticipation of the results of the 1st National Thank You Day Awards, Toblerone revealed the winners of the Spread the Sweetness of Gratitude Photo Competition:

Remi Ann Sta. Cruz’s ‘My Best Playmate Ever‘
Jordana Quedding’s ‘Walang Iwanan’
Pat Lorico’s ‘Smooch & Pooch’

This year’s National Thank You Day aims for the Filipino people to go a step further than just asking to say thank you more often– by giving them a chance to vote and nominate their favorites through the website (www.thankyoudayphilippines.com) for about 2 months ago. From the nominees which were:
People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao fresh from his victory from Miguel Cotto
the late Francis M, who was part of the first National Thank You Day with daughter Maxene Magalona
Dolphy, Comedy King
Daniel Razon, broadcaster and public servant
Efren Peñaflorida, CNN Hero of the Year (2009)
former President Cory Aquino, one of the greatest leaders of all time for her fight for freedom and democracy

People casted their votes for someone whose talent, leadership, and vision has made them proud to be a Filipino and most thankful of.

The First National Thank You day award goes to…….

*Drum roll*

Former President CORAZON C. AQUINO

Well, she really deserved it. No words to express how Filipinos are thankful for her great deeds for our country.

The award was accepted by her daughter, Ms. Viel Aquino-Dee.

Yes, believe it or not, I was star struck. I didn’t expect anybody from the Aquino family to be present there. Being the photographer, I was the one who took this photo:

My bro, Jeric with Ms. Viel Aquino-Dee.

—For those who wants the National Thank You Day to be “officialized” (if there’s such a word. LOL) please sign up in this petition here.