DFAT Bloggers at Jose Rafael

In time for the Kadayawan 2010 celebration, Avatar Media and Jose Rafael Fine Coffee are hosting a Bloggers’ Networking Event.

It will be held on August 20, 2010, Friday, 8 pm (after dinner) at the cozy Jose Rafael Fine Coffee Lanang Branch. Nothing fancy or formal, just a get together of bloggers. Jose Rafael Fine Coffee will be serving us some drinks and snacks.

However, we have limited slots available. Please fill up the form below and wait for our Avatar Media representative to contact you to confirm your slot.

See you there!

Jose Rafael Fine Coffee is located at Door 2 Phase 1 Insular Village, Lanang, Davao City (between China Bank and Monterey Meats).

DFAT 2010 Team

May 2,2 2010, Day 3 of the epic legend of the Davao Appreciation Tour 2010 (DFAT) started early. The participants didn’t mind the heat of the early morning sun as they came out of their hotels with so much excitement.

Orman wants Milo too

The participants had their breakfast at Taps, one of the oldest food establishments in Davao City. Taps served up their different silog meals for the hungry and eager participants.

Excited to go Island Hopping

With Tom Claudio of ETours and tour guide Jojo, Team DFAT 2010 boarded a banca and enjoyed the scenic boat ride to Samal Island.

Nice view from our boat

First stop was at Maxima Aquafun where the participants had their chance to enjoy the water slide, diving board, and water trampoline. After the aquafun time at Maxima, the group returned to the boat to enjoy their siopao from Dimsum Diner and some lunch.

Tranquil White Sand Beach

While eating lunch and resting, the group enjoyed watching the view of the island, the clear blue sky, and the pristine waters of Davao Gulf.

Enjoying the pristine waters of Davao Gulf

But what they enjoyed more was docking on different parts of the island, snorkeling, swimming, and looking at different fish, starfish, corals, and other underwater creatures. The group took stops at Angel Cove, Coral Garden, and Babu Santa. It was definitely an enjoyable and memorable Davao tour.

Tour Guides and Event Organizers

By the end of the island hopping adventure, everybody was tired but very much happy with the fun tour of the island.

Before leaving our beloved Davao City, some of the participants got to taste what Davao is known for: DURIAN! They got to taste two varieties, Puyat and Arancillo. Most of them liked the Puyat varieyt better. They also got to enjoy some mangosteen.

And with that the Davao Food Appreciation Tour 2010 officially ended.

Ang pinakasosyal na mga Jejemons sa balat ng Earth... naka Montero Sport at pumasyal ng todo sa Davao.

It was indeed an epic legend which could not have succeeded without the hard work of the organizers, support of the sponsors, and whole-hearted participation of the entire enthusiastic DFAT 2010 Team. Thank you! Thank you! tH6Nkzzz powH! jejejeje….

Information:

TAPS
Owners: Benjie Lizada
Locations: Branches around Davao City: Ilustre Street, Torres Street, Matina Town Square

DIMSUM DINER
Owners: Bryan and Czarina Lim, Apie Yao
Snacks provided: Assorted Siopao
Locations: Branches in Davao City, General Santos City, Digos City, Panabo and Cagayan de Oro City (list at this link)

ETOURS
Owner: Tom Claudio
Tour Guide: Jojo
Services: Davao City and Adventure Tours
Resorts/Islands Visited: Island Garden City of Samal (Samal Island), specifically Maxima Aquafun, Angel Cove, Coral Garden, and Babu Santa
Email Address: info@etours.ph
Contact Numbers: +63917-7011882, +63916-4333199, + 63922-8674779, +6382-2861173, and +6382-2861645
FB Page

MAXIMA AQUAFUN
Owner: Sonny Dizon
Amenities: Water Slide, Canopy Walk, Diving Board, Water Trampouline
Entrance Fee: P300

Photos courtesy of Andrew dela Serna and Lyle Santos.

Ready to Zip at the Outland Adventure

The group started early with a much anticipated adventure at Outland Adventure. To do what, you ask? To experience the thrill of their lives while riding the fastest zipline in Asia, the Xcelerator. Whew!

Team DFAT 2010

Tender Meat , Yummy Sauce

After the exhilarating ride, the group proceeded to Penong’s Barbeque Seafoods and Grill along Sta. Ana Avenue where they feasted on chicken barbeque, spare ribs barbeque and eat all you can rice. Mmm… Thank you Tyron Uy for the yummy lunch!

Tired but happy

After lunch, we proceeded to Mam Bebs Bakery once again for the Google Precinct Mapping Party headed by Avatars Winston and Andrew. Participants helped out in tagging and mapping precincts in their locality while, once again, enjoying the yummy goodness of Mam Bebs treats.

A Taste of History

Some participants took a side trip to the historic Japanese tunnel while some of the ladies had relaxing massages and foot spa treatments at Envy Me Salon.

Everybody's Favorite Place

And to cap off the day, we had dinner at THE Lachi’s Sans Rival Atbp where we were greeted with open arms by the hospitable and generous owners, Mike and Melvin Aviles. Lachi’s served their best sellers Pork Marinara, Unforgettable Pork Ribs, Breaded Tofu in Teriyaki Sauce, and Laing. And they also had their new sumptuous menu items taste tasted: Caldereta, Beef Tapa, and Chinese Pork Belly. It was a tummy-filling dinner.

Sugar High

But waaaiiiiiiiit… there’s so much more…. DESSERT BUFFET! The Aviles twins served up the best, best, best dessert buffet I could ever imagine. Two cheesecakes, one with blueberry and cherry topping and another which really made the guests salivate, Durian Cheesecake! Of course there was a sampling of their famous Sans Rival, some Sylvannas, and slices of their best cakes and tortes: Symphony Torte, Regal Chocolate Torte, 5 Chocolate Torte, Roasted Walnut Chocolate Cake, Dark Chocolate Supreme, and Cashew Mocha Torte. The buffet made everybody really, really, happy with a sugar high.

Avatar Media and DFAT loves Lachi's

The night ended with a funny trip to the local fair aka perya.

Information:

OUTLAND ADVENTURE Xcelerator
Owner: Project Challenge Foundation Inc.
Price: P300
Location: Diversion Road, Maa, Davao City
Contact Numbers: +6382-2245855 and +6382-2716067

PENONG’S Barbeque Seafoods and Grill
Franchise Owner: Jayvee Tyron Uy
Price Range: P60 – P200
Locations: Sta. Ana Avenue, Davao City and Ilustre Street, Davao City

LACHI’S Sans Rival Atbp.
Owners: Mike and Melvin Aviles
Price Range for Hot Dishes: P60 – P150
Price Range for Pastries: P50 – P100
Location: VAL Learning Village, Ruby Street, Marfori Heights, Davao City
Contact Number: +63916-9841183

Photos courtesy of Lyle Santos and Andrew dela Serna.

19 bloggers. 4 days. 7 restaurants. 4 adventures. 1 city.

That’s how we would sum up the Davao Food Appreciation Tour 2010 (DFAT).

The DFAT 2010 Team is composed of:

• Winston Almendras – Avatar
• Brendel Balaga – Avatar
• Cai Abbas – Metro Manila
• Sarah Cada – Metro Manila
• Donna Mae Congson – General Santos City
• Romarie Cunanan – General Santos City
• Maki Eduardo – Metro Manila
• Jim Haw – Avatar
• Ria Jose – Avatar
• Dulce Lada – Davao City
• Ada Lajara – Metro Manila
• Chattee Lara – Avatar
• Avel Manansala – General Santos City
• Orman Manansala – General Santos City
• Chiq Montes – Cagayan de Oro City
• Mica Rodriguez – Metro Manila
• Lyle Santos – Avatar
• Jonel Uy – Metro Manila
• Melo Villareal – Metro Manila

We also had the assistance of Frances Anne Layug and Dr. Joanna Grace Abella, and the support of co-organizer Migs Hipolito. And some Davao Bloggers joined us for some parts of DFAT:

• Mark Cabrera
• Rhon de los Santos
• Olan Emboscado
• Miah Laborte
• Kevin Paquet
• Faust Principe
• Rhea Palapar
• Charles Ortiz

Food Photography at Mam Bebs

The tour began on April 30, 2010 at Mam Bebs Bakeshop where participants introduced themselves, got oriented with the upcoming activities, and ate a sumptuous buffet of homemade goodies. Mam Bebs served their famous Pancit Palabok, Pork and Chicken Siopao, Potato Rolls, and Mango Squares.

Fun at the Zorb Park

While waiting for dinnertime to arrive, the group went to the Davao Zorb Park where some of them enjoyed a thrilling ride on the Zorb Ball, all thanks to the kindness and generosity of Mr. Sonny Dizon of the PSD Group of Companies.

Happy bloggers at Pablos

After the thrill of the zorb ride, the DFAT 2010 Team went to Pablo’s Steaks and Crabs to taste the new dishes that Pablo’s will soon be offering to their patrons. The participants had a feast as they sampled Mussels Chowder, Insalata del Sol, Pablo’s Ceasar Salad, Sausage Platter of Hungarian, Frankfurter, and Beef Banger, Basil and Mint Pesto with Chili Fish, Shrimp in Garlic and Olive Oil, Chicken in Balsamic Barbeque Sauce, Boneless Chicken Steak, Grilled Maple and Mustard Barbeque Pork Chops with Honey Cinnamon Glazed Apples, Country Style Pork Chops, Cream Cheese Stuffed Chicken, Mushroon and Asparagus Beef Roll, and Pablo’s Pepper Steak. And to complete the meal, the participants drank refreshing Cantaloupe and Honey Dew Shakes.

Meet-up at Jose Rafael Fine Coffee

And to cap off a yummy day, the group met up with some Davao Bloggers at the cozy Jose Rafael Fine Coffee. The group enjoyed their yummy Choco Chips Jaffles which they ate with various hot and cold coffee, chocolate, and tea drinks.

It was indeed a great day to start what is to be a legendary epic tour of our beloved Davao City!

Information:

MAM BEBS Bakery
Owner: Joseph Andrew dela Serna
Price Range: Hot Meals – P30 to P80, Pastries – P300 – P600
Location: CVA Building, CM Recto Street, Davao City
Contact Numbers: +6382-22718131, +6382-3018691

ZORB PARK
Owner: Mr. Sonny Dizon
Services: Zorb Ride
Price: P200
Location: Riverfront Corporate City, Diversion Road, Maa, Davao City

PABLO’S Steaks and Crabs
Owner: Sunglao Family of Gen Santos City
Price Range: P250 – P2000 (Premium Steaks)
Location: Metro Lifestyle Complex, Jacinto cor. F. Torres, Davao City
Contact Number:+6382-222-0793
Email Ad: pablos.davao@yahoo.com

JOSE RAFAEL Fine Coffee
Owner: Dennis Montecillo
Price Range: P80 – P200
Locations: Door 2, Phase 1 Insular Village, Lanang, Davao City (Next to China Bank); Buhangin Branch
Petron Complex, Airport View, Diversion Road, Davao City
Contact Numbers: +6382-3055698 and +6382-2351647

Photos by Lyle Santos.

3 days. 22 bloggers. 5 restaurants. 3 adventures.

The famous Davao Food Appreciation Tour (DFAT) is back and this time it’s bigger and better. The Avatar Media Team has invited 14 bloggers from Metro Manila, Davao City, General Santos City, and Cagayan de Oro City to tour Davao City from April 30 – May 3.

Our guests this year are:

• Jonel Uy – Metro Manila
• Melo Villareal – Metro Manila
• Maki Eduardo – Metro Manila
• Mica Rodriguez- Metro Manila
• Orman Manansala – General Santos City
• Avel Manansala – General Santos City
• Chiq Montes – Cagayan de Oro City
• Sarah Cada – Metro Manila
• Cai Abbas- Metro Manila
• Dulce Lada – Davao City
• Ada Lajara – Metro Manila
• Donna Mae Congson – General Santos City
• Romarie Cunanan – General Santos City

And the hosts for this year are the members of the Avatar Team:

• Winston Almendras
• Brendel Balaga
• Andrew dela Serna
• Jim Haw
• Migs Hipolito
• Ria Jose
• Chattee Lara
• Lyle Santos

With the assistance of a transport sponsor, Anne Layug.

This year, we are visiting food establishments such as Lachi’s Sans Rival Atbp, Jose Rafael Fine Coffee,  Penong’s Barbeque Seafood and Grill, Mam Bebs, and Pablo’s Steaks and Crabs.

We are partnering up with Davao Bloggers for a meet-up between our DFAT guests and local bloggers on April 30.

We are taking the guests for adventures on air and on sea. The participants will get to try out zorbing at the Davao Zorb Park and the famous Xcelerator Zipline at Outland Adventure.

Our guests will also enjoy the beaches of the Island Garden City of Samal via an island-hopping tour courtesy of ETours. And of course, we will be visiting Maxima Aquafun to enjoy their various aquasports and outdoor adventure facilities.

Some participants will also get to enjoy the beauty of nature when they join the optional tour of Eden Nature Park before they leave Davao City.

Watch out as we go around the city to savor its delicious feasts, appreciate its beauty, and experience its many adventures.

See you all soon!

Due to schedule constraints, Matt Mullenweg has requested that WordCamp Philippines be moved to October 2, 2010. Matt is the founder of Automattic. He created and developed WordPress.

We do not have a specific venue yet, but rest assured this exciting event will push through.

One of the goals of this event is to make the local WordPress and blogging community more vibrant. And we are open to your ideas. If you have comments, suggestions, topic ideas, speakers in mind, please email us at info@avatar.ph or post them here at the comments section.

Looking forward to WordCamping with you!

WordCamp Ph 08 Badge

Avatar Media is proud to announce that it will be organizing WordCamp Philippines 2010 (WC Ph 2010). And the Matt Mullenweg is scheduled to attend WC Ph 2010. Matt is the founder of Automattic and creator and developer of WordPress.

WC Ph 2010 will be held on August 28, 2010. Please reserve the date. Other details will be posted soon on this blog and on the official WC Ph blog.

The Avatar Media Team is composed of hard-working and experienced WordCamp 2008 and 2009 organizers, and we are looking forward to bringing you a bigger, better, and more worthwhile WordCamp this 2010.

The team is welcome to entertain any of your thoughts, comments, and suggestions. We are planning an open online conference or meeting to discuss details with WordCampers. Do watch out for that.

For your questions and suggestions, please leave them here as a comment or contact us at info at avatar dot ph.

Meantime, get to know more of Matt and WordPress…

We look forward to seeing you on August 28, 2010 October 2, 2010

Shelly Lazaro and Ria Jose

The Avatar Ladies, Chattee, Ria, and Brendel were lucky enough to be one of the few Davaoeñas who had a free facial courtesy of Skin Doctors Cosmeceuticals at the Chimes Specialty Store.

Chattee Lara

The ladies were treated to a relaxing facial treatment using the Skin Doctors products which promises results akin to cosmetic surgery sans the hassle, pain, and large expenses. Shelly Lazaro, Philippine distributor, explained to the group the benefits and advantages of using Skin Doctors Cosmeceuticals.

Zit Zapper

Read the ladies’ blog posts on their Skin Doctors experience:

• Chattee on Random Randoms
• Brendel on Nurse in Cyberspace
• Ria on Shoppingera

Skin Doctors Cosmeceuticals is available in Davao City at the Chimes Specialty Store along Sales Street.

Bloggers at the Davao Bloggers' Christmas Party

More than twenty (20) bloggers attended the  Davao Bloggers’ Christmas Party organized by Avatar Media on Friday, December 4.  Held at the Mam Bebs Bakeshop in C.M. Recto St., the bloggers’ party was a combination of  great company, good food, fun and surprises.

At exactly 8:00 pm, the party started with host, Migs Hipolito, welcoming the attendees. The bloggers were given the opportunity to introduce themselves and their respective blogs.

Davao Bloggers' Christmas Party

L-R: Rhon, Ria, Miah, Lyle, Alma Ritchel, Rosemarie, and Dennis

It was then followed by a short talk given by Ria Jose on the need to formalize the Davao Bloggers as a group.  Shortly thereafter, the 1st set of officers of the Davao Bloggers  were elected through voto a mano alzada (vote by a show of hands) and the newly-elected officers are as follows:

• President: Ria Jose
• Vice-President: Dulce Rose Lada
• Finance Officer: Dr. Charles Ortiz
• Auditor: Brendel Balaga
• Marketing/PR Officer: Chattee Lara
• IT Officer: Andrew dela Serna
• Logistics Officer: Lyle Santos

The official name of the group, Davao Bloggers, was also chosen in the same manner.

The get-together was also was a good opportunity for Avatar Media to be formally introduced.  Ria Jose made a very short video highlighting Avatar Media’s activities  and services while Dr. Jaime Haw, Jr. introduced two of the outfit’s products: My Davao Jobs, a Davao-centric jobs directory; and Blog Davao, blog directory and aggregator site of Davao-based blogs.

Dr. Jaime Haw, Jr. talks about BlogDavao.com

Lyle Santos also talked about Adbender, Avatar Media’s soon-to-be-launched ad network.

Those who were present at the party were  treated to the best of  Mam Bebs’ menu offerings as well as the best pastries in this side of Mindanao, courtesy of Lachi’s Sans Rival Atbp.  The party-goers exchanged gifts and received freebies courtesy of Firefox, Blogger, YouTube, WordPress, and Cignal Digital TV.

Andrew wins a Cignal HD Satellite Kit

Kris Kringle

Davao Bloggers celebrate 5 years of Firefox!

Eight (8) Cableyoyos were raffled off courtesy of Dulce Rose Lada of PaddSolutions.com.  Faust Principe and Kevin Paquet also gave away gift certificates to party-goers.

Avatar Media would like to thank all the event sponsors and the following individuals who pooled their resources to make the event successful:  Dennis Gajo, Rosemarie Ortiz, Alma Ritchel Merin, Cesar Noel S. Quiñon, Frances Anne Layug, Dr. Charles Ortiz, Faust Principe, Dulce Rose Lada, Kevin Georg Paquet, Rhea Jen Palapar, Jun Macarambon, Yolanda Miah Laborte, Rhon delos Santos, Gwing Cabreira, and our special guest, Aileen Apolo.

Here are some of the attendees’ take on the Davao Bloggers’ Christmas party:

• Davao Bloggers Election and X’mas Party by Cesar Noel S. Quiñon
• Davao Bloggers Christmas Party Bash by Faust Principe
• Davao Bloggers Christmas Party and Group Launch by Kevin Paquet
• Davao Bloggers Christmas Party by Ria Jose

(With photos from Miah Laborte)

by Orman Manansala

The Crocodile Park, Riverwalk Restaurant, Butterfly House, and Tribung K’Mindanawan proved to be good locations for the “Practical Photojournalism Workshop for Bloggers” with Ms. Jojie Alcantara.

by Faust Principe

The workshop was held last Saturday, November 18, 2009 with a group of 18 select members of the Davao traditional and new media. Avel and Orman Manansala of General Santos City also participated in the workshop.

by Lyle Santos

The workshop began with a brief backgrounder of Ms. Alcantara’s experiences as a photographer, as a journalist, as a blogger, and as a photojournalist. Ms. Alcantara, then, proceeded to give practical tips and tricks in composing and taking photos. And yes, the rules… rule of thirds, patterns, leading lines, horizons, bird’s eye and worm’s eye view, and CROPPING and minor editing using Irfan View!

by Andrew dela Serna

Then, the real work began. After a sumptuous lunch of Chicken Barbeque at the Riverwalk Restaurant, the participants put all the tips and tricks into practice as they wandered around the premises, in search of that perfect shot. After the participants took their shots, we submitted the best five to Alcantara for review and critiquing.

Jojie, Rhonson and Avel by Chattee

The best photos were then awarded with praise and some prizes from Alcantara and Coed Clothing Company and FTLP.

It was a truly inspiring and educational afternoon of photography learned a lot from the pro, Jojie Alcantara.

Group Photo by Andrew dela Serna

Avatar Media would like to thank Ms. Alcantara, Mr. Sonny Dizon and Chris Ea of Crocodile Park, Jerry of Riverwalk Restaurant, John Bonguyan for the LCD Projector, and to Ana Caguiat for the prizes!

by Rudolf Alama

Here are some of the participants’ entries on the event:

1. Ganda Ever So Much: One Great Saturday with the Crocs
2. Chito and Leah of Davao Base: DavaoBase Attends Photojournalism Workshop
3. Faust Principe: Lessons from Photojournalism Workshop
4. Ria Jose: Avatar Media’s Practical Photojournalism Workshop