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!

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)

The party will be held on December 4, 2009 (that’s a Friday), 7 pm, at the Mam Bebs Bakery at the First Floor of the CVA Building, CM Recto Street, Davao City. We are requesting a fee of P200 to cover food, drinks, entertainment, and other logistics.

Food will be prepared by Mam Bebs and Kusina Maria. Food will include Pancit Palabok, Breaded Pork Cutlets, Cheese Sticks, Nachos and Salsa, Chicken Wings, and Assorted Pastries. Softdrinks and beer will be served. And to make things more lively, a videoke machine will be on hand so we can all practice our being Pinoy by singing to our heart’s content. Party-goers are requested to bring a gift worth at least P100 to join the Kris Kringle.

The merriment will begin with the introduction of the Davao Bloggers’ Society, and the democratic election of its officers. So please think of your nominees for these positions:

1. President
2. Vice-President
3. Finance Officer
4. Auditor
5. PR and Marketing Officer
6. IT Officer

The President shall also be appointing his Secretary-General.

Avatar Media will also be introducing its team and our exciting plans for the months to come.

We will be celebrating Firefox‘s birthday during this event, so surprises will be given to lucky party-goers.

So come and join us in this celebration by signing up at this page.