my 10 Emerging Influential Blogs 2010

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

This year I have been active in blogging. And here are my top 10 Influential Blog List

Ganda Ever So Much (GESM) - this is a "talk show" Blog of the Gandaness ORMAN MANANSALA. He talks about anything and everything openly sharing informative and useful tips in life, hilarious situations, events of Gensan's Festivals and his opinions in showbiz and politics. He is my idol in blogging, business and event organizing. I even patterned my new blog from his use of "much" thus, kikaymuch was born.

Get Prettified - a fashion and beauty blog by BRENDEL BALAGA. She is my long lost sister I can be myself with her and share my "kakikayan" and I also learn a lot from her. I learn a lot of beauty and fashion things in this blog which helps me a lot in my own blog. She is one of my inspiration and she also pushed me to do a fashion and beauty blog. Thus, kikaymuch.me was born because she knew that "kakikayan" is in my nature.

Plurk Designs - from the guru LYLE SANTOS. He is my big brother in the blogging world. He patiently helps me in all my technical problems. As a plurk addict this blog helps me change and choose plurk themes in a breeze. He also makes plurk designs that tickles my addiction, The Twilight Saga.

Ako si Rabsky - a very intuitive blog about RABSKY VILLANUEVA's opinions, occurrence, and adventures as a I.T. student.

Alexis Chua - a personal blog of a very intelligent debater, tech savvy, and well opinionated the apple of Orman's eyes ALEXIS CHUA.

A Thousand Ships - a photo blog from Gensan Gazer owner and author ARMANDO NICOLAS. In this blog he shares photos which he took from his countless travels in all 5 continents with his very own life reflection with each photo.

A Scientist in the Kitchen - a food blog of a scientist and corn breeder GAY CARILLO. In this blog she shares her love for cooking and a step by step cooking process.

Kusina Maria - a very delicious blog from "the" RIA JOSE. A multi talented beauty, fashion, lifestyle, and everything in between blogger and columnist. One of my inspiration and mentor in my blogging career.

SCT Online Magazine - a South Cotabato Online News Magazine by Nanardxz Navarro.

Kikay Much - the blog of yours truly. My fashion and beauty blog where I share my knowledge in the beauty industry where I'm part of since I'm a Salon and Spa owner. I also share make-up tips and my adventures in becoming a make-up artist.

For more information about this emerging influential blogs check out Janet Toral's Guidelined HERE.

The Top Ten Influential Blog is brought to us by: 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.

MFAT (Mindanao Food Appreciation Tour) 2010

Sunday, June 6, 2010

The first ever Mindanao Food Appreciation Tour and Soccksargen Summer Safari gathered bloggers from Cagayan de Oro, Davao and Socksargen Area (Gensan & Kidapawan). I am a newbie in the blogosphere so for me this was the biggest gathering I saw and attended.

CDO Bloggers travelled 6 hours to Davao namely: Chiq, Mike, Richard, Edward, Robstroy, Eldie, Elva and Venus.

They had their hefty lunch at Ranchero Grill and met with the Davao Bloggers who is also joining the BIG event. Davao bloggers who came along were: Lyle Santos, Brendel Balaga, Ria Jose, Miah Laborte, George Kevin Paquet, Faust Principe and Dulce Lada.

(photo by Lyle Santos)

(photo by Chiq Montes)

Ranchero offers a wide variety of seafoods and steaks which the bloggers surely enjoyed. (kahit wala ako doon alam ko sarap na sarap sila kitang kita naman sa mga blog post nila, just click their names)

After that sumptuous lunch they headed for the 3 hour ride to Gensan where a series of events and food establishment awaits them thanks to the well organized efforts of Avel Manansala, Orman Manansala.

Their first stop was the ICE CASTLE EXPERIENCE owned by Mr. Rey Billena. Where they freshened up in the luxurious and cozy rooms. By the way the hotel is not yet open to the public.

Then a game of pool, appetizer and refreshments at the Pacman Sports Bar owned by no less than Jinky and Manny Pacquiao.

Then a full blast filipino food fair from LE JARDIN ARNEVELS they offer EAT ALL YOU CAN and catering services. They were greeted by the owner ate Nitz.

(photo by Lyle Santos)

(photo by Chiq Montes)

So you think after this dinner the bloggers already called it a night?? NAH!!! because a GRAND EYEBALL awaits them.

Gensan Bloggers patiently waited for the Davao and Cdo Bloggers at PIYESTA KTV & RESTOBAR. Some only know each other by their PLURK names. The early birds shyly introduced themselves as they arrived one by one. And then finally they arrived. WOHHHOOOO PIYESTA was full packed at their arrival. There were like more than 40 of us there. Laughter filled the room. Voices echoing. Imagine put 40 plus bloggers in one room? it is a chaotic, fun filled story telling and techie exchanging time plus plus photo ops.

We served the bloggers our new drinks the Jell-O SYRINGE shot, Gayuma Bucket (in test tubes) and ang Gayuma shot (in graduated cylinder) our Rhum Tea (which some of them thought it was just ice tea, hehehehe)

We also treated them to our best seller foods our KURA-STICK (chili stuffed with ground beef wrapped in lumpia wrapper) Tuna-Buntot, Tuna Cheese Rolls and Sizzling TUNGOL. And thank you to MAYOR PEDRO ACHARON for yet another LECHON.

The next day an early start for our adventure day. Breakfast at Dolores Farm Resort at Polomolok. Native Hot Chocolate, Bangus and Crispy Tilapia. After the quick breakfast we toured around their mini zoo where we found a very horny monkey (hehehehehehe).

(photo by Chiq Montes)

(photo by Lyle Santos)

The group headed for Lake Sebu for the thrilling 7 falls zipline.

(photo by Chiq Montes)

Flocks of other tourist was there already at the time we arrived. We opt to have our lunch first at Punta Isla Resort. Thank you to Zion Travels by Francis Sablon.

A snack followed there after at Merl Garden Resort. After lunch some cdo bloggers went back to experience the seven falls zipline and some proceeded to Merl Garden. They also have a zipline there.

After the thrilling experience we proceeded to Koronadal for coffee and refreshments at SA BALAI BISTRO. They served us Mulberry Tea, Coffee and Pandan Shake.

To Finish this epic Mindanao Foor Appreciation Tour and Socksargen Summer Safari a delicious dinner THE RED TENT style is just perfect. Thank you to the efforts of Sir Gilbert Tan for this one.

For pa "baon" thank you to Kakanin owned by Chito Bogayong.

For the rest of the story of how much fun we had watch the video made by GOMA.

(MFAT Summer Safari in Mindanao from goma on Vimeo.)

DfAT (Davao Food Appreciation Tour) DAY 3

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Everything has to end talaga, but before it did we had a grand island tour by ETOURS it was a whole day tour.

TAPS

Our day started with a pinoy breakfast at TAPS. It was our favorite place back when I was still in college because of their very affordable meals. They serve tapsilog all day long.

Sarap ng breakfast with the bloggers (tagal ko na kasing di nagigising ng ganito kaaga, hehehehehe) pero since eto ay lakwatsa si Donna Mae kahit gaano kaaga nagigising talaga, hehehehehehe. Hindi kami sabay-sabay dumating pero hinid na rin kami nag antayan pag dating namin nag order na kami agad at kumain. At nang natapos na kaming kumain lahat nag chikahan ulit.

Kami nila Chiq Montes, Dulce Lada at Doc Joanna nag bonding over our favorite book "TWILIGHT SERIES." At etong si doc Joanna ini encourage kaming magbasa ng "Vampire Academy, Series." Kaya ayun ngayon tapos ko na ang 4 na libro at nagustohan ko din eto ng sobra for this new addiction thank you doc Joanna, hehehehehehe.

ETOURS (Island Tour in Island Garden City of Samal aka IGACOS)

We were met by our tour guides oops!! I forgot their name sorry :( *I'm really bad with names but I never forget a FACE ay eto na naalala ko na JOJO name nya hehehehe. Anyways "highways" our guides from ETOURS are very knowledgeable when it comes to facts and trivia about Samal. It was my Nth time going to Samal but it was with them that I knew that the "GARDEN" do not literary means a plant or flower garden it meant the beautiful and wide-spread CORAL GARDEN all over Samal.

First stop namin is Maxima Aquafun meron silang giant water slide, canopy walk, diving board at water trampoline. Na amaze ako sa giant slide nila na galing sa cliff papuntang dagat!!! very thrilling experience talaga un. Ang daming tao kasi naman Sunday un we all decided na mga gamit namin iwan lang sa boat namin and doon na din kami nag lunch.

Etong photo ko taken by the staff ng Maxima ang bilis ng speed ng slide nahihirapan akong mag pose kaya yan ang resulta.

Pag abot ko sa dulo ng slide na feel ko para akong lumipad pag baksak ko sa dagat PLAK!!! ang sakit ng hita ko hehehehehehe pero swim ako agad out of the way may life guard naman na nandoon naka stay sa water to remind you to get out of the way to give space for the next slider. Safe naman doon lahat kami may life vest.

Ang galing talaga ng naka pag isip ng idea ng Maxima since ang property walang beach front kaya yun ginawa nilang isang malaking swimming pool ang dagat. Meron din doong water trampoline inantay naming umalis ang magbarkada na nandoon at nang umalis sila pina punta agad namin si Peter doon. Ang saya naming lahat doon para kaming mga batang talon ng talon!!! hahahahaha

We had our lunch sa boat, pack lunch by Lyle Santos's brother. Sarap ng lunch namin. Meron ding pina baon ang Dimsum Diner sa amin na assorted siopao.

After lunch umalis na kami sa Maxima Aquafun at nag tour sa iba pang island ng samal. Sa tour na un napag alaman ko na may 4 na hiwa-hiwalay na island ang Samal. Nadaanan namin ang Pearl Farm, Wishing Island at iba pang resort.

Nag stop kami sa Angels Cove and Babu Santa at nag swimming. Pupunta din kami sa coral garden at nag enjoy nag swimming at sa pag hahanap kay "nemo" hehehehe Na aliw kaming lahat ng naka kita kami ng madaming star fish.

ETOUR's Contact Numbers: +63917-7011882, +63916-4333199, + 63922-8674779, +6382-2861173, and +6382-2861645

Naka balik kami sa Davao by 4:00pm na. Si Joney Uy may hahabolin pa na flight. Si Ada after dinner pa flight nya. We decided to have dinner sa Picobello at Gaisano South Illustre. After dinner we decided to give bloggers from Manila a TASTE of DAVAO at un ang DURIAN. Pumunta kami sa Magsaysay Park at sa hilera ng mga fruit stands kumain kami doon ng durian. Ako ang pinaka matakaw kumain sa lahat hehehehehe.

After durian nag coffee kami sa Kopi Roti at tumawag si Ada na hindi sya naka sakay ng plane biglang iniba ng Cebu Pacific ang schedule nya.

Medyo pagod na ang lahat pero may isang malaking ngiti sa aming mga labi.

Thank you talaga sa AVATAR MEDIA for organizing this very successful event. Sa mga nag participate sa mga bago kong na meet at naging kaibigan salamat!!! see you all soon.

Thank you sa kay Ada Lajara, Andrew Dela Serna, Orman Manansala and Chiq MOntes for the photos!!! :)

DFAT (Davao Food Appreciation Tour) DAY 2

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

NOTE: This post will be written in a way the author can freely express her thoughts so this means a mixture of english, tagalog, bisaya and char lingo will be used. (hahahahaha) If you want to proceed reading this go find yourself a translator (hahahaha)

Day 2 ng DFAT (Davao Food Appreciation Tour) excited ang lahat. Medyo napa sarap tulog ko at medyo na late ako sa pag sundo ng mga passengers ko. (hehehehehe) Very thoughtful naman itong si Ria Jose at text ng text kung saan na kami and updates and reminders ng itinerary namin tinext the night before nakakatulog pa kaya un sya sa kaka alala?? hehehehehe

So nagising ako naligo and readied myself for the days adventure trek and zipline experience with my "Innova Airlines" umalis ako ng bahay. Una kong sinundo si Sarah Cada sa bahay ng tita nya. Next si Jonel Uy na naka stay sa Viajeros Tourist Inn. At sa di kalauyan naman si Melo Villareal na naka stay sa Lisphere Inn. Silang tatlo ang super kong naka bonding sa 3 day na lakwatsang ito hehehehe. Usap-usap kami sa loob ng "innova airlines" never a dull moment talaga laging may pinag uusapan kung ano ano lang. Syempre si Ria text na kung saan na kami at kung ok lang kami hehehehehe medyo na late kasi ako sa pag sundo sa kanila.

OUTLAND ADVENTURE

Dumating din kami sa Outland Adventure Xcelerator nasa Diversion Road lang ito ang dali nitong makita nasa harap lang kasi ito ng GAP Farm. Hindi lang Zipline ang nandun meron din silang Rope Course at Traverse Line. Nag register na kami at nag pay ng P300 each for the zipline meron din waiver na pina permahan sa amin.

Nang matapos maka pag register at bayad ang lahat nag gear up na kami at nakinig sa briefing ng kuya sa safety and sa trek course na lalakarin, lulusungin at aakyatin namin. Para ma prepare ang sarili ko sa physical activity na ito kumain ako ng "potato rolls" na galing sa Mam Bebs Bakeshop at bumili ako ng inumin para bitbit ko sa paglalakad.

And pinaka mahirap sa lahat ay ang paakyat na trek grabe uber ka steep ng bukid bilis ko hiningal hehehehe buti na lang madaming naka kalat ng paalala "PLEASE GO AT YOUR OWN PACE" meaning wag mag madali makakarating din kayo hehehehehe

Isa isa na kaming nag zipline ang iba na super daring na experience ang gusto nag INVERTED!!! meaning nito nag zipline sila ng patiwarik hahahaha gaya ni kuya Andrew Dela Serna, Dulce Lada, Ada Lajara at Dokie Joanna.

And iba normal lang seating position sina Cai Abbas, Mica Rodriguez, Jonel Uy, Melo Villareal. Ako naman kasama si sir Orman Manansala at si Peter "Pilot" nag superman position kami.

Ang pinaka funny sa experience na ito ay ang reaction ni sir Orman panay ang pag sign of the cross at ang official soundtrack for that time ay ang "Come Holy Spirit, I need you." Deep inside uber ang tension ni sir Orman dinadala nya na lang ito sa tawa at pag papatawa sa amin pero kitang kita ko sa likod ng cute smile nya na uber ang tension ni gandaeversomcuh (hehehehehe) sabi pa nya deep inside pinapanalangin nya na mag over the weight limit daw sya, eh sa hindi un nangyari ng dahil na din sa DIET nya nag bawas na kaya sya ng timbang and super no choice na sya he needs to proceed dahil hindi nya na din kakayanin pa ang trek pa balik (hehehehehe) super sakit ng tyan ko sa kakatawa ng turn na si sir Orman at nag "DARNA" talaga sya hehehehehe kaya etong si Chattee ginawaan sya ng appropriate na edited photo hehehehe.

Second sa funny list ko ay itong si Ada ang lakas kasi ng loob na mag inverted ayun kabado din pala at sumisigaw na parang kinakatay na baboy hahahahaha saying______ ay hindi pwede bad word pala un hehehehehe

Ay muntik ko nang maka limotan si Kevin pala ang nasa 3rd funny list ko kasi naka strap na sya at lahat lahat kulang na lang release bigla pa namannag ask, "SAFE BAH ITO??" hehehehehehe

Contact Numbers ng Outland: +6382-2245855 and +6382-2716067

Ako naka ilang zipline experience na ako so hindi na masyado thrilling for me pero super talaga akong na enjoy sa panonood ko sa mga kasama kong blogger a really priceless expressions and experience ang kaligayan ng pinadama nyo sa akin hehehehehehe Thank you at muntik na akong nabulunan sa kakatawa hahahahahaha

hala ang haba na ng nasulat ko OUTLAND pa lang ito…. fast forward tayo….

LUNCH sa PENONG'S

Nag lunch kami sa Penong's Barbeque Seafoods and Grill na nasa Sta. Ana Avenue, Davao City tabi ng isang chinese school sa likod ng Gaisano Mall. As usual ang daming taong kumakain doon pero buti naman at mabait ung mga waiters at na asikaso kami ng mabuti ang dami namin. Dumating din at nag Hi! sa amin ung may-ari na si Jayvee Tyron Uy.

In a way i hate and love Penong's (o wag muna mag react!!!) kasi ganito yan let me explain Love ko dahil ang sarap at ang juicy ng chicken barbeque nila iba talaga kaysa sa ibang bbq house (eto na!) Hate ko sya dahil na BREAK ko promise ko sa sarili ko na NO RICE!!! :( dalawang buwan na akong walang RICE and PENONG'S lang ang nagpa RICE ulit sa akin ngayon nahihirapan nanaman akong mag diet hehehehehe (o clear na tayo doon ha sa hate and love ko ang PENONG'S ha??!!!)

After Lunch may naka schedule na Google Precint Mapping ang mga Davao Bloggers naki mapping na din ang ibang bloggers doon ulit sa tambayan ng bloggers ang Mam Bebs Bakeshop. Pero ng dahil nga sa sobrang chika chika namin sa "innova airlines" nitong si Sarah eh na kwento ko ang JAPANESE TUNNEL na nadaanan namin kanina from Outland Adventure kasi nasa Diversion Road din naman un eh. Kaya ayun kaysa mag mapping ako, Sarah, Jonel, Melo at Lyle ay nag decide na mag side trip sa JAPANESE TUNNEL dahil itong si Sarah na aaliw sa historical things hehehehehe. In fairness may mga natutunan din naman ako doon sa Japanese Tunnel ang galing ng engineering technique ng mga Hapon noh??!!!

and the most awaited portion of the day….

LACHI'S SANS RIVAL Atbp.

Our dinner for the night is at Lachi's Sans Rival Atbp. This is the favorite place of Davao bloggers to dine. It's a small place pero always puno para naman maka upo ka at maka eat magpa reserve ka muna, ganun ka busy doon. Ang bait talaga ng mga owners na sina Mike at Melvin Abiles kahit ganoon sila ka puno everyday na nakuha nilang ipa close for the night ang LACHI'S just to cater all the bloggers o dba??!!! ganun ka love ng Lachi's ang mga bloggers and I know that the feeling it mutual hehehehehe

nag serve sila ng house favorite ng mga bloggers ang Unforgettable Pork Ribs, Pork Marinara, Breaded Tofu in teriyaki sauce (eto favorite ko diet gud daw ko!! char!! ), Laing and and newest addition sa menu Caldereta sarap na sarap kaming lahat sa food pero at the back of our minds we have to leave a space for dessert!!! ay sus mag sisisi ka kung binusog mo agad ang sarili mo kasi HINDI dapat palampasin ang mga CAKES!!! (you will miss half of your life talaga!!)

cakes for the night are: Sans Rival, Durian Cheesecake, Blueberry Cheesecake, Cherry Cheesecake, Sylvannas, Symphony Torte, Regal Chocolate Torte, 5 Chocolate Torte, Roasted Walnut Chocolate Cake, Dark Chocolate Supreme, Cashew Mocha.

They are located at VAL Learning Village, Ruby Street, Marfori Heights, Davao City

Contact Number: +63916-9841183

Thank you to: Orman Manansala, Ada Lada, Andrew Dela Serna and Miah for the PHOTOS!!! :)