Ishagit ug kusog.

This blog commences my return from blogoSiberia where I have, yet again, been idle for the longest time. I keep on promising myself to update just at least once a week yet I end up getting tired and all. But enough excuses that's not what I'm here for, I came back to write about my awesome week getaway with my friends, Cebu's Sinulog Festival.

Okay okay, I must admit that I missed out on the parades, especially the huge, colorful and creative floats and the annual streetdance competition with their lovely costumes and themes to match, we basically went there to pray by day and party by night (and-go-home-comatose-kind-of-partying).

We were supposed to arrive on Thursday but no thanks to the weather and our airline of choice, flights were cancelled FOR THE ENTIRE DAY. We got stuck in the airport for 14 friggin hours so imagine our demise with our high hopes and expectations ended up with just crapful of complaints and sighs.

Come Friday, we couldn't afford not to be there for the most awaited party event everrrr, LIFE DANCE SINULOG 2013. Eh eh eh eh eh ah ah ah ah, ohh Otto Knows definitely knows how to keep that song stuck in our heads. Featured DJ's like AN21 and Max Vangeli (the best set for me) and the awesome Joaquim Giraud (his cool 3-D visual effects and impromtu sets) just made the crowd go WILD. Like really wild! I was standing right in front of the DJ set so everytime I'd turn my back to look at the crowd, they were all jumping and singing along to the songs they were playing. It was crazy. My feet became a trampoline that night so imagine me going home with literally dead feet. But it was all worth it.

We slept the entire morning for the Saturday Procession of the Sto. Niño. Then partied like crazy at Club VUDU.
Sunday came, went to mass and to the streets to invade the street parties At Baseline which Sinulog is best known for.

Now, let me end the talking and let the pictures explain what I'm jibbering about. Sinulog will always be on the top of my highlights in my year. Always.

Human Nature Re-Launch in CDO

Last September 14, 2012 was the re-launching of Human Nature here in Cagayan de Oro. It's a social enterprise focused on natural and organic products which is a plus since I'm all about the use of organic products for skin care.

Human Nature was born from passion burned from Anna Meloto-Wilk, Dylan Wilk and Camille Meloto. They were Gawad Kalinga volunteers who saw the bitter realities of the poverty side of our country. Through this discovery, they were driven to make products from Gawad Kalinga farms which spur growth for a better environment and a source of livelihood for the poor.

What's more interesting is the company's principles which made me more inlove with Human Nature. There are 3:

1. They are PRO-POOR. Human Nature's goal is to provide a better source of livelihood to the Gawad Kalinga residents and communities. With their advocacy, the poor will be able to attain a stable source of income by employing the GK residents. 
2. They are PRO-PHILIPPINES which means their products are 100% made in the Philippines. Did I already mention that their products are all naturally-organic? They make use of the best agricultural goods that our country has to offer. It's like they make products from the Philippines and for the Filipinos to benefit especially the poor.
3. They are PRO-ENVIRONMENT. The raw materials are not produced from toxic-induced chemicals thus they make use of the naturally-derived products to nourish them. So no-no to pollutants for the Human Nature products indeed.

So here's the launching of the Human Nature here in our quaint little city of Cagayan de Oro:

Havaianas celebrates its 50th anniversary at MYOH 2012

HAVAIANAS, as one of the most famous brands of slippers in the world, has always caught my heart. With its fancy colors and cute trinkets, the rubber pair of flip-flops symbolizes fashion, happiness, fun and excitement that has captured the hearts of so many. Who would deny such pretty colors and dynamic designs? It has always been a trend and it’s a fact that you cannot argue with.

With a few of my pairs, we have conquered the country together. From Boracay to Cebu to Iloilo, to Dakak to Pagadian to Davao to Surigao and to all the places I’ve been in the Philippines, I never miss out a moment not to bring my Havaianas with me. It’s so trendy I can pair it with any outfit I have in mind. Havaianas has always brought more wonderful memories as it decorates my feet with happiness and colors while I quench my thirst for fun and adventure.

Opening of Sweet Leaf Tea Cafe

Earlier this month was the opening of the new, cute and artsy milk tea house near LimKetKai Mall, Sweet Leaf at Rosario Arcade. 

Right inside the tea house is the salon. So if you decide to have your hair trimmed or your nails done, what better way to do it than with a milk tea to freshen up, right? 

Live young, Party Wild, Be Free

repost from Tumblr account.

I’m bulletproof, nothing to lose, fire away.

Ricochet and take your aim, fire away.

Shoot me down, but I won’t fall.

I am Titanium.

I’d rather not use the party motto as the title of this blogpost. It sounded too dark. Heehee ^^

Last June 1, 2012 was the party that made waves in CdO, or at least in the little heart of Bayabas, the SUMMER SETS IN PARADISE BY HIGZSNAPS. This was just too amazing for words to describe it! Lots of booze and friends came! Hooray! Plus DJ Mark Daquiz as HS Resident DJ and Lexter Da Vyrus from Killerbee as our guest DJ to rock the night with their awesome mixes.

Not only was this party bound to happen because summer was about to end and we needed to continue our tradition of always ending the summer with a twist, we also hosted this party to launch our company Higzsnaps Eventology and Digital Group. If you happen to need any event organizers/photographers/make-up artists and/or a DJ, feel free to contact us! We’re happy to do any events such as weddings, debuts, birthdays, baptisms, anniversaries or any party/event you have in mind. Please do contact us.

I had the chance to be a DJ/Host for the party. It was crazy! Everyone was up and game to do anything (except stop dancing for 3 minutes). So, let the photos be the judge as to our definition of FUN.

With Thea, Lilian and Paula. Gorgeous girlfriends!

Paula breakin’ some style.

Thea, so slim already!

8-7-2012 rainfall

What's occuring in Manila as of this moment is heartbreaking. News is filled of videos and pictures of victims struggling to swim through the floods, babies crying, people on top of their roofs, evacuation centers full and a whole lot more of devastating news.

I was a victim myself of such tragedy, the ever famous Typhoon Sendong who took away the lives of so many, thousands I believe. I would know the feeling, the brown water eating up my house and even took away my dog's life. It was traumatic and tragic all at the same time. I wouldn't want anyone to experience that. And just barely 8 months after, here we are again facing a new feat that is taking away the homes of so many. On the brighter side, this all happened at day time, as per Sendong which was titled "The Night Eater" as it struck people while in their sleep, at least this time people were more alert since they were up and awake.