Go on a trip with PHL360!

PHL360° is a 16-episode fusion of reality TV and travel show circling around the stories of eight indie travelers embarking on a trip around the Philippines. This is an entertaining and informative project for gung-ho and bold travelers who share the same passion and advocacies as independent travelers. Eight different kinds of travelers doing four extraordinary trips in four different destinations in the country (north, south, east and west).

Eight folks will be grouped into four. Say, a surfer is partnered with mountaineer or party-traveler meets camper. Each duo travels to a place both not suited to their personalities with a mission of “how they will make the trip extra meaningful.” We will see what happens after the weekender trip and some surprise twists along the way. It is a reality/documentary show so everything will be recorded from pre-travel to post trip. Each show runs for 15 minutes, airing every Tuesday and Saturday.

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Just as I was finished with my Puerto Galera series, and recovering from my expenses, and paying off debts, and now have a whole lot like a travel plan thereafter; I came across a friend who introduced me to this somewhat between a dream and a life plan. PHL360 is as ambitious as it gets, but I must admit that this looks like a lot of promise. I’ll definitely be glued to my laptop every Tuesday and Saturday because I know somebody out there is living my dream.

Not that it frustrates me, but I am rather challenged and inspired as early as now… and it hasn’t even started yet! My dream in a webisode, I think, I better start saving now, before I succumb!

This will keep me up all night… you know, thinking about travel and… that lifestyle I wish I get to live. I wish the best, and may the odds be ever in your favor, Team PHL360!

Itchy feet,
J

IMMAP Open Mic Night at Salon de Ning

I can still remember how fun the first IMMAP Open Mic Night is, and how I was very inspired as a guy who works in the social media industry; when all of a sudden, in a matter of months, here came the second round of industry stalwarts ready to inspire us all over again.

It was my first time at the Salon de Ning, and I must say that the photos do not do justice to how stunning it looks like. If it’s a woman, I’d describe her in a long black sequined gown. I can’t help to notice how this place shines!

And there was the room every girl dreamed to have – A WHOLE ROOM OF SHOES!

People from social media, blogging, advertising, government, design, and marketing among others attended the well-anticipated event hosted by none other than the Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines or IMMAP. By now, I can already tell that IMMAP throws party like no other. With just the right touch of geekery and fun, I always expect to learn something new and get a little tipsy what with the overflowing booze!

I love the Twitter-themed hors d’oeuvres

The last one was Pecha Kucha, and now they take the form of a fishbowl format. You have to choose from #It’sMoreFunInThePhilippines, #WhatRocksYourSocks, or #Bawal. And one member of the audience can participate in the lineup of five speakers. You know me well enough if you know I joined #Bawal. Haha! I wasn’t chosen to be part of the lineup, but that’s good as well. I was tipsy (but comprehensible) before the talks even began

I love this Twitter ice whatnot

Met Lois Yasay of the Sole Sisters. I wish I can meet Chichi soon, too!

Speakers in #Bawal talked about plenty of stuff. But what I can summarize from that is that each of us have our own concept of what is wrong or prohibited. Truly, everything is subject in to discourse, and whatever bad is to me, may be not to another.

Taken By Cars who went to SXSW in the USA were there to perform after the fishbowl rounds. Filipino music, represent indeed!! They also shared their experience during the world renown music festival.

Cleavage… not! Haha, Nica took this photo

There were a lot of prizes given out to the audience. I wish I won the iPad from the raffle, hahaha, but I guess we haven’t shouted enough to the universe (Nica and I were actually shouting iPad the whole night, lol) but great for Thysz who won a bottle of Casa Noble Tequila for best dressed from her all-black number. Have I mentioned also that she’s in Young Star last week to represent Moonleaf Tea Shop? That’s my pretty boss!!! :)

I cannot tell you more how nice this event is — I learned, met old and new friends, and had time to party with people who pretty much tweet for a living as I do (community managers, represent!!!) It’s time to engage people offline though that’s pretty much a joke, as most of us were in Twitter for most of the time, haha!

I am so looking forward to the third Open Mic Night!

Moonleaf: My Summer Staycation 2012

Come to think of it, staycation isn’t a bad idea at all. Though I’d really love to be in the islands by now because of this heat staring down at us, the city isn’t that unbearable with my favorite milk tea in hand.

See you all at Moonleaf!

THE MOONLEAF 2012 SUMMER CAMPAIGN

Photography by Joseph Pascual
Videography by Judd Figuerres

With Sasha Palomares, Justine Aure, Rutherford Perez, Gela Abores and Bruce Venida

Make up & grooming by Kim Alcoreza
Production & Set Design by Dreps Tatad and Jan Pineda

I’ll post the whole campaign and BTS by moi soon! 

#STOPKONY NOW

I like how careful and calculated the film was made, I can actually made a social media case study out of this. And I also like how it targets feelings and emotions and how the makers knew that the only way through people is to use a bit of love, controversy, hatred, and justice. We have to thank Invisible Children for the initiative to inform and mobilize people and eventually they can bring change in the society, what with their number and the impact they’ve already done.

But I guess some people will always see a loophole. Or is there really a loophole to start? I purposely didn’t read anything about KONY 2012 before trying to write about it but I can’t help but overhear controversies surrounding the movement. I tried as hard as I can to become blank before I watched the movie, because whatever good there is may be clouded of influenced judgment and such. It is up to us though how we will find a stand in this.

For whatever it’s worth, I firmly believe that even clouded with controversies, for a movement to last for eight long painstaking years, they must have been doing something right, even if not entirely. And I find no wrong in helping this cause, and not necessarily them. Of course, let’s take our time to do research and try to figure out if these controversies are true or just black propaganda.

It’s easy to help inform people. Either you follow the very simple infographic above or share the movie that you’ve just watched. Or do both. They’re right, you know. Information is power. And if a lot of people will know, will demand, and will act… maybe society stands a chance for change.

P.S. To help shed light on Invisible Children and KONY 2012, here are some readings:

Kony 2012

The Guardian

Invisible Children

#MoonleafOnJessicaSoho

I missed watching this on TV, but yay because GMA’s so quick to post it online! Spot Moonleaf in the segment! Special thanks to @stacydejesus for giving me heads up that it’s available online already. Lurve you, girl!:)

P.S. This trended last Sunday no. 1 in the Philippines!!! So proud of you, Moonleaf Tea Shop! Like them in Facebook, Follow in Twitter, and also in Tumblr! :)

Blow the Red Whistle

Posting this on a Sunday, hoping that at least one Catholic priest would see this as another reason why we need RH Bill in the Philippines. And I hope that one priest would share to other blind leaders.

Be informed. Be positive.

P.S. On this note, I bid these blind leaders to read the Allegory of the Cave by Plato. No need to thank me, [insert expletives].

Hello, 2012!

The year 2011 was good to me.

• Graduated from college (FINALLY!) with latin honors
• Passed the Philippine Nursing Licensure Exam
• First time out of the country — and trip was foh free yow!
• I didn’t need to find work, work came to me (which I thank GOD for a million times. I’m truly blessed)
• Not to mention the people I’ve met and worked with this year are incredibly amazing! Twestival, Juanxi, PdP, Moonleaf plus the countless, albeit absolutely fabulous, events that I’ve been to. My most heartfelt gratitude to the plethora of PR agencies that kept on inviting me. I heart you, guys!
• Started up my own venture with the best of my college friends. You should watch out for Stereotyped‘s next collection!
• First talk about blogging — pretty nerve-wracking but is one of my best days as a blogger, indeed!

Thank you all for being a part of the adventurous year, that is 2011. The adventure hadn’t stopped, but it only have just begun… again! Though I’ve been concealing, in this blog that is, I was jobless and no longer in the PdP team. No it’s not them, it’s me. As much as I love to continue working for them, believe me if I could, I would… but some things, as I always say, have to meet their conclusions. Fortunately for me, friendship never dies and I still get to work with them at times. *cheese alert* It’s just that I miss my team badly.

Here comes 2012, saying hello to me. I think my two-week unemployment starting last Christmas season was necessary to open my eyes to a lot of things – especially to those that I really want to do achieve in 2012. Yeah I know, kinda foolish. Christmas and jobless. A perfect match. *basks in irony*

But thank God, because up until now, I still can’t figure out how come these things are happening. I have my plans… but definitely His plans are way bigger than I thought they are. I’ll start work in a few days, and you bet I can’t wait to start… TO START A LOT OF THINGS. I won’t (maybe can’t) disclose for now, but it is indeed an exciting turn and it’s just the START of 2012.

This post is growing in length already, but before I forget, I wanna list down 12 things I want to do in 2012.

1. SAVE. If last year, this was in the last, now it’s coming in first.
2. ACQUIRE a domain name. How does jonverdavid.com sounds to you?
3. TAKE a lot of photos… again. Rediscover photography.
4. TRAIN. I’m so excited, somebody’s funding my social media training. I’ll make kwento soon!
5. READ. I’ve been reading, but I’m not satisfied with the rate I’m running. This forcibly and partly justifies the next goal (haha) —
6. BUY an iPad. So I can read more (!) and mobilize my job.
7. TRAVEL the Indochina Southeast Asia trail. At least even before the year ends. Vietnam – Cambodia – Laos – Thailand and maybe a ferry to Indonesia, Malaysia, and culminate in Singapore before going back to Manila. My good friend, Hanna Samson of 1 Week and After,  and her tips are especially noteworthy!
8. PACK lightly, traveling far away or not. Or at least learn how to.
9. FIX my room, errrr… space. No matter how asthmatic I can get.
10. SLEEP at night, wake up in the morning and work in between. Read this somewhere but I forgot where. I like the idea.
11. START the NYC project. Employ the Law of Attraction.
12. GET tested. ‘Nuff said.

Simple goals for a simple and successful 2012.

It takes 1000 compliments to erase an insult

I’ve been following Davey Wavey but I guess I stopped watching his videos somewhere in the middle. However, last night I found myself marathoning some of his posts, especially those on his Best of 2011 list. I love how he is so real and how he relentlessly shares his life to “the community that he moderates.” I love it that he openly talks about topics not just anybody has the gall to blabber on the internet. He’s fearless, he’s smart, he’s so funny, and most especially, he lives in New York City now (which qualifies him for the NYC group in my Google Reader #geek) I’ll stop fanboying here and you go have fun in his blog :)

But before that, before I forget, watch the video above and see how he tried to make people around him feel good. After watching this video, I was inspired me to do something of the same kind. I don’t know what exactly for now, but he really sparked something in me. Way to go, Dave. Keep doin’ what you doin’!

P.S. Doesn’t he look like Cory Monteith?! LIKE SUPER LOOK ALIKE!

Bicol Day 2

During my trip in Legazpi City, I stayed in Sampaguita Tourist Inn near the workshop venue 

Breakfast was at La Mia Tazza

Cafe Americano while I reviewed my presentation for that morning

Concorde Cake. Wafer cake is just so yummy. I know you aren’t supposed to have dessert for breakfast but this with the Americano is just perfect.

IT’S SHOW TIME! I started by interviewing some of the resident bloggers

Then I gave away two Stereotyped shirts!

I’m so relieved the students had fun during my talk

Lunch with the organizers at Small Talk

Pili Basil Pasta. Tastes like Pesto but even better with Pili!

After lunch, Franzy and I met again to go to Cagsawa Ruins.

The road to Cagsawa was ruined by the 2006 (I think) eruption of Mayon Volcano. Kinda creeped me out a lil.

It was a long walk from the main road, but all worth it to see these structures I only see in postcards as a child. I can’t believe that’s JUST the belfry of the Cagsawa church. I suddenly realized I have this some sorta fear of ruins (which just sucks because I love going to ruins.)

This native guitar works just like a regular guitar (but I thought it was different)

They even have violins

The Hoy Stick. Spin it, say “hoy” and it spins the other way around!

Abandoned house

Beautiful clouds after the rain

Franzy was raving all about this restaurant ever since I arrived from Manila, so I can’t leave without even trying. Buena Cena Una is an old house converted into a restaurant and events place in Daraga, Albay.

Lumpiang Tinapa. I love Tinapa or smoked fish, so I can’t resist to try this rolls when I saw them on the menu. The smokey goodness of the fish and the crunch of the wrap with the tang of the vinegar is just awesome. I’d like to try this at home!

Cheese sticks.

Bruschetta. The bread could use a little more toast and more drizzle of olive oil perhaps. Twas just okay.

Wild Fern Salad. I wish I had noticed that they are adding a vinaigrette to this salad. Usually, I like my Pako salad with just a drizzle of fish sauce and calamansi. Or if they’re doing this with a dressing, they could have gone easy in it.

Clubhouse Sandwich

Before leaving, I decided to visit Daraga church, but it was closed.

I wish I could be back soon!

Thanks to Josh Acuna of St. Agnes Academy Alumni Association for inviting me to Legazpi City!

Bicol Day 1

So you all know that I was invited to Legazpi City to talk about blogging and social media. My talk was scheduled at 16th, but I decided to go a day before to meet my friend Franzy and go tour around town.

I arrived at the city just in time for the opening of the workshop. I dropped by first to say hello to the organizers and I also met some of the other speakers. I was dead nervous to see all the students who would listen to me the next day.

Grace Imperial from Divine Word College hosted the event

The Workshop was graced by seasoned author and proud advocate of the Bicol language, Mr. Abdon “Jun” Balde, Jr. He recited to the audience a poem he made titled, “It’s A Weird Wired World” The original was in Bicolano but I thankfully, Mr. Jun posted a Tagalog version in his Facebook account! I rarely like poems but this one’s too witty and funny to pass!

Franzy and I met up around lunch. We left the workshop and headed straight to Embarcadero. It’s a mall beside the sea and seems appropriate also that boats dock in this area, hence the name of the mall. If I remember accurately, some time in December last year I found myself beside the sea also.

First meal in Bicol was in Biggs Diner in Embarcadero

Pop-vintage diner. Reminds me of 50′s Diner in Baguio City

Tocilog

Bigg meal (pun intended :P)

Rex Clothing cross tee, Thrifted gray denim jacket, Oxygen reversible jeans, Punchdrunk Panda Negatives plimsolls, Bags of Love UK leather holdall, Speedo square frames

The clouds were affirming it was a good day. I love clouds!

Literally beside the mountain

Clouds

There’s a go kart arena but we were too lazy to try

Walked this road

And stopped by for a very vain photo haha

MORE CLOUDS!!

Was tired and hungry again, so we went to Bikol Blends to chill

The place has impeccable service, and the fastest wi-fi in Legazpi, maybe…

Tried out Sili Ice Cream! Contrary to popular belief, this one is not so spicy – it lingers on creamy side and releases the spicy sting on the throat, not on the tongue.

Was practically sleepless and tired so we opted not to go around that much. More of my Bicol trip in my next posts!!!