Ina-Tay Recommends: SM Science Discovery Center

Childhood is one of the best moments in a person's life. It is the time where the most meaningful memories are created both in the mind and heart. Memories that serve as a foundation that shape the persons children grow up to be. Coupled with proper guidance and education, these memories become the values and stir their imagination that gear them to succeed in the future.

Along with some members of the Davao Bloggers Society, your Ina-Tay and the heir to her stilettos Leia, were invited to the launching of the newest attraction at SM Lanang Premier - the SM Science Discovery Center. After six years of bringing the fun in science to the families and students in Luzon, this out-of-this world attraction has finally set foot in Mindanao!

Edu-tainment: Education and entertainment at SM Science Discovery Center

PHILCONSTRUCT Mindanao 2013: Region's Leading Construction Show is Back!

PHILCONSTRUCT is known as Manila's most anticipated trade event for those in the construction and contracting sector. On September 5-7, 2013, the show will hold the fourth years of its Mindanao edition at the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premier, Davao City. This is open to the public, no admission fees from 10:00am - 7:00pm.

"We are ushering in a new phase for the exhibit," shared event chairman and past president of the Davao Constructors Association Center, Inc. (DCACI), Engr. Ramon Allado. "PHILCONSTRUCT Mindanao has certainly changed the way we do business in the industry and we are prepared to open an even bigger show with more than 180 exhibitors offering only the best and the latest products in the building and construction industry."

Home is Where the Heart Is

When people ask me of my descent, I always answer with pride that I am from the best place in the entire Philippine archipelago – Davao City. Then I would give a litany of my self-compiled reasons why my claim to such fame for the city that has become my home and could give the Department of Tourism people a run for their money. But I am not a true-blue Dabawenya. Unlike others who can trace their roots to one place, my family are just migrants to this great city. I was born in Zamboanga City but my father’s work as a banker took us to Durian-burg in 1985. And I was not always a Davao fan. It took a good amount of separation and isolation to gain a different perspective. This is my "Walay Kaparehas" story.

Davao's "Bato" (The Rock)

For all Dabawenyos, his name has become synonymous to a man of action - an officer that the common people can rely on and a nemesis to criminals. His 18 months term as Davao City Police Director will soon end in a few days following his transfer and promotion to Camp Crame as Chief of Staff, Police Training Service of the Philippine National Police. I may not know him personally, but as a blogger and Dabawenya by heart, this post is my tribute to one tough guy called "Bato".

PSSupt. Ronald "Bato" M. dela Rosa (source)

More Than Kimchi - Bulgogi Brothers Davao Review

When one hears Korea - we immediately think of KPop that has invaded the country faster than you can say   "anyeonghaseyo". Davao City has also welcomed many Korean nationals either for study/business or plain leisure. 

Personally, I associate this country with that Korean novela I religiously followed on TV - Jewel in the Palace and of course, Kimchi. The former showed Korean cuisine and the painstaking process which goes into preparing even the simplest of dishes that it has become more of an art. So when invitations were sent to try the dishes at Bulgogi Brothers Davao, I knew it was going to be an experience I can't afford to pass. Ina-Tay along with three other Davao bloggers Jonas, Quims and Sarah sampled a mix of new and iconic dishes. Bulgogi by the way literally means "fire meat" and is most commonly translated as Korean barbecue. These are thin slices of beef, pork or chicken specially marinated in a combination of Korean sauce and other seasonings to enhance flavor and tenderness. 

Celebrating all supermoms - Mommapalooza Davao 2013

The month of May is already here and of course, May is synonymous to Mother's Day. Here's an event for you all hard-working mommies!

Ina-Tay is very excited to celebrate being a mom along with other mothers on Sunday, May 12 for the Mommapalooza 2013 at Fuente de Villa Abrille Clubhouse, Tulip Drive, Matina, Davao City. And before I give you the many reasons why you should be here, Mommapalooza is spearheaded by Carve in partnership with Lifecasting Philippines for the benefit of Ezra Renewal Ministries' work with teenage moms. Talk about having fun while being part of a very worthy and timely cause! It is a first and we should all be proud that they are staging it here in Davao!

The day-long Mommapalooza 2013 is filled with fun events not only for you super momma but for your kids as well. These are some of the activities lined up on that day:

An afternoon with an icon

In one of my previous posts, I mentioned my excitement to be granted a sit-down interview with one of Davao City's icons. She was responsible for bringing home the "Waling-waling" and making it synonymous to Davao. Last February, she was named one of GoNegosyo's 13 Filipina Entrepreneurs of 2013. Know more of this inspiring lady who seems to have a Mida’s touch, founder of the Puentespina Orchids and Tropical Plants, Inc. and the Waling-waling lady herself – Charita P. Puentespina.

Chari Puentespina holds GoNegosyo's 50 Inspiring Stories of Agri Entrepreneurs book where she was featured

At the mention of her name, one would instantly think of the stunning purplish blooms of the famous Waling-waling (now named as the country’s second national flower) that she helped save from extinction in the 1980s. Her passion to “bring home” Vanda Sanderiana back to the Davao after seeing it in one of her trips in Bangkok made her a household name to orchid lovers here and abroad. 

Sit-down interview with an icon

Ina-Tay is very excited to be granted a sit-down interview with one of GoNegosyo's Women Entrepreneur Icons 2013.

I'll give you a clue:

Photo from the web

Now do you have an idea? Stay tuned...

Davao - Then and Now

It's Araw ng Davao once again. I feel the need to be at least in one event and blog about it as my simple way of paying tribute to the city that has become my home for 28 years. We came to Davao from Zamboanga City in 1985 and Davao was so different then. No malls, no traffic.

One of the events I was keen on going to was the Davao Then and Now photo exhibit staged by Museo Dabawenyo at the SM Annex. I'm a big nostalgia fan so it was no-brainer why it was on top of my list. Last Saturday, I found myself at SM Ecoland and immediately headed to their new annex wing. The exhibit featured around 20-25 old Davao City photos and little trivia about the edifices. It celebrates the journey of our city to become the premier city in Mindanao and a melting pot of different cultures. Davao City's rise to fame was definitely NOT an overnight success. The exhibit is one way to let the younger Dabawenyos learn and appreciate our history. 

I remember Camembert!

I'm not really a food blogger. I eat in vast consumptions but I don't actually see myself a food critic. I guess it's because of the fact that I don't have a very adventurous palate. Each time there's a new restaurant in town, it would take a loooong time for me to try it out. I tend to stick to familiar flavors and places. I look for food that will speak to me and the taste to leave an unforgettable flavor in my mouth I have no choice but to have it again. It will have to be an epiphany, a learning experience that will shatter my food prejudices.

Supermarket shopping with an "umph"

Grocery shopping just got a little better with the opening of the newest branch of SM Supermarket at SM Lanang Premier. The leading food retailer we, especially mommies, have come to love for its wide and fresh choices offers Davaoenos a little bit more.

The new SM Lanang Supermarket promises to give shoppers an all-new lifestyle with fresh trends and more choices with its personalized customer assistance, exciting promos, new products and sophisticated services. Last September 27, Davao Bloggers were given a special tour around the 5,000 square meter supermarket and introduced to us the services we have all been familiar with plus new innovations to make our supermarket shopping more comfortable and budget-friendly. Okay, Ina-Tay is loving you already.



Davao bloggers at the special SM Supermarket Lanang (photo courtesy of blogging couple Cris and Ace Nierva)



Allow me to give you a run-through of what to expect: