Tips: Plan Your Vacation Ahead Of Time 🙈 2017 Philippine Holidays.

Plan your Vacation Leave ahead of time as Malacañang has already released the list of holidays for 2017. It is beneficial for us to know this as early as possible so that we can book seat sale for your travels and file your vacation leaves to your employer.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed Proclamation No. 50 on August 16. It was released for public dissemination on Thursday, August 18.

The regular holidays are:

January 1, 2017, Sunday – New Year's Day
April 9, 2017, Sunday – Araw ng Kagitingan
April 13, 2017 – Maundy Thursday
April 14, 2017 – Good Friday
May 1, 2017, Monday – Labor Day
June 12, 2017, Monday – Independence Day
August 28, 2017, last Monday of August – National Heroes' Day
November 30, 2017, Thursday – Bonifacio Day
December 25, 2017, Monday – Christmas Day
December 30, 2017, Saturday – Rizal Day

Special (non-working) days:

January 2, 2017, Monday – based on Proclamation No. 117
January 28, 2017, Saturday – Chinese New Year
February 25, 2017, Saturday – EDSA Revolution Anniversary
April 15, 2017 – Black Saturday
August 21, 2017, Monday – Ninoy Aquino Day
October 31, 2017, Tuesday – additional special (non-working) day
November 1, 2017, Wednesday – All Saints' Day
December 31, 2017, Sunday – last day of the year

Filipinos will also have special holidays for the observance of Eid'l Fitr and Eid'l Adha, which will be announced next year.

Proclamations to declare national holidays for Eid'l Fitr and Eid'l Adha shall follow after approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined.

Celebrating Christmas 🌲 (Noche Buena) at the Workplace.

Christmas is one of the highly celebrated Holidays in the Philippines. In fact, family members who are working in the urban zones will find ways just to go back home in provinces just to rejoice Christmas with their family. It is once a year celebration and time to gather all the family members – to show love.

Despite of this strong culture, there are people behind this happy and must awaited holiday that are sacrificing on not going home to spend time with their family. Instead, they spent their Christmas Eve with their workmates as they need to attend the call of duty.  Call Center Workers are not excluded on this.

We have also OFWs – tinitiis ang pamilya para makapagpadala; Security Guards who are handling cups of coffee while on duty. Waiters who are serving foods while their families are at home celebrating; and Hospital Workers who are always ready to save life yet they gave up their chance of having fun with their families.

Truly, it is partly sad but like what we always uttered “DADAAN DIN YAN”. To work in a BPO industry is not easy, it takes courage to bring ourselves to work during at night, it takes sacrifice to leave our family during happy moments and work hard on the floor. This Christmas 2016, Let me greet you a MERRY CHRISTMAS to those who gave up their Christmas Eve to report at work. 🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

📜 Civil Code of the Philippines: Obligations and Contracts Explained | College Short Film 🎥

Before I learned the ins and outs of video editing for vlogging, I recently recovered a video from my college days on my USB drive. This short film, created 8 years ago, was a project presentation for the subject “LAW ON OBLIGATIONS AND CONTRACTS.” I was one of the proponents, and I must admit, watching it now makes me laugh at how pixelated the video is, with poor acting, noisy audio, and very unsmooth editing.

Although I am still learning video editing for my vlogs, there has been significant improvement compared to this college project. Despite its flaws, this video offers valuable insights into the Civil Code of the Philippines, specifically Articles 1186, 1189, and 1190. I have attempted to re-edit it using Sony Vegas to enhance the quality.

📜 What You'll Learn:

• Article 1186: Impact of conditions on obligations
• Article 1189: Rights of creditors and debtors when conditions are met
• Article 1190: Effects of the fulfillment or non-fulfillment of conditions on obligations

🎥 Why Watch?

• Simplified explanations of complex legal concepts
• Real-life scenarios for better understanding
• Perfect for law students and anyone interested in Philippine law

Join me in this nostalgic look back at my early video-making days and explore the fundamentals of the Philippine Civil Code.

🎥 WATCH THE VIDEO:

Accepting The Challenge : To Be A Drag Queen - Tina Turner.

Ever since I accepted myself for whom really I am, I learned to be myself more than before. And being yourself for who really you are is a must especially if you are a youtuber – no room for pretentious act.

Indeed, As Jonathan Orbuda, if you’re gonna check my bucket list; one of those is be a drag queen. According to Wikipedia, A drag queen is a person, usually male, who dresses in drag and often acts with exaggerated femininity and in feminine gender roles. Often, they will exaggerate certain characteristics such as make-up and eyelashes for comic, dramatic, or satirical effect.

I was given a chance to emulate Tina Turner in a Lip Sych Battle and undeniably I was extremely excited when I heard the offer – I am now able to put check my bucketlist.

When I did that act and have it posted in my channel, lots of my friends said “ Bumigay Kana!” , I just ignore because I knew deep within that I am never consider myself as a woman trapped in a man’s body. Moreover, gender identity has nothing to do with gender expression. And cross dressing or being a drag queen has nothing to do on how I identify myself. Minsan may mga bagay lang tayong dapat gawin para maging makulay ang buhay at hindi boring.


Watch the Video

Thanks For Watching.

👍 6 Reasons Why I Want Oppo F1s.

This article is not to sugar-coat nor to build up this Smartphone brand – OPPO .Yet this post is my real experience with Oppo f1s(even if I don’t have one). Allan Aban, who is my friend, bought a new phone in Oppo store. He opted the Oppo f1s and he let me use the phone for a short span of time and have it review – quality and features.  I was astonished of the phone quality.

Watch the video below. This video is raw file recorded using OPPO f1s front Camera. And I uploaded it directly to my Channel w/o editing AT ALL.

“I have this phone, I can maximise the full potential of the features SANA SA VLOG KO”, I said it to myself (May halong inggit)

Here the reasons why I wanted to have it in this Christmas (BUNOS, 13th Month Pay).

1. The front camera is truly insane. I did try to create a VLOG using it inside my room which is kinda dark and the quality of the video is remarkable.

2. The Front Camera, while recording can be zoom in and zoom out depending on my need. This is beneficial for a Vlogger like me because I don’t need to crop my video during the editing/post production. You just have to zoom in to avoid non- essential backdrops.

3. While recording the video, you can also adjust the brightness which is undeniably a breakthrough of a smart phone product. This is useful to ALL selfie addicts and video bloggers who are documenting their unforgettable moments in a dark vista – like dinner date, concert, fire display and etcetera. This phone is really for me in proportion to my lifestyle as a night crawler - (SEE VIDEO HERE as I vlog a bar review using other brand).

4. (Notice the Audio), the sound that being recorded is audible and I can hear the bass of my voice. It produces a crisp and high quality audio which is helpful to Vloggers .No more use of external voice recorder and shot gun microphone. Indeed, there’s no need to enhance the audio anymore – it’s time consuming anyway.

5. Look wise? – I must say that it is cosy. With those edges, thinness of the phone, shiny glass and variants colours available – Oppo f1s is really victorious in this aspect “Aesthetic”.

6. MEMORY WISE – This aspect is very important to all VLOGGERS, Photographer and selfie aficionados. The capacity of saving files to your phone is one of the features that I consider in a phone. Oppo f1s can has 32GB Rom and expandable to 128GB, amazing right. You can now take videos in HD and store it for a span of time.

Truly OPPO F1s is top of the line for me to be part of my VLOGGER’s gear in 2016. With an amount of PHP12, 000 , I am pretty sure that it is worth buying for.

P.S. After I uploaded the video in my Channel., I notice that  the file was recorded in 780P which is HD. Watch it again and set it to 780P

Interview: The Phenomenology of the Certain Personalities As a Living #Gay Icon.

One day, I received a personal message through my Face book account. The said communication was coming from a student of Polytechnic University of the Philippines College of Communication. He was asking me if – there is any way for me to allow them conducting an interview.  They are working on a research about “The Phenomenology of the Certain Personalities as Living #Gay Icon”.

Indeed, their objectives are (1) to know the demographic profile of the homosexual icon assuming that the selected personalities or icons are decent homosexual. (2) To determine how the selected personality lives their daily life assuming that the selected personality lives a normal life. (3) To determine the lived experiences of the selected personalities in terms of Childhood, Adolescence and Adulthood assuming that the selected personalities experience the ups and downs of being a homosexual icon. (4)To determine their perspective of their life as a homosexual assuming that selected icons have a broader perspective of life. (5) To determine their perspective of their life as a homosexual assuming that the selected icons have a broader perspective of life. And lastly, (5) to know the success and failures that brought them to become an icon assuming that the selected icons are successful homosexuals in their own fields.

After I got their goal of doing the research, I quickly allot time for them; that might be a huge help of understanding gay people as part of LGBT community. Then we agreed to meet in Robinson Forum.

Watch the interview conducted by Earl Jansen Danganan, Merby Jane Lorico and Ronnie Ugaban as I openly narrated my life story.

After the interview, a sudden flashback happened. I was able to reminisce those moments during my younghood, where I came from and those ups and downs that I experienced in my life. I just realized that the said interview reminded me to appreciate and be grateful on what I have today .Moreover, the interview brought me back to where Jonathan D. Orbuda started and where I am today – they said that I am an influential living gay icon.

Unconsciously, tears fell down while walking away from the students ............   saying “May narating pala ako, at may nakakapansin din pala.”
 .

My First Time Experience In A Hosto/Gay Bar - Malate, Manila.

I had this mindset that Hosto/Gay Bar is associated with naked men dancing in front of its patron. Indeed, it might be a place for old gays and women only. I never see myself going inside such establishment because it is not empowering to me – worshipping a straight man.  I am very exposed to gay disco bars like O bar  and Palawan Bar wherein its target market are young gay men; so I am rigid of not going to a hosto bar unless I reach my old age.

However, the more I avoid myself to this kind of Bar, the more I became curious on how does it feels like to be there. My friend from U.S. visited me and he challenged me to go on Bar hopping – Hosto Bar. I was reluctant to join since it defies my philosophy. Yet, he was extremely persuasive on bringing me – wala siyang kasama & libre daw niya.

We first dropped by at Machete in Baclaran but we left in a few minutes after we finished our drinks because the transition of each dance was slow pacing. Then we decided to go to Malate to look for an alternative one. I am very familiar with Malate because I frequently visit Chelu which is a gay-disco bar; but I am not aware where the Hosto/Gay bars located at. We just spoke with a Pedicab driver and asked him to bring us towards the nearest Hosto bar.

Watch the video below:

We opted Humane Elemement Entertainment Bar which is located at #60 Julio Napkil St, Malate Manila.  The moment I went inside- sobrang kinakabahan ako.  But I felt secured coz my friend from U.S. guided me on what to do, how to act and to indulge the night since he is always in a hosto bar in U.S. – sanay na siya.

It was memorable experience. Truly, I learned something by exposing myself. Akala ko nung una pang matandang bakla lang ito. Akala ko naghuhubad na mga lalaki lang andun. But I was wrong - Hosto Bar is an entertainment Bar that caters anyone regardless of gender, race and age as long as you can afford going inside.

Success : Mr. Gay World Philippines 2016 Coronation.

I Love Tansyong received two complementary tickets  for a prestigious pageant in the Philippines – Mr . Gay World Philippines 2016. On Sunday, October 2, 2016 at the UP Theater, Diliman, Quezon City.  Unfortunately we're not able to attend due to fortuitous event happened.


Instead, as to give thanks to the organizers who still considered me as one of blogger-partners but I didn’t make it, I’ll be posting a VLOG about the event na pinanuod namin livestream.

Congratulation to the winners and to the people behind it.

How Does It Feel To Be Part Of Outrage Magazine?

Since I was in college and part of University Publication, I already looked up this online magazine named OutrageMag.   Headquartered in Makati City, Outrage Magazine was launched in April 2007 to highlight LGBT-related stories in the Philippines or those affecting LGBT Filipinos; with most articles written by LGBT Filipinos, as well as LGBT allies. I always read their articles while hoping that someday in the near future I’ll be working in this rigid LGBT webzine.

Indeed, I also love the writing approach of the said Magazine – concrete, honest, fair and daring – attributes of a media company that I admired.  The proponent of Outrage is one of my idols. Outrage Magazine was founded by Michael David C. Tan, a graduate of the University of Newcastle in New South Wales, Australia, who now serves as its editor on the loose. Tan won the 2006 Catholic Mass Media Awards for Best Investigative Report.

Upon graduating college and leaving my friends inside the University newsroom, I entered in a corporate world for a living and everything has changed. I worked and focused on earning money for my future. Yet my passion in writing is still deep within myself that every time I am reading newspapers, it always reminds me that once upon in my past ,  I used to be part of this media kind  .

I messaged the editor in chief and told him how I love his craft. Luckily, he replied and we set up a meeting. I said to him that I am interested in joining their publication.  Everything happened so fast and smooth. I just saw myself weaving words and publishing it to the said Magazine.

(Black) William "Princess" Pombo - aspiring writer (white0 Jonathan Orbuda, blogger - during Manila Pride Parade 2016, Rizal Park Manila

Because of Outrage, I learned to intertwine words from various angles, I learned to write stories that are worth writing for and share it to the world. I became cautious of gender equality and rights. And the most important, Outrage taught me to be who I am and embraced my real me. To be part of Outrage is empowering – using words to influence readers in a good way possible.

Please do read my articles in Outrage Magazine. Click HERE.

Outrage Magazine is also available on prints. 

👎 Proof - Lazada Philippines is Selling The Returned Item All Over Again.

RATING: ⭐

Disappointment is somehow a feeling that can’t be avoided. We feel it uncosicouly especially if we are expecting that much on a specific matter. Yes, It can’t be avoided specially we have our own standards depending on our upbringing and our values.  Sometimes money is not the issue but the satisfaction that we can obtain in the returns of the money that we exhausted matters the most.


I’ve been a frequent buyer of this online store LAZADA Philippines; indeed it is one of the leading online shopping portals in Ph.  Maybe, I already had three or more transactions that are successfully fulfilled by this onlinestore and most of the prices range from PHP150-PHP PHP500. I ordered VR box twice and I ordered Tripod and mono pad for my Phone so that I can easily record my VLOG. All were delivered on time via COD. And the products we’re truly good.

Watch The Video until the end.

Recently, I ordered MXIII WiFi Amlogic S802 Quad Core XBMC Cortex A9 TV Box (Black) With Wallet Style Power Bank 20000mAh (Black) which is amounting to PHP2, 899. The MXIII WiFi Amlogic S802 Quad Core XBMC Cortex A9 TV Box is the embodiment of modern day technology. It enables your television to access stored files and video streams by running the Android 4.4 software. It features a 2.0GHz Quad core, Octa-Core Mali-450 GPU processing core which allows it to steadily deliver the shows that I've been craving for.  This will be my first time to spend to this online store with the denomination of thousands - since LAZADA already got my trust.

The order process was perfectly smooth from placing my order, to shipping it, until I received the product.  I was very excited to unbox the product and have it tested to my analogue TV. Surprisingly, the most important item that can only run the Android box which is the remote control is missing. I doubled check the order to make sure but it was really not really there. When I also turned on the item, it was not working AT ALL. I tried to use any adaptor and I also use a different power source outlet – but the android box was really defective.

Later on, I noticed that there were two orders slips in the same box that I received. One is the delivery that came from Paranaque and the other one was from Cebu. Meaning the product that they sold to me is a returned product and they still kept on selling the same product.  I feel like I was” mukang malas  ang mga makabili ng product na binabalik ko.” I am pretty sure they will do it all over again.

I already sent back the product via LBC (with the return authorization number) and asking for an Item replacement. And let us just wait the update. I am pretty sure that they will keep in touch to me soon.

I am very disappointed. At first with the missing item and the defective product issues are both acceptable to me but when I discovered that they kept on selling the defective product all over again after they relieved at the warehouse – well that is no longer acceptable – meaning they really don’t check the product before sending.

Pop Group 5thGen's Tuloy Parin Influences Me To Do My Own Cover.

What’s goin’ on you guys?

It’s been a long time that I got crazy towards a music since I am very keen on choosing songs to listen. Recently, I am stumbled upon in this video of a newly rising singing group named – 5th Gen.  I discovered their video on my facebook feed and I did watch with my headset. The moment that the music started to play , It seemed that I was hypnotized and unconsciously I was dancing on its beat.

5thGen is a pop group headed by Ralph Salazar (I knew you are familiar with him) with members : Reymond Sajor (who is also known for his stint on Philippine Idol in 2006), RJ Buenagua, Marielle Corpuz and Lady Diana – all of them came from World Championships of the Performing Arts (WCOPA)  - medalists and winners. No wonder, this group captures my attention and I’m starting to love them. I extremely admire on how they manage to blend their voices despite of each distinctiveness. Nakaka-inlove pakinggan.

Watch the video below, courtesy of WISH 107.5 .

Their rendition of “Tuloy Parin” by Neo Colours  is perfection. The version is very timely since it is RNB in which new generation can relate.  Ralph Salazar sang the first stanza and the execution  of  “kulot” or simply voice gymnastic is very clean. Indeed, Reymond Sajor and RJ Buenagua both good looking  guys are  also talented. Their voices are angelic and penetrating my soul ( I ‘m serious). Not only those, they also have Marielle Corpuz and Lady Diana who can easily play and  shift their power voice into falsetto with smooth transition. They sang as a group and they didn’t overpower their group mates.

Watch the video below as Eddien and I will do a reaction VLOG.

5fth Gen really inspired me a lot and they made me feel in love. In fact, their video in  WISH107.5 Youtube Channel motivates me to do my own version. On the same day, right after I watched their video, I quickly grabbed the microphone , opened my camera, and searched for “Tuloy parin” karaoke; unfortunately, RNB version is not yet available online .There are acoustic version but, I chose the original one by NEO Colours.

Watch the video as I attempt to ruin this timeless song, LOL!

Music is really innate on us and it is associated of being a Filipino.  As an individual who admires a lot to this 5th Gen, I must admit that they really influenced me to create also my own cover – it is not that perfect but I did sing from my heart. “Na inspire lang po sa kanila”.

🥘 Estero Food Alley In Binondo, Manila - Sounds Not Clean But Must Visit and Try.

What to expect when you arrived? PhotobyTheresa Lim

“I Love Tansyong Best Bite” goes to Estero Food Alley. It is located in along Ongpin Street, Binondo, situated itself along the ESTERO - a tidal channel used as a drainage canal in populated district of Manila. It sounds not enticing when we heard the word estero since it is associated with untidy stuff. But it is a huge mistake – ESTERO Food Alley aka Estero Fast Food is a place wherein you will find a wide array of various restos that you can choose from.

Photo by OJ Digest's Blog

PLACE 8/10
Prior on visiting this place for food trip, I assumed that place is not ventilated. But I was wrong; they have air-conditioned dining rooms if you're squeamish with the smell of the nearby river. Undeniably, there is really a bad smell coming from the estero and going inside their air-conditioned dining area is the remedy. The ambiance is pretty cool. They can cater numbers of foodtripper – from solo to barkada occupying guest.

  FOODS 9/10

Most of the foods that they served are Chinese cuisine but there are also available Filipino dishes. The foods here are quite delicious and affordable hence it is located in a “not so fancy place” –Canal. But I am sure that the foods are clean because it is served freshly cooked. “Syempre , ayaw ko din magkasakit” but so far, I never felt any reaction from food contaminations. Though cheap and somewhat tasty, flavours are really same if you compare it with other Chinese restaurants around Binondo.

Foods that we (with friends) ordered were – Tufo, Veggies, Fried Rice and the very interesting Crispy fried frog. It was my first time to eat a fried frog and it taste like a real fried chicken.

If you are looking for a great place for your  Barkada’s eat out. Then why not take a visit ESTERO Food Alley and experience the adventure of eating foods along ESTERO. It is a must try restaurants – affordable yet it did not sacrifice the taste. 

😋 Finding Joey’s Burgers and Sausages - Bumatay Branch Mandaluyong City.

Hiding within the large and congested City of Mandaluyong - is this Burger and Sausage house that started to penetrates the market of Burger lovers.  It is just newly opened franchise burger restaurant named Joey’s Burgers and Sausages.  It is a local restaurant serving an exciting and creative recipes made from fresh ingredients prepared daily. They offered lots of Burgers and sausages within your budget, among others.

Location wise, this branch is really difficult to find. It would be better if you will take tricycle from Boni Avenue going to Bumatay St.  It is situated to be specific in No.51-C Sgt. Bumatay St., Brgy. Plainview and behind Ayala Homes Subdivision.

The restaurant is quite small that can only cater 10-15 tables. But since it is just newly established on May 12, 2016 - we can notice that everything is new, from the wooden table and chairs into various paintings and artworks hanged on the wall.

The food is served freshly-cooked with appetizing preparation. The oozing cheese sauce is visually inviting and saying “Common man! Eat me”. And also the bread is soft and full of Sesame seeds. The patty is juicy -which is one of my requirements on giving a perfect score in every review that I made.

 

WATCH THE VLOG:

Indeed, if you are in a tight budget and craving for burger and sausage, then try Joey’s Burgers and Sausages Restaurant. With its mouth-watering foods and refreshing drinks, it will pretty sure meet your expectation both taste wise and financial aspect.

Taking The #PerfectOOTD with OPPO F1s. (How To Avoid Okray Of The Day?)

Location : Science Hub Tower 4 Mckinley Hill, Taguig City.


“I am perfect due to my imperfections” I uttered...

This was my statement when I had an intense conversation with one of my friends. That topic arose as we were talking about my (worst) attitude – being a perfectionist. Yeah, I admit that I am very keen towards any small details that I enclosed –proper time management, following my schedules and among others. Moreover, when it comes to choosing what to wear, I am very particular also about it. I always make sure that it should be in a balance combination both comfortability and style. I don’t wanna look like “trying hard” to wear a high fashioned outfits yet I am no longer relaxed to move freely. I am very certain on how do I look in every single day, and so checking in front of the mirror is not my thing  and I need  my “outfit of the day” to be documented by taking pictures.

Taking pictures of your “outfit of the day” is logical because you will be able to see the progress of yourself in opting the appropriate get up in proportion to your activity on that day. Certainly, posting your OOTD on your social media will also help you interact your followers; let them give you some advice and unconsciously, you learn how listen and embrace constructive criticism.

Location: U.P. Ayala Land Technohub,Commonwealth Ave, Diliman, Quezon City, 1101 Metro Manila

Honestly, I am a perfectionist type of person. I want to be visually pleasant whenever I go to work. It boosts my confident and it will end up my day with a productive, vibrant and happy perspective. Deep within, I knew that I am not impeccable but the possibility of getting perfection is attainable - it depends on how you live on it.

Location: Marikina Sports Complex,Sumulong Highway corner Shoe Avenue, Marikina, 1800 Metro Manila

Furthermore, I am very rational on my OOTD or simply “OUTFIT of THE DAY”; but I am also extremely afraid of the same abbreviation “OOTD” or simply “OKRAY OF THE DAY”. Especially that I am using social media as a platform of getting feedbacks from my followers, as much as possible, I need to be more fervent in selecting what to wear and what to post on that day, to avoid destructive comments that will later affect me in growing. But again, like I’ve said - embrace constructive criticism and ignore unhelpful denunciation.

Bluer than Blue Outfit of the day - Click Here To READ.

Perfect outfit? Check! Perfect backdrop? Check! Perfect Motif? Check!  Everything is now ready to take a shot for your Instagram’s OOTD. But there is one thing missing, is your camera’s performance is enough to produce quality pictures? Well, that is also a huge factor that I consider – “to have a quality picture for your social media is a must”. Your perfect “outfit of the day” is a waste if your pictures are not quality enough and as a perfectionist, everything should be perfect, no room for flaws.

Gym OOTD Saucony Shoes and Bench Fitness Short @Countryside Subdivision, Barangka Ibaba, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila

 In a fast pacing lifestyle, not all social media influencer like me will bring a DSLR Camera for candid shots. And choosing a camera phone as a replacement for DSLR is the best remedy. Just make sure that you are going to select a handy phone camera without sacrificing the quality of your pictures.  With the height of 154.5 mm, width of 76 mm, thickness of 7.38 mm and weight of 160g - OPPO F1s is perfect for you. Despite of its handy and slim features, it can still provide a quality photos since it has 13-megapixel rear sensor, 16-megapixel front sensor and aperture of f/2.2(rear) & f/2.0(front) – all are my requisite in choosing camera phone. In addition to that, it has 32GB built-in memory which is expandable to 128gb. I am pretty sure that it can store tons of OOTD photos. The battery juice is 3075 mAh which beneficial for you who loves taking pictures and previewing it afterwards before posting on your social media .Then  OPPO F1s has all of it. CLICK HERE

Video from Unbox.PH

Undeniably, no one is perfect but if you are giving your 100% best on what you are doing, therefore, getting perfection is pretty easy. Just like me, from choosing a simple but stylist “OutFit of the Day”, dramatic backdrop and quality phone camera like OPPO 1s – I am confident that Taking The #PerfectOOTD is in my hand.

Celebrating My 29th Birthday at Che’lu: The Longest Running Gay Disco Bar in Manila.

In celebration of my 29th birthday, my friends Eddien, Allan, and Ace (featured in previous vlog episodes) joined me for a memorable night out in Malate, Manila. Initially, we planned a simple celebration at home to give thanks for another year. However, we quickly decided to take our merrymaking to the heart of the gay capital of the Philippines: Malate.

Getting to Malate: Taxi Tips

Before diving into the party, here are some essential tips for hiring a taxi in Manila:

1. Check the Meter: Ensure the meter is activated before the ride starts to avoid overcharging.
2. Starting Fare: The meter should begin at 40 Pesos.
3. Report Issues: Note the cab’s name and number to report any errant drivers to the LTFRB hotline.
4. Mall Taxi Ranks: Mall operators monitor taxi operations closely to prevent drivers from choosing only nearby destinations.

Despite these precautions, we encountered a driver who rerouted us to inflate the fare. Stay vigilant!

Why Che’lu is a Must-Visit.

Located at Maria Orosa Ave (corner Nakpil St.), Che’lu is a popular gay bar, grill, and late-night dance club. As the longest-running gay disco bar in Malate, it has withstood the test of time, even as other establishments closed down.

What to Expect at Che’lu.

Spacious Venue: Che’lu has expanded over the years, now boasting a large space to accommodate more partygoers.

Music and Lights: The DJs at Che’lu perfectly mix music to energize the crowd, catering to various age groups. The sound system is excellent, and the lighting setup includes laser lights, front lights, black lights, and disco balls.

Live Performances: On Saturday nights, enjoy a 30-minute show featuring diverse dance performances, from Las Vegas-style and hip-hop to modern jazz and interpretative dance. The highlight is the girls’ showdown, showcasing impressive splits, rolling, tumbling, and grinding.

Affordable Entrance Fee: For just PHP 300, you get three bottles of local beer. Despite the many guests, the air conditioning keeps the venue comfortably cool, and the service is prompt and friendly.

Our Night at Che’lu

After a simple birthday dinner at home, we quickly dressed up and headed to Malate. Che’lu exceeded our expectations with its lively atmosphere, excellent music, and fantastic performances. It’s not just a bar but a symbol of the enduring spirit of the LGBTQ+ community in Manila.

Conclusion

Celebrating my 29th birthday at Che’lu was an unforgettable experience. If you find yourself in Malate, Manila, Che’lu is a must-visit destination. With its affordable prices, vibrant ambiance, and welcoming crowd, it’s the perfect place to celebrate and create lasting memories.

Shopback Philippines; To Change The Conventional Manner Of Online Shopping.

Due to fast pacing lifestyle nowadays, Filipinos are opting the alternative scheme of making life more convenience as possible. By maximizing the full potential of the technologies that are obtainable today – mobile, computer and internet – both selling and buying goods and services has also change.

 Marketplace became electronically connected to the world of no boundaries the so called E-commerce. Unsurprisingly, tons of online stores were established to cater this dramatic change of Filipinos’ needs. We have online food store like Foodpanda, online hotel reservation like Agoda, online fashion store like Zalora , travel booking like Expedia,  and the famous online variety store Lazada , among others. Filipinos can shop at the comfort of their home in just a single click regardless of economic status .In fact, in a short span of time, E-commerce is no longer new to us and we kept on using it as a medium of selling and purchasing; meaning – seemed that online store today is just like a conventional store along the streets wherein we spent cash for a change of goods and services.

Recently, a new company broke the pale way of online shopping and made it more exciting to all online shopaholic. By offering cashback for online shopping, ShopBack Philippines is hoping to help Filipinos save more money while shopping online. The said company already established their name in Singapore (Shopback Singapore) and Malaysia (Shopback Malaysia) as reliable and responsive cashback website.  Providing rebates to consumers when they shop is famous in western countries, but not in Southeast Asia. And so, adaptation of this approach was brought to ASIA by Shopback. It became a breakthrough, not just for the people behind Shopback but also the stakeholders – buyers (users) and sellers (partnered merchant).

Shopback Company’s head quarter is located at 71 Ayer Rajah Crescent #02-18 Singapore 139951. Proudly saying the Philippines will be included in their success as they branch out the country. Their office in Ph is located at 6th Floor, OPL Building, 100 Don Carlos Palanca, Legaspi Village, Makati City, 1229 Metro Manila.

Dynamic People Behind Shopback Philippines (photo by Shopback)

Starting your Shopback account is very easy; I love to share the comprehensive instruction for you to have one.

1. Go to Shopback.Ph using your favourite browser.

2.Sign up. There are two ways (a).using your email address (b) and using your facebook account. You will be given automatically PHP100 to your account upon signing up and making your first purchase.

3.And finally, verify your email address by checking the verification notice in your email.

Since you already set your account. You can now start to purchase to any partnered merchant. Please be advised , for you to get the cashback, you need  to buy the item or service right in Shopback and not directly to the website/online store of your choose merchant. The merchant will give the commission to Shopback; and Shopback will give it to you.

The cash will be credited back to your shop account which is redeemable via paypal or through the partnered bank – BDO, BPI, sounds great right? After a long day of stressful work , you can now spend your hard-earned money , indulge the purchase items/service and get paid for it. Seemingly, sounds extremely good to be true and looks like there’s a “catch” behind it. BUT ah ah. this is for real....if you’ve been using a credit card and you kept receiving  miles, points and rebates –it is all the same with  Shopback. Frequent shoppers deserve to have it.

Shopback is also available in mobile with a forecasted 100,000 downloads in the next six months. Just download the application in google playstore for android users and appstore for IOS users. This beneficial for you because you can now shop and earn simultaneously, right at the comfort of your own secured zone.


Undeniably, I was amazed by this newly online store platform. It is like a one-stop online shop wherein the list of my favourite online stores is available from A to Z. Last month, I just bought my VR box directly to LAZADA website since I wasn’t aware that Shopback’s operation is already available in Philippines. I felt regret about this because upon learning this, I realised I could get 10% cashback for my Lazada purchase as well as have access to exclusive online voucher codes.

Well.. well ..well. moving forward, I’ll be using now this portal. This has the potential to help me save the most if I book travel-related services online. Shopback gives up to P400 cashback on Agoda bookings and 8% cashback for Expedia ones.. 

If you’re not convinced yet, from 1-8 September, they will be having a build-up sale! Featuring upsized cashback up to 19% and items marked down to P99 and below, this is something you wouldn’t want to miss out. They will also host contests and giveaways including foot peelers, Xiaomi bluetooth speaker, ZALORA gift certificate and Althea beauty box. One lucky spender per day will also be rewarded with a P99 J.CO Donuts & Coffee gift certificate. Sign up now so you won’t miss the chance to save more!

As an online influencer, blogger and youtuber – I need to be tactful in spending my money, and considering Shopback is a SMART decision