What triggered me to pursue a blogging career was Cebu Blogging Community’s summit held at iiiOffice Cebu last November 2016. There were really awesome blogger speakers that day who motivated me to build my own website and become a blogger/owner of it. Two months after, I created my own blogsite!

I told Rome, one of the awesome Cebu Blogging Community leads and also my co-program manager in GDG Cebu, that I wanted to become part of the blogger group he's in. He gave me useful tips on how to become one and how to be a member. I was very excited and happy. Since then, I started writing out of nowhere. There was no clear pattern as long as I am writing happy moments of my life. I tagged my blogsite as Personal and Lifestyle because I just wanted to write everything that’s happening. In that way, I could assess myself on which field or on which niche I fit best. I’m happy that I enjoy doing it until now.

I also enrolled to CBC’s program called High Intensity Blogging (HIB). Bloggers enrolled in this program must write at least 8 posts per month within 3 months. It sounded easy at first but it's very challenging. I committed myself to do it because I wanted to prove to myself that if others can do it, so do I. I also wanted improvement. Who wouldn't want that? This post is actually my last entry of the program in order for me to be officially named as “HIBster”. Yeah, that’s what they call us – bloggers who enrolled in High Intensity Blogging program.



In the duration of my HIBster life, I’m very happy to share the following realizations and experiences. I never thought something great like this would happen to me. I pat myself for taking on the challenge and a big thanks to my blogger friends who welcomed me to the pack!

1. It’s all about friendship and fun.

2. Learning never stops. It’s an unending loop.

3. Surround yourself with awesome people and you will eventually become one.

4. Life needs not to be lonely; it must be funny!

For those who doesn't know, I really love attending events may it be about technology, self-growth, relaxation, forums and many more. I bet you noticed that already on my social media accounts and even on my previous posts. Attending to community events is one of my outlets from the corporate work. Through it, I can feel that I belong to the community I'm in. It is always a fulfilling feeling I get at the end of the event.In this post, I will share another event I attended and it's about FirstMetroSec's the Grand Unveiling party.

I attended FirstMetroSec’s Grand Unveiling party at LIV Superclub, Mandaue City, Cebu last April 19, 2017.  It was one of the most exclusive and most insightful launch parties in Cebu. A party where you can chill, hang out with friends, and learn how to make your money work harder for you. Yeah right, I partied with business owners and business minded people.

When I arrived at LIV Superclub, the upbeating music pounded my whole being and made me feel alive. I then saw my friends chilling and headbanging in one of the tables. There were raffle draws before the program. I had few lucky friends that won cool prizes. It was also a drink-all-you-can kind of night. There’s food we could grab whenever we wanted. We really had good times.

What is First Metro Securities?

When I first heard “First Metro Securities”, I honestly thought it was about IT security stuff. Later on I knew that it is a brokerage corporation. A stockbrokerage house licensed to trade in the Philippine Stock Exchange.

Established in 1994, they have been a trusted provider of equity brokering services and solutions for over 20 years. They provide easy and convenient access to the listed securities in the stock market, either thru our state-of-the-art online trading platforms or with the assistance of our seasoned and knowledgeable equity brokers.

Wait, what?! That sounds too technical.

I feel you! As I remembered, my jaw dropped out of awe the last time I heard these definitions. Hahaha!
In other terms, First Metro Securities is the all-in-one online investment platform. It provides products and services about stocks, mutual funds, investments and other financial services. They help you become good investors and traders.

They launched the following on that night:

1. Fundsmart – MutualFunds Online Platform
Let’s you invest in over 25 peso mutual funds of the leading fund houses in the country with no paperwork hassle, sales loads and transaction fees.

2. Margin Financing Facility
Enables you to buy more stocks using securities you already own as collateral. Double your buying power and magnify your earning potential for a very low interest.

3. Enhanced Mobile App
Trade how you want, when you want. View realtime reports and charts with the use of mobile apps.

I know these all sound confusing at first but the main point here is that if we want our money to do the work for us, then we must opt to become an investor or become a trader. First Metro Sec is just one call away to helping us along the way. I’m pretty sure I just cover the tip of the iceberg on this post. So, for more information and one-on-one coaching, please visit https://www.firstmetrosec.com.phhttps://www.firstmetrosec.com.ph .
Email: customerservice@firstmetrosec.com.ph
Phone: (02) 859-0600        

I grew up with all fairy tale fantasies in mind. Princesses, princes, queens, kings, castles, gowns, marriages and happily ever after were my thing when I was a kid. Those were the kind books I read and movies I watched. They firmly encapsulated my childhood days. Wayback then, I didn’t know anything about the “real” world and how opposite it was to my perspective until I studied college and lived in the City all by myself.

Although the reality awakens me now that life is not all fantasies and happiness, there is still that little voice in my head telling me to go and experience gown parties and fancy celebrations every once in a while. I guess it’s normal because I was once a firm believer of that stuff before the truth pokes my eyeball.

So when an invitation arrived at me last March 10, 2017 about a gown party, I said “Yes”!
Marriot organized a three-day Open Bridal Fair and I witnessed the grand finale! The event had a theme “Glance: Celebrating Timeless Distinction”. It featured highlights of Marriott’s 20 years in Cebu alongside wedding industry influencers who had also flourished in their craft over the past two decades. The event also featured Marriott’s 20 years of brilliant hosting and seamless segue from sleek business hotel to romantic wedding venue while still incorporating their signature technology-enhanced guest services for a unique and memorable “I do!”

There were live performances by the Cebu Phil Harmonic Orchestra and singer Anna Feji. It was a long gown, suit and tie event attended by Cebu's elites, fashion designers and wedding suppliers. Everybody was glammed and presentable.

I was really happy to be one of the lucky bloggers who witnessed such breathtaking gowns and tuxedos fashion show as well as the timeless couture collection of our homegrown world-class Cebuano designers. I also enjoyed the artistic displays of the wedding industry partners present during the event.

With all the beautiful things I saw that night; I wonder who is ready to walk the aisle for a memorable “I Do”. Anyone?

Special thanks to:

Marriott Hotel 
Location: Cardinal Rosales Avenue, Cebu City, 6000. (032) 411 5800.
Follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

All kids! Kids by age and kids by heart! (photo by @foureyedlaagan)

"Hitting two targets with just one stone." This is Cebu Worldwide Instameet 15 was all about - Outreach Activity and Instagrammers' Meetup.

Worldwide Instameet is bi-annual meetup event of Instagram users in order to connect and network with fellow users and participate in different activities related to a given theme. Instagrammers will have the chance to enjoy each other’s company, gain new friends and at the same time gather ideas and plans on what will be good and beneficial for the group.

The 15th Worldwide Instameet was held last March 26, 2017 at Brgy. Luz's Barangay Hall in Cebu City. It was organized by the Cebu Instagram Community. The event’s theme correlated the act of sharing kindness to the little children living in the said barangay.

It was my first time to join this. I never knew this existed until one blogger friend of mine shared the details to his wall. Upon reading the event description, I got interested so I signed up. It was perfect on my schedule as well because the date fell on a weekend, my rest day from corporate work. Few days before the event, the organizing team were looking for some volunteers in order to provide assistance on the actual day. You know me, yes, I volunteered myself. Volunteering is one of my ways not to get intimidated or feel awkward especially that this was my first time. The act of volunteerism gave me the feeling of "belongingness" to the group.

On the day of the event, my journey going to the venue was very funny and a little awkward, too. I almost wanted to go home because I was lost literally, lol! I’m not very good nor a master of directions and places of Cebu. Instead of going to the Barangay hall, I went straight to the school because that was the only place I was familiar with. It took me almost 15 minutes before finally able to hit the right place. Thanks to my friends who picked me (Iji and Ciji).

I saw many little, innocent kids as I entered the venue. I’ve never seen such plenty of kids for 5 years already. I guess that’s what happens when you plant your butt in the office and at home, hehe. Moving on, we started the program for the kids. We threw games to them that they surely enjoyed namely “Don’t Break the Fita”, “Heep Heep, Hooray!” and “Paint Me a Picture”. Through these, they’re able to work as a team and gave their best strategies to win…which are really good. We also provided them goodies as prizes. With the help and kindness of our sponsor, we were able to give them free lunch. Yay!



After the kids' activities, it’s time for the grown ups – us! Yay! We gathered a circle and started the getting-to-know each other session. Some of the instagrammers were already my friends (but not close though), some I just met online through social media and some I didn't know. We introduced ourselves and state a sentence or two about what we’re doing in life. The group was composed of bloggers, developers, entrepreneurs and more. Very cool because there’s a diversity of individuals at that time. We also ate together in one big table just like one big happy family and continued on discussing, might as well chitchatting, about our daily lives, activities and future plans.

This is one of the memorable events I have attended to so far because I met and greeted really lots of kids approximately 50 of them.  I was happy to see such innocent faces because I could think of my childhood days. I was once like them - innocent and vulnerable. Apart from that, I was able to gain new cool friends and got to talk a little bit of their life – work, likes and plans.

Yay, new friends! Follow us and we'll followback :)

Thanks to our generous sponsor - Virginia Food Inc. and Virginia Premium Hotdog for making this event possible. Thanks as well to Christopher John and the rest of the team for spearheading. Until next time, see you guys!