It's an Independence Day weekend for us in a few winks and it's also the perfect time to see one of the beauties that made the Philippines a standout for the whole world or universe even.  

The iconic mermaid dress designed by Albert Andrada and worn by Pia Wurtzbach during the Miss Universe 2015 pageant is just an arms length away from anyone who wishes to see it because it's right here in Cebu City.

The dress that is literally a labor of love, sweat, and tears has come to Cebuano shores.  SM Seaside City Cebu is showcasing three dresses that renowned fashion designer, Albert Andrada deem as the most important creations of his career. He was gracious enough to  share to us bloggers the story behind choosing the dress. Pia's fierceness and elegance was magnified because of it and the rest is now part of our glory.

Standing next to the dresses Pia Wurtzbach wore was quite a feeling only pride and joy can possibly elicit.

Cebuanos can see Albert Andrada's creations at the Sea View Atrium of SM Seaside City Cebu until June 12, 2016.

Happy 118th Independence Day!

More pictures at The Vixen's Lair Facebook Page.

There was a time when reggae music was all over Cebu City. Even until now, rasta vibrations are still present downtown.  If you listen good enough, not a day passes by without coming across the familiar stirrings of Buffalo Soldier.  Arguably, Cebuanos are by nature laid back island dwellers and it doesnt come as a surprise that we easily adopted as our own the vibes that came all the way from Kingston, Jamaica. Although Bob Marley may be the poster boy for reggae, Inner Circle is without a doubt a Cebuano favorite that is on anyone's reggae playlist.

I, for one, have never stepped out of a beach party or town disco without bouncing crazy to Sweat (A Lala Long) and Bad Boys.  A true blooded Sugbuanon like me cannot resist to dancing to authentic reggae music as played by reggae royalty, Inner Circle, themselves!  Cebu will be on an early festive mood come November 6!  The last reggae event happened in the same place with Big Mountain.  Im loving The Monastery with their consistent commitment to feel-good vibes!

The Monastery brings us the bad boys of reggae, Inner Circle live in Cebu for their One Love Reggae Revolution Tour.  The event is presented by DMC Philippines in cooperation with Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino and The Monastery.

Ticket prices: VIP - Php2,500.00 | General Admission - Php1,500.00 available at any SM Tickets outlets, The Monastery, La Vie Parisienne, La Maison Rose (The Pink House Restaurant), Alliance Francais de Cebu.

This event is also brought to you by: La Vie Parisienne | La Maison Rose (The Pink House Restaurant) | Alliance Francais de Cebu | Hyundai Cebu | The Freeman | Sunstar Daily.

For inquiries you may call: (032) 232 1311 | 09178226416 | 09328763416.

Globe throws the best parties - hands down.  You wouldn't want to miss a party like no other!  

Get free tickets to #GlobeUnleashed Cebu party. 

Be there and relieve yourself of that midterm exam paranoia.

How to get free tickets?

Drop by the Globe shop in Ayala Center Cebu.  Buy a Globe sim.  Load up. Register to GoSurf.  

or..

Buy tickets at the door err entrance for P300 and walk right in!

Come in your best party-party mood and see you all at the SRP grounds on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015!

Cebu Blogging Community turned a year old and so we partied!

  

I met a good bunch of strangers online, followed through with a meet up IRL and we became a family of bloggers in less than a year.  What started out as a quest to find inspiration to revive this blog has now become a commitment to blog beyond the personal and the vain.  

Cebu Blogging Community is spear-headed by impressive individuals who have been relentless in building CBC to what it is now and to what it is yet to become.  

Energies were so high during CBC's first anniversary party held in F Cafe.  Cebuano bloggers who you would assume to be resigned to oneself, had shown prowess in the latest dance craze.  Writers can dance and dance the night we did.  I lost count as to how many writer cliches were negated during the event.  

CBC's 1st Anniversary Party (c) KiatCebu

We had so much fun, we forgot our gadgets - our precious blogging paraphernalia.  The company of Cebu Blogging Community is THAT great!

We thank our sponsors for helping CBC's first ever anniversary!

MAJOR SPONSORS- Yamba- Capdase Official Page & Aerophone Cebu- Turtulele- Globe Telecom- Kublai Khan Mongolian Restaurant
MINOR SPONSORS- Yoyi's Pastries & Desserts- Giga Naturally Cebu- Global Hub Serviced Offices- Static Data Hosting 
VENUE- F Café & Bar 

Productive individuals are consequences of productive teachers.

Fact: Public elementary and highschool education in the country are facing challenges. Philippine education is far from fine.  47,000 public elementary and highschools, a meager government budget, a thankless teaching salary and classrooms without walls.  Coalition for Better Education dropped a lot of  reality-check-bombs during the Blogger's Forum hosted by Philippine Information Agency.  

From left: CBE President Jeffery Tarayao, CBE Executive Director Marilou Flores and PIA Cebu Information Center Manager Rachelle Nessia.

While sitting down trying to drink in all the introductions it struck me hard that I am clueless. Education issues I only hear about in the news are one by one becoming vivid and real to me as we got served with the hard facts from mouths of the people who have seen - firsthand the state of our education system.

I cringe, because in my own bubble, education is fine.  I was, for a long time, under the impression that once you get in school you immediately get served your buffet of ABC's and 123's.  When you digest them well, these are all you need to make good in life.  

The issues keep coming but so are the many ways to lift things up for better education.  Although our teacher's salaries and education budget are how much the government says they are, groups such as the Coalition for Better Education materialized to be education's other set of arms to hold on to for strength.

Since 2001 CBE has gathered education stakeholders, unite other groups, individuals and companies to take part in thrusting for better education in the Philippines.  Their vision is to CREATE EMPOWERED LEARNING COMMUNITIES.  They believe, and I agree, that education is a shared responsibility.  We cannot solely blame the government for poor education.  Everybody has to have a hand to lend.

During the Blogger's Forum, CBE introduced to us modules on Project Based Learning Energy Flashcards and Do Energy Flashcards.  This is developing teaching tool that is K12 ready which innovates the standard way of learning.  Personally, I find the method very interesting and engaging.  We all learn in different ways, and I think Energy Flashcards have something to offer for all types of learners.  Imagine giving this resource to our teachers, it is going to change things for the better.  

CBE empowers our teachers, our main educators to produce better ways of teaching.  They get introduced to teaching tools and methods that are attuned with the demands of the present and flexible for what lies ahead in the future.  

For the why's and how's of joining CBE go HERE.
Follow PIA on Facebook and Twitter 

This blog joins the thrust for better education. #iBLOGforBetterEducation

I spent time with my extended family over the holidays.  Now with new babies and rowdy tots as recent additions to my gang, I think I need to keep myself informed of kid-friendly activities like Hi-5!  

Right after wowing the audience in Manila; Stevie, Casey, Lauren, Tim and newest Hi-5 friend Dayen will come back in the Philippines on January 19, 2013 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel to transport Cebuanos to the most fun filled place in the world – “Hi-5 Island”, where they’ll experience adventures from surfing big waves to dancing with penguins, from jiving in the jungle to taking a trip under the sea. Just in time for the Sinulog Festival which is known for its bright and colorful celebration, Hi-5 promised to make the celebration even more wonderful for their fans. 

Tickets to Hi-5 Holiday Live in Cebu are now available in SM Tickets outlets located in SM Cebu City Cinema and also in SM Consolacion Cinema. 

For inquiries and reservation, call (032) 268-3511/ (032) 231-3876. Tickets are also available at the Ticket Booth of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel. Call (032) 232-6888 for more details.

Further information is available at http://www.hi-5.com.au/

Subscribe to Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hi5australia

Ooohhh ballet!  I've never seen legitimate ballet before!  So this one will probably my chance to see real ballerinas on stage.  I am stoked!

The Ballet Center Presents Romeo and Juliet

One of the oldest and most active art organizations in Cebu will be celebrating the farewell performance of the International premier danseur Nicolas Pacaña. Ballet Center of Cebu, will be producing the full- length ballet masterpiece, “Romeo and Juliet” on August 24, 25, 31 and September 1 at the Onstage Cebu, Ayala Cinema One.

Catch this exciting treat and more only at Cebu’s premiere shopping, dining and entertainment destination, Ayala Center Cebu. For more information, contact Ayala Center Cebu Concierge at (032) 516-2035 or (032) 231-5342. You can also visit the website: www.ayalamalls.com.ph or “like” the official Ayala Center Cebu on facebook (www.facebook.com/AyalaCebu) for more details on upcoming shows and events.