PHOTO DIARY: Vivid Sydney 2019

Yesterday was supposed to be the first day of Vivid Sydney. Vivid Sydney is a festival of light, music, and ideas. It unites not just artists and music makers, but also tourists around the world. From 6pm each night mesmerizing art installations and 3D projections transform Sydney’s architecture and open spaces along the harbor foreshore including The Rocks, Circular Quay, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Darling Harbour, Luna Park, and Chatswood.

Unfortunately, this year's Vivid Sydney is canceled due to the ongoing global pandemic. Here are some of the photos that I took when I went here last year. It was a visual feast and a spectacular experience. Defo one of the highlights of my 2019!

Resorts World Manila's Bituing Walang Ningning: The Second Run

Opening act of Bituin Walang Ningning musical.

With notable upgrades on set, music, script, and cast, the return of Resorts World Manila’s Bituing Walang Ningning: The Musical onstage Newport Performing Arts Theater on October 8, 2015 is definitely worth watching over and over again. Back due to popular demand since it first opened in June, the musical awed audience with more highlights that proved to be more entertaining than its initial production.

900 Reasons to Smile: Jollibee Opens 900th Branch in Palo, Leyte

My ultimate source of comfort food (see also: Chicken Joy and Jolly Spaghetti) has just recently opened their 900th branch here in the Philippines, and it's only a stone's throw away from where I live! This momentous milestone of Jollibee is dedicated to the people of Palo, Leyte as it aims to provide renewed joy and hope and serve as a symbol of better things to come.

The Chinese Photowalk

Belated Gong Xi Fat Cai, everyone! It's that time of the year again when everyone wears red, buys tikoy for the family, Chinese or not, and gives money (placed inside a red envelope called ang pao) to their godchildren pero yung totoo, papel lang ang laman ng ang pao with the following short message: mahal na mahal ka ni ninong/ninang. LOL. Anyway, a few days ago, I decided to have a quick respite in Davao. It's been a while since I went home. I almost forgot that it was a declared national holiday on the 19th, so I joined the rest of the gang for a photowalk, to make my short vacation an interesting one.

KLM Get friends & WIN!

It has been my lifelong dream to visit The Netherlands, particularly Amsterdam. Good thing, you can now fly to Amsterdam (via Taipei) from Manila via KLM Royal Dutch Airlines! How cool is that? For this month, they have a simple game for you and winners shall enjoy luxurious prizes!

My First Pintados-Kasadyaan 2014 Experience

I've been here in Tacloban City for four months already, and so far it has been an eye opener to me. The developments were slower than anticipated, and the wastes and debris left by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) can still be seen along major throughways of the tiny peninsula of San Jose and downtown area of Tacloban.

But that doesn't stop the Taclobanons to celebrate the 28th Pintados and 19th Kasadyaan Festival of Festivals. Besides, they have organized this festival since 1986 in honor of Sr. Santo Niño.

Audition: The Amazing Race Philippines Season 2

For those who didn't know, The Amazing Race has always been my favorite show and I'd always look forward to watch the upcoming seasons. I have always been a fan of this show since Season 3 (I was only 12 or 13 that time). Ten years later, the show still didn't fail to surprise me. The Amazing Race is still AMAZING - full of twists, unexpected results, and real drama.

For Filipinos, it is impossible to audition for this show because firstly, one has to be a US citizen. I believe it is still difficult to audition for The Amazing Race Asia if you're only a Philippine passport holder. Boom. But as years went by, more and more countries acquired a franchise of this show, and one of them is our beloved country, Philippines! Dreaming of becoming one of the contestants of the show is now possible.

Now, are you up for an adventure of a lifetime?

The Big Davao Fun Sale

I am a proud Davaoeño and almost everyone of you here are aware of it. I practically grew up in this sprawling metropolis and I have witnessed its growth since then. Back when I was still a kid, the only shopping destinations I knew were JS Gaisano Ilustre, Victoria Plaza Mall, and Gaisano Mall. There were no SM or Ayala Malls that time. As years went by, the population increased and businesses and investments flourished. To make the long story short, several establishments sprouted like mushrooms in order to address the demands of the people.

With a total population of 2 million, Davao has grown big and is preparing for something bigger this March and April 2014. Brace yourselves, guys. The Big Davao Fun Sale is coming to town!

The Geek Travels: Finalist for MBA Best Travel Blog

Finalist for MBA! Yahoo!

I created this travel blog last June 2011 simply because I wanted to document my travels. I never thought that I'd get serious into blogging though. In November 2011, my blog was one of the finalist for the Philippine Blog Awards under the category of Best Travel Blog. Even though I did not bring home the bacon, it was the best moment of my blogging life during that time. My blog was barely five months old and it was such an honor to be part of that prestigious blogging event.

A few days ago, I received an email from Mindanao Blog Awards. And yes, it's official: The Geeks Travels is once again a finalist for the Mindanao Blog Awards - Best Travel Blog category. Yey!

The 2013 Kadayawan Festival Experience

Opening number at Abreeza

August is definitely the month of celebration and thanksgiving. Aside from turning a year older every first day of August, my beloved hometown, Davao City, celebrates the famous Kadayawan Festival every third week of the month.

I was really happy that after my graduation, I'd be flying home to Davao to experience this year's Kadayawan Festival!

Kadayawan - The King of Festivals

Colorful culture of Davao.

Every third week of August, Davao City becomes more vibrant and more colorful. The main streets are decorated with colorful buntings and fruit stands sprout like mushrooms as they sell Davao-grown fruits such as the famous Durian, Mangosteen, and succulent Pomelos sell at rock bottom prices. Kadayawan Festival, dubbed as the King of Festivals, is just around the corner and I cannot wait myself to experience it again this year!

Feels Like I Am A Kid Again: Pyro Musical

I admit that I truly abhor the sound of explosion... you know, the BOOOM sound. Yeah, and I hate it whenever the sound waves hit my ears. It hurt a lot... and scares the hell out of me too! I don't blame myself for being like that. For twelve years, I have not seen a firecracker show or whatsoever due to the total firecracker ban in Davao. I have always wanted to see one for years. Talking about being deprived. Hi hi hi.

This year, I did not expect that I'd watch such magnificent lightkaboom show! It almost brought me to tears, like srsly.

A Weekend Of Everything That Flies

The Breitling Jets

And finally, the long wait is over. Watching gigantic balloons, parachutes, and European fighter jets flying above us was an experience worth remembering. Surreal, amazing, and exciting. True enough, FLYING is more fun in the Philippines!

Art Fair Philippines

Last weekend seemed ordinary to me. Because I didn't want to rot inside our house, I decided to tag along with my classmates. Destination: SM Megamall and St. Francis Square. Wrong move. Consider this case: Three girls, looking for a cool black leather shoes in the middle of tiyange filled with shoppers. Spell deeezzzaaazzzterrr. Thank god for mobile internet - it saved me from eternal damnation. LOLJK.

So by 3PM, I decided to drop by at Robbie's condo and poof, he invited me to visit Art Fair Philippines in Makati. I haven't been to an Art Fair before. I gave it a shot, hoping that my Sunday wouldn't be a junk.

Pasko Fiesta: Celebrating Christmas in Davao

Ho ho ho! 'Tis the season to be jolly Fa la la la, la la la la! 

And all I thought I won't come home for the first time due to the busy schedule of our training. But thank God, we were granted to have a one and a half week break - a much-awaited break to be more precise. And as my scheduled flight to Davao drew nearer, I get excited and giddy, knowing that I'd spend the holiday seasons with my family, friends and to a place where I truly belong.

Fiesta Dabaw Native Restaurant

And for the final leg of the Sooo Pinoy Davao Food Trip, we went to the food court of Gaisano Mall of Davao and ate at Fiesta Dabaw, a native restaurant that serves native Filipino delicacies.

Tuna Overload at Yellow Fin

Yellow Fin has been around Davao for a long time. I do remember eating their when I was still young. This restaurant serves delicious Filipino cuisine. And for our second to the last stop of the Sooo Pinoy Davao Food Trip leg, we visited their Quimpo Boulevard branch and tried some of the local dishes.

Penong's: Barbecues, Unlimited Rice, and Etc.

When in Davao, you will notice that there are lots of barbecue restaurants within the city. I think Davaoeños really love everything that is charcoal grilled. But in Penong's, it's more than chicken and pork barbecues and unlimited rice!

Harana: Davao's Best Homegrown Restaurant

Kare-Kare with Bagoong - a classic Filipino dish!

Harana would surely ring a bell to Davaoeños, whether the old or the new generation. Harana has been part of every Davaoeño's lives. It is famous for its delicious Mongolian Barbecues, mouthwatering Filipino dishes such as Kare-kare and Binagoongang Baboy. When I was younger, this restaurant is always the number one recommended place for parties, conventions and receptions. Well, until today it continues to become the most sought restaurant in Davao.

For the Love of Chicken and Pizza

Fried Chicken has been my comfort food since I was little. It brings me joy and happiness whenever I take a bite of it. I wouldn't mind eating chicken as my viand for breakfast, lunch and dinner for several days. Mom would hate that though. I guess my love for fried chicken will last for a lifetime. Frankly speaking, as of this writing, I am craving for one again!