Well, admit it, you’ll love to shop more when items are on sale, right?

Yesterday, Communications Head, Miss D and I went to SM City Batangas to cover its 3-Day Sale. She also had a hosting gig for the Global Handwashing Day event. Yes, people might not know that part of our work was to enjoy roaming around the mall. Sad to say, we’re not able to shop as we expected (GCs were not accepted when there’s mallwide sale).

Oh well, as expected, there are many people craving for lots of stuffs as they are up for grab on discounted prices.

Up to 70% discount on selected items, everyone’s grabbing their own items.

Until we left the mall and I saw that people really took advantage of SM City Batangas’ 3-Day Sale.

Sale is not over; you do have still time to look for some cool items to buy tonight until tomorrow, October 16, so hurry and drop by at SM City Batangas as early as you can.

Global Hand Washing Day

Before we enter the mall to check on the mallwide sale, a short program was held at the mall’s entrance.

Dubbed as Global Hand Washing, it was all about the proper way of washing our hands.

Respected guests, together with the selected boy scouts and girl scouts, demonstrated the ways on how to wash our hands properly.

Good thing that SM conducted a program like this, for it is important for us to learn simple things that can keep us away from sickness.

This, by the way, is in partnership of SM Cares, DOH, DepEd, and Uniliver.

View more photos in the Global Handwashing and 3-Day Sale at SM City Batangas album in our Facebook page.

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Pilgrimage Visit of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary (Manaoag)
October 10-16, 2011

PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES

October 10, 2011 – Monday

3:00 p.m. – Arrival of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary (Manaoag) Concepcion, Batangas City Boundary
- Welcome Rev. Fr. Johannes M. Arada – Parish Priest
- Motorcade to PNP Compound
- procession from PNP Compound to St. Mary Euphrasia Parish

6:00 p.m. – Welcome Mass – His Excellency Most Rev. Msgr. Salvador Q. Quizon (Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus – Lipa)

7:00 p.m. – Vigil and Rosary

9:00 p.m. – End of Vigil

October 11, 2011 – Tuesday

6:30 a.m. – Mass

7:30 a.m. – Rosary (2000 Hail Mary) and Vigil (Legion of Mary)

6:00 p.m. – Mass – Rev. Fr. Cris de Guzman

9:00 p.m. – End of Vigil

October 12, 2011 – Wednesday

6:30 a.m. – Mass

7:30 a.m. – Vigil and Rosary (World Apostolate of Fatima)

3:00 p.m. – Marian Congress

6:00 p.m. – Mass – Rev. Fr. Marcelino Antonio “Junie” M. Maralit Jr.

9:00 p.m. – End of Vigil

October 13-14, 2011 – Thursday – Friday

6:30 a.m. – Mass

7:30 a.m. – Rosary and Vigil (Apostleship of Prayer) / Friday (Mother Butler & BLC)

6:00 p.m. – Mass – Rev. Fr. Eleuterio “Eyong” Ramos / Friday (Rev. Fr. Rustam Sabularse)

9:00 p.m. – End of Vigil

October 15, 2011 – Saturday

6:30 a.m. – Mass

7:30 a.m. – Rosary and Vigil (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine)

6:00 p.m. – Mass – Rev. Fr. Eduardo Carandang, OSJ

7:00 p.m. – Procession of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary (Manaoag)

9:00 p.m. – End of Vigil

October 16, 2011 – Sunday

5:30 a.m. – Mass

7:15 a.m. – Farewell Mass – His Excellency Most Rev. Ramon C. Arguelles, D.D. (Archbishop of Lipa)

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I already said the name. EUPHORIA. The bar and resto just opened a month ago (September 9) but in a span of four weeks, they have already gained frequent clients. You might be wondering what draws these people to spend their Friday nights (or any other given night of the week) here.

The Concept

Ms. Ludeth Cruz thought of rendering the euphoric bar experience to Batangueño in a “high-end, metro style”. She basically wanted something for the girls to enjoy. What’s even more surprising is that she’s no bar-hopper yet she came up with impressive concepts for Euphoria and materialized them all in a posh, straightforward urban execution.

The bar and resto’s name was suggested by a friend, according to Ms. Ludeth. Euphoria means great happiness and well-being. And that’s what their business is talking about.

Since going to a bar means having a good time with your friends or your favorite company, Ms. Ludeth thought of having long couches and group chairs fit for bondings and cheers. She designed everything you see in there — from the ceiling down to the floor.

Another reason for putting in those comfy couches (which by the way are made of Italian leather, bongga)? For tipsy guests who need a little bit more of support.

Experience Euphoria

Aside from the comfy couches and chairs strategically located around the bar’s interior, Euphoria boasts of their LED lights and the high class sound system which complete the metro style bar experience.

Oh, the interior walls are not painted. Wall papers brought life to the walls and that’s another point in the posh-o-meter.

What else are inside of Euphoria? Stage for the guest band and dance floor accentuated with LED lights, flat screen TVs for guests who opt to have KTV nights, DJ sound booth, and of course, the bar area.

Upstairs is an über classy function room. I was wowed with the minimal elegance. This can hold up to 130 people and also included in the space is the VIP room in one corner with a capacity of 30 people. A smoking area with red couches is located in the veranda of the VIP room.

Al Fresco Nights

Euphoria also offers al fresco dining. These are for guests who want to enjoy chilling out. Also situated outside is a stage for concerts and other outdoor activities.

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry!

Euphoria is open as early as 6pm for those who would come in and have dinner. Dining in is until 8pm and then the hours that come after are party hours!

Ms. Ludeth let us try their Pizza Con Saleisee which is very much A-okay, with kielbasa sausage, cheese, and then some, haha. Joel had four slices. Gotcha! This only costs P355 (that’s I think 14 inches, 8-sliced thinner crust pizza).

Euphoria has a wide array of international dishes in their menu. Expect random flavors from their seafood, chicken, pork, and beef dishes all in sharing servings.

VIPs are fond of expensive liquors. Euphoria even have that P11,900 worth liquor which I wonder how it tastes and feels like when it slips in one’s throat. Or does it even leave you a hangover?

There’s Hennessy cognac and the popular whiskeys among the can-afford groups of professionals and politicians. Euphoria’s door is open for everyone even if you’re no VIP. Their cocktails and beers are priced just the same as in any other bars you’ve been to. Some are even priced lower in Euphoria.

Be merry. Merry-making, especially with the best people to enjoy the night with, will surely give you that kind of euphoria. Just be reminded to drink moderately. Winks.

Don’t miss their daily dose of Euphoria: MASH UP MONDAYS, TIMELINE TUESDAYS, WHAT’Z UP WEDNESDAY (boyz’ night out), TEQUILA THURSDAY (girls’ night out), FAMOUS FRIDAYS and SMASHING SATURDAYS – Metro Style.

So you want to have a euphoric night later this evening? Visit Euphoria Bar and Resto located at Pallocan West, Batangas City (in front of SM City Batangas). For reservations and other inquiries, you may call them at (043) 722-2236.

Excess: You don’t have to worry about security, that’s one of their top priorities. And as for parking area? They have huge space for that.

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Aside form the car show, they will also be having the following activities: rc drift, dog show, modelling, bike and skates exhibition and different photography clubs photo exhibits.

Bladespeed Autosports is a non-profit organization of car enthusiasts that pioneered the car show events in Batangas City. Consisting of more than one hundred members (100+), their car events had been successful that became a great contributing factor to their passion in helping the street children and other community and charitable activities.

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Thousands of applicants, with hands holding their resumes and hearts filled with hope, participated in the “JOB FAIR 2011” at SM City Batangas. Around 57 companies offering local and overseas jobs were waiting for qualified applicants to go to their booths, pass their resumes, and get hired.

This year’s Labor Day Job Fair was organized by SM City Batangas in partnership with ABS-CBN Southern Tagalog and in cooperation with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), and WOWBatangas.com.

……

My feet kept on walking, my hands were busy typing, and my mouth was nicely explaining. Wow. I had a very tiring but a nice and fruitful day at the job fair.

After setting up our booth and a couple of minutes of waiting, the job fair finally began and participants quickly rushed to their target companies.

It was indeed a busy day for me. Being a website leader, I explained to my teammates how the website runs. I also have to take pictures of the job fair — the program proper, the employer and participants — which will be used in posting the details of the said event on our website.

I enjoyed seeing participants busy filling up their application forms, lined up to their perspective employers, and being interviewed. Moreover, I also enjoyed watching the PGT qualifiers perform on stage to entertain the job seekers while they are busy getting the job they want. They were Joy’s Diva and Marcelito Po Moy, the latter amazed the crowd with his dual voice.

Meanwhile, I also encouraged participants especially the employers to sign up on our sub website, jobs.wowbatangas.com. I didn’t imagine that I will have to talk with important people from different companies and also with the applicants.

Leaving the place with a positive curve on my face, I find the day very optimistic. Tiring yet very fruitful.

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1. Need a Job? Join the Job Fair 2011 at SM City Lipa on May 1!
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There are six billion people on earth and that means a huge number of people can act as warriors to save Mother Earth before life-threatening instances can occur and hunt us all our lives.

Surely, you’ve joined the Earth Hour campaign last month but what other things do you think you can do to contribute on the worldwide move to protect earth and yes, us humans?

I was looking for something a while ago in the official website of Batangas City government and found two prominent buttons which say: “BAWAL NA ANG PLASTIK” and “BAWAL NA ANG STYRO”. And then when you click on each button, an informative image would appear, telling what harmful effects plastic and styro and the alternative products we can use instead of these two.

Come on, it has been told over and over again that plastic and styro can bring further damage to Earth and are considered the culprits in global warming. Damaging effects originate from the manufacturing stage up to the final products of plastic-based or styro-made materials. The energy used to produce such products — petroleum and natural gas — pollutes the environment and worse, contributes to climate change.

I commend this local fashion brand which prohibits the use of plastic bags every Wednesday. I once got to visit a branch at Robinson’s Lipa on a Wednesday and was surprised when the items I bought weren’t placed in a small plastic bag and were instead wrapped with my purchase receipt. Good thing I purchased two small items ’cause I don’t have enough space in my bag had I bought large items. The woman in front of the line purchased five different items and the cashier asked her to open her bags and put the items inside. The customer declined at first and complained for a few minutes but after realizing that it’s a store policy every Wednesday, she just shut her mouth and open her bag.

Can you keep up if the same ordinance will be implemented in your own town? The BAWAL NA ANG PLASTIK and BAWAL NA ANG STYRO campaigns are under the Batangas City E-Code, Art. XII, Sec. 84.

I suggest we stop complaining when the people in authority mandates us to do this and avoid that. If it’s for the greater good, who are we to protest? Stop whining. It’s time we make bayongs and reusable bags a cool trend.

PHOTO CREDIT: eforericyong.blogspot.com

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Tingga Falls

This falls measures 30 feet in height. At the bottom is a swimming pool where people can enjoy the water falling from the mountain. This is located in Daang Ibaan, Batangas City.

Ilijan Falls

I was able to visit this one in 2008. With friends, we trekked our way in search of the seven falls of Ilijan, Batangas City. Unfortunately, we were only able to see the first one, the one at the bottom of this stair-like natural wonder. The water goes down on the seven big bowls of stone from a huge spring on the top of the mountain.

Calejon Falls

Calejon Falls is actually composed of four waterfalls: two big ones and two small ones. Both of the bigger falls are 10 feet high. The first of these two big falls has great volume of water streaming down to a shallow pool. The other big falls appears like a bridal gown with its narrow top and a wide base.

The two smaller falls also have their own distinctions. The water from the first one gushes down like a shower while the other one produces small torrents. Calejon Falls (sometimes Calijon) is located in Brgy. San Gregorio, Malvar.

Bulalacao Falls

Located in Brgy. Bulaklakan in Lipa City, Bulalacao Falls has three small falls coming out from a cave. This falls is frequented by small groups for a day tour.

Himamawo Falls

This one is located in Brgy. Malainin, Ibaan. The local government are making ways to turn this natural wonder into a tourist attraction.

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Bigg’s Diner indeed got a second home in Batangas as they open a new store at SM City Batangas. The first Bigg’s Diner in the province, and the first ever outside of Bicol, is at SM City Lipa.

Bigg’s Diner SM City Batangas had it’s soft opening on January 8, 2011 but it was only after barely two months that the grand opening transpired – a day after the soft opening of Bigg’s at SM Sta. Rosa, their 3rd CALABARZON store.

The blessing of the store was done by Rev. Fr. Mateo L. Orario who was joined by the guests of honor – Batangas City Vice Mayor Joe Tolentino, Mr. Phillip Baroja, City Administrator, and Mr. Bong Moraleja, Chief of Staff of the Office of the Vice Governor. And of course, leading the celebration were Bigg’s Executives – Mr. Carlo Buenaflor, General Manager and Mr. Martin Buenaflor, Chairman of the Board.

Following the blessing and the ribbon cutting was the candy and coin shower. Adding candy to the coins being showered to the guests is a Bigg’s tradition – with the hope of sharing the company’s blessings to everyone.

Then, the guests of honor and Mr. Carlo Buenaflor had their short messages. This was followed by another Bigg’s Diner tradition – the slicing of the Giant Burger! This Giant Burger symbolizes the birth of Bigg’s – having started out as a take out restaurant specializing in burgers. Since then, it has always been part of every grand opening of Bigg’s stores.

Following next is the performance of our favorite mascot – Bigg’s Elvis! We’ve seen Bigg’s Elvis a couple of times since the grand opening of Bigg’s SM City Lipa. But he never fails to entertain us each time. And he still looks like Richard Gutierrez! Haha.

Everyone got to taste Bigg’s flavorful meal. The BBQ-Fried Chicken-Spaghetti combo will always receive the “Delicioso!” remark from us. I skipped the slice of the Giant Burger though. It’s too much to take, haha!

Also present in the event are our friends from the media — ABS-CBN Southern Tagalog, Public Information Office, Headlines News Today, Dyaryo Veritas, and Sun Star People’s Courier.

Want to know more about Bigg’s Diner’s early years? Click our related story featuring Bigg’s Diner at SM City Lipa.

Thank you Bigg’s Diner for sharing this unique dining experience with the rest of the Batangueños!

Special thanks to Sir Carlo and Sir Martin; to Ms. Sheila Panganiban, Assistant Marketing Manager of Bigg’s SM Batangas; to SM City Batangas Admin.

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Expect that for the next couple of days I would be coming up with Valentine-related articles. Where can you have a romantic Valentine dinner date around Batangas?

Business establishments, particularly restaurants and hotels, have their own Valentine promos. Regardless of these promos, here are some restaurants here in Batangas where you could dine at on Valentine’s Day.

The Ever-Romantic Valentine Dinner

Reserve a table for you and your special someone in a romantic restaurant. You can even ask the restaurant staff if you have a Valentine surprise prepared for your woman/man. Ladies love this kind of dinner date, no matter how she refused your offer to have one.

You could have your Valentine dinner over at Aristeo’s (043-757-5298) and Ala Fiesta Restaurant (043-703-1063) in Lipa City, The Chef’s Plate in Batangas City, Asian Flavours Restaurant (043-981-1555) in Lima Park Hotel in Malvar, Casa Rap in San Jose (you have to make reservations beyond 5pm).

Contact your favored restaurant as early as now so you would know if they have special promos or if they already received maximum number of reservations for V-Day. After securing a table for you and your significant other, move on to the next task – your Valentine gimmick. Is there something new and special that you want to do? Do you already have a gift but don’t know how to give it to him/her?

Like what I’ve said earlier, you can ask for the restaurant or hotel staff to help you out with your gimmick. If the restaurant has a resident singer for that night, you can request the singer/band to perform your partner’s favorite song. Or if you can, sing it yourself.

Whatever’s written above are old ideas, it’s up to you how you can make things new and even more romantic. Guys, don’t forget the flowers. Taken from my favorite book series, Vince’s Life: “No matter what a woman says she wants, she wants flowers.”

ALSO: You can still join our Valentine contest Ang Pag-Ibig Kong Are, the Search for Inspiring Batangueño couples.

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