I read a ton of blogs and websites that offers practical guides and assistance for first timers. Believe me, I read every letters of it.  The information  varies from the commonsensical  to useful trivia but nothing cured my apprehension.

So I surmise that  it’s not really the lack of information but maybe it’s the lack of community – Buddies/Gymmates who can relate to me. I always have a scary thought of imagining myself walking inside the gym being judged and looked down upon by buffed bullies. Maybe I can use a friend. So far, I already know 2 acquaintances who are going to the same gym. That I guess should be a good start. Until something better came…

I got an invite to join COACH JIM SARET’s FITFIL Fitness Boot Camp at The Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu.  This is a 12-15 sessions program running 3 times a week that will kick-off in Cebu from May 15 to June 16, 2012 (Tuesday and Thursday from 6 pm to 8 pm. On Saturdays from 6 am to 8 am) at The Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu, Cebu City and in Manila from May 21 to June 15, 2012 (Monday-Wednesday-Friday from 6 pm to 8 pm) at Fort Bonifacio High Street (grounds), Taguig City.

It spells fun and even more than that it is a venue where I can find  like-minded new  friends or a community who can relate with my worries.  Getting fit couldn’t be more exciting with this combo.

For more information about  COACH JIM SARET’s FITFIL Fitness Boot Camp you may like their facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/FitFilCebu.

It’s about time to quit hitting that snooze button and wake up to a healthier me!

Snapp'd Media Launch at McDonalds IT Park

One of the driving force in the proliferation of social media in the Philippines is the love of Filipinos to share their experiences through photos. So, why not make it accessible and easy to share?

The Snapp’d photo kiosk is a Social Media Platform that allows advertisers to have online billboards on Facebook with customized and branded photo frames that people upload on their Facebook wall. Snapp’d is represented by Cebuano business owner, Mr. Bryan Yap, who proudly says that “the technology is an ingenuity from Cebu, with a group of Cebuanos as software developers, and this gives Filipinos a chance to shine in the information technology industry.” The instant photo upload to Facebook is just the beginning of a greater vision of integrated digital platform where advertisers have limitless possibilities to engage better and connect with consumers.

The initial roll-out of Snapp’d photo Kiosk during the Sinulog 2012 was a success. Snapp’d is the first Online On-ground Social Media Platform. Snapp’d set up a photo kiosk with instant photo upload to Facebook. It also gives participants a chance to win a cash prize during the event. This was in partnership with Sun Cellular. Snapp’d was spotted in 6 high-traffic sites from January 13-15, 2012: McDonald’s Fuente, McDonald’s IT Park, McDonald’s Jones, Greenwich Mango, Robinsons Fuente and Crown Regency Hotel.

From a humble beginning of six sites, Snapp’d is envisioned to be present in major Philippine festivals and grow to hundreds of kiosks nationwide. Imagine the power of brand integration with two hundred kiosks nationwide, including social media, mobile application, website link, discount and promo redemption, and many more possibilities. The application in the digital world is limitless. Snapp’d is exclusively marketed by ActivAsia, Inc., the recognized integrated marketing agency based in Manila.

With the power of digital technology, promotion of Philippine tourism is more efficient through the internet, utilizing the Social Media such as Facebook and Twitter as platforms for marketing campaigns of festivals like the Sinulog. The level of reach is high, connecting millions of users in the worldwide web. Out of the 29.7 million internet users in the Philippines, 91.5% are Facebook users which is equivalent to 150 billion page views, and 16.3% are Twitter users equivalent to 56 million page views.

Festivals are more fun with Snapp’d Photo Kiosks.

What I lack in athletics, I make up in fashion, at least I should have the best running shoes. Lucky for me because it finds me without me having to look for it. I got invited to a bloggers meet-up for the Cebu launching of Sketchers Go Run shoe line. I was surprised to know that Sketchers is not just a lifestyle shoe brand as I used to know, it actually expanded to offer one of the best running shoes in the market today. No less than the award winning American runner Mebrahtom “Meb” Keflezighi endorses this product. It’s a perfect combination of the two seemingly separate worlds of fashion and athletic functionality.

SKECHERS GO run elevates the natural running experience, allowing you to interact with and respond to practically any surface, while offering the additional benefit of real world protection.

Details:
• Innovative placement allows the GOimpulse sensors to move together and independently as they provide sensory feedback to the brain
• Dynamic interaction promotes a natural stride for a more efficient and responsive run
• Smartshoe™ with Mid-Foot Strike – It’s the way you’re supposed to run
• Radically lightweight – No extra material, no extra weight, nothing to slow you down
• 360 Degree Responsive Flexibility – SKECHERS GOrun flexes and twists allowing your foot to move naturally
• Sockless Running – Integrated OrthoLite™ anti-microbial sockliner helps inhibit odor and prevent slippage
• Roomier Forefoot – Extra space to reduce friction and allow your toes to spread, grip and push off
• 4mm Heel Drop – 66% closer to the ground than traditional running shoes to replicate a natural barefoot experience
• Resalyte™ Midsole – Proprietary lightweight midsole compound provides just the right impact absorption

Construction:
• Nearly weightless synthetic and mesh fabric upper
• Nearly seamless flexible upper with lace up front
• Stay-put tongue
• Soft smooth fabric shoe lining for easy barefoot wear
• Weight: Radically lightweight 6.9 oz per shoe based on a men’s size 9

Here are some runners review:

Melodie after her first run:
“I went sockless in them. Absolutely NO RUBBING or irritation.
I have very high arches, and PF in both feet. With the left foot being the one that is really angry right now. Right foot is at bay.
I liked the way the built up middle pushed against my arch when I ran. It really took a lot of pressure off the heel. I’m not a heel striker. But somehow, it took pressure off, maybe by eliminating some overstretching of the connective tissue? It seemed to roll and massage the arch (where the PF is stretching from the heel forward).
Don’t know what will come of it. But out on my first run, 5 miles, initial thought is they are very light, very comfortable, stretchy, no rubbing, no pains…so far, so good. Lets see how durable they are!
Thumbs up after first run!”

@justinno – http://birthdayshoes.com/minimalist-shoes-from-skechers-gorun

Moving on, getting back to shape is not a sprint but a marathon. It can’t be railroaded like an impeachment complaint. I have high hopes for 2012. It fits!

Xperia Play: This PlayStation™ certified phone lets you immerse yourself in the games you want.

Sony Ericsson formally announces its exclusive Christmas Promo for Cebuanos, the Sonny Ericsson’s 12 Days of Christmas Promo which will start on December 12 to December 23, 2011.

The Lapu-Lapu City Auditorium located adjacent to the city park was filled with ecstasized audience and supporters. The heat was on as each lovely candidates took turns to present their respective evidence to prove that they have what it takes to win  the coveted crown. All the drama, dancing and the singing perfomed at their best by the beautiful candidates were pleasurable indulgence that captivated the audience to their loudest cheer for their favorites.

Burdened with the grueling task to be on the lookout for the “uhmmmm” and “wooooooww” factor of each presentations, us judges were as pressured as the contestants. It was never a walk in the park. Picking a winner for a talent show is no fun but serious business. Although the talent is a major part of the overall score, but other factors also come into play such as originality, poise, mannerisms, creativity and others.

At the end we decided….

Alveo Land  introduces Solinea, a living concept that brings together Cebu’s natural draw and inherent charm together with Ayala’s unparalleled standards in development.  Solinea is Alveo’s first multi-tower development in Cebu that  can make possible for residents to come home to a vacation everyday. Unlike other resort lifestyle residences, Solinea takes pride of its prime address at the  heart of a thriving urban enclave at the Cebu Business Park, Ayala Center Cebu.

Solinea is very youthful, dynamic and up-to-date. Its patrons are the young urban achievers who are incidentally, of my generation. And for inspiration’s sake (dream), I promise to my self that I shall have that unit of Solinea, which may not be necessarily from the first tower.  A  P2.5M for a studio type condo unit at Ayala Business Park is reasonable enough for a holiday inspired city living.(Although my dream house really is one that is located at the far suburb with a farm and a lagoon).  Cebu lifestyle will definitely transform in the years to come and this shall be a perfect investment for that near future.

Some of my favorite quotes from the Visayas Bloggers Summit 2011 held at SM Trade Hall on November 26, 2011.

Janet Toral  - Presentation is here.

“Don’t debate with a close minded person. Influence the observers instead.”

“Do not focus on the person debating you, focus on the people who are observing you.”

“Your online behavior can make or break your career.”

“You can tell a real friend by how they respond to your success, rather than your failure.”

“Here’s my understanding, did I miss anything?”

Max Limpag - Presentation is here.

“Blogger must know HTML and CSS at the very least.”

“A blog with fancy header riddled with grammatical errors can’t make readers stay.”

“Don’t let search engines draw you into the darkness.”

“First thing to do in order to become a better blogger – Improve your writing.”

“Find your own voice, do not parrot others.”

“Good writing stands the test of time.”

Chris Ducker

“More than 2 adverts = FANG IT!”

“People wants to do business with people.”

“There’s nothing a Filipino can’t do.. Filipinos are full of talents.”

“Be respectful, lend a helping hand, provide inspiration, and most of all be funny but not stupid.”

“View your blog as if a business.”

“Ok lang, di ba?”

 

Tim Bennett

“Find people’s pain. Offer a solution.”

“You need to have passion for your niche.”

Bradley Geiser

“Business bottomline – 3Ps (People, Profits, Planet)”

“Blogging is about helping people make up their mind.”

Coy Caballes

“Make sure you will establish a benchmark. You don’t have to compare yourself to big companies.”

 Evanjohnn Mendoza

“Explore, inquire, seek knowledge, seek truth, live life.”

Cong. Mong Palatino – Presentation is here.

“Sometimes we need to turn off our computers and face the real world.”

Vernon Go

“Find other people that are crazy, to blog.”

“I wish my brain had a map to tell me where my heart should go.”

Joane Apat

“Never ever argue with fans.”

Mayor Michael Rama

“Foster simplicity before sophistication.”

Gina Lopez - Presentation is here.

“Yes to life, no to mining.”

Mr. Hans Sy, President of SM Group, officially opened the third branch of Forever 21 at the Northwing SM City Cebu.

After the fashion show  Cebu‘s VIPs were able to have a firsthand peek at the store and first dibs on the varied clothing products and accessories found inside the store. Product line includes Forever 21, Love 21 Contemporary, Heritage 1981, 21Men, Twelve by Twelve , Forever 21 kids, Forever 21 Plus.

I happened to hoard a Forever 21 GC  (which by the way is good for Christmas gifts) given to me by a friend a few months before the opening. The timing was just so right. I got for my self a knitted coat and a scarf for a reasonable price of P2,000.00. Not bad at all!

The 1st original branch of Forever 21 Philippines opened last July 2010 at SM Megamall. The 2nd branch opened to the public on April 8, 2011 at SM Makati.

Thanks to Cybill for the invitation!

Incidentally, I will be hosting the whole day affair together with the beautiful and effervescent Kara Mae Noveda.  This must be fun!

With the theme, “Blogging and Beyond”, the 2nd Visayas Blogging Summit will feature reputable presentors in the field of social media with the keynote speaker Mr. Chris Ducker, founder of Live2Sell Group, a business process outsourcing firm working with clients around the world, who will talk about a professional blogging titled “From Blog to Business – Getting Serious Online!”

Other speakers include Janette Toral, author of several books and research reports on social media and the Internet, who will talk about social media responsibility; Joanne Apat, director of Online Marketing & eBusiness Consulting at Gwion Limited Hong Kong and Globe’s Social Media Manager Coy Caballes, will share basic tips in using social media for business; and blogger s Vernon Joseph Go and Evanjohnn Mendoza will talk about personal blogging.

This year, the Visayas Blogging Summit will highlight the value of blogging as a potent tool in community development and in encouraging community participation. For more information on the 2011 Visayas Blogging Summit, or to register, please visit www.vbs2011.cebubloggers.com.

Visayas Blogging Summit 2011

After a long forced leave from blogging due to the unresolved problem with my blog’s host, LaagCebu has finally recovered thanks to HostFortes, my new Host for the assistance in bringing back this site.

There will be several cxciting changes that will unfold in the website.

A forum is now installed and incorporated to provide a venue where all “laagans” can exchange information and tips to better enjoy Cebu. Topics are organized to suit everyone’s preference.

The site editors are working for possible Discounts and Privileges for select forum members who will review events, spots and places. Be a member now for free, to be a registered Laagan Reviewer!

Thank you! More to come…