Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for 2009

It's the first day of July and this is my first time to enter in a blog contest. As the title implies, I need to crawl on up and coming blogs that not just influenced other people but inspired them with their stories, experiences and knowledge. Not an easy task actually since I really need to filter out candidates that will eventually be listed in this prestigious contest (Thanks to Born on Syzygy, I got the chance to know this contest because of your site).

Oh well, the moment that everyone's been waiting for, below is my list of Top Emerging Influential Blogs for 2009 (not in any order)

1. Mom Writes For A Cause

2. Animetric's World

3. The Struggling Blogger

4. Millionaire Act

5. Teacher Ria's The Accidental Teacher

6. Lakwatsero

7. Patay Gutom

8. Good Times Manila

9. Writing to Exhale

10. Cebu Bloggers Society

YOU, yes YOU can also join. If interested, kindly take note of the following mechanics from Influential Blogger by Janette Toral

• Any blogger in the world that starts anytime from May 1, 2008. Only one entry per blogger.
• Blog or website owner profile and e-mail is accessible or visible online.
• Write a blog post and pick your choice of ten (10) emerging influential blogs.
• Any blog in the world can be picked. You can update the same post entry up to August 2 (date may be extended). However, please inform us of any changes.
• Old blogs who move to a new domain are disqualified
• Blogs who remove their archives just to fit in the cut-off date are disqualified.
• Include a link to this post to help spread the word and encourage others to participate.
• To be included in the raffle, links to the following sponsors should also be in the entry. They are Absolute Traders, My Brute Cheats, Business Summaries, Fitness Advantage Club, Events and Corporate Video, http://www.eventsatwork.com/, Dominguez Marketing Communications, Red Mobile and Blog4Reviews.com.
• Post a comment and let us know about your entry. Only one entry per blogger. Cut-off date and time for submission of entries is on July 30. After the said date, submission of comments in this page shall be closed.

LZM Restaurant, Tagaytay City

Majority of you have tried Leslies and Josephine in Tagaytay City. But, have you tried LZM Restaurant? It's quietly located on top of Magallanes Square (just a little bit infront of Starbucks). Once you're here, don't ever let go of their HUGE Boneless Bangus (milkfish) on top of their bone marrow popping Bulalo! Perfect for the cold climate in Tagaytay.

Simple restaurant but has Extraordinary Food inside. Very affordable. That's the most important right?

Huge Boneless Bangus (Php250)



Bulalo (Php360)


Added Spices (free!)

For more information about LZM Restaurant:
LZM Restaurant
Magallanes Square, Tagaytay City
(46) 413-4539
Restaurant hours: 10AM – 8PM on weekdays, 10AM – 10PM on weekends

Original location at
By Pass Road, San Vicente, Silang, Cavite (in front of The Riviera Golf and Country Club)


Visitors may also be interested in Reading:
Wellness Day in Tagaytay City
One Tagaytay Place, Tagaytay City
Manos Greek Taverna, Tagaytay City

Plantation Bay Resort and Spa, Cebu

Check out the beauty of Plantation Bay Resort and Spa located in Mactan Island Cebu. This resort is considered as 1 of the Top 25 Resorts in Asia according to Conde Nast Traveler. Experiencing this resort is simply 1 of a kind! You won't even think that you're still in the Philippines. High Class facilities meet Customer Oriented Guest Personnel.

You're day starts by riding a tram (ala Night Safari without the animals of course!). While checking out the views, you'll realize eventually that you are already in your hotel. Don't worry, if you're not satisfied with the nature and site tripping, trams are just going around and around the resort.

While in the hotel room, Comfortable is a top of mind. A must needed relaxation is indeed vital in your vacation so don't be shy, ready the tub or feel the soft sheets in your bed. Pamper yourself.

After relaxation, try the nearby beach, lagoon, falls and even jump to a 12-feet high diving rock. That's the best way to get wet!

Other recreations like wall climbing, biking (means of transportation aside from tram), shooting, lawn tennis to name a few. For indoor sport, there's a gym and a game room inside. Choose from a selection of table tennis, billiards and darts. For hard core video gamers, don't worry, a room for Nintendo Wii and Playstation 3 are in place. Not to mention computer areas for those chat and email addicts.

5-star living at its BEST! Try comparing this to other resorts in the Philippines and they will just land as second placer. Simply one of the finest resorts our country can offer.

For more information about Plantation Bay Resort and Spa:

For general inquiries and reservations for individual travelers:
inquiry@plantationbay.com As your email Subject, type: Room inquiry
For amendments to your original reservation:
rsvns@plantationbay.com As your email Subject, type: Reservation Amendments
For travel agency, banquet, conference, and group package inquiries (Cebu office):
sales@plantationbay.com As your email Subject, type: Group inquiry
For travel agency, banquet, conference, and group package inquiries (Manila office):
manilasales@plantationbay.com As your email Subject, type: Group inquiry
For food and beverage inquiries:
fb@plantationbay.com As your email Subject, type: F & B inquiry

Address and Contact Numbers:
Plantation Bay Resort and Spa
Marigondon, Mactan Island
Cebu, Philippines 6015
Tel. + 63 - 32 - 340 5900
Fax + 63 - 32 - 340 5988

Top 10 Affordable Food Chains

Club Tourists gathered all the cheapest food chains that are perfect for Students and Professionals alike with a tight budget. Roughly around Php 40 - Php 60 bucks won't hurt right?

1. Jollibee 39ers
Jollibee offers either 4pcs Shanghai Rolls, 1pc Burger Steak or Beef strips with vegetable. These are all inclusive of 1 plain rice.
Contact Number: 8-7000


2. Paotsin's Sharksfin and other dimsums
Wide variety of dimsum choices from roughly Php 25-35 only


3. Henlin
Another class of dimsum. Siomai with Rice is a top choice.


4. KFC Wow Sulit Meal D
Grab the chicken steak meal with 1 plain rice and a regular softdrink at a cost of Php 50 bucks only.
Contact Number: 887-8888


5. McDo McSaver Meals
Enjoy the following at an awesome Php 50 bucks only!

Available the whole day:
Crispy Chicken Sandwich + 12oz Softdrink - Php 50
Crispy Chicken Fillet and Rice + 12oz Softdrink - Php 50

Available after 10:30 a.m.:
McSpaghetti + 12oz Softdrink - Php 50

Contact Number: 8-MCDO (6236)


6. Chowking Value Kings
All-in for only Php 49 bucks. Choices of Chorizo Chow Fan, Crispy Noodles, Spicy Pork Mushroom Rice, Dumpling Rice, Spicy Pork Mushroom Noodles and Fried Dumpling Noodles. Includes regular softdrinks
Contact Number: 702-8888


7. RBX
A popular rice take out at a price range from Php 39 - Php 51 bucks. Different choices like Chow Fan, Tepanyaki and Noodles. Try the Seafood Bagoong, one of their best sellers.
Contact Number: 3673097 or 3673098


8. Goldilocks
You may try a combination of 1 pc barbecue plus rice or try the fried lumpia with rice. Pay only as much as Php 50 bucks for the treat. You're the 1, Goldilocks!
Contact Number: 888-1-999


9. Siomai House
One of Club Tourists Favorite! Usually they don't offer rice. Just have a take out of their siomai at a cost of Php 25 bucks only. Try buying rice from any of the food chains mentioned above at an expense of Php 10 - Php 12 bucks. Not bad. Still in the budget!


10. Food Courts
When in doubt, when you don't know what or where to eat, Food Court comes in handy. This is like a swiss knife wherein almost everything you want is there. The bottom line is, majority of the foods here are really affordable! So, begin the lookout!


Related Post:
Sinangag Express

H1N1 (Swine Flu) Virus Travel Advisory

Things to Know

Is it Safe to TRAVEL?
YES. As of this blogging, WHO (World Health Organization) has no announcement yet that traveling is restricted. Except of course if the organization announces a Phase 6 or Pandemic type of scenario. That's the time we should safeguard ourselves by delaying our planned travels especially to places where the virus is rampant (see updated H1N1 Interactive Map).

In a Nutshell
H1N1 (Also called Swine Flu, Hog Flu, Influenza A and Swine Influenza) is a new flu virus of swine origin that was first detected in Mexico and the United States in March and April 2009. The specific type of the H1N1 virus causing illness now is new or “novel” and in the current outbreak it is clear that this virus is able to infect humans and be passed from person to person.

Is it still safe to eat pork or any other pork products?
YES. Part of the virus may have originated from pigs but there is no evidence that the current spread of infection is coming from that source. The swine influenza virus is killed by cooking temperatures of 70°C, corresponding to the general guidance for the preparation of pork and other meat

5 Keys to Safer Food
According to WHO (World Health Organization)

- Keep clean
- Separate raw and cooked
- Cook thoroughly
- Keep food at safe temperatures
- Use safe water and raw materials Things to Do Places to Learn More

You're the 1, Goldilocks!

Lets reminisce back in one of the amazing celebrations in our relationship.

May 2, 2007 - The Planning Stage

Jay: How do you want to celebrate our next monthsary Av?
Av: Hmmm... I want something unique. I want something we haven't done before.
Jay: <scratching his head> What? something unique? alright, but lets ensure this fits our budget ok?
Av: Sure no problem. Baby, I'm hungry! <frown in her face, she looks like a baby asking for her milk>
Jay: Come on, lets go to SM San Lazaro to eat and I need to canvass on a new basketball shoes!

As we passed by Goldilocks, we've noticed this banner saying: Goldilocks Decorate Your Cake! We've exchanged glances with smiles on our faces. We were able to communicate without even saying a word. Imagine a lit bulb on top of us with matching sound effects - "TING!" Very bright idea huh?! LOL!

May 3, 2007 - 31st Monthsary Celebration

We were both thrilled about the thought of decorating our first cake ever! We were chit-chatting about the designs and stuffs. We're definitely clueless how to do it. Unless of course, our only idea was those cooking shows in TV. That's a lot harder right?

Our pastry designing started when Av went to the cashier and asks for the tools for the cake decoration. After paying just Php 50 bucks, helpful crews assigned the table we'll be using to do our masterpiece. The basic tools are the following:

Metal Bowl with Vanilla-flavored Icing in it and Spatula


Pink Piping Tube with Pink Frost


Mamon Bread


A Piece of Flower Icing


Cartoon Network Box for Packaging

Av: <excited> What would be our design?

Jay: <making a killer smile> Lets put a number 3 on top of the cake since that's our number right? Then you'll do the decorating part in the body.
Av: <on her game face. i guess killer smiles won't work this days> Alrighty! You put the number 3, I'll concentrate on the heart shapes in the cake!
Jay: Ammm... Okay...

We've extracted all our skills from the time we had our Art Subject in grade school to the time we had drafting classes in college to ensure all of the lines are symmetrical with each other and the cake is a close to perfect circle. All these engineering and IT related stuffs really paid off in this one of a kind treat! Whew!

Activities, such as this, are good enough to explore something new and to discover some hidden talents. You're the 1, Goldilocks because of your unique activity, this makes our monthly celebration one of a kind. This gives us the chance to share our creative sides, be a short-time pastry chef and of course more bonding with each other! You're the BEST!

Its almost an hour now and our baby is finished! Excitement filled the whole shop of Goldilocks. Mamon is one of our favorite in Goldilocks and adding a twist to it makes more special! Can't wait to have a slice! It looks sooooo delicious! Have a look...

Our Masterpiece!

Having as celebration need not be expensive. Be creative, try to research on new things, and explore beyond the norms. Just like what Goldilocks did, they captured their patrons imagination by giving them a chance to decorate a cake. This could be an ordinary thing for some, but for us, we maximized and enjoyed it! This experience will be part of our countless monthly and hundred days celebrations.

Goldilocks will be forever in our wonderland. Thanks Goldilocks!

NBA Finals 2009

Watch how Black Mamba's Los Angeles Lakers beats up Superman's Orlando Magic!

FACTS by the NUMBERS:
15 - The Los Angeles Lakers take home their 15th NBA Championship!
10 - Phil Jackson's 10th Championship Ring as a Head Coach
4 - Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher's 4th NBA Title as a Laker
1 - First NBA Finals MVP by Kobe Bryant
1 - First NBA Title by all remaining players

Series Rundown

vs.

Lakers lead series 1-0

Game 1: at LAL
ORL 75, LAL 100 - Final
Recap | Box Score

Game 2: at LAL
ORL 96, LAL 101 - Final OT
Recap | Box Score

Game 3: at ORL
ORL 108, LAL 104
Recap | Box

Game 4: at ORL
ORL 91, LAL 99
Recap | Box

Game 5: at ORL
ORL 86, LAL 99
Recap | Box



Addendum:
Lil' Wayne Releases New Track entitled "Kobe Bryant"



This is a special presentation from Club Tourists & Co.

Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro

Located in the small town of Mindoro. Widely popular among beach lovers. Also known as "Puerto" or "Galera" for some. Only 3-5 hours away from Manila. Reach the Batangas City Port whether by car, bus or van. Ride a boat going to Sabang and White Beach. Due to its popularity, little by little, Puerto Galera is getting crowded. Lots of vacationist storm the island like in a "palengke" (wet market). Imagine the shore line during the summer (April - June) with lots of people in it doing their sunbathing, wading the water or even playing with the fine sand (but not white sand).

The best time in Puerto is during the night beach party! Almost all resto-bars have their own unique ways to attract all those party-goers to sit down and experience entertainment and not to mention the more popular "Mindoro Sling". Parental advisory: Tastes like iced tea but kicks like Red Horse. Don't be easily fooled by this drink or else see yourself lying in the sand - unconscious and totally drunk!

One thing noticeable about the place is lack of security. During the wee hours of the night, no police are in sight. During the time that Club Tourists went here, the place that we stayed was opened by thieves! We're suspecting its an inside job. When we rushed in to report to crime, damn, NO POLICE in the site. So we suggest to safeguard all your stuffs before partying.

Anyways, enough of the bad news. One thing that we can boast about Puerto is: listed by the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays In The World, and is the only bay in the Philippines to be listed here. Awesome underwater sites like well maintained coral reefs and numerous diving and snorkelling spots.

Enjoy the blue beach with some adventures like banana boat, jet skiing and wind surfing. Even have a short Hike to Tamaraw Falls. A common favorite among hikers and non-hikers alike. Just a 14KM walk from or 3 hours walk from Sabang.

Better visit Puerto Galera whether during summers and holidays. Not that far to reach. Not that expensive as well. Good for family, group or just dating.

Experience Puerto Galera Now.

How to go to Puerto Galera:
By Car
Drive through the South Luzon Expressway and turn right to Star Tollgate and head to Batangas Pier. Choose between Park or Ride - you may PARK your car in the pier or have your car RIDE in RORO (Roll On, Roll Off)

By Bus
Take any bus that goes to Batangas City pier (via CALABARZON). This is faster since this passes through Star Tollgate. Take bus liners such as Tritran (JAM) in Kamias-Edsa, JAM or BLTB in Kamuning. Fare is around Php 150 bucks

By Boat
When in Batangas City pier, there are lots of boat to white beach that you can choose from. Popular choice is the MV Brian. Fare is Php 140 plus Php 10 bucks terminal fee.