Big Winners of Cactus Dish Garden at the Cactus Craze Show

Hardin ng mga Bulaklak , Quezon Memorial Circle, Quezon City -Philippines

The Cactus Craze hosted by Cactus and Succulent Society of the Philippines (CSSP ) , Bonsai and Suiseiki Alliance of the Philippines Inc. (BSAPI ) 2016 show had formally opened last April 28 to the public at the Hardin ng mga Bulaklak ( Flower Garden ) within Quezon Memorial Circle.

winners of the attendance raffle for cacti and succulents

 There were a lot of activities like small dish garden competition , medium size dish garden competition, individual cacti and succulent plant competition, table judging , daily lectures and plant bazaar .

There is an entrance fee of Php 20.00 general public and Php 10.00 for students and senior citizens with valid ID’s . The show is until May 8 , 2016 .

Here are some of the Winners

Third Prize – Healthy  and Colorful Gymnos by Mr. Lino Rom

Second Prize- Shell Bursting with Succulents by Luntiang Sining ( Ms. Norma K. Villanueva)

The dish garden exhibit showcase different kinds of seas shells , pebbles with combination of some succulent plants.

 First Prize- Luntiang Sining ( Ms. Norma K. Villanueva )

Large Dish Garden

Third Prize

First Prize – Luntiang Sining ( Ms. Norma K. Villanueva )

small dish garden winners

Here are some practical tips on buying and cultivation :

There are cacti and succulents wholesalers at the show , some of them have stalls within Quezon Memorial Circle or at Araneta Garden Center in Cubao .

cacti and succulents prices may differ depending on quantities, species or varieties.  Most of the dealers were from Baguio/ Benguet area . There are some which sourced their plants from Mabalacat , Pampanga  or have their own backyard garden and thus they are more warm tolerant compared to the Benguet / Baguio dealers.

Try to change the soil/ media if the cacti and succulent come from Baguio/ Benguet area , a lot of them are grown in greenhouses .

Try to attend daily lectures or seminars conducted by leading cacti and succulent enthusiasts. They are a big help to budding collectors.

Try to surf internet and read books to know about the simple cultural techniques , the most common for collector is to over water these plants.

For those who does not want to spend a penny on the cacti , There are a lot of common and ordinary cacti which are grown in almost neglected state . Some of the stems can be readily propagated without any difficulties .

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Philippine Food Holidays Culinary Culture by Ms. Clang Garcia

Malolos City , Bulacan province , Philippines

We got a chance to meet Ms. Clang Garcia which operates Jeepney Tours, an enterprise that exploits the jeepney’s cultural reputation.

Its hop-on, hop-off programs, she explains, are inspired by those existing abroad. These special jeepneys are supersized in features. They’re decked out with air-conditioning, karaoke and extra wiggle room — the seats are composed of front-facing rows that can comfortably fit up to 20 passengers as opposed to two rows facing each other squeezing 8 people on each. She had a tie-up with 5 hotels in Metro Manila.

 Ms. Clang Garcia of Colors Integrated Media,Inc. and Jeepney Tour  together with Sir Rolly , Ferdie Talbenito , Ms. Rheeza Santiago Hernandez , Mr. Jose Ruel F. Paguiligan  ( Barasoain Church curator) and Mr. Rolando C. Mabini

She is also a culinary and heritage advocate , She had presented several soft bound book entitled ” Philippine Food Holidays Culinary Culture“. Among the feature were menus and traditional foods of Bulacan .

Special mention are the culinary menus by Mrs. Milagros Enriquez – Culinary historian and icon of Bulacan.

It was presented at the Barasoian Church audio-visual room during the Tena sa Latian sa Pamarawan Culinary tour .

The book features 25 gastronomic destination and  15 heirloom recipes

The book had a launching at the Emilio Aguinaldo shrine few weeks ago , For those who wanted to buy  the book , It cost Php500 to Php 600 and Try to contact book publisher and writer Ms. Clang Garcia

Cellphone number: 0918-9001415 or email : clang.garcia@gmail.com

 

Mind Reading , Mentalism and Comedy Bloggers Night

87 Scout Reyes street corner Mother Ignacia Street , Barangay Paligsahan , Quezon City -Philippines

I was invited by Mr. Azrael Coladilla , a blogger friend to join a one-night only spectacle of mind-reading featuring the Khan of Thought, comedy mentalist  Mr. Kel Fabie and some of the other premiere names in Pinoy mentalism . I am always fascinated with magic tricks and mentalist way back in elementary , But it was different scenario during those days- bringing card games in school is a big no no ( if one is caught bringing playing cards they were automatically suspended and get a conduct B- or C) Playing cards was synonymous to gambling .  I still remember performing tricks at a Christmas party when i was in grade 3  .

Mr. Kel Fabie- comedian , host , mentalist , voice over artist,  magician and mind reader

Mr. Kel Fabie is also a former FM radio personality from 99.5 RT and WAVE 891, Kel is also a veteran in hosting circles. He have been a practicing mentalist for at least a decade and was featured in several television shows and print media.

Mr. Kel Fabie – https://www.facebook.com/Kel-Fabie-120380828205/

Website : Mr. Kel Fabie – https://kelfabie.wordpress.com/

 Burger Company Ph  is a restaurant that had a sitting capacity of between 35 to 37 people  had a good selection of burger and bacon meals. They also have board games for sale . This restaurant is also near  Saint Mary’s College and 2 television stations .

crowd

Despite the hectic schedule and traffic , i have to cover this event at all cost . I thought i was already late for the event since we covered another event in Malolos , Bulacan was stuck in a heavy traffic on Bocaue NLEX exit , EDSA before getting off EDSA corner Mother Ignacia street.

Burger Company menu board

It was a 20 minutes short walk from EDSA and i did not hire tricycle .  Arrived past 8:35 pm and  saw the place were already jam packed SRO crowd. I saw some familiar faces and blogger friends  .

Mr. Jerome McCuin -host

Mr.Jerome McCuin was originally from Los Angeles , California , USA . He settled in the Philippines , According to his friends – He was taught by his friends how to live “cowboy ‘ style in the Philippines like riding jeepney , tricycle , eating street foods and living a frugal life . That was he was able to save money and was able to fund his own business. ” I’m really happy that i lived in the Philippines , I’m glad the country gave me a chance” he added.

On ABS-CBN channel 2 ” I Love OPM ” a show , He sang Kawawang Cowboy , Mr. Suave and other OPM hits. McCuinn is into hosting , character acting and other opportunities . He is also fluent in Filipino , Spanish and Korean languages.

Mr. Jerome McCuin – https://www.facebook.com/nowjerome

For bookings and inquiries : Ms. Joy Alonso : 0917-531-4162 and Viber 0918-866-6668

Mr. Anthony Andres and bloggers Marco Polo Jantoc and Ms. Hazel Gapuz

The group is collectively called #Mindplay which is composed of Mr. Nomer Lasala , Mr.Kel Fabie and Mr. Anthony Andres.

Mr. Anthony Andres is also a performer , mentalist and mind reader or “Mentalino”  . He is also member of the Inner Magic Club (IMC ) and The Story Circle .

Contact : Mr. Anthony Andres (0927-96558970 )

Email : anthony.andres24@gmail.com

Mr. Anthony Andres – https://www.facebook.com/loveyouchong

bloggers and online media enjoyed the performance

Mr. Nomer Lasala is known as ” Mind Master “

Mr. Nomer Lasala is known as ” Mind Master ” He can reads one’s thought and past experiences as if he was there .  Nomer demonstrates feats of the Zenith Mind. A wide array of Clairvoyance, Direct Mind Reading ( DMR ) and Telekinesis (moving objects and bending silverware with the power of the mind).

Contact : 0927-4114622 , 0925-3336463

Website: http://www.nomerlasala.com/

Mr. Nomer Lasala– https://www.facebook.com/NomertheMentalist/

  We hope that there will be another round of performance at the place. Our group had their fun and interacting with the Mind Play .

 

 

 

Tena Sa Latian : Planting Mangroves in Pamarawan

Pamarawan Island , Malolos City , Bulacan province -Philippines

Lihan Enterprises in partnership with Malolos Tourism office, Department of Agriculture , Department of Natural Resources travel operators , media and bloggers conducted a mangrove tree planting in Pamarawan held before the high tide .

mangrove sapling

The aim is to bring back mangrove trees within the area. Department of Agriculture region 3 had donated mangrove propagules . The Mangroves are called bakawan lalaki and bakawan babae .

This is also part of the advocacy that the group is spear heading . Aside from environmental advocacy , The group is also conducting a Culinary heritage tour of Pamarawan island community in Malolos , Bulacan.

For more information about the tours, Please try to contact :

Lihan Enterprises – Malolos Tour Operator

0995-489-0514 , 0932-127-9939

 

 

 

Day Trip at Adventure Resort in Norzagaray , Bulacan

San Jose Road , Norzagaray , Bulacan province -Philippines

Adventure Resort is also dubbed as ” Tigbe’s  Pride ” .  It started as a private family vacation farm , where the Guballa family were able to dug a natural spring water . They also decided to plant mango trees  within the property to utilize the water  . They decided to dug 1 swimming pool within the property and soon the public soon started requesting that they will be allowed to take a bath and use the area as a venue place for a fee.

European style villa

The place had 3 swimming pools, fish pond, dampa style , a garden , pasilio berde , nipa hut , air-conditioned rooms and European style landmarks .

Eiffel Tower

 Adventure Resort proudly promote the Rappelling at Eiffel Tower which is a multipurpose high angle rappelling tower has 40ft anchoring point in height with 10ft. by 16 ft. in width. Jumping point height is 36 ft., and 22 ft ; designed for maximum of 7 jumpers or rappellers.

steel bars

The height of the Eiffel Tower replica is about 3 to 5 stories high and for those with strong will and mind  may try climbing up to the top most portion .

Top view of the place ( Photo courtesy : Mr. Jam Ki )

The Resort has a Adventure Resort Zip line Challenge which height of the anchoring entry point of zip-line is 40ft. and the stopping/endpoint is 12 feet with stairs base line of 6 ft in height by 4 feet, in width by 8ft nestled in the quiet Barrio of Tigbe, Town of Norzagaray, Province of Bulacan.

swimming pool

In an approximately 45mins to 1 hour drive from Balintawak exit, and traversing the NLEX, Adventure Resort is practically within reach, taking either MARILAO EXIT OR Bocaue Exit

A visit to the municipality of Norzagaray is incomplete without a visit to Adventure Resort especially this summer.

Location Address: Gulod, Tigbe, Norzagaray, Bulacan

Website : http://adventureresort.webs.com/

Contact Numbers:
0933-720-0974
0323-246-5199
0917-856-7100

Amenities:

• Swimming Pools
• Pavillion
• Basket Ball Court
• Garden Wedding
• 40ft high wall climbing
• ZIPLINE Challenge
• Rappelling at Eiffel Tower
• Lagoon Fishing
• Billiard Hall and Videoke
• Kangaroo Ride
• Camping Ground
• Cottages

DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO ADVENTURE RESORT VIA MARILAO : )

•From NLEX (Balintawak) turn right at Marilao Exit
•Then Drive Straight (east bound) going to San Jose Del Monte Church (10kms)
•Then turn LEFT (north bound) going to Sapang Palay.
… •Straight Ahead and ADVENTURE RESORT is 3.5 kms away.

FOR COMMUTERS (coming from MANILA):
•Take Sapang Palay bound buses at DOROTEO JOSE or along A. Bonifacio Avenue, Balintawak
ROAD DIRECTIONS via BOCAUE EXIT:

1.) From NLEX ( Balintawak Toll Plaza or NLEX-Mindanao Avenue Link),
Take BOCAUE EXIT (Bocaue exit comes after Marilao exit and before the Tabang exit at NLEX)

2.) At BOCAUE EXIT, turn RIGHT.

3.) Road splits at PTT Gas Station, keep RIGHT ( Bagbaguin Road).
4.) Pass by: Sta. Maria Bridge, Sta. Maria Municipality, Sta. Maria Rural Bank and Plantersbank at your left (JC De Jesus St.)
5.) You’ll reach road end (La Immaculada Concepcion Church, STA MARIA CHURCH), turn LEFT (F. Santiago St.)

6.) Pass by: Mendoza Hospital, Sta. Maria Polyclinic, and JP Artizza

7.) Make a RIGHT turn upon seeing PASCUAL Mini Mart (at JP Rizal St.)

8.) Straight Ahead, passing by Petron Dulong Bayan (at your right) and ANYHAW (at your left).
9.) Another ROAD SPLIT, KEEP RIGHT. Pass by, Barangay PATAG, then, CATMON, then BULAC.

10.) Road End at SAPANG PALAY ELEM SCHOOL, turn LEFT. From here, you’ll spot directional signs. You are 5 mins. away from Adventure Resort.