Every December, in a tradition started in 2008, Davao Bloggers gather for its biggest event. The Davao Bloggers Christmas Party is the most anticipated event of the organization. Old and new members, friends of the organization, and members of partner organizations attend to join the festivities. This 2017, the party is grander like never before.
The Davao Bloggers Grand Christmas Ball 2017 is co-presented by our Official Telecom Partner SMART Communications and by ASUS Zenfone.
One of the highlights of the event will be the Davao Blog Awards 2017 (DBA). House of Wooden Letters will be providing trophies for all the winners of the DBA 2017. SMART will present the Blogger of the Year Award. And the Best Tech Blog will be presented by Asus. For the complete list of finalists, check this link.
Añejo Gold Medium Rum, is the Official Drink Sponsor of the Grand Christmas Ball and the After Party.
Megaworld, the Philippines’ pioneer of the LIVE-WORK-PLAY-LEARN integrated urban townships is also sponsoring the ball.
McDonald’s, will be giving away Gift Certificates to all event attendees.
Halloween is almost here. Before the main event arrives, let’s spend a spooktacular weekend together at Malagos Garden Resort. Malagos is hosting Mga Handuraw sa Baul 2017 on October 28. It is a horror arts and music festival that highlights local horror stories and superstitions.
Mga Handuraw sa Baul 2017
Handuraw features Halloween-themed attractions and events for kids and adults from morning til midnight. Kids will enjoy an inflatable playground and a neon playhouse. For the adults, Malagos has a nightmarish haunted house that promises to deliver screams and probably a sleepless night.
Guests are not required but requested to wear costumes. The best ones get special prizes and surprises.
Another reason to to join Handuraw are a food fest featuring food producers and an arts and crafts bazaar. Malagos attractions like the Butterfly Museum and the Chocolate Museum are open during the event.
Malagos Garden Resort is a co-presentor of Ngilngig Film Festival. The film festival entries will premiere at Handuraw beginning at 2 pm.
Musical Acts
Finally, Filipino indie musical acts will provide the beats to celebrate local arts and culture.
Musical Acts of Mga Handuraw sa Baul 2017
Headlining the indie music festival this Saturday is Crwn. Filipino indie musical acts She’s Only Sixteen, Clara Benin, BP Valenzuela, Jensen and the Flips, Anne Mendoza, and RJ Manulid are set to take the stage, as well. Continue reading →
Enjoy getting scared? Give yourself and your squad a fright with brand new films about Filipino tales of horror and superstitions during the Davao Ngilngig Film Festival 2017.
Davao Ngilngig Film Festival 2017
The Davao Ngilngig Film Festival 2017 is organized by Pasalidahay in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines and co-presented by Malagos Garden Resort.
Opening Film
Davao Ngilngig Film Festival 2017 opens on October 27 with a Cebuano film, LILY by Keith Deligero.
It revolves around gossip of a woman in Cebu said to be a murderous monster. The movie tells the story of a mother seeking justice. Go home, Lily is coming.
Opening Film Lily by Keith Deligro
The film is a Cinema One Original, produced by Deligero & Co., Quiapost Productions, Heritage Productions. It stars Shaina Magdayao, Rocky Salumbides, and Natileigh Sitoy. Lily received several awards from the Cinema One Originals Festival 2016: Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Picture.
Davao Ngilngig Film Festival 2017 Entries
The films of the Ngilngig Film Festival 2017 is categorized into three programs: Davao Ngilngig Films, Sa Dako Pa Roon, and Bonfire Stories. All films revolve around local horror stories, town tales, and Filipino superstitions.
This year’s Davao Ngilngig Films by Davaoeño filmmakers are:
BAHIN by Jomar M. Ebus
BWESITA by Louis Usaraga and Melchor Cabangbang
DALINGSIL by Jamillah Natividad
DISIPLINA by Rod Marc Abrina
MEOW by Breech Asher Harani
TAGUAN by Earle Galindo
TAKBO by Rikki Torres
TAMBAG by Alecs Mari Ballarta
Ngilngig Films by Filipino indie filmmakers are featured in the Sa Dako Pa Roon category:
A BIRTHDAY TREAT by Amaya Han from Cebu
CHONG-AS by Rojie Somera and Jette Palicas from Kalinga
ELMO by Andrian Rey B. Manapil from Bukidnon
EXPERIMENTAL FOREST by Angelica Gamolo from Cebu
PARA SA MGA NI BIYA by Mac Kianro and Maki Calo from Cagayan de Oro City
PEÑARANCIA by Gab Mesina from Manila
SIN-O ANG TIKTIK by TM Malones from Iloilo
ANG IKADUHANG PAGBALIK by Jeffrie Po from Cagayan de Oro City
LAPPAW by Lovely Jan M. Cadauan from Echague, Isabela
LUBONG by Marvin Gabas from Manila
MORU by Edmund Telmo from Ozamiz City
OYAYI by Darryl Yap from Zambales
TAMIAW by Robert Christian Diaz from Valenzuela
And from the participants of the Ngilngig Film Fest Camp are Bonfire Stories:
Davao Ngilngig Film Camp 2017
ANG PAG-ABOT Lumpia Productions
BALBAL Mayora Films
PANABI Limbo Productions
UROM 1001 Productions
Every entry offers us a unique glimpse into the Filipino way of life and the stories, intrigues, hearsays, and superstitions that we live by. Some of it might sound familiar, a few seems new to you, but each one will definitely be delivered in a unique cinematic presentation to delight and terrify your every sense.
Ticket Outlets
Intrigued? You may now get your tickets to these films at the following ticket outlets:
“Panagtagbo,” a multi-platform art event is scheduled to run along with the Ngilngig Film Festival. Panagtagbo is composed of an art exhibit, a zine launch, and a small press expo from October 29 until November 12 at the Morning Light Art Gallery and Shop.
The Ngilngig is also part of Malagos Garden Resort’s Halloween event “Mga Handuraw sa Baul 2017.” The event includes the premiere of the films of Davao Ngilngig Film Festival 2017.
Partners and Sponsors
DAVAO NGILNGIG FILM FESTIVAL is organized by Pasalidahay.
In 2014, SM City Davao pioneered the celebration of the Chocolate Festival in cognizance of the booming cocoa and chocolate industry in Davao. Local chocolatiers, pastry makers, and other purveyors showcased dishes and drinks that feature local beans. This weekend, SM City Davao hosts the Davao Chocolate Festival 2017 once again from October 12 to 15.
Davao Chocolate Festival 2017 at SM City Davao
Purveyors and exhibitors from past Chocolate Festivals will be back, along with new food concepts and establishments.
Davao Chocolate Festival 2017 Exhibitors
The Chocolate Festival is a collaboration of SM City Davao and the Cacao Industry Development Association of Mindanao, Inc. (CIDAMI). It aims to bring together the Davao’s best cacao growers and chocolate processors. CIDAMI will be one of the event’s exhibitors.
Returning exhibitors include award-winning Malagos Chocolate, and local chocolatiers Chocolate Bean and Cacao De Davao. Comval Tropical Harvest, Rosario Delicacies, Puratos, Aromacology, Nutri Arch, Fedco, and Chocolate de San Isidro will be displaying and selling their best-selling treats.
Lara Mia leads the list of local dessert shops that will showcase their best chocolate pastries. Also joining are Confex & Co., Yolks, and Milky.
Finally, new food concepts will be at the event to offer their own chocolate delights: Cacao Culture, Chocoloco Inc, Auro Chocolate, Capt Du’s Cacao, A&V, Johanns, Brightside, and Sweets of Tirzah.
There will definitely no shortage of chocolate dishes, desserts, and drinks to satisfy all your chocolate cravings. Whether you like milk, dark, or white chocolate, you have to be at SM City Davao’s Chocolate Festival.
Chocolate Festival Highlights
The Davao Chocolate Festival will hold various events to further add excitement to the festivities.
Before the event formally opens, SM City Davao teased the crowd with a jar of Golden Chocolate Coins. The person who guesses the correct number wins a Golden Ticket. It can be used to redeem a package of chocolate goodies from the festival exhibitors. The winner also gets all the golden coins.
SM City Davao shoppers can also get their own Gold Ticket if they are one of the first 14 lucky shoppers to present a single-receipt purchase of at least P10,000 on October 14.
Chocolate lovers are invited to follow SM o Instagram @SMDavao and share their chocolate stories with their squad with the hashtag #ChocolateDateatSMDavao. The best posts get special prizes. Make sure to tag them and post by October 15.
The event will open on Thursday, October 12 at 10:30 am and will close when the mall closes. The country’s best tablea makers will demonstrate how to make your own chocolate concoctions. On October 13, learn about “The Sweet Journey” of chocolate’s bean to bar story. Finally, explore chocolate as a medium of art during the Chocolate Art expo on October 15.
So gather the gang and prepare to indulge in the best chocolate treats from Davao’s best cacao growers and chocolatiers only at the Davao Chocolate Festival 2017 at SM City Davao.
A lot of travelers visit Davao to getaway from their bustling busy lives because in this city you can literally go from downtown to the mountains (or to the beach) in just a few hours. And one of the most popular destinations is a mountain resort that offers both adrenaline-pumping adventure and calming relaxation in a cool climate, Eden Nature Park and Resort. This year, Eden Nature Park celebrates 20 years of being one of the top resorts in Davao.
Since it opened in October 1997, Eden has captured the hearts and imagination of Davaoeños and tourists, alike. It opened with offers of day tours and guided tours around its expansive 80-hectare property. It became a popular choice for locals touring their visiting family and friends around Davao. With its picturesque views and proximity to nature, Eden also became one of the most desired venue for weddings, seminars, retreats, and special events.
Eden Nature Park Amenities and Facilities
Eden has various attractions and amenities that is sure to delight guests of all ages and interests. The resort boasts of four food and beverage outlets that serve buffet meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and various ala carte options. Their F&B outlets highlight their fresh produce and artisan sauces and condiments. You can also get your fill of Aling Foping’s Halo-Halo at Eden.
For nature lovers and gardeners, Eden has sprawling gardens that feature various flora such as herbs, vegetables, and popular endemic flowers. Large trees, endemic animals, and domesticated animals also inhabit the park.
Flower Well of Eden Nature Park and Resort Davao
Eden provides the best Instagram spots to capture your memories and showcase the beauty of nature.
Another attraction of Eden is the Cultural Village that displays and highlights the Indigenous Tribes and cultures of Mindanao. On display are traditional houses and cultural artifacts. A local group of dancers welcome visitors with a music and dance presentation.
Other park facilities include a pool, a fishing village, and a butterfly house.
To fully enjoy these facilities, we suggest you take the guided shuttle tour. Or, if you are the more adventurous type, pack your comfy shoes and get a hiking trail map from the lobby. You can explore more of Eden’s more rustic and rugged areas while trekking.
Where Nature Meets Adventure
True to its tagline of being the place “Where Nature Meets Adventure,” Eden has expanded their facilities to delight the hearts of adventure-seekers. In 2000, Eden introduced the SkyRider, a zipline ride overlooking the countryside. In 2005, it introduced the SkyCycle. And in 2015, the SkySwing was launched.
Check out this video by the Davao Bloggers to see how Eden is a haven where nature meets adventure.
From functions halls and food outlets to gardens and a cultural village, Eden offers a memorable immersive experience for tourists and locals. And for those who want to get away from the hustle bustle of the city for more than just one day, Eden has sixty-three rooms and cottages that can accommodate couples, families, small groups, and solo travelers.
And this 2017, Eden Nature Park celebrates 20 years of being one of Davao’s prime destinations for locals and tourists.
Eden Nature Park Celebrates 20 Years
Eden has been serving Davaoeños and tourists with topnotch accommodations, well-maintained facilities, and friendly service for 20 years now. We dare say that no visitor has left Eden without happy memories. Just check blog posts, videos, and social media updates about visits to Eden. Surely, you will see vibrant smiles and joyous moments captured and shared.
Davao Bloggers at the Cultural Village of Eden Nature Park and Resort Davao
And there is even more to smile about as Eden Nature Park celebrates 20 years with month-long promotions.
Eden Nature Park Davao 20th Year Promo
From October 1 to 30, 2017, you can enjoy an overnight stay for two in Eden’s Deluxe rooms for only P2,000. Accommodations at Family Cottages and Mountain Villas are available at 20% off. And all Day Tour Packages and Rides like the Skyswing, Skycycle, Skyrider, and Guided Shuttle Tour are at P20.00 off.
So gather the gang, set a date, and get ready to share memorable moments at Eden Nature Park and Resort where nature meets adventure.
ROX and its partners invites cycling enthusiasts to join ROX Bike Out Davao this weekend.
ROX Bike Out Davao
The Bike Out is on August 27, 2017, Sunday. The starting point is at Abreeza.
Interested participants may register at ROX Abreeza Ayala Mall by signing up and paying a fee of only P250. The registration fee is inclusive of the Bike Out Jersey and light snacks. And all registered participants will also enjoy a 15% discount on selected products of ROX.
Aside from the jersey, ROX also requires all participants to use a Helmet and to bring a 500 mL water bottle.
