Despite juggling with workload, I was able to attend the Davao Bloggers Society’s Christmas gathering this year in DC. However, all the rush came with challenges. First, I forgot to bring to Davao my formal black pants. Second, my leather shoes got broken just when I was about to leave for the party. Fortunately, i had 40 minutes spare time to drop by Gaisano Illustre. Bought a pair for only P399. In addition, I decided to buy na rin black pants, which was on sale at P499. A bit over-length, but whatever. Baka di ako isali sa raffle if I wore those chinos.
Fast-forward, the evening turned out glittering, awesome and fun. This year’s Gala was truly one of the best nights of DBS. No char. Plus, our blog #biyahenijosemanuel got recognized by the organization as this year’s best travel blog. Kudos to us. Cheers! And to more travel stories with you.
The Davao Bloggers Society Ends 2025 with its GALA FOR A CAUSE: Awards, Glamour, and Lasting Support for SOS Children’s Village Davao
Davao City, Philippines – December 15, 2025 – The Davao Bloggers Society (DBS) closed its milestone year with “Gala for a Cause,” a gala that blended high glamour, creative excellence, and meaningful philanthropy on November 29, 2025, at a the Home Crest Hotel in Davao City. The annual DBS Christmas celebration imbued the power of content creation while raising sustained support for vulnerable children. In an emotional highlight, DBS formally turned over its long-term commitment to SOS Children’s Village Davao, providing a full year of free high-speed internet powered by PLDT Home, a Disney Channel subscription, and a new 3-in-1 printer to aid the children’s education and creativity.
“As we end 2025, we carry forward not just awards and memories, but a strengthened promise to the children of SOS Children’s Village Davao,” said DBS Trustee Pau Ruta, who led the ceremonial turnover.
Davao Blog Awards 2025 Trophies by the Geek Hub 3D Davao and RKiologist
The evening also honored DBS’s outstanding members at the Davao Blog Awards, highlighting content quality, consistency, and community contribution.
Davao Blog Awards 2025 Awardees
foodpanda Blogger of the Year – John Balagtas of JK the Daily Trips
(R-L) Social Media Star of the Year – Michael Cael of Khel Creations, Best Special Interest Blog and Breakthrough Blogger of the Year— OC- Craft by Olivia Limos, Best Travel Blog – Biyahe ni Josemanuel by Joseph Lim
Me 😅🧡💙
Every glam night won’t be complete without awarding the Best Dressed individuals.
Raff Luchavez and Cherry Ann Lucenio were crowned Gala Style Icons, adding extra sparkle to the celebration. Attendees also walked away with exciting raffle prizes, including domestic round-trip tickets from Cebu Pacific and luxury stays at JPark Island Resort & Waterpark.
The event was made possible by: Co-Presentors: PLDT Home and foodpanda Sponsors: HONOR, ASUS, Cebu Pacific Air, JPark Island Resort & Waterpark, Centaur Marketing, Home Crest Hotel, ALSONS Development and Investment Corporation, Universal Robina, Hop-Inn Hotels, Metrobank, The Travel Club, My Skin Origins, Potato Corner, Caldee’s Laundry Express, Lucky Cab, Cagata Events, Geek Hub 3D Davao, and RKiologist. Each brand’s support transformed the night into both a celebration and a channel for giving.
DBS officers with the 2025 awardees
“Creativity finds its highest purpose when it serves compassion. Tonight proved that when influencers, brands, and a community unite for a cause, we can create real and lasting change,” DBS President Gen Tadefa said.
The Davao Bloggers Society continues to champion authentic storytelling, creative excellence, and community service across Mindanao and beyond.
About the Davao Bloggers Society Davao Bloggers is the leading community collective and digital platform for content creators based in the Davao region. It brings together passionate bloggers and new media practitioners dedicated to promoting Davao through responsible and influential digital storytelling. The organization focuses on driving professional growth, community engagement, and regional advocacy, while cultivating a collaborative network where members can develop their skills, connect meaningfully, and contribute to the region’s digital narrative.
Go from goal-setting to goal-getting with Metrobank’s eSavings account
Forget the long lines and paperwork—Metrobank now allows new accountholders to easily and securely open a savings account in 10 minutes through the Metrobank app.
Metrobank eSavings is a secure digital account that allows first-time Metrobank deposit clients to save, manage, and grow their money. More than that, with just a PHP2,000 minimum deposit balance, accountholders get access to a suite of benefits to save smarter and achieve their long-term goals with ease.
Enjoy these perks when you open a Metrobank eSavings account:
InstaPay fee rebates of up to 4x a month: Everyday transactions are made lighter on your wallet as you get rebates on the fees for four InstaPay transfers each month.
Free 1 year AXA Life Insurance: If you open a Metrobank eSavings account until December 31, you get a one-year life insurance coverage that’s worth double the average amount of your average daily balance (ADB) in the past three months, giving you peace of mind from life’s uncertainties.
Interest of up to 4.5% p.a.* on your savings when you avail of Online Time Deposit: By placing your funds on Metrobank’s online time deposit feature, you’re giving your savings an extra boost. Metrobank offers flexible holding periods for your funds—ranging from one month, so you can access your funds easily, to one year, so your funds can yield higher interest. For more details, visit https://www.metrobank.com.ph/accounts/time-deposit
Your Metrobank eSavings account not only allows you to get closer to your savings goals—it also serves as the first step towards having a trusted financial partner in achieving your long-term goals.
Now that you’re a Metrobank client, it’s easier for you to secure your first credit card, a home loan for your first condo, or an investment to grow your money to new heights. With Metrobank, you have a reliable growth partner, helping you save not just for today’s goals, but for your future self.
Make the move your future self will thank you for. Open a Metrobank eSavings account now via the Metrobank App—download it today on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
ABOUT METROBANK Metrobank is the country’s second largest private universal bank in terms of assets that empowers both retail and business clients with customized financial products and services fit to help reach their goals and full potential. To know more and get the latest on Metrobank, visit our website, https://www.metrobank.com.ph/home and follow our official social media pages on Facebook, X, Instagram, and Tiktok.
foodpanda brings timely, sulit offers to help keep holiday budgets manageable.
foodpanda is rolling out its biggest savings event of the year, just as households become more mindful of their spending. As the holidays kick in, so do the familiar rush of gatherings, shopping lists, office celebrations, and last-minute cravings. It is often the period when expenses naturally rise, making practical deals more important than ever.
This is where Pro Weeks becomes especially helpful. From November 20 to 30, 2025, it offers timely, meaningful savings through exclusive food delivery and grocery perks for pandapro subscribers. With nationwide deals that deliver real savings, it is the ideal moment to finally catch up if you are not yet a pandapro subscriber.
Irresistible Food Delivery Deals for the Busiest Season
This year’s food delivery lineup brings major savings, with discounts up to 30%, making holiday favorites even more affordable for pandapro subscribers. Cravings from McDonald’s, Jollibee, CoCo, Gong Cha, Wendy’s, Shakey’s, Domino’s, Greenwich, and many others become easier on the wallet throughout the campaign. These offers are boosted further by the Pro-exclusive free delivery perk for orders starting at ₱200, turning every meal or merienda into a smart, timely choice. Pickup orders also get 10% off with the PICKUP code for a minimum spend of ₱99.
Pro users in Quezon City and Makati also get access to additional perks through city-specific codes. By using QCPRO or MAKATIPRO, members can enjoy an extra 20% off on select restaurants. With deals this strong, enjoying your favorite holiday cravings becomes even more budget friendly.
Holiday Grocery Shopping Made Lighter
As Pro Weeks delivers big value on food cravings, it also extends thoughtful savings to holiday grocery needs. pandapro subscribers get up to 30% off on essentials from pandamart and ₱100 off from Robinsons Supermarket, plus ₱69 off delivery fees to help keep checkout costs in check. With the added 10% cashback on grocery orders through the PROGROCER code, households can stock up on pantry staples, noche buena ingredients, and even last-minute needs without navigating mall crowds or overspending. This combination of strong pricing and doorstep convenience makes Pro Weeks a reliable partner during the holiday rush.
A Year of Perks for Less
One of the standout highlights of this returning Pro Weeks run is the special offer on pandapro subscriptions. With the GOPRONA code, users can get 30% off a 12-month plan, giving them a full year of free delivery perks, exclusive vouchers, and ongoing discounts. It is a practical long-term savings move that often pays for itself after just a few orders, especially for users who rely on foodpanda for regular meals, cravings, and grocery runs.
Why You Shouldn’t Sit This One Out
With all Pro Weeks offers available only until November 30, it is a timely opportunity to enjoy valuable savings. Alongside the main deals, Pro subscribers can also take advantage of additional vouchers like PROWEEKS, which gives ₱200 off for select Pro users from November 20 to 30, and PROFLASH, offering ₱500 off on select vendors from November 28 to 30. In a fast-paced holiday season, the extra benefits that come with being a pandapro subscriber can make everyday moments easier to manage. With foodpanda making the holidays more affordable through Pro Weeks, now is the perfect time to make the switch.
About foodpanda:
foodpanda Philippines currently operates in 192 cities and municipalities across the Philippines and is continuously expanding. foodpanda is a subsidiary under Delivery Hero, a worldwide leader of the food delivery industry. For more information, visit www.foodpanda.ph.
Through the foodpanda website or via the new iOS and Android apps, customers can enter their address and view a curated list of restaurants and shops serving their neighborhood. Once they have found their choice, they can place an order in the comfort of their home or office, paying online through foodpanda’s secure platform or via cash-on-delivery The order is then carefully prepared by the restaurant or shop, picked up by the foodpanda rider and delivered straight to their doorstep.
A solo date is a date you go on by yourself, planning it like any other date, and treating yourself to what you enjoy. Going on solo dates can be the most pampering thing to do. Not only do you get to relax, but you also get to enjoy your own company without needing to wait for someone else’s presence/availability to try new experiences.
A Solo date could be like: Going to a restaurant you’ve been wanting to check Get coffee but from the neighboring town or city Visiting a museum or gallery and just enjoy being there without distraction Taking yourself to see a movie Window shopping for furniture home improvements Enroll in a creative crash course (painting, cooking, dance — whatever sounds fun)
And if time permits, Go on a solo travel =)
Taking yourself to a solo date sounds uncomfortable at first, but once you do it, life just hits different. You get out of your comfort zone, focus with what you really enjoy, and you stop relying on other people to plan and make things happen for you. It’s basically quality time with yourself; which can be quite addicting, actually.
A look back at some small, random moments that actually make travel the most memorable.
Early morning stroll through a market, seeing how foreign towns start up their day.
Marrakesh, Morocco 2015
Bhaktapur, Nepal 2014
Visiting popular monuments way ahead of all the other tourists
Early morning sweeper at Taj Majal, Agra, India 2014
Booked a sunrise ticket to see Taj Mahal. Went in line at 4 am. I was already inside the complex as the sun was just about to rise. Truly a memorable experience. 2014
Slow morning + random cafe
The best cup of hot chocolate drink I ever had. Jaipur,India 2014
Finding something familiar in a foreign land. A ‘same-same,but different’ kind of moment.
In a world full of plastics, they still serve Ice cold Coca Cola in a glass bottle. Marrakesh, Morocco 2015
Walking around random streets, getting lost and eventually finding help from strangers.
Maze-like Venice, Italy. 2015. The time I visited, I still do not have mobile internet access. Plainly relied on old-school printed maps. No cars, just walk. It is impossible to not get lost.
Museum / Art appreciation, especially seeing works that are so much more stunning in actual
Statue of David from the Renaissance Period, by Michaelangelo. Florence, Italy 2015
Mosaic Tile Art, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem, Israel 2022. The church stands on what is believed to be the final resting place of Jesus.
In the Details
The building blocks of the Egyptian Pyramids up-close. Massive stones taller than most humans. Cairo, Egypt 2022
A powerful view of nature in front of you. Straight out of a magazine moment.
Lake Tekapo, South Island, New Zealand 2018. Still one of the most stunning views I’ve ever experienced
Random perfect Sunset
Sunset in Balabac Palawan, Philippines 2017. Definitely the best island getaway. I hope it doesn’t get commercialized soon.
Lying on the beach
Clearest waters of Balabac, Palawan, Philippines 2017
Eating alone on your birthday
First Foreign country to visit solo. First backpacking First birthday trip. This bowl of Pho will always be memorable. Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam 2013.
Trying my best to be a vegetarian because everything with meat was so expensive and I am a poor traveler. Reykavik, Iceland, 2016
On our first day, we left Hohhot City early for Xilamuren Grasslands, to experience a glimpse of traditional Mongolian way of living.
Grasslands are generally open and continuous, fairly flat places that receive more rain than deserts but less precipitation than forests. In grassland regions, the climate is ideal for the growth of grasses only. The low precipitation rates are enough to nourish grasses but not enough for a forest of trees. Despite being dry, the temperature at day time is below 20 degrees Celsius.
In the Grasslands, we got to stay at a Mongolian Yurt (Meng Gu Bao Tent). The temperature at night drops to as low as 4 degrees Celsius. Good thing the tents have mechanical heaters (not so traditional after all). We spent the night on socials and a few bottles of traditional Mongolian Liquor made from fermented milk. The bottle looks very nice, too. At daytime we also got to enjoy various activities as horseback riding and archery lessons.
Here’s me wearing a traditional costume under the clearest blue sky of Mongolia.
Throughout my stay, I was hooked on local yogurt, which Mongolia has always been famous for. Yogurt (Isgelen Tarag) is a staple in the Mongolian diet. The cultural significance of yogurt dates back to the time of Genghis Khan, and it remains an important part of nomadic life and culinary tradition.
On our second day, we transferred to Kubuqi Desert for a nomadic desert experience. The camel ride excursion was definitely the highlight of the day.
We spent the rest of the day at Yinken Whistling Dune Bay – an Amusement park in the middle of the desert. We went for off-road surfing, go-karts, zip lines and roller coaster ride.
We also had a quick visit Ordos City, famous for Lamb meat and beef hotpot.
The remaining days, we spent at Hohhot City, which is the capital of Inner Mongolia. The city is strongly Chinese-influenced, with a touch or Arabic, as the territory also share some history with the ancient folks of Central Asia.
Here’s me feeling cute at Shini Zhao Temple in Hohhot.
Hohhot City’s vibe is far from the status of Beijing or Shanghai in terms of Commercialism. Somewhat a provincial vibe IMO; but all the necessary modern conveniences are there. Food was hefty and great, and everything’s fairly affordable.
This Peking Duck is by far the best duck-meat viand I have ever tasted. I could actually compare it to lechon baboy, with a thin layer of fat under the crispy-roasted skin.
We also had a quick visit to the Inner Mongolian Museum, which houses the largest number of collected dinasaur fossils in Asia. Inner Mongolian desert is also a treasure trove of prehistoric remains, as these vast dry lands are ancient. Oil and natural gases are also being mined from the grounds of this territory.
Where we stayed – Hamptons by Hilton Hotel in Hohhot City, with superb breakfast buffet.
With the tour Buddies. This tour was arranged for us by Uno Turismo agency based in Quezon City.
A highlight from my recent Inner Mongolia trip is Kubuqi Desert. This was my first time to experience a desert excursion, while riding a camel and seeing the vast expanse of a seemingly endless dry desert land of Mongolia.
As the one of the largest desert in East Asia, the Kubuqi Desert was once known to Mongolians and Ancient Chinese as the “Sea of Death”. More than 60% of dunes are mobile. And during windy weather, tons of sand can be blown to the nearby Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region overnight.
Xilamuren Grassland is a picturesque spot in Inner Mongolia, with rolling green hills, vast open spaces, and the winding Xilamuren River, which provides a serene backdrop for traditional Mongolian nomadic culture.
Visitors can experience horseback riding, archery, visit herds of cattle and sheep, stay in traditional Mongolian tent (Yurts/Meng Gu Bao), and see cultural performances.
Xilamuren also houses the historically significant Puhui Buddhist Monastery.
The phrase “land of the eternal blue sky” refers to Mongolia, with over 250 sunny days a year. The name is a direct translation of its Mongolian name, Mönkh khökh tengeriin oron, reflecting its clear, expansive skies and connection to nature.
Davao City, Philippines —foodpanda lit up the south with its signature pink as it hosted the CRAVE Partner Summit & Awards 2025 at Acacia Hotel Davao on September 10. CRAVE—short for Celebrating Relationships & Advancing Valuable Experiences—gathered top restaurant and retail partners for a night of recognition, collaboration, and celebration. CRAVE The Pink Gala paid tribute to Davao’s vibrant culture and its role as a hub for growth and innovation. More than 150 attendees, including local entrepreneurs, brand partners, and community builders, came together to honor their shared journey with foodpanda.
Daniel Jaramillo, Managing Director of foodpanda Philippines, discussing the company’s journey and vision.
Guests were treated to a glamorous evening filled with cultural performances, live music, and engaging activities, capped by the much-anticipated CRAVE Awards.
The spotlight shone on outstanding partners whose passion and performance have contributed greatly to foodpanda’s success in Mindanao.
Pau-Pau’s Top of Table Awarded to the vendor that stands at the top of the table, excelling in sales performance and exemplifying market leadership. Tuna Republik Infinitea New Davao Famous Haveli King Mon’s Grill
Pau-Pau’s Momentum Master Awarded to the vendor whose strong year-over-year performance during the first half of 2025 demonstrates outstanding business momentum. Family Fried Chicken Pater Al-Kuwait Chikoy’s Lugawan Bagong Lipunan Mandarin Tea Garden
Family Fried Chicken honored as one of Pau-Pau’s Momentum Master awardees
Pau-Pau’s Ad-Star Awarded to the vendor that stands out as a leader in a driver-driven growth, showcasing the strongest results in campaign performance. Mamastill Atbp Merry Mango JM Shawarma Haveli King Bar ko sa Lagao
Operational Excellence Awarded to the vendor that upholds the highest standards of operational excellence, maintaining flawless and seamless operations while delivering reliable and efficient services. Aling Paz Food Haus Eat! Chiro Butcher’s Best Barbeque Mang Paeng’s Inasal KAON Resto Grill
People’s Palate Award Celebrating the vendor that stands out as the crowd favorite, consistently chosen by customers through repeat orders and outstanding ratings. Merry Mango Barbeque Boss Boy Zugba Pansititoy Villa Tuna Restaurant
Adding to the excitement, lucky attendees also took home special raffle prizes such as a 3-day, 2-night trip to Boracay, and SM’s shopping gift certificates.
“This celebration is more than just an awards night, it’s a testament to the strong partnerships that fuel our growth not only in Davao but also across the Philippines,” said Louie Lim, Head of Account Management at foodpanda Philippines. “Together, we don’t just crave success—we build it, side by side.” The CRAVE Partner Summit & Awards will continue in Cebu on September 22 and Manila on October 7, bringing the same recognition and celebration to foodpanda’s valued partners nationwide.
About foodpanda: foodpanda Philippines currently operates in 150 cities and municipalities across the Philippines and is continuously expanding. foodpanda is a subsidiary under Delivery Hero, a worldwide leader of the food delivery industry. For more information, visit http://www.foodpanda.ph. Through the foodpanda website or via the new iOS and Android apps, customers can enter their address and view a curated list of restaurants and shops serving their neighborhood. Once they have found their choice, they can place an order in the comfort of their home or office, paying online through foodpanda’s secure platform or via cash-on-delivery The order is then carefully prepared by the restaurant or shop, picked up by the foodpanda rider and delivered straight to their doorstep.
