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My Awesome New York Yankee Stadium Delta Sky360 Suite Experience

My Awesome New York Yankee Stadium Delta Sky360 Suite Experience

America, Blogging, Mindanaoan Update, Sports, Travel, United States of America
I may not be a huge baseball fan but I do understand the game and I am familiar with some of the previous and current baseball stars. I think it’s a thrilling game to watch and it’s an easy, fun way to spend several hours. So imagine my joy when I received free VIP passes to the Delta Sky360 Suite at the world-renowned Yankee Stadium here in New York, USA. Not only did the passes allow me to choose which home game to watch (my aunt and I chose the New York Yankees vs Seattle Mariners game last Aug. 26), they also allowed me to gain access to the “sosyal” area :D Claimed our passes at Gate 4 Suite ticket holders use a separate entrance (I told you it's "sosyal") and of course, a separate elevator. I forgot to take photos at the reception area (I was THAT excited). Th...
Meeting a Hollywood celebrity crush: Jesse Metcalfe @jessemetcalfe

Meeting a Hollywood celebrity crush: Jesse Metcalfe @jessemetcalfe

America, Blogging, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, New York, United States of America
I got pretty lucky a few days ago. I MET JESSE METCALFE!!! That's right - I met one of my Hollywood celebrity crushes, Jesse Metcalfe, on a beautiful, sunshiny day {insert googly eyes with, like, a million hearts haha} here in New York! I'm sure you know how this feels - to finally see in person that Hollywood guy you've only watched on TV or in the movies and you don't know what to do first - scream, tell your family and friends all about it, blog, take a video, post a Facebook status, tweet, take a selfie etc. Haha! :) So please forgive me if I sound like a high school girl today. Quick side note: I wrote a little teaser about me meeting him on my newspaper column on Gold Star Daily, Mindanao's largest newspaper Anyways, it happened last August 2, 2017 (yes, every minute det...
At the Carrie Bradshaw of Sex And The City apartment New York

At the Carrie Bradshaw of Sex And The City apartment New York

America, Entertainment, Features, Movies, New York, Society, Style, Television, Tourism, Travel, United States of America
"And there, in the same city where they met as girls, four New York women entered the next phase of their lives, dressed head to toe in love. And that's the one label that never goes out of style." Does this sound familiar? Even more so - do you know those lines by heart? Then, why, hello there, fellow Sex and the City fan! Are you Team Big or Team Aidan? Regardless of who you're rooting for - one thing's for certain. We all know an apartment building in New York with an all too familiar looking stoop, where a girl cried, laughed, sat, fell in love, kissed and talked about her love for shoes! Are you Team Big or Team Aidan? Regardless of who you're rooting for - one thing's for certain. We all know an apartment building in New York with an all too familiar looking stoop, where a girl...
Visiting that “Friends” apartment building in New York City

Visiting that “Friends” apartment building in New York City

America, Entertainment, Features, Mindanaoan Update, New York, Tourism, Travel, United States of America
If you're not a fan of the TV series "Friends," then you'd think this is just an ordinary building. However, for certified "Friends" fans like me, my Mama and my three younger brothers (we have virtually watched all seasons including the bloopers millions of times - okay, that's an exaggeration but you get the drift!), HOLY CRAP this almost feels like home. I guess this is what they mean when they say "only fans can understand." Visiting the New York apartment building where Monica (Courtney Cox), Rachel (Jennifer Aniston), Joey (Matt LeBlanc) and Chandler (Matthew Perry) (and Ross (David Schwimmer), at one point) lived is like a pilgrimage. READ: I saw David Schwimmer in person!!! In fact, at the risk of sounding like a wuss, I got emotional when I saw the Friends apartment building ...
Raising $35 Million In An Hour | Red Nose Day New York 2017

Raising $35 Million In An Hour | Red Nose Day New York 2017

America, Entertainment, Events, Features, New York, Society, United States of America
I had the honor of witnessing the Red Nose Day 2017 live show here in New York City, USA. If you’re as uninitiated like I was, Red Nose Day is a fundraising campaign run by the nonprofit organization Comic Relief Inc. Launched in 2015, the campaign has raised $60 Million so far and guess what? That night when I was at Rockefeller Plaza, where the hour-long show was aired live, a whopping $35 Million was raised! What makes Red Nose Day pretty special is that the money it raises supports programs that ensure children in need are safe, healthy and educated, both in the United States and in some of the poorest communities around the world. The grants go to groups including Save the Children, The Global Fund, Children’s Health Fund and more. I know that Save the Children has multiple program...
Cheap eats New York: Where I found the BEST, super affordable roast pork, BBQ

Cheap eats New York: Where I found the BEST, super affordable roast pork, BBQ

America, Food, New York, Reviews
Hello again from New York! All right - here's the lowdown. Living here in New York can be expensive (especially for folks like us who want to discover a lot of things here in the Big Apple all at once!) but that doesn't mean there aren't cheap, great places to get absolutely delicious food from. Cheap eats in New York is real, people! Hallelujah! Just recently, I found the best char siu (Cantonese-style sweet barbecued meat) shop in Chinatown Manhattan New York that sells the BEST roast pork, roast chicken, roast duck, barbecue pork etc. Wah Fung NYC is a tourist favorite but is definitely not a tourist trap. Wah Fung New York sells el cheapo food without compromising quality. Located in Chinatown Manhattan (just so you know - there are Chinatowns in New York: one in Flushing, one...
Times Square New York tour and the crazy things you see

Times Square New York tour and the crazy things you see

America, Entertainment, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, New York, Tourism, Travel, United States of America
This blog post about Times Square New York is actually several days in the making. I thought I could come up with content for this Times Square NY tour post after just one visit but the truth of the matter is, there's just too many things to do, see, hear, discover, eat (!!!), smell (???) and film at one of New York City's super popular tourist attractions. So let's start with the basics and I'll update this blog post often with more links, videos, photos and (hopefully) more fun tips for you to help make your New York City trip one for the books. Times Square, per se, is actually technically not a square in the geometric sense of the word. Instead, what's called as "The Crossroads of the World" is more of a bowtie shape if you take it from 45th Street (where 7 Av intersects Broadway). Th...
Meeting the cast of “The Mummy” in New York City

Meeting the cast of “The Mummy” in New York City

America, Entertainment, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Society, United States of America
So, okay, let’s face the elephant in the room head on. The reviews of the latest Tom Cruise-starrer, “The Mummy,” aren’t exactly ideal (fine, a lot of them are brutally bad...like seriously) but those obviously didn’t stop me from attending an event which allowed me to see some of the cast members. Besides, just like many other Hollywood films, a movie like this is for the fans! In fact, the fans made their voices heard. Despite the absolutely devastating reviews on "The Mummy," it was still able to recoup its US $125 Million and so far, has earned US $151 Million. Not exactly a runaway hit, yes, but I have a feeling it will still earn a huge chunka money especially when you factor in all the merchandise sales and all that jazz. Anyways, a few days ago, I had the lovely opportunity to m...
US Embassy now asks for your social media accounts

US Embassy now asks for your social media accounts

America, Mindanaoan Update, New York, News, Society, Technology, Tourism, Travel, United States of America
The US government has now approved plans to ask US visa applicants for their social media accounts. Just recently, the Trump administration has started conducting background checks on the social media usage of visa applicants going back 5 years ago via a new questionnaire. The development now also allows consular officers to request email addresses, phone numbers as well as 15 years of biographical information from visa applicants, should a "more rigorous national security setting vetting" is needed. This may definitely make visa applications more difficult for lots of people. READ: How to pass your US Embassy visa interview The new questionnaire has a section where you need to write your usernames for any websites or applications you may have used to create or share content (p...
San Isidro Labrador Fiesta, New York style

San Isidro Labrador Fiesta, New York style

America, Bukidnon, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Leisure, Malaybalay City, Musings, New York, Personalities, Society, United States of America
Five creatively decorated booths, contests on “best turon/biko/torta,” amateur and impromptu singing contests, lechon and a whole lotta dancing. These were just some of the highlights of the fiesta celebration in honor of patron saint Senyor San Isidro Labrador by the Association of Bukidnons in America (ABA) here in New York City, USA. Held a day before the actual fiesta (May 15), the gathering was not just to honor Isidore the Farm Laborer and thank him for the abundance of harvest but to also give the ABA officers and members the chance to kick back, relax and just have pure unadulterated fun! Actually, not only did I have the lovely privilege to attend the event, much thanks to my Tita Emilita, but I also had the chance to help design, create and implement my tita’s cluster’s boo...
3 Things Millenials Should Learn To Do Right Now

3 Things Millenials Should Learn To Do Right Now

America, Musings, New York, Personal, Society
Hello again from New York City! Winter’s over and it’s technically spring but the weather’s still biting cold! Interestingly (or odd, depending on how you look at it) enough, I like this kind of weather. My hands are freezing, yes, but my makeup lasts longer! (It’s a girl thing.) Seriously, I think spring is a lovely season and I can’t wait to explore the Big Apple some more. Anyway, I’m celebrating my birthday this week (woo hoo!) and as much as I want to consider myself a millenial, I no longer am. Which is totally fine, by the way. Youth is all but a state of mind! Hence, armed with a little more confidence because I’m, ahem ahem, a teensy weensy bit older, I thought of sharing a few quick thoughts on what millenials should learn to do right about now. With the millenials’ passion to...
Top of the Rock New York (plus a tip on how to save on your ticket)

Top of the Rock New York (plus a tip on how to save on your ticket)

America, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, New York, Photos, Style, Travel, United States of America, Videos
No New York City visit is ever complete without seeing it from the top! And one of the popular places to do that is to go to the Top of the Rock - top of the Rockefeller, that is. To be able to explore unobstructed views of New York's midtown and downtown Manhattan plus the vast Central Park is an experience one can never forget. I should know - I just visited Top of the Rock and it was AWESOME to say the least! At the risk of sounding too mushy, may I just say that this view really made me very happy and thankful to be alive! CityPASS Armed with our CityPASS booklets, my aunt and I went to the Top of the Rock - one of NYC's top tourist attractions. Which reminds me - to buy your CityPASS booklet is the tip I want to share on how to save on your New York tour expenses! CityPASS is...
Hello from New York!

Hello from New York!

America, Announcements, Blogging, Mindanaoan Update, New York, Personal, Travel, United States of America, Videos
Hello! I finally have the time to just sit down and blog! It's true - this surely is the city that never sleeps. I'm talking about New York City, USA! Yup, I'M BACKKK!!! Can you tell how excited I am? No? Maybe that's because I'm freaking freezing my a** off LOL :D I arrived here in New York about two days before a big blizzard. Just when I thought winter season was about to close and spring was about to come! I guess winter just wanted to leave with a bang, eh? Although it wasn't my first time to encounter snow, it was my first time to be in the middle of a raging blizzard. But deadma sa blizzard --- pose kung pose! :D Before I inundate you with my America-related blog posts, allow me to share with you my vlog about my flight from Cebu to Incheon (South Korea) and finally to ...
4 Meaningful Ways to Give Back to Your Community

4 Meaningful Ways to Give Back to Your Community

Advocacy, America, United States of America
From monetary donations to social media awareness campaigns, there are many ways that you can help charities without even leaving your chair. But what if you're interested in something a little more substantial than that? What if you want to affect real-world change in your community? Here are just four meaningful ways to make a difference. 1. Get Personal Find a cause that matters to you. Join an organization that inspires feelings of love, passion, excitement and righteousness. It doesn't matter if it's saving elephants in Kenya or exposing more children to the arts with street pianos in New York; the most important thing is that you care and that you're willing to take action based on that feeling. Obligation will only take you so far. 2. Go for the Grassroots While ever...
How to pass your US Embassy tourist B1/B2 visa interview

How to pass your US Embassy tourist B1/B2 visa interview

Advocacy, America, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Travel, United States of America
I’m pretty sure you’ve heard all the horror stories. Despite bringing land titles, “show money,” proof of vehicle ownership, credit cards, bank statements, letters of financial support from relatives overseas and even wearing tons of jewelry, numerous U.S. visa applicants still got denied. Even well-traveled folks still didn’t get that seemingly elusive U.S. visa. You may have even read or heard testimonies that some American consuls are too strict, don’t listen to your explanations or don’t even bother to check your other credentials and proofs that you can sustain your trip to the USA. I’m sure that those horror stories are the very reasons why you’re either scared or hesitant to apply for a B1/B2 tourist visa. Okay, let me tell you from the get-go: the entire process is VERY SIMPLE, ...
How to pay your Philippine travel taxes online

How to pay your Philippine travel taxes online

America, Announcements, Flights, Hongkong, Internet, Japan, Kyoto, Leisure, Macau, Mindanaoan Update, News, Osaka, Seoul, Society, Taiwan, Technology, Tokyo, Tourism, Travel, United States of America
Here in the Philippines, individuals who leave the country need to pay travel taxes. The Philippine travel tax is actually a levy imposed by the government. Filipino citizens, foreign passport holders and non-immigrant foreign passport holders who have stayed in the country for more than one year are usually required to pay full travel taxes when they go abroad. Currently, the Philippine travel tax rates are Php 1,620 for economy passage and Php 2,700 for first class passage. I'm sure frequent travelers like myself will agree that the queues at the travel tax payment booths can be time consuming. To address this, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) has launched a system for travelers to pay their Philippine travel tax online. Here's how you do it. ...
Manila debut of “American Idiot” : Rowdy Visual Candy #Globe9WTAmericanIdiot

Manila debut of “American Idiot” : Rowdy Visual Candy #Globe9WTAmericanIdiot

America, Arts, Entertainment, Features, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Reviews, Society, Technology
I just spent a few days in crazy busy Manila. I was there to witness first hand the formal announcement of Globe Telecom’s new content partnerships with top global brands Netflix (IKR!!!), Sports Illustrated, Disney, Cartoon Network, Smule, Turner and Astro plus the exciting rise of Globe Studios and Globe Live. Globe Studios aims to produce clips, series and even movies from top directors such as Erik Matti, Paul Soriano, Quark Henares, Dan Villegas, Sigrid Bernardo, Joyce Bernal, and Lav Diaz. I must say, however, that I’m most excited with Globe Live. Globe Live aims to produce, promote and deliver engaging, creative events of international size and quality. Globe will use its wide distribution channels to promote these live events and bring them to the customer wherever he or she...
US Embassy Manila YSEALI Anniversary in Bukidnon #YOUnified

US Embassy Manila YSEALI Anniversary in Bukidnon #YOUnified

Advocacy, America, Bukidnon, Events, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Society, United States of America
If you remember, I wrote about me planning to join the Young South East Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) 2nd anniversary celebration in Bukidnon a few days ago. I mentioned that as a very proud alumnus of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), a US State Department-sponsored professional exchange program for global emerging leaders, I am always more than happy to support events especially those that help shape young leaders. * My super comfortable wide leg pants are from ZIYA (they have several stores across the Philippines - check more details about ZIYA here) Well, that event, which was held last December 12, 2015, was a huge success! I joined some members of the US Government alumni - Bukidnon Chapter, Bukidnon State University student council leaders and severa...
Joining the US Embassy Manila YOUnified celebration

Joining the US Embassy Manila YOUnified celebration

Advocacy, America, Announcements, Bukidnon, Events, Misamis Oriental, United States of America
I'm a proud alumnus of the International Visitor Leadership Program, a U.S. State Department-sponsored program for global emerging leaders. The IVLP is the Department of State's premiere professional exchange program and - I have said this before and will not hesitate to say it again and again - that experience of being sent to America changed my life and inspired me in so many ways. This is why whenever I have the opportunity to inspire others especially the youth and help them become leaders, I really find time. This weekend, I will be a part of the YOUnified Bukidnon celebration! YOUnified is the 2nd anniversary of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI). Bukidnon will be one of the 20 communities across the Philippines that will simultaneously celebrate YSEALI's ann...
Meeting the new US Embassy Manila Counselor for Public Affairs

Meeting the new US Embassy Manila Counselor for Public Affairs

America, Events, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Society, United States of America
A few days ago, I attended a special event in Manila. It was a reception in honor of the new US Embassy Manila Counselor for Public Affairs Carolyn Glassman. The intimate event, which was organized by the Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States of America, Michael S. Klecheski, gathered select embassy friends from various sectors of society including the media. Truly honored to be invited and to meet Miss Glassman :) Note: Mindanaoan is a proud International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) alumnae. The IVLP is the US State Department's premier professional exchange program for the world's emerging leaders. * Photos courtesy of Miss Noemi. Thank you! :) By the way, a few years ago I also met the then Embassy Counselor for Public Affairs in Cebu. It was quite a...
US Embassy Manila donates Gibbons guitar to Liceo de Cagayan

US Embassy Manila donates Gibbons guitar to Liceo de Cagayan

America, Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Music, News, Northern Mindanao, United States of America
A school in Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao recently became the recipient of a very special, limited edition Billy Gibbons guitar. The U.S. Embassy Manila donated a Billy Gibbons electric guitar to Liceo de Cagayan University College of Music. This CDO university was chosen to receive the guitar because of the University’s commitment to serve their music students through scholarship programs. Representing the U.S. Embassy was Cultural Affairs Officer Kristin Kneedler who officially donated the guitar. William Frederick "Billy" Gibbons is an American musician. Billy Gibbons is best known as the guitarist of the rock band ZZ Top. Gibbons was ranked at number 32 on the 2011 Rolling Stone list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.
Excited to be a part of US Ambassador Goldberg’s first ever webchat

Excited to be a part of US Ambassador Goldberg’s first ever webchat

Advocacy, America, Mindanaoan Update, Technology, United States of America
So I just arrived at my office yesterday, still feeling a bit blah because of the really warm weather when a friend who works for the U.S. Embassy Manila invited me to join a really special event tomorrow - the first ever webchat of U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg! Dubbed "Ask The Ambassador Google+ Hangout," Ambassador Goldberg's first ever webchat will be held on August 22, 2014 from 11:00am - 11:30am. Ambassador Goldberg will answer questions about the U.S. Embassy, U.S. foreign policy objectives, or the U.S. government. Do you have anything you want to ask him? Join the event page by clicking the link below: https://plus.google.com/+USEmbassyManila/posts/gbL9Vnaeo9R You can also follow  the event via the hashtag #AskAmbassador or by following U.S. Emb...
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