Why My "Gabii sa Kabilin" was Just Like The Hunger Games

Two media passes for me. Free pass for the kiddos below 7 years old. The family's basically joining the Gabii sa Kabilin for FREE.

The Gabii sa Kabilin is Cebuano for Night of Heritage, and patterned after the long night of museums in Germany and other European countries. It is spearheaded by Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) and its partners in celebration of both National Heritage Month and International Museums Day. This year, in its sixth run, it was set on May 25, 2012 at 6 p.m. to 12 midnight.. The event features museums, schools, churches, public places, and other sites of historical and cultural significance

In my head, it's going to be an awesome night for our little family. We were to tour around the heritage sites and take dozens of pictures of the places and people all throughout the event. We were to enjoy riding the buses and the designated horse-drawn tartanilyas around the vicinity. All while enjoying a night of walking and eating. 

Little did I know that what was set for us was a different route - a route which gives us a different perspective of the Gabii sa Kabilin. You see, we also joined the QR Code Hunt organized by SMART, RAFI, and MyCebu.ph. 

QR Code Hunt was to be simultaneously held with the Gabii sa Kabilin event where participants are said to hunt for QR (quick response) codes throughout the vicinity of the heritage sites. That was what I know I signed up for so I got ready. I teamed up with the husband and of course, tagged the kiddo along. I know would add a bit of QR Code hunting. I had crackers, flashlights, 3 QR Code scanners on my iPhone, a pocket wifi with credits ready, extra shirts, water bottle. Our family practically ready to hunt!

We learned the full mechanics on the day of the event. We were stripped off everything we carried and we were only given a SMART-powered Samsung Galaxy Y and Php300 for fare. We had a team marshall carrying emergency materials and water for us. 

Right then and there, we were astounded by the rules and knew at that moment, what we imagined to be just a little strolling along the streets of Cebu morphed into a scene of The Hunger Games.  Starring me as Katniss Everdeen and my husband as Peeta Mellark. Lay off haters. ;)

Now, it may not be to your taste but I can't help but compare it to the Hunger Games and here's why:

1. The Food was as lavish. Buffet before and after the games.

Food. Food. Food. We had a feast before setting off for the hunt. A buffet at Hannah's Party Place awaited us. It was basically similar to when Katniss and Peeta were given the most extravagant treatment at the Capitol.

During these sessions, we were able to meet the other "tributes" or teams that were formed. We joined the table with the other Cebu bloggers as we awaited the go signal to start the hunt. It was tense when we learned that there were 15 other groups who were vying for Nokia Lumias. At this point, me and my husband learned what we were up against - younger and more active tributes who did not have the disadvantage of bringing a kid in the race. In our case, we did not have a choice. We always do things as a family. We decided hereon to just enjoy the race.

Speaking of food, the tributes were also given a feast after the event. Who wouldn't get so hungry after cruising the whole of Cebu with just Php300, huh?

2. The Tributes are as vicious. They pursue the quest regardless of the obstacles.

The event officially started and every single team rushed through the 11 pitstops designated. At the pitstops, there's a designated pitstop master who will sign your form, check your uploaded photo, ask you to answer a question, give you a letter to form a word at the end of the race.

It was a great challenge for us since we do not know Cebu. We are from Iligan and just migrated to Mactan 5 years ago. Not an inch familiar with the place at all. We were just glad we had a team marshal who knew where to go.

Riding jeepney with other tributes

Scanning the QR Code to get idea of the next pitstop

At the end of Pitstop 6, we dropped out the hunt because we got discouraged with the Pitstop 5 girl forgetting to give us the letter for us.

3. The QR Code Hunt is as challenging as the Hunger Games!

It was really, really challenging. There were tasks at each pitstop. Some tasks we were able to perform:

• Catching 8 balls in a cup
• Offering flowers at Chu-un Temple
• Guessing the Arabic numerals of the capitol and reciting the text
• Finding a painting and reciting name of the artist
• Finding name of the Museo Sugbo creator and the year it was created
• Weaving a puso

We stopped at that point since the traveling is making us weary and it is NOT easy bringing a kid to hunt. If we only knew right? :) But still, it was uber fun!

We set back to the last pitstop which was Casa Gorordo and on the way, we saw what the other people were into. There were shows and people in costume and goods being sold along the way. It was super fun! Here's the pic of the sweaty kiddo from the race with a group of girls in costume.

4. The Media is as unforgiving. Or that's how I pretend it to be.

I kid. There was no media except for those along the streets, before the event, and after the event. I mean why would they race with us right? 

We were just glad we were able to take a few pics with the DSLR we brought with us. It was the only other gadget we were allowed to bring aside from the SMART give Samsung phone.

The bonus is that I got to meet a long time friend and elementary classmate who I haven't seen for years! She's Iris Mae Echaves volunteering for RAFI.

A pose of the boys at the RAFI logo.

Some suggestions for improvement:

• Place QR Code at a higher portion. Putting them at the bottom of the tarp does not make sense.
• Fully illuminated QR codes. We can't scan since there were no lights.
• Assistants for the Pitstop Masters. One forgot to give us the letter and it was VERY frustrating.
• Labels on which PUJ to take from one place - 01K, 21A, etc. I am not from around and I had no idea where to go.
• Water. Water. Water. Please put water at pitstops.

Still, we hope to join the next Gabii sa Kabiliin. And probably not as tributes the next time. 

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This is an official entry to the 2012 Gabii sa Kabilin Blogging Contest.

H Cafe at Harold's Hotel Review and Recommendations

What's in a name? 

If you are into Shakespeare, that phrase would summon images of Romeo and Juliet. That which we call a rose. By any other name would smell as sweet.

Most of time, I forget names. Maybe it's because I am getting old. Maybe it's because I just need to be reminded. But, what I remember though are moments. 

I organized an SEO Workshop and met Ms. Rei Ninal, wife of Insoy Ninal from Missing Filemon. When she contacted me to help organize and contact bloggers for a lunch gathering at Harold Hotel's H Cafe, I had  a hint of recognition. Humiliation is what I felt when I texted her the first time. That's when I realized I forgot how to spell her name. Rei, not Ray.

After a few back and forth of text and emails, the blogger lunch gathering day finally came and I was pleased with what I saw, heard, and experienced at H Cafe. Plus, some tidbits of lessons learned in handling a hotel by the General Manager himself.

The decors above the buffet table. They actually look familiar.

Covered dishes.

Desserts.

Sushi counter.

More desserts.

The setting.

The cute lecon that I never really got to taste since I was so full.

The Remarkable(s) and Recommendable(s)

The very dedicated General Manager who relayed his challenged and determination to make a name for the hotel in the 3-star hotel category. Harold's Hotel is a Premiere Business Hotel after all.

It's on the road to become the BEST crispy pata in town. Why? It melts in your mouth. It's sarap to the bones. It doesn't have an after taste. I wanna taste this again!

Chocolate cake from tablea. Talk about pure chocolate!

H Cafe

"H Cafe serves international cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Its glass-paneled windows provide a sunny, bright atmosphere during the day and lights up the evening with its colorful display of city lights. Open daily from 6:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M."

Prices

• Breakfast buffet at Php 250 net
• Weekend Buffet at Php 450 net
• Lunc and Dinner Set Menu at Php 199 net

Restaurant Details

H Cafe at Harold's Hotel

Gorordo Avenue corner Rosal St., Lahug
Cebu City, Philippines 6000
Tel.: 63.32.505.7777 Fax.: 63.32.505.9888

Website: http://www.haroldshotel.com/

Homeschoolers: FREE PEPT (Phil Educational Placement Test) from DepEd

Just received this note on from the Pinoy Homeschooling newsletter:

Hello all!

Just found out that DepEd will be giving FREE PEPT (Phil Educational Placement Test) this June 12. In case you are wondering, the PEPT is given to "out-of-school youths for an opportunity to go back to formal education". The PEPT this June will be free as part of the Independence Day celebration. The tests results will determine the grade or year level appropriate for the test taker.

Details:
1. The exam will cover English, Math, Science, Filipino and HEKASI/Araling Panlipunan
2. Registration will be at DepEd division offices nationwide (my son registered at Paranaque Central School) 
3. Registration will be until TOMORROW only - May 25, 2012.
4. Requirements: xeroxed copy of Form 137/138, xeroxed copy of birth certificate, 2 1x1 pictures. Just bring the original documents in case they want to verify.
5. The registrant has to go to the division office personally to register. Had to go back twice because my son wasn't with me the first time.

If you have some questions about the PEPT this June, you can call DepEd at 6321361-71 or check out their website for info about the division office in your area. 

Happy homeschooling to all! 

Lea

Maya Mexican Restaurant at Crossroads Banilad, Cebu

I was already late for the mentors and organizers gathering for Startup Weekend Cebu at Maya Mexican Restaurant but I was able to let the taxi driver just drop me off and proceed with bringing my boys to UP Cebu. That taxi driver was very patient. I thanked that odds for having a driver like that. Taxi drivers are not always like that here in Cebu.

Found myself standing there across Crossroads Banilad. But I still have a quest to undertake: How to cross the road. The rushing cars, the never ending stream of metal zooming past me made me cringe at the thought of trying to cross.

Breathed in and breathed out. I can do this. I can cross the road on my own. I trained my eye and made mental calculations of how fast that incoming car is running and how fast I can manage to dash through the maze of crisscrossing bugs.

And then suddenly, I was there. I was across the road. Breathed a sigh of relief. I managed to cross the road unscathed. It was not an easy feat.

I made my brisk walk along the line of establishments at Crossroads.

Look for the one with Mayan symbols and skulls. 

I could remember Dave Overton mention that mark. Found it at the corner of a block of establishments. I was greeted by a huge, no, giant door. There was this guard waiting outside. I was disappointed that he didn't have  a Mayan costume.

Maam?

He asked and I understood he meant if I was an invited guest, a customer, or just a stranger lost in the city.

Startup Weekend?

That's what I said and I was ushered beyond the giant door. It feels like I was about to meet a boss in dungeon (for all you RPG players) and yes, I was disappointed that there was no armed Mayan god.

But the smell, oh the sweet smell of the restaurant. It was like telling you to find your spot and settle in. And that's what I did.

I saw tables and tables of mentors, venture capitalists, sponsors and organizers of the first Startup Weekend in Cebu.

We ate. They drank. 'They' because I don't drink even for socializing purposes. And here are some photos of the food we ate. This is all that I was able to take photos off because I was engrossed in being with real people. Too bad they're not Mayans and I would have inquired on the impending 2012 doom.

Restaurant Details

Maya Restaurant 

Crossroads, Banilad Cebu City Philippines 6000 

+63.32.238.9552 

maya@theabacagroup.com

Website: http://www.theabacagroup.com/restaurants/maya-cebu/

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The Royal House Travel Inn and Suites at Davao - Rates, Reviews, and Pics

This place is an OK place. In a scale of 10, I'd give it a 6/10. It's basically near a road where almost every single jeepney route of Davao passes by. And as a first time visitor in Davao, that is EXACTLY what you need. Accessible jeepneys, comfortable place to stay in, helpful staff - that is all. The Davao experience is one thing you have to complete on your own.

The Royale House Travel Inn & Suites is the place you will want to book when visiting Davao. It's very much affordable. 

Basic Information

• Website: http://www.theroyalehouse.com/
• Address: C.M. Recto Street, Davao City 8000, Philippines 
• Tel: (082) 227 3630 Fax: (082) 221 8106 
• Smart: 0999 888 3630; Globe: 0917 700 3630; Sun: 0922 806 3630
• E-mail: theroyalehouse@gmail.com

Room Types and Rates

Rooms Regular Rates Discounted Rates

Deluxe Single P1300 P1040

Deluxe Double P1400 P1120

Deluxe Twin (2 beds) P1500 P1200

Deluxe Triple P1800 P1440

During Our Stay

We were able to stay at The Royal House Travel Inn and Suites at C.M. Recto in Davao when I joined the Generation Change Program from the U.S. Embassy.

Their receiving area. That one is a section of the front desk and the officer in charge's desk.

Front desk with very helpful officers

During our visit, we chose to book a Deluxe Double Room. Here's what we got for Php1,650.

The bed

Shower area. It has a glass/metal enclosure thingy. Not a shower curtain unlike other accommodations.

Apologies for the blurry pic but that's their LCD TV with Digibox.

No wifi in the room though but you have lots of outlets to use if you have lots of gadgets that need charging.

Paintings in the room.

Some comments: The rooms COULD be a lot cleaner. We received a pillow that had Vicks Vaporub on it. It just means it wasn't cleaned properly right? Also, the sheets made me toss and turn since it was so itchy.