Dolefil's "Light a Tree, Light a Life" truly worthwhile project!

Dole's VP and Managing Director Mr. Simon Denye 

My first time to experience Dolefil's Light a Tree, Light a Life project, I was so excited since I've been hearing about it for years and haven't really experienced the lighting of their trees, much less seen one live. I know you start to wonder, living in Polomolok, how come this is my first time? 

The Light a Tree project of Dolefil is an inter-division contest wherein employees decorate their Christmas trees (Norfolk Pine trees to be precise) inside the company premises - in the pedestrian walkway. So you see, its only for the eyes of the employees. I have to be really convincing so the guard will let me in and take a peek which during the past years, I never get to do. :)

But this project is not only limited to the enjoyment of Dolefil's employees so to speak. It is a very worthwhile endeavor wherein each division has an identified charity. Dolefil will then give a generous donation to the charity of the winning tree/division.  

So having said that, you could just imagine the effort put by each division in their trees... like this one for example. They even have a mini-conveyor run by a thin Santa. Maybe if Santa lost his reindeers and opted for this bicycle, he wouldn't be bothered with a big round belly! 

For this tree, they used recycled materials like scrap pouches (you know, the tetra pack ones they use for packaging  fruits and juices? yep.. thats the one below ) as their poinsettias. 

this one even used drums as base for their snow men..

Another division were very creative in using used straws for lanterns and tree ornament...

And who would even think that the IT division had thought of using old mouse as ladbugs on their way to their Christmas tree like below...

And I just have to show off this tree, my personal favorite.. 

this division had a small mini-Dole plantation around their tree...

So to recap, it was a very nice experience having seen these trees. A rather nice and exciting evening  for all the Sox Bloggers in attendance, thanks to our gracious host, Dole Phils., to Ms. Gwyn Ebol and of course to the Bariles who never fails to give us an exciting event to look forward to. :)

Have an exciting Christmas! May you find the proper venue in sharing your blessings to our less fortunate brothers and sisters in the example of this Light a Tree Project. Christmas after all, is a season not only for tinsels and lights and decorations.. but it is the season for giving! 

South Cotabato Tambayan is Our Choice for the Philippine Blog Awards Blogger's Choice

We vote for SOUTH COTABATO TAMBAYAN for this year's 2011 Philippine Blog Awards Bloggers'Choice.

Mr. OSG and the Pinay Travelogue both believe that SOUTH COTABATO TAMBAYAN deserves to win simply for his selfless dedication in promoting the province of South Cotabato to the world. He helps uplift the image of the province giving people a positive insight of life in South Cotabato other than what the mainstream media often tells the world - only negative news. For us, we admire his advocacy as he continues to make people like us who also hail from South Cotabato (Polomolok to be exact) proud to live in this province. Keep up the good work an hats off to you Nanardz!

Philippine Blog Awards for Mindanao Nominations

I have only been blogging for more than a year now. At first, I never even imagined that anyone would be interested in visiting let alone read any of my blogs. I remember being hooked in this hobby because of my love for writing. I am not a lady who can say is good with expressing how she feels verbally. I have always had a strong love affair with the written word. I really don't know why but I can express myself well by writing (well.. typing mostly since nowadays we don't use pen and paper :). Sometimes I get absorbed with the ideas in my head, its frustrating that my hands can't type as fast as the ideas come.

But blogging for me is an outlet (visit my other blog: mommyjournals for more of my raves and rants about anything under the sun). The Pinay Travelogue is also a showcase of a few of Mr. OSG's prized photographs. That is one of the main objectives of this blog. And also to document and to showcase pictures of places we've ever been to, most especially those places here in Mindanao that are screaming for people to blog about. But in the course of updating this blog, you will find most of the photographs here are mine since Mr. OSG is really busy with this own hobby that at times, it gets hard threatening him to take photos of places we visit. hehe. So excuse some of my pictures here. :)

But not once did I imagine that people- well strangers to me that is, will really start reading our blog. It makes me happy to note that people who come visit our blog are mostly people I don't know personally. Well, of course at first the only ones I expected to visit are my relatives, friends and people who are acquainted to us as a couple. 

So from the bottom of my heart, I wish to thank all of you my dear readers who came and who have read and stopped by to visit our blog. Because of you, we got nominated in the prestigious Philippine Blog Awards for Mindanao - Travel/Destination blog category. 

from Gensantos.com 

Yeah we haven't won yet, just included in the nominations but it is an honor to be ranked among Mindanao's creme de la creme of experienced travel bloggers. Thanks for believing in us, and for giving me inspiration and motivation that I have to come up with more blog posts amidst our hectic scheds. Thank you readers for coming to this journey with us.  

Sarangani Highlands Garden and Restaurant... A Cut Above the Rest

   

Tucked in a quiet hilltop overlooking the bountiful Sarangani Bay is a picturesque garden and restaurant which is slowly becoming one of the top tourist areas in General Santos City. 

Sarangani Highlands Garden and Restaurant sits atop a hill with an excellent view of the bay, downtown Gensan and a commanding view of Mt. Matutum and Mt. Parker especially when the skies are clear. 

Sarangani Highlands boasts of beautifully manicured gardens with bonsai trees dotting the property. Every corner here is a perfect spot for a picture. 

They have tent covered spaces perfect for wedding venues. They can even set up romantic dinners for two in any corner of the garden you wish in case you want to impress a date. For us though,  every time we have visitors/tourists, we never fail to take them here for lunch or dinner. The place is not only a feast for the eyes but serves one of the meanest gastronomic feasts in Gensan.

And if you think this is everything, take a peek at their restrooms below which is calling out for me to photograph. 

But Sarangani Highlands is not just about the beautiful garden and food, they now offer bed and breakfast accommodations for visitors in Gensan. You now have a choice from a number of their standard rooms or deluxe rooms. (or choose the room according to your favorite flower!) 

Their standard rooms are perfect for big families or groups since they offer 7 individual beds with 2 toilet and bath, fully airconditioned with TV sets. The deluxe rooms have its own mini bar, toilet and bath, hot and cold shower and TV. Rates for the standard rooms is at P1900 nett, Deluxe single P1500 and deluxe double P1800. They also offer free airport transer and free wifi access. 

For more information, you can get in touch with them through these numbers: 083-3040752; 0922-8590043 or visit them at Purok Wal, Tambler, General Santos City.

Ikea Fever Singapore!

My first time to  be at the Ikea store was a over a year ago, over at the Tampines branch. It was just a quick stop since we were so pressed for time, I didn't really have time to really look around. But during this visit, my cousin was kind enough to take me, my mom and my sister at Ikea Alexandra branch. As usual, a shopping trip gives me the exhilarating high. So I was pretty much excited the moment I stepped inside the Ikea showroom.

Ikea is a unique experience for me since it gives shoppers the opportunity to thoroughly go through each of their products in their showroom. They provide the shopper with copies of their latest catalogue which I must  stress are only allowed to be used inside the store (meaning, I might get reprimanded since I took mine home :).

Pencils, tape measures and shopping lists are also provided upon entering the Ikea store. Hmmm.. they sure know how a shopper's mind works. :) Then big yellow bags and trolleys are likewise provided once you are ready to splurge on the items you like to purchase.

Once inside the showroom, i had a minor migraine from turning my head from left to right at the number of products that I thought would look good inside my house. :) Galigas! I can spend an entire day here at their showroom! There are moments when I felt like I had the products from an entire bedroom showcase in my trolley. Only predicament that I had was how to take home my stash! --not to mention how to convince myself that I really needed them..hehe.

After hours of walking around and around the showroom, it was nice to be able to have lunch at the Ikea Restaurant. It was conveniently located inside the store, and they have such yummy fares like the pasta with tomato sauce and the chicken leg in teriyaki sauce. The dessert of Swedish apple cake was a fitting end to our gastronomic break before we continue with our shopping.

After touring the showrooms and getting the products we like and paying for them, I had to note that what's nice about the things they sell is that they come in flat packs, easy enough to take home even if your home is as far away as Timbuktu. :) Then you can just assemble the items in your homes and voila! --probably the reason I had to pay a few pesos for my excess baggage at the airport.

Ikea Singapore is located at 317 Alexandra Rd, Singapore. Store hours are from 10AM - 10PM daily.

Other photos featured here are from the Ikea website.