Are You A World Class DOTA Player? Prove it!

Saturday, January 23, 2016



If you're a full blood DOTA 2 player who trash talks everyone else while playing the game inside the confines of your home or the Computer shop, then there's a place where you can put your trash talk where your mouth is. You see, ESL One is coming to the country and they've partnered with the best people in the industry like SMART, PLDT Home Fibr, TV5 and GAMEX to bring you a one of a kind chance to win $250,000 cold cash. Isn't that amazing?

If you're from Mindanao and nearby provinces, come to the IMBA CDO Mindanao qualifier on January 24, 2016. Winners on this leg will have the chance to go to Manila for the finals on April 23-24 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. You'll be on a world stage after that as the winner would probably represent the country because it is handled by ESL One. This is being done for the first time in Southeast Asia and is dubbed as the first Premium DOTA 2 tournament in the region. Now is the time to prove it if you're the greatest player in the land! Check out Smart's page here for more information.


COW

For more information about their tournament:
SmartCommunications
Smart Communications
Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://smart.com.ph

Rock & Seoul Bibimbap Bar at SM The Block




There's a new restaurant that opened at the Ground Floor of The Block in SM North Edsa. They've made it like a new strip of some sort that would probably cater to the more growing crowd in the area. Management probably had a hand choosing tenants as they've put up some pretty new brands instead of just the veterans they had inside their other malls. That's a step in a new direction. If you've heard of the Relish Group, (the ones who also owns Wee Nam Kee, Osaka Osho and Kumori Japanese Bakery) this is an original restaurant concept they call Rock & Seoul Bibimbap Bar.



The premise is easy. You choose the meat, the veggies that come with it, then the sauce. If you prefer the "easier" way, they've got specially prepared Bibimbap varieties that you would love. Thing is, they're not serving the usual too. It's more of like fusion, like east meets west. Still, it would be in Bibimbap form.



You've got the usual Banchan, with Kimchi, Chicken Salad, Korean Soy Fried Chicken, Cold Pickle/Noodle Salad too. This would be a thing that would go nice with your Bibimbap so instead of eating it all up, I suggest you leave some for later use.

 
They serve everything in a hot plate so they have paper shields reminiscent of other restaurants you may know who have them. As with any Bibimbaps, they have rice in the center, the whole enchalada on the sides, then the special sauce on the table which you can put in generously over your Bibimbap.


I thought this was Bulgogi but no, this is actually Bistek Bibimbap which is part of their Signature Baps. If you don't prefer to build a Bibimbap of your own, you can order these on the menu. They don't hold back on garlic as you can see, so this should be good.


This is my favorite, the Mexican Taco. It's got all the essentials in a usual taco plus corn and carrots on the side. Make sure you put in a generous amount of sauce on the rice while it's hot because this is good, really good that I am saying this is my favorite of all the things they have in the store.


This is what they call American Breakfast. You have the Potato hash, Bacon, Hamburger patty, Egg, Cucumber and Carrots. This should be ordered by people who would want to have something more filling, as it's carbs and protein mainly.


This is the Original Bibimbap. They've got the usual stuff, veggies, got Spinach which I love! 


This is the Korean Fried Chicken Bibimbap. It's got those yummy breaded chicken breast pieces, fried until golden brown, mixed with the usual veggies. You've got the house sauce on the table so make sure you put it on generously, you're basically dousing it so it won't be too hot (since it is on a sizzling plate) and also making it a tad sweeter for doing that. I like this too but if I were to choose between this and the Mexican Taco, I'd go with that.



I've had lots of Bibimbap in different restaurants, some are better than these but if you think about the price, this is way affordable. You can also customize which in my books is something that other restaurants don't offer. You get affordable but quality food, that is something you should really take note of. Go visit them at the ground floor of SM The Block right in front of the SM Hypermarket. They are on the left side, you shouldn't miss it. 3.5/5.




COW

For more information about their restaurant:
rockseoulph
Rock & Seoul
Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://relish-group.com/rockseoul/

DAMA: Danao, Dancel, Dumas at the Music Museum



Music and OPM purists must have been sweating bullets when they hear these three legendary singer-songwriters coming together - to perform in a one night concert this February 19, 2016. It's Johnoy Danao, Ebe Dancel and Bullet Dumas in a show entitled DAMA, as they serenade you with music that encompasses love, intimacy, heartbreak, recovery and everything in between. It'll make you close your eyes, question your existence and get carried away with music that only these three great musicians can only produce.









They are also known as 3D in the circuit and they have been doing tours for the past few years. This time, they're making it even more special by having the Manila String Machine play these beautiful songs with the three masters. It'll be adding an extra sensual dimension with their music as they do it with a full on string quartet and a grand piano, breaking the usual notes that people already love in their music. It'll be very strong and will be very loved by their loyal following. They've also garnered sold out concerts in Singapore and elsewhere so this is much of a treat for you.



For those who don't know, the name Ebe Dancel is synonymous to hits like "Hari Ng Sablay", "Wag Ka Nang Umiyak", and "Tulog Na" to name a few. Whilst Johnoy Danao did "Dapit Hapon", "Ikaw at Ako" and "Aking Mahal" to name a few. Bullet Dumas on the other hand did "Psst...", "Ninuno", and a lot of originals after his stint and noteworthy participation in the Elements National Music Camp a few years ago. Now they're in one show, so if my hunch is right, it'll be something really good to look forward to. This is consequently their first year anniversary, they're bringing out the guns on the show. Expect that.

DAMA is one of many that Vandals on the Wall and Gabi na Naman Productions will do this year. They're spearheading a movement that will enable pure home grown OPM acts to be in the forefront of the music industry. If you wish to get tickets to the show, please contact Miley Habito at 09175480402 today!

Photo Credits: All photos in this article are shot by esteemed photographer and Instagram phenom Rennell Salumbre. Follow him @rennellsalumbre on Instagram or visit his website/portfolio at http://rennellsalumbre.com. 


COW

For more information about the artists:
gabinanamanprod
Gabi Na Naman Productions
Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

https://www.facebook.com/gabinanamanprod/

Surpassed Expectations: Zenfone Zoom and Zenfone Max

Friday, January 22, 2016


Over 28,000,000 people have the Zenfone. If you don't, somethings wrong!

If you've been following me on Instagram and Twitter, you probably have seen that I've been out covering events this weekend in Cebu. It's part of the Sinulog Festival, an occasion where our fellow men from the Queen City of the South pay homage to the child Jesus, the Sto. Nino. Consequently, we were also there to witness the launch of ASUS' two newest phones, the Zenfone Zoom and the Zenfone Max.


The Zenfone Zoom


During the reveal, I was looking forward to the camera features and capabilities of the Zenfone Zoom mainly because it's very compact, plus uses optical zoom rather than just digital. It is after all the thinnest in the world to have 3X optical-zoom and this smartphone performs quite the same as the loaded ASUS Zenfone phones in the past but if it's got that camera, that part is just revolutionary. Imagine how they fit those Hoya lenses inside, of which they've got 10 element lens arrangements. That would mean it'll get you exceptional clarity, close-ups with up to an exceptional 12X magnification, unbelievable I know!


Priced super attractively at Php 26,995, the technology put in on this smartphone is just super worth it. The timeless craftsmanship, the professional photography quality on the camera plus PC grade quality processing fit in the phone, you certainly have one of the most powerful and functional phones in the market. As ASUS Philippines Marketing Manager Jamie Zaldivar puts it, he says “We are thrilled to finally bring the ZenFone Zoom to Filipinos. The ZenFone Zoom revolutionizes smartphone photography in a way that cannot be matched by any other smartphone currently in the market. It puts professional, DSLR quality photography within easier reach – so that Filipinos can all the more enjoy and indulge in the experience of taking photos with their mobile phones.

Here's a video of the reveal in Marriot Hotel in Cebu:



The Zenfone ZOOM hands on:



The phone has an 3,000 mAh battery, is capable of fast charging to almost full in just 39 minutes. It's got 2MB CPU, 4GB RAM, 128GB ROM, Full HD resolution, LTE capable, better audio quality, 5MP front cam, 13MP Optical Zoom and only weighs 115 grams. There's no real straight competition on digital and optical but most photographers like me actually prefer optics as it looks better, feels real too. I've been using HOYA filters and lenses since I started photography and you can ask fellow photographers about how great they are in what they do. They even showed us video stabilization, unbelievable because PR Head Eason De Guzman of ASUS even rode a segue to prove it. The 5.5 inch 1920x1080 Full HD IPS display would be something that would perfectly fit the palm of your hand while giving you the view you want in the entertainment department, movies of any resolution would be a cinch to watch.  Now if that isn't enough reason for you to consider ASUS as your next new phone, I'll tell you about Zenfone Max.

The Zenfone MAX



Before we went to Cebu we were tasked to wait for a "Secret Phone" delivered right to our doorstep. Thursday came and the delivery guy handed over this new Zenfone MAX. I knew it was going to be special because they didn't tell us at first. Judging from the literature, this is their most power efficient cellphone yet as it packs a super grand 5,000 mAh battery. I charged it full when I got it and used it legibly for the trip, taking photos of the whole transit from Manila to Cebu, the activities in the hotel, the streets of Cebu, the lechon, the dried mangoes, the lechon, the otap, the lechon, the buffet, the lechon, the parade of stars, and the lechon. Aside from that, we also got to check out the Zenfone MAX and Zenfone Zoom's capabilities during the mass (inside the minor basilica) and outside Magellan's cross. It was a whole new way to see how faith, communing, friends and family become important things in celebrating this festival. It's not just the practice of religion, but the way we show devotion, our faith, as it get immortalized in photos and videos on this trip.




I got to travel with it and use social media the usual way, the first day went fast and believe it or not, it didn't even get to be at 90% at the end of the day. I decided not to charge it leaving Manila and used the phone again the next day. Now I thought I was going to have to charge it on the third day, but it didn't even reach 50%. Crazy? I know. On the 4th day, the phone was actually still alive and if you think about it, a full charge lasting that long? That's impossible in iPhones. But now, I've seen it happen with the Zenfone MAX in real life. If you have been slaved by that Power Bank you always carry around that weighs a kilogram (if you're like me who carries 4 in my backpack) then you know this is the right phone for you. 

Oh and before I forget, you can actually purchase an OTG cable in online shops (costs less than Php 300) and use the Zenfone MAX as your Power Bank. No joke, you can use it to power your other phones when you need it most. That's the most convenient thing I've ever heard during this week when we were in Cebu. I don't have to go to the hotel anymore and charge my other phones. I'm considering making this a permanent arrangement and clad myself with a full ASUS Zenfone lineup very soon and find blogging apps so I can do work while on the go.

 You can extend the storage, you've got a great camera in a handset that sits on your hand firmly plus it gives you UNBELIEVABLE battery life in a 5.5 inch display. It also costs a mere Php 8,495. You get a premium nicely phone at a very affordable price. It's one of the handsets I've seen so far that not only lived to expectations, but have surpassed it. You all know I'm an iPhone fanatic, but because they've been able to conveniently make me use Android quite easily with their UI, plus handy pre-installed community apps like ZenCircle so you can maximize the use of your hardware and be informed with people that have the same phone too.

That's a lot of good news for the week. Make sure you check out ASUS Zenfone ZOOM and Zenfone MAX in stores this week (SM Cyberzone, Lazada etc.) as they will be available very soon! As for me, I'm a very happy Zenfone 2 Laser and Zenfone MAX owner. Your turn.


COW

For more information about their phones:
ASUS Philippines
ASUS Philippines
Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://www.asus.com/ph/