Tsunami prank caused public scare in Cebu

When an earthquake with 6.9 magnitude hit Cebu around 11:49 a.m. today, I wasn't shaken. 

In fact, I managed to post "Earthquake!!!" in my Facebook and Twitter accounts while the rest of my colleagues are already under their tables.

The earthquake only rocked our building for less than a minute. Everyone was told to leave right after the floor stopped shaking. 

Upon reaching the safe ground, I immediately called my mom at home, where she and my one-year-old son were left alone. I wanted to check if she and Lance felt the earthquake, too. 

"O uy! (Oh yes!)" she confirmed, "Kusog kaayo ang uyog sa balay pero okay ra mi  (The earthquake shook the house hard but we're okay)." 

She added that Lance didn't even cry. To be honest, I was less worried knowing that my mom hurdled many earthquakes in her lifetime.The worst was in 1990 at 7.8 magnitude. For sure, she knows what to do.

New Year at the Moevenpick (Part 1)

Being a journalist has its perks. 

You can get up close and personal with your favorite celebrities, receive free concert and movie passes, go on several junkets, and enjoy expense-free stay at plush hotels.

At the close of 2011, I felt happier being a journalist. For the first time, I was invited to welcome and celebrate the New Year's Eve at the upscale Moevenpick Resort and Spa Cebu in Mactan together with my whole family!

Follies de Mwah

Formerly known as Cebu Hilton, the hotel now carries a distinct Swiss hospitality brand under the Moevenpick Hotels and Resorts Management Group.

To boldly mark its first New Year in the Philippines under a new management, the hotel threw a night of Vegas-style musicale with the internationally-acclaimed theater performance group Follies de Mwah of the famous Club Mwah in Manila to entertain and delight guests, friends, families, and some members of the media who chose to welcome 2012 with them.

The Witty Host
Jude Bacalso, Cebu's famous multi-media personality.

Spotted
Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama and former city councilor Joy Pesquera are among the event's distinguished guests.

Pompous and glittering props and costumes conquered the stage along with the funny musical acts of gay performers.

My family, however, was more amazed with the sumptuous dinner feast we had before the show.

Dinner Buffet

Meat Lovers Station
Cebu's Lechon, Ham, and Roasted Beef.

Salad Station

French Macaron Tower

Concluding the show was a countdown to 2012, which was welcomed by a 30-minute fireworks display at the resort's beach front.

Chef Terry Styles
The down-to-earth international chef who prepared the sumptuous dinner buffet. 

Lance, who fell asleep at the middle of the show, woke up at the stroke of midnight. He was still and quiet while watching the fireworks on my lap. Though not saying a word, my little boy kept on looking at the sky until the last shot of spectacle.

The Buenaviaje Brothers
Flanking me are Pareng Edd and Andrew.

It was a posh New Year celebration with dear friends and valued family. What else can I ask for.

Friends and Media Colleagues
Me, Niza, Jude, Adrian, Norman, Richard, Orly, Joy, and Mike.

Thanks to my editors Mimi and Niza for giving me the assignment and to Moevenpick for accommodating my whole family.


*Photos courtesy of Mike Acebedo Lopez, marketing communications director of Moevenpick Resort and Spa Cebu.

Happy Thought:

New Year. It's more fun in the Philippines! :p

Crossroads

The day after I threw myself a challenge to blog everyday, our publisher advised me to again beef up my writing portfolio of hardcore news.

Well, I was asking her if I can do a part-time copy editing job for the editorial team but was instead offered to do in-depth news features for the paper.

It made me think. It made me ponder.

Is this destiny calling me to go back to what I do best?

I am now trying to recall why I left the news team five years ago. What I can remember so far is that I had a great time.

CDN 2006
My last  group photo with the editorial team.

For now, I only have one sure thing to beef up--- my blog! Ü

Happy Thought:

Journalists are only as good as their last story.