Kota Kinabalu Day 1

+Celine, Mama +Chelle, +Wayne,  Mitch, +Svetlana and I went to Kota Kinabalu last November 16-18 to help GDG Kota Kinabalu in their first GDG DevFest.

All of us, except Mama Chelle who went to KK earlier, arrived in Kota Kinabalu International Airport around one in the morning. +Lorna picked us up in the airport and brought us to King Park Hotel where we stayed for the night.

We wake up early in the morning and had breakfast in King Park Cafe. The venue for the DevFest, Wisma Bandaraya, is just two blocks away (around five minutes walk) from the hotel. We met some of the organizers there. I found out about the Ingress Sabah. They have a great cross-faction relationships there. I also got updates about the Shard in KK.

The event started with a speech from the Sabah State Minister of Resource & IT Development and the keynote by Sebastian. Mitch is the first from us to talk. Her topic is about Mobile Trends. After her talk, Mitch, Svet, Loretta and I walked to the nearby mall (Centre Point Sabah) to exchange our money to Ringgit. I also need to buy an adapter and a local sim for mobile data. I bought a Digi sim and loaded some credits to it. The cost for the unli data was a bit expensive than in the Philippines but I think it was worth it.

We went back and Celine's talk about Google Apps for Education is already finished. I sat inside for +Marc Tan's  Google ADK/Arduino talk. It was the last talk before lunch. In the afternoon, there were two breakout sessions: App Engine on PHP (by Lorna) and Chrome Extensions. I discussed the basics of Chrome Apps and Extensions development. Below is the presentation I used in my talk.

After that, +Loretta talked about HTML5 Game Development. Lorna then had the closing speech after a few short talks about GSA and Ingress Sabah. Over-all, the event and the food were great!

Mama Chelle, Wayne, Mitch, Svet, Marcus, Loretta, Marc, Celine and I had dinner at Welcome Seafood Restaurant. We enjoyed the different seafood dishes. Because some of us needed to buy shorts and slippers and other things, we went to Centre Point Sabah. We then went to Pasar Malam Sinsuran to buy keychains and other stuff. Afterwards, we had cakes at Secret Recipe before going back to the hotel to rest.

Bicol Youth for Technology Exposure 2013

+Celine , +Wayne, +Vince, Miss +Aileen, +Jerome  and I were invited to be the speakers for the Bicol Youth for Technology Exposure (BYTE) 2013.Organized by Ateneo de Naga ICTC (Information and Communications Technology Center), it aims to bring together high school and college students, teachers, and technologists to help enthusiasts demystify emerging technological trends. BYTE 2013 was held last October 19, 2013 at Capitol Convention Center, Pili, Camarines Sur and was attended by more than 900 participants.

The program opened with the National Anthem and a prayer. The Dean of Ateneo de Naga and Miss Aileen gave keynote speeches. The first talk was about Google Search Tips and Tricks by Celine. After that, the talks were Overview of Google Apps for Education (Aileen), Gmail, Contacts, Tasks, and Calendar (Celine) and Google+ (Aileen). After the Google+ talk, we had lunch at Camarines Sur Watersports Complex. The food for the attendees were not delivered on time though.

Miss Aileen during one of her talks

Celine during one of her talks

Jerome, who arrived late because his flight was rerouted to Legazpi City, started the afternoon session with his talk about Google Drive, Google Docs, Spreadsheets and Forms. Celine followed and talked about Google Sites. Afterwards, I talked about the basics of Android.

Jerome talking about Google Drive, Google Docs, Spreadsheets and Forms

Me talking about Android(Photo taken by Celine)

Here is the slides I used in my presentation.

After my talk, Wayne discussed Google Maps, Google Maps API and Google Map Maker. The last talk was Vince's Google Communities. During his talk, there was even a power failure. He showed the Google communities like GDG Philippines, Google Student Ambassadors, Google Business Groups and the new Google Educators Group.

Wayne talking about Google Maps, Google Maps API and Google Map Maker

Vince talking about the Google Communities

After Vince's talk, we had a panel Q&A where we answered various questions from the attendees.

Cagayan de Oro Quick Tour

Celine and I went to Cagayan de Oro (CDO) City last July 27 to 28 to join the 6th Monthsary Meetup of GDG CDO. It was our first time in CDO so we're really looking forward to this weekend. We arrived in Laguindingan International Airport (LIA) at 08:20 in the morning (the ETA). Paul Labis, our former officemate from O&B who is now home-based in CDO, picked us up at the airport. It was a long way to the city proper. Paul suggested we go to the Divine Mercy Archdiocesan Shrine. Celine and I walked the stairs and have read about the dancing sun and other miracles. It started to rain so we got back to the car and continued our travel.

Photo from Celine's Foursquare Account

Based from Paul's recommendation, we had late breakfast at Panagatan Seafoods Restaurant for a late breakfast. It was a restaurant by the sea side and the view is quite good. Our order include seafood noodles, baked scallops, calamares and fresh buko juice. We were so full that it also served as our lunch.

Photo from Celine's Foursquare Account

After eating, we went to Tunes Hotel but apparently only a floor has been opened yet so there are no more rooms available. The receptionists there were so kind they helped us book a room in Mallberry Suites Business Hotel. We took a cab to the hotel but it took us more than sixty minutes to get the room (because the previous occupant just checked out and the hotel staff still need to clean it)

After dropping our stuff, we walked to Mindanao University of Science and Technology for the GDG CDO meetup. This event is to celebrate their sixth month and their inclusion in the Google Developers Group directory as an active chapter. It was a full house event and it was good to be a part of it. Romar Mayer Micabalo of Caelum Techlogic talked about the Yii Framework, Celine talked about Google Apps for Education, I talked about Android Design and Josan discussed HTML5.

After the event, we joined Josan and the CDO IT Group in their planning about the upcoming GDG DevFest in CDO, which will be the first GDG DevFest in Mindanao. Josan, Paul, Celine and I then went to Thai Me Up for dinner. We also we went to Vjandep Bakeshop to buy pastel before going back. The next day, we woke up early for our flight back to Manila.

Our dinner at Thai Me Up (Photo from Celine's Foursquare Account)

Cebu Weekend

Last weekend (June 15-16), Celine and I went to Cebu for another USJR Google Apps Training. On Friday night, we had dinner at Tokyo Tokyo Greenbelt 1 and had difficulty hailing a cab. We still arrived in NAIA but found out our flight will be delayed by around an hour. We arrived in Cebu around one in the morning and went straight to The Center Suites to sleep.

On the morning of June 15, Lora picked us up at the hotel and we went to USJR. The attendees of the training were both teaching and non-teaching staff.

The trainees

After the training, we had dinner at Koa Tree House (cheese sticks and fries) and La Bella Napoli (pesto and Diabola pizza).

After dinner, we went back to the hotel, watched a few TV shows then slept early. The next day, we went to the airport at around four in the morning and had breakfast (pork steamed rice) at Tsim Sha Tsui Dimsum & Tea Bar.

Ozamiz Weekend

Celine and I went to Ozamiz last May 24-26 for a two-day Google Apps training for La Salle University Ozamiz. There were only a single flight to Ozamiz so we had to go early morning of May 24. The Ozamiz Airport was a bit small and the claiming of baggages is manual. We went straight to the campus after seeing Miss Leslyn from LSU.

The first day of training was for the faculty. At lunch time, we went to Royal Garden Hotel to check-in and eat at Hukad Sa Golden Cowrie. Our lunch was Baked Scallops, Bicol Express, and Tuna Sticks. Afterwards, we went back to LSU for the continuation of the training.

After the afternoon session, we went back to the hotel to have a few minutes rest. We visited the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral and had early dinner at the nearby Mooon Cafe. I ordered Spaghetti ala Gambas while Celine had Quesedilla Vera Cruz. We then went to Shoppers Plaza Ozamiz City, a grocery to buy water before going back to the hotel. At the hotel, we had Red Velvet and Sinful Chocolate cake slices at The Coffee Lounge. After that, we slept early. At around eight in the evening, most of the stores are already closed so it's dark outside.

Our dinner at Mooon Cafe

The next day, we had breakfast in Jollibee then went to the LSU campus for the second day of the training, which is for non-teaching staff. For lunch, Miss Leslyn and Sir Harold treated us in Big J Grill House. Jerome also arrived in the afternoon.

Our lunch at Big J Grill House: Grilled Fish and Chicken

After the second day of training, we went back to the hotel for a quick rest before dinner. The two-day training was a great training experience for Celine. She even say that it has been her best training (yet). We waited for Miss Leslyn and Sir Harold and we had dinner at Hukad Sa Golden Cowrie. We had so many food for dinner! After dinner, we ordered cakes at the Cofee Lounge: Rainbow Cake, Red Velvet Cake, Sinful Chocolate, Black Forest, Ube Cake.

Our dinner

Counterclokwise: Rainbow Cake, Red Velvet Cake, Ube Cake, Black Forest, Sinful Chocolate

The next day, the LSU service picked us up at the hotel. We went to Jollibee to take out breakfast and then went straight to the airport. The checking of baggages is being done manually so there is a long queue of people. Cebu Pacific checkin counter is also in the other building on the right. The next security check before going to the boarding room is also manual. There, we ate our breakfast while waiting for the plane.

Ozamiz is a small city and yet we weren't able to tour most of it. I'm hoping we can be back there to visit those places soon.

Cebu Weekend

Celine and I went back to Cebu last weekend (April 19-21). We left Makati in the evening of April 19 and it was so hard to hail a taxi to the airport. The traffic was also heavy but we did arrive to NAIA Terminal 3 in time. We arrived in Mactan-Cebu International Airport at around ten in the evening and then met with Jerome for coffee before going to The Center Suites.

The morning after, we had breakfast at the hotel and went with Jerome to University of San Jose-Recoletos Basak Campus for Celine's Google Apps for Education training with students. After the training, we went back to the hotel and for dinner, we had ramen and gyoza dinner at Kamekichi Ramen Noodle House. We also went to CMYK Dessert House for desserts. After that, we went back to sleep and rest in the hotel.

Our dinner at Kamekichi Ramen Noodle House [Photo from Celine's Foursquare Account]

Desserts from CMYK [Photo from Celine's Foursquare Account]

In the morning of Sunday, we woke up early and attended the 10:00 mass. It was Cebuano and I wasn't able to understand most of the mass. After that, we went back to the hotel, pack our stuff and had lunch at Sunburst in Ayala Center. Before going to the airport, we also had some desserts at the Dessert Factory.

Bontoc Weekend

Last weekend, Celine and I went to Bontoc for the Google Apps Training for the teachers in the Mountain Province Division.

On the midnight of April 12, we went to the Victory Liner Bus Terminal in Cubao. We didn't bought a ticket earlier so we have to wait until 2:30 AM for the next available trip. We were asleep most of the travel time. Around 8:30, we arrived in Baguio and had breakfast at Cafe by the Ruins. After eating, we went to the bus terminal of GL Lizardo Terminal to ride a bus to Bontoc. We left at around 11:00 and arrived in Bontoc at around five in the afternoon. We then went to the Archog Hotel & Restaurant to rest and eat dinner. After dinner, we watched some TV shows and I continued burning the training materials on the CDs. I was also able to publish a minor update to Boto Ko Android App while waiting for the CDs to be burned.

The next day, we woke up early and went to the Department of Education Mountain Province Division Office for the whole-day Google Apps Training. She discussed Google Docs, Google Drive, Google Forms, Google Spreadsheets, Google Sites, and Offline Gmail and Calendar.

The trainees with the trainer [Photo from Celine's Facebook Account]

On Sunday morning, we wake up early and had breakfast in the hotel but the 8:00 AM bus to Baguio had already left. We waited for the 9:00 AM bus and arrived at around 2:00 PM in Baguio. The next available bus in Victory Liner is the 7:00 PM bus so we decided to go to the Genesis Bus Stop. They were not selling tickets and you have to go inside the bus to have a seat and pay there. The next bus to Cubao will be on 4:30 PM so Celine went to O Mai Khan to take out food while I wait for the bus. Genesis Bus does not seem organized and they are very confusing so we just boarded the 4:50 PM Dagupan Bus instead. The only problem here is that they didn't play a movie until it was 7:00 PM and the movie shown was a horror film. It wasn't a good idea not only because it is a horror movie but because most of the people are already asleep. Also, it took three hours to have a stop-over!

It's a great experience to be in Bontoc. The food, especially the vegetables, are fresh and tastes very delicious. It is also quiet and looks peaceful there. Too bad most of the weekend has been spent traveling. I'm hoping I can be back there soon so we can also visit other places and tourist spots there.

Baguio Weekend

Last March weekend, Celine and I went to Baguio for the Google Apps for Edu training on March 2. We went to the Genesis Bus Terminal in Cubao for our 11:00 PM travel in a Joy Bus. Joy Bus is the Executive Coach of Genesis Transport Service, Inc. The seat was comfortable and there were even restrooms inside the bus.They also gave a bottle of water and two biscuits. We were mostly asleep in the bus though. We were supposed to arrive at five in the morning but we were already in Baguio at around 3:30 AM. We had to go to Azalea early and have some sleep.

Early in the morning of March 2, we walked to Berkeley School Baguio and Celine started her Google Apps for Edu talk. I was again her assistant during her training.

Photo from the Google+ events page

After the training, we went back to the hotel and rested for a few hours. We then went to 50s Diner to have dinner. There were too many people there so we decided to just order food and eat them at the hotel. The servings were so big so we got full even before eating the extra sandwich we order. After dinner, Celine slept early while I did some coding for Moochfood.

The next day, we woke up late and brought our stuff. We were supposed to have lunch with Reymart of GDG Baguio and Vince of GBG Baguio at Cafe by the Ruins. The cab driver don't know where it is so we alighted at Burnham Park and walked to the Cafe. There, I ordered their Ruins Coffee while waiting for the two. For lunch, I ordered Baguio Bagnet and pineapple shake. For desserts, we tried the Strawberry Short Cake.

Baguio Bagnet

Strawberry Short Cake [Photo from Celine's Foursquare account]

After having a great lunch, Reymart suggested that we tried dimsum at Central Park Restaurant so we walked there and tried some. We weren't able to eat all of them so I took them out for snacks in the bus. Then, we bid goodbye and took a cab to the bus terminal back to Cubao. In the bus, we were also able to watch two movies: 200 Pounds Beauty andThe Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.

Dimsums [Photo from Celine's Foursquare account]

Cebu Trip: Apps, Maps, Food and Others

Last weekend, Celine and I went to Cebu. She has a talk on the Google Apps for Education Seminar-Workshop on February 22. Organized by GDG Cebu, it was held at Center for Excellence in Cebu Normal University. The participants are representatives from different education institutions near Cebu. I served as the training assistant and got to learn some new things I didn't know before.

[Photo taken from GDG Cebu website]

After the event, we rested and then met with Jerome to have dinner at The Original AA BBQ. We ate a lot of food and I finally understood why my GDG friends are addicted to AA's Baked Scallops.

The baked scallops from AA BBQ

The next day, we met with Moochfood teammate and former officemate Kreigh for lunch at Hang Guk Kwan Korean Resto. We also dropped by at CebuInIT in University of the Philippines for the Google Maps API and Google+ Seminar-Workshop.

[Photo taken from GDG Cebu website]

After a few hours, we hailed a taxi to Magellan's Cross but we got dropped off at Fort San Pedro instead. Fortunately, there were two Ingress portals there; so we just took a look outside the fort and played. We walked to Magellan's Cross then went to the Basilica del Santo Niño. We then went to The Center Suites to get "two boxes for us" from Ruben which he left at the front desk.

Thanks Ruben for these! [Photo taken from Celine's Foursquare page]

We were not able to tour the city much. Hopefully, we can get back there soon!

A Weekend in the North

Last weekend, I went to the Northern part of Luzon. Around eight in the evening of January 25, we went to Cable Tours bus station for our almostn twelve-hour bus ride to Bontoc. It was a pretty long travel. In the morning, we had the chance to view the Banaue Rice Terraces from the bus.

Before nine in the morning, we arrived in our destination. We took the tricycle to the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College where the first meetup of GDG Halsema will be. I talked about Google Developers Groups (GDGs) and GDG Philippines. The other talk was an introduction to Google Apps for Education by Celine Barrozo. Theofrenz Cayambas, the community manager of GDG Halsema also talked about future plans for the group.

After having lunch, we walked near the bus station bound for Baguio. I had the chance to play Ingress because there was a portal in the Rizal monument there. There was a nearby church (I am not sure if it's the Santa Rita Cathedral) so we decided to go inside. We then went back to the bus station.

It was already late when we arrived in Baguio. We had dinner first at Good Taste Cafe & Restaurant then took the cab to Hotel Elizabeth. A few minutes after laying in bed and I was already asleep. We woke up early in the morning and after having breakfast in the hotel, we went to Good Shepherd Convent. After buying some food, we went to Mines View Park. I was able to try their strawberry taho there.

The strawberry taho tastes good

We took a look at the Mansion House then went to Wright Park. After that, we went to Burnham Park. We then decided to check out the Baguio Museum.

The stairs going to the museum

We walked to O' Mai Khan for lunch after going to the museum. I had Kublai's Dream (grilled porkchop with ham and omelet and some vegetables). We also tried the Chocolate Marble cake. Then, we took the cab to the hotel and checked out. We went to the Victory Liner bus station and rode the bus to Cubao.

It was a good weekend and I hope I can be back in Baguio and in the other places in North Luzon soon.

PUP Google Fest 2012

Google Student Ambassadors (GSAs) from PUP organized PUP Google Fest last December 10 at the PUP Main Campus. We were invited to do some talks about Google technologies.

Anne Olvido, community manager of GDG Bacolod, talked about Google Apps and Google Apps in Education. Wayne Manuel, top Filipino Geo advocate talked about Google Maps API and Google Map Maker. Gino Tria, one of the winners in the Google Apps Developer Challenge 2012 who is also an alumnus of PUP, talked about his experiences in GADC and inspired the students.Chelle Gray, co-community manager of GDG Philippines and GBG Philippines talked about Google+, GDG Geek Girl. Afterwards, I talked about Android and the basics of Android Apps development. Gian Javelona of Orange Apps talked about the PUP Mobile Portal. To end the event, the Google Student Ambassadors narrated their experiences and encouraged the student audience to be part of GSA.

Here is the slides I used in my talk:

It's more fun in Android!

Davao Weekend

Last August 11, we flew to Davao for the Google Apps Challenge Meetup held at the PLDT-SMART Ponciano Business Center. GDG Davao community manager Andrew dela Serna, Googler Dan Delima, GDG Bacolod community manager Anne Olvido and I were the speakers in the event. I talked about the basics of Google Drive API and SDK.

A photo of me while giving a talk about Google Drive

After the event, we had dinner at Lachi's Sans Rival Atbp and strolled in SM City Davao. The next day, we had lunch at Delongtes Seafood Grill And Barbecue. I also ordered Durian Shake. Then, I tried the Zorb and we strolled around Abreeza. We went to Magsaysay Park to try durian. After that, we went back to get our stuff, had dinner and went straight to the airport.

The durian we tried

Our weekend in Davao was great! I would love to go back there again soon!

Bacolod Weekend

Last weekend, we were at Bacolod for the Google Apps Challenge Meetup on July 21. Anne Olvido, community manager of GDG Bacolod invited me, JM Ibanez and Clair Ching as speakers for the meetup.

Early morning of July 21, the four of us flew in an Airphil Express flight, which also happen to have Anne Curtis too, who we later found out will be having a concert there in the evening. After dropping off some of our things in the hotel, we went to the venue, 21 Restaurant. Clair talked about the Google Apps Challenge competition then JM talked about Google Apps API. I was the last speaker and I talked about Google Drive API, the same one I had in the Manila meetup.

A photo taken during the meetup.

After the event, we had our dinner at Pepe's and on the next day, we had food trip experience here and there. We triedcakes at Calea and Felicia's and had lunch at Aida's in Manokan Country.

The food we had at Aida's

The Calea cakes we tried

The food we had at Felicia's

Google Apps Challenge Manila Meeetup

Last July 6-7, 2012, GDG Philippines organized a meetup/hackaton for the Google Apps Developer Challenge 2012 at the CodeFlux Inc. office. The event intends to give introductory talks about Google Apps and Google Drive APIs especially to those who are planning to join the competition.

During the meet up, I gave a basic talk about Google Drive API. Here is the slides I used:

Introduction to Google Drive API

View more presentations from Jomar Tigcal

My slides also got featured on SlideShare's homepage last July 13, 2012.

Google Apps Developer Challenge 2012

Last week, Google announced the Google Apps Developer Challenge 2012. Using Google Apps and Google Drive APIs, entries can be submitted in any of the following categories: Enterprise / Small Business Solutions, Social / Personal Productivity / Games / Fun, and Education / Not for Profit / Water / Food & Hunger / Health. The submission of entries are due on August 24, 2012. Prizes include Chromebooks and up to $20,000 USD. There are also special prizes for students and female developers.

To know more about the contest, you may check out the official website at http://www.google.com/events/gadc2012/index.html and follow the hashtag #gappschallenge on Google+.

And as Google Developer Groups are partners in the challenge, GDGs will be conducting workshops and/or hackatons. In the Philippines, the target venues are Manila, Bacolod, Cebu and Zamboanga. More details about this will be posted in the GDG Philippines blog and Google+ page.

Update:
The Google Apps Meetup organized by GDG Manila will be on July 6-7 at the Codeflux office. More details can be found here.

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