Christmas Symbols Festival in Tangub City Winners Announced

After a series of judging (three to be exact), the winners of this year's Christmas Symbols Festival in Tangub City has been announced. 

It was another successful year for the organizers of the yearly Christmas Symbols Festival in Tangub City where local and national agencies in the city participated to bring the audience a feel of Christmas around the world.

Here's the list of the winners in the Category A contest:

Top 8 Winners

1st Place: Cerro Santa Lucia in Santiago, Chile / NMSC

2nd Place: Trevi Fountain in Italy / GADTC

3rd Place: Solfar Sunboat in Iceland / TCNHS

4th Place: Castle Rock of Norway / CEO

5th Place: Gardens by the Bay of Singapore / DPWH

6th Place: Osaka Castle if Japan / Unified High Schools

7th Place: Statue of Liberty of USA / CPDO CWSDO CAO TCWD

8th Place: Mount Temple of Jerusalem / DMDTMH

Ranking of the rest of the contingents:

9th: Arabic Incense Burner Monument of Doha Quatar / Central District

10th: Dun in Malaysia / Southwest District

11th: Legoland Billund Denmark / CAGO DAR

12th: Port Arthur Church if Australia / South District

13th: Wat Phra Singh in Thailand / National Agencies

14th: Magellans Cross in Philippines / North District

15th: Pura Ulun Dano Ball Indonesia / CTO Accounting

16th: Taj Mahal in Agra India / CHO POPCOM PNRC

Festival of Colors at Gloria's Fantasyland in Dapitan

Established five years ago, Gloria's Fantasyland is one of the country's top theme parks and is considered the first amusement park in Mindanao. It is situated inside the Gloria de Dapitan Entertainment Complex right at the heart of Dapitan City. It features amazing rides such as Zimmerman coaster, Go Kart, Beehive, and Bumper Cars as well as a 5D theater and the must-see Horror House.

This month, Gloria's Fantasyland has brought another attraction that will surely capture every audience's attention - the Festival of Colors. 

The Festival of Colors is an extravagant night parade featuring the most colorful costumes of the world. It captivates and mesmerizes the theme parks' visitors with a dazzling display of beautiful fabrics, interesting art pieces and costumes worn by performers mounted on 12 giant floats representing the rich culture of countries such as Brazil, Thailand, China, South Africa, the Philippines and more! Guests are also treated to a one hour musical themed parade with original music, lighting, and set designs created  by award-winning Filipino designers. 

One of the parade's highlight is the presence of the 2011 Guinness World Record Holder, Junrey Balawing, the world's smallest man. He's dressed as Prince Alibaba and is joined by his giant genie. The show ended with an astounding musical fireworks.

Local and foreign visitors may experience the year-long Festival of Colors show daily, 10PM at Gloria's Fantasyland for only P1,000.00 with unlimited rides. The park is open Tuesdays to Sundays at 4PM onwards.

For inquiries, you may call 0939-357-9250 or 0927-490-2057. You may also visit their website at www.fantasylandtours.com.

A Year of Traveling, Meeting People and Falling In Love

Year 2014 has been a good year for Escape Manila. I have traveled to a lot of places and met a lot of people which became good friends. The highlight of this year's travel was when I visited Itbayat, the northernmost inhabited island of the Philippines and when I set foot in Saluag, the southernmost Island in the country.

Itbayat - the Northernmost inhabited isalnd in the Philippines

In the past two years, I have been detailing the highlights of my travel for my year-end post. This year, it will be different as I will talk more about the people I met who made an impact into my life. These are the people who became my close friends, advisers, mentors and travel buddies. I am very thankful to these people for making my 2014 a great year. 

Saluag - the southernmost island of the Philippines

Davao Bloggers Society

I'd like to thank the organization and its members for a chance to serve you guys. It has been an awesome year so far and I hope to have a better 2015 to all of us. Let us continue to blog and promote Davao to the world. 

Media Friends / Lamon Buddies

This year, I have met several awesome new friends from the media. Thank you Ate Jojie, Ian , Ate Ida and Maya for the best times we shared. It was an amazing experience to have known you guys. I hope we'll have more time to bond next year.

Team Fab 5

Thank you Ramil, Mervz, Sinjin and Edgar for the wonderful experience with you guys. Traveling with you is always fun and memorable. I can always be myself when I am with you.

Positive Peeps

One of the best groups I've had. I know pasaway ako minsan when it comes to heart issues but I know how much you love me guys. Thank you for the good times. Special thanks to Algene, Andrew, Ria, Mommy Cris and Ace, Renz, Yas, Markibot, Mommy Vernz, Naprey, Madie, Atty Swexie, and the rest.

Lablablab/Team Calaguas

I have traveled with these friends in May. I never thought they will be one of the best travel buds I will ever have. They are not just travel buddies but also became some of my closest friends. Whenever I have concerns especially love problems they are always there even if I am miles away. Kahit na matigas ang ulo ko, andiyan pa rin sila for me. Kahit minsan paulit-ulit na ako sa mga mistakes ko, di sila nagsasawa to comfort me. Thank you Benggay, Mai, Pau, Claire, Jherson, Kaiye for all the support.

Team Awesome / Friends for Keeps

To the people na lagi kong kinukulit, yung iba di ko pa na-meet personally but they have always been there for me when I have issues in life. They are always there to laugh with me and to cheer me up when I am down. Thank you guys for the most awesome times. The lamon nights and the late night conversations both online and offline. Thank you for the advises, tutorials, lessons and lectures. You made me a better person. Kahit minsan I know na annoying na ako sa pagka emo, you are still always there to listen and understand me. THANK YOU for being a part of my life. Thank you Chamee, Pau, Mommy Van, Princess Sarah, Jose (PuhonNoMore), Bojo, Fidel, Harly, Harry, Heiz and Kuya Red. You are all amazing!!! I love you all.

To my readers, followers and everyone else, thank you for making EscapeManila.com a part of your life. I promise to give you a better content in 2015. Escape Manila will be re-branded as a travel, food and lifestyle blog.

*Some photos are not mine, credit to all the owners. Salamuch! Merry Christmas and may all of us have a fruitful new year ahead.

Celebrate Christmas and New Year at Park Inn by Radisson Davao

This festive season, treat yourself with a sumptuous meal at Park Inn by Radisson Davao. Experience Park Inn's delectable culinary treats on Christmas and New Year's Day. 

On December 24, Park Inn will have a holiday buffet that will give you the season's finest flavors, from your favorite Smoked ham to a mouth-watering appetizers and other main courses. You may sing along with the Christmas carolers while they perform popular Christmas songs while you are feasting on a gratifying dinner feast at RGB Bar & Grill. You can also enjoy Park Inn's luscious desserts which will surely satisfy your sweet cravings during the yuletide season. Christmas Eve buffet is at P750.00 net per person, inclusive of bottomless juice. The premium buffet which entitles you to unlimited beers and spirits from the open bar, all the way until 10PM is priced at P1,350.00 net per person.

Assorted Desserts : RBG Special Christmas Log Cake, Park Inn Themed 2015 Cake, Mini Pavlovas, Strawberry & Oreo Cheesecake, Assorted Fruit Tartlets & Rainbow Cupcakes

On New Year's Eve, RBG will have a Carnival theme with activity booths for children and parents to have fun. Enjoy a gastronomic treat featuring intercontinental dishes and RBG's specialties such as the Crispy Boneless Lechon de Leche, Drunken Seafood, Pulled Pork Ragout, and Greek Chicken. The New Year's eve buffet is priced at P950.00 net per person, inclusive of bottomless juice.The buffet premium costs P1,450.00 net per person which includes unlimited beers and spirits until midnight.

Smoked Holiday Ham with thick cinnamon sauce & RBG Crispy Boneless Lechon de Leche

Seafood Salad : Davao Sefood with Pomelo Vinaigrette

Greek Chicken : Heavily spiced chicken, black olives, peas, colorful bell peppers & drizzled with ranch sauce

Beetroot Salad : Tossed in basil-balsamic vinaigrette & fresh greens

Beef Shank Asado: Oriental sauce braised beef shank

Drunken Seafood : Squid, tuna, shrimp, malasugue, shells in white sauce and white wine

Coctel de Camaron : Mexican shrimp cocktail

On Christmas and New Year's Day, Park Inn also offers breakfast and brunch buffet. Breakfast buffet which is priced at P550.00 net per person is open from 6AM to 10AM while the brunch buffet is open at 10AM to 2PM for only P650.00 net per person.

For reservations and inquiries, you may call Park Inn by Radisson Davao at 272 7600 or email them at reservations.davao@parkinn.com.