Events: Blogapalooza 2016

 

It's our third year going to Blogapalooza, although we did miss the the first "Horizons" event earlier this year. I think we had an event on the same day. So when "Horizons 2.0" was at a convenient time and venue we couldn't resist! 

10AM at Novotel Cubao, which meant we could go straight to the event after work. 

We were also lucky that we had a shoot at the hotel a couple of months back so we had an idea of the layout of the venue. Turns out the event was where we had our shoot so hehe even better. :) 

Ribbon cutting to officially start Blogapalooza 2016 / Horizons 2.0! 

Krispy Kreme is a favorite brand and its always great to see them at Blogapalooza :) 

Just check out the smiling kid with his doughnut! 

We were really looking forward to seeing Microtel at the event. This especially since we got to book a stay with them for APCC earlier this year (more here)  now we did not only get to see Microtel but discover TRYP Hotel as well! 

TRYP Hotel in Asia will open in the Mall of Asia Complex in the first quarter of 2017! 
Yohoo! More hotel options for Conventions! 

Hoping to check them out some time soon! 

Right next to the Microtel booth was a fun brand, that Paul and I were happy to discover Kleiner Klopfer which puts the whole drinking game to a whole new level! 

Taking its origins from German alcoholic beverage, Kleiner Klopher brings the fun to parties with their drinking games and even taking board games to a whole new level by incorporating, well, alcohol! Maybe we can get to try the games soon! 

Unfortunately we had to leave early since we had a wedding to go to but as always we just have to make the most of what we have and I'm happy we got to be part of this event. Especially since bloggers from all over the country were also present. Hence the #UnitePH

It helped me realize how big the blogging community is and that there is so much potential waiting to be realized. Good thing there is Blogapalooza to make it easier! 

Congratulations and looking forward to the next event! 

Click HERE for MORE Photos! 

Lifestyle: Microtel Work-from-Hotel for APCC

When I was younger I saw an article that featured three girls cosplaying as "Slave Leia" for San Diego Comic Con. They had a photo series which featured all three girls checked in a hotel, getting ready with their Cosplay and going out together as a "Tree Slave Leia" of some sort. I thought to myself, "Wow! They even checked in a hotel for SDCC" which is probably nothing new for con goers, especially abroad. 

I never thought that I myself would stay in a hotel for two days for a convention until #TeamPCheng stayed at Microtel Mall of Asia for Asia Pop Comicon. We were fortunate enough to have scored a 50% off discount thanks to Blogapalooza and Microtel. So it was like just paying for a one night stay. Since we were covering all three days with photos and blog posts needed, it was such a big convenience to just walk "home" after a long day at the convention. Especially given the traffic situation plus living all the way in Antipolo. 

Posting content photos and blog posts real time and right after-the-fact is very important and having the strength to do that can be challenging if you have to travel about two hours to get home, so at least when you're checked in a hotel it is possible. 

These are all work photos and the stay was strictly business but still definitely a pleasure. I also saw a lot of con-goers who were staying at Microtel as well, fellow Geek bloggers, a family from the province and yes, even the Singapore counterparts of the 501st and of course Kylo Ren who came all the way from Cebu.

 Given that most of today's conventions are being held in SMX, then Microtel Mall of Asia can easily be the "home away from home" for "geeks on the go" like us or cosplayers, you know with all that costume, make up and props that they have to bring. It definitely helped us survive APCC and get all that work done, editing photos for Paul and writing for me. 

Each floor had it's own water dispenser and ice (Yes!) - which is a big deal for us since Paul is a big water drinker. Getting the ice in the middle of the night just reminded me of that "American Horror Story: Hotel" scene. No worries, there were no vampire children or serial killers lying in wait. 

Unfortunately the package we got, did not include breakfast so we had to eat outside but ordered Jollibee delivered to our room during our second day. Maybe next time we will get to try their breakfast and even lounge around the pool. By the way, Microtel has different hotels all over the country Baguio, Palawan so looking forward to getting to visit those as well, for business or pleasure it doesn't matter, it's always nice to have a home away from home. :)