La Bella Vita: Naga’s brilliant lifestyle landscape

Czarina Imperial

Maogmang Lugar is on fever pitch in terms of lifestyle happenings lately and the crescendo only means it’s almost Christmas, the ultimate event we are all eagerly awaiting like bright-eyed kids again.

Before we finish our gift-shopping, let us pause for a bit to reflect on the real reason why we have this most beautiful of seasons, also just in time for the Thanksgiving Day in the USA, we thank God for our blessings however small and seemingly insignificant. While Christmas is celebrating the birth of Jesus our Savior, preparing for the glitz and the glitter is secondary, foremost is preparing ourselves for the coming of the Son of God.

We have to prepare our hearts and souls and be kinder, more thankful, more forgiving, more generous, more peaceful. In other words, we have to be more Christian and less “Christmassy” that we forget the main reason for the season.

Parties at The Carmen Hotel

One of Naga’s premiere hotels recently launched its monthly chill out parties at its rooftop called Sky Lounge, where guests, as the name suggests, can leave their worries behind and kick back and listen to music from a live band or dance like no one is watching, whatever works.

To kickstart the events was an 80s NIght of Music and Dancing Party at the end of October. Instead of the usual Halloween costume party, Ms. Tess Baylosis, the new General Manager of The Carmen Hotel, and staff organized the night of cocktails and retro music with a live band playing only 80s songs.

Guests were treated to overflowing hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and fun music. It was a lovely fair weather night with a perky crowd, many of them dancing to the music dished out by the band.

Watch out for more themed chill out parties at the Sky Lounge of The Carmen Hotel.

Meanwhile, we were invited by Ms. Tess Baylosis last 11.11.11 night for the lighting ceremony of their floor-to-ceiling Christmas Tree at the lobby of the hotel. The theme of this year’s tree lighting was “Let our lights guide you home” as Christmas is the season when everyone goes home to their families.

The tree-lighting ceremony was highlighted by GM Tess’ address to the guests of the hotel’s closest friends which included top marketing and event manager Leanne Zuniga Montemayor, Sharon and Joemari Dizon and family (The Carmen’s model family), Alu and Adolf Aran and family, Bong Villacruz and family and of course, Naga’s first family -- John and Farah Bongat and family.

An acoustic band serenaded the audience and the hotel’s restaurant served a buffet of international cuisine with a 10+1 promo. Buffets at Baba are on Sunday nights for 500 per head. There is a 40% discount for every checked in guest’s companion.

NUECA 2.0

Three Made in Naga apps that are now making lives better were launched on Nov. 18 at the Avenue Plaza Hotel.

The apps were made by Nueca, one of the best digital solutions company in the country today. The software company is “quietly” headquartered in Naga and is composed of the most brilliant computer wizards one can imagine -- a dream team of young, exciting, and beautiful coders -- Naga’s best.

Nueca is headed by the coolest geek who wants to change the world by making people happy, an app at a time. The man of the hour Magno Edilberto Conag, the founder of Nueca and his team put together one fantastic launch. It was well-attended, the program was fast and awesome with an actual demo which left the audience expecting for more, and it showed the exciting future of digital tech in homebase Naga City.

The three apps launched are: Hungrily - a food delivery app;

Community Mart - a grocery delivery app, and; Tindahang Tapat - a product delivery app for sari-sari stores.

There were testimonials for the Tindahang Tapat app from satisfied users attesting to the ease and lifestyle change they experienced after downloading and using the app.

Hungrily is now live as well and more restaurants are joining the delivery app while Community Mart is going live soon, I got a text message telling me about it!

These three apps were designed to make our lives better, easier, happier. Check them out and download them now!

More power to proudly Naga made Nueca!!!