Poetic Isolation

Let your hair down and sway to the flow of the music as the biggest and most anticipated international music fest, Plus63 Music and Arts Festival comes back to Cebu!

Plus63 Music and Arts Festival at a glance:

Plus63 Music and Arts Festival started in 2016 with the goal of supporting local talents and musicians by giving them the opportunity to perform alongside the world’s top performers. “Plus63 Music & Arts Festival began as a fun project between childhood friends to create an international music festival for the city of Cebu. We brought Steve Angello from the Swedish House Mafia to kick off the inaugural event on Sinulog, Saturday of 2016.”, says Peter Delantar, head of Plus63 Music and Arts Festival.

Plus63 since then has become an annual music event that never fails to leave partygoers awestruck - with its spot-on premium sound quality, impressive digitally-programmed fireworks and eclectic mix of international and local performers. It has brought in international DJs and performers like Steve Angello of Swedish House Mafia, Steve Aoki, Showtek, Kid Ink and Dada Life in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

Plus63 always brings the best to give out a true music festival experience while adding a local twist, enhancing it even more with the best of the Philippines’ hospitality and cuisine. “The goal is for Plus63 to be a staple event in Cebu, highlighting great music, great food, and an unforgettable experience.”, says Delantar.

New date. This year’s Plus63 is set on February 2, breaking away from the Sinulog festivities for the first time. “We believe the time is right for Plus63 Music & Arts Festival to establish its own weekend where it becomes the main event of the city. We have bigger and grander plans for the years to come.”Delantar added.

New place. Attracting thousands each year, Plus63 is set to happen at the SM Seaside Complex Cebu Concert Grounds, a location apt to host such a grand event and accommodate a big crowd. With over 7,000+ fans since it was first introduced, the festival has grown over the years and is expected to double to over 15,000+ this year. Plus63 persistently grows into a destination festival in Cebu attracting international and local tourists.

Bigger party. Now on its 5th installment, Paul Klein, Charles Leslie Priest and Jake Clifford of LANY headlines the music fest.

LANY is an acronym for Los Angeles New York as their desire is to spread music from coast to coast. Now, they have come to the Philippine music fest scene alongside some of Cebu’s best - Lourdes, Three Legged Men, Mandaue Nights, Sepia Times and DJ Short. In addition, LANY will be bringing special merchandise up for grabs and Plus63 Festival will have limited edition items for sale.

In today’s world of modern technology, people need to take a break from all their hectic work schedules and the energy-consuming high demands of city living to enjoy and find adventure in the outdoors. And where else is the best place to unwind, relax, meditate and experience laid-back life even just for a few hours?

Sleepaway camps, parks, nature-centered recreational facilities are today's favorite destinations for Cebuanos. Many of us even consider going through all the hassle of traveling outside Cebu City—all in the name of peace and tranquility. Some even go as far north as Baguio or Tagaytay.

Now, Cebuanos need not travel far from home just to be close to nature since Cebu’s newest adventure-based nature camp, Evo Nature Camp, has already opened their doors to the public last January 11, 2020, with the goal of bringing people and nature together through their plethora of outdoor activities which everyone can enjoy.

The newly-opened 4.5-hectare nature camp, located in the picturesque countryside setting of Gaas, Balamban, is the best place to satisfy one's growing need of escaping the stress and anxiety of city living. Only 32 kilometers away from Cebu City and with travel time estimated at 45 minutes, you'll finally get to experience nature at its finest in this latest escapade!

Mr. Edwin Ortiz, owner, EVO Nature Camp

During their soft opening last Saturday, Evo Nature Camp owner Edwin Ortiz, disclosed the upcoming activities and future plans they have at hand for the developing camp. “We came up with this kind of recreational venue to promote Gaas and one day, put in the map as a top destination for nature-enthusiasts at the same time, we are helping the locals get employed,” he stated in a sitdown interview with the media.

“Evo Nature Camp is a great venue for outdoor sports activities. In fact, the place is designed for trekking, rappelling, camping, and glamping or glamorous camping—another prospect addition to its offerings wherein big tents will be put up together with nice beds, food, and some snacks to go with it,” he added.

While the market for glamping is millennials, young professionals and families, the target for Evo Nature Camp’s future big camping site is elementary and high school students. Ortiz shared that they are eyeing educational institutions as their target market since schools conduct camping activities such as summer camp for the students and the place is a great camping site.

As of the time being, the area for camping is still on the developmental status and what is offered is camping in the gazebos. The Grill House offers bbq, grilled specialties, corn soup, pumpkin soup, fruit shakes, etc. Around 40,000 flower plants and 2,509 Pine Trees and Giant Ferns have been planted in the property.

The traditional ribbon cutting to officially open Evo Nature Camp last January 11 was spearheaded by Owner Edwin Ortiz and family, together with Balamban Mayor Alex Binghay, Congressman Pablo John Garcia, and Gaas Barangay Captain William Genel. The event was also witnessed by the senior high school students from the University of San Jose-Recoletos Balamban Campus, guests and friends from the local media.

At the GROUND ZERO rock formation which is around 30 min. walk from the cave to the peak

A short 20 min. walk along the creek leads you to the mouth of Ilihan Cave

Some relevant information going and about EVO Nature Camp:

🌱🏕️ Entrance fee: 50php + environmental fee: 5php

🍃🏕️ Gazebo for rental: 500php for 4hours, 1,000php for 8hours

You may enjoy the following activities at EVO:

🍃 Guided Trekking to Cebu's "Ground Zero"

🍃 Flower gazing

🍃 Camping

Other activities which can be enjoyed real soon:

🍃Camping

🍃Glamping

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🍃 Gaas, Balamban enjoys a low temperature and cold and wet weather. Bringing of umbrellas and wearing coats or jackets is recommended.

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🍃 You may bring your own food and water at the camp but flexible fees may apply to some e.g lechon, and others.

🚗 EVO Nature Camp has a 50 minute travel time starting from JY Square Mall in Lahug, Cebu going to Barangay Gaas in Balamban where it is located. The camp can be reached via V-hire vehicles at Ayala Center Cebu and SM City Cebu terminals.

It's 2020 - a time for new beginnings and yes, new items for your wardrobe. It's a given that when seasons and years change, some new trends would emerge to excite us to the brim. For this year, I am so into creating mood boards including some for fashion inspiration. I am a fan of something that is versatile, light, and comfortable. I have scoured the internet for inspiration, mostly from Pinterest, and now I'm sharing some of them with you. These, however, are all plus size dresses that have style

Read on for some of my favorite sexy plus size dresses any body type should be rocking.

I love this red number. It's really sexy and such a style would look great on anyone. I love that it's sexy but also somehow lowkey not that sexy. You know what I mean? How it was tailored is one of its bonuses. Just look at that sleeve and ribbon detail? Check out some plus size clothing wholesale platforms for more inspirations.

Anyone who is a lover-beauty plus size fashion should know that bold colors are not something to be afraid of. Some plus-size women are afraid of bright and colorful clothes because it would make them look bigger but in actuality, it all goes down to the print as well as the type of fabric. The colorful jumpsuit above is perfect for those who would love to incorporate an extra dose of happiness into their daily outfit. Plus, isn't it a perfect resort wear?

This white dress with laser cut holes melts my heart. I could see any girl wearing this to bohemian themed parties and have the time of her life. This dress proves that there is beauty in simplicity.

I see this army green dress as something so chic and stylish. This is perfect when worn casually or when paired with an elegant looking accessories such as a cute handbag. I love the belt details as well. It's really simple but it sophisticated-looking.

Going to an after-party? This black velvet pair would be great. I like that it does not have so much detail in it but I can imagine how perfectly it would fit anyone. Its low-key sexy aura would make any wearer look like a bombshell! I know this isn't a dress but it's still as good as one right?

Which of these dresses would you love to incorporate in your new year wardrobe? let me know in the comment section below.

love lots,

Tin