When I was still in school, I just dreamed of working in an office, have my own desk, and work on computer related stuff, and that’s where I am right now. I am the type of person who just wanted simple things in life, but as we grow old, we realized that we need to dream big for us to discover the things that we thought we cannot do. When we dream big, we tend to push ourselves to our limits and work really hard to achieve those dreams.

Today, I have a new set of goals I wanted to achieve, and I know I’m on the right track of achieving them. Let me write this quote I read in the internet, “think big, dream big, believe big, and the results will be big”.

I went to Manila last year for the Vivo V5 launch wearing this outfit. We stayed at the beautiful Nobu Hotel in City of Dreams. This place reminds me so much of Japan because of the modern zen like architectures and interior designs.

Vivo V5 is the world’s first smartphone featuring a 20MP Front Camera. It is the perfect smartphone for selfie lovers out there.

Vivo V5 Specifications

• 1.5GHz MediaTek 6750 Octa-core CPU
• Mali T860 Graphics Processor
• 4GB RAM
• 5.5-Inch HD IPS Display; 1280×720 Resolution
• 32GB of expandable storage
• 13-megapixel rear camera, LED Flash
• 20-megapixel front camera f/2.0 aperture with LED Flash
• Dual SIM (Hybrid tray)
• 3G, LTE (No 700MHz support)
• WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, A-GPS, Fingerprint Scanner
• Android 6.0 Marshmallow, FunTouch UI
• 3000mAh Non-Removable Battery
• Released: Novermber 2016 at Php 12,990 SRP

Visit Vivo Philippines website for more details

Fast forward to 2016, I got nominated again for Best Cebu Blog Awards, this time under the Best Cebu Photo Blogger niche. I don’t really consider my blog as a Photo Blog but I’m glad that the organizers appreciated the photos included on my blog posts. Bloggers now a days are continuously exploring other niches to improve our craft and become a better blogger.

Photography has always been my passion and through my social media accounts and blogs, I am able to share this passion to the world. On this personal blog, I usually try to combine fashion, travel and photography and I’m glad it’s working out really well. Enjoy some of my recent favorite photos posted on my Instagram.

A photo posted by Marco Paulo Diala (@countocram) on Nov 9, 2016 at 4:29am PST

A photo posted by Marco Paulo Diala (@countocram) on Oct 9, 2016 at 5:14am PDT

A photo posted by Marco Paulo Diala (@countocram) on Oct 5, 2016 at 5:00am PDT

A photo posted by Marco Paulo Diala (@countocram) on Sep 5, 2016 at 7:17am PDT

A photo posted by Marco Paulo Diala (@countocram) on Jul 1, 2016 at 6:57pm PDT

A photo posted by Marco Paulo Diala (@countocram) on Jun 26, 2016 at 7:20pm PDT

The 2016 Best Cebu Blogs Awards Night will be happening on November 27, 2016, at the Crown Regency Hotel and Towers. Thank you BCBA for the nomination. To all BCBA 2016 nominees, good luck and continue sharing your passion to Cebu and the rest of the world through your blogs.

It was exactly 74 weeks ago when my account @countocram made it to Instagram’s Suggested Users List. I didn’t even know that such a list exists until I became part of it. According to Instagram, the Suggested Users List is a dynamic list that highlights some of the top community members on Instagram. An account is usually featured for a few weeks before it is cycled out to give others the opportunity to be featured.

Before I made it on the list, I only had 800+ followers and after 2 weeks of being on the list I had 7,000+. 21 weeks ago I woke up with the same scenario when I made it on the list, I started receiving hundreds of likes and followers and to my surprised, I was featured on Instagram’s Suggested Users List for the 2nd time. from 7,000+ followers I had 28,000+ followers after 2 weeks.

A photo posted by Marco Paulo Diala (@countocram) on Mar 30, 2015 at 5:06pm PDT

Since suggested users have the opportunity to suggest other users, I submitted my food blog’s account @lamikaayo. Luckily, it also made it on the list. @lamikaayo only has 400+ followers during that time and after 2 weeks it had 10,000+ followers.

A photo posted by Marco Paulo (@lamikaayo) on Apr 23, 2014 at 5:35am PDT

As a recognition to Instagrammers who are very active in the community, Instagram gifted a book and a calendar to Suggested Users. The book is about Instagram’s community which features users and creative hashtags. The calendar features cute pets uploaded on Instagram.

A photo posted by Marco Paulo Diala (@countocram) on Jan 9, 2015 at 6:16pm PST

Cebu has a couple of Instagrammers who made it on the list. I currently follow @ryannreyes, @willjr42, @dollypontillas, @daniel.dave and @lemm.g. If you know someone else, please let know. I would love to meet them.

A photo posted by Marco Paulo Diala (@countocram) on Apr 18, 2015 at 10:30pm PDT

I always get asked how a gain so many followers, and this blog post is my answer. There are so many ways on how to increase your followers and likes on Instagram, it’s just sad that some users go for the easy way by buying them just to show to PR companies and brands that they are influencial online.

Instagram has a very simple guideline on how you can possibly make it on the list.

1. Bring a unique perspective to Instagram by sharing inspiring, original photos and videos
2. Are actively engaged in and help cultivate the larger Instagram community
3. Inspire creativity in fellow Instagrammers by doing things like participating in @instagram’s Weekend Hashtag Project or bringing people together in the real world through an InstaMeet

Here are my personal tips.

1. Make your feed look clean by using one filter all through out. VSCO Cam app offers really nice filters that you can use for free.
2. Instagram loves inspiring photos. Tell story through your photos by adding a nice caption.
3. Some people hates hashtags, but if you want your photos to be discovered, use the appropriate ones.
4. Take beautiful and original photos. As much as possible, post photos that you took unless you are allowed to post them.

Don’t forget to follow me @countocram and @lamikaayo.

A photo posted by Marco Paulo Diala (@countocram) on Feb 11, 2015 at 6:00pm PST

PhilippineStreetFashion.com (PSF) started as a street style blog featuring street fashionistas that I encounter wherever I go. I also feature fashion shows, events, shops and brands on the side. As of the moment, I’m on the process of re-branding PSF and focusing on Lifestyle features and I still want to post some street styles on the side.

A photo posted by Marco Paulo (@lamikaayo) on Apr 16, 2014 at 9:29pm PDT

LamiKaayo.com is my food blog. It started as a Tumblr site where I dump all my food photos. 2 years ago, I decided to create an Instagram account and make LamiKaayo.com a full featured blog with food reviews and restaurant features. So far, I’m happy how it turned out.

A photo posted by Cebu Fashion Bloggers (@cebufashionbloggers) on Jul 14, 2015 at 8:40pm PDT

My bloggers friends and I are slowly reviving Cebu Fashion Bloggers. We welcomed new members and I’m really excited on the things that are coming for the group. So stay tuned.

A photo posted by Marco Paulo Diala (@countocram) on May 25, 2014 at 7:00am PDT

Besides blogging, I’m also an active member of iLearners, Inc., a non-profit organization which aims to fight illiteracy in rural areas of Cebu. I’m currently the Vice President for Marketing wherein I am tasks to create marketing materials, and manage the website and social media accounts of the organization. Being a “Literacy Warrior” is a very fulfilling job, the heart whelming feeling that it brings whenever I see the students’ smiles is just priceless. Head to iLearnersInc.org to learn more about our organization and how you be part of the group.

Many think that blogging is my source of income and that’s a big NO. Blogging is just a passion and once in a while I earn a little money from sponsored posts and campaigns. I was recently promoted to Operations Supervisor position at Zylun Philippines, Inc., the company that brought me to Cebu and where I’m working for more than 5 years now. Moving to Cebu has been one of the best decisions I made in my life- I became independent, I traveled a lot, I’ve met new friends, I learned how to blog and most of all, I became the person that I am right now.

I wanted to share some looks that I was not able to post, so here we go!

All these photos were posted on my Instagram account, follow me @countocram maybe?

The reason why I moved in Cebu is because of work. Before I moved here, I was a home based worker for 1.5 years. My bosses in the US decided to put up a company here in the Philippines and they have chosen Cebu. When they asked me if I wanted to work here, it took me couple of days before I finally came up with a decision.

There are several reason that made me want to stay, my family, my friends and someone who used to be very special. I was also nervous because I don’t know anyone from here, how can I even find a place to stay or ask if it is really okay to move here? Then after 3 days, I finally said YES. The number one reason that made me decide is of course career growth. I know that the opportunity that was given to me is really something that will mold me to what I am right now. Another reason is I want to be independent and go back to the social world. It’s been 1.5 years that time that I’m working from home, I find it boring already and I miss being with other people while working. I want to go back in a corporate environment and mingle with my co-employees. Lastly, I’m a person who loves adventures and going to different places, this is an opportunity for me to explore a new place and discovery something great!

A lot of things happened during my first year, I’ve met new friends, I’ve been to different tourist spots, I’ve tasted the famous Cebu Lechon, I’ve experienced Sinulog Festival, I’ve got to ride an airplane 19 times(eheh), I’ve became a blogger(that’s why I’m writing this), I became broke(ahah), etc.. Everything that happened to me was really exciting! I never had regrets that I moved here. I really fell in love with this city and its people and I believe that many things are yet to come. So we’ll see what other adventures that are waiting for me.

1 year in Cebu in photos