Mindanaoan Irene, Author at Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Oct122026 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Power Mac Center CDO offers retail, training, service

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Technology

Premier Apple partner Power Mac Center reopens its store at SM CDO Downtown following its redesign into an Apple Premium Partner (APP) store.Only the second APP store in the entire Mindanao, it brings customers the complete Apple experience with retail, training, and service all on the same floor. This special categorization is the highest among reseller stores worldwide, mirroring the global brand’s premium aesthetic. “Cagayan de Oro has always been a city of movement where commerce, education, tourism, and experiences thrive. As technology becomes vital to that movement, bringing together device access, training, and service can help advance digital literacy in the region. Power Mac Center’s expansion is rooted in inclusive technology, sharing knowledge and supporting customers in usi...

Oct72026 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Celebrating 185 Years of Care: Watsons Continues to Champion Women’s Health and Wellness

Beauty, Business, Consumer, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Shopping, Society

At Watsons, women’s health and wellness are at the heart of its commitment to supporting women at every stage of life. Today’s modern woman rarely fits into just one role. She moves between different priorities, responsibilities, and routines, often balancing several at once. With so much to juggle, having someone to turn to for trusted health guidance can make a difference. At Watsons, pharmacists serve as Health Besties who are there to listen, answer questions, and guide women toward choices that fit their needs. By making health guidance part of the everyday Watsons experience, they help make conversations around women’s health feel more approachable. This approach builds on 185 years of A.S. Watsons’ experience in health and beauty retail, bringing a long-standing legacy of care...

Sep302026 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Camella Honors GenSan Heritage and Homegrown Spirit at Tuna Festival 2026

Mindanaoan Update

Camella joined General Santos in celebrating the Tuna Festival 2026, which brought together the people, professions, talents, and traditions that define the vibrant identity of the Tuna Capital of the Philippines. From seafood and sports to skills, service, and song, the Tuna Festival reflects how this celebrated industry enriches everyday living in General Santos. Dynamic events like the Tuna Marathon, Fish Fest sa Fishport, and Sugbahan sa Dalan offer visitors an immersive experience of the city’s lifestyles and local flavors. Camella joined the celebration to honor the culture, commerce, and continuity moving General Santos forward. Through an interactive exhibit at the Oval Plaza, Camella invited guests to explore premier house-and-lot communities such as Camella GenSan and Camel...

Sep232026 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Meta and YouTube Head to Cagayan de Oro for Creator Day

Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Features, Internet, Northern Mindanao, Social Media, Society

The Philippine creator economy is set to reach a major regional milestone as Meta and YouTube come to Cagayan de Oro City for Creator Day: CDO 2026 on September 30, 2026. A first in Mindanao, Creator Day: CDO will gather digital platforms, content creators, bloggers, vloggers, social media-savvy entrepreneurs, brands, businesses, and members of the community for a focused day of learning, collaboration, meaningful conversations and valuable connections. The event is organized by the Creator and Influencer Council of the Philippines (CICP) and led locally by Mindanaoan.com, one of the organization’s founding directors based in Mindanao. Creator Day: CDO forms part of Creator Week 2026, a nationwide celebration featuring activities in Manila, Cebu and Cagayan de Oro. With the ...

Sep232026 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

YOTEL Bangkok Sukhumvit to open in new Cloud 11

Features, Hotels, Thailand, Travel

YOTEL, the global hospitality brand known for its design-led, tech-enabled hotels, will make its debut in Thailand with the opening of YOTEL Bangkok Sukhumvit on 15 October 2026. The cutting-edge 250-key property is located within the Cloud 11 development, a brand new creative landmark in Bangkok's South Sukhumvit district, in the south-east of the city. YOTEL Bangkok Sukhumvit is the brand's 24th hotel globally, its fourth property in Asia and the first YOTEL in Asia to be part of Select by Hilton. It bears the brand's distinctive signature features, including self-service stations enabling guests to check-in in under a minute and their smart rooms designed to encourage quality sleep. Located in Bangkok's South Sukhumvit district, which is emerging as a haven for the city's creative...

Sep152026 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: Zed credit card

Business, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Technology

Received my spanking brand new Zed Philippines credit card not too long ago! I already used it several times and I can absolutely say that Zed is a great CC to have! Let me tell you why. First off, Zed credit card doesn't have annual fees (NAFFL!), no revolving interest on standard balances and, if you're a frequent traveler like me, you will be happy to know that there are no foreign transaction fees! This is really good news because you can save on FX fees. Another thing that I like about Zed is that you can actually create UNLIMITED virtual cards. This means additional digital payments safety. You can create a virtual card for specific subscriptions. In my case, I created a virtual credit card that's only specific for a digital tool that I use for my business and the credit limit...

Aug202026 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Steak Paraiso CDO: your wagyu destination in Cagayan de Oro

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Restaurant, Reviews

In Cagayan de Oro, when certain occasions deserve something truly special like delicious wagyu steak dinners or Texas-styled BBQ lunches, Steak Paraiso CDO is a surefit hit. Dubbed as the wagyu destination in Cagayan de Oro, Steak Paraiso has truly gone a long way since its early days in this fascinating ancestral home. I first wrote a review about Steak Paraiso in 2024 after my friends and I had a great time catching up over delicious dinner composed of Kitayama prime rib steak, smoked pork belly, salads and wagyu salpicao. That post alone has generated hundreds of thousands of views! Now with 2 convenient locations (Abrillo Furniture Door 2 SM Bypass Road in Uptown CDO and Ground Floor, North Concourse, Limketkai Mall), Steak Paraiso brings together premium steaks, Wagyu and artisan ...

May102026 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Michelin Selected Uncle Claypot – is it worth visiting?

Business, Features, Food, Manila, Restaurant, Reviews

Super Uncle Claypot is one of those affordable Michelin selected restaurants in Manila, Philippines. Of course, I had to see what the fuss was all about. Is Super Uncle Claypot worth visiting? Tucked along Enriquez Street in Poblacion, Makati, Super Uncle Claypot is a great place for retro-style authentic Cantonese clay pot rice. Inspired by the rich flavors of Guangzhou, China, the restaurant was born from its owners' desire to bring authentic claypot rice to Filipino diners - cooked the way it's truly meant to be. I visited this Manila claypot rice place. Watch my brief vlog below and find out if this is worth a visit. Don't forget to listen to my helpful tip! https://youtube.com/shorts/fGtrcKkk94k?si=ZctTO3eei19hqmbK

May12026 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Where to buy yummy barquiron and pastillas in CDO

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Food, Mindanaoan Update

Best barquiron and pastillas in Cagayan de Oro, that's for sure! Yes, folks, Treats by Kit is where it's at. Treats by Kit CDO started with a simple love for traditional Filipino sweets and it didn't take long for word to spread. I first discovered them during the pandemic (wow, that sounded like a lifetime ago!) I ordered a lot! And then when the pandemic ended, Treats by Kit announced that they were opening a store. However, that went kaput (we still don't know why) but the good news is - they finally have not only a store but a cafe slash commissary where you can actually see how these yummy treats are made. Yes, you can actually watch how their iconic barquirons are made - a behind-the-scenes treat that's just as delightful as the sweets themselves! Their barquiron and pastillas ...

Apr222026 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Yappari Steak in Ayala Centrio CDO

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Food, Restaurant, Reviews

Want a steak experience that goes beyond the ordinary? How about preparing your own steak on a lava stone plate, crafted from authentic Mt. Fuji stone? Yappari Steak at Ayala Centrio CDO offers just that. The infrared effect of the Yappari Steak lava stone plate gently cooks the meat, producing a steak that is soft, tender, and evenly heated from the inside out. I actually first "discovered" Yappari Steak at their SM Mall of Asia branch. I was curious plus the waft of the steak was just too tempting to pass. And so I tried it, liked the experience and then brought friends, relatives and families with me on subsequent visits. All of them liked the food as well. So when I found out that this steakhouse was opening a Cagayan de Oro branch, of course a visit just had to happen! By the w...

Apr212026 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Vietnam Ca Phe CDO serves a little taste of Hanoi

Cafe, Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Food, Restaurant, Reviews, Vietnam

Having just gotten back from Hanoi, Vietnam, I was honestly a little skeptical. Would anything in Cagayan de Oro even come close? Turns out, Vietnam Ca Phe on 21st - 27th Street, Nazareth gave me some solid reasons to smile. First order of business: the Vietnamese spring rolls. Freshly fried, had most of the ingredients found in the spring rolls I enjoyed in Vietnam, wrapped in rice paper and delicious. The spring rolls were served on a bed of lettuce. The dipping sauce was not too bad and I enjoyed eating. Then came the pho bo or beef pho, and although the dish lacked several other elements such as lime, bean sprouts, cilantro etc, it still delivered. The broth had that warm, slow-cooked depth that I associate with the real deal. Glad that they used flat rice noodles, too. It wasn...

Apr22026 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Building Tomorrow’s Energy: Women Shaping MGEN’s Future

Mindanaoan Update

From power control centers to solar energy facilities to planning rooms women throughout MGEN are changing what it means to be a leader in Philippine energy. For many years, the energy business has been filled mostly with men wearing safety helmets and sitting in executive chairs. But things are changing at Meralco PowerGen Corporation, known as MGEN. Throughout the company - in rooms where workers monitor electricity flow, at outdoor solar power locations and in meeting spaces where leaders decide how to create cleaner energy - women are becoming more visible and important. They are helping to imagine new possibilities for energy in the Philippines. Three women at MGEN show us how this change is happening. Each one is at a different point in her career and each one contributes somethin...

Apr22026 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Highland Living Finds a Forever Home at Camella Montierra in Bukidnon

Bukidnon, Business, Malaybalay City

As Camella's nationwide footprint expands into regional cities and growth centers, Malaybalay emerges as a compelling destination for residential development. Situated in the highlands of Bukidnon, the city blends cultural heritage, economic vitality, and improved connectivity: an environment where families can build forever homes amid picturesque beauty and progressing opportunities. For nearly five decades, Camella has established house-and-lot communities across the islands, creating residential developments that reflect the aspirations of families wherever they decide to reside. The introduction of Camella Montierra in Malaybalay City continues this legacy of value, bringing homes and well-planned neighborhoods to generations of Filipinos. Grounded in history, growing in horizons...

Mar312026 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Cubic Six Coffee in Carmen, Cotabato

Business, Cafe, Cotabato, Food, Reviews, South Cotabato

Not too long ago, I drove the Cagayan de Oro - Bukidnon - Cotabato - Davao super highway. When we reached Carmen, Cotabato, I was pleasantly surprised to see this nice neighborhood cafe - Cubic Six Coffee located along Sayre Highway in Purok 6, Carmen. Of course, my Mama, brothers and I decided to drop by and try their goodies. Cubic Six Coffee Cotabato serves handcrafted drinks and comforting bites, all within a cozy, minimalist atmosphere that’s perfect for work, study, or catching up with friends. Their space is very well-lit and the comfort room is clean. There's an al fresco area but the main space has airconditioning. We tried their fries, pastries, sandwich, coffee and shrimp pops. Food was good and affordable. Give them a try when you're in the area! ...

Mar262026 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Review: Cebu to Hanoi via Vietnam Airlines

Flights, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Travel, Vietnam

Flew to Vietnam on a whim! Yes, I decided to treat myself and my Mama to a quick vacation overseas and chose Vietnam as our destination of choice. Since I brought my senior mother along, I decided to avail of the direct flight from Mactan Cebu International Airport to Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, Vietnam. The Cebu to Hanoi flight via Vietnam Airlines only took a little over 3 hours! Just a little heads-up - YES, the Cebu to Hanoi (and vice versa) flights cost more than average since I only booked them about 2 weeks prior but they weren't so bad. Vietnam Airlines, after all, is a full service, 4-star national flag carrier. That meant checked baggage (23 kg) and meals. Our flight from Cebu was at 4:45 AM and we arrived at Terminal 2 a little past 1 AM but apparently the co...

Mar172026 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Kaamulan Festival 2026 Bukidnon Schedule of Activities

Bukidnon, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Kaamulan Festival, Malaybalay City

It's that time of year again! Kaamulan Festival is the annual gathering of the Province of Bukidnon's 7 hill tribes - Talaandig, Tigwahanun, Higaonon, Manolo, Matigsalug, Umayamnun and Bukidnon. A former Tourism Secretary called it the only authentic ethnic festival in the Philippines and I must say, there's nothing like it! Kaamulan Festival is colorful, vibrant, loud, warm, heartwarming and just full of energy, culture and tradition. Fast facts: This Bukidnon festival was actually suspended for 2 years because of the global pandemic. Then, in 2022, the Kaamulan Festival happened but it was toned down to just a few events. Kaamulan is an indigenous Bukidnon term that means "gathering" for any purpose. Anyway, things are back in full swing. Check out the Kaamulan Festival 2026 Schedu...

Mar172026 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Kaamulan 2026: No drones, no tents, no giving of alms to beggars

Announcements, Bukidnon, Culture, Events, Festivals, Kaamulan Festival

If you're heading to Bukidnon for the Philippines' only authentic ethnic festival, the Kaamulan Festival, please note that there are a couple of do's and don'ts. And, yes, that includes no flying of drones especially during the Street Dancing Competition! Here's a quick rundown of the official do's and don'ts under Executive Order No. 10, Series of 2026. DO'S Practice "Clean As You Go" (CLAYGO). Always clean up after yourself. Candy wrappers, cigarette butts, food packaging — none of these belong on the ground. Make sure concessionaires bring a fire extinguisher. At least a 10 lbs unit is required in every booth, in compliance with R.A. 9514. Supervise your children at all times, especially during major events. Kids 18 and below must be off public areas by 10:00 PM. Follow ...

Feb232026 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Review: The Calling concert in the Philippines

Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, LifeStyle, Music

The Calling, the iconic 90's rock band fronted by my crush Alex Band, finally brought their music to Mindanao, Philippines! You could just imagine just how excited I was. So I bought tickets (yes, this isn't a sponsored post LOL), brought my brother along, and we trooped to The Atrium of Lim Ket Kai Center, Cagayan de Oro City. However, patience was the name of the game as the The Calling CDO concert started significantly later than scheduled, testing the crowd's enthusiasm before the band even hit the stage. Mind you, it was a Thursday so there was work and business stuff the next day (in my brother's case, he still had to wake up very early because he had to drive his daughter to school). I was already actually sleepy! Good thing the moment Alex and the rest of the band steppe...

Feb122026 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Lake Apo Valencia Bukidnon

Bukidnon, Tourism

Here's a nice Bukidnon tourist spot for relaxation: Lake Apo, a crater lake in Barangay Guinoyoran, Valencia City, Bukidnon. Fast fact: The name of Lake Apo comes from the Bisaya term apo, meaning elder or grandparent. There's a cafe by the lake and if you enter via the cafe, fee is Php 300 (the Php 200 is consumable). If you're bringing a vehicle and you also intend to visit the cafe, you can avail of parking. If you don't intend to visit the cafe, entrance is Php 100. There are paid parking slots before the lake entrance. There are separate fees for tables/chairs and bamboo raft rental. Visiting Bukidnon? Book your hotel here: http://bit.ly/bookyourhotels Get Php 650 OFF of your flight ONLY through this link: https://airasia.prf.hn/click/camref:1011ltXwI/creativeref:1100l1...

Jan212026 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

President Marcos Jr. Witnesses Globe and Starlink Partnership Launch for Universal Connectivity

Government, Technology

Globe Telecom, the number one mobile network operator in the Philippines, is the first to market Starlink’s Direct to Cell (DTC) satellite service in the country and Southeast Asia, and the second in Asia. Starting this year, the historic breakthrough service will allow Filipinos with standard LTE mobile phones to access mobile services such as essential data that offers video, voice and messaging through apps, and text messaging, wherever there is a view of the sky. This historic launch, as witnessed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., is set to transform connectivity in areas where terrestrial coverage is unavailable or difficult to deploy, especially in an archipelagic country comprising over 7,600 islands. This landmark initiative reflects Globe’s continuing commitment to invest in ...

Jan162026 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Fun, Chill Educational Online Games For Kids And the Kids-At-Heart

Mindanaoan Update

Start of the year and you find yourself frazzled because life's been pretty wild lately? Between work deadlines, endless notifications, and just trying to keep up with everything, sometimes you just need a breather. I need one, too! Actually, I've realized that one of the best ways to decompress is by playing simple online educational and simulation games - the kind that don't require intense focus but still keep your mind engaged enough to forget about your worries even for a bit. Let me share a couple of games I've been loving that might help you unwind as well. Open Bar - Pour Drinks, Zone Out This one's super straightforward - Open Bar! You're a bartender, and your job is to pour drinks and clean up after customers. That's it. No complex storylines, no overwhelming mechanics - ju...

Jan52026 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Best pasalubong center at Laguindingan Airport Cagayan de Oro

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Fashion, Features, Flights, Mindanaoan Update

Islands Souvenirs is finally back in Northern Mindanao! Remember the makers of our fave “I CDO” shirts? They’re back and they’re offering even more exciting, feel-good finds! Islands Souvenirs is your best pasalubong center at Laguindingan Airport. Islands Souvenirs CDO just opened their newest branch at the 2nd Floor of Laguindingan Airport (pre-departure area), and it’s the perfect stop before your flight. If you need last-minute gifts, pasalubong or you want a customized souvenir to mark your memorable travels, this is the place. They have customizable tote bags, bag tags, mugs, and caps that you can personalize on the spot. They now have towels and virgin coconut oils - best for your beach getaways! And the best part? They now carry quick bites and local treats! You can grab ...