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

Mar32020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Solon calls on Balik-Scientists, vets to face off African Swine Fever in the Philippines

Announcements, Food, Government, Mindanaoan Update, Politics

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri urged Malacañang to call on Balik-Scientists, veterans to face off African Swine Fever or ASF in the Philippines. "We have to save the livelihood of our hog raisers, both large-scale and backyard; especially the backyard hog raisers. For many years, we have had the lowest hoof and mouth disease. We controlled Avian Flu and it failed to decimate our poultry industry. We are one of the preferred sources of pork and poultry by countries that had high standards like Japan," the senator from Mindanao said. "That's why I'm aghast at how ASF is destroying our hog raisers. Together with the Agriculture Committee chaired by Sen. Villar, I have warned that the importation of pork meat, offals, and processed products should stop. Evidently, the...

Feb292020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Spreading peace through social media (The day I spoke before Marawi kids)

Advocacy, ARMM, Blogging, Education, Events, Marawi City, Mindanaoan Update, Social Media, Technology

The Philippines is among the world's top social media users. In this global social media research study, it says that the Philippines is the top country that uses Facebook. We're the fifth that uses YouTube and fifth that uses Twitter. And young Filipinos comprise the largest chunk of those social media users from the country. This is why it's really crucial for all of us to continue collaborating with the youth. Aside from the fact that they're the most avid users of social media, they're also avid content creators. They have vlogs, blogs, TikToks, IG stories etc. And what better content is there for them to help create but good, responsible ones that promote peace and dialogue? Last February 12, 2020, I had the lovely chance to meet roughly 70 Meranao students and teachers from Ma...

Feb282020 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Speaking at Camera Club of Davao’s 37th anniversary

Advocacy, Blogging, Davao City, Events, Features, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Social Media, Technology

One of my deepest advocacies is to help share the good news about the power of social media and blogging. I try to do this by volunteering, being generous with my time and sharing my first-hand experience as much as I can. Even when I was still in New York, I had the privilege to share my insights and tips via #GoSocial. Speaking about social media for social good is one of my natural highs. I will always be grateful for each and every opportunity. So you could just imagine how thrilled I was to receive an invitation to be the keynote speaker during the 37th charter anniversary of the Camera Club of Davao, the oldest and most respected photography club in Davao City. It was truly an honor not only because they're THE CCD but also because it meant heading back home to the city I was...

Feb272020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Choosing The Right Flooring For Your Business

Mindanaoan Update

If your business is moving to a new location or you are thinking it needs a new face list, adding a new type of flooring can help you make or break your space. While there are many options to help you make a decision, there also can be many questions to help make the final decision on what you want to go with. Below are a few helpful steps and guidelines to assist you in this decision. Certain Styles Make All The Difference Before you look at any flooring materials it’s important to have an understanding of what your business and the style you are going for. There are several questions to think and ask before you look at the materials. Some include the durability of the flooring. Another could be what type of impressions are you wanting to create within your space for ...

Feb232020 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Bratpack to open in Robinsons Place Valencia

Announcements, Bukidnon, Business, Features, Shopping

One of my favorite travel and lifestyle stores is finally opening a branch in Bukidnon! Bratpack, a lifestyle store offering the widest range of international bag, footwear, and apparel brands, will open at the Ground Floor of Robinsons Place Valencia located at Hagkol, Valencia City, Bukidnon. Watch out for the soft opening on March 5, 2020! I hear that there will be cool discounts in-store plus awesome music and entertainment! I'll keep you all in the loop. Join me on Facebook for updates! The Bratpack store in Robinsons Place Valencia Bukidnon is near the main entrance (turn left). I can't wait for their first Bukidnon branch! It will most probably look just like their Centrio Mall branch: The Bratpack Bukidnon store will feature these brands: Jans...

Feb182020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Essential Questions To Ask A Roofing Company

Mindanaoan Update

If something goes wrong with your roof because of a bad storm the implications can be very scary. The average roof can cost you thousands of dollars and with high-end roofing costing an upward of up to 30,000 in some cases. Replacement of roofs can be anything from poor maintenance, a bad storm or the overall age of the roof itself. If you need to replace your roof or are in need of some major repair, you’ll want to hire the right person to handle the job for you. How do you find a quality roofer? Are there specific questions to ask a roofer before hiring them? Below are a few questions that you’ll want to be sure to have answers for before you get the job done. Replace Vs Repair - To begin with, you’ll need to know if your roof needs to be replaced or repaired. This i...

Feb142020 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

I’m a Founding Director of the Creator and Influencer Council of the Philippines

Advocacy, Announcements, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Social Media, Technology

I've been blogging for a good 15 years and I've seen, heard and experienced the good, the bad, the ugly, the controversial. Content creators, bloggers, vloggers and influencers behaving badly. Brands not understanding the value of good content and what influencers can do for their businesses. Marketing agencies underpaying creators. These are just the tip of the iceberg. Isn't it about time that we do something to help protect all stakeholders? Presenting - CICP or the Creator and Influencer Council of the Philippines, an organization that aims to establish the Philippines' influencer marketing ecosystem to empower creators, influencers, brands and marketing professionals and creative, media and digital agencies in meeting their marketing and business objectives. Grounded in its vi...

Feb142020 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Try Mardoney’s Bakeshop CDO ube cheese pandesal

Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Food, Mindanaoan Update

This entire ube cheese pandesal or ube cheese desal craze has got me pretty curious so of course I had to try! Luckily, my friend Miki brought some to a recent meeting and he said he bought them from Mardoney's Bakeshop and Restaurant. They were delicious! I immediately ordered two dozens the very next day. Mardoney's CDO is a brand very familiar to me. They actually started in Davao City, where I was born and raised. Mardoney's is a portmanteau or combination of the names of the owner-siblings --- Mark, Don and Honey. Mardoney's ube cheese pandesal is sold for only Php 8.00 per piece. Absolutely value for money! The freshness of the bread, the quality of the ingredients (they make and use their own ube halaya, people!) and the taste --- definitely 5 stars! Interested to order?...

Feb132020 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Benefits of basement remodeling

Mindanaoan Update

When you first purchase a home, it can be so exciting to decorate the rooms for you and your growing family. As your home continues to get larger, one way to help add more value and space to your home is by remodeling your basement. Having a remodeled or finished basement is something everyone should consider doing at some point in their homeowner schedule. The basement can be an area where your kids can play with their friends, have extra shelf space to add new life to your home, a second den or living area for guests or family members or even an office for you to use if you work from home. Many homeowners choose to remodel their basement every year and there are a few incredible benefits to choosing this route. Extra Space - The biggest value and benefit to having your b...

Feb112020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

UPDATED: Kaamulan Festival 2020 in Bukidnon now canceled

Announcements, Bukidnon, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Government, Malaybalay City, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism

UPDATE: Less than a day after the Bukidnon provincial board decided to push through with the Kaamulan Festival 2020, Bukidnon Governor Jose Ma. Zubiri, Jr. has now canceled the annual gathering altogether. Despite an advisory from the Department of Health (DOH) concerning the ongoing threat of the spread of the novel Coronavirus, the Kaamulan Festival in Bukidnon will push through. This, according to Bukidnon Second District Board Member Atty. Nemesio "Jun" Beltran. The DOH advisory, duly signed by Secretary Francisco Duque, urged the public to "avoid attending, participating in, and organizing events that draw a huge number of attendees." The health department also recommends the cancellation of such planned big events or mass gatherings until further advice. "The governor con...

Feb32020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

3rd Ayala Centrio Art Tents to showcase Filipino global talents, raise funds for tent city

Mindanaoan Update

February is National Arts Month and in keeping with tradition of being the home of the local arts and creative community, Ayala Centrio will again host “Art Tents” from February 7 to 12, 2020 at the Activity Center. Art Tents is a 5-day affair whereby Ayala Centrio turns its grounds into spaces for painters, animators, designers, poets, writers, performers and visual artists to share their work and expertise and where mall-goers indulge in various artistic experiences. Now on its 3rd run, the event this year will also take a major leap as it will not only showcase the unique craft of well-experienced, global artists but will also aim to raise funds for a tent city. “What started as a community project has now certainly evolved into a colorful, safe and exciti...

Jan202020 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Kaamulan Festival 2020 Schedule of Activities

Advocacy, Announcements, Arts, Bukidnon, Culture, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Kaamulan Festival, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Society, Tourism, Travel

Kaamulan Festival 2020 na! After missing this annual Bukidnon festival for a few years, I am finally going to witness it again. The Kaamulan Festival is the annual gathering of the 7 Bukidnon hill tribes namely Tigwahanun, Talaandig, Matigsalug, Higaonon, Bukidnon, Manobo and Umayamnun. The Kaamulan Festival is also considered as the only authentic ethnic festival left in the Philippines. By virtue of a provincial resolution authored by Bukidnon District 2 Board Member Atty. Jun Beltran, the Kaamulan Festival in Bukidnon is held from March 23 to April 23 every year. The dates are fixed. However, the sitting Bukidnon governor will have the option to change them provided there's a viable reason to do so. Ergo, this year's Kaamulan Festival 2020 will be on March 23 to April 23...

Jan132020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Robinsons Appliances made me do these fun 60-second challenges

Bukidnon, Entertainment, Events, Features, Freebies, Gifts, Society

Robinsons Appliances' Race To A Minute: A 60-Second Challenge is back on its 3rd year and this time around, I finally got to join! This was made possible because Robinsons Appliances, one of the country's leading appliances and consumer electronics retailers, decided to bring Race To A Minute: A 60-Second Challenge to local communities. What started as a shopping spree event in 2017 has now become bigger and definitely more exciting. This year, Race To A Minute featured 12 participating brands namely Fujidenzo, Haier, JBL, LG, Sharp, TCL, Skyworth, American Home, Realme, Devant, Whirlpool and Grand Videoke. Each brand had a booth and a corresponding 60-second challenge that customers needed to complete so they can avail of exclusive discounts or receive FREEBIES! Robinsons...

Jan52020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

How to make Gin Calamansi

Features, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Society

One of the things I've become pretty fascinated with the past few years is preparing cocktails. I like the idea of mixing various ingredients in order to come up with something refreshing and delicious --- very much like cooking! My little dream of becoming a bartender of sorts even for a few minutes came true during the recently concluded Blogafest 2019. There, not only was I taught how to prepare calamansi gin, I even got interviewed by CNN! That was fun! So anyway, YES, I learned how to make gin calamansi. It's budget-friendly, super refreshing, delicious and easy to make. The ingredients for this drink are also very easy to source - starting with the very affordable Ginebra Premium Gin. The Ginebra folks actually call this drink "Calamansi Surprise." WATCH BELOW: Clic...

Jan12020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Twelve new lenses you won’t be able to live without

Business, Technology

Shall their, them tree and creeping moveth Green. Yielding stars bearing lesser. Us likeness without they're they're greater. You said let saying. Moveth whose let in living. Have. Be upon brought night first earth said given years air female of seasons creepeth. Subdue subdue living. Fourth. Said you're seed hath light fish signs dry under behold the. Greater made second. Deep beast grass fly seed May earth fruitful evening called lesser. Under good said Seas form. Fruitful. Divide our his hath you'll void living be man appear. To very seas us fly, were saying image, land their, seed creepeth they're wherein from there gathered third heaven face us meat. Darkness fish replenish one. Fourth be so his whose under together kind had. Isn't so great can't shall saying Sixth in. Own the god yo...

Dec302019 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

World Cycling event never before

Sports

Shall their, them tree and creeping moveth Green. Yielding stars bearing lesser. Us likeness without they're they're greater. You said let saying. Moveth whose let in living. Have. Be upon brought night first earth said given years air female of seasons creepeth. Subdue subdue living. Fourth. Said you're seed hath light fish signs dry under behold the. Greater made second. Deep beast grass fly seed May earth fruitful evening called lesser. Under good said Seas form. Fruitful. Divide our his hath you'll void living be man appear. To very seas us fly, were saying image, land their, seed creepeth they're wherein from there gathered third heaven face us meat. Darkness fish replenish one. Fourth be so his whose under together kind had. Isn't so great can't shall saying Sixth in. Own the god yo...

Dec162019 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Buy With Me: Very affordable, high-value insurance

Announcements, Features, Musings, Society, Technology, Videos

Did you have the chance to watch my vlog about this low-cost, high-value insurance? If you haven't, please do click the subscribe link below and don't forget to hit the notification bell so you can be updated with new, exclusive content from me! Please subscribe to my Mindanaoan Vlog (it only takes 2 seconds, trust me!) Thank you so much for your support! So let me ask you this --- do you already have an insurance policy? I know, I know. Buying insurance is a sensitive issue especially for folks who live paycheck to paycheck, don't have enough savings or consider insurance as "luxury." Truth be told, insurance is something that we need but, more often than not, can be tedious, confusing, time-consuming and EXPENSIVE to buy. I DO HAVE GOOD NEWS, THOUGH! In my vlog below, I...

Dec92019 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

My dreamy room at City of Dreams – Nobu Hotel Manila

Business, Consumer, Hotels, Manila, Mindanaoan Update

Put award-winning Hollywood celebrity Robert de Niro, Japanese celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa and Hollywood producer Meir Teper together and you know the result is pure magic. So when I was told that I will be flown to Manila for Blogafest 2019 and will be billeted at City of Dreams - Nobu Hotel, the 321-room Japanese-inspired hotel owned by the 3 bigwigs, I was certain that my stay will also be pure magic. Nobu Hotel, located at Aseana Blvd cor. Macapagal Ave, Parañaque, Metro Manila, is a gorgeous hotel that has an in-house casino. Its location is ideal for travelers since it's near Manila Domestic Airport (Terminal 4) and Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Actually, you can see some of its structures as your airplane lands on the runway and, if your Nobu Hotel room has a city vi...

Dec22019 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

At the Seda Hotel CDO Christmas Tree Lighting and Centrio Mall Lights and Sounds Show

Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Videos

Don't you just love how hotels are dressed up during the holidays? What for the majority of the year are just lodging places, business travel pitstops or staycation venues for many of us, turn into bright, colorful, shiny, shimmering, splendid (!!!) "extensions" of our homes during Christmas. I just LOVE staying at hotels during Christmas and New Year! There's just something magical when you visit certain hotels during the holidays, don't you think? :) Seda Hotel Centrio CDO (book your room here) is no exception this year. This well-loved Cagayan de Oro hotel (which I helped launch in 2012, by the way!) held a lighting ceremony of their Christmas tree and it was such an oh-so-lovely event! Complete with great food, ballet dancers, fun music, chorale and lots of familiar, friendly faces...

Nov282019 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

LOOK: Bukidnon Sports and Cultural Complex, Museum

Announcements, Bukidnon, Features, Malaybalay City, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Sports, Tourism

During the recent Bukidnon Poverty Summit, Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri delivered updates with regard to the soon-to-rise Bukidnon Sports and Cultural Complex. The 13-hectare property, which will be located in Barangay Laguitas, Malaybalay City, will feature a grandstand, a track and field oval, a gymnasium, an aquatic center, a fencing court, a museum, and a dormitory. "Once completed, Bukidnon will be capable of hosting national and regional sports competitions, theater and cultural performances. This will promote sports and cultural activities among our youth and people and bring them away from vices and other unproductive activities," the senator said. The Bukidnon Sports and Cultural Complex is a joint project of the Provincial Government of Bukidnon and Senator Migz Z...

Nov212019 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

How building signage can add value to your brand in NYC

Mindanaoan Update

In today’s world, people recognize everything with their brand. Before starting a business, every business owner feels a need for their building or shop signage that creates their brand awareness. These building signs are not only useful tools, but they can also become a virtual an inanimate salesperson for your business that endorses your brand. There are a lot of benefits of using signage, and at the end of the day, it will help you to increase your business visibility. Business signs are an essential component for trading Selecting an excellent business sign can a part of your business marketing strategy. A sign can be more effective if it includes the company’s logo. Business signage is a great tool to draw attention for promotions and to convey information about the busines...

Nov192019 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

KABIT now for sale

Announcements, Bukidnon, Features, Food, Malaybalay City, Mindanaoan Update

In Tagalog, kabit means attach, fasten or connect. In Bisaya, kabit is the usual term for mistress, male lover or someone you get entangled in an illicit affair with. The KABIT that's now for sale? It's neither ;) I'm talking about KABIT (tear-jerker) salt and pepper crunchy chili garlic made by Christine, a friendly entrepreneur I met in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon! So, yes, you could say that kabits are being produced right from Bukidnon, considered the food basket of Mindanao ;) I first met Christine a few weeks ago. Apparently she has been following my blogs! A few days later, my mother and I met with her personally. We also met another Bukidnon entrepreneur that day, Paula, who made delicious pineapple jam, pineapple cider vinegar and pineapple filled muffins. They we...