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

Jul292020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

LOOK: Matigsalug – Manobo tribes get new tribal hall in Kitaotao

Advocacy, Bukidnon, Culture, Government, Mindanao, Society

Two of Mindanao's tribes now have a new tribal hall complete with sleeping quarters. The Matigsalug - Manobo tribes in Kitaotao, Bukidnon recently received a new tribal hall with sleeping quarters. The new tribal hall, located at Brgy. Sagundanon, Kitaotao, Bukidnon, was inaugurated on July 24, 2020. The Matigsalug - Manobo tribal hall was funded under the Department of Social Welfare and Development Kalahi-CIDSS and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process under its PAyapa and MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) framework. PAMANA is the government's peace and development framework that aims to strengthen peacebuilding, reconstruction, and development in conflict-affected areas. DSWD says that PAMANA has reportedly expanded to include the funding of projects for IPs u...

Jul132020 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Pay government dues online with PayMaya (here’s Php 100 to get you started)

Consumer, Government, Technology

I've been there. We need to settle bills and government dues but ever since this global health crisis, heading out and paying these bills became a challenge. Good thing we already have eWallets or electronic wallets just like PayMaya. During the quarantine period, eWallets like PayMaya has helped millions of Filipinos pay for their utility bills from the comfort of their homes. However, did you know that aside from paying for water, electricity, and postpaid plans, PayMaya is also a safe and convenient option to settle your government dues? 09055885378 You can pay your PAG-IBIG loan, your passport processing fee to the DFA, or pay your taxes to the BIR online. With just a few taps on your smartphone, and without the need of heading out of your home, you can easily transact with the g...

Jul102020 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Conquering Mangima Road with Ford Ranger Raptor

Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Leisure, LifeStyle, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Personal, Reviews, Society, Travel

In a previous blog post, I mentioned that I am in the market for a new vehicle and currently weighing options. Aside from budget, comfort level and features, I thought I also needed a vehicle that could fit my busy and adventure-filled lifestyle but can also be formal and practical, preferably one that didn’t really require further modifications. See, I may be a girl but more often than not, I’m not that girly-girl, if you know what I mean. I have my happy-in-a-dress days but I have more makeup-free, slippers-only, super comfortable clothes on days. So, to me, that’s a challenge. Is there a vehicle out there for someone who loves to travel and conquer many adventures but who also loves to take the family, friends and loved ones for fun escapades, lead community projects, volun...

Jul32020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Investment scheme Forsage is illegal, says SEC

Advocacy, Announcements, Features, News, Technology

The Securities and Exchange Commission has issued a stern warning against Forsage, an investment scheme headed by a certain Lado Okhotnikov. Forsage is NOT duly registered with the SEC and lacks the necessary license to solicit, accept or take investments from the public or issue investment contracts and other forms of securities. On June 30, 2020, the Commission said that Forsage is illegally engaging in investment activities in the guise of cryptocurrency trading. SEC Cagayan de Oro Director Atty. Renato Egypto said that many from Region X have engaged with Forsage already. “SEC Cagayan de Oro Extension Office has received numerous reports as well through email and direct messages inquiring about the legality of Forsage. This really concerns us and so we continuously remind ...

Jun252020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

How your Php 100 (US $2) can help buy PPEs for frontliners

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Events, Features, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Society, Technology

I know what you're thinking. That thing experts call "donor fatigue" has kicked in and not many people are interested to donate to COVID-19 related fundraising causes. I was afraid of that, too. However, we all know that this fight isn't over (and won't be for quite a while) and our brave and hardworking medical front liners need all the help so that they can work and treat efficiently. We need to UNITE. So here goes --- how about if we help procure Department of Health-approved medical grade PPEs for our front liners, who, for 3 months running, have been sacrificing for all of us? And guess what --- we can actually do this by donating as low as Php 100 (yes, that's US $2) Join #CreatorsUnitedPH campaign, an effort that seeks to raise funds to procure DOH-approved medical grade P...

Jun252020 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Why cashless ecosystems are critical as Philippines speeds up digital push

Advocacy, Technology

Given this COVID-19 pandemic that we are all facing right now, providing a complete and inclusive way for Filipinos to transact with the government online through ‘cashless’ ecosystems is CRITICAL. This, as the government accelerates its digital push, an executive from digital financial services PayMaya said recently. “Everything is going online, including government services, but we have to ensure that every Filipino is able to continue transacting with government and receive much-needed aid through cashless ecosystems that are pervasive and at the same time inclusive,” said Orlando B. Vea, Founder and CEO of PayMaya, during the BusinessWorld Insights Forum which discussed digital payments acceptance for LGUs held on Tuesday. Vea said this means enabling the government to acce...

Jun242020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Donated earsavers for brave frontliners – JOIN US!

Advocacy, Blogging, Bukidnon, Features, Gifts, LifeStyle, Malaybalay City, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Society

Ever since this whole pandemic started, I've led a couple of donation drives, joined information campaigns and contributed to many fundraising efforts. Anybody who really knows me can attest that I'm not exactly the type who likes to post about those but I want to make an exception this time. Firstly, because I am hoping that more people will be inspired. Secondly, because our fight against this global health crisis is far from over and the world needs more volunteers. Thirdly, because this project is really simple, doable and very budget-friendly --- not to mention fun to do! Let me tell you about earsavers. Earsavers protect the ears from chafing or developing skin irritation while you wear a face mask. You can also wear earsavers so the ear loops don't tug your ears and eventuall...

Jun112020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Ford offers buy now, pay later, super low monthly plans plus financing with 0 percent interest

Business, Corporate, Features, Mindanaoan Update

This is big news especially for folks like me who want to purchase a new vehicle soon! Ford Philippines is making it extra easy for all of us to own a spanking brand new Ford vehicle with very special deals. Just how special? How does buy now, pay later, low monthly plans and a financing plan with ZERO percent interest up to 3 years sound to you? This June, Ford Philippines has special deals and promotions for its pick-ups, SUVs, and Ford Transit van. They even have freebies and cash discounts in store. Can you hear my heart beating so fast?! I agree with Ford Philippines Marketing Director Ryan Lorenzo when he said that with these special offers, it’s now easier and more convenient to own a Ford vehicle. Ford Ranger now available for as low as Php 9,999 monthly Still available...

Jun112020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Easy cashless payments for BIR, SSS, Pag-ibig etc via PayMaya

Advocacy, Features, Government, Mindanaoan Update

Do you prefer paying online for your taxes, SSS contributions and other payments to the government? Are you, like me, an advocate of cashless payments? While it's true that most of the quarantine rules have been relaxed across the country, digital financial services leader PayMaya said it is still safer and more efficient for Filipinos to pay their government dues online and using cashless methods, options which are already available for the convenience and safety of citizens. Government agencies such as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Social Security System (SSS) have announced a final extension for tax filing and membership dues, respectively, until June 15, 2020. Citizens can easily pay for their BIR and SSS dues using their PayMaya accounts from the safety and comf...

Jun92020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

2GO and Trans-Asia resume boat trips (schedules, requirements inside)

Announcements, Government, Travel

Trans-Asia Shipping Lines and 2GO have resumed their boat trips. In the case of Trans-Asia, they have resumed their Cebu - Cagayan de Oro, Cagayan de Oro - Tagbilaran, Cebu - Ozamiz, and Cebu - Iligan trips. For 2GO, on the other hand, they now serve the Manila - Cagayan de Oro, Manila - Butuan, Manila - Iligan, Manila - Ozamiz, Manila - Zamboanga and a host of other routes. Both shipping lines also only cater to Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs), Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and Authorized Persons Outside Residences (APORs). That means no leisure travels allowed. Both Trans-Asia and 2GO also require passengers to present pertinent documents. Check out the infographics below and don't hesitate to get in touch with both shipping lines if you need assistance: Trans-Asia ...

Jun52020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Cashless payment for your hirna taxi fare with PayMaya

Butuan, Corporate, Davao City, Mindanaoan Update, Technology

Are you among the hirna ride-hailing app users in Davao, Butuan, Iloilo and Bacolod? I have fantastic news for you! Digital financial services leader PayMaya is partnering with hirna and its partner-taxi drivers so that the latter can accept cashless payments in accordance with the government's directive to promote a safer and more convenient commute for the riding public. Soon, users of the hirna ride-hailing app can book rides and pay using PayMaya QR and do away with the need to pay their fares using cash, which is seen to aiding the spread of the virus causing the COVID-19 disease. hirna and its partner-drivers are among the first transportation service providers that PayMaya is empowering with digital payments capabilities in support of t...

Jun42020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

I saw Ross of “Friends” a.k.a. David Schwimmer in New York

America, Entertainment, Features, Mindanaoan Update, New York, Personalities, United States of America, Videos

Are you a fellow fan of "Friends"? Because if you are then OH. MY. GOD. (oh that shrilly Janice voice!) Like any "Friends" fan worth her salt, I just HAD to see at least one of the cast members, no? As fate would have it, I saw the amazingly talented David Schwimmer, who played my favorite character, "Ross," first! Maybe I just got lucky because David Schwimmer a.k.a. Ross Geller lives in New York while the other cast members reside in the West Coast. Anyway, that doesn't matter. What matters is --- I SAW ROSS! So of course this post will be - The One With Ross In NYC :D It all happened when I scored priority tickets to "The View," a daily talk show created in 1997 by veteran journalist Barbara Walters. Currently, the show is hosted by women led by Hollywood bigwig Whoopi G...

Jun32020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Tips On Being A Condo Owner

Mindanaoan Update

Not many people know the pros and cons of being a condo owner. Living in a condo means that you do have to be responsible within your association. Many of the most common issues are because many people don’t follow even the basics of rules that are listed. If you are renting an apartment or condo or if you're now a certified condo owner, you might have some rights. However, as an owner, there are courtesies, restrictions, and rights for you to be aware of. Being A Good Neighbor Chances are, you’ve grown up around neighbors before but now that you are in a place where you may have the same neighbors for a long time, you want to make sure to be friendly to those on either side of you. A good idea is to be the kind of neighbor that you initially would like to have. This mea...

May292020 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

LOOK: The new Ford Everest Sport 2020 (what a beauty)

Corporate, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Travel

Are you also keen on buying a new vehicle just like me? I have great news! Ford Philippines has launched the new Ford Everest Sport and it's a certified beauty! Plus - get this - if you reserve a unit before May 31, 2020, you get a FREE 3-year scheduled service plan. Did that capture your attention? Read on. The new Ford Everest Sport 2020 is part of the vehicle maker's SUV portfolio expansion and features an enhanced design and a host of driver-assist technologies that will help widen the appeal of the Ford Everest among customers who appreciate the vehicle’s versatility, safety, and capability. “The new Everest Sport supports the Everest’s position as one of the safest and most capable SUVs in the market today,” shares PK Umashankar, managing director, Ford Philippines. Her...

May292020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

POPS CDO Filipino restaurant reopens, adapts to new normal

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

As the world slowly eases back to its "new normal" amidst this current health scare, restaurants are also slowly but surely adapting to new guidelines and implementing them well so as to protect consumers. Cagayan de Oro's P.O.P.S. All Filipino Eatery, best known as CDO's most popular eat-and-drink-all-you-can place, is nothing different. After nearly 2 months of temporary closure due to quarantine guidelines set by the government, POPS CDO is now back and ready to serve customers. Although dine-in is still not allowed as of this writing, POPS CDO is geared up and ready to offer pickup, takeout and delivery! Moreover, the POPS Cagayan de Oro management is also taking into consideration the possible changes such as reduced capacity of dine-in customers, heightened health and safety prot...

May242020 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Panagatan Restaurant reopens all branches, offers 30 percent discount

Bukidnon, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Food, Iligan City, Mindanaoan Update, Restaurant

Considered as Northern Mindanao's culinary gem and everyone's favorite seafood restaurant, Panagatan Restaurant is back in business! Panagatan Restaurant is all geared up to cater to pickup, takeout and delivery orders! Plus, here's an amazing deal - 30 percent off on all seafood meals! This offer lasts until May 31, 2020 so I highly recommend that you visit the Panagatan Restaurant branch nearest you. They have 6 branches, folks! Their main one, my favorite, is in Opol. It's atop the water so you can enjoy the sea breeze. They then have branches in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan City and Valencia City, Bukidnon. PLEASE CALL THESE NUMBERS Opol - 0917 713 1436Ayala Malls (Centrio) - 0923 087 2418 / landline 323 1390SM Downtown - 0927 851 6711 / landline 859 1376SM City Uptown - 09...

May242020 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Get paid using your phone | Negosyo app lets you receive online, QR payments

Blogging, Business, Consumer, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Technology

As more and more businesses turn to digital means in order to cope with the current pandemic, the need for innovative mobile payment measures is also on the rise. Good thing our friends over at PayMaya know how to help entrepreneurs and they even make it extra easy! PayMaya recently unveiled its latest mobile payment innovation - the all-new PayMaya Negosyo app. This app allows merchants - from our kapitbahay who just started selling kakanin to small business owners and even to the veteran trade bigwigs - to easily and quickly accept online payments and payments via QR code within just 1 to 2 days. If you ask me, this is absolutely helpful because not only do customers prefer easy, convenient and online ways to pay for purchases, contactless payments are now highly encouraged, given...

May112020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

LOOK: TanodCOVID, an SMS-based platform to trace suspected COVID-19 cases

Advocacy, Announcements, Internet, Technology

Here's an interesting platform that aims to help effective trace suspected COVID-19 cases. Through its innovative developer group Globe Labs, Globe Telecom is once again taking new steps by partnering with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) - Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) for the implementation of a new online platform called TanodCOVID. TanodCOVID is an SMS-based self-reporting platform and aims to improve the country’s capacity to trace suspected COVID-19 cases. A program funded by DOST-PCHRD, TanodCOVID was developed by Ateneo Center for Computing Competency and Research (ACCCRe) of Ateneo de Manila University, in collaboration with the University of the Philippines Manila - National Telehealth Center (UP-NTHC) and the DOH-Epidemiology Bu...

May112020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

The Biggest Benefits of the HCG Diet

Health

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin – HCG – is a hormone. It is one of the many hormones that is found in both men and women that helps in the regulation of the body’s basic metabolic functions. When it is injected, HCG will force your body to begin burning adipose fat. When this is paired with a very low-calorie diet, HCG will help to promote weight loss that ranges between one half to one pound each day. For many people, this is very appealing. Some of the other benefits offered by the HCG diet can be found here. It Helps Improve Metabolic Function With most dieting programs, when you reduce your caloric intake, it will increase your hunger. Your body begins to think that it is starving, which will slow down your metabolic function. This creates the unintended consequence of sto...

May82020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mother’s Day gifts you can easily pay and get online

Beauty, Business, Consumer, Entertainment, Fashion, Features, Gifts, Internet, Leisure, LifeStyle, Restaurant, Shopping, Society, Style, Technology

With Mother’s Day drawing near and we're all still supposed to stay at home because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we can actually still make the most important woman in our lives feel very special on the very day of the year that's meant for her! The best option? Do cashless transactions with many of the businesses that offer takeout/to-go, pickup or delivery options. Chances are, your favorite business establishments offer one or all of those options! With cashless transactions, getting those Mother's Day gifts will definitely be a breeze and safer! For the movie junkie mom If your mom loves movies, why not give her access to all her favorite films and series with a Netflix subscription? You can even set up a movie night for the entire family complete with your go-to snacks. Sub...

May82020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Qualified for the Small Business Wage Subsidy? Receive funds via Paymaya

Business, Consumer, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Technology

We all know that many employees have had their livelihoods affected because of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) measures. In Mindanao, I personally know of several business owners who have been forced to temporarily suspend their operations because of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, their employees and workers also had to look for other means to get by. The national government has introduced the Small Business Wage Subsidy (SBWS) program. Employees and workers affected can see if they qualify for the program through the Social Security System (SSS) or apply for other loans and have the funds disbursed safely and conveniently to their PayMaya account. The application period for this subsidy program has been extended until today, May 8, 2020. PayMaya has partnered with SSS ...

Apr252020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Meeting Incubus and telling Brandon Boyd what I’ve always wanted to say

America, Entertainment, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Music, New York, Personalities, Photos, United States of America

How do you talk to the members of a band whose songs pretty much filled many, many years of your life? I'm talking about high school, college, yuppie, and even professional stages of your life? Whose songs helped you face pain, sorrow, happiness, excitement, fear? And, as if those aren't scary enough, how in the world do you also face one of your biggest crushes, who happens to be the band's lead vocalist? How do you gather enough intestinal fortitude to even be in the same space with one of the world's sexiest, super talented men? These questions ran through my head for days --- well before THE day. Yes, I'm talking about that very fateful day that I got to meet the members of Incubus and, oh sweet Jesus, THE Brandon Boyd. I had the utmost privilege of meeting them here in New York...