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

Sep22019 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Heading to GenSan for Tuna Festival 2019 – let’s experience new flavors!

Announcements, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, General Santos City, SoSCksargen, Tourism

I'm excited to experience new flavors in beautiful General Santos City! I'm heading to the “Tuna Capital of the Philippines” as it celebrates the 21st Tuna Festival, the biggest industry-based festival in the country happening from August 30 to September 5, 2019. This is in celebration of the city’s 51st inauguration anniversary and their event tagline is "Experience New Flavors." Together with a few Mindanao bloggers, I will be GenSan to witness how the Generals give honor to the integral elements of the tuna industry, which is definitely the main economic driving force of the city. See new sights Expect vibrant and gaudy visuals all over town. From this year’s logo to social media engagements, various "Instragrammable" art installations, festival locations, and program perfo...

Sep22019 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Tips from Top Chefs for Cooking Healthy Food

Food

As consumers try to become more health-conscious, they find it often involves much more than buying organic fruits and vegetable. Home cooks may also fear that recipes for healthy food will taste less satisfying than their comfort foods. If you find yourself struggling to make healthier, better-tasting meals at home, try these nine tips from top chefs. Shop at the Farmer’s Market Not everyone has the ability or space to grow a garden, but shopping at a farmer’s market is nearly as good. You can select seasonal fruits, vegetables, honey, and sometimes home-grown meats from local merchants. As you shop, you may discover different types of produce you have never seen before. Experiment With the Allium Family Chefs claim that one of the most flavorful changes you can make in yo...

Aug82019 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Tea, herb lovers will love this fascinating eco-cultural farm in Bukidnon

Advocacy, Agriculture, Education, Features, Malaybalay City, Mindanaoan Update

New friends, new places...I've been enjoying my downtime so far! One of the new places I visited as of late is an eco-cultural farm in the Province of Bukidnon called Umanika. Umanika or "Uma ni Kalinaw" (Kalinaw is the name of one of the farm founder's children...isn't that so cool or what?) a.k.a. Farm of Peace is located along Diversion Road, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. It's near Ranchers and interestingly, there aren't any signages leading towards this herb and organic farm. There's a fair reason behind that, though. They're busy working in the fields every day and they want to make sure that there's someone who can entertain visitors hence the need for appointments. So on a sunny, beautiful day, along with our new friends Christine, Paula and Dindo (they're awesome entrepreneu...

Aug62019 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

PAG-IBIG Fund now accepts digital payments via PayMaya

Announcements, Corporate, Technology

Talk about convenience! Members of the Pag-IBIG Fund can now send their loan payments and savings digitally with the help of PayMaya. This means that Pag-IBIG Fund members can now securely and cashlessly remit loan amortization payments and savings using any Visa, Mastercard and JCB credit, debit and prepaid card. They can now also pay online via Pag-IBIG's online portal using their e-wallet linked to their mobile number. This is truly good news especially for business owners and individuals who want to save time and be more in control of their finances. This is also helpful news for Overseas Filipino Workers since they can easily monitor their transactions online as well. By equipping government agencies with digital payment options, PayMaya, a digital financial service provid...

Aug42019 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

SCHEDULE: 2019 Kadayawan Festival in Davao City

Davao City, Davao del Sur, Features, Festivals, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism

All roads once again lead to Davao City for The King of Festivals a.k.a. Kadayawan Festival! The 2019 Kadayawan Festival or the 34th Kadayawan will be held this month, August 2019. Kadayawan Festival is the grandest and most colorful celebration that highlights the tribes of Davao City, their culture, tradition and everyday lives. Kadayawan also allows Dabawenyos to thank Magbabaya for bountiful harvests. Highlights of the Kadayawan Festival 2019 include the Indak Indak sa Kadayawan (street dancing competition), Tunog Kadayawan (songwriting tilt), Pamulak sa Kadayawan and Tambayayong Kadayawan (performances of traditional dances and songs from different Ethno-linguistic groups). Here's the schedule of activities (you can click on the image for a bigger version): Just in c...

Aug42019 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Spotify Moving Onto Google Cloud Is A Big

Breaking News, Business

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Jul302019 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Returning to Bayfront Hotel Cebu

Business, Cebu City, Features, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Restaurant, Reviews, Visayas

Frequent travelers like myself have various reasons as to why we return and stay again at a certain hotel. We rebook a hotel room in Cebu, for instance, because we love the features of the room and the amenities. And the price, as well as the location, are perfect. Swak sa budget, 'ika nga. Just a few days ago, I found myself back at Bayfront Hotel Cebu. Straight from New York to Cebu, I needed a Cebu hotel where I can just rest, rest, and yes, REST. Aside from all the reasons I previously mentioned, what made me return to Bayfront Hotel Cebu City is the exceptional service, courteousness and professionalism of the staff. Let me cite some examples. First, as soon as I arrived, the staff immediately helped me with my luggage. They then secured my bags, waited for me to check-in ...

Jul292019 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Spotted: Durian Cacao in Bukidnon Philippines

Advocacy, Agriculture, Bukidnon, Business

I recently accompanied newly minted Congressman Atty. John Flores of the Second District of Bukidnon. We went to Barangay Bantuanon in Lantapan, a municipality known for its rich flora and fauna, natural parks, organic plantations and tribal communities. It was the 29th Araw ng Bantuanon celebration and I was happy to be with my good friend Atty. John again after what was a pretty exciting 2019 election season. I was also happy to discover something pretty fascinating that day, too: DURIAN CACAO. Yep, you read that right. Durian cacao. It looks like a cacao fruit but, as the ladies who manned that particular booth Atty. John and I visited told us, its seeds are actually pungent a.k.a. they smelled like durian! That's durian cacao that John's holding: Here's how it...

Jul272019 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Hello Kitty fans will LOVE this new Herschel Supply collection — see why!

Consumer, Fashion, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Shopping, Society, Style

Can you believe it's been 45 years of friendship, kindness and KAWAII with Hello Kitty? Our favorite female Gijinka with her notable red bow is celebrating her 45th year of spreading kindness all over the world and to celebrate this, Herschel Supply has released a limited edition Hello Kitty collection! Trust me, the pieces included in this Herschel x Hello Kitty array are so cute! Get ready for eye candies galore: Choose from these designs: The Nova Mini, Nova Small, Nova Mid-Volume, Novel duffle, Cruz crossbody, and the Fifteen hip pack all dressed in smooth white flight satin fabric and feature an EXCLUSIVE tonal heat pressed Hello Kitty all-over print and an interior fabric liner with a magnified print of Hello Kitty. Now THAT will definitely make any Hello Kitty fan'...

Jul232019 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

These condo and housing projects in Cagayan de Oro offer more for the family

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Mindanaoan Update

Have you noticed how bullish the real estate industry has been lately? You're not alone. More and more property developers have become aggressive not only in selling but in producing aesthetically pleasing properties with attractive amenities, facilities and other perks. One of these developers is Cebu Landmasters Inc. A few days ago, I was invited to attend a press conference whereby they discussed their two residential projects valued at a whopping Php1.26 Billion - one is the Casa Mira Towers CDO, a 2-tower condominium offering 986 units, and Velmiro CDO, a 14-hectare gated subdivision offering 396 house and lots. These real estate projects aim to meet the needs of mid and economic-income housing clients, according to CLI. WATCH as CLI Chairman and CEO Jose Soberano III dis...

Jul162019 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Hotel Suppliers Show to Launch a New Edition in Northern Mindanao

Mindanaoan Update

The evident need for hospitality, office, residential, and retail spaces in Mindanao has fueled the region’s progress and growth. With Mindanao progressively attracting local and international investors as they recognize the region’s remarkable vicinities for development, more and more establishments are being constructed, economic expansion has strengthened, and ties to the international market have improved. With Mindanao region’s expected growth especially in the hospitality industry, the organizers of the Hotel Suppliers Show has decided to launch a new edition of the expo dedicated to helping the local hoteliers, restaurateurs, business owners, and other industry professionals in Mindanao. Hence, the birth of the Hotel Suppliers Show - Mindanao. The event is set to happen on August...

Jul82019 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

How to Promote a Restaurant Business in New Jersey?

America, Business, Mindanaoan Update

New Jersey loves food! From sloppy joes to beefsteaks and from shrimp ravioli to cheesecake, we love it all. At the same time, residents of New Jersey are known for their strong opinions. So, pampering their taste buds and providing a pleasing ambiance are critical if you want to become one of the loved restaurants here. But, before we get there, you need to attract as many people as possible to your restaurant. Fortunately, there are several ways in which you can promote your restaurant business in New Jersey. Visual branding is very important for the restaurant industry because it makes an impactful first impression, whether shared via social media or incorporated in banner printing, say experts at New Jersey Banner Stands. Here’s a look at some of the ways in which you can increase t...

Jun142019 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Witnessing the fashion show in New York of this Mindanao designer

America, Cagayan de Oro City, Fashion, Features, Mindanaoan Update, New York, United States of America

Despite the threat of rain, it was still a great day to witness something special --- a fashion designer friend of mine from Cagayan de Oro, Boogie Musni Rivera, unveiled his lovely collection during the 121st Philippine Independence Day celebration here in New York City, USA. Together with our mutual friend Miss Gean Tulang-Cesar and my aunt, I braved the gloomy weather and went to Madison Square Park, where Boogie presented his beautiful creations. Truth be told, Boogie is already an accomplished CDO fashion designer but it was his very first fashion show in the Big Apple and during the Independence Day event, no less, so I was super proud! While we waited, Miss Gean, my aunt and I roamed around the nearby blocks and checked out the various booths. We chanced upon the alley full ...

Jun132019 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

CHECKLIST: Things to Consider When Participating in a Trade Show

Events, Mindanaoan Update

Participating in a tradeshow is a huge commitment of resources and time. Although tradeshows have gained immense popularity due to the unique opportunities they present, there are several considerations that can influence the returns on investment. Participation needs to be strategically planned and every aspect needs attention to detail, from promoting your participation to designing eye-catching step and repeat backdrop, according to experts at BackDrop Banner Printing. Here’s a list of things to consider if you intend to participate in a tradeshow. Checklist for Tradeshow Participation Goals: You need to be clear about your goals of participating. In other words, be clear about what you’re expecting out of it. Is it brand building, to generate x amount of leads or sell y nu...

Jun132019 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Get this FREE travel book from a Guinness world record holder

Mindanaoan Update

When it comes to travel, who better to trust than the Guinness Book world record holder for being the YOUNGEST person to travel to ALL 196 countries? The CEO and Founder of Holiday Swap, James Asquith, is the world record holder for being the youngest person to travel to all 196 countries at the age of 24. And here's GREAT NEWS - starting from today, for five days only, he’s giving away his book, Breaking Borders, for free on Amazon. All you have to do to get his book for FREE is to first download Holiday Swap. Once you’ve done that you can download his book via this special link: https://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Borders-Travels-Pursuit-Impossible-ebook/dp/B01M5IM8E3 More about his amazing app Holiday Swap: In an attempt to reduce the expenses of travel, the app a...

Jun72019 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Has Standup Comedy Peaked?

Mindanaoan Update

Comedy and making people laugh has been a staple of entertainment and culture for as long as people can remember. Making people laugh is one of the easiest ways to make them happy and keep them entertained, so it’s no wonder why comedy is always so popular. Spawned from the comedy genre is an offshoot of entertainment, standup comedy. Standup comedy usually revolves around joke telling and impeccable timing to entertain audiences rather than skits and acting. Standup comedians usually tell jokes and stories that revolve around their lives and experiences rather than act out a funny plot like traditional comedies do. Standup comedy has been rapidly growing in popularity, to the point where it would be next to impossible to not be exposed to it in some way. That begs the question, has standu...

Jun72019 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

5 Tips for Choosing the Right Outdoor Flag Banner

Mindanaoan Update

One common banner advertising mistake many marketers make is using indoor banners in outdoor locations. This might seem an easy way to save money on banner advertising, but in reality, it costs you more in the long run. Unlike indoor banners, outdoor displays are made to withstand extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rainfall and strong winds, says an expert at New York Banner Stands, an acclaimed company for Same Day Poster Printing NYC. When advertising outdoors, make sure you’re using the right type of banner flags depending on your location and marketing purpose. You’ve many options to choose from, so you might be a little confused. Here are 5 tips for making the right choice. Know Your Options You’ll find many types of outdoor banner flags, but some types are mor...

Jun62019 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

8 Reasons To Tour Scotland in Your Lifetime

Mindanaoan Update

Scotland is home to beauty, mystery and centuries of history. The country is full of beautiful scenery to immerse yourself into. The culture is interesting and charming. While many tourists go for fantasy, here are ten reasons everyone should take a trip to Scotland. Castles Many Scotland tours take a trip to the many castles dotting the land. Stirling Castle may still carry the ghost of Mary Queen of Scots. In fact, you can even stay in many castles as several are hotels now. From the famous Dunrobin Castle in the Highlands to Floors Castle near the Scottish border, the country has many to explore and soak in the history of the country. Crags Scotland is known for its wildness and the many crags provide an opportunity for tourists to test their mettle. ...

Jun62019 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

How often should I perform Brand Tracking?

Business, Mindanaoan Update

A brand tracker is something which allows you to get a snapshot of the positioning of your current brand. In terms of both the market your brand is associated with and key competitors, too. This snapshot can be brilliant at giving you insights that other forms of more basic information can’t provide, such as sales figures. Many companies find this sort of information vital. Something that is an invaluable source of information. The trickier question for some companies is how regular this information needs to be refreshed. In this article, we will look at what some of the options are. Then from this, we can look at what factors might make you choose one timeframe over another.In terms of time scale there are three basic options: AnnualQuarterlyMonthly An annual brand tracker can be us...

May242019 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

From Compostela Valley to Davao de Oro

Compostela Valley, Government, Mindanaoan Update

It's the only province in the Davao Region that does not have "Davao" in its name. That will soon change, though. Compostela Valley, created in 1998 through Republic Act 8470 that divided the Province of Davao del Norte, will soon be named "Davao de Oro." President Rodrigo Duterte has signed R.A. 11297 on April 17 allowing a plebiscite that will be conducted and supervised by the Commission on Elections. The change to "Davao de Oro" will be subject to ratification by a majority of the votes cast by the qualified voters during the said plebiscite. Compostela Valley Vice Governor-elect Maricar Zamora said that the new law is "a good day" for the province. "We will soon be named DAVAO DE ORO! Thank you President Rodrigo Duterte for approving our bill... now it is Republic Act No. ...

Apr292019 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Popular CDO buffet POPS All Filipino Eatery opens SM CDO Downtown branch

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Food, Mindanaoan Update

The most preferred and arguably the best eat and drink all you can place in Cagayan de Oro has opened its latest branch! POPS All Filipino Eatery has just opened their newest branch at the 2nd floor of SM CDO Downtown Premier. POPS All Filipino Eatery started with their 2-storey restaurant along Corrales Avenue (beside 7/11). Then they opened an Ayala Centrio outlet. This SM CDO Downtown Premier branch is obviously their third and it seems they're not slowing down anytime soon. POPS CDO buffet is available everyday (lunch, merienda and dinner). Rates: Weekdays (Monday to Friday) Adult - Php 250.00, Children - Php 150.00, Senior Citizen - Php 200.00 Weekends (Saturday and Sunday) Adult - Php 299.00, Kids - Php 175.00, Senior Citizen - Php 239.20 Merienda (E...

Apr212019 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Discover the joy of halal food at Babu Kwan CDO

Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Food, Maguindanao, Marawi City, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Muslim Mindanao

I don't remember exactly when I first had it but I do have a fond memory of an encounter with halal food. It was during a political campaign stop in Cotabato City. My political client and the other males were in a separate room and I, being the only female in our political team at the time, was led to a room full of lovely, graceful Muslim ladies and several children all happily playing with each other. I remember they all had smiles for me and the room smelled of absolutely delicious home cooking, spices, goodness and joy. It was a beautiful memory. Since then, I have always made it a point to eat halal food when given the chance. During my travels to Malaysia and Singapore, halal food was always part of my diet. And I'm glad that in Cagayan de Oro, there's now a restaurant where you ...