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

Aug202016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

The ONLY party you should go to this CDO fiesta Higalaay 2016

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, Music

A lot of people have been asking me for recommendations on what to do, where to go, where to eat, where to stay etc during the Higalaay Festival 2016 (Cagayan de Oro fiesta). More often than not, my answers would include staying at The Pacifico Hotel (because it's a major landmark that's right along the parade route so it's easier for hotel guests to watch the festivities), eating at Liempo King (the sisig rice and their signature lechon na liempo just win every single time), ordering boneless lechon belly at Manoy's and river rafting with the BEST in the industry, Great White Water Tours. Now, I have another recommendation - to attend the most exciting Higalaay street festival party on August 27, 2016! Fiesta RAVE-o-lution, made possible by XUHS 92 and the leading telecommunications co...

Aug162016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Attend these wealth building seminars in Davao, CDO and Cebu

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Cebu City, Davao City, Education, Headline, Make Money Online, Misamis Oriental, Society, Technology

Want to be wise with your money? If you're in Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and even Manila, you may want to join wealth building seminars in your area! These seminars on how to invest wisely will even be led by experts. This way, you can build your wealth the smart and legal way. And guess what - you can even attend for FREE! The Philippines’ most trusted online stockbroker, COL Financial, and the largest Filipino conglomerate, SM Investments Corporation, will be sharing their secrets to investing success in this month’s “SMart Investing – COL’s 2016 Wealth Building Summit for the Filipino Investor.” By joining this FREE summit, Filipinos can increase their financial literacy and find out what it takes to invest your way into financial security and independence. Learn about stock m...

Aug152016 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

MusiKagayan Festival 2016 with Up Dharma Down and TJ Monterde (EASY TICKET GIVEAWAY INSIDE)

Cagayan de Oro City, Contests, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, Music

Who's ready for MusiKagayan Festival 2016? It's the biggest and the GRANDEST music festival ever to happen in Cagayan de Oro City! This Higalaay Festival 2016, it is but a MUST for you to catch the most-awaited and much-talked about MusiKagay-an Festival 2016 CDO! MusiKagay-an Festival will be held on August 20, 2016 at Limketkai Center Parking Lot D. Gates will open starting at 11 AM (there will be various activities and concessionaires inside!) and performances will last until the wee hours of the next morning! Aside from headliners Up Dharma Down and CDO's very own, TJ Monterde, MusiKagay-an music festival CDO will also feature local indie bands, DJs and dancers. Ticket prices are as follows: Indie: 375 (with 1 FREE Drink) Halley's: 975 (with 3 FREE DRINKS + VIP lounge acce...

Aug152016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

The Pacifico Hotel #CDO launches amazing room sale

Cagayan de Oro City, Hotels, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Reviews

The Pacifico Boutique Hotel, a major landmark along the annual Higalaay Festival (Kagay-an Festival) parade route, has introduced a mega discounted promo rate for both their standard and deluxe rooms. For only Php 1,499.00 (book and buy basis) and for a minimum of 2-night stay, guests can stay at The Pacifico CDO’s modern and spacious rooms equipped with 12-inch thick mattresses, bamboo silk sheets, blackout curtains, fast and FREE 100 Mbps wireless Internet, 40 inch wide screen cable TV, floor to ceiling view of the city and large bathrooms with hot and cold water running through rainshower heads. Each room also comes with FREE breakfast for two (2). Just a few steps away from the starting point of the 2016 Higalaay Festival Higalas parade of floats and icons (August 27) as well as th...

Aug102016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Action packed Laban MMA fights this Cagayan de Oro fiesta

Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Malaybalay City, Mindanaoan Update, Sports

Expect action-packed mixed martial arts fights this month as Guam-based Pacific X-treme Combat (PXC) brings you the provincial developmental league, Laban MMA, in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines! Set to explode on August 27, 2016 at The Atrium of the Limketkai Center, Laban MMA CDO is one of the official events during the city’s Higalaay (Kagay-an) Festival. PXC Laban MMA CDO will treat Kagay-anons to a slam-bang Saturday evening as their very own ‘kababayan,’ 31-year- old Israel B. Gomez of Team MUMMA, goes for win number 4 against dangerous 19-year- old Jerome Pa-ac who’s coming all the way from Baguio City to represent the much-heralded Team Lakay. Sharing co-main event honors is the matchup between another hometown hero, Victor Torre of Team MUMMA/Gladiator MMA, and Marcelo Cabusas o...

Aug72016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Deta Beauty Cosmetics August 2016 launch in CDO Philippines

Announcements, Beauty, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Events, Fashion, Features, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Shopping, Society, Style

Absolutely great news for fellow makeup aficionados! I first shared the news on my beauty and fashion blog, Women Treats, but please allow me to share the news here on Mindanaoan as well! Deta Beauty will launch their pioneering line of quality cosmetics this August 20, 2016 in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines! This will be the pioneer launch of this innovative line of paraben and cruelty-free makeup line. Founded by Chicago, USA-based power couple Saad and Kathleen Maniar, Deta Beauty offers a wide range of quality makeup products such as the very trendy lip lacquers, foundation, eye shadows as well as various palettes for bronzing and contouring. The De Ta Beauty Cosmetics CDO launch will also be a homecoming of sorts for Kathleen, who is a native of Cagayan de Oro. Deta is actually ...

Aug42016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Hi-Way 43 – Culinary heaven at Kauswagan CDO

Announcements, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Food, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Reviews

There's a new dining destination in Cagayan de Oro and it's located along Kauswagan Highway, near the Bulua Bus Terminal (where buses heading to Iligan and Zamboanga are) and right where the old Pan de Pugon used to be. Hi-Way 43 is located just a few steps away from Citra Mina and fairly near the newly opened S&R Membership Shopping CDO. The group behind Hi-Way 43 CDO is composed of talented and skillful chefs and experienced entrepreneurs who are devoted to crafting delicious culinary treats and to providing courteous customer service. I was invited to their recently concluded grand opening. I had a nice meal and I can't wait to try the other offers on the menu. I was told that among their bestsellers are the onion bloom, fish fillet with honey mustard sauce, buffalo wings, ...

Aug32016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

7 fun things about The Chainsmokers (and how to win tickets to their Manila concert)

Entertainment, Events, Features, Manila, Music

Are the songs "Roses," "Don't Let Me Down" and "Closer" on your playlist? Why, hello there, fellow Chainsmokers fan! From groundbreaking performances, to their wild acts, and now a world tour running, our Chainsmokers boys have really been very busy! I bet you also know that they're bringing the party here in the Philippines. Now before we catch them live, check out these 7 fun facts about our favorite duo and a few of their hit tracks! 1. The Chainsmokers pre-performance ritual - Before getting onto the stage, some artists have vocal warm ups and some sweat it out, but for this duo, it’s a different scenario. Imagine them having a few drinks (or a lot in a number of shows) before they turn the stage upside down, or punch each other in the face just to hype the party monsters in them. T...

Jul172016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Globe partners with Netflix in the Philippines

Announcements, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Technology, Television

Leave it to Globe Telecom to come up with the most exciting content partnerships with global brands to further strengthen their offers to customers. Just recently, Globe announced their partnership with Netflix, the world’s leading Internet television network with over 81 million members in over 190 countries enjoying more than 125 million hours of TV shows and movies per day, including original series, documentaries and feature films. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on nearly any Internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments. Actually, way back in January, I already started checking out Netflix. I caught up with some episodes of "Jane The Virgin" and "Elementary." Also, back in January, while ne...

Jul162016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

PHOTOS: Sneak peek inside S&R Membership Shopping Cagayan de Oro

Announcements, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Corporate, Events, Features, Headline, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Muslim Mindanao, News, Northern Mindanao, Shopping, Society, United States of America

World-class shopping center S&R Membership Shopping will finally open in Cagayan de Oro on July 28, 2016, 9 AM! S&R CDO is a membership-shopping club modeled after the warehouse membership shopping chains introduced in the United States. Located along Kauswagan Highway (across the RTMI garage, before you take a right towards the Bulua Bus Terminal if you're coming from CDO city proper), S&R CDO will offer irresistible promos and discounts on opening day. So be sure to be there! Actually, if you already got your new membership card and have your voucher booklet (with coupons worth as much as Php 65,000!), you can use the red coupons from September 1 to 7, 2016 as well. Anyway, let me take you to a sneak peek of S&R CDO. You can also find store rules, store hours and ot...

Jul132016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

FrostBites CDO: Singapore-style ice cream sandwiches

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

If you've been to Singapore, I bet you've seen those "uncles" who have those mobile carts with umbrellas and sell that infamous 1 SGD (roughly 33 Philippine pesos) ice cream. These ice cream sellers are actually all over Singapore especially at places with very high foot traffic - tourist spots, MRT stations, busy street corners etc. During my very first trip to Singapore several years ago, I made sure that I included "buy that 1 SGD ice cream wafer along Orchard Road" in my itinerary. Actually, some of those mobile ice cream carts also sell ice cream by the cones and cups. Some also sell softdrinks, water, juice drinks and energy drinks. But, of course, the main product is still the ice cream sandwich. Now here's good news for people who have been craving for the popular Singapore i...

Jul112016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

The new Globe Telecom content partners – absolutely exciting!

Announcements, Blogging, Broadcasting, Business, Consumer, Corporate, Entertainment, Events, Features, Internet, Leisure, Manila, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Movies, Music, Musings, News, Personalities, Society, Style, Technology, Television

A few days ago, Globe Telecom flew me to Manila (the only blogger from Mindanao!) to witness very special events – the Manila debut of the Tony Award-winning musical, “American Idiot,” (which they co-produced), the announcement of their new international content partners and the creation of Globe Studios and Globe Live (which are designed to produce original shows, exciting live events and engaging world-class content). And I must tell you – if you’re a Globe subscriber, there’s so much to look forward to! The hashtags used during the Globe event were #WWGX and #TheNextAttraction The hosts that day were Xian Lim and Coleen Garcia Aside from their partnerships with Spotify, HOOQ and NBA, Globe is also the first mobile and broadband Philippine ...

Jul62016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Greenwich Pizza SM CDO sports new look, launches Bacon Crispy Thins

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Corporate, Events, Food, Reviews, Videos

Something happened to the Greenwich Pizza restaurant at SM City Cagayan de Oro. A first of its kind in CDO, Greenwich SM CDO has been transformed into a pizzeria, similar to what you can see all over Italy! The new restaurant is now dressed up with wood and brick elements, now has a "balcony" (which can serve as a mini event place) and even has high tables, chairs, bar stools and couches. The new look has a rustic feel - complete with wooden pizza peels, tin buckets as well as colorful ceramics. This young, modern, mid-century industrial neighborhood pizzeria look that Greenwich is taking on will surely attract both loyal Greenwich pizza lovers and curious foodies alike, to be a part of the barkada and savor in the goodness that is truly world-class. During an event last July 5, ...

Jul52016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Breastfeeding and cloth diapering advocate? Join #HakabNaCDO 2016

Advocacy, Announcements, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Society

Are you a mother who advocates breastfeeding, babywearing and cloth diapering? Are you a stay-at-home mom, working mom, obstetrician, pediatrician or advocate of families, then do join "Hakab Na CDO 2016." The event, led by the Modern Nanays of Mindanao (MNM), a group of mothers who advocate breastfeeding, babywearing and cloth-diapering, will be part of the Global Big Latch On. The Global Big Latch On or Hakab Na encourages and supports communities to make breastfeeding a normal part of day-to- day life and identifies opportunities to provide on-going support for all families. It is the most amazing, fun, global event and a local community-based celebration of families held every August during World Breastfeeding Week. Hakab Na CDO 2016 is scheduled on August 6, 2016 at Limketkai...

Jul42016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Manila debut of “American Idiot” : Rowdy Visual Candy #Globe9WTAmericanIdiot

America, Arts, Entertainment, Features, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Reviews, Society, Technology

I just spent a few days in crazy busy Manila. I was there to witness first hand the formal announcement of Globe Telecom’s new content partnerships with top global brands Netflix (IKR!!!), Sports Illustrated, Disney, Cartoon Network, Smule, Turner and Astro plus the exciting rise of Globe Studios and Globe Live. Globe Studios aims to produce clips, series and even movies from top directors such as Erik Matti, Paul Soriano, Quark Henares, Dan Villegas, Sigrid Bernardo, Joyce Bernal, and Lav Diaz. I must say, however, that I’m most excited with Globe Live. Globe Live aims to produce, promote and deliver engaging, creative events of international size and quality. Globe will use its wide distribution channels to promote these live events and bring them to the customer wherever he or she...

Jul42016 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Touring the Coca Cola Misamis Oriental Philippines plant

Business, Corporate, Events, Features, Food, Freebies, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Travel, Videos

I first had the chance to tour a Coca-Cola plant in Davao City many, many moons ago. I was still studying at the Ateneo de Davao University and Ateneans had regular field trips at the Coca-Cola plant in Ulas. I remember being given ice cold Coke fresh off the bottling line. Best part? We were allowed to drink as much as we can and we were also given freebies at the end of the tour. For any kid, that was truly quite a fun experience. Fast forward 2016, I was again recently given the opportunity to trace the "journey of the Coca-Cola bottle." I was invited to tour the Coca Cola Misamis Oriental Plant located at the Municipality of Villanueva, about half an hour away from Cagayan de Oro City. Built from the ground up and inaugurated in 2011, the Coca-Cola FEMSA Misamis Oriental Plant is...

Jun212016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Kumbira 2016 culinary show in Mindanao

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Food

Organized yearly by the Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association (COHARA), Kumbira, considered the largest culinary competition in all of Mindanao, is set to take place on August 17 to 19, 2016 at the Atrium of Limketkai Mall, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, Philippines. Like all previous Kumbira events, Kumbira 2016 will be as grand - perhaps even grander! Kumbira is an annual professional and student category culinary competition and trade show. It aims to showcase the best culinary creations of the region while incorporating the latest culinary trends. Kumbira, by the way, is a Visayan word that means "feast." Kumbira 2016 will carry the theme, "Cook Local, Taste Global." This August, all roads lead to CDO not only for Kumbira but for the annual Kagay-an Festival a...

Jun212016 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

LOOK: The iconic motorela of Cagayan de Oro Philippines

Bisaya, Cagayan de Oro City, Culture, Events, Features, Misamis Oriental, Society

Did you know that the motorela, the Cagayan de Oro version of the iconic Philippine tricycle, was first invented and subsequently registered in 1964? The CDO motorela was invented by Rafael D. Floirendo, Sr., who also filed a patent registration. The patent number was "2243." Fast forward 2016, "2243" is now "2243: Moving Forward," a contemporary exhibit featuring the iconic motorela. The exhibit, recently held at Ayala Centrio Mall, coincided with Cagayan de Oro's 66th Charter Day. A group named Siete Pesos, composed of 7 artists (Nicholas Aca Jr., Errol Balcos, Michael Bacol, Michelle Hollanes Lua, Jericho Valjusto Vamenta, Ma. Rosalie Zerrudo and Oscar Floirendo, the son of the inventor), organized the exhibit that showcased the remodeled version of the original motorela. Inter...

Jun202016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

What Sunburst Fried Chicken CDO needs

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Food

My family and I like dining out. We have favorite restaurants - one of which is Sunburst Fried Chicken. We've been fans of the brand for so long - I remember first trying their famous fried chicken back in the 80's! Since then, my family and I frequently patronize Sunburst. Even when we're traveling and we see a Sunburst branch in that city, more often than not, we make sure we visit that, too. My family and I even have favorite orders - Sunduo (2 piece chicken), extra rice, extra coleslaw, pansit molo and their popular Chick N Crackers. Sometimes I also order the fried livers. Whenever we're at Sunburst, walang diet! And so because we like the food at Sunburst Fried Chicken, we somehow expect that the people who prepare it are also in good spirits as they work, right? Well, ma...

Jun192016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

My tweet landed on Gizmodo

Blogging, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Technology

A few days ago, a Twitter friend of mine tagged me in a tweet. I thought it was just an interesting article. Turns out it was an article published in one of the world's most popular, high traffic technology and design blog, Gizmodo --- and apparently I was in it! Well, technically, my tweet was :) My tweet got cited in an article about a recent gaffe committed by Facebook. You see, they greeted us Filipinos Happy Independence Day but the flag that came along with it was inverted. Highly unintentional, I'm sure, which was exactly why my tweet didn't sound angry or anything. I even professed my love for them hehe! Check out the full Gizmodo article where my tweet was included (1 of the only 2 tweets cited!) Thank you, Angela! :) Do follow me on Twitter - I love exchanging thou...

Jun142016 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

UPDATE: Yakimix CDO sushi and smokeless grill restaurant opening

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental

I HAVE AN UPDATE about the opening of Yakimix CDO! I first tweeted about Yakimix CDO on our way to the sneak peek of The Nest, a new lifestyle and food hub along Corrales Avenue. We were at a stoplight and the huge "Soon To Open: Yakimix Cagayan de Oro" billboard was just a few steps away from me. Naturally, I took a photo for Twitter (follow Mindanaoan on Twitter) and another one for Snapchat (follow Mindanaoan on Snapchat) A lot of people retweeted it, tagged their friends and asked me all about the opening date etc. Sorry, folks, I don't know the exact opening date yet. Yakimix CDO opened last February 12, 2017 and Mindanaoan.com got invited! I have a video for you all. Check this out: Please subscribe to my YouTube Channel :) What I do know is that the sushi and smokeless gril...

Jun132016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Achieve wellness goals with new fitness app KFIT (discount code here!)

Announcements, Beauty, Features, Fitness, Internet, Leisure, Society, Technology

Ever wanted to hit the gym, have a foot reflexology session, look for the nearest Crossfit studio or go to a yoga class but you just don’t know where to go or you feel that you don’t have the time? Are you like me who travels frequently and wants to have an easy way to check out gyms, salons, spas or activities near your hotel? You can say goodbye to those moments because the solution is just between your fingertips and your mobile phone! Presenting - the new fitness app, KFit! KFit helps you discover, plan, and reserve fitness, beauty and wellness activities near you, anytime. Once you have the app on your device (like me! Downloaded it days ago), it automatically gives you access to a huge variety of activities that suit your needs, whether you want to have your nails done at a nearby...