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

May172015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Emerald Suites – Budget friendly hotel in CDO

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Corporate, Features, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism

Here's good news for fellow budget conscious travelers and folks who love staycations like myself. Emerald Suites CDO is now open for business! Emerald Suites Cagayan de Oro is the latest budget hotel to open in the City of Golden Friendship and they do not only offer friendly rates, they offer a great location as well! Situated along Jose Agudo Street, Barangay 24, Emerald Suites CDO is just a stone's throw away from the major malls. From the garden area of Ayala Centrio Mall, this new CDO budget hotel is just a few meters away. It is also several steps away from Gaisano Mall, Limketkai complex (where the Limketkai Mall is) and the currently being constructed SM CDO Premiere 2. The reception area at the second floor: Rates: Standard single - Php 899...

May172015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Inside the new Limketkai Cinemas CDO

Arts, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment

People have been waiting for it - the re-opening of the newly renovated Limketkai Cinemas! The very first in Mindanao to feature Dolby Atmos, a surround sound technology, the new Limketkai Cinemas opened last April 22, 2015 with a bang when they offered "Avengers: Age of Ultron." Currently, though, only two of the four cinemas are open. The ones currently operating offer the biggest number of seats. A few days after they opened, the Limketkai Mall management invited me for a quick tour inside the cinemas. Check out the photos I took below. By the way, Dolby Atmos offers more depth, richness and power. Speakers are placed along the walls, ceilings (you can find them lined up, some facing the screen, some facing the audience) and even behind the screen. The ticket booth. Yes...

May162015 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

AirAsia Hot Meals – Gastronomic Delights At 35,000 Feet

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Cebu City, Features, Flights, Food, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, News, Reviews, Travel

I consider myself a budget conscious traveler who doesn’t mind spending extra if it means getting something better. Take airplane food, for instance. Unless I’m truly famished or I want to try something for the first time, I stay away from food sold and served aboard an aircraft. Not only are these airline meals (more often than not) expensive, they’re hardly filling and tasty. The choices are very limited as well (so limited that I think a cup of instant noodles has become the “default” order by weary, hungry passengers). However, let me say this: I always make an exception when I take flights via AirAsia. Even before I got invited to Cebu a few days ago for the exclusive AirAsia Hot Meals media launch, I have already been an avid fan of their in-flight meals. Real, flavorful food sold...

May52015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

The Treasures You Find At The Uratex CDO Showroom

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Features, Gifts, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Reviews, Shopping, Style

Admit it. Whenever we think of Uratex, we think foam, beds and monobloc chairs. Yes, while this is true, you might be surprised to know that Uratex also produces the foam for well-known cars, motorcycles, bus seat pads, headrests, door trims, furniture seat pads and yes, even gaming pad armrests! Now if you think that's pretty cool, wait til I share you this tidbit: Uratex Foam CDO also produced the wall panels for the spanking brand new Limketkai Cinemas :) Cool, huh? With all the international, world-class brands putting their utmost trust on Uratex, we can all be sure that their products are indeed of top quality. So it's really good news that there's now a Uratex foam factory and showroom in Cagayan de Oro City! The new Uratex CDO plant and showroom affirm RGC Group of Companies' (t...

Apr212015 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

White sand at Isidro’s Beach, Initao, Misamis Oriental

Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Tourism, Travel

So aside from jumping off an 8-storey base jump platform tower, I also celebrated my birthday this year at my happy place - THE BEACH! I am a certified beach baby :) Since it was my Cebu-based brother's last day in town, my family and I decided to just forego our Camiguin Island or Siargao Island plans and just look for a nearby municipality that had white sand beaches. In Misamis Oriental, the nearest one we could think of was Initao. Initao is about a little over an hour away from Cagayan de Oro and about 45 minutes away from Iligan City. Apart from white sand beaches, Initao is also known for the Initao National Park, which is a 57 hectare natural forest with diverse flora and fauna. Anyway, it wasn't our first time at an Initao white sand beach but it was our first time to go dur...

Apr212015 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Design Your Own Havaianas At Make Your Own Havaianas 2015 CDO

Beauty, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Fashion, Shopping, Style

If there's one fashion event I look forward to every year, it's Make Your Own Havaianas! My first MYOH experience was in 2009 and it was a blast! A Make Your Own Havaianas event is where you can create and design your very own pair of Havaianas. You can choose your preferred sole, strap and pin. Check out what happened during my second time joining MYOH. The whole process is fun and easy, trust me. In fact, Havaianas even has this to let you know just how cool and easy it is: This year, Make Your Own Havaianas is celebrating its 10th year! In Northern Mindanao, Philippines, Spruce Designer Network will again make MYOH CDO possible! Join the biggest Make Your Own Havaianas CDO 2015 luau on May 7 to 10, 2015 at All Flip-Flops, Ground Floor, SM City CDO and get your very own cust...

Apr182015 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Finally jumped off the 8-storey Dahilayan Skyjump tower

Advocacy, Bukidnon, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Entertainment, Features, Headline, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Personal, Reviews, Society, Sports, Tourism, Travel, Videos

I finally did it! I jumped off the 8-storey Dahilayan Skyjump Base Jump Tower, the Philippines' tallest parajump platform. I did this just a few days before my birthday this month of April and it was one of the most exhilarating things I ever did! I previously wrote about the Dahilayan Skytower Base Jump and that post has been shared over 10,000 times on Facebook alone. You might want to read that :) The Dahilayan Skyjump is the latest attraction at Dahilayan Adventure Park, located at Barangay Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. The park is about an hour away from Cagayan de Oro city proper. When you arrive at the park, look for the ticket station on your right. If you only want to do the Skyjump, price is Php 400. If you'll buy passes to other rides, the Skyjump fee will only t...

Apr182015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

The 2nd Dahilayan Off Road Duathlon And Trail Run

Announcements, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Sports

IT'S CONFIRMED! Mindanaoan.com can exclusively confirm that the Second Dahilayan Off Road Duathlon and Trail Run will be held at both Dahilayan Adventure Park and Forest Park Dahilayan on May 31, 2015! Organized by ProSport Productions, the said event is expected to gather hundreds of participants and is the most-awaited follow-up of last year's very successful event. Dahilayan Adventure Park and Forest Park Dahilayan are both located in Barangay Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, which is roughly 45 minutes away from Cagayan de Oro City. Here's how to get there. The 2nd Dahilayan Off Road Duathlon and Trail Run is organized by ProSport Productions, a multisport event organizing team composed of triathletes themselves. In fact, the race director as well as the technical director ar...

Apr132015 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Must-try cafe in CDO: Kafe Al Fresco

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

Have you ever gone out of your way just to check out a cafe or restaurant simply because you've grown curious of all the seemingly mouthwatering photos they post on social media? That's exactly what I did on a Friday when I went to try Kafe Al Fresco CDO. I often see food shots taken from this unassuming little cafe in Sta. Cecilia Subdivision, Gusa, Cagayan de Oro (which is a good half an hour away from my place) and since I like trying out new places and sharing the experience with a friend, I invited Em. Fortunately, she was game to tag along. And off we went to Kafe Al Fresco. Kafe Al Fresco CDO is actually a makeshift structure turned into a quaint cafe of sorts. It's located within a compound that also has a row of apartments owned by the Hojas family. And, yes, it's in ...

Apr92015 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Chicken678 from Korea opens first Philippine branch in Mindanao

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Food, Korea, Reviews, Seoul

During my most recent visit to Korea, I noticed so many chicken and beer food places. I later found out that eating chicken and beer (maekju) is a very big part of the Korean food culture. Hence, the many chimaek or (chicken+maek) restaurants all over Korea. In popular Seoul tourist spots like Myeongdong alone, you'll probably spot a number of chimaeks along every street. So when I learned that Chicken 678, one of Korea's popular chimaeks, is set to open a branch in the Philippines, I was pretty interested. Perfect time to reminisce all about my trip to Korea! I was all the more interested when I found out that their first ever Philippine branch will be in Mindanao! How cool is that? Chicken 678, owned by well-known Korean MC and comedian Kang Ho-Dong, has opened a branch at the Grou...

Apr82015 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Surfing paradise Siargao Island Surigao – How To Get There

Beauty, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tourism, Travel

Best known as one of the world's most amazing surfing destinations, Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte, Mindanao, Philippines is also home to some of the country's beautiful beaches, natural salt water pools and abundant marine life. And, as you can see below, it's also where you can catch gorgeous sunsets! Since Siargao Island is where you can find the infamous "Cloud 9," or those thick, high, hollow tubes of surf waves, lots of regular surfing competitions (both local and international ones) are held here. For non-surfers or just mere sun worshippers, there are also a couple of islands near Siargao that have clear turquoise water, powdery white sand and that all-around tropical vibe. You can go island hopping in Siargao just like I did! Here's a quick travel guide on how to g...

Mar312015 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Siargao Island Hopping: Guyam, Daku, Naked Islands

Mindanaoan Update, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tourism, Travel

Siargao Island is a tear drop shaped island located at Surigao del Norte, Mindanao, Philippines. Although it has carved quite a name worldwide as a surfing destination, Siargao Island also offers other fun activities for non-surfers. One of these is island hopping. Siargao island hopping is surely a must-do! Off the coast of Poblacion, General Luna (formerly known as Cabuntog), Siargao, there are 3 islands that you can visit - Guyam, Daku and Naked islands. General Luna is at the southern part of the island and is where you can find "Cloud 9" or those thick, high, hollow surfing waves. My family and I started our Siargao island hopping adventure at around 10 in the morning. We were supposed to start early but we thoroughly enjoyed our breakfast and needed time to just relax :D (read:...

Mar282015 by Mindanaoan Irene7 Comments

Secret Garden for good Korean food in Cagayan de Oro

Cagayan de Oro City, Commentary, Food, Korea, Reviews

Ever since I first visited Korea, I've fallen madly in love with Korean food. I love how healthy and clean-tasting (i.e. not oily, very flavorful) Korean dishes are. So I'm pretty happy to know that there's a restaurant in Cagayan de Oro that serves good and pretty affordable authentic Korean food. Located along Masterson Avenue, Secret Garden Restaurant is owned and managed by a friendly Korean, who even had a big smile on his face as my friends and I entered the place to have dinner. There were tables and chairs at an open space but there were also smaller, airconditioned rooms. My friends and I opted to stay outside. The huge overhead fan was enough to keep us comfortable. We were served complimentary kimchi, pickled vegetables and spiced tofu. Oh, how I miss kimchi! And how I ...

Mar252015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Breathtaking Tinuy-an Falls in Surigao del Sur

Bislig, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Surigao, Surigao del Sur, Tourism, Travel

Tinuy-An Falls will truly take your breath away. Located in CARAGA, Mindanao, Tinuy-an Falls is dubbed as the “Niagara Falls of the Philippines.” Actually, this majestic falls really lives up to its name - it's truly "tuyuonon" (road towards it can be tricky or a bit of a challenge). However, once you see this natural masterpiece, everything will all be worth it, trust me! Entrance fee to the falls is Php 50.00 per person. There are also huts and tables for rent. You would need a life jacket if you want to go beneath the mighty falls. Locals will offer the use of a raft and guide you towards it. In order to reach Tinuy-an Falls, go to Bislig, take a habal-habal from there (Php 400.00 for the entire motorcycle, roundtrip). A habal-habal can take in two passengers. You might also wa...

Mar242015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Visit Coffeeworks Malaybalay for coffee dates in Bukidnon

Bukidnon, Business, Consumer, Food, Malaybalay City, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Reviews, Society

Coffeeworks, a Cagayan de Oro coffee shop brand, has finally opened its Malaybalay City branch in Bukidnon. Coffeeworks Malaybalay is the newest, latest coffee and pastry shop in the capital of Bukidnon. Located at Mandani Arcade along Fortich Street (just a few meters away from Bukidnon State University, see Google map below), Coffeeworks Malaybalay is home to freshly brewed coffee, smoothies, ice blended drinks, "over ice" drinks, teas and pastries. I'm a regular customer of the Coffeeworks Cagayan de Oro branches at Rosario Arcade, Limketkai Center and Corrales Avenue (right next to the Xavier University gymnasium) so I'm familiar with their menu. So when I was invited to visit Coffeeworks Malaybalay a day before their formal opening, I just had to order my all-time favorit...

Mar232015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

With Daddy’s Home of X Factor Philippines

Blogging, Bukidnon, Entertainment, Events, Features, Malaybalay City, Music, Personalities, Photos

From a breakfast meeting in Cagayan de Oro to several errands here and there to a 3-hour journey to Malaybalay City, Bukidnon just to catch friends - it was all super worth it! Very happy to see Daddy's Home again. This vocal group bagged the 2nd runner-up title during the first run of X Factor Philippines and they performed in one of the Malaybalay City Charter Day 2015 events last March 20, 2015 at Freedom Park. To say that they brought the house down is actually an understatement. The guys really gave their all - it was such a treat to watch them perform live and wow the crowd! I know brothers Ebet and Allan Silonga back when E was still busy with K24/7. Allan - wow, you have to hear this man sing. Ebet - I wasn't used to see him without his guitar but I was pleasantly surpris...

Mar162015 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Enchanted River Surigao del Sur travel guide

Caraga, Features, Leisure, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Resorts, Surigao, Surigao del Sur, Tourism, Travel

Yes, the rumors are true. The Enchanted River is truly a breathtaking sight. The Enchanted River, also called the Hinatuan River, is testament to Mother Nature's awesome glory. You can't help but be at a loss for words when you see this majestic river that has crystal clear water and a riverbed that seems to be an abyss. The truly enchanting Hinatuan River is located in Barangay Cambatong, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, Mindanao, Philippines. It flows through Hinatuan Bay, which is about half a kilometer away. Interestingly, though, it's not clear if the water at the Enchanted River comes from the sea or if it emanates from a spring. I wonder if there really is a definite answer. Enchanted River is THIS gorgeous. No photo editing needed! Due to the increasing number of Enchanted R...

Mar152015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

At the Pele Magdangal Escueta first birthday party

Entertainment, Features, Leisure, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Personalities, Photos, Society

I was invited to the first birthday party of Pele Iñigo Magdangal Escueta, the firstborn of celebrity couple Jolina Magdangal and Mark Escueta. I felt truly honored and happy to be there to witness Pele's very special day. It was a Saturday and I left Makati about half an hour before the scheduled start of the party, which was held in Quezon City. Boy, was I really no longer used to Manila traffic! My GrabTaxi ride took me about 50 minutes to reach QC and then when I reached the gate, the guards took about 20 minutes to verify if I was indeed invited :P Good thing I brought the invitation but that still didn't convince the guards haha! I even had to call Rivermaya's manager Raymond to tell him about the situation. It was all cool, though. The cab driver was nice and he was so excited to...

Mar122015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Globe Prepaid’s Explore Race On Challenge In CDO

Cagayan de Oro City, Corporate, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Technology

After the successful launch of #WonderfulMindaNOW last year, Globe Prepaid is now giving Mindanaoans more reasons to explore and discover the beauty of Mindanao as it recently conducted the fun-filled "ExploreRACEOn" in Cagayan de Oro City. Using their mobile phones, more than 50 teams comprised of 3 Globe Prepaid customers each took the challenge of exploring the city and sharing what’s wonderful in every corner of CDO real-time via Globe Prepaid’s newest Mindanao-exclusive offer GoCall30Plus. With GoCall30Plus, Ka-Globe Mindanaoans can enjoy unlimited calls to Globe/TM for 3 days plus 30MB of all-day surfing for only P30. ExploreRACEOn participants went on an epic adventure with exciting activities and challenges in 11 interesting pit stops within the city. After hours o...

Mar122015 by Mindanaoan Irene14 Comments

Dahilayan Adventure Park opens highest base jump tower in Bukidnon

Bukidnon, Entertainment, Features, Leisure, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Society, Tourism, Travel

Dahilayan Adventure Park in Bukidnon is at it again! After introducing Asia's longest dual cable zipline, Dahilayan has now opened the Skytower Base Jump, the Philippines' tallest parajump platform. How high is the base jump tower? Oh, just 8 storeys high! Basejumpers will be fitted with safety harnesses and a helmet and will need to walk along a see-thru plank. Then, the moment of truth. Once you jump, you will experience free fall (pretty quick, don't worry), then gradual descent and finally slow landing. All these in less than 10 seconds. Check out these photos taken by Engr. Elpie Paras, the owner of Dahilayan and PARASAT Cable TV: I've tried all of the rides at Dahilayan Adventure Park so I can really say that they're all safe. All of the personnel are also courteous ...

Mar122015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

SMART bags 18 citations at 2015 Philippine Quill awards

Announcements, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Technology

Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) took home a total of 18 citations at the recently concluded 2015 Philippine Quill Awards. Smart bagged citations for various marketing, human resources, and corporate social responsibility programs. Organized by the International Association of Business Communicators-Philippines, the Philippine Quill Awards recognizes excellence in professional communication. Presented with excellence awards in two categories – advertising campaigns and marketing communication – was the launch campaign for SPINNR. The homegrown music service has influenced the music-listening habits of Filipinos by offering affordable streaming packages for as low as P2.50 per day, on top of free radio, exclusive promos, merchandise, meet-and-greet opportunities, and concert events ...

Mar92015 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Re-elected as CDO Bloggers VP for External Affairs

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Features, Internet, Make Money Online, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal

Note: This was published on Mindanao Gold Star Daily newspaper last March 6, 2015 I have just been re-elected as the Vice President for External Affairs of the CDO Bloggers, Inc., a non-profit, SEC-registered group composed of bloggers, online workers and social media practitioners that does not only promote the city and other parts of Northern Mindanao but also the responsible use of the Internet. I’m pretty excited with our group’s upcoming projects including a school tour where we aim to teach kids Internet etiquette, social media activism and online volunteerism as well as blog workshops where attendees can learn how to create their own blogs, draw maximum traffic for their websites and even earn online. And with the elections coming up, we also plan to use our own online mechanisms...