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

Aug142014 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Islands Souvenirs CDO holds fashion show, introduces brand ambassadors

Advocacy, Announcements, Beauty, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Corporate, Entertainment, Fashion, Features, Gifts, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Personalities, Shopping, Society, Style

Kagay-anons were in for a treat as Islands Souvenirs recently brought the house down on Centrio Mall with the launch of the ‘I Heart Cagayan De Oro’ campaign. The ‘I Heart CDO’ line, which includes a wide variety of personalised shirts and other products, focuses on love and pride of place. The campaign also highlights the things that make CDO a great tourist destination - whether it’s the food, the adventures, the sights, the people, the vibe, the views and everything under the sun. Through the ‘I Heart’ concept, locals are empowered and encouraged to “Show your love, Show your pride” for the city that they call home. ‘I Heart Cagayan De Oro’ Fashion Show The brand’s bestselling shirts, apparel and accessories were thrust into the spotlight in a grand and festive Fash...

Aug132014 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Globe donates first mobile laboratory package to CDO public school

Advocacy, Cagayan de Oro City, Campus, Education, Events, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, News, Northern Mindanao

Globe Telecom recently donated a Globe Mobile Laboratory to the City Central School in Cagayan de Oro City, a mobile package that consists of a set of netbooks, printers, mobile projectors as well as sound systems for the use of the said school's homeroom teachers at each grade level. The Globe mobile lab is part of the telecom company's Global Filipino Schools (GFS) program, a long-term education initiative that seeks to transform selected public schools into centers of ICT excellence and innovative teaching methods, in order to set the stage for 21st Century learning. * Photo courtesy of InCDO.com VP for Globe Prepaid Business Issa Cabreira said “As a part of its commitment to nation-building, Globe Prepaid emphasizes the importance of education among Filipino youth by intro...

Aug112014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: Bradley Bascon violin concert CDO Philippines

Advocacy, Arts, Beauty, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Music, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Reviews, Society, United States of America

When I was invited to watch a concert featuring a 15 year old violin protege, I knew somehow I was in for a treat. After all, for someone so young, Bradley Bascon has already achieved so much - far more than most lads his age - including winning the Violin Master Class panel finals organized by the Music Teachers Association of California, performing with an orchestra as a featured soloist in Spain and Portugal, performing in the London Olympics in 2012 and participating in festivals in Germany, Austria and Italy. Still, I felt that I had to hold back my cheers and praises until the litmus test - that one-night only concert held last July 31, 2014 at the Rodelsa Hall, Liceo de Cagayan University. Along with collaborating artist Rudolf Golez, who himself is an internationally acclaimed F...

Aug72014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

3rd Mindanao Fashion Summit schedule

Announcements, Beauty, Events, Fashion, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Style

One of the highlights of the much-awaited Higalaay Kagay-an Festival 2014 is the 3rd Mindanao Fashion Summit, a convergence of some of Mindanao's most talented fashion designers. The 3-day event, which will be held on August 8 to 10, 2014 at the Rotunda of Limketkai Mall, Cagayan de Oro City, will showcase the works of the likes of Boogie Musni Rivera, Gil Macaibay III, Benjie Manuel, Mavy Cooper De Leon, Mark Christopher Yaranon, Alma Mae Roa and John Mark Magallanes. One of the shows I'm pretty excited about is the Mindanaoan Show at 1PM on August 8. I heard there will be clothes made out of authentic Mindanao weaves and fabric! Please click on the image for a larger view: Thanks to ChadaCDO for the image! See you at the 3rd Mindanao Fashion Summit!

Aug62014 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Catch world-class Filipino pianist Rudolf Golez in concert

Arts, Cagayan de Oro City, Campus, Entertainment, Events, Features, Music, Personalities, Society

Internationally acclaimed Filipino virtuoso pianist Rudolf Golez, the sole prize winner at the 1st ASEAN Chopin International Piano Competition held in Malaysia, will showcase his amazing talent via a special concert on August 9, 2014, 7 PM at the Rodelsa Hall of Liceo de Cagayan University, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. Golez, who attended the world-renowned Juilliard School in New York City under the tutelage of Seymour Lipkin, will play the timeless music of the great genius Frederic Chopin. Through this concert, Golez will prove exactly why he won the competition in Malaysia and why his exceptional talent has brought him to many areas around the world including the US, Asia and Europe. For seat reservations, call (088) 858 4093 to 95 local 109. You may also call (0917)...

Aug52014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

FREE #WonderfulMindaNOW VIP tickets to see Sarah Geronimo, Up Dharma Down and Spongecola

Contests, Freebies, Gifts, Mindanaoan Update, Society

Hi everyone :) Let me make this quick and easy. I'm giving away FREE VIP tickets to the Globe #WonderfulMindaNOW awards night on August 8, 2014, 1 PM at the Limketkai Mall Atrium, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. The awards night will feature Pop Princess Sarah Geronimo and popular bands Spongecola and Up Dharma Down. For you to win, all you have to do is: 1. Follow Mindanaoan on Twitter 2. Follow Mindanaoan on Instagram 3. On THIS INSTAGRAM POST, leave a comment and tell me anything that you love about Mindanao. Be it a specific city, establishment, type of food, artist, tourist spot etc. Please don't forget to include the #WonderfulMindaNOW hashtag :) THAT'S JUST ABOUT IT! :) I will randomly choose the winners. Winners must agree to meet me on August 8, 2014 early a...

Jul272014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Grand opening of Pulse Music Club Malaybalay Bukidnon

Announcements, Bukidnon, Entertainment, Events, Malaybalay City, Music, Society

Pulse Music Club is perhaps the longest-standing live music venue and dance club in Cagayan de Oro City. So it wasn't much of a surprise that when I started sharing news that Pulse has plans of opening a branch in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon (which is about 2 hours away from CDO), a TON of people really got excited over the news. Read: Bukidnon Online - for the latest Bukidnon news Along with friends from the Bukidnon Bloggers, I got invited to the grand opening of Pulse Music Club Malaybalay last July 25, 2014. Located at Tabios Street corner Moreno Street, Pulse Music Club Malaybalay was jampacked that night! There were guest DJs, Pulse house ledge dancers, house DJs and a host who made sure that the crowd was entertained until the wee hours of the night. Thanks so...

Jul272014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Join the search for Miss Iligan 2014

Beauty, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Iligan City, Style

The search for the new Miss Iligan 2014 has begun! If you want to join the Miss Iligan 2014 beauty pageant, then attend the screening sessions on July 27 and on August 3, 9 and 10, 2014, 1:30 PM to 4 PM at the Golden Pot Restaurant, 2nd floor function room, Quezon Avenue ext Pala-o, Iligan City. Interested ladies must meet the following qualifications: - at least 5'3" in height - between 17 and 25 years of age - at least high school graduate - must be a resident of Iligan for at least 6 months - with good moral character Don't forget to bring your birth certificate as well as your cocktail outfit and swimwear. The Miss Iligan 2014 beauty pageant is one of the highlights during the annual Diyandi Festival.

Jul262014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Top Malaysian Getaways

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Whether you’re looking for night life or beach life, Malaysia has you covered. The area receives almost 2 million foreign visits annually, and you can find everything from overgrown jungles to remote islands. Georgetown Georgetown is named after Britain’s King George III. The town was founded in 1786 as part of the British East India Company to be a base of operations in the region. Building the town was quite the process. It was built on swampland that had to be cleared for buildings to be placed. The town still retains its colonial charms, and the nightlife of Georgetown is buzzing. Most of the population is Chinese, so the custom of food carts carried over and makes for an exciting night life of interesting tastes. Petronas Towers Prior to 2004, the Petronas Towers of Kuala ...

Jul242014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Davao’s Kadayawan 2014 schedule of activities

Announcements, Davao City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Tourism, Travel

Kadayawan 2014, the annual festival in Davao City that showcases the city's rich and diverse culture and tradition, is happening from August 11 to 17, 2014. Themed "Kalamboan sa Kinaiyahan: Kadayawan sa Katawhan" (Nature's Flourishing: People's Well Being), the 29th Kadayawan sa Dabaw will also serve as a thanksgiving celebration and will provide the platform for the various indigenous tribes Ata Manobo, Ubo Manobo, K'lata, Matigsalug, Maranao, Tagabawa, Maguindanao, Sama, Tausug and Kalagan to converge. The word "Kadayawan" comes from the Mandaya word "Madayaw" which means anything valuable, good, pleasant, beautiful and bountiful. Kadayawan Festival 2014 Schedule of Activities: July 26 to August 26, 2014 Kadayawan Fair, Agro-Trade Exhibit including Lumadnong Gama (SM Par...

Jul242014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Something fun at Bon Appetea CDO milk tea and waffles store

Cagayan de Oro City, Food, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao

Bon Appetea, a milk tea and waffles store, has opened its first Cagayan de Oro branch! Located at the 1st Floor, South Concourse, Limketkai Mall (at the Rotunda area), Bon Appetea CDO offers milk teas, fruit teas, Yakult teas, frappes, fries and waffles. Apparently, Bon Appetea has established quite a following because when I started promoting about their upcoming opening via the Mindanaoan Facebook page and my Twitter account, A LOT of excited fans sent messages. Bon Appetea Limketkai CDO now occupies the area where that stall that sold popcorn and cotton candy used to be. Check out the wide array of drinks and food offered by Bon Appetea: (prices are affordable!) I was invited to the opening (thank you Jon!) a few days ago and I think I was the very first one to ever ...

Jul242014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

TigerAir launches Manila – CDO flight route, lowest fare at Php 1518

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Flights, Manila, Travel

This Mindanao blogger was at the Tigerair Manila to CDO inaugural flight a few days ago, thanks to the invitation from Tigerair. Tigerair, which formed an alliance with Cebu Pacific Air, is the latest budget airline to offer Manila to Cagayan de Oro and CDO to Manila flights. Utilizing an Airbus A320 aircraft, the Manila to CDO flights will depart from NAIA 4 (take note that this is the old Manila domestic airport) at 10 AM while the CDO to Manila flights will leave at 12:10 PM (Wednesday and Sunday) and at 12:30 PM (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday). According to Tigerair Philippines, for those traveling to and fro CDO before or after the 1st quarter of 2015, they can avail of the lowest year-round fares starting at Php 1,518.00. Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny "...

Jul172014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Higalaay Kagay-an Festival 2014 schedule of activities #CDO

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Government, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Tourism, Travel

The 2014 Kagay-an Festival schedule of events has finally been revealed! The CDO fiesta is now also known as Higalaay Kagay-an Festival 2014 (Higalaay means friendship - pretty apt since Cagayan de Oro is known as the City of Golden Friendship) and is celebrated in honor of the city's patron saint, St. Augustine (August 28). Check out the following Kagay-an Festival 2014 core events which are the rallying points for the campaign to promote Cagayan de Oro City and the surrounding areas as an investment and tourism destination: Mindanao Fashion Summit on August 8 to 10 at Limketkai Rotonda - 1pm to 8pm Kumbira (the country's longest-running culinary show) on August 13 to 15, 2014 at the Limketkai Mall Atrium, 10am Garden Show & Agri Fair on August 8 to 31, 2014 at Gaston ...

Jul172014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Islands Souvenirs CDO Centrio grand launch set

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Society

Following the launch of its Limketkai Mall branch, Islands Souvenirs CDO is now ready to launch its new store at Centrio Mall, Cagayan de Oro City on July 19, 2014, 4PM at the Centrio Activity Center. Along with the opening of the new store, Islands Souvenirs will also formally introduce to the public the "I Heart CDO" campaign which focuses on promoting the city and tourism as well as the brand ambassadors of the said campaign. The July 19, 2014 launch event will kick off with a special Fashion Show that will put the brand’s bestselling shirts under the spotlight. The show will feature the city’s hottest models dressed in different Islands Souvenirs shirts and looks from casual to glam, sports to street and everything in between. The "I Heart CDO" campaign as well as the ...

Jul152014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Follow the #WonderfulMindaNOW hashtag and see the beauty of #Mindanao

Advocacy, Beauty, BIMP-EAGA, Consumer, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Television

Mindanao is truly the land of promise. Not only is Mindanao home to rich and diverse culture and traditions, it is also home to so many tourist spots, cool establishments, delicious food and truly amazing, friendly people. In fact, I shared a couple of photos that I felt depicted the awesomeness of Mindanao via my social networking accounts. Did you see them? Here are my social networking accounts: Instagram Twitter Facebook Google Plus Just in case you didn't see all of the photos I took all around Mindanao, though, there's an easier way for you to track them. Just follow the hashtag #WonderfulMindaNOW! And do you know what makes it easy for you to follow the hashtag? With Globe's GOUNLI20PLUS promo, you can be connected anytime, anywhere for only Php 20 a day! You a...

Jul112014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

#WonderfulMindaNOW – Showcasing my love for Mindanao via social media

Mindanaoan Update

Judging by the name of my blog, Mindanaoan, I obviously love, respect and advocate Mindanao. And I'll share more reasons why I love this beautiful island of Mindanao through my social media accounts! For the next few days, I'll be taking a short break from blogging and instead will be more active in Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. I will be sharing tourist spots, cool establishments and other cool stuff that you can find here in Mindanao. I will be using the hashtag #WonderfulMindaNOW :) This great #WonderfulMindaNOW campaign is made possible by Globe and their special GOUNLI20PLUS promo! For only Php 20.00, the Globe GOUNLI20PLUS promo offers: * 50 text message to Globe/TM Subscribers * Unlimited calls to Globe/TM Subscribers * Free 10MB Facebook access * Exclusive...

Jul102014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

What to order at Tonkatsu by Terazawa CDO @TonkatsuPH

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

Tonkatsu by Terazawa is a Japanese Katsu Restaurant by Chef Akinori Terazawa from Nagoya, Japan, locally franchised in the Philippines by The Bistro Group, same owners of Italianni's and T.G.I. Fridays. Here in Mindanao, Tonkatsu by Terazawa opened their first branch at the First Floor, Garden Area of Ayala Centrio Mall, Cagayan de Oro City. My family and I are regular Tonkatsu by Terazawa customers. We love their katsu meals as well as some side dishes. The Tonkatsu by Terazawa Centrio CDO branch is also comfy albeit small (they share space with Italianni's) - a nice place to bring your loved ones for Sunday lunch, your friends for Saturday get-together or your business partners for power Monday meetings. I also like the hand-painted Japanese characters, lanterns and other accents insi...

Jul102014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Tigerair Philippines opens Manila to CDO route

Mindanaoan Update

Another budget airline is set to offer Manila to CDO (and vice versa) flights. Tigerair Philippines will launch their Manila to Cagayan de Oro and CDO to Manila routes in a few days and Mindanaoan will be there to cover the ceremony. Tigerair Philippines has formed an alliance with Cebu Pacific Airlines. This is why you can actually book your Tigerair flights via the Cebu Pacific official website. Also, don't be surprised if you see blue airplane indicators whenever you book flights via the Cebu Pacific website. The blue airplane indicators only mean that those specific flights will be handled by Tigerair. *photo courtesy of PhilippineFlightNetwork Just in case you're wondering, Tigerair uses the NAIA Terminal 4 (this is the old Manila Domestic Airport). Take note of this espe...

Jul82014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Sinuglaw Festival 2014 Cagayan de Oro Participating Establishments

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Society, Tourism

Sinuglaw or sinugba + kinilaw (grilled pork belly and fish ceviche), to me, is one curious, interesting, weird but delicious dish. I mean, look, you have raw fish salad mixed with charred meat and then embraced together by vinegar, tabon-tabon and a colorful, merry mix of ginger, onion, chili and other spices. Party in your mouth! Now if you've tried sinuglaw in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines, then you'd agree with me when I say that it's definitely one of the tastiest in the country! So tasty that there's an annual Sinuglaw Festival in CDO! Yes, folks, for 2 glorious months, we can all taste sinuglaw prepared various ways. The Sinuglaw Festival 2014 CDO is a signature event of the Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association (COHARA) and a prelude its yearly-flagship event, KUM...

Jul82014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

KCC Mall de Zamboanga – the biggest mall in Zamboanga Peninsula

Fashion, Features, Food, Gifts, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Muslim Mindanao, News, Shopping, Society, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

The biggest shopping, dining and entertainment hub in Zamboanga Peninsula is set to open very soon! KCC Mall de Zamboanga will soon rise along Gov. Camins Avenue, Canelar, Zamboanga City (adjacent to the Zamboanga airport). This new Zamboanga City shopping destination is part of the KCC Malls family which includes KCC Gensan and Veranza Mall. For those interested to apply for job openings at KCC Mall de Zamboanga, you can either go to the construction site at Gov. Camins and submit your resume there or email it to [email protected] Follow Mindanaoan for updates on the opening of KCC Mall de Zamboanga! Twitter Facebook Google Plus Instagram

Jul72014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

HOT-STAR Philippines: Taiwan’s Large Fried Chicken in Manila @HotStarPH

Features, Food, Manila, Reviews

So if you read somewhere that one of Taiwan's most famous chicken chop places has finally opened a branch in Manila and that for only Php110, you get a fried chicken so large that it's even bigger than your face (!!!), you just have to go try and see for yourself, right? :D That's exactly what my brother and I did when we were in Manila - we satisfied our curiosity and paid Hot-Star Philippines a visit! Hot-Star Large Fried Chicken, located at Blue Bay Walk, Macapagal Avenue corner EDSA, Pasay City, is a fastfood, sit-down restaurant that offers affordable meals. Of course, the "star" of their menu is the large fried chicken - and they weren't kidding when they said "large." Hot-Star's fried chicken is 30 cm long - big enough for 2 to 3 people to share! Placing an order is pr...

Jul32014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

First CDO Startup Weekend Set

Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Contests, Education, Internet, Technology

Cagayan de Oro will play host to its first ever Startup Weekend on July 11, 12, and 13, 2014 at Capitol University. Startup Weekend is like a crash course in creating a business. For 54 hours, managers, developers, designers, leaders, product managers, students, and anyone with entrepreneurial goals will gather in one venue to pitch ideas, form teams, and develop and launch startups. The 3-day event is open to both aspiring and experienced entrepreneurs. What Should Participants Expect in a Startup Weekend? The Startup Weekend is a concept-to-launch event that follows one model. On the first day, participants will be given time to pitch their ideas (usually 60 seconds or less) without visual aids or any other supporting material. Each participant is then given the opportunity to ...