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

Jun262014 by Mindanaoan Irene7 Comments

Islands Souvenirs launches Limketkai store, names I Heart CDO ambassadors

Advocacy, Announcements, Beauty, Cagayan de Oro City, Fashion, Features, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Shopping, Society, Style

Islands Souvenirs officially launched their Limketkai Mall CDO branch last June 21, 2014 and named their "I Heart CDO" brand ambassadors at the same time. The Cebu-based souvenirs store, known for revolutionizing souvenir shopping in the Philippines by transforming cottage-industry type products and giving them a fresher look, held the launch at their store located at the East Concourse, Limketkai Mall. Cagayan de Oro Mayor Oscar Moreno joined Islands Souvenirs EVP Camille Aldeguer, Limketkai and Sons EVP Albino Limketkai and Miss CDO 2013 Amadea Piatti during the ribbon cutting ceremony. Together with the launch of its Limketkai Branch, Islands Souvenirs also unveiled their I Heart Cagayan de Oro or I Heart CDO campaign, as well as their I Heart Cagayan de Oro Brand Ambassadors:...

Jun252014 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Mindanaoan is an Islands Souvenirs I heart CDO brand ambassador

Advocacy, Beauty, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Fashion, Features, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update

As someone who has been very contented working behind the scenes for more than a decade, to ever be offered the opportunity to model and help endorse something is the farthest on my mind. Never have I thought that a brand - a very well-known one at that - would even consider me to be one of their brand ambassadors. So you could just imagine how honored I felt when Islands Souvenirs, through their head honcho Jay Aldeguer (one of the very few people I truly admire!), chose me as one of their "I heart CDO" Islands Souvenirs brand ambassadors. It was something I could never say no to. I mean, really --- apart from the fact that it was THE Jay Aldeguer who asked me, I also truly believe in the Islands Souvenirs brand. I am a fan of their advocacies - which are to revolutionize souvenir ...

Jun212014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Meet Tim Yap, Divine Lee and ANTM’s Allison Harvard in CDO

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

Style icons Allison Harvard and Tim Yap will be in Cagayan de Oro City to share their tips on beauty, fashion and personal style and Kagay-anons will even be given the chance to meet them after the show. Allison Harvard and Tim Yap, along with Divine Lee, will be at the Activity Center of Centrio Mall on June 21, 2014, 6 PM. Allison Harvard is from America's Next Top Model Cycle 12 while Tim Yap is a fashion icon, entrepreneur and popular eventologist. Divine Lee is a popular model, endorser, host and blogger. Follow Mindanaoan on Twitter and Instagram for photos and updates!

Jun142014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mercato de Oro night food market relaunches

Cagayan de Oro City, Food

Mercato De Oro, a night food and lifestyle market in Northern Mindanao that features homegrown entrepreneurs of Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, Iligan, Ozamiz, Pagadian and other neighboring provinces, relaunched last night, June 13, 2014 at the Garden area of Centrio Ayala Mall in Cagayan de Oro City. This time around, 9 new businesses joined Mercato de Oro. The new list of merchants is composed of: Voltaire's Lechon, The Dairy Farm, Jaco Bistro, Charcoal Chicken, Ultimate Famous Chicken, Fuego to go, Bubzie's Grill, Ateng's Ihaw Ihaw, Chino's Deli, El Cabrito, Rhoda Eatery and Nanay Choleng. Aside from the great-tasting food finds, bands also performed last night. The night market will be open every Friday and Saturday (4pm to 2am). Make Mercato de Oro your regular weekend hangout pla...

Jun92014 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Must-do in Sarangani: White Water Tubing

BIMP-EAGA, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, Tourism, Travel

One of the things you MUST do when you're in Sarangani, Mindanao, Philippines - white water tubing. No Sarangani adventure will ever be complete if you don't try white water tubing. It's a fun extreme adventure experience like no other! Now let me make something clear first. If you've tried white water rafting and you think that white water tubing is almost like it, you're wrong. Personally, they offer different kinds of thrill. First off, you ride in rubber boats for river rafting. In water tubing, however, you sit on recycled rubber tubes ("salbabida") with fashioned "handles." You need to grip the handles really well so you don't fall into the water, get swallowed by the rapids or hit the boulders. Okay, I hope that didn't scare you :D Truth be told, tubing might look scary at first ...

May242014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Sarangani Bay Bodies 2014 Photos and Video

Beauty, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Mindanaoan Update, Sarangani, SoSCksargen

The Sarangani Bay Bodies 2014 was one of the highlights of the Sarangani Bay Festival 2014. A major crowd drawer, the Sarangani Bay Bodies event attracts sexy Mindanaoans not only from Sarangani and General Santos but from nearby areas as well. The winners of the 2014 Sarangani Bay Bodies were Princess Nicole Bautista (Tacurong City) and Ichin Daclan (General Santos City). Congratulations to the winners! And thanks again to the Sarangani Bay Festival 2014 organizing team led by Michelle Lopez-Solon for the invitation and warm welcome! Thank you also to Sarangani Governor Steve Solon! Follow Mindanaoan on Facebook and Twitter for more fun coverages around the world! Travel guide: CDO to General Santos City T'boli dancers...

May232014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Let these T’boli dancers welcome you to Sarangani

Culture, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Sarangani, SoSCksargen

I arrived in Sarangani, Mindanao a day before the official start of the Sarangani Bay Festival 2014. And for very good reason - the pretty and amiable Michelle Lopez-Solon, a.k.a. the better half of Sarangani Governor Steve Solon and the lead organizer of SarBayFest2014, invited me and a few other blogger-friends to a mini tour of Sarangani! The tour of Sarangani was something I've been looking forward to for a very long time. Sarangani, after all, does not only boast of rich natural resources but of culture and tradition as well. Our first stop was a barangay in Kiamba, Sarangani. There, we were met by happy, smiling faces led by Lyn Lambago, the founder of the Lemuhen Cultural Dance Troupe. Organized in 2007, the dance troupe was borne out of Lyn's observation that the T'boli cultu...

May222014 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Travel guide: CDO to GenSan by land

Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Cotabato, General Santos City, Koronadal, Malaybalay City, Mindanaoan Update, North Cotabato, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Tacurong, Tourism, Travel

When I got that invitation to experience the Sarangani Bay Festival 2014 a few days ago, I was supposed to fly from CDO to Davao (a half hour flight) then take the bus from Davao to General Santos City (a 3-hour ride). Unfortunately, the airline had other plans - they postponed the flight to FOUR days AFTER my supposed arrival (which also meant that the festival already wrapped up by then!) due to "aircraft situation." Ergo, I had no other choice but to take the bus all the way from Cagayan de Oro to GenSan. It was a long and arduous trip but still worth it - I was, after all, heading to Sarangani for the biggest beach festival in Mindanao! I will no longer name the airline but here's a clue - they love playing games. And they played one on me! Anyways, I will share more about my SarBay...

May222014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Video: Jay Durias congratulates me for winning 2013 Mindanao Blogger of the Year

Blogging, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Society, Technology

Being a huge fan of South Border and Jay Durias, this brief but cute video of Jay congratulating me for winning the 2013 Mindanao Blogger of the Year award means a lot to me! I've been friends with South Border for more than 10 years now and to this day, I still get really kilig whenever I get messages like these or when I watch them perform onstage (never mind if it's a big concert or a bar gig - I still scream like a crazy fan girl each and every time!) Check out this video of Jay. Those are Vince Alaras and new South Border saxophonist Edward Picache at the back :D Thank you so much South Border - love you guys! You might also like to subscribe to the Mindanaoan YouTube Channel :) I have LOTS of exclusive videos there!

May102014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Wear MAGS, fly to Bangkok Thailand for free

Cagayan de Oro City, Contests, Fashion, Mindanaoan Update

Are you a fan of MAGS boutiques and their stylish clothes, shoes and accessories? Want to fly to beautiful Bangkok, Thailand with a friend for FREE? Then you need to join the MAGS Project Hashtag #MAGSBestDressed photo contest! All you need to do is dress up in your best MAGS attire. Upload the photo on your Facebook account and use the hashtag #MAGSBestDressed. Include the reason why you love MAGS. (e.g. #MAGSBestDressed I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE MAGS because their clothes are in style!) Once the photo is uploaded, send the link of your photo to the official MAGS Facebook account (www.facebook.com/magsPHofficial) Don't forget to make your photo PUBLIC so that the friendly MAGS folks can see it! MAGS will then upload an album containing all of the official photo entries after Ju...

May82014 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Where Mindanaoan is heading to next – Sarangani Bay Festival 2014

Advocacy, Announcements, Beauty, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Update, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, Tourism

I'm really, really excited to share this with all of you! I'm heading to Sarangani Province in a few days for the much-awaited Sarangani Bay Festival 2014 or SarBayFest 2014!!! :D I can't wait to visit the beautiful white sand beaches at Glan, Sarangani again and witness just how fun the biggest beach festival in Mindanao is! I would like to extend my most heartfelt gratitude to the Provincial Government of Sarangani led by Governor Steve Solon for this very special invitation and most especially to the First Lady of the province - Ma'am Michelle Solon :) Thank you, thank you very much! Interested to attend the Sarangani Bay Festival 2014 as well? Come! Here's the Sarangani Bay Festival 2014 schedule of activities: May 16, 2014 5 AM - Swim Across the Bay 8 AM - SarBay T...

May62014 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Kaamulan Festival 2014 Bukidnon schedule of activities

Advocacy, Announcements, Bukidnon, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, Kaamulan Festival, Malaybalay City, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Tourism, Travel

Kaamulan Festival 2014 - The Philippines' only ethnic cultural festival is happening real soon! The Kaamulan Festival 2014 will take place the entire month of August and will culminate on September 1, 2014. The Kaamulan Festival 2014 Bukidnon is a yearly gathering of Bukidnon's 7 hill tribes. You can read more about the Kaamulan Festival here. Below is the Kaamulan Festival 2014 Schedule of Activities - please SHARE this :) Thank you! For more Kaamulan 2014 festival updates, "like" the Kaamulan Festival Facebook Page If you have Twitter, you can also follow the Bukidnon Online Twitter account and for Facebook users, please follow the Bukidnon Online Facebook Page. * photo owned by Mindanaoan.com If you own a business and you want to make your presence felt during the Kaa...

May52014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Photos: Gerald Anderson and Star Magic Basketball team in CDO @hashtagprod11

Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Photos, Society, Sports

The stars descended on Cagayan de Oro last May 4, 2014 for the much-awaited Star Magic Basketball Game! Captain Gerald Anderson and the rest of the Star Magic Basketball Team did not only make the ladies swoon but they also impressed the guys with their good basketball skills. So good were their basketball skills that the Star Magic team won 82 - 78 against local team Corpus Christi Knights. Aside from Gerald Anderson, the other Star Magic basketball players included Rayver Cruz, Japoy Lizardo, Carlo Aquino, Matt Evans, Ejay Falcon, Jerome Ponce, Gerard Acao, Young JV and Jon Lucas. You can read my previous post about this HERE. Congratulations to Hashtag Productions, to the staff and crew, to the sponsors (special mention to Shopwise CDO, Liempo King, Great White Water Rafting and B...

May32014 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Relax at Mapaso Wellness Spring Resort, Mainit, Surigao del Norte

Agusan del Norte, Features, Leisure, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tourism, Travel

I realize the title of this blog entry is a bit ironic, considering that "mapaso" means "to get burnt" in Bisaya and "hot" in Surigaonon dialect :) But yes, you can definitely relax at Mapaso Wellness Spring Resort, located some 2 kilometers from the town proper of the Municipality of Mainit, Surigao del Norte. The Mapaso Spring Resort in Mainit (see how the name of the resort is related to the name of town?) is reminiscent of Ardent Hibok Hibok Spring Resort in Camiguin Island. A natural hot springs resort, Mapaso Wellness Resort boasts of fresh sulfuric flowing water from the mountains. You see, sulfuric water reportedly has therapeutic effects - it can help treat asthma, rheumatism and skin diseases. It was early afternoon when we traveled from Mainit Lakeside Hotel and Resort to ...

May32014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Heart Evangelista art exhibit at Ayala Museum @heart021485 @SayChiz

Announcements, Arts, Personalities

Actress Heart Evangelista will hold her very first art exhibit on May 9 to 22, 2014 at Artist Space, Ayala Museum in Makati City, Philippines. Dubbed "I Am Love Marie," the painting exhibit will showcase the art and works of the actress. Love Marie Ongpauco is Heart Evangelista's real name. Opening night for the "I Am Love Marie" Heart Evangelista art exhibit will be on May 8. For more details, you may follow the official social media accounts for this exhibit: Twitter - @iamlovemarieart Facebook - Facebook.com/iamlovemarieart Instagram - @iamlovemarieart For directions going to Ayala Museum, please check the map below:

May12014 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Islands Souvenirs CDO – 3 things you will love

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

Souvenirs from CDO? Look no further - Islands Souvenirs is finally back in Cagayan de Oro! In a post here on Mindanaoan.com about two weeks ago, I shared that Islands Souvenirs is set to open two stores in Cagayan de Oro. Well, the first one is finally open! Located at the 1st level, East Wing (East Concourse Annex, below the escalator, in front of the ATM row), Limketkai Mall, Islands Souvenirs CDO has truly made quite a comeback :) They first opened a branch in the 90's and now the Philippines' top brand for souvenir items is back with a bang! I was able to visit the new Islands Souvenirs Limketkai branch (much thanks to Islands Group CEO Jay Aldeguer, one of the very few people I truly admire!) and let me tell you - it's a must-visit! Here are 3 reasons why you will love sh...

May12014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Fun Things To Do On Your Winter Vacation

America, Sports, United States of America

If you're heading for the mountains or other snowy retreats, you might think that there will be little to do when the weather is so cold and the roads are closed. But think again! Here are just six ways to break a sweat even when it's -10°F and falling. 1: Skiing One of the most popular winter pastimes in the world, skiing is a great way for beginners and experienced athletes alike to enjoy the thrill of a snow-capped mountain. Take a lift to the very peak of the cliffs, then go sailing down the edge with the wind in your hair and only two thin sticks between you and the rushing ground. 2: Snowboarding Do an ollie on top of the world when you snowboard at extreme altitudes. With tailgrabs, poptarts and shifties, even fallen logs can turn into a daring obstacle course when y...

Apr262014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanaoan.com is media partner of Star Magic charity basketball game

Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Personalities, Society, Sports

Very excited to share that Mindanaoan.com is an official media partner of the upcoming Star Magic Charity Basketball Game in Cagayan de Oro! The much-awaited charity event will be held on Sunday, May 4, 2014, 12 noon (gates open at 8 am), Corpus Christi Gym and will feature the following celebrities: • PBB Teen Edition 3rd Big Placer and “On the Job” actor Gerald Anderson • Actor, dancer, singer, and ASAP mainstay Rayver Cruz • Taekwondo champion, actor, and commercial model Japoy Lizardo • Versatile actor (“Anna Liza”, “Ang TV”, “G-mik”, “Berks”, “Ang Tanging Ina”) Carlo Aquino • “Be Careful With My Heart’s” Jerome Ponce • PBB Teen Edition Plus Big Winner and actor Ejay Falcon • Comedian Gerard Acao • PBB, “Pedro Penduko”, and “The Legal Wife’s” Matt Evans • Star Magic C...

Apr232014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Catch the Make Your Own Havaianas 2014 CDO event #MYOH2014

Announcements, Beauty, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Events, Fashion, Style

Good news for fellow Havaianas fans like me! The Make Your Own Havaianas 2014 CDO leg is set to happen this summer! MYOH 2014 is the biggest flip-flops customization event in the Philippines and the Cagayan de Oro leg will be held just in time for your last few weeks of this glorious summer. Make Your Own Havaianas 2014 CDO will be held on May 15 to 20, 2014 at Spruce Limketkai, G/F East Concourse, Limketkai Mall. Yes, 5 days for you to come up with your very own Havaianas pair! For the uninitiated, Make Your Own Havaianas events are special events where you can build/create/design your own Havaianas! You can choose your preferred sole, straps and pins. There are also special Havaianas soles that can only be found and bought during MYOH events :) I always have fun during MYOH! In ...

Apr222014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mahin Festival 2014 Sarangani schedule of activities @gosarangani

Beauty, Festivals, Fiesta, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Update, Sarangani, Tourism, Travel

While we're all waiting for the Sarangani Bay Festival 2014, also known as the biggest beach festival in Mindanao, here's another good reason for you to visit the lovely province of Sarangani in Mindanao this summer. The 4th Mahin Festival 2014 will be held on April 25 and 26, 2014 at Gumasa in Glan, Sarangani. Gumasa is a lovely beach stretch that boasts of pristine waters and white sand. It's also where the Sarangani Bay Fest is held annually. Various activities have been lined up for Mahin Festival 2014. Some of the highlights include skimboarding, "Oplan Karagatan" - a clean up drive and mangrove planting activity, sugbahan sa baybayon, bancarera (this one's fun to watch), lumba kabayo sa baybayon, sand sculpture competition, lumba bugsay and lumba langoy. All fun water and sport...

Apr212014 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mainit Kasili Resort at Lake Mainit, Surigao del Norte

Advocacy, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Hotels, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Tourism, Travel

Did you know that the deepest lake in the Philippines can be found in Mindanao, Philippines? Lake Mainit, located in Surigao del Norte, is also the fourth largest lake in the Philippines. Lake Mainit has a surface area of 173 square kilometers and a maximum depth of 223 meters. Eight towns can be found around the lake, which is actually "shared" by Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Norte. If you're fond of eco-tours and photography, Lake Mainit is a splendid place in Mindanao to go to. And if you need to stay overnight or even for a few days, you might want to stay at the government-owned and run Mainit Kasili Legacy Resort. Mainit Kasili Lakeside Resort and Hotel offers several types of rooms, facilities and amenities. It has a convention center, a restaurant, function hall, s...

Apr182014 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Eating sea urchins at White Island Camiguin

Camiguin, Food, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

Living sea urchins don't look appetizing at all - what with their scary looking spines. But mind you, sea urchins or "tuyom" as they are locally known are actually considered culinary delicacies in many parts of the world. In fact, a kilo of sea urchin roe fetches hundreds of dollars. So when I spotted some fishermen selling fresh sea urchins for sale at White Island, Camiguin, I just had to get some! They were selling them for Php 50.00 (about US$1.50) for 3 pieces. Ate them raw with coco vinegar. Yum! Have you tried eating sea urchins? Let me know in the comments section :) Meanwhile, here are some shots taken at White Island, Camiguin. Planning to visit this beautiful island in Mindanao? Here's a Camiguin Island Travel Guide and here's how to get to White Island Camiguin...