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

Apr142014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Islands Souvenirs CDO to open 2 stores

Advocacy, Announcements, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer

Islands Souvenirs is set to open two stores in Cagayan de Oro in the next few weeks. Best known as the Philippines' top brand for souvenir items, Islands Souvenirs is actually making a comeback of sorts in CDO. They first opened a branch in the 90's. Now on this comeback of sorts, the first Islands Souvenirs CDO store to open, according to their President, Jay Aldeguer (who, by the way, is one of my idols in business, advocacy and corporate social responsibility!), will be the Lim Ket Kai branch located at the 1st level, East Wing (the entrance closest to Starbucks Lim Ket Kai, Shopwise CDO and Missy BonBon). The Limketkai Mall Islands Souvenirs branch will have a soft opening on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014. The second store will be opened on May 2014. * Photo courtesy of Is...

Apr82014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Summer baking and cooking workshops for kids

Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Campus, Consumer, Corporate, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Society

Keep your kids busy this summer with fun-filled summer cooking and baking workshops made possible by Monster Kitchen CDO, the number 1 baking and cooking school in Mindanao! Monster Kitchen baking school CDO will be holding summer cooking workshops for kids ages 6 to 10 years old and for teens 11 to 16 years old. For summer cooking camp 1, cooking participants will be taught how to make sandwiches, pasta and pizza. Check out the poster below for the specific meals the kids will be taught to make. Teen participants will be taught different meals. As for summer baking workshops, Monster Kitchen Academy CDO will teach kids how to create delicious cookies, cupcakes, brownies, chocolate candies, butter cream cake, among others. For inquiries about these summer workshops for kid...

Apr82014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Seafood buffet at Misto Restaurant, Seda Hotel @AyalaCentrio

Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Features, Food, Hotels, Misamis Oriental, Society

Love seafood? Seda Hotel Centrio's Misto Restaurant has something special in store for you! Misto is offering a seafood buffet every Wednesdays to Fridays, 6pm to 10pm. For a very affordable price of only Php 450.00 per person, you can enjoy a variety of delicious seafood delights at one of Cagayan de Oro's premiere restaurants. After a sumptuous meal at Misto Restaurant Seda Hotel Centrio, how about staying for a night or two? Book a room at Seda Hotel CDO here and experience a lovely urban escape :)

Apr82014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Ranchers Steakhouse Malaybalay Bukidnon

Bukidnon, Food, Malaybalay City, Mindanaoan Update, Society

This Mindanao blogger was in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon last weekend for a cousin's wedding. Incidentally, it was also my birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MEEE! :D) but since I decided to forego my birthday celebration, (will just continue raising funds for my various advocacies and charity work) I instead volunteered to be one of the wedding photographers :) Anyway, a day after the wedding, a few of my cousins and a friend visited a fairly new restaurant in Malaybalay - a rodeo-themed steak house in a ranch setting. Ranchers Steak House, located along Diversion Road, Malaybalay City, serves mostly Western cuisine. Read more about Ranchers Steak House food choices here. Here are some of the photos I took during our visit at Ranchers Steakhouse Malaybalay Bukidnon: ...

Mar292014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Jalan Alor Food Trip – must-do in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Food, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel

One of the things I love doing whenever I'm in a foreign country is try good, affordable local food. Preferably right at the sidewalks, at hawker stalls, at karinderyas, at local food markets. I'm not saying, though, that swanky restaurants don't offer good food. I just think that a lot of unique, flavorful, delectable dishes can be found at simple, often unexpected places. This is exactly what happened when Ryan and Scott, my two very well-traveled, now Kuala Lumpur-based friends, took me and co-Malaysia Social Media Week 2014 speaker from the Philippines Anton Diaz to a special food trip night at Jalan Alor. Actually, they did more than just take us. They generously treated us and I must say, I felt really touched and grateful :) Jalan Alor at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is a certified ...

Mar262014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Re-visiting Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia @TourismMalaysia

BIMP-EAGA, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel

Whenever I'm in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, I always seem to find myself at Batu Caves. The first time was with my mother and she and I were toured there (aboard a fancy Hummer, no less!) by a dear Malaysian friend, Zaiful Ibrahim. The second time was with my brother, cousins and a friend and again Zaiful was with us. We took a van at the time. Now during my most recent trip to Kuala Lumpur (to speak at the 2014 Malaysia Social Media Week), I again found myself at Batu Caves - this time with a co-speaker from the Philippines, Anton Diaz of Our Awesome Planet. He has never visited the place and upon my insisting, we took a taxi from his hotel in Bukit Bintang (cost was roughly RM 25) and reached Batu Caves in about 15 minutes on a humid afternoon. Located about 13 kilometers north of Kual...

Mar242014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Simply Penang at @Sunway_Pyramid Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Food, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews

So of course I had to hunt for nasi lemak as soon as I got settled in during my most recent trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where I was one of the Malaysia Social Media Week 2014 speakers. Never mind if it was already way past noon time and if nasi lemak is usually eaten for breakfast. I love, love, LOVE nasi lemak and, like many foodies nowadays, I absolutely do not mind eating it any time of the day. So, together with my co-speaker from the Philippines, Anton Diaz of Our Awesome Planet, we looked for a nice restaurant within Sunway Pyramid Mall, which was adjacent to the hotel where all of the speakers were billeted in - Sunway Pyramid Tower Hotel. We found Simply Penang. It was located near the skating rink. Anton and I took one of the tables outside so I don't have any idea ho...

Mar132014 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Relaxing stay at Sunway Pyramid Tower Hotel Kuala Lumpur Malaysia @Sunway_Pyramid

Hotels, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Travel

During my most recent trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where I spoke about "Viral Magic" during the Malaysia Social Media Week 2014, I had the pleasure of staying at Sunway Pyramid Tower Hotel, much thanks to the MSMW 2014 organizers and sponsors. I stayed at this Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia hotel for 4 days and it provided the perfect respite from work and hectic days. Located at Persiaran Lagoon, Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya, Sunway Pyramid Tower Hotel KL is adjoined to Sunway Shopping Mall. It is also within the same complex where Sunway Resort Hotel and Spa, Sunway Lagoon Waterpark and Surf Beach (the world's largest man-made surf beach and the first in Malaysia to offer the Surf Simulator Flow Rider) and Sunway University are. My carpeted room, which was on the 6th floor, had a ki...

Mar62014 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Cebu to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia – MSMW 2014 Chronicles

Cebu City, Flights, Food, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Travel

I'm back from Malaysia! :) I previously wrote here on my blog that this Mindanao blogger was invited to speak at the Malaysia Social Media Week 2014 (MSMW 2014) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Stayed in Kuala Lumpur for almost a week and truly loved my stay. It wasn't my first trip to Malaysia but it certainly had its fair share of amazing memories. Will be sharing with you all my Malaysia adventures (and misadventures, too)! My first post will be about my quick one-day stay in Cebu before heading towards Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Since there aren't any direct flights from Mindanao to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, I requested the Malaysia Social Media Week 2014 (MSMW 2014) organizers to fly me out from Cebu City, which was a 20-minute flight away from Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. One of my brot...

Mar62014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Meet and greet @Macklemore and @RyanLewis in Manila Philippines

Contests, Entertainment, Mindanaoan Update, Music

Do you already have your tickets for the much-awaited Macklemore and Ryan Lewis Live in Manila concert? If you do, then here's a chance for you to meet the 4x Grammy award winning duo during their March 16, 2014 concert at the SM Mall of Asia Arena! Read the super easy mechanics for the meet and greet below. Don't forget to share this with your friends :) Read here to find out more about the Macklemore and Ryan Lewis Manila 2014 concert You can also find the ticket prices, seat plan etc there. Don't forget to follow @mindanaoan on Twitter and the Macklemore Ryan Lewis Manila Facebook page for more exciting updates!

Feb182014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Big Davao Fun Sale – up to 80 percent off!

Consumer, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, Leisure, Shopping, Society, Tourism, Travel

There are two great reasons for you to visit Davao City soon! March 16, 2014 is Araw ng Davao 2014. You can witness cultural presentations, socio-civic activities, trade fairs and the like. And from March 14 to April 16, 2014, the Big Davao Fun Sale 2014 a.k.a. the Philippines' first CITYWIDE SALE will be held. You can avail of up to 80 percent savings! The biggest city in the world, with the biggest sale in the country. Visit on these dates to avail of the biggest sale: - March 14 and 15: General Sale - March 16 to 23: Healthy and Beauty - March 24 to 30: Electronics and Gadgets - March 31- April 6: Home and Travel - April 7 to 16: Fashion Active Lifestlye For more updates about the 2014 Big Davao Fun Sale, check them out on Facebook For places to stay, restaurants to ...

Feb182014 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Why you should visit Tsinoy’s Pares and Mami House CDO

ARMM, Banks, Beauty, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Consumer, Dipolog, Fashion, Features, Food, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, News, Northern Mindanao, Resorts, Reviews

I love Filipino food. I love Chinese food. Sometimes I crave for a little bit of both and then want something interesting that I don't get to try everyday. Did that confuse you? Let me put it this way - don't we have days when we just want both Chinese and Filipino food - and then maybe something that could remind us of our memorable Asian trips - all in one table? Good thing Michelle of Tsinoy's Pares and Mami House CDO recently invited me, my mom and Emma to try out their fare. It was the perfect way to satisfy cravings! Nestled at Tiano - Mabini Streets, Cagayan de Oro, Tsinoy's CDO is a 7-month old restaurant that's fast gaining fans and loyal customers. Of course, judging by their establishment's name alone, we know that they serve Chinese and Filipino food. However, Tsinoy'...

Feb152014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Tips for Mindanao students moving to the big city to study

ARMM, Education

This is a guest post Attending university has always been one of the main ways for students, young and old, to expose themselves to the world around them. The majority of major universities across the globe encourage pupils to study abroad, especially for those who are interested pursuing careers such as cultural studies, international business and language. In recent years, the Philippines has become an increasingly popular destination for cultural exchange programs. Cities like Manila boast of numerous highly esteemed universities, which both foreigners and Filipinos are flocking to. When it comes to academic pursuits, Manila Metro has endless institutions to choose from. The vibrant capital city of the Philippines is home to many universities, such as the University of the Philip...

Feb132014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Got invited to speak at the Malaysia Social Media Summit 2014

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Events, Internet, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Personal, Society, Technology

Very excited to share that I will be in Malaysia in a few days for the 2014 Malaysia Social Media Week! I will be one of the speakers during the World Bloggers and Social Media Summit at Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on February 24 to March 1, 2014. It's truly a huge honor and opportunity and I am looking forward to meeting the other speakers from all over the world. I will be one of the only two speakers from the Philippines (the other one is Anton Diaz, the very amiable guy behind the popular Our Awesome Planet :) ) With the theme "Engage, Educate and Entertain," the 2014 Malaysia Social Media Summit, organized by the Malaysia Social Media Chambers, aims to reflect the "role of social media as a catalyst in stirring the cultural, political, economic and s...

Feb72014 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Migs Zubiri: I’m quitting politics

Bukidnon, Business, News, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Politics, Society

Former Senator and 3-term Bukidnon congressman Juan Miguel "Migs" Zubiri says he is quitting politics and will now just devote his time on being a businessman. Zubiri, who served as Bukidnon 3rd District representative for 3 consecutive terms and became Senate Majority Leader, recently launched a business venture in Bukidnon. He told Mindanaoan.com that he is "no longer interested in politics." "I have decided to invest my time and finances in the province that I love," he said. His latest business venture is an ice plant in Malaybalay City, the capital of Bukidnon, called Z-Ice Purified Ice. His father, Bukidnon Governor Jose Zubiri, Jr., wife Audrey and Malaybalay City local officials were present during the ribbon cutting ceremony. Zubiri's statement comes amid rampant chatt...

Feb52014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Top 7 Tips in Spending Singles Holidays #Valentines

Mindanaoan Update

Who says singles holidays cannot be exciting and fun? In reality, it is a great opportunity to meet new people, make life long friends and establish relationships. A lot of people continue to believe that going on holiday alone is boring. On the other hand, it could actually be an advantage on your part. You just have to learn how to survive it. Going on singles holidays is not something that you should be sad about. There are tips that you can follow in order to make sure that you will still enjoy even though you are alone. On the contrary, being alone would simply mean that you can freely look for someone who can spend the holiday with you. Here are effective guidelines that you can follow: Going with a group is a good idea so that you will not really feel alone. However, you ha...

Feb52014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Seda Hotel Centrio launches Valentine’s promos

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Hotels

Treat your special someone, your family or even dear friends to a Valentine's escape to Seda Hotel Centrio. This month of hearts, this top Cagayan de Oro hotel has great promos in store! On February 14 and 15, 2014, you may avail of a very special Seda Hotel CDO room package. You can avail of an overnight stay at a deluxe room (with free upgrade but subject to room availability), buffet breakfast for two at Misto (the hotel's signature restaurant), dinner buffet for two at Misto, in-room massage for two persons, welcome amenities, late checkout option (up to 4 PM) and choice of in-room movie (DVD) --- all for only Php 5,100 nett! You may also want to opt for Valentine's dinners. A "Cupid's Choice" set dinner menu will be served from February 10 to 16, 2014 while dinner buffet wit...

Jan252014 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Bukidnon: Must-eats at Del Monte Golf Clubhouse

Bukidnon, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Reviews, Society

A lot of people who get the chance to visit the famed Bukidnon tourist spot - the clubhouse at Del Monte Golf and Country Club, Manolo Fortich - almost always rave about the steaks there. Undoubtedly, the steaks served at Del Monte Golf and Country Club are really good - the fact that they get meat from pineapple-fed cattle already tells you that the steaks there are worth every penny. However, there are also other food choices you might want to try the next time you visit this Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon tourist destination. Of course, there's the bottomless Del Monte pineapple juice. For only Php 35.00 per person, you can drink ice cold pineapple juice to your heart's content. The Del Monte baconsilog - bacon, sinangag (fried rice) and egg. The clubhouse serves all-day breakfa...

Jan232014 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Liempo King – best grilled liempo in Butuan and Cagayan de Oro

Mindanaoan Update

There are stalls that sell grilled liempo and then there's Liempo King. Needless to say, based on the title of this blog post alone, you'd know that Liempo King has garnered a lot of checks and thumbs up in my book! You just simply have to try their lechon liempo and find out exactly why they're KING! The first time I tried Liempo King, I knew right after that I will be a regular customer. I loved their specialty - the liempo na lechon. It's a lovely, fragrant, succulent gastronomic experience. How could it not be? Liempo King only uses premium meats and other fresh ingredients grown locally. They infuse special secret herbs and spices (these cause the Liempo King lechon liempo's distinct aroma) that truly make your taste buds sing! The liempo skin is also very crispy! Truly reminds ...

Jan152014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

How to enjoy coffee and help reforest Mindanao

Bukidnon, Consumer, Culture, Features, Food, Gifts, Mindanao

I just love receiving (and later on, buying for myself) gifts that I know support a local community, especially an indigenous tribe. I love supporting groups that have products made especially by indigenous people in Mindanao. One of the products that I now fervently support and promote is Hineleban Coffee. I first received it as a corporate gift last Christmas 2013 from Centrio Ayala Mall. Look at the Instagram photo I posted. You can also see the card that featured Jaime Zobel de Ayala's photos. Anyway, the gift I got came in a 500 gram (half kilo) bag of 100% highland premium arabica coffee produced by Hineleban Foundation. Now what makes Hineleban Coffee truly special, you ask? It's coffee that doesn't only taste good, it also helps reforest Mindanao! You see, Hinel...

Jan142014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Kaamulan Festival 2014 in Bukidnon moved

Announcements, Bukidnon, Culture, Events, Tourism

The Kaamulan Festival 2014 in Bukidnon will now be celebrated the entire month of August. In the past few years, Bukidnon celebrates Kaamulan Festival every end of February to March 10, supposedly the day the province celebrates its founding anniversary. However, the Provincial Government of Bukidnon has recently passed a resolution stating that the founding anniversary should be celebrated every September. To clarify, however, Kaamulan Festival has been celebrated every August before. So I guess this development is more like a "homecoming" (to the original date!) of sorts :) The culmination of the 2014 Kaamulan Festival will be held on September 1. Highlight during that day will be the streetdancing competition, where all 20 municipalities and 2 cities of Bukidnon will send continge...

Jan62014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Benefits of renting a lake cabin in Mindanao and anywhere in the world

Mindanaoan Update

Whether a person is planning a trip with family and friends or prepping for a romantic getaway with a significant other, finding the perfect vacation spot is a must. While the fresh ocean air of the beach may be tempting, vacationing at a lake cabin may prove to be even more satisfying. Here are some of the benefits of renting a lake cabin. Modern conveniences Unlike camping in a tent, a lake cabin furnishes all of the modern necessities that some vacationers crave. Although the lake cabin is surrounded by the natural beauty of the forest, it does not sacrifice comfort. Most lake cabins are outfitted with televisions, stoves, refrigerators, fireplaces, and of course bathrooms. Some even have an outdoor hot tub that boosts the relaxation of the trip. Nature trails For active people ...