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

Dec42013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

New night food market in Cagayan de Oro: Mercato de Oro

Just a few more days before Mercato de Oro, the night food and lifestyle market of Northern Mindanao opens! Are you as excited as I am? :) Actually, I already shared this exciting piece of news several weeks ago (read: Mercato Centrale introduces CDO version) but I wanted to write about Mercato de Oro again because there are new marketing collaterals out and Mindanaoan.com can be found on all of them! Yey! :D Check out the poster below ;) There are also several lamppost banners, billboards and in-mall standees within Ayala Centrio Mall where you can find this. I even posted a photo on Instagram! Cool, huh? :) Mercato de Oro will start on December 7, 2013 (Saturday) and will be located at the Garden area of Centrio Ayala Mall, Corrales Street corner CM Recto Avenue. The nigh...

Nov282013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Buy a #BangonPilipinas shirt and help typhoon Haiyan victims

Advocacy, Blogging, Cebu City, Corporate, Fashion, Features, Headline, Society, Style, Visayas

If you've been following me on Twitter or Facebook (I hope you are :) I would love to connect with you there!), you'd know that I just came back from a 6-day trip to the Visayas. I flew to Cebu City first. My trip was mainly because I wanted to volunteer in various Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) relief/donation efforts and to turnover some cash donations that I received. I will share more about that trip in succeeding blog posts. In the meantime, please allow me to share a great fundraising drive that I hope you will also support :) The Islands Group, the company that runs Islands Souvenirs and Islands Pasalubong outlets, has released special #BangonPilipinas shirts. What's so special about these t-shirts? ALL OF THE PROCEEDS of these Bangon Pilipinas t-shirts will be dona...

Nov272013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

How to look for reliable New York City limo service

America, Travel, United States of America

Whether you need to transport your family to the airport, are booking a limo for your wedding, or just want to enjoy a special night out on the town, hiring a good limousine service can really make a huge difference in how your special event unfolds. It is very important to have reliable and professional service any time you invest your hard-earned money into luxury transportation. Here are some tips on how to find a good limousine service. The main thing you want to do is research several different limousine companies so that you can compare them in terms of services offered, rates, experience level and other important criteria. You can find limousine companies in your area by getting recommendations from people you know, consulting your phone book or doing Internet searches online. For ...

Nov192013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Photos: Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray at ABS CBN ASAP

Entertainment, Events, Headline, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Photos

One of the highlights of my October 2013 was meeting Mark McGrath and the rest of Sugar Ray band and playing a role in the staging of the SugarSmashGin concert in Manila. Anybody who knows me can attest that I am one very big Mark McGrath fan and that I have a big crush on him. So meeting him in person, having the chance to hang out with him, having the chance to talk to him and discuss so many things and getting lots of hugs and kisses in the process is like my heaven on earth! :) Since I know that my kuwentos related to Mark McGrath, Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth and Gin Blossoms will require several blog posts, for now, let me start by sharing some of the photos I took when Mark went to ABS CBN to promote the concert at ASAP, a Sunday variety show. I went along. Needless to say, he was the ...

Nov172013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Gin Blossoms to hold Haiyan benefit concert #GBFansRockPhilippines

Announcements, Entertainment, Events, Mindanaoan Update, Music

Last month, during a concert in Manila, I met really cool, talented, down-to-earth and generous guys. Those guys were Robin Wilson, Scott Johnson, Jesse Valenzuela and Scott Hessel a.k.a. Gin Blossoms. Yes, the very same guys who made "Hey Jealousy," "Till I Hear It From You," "As Long As It Matters" and "Follow You Down" smash hits worldwide. Never mind if their "As Long As It Matters" song is a Grammy-nominated creation and that it has earned the band more than 9 Million in sales in the US alone. They were very sweet, approachable and have hearts of gold. In fact, during their stay in the Philippines, they, along with the bands Smash Mouth and Sugar Ray, donated more than 400 official concert t-shirts to the victims of the 7.2 earthquake that hit Bohol and Cebu. Check out Robin...

Nov22013 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Review: Fersal Hotel Makati – homey budget inn

Hotels, Leisure, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Travel

Looking for accessible, affordable yet very homey hotels in Makati can be quite a challenge. Most Makati hotels within the business district can be pricey and for budget-conscious travelers like myself, it may mean that I can only stay in cheap Makati inns in seedy areas. So I was really very grateful when I had the chance to stay for two nights at Fersal Hotel Makati during my most recent trip to Manila. This comfortable bed and these seriously soft pillows welcomed me. I knew there and then that it was going to be a cozy two night-stay. Fersal Hotel Neptune Makati is just a stone's throw away from Makati Avenue, one of the city's main thoroughfares. Although it is also very near a lot of dining choices, Fersal Hotel also has a cafe near the lobby where you can enjoy sumptuous m...

Oct312013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanaoan.com wins Best Lifestyle Blog in 2013 Mindanao Blog Awards

Announcements, Blogging, Features, Headline, Internet, Leisure, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Personal, Society, Technology, United States of America

My lucky stars truly shone on me during the recently concluded Mindanao Blog Awards 2013. Apart from bagging the Mindanao Blogger of the Year award, Mindanaoan.com also won the Best Lifestyle Blog award :) Thank you so much, daghang salamat to all of my fellow Mindanao bloggers who nominated and voted for me and to all of the judges as well. I am really grateful for this recognition! Such an honor, such an honor. I remember when I won the Best Lifestyle Blog award in the 2010 Philippine Blog Awards and became a national finalist in the 2011 PBA. Those citations truly inspired me to help more people understand the power of blogging and social media. In just a span of 2 years, I have organized a bloggers group, organized some blogging and mapping workshops, traveled to several a...

Oct312013 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Mindanaoan is 2013 Mindanao Blogger Of The Year

Advocacy, Agriculture, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, America, Announcements, ARMM, Arts, Bacolod City, Banks, Basilan, Beauty, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, Bislig, Blogging, Broadcasting, Bukidnon, Business, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Campus, Caraga, Cebu City, Commentary, Compostela Valley, Consumer, Contests, Controversial, Corporate, Cotabato, Culture, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Dipolog, Education, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Flights, Food, Freebies, General Santos City, Gifts, Government, Headline, Hongkong, Hotels, Humor, Iligan City, Internet, Island Garden City of Samal, Jobs, Journalism, Kaamulan Festival, Koronadal, Kuala Lumpur, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Leisure, Macau, Maguindanao, Make Money Online, Malaybalay City, Malaysia, Manila, Marawi City, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Movies, Music, Musings, Muslim Mindanao, Negros Occidental, News, North Cotabato, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Ozamis, Pagadian, Personal, Personalities, Photos, Politics, Radio, Recipes, Religion, Resorts, Reviews, Sarangani, Shenzhen, Shopping, Sindangan, Singapore, Society, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sports, Style, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacurong, Tangub City, Tawi Tawi, Technology, Television, Tourism, Travel, United States of America, Videos, Visayas, Weddings, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

It still feels a bit surreal, truth be told. Winning the 2013 Mindanao Blogger Of The Year award and the Best Lifestyle Blog award during the Mindanao Blog Awards 2013 held last October 26, 2013 in Davao City was the farthest thing from my mind. I was there to meet my blogger friends, have a good time, maybe drink a cocktail or two and cheer for other finalists. My mindset that night was (and I actually wrote this days before the finals): Win or lose, you are a champ. What's important is that you did your best in letting more people understand and appreciate the power of social media and blogging in sparking more conversations, making better communities and harnessing better understanding. Social good, folks. Only the good. So when my name was called, you could just imagine my shock. Yup...

Oct292013 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mercato Centrale introduces CDO version – Mercato De Oro

Mindanaoan Update

One of the things I usually do whenever I visit Manila is check out food markets and one of those that my friends and I usually go to is Mercato Centrale at the Bonifacio Global City. There, you can find a great selection of interesting food choices - from donut burgers (yep) to oversized isaw (chicken intestine) to really delicious bagnet (and bagnet bacon!) You can also find fresh fruits, seafood, pastries and cakes, organic products and even arts and crafts. Mercato Centrale is really a must-visit especially when you're in Manila. Good thing the guys behind Mercato Centrale, food blogger Anton Diaz and popular TV host and columnist RJ Ledesma (known as Joey in the Royal Tru-Orange series back in the 80's!), are bringing the popular food market to Mindanao. Dubbed "Mercato de Oro,"...

Oct292013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Spooktacular Halloween at Seda Hotel CDO – win an overnight stay!

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Hotels

It will truly be a spook-tacular Halloween on October 31, 2013 as Seda Hotel CDO holds its "Halloween Fright Night Costume Party"! Wear your scariest costume and party at Seda Centrio! For only Php 599 per person, you get to enjoy a sumptuous dinner buffet and a special Halloween cocktail. Party-goers also get the chance to win an overnight stay with breakfast at Seda Hotel Centrio! BOOK A ROOM AT SEDA HOTEL CAGAYAN DE ORO HERE Buy your Halloween Fright Night tickets now by calling (088) 323 8888. See you at the Seda Hotel Centrio Pool Side on October 31, 2013, 6 PM!

Oct112013 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Excited to meet Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth and Gin Blossoms! #SugarSmashGin

Announcements, Blogging, Entertainment, Events, Features, Music, Musings, Personal, Personalities, Society

Just a few days more and I'll finally meet and be with popular and iconic 90's bands Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth and Gin Blossoms in Manila! Yes, I am officially stoked for the #SugarSmashGin concert! Woohoo! :D I previously shared with you all that I will play a little role in the staging of the much-awaited SugarSmashGin Live In Manila concert on October 21, 2013 at the Araneta Coliseum. Yup, that's just a few days away! WHO AMONG YOU ARE COMING TO WATCH? :) Did you see Sugar Ray lead singer Mark McGrath's tweet to me in this article? :) Very sweet, right? That tweet alone was enough to send me on my little merry way for days! :D By the way, since that blog entry, the official Gin Blossoms Twitter account has followed me on Twitter, Scott Hessel of Gin Blossoms has also followed me and ...

Oct112013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Davao fruit shopping with Rivermaya @rivermayaband

Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Musings, Personalities, Shopping, Society, Tourism

Was scanning my files earlier today and I found these! Very timely - since my Rivermaya band boys are currently in Dubai as of this writing and I miss them :) I will be in Manila in a few days, actually, but I'm not sure if I could watch any of their gigs. Oh well, c'est la vie. Anyway, here's the kuwento behind these photos. Hours before that Rivermaya Live In Davao show I co-produced with Apo View Hotel and The Blue Room not too long ago, Explore Davao treated Rivermaya band members Mark Escueta, Mike Elgar, Norby David and Ryan Peralta, the Rivermaya band management (led by Raymond) and I to a fun Samal Island trip! The boys looked pretty excited that morning :) Of course, what good is a beach/island outing without baon? Davao Congressman Karlo Nograles and his lovely wife ...

Oct112013 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Travel: Camiguin Sto. Nino Cold Spring Resort

Camiguin, Leisure, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Tourism, Travel

Have you been following my Camiguin Island posts? You may have come across my Ardent Hibok Hibok Spring Resort post where I shared that it's where you can find pools with hot sulfuric flowing water. Now if in Ardent Resort Camiguin you'll find natural hot springs, there's another Camiguin Island tourist spot where you'll find cold springs! Just how cold? Read on. Located in Catarman town, Camiguin, Sto. Nino Cold Spring Resort is home to a huge (almost Olympic-sized) pool. That's about 40 meters by 25 meters. What makes this Camiguin resort unique is the cold, clear fresh water. It's so cold that more often than not, first timers who dive into the pool right away usually alight shivering. That's why it's a good idea to check the water temperature first. Best if you can sit on the edge o...

Oct102013 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Art at Cha Malaybalay Bukidnon: Where art and tea marry

Arts, Bukidnon, Business, Consumer, Food, Malaybalay City, Misamis Oriental

Milk tea and art deco lovers in Bukidnon - rejoice! My friends and I recently discovered this quaint little milk tea cafe called Art at Cha in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. Actually, our dear friend Jacquee told us about it. She's a regular customer of a nail lounge just beside this Malaybalay Bukidnon milk tea shop. So after we visited the Monastery of Transfiguration, we all trooped to Art at Cha, located along CM Recto Street, Malaybalay City. The place is fairly new - nice chairs, a nook with a comfortable couch and fancy lighting. Art at Cha is full of art deco stuff, paintings, figurines and ceramic souvenirs and there's even an entire shelf full of art deco stuff for sale. Of course, you can't just go to Art at Cha and not try their milk teas. I had the caramel milk tea (Php 70 f...

Oct102013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Travel tip: how to save on hotel expenses

Travel

If you are going on vacation, you will need to know ahead of time where you are staying. While you may be able to enter a hotel and get a room without a reservation, it is going to cost you more per night to stay at that hotel. In addition, you won't have the peace of mind that comes with having a room when you get into town. You should book your hotel accommodations as soon as you know that you are going to be going on a trip. Whether you are going on vacation or heading to a different city for business, you need to take care of that as soon as possible. The best time to go on vacation is during the week or during the winter months when people are mostly at work or school. Savvy vacation planners will use discount sites to help them save money. Discount sites allow you to find hotel...

Oct92013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Shop pink at VMV Hypoallergenics, help fight breast cancer

Advocacy, Beauty, Mindanaoan Update, Shopping

October is breast cancer awareness month. If you know someone who's undergoing treatment for breast cancer, you know for sure just how physically and emotionally draining it is and just how big a challenge it is not only for the patient but for her family and friends. That's why it's very important to detect the early signs of breast cancer. One of the groups that advocate breast cancer awareness is the ICanServe Foundation, Inc. Ever since its inception, ICanServe has helped so many women through their high impact information campaigns. Did you know that it's easy for you to help ICanServe and their advocacy? Actually, not only will you have the chance to help this group, you will also get a free gift! All you have to do is shop at VMV Hypoallergenics! Buy their "pink" products -...

Oct32013 by Mindanaoan Irene8 Comments

Monastery of Transfiguration Malaybalay Bukidnon: 3 things to do

Bukidnon, Culture, Education, Features, Religion, Tourism, Travel

I recently revisited the Monastery of Transfiguration in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, my favorite refuge here in this part of the Philippines. You can read about my recent visit to this Benedictine Monastery here. Have you ever visited? If you have, I'm sure you'd agree with me when I say that it's the loveliest, most ideal place for a spiritual retreat. The Monastery of Transfiguration Bukidnon is where you can pray and commune with the Lord. It's also fast becoming a favorite wedding destination for so many couples around the world. However, apart from praying at this gorgeous cone-shaped chapel (picture below, designed by the late National Artist for Architecture Leandro Locsin and considered the centerpiece of the Monastery of Transfiguration), there are 3 other things you can do w...

Oct22013 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

SM Store taps British supermodel David Gandy as new endorser

Business, Consumer, Fashion, Mindanaoan Update

SM Store has tapped British supermodel David Gandy as their newest image model for SM Men's Fashion and this hunk is coming to Manila! In my opinion, to get David Gandy is a very bold and wise move on the part of SM, especially since this 6'3" blue-eyed hunk was voted 3rd most successful model in the world by Forbes magazine in 2009 and continues to make waves in the fashion industry. And, yes, ladies, David Gandy is that hottie in the Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue campaign: Just how stylish is SM Store's newest endorser? During the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony, David Gandy was the only male to walk the catwalk featuring British fashions and alongside female supermodels like Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss. David Gandy also modeled for so many well-known global brands. Th...

Oct22013 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Revisiting the Monastery of Transfiguration in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon

Beauty, Bukidnon, Culture, Features, Malaybalay City, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Photos, Society, Tourism, Travel, Weddings

I had the chance to revisit the Monastery of Transfiguration last weekend. Located in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, the Monastery of Transfiguration, also known as the Benedictine Transfiguration Monastery, is my most favorite spiritual refuge. It's an ideal place to visit in Mindanao, Philippines if you want to go on a spiritual retreat. The centerpiece of the Monastery of Transfiguration is this popular cone-shaped chapel, designed by the late National Artist for Architecture Leandro Locsin. There's a dress code that you need to follow before you enter the chapel, please. If you find yourself alone in the church, consider yourself very lucky. It's when I'm alone inside this beautiful chapel that I can truly meditate and speak with the Lord. The well-manicured garden ...

Oct22013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Why I’m promoting Britney Spears’ new Work Bitch video

Announcements, Blogging, Entertainment, Events, Features, Headline, Internet, Personal, Technology, Videos

So have you watched the "Work Bitch" new video of Britney Spears? It was launched today, October 2, 2013 (October 1 in the U.S.) You can watch the video below :) So let me make this quick. Let me give you 5 quick reasons as to why I'm helping promote Britney Spears' new music video for her new song "Work Bitch." 1. Because I think she's a talented, amazing pop superstar! Regardless of those "dark episodes" in her life (don't we all have those anyway?), she has sold millions of albums, filled so many stadiums around the world and made all of us dance! 2. Because I used to do Britney Spears-related stuff (fortunately, not related to song and dance ;) )! You see, back when I was still starting out as an online worker, I wrote Britney Spears-related content. I can't divulge the specif...

Oct12013 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mindanaoan.com is a finalist in the 2013 Mindanao Blog Awards

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Features, Internet, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Society, Technology

Hi everyone! So excited to share with you all a piece of good news. My humble blog, Mindanaoan, has officially been recognized as a finalist in the Mindanao Blog Awards 2013 (MBA 2013)! Woot woot! Mindanaoan.com is one of the Best Lifestyle Blog 2013 finalists :) You can find the official announcement here. Thank you so much, daghang salamat gyud kaayo to everyone who voted in order for Mindanaoan to be among the finalists. There will still be a final round of voting (I hope I can still count on your support ;) ) but win or lose, I am already extremely proud and grateful! Thank you :) I remember when I won the Best Lifestyle Blog award in the 2010 Philippine Blog Awards and became a national finalist in the 2011 leg. The recognitions truly inspired me to help more people understa...

Sep262013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Krispy Kreme CDO: 7 things you will like #KrispyKremeCDO

Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Corporate, Events, Features, Food, Musings, Shopping, Society

Who doesn't have a love relationship with Krispy Kreme? It's the home of my favorite Original Glazed Doughnuts, good signature coffee and delicious chilled drinks. In other words, Krispy Kreme is the home of good stuff and good vibes. And for people in Cagayan de Oro, the good stuff and the good vibes are heading their way real soon! Krispy Kreme CDO will soon open a stand-alone store at Rosario Crescent, Lim Ket Kai Mall, Lapasan! Krispy Kreme at Limketkai Cagayan de Oro is set to open its doors and light their "Fresh Doughnuts Here" sign come mid-November. Are you excited? I know I am! During a bloggers conference with Krispy Kreme Philippines Marketing Manager Mark Gamboa and Assistant Marketing Manager for Visayas and Mindanao Nadia Shami, I found out a couple of things about...