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

Aug32011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Full text: Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri resignation speech

Advocacy, Agriculture, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, 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, Crime, 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, Videos, Visayas, Weddings, Weird, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

Amid other big news today, the reported resignation of Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri was the most talked about. A lot of people shared their reactions to the news that the senator from Bukidnon and fellow Mindanaoan Senator Migs Zubiri will resign amid allegations of poll fraud claims. Mindanaoan wrote a blog post about this earlier. As I previously mentioned, I called up some key people from the Zubiri camp. I also even contacted Senator Migs Zubiri himself. However, although I was privy to some important details, I refused to confirm anything pending the privilege speech of Senator Miguel Zubiri before the Senate plenary, which happened today, August 3, 2011. I was also told that his father, former Bukidnon governor now vice governor Jose Ma. Zubiri, Jr., mother Maria Victoria "Vicky," w...

Aug32011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Reports: Mindanaoan Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri to resign today

Announcements, Bisaya, Blogging, Bukidnon, Commentary, Controversial, Government, Headline, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News, Opinion, Personalities, Politics, Society

Reports surfaced earlier today stating that the senator from Bukidnon, fellow Mindanaoan Juan Miguel "Migs" Zubiri will resign from his senatorial post at 3 PM today, August 3, 2011. I would like to stress, however, that at this point, everything remains unconfirmed. No one can really say for sure yet if indeed Senator Miguel Zubiri will resign. I first read the reports on Twitter. I then called up some people from the Office of Senator Migs Zubiri and verified. I also even asked Senator Migs himself. As of this posting at 1:18 PM, however, reports remain unconfirmed. The key people from the Zubiri camp shared some details but I refuse to confirm anything at this point. I also do not want to divulge anything specific just yet since I do not want to pre-empt Senator Miguel (although I ca...

Aug22011 by Mindanaoan Irene10 Comments

Leave Dato Zainab alone

Mindanaoan Update

I was still at the airport yesterday when I received a phone call. Apparently, a Philippine Star columnist, Jarius Bondoc, claimed that the wife of the Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines, Dato Zainab, "sullied the Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal." Jarius Bondoc claimed that Dato Zainab tweeted and called Rizal an "infidel Malay." My very first thought was...naw, it couldn't be. It must be just some random, silly joke. Dato Zainab would never say such a thing. Plus, I thought, Jarius Bondoc and the Philippine Star know how to abide by basic and proper etiquette. It is only proper for a columnist to verify facts, lest he appears stupid and naive. It is only proper for a columnist to have proof. Also, doesn't Philippine Star's masthead say "Truth Shall Prevail"? Unfortunat...

Jul312011 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Airphil Express piso fare sale!

Announcements, Bacolod City, Cebu City

Here's great news for all of you who want to enjoy the sun, sea and sand in various areas around the Philippines...and for a measly PISO FARE! Yes, folks, the country's fastest growing airline, Airphil Express, is set to offer its ultra special and much-awaited piso fare sale starting midnight tonight, August 1, 2011. Airphil Express PISO FARE sale tonight! You need to book your tickets right away since this sale will only run for 24 hours and I bet a lot of travelers want to avail of this Airphil Express promo fare sale :) All you have to do is visit the official Airphil Express website and book flights online. Check out the official announcement from Airphil Express below: Airphil Express PISO FARE Selling period: August 1, 2011 Travel periods: February 1 to March 15, ...

Jul262011 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Mindanao Fashion Summit 2011

Arts, Beauty, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features

The Mindanao Fashion Summit 2011 is set to take place on August 1 to 6, 2011 at the Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. Led by the Oro Fashion Designers Guild and in cooperation with the Department of Tourism Region X, the Mindanao Fashion Summit 2011 aims to showcase the works of notable and talented fashion designers from Mindanao. According to the organizers of the 2011 Mindanao Fashion Summit, the objective of this event is to broaden fashion and brand awareness of all affiliated companies and organizations amongst the chic urban professional consumer community. It is designed and appealed to the tastemakers that take active roles in setting the mold for style in Mindanao and the hottest trends and over all ingenuity of Mindanaoan designers. During the summit, please...

Jul252011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Look where Airphil Express is taking Mindanaoan!

Blogging, Cebu City, Consumer, Corporate, Features, Flights, Hongkong, Leisure, Macau, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Reviews, Shopping, Society, Tourism, Travel

A few days ago, this blogger in Mindanao received an invitation from Airphil Express. The invitation came a few weeks after my brother, cousins and I flew to Singapore and Malaysia (yes, yes, I flew there again :) If you guys remember, I treated my mom to a special mother-daughter trip abroad last February 2011) aboard --- quite coincidentally --- Airphil Express :) It was an invitation that was very hard to turn down --- it was a chance for me to be on board the special maiden flight of Airphil Express' Cebu to Hong Kong route! Yes, folks, Airphil Express now has Cebu to Hong Kong flights! Now, Hong Kong is more accessible not only for people in the Visayas but for fellow Mindanaoans as well. I'm pretty excited with this Hong Kong trip. This will be my third time in beauti...

Jul252011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Full text President Noynoy Aquino SONA 2011

Mindanaoan Update

Here is the full text of President Aquino's SONA or State of the Nation Address 2011. Philippine President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III delivered this 2011 SONA or 2011 State of the Nation Address last July 25, 2011 (Monday) at the House of Representatives (Lower Congress), Batasan Pambansa Complex, Quezon City, Philippines. The English translation of President Aquino SONA 2011 or State of the Nation Address can also be found below. Please feel free to share this page to everyone especially those who missed watching President Noynoy Aquino's 2011 SONA. This Mindanao blogger watched President Aquino or PNoy as he delivered his SONA. Did you? What are your thoughts about his SONA 2011? Please share your comments below. State of the Nation Address of His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino...

Jul242011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: Mexitalian Cuisine Cagayan de Oro City Mindanao

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Recipes, Reviews

If there are two things that I absolutely like, these are Mexican and Italian food. I'm a huge sucker for fajitas, quesadillas, tacos...and oh yes, yes, yes nachos! Yum! I am absolutely convinced that I can survive on nachos alone :D I love nachos so much that I made a special trip to a specific restaurant just to order nachos de salsa. I also love nachos with oozing melted cheese! Yeah, that's how crazeballs I can get when it comes to nachos :P I like pasta, too. There are days when I just crave for spaghetti, penne al arrabiatta, fettuccini with red sauce, basil and mushrooms and carbonara complete with bacon and mushrooms. Yum! So, yes, anytime I have my share of Mexican and Italian food, I know for sure it's gonna be a great day. So you could just imagine how excited I was when I he...

Jul232011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Davao event: Malagos Farm Fair 2011

Advocacy, Davao City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism

Are you Davao City-bound soon? Or are you a fellow Dabawenyo? Then let's all head down to the Malagos Farm Fair 2011 on August 6 and 7, 2011! The Malagos Farm Fair is a weekend full of seminars, farm games, music and entertainment, food tasting and yes, time with our animal friends :) It will be one fun open house weekend! During the 2011 Malagos Farm Fair, attendees will not only have the chance to see cows, ostriches, pheasants, chickens, ornamental birds, ducks, horses, peacocks and dairy goats, they will also have the chance to buy some and learn how to raise them as well. Themed "Responsible and Efficient Farming Systems," this year's Malagos Farm Fair will be held at - where else - Malagos Garden Resort, a 12 hectare inland nature resort in Malagos, Calinan, Davao City. According ...

Jul212011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

New wage increase for Northern Mindanao to take effect July 24, 2011

Announcements, BIMP-EAGA, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Commentary, Government, Headline, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, News

I'm not really sure if this is good news at all. The National Wages and Productivity Commission has announced that effective July 24, 2011, minimum wage earners in Region X (Northern Mindanao) will get an increase in their daily rate in the amount of...*hold your breath*...*drum roll please*...a whopping (yes, I'm being sarcastic) Php 17.00. Yep, that's seventeen pesos additional per day. That amount is supposed to represent the so-called Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) under Wage RBX-16. I know what you guys are thinking. Some may think "at least there's an increase kesa sa wala na lang," or "that's not fair! Mindanaoans are very hardworking people and they deserve proper pay...definitely more than just seventeen pesos!" Sad to say, Php 17.00 is not even enough to buy one kilo of rice!...

Jul212011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Meet the Miss Kagay-an 2011 candidates

Beauty, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Contests, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Society, Style

UPDATE: HERE ARE THE WINNERS OF THE MISS KAGAY-AN 2011 PAGEANT! The official candidates of the Miss Kagay-an 2011 pageant were presented to the media last July 18, 2011 at an eco-resort in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. The 2011 Miss Kagay-an beauty pageant will see the participation of 12 ladies. This year's pageant is being organized by the City Government of Cagayan de Oro, Promote CDO Foundation and Department of Tourism Region X. Below are the individual profiles of the Miss Kagay-an 2011 candidates. Thank you to Miss Gean for this! :) By the way, the swimsuit competition will be held on August 7. The candidates will then vie for the Best in Casual Wear on August 13 and Best in Talent on August 14. The 2011 Miss Kagay-an pageant night will then be held on August 24, 2011 at...

Jul202011 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

2011 Kagay-An Festival Core Events | 2011 Cagayan de Oro Fiesta

BIMP-EAGA, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Tourism, Travel

The biggest annual event in Cagayan de Oro, Northern Mindanao is set to happen next month! The much-awaited 2011 Kagay-An Festival or the 2011 Cagayan de Oro fiesta is set to take place on the third week of August 2011. The Kagay-An Festival 2011 coincides with the fiesta celebration in honor of patron saint St. Augustine. The lead organizers of this major Cagayan de Oro event are Promote CDO Foundation, Inc., the Department of Tourism Region X and the City Government of Cagayan de Oro. Now if you plan to witness the various 2011 Kagay-an Festival activities, better start planning for your trip! You must also book your lodging as soon as possible as the CDO hotels, CDO hostels and other lodging and accommodation options get fully booked pretty fast. You can book discounted hotel r...

Jul202011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Collect your boarding passes and get free tickets!

Business, Corporate, Features, Flights, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel

Leave it to Airphil Express to come up with great programs for their loyal customers! Airphil Express has launched their Airphil Express Fly Free Program whereby boarding passes can also mean free, yes FREE tickets to your next dream adventure! All you have to do is start collecting your Airphil Express Boarding Passes and exchange them for FREE tickets! 10 Domestic Boarding Passes entitle you to One FREE Domestic Ticket (one way) to any Domestic APX destination of your choice. 10 International Boarding Passes entitle you to One FREE International Ticket (one way) to any International APX destination of your choice. Isn't this just fabulous news? TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Start collecting your boarding passes (passenger copy only) by July 20, 2011; All boarding passes mu...

Jul182011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Project Runway Philippines 3rd season – Mindanao auditions

Arts, Beauty, Bisaya, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Fashion, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Style

The Project Runway Philippines Third Season will start real soon! The people behind Project Runway Philippines recently announced the schedule of auditions around the Philippines. Budding fashion designers can go to 4 different areas around the Philippines to audition for one of the coveted slots in the third season of Project Runway Philippines! Here in Mindanao, aspirants can go to Cagayan de Oro City on August 20 and 21, 2011 for the Project Runway Philippines - Mindanao audition. Coincidentally, there will also be a Mindanao Fashion Summit 2011 in Cagayan de Oro on that same month so I guess the organizers want to hit two birds with one stone :) If you're interested to audition, just bring your birth certificate, portfolio and three completed outfits of your own design. Also, ...

Jul182011 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

2011 Havaianas Filipinas collection now available

Beauty, Blogging, Bukidnon, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Fashion, Features, Gifts, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Ozamis, Pagadian, Shopping, Society, Style

We Pinoys have this penchant of expressing our deep love for our country in various ways including fashion. We like to buy items that banner national pride. We like to buy items that bear designs that convey patriotic statements or designs that truly mirror the Philippines, its people, its rich culture, its tradition and even its heroes. Thankfully, our favorite flip flops - Havaianas, of course! - has come up with new designs that truly showcase Philippine pride. Presenting the 2011 Havaianas Filipinas limited edition collection! The Havaianas Filipinas 2011 Limited Edition collection is released in time for the 113th year of Philippine independence. “This year’s Limited Edition Havaianas Filipinas Collection hopes to reflect happiness, carefree fashion, and good memories with the p...

Jul132011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

T’nalak Festival 2011 schedule of activities

Arts, Blogging, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Government, Koronadal, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, News, Society, South Cotabato, Tourism, Travel

If you're heading to South Cotabato this week, then you're in luck! The 12th T'nalak Festival is underway this week. The 2011 T'nalak Festival also coincides with the 45th Foundation Anniversary of the Province of South Cotabato, Mindanao. The activities during the T'nalak Festival will be held in Koronadal City, the Municipality of Tupi and the Municipality of Polomolok. This colorful, festive celebration will feature the Mindanao tribes T'boli and B'laan, among others. The T'nalak Festival showcases the rich culture and tradition in these parts of Mindanao. Apart from the cultural shows, the activities during the 2011 Tinalak Festival will also include a regional trade expo, a drum and lyre exhibition, a field mass dance contest, a brass band showcase, a basketball tournament, motocro...

Jul122011 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Announcing the winners of my small housewarming online giveaway!

Announcements, Contests, Features, Internet, Mindanaoan Update

Hi everyone! Before I finally introduce the two winners of two Starbucks beverage coupons each, I would like to thank each and every one who participated in my small online giveaway :) Thank you, thank you, thank you! Woohoo! :D I really appreciate all your comments! It really warmed my heart to read all of your feedback and I hope that you all will continue to share your thoughts with me. Thanks for joining this simple online raffle :) Rest assured that I will come up with more contests for all of you! So just continue to visit Mindanaoan.com okay? :) By the way, I would also like to thank all of you who have now followed me on Twitter and Facebook! Daghang salamat :) Now before I announce the winners, please note that only those who followed the contest mechanics were included i...

Jul122011 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mindanao job alert: Havaianas needs a marketing trainee

Mindanaoan Update

Want to work for Havaianas? Do you have a keen interest in fashion and trends? Are you a team player, customer and goal oriented? Do you have pleasing personality and a positive disposition? Do you have excellent interpersonal and communication skills? Do you like traveling especially within Northern and Western Mindanao? Are you a certified Havaianatico? Then here's a job opening in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao that you or someone you know may be interested in. If you want to be a Havaianas marketing trainee, then this Mindanao job alert is for you! Please check out the poster below to find out the requirements and other qualifications needed for the ideal Havaianas Marketing Trainee: If you're interested to apply, you can send your resume to the email addresses indicated on...

Jul112011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

CBCP statement on alleged PCSO funds used for Bishops SUV luxury vehicles

Butuan, Commentary, Controversial, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion

I'm printing below the full text of the statement released by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines with regard to the recent controversies alleging that some PCSO funds were given to Bishops (one of them Butuan, Mindanao Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos). Bishop Pueblos reportedly wrote to former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, asking for an SUV (a Montero Sport worth Php 1.7 Million) that can "comfortably seat" 6-10 people as a...get this..."birthday gift." Makes you wonder why Bishop Pueblos has been criticizing incumbent President Noynoy Aquino. I will share my thoughts about this issue in a separate blog post. Suffice it to say that I am sad, very disappointed and angry. For now, please feel free to read the statement below and kindly share this with eve...

Jul112011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Airphil Express offers 20 percent discount for students

Announcements, Business, Corporate, Features, Flights, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Tourism, Travel

Good news for all students! Airphil Express will now give 20 percent discounts to all students. This is definitely good news especially for those students enrolled in a school or university in a different city or town. This 20 percent discount is applicable on ALL published DOMESTIC fares including selected promotional fares. However, please note that the discount is not applicable to Tour Packages. Student discount is also not applicable to other fees, taxes and surcharges. You also cannot avail of this Air Philippines student discount via online booking. Student discount may be availed only through these Airphil Express Ticket Offices. Student must be currently enrolled (current school year). Student must present his/her valid School ID or School Registration Form upon ticket purcha...

Jul112011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Sen. Kiko Pangilinan meets with NDF officials, hopes for peace talks resumption

Cagayan de Oro City, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, General Santos City, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, News

After hitting a snag on the JASIG issue, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan visited National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) headquarters in Utrecht, the Netherlands on July 7, 2011 in the hope that the kinks that have led to the postponement of the talks could be ironed out and that the peace talks could proceed. “Nagkaroon ng aberya. We took the initiative to go there after conferring with our government representatives,” said Pangilinan. Pangilinan presented his proposals for solving socio-economic and political problems to NDFP Negotiating Panel Chairperson Luis Jalandoni and NDFP Chief Political Consultant Prof. Jose Maria Sison. The NDFP said in a statement that they will seriously study Pangilinan’s proposal. Jalandoni agreed with Pangilinan that there is urgent need...

Jul102011 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Photos: Bukidnon landslide aftermath

Advocacy, Bukidnon, Commentary, Features, Headline, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Personal, Society

A few days ago, something terrible happened. A deadly landslide occurred in Bukidnon. The Bukidnon landslide happened in Sitio Hangaron, Barangay Lumbayao, Valencia City, Bukidnon. Not only were there victims in Lumbayao, some people including kids were also affected in nearby Barangay Tongan-Tongan. The Bukidnon landslide was, needless to say, very devastating. As of press time, 6 bodies have been recovered in both Barangay Lumbayao and Barangay Tongan-Tongan. The victims from Lumbayao included Maritess Lagunay, Segundina Lagunay and Sheryl Sadsad. The victims from Tongan-Tongan were 7 year old Joy Collamar and 6 year old Roque Santilla. Sheryl Sadsad is the wife of a friend of my brother's. Actually, I also know Sheryl's husband but he was closer to my brother. The landslide hit Sh...