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

Jan152011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanao job alert: Spruce needs marketing staff

Cagayan de Oro City, Jobs, Mindanaoan Update

Here's a job opening in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao that you or someone you know may be interested in. One of the top lifestyle stores in Mindanao, SPRUCE, is in need of new marketing staff members. Check this job opening below: Spruce Designer Network is located at the 2nd Floor, West Concourse, Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao. Their boutique and lifestyle store sells Havaianas (they're the accredited store in this neck of the woods), Puma, Get Happy, Happy Feet, Charcoal, Lacoste, Birkenstock, Aranaz, Cole Vintage and a whole lot more. Here's how you can apply at Spruce: (more…)

Jan112011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Quick announcements from TV5 Davao and Konsumanteng Kagay-anon, Inc.

Cagayan de Oro City, Davao City, Jobs, Mindanaoan Update

It seems that the Kapatid Network a.k.a. TV5 is really keen on beefing up their regional offices! They just announced several job openings for their TV5 Davao hub. So if you or someone you know is interested to join the Happy Network TV5 and be in the same TV station which also houses "Willing Willie," "Juicy" and "BFGF," then read on :) TV5 Davao is in need of reporters, cameramen, assistant cameramen, editors, graphic artists, production assistants for Davao City. Interested applicants can submit their resumes to Danny Dacanay at TV5 Davao on or before January 12, 2011, Wednesday. Now if you want to be updated with more jobs within Mindanao, you may want to SUBSCRIBE TO MINDANAOAN for you to always be updated with the latest job openings in various areas around Mindanao. Just CL...

Jan112011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Sen. Chiz Escudero seeks relief of Cotabato police, army leadership

Cotabato, Government, Muslim Mindanao, News, Personalities, Politics

The rising number of abductions in Cotabato City over the past months has prompted Senator Chiz Escudero to call for the relief of the local police and armed forces chiefs in the area, saying they failed in their duties to secure and protect the people from criminals like the kidnap-for-ransom gangs. Escudero, chairman of the Senate committee on national defense and security, condemned the latest abduction in the city involving Chinese businessman Eulogio Lim Yu last Saturday. This came a month after a nine-year-old girl was kidnapped but rescued in Pigcawayan, a town adjacent to the city. The girl’s father, trader Allan Tamayo, was killed when he tried to stop the abductors. Before this, Chinese businesswoman Conchita Tan was also snatched in Cotabato City, and her driver and bod...

Jan112011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Britney Spears new single “Hold It Against Me” [listen here; with lyrics]

Announcements, Broadcasting, Entertainment, Features, Music

The long wait is finally over! Pop princess Britney Spears has released a new single dubbed "Hold It Against Me" and the song was aired first via Ryan Seacrest's radio program. Britney Spears, darling of Kentwood, Louisiana and the pop singer responsible for the monster hits "Baby Hit Me One More Time," "Oops...I Did It Again," "Toxic," "Womanizer" and "Slave 4 U" The new Britney Spears song is supposed to be released for radio airplay around the world today, January 11, 2011. Yup, 1-11-11! The entire new Britney Spears album will be released in March, according to reports. The music video for "Hold It Against Me" will be show in two weeks' time. Meanwhile, you can listen to Britney Spears new single below. Credit to Ryan Seacrest and his website. You can also check out...

Jan32011 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

DTI has new business name registration fees

Announcements, Business, Consumer, Government, Mindanaoan Update

Are you thinking of going into business this year? Do you already have a great business name in mind? Here's good news! The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has now made it easier for all of us Mindanaoans to engage in business. Now you can register your business name online (more on this after the jump!). However, DTI now has revised rates for business name applications. Under Department Administrative Order No. 10-10 series of 2010, the Department of Trade and Industry will implement the revised rates for all Business Name (BN) applications effective today, January 3 (Monday). DTI will implement what they call a "territorial scheme" based on geographical divisions. Check out the corresponding payments below: (more…)

Dec292010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Richard Poon, Pokwang and Markki Stroem CDO concert

Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Photos, Society, Videos

Hi everyone, how's the holidays (or should I say holiDAZE) so far? I'm still on "vacation mode" hence the lack of updates here. Interestingly, though, this humble Mindanao blog still continues to attract very good traffic every single day and for that I am really thankful. Daghang salamat to all of my regular readers and followers! Thank you so much! Please continue to support Mindanaoan by urging all of your friends to "Like" us on Facebook and to subscribe via email :) This time around, I'd like to share with you some of the photos I took during the recently concluded "The Crooner and The Comedienne" concert featuring Richard Poon and Pokwang with special guest Markki Stroem. I know that a lot of you have been waiting for these...judging by the so many hits on my previous entries: exc...

Dec262010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

And the winner of my simple Starbucks contest is…

Announcements, Contests, Mindanaoan Update, Society

Here it is...finally! The winner of the simple Mindanaoan.com Starbucks beverage coupon contest :) It took me a few days to figure this out since I couldn't chance upon my niece (who was supposed to draw out the lucky winner of two tall Starbucks beverage coupons) and some people who said they joined the contest couldn't see their posts on the official Mindanaoan.com Facebook Page. In fairness to these people, when I did check their Facebook profiles, the requirements were all there and their posts were made public but they still didn't appear on the Mindanaoan FB Page. Ugh. So I'm not sure whether it's a technical glitch or just the universe's way of saying that FB contests may not be a good idea anymore LOL. So, in the spirit of fairness, I'm ditching the manually conducted raffle...

Dec212010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Photos: Pokwang in “The Crooner and The Comedienne” concert

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

I'd like to share with all of you the photos I took of talented comedienne Marietta Subong a.k.a. Pokwang during the "The Crooner and The Comedienne" concert last December 19, 2010, Limketkai Atrium, CDO. These are all raw photos, by the way. Apart from the watermarks, the photos have not been manipulated in any way. Please feel free to share this page and please leave a comment :) Thank you. Also, as previously promised with you all, I'll share more videos of Richard Poon, Pokwang and Markki Stroem. I still have an exclusive video interview with Markki Stroem! Can't wait to share that with all of you! The former Pilipinas Got Talent finalist was a gentleman --- he was very eloquent, spontaneous, funny and smart. No wonder there are a lot of Markki fans out there! In the meantime, en...

Dec212010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanaoan.com ‘s exclusive interview with big band crooner Richard Poon

Arts, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Videos

Before his big concert with Pokwang and Markki Stroem last December 19, 2010 at the Atrium of the Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City, this blogger in Mindanao got the chance to interview the Big Band Crooner himself, Richard Poon. Just in case you don't know, Mindanaoan.com was one of the proud media sponsors of the successful run of "The Crooner and The Comedienne," which was made possible by Joey Pelaez Events. Mindanaoan.com had the chance to ask Richard Poon about his choice of music genre, how he can be an advocate of music especially among the youth, how he applies the skills he learned as an entrepreneur to his being a musician (he liked the question, by the way! :D) and what keeps him inspired these days *wink, wink* [READ THIS, just in case you think you're kindda out of the...

Dec212010 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Exclusive and with photos: Maricar Reyes watches suitor Richard Poon’s concert in Cagayan de Oro Mindanao

Beauty, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Photos

Are they or aren't they? I guess that was what a lot of people were wondering last night during the much-awaited The Crooner and The Comedienne concert featuring Richard Poon and Pokwang with special guest Markki Stroem of Pilipinas Got Talent. You see, someone very close to Richard Poon's heart was in the audience that night. The very girl the Big Band Crooner himself described as "the most beautiful girl I have ever seen in my life" - doctor, actress and model Maricar Reyes (who, by the way, hails from Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao) For those of you who feel a bit lost --- here's the gist. Richard Poon met Maricar Reyes. He was immediately smitten but felt it wasn't the right time to get to know her better. Then they met again at a ball and then she starred in his music video and then...

Dec162010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Mindanao congressmen who have perfect attendance

Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Government, Mindanaoan Update, North Cotabato, Personalities, Politics, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Tawi Tawi, Zamboanga City

I must say, I'm so relieved that I found several Mindanawon congressmen in the list of representatives who have perfect attendance in the first 45 days of session. These congressmen from Mindanao sure exemplified a good sense of public service. Hats off to all you, sirs! Here are the various Mindanao congressmen who have perfect attendance in Congress (at least within the first 45 days of session): Pedro Acharon Jr. (South Cotabato) Erico Basilio Fabian (Zamboanga City) Nur Jaafar (Tawi-Tawi) Rufus Rodriguez (Cagayan de Oro) Jesus Sacdalan (North Cotabato) Raden Sakaluran (Sultan Kudarat) Jose Ma. Zubiri III (Bukidnon) These Mindanawan congressmen, along with 36 others, received a Parker ballpen as a token. Their names were also reportedly announced in the chamber. ...

Dec142010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Full text: Supreme Court decision on Hubert Webb case – Vizconde Massacre

Announcements, Blogging, Commentary, Controversial, Crime, Education, Government, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personal, Personalities, Politics

If you've been following me on Twitter today, you must have noticed some of my tweets about the acquittal of Hubert Webb et al. You may have also noticed that I tweeted about the dismissal of the case filed by actress Katrina Halili against Hayden Kho. I also mentioned that today, December 14, 2010, marks the 6th death anniversary of the King of Philippine movies - Fernando Poe, Jr. And, last but definitely not the least, ousted Philippine Football Federation President Jose Mari Martinez says he wants a revamp in the Philippine team #Azkals. Yes, today was a very heavy, full and controversial day in Philippine history. Tough week for the Philippine police and army, too. If you recall, the President himself ordered that the cases against the members of Morong 43 be dropped. Is it Acquitta...

Dec132010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Photos: Pupil Live in Cagayan de Oro City Mindanao

Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Photos

The long wait is over, boys and girls! Here are the most awaited photos taken during the Pupil Live in Cagayan de Oro City special concert! Ely Buendia and the rest of the Pupil band were in CDO recently for the PUMA Archive Uncovered concert series. Thanks to PUMA for bringing the boys over and of course to my favorite boutique Spruce for letting magic happen that night. All photos are taken by my professional photographer-brother Bon. Ready for more? Check out more photos after the jump! And oh if you need a wedding, events, fashion and portrait photographer in Mindanao, please do not hesitate to CONTACT ME. Please refer me and my brother to your friends as well. Cheers and thanks! (more…)

Dec122010 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Your next Starbucks drink is on us! Join Mindanaoan’s contest now!

Announcements, Blogging, Consumer, Contests, Features, Food, Freebies, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Shopping

If you're a big coffee lover like I am, then I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say that the Christmas season isn't really the same if you don't drop by a Starbucks store and have your share of the Starbucks Christmas drinks. After all, Starbucks Christmas is absolutely much-awaited not only by kids, teens and yuppies. Christmas at Starbucks is a most-awaited season by virtually everyone! This year, Starbucks Philippines is featuring three delicious varieties - Praline Mocha, Toffee Nut Latte and Peppermint Mocha. Out of the three, my favorite is the Toffee Nut Latte. A tall Toffee Nut Latte beverage never fails to cheer me up, whatever time of the day. In fact, during my most recent visit to Cebu City, I took my brother and mom (who also flew in a few days later) to Starbuck...

Dec112010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Subscribe and “Like” the Mindanaoan FB page to start winning prizes

Announcements, Blogging, Contests

I've been meaning to post this ever since I managed to create a Facebook Page for my humble blog but only got to finally doing this today. Yikes. Better late than never, though :) I'll be launching several contests and will be giving away some freebies in the next few days but only subscribers of Mindanaoan.com and those who "liked" the Facebook Page will be allowed to join. So here's your chance for a headstart of sorts. You may join the Official Mindanaoan.com Facebook Page through the widget below: Meanwhile, you can also subscribe to Mindanaoan.com via email below: DO NOT - I repeat - DO NOT forget to check your email address and open the email that will be sent to you by Feedburner. Click on the link that will be sent to you via email so that your email address will be...

Dec112010 by Mindanaoan Irene30 Comments

Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa Day Tour | What to do in Cebu

Blogging, Business, Cebu City, Consumer, Corporate, Features, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personal, Photos, Resorts, Reviews, Style, Tourism, Travel

Yes, the rumors are true. Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa is a beautiful paradise that you just have to visit at least once in your lifetime! :) I finally availed of the much-talked about Shangri-La Mactan day tour recently. I treated my brother so it was the two of us who had a grand time at Shangri-La Mactan Cebu. The Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa Day Tour rate, as of October 2010, is P2,500.00 per person (roughly US $65.00) - a bit expensive for many but I must say, our experience was worth every penny. From Cebu City proper (along Salinas Road, to be exact), we took a metered cab towards Mactan. Travel time was about half an hour, notwithstanding traffic. Fare was around P160 but I paid P200 - just to start the day right :) Here's what greeted us when we arrived at Shangri-La...

Dec112010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Dinner with the US Embassy Manila Counselor for Public Affairs

Advocacy, Bisaya, Blogging, Cebu City, Features, Headline, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personal, Personalities, Society, Technology, Weird

I was in Cebu City recently to open a small branch of my PR, media, marketing and outsourcing agency and to visit my younger brother at the same time. About a week and a half after I arrived, I received an invitation from fellow blogger and Plurker Jay de Jesus, the Emerging Media Specialist for Public Affairs of the US Embassy, Manila. He asked if I could attend a small, intimate dinner with someone from the US Embassy in Manila and that the dinner was to be held the evening of that very day. I asked him who I was supposed to meet. He said that it was his boss - the Counselor for Public Affairs of the US Embassy in Manila - Richard W. Nelson. I must admit, I immediately had reservations. I checked my watch --- I only had about 3 hours to prepare for what could be a life-changing dinner...

Dec102010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

A Kagay-anon’s dream come true – this Richard Poon, Pokwang and Markki Stroem CDO concert

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Society

In its initial offering as a concert producer in Cagayan de Oro (CDO), Joey Pelaez Events is set to conquer the music scene on December 19, 2010 at the Atrium Limketkai Center with The Crooner and The Comedienne featuring the country’s top standard music singer Richard Poon and the fashionable and witty Pokwang, and introducing Markki Stroem of Pilipinas Got Talent fame. (more…)

Dec92010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Two Mindanaoan groups win in the 8th TAYO Awards

Announcements, Compostela Valley, Features, Headline, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao, Society, Surigao del Sur

Here's a great follow-up to my previous blog post about the Mindanao youth org-finalists to the 8th Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) Awards --- two (yes, TWO!) youth groups from Mindanao won! Let's all congratulate the Pro-Drop Out Reduction Program (PRO-DORP) Team from Surigao del Sur, Mindanao and the 4-H Mandaya Tribal Youth Organization (MTYO) from Compostela Valley, Mindanao! Both Mindanao youth groups received P50,000.00 cash grant from the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines as well as a specially handcrafted trophy by artist Toym de Leon Imao. Woohoo! Congratulations guys! I'm super proud of all of you! * photo credit: Momblogger The awarding ceremonies of this year's 8th TAYO Awards was held today, December 9, 2010 at the Malacanang Palace. No less than President...

Dec82010 by Mindanaoan Irene60 Comments

UPDATED: Justin Bieber Live in Manila on May 10, 2011 | Kenny Loggins and Maroon 5 are coming too!

Announcements, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities

Yes, it's confirmed! Justin Bieber will come to Manila for a much-awaited concert on May 10, 2011 (coincidentally, the very day of the most recently held national elections!). The Justin Bieber Live In Manila concert will be held at SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds, Pasay City, Philippines. Just to be clear - this blogger from Mindanao got hold of this Justin Bieber Manila concert straight from the top honcho of Music Management International - the same firm that brings international acts over. Justin Bieber in Manila is a concert all of you Bieber fans should not miss! Fronting for Justin Bieber is the group called Poreotics. And here's more good news - the Manila concert scene will not only see the arrival of Justin Bieber on May 10 at MOA but it will also see the arrival of well-lo...

Dec72010 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Mindanao tourist spot: Alalum Falls in Sumilao Bukidnon

Bukidnon, Malaybalay City, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Photos, Tourism, Travel

Let's take a break from all my Cebu and Philippine Blog Awards-related posts :) I'm sharing photos I recently took of a Bukidnon tourist spot - the Alalum Falls found at Kisolon, Sumilao, Bukidnon. This Bukidnon waterfalls is probably the most accessible in the entire province of Bukidnon since it's located along Sayre Highway and just a few meters away from the Municipal Hall of Sumilao, Bukidnon. Alalum Falls is approximately 148 feet. Check out one more shot after the jump! (more…)

Dec72010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

An appeal to all of my valued Mindanaoan.com readers

Bisaya, Blogging, Contests, Features, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Society, Technology

After bagging the Best Lifestyle Blog for Mindanao 2010 in the Philippine Blog Awards, this humble Mindanao blog is once again nominated - this time to two national blogging awards - the 2010 Philippine Blog Awards Bloggers' Choice Award and the 2010 Philippine Blog Awards Readers' Choice Award. As I previously wrote, however, I myself will not even vote for my own blog for the Bloggers' Choice Award since my vote will go to Bukidnon Online but for the Reader’s Choice Category, I would really appreciate a little help from my valued Mindanaoan.com readers, subscribers, supporters! :) Mindanaoan.com and other Readers' Choice Awards nominees will be judged according to the number of Facebook "LIKES" starting today until before 11:59 pm on December 11, 2010 (Saturday). Most number of lik...