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

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...

Dec62010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Review: Red Box Karaoke Ayala Cebu

Beauty, Business, Cebu City, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Reviews, Tourism

I finally had the chance to visit the much-talked about Red Box Karaoke located at G101, Garden Level of The Terraces (below Active Zone, just beside the fountain) at the Ayala Center Cebu, Cebu Business Park. I've been hearing a lot of praises about this new Cebu hangout - karaoke place in Cebu so when my Cebu City-based brother finally had one free weekend, we decided to go to Red Box Karaoke Cebu and try their primetime package. The Red Box Ayala Cebu primetime package is available from 7 PM up to 12 midnight. For only P299.00+ per head (P399.00+ on Fridays and Saturdays), you can enjoy TWO FREE drinks (drink choices: iced tea, soda, local beers, mineral water, hot tea and brewed coffee), access to the extensive song library composed of more than 100,000 songs and fully airconditione...

Dec52010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Davao City’s musical fountain worth P18M is 1st in Mindanao

Announcements, Arts, Davao City, Features, Government, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism

As you guys may or may not know, the local government unit of my hometown Davao City, Mindanao has banned the use and sale of fireworks for years now. So yes, it's been a series of pretty "quiet" Christmases and New Year's Eves in Davao for several years now. Quiet but safe. Now, because fireworks aren't permitted, the Davao City government, led by Mayor Sara Duterte, has come up with the next best thing - an P18 Million dancing, musical fountain! The grand musical fountain, which can be found at the Davao City People's Park (former PTA Grounds, along Camus Street), is said to be the first in Mindanao. The musical fountain in People's Park Davao is also a part of the yearly Pasko Fiesta, which the Davao government holds to usher in the holidays. I don't have a photo of the grand m...

Dec52010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Why I am NOT voting for this blog for the Bloggers’ Choice Award

Advocacy, Blogging, Bukidnon, Contests, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personal

Did that surprise you? It's true. While this Mindanaoan blog may be one of the nominees for the Bloggers' Choice Award in the 2010 Philippine Blog Awards, I'm not voting for it. Instead, my vote will go to Bukidnon Online - the largest, most active/updated and most interactive blog about the Province of Bukidnon, Mindanao. I have a lot of reasons why I'm voting for BukidnonOnline.com but some of these reasons include: - Bukidnon Online is a labor of love. It started out as a "hobby blog" - a mere outlet for a non-Bukidnon resident to share her new discoveries about the province she has started to fall in love with. However, after only a few weeks of going online, this Bukidnon site became a source of news and updates for a lot of people not only from within the province but basically...

Dec32010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Photos: Jay-R at Ayala Terraces

Cebu City, Entertainment, Mindanaoan Update, Photos

If there's one young Filipino singer-composer whom I'm pretty impressed with, then that's no other than the Prince of RnB, Jay-R. I just love his clear, soothing voice! His dance moves aren't bad either and his compositions are really good so yup, I think that Jay-R Sillona is one great Filipino artist :) I had the chance to interview him before and I found him pretty charming, humble and smart. Some friends of mine later seconded my impression of Jay-R. My friends - the members of multi-awarded Filipino band South Border --- attested that Jay-R was indeed very nice, easy to get along with and was one very talented musician. Glad I was right! So when I heard that Jay-R was in town for a mini-concert, I no longer thought twice. I simply had to watch! So here are some photos I took of ...

Dec32010 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Why I organized the Bukidnon Bloggers group

Blogging, Bukidnon, Commentary, Events, Internet, Malaybalay City, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Personal, Technology

A few weeks ago, right before this blogger from Mindanao flew to Cebu City to open a small, humble branch of my PR, events, media and marketing business, I organized an event dubbed "BukidnonOnline.com Bukidnon Blogging 101 and How To Make Money Online Workshop" in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, Mindanao. It was a workshop I never expected to be such a huge hit - especially since there were hardly any bloggers in that part of Mindanao. However, more than 40 would-be and newbie bloggers came - and with a lot of help from the CDO Bloggers group, ASTERISK Events and Communications and from generous friends and sponsors - not only was the blogging workshop a major success but it also bore a 10-man Bukidnon Bloggers core group. Needless to say, as event organizer and bloggers myself, I felt abso...

Nov302010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Hainanese White Chicken at Tsim Sha Tsui Ayala Terraces

Cebu City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Recipes, Reviews

This is a follow up of sorts to my earlier post about Tsim Sha Tsui Ayala Terraces. Apart from ordering hakao, stewed beef and my favorite quail egg siomai, my brother and I also ordered Hainanese White Chicken. I was craving for Hainanese Chicken Rice that day and good thing they served that at TST: My verdict? (more…)

Nov302010 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Aquil Tamano joins the Games and Amusements Board

ARMM, Blogging, Features, Government, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Marawi City, Mindanaoan Update, Muslim Mindanao, News, Personalities, Politics, Society, Sports

If you're a regular reader of my humble blog, you'd know that I consider Atty. Aquil Tamano a dear friend. I met him during the Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3, which was held in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao in 2009. His brother, former Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) President and former senatorial candidate Atty. Adel Tamano, accepted my invitation to grace the said event and deliver a special message. That fateful day was the beginning of what I can proudly call a good friendship. I also later on met Sir Aquil's wife, Inee, who's as equally as nice as he is. She's pregnant, by the way, and their precious one is due on February 2011! :D Anyways, fast forward to November 2010, great opportunities went Sir Aquil's way. First, I heard that he became the lawyer of some GMA 7 artists in...

Nov292010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Bukidnon: The Philippine Frontier coffee table book released

Announcements, Arts, Beauty, Blogging, Bukidnon, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, Photos, Politics, Society, Style, Tourism, Travel

It was a dream project that took five - yes, 5!!! - years to complete. And now it's finally done. Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri presents a copy of "Bukidnon: The Philippine Frontier" to Bukidnon Gov. Alex Calingasan at the launching ceremony recently held at the NBC Tent in Fort Bonifacio Global City. Senator Migs Zubiri said the coffee table book is a dream project that took five years to complete. The 183-page book is written by Rafael "Apa" Ongpin with photographs by Neal Oshima. Photo shows (L-R) Neal Oshima, Apa Ongpin, Senator Migs Zubiri, Gov. Alex Calingasan and Bukidnon Vice Gov. Joe Zubiri (Senator Migs' dad and former three-term Bukidnon governor) at the unveiling ceremony. On a personal note, this blogger from Mindanao received a text message from Senator Migs hims...

Nov272010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Full text – Sen. Ping Lacson’s siblings speak out

Announcements, Blogging, Controversial, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News, Politics

From my mailbox --- received this press release from the Office of Senator Ping Lacson. It's the full text of Senator Panfilo Lacson's sibling's statement "In Defense of Our Family’s Honor." I am printing this verbatim: In every Filipino family, two things are most treasured: honor and home. Our brother, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson is accused of masterminding the murder of Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver. The principal evidence against him that the previous administration’s DOJ investigating panel and the court considered “probable cause” was an affidavit by a lone witness, Cesar Mancao. In that affidavit, Mancao narrated a supposed conversation inside a car between Ping and Michael Ray Aquino wherein Ping allegedly ordered Aquino to have Dacer murdered. He claimed to have ov...

Nov272010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Truefaith to rock Munato Festival 2010 in Sarangani Mindanao tonight

Announcements, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, News, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, Tourism

The Province of Sarangani, Mindanao is currently celebrating its 18th Foundation Anniversary as well as its 8th Munato Festival. The Sarangani Munato Festival 2010 bears the theme "History, Culture, Resources." Sarangani, Mindanao is made up of the following towns: Alabel, Glan, Malapatan, Malungon, Kiamba, Maasim and Maitum. As you all know, the world's best pound for pound boxer, Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao, is the new Sarangani congressman. For sure, you'll see much of Congressman Pacquiao all throughout the festival. My former classmate and now Sarangani Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez, along with Vice Governor Steve Solon, will also be around and about for sure. By the way, one of the much-awaited events during the 2010 Munato Festival is the musical concert featuring to...

Nov272010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

First Filipino Yale World Fellow and former Bukidnon Mindanao congressman Dr. Neric Acosta congratulates Mindanaoan.com!

Blogging, Bukidnon, Features, Headline, Internet, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Society, Technology, Videos

During the Open Budget Partnership forum I attended in Manila a few days ago, I saw an old friend. I didn't expect him to actually come since a member of the event secretariat told me earlier that day that he might not be able to drop by. Lo and behold, he came...and when I approached him to say hello, he looked a little bit surprised to see me there but nonetheless looked happy. The old friend I'm referring to is former Bukidnon First District Congressman Dr. JR Nereus "Neric" Acosta. Yes, he's the same Neric Acosta who ran for a Senate seat in May 2010. He's the same Neric Acosta who's a staunch advocate of environment protection, responsible population management, health and programs for climate change. And yes, he's the same Neric Acosta who authored the Clean Air Act and who's t...

Nov262010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

PacMan: Behind the Scenes with Manny Pacquiao

Bisaya, Blogging, Features, General Santos City, Humor, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Politics, Reviews, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, Sports

Many say that one will either extremely love or extremely hate this new biography about my fellow Mindanaoan, Manny Pacquiao. For fellow fans of the world's best pound for pound boxer and now Sarangani Mindanao congressman who haven't had the chance to read this new PacMan: Behind The Scenes With Manny Pacquiao book, I'm hoping that I will at least like it and not curse the book's author, Gary Andrew Poole. Because you see, while most of the "expert reviewers" say that this is a good read, many also say that it's poorly edited, contains unverified and even stupid material and reveals things about Pacquiao and the rest of Team Pacquiao that can, accordingly, "stain his good name." Before we talk about the nega stuff, though, let's consider some of the "good reviews." Scoop Malinows...

Nov262010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

SOCCSKSARGEN Blogfest 2010 – registration now open!

Announcements, Blogging, Events, General Santos City, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, SoSCksargen, Technology

If you're a budding blogger in Mindanao and you missed the recent blogging events in Bukidnon and Zamboanga City, then you're in luck! The much-awaited SOCCSKSARGEN BlogFest 2010 is set to take place in a few days' time and yes, registration is now open! The 2010 SOCCSKSARGEN BlogFest will be held on December 11, 2010 at the New Grand Ballroom of East Asia Royale Hotel, National Highway, General Santos City, Mindanao. Slots are very limited so if you're interested to join this blogging event, register ASAP! A fee of P250/US$6.50[PayPal] (Early Bird P150/US$4, before 01 December) will be collected from each delegate. Deadline for registration is on Friday, November 26, 2010. The fee includes a meal, two snacks, a BlogFest 2010 mini-kit and a raffle ticket. You may pay in adva...

Nov252010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Pokwang invites fans to Mindanaoan.com-supported CDO concert

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Videos

Look who has a special video invitation! It's no other than the very talented comedianne Pokwang who wants to invite all of YOU to watch “The Crooner and The Comedienne - Richard Poon and Pokwang - Back2Back Live in Cagayan de Oro that's set to happen on Sunday, December 19, 2010, 7:30 PM at The Atrium of Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. Big band crooner Richard Poon will join Pokwang in this very special event. Special guest is Pilipinas Got Talent finalist Markki Stroem. This humble blog, Mindanaoan.com, is one of the proud sponsors of this Christmas concert :) And may I just say that it makes me smile whenever I receive text messages from friends in CDO who constantly let me know that they see www.Mindanaoan.com on those huge billboards around the city. Thanks guys...

Nov242010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mindanao youth org-finalists to 8th TAYO Awards 2010 revealed

Mindanaoan Update

Thanks to the TAYO Awards 2010 secretariat, this blogger from Mindanao has gotten hold of the list of Mindanao youth organizations that have been declared finalists to the 8th Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) Awards. These Mindanao youth groups will attend the TAYO Awards 2010 National Finals Week in Manila on December 5 to 9, 2010, according to search committee chair Georgina Nava (or Miss Georg, as I call her :) ) * 4-H Mandaya Tribal Youth Organization (MTYO), Compostella Valley, Mindanao * Association of Locally-Empowered Youth - Northern Mindanao (ALEY-NM) * Pro-Drop Out Reduction Program (PRO-DORP) Team, Surigao del Sur, Mindanao * Watershed Management Youth Council, Davao City, Mindanao * Youth Solidarity for Peace-Peace Advocates Zamboanga (YSP-PAZ), Zamboanga, Mi...

Nov232010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Get free tickets to Pupil concert in Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Mindanaoan Update, Music

Are you a fan of Ely Buendia and his band Pupil? Do you live in Cagayan de Oro City or nearby areas? Then you will most definitely love this piece of news! The 2010 PUMA Archive Uncovered on the road concert series will make its last pitstop for the year at Club Tilt, Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao and of course, PUMA will bring no other than Pupil! Watch Pupil live at Club Tilt on Dec. 8, 2010, 6:00 PM! If you want to know more about Club Tilt, this blogger from Mindanao has written something about Club Tilt here. Meanwhile, if you want to know how you can get TWO FREE TICKETS to watch Ely Buendia and the rest of Pupil, then check out the details after the jump! (more…)

Nov222010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Mountain Madness Bike Race 2010

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Mindanaoan Update, Sports

The All Terrain Trekkers and Cross-Country Klub (ATTACK) of Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao is celebrating its 12th anniversary and in line with this, the said biking and outdoor club is holding a mountain bike competition. The event, dubbed "Mountain Madness 11," will be held on December 5, 2010 in CDO, Mindanao. This mountain bike competition aims to draw mountain biking enthusiasts not only from Cagayan de Oro City but from nearby cities and provinces as well. The total length of the race route is 16 kilometers and the terrain includes concrete roads, creeks, single tracks and rough roads. Pretty challenging, don't you think so? :) Registration fee is P189.00. However, according to the event organizer, if you register early between November 20 to 30, you’ll be paying P160.00 only. ...

Nov202010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mindanaoan senator Guingona et al take first step to budget reform

Advocacy, Announcements, Broadcasting, Bukidnon, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News

Senator Teofisto ‘TG" Guingona III, a fellow Mindanaoan, has taken his crusade for a transparent, accountable and participatory budget process a step further. The solon led the signing of the Open Budget Partnership Agreement during a forum on the 2011 National Expenditure Program attended by members and leaders of civil society organizations in Ortigas, Pasig City today. “Today, we are witness to a historic event, when the government and the civil society join hands in safeguarding one of the most important processes in good governance – that is, making sure that the budget process will be truly crafted in the true essence of democracy, one that will benefit the people whose taxes make this country run,” stated Guingona. The Open Budget Partnership is a collaborative initiative amon...

Nov182010 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Got an invite to attend a forum on the 2011 National Expenditure Program

Advocacy, Bukidnon, Controversial, Events, Government, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Personalities, Politics

I must say that it was a surprise - a nice one at that, I suppose - to receive an invitation to attend a forum on the 2011 National Expenditure Program. I received the invite from Mindanaoan Senator Teofisto "TG" Guingona III's office. Guingona is the convenor of the Open Budget Partnership (OBP). As to what the Open Budget Partnership is, I seriously don't have any idea so don't ask. However, I'm hoping I will understand it better on Saturday, the day of the forum. The event will be held in Manila, by the way. Let me just say, before anything else, that I'm grateful for the invitation. This is a good step forward especially for the government to bring in not only members of the traditional media but those involved in the new media as well. Although I do have plans of writing news artic...

Nov182010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Should the Maguindanao Massacre trial be made public?

Advocacy, Announcements, Broadcasting, Controversial, Crime, Headline, Maguindanao, Mindanaoan Update, News

This blogger from Mindanao thought about this today after I received a press release from the Office of Senator Francis 'Kiko' Pangilinan. Reportedly, Sen. Pangilinan has filed today Resolution No. 186, expressing the sense of the Senate that the Maguindanao massacre trial should be made public through radio and television coverage of the court proceedings. "It would be in the best interest of our judiciary to have transparency in the judicial process, especially in such an unprecedented case of brutality that captured the attention of the international media. The Constitution recognizes the right of the people to public information on matter of public concern," it said. Pangilinan also said that having the proceedings twice a week is the right step. He said that twice-a-week proceed...

Nov162010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Giant christmas tree at SM City Cebu

Cebu City, Features, Gifts, Internet, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Shopping, Society

Christmas is really in the air! Don't you just love the Yuletide season? In Mindanao, a lot of people bring out those Christmas decors as early as October but most really get into the spirit after All Souls' Day (November 2). In 2008, my Mindanaoan blog featured this Christmas Tree found at People's Park, Davao City, Mindanao. In 2009, Mindanaoan featured the Christmas Trees found at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay and at Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao. And to officially welcome Christmas 2010, I present to you a photo I took of the giant Christmas Tree found at the Northwing of SM Cebu: Pretty nice, eh? By the way, I would like to invite you to check out my very first Christmas blog! MyChristmasGiftGuide.com is where you can read all about Christmas, Christmas symbols and ornam...