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

Jul182010 by Mindanaoan Irene20 Comments

How to renew your Philippine passport | How to get a Philippine e-passport

Advocacy, Announcements, Consumer, Features, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao, Personal

I just applied for the renewal of my Philippine passport. I used to have the regular green passport but since the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has now required that all new Philippine passports and renewed ones must be e-passports, I applied for a Philippine e-passport. Before the e-passport, the DFA issued machine readable passports. That's now kaput. The e-passport accordingly is a lot more secure since it contains this special chip of sorts. The Philippine e-passport is also known as the biometric passport since you no longer need a passport photo along with your passport renewal application form. Your photo, thumbprints and digital signatures will be taken during your passport renewal appointment. See more below the steps on how to renew your Philippine passport and how to...

Jul182010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Yummy Sunday birthday lunch at Kagay-anon Restaurant

Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Personal

My family and I recently celebrated my brother Ben's birthday by sharing one delicious, special birthday lunch on a Sunday at Kagay-anon Restaurant. One of our brothers, Nathaniel, wasn't around, though, since he's already based in Cebu City but we called him several times all throughout the day so we still strongly felt his presence. For that special Sunday birthday lunch, we had camaron rebosado and calamares: We also had another family favorite which is lato seafood. Check out the lato serving at this restaurant in Cagayan de Oro City after the jump! (more…)

Jul162010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

The big Spruce 5th anniversary sale and my oh-so-precious loot!

Beauty, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Fashion, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Style

So the first day of the much-awaited and much talked about 5th Anniversary Sale of SPRUCE was an absolute success! Hundreds of Spruce loyalists came and bought...nay, HOARDED...a lot of stuff! I personally overheard a lady who, after she already bought a lot of items, told her husband that she wanted to stay overnight in Cagayan de Oro City (the family was, apparently, from Marawi City) just because the Spruce personnel told her that more stocks were coming. I also saw a guy who already had 4 pairs of PUMA shoes in his shopping basket but was still checking out yet another pair! (Who says guys can't be shopaholics?) As soon as the mall opened, a long line of eager shoppers was already outside the Spruce store. That type of scene was inevitable, truth be told. Spruce, in celeb...

Jul142010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

From Mindanao media to PNoy’s communications group – an appeal

Advocacy, Blogging, Broadcasting, Commentary, Government, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Politics

So it's somehow final now. The Office of the Press Secretary is no longer. New Philippine President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III or PNoy will reorganize it and will rename it to the Presidential Communications Office. The latest buzz is that ANC broadcaster Ricky Carandang and "The Explainer" Manolo Quezon III will join the communications team and will play vital roles. I am, quite frankly, happy to know that Carandang and Quezon will be part of the team. For sure, these brilliant minds will bring with them their years of experience and they will definitely be fab assets to the Aquino administration. No doubt about that. My concern, therefore, is more about the treatment towards Mindanao journalists now that Aquino has made it clear that the public is his "BOSS" and now that he has tw...

Jul132010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Iligan City’s Maria Cristina Falls is now reopened to the public

Announcements, Government, Iligan City, Mindanaoan Update, Muslim Mindanao, News, Northern Mindanao, Tourism, Travel

Good news! The majestic Maria Cristina Falls, one of the major tourist attractions in Iligan City, Mindanao, is now reopened to the public...and it now even has a Nature's Park! Known as the Philippines' second highest waterfalls, the Maria Cristina Falls plays a very vital role in generating power for Mindanao. Maria Cristina Falls powers the National Power Corporation's Agus VI Hydroelectric Plant which is capable of generating as much as 200 MW. A lot of areas around Mindanao depend on the Agus VI. *photo credit: Iligan City What's also exciting about the reopening of the Maria Cristina Falls is that it now also has a nature's park. (more…)

Jul112010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Spruce CDO to offer a whopping 50 percent discount during 5th anniversary sale!

Announcements, Beauty, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Events, Fashion, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Northern Mindanao, Personal, Society, Style

SPRUCE Boutique, one of my favorite shops in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, is celebrating its 5th anniversary with a sale like no other! Spruce CDO is set to offer a whopping 50 percent discount for at least 5 items purchased during their much talked about 5-day sale! The Spruce 5-day anniversary sale, which is their way of saying thank you to all their loyal customers, will run from July 14 to July 18, 2010. Check out this photo of their window display (this blogger from Mindanao took this today): More ABSOLUTELY EXCITING details after the jump! (more…)

Jul112010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Winning several bucks with PCSO Scratch It!

Consumer, Contests, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Personal

I've always had this belief that I'm a bit lucky with numbers. Not spectacularly lucky...just A BIT lucky. The kind where my winnings can help me buy a pair of shoes or a plane ticket or treat my entire family to a sumptuous dinner. Today, I tried my luck with the PCSO Scratch It! Instant Panalo game cards. These are the ones that are usually sold at a LOTTO outlet. I accompanied someone who placed her LOTTO bets at noon today. Well, because I didn't know how to play LOTTO and didn't want to just stand in a corner and be idle, I bought two Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Scratch Cards. Lo and behold --- my lucky stars shone brightly today! (more…)

Jul102010 by Mindanaoan Irene7 Comments

Meet my new toy!

Blogging, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Technology

About three weeks ago, I became a convert. A from-Windows-to-Mac convert, that is. Yes, people, this blogger in Mindanao finally made the big switch from using Windows to Mac! And so --- meet my new toy --- a spanking brand new Macbook :) Buying a Macbook wasn't an easy decision to make, mind you. Apart from the fact that learning how to use the new (and absolutely pretty white laptop - yes, I'm gushing :P) and the Mac OS would take a bit of time (yes, I can be lazy), Macs aren't exactly cheap. Macbook prices are nearly double the price of a Windows laptop. That's why I canvassed for a few days and thanks to my Twitter and Plurk friends, I got great leads as to where you can buy cheap Macbooks in the Philippines. I will share how I got a pretty good deal with my newest purchase in ...

Jul102010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Join the Chooks to Go VIP Membership Club for FREE

Announcements, Business, Consumer, Mindanaoan Update

Want a FREE Chooks to Go t-shirt? Then join the Chooks to Go VIP Membership Club FOR FREE! Chooks to Go, which uses Bounty Fresh chicken, has recently launched its membership club and loyal members can get freebies and access to special events and promos. With over 700 stores all over the Philippines including a whole lot here in Mindanao, it will be easy for you to pile up points and get those freebies! Chooks to Go sells oven-roasted chicken, liempo, chicken hotdog, chicken nuggets and corned chicken. Bounty Fresh's newest endorser is none other than world-class singer Lea Salonga. Check out their newest ad: (more…)

Jul92010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Casting call for the Angat Sa Sining 3rd Cultural Season

Announcements, Arts, Cagayan de Oro City, Campus, Entertainment, Features

The Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts has just announced the audition date for the Angat sa Sining 3rd Cultural Season launching showcase and music video. Interested male and female models, singers and hosts must be at the Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan) Little Theater on July 11, 2010. More details below. Check out the poster for the Angat Sa Sining casting call: (more…)

Jul92010 by Mindanaoan Irene10 Comments

Mindanao food: Malunggay pastel! Sweet, healthy twist to Camiguin’s delicacy

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Features, Food

Did you know that malunggay contains more vitamin A than carrots, more calcium than milk, more iron than spinach, more vitamin C than oranges and more potassium than bananas? That's the premise of Malunggay Pastel Bread, which started as a product for a feasibility study for Xavier University students but now looks like a thriving, successful business venture. Malunggay pastel is a healthy twist to the ordinary pastel bread, largely known as Camiguin's delicacy. If you want to order your malunggay pastel bread, check the poster after the jump. You can also call Steffi Dalman, one of the business owners of Malunggay Pastel Bread. Her number's at the bottom part of the poster after the jump! (more…)

Jul72010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mindanao event alert: 1/8 mile night drag race in Davao City

Announcements, Contests, Davao City, Events

Hey race car fanatics! Here's an event in Davao City, Mindanao that may interest you guys. All drag racers and car enthusiasts are invited to the "2nd Speed City 1/8 Mile Night Drag Race” drag racing event. This will be held on July 31, 2010 (Saturday) at Speed City, River Front Drive, Corporate City, Diversion Highway, Ma-a, Davao City on July 31, 2010. More details after the jump! (more…)

Jul32010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

One-day seminar/workshop on Managing a Family-Owned Business

Announcements, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Events, Mindanaoan Update, Society

Family owned businesses account for more than 60% of all businesses in the world and it has been the backbone of the world economy. One, if not the most important factor that determines the success of family businesses is the ability of the family members to create a balance between a happy, united family and a well-run family enterprise. However, the question remains: how do you attain harmony and growth while managing a family-owned business? The Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) Cagayan de Oro East Chapter is pleased to invite to you to a one-day seminar/workshop on: “Managing a Family-Owned Business: Attaining Harmony and Growth by Balancing Family and Business”. This seminar is designed to help you attain an effective and amicable family enterprise...

Jul22010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Citihardware to open 3rd branch in Cagayan de Oro City

Announcements, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Society

Well, I guess this only goes to show that Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, dubbed the City of Golden Friendship, is really booming and fast becoming "a force to reckon with" in terms of trade and industry. CitiHardware, arguably the largest and fastest growing hardware chain in the country, will open its third branch in CDO. According to a top CitiHardware official, the Cugman branch is currently in its early stages of construction. Citihardware's two existing branches in Cagayan de Oro are located at Bulua and Gusa. If you guys recall, Mindanaoan was hired to handle shared event coordination services during the grand opening of the CitiHardware Bulua branch. As co-event organizer, Mindanaoan was in charge of providing professional lights and sounds, a female professional host, a band ...

Jul22010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Spruce CDO celebrates 5th anniversary, announces sale

Announcements, Beauty, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Fashion, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Style

One of Mindanaoan's favorite specialty and boutique shops in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao will celebrate its 5th anniversary in a few days and they've announced a much-awaited SALE! Spruce Designer Network, Inc., which operates Spruce Boutique and All Flipflops, will hold a 5-day sale starting July 14 to 18, 2010. Yep, it's their way of thanking their loyal customers all throughout Northern Mindanao! Spruce Cagayan de Oro, located at the 2nd floor of Limketkai Mall, is the exclusive distributor of Havaianas in Northern Mindanao. Spruce also carries the following brands: Aranaz, Lacoste, Charcoal, Puma, Cole Vintage and Happy Feet. (more…)

Jun302010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Inaugural speech of Noynoy Aquino – English translation

Announcements, Blogging, Features, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News

Here is the English translation of the inaugural speech of President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III. The original, Filipino version can be found HERE. My presence here today is proof that you are my true strength. I never expected that I will be here taking my oath of office before you, as your president. I never imagined that I would be tasked with continuing the mission of my parents. I never entertained the ambition to be the symbol of hope, and to inherit the problems of our nation. I had a simple goal in life: to be true to my parents and our country as an honorable son, a caring brother, and a good citizen. My father offered his life so our democracy could live. My mother devoted her life to nurturing that democracy. I will dedicate my life to making our democracy reach its ful...

Jun302010 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Inaugural speech of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III | Full text inaugural speech of Noynoy Aquino

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

Thanks to the Noynoy Aquino Media Bureau, this blogger from Mindanao got a hold of the full text of the inaugural speech of President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III. This inaugural speech was delivered largely in Filipino and was delivered by Noynoy himself today, June 30, 2010, during the inauguration rites held at Quirino Grandstand, Manila, Philippines. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III is the Philippines' newest President. The new vice president is Jejomar "Jojo" Binay. If you missed the inauguration rites today, here's a copy of the inaugural speech of Noynoy Aquino (full text). The English translation of Aquino's inaugural speech can be found HERE. His Excellency Jose Ramos Horta, Former President Fidel V. Ramos, Former President Joseph Estrada, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and membe...

Jun292010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Start saving up! Make Your Own Havaianas 2010 is coming your way soon

Announcements, Beauty, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Style

Woohoo! I'm absolutely thrilled :) After the huge success of the Make Your Own Havaianas 2009 event, this year's MYOH 2010 event is right around the corner! The Make Your Own Havaianas 2010 event for Northern Mindanao will be held on August 13 to 15, 2010 at the Rotunda area of Limketkai Mall, Cagayan de Oro City. And guess what? This year marks the 5th year of chic and colorful customization brought to all of us by Havaianas Philippines! This blogger in Mindanao cannot wait to get her hands on my brand new pair! I had so much fun during my first ever Make Your Own Havaianas experience and just like I said, that experience was only the beginning of a long "friendship" with my very own Havs :) So start saving up, Havaianaticos! And see you on August! Special thanks to Spruce De...

Jun282010 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

A Mindanaoan blog worth checking out – Ganda Ever So Much!

Advocacy, Blogging, General Santos City, Humor, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, SoSCksargen

One of the things that this blogger in Mindanao loves about blogging is the fact that I get to meet other people who are as passionate about writing and sharing stuff as I am. Through blogs and activities related to blogging such as blog camps, bloggers day, bloggers summits, and online media briefings, I get to meet not only virtual friends but interesting people and friends in real life. Take the case of a fellow Mindanaoan named Orman who's behind a Mindanaoan blog that's worth checking out - GandaEverSoMuch.com! I first learned about Ganda Ever So Much through Avel, the man behind the award-winning Bariles Republic. Avel and Orman are brothers. I've been visiting Bariles Republic/GenSantos.com a few times before and I've been noticing Orman's name. He didn't have a blog then but ...

Jun282010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

T’nalak Festival 2010 Schedule of Activities | South Cotabato’s 44th Foundation Day

Announcements, Culture, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, Koronadal, Mindanaoan Update, South Cotabato, Tourism, Travel

Koronadal's yearly T'nalak Festival is here once again. For tourists and local Mindanaoans who want to witness this colorful festival, check out the Tinalak Festival 2010 Schedule of Activities below. The theme for T'nalak 2010 is “One Dynamic People; One Vibrant Spirit." T'nalak Festival is celebrated in South Cotabato, Mindanao. Incidentally, this year also marks the 44th Foundation Anniversary of South Cotabato. DATE JULY TIME EVENT VENUE (within Koronadal City) 13 Tuesday 4:00 PM Interfaith Thanksgiving Services South Cotabato Gym 6:00 PM Releasing of Flying Lanterns So.Cot Sports Complex 6:30 PM Ceremonial Opening: * Regional Trade Expo 2010 Protech Center * Agri Fair 2010 Rizal Park 14 Wednesday 7:...

Jun262010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Stylistas 2010 go-see

Announcements, Arts, Beauty, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Fashion, Style

Are you a fashionista? Are you a model? Or do you at least aspire to walk down the ramp? A go-see for models / Stylistas 2010 interested participants will be held on July 11, 2010, 2PM at the SM Cagayan de Oro Atrium. The search will be in line with the upcoming Stylistas fashion show. The Stylistas 2010 fashion show will be held on July 18, 2010. If you're 16 to 24 years old, have a fun personality and a unique fashion sense, then check out this poster: Good luck, Mindanaoan!

Jun252010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Ampatuan massacre witness killed

Broadcasting, Commentary, Controversial, Crime, Maguindanao, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News, Opinion

Suwaid Upham a.k.a. "Jessie" was shot dead recently. Not only should family and friends of the victims of the Ampatuan massacre be concerned...we Mindanaoans...nay, FILIPINOS...must also be very concerned. We must awfully, most profoundly be worried. Suwaid Upham was a very vital witness to the November 23, 2009 Ampatuan, Maguindanao massacre which claimed 58 lives. The same massacre that rocked the entire nation especially since thirty two of the victims were Mindanaoan journalists - who all went in good faith, who all just did their jobs...who all did not have any clue that it would be their last day on earth. That massacre left all of us dumbfounded.Who knew that a beast so heartless, who killed women and innocent journalists, lived in Mindanao? On the other hand, the gruesome...