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

Dec112009 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Yes, Virginia, I sang a duet with Atty. Adel Tamano!

Entertainment, Features, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Musings, Personal, Personalities, Photos, Society

So one of my blogs celebrated its anniversary recently and guess who my very special guest was? Atty. Adel Tamano, of course! Just in case you've been living under a rock, Atty. Adel A. Tamano is one of the senatorial bets of the Nacionalista Party, which is led by presidential candidate Manny Villar. Atty. Adel is the first ever Filipino-Muslim graduate of Harvard Law School, the first ever Filipino-Muslim commencement speaker of Harvard University and he's the president of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM). And yes, he was the spokesperson of the Genuine Opposition in the 2007 elections. Bongga ang guest ko di ba? Actually, I spent the entire day with him and his entourage as they toured Bukidnon last December 4, 2009. He was with his brother, Atty. Aquil Tamano, as wel...

Dec72009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Photos: Regine Velasquez concert in Cagayan de Oro City Mindanao

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

Here are some photos taken during the Regine...Most Requested concert of Asia's Songbird Regine Velasquez in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao last December 4, 2009. These photos were taken by my very talented brother Bon, a professional photographer, illustrator, graphic artist and layout artist. For more samples of my brother Bon's work, please check out his official website. Hire him if you need a wedding photographer --- he's simply amazing! Plus he often gets me as his back-up or 2nd photographer so there's a chance that we'll meet, too! :D Don't forget to let me know that you read my blog post about him, okay? :) Regine Velasquez's concert was held at The Atrium, Limketkai Center, CDO. Musical director of the show was Raul Mitra (Regine's brother in law). Special guests were Jed Ma...

Dec72009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Five out of ten Galing Pook awardees are from Mindanao!

Advocacy, Announcements, BIMP-EAGA, Bukidnon, Contests, Cotabato, Features, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News, Sarangani, Society, Technology

Five Mindanao cities and towns were among this year's awardees in "Galing Pook." The Galing Pook Awards 2009 is sponsored by the Galing Pook Foundation and aims to highlight the innovative and practical approaches to common local development challenges. Galing Pook Awards also aims to highlight the best practices that actually worked in a Philippine town. The 5 Mindanaoan areas that received the prestigious Galing Pook awards were Midsayap, North Cotabato; Surallah, North Cotabato; Sarangani, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon and Valencia City, Bukidnon. Foundation chairman Rafael Coscuela said this year’s GPF awardees were chosen from 123 nominations by a national selection committee chaired by prominent economist Solita Monsod based on “innovation, positive results, transferability, sus...

Dec52009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Full text of Maguindanao martial law declaration – Proclamation No. 1959

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

Mindanaoans here is the full text of President Gloria Arroyo’s declaration placing the province of Maguindanao under martial law. THOUGHTS? PROCLAMATION NO. 1959 PROCLAIMING A STATE OF MARTIAL LAW AND SUSPENDING THE PRIVILEGE OF THE WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS IN THE PROVINCE OF MAGUINDANAO, EXCEPT FOR CERTAIN AREAS WHEREAS, Proclamation 1946 was issued on 24 November 2009 declaring a state of emergency in the provinces of Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and the City of Cotabato for the purpose of preventing and suppressing lawless violence in the aforesaid areas; WHEREAS, Section 18 , Article VII of the Constitution provides that ” x x x In case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety so requires it, (the President) may, for a period not exceeding sixty days, suspend the p...

Dec52009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Atty. Adel Tamano’s statement on the martial law declaration in Maguindanao

Announcements, Commentary, Maguindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Politics

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has declared martial law in Maguindanao, Mindanao. The declaration, contained in Proclamation 1959, also suspended the writ of habeas corpus in the province. In line with this, Mindanaoan senatorial candidate Atty. Adel Tamano released a statement on the Maguindanao martial law declaration: The Maguindanao massacre was an outrage but you do not solve it by committing an outrage on the rights of Mindanaoans, specifically those of Muslim Mindanao, by declaring unconstitutional martial law. The lack of actual - not merely possible or imminent - rebellion shows the illegality of the declaration. While all Filipinos, Mindanaoans especially, want swift justice against the monsters who committed the massacre, it must be done within the bounds ...

Dec32009 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Why Mindanaoans especially Dabawenyos still love TAPS

Commentary, Davao City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Musings

New fastfood outlets and restaurants may pop up like mushrooms in Davao City Mindanao but methinks Dabawenyos still love TAPS. Taps, short for "tapsilog" (tapa - sinangag - itlog), has long been in the food industry in Davao City and it's known for its wide array of "pares" or "tapsi" meals. Name it - they most probably have it. From tapsilog to bangsilog (bangus-sinangag-itlog) to tocilog to lekasilog (lechon kawali-sinangag-itlog) to adosilog (adobo-sinangag-itlog), TAPS Davao has it! If I'm not mistaken, they've been in existence for more than 15 years. Taps was one of the places my friends and I frequently hung out in during our high school days (only goes to show my age, eh?) These days, Taps now has branches in Bolton Street (the one I still frequently go to), Sta. Ana Street, Leg...

Dec32009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

If Pampanga has a Fr. Panlilio, Bukidnon has a Fr. Tabios

Bukidnon, Commentary, Controversial, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Society

It seems there's no stopping priests from joining politics these days. If Pampanga has a Fr. Eddie Panlilio, Bukidnon Mindanao has a Fr. Diosdado Tabios. Tabios, the former parish priest of Valencia City, Bukidnon, is set to run for governor in Bukidnon come May 2010. He's set to face incumbent Bukidnon Vice Governor Alex Calingasan (LAKAS CMD KAMPI), who will run for the gubernatorial position, his relative Ernesto Tabios (Liberal Party) and Delfina Bicatulo (Alpha Omega 9K Party). While re-electionist Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio has reportedly filed a petition asking that he leave his priestly duties as he pursue his political plans, Tabios has yet to formally file a written petition. He has, however, spoken to Bishop Honesto Pacana of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon and the latter sai...

Dec12009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanao jobs alert: multinational beverage company is hiring!

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Jobs, Mindanaoan Update

Spotted this ad by a "top multinational beverage manufacturing company" in a regional newspaper here in Mindanao today. The company's name wasn't specified (and I must admit, I have qualms about this) - still, it's worth a try, yes? Especially since a lot of Mindanaoans still don't have jobs these days. Here's the text of the job opening in Cagayan de Oro City Mindanao that I spotted: General qualifications: candidates must ideally be 21-30 years old, have good scholastic performances, have good communication skills, are literate in Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Powerpoint and Excel and must have leadership and good interpersonal skills. There are job openings for: 1. Industrial Engineers - male, working experience in logistics. Related job experience an advantage ...

Dec12009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Christmas shopping? Buy jewelry or furniture from Mindanaoan Ann Tiukinhoy Pamintuan

Advocacy, Arts, Beauty, Bisaya, Business, Consumer, Fashion, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Style

Want to buy furniture or jewelry this holiday season? Thinking of Christmas gift ideas? Why not buy furniture or jewelry pieces from Mindanaoan Ann Tiukinhoy Pamintuan? Because if I only could, I definitely would! This Filipino-Chinese Dabawenya, who's part of the prominent Pamintuan clan in Davao City, is part of the Movement 8 alliance composed of various Filipino designers. Ann's works have invaded New York, Moscow, London and Sweden. Ann Tiu Pamintuan holds the distinction of being the very first female Asian designer to be featured in the International Design Yearbook. Not bad for someone who actually doesn't have any formal training in design. In fact, this passion for design started out as a hobby of hers. Amazing, eh? So far, this gold mango bangle by Ann T. Pamintuan is o...

Nov302009 by Mindanaoan Irene11 Comments

Gaisano Mall of Davao Red Carpet cinema equipped with La-Z-Boy seats

Arts, Consumer, Davao City, Entertainment, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Movies, Musings, Society, Style, Technology, Tourism

Gaisano Mall of Davao, one of the large malls in the world's most livable city, now has a large, spacious cinema equipped with lazyboy (or rather La-Z-Boy) seats! For only P150.00, you can enjoy sitting on a very comfortable, cushiony seat with foot rest at the Red Carpet cinema! The theater is very spacious and you get a lot of extra leg room. What I did notice, however, was that the seats come in two. Meaning if you're going to watch a movie solo, there may be a possibility that someone else will also occupy the adjoining lazyboy seat. So I guess the Gaisano Mall of Davao Red Carpet cinema encourages catching flicks with a friend :) You also have your very own cup holder and extra space for small things (like perhaps your cellphone or car keys). It's not my first time to watch in a...

Nov262009 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

List of journalists killed in the brutal Ampatuan massacre

Commentary, Crime, Headline, Maguindanao, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Personal

First of all, we should not call it "Maguindanao Massacre" anymore. We should now call it "Ampatuan Massacre." Ampatuan is the specific place where the mass graves were found. Maguindanao is the province here in Mindanao. Secondly, to fellow journalists out there (especially those from Luzon) who make the constant mistake of treating Mindanao as one "lawless island," (come on, you know who you are!) please...please be extra careful. Maguindanao IS NOT Mindanao. Mindanaoans like myself have been doing our best to help keep our place peaceful and safe. Unfortunately, like any other area, there are people who refuse to obey the law and think that they are above it. These people do not represent the entire island of Mindanao. One tiny yet misleading description of our island can re...

Nov262009 by Mindanaoan Irene13 Comments

Google Wave invitations – Mindanaoan is giving away Google Wave invites!

Announcements, Contests, Freebies, Mindanaoan Update, Technology

Looking for a Google Wave invitation? Then read on...:) Mindanaoan has been using Google Wave for the past few weeks...and all I can say is...WOW. In case you haven't heard, Google Wave is an online tool for real-time communication and collaboration. Yep, the key there is REAL TIME. Through Google Wave, for instance, I can now communicate with my fellow writers and they can help edit my work in real time, they can share related photos or maps with me in real time and they can also format my article the way they want it or the way that it should be. So for very busy newsrooms, for instance, this can certainly be an advantage because there will no longer be a need for a writer to email an article to the editor and then for the editor to email back the proofread document. Google Wave...

Nov252009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

President Gloria Arroyo’s press statement on the Maguindanao massacre

Announcements, Controversial, Cotabato, Crime, Headline, Maguindanao, Mindanaoan Update

Lame duck President Gloria Arroyo released a statement on the very gruesome Maguindanao massacre...the very massacre that led the International Federation of Journalists to declare that the Philippines is the most dangerous place for journalists to work in. Yep, after Efren Penaflorida's triumph as CNN Hero of the Year and after Mindanao Manny Pacquiao's 7th world title, the Philippines is again hogging headlines. And sadly, Mindanao is at the center of it all. I can't quite point a finger to it...I don't know but I feel icky whenever I read this so-called "press statement." Maybe because the government hasn't done a thing ever since this entire brutality took place. Or maybe because all of PGMA's mouthpieces have only exercised lip service and nothing else. Or maybe because I am just t...

Nov242009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mindanaoans beware – Typhoon Urduja to hit Mindanao

Announcements, Mindanaoan Update, News

Fellow Mindanaoans! Let's all be on alert! PAGASA has said that tropical depression “Urduja” has entered the Philippine area of responsibility yesterday afternoon and it has now hit Mindanao and Visayas. Here in Mindanao, storm signal number 1 has already been raised over Camiguin, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat and Siargao Island. According to PAGASA, typhoon Urduja is bringing strong winds from 30 to 60 kilometers per hour. Let's all take the necessary precautions. In my side of the world, the weather's turning to be very chilly.It rained a bit earlier today and I reckon more rainshowers will come later today. The skies are very dark and heavy here. What about in your part of the world? How's the weather like?

Nov242009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Press statement: Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao on Maguindanao massacre

Announcements, Broadcasting, Controversial, Crime, Headline, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Muslim Mindanao

The Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM) condemns in the strongest possible terms the brutal murder of scores of civilians in Datu Abdullah Sangki town in Maguindanaoin, a bloody start for the 2010 elections. Among the hapless victims were UPLM treasurer Concepcion “Connie” Brizuela and UPLM member Cynthia Oquendo. Authorities claimed the victims were reportedly abducted by some 100 armed. They were accompanying the wife of Buluan Vice Mayor Ishmael “Toto” Mangudadatu , Genalyn, whose group was on their way to file her husband’s certificate of candidacy for Maguindanao governor at the Commission on Elections office in Shariff Aguak town, Maguindanao. This barbaric mass murder not only indicates the early onset of pre-election violence, but, also shows that the culture of impu...

Nov232009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Davao City Mindanao to finally have its own sports dome

Announcements, Davao City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, News, Sports, Tourism

Thankfully, my fellow Dabawenyos and I can now finally say that our beloved Davao City REALLY is a world-class city to live in. I just learned that the world's most livable city will soon have its very own sports dome --- fully airconditioned, ready to accommodate roughly 8,000 people and worth roughly P100 million. And here's something that may surprise a lot of people --- the City Government of Davao need not shell out a single cent since the funds for this project have been sourced elsewhere --- i.e. the national government funds. Interestingly, the funding for this Davao City sports dome will be taken from the congressional development fund of the Speaker of the House Prospero Nograles, a certified Dabawenyo. Nograles said that the initial P100 million was taken from the natio...

Nov232009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

By 2014, Mindanao power deficit will be equivalent to putting out power in 5 major Mindanao cities

Announcements, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro City, Cotabato, Davao City, Events, Headline, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, News, Technology, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

The press statement of the upcoming Mindanao Power Summit 2009 alarmed me. It said that "by 2014, projections have it that Mindanao will have a deficit capacity of 484 megawatts which is equivalent to putting out power in the five major cities of Mindanao - Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Butuan, and Cotabato." That means that five years from now, Mindanao will suffer a devastating power crisis and that the situation may reach the most critical state if we do not act fast and act now. The press statement also claimed that the entire Mindanao grid may experience regular rotating brownouts as early as next year (!), especially with the coming in of additional new investments that are anticipated to further deplete the grid’s reserve capacity. I don't know about you but their statemen...

Nov202009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Manny Pacquiao and Krista Ranillo together in Baguio

Controversial, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personalities, Photos, Sarangani

Are these photos of Filipino boxing champ and new world welterweight boxing champion Manny Pacquiao and sexy starlet Krista Ranillo just for their upcoming movie, "Wapakman," or what? Are these just for publicity or are they really having a secret love affair? I'd hate to think that the latter is the answer. After winning his recent bout against Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico, Pacquiao and Ranillo have become tabloid fodder. Do you think these photos of Manny Pacquiao and Krista Ranillo in Baguio will taint Pacman's Sarangani congressional plans? One more photo after the jump...

Nov202009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mindanaoan band EEVEE bags Nescafe Soundskool 2009 top plum

Announcements, Arts, Cagayan de Oro City, Contests, Davao City, Entertainment, Events, Iligan City, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music, News, Northern Mindanao, Radio, Society

Mindanaoan band EEVEE bagged the top prize in the recently concluded Nescafe 3in1 Soundskool 2009 finals held in Manila. EEVEE, which represented the Philippine Women's College of Davao City, bested 13 other groups from all over the Philippines. EEVEE received P250,000.00 cash, an exclusive recording contract with Sony Music Philippines and their school, PWC, will receive P100,000.00 worth of music equipment. A few days before the grand finals, EEVEE and the 12 other bands underwent workshops in Boracay. They were all briefed on the ins and outs of the Philippine music industry, coached on songwriting techniques and performance styles. EEVEE is composed of Enzo Villegas, Paolo Raymundo Segura, Craig Neniel and Jerick Adrian Sy. Mindanaoan had the chance to meet these talented ...

Nov182009 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Batchoy at Tita Annie’s Victoria Plaza Davao City Mindanao – fail!

Davao City, Food, Mindanaoan Update

Upon my mom's prodding, we decided to eat at Tita Annie's at Victoria Plaza, Bajada, Davao City in a recent trip to my hometown Davao. I was craving for batchoy at that time so I ordered the Tita Annie's special batchoy. Batchoy is basically comprised of sweet meat broth, slices of meat and pork innards, spring onions, garlic and other taste enhancers plus fresh noodles. Batchoy is usually topped off with crushed pork cracklings (chicharon). So you can just imagine my dismay when this was served to me: Not only did it taste bland, I particularly didn't like the fact that the chicharon wasn't crushed. Instead of being extra toppings, the pork skin cracklings looked as if they were "part" of the meal itself. Ayayay. Meal wasn't worth it. That was a disappointment. What abo...

Nov182009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanaoans in Starstruck V Top 60

Advocacy, Announcements, Arts, Davao City, Entertainment, Features, General Santos City, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Sarangani

I must admit, I'm not a huge fan of Starstruck, GMA 7's reality artista-based search. In fact, I haven't watched a single episode of this reality TV show in its entirety but I am familiar with some of its alumni - Jennylyn Mercado, Mark Herras, LJ Reyes and Katrina Halili. Things may change soon, though, since I just learned that there are several Mindanaoans in the top 60 of Starstruck's latest season, Starstruck V. Check out the names in bold below: Adam Santos Hussein, 22, Pasig City Edward Benosa, 19, Quezon City Shereef Ibrahim, 19, Quezon City John Paul Joseph Cadayona, 20, Las Pinas April Ian Jamin, 19, Cebu City Jacob Sales, 19, Bacolod City William Zarib Papageorghiou, 18, Marikina City Aldous Erwin Santiago, Bulacan Luis Hontiveros, 17, Marikina City Jetrix Pasaman...

Nov172009 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

RC Cola strengthens presence in Mindanao, P1 Billion to be allotted for new bottling facility

Announcements, BIMP-EAGA, Business, Consumer, Davao City, General Santos City, Jobs, Mindanaoan Update

The licensed bottler of RC Cola in the Philippines is allotting P1 Billion for the establishment of a new bottling facility here in Mindanao. Asiawide Refreshments Corporation's new state-of-the-art bottling facility is set to address the softdrink markets especially in the Davao and General Santos regions. The new RC Cola bottling facility will be put up in Davao City, Mindanao and will hopefully be operational by the first quarter of 2010. Of course, this does not only mean additional jobs for the people in Mindanao but this also shows the confidence of business owners and capitalists on the potential of Mindanao. Mabuhay Mindanao! :) Speaking of RC Cola, here's a video of new RC Cola endorsers Maja Salvador and Kim Bum (Korean actor in the hugely popular "Boys Over Flowers" ...