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

Aug132009 by Mindanaoan Irene8 Comments

John Lloyd Cruz, Rivermaya to headline Kapamilya Karavan in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao

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

ABS-CBN Kapamilya star John Lloyd Cruz and popular band Rivermaya will headline the much-awaited Kapamilya Karavan - Cagayan de Oro on August 28, 2009 at Gran Via Lot, SM CDO, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. This fun musical event will be held on the very same day Cagayan de Oro City celebrates its fiesta. Expect legions of fans to watch John Lloyd and other Kapamilya stars on August 28! Of course, the ABS CBN Cagayan de Oro family, M.O.R. CDO family and some representatives from ABS CBN Manila will be at the event. This early, not a few have already told me that they'll be at the venue early so that they can situate themselves near the stage. Sabagay...who wouldn't want to be up close and personal with Mr. Ingat himself? Mindanaoan was tapped to book two local artists that will s...

Aug122009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, Rep. Teddy Casino, Atty. Alex Lacson, Neric Acosta, Rep. Risa Hontiveros lead Register and Vote Campaign CDO schools visit – pictures inside

Advocacy, Cagayan de Oro City, Campus, Events, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Photos, Politics

Here are the photos Mindanaoan (me!) took during the recent Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao leg of the Register and Vote (RV) Campaign - specifically during the two students fora held at the Mindanao University of Science and Technology and Cagayan de Oro College - both Cagayan de Oro City schools. Mindanaoan was privileged enough to have accompanied the Team Kiko group last July 30, 2009. This RV campaign, which is spearheaded by Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, aims to draw out 5 to 9 million first time voters, encourage them to register at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and then come May 2010, exercise their right to suffrage. Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, AKBAYAN Partylist Rep. Risa Hontiveros, former Bukidnon Rep. Neric Acosta, BAYAN Partylist Rep. Teddy Casino and author Atty. ...

Aug122009 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Davao City Deca Wakeboard Park to open on August 28, 2009

Announcements, Business, Corporate, Davao City, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, News, Resorts, Sports, Tourism

Experience beyond the ride! That's what the soon-to-open Deca Wakeboard Park in Davao City, Mindanao promises! And on August 28, 2009, sports enthusiasts will have their first taste of the fun of wakeboarding as Deca Wakeboard Park - Davao opens its doors...and just in time for the Kadayawan Festival 2009! Located at Deca Homes Resort Residences at Brgy. Tacunan, Mintal, Davao City, this wakeboarding complex in Mindanao, which aims to be the largest in the whole of Southeast Asia, will definitely provide a big boost to the local tourism industry. So who says that there's not much to do in Mindanao? For the uninitiated, wakeboarding is a surface water sport wherein a person uses a wakeboard (this one’s smaller than a surfboard but a little bit bigger than a skateboard) over the sur...

Aug112009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Davao City, Mindanao is all set for Kadayawan Festival 2009!

Announcements, Davao City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Mindanaoan Update, News, Society

The City of Davao is geared up for this year’s celebration of the Kadayawan Festival. As city streets have already been adorned with colorful buntings and streamers, the 2009 Kadayawan Festival Executive Committee - headed by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte along with private sector co-chair Lorenzo Te, Jr. - has lined up an exciting calendar of events for this year’s celebration. This year’s theme, “Naghiusang Katawhan Nakigdait sa Kalibutan” (“One People in Communion with the Earth”), fittingly responds to the need of the times as Dabawenyos are reminded of their responsibilities towards Mother Earth. As Davao’s indigenous tribes have deemed the earth as the core of their existence, they have also maintained a special connection to the earth which is also the source of the life, livi...

Aug92009 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Horse fights to be re-staged during Kadayawan Festival 2009

Advocacy, Controversial, Culture, Davao City, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News

I can already smell the protests courtesy of animal welfare advocates. Horse fights (also known as "Paaway Kuda"), which are part of the culture of indigenous peoples, will be revived in this year's Kadayawan Festival 2009 celebration. Horse fight competitions will be staged from August 17 to 23, 2009 during the 2009 Kadayawan in Davao City, Mindanao. I bet the people behind the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and other animal welfare organizations can't wait to travel to Davao and condemn the "cruel" competitions. Recently, the Davao City Council Committee on Lumads (Indigenous Peoples), led by Councilor Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz, revealed that the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) has approved the staging of horse fights during the Kadayawan Festival. In a horse f...

Aug82009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

General Santos City celebrates Tuna Festival 2009 – official schedule inside

Announcements, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, General Santos City, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Society, SoSCksargen, Tourism

General Santos City, Mindanao is set to celebrate the Tuna Festival 2009 this month of August until early September. If you're thinking of visiting that part of Mindanao, then you're in luck --- Mindanaoan found this GTX 2009 Schedule of Activities (updated as of August 7, 2009) online. Check out the schedule below. Thank you to Scribd subscriber Orman for uploading the schedule. Meanwhile, if you're looking for a budget hotel in General Santos City, you might want to read my review of La Tierra Del Sur. My brother and I stayed there last year when we joined the Tuna Festival 2008...and when we learned that our uncle, whom we haven't seen in more than 10 years, died seeing his brothers and sister without proper homes. You see, my other uncle and aunt's homes were demolished and until no...

Aug72009 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Joey De Leon, Vic Sotto react to Willie Revillame’s decision to have the live feed of President Cory’s cortege removed

Controversial, Internet, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Technology, Videos

I just knew that it would only take a matter of time before Joey de Leon, one of the hosts in the GMA 7 noontime show "Eat Bulaga," gives his (violent) reaction on the controversial decision of Willie Revillame to have the live feed of President Cory Aquino's cortege from La Salle Greenhills to Manila Cathedral removed. The cortege was aired simultaneously with Revillame's noontime show "Wowowee" aired via ABS CBN Channel 2. We all know that Joey and Willie aren't exactly "good friends" so I guess this "parinig" that he made, along with co-host Vic Sotto, is but expected of Joey de Leon. Check out the video below. Notable line --- "ang baboy, kahit pagsuotin mo pa yan ng ginto, baboy pa rin" OUCH.

Aug62009 by Mindanaoan Irene12 Comments

President Arroyo dead | How Manila Bulletin killed President Gloria Arroyo

Blogging, Commentary, Controversial, Government, Headline, Humor, Internet, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Personalities, Photos, Politics, Technology

This controversial picture has been doing the rounds online today (this has been shared and re-shared through Facebook and blogs) but just in case you didn't get to see this, here's one major faux pas courtesy of broadsheet Manila Bulletin. Manila Bulletin "killed" President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo! What do you think of this and what do you think will happen to the section editor of Manila Bulletin? Check out the photo found in this entry. Notice the caption: “With utmost care. Military honor guard carefully moves the coffin of President Arroyo out of the Manila Cathedral.” The controversial Manila Bulletin photo was published in the early edition, page 20. However, I was told that the section containing the picture was promptly removed from the newspaper sets distributed in Visayas ...

Aug62009 by Mindanaoan Irene7 Comments

Share your Maalaala Mo Kaya story at Limketkai Mall

Announcements, Arts, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Mindanaoan Update, Movies, Northern Mindanao

"Maalaala Mo Kaya," a drama anthology program aired via ABS-CBN Channel 2, will visit Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao! On August 7 to 9, 2009 at the Limketkai Mall in CDO, the staff of ABS-CBN's "Maalaala Mo Kaya" will be on hand to accept letters and stories from the public. Selected stories may then be featured in future "Maalaala Mo Kaya" episodes. The stories and letters will be accepted during mall hours. Will a Mindanaoan's story be the next to be featured in MMK? I remember that the 1994 Maalaala Mo Kaya movie starring Richard Gomez, Aiko Melendez and Chin Chin Gutierrez was based on a story of a Mindanaoan - a Davao City resident. That was a pretty controversial film, too, as some people apparently wanted to question the veracity of the story. Anyways, if you want to share y...

Aug62009 by Mindanaoan Irene8 Comments

Mindanaoan won a new pair of Fitflops! Thank you Fitflop Philippines!

Announcements, Beauty, Blogging, Contests, Fashion, Features, Freebies, Gifts, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Photos, Style, Technology, Weddings

One of Mindanaoan's good investments last year was to buy a pair of Fitflops. Widely known as one of broadcasting mogul Oprah Winfrey's "favorite things," FitFlop makes it possible for the wearer to "get a workout while you walk." Fitflop is that fun flip flop with a gym built in! My flair for unusual things that offer more value and my curiosity as to why Oprah endorsed this brand compelled me to finally buy a pair (despite the pretty hefty price tag) last year...and I must say, it was money well-spent! I bought a pair of bronze Electra Fitflops and I just love using them. Admittedly, my feet and legs got sore the first few times I wore my pair of Fitflops but I took it as a positive sign --- at least the product worked! I could feel the tension along my calves, knees, shins, soles and...

Aug62009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Hitting Davao City’s Kadayawan Festival 2009? You might want to join the Wave Beach Party

Announcements, Davao City, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, Mindanaoan Update, Music

Do you have plans of attending the Kadayawan Festival 2009 in Davao City this month? If you're looking for one more event to check out during this much-awaited Davao City festival, then why don't you head on down to Garden By The Bay Resort in Lanang, Davao City on August 21, 2009, 9PM for the "WAVE: Beach. Breeze. Booze." event? Dance to the music of DJ KEELO and DJ MAXIE of CLUB VUDU Cebu City. DJ ZHAUN will also be on the mic pumping up the party! The event, according to the organizers, will also be featured on TV. This Kadayawan 2009 Beach Party will also see the participation of various henna tattoo artists and fire dancers. Tickets are sold for P250. Open bar from 9PM-11PM on selected cocktail drinks. Prizes will be given to lucky guests. There will only be limited number...

Aug52009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Nicole Scherzinger of Pussycat Dolls and wrestler Batista are a no go for Mindanaoan Manny Pacquiao’s “Wapakman”

Announcements, Entertainment, Mindanaoan Update, Movies

Too bad for people who want to watch Mindanaoan superstar boxer Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao share the silver screen with Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger (a Filipino-American-German). Solar Films’ Wilson Tieng has confirmed that Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger has dropped out of Manny Pacquiao’s Metro Manila Film Fest entry, “Wapakman.” Sayang! That could've been a great movie to watch...just imagine our fellow Mindanaoan Manny Pacquiao squaring it off with Nicole! Also, Tieng has confirmed that Fil-Am wrestler Dave "Batista" Bautista will also not be in the movie. I'm not too sure if this Topel Lee-helmed movie has started shooting already. In any case, I still hope that Filipinos will still watch "Wapakman" even though Batista and Nicole aren't part of it anymore. Here's the tra...

Aug42009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Kadayawan Urban Race 2009 on!

Announcements, Contests, Culture, Davao City, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Sports

In celebration of the 2009 Kadayawan Festival in Davao City, Mindanao, a fun-filled activity which aims to help promote the city's sights and sounds is set to happen on August 21, 2009. Dubbed "Kadayawan Urban Race 2009," the event also aims to encourage the people of Davao City to experience the exciting events happening during the Kadayawan Festival 2009 and have them visit various sites and locations in order to see what the city has to offer. Organizers hope to encourage the participants to not only enjoy the spirit of the Kadayawan festivities but also for them to experience a friendly competition among fellow Davaoe?os. This activity is sanctioned by the City Tourism Operations Office as one of the official events of this year's Kadayawan festivities. The Kadayawan Urban Race w...

Aug42009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Figaro coffee shop Cagayan de Oro offers unlimited wi-fi

Announcements, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Technology

That is, if you order at least P150.00 worth of drinks and/or food. Figaro Coffee Shop, which opened recently in Limketkai Mall, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, now offers free unlimited wireless fidelity (wifi) connection to those who will order at least P150.00 worth of Figaro drinks and/or food. I tried availing of this free wifi service and I must say, it's pretty fast! Because of their free unlimited wifi, Figaro CDO can now be considered a "blogger-friendly" place. Figaro CDO is just one of the many coffee shops in Cagayan de Oro that now offers free wifi as a value added service to their customers. Bo's Coffee Club located at Rosario Arcade, Limketkai and Coffeeworks, also located at Rosario Arcade, also offer free wifi Internet (you must order at least P50.00 worth of drinks over...

Aug32009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Aboard PAL Express flight Cagayan de Oro to Cebu City

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Flights, Internet, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Northern Mindanao, Personal, Society, Tourism, Travel

A few hours after the Rock the Vote 2009 Cagayan de Oro leg and after sharing a hearty meal with the members of Team Oro Photo and Video (who generously extended their time and support to the Register and Vote Campaign...thank you, thank you!) as well as the event's hosts, Maxine Monasterio (Miss Teen Philippines 2007 and a CDO native) and Titus "TJ" Monterde (he's the son of Tito Monterde, the station manager of Wild FM CDO) --- (Max and TJ also host the ABS CBN Northern Mindanao Sunday show, Mag TV Na, Ato Ni!), I caught a CDO - Cebu PAL Express flight. PAL Express is owned by Philippine Airlines and is geared towards shorter flights. It was my first time to catch a PAL Express flight. After years of traveling from CDO to Cebu via boats (I've tried Trans Asia Shipping Lines, Superferry...

Aug32009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero on the passing of Tita Cory

Announcements, Government, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Update

This is the full statement of opposition senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero on the passing of former President Corazon Aquino: I join the whole country in extending my sympathies on the passing of a humble and noble woman, former President Corazon C. Aquino. Their loss is the loss of every Filipino. In democracy's darkest hour, she joined many others in confronting a repressive dictatorship. Her willingness to accept the daunting challenge of running in 1986 served as a catalyst for an unprecedented bloodless uprising that would lead to the restoration of democracy and the reinstitution of the many freedoms we enjoy and cherish today. History tells us that our first woman head of state an uplifting figure who inspired her countrymen to begin the arduous task of rebuilding our nation. Ex...

Aug32009 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Rock the Vote Cagayan de Oro leg – Thousands pledge to register and vote in 2010 elections

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Bukidnon, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Campus, Entertainment, Events, Features, Government, Internet, Journalism, Mindanaoan Update, Music, News, Northern Mindanao, Personal, Personalities, Photos, Politics

Roughly 8,000 people made the pledge to register and vote in the May 2010 national elections last July 30, 2009 during the Rock the Vote 2009 Cagayan de Oro City leg held at Xavier University Gymnasium, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. Rock the Vote is a musical cum advocacy show which aims to encourage people especially first time voters to register at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and exercise their right to suffrage. Rock the Vote is also a part of the ongoing Register and Vote (RV) campaign, which is led by Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan. Pangilinan, along with author Atty. Alex Lacson, AKBAYAN Party List Rep. Risa Hontiveros and Bayan Muna Party List Rep. Teddy Casino, led the reading of a unity statement which declares commitment to bring about needed change through ...

Aug12009 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Mindanaoan goes to Planet Mars!

Announcements, Blogging, Entertainment, Features, Humor, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Technology, Weird

I, Mindanaoan, am off to Mars! Mars as in planet Mars ha? Yup, yup, yup! For real! I just included my name in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology website of NASA. So now my name is one of the many included on a microchip on the Mars Science Laboratory rover heading to Mars in year 2011! Yehey! :) As soon as I keyed in my name, country and zip code, I got a certificate as proof that my name will be in the microchip of the rover that will be off to Mars 2 years from now. Is that cool or what?! As of recent, only a little over a thousand Filipinos have participated. Why don't Mindanaoans lead the pack? Let's join! Go go go! :) If you also want to send your name to Mars, just CLICK ON THIS LINK which will lead you to the NASA Mars Science Laboratory website....

Jul292009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Book your PAL Express flights using your ATM card

Announcements, Corporate, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Technology, Tourism, Travel

MINDANAO TRAVEL - This is very good news especially for Mindanaoans who regularly fly via Philippine Airlines (PAL). Apart from the fact that your PAL Express flights can now earn you miles (sayang ang miles!), you can now also use ATM cards to buy PAL tickets! Good news for those who don't own or use credit cards :) Effective last July 1, 2009, all PAL Express flights automatically earn miles that can be converted to free flights both on Philippine Airlines (PAL) and PAL Express. So if you're a Mabuhay Miles member like myself, this is definitely an advantage! Meanwhile, BancNet ATM cards will soon be accepted as mode of payment for PAL tickets purchased online. This feature will be available next month. As soon as this is online, PAL passengers without credit cards can book and bu...

Jul272009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Max’s Restaurant celebrates 7th anniversary, offers eat all you can for only P149

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao

Max's Restaurant in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao is currently celebrating its 7th Anniversary! And to celebrate this momentous occasion, this Cagayan de Oro restaurant is offering an "Eat All You Can" promo for only P149.00 - sounds good, yes? Just imagine - you can partake of the chicken dishes that Max's is best known for! This Max's Restaurant special promo will run until end of the month. Take note, though, that the "Eat All You Can" promo is only good from 6pm to 10pm. Max's Restaurant CDO is found in the Divisoria area of this Northern Mindanao city. Max's Restaurant CDO is located at Tiano corner Chavez Streets, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. By the way, what are your favorite dishes at Max's?

Jul272009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

What will Pres. Arroyo report about Mindanao in her last State of the Nation Address – SONA?

Advocacy, Commentary, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News

Today, July 27, 2009, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will address the nation in her last (or so we believe or made to believe) State of the Nation Address (SONA). So far, Arroyo has made 8 SONAs and today, during her last SONA, I want to know what she will report about Mindanao. Will she say the truth? Will she tell the whole country and the whole world the real score about the ongoing peace talks, movements against terrorism, Mindanao tourism, political controversies etc? Will she say that during her term, more jobs were created for Mindanaoans? Will she say that the level of education became better during her presidency? Will she say that her administration has now struck a balance between population management, human development and social responsibility? What about ...

Jul242009 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Rock the Vote 2009 Cagayan de Oro City leg on July 30, 2009 – poster inside

Advocacy, Announcements, Bisaya, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Campus, Entertainment, Events, Features, Government, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Music, News, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Politics, Society, Technology, Travel, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY NEWS | MINDANAO EVENTS - How does a FREE concert featuring Hale, Spongecola, Luke Mejares and other surprise guests sound to you? Because one will happen in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao very soon! "Rock The Vote 2009" will be held on July 30, 2009, 6 PM at the Xavier University Gymnasium, Cagayan de Oro City. "Rock the Vote" Cagayan de Oro City is a free concert which aims to engage young voters, especially the first time voters, to register and exercise their right to suffrage. Rock the Vote 2009 is in line with the ongoing Register and Vote (RV) Campaign, led by Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, which aims to draw out around 5 to 9 million Filipino voters for the May 2010 elections. Check out the poster for the CDO leg of the nationwide RV Campaign: Meanwh...