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

Jun152009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

OMG! Mindanaoan has been ratified! Weehee!

Announcements, Blogging, Features, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Technology

HOLY SMOKES am I so happy today or what?! I was just mindlessly surfing a few minutes ago and I happened to stumble upon the Ratified website. God knows I've been trying to get Mindanaoan and a couple of my other websites Ratified but lo and behold, I finally spotted my humble blog in the Ratified directory TODAY --- just when it was so darn unexpected! Check out my Ratified button: I know a Ratified rank of 320 isn't so much to be proud of but hey, at least, right?! Right?! LOL Yes, I'm excited obviously! For the uninitiated, Ratified.org measures measures the top 100 blogs of the Philippine blogosphere. Ratified uses a site's Technorati rank, Feedburner rank, Google and Alexa stats to figure out your rank. Come on, people, congratulate me by SUBSCRIBING TO MINDANAOAN! Go, g...

Jun142009 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Conquering the Xcelerator – the longest speed zip line in Asia

Commentary, Davao City, Entertainment, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Photos, Reviews, Society, Tourism, Travel

MINDANAO - A few weeks ago, my family and I celebrated our brother's birthday by trying the most talked about Xcelerator over at Outland Adventure, Davao City, Mindanao. The Outland Adventure Xcelerator is said to be the longest speed zip line in all of Asia! Cool, right? We arrived at Outland Adventure Davao City half an hour before noon. As it turned out, we missed the "cut-off" time so we had to wait until they re-opened at roughly 1:30 pm. The more than an hour wait was all right --- we just kept ourselves busy taking photos. By 1:30 pm, all of the "zip liners" for the afternoon were asked to sign waivers. Then we proceeded to the area where we put on the harnesses, helmets and other safety gear. My brothers and I were made to choose if we wanted the "Superman" option or the ordi...

Jun142009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Fetching Shamrock and tips on a road trip with artists or celebrities

Mindanaoan Update

Anyhoo...it has been a crazy time the past few days but it's all worth it! Mindanaoan had fun fetching Shamrock, the almost 3-hour road trip was fun as well and the show itself was very successful! Kuwentos about the show will be posted on another entry, though. For now, I'd like to share some of my personal thoughts and tips for budding event organizers out there or budding personal assistants for celebrities or artists. These tips will come in handy when you need to fetch performers, celebrities or artists from the airport, pier, bus terminal etc. and then if you need to go on a road trip (if the venue of the concert, let's say, is about 3 hours away) Please feel free to share your thoughts, too! 1. Always check and re-check the booking contract. See if the artists or celebritie...

Jun112009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Be healthy and support a cause at the same time!

Advocacy, Announcements, Consumer, Corporate, Internet, Mindanaoan Update

I like promos that do not only advocate services or products but also encourage participation in a worthy cause. Just take the case of NESTLE Fruit Selection Yogurt's newest campaign called "Be Good To Yourself" (I first learned of this through Nuffnang) This campaign is truly a good way to start being good to yourself. NESTLE Fruit Selection Yogurt (my ultimate favorite is the strawberry version, by the way) is healthy (it has live micro-organisms that are good for digestion), the product also encourages people to start taking better care of themselves by getting rid of unhealthy things in their lives and replacing these with good things and they have this campaign where you can help a worthy cause. Read the related manifesto HERE. You see, when 10,000 people make their pledges ...

Jun72009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanaoan Manny “Pink Lips” Pacquiao for Nikon Coolpix

Business, Controversial, General Santos City, Humor, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Personalities, Photos, Sarangani, Society, SoSCksargen, Weird

Before anything else, let me make this clear. I love Manny Pacquiao. I have the utmost respect for the man. He has brought pride and glory to the Philippines and Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao really is one of the world's best athletes of all time. Plus he's a certified Mindanaoan! So of course I'm proud of him! However...I cannot help but be tickled pink with my fellow Mindanaoan's new ad for Nikon Coolpix: Is it just me or are Manny's lips PINK?! What the smokes was the stylist/make-up artist thinking?! EGAD! Now this is one "UN-COOLPIX" :(

Jun72009 by Mindanaoan Irene38 Comments

Davao City Offsourcing Philippines is hiring!

Announcements, Corporate, Davao City, Jobs, Mindanaoan Update

MINDANAO - Here's good news for people interested in jobs in Davao City, Mindanao! A Davao City company is in need of more personnel and who knows...you might just be the person they're looking for! So for those who are interested in job opportunities in Davao City, read on. Offsourcing Philippines, located in Obrero, City of Davao, is an offsite outsourcing company with offices in Davao City and Los Angeles. When choosing professionals to work with, Offsourcing Philippines looks for proven experience and expertise, a willingness to share ideas in collaborative environments and a friendly disposition. These are the job openings available in Davao City-based Offsourcing Philippines: o AutoCAD Drafter / Engineer o Bookkeeper o Customer Service Representative o Admin / Secretary ...

Jun52009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Sen. Ping Lacson’s speech at the ANC Leadership Forum

Announcements, Commentary, Controversial, Government, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News, Opinion, Personalities

Full text of Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson's speech - statement at the ANC Leadership Forum held earlier this evening, June 5, 2009. Sen. Ping Lacson reportedly withdrew from the 2010 Presidential elections. Sen. Ping has been identified as one of the presidentiables in next year's national elections. The following is Senator Ping's full statement delivered last June 5, 2009 at the ANC Leadership Forum. Thank you to Gerry of the Office of Sen. Ping for this full statement: Thank you for this invitation to the second ANC Leadership Forum. Up until I made a decision last Sunday to retire myself from a race that would matter most in the lives of our beloved countrymen, I had every intention to share with our people my vision of what the Philippines ought to be in a Ping Lacson pres...

Jun52009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Waiting for my Google Adsense check…it’s a week late!

Business, Consumer, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Personal

Don't you just hate to wait? Especially if you're waiting for some moolah? I'm supposed to receive a Google Adsense check but it's been a week and I haven't received anything in the mail yet. I checked my Adsense account and it was stated that a check was issued last April 28, 2009 (which means that given 4 weeks delivery time, it should have arrived last May 28, 2009!) This is exactly why I can hardly trust the Philippine Post Office anymore! To make matters worse, I did a little research a few hours ago and found a blog post about this guy who complained that his Google Adsense check was encashed by a stranger! Holy smokes %^$#&% I hope that doesn't happen to me! So now I want to know...has anybody out there received their Google Adsense check via standard delivery? How long di...

Jun52009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: Goodnews Traveller’s Inn, Capt. V. Roa Street, Cagayan de Oro City

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Photos, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

Here's another Mindanao Hotels review. Goodnews Traveller's Inn is located along Capt. Vicente Roa Street, Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao, Philippines. It's near the busy Cogon Market and is accessible by public utility vehicles (taxi, jeepney, trisikad and motorela) This lodging house in Cagayan de Oro City is also just a few steps away from the Cagayan de Oro City fire station. Truth be told, Goodnews Travellers Inn was my last...okay, ONLY choice at the time I was in CDO because all of the other hotels in Cagayan de Oro were fully booked. So with my hopes up, I checked in and got a double room. I paid P950.00 for the double airconditioned room. My room was at the third floor, which was a major bummer. Apart from the fact that I'm not a fan of using the stairs (Goodnews Travele...

Jun42009 by Mindanaoan Irene10 Comments

Davao Deca Wakeboard Park is hiring!

Advocacy, Announcements, Davao City, Jobs, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update

Yes, Deca Wakeboard Park - Davao City is on the lookout for new personnel. The Davao Wakeboard Park is looking for mechanical engineers and lifeguards. If you think you have what it takes to be a part of the Davao Wakeboard Park family, then grab this chance now! You may email your comprehensive resume to this address: [email protected] To know more about the Deca Wakeboard Park in Davao City, visit their website. The owners say that the wakeboard park may be open by end of July 2009. That's not too far! Ilang tulog na lang yan! :D Based on the vicinity map, the Davao Wakeboard Park will be located somewhere near Tugbok and Mintal (which is roughly 20 minutes away from Ulas, Davao City and 10 minutes from Calinan)

Jun42009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

After Altis taxis, Cagayan de Oro City now has videoke taxis

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Entertainment, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Photos, Society, Style

I could still remember those days when the taxis (cabs) of Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao were the talk of the town...and of other areas in the country, truth be told. Kagay-anons were so elated when Toyota Altis taxis started to roam around the city (and basically snubbed the "old" taxis) and people from other areas started to hope that they, too, can see "sosyal" public utility cabs in their own places. I also remember the many times when the drivers of "old" taxis would just heave a heavy sigh and wish that they, too, can drive a spanking new Toyota Altis taxi soon. After all, just how many passengers have these "old" taxis lost to these shiny new Altis cabs? Well, taxi operators that still own "old" taxi models in Cagayan de Oro City should really keep up with the pace especially now...

Jun22009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Cagayan de Oro City bloggers networking event

Advocacy, Blogging, Events, Internet, Mindanaoan Update

Just helping spread the word :) Interested parties should check out more information over HERE. From Janette Toral --- The DigitalFilipino.com Club is organizing a fellowship / networking event where e-commerce industry players and bloggers can catch up and exchange updates. This will be on June 20, Saturday, 11 am to 2 pm. Venues TBA. This event is co-sponsored by our club member AyosDito.ph. Parties interested to be part of this roadshow as a sponsor can get in touch with Janette Toral. 10:30 - 12:00 Registration and Lunch 11:00 - 12:00 Guest introduction / plugs 12:00 - 12:20 Updates by Janette * Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for 2009 Writing Project * DigitalFilipino.com Club Updates * Presentation on: Lessons Learned on Sustainable Blogging, Blog Marketing & Ad...

Jun22009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Is a zip line adventure in the offing in Cagayan de Oro City?

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Davao City, Mindanaoan Update, Sports

So I'm back from a very brief visit to my hometown, Davao City, Mindanao. While it felt refreshing to be back home, my stay was a painfully short one so it was still really BITIN. My mother, brothers and I were in Wadab town to celebrate one my younger brothers' birthday. Anyways, the highlight of my Davao City trip was the much-awaited Xcelerator adventure. I have so much to share about my Outland Adventure Xcelerator adventure (I'll also share some photos!) - I'll write more about that tomorrow. In the meantime, I'd just like to share with you all a little bit of info that I got while we were at Outland Adventure. One of the staff members talked to me and told me that a zip line ala Xcelerator might be put up in Cagayan de Oro City (which is roughly 6 hours away from Davao City by bus...

Jun22009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Reload via SMART Money and get additional 10 percent bonus airtime

Announcements, Business, Consumer, Corporate, Mindanaoan Update, News, Society

Good news for the many Mindanao-based SMART Money users! Beginning May 15, 2009, SMART subscribers will enjoy bonus airtime, whenever they reload their own or another Smart Buddy prepaid account using Smart Money. Now for entrepreneurs like me, this is definitely good news especially since I regularly send out payments and other types of transactions through SMART Money. Load denominations ranging from P15 to P1,000 purchased via Smart Money will entitle account holders to an additional 10 percent of the reloaded amount. For example, a Smart Money account holder will get P110 worth of load for a personal airtime purchase of P100. Also, if the account holder opts to purchase airtime for a friend or loved one, the load recipient will get the corresponding 10% bonus load. That’s 10% wor...

May282009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Thermal scanner to be installed at Lumbia Airport Cagayan de Oro

Announcements, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Corporate, Flights, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao, Tourism, Travel

I got word that Philippine Airlines (PAL) has donated a thermal scanner that can detect if a person has flu or fever. This thermal scanner is set to be installed at the Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao very soon. This is really very good news especially since there are now 10 confirmed H1N1 virus cases in the country (and if I'm not mistaken, three people in the Caraga region, Mindanao are currently being suspected of carrying the deadly virus as well) Interestingly, it had to take a corporate giant like PAL to donate a working thermal scanner just so passengers using the Cagayan de Oro airport can be assessed for fever or flu or be more protected against the H1N1 virus. So exactly where's the health department in all of these? What about the local government?...

May282009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Looking forward to trying the Xcelerator!

Business, Consumer, Davao City, Entertainment, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Society, Tourism, Travel

Experience some atmosFEAR! Now who wouldn't be curious with that? I am really, really looking forward to trying the Xcelerator zip line over at Davao City's Outland Adventure this weekend! The Outland Adventure Xcelerator is supposedly the longest speed zipline in all of Asia! Cool, eh? The Xcelerator is open everyday from 8am to 5 pm. Groups reservations available for weekdays. Fee is P300.00 per adult. They grant a 50 percent discount for small children if they're riding in tandem with an adult. Outland Adventure is right across the GAP Farm along the Diversion Road in Ma-a, Davao City, Mindanao. Check out this video:

May252009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Teriyaki Boy now open in SM Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao

Announcements, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Society

Seems like the City of Golden Friendship is fast becoming the new city of major developments! Cagayan de Oro City is the newest home of a Teriyaki Boy branch. Teriyaki Boy is a fast-casual Japanese dining restaurant here in the Philippines and yes, I often make it a point to drop by one of their branches in Manila (I also like Tokyo Tokyo, another fast-casual Japanese-style dining restaurant chain which has a couple of branches in Manila). Thankfully, Teriyaki Boy now have an outlet in CDO --- in SM City CDO along Masterson Avenue, to be exact. *picture taken using only my Motorola Krzr Is it just me or has Teriyaki Boy changed their corporate look? Their logo used to have red and black, yes?...now I noticed that they prominently used yellow. Or does this look only apply in th...

May252009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Let’s not forget the kidnapped teachers in Basilan, Mindanao please

Advocacy, ARMM, Basilan, Commentary, Controversial, Crime, Mindanaoan Update, Muslim Mindanao, News, Opinion

Amid all the "controversies" these days --- from Dr. Vicki Belo's former flame Dr. Hayden Kho's sex video scandal to the two confirmed cases of A H1N1 in the country to Brillante Mendoza's amazing win as Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival, it seems that we don't hear of any updates with regard to the six teachers that are still being held hostage in Basilan, Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). I find this very, very unfortunate. While it's true that to not talk much about the hostage taking may be good for the government's strategy to retrieve the hostages, one cannot also help but think if all the "current controversies" merely "cover" the more important and more pressing issues. Last I heard, there's a Basilan crisis management committee that's handling the matte...

May252009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Oro Grande Distributors in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao needs a Human Resource and Admin Manager

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Jobs, Mindanaoan Update

Looking for a job in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao? A company engaged in the distribution of fast moving consumer goods is in urgent need of a Human Resource and Admin Manager with the following qualifications: - Graduate of a four year course - Has at least four years experience as HR Manager/Officer - Has exposure in all facets of HR functions - Has strong organizational, leadership, planning and communication skills - Must believe in servant leadership and should be a team player - Age should not be more than 45 years old If you think you have what it takes to land this job in Cagayan de Oro, then submit your resume with photo to Oro Grande Distributors, Inc., BUSCO Compound, Vamenta Boulevard, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, Philippines. Disclaimer: Mindanaoan only posted ...

May212009 by Mindanaoan Irene139 Comments

Negros Navigation is hiring! Check out the many available job opportunities inside

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Dipolog, General Santos City, Jobs, Mindanaoan Update, Ozamis, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

Negros Navigation offers passage and freight services in the domestic shipping industry. They have existing branches in Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Dipolog, General Santos, Iligan, Iloilo, Ozamis, Palawan, Tagbilaran and Zamboanga. Negros Navigation currently offers the following available job opportunities: VESSEL-BASED Chief Officers Chief Engineers 2nd Officers 2nd Engineers 3rd Officers 3rd Engineers 4th Engineers Radio Officers Boatswainmates Chief Electricians AB Seamen Oilers Ordinary Seamen Crane Operators LAND-BASED Accounting Managers Accounting Staff Audit Staff Executive Assistants HR Staff Sales Officers Mechanical Engineers Senior Mechanics Maintenance Staff You may apply personally at Pier 2, North Harbor, Tondo, Metro Manila....

May212009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Dancesport competitions still heavy favorites in Lanao del Norte, Mindanao

Arts, Entertainment, Events, Features, Lanao del Norte, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Society, Sports

I finally "reunited" with my friend Jane, whom I met in Camiguin Island, Mindanao about a year ago. She's also a Mindanao-based events organizer like me and she specializes in events in the Lanao del Norte area. Jane's based in Maranding (a highly urbanized barangay of Lala, the largest municipality in the second district of Lanao del Norte, Mindanao) but she happily told me that she has an upcoming event in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte --- a dancesport competition! I haven't had the chance to organize a dancesport competition YET so it excites me to know that a contest such as this is still a heavy favorite here in Mindanao. (Which makes me think if it's high time for me to organize one!) In a time where band concerts, battle of the bands competitions and even warehouse parties have beco...

May202009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Attention bloggers! You’ll love this — PLCPD announces Call for Entries to the 5th PopDev Media Awards

Advocacy, Announcements, Arts, Blogging, Broadcasting, Contests, Internet, Journalism, Mindanaoan Update, News, Society

The Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) announces the Call for Entries to the 5th PopDev Media Awards. The contest is open to all print, broadcast, online, photo, and citizen journalists nationwide. Entries must deal with population and human development issues such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), public health (especially reproductive health), reproductive health policy and governance, economic growth and poverty, climate change, housing and urban development, sustainable development, environment, education, gender, maternal health, adolescent reproductive health, family planning, food security, reproductive rights, migration, and population ageing. For the Print and Online...