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

Nov162008 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Review: Camiguin Island Golden Sunset Beach Club

Camiguin, Hotels, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

The Camiguin Island Golden Sunset Beach Club is strategically located at Yumbing, Mambajao, Camiguin Island, Mindanao. I say strategic because apart from the fact that it is right within the vicinity of the island's capital town, it is located in front of the famous White Island. So for those of you who want to spend more time at White Island instead of the other tourist attractions in Camiguin (also known as the Island Born of Fire), then Golden Sunset Beach Club Camiguin may be a viable choice. I stayed at the Camiguin Island Golden Sunset Beach Club January of this year. The place is smaller compared to the other resorts in the island. However, this is probably why more people prefer to stay there. I found it discreet, private and clean. I heard that the resort has new owners and tha...

Nov132008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Another reason why you should join Nuffnang

Entertainment, Events, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Movies, Musings

Asia's First Blog Advertising Community, Nuffnang, is offering another sweet deal for members of its network. Nuffnang Philippines will have its first ever movie premiere event on November 18, 2008, 7:30 PM at Cinema 6, Robinson's Movie World, Robinson's Galleria. Nuffnang's first ever movie event will feature two of Hollywood's hottest leading men - Brad Pitt and George Clooney - in a funny spy movie entitled "Burn After Reading." Check out the poster below: So not only do you earn money by serving Nuffnang ads on your blog, you also get exclusive passes to exclusive events! How's that sound? Good, yes? Oh, by the way, as you can see, Mindanaoan finally serves Nuffnang ads! See below :) I'm running ads about Hongkong Disneyland's Christmas celebration --- which reminds me, I...

Nov132008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Sen. Chiz Escudero proposes 20 years imprisonment for criminally negligent bus drivers

Bukidnon, Government, News

Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero has proposed that bus drivers who commit criminal negligence in road mishaps should face twenty (20) years of imprisonment. This, in the wake of a lot of vehicular accidents as of late. The senator from Sorsogon, who currently chairs both the Senate Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, introduced Senate Bill Number 2701 (SBN 2701) which aims to provide more teeth to existing preventive policies to achieve safety benefits. SBN 2701 penalizes criminal negligence committed by common carriers with reclusion temporal, or twelve (12) years to twenty (20) years in prison, in case of death. Common carriers' criminal liability is found in Article 365 of the Revised Penal Code, Criminal Negligence, which provides as p...

Nov122008 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

A Mindanaoan clinches “Project Runway Philippines” title

Beauty, Fashion, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personal

It's official. 26-year old Aries Lagat has won the Project Runway Philippines competition. Aries is from Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Mindanao so obviously that makes him a certified Mindanaoan. While I'm not exactly a fan especially when he said that Mindanao people didn't know fashion (besides I liked Phillip Tampus' collection better; I also loved Veejay Floresca's clothes - I thought they were sellable and were easy to wear) I am pretty glad that someone from Mindanao won the competition. Let's just hope that Aries learns to speak more highly of Mindanao and its people next time. Aries Lagat, by the way, also won the 2006 Mega Young Designers Competition (Mega YDC), an annual competition for Filipino novice fashion designers sponsored by Mega magazine. He was also a former scholar ...

Nov122008 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

How to get your SSS ID card

Government, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Society

Like I mentioned in this post, I was at the Social Security System (SSS) office in our area early this week because I had to secure my SSS ID card. Although I'm a longtime SSS member, it's only now that I finally had the time (and finally ran out of valid excuses not to go! LOL) to visit and have my picture taken and stuff. Here's the procedure on how to secure your very own SSS ID card: Go to the Forms Issuance Counter and ask for the Social Security ID form (SSS Form E-6) Fill up the form in ONE copy only Proceed to any receiving/verification counter (usually counters 1-6). The teller will validate your form. You are required to bring two (2) valid IDs for verification purposes (valid IDs include your company ID, passport, TIN etc) If the application form is in order, the te...

Nov122008 by Mindanaoan Irene10 Comments

How to get your SSS number

Jobs, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Society

I'm a longtime Social Security System (SSS) member but I figured I'd share these tips on how to secure your SSS number. I was at the SSS office in our area early this week because I had to get my SSS ID and found a couple of how-to tips that I hope some of you might find useful. Here are the steps on how to secure your social security (SS) number: If you're employed, get the SS form E-1. If you're self-employed, secure the SS form RS-1. Get these from the Forms Issuance Counter. Fill up the form in two (2) copies. Submit the accomplished forms together with the supporting documents at the counter. The list of supporting documents can be found at the back of the form (some of the supporting documents include your original, National Statistics Office-certified birth certificate, I...

Nov102008 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Bigby’s Pork Steak, Bigby’s Cheese Caramel Cake

Food, Reviews

One of the restaurants I tend to go to whenever I'm in the City of Golden Friendship here in Mindanao (Cagayan de Oro City, of course) is Bigby's Cafe and Restaurant. Ever since they opened in Cagayan de Oro nearly ten years ago on December 8, 1998, people have raved about their appetizing food choices and of course, the size of their servings. True to its name, Bigby's offers meals in BIG sizes and they make sure that you leave their cafe and restaurant full and contented. Actually, you may even end up bringing some of your food home because that's how large their servings are. So anyways I was in CDO last weekend with my mom and we decided to eat dinner at Bigby's SM Cagayan de Oro. My mom ordered the Boomerang Shrimps meal (P219.00) and soda while I ordered the Bigby's Pork Steak (P219...

Nov92008 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Funny Camiguin Island restaurant washroom photo

Camiguin, Humor, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel, Weird

Before I finally hit the sack this chilly Sunday evening, let me share with y'all a funny photo I took the last time I was in Camiguin Island, Mindanao, Philippines. My mother, brothers and I went to Camiguin (also known as the Island Born of Fire) early this year and stayed there for 5 days. Anyways, on our second day in the island, we decided to make a quick stop at a restaurant at the Parola area (some of the locals also call it "break water") since we needed "baon" for our day tour. I also had to go to the washroom. So imagine my amusement when I found this: Plastered on the men's washroom door, meanwhile, is a framed brief. I remember laughing so hard that I absolutely needed to enter the women's CR right away, lest that I end up pissing right there and then! Some peopl...

Nov92008 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Immunizers company launches travel shots contest

Contests, News, Photos, Travel

Are you a budding photographer like Mindanaoan? Or do you have lots of fun photos? Why don't you consider joining The Immunizers Travel Shots Digital Photo Competition? Submit your best images in three categories and your photos may just pull in P10,000.00! The categories you can submit your photos to are: 1. Extreme Adventure (best action shot) 2. Food Trip (best eating shot) 3. Little Jetsetters (best shot of a traveling child/children) For details on each category, check this page. You can send your entries via email (send to travelshots@immunizers.com.ph) or by joining the Immunizers Flickr group (http://www.flickr.com/groups/immunizers) Deadline for submission is on November 24, 2008, 11:59 PM. The competition is open to all residents of the Philippines. By the way...

Nov92008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Scary and weird display at Marcella SM Cagayan de Oro branch

Humor, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Photos, Weird

I'm not a visual display expert but I think this display of wigs over at Marcella SM Cagayan de Oro branch looks weird. Scary even. I was paying for the items I bought at the said store when I saw this area near the cashier. Don't these look as if they came right out of a scene in the cult flick "The Ring"? Or don't these look like as if these are real ladies waiting for their hair to be shampooed? I mean this is just my personal opinion but come on! I appreciate that the Marcella store needs to showcase the wigs and sell them but I seriously think there's a much better way to arrange the display. Apologies for the low quality of the photos. Just took this one with my Motorola Krzr.

Nov92008 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

How a single letter can make a difference

Humor, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Personal

I couldn't help but take a photo of this during my trip to Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao over the weekend. I was crossing the street when I spotted this sign at the back of a van. The word "Legislators" first caught my attention - the letters were huge, red and attractive. Unfortunately, when I studied the sign further, I saw something wrong. Can you find what I saw? A single misspelled word can really make or break a lot of things - even an organization's sign/placard. Just when I was supposed to be impressed, I was immediately disappointed with what I saw. I had a lot of questions, too --- who made that sign/placard? Why did the National Movement of Young Legislators allow such blunder? How much did the group spend for a misspelled sign? Didn't they check beforehand or at least reque...

Nov72008 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Earning money online? Here’s how to get the highest paying CPA rates

Business, Make Money Online, Mindanaoan Update

Being an SEO consultant, professional blogger and outsourcing agency owner, I am often asked by a lot of people especially newbie bloggers/webmasters for sites or online companies where they can earn money online. I usually recommend a few and that short list includes MaxBounty. Max Bounty offers the highest paying CPA rates. MaxBounty affiliates can earn revenue from advertisers on a pay-for-performance basis. Here are just some of the things that I like about Max Bounty: - they have both in-house managed campaigns and tons of merchants (unlike most affiliate networks that solely rely on merchants or advertisers, Max Bounty has their own campaigns so there are more chances for affiliates to earn money online) - they offer international affiliate payments in local currency (I ...

Nov72008 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Bukidnon to host Mindanao confab of provincial board members

Bukidnon, News

The Province of Bukidnon is set to host the 8th Mindanao Island Conference of the The Provincial Board Members League of the Philippines. The event, themed "One Island, One Mindanao, Give Peace a Chance," will be held at the Kaamulan Open Theater, Malaybalay City from November 12 to 14, 2008. Bukidnon 2nd District Board Member Atty. Nemesio Beltran, Jr. said that the conference will see the attendance of hundreds of provincial legislators from all over Mindanao. Beltran also said that Bukidnon's very own, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, is expected to attend the event. Zubiri, who previously served as Bukidnon 3rd District Congressman, is set to deliver the keynote speech. Bukidnon Board Member Ben Pancrudo will act as lead convener.

Nov72008 by Mindanaoan Irene7 Comments

Review: Songs I Grew Up With (Jay Durias solo album)

Arts, Davao City, Entertainment, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Musings, Opinion, Personalities, Reviews

Album review written last August 31, 2007 and published by many media outlets. Thank you! The author of this piece (who is also the one behind Mindanaoan.com) is a long-time supporter of award winning Filipino band South Border. She was also cited in the album acknowledgments. Jay Durias, a certified Dabawenyo, is South Border's musical director and keyboardist. Jay's solo album, "Songs I Grew Up With," is a project album. Admit it - you’ve always wondered how South Border keyboardist and musical director Jay Oliver Durias would fare as a solo artist. After all, he’s largely considered as “the main man” behind the highly successful band, having composed and arranged most of South Border’s hits including “Rainbow,” “Love Of My Life” and the favorite of many, “Kahit Kailan,” and h...

Nov62008 by Mindanaoan Irene8 Comments

Tales from the Piolo Pascual – Angel Locsin Bukidnon movie shoot

Bukidnon, Entertainment, Features

Three weeks after the entire cast of the tentatively titled "Land Down Under" movie arrived here in the Province of Bukidnon, the Piolo Pascual and Angel Locsin Bukidnon cowboy movie fever is still on. Several exciting tales, funny anecdotes and clearly soon-to-be urban legends/tales have begun to sprout. From university students who still seem to be tickled pink because Piolo smiled at them to teachers who pretended not to care when they saw Piolo at a restaurant (but excitedly shared their experience with fellow teachers and to their eager students) to a local family that got a substantial amount of money in exchange for his humble bahay kubo, the tales have spread and the locals merrily discuss the stories every single day. Naturally, the Municipality of Impasug-ong, noted as t...

Nov62008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Surigao City to host 14th CARAGA BizCon

Business, Events, Headline, News

Surigao City is set to host the 14th CARAGA Business Conference on November 28, 2008 at a local hotel. Themed "Uniting Caraga in These Testing Times," the event aims to bring together Caraganon business executives, political leaders, regional movers and shakes as well as officers of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI). The City Government of Surigao, Provincial Government of Surigao, the Surigao Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) as well as PCCI are this year's convenors and sponsors. Among the topics to be discussed during the confab are the measures to be undertaken in order to further partnerships in the region during a perceived economic crisis in 2009, tax-related issues with the Bureau of Internal Revenue and measures to further strengthen the business c...

Nov52008 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Senator Richard Gordon on Obama’s victory

Headline, News

From the Office of Senator Richard Juico Gordon: “I join the rest of the world in extending our warmest congratulations to US president-elect Barrack Obama for his historic electoral victory. His ascendancy to the most powerful post in the world as the first African-American President signals a political and cultural paradigm shift as it sends a clear and loud message to all peace and freedom-loving nations – CHANGE IS IN OUR HANDS. The impossible has happened. Change has indeed come to America, and it was made possible by the power of the ordinary people." - Sen. Dick Gordon

Nov52008 by Mindanaoan Irene11 Comments

Monks Blend Arabica Robusta Premium Coffee from Bukidnon

Bukidnon, Food

The Transfiguration Monastery in Barangay San Jose, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon is a Catholic Benedictine monastery. Highly known for its pyramid chapel where millions have already sought refuge, peace of mind and calmness of soul and spirit, the Monastery of Transfiguration is also the perfect serene place to talk to the Lord. The monastery is also known for their trademark Monks' Blend Premium Coffee. Made with quality arabica robusta coffee beans, Monks' Blend Arabica Robusta coffee has that very special rich taste that coffee lovers like myself will surely enjoy. I believe the rich taste is brought about by the fact that the choice coffee beans are from the monastery farm (yes, you can actually see parts of the farm from behind the chapel) and from the coffee growers of Bukidnon (wher...

Nov42008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Be the next Mindanaoan in Project Runway Philippines!

Arts, Contests, Fashion, Society, Style, Television

Dreaming of becoming the next Project Runway Philippines (PRP) star fashion designer? Although the first season has yet to formally declare the winner, the auditions for season 2 are up! Here are the first few audition venues: (more…)

Nov32008 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Totally in love with the new Revolution themes!

Internet, Personal, Technology

If you still haven't heard, uber talented designer Brian Gardner's beautiful, popular Revolution Themes for Wordpress have already gone open source. Yay for all of us bloggers! Well, these are not the same Revolution Themes, mind you. These are totally new themes that Brian and his fellow designer Jason decided to launch under the open source/GP license. Check out the Revolution Two open source theme site here! For those of you who've already visited this website, you may have noticed that yes, I have YET AGAIN changed the blog theme. The theme I'm using right now is sure to stay for a long, long time, though! Yep, you guessed it right - I'm using one of Brian's new themes. Specifically, I'm using the Revolution Church theme. Now if you're interested to use any or all of Br...

Nov22008 by Mindanaoan Irene18 Comments

Simple tempura sauce recipe

Food, Recipes

I've been on a cooking frenzy as of late. Yesterday, for instance, I cooked fish escabeche for lunch and then chicken afritada for dinner. Both meals had complete rekados (condiments) and loads of vegetables. Delish! Today, though, I prepared tempura and tempura sauce almost akin to what those street vendors in and out of Mindanao use. I say almost because we ran out of catsup and that's supposed to be the ingredient that makes the sauce "reddish brown." Anyways, let me share with you my simple tempura sauce recipe. Feel free to try it and don't forget to let me know how it goes! Mix 1 cup of water, 1 cup vinegar (I use Datu Puti vinegar..yoohoo Datu Puti, I should get freebies because of this :D), one fourth tablespoon rock/table salt and about half a cup brown sugar (white sugar wi...

Nov12008 by Mindanaoan Irene21 Comments

Rice coffee in Mindanao

Agriculture, BIMP-EAGA, Food, Sarangani

I can declare that, yes, I, Mindanaoan, am a certified regular coffee drinker. I find it difficult to start the day without at least a cup of coffee (I'm a happier camper if I have two). I also frequent coffee shops and I have also tried drinking coffee from sidewalk vendors and from vendors at the bus terminal (you know who I mean - when you absolutely need to take a trip in the wee hours in the morning and all you can find are the ever reliable manangs and manongs who put up their "painit" stations - and by stations I mean a single table, a few glasses, coffee, sugar, some milk if you're lucky and thermos). I do know that drinking coffee has some health benefits. Still, I want to cut down on my intake or at least drink decaffeinated kape. Fortunately, there seems to be another choi...