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

Oct112020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

BaiCon Infest 2020 set

Advocacy, Blogging, Entertainment, Features, Internet, LifeStyle, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Technology

Creators and influencers in the Philippines are set to gather virtually via BaiCon InFest 2020. With the theme "The Space Invasion," BaiCon InFest 2020 will be a two-day (October 23-24) virtual event that will be held throughout various digital platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Zoom. During a digital press conference held last October 7, 2020, the panel talked about various initiatives like the founding of the Creator and Influencer Council of the Philippines (CICP), its advocacy drive #CreatorsUnitedPH, CICP’s Spotlight Awards, BaiCon’s partnership with the Philippine Public School Teachers’ Association, and the significance of BaiCon in taking the Digital Entertainment Industry in the country to the next level. The digital presscon was hosted by Ace Gapuz of Blogapalooza and was...

Oct112020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Blogging and being an influencer amidst a pandemic

Blogging, Mindanaoan Update, Technology

This current global health crisis has definitely changed both influencer and blogging landscapes. For bloggers like myself, I had to face a number of challenges. Let me share a few. First off, because of limitations in terms of travel and movement, I can’t easily attend and cover events. That meant declining famtours or familiarization tours, launches, press conferences, hotel stays etc. I miss those terribly, especially since I love to travel and discover new things. Additionally, we all have to be extra careful in all of our actions - from proper handwashing to wearing face masks and face shields to social distancing. Secondly, it has also been a challenge to produce content. It isn’t only because of lack of events and travel restrictions. It’s primarily also because we’r...

Oct12020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

FCash Global Lending license canceled

Advocacy, Government, Mindanaoan Update, Technology

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has canceled the certificate of authority (CA) of FCash Global Lending, Inc. to operate as a lending company for its unfair debt collection practices. In an order dated August 25, the SEC Corporate Governance and Finance Department (CGFD) found FCash liable for multiple violations of SEC Memorandum Circular No. 18, Series of 2019 (SEC MC 18), which provides for the Prohibition on Unfair Debt Collection Practices of Financing Companies and Lending Companies. The company, which operates online lending platforms Fast Cash and Fast Cash Loan, has made multiple attempts to collect loan payments by contacting or threatening persons other than those that the borrower has identified as guarantors or co-makers, according to the CGFD. FCash has l...

Oct12020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Did You Know The 3 Relationship Components at the Core of Stargirl?

Mindanaoan Update

Studies have shown that strong relationships are central to dealing effectively with stress. During times of severe isolation, political strife and health fears, people often look toward sources that reinforce that concept. Among those sources: Media that depicts how positive human interconnection during times of stressful events can provide a lifeline in a sea of anxiety. The CW and DC Universe streaming series Stargirl appears to be what so many preteens and teenagers are looking for as they deal with some of the most difficult years of their young lives. Superficially, this 10-part superhero show represents a heavy clash between good and evil. But when you take a deeper dive into the show, you uncover three relationship elements that can actually comfort children and teenagers at...

Sep282020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Wild week with the Ford Ranger Wildtrak

Blogging, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Society, Travel, Videos

So I just had a realization. After taking the Ford Ranger Raptor for a spin a few weeks ago, I realized that I LOVE driving pick-up trucks! The Ford Raptor, for instance, is huge but oh what a joy it is to drive! This love for pick-up vehicles was again solidified when I had a fun, wild week with the Ford Ranger Wildtrak (yasss)! Don’t you just love how versatile it looks? The Ford Ranger Wildtrak is a workhorse for sure (built for tough!) but you can also easily take it to easy breezy picnics, to the beach and to the mountains for memorable hang-outs with family and relatives at a cozy cabin (which I did!). Muscular yet feminine. Does that make sense? I brought the Ford Ranger Wildtrak to so many places around Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon (Malaybalay City and Dahilayan,...

Sep212020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Ayala Malls Centrio’s ‘ANA’ makes virtual shopping, pick up and delivery a breeze

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Shopping, Society, Style, Technology

Ayala Malls Centrio, Cagayan de Oro’s complete and favorite shopping, dining and entertainment destination, has launched an innovative solution that makes virtual purchasing from stores within the mall easy, convenient and truly hassle-free. With the Ayala Malls Neighborhood Assistant or “ANA,” anybody can shop from anywhere, during mall hours, with the help of well-trained personal shoppers and at a very minimal service fee. A testament to Ayala Malls Centrio’s commitment to come up with creative and efficient solutions in order to serve their valued customers, “ANA” can help customers buy everything they need at any Ayala Malls Centrio store they prefer. From groceries to school supplies to food and drinks to hardware supplies to clothes and shoes to skin care to medicines to te...

Sep212020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Delicious Thai food at SIAM Krua

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Restaurant, Reviews

One of the "normal" things I miss is dining out. I'm sure you do, too. Actually, it's not just the idea or the act of dining out. It's eating the food you love or the food you've been craving for. And these days, it's authentic Thai food for me! In Cagayan de Oro, I get my Thai cuisine fix at Siam by Krua Thai. It's run by the same Siam by Krua Thai that I go to in Cebu City. From their Gateway Lim Ket Kai location, they've transferred to the 2nd Floor of Lim Ket Kai Mall, just right across Robinson's. Siam Krua Thai CDO had health and safety protocols in place. They had contact tracing forms, alcohol and a temperature check by the door. The server was also pleasant and knew which bestsellers to suggest. Of course, I just had to have Tom Yum Seafood Soup. Don't y...

Sep82020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Gabay Guro partners with PayMaya, provides these amazing features for teachers

Campus, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Technology

Great news for teachers all around the country! Teachers will soon have easier access to a financial account and learning resources in one app as Gabay Guro, the flagship advocacy program for teachers of the PLDT-Smart Foundation, partners with PayMaya for its super app for teachers. Through the Gabay Guro app, teachers can soon easily sign up for a PayMaya account which they can use for various digital financial transactions such as paying for online and in-store purchases, sending money, paying bills, buying load, and paying government fees, among others. This will complement the existing features of the app, which provides them access to research materials, community-wide articles, rewards, as well as online lessons to help improve their teaching skills in the new normal. A...

Aug242020 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Easy city to mountain driving aboard the Ford EcoSport

Bukidnon, Cafe, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Reviews, Society, Style, Travel, Videos

Don’t you just miss bonding with family and friends, going on a road trip, savoring scenic views and delicious food, and just having a great time with those close to your heart? I’m sure this is something all of us miss and look forward to doing. Fortunately, I recently had the opportunity to see some of my friends (whom I haven’t seen since the onset of the pandemic!) and bond with my relatives. That meant driving to the city, to hinterlands, to a farm and to a newly-discovered (an accidental discovery brought about by a call from a dear friend whom I also haven’t seen in a darn long time) area that had a killer view! And so, aboard the Ford EcoSport Titanium, my weekend went off to a great start. My friends and I went to this new cafe uptown and then proceeded to Indaha...

Aug182020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

The New Ford Territory SUV deserves your attention — check out its jaw-dropping features

Consumer, Features, Society, Style, Technology

Ford Philippines recently launched the all-new Ford Territory, a Ford-engineered and designed SUV which combines a sleek and stylish look, impressive performance, and smart and safe technologies that will offer a new driving experience to young professionals and starting families. Developed by Ford Motor Company and its joint venture partner Jiangling Motors Corporation, the Ford Territory brings to life the Ford DNA in its design, engineering, and capability, following Ford’s highest global quality standards. “The Ford Territory will boost our growing SUV lineup as a new product born out of Ford’s long-standing heritage and expertise in the utility segment,” says PK Umashankar, president and managing director, Ford Philippines. “We are confident that the Ford Territory will...

Aug182020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Retired? You might want to consider reverse mortgage

Mindanaoan Update

If you are retired, aged 62 and above, and need to supplement your income during your retirement years, you could be a prime candidate for a reverse mortgage. To finally revamp your home, take that dream holiday, or to simply just have more fluid access to cash, a reverse mortgage could be the perfect solution for you. How reverse mortgage works Don't worry – it's simpler than it sounds. A reverse mortgage will let you access a percentage of the overall value of your home in the form of a loan. You might be happy to hear that this money is not taxed - ever - and runs completely independently from your social security and medical benefits. This means that it can never influence either of those two. As if that's not good enough, one of the conditions of the loan is that you hav...

Aug162020 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

IT’S OFFICIAL! The Mindanaoan Blog now has an Android app

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Consumer, Corporate, Entertainment, Features, Headline, Internet, LifeStyle, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, News, Society, Style, Technology, Travel

I'm very excited to officially announce that this humble Mindanaoan blog finally has its own Android app! Now, it's easier for us to stay connected :) You can download the Official Mindanaoan Android App here. It's a very light app, only needs 4.52 MB of your Android phone space. Just click the link above, click on the Mindanaoan v1.0 . apk file and just please follow the next easy instructions. As soon as you finish installing the Mindanaoan app, you'll see a native headdress as the logo of the app on your phone screen :) >>> DOWNLOAD THE MINDANAOAN ANDROID APP HERE <<< Thank you so much for your support! About Mindanaoan Irene, the one behind Mindanaoan.com, is a USA-trained, USA-experienced seasoned social media specialist, publicist, multi-award...

Aug122020 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Head to POPS CDO for the best, sulit buffet in Cagayan de Oro

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Features, Food, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Reviews, Society

I don't know about you but it seems like buffets in Cagayan de Oro have become a dime in a dozen. So many CDO buffets to choose from! However, when it comes to sulit, absolutely value for money eat AND drink all you can choices, POPS CDO All Filipino Eatery still tops my list. For only Php 250 (US $5) per person, you get to access a wide array of Filipino comfort food - complete from soup to rice (plain or fried...what do you prefer?) to various viands (meat, fish, vegetables etc) to dessert (fruits, kakanin, fruit salad etc) to bottomless drinks! Indulge to your heart's content! For now, two of the POPS CDO branches offer this unbeatable buffet. If you plan to bring a large group of family and friends, their Corrales Avenue branch would be the best choice. It's just bes...

Aug112020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Day trip idea: Fortune Valley and Manalog Falls in Malaybalay, Bukidnon

Blogging, Bukidnon, Features, Malaybalay City, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel

During this pandemic, I've been spending more of my time in Bukidnon. This beautiful province is located in Central Mindanao and is recognized as the food basket of Mindanao. I love the absolutely chill vibe of this place and here, I can truly rest, read, do passion projects, do what I like and at the kind of pace I want. It also helps that the prices here are still way cheaper compared to those in the city. The closest city, by the way, is Cagayan de Oro. Anyway, I've been going on road trips as of late and now, my relatives and I are thinking of probably trekking or exploring the mountains and rivers. A Malaybalay resident by the name of Enrico Asentista inspired me to do a day trip in Malaybalay. I didn't even know about these two places! The good news is that these are just very nea...

Aug72020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanao schools Ateneo de Davao, Malayan, UIC etc go cashless with PayMaya

Advocacy, Campus, Davao City, Technology

I'm glad that PayMaya is empowering over 40 schools nationwide with cashless payment solutions online and in-school and that includes schools in Mindanao! Major learning institutions in Mindanao such as my alma mater Ateneo De Davao University, Malayan Colleges Mindanao and the University of Immaculate Conception are among the schools that have begun to adopt PayMaya’s end-to-end digital payment solutions such as the PayMaya’s Online payment gateway for their online channels and the One by PayMaya Point of Sale (POS) device for school cashiers. These steps definitely provide students a safer and more convenient way to pay for enrollment fees and other educational expenses. “As we prepare to open another school year, ensuring that health and safety measures are implemented acr...

Jul292020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

LOOK: Matigsalug – Manobo tribes get new tribal hall in Kitaotao

Advocacy, Bukidnon, Culture, Government, Mindanao, Society

Two of Mindanao's tribes now have a new tribal hall complete with sleeping quarters. The Matigsalug - Manobo tribes in Kitaotao, Bukidnon recently received a new tribal hall with sleeping quarters. The new tribal hall, located at Brgy. Sagundanon, Kitaotao, Bukidnon, was inaugurated on July 24, 2020. The Matigsalug - Manobo tribal hall was funded under the Department of Social Welfare and Development Kalahi-CIDSS and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process under its PAyapa and MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) framework. PAMANA is the government's peace and development framework that aims to strengthen peacebuilding, reconstruction, and development in conflict-affected areas. DSWD says that PAMANA has reportedly expanded to include the funding of projects for IPs u...

Jul132020 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Pay government dues online with PayMaya (here’s Php 100 to get you started)

Consumer, Government, Technology

I've been there. We need to settle bills and government dues but ever since this global health crisis, heading out and paying these bills became a challenge. Good thing we already have eWallets or electronic wallets just like PayMaya. During the quarantine period, eWallets like PayMaya has helped millions of Filipinos pay for their utility bills from the comfort of their homes. However, did you know that aside from paying for water, electricity, and postpaid plans, PayMaya is also a safe and convenient option to settle your government dues? 09055885378 You can pay your PAG-IBIG loan, your passport processing fee to the DFA, or pay your taxes to the BIR online. With just a few taps on your smartphone, and without the need of heading out of your home, you can easily transact with the g...

Jul102020 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Conquering Mangima Road with Ford Ranger Raptor

Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Leisure, LifeStyle, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Personal, Reviews, Society, Travel

In a previous blog post, I mentioned that I am in the market for a new vehicle and currently weighing options. Aside from budget, comfort level and features, I thought I also needed a vehicle that could fit my busy and adventure-filled lifestyle but can also be formal and practical, preferably one that didn’t really require further modifications. See, I may be a girl but more often than not, I’m not that girly-girl, if you know what I mean. I have my happy-in-a-dress days but I have more makeup-free, slippers-only, super comfortable clothes on days. So, to me, that’s a challenge. Is there a vehicle out there for someone who loves to travel and conquer many adventures but who also loves to take the family, friends and loved ones for fun escapades, lead community projects, volun...

Jul32020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Investment scheme Forsage is illegal, says SEC

Advocacy, Announcements, Features, News, Technology

The Securities and Exchange Commission has issued a stern warning against Forsage, an investment scheme headed by a certain Lado Okhotnikov. Forsage is NOT duly registered with the SEC and lacks the necessary license to solicit, accept or take investments from the public or issue investment contracts and other forms of securities. On June 30, 2020, the Commission said that Forsage is illegally engaging in investment activities in the guise of cryptocurrency trading. SEC Cagayan de Oro Director Atty. Renato Egypto said that many from Region X have engaged with Forsage already. “SEC Cagayan de Oro Extension Office has received numerous reports as well through email and direct messages inquiring about the legality of Forsage. This really concerns us and so we continuously remind ...

Jun252020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

How your Php 100 (US $2) can help buy PPEs for frontliners

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Events, Features, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Society, Technology

I know what you're thinking. That thing experts call "donor fatigue" has kicked in and not many people are interested to donate to COVID-19 related fundraising causes. I was afraid of that, too. However, we all know that this fight isn't over (and won't be for quite a while) and our brave and hardworking medical front liners need all the help so that they can work and treat efficiently. We need to UNITE. So here goes --- how about if we help procure Department of Health-approved medical grade PPEs for our front liners, who, for 3 months running, have been sacrificing for all of us? And guess what --- we can actually do this by donating as low as Php 100 (yes, that's US $2) Join #CreatorsUnitedPH campaign, an effort that seeks to raise funds to procure DOH-approved medical grade P...

Jun252020 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Why cashless ecosystems are critical as Philippines speeds up digital push

Advocacy, Technology

Given this COVID-19 pandemic that we are all facing right now, providing a complete and inclusive way for Filipinos to transact with the government online through ‘cashless’ ecosystems is CRITICAL. This, as the government accelerates its digital push, an executive from digital financial services PayMaya said recently. “Everything is going online, including government services, but we have to ensure that every Filipino is able to continue transacting with government and receive much-needed aid through cashless ecosystems that are pervasive and at the same time inclusive,” said Orlando B. Vea, Founder and CEO of PayMaya, during the BusinessWorld Insights Forum which discussed digital payments acceptance for LGUs held on Tuesday. Vea said this means enabling the government to acce...

Jun242020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Donated earsavers for brave frontliners – JOIN US!

Advocacy, Blogging, Bukidnon, Features, Gifts, LifeStyle, Malaybalay City, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Society

Ever since this whole pandemic started, I've led a couple of donation drives, joined information campaigns and contributed to many fundraising efforts. Anybody who really knows me can attest that I'm not exactly the type who likes to post about those but I want to make an exception this time. Firstly, because I am hoping that more people will be inspired. Secondly, because our fight against this global health crisis is far from over and the world needs more volunteers. Thirdly, because this project is really simple, doable and very budget-friendly --- not to mention fun to do! Let me tell you about earsavers. Earsavers protect the ears from chafing or developing skin irritation while you wear a face mask. You can also wear earsavers so the ear loops don't tug your ears and eventuall...