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

Oct242008 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Getting primped up at Jesi Mendez Salon Cagayan de Oro City

Cagayan de Oro City, Fashion, Opinion, Personal, Style

Ever since my House of Representatives days, I’ve always wanted to visit a Jesi Mendez Salon branch and see what the fuss was all about. You see, a lot of my Manila-based friends rave about how they like the salon, the hairdressers and the services. Many wives of congressmen-friends also visit the salon for their regular hair treatments. However, being the “kuripot” (cheapskate) Mindanaoan that I am, my plan just remained a plan for years until finally, I had the chance (and the money!) to go last weekend. I was in Cagayan de Oro City and I found out that there was a Jesi Mendez Salon in the area. So I went. The Jesi Mendez Salon branch there, which opened early this year (with GMA 7 actor Dingdong Dantes as guest celebrity), is located at the famed Lim Ket Kai Mall along Lapasan Highwa...

Oct232008 by Mindanaoan Irene10 Comments

Meeting other Mindanaoan bloggers

Davao City, Events, Features, Internet, Technology

My brother and I attended the Digital Filipino Club and Bloggers Davao City Networking event last October 21, 2008 at the Pantawan Hall of the Casino Filipino branch at Grand Regal Hotel, Lanang. Although it wasn't really my first time to attend a bloggers event, it was the first time for me to attend one in Mindanao. My brother and I initially planned to attend the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit in General Santos City (I actually exchanged a few emails with lead organizer Avel) but things just got too darn busy that we overlooked the deadline for registration. Sucks, I know. That's why we were glad to learn about the Davao networking event. At least we were able to see several Mindanaoan bloggers who will be in GenSan for the MBS 2 and we were able to personally meet Janette Toral...

Oct182008 by Mindanaoan Irene8 Comments

Justice for Mantigue Island, Camiguin residents

Camiguin, Controversial, News, Opinion, Resorts

My family and I went to the Island of Camiguin a few months ago. What supposedly was a time to relax and unwind turned out to be work somehow. You see, when we visited the beautiful islet of Mantigue in Camiguin (the "less popular" islet --- tourists usually go to the famous White Island), we learned from the residents there that the local government has started to send them feelers. The residents said that the local government wanted them off the island as soon as possible because they were considered "illegal occupants." The residents opined, however, that most of them have been born in the island. They asserted that they were "natives" there and that they grew up knowing only one home and that is Mantigue. Over the years, they learned how to fish, culture seaweeds and eventually welcom...

Oct172008 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

How to know if you have fake Philippine money

Controversial, News

The news item in today's Philippine Daily Inquirer about fake money circulating in Davao del Sur has prompted me to write a few pointers on how to know if you have fake Philippine money. I've actually written about this a few years back in my newspaper column, back when there seemed to have been a massive spread of fake 500 Philippine peso bills. Hopefully these quick pointers can help all of you. According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, real currency notes are a bit rough in terms of texture. However, fake bills are smooth to the touch. Real Philippine money bills also have embossed watermarks. You can see the watermark when you expose the bill to a strong source of light (notice that you can find an image on the left side of the bill) Real currency bills have window security t...

Oct142008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Camiguin’s Lanzones Festival 2008 Schedule

Camiguin, Events, Fiesta, Mindanao, Tourism, Travel

The Island of Camiguin is set to celebrate the 29th Lanzones Festival starting this Saturday, October 18, 2008. The event's special guest speaker is President Gloria Arroyo. The 29th Camiguin Lanzones Festival will last until October 26, 2008. Here's the official schedule of activities: OCTOBER 18, 2008 (SATURDAY) 7 A.M. HOLY THANKSGIVING MASS Venue: San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Church 1 P.M. PARADE Assembly Area: Provincial Plaza to Camiguin Tourism Center UGMAD 2008 Venue: Camiguin Tourism Center Part I: RIBBON CUTTING Part II: OPENING CEREMONIES: 29thCamiguin Lanzones Festival Declaration of UGMAD 2008 Opening / Viewing of the Exhibits (Depending on the time of PGMA's arrival) MOTORCADE OF CAMIGUIN TOURISM ASSOCIATION THE AMAZING RACE: PINOY X-GAMES SERIES ...

Oct142008 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Blog Action Day Philippines 2008

Advocacy, Events

If you have a blog, please join. If you're a Mindanaoan, all the more you should! Poverty is real and we owe it to ourselves, to our family and to the next generation to do something about it. We need to implement solid and doable solutions. No more fake promises, no more doleouts, no more short-term solutions, no more false hopes.

Oct132008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Russell Thompkins, Jr. and the New Stylistics Live in CDO

Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events

It seems like Cagayan de Oro City is fast becoming the new to-go-to venue for concerts in Mindanao. Fresh from hosting a couple of big concerts like Concert King Martin Nievera's XXV and the Earth, Wind and Fire Experience in CDO show, the "City of Golden Friendship" is poised to host another big event in the next few days. Renen de Guia's Ovation Productions Manila is bringing Russell Thompkins, Jr. and the New Stylistics in Cagayan de Oro. The concert will be held on October 27, 2008 at the Limketkai Atrium, Cagayan de Oro City. Expect the group to sing the classics "Betcha By Golly, Wow," "You Make Me Feel Brand New" (I love the falsetto notes in this song!) and "People Make The World Go Round." Tickets are priced at P1,500, P1,200, P800 and P500. Check out more after the...

Oct112008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Full text of Reproductive Health Bill (HB 5043)

Controversial, News, Society

For years, this very controversial bill has been the topic of heated debates. The congressmen-authors, especially Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, have been ridiculed, insulted, castigated upon and questioned. Does this controversial reproductive health bill really promote abortion? Is it true that if this bill gets ratified, couples can only have two children? Does it really affect a Roman Catholic's views and beliefs? I have written numerous stories about and in relation to this bill. I have heard both sides. However, I feel there's still lack of information. People should really see for themselves and decide on whether or not this reproductive health, responsible parenthood and population development bill raises flags. The full text of House Bill 5043 may be found after the jump. Please feel ...

Oct102008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Happy birthday, Sen. Chiz!

Personalities, Society

It's Senator Francis Joseph Guevara "Chiz" Escudero's birthday today! (Betcha didn't know that was his full name, eh?) I just greeted him via text message a few minutes ago. I bet he'll have a great, grand birthday today. I remember the very first time I interviewed him was via text message as well. He was Sorsogon's representative then and was closely associated with former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada. Later on, he served as the late Fernando Poe, Jr.'s spokesperson during the latter's presidential campaign trail. It was a time when I felt that the local newspapers barely had access to the opposition. Most, if not all, of the stories that I read back then were anchored on the side of the administration. There were hardly any comments from the opposition. It was a time when the phra...

Oct92008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

1.6 Billion pesos to buy fluorescent lamps…seriously?!

Controversial, Government, News, Opinion

Bukidnon congressman Teofisto "TG" Guingona III obviously has lots of efficient moles in various government, non government and financial agencies. I mean, how else could he have uncovered the fact that the government plans to take out a loan to the tune of P1.6 Billion just to buy fluorescent lamps? Yes, P1.6 Billion or roughly $35 Million to buy fluorescent lamps. Yes, my jaw dropped, too. I mean, really, who in their right minds would want to spend that much on mere light bulbs when the economy is in shambles, when millions of Filipino children walk barefoot to school, when the ordinary jeepney driver barely meets his daily boundary because of high gas prices, when the ordinary Filipino family can barely eat healthy food everyday and when we're all supposed to tighten our belts...

Oct82008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Bloggers Davao City Networking Event

Davao City, Events

I'm pretty much looking forward to the DigitalFilipino.com Club-led fellowship cum networking event this coming October 21, 2008 (Tuesday) in my hometown Davao City. According to Janette Toral of DigitalFilipino, the event will serve as platform where e-commerce industry players and bloggers can catch up and exchange updates. This October event will be held from 6 pm to 11 pm at the Grand Regal Hotel, Lanang, Davao City and will be sponsored by PAGCOR. Some of the topics that will be covered include updates on the DigitalFilipino Web Awards 2008, DigitalFilipino.com Club Updates (online workshop and other efforts) as well as Ratified.org Philippines Top 100 Blogs 2008 (blogs that had big moves in 2008) During the event, PAGCOR will also launch an Internet/e-Commerce project. Bl...

Oct72008 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Rihanna and Chris Brown to perform in Manila

Entertainment, Mindanaoan Update, Music

So a friend of mine who’s one of the people behind the much-talked about Rihanna – Chris Brown concert in Manila confirmed last weekend that yes, the uber talented duo (and rumored lovers!) will indeed hold a concert in Manila on November 16, 2008. So yes, it’s true! Rihanna and Chris Brown will indeed be in Manila very soon! IT'S CONFIRMED! This is very good news, indeed! And guess who already booked a flight to Manila? Why, ME, of course! I wouldn’t want to pass up on this chance to watch these two perform live! Problem is, it looks like the venue for the show may be a bit of a problem. (more…)

Oct62008 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Review: Mallberry Suites Cagayan de Oro City hotel

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Hotels, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

IMPORTANT NOTE: This review of Mallberry Suites CDO was written in 2008. A lot of things have changed since then. You can see the new facilities and book your Mallberry Suites CDO hotel room here. I've been staying in a lot of various hotels in Cagayan de Oro City as of late. One of my favorites so far is the Mallberry Suites Business Hotel, which is located right along Florentino Street. It's right behind the Robinson's Mall near the Lim Ket Kai Center in downtown Cagayan de Oro City. Mallberry Suites CDO is a relatively new hotel in Cagayan de Oro, which is dubbed the "City of Golden Friendship." It's perfect for traveling businessmen who need a place where "everything's within reach" and for someone who may need to conduct their meetings at the same hotel where they're billeted in...

Sep152008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

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The Mindanaoan website accepts advertisements, sponsorship agreements, exchange deals and contract work. For web advertisements, the 468x60 banner at the header section of this website can be leased for a minimum of one month. Also available for lease are 125x125 buttons, 160x800 skyscraper, 120x800 skyscraper, the leaderboard at the bottom of the page and other sections. Please contact us for further details. For sponsorship agreements, we can help launch or promote your website, business, event, service etc through contests, raffles and other related endeavors coursed through the Mindanaoan website (as well as our other websites...details will be provided for) For instance, you can provide the prizes and we'll launch a contest through this website. On the other hand, you can provid...

Sep142008 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

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About Taga Mindanao

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Who is Mindanaoan? Mindanaoan is a child of Mindanao. Mindanao is my home. I was born and raised in Davao City and have lived in two other areas in Mindanao - Cagayan de Oro City and Bukidnon. I have been to a lot of places around Mindanao, Philippines and I aim to continue my traveling exploits around what is called "The Land of Promise." Mindanao is my native land. This is where I belong, feel secure and am at peace. To be in Mindanao is to feel the embrace of a warm, soft blanket. I am a publicist, journalist, entrepreneur, writer, digital photographer, Internet-savvy computer geek, traveler, online and offline marketer, events organizer, media consultant, painter and graphic artist. I am drawn to human interest stories and I have a couple of advocacies that I am absolutely...