Blog - Page 15 of 90 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Jul102018 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

What to Do In and Around Birmingham

Birmingham is the most populated city in the state of Alabama, and it has a history dating back to the post-Civil War Reconstruction Era. It’s one of the larger cities in the south, and it surprisingly has some pretty interesting attractions and things to do, whether you’re planning to visit the city or you live there, and you’d like to come up with new activities. The following are some things to do in an around Birmingham. Rock the South According to RV rental site Outdoorsy, Birmingham is home to the Rock the South Music Festival. They describe the event as one of the “biggest annual draws to the area.” It is located in Cullman, which is only about 50 miles from central Birmingham. The event started out as a way to raise money for victims of a tornado, but now it’s a huge countr...

Jul62018 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Fifty indigenous families to be affected by Bukidnon airport project

Bukidnon, Culture, Society

Some 50 Indigenous People (IP) families will apparently be affected by the Bukidnon airport project. And in exchange for pulling them out of the area in Don Carlos, Bukidnon, where the airport will be, they will be given Php 5 Million. This would mean that each indigenous family will receive Php 100,000. Which makes me think --- is Php 100,000 enough? Granted that the families themselves, led by Datu Teodoro Andil of the Unified Ancestral Domain of Manobo Kirenteken, reportedly asked for the Php 5 Million, is this just? Is this fair? Have other government agencies and NGOs perhaps helped them figure out if this amount can help them long-term? The Php 5 Million will reportedly be used to purchase a 50-hectare relocation site in Pangantucan. Fifty homes will be built there, one for ...

Jun242018 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Starting a new blog – see you there!

America, Blogging, Technology, United States of America

Hi, friends! I'll make this short and sweet. This is all still a work in progress but I do hope that you accept my invitation to please check out my new blog - Lifestyle + Travels. And before someone asks - NO, I won't abandon Mindanaoan.com. Most definitely not! The Lifestyle + Travels blog is a new passion project that will be more about my international escapades, (mis)adventures especially here in New York, USA (my new home!), product reviews, celebrity encounters and interviews (woohoo!), event coverages around the world and more for a global audience as opposed to Mindanaoan that oftentimes still focuses on Philippine-centric issues. I have a lot of really great plans for my new blog (including more vlogs!) so please do check it out. I would also be super grateful if you can su...

Jun242018 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mindanaoan.com lands on Top 30 New York Blogs list

America, Announcements, Blogging, Features, Mindanaoan Update, New York, Style, Travel, United States of America

I'm very excited to share with all of you that this humble blog, Mindanaoan.com, has landed on the number 6 spot in a coveted “Top New York Blogs To Follow” list. Mindanaoan.com was declared among The Big Apple’s best when my travel and lifestyle blog nabbed the number 6 spot in Feedspot's Top 30 Best New York Lifestyle Blogs list. Accordingly, the list was derived from thousands of carefully selected and tested New York Lifestyle blogs using search and social metrics. I'm pretty stoked about this especially because I have the honor to be in the same list as Tracy Kaler (one of my longtime favorite New York bloggers!) and other NYC Blogging biggies :) The blogs in the said list were ranked based on Google reputation, Google search ranking, influence and popularity on Facebook,...

Jun72018 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

5 reasons why you should visit the Philippines

Bukidnon, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Food, Malaybalay City, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental

If you’re a fellow avid traveler, chances are you have a whole bucket list of places you want to visit around the world. Well, I’m about to tell you why you need to add one more incredible place to that list — preferably at the top. Here are five of the many reasons why you should visit the Philippines. 1. The culture The Philippines is very proud of its extremely unique culture and diversity. Did you know, for example, that there are over 170 languages spoken in the Philippines? Due to colonization over the centuries, there are also plenty of different influences in this country — mainly hailing from Spain, the United States, and Asia. These cultures all come together in one mixing pot of diversity, that makes it a real pleasure to visit the Philippines. Some people say it’s a bit...

Jun42018 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Double-decker buses soon to ply Cagayan de Oro to Bukidnon route

Bukidnon, Business, Corporate

Bukidnon, considered the food basket of Mindanao, will soon see double-decker buses, akin to the iconic red ones you see plying the streets of London. Pabama Transport, a Kibawe-based bus liner, will soon introduce their brand new fleet of double-decker buses which will ply the Bukidnon to Cagayan de Oro and CDO to Bukidnon route. If you recall, Pabama is the same bus company that introduced units equipped with tablets, trays and cup holders. It looks like they're really ramping up their game. The new Pabama Bukidnon double-decker buses are manufactured by ZhongTong, one of China's largest bus manufacturing companies, and have 420 HP Engines Euro 4's. As you can see in the photos, the buses are airconditioned and have water dispensers, comfortable cushioned seats, comf...

Jun42018 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Bukidnon to host Mindanao parliamentary debate championship

Bukidnon, Campus, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Society

Confirmed: the Province of Bukidnon will be the venue for the much-anticipated Mindanao Parliamentary Debate Championship, a bi-annual debate tournament that gathers the most prestigious and most competitive debate organizations from universities all over Mindanao, Philippines. Organized by the Bukidnon State University Debate Varsity (BukSU DV) and the Bukidnon Debate Union (BDU), in partnership with the Mindanao Parliamentary Debate Union (MPDU), the debate will be held on September 21 to 23, 2018 at the Bukidnon State University in Malaybalay City, the capital of the Province of Bukidnon. "As we live in the post-truth era where truth is negotiable, it is imperative to continually cultivate a critical mass. Debating, as we stand, is a positive energy geared in putting the post-trut...

May22018 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Thoughts about royalty free music

Mindanaoan Update

I think that it is worth to write about the fact that the royalty free music epic genre has a great prehistory, which dates back over 200 years ago. Who exactly was the first composer who has written such musical works…probably no one will say. Personally, I think there were several composers who started writing in this genre those early days. This often happens in science - when two scientists being in different countries discover the same law simultaneously, but independently even not knowing each other. So in music, various composers come to their new works independent of each other. We can say with certainty that Wagner is the composer who invested a lot of his skills and soul in the development of epic music and it is thanks to his music that the interest in this genre soared to...

May22018 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Explore Islands Philippines tourism expo to be held at Grand Central Terminal New York

America, Events, Mindanaoan Update, New York, Tourism, Travel, United States of America

New York’s iconic Grand Central Terminal will provide the backdrop to showcase the 7,641 islands that make up the Philippines, which is promoting its vacation destinations. With a launch by the Philippine Tourism Secretary, the Explore Islands Philippines expo will run from May 9, through May 12, 2018. On May 9, Explore Islands Philippines kicks off at 10 a.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony graced by Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and Serbia. Philippine Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo will be joined by Philippine Ambassador to the United Nations Teodoro Locsin Jr., President of the Philippine Tourism Promotions Board Cesar Montano, as well as other high-ranking officials from New York State and the Philippines. Speakers from the Philippine Tourism will talk on May...

Apr282018 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Why Texas Is Still America’s Best Real Estate Market

Mindanaoan Update

The U.S. housing market regained its momentum earlier this year, with half of all the homes in the nation worth as much or more than they were a little over a decade ago. It remains a seller’s market out there, but there still exists places where homes prices have never been lower. Where does such a strange place exist: only in Texas. El Paso Of the homes for sale in El Paso, the average price is just $186,611. In a news release, city officials credited strong job growth, low vacancy rates, affordability, a higher population of young households and the vibrant culture as the factors in its strong ranking. There’s also many outdoor activities available, including a thriving artist community, farmers market and delicious Tex-Mex cuisine. San Antonio San Antonio has continued to showc...

Apr162018 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Eat and drink all you can for Php 199 (FREE for kids) at this Cagayan de Oro restaurant

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

Being a fast-growing city, Cagayan de Oro is now home to more and more restaurants. In fact, buffets or restaurants that offer eat-all-you-can in Cagayan de Oro are now a dime in a dozen. This is great for consumers like us, of course. The more options, the better! There are a lot of CDO buffet places now! However, let's face it. Not all CDO buffets are the same. Some are expensive, some may have affordable rates but the selection isn't that good or worse, some may seem to have fair prices but when the final bill arrives, you realize that there are hidden charges, service charges etc. That basically ruins what should have been a pleasant gastronomic experience, right? Good thing POPS All Filipino Eatery, which just announced that their eat-and-drink-all-you-can offer is now available eve...

Mar262018 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Bukidnon’s Kaamulan Festival 2018 Ethnic Sports Competition

Bukidnon, Culture, Events, Festivals, Kaamulan Festival, Malaybalay City, Mindanao, Society

The Kaamulan Festival has truly evolved. From being a simple celebration whereby representatives from Bukidnon's 7 hill tribes would all gather in Malaybalay City, the capital of Bukidnon, the annual festival has now turned into quite a spectacle. Despite the many changes, however, I'm glad that there are still events that allowed our indigenous brothers and sisters to showcase their rich, unique and truly colorful culture and tradition. One of these events was the Kaamulan Festival Ethnic Tribal Olympics or Kaamulan Ethnic Sports Competition. In Binukid language, ethnic sports is called "Alu-Alu." Representatives from the Bukidnon, Higaonon, Manobo, Matigsalug, Talaandig, Tigwahanon, and Umayamnon tribes challenged each other in at least 18 ethnic sports at the Capitol Grounds i...

Mar202018 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Beautiful Bukidnon tribal dance at the Kaamulan Festival 2018

Bukidnon, Culture, Events, Festivals, Kaamulan Festival, Malaybalay City

As I am writing this, the yearly Kaamulan Festival is currently ongoing in the Province of Bukidnon, Philippines. The Kaamulan Festival 2018 celebration will last until March 24, 2018, on which day the main highlight, the Ethnic Street Dancing Competition, will be held in Malaybalay City, the capital of Bukidnon. If you're heading there, you may want to check one of my other blogs, the longest-standing one about the province, Bukidnon Online. You can also find the Kaamulan 2018 schedule of activities there. Anyway, full disclosure --- I am still here in New York, USA (legally, if I may add) and obviously, I'm thousands of miles away from Bukidnon. Fortunately, I have an awesome brother, Ben, and an awesome cousin, Daniel, and they're both covering the events for my blogs! Yes, I'm very ...

Mar122018 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

OFFICIAL LIST: Sale, buy 1 take 1 items during S&R CDO Members Treat

Announcements, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Mindanaoan Update, Shopping, Style

Let me cut to the chase - I'm very excited to let you all know that S&R CDO and all other S&R Membership Shopping branches nationwide will again offer its most awaited, super amazing S&R Members' Treat! From March 14 to 18, 2018, our favorite membership shopping warehouse will offer Buy 1, Take 1 offers as well as up to 50 percent discounts. That means big, big, BIG savings for all! Related: What to expect during the big S&R Members' Treat event 2016 (this post received 610 shares!) The S&R Members' Treat is the perfect time for you to stock up on all your favorite health and beauty products, imported snacks, imported grocery items, kids' toys, gadgets, beverages, liquor, small appliances, home furnishings, frozen and fresh produce, apparel, laundry products, hardwa...

Mar92018 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Tips for increasing comfort on extended motorcycle rides

Advocacy, Mindanaoan Update

You may love your new motorcycle, but do you know if it is comfortable enough for extended drives? That seat may feel perfect for the first ten minutes, but will it keep you free from aches and pains over several hours? Check out these tips if you need help planning your next cross-country motorcycle drive or simply want to amp up your biking gear. Dress for the Elements If you are too hot, cold or wet, you simply will not be comfortable on your long biking trip. Choose garments that let you move and stretch with ease so that you can stay limber during your drive. During hot weather, try ventilated biking gear. During colder months, use heated motorcycle gear, such as heated grips and heated jackets and gloves. Try Compression Garments If you think that compression socks and garments a...

Feb202018 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Abacá Boutique Resort + Spa Cebu garners Travelers’ Choice 2018 awards

Cebu City, Hotels, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Resorts, Reviews, Society, Visayas

The results of the Travelers’ Choice Awards 2018 are in and it's definitely no surprise that Abacá Boutique Resort + Spa made it to the list. A regular on the roster, Abacá Boutique Resort + Spa is recognized once again in this year’s Travelers’ Choice Awards, winning in three categories: #21 on the Top 25 Small Hotels- Asia, #2 on the Top 25 Small Hotels- Philippines, and #1 on the Top 25 Hotels for Romance- Philippines. Who best to trust with Cebu resorts but TripAdvisor's globetrotting users? :) Located in Mactan Island, Abacá Boutique Resort + Spa is the ideal retreat for travellers who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Guests will find themselves tucked away in a tranquil paradise as they relax in the six suites,three villas, and spa that make up the resort. ...

Feb202018 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Made in CDO: ACCESS Lifestyle, a gamechanging lifestyle discount and rewards card

Announcements, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Corporate, Features, Mindanaoan Update

If there’s something that I absolutely have so much respect for, it’s a risk taker. I think it takes a whole lot of intestinal fortitude to enter the great unknown, with just your passion, vision and optimism. That’s why when I first heard that a small group of folks in Cagayan de Oro wanted to offer a local lifestyle discount and rewards card that aimed to gather brands that we’re all very familiar with, I wanted to know more. See, ordinarily, whenever we encounter a loyalty or discount card, it’s only for one brand. With ACCESS Lifestyle Card, however, you receive awesome benefits from over 60 establishments (and that number’s growing!). ACCESS Lifestyle Card is the first card of its kind in CDO. Not only do you get to avail of amazing discounts from partner-establishments, you also r...

Feb162018 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Quest Cebu Hotel joins Cagayan Travel Exchange, trip to Bali up for grabs

Cebu City, Corporate, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews

How fast time flies! It's been more than 5 years since I got invited to attend the grand launch of one of Cebu's finest hotels - Quest Cebu Hotel and Conference Center. Not only did the lovely folks over at Quest fly me to the Queen City of the South, they also accommodated the rest of my family. It was a grand vacation and we all loved our stay at Quest Hotel Cebu! You can read all about my Quest Hotel Cebu hotel review here. Meanwhile, I have good news! If you represent government agencies or private corporations in Cagayan de Oro or in neighboring areas, you can learn more about Quest Hotel during the Travel Exchange B2B Event on February 22, 2018. Organized by the Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association, the Cagayan Travel Exchange event will be held at Limketkai Luxe Hotel....

Feb142018 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

SnippetMEdia introduces blockchain technology in Philippine digital media landscape

Consumer, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, News, Society, Technology

SnippetMEdia has come a long way. I first learned about this mobile app (available in both iOS and Android) last year. Now, after a year providing curated content to over 800,000 users, SnippetMEdia has stepped up to take on the challenges plaguing both content creators and advertisers by launching the SnippetMedia Blockchain – the first blockchain media platform in the Philippines. Blockchain is a technology developed to structure data. Blockchain is set to change and improve the way various fields operate -- from network security, to identity authentication, e-commerce, intellectual property protection, and so much more. In partnership with Superiex, a China-based digital asset trading platform, SnippetMEdia will establish a first-of- its-kind ad platform built upon a blockchain. Wha...

Feb142018 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Globe Telecom brings back unlimited Internet plans – no-lock up, no data cap, no throttling

Internet, Technology

This is truly great news! As you all know, I'm a longtime Globe Telecom subscriber. However, while I do like all their services (I am most happy with Globe Roaming), I, too, was not happy with the data cap and the throttling concerns. Well, I'm absolutely excited to share with you all that Globe Telecom heard the clamor of its customers and has brought back an upgraded version of its unlimited internet plans through Go Unli! This means we can now avail of unlimited data! Stream video, play music and games without having to worry about lock-up period, data capping, and speed throttling. EXCITING!!! Go Unli works for all legal sites to make sure that Globe and its customers participate in making the internet safe for everyone. “We want all customers to enjoy a superior internet experie...

Feb22018 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Club Clio Korean Beauty Brand New York USA opening

America, Beauty, Blogging, Events, Fashion, Korea, New York, Society, Style

Hello from New York! I actually vlogged about the Club Clio Union Square New York reopening first so apologies if this blog is a tad late :D Anyhoo, I was invited to check out the grand reopening of the Club Clio USA Union Square New York branch late last year. It was an invitation I simply cannot turn down! For one, I absolutely love Korean stuff. They're high quality, very cute, fun and definitely value-for-money. Secondly, I have visited Korea and needless to say, I fell in love! It's a beautiful, modern country with amazing food, friendly people and rich culture. Check out my Mindanaoan In Korea travel series. Thirdly, it's a beauty event invitation for me as a blogger in New York! Enough said ;) Anyways, for the uninitiated, Club Clio is a very popular Korean cosmetics line, repres...

Jan262018 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Prepping for an Asian Vacation: Tips and Tricks to Improve Your Trip

Korea, Mindanaoan Update, Travel

Traveling halfway across the globe for a vacation is a once in a lifetime experience. There are so many sights, sounds and tastes that you want to try out. Before you head off to the airport, learn how you can prepare for a vacation into Asia. The cultures and beautiful landscapes will capture your imagination. Pick Your Flights and Tours Carefully Regardless of which country you're visiting, Asia itself is incredibly far from the United States. Select a flight that has a few comforts, such as ample leg room or convertible seats. You might bundle the flight with a hotel so that the costs are much cheaper than scheduling them individually. Take a look at various excursions in your chosen country, such as Asia tour packages. Experience the top attractions while receiving a good deal for fo...