Blog - Page 21 of 92 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Feb52017 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanao’s Parasat Cable TV boosts service with Globe Business

Broadcasting, Business, Consumer, Internet, Society, Technology

Parasat Cable Television (PARASAT), Mindanao's only digital television system provider, further boosts its services with connectivity solutions from Globe Business, the information and communications technology arm of Globe Telecom, in response to high demand for broadband internet in the region. PARASAT has signed up for Globe Business’ Direct Internet which allows the company to offer its customers fast and reliable internet access supported by a robust and broad international and domestic network. Elpidio Paras, Chairman of PARASAT said, “We continuously improve our operations to achieve a level of excellence that is vastly superior to all others in the industry. Thus, we put our trust in Globe Business to help us strengthen our leadership in state-of-the-art cable TV and broadban...

Feb12017 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Tried and tested: How I saved big on my CDO hotel with the Traveloka App

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Hotels, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Reviews, Technology, Tourism, Travel

As a frequent traveler, nothing else makes me a happy camper than discovering various ways and means to save money especially on accommodations. We all know that lodging expenses can take a huge chunk off our travel budget so if there’s a way for me to save, I’m game! So when I heard all about this new app, Traveloka, that lets you save not only on hotel rates but also on flights, I just had to give it a whirl! Plus I had a great reason to test this hotel and flight booking platform. My mother and one of my brothers (who are both based outside Cagayan de Oro) were in town and I wanted to treat them to a mini staycation. My hotel of choice - Limketkai Luxe Hotel. Located along CM Recto Avenue, Lapasan, CDO, Limketkai Luxe Hotel is just a few moments away from Limketkai Mall...

Jan252017 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Tried and tested: With BackJoy, Say Goodbye to Back Pains

Health, Mindanaoan Update, Shopping

Hello! You’re probably reading this while sitting on a chair somewhere. Have you, by any chance, felt pain on your back while sitting? Have you noticed that you have the tendency to slouch? Worried about your posture? Have you been working all day, in front of a computer, sitting on a chair? Even if you’re on a so-called ergonomic chair, there’s still a chance that a part of your lower spine isn’t supported well enough. Well, you’re not alone. I’ve had the same problem for many years. Recently, I discovered a great way to address my posture concerns. For an entire week, I tried BackJoy and based on my personal experience, it works! BackJoy is an orthodontic line of products that improves alignment through active stabilization. This brand came into fruition after Preston Wil...

Jan232017 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

New fave Cebu hotel: Cuarto Hotel

Cebu City, Features, Hotels, Leisure, Reviews, Society, Tourism, Travel

Every frequent traveler to Cebu knows this – it’s a continuous challenge to find spacious, well-fitted, affordable, strategically located hotel rooms that offer free delicious buffet breakfast. There will always be something amiss – either the hotel is too far from the city proper or the room may be too small you can barely move around with your luggage. Fortunately, I recently discovered a charming boutique hotel a block away from Fuente Circle Cebu that could easily rival the bigger hotel chains. Cuarto Hotel is just across Robinson’s Cybergate and steps away from a few of Cebu’s biggest hospitals and call centers. Don’t worry, though. While Cuarto Hotel Cebu may be in the midst of the hustle and bustle of city life, you will still have the most comfortable stay. I did! ...

Jan232017 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Helping launch S&R CDO

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Shopping, Society

(This article first appeared on my regular column, "Mindanaoan Meets World," on Gold Star Daily, Mindanao's largest newspaper. My column appears every Friday). Have you visited the recently opened S&R Membership Shopping along Kauswagan Highway, Cagayan de Oro yet? If you haven’t, you really must! It’s undeniably the current toast of the town and everyone’s excited not only to check out the quality, imported products (sold at low, wholesale prices) but to try the famous New York Style pizzas, Blue Bunny ice cream, bavarian filled churros and the yummy clam chowder. Shopping at S&R is quite an experience, trust me. Read related post: S&R CDO media rounds I have to say – it still feels a bit surreal to see so many people at S&R, the giant warehouse club that I helped...

Jan142017 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Bukidnon Kaamulan Festival 2017 schedule of events

Bukidnon, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Malaybalay City, Society, Tourism, Travel

The largest festival in the Province of Bukidnon will be held from February 1 to March 25, 2017. Here's the Kaamulan Festival 2017 schedule of activities. This annual Bukidnon festival, recognized by a former Tourism Secretary as the only authentic ethnic festival in the Philippines, is an event that gathers the 7 hill tribes of the Province of Bukidnon. The Bukidnon ethnic hill tribes are Talaandig, Manobo, Matigsalug, Tigwahanun, Higaonon, Umayamnun and Bukidnon. Meanwhile, Kaamulan is an indigenous Bukidnon term for “gathering” for any purpose. It can mean a datuship ritual, a wedding ceremony, a thanksgiving festival during harvest time, a peace pact, or all of these together. Need a place to stay in Bukidnon? CLICK HERE > BOOK A DISCOUNTED BUKIDNON HOTEL ROOM Activities ...

Jan142017 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Cebu – Camiguin Island route – Two daily flights now

Camiguin, Flights, Tourism, Travel

Traveling to Camiguin Island, a.k.a. Island Born of Fire, will be more convenient - at least starting today until early 2018. In an announcement released by Cebu Pacific Airlines, the airline announced that they will be flying twice a day to and fro Camiguin every Monday, Friday and Sunday starting April 1, 2017. (Hopefully this isn't an April Fools' joke, right? Hehe!) The new flights will be effective until March 24, 2018. Anyway, the additional flights are: Flight No. DG6693 - Cebu to Camiguin, 9:45am-10:30am Flight No. DG6694 - Camiguin to Cebu, 10:50am -11:30am Ready to visit The Island of Camiguin? Start with this travel guide: Camiguin Island Travel Guide Or you can read my other Camiguin-related posts so you can plan your trip properly: Mantigue Isl...

Jan122017 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

S&R CDO Media Rounds

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Corporate, Features, Misamis Oriental, Personalities, Shopping

(This article first appeared on my regular newspaper column on Gold Star Daily, Mindanao's largest newspaper. My column, dubbed "Mindanaoan Meets World," appears every Friday). Everyone’s so excited about the impending opening of S&R Membership Shopping at Zone 5, Kauswagan Highway, Cagayan de Oro that it’s practically the talk of the town. I mean, there’s really good reason. After all, S&R CDO sits on a massive property, has a parking space good for a little over 300 vehicles, a tire center where members can have their tires fixed and replaced for free, lots of quality imported goods all at amazingly low prices, lots of buy 1 take 1 deals, freshly delivered quality meats (they have steaks!), freshly made breads and cakes (anybody up for cheesecakes?) and of course, churros, ice...

Jan122017 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

4 Places To Visit In The Philippines Even During The Rainy Season

Mindanaoan Update

So, all right, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) guys may have declared the start of the rainy season but hey, who are we kidding? It’s forever summer here in the Philippines! The summer heat will always linger and we will always have that urge to travel even if it’s the rainy season. So for fellow travel aficionados out there, I recommend these 4 places to visit even during the wet season. Just make sure that you prepare for your trip well and always be game for anything! Boracay Island Yes, the island known for summer parties is a great place to escape to during the rainy season for a couple of reasons. First off, the hotels at the island will follow the off-peak season rates. This means you pay a significantly lesser price for...

Jan92017 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Akamai: Philippines has marked improvements on Internet connectivity

Government, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Technology

Akamai, a leading content delivery network services provider for media, software delivery and cloud security solution, revealed on their 3rd quarter survey that the Philippines has registered significant improvements in terms of connectivity. This prompted National Telecommunications Commission Deputy Commissioner Edgardo Cabarios to say that the Philippines' fixed-line broadband speed is set to improve further once the Duterte administration's National Broadband Plan is implemented. Based on Akamai’s Q3 report, the country’s average connection speed (IPv4) for mobile internet has now ranked first in the Asia Pacific region, registering an average speed of 13.9 Mbps up from 8.5 Mbps in the second quarter. On the table presented in the study, the Philippines’ average mobile speed 1...

Jan82017 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Proudly Made In Iligan: Deliciosa Ice Cream

Business, Consumer, Food, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Reviews

I love patronizing homegrown products. I think they ought to be patronized especially since these are only produced on a limited scale (attention to quality - check!). In Iligan City, an old name has pretty much resurfaced and is now making waves again. Deliciosa Ice Cream, founded in 2009, was put on hold for a bit. As fate would have it, however, the owner met a marketing expert years after. Both of them then decided to give the business its much-needed “shot in the arm.” Fast forward 2016, Deliciosa Ice Cream is back, better than ever and they now even have an ice cream center! The store, which was officially launched back in April 15, is located at the main entrance of Floraville Subdivision, along the road going to Upper Luinab, particularly at Purok 3-A. Currently, Delic...

Jan82017 by Mindanaoan Irene7 Comments

Where to stay in Camiguin Island: HillTop Camiguin

Camiguin, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel

I have said it time and again. Camiguin Island remains to be one of my super favorite destinations in the Philippines. Camiguin is like a refuge - where I can enjoy peace, quiet, sun, sand, sea, surf. And recently, whenever I'm in the Island Born of Fire, I stay at HillTop Camiguin! HillTop Camiguin is a mansion nestled on a hill in Barangay Agoho overlooking the world-famous White Island. It now offers a few rooms for people to stay in and have a different kind of Camiguin experience – away from the usual hotel/resort vibe. The prices are very affordable – prices start at Php 1,750 only (already good for two and inclusive of breakfast). (Related: Book your HillTop Camiguin room now) Each room, which is good for two, comes with a king sized bed, jaw droppingly spacious (trust me ...

Jan72017 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo, Japan

Entertainment, Features, Japan, Leisure, Shopping, Style, Tokyo, Tourism, Travel

It’s the most frantic pedestrian crossing in the entire world. Movies like “The Fast and the Furious” and “Lost in Translation” have featured this very busy, famous intersection. The Shibuya Crossing, also referred to as “The Scramble,” is located in Shibuya, one of Tokyo, Japan’s special wards. The Shibuya Crossing is where pedestrians cross from virtually every direction all at the same time. It’s a crazy scene at this busy junction, I tell you! As soon as the traffic lights turn red, hundreds upon hundreds of people cross. Mind you, however, while everything looks busy and disorderly, you won’t see chaos. In fact, what you’ll see is “well organized, well choreographed chaos,” if you know what I mean. If you’re wondering why so many people cross this junction, it’s because it’s in ...

Jan72017 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Take a helicopter ride and see Dahilayan Bukidnon from the sky

Bukidnon, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel

Barangay Dahilayan, one of the 22 barangays of the Municipality of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, has truly evolved into Mindanao's favorite playground. From being the home of Asia's longest dual cable zipline to being the place where you can experience the 8-storey platform base jump to now offering helicopter rides! Dahilayan Forest Park, the property beside Dahilayan Adventure Park (where the popular Zipzone is), now offers helicopter rides. According to the Dahilayan Forest Park management, they forged a tie-up with Lion Air for the chopper rides. They're hoping the helicopter service will stay all year round. Currently, the Dahilayan helicopter ride rate is Php 1,200 per person. Aside from the helicopter ride, Dahilayan Forest Park also offers other amenities and servic...

Dec302016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

When In CDO: Check out The Oak Room whisky bar

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Entertainment, Events, Features, Food, Leisure, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Restaurant, Reviews, Society

I first wrote about The Oak Room CDO a few weeks back. That post got shared by hundreds of people - proof that the idea of a whisky bar that also has an amazing selection of vodka, tequila, brandy, cognac, scotch, champagne and many more in the middle of bustling Cagayan de Oro is what people have been waiting for. Together with my blogger friends Mike of CDO Places and Vic of Wow CDO (who also happen to be my co-founders of business group Hatch Mastermind), I attended the grand opening of The Oak Room CDO. Located within the compound of The Nest along Corrales Avenue, The Oak Room Cagayan de Oro is a cozy, comfortable gentleman's lounge that has an unparalleled whisky collection. From Ballantine to Famous Grouse to Jameson to Maker's Mark to the likes of Johnnie Walker, Chiva...

Dec292016 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Five Qualities Most Travelers Look for in a Hotel

Mindanaoan Update

Today, most travelers book their hotel rooms weeks or even months before they leave home. The Internet makes it possible to conduct thorough research on practically any hotel in the country. Consider five qualities that most travelers look for before booking a hotel room. A Helpful Staff Whether they stay for two weeks or a single weekend, most travelers appreciate a helpful, courteous hotel staff. Helpful staff members are ready to assist with room issues as well as answer questions about local restaurants or shops. In short, hotel guests like to know they can rely on a knowledgeable, polite staff. A Well-Equipped Kitchen Not all travelers like to dine out when they stay in a hotel. This is why a well-equipped kitchen is so high on the list of qualities travelers look for in a...

Dec162016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

GOOD NEWS: NTC breaches 2016 collection target by P 34.5 M

Announcements, Broadcasting, Consumer, Government, Media, Society, Technology

With barely 3 weeks left in 2016 to collect Administrative Fees, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), an agency under the Department of Information and Communications Technology responsible for the supervision, adjudication and control over all telecommunications services throughout the country, has already breached its P 4.835 Billion target for the year. Reports say that the NTC's collections have amounted to P 4.870B to-date. The P 4.835B target was set by the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) composed of the Department of Budget Management (DBM), the Department of Finance (DOF) and the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA). The achievement came from the NTC’s concerted efforts to strictly enforce stakeholders’ compliance in remitting administr...

Dec132016 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Globe Telecom, Hineleban Foundation lead “Rainforestation” and livelihood program for IPs in Bukidnon, Lanao del Sur

Advocacy, ARMM, BIMP-EAGA, Bukidnon, Business, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Misamis Oriental, Muslim Mindanao, News, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Videos

A "rainforestation" program for the 6 mountain ranges in Mindanao as well as livelihood opportunities for indigenous people in Bukidnon and Lanao del Sur are underway. Leading telecommunications company Globe Telecom is set to donate roughly Php 1.4 Million to Hineleban Foundation. Globe, represented by its SVP for Corporate Communications Yoly Crisanto, inked an agreement with the foundation together with its thousands of Globe MyLifestyle iPhone 7 customers for a 5-year "rainforestation program," composed of 3 key components, namely: reforestation, sustainable livelihood development and food security. Through Globe’s MyLifestyle Plan which starts at P2,599, clients have the option to contribute in the reforestation of denuded forests, particularly in Bukidnon and Lanao del Sur provinc...

Dec62016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

New in CDO: 6-minute lights and sounds show at Centrio Mall @MyJaps

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Society, Tourism

It was truly a magical night of lights last December 1, 2016 as the Centrio Mall management unveiled the lights and sounds show at the Garden area. It was a 6-minute show reminiscent of what you can also see at the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City. Kapuso star Julie Ann San Jose regaled the crowd with a few songs before she joined Centrio Mall general manager Natalie Mae Crisostomo and CDO City Tourism Consultant Dorothy Pabayo at the ceremonial switch-on. By the way, major thanks to all of the MyJaps fans who retweeted, reshared and reposted the content I produced that night. A lot of them patiently watched my snaps, IG stories and my Facebook live video! You guys are awesome and Julie Ann is very lucky to have fans like you :) Here's the Facebook Live vi...

Dec62016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

That awesome Limketkai Luxe Hotel weekend themed buffet

Cagayan de Oro City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Restaurant, Reviews

A few days ago, I got to try the new and improved weekend themed buffet over at Kave Restaurant, Limketkai Luxe Hotel, Cagayan de Oro's luxury hotel. It was a superb lunch. How good? Let's just say that Santa Claus had major belly competition that day LOL. I also had a realization of sorts at the time (yep, satisfying lunches cause this sometimes!). That in order for you to fully enjoy the Limketkai Luxe Hotel CDO buffet more, you have to be with family, friends, colleagues and loved ones. Just like what happened when I went. I was with great friends whom I shared lively conversations with! BOOK A ROOM AT LIMKETKAI LUXE HOTEL CDO Anyway, the theme that Saturday I went was "Oriental Style." Here's the Limketkai Hotel CDO buffet schedule: Every Friday (6PM to 10PM) - the theme is ...

Dec22016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Here’s a Bigby’s buffet offer you should not miss on December 8! (offer is good in all branches nationwide!)

Announcements, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Cebu City, Davao City, Food, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Update

These days, given stiffer and more aggressive competition, it's really pretty cool if you see a business withstand the test of time. One of the brands that has really proven that they're worth their salt is Bigby's. My family and I have long been fans of this brand. In fact, I raved about their pork steak, boomerang shrimps and caramel cheesecake back in 2008! (OMG :D) Now on their 18th year, Bigby's has truly captured the hearts of many diners in both Visayas and Mindanao. To celebrate this awesome milestone, Bigby's will be holding what they're calling the "Super 18th Anniversary Buffet" on December 8, 2016. And, yes, the anniversary buffet will be available in ALL OF THEIR BRANCHES: Ayala Centrio Mall and SM City (Cagayan de Oro), Ayala Center Mall Cebu, SM City Cebu, Abreeza Mall...

Dec22016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Aruga Aesthetic Center CDO launches holiday campaigns

Beauty, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Society, Style

Aruga Aesthetic Center, known for their luxurious yet affordable beauty and wellness services in Cagayan de Oro City, recently launched their holiday beauty campaigns. Dubbed "Party Ready Beauty," the first campaign focuses on helping us with our busy social calendars come the holiday season. This campaign offers us a way to make it to each social engagement feeling confident, and with eyelashes and eyebrows on fleek. Aruga will have promos on eyelash extensions and iBrow services. The second campaign, “Light and White Christmas,” offers a "white" Christmas. Valued clients will get a chance to unleash their inner glow - with promotions for their glutathione, Beauty Fusion, and other skin brightening services. The third holiday beauty campaign is the Aruga Christmas tre...