Blog - Page 25 of 92 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Apr262016 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

New Iligan City tourist spot: Paseo de Santiago

Features, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Leisure, Muslim Mindanao, Northern Mindanao, Society, Tourism, Travel

Iligan City has a new popular attraction - Paseo de Santiago. Located near Talipapa (Santiago Market), Paseo de Santiago is a privately owned area that has been turned into a seaside complex with open seating, several food stalls, a mini stage for nightly events, a wide view of the Iligan Bay, lots of benches where you can watch the sunset and two huge "Iligan City" and "Philippines" signs. Yup, Paseo de Santiago is where you can take cool selfies, groufies, wefies (what other terms are there, millenials? :D)! Entrance fee to Paseo de Santiago is Php 20 per person. There are corkage fees, by the way. Please take note. There are vintage Japanese-style bicycles for rent, just in case you're keen. And, as you can see, there's spacious parking space. It was almost dusk when my fri...

Apr262016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Try This When In Iligan: Delicious Roti de Iligan

Culture, Food, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Mindanaoan Update, Muslim Mindanao

After spending a few hours at Timoga Spring Pool, my friends and I then proceeded to the city proper. We were a bit hungry but weren't in the mood to eat neither at a fastfood outlet nor at a fancy restaurant. We just needed a quick bite. So Vic of WowCDO led us to a small, unassuming little cart along Lluch Street (behind St. Michael’s College) that sold roti for only Php 25. It was amazing to see several people patiently queuing. There was good reason, though – the delicious roti de Iligan was served piping hot, had a generous filling and was very affordable. It wasn't the Indian roti I was used to. Instead, roti de Iligan was a sort of amalgamation of Indian and Muslim influences. Made of flour, vegetables, mayonnaise, cheese and other ingredients, roti de Iligan is simple...

Apr262016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Iligan City Day Trip idea: Timoga Spring Pools

Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Resorts, Tourism, Travel

Iligan City, also known as The City of Majestic Waterfalls (23 all in all!), has truly evolved into a more highly urbanized area here in Mindanao. Located in the province of Lanao del Norte, what used to be an industrial city now has a merry mix of commercial, business and tourism offers. Iligan City now has more restaurants, shopping centers and hotels. Don't worry, though. The city still retains a certain charm that even well-traveled souls could appreciate. A couple of my friends and I went to Iligan recently for a quick day trip. The main purpose was for business but we all quickly agreed to add a little “laag” time. And, of course, our first stop was one of the pools at Timoga-Buru-un area. There are a couple of spring pool resorts at Sitio Timoga. The pools there all source the...

Apr252016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Attending a makeup workshop sponsored by Seda Rewards

Beauty, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Corporate, Features, Freebies, Gifts, Hotels

Seda Hotel CDO, the Ayala Corp. hotel housed under the same roof as Centrio Mall, recently treated ladies like myself to a makeup workshop! It was their way to encourage everyone to sign up for the Seda Rewards Club program, where clients can earn points that can be used to redeem wonderful gifts and treats and where members can gain access to exclusive events. Our speaker during the makeup workshop was my fellow Mindanao Gold Star Daily columnist, professional makeup artist Paola Paladio. She gave us tips on skin care, how to determine our face shape, which makeup tools to use and buy, how to contour (!!!), how to store our makeup goodies and - the best tip of all - how to make sure our eyebrows are always on fleek! ;) It was truly a relaxing day. Plus I met new friends! Thank you v...

Apr212016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

How To Find Cheap Airfare – Tried And Tested Methods

Headline, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Technology, Tourism, Travel

We all know that the key to a real, budget-friendly trip is cheap airfare. Once you snag a good deal on airfare, you will then have a fairly good idea of how much the rest of your budget will be. After all, it’s pretty easy to scour for budget accommodation, reasonably priced food and public transportation. Airfare is the pretty tricky aspect to consider when planning a trip. Let me share with you some of my personal tips on how to find cheap airfare. I practise these very effective methods (and this is why I have lots of domestic and international trips). Do read and please let me know if you find these tips useful as well. Purchase tickets as early as possible. Promo fares are usually offered more than 6 months (even a year prior) before the allowed travel period. You can book ...

Apr212016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Running For Office? How Social Media Can Help You Win

Announcements, Blogging, Commentary, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News, Politics, Society, Technology

The official campaign season for the May 9, 2016 presidential polls has finally begun! Soon, the local campaigns will also begin. Are you one of the candidates this 2016 elections? Whether you’re a veteran or a newbie candidate and whether you’re gunning for a national or local seat, you need to adapt to the ever-changing landscape. This includes learning and implementing popular yet often misused and under-utilized social media strategies. For this week’s column, please allow me to deviate from my usual travel-related topics and let me share some tips on how you can use social media to help you win a government seat. These are just some of the things I learned all throughout the years as a publicist, social media strategist and US government leadership program alumnae (where my trips a...

Apr172016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

LaBoracay 2016: Zoukout Boracay

Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Society, Tourism

ZoukOut, Asia's definitive annual music festival, is finally heading to the white sands of Boracay Island for the most-awaited LaBoracay 2016 event series. After 15 years in the business, ZoukOut is finally crossing borders and, together with Globe Telecom, will amplify the LaBoracay experience on April 30 and May 1 at Epic and Uptown Beachfront. Adding to the excitement of the music fest, Globe rolled out a poll that allowed Filipinos to pick which home grown talents they want to represent the country at ZoukOut. The race between 4 big names in the Philippine electronic dance music industry was a very close one but in the end, Deuce and Carlo Atendido won. Both officially bagged the opportunity to showcase their talent on the first ever Philippine ZoukOut stage. These Filipino t...

Apr82016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Alopecia awareness advocate Abby Asistio meets Mark Zuckerberg

Advocacy, Announcements

Filipina Alopecia awareness advocate Abby Asistio flew to San Francisco and had the wonderful opportunity of being chosen as one of the eighteen invited by Facebook on their 12th Anniversary Friends Day celebration and, as a result, got the chance to meet THE Mark Zuckerberg! Abby Asistio met Facebook Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg along with fellow California-based Alopecia awareness advocate, Rachel Regal. Abby recounted that it was such a surreal feeling to be in the same room as Mark Zuckerberg. According to Abby, Mark, who wore his trademark look (jeans, sneakers, shirt and a big smile on his face), had such a friendly, approachable aura and demeanor about him. Not at all intimidating, she said. During the event, he shared stories about how the company started, its missi...

Mar312016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Duterte son endorses Chiz Escudero for Vice President

Announcements, Bisaya, Controversial, Davao City, Davao del Sur, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, Politics

Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte has officially endorsed the candidacy for vice president of Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero. Duterte and Escudero met with several other councilors in Davao City last March 31, 2016. This, according to a news report released by Davao Breaking News. Vice Mayor Duterte is the son of presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte. The Dutertes lead the local political party Hugpong Sa Tawong Lungsod. During the meeting, Duterte was quoted as saying, "Sinusuportahan ko ang kandidatura ni Vice President Chiz Escudero dahil sa lahat ng mga kumakandidato sa pagka bise presidente, siya lang po ang nakita kong tumulong at tutulong sa Davao City." “I choose Sen. Chiz Escudero as my VP given that he has significantly helped the City through his infrastructure proj...

Mar292016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

How to consult a Filipino doctor on the phone for only 1 peso

Advocacy, Consumer, Corporate, Fitness, Health, Society, Technology

We've all been there. A medical emergency and we get rattled, don't know what to do and don't know who to call first. Do we go to the clinic? But what if it's in the wee hours in the morning and you don't have your doctor's home phone number? What about if we can't go to the clinic right away and you need to consult a licensed Filipino doctor right there and then? Plus what about the costs? HELLO, first paragraph pa lang, taranta na, di ba? :D Fret no more! KonsultaMD has made it possible for us to call and consult a licensed Filipino doctor round-the-clock, on the phone, for only 1 peso! Did that get your attention? Curious? Read on. We all know that self-medication is a common practice in the Philippines where a large percentage of the population relies on folk medicines, tradit...

Mar292016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

What to order at Pete’s Patriots Gastro Pub CDO

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

My family and I have a new favorite restaurant in Cagayan de Oro. It's where we share and enjoy the BEST crispy pata in CDO and other bang-for-the-buck meals - Pete's Patriots Filipino Gastropub. Located along Rosario Strip within the Limketkai Center area, Pete's Patriots CDO is a newly launched Filipino Gastropub restaurant - the first of its kind in the Philippines. Pete's Patriots aims to provide Kagay-anons the Manila lifestyle bar and dining experience by providing mouthwatering food, quality service and edgy ambiance. Incidentally, Pete's Patriots is owned and operated by the Red Crab Group of Restaurants - with restaurants such as Seafood Island, Red Crab and other Manila based concepts such as Murray's New Orleans, Clawdaddy, Teddy's Burgers, Johnny Kahuku Hawaiian Shrim...

Mar192016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

My faves at #BigBiteAtCentrioAyalaMall Northern Mindanao food festival

Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Food, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao, Photos, Reviews

March 11 to 13, 2016 sure was a lovely weekend! Big Bite 2016: The Northern Mindanao Food Festival at Centrio Ayala Mall truly showcased not only the flavors of summer but the undeniably skillful cooking talents of Kagay-anons. I had the chance to witness this Mindanao food festival as one of the judges for the Lifestyle Writers' Choice award for this year's Best Dish, much thanks to the Centrio Mall management and Professional Organizers. I tried about 10 dishes for the mall merchants category and about 15 (IKR :D) for outside food exhibitors. Needless to say, I was a very happy camper that weekend ;) Let me share with you some of the photos I took during Big Bite 2016 - The Northern Mindanao Food Festival. These colorful umbrellas were installed at the garden area. As expected, ...

Mar102016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Bukidnon Staycation at Pinegrove Mountain Lodge

Bukidnon, Features, Food, Hotels, Leisure, Northern Mindanao, Resorts, Reviews, Society

When we think of Dahilayan Adventure Park in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, we most likely equate it to Zipzone a.k.a. Asia’s longest dual cable zipline, Dropzone, my favorite Python 3D zipline and the thrilling 8-storey Sky Tower Base Jump. However, the place known as “Mindanao’s playground” also offers something pretty special - a chance to stay at 4,500 feet above sea level, in a log house-inspired manor situated among pine trees and amid chilly, sweater weather. Pinegrove Mountain Lodge, located just a few steps away from the main entrance of Dahilayan Adventure Park, offers value-for-money accommodation, good amenities and delicious food. My family and I recently had a staycation at Pinegrove - and it was a staycation we all loved. We availed of the Family Room. Priced at Php...

Mar102016 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

H&M #CDO – What it will be like to be a part of the team

Announcements, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Corporate, Fashion, Features, Gifts, Jobs, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Shopping, Society, Style

The secret's out. H&M Philippines, which first opened in Västerås in Sweden in 1947 and has become a global fashion company since, is set to open a store in Cagayan de Oro. H&M CDO is definitely one of the most-awaited brands to hit the City of Golden Friendship. Follow the Mindanaoan Facebook Page for H&M CDO updates With 3,900 stores spread across 61 countries, H&M found its first home in the Philippines in the capital city where it opened its doors in October 2014, forever changing the fashion landscape of the country. Now H&M has 13 stores in our beloved archipelago, two of which very recently opened in Cebu City. And very soon - in Cagayan de Oro City! As the retail titan that it is, H&M has around 132,000 dedicated employees who, like many creatives, ...

Mar92016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Big Bite 2016 to showcase Northern Mindanaoan food

Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Food, Mindanao, Recipes, Society

Find out the delicious "Flavors of Summer" and experience Northern Mindanao food at Centrio Mall from March 11 to 13, 2016! Experience Big Bite 2016: The Northern Mindanao Food Festival. Aside from the chance for you to sample and purchase delicious food (you can eat at the Garden Area of Centrio!), you also get the chance to see the beautiful duo of Solenn Heussaff and Iya Villania of the Kapuso show, "Taste Buddies." And guess what? I will be one of the judges for the Lifestyle Writer's Choice Award for this year's Best Dish! There will be two categories - one for mall merchants and another one for outside food exhibitors. I can't wait to sample and judge the food entries! :) Here are the highlights of this year's food festival: March 11, 2016 - Giant Ham Sandwich Ceremony an...

Mar32016 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Something unique at Run United #CDO Freedom Run 2016

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao, Sports

Exceed yourself! This is the challenge given to all interested participants of the much-awaited Run United CDO 2016 Freedom Run. Jointly organized by Circle Productions and ActiveHealth, Run United Freedom Run CDO aims to be THE running event of the year. It will be grand, hip and will even feature one very unique and exciting aspect come race day - which I will tell you more about below. I was invited to the media briefing yesterday of Run United CDO 2016 and I must say, the excitement in the room over this running event was almost palpable. Cagayan de Oro's top race organizer Circle Productions has teamed up with ActiveHealth, which is affiliated with Unilab (makers of Enervon HP, CarbGel, Enervon Activ and a whole lot of other health and wellness products). (L-R) Jeffrey An...

Feb262016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

AirAsia, Davao tourism partner for Visit Davao Fun Sale 2016

Announcements, Business, Consumer, Davao City, Events, Flights, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism

AirAsia, the World’s Best Low Cost Carrier for seven consecutive years, has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Davao Tourism that aims to establish Davao as a premiere tourist destination in the Philippines with abundant resources for eco-tourism and available facilities for sports and outdoor competitions. As airline partner, AirAsia is offering low fares for its Manila-Davao flights to encourage more and more tourists to visit and enjoy Davao’s latest attractions. Among the major activities that will happen this year include Visit Davao Fun Sale, Let’s Meet in Davao: MICE Davao program and the 9th Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge. * Philippines AirAsia Commercial Head, Gerard Peñaflor; Visit Davao Fun Sales (VDFS) Vice Chair Fides Bernabe; and Department of Tourism (D...

Feb262016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

A call to probe the burning of a Lumad camp in Davao City

Advocacy, Blogging, Controversial, Crime, Culture, Davao City, Headline, Musings, Society

My heart is breaking. Despite the increasing awareness of the attacks against the Lumad (indigenous peoples) communities in Mindanao, there are STILL cases of harassment, threats, killings and, just recently, the burning of an evacuation center in Davao City that hosted hundreds of displaced Lumads. KANUS-A MAN GYUD NI TAWON MOUNDANG?!?! Initial reports showed that five lumads, including two children, were hurt during the fire that broke out in Haran Center, which shelters Manobos from Davao del Norte and Bukidnon who sought safe refuge in the church-run dormitory. Who in his right mind won't be angry? Our Lumad brothers and sisters need to be protected, not driven away from their homes! I agree with Sen. Chiz Escudero, who has also called for a probe. “Those who have less ...

Feb222016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Join the HATCH Mastermind Group CDO

Advocacy, Announcements, Arts, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Corporate, Features, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Society, Technology

A mastermind group, where participants can freely brainstorm strategies, create goals and implement ideas as well as support each other, has been launched in Cagayan de Oro City. Dubbed “HATCH Mastermind Group CDO,” the free-for-all group also aims to provide a platform whereby participants can share the challenges they currently face and can seek assistance from the collective intelligence of other participants. Active Twitter users Mike of @mikeabonitalla, Vic of @vicmadz and Irene of @mindanaoan, who can also share strategies based on their respective fields of expertise, serve as the lead volunteer organizers of HATCH Mastermind Group CDO. “Cagayan de Oro is a thriving city. There are lots of investments coming in and there are lots of new and possible marketing strategies. With...

Feb212016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Covering the 1st presidential debate in Cagayan de Oro #CDO

Advocacy, Blogging, Headline, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Society, Technology

It's game time. Today, February 21, 2016, all of the presidential candidates for the May 9, 2016 Philippine elections will all converge in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines for the first round of "PiliPinas Debates 2016." And Mindanaoan will be there to observe, comment and cover. I will be one of the only 300 allowed to be inside the debate hall. I will also be among the 25 media observers. I am hoping to harness the power of social media today. May I invite you all to follow me: Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/mindanaoan Facebook - http://www.twitter.com/mindanaoanblogger Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mindanaoan Snapchat - Username is mindanaoan Please follow Bukidnon Blogger @malaybalayan as well. We will both be there. The debate will start at 5 PM and will last for...

Feb182016 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Where to stay in Cebu: Bayfront Hotel Cebu

Cebu City, Hotels, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel

Since Cebu is just a hop and skip away, it’s a favorite business and holiday destination for many of us Mindanaoans. Chances are, we have relatives or good friends in Cebu or we source products there or we use Cebu as our jump-off point to other interesting places like Boracay or Palawan. Personally, I visit the Queen City of the South at least two times a year and my recent international flights leave from the Mactan Cebu International Airport. Take my most recent trip to Japan, for instance. I wanted to stay for a few days in Cebu before my flight to Narita (which is an hour away from Tokyo) and just rest. I wanted a hotel that was in the middle of all the hustle and bustle but not too far away from the airport. I also wanted a hotel that offered good facilities, amenities and food bu...

Feb162016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Paloma-look alike Janice Adams tries CDO rafting

Bukidnon, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Features, Society, Tourism, Travel

Fifteen year old Janice Adams, a.k.a. the twin of Coco Martin's character in "Ang Probinsyano," Paloma Picache, recently tried white water rafting in Cagayan de Oro. And she experienced the thrilling CDO rafting adventure with the most reliable outfitter in the city - Great White Water Tours. Best known as the only CDO water rafting outfitter that guarantees TWO river guides per raft (safety is their utmost priority) and the only one that offers the cheapest raft + ziplines (at Dahilayan Adventure Park) packages, Great White Water Tours is the top choice of personalities, celebrities and foreign tourists from all over the world. Visit the Great White Water Tours Facebook page for more photos and information Here's a little trivia: the river where the rafting trips are done is actu...