Tuesday, March 25Multi-awarded Filipina blogger, ocial media specialist, publicist and content creator
Shadow

Advocacy

Cat Cafe Calico in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan

Cat Cafe Calico in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan

Advocacy, Entertainment, Japan, Leisure, Tokyo, Travel
During our trip to Japan, we just had to visit a cat cafe. To visit at least one cat cafe was definitely a part of our Japan itinerary. We chose Calico Cat Cafe, one of the most popular cat cafes (I read somewhere it's the oldest, too) in Tokyo, Japan. You see, my entire family loves animals. We have a family dog, whom we absolutely adore, but if one of my brothers had his way, he'd also want our family to have pet cats. I like cats as well but not as much as he does! Before anything else, by the way, allow me to share a few things about cat cafes. A cat cafe is where you can enjoy drinks like coffee, tea, juices and shakes and get to interact with various breeds of cats. Cat cafes have become pretty popular since lots of apartments don't allow pets. Anyway, to make my brother hap...
US Embassy Manila YSEALI Anniversary in Bukidnon #YOUnified

US Embassy Manila YSEALI Anniversary in Bukidnon #YOUnified

Advocacy, America, Bukidnon, Events, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Society, United States of America
If you remember, I wrote about me planning to join the Young South East Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) 2nd anniversary celebration in Bukidnon a few days ago. I mentioned that as a very proud alumnus of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), a US State Department-sponsored professional exchange program for global emerging leaders, I am always more than happy to support events especially those that help shape young leaders. * My super comfortable wide leg pants are from ZIYA (they have several stores across the Philippines - check more details about ZIYA here) Well, that event, which was held last December 12, 2015, was a huge success! I joined some members of the US Government alumni - Bukidnon Chapter, Bukidnon State University student council leaders and severa...
Joining the US Embassy Manila YOUnified celebration

Joining the US Embassy Manila YOUnified celebration

Advocacy, America, Announcements, Bukidnon, Events, Misamis Oriental, United States of America
I'm a proud alumnus of the International Visitor Leadership Program, a U.S. State Department-sponsored program for global emerging leaders. The IVLP is the Department of State's premiere professional exchange program and - I have said this before and will not hesitate to say it again and again - that experience of being sent to America changed my life and inspired me in so many ways. This is why whenever I have the opportunity to inspire others especially the youth and help them become leaders, I really find time. This weekend, I will be a part of the YOUnified Bukidnon celebration! YOUnified is the 2nd anniversary of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI). Bukidnon will be one of the 20 communities across the Philippines that will simultaneously celebrate YSEALI's ann...
5 Ways To Avoid Being A Victim Of “Laglag Bala” “Tanim Bala” Scam

5 Ways To Avoid Being A Victim Of “Laglag Bala” “Tanim Bala” Scam

Advocacy, Controversial, Crime, Flights, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Tourism, Travel
The horror that is the “tanim bala” (bullet planting) or “laglag bala” scam. If you're a frequent traveler like I am, I'm sure you are either worried or angry - or even both! This airport scam in the Philippines surely is a controversial one. "Laglag bala" or "tanim bala" is where innocent travelers fall prey to members of alleged syndicates who “drop” live ammunition in luggage and as a result, either miss their flights or get extorted for huge amounts of money. Take the case of the 60 year old engineer who flew from Manila to Davao. He was found in possession of two bullets at the Davao International Airport. Like most of the victims, he said he did not know how the bullets got into his bags but he was charged for illegal possession of ammunition nonetheless. He was only released when...
LAPIS Para Sa Lumad

LAPIS Para Sa Lumad

Advocacy, Arts, BIMP-EAGA, Culture, Education, Entertainment, Manila, Mindanaoan Artists, Music
I am always in awe of Filipino musicians who continue to write meaningful, socially relevant songs. Songs that some may consider "unpopular" but are the very ones that we all need to hear. Songs about human rights, just wages, land reform, proper governance, freedom of speech. Songs that remind us of our responsibilities as citizens. Songs that beseech justice and even anger. I was able to watch some of these talented Filipino musicians - all part of the League of Authors of Public Interest Songs (LAPIS) - as they performed in a show for the benefit of the Lumads (indigenous peoples) in Mindanao. The show, dubbed "LAPIS para sa Lumad," also called for awareness and participation in the fight against the attacks on Lumads and their ancestral domains. Among the performers that night we...
Cool, affordable Higalaay Festival shirts from Islands Souvenirs

Cool, affordable Higalaay Festival shirts from Islands Souvenirs

Advocacy, Bisaya, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Corporate, Events, Fashion, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Freebies, Gifts, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Society, Style
Looking for Higalaay Festival Kagay-an Festival shirts? Islands Souvenirs CDO has them! Plus they're offering irresistible discounts for all of you! Islands Souvenirs joins in on the Cagayan de Oro fiesta / Higalaay Festival 2015 festivities with a lot of exciting in-store promos and activities. Shoppers can look forward to a whole line of limited edition Higalaay Festival 2015 shirts with all-new designs and colors for that ultimate festival #selfie and #ootd. Grab these exclusive tees today and feel the festival vibe with your friends and family. Prices of these shirts start at only Php 199.75! As a special treat, GET A WHOPPING 50% discount on all regular coloured shirts and 20% off on all special effects and regular black & white shirts! Islands Souvenirs is als...
#Come2CDO social media campaign launched

#Come2CDO social media campaign launched

Advocacy, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Society, Technology, Tourism
The Cagayan de Oro Bloggers launched the #Come2CDO social media campaign today, July 18, 2015, in an effort to help promote the city online. The #Come2CDO online campaign, a yearly social media initiative of the CDO Bloggers, Inc. that began in 2013, aims to promote the city's best in terms of adventure destinations, food selections, hotels and other accommodations, tourist spots and ultimately, the warmth of a Kagayanon's friendship. By sharing photos, stories and other posts on social media and by adding the hashtags #Come2CDO and #CDO, the public can help populate the Internet with helpful entries about Cagayan de Oro. These entries can aid would-be and existing visitors as well as investors of this dynamic city. You can monitor the results of this social media campaign on ...
Thoughts on that peace process forum invitation

Thoughts on that peace process forum invitation

Advocacy, ARMM, Basilan, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Commentary, Controversial, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Muslim Mindanao, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Society
Sometimes it fascinates me how certain people especially those who advocate sensitive causes seem to downplay bloggers. These people tend to think that "just because" you write about food, fashion and lifestyle, you don't "contribute" to relevant, important conversations. I think they have this misconception that "just because" bloggers like us hardly write about politics and news and current affairs, we don't at least try to do our part in nation building. Take the case of an invitation sent to me and my fellow bloggers here in Northern Mindanao. This was for a supposed "peace forum" from 8:30 am to 12 noon. "Looking for young lifestyle bloggers, bloggers in general, opinion shapers and writers who want to deploy your skills and influence for the peace process in Mindanao. This is an ...

Mindanaoan shines at ADB project management training in Malaysia

Advocacy, BIMP-EAGA, Business, Mindanaoan Update
A Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) development management officer was recently cited for excellent performance in the “Regional Training on Project Management” for BIMP-EAGA and IMT-GT held recently at the Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang, Malaysia. Gemma Dagaas received special recognition for ‘Best Project Proposal’ along with her five team members who presented during the training conducted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under its Advancing Regional Cooperation and Integration through the BIMP-EAGA and IMT-GT. BIMP-EAGA stands for Brunei Darussalam Indonesia Malaysia the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area, while IMT-GT stands for Indonesia Malaysia Thailand Growth Area. The two sub-regional groupings were formed with the goals of promoting trade, investment, and ...
Surviving my first ever fun run – Freedom Run 2015 CDO

Surviving my first ever fun run – Freedom Run 2015 CDO

Advocacy, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Features, Fitness, Health, Misamis Oriental, Musings, Northern Mindanao, Personal, Society, Sports
It's probably not just mere coincidence that my first ever fun run in my entire life was dubbed "Freedom Run 2015." In a way, me joining Freedom Run CDO 2015 does depict freedom --- freedom or breaking free from taking my health for granted, from thinking that crash and fancy diets work and even from a silly plan to just save up and undergo lipo procedures in the future. This may even sound curious but after years of promoting running events on a few of my blogs, it was only this time that I've finally, FINALLY resolved to join one. Of course, my recent interest in doing weights, going to the gym and doing CrossFit has something to do with this, too. So, yes, Freedom Run 2015 CDO really did, in many ways than one, mean freedom for me and my "new lease in life." Through the gen...
How to donate for Philippine Eagle conservation through your cellphone

How to donate for Philippine Eagle conservation through your cellphone

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Events, Features, Headline
Here's a really worrisome fact: only 400 pairs of the Philippine Eagle are left in the wild. Read that again and I know you will feel chills down your spine...as I did. Because of hunting/poaching and deforestation, the Philippine eagle is declared critically endangered and nearly at the brink of extinction...unless we all do our share to help save our national bird. Yesterday, June 12, 2015, I noticed an event online and got really touched and inspired by it. It was the "#FlyFreePamana" campaign led by the Philippine Eagle Foundation and Globe Business. Pamana is the name of a 5-year old female rescued eagle from Midsaling Creek, Iligan City. When she was found, she was a very weak 8-month old eagle that suffered two gunshot wounds - one on its left breast and another on its left wing....
Personalized Lockets by CharmiFy CDO

Personalized Lockets by CharmiFy CDO

Advocacy, Beauty, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Fashion, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Shopping, Style
How does this sound? Create your own special, personalized locket with charms that depict your lifestyle, interests and passions, your preferred design and your preferred chain. And all of that at a very affordable price. Sounds good? This is exactly what you get over at Lockets By CharmiFy, a homebased business in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines. Lockets By CharmiFy sells cute, very affordable, customizable lockets. Wearing one is like being able to keep memories and things that you truly love close to your heart...everywhere you go! You can choose which charms to place inside. Aren't these precious? Price for each charm starts at Php 35.00! Some of the lockets. You can wear them as bracelets or necklaces. Your choice! I actually have my ow...
Google My Business CDO event a success

Google My Business CDO event a success

Advocacy, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Events, Government, Make Money Online, Misamis Oriental, News, Northern Mindanao, Technology, United States of America
One of the things that I really like doing is helping and supporting small and medium businesses especially local ones. This is the reason why I readily accepted the role of Google Business Group - Women lead coordinator. Being the GBG Women CDO lead allows me to share various strategies and tips especially on how to effectively use the Internet to promote businesses online. GBG Women is under the umbrella of GBG CDO, a community of business professionals helping people explore, learn, share, and discover how Google products can help the local business communities benefit from technology. GBG CDO is a local chapter under Google Business Group - Philippines. One of the recent activities the GBG CDO folks and I got involved in was the Google My Business CDO orientation and sign-up day ...
Finally jumped off the 8-storey Dahilayan Skyjump tower

Finally jumped off the 8-storey Dahilayan Skyjump tower

Advocacy, Bukidnon, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Entertainment, Features, Headline, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Personal, Reviews, Society, Sports, Tourism, Travel, Videos
I finally did it! I jumped off the 8-storey Dahilayan Skyjump Base Jump Tower, the Philippines' tallest parajump platform. I did this just a few days before my birthday this month of April and it was one of the most exhilarating things I ever did! I previously wrote about the Dahilayan Skytower Base Jump and that post has been shared over 10,000 times on Facebook alone. You might want to read that :) The Dahilayan Skyjump is the latest attraction at Dahilayan Adventure Park, located at Barangay Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. The park is about an hour away from Cagayan de Oro city proper. When you arrive at the park, look for the ticket station on your right. If you only want to do the Skyjump, price is Php 400. If you'll buy passes to other rides, the Skyjump fee will only t...
Re-elected as CDO Bloggers VP for External Affairs

Re-elected as CDO Bloggers VP for External Affairs

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Features, Internet, Make Money Online, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal
Note: This was published on Mindanao Gold Star Daily newspaper last March 6, 2015 I have just been re-elected as the Vice President for External Affairs of the CDO Bloggers, Inc., a non-profit, SEC-registered group composed of bloggers, online workers and social media practitioners that does not only promote the city and other parts of Northern Mindanao but also the responsible use of the Internet. I’m pretty excited with our group’s upcoming projects including a school tour where we aim to teach kids Internet etiquette, social media activism and online volunteerism as well as blog workshops where attendees can learn how to create their own blogs, draw maximum traffic for their websites and even earn online. And with the elections coming up, we also plan to use our own online mechanisms...
Mindanaoan.com declared top CDO blog by ICT Awards

Mindanaoan.com declared top CDO blog by ICT Awards

Advocacy, Announcements, Arts, Bisaya, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Headline, Internet, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Musings, News, Northern Mindanao, Personal, Personalities, Society, Technology
It is with utmost humility that I announce that Mindanaoan.com has just been declared as a "Top CDO Blog" in the recently concluded 2014 ICT Awards held at the Activity Center, Centrio Mall, Cagayan de Oro, Philippines. The ICT Awards, organized by the CDO ICT Business Council, Cagayan de Oro's main information and communications technology organization, recognizes websites, individuals and organizations involved in the city's IT industry. The citation reads: "The 2014 ICT Awards, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry, National Telecommunications and Communications, Department of Science and Technology - ICTO and the City Government of Cagayan de Oro, presents this Top CDO Blog Award to www.Mindanaoan.com for the creation and maintenance of an exceptional b...
GBG Women CDO to offer FREE workshop for female entrepreneurs

GBG Women CDO to offer FREE workshop for female entrepreneurs

Advocacy, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Education, Entertainment, Events, Internet, Make Money Online, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Technology
Fabulous news for women entrepreneurs! Led by the Google Business Group - Women (GBG - Women), a workshop that will teach females interested in business (or who currently run their own businesses) on how to bring their business online using FREE resources will be held on December 17, 2014! This GBG Women CDO led event will be held at Miami Inn, Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City. Learn how you can maximize FREE online resources for your business! Learn how you can establish online presence for your business! Registration is FREE so sign up now as there are limited slots only! REGISTER HERE * EXCLUSIVE FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS ONLY *   Here's a map of Miami Inn: On a personal note: The blogger behind Mindanaoan.com is the GBG Women lead. I would be thrilled to meet my...
Be a part of the CDO Bloggers Christmas outreach project

Be a part of the CDO Bloggers Christmas outreach project

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Features, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Society, Technology
In 2011, the Cagayan de Oro Bloggers trekked to the city's farthest barangay. It's so far that it would take you 2 to 3 hours of land travel aboard a dump truck, with the possibility of sharing that ride with animals, vegetables and other produce and lots of other people. The dump truck transpo also only operates once a week. In other words, it can be quite an experience to travel to Besigan, Barangay Cadayunan, CDO, where there's no electricity, no paved roads, lots of school children who barely have school supplies and families who would most likely be very thrilled to receive Noche Buena packs this Christmas. Would you like to be a Santa Claus this year and help out? We can bring your gifts for them on your behalf. Mindanaoan (who is currently the Vice President for External Affairs ...
How to continue helping Typhoon Sendong survivors

How to continue helping Typhoon Sendong survivors

Advocacy, Announcements, Arts, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Fashion, Features, Gifts, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Society, Style
Any project that can help Typhoon Sendong (international name: Washi) survivors always interest me. You see, my family and I were also victims of the typhoon. We faced business losses, yes, but all of us were safe and still had so much to be thankful for. That was the reason why my family and I launched donation drives and relief goods distribution. That was also when I experienced first hand the power of social media. Because of my social media posts, lots of help came in from all over the world (not to mention lots of interview requests from national and international media outlets including BBC and CNN!) and our humble garage became a makeshift donation area, where people can leave donations, where volunteers can come repack and even join us when we distribute the items to various areas...
Philippines to host Let’s Do It! Regional Conference 2014 for Asia

Philippines to host Let’s Do It! Regional Conference 2014 for Asia

Advocacy, Cebu City, Events
A number of non-­profit organizations, volunteers and delegates from all over Asia will gather in Cebu, Philippines on November 27 to 30, 2014 for the staging of the second Let’s Do It! Regional Conference for Asia. To open the conference on November 27, local cleanup movements, organizations and artists of the EcoArt Exhibit 2014 will be recognized and awarded at the Cebu City Hall, to be participated by more than 50 delegates all over Asia and Europe. Among the topics that will be discussed during the conference are the Let's Do It World experiences from different countries, team building, PR / communication, marketing / finances, logistics and mapping, identity of the project, Zero Waste and waste management in the future. The Regional Conference 2014 for Asia is organized ...
New career exploration tool launched in Cagayan de Oro

New career exploration tool launched in Cagayan de Oro

Advocacy, Announcements, Arts, Cagayan de Oro City, Campus
The Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) recently launched an online career exploration tool, with the aim to help high school students chart their future. Through a career talk dubbed "Life Lessons," PBed launched FutureYou.ph in Cagayan de Oro City last November 7, 2014. Life Lessons is FutureYou.ph’s career advocacy roadshow that seeks to help high school students discover different career opportunities. Around 100 high school students from Cagayan de Oro College, Bayabas National High School, Carmen National High School, Cagayan de Oro National High School, Gusa National High School, Bonbon National High School and Lapasan National High School attended the event held at the Cagayan de Oro College PHINMA. The students listened to successful individuals from different industries w...
Join the 2nd GDays Google Days event in Northern Mindanao

Join the 2nd GDays Google Days event in Northern Mindanao

Advocacy, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Corporate, Events, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Society, Technology
Are you a budding or existing entrepreneur? Did you know that you can actually use Google's technologies to help start or boost your business? And did you know that you can learn how you can do just that FOR FREE? Join GDays 2014 on November 23, 2014 in Cagayan de Oro City! Be one of the early registrants. REGISTER NOW! Mindanaoan.com is the Google Business Group - Women CDO lead convenor :) Want to know what happened during the first GDays? Read THIS See you at the 2nd GDays Google Days Cagayan de Oro!
error: Content is protected !!