Advocacy Archives - Page 9 of 14 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Sep272011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Davao City launches “Life Is Here” tourism campaign

Advocacy, Announcements, Arts, Beauty, Bisaya, Blogging, Culture, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Features, Government, Headline, Leisure, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Tourism, Travel, Videos

Davao City has a new tourism campaign and I love, love, love it! The Davao City Government recently launched its "Davao - Life Is Here" tourism campaign and they used the Philippine Eagle as the tourism icon. To quote Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte: “What is it in Davao that we want to present to the market? We have the Philippine Eagle, we have the durian and pomelo. We go to Samal (beaches) for lunch or we go to Eden (Nature Resort) to picnic. These are the things we need to promote." As we all know, my hometown Davao City is also known for its annual Kadayawan Festival, Araw ng Davao festivities and its Summerfest! The new "Davao. Life Is Here" campaign reportedly cost Php 1.5 Million. Rey “Bai” Manginsay, a former Lanao del Norte resident, was tapped as creative co...

Sep262011 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Exclusive: All 4 One and Color Me Badd thank the Philippines!

Advocacy, Agriculture, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Announcements, ARMM, Arts, Bacolod City, Banks, Basilan, Beauty, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, Bislig, Blogging, Broadcasting, Bukidnon, Business, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Campus, Caraga, Cebu City, Commentary, Compostela Valley, Consumer, Contests, Controversial, Corporate, Cotabato, Culture, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Dipolog, Education, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Flights, Food, Freebies, General Santos City, Gifts, Government, Headline, Hongkong, Hotels, Humor, Iligan City, Internet, Island Garden City of Samal, Jobs, Journalism, Kaamulan Festival, Koronadal, Kuala Lumpur, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Leisure, Macau, Maguindanao, Make Money Online, Malaybalay City, Malaysia, Manila, Marawi City, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Movies, Music, Musings, Muslim Mindanao, Negros Occidental, News, North Cotabato, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Ozamis, Pagadian, Personal, Personalities, Photos, Politics, Radio, Recipes, Religion, Resorts, Reviews, Sarangani, Shenzhen, Shopping, Sindangan, Singapore, Society, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sports, Style, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacurong, Tangub City, Tawi Tawi, Technology, Television, Tourism, Travel, Videos, Visayas, Weddings, Weird, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

It's been more than 2 weeks since their highly successful Cagayan de Oro, Philippines show but this Filipina travel and lifestyle blogger is still buzzin'! Yes, folks, I'm still on a high! :D As you guys may know, Mindanaoan.com was an official media partner of the All 4 One and Color Me Badd back-to-back concert last September 10, 2011 at the Atrium of the Limketkai Center in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, Philippines. It was a major thing for a certified fan like myself --- not only did I get to meet the boys up close and personal (OMG!!!), spend time with them and see their real, offstage personas, I also had the chance to gather autographs, take lots of photos and...*drum roll please*...meet them again in Manila before they flew out for Los Angeles! *cartwheels* I will share with...

Aug252011 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

State of water resources in the Philippines and looming crisis to be featured in Dokyu5

Advocacy, BIMP-EAGA, Consumer, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Television

This is one very interesting documentary that we all should watch. Dokyu5, a program that airs via TV5 Manila, will feature the state of water resources in the Philippines and the looming crisis. I'm interested with this because one of the localities that will be featured is my very own hometown in Mindanao --- Davao City! So fellow Dabawenyos, manan-aw gyud ta ani! DOKYU5’s Huling Patak Ulat ni Luchi Cruz-Valdes airs this Sunday (August 28) on TV5 Manila. Please check which channel TV5 airs in your own area. In Davao, it's Channel 29. An archipelago, the Philippines is surrounded by bodies of water. Yet, by 2025, experts predict a severe water shortage in the country. The rapid increase in population, urbanization and industrialization has reduced the quantity and affected the quality ...

Aug242011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

I’m now an official Mozilla rep!

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Bukidnon, Consumer, Corporate, Features, Headline, Internet, Make Money Online, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Personal, Society, Technology

A few months ago, I organized a fun-filled and very successful Mozilla Firefox 4 launch party in the Province of Bukidnon, Mindanao. It was the very first one of its kind in the province and I'm mighty proud to say that I helped make it possible. With the generous help of Mozilla, other sponsors and of course, with the very good attendance of nearly 30 participants (Yay! :D), the event was a huge success. Mozilla Philippines even featured the event on their own website. That Mozilla Firefox launch party proved to be something more than just a tech event. A few months later, I found out that Mozilla was in need of official reps. Mozilla launched the Mozilla Reps program, a program designed to make it easy for passionate Mozillians, all over the world, to organize/attend Mozilla events an...

Aug82011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

The 3rd Silver Linings forum on breast cancer in Davao City

Advocacy, Davao City, Events, Society

As far as I know, no one in my clan has ever been diagnosed with breast cancer. I am, of course, extremely grateful for that. My mom did tell me, though, that there were instances when some of our female relatives reported to have felt lumps but these turned out to be benign tumors. However, just because I don't know (or I'm not related to) someone who has breast cancer should not stop me (and all of us, really) to advocate breast cancer prevention. After all, breast cancer is said to be the leading cause of cancer deaths among Filipino women. Thankfully, an educational forum cum homecoming for breast cancer survivors will be held in my hometown Davao City. Silver Linings, dubbed as "every breast cancer survivor's favorite event," will be held on September 17, 2011 at the Grand Regal...

Aug32011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Full text: Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri resignation speech

Advocacy, Agriculture, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Announcements, ARMM, Arts, Bacolod City, Banks, Basilan, Beauty, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, Bislig, Blogging, Broadcasting, Bukidnon, Business, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Campus, Caraga, Cebu City, Commentary, Compostela Valley, Consumer, Contests, Controversial, Corporate, Cotabato, Crime, Culture, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Dipolog, Education, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Flights, Food, Freebies, General Santos City, Gifts, Government, Headline, Hongkong, Hotels, Humor, Iligan City, Internet, Island Garden City of Samal, Jobs, Journalism, Kaamulan Festival, Koronadal, Kuala Lumpur, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Leisure, Macau, Maguindanao, Make Money Online, Malaybalay City, Malaysia, Manila, Marawi City, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Movies, Music, Musings, Muslim Mindanao, Negros Occidental, News, North Cotabato, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Ozamis, Pagadian, Personal, Personalities, Photos, Politics, Radio, Recipes, Religion, Resorts, Reviews, Sarangani, Shenzhen, Shopping, Sindangan, Singapore, Society, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sports, Style, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacurong, Tangub City, Tawi Tawi, Technology, Television, Tourism, Travel, Videos, Visayas, Weddings, Weird, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

Amid other big news today, the reported resignation of Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri was the most talked about. A lot of people shared their reactions to the news that the senator from Bukidnon and fellow Mindanaoan Senator Migs Zubiri will resign amid allegations of poll fraud claims. Mindanaoan wrote a blog post about this earlier. As I previously mentioned, I called up some key people from the Zubiri camp. I also even contacted Senator Migs Zubiri himself. However, although I was privy to some important details, I refused to confirm anything pending the privilege speech of Senator Miguel Zubiri before the Senate plenary, which happened today, August 3, 2011. I was also told that his father, former Bukidnon governor now vice governor Jose Ma. Zubiri, Jr., mother Maria Victoria "Vicky," w...

Jul232011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Davao event: Malagos Farm Fair 2011

Advocacy, Davao City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism

Are you Davao City-bound soon? Or are you a fellow Dabawenyo? Then let's all head down to the Malagos Farm Fair 2011 on August 6 and 7, 2011! The Malagos Farm Fair is a weekend full of seminars, farm games, music and entertainment, food tasting and yes, time with our animal friends :) It will be one fun open house weekend! During the 2011 Malagos Farm Fair, attendees will not only have the chance to see cows, ostriches, pheasants, chickens, ornamental birds, ducks, horses, peacocks and dairy goats, they will also have the chance to buy some and learn how to raise them as well. Themed "Responsible and Efficient Farming Systems," this year's Malagos Farm Fair will be held at - where else - Malagos Garden Resort, a 12 hectare inland nature resort in Malagos, Calinan, Davao City. According ...

Jul102011 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Photos: Bukidnon landslide aftermath

Advocacy, Bukidnon, Commentary, Features, Headline, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Personal, Society

A few days ago, something terrible happened. A deadly landslide occurred in Bukidnon. The Bukidnon landslide happened in Sitio Hangaron, Barangay Lumbayao, Valencia City, Bukidnon. Not only were there victims in Lumbayao, some people including kids were also affected in nearby Barangay Tongan-Tongan. The Bukidnon landslide was, needless to say, very devastating. As of press time, 6 bodies have been recovered in both Barangay Lumbayao and Barangay Tongan-Tongan. The victims from Lumbayao included Maritess Lagunay, Segundina Lagunay and Sheryl Sadsad. The victims from Tongan-Tongan were 7 year old Joy Collamar and 6 year old Roque Santilla. Sheryl Sadsad is the wife of a friend of my brother's. Actually, I also know Sheryl's husband but he was closer to my brother. The landslide hit Sh...

Jul72011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

America in 3D goes to Baguio

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Broadcasting, Events, Features, Government, Jobs, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Technology

A few months ago, the United States Embassy in Manila, Philippines conducted its first ever America in 3D event. It was so successful that the US Embassy in Manila, under the leadership of the very amiable Ambassador Harry Thomas, decided to do a roadshow! First stop - Baguio City! Come join the U.S. Embassy when it brings “America in 3D” to Baguio City from July 8 to 10, 2011 at SM City Baguio! All residents of greater Baguio are invited to participate in our FREE, fun events in SM City Baguio from July 8 through 10, from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. The three-day weekend will include a full lineup of musical performances (everything from jazz to hip-hop, from country music to Broadway tunes), free samplings of American food, cooking demonstrations, and information about U.S. visas and ...

Jul22011 by Mindanaoan Irene32 Comments

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte punches sheriff…and why I still trust and believe in her

Advocacy, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, Blogging, Controversial, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Features, Government, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Personal, Personalities, Politics, Society

First things first. I am a Dabawenya. Hence, you know that I can be biased...and I am. I will not even try to deny it. No matter what people say, I think Davao City has gone a long way from being a mere "NicarAGDAO" (likened to Nicaragua...Agdao is one of the notorious areas in Davao where dead bodies would be found long ago...now it's a busy commercial district) to being one of the most livable cities in the world and part of the reason why my beloved hometown is doing this well are the Dutertes. Before I proceed, let me just say that this is not a political post. This will not be an in-depth analysis. This will not even cite the possible sanctions, the alleged violated laws etc etc. I will leave all of those to lawyers, analysts, political bloggers, columnists etc etc. Instead, this w...

Jun272011 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Pilipinas Got Talent Season 2 winners

Advocacy, Arts, Bisaya, Bukidnon, Contests, Entertainment, Headline, Manila, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Society, Television

Here are the winners of the Pilipinas Got Talent (PGT) Season 2. The male "diva" from Cavite, Marcelito Po Moy, was declared grand winner of the PGT Season 2 earlier tonight, June 26, 2011. The results night was held at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City. Marcelito Po Moy, a favorite of Pilipinas Got Talent Season 2 judge Kris Aquino, bagged a total of Php 2 Million cash prize. The second placers were the tap dancing siblings from Libona, Bukidnon, Mindanao - Happy Feet. Happy Feet Bukidnon is composed of the Mata brothers. Third place went to the hip hop dance group Freestylers. During the performance night Saturday, Marcelito Po Moy sang "The Prayer." Known for his distinct female singing voice, Marcelito showed how adept he was to switch from a female singing voice to a ma...

Jun82011 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Blog Action Day 2011 – please, let us save our seas!

Advocacy, Agriculture, Beauty, Blogging, Commentary, Controversial, Cotabato, Features, Government, Headline, Internet, Journalism, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Personal, Society

Truth be told, I felt so sad and embarrassed when news about the smuggling of black corals, turtles, rare seashells and other marine life here in the Philippines first broke out. Who wouldn't be? The shipment that was apprehended last May 1, 2011 at Pier 15, South Harbor Manila was from the Port of Cotabato City, Mindanao. The apprehended shipment included two 20-footer container vans declared as "rubber." Obviously, the seized shipment was far from containing "rubber." Instead, the vans yielded, among others, 134 bundles with 21,169 pieces of dried black corals, 161 turtles and roughly 7,340 pieces of rare sea shells. And to think that was just ONE shipment! That signaled a lot of concerns --- from the fact that my beloved Mindanao has apparently been the home of greedy individu...

Jun82011 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Mindanaoan Exclusive: KC Concepcion greets Mindanao, shares what she loves about Mindanao, invites fans to “Forever And A Day”

Advocacy, Agriculture, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Announcements, ARMM, Arts, Bacolod City, Banks, Basilan, Beauty, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, Bislig, Blogging, Broadcasting, Bukidnon, Business, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Campus, Caraga, Cebu City, Commentary, Compostela Valley, Consumer, Contests, Controversial, Corporate, Cotabato, Culture, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Dipolog, Education, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Flights, Food, Freebies, General Santos City, Gifts, Government, Headline, Hongkong, Hotels, Humor, Iligan City, Internet, Island Garden City of Samal, Jobs, Journalism, Kaamulan Festival, Koronadal, Kuala Lumpur, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Leisure, Macau, Maguindanao, Make Money Online, Malaybalay City, Malaysia, Manila, Marawi City, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Movies, Music, Musings, Muslim Mindanao, Negros Occidental, News, North Cotabato, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Ozamis, Pagadian, Personal, Personalities, Photos, Politics, Radio, Recipes, Religion, Resorts, Reviews, Sarangani, Shenzhen, Shopping, Singapore, Society, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sports, Style, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacurong, Tangub City, Tawi Tawi, Technology, Television, Tourism, Travel, Videos, Visayas, Weddings, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

You heard the theme song. You got intrigued when you heard this - "kaya mo bang mahalin ang isang taong mawawala din sayo?" And, by now, it's likely that you've memorized this line - "Thank you for yesterday. Thank you for today. And if I forget, thank you for tomorrow." Yes, it seems you're ready to fall in love on June 15, 2011. KC Concepcion and Sam Milby will topbill one of the most awaited movies of this year, the Star Cinema offering "Forever And A Day." Truth be told, I think this KC Concepcion and Sam Milby starrer is THE most awaited movie here in Mindanao - primarily because they shot this flick in 3 key areas in Mindanao - Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City (who wouldn't be excited to see familiar places? Plus think about what this film will do for Mindanao tour...

Jun22011 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Young Filipino wedding photographers from Mindanao included among world’s best

Advocacy, Agriculture, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Announcements, ARMM, Arts, Bacolod City, Banks, Basilan, Beauty, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, Bislig, Blogging, Broadcasting, Bukidnon, Business, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Campus, Caraga, Cebu City, Commentary, Compostela Valley, Consumer, Contests, Controversial, Corporate, Cotabato, Culture, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Dipolog, Education, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Flights, Food, Freebies, General Santos City, Gifts, Government, Headline, Hongkong, Hotels, Humor, Iligan City, Internet, Island Garden City of Samal, Jobs, Journalism, Kaamulan Festival, Koronadal, Kuala Lumpur, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Leisure, Macau, Maguindanao, Make Money Online, Malaybalay City, Malaysia, Manila, Marawi City, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Movies, Music, Musings, Muslim Mindanao, Negros Occidental, News, North Cotabato, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Ozamis, Pagadian, Personal, Personalities, Photos, Politics, Radio, Recipes, Religion, Resorts, Reviews, Sarangani, Shenzhen, Shopping, Singapore, Society, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sports, Style, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacurong, Tangub City, Tawi Tawi, Technology, Television, Tourism, Travel, Videos, Visayas, Weddings, Weird, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

A group composed of Mindanaoan Filipino visual artists turned destination wedding photographers, One Happy Story, was recently included in a list composed of the best engagement and most creative wedding photographers in the world. One Happy Story, a group of young Filipino wedding photographers, was recently included in Love Olio, a hand-selected listing that features only what they call “the most groundbreaking wedding photographers in the world.” Love Olio showcased some of One Happy Story’s best engagement and wedding images. “We are extremely proud and delighted. Our inclusion in Love Olio is an affirmation of our commitment to capture real and happy moments as they happen for two people in love,” said Bon, Creative Director of One Happy Story. “Each couple has a unique story...

Jun12011 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Photo: Senator Miguel Zubiri cites in contempt Exequiel Navarro, consignee of seized shipment of black corals

Advocacy, BIMP-EAGA, Controversial, Cotabato, Crime, Headline, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, News, North Cotabato, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

Earlier today, the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources conducted a hearing on alleged smuggling of black corals, turtles, seashells and other marine life. The committee chairman, Mindanaoan Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, led the investigation. Unfortunately, the consignee of the P35 million worth of seized shipment of black corals, Exequiel Navarro, was a no-show. This led Senator Migs Zubiri to cite Exequiel Navarro in contempt. And rightly so. For one, Navarro reportedly promised to cooperate with the investigation and even give the names of the financiers of this syndicate that allegedly smuggles corals and other marine life from the Philippine shores. According to Senator Zubiri, Navarro executed an affidavit on May 3, 2011. Now, he has become a headache. A he...

May302011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Full text: Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri privilege speech on black corals smuggling in Philippines

Advocacy, Blogging, Cotabato, Features, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Politics

Here is the full text of the privilege speech of Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri on the alleged smuggling of black corals in the Philippines. Senator Miguel Zubiri delivered this speech today, May 30, 2011. Zubiri's speech was prompted by the recent confiscation of multi-million peso worth of black corals in Cebu. The Rape of Our Ocean (privilege speech of Senator Migs Zubiri on the poaching of corals in the Philippines) Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, I rise on an issue that has been the newspaper headlines and the topic of many discussions on social network, particularly on Facebook and Twitter, for the past week. Dubbed by the Philippine Daily Inquirer as "the rape of the ocean", I refer to the confiscated black corals, stuffed hawksbill turtles and other marine species. Mr. Pre...

May242011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Be Captain Planet: Help Save Our Ailing Mother Earth

Advocacy, Cagayan de Oro City, Campus, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Society

(Note: This article is written by Ana Rizza D. Celades and Benedict Jan T. Baloncio. Please take your time to read this and share this article with your family, friends and colleagues --- I'm sure they will thank you for this! And to BJ and Ana, thank you for entrusting this article to Mindanaoan.com - it serves as a constant reminder of our roles as stewards of Mother Nature) With the higher frequency of natural disasters, retreat of glaciers in mountainous areas, abrupt increase in sea level, coastal flooding, and just about the extremities of weather we now experience, are brought about by effects of climate change, even plants and animals species have become extinct, and sudden outbreak of diseases in places are now high - these and the many more damages are the price we all have to...

Apr122011 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Metro Manila residents pick Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Surigao as top travel destinations

Advocacy, Cagayan de Oro City, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, News, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tourism, Travel

According to a recently conducted survey, residents living in Metro Manila chose Davao City, Surigao and Cagayan de Oro City - all Mindanao towns, of course - as some of their top dreamland destinations. Woohoo! Go Mindanao :D According to the survey, money, time, promise of fun and adventure, or plain reclusion, at least for the summer, were cited as major factors that would determine the final destination. Sabagay, who wouldn't want to visit areas like this one in Davao? * Paradise Island, Davao * Or try this one in Cagayan de Oro? (more…)

Mar112011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Four Mindanao areas on alert level 2 following tsunami in Japan

Advocacy, Announcements, Controversial, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur

Following the strong 8.9 earthquake in Japan today, several provinces in the Philippines have now been declared under tsunami alert. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) have declared these provinces in the Philippines (which include 4 areas in Mindanao) under alert level 2: • Batanes Group of Islands • Cagayan • Ilocos Norte • Isabela • Quezon • Aurora • Camarines Norte • Camarines Sur • Albay • Catanduanes • Sorsogon • Northern Samar • Eastern Samar • Leyte • Southern Leyte • Surigao del Norte • Surigao del Sur • Davao Oriental • Davao del Sur To my fellow Mindanaoans, please be safe! Let's all pray, too, for our safety. Meanwhile, here's a video of the terrible impact of the Japan earthquake: (more…)...

Feb222011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Join the first ever webchat on U.S. non-immigrant visas by the US Embassy Manila

Advocacy, Announcements, Features, Headline, Internet, Media, Society, Technology

Has it always been a dream of yours to visit the United States of America but whenever you try to apply for a tourist visa, you often get denied? Do you have questions pertaining to U.S. non-immigrant visas? Have you always wanted to ask a real US Embassy consul what you need to do and what you need to have in order to secure that most wanted U.S. non-immigrant visa? Then here's your perfect chance! On Wednesday, February 23, 2011, from 4 PM to 5 PM, you can join the first ever web chat ever on U.S. non-immigrant visas. This webchat, dubbed "Ask the Consul," is organized by the US Embassy in Manila. Read more details after the jump! (more…)

Jan272011 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mass videoconference aims to link Manila and Iligan students

Advocacy, Announcements, Campus, Events, Iligan City, Lanao del Sur, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao

Before anything else, I'd like to say that I'm a proud RockEd volunteer. Rock Ed Philippines, which began in 2005, aims to get Filipinos interested in nation building. Rock Ed links Filipinos from all walks of life with causes that they are interested in. Once you sign up for Rock Ed, you're assigned projects that fit your expertise, interests or skill sets. In my case, I usually volunteer for projects related to blogging, publicity, event management, photography, media and business-related stuff. Now this is where the point of this blog post starts :D You see, I found this project in the Rock Ed Philippines website. It's about a mass videoconference that aims to link at least 2,000 students in Manila to at least 2,000 students in Iligan - yup, that's all the way down here in Mindanao. How...

Dec112010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Dinner with the US Embassy Manila Counselor for Public Affairs

Advocacy, Bisaya, Blogging, Cebu City, Features, Headline, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personal, Personalities, Society, Technology, Weird

I was in Cebu City recently to open a small branch of my PR, media, marketing and outsourcing agency and to visit my younger brother at the same time. About a week and a half after I arrived, I received an invitation from fellow blogger and Plurker Jay de Jesus, the Emerging Media Specialist for Public Affairs of the US Embassy, Manila. He asked if I could attend a small, intimate dinner with someone from the US Embassy in Manila and that the dinner was to be held the evening of that very day. I asked him who I was supposed to meet. He said that it was his boss - the Counselor for Public Affairs of the US Embassy in Manila - Richard W. Nelson. I must admit, I immediately had reservations. I checked my watch --- I only had about 3 hours to prepare for what could be a life-changing dinner...