Blogging Archives - Page 12 of 19 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Mar202011 by Mindanaoan Irene18 Comments

Keeping up with the fun, funky familia!

Announcements, BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Bukidnon, Government, Headline, Hongkong, Kaamulan Festival, Leisure, Macau, Malaysia, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Personalities, Politics, Society, Technology, Tourism, Travel

Let's take a breather from my Singapore Chronicles series of blog entries, shall we? Right now, at this very minute, I'm actually taking a break myself. Taking a break from packing my clothes, preparing my documents and checking (and re-checking) my to-do list. And for some reason, amid all the chaos, I am now rather becoming a little bit sentimental. I can't help it. I become mushy whenever I think of my beloved fun and funky family :) Come to think of it - in the past year alone, so many things have happened to me and my family. First off, we finally moved to our new home! It's smaller than the previous one we lived in for years but at least this one's ours! Woohoo! :D I was so excited that I shouldered the special landscaping for our front yard. Never mind if it shaved a lot off m...

Mar182011 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Singapore Chronicles: Day 1 – Cebu to Singapore

Blogging, Cebu City, Flights, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Singapore, Travel

Singapore Chronicles Day 1 - From Cebu to Singapore. I'm typing this message thousands of feet above sea level. Specifically, 35,000 feet. Right now, at this very moment, my mom is fast asleep on my right, two men seated infront of me are still immersed in a serious conversation and my beloved Victorinox travelers bag is on the seat on my left. I'm typing this message while aboard our flight from Cebu City, Philippines to Singapore. While it's not my first time to go abroad, it is my first time to visit a first world country (well, this is still a pretty sensitive topic but for the purpose of this blog post, let's call it that, ok? ;) ). It's also my first time to travel for more than 3 hours by plane. Yes, you can say it's quite a whole new experience for me. It's pretty exciting yet a...

Mar162011 by Mindanaoan Irene10 Comments

How to prepare a do-it-yourself Singapore and Malaysia trip

BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Davao City, Features, Flights, Hongkong, Hotels, Internet, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Malaysia, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Shenzhen, Singapore, Society, Tourism, Travel

A few weeks ago, my mom and I finally had the chance to visit Singapore and Malaysia. Although it wasn't our first trip outside of the country, it was our very first time to visit Singapore and Malaysia and it was also the first time that we followed a DIY or do-it-yourself itinerary. We opted not to avail of the services of a travel agency for a number of reasons including the fact that we didn't want to be led to tourist traps just like what happened during our Hongkong, Shenzhen and Macau trip two years ago. Plus I'm also the type who loves to take on a challenge and preparing for a trip abroad - starting from scratch - can be quite a challenge! Don't be alarmed, though! Preparing a do-it-yourself itinerary can actually be fun, too! Plus it brings a whole lotta meaning to accomplishm...

Feb222011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

King of Acoustic Paolo Santos says hello to Mindanaoan

Arts, Blogging, Bukidnon, Business, Consumer, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Society, Videos

The Philippines' King of Acoustic Paolo Santos has a very special video message for this humble blogger from Mindanao :) You see, I was a co-producer and co-event organizer of the "Moonlight Acoustic Serenade by the King of Acoustic Paolo Santos" Valentine's Day show last February 14, 2011. Interestingly, though, I wasn't around during the show itself since I was abroad :D (My assistant and I have done all the work before my trip, though...the only task left was the on-site, on-the-day coordination) So I had to contend with this video message from Paolo Santos himself. Good thing I have a very reliable assistant in the person of Erik Dave :D By the way, if you or someone you know needs events management services anywhere in Mindanao, please do not hesitate to CONTACT ME :) That Valentin...

Feb222011 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Review: Cebu R Hotel | Cebu City hotel

Blogging, Business, Cebu City, Consumer, Features, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

If you're a regular reader of my humble Mindanaoan blog, chances are you'd know that I frequently visit the Queen City of the South - Cebu City. Not only because I like to visit but I also because I need to. You see, I recently expanded my lil public relations, events management and media and marketing business in Cebu :) This means that I can now cater to businesses and individuals based in Cebu and neighboring islands that need PR, media relations, events management and marketing services. Anyhoo, I was recently in Cebu...yet again. Since my mom traveled with me, I thought of booking a room in one of Cebu's many affordable hotels. I also wanted to stay in a Cebu hotel that I haven't stayed in yet (so that I can review it and share my thoughts with y'all, of course! :D). I landed on Ce...

Feb202011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Cute Manny Pacquiao and Mommy Dionisia Pacquiao commercial!

Arts, Bisaya, Blogging, Bukidnon, Davao City, Features, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Sarangani, Society

Fellow Mindanaoans Manny Pacquiao and his very own Mum, Mommy Dionisia Pacquiao, have a new, super cute Datu Puti TV commercial! I like the play on the "bumili ka lang ng suka, champion ka na" statement :D Of course, the quotable quote in this TVC is also Manny Pacquiao's "boxing is not for killing." :P In this Datu Puti Manny Pacquiao TVC, a guy who's supposedly playing the role of Coach Freddie (Roach, the Pacman's real-life boxing coach) tells the "true story" behind the Pacman's road to success. Well, of course it's not the real story but this commercial is really funny and clever :) Props to the agency behind this cool Manny Pacquiao TV commercial! By the way, just in case you don't know how Manny Pacquiao and I are fellow Mindanaoans, check this out: (more…)

Feb62011 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

At the wedding reception of the Malaysian ambassador’s daughter

BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Features, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Politics, Society

Ever since I had the utmost privilege to meet the Ambassador of Malaysia to the Philippines Dato Seri Dr. Ibrahim Saad and his beautiful wife Datin Seri Dato Zainab Kader, I've become so fascinated with Malaysia, its people, its culture and traditions and even their food! I've also become quite fascinated with certain similarities between the Philippines and Malaysia and the glaring fact that at the end of the day, we really all are connected. So when I received this special invitation to attend the wedding reception of the Malaysian ambassador's daughter Zaireen Ayu Ibrahim and her groom Shazlan Sufian, I knew I just had to go. Not only was it a fabulous chance for me to witness an akad nikah (traditional Malay wedding) but it was also a chance for me to meet and mingle with new Malays...

Feb42011 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Meeting the Malaysian ambassador and his wife

BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Features, Internet, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Personalities, Society

I've said it and I'll say it again and again. Blogging, even micro blogging through Twitter or Plurk, does wonders for you and for your life. Not only can you share your thoughts, tips and photos with others (which may help them in the process, without you necessarily knowing about it), earn a bit but more importantly, get to meet new, interesting people and experience new and exciting things. Just take the case of a pretty cool thing that happened to me a few weeks ago. Because of the power of the Internet and micro blogging, I had the ultimate honor to meet the Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines Dato Seri Dr. Ibrahim Saad and his beautiful wife Datin Seri Zainab Kader. * credits for photo above goes to Malaysia Tatler Before I continue, let me just say, though, that the...

Jan262011 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Philippine Airlines launches Zamboanga to Cagayan de Oro direct flights

Announcements, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Features, Flights, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

Now this is definitely good news especially for Mindanao tourism and Mindanao trade :) According to this article, Philippine Airlines will start offering Cagayan de Oro - Zamboanga direct flights starting April 1, 2011. So, instead of enduring 10 hours of land travel, passengers may now only have to endure an hour-long flight. PAL has yet to give more details about the upcoming Zamboanga - CdO flights but I must say, this piece of development is exciting! More possibilities for tourism, business deals! Domingo T. Duerme, PAL vice president for Mindanao, also said that PAL will take over Air Philippines Express' Davao - Zamboanga and Davao - Cagayan de Oro routes. He did not state the reason for PAL’s takeover of the two routes, though. The upcoming PAL Zamboanga to Cagayan de Oro Cit...

Dec292010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Richard Poon, Pokwang and Markki Stroem CDO concert

Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Photos, Society, Videos

Hi everyone, how's the holidays (or should I say holiDAZE) so far? I'm still on "vacation mode" hence the lack of updates here. Interestingly, though, this humble Mindanao blog still continues to attract very good traffic every single day and for that I am really thankful. Daghang salamat to all of my regular readers and followers! Thank you so much! Please continue to support Mindanaoan by urging all of your friends to "Like" us on Facebook and to subscribe via email :) This time around, I'd like to share with you some of the photos I took during the recently concluded "The Crooner and The Comedienne" concert featuring Richard Poon and Pokwang with special guest Markki Stroem. I know that a lot of you have been waiting for these...judging by the so many hits on my previous entries: exc...

Dec212010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Photos: Pokwang in “The Crooner and The Comedienne” concert

Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Photos

I'd like to share with all of you the photos I took of talented comedienne Marietta Subong a.k.a. Pokwang during the "The Crooner and The Comedienne" concert last December 19, 2010, Limketkai Atrium, CDO. These are all raw photos, by the way. Apart from the watermarks, the photos have not been manipulated in any way. Please feel free to share this page and please leave a comment :) Thank you. Also, as previously promised with you all, I'll share more videos of Richard Poon, Pokwang and Markki Stroem. I still have an exclusive video interview with Markki Stroem! Can't wait to share that with all of you! The former Pilipinas Got Talent finalist was a gentleman --- he was very eloquent, spontaneous, funny and smart. No wonder there are a lot of Markki fans out there! In the meantime, en...

Dec212010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanaoan.com ‘s exclusive interview with big band crooner Richard Poon

Arts, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Videos

Before his big concert with Pokwang and Markki Stroem last December 19, 2010 at the Atrium of the Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City, this blogger in Mindanao got the chance to interview the Big Band Crooner himself, Richard Poon. Just in case you don't know, Mindanaoan.com was one of the proud media sponsors of the successful run of "The Crooner and The Comedienne," which was made possible by Joey Pelaez Events. Mindanaoan.com had the chance to ask Richard Poon about his choice of music genre, how he can be an advocate of music especially among the youth, how he applies the skills he learned as an entrepreneur to his being a musician (he liked the question, by the way! :D) and what keeps him inspired these days *wink, wink* [READ THIS, just in case you think you're kindda out of the...

Dec212010 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Exclusive and with photos: Maricar Reyes watches suitor Richard Poon’s concert in Cagayan de Oro Mindanao

Beauty, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Photos

Are they or aren't they? I guess that was what a lot of people were wondering last night during the much-awaited The Crooner and The Comedienne concert featuring Richard Poon and Pokwang with special guest Markki Stroem of Pilipinas Got Talent. You see, someone very close to Richard Poon's heart was in the audience that night. The very girl the Big Band Crooner himself described as "the most beautiful girl I have ever seen in my life" - doctor, actress and model Maricar Reyes (who, by the way, hails from Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao) For those of you who feel a bit lost --- here's the gist. Richard Poon met Maricar Reyes. He was immediately smitten but felt it wasn't the right time to get to know her better. Then they met again at a ball and then she starred in his music video and then...

Dec142010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Full text: Supreme Court decision on Hubert Webb case – Vizconde Massacre

Announcements, Blogging, Commentary, Controversial, Crime, Education, Government, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personal, Personalities, Politics

If you've been following me on Twitter today, you must have noticed some of my tweets about the acquittal of Hubert Webb et al. You may have also noticed that I tweeted about the dismissal of the case filed by actress Katrina Halili against Hayden Kho. I also mentioned that today, December 14, 2010, marks the 6th death anniversary of the King of Philippine movies - Fernando Poe, Jr. And, last but definitely not the least, ousted Philippine Football Federation President Jose Mari Martinez says he wants a revamp in the Philippine team #Azkals. Yes, today was a very heavy, full and controversial day in Philippine history. Tough week for the Philippine police and army, too. If you recall, the President himself ordered that the cases against the members of Morong 43 be dropped. Is it Acquitta...

Dec132010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Photos: Pupil Live in Cagayan de Oro City Mindanao

Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Photos

The long wait is over, boys and girls! Here are the most awaited photos taken during the Pupil Live in Cagayan de Oro City special concert! Ely Buendia and the rest of the Pupil band were in CDO recently for the PUMA Archive Uncovered concert series. Thanks to PUMA for bringing the boys over and of course to my favorite boutique Spruce for letting magic happen that night. All photos are taken by my professional photographer-brother Bon. Ready for more? Check out more photos after the jump! And oh if you need a wedding, events, fashion and portrait photographer in Mindanao, please do not hesitate to CONTACT ME. Please refer me and my brother to your friends as well. Cheers and thanks! (more…)

Dec122010 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Your next Starbucks drink is on us! Join Mindanaoan’s contest now!

Announcements, Blogging, Consumer, Contests, Features, Food, Freebies, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Shopping

If you're a big coffee lover like I am, then I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say that the Christmas season isn't really the same if you don't drop by a Starbucks store and have your share of the Starbucks Christmas drinks. After all, Starbucks Christmas is absolutely much-awaited not only by kids, teens and yuppies. Christmas at Starbucks is a most-awaited season by virtually everyone! This year, Starbucks Philippines is featuring three delicious varieties - Praline Mocha, Toffee Nut Latte and Peppermint Mocha. Out of the three, my favorite is the Toffee Nut Latte. A tall Toffee Nut Latte beverage never fails to cheer me up, whatever time of the day. In fact, during my most recent visit to Cebu City, I took my brother and mom (who also flew in a few days later) to Starbuck...

Dec112010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Subscribe and “Like” the Mindanaoan FB page to start winning prizes

Announcements, Blogging, Contests

I've been meaning to post this ever since I managed to create a Facebook Page for my humble blog but only got to finally doing this today. Yikes. Better late than never, though :) I'll be launching several contests and will be giving away some freebies in the next few days but only subscribers of Mindanaoan.com and those who "liked" the Facebook Page will be allowed to join. So here's your chance for a headstart of sorts. You may join the Official Mindanaoan.com Facebook Page through the widget below: Meanwhile, you can also subscribe to Mindanaoan.com via email below: DO NOT - I repeat - DO NOT forget to check your email address and open the email that will be sent to you by Feedburner. Click on the link that will be sent to you via email so that your email address will be...

Dec112010 by Mindanaoan Irene30 Comments

Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa Day Tour | What to do in Cebu

Blogging, Business, Cebu City, Consumer, Corporate, Features, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personal, Photos, Resorts, Reviews, Style, Tourism, Travel

Yes, the rumors are true. Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa is a beautiful paradise that you just have to visit at least once in your lifetime! :) I finally availed of the much-talked about Shangri-La Mactan day tour recently. I treated my brother so it was the two of us who had a grand time at Shangri-La Mactan Cebu. The Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa Day Tour rate, as of October 2010, is P2,500.00 per person (roughly US $65.00) - a bit expensive for many but I must say, our experience was worth every penny. From Cebu City proper (along Salinas Road, to be exact), we took a metered cab towards Mactan. Travel time was about half an hour, notwithstanding traffic. Fare was around P160 but I paid P200 - just to start the day right :) Here's what greeted us when we arrived at Shangri-La...

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...

Dec72010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

An appeal to all of my valued Mindanaoan.com readers

Bisaya, Blogging, Contests, Features, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Society, Technology

After bagging the Best Lifestyle Blog for Mindanao 2010 in the Philippine Blog Awards, this humble Mindanao blog is once again nominated - this time to two national blogging awards - the 2010 Philippine Blog Awards Bloggers' Choice Award and the 2010 Philippine Blog Awards Readers' Choice Award. As I previously wrote, however, I myself will not even vote for my own blog for the Bloggers' Choice Award since my vote will go to Bukidnon Online but for the Reader’s Choice Category, I would really appreciate a little help from my valued Mindanaoan.com readers, subscribers, supporters! :) Mindanaoan.com and other Readers' Choice Awards nominees will be judged according to the number of Facebook "LIKES" starting today until before 11:59 pm on December 11, 2010 (Saturday). Most number of lik...

Dec52010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Why I am NOT voting for this blog for the Bloggers’ Choice Award

Advocacy, Blogging, Bukidnon, Contests, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personal

Did that surprise you? It's true. While this Mindanaoan blog may be one of the nominees for the Bloggers' Choice Award in the 2010 Philippine Blog Awards, I'm not voting for it. Instead, my vote will go to Bukidnon Online - the largest, most active/updated and most interactive blog about the Province of Bukidnon, Mindanao. I have a lot of reasons why I'm voting for BukidnonOnline.com but some of these reasons include: - Bukidnon Online is a labor of love. It started out as a "hobby blog" - a mere outlet for a non-Bukidnon resident to share her new discoveries about the province she has started to fall in love with. However, after only a few weeks of going online, this Bukidnon site became a source of news and updates for a lot of people not only from within the province but basically...

Dec32010 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Why I organized the Bukidnon Bloggers group

Blogging, Bukidnon, Commentary, Events, Internet, Malaybalay City, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Personal, Technology

A few weeks ago, right before this blogger from Mindanao flew to Cebu City to open a small, humble branch of my PR, events, media and marketing business, I organized an event dubbed "BukidnonOnline.com Bukidnon Blogging 101 and How To Make Money Online Workshop" in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, Mindanao. It was a workshop I never expected to be such a huge hit - especially since there were hardly any bloggers in that part of Mindanao. However, more than 40 would-be and newbie bloggers came - and with a lot of help from the CDO Bloggers group, ASTERISK Events and Communications and from generous friends and sponsors - not only was the blogging workshop a major success but it also bore a 10-man Bukidnon Bloggers core group. Needless to say, as event organizer and bloggers myself, I felt abso...