Blogging Archives - Page 14 of 19 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Oct142010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Forever 21 Manila Philippines – my initial loot

Arts, Beauty, Blogging, Business, Consumer, Fashion, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Reviews, Shopping, Style

Well, it basically took "forever" but the wait is finally over! (Hey, how's that for a rhyme? :D) Forever 21, a popular retail chain, opened its first Philippine branch over at SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City last July. Sadly, I wasn't in Manila when the Forever 21 Manila branch opened and I also didn't have the chance to visit it even if I was there last August. Ugh. But well, I was back in Manila for Wordcamp Philippines 2010 and yes, I allocated an entire afternoon just to visit the store (finally!). That was how determined I was to snag at least a few pretty finds! LOL. Besides, it was the afternoon before the big John Mayer Live In Manila gig and I wanted to wear something special! Good thing my fellow bloggers Venus, Jacq and Cherry decided to join me in my quest to scour all of the...

Oct122010 by Mindanaoan Irene11 Comments

Pacquiao vs Margarito fight on November 13, 2010

Bisaya, Blogging, Events, General Santos City, Headline, Mindanaoan Artists, News, Personalities, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, Sports

Fellow Mindanaoan, Sarangani Congressman and the world's best pound-for-pound boxer, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, is set to face Mexican boxer Antonio Margarito on November 13, 2010 at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium for the World Light Middleweight Championship belt. As expected, this will be another day when Filipinos all around the world will root for our very own Pacman. I bet all Mindanaoans will again feel so proud of Manny Pacquiao, who was born in Kibawe, Bukidnon but who has lived in both General Santos City and Sarangani for several years. For sure, this Pacquiao vs Margarito boxing bout will be another blockbuster! I must admit, I have a few reservations about this Pacquio versus Margarito fight. (more…)

Oct122010 by Mindanaoan Irene8 Comments

Fan mode: Mr. WordPress Matt Mullenweg’s video messages

Blogging, Features, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Personalities, Technology, Videos

And so Wordcamp Philippines 2010 came and went. It was my very first time to attend a Wordcamp and I must say, the event was worth my time, money and energy! The organizers, Avatar Media, did a fabulous job putting the event together. Congratulations to the organizers, volunteers and speakers of Wordcamp Philippines 2010! And of course, congratulations to all of my fellow campers as well ;) I'm sure everyone had fun and learned a lot :) Let's not forget Wordpress founder and lead developer Matthew Charles Mullenweg's challenge to us, yes? Let's advocate the use of Wordpress here in the Philippines! Are you up for the challenge? Because I am! :) For non-bloggers, just in case you're curious as to why Wordcamp Philippines 2010 was such a big deal especially for bloggers who use Wordpres...

Oct102010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Starbucks Cagayan de Oro and Starbucks VIA Ready Brew Coffee

Announcements, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Features, Food, Gifts, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Northern Mindanao, Personal, Reviews, Shopping, Society

If you're living in Northern Mindanao, chances are you've already heard of the upcoming opening of Starbucks Cagayan de Oro. In fact, I wrote about the much-awaited opening last May, along with a job opening announcement for baristas and store managers. Fast forward a few months later, word's out that Starbucks CDO is set to open in just a few weeks' time. Starbucks CDO is located at Limketkai Mall corner Rosario Drive, right across the Missy Bon Bon gelato and bread store and very near Mc Donald's. As expected, they got an ultra prime location. That area will soon see the rise of an 18-floor hotel and is just a few blocks away from the Regional Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs, a state university and a mixed-use building. So yeah, the Starbucks CDO branch will enjoy heavy fo...

Oct72010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Bacolod: Balay ni Tana Dicang | Bacolod tourist spot you must visit!

Bacolod City, Blogging, Flights, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Reviews, Tourism, Travel, Visayas

So a few weeks ago, I shared with all of you all about the New Bacolod Silay Airport and the two places where my friends and I dined in Bacolod City (Pepe's Grill for the delicious ribs and Calea for the best desserts). Now I'll share a nice tourist spot we visited at Talisay City (about half an hour away from Bacolod City) --- Balay Ni Tana Dicang. Located along Rizal Street, Balay Ni Tana Dicang (Balay means home while tana is shortcut for "kapitana") stands as one of Negros' most preserved ancestral homes. It's so well-preserved, in fact! These days, it's now a museum and occasionally plays host to art exhibits and other mini shows. It was build in 1883 for Don Efigenio Lizares and Dona Enrica Alunan at the later stage of the Spanish era in the Philippines. This bahay na ba...

Oct72010 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Pres. Noynoy Aquino first 100 days report speech – full text Noynoy 100 days report

Announcements, Blogging, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News

Full text of President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III 's message on the first 100 days of his administration. President Noynoy Aquino delivered his First 100 Days Report earlier today, October 7, 2010 at La Consolacion College, Manila. Read below: Message of His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III President of the Philippines On The First Hundred Days of his Administration [October 7, 2010, La Consolacion College, Manila] Isandaang araw po ang nakalipas, nagpanata ako sa taumbayan: Hindi ko tatalikuran ang tiwalang kaloob ninyo sa akin. Ang nakalipas na isandaang araw ang magsisilbing tanda ng ating paninindigan. Malalim at malawak po ang mga problemang minana natin. Nag-ugat ito sa isang gobyernong parang tatlong matsing na nagbingi-bingihan, nagbulag-bulagan, at gumawa ng sariling ...

Oct62010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

John Mayer Live In Manila – that oh-so-wonderful experience!

Blogging, Entertainment, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Musings, Personalities, Photos, Reviews

This is a follow-up to my earlier post! John Mayer Live In Manila. October 1, 2010. SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds. It was one memorable date I will never forget. Firstly, because it was THE John Mayer...the love of my life! Secondly, because the entire country has waited for this moment for years (and a few months more...especially after this gig was postponed from May to October!). And thirdly, because I've never attended a concert in the middle of a typhoon! (But what the heck - it was John Mayer for chrissakes!) So my gal pal Crissa and I arrived at the concert venue just in time (and I mean REALLY JUST IN TIME!) for John's very first song. I was clad in my newly bought Forever 21 top, walking shorts, Rudy Project biker jacket and ever dependable Fitflops (I know, it wasn't the wor...

Oct62010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Atty. Adel Tamano and Atty. Aquil Tamano endorse Mindanaoan.com!

Blogging, Features, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Personalities, Videos

What do you do when two very handsome and smart lawyers (and celebrities in their own right, I must say!) endorse your humble blog? a) you blush and get *gigil* b) you scream, jump for joy and thank the high heavens c) you blog about it! Well, in my case, I did all of the above! :D Atty. Adel Tamano and his younger brother Atty. Aquil Tamano gave this uber *kakakilig* video message endorsing this humble blog, www.Mindanaoan.com, and the blogger behind it ;) Imagine - two Mindanaoans endorsing Mindanaoan.com! I think that's cool. Don't you think so? :) I must admit, I've played this message again and again and still - I can't help but feel warmth on my cheeks :P Thank you to Sir Adel and to Sir Aquil for this! I really, really appreciate it :) Atty. Adel Tamano and...

Sep302010 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

John Mayer in Manila, Philippines – and I’m watching!

Arts, Blogging, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personal, Personalities

John Mayer and his songs are a big part of my life. I used to think that most, if not all, of his songs were fit for certain phases of my life. Sure, he may be known these days as one notorious chick magnet (he only managed to catch Jennifer Aniston lang naman), a kiss-and-tell boyfriend (read: Jessica Simpson) and one sorry fool who thought he could "intellectualize an emotionally filled" racist term but I guess we can't deny that John Clayton Mayer has produced great, chart-topping songs. This John Mayer song below, entitled "Daughters," for instance, gave me goosebumps the very first time I heard it. I felt he was singing this song especially for me: This one below, on the other hand, entitled "Slow Dancing In A Burning Room" is a hands-down sexy song: I also love "Say"...

Sep272010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

RJ Ledesma’s special video message for me and a friend

Blogging, Entertainment, Features, Journalism, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Videos

If you were born in the 80's (or even late 70's), chances are you know who RJ Ledesma is. He's the lovable "Joey" in that popular Royal Tru Orange series of TV commercials. Here's one below (this one's entitled "Teacher's Pet") Here's another classic RJ Ledesma as "Joey" commercial (this one's entitled "Kuya"): Well, fast forward several years later and no longer the "Joey" we used to know, RJ Ledesma is now a grown man --- UNO Magazine's Editor In Chief, newspaper columnist, book author, uber talented host and proud dad! So you could just imagine how happy I was to finally see him in the flesh (after years of just seeing him as "Joey" on TV!) during the recently concluded 17th National Public Relations Congress. RJ was the host of the 2-day confab and he did an amazing jo...

Sep212010 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Maxims Hotel Resorts World Manila – only 6 star hotel in the Philippines

Blogging, Consumer, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Resorts, Tourism, Travel

Remember my first Resorts World Manila blog entry? Apparently that garnered a lot of attention not only from my regular readers but from virtually everyone around the world. That was one of the most viewed posts in my blog! So of course that only means that a lot of people are really curious as to what's happenin' over at Resorts World Manila - the latest entertainment destination in Newport City (which is located right in front of Ninoy Aquino International Airport 3 or NAIA 3) Read more about Resorts World Manila here and see why it pays to be a member! (Membership is FREE, by the way :) ) In the meantime, here's a peek of what I'm gonna do later tonight - tour Maxim's Hotel at Resorts World Manila. Maxim's Hotel is the only 6 star hotel in the Philippines! I will join a special to...

Sep212010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Off to Manila – and I’m attending the 17th National PR Congress!

Announcements, Blogging, Business, Corporate, Events, Flights, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Personal

It's exactly 5:31 AM. September 21, 2010. I'm bound for Manila today. I'm supposed to be at the airport in a few hours' time but I can't resist this chance to go online and blog in order to share one piece of good, exciting news - Mindanaoan is attending the 17th National Public Relations Congress! WOOT! :) Yes, my earlier post got me a free delegate pass to the country's most prestigious PR event of the year! As a practising publicist, social media consultant, blogger and media practitioner, this opportunity to listen to and learn from top PR and media executives is absolutely a blessing! I am looking forward to all the talks - especially those by Weber Shandwick Asia Pacific Chairman Tim Sutton and Ogilvy Southeast Asia Director Andrew Thomas. (more…)

Sep192010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Kraft Eden Cheese launches Keso de Gallo – vote for Mindanao cities!

Announcements, Blogging, Business, Contests, Events, Food, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, News, Tourism

100 towns. 100 days. 100 unique dishes. 1 Grand Yuletide celebration. Yes, Kraft Eden, the very same company that ignited the joy and faith of Filipinos nationwide in last year's Keso de Gallo, is back once again to bring the warmest and tastiest Christmas. If last year they toured around 9 different cities in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, in 9 different churches with 9 carefully selected Pinoy recipes for a total of 9 mornings (whew!), this year Kraft Eden will make things grander - 100 participating towns, 100 unique dishes to be showcased for a total of 100 days! Now that's what you call pushing food tourism to a whole new level! The Keso de Gallo this year has started last September 4 and will end until the first Sunday of January 2011. Through this "100 Days of Christma...

Sep112010 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Help me attend PR 2.0: 17th National Public Relations Congress

Bisaya, Blogging, Business, Corporate, Features, Headline, Internet, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personal, Society

The 17th National Public Relations Congress will be held on September 23 and 24, 2010 at the Grand Ballroom, InterContinental Manila, Makati City, Philippines with the theme “PR2.0 Build. Engage. Deliver.” and I absolutely want to attend! I may have been in the public relations/media/marketing/advertising/events industry for several years now and I may own a small public relations agency in the Philippines but I have yet to attend a national conference led by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines. Methinks attending this PR congress will help me as a Filipino publicist and I have a couple of reasons why: 1. I am one who actively incorporates blogging and other forms of social and new media in my work. While I still practise public relations the "traditional" way, I have starte...

Sep102010 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

DL8 Pure Herbal Tea – Caffeine free herbal tea that I recommend

Advocacy, Agriculture, Announcements, Blogging, Bukidnon, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Features, Food, Freebies, Gifts, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Reviews, Shopping

Anybody who knows me would say that I'm not exactly the biggest fan of tea except probably when it's iced. And anybody who knows me would also say that I'm also not exactly the biggest fan of so-called herbal teas. Apart from the fact that I'm more of a coffee person and that it's very rare that I don't start my day without coffee, I usually stay away from herbal teas that offer a million and one health benefits. Yes, you could say that I was a skeptic and a cynic. And yes, I used the word "WAS." You see, things changed when a friend of mine introduced me to DL8 Pure Herbal Tea - a caffeine free tea that aims to cleanse, alkalize, revitalize and enrich the body. For the first time in a very long time, I saw myself drinking herbal tea and actually loving it! I enjoyed drinking DL8 Pure H...

Sep82010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Usher, my beloved Macbook, finally meets his match!

Blogging, Consumer, Corporate, Features, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Shopping, Technology

After receiving jibes (playful ones, I assure you) from my brother who said I was such a weird cheapskate for having a cheap-0 mouse (i.e. a small silver one I once used during my HP netbook days and one that I got from CD-R King LOL) accompany my new Macbook (which I have decided to name "Usher," by the way), I decided, on a bit of a whim, to purchase the most suitable partner for my new laptop. Introducing my newest (and expensive *gulp*) gadget - the Apple Magic Mouse! I bought this one during my most recent trip to Cebu City: Doesn't it look like it came from outer space? (more…)

Aug312010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Please visit our booth at Kasalan sa Kagay-an 2010 bridal fair!

Announcements, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Events, Fashion, Features, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Weddings

Are you a soon-to-be-bride? Do you know someone who's interested to look for Filipino wedding photographers? Or do you just want to visit bridal fairs and check out the current rates and some of the best wedding suppliers (especially CDO wedding photographers, of course) in this side of the country today? Then head on down to the Rotunda area of Limketkai Mall, Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao from September 3 to 5, 2010 and check out the much-awaited Kasalan sa Kagay-an 2010 bridal fair :) One Happy Story, a duly registered business owned by my absolutely talented brother (who's a professional wedding photographer, portrait photographer, graphic artist and layout artist) Bon, will be one of the exhibitors :) And I, as the ever-loving and ever-supportive (ahem, ahem) sister, ...

Aug312010 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Photos: New Bacolod Silay Airport

Blogging, Mindanaoan Update, Photos, Tourism, Travel

One of the reasons why this blogger from Mindanao had to spend roughly two weeks in Visayas was a fab, much-awaited weekend in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental with my gal pals Joyce, Iza and Crissa! Although it wasn't my first time to visit Bacolod City (the renowned City of Smiles and home of the Masskara Festival), it was my first time to spend three days with dear friends whom I all met in Manila. I'll tell you more about these amazing ladies in the next few posts :) For now, I'll share with you some travel tips should you take the Cebu-Bacolod route soon (the Masskara Festival is just around the corner, after all!) and some of the photos I took at the fairly New Bacolod Silay Airport. I usually book my flights online using a credit card. For my Cebu City to Bacolod City flight, I...

Aug152010 by Mindanaoan Irene8 Comments

Make Your Own Havaianas 2010 MYOH 2010

Beauty, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Corporate, Events, Fashion, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Personalities, Photos, Society, Style

Because my first Make Your Own Havaianas experience last year was absolutely fun, I eagerly awaited the Make Your Own Havaianas 2010 event this year. Plus methinks the pair I meticulously "designed" last year badly needs a "hiatus" especially since I've been lugging it all around the country. Yep, it's a "well-traveled" pair - having been brought to various places in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. You see, my first MYOH pair was a staple in my traveling bag during the campaign period (May 2010 national elections) and I guess it's about time that I give it its much-deserved "rest." So just imagine my excitement when I once again received an ultra special VIP invite from our very special friends over at Spruce, the exclusive distributor of Havaianas in northern and western Mindanao. Who cou...

Aug52010 by Mindanaoan Irene9 Comments

Mindanaoan is attending Wordcamp Philippines 2010!

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Events, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Technology

I am absolutely thrilled to share this with y'all --- this blogger in Mindanao is attending the much-awaited Wordcamp Philippines 2010! I'm going, ARE YOU? Curious as to why Wordcamp Philippines 2010 is such a big deal especially for bloggers who use Wordpress? (Mindanaoan.com as well as all my other numerous blogs proudly use Wordpress, by the way!) Check out the deets after the jump! (more…)

Jul302010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Cute vector depiction of the Island of Mindanao

Arts, Blogging, Features, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Photos

Now this is absolutely too cute to pass up! Thanks to my Twitter friend Thysz, this blogger in Mindanao got wind of this cute vectorized map of the Island of Mindanao made by one very talented artist named Renan Barco. Check this out: Methinks it's a nice depiction of Mindanao :) Congratulations, Renan! Fab job! For those of you who want to follow more of Renan's work, check his Tumblr site. (more…)

Jul182010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Yummy Sunday birthday lunch at Kagay-anon Restaurant

Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Personal

My family and I recently celebrated my brother Ben's birthday by sharing one delicious, special birthday lunch on a Sunday at Kagay-anon Restaurant. One of our brothers, Nathaniel, wasn't around, though, since he's already based in Cebu City but we called him several times all throughout the day so we still strongly felt his presence. For that special Sunday birthday lunch, we had camaron rebosado and calamares: We also had another family favorite which is lato seafood. Check out the lato serving at this restaurant in Cagayan de Oro City after the jump! (more…)