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Proudly Mindanao made: Boyongs Special Bagoong

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews
You know when people say don't even try to glance at food blogs or pictures of food before you sleep? Okay, I made that up (HAHA) but really, that should be made into law! I made this mistake of checking out photos of food tonight (I was supposed to sleep about 10 minutes ago) and then I stumbled upon product shots of one of my favorite foodie finds since late last year --- Boyong's Special Bagoong! Obviously, I can't sleep now. I'm hoping that by blogging about this Mindanao product, dalawin uli ako ng antok! O.o Now for the uninitiated, bagoong is a Philippine condiment made of partially or completely fermented shrimps (or fish). Here in Mindanao (and in the Visayas), bagoong can either be ginamos (or fish bagoong --- the fish used is usually bolinao or anchovies) or bagoong alaman...
Young Filipino wedding photographers from Mindanao included among world’s best

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

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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...

A visit to Starbucks CDO – the first Starbucks in Mindanao

Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Corporate, Features, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Personal, Reviews
My mom, brother and I were in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao last weekend and since I still had 3 beverage coupons (yes, similar to those I gave away last December) from Starbucks (thank you Starbucks Philippines! :D) with me, we decided to use them at Starbucks Cagayan de Oro. Starbucks CDO is the first Starbucks in Mindanao. Dubbed as the 166th store in the Philippines, Starbucks CDO is located at Limketkai Mall corner Rosario Crescent. You can't miss it --- it's just a few steps away from the main entrance of Lim Ket Kai Mall in Cagayan de Oro. It was drizzling by the time we reached Starbucks CDO. Notice the water specks on my camera's lens: There are several chairs and tables outside. The right side facing the main entrance door is the "smoking area." I presented my...
Best clean, cheap Singapore hostel – Pillows And Toast

Best clean, cheap Singapore hostel – Pillows And Toast

Blogging, Business, Consumer, Features, Hotels, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Reviews, Singapore
Pillows & Toast Singapore is the best hostel in Singapore! It's a relatively new, clean, budget Singapore hostel that my mom and I liked. You see, Pillows And Toast was our home in Singapore back in February when we had our first ever mother-daughter trip overseas to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. You might want to read these blog posts to learn more about our Singapore - Malaysia trip: How to prepare a do-it-yourself Singapore and Malaysia trip Singapore Chronicles: Day 1 Cebu to Singapore List of all Singapore hostels Pillows And Toast Singapore Reservation / Booking Although it wasn't our first time to travel abroad, it was our first time to visit Malaysia and Singapore. It was also our first time to follow a DIY (do it yourself) trip! Like I mentioned in this p...
KLutched designer bags, totes and satchels now in the Philippines

KLutched designer bags, totes and satchels now in the Philippines

Beauty, Blogging, Business, Consumer, Fashion, Features, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Society, Style
I very well know that Filipinas are silent bag hags. Bags are oftentimes that guilty pleasure we simply cannot let go. So you could just imagine how excited I was when I recently got wind of a piece of exciting news! So here you go ---Good news to all Filipino fans of bags, totes and satchels! KLutched, one of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's most talked about brand, is finally here in the Philippines! Yes, yes, yes! KLutched is finally available in the Philippines! Created by the young and very talented Ung Yiu Lin, who also owns the brands ShoesShoesShoes and Idylinn, KLutched promises gorgeous bags - from slouches to totes to miniaudieres to satchels and yes, to clutches! (KLutched...clutched...get it? Plus the "KL" can also mean Kuala Lumpur! Cool branding, huh?) - made of exotic skins and ...

Zest Air launches Manila to Cagayan de Oro, Manila to Zamboanga, Manila to Davao flights

BIMP-EAGA, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Corporate, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Flights, Leisure, Manila, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Tourism, Travel, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay
Zest Air Philippines, formerly Asian Spirit, will soon offer Manila to Cagayan de Oro (and vv), Manila to Zamboanga (and vv) as well as Manila to Davao City (and vv) flights! While this sounds promising especially for Mindanao tourism, I'm not sure if the dissatisfied customers of Zest Airways will be excited about this. Remember what happened to fellow bloggers Winston (a.k.a. Batang Yagit) and Conrad Miguel? Their horrible, horrible experiences with Zest Air airlines has left a really bad taste in the mouth and I have tried so hard to avoid booking Zest Air flights like the plague! I would rather pay extra than avail of Zest Air promo flights and undergo a mind numbing 16 hour delay!!! BUT!!! if only to let you guys know that yes, Zest Air airways will soon land on Mindanao soil and (...

Tiger Airways to offer Manila to Davao City flights by July 2011

Announcements, BIMP-EAGA, Business, Cebu City, Davao City, Flights, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel
The Francisco Bangoy International Airport a.k.a. Davao City International Airport will be doubly busy come July 2011. This, after Tiger Airways recently announced the launch of their Manila to Davao City and vice versa flights. Tiger Airways will also launch their Manila to Cebu and vice versa flights on the same month. There will be 10 daily domestic flights between Manila and Cebu. The Tiger Airways Manila to Cebu flights will start on July 1, 2011. Meanwhile, there will be 6 daily flights between Davao and Manila. The Tiger Airways Davao to Manila flights will start on July 2, 2011. These Tiger Airways Manila to Cebu and Manila to Davao flights are the airlines' first two domestic routes in the Philippines. Tiger Airways flies from Clark, Pampanga to Hong Kong, Singapore and Maca...

Paris Hilton to visit Davao City Mindanao Philippines soon?

Beauty, Blogging, Business, Commentary, Consumer, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Entertainment, Fashion, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personalities, Shopping, Society, Style, Tourism
I'm pretty sure you've read it all - from Paris Hilton watching the Pacquiao vs Mosley fight ringside to Paris Hilton meeting Jinkee Pacquiao and Manny Pacquiao to Paris Hilton actually tweeting just how much she likes the representative of the lone district of Sarangani to how much she adores the Pacquiao couple and...of course, her plans of coming to the Philippines real soon "for a new and exciting project." Well, okay, she actually tweeted "I'm so excited for my trip to the Philippines. I am really looking forward to my newest business endeavor." There have been a lot of speculations (there was even a buzz that a Paris Hilton Beach Club was in the works) but it's clearer now. I guess this is the reason why Paris Hilton will visit the Philippines soon: (more…)

Starbucks and list of shops at Abreeza Mall Davao City

Announcements, Business, Consumer, Corporate, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Food, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, News, Shopping, Society, Style, Tourism
So the much-awaited Abreeza Mall will finally open tomorrow, May 12, 2011! Abreeza Mall is the newest shopping mall to open in Davao City, Mindanao. Located along JP Laurel Avenue (or for certified Dabawenyos like myself - Bajada!), in Davao City, Abreeza Davao is the very first Ayala owned mall in Mindanao, Philippines. Technically, Abreeza Mall Davao is owned by the Accendo Commercial Corporation, a joint venture company of Ayala Land and Anflocor. Abreeza Mall Davao City sits on about 25 acres of land. Apart from a mall, the area will also be home to a hotel, a business process outsourcig hub and residential / condominium properties. I'm sure that a lot of fellow Mindanaoans are excited about this project. And yes, Starbucks will finally open a branch in Davao City! It's...

Spruce opens a branch in Valencia City

Bukidnon, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Fashion, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Ozamis, Pagadian, Society, Style
As you guys may know, I'm a big supporter and regular customer of Spruce lifestyle boutique. Spruce is one of my favorite boutiques in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. It's where my relatives, friends and I buy original Havaianas, Charcoal, Lacoste and Happy Feet products! And, if you must know, Spruce is also responsible for all those fun Make Your Own Havaianas events in Northern Mindanao! Check out my very own Make Your Own Havaianas 2010 experience here. Owned by Spruce Designer Network Inc., Spruce has a main branch at the 2nd Level West Concourse, Limketkai Mall. It also has branches in Pagadian and Ozamiz. Recently, Spruce opened its newest branch - Spruce Valencia City, Bukidnon. (more…)

Atoy Martinez Hi Definition Video gets a Helicam!

Arts, Bisaya, Blogging, Broadcasting, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Society
I'm pretty psyched up with this not only because Atoy is a dear friend and I'm a fan of his work but also because my younger brother is a part of his team :) Fellow Mindanaoan Atoy Martinez, a Cagayan de Oro City-based professional videographer (a very talented wedding videographer, I must add!), just added a new baby to his Atoy Martinez Hi-Definition Video team - a cool and sexy Helicam! For the uninitiated, a Helicam is a remote-controlled mini helicopter that can be used to take aerial pictures or motion images using video, still or motion film cameras. A helicam is remotely controlled and can allow pan, tilt and roll movements. A wireless onboard video transmitter then "downlinks" the live signal to the camera operator. Images taken by the Helicam can either be recorded onboard or ...

Ayala Mall Cagayan de Oro CENTRIO announces job openings

Announcements, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Features, Headline, Jobs, Leisure, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Resorts, Shopping, Society, Style, Tourism, Travel
Everyone in Mindanao has been talking about it for months now --- the much-awaited opening of what's believed to be the biggest mall in Mindanao --- Ayala Malls' CENTRIO (UPDATE: Another Ayala-owned mall in Mindanao, ABREEZA, is the largest mall so far. Abreeza Mall is located in Davao). This Mindanaoan blogger first wrote about the upcoming Ayala Mall CDO last year and these days, it's fast becoming a reality especially with the recent announcement of job opportunities at Ayala Mall Cagayan de Oro. Cagayan De Oro Gateway, Corp., a subsidiary of Ayala Land, Inc. and the owner and developer of Centrio, has posted these job openings for Ayala Mall CDO: HR / Purchasing Assistant Financial Analyst General Cashier Finance and Control Officer Operations Manager Operations Assistan...

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...

Review: GoHotels.ph value hotel in Mandaluyong | budget hotel Manila

Business, Consumer, Corporate, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Reviews
For budget conscious Mindanaoans like me who often travel to Manila, it is but imperative to stay in a value hotel that offers not only comfort and safety but an ideal location as well. Although I do put a lot of weight on the price of a hotel room, I don't mind paying extra if I see that I get my money's worth. I also prefer hotels that are near public transportation options. Enter GoHotels.ph - a relatively new hotel located along EDSA Mandaluyong. For the uninitiated, EDSA, formerly known as Highway 54, is the main highway of Metro Manila here in the Philippines. It's also the same circumferential road where the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) passes through. GoHotels is the sister company of budget airline Cebu Pacific. Hence, it's no wonder that the said Manila budget hotel operates the s...

Havaianas 2011 collection and the list of authorized Havaianas retailers all over Philippines

Beauty, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Features, Gifts, Mindanaoan Update, Shopping, Style
A lot of my blog readers have been asking me about this and you all know I aim to please...so here you go! :) Here's a peek at the most awaited Havaianas 2011 collection as well as a complete list of the authorized retailers all over the Philippines. And yes, my favorite boutique in Northern Mindanao, Spruce, is one of the friendly authorized retailers of our favorite flipflops Havaianas. Just in case you're wondering why it's important for you to know where to get original pairs of Havaianas, well, you DO deserve something more than mere imitation, yes? :) And for those who want to check out what Havaianas Philippines has in store for all their loyal Havaianaticos, check out the Havaianas 2011 collection below: (more…)

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...

DTI has new business name registration fees

Announcements, Business, Consumer, Government, Mindanaoan Update
Are you thinking of going into business this year? Do you already have a great business name in mind? Here's good news! The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has now made it easier for all of us Mindanaoans to engage in business. Now you can register your business name online (more on this after the jump!). However, DTI now has revised rates for business name applications. Under Department Administrative Order No. 10-10 series of 2010, the Department of Trade and Industry will implement the revised rates for all Business Name (BN) applications effective today, January 3 (Monday). DTI will implement what they call a "territorial scheme" based on geographical divisions. Check out the corresponding payments below: (more…)

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...

Review: Red Box Karaoke Ayala Cebu

Beauty, Business, Cebu City, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Reviews, Tourism
I finally had the chance to visit the much-talked about Red Box Karaoke located at G101, Garden Level of The Terraces (below Active Zone, just beside the fountain) at the Ayala Center Cebu, Cebu Business Park. I've been hearing a lot of praises about this new Cebu hangout - karaoke place in Cebu so when my Cebu City-based brother finally had one free weekend, we decided to go to Red Box Karaoke Cebu and try their primetime package. The Red Box Ayala Cebu primetime package is available from 7 PM up to 12 midnight. For only P299.00+ per head (P399.00+ on Fridays and Saturdays), you can enjoy TWO FREE drinks (drink choices: iced tea, soda, local beers, mineral water, hot tea and brewed coffee), access to the extensive song library composed of more than 100,000 songs and fully airconditione...

Cheap taxi at Mactan Cebu airport

Advocacy, Blogging, Business, Cebu City, Consumer, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Society, Tourism, Travel
I've been to Cebu City countless of times but I think I haven't shared yet one tried and tested travel tip: how to avail of cheap taxi service at the Mactan Cebu International Airport. By cheap I mean the regular, metered taxi service rate and not the fixed or coupon-type of taxi service rate. This tip is especially helpful for first time travelers to the Queen City of the South. But before that, let's talk a little bit about the Mactan Cebu International Airport. The airport, as the name suggests, is in Mactan Island - meaning it's NOT within Cebu City proper. Usually, it takes you about 20 to 30 minutes from downtown Cebu to reach the airport. To go to Mactan, you need to cross one of the two bridges that connect Cebu to Mactan - the Mactan-Mandaue bridge and the Marcelo Fernan bridge...

SM Cagayan de Oro Digital Theater opens today!

Announcements, Business, Corporate, Davao City, Entertainment, Events, Mindanaoan Update, Movies
Thanks to Kagay-an.com's Mike Banos, I found out that the grand launching of the much-awaited Digital Theater at SM City Cagayan de Oro is set to happen today, November 12, 2010, 5 PM. The SM Digital Theater banners the promise that the movies that will be shown there will be "so clear and so real." At around 6 PM, the blockbuster film "Avatar" will be shown in the brand new SM CdO Digital Theater. Can't help but wonder, though, if they'll show the original "Avatar" or the one that has the extra 8 minute footage. Anyways, the said digital theater isn't the first in Mindanao. Gaisano Mall Davao City already has a digital theater. The one in SM CDO, however, is the first in Northern Mindanao. I've tried watching films in IMAX, 3D and Digital Theaters. And yes, the movies shown in D...
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