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After Altis taxis, Cagayan de Oro City now has videoke taxis

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Entertainment, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Photos, Society, Style
I could still remember those days when the taxis (cabs) of Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao were the talk of the town...and of other areas in the country, truth be told. Kagay-anons were so elated when Toyota Altis taxis started to roam around the city (and basically snubbed the "old" taxis) and people from other areas started to hope that they, too, can see "sosyal" public utility cabs in their own places. I also remember the many times when the drivers of "old" taxis would just heave a heavy sigh and wish that they, too, can drive a spanking new Toyota Altis taxi soon. After all, just how many passengers have these "old" taxis lost to these shiny new Altis cabs? Well, taxi operators that still own "old" taxi models in Cagayan de Oro City should really keep up with the pace especially now...

Is a zip line adventure in the offing in Cagayan de Oro City?

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Davao City, Mindanaoan Update, Sports
So I'm back from a very brief visit to my hometown, Davao City, Mindanao. While it felt refreshing to be back home, my stay was a painfully short one so it was still really BITIN. My mother, brothers and I were in Wadab town to celebrate one my younger brothers' birthday. Anyways, the highlight of my Davao City trip was the much-awaited Xcelerator adventure. I have so much to share about my Outland Adventure Xcelerator adventure (I'll also share some photos!) - I'll write more about that tomorrow. In the meantime, I'd just like to share with you all a little bit of info that I got while we were at Outland Adventure. One of the staff members talked to me and told me that a zip line ala Xcelerator might be put up in Cagayan de Oro City (which is roughly 6 hours away from Davao City by bus...

Reload via SMART Money and get additional 10 percent bonus airtime

Announcements, Business, Consumer, Corporate, Mindanaoan Update, News, Society
Good news for the many Mindanao-based SMART Money users! Beginning May 15, 2009, SMART subscribers will enjoy bonus airtime, whenever they reload their own or another Smart Buddy prepaid account using Smart Money. Now for entrepreneurs like me, this is definitely good news especially since I regularly send out payments and other types of transactions through SMART Money. Load denominations ranging from P15 to P1,000 purchased via Smart Money will entitle account holders to an additional 10 percent of the reloaded amount. For example, a Smart Money account holder will get P110 worth of load for a personal airtime purchase of P100. Also, if the account holder opts to purchase airtime for a friend or loved one, the load recipient will get the corresponding 10% bonus load. That’s 10% wor...

Thermal scanner to be installed at Lumbia Airport Cagayan de Oro

Announcements, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Corporate, Flights, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao, Tourism, Travel
I got word that Philippine Airlines (PAL) has donated a thermal scanner that can detect if a person has flu or fever. This thermal scanner is set to be installed at the Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao very soon. This is really very good news especially since there are now 10 confirmed H1N1 virus cases in the country (and if I'm not mistaken, three people in the Caraga region, Mindanao are currently being suspected of carrying the deadly virus as well) Interestingly, it had to take a corporate giant like PAL to donate a working thermal scanner just so passengers using the Cagayan de Oro airport can be assessed for fever or flu or be more protected against the H1N1 virus. So exactly where's the health department in all of these? What about the local government?...

Looking forward to trying the Xcelerator!

Business, Consumer, Davao City, Entertainment, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Society, Tourism, Travel
Experience some atmosFEAR! Now who wouldn't be curious with that? I am really, really looking forward to trying the Xcelerator zip line over at Davao City's Outland Adventure this weekend! The Outland Adventure Xcelerator is supposedly the longest speed zipline in all of Asia! Cool, eh? The Xcelerator is open everyday from 8am to 5 pm. Groups reservations available for weekdays. Fee is P300.00 per adult. They grant a 50 percent discount for small children if they're riding in tandem with an adult. Outland Adventure is right across the GAP Farm along the Diversion Road in Ma-a, Davao City, Mindanao. Check out this video:

Teriyaki Boy now open in SM Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao

Announcements, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Society
Seems like the City of Golden Friendship is fast becoming the new city of major developments! Cagayan de Oro City is the newest home of a Teriyaki Boy branch. Teriyaki Boy is a fast-casual Japanese dining restaurant here in the Philippines and yes, I often make it a point to drop by one of their branches in Manila (I also like Tokyo Tokyo, another fast-casual Japanese-style dining restaurant chain which has a couple of branches in Manila). Thankfully, Teriyaki Boy now have an outlet in CDO --- in SM City CDO along Masterson Avenue, to be exact. *picture taken using only my Motorola Krzr Is it just me or has Teriyaki Boy changed their corporate look? Their logo used to have red and black, yes?...now I noticed that they prominently used yellow. Or does this look only apply in th...

SM General Santos City on the drawing board

Business, Consumer, Corporate, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Update, News, Society, SoSCksargen
Although there haven't been any official statements yet from both SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (the corporation behind the SM supermalls around the country) and the Salazar Family of General Santos City (said to be the owners of an 8-hectare property along Santiago Boulevard, GenSan where SM reportedly intends to put up the SM General Santos Supermall), observers believe that it's a done deal. The fact that General Santos Mayor Pedro Acharon already confirmed the signing of a lease between the two concerned parties, then the project already has the green light. SM reportedly intends to lease the Salazar-owned land for 50 years. And we all know that long-term leases mean financial security for the owners. Good for them, yes? SM General Santos City is seen to be the imminent rival to Rob...

Mindanao growth threatened by power shortage

Advocacy, Announcements, Business, Commentary, Controversial, Davao City, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Sarangani
Opposition Sen. Chiz Escudero said over the weekend that the growth of Mindanao may be stunted unless investments in the power sector start pouring in. “Mindanao is where a fourth of the country’s population lives. Unless we take steps to ensure sufficient power on the island by creating a conducive environment for investments, we as a nation will be headed for a crisis,” Escudero said. He called for the immediate privatization of the government’s power generation and distribution assets in the region and to allow free market forces to determine costs rather than keeping power rates artificially low supposedly to attract industries. He said investments in Mindanao’s power sector are unlikely if power pricing problems remain unsettled Despite a recent increase to P2.8177 per kil...

PLDT, SMART pledges more support for gov’t manpower dev’t initiatives

Advocacy, Announcements, Business, Consumer, Corporate, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News
Manuel V. Pangilinan, Chairman of PLDT and SMART, together with Napoleon L. Nazareno, President and CEO of PLDT and SMART, met with Labor Secretary Marianito D. Roque recently to discuss how the telecommunications giant and the nation’s leading wireless services provider could enhance the efforts spearheaded by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), particularly in the areas of job creation, manpower development, job placement and skills matching. For several years, PLDT and SMART have supported government initiatives by promoting and offering job and livelihood opportunities through various programs like the SMART Entrepreneurial Program, the DBP I-net Negosyo for Overseas Filipino Workers and their beneficiaries, several microfinance programs in the countryside, a series of SMAR...

Davao to Cagayan de Oro direct flights launched

Announcements, Bukidnon, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Corporate, Davao City, Flights, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel
Well, after years of waiting for another airline to launch Davao to Cagayan de Oro, Cagayan de Oro to Davao direct flights (the last airline that offered this was Mindanao Air - if memory serves me right - I was able to fly twice), the wait is finally over. Cebu Pacific Airlines has launched a direct thrice-weekly service from Davao to Cagayan de Oro starting May 14, 2009. And here's pretty tempting news for those who want to try this new route --- Cebu Pacific is introducing this Davao City to Cagayan de Oro City, Cagayan de Oro City to Davao City route with a one-way ‘Go Lite’ promo fare of P499 all-in. The seat sale will run from today to April 30, 2009 and is valid for travel from June 1 to August 31, 2009. Promo fare is non-refundable. The flight departs from Davao every Tuesday...

Made in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao: Energy Plus bar

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Food, Mindanaoan Update
I discovered something pretty interesting lately. Well, a product made in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, to be exact. It's an energy bar - an all natural, high protein, high fiber and high carbohydrates bar that promises to help you replenish lost energy. "Reload in a bar" - the product says. I'm a huge fan of muesli bars and I also make it a point to visit cereal joints whenever I'm in Manila (which reminds me...when will a similar all-cereal food joint ever open here in Mindanao?) so to find a similar product made here in Mindanao is interesting to me. This Cagayan de Oro Mindanao product is called Energy Plus (Trail Mix Bar) and of course, the picture used for the product label is that of a group of friends going on a white water rafting trip (CDO is known for its white water r...

Talk ‘N Text Gaaniversary in Valencia City, Bukidnon this April 25, 2009

Announcements, Bukidnon, Business, Consumer, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Freebies, Mindanaoan Update
VALENCIA CITY, BUKIDNON - In commemoration of Talk 'N Text's 9th anniversary, the said prepaid GSM service, considered the Philippines' second largest, will bring its "Gaaniversary" activities to Valencia City, Bukidnon, Mindanao. “We are happy to bring the Talk ‘N Text Gaaniversary celebration to Valencia City, and we are excited to continue contributing to the vibrancy of this area,” said Steve Alcoseba, SMART head for sales in the Visayas and Mindanao. The Talk ‘N Text Gaaniversary activity is a yearly series of merrymaking held in different places in the country to let hardworking Filipinos and their families take a break and have fun together. This year’s series, dubbed “Talk ‘N Text Gaaniversary: Ikaw ang Bida”, kicked off last March 28, 2009 in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. ...

Smart, Talk ‘N Text Mindanao exclusives

Advocacy, Announcements, Business, Consumer, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update
I'm sure that most, if not all, of you have noticed the various billboards, posters, tarps and radio ads about SMART and Talk 'N Text's Mindanao exclusives --- exclusive "unlimited texting" and "unlimited calls" promos meant only for Mindanao subscribers. I have yet to try this type of promo but I'm wondering if it's worth the trouble? You see, many of the people I know who've registered under these so-called Mindanao exclusives promos of SMART and Talk 'N Text have encountered several problems. For one, they claim that they no longer receive messages especially during night time even though the people who sent them those messages swore to the high heavens that they "successfully sent" those SMS notes. Still, these types of promos are very interesting and I would really like to try t...

How long before you get your SSS ID – three months!

Business, Commentary, Consumer, Government, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personal, Society, Technology
Well, in my case, at least. After a little over three months, I finally received it. I received my Social Security System (SSS) ID in the mail today. My SS card was sent via registered mail and interestingly, the "generic" letter that came with it (which was signed by current SSS Chairman Romulo Neri) was dated February 3, 2009 but the envelope was postmarked February 19, 2009. So I'm thinking the SSS has one really very slow mailing process. Anyways, this post on how long before you get your SSS ID comes three months after my entry on how to get your SSS ID card. In that post, I mentioned that the data capture operator told me that it might take more than two months before my SSS digital ID is sent via registered mail. Well, what do you know? She was right! Not only did it take more th...

Limketkai Cagayan de Oro store “Teen Kingdom” features purely Hello Kitty stuff

Beauty, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Fashion, Gifts, Mindanaoan Update, Style
If you're looking for gift ideas for teens or gifts for children especially gifts for young girls and you're near Limketkai Mall in Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao, then you might want to drop by this small yet pretty creative niche store called Teen Kingdom. Teen Kingdom in Lim Ket Kai Mall, Cagayan de Oro City sells Hello Kitty and other Sanrio stuff. From keychains to sticker books to alarm clocks to pillows to robes to even headphones and computer keyboards, you can find these items there. Young girls, tweens and even not-so-young ladies who are fond of girly stuff, pink stuff, fluffy stuff, cute knick knacks (abubot) will have a field day choosing Hello Kitty items and other Sanrio stuff at Teen Kingdom. I myself spent a good several minutes at the store just recently. Ac...

DTI Northern Mindanao to offer income generating livelihood, entrepreneurial trainings

Announcements, Business, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Regional Office in Northern Mindanao has just shared with Mindanaoan the series of income generating livelihood and entrepreneurial trainings that they are set to offer for free. Simultaneous trainings and seminars will be conducted this month in the different provinces by the various DTI branches in response to the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) of the national government. The following CLEEP trainings and seminars are open to all and registration is FREE but on a first come and first serve basis only as the venue could only accommodate a limited number of participants. Be sure to register early! Interested parties can just visit the nearest DTI Provincial Office or the Regional Office at Corrales-Luna...

Where there’s construction or repair, there’s Pinoy business

Bisaya, Business, Consumer, Mindanaoan Update, Photos, Society
This is really Pinoy ingenuity at work! My family and I were on our way to Davao City when we had to stop at Mangima Road, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. As it turned out, there was an ongoing road repair (I learned that from this huge tarp along the side of the road which prominently featured the face of President Gloria Arroyo instead of the facts and data about the infrastructure project...but ah, that's for another post) and only one lane was open for passage. As we waited for our turn to pass through, I noticed a lot of makeshift shanties. And then I spotted these: Children and their parents offering just about anything to people waiting in their vehicles. From peanuts to steamed corn to "ice tubig," (ice water) children as young as 5 years old would hawk their products, hoping...

Avail of the 50 percent discount on a DTI permit, Mindanaoan!

Advocacy, Announcements, Business, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News
Got laid off? Have you been toying with the idea of launching a business? Want to concentrate on being self-employed this time around? Well, now's a great time to do it and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is doing its share of making that plan of yours easier on the pocket. According to a press release sent to me (Mindanaoan) by the Department of Trade and Industry, the DTI has reportedly slashed its business name registration and renewal fees to half. Yes, you read that right. A fifty percent discount on that much-needed DTI business permit. This, in accordance to a department order issued by DTI Secretary Peter Favila. Instead of the standard P300.00 fee for business name registration, DTI will now only collect P150.00 per business name registration and renewal transaction....

Are you willing to pay P6,000 to the Philippine government just so you can blog?

Advocacy, Blogging, Business, Consumer, Controversial, Headline, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Technology
Because this seems to be the case if ever a proposal dubbed "Guidelines on the Provision of Contents, Information, Applications and Electronic Games" lodged before the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) pushes through. Now, how does this affect Mindanaoan bloggers or content providers here in the Philippines, you ask? This controversial proposal, when loosely translated, would mean that the Philippine government wants to require people to hold licenses in order to create or post content online. And, of course, there will be corresponding fees and charges. Under the proposal, a filing fee of P300.00 shall be imposed and an annual registration fee of P6,000.00. There will also reportedly be surcharges for late filings. While the proposal probably has commendable objectives and w...

The curious case of the CagayanCon 2009 website and a controversy?

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Commentary, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Personal
The 1st Cagayan de Oro Construction Show 2009 (CagayanCon '09) was held last January 16, 17 and 18, 2009 at the Rotunda, Lim Ket Kai Mall, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, Philippines. The event aims to pool together stakeholders (from construction businessmen to manufacturers to suppliers to end consumers) in the construction industry. I must admit, I didn't hear about the event up until I was actually inside Limketkai Mall last Sunday, January 18, the last day of the exhibit. I was in town (CDO) for the day and I noticed the many booths at the Rotunda area of the said famous Cagayan de Oro mall. I was only able to check out 2-3 booths that day, unfortunately, so I vowed to check the event website and hopefully write about it here in Mindanaoan. Lo and behold, I found a couple of highly ...

Want to promote your business during the Kaamulan Festival 2009 in Bukidnon?

Bukidnon, Business, Consumer, Events, Fiesta, Kaamulan Festival, Mindanaoan Update
Budding entrepreneurs, webmasters and companies - hear ye, hear ye!  Here's good news for those who want to do business during the much-awaited Kaamulan Festival in the Province of Bukidnon, Mindanao. Will you be one of the many business owners, participating companies or entrepreneurs during the much-awaited Kaamulan Festival 2009 celebration in Bukidnon? Or do you intend to promote your website, service or business and let the hundreds of thousands of residents, guests and tourists alike know what you're offering? Let Bukidnon Online help you promote your business venture, website or service in what is largely called the remaining authentic indigenous festival in the Philippines - the Kaamulan Festival! Thousands of people are guaranteed to participate in the almost 3-week long Kaamul...

Davao-Hongkong and Davao-Singapore now on ZERO FARE!

Business, Corporate, Davao City, Flights, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Travel
Good news Mindanaoan travelers! If you've been meaning to visit bustling Hong Kong or clean and beautiful Singapore then now is the time to travel! Cebu Pacific Air is offering another round of its infamous zero fare promo for Davao-Hongkong (and vice versa) and Davao-Singapore flights! The seat sale promo starts today, January 16, 2009 up to January 22, 2009. There are 70,000 seats available for Cebu Pacific Air's international seat sale so that's 70,000 chances for you to travel to your Asian destination of choice! Actually, the airline is offering zero fares for flights to Bangkok, Guangzhou, Ho Chi Minh, Jakarta, Kaohsiung, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Shanghai and Taipei as well. Pretty exciting deal, eh? I did a mock reservation just a few minutes ago for a Davao to Sing...
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