Cagayan de Oro City Archives - Page 2 of 28 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Jun52022 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

LOOK: Ice cream artisan Creamery Studios CDO

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Features, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Restaurant

We all have those days when we just want ice cream, comfort snacks, delicious coffee (yasss) and maybe a drink that resembles the northern lights, right? Because I do! Thankfully, there's a new place in Cagayan de Oro where you and I can indulge in everything good and sweet - Creamery Studios CDO!Try their ice cream artisan specialties, Korean egg drop sandwich, Spanish latte and the Sparkling Aurora (which resembles the breathtaking aurora borealis) The pasta chips and the berry tea fusion are also delicious choices. The Creamery Studios CDO space is also full of unicorn hues. Great for small events! However, aside from the food and drinks and colorful space, what makes Creamery Studios a must-visit is the affable owner, Chino. He is hands-on and passionate about his new venture...and ha...

Mar162022 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Australian yogurt drink specialty shop Koomi opens Cagayan de Oro branch

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Features, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Reviews

I’m a certified yogurt fanatic so you can just imagine how excited I was now that Koomi Philippines has opened a branch in Cagayan de Oro! Koomi, a natural yogurt drink specialty shop from The Land Down Under , serves guilt-free yogurt treats. Every cup of Koomi is made FRESH DAILY! I also absolutely enjoyed the Waterberry Wonder Tartness is perfect and the fruits they use are fresh and delicious Not only are these yummy, they’re healthy, too! They use a natural sweetener which is fruit honey and of course, our tumtums love the probiotic yogurt that aids our digestive system. Now that’s what we call #GuiltlessGoodness. Check out Koomi CDO at the G/F of SM CDO Downtown Premier (by the main entrance) or you can order via FoodPanda and GrabFood

Sep232021 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Panagatan Restaurant Opol now offers breakfast

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Restaurant, Reviews

Breakfast with a view? How about breakfast by the sea? Yes, please! Panagatan Restaurant, considered as Northern Mindanao's culinary gem and everyone's favorite seafood restaurant in this side of Northern Mindanao, Philippines, now offers breakfast and now opens at 6:30 AM (closes at 9 PM). For only Php 150 (US $3.00), your main viand (choose from bacon, corned beef, beef tapa, crispy danggit or daing na bangus) comes with 2 eggs and rice (or toasted bread). Value for money! There are also other breakfast options on their menu so go ahead and try this Cagayan de Oro breakfast place. Enjoy your breakfast by the bay! Panagatan Opol is atop the water so you can enjoy the morning sea breeze with delicious breakfast. Want to reserve tables or have inquiries? Just call Panagatan Resta...

Jun182021 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

This Panagatan Restaurant bilao treat is a winner

Bukidnon, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Features, Food, Iligan City, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Restaurant, Reviews

Allow me to share with you one of my recent favorite food finds - the Panagatan Restaurant bilao treat! I'm referring to the Panagatan Restaurant Bilao D offer in particular. For only Php 950 (less than US $20), you get this whole shebang - grilled tuna belly, calamares, crispy shrimps and seafood kebabs! This was more than enough for my small party of 3 :) The tuna belly was grilled perfectly (the fish was tender and juicy), the calamares rings were not gummy at all (if they are, then that means they're overcooked!) and the crispy shrimps serving was generous. Delicious and truly value for money! Highly recommended! We also capped our meal with the bestselling Panagatan Restaurant Buko Halo halo! So good! This one is a must-order! We were also given a compliment...

Apr242021 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

ATV buggy ride at Dahilayan Forest Park

Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Features, Leisure, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Tourism, Travel

Dahilayan Forest Park, the property beside Dahilayan Adventure Park (where the popular Zipzone is a.k.a. Asia's longest dual cable zipline) and where I also experienced the 8-storey platform base jump, offers ATV rides or buggy rides. Have you been on one? I absolutely enjoy riding ATVs! I also have a little confession to make - I'm a bit of a speed junkie so I like driving ATVs pretty fast! Although my most recent buggy adventure was a chill one since I was with my cousins and it was their first time driving ATVs. Here's a video I made during our Dahilayan ATV adventure. Check out the trail here: https://youtu.be/h2uTObv2M5o Dahilayan Forest Park offers other amenities and services such as picnic grounds, ponds and lagoons, forest animals playground and rides (luge, t...

Apr172021 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Tips for the best balsa adventure (Laguindingan or Alubijid floating cottage)

Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Tourism, Travel, Videos

It's summer! And you know what that means - we all need a respite from the scorching heat. One of the surefire ways to cool off is to hit the beach or, in this case, have a balsa adventure! A balsa is basically a floating cottage or raft largely made of bamboo and wood. Balsas have become ubiquitous especially off the shores of Laguindingan and Alubijid in Misamis Oriental (and in Cagayan de Oro City, last I heard!). I'm aware of the issues surrounding the operations of Balsa in Alubijid and Balsa in Laguindingan so I leave it all up to you guys to decide if you want to patronize but I do want to emphasize that I totally support responsible and sustainable local tourism efforts. So anyway...my relatives and I went on a balsa adventure recently and I have a few tips for you before y...

Mar292021 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Tesalate Beach Towels – why you must own this best sand-free towel

Beauty, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Features, LifeStyle, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Shopping, Society, Travel

I love the water. I love the beach. One of my life goals is to someday live by the beach again (my family and I used to back in the day) and just enjoy life as it comes. But while I wait for that day to come, I try to be near the water as much as possible. Of course, one of our must-haves, when we hit the beach, is to bring a beach towel. Just recently, however, I discovered one of, if not, the best beach towels - Tesalate! I was able to give my Tesalate beach towel a spin (I have the Tesalate Bohemian XL) when my relatives and I had our balsa adventure (video way down below) and I must say, you MUST own one. Let me give you a rundown: Sand-free beach days Tesalate is known for its exclusive AbsorbLite™ fabric which means no sand can ever stay put on your towel. Sand-resi...

Mar212021 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

LOOK: Seda Centrio Hotel CDO breakfast buffet

Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Features, Food, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Reviews, Society, Tourism, Travel

I don't know about you but when it comes to hotels, I'm pretty particular about the food they serve especially during breakfast. I mean, who wouldn't want to wake up to a delicious, glorious breakfast to help kickstart your day? Breakfasts help set the tone for the day! But because we're now living in extraordinary times and we all have to be extra cautious of safety and hygiene measures, we can't help but wonder how hotels adapt and still provide good food and service. For Seda Centrio, a downtown Cagayan de Oro Hotel that features high-quality room and recreational facilities, they're taking a very smart and efficient lead on how hotels can adapt to the new normal. During the relaunch of their breakfast buffet service at Misto, the signature restaurant of Seda Centrio, they made...

Mar142021 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

LOOK: these savory Mindanao heritage dishes at Cucina Higala

Advocacy, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Food, Marawi City, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update

What better way to reconnect with and celebrate our heritage but through food? With Cucina Higala's help, it's now easier to indulge in good, savory, rich, colorful, absolutely delicious food that's uniquely Mindanao. You see, Cucina Higala now offers another set of Mindanao Heritage dishes, 3 years after the first set's release in 2018. For their 2021 salvo, they have 5 new dishes - all of which I had the opportunity to try. And I must say - you simply should never miss these gastronomic delights! Before I proceed, I would like to sincerely thank the Cucina Higala team for the warm hospitality. Thank you Sir Jan, Miss Maggie, Sir Joe Jake and Miss Donna and staff for taking good care of me, Nicole Abas-Datayan, Narz Moria and Sir Mike Banos. Daghang salamat! Let me give...

Dec202020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Beautiful reunions and a fun cafe hop

Blogging, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Food, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

I’m sure you’ll agree with me when I say that one of the sad, challenging repercussions of this global health pandemic was that we can’t easily, freely travel and see our family and friends. We had no choice but to be contented with virtual “kamustahans.” Siyempre, it’s still different to physically be with your loved ones, to bond with them and strengthen family ties. So when the travel restrictions started to get eased out, I hatched a plan: to reunite my Mama with her older sister whom she hasn’t seen in more than a year! Thankfully, I had a reliable partner in Ford Philippines. They gave me the chance to drive the all-new Ford Territory, currently the most celebrated vehicle in the compact crossover segment. My plan for a beautiful reunion between sisters was off to a great st...

Dec42020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

These Mindanao youth groups champion bayanihan during quarantine

Advocacy, Cagayan de Oro City, Campus, Cotabato, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Society, Surigao del Sur

In the midst of so many challenges this year 2020, I'm so glad that several Mindanao youth groups have taken the initiative to address gaps in social services and collaborated with local government units and NGOs to develop projects that prioritized the survival, health, and livelihood of many of our fellow Filipinos. Here is a list of Mindanaoan youth groups that showed bayanihan during the quarantine: Tabang Sikad Tabang Sikad is a fund-raising initiative for sikad drivers from several barangays in Cagayan de Oro City. The project provided relief packs to sikad drivers whose daily income decreased from Php 300 to Php 80 – Php 100 during the quarantine. Started by a duo, Nekka and Liam, the team expanded their impact to collaborate with the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associa...

Nov192020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Globe expands 5G coverage in these Visayas and Mindanao cities

Bacolod City, Cagayan de Oro City, Cebu City, Davao City, Internet, Technology

Are your gadgets ready for 5G? Experience a different kind of mobile technology as Globe expands their 5G coverage to 17 key cities across NCR, Visayas and Mindanao. The company is accelerating upgrades of its existing technology to improve further the connectivity, mobile experience, and unlock vast potentials for its customers as 5G technology in Bacolod, Boracay, Iloilo, Talisay, Lapu-Lapu, Cordova, Minglanilla and Cebu City in Visayas; and in Davao City and Cagayan De Oro in Mindanao becomes available. In the first week of November, its 5G network has already reached certain areas in Davao City. 5G is the latest wireless internet connectivity that promises faster speeds, higher bandwidth, and more stable internet connections compared to 4G. “We have a very active 5G ...

Sep282020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Wild week with the Ford Ranger Wildtrak

Blogging, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Society, Travel, Videos

So I just had a realization. After taking the Ford Ranger Raptor for a spin a few weeks ago, I realized that I LOVE driving pick-up trucks! The Ford Raptor, for instance, is huge but oh what a joy it is to drive! This love for pick-up vehicles was again solidified when I had a fun, wild week with the Ford Ranger Wildtrak (yasss)! Don’t you just love how versatile it looks? The Ford Ranger Wildtrak is a workhorse for sure (built for tough!) but you can also easily take it to easy breezy picnics, to the beach and to the mountains for memorable hang-outs with family and relatives at a cozy cabin (which I did!). Muscular yet feminine. Does that make sense? I brought the Ford Ranger Wildtrak to so many places around Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon (Malaybalay City and Dahilayan...

Sep212020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Ayala Malls Centrio’s ‘ANA’ makes virtual shopping, pick up and delivery a breeze

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Shopping, Society, Style, Technology

Ayala Malls Centrio, Cagayan de Oro’s complete and favorite shopping, dining and entertainment destination, has launched an innovative solution that makes virtual purchasing from stores within the mall easy, convenient and truly hassle-free. With the Ayala Malls Neighborhood Assistant or “ANA,” anybody can shop from anywhere, during mall hours, with the help of well-trained personal shoppers and at a very minimal service fee. A testament to Ayala Malls Centrio’s commitment to come up with creative and efficient solutions in order to serve their valued customers, “ANA” can help customers buy everything they need at any Ayala Malls Centrio store they prefer. From groceries to school supplies to food and drinks to hardware supplies to clothes and shoes to skin care to medicines to t...

Sep212020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Delicious Thai food at SIAM Krua

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Restaurant, Reviews

One of the "normal" things I miss is dining out. I'm sure you do, too. Actually, it's not just the idea or the act of dining out. It's eating the food you love or the food you've been craving for. And these days, it's authentic Thai food for me! In Cagayan de Oro, I get my Thai cuisine fix at Siam by Krua Thai. It's run by the same Siam by Krua Thai that I go to in Cebu City. From their Gateway Lim Ket Kai location, they've transferred to the 2nd Floor of Lim Ket Kai Mall, just right across Robinson's. Siam Krua Thai CDO had health and safety protocols in place. They had contact tracing forms, alcohol and a temperature check by the door. The server was also pleasant and knew which bestsellers to suggest. Of course, I just had to have Tom Yum Seafood Soup. Don't ...

Aug242020 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Easy city to mountain driving aboard the Ford EcoSport

Bukidnon, Cafe, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Reviews, Society, Style, Travel, Videos

Don’t you just miss bonding with family and friends, going on a road trip, savoring scenic views and delicious food, and just having a great time with those close to your heart? I’m sure this is something all of us miss and look forward to doing. Fortunately, I recently had the opportunity to see some of my friends (whom I haven’t seen since the onset of the pandemic!) and bond with my relatives. That meant driving to the city, to hinterlands, to a farm and to a newly-discovered (an accidental discovery brought about by a call from a dear friend whom I also haven’t seen in a darn long time) area that had a killer view! And so, aboard the Ford EcoSport Titanium, my weekend went off to a great start. My friends and I went to this new cafe uptown and then proceeded to Indah...

Aug122020 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Head to POPS CDO for the best, sulit buffet in Cagayan de Oro

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Features, Food, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Reviews, Society

I don't know about you but it seems like buffets in Cagayan de Oro have become a dime in a dozen. So many CDO buffets to choose from! However, when it comes to sulit, absolutely value for money eat AND drink all you can choices, POPS CDO All Filipino Eatery still tops my list. For only Php 250 (US $5) per person, you get to access a wide array of Filipino comfort food - complete from soup to rice (plain or fried...what do you prefer?) to various viands (meat, fish, vegetables etc) to dessert (fruits, kakanin, fruit salad etc) to bottomless drinks! Indulge to your heart's content! For now, two of the POPS CDO branches offer this unbeatable buffet. If you plan to bring a large group of family and friends, their Corrales Avenue branch would be the best choice. It's just be...

Jul102020 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Conquering Mangima Road with Ford Ranger Raptor

Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Leisure, LifeStyle, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Personal, Reviews, Society, Travel

In a previous blog post, I mentioned that I am in the market for a new vehicle and currently weighing options. Aside from budget, comfort level and features, I thought I also needed a vehicle that could fit my busy and adventure-filled lifestyle but can also be formal and practical, preferably one that didn’t really require further modifications. See, I may be a girl but more often than not, I’m not that girly-girl, if you know what I mean. I have my happy-in-a-dress days but I have more makeup-free, slippers-only, super comfortable clothes on days. So, to me, that’s a challenge. Is there a vehicle out there for someone who loves to travel and conquer many adventures but who also loves to take the family, friends and loved ones for fun escapades, lead community projects, volu...

May292020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

POPS CDO Filipino restaurant reopens, adapts to new normal

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Restaurant

As the world slowly eases back to its "new normal" amidst this current health scare, restaurants are also slowly but surely adapting to new guidelines and implementing them well so as to protect consumers. Cagayan de Oro's P.O.P.S. All Filipino Eatery, best known as CDO's most popular eat-and-drink-all-you-can place, is nothing different. After nearly 2 months of temporary closure due to quarantine guidelines set by the government, POPS CDO is now back and ready to serve customers. Although dine-in is still not allowed as of this writing, POPS CDO is geared up and ready to offer pickup, takeout and delivery! Moreover, the POPS Cagayan de Oro management is also taking into consideration the possible changes such as reduced capacity of dine-in customers, heightened health and safety pro...

May242020 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Panagatan Restaurant reopens all branches, offers 30 percent discount

Bukidnon, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Food, Iligan City, Mindanaoan Update, Restaurant

Considered as Northern Mindanao's culinary gem and everyone's favorite seafood restaurant, Panagatan Restaurant is back in business! Panagatan Restaurant is all geared up to cater to pickup, takeout and delivery orders! Plus, here's an amazing deal - 30 percent off on all seafood meals! This offer lasts until May 31, 2020 so I highly recommend that you visit the Panagatan Restaurant branch nearest you. They have 6 branches, folks! Their main one, my favorite, is in Opol. It's atop the water so you can enjoy the sea breeze. They then have branches in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan City and Valencia City, Bukidnon. PLEASE CALL THESE NUMBERS Opol - 0917 713 1436Ayala Malls (Centrio) - 0923 087 2418 / landline 323 1390SM Downtown - 0927 851 6711 / landline 859 1376SM City Uptown - 0...

Apr212020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanao gets 6,000 COVID-19 test kits from Senator Migs Zubiri

Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Caraga, Cotabato, Malaybalay City, Mindanaoan Update, Muslim Mindanao, News, Surigao, Surigao del Norte

The Senator from Mindanao, my friend Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel "Migs" Zubiri, is stepping up and helping the country in its continuing battle against the deadly coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic. Following his initial donation of COVID-19 test kits to the Philippine General Hospital through the University of the Philippines - National Institutes of Health early April 2020, he now has donated 6,000 COVID-19 antibody diagnostic kits to hospitals around Mindanao. Two thousand (2,000) kits will go to the Bukidnon Provincial Medical Center in Malaybalay, Bukidnon; Another two thousand (2,000 kits) to Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental; 1,000 test kits to Caraga Regional Hospital in Surigao, Surigao del Norte; And, finally, one thousan...

Feb142020 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Try Mardoney’s Bakeshop CDO ube cheese pandesal

Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Food, Mindanaoan Update

This entire ube cheese pandesal or ube cheese desal craze has got me pretty curious so of course I had to try! Luckily, my friend Miki brought some to a recent meeting and he said he bought them from Mardoney's Bakeshop and Restaurant. They were delicious! I immediately ordered two dozens the very next day. Mardoney's CDO is a brand very familiar to me. They actually started in Davao City, where I was born and raised. Mardoney's is a portmanteau or combination of the names of the owner-siblings --- Mark, Don and Honey. Mardoney's ube cheese pandesal is sold for only Php 8.00 per piece. Absolutely value for money! The freshness of the bread, the quality of the ingredients (they make and use their own ube halaya, people!) and the taste --- definitely 5 stars! Interested to order?...