Cebu City Archives - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Jan222024 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

lyf Cebu, a colorful coliving space, is now open!

Business, Cebu City, Features, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Travel, Visayas

lyf Cebu City is now officially open and I was there during the grand launch! lyf Cebu officially swung open its doors on January 16, 2024 ushering in a new chapter of co-living and community-centric service. This colorful, comfortable and value-for-money property is developed by Cebu Landmasters INC., a Visayas-based firm, alongside Citadines Cebu City, Citadines Bacolod City, and Citadines Paragon Davao. Check out this video I made when I attended the grand launch of lyf Cebu: * You can also view the video here: Instagram: lyf Cebu TikTok: lyf Cebu Facebook: lyf Cebu https://youtube.com/shorts/maOr4wsCo_A?si=tMsgZnuimabbc-Z6 Strategically located at Tower 3, Base Line, lyf Cebu City serves as the perfect launchpad for guests to effortlessly explore the vibrant Qu...

Jan162024 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Globe partners with a Cebu biz club for immersive Sinulog 2024 experience

Advocacy, Business, Cebu City

Globe and the We Are Ayala Business Club - Cebu (WAABC-Cebu) have partnered to redefine the Sinulog 2024 experience, providing a platform for festival goers to pursue their passions in art, technology, music and gaming, bringing Globe Passion City to Cebu this week. Located at the Activity Center of Ayala Center Cebu, attendees can enjoy a variety of artistic pursuits from January 19 to 21, 2024. The event is happening under WAABC’s Bisayala, which starts January 16. Globe users will get to access Globe Passion City by making donations with their Globe Rewards via the GlobeOne app. Globe Passion City features the following: Art Mural Co-Lab, a communal mural painting activity Drip Studio, a creative space for figurine customization, and a Claw Machine gaming challenge...

Feb232023 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Coca-Cola has this program that allows collection and recycling of plastic bottles during fiestas

Advocacy, Cebu City, Features, Mindanaoan Update

Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI), the bottling arm of the company in the country, activated Tapon to Ipon: Basta Klaro, Panalo! pop-up booths in Cebu and Iloilo and collected over 400 kilograms of post-consumer clear PET plastic bottles, toward helping hold waste-free festival celebrations. Tapon to Ipon is Coca Cola's nationwide collection program for post-consumer PET plastic bottles, with bottles from any brand accepted as long as they are clear. The company deployed pop-up booths at the Sinulog and Dinagyang Festivals. “We maximize every opportunity to bring Tapon to Ipon to more communities across the Philippines. We bring our Tapon to Ipon program where we can and integrate them with our selling activities. As our consumers enjoy our refreshing beverages and cele...

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 ...

Nov12020 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Free to register: premier cybersecurity conference set – DECODE PH 2020

Blogging, Business, Cebu City, Events, Mindanaoan Update, Technology

A 3-day conference, which will feature various industry experts from different parts of the globe to speak about the latest developments in the cyber world, will be held on November 10 to 12, 2020 and here's the best news: it's FREE to register! DECODE, an annual conference organized by Trend Micro, Inc., a global leader in cybersecurity, aims to present an immense opportunity for IT professionals to network, learn and share knowledge among their peers. DECODE will have more than 40 virtual breakout sessions during the event’s three-day run and a panel discussion of threat experts, where participants learn about various latest global trends on Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Protection and Privacy, Cybercrime and Incident Response, among others. The conference, wh...

Jul302019 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Returning to Bayfront Hotel Cebu

Business, Cebu City, Features, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Restaurant, Reviews, Visayas

Frequent travelers like myself have various reasons as to why we return and stay again at a certain hotel. We rebook a hotel room in Cebu, for instance, because we love the features of the room and the amenities. And the price, as well as the location, are perfect. Swak sa budget, 'ika nga. Just a few days ago, I found myself back at Bayfront Hotel Cebu. Straight from New York to Cebu, I needed a Cebu hotel where I can just rest, rest, and yes, REST. Aside from all the reasons I previously mentioned, what made me return to Bayfront Hotel Cebu City is the exceptional service, courteousness and professionalism of the staff. Let me cite some examples. First, as soon as I arrived, the staff immediately helped me with my luggage. They then secured my bags, waited for me to check-in...

Feb12019 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Cokaliong launches M/V Filipinas Cagayan de Oro

Cagayan de Oro City, Cebu City, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel

Cokaliong Shipping Lines Inc. has recently launched its latest passenger vessel, M/V Filipinas Cagayan de Oro. This Cokaliong passenger boat will start operating on February 2, 2019 and will ply the Cagayan de Oro - Cebu City route. M/V Filipinas Cagayan de Oro is the 13th ship owned by Cokaliong and can accommodate 631 passengers. The Cokaliong CDO to Cebu / Cebu to CDO boat leaves at 7 PM and its estimated time of arrival at the port of destination is at 5:30 AM. Schedule: From Cebu to Cagayan de Oro (every Saturday night). From Cagayan de Oro to Cebu (every Monday night). Rates: Economy - Php 1,020.00 Lounge - Php 1,090.00 Tourist - Php 1,125.00 Business Class - Php 1,230.00 Cabins - choices of Php 1,615.00 (room is good for 6), Php 1,720.00 (room is...

Feb202018 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Abacá Boutique Resort + Spa Cebu garners Travelers’ Choice 2018 awards

Cebu City, Hotels, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Resorts, Reviews, Society, Visayas

The results of the Travelers’ Choice Awards 2018 are in and it's definitely no surprise that Abacá Boutique Resort + Spa made it to the list. A regular on the roster, Abacá Boutique Resort + Spa is recognized once again in this year’s Travelers’ Choice Awards, winning in three categories: #21 on the Top 25 Small Hotels- Asia, #2 on the Top 25 Small Hotels- Philippines, and #1 on the Top 25 Hotels for Romance- Philippines. Who best to trust with Cebu resorts but TripAdvisor's globetrotting users? :) Located in Mactan Island, Abacá Boutique Resort + Spa is the ideal retreat for travellers who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Guests will find themselves tucked away in a tranquil paradise as they relax in the six suites,three villas, and spa that make up the resort. ...

Feb162018 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Quest Cebu Hotel joins Cagayan Travel Exchange, trip to Bali up for grabs

Cebu City, Corporate, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews

How fast time flies! It's been more than 5 years since I got invited to attend the grand launch of one of Cebu's finest hotels - Quest Cebu Hotel and Conference Center. Not only did the lovely folks over at Quest fly me to the Queen City of the South, they also accommodated the rest of my family. It was a grand vacation and we all loved our stay at Quest Hotel Cebu! You can read all about my Quest Hotel Cebu hotel review here. Meanwhile, I have good news! If you represent government agencies or private corporations in Cagayan de Oro or in neighboring areas, you can learn more about Quest Hotel during the Travel Exchange B2B Event on February 22, 2018. Organized by the Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association, the Cagayan Travel Exchange event will be held at Limketkai Luxe Hotel....

May232017 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Cat Cafe Cebu | What To Do In Cebu Philippines

Cafe, Cebu City, Features, Society, Videos, Visayas

Before my flight from Cebu to New York, USA, my two brothers, mom and myself went to a cat cafe in Cebu City. It wasn't my first cat cafe experience, though. Along with my brother, who absolutely adores cats (I'm more of a dog person but I don't abhor cats or anything), I already visited a cat cafe in Korea (in the busy district of Hongdae, Seoul) and another one in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan - the Cat Cafe Calico Japan (which was accordingly one of the oldest and more popular ones in Tokyo). I think cat cafes are creative, innovative businesses that gives animal lovers the chance to interact with furry, feline friends. There are dog cafes nowadays, too. I have yet to visit one, though. Anyway, the Cebu cat cafe we went to was...well, Cat Cafe Philippines. From their original spot in Guadal...

Jan232017 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

New fave Cebu hotel: Cuarto Hotel

Cebu City, Features, Hotels, Leisure, Reviews, Society, Tourism, Travel

Every frequent traveler to Cebu knows this – it’s a continuous challenge to find spacious, well-fitted, affordable, strategically located hotel rooms that offer free delicious buffet breakfast. There will always be something amiss – either the hotel is too far from the city proper or the room may be too small you can barely move around with your luggage. Fortunately, I recently discovered a charming boutique hotel a block away from Fuente Circle Cebu that could easily rival the bigger hotel chains. Cuarto Hotel is just across Robinson’s Cybergate and steps away from a few of Cebu’s biggest hospitals and call centers. Don’t worry, though. While Cuarto Hotel Cebu may be in the midst of the hustle and bustle of city life, you will still have the most comfortable stay. I did! ...

Dec22016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Here’s a Bigby’s buffet offer you should not miss on December 8! (offer is good in all branches nationwide!)

Announcements, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Cebu City, Davao City, Food, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Update

These days, given stiffer and more aggressive competition, it's really pretty cool if you see a business withstand the test of time. One of the brands that has really proven that they're worth their salt is Bigby's. My family and I have long been fans of this brand. In fact, I raved about their pork steak, boomerang shrimps and caramel cheesecake back in 2008! (OMG :D) Now on their 18th year, Bigby's has truly captured the hearts of many diners in both Visayas and Mindanao. To celebrate this awesome milestone, Bigby's will be holding what they're calling the "Super 18th Anniversary Buffet" on December 8, 2016. And, yes, the anniversary buffet will be available in ALL OF THEIR BRANCHES: Ayala Centrio Mall and SM City (Cagayan de Oro), Ayala Center Mall Cebu, SM City Cebu, Abreeza Mall...

Oct12016 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Why Toast Cafe Should Be On Your Must Visit In Cebu List

Cafe, Cebu City, Features, Food, Hotels, Restaurant, Reviews, Taiwan, Tourism, Travel, Visayas

I’m back on Philippine shores! Taiwan was lovely and I can’t wait to share with you all my travel stories. In the meantime, let me share a really cool place I just discovered in Cebu City, where I took my flight to Taiwan from. It’s called Toast Cafe, it’s located at Cuarto Hotel near Fuente Circle, and it’s awesome. Toast Cafe is chic with its brick walls and wooden furniture yet homey with its chalkboards and friendly, attentive staff. Space is limited but is private enough to let you concentrate on your own meal, laptop or book. Tasteful interiors and a great use of space. Plus this may sound peculiar but can I just say that you must use the john (slang for washroom!) while you’re there? Toast Cafe is a nice date place, a place where you can meet your gal pals or have fami...

Aug162016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Attend these wealth building seminars in Davao, CDO and Cebu

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Cebu City, Davao City, Education, Headline, Make Money Online, Misamis Oriental, Society, Technology

Want to be wise with your money? If you're in Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and even Manila, you may want to join wealth building seminars in your area! These seminars on how to invest wisely will even be led by experts. This way, you can build your wealth the smart and legal way. And guess what - you can even attend for FREE! The Philippines’ most trusted online stockbroker, COL Financial, and the largest Filipino conglomerate, SM Investments Corporation, will be sharing their secrets to investing success in this month’s “SMart Investing – COL’s 2016 Wealth Building Summit for the Filipino Investor.” By joining this FREE summit, Filipinos can increase their financial literacy and find out what it takes to invest your way into financial security and independence. Learn about stock m...

Feb182016 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Where to stay in Cebu: Bayfront Hotel Cebu

Cebu City, Hotels, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel

Since Cebu is just a hop and skip away, it’s a favorite business and holiday destination for many of us Mindanaoans. Chances are, we have relatives or good friends in Cebu or we source products there or we use Cebu as our jump-off point to other interesting places like Boracay or Palawan. Personally, I visit the Queen City of the South at least two times a year and my recent international flights leave from the Mactan Cebu International Airport. Take my most recent trip to Japan, for instance. I wanted to stay for a few days in Cebu before my flight to Narita (which is an hour away from Tokyo) and just rest. I wanted a hotel that was in the middle of all the hustle and bustle but not too far away from the airport. I also wanted a hotel that offered good facilities, amenities and food bu...

Dec92015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Superb Cebu buffet: Why Tokyo Table is a must-visit

Cebu City, Features, Food, Reviews, Visayas

I'm still on a Japan high! So high that I'm already planning my next trip there! I actually did something that had a touch of Japan even before I actually went to Japan! I visited a superb, much-talked about Yakiniku buffet restaurant in Cebu and savored okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake), lots of ramen (yum!) and grilled squid and salmon (the Japanese love their seafood!). I went to Tokyo Table, one of the best buffet restaurants in Cebu. Located at City Time Square, Mantawi Avenue, Tipolo, Mandaue City, Tokyo Table Cebu eat all you can restaurant serves an impressive array of food choices – from seafood-all-you-can and raw meats that you can grill on your own or with the able assistance of the restaurant’s friendly staff (each table has a grill plate) to a sushi and dimsum station to ...

Jun192015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

That Amazing Wine-Paired Degustation At Movenpick Resort Cebu

Blogging, Business, Cebu City, Events, Features, Flights, Food, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Society, Style, Tourism, Travel

Degustation is a culinary term that means meticulous food tasting of special signature dishes. Usually consisting of several courses, each paired with matching wines that complement each dish, a degustation aims to heighten one’s senses and allows one to appreciate food at its finest. That’s exactly what happened during my recent stay at Moevenpick Hotel Mactan Cebu. I flew via Philippine Airlines and underwent a wine-paired degustation at the Conservatory of the Ibiza Beach Club, led by no other than popular Cebu businessman and passionate sommelier Manuel “Manny” Osmeña. This was how the Ibiza Beach Club looked like that night: Before that, though, Manny O gave me and my fellow media guests a tour of his private wine cellar. Only a handful of people have ever set foot here s...

Jun192015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Soul Refresh At Movenpick Hotel Mactan Cebu

Blogging, Cebu City, Features, Hotels, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Resorts, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

How do you say no to a weekend of flight via Philippine Airlines and 5-star accommodation, gastronomical pleasure and pampering via Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu? It was an invitation I just could not resist. Cool gift from Philippine Airlines @flypal #flypal #aviation #travel A photo posted by Mindanaoan.com Irene (@mindanaoan) on May 16, 2015 at 2:28am PDT Philippine Airlines, which is re-introducing its daily Cagayan de Oro-Cebu flights, recently flew Mindanaoan.com to the Queen City of the South to experience a specific kind of luxury - one that I could only describe as refreshing for one’s soul, mind and heart. It was a short but smooth and comfortable flight, the kind that you can only expect with the country’s flag carrier. I even checked-in online via PAL’s website...

May162015 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

AirAsia Hot Meals – Gastronomic Delights At 35,000 Feet

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Cebu City, Features, Flights, Food, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, News, Reviews, Travel

I consider myself a budget conscious traveler who doesn’t mind spending extra if it means getting something better. Take airplane food, for instance. Unless I’m truly famished or I want to try something for the first time, I stay away from food sold and served aboard an aircraft. Not only are these airline meals (more often than not) expensive, they’re hardly filling and tasty. The choices are very limited as well (so limited that I think a cup of instant noodles has become the “default” order by weary, hungry passengers). However, let me say this: I always make an exception when I take flights via AirAsia. Even before I got invited to Cebu a few days ago for the exclusive AirAsia Hot Meals media launch, I have already been an avid fan of their in-flight meals. Real, flavorful food sold...

Jan182015 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

PHOTOS: Catching Up With Rivermaya band in Cebu

Cebu City, Entertainment, Music, Musings, Personalities, Photos

I will let you in on a secret: Rivermaya band, despite the multi-platinum record selling success, thousands of successful concerts here and abroad and millions of fans, is actually composed of very friendly, down-to-earth, kulit guys. (so kulit you have to be on your toes whenever they have sheepish looks on their faces :D) When you're around them, they make you feel welcome. And when they're around you, they're just themselves - no rockstar attitude at all. This is why, apart from being a fan of their songs, I love hanging out with them. Offstage, the Rivermaya guys - Mark Escueta, Mike Elgar, Norby David and Ryan Peralta - are just regular, funny and cool guys. Let me prove that by sharing some of my photos with Rivermaya in Cebu :) Spent two days with some of my favorite guys. Enj...

Nov192014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Philippines to host Let’s Do It! Regional Conference 2014 for Asia

Advocacy, Cebu City, Events

A number of non-profit organizations, volunteers and delegates from all over Asia will gather in Cebu, Philippines on November 27 to 30, 2014 for the staging of the second Let’s Do It! Regional Conference for Asia. To open the conference on November 27, local cleanup movements, organizations and artists of the EcoArt Exhibit 2014 will be recognized and awarded at the Cebu City Hall, to be participated by more than 50 delegates all over Asia and Europe. Among the topics that will be discussed during the conference are the Let's Do It World experiences from different countries, team building, PR / communication, marketing / finances, logistics and mapping, identity of the project, Zero Waste and waste management in the future. The Regional Conference 2014 for Asia is organized ...

Mar62014 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Cebu to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia – MSMW 2014 Chronicles

Cebu City, Flights, Food, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Travel

I'm back from Malaysia! :) I previously wrote here on my blog that this Mindanao blogger was invited to speak at the Malaysia Social Media Week 2014 (MSMW 2014) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Stayed in Kuala Lumpur for almost a week and truly loved my stay. It wasn't my first trip to Malaysia but it certainly had its fair share of amazing memories. Will be sharing with you all my Malaysia adventures (and misadventures, too)! My first post will be about my quick one-day stay in Cebu before heading towards Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Since there aren't any direct flights from Mindanao to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, I requested the Malaysia Social Media Week 2014 (MSMW 2014) organizers to fly me out from Cebu City, which was a 20-minute flight away from Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. One of my brot...