Cebu City Archives - Page 2 of 4 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Nov282013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Buy a #BangonPilipinas shirt and help typhoon Haiyan victims

Advocacy, Blogging, Cebu City, Corporate, Fashion, Features, Headline, Society, Style, Visayas

If you've been following me on Twitter or Facebook (I hope you are :) I would love to connect with you there!), you'd know that I just came back from a 6-day trip to the Visayas. I flew to Cebu City first. My trip was mainly because I wanted to volunteer in various Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) relief/donation efforts and to turnover some cash donations that I received. I will share more about that trip in succeeding blog posts. In the meantime, please allow me to share a great fundraising drive that I hope you will also support :) The Islands Group, the company that runs Islands Souvenirs and Islands Pasalubong outlets, has released special #BangonPilipinas shirts. What's so special about these t-shirts? ALL OF THE PROCEEDS of these Bangon Pilipinas t-shirts will be dona...

Oct312013 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Mindanaoan is 2013 Mindanao Blogger Of The Year

Advocacy, Agriculture, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, America, Announcements, ARMM, Arts, Bacolod City, Banks, Basilan, Beauty, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, Bislig, Blogging, Broadcasting, Bukidnon, Business, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Campus, Caraga, Cebu City, Commentary, Compostela Valley, Consumer, Contests, Controversial, Corporate, Cotabato, Culture, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Dipolog, Education, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Flights, Food, Freebies, General Santos City, Gifts, Government, Headline, Hongkong, Hotels, Humor, Iligan City, Internet, Island Garden City of Samal, Jobs, Journalism, Kaamulan Festival, Koronadal, Kuala Lumpur, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Leisure, Macau, Maguindanao, Make Money Online, Malaybalay City, Malaysia, Manila, Marawi City, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Movies, Music, Musings, Muslim Mindanao, Negros Occidental, News, North Cotabato, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Ozamis, Pagadian, Personal, Personalities, Photos, Politics, Radio, Recipes, Religion, Resorts, Reviews, Sarangani, Shenzhen, Shopping, Sindangan, Singapore, Society, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sports, Style, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacurong, Tangub City, Tawi Tawi, Technology, Television, Tourism, Travel, United States of America, Videos, Visayas, Weddings, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

It still feels a bit surreal, truth be told. Winning the 2013 Mindanao Blogger Of The Year award and the Best Lifestyle Blog award during the Mindanao Blog Awards 2013 held last October 26, 2013 in Davao City was the farthest thing from my mind. I was there to meet my blogger friends, have a good time, maybe drink a cocktail or two and cheer for other finalists. My mindset that night was (and I actually wrote this days before the finals): Win or lose, you are a champ. What's important is that you did your best in letting more people understand and appreciate the power of social media and blogging in sparking more conversations, making better communities and harnessing better understanding. Social good, folks. Only the good. So when my name was called, you could just imagine my shock. Yup...

Sep122013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Getting married? Here’s how to win a FREE engagement shoot

Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Announcements, ARMM, Bacolod City, Beauty, Bislig, Bukidnon, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Caraga, Cebu City, Compostela Valley, Consumer, Cotabato, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Dipolog, Features, Freebies, General Santos City, Hongkong, Iligan City, Island Garden City of Samal, Journalism, Koronadal, Kuala Lumpur, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Macau, Maguindanao, Malaybalay City, Malaysia, Manila, Marawi City, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Muslim Mindanao, Negros Occidental, North Cotabato, Northern Mindanao, Pagadian, Photos, Sarangani, Shenzhen, Singapore, Society, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Style, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacurong, Tangub City, Tawi Tawi, Technology, Weddings, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

Getting hitched soon? Here's a great way for you to save on your wedding preparation expenses! Just visit the One Happy Story Photography booth during the Kasalang Filipino 2013 bridal fair at Centrio Ayala Mall, Cagayan de Oro City from September 13 to 15, 2013. Not only do you get to avail of a special 10 percent discount #OHSWeddingPromo when you book with them, you also stand the chance to win one of the 2 FREE engagement (pre-nup) shoots! And you know what that means - significant savings! Now you have the choice to use that as additional funds for your romantic honeymoon :) Visit the prime, WiFi-ready One Happy Story Photography booth near the entrance of the Centrio Activity Center (just across Starbucks) and marvel at their lovely photos. You will understand why so many bride...

May292013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Clean low cost electricity in Philippines? Yes!

Advocacy, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, ARMM, Bacolod City, BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Bukidnon, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Caraga, Cebu City, Commentary, Compostela Valley, Consumer, Corporate, Cotabato, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Dipolog, Education, Features, General Santos City, Government, Headline, Hongkong, Iligan City, Island Garden City of Samal, Koronadal, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Malaybalay City, Manila, Marawi City, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Musings, Muslim Mindanao, Negros Occidental, News, North Cotabato, Northern Mindanao, Ozamis, Pagadian, Personal, Politics, Sarangani, Sindangan, Society, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacurong, Tangub City, Tawi Tawi, Technology, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

I have so much respect for people and organizations that champion alternative sources of energy for clean and reliable electrical power production! Currently, we depend largely on hydropower plants. Some electric cooperatives also use several solar panels to augment their sources of energy (Cagayan de Oro’s CEPALCO has a solar panel area) and we all know about the Bangui Wind Farm in Ilocos Norte. But what about production of electricity without doing much harm to the environment? What about affordable electricity brought about by alternative-energy technologies? Gasification is a solution! Gasification is a process of converting organic or carbon-containing matter into synthetic gas or syngas which could be used to generate electricity. I’m particularly interested with this because ...

Mar312013 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Speaking at the Social Media Influencers Summit 2013

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Cebu City, Education, Events, Features, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, News, Personal, Politics, Society, Technology

The main reason why I was in Cebu City several days ago was to speak at the Social Media Influencers Summit 2013, touted as the largest gathering of social media enthusiasts in the Visayas. It was truly an honor to be one of the speakers especially since the lineup boasted of a lot of prominent online and social media personalities as well as thought leaders like Maria Ressa (CEO of Rappler.com) and Leah Besa-Jimenez (SMART). The Social Media Influencers Summit 2013 was held at J Centre Convention Hall, J Centre Mall, Mandaue City. About 300 social media users attended the summit, which was organized by iNewMedia Online in cooperation with the Cebu Bloggers Society. Topics that day included community social media influencers at work (the stories behind the Iloilo Bloggers Society...

Mar242013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

MAC Cosmetics Archie’s Girls Collection Launch In Cebu

Beauty, Business, Cebu City, Consumer, Events, Fashion, Features, Gifts, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Shopping, Society, Style

I was so excited when I got an invitation to attend the grand launch of MAC Cosmetics Archie's Girls Spring Collection 2013 in Cebu City. The timing was perfect! I was actually in Cebu for the Social Media Influencers Summit 2013 and I always welcome additional events to attend especially if time permits it anyway. So I immediately said yes to the invite-only MAC Archie's Girls launch in Cebu! The MAC Archie's Girls makeup collection 2013 Cebu launch was held last March 16, 2013 at the Ayala Center Cebu Activity Center. The place was packed with so many eager MAC Cosmetics fans! I spotted TV host Bianca Gonzales, celebrity makeup artist Jigs Mayuga and fashion bloggers Kryz Uy and Camille Co. I also met Atty. Christina Garcia-Frasco, the daughter of Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia and ...

Mar122013 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Rivermaya Live At Ayala Center Cebu for new album tour

Cebu City, Entertainment, Events, Music

It's been a while since my "crazed avid fan" days. My friends know I'm a huge South Border fan and supporter and I went gaga when Color Me Badd came. I've watched and worked with so many artists (local and foreign) already but yes, it's been a while since I truly, madly, absolutely got impressed. That changed when I watched Rivermaya last weekend. Actually, I didn't just watch them perform. I was at their dinner-after-the-show which later turned out to not only be a super fun after-party but a chance for me to see a different side of the band. I must say this - I never expected them to be that accommodating, friendly and fun! My only regret now is that I didn't get to produce or organize any of their concerts before. The closest I got to work with them was during an ABS CBN Kapamilya sh...

Mar112013 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Cebu Pacific Air Cebu to Camiguin flights to start April 2013

Announcements, Business, Camiguin, Cebu City, Consumer, Flights

Come April 2013, it'll be easier to reach majestic Camiguin Island from Cebu City. Cebu Pacific Airlines will soon introduce their Cebu to Camiguin (and Camiguin to Cebu) flights. The said low cost carrier will start these direct flights on April 15, 2013. ATR 72-500 aircrafts will be used for these Camiguin to Cebu and Cebu to Camiguin Island flights. Flight frequency: Cebu to Camiguin flights will be every Monday, Wednesday and Friday According to Cebu Pacific Airlines officials, the regular fares for this route will start at Php 588. Just in case you want to know what you can do, eat, buy in Camiguin, I have a couple of Camiguin Island-related posts. You can read them HERE. If you're a backpacker, you might want to read this Backpacking in Camiguin post :) By the way,...

Mar102013 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Join the Social Media Influencers Summit 2013 in Cebu City

Advocacy, Blogging, Cebu City, Events, Internet, Make Money Online, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News, Society, Technology, Visayas

Are you interested to learn all about the best social media practices in the Philippines from top industry leaders? Do you want to learn how you can maximize social media for your personal or business advancement? Do you want to know how you can promote social media responsibility and help set ethics and standards for social media users? Then join the Social Media Influencers Summit 2013 in Cebu City on March 16, 2013 (Saturday). iNewMedia Online in cooperation with Cebu Bloggers Society, Inc. (CBSi) is set to stage the Social Media Influencers Summit 2013 at JCentre Mall Convention Hall, Mandaue City, Cebu. The event is expected to gather more than 300 social media influencers and users. Maria Ressa, formerly of ABS CBN and now CEO of Rappler.com, will be the keynote speaker. Amo...

Feb32013 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Review: STK Ta Bai Sa Paolito’s Seafood House Cebu

Business, Cebu City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Visayas

My family and I spent Christmas 2012 in Cebu City. If you've been following my Mindanaoan blog for a while, you may have noticed that my family and I regularly go to the Queen City of the South - not only because one of my brothers is now based there but also because we have business connections and plainly because we just love Cebu! :) And whenever we're in town, I always see to it that we do, eat, try, discover something new. This time around, I heard about a homey, family-run restaurant located at the Cebu Capitol area that accordingly served reasonably priced sutukil. SuTuKil or STK stands for Sinugba (grilled), Tinola (soup) and Kinilaw (ceviche). So off we went to STK Ta Bai at Paolito's Seafood House along Orchid Street for dinner to see what the fuss was all about. STK Ta Bai...

Jan32013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Sinulog 2013 Schedule of Activities

Cebu City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Tourism

Finally, it's Sinulog Festival 2013 time! I attended the Sinulog 2010 and 2011 festivities - I only missed this Sinulog 2012 for some reason I no longer remember. Hmm. I think it was because I was already in the thick of preparing for the first ever Islamic Fashion Festival in Manila (I did PR, media and social media work :) ) and the Greatest Hits Tour featuring a1, Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees and Blue. Anyways, I'm pretty excited to attend the Sinulog 2013 festivities this time around. Sinulog is the biggest and grandest festival held annually in Cebu in honor of Patron Saint Santo Nino. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, devotees, tourists and visitors from all over the world come to the Queen City of the South to celebrate. My family and I were actually in Cebu City over the holid...

Nov182012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

YogaHub Cebu Offers 21 Day Yoga Challenge

Cebu City, Events, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Sports

Calling all yoga enthusiasts in Cebu City! YogaHub Cebu, the premier yoga studio in Cebu City, is launching its 21 Day Yoga Challenge. The YogaHub Cebu 21 Day Yoga Challenge aims to urge participants to make (and follow!) a promise - a promise to practice yoga for a certain amount of time each day and just doing it. The challenge also urges participants to set realistic expectation and commit to a goal that pushes them. "Whatever you commit to, do it for 21 days and you will drastically improve your chances of turning your yoga practice into a habit." - YogaHub Cebu (www.yogahub.ph) So are you ready to take on the challenge? Mechanics of the YogaHub Cebu 21 Day Yoga Challenge: 1. Sign up at the YogaHub Cebu reception before November 19,2012 2. Begin the challenge on November...

Nov32012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: Marriott Hotel Cebu City Philippines hotel @MarriottCebu

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

My family and I only stayed at Marriott Cebu Hotel for less than 12 hours (yep) but from the very moment I stepped inside our Cebu City Marriott Hotel room, I knew for sure it was going to be a lovely stay. Located within the Cebu Business Park, Marriott Hotel Cebu offers the same 5-star Marriott service known the world over. Cebu City Marriott is just beside Ayala Mall and a few steps away from The Terraces, where lots of lifestyle and wellness shops, coffee shops, bars and restaurants can be found. This Cebu hotel is one of the city's most loved - it's a favorite of many prominent personalities, foreign tourists and celebrities. Marriott Hotel Cebu City has 301 guestrooms which includes 22 suites and 19 executive level rooms. My family and I were given two deluxe rooms. Each room w...

Oct302012 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Coffee Dream Name That Mystery Drink Contest @CoffeeDreamCo

Cebu City, Contests, Features, Freebies, Internet, Recipes, Society

Who knew that an afternoon of coffee and conversation would result to this? During my trip to Cebu City a few weeks back, I, along with my brother Nathaniel of Tennis Guru and my friend Johnn of Focal Glass, visited the I.T. Park branch of Coffee Dream. Coffee Dream is one of my favorite coffee chains in the country. And with over 35 stores nationwide, it's easy to locate one nearest you. I also wanted to meet and chit chat with Coffee Dream owner (and Cebu provincial vice gubernatorial candidate, too!) Glenn Soco. It wasn't my first time to meet him, though. I've already met up with him and Anna a few times. If you want to know more about Sir Glenn, check out his official Facebook profile or his The Dream Online blog. Anyways, what was initially planned to be a brief meeting turn...

Oct232012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: Quest Hotel and Conference Center Cebu City @QuestHotelCebu

Business, Cebu City, Consumer, Hotels, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

Your quest for affordable luxury stops right here! Quest Hotel and Conference Center Cebu, the newest addition to the hotel industry in Cebu City, offers 5-star amenities but at very affordable rates. Before you continue reading, I highly suggest you also read all about the Quest Hotel Cebu Grand Launch Party (dubbed "Odyssey"). Quest Hotel Cebu is a new Cebu City hotel. Quest Hotel Cebu is about half an hour away from the Cebu Mactan International Airport. Its location is a winner - it's right across Ayala Mall Cebu and within the Cebu City business district. Quest Hotel and Conference Center Cebu is also a sister company of the equally luxurious Crimson Resort and Spa in Mactan, which I also had the privilege of visiting :) Watch out for my blog entry about that! BOOK YOUR ROOM ...

Oct112012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Shu Uemura Tsuya Skin launch in Cebu

Beauty, Cebu City, Consumer, Events, Fashion, Features, Reviews, Shopping, Style

The thing about trying beauty products for the first time is that you really don't know for sure if they're good for your skin or not. Sometimes, relying on product descriptions may not be enough and may even be risky. Also, even if others give positive feedback about a product, you really can't be sure if you will have the same experience. However, if the manufacturer of the beauty products is Shu Uemura (which, truth be told, does not need any introduction) and if the products have SPF30, rhamnose (known for supporting cell regeneration) and promise better skin in just a few days, would you still have reservations? When I was in Cebu just a few days ago, I attended the launch of the Shu Uemura Tsuya Skin line. Tsuya means "ideal" in Japanese. The Shu Uemura Tsuya Skin line will hel...

Oct112012 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Quest Hotel and Conference Center Cebu grand launch @QuestHotelCebu

Blogging, Business, Cebu City, Consumer, Corporate, Entertainment, Events, Features, Hotels, Leisure, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

What do you do when you receive an invitation to experience quite an "odyssey"? You say YES, my friends. Just say yes! And that's exactly what I did when the wonderful folks from Quest Hotel and Conference Center Cebu sent over an invitation for me to experience Odyssey - the Grand Launch Party of Quest Hotel Cebu - the newest addition to the hotel industry in Cebu City. The grand opening of Quest Hotel and Conference Center Cebu was held last September 20, 2012 at the hotel's all-day dining restaurant, Pusô Bistro & Bar. Guests were requested to come in purple or white. As soon as you enter the venue, which was embraced by purple lights, you'd immediately know that the night will be one for the books. Upbeat music was courtesy of Australian DJ Kristian Hernandez. To say t...

Sep182012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Pawpalooza Pet Festival at BTC Cebu

Advocacy, Announcements, Cebu City, Events, Features, Society, Visayas

If you're a pet lover (like me!) and you're in Cebu or bound for Cebu (like me again! Woohoo!), then you must visit the PAWPALOOZA Pet Festival at Banilad Town Centre, Cebu City on September 22, 2012 (Saturday) from 1 PM to 7 PM. The PAWPALOOZA Pet Festival at pet-friendly mall Banilad Town Centre (BTC Cebu) is a fab time for you to bond with your precious pets :) The PAWPALOOZA Pet Festival also aims to promote responsible pet ownership, foster camaraderie among pet owners and just provide both pet owners and their pets an overall fantastic, "pawsome" time! (I know, I know, so cute!) Registration of pets will begin at 1 p.m. Activities during the Pawpalooza Pet Festival Cebu: - free veterinary and grooming services that include anti-rabies vaccination, deworming and nail t...

Sep102012 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Quest Cebu Hotel and Conference Center grand opening – I will be there!

Announcements, Blogging, Business, Cebu City, Consumer, Features, Flights, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Resorts, Tourism, Travel

I received a really exciting invitation a few days ago - I will be flying to Cebu City for the grand launch party of Quest Hotel and Conference Center Cebu! :D The grand opening of Quest Cebu Hotel is set to take place on September 20, 2012 and I am super excited to be where the action is! Quest Hotel Cebu is located along Archbishop Reyes Avenue, Cebu City - a few steps away from Ayala Mall Cebu. Ergo, it's right within the business district. This Cebu hotel is an 18-storey hotel that boasts of 427 delightfully furnished rooms (deluxe and premier deluxe) and suites (corporate and junior) as well as 8 modern meeting rooms with state-of-the-art facilities. Click on the logo below to find out more about this new hotel in Cebu: I will be live-tweeting the Quest Hotel Cebu grand opening s...

Sep72012 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Norwegian boy band a1 to hold a concert in Cebu City

Announcements, Arts, Cebu City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Leisure, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Musings, News, Personalities, Society

a1 is coming back to the Philippines! The boys who brought us hits such as "Like A Rose," "Caught In The Middle," "Same Old Brand New You" and their most recent hit in Asia, "Waiting For Daylight," is coming back to the Philippines! Who's excited for the a1 Live in Cebu show? The British-Norwegian group a1, composed of cutie pies Mark Read, Ben Adams and Christian Ingebrigsten, is set to hold an a1 Live In Cebu concert on November 23, 2012 at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino Lahug. The boys were in the Philippines last February 2012 for the Greatest Hits Tour with Jeff Timmons and Blue. Are you as excited as I am? If you have been following this blog, I mentioned before that I tagged along with the guys in Manila. And with this latest development, I can't wait to see these gorgeous me...

Jun122012 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Islands Stay Hotel Mactan Cebu

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

If you, like me, consider "value for money" as top criterion in choosing hotels, then you will absolutely love Islands Stay Mactan. This Cebu hotel really provides more bang for your buck; hence, Islands Stay Hotel Mactan Cebu easily lands a spot on my list of highly recommended hotels in Cebu. I mean, really, they offer rooms priced as low as Php 850.00 (US $19) - tempting, right? You can even avail of a 15 percent discount! Okay, I'm getting way ahead of myself. Read on...:) Islands Stay operates under the same company that owns Islands Souvenirs and Islands Banca Cruises. And because they do, their rooms are also fashioned in such a way that the signature bright orange and green apple hues are unmistakeable. And just like those cool, nicely designed Islands Souvenirs t-shirts, the ro...

Jun82012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Kamias Shake at Zubuchon Cebu

Cebu City, Food, Reviews

I mentioned in my Zubuchon Cebu lechon best pig by Anthony Bourdain post that my brother and I decided to order pritchon or pritong lechon or fried lechon and pair it with kamias shake or cucumber shake. The kamias shake at Zubuchon supposedly balances the richness of the lechon. I couldn't agree more. The Zubuchon Cebu kamias shake was not sour at all. It was actually sweet. The perfect choice to "cleanse" your palate before you enjoy what world renowned chef and No Reservations travel show host Anthony Bourdain calls "the best pig...ever!" Spotted this at Zubuchon: Kamias (cucumber tree) is packed with Vitamin C, Calcium and Iron, and hydrates your body because of its high moisture content. It is used in some villages in India to control obesity and is being studied for its "an...