Consumer Archives - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Apr142023 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Kuwarta goals: how BDO helps us to be wiser with our money and finances

Advocacy, Business, Commentary, Consumer, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Technology

As the eldest, only girl and the breadwinner in the family, it has basically been my life-long responsibility to be careful with money, finances, savings and expenses. Over the years, I have learned which investment works, where to put my savings, how to pay conveniently (and earn cashback, save energy, time and gas in the process!) and other tricks that could help me be wiser with money. I still have a long way to go to feel absolutely financially comfortable in life but here’s one thing that I’m sure can help all of us in our kuwarta goals: to be champions (and implementers) of financial literacy. Financial literacy is key! Now you might be thinking – but why is financial literacy crucial? Aren’t we just supposed to save and maybe leave everything up to the bank? First off,...

Mar232023 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

narzo rolls out software updates for 50 Series lineup

Consumer, Technology

narzo Philippines advises the media and the public of its recent rollout of software updates for the narzo 50 Series lineup. These Over-The-Air (OTA) UI updates provide a variety of improvements to the overall narzo smartphone experience, including but not limited to: safety and security features, performance upgrades, interface enhancements, customizations, and bug fixes. “We stand by our promise of longevity when it comes to supporting all narzo models,” says Elaine Dela Cruz, narzo Brand Representative. “Quality Sulit means that we want our fans to always get the full extent of their money’s worth whenever they trust the narzo brand to be their daily driver, not only in terms of hardware reliability, but also in software and user experience.” The local rollout of all so...

Mar222023 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

GCash now in the United States, enables Filipinos to sign up with US numbers

Announcements, Business, Consumer, Corporate, Features, Korea, Malaysia, New York, Singapore, Society, Technology, United States of America

GCash Overseas has officially landed in the United States, allowing the first 1,000 Filipinos there to sign up for the Philippines’ number one financial app by using their US mobile numbers. This is definitely good news especially for those who frequently send money back home. Filipinos in the US can begin signing up for GCash regardless of their SIM cards and start supporting their families back home by sending money for FREE (GCash to GCash), paying bills, and buying them prepaid load credits. GCash President and CEO Martha Sazon said that they are also preparing for a full launch later this year. Earlier this month, GCash received the green light from the BSP to start the initial launch of its overseas service which allowed Filipinos in Japan, Australia, and Italy to use GCas...

Mar212023 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Vehicle owners will love these freebies at S&R Tire Center (I sure did!)

Automotive, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Shopping

Just a few weeks ago, the tires of my vehicle finally gave in and had to be replaced. I only had one tire installation center in my mind - S&R Membership Shopping. Now, I know you may think --- S&R? Of all places? YEP. And it was the best decision! Let me tell you why. So I went to S&R Cagayan de Oro and went to their tire installation center, which was located at the back of their facility (parking area). I consulted their friendly staff member and he checked my vehicle and told me the kind of tires I needed. He checked their inventory and told me they had some in stock. Then, I proceeded to pay for the tires at the cashier inside the store, presented the receipt to the staff and was told to wait for about an hour. I had the option to wait at the installation area whil...

Sep162022 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

This new, affordable Samsung Galaxy A Series delivers awesome value for awesome moments

Consumer, Features

Holiday season is upon us. And while the pandemic still lingers, the season of ‘ber’ months remains to automatically shift people’s moods into celebration mode. It’s the most ideal time to make awesome memories, especially for Gen Zs who are returning to school for their face-to-face classes and are experiencing festivities outside virtual screens after more than two years of isolation. If the pandemic taught them anything, it’s to make every moment together count. For Gen Zs, this season is an awesome opportunity to make up for lost time with friends, catch up on experiences, and discover their place in the world. More than ever, it’s the time to capture memories and make every moment last. Hence, it’s important to have a reliable companion that can help express oneself freely and imm...

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...

Apr152022 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

PayMaya now has cryptocurrency feature

Announcements, Business, Consumer, Mindanaoan Update, Technology

Filipinos can now dip their toes in the world of virtual assets and cryptocurrencies (crypto) with the help of the trusted e-wallet brand PayMaya. PayMaya has announced that it launched its cryptocurrency (crypto) feature through its all-in-one finance app experience, enabling Filipinos to easily buy and earn digital assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum for as low as P1. For many of us, crypto can be challenging. Usually, you need to download and register for a crypto account and subject yourself to a verification process. You also need to have a bank account or e-wallet app as a fund source. With this development, however, PayMaya now makes it easier than ever for all of us to get into crypto by providing an all-in-one experience. There is no need to register for another account,...

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

Mar32022 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Shopee introduces Marian Rivera as new brand ambassador, to hold March 15 consumer day sale

Announcements, Consumer, Corporate, Shopping, Society, Technology

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, is set to hold its 3.15 Consumer Day, the first mega sale of the year. Consumer Day, which will be held on March 15, 2022, will bring the excitement of Shopee’s year-end festivals to all users, giving them more reasons to celebrate and reward themselves as they gear up for the year ahead. Shopee is pioneering 3.15 Consumer Day to bring more value and joy to all shoppers, who are now using e-commerce to fulfill their needs all year round. Everyone can be a part of 3.15 Consumer Day which features the widest variety of products, made better with: Free Shipping with Php 0 min. spendPhp 1 Deals10% off daily starting March 3, kicking off the celebration with the 3.3 Consumer Day Adding to the 3.15 celebrations, Sho...

Nov22021 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz joins BDO as financial education champion

Business, Consumer, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, News, Sports, Technology, Zamboanga City

BDO Unibank has formally welcomed Hidilyn Diaz, the Philippines’ first-ever Olympic Gold medalist, to its family of brand ambassadors. Three months after ending the country’s nearly 100-year quest for Gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the Zamboanga City native joins forces with the Bank to champion financial education, not only for her fellow athletes but also for the unserved and underserved markets including overseas Filipinos. Though unexpected, Hidilyn is thankful for having received a string of incentives and gifts for her historic feat. With this in mind, she sees the golden value of handling these incentives responsibly, which BDO has been espousing through its financial education advocacy. “Importanteng magbukas ng account sa bangko, kahit maliit lang ipon mo sa simula. Pa...

Oct262021 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

New partnership in town: Kenny Rogers Roasters and Coca Cola

Business, Consumer, Corporate, Features, Food, Mindanaoan Update

A cheerful toast is in order! Kenny Rogers Roasters, one of the country’s largest restaurant chains and one of my personal favorite places for rotisserie-roasted chicken, has partnered with Coca-Cola, the leading beverage company in the country, to deliver perfect dining pairings to Filipinos across the Philippines. After more than a decade, these 2 powerhouse brands reunited for diners to enjoy their favorite Kenny Rogers Roasters meals with their favorite Coca-Cola products. Kenny Rogers Roasters’ unique recipes for rotisserie-roasted chicken, complemented by a rich variety of hot and cold side dishes and beloved corn muffins, are now paired with much-loved Coca-Cola products. The partnership supports the restaurant chain’s commitment to innovating their product offerings and con...

Jul82021 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Galanong-lanog ang pagdayeg sa BDO

Bisaya, Consumer, Corporate, Mindanaoan Update

Dili lalim ang gina-agian nato karon hilabina nga panahon sa pandemya. Apan kinahanglan pud siguro nato matagaan ug bili ang mga negosyo nga padayon lang gihapon sa pagserbisyo. Isa na diha ang BDO. Galanog-lanog ang pag-dayeg sa BDO karong mga panahuna. Ang BDO bank ang pinakadakong bangko sa tibuok Pilipina. Daghang financial ug banking solutions alang sa mga Pilipino ug langyaw nga naa diri sa atong nasud ang gina-offer sa BDO. Kung inyong namatikdan, gihupot na sa BDO ang kanhing One Network Bank nga ubay-ubay pud ang mga branches sa tibuok nasud. Paspas gyud ang pagtubo sa BDO. Good news ni siya hilabina kay mas daghan na pud dayon ang maserbisyohan sa maong bangko bisan pa naay pandemya. Susama na lamang sa pagpadayon sa serbisyo sa maong bangko bisan pa nagkadaghan ang m...

Jul52021 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanao-based Hineleban Foundation launches healthy, creative cooking group “Lutu Lutu Kuy Ra”

Bukidnon, Consumer, Contests, Features, Fitness, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Society

Mindanao-based reforestation NGO Hineleban Foundation, a non-stock, non-profit organization, has launched “Lutu Lutu Kuy Ra,” a Facebook group that aims to feature easy, healthy, creative cooking demos and recipes and promote the consumption of local crops, backyard gardening and easy-to-replicate garden-to-table food preparation. The Facebook group, which can be accessed via http://www.facebook.com/groups/lutulutukuyra, will highlight tips and tricks from local cooks and videos from guest chefs. There will be live cooking demos of budget-friendly and healthy meals. A Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey published in December 2020 indicated that the average hunger rate for 2020 in the Philippines is double the average of 9.3 percent for 2019. The highest hunger rate in 20...

Jul42021 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Unsaon pag-pilde sa mga loan payment scammers

Bisaya, Business, Consumer, Corporate, Features, Mindanaoan Update

Ubay-ubay na pud ang mga nabiktima sa mga "loan payment scammers." Mao ni sila ang mga magpaila nga kuno konektado sila sa mga bangko or lending organizations ug kuno makatabang sila aron mapadali ang pag-proseso sa mga loans. Apan ang mga payments o bayad kay mupaadto na man hinuon sa scammer ug dili sa bangko o lender. Pildeha ang mga "loan payment scammers" pinaagi sa mga nagsunod: Pagbayad lang kanunay sa angay nga bank channels Lakip niini ang over the counter sa branch sa imong bangko o dili ba kaha automatic debit arrangement. Buhata kini para sa imong car loans, home loans o business loans. I-maximize ang auto debit payments Pangutana lamang sa imohang bangko mahitungod sa auto debit payment kay kini ang pinaka-secure ug kombenyente nga option. Sa BDO pananglitan,...

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...

May52021 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Overseas Filipinos can now use PayMaya to pay government, utility bills back home

America, Consumer, Corporate, Features, Freebies, Government, LifeStyle, News, Shopping, Society, Technology

Now this is something that's near and dear to my heart especially since I was an overseas Filipino worker myself. Sending money back home was one of my regular tasks and I've always wondered if there was an easy way for me to send money without the need for an international bank account or the need to pay steep rates. Wouldn't it be extra convenient if an OFW can use his or her phone and a local digital platform to send money? Now, it's easier for OFWs or Filipinos abroad to pay for government fees and for their family's utility bills back home with the help of PayMaya! PayMaya opened this service for Filipinos overseas so they can now use their Philippine mobile SIM on roaming to register for a PayMaya account, allowing them to perform transactions such as paying government dues or...

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...

Apr242021 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Free Covid-19 insurance, free 24/7 doctor consultation courtesy of Globe At Home

Advocacy, Business, Consumer, Features, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Technology

I bring hopeful news! As the number of Covid-19 cases continues to rise in the Philippines, making sure that you have some sort of safety net in case you - knock on wood - catch the virus has become a real necessity. Here's a reality check - while some may have comprehensive insurance policies and are on the priority list of family physicians, the fact is - not everyone has the means for these. There are also reports that hospital bills may easily rack up to six or seven figures plus the difficulty of securing hospital beds. Which makes us wonder - is there something that regular Filipinos can do to sleep better at night knowing that someone’s got their back in case misfortune strikes? The good news is, there is! And it may be an unlikely solution, but Globe At Home has the answer. ...

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...

Feb242021 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Portable Air Conditioners – Which Type Is Right for You?

Consumer, Reviews

It's been hot, you've been uncomfortable, and have decided to take the plunge and buy a portable air conditioner. However - how do you know which type to get, to make sure that your requirements are met? The benefits of a portable air con vs split and/or inverter AC In a conventional split air conditioner, there is a part known as a compressor, which shuts off once the temperature you have set is reached. When the temperature rises again, the air con kicks in again and the compressor starts running once more. While this is particularly useful in regulating the temperature, this mode of operation can also be awfully expensive to run. An inverter aircon can be a bit cheaper to run, as it has no need to shut off anything. Instead, the compressor runs constantly, but at a much lower ...

Oct192020 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Cash Agad: Your partner for recovery

Advocacy, Announcements, Banks, Business, Consumer, Mindanaoan Update, Technology

This current global health crisis has caused severe effects on families and communities in the country not only because of the fear over COVID-19 but also because of how it disrupted their livelihoods. Many businesses shut down, causing widespread loss of jobs. For those who still had some incomeleft, they could not so easily access their cash at banks and ATMs because public transportation was shut down during the lockdown and quarantine periods. Fortunately, there were Cash Agad partner agents in their communities who were ready to provide banking services even amid the pandemic. While Cash Agad partner agents were also affected by the restrictions of the community quarantine, they were still able to help their respective barangays and are now bouncing back and continuing with their ...

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...