Consumer Archives - Page 14 of 18 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Aug152010 by Mindanaoan Irene8 Comments

Make Your Own Havaianas 2010 MYOH 2010

Beauty, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Corporate, Events, Fashion, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Personalities, Photos, Society, Style

Because my first Make Your Own Havaianas experience last year was absolutely fun, I eagerly awaited the Make Your Own Havaianas 2010 event this year. Plus methinks the pair I meticulously "designed" last year badly needs a "hiatus" especially since I've been lugging it all around the country. Yep, it's a "well-traveled" pair - having been brought to various places in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. You see, my first MYOH pair was a staple in my traveling bag during the campaign period (May 2010 national elections) and I guess it's about time that I give it its much-deserved "rest." So just imagine my excitement when I once again received an ultra special VIP invite from our very special friends over at Spruce, the exclusive distributor of Havaianas in northern and western Mindanao. Who cou...

Jul242010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: Citi Park Hotel Cebu City | Hotels in Cebu City

Business, Consumer, Hotels, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

Nestled along Cabahug Street, Panagdait, Mabolo Cebu City is a relatively new but not too expensive hotel in the Queen City of the South. Citi Park Hotel is conveniently located between Cebu City proper and Mandaue City, making travel time to and fro Cebu International Airport easy. I had the chance to stay at Citi Park Hotel Cebu during the recent electoral campaigns/sorties. I was with one of the senatorial candidates that I did PR/media relations for and we stayed for two nights at Citi Park Cebu. Here's a look at their lobby cum lounge. I arranged for a mini press conference here with some of my Cebu media friends: Here's the restaurant at this hotel in Cebu City. We took our breakfast here. They serve it buffet style: A photo of one of the hotel rooms in Citi Park Hotel after the j...

Jul182010 by Mindanaoan Irene20 Comments

How to renew your Philippine passport | How to get a Philippine e-passport

Advocacy, Announcements, Consumer, Features, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao, Personal

I just applied for the renewal of my Philippine passport. I used to have the regular green passport but since the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has now required that all new Philippine passports and renewed ones must be e-passports, I applied for a Philippine e-passport. Before the e-passport, the DFA issued machine readable passports. That's now kaput. The e-passport accordingly is a lot more secure since it contains this special chip of sorts. The Philippine e-passport is also known as the biometric passport since you no longer need a passport photo along with your passport renewal application form. Your photo, thumbprints and digital signatures will be taken during your passport renewal appointment. See more below the steps on how to renew your Philippine passport and how to...

Jul112010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Spruce CDO to offer a whopping 50 percent discount during 5th anniversary sale!

Announcements, Beauty, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Events, Fashion, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Northern Mindanao, Personal, Society, Style

SPRUCE Boutique, one of my favorite shops in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, is celebrating its 5th anniversary with a sale like no other! Spruce CDO is set to offer a whopping 50 percent discount for at least 5 items purchased during their much talked about 5-day sale! The Spruce 5-day anniversary sale, which is their way of saying thank you to all their loyal customers, will run from July 14 to July 18, 2010. Check out this photo of their window display (this blogger from Mindanao took this today): More ABSOLUTELY EXCITING details after the jump! (more…)

Jul112010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Winning several bucks with PCSO Scratch It!

Consumer, Contests, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Personal

I've always had this belief that I'm a bit lucky with numbers. Not spectacularly lucky...just A BIT lucky. The kind where my winnings can help me buy a pair of shoes or a plane ticket or treat my entire family to a sumptuous dinner. Today, I tried my luck with the PCSO Scratch It! Instant Panalo game cards. These are the ones that are usually sold at a LOTTO outlet. I accompanied someone who placed her LOTTO bets at noon today. Well, because I didn't know how to play LOTTO and didn't want to just stand in a corner and be idle, I bought two Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Scratch Cards. Lo and behold --- my lucky stars shone brightly today! (more…)

Jul102010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Join the Chooks to Go VIP Membership Club for FREE

Announcements, Business, Consumer, Mindanaoan Update

Want a FREE Chooks to Go t-shirt? Then join the Chooks to Go VIP Membership Club FOR FREE! Chooks to Go, which uses Bounty Fresh chicken, has recently launched its membership club and loyal members can get freebies and access to special events and promos. With over 700 stores all over the Philippines including a whole lot here in Mindanao, it will be easy for you to pile up points and get those freebies! Chooks to Go sells oven-roasted chicken, liempo, chicken hotdog, chicken nuggets and corned chicken. Bounty Fresh's newest endorser is none other than world-class singer Lea Salonga. Check out their newest ad: (more…)

Jul32010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

One-day seminar/workshop on Managing a Family-Owned Business

Announcements, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Events, Mindanaoan Update, Society

Family owned businesses account for more than 60% of all businesses in the world and it has been the backbone of the world economy. One, if not the most important factor that determines the success of family businesses is the ability of the family members to create a balance between a happy, united family and a well-run family enterprise. However, the question remains: how do you attain harmony and growth while managing a family-owned business? The Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) Cagayan de Oro East Chapter is pleased to invite to you to a one-day seminar/workshop on: “Managing a Family-Owned Business: Attaining Harmony and Growth by Balancing Family and Business”. This seminar is designed to help you attain an effective and amicable family enterprise...

Jul22010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Citihardware to open 3rd branch in Cagayan de Oro City

Announcements, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Society

Well, I guess this only goes to show that Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, dubbed the City of Golden Friendship, is really booming and fast becoming "a force to reckon with" in terms of trade and industry. CitiHardware, arguably the largest and fastest growing hardware chain in the country, will open its third branch in CDO. According to a top CitiHardware official, the Cugman branch is currently in its early stages of construction. Citihardware's two existing branches in Cagayan de Oro are located at Bulua and Gusa. If you guys recall, Mindanaoan was hired to handle shared event coordination services during the grand opening of the CitiHardware Bulua branch. As co-event organizer, Mindanaoan was in charge of providing professional lights and sounds, a female professional host, a band ...

Jul22010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Spruce CDO celebrates 5th anniversary, announces sale

Announcements, Beauty, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Fashion, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Style

One of Mindanaoan's favorite specialty and boutique shops in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao will celebrate its 5th anniversary in a few days and they've announced a much-awaited SALE! Spruce Designer Network, Inc., which operates Spruce Boutique and All Flipflops, will hold a 5-day sale starting July 14 to 18, 2010. Yep, it's their way of thanking their loyal customers all throughout Northern Mindanao! Spruce Cagayan de Oro, located at the 2nd floor of Limketkai Mall, is the exclusive distributor of Havaianas in Northern Mindanao. Spruce also carries the following brands: Aranaz, Lacoste, Charcoal, Puma, Cole Vintage and Happy Feet. (more…)

Jun292010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Start saving up! Make Your Own Havaianas 2010 is coming your way soon

Announcements, Beauty, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Style

Woohoo! I'm absolutely thrilled :) After the huge success of the Make Your Own Havaianas 2009 event, this year's MYOH 2010 event is right around the corner! The Make Your Own Havaianas 2010 event for Northern Mindanao will be held on August 13 to 15, 2010 at the Rotunda area of Limketkai Mall, Cagayan de Oro City. And guess what? This year marks the 5th year of chic and colorful customization brought to all of us by Havaianas Philippines! This blogger in Mindanao cannot wait to get her hands on my brand new pair! I had so much fun during my first ever Make Your Own Havaianas experience and just like I said, that experience was only the beginning of a long "friendship" with my very own Havs :) So start saving up, Havaianaticos! And see you on August! Special thanks to Spruce De...

Jun162010 by Mindanaoan Irene8 Comments

Eyelash extensions now a big hit in the Philippines | My eyelash extensions

Beauty, Blogging, Business, Consumer, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Reviews, Style

Ever heard of eyelash extensions? These are different from fake eyelashes, mind you. Eyelash extensions add thickness, length and fullness to natural eyelashes. Compared to fake eyelashes, eyelash extensions appear more "natural." The synthetic single fiber polyester thread-like materials are applied lash by lash (compared to fake eyelashes where an entire strip of lashes are glued to one's eyelid) and eyelash extensions are usually semi-permanent. These days, eyelash extension salons are sprouting like mushrooms all over Manila. Although no eyelash extension shop has opened in Mindanao (yet), I bet one will open very soon. So here's the deal...one of the things that I treated myself with during my most recent trip to Manila was...well, you guessed that right...getting eyelash extens...

Jun72010 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Review: Missy Bon Bon breadshop and gelato store

Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Reviews

Missy Bon Bon Breadshop is a new breadshop, pastry shop and gelato store in Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao. From a humble stall at the 2nd floor of Robinson's Mall CDO, Missy Bonbon now has a second branch - a full, working store along Rosario Drive, Limketkai Mall, CDO. Because this blogger from Mindanao missed the invitation sent out by the owner of Missy Bon Bon for a nice, chillaxin' bloggers day cum breakfast meet-up a few weeks ago , I was all too happy to check their store out as soon as I got back from Manila. I met some fellow bloggers there for an afternoon meeting. I was not disappointed. Well, okay, except for one tiny thing which I'll mention after the jump. In the meantime, check out the delicious array of gelatos (Italian ice cream) found at Missy Bon Bon...

Jun42010 by Mindanaoan Irene21 Comments

Dahilayan Adventure Park ZipZone Bukidnon zipline – longest dual cable zipline in Asia

Blogging, Bukidnon, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Davao City, Entertainment, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Resorts, Society, Sports, Tourism, Travel

So, YES, finally! Mindanaoan, her brother and mom finally got to visit Dahilayan Adventure Park in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon - home of ZipZone Bukidnon zipline, reportedly the longest dual cable zipline in all of Asia! We finally managed to visit this Mindanao tourist destination, which is fast becoming a favorite of thrill and adventure seekers, in time for my brother's birthday. Actually, we've been looking forward to trying out this Bukidnon zipline adventure for months but we only had the chance this most recent weekend. Also, quite unfortunately, my two other brothers couldn't come with us so it was just me, my brother and my mom. Nonetheless, my brother and I were so excited to try the much-talked about 840 meter zipline, considered the longest dual cable zipline in Asia. Apart ...

May282010 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Review: The Maxwell Hotel Cebu | Budget hotel Cebu

Business, Consumer, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

The Maxwell Hotel Cebu is located along N. Escario Street, Cebu City, Philippines - a prime location in the Queen City of the South. It's a fairly new hotel in Cebu City and can be considered a Cebu budget hotel. Mindanaoan stayed at the Maxwell Hotel Cebu for two nights during my recent 4-day escapade at Cebu to attend the first ever Cebu Blog Camp 2010. The first two nights were spent at my Cebu City-based brother's apartment. My brother is also a blogger, by the way, and he accompanied me at the Cebu Blog Camp. He blogs about tennis here. Since he often lacked sleep because of the uber warm Cebu weather as of late, I, as the dutiful "ate" (ahem, ahem), decided to check-in at The Maxwell Hotel Cebu and treat him to two days of rest, sleep and an absolutely relaxing massage (more about...

May282010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Gelatissimo in Greenbelt 5

Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Davao City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism

Thanks to Manila-based Twitter friend Ryan, this blogger from Mindanao got invited to check out the much-talked about Gelatissimo store in Greenbelt 5, Makati City, Philippines. It was an invitation that I immediately accepted especially because I've heard a lot of good feedback about this gelato shop. By the way, Gelatissimo isn't a homegrown brand. Gelatissimo is an Australian brand and they offer yummy gelato that's made fresh every single day, sundaes, chocolates, traditional Italian biscotti and roasted coffee. For the unitiated, gelato is a low fat, creamy alternative to traditional ice cream. It tastes a bit "warmer" than ice cream but nonetheless equally delish! As expected, I found a packed Gelatissimo Greenbelt 5 branch. Believe me, the photo I took below didn't do justi...

May242010 by Mindanaoan Irene8 Comments

Finally finding No Reservations Anthony Bourdain Cebu lechon – the Zubuchon!

Bisaya, Blogging, Business, Consumer, Culture, Features, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personal, Recipes, Reviews, Society

Apart from attending the Cebu Blog Camp 2010, another reason why I was looking forward to going back to Cebu City, the Queen City of the South, was the fact that I will finally have the chance to try the world-famous Zubuchon - yes, the very same Cebu lechon featured and praised by popular chef and travel show host Anthony Bourdain of "No Reservations." Ever since Anthony Bourdain featured it in "No Reservations" (one of the very few travel shows that my entire family loves to watch), we agreed to definitely try it once we have the chance to go back to Cebu. As we all know, Cebu lechon is already famous as it is but for a specific Cebu lechon to be featured as the Anthony Bourdain preferred Cebu lechon is another thing. A brief background first for the unitiated - Lechon or fire roas...

May182010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Havaianas Summer Collection 2010 | Get your pair from Spruce CDO

Announcements, Beauty, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Fashion, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Style

For beach lovers like me, summer is our most favorite season! It's the perfect time to not only get that perfect summer tan but also the chance for one to flaunt that distinct summer style. And what better way to show your summer fashion sense than to wear a pair of Havaianas straight from its 2010 summer collection? The Havaianas summer collection 2010 flip flops are among summer fashion's staples. And swimsuits, bikinis, cover-ups and other types of beach wear can never be complete without that pretty pair of Havaianas slippers. For the ultra hot months of April and May, hit the sandy beaches with these perfect pair of Havaianas flip flops. Check out their new designs that will surely complement the sun, sand and sea. Fashion-forward mavens can look forward to a flip-flops collec...

May72010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mindanaoan movie review: “A Nightmare on Elm Street”

Arts, Consumer, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Movies, Reviews

Thanks to Manila-based blogger Azrael, Mindanaoan was given the chance to attend the advance screening of the much-talked about horror flick, "A Nightmare on Elm Street." Made possible by SM Cinemas, the advance screening of "A Nightmare on Elm Street" was also sponsored by Warner Bros. Pictures and Magic 89.9. Check out the cool invitation that I received: I arrived at SM Megamall Cinema 6 a little past 7 pm. Thankfully, the moviegoers were still outside the theater so I took that opportunity to buy some popcorn and iced tea. Not long after, a Plurk pal named Erlyn arrived (yep, it was a Plurk meet-up of sorts :) ) and we sat alongside one another - wishing that the movie won't scare us too much! By the way, if you have a Plurk account, please don't hesitate to add me up HER...

Apr152010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Love cereals? Cerealicious is a must-try!

Business, Consumer, Davao City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Society

Mindanaoan is a huge cereal fan. You name it - I love it! Frosties, regular corn cereals, choco coated cereals...I love them all! I must admit, though...I'm not a regular breakfast eater (which I know is a bad thing because breakfast is the most important meal of the day...I'm really trying my best to eat breakfast as often as I can!) but you can be sure that I'll be at the table (mas mabilis pa sa alas kuwatro!) if cereals and milk plus fruits or cookies are served. So you could just imagine how happy I was when I first learned that the Philippines now has the first ever cereal cafe! Yup, you read that right. Cereal cafe! Welcome to Cerealicious - the country's first ever cafe that serves 30+ cereals, 40+ toppings and even gives you the chance to come up with your very own mix of ...

Apr142010 by Mindanaoan Irene7 Comments

Visiting the Team Pacquiao by Manny Pacquiao store in General Santos City Mindanao

Business, Consumer, General Santos City, Gifts, Koronadal, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Society, South Cotabato, Sports, Style, Tourism

More often than not, anybody who gets to visit General Santos City, Mindanao for the first time has this question: where can we find Pambansang Kamao Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao and is there any place where we can buy Pacquiao souvenirs? Well, for die hard Manny Pacquiao fans, fret no more! During Mindanaoan's most recent visit to the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, she finally had the chance to visit the Team Pacquiao by Manny Pacquiao store in Robinson's GenSan! The Team Pacquiao store, located at the Ground Floor of the said General Santos City mall, sells a wide array of souvenir and gift items - from Manny Pacquiao shirts to Team Pacquiao jackets to pretty notebooks to Pacquiao keychains and Pacman lanyards! (more…)

Apr22010 by Mindanaoan Irene18 Comments

Resorts World Manila – what to see, what to do

Arts, Consumer, Corporate, Entertainment, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Resorts, Reviews, Society, Style

So this blogger from Mindanao finally had the chance to visit the much-talked about Resorts World Manila, a luxurious, fun-filled entertainment destination in Newport City, which is located just right across the new Ninoy Aquino International Airport 3 (NAIA 3). I often caught ads about this new entertainment hub on TV so naturally my curiosity got piqued. Resorts World Manila sits on a vast 7.8 hectare lot in Pasay, particularly at 100 Andrews Avenue, Newport, Cybertourism Zone, 1309 Pasay City. The product of a collaboration between Alliance Global Group, Inc. (reportedly a Philippine conglomerate) and Star Cruises, Resorts World Manila is just a few blocks behind the Star Cruises headquarters. Resorts World Manila is in a pretty large complex so I doubt that you'd miss it ;) Here'...

Mar142010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Hot Hunks including gorgeous Brazilian-Jap Akihiro Sato sizzle in Mindanao!

Beauty, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Photos

Sizzle mah schizzle! Saturday, March 13, 2010 was an uber special day for ladies! In celebration of Women's Week, SM City Cagayan de Oro, along with top retail brands Penshoppe, Mint, Folded and Hung, Maldita and Bossini, hosted the "Hot Hunks Fashion Show" featuring no less than the current toast of the local fashion world, Brazilian-Japanese (Brapanese) hottie Akihiro Sato. For the uninitiated, Akihiro Macieira Sato is a 6 ft 1 inch stunner born in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He used to model in Thailand but now he has decided to grace the Philippine shores with his amazing looks and pleasing disposition and has decided to live here for good! Be still my heart! So of course, who wouldn't want to go to SM City CDO to catch this cutie? So along with some friends, Mindanaoan went ...