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

Apr162024 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

WATCH: the amazing Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra LIVE in Bukidnon

Advocacy, Arts, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Government, Mindanaoan Update, Music

The world-class Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Herminigildo Ranera, recently performed live in Bukidnon. A very first in the Province of Bukidnon, considered the food basket of the country. The two live performances, one at 2 PM and another at 7 PM of April 12, 2024, were made possible by Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri and the Cultural Center of the Philippines in celebration of the inauguration of the Bukidnon Center for Culture and the Arts, located at the new Bukidnon Sports and Cultural Complex, Barangay Laguitas, Malaybalay City. I was able to attend both performances, thanks to my dear friend Senate President Migz Zubiri. Daghang salamat, SP! I was also given all access passes for other events that weekend, which I will soon share on th...

Jul292020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

LOOK: Matigsalug – Manobo tribes get new tribal hall in Kitaotao

Advocacy, Bukidnon, Culture, Government, Mindanao, Society

Two of Mindanao's tribes now have a new tribal hall complete with sleeping quarters. The Matigsalug - Manobo tribes in Kitaotao, Bukidnon recently received a new tribal hall with sleeping quarters. The new tribal hall, located at Brgy. Sagundanon, Kitaotao, Bukidnon, was inaugurated on July 24, 2020. The Matigsalug - Manobo tribal hall was funded under the Department of Social Welfare and Development Kalahi-CIDSS and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process under its PAyapa and MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) framework. PAMANA is the government's peace and development framework that aims to strengthen peacebuilding, reconstruction, and development in conflict-affected areas. DSWD says that PAMANA has reportedly expanded to include the funding of projects for IPs ...

Jan202020 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Kaamulan Festival 2020 Schedule of Activities

Advocacy, Announcements, Arts, Bukidnon, Culture, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Kaamulan Festival, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Society, Tourism, Travel

Kaamulan Festival 2020 na! After missing this annual Bukidnon festival for a few years, I am finally going to witness it again. The Kaamulan Festival is the annual gathering of the 7 Bukidnon hill tribes namely Tigwahanun, Talaandig, Matigsalug, Higaonon, Bukidnon, Manobo and Umayamnun. The Kaamulan Festival is also considered as the only authentic ethnic festival left in the Philippines. By virtue of a provincial resolution authored by Bukidnon District 2 Board Member Atty. Jun Beltran, the Kaamulan Festival in Bukidnon is held from March 23 to April 23 every year. The dates are fixed. However, the sitting Bukidnon governor will have the option to change them provided there's a viable reason to do so. Ergo, this year's Kaamulan Festival 2020 will be on March 23 to April 23...

Jul62018 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Fifty indigenous families to be affected by Bukidnon airport project

Bukidnon, Culture, Society

Some 50 Indigenous People (IP) families will apparently be affected by the Bukidnon airport project. And in exchange for pulling them out of the area in Don Carlos, Bukidnon, where the airport will be, they will be given Php 5 Million. This would mean that each indigenous family will receive Php 100,000. Which makes me think --- is Php 100,000 enough? Granted that the families themselves, led by Datu Teodoro Andil of the Unified Ancestral Domain of Manobo Kirenteken, reportedly asked for the Php 5 Million, is this just? Is this fair? Have other government agencies and NGOs perhaps helped them figure out if this amount can help them long-term? The Php 5 Million will reportedly be used to purchase a 50-hectare relocation site in Pangantucan. Fifty homes will be built there, one for ...

Mar262018 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Bukidnon’s Kaamulan Festival 2018 Ethnic Sports Competition

Bukidnon, Culture, Events, Festivals, Kaamulan Festival, Malaybalay City, Mindanao, Society

The Kaamulan Festival has truly evolved. From being a simple celebration whereby representatives from Bukidnon's 7 hill tribes would all gather in Malaybalay City, the capital of Bukidnon, the annual festival has now turned into quite a spectacle. Despite the many changes, however, I'm glad that there are still events that allowed our indigenous brothers and sisters to showcase their rich, unique and truly colorful culture and tradition. One of these events was the Kaamulan Festival Ethnic Tribal Olympics or Kaamulan Ethnic Sports Competition. In Binukid language, ethnic sports is called "Alu-Alu." Representatives from the Bukidnon, Higaonon, Manobo, Matigsalug, Talaandig, Tigwahanon, and Umayamnon tribes challenged each other in at least 18 ethnic sports at the Capitol Grounds i...

Mar202018 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Beautiful Bukidnon tribal dance at the Kaamulan Festival 2018

Bukidnon, Culture, Events, Festivals, Kaamulan Festival, Malaybalay City

As I am writing this, the yearly Kaamulan Festival is currently ongoing in the Province of Bukidnon, Philippines. The Kaamulan Festival 2018 celebration will last until March 24, 2018, on which day the main highlight, the Ethnic Street Dancing Competition, will be held in Malaybalay City, the capital of Bukidnon. If you're heading there, you may want to check one of my other blogs, the longest-standing one about the province, Bukidnon Online. You can also find the Kaamulan 2018 schedule of activities there. Anyway, full disclosure --- I am still here in New York, USA (legally, if I may add) and obviously, I'm thousands of miles away from Bukidnon. Fortunately, I have an awesome brother, Ben, and an awesome cousin, Daniel, and they're both covering the events for my blogs! Yes, I'm very ...

Jun212016 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

LOOK: The iconic motorela of Cagayan de Oro Philippines

Bisaya, Cagayan de Oro City, Culture, Events, Features, Misamis Oriental, Society

Did you know that the motorela, the Cagayan de Oro version of the iconic Philippine tricycle, was first invented and subsequently registered in 1964? The CDO motorela was invented by Rafael D. Floirendo, Sr., who also filed a patent registration. The patent number was "2243." Fast forward 2016, "2243" is now "2243: Moving Forward," a contemporary exhibit featuring the iconic motorela. The exhibit, recently held at Ayala Centrio Mall, coincided with Cagayan de Oro's 66th Charter Day. A group named Siete Pesos, composed of 7 artists (Nicholas Aca Jr., Errol Balcos, Michael Bacol, Michelle Hollanes Lua, Jericho Valjusto Vamenta, Ma. Rosalie Zerrudo and Oscar Floirendo, the son of the inventor), organized the exhibit that showcased the remodeled version of the original motorela. Inter...

Jun132016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Good news – More Lumad schools established in Mindanao!

Advocacy, Announcements, Bukidnon, Culture, Kaamulan Festival, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, News, Northern Mindanao

A total of thirty nine (39) schools for our indigenous peoples (IP) or Lumad brothers and sisters have been established in key parts in Northern Mindanao, Philippines and I have never been so happy! I think it's high time that we give importance to our Lumad brothers and sisters. Enough of taking advantage of them and abusing the sanctity of their culture. Enough of using them as "props" during certain festivals that are, in fact, just purely commercial in nature. Enough, please! Twenty three of the schools will be established in Malaybalay City (at Nasuli, Bangcud, to be exact), Valencia City and 10 other Bukidnon municipalities. The remaining sixteen will be found in Iligan, Gingoog, Balingasag and Claveria, Misamis Oriental. Thank you to the Department of Education. This is one...

Apr262016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Try This When In Iligan: Delicious Roti de Iligan

Culture, Food, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Mindanaoan Update, Muslim Mindanao

After spending a few hours at Timoga Spring Pool, my friends and I then proceeded to the city proper. We were a bit hungry but weren't in the mood to eat neither at a fastfood outlet nor at a fancy restaurant. We just needed a quick bite. So Vic of WowCDO led us to a small, unassuming little cart along Lluch Street (behind St. Michael’s College) that sold roti for only Php 25. It was amazing to see several people patiently queuing. There was good reason, though – the delicious roti de Iligan was served piping hot, had a generous filling and was very affordable. It wasn't the Indian roti I was used to. Instead, roti de Iligan was a sort of amalgamation of Indian and Muslim influences. Made of flour, vegetables, mayonnaise, cheese and other ingredients, roti de Iligan is simple...

Feb262016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

A call to probe the burning of a Lumad camp in Davao City

Advocacy, Blogging, Controversial, Crime, Culture, Davao City, Headline, Musings, Society

My heart is breaking. Despite the increasing awareness of the attacks against the Lumad (indigenous peoples) communities in Mindanao, there are STILL cases of harassment, threats, killings and, just recently, the burning of an evacuation center in Davao City that hosted hundreds of displaced Lumads. KANUS-A MAN GYUD NI TAWON MOUNDANG?!?! Initial reports showed that five lumads, including two children, were hurt during the fire that broke out in Haran Center, which shelters Manobos from Davao del Norte and Bukidnon who sought safe refuge in the church-run dormitory. Who in his right mind won't be angry? Our Lumad brothers and sisters need to be protected, not driven away from their homes! I agree with Sen. Chiz Escudero, who has also called for a probe. “Those who have less ...

Oct282015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

LAPIS Para Sa Lumad

Advocacy, Arts, BIMP-EAGA, Culture, Education, Entertainment, Manila, Mindanaoan Artists, Music

I am always in awe of Filipino musicians who continue to write meaningful, socially relevant songs. Songs that some may consider "unpopular" but are the very ones that we all need to hear. Songs about human rights, just wages, land reform, proper governance, freedom of speech. Songs that remind us of our responsibilities as citizens. Songs that beseech justice and even anger. I was able to watch some of these talented Filipino musicians - all part of the League of Authors of Public Interest Songs (LAPIS) - as they performed in a show for the benefit of the Lumads (indigenous peoples) in Mindanao. The show, dubbed "LAPIS para sa Lumad," also called for awareness and participation in the fight against the attacks on Lumads and their ancestral domains. Among the performers that night we...

Aug112015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Kadayawan 2015 schedule of activities

Arts, Beauty, BIMP-EAGA, Culture, Davao City, Davao del Sur, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, Society, Style, Tourism, Travel

The King of Festivals is here once again! Kadayawan Festival 2015 or the 30th Kadayawan sa Dabaw will be held in Davao City from August 17 to 23, 2015. Kadayawan Festival is Davao City's grandest and most colorful celebration that highlights Davao tribes' culture, tradition and everyday lives. Kadayawan is also where we all thank the good Lord for bountiful harvests! :) Here's the Kadayawan 2015 schedule of activities (please feel free to SHARE!): It's also a special non-working holiday in Davao City on August 24, 2015 so plan your trip well! Happy Kadayawan Festival! See you in the streets! :)

Jul292015 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Bukidnon Kaamulan Festival 2015 schedule of activities

Announcements, Bukidnon, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Malaybalay City

The Kaamulan Festival 2015 schedule of activities is finally out. Kaamulan Festival, a yearly festival that aims to gather Bukidnon’s 7 hill tribes, is usually held every March but in 2014, the Kaamulan Festival was held in August so that it would coincide with the Bukidnon Centennial Celebration. This 2015, the Bukidnon government decided to move it to October. The Kaamulan 2015 festival schedule of activities can be found below but please do “like” the Kaamulan Festival Facebook Page to be constantly updated. Need a place to stay in Bukidnon? BOOK YOUR BUKIDNON HOTEL ROOM HERE OCTOBER 1 - GRAND OPENING 6 AM - Opening Ritual (Pamukalag), Grandstand Malaybalay – Motorcade (to be participated by festival sponsors) – School Band parade - Food Fest, Agri Fair, Indigenous Ba...

Feb82015 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mindanaoan In Korea Travel Series: Insadong Seoul

Culture, Features, Food, Korea, Mindanaoan Update, Seoul, Tourism, Travel

Insadong was one of my favorite places during our Seoul, South Korea trip. Also known as Seoul's culture street, Insadong has so many shops selling traditional Korean goods, teas, candies, street food, wooden cooking utensils, crafts, staple food like bottled kimchi and roasted nori sheets (yum!) and souvenirs such as hanbok and hanji. Although there's a main street in Insadong (no vehicles allowed here), don't hesitate to explore the inner streets. There are small but nice tea houses and restaurants that have "English OK" signs (meaning their servers can speak English :) ) along alleyways. Insadong is a safe place to "get lost in." Just go back to the main street and you'll be fine ;) How to get to Insadong: My brother and I took the subway. We rode Seoul Subway Line 3 then took ...

Feb32015 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mindanaoan In Korea Travel Series: Breathtaking Gyeongbukgung Palace Seoul

Arts, Culture, Korea, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Seoul, Tourism, Travel

Built in 1395, the Gyeongbukgung Palace in Seoul, South Korea used to be the seat of power. Also known as Gyeongbok Palace, this palace was made during the Joseon Dynasty and is perhaps the most popular among the 5 palaces in Seoul. Just like what happened when we visited Changdeokgung Palace, we didn't have to pay for the entrance fee. It was Chuseok Festival time (autumn harvest holiday, Seoul's biggest holiday) and all entrance fees to palaces were waived. Spotted these little girls in their hanboks. This is the Keunjeong-jeon. This used to be the royal throne hall and as such, top officials then conducted state affairs here. This is Korea’s largest surviving wooden structure. Inside the Keunjeong-jeon We also caught the changing of the...

Feb32015 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mindanaoan In Korea Travel Series: Changdeokgung Palace

Arts, Culture, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Korea, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Photos, Seoul, Tourism, Travel

Changdeokgung Palace, a 600-year old UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the very first palace we visited in Seoul, South Korea. Changdeokgung Palace is one of the "Five Grand Palaces" built by the Joseon Dynasty kings. Located at Jongno-gu district, this is a beautiful palace complex to roam around in and take photos of. We picked a good day to visit this Seoul palace. It was Chuseok Festival, Seoul's biggest festival, and entrance fees to all palaces were waived. This is the Injeongjeon (Main Hall) These seemingly stone markers were placed so that officials knew where to stand. The premises are very well-kept and well-maintained, as you can see in the photos. I can already imagine how pretty this area would be during fall or...

Jan232015 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

PHOTOS: Giant Philippine Eagle along BuDa (Bukidnon-Davao border)

Arts, Bukidnon, Culture, Davao City, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel

Traversing the Bukidnon - Davao (BuDa) highway? If you're entering or leaving Davao City via Bukidnon, you might want to watch out for really cool sculptures at Barangay Baganihan, Marilog District, Davao. This huge Philippine Eagle sculpture, crafted by Cotabato-born, fellow Mindanaoan Kublai Millan, is a sight to behold. Just a few steps away from the Philippine Eagle sculpture, there are also sculptures of Mindanao tribesmen and children. The sculptures are reminiscent of the yearly Kadayawan Festival. There's also a "Welcome to Davao" sign :) There is no entrance fee and there are no other fees here. There may be locals who will sell you native handicrafts, though :) I bought some bracelets (Php 10.00 each only!). Nice way to help support the local community. ...

Oct272014 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Success stories at the 2nd BIMP-EAGA International Trade Fair #EAGAIMT2014

Advocacy, BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Business, Consumer, Corporate, Culture, Davao City, Events, Features, Food, Government, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Mindanaoan Update, News, Recipes, Society

Thanks to the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), I was able to cover the 2nd BIMP-EAGA IMT-GT International Trade Fair and Business Leaders' Conference last October 22 to 25, 2014 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang in Davao City, Philippines. I've always wanted to witness a BIMP-EAGA event and I'm glad that I finally had the opportunity to do so. BIMP-EAGA events are important international functions especially in terms of trade, investments, tourism and even each of the participating countries' roles in the upcoming ASEAN Integration. BIMP-EAGA stands for Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area while IMT-GT means Indonesia Malaysia Thailand Growth Triangle. Now on its 20th year, the BIMP-EAGA is considered as a key strategy to accelerate social as well as...

Oct62014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanaoan in Korea travel series: itinerary, tips and more

Blogging, Culture, Entertainment, Features, Flights, Korea, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Society, Style, Tourism, Travel

I have been traveling a lot the past few weeks! One of my recent foreign travel destinations was KOREA :) It was my very first time (and most definitely not the last!) to visit the world's only divided country and my brother (who was my travel companion) and I had the most amazing time! We stayed for a little over a week - just the perfect number of days to explore Seoul, Nami Island and a bit of North Korea (yessir!) I can't wait to share with you more details about our Korea trip! Please follow my humble Mindanaoan in Korea travel series by CLICKING ON THIS FEED and bookmarking/saving the pages :) You may also want to take a look at some of my photos on Instagram. I will share budget travel tips, very helpful travel apps, recommended hostel in Seoul, delicious Korea food finds, videos...

Sep22014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

PHOTOS: Kaamulan Festival 2014 Ethnic Street Dancing And Float Competition

Advocacy, Bukidnon, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Kaamulan Festival, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, News, Northern Mindanao, Photos, Tourism

KAAMULAN FESTIVAL 2014 - The Kaamulan Festival 2014 street dancing and float competition is one of the major highlights of Bukidnon's yearly gathering of its 7 hill tribes. This year, the much-awaited event was held for two days - August 30 and 31, 2014 - at Malaybalay City. All Bukidnon cities and municipalities were asked to join the competition this Kaamulan Festival 2014 in line with the province's 100th founding anniversary (Bukidnon Centennial). In previous years, only between 7 and 10 contingents join the competition due to budget constraints. Sharing with you some of the photos taken by Mindanaoan's Kaamulan 2014 team during the Kaamulan Festival 2014 ethnic street dancing and float competition:

Aug282014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

PHOTOS: Bukidnon cowboys at Kaamulan Festival 2014 rodeo

Bukidnon, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Kaamulan Festival, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Sports

Not many know this but the Province of Bukidnon is home to the Philippines' finest cowboys. In the municipality of Impasugong alone, a lot of Bukidnon cowboys (and cowgirls!) live the cowboy lifestyle ala Marlboro Country. The rolling hills, vast landscape and several ranches make it possible for these cowboys to live this kind of lifestyle in Bukidnon. And every year, the public gets to see these Bukidnon cowboys showcase their skills via the yearly Kaamulan Festival Rodeo. The Kaamulan Festival 2014 rodeo is no different. This year, the Bukidnon cowboys got to show the public how cattle wrestling is done. Locally called "Karambola," cattle wrestling is where a bovine is released from the pen and then the cowboys try to subdue or lord over these bulls. The Kaamulan Festival 2014 rod...

May232014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Let these T’boli dancers welcome you to Sarangani

Culture, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Sarangani, SoSCksargen

I arrived in Sarangani, Mindanao a day before the official start of the Sarangani Bay Festival 2014. And for very good reason - the pretty and amiable Michelle Lopez-Solon, a.k.a. the better half of Sarangani Governor Steve Solon and the lead organizer of SarBayFest2014, invited me and a few other blogger-friends to a mini tour of Sarangani! The tour of Sarangani was something I've been looking forward to for a very long time. Sarangani, after all, does not only boast of rich natural resources but of culture and tradition as well. Our first stop was a barangay in Kiamba, Sarangani. There, we were met by happy, smiling faces led by Lyn Lambago, the founder of the Lemuhen Cultural Dance Troupe. Organized in 2007, the dance troupe was borne out of Lyn's observation that the T'boli cultu...