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Davao City

Are you a Havaianas fan? Write and join Isla Havaianatico in Samal, Davao, Mindanao

Davao City, Events, Island Garden City of Samal, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update
Listen up, all you Havaianas fans! There's a day-long treat in store for all of you in a Havaianas Beach Resort and Spa somewhere in Samal (or should I say Island Garden City of Samal - IGaCOS) Davao City, Mindanao...but only if you write a one-page essay stating why you love your Havaianas. You must email that essay along with three creative photos of you wearing your Havaianas pair/s to [email protected] and if you're lucky, you get to spend a whole day Havaianas adventure in Samal on March 21, 2009 (Saturday). Deadline for submission of entries is on March 14, 2009. By the way, winners, their friends and VIP media guests will be grouped into teams during the island event and the champion team will receive P20,000.00 cash. Exclusive Havaianas items will also be given away as mi...

Spend Valentine’s Day at Pepper and Peppers Restaurant Davao City

Consumer, Davao City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Personal
With Valentine's Day just around the corner, you should already have an idea by now as to where you can bring your loved one for that special, romantic dinner. However, with just so many choices especially in Davao City, Mindanao, deciding where to go can be quite a challenge. Good thing there's Pepper and Peppers Restaurant which promises nothing but exquisite food, exclusive dining and elegant ambiance. Located at The Site, Central Convenience Store Compound, Jacinto Extension corner Mapa Street, Davao City, Pepper and Peppers Restaurant is best known for their killer (and I mean absolutely delish!) Iberian chicken, Chilean shrimp pasta and (my favorite) Sizzling Blackened Chicken. And come Valentine's Day, they've prepared two Valentine Set menus for you to choose from. The "Hopel...

Dabawenya Mindanaoan to compete in Binibining Pilipinas 2009

Beauty, Davao City, Entertainment, Features, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Society
I was pleasantly surprised to see our "Baby South" during the press presentation of the official candidates of this year's Binibining Pilipinas 2009 pageant. "Baby South" refers to Priscilla Mae Navidad, a 17 year old Dabawenya. I met Mae a few years ago in Davao City, Mindanao. I was helping organize the Davao leg of the nationwide "Rainbow Tour" of premiere Filipino band South Border and after the concert, I was also selling copies of their award-winning platinum CD, "Episode III" (yes, I know, major plugging na 'to LOL :D) Anyways, there was this tall girl who kept on asking me if she could meet Jay Durias (South Border's musical director and keyboardist) because, according to her, they were cousins. I must admit, I had reservations at first because after all, there was virtually A M...

Davao-Hongkong and Davao-Singapore now on ZERO FARE!

Business, Corporate, Davao City, Flights, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Travel
Good news Mindanaoan travelers! If you've been meaning to visit bustling Hong Kong or clean and beautiful Singapore then now is the time to travel! Cebu Pacific Air is offering another round of its infamous zero fare promo for Davao-Hongkong (and vice versa) and Davao-Singapore flights! The seat sale promo starts today, January 16, 2009 up to January 22, 2009. There are 70,000 seats available for Cebu Pacific Air's international seat sale so that's 70,000 chances for you to travel to your Asian destination of choice! Actually, the airline is offering zero fares for flights to Bangkok, Guangzhou, Ho Chi Minh, Jakarta, Kaohsiung, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Shanghai and Taipei as well. Pretty exciting deal, eh? I did a mock reservation just a few minutes ago for a Davao to Sing...

Review: Bahia Spa and Wellness in MetroLifestyle complex Davao City

Beauty, Consumer, Davao City, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Society
First of all, let me just stress that this is NOT a sponsored post. I just want to share my very good experience over at the Bahia Spa and Wellness Center in Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines. Here's hoping that my review of the place could help weary travelers, spa aficionados, health buffs and perhaps Dabawenyos who still have reservations with regard to spas and health centers. Please feel free to share your thoughts :) Bahia Spa and Wellness Center is located along F. Torres Street, Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines. It's near the Davao City National High School and can be found within the Metro Lifestyle Complex, which also houses a Bo's Coffee Club franchise, a gym (MetroLifestyle Fitness Center), the Krua Thai restaurant Davao branch and a Dermalife Facial and Slimming center....

I’m now a wedding photographer here in Mindanao!

Arts, Beauty, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Davao City, Fashion, General Santos City, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Photos, Sarangani, Society, Weddings
So I just produced the photos I took during my very first wedding photography coverage gig. I was one of the photographers (and the only female photographer, I should say) during the Prestenbach Wedding in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao last December 28, 2008. (Yep, I guess I'm now a wedding photographer here in Mindanao! :) ) It was truly a great day - to be able to capture people and moments and to be a part of a nice couple's memorable day. The Prestenbachs, a Germany-based couple, have been together for 15 great years and they're thinking of moving here in the Philippines for good. The Prestenbachs have two lovely children. They also have this magnificent beachfront property in Baloy, Cagayan de Oro. Here are some of my wedding photography photos: * All photos are of low ...

Summer 2009 Battle of the Bands in Davao City, Mindanao

Davao City, Entertainment, Events, Music
For all you band members or music lovers out there, I found an ad about the Summer 2009 Battle of the Bands competition sponsored by UiS Web Radio. Click here to view the ad. Registration fee is P500.00 (non-refundable) and the winners stand the chance to win the following prizes: P10,000 first prize (plus a chance to perform as front act in a different event), P5,000 second prize and P3,000 third prize. Participating bands must perform at least 1 original song. According to the organizers, the first ten registrants will receive free UiS Web Radio t-shirts. A Manila-based band/artist will be invited during the contest proper. Contact these numbers for more information: FOR SPONSORSHIP - 0919645414; FOR REGISTRATION - 09227175256 Disclaimer: Mindanaoan is in no way connected to the or...

Josh Hartnett and his Mindanao film set for showing this year

Arts, Davao City, Entertainment, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Movies
Just when I thought Hollywood heartthrob Josh Hartnett's Mindanao-set film will never see the light of day here in the Philippines, word has it that it will be shown (finally!) this year, 2009. "I Come With the Rain" is about a former Los Angeles cop turned private investigator (played by Josh Hartnett). Kline, the character played by Hartnett, goes to Hong Kong in search of Shitao, the son of a Chinese billionaire who has gone missing. He meets former colleague and now Hong Kong cop Meng Zi and they collaborate. The big twist in the movie, though, is when Kline is distracted from his search of Shitao. He gets haunted by memories of the serial killer Hasford (played by Elias Koteas) who was the reason Kline quit the L.A. police force in the first place. Well, it seems "I Come With th...

Busy Christmas shoppers flock to Gaisano Mall Davao

Consumer, Davao City, Mindanaoan Update, Photos
Have you been to Gaisano Mall of Davao lately? Because I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say that you will never think there's a financial crisis going on when you see the throngs of Christmas shoppers in that mall. Actually, the scenes in other malls aren't different either. A lot of Dabawenyo Christmas shoppers are also busy checking out the Christmas sales in SM Davao, Chimes, 168 Mall Davao, NCCC Mall, Times Square and in other shopping centers around Davao City, Mindanao. I also spotted a lot of people along San Pedro Street (does anybody remember Mantex? What about A & M?) Anyways, here are some photos I took over the weekend when my family and I bought some gifts at G-Mall: See? You can't help but wonder, "Crisis? What crisis?" I guess CRISIS-mas isn't "uso" in Pin...

Giant Christmas Tree at People’s Park Davao City

Davao City, Mindanaoan Update, Photos, Tourism
I got the chance to snap a couple of photos of the giant Christmas tree within the vicinity of People's Park, Davao City. The Christmas tree was adorned with a lot of trimmings and lights and can be found between the huge Durian dome and the fountain area. You won't miss it! This Christmas tree is also near the benches. Go to People's Park (right beside the Apo View Hotel along Camus Street) and check out this pretty Christmas tree. Better if you go there at night. Don't forget to take pictures! :)

Citi Hardware Davao City is hiring!

Davao City, Jobs
Need a job in Davao City? What about working for Citi Hardware? Check out the latest job openings in Citi Hardware Davao, Mindanao: STORE OPERATIONS TRAINEE * Male or Female, between 25-35 years old * Graduate of any 4-year business course * With at least (1) year supervisory experience in retail operations or related business * A good team player and goal-oriented * Has the ability to carry out effective customer service * Has the aptitude for management and marketing strategies * Very good in both oral and written communication * Willing to be assigned outside Davao City GRAPHIC ARTIST * Male or Female * Not more than 28 years old * Graduate of Fine Arts or any related course * With adequate hands-on experience in lay ...

Will Davao have its own airline soon?

Business, Davao City, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel
I've been receiving buzz from various businessmen around Mindanao and in Manila that Davao City is supposedly set to have its "own airline" very soon. By own airline, I reckon they mean an entire fleet with "Davao" in its name somewhere and that it will serve as Davao City's very own answer to Cebu Pacific Air and Philippine Airlines. I asked a few well-placed personalities in Davao if they've heard of this and most of them did confirm that there are "movements" on this plan. If ever this will push through, this will definitely give Mindanao travel and tourism a big boost. I wonder, though, if the planes of this alleged fleet are as small as those of Mindanao Express' (Beechcraft 1900C)? Or if the planes are basically those of Mindanao Express' and then they'd just change the name? Is t...

Sony Philippines sets up display exhibits in CDO, Davao

Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Davao City, Events, Mindanaoan Update, Technology
All right, so because Mindanaoan has really been (and is still is!) overwhelmed by the massive traffic to THIS POST about her first Sony experience (DAGHANG SALAMAT! Many thanks!), she's also inspired to share another round of good news to all of you Mindanaoans who want to buy Sony products or gadgets for your loved ones this Christmas. By the way, NO is the answer to the question if I got a VIP invitation to the recently concluded Sony Expo in SM Mall of Asia. So, NO, my entry wasn't one of the 50 shortlisted entries. I reckon I missed the deadline. Nevertheless, I had fun sharing with you all my first Sony experience and that's all that matters :) So on to the good news...Sony Philippines will hold exhibits in various areas in Mindanao this month of December! Check out the schedule: ...

Davao Chinatown 168 Mall to open December 6, 2008

Business, Corporate, Davao City, News, Travel
Davao Chinatown will be busier this weekend as the much-awaited Chinatown 168 Mall is set to open this Saturday, December 6, 2008. Davao China Town 168 Mall is within the Uyanguren district of Davao City, near the Magsaysay Park (where most durian vendors are) and Agdao area. Initially, I thought that this was a branch of the famed 168 Mall in Binondo, Manila (and I actually got a bit excited since I always see to it that I drop by 168 Manila during my frequent trips there) but such wasn't the case. Nonetheless, the China Town 168 Mall in Davao City is something to look forward to. See you there, fellow Mindanaoan!

Things to do in Davao City: Charity Bingo every Sunday

Advocacy, Davao City, Entertainment, Events, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update
This post is the first for Mindanaoan's "Things To Do [in a particular Mindanao city or Mindanao province]" series. Naturally, as a certified Dabawenya, the first entry is about my beloved hometown :) So here's one thing you can do in Davao City on a Sunday - play bingo and help others at the same time! The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) - Davao branch is regularly hosting a Charity Bingo event every Sunday, 1-4PM at the Entertainment Area of Casino Filipino - Grand Regal Hotel, Lanang, Davao City. Each ticket only costs P300.00 (roughly US$8.00) and that entitles you to 4 bingo cards which you can use for ten (10) games (you also have the option to buy extra cards from the game marshals around the area). There are also special games like the Super 6 Bingo, Super ...

Pinoy Dream Academy stars to hold show in NCCC Mall Davao City

Davao City, Entertainment, Events, Mindanaoan Update, Music
Six Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2 scholars will hold a Christmas Mall Show on December 6, 2008 at the Activity Center of the NCCC Mall in Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines. The show, which will start at 4 pm, will feature PDA Grand Star Dreamer Laarni (who's a certified Mindanaoan, by the way!), Bugoy, Cris, Van, Liezel and Miguel. Check out the poster below:

Review: Aljem’s Inn Davao budget hotel

Davao City, Hotels, Musings, Reviews, Tourism, Travel
Whenever someone asks me to recommend a good, cheap yet clean and affordable inn within downtown Davao City, I often recommend Aljem's Inn along Rizal Street. Single occupancy is only P750.00 while double occupancy is only P875.00. If you prefer the deluxe accommodation, it's just P975.00 and an extra mattress will only cost P300.00. Those are affordable rates, in my opinion. You have hot and cold shower in your room, cable TV, soaps, soft towels and telephone. Local calls are free of charge. Staying at Aljem's Inn Davao City has a couple of advantages. Guests are offered free breakfast (plated - they usually prepare Filipino almusal/breakfast like tapsilog, tosilog, cornsilog and bangsilog). Now if you're not in the mood for Filipino fare in the morning, note that the inn is right smac...

Review: Songs I Grew Up With (Jay Durias solo album)

Arts, Davao City, Entertainment, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Musings, Opinion, Personalities, Reviews
Album review written last August 31, 2007 and published by many media outlets. Thank you! The author of this piece (who is also the one behind Mindanaoan.com) is a long-time supporter of award winning Filipino band South Border. She was also cited in the album acknowledgments. Jay Durias, a certified Dabawenyo, is South Border's musical director and keyboardist. Jay's solo album, "Songs I Grew Up With," is a project album. Admit it - you’ve always wondered how South Border keyboardist and musical director Jay Oliver Durias would fare as a solo artist. After all, he’s largely considered as “the main man” behind the highly successful band, having composed and arranged most of South Border’s hits including “Rainbow,” “Love Of My Life” and the favorite of many, “Kahit Kailan,” and h...

Good thing Cebu Pacific is bringing Davao-Hongkong, Davao-Singapore back!

Business, Corporate, Davao City, Internet, Tourism, Travel
So I checked out Cebu Pacific Air's website today just to check on my seat reservations (I'm heading to Manila for the Rihanna - Chris Brown concert and to do a lot of other stuff including Christmas shopping, of course!) and to see what's up when I noticed that they're offering Go International Fares for both Davao - Hongkong and Davao - Singapore routes. The "cheaper" Davao - Hongkong airfares will be offered starting December 5, 2008 while for the Davao - Singapore route, the budget airfares will be offered starting December 4, 2008. So does this mean that Cebu Pacific stopped offering the budget airfares for a while? (*Note - I did a mock booking and I found out that the Davao - Hongkong route right now isn't a direct flight - it passes through Manila) I actually availed of the Dava...

Jeanette Lomanta drops libel case vs. radio man

Broadcasting, Controversial, Crime, Davao City, Headline, Journalism, Media, News, Opinion, Personalities, Radio
TV personality Jeanette Lomanta has reportedly submitted an affidavit of desistance in relation to the libel case she filed against former radio broadcaster Alexander Adonis. As a result, Regional Trial Court Branch 14 in Davao City is set to dismiss the case soon - BUT only if Adonis' other pending cases get settled as well. The libel case against the former journalist is in line with Adonis' series of commentaries over the air in 2001 alleging that Lomanta had a so-called tryst in a Manila hotel with then Davao 1st District Congressman now House Speaker Prospero Nograles. Lomanta reportedly withdrew her complaint after "adhering to the Christian values of forgiveness." Adonis, in a letter dated October 21, 2008, extended his apologies to her. He still has to face a pending libel ca...

Meeting other Mindanaoan bloggers

Davao City, Events, Features, Internet, Technology
My brother and I attended the Digital Filipino Club and Bloggers Davao City Networking event last October 21, 2008 at the Pantawan Hall of the Casino Filipino branch at Grand Regal Hotel, Lanang. Although it wasn't really my first time to attend a bloggers event, it was the first time for me to attend one in Mindanao. My brother and I initially planned to attend the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit in General Santos City (I actually exchanged a few emails with lead organizer Avel) but things just got too darn busy that we overlooked the deadline for registration. Sucks, I know. That's why we were glad to learn about the Davao networking event. At least we were able to see several Mindanaoan bloggers who will be in GenSan for the MBS 2 and we were able to personally meet Janette Toral...
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