Tuesday, March 26Multi-awarded Filipina blogger, ocial media specialist, publicist and content creator
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Davao City

Wao-Maramag road project to be completed by 2016

Announcements, ARMM, BIMP-EAGA, Bukidnon, Davao City, Davao del Sur, Government, Headline, Lanao del Sur, Travel
A 53-kilometer, Php 485 Million road project stretching from the municipalities of Molundo, Maguing, Bumbaran and Wao, Lanao del Sur, to the municipality of Maramag, Bukidnon is seen to be completed by 2016. Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal “Bombit” Alonto Adiong, Jr., who lobbied for the completion of this Wao to Maramag road project to President Benigno Aquino III, was quoted as saying that he is "hopeful that the project shall be fully completed by 2016." Adiong said that the said road is expected to enhance business, fair trade and livelihood between Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon, which are both known to be rich in agricultural lands and farms. “Farmers and buyers shall benefit as crops can be sold and bought at cheaper prices,” he added. Currently, 12 out of the 53-kilometer road are...
Here’s an Italian restaurant amidst Bukidnon mountains

Here’s an Italian restaurant amidst Bukidnon mountains

Bukidnon, Davao City, Davao del Sur, Features, Food, Tourism
If, like me, you often traverse the Davao to Bukidnon highway, chances are, you've also spotted this quaint, unassuming place at Barangay BuDa (Bukidnon - Davao border), Marilog District. Marked by an Italian flag proudly swaying along with the wind, La Toscana Il Cielo is an authentic Italian restaurant run and owned by the Lucarini couple. Apart from the fact that this Italian restaurant is located in the middle of lush vegetation, mountainous area in Bukidnon and at the outskirts of a small, quiet town, La Toscana Il Cielo BuDa's other beauty is the fact that they only use ingredients straight from Italy and the herbs and vegetables come from their 3-hectare farm right there at BuDa. Click here to see the menu By the way, "La Toscana" means "the Tuscan" whi...
How to donate for Philippine Eagle conservation through your cellphone

How to donate for Philippine Eagle conservation through your cellphone

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Events, Features, Headline
Here's a really worrisome fact: only 400 pairs of the Philippine Eagle are left in the wild. Read that again and I know you will feel chills down your spine...as I did. Because of hunting/poaching and deforestation, the Philippine eagle is declared critically endangered and nearly at the brink of extinction...unless we all do our share to help save our national bird. Yesterday, June 12, 2015, I noticed an event online and got really touched and inspired by it. It was the "#FlyFreePamana" campaign led by the Philippine Eagle Foundation and Globe Business. Pamana is the name of a 5-year old female rescued eagle from Midsaling Creek, Iligan City. When she was found, she was a very weak 8-month old eagle that suffered two gunshot wounds - one on its left breast and another on its left wing....
A Guide On Casinos In Davao

A Guide On Casinos In Davao

Davao City, Entertainment, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update
While passenger traffic in Davao may not be as busy as other holiday destinations such as Boracay and Puerto Princesa, the Mindanao city is a wonderful place that offers culture and entertainment, and one of the most fascinating things you'll discover in Davao is the cultural diversity of people. The ethnic structure of Davao is quite interesting with Visayans and mix of smaller cultural groups like the Aeta. Foreigners residing in Davao include Koreans, Chinese and Americans, but the Japanese make up a huge chunk of this demographic, which is not at all surprising given our history with Japan. Though Tokyo may consist of luxuries that one simply cannot have living in Davao, one of the draws of Mindanao's most populous city is legalized gambling. The Japanese government is currently rev...
TAPS restaurant Davao has a warning for table hoggers

TAPS restaurant Davao has a warning for table hoggers

Business, Controversial, Davao City, Davao del Sur, Food
TAPS, a famous local restaurant in Davao City, Philippines best known for their silog meals and is open 24/7, has a warning especially for table hoggers. A table hogger is a person who either spreads his work or bags and other stuff across a table (and therefore discourages other customers to use or share the table) or a person who orders one item (usually the cheapest on the menu even!) and stays at a table practically for several hours! I'm sure everyone has spotted a table hogger at one time or another. I guess TAPS Davao gets a lot of these table hoggers since they're open 24/7. However, the management has apparently decided that enough is enough! Here's a warning posted inside their restaurant: * Photo courtesy of Arvy Francisco Vallejos The text is written in Bisaya but ...

Review: Park Inn Radisson Davao hotel

Davao City, Davao del Sur, Features, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism, Travel
Perhaps two of the advantages of staying at Park Inn by Radisson Davao are the facts that this Davao hotel is right behind SM Lanang Premiere Mall (which houses the SMX Convention Center) and that it's roughly 15 minutes away from Davao International Airport. Hence, if you want extra minutes of sleep before heading to the airport or if you want to catch a movie or shop, then Park Inn Davao is the ideal hotel for you. I stayed at this business hotel in Davao when I was invited to cover the BIMP-EAGA International Business Leaders Conference. Although I was there for work, I truly had restful nights. I mean, really, who wouldn't have comfortable sleep when you get a bed like this? Comfortable bed - check. Clean sheets - check. Soft pillows - check! My room came with a lo...
PHOTOS: Giant Philippine Eagle along BuDa (Bukidnon-Davao border)

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. ...
Dabawenyo illustrator’s work returns as McDonald’s Happy Meals treat

Dabawenyo illustrator’s work returns as McDonald’s Happy Meals treat

Arts, Davao City, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Personalities
Today, I feel really proud to be Dabawenyo! A fellow Atenista, Mindanaoan (and Davaoeno) Macky Pamintuan has made me remember my beloved hometown Davao City and all its amazing, talented people. For the uninitiated, Macky Pamintuan (yes, of the Pamintuans of Apo View Hotel) is a popular animator, graphic and fine artist. Some of his works include illustrations for the books Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew: Cupcake Chaos, The Pumpkin Patch Puzzle, Cape Mermaid Mystery, Scream for Ice Cream, Ski School Sneak and Earth Day Escapade and The Night Before Baseball at the Park by the Bay (in partnership with the World Series Champion San Francisco Giants). Today, I just found out that one of the books he illustrated is part of McDonald's Happy Meals in the USA. The book "Flat Stanley Goes Camp...

Football star Tim Tebow opens hospital in Davao City Mindanao Philippines

Announcements, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Features, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Sports
American football quarterback Tim Tebow has opened a hospital in Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines through the Tim Tebow Foundation. The Tebow CURE Hospital in Davao City, Philippines, has received its official operating license and opened its doors this week. Although the official grand opening will take place in the spring of 2015, the hospital is already addressing children with the most critical orthopedic needs who otherwise would not be able to afford treatment. * photo from relevantmagazine.com The hospital, built in partnership with CURE International, is a five-story, 30 bed facility with 3 operating rooms specializing in pediatric orthopedic surgeries. Currently, 17 of the hospital’s 30 beds are available and a team of 54 devoted staff members are ready to provide ca...

FineLab offers baking workshops in Davao and Cagayan de Oro

Announcements, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Davao City, Food
Are you ready for a baking revolution? FineLab, a division under Thermtech Group, Inc., is set to launch the FineBake Bake-olution Caravan, which will visit both Cagayan de Oro City and Davao City. There will be baking workshops in both Mindanao cities, ideal for business owners and individuals. The FineBake Bake-olution’s Cagayan De Oro Swing will be held at the Polymedic Medical Plaza along Kauswagan Highway on November 11 (Tuesday), 9:00am while the Davao City Swing will happen on November 14 (Friday), 9:00am at the Beauchem Building, No. 846 Atis Street, Juna Subdivision, Matina. During the workshops, attendees will learn how to make Vegetarian Pandesal and Specialty Breads, Sweet Dough, Marble Bavarian Cake, Rainbow Mallows Cake, Caramel Duet Cake, Mocha Crunch Cake, Cherry ...
That honest, taray Davao taxi driver story and things I learned when a post gets viral

That honest, taray Davao taxi driver story and things I learned when a post gets viral

Announcements, Davao City, Davao del Sur, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Musings
Hello, world. Yes, that was me. The person who posted that "taray Davao taxi driver" story on Facebook that got viral --- no, really, really viral --- was me. Google "Davao taxi driver," "taray Davao taxi driver" or "honest Davao taxi driver," chances are, most of the hits on the first page and Google images are about my post. (this is what SEO folks would die for!) And, like anybody whose post unknowingly attracted thousands of "likes," shares, retweets, reposts and comments from people around the world, I now have my own story to tell. I also learned a couple of lessons, both good and bad. Well, I want to focus on the good so trust me, there were more good than bad. Did I mention, though, that as a result, I received several TV and radio interview requests and hundreds of friend reque...
Success stories at the 2nd BIMP-EAGA International Trade Fair #EAGAIMT2014

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...
Davao’s Kadayawan 2014 schedule of activities

Davao’s Kadayawan 2014 schedule of activities

Announcements, Davao City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Tourism, Travel
Kadayawan 2014, the annual festival in Davao City that showcases the city's rich and diverse culture and tradition, is happening from August 11 to 17, 2014. Themed "Kalamboan sa Kinaiyahan: Kadayawan sa Katawhan" (Nature's Flourishing: People's Well Being), the 29th Kadayawan sa Dabaw will also serve as a thanksgiving celebration and will provide the platform for the various indigenous tribes Ata Manobo, Ubo Manobo, K'lata, Matigsalug, Maranao, Tagabawa, Maguindanao, Sama, Tausug and Kalagan to converge. The word "Kadayawan" comes from the Mandaya word "Madayaw" which means anything valuable, good, pleasant, beautiful and bountiful. Kadayawan Festival 2014 Schedule of Activities: July 26 to August 26, 2014 Kadayawan Fair, Agro-Trade Exhibit including Lumadnong Gama (SM Par...
Big Davao Fun Sale – up to 80 percent off!

Big Davao Fun Sale – up to 80 percent off!

Consumer, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, Leisure, Shopping, Society, Tourism, Travel
There are two great reasons for you to visit Davao City soon! March 16, 2014 is Araw ng Davao 2014. You can witness cultural presentations, socio-civic activities, trade fairs and the like. And from March 14 to April 16, 2014, the Big Davao Fun Sale 2014 a.k.a. the Philippines' first CITYWIDE SALE will be held. You can avail of up to 80 percent savings! The biggest city in the world, with the biggest sale in the country. Visit on these dates to avail of the biggest sale: - March 14 and 15: General Sale - March 16 to 23: Healthy and Beauty - March 24 to 30: Electronics and Gadgets - March 31- April 6: Home and Travel - April 7 to 16: Fashion Active Lifestlye For more updates about the 2014 Big Davao Fun Sale, check them out on Facebook For places to stay, restaurants to ...
Travel: New way to explore Davao and Samal Island beaches

Travel: New way to explore Davao and Samal Island beaches

Advocacy, Blogging, Business, Consumer, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Features, Island Garden City of Samal, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Resorts, Reviews, Society, Tourism, Travel
One of the many joys of living in Davao City is that it is just several minutes away (a 15-minute ferry ride away, in fact) from Samal Island (Island Garden City of Samal or IGACOS), home of white sand beaches, great resorts, clear water, healthy marine life and dive spots. A lot of tourists usually go to just one resort in Samal Island but did you know that there's now a new, fun way to explore Davao and the beaches around Samal? Why not go island hopping aboard Explore Davao? Explore Davao is an outrigger boat (bangka) complete with an expanded sun deck, bean bags, iPod dock and a cooler. Explore Davao island hopping banca even has its own comfort room and a nifty trapdoor! To show you just how comfortable Davao island hopping aboard Explore Davao is, here are my cool friends an...
South Border, Side A, Freestyle in 1 concert – Yolanda fundraiser

South Border, Side A, Freestyle in 1 concert – Yolanda fundraiser

Advocacy, Announcements, Davao City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Music, Society
It's been a month since deadly typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) struck the Philippines. The death toll so far - 5,260. Unfortunately, that number is still increasing. Haiyan, a category 5 super typhoon, left thousands of people homeless and hungry. While it's true that billions of dollars in aid have started to pour in, the fight is still not over. Far from it. Hence, every fundraising event, volunteer movement and donation drive really counts. One upcoming fundraising event for typhoon Yolanda survivors, dubbed "Pag-Asa Sa Pag Gising," is close to my heart. I love all of the performers, yes, but one of the bands is my most favorite ever - South Border. I wrote a post earlier about just how much I love them and why they will always have my love and support. Additionally, thi...
Mindanaoan is 2013 Mindanao Blogger Of The Year

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...
Davao fruit shopping with Rivermaya @rivermayaband

Davao fruit shopping with Rivermaya @rivermayaband

Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Musings, Personalities, Shopping, Society, Tourism
Was scanning my files earlier today and I found these! Very timely - since my Rivermaya band boys are currently in Dubai as of this writing and I miss them :) I will be in Manila in a few days, actually, but I'm not sure if I could watch any of their gigs. Oh well, c'est la vie. Anyway, here's the kuwento behind these photos. Hours before that Rivermaya Live In Davao show I co-produced with Apo View Hotel and The Blue Room not too long ago, Explore Davao treated Rivermaya band members Mark Escueta, Mike Elgar, Norby David and Ryan Peralta, the Rivermaya band management (led by Raymond) and I to a fun Samal Island trip! The boys looked pretty excited that morning :) Of course, what good is a beach/island outing without baon? Davao Congressman Karlo Nograles and his lovely wife ...
Duterte to close movie houses without adequate security

Duterte to close movie houses without adequate security

Crime, Davao City, Government, Headline, News
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte announced that he is bent to close movie houses that do not have enough security. This, after blasts in two Davao City cinemas, which Duterte called "terrorism," left at least 5 people hurt Monday night. "Movie houses should have adequate security. The local government can't provide policemen and military just to guard that. You have to invest. If you can't provide, I will close your movie house," Duterte said. The Davao City mayor's warning came after two improvised explosive devices went off inside Cinema 5 of Gaisano Mall and Cinema 1 of SM City. No one was injured in the SM Davao blast but 5 people were hurt in the Gaisano Mall explosion. The victims complained of ear pain. "The military and police told me that they already gave warnings to SM,...
Getting married? Here’s how to win a FREE engagement shoot

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...
South Border Band Back To The Roots 20th Anniversary

South Border Band Back To The Roots 20th Anniversary

Announcements, Davao City, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music
Anybody who truly knows me knows that my most favorite Filipino band is South Border. I love, love, LOVE them! Not only do I admire them as talented artists but I also appreciate them as humble, wonderful people. They're also fun to work with. Very professional and really know their craft. And for that, I have the highest respect for them. Even when Jay Durias did his special solo project, I still fully supported them. They've already become my friends. In a few days, I will be on enthusiastic South Border fan mode again as the band celebrates its 20th anniversary in the music industry. Can you believe it? It's been 20 long years! Wow :) To celebrate their two amazing decades as premiere Filipino artists of our time, South Border will hold a special 8-venue bar tour starting thi...
Kasalang Filipino 2013 Davao City leg

Kasalang Filipino 2013 Davao City leg

Announcements, Davao City, Events, Weddings
Getting married soon? If your wedding will be held in Davao City and nearby areas, you might want to check out the 2013 Kasalang Filipino - 8th Philippine Wedding and Tourism Fair Road Show on July 19 to 21, 2013, 10 AM to 9 PM at the Activity Center of Abreeza Mall. At the Kasalang Filipino 2013 Davao City leg, you will meet various wedding suppliers and wedding coordinators. This wedding fair in Davao City is open to all. FREE admission. Just in case you're looking for a Davao wedding photographer, please do check out One Happy Story Photography. Let my very talented brother and his team share your love story :)
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