Features Archives - Page 10 of 36 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Feb162016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Paloma-look alike Janice Adams tries CDO rafting

Bukidnon, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Features, Society, Tourism, Travel

Fifteen year old Janice Adams, a.k.a. the twin of Coco Martin's character in "Ang Probinsyano," Paloma Picache, recently tried white water rafting in Cagayan de Oro. And she experienced the thrilling CDO rafting adventure with the most reliable outfitter in the city - Great White Water Tours. Best known as the only CDO water rafting outfitter that guarantees TWO river guides per raft (safety is their utmost priority) and the only one that offers the cheapest raft + ziplines (at Dahilayan Adventure Park) packages, Great White Water Tours is the top choice of personalities, celebrities and foreign tourists from all over the world. Visit the Great White Water Tours Facebook page for more photos and information Here's a little trivia: the river where the rafting trips are done is actu...

Jan262016 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

BREAKING: CDO rafting companies seek rate increase, opening of new routes

Announcements, Bukidnon, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Headline, Leisure, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Tourism

Want to experience white water rafting in Cagayan de Oro? Better do it real soon as the Oro Association of Rafters or OAR is now set to increase the uniform rates. In a letter-request accompanied by a resolution duly signed by all member rafting outfitters addressed to CDO Vice Mayor Ian Acenas through Tourism Committee Chairman Councilor Candy Darimbang, OAR reasoned that the old rates were established in 2008 and since then, no price increases were implemented. OAR reasoned that there's a need to address the wear and tear of the rafting equipment, which are usually sourced from overseas, and the need to invest more on safety since the LGU released new safety guidelines via Task Force Rapids. OAR also said that there is a need to invest more on the river guides via trainings and...

Jan92016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

How to subscribe to Netflix in Philippines without credit card

Announcements, Corporate, Entertainment, Features, Internet, Media, Society, Television, Videos

Everyone's talking about Netflix and thankfully, it's finally available in the Philippines! Netflix is a popular Internet television network that provides online streaming of your favorite movies and TV shows. You can watch over 100 million hours of TV shows and movies (including original series, documentaries and feature films) via your Internet-connected smart TV, game console, PC, Mac, mobile, tablet and more! Another beauty of Netflix is that you can play, pause and resume watching - all without commercials or commitments. Pretty cool, right? Morever, Netflix Philippines is even offering a FREE one-month trial so Filipinos can now experience the joy of binge-watching their favorite movies and TV shows. The succeeding subscription rates then start as low as Php 370 a month. But ho...

Dec302015 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Finding the Godzilla themed hotel in Tokyo Japan

Entertainment, Features, Hotels, Japan, Leisure, Tokyo, Travel

We found Godzilla! Yup, my brothers and I found Godzilla in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan! A Godzilla-themed hotel, that is :) Even though it was really pretty cold that night, I asked my brothers if they wanted to look for Hotel Gracery in the Kabukicho District in Shinjuku. It's the hotel famous for its really cool Godzilla-themed guest rooms. According to reports, the Godzilla Room on the hotel’s top floor features a life-sized Godzilla claw looming above the beds. The other Godzilla View rooms, on the other hand, let guests overlook the life-size replica of the celebrated mutant dinosaur's head. Hotel Gracery Tokyo also offers Godzilla-themed desserts and merchandise. That night, however, my brothers and I could only afford to see the Godzilla head from the outside. Maybe one day we'll ...

Dec212015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanaoan Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach bags #MissUniverse2015 crown

Beauty, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Features, Iligan City, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Society

The new Miss Universe 2015 is Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, the Filipino-German stunner who considers Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao, Philippines her second home. The road towards being Miss Universe 2015 wasn't easy for Pia Wurtzbach. She had to join the Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageants three times before she bagged the Bb. Pilipinas Universe title, which eventually allowed her to represent the Philippines to the Miss Universe pageant. Although she was born in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, the 26 year old beauty queen stayed for many years in both Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. In CDO, she attended kindergarten at Kong Hua School and primary school at Corpus Christi. Now, Pia has bagged the Miss Universe 2015 title. This makes her the third Filipina to bag the crown. Hmm. Which ma...

Dec182015 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Nakamise Street for souvenir hunting in #Tokyo #Japan

Arts, Features, Japan, Mindanaoan Update, Tokyo, Travel

Hunting for souvenirs in Tokyo, Japan can be done in the district of Asakusa, which is considered the center of Tokyo's shitamachi ("low city"). In Asakusa, the main attraction is the Sensoji Temple. However, before you reach this very popular Buddhist temple, you need to pass through Nakamise Street. This is where you go souvenir hunting in Tokyo :) Nakamise Street is Tokyo's biggest souvenir market. You can find lots of traditional Japanese items, local snacks, knick knacks etc. My brothers and I tried the local snacks made fresh and right before you! Very delicious, trust me :) By the way, it is PROHIBITED to eat and walk at the same time in Japan. Ergo, you need to consume the food and drinks where you purchased them. Please take note! At the last stretch of the souvenir shops...

Dec112015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Hair thinning or hair loss? Gary V has a tip

Beauty, Fashion, Features, Fitness, Health, Mindanaoan Update

Known for his moniker, "Mr. Pure Energy," Gary Valenciano or Gary V is the very image of youthful vibrance, whether onstage or not. That’s why it shouldn’t come as a surprise that he values the way he looks the same way that he values the core of who he is: a prayerful, faithful husband and dependable father. Part of what makes Gary stay young looking is his head of hair. What many people don’t know is that, like all other men his age, Gary once worried about hair thinning and hair loss. “I first noticed the hair loss in the shower, after I toweled my hair dry. Then one day, my team of hairstylists noticed that my hair was thinning, too. That’s when they told me to look for the product that Fanny Serrano was using, a product called NOVUHAIR,” remarked Gary. NOVUHAIR is a topic...

Dec92015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Superb Cebu buffet: Why Tokyo Table is a must-visit

Cebu City, Features, Food, Reviews, Visayas

I'm still on a Japan high! So high that I'm already planning my next trip there! I actually did something that had a touch of Japan even before I actually went to Japan! I visited a superb, much-talked about Yakiniku buffet restaurant in Cebu and savored okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake), lots of ramen (yum!) and grilled squid and salmon (the Japanese love their seafood!). I went to Tokyo Table, one of the best buffet restaurants in Cebu. Located at City Time Square, Mantawi Avenue, Tipolo, Mandaue City, Tokyo Table Cebu eat all you can restaurant serves an impressive array of food choices – from seafood-all-you-can and raw meats that you can grill on your own or with the able assistance of the restaurant’s friendly staff (each table has a grill plate) to a sushi and dimsum station to ...

Dec92015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

EXODUS anime show now airing on Animax

Entertainment, Features, Television

Exodus anime series is now airing on Animax Asia, the premium cable television network dedicated to bringing you the best anime shows straight from Japan! Peace has finally returned to the island of Tatsumiyajima where the battles occurred. However, how long will this peace last? Amidst the uncertainly, there is the existence of two special girls, one who can understand the Festum and the other who is protected by the Festum. When the two girls cross paths, a new world is about to unfold. Exodus started airing last December 8, 2015. Catch 2 episodes back to back at 10:00pm Mondays-Tuesdays. First and exclusive on Animax. Animax is seen on SKYCable Channel 46, Cignal Digital TV Channel 34 and Dream Channel 7. Photo courtesy of Animax Asia.

Nov22015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanaoan.com shortlisted in 2015 Globe Media Excellence Awards

Announcements, Bisaya, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Features, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, News, Technology

A total of 58 entries were shortlisted for various categories of the Globe Media Excellence Awards (GMEA), the most anticipated premier award-giving body that gives recognition to excellence in journalism in Mindanao. The premier award-giving body which recognizes excellence in journalism from the best breed of scribes in Visayas and Mindanao, the awards gives recognition to print, broadcast, and digital media practitioners who have excelled in their respective fields. Awards night for the GMEA Mindanao leg will be held on November 17. “The number of entries that we received this year is a testament to the commitment of media practitioners to provide exemplary reporting in their respective fields given the vital role of the press in effecting positive societal transformation and nati...

Oct302015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Reconnected with ASEAN astronaut Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor

Features, Headline, Malaysia, Musings, Personal, Personalities

I'm too excited not to share this! Four years ago, I met Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, a Malaysian and the first ever ASEAN astronaut. I met him through the former Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines, Dato Seri Dr. Ibrahim Saad, and his lovely wife, Dato Zainab Kader. Apart from being the first ever ASEAN cosmonaut (he was selected from a whopping 11,435 candidates!), Dato Sheikh is also an orthopaedic surgeon, motivational speaker, model, endorser (yes, he is THAT amazing) and proud family man. (Yes, yes, I can hear the millions of hearts breaking right now haha) When I first met him, though, he was still single. Do I really need to tell you why tens of thousands of ladies find him charming? Anyway, I just want to share that today, after 4 long years, we finally got reconn...

Oct162015 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Photos: Kaamulan Festival 2015 at Grandstand Malaybalay Bukidnon

Bukidnon, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Musings, Northern Mindanao, Photos, Society, Tourism, Travel

I went to Malaybalay City, Bukidnon a few days ago to see the preparations being done in time for the Kaamulan Festival 2015. The Kaamulan is a yearly gathering of Bukidnon's 7 hill tribes and the said festival is the biggest and most-awaited in the province. Now, I've been an observer of the Kaamulan Festival for several years now. In fact, there were many instances when I was tasked to handle and cover big, important events. So you could just imagine my disappointment when I saw for myself this year's preparations. The biggest change? The transfer of the bulk of the activities from the Capitol Grounds to the Grandstand area in Malaybalay. For those unfamiliar with the area - the Grandstand is located in an inner location. The soil at that area gets really soft and muddy when it rains....

Sep292015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

SMB Oktoberfest 2015 launch with Rivermaya and Ebe Dancel

Announcements, Consumer, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Photos, Society

I was there! And boy, was the SMB Oktoberfest 2015 grand launch a really fun night - not only because of all the merrymaking, pop-up bars, beer shower, celebrities, seemingly bottomless beer everywhere and amazing Pinoy music acts but also because I was there with good friends :) Much thanks to Rivermaya, I had backstage access at the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds. I rode with the boys. Their call time was at 8 PM but because we all know how bad Friday night traffic in Manila can be, they fetched me at 3:30 PM. I initially groaned at the idea of traveling for 4 hours but well - I was with Rivermaya. That alone would make any OPM fan squeal! Plus since Mark Escueta had to be in Japan to be with wife Jolina Magdangal (who had a show there) and adorable son Pele, Rivermaya requested the gre...

Sep272015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

My Laduree French macaron Makati visit

Features, Food, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews

One of my longtime super favorite blogs to read is Chuvaness, run by Cecile Zamora van Straten. I've been reading it since its LiveJournal days and as much as I possibly can, I try to visit the restaurants or shops that she recommends. One of her recent entries was about the opening of the Manila branch of Laduree, that famous French luxury bakery that opened in 1862 and that's best known for its delicious macarons. Let's get this out of the way first - a macaron is a sweet meringue-based confection made with egg white. Commonly filled with ganache, buttercream or jam filling sandwiched between two cookies (or crisp shells), the name "macaron" is derived from the Italian word macarone, maccarone or maccherone, the Italian meringue. (Source: Wikipedia) Yes, it's different from macaroons....

Aug212015 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Cool, affordable Higalaay Festival shirts from Islands Souvenirs

Advocacy, Bisaya, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Corporate, Events, Fashion, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Freebies, Gifts, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Society, Style

Looking for Higalaay Festival Kagay-an Festival shirts? Islands Souvenirs CDO has them! Plus they're offering irresistible discounts for all of you! Islands Souvenirs joins in on the Cagayan de Oro fiesta / Higalaay Festival 2015 festivities with a lot of exciting in-store promos and activities. Shoppers can look forward to a whole line of limited edition Higalaay Festival 2015 shirts with all-new designs and colors for that ultimate festival #selfie and #ootd. Grab these exclusive tees today and feel the festival vibe with your friends and family. Prices of these shirts start at only Php 199.75! As a special treat, GET A WHOPPING 50% discount on all regular coloured shirts and 20% off on all special effects and regular black & white shirts! Islands Souvenirs is als...

Jul302015 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Wine Cellar CDO brings back drink-all-you-can wine nights

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Features, Food, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Society, Style

Fond of wines? In Cagayan de Oro, the only place to indulge in bestselling fine wines is at The Wine Cellar. Located at Door 6, Great Spot Arcade, JR Borja Extension, The Wine Cellar is considered a must-visit in CDO. Not only is The Wine Cellar CDO stocked with fine wines from all over the world (prices start at Php 390 per bottle), they also exclusively carry imported beers (including 1906, voted the best beer in 2014) as well as spirits. And, with the Kagay-an Festival 2015 drawing near, this CDO wine bar has come up with various special promos. This weekend, they're offering a DRINK-ALL-YOU-CAN red and white wines treat! For only Php 249.00, customers will be served with unlimited red and white wines plus FREE pizza slices courtesy of Oliver's Pizza next door. The promo will be o...

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...

Jul142015 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Review: High Ridge overlooking CDO Philippines

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Features, Leisure, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Society, Tourism

High Ridge CDO offers a panoramic view of the city. High Ridge is where you go when you want that "overlooking CDO" experience. High Ridge CDO actually re-opened last year and the changes are substantial - the place now has a spacious al fresco restaurant, small landscaped areas and airconditioned function rooms. High Ridge CDO reminds me of Jack's Ridge and Shrine Hills in Davao City. Anyway, I was with my family last weekend and we decided to have dinner at High Ridge. This is the kind of view you see from what could be the highest point in urban CDO: Entrance fee, by the way, is Php 100.00 per person. This is consumable at the restaurant. During dinner with family, we ordered the PCM soup (potatoes, carrots, mushrooms). This was Php 99.00. We ordered one for each and we had a...

Jul112015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

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...

Jul92015 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Why SkinStation CDO rocks

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

SkinStation CDO is finally open! The popular skin care, slimming and firming treatments clinic chain, opened its 23rd branch in the Philippines at the 2nd Floor of SM CDO last June 27, 2015. SkinStation CDO is a sister company of Dermax Laser Center CDO, located at Ayala Centrio. I was invited to the opening and blessing of SkinStation Cagayan de Oro. A mini press conference was held prior and there, I again met SkinStation founder, CEO and award-winning chemist Fred Reyes, his wife Carleen, son Gedric, and SkinStation's amiable PR Nardene Garcia. I met them just a few months ago during Dermax CDO's opening. I also met the clinic chain's latest celebrity endorser, Julian Flores (model and Binibining Pilipinas 2014 semi-finalist). According to Mr. Reyes, various procedures includi...

Jul42015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Miss Cagayan de Oro 2015 bets go water rafting with Great White

Beauty, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Features, Leisure, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Society, Tourism, Travel

The Miss Cagayan de Oro 2015 candidates recently made the wise choice of going white water rafting with Great White Water Tours. The lovely Miss CDO 2015 candidates had the best time with the said top CDO rafting outfit. Great White Water Tours is the only CDO water rafting outfit that guarantees two professional river guides per raft (safety is their main concern), 100% clean record (no deaths), high quality gear and equipment, free snack and lunch, available photo and GoPro video coverage services and countless celebrities and notable personalities as regular and satisfied customers. Great White Water Tours is also a sister company of Dahilayan Adventure Park, home of Asia's longest dual cable zipline and the exciting 8-storey Skyjump base jump platform. As such, they offer the che...

Jun242015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Meet the new Sony Bravia TVs powered by Android

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Corporate, Features, Internet, Technology, Television

I remember that my family's very first TV set was a Sony. It served us really well. That TV set survived well into my early college years. That alone was testament to just how high the quality of Sony TVs were back then. It's no different these days. In fact, Sony has even taken things to a higher level in terms of sound and home entertainment technology. Meet the new lineup of Sony Bravia TVs - the Sony Bravia 4K and Full HD televisions powered by Android. They're all designed to provide the most immersive and high-resolution cinematic experience for customers. And because these new Sony Bravia units support Google's latest Android TV operating system 5.0 or Lollipop, users can easily stream video, use it as a gaming device, access Google Play or transfer content from mobile devices...