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Re-elected as CDO Bloggers VP for External Affairs

Re-elected as CDO Bloggers VP for External Affairs

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Features, Internet, Make Money Online, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal
Note: This was published on Mindanao Gold Star Daily newspaper last March 6, 2015 I have just been re-elected as the Vice President for External Affairs of the CDO Bloggers, Inc., a non-profit, SEC-registered group composed of bloggers, online workers and social media practitioners that does not only promote the city and other parts of Northern Mindanao but also the responsible use of the Internet. I’m pretty excited with our group’s upcoming projects including a school tour where we aim to teach kids Internet etiquette, social media activism and online volunteerism as well as blog workshops where attendees can learn how to create their own blogs, draw maximum traffic for their websites and even earn online. And with the elections coming up, we also plan to use our own online mechanisms...
Tagging Along With The New Rivermaya

Tagging Along With The New Rivermaya

Entertainment, Events, Features, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Photos, Society
Spent some time with the new Rivermaya during my most recent Manila trip. In case you still can't tell by now, I am a huge supporter of this premier Filipino rock band, considered to this day as one of the most successful and critically acclaimed bands in the Philippines. I always make it a point to attend their gigs not only because I'm a fan of their music but more importantly, because they're really cool guys to hang out with :) Just look at my Cebu Oktoberfest with Rivermaya photos and you'll most definitely agree! The photos here were taken during the Rivermaya Live at Adamson University and Energy FM gigs - both held in one day. Truth be told, I almost couldn't attend. Both gigs were held in the heart of Manila and I figured it might be difficult to commute. Luckily, Raymond, the ...
At the Senator Chiz Escudero – Heart Evangelista wedding

At the Senator Chiz Escudero – Heart Evangelista wedding

Arts, Beauty, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Manila, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, Politics, Society, Style, Weddings
I attended the Senator Chiz Escudero and Heart Evangelista wedding a few days ago. I have known Senator Chiz ever since he was still a congressman representing Sorsogon (yep, a very long time) so I was really thrilled to know that I was to witness this special, joyous occasion of his life. I know a lot of other media outlets have discussed the nitty gritty details of the Escudero-Ongpauco wedding (Heart’s real name is Love Marie Ongpauco) so I will just share a few thoughts and observations. The event saw lots of notable personalities - from top business leaders to government officials to celebrities, the food and the free flowing drinks were exquisite, venue was breathtaking (the candelabras adorned with white orchids, hydrangeas and snapdragons were absolutely beautiful), the u...
I Am Again A Newspaper Columnist

I Am Again A Newspaper Columnist

Announcements, Beauty, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, Blogging, Entertainment, Events, Features, Headline, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Style, Tourism, Travel
Very, very thrilled to share that I am (again) a newspaper columnist! Starting February 20, 2015, I will be one of the columnists at Gold Star Daily, Mindanao's largest newspaper. I have named my column "Mindanaoan Meets World" as I plan to write about lifestyle, music, a little bit of politics and showbiz and travel not only within the Philippines but around the world, too! My first stint as newspaper correspondent, columnist and part-time editor started way, way back. Like eons of light years ago haha! But life happened, I took a career detour and eventually, was already happy and contented to just work with the traditional media practitioners instead :) With this new development, though, I guess this is not only trying my hand again at writing for a daily newspaper but also my way of...
Mindanaoan In Korea Travel Series: Insadong Seoul

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 ...
Mindanaoan In Korea Travel Series: Changdeokgung Palace

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...
Mindanaoan In Korea Travel Series: Scenes in vibrant Hongdae Seoul

Mindanaoan In Korea Travel Series: Scenes in vibrant Hongdae Seoul

Fashion, Features, Korea, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Photos, Seoul, Tourism, Travel
Hongdae is a busy and very vibrant area in Seoul, South Korea. Known for its numerous cafes, clubs and shops, Hongdae is undoubtedly one of Seoul's must-visit areas especially if you like to immerse yourself in Korean urban culture, music, fashion and arts. Hongdae is actually the Korean abbreviation of Hongik University (Hong-ik Dae-hak-kyo), which is best known for its Fine Arts and Design programs. When in Hongdae, you can't miss the Hongik University rectangular arch. I consider Hongdae as one of those places that you simply can't stop taking photographs of. There's just so much to get inspiration from, so much to see, so much to hear and so many things you want to try! And, if you're curious or interested about anything Korea, you will enjoy Hongdae. Th...
Mindanaoan In Korea Travel Series: Hello Kitty Cafe and Cats Living Cat Cafe Hongdae

Mindanaoan In Korea Travel Series: Hello Kitty Cafe and Cats Living Cat Cafe Hongdae

Features, Korea, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Tourism, Travel
The first shopping district we went to in Seoul, Korea was Hongdae. It's the area where Hongik University is (best known for their Fine Arts and Design programs) and where lots and lots of shops, cafes and clubs are (presumably because it's near a popular university). Click this for more of our Hongdae exploration. One of our discoveries in Hongdae was the infamous Hello Kitty Cafe. (UPDATE: as of November 2014, they're now in a new location, see below) I placed the Hello Kitty Cafe as one of the tourist attractions in Hongdae on my kodigo (cheat sheet) i.e. our TripCase travel app. It wasn't easy to spot, though. It was located in one of the inner streets. New location of Hello Kitty Cafe: (map nicked from their official website) Anyway, a stone's throw away from the ...
Design tip: here’s a very easy way to spruce up a blank wall

Design tip: here’s a very easy way to spruce up a blank wall

Arts, Beauty, Features, Gifts, Shopping
I just turned one of the bare and boring walls in our home into instant eye candy with the help of wall stickers! Yep, folks, wall stickers. I've been spotting a lot of Pinterest pins about wall decor stickers and I've been wondering where to get them locally when one of my favorite CDO boutiques, Spruce, sent me a set last Christmas 2014! Woohoo! At bilang it's a new year and all, go go go na in decorating paandar! The set I received had two sticker sheets. Each sticker sheet had "leaves" and "branches/stems." Take note that the box I received had no instructions but it did have a sample of a suggested finished look (check out the face of the box). And so, armed with a pair of scissors, a dose of creativity and imagination plus my favorite Spotify playlist blasting in the backgroun...

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...
A tour of Globe Telecom’s Gen3 Store at Limketkai CDO

A tour of Globe Telecom’s Gen3 Store at Limketkai CDO

Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Features, Internet, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Opinion, Reviews, Technology
When I was in New York City, USA in 2012, one of the things I did was visit the iconic Apple store along 5th Avenue (and have my photo taken in front of the incredible glass cube) and buy my own iPad 2 (it was a big thing then!). My experience at that store was very nice and that was a memory that continued to linger. Back then, I hoped to experience that kind of customer service and perhaps see a similar store in the Philippines. Fast forward 2014, not only did I get to meet Tim Kobe, the very designer of the Apple stores (and of the Nike Concept Stores, Knoll, Virgin Atlantic Airways, and Citibank, just to name a few more!) but I also got to see (and experience!) his signature skill and expertise in innovative design when the much-talked about Globe Telecom "Generation 3" or Gen3 stor...
Php 250 Million Seven Seas Waterpark in Opol, Misamis Oriental

Php 250 Million Seven Seas Waterpark in Opol, Misamis Oriental

Announcements, Business, Consumer, Entertainment, Features, Leisure, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Tourism, Travel
Mindanao is again setting the bar in terms of tourism. A world-class waterpark will soon open in this Southern part of the Philippines! When finished, the Php 250 Million Seven Seas Waterpark will, undoubtedly, be Mindanao's biggest tourism attraction in recent years. Seven Seas Waterpark and Resort, located at Barangay Barra, Opol, Misamis Oriental, is owned by businessman Elpidio Paras of Dahilayan Adventure Park and PARASAT Cable TV fame. In an aerial shot shared by Sir Elpie himself, you can see that the water park facility will be set on a 5 hectare piece of land. Construction of the buildings and pool infrastructure will start on the first quarter of 2015. Seven Seas Water Park and Resort is seen to be completed by the second quarter of 2016. * Photo courtesy of Sir Elpie P...
Becoming Filipino Kyle Jennermann has a message for Mindanaoan.com readers

Becoming Filipino Kyle Jennermann has a message for Mindanaoan.com readers

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Features, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Personalities, Society, Technology
A lot of my readers have been asking me about Kyle Jennermann, the 27 year old Canadian who wants to become Filipino. Yes, you read that right. Kyle, who apparently has fallen madly in love with our country, has been chronicling his fun and happy escapades as he tries to become Pinoy via his popular "Becoming Filipino" videos on YouTube. Click HERE to visit his YouTube channel. I have a lot of things to say about my friend but I think it is but proper that I write a lengthier post next time. For now, he has a message for all of you. Thanks so much for following my humble blog - enjoy Christmas with your loved ones :)

DERMAX Laser Center CDO to open January 2015

Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Fashion, Features, Society, Style
DERMAX Laser Center, known for their innovative, science-based and technology-focused skin care products and procedures such as laser treatments for permanent hair removal and skin discolorations, will open its very first branch in Cagayan de Oro on January 8, 2015 at Level 3, Centrio Mall. The DERMAX Laser Center brand is a follow-up concept to the highly successful chain of SkinStation, which now has 20 branches all over the Philippines. Aside from the state-of-the-art equipment, DERMAX Laser Center CDO will also offer the DERMAX Professional, a skin care product line formulated by award-winning chemist, DERMAX Laser Center and SkinStation Founder, Chairman and CEO Mr. Fred Reyes. He is the recipient of the 2008 Achievement Award conferred by the Philippine Federation of Chemistry ...
Pancake House re-opens at Limketkai Mall CDO

Pancake House re-opens at Limketkai Mall CDO

Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Food
Just writing about this is making me swirl with happiness! Pancake House has finally re-opened along the North Concourse of Limketkai Mall, Cagayan de Oro City! After a temporary halt in operations a few months ago (due to the expansion of the newly-opened Globe Gen3 store), Pancake House CDO is finally back! What are your favorite Pancake House offerings? Mine are the cheese pancake, caramel banana walnut waffle (with bacon strips on the side, please!), almondigas soup, classic pan chicken and the seafood gambero! And yours? See you at Pancake House CDO!
Mindanaoan.com declared top CDO blog by ICT Awards

Mindanaoan.com declared top CDO blog by ICT Awards

Advocacy, Announcements, Arts, Bisaya, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Headline, Internet, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Musings, News, Northern Mindanao, Personal, Personalities, Society, Technology
It is with utmost humility that I announce that Mindanaoan.com has just been declared as a "Top CDO Blog" in the recently concluded 2014 ICT Awards held at the Activity Center, Centrio Mall, Cagayan de Oro, Philippines. The ICT Awards, organized by the CDO ICT Business Council, Cagayan de Oro's main information and communications technology organization, recognizes websites, individuals and organizations involved in the city's IT industry. The citation reads: "The 2014 ICT Awards, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry, National Telecommunications and Communications, Department of Science and Technology - ICTO and the City Government of Cagayan de Oro, presents this Top CDO Blog Award to www.Mindanaoan.com for the creation and maintenance of an exceptional b...

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...

Liempo King CDO opens new stores, expands menu

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Features, Fiesta, Food
A Cagayan de Oro brand known for introducing the special spicy lechon liempo infused with herbs and spices continues to dominate the local market as it opens more stores and expands its menu. Liempo King now has 8 stores all around the city, including their newly redesigned main branch located at Rizal - Hayes Streets, Cagayan de Oro. Now sporting new, fresher interiors plus an expanded menu, the Liempo King main restaurant also offers fast and FREE WiFi Internet - a rare feature among restaurants that offer budget meals. Liempo King CEO Jeffrey Uraya says that the new look, new menu and added features are proofs of their commitment to customer service. "We value our customers and the experience they get when they visit our store," he said, adding "all of our ingredients a...
Be a part of the CDO Bloggers Christmas outreach project

Be a part of the CDO Bloggers Christmas outreach project

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Features, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Society, Technology
In 2011, the Cagayan de Oro Bloggers trekked to the city's farthest barangay. It's so far that it would take you 2 to 3 hours of land travel aboard a dump truck, with the possibility of sharing that ride with animals, vegetables and other produce and lots of other people. The dump truck transpo also only operates once a week. In other words, it can be quite an experience to travel to Besigan, Barangay Cadayunan, CDO, where there's no electricity, no paved roads, lots of school children who barely have school supplies and families who would most likely be very thrilled to receive Noche Buena packs this Christmas. Would you like to be a Santa Claus this year and help out? We can bring your gifts for them on your behalf. Mindanaoan (who is currently the Vice President for External Affairs ...

Samsung offers huge discounts with Galaxy of Christmas Wishes promo

Consumer, Corporate, Features, Freebies, Technology
Perfect money saving news from Samsung! Samsung gives Pinoys more reasons to love the holidays with their Galaxy of Christmas Wishes promo! Starting today until December 31, 2014, customers can get a chance to take home their favorite Samsung device at a lower cost by visiting participating Samsung Experience Shops and authorized dealers nationwide. At Samsung’s Galaxy of Christmas Wishes, customers can avail of their very own Samsung devices for as low as Php 7,000 less than the original selling price or get a special item from Samsung upon purchase. Rhinn Piczon, Product Marketing Head for Mobile of Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation, said that they "listened to what our customers want and we’re thrilled to be able to give it to them this Christmas.” Included in the pro...
G Rafting CDO offers FREE photos and GoPro video

G Rafting CDO offers FREE photos and GoPro video

Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Leisure, Mindanao, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Society, Tourism, Travel
Now there's more reason for you to visit Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon! G Rafting, also known as Golden Friendship Rafting, has just released their unbeatable adventure packages! These G Rafting CDO packages allow you to experience the thrill of conquering the CDO white water river rapids and all the rides (including the famous Asia's longest dual cable zipline) at Dahilayan Adventure Park, Bukidnon. Golden Friendship Rafting Cagayan de Oro offers two value for money packages: Package A - Basic river rafting (14 rapids) with FREE photos and video taken with a GoPro - Ride all ziplines at Dahilayan Adventure Park, Luge Ride, Forest Putt and Hanging Bridge at Dahilayan Forest Park - Php 1,899.00 per person (minimum of 10) Package B - Basic river rafting with FREE photos and ...
How to continue helping Typhoon Sendong survivors

How to continue helping Typhoon Sendong survivors

Advocacy, Announcements, Arts, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Fashion, Features, Gifts, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Society, Style
Any project that can help Typhoon Sendong (international name: Washi) survivors always interest me. You see, my family and I were also victims of the typhoon. We faced business losses, yes, but all of us were safe and still had so much to be thankful for. That was the reason why my family and I launched donation drives and relief goods distribution. That was also when I experienced first hand the power of social media. Because of my social media posts, lots of help came in from all over the world (not to mention lots of interview requests from national and international media outlets including BBC and CNN!) and our humble garage became a makeshift donation area, where people can leave donations, where volunteers can come repack and even join us when we distribute the items to various areas...
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