Features Archives - Page 15 of 36 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Dec222013 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

EXCLUSIVE: Macklemore and Ryan Lewis Live In Manila, Philippines 2014 #MacklemoreRyanLewisPH

Announcements, Entertainment, Events, Features, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Society, United States of America

UPDATED: Very affordable ticket prices below! YES! MACKLEMORE IS HEADING TO MANILA!!! Superstar duo Macklemore and Ryan Lewis Live in Manila on March 16, 2014 at the Mall of Asia Arena! Who's ready to go to the "Thrift Shop" and "throw our hands up like the ceiling can't hold us"? If you've been following Mindanaoan on Twitter, well, folks, this is the exciting news I've been dying to share with you all! Macklemore and Ryan Lewis are bringing their multi-platinum hits "Can't Hold Us," "Same Love," "White Walls" and of course, "Thrift Shop," called by Forbes as "one of the biggest sleeper hits of the decade, earning certification for 7 million downloads sold in the United States" alone. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis' "The Heist" album also sold more than 1 million copies, perform before SOLD...

Dec152013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

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...

Dec92013 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

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...

Nov282013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Buy a #BangonPilipinas shirt and help typhoon Haiyan victims

Advocacy, Blogging, Cebu City, Corporate, Fashion, Features, Headline, Society, Style, Visayas

If you've been following me on Twitter or Facebook (I hope you are :) I would love to connect with you there!), you'd know that I just came back from a 6-day trip to the Visayas. I flew to Cebu City first. My trip was mainly because I wanted to volunteer in various Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) relief/donation efforts and to turnover some cash donations that I received. I will share more about that trip in succeeding blog posts. In the meantime, please allow me to share a great fundraising drive that I hope you will also support :) The Islands Group, the company that runs Islands Souvenirs and Islands Pasalubong outlets, has released special #BangonPilipinas shirts. What's so special about these t-shirts? ALL OF THE PROCEEDS of these Bangon Pilipinas t-shirts will be dona...

Oct312013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanaoan.com wins Best Lifestyle Blog in 2013 Mindanao Blog Awards

Announcements, Blogging, Features, Headline, Internet, Leisure, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Personal, Society, Technology, United States of America

My lucky stars truly shone on me during the recently concluded Mindanao Blog Awards 2013. Apart from bagging the Mindanao Blogger of the Year award, Mindanaoan.com also won the Best Lifestyle Blog award :) Thank you so much, daghang salamat to all of my fellow Mindanao bloggers who nominated and voted for me and to all of the judges as well. I am really grateful for this recognition! Such an honor, such an honor. I remember when I won the Best Lifestyle Blog award in the 2010 Philippine Blog Awards and became a national finalist in the 2011 PBA. Those citations truly inspired me to help more people understand the power of blogging and social media. In just a span of 2 years, I have organized a bloggers group, organized some blogging and mapping workshops, traveled to several a...

Oct312013 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

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...

Oct112013 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Excited to meet Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth and Gin Blossoms! #SugarSmashGin

Announcements, Blogging, Entertainment, Events, Features, Music, Musings, Personal, Personalities, Society

Just a few days more and I'll finally meet and be with popular and iconic 90's bands Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth and Gin Blossoms in Manila! Yes, I am officially stoked for the #SugarSmashGin concert! Woohoo! :D I previously shared with you all that I will play a little role in the staging of the much-awaited SugarSmashGin Live In Manila concert on October 21, 2013 at the Araneta Coliseum. Yup, that's just a few days away! WHO AMONG YOU ARE COMING TO WATCH? :) Did you see Sugar Ray lead singer Mark McGrath's tweet to me in this article? :) Very sweet, right? That tweet alone was enough to send me on my little merry way for days! :D By the way, since that blog entry, the official Gin Blossoms Twitter account has followed me on Twitter, Scott Hessel of Gin Blossoms has also followed me and ...

Oct112013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

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 ...

Oct32013 by Mindanaoan Irene8 Comments

Monastery of Transfiguration Malaybalay Bukidnon: 3 things to do

Bukidnon, Culture, Education, Features, Religion, Tourism, Travel

I recently revisited the Monastery of Transfiguration in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, my favorite refuge here in this part of the Philippines. You can read about my recent visit to this Benedictine Monastery here. Have you ever visited? If you have, I'm sure you'd agree with me when I say that it's the loveliest, most ideal place for a spiritual retreat. The Monastery of Transfiguration Bukidnon is where you can pray and commune with the Lord. It's also fast becoming a favorite wedding destination for so many couples around the world. However, apart from praying at this gorgeous cone-shaped chapel (picture below, designed by the late National Artist for Architecture Leandro Locsin and considered the centerpiece of the Monastery of Transfiguration), there are 3 other things you can do w...

Oct22013 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Revisiting the Monastery of Transfiguration in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon

Beauty, Bukidnon, Culture, Features, Malaybalay City, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Photos, Society, Tourism, Travel, Weddings

I had the chance to revisit the Monastery of Transfiguration last weekend. Located in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, the Monastery of Transfiguration, also known as the Benedictine Transfiguration Monastery, is my most favorite spiritual refuge. It's an ideal place to visit in Mindanao, Philippines if you want to go on a spiritual retreat. The centerpiece of the Monastery of Transfiguration is this popular cone-shaped chapel, designed by the late National Artist for Architecture Leandro Locsin. There's a dress code that you need to follow before you enter the chapel, please. If you find yourself alone in the church, consider yourself very lucky. It's when I'm alone inside this beautiful chapel that I can truly meditate and speak with the Lord. The well-manicured garden ...

Oct22013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Why I’m promoting Britney Spears’ new Work Bitch video

Announcements, Blogging, Entertainment, Events, Features, Headline, Internet, Personal, Technology, Videos

So have you watched the "Work Bitch" new video of Britney Spears? It was launched today, October 2, 2013 (October 1 in the U.S.) You can watch the video below :) So let me make this quick. Let me give you 5 quick reasons as to why I'm helping promote Britney Spears' new music video for her new song "Work Bitch." 1. Because I think she's a talented, amazing pop superstar! Regardless of those "dark episodes" in her life (don't we all have those anyway?), she has sold millions of albums, filled so many stadiums around the world and made all of us dance! 2. Because I used to do Britney Spears-related stuff (fortunately, not related to song and dance ;) )! You see, back when I was still starting out as an online worker, I wrote Britney Spears-related content. I can't divulge the specif...

Oct12013 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mindanaoan.com is a finalist in the 2013 Mindanao Blog Awards

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Features, Internet, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Society, Technology

Hi everyone! So excited to share with you all a piece of good news. My humble blog, Mindanaoan, has officially been recognized as a finalist in the Mindanao Blog Awards 2013 (MBA 2013)! Woot woot! Mindanaoan.com is one of the Best Lifestyle Blog 2013 finalists :) You can find the official announcement here. Thank you so much, daghang salamat gyud kaayo to everyone who voted in order for Mindanaoan to be among the finalists. There will still be a final round of voting (I hope I can still count on your support ;) ) but win or lose, I am already extremely proud and grateful! Thank you :) I remember when I won the Best Lifestyle Blog award in the 2010 Philippine Blog Awards and became a national finalist in the 2011 leg. The recognitions truly inspired me to help more people understa...

Sep262013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Krispy Kreme CDO: 7 things you will like #KrispyKremeCDO

Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Corporate, Events, Features, Food, Musings, Shopping, Society

Who doesn't have a love relationship with Krispy Kreme? It's the home of my favorite Original Glazed Doughnuts, good signature coffee and delicious chilled drinks. In other words, Krispy Kreme is the home of good stuff and good vibes. And for people in Cagayan de Oro, the good stuff and the good vibes are heading their way real soon! Krispy Kreme CDO will soon open a stand-alone store at Rosario Crescent, Lim Ket Kai Mall, Lapasan! Krispy Kreme at Limketkai Cagayan de Oro is set to open its doors and light their "Fresh Doughnuts Here" sign come mid-November. Are you excited? I know I am! During a bloggers conference with Krispy Kreme Philippines Marketing Manager Mark Gamboa and Assistant Marketing Manager for Visayas and Mindanao Nadia Shami, I found out a couple of things about...

Sep252013 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Seda Hotel CDO to offer buffet, unlimited beer for Oktoberfest

Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Entertainment, Events, Features, Food, Hotels, Society

How does a buffet of Bavarian dishes, music from a live band and UNLIMITED BEER sound to you? Because that's exactly what you'll get when you celebrate Oktoberfest at Seda Hotel Centrio Cagayan de Oro! Mindanaoan.com can also exclusively confirm that Seda Hotel CDO will go all-out in making the guests feel how it truly is to celebrate the popular German beer festival. Check out what's part of the Seda Hotel CDO Oktoberfest 2013 menu: Schweinshaxe (Bavarian style pork knuckles) Beef Sauerbraten Different kinds of sausages (Frankfurter, Hungarian, Veal Chipolata, Veal Bratwurst) Hotdogs etc. And yes, free-flowing beer! I don't know about you but doesn't this sound like a really, really good deal? So celebrate Oktoberfest 2013 at Seda Centrio! Choose your day - Octobe...

Sep252013 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

CONFIRMED: Shopwise Cagayan de Oro to open this November

Announcements, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Events, Features, Food, Gifts, Misamis Oriental, News, Northern Mindanao, Recipes, Shopping, Society

AND IT'S OFFICIAL, FOLKS! SHOPWISE, a member of the Rustan's Group of Companies (yes, the same owners of Rustan's Cagayan de Oro), is set to open this November 2013. Mindanaoan.com can exclusively confirm that Shopwise CDO will open on November 16, 2013, Saturday, at the East Wing Expansion of Lim Ket Kai Mall, Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City. If you're familiar with the area where Starbucks Limketkai is (a.k.a. the main entrance of Limketkai Center), right across that is where Shopwise CDO will be. Mindanaoan can also confirm that preparations for the opening of Shopwise Cagayan de Oro are on full blast. Shopwise representatives from Manila were even in town early this week. I will be posting more exclusive updates in the next few days so stay tuned by SUBSCRIBING VIA EMAIL (click, click!...

Sep122013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

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...

Sep72013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Must-visit in Puerto Princesa Palawan: KaLui Restaurant

Features, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Visayas

Visiting Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines soon? Then you must visit KaLui Restaurant! I did and it was a truly lovely experience. In fact, I even mentioned KaLui Palawan to my cousin who was also set to visit Puerto Princesa days after my trip. She swears it was truly one of the highlights of her own Palawan trip! So on our last evening in Palawan (I was flown there recently by the US Embassy for a speaking engagement), a friend from the embassy and I had dinner at KaLui Restaurant. Located along busy Rizal Avenue and just a few minutes away from where I stayed in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, KaLui is not only a place for good comfort food but a place where you can relax and appreciate art, music, creativity and even your sense of touch! You see, KaLui Palawan requires their patrons t...

Sep62013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

GenSan 15th Tuna Festival 2013 schedule of activities

Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, General Santos City, Sarangani, Tourism

General Santos City, known as the Tuna Capital of the Philippines and the Home of the Generals, is currently celebrating Tuna Festival 2013! This Mindanao festival, the 15th Tuna Festival, is in celebration of the 45th Charter Anniversary of General Santos City. This year, the festivities started last August 15, 2013 and will last until September 15, 2013. GenSan, led by its Mayor Ronnel Rivera, is home to 6 of the country's 7 tuna canning factories. Lots of metric tons of tuna, including first grade or "sashimi grade" tuna, land on the famous GenSan Fish Port every single day. In 2012, a total of 139,613 metric tons of fish were landed at the General Santos Fish Port. Those tuna then get sent out not only to domestic customers but to foreign markets as well. The tuna industry sure is t...

Sep42013 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Speaking about social media in a US Embassy event in Palawan

Advocacy, America, Arts, Blogging, Education, Features, Government, Headline, Internet, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Society, Technology, Tourism, United States of America, Visayas

This Mindanao blogger received a special invitation not too long ago. The US Embassy Manila folks asked if I wanted to speak about social media, blogging and citizen journalism in a two-day, all expenses paid eco-tourism workshop in Palawan. As an International Visitor Leadership Program alumnus, I was invited to share my knowledge to outstanding students from various schools in Brooke's Point, Palawan. Who can say no to that kind of invitation? So last August 22, 2013, I flew to Manila from Mindanao and then to Puerto Princesa, Palawan - all on the same day. My flight to Manila got delayed for about 3 hours because of Typhoon Maring. The delayed flight was both boon and bane. Boon because I was able to chat with a city mayor-friend of mine (you know, get the inside juicy stuff I can wr...

Aug112013 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Kagay-an CDO Fiesta 2013 schedule of events

Announcements, BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, News, Tourism

Kagay-an Festival 2013 schedule of activities. Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar "Oca" Moreno has said that the 2013 CDO Fiesta will push through this year. This, despite the recent news about the bombing incident at Rosario Arcade, Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, Philippines. The Kagay-an Festival 2013, which is celebrated in honor of patron Saint Augustine, will hold the theme "Higalaay: The Kagay-an Festival 2013." Higalaay means "friendly gathering/friendly atmosphere." Check out this Kagay-an Festival 2013 schedule of events: KUMBIRA: Aug 14-31, 2013 Limketkai Mall Atrium (Kumbira is a professional and student culinary show and live competition. It is the largest culinary event in Mindanao. Check out what happened during Kumbira 2012) GARDEN SHOW: August 15-31...

Aug92013 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Will be part of Sugar Ray Smash Mouth Gin Blossoms Live In Manila #SugarSmashGin

Advocacy, America, Announcements, Blogging, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Features, Headline, Internet, Leisure, Manila, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Musings, News, Personal, Personalities, Society, United States of America

Hold your breath, folks. Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth AND Gin Blossoms are heading to Manila this October 21, 2013! Yes, Mindanaoan.com can exclusively confirm that popular 90's bands Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth and Gin Blossoms will headline a very special 3-in-1 concert #SugarSmashGin on October 21, 2013, Araneta Coliseum, Manila! Actually, I first shared the good news in an earlier blog post but only Sugar Ray and Smash Mouth were the confirmed acts then :) And I am also very excited to let you guys know that, thanks to my amazing friends over at Random Minds Production, I will be with Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth and Gin Blossoms when they arrive in Manila! That means I will frequently be dishing out updates, exclusive photos and videos! Stoked :D So are you ready for #SugarSmashGin? I...

Jul212013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Make Your Own Havaianas 2013 Northern Mindanao leg #MYOHCDO2013

Announcements, Beauty, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Gifts, Style

The most awaited annual event of every Havaianatico (read: big fan of Havaianas) is finally here! The Make Your Own Havaianas 2013 Northern Mindanao event, which lets you customize your very own pair of Havaianas, will be held on August 17 and 18, 2013 at the Activity Center of Ayala Centrio Mall, Cagayan de Oro City. Spruce Designer Network, which runs the Spruce and All Flip Flops stores, will again spearhead the #MYOHCDO2013 event. They're the same cool folks who made the MYOH CDO 2012, MYOH CDO 2011 and MYOH CDO 2010 events possible! In each of those events, I was able to customize my own Havaianas by choosing my preferred straps, soles and special pins. So are you guys ready for this year's MYOH? Save up, save up and make your calendars. August 17 and 18, 2013! Don't forget to b...