Features Archives - Page 21 of 36 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

May152012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanaoan In America: Washington DC Metro Subway photos, tips

Advocacy, America, Blogging, Features, Government, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Photos, Technology, Travel, United States of America

This is a continuation of my "Mindanaoan In America" blog series :) You can read more about my escapades in the USA when I was a 2012 International Visitor Leadership Program delegate HERE. The first state that we stayed in was Washington DC. Like many states in America, Washington has its own subway or railway system. They call it the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit or simply - Metro. I found the Metro Washington DC subway easy to understand although my group and I did have to be guided by our ELO Alan especially when we already had to buy our very first fare cards or train tickets :) You can find below a photo of the farecards and passes machines - you can buy tickets there or you can always approach a friendly Metro employee. Here are some easy to follow tips on how to ...

May92012 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Davao City bans plastic bags, styrofoam starting June 28, 2012

Advocacy, Announcements, Bisaya, Blogging, Business, Consumer, Controversial, Corporate, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Features, Food, Government, Headline, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personal, Society, Technology

YEY! I am so, so, sooo happy with this development! Congratulations Davao City! What an awesome move! I'm so proud of my hometown Davao City for finally, FINALLY deciding to put a ban against non-biodegradable plastic bags and styrofoam! Points for Mother Nature, environment and the start of the use of eco-friendly products :) I wonder, though, how the fastfood chains and other business establishments that use plastic bags and styrofoam will cope when the ban takes effect on June 28, 2012. Hmm. What do you think? Anyways, here's the news report from SunStar Davao: Non-biodegradable plastic bags and polystyrene foam as food and beverage containers will no longer be allowed in this city starting June 28, this year. Polystyrene foam is more commonly referred to as Styrof...

May82012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Congressmen use own money for Sendong homes

Advocacy, Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Features, Government, Iligan City, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, News, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Politics, Society

Back when the deadly Typhoon Sendong (International name: Washi) hit Northern Mindanao in December 2011, I started a small Typhoon Sendong volunteer campaign and donation drive. What I initially envisioned to be a small and private donation drive grew bigger and bigger by the minute, thanks to the power of Twitter, Facebook, blogging and other online media tools. Suddenly, my photos became viral, my tweets about Sendong were retweeted, shared and replied to and my calls for help were heard. Government agencies, public officials, NGOs and even international news agencies followed me on Twitter, Facebook and through this blog, shared the infos I sent out and sent donations (which I am and will always be thankful for). Two of these public servants who started following me and engaging w...

May22012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Photos: Blue Live In Manila

Blogging, Entertainment, Features, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Photos

Here are the much awaited photos of BLUE a.k.a. the fine looking boys from the U.K. Okay, ladies, breathe in, breathe out :) Blue, composed of Duncan James, Simon Webbe, Antony Costa and Lee Ryan, was recently in Manila, Philippines for the Greatest Hits Tour featuring a1, Blue and Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees. I was fortunate to have met and worked around the guys :) Yes, yes, I'm a very lucky girl ;) I found Jeff Timmons, a1 and of course, Blue, to be very warm, down to earth, talented and very approachable. Anyways, the photos here of Duncan James, Antony Costa, Simon Webbe and Lee Ryan were taken during the radio tour, some backstage and during the show. Which of these photos are your favorites? :) Let me know below at the comment section :) By the way, here are the photos...

May12012 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Photos: a1 Live in Manila

Entertainment, Events, Features, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Movies, Personalities, Photos

Okay, after sharing with you the photos I took of former 98 Degrees founder Jeff Timmons during the hugely successful a1, Jeff Timmons and Blue concert held last February 2012 in Manila, Philippines, it's now time for me to share the much-awaited photos I took of the boys of a1. Are those excited screams I hear?! :D For the uninitiated, a1 is a very popular British-Norwegian pop group. Originally composed of 4 members, the newly reunited a1 is now made up of Christian Ingebrigtsen, Mark Read and Ben Adams. Ever since they decided to reunite in August 2009, they've released hit songs like "Don't Wanna Lose You Again" and "Waiting for Daylight," which has so far managed to top a lot of charts not only in the Philippines but around Asia as well. I must say - there are a TON of avid a...

Apr302012 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Why Manny Pacquiao cried

Announcements, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, General Santos City, Humor, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Sarangani, Tourism, Travel

Manny Pacquiao cried. He may be the world's best boxer to date. He may have toppled the likes of Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton and Juan Manuel Marquez. He may have mansions in the Philippines and abroad but Filipino boxing champion and Sarangani Congressman Manny Pacquiao recently cried. Yup. Manny Pacquiao cried because he can't join the Sarangani Bay Festival 2012. My fellow Mindanaoan Manny Pacquiao will have to sit out on this year's SarBay Fest and because of this, he cried. Don't believe me? Watch the video below: The 2012 Sarangani Bay Festival is considered the biggest, grandest and most colorful beach festival in Mindanao, Philippines. Sarangani Bay Festival 2012 schedule of activities

Apr282012 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Photos: Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees Live In Manila

Blogging, Entertainment, Events, Features, Manila, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Photos

If you're one of my regular readers here on Mindanaoan.com, chances are you'd know that I helped out during the highly successful a1, Jeff Timmons and Blue Live In Manila concert last February 2012 in Manila, Philippines. I helped promote it not only through this site but in other sites as well including via social networking websites. (which reminds me, if you're not following me yet, please do so! Here are my Twitter, Pinterest, PicLyf, Instagram and YouTube accounts :) ) I also launched my very own online contest whereby the prizes were tickets to the show. I know I should have shared the photos I took of the boys before, during and after the event but you all know it's been a very hectic time as of late :) So to all of the fans of a1, Jeff Timmons and Blue, please don't worry. No...

Apr262012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanaoan In America: How folks in Virginia USA cast their votes (photos)

Advocacy, America, Blogging, Features, Government, Mindanaoan Update, Photos, Technology, United States of America

In America, they have this day called Super Tuesday which refers to "the Tuesday in February or March of a presidential election year when the greatest number of states hold primary elections to select delegates to national conventions at which each party's presidential candidates are officially nominated." Super Tuesday is a very important day especially since more delegates can be won on that day more than any other single day included in the primary calendar. Hence, political parties and the candidates themselves scramble to make a mark and win during Super Tuesday. I was in Virginia, USA for Super Tuesday 2012 (March 6, 2012). All eyes were on Virginia that day especially because only 2 out of 4 names of Republican candidates were on the ballots. Only the names of former Massachu...

Apr262012 by Mindanaoan Irene8 Comments

Mindanaoan In America: Around Washington DC

America, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Photos, United States of America

If I was asked to name at least 5 cities in the U.S. that I may want to live in, Washington D.C. would be one of them. I found Washington DC charming and interesting - despite the fact that politics plays a huge role there. I guess for those who abhor politics and all the scandals, flipfloppin', highs and lows that come with it, they won't feel comfortable in Washington DC. For people like me who get a natural high with fast-changing political strategies, however, Washington is the place to be. The day after I arrived in Washington D.C. USA for the start of my 3-week International Visitor Leadership Program, my fellow participants and I were toured around the city. I remember that day oh-so-well --- it was freezing cold but because we were supposed to have nice pictures taken for our...

Apr222012 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees says hello to Mindanaoan.com

Blogging, Entertainment, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Videos

If you're one of the regular readers of Mindanaoan.com, you'd probably know that I was one of those who heavily helped promote the recently concluded a1, Blue and Jeff Timmons concert in Manila. I campaigned for the show not only through this lifestyle and entertainment blog but through various accounts on Twitter, Facebook, Plurk, PicLyf etc. I also launched a contest whereby the winner received two tickets to the show! The concert was a huge success, by the way! Congratulations to Wilbros Live, Drake World Entertainment and of course, to a1, Blue and Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees. I have yet to share with you all some of the photos I took from the backstage of Araneta Coliseum and during the show. Sorry about the delays! Don't worry, folks, the wait will be worth it ;) For now, ...

Apr212012 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

I’m home!

Blogging, Features, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Travel, United States of America

So I am finally back from the U.S. I'm home, I'm home! :) *waves* I stayed in America for more than a month. I was there because I was chosen to participate in the International Visitor Leadership Program, a U.S. Department of State-sponsored program. Technically, my IVLP 2012 experience only lasted for 3 weeks. However, I chose to fly to New York City, savor the sights and sounds of the Big Apple and spend my birthday there! (more on this later) I stayed in NYC for 2 weeks. I also had the chance to visit Connecticut specifically Yale University for a day. Anyway, the IVLP program that I participated in led me to Washington D.C. (and in some parts of nearby Virginia and Maryland), Orlando, Florida, Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon. I was the only female in the group an...

Apr132012 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Where to buy original Sperry Top-sider in Mindanao

Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Corporate, Fashion, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Shopping, Style

Want to know where to buy original Sperry Top-sider shoes in Mindanao, Philippines? Look no further! The World’s First Boat Shoe can now be bought in one of Mindanao's best lifestyle stores (and one of my personal favorites, I might add!) - Spruce. The Sperry Top-Sider story is an example of the American knack for ingenuity and innovation. It also represents a love of sun, surf and soul of the ocean...something that the brand coins a "Passion for the Sea". In 1935, Paul Sperry, an avid sailor and outdoorsman, discovered a long- sought solution to a problem that had long troubled the sailing community: the fact that traditional shoes performed “like roller skates” on a wet deck. As Paul Sperry described it, his new shoes "stuck like a barnacle". Sperry Top-siders are known to ...

Apr132012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Razzle Dazzle 3 photography workshop registration ongoing

Announcements, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Fashion, Features, Headline, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Photos, Society, Style, Tourism

How fast time flies! Back in 2010, I was still pitching possible names for a photography workshop to my super talented brother (who happens to be an awarded and very in-demand professional wedding photographer). He liked what I offered - "Razzle Dazzle." According to the dictionary, razzle dazzle means dazzling excitement or extravagant display of technique. Not long after that, he named his very first photography workshop "Razzle Dazzle Photography Workshop." Fast forward two years later, Razzle Dazzle Photography Workshop is now on its 3rd cycle! This photography workshop in Mindanao is set to take place on May 5 to 6, 2012 in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, Philippines. Don't you want to spend two days of summer learning new photography techniques? This CDO photography worksh...

Mar222012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Are you ready for Sarangani Bay Fest 2012?

Announcements, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Mindanaoan Update, Sarangani, Tourism, Travel

It is considered the biggest and funnest beach festival in Mindanao, Philippines! The Sarangani Bay Festival 2012 is set to happen on May 18 - 19, 2012. The 2012 Sarangani Bay Fest must be your ultimate summer and beach adventure! Last year, the 2011 Sarangani Bay Festival had lots of activities. This year, the Provincial Government of Sarangani led by Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez will surely deliver! Just look at some of the activities lined up for the Sarangani Bay Fest 2012: May 18, 2012 - Sarangani Run, Swim Across the Bay, Beach Dance Marathon, Sarangani Swim Challenge, Sand Sculpture, Sayaw Sarangani, Beach Volleyball, Beach Football, Skim Boarding, Bay Bodies etc May 19, 2012 - Bancarera (this is really fun!), Coastal Clean Up, Poi and Zip Clinic, Zumba Party, Concert ...

Mar192012 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Mindanaoan In America: Trip from Manila to Washington

America, BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Commentary, Education, Features, Headline, Manila, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Society, Tourism, Travel, United States of America

This Filipino blogger is currently here in the United States of America to participate in a US Department of State-sponsored International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). You can read more about my current trip HERE. I'm very proud to let you all know that I'm the only Filipino and the only female in this group :) I will share as much as I can (and as much as I am permitted to) with you all. If you want to follow my U.S. escapades, you may want to SUBSCRIBE TO MINDANAOAN right now (click and please don't forget to verify!) or follow my official Facebook Page. For now, what I want to share with you all in this blog post will be my experience traveling from Manila to Washington, DC - the first stop of my U.S. trip. Hopefully this article will help those of you who will travel the sa...

Feb282012 by Mindanaoan Irene12 Comments

Mindanaoan chosen for the US State Department IVLP program | I am off to the US!

Advocacy, Agriculture, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, 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, Videos, Visayas, Weddings, Weird, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

It's official, folks! :) I have been chosen by the U.S. Department of State to visit the United States of America as a participant in the International Visitor Leadership Program or IVLP. I will leave for the U.S. on March 3, 2012 and will stay there until the first week of April 2012 :) Actually, the program that I will be a part of will only run for 3 weeks but I plan to stay a bit more to savor the sights and sounds of the USA. During the 3-week program, I will visit Washington, Orlando Florida, Salt Lake City Utah and Portland Oregon. I plan to visit New York and Virginia as well :) Do any of you guys out there live in these areas? I would love to meet you! :) Let me know through the comments section below. And oh, did I mention that I'm the ONLY Filipino and the only femal...

Feb282012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Happy Eggs Cagayan de Oro all-day breakfast place now open for business

Advocacy, Agriculture, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, 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, 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, Videos, Visayas, Weddings, Weird, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

Hi folks, may I warmly invite you all to visit the newest all-day breakfast place to open for business in Cagayan de Oro City - Happy Eggs CDO! Before anything else, please allow me to quickly offer you guys 3 reasons as to why you should come and visit Happy Eggs CDO: 1. their "silog" meals all have TWO EGGS cooked just the way you like them! (sunny side up, scrambled etc) 2. the price points are really very affordable (their baconsilog, for instance, is only Php 70! Yup, juicy and delicious bacon, a generous serving of rice and two eggs for only Php 70!) 3. they have quite the interesting menu! (where else can you find an eatery that serves dried fish such as pinikas and red sal and even pansit canton? Aaah, we all crave for BULAD sometimes, don't we? :) Plus - talk about bud...

Feb142012 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Missy Bon Bon pastel – new Cagayan de Oro pasalubong

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Features, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism

Missy Bon Bon in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, Philippines is no longer just known for their delicious pastries and gelato. These days, the charming Missy Bon Bon breadshop and gelato store is also known as the home of CDO's latest pasalubong delicacy - pastel! Pastel is a soft, sweet filled bun. For many years, pastel became the preferred pasalubong in Northern Mindanao. The entire fascination over this delicious bun started when a family produced yema-filled pastels in Camiguin Island. Word about these delicious buns spread and eventually, tourists began lugging around boxes and boxes of these sweet treats as pasalubong. Fortunately for those in CDO, you need not go to Camiguin Island just to buy these delicious pasalubong delicacies. Missy Bon Bon has finally released their ow...

Feb82012 by Mindanaoan Irene73 Comments

Win tickets to the Greatest Hits Tour Manila featuring a1, Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees and Blue!

Announcements, Blogging, Consumer, Contests, Entertainment, Events, Features, Internet, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Society

Win tickets to the Greatest Hits Tour Manila featuring a1, Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees and Blue! Hi everybody! I'll make this short and simple. I'm giving away four (4) general admission tickets to the upcoming Greatest Hits concert featuring a1, Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees and Blue! The Manila leg will be held on February 25, 2012 (Saturday), 8 PM, Smart Araneta Coliseum. So are you ready to win some tickets for yourself and three of your friends? Read on and share! Contest mechanics: - You must be a subscriber of Mindanaoan.com CLICK HERE to subscribe (don't forget to verify your email address, okay? :) ) - Follow the Official Mindanaoan.com Facebook Page - Follow the Drake World Entertainment Twitter account (http://www.twitter.com/asiantouring) - Follow the Wilbros L...

Feb72012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mutya ng Dabaw 2012 pageant

Announcements, Beauty, Davao City, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Festivals, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Style

Interested to be the next Davao beauty? You might want to join the Mutya ng Dabaw 2012 pageant. The 2012 Mutya ng Dabaw beauty pageant is open to females who are single and who are between 18 and 25 years of age. MUTYA NG DABAW 2012 GUIDELINES & MECHANICS 1. Candidates must be single and between 18 to 24 years old. 2. Candidates must be, at least, 5 feet 4 inches tall, fit, and with good body proportion. 3. Candidates must be Filipino and a resident of Davao City for no less than 3 years. 4. Candidates must be, at least, a graduate of high school. 5. Candidates must no be a major title holder of any national or regional beauty pageant. 6. Candidates must agree to abide by all the rules and regulations of Mutya ng Dabaw 2012. 7. If candidate passes screening, she must not en...

Feb72012 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Dropzone extreme at Dahilayan Adventure Park Bukidnon

BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Leisure, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Resorts, Reviews, Society, Tourism, Travel

Folks, this is one extreme ride that will separate the men from the boys! Looking for one absolutely breathtaking extreme adventure in Mindanao? Why not try the latest extreme ride at Dahilayan Adventure Park - the Dropzone! This extreme adventure ride is the newest feature at Dahilayan Adventure Park a.k.a. the home of Asia's longest dual cable zipline! Dropzone is where the rider gets hoisted at least 120 feet above the ground. The rider then has to pull the ripcord that would allow him or her to take a deep dive and swing akin to a huge pendulum! Want to know how fast the dive would be? Try 50 mph! Mindanaoan and other online media practitioners visited Dahilayan Adventure Park in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon recently. That visit was related to the "Barog, Kagay-anon" series of eve...

Feb32012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Meet Maria Ressa at SIBYA – social media for social change

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Features, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Technology

If there's one journalist I absolutely admire, it's Maria Ressa. She's a multi-awarded journalist and former CNN Jakarta Bureau Chief. I've always wanted to meet her and I might just have the chance in a few days! Maria Ressa will be one of the guest speakers at SIBYA - the First Northern Mindanao Student Communicators Congress. With the theme "Social media for social change," SIBYA is organized by the Crusader Publication of Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan in cooperation with the Development Communication Department of the same school SIBYA will also feature other speakers from Rappler: - awarded debater, Inquirer columnist and ANC Storyline producer Patricia Evangelista - former Ateneo de Manila Journalism Graduate Program chief, ABS CBN ethics head and investigative...