Features Archives - Page 31 of 37 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Aug62010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Kadayawan Fiesta at the Apo View Hotel Davao City

Business, Davao City, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel

My most favorite Philippine festival is right around the corner - Kadayawan Festival 2010 in my beautiful hometown Davao City, Mindanao! And what better way to kick things off than checking out the Kadayawan 2010 Fiesta at the Apo View Hotel? The Apo View Hotel, one of Davao's finest hotels, again pays tribute to Davao’s artistic, cultural and historical heritage via the Kadayawan Fiesta Week: The merriment, bounties of Mother Nature, richness of culture and gifts of bountiful harvest can be felt at The Apo View. (more…)

Jul302010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Cute vector depiction of the Island of Mindanao

Arts, Blogging, Features, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Photos

Now this is absolutely too cute to pass up! Thanks to my Twitter friend Thysz, this blogger in Mindanao got wind of this cute vectorized map of the Island of Mindanao made by one very talented artist named Renan Barco. Check this out: Methinks it's a nice depiction of Mindanao :) Congratulations, Renan! Fab job! For those of you who want to follow more of Renan's work, check his Tumblr site. (more…)

Jul262010 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Full text of President Noynoy Aquino SONA 2010 | State of the Nation Address 2010 Benigno Aquino full text

Announcements, Features, Government, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News

Here's the full text of the SONA 2010 speech of President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, which he delivered today, July 26, 2010 at the Batasang Pambansa (House of Representatives). President Noynoy Aquino cited several alleged anomalies involving the previous administration and the Aquino administration's plans and projects. President Aquino SONA 2010 full text also cited the Mindanao peace process and sent out a challenge to the CPP NPA NDF. Read the Noynoy Aquino SONA 2010 full text below: (thank you to Manolo Quezon III) State of the Nation Address of His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III President of the Philippines to the Congress of the Philippines Session Hall of the House of Representatives July 26, 2010 [Batasan Pambansa Complex, Quezon City] Speaker Feliciano Belmonte; Senate...

Jul182010 by Mindanaoan Irene20 Comments

How to renew your Philippine passport | How to get a Philippine e-passport

Advocacy, Announcements, Consumer, Features, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao, Personal

I just applied for the renewal of my Philippine passport. I used to have the regular green passport but since the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has now required that all new Philippine passports and renewed ones must be e-passports, I applied for a Philippine e-passport. Before the e-passport, the DFA issued machine readable passports. That's now kaput. The e-passport accordingly is a lot more secure since it contains this special chip of sorts. The Philippine e-passport is also known as the biometric passport since you no longer need a passport photo along with your passport renewal application form. Your photo, thumbprints and digital signatures will be taken during your passport renewal appointment. See more below the steps on how to renew your Philippine passport and how to...

Jul162010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

The big Spruce 5th anniversary sale and my oh-so-precious loot!

Beauty, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Fashion, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Style

So the first day of the much-awaited and much talked about 5th Anniversary Sale of SPRUCE was an absolute success! Hundreds of Spruce loyalists came and bought...nay, HOARDED...a lot of stuff! I personally overheard a lady who, after she already bought a lot of items, told her husband that she wanted to stay overnight in Cagayan de Oro City (the family was, apparently, from Marawi City) just because the Spruce personnel told her that more stocks were coming. I also saw a guy who already had 4 pairs of PUMA shoes in his shopping basket but was still checking out yet another pair! (Who says guys can't be shopaholics?) As soon as the mall opened, a long line of eager shoppers was already outside the Spruce store. That type of scene was inevitable, truth be told. Spruce, in celeb...

Jul112010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Spruce CDO to offer a whopping 50 percent discount during 5th anniversary sale!

Announcements, Beauty, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Events, Fashion, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Northern Mindanao, Personal, Society, Style

SPRUCE Boutique, one of my favorite shops in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, is celebrating its 5th anniversary with a sale like no other! Spruce CDO is set to offer a whopping 50 percent discount for at least 5 items purchased during their much talked about 5-day sale! The Spruce 5-day anniversary sale, which is their way of saying thank you to all their loyal customers, will run from July 14 to July 18, 2010. Check out this photo of their window display (this blogger from Mindanao took this today): More ABSOLUTELY EXCITING details after the jump! (more…)

Jul112010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Winning several bucks with PCSO Scratch It!

Consumer, Contests, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Personal

I've always had this belief that I'm a bit lucky with numbers. Not spectacularly lucky...just A BIT lucky. The kind where my winnings can help me buy a pair of shoes or a plane ticket or treat my entire family to a sumptuous dinner. Today, I tried my luck with the PCSO Scratch It! Instant Panalo game cards. These are the ones that are usually sold at a LOTTO outlet. I accompanied someone who placed her LOTTO bets at noon today. Well, because I didn't know how to play LOTTO and didn't want to just stand in a corner and be idle, I bought two Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Scratch Cards. Lo and behold --- my lucky stars shone brightly today! (more…)

Jul102010 by Mindanaoan Irene7 Comments

Meet my new toy!

Blogging, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Technology

About three weeks ago, I became a convert. A from-Windows-to-Mac convert, that is. Yes, people, this blogger in Mindanao finally made the big switch from using Windows to Mac! And so --- meet my new toy --- a spanking brand new Macbook :) Buying a Macbook wasn't an easy decision to make, mind you. Apart from the fact that learning how to use the new (and absolutely pretty white laptop - yes, I'm gushing :P) and the Mac OS would take a bit of time (yes, I can be lazy), Macs aren't exactly cheap. Macbook prices are nearly double the price of a Windows laptop. That's why I canvassed for a few days and thanks to my Twitter and Plurk friends, I got great leads as to where you can buy cheap Macbooks in the Philippines. I will share how I got a pretty good deal with my newest purchase in ...

Jul92010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Casting call for the Angat Sa Sining 3rd Cultural Season

Announcements, Arts, Cagayan de Oro City, Campus, Entertainment, Features

The Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts has just announced the audition date for the Angat sa Sining 3rd Cultural Season launching showcase and music video. Interested male and female models, singers and hosts must be at the Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan) Little Theater on July 11, 2010. More details below. Check out the poster for the Angat Sa Sining casting call: (more…)

Jul92010 by Mindanaoan Irene10 Comments

Mindanao food: Malunggay pastel! Sweet, healthy twist to Camiguin’s delicacy

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Features, Food

Did you know that malunggay contains more vitamin A than carrots, more calcium than milk, more iron than spinach, more vitamin C than oranges and more potassium than bananas? That's the premise of Malunggay Pastel Bread, which started as a product for a feasibility study for Xavier University students but now looks like a thriving, successful business venture. Malunggay pastel is a healthy twist to the ordinary pastel bread, largely known as Camiguin's delicacy. If you want to order your malunggay pastel bread, check the poster after the jump. You can also call Steffi Dalman, one of the business owners of Malunggay Pastel Bread. Her number's at the bottom part of the poster after the jump! (more…)

Jul22010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Citihardware to open 3rd branch in Cagayan de Oro City

Announcements, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Society

Well, I guess this only goes to show that Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, dubbed the City of Golden Friendship, is really booming and fast becoming "a force to reckon with" in terms of trade and industry. CitiHardware, arguably the largest and fastest growing hardware chain in the country, will open its third branch in CDO. According to a top CitiHardware official, the Cugman branch is currently in its early stages of construction. Citihardware's two existing branches in Cagayan de Oro are located at Bulua and Gusa. If you guys recall, Mindanaoan was hired to handle shared event coordination services during the grand opening of the CitiHardware Bulua branch. As co-event organizer, Mindanaoan was in charge of providing professional lights and sounds, a female professional host, a band ...

Jun302010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Inaugural speech of Noynoy Aquino – English translation

Announcements, Blogging, Features, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News

Here is the English translation of the inaugural speech of President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III. The original, Filipino version can be found HERE. My presence here today is proof that you are my true strength. I never expected that I will be here taking my oath of office before you, as your president. I never imagined that I would be tasked with continuing the mission of my parents. I never entertained the ambition to be the symbol of hope, and to inherit the problems of our nation. I had a simple goal in life: to be true to my parents and our country as an honorable son, a caring brother, and a good citizen. My father offered his life so our democracy could live. My mother devoted her life to nurturing that democracy. I will dedicate my life to making our democracy reach its ful...

Jun292010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Start saving up! Make Your Own Havaianas 2010 is coming your way soon

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

Woohoo! I'm absolutely thrilled :) After the huge success of the Make Your Own Havaianas 2009 event, this year's MYOH 2010 event is right around the corner! The Make Your Own Havaianas 2010 event for Northern Mindanao will be held on August 13 to 15, 2010 at the Rotunda area of Limketkai Mall, Cagayan de Oro City. And guess what? This year marks the 5th year of chic and colorful customization brought to all of us by Havaianas Philippines! This blogger in Mindanao cannot wait to get her hands on my brand new pair! I had so much fun during my first ever Make Your Own Havaianas experience and just like I said, that experience was only the beginning of a long "friendship" with my very own Havs :) So start saving up, Havaianaticos! And see you on August! Special thanks to Spruce De...

Jun232010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Watching GMA 7 longtime running show Eat Bulaga live in the studio

Arts, Broadcasting, Entertainment, Features, Leisure, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Photos, Society

Whenever this blogger from Mindanao is in Manila, I always see to it that apart from the usual shopping and lakwatsa, I also look for other "extraordinary" things that I can probably do. Just like my recent visit to the KB Studios in Marikina to watch TV5's Sunday variety show, "P.O.5." where I got to see not only my friend and fellow Dabawenyo Jay Durias of Southborder (who happens to be the show's musical director) but also Lucy Torres-Gomez, John Estrada and my crush Kean Cipriano of Callalily in the flesh. I also attended my first ever movie bloggers event in Manila plus I got to watch the much-talked about Presidentiables Gut Talent comedy show of master impersonator Willie Nepomuceno. And because my mom was also in town, we decided to watch another noontime show live inside the st...

Jun172010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Kim Atienza becomes Philippine Eagle Champion

Advocacy, Announcements, Broadcasting, Davao City, Features, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Society

Great news from Davao City, Mindanao! Look who's the newest champion of the Philippine Eagle! It's none other than Kim Atienza, the son of former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza and host of educational program "Matanglawin" (aired via ABS CBN Channel 2). The Philippine Eagle Foundation, with head offices in my hometown Davao City, recently announced that Kim Atienza is the newest champion of the endangered national bird. Quite fitting, actually, since Atienza is an environmentalist, an animal lover and of course, the host of "Matanglawin." Kim Atienza is also the "weather dude" in primetime newscast TV Patrol and early morning show Umagang Kay Ganda. Atienza was recently in Davao City to attend the Agila Gala program, where he was installed as the newest champion of the beloved Phili...

Jun172010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Going on a zipline adventure? Here’s a guide on what to bring and wear

Blogging, Bukidnon, Business, Features, Leisure, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Sports

Zipline parks are now mushrooming all over Mindanao (and the rest of the country). Truth be told, a zipline is now also fast becoming part of the norm for adventure or extreme sports parks. In Mindanao alone, we have Asia's longest dual cable zipline and the longest speed zipline in Asia. The longest dual cable zipline in Asia is found in Bukidnon while the longest speed zipline in Asia is in Davao City. This blogger in Mindanao has personally tried both ziplines and in an effort to help other thrill seekers, I'm sharing a simple guide on what to wear and what to bring if you choose to have a zipline adventure real soon. But first - allow me to share with you again this checklist that I found over at Dahilayan Adventure Park ZipZone - the home of the longest dual cable zipline in ...

Jun162010 by Mindanaoan Irene8 Comments

Eyelash extensions now a big hit in the Philippines | My eyelash extensions

Beauty, Blogging, Business, Consumer, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Reviews, Style

Ever heard of eyelash extensions? These are different from fake eyelashes, mind you. Eyelash extensions add thickness, length and fullness to natural eyelashes. Compared to fake eyelashes, eyelash extensions appear more "natural." The synthetic single fiber polyester thread-like materials are applied lash by lash (compared to fake eyelashes where an entire strip of lashes are glued to one's eyelid) and eyelash extensions are usually semi-permanent. These days, eyelash extension salons are sprouting like mushrooms all over Manila. Although no eyelash extension shop has opened in Mindanao (yet), I bet one will open very soon. So here's the deal...one of the things that I treated myself with during my most recent trip to Manila was...well, you guessed that right...getting eyelash extens...

Jun162010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Movie review: Karate Kid starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan

Arts, Entertainment, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Movies, Reviews

I must admit, I initially did not want to watch Karate Kid starring Jaden Smith (Will Smith's son) and Jackie Chan on the big screen. I figured that I wanted to preserve my memories of the original Karate Kid (starring the crush-ng-bayan at the time, Ralph Macchio) and the now infamous "crane kick." I also figured I can always wait for the DVD version and spend my P160.00 (price set for Cinema 2 Digital Theater of SM Megamall) somewhere else. Boy did I think wrong. This newest Karate Kid movie topbilled by Jaden Smith, son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith, is one very heartwarming, fun, believable, wonderfully written, action-filled movie you should not miss. (more…)

Jun132010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Mindanaoan.com Exclusive: Interview with incoming Bukidnon 2nd District Congressman Florencio T. Flores, Jr.

Blogging, Bukidnon, Features, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Politics

"If there's just one thing that I'm worried about, it's the pressure that will come from the people of Bukidnon." Such was the statement from incoming Bukidnon Second District Congressman Florencio T. Flores, Jr. In an exclusive interview with this writer from Mindanao, Flores, who finished three terms as Malaybalay City Mayor and who recently bagged the coveted Bukidnon 2nd District congressional seat, said that although he doesn't feel pressured at all at the moment, he knows that it will be a "different, most likely interesting" road ahead. "The people in the second district of Bukidnon will have expectations and as much as I want to strive hard to meet those expectations, we know that we can't satisfy all the needs. That is why we need to prioritize," he said. Flores' distr...

Jun82010 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Mindanao blogger at TV5’s PO5 (Party on 5)

Arts, Davao City, Entertainment, Features, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Society, Style

A few weeks ago, this blogger from Mindanao, along with her friends, had the chance to watch the live telecast of PO5 (Party on 5) right inside the studio, thanks to my dear friend Jay Durias of the band South Border. P.O.5 or Party On 5 is TV5's Sunday noontime variety show - their answer to ABS CBN's "ASAP XV" and GMA 7's "Party Pilipinas." The show's hosts include Lucy Torres-Gomez (who's now a congresswoman - not sure if she'll continue her hosting job), John Estrada, Wilma Doesnt, JC de Vera, Alex Gonzaga and Tuesday Vargas. Ryan Agoncillo was still a part of the show when I watched it live from the studio but he later quit in order to attend to wife Judy Ann Santos' pregnancy. Guess who the show's musical director is? Jay, of course! :) (more…)

Jun42010 by Mindanaoan Irene21 Comments

Dahilayan Adventure Park ZipZone Bukidnon zipline – longest dual cable zipline in Asia

Blogging, Bukidnon, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Davao City, Entertainment, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Resorts, Society, Sports, Tourism, Travel

So, YES, finally! Mindanaoan, her brother and mom finally got to visit Dahilayan Adventure Park in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon - home of ZipZone Bukidnon zipline, reportedly the longest dual cable zipline in all of Asia! We finally managed to visit this Mindanao tourist destination, which is fast becoming a favorite of thrill and adventure seekers, in time for my brother's birthday. Actually, we've been looking forward to trying out this Bukidnon zipline adventure for months but we only had the chance this most recent weekend. Also, quite unfortunately, my two other brothers couldn't come with us so it was just me, my brother and my mom. Nonetheless, my brother and I were so excited to try the much-talked about 840 meter zipline, considered the longest dual cable zipline in Asia. Apart ...

May312010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

PBB Big Five on a Bench billboard

Beauty, Bisaya, Cagayan de Oro City, Fashion, Features, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Society, Style

The members of the Pinoy Big Brother Big Five or PBB Big 5 (two of whom are from Mindanao and are therefore certified Mindanaoans) are part of the Bench family! Bench is a lifestyle store chain owned by the indefatigable Ben Chan. For years, a lot of big named Filipino actors, actresses, singers and other artists have graced various Bench campaigns including Richard Gomez, Lucy Torres-Gomez, Kim Chiu, Richard Gutierrez, Georgina Wilson, Enchong Dee, Gerald Anderson, Angelica Panganiban and even F4 star Jerry Yan. And the latest members to be part of the Bench family are Melai Cantiveros, Jason Francisco, Tibo Jumalon, Johan Santos and Paul Jake Castillo - collectively known as the PBB Big Five. As we all know, Melai is from General Santos City, Mindanao while Tibo is from Cagayan de ...