Features Archives - Page 35 of 36 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Aug262009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Senator Pia Cayetano places 2nd in her age group in Ironman Philippines – picture inside

Advocacy, Announcements, Features, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, Photos

A female Philippine senator recently passed one of the most gruelling tests of health and fitness! Senator Pia S. Cayetano reached the finish line with businessman Fernando Zobel de Ayala at the first-ever Cobra International Ironman 70.3 Philippines held at the Camarines Sur Watersports Complex on Sunday (August 23). The senator placed second in her age group with a time of 5 hours and 57 minutes which qualified her for a slot at the 2009 Ironman 70.3 World Championships to be held in Clearwater, Florida. The Ironman Philippines race course consisted of a 1.9-kilometer swim, 90-kilometer bike and 21.1-kilometer run. Not bad for a busy legislator, yes? Photo courtesy of the Office of Senator Pia Cayetano. Thanks, Mike!

Aug192009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Cagayan de Oro City Mindanao aerial shots

Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Flights, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Personal, Photos, Tourism, Travel

During my PAL Express flight from the Cebu International Airport, Mactan to Cagayan de Oro Domestic Airport, I took some aerial shots. I got a window seat at that time (I was also supposed to have a window seat during my PAL Express CDO to Cebu flight but my seatmate, an elderly woman who confessed that it's been so long since she last traveled by plane, looked pale and scared so I no longer insisted) so it was easy for me to take aerial shots of Cagayan de Oro City as our plane descended and prepared for landing. Mindanaoan wishes to share these Cagayan de Oro City aerial shots:

Aug192009 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Buy a shirt, plant a tree! Join Tatak Environmentalist

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

There's just something fun, socially aware and responsible about planting trees. To plant trees is to be aware of one's continuing responsibility to help protect Mother Earth and to help in the preservation of ecological balance. These are the very reasons why I didn't hesitate to extend my support to the "Tatak Environmentalist - One Shirt, One Tree Project" launch that will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2009 at OIC, Corrales Street, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. For only P250.00, not only do you get a very nice shirt but that's also equivalent to one tree to be planted. And yes, during the launch, you will be treated to great, soothing music courtesy of talented CDO-based bands and performances from poi spinners and fire dancers. A video presentation on various environmental issues...

Aug112009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Davao City, Mindanao is all set for Kadayawan Festival 2009!

Announcements, Davao City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Mindanaoan Update, News, Society

The City of Davao is geared up for this year’s celebration of the Kadayawan Festival. As city streets have already been adorned with colorful buntings and streamers, the 2009 Kadayawan Festival Executive Committee - headed by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte along with private sector co-chair Lorenzo Te, Jr. - has lined up an exciting calendar of events for this year’s celebration. This year’s theme, “Naghiusang Katawhan Nakigdait sa Kalibutan” (“One People in Communion with the Earth”), fittingly responds to the need of the times as Dabawenyos are reminded of their responsibilities towards Mother Earth. As Davao’s indigenous tribes have deemed the earth as the core of their existence, they have also maintained a special connection to the earth which is also the source of the life, livi...

Aug62009 by Mindanaoan Irene8 Comments

Mindanaoan won a new pair of Fitflops! Thank you Fitflop Philippines!

Announcements, Beauty, Blogging, Contests, Fashion, Features, Freebies, Gifts, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Photos, Style, Technology, Weddings

One of Mindanaoan's good investments last year was to buy a pair of Fitflops. Widely known as one of broadcasting mogul Oprah Winfrey's "favorite things," FitFlop makes it possible for the wearer to "get a workout while you walk." Fitflop is that fun flip flop with a gym built in! My flair for unusual things that offer more value and my curiosity as to why Oprah endorsed this brand compelled me to finally buy a pair (despite the pretty hefty price tag) last year...and I must say, it was money well-spent! I bought a pair of bronze Electra Fitflops and I just love using them. Admittedly, my feet and legs got sore the first few times I wore my pair of Fitflops but I took it as a positive sign --- at least the product worked! I could feel the tension along my calves, knees, shins, soles and...

Aug32009 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Rock the Vote Cagayan de Oro leg – Thousands pledge to register and vote in 2010 elections

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Bukidnon, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Campus, Entertainment, Events, Features, Government, Internet, Journalism, Mindanaoan Update, Music, News, Northern Mindanao, Personal, Personalities, Photos, Politics

Roughly 8,000 people made the pledge to register and vote in the May 2010 national elections last July 30, 2009 during the Rock the Vote 2009 Cagayan de Oro City leg held at Xavier University Gymnasium, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. Rock the Vote is a musical cum advocacy show which aims to encourage people especially first time voters to register at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and exercise their right to suffrage. Rock the Vote is also a part of the ongoing Register and Vote (RV) campaign, which is led by Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan. Pangilinan, along with author Atty. Alex Lacson, AKBAYAN Party List Rep. Risa Hontiveros and Bayan Muna Party List Rep. Teddy Casino, led the reading of a unity statement which declares commitment to bring about needed change through ...

Aug12009 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Mindanaoan goes to Planet Mars!

Announcements, Blogging, Entertainment, Features, Humor, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Technology, Weird

I, Mindanaoan, am off to Mars! Mars as in planet Mars ha? Yup, yup, yup! For real! I just included my name in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology website of NASA. So now my name is one of the many included on a microchip on the Mars Science Laboratory rover heading to Mars in year 2011! Yehey! :) As soon as I keyed in my name, country and zip code, I got a certificate as proof that my name will be in the microchip of the rover that will be off to Mars 2 years from now. Is that cool or what?! As of recent, only a little over a thousand Filipinos have participated. Why don't Mindanaoans lead the pack? Let's join! Go go go! :) If you also want to send your name to Mars, just CLICK ON THIS LINK which will lead you to the NASA Mars Science Laboratory website....

Jul242009 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Rock the Vote 2009 Cagayan de Oro City leg on July 30, 2009 – poster inside

Advocacy, Announcements, Bisaya, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Campus, Entertainment, Events, Features, Government, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Music, News, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Politics, Society, Technology, Travel, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY NEWS | MINDANAO EVENTS - How does a FREE concert featuring Hale, Spongecola, Luke Mejares and other surprise guests sound to you? Because one will happen in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao very soon! "Rock The Vote 2009" will be held on July 30, 2009, 6 PM at the Xavier University Gymnasium, Cagayan de Oro City. "Rock the Vote" Cagayan de Oro City is a free concert which aims to engage young voters, especially the first time voters, to register and exercise their right to suffrage. Rock the Vote 2009 is in line with the ongoing Register and Vote (RV) Campaign, led by Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, which aims to draw out around 5 to 9 million Filipino voters for the May 2010 elections. Check out the poster for the CDO leg of the nationwide RV Campaign: Meanwh...

Jul212009 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Digital Filipino and Syntactics treat CDO Bloggers, pave way for new and strengthened connections!

Advocacy, Bisaya, Blogging, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Corporate, Events, Features, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Personal, Personalities, Photos, Society, Technology, Tourism, Travel

Can you still remember that mixed feeling of anticipation, eagerness and curiosity --- much like the feeling you had on your very first day in school? That was exactly how I felt when I attended a recent bloggers networking event in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. Although it wasn't my first time to attend one, I still felt like a bright-eyed girl who was so excited to learn new things, to know more updates on the goings-on in the blogosphere and to meet new people in a new town - all of whom I felt shared my love and belief on the power and beauty of the Internet and blogging. Plus I was able to invite 6 friends from Bukidnon and all of my 3 brothers! HOW COOL WAS THAT? :) Mindanaoan attended the 1st Digital Filipino Club and Cagayan de Oro Bloggers Meet-up last July 17, 2009. Generousl...

Jul202009 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

The Register and Vote (RV) bus is set to visit Cagayan de Oro City Mindanao

Advocacy, Announcements, Arts, Blogging, Bukidnon, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Entertainment, Features, Headline, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Music, News, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Society, Technology, Travel, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

Next stop: Mindanao! After doing the rounds in Quezon City, Tacloban and Cebu City, the colorful Register and Vote (RV) bus is now set to visit Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao! On July 30, 2009, the RV bus, which symbolizes the Register and Vote (RV) Campaign, will tour around CDO in the hope to draw out around 5 to 9 million Filipino voters for the May 2010 elections. And not only that --- the presence of the RV bus and its "RV drivers" led by Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan will also signal the start of the much-awaited Cagayan de Oro leg of "Rock The Vote" --- a FREE concert featuring various artists. Check out how the RV bus looks like: The RV Campaign aims to empower especially the first-time voters, encourage political participation among disenfranchised Filipinos and stren...

Jul202009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Mindanaoan Maila Mitra reaches WCOPA semi-final round (video inside)

Announcements, Arts, Broadcasting, Contests, Davao City, Entertainment, Features, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music, News, Personalities

Another Mindanaoan has done it again! Although she didn't bag any major prize, we should all still be very proud of fellow Mindanaoan Maila Mitra for reaching the semi final round of the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA). This fellow Dabawenya and Ateneo de Davao University alumnae competed in the semifinals of the prestigious event held at Westin Bonaventure, Los Angeles, California, US last July 17, 2009. WCOPA is also dubbed as the "Hollywood Olympics" or "Talent Olympics." In 2005, Jed Madela bagged the Grand Champion Vocalist of the World and Grand Champion Performer of the World awards. In 2006, Filipino singing group the Cercado Sisters then bagged the Grand Champion Group Vocalists of the World award. Congratulations to Maila Manalang-Mitra! Here's a video of ...

Jul182009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Visit us at Kasalan sa Kagay-an 2009

Announcements, Beauty, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Events, Fashion, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Society, Weddings

MINDANAO - It's that time of the year once again! Kasalan sa Kagay-an 2009, the Cagayan de Oro City Mindanao leg of the Kasalang Filipino series, is now underway...and guess what? My brother, who's a professional wedding photographer (just like his ate! hehe :D), graphic artist and caricaturist, is one of those who have flyers, leaflets and business cards displayed at the said wedding fair. (please pass through the "main entrance" to the fair and behind it there are tables where you can find flyers of various Cagayan de Oro City wedding photographers...look for the framed picture which screams "fresh. fun. funky photography!" --- that's my brother's area ;) ) Kasalan sa Kagay-an is currently being held at the Rotunda area of Limketkai Mall, Cagayan de Oro City. The wedding suppliers...

Jul152009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Miss US International 2009 Aileen Jan Yap – more pictures inside

Announcements, Beauty, Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Photos

Here are two more photos of the newly crowned Miss US International 2009 Aileen Jan Yap, whose parents hail from Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao and Balingasag, Misamis Oriental, Mindanao. Photos courtesy of Danny Pozon. Once again, a beautiful Mindanaoan has captured a prestigious crown! Thank you to Sir Mike of Kagay-an.com for the heads-up! Check out more details of Aileen Jan "AJ" Yap's victory at the recent Miss United States International 2009 beauty pageant held at Houston, Texas! Aileen Jan Yap, whose parents hail from Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental, is crowned Miss United States International 2009 at Houston, Texas on July 10. She will represent the US in the Miss International beauty pageant in Macau on November 7. (photo courtesy of Danny Pozon) Miss US Intern...

Jul152009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Miss US International 2009 is daughter of Cagayan de Oro and Balingasag Misamis Oriental couple

Announcements, Beauty, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Features, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Photos, Tourism

MINDANAO NEWS - Thanks to Sir Mike of Kagay-an.com for this great piece of news! The Filipino-American daughter of a couple from Cagayan de Oro City and Balingasag, Misamis Oriental has been crowned the new Miss United States International 2009! Aileen Jan "A.J." Valdehueza Yap, 20, won the title of Miss US-International 2009 during the pageant held July 7-10, 2009 at the Stafford Conference Centre in Houston, Texas. Aileen Jan Yap will represent the US in the 49th Miss International pageant to be held at the Venetian Macao Resort in Macau, China on November 7, 2009. A.J. is the daughter of Dr. Romeo “Boy” Sy Yap of Cagayan de Oro City and Virgincita “Geget” Bautista Valdehueza Yap of Balingasag, Misamis Oriental. She is the younger of two siblings and has an older brother, Nathan. ...

Jul22009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

“San Mig Rock ‘n Reggae” in Sumilao, Bukidnon tomorrow, July 3, 2009

Announcements, Bukidnon, Corporate, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Northern Mindanao, Personal, Personalities, Society

In celebration of the 53rd Anlaw Ta Sumilao, San Miguel Beer and San Miguel Foods proudly present "SAN MIG ROCK 'N REGGAE" - a live band concert featuring reggae masters Native In Town and a Cagayan de Oro City-based band. This event is happening on Friday, July 3, 2009, 7 PM at the Kisolon Gymnasium, Municipality of Sumilao, Bukidnon. Fun prizes and freebies to be given away! So come one, come all. And oh, this event is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! So yup, FREE ENTRANCE! :) Native In Town is best known for their infectious reggae beats and songs. This group is a regular during Bukidnon's Kaamulan Festival and they used to play in various bars in CDO. Their last gig was in Oroquieta City. Meanwhile, if you guys need an events organizer in the CDO / Bukidnon / Iligan / Davao and Butuan a...

Jun262009 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Who was Michael Jackson to you?

Advocacy, Arts, Blogging, Consumer, Controversial, Entertainment, Features, Headline, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Personalities, Society

Please feel free to share your thoughts! I would love to hear from you...WHO WAS MICHAEL JACKSON TO YOU? Who was Michael Jackson, the renowned "Gloved One," the "King of Pop," to you? How did his life, talents, skills and accomplishments affect you? When he died, how did you feel? What were your thoughts? Today, June 26, 2009 (June 25, 2009 in the U.S.), the world awakens to the sad news of Michael Jackson's death. The Los Angeles coroner confirmed that at roughly 2:26 PM of June 25, 2009 (U.S. time), MJ passed away. Michael Jackson, despite all of the controversies hounding him, will undoubtedly remain as one of the greatest artists of all time. He was a part of our childhood. His music, talent, grooves, style, love and the capacity to draw people together at least in the spirit...

Jun232009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Miss Kagay-an 2009 requirements

Announcements, Beauty, Cagayan de Oro City, Campus, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism

The Search for Miss Kagay-an 2009 is on! This much-awaited yearly search for Cagayan de Oro City's muse is finally open for interested applicants. If you think you can be an ambassadress of goodwill and tourism for Cagayan de Oro City, if you can execute grace and poise, exhibit wit and brilliance under pressure and act in a manner fitting and worthy of the Miss Kagay-an crown, then read on. The Miss Kagay-an 2009 pageant is open to all single ladies between 18 and 25 years old, at least 5 feet and 4 inches in height with a beautiful face and figure, has pleasing personality and of good moral character and can speak fluently in English, Tagalog and Cebuano. If the interested candidate wasn't born in CDO, she must provide proof that her parents or grandparents were born in the city. ...

Jun152009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

OMG! Mindanaoan has been ratified! Weehee!

Announcements, Blogging, Features, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Technology

HOLY SMOKES am I so happy today or what?! I was just mindlessly surfing a few minutes ago and I happened to stumble upon the Ratified website. God knows I've been trying to get Mindanaoan and a couple of my other websites Ratified but lo and behold, I finally spotted my humble blog in the Ratified directory TODAY --- just when it was so darn unexpected! Check out my Ratified button: I know a Ratified rank of 320 isn't so much to be proud of but hey, at least, right?! Right?! LOL Yes, I'm excited obviously! For the uninitiated, Ratified.org measures measures the top 100 blogs of the Philippine blogosphere. Ratified uses a site's Technorati rank, Feedburner rank, Google and Alexa stats to figure out your rank. Come on, people, congratulate me by SUBSCRIBING TO MINDANAOAN! Go, g...

Jun142009 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Conquering the Xcelerator – the longest speed zip line in Asia

Commentary, Davao City, Entertainment, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Photos, Reviews, Society, Tourism, Travel

MINDANAO - A few weeks ago, my family and I celebrated our brother's birthday by trying the most talked about Xcelerator over at Outland Adventure, Davao City, Mindanao. The Outland Adventure Xcelerator is said to be the longest speed zip line in all of Asia! Cool, right? We arrived at Outland Adventure Davao City half an hour before noon. As it turned out, we missed the "cut-off" time so we had to wait until they re-opened at roughly 1:30 pm. The more than an hour wait was all right --- we just kept ourselves busy taking photos. By 1:30 pm, all of the "zip liners" for the afternoon were asked to sign waivers. Then we proceeded to the area where we put on the harnesses, helmets and other safety gear. My brothers and I were made to choose if we wanted the "Superman" option or the ordi...

Jun52009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: Goodnews Traveller’s Inn, Capt. V. Roa Street, Cagayan de Oro City

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Photos, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

Here's another Mindanao Hotels review. Goodnews Traveller's Inn is located along Capt. Vicente Roa Street, Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao, Philippines. It's near the busy Cogon Market and is accessible by public utility vehicles (taxi, jeepney, trisikad and motorela) This lodging house in Cagayan de Oro City is also just a few steps away from the Cagayan de Oro City fire station. Truth be told, Goodnews Travellers Inn was my last...okay, ONLY choice at the time I was in CDO because all of the other hotels in Cagayan de Oro were fully booked. So with my hopes up, I checked in and got a double room. I paid P950.00 for the double airconditioned room. My room was at the third floor, which was a major bummer. Apart from the fact that I'm not a fan of using the stairs (Goodnews Travele...

Jun42009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

After Altis taxis, Cagayan de Oro City now has videoke taxis

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Entertainment, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Photos, Society, Style

I could still remember those days when the taxis (cabs) of Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao were the talk of the town...and of other areas in the country, truth be told. Kagay-anons were so elated when Toyota Altis taxis started to roam around the city (and basically snubbed the "old" taxis) and people from other areas started to hope that they, too, can see "sosyal" public utility cabs in their own places. I also remember the many times when the drivers of "old" taxis would just heave a heavy sigh and wish that they, too, can drive a spanking new Toyota Altis taxi soon. After all, just how many passengers have these "old" taxis lost to these shiny new Altis cabs? Well, taxi operators that still own "old" taxi models in Cagayan de Oro City should really keep up with the pace especially now...

May282009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Looking forward to trying the Xcelerator!

Business, Consumer, Davao City, Entertainment, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Society, Tourism, Travel

Experience some atmosFEAR! Now who wouldn't be curious with that? I am really, really looking forward to trying the Xcelerator zip line over at Davao City's Outland Adventure this weekend! The Outland Adventure Xcelerator is supposedly the longest speed zipline in all of Asia! Cool, eh? The Xcelerator is open everyday from 8am to 5 pm. Groups reservations available for weekdays. Fee is P300.00 per adult. They grant a 50 percent discount for small children if they're riding in tandem with an adult. Outland Adventure is right across the GAP Farm along the Diversion Road in Ma-a, Davao City, Mindanao. Check out this video: