Flights Archives - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Feb282019 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Direct flights from Manila to Camiguin available starting May 2019

Camiguin, Flights, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel

This is great news for Mindanao tourism and just in time for the tailend of summer! If you're coming from Manila and want to visit one of my favorite places in the Philippines, the volcanic island of Camiguin, you can soon do so in just a hop and a skip to the airport. Starting May 2019, Skyjet Airlines will offer direct flights from Manila to Camiguin. According to initial marketing collaterals, rates of the Manila to Camiguin flights will start at Php 3,088++. So from May to June 2019, the flights will be on Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Things will be different come July 2019, though. The flights will be held daily! Pretty exciting! For those still unfamiliar with Camiguin Island a.k.a. the Island Born of Fire, it's home of the annual Lanzones Festiva...

Jan92018 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Bukidnon Mindanao airport construction starts this 2018

Bukidnon, Business, Consumer, Flights, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Tourism, Travel

After decades of waiting, the Province of Bukidnon, my mother's hometown and where I lived for a few years, will finally soon see a fully functioning airport! Not only will the proposed Bukidnon airport be beneficial for the people in the province but for folks from neighboring areas like North Cotabato, Agusan del Norte and Lanao del Sur. The last functioning airport in the Province of Bukidnon was in Malaybalay City (more like a small airport strip) and with all the changes and developments, the once outside-city-proper airport is actually now full of residential houses and pretty much considered well within city limits. Unfortunately, the new Bukidnon airport will not be in the capital of the province, which is Malaybalay. It will be about 60 miles or 98 kilometers away - in Maray Ma...

Feb52017 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Where to eat at NAIA 3 Manila airport

Flights, Food, Manila, Restaurant, Reviews, Travel

I’ll let you in on a secret. Whenever I fly out of NAIA 3 Manila airport, I head there extra early. Like 3 hours early. I’m not kidding! Before, I just make sure I’m at the airport with an hour or so to spare. Now, I’m there really early. I have one very good - no, delicious! - reason: gourmet ramen! Ramen Nagi, hailed as one of the best in Tokyo, Japan (it has fetched top awards in the National Ramen of the Year Competitions in 2011 and 2012), has opened a branch at the Food Hall, located at the 4th Floor of NAIA 3. Now, it’s more convenient for travelers to have a taste of the popular Butao, its signature ramen, and incidentally, the name of the Ramen Nagi franchise in Hong Kong as well. So far, I just settle for the Original King Butao (Php 390) and a Tamago (Php 50). I t...

Jan142017 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Cebu – Camiguin Island route – Two daily flights now

Camiguin, Flights, Tourism, Travel

Traveling to Camiguin Island, a.k.a. Island Born of Fire, will be more convenient - at least starting today until early 2018. In an announcement released by Cebu Pacific Airlines, the airline announced that they will be flying twice a day to and fro Camiguin every Monday, Friday and Sunday starting April 1, 2017. (Hopefully this isn't an April Fools' joke, right? Hehe!) The new flights will be effective until March 24, 2018. Anyway, the additional flights are: Flight No. DG6693 - Cebu to Camiguin, 9:45am-10:30am Flight No. DG6694 - Camiguin to Cebu, 10:50am -11:30am Ready to visit The Island of Camiguin? Start with this travel guide: Camiguin Island Travel Guide Or you can read my other Camiguin-related posts so you can plan your trip properly: Mantigue Isl...

Oct312016 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

How to pay your Philippine travel taxes online

America, Announcements, Flights, Hongkong, Internet, Japan, Kyoto, Leisure, Macau, Mindanaoan Update, News, Osaka, Seoul, Society, Taiwan, Technology, Tokyo, Tourism, Travel, United States of America

Here in the Philippines, individuals who leave the country need to pay travel taxes. The Philippine travel tax is actually a levy imposed by the government. Filipino citizens, foreign passport holders and non-immigrant foreign passport holders who have stayed in the country for more than one year are usually required to pay full travel taxes when they go abroad. Currently, the Philippine travel tax rates are Php 1,620 for economy passage and Php 2,700 for first class passage. I'm sure frequent travelers like myself will agree that the queues at the travel tax payment booths can be time consuming. To address this, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) has launched a system for travelers to pay their Philippine travel tax online. Here's how you do it. ...

Feb262016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

AirAsia, Davao tourism partner for Visit Davao Fun Sale 2016

Announcements, Business, Consumer, Davao City, Events, Flights, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism

AirAsia, the World’s Best Low Cost Carrier for seven consecutive years, has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Davao Tourism that aims to establish Davao as a premiere tourist destination in the Philippines with abundant resources for eco-tourism and available facilities for sports and outdoor competitions. As airline partner, AirAsia is offering low fares for its Manila-Davao flights to encourage more and more tourists to visit and enjoy Davao’s latest attractions. Among the major activities that will happen this year include Visit Davao Fun Sale, Let’s Meet in Davao: MICE Davao program and the 9th Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge. * Philippines AirAsia Commercial Head, Gerard Peñaflor; Visit Davao Fun Sales (VDFS) Vice Chair Fides Bernabe; and Department of Tourism (D...

Nov42015 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

5 Ways To Avoid Being A Victim Of “Laglag Bala” “Tanim Bala” Scam

Advocacy, Controversial, Crime, Flights, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Tourism, Travel

The horror that is the “tanim bala” (bullet planting) or “laglag bala” scam. If you're a frequent traveler like I am, I'm sure you are either worried or angry - or even both! This airport scam in the Philippines surely is a controversial one. "Laglag bala" or "tanim bala" is where innocent travelers fall prey to members of alleged syndicates who “drop” live ammunition in luggage and as a result, either miss their flights or get extorted for huge amounts of money. Take the case of the 60 year old engineer who flew from Manila to Davao. He was found in possession of two bullets at the Davao International Airport. Like most of the victims, he said he did not know how the bullets got into his bags but he was charged for illegal possession of ammunition nonetheless. He was only released when...

Jul212015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

AirAsia, Nikon launch #IamAirAsiaTravelPhotographer contest

Announcements, Contests, Corporate, Flights

AirAsia and ThinkDharma, Inc. (exclusive distributor of Nikon digital cameras) have formally launched the search for the first Air Asia Travel Photographer 2015. Two office workers, a car salesman and a barista are stepping out of their comfort zones and into the challenges of becoming the first AirAsia Travel Photographer for 2015. The #IamAirAsiaTravelPhotographer contest is in partnership with AirAsia’s global loyalty program, BIG, which will award winners with over 200,000 BIG Points or its equivalent free flights to any of AirAsia Group’s 100 destinations. Assisted by multi-awarded photographers from the Philippines and Malaysia as their personal coach, four pre-selected contestants, namely Velvet Lagman-Macasaet, an executive assistant and marathon runner; Sarah Garcia, hotel f...

Jun192015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

That Amazing Wine-Paired Degustation At Movenpick Resort Cebu

Blogging, Business, Cebu City, Events, Features, Flights, Food, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Society, Style, Tourism, Travel

Degustation is a culinary term that means meticulous food tasting of special signature dishes. Usually consisting of several courses, each paired with matching wines that complement each dish, a degustation aims to heighten one’s senses and allows one to appreciate food at its finest. That’s exactly what happened during my recent stay at Moevenpick Hotel Mactan Cebu. I flew via Philippine Airlines and underwent a wine-paired degustation at the Conservatory of the Ibiza Beach Club, led by no other than popular Cebu businessman and passionate sommelier Manuel “Manny” Osmeña. This was how the Ibiza Beach Club looked like that night: Before that, though, Manny O gave me and my fellow media guests a tour of his private wine cellar. Only a handful of people have ever set foot here s...

May302015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Surviving Crazy, Beautiful Boracay

Features, Flights, Leisure, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Reviews, Society, Style, Technology, Travel

When I was asked if I wanted to experience Labor Day 2015 in Boracay Island (no less), of course my answer was a resounding YES! Although it wasn’t my first time in an island recognized as one of the world’s finest, it was my first LaBoracay trip and the mere idea of partying with a sea of people piqued my curiosity. And so, armed with my travel essentials, I took two plane rides, a bus ride and a boat outrigger ride to reach the famed Boracay. The agenda was very simple: take over summer! Enjoy the island and what it brings! I was given 3 days to basically immerse myself in the excitement of it all - to a hilt! However, I faced quite a predicament: where and how to begin? Let me tell you, it wasn’t difficult to find things to do. What was difficult was how to do as many things a...

May162015 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

AirAsia Hot Meals – Gastronomic Delights At 35,000 Feet

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Cebu City, Features, Flights, Food, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, News, Reviews, Travel

I consider myself a budget conscious traveler who doesn’t mind spending extra if it means getting something better. Take airplane food, for instance. Unless I’m truly famished or I want to try something for the first time, I stay away from food sold and served aboard an aircraft. Not only are these airline meals (more often than not) expensive, they’re hardly filling and tasty. The choices are very limited as well (so limited that I think a cup of instant noodles has become the “default” order by weary, hungry passengers). However, let me say this: I always make an exception when I take flights via AirAsia. Even before I got invited to Cebu a few days ago for the exclusive AirAsia Hot Meals media launch, I have already been an avid fan of their in-flight meals. Real, flavorful food sold...

Oct92014 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Mindanaoan In Korea travel series: Seoul travel tips

Blogging, Entertainment, Features, Flights, Korea, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Seoul, Shopping, Society, Tourism, Travel

So before I really get down to business with my Mindanaoan in Korea travel series, please allow me to share a few travel tips and tricks that you may find helpful when you travel to Seoul, Korea. I like to be well-prepared whenever I travel and hopefully, these Seoul travel tips can help you, too. 1. Do you already have a valid visa for travel to Korea? Here's how I applied for a Korean tourist visa 2. Check the weather in Korea at the time of your trip. This way, you can bring proper clothes. 3. I suggest that you bring U.S. Dollars (instead of Philippine pesos) and have those changed to Korean won. The exchange rates at the Incheon International Airport are fair but I got the best exchange rates in Myeongdong, the famed shopping district in Seoul. Here's a handy tip: 1,000 KRW i...

Oct62014 by Mindanaoan Irene10 Comments

How to apply for a Korean visa – requirements for Filipino tourists

Features, Flights, Government, Headline, Korea, Leisure, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Society, Tourism, Travel

When my friends and relatives first learned that I was set to visit Korea, all of them got really excited. Can't blame them as Korea is one of the favorite travel destinations of many Filipinos these days, thanks to the ever growing popularity of K-Pop, Koreanovelas and continuous visits to the Philippines by popular Korean celebrities. As of this writing, Filipinos still need a visa to enter Korea. Filipino tourists who intend to stay for 59 days or less can apply for a Korean tourist visa FOR FREE. The thing is, though, you must apply at the Korean embassy in Manila for you to avail of the FREE South Korea tourist visa. For people outside Metro Manila (like me and my brother!), the cheaper option is to have an accredited travel agency fix our applications. In our case, since our fligh...

Oct62014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanaoan in Korea travel series: itinerary, tips and more

Blogging, Culture, Entertainment, Features, Flights, Korea, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Society, Style, Tourism, Travel

I have been traveling a lot the past few weeks! One of my recent foreign travel destinations was KOREA :) It was my very first time (and most definitely not the last!) to visit the world's only divided country and my brother (who was my travel companion) and I had the most amazing time! We stayed for a little over a week - just the perfect number of days to explore Seoul, Nami Island and a bit of North Korea (yessir!) I can't wait to share with you more details about our Korea trip! Please follow my humble Mindanaoan in Korea travel series by CLICKING ON THIS FEED and bookmarking/saving the pages :) You may also want to take a look at some of my photos on Instagram. I will share budget travel tips, very helpful travel apps, recommended hostel in Seoul, delicious Korea food finds, videos...

Jul242014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

TigerAir launches Manila – CDO flight route, lowest fare at Php 1518

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Flights, Manila, Travel

This Mindanao blogger was at the Tigerair Manila to CDO inaugural flight a few days ago, thanks to the invitation from Tigerair. Tigerair, which formed an alliance with Cebu Pacific Air, is the latest budget airline to offer Manila to Cagayan de Oro and CDO to Manila flights. Utilizing an Airbus A320 aircraft, the Manila to CDO flights will depart from NAIA 4 (take note that this is the old Manila domestic airport) at 10 AM while the CDO to Manila flights will leave at 12:10 PM (Wednesday and Sunday) and at 12:30 PM (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday). According to Tigerair Philippines, for those traveling to and fro CDO before or after the 1st quarter of 2015, they can avail of the lowest year-round fares starting at Php 1,518.00. Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny "...

Mar62014 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Cebu to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia – MSMW 2014 Chronicles

Cebu City, Flights, Food, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Travel

I'm back from Malaysia! :) I previously wrote here on my blog that this Mindanao blogger was invited to speak at the Malaysia Social Media Week 2014 (MSMW 2014) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Stayed in Kuala Lumpur for almost a week and truly loved my stay. It wasn't my first trip to Malaysia but it certainly had its fair share of amazing memories. Will be sharing with you all my Malaysia adventures (and misadventures, too)! My first post will be about my quick one-day stay in Cebu before heading towards Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Since there aren't any direct flights from Mindanao to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, I requested the Malaysia Social Media Week 2014 (MSMW 2014) organizers to fly me out from Cebu City, which was a 20-minute flight away from Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. One of my brot...

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...

Jun142013 by Mindanaoan Irene17 Comments

New Laguindingan Airport Misamis Oriental – what to know, how to get there

Announcements, ARMM, BIMP-EAGA, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Caraga, Consumer, Controversial, Corporate, Flights, Government, Headline, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Leisure, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Muslim Mindanao, News, Northern Mindanao, Ozamis

Laguindingan Airport CDO - A lot of you have been asking me all about the new Laguindingan Airport Misamis Oriental that's set to open on June 15, 2013 via my Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus accounts (thank you for the trust!) and via this Laguindingan Airport article I wrote earlier. So I decided to pool all the infos that I know. I hope that this simple Laguindingan Airport travel blog entry can help you guys :) Please help spread this information by posting the link to this article on your social networking profiles - thank you very much! Repost this Laguindingan Airport tips article via Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus. First off, Laguindingan Airport is NOT within Cagayan de Oro City proper. So if you've been taking flights to and fro Lumbia Airport CDO, be ready to add at leas...

Mar112013 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Cebu Pacific Air Cebu to Camiguin flights to start April 2013

Announcements, Business, Camiguin, Cebu City, Consumer, Flights

Come April 2013, it'll be easier to reach majestic Camiguin Island from Cebu City. Cebu Pacific Airlines will soon introduce their Cebu to Camiguin (and Camiguin to Cebu) flights. The said low cost carrier will start these direct flights on April 15, 2013. ATR 72-500 aircrafts will be used for these Camiguin to Cebu and Cebu to Camiguin Island flights. Flight frequency: Cebu to Camiguin flights will be every Monday, Wednesday and Friday According to Cebu Pacific Airlines officials, the regular fares for this route will start at Php 588. Just in case you want to know what you can do, eat, buy in Camiguin, I have a couple of Camiguin Island-related posts. You can read them HERE. If you're a backpacker, you might want to read this Backpacking in Camiguin post :) By the way,...

Mar72013 by Mindanaoan Irene15 Comments

Laguindingan International Airport To Open On April 2013

Announcements, BIMP-EAGA, Cagayan de Oro City, Flights, Misamis Oriental, News, Northern Mindanao, Tourism, Travel

UPDATE: The opening has been deferred to JUNE 15, 2013 although it must be emphasized that the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines - Northern Mindanao office has YET to receive a formal, official order from Malacanan Palace. Finally! The most-awaited opening of the Laguindingan International Airport will finally be held on April 30, 2013. This, according to Philippine President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III himself. During Aquino's most recent visit to Northern Mindanao (actually, the very same day Team PNoy visited Alubijid and Cagayan de Oro City to kickstart their Mindanao sorties), he shared the good news - Laguindingan Airport will be operational by April 30, 2013. Not 100 percent operational, however, but it will definitely play host to several flights. The major areas ne...

Sep102012 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Quest Cebu Hotel and Conference Center grand opening – I will be there!

Announcements, Blogging, Business, Cebu City, Consumer, Features, Flights, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Resorts, Tourism, Travel

I received a really exciting invitation a few days ago - I will be flying to Cebu City for the grand launch party of Quest Hotel and Conference Center Cebu! :D The grand opening of Quest Cebu Hotel is set to take place on September 20, 2012 and I am super excited to be where the action is! Quest Hotel Cebu is located along Archbishop Reyes Avenue, Cebu City - a few steps away from Ayala Mall Cebu. Ergo, it's right within the business district. This Cebu hotel is an 18-storey hotel that boasts of 427 delightfully furnished rooms (deluxe and premier deluxe) and suites (corporate and junior) as well as 8 modern meeting rooms with state-of-the-art facilities. Click on the logo below to find out more about this new hotel in Cebu: I will be live-tweeting the Quest Hotel Cebu grand opening s...

Sep32012 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Cagayan de Oro to Davao flight

Cagayan de Oro City, Davao City, Davao del Sur, Features, Flights, Mindanaoan Update, Travel

I have been meaning to write a mini travel guide for folks who plan to take a Cagayan de Oro to Davao City flight. A lot of readers have been asking me what to expect, what to do etc if and when they do take a CDO to Davao City flight so here it is - a quick and simple guide for travelers. Hope this helps those who will travel from Cagayan de Oro City to Davao City :) Please don't forget to leave a comment below :) The Cagayan de Oro City airport is located in Lumbia (for now - since the Laguindingan International Airport will soon be operational). The CDO airport terminal fee is only Php 30.00 (less than US $1.00). The Davao City domestic airport terminal fee, on the other hand, is Php 200.00 (roughly US $5.00). This is how the CDO airport pre-departure area looks like: The C...