Government Archives - Page 5 of 10 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Sep262011 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Exclusive: All 4 One and Color Me Badd thank the Philippines!

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 been more than 2 weeks since their highly successful Cagayan de Oro, Philippines show but this Filipina travel and lifestyle blogger is still buzzin'! Yes, folks, I'm still on a high! :D As you guys may know, Mindanaoan.com was an official media partner of the All 4 One and Color Me Badd back-to-back concert last September 10, 2011 at the Atrium of the Limketkai Center in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, Philippines. It was a major thing for a certified fan like myself --- not only did I get to meet the boys up close and personal (OMG!!!), spend time with them and see their real, offstage personas, I also had the chance to gather autographs, take lots of photos and...*drum roll please*...meet them again in Manila before they flew out for Los Angeles! *cartwheels* I will share with...

Sep52011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Call for ARMM OIC nominations draws in 341 applicants

ARMM, Basilan, BIMP-EAGA, Government, Headline, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Muslim Mindanao, News, Politics, Sulu, Tawi Tawi, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

So since the ARMM Elections 2011 did not push through, the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Screening Committee instead called for nominations to various ARMM OIC posts. Mindanaoan.com even posted the call for nominations days ago. Now, we just got the latest update. Apparently, the call for nominations for ARMM positions has lured in a total of 341 applicants! According to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), a total of 341 nominations were forwarded to their office. Here's the breakdown: Nominations for ARMM OIC Governor - 51 Nominations for ARMM OIC Vice Governor - 17 Nominations for ARMM OIC Legislative Assembly Members - 272 There were applicants from Basilan, Sulu 1st District, Sulu 2nd District, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao and ev...

Sep12011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Malacanang confirms appointment of Ramon Jimenez as new Tourism Secretary

Beauty, Business, Consumer, Corporate, Culture, Government, Headline, Journalism, Leisure, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, Politics, Society, Tourism, Travel

Twitter was abuzz today with reports that Philippine President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III has found a replacement for Alberto Lim, erstwhile Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary. Lim resigned, citing personal reasons. Aquino reportedly accepted Lim's resignation effective August 31, 2011. Now, Malacanang has confirmed reports that a new person has been found to lead the Department of Tourism. In a press release, Malacanang said that Ramon Reyes Jimenez Jr. has been appointed by Aquino as Acting Secretary of the Department of Tourism. Jimenez is now the new Tourism Secretary. Mon Jimenez, as he is known to his peers, has been in the field of marketing communications for a total of 35 years, and is considered one of the pillars of Philippine advertising. He has been a writer, creativ...

Aug312011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

U.S. Embassy in Manila now has an official blog

Announcements, Blogging, Features, Government, Headline, Internet, Manila, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, News

The U.S. Embassy in Manila, Philippines has finally launched its very own visa blog! The US Embassy in Manila official visa blog is called the VISAtisified Voyager. According to a statement from the U.S. Embassy in Manila sent to Mindanaoan.com, the blog aims to "provide timely and relevant information to members of the public interested in learning about the Nonimmigrant and Immigrant visa processes." Each week, blog posts will examine topics relevant to visa applicants. Readers are welcome to post comments and questions about applying for U.S. visas. The blog is also a venue for visa applicants to provide feedback and share their experiences when they have applied for a U.S. visa. The blog will be moderated by a team of visa experts from the U.S. Embassy’s Nonimmigrant and Immig...

Aug262011 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Zamboanga Sibugay wins 2011 Kagay-an Festival Plowtawo Folkloric Competition

Arts, Cagayan de Oro City, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, Government, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, News, Northern Mindanao, Society, Tourism, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

The contingent from Zamboanga Sibugay, Mindanao bagged the top prize during the Kagay-an Festival 2011 Folkloric Dance Competition (Plowtawo and Dance Showcase) held earlier today, August 26, 2011 at the Pelaez Sports Center, Cagayan de Oro City. The visiting contingent bagged the top prize in this year's "Plowtawo" and folkloric dance competition held in line with the 2011 Kagay-an Festival. The Kagay-an Festival coincides with the city fiesta held in honor of patron Saint Augustine. The Zamboanga Sibugay contingent received Php 250,000.00 cash prize and a trophy. Other winners of the Kagay-an Festival 2011 Folkloric Dance Competition were: Barangay Gusa (2nd place) which received P200,000 cash prize and St. Peter's College of Balingasag, Misamis Oriental (3rd place) which received ...

Aug252011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

ARMM Screening Committee calls for nominations

Announcements, ARMM, Government, Mindanaoan Update

The Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) screening committee is reminding all interested applicants and nominees to various ARMM positions to submit their documents and pertinent details by August 26, 2011. Pursuant to Republic Act. No. 10153, s. 2011 and Executive Order No. 51, s. 2011, the ARMM Screening Committee is calling for applications/nominations for the following positions: One (1) position of Officer-in-Charge Regional Governor One (1) position of Officer-in-Charge Regional Vice Governor Twenty-four (24) positions of Officer-in-Charge Regional Legislative Assembly Members; three (3) for each legislative district of ARMM: Basilan, Maguindanao (1st and 2nd Districts), Lanao del Sur (1st and 2nd Districts), Sulu (1st and 2nd Districts), and Tawi-Tawi. Applicants/n...

Aug192011 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Kagay-an Festival 2011 events – Mindanaoan.com is an official media partner!

Announcements, Arts, Beauty, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Corporate, Culture, Education, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Government, Headline, Journalism, Leisure, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Music, Musings, Muslim Mindanao, News, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Society, Style, Tourism, Travel

About a month ago, Mindanaoan.com shared with you the Kagay-an Festival 2011 core events. Today, this Mindanao blogger is so proud to share with you fabulous news --- Mindanaoan.com is an official media partner of the 2011 Kagay-an Festival! Woohoo! :D The Kagay-an Festival is an annual event which also coincides with the Cagayan de Oro City fiesta in honor of patron Saint Augustine. This year, the 2011 Kagayan Festival is being organized by Promote CDO Foundation, Inc., the City Government of Cagayan de Oro in cooperation with the Department of Tourism Region X. Promote CDO Foundation President Reuben Vegafria said that their group, along with partner organizations, are rallying to promote Cagayan de Oro City and the surrounding areas as investment and tourism destinations. The city...

Aug152011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Special non-working holiday in Davao City on August 19

Announcements, Culture, Davao City, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Government, Tourism

Before anything else, Happy Kadayawan Festival to all! Today, August 15, 2011, is the official start of the 2011 Kadayawan Festival. Kadayawan is the biggest annual celebration in Davao City, Mindanao. Here is the schedule of activities of this year's Kadayawan Festival. By the way, if you're not a member of the media, you may need an access pass before you can take photos at designated areas. Take a look at the Kadayawan Festival Access Pass Guidelines here. Malacanang Palace has declared August 19, 2011 as an official special non-working holiday in Davao City! Here's the full text of the proclamation straight from Malacanang Palace: MALACAÑAN PALACE MANILA BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES PROCLAMATION NO. 215 DECLARING FRIDAY, 19 AUGUST 2011, AS A SPECIAL (NON-WORKING) D...

Aug82011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

GenSan Tuna Festival 2011 schedule of activities

Announcements, Beauty, BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Business, Consumer, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, General Santos City, Government, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, Tourism, Travel

Mindanao is really the place to be these days, folks! Davao City's Kadayawan Festival 2011 and Cagayan de Oro City's Kagay-an Festival 2011 are fast approaching and as if those two grand activities are not enough --- here's another Mindanao festival for you to join! The much-awaited 2011 Tuna Festival in General Santos City! The Tuna Festival 2011 is not just an event that highlights the importance of the tuna fishing industry in this part of Mindanao but also celebrates GenSan's 43rd Charter Anniversary. This year's Tuna Festival is the 13th. Experience the 13th Tuna Festival in GenSan from August 27 to September 5, 2011. Tuna Festival 2011 General Santos City theme --- Exploring New Depths, Conquering New Heights! Saw this Tuna Festival 2011 schedule of activities on a social ne...

Aug32011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Full text: Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri resignation speech

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, Crime, 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

Amid other big news today, the reported resignation of Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri was the most talked about. A lot of people shared their reactions to the news that the senator from Bukidnon and fellow Mindanaoan Senator Migs Zubiri will resign amid allegations of poll fraud claims. Mindanaoan wrote a blog post about this earlier. As I previously mentioned, I called up some key people from the Zubiri camp. I also even contacted Senator Migs Zubiri himself. However, although I was privy to some important details, I refused to confirm anything pending the privilege speech of Senator Miguel Zubiri before the Senate plenary, which happened today, August 3, 2011. I was also told that his father, former Bukidnon governor now vice governor Jose Ma. Zubiri, Jr., mother Maria Victoria "Vicky," w...

Aug32011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Reports: Mindanaoan Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri to resign today

Announcements, Bisaya, Blogging, Bukidnon, Commentary, Controversial, Government, Headline, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News, Opinion, Personalities, Politics, Society

Reports surfaced earlier today stating that the senator from Bukidnon, fellow Mindanaoan Juan Miguel "Migs" Zubiri will resign from his senatorial post at 3 PM today, August 3, 2011. I would like to stress, however, that at this point, everything remains unconfirmed. No one can really say for sure yet if indeed Senator Miguel Zubiri will resign. I first read the reports on Twitter. I then called up some people from the Office of Senator Migs Zubiri and verified. I also even asked Senator Migs himself. As of this posting at 1:18 PM, however, reports remain unconfirmed. The key people from the Zubiri camp shared some details but I refuse to confirm anything at this point. I also do not want to divulge anything specific just yet since I do not want to pre-empt Senator Miguel (although I ca...

Jul212011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

New wage increase for Northern Mindanao to take effect July 24, 2011

Announcements, BIMP-EAGA, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Commentary, Government, Headline, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, News

I'm not really sure if this is good news at all. The National Wages and Productivity Commission has announced that effective July 24, 2011, minimum wage earners in Region X (Northern Mindanao) will get an increase in their daily rate in the amount of...*hold your breath*...*drum roll please*...a whopping (yes, I'm being sarcastic) Php 17.00. Yep, that's seventeen pesos additional per day. That amount is supposed to represent the so-called Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) under Wage RBX-16. I know what you guys are thinking. Some may think "at least there's an increase kesa sa wala na lang," or "that's not fair! Mindanaoans are very hardworking people and they deserve proper pay...definitely more than just seventeen pesos!" Sad to say, Php 17.00 is not even enough to buy one kilo of rice!...

Jul132011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

T’nalak Festival 2011 schedule of activities

Arts, Blogging, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Government, Koronadal, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, News, Society, South Cotabato, Tourism, Travel

If you're heading to South Cotabato this week, then you're in luck! The 12th T'nalak Festival is underway this week. The 2011 T'nalak Festival also coincides with the 45th Foundation Anniversary of the Province of South Cotabato, Mindanao. The activities during the T'nalak Festival will be held in Koronadal City, the Municipality of Tupi and the Municipality of Polomolok. This colorful, festive celebration will feature the Mindanao tribes T'boli and B'laan, among others. The T'nalak Festival showcases the rich culture and tradition in these parts of Mindanao. Apart from the cultural shows, the activities during the 2011 Tinalak Festival will also include a regional trade expo, a drum and lyre exhibition, a field mass dance contest, a brass band showcase, a basketball tournament, motocro...

Jul72011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

America in 3D goes to Baguio

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Broadcasting, Events, Features, Government, Jobs, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Technology

A few months ago, the United States Embassy in Manila, Philippines conducted its first ever America in 3D event. It was so successful that the US Embassy in Manila, under the leadership of the very amiable Ambassador Harry Thomas, decided to do a roadshow! First stop - Baguio City! Come join the U.S. Embassy when it brings “America in 3D” to Baguio City from July 8 to 10, 2011 at SM City Baguio! All residents of greater Baguio are invited to participate in our FREE, fun events in SM City Baguio from July 8 through 10, from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. The three-day weekend will include a full lineup of musical performances (everything from jazz to hip-hop, from country music to Broadway tunes), free samplings of American food, cooking demonstrations, and information about U.S. visas and ...

Jul22011 by Mindanaoan Irene32 Comments

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte punches sheriff…and why I still trust and believe in her

Advocacy, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, Blogging, Controversial, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Features, Government, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Personal, Personalities, Politics, Society

First things first. I am a Dabawenya. Hence, you know that I can be biased...and I am. I will not even try to deny it. No matter what people say, I think Davao City has gone a long way from being a mere "NicarAGDAO" (likened to Nicaragua...Agdao is one of the notorious areas in Davao where dead bodies would be found long ago...now it's a busy commercial district) to being one of the most livable cities in the world and part of the reason why my beloved hometown is doing this well are the Dutertes. Before I proceed, let me just say that this is not a political post. This will not be an in-depth analysis. This will not even cite the possible sanctions, the alleged violated laws etc etc. I will leave all of those to lawyers, analysts, political bloggers, columnists etc etc. Instead, this w...

Jun82011 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Blog Action Day 2011 – please, let us save our seas!

Advocacy, Agriculture, Beauty, Blogging, Commentary, Controversial, Cotabato, Features, Government, Headline, Internet, Journalism, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Personal, Society

Truth be told, I felt so sad and embarrassed when news about the smuggling of black corals, turtles, rare seashells and other marine life here in the Philippines first broke out. Who wouldn't be? The shipment that was apprehended last May 1, 2011 at Pier 15, South Harbor Manila was from the Port of Cotabato City, Mindanao. The apprehended shipment included two 20-footer container vans declared as "rubber." Obviously, the seized shipment was far from containing "rubber." Instead, the vans yielded, among others, 134 bundles with 21,169 pieces of dried black corals, 161 turtles and roughly 7,340 pieces of rare sea shells. And to think that was just ONE shipment! That signaled a lot of concerns --- from the fact that my beloved Mindanao has apparently been the home of greedy individu...

Jun82011 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Mindanaoan Exclusive: KC Concepcion greets Mindanao, shares what she loves about Mindanao, invites fans to “Forever And A Day”

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, 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, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

You heard the theme song. You got intrigued when you heard this - "kaya mo bang mahalin ang isang taong mawawala din sayo?" And, by now, it's likely that you've memorized this line - "Thank you for yesterday. Thank you for today. And if I forget, thank you for tomorrow." Yes, it seems you're ready to fall in love on June 15, 2011. KC Concepcion and Sam Milby will topbill one of the most awaited movies of this year, the Star Cinema offering "Forever And A Day." Truth be told, I think this KC Concepcion and Sam Milby starrer is THE most awaited movie here in Mindanao - primarily because they shot this flick in 3 key areas in Mindanao - Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City (who wouldn't be excited to see familiar places? Plus think about what this film will do for Mindanao tour...

Jun22011 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Young Filipino wedding photographers from Mindanao included among world’s best

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, 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 Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

A group composed of Mindanaoan Filipino visual artists turned destination wedding photographers, One Happy Story, was recently included in a list composed of the best engagement and most creative wedding photographers in the world. One Happy Story, a group of young Filipino wedding photographers, was recently included in Love Olio, a hand-selected listing that features only what they call “the most groundbreaking wedding photographers in the world.” Love Olio showcased some of One Happy Story’s best engagement and wedding images. “We are extremely proud and delighted. Our inclusion in Love Olio is an affirmation of our commitment to capture real and happy moments as they happen for two people in love,” said Bon, Creative Director of One Happy Story. “Each couple has a unique story...

May302011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Full text: Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri privilege speech on black corals smuggling in Philippines

Advocacy, Blogging, Cotabato, Features, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Politics

Here is the full text of the privilege speech of Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri on the alleged smuggling of black corals in the Philippines. Senator Miguel Zubiri delivered this speech today, May 30, 2011. Zubiri's speech was prompted by the recent confiscation of multi-million peso worth of black corals in Cebu. The Rape of Our Ocean (privilege speech of Senator Migs Zubiri on the poaching of corals in the Philippines) Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, I rise on an issue that has been the newspaper headlines and the topic of many discussions on social network, particularly on Facebook and Twitter, for the past week. Dubbed by the Philippine Daily Inquirer as "the rape of the ocean", I refer to the confiscated black corals, stuffed hawksbill turtles and other marine species. Mr. Pre...

May272011 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

ARMM Elections 2011 candidates

Announcements, ARMM, Basilan, BIMP-EAGA, Government, Headline, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Marawi City, Mindanaoan Update, Muslim Mindanao, News, Politics, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Tawi Tawi, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

ARMM Elections 2011 official list of candidates. Here are the names of candidates for the 2011 ARMM elections, tentatively planned to happen on August 8, 2011. I say tentatively because Philippine President Benigno Aquino III and the rest of Malacanang are trying their best to move for the postponement of the ARMM elections. PNoy is proposing that the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao elections be reset for synchronization with the 2013 midterm polls. Qualified ARMM voters are set to choose the Regional Governor, Regional Vice-Governor and Regional Assemblyman during the ARMM elections 2011. Candidates for ARMM Governor: (14 candidates) Mamintal Alonto Adiong (incumbent Lanao del Sur Governor) Ashmaira Mayasa Abdullah Saad Ibrahim Amate Pangalian Macaorao Balindong Ephraim ...

May232011 by Mindanaoan Irene15 Comments

Is Tingting Cojuangco qualified to run for ARMM Vice Governor?

ARMM, Basilan, BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Commentary, Cotabato, General Santos City, Government, Headline, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Marawi City, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personalities, Sulu, Tawi Tawi

If she wins, she may very well be the most stylish vice governor the ARMM has ever had. Unfortunately, style is not enough to win in ARMM. Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco surprised, befuddled a lot of people (including me) when she officially filed on Saturday her certificate of candidacy for vice governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Yes, Tingting Cojuangco, former Tarlac governor, socialite, philanthropist and one who was labeled in the 70's as one of Harper Bazaar's most beautiful women in the world, wants to be the ARMM vice governor. Why? Because, she says, she has given her life "to the Muslims for the past 26 years." She says she also wants to "bring about change to the ARMM by embarking on good governance, education and honesty." As of press time, two...

May22011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Video: US President Barack Obama speech on Osama Bin Laden death

Announcements, Controversial, Government, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Politics, Videos

Like you, I was one of the hundreds of millions of people around the world who got a bit stunned when the news of Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden's death broke out today. Osama bin Laden, the alleged mastermind of the 9/11 bombings, was killed by U.S. forces in a mansion Abbottabad, north of Islamad, capital of Pakistan. This, after nearly 10 years (!) after the 9/11 attacks. Reportedly, some of Bin Laden's relatives were also killed during the military operation. I must admit, the news of the death of Osama Bin Laden, one of, if not THE most wanted person in the world, was the last thing on my mind. After all, haven't there been so much going on in the world as of late? The Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, the beatification of Pope John Paul II and locally, the resig...