Headline Archives - Page 6 of 9 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Feb222011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Join the first ever webchat on U.S. non-immigrant visas by the US Embassy Manila

Advocacy, Announcements, Features, Headline, Internet, Media, Society, Technology

Has it always been a dream of yours to visit the United States of America but whenever you try to apply for a tourist visa, you often get denied? Do you have questions pertaining to U.S. non-immigrant visas? Have you always wanted to ask a real US Embassy consul what you need to do and what you need to have in order to secure that most wanted U.S. non-immigrant visa? Then here's your perfect chance! On Wednesday, February 23, 2011, from 4 PM to 5 PM, you can join the first ever web chat ever on U.S. non-immigrant visas. This webchat, dubbed "Ask the Consul," is organized by the US Embassy in Manila. Read more details after the jump! (more…)

Dec142010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Full text: Supreme Court decision on Hubert Webb case – Vizconde Massacre

Announcements, Blogging, Commentary, Controversial, Crime, Education, Government, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personal, Personalities, Politics

If you've been following me on Twitter today, you must have noticed some of my tweets about the acquittal of Hubert Webb et al. You may have also noticed that I tweeted about the dismissal of the case filed by actress Katrina Halili against Hayden Kho. I also mentioned that today, December 14, 2010, marks the 6th death anniversary of the King of Philippine movies - Fernando Poe, Jr. And, last but definitely not the least, ousted Philippine Football Federation President Jose Mari Martinez says he wants a revamp in the Philippine team #Azkals. Yes, today was a very heavy, full and controversial day in Philippine history. Tough week for the Philippine police and army, too. If you recall, the President himself ordered that the cases against the members of Morong 43 be dropped. Is it Acquitta...

Dec112010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Dinner with the US Embassy Manila Counselor for Public Affairs

Advocacy, Bisaya, Blogging, Cebu City, Features, Headline, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personal, Personalities, Society, Technology, Weird

I was in Cebu City recently to open a small branch of my PR, media, marketing and outsourcing agency and to visit my younger brother at the same time. About a week and a half after I arrived, I received an invitation from fellow blogger and Plurker Jay de Jesus, the Emerging Media Specialist for Public Affairs of the US Embassy, Manila. He asked if I could attend a small, intimate dinner with someone from the US Embassy in Manila and that the dinner was to be held the evening of that very day. I asked him who I was supposed to meet. He said that it was his boss - the Counselor for Public Affairs of the US Embassy in Manila - Richard W. Nelson. I must admit, I immediately had reservations. I checked my watch --- I only had about 3 hours to prepare for what could be a life-changing dinner...

Dec92010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Two Mindanaoan groups win in the 8th TAYO Awards

Announcements, Compostela Valley, Features, Headline, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao, Society, Surigao del Sur

Here's a great follow-up to my previous blog post about the Mindanao youth org-finalists to the 8th Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) Awards --- two (yes, TWO!) youth groups from Mindanao won! Let's all congratulate the Pro-Drop Out Reduction Program (PRO-DORP) Team from Surigao del Sur, Mindanao and the 4-H Mandaya Tribal Youth Organization (MTYO) from Compostela Valley, Mindanao! Both Mindanao youth groups received P50,000.00 cash grant from the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines as well as a specially handcrafted trophy by artist Toym de Leon Imao. Woohoo! Congratulations guys! I'm super proud of all of you! * photo credit: Momblogger The awarding ceremonies of this year's 8th TAYO Awards was held today, December 9, 2010 at the Malacanang Palace. No less than President...

Nov272010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Full text – Sen. Ping Lacson’s siblings speak out

Announcements, Blogging, Controversial, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News, Politics

From my mailbox --- received this press release from the Office of Senator Ping Lacson. It's the full text of Senator Panfilo Lacson's sibling's statement "In Defense of Our Family’s Honor." I am printing this verbatim: In every Filipino family, two things are most treasured: honor and home. Our brother, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson is accused of masterminding the murder of Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver. The principal evidence against him that the previous administration’s DOJ investigating panel and the court considered “probable cause” was an affidavit by a lone witness, Cesar Mancao. In that affidavit, Mancao narrated a supposed conversation inside a car between Ping and Michael Ray Aquino wherein Ping allegedly ordered Aquino to have Dacer murdered. He claimed to have ov...

Nov272010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

First Filipino Yale World Fellow and former Bukidnon Mindanao congressman Dr. Neric Acosta congratulates Mindanaoan.com!

Blogging, Bukidnon, Features, Headline, Internet, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Society, Technology, Videos

During the Open Budget Partnership forum I attended in Manila a few days ago, I saw an old friend. I didn't expect him to actually come since a member of the event secretariat told me earlier that day that he might not be able to drop by. Lo and behold, he came...and when I approached him to say hello, he looked a little bit surprised to see me there but nonetheless looked happy. The old friend I'm referring to is former Bukidnon First District Congressman Dr. JR Nereus "Neric" Acosta. Yes, he's the same Neric Acosta who ran for a Senate seat in May 2010. He's the same Neric Acosta who's a staunch advocate of environment protection, responsible population management, health and programs for climate change. And yes, he's the same Neric Acosta who authored the Clean Air Act and who's t...

Nov182010 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Got an invite to attend a forum on the 2011 National Expenditure Program

Advocacy, Bukidnon, Controversial, Events, Government, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Personalities, Politics

I must say that it was a surprise - a nice one at that, I suppose - to receive an invitation to attend a forum on the 2011 National Expenditure Program. I received the invite from Mindanaoan Senator Teofisto "TG" Guingona III's office. Guingona is the convenor of the Open Budget Partnership (OBP). As to what the Open Budget Partnership is, I seriously don't have any idea so don't ask. However, I'm hoping I will understand it better on Saturday, the day of the forum. The event will be held in Manila, by the way. Let me just say, before anything else, that I'm grateful for the invitation. This is a good step forward especially for the government to bring in not only members of the traditional media but those involved in the new media as well. Although I do have plans of writing news artic...

Nov182010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Should the Maguindanao Massacre trial be made public?

Advocacy, Announcements, Broadcasting, Controversial, Crime, Headline, Maguindanao, Mindanaoan Update, News

This blogger from Mindanao thought about this today after I received a press release from the Office of Senator Francis 'Kiko' Pangilinan. Reportedly, Sen. Pangilinan has filed today Resolution No. 186, expressing the sense of the Senate that the Maguindanao massacre trial should be made public through radio and television coverage of the court proceedings. "It would be in the best interest of our judiciary to have transparency in the judicial process, especially in such an unprecedented case of brutality that captured the attention of the international media. The Constitution recognizes the right of the people to public information on matter of public concern," it said. Pangilinan also said that having the proceedings twice a week is the right step. He said that twice-a-week proceed...

Nov152010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Pacquiao – Margarito fight replay videos

Bisaya, Entertainment, Events, Features, General Santos City, Headline, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Videos

Of course, by now you know that fellow Mindanaoan Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao captured his 8th title - World Light Middleweight - and has undoubtedly carved his name in boxing history. The Pacquiao versus Margarito fight last November 13, 2010 at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium was indeed one exciting fight, yes? Antonio Margarito, who reportedly had to undergo facial surgery after the boxing championship bout, displayed courage, will and sheer determination and I bet all Filipinos appreciated that. Sarangani, Mindanao's very own congressman, Manny Pacquiao, on the other hand, displayed nothing but enviable, world-class boxing skills. Congratulations, Congressman Manny Pacquiao! I'm super proud of you! Thank you for uplifting the Filipino name and spirit once again! Congratulations to coach Fred...

Nov82010 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Senator Kiko Pangilinan congratulates www.Mindanaoan.com!

Advocacy, Agriculture, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Announcements, ARMM, Arts, Bacolod City, Banks, Basilan, Beauty, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, 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, Dipolog, Education, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Flights, Food, Freebies, General Santos City, Gifts, Government, Headline, Hotels, Humor, Iligan City, Internet, Island Garden City of Samal, Jobs, Journalism, Kaamulan Festival, Koronadal, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Leisure, Maguindanao, Make Money Online, Malaybalay City, 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, Shopping, Society, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sports, Style, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacurong, Tangub City, Technology, Television, Tourism, Travel, Videos, Visayas, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

I must admit that even a few days after my humble Mindanaoan.com blog won as Best Lifestyle Blog for Mindanao in the Philippine Blog Awards 2010, I still am on cloud 9. While a lot of people have already congratulated me (and I still continue to receive several congratulatory messages until now) and even my ever-supportive Mama has already made plans to have a special tarp printed and displayed (yikes! :D), nothing prepared me for an absolutely wonderful surprise I got yesterday. November 6, 2010, the very day of a blogging 101 workshop that I organized, was made extra special when someone sent in this video message that did not only make my cheeks burn but make my heart melt as well :) No less than Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan congratulated me! Yes, THE Senator Kiko Pangili...

Oct312010 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Mindanaoan.com wins! Best Lifestyle Blog – Philippine Blog Awards 2010 Mindanao

Advocacy, Agriculture, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Announcements, ARMM, Arts, Bacolod City, Banks, Basilan, Beauty, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, 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, Dipolog, Education, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Flights, Food, Freebies, General Santos City, Gifts, Government, Headline, Hotels, Humor, Iligan City, Internet, Island Garden City of Samal, Jobs, Journalism, Kaamulan Festival, Koronadal, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Leisure, Maguindanao, Make Money Online, Malaybalay City, 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, Shopping, Society, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sports, Style, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacurong, Tangub City, Technology, Television, Tourism, Travel, Videos, Visayas, Weddings, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

Woke up to sweet and absolutely wonderful piece of news today! This humble blog - www.Mindanaoan.com - won as Best Lifestyle Blog in the recently concluded Philippine Blog Awards 2010 - Mindanao Division! Yebah! Woot woot! :D My warmest, sincerest gratitude to the organizers and sponsors of the Philippine Blog Awards 2010! Thank you for the recognition and may you continue to uplift the blogging community! And of course, my deepest gratitude to all of my readers and followers! Like I previously mentioned, just the thought of you guys sparing a few minutes of your time each day just to come and visit my little online home brings me so much joy and inspiration. I am humbled. Daghang salamat! And to the readers and followers of my two other blogs that were also finalists of the PB...

Oct202010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Kraft Eden Cheese Keso de Gallo – I’m campaigning for Balingasag, Misamis Oriental!

Announcements, Blogging, Business, Contests, Features, Food, Headline, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Musings, News, Personal, Photos, Recipes, Society, Tourism

I've written about this year's Keso de Gallo in an earlier post. This time, though, I'm campaigning for a specific town --- the Municipality of Balingasag in Misamis Oriental, Mindanao :) But before anything else, a little info about the Municipality of Balingasag. The said municipality takes pride in its 195.07 hectare Balingasag Mariculture Park which is a sprawling area for its aquaculture, mangrove area, sea ranching, fish sanctuary and navigational lane. Balingasag, which has a total of 30 barangays, is on its way to becoming the “Bangus Capital” of Northern Mindanao and probably the whole of Mindanao with the rapid increase in bangus harvest. It is home to a number of significant and historical edifices like the Vega Ancestral house located in the poblacion, a well preserved Ph...

Oct192010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Sen. Chiz Escudero wants to put ceiling on credit card interest rates

Consumer, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News, Politics

Usurious interest rates slapped by credit card companies should be regulated to protect consumers from unconscionable hidden charges, Senator Chiz Escudero said. In Senate Bill No. 166 (SBN 166), Escudero seeks to put a ceiling on interest rates and surcharges imposed by credit card companies and prohibit hidden charges that further burden plastic card holders. “While credit cards are deemed as relief for consumers during bad times, woes begin when card companies levy interests and charges which are usually unknown to the users that eventually saddle them with more debts. We want to put a stop to the hidden charges which catch consumers unaware,” Escudero explained. SBN 166 puts a cap of 1 percent per month or 12 percent per annum on the interest rates that credit card companies c...

Oct122010 by Mindanaoan Irene11 Comments

Pacquiao vs Margarito fight on November 13, 2010

Bisaya, Blogging, Events, General Santos City, Headline, Mindanaoan Artists, News, Personalities, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, Sports

Fellow Mindanaoan, Sarangani Congressman and the world's best pound-for-pound boxer, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, is set to face Mexican boxer Antonio Margarito on November 13, 2010 at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium for the World Light Middleweight Championship belt. As expected, this will be another day when Filipinos all around the world will root for our very own Pacman. I bet all Mindanaoans will again feel so proud of Manny Pacquiao, who was born in Kibawe, Bukidnon but who has lived in both General Santos City and Sarangani for several years. For sure, this Pacquiao vs Margarito boxing bout will be another blockbuster! I must admit, I have a few reservations about this Pacquio versus Margarito fight. (more…)

Oct72010 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Pres. Noynoy Aquino first 100 days report speech – full text Noynoy 100 days report

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

Full text of President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III 's message on the first 100 days of his administration. President Noynoy Aquino delivered his First 100 Days Report earlier today, October 7, 2010 at La Consolacion College, Manila. Read below: Message of His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III President of the Philippines On The First Hundred Days of his Administration [October 7, 2010, La Consolacion College, Manila] Isandaang araw po ang nakalipas, nagpanata ako sa taumbayan: Hindi ko tatalikuran ang tiwalang kaloob ninyo sa akin. Ang nakalipas na isandaang araw ang magsisilbing tanda ng ating paninindigan. Malalim at malawak po ang mga problemang minana natin. Nag-ugat ito sa isang gobyernong parang tatlong matsing na nagbingi-bingihan, nagbulag-bulagan, at gumawa ng sariling ...

Oct62010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Atty. Adel Tamano and Atty. Aquil Tamano endorse Mindanaoan.com!

Blogging, Features, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Personalities, Videos

What do you do when two very handsome and smart lawyers (and celebrities in their own right, I must say!) endorse your humble blog? a) you blush and get *gigil* b) you scream, jump for joy and thank the high heavens c) you blog about it! Well, in my case, I did all of the above! :D Atty. Adel Tamano and his younger brother Atty. Aquil Tamano gave this uber *kakakilig* video message endorsing this humble blog, www.Mindanaoan.com, and the blogger behind it ;) Imagine - two Mindanaoans endorsing Mindanaoan.com! I think that's cool. Don't you think so? :) I must admit, I've played this message again and again and still - I can't help but feel warmth on my cheeks :P Thank you to Sir Adel and to Sir Aquil for this! I really, really appreciate it :) Atty. Adel Tamano and...

Sep272010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Certificates of candidacy for SK Chairman and Kagawad

Advocacy, Announcements, Events, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News, Politics

Thanks to Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal, this blogger from Mindanao got a hold of the official certificates of candidacy for those interested to run for Sangguniang Kabataan Chairman or SK Kagawad. Please feel free to direct anyone you know who may be interested to run this coming SK Elections to this page. The certificate of candidacy for SK Kagawad can be found after the jump... (more…)

Sep112010 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Help me attend PR 2.0: 17th National Public Relations Congress

Bisaya, Blogging, Business, Corporate, Features, Headline, Internet, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personal, Society

The 17th National Public Relations Congress will be held on September 23 and 24, 2010 at the Grand Ballroom, InterContinental Manila, Makati City, Philippines with the theme “PR2.0 Build. Engage. Deliver.” and I absolutely want to attend! I may have been in the public relations/media/marketing/advertising/events industry for several years now and I may own a small public relations agency in the Philippines but I have yet to attend a national conference led by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines. Methinks attending this PR congress will help me as a Filipino publicist and I have a couple of reasons why: 1. I am one who actively incorporates blogging and other forms of social and new media in my work. While I still practise public relations the "traditional" way, I have starte...

Jul142010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

From Mindanao media to PNoy’s communications group – an appeal

Advocacy, Blogging, Broadcasting, Commentary, Government, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Politics

So it's somehow final now. The Office of the Press Secretary is no longer. New Philippine President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III or PNoy will reorganize it and will rename it to the Presidential Communications Office. The latest buzz is that ANC broadcaster Ricky Carandang and "The Explainer" Manolo Quezon III will join the communications team and will play vital roles. I am, quite frankly, happy to know that Carandang and Quezon will be part of the team. For sure, these brilliant minds will bring with them their years of experience and they will definitely be fab assets to the Aquino administration. No doubt about that. My concern, therefore, is more about the treatment towards Mindanao journalists now that Aquino has made it clear that the public is his "BOSS" and now that he has tw...

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...

Jun302010 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Inaugural speech of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III | Full text inaugural speech of Noynoy Aquino

Announcements, Blogging, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, Politics

Thanks to the Noynoy Aquino Media Bureau, this blogger from Mindanao got a hold of the full text of the inaugural speech of President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III. This inaugural speech was delivered largely in Filipino and was delivered by Noynoy himself today, June 30, 2010, during the inauguration rites held at Quirino Grandstand, Manila, Philippines. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III is the Philippines' newest President. The new vice president is Jejomar "Jojo" Binay. If you missed the inauguration rites today, here's a copy of the inaugural speech of Noynoy Aquino (full text). The English translation of Aquino's inaugural speech can be found HERE. His Excellency Jose Ramos Horta, Former President Fidel V. Ramos, Former President Joseph Estrada, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and membe...

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...