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

May72024 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Attending the 3rd National Investigative Journalism conference Philippines 2024 #IJPH2024

Advocacy, Events, Features, Journalism, Manila, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Technology

The 3rd National Investigative Journalism Conference in the Philippines for 2024 was held from April 30 to May 2, 2024 in Quezon City and was hosted by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ). The conference aimed to provide a learning, sharing, and capacity-building venue for participants to appreciate the importance of investigative journalism and watchdog journalism in the face of increasingly challenging political and information environments. I feel absolutely honored and inspired to have been a part of the 3rd National #IJPH2024 100 journalists. 46 speakers. 3 plenary sessions. 12 breakout sessions. Topics were extremely relevant and urgent including artificial intelligence, deep fakes, social media for news and public engagement, 2025 elections (!!!), collab...

Apr62023 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanaoan.com wins at Globe Media Excellence Awards GMEA 10

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Headline, Internet, LifeStyle, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Personal, Personalities, Social Media, Society, Technology

I WON! I am so proud and honored to share that Mindanaoan.com won the award for Digital Storytelling: Best Blog Post during the milestone year of the Globe Media Excellence Awards! On March 31, 2023 in Cebu City, the Globe Group named the winners of GMEA @10, which honors exceptional reporting across platforms in both Visayas and Mindanao. In its milestone year, GMEA embraced the theme #OneDigitalNation, which celebrated stories that captured the impact of Globe-led innovations that uplift lives with compassion, care, and kindness. For the Best Blog Post award, Maria Irene Aserios a.k.a. Mindanaoan won! Days before the awarding ceremony, Globe announced the list of finalists. I was one of the 3 finalists for Best Blog Post (Mindanao). And then last March 31 in Cebu, I was decla...

Jan42023 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Honored to be elected as the new CDO Bloggers President 2023

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Features, Internet, LifeStyle, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Personalities, Society

I'm very excited and humbled to share that I have been elected as the NEW PRESIDENT of the Cagayan de Oro Bloggers Network or CDO Bloggers, a 14-year old organization (yep, OG!) that's home to many award-winning and internationally-recognized bloggers, vloggers, influencers, social media practitioners and content creators. The election of officers/annual general membership meeting/Christmas party was held at The Cistern, Xavier Sports and Country Club, Masterson Avenue, Cagayan de Oro. I recommend the venue for small and intimate events, by the way! Here's the list of the 2023 CDO Bloggers Officers: President - Maria Irene Aserios of Mindanaoan.com - Mindanaoan Meets World VP for Membership - Chen Siwagan of Laag & More w/ Awesome ChenS VP for Events - Irene Dayo of...

Nov282022 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Teaching social media and digital marketing in 8 towns around Mindanao (during the pandemic!)

Advocacy, Blogging, Business, Education, Features, Internet, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Technology

When the pandemic hit, we all know that the entrepreneurs were among those who got affected the most. Some businesses went to a screeching halt, some were forced to pivot just to survive and some tried to continue operations but with owners, very sadly, feeling they were running around like headless chickens. I should know because I heard numerous of these stories from business owners themselves. Yes, it was heartbreaking to listen to them but you know what? I still held on to that spark of optimism. I knew that somehow, each and every one of us can help these businesses. After all, you and I know very well that the success of just about anything never depends on the hands of only one man. Instead, it has always rested on the collective shoulders of many. I wanted to help esp...

Oct112020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

BaiCon Infest 2020 set

Advocacy, Blogging, Entertainment, Features, Internet, LifeStyle, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Technology

Creators and influencers in the Philippines are set to gather virtually via BaiCon InFest 2020. With the theme "The Space Invasion," BaiCon InFest 2020 will be a two-day (October 23-24) virtual event that will be held throughout various digital platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Zoom. During a digital press conference held last October 7, 2020, the panel talked about various initiatives like the founding of the Creator and Influencer Council of the Philippines (CICP), its advocacy drive #CreatorsUnitedPH, CICP’s Spotlight Awards, BaiCon’s partnership with the Philippine Public School Teachers’ Association, and the significance of BaiCon in taking the Digital Entertainment Industry in the country to the next level. The digital presscon was hosted by Ace Gapuz of Blogapalooza and wa...

Aug162020 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

IT’S OFFICIAL! The Mindanaoan Blog now has an Android app

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Consumer, Corporate, Entertainment, Features, Headline, Internet, LifeStyle, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, News, Society, Style, Technology, Travel

I'm very excited to officially announce that this humble Mindanaoan blog finally has its own Android app! Now, it's easier for us to stay connected :) You can download the Official Mindanaoan Android App here. It's a very light app, only needs 4.52 MB of your Android phone space. Just click the link above, click on the Mindanaoan v1.0 . apk file and just please follow the next easy instructions. As soon as you finish installing the Mindanaoan app, you'll see a native headdress as the logo of the app on your phone screen :) >>> DOWNLOAD THE MINDANAOAN ANDROID APP HERE <<< Thank you so much for your support! About Mindanaoan Irene, the one behind Mindanaoan.com, is a USA-trained, USA-experienced seasoned social media specialist, publicist, multi-awar...

Mar202020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Got featured on Philippine Star!

Fashion, Features, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Photos, Style

I'm in my very early 40's and I haven't seen my "original" hair color in a very long time. By that, I mean I've been coloring my hair often for many years now --- turning it blonde, ash gray, pink, red and purple! Currently, my hair is platinum blonde mixed with gray. You can see some of my current photos on my Instagram. Anyway, the reason why I mentioned my age is because, as a professional publicist, social media specialist and blogger, I always receive comments that my hair should also "look" professional. I often think that what they probably meant was that my hair should be the ubiquitous black or brown. Maybe the most extreme would be to have highlights and that's about it. Nothing crazy like pink hair! Alas, I'm not one who conforms just so I can fit in. I have long conclud...

Dec162016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

GOOD NEWS: NTC breaches 2016 collection target by P 34.5 M

Announcements, Broadcasting, Consumer, Government, Media, Society, Technology

With barely 3 weeks left in 2016 to collect Administrative Fees, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), an agency under the Department of Information and Communications Technology responsible for the supervision, adjudication and control over all telecommunications services throughout the country, has already breached its P 4.835 Billion target for the year. Reports say that the NTC's collections have amounted to P 4.870B to-date. The P 4.835B target was set by the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) composed of the Department of Budget Management (DBM), the Department of Finance (DOF) and the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA). The achievement came from the NTC’s concerted efforts to strictly enforce stakeholders’ compliance in remitting administr...

Jul172016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Globe partners with Netflix in the Philippines

Announcements, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Technology, Television

Leave it to Globe Telecom to come up with the most exciting content partnerships with global brands to further strengthen their offers to customers. Just recently, Globe announced their partnership with Netflix, the world’s leading Internet television network with over 81 million members in over 190 countries enjoying more than 125 million hours of TV shows and movies per day, including original series, documentaries and feature films. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on nearly any Internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments. Actually, way back in January, I already started checking out Netflix. I caught up with some episodes of "Jane The Virgin" and "Elementary." Also, back in January, while ne...

Jul112016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

The new Globe Telecom content partners – absolutely exciting!

Announcements, Blogging, Broadcasting, Business, Consumer, Corporate, Entertainment, Events, Features, Internet, Leisure, Manila, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Movies, Music, Musings, News, Personalities, Society, Style, Technology, Television

A few days ago, Globe Telecom flew me to Manila (the only blogger from Mindanao!) to witness very special events – the Manila debut of the Tony Award-winning musical, “American Idiot,” (which they co-produced), the announcement of their new international content partners and the creation of Globe Studios and Globe Live (which are designed to produce original shows, exciting live events and engaging world-class content). And I must tell you – if you’re a Globe subscriber, there’s so much to look forward to! The hashtags used during the Globe event were #WWGX and #TheNextAttraction The hosts that day were Xian Lim and Coleen Garcia Aside from their partnerships with Spotify, HOOQ and NBA, Globe is also the first mobile and broadband Philippine ...

Jul42016 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Touring the Coca Cola Misamis Oriental Philippines plant

Business, Corporate, Events, Features, Food, Freebies, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Travel, Videos

I first had the chance to tour a Coca-Cola plant in Davao City many, many moons ago. I was still studying at the Ateneo de Davao University and Ateneans had regular field trips at the Coca-Cola plant in Ulas. I remember being given ice cold Coke fresh off the bottling line. Best part? We were allowed to drink as much as we can and we were also given freebies at the end of the tour. For any kid, that was truly quite a fun experience. Fast forward 2016, I was again recently given the opportunity to trace the "journey of the Coca-Cola bottle." I was invited to tour the Coca Cola Misamis Oriental Plant located at the Municipality of Villanueva, about half an hour away from Cagayan de Oro City. Built from the ground up and inaugurated in 2011, the Coca-Cola FEMSA Misamis Oriental Plant is...

Jun52016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Covering Senator Migs Zubiri’s oathtaking ceremony

Advocacy, Blogging, Bukidnon, Events, Government, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News, Politics, Society

What was supposed to be a self-imposed, much-needed vacation last June 4, 2016 in Bukidnon turned into a mini "working holiday" when my good friend Bobby of Rappler told me that he and other Cagayan de Oro media friends were in Malaybalay City to cover the oathtaking of returning Senator Juan Miguel "Migs" Zubiri. Apparently, I've been living under a rock because I wasn't even aware that Sir Migs was taking his oath that day! Eep. Anyways, I knew I couldn't pass up that chance to witness Sir Migs as he takes his oath as comebacking Senator. Plus I would've missed this scene - Sir Migs as he personally checked his speech and made final touches: READ: Full text of Senator Migs Zubiri's oathtaking speech In 2007, I remember writing the banner headline story of him running for the...

May72016 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Why Chiz Escudero is my Vice President

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Features, Government, Headline, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Personalities, Politics, Society

Chiz Escudero. I first saw him in Congress. He was the fast rising young representative of Sorsogon then. All eyes were on him. Him and his impossibly forever kunot polo barong. Kunot because he’s here, there, everywhere. I remember whenever I observe at the plenary hall, he often stands up, asks questions from the floor, consults other legislators. In my mind, ang kulit din ng kongresistang ito. He wasn’t like many congressmen who’d just sit and wait for their attendance to be called. Siyempre, crush na crush ko siya noon. Ten Outstanding Young Men awardee, World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, Rotary Golden Wheel Awardee for Political Governance and Legislation and the list goes on and on. Saan ka pa? Young, very smart, articulate, took and passed the bar on the first try and cute...

Apr212016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Running For Office? How Social Media Can Help You Win

Announcements, Blogging, Commentary, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News, Politics, Society, Technology

The official campaign season for the May 9, 2016 presidential polls has finally begun! Soon, the local campaigns will also begin. Are you one of the candidates this 2016 elections? Whether you’re a veteran or a newbie candidate and whether you’re gunning for a national or local seat, you need to adapt to the ever-changing landscape. This includes learning and implementing popular yet often misused and under-utilized social media strategies. For this week’s column, please allow me to deviate from my usual travel-related topics and let me share some tips on how you can use social media to help you win a government seat. These are just some of the things I learned all throughout the years as a publicist, social media strategist and US government leadership program alumnae (where my trips a...

Feb222016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Join the HATCH Mastermind Group CDO

Advocacy, Announcements, Arts, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Corporate, Features, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Society, Technology

A mastermind group, where participants can freely brainstorm strategies, create goals and implement ideas as well as support each other, has been launched in Cagayan de Oro City. Dubbed “HATCH Mastermind Group CDO,” the free-for-all group also aims to provide a platform whereby participants can share the challenges they currently face and can seek assistance from the collective intelligence of other participants. Active Twitter users Mike of @mikeabonitalla, Vic of @vicmadz and Irene of @mindanaoan, who can also share strategies based on their respective fields of expertise, serve as the lead volunteer organizers of HATCH Mastermind Group CDO. “Cagayan de Oro is a thriving city. There are lots of investments coming in and there are lots of new and possible marketing strategies. With...

Feb212016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Covering the 1st presidential debate in Cagayan de Oro #CDO

Advocacy, Blogging, Headline, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Society, Technology

It's game time. Today, February 21, 2016, all of the presidential candidates for the May 9, 2016 Philippine elections will all converge in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines for the first round of "PiliPinas Debates 2016." And Mindanaoan will be there to observe, comment and cover. I will be one of the only 300 allowed to be inside the debate hall. I will also be among the 25 media observers. I am hoping to harness the power of social media today. May I invite you all to follow me: Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/mindanaoan Facebook - http://www.twitter.com/mindanaoanblogger Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mindanaoan Snapchat - Username is mindanaoan Please follow Bukidnon Blogger @malaybalayan as well. We will both be there. The debate will start at 5 PM and will last for...

Jan92016 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Access Netflix in Philippines With PayMaya virtual VISA card

Entertainment, Internet, Media, Technology

With the recent release of Netflix to more than 130 new countries around the world including the Philippines Filipinos can now enjoy streaming thousands of popular movies and TV shows from Netflix in Philippines such as the Batman Trilogy or How to Get Away with Murder on their devices - even without a credit card. Netflix is an internet TV service that lets you instantly watch unlimited movies and TV show episodes, including original series, documentaries, and feature films, anytime, anywhere, over almost any Internet-connected device without commercials. As per their announcement, there are three plans available, with the minimum at P370 for the Basic Plan, P460 for the Standard Plan and P550 for the Premium Plan. Subscribers get 1 FREE month. Payments for subscriptions, however, c...

Jan92016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

How to subscribe to Netflix in Philippines without credit card

Announcements, Corporate, Entertainment, Features, Internet, Media, Society, Television, Videos

Everyone's talking about Netflix and thankfully, it's finally available in the Philippines! Netflix is a popular Internet television network that provides online streaming of your favorite movies and TV shows. You can watch over 100 million hours of TV shows and movies (including original series, documentaries and feature films) via your Internet-connected smart TV, game console, PC, Mac, mobile, tablet and more! Another beauty of Netflix is that you can play, pause and resume watching - all without commercials or commitments. Pretty cool, right? Morever, Netflix Philippines is even offering a FREE one-month trial so Filipinos can now experience the joy of binge-watching their favorite movies and TV shows. The succeeding subscription rates then start as low as Php 370 a month. But ho...

Dec302015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Chiz asks: hasten probe on ABS CBN TV crew ambush in Marawi

ARMM, Crime, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Marawi City, Media, Mindanao, Muslim Mindanao, News, Northern Mindanao

Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero condemned in the strongest terms the ambush of a three-member ABS-CBN News team in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur on Dec. 26, as he called on authorities to speed up the investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice. Escudero said the assassination attempt on reporter Ronnie Enderes, cameraman Emelito Balansag and driver Garry Montecillo was “a serious attack against press freedom.” “There is no doubt that the ambush was work-related. Although no one was seriously injured, it is important that authorities go after those responsible for the incident and put them behind bars, otherwise there will be no end to the culture of impunity against journalists,” Escudero said. The Iligan City-based news crew was in Marawi to gather updates on the Dec. 24 b...

Nov22015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanaoan.com shortlisted in 2015 Globe Media Excellence Awards

Announcements, Bisaya, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Features, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, News, Technology

A total of 58 entries were shortlisted for various categories of the Globe Media Excellence Awards (GMEA), the most anticipated premier award-giving body that gives recognition to excellence in journalism in Mindanao. The premier award-giving body which recognizes excellence in journalism from the best breed of scribes in Visayas and Mindanao, the awards gives recognition to print, broadcast, and digital media practitioners who have excelled in their respective fields. Awards night for the GMEA Mindanao leg will be held on November 17. “The number of entries that we received this year is a testament to the commitment of media practitioners to provide exemplary reporting in their respective fields given the vital role of the press in effecting positive societal transformation and nati...

Oct152015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Migz Zubiri to run for Senate anew, as Poe-Chiz guest candidate

Bukidnon, Government, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News, Politics

Former 3-consecutive term Bukidnon 3rd District Congressman and Senator for 4 years Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator as an independent earlier today, Wednesday, October 14, 2015, at the Commission on Elections main office. He was accompanied by his wife, newspaper lifestyle columnist Audrey Tan-Zubiri. Zubiri, who previously said he was quitting politics, told Mindanaoan.com that he got inspired by his No. 6 ranking in the latest survey of senatorial preferences. In the Sept. 8-14 Pulse Asia Research Inc. survey of senatorial preferences, Zubiri emerged as the sixth most favored by voters. “I’ve been very happy quietly living a private life with Audrey and our three kids, and tending to our small business for more than two years now. ...

Jul182015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

#Come2CDO social media campaign launched

Advocacy, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Society, Technology, Tourism

The Cagayan de Oro Bloggers launched the #Come2CDO social media campaign today, July 18, 2015, in an effort to help promote the city online. The #Come2CDO online campaign, a yearly social media initiative of the CDO Bloggers, Inc. that began in 2013, aims to promote the city's best in terms of adventure destinations, food selections, hotels and other accommodations, tourist spots and ultimately, the warmth of a Kagayanon's friendship. By sharing photos, stories and other posts on social media and by adding the hashtags #Come2CDO and #CDO, the public can help populate the Internet with helpful entries about Cagayan de Oro. These entries can aid would-be and existing visitors as well as investors of this dynamic city. You can monitor the results of this social media campaign on ...