Media Archives - Page 2 of 9 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

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...

Jun192015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Soul Refresh At Movenpick Hotel Mactan Cebu

Blogging, Cebu City, Features, Hotels, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Resorts, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

How do you say no to a weekend of flight via Philippine Airlines and 5-star accommodation, gastronomical pleasure and pampering via Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu? It was an invitation I just could not resist. Cool gift from Philippine Airlines @flypal #flypal #aviation #travel A photo posted by Mindanaoan.com Irene (@mindanaoan) on May 16, 2015 at 2:28am PDT Philippine Airlines, which is re-introducing its daily Cagayan de Oro-Cebu flights, recently flew Mindanaoan.com to the Queen City of the South to experience a specific kind of luxury - one that I could only describe as refreshing for one’s soul, mind and heart. It was a short but smooth and comfortable flight, the kind that you can only expect with the country’s flag carrier. I even checked-in online via PAL’s website...

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...

Feb262015 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

At the Senator Chiz Escudero – Heart Evangelista wedding

Arts, Beauty, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Manila, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, Politics, Society, Style, Weddings

I attended the Senator Chiz Escudero and Heart Evangelista wedding a few days ago. I have known Senator Chiz ever since he was still a congressman representing Sorsogon (yep, a very long time) so I was really thrilled to know that I was to witness this special, joyous occasion of his life. I know a lot of other media outlets have discussed the nitty gritty details of the Escudero-Ongpauco wedding (Heart’s real name is Love Marie Ongpauco) so I will just share a few thoughts and observations. The event saw lots of notable personalities - from top business leaders to government officials to celebrities, the food and the free flowing drinks were exquisite, venue was breathtaking (the candelabras adorned with white orchids, hydrangeas and snapdragons were absolutely beautiful), the u...

Jan112015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Dabawenyo illustrator’s work returns as McDonald’s Happy Meals treat

Arts, Davao City, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Personalities

Today, I feel really proud to be Dabawenyo! A fellow Atenista, Mindanaoan (and Davaoeno) Macky Pamintuan has made me remember my beloved hometown Davao City and all its amazing, talented people. For the uninitiated, Macky Pamintuan (yes, of the Pamintuans of Apo View Hotel) is a popular animator, graphic and fine artist. Some of his works include illustrations for the books Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew: Cupcake Chaos, The Pumpkin Patch Puzzle, Cape Mermaid Mystery, Scream for Ice Cream, Ski School Sneak and Earth Day Escapade and The Night Before Baseball at the Park by the Bay (in partnership with the World Series Champion San Francisco Giants). Today, I just found out that one of the books he illustrated is part of McDonald's Happy Meals in the USA. The book "Flat Stanley Goes Camp...

Dec182014 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Mindanaoan.com declared top CDO blog by ICT Awards

Advocacy, Announcements, Arts, Bisaya, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Headline, Internet, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Musings, News, Northern Mindanao, Personal, Personalities, Society, Technology

It is with utmost humility that I announce that Mindanaoan.com has just been declared as a "Top CDO Blog" in the recently concluded 2014 ICT Awards held at the Activity Center, Centrio Mall, Cagayan de Oro, Philippines. The ICT Awards, organized by the CDO ICT Business Council, Cagayan de Oro's main information and communications technology organization, recognizes websites, individuals and organizations involved in the city's IT industry. The citation reads: "The 2014 ICT Awards, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry, National Telecommunications and Communications, Department of Science and Technology - ICTO and the City Government of Cagayan de Oro, presents this Top CDO Blog Award to www.Mindanaoan.com for the creation and maintenance of an exceptional b...

Oct202014 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Covering the BIMP-EAGA International Business Leaders Confab and Trade Fair

Announcements, BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Business, Consumer, Events, Malaysia, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao

Very excited to share with you all that I have just been invited to cover the 2nd BIMP-EAGA and IMT-GT International Trade Fair and Conference in Davao City this October 22 to 25, 2014! This is a very important international event especially in terms of trade, investments and even tourism among ASEAN countries. I feel really very honored especially since I found out that I'm the only media practitioner (from both the traditional and new media/blogging sectors) from Northern Mindanao invited to cover this. BIMP-EAGA stands for Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area while IMT-GT stands for Indonesia Malaysia Thailand Growth Triangle. This highly anticipated event, which will be held at SM Lanang Premier’s SMX Convention Center, is expected to draw at least 800 busine...

Aug112014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: Bradley Bascon violin concert CDO Philippines

Advocacy, Arts, Beauty, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Music, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Reviews, Society, United States of America

When I was invited to watch a concert featuring a 15 year old violin protege, I knew somehow I was in for a treat. After all, for someone so young, Bradley Bascon has already achieved so much - far more than most lads his age - including winning the Violin Master Class panel finals organized by the Music Teachers Association of California, performing with an orchestra as a featured soloist in Spain and Portugal, performing in the London Olympics in 2012 and participating in festivals in Germany, Austria and Italy. Still, I felt that I had to hold back my cheers and praises until the litmus test - that one-night only concert held last July 31, 2014 at the Rodelsa Hall, Liceo de Cagayan University. Along with collaborating artist Rudolf Golez, who himself is an internationally acclaimed F...

Jun252014 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Mindanaoan is an Islands Souvenirs I heart CDO brand ambassador

Advocacy, Beauty, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Fashion, Features, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update

As someone who has been very contented working behind the scenes for more than a decade, to ever be offered the opportunity to model and help endorse something is the farthest on my mind. Never have I thought that a brand - a very well-known one at that - would even consider me to be one of their brand ambassadors. So you could just imagine how honored I felt when Islands Souvenirs, through their head honcho Jay Aldeguer (one of the very few people I truly admire!), chose me as one of their "I heart CDO" Islands Souvenirs brand ambassadors. It was something I could never say no to. I mean, really --- apart from the fact that it was THE Jay Aldeguer who asked me, I also truly believe in the Islands Souvenirs brand. I am a fan of their advocacies - which are to revolutionize souvenir ...

May222014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Video: Jay Durias congratulates me for winning 2013 Mindanao Blogger of the Year

Blogging, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Society, Technology

Being a huge fan of South Border and Jay Durias, this brief but cute video of Jay congratulating me for winning the 2013 Mindanao Blogger of the Year award means a lot to me! I've been friends with South Border for more than 10 years now and to this day, I still get really kilig whenever I get messages like these or when I watch them perform onstage (never mind if it's a big concert or a bar gig - I still scream like a crazy fan girl each and every time!) Check out this video of Jay. Those are Vince Alaras and new South Border saxophonist Edward Picache at the back :D Thank you so much South Border - love you guys! You might also like to subscribe to the Mindanaoan YouTube Channel :) I have LOTS of exclusive videos there!

Feb132014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Got invited to speak at the Malaysia Social Media Summit 2014

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Events, Internet, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Personal, Society, Technology

Very excited to share that I will be in Malaysia in a few days for the 2014 Malaysia Social Media Week! I will be one of the speakers during the World Bloggers and Social Media Summit at Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on February 24 to March 1, 2014. It's truly a huge honor and opportunity and I am looking forward to meeting the other speakers from all over the world. I will be one of the only two speakers from the Philippines (the other one is Anton Diaz, the very amiable guy behind the popular Our Awesome Planet :) ) With the theme "Engage, Educate and Entertain," the 2014 Malaysia Social Media Summit, organized by the Malaysia Social Media Chambers, aims to reflect the "role of social media as a catalyst in stirring the cultural, political, economic and s...

Oct312013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanaoan.com wins Best Lifestyle Blog in 2013 Mindanao Blog Awards

Announcements, Blogging, Features, Headline, Internet, Leisure, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Personal, Society, Technology, United States of America

My lucky stars truly shone on me during the recently concluded Mindanao Blog Awards 2013. Apart from bagging the Mindanao Blogger of the Year award, Mindanaoan.com also won the Best Lifestyle Blog award :) Thank you so much, daghang salamat to all of my fellow Mindanao bloggers who nominated and voted for me and to all of the judges as well. I am really grateful for this recognition! Such an honor, such an honor. I remember when I won the Best Lifestyle Blog award in the 2010 Philippine Blog Awards and became a national finalist in the 2011 PBA. Those citations truly inspired me to help more people understand the power of blogging and social media. In just a span of 2 years, I have organized a bloggers group, organized some blogging and mapping workshops, traveled to several a...

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...

Sep42013 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Speaking about social media in a US Embassy event in Palawan

Advocacy, America, Arts, Blogging, Education, Features, Government, Headline, Internet, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Society, Technology, Tourism, United States of America, Visayas

This Mindanao blogger received a special invitation not too long ago. The US Embassy Manila folks asked if I wanted to speak about social media, blogging and citizen journalism in a two-day, all expenses paid eco-tourism workshop in Palawan. As an International Visitor Leadership Program alumnus, I was invited to share my knowledge to outstanding students from various schools in Brooke's Point, Palawan. Who can say no to that kind of invitation? So last August 22, 2013, I flew to Manila from Mindanao and then to Puerto Princesa, Palawan - all on the same day. My flight to Manila got delayed for about 3 hours because of Typhoon Maring. The delayed flight was both boon and bane. Boon because I was able to chat with a city mayor-friend of mine (you know, get the inside juicy stuff I can wr...

Aug92013 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Will be part of Sugar Ray Smash Mouth Gin Blossoms Live In Manila #SugarSmashGin

Advocacy, America, Announcements, Blogging, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Features, Headline, Internet, Leisure, Manila, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Musings, News, Personal, Personalities, Society, United States of America

Hold your breath, folks. Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth AND Gin Blossoms are heading to Manila this October 21, 2013! Yes, Mindanaoan.com can exclusively confirm that popular 90's bands Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth and Gin Blossoms will headline a very special 3-in-1 concert #SugarSmashGin on October 21, 2013, Araneta Coliseum, Manila! Actually, I first shared the good news in an earlier blog post but only Sugar Ray and Smash Mouth were the confirmed acts then :) And I am also very excited to let you guys know that, thanks to my amazing friends over at Random Minds Production, I will be with Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth and Gin Blossoms when they arrive in Manila! That means I will frequently be dishing out updates, exclusive photos and videos! Stoked :D So are you ready for #SugarSmashGin? I...

Jul22013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Speaking during Social Media Day 2013

Advocacy, BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Campus, Education, Events, Features, Headline, Internet, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Northern Mindanao, Personal, Society, Technology

I was invited to be the keynote speaker during a Social Media Day 2013 event held at SM City Cagayan de Oro last Sunday, June 30, 2013. The said Social Media Day or SMDay event was just one of the hundreds being celebrated all over the world that day. I immediately said yes, since this is part of my ongoing advocacy as IVLP alumnae. Social Media Day is an annual international event that recognizes the digital revolution happening around the world. It is a global celebration (in more than 487 cities) of the technological advancements that have given rise to the connected generation. The CDO Bloggers group invited me to speak about responsible social media as well as social media for social good. I also shared some tips on how to use social media to spread positive vibes, encourage vol...

Jun212013 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Co-producing a Rivermaya band gig at Blue Room, Apo View Davao

Announcements, Arts, Entertainment, Events, Features, Island Garden City of Samal, Leisure, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Musings, News, Radio, Society, Videos

Like most things that end up being hands-down epic, my being a co-producer of a recent Rivermaya band gig at Blue Room, Apo View Hotel Davao all started with two phone calls and a Facebook message. Yep. A phone call from the Rivermaya band manager, a phone call to a former classmate in Ateneo and a Facebook message to his cousin (who also happens to be a batchmate). That's all it took. A day and a half later, the Rivermaya Live At Blue Room, Apo View Hotel Davao City was a go. Things moved pretty quickly. My assistant and I were on the phone, calling a few friends who may want to sponsor the show. Fortunately, everyone we got in touch with all said yes. Who wouldn't? It's RIVERMAYA - the Banda ng Bayan - the very band responsible for the monster hits "Kisapmata," "Umaaraw, Umuulan," "Yo...

May302013 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Investigative journalism seminar for Mindanao bloggers, journalists, citizen media

Announcements, Blogging, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Update

The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) is inviting Mindanao bloggers, citizen media and journalists to an investigative reporting seminar. This PCIJ investigative reporting seminar will touch on political clans, governance and journalists' safety. This seminar is open to mid-career and senior Filipino journalists, citizen media, bloggers, researchers, anchors, producers, news managers, editors, contributors, freelance reporters, stringers of print, TV, radio and online media. Mindanao bloggers covering public policy issues are also eligible. Application deadline: June 10, 2013. This PCIJ investigative reporting seminar will be held on July 25 to 28, 2013. Seminar topics include: • Media Killings, Political Violence, and Impunity in the Philippines •...

Mar312013 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Speaking at the Social Media Influencers Summit 2013

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Cebu City, Education, Events, Features, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, News, Personal, Politics, Society, Technology

The main reason why I was in Cebu City several days ago was to speak at the Social Media Influencers Summit 2013, touted as the largest gathering of social media enthusiasts in the Visayas. It was truly an honor to be one of the speakers especially since the lineup boasted of a lot of prominent online and social media personalities as well as thought leaders like Maria Ressa (CEO of Rappler.com) and Leah Besa-Jimenez (SMART). The Social Media Influencers Summit 2013 was held at J Centre Convention Hall, J Centre Mall, Mandaue City. About 300 social media users attended the summit, which was organized by iNewMedia Online in cooperation with the Cebu Bloggers Society. Topics that day included community social media influencers at work (the stories behind the Iloilo Bloggers Society...

Mar122013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Covering the Team UNA rally in Bukidnon

Bukidnon, Commentary, Events, Government, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Photos, Politics

It was a really long, tiring day. Woke up at 6 AM, which I rarely do, to start on the tasks. My hardworking staff members were still asleep, having only returned from their overnight propaganda tasks at 5 in the morning! Anyways, after hours of preparation, this was what happened the evening of March 2, 2013. Tens of thousands of people were already gathered at the Capitol Grounds in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. I have to say, though - the Team UNA campaign rally in Bukidnon was a concert-slash-rally-slash-fireworks-display event. Since it was the Kaamulan Festival 2013, there was a telecom-sponsored concert that night (topbilled by Itchyworms and Tanya Markova) plus the much-awaited grand fireworks display. Yes, there were people who came to hear the Team UNA senatorial candidates speak ...

Mar102013 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Join the Social Media Influencers Summit 2013 in Cebu City

Advocacy, Blogging, Cebu City, Events, Internet, Make Money Online, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News, Society, Technology, Visayas

Are you interested to learn all about the best social media practices in the Philippines from top industry leaders? Do you want to learn how you can maximize social media for your personal or business advancement? Do you want to know how you can promote social media responsibility and help set ethics and standards for social media users? Then join the Social Media Influencers Summit 2013 in Cebu City on March 16, 2013 (Saturday). iNewMedia Online in cooperation with Cebu Bloggers Society, Inc. (CBSi) is set to stage the Social Media Influencers Summit 2013 at JCentre Mall Convention Hall, Mandaue City, Cebu. The event is expected to gather more than 300 social media influencers and users. Maria Ressa, formerly of ABS CBN and now CEO of Rappler.com, will be the keynote speaker. Amo...