Mindanaoan Update Archives - Page 24 of 67 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Feb52014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Top 7 Tips in Spending Singles Holidays #Valentines

Who says singles holidays cannot be exciting and fun? In reality, it is a great opportunity to meet new people, make life long friends and establish relationships. A lot of people continue to believe that going on holiday alone is boring. On the other hand, it could actually be an advantage on your part. You just have to learn how to survive it. Going on singles holidays is not something that you should be sad about. There are tips that you can follow in order to make sure that you will still enjoy even though you are alone. On the contrary, being alone would simply mean that you can freely look for someone who can spend the holiday with you. Here are effective guidelines that you can follow: Going with a group is a good idea so that you will not really feel alone. However, you ha...

Jan252014 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Bukidnon: Must-eats at Del Monte Golf Clubhouse

Bukidnon, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Reviews, Society

A lot of people who get the chance to visit the famed Bukidnon tourist spot - the clubhouse at Del Monte Golf and Country Club, Manolo Fortich - almost always rave about the steaks there. Undoubtedly, the steaks served at Del Monte Golf and Country Club are really good - the fact that they get meat from pineapple-fed cattle already tells you that the steaks there are worth every penny. However, there are also other food choices you might want to try the next time you visit this Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon tourist destination. Of course, there's the bottomless Del Monte pineapple juice. For only Php 35.00 per person, you can drink ice cold pineapple juice to your heart's content. The Del Monte baconsilog - bacon, sinangag (fried rice) and egg. The clubhouse serves all-day breakfa...

Jan232014 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Liempo King – best grilled liempo in Butuan and Cagayan de Oro

Mindanaoan Update

There are stalls that sell grilled liempo and then there's Liempo King. Needless to say, based on the title of this blog post alone, you'd know that Liempo King has garnered a lot of checks and thumbs up in my book! You just simply have to try their lechon liempo and find out exactly why they're KING! The first time I tried Liempo King, I knew right after that I will be a regular customer. I loved their specialty - the liempo na lechon. It's a lovely, fragrant, succulent gastronomic experience. How could it not be? Liempo King only uses premium meats and other fresh ingredients grown locally. They infuse special secret herbs and spices (these cause the Liempo King lechon liempo's distinct aroma) that truly make your taste buds sing! The liempo skin is also very crispy! Truly reminds ...

Jan62014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Benefits of renting a lake cabin in Mindanao and anywhere in the world

Mindanaoan Update

Whether a person is planning a trip with family and friends or prepping for a romantic getaway with a significant other, finding the perfect vacation spot is a must. While the fresh ocean air of the beach may be tempting, vacationing at a lake cabin may prove to be even more satisfying. Here are some of the benefits of renting a lake cabin. Modern conveniences Unlike camping in a tent, a lake cabin furnishes all of the modern necessities that some vacationers crave. Although the lake cabin is surrounded by the natural beauty of the forest, it does not sacrifice comfort. Most lake cabins are outfitted with televisions, stoves, refrigerators, fireplaces, and of course bathrooms. Some even have an outdoor hot tub that boosts the relaxation of the trip. Nature trails For active people ...

Dec302013 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mindanaoan.com wins at CDO Bloggers Awards 2013

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Education, Events, Features, Internet, Make Money Online, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Technology

The year 2013 has truly been a good year for me, especially in terms of my passion for blogging and social media. Aside from being tapped as a resource speaker during social media day, national social media summits, Google events like GDayX and the like, I also garnered some awards. Last October 2013, this Mindanao blogger bagged not only the Best Lifestyle Blog award but the most coveted Mindanao Blogger of the Year 2013 recognition! And just last night, December 29, 2013, luck was again on my side. During the CDO Bloggers Awards 2013, I received two awards including the Most Active CDO Bloggers Member of the Year plaque! Thank you very much to my CDO Bloggers family! Truly honored and grateful! Daghang salamat :)

Dec262013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Foodspotting: Famous Belgian Waffles

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Features, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Reviews, Society

Famous Belgian Waffles. Just how "famous" and delicious are these waffles? Well, Famous Belgian Waffles Limketkai CDO is just one of the more than 100 outlets all over the Philippines and there's always a bevy of hungry and eager customers at each of their waffle stores so I guess they're doing something right! :) I got to try these delicious treats a few days ago when the CDO franchisee invited this Mindanaoan blogger for a visit. I also brought along several blogger friends and my brother, the Tennis Guru, who was also in town for a vacation. To say that we all enjoyed our freshly baked, delicious, crispy golden brown waffles is actually an understatement. All of us absolutely LOVED our treats! Most of us tried the blueberry creamcheese while one tried the banana hazelnut variety. ...

Dec262013 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Merry Christmas from Bamboo and Mindanaoan.com

Announcements, Features, Mindanaoan Update

Merry Christmas to all of my dear Mindanaoan.com readers, subscribers, followers! I sincerely hope that you had a meaningful and blessed Christmas. For me, Christmas is when you realize that you have so many things to be thankful for and that there are many things money simply cannot buy. Christmas is a great reminder that the basic things in life are truly the most important. What about you? What does Christmas mean to you? :) I also have an extra thing to be thankful for this Christmas. Someone I admire sent me a very sweet video message congratulating me for my recent win as Mindanao Blogger of the Year 2013 and Best Lifestyle Blog awardee ! Hi Bamboo :) [yes, my face is a little beet red right now *blush*] Bamboo made this cute fan sign, too! Super special thanks to ...

Dec222013 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

EXCLUSIVE: Macklemore and Ryan Lewis Live In Manila, Philippines 2014 #MacklemoreRyanLewisPH

Announcements, Entertainment, Events, Features, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Society, United States of America

UPDATED: Very affordable ticket prices below! YES! MACKLEMORE IS HEADING TO MANILA!!! Superstar duo Macklemore and Ryan Lewis Live in Manila on March 16, 2014 at the Mall of Asia Arena! Who's ready to go to the "Thrift Shop" and "throw our hands up like the ceiling can't hold us"? If you've been following Mindanaoan on Twitter, well, folks, this is the exciting news I've been dying to share with you all! Macklemore and Ryan Lewis are bringing their multi-platinum hits "Can't Hold Us," "Same Love," "White Walls" and of course, "Thrift Shop," called by Forbes as "one of the biggest sleeper hits of the decade, earning certification for 7 million downloads sold in the United States" alone. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis' "The Heist" album also sold more than 1 million copies, perform before SOLD...

Dec152013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Travel: New way to explore Davao and Samal Island beaches

Advocacy, Blogging, Business, Consumer, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Features, Island Garden City of Samal, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Resorts, Reviews, Society, Tourism, Travel

One of the many joys of living in Davao City is that it is just several minutes away (a 15-minute ferry ride away, in fact) from Samal Island (Island Garden City of Samal or IGACOS), home of white sand beaches, great resorts, clear water, healthy marine life and dive spots. A lot of tourists usually go to just one resort in Samal Island but did you know that there's now a new, fun way to explore Davao and the beaches around Samal? Why not go island hopping aboard Explore Davao? Explore Davao is an outrigger boat (bangka) complete with an expanded sun deck, bean bags, iPod dock and a cooler. Explore Davao island hopping banca even has its own comfort room and a nifty trapdoor! To show you just how comfortable Davao island hopping aboard Explore Davao is, here are my cool friends an...

Dec42013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Speaking at GDayX CDO – a Google event

Mindanaoan Update

Thanks to the invitation from Google Business Group - CDO, I was one of the speakers during the highly successful gDayX CDO event held last November 16, 2013 in Cagayan de Oro City. gDayX is a big Google event and the Northern Mindanao, Philippines leg was held in CDO. gDayX is an event format patterned after Google Days or gDays, and is a collaboration of various Google communities. There were 10 speakers and topics ranged from how to use Google products to maximize your business, how to start a tourism business and market it online (that was my topic! :) ), crisis mapping, technopreneurship, how to start a business blog, planning and launching your own startup company and measuring success with Google Analytics. These are just some of those who attended that fun-filled d...

Dec42013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

New night food market in Cagayan de Oro: Mercato de Oro

Mindanaoan Update

Just a few more days before Mercato de Oro, the night food and lifestyle market of Northern Mindanao opens! Are you as excited as I am? :) Actually, I already shared this exciting piece of news several weeks ago (read: Mercato Centrale introduces CDO version) but I wanted to write about Mercato de Oro again because there are new marketing collaterals out and Mindanaoan.com can be found on all of them! Yey! :D Check out the poster below ;) There are also several lamppost banners, billboards and in-mall standees within Ayala Centrio Mall where you can find this. I even posted a photo on Instagram! Cool, huh? :) Mercato de Oro will start on December 7, 2013 (Saturday) and will be located at the Garden area of Centrio Ayala Mall, Corrales Street corner CM Recto Avenue. The nigh...

Nov192013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Photos: Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray at ABS CBN ASAP

Entertainment, Events, Headline, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Photos

One of the highlights of my October 2013 was meeting Mark McGrath and the rest of Sugar Ray band and playing a role in the staging of the SugarSmashGin concert in Manila. Anybody who knows me can attest that I am one very big Mark McGrath fan and that I have a big crush on him. So meeting him in person, having the chance to hang out with him, having the chance to talk to him and discuss so many things and getting lots of hugs and kisses in the process is like my heaven on earth! :) Since I know that my kuwentos related to Mark McGrath, Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth and Gin Blossoms will require several blog posts, for now, let me start by sharing some of the photos I took when Mark went to ABS CBN to promote the concert at ASAP, a Sunday variety show. I went along. Needless to say, he was the ...

Nov172013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Gin Blossoms to hold Haiyan benefit concert #GBFansRockPhilippines

Announcements, Entertainment, Events, Mindanaoan Update, Music

Last month, during a concert in Manila, I met really cool, talented, down-to-earth and generous guys. Those guys were Robin Wilson, Scott Johnson, Jesse Valenzuela and Scott Hessel a.k.a. Gin Blossoms. Yes, the very same guys who made "Hey Jealousy," "Till I Hear It From You," "As Long As It Matters" and "Follow You Down" smash hits worldwide. Never mind if their "As Long As It Matters" song is a Grammy-nominated creation and that it has earned the band more than 9 Million in sales in the US alone. They were very sweet, approachable and have hearts of gold. In fact, during their stay in the Philippines, they, along with the bands Smash Mouth and Sugar Ray, donated more than 400 official concert t-shirts to the victims of the 7.2 earthquake that hit Bohol and Cebu. Check out Robin...

Nov22013 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Review: Fersal Hotel Makati – homey budget inn

Hotels, Leisure, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Travel

Looking for accessible, affordable yet very homey hotels in Makati can be quite a challenge. Most Makati hotels within the business district can be pricey and for budget-conscious travelers like myself, it may mean that I can only stay in cheap Makati inns in seedy areas. So I was really very grateful when I had the chance to stay for two nights at Fersal Hotel Makati during my most recent trip to Manila. This comfortable bed and these seriously soft pillows welcomed me. I knew there and then that it was going to be a cozy two night-stay. Fersal Hotel Neptune Makati is just a stone's throw away from Makati Avenue, one of the city's main thoroughfares. Although it is also very near a lot of dining choices, Fersal Hotel also has a cafe near the lobby where you can enjoy sumptuous m...

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...

Oct292013 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mercato Centrale introduces CDO version – Mercato De Oro

Mindanaoan Update

One of the things I usually do whenever I visit Manila is check out food markets and one of those that my friends and I usually go to is Mercato Centrale at the Bonifacio Global City. There, you can find a great selection of interesting food choices - from donut burgers (yep) to oversized isaw (chicken intestine) to really delicious bagnet (and bagnet bacon!) You can also find fresh fruits, seafood, pastries and cakes, organic products and even arts and crafts. Mercato Centrale is really a must-visit especially when you're in Manila. Good thing the guys behind Mercato Centrale, food blogger Anton Diaz and popular TV host and columnist RJ Ledesma (known as Joey in the Royal Tru-Orange series back in the 80's!), are bringing the popular food market to Mindanao. Dubbed "Mercato de Oro,"...

Oct112013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Davao fruit shopping with Rivermaya @rivermayaband

Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Musings, Personalities, Shopping, Society, Tourism

Was scanning my files earlier today and I found these! Very timely - since my Rivermaya band boys are currently in Dubai as of this writing and I miss them :) I will be in Manila in a few days, actually, but I'm not sure if I could watch any of their gigs. Oh well, c'est la vie. Anyway, here's the kuwento behind these photos. Hours before that Rivermaya Live In Davao show I co-produced with Apo View Hotel and The Blue Room not too long ago, Explore Davao treated Rivermaya band members Mark Escueta, Mike Elgar, Norby David and Ryan Peralta, the Rivermaya band management (led by Raymond) and I to a fun Samal Island trip! The boys looked pretty excited that morning :) Of course, what good is a beach/island outing without baon? Davao Congressman Karlo Nograles and his lovely wife ...

Oct92013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Shop pink at VMV Hypoallergenics, help fight breast cancer

Advocacy, Beauty, Mindanaoan Update, Shopping

October is breast cancer awareness month. If you know someone who's undergoing treatment for breast cancer, you know for sure just how physically and emotionally draining it is and just how big a challenge it is not only for the patient but for her family and friends. That's why it's very important to detect the early signs of breast cancer. One of the groups that advocate breast cancer awareness is the ICanServe Foundation, Inc. Ever since its inception, ICanServe has helped so many women through their high impact information campaigns. Did you know that it's easy for you to help ICanServe and their advocacy? Actually, not only will you have the chance to help this group, you will also get a free gift! All you have to do is shop at VMV Hypoallergenics! Buy their "pink" products -...

Oct22013 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

SM Store taps British supermodel David Gandy as new endorser

Business, Consumer, Fashion, Mindanaoan Update

SM Store has tapped British supermodel David Gandy as their newest image model for SM Men's Fashion and this hunk is coming to Manila! In my opinion, to get David Gandy is a very bold and wise move on the part of SM, especially since this 6'3" blue-eyed hunk was voted 3rd most successful model in the world by Forbes magazine in 2009 and continues to make waves in the fashion industry. And, yes, ladies, David Gandy is that hottie in the Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue campaign: Just how stylish is SM Store's newest endorser? During the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony, David Gandy was the only male to walk the catwalk featuring British fashions and alongside female supermodels like Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss. David Gandy also modeled for so many well-known global brands. Th...

Oct22013 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Revisiting the Monastery of Transfiguration in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon

Beauty, Bukidnon, Culture, Features, Malaybalay City, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Photos, Society, Tourism, Travel, Weddings

I had the chance to revisit the Monastery of Transfiguration last weekend. Located in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, the Monastery of Transfiguration, also known as the Benedictine Transfiguration Monastery, is my most favorite spiritual refuge. It's an ideal place to visit in Mindanao, Philippines if you want to go on a spiritual retreat. The centerpiece of the Monastery of Transfiguration is this popular cone-shaped chapel, designed by the late National Artist for Architecture Leandro Locsin. There's a dress code that you need to follow before you enter the chapel, please. If you find yourself alone in the church, consider yourself very lucky. It's when I'm alone inside this beautiful chapel that I can truly meditate and speak with the Lord. The well-manicured garden ...

Oct12013 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mindanaoan.com is a finalist in the 2013 Mindanao Blog Awards

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Features, Internet, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Society, Technology

Hi everyone! So excited to share with you all a piece of good news. My humble blog, Mindanaoan, has officially been recognized as a finalist in the Mindanao Blog Awards 2013 (MBA 2013)! Woot woot! Mindanaoan.com is one of the Best Lifestyle Blog 2013 finalists :) You can find the official announcement here. Thank you so much, daghang salamat gyud kaayo to everyone who voted in order for Mindanaoan to be among the finalists. There will still be a final round of voting (I hope I can still count on your support ;) ) but win or lose, I am already extremely proud and grateful! Thank you :) I remember when I won the Best Lifestyle Blog award in the 2010 Philippine Blog Awards and became a national finalist in the 2011 leg. The recognitions truly inspired me to help more people understa...