Mindanaoan Update Archives - Page 43 of 67 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Nov262010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

SOCCSKSARGEN Blogfest 2010 – registration now open!

Announcements, Blogging, Events, General Santos City, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, SoSCksargen, Technology

If you're a budding blogger in Mindanao and you missed the recent blogging events in Bukidnon and Zamboanga City, then you're in luck! The much-awaited SOCCSKSARGEN BlogFest 2010 is set to take place in a few days' time and yes, registration is now open! The 2010 SOCCSKSARGEN BlogFest will be held on December 11, 2010 at the New Grand Ballroom of East Asia Royale Hotel, National Highway, General Santos City, Mindanao. Slots are very limited so if you're interested to join this blogging event, register ASAP! A fee of P250/US$6.50[PayPal] (Early Bird P150/US$4, before 01 December) will be collected from each delegate. Deadline for registration is on Friday, November 26, 2010. The fee includes a meal, two snacks, a BlogFest 2010 mini-kit and a raffle ticket. You may pay in adva...

Nov252010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Pokwang invites fans to Mindanaoan.com-supported CDO concert

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Videos

Look who has a special video invitation! It's no other than the very talented comedianne Pokwang who wants to invite all of YOU to watch “The Crooner and The Comedienne - Richard Poon and Pokwang - Back2Back Live in Cagayan de Oro that's set to happen on Sunday, December 19, 2010, 7:30 PM at The Atrium of Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. Big band crooner Richard Poon will join Pokwang in this very special event. Special guest is Pilipinas Got Talent finalist Markki Stroem. This humble blog, Mindanaoan.com, is one of the proud sponsors of this Christmas concert :) And may I just say that it makes me smile whenever I receive text messages from friends in CDO who constantly let me know that they see www.Mindanaoan.com on those huge billboards around the city. Thanks guys...

Nov242010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mindanao youth org-finalists to 8th TAYO Awards 2010 revealed

Mindanaoan Update

Thanks to the TAYO Awards 2010 secretariat, this blogger from Mindanao has gotten hold of the list of Mindanao youth organizations that have been declared finalists to the 8th Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) Awards. These Mindanao youth groups will attend the TAYO Awards 2010 National Finals Week in Manila on December 5 to 9, 2010, according to search committee chair Georgina Nava (or Miss Georg, as I call her :) ) * 4-H Mandaya Tribal Youth Organization (MTYO), Compostella Valley, Mindanao * Association of Locally-Empowered Youth - Northern Mindanao (ALEY-NM) * Pro-Drop Out Reduction Program (PRO-DORP) Team, Surigao del Sur, Mindanao * Watershed Management Youth Council, Davao City, Mindanao * Youth Solidarity for Peace-Peace Advocates Zamboanga (YSP-PAZ), Zamboanga, Mi...

Nov232010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Get free tickets to Pupil concert in Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Mindanaoan Update, Music

Are you a fan of Ely Buendia and his band Pupil? Do you live in Cagayan de Oro City or nearby areas? Then you will most definitely love this piece of news! The 2010 PUMA Archive Uncovered on the road concert series will make its last pitstop for the year at Club Tilt, Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao and of course, PUMA will bring no other than Pupil! Watch Pupil live at Club Tilt on Dec. 8, 2010, 6:00 PM! If you want to know more about Club Tilt, this blogger from Mindanao has written something about Club Tilt here. Meanwhile, if you want to know how you can get TWO FREE TICKETS to watch Ely Buendia and the rest of Pupil, then check out the details after the jump! (more…)

Nov222010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Mountain Madness Bike Race 2010

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Mindanaoan Update, Sports

The All Terrain Trekkers and Cross-Country Klub (ATTACK) of Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao is celebrating its 12th anniversary and in line with this, the said biking and outdoor club is holding a mountain bike competition. The event, dubbed "Mountain Madness 11," will be held on December 5, 2010 in CDO, Mindanao. This mountain bike competition aims to draw mountain biking enthusiasts not only from Cagayan de Oro City but from nearby cities and provinces as well. The total length of the race route is 16 kilometers and the terrain includes concrete roads, creeks, single tracks and rough roads. Pretty challenging, don't you think so? :) Registration fee is P189.00. However, according to the event organizer, if you register early between November 20 to 30, you’ll be paying P160.00 only. ...

Nov202010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mindanaoan senator Guingona et al take first step to budget reform

Advocacy, Announcements, Broadcasting, Bukidnon, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News

Senator Teofisto ‘TG" Guingona III, a fellow Mindanaoan, has taken his crusade for a transparent, accountable and participatory budget process a step further. The solon led the signing of the Open Budget Partnership Agreement during a forum on the 2011 National Expenditure Program attended by members and leaders of civil society organizations in Ortigas, Pasig City today. “Today, we are witness to a historic event, when the government and the civil society join hands in safeguarding one of the most important processes in good governance – that is, making sure that the budget process will be truly crafted in the true essence of democracy, one that will benefit the people whose taxes make this country run,” stated Guingona. The Open Budget Partnership is a collaborative initiative amon...

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...

Nov162010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Giant christmas tree at SM City Cebu

Cebu City, Features, Gifts, Internet, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Shopping, Society

Christmas is really in the air! Don't you just love the Yuletide season? In Mindanao, a lot of people bring out those Christmas decors as early as October but most really get into the spirit after All Souls' Day (November 2). In 2008, my Mindanaoan blog featured this Christmas Tree found at People's Park, Davao City, Mindanao. In 2009, Mindanaoan featured the Christmas Trees found at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay and at Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao. And to officially welcome Christmas 2010, I present to you a photo I took of the giant Christmas Tree found at the Northwing of SM Cebu: Pretty nice, eh? By the way, I would like to invite you to check out my very first Christmas blog! MyChristmasGiftGuide.com is where you can read all about Christmas, Christmas symbols and ornam...

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...

Nov132010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Tsim Sha Tsui Ayala Terraces

Cebu City, Commentary, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Photos, Reviews

No, this time it's not the Tsim Sha Tsui district found in Hongkong (which I miss but will soon be in again come March 2011! Well, that's another post :D) We're talking about the Tsim Sha Tsui restaurant found at The Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu. Tsim Sha Tsui serves, quite obviously, Chinese cuisine. This Cebu restaurant is also known for their Dimsum Conveyor Buffet (an eat-all-you-can thingie for about P350.00 per head). Tsim Sha Tsui (pronounced as sim-shya-tswoy, according to Hongkies or Hongkong locals) is found at the second level of the Ayala Mall Cebu The Terraces. Anyways, on my first day in Cebu City, my brother and I had lunch at TST. And you know what this means. Food shots! The Hakao / Ha Kao / Hakaw or shrimp dumplings were juicy and delicious! (more…)

Nov132010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Ely Buendia and the rest of Pupil in Cagayan de Oro on December 8, 2010

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Shopping, Society

Thanks to PUMA and one of my most favorite lifestyle specialty boutiques Spruce, loyal Ely Buendia fans like me will have the time of their lives on December 8, 2010 at Club TILT, Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao. Yes, boys and girls, PUPIL will rock Cagayan de Oro on December 8, 2010! PUMA is bringing Ely Buendia and the rest of Pupil in CDO on December 8, 2010! Want to know how you can score entrance passes to the PUPIL Live in CDO event? (more…)

Nov132010 by Mindanaoan Irene10 Comments

Cheap taxi at Mactan Cebu airport

Advocacy, Blogging, Business, Cebu City, Consumer, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Society, Tourism, Travel

I've been to Cebu City countless of times but I think I haven't shared yet one tried and tested travel tip: how to avail of cheap taxi service at the Mactan Cebu International Airport. By cheap I mean the regular, metered taxi service rate and not the fixed or coupon-type of taxi service rate. This tip is especially helpful for first time travelers to the Queen City of the South. But before that, let's talk a little bit about the Mactan Cebu International Airport. The airport, as the name suggests, is in Mactan Island - meaning it's NOT within Cebu City proper. Usually, it takes you about 20 to 30 minutes from downtown Cebu to reach the airport. To go to Mactan, you need to cross one of the two bridges that connect Cebu to Mactan - the Mactan-Mandaue bridge and the Marcelo Fernan bridge...

Nov122010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

SM Cagayan de Oro Digital Theater opens today!

Announcements, Business, Corporate, Davao City, Entertainment, Events, Mindanaoan Update, Movies

Thanks to Kagay-an.com's Mike Banos, I found out that the grand launching of the much-awaited Digital Theater at SM City Cagayan de Oro is set to happen today, November 12, 2010, 5 PM. The SM Digital Theater banners the promise that the movies that will be shown there will be "so clear and so real." At around 6 PM, the blockbuster film "Avatar" will be shown in the brand new SM CdO Digital Theater. Can't help but wonder, though, if they'll show the original "Avatar" or the one that has the extra 8 minute footage. Anyways, the said digital theater isn't the first in Mindanao. Gaisano Mall Davao City already has a digital theater. The one in SM CDO, however, is the first in Northern Mindanao. I've tried watching films in IMAX, 3D and Digital Theaters. And yes, the movies shown in D...

Nov122010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Off to Cebu City! Thank you Air Philippines for saving the day

Bisaya, Business, Cebu City, Features, Flights, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Travel

This is already almost too embarrassing to say considering what happened just a few weeks ago but really, my deep gratitude to the staff and crew of Air Philippines - Lumbia Airport, Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao. I was super late for my Cagayan de Oro to Cebu City flight but they still let me board. Now don't be alarmed, though. I wasn't late late. Let's just say that I didn't make the 45 minutes before the flight cut-off. My flight was at 12:50 PM and I arrived at the airport at 12:30 PM. I have a valid reason, though! I was in Bukidnon for the blogging workshop I organized and left a good 4 hours before my scheduled ETD. Unfortunately, the usual 2-hour trip from Malaybalay City, Bukidnon to Cagayan de Oro City became a 3 and a half hour ordeal, no thanks to an 18-wheeler tru...

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...

Nov72010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

California Berry Davao – frozen yogurt delight in Mindanao

Blogging, Business, Consumer, Davao City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews

I was in Manila during the first wave of the so-called "froyo" or frozen yogurt craze. As a self-proclaimed Mindanaoan foodie, I visited almost every available frozen yogurt store (and yep, basically said adieu to my diet!) and I often wondered when the "froyo" craze would invade Mindanao. Fast forward a few months later, the frozen yogurt trend has finally penetrated Mindanao - there are now frozen yogurt businesses in Davao City and Cagayan de Oro City. I'm pretty sure more frozen yogurt businesses will sprout in other Mindanao areas. The froyo outlet I most recently visited was California Berry. Located at the 2nd floor of Gaisano Mall Davao along Bajada, California Berry Davao serves nonfat frozen yogurt. I ordered the seasonal green apple yogurt with, as you can see, three differe...

Nov42010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Where to eat in Davao City Mindanao – CTres Buffet Restaurant and Piano Bar

Blogging, Business, Davao City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism

More and more buffet places have been sprouting in my hometown Davao City, much to the delight of both Dabawenyo and non-Dabawenyo foodies. One of the buffet places in Davao City that has been receiving great reviews is CTres Buffet Restaurant and Piano Bar. CTres, by the way, is pronounced "seetres." Located along E. Palma Gil Street, Barrio Obrero (although a lot of people consider it part of Bajada), CTres serves buffet lunch and dinner everyday, even on Sundays. If you're planning to have dinner there, I highly suggest that you reserve a table as the place gets packed really quickly. I personally witnessed this. I went to CTres at around 6:30pm and there was only a lone vacant table. About two minutes after I got settled, I saw an entire barkada enter the joint and got disappointed ...

Nov32010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Thank you for Filipino family reunions!

Blogging, Contests, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal

If there's one thing that I've been absolutely thankful for in the past few days, it's the fact that we Filipinos like holding family or clan reunions. There's just something fun and magical about Filipino family reunions, don't you agree? More often than not, these traditional Filipino reunions are noisy, crazy, fiesta-like and absolutely full of food and games! So you can just imagine the craziness if it's a grand clan reunion! Two days ago, I attended our grandest clan reunion yet. It was the most-awaited, too, since my aunt, who hasn't been home in nearly 10 years, has flown in from New York with her new husband. * Loving clasp - photo by www.Mindanaoan.com (more…)

Nov22010 by Mindanaoan Irene8 Comments

Review: Las Casitas Inn | Hotel in Davao City Mindanao

Business, Davao City, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

I first stayed at Las Casitas Inn, Davao City, Mindanao during the campaign season for the May 2010 elections. I only stayed at Las Casitas de Angela Inn Davao City overnight then so I barely had the chance to take photos of my room. Hence, when I went back to Davao City for a special event, I decided to check-in at Las Casitas Inn --- which, by the way, is now known as Casitas Hotel. I got a single room at this Davao hotel and only paid P895.00 (roughly US$25.00) Located along JP Rizal Street, Las Casitas de Angela Hotel is considered a "small hotel." This Davao City budget hotel is conveniently located downtown - at the very heart of the city. From the Davao International Airport, it'll most probably take you about half an hour to reach Las Casitas Inn. This cheap Davao hotel...

Oct312010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Marks and Spencer Cagayan de Oro opening

Announcements, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Fashion, Mindanaoan Update, Shopping

So the much-awaited opening of the Cagayan de Oro branch of Marks and Spencer was finally held last Thursday, October 28, 2010. One of UK's leading retailers, Marks and Spencer CDO can be found at the East Concourse of Limketkai Center, Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao. And guess who were among the beautiful guests? (more…)

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...