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

Aug242020 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Easy city to mountain driving aboard the Ford EcoSport

Bukidnon, Cafe, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Reviews, Society, Style, Travel, Videos

Don’t you just miss bonding with family and friends, going on a road trip, savoring scenic views and delicious food, and just having a great time with those close to your heart? I’m sure this is something all of us miss and look forward to doing. Fortunately, I recently had the opportunity to see some of my friends (whom I haven’t seen since the onset of the pandemic!) and bond with my relatives. That meant driving to the city, to hinterlands, to a farm and to a newly-discovered (an accidental discovery brought about by a call from a dear friend whom I also haven’t seen in a darn long time) area that had a killer view! And so, aboard the Ford EcoSport Titanium, my weekend went off to a great start. My friends and I went to this new cafe uptown and then proceeded to Indah...

Jul102020 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Conquering Mangima Road with Ford Ranger Raptor

Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Leisure, LifeStyle, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Personal, Reviews, Society, Travel

In a previous blog post, I mentioned that I am in the market for a new vehicle and currently weighing options. Aside from budget, comfort level and features, I thought I also needed a vehicle that could fit my busy and adventure-filled lifestyle but can also be formal and practical, preferably one that didn’t really require further modifications. See, I may be a girl but more often than not, I’m not that girly-girl, if you know what I mean. I have my happy-in-a-dress days but I have more makeup-free, slippers-only, super comfortable clothes on days. So, to me, that’s a challenge. Is there a vehicle out there for someone who loves to travel and conquer many adventures but who also loves to take the family, friends and loved ones for fun escapades, lead community projects, volu...

Feb12017 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Tried and tested: How I saved big on my CDO hotel with the Traveloka App

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Hotels, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Reviews, Technology, Tourism, Travel

As a frequent traveler, nothing else makes me a happy camper than discovering various ways and means to save money especially on accommodations. We all know that lodging expenses can take a huge chunk off our travel budget so if there’s a way for me to save, I’m game! So when I heard all about this new app, Traveloka, that lets you save not only on hotel rates but also on flights, I just had to give it a whirl! Plus I had a great reason to test this hotel and flight booking platform. My mother and one of my brothers (who are both based outside Cagayan de Oro) were in town and I wanted to treat them to a mini staycation. My hotel of choice - Limketkai Luxe Hotel. Located along CM Recto Avenue, Lapasan, CDO, Limketkai Luxe Hotel is just a few moments away from Limketkai Mall...

Dec132016 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Globe Telecom, Hineleban Foundation lead “Rainforestation” and livelihood program for IPs in Bukidnon, Lanao del Sur

Advocacy, ARMM, BIMP-EAGA, Bukidnon, Business, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Misamis Oriental, Muslim Mindanao, News, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Videos

A "rainforestation" program for the 6 mountain ranges in Mindanao as well as livelihood opportunities for indigenous people in Bukidnon and Lanao del Sur are underway. Leading telecommunications company Globe Telecom is set to donate roughly Php 1.4 Million to Hineleban Foundation. Globe, represented by its SVP for Corporate Communications Yoly Crisanto, inked an agreement with the foundation together with its thousands of Globe MyLifestyle iPhone 7 customers for a 5-year "rainforestation program," composed of 3 key components, namely: reforestation, sustainable livelihood development and food security. Through Globe’s MyLifestyle Plan which starts at P2,599, clients have the option to contribute in the reforestation of denuded forests, particularly in Bukidnon and Lanao del Sur provinc...

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...

Oct142015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

3 tips to make travels in the Philippines more efficient, relaxed

Blogging, Corporate, Leisure, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Personal, Society, Technology, Travel

These days, traveling can be such a pain. Not only do you have to deal with flight delays, monster traffic to and fro the airport and even bungled up hotel bookings, you also need to figure out how you can keep yourself entertained during those long, tiresome waiting periods. Are there ways to make travels in the Philippines a little more relaxed, efficient and productive, you wonder? As a frequent traveler, I've had my fair share of traveling woes. Allow me to share 3 tips, which I personally abide by, on how to make your trips in the Philippines bearable and even fun! Be mindful of what and how you pack I'm not just talking about rolling your clothes instead of folding them to save space (I highly recommend this, by the way) but also learning how to pack as light and as complete...

Jun242015 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Thoughts on that peace process forum invitation

Advocacy, ARMM, Basilan, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Commentary, Controversial, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Muslim Mindanao, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Society

Sometimes it fascinates me how certain people especially those who advocate sensitive causes seem to downplay bloggers. These people tend to think that "just because" you write about food, fashion and lifestyle, you don't "contribute" to relevant, important conversations. I think they have this misconception that "just because" bloggers like us hardly write about politics and news and current affairs, we don't at least try to do our part in nation building. Take the case of an invitation sent to me and my fellow bloggers here in Northern Mindanao. This was for a supposed "peace forum" from 8:30 am to 12 noon. "Looking for young lifestyle bloggers, bloggers in general, opinion shapers and writers who want to deploy your skills and influence for the peace process in Mindanao. This is an ...

Jan72015 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

A tour of Globe Telecom’s Gen3 Store at Limketkai CDO

Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Features, Internet, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Opinion, Reviews, Technology

When I was in New York City, USA in 2012, one of the things I did was visit the iconic Apple store along 5th Avenue (and have my photo taken in front of the incredible glass cube) and buy my own iPad 2 (it was a big thing then!). My experience at that store was very nice and that was a memory that continued to linger. Back then, I hoped to experience that kind of customer service and perhaps see a similar store in the Philippines. Fast forward 2014, not only did I get to meet Tim Kobe, the very designer of the Apple stores (and of the Nike Concept Stores, Knoll, Virgin Atlantic Airways, and Citibank, just to name a few more!) but I also got to see (and experience!) his signature skill and expertise in innovative design when the much-talked about Globe Telecom "Generation 3" or Gen3 stor...

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...

Oct252012 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

My thoughts: Duterte offers 5 Million bounty for suspected car theft syndicate leader

Blogging, Controversial, Davao City, Government, Musings, News, Opinion, Politics

I am a Dabawenya. Born and raised in Davao City. Anybody who knows me can attest to how much I love my hometown and how much I respect the government officials voted by the people. Anybody who has also been reading this Mindanaoan blog for a while now would know that I consider the Dutertes as not only powerful but efficient public officials. Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo "Rody" Duterte (who's running virtually unopposed for Davao City mayor in the May 2013 elections) has done a lot for Davao City. I'm pretty sure a lot of people would agree with me. He runs the city with an iron fist and his style of governance works well for a city like Davao. Under his leadership (and his daughter's, incumbent Mayor Sara), Davao became a smoke-free, firecracker-free and non-biodegradable plastics and...

May172012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Perks of Living in Mindanao

Advocacy, Agriculture, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Announcements, ARMM, Arts, Bacolod City, Banks, Basilan, Beauty, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, Bislig, Blogging, Broadcasting, Bukidnon, Business, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Campus, Caraga, 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, 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, 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, Videos, Visayas, Weddings, Weird, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

If you listen to the news on Mindanao, the most likely reaction is that you’ll hesitate to come here. Much less choose to live here. But given the direness of the news on the peace and order situation here, have you ever wondered if there are perks to living in Mindanao? Actually, what’s so terrible in the news is merely a microcosm of Mindanao society. Given the largeness of the island and the number of regions, cities, and cultures that are found in Mindanao, you might want to take the news with a grain of salt the next time. Mindanao is generally a peaceful place. The members of the populace are satisfied with their lives, and commerce and trade are smoothly moving along. The economics show a due representation from the filthy rich to poverty level poor, but people manage to get by. ...

Feb282012 by Mindanaoan Irene12 Comments

Mindanaoan chosen for the US State Department IVLP program | I am off to the US!

Advocacy, Agriculture, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, 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, Videos, Visayas, Weddings, Weird, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

It's official, folks! :) I have been chosen by the U.S. Department of State to visit the United States of America as a participant in the International Visitor Leadership Program or IVLP. I will leave for the U.S. on March 3, 2012 and will stay there until the first week of April 2012 :) Actually, the program that I will be a part of will only run for 3 weeks but I plan to stay a bit more to savor the sights and sounds of the USA. During the 3-week program, I will visit Washington, Orlando Florida, Salt Lake City Utah and Portland Oregon. I plan to visit New York and Virginia as well :) Do any of you guys out there live in these areas? I would love to meet you! :) Let me know through the comments section below. And oh, did I mention that I'm the ONLY Filipino and the only femal...

Feb282012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Happy Eggs Cagayan de Oro all-day breakfast place now open for business

Advocacy, Agriculture, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, 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, 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, Videos, Visayas, Weddings, Weird, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

Hi folks, may I warmly invite you all to visit the newest all-day breakfast place to open for business in Cagayan de Oro City - Happy Eggs CDO! Before anything else, please allow me to quickly offer you guys 3 reasons as to why you should come and visit Happy Eggs CDO: 1. their "silog" meals all have TWO EGGS cooked just the way you like them! (sunny side up, scrambled etc) 2. the price points are really very affordable (their baconsilog, for instance, is only Php 70! Yup, juicy and delicious bacon, a generous serving of rice and two eggs for only Php 70!) 3. they have quite the interesting menu! (where else can you find an eatery that serves dried fish such as pinikas and red sal and even pansit canton? Aaah, we all crave for BULAD sometimes, don't we? :) Plus - talk about bud...

Jan312012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Back on Blackberry and trying out Globe BBMax

Blogging, Business, Butuan, Consumer, Features, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personal, Reviews, Style, Technology

So I'm finally using a Blackberry phone again. I actually used to have one in 2010 - back when only a few owned Blackberry units and when I only had two BBM buddies! (Yup, that was pretty sad and lonely) That Blackberry unit served me really well. I used it mainly for business but something unfortunate happened and I lost that phone. The short story - a thief attacked our then Cebu City apartment. I was all alone, sleeping soundly in one room. My brother arrived home, panicked, thought I was dead. Authorities believed the thief was a youngster. After bouts of anger and sadness, I went to a Globe Business Center to check if I could still retain my phone number (I used a prepaid sim). Lo and behold, the very friendly Globe customer service agent at the SM Cebu branch managed to help me ou...

Dec182011 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

How to help Typhoon Sendong victims in Mindanao Philippines

Advocacy, Agriculture, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, 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, Crime, 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, Videos, Visayas, Weddings, Weird, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

I've been tweeting about Typhoon Sendong since yesterday, Saturday, December 17, 2011. You can see my Mindanaoan Twitter account here --- http://www.twitter.com/mindanaoan So much have happened ever since I woke up yesterday. Survived strong rains and winds, endured hours of brownout, found out that we didn't have water supply, found out that our humble house in Cagayan de Oro City also got damaged and that we have no choice but to face business losses. Still, my family and I have so much to be thankful for. All of us are safe. And all of us are alive and able to help out those in need. If you also want to do your share and help the victims of Typhoon Sendong (International Name: Tropical Storm Washi) in Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City, Mindanao (where more than 500 persons are f...

Dec132011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanaoan is a national finalist in the 2011 Philippine Blog Awards

Advocacy, Agriculture, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, 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, Videos, Visayas, Weddings, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

I know, I know...this is a super delayed post. My apologies! I've been traveling a whole lot the past few days and I've also been very busy with some projects (more on these later). I do know, however, that I absolutely must write about this, no matter how briefly. My humble blog, Mindanaoan.com, was a NATIONAL FINALIST in the recently concluded 2011 Philippine Blog Awards! YEY! :D After being nominated in the Philippine Blog Awards 2011 - Mindanao, this Mindanao lifestyle blog was also declared as one of the finalists for the lifestyle category - national level. Here's a screenshot from the 2011 Philippine Blog Awards website: YEHEY! :) WOO HOO! :D The awards ceremony was held a few days ago and although I didn't win, it warms my heart so much to know that I was one of the ...

Dec12011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: Lord Byron’s Back Ribs Grill

Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Reviews

Tucked away at Aluba, Upper Macasandig, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, Lord Byron's Back Ribs Grill CDO is the first ever Mindanao branch of this Bacolod restaurant. I'm not sure if setting up shop at Aluba is a good decision (since it's far from the city proper and from the malls i.e. where the "action" usually is) but I'm sure of one thing --- a trip to Lord Byron's Back Ribs Grill Cagayan de Oro is worth your time, effort and money. Along with some friends from the CDO Bloggers group, I paid this CDO restaurant a visit a few days ago. I've heard good feedback about this restaurant so off we went to have dinner there. Looking for the restaurant was a bit of a challenge since it was located in a largely residential area. If you're not from Cagayan de Oro or if you're not familiar wi...

Nov172011 by Mindanaoan Irene9 Comments

Mindanaoan is nominated to the Philippine Blog Awards – Mindanao 2011

Advocacy, Agriculture, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, 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, Videos, Visayas, Weddings, Weird, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

I have absolutely exciting news! This humble blog, www.Mindanaoan.com, has been nominated to the 2011 Philippine Blog Awards - Mindanao! :D I am really thankful for this nomination! Thank you very much to all of my readers, subscribers, supporters, sponsors and of course to the Philippine Blog Awards for recognizing my efforts :) Daghang salamat! If you guys remember, Mindanaoan.com bagged the Best Lifestyle Blog for Mindanao award last year during the 2010 Philippine Blog Awards :) A lot of people sent in their congratulatory messages at the time including Senator Kiko Pangilinan :) Unfortunately, I was not able to accept my award in person. Let's see if I get lucky this year ;) By the way, because of my nomination to the 2011 Philippine Blog Awards for Mindanao, I now have an invit...

Nov152011 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Review: Grilled steak and other dishes at Roadhouse Cafe

Bukidnon, Food, Malaybalay City, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Religion, Reviews

A few days ago,I accompanied a congressman-friend of mine as he made the rounds around his jurisdiction. It has been quite a while since I've done that --- you know, accompany a politician as he attends events, speak to his constituents, deliver speeches, meet key people etc. I sort of miss it, truth be told. But I digress. What I want to share with you all today are some food shots I took and a small review about Roadhouse Cafe. Forgive the lousy texture of the photos as I merely used a digital camera for these. As you guys know, I'm more comfortable sharing food photos taken with my trusty DSLR. Anyways, Roadhouse Cafe is one of my favorite restaurants in Mindanao. My favorite dishes in Roadhouse Cafe include their baby back ribs and their pumpkin soup. I even wrote a review about ...

Nov32011 by Mindanaoan Irene20 Comments

Color Me Badd and All 4 One experience and yes I danced onstage – FINALE

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And so finally we have come to the BIG FINALE of my All 4 One in Philippines and Color Me Badd in Philippines fan experience! Yes, folks, that entire experience deserves 3 parts :D For part 1, please visit my big All 4 One and Color Me Badd experience page. For part 2, you can visit this Color Me Badd experience page. I would also like to thank each and every one of you who took the time out to read, leave comments and shared the articles. Hopefully, more Color Me Badd fans and more All 4 One fans would get the chance to read my posts! Help me promote, okay? :) I'm thinking of raffling off autographed photos as my token of gratitude! What do you think? :) Yes? No? :) Let me know in the comments section! :) Thanks again from the bottom of my heart and please, please, please leav...

Oct252011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: Max’s Restaurant CDO

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Commentary, Consumer, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Photos, Recipes, Reviews, Weird

I have a strange love affair with Max's Restaurant Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao branch. My family and I used to be regular customers when the Max's Restaurant CDO branch was still in Divisoria. I even wrote about one of their promos before. I also used to treat a lot of my Public Relations clients there before. I also organized a few political events in their function rooms. However, after I read this negative feedback about Max's Cagayan de Oro by a CDO Blogger, I decided to stay away, lest that I myself would experience the same poor service. What happened between Max's Restaurant and the CDO Bloggers was a shame, really. I do know that the CDO Bloggers President then already issued an official response. Not sure if Max's management issued an apology or statement. Fast forward a year...

Oct242011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

David Beckham, LA Galaxy in Manila Philippines

Announcements, Entertainment, Events, Features, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personal, Sports

David Beckham in Manila, Philippines! Be still my heart! Twitter, Facebook, news websites and other social networking sites were abuzz with the news of the upcoming arrival of British football superstar David Beckham and the rest of his team Los Angeles Galaxy or LA Galaxy in the Philippines come December 3, 2011. David Beckham and LA Galaxy will be in Manila for a friendly match against the Philippine national football team Azkals. The news of David Beckham in Philippines was made by Azkals team coordinator Ace Bright via Twitter Saturday night. "LA Galaxy and Azkals, dec 4 rizal stadium :)," Bright wrote. Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! I absolutely want to watch this and of course, meet David Beckham! No, make that THE GREAT David Beckham! If this Filipino blogger does get to meet h...