Opinion Archives - Page 4 of 7 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Apr262010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

My “Sharon” taping experience. Fun and disappointing at the same time

Arts, Blogging, Broadcasting, Culture, Entertainment, Features, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personal, Personalities, Photos, Society, Television

Before you read this, though, have you read my previous entry? You may want to check out Mindanaoan artist Laarni Lozada's cool makeover (saw her in person during the "Sharon" taping). I must say, it's good to see a Mindanaoan singer doing pretty good in her chosen career and that she's doing well in Manila, too, so it seems. Kudos to Laarni! Anyways, on to my kuwento about my "Sharon" taping experience. Thanks to Miss Bing, I got passes enough for 5 people to watch the April 18, 2010 taping of Sharon Cuneta's show. Although it wasn't my first time to watch "Sharon," I still felt excited especially since I towed some of my friends along. I was the self-proclaimed ABS CBN complex tour guide of sorts that day --- we went to the cafeteria (where, during my days working in ABS CBN Manila, a...

Apr222010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Does this political TV ad for Mindanao by Villar, Pimentel and Tamano work?

Announcements, Bisaya, Blogging, Commentary, Government, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Muslim Mindanao, News, Opinion, Personalities, Politics, Technology, Videos

Nacionalista Party standard bearer Senator Manny Villar has released (yet another) political TV ad. This time, he's speaking in Bisaya and it's an ad specifically for Mindanao. In this political ad, he appears with NP senatorial candidates Gwen Pimentel and Atty. Adel Tamano. As we all know, Pimentel and Tamano are Mindanaoans. Pimentel is the daughter of Senator Aquilino Pimentel and the sister of Atty. Koko Pimentel, who lost in the previous elections to Mindanaoan and Bukidnon senator Juan Miguel Zubiri. Adel Tamano, on the other hand, is from Marawi City and is the first Filipino-Muslim scholar-graduate of Harvard Law School. In this political TV ad, Villar, Tamano and Pimentel raised the 8-hour brownout currently plaguing Mindanao (actually, a lot of areas around the island even...

Feb282010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: Paragon Suites in Cebu City, Visayas | Budget hotel in Cebu

Business, Consumer, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Reviews

HOTEL REVIEWS - Paragon Suites Cebu City is located along Juana Osmena Street, Cebu. Roughly a 10-minute walk away from bustling Mango Avenue (where there's a lot of videoke places, bars, restaurants, coffee shops and Internet cafe stations), Paragon Suites is ideal for people who want cheap accommodations in Cebu City. One can classify Paragon Suites Cebu as a budget hotel, a budget pension house or a cheap inn with the basic amenities. I stayed at Paragon Suites Cebu City just a few days ago. I stayed for a total of 3 days and truth be told, I didn't quite enjoy my stay and therefore will never find myself staying at Paragon Suites Cebu ever again. But more on that after the jump. Here's a look at my superior room (rate was P1,380.00 per night): My room was fully carpeted and fu...

Feb262010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

From the campaign trail – Mindanaoan will post exclusive photos, kuwentos etc

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Broadcasting, Commentary, Controversial, Events, Features, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personal, Politics

Hello everyone! How is everyone doing? It's been quite a while and I really hope all of you are in good health. Mindanaoan has been very busy as of late and this is due to the start of the nationwide campaign sorties. As you all know, the campaign period for the national positions began last February 9, 2010 and political parties have been so busy visiting various areas around the country. Mindanaoan is a part of these nationwide tours. This has actually got me thinking --- perhaps it's best if I also share my own experience straight from the campaign trail. What do you guys think? I was thinking of sharing exclusive photos, videos, kuwentos and other things that may prove to be interesting somehow for all of my readers. I was thinking of sharing behind-the-scenes stuff. What do ...

Feb112010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

COMELEC asks celebrity endorsers to go on leave or resign; Mindanaoan says that’s bull

Advocacy, Broadcasting, Commentary, Controversial, Entertainment, Government, Headline, Humor, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Politics, Society

Mindanaoan can't help but comment on the recent resolution of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to urge celebrities endorsing political candidates to either resign or go on leave from their shows. I find it absolutely funny that the COMELEC, amid all their problems, still has the time and energy to think about this. I reiterate Mindanaoan senatorial candidate Atty. Adel Tamano's statement: "this latest COMELEC resolution is a mere ploy to distract the public. The COMELEC has bigger problems to solve – from all these delays in ballot printing and deliveries of PCOS machines to assuring the public that signals won’t be jammed during transmission of election results. Why don’t they concentrate on those first?" Hear, hear! Besides, isn't this unconstitutional? Celebrities have rig...

Jan152010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Iligan City councilor, a Liberal Party candidate, attacks broadcaster on air

Broadcasting, Commentary, Controversial, Crime, Government, Humor, Iligan City, Media, Musings, News, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Personal, Politics, Radio, Weird

This piece of news pretty much made my day today. Mindanaoan thought that what happened between an anchorman of a local radio station in Iligan City and an Iligan City councilor (who's seeking re-election, no less!) was controversial, wacky, weird, funny, interesting and well...basically a sign of what's to come in the next few months. Yup, the campaign season really DOES bring out the LOLs! According to news reports, Iligan City Councilor Chonilo Ruiz, a Liberal Party (LP) candidate, attacked DXRJ anchorman Albert Loyola while the latter was inside the announcer's booth and was live on air. Ruiz allegedly barged into the station Wednesday morning and punched Loyola. Ruiz is seeking re-election come May 2010. Ruiz is seeking for a third term. Amid the commotion, Loyola was alleged...

Dec202009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Mindanaoans who will run for national positions come May 2010

Advocacy, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, ARMM, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Commentary, Controversial, Davao City, Features, Government, Headline, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, News, Opinion, Personalities, Politics, Society

Did you know that several Mindanaoans will gun for national political positions come May 2010? If you're the type of person who wants to support fellow children of Mindanao in the next presidential elections, then you may want to check out the list below. Among the vice presidentiables, two are Mindanaoans. Bangon Pilipinas' vice presidential candidate Perfecto Yasay, Jr. is from Davao City. Jay Sonza, the vice presidential candidate of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan party, is also from Davao. All of Sonza's children are fellow Ateneo de Davao University alumni. As for the senatorial candidates, on the other hand, Mindanaoan has identified 10. First is Nacionalista Party's bet lawyer Adel A. Tamano of Lanao del Sur. He's the first Filipino Muslim scholar graduate of Harvard Law Schoo...

Dec32009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

If Pampanga has a Fr. Panlilio, Bukidnon has a Fr. Tabios

Bukidnon, Commentary, Controversial, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Society

It seems there's no stopping priests from joining politics these days. If Pampanga has a Fr. Eddie Panlilio, Bukidnon Mindanao has a Fr. Diosdado Tabios. Tabios, the former parish priest of Valencia City, Bukidnon, is set to run for governor in Bukidnon come May 2010. He's set to face incumbent Bukidnon Vice Governor Alex Calingasan (LAKAS CMD KAMPI), who will run for the gubernatorial position, his relative Ernesto Tabios (Liberal Party) and Delfina Bicatulo (Alpha Omega 9K Party). While re-electionist Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio has reportedly filed a petition asking that he leave his priestly duties as he pursue his political plans, Tabios has yet to formally file a written petition. He has, however, spoken to Bishop Honesto Pacana of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon and the latter sai...

Nov262009 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

List of journalists killed in the brutal Ampatuan massacre

Commentary, Crime, Headline, Maguindanao, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Personal

First of all, we should not call it "Maguindanao Massacre" anymore. We should now call it "Ampatuan Massacre." Ampatuan is the specific place where the mass graves were found. Maguindanao is the province here in Mindanao. Secondly, to fellow journalists out there (especially those from Luzon) who make the constant mistake of treating Mindanao as one "lawless island," (come on, you know who you are!) please...please be extra careful. Maguindanao IS NOT Mindanao. Mindanaoans like myself have been doing our best to help keep our place peaceful and safe. Unfortunately, like any other area, there are people who refuse to obey the law and think that they are above it. These people do not represent the entire island of Mindanao. One tiny yet misleading description of our island can re...

Nov202009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Manny Pacquiao and Krista Ranillo together in Baguio

Controversial, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personalities, Photos, Sarangani

Are these photos of Filipino boxing champ and new world welterweight boxing champion Manny Pacquiao and sexy starlet Krista Ranillo just for their upcoming movie, "Wapakman," or what? Are these just for publicity or are they really having a secret love affair? I'd hate to think that the latter is the answer. After winning his recent bout against Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico, Pacquiao and Ranillo have become tabloid fodder. Do you think these photos of Manny Pacquiao and Krista Ranillo in Baguio will taint Pacman's Sarangani congressional plans? One more photo after the jump...

Nov112009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mining company in Mindanao hires APO Hiking Society’s Danny Javier

Advocacy, Business, Commentary, Controversial, Corporate, Cotabato, Culture, Davao City, Koronadal, Mindanaoan Update, News, Opinion, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Weird

Yes, you read that right. A mining company operating in the Municipality of Tampakan has hired Danny Javier of the popular group APO Hiking Society. Javier is now a "strategist" for Sagittarius Mines, Inc., a gold and copper mine. As a "strategist," Javier is reportedly supposed to help SMI develop a "better image." It can be recalled that the said mining company, which has business interests in three large areas in Mindanao namely South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Davao del Sur, has and still is facing strong opposition especially from the Church. A lot of non government organizations which advocate environmental sustainability have also expressed their opposition against the operation of Sagittarius Mines. What makes this development noteworthy is that Danny Javier of APO Hiki...

Nov102009 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

PAGCOR Davao – Casino Filipino Davao City – What to expect and what to do (Part 2)

BIMP-EAGA, Business, Consumer, Corporate, Davao City, Entertainment, Features, Island Garden City of Samal, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Personal, Society, Technology, Tourism

This is part 2 of my Casino Filipino Davao City - What to expect and what to do blog post series. Like I previously mentioned, Mindanaoan thought of writing this series because I know that there are still a lot of Pinoys out there who shun from casinos and betting stations. I DO NOT, however, advocate gambling. I just want to share with you all how life is inside a 24/7 casino, what you can see in PAGCOR Davao, what you can do in a Casino Filipino branch and how you can avail of freebies be they be food, bets, chips, tokens, concert tickets etc. So are you now curious about what’s going on inside this 24-hour casino in Davao City, Mindanao? Now that you already have your Casino Filipino Privilege Card, the next step would be to check out the various areas inside this casino. You can ...

Nov102009 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Zubiri and Acosta, enemies yesterday, friends today and tomorrow?

Bukidnon, Commentary, Controversial, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Personalities, Politics, Weird

Ang politics nga naman! Mindanaoan was a bit shocked - nay, very, very shocked - when I found out that last-termer Bukidnon Gov. Jose Ma. Zubiri, Jr. and political archrival JR Nereus "Neric" Acosta MAY soon sing sweet music together. This, after Zubiri is reportedly eyeing a "transfer" to the Liberal Party from LAKAS-CMD-KAMPI. Acosta will run for Senator under the LP. What's so interesting about this is that these former political allies have burned a lot of bridges over the years and have become bitter political enemies. Zubiri has accused Acosta of graft and corruption. Acosta, on the other hand, tried to run for Bukidnon governor in the last elections but lost to Zubiri by a very large margin. From mudslinging to accusations of one trying to kill the other to one trying to discredi...

Nov52009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

PAGCOR Davao – Casino Filipino Davao City – What to expect and what to do (Part 1)

BIMP-EAGA, Business, Consumer, Corporate, Davao City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Island Garden City of Samal, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Personal, Society, Technology, Tourism

Have you ever been to PAGCOR Davao? Curious about what's going on inside this 24-hour casino in Davao City, Mindanao? If you haven't yet, then allow this little write-up series to be your friendly, handy little guide of sorts to Casino Filipino Davao. Mindanaoan thought of writing this series because I know that there are still a lot of Pinoys out there who shun from casinos and betting stations. I am, however, in no means advocating gambling. I just want to share with you all how life is inside a casino, what you can see in PAGCOR Davao, what you can do in a Casino Filipino branch and how you can avail of freebies be they be food, bets, chips, tokens, concert tickets etc. First of all, a little backgrounder. PAGCOR or the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation operates 13 PAGC...

Oct152009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Blog Action Day 2009 Philippines: Climate Change

Advocacy, Beauty, Blogging, Commentary, Consumer, Controversial, Events, Features, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Personal, Society

Today, October 15, 2009, is Blog Action Day 2009. Blog Action Day is an annual event held every October 15 that aims to unite all the bloggers of the world and encourage them to post about the same issue on the very same day. This, in the hope to ignite discussions about that particular issue and to inspire people to take action. This year, the topic for Blog Action Day 2009 is Climate Change. I, Mindanaoan, am joining thousands of other Pinoy bloggers for the Blog Action Day 2009 - Philippines Edition. And we Filipinos of all people know very well just how devastating the effects of climate change are. After our harrowing experience with tropical storms Ondoy (international name: Ketsana) and Pepeng (international name: Parma), we should no longer put this issue of climate change a...

Oct152009 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Mindanaoans who aim to have a seat in the Senate

Advocacy, Agusan del Sur, ARMM, Bukidnon, Commentary, Controversial, Features, Government, Headline, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Muslim Mindanao, News, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Personalities, Politics

First off, let me make this clear. This list of Mindanaoans who want to run for Senator in the 2010 elections is just initial - there may still be more interested senatorial candidates in the days to come so Mindanaoan will try to update the list as often as possible. Hopefully, this list can help you, fellow Filipino voters and fellow Mindanao residents, in choosing the right candidate to send to the Senate. I'm also hoping that this post can help provide a platform for all of us Mindanawans to discuss who can really be the true voice of Mindanao in the Senate. Please feel free to share your thoughts! Aquilino Martin "Koko" Pimentel III - ran for the Senate during the last elections but lost to former Bukidnon congressman and now Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri. Koko Pimentel has since l...

Sep292009 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Mindanao – what are you doing for your country today?

Advocacy, Agriculture, Announcements, Bisaya, Blogging, Consumer, Controversial, Corporate, Culture, Internet, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Personal, Politics, Society, Technology

Mindanaoan still can't concentrate well. As much as I want to work and attend to various other matters, I still can't help but log on to Twitter via Tweetdeck (which I highly recommend that you Twitter-holics use, by the way) and check how the search and rescue as well as the relief goods distribution efforts for Typhoon Ondoy victims are doing. I keep on retweeting helpful information as much as I can and it warms my heart to see so many private citizens doing their share in helping the victims. Interestingly, though, I received a comment today in my "Advertise" page from a person who calls himself "ew." I reckon he's from Luzon. Check this out: ew gmtristan.com [email protected] 125.60.228.50 (I.P. address) ew……….what an ODD offer…and sorry to say this..but the quality of ...

Sep282009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Kimmy Dora was hilarious! Congratulations Eugene Domingo and Spring Films!

Arts, Blogging, Entertainment, Humor, Mindanaoan Update, Movies, Musings, Opinion

This is a long-delayed post, I know, since I'm pretty sure most of you have already watched this film (if you haven't yet, you're missing a whole damn lot!!!) However, I still want to write about this since I gave my word to Erickson Raymundo (one of the producers of the film, along with fellow Spring Films people Joyce Bernal and Piolo Pascual) that I'll write about this. Kimmy Dora Kambal Sa Kiyeme was so damn funny, wasn't it? Erickson, you were right on the money! :) Hearty congratulations to Eugene Domingo (you were so fab! I think you're the only Pinay actress who successfully made my mom laugh so damn hard! LOL), Dingdong Dantes, Zanjoe Marudo (hello, six pack!), Miriam Quiambao (you surprised me!), Ariel Ureta and Baron Geisler! My mom and I watched this flick in one of the ...

Sep172009 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Thanks, Nuffnang! Got my first payment today

Blogging, Business, Consumer, Corporate, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personal

Mindanaoan finally received money from Nuffnang Philippines, Asia Pacific's First Blog Advertising Community. The first payout isn't that much but it's good enough to treat myself to a mini shopping spree soon. I'm looking forward to a bigger payout next time, though ;) Nuffnang boasts of a community composed of 100,000 blogs and of 3 million viewers per day. Pretty impressive, yes? If you're a blogger like me, why don't you consider joining the Nuffnang Philippines community as well? By the way, apart from earning money by letting your blog serve Nuffnang ads, you also get the chance to attend exclusive movie premieres, attend very special events (they recently had one for Goldilocks which was attended by no less than GMA 7 heartthrob Dingdong Dantes) and join awards. Speaking of aw...

Sep12009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

How ForMe Boutique CDO almost robbed me of nearly 400 pesos and how ForMe has lost a customer forever

Business, Commentary, Consumer, Controversial, Crime, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personal, Style

What supposed to be was a fun Sunday shopping spree went sour when Mindanaoan was almost "robbed" of nearly 400 pesos by a boutique in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. It's really disappointing and I'm writing about this to reiterate the need and importance of consumer protection and rights of paying customers. The CDO Limketkai Mall branch of ForMe, a company owned by Golden ABC (which also runs Oxygen, Red Logo, Memo, Regatta and Penshoppe), failed to bill me correctly and if I wasn't able to double check my purchases and receipt, I would have been "robbed" of P379.20 Here's what happened... I bought two tops at the Cagayan de Oro branch of ForMe at the Ground Floor of Limketkai Mall. The store was offering a sale. One top was originally priced at P998.00 (it had a barcode of 30...

Aug272009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanao peace and development hostaged to politics

Commentary, Controversial, Government, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personalities, Politics

Senator (and rumored presidentiable) Francis "Chiz" Escudero has said it and I agree --- the peace and development here in Mindanao is hostaged to politics. The kind of politics that run in "Imperial Manila." One of the things that the next president should do is bring together all stakeholders in Mindanao to craft a development agenda --- one that's doable, cost efficient and worth all of our time and efforts --- that will not be hostaged to any change in administration. “Only an all-stakeholders approach will lead to the long-sought peace and meaningful development in this region, not Imperial Manila’s “urong-sulong, atras abante” approach since we gained independence,” Escudero said. The 39-year old lawmaker said the country’s development will greatly be accelerated if authorit...

Aug242009 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

“Sa Manila, hindi ganito ang service…”

Advocacy, Bisaya, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Commentary, Consumer, Controversial, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Personal, Weird

Mindanaoan can't help but blog about this. What happened late last Saturday night at a 24 hour fastfood store located at Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao reminded me of so many things --- two of which are the need for Mindanaoans to be more assertive and why I love Mindanao (and why it will always be home for me). Before I go any further, however, I would just like to emphasize that the following are just my personal opinions and are not meant to hit anyone. My post is more like a reminder...an eye-opener, if you will...of the fact that discrimination even among Filipinos (still) exist. Last Saturday night, right after the Tatak Environmentalist event, I went to a fastfood store at Divisoria. I decided to grab some grub as I waited for my brother to fetch me. As I fell in line a...