Personal Archives - Page 7 of 11 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Feb262010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanaoan’s new Swatch Vancouver 2010 watch

Consumer, Fashion, Musings, Personal, Style

I must admit, I'm not much of a fan of watches - maybe because I grew up in an average income family and because receiving and giving gifts especially expensive watches is considered quite a luxury. I think I only had one or two "real" watches when I was younger. Real meaning it was either given as a gift or that I saved my allowance for. Most of the other watches I had were "hand me downs" from my parents. And so I grew up not really seeing the need of having a funky watch. I guess I managed to just really be time conscious and prompt at almost everything that I felt a watch would just be an accessory and nothing else. Fast forward many years --- here I am earning my own keep and finally having extra money to spend on things that I like, want and need. One of the things that I bo...

Feb232010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanaoan goes to Iloilo City

Beauty, Cagayan de Oro City, Flights, Leisure, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Tourism, Travel

Mindanaoan has always been very curious of Iloilo City, the largest province in Panay Island. We've all heard the many stories about this beautiful city - just how malambing Ilonggos are, just how fascinating the tourist sites are, just how delicious their delicacies are, just how booming their business sector is and just how warm and friendly the people in Iloilo are. So when I recently got the chance to travel to this beautiful city located at the Western Visayas Region, I no longer had second thoughts. Off I went to the city formerly called "Irong-Irong." From Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, I took an airplane ride going to Cebu City (roughly 30 minute ride). From there, I took another flight, this time from Cebu to Iloilo (roughly 50 minute flying time). If you're in a bit of a hurry,...

Feb82010 by Mindanaoan Irene7 Comments

Mindanao eats: Mooon Cafe in Robinson’s Cagayan de Oro

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Features, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Northern Mindanao, Personal, Reviews, Society, Style, Tourism

Mexican themed restaurant Mooon Cafe is one of my favorite eating places in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. Apart from the yummy food, the prices are reasonable and the ambience is pretty laid back. Whenever there's a chance, I also see to it that I bring my mom and brothers to the said restaurant in CDO and we all share fun, family bonding over hearty meals at Mooon Cafe CDO. Mooon Cafe (yes, it has three "O's"!) Cagayan de Oro branch, located at the first floor of Robinsons CDO, is the establishment's first franchised branch outside of Cebu City where they have outlets in I.T. Park and Ayala Terraces, among others. What I usually order (and what I can therefore recommend to all of you) are: for starters - quesadilla uno, campesinos (see the photo in this entry - these are good!), ca...

Feb22010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

BlogDavao.com – Davao’s blogging landscape at a glance!

Advocacy, Announcements, Bisaya, Blogging, Davao City, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Technology

Mindanaoan is super excited to share this great piece of news with you all! As you know, I'm a very proud Dabawenya and I promote Davao City as much as I can and in any way possible. One of the ways that I do this is to blog about my hometown Davao (but of course!). Fortunately, I'm not the only one who loves to write about the world's most livable city. There are a lot of other Davaoenos who are as eager to share updates, news, photos and even the latest chismis about Davao as I am! :D Presenting BlogDavao.com - the most comprehensive aggregator site of Davao-based blogs. Blog Davao features Davao's blogging landscape at a glance! What's great about this site is that you can easily find so many Davao-based blogs and quickly access the entries that may catch your fancy. BlogDav...

Jan302010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Fresh, fun, funky in Ozamiz City! Mindanaoan and the fun Ozamiz wedding photo gig

Arts, Beauty, Humor, Mindanaoan Update, Ozamis, Personal, Photos, Society

All right, Mindanaoan has shown you the "formal" photos taken during a recent Ozamiz City, Mindanao wedding, yes? Now it's time to show you the fresh, fun, funky side! After all, my professional wedding photographer brother Bon is proud of producing "fresh, fun, funky photography!" (I coined this, by the way! :D) I - Mindanaoan - was one of Bon's 2nd photographers during that beautiful wedding in Mindanao. First stop of our fresh, fun, funky wedding photography escapade in Ozamiz City was the groom and groomsmen's preparations. While waiting for Quennie, the bride, and her entourage to get all dolled up, Garry, the groom, along with his groomsmen, was photographed right in the middle of the very busy street near Royal Garden Hotel, where the pre-nuptial preparations were made. Check ...

Jan292010 by Mindanaoan Irene7 Comments

Wedding photo coverage gig in Ozamiz City Mindanao

Arts, Beauty, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Ozamis, Personal, Photos, Weddings

So here's part two of my earlier blog post about my road trip to Ozamiz City, Mindanao. Please do read my earlier post to know how I traveled to Ozamiz City from Cagayan de Oro City, what I rode in order to reach the Ozamiz Port and what my initial impressions of the city named after Jose F. Ozamiz were. I was in Ozamiz City a few days ago for a wedding photo coverage gig with my professional photographer-brother Bon and Onat. My role, by the way, was of a very excited 2nd photographer :) That wedding photography gig was a welcome respite for me as I've been busy as of late with politicians, events, travels and political-related PR and of course, with the campaigns. Thankfully, that chance for me to travel and to take photos came and I immediately joined Bon. My brother Bon's clie...

Jan282010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Mindanaoan plays wedding photographer in Camiguin Island Mindanao

Beauty, Blogging, Camiguin, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Photos, Weddings

Hi guys! Thanks for visiting my humble blog about Mindanao and Mindanaoans :) I know I haven't been posting much the past few weeks...and I have good reason! Mindanaoan has been traveling here and there and more often than not, I end up being so tired to even lift a finger let alone write about my escapades. Thankfully, this blogger from Mindanao is home (at least for the next few days) and I'm back to sharing with you all the sights and sounds of Mindanao. One of the things that I got to do last week was travel to Camiguin Island, Mindanao. Along with my professional photographer-brother Bon and his assistant Gary, we covered a simple yet very romantic wedding in Camiguin, also known as the "Island Born of Fire." It was the wedding of Erwin and Karen. Erwin's from Bukidnon and Karen...

Jan162010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Mindanaoan is off to Cebu City for Sinulog 2010

Arts, Beauty, Blogging, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Flights, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Tourism, Travel

Mindanaoan is off to yet another fun adventure! Mindanaoan will be off to the Queen City of the South - Cebu City - today to take part in this year's colorful Sinulog 2010 or what's dubbed as the Sinulog at 30. Here's hoping that I will have a safe trip today via Philippine Airlines (Mindanaoan's favorite airline as of late). Nay, make that a trip that will push through! I'm a bit worried because it's been rainy the past few days and I heard about the Cebu Pacific Air passengers who got stranded at the CDO airport. Hundreds of passengers who were supposed to be bound for Cebu were reportedly left to fend for themselves as the airline refused to provide food and accommodation because, according to the Cebu Pacific Airlines management, they weren't obliged to provide anything especially i...

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...

Dec262009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

TILT Bar opens in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao

Announcements, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Musings, Northern Mindanao, Personal, Society, Style, Tourism

So the opening of the newest and hippest bar in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao was a success! Congratulations to Dennis for the smooth handling of the event and to the owners of Tilt bar! Thank you very much to all who came and partied with us during the opening of CLUB TILT! Thank you very much to my brother Bon and his friends, to fellow HUE Magazine movers Cong and Andrew and of course to my ever reliable CDO Blogger-friends! All of the partyphiles who came that night grooved to the funky beats courtesy of the HYPE DJ's and of DJ Manolet Santos from Manila! TILT is located along Velez Street, Cagayan de Oro City. More about this funky place here. Meanwhile, if you need an event organizer, event stylist, wedding or events photographer anywhere in Mindanao and around the Philip...

Dec262009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Finally…Mindanaoan meets top RnB singer and fellow Dabawenyo Thor!

Bisaya, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Entertainment, Features, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personal, Society

So finally, Mindanaoan has met Ettore "Thor" Dulay! Thor, a fellow Dabawenyo (and so of course is also a fellow Mindanaoan), is one of the country's most talented vocalists. From starting out in a Davao City vocal group to recording an album with a hit single entitled "Wonderland" (this song held the number spot at Wave 89.1's show "Soul Review" for 5 straight weeks) to recording a song for the 2003 Metro Manila Film Festival entry "Fantastic Man" to basically being one of the most sought after singers in Metro Manila today, Thor has definitely gone a long way. So okay, here's the lowdown --- even before our unplanned, fateful meeting last December 22, 2009 (right in the middle of the OTG gig of RnB band K24/7), Thor and I have been in touch through online and SMS. I have heard of hi...

Dec112009 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Yes, Virginia, I sang a duet with Atty. Adel Tamano!

Entertainment, Features, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Musings, Personal, Personalities, Photos, Society

So one of my blogs celebrated its anniversary recently and guess who my very special guest was? Atty. Adel Tamano, of course! Just in case you've been living under a rock, Atty. Adel A. Tamano is one of the senatorial bets of the Nacionalista Party, which is led by presidential candidate Manny Villar. Atty. Adel is the first ever Filipino-Muslim graduate of Harvard Law School, the first ever Filipino-Muslim commencement speaker of Harvard University and he's the president of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM). And yes, he was the spokesperson of the Genuine Opposition in the 2007 elections. Bongga ang guest ko di ba? Actually, I spent the entire day with him and his entourage as they toured Bukidnon last December 4, 2009. He was with his brother, Atty. Aquil Tamano, as wel...

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...

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 ...

Nov62009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanaoan, do you want to go to school — ABROAD?

Announcements, Campus, Davao City, Education, Events, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal

One of the things I used to dream about when I was younger was to attend school abroad. I took my IELTS exam (I passed) and did research. I remember I already had a shortlist of the schools that I wanted to attend. However, times were tough, money was scarce. And the LIFE kicked in. My dream remains to be a dream. Still, I'm not losing hope. One of these days, I'll attend at least a crash course on communications, new media or public relations. Good thing there are better opportunities now plus there are more scholarships available. If you're like me and you have this dream of attending school abroad, why don't you attend this event in Davao City on November 18, 2009 from 5 to 9PM? Admission is FREE and you can also register online. Various representatives from schools in Australi...

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...

Oct262009 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Make Your Own Havaianas 2009 CDO leg a huge success – my first MYOH experience!

Beauty, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Corporate, Events, Fashion, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Personalities, Society, Style

Thanks to SPRUCE Designer Network, Inc., to its owners Trisha and Vanessa and to its very amiable marketing officer Cristina (Hello, Miss Tiny!), I had a blast at the recently concluded Make Your Own Havaianas 2009 Cagayan de Oro leg event. The MYOH 2009 Northern Mindanao event was held last October 23 to 25, 2009 at the Atrium, Limketkai Mall, Cagayan de Oro City and it was my very first Make Your Own Havaianas experience! Armed with my VIP invitation, I went to the Atrium and left with a huge smile on my face! It was fun "creating" my own special pair. No wonder Havaianaticos look forward to this special event! The whole process was not only fun but pretty fast, too. I was given a brochure where I was to write my contact information and for me to choose my preferred sole color,...

Oct162009 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Ateneo de Davao and Ateneo de Manila joint concert

Announcements, Arts, Campus, Davao City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Musings, Personal, Society

Allow Mindanaoan to be oh-so-giddy! I'm just sooo excited with this piece of news that I got a hold of yesterday via Davao Base. I learned that there will be an Ateneo de Davao University and Ateneo de Manila University Glee Club joint concert on November! AAAHHH!!! The First Magis: The All-Ateneo Glee Club Concerto will be held on November 28, 2009, 7PM at the Finster Auditorium, 7th Floor of the Finster Building, Ateneo de Davao University, Davao City, Mindanao! The Ateneo de Manila College Glee Club and the Carillon, the official Ateneo de Davao University Glee Club, will perform. And why is this such a big deal for me, you may ask? Well, ahem, ahem...Mindanaoan was once a part of the Carillon :D I was one of the sopranos, thank you very much! Tee hee :D Modesty aside, I've always...

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...

Oct82009 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Wedding photographer Cagayan de Oro – fresh, fun, funky photography!

Announcements, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Davao City, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Photos, Society, Weddings

Following their wedding engagement shots taken at both Xavier Estates and Initao Park, Initao, Misamis Oriental, my brother Bon (who's a professional wedding photographer and who proudly banners "Fresh Fun Funky Photography!"), Aye, Louie and I, Mindanaoan, then provided the wedding photography services for Sherwin and Ching. A very nice and loving couple now based in Thailand, Sherwin and Ching were game for just about anything you want them to do for us wedding photographers to capture those very special wedding shots! Take a look at some of the pre-nuptial shots here. Check out some of the wedding photos below: Wedding photography is really special and fun. It feels great to be a part of a wonderful celebration of love, unity and commitment. To be a wedding photograp...

Oct52009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

AVON Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer Walk successfully held in Mindanao

Advocacy, Beauty, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Corporate, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Northern Mindanao, Personal, Society

My mom and I joined the Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao leg of the AVON Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer Walk for A Cause last Sunday, October 4, 2009 at the kiosk area, Divisoria. The fundraiser, which was participated in by hundreds of ladies (and gents!) all garbed in pink, aimed to push advocacy for women’s health and fitness, breast cancer awareness as well as women’s protection against breast cancer. The walk started at around 6 am. The crowd then reconvened at the kiosk area at around 9 am and a short program was held. There were speakers from hospitals and schools who spoke about the importance of mammography, regular breast check-ups, awareness on the causes and effects of cancer etc. Bands from Xavier University's Soundtable group also performed intermission numbers. D...

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 ...