Reviews Archives - Page 10 of 11 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Jul242010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: Citi Park Hotel Cebu City | Hotels in Cebu City

Business, Consumer, Hotels, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

Nestled along Cabahug Street, Panagdait, Mabolo Cebu City is a relatively new but not too expensive hotel in the Queen City of the South. Citi Park Hotel is conveniently located between Cebu City proper and Mandaue City, making travel time to and fro Cebu International Airport easy. I had the chance to stay at Citi Park Hotel Cebu during the recent electoral campaigns/sorties. I was with one of the senatorial candidates that I did PR/media relations for and we stayed for two nights at Citi Park Cebu. Here's a look at their lobby cum lounge. I arranged for a mini press conference here with some of my Cebu media friends: Here's the restaurant at this hotel in Cebu City. We took our breakfast here. They serve it buffet style: A photo of one of the hotel rooms in Citi Park Hotel after the j...

Jun162010 by Mindanaoan Irene8 Comments

Eyelash extensions now a big hit in the Philippines | My eyelash extensions

Beauty, Blogging, Business, Consumer, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Reviews, Style

Ever heard of eyelash extensions? These are different from fake eyelashes, mind you. Eyelash extensions add thickness, length and fullness to natural eyelashes. Compared to fake eyelashes, eyelash extensions appear more "natural." The synthetic single fiber polyester thread-like materials are applied lash by lash (compared to fake eyelashes where an entire strip of lashes are glued to one's eyelid) and eyelash extensions are usually semi-permanent. These days, eyelash extension salons are sprouting like mushrooms all over Manila. Although no eyelash extension shop has opened in Mindanao (yet), I bet one will open very soon. So here's the deal...one of the things that I treated myself with during my most recent trip to Manila was...well, you guessed that right...getting eyelash extens...

Jun162010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Movie review: Karate Kid starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan

Arts, Entertainment, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Movies, Reviews

I must admit, I initially did not want to watch Karate Kid starring Jaden Smith (Will Smith's son) and Jackie Chan on the big screen. I figured that I wanted to preserve my memories of the original Karate Kid (starring the crush-ng-bayan at the time, Ralph Macchio) and the now infamous "crane kick." I also figured I can always wait for the DVD version and spend my P160.00 (price set for Cinema 2 Digital Theater of SM Megamall) somewhere else. Boy did I think wrong. This newest Karate Kid movie topbilled by Jaden Smith, son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith, is one very heartwarming, fun, believable, wonderfully written, action-filled movie you should not miss. (more…)

Jun72010 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Review: Missy Bon Bon breadshop and gelato store

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

Missy Bon Bon Breadshop is a new breadshop, pastry shop and gelato store in Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao. From a humble stall at the 2nd floor of Robinson's Mall CDO, Missy Bonbon now has a second branch - a full, working store along Rosario Drive, Limketkai Mall, CDO. Because this blogger from Mindanao missed the invitation sent out by the owner of Missy Bon Bon for a nice, chillaxin' bloggers day cum breakfast meet-up a few weeks ago , I was all too happy to check their store out as soon as I got back from Manila. I met some fellow bloggers there for an afternoon meeting. I was not disappointed. Well, okay, except for one tiny thing which I'll mention after the jump. In the meantime, check out the delicious array of gelatos (Italian ice cream) found at Missy Bon Bon...

May282010 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Review: The Maxwell Hotel Cebu | Budget hotel Cebu

Business, Consumer, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

The Maxwell Hotel Cebu is located along N. Escario Street, Cebu City, Philippines - a prime location in the Queen City of the South. It's a fairly new hotel in Cebu City and can be considered a Cebu budget hotel. Mindanaoan stayed at the Maxwell Hotel Cebu for two nights during my recent 4-day escapade at Cebu to attend the first ever Cebu Blog Camp 2010. The first two nights were spent at my Cebu City-based brother's apartment. My brother is also a blogger, by the way, and he accompanied me at the Cebu Blog Camp. He blogs about tennis here. Since he often lacked sleep because of the uber warm Cebu weather as of late, I, as the dutiful "ate" (ahem, ahem), decided to check-in at The Maxwell Hotel Cebu and treat him to two days of rest, sleep and an absolutely relaxing massage (more about...

May282010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Gelatissimo in Greenbelt 5

Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Davao City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism

Thanks to Manila-based Twitter friend Ryan, this blogger from Mindanao got invited to check out the much-talked about Gelatissimo store in Greenbelt 5, Makati City, Philippines. It was an invitation that I immediately accepted especially because I've heard a lot of good feedback about this gelato shop. By the way, Gelatissimo isn't a homegrown brand. Gelatissimo is an Australian brand and they offer yummy gelato that's made fresh every single day, sundaes, chocolates, traditional Italian biscotti and roasted coffee. For the unitiated, gelato is a low fat, creamy alternative to traditional ice cream. It tastes a bit "warmer" than ice cream but nonetheless equally delish! As expected, I found a packed Gelatissimo Greenbelt 5 branch. Believe me, the photo I took below didn't do justi...

May242010 by Mindanaoan Irene8 Comments

Finally finding No Reservations Anthony Bourdain Cebu lechon – the Zubuchon!

Bisaya, Blogging, Business, Consumer, Culture, Features, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personal, Recipes, Reviews, Society

Apart from attending the Cebu Blog Camp 2010, another reason why I was looking forward to going back to Cebu City, the Queen City of the South, was the fact that I will finally have the chance to try the world-famous Zubuchon - yes, the very same Cebu lechon featured and praised by popular chef and travel show host Anthony Bourdain of "No Reservations." Ever since Anthony Bourdain featured it in "No Reservations" (one of the very few travel shows that my entire family loves to watch), we agreed to definitely try it once we have the chance to go back to Cebu. As we all know, Cebu lechon is already famous as it is but for a specific Cebu lechon to be featured as the Anthony Bourdain preferred Cebu lechon is another thing. A brief background first for the unitiated - Lechon or fire roas...

May72010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mindanaoan movie review: “A Nightmare on Elm Street”

Arts, Consumer, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Movies, Reviews

Thanks to Manila-based blogger Azrael, Mindanaoan was given the chance to attend the advance screening of the much-talked about horror flick, "A Nightmare on Elm Street." Made possible by SM Cinemas, the advance screening of "A Nightmare on Elm Street" was also sponsored by Warner Bros. Pictures and Magic 89.9. Check out the cool invitation that I received: I arrived at SM Megamall Cinema 6 a little past 7 pm. Thankfully, the moviegoers were still outside the theater so I took that opportunity to buy some popcorn and iced tea. Not long after, a Plurk pal named Erlyn arrived (yep, it was a Plurk meet-up of sorts :) ) and we sat alongside one another - wishing that the movie won't scare us too much! By the way, if you have a Plurk account, please don't hesitate to add me up HER...

Apr152010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Love cereals? Cerealicious is a must-try!

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

Mindanaoan is a huge cereal fan. You name it - I love it! Frosties, regular corn cereals, choco coated cereals...I love them all! I must admit, though...I'm not a regular breakfast eater (which I know is a bad thing because breakfast is the most important meal of the day...I'm really trying my best to eat breakfast as often as I can!) but you can be sure that I'll be at the table (mas mabilis pa sa alas kuwatro!) if cereals and milk plus fruits or cookies are served. So you could just imagine how happy I was when I first learned that the Philippines now has the first ever cereal cafe! Yup, you read that right. Cereal cafe! Welcome to Cerealicious - the country's first ever cafe that serves 30+ cereals, 40+ toppings and even gives you the chance to come up with your very own mix of ...

Apr22010 by Mindanaoan Irene18 Comments

Resorts World Manila – what to see, what to do

Arts, Consumer, Corporate, Entertainment, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Resorts, Reviews, Society, Style

So this blogger from Mindanao finally had the chance to visit the much-talked about Resorts World Manila, a luxurious, fun-filled entertainment destination in Newport City, which is located just right across the new Ninoy Aquino International Airport 3 (NAIA 3). I often caught ads about this new entertainment hub on TV so naturally my curiosity got piqued. Resorts World Manila sits on a vast 7.8 hectare lot in Pasay, particularly at 100 Andrews Avenue, Newport, Cybertourism Zone, 1309 Pasay City. The product of a collaboration between Alliance Global Group, Inc. (reportedly a Philippine conglomerate) and Star Cruises, Resorts World Manila is just a few blocks behind the Star Cruises headquarters. Resorts World Manila is in a pretty large complex so I doubt that you'd miss it ;) Here'...

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...

Feb242010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: Highway 21 Hotel in Iloilo City, Visayas

Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

My first night in Iloilo City was spent in Highway 21. Classified as a pension house, I actually thought that this nice place located right in the heart of Iloilo City was more of a hotel. The perfect choice for budget conscious tourists, Highway 21 Iloilo City is located along the busy General Luna Street. Highway 21 is actually right beside the Sarrabia Manor, a well-known hotel in Iloilo. Compared to Sarrabia, though, Highway 21's rates are way cheaper. I stayed at the new wing of Highway 21. The rooms found at the new wing are slightly higher than those found on the annex area but I thought the added expense was worth it. The new wing had an elevator while the annex didn't have one. Plus all the rooms at the new wing had free, fast wireless Internet connection. That was impor...

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...

Feb72010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Review: Lamar Inn Cagayan de Oro | Budget hotel in Cagayan de Oro Mindanao

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

Hello fellow Mindanawans! Planning a trip to CDO soon? Here's a budget hotel in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao that you might be interested in. Lamar Inn, located at the corner of JR Borja and Velez Streets (just a few blocks away from Divisoria, the heart of the city), is a downtown hotel that offers value for money. Conveniently located at the central business district of the City of Golden Friendship and owned and operated by VIP Hotel (which is located just right across the street), Lamar Inn CDO offers reasonably priced rooms and good amenities. They have 14 tourist type rooms (P750.00 per night), 8 business type rooms (P850.00 per night) and two suites (P1,300.00 per night). The business type room that we stayed in recently was air conditioned, had cable television, had a tel...

Jan252010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: Lubi Resort Santander Cebu Diving Hotel

Hotels, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Resorts, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

During Mindanaoan's weeklong Cebu trip, I was fortunate to have had the chance to stay overnight at a Cebu resort that's widely said to be Cebu Provincial Governor Gwen Garcia's favorite. Lubi Resort is located at Santander, Cebu Province, a 5th class municipality included in the second district of Cebu. And it's not difficult to understand why Gov. Gwen loves Lubi Resort. It's a homey, quaint refuge at the southernmost part of Cebu. To reach the resort is a bit difficult to do so unless you have a private vehicle. Actually, I think the resort's "exclusivity" is one of its main strengths. For people who just want to get away from all the hustle and bustle of everyday life and just want to enjoy their "me" time, then Lubi Resort in Santander, Cebu is the answer. Lubi Resort, as its...

Nov42009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Davao Crocodile Park – another must-visit place in Mindanao

Davao City, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Photos, Reviews, Tourism

Visiting Davao City, Mindanao soon? My mom, some of her students and I were in my hometown Davao City a few days ago and we visited the Davao Crocodile Park. Located at Riverfront Corporate City, Diversion Road, Ma-a, this popular Davao City tourist spot is a must-visit place in Mindanao. Owned by fellow Dabawenyo Sonny Dizon, Davao Crocodile Park also houses other exotic animals such as bats, monkeys, tigers (yep!), bearcats (super cute!), ostriches, snakes (I stayed as far as possible from the pythons! LOL) and some reptiles. Of course, the crocodiles are the "stars" of the park. There are saltwater and fresh water crocodiles there and then there's Pangil - one very huge (and angry looking, I must say) crocodile. Entrance fee to the Davao Crocodile Park is P100.00 (adults). For c...

Oct222009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Best durian candy in Davao City is by Lola Abon’s

Davao City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Recipes, Reviews

So I was in Davao City a few days ago to accompany one of my mom's classes. It was a quick, day-long tour and included in our agenda were Davao Crocodile Park (I'll blog about this next), Ateneo de Davao University college campus and of course...a visit to my favorite durian candy store in my hometown - Lola Abon's. My brothers and I grew up knowing that if you want durian candy, eat Lola Abon's products. Nothing else. Don't settle for those sold in bus terminals or in grocery stores. Lola Abon's made the best durian candy products. That's it. Lola Abon died years ago but my brothers and I met her. This was way back when her "store" was basically her home garage and her workers were hidden behind a curtain just a few steps away. Whenever we visit her store and buy her candies, we were ...

Oct22009 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Roadhouse Cafe Baby Back Ribs and Pumpkin Soup

Bukidnon, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Commentary, Consumer, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Photos, Reviews, Tourism

I, Mindanaoan, was finally able to "introduce" my mom to the renowned Roadhouse Cafe baby back ribs. I say renowned because a lot of foodies and food experts have already given their thumbs up on the baby back ribs served at Roadhouse Cafe. Roadhouse Cafe serves Asian and Western cuisine. Its first and original branch can be found along Sayre Highway (national highway), Valencia City, Bukidnon, Mindanao. It now has a second branch at SM City Cagayan de Oro. Cagayan de Oro is roughly 2 and a half hours away from Valencia City. Reasonably priced, Roadhouse Cafe's baby back ribs tastes a bit sweet and tangy. The meat is very tender and definitely what you can call "fall off the bone"! As you can see from these photos, you're given extra sauce and a few slices of cucumber. The rice is se...

Jul192009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Mindanao hotel review: Sir George Pension House in Cagayan de Oro City

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Reviews

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY MINDANAO - Here's another value-for-your-money budget accommodation in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao - Sir George Pension House. Located at corner Pabayo and Gaerlan Streets (just a few blocks away from Divisoria), Sir George Pension House Cagayan de Oro is a new player in the Mindanao hotel and lodging industry.With more and more events being held in CDO and a very business-friendly atmosphere in Northern Mindanao, this cheap hotel in Cagayan de Oro is definitely a welcome addition to Mindanao tourism especially to the tourism efforts of CDO. Here are the room rates of Sir George Pension House CDO: Speaking of room rates, the range of room rates of this Cagayan de Oro budget hotel was actually the first thing that caught my attention. Not bad for an inn that ...

Jul142009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Figaro coffee shop at Cagayan de Oro City Mindanao

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Commentary, Consumer, Corporate, Culture, Davao City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Photos, Reviews

Davao City is no longer the only Mindanao area where the famous Figaro Coffee has a store. Figaro Coffee has already set up shop at Limketkai Mall, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao! Established in 1993, Figaro is a 100 percent Filipino-owned coffee company. Figaro Cagayan de Oro is located right across the SMART Wireless Center and Globe Telecoms office area of the said CDO mall. The Figaro coffee shop is also right below Skypark Grill and near the Rosario Arcade. Check out the photos I took using my brother's cellular phone camera: And since my brother and I are huge coffee lovers, we decided to stop by and have our snacks at Figaro CDO. I had the ham and cheese sandwich and cafe latte while my brother had baked mini pizzas and cafe latte as well: The ambience at Figa...

Jun142009 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Conquering the Xcelerator – the longest speed zip line in Asia

Commentary, Davao City, Entertainment, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Photos, Reviews, Society, Tourism, Travel

MINDANAO - A few weeks ago, my family and I celebrated our brother's birthday by trying the most talked about Xcelerator over at Outland Adventure, Davao City, Mindanao. The Outland Adventure Xcelerator is said to be the longest speed zip line in all of Asia! Cool, right? We arrived at Outland Adventure Davao City half an hour before noon. As it turned out, we missed the "cut-off" time so we had to wait until they re-opened at roughly 1:30 pm. The more than an hour wait was all right --- we just kept ourselves busy taking photos. By 1:30 pm, all of the "zip liners" for the afternoon were asked to sign waivers. Then we proceeded to the area where we put on the harnesses, helmets and other safety gear. My brothers and I were made to choose if we wanted the "Superman" option or the ordi...

Jun52009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: Goodnews Traveller’s Inn, Capt. V. Roa Street, Cagayan de Oro City

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Photos, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

Here's another Mindanao Hotels review. Goodnews Traveller's Inn is located along Capt. Vicente Roa Street, Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao, Philippines. It's near the busy Cogon Market and is accessible by public utility vehicles (taxi, jeepney, trisikad and motorela) This lodging house in Cagayan de Oro City is also just a few steps away from the Cagayan de Oro City fire station. Truth be told, Goodnews Travellers Inn was my last...okay, ONLY choice at the time I was in CDO because all of the other hotels in Cagayan de Oro were fully booked. So with my hopes up, I checked in and got a double room. I paid P950.00 for the double airconditioned room. My room was at the third floor, which was a major bummer. Apart from the fact that I'm not a fan of using the stairs (Goodnews Travele...