Reviews Archives - Page 5 of 11 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Mar282015 by Mindanaoan Irene7 Comments

Secret Garden for good Korean food in Cagayan de Oro

Cagayan de Oro City, Commentary, Food, Korea, Reviews

Ever since I first visited Korea, I've fallen madly in love with Korean food. I love how healthy and clean-tasting (i.e. not oily, very flavorful) Korean dishes are. So I'm pretty happy to know that there's a restaurant in Cagayan de Oro that serves good and pretty affordable authentic Korean food. Located along Masterson Avenue, Secret Garden Restaurant is owned and managed by a friendly Korean, who even had a big smile on his face as my friends and I entered the place to have dinner. There were tables and chairs at an open space but there were also smaller, airconditioned rooms. My friends and I opted to stay outside. The huge overhead fan was enough to keep us comfortable. We were served complimentary kimchi, pickled vegetables and spiced tofu. Oh, how I miss kimchi! And how I ...

Mar242015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Visit Coffeeworks Malaybalay for coffee dates in Bukidnon

Bukidnon, Business, Consumer, Food, Malaybalay City, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Reviews, Society

Coffeeworks, a Cagayan de Oro coffee shop brand, has finally opened its Malaybalay City branch in Bukidnon. Coffeeworks Malaybalay is the newest, latest coffee and pastry shop in the capital of Bukidnon. Located at Mandani Arcade along Fortich Street (just a few meters away from Bukidnon State University, see Google map below), Coffeeworks Malaybalay is home to freshly brewed coffee, smoothies, ice blended drinks, "over ice" drinks, teas and pastries. I'm a regular customer of the Coffeeworks Cagayan de Oro branches at Rosario Arcade, Limketkai Center and Corrales Avenue (right next to the Xavier University gymnasium) so I'm familiar with their menu. So when I was invited to visit Coffeeworks Malaybalay a day before their formal opening, I just had to order my all-time favorit...

Feb282015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

At Tim Ho Wan Manila Michelin Star Restaurant

Business, Consumer, Food, Manila, Reviews

So I've finally visited TIM HO WAN Manila! I've been seeing a lot of photos of Tim Ho Wan's Manila restaurants plus their uber popular baked buns with pork BBQ (char siu) filling. At bilang fan na fan ako ng dim sum, I knew I just had to include Tim Ho Wan in my must-visit list next time I'm in Manila. Tim Ho Wan, which originated in Mong Kok, Hong Kong, is recognized as HK's most famous Michelin star restaurant. Actually, Tim Ho Wan is the world's cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant! And you know how it is if a restaurant is awarded a Michelin star. It means you simply have to visit. The Tim Ho Wan Manila franchise, a result of a partnership between Felix Ang of Cats Motors and Ricky Dee of Mesa and Todd English Food Hall, is less than a year old but based on a lot of posts and pho...

Jan282015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: Park Inn Radisson Davao hotel

Davao City, Davao del Sur, Features, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

Perhaps two of the advantages of staying at Park Inn by Radisson Davao are the facts that this Davao hotel is right behind SM Lanang Premiere Mall (which houses the SMX Convention Center) and that it's roughly 15 minutes away from Davao International Airport. Hence, if you want extra minutes of sleep before heading to the airport or if you want to catch a movie or shop, then Park Inn Davao is the ideal hotel for you. I stayed at this business hotel in Davao when I was invited to cover the BIMP-EAGA International Business Leaders Conference. Although I was there for work, I truly had restful nights. I mean, really, who wouldn't have comfortable sleep when you get a bed like this? Comfortable bed - check. Clean sheets - check. Soft pillows - check! My room came with a lo...

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...

Nov262014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Dulaang Atenista XU’s Sa North Diversion Road play

Arts, Cagayan de Oro City, Campus, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Reviews, Society

When I received an invitation from Shaun to watch Dulaang Atenista - Xavier University's "Sa North Diversion Road" play, I honestly threw all expectations out of the window. That strategy apparently worked well for me because for someone who doesn't get impressed so easily, Dulaang Atenista's version of the award-winning play was so worth my time I felt it would have almost been a sin should I have missed it. Directed by Jay Rey Alovera, Dulaang Atenista's version of the play starred Maria Mercedes Batar and Client Ray Cosin, both of whom gave emotional, stellar performances way beyond what's most probably expected of their age. "Sa North Diversion Road" is composed of 10 brief stories of 10 different couples as they drive along the North Diversion Road in the Philippines. The common...

Aug112014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: Bradley Bascon violin concert CDO Philippines

Advocacy, Arts, Beauty, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Music, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Reviews, Society, United States of America

When I was invited to watch a concert featuring a 15 year old violin protege, I knew somehow I was in for a treat. After all, for someone so young, Bradley Bascon has already achieved so much - far more than most lads his age - including winning the Violin Master Class panel finals organized by the Music Teachers Association of California, performing with an orchestra as a featured soloist in Spain and Portugal, performing in the London Olympics in 2012 and participating in festivals in Germany, Austria and Italy. Still, I felt that I had to hold back my cheers and praises until the litmus test - that one-night only concert held last July 31, 2014 at the Rodelsa Hall, Liceo de Cagayan University. Along with collaborating artist Rudolf Golez, who himself is an internationally acclaimed F...

Jul102014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

What to order at Tonkatsu by Terazawa CDO @TonkatsuPH

Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Reviews, Society

Tonkatsu by Terazawa is a Japanese Katsu Restaurant by Chef Akinori Terazawa from Nagoya, Japan, locally franchised in the Philippines by The Bistro Group, same owners of Italianni's and T.G.I. Fridays. Here in Mindanao, Tonkatsu by Terazawa opened their first branch at the First Floor, Garden Area of Ayala Centrio Mall, Cagayan de Oro City. My family and I are regular Tonkatsu by Terazawa customers. We love their katsu meals as well as some side dishes. The Tonkatsu by Terazawa Centrio CDO branch is also comfy albeit small (they share space with Italianni's) - a nice place to bring your loved ones for Sunday lunch, your friends for Saturday get-together or your business partners for power Monday meetings. I also like the hand-painted Japanese characters, lanterns and other accents insi...

Jul72014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

HOT-STAR Philippines: Taiwan’s Large Fried Chicken in Manila @HotStarPH

Features, Food, Manila, Reviews

So if you read somewhere that one of Taiwan's most famous chicken chop places has finally opened a branch in Manila and that for only Php110, you get a fried chicken so large that it's even bigger than your face (!!!), you just have to go try and see for yourself, right? :D That's exactly what my brother and I did when we were in Manila - we satisfied our curiosity and paid Hot-Star Philippines a visit! Hot-Star Large Fried Chicken, located at Blue Bay Walk, Macapagal Avenue corner EDSA, Pasay City, is a fastfood, sit-down restaurant that offers affordable meals. Of course, the "star" of their menu is the large fried chicken - and they weren't kidding when they said "large." Hot-Star's fried chicken is 30 cm long - big enough for 2 to 3 people to share! Placing an order is pr...

Apr182014 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Eating sea urchins at White Island Camiguin

Camiguin, Food, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

Living sea urchins don't look appetizing at all - what with their scary looking spines. But mind you, sea urchins or "tuyom" as they are locally known are actually considered culinary delicacies in many parts of the world. In fact, a kilo of sea urchin roe fetches hundreds of dollars. So when I spotted some fishermen selling fresh sea urchins for sale at White Island, Camiguin, I just had to get some! They were selling them for Php 50.00 (about US$1.50) for 3 pieces. Ate them raw with coco vinegar. Yum! Have you tried eating sea urchins? Let me know in the comments section :) Meanwhile, here are some shots taken at White Island, Camiguin. Planning to visit this beautiful island in Mindanao? Here's a Camiguin Island Travel Guide and here's how to get to White Island Camiguin

Mar242014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Simply Penang at @Sunway_Pyramid Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Food, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews

So of course I had to hunt for nasi lemak as soon as I got settled in during my most recent trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where I was one of the Malaysia Social Media Week 2014 speakers. Never mind if it was already way past noon time and if nasi lemak is usually eaten for breakfast. I love, love, LOVE nasi lemak and, like many foodies nowadays, I absolutely do not mind eating it any time of the day. So, together with my co-speaker from the Philippines, Anton Diaz of Our Awesome Planet, we looked for a nice restaurant within Sunway Pyramid Mall, which was adjacent to the hotel where all of the speakers were billeted in - Sunway Pyramid Tower Hotel. We found Simply Penang. It was located near the skating rink. Anton and I took one of the tables outside so I don't have any idea ho...

Mar132014 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Relaxing stay at Sunway Pyramid Tower Hotel Kuala Lumpur Malaysia @Sunway_Pyramid

Hotels, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Travel

During my most recent trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where I spoke about "Viral Magic" during the Malaysia Social Media Week 2014, I had the pleasure of staying at Sunway Pyramid Tower Hotel, much thanks to the MSMW 2014 organizers and sponsors. I stayed at this Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia hotel for 4 days and it provided the perfect respite from work and hectic days. Located at Persiaran Lagoon, Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya, Sunway Pyramid Tower Hotel KL is adjoined to Sunway Shopping Mall. It is also within the same complex where Sunway Resort Hotel and Spa, Sunway Lagoon Waterpark and Surf Beach (the world's largest man-made surf beach and the first in Malaysia to offer the Surf Simulator Flow Rider) and Sunway University are. My carpeted room, which was on the 6th floor, had a ki...

Feb182014 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Why you should visit Tsinoy’s Pares and Mami House CDO

ARMM, Banks, Beauty, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Consumer, Dipolog, Fashion, Features, Food, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, News, Northern Mindanao, Resorts, Reviews

I love Filipino food. I love Chinese food. Sometimes I crave for a little bit of both and then want something interesting that I don't get to try everyday. Did that confuse you? Let me put it this way - don't we have days when we just want both Chinese and Filipino food - and then maybe something that could remind us of our memorable Asian trips - all in one table? Good thing Michelle of Tsinoy's Pares and Mami House CDO recently invited me, my mom and Emma to try out their fare. It was the perfect way to satisfy cravings! Nestled at Tiano - Mabini Streets, Cagayan de Oro, Tsinoy's CDO is a 7-month old restaurant that's fast gaining fans and loyal customers. Of course, judging by their establishment's name alone, we know that they serve Chinese and Filipino food. However, Tsinoy'...

Jan252014 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Bukidnon: Must-eats at Del Monte Golf Clubhouse

Bukidnon, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Reviews, Society

A lot of people who get the chance to visit the famed Bukidnon tourist spot - the clubhouse at Del Monte Golf and Country Club, Manolo Fortich - almost always rave about the steaks there. Undoubtedly, the steaks served at Del Monte Golf and Country Club are really good - the fact that they get meat from pineapple-fed cattle already tells you that the steaks there are worth every penny. However, there are also other food choices you might want to try the next time you visit this Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon tourist destination. Of course, there's the bottomless Del Monte pineapple juice. For only Php 35.00 per person, you can drink ice cold pineapple juice to your heart's content. The Del Monte baconsilog - bacon, sinangag (fried rice) and egg. The clubhouse serves all-day breakfa...

Dec262013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Foodspotting: Famous Belgian Waffles

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

Famous Belgian Waffles. Just how "famous" and delicious are these waffles? Well, Famous Belgian Waffles Limketkai CDO is just one of the more than 100 outlets all over the Philippines and there's always a bevy of hungry and eager customers at each of their waffle stores so I guess they're doing something right! :) I got to try these delicious treats a few days ago when the CDO franchisee invited this Mindanaoan blogger for a visit. I also brought along several blogger friends and my brother, the Tennis Guru, who was also in town for a vacation. To say that we all enjoyed our freshly baked, delicious, crispy golden brown waffles is actually an understatement. All of us absolutely LOVED our treats! Most of us tried the blueberry creamcheese while one tried the banana hazelnut variety. ...

Dec152013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Travel: New way to explore Davao and Samal Island beaches

Advocacy, Blogging, Business, Consumer, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Features, Island Garden City of Samal, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Resorts, Reviews, Society, Tourism, Travel

One of the many joys of living in Davao City is that it is just several minutes away (a 15-minute ferry ride away, in fact) from Samal Island (Island Garden City of Samal or IGACOS), home of white sand beaches, great resorts, clear water, healthy marine life and dive spots. A lot of tourists usually go to just one resort in Samal Island but did you know that there's now a new, fun way to explore Davao and the beaches around Samal? Why not go island hopping aboard Explore Davao? Explore Davao is an outrigger boat (bangka) complete with an expanded sun deck, bean bags, iPod dock and a cooler. Explore Davao island hopping banca even has its own comfort room and a nifty trapdoor! To show you just how comfortable Davao island hopping aboard Explore Davao is, here are my cool friends an...

Nov22013 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Review: Fersal Hotel Makati – homey budget inn

Hotels, Leisure, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Travel

Looking for accessible, affordable yet very homey hotels in Makati can be quite a challenge. Most Makati hotels within the business district can be pricey and for budget-conscious travelers like myself, it may mean that I can only stay in cheap Makati inns in seedy areas. So I was really very grateful when I had the chance to stay for two nights at Fersal Hotel Makati during my most recent trip to Manila. This comfortable bed and these seriously soft pillows welcomed me. I knew there and then that it was going to be a cozy two night-stay. Fersal Hotel Neptune Makati is just a stone's throw away from Makati Avenue, one of the city's main thoroughfares. Although it is also very near a lot of dining choices, Fersal Hotel also has a cafe near the lobby where you can enjoy sumptuous m...

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...

Sep72013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Must-visit in Puerto Princesa Palawan: KaLui Restaurant

Features, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Visayas

Visiting Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines soon? Then you must visit KaLui Restaurant! I did and it was a truly lovely experience. In fact, I even mentioned KaLui Palawan to my cousin who was also set to visit Puerto Princesa days after my trip. She swears it was truly one of the highlights of her own Palawan trip! So on our last evening in Palawan (I was flown there recently by the US Embassy for a speaking engagement), a friend from the embassy and I had dinner at KaLui Restaurant. Located along busy Rizal Avenue and just a few minutes away from where I stayed in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, KaLui is not only a place for good comfort food but a place where you can relax and appreciate art, music, creativity and even your sense of touch! You see, KaLui Palawan requires their patrons t...

Jul102013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Camiguin Hotel: Villa Paraiso Resort and Apartelle

Camiguin, Hotels, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

So on a recent trip to Camiguin Island, my family and I stayed in a different resort in Camiguin this time (we've already stayed at Tia's Beach Resort, Golden Sunset Camiguin etc) After a little bit of research and getting recommendations from friends, I booked a family suite at Villa Paraiso Resort and Apartelle Camiguin. I chose Villa Paraiso Resort Camiguin because it was located in Mambajao, the capital town of Camiguin, because they offered a 20 percent discount (off-season rate), because their resort had a pool (I figured my family and I would like to go on a night swimming session), because their room rates came with free continental breakfast (read: toasted bread and eggs) and free unlimited coffee (cool!) and, most importantly, the one who took care of my room reservation, Bern...

Jun182013 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

A must-try in Davao City: Wine quartet at the Apo View Hotel

Business, Consumer, Davao City, Features, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

As part of the Apo View Hotel Davao's 65th year of operations and a first of its kind in Davao City, the Philippines' second longest operating hotel has launched the unique Wine Quartet, whereby diners can savor a set of 4 carefully and thoughtfully selected wines to match their favorite dishes at Entree, Apo View Hotel Davao City's buffet restaurant. Definitely a great way to match good food with good wine! Under the Entree Wine Quartet promo, you get 4 glasses of wines for only Php 250.00. You can taste 4 different wine varietals: two white wines (Torrontes-Sauvignon Blanc and Macabeo) and two reds (Tahuna Pinot Noir from New Zealand and Castillo de Almansa from Spain). The wine choices will be changed every month but the price will remain the same. The Apo View Davao Entree Wine Q...

Mar252013 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Photos: Save Me Hollywood at Bukidnon San Miguel Beer event

Bukidnon, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Malaybalay City, Music, Personalities, Photos, Reviews

Hi everybody! This Mindanao blogger was in the Province of Bukidnon for the Kaamulan Festival, a yearly gathering of Bukidnon's 7 hill tribes. One of the festival highlights was the much-awaited San Miguel Beer Night or SMB Night, which was held last March 10, 2013 at the Capitol Grounds, Malaybalay City. My dearest friends Jojo and Jacquee invited me and a bunch of other friends to watch the SMB Night concert, which was headlined by no less than iconic Filipino band Rivermaya and up-and-coming pop funk band Save Me Hollywood :) VIP treatment - backstage access - seats nearest the stage (although my friends and I chose to be a part of the moshpit instead!) and here's the coolest part - unlimited San Miguel Beer! :D Thanks so much SMB, Jojo and Jacquee! Allow me to share some of the p...