Society Archives - Page 21 of 28 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Mar162011 by Mindanaoan Irene10 Comments

How to prepare a do-it-yourself Singapore and Malaysia trip

BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Davao City, Features, Flights, Hongkong, Hotels, Internet, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Malaysia, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Shenzhen, Singapore, Society, Tourism, Travel

A few weeks ago, my mom and I finally had the chance to visit Singapore and Malaysia. Although it wasn't our first trip outside of the country, it was our very first time to visit Singapore and Malaysia and it was also the first time that we followed a DIY or do-it-yourself itinerary. We opted not to avail of the services of a travel agency for a number of reasons including the fact that we didn't want to be led to tourist traps just like what happened during our Hongkong, Shenzhen and Macau trip two years ago. Plus I'm also the type who loves to take on a challenge and preparing for a trip abroad - starting from scratch - can be quite a challenge! Don't be alarmed, though! Preparing a do-it-yourself itinerary can actually be fun, too! Plus it brings a whole lotta meaning to accomplishm...

Feb222011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Join the first ever webchat on U.S. non-immigrant visas by the US Embassy Manila

Advocacy, Announcements, Features, Headline, Internet, Media, Society, Technology

Has it always been a dream of yours to visit the United States of America but whenever you try to apply for a tourist visa, you often get denied? Do you have questions pertaining to U.S. non-immigrant visas? Have you always wanted to ask a real US Embassy consul what you need to do and what you need to have in order to secure that most wanted U.S. non-immigrant visa? Then here's your perfect chance! On Wednesday, February 23, 2011, from 4 PM to 5 PM, you can join the first ever web chat ever on U.S. non-immigrant visas. This webchat, dubbed "Ask the Consul," is organized by the US Embassy in Manila. Read more details after the jump! (more…)

Feb222011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

King of Acoustic Paolo Santos says hello to Mindanaoan

Arts, Blogging, Bukidnon, Business, Consumer, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Society, Videos

The Philippines' King of Acoustic Paolo Santos has a very special video message for this humble blogger from Mindanao :) You see, I was a co-producer and co-event organizer of the "Moonlight Acoustic Serenade by the King of Acoustic Paolo Santos" Valentine's Day show last February 14, 2011. Interestingly, though, I wasn't around during the show itself since I was abroad :D (My assistant and I have done all the work before my trip, though...the only task left was the on-site, on-the-day coordination) So I had to contend with this video message from Paolo Santos himself. Good thing I have a very reliable assistant in the person of Erik Dave :D By the way, if you or someone you know needs events management services anywhere in Mindanao, please do not hesitate to CONTACT ME :) That Valentin...

Feb202011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Cute Manny Pacquiao and Mommy Dionisia Pacquiao commercial!

Arts, Bisaya, Blogging, Bukidnon, Davao City, Features, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Sarangani, Society

Fellow Mindanaoans Manny Pacquiao and his very own Mum, Mommy Dionisia Pacquiao, have a new, super cute Datu Puti TV commercial! I like the play on the "bumili ka lang ng suka, champion ka na" statement :D Of course, the quotable quote in this TVC is also Manny Pacquiao's "boxing is not for killing." :P In this Datu Puti Manny Pacquiao TVC, a guy who's supposedly playing the role of Coach Freddie (Roach, the Pacman's real-life boxing coach) tells the "true story" behind the Pacman's road to success. Well, of course it's not the real story but this commercial is really funny and clever :) Props to the agency behind this cool Manny Pacquiao TV commercial! By the way, just in case you don't know how Manny Pacquiao and I are fellow Mindanaoans, check this out: (more…)

Feb62011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

My second studio visit at TV5 Manila’s PO5 Sunday show

Arts, Broadcasting, Davao City, Entertainment, Features, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Society, Style

The first time my friends and I watched PO5 (Party on Five) live, we all trooped to a studio in Marikina. During our second visit just a few days ago, my friends and I went to Broadway Centrum along Aurora Boulevard, the same studio complex where the longest noontime show in the Philippines is also aired from Monday to Friday - "Eat Bulaga." PO5 does not use the same studio, though. It uses the one adjacent to the "Eat Bulaga" studio. For the uninitiated, by the way, PO5 is Channel 5's Sunday noontime variety show, their answer to ABS CBN Channel 2's "ASAP" and to GMA 7's "Party Pilipinas." Among its hosts are Richard Gomez, Lucy Torres, John Estrada, Wilma Doesnt, Alex Gonzaga, Danita Paner and...be still my heart...Kean Cipriano :D (more…)

Feb62011 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

At the wedding reception of the Malaysian ambassador’s daughter

BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Features, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Politics, Society

Ever since I had the utmost privilege to meet the Ambassador of Malaysia to the Philippines Dato Seri Dr. Ibrahim Saad and his beautiful wife Datin Seri Dato Zainab Kader, I've become so fascinated with Malaysia, its people, its culture and traditions and even their food! I've also become quite fascinated with certain similarities between the Philippines and Malaysia and the glaring fact that at the end of the day, we really all are connected. So when I received this special invitation to attend the wedding reception of the Malaysian ambassador's daughter Zaireen Ayu Ibrahim and her groom Shazlan Sufian, I knew I just had to go. Not only was it a fabulous chance for me to witness an akad nikah (traditional Malay wedding) but it was also a chance for me to meet and mingle with new Malays...

Feb42011 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Meeting the Malaysian ambassador and his wife

BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Features, Internet, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Personalities, Society

I've said it and I'll say it again and again. Blogging, even micro blogging through Twitter or Plurk, does wonders for you and for your life. Not only can you share your thoughts, tips and photos with others (which may help them in the process, without you necessarily knowing about it), earn a bit but more importantly, get to meet new, interesting people and experience new and exciting things. Just take the case of a pretty cool thing that happened to me a few weeks ago. Because of the power of the Internet and micro blogging, I had the ultimate honor to meet the Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines Dato Seri Dr. Ibrahim Saad and his beautiful wife Datin Seri Zainab Kader. * credits for photo above goes to Malaysia Tatler Before I continue, let me just say, though, that the...

Jan202011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Paolo Santos Live in Bukidnon on Valentine’s Day February 14, 2011 – buy tickets here!

Announcements, Bukidnon, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Artists, Music, News, Personal, Personalities, Society

The one and only King of Acoustic, Paolo Santos, will invade the Province of Bukidnon, Mindanao this Valentine's Day! On February 14, 2011, at the beautiful, premiere Bukidnon resort MGM Resort in Dologon, Maramag, Bukidnon, Paolo Santos will topbill a very special Valentine's Day concert dubbed "Moonlight Acoustic Serenade." Paolo Santos is the pioneer of acoustic here in the country and is best known for his soulful renditions of the well-loved "Moonlight Over Paris," "Overjoyed," "Coffee Cup" and "Photograph." Celebrate love, magic, hope and romance with a multi-platinum, multi-awarded artist! And here's good news for you who want to watch Paolo Santos Live in Bukidnon - you may purchase your tickets online right here on Mindanaoan.com! (more…)

Dec292010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Richard Poon, Pokwang and Markki Stroem CDO concert

Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Photos, Society, Videos

Hi everyone, how's the holidays (or should I say holiDAZE) so far? I'm still on "vacation mode" hence the lack of updates here. Interestingly, though, this humble Mindanao blog still continues to attract very good traffic every single day and for that I am really thankful. Daghang salamat to all of my regular readers and followers! Thank you so much! Please continue to support Mindanaoan by urging all of your friends to "Like" us on Facebook and to subscribe via email :) This time around, I'd like to share with you some of the photos I took during the recently concluded "The Crooner and The Comedienne" concert featuring Richard Poon and Pokwang with special guest Markki Stroem. I know that a lot of you have been waiting for these...judging by the so many hits on my previous entries: exc...

Dec262010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

And the winner of my simple Starbucks contest is…

Announcements, Contests, Mindanaoan Update, Society

Here it is...finally! The winner of the simple Mindanaoan.com Starbucks beverage coupon contest :) It took me a few days to figure this out since I couldn't chance upon my niece (who was supposed to draw out the lucky winner of two tall Starbucks beverage coupons) and some people who said they joined the contest couldn't see their posts on the official Mindanaoan.com Facebook Page. In fairness to these people, when I did check their Facebook profiles, the requirements were all there and their posts were made public but they still didn't appear on the Mindanaoan FB Page. Ugh. So I'm not sure whether it's a technical glitch or just the universe's way of saying that FB contests may not be a good idea anymore LOL. So, in the spirit of fairness, I'm ditching the manually conducted raffle...

Dec112010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Dinner with the US Embassy Manila Counselor for Public Affairs

Advocacy, Bisaya, Blogging, Cebu City, Features, Headline, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personal, Personalities, Society, Technology, Weird

I was in Cebu City recently to open a small branch of my PR, media, marketing and outsourcing agency and to visit my younger brother at the same time. About a week and a half after I arrived, I received an invitation from fellow blogger and Plurker Jay de Jesus, the Emerging Media Specialist for Public Affairs of the US Embassy, Manila. He asked if I could attend a small, intimate dinner with someone from the US Embassy in Manila and that the dinner was to be held the evening of that very day. I asked him who I was supposed to meet. He said that it was his boss - the Counselor for Public Affairs of the US Embassy in Manila - Richard W. Nelson. I must admit, I immediately had reservations. I checked my watch --- I only had about 3 hours to prepare for what could be a life-changing dinner...

Dec102010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

A Kagay-anon’s dream come true – this Richard Poon, Pokwang and Markki Stroem CDO concert

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Society

In its initial offering as a concert producer in Cagayan de Oro (CDO), Joey Pelaez Events is set to conquer the music scene on December 19, 2010 at the Atrium Limketkai Center with The Crooner and The Comedienne featuring the country’s top standard music singer Richard Poon and the fashionable and witty Pokwang, and introducing Markki Stroem of Pilipinas Got Talent fame. (more…)

Dec92010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Two Mindanaoan groups win in the 8th TAYO Awards

Announcements, Compostela Valley, Features, Headline, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao, Society, Surigao del Sur

Here's a great follow-up to my previous blog post about the Mindanao youth org-finalists to the 8th Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) Awards --- two (yes, TWO!) youth groups from Mindanao won! Let's all congratulate the Pro-Drop Out Reduction Program (PRO-DORP) Team from Surigao del Sur, Mindanao and the 4-H Mandaya Tribal Youth Organization (MTYO) from Compostela Valley, Mindanao! Both Mindanao youth groups received P50,000.00 cash grant from the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines as well as a specially handcrafted trophy by artist Toym de Leon Imao. Woohoo! Congratulations guys! I'm super proud of all of you! * photo credit: Momblogger The awarding ceremonies of this year's 8th TAYO Awards was held today, December 9, 2010 at the Malacanang Palace. No less than President...

Dec72010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

An appeal to all of my valued Mindanaoan.com readers

Bisaya, Blogging, Contests, Features, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Society, Technology

After bagging the Best Lifestyle Blog for Mindanao 2010 in the Philippine Blog Awards, this humble Mindanao blog is once again nominated - this time to two national blogging awards - the 2010 Philippine Blog Awards Bloggers' Choice Award and the 2010 Philippine Blog Awards Readers' Choice Award. As I previously wrote, however, I myself will not even vote for my own blog for the Bloggers' Choice Award since my vote will go to Bukidnon Online but for the Reader’s Choice Category, I would really appreciate a little help from my valued Mindanaoan.com readers, subscribers, supporters! :) Mindanaoan.com and other Readers' Choice Awards nominees will be judged according to the number of Facebook "LIKES" starting today until before 11:59 pm on December 11, 2010 (Saturday). Most number of lik...

Nov302010 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Aquil Tamano joins the Games and Amusements Board

ARMM, Blogging, Features, Government, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Marawi City, Mindanaoan Update, Muslim Mindanao, News, Personalities, Politics, Society, Sports

If you're a regular reader of my humble blog, you'd know that I consider Atty. Aquil Tamano a dear friend. I met him during the Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3, which was held in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao in 2009. His brother, former Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) President and former senatorial candidate Atty. Adel Tamano, accepted my invitation to grace the said event and deliver a special message. That fateful day was the beginning of what I can proudly call a good friendship. I also later on met Sir Aquil's wife, Inee, who's as equally as nice as he is. She's pregnant, by the way, and their precious one is due on February 2011! :D Anyways, fast forward to November 2010, great opportunities went Sir Aquil's way. First, I heard that he became the lawyer of some GMA 7 artists in...

Nov292010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Bukidnon: The Philippine Frontier coffee table book released

Announcements, Arts, Beauty, Blogging, Bukidnon, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, Photos, Politics, Society, Style, Tourism, Travel

It was a dream project that took five - yes, 5!!! - years to complete. And now it's finally done. Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri presents a copy of "Bukidnon: The Philippine Frontier" to Bukidnon Gov. Alex Calingasan at the launching ceremony recently held at the NBC Tent in Fort Bonifacio Global City. Senator Migs Zubiri said the coffee table book is a dream project that took five years to complete. The 183-page book is written by Rafael "Apa" Ongpin with photographs by Neal Oshima. Photo shows (L-R) Neal Oshima, Apa Ongpin, Senator Migs Zubiri, Gov. Alex Calingasan and Bukidnon Vice Gov. Joe Zubiri (Senator Migs' dad and former three-term Bukidnon governor) at the unveiling ceremony. On a personal note, this blogger from Mindanao received a text message from Senator Migs hims...

Nov272010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

First Filipino Yale World Fellow and former Bukidnon Mindanao congressman Dr. Neric Acosta congratulates Mindanaoan.com!

Blogging, Bukidnon, Features, Headline, Internet, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Society, Technology, Videos

During the Open Budget Partnership forum I attended in Manila a few days ago, I saw an old friend. I didn't expect him to actually come since a member of the event secretariat told me earlier that day that he might not be able to drop by. Lo and behold, he came...and when I approached him to say hello, he looked a little bit surprised to see me there but nonetheless looked happy. The old friend I'm referring to is former Bukidnon First District Congressman Dr. JR Nereus "Neric" Acosta. Yes, he's the same Neric Acosta who ran for a Senate seat in May 2010. He's the same Neric Acosta who's a staunch advocate of environment protection, responsible population management, health and programs for climate change. And yes, he's the same Neric Acosta who authored the Clean Air Act and who's t...

Nov162010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Giant christmas tree at SM City Cebu

Cebu City, Features, Gifts, Internet, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Shopping, Society

Christmas is really in the air! Don't you just love the Yuletide season? In Mindanao, a lot of people bring out those Christmas decors as early as October but most really get into the spirit after All Souls' Day (November 2). In 2008, my Mindanaoan blog featured this Christmas Tree found at People's Park, Davao City, Mindanao. In 2009, Mindanaoan featured the Christmas Trees found at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay and at Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao. And to officially welcome Christmas 2010, I present to you a photo I took of the giant Christmas Tree found at the Northwing of SM Cebu: Pretty nice, eh? By the way, I would like to invite you to check out my very first Christmas blog! MyChristmasGiftGuide.com is where you can read all about Christmas, Christmas symbols and ornam...

Nov132010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Ely Buendia and the rest of Pupil in Cagayan de Oro on December 8, 2010

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Shopping, Society

Thanks to PUMA and one of my most favorite lifestyle specialty boutiques Spruce, loyal Ely Buendia fans like me will have the time of their lives on December 8, 2010 at Club TILT, Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao. Yes, boys and girls, PUPIL will rock Cagayan de Oro on December 8, 2010! PUMA is bringing Ely Buendia and the rest of Pupil in CDO on December 8, 2010! Want to know how you can score entrance passes to the PUPIL Live in CDO event? (more…)

Nov132010 by Mindanaoan Irene10 Comments

Cheap taxi at Mactan Cebu airport

Advocacy, Blogging, Business, Cebu City, Consumer, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Society, Tourism, Travel

I've been to Cebu City countless of times but I think I haven't shared yet one tried and tested travel tip: how to avail of cheap taxi service at the Mactan Cebu International Airport. By cheap I mean the regular, metered taxi service rate and not the fixed or coupon-type of taxi service rate. This tip is especially helpful for first time travelers to the Queen City of the South. But before that, let's talk a little bit about the Mactan Cebu International Airport. The airport, as the name suggests, is in Mactan Island - meaning it's NOT within Cebu City proper. Usually, it takes you about 20 to 30 minutes from downtown Cebu to reach the airport. To go to Mactan, you need to cross one of the two bridges that connect Cebu to Mactan - the Mactan-Mandaue bridge and the Marcelo Fernan bridge...

Nov82010 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Senator Kiko Pangilinan congratulates www.Mindanaoan.com!

Advocacy, Agriculture, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Announcements, ARMM, Arts, Bacolod City, Banks, Basilan, Beauty, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, 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, 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, Shopping, Society, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sports, Style, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacurong, Tangub City, Technology, Television, Tourism, Travel, Videos, Visayas, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

I must admit that even a few days after my humble Mindanaoan.com blog won as Best Lifestyle Blog for Mindanao in the Philippine Blog Awards 2010, I still am on cloud 9. While a lot of people have already congratulated me (and I still continue to receive several congratulatory messages until now) and even my ever-supportive Mama has already made plans to have a special tarp printed and displayed (yikes! :D), nothing prepared me for an absolutely wonderful surprise I got yesterday. November 6, 2010, the very day of a blogging 101 workshop that I organized, was made extra special when someone sent in this video message that did not only make my cheeks burn but make my heart melt as well :) No less than Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan congratulated me! Yes, THE Senator Kiko Pangili...

Oct312010 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Mindanaoan.com wins! Best Lifestyle Blog – Philippine Blog Awards 2010 Mindanao

Advocacy, Agriculture, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Announcements, ARMM, Arts, Bacolod City, Banks, Basilan, Beauty, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, 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, 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, Shopping, Society, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sports, Style, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacurong, Tangub City, Technology, Television, Tourism, Travel, Videos, Visayas, Weddings, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

Woke up to sweet and absolutely wonderful piece of news today! This humble blog - www.Mindanaoan.com - won as Best Lifestyle Blog in the recently concluded Philippine Blog Awards 2010 - Mindanao Division! Yebah! Woot woot! :D My warmest, sincerest gratitude to the organizers and sponsors of the Philippine Blog Awards 2010! Thank you for the recognition and may you continue to uplift the blogging community! And of course, my deepest gratitude to all of my readers and followers! Like I previously mentioned, just the thought of you guys sparing a few minutes of your time each day just to come and visit my little online home brings me so much joy and inspiration. I am humbled. Daghang salamat! And to the readers and followers of my two other blogs that were also finalists of the PB...