Society Archives - Page 7 of 28 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

May72016 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Why Chiz Escudero is my Vice President

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Features, Government, Headline, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Personalities, Politics, Society

Chiz Escudero. I first saw him in Congress. He was the fast rising young representative of Sorsogon then. All eyes were on him. Him and his impossibly forever kunot polo barong. Kunot because he’s here, there, everywhere. I remember whenever I observe at the plenary hall, he often stands up, asks questions from the floor, consults other legislators. In my mind, ang kulit din ng kongresistang ito. He wasn’t like many congressmen who’d just sit and wait for their attendance to be called. Siyempre, crush na crush ko siya noon. Ten Outstanding Young Men awardee, World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, Rotary Golden Wheel Awardee for Political Governance and Legislation and the list goes on and on. Saan ka pa? Young, very smart, articulate, took and passed the bar on the first try and cute...

May22016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Manoy’s Boneless Lechon CDO is every meat lover’s fave

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Food, Misamis Oriental, Reviews, Society

There are lechon belly shops in Cagayan de Oro and then there's Manoy's Boneless Lechon. Although they opened for business just recently, Manoy's Boneless Lechon CDO is really fast getting everyone's attention - including that of local celebrities, influencers, business and media personalities. The reason for this is because Manoy's lechon promises carefully prepared fresh, quality meat with generous herbs and spices cooked to perfection in that distinct Cebu style. The meat is very tasty and flavorful and the skin guaranteed crispy! And because it's boneless, every kilo is sure to be value for money. Try Manoy's Boneless Lechon today and see why everyone's talking about it! Manoy's Boneless Lechon is truly changing the game in Cagayan de Oro. Try them once and you won't look ...

Apr282016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Dare to try the Revolution 15 challenge at Pete’s Patriots CDO

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Features, Food, Freebies, Leisure, Misamis Oriental, Society, Tourism

It's the latest craze in Cagayan de Oro and everyone is invited to take the challenge! Do you dare take the Revolution 15 challenge? Named after historical areas during the war era, Pete's Patriots’ Revolution 15 shots honors the heroic acts of our national heroes. All shots are carefully crafted using classic Filipino alcohol as key ingredients to these drinks - Basi Wine, Tuba (!!!), Lambanog, Blue Curacao, among others. These iconic drinks are then mixed with modern flavors such as Jagermeister, Tequila, Vodka and Bacardi 151 in order to produce a drink fit for heroes, and heroes only! I had the chance to introduce Revolution 15 to media friends recently and they all agreed - enjoying Revolution 15 is quite the experience! And here comes the challenge - if you drink all ...

Apr262016 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

New Iligan City tourist spot: Paseo de Santiago

Features, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Leisure, Muslim Mindanao, Northern Mindanao, Society, Tourism, Travel

Iligan City has a new popular attraction - Paseo de Santiago. Located near Talipapa (Santiago Market), Paseo de Santiago is a privately owned area that has been turned into a seaside complex with open seating, several food stalls, a mini stage for nightly events, a wide view of the Iligan Bay, lots of benches where you can watch the sunset and two huge "Iligan City" and "Philippines" signs. Yup, Paseo de Santiago is where you can take cool selfies, groufies, wefies (what other terms are there, millenials? :D)! Entrance fee to Paseo de Santiago is Php 20 per person. There are corkage fees, by the way. Please take note. There are vintage Japanese-style bicycles for rent, just in case you're keen. And, as you can see, there's spacious parking space. It was almost dusk when my fri...

Apr212016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Running For Office? How Social Media Can Help You Win

Announcements, Blogging, Commentary, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News, Politics, Society, Technology

The official campaign season for the May 9, 2016 presidential polls has finally begun! Soon, the local campaigns will also begin. Are you one of the candidates this 2016 elections? Whether you’re a veteran or a newbie candidate and whether you’re gunning for a national or local seat, you need to adapt to the ever-changing landscape. This includes learning and implementing popular yet often misused and under-utilized social media strategies. For this week’s column, please allow me to deviate from my usual travel-related topics and let me share some tips on how you can use social media to help you win a government seat. These are just some of the things I learned all throughout the years as a publicist, social media strategist and US government leadership program alumnae (where my trips a...

Apr172016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

LaBoracay 2016: Zoukout Boracay

Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Society, Tourism

ZoukOut, Asia's definitive annual music festival, is finally heading to the white sands of Boracay Island for the most-awaited LaBoracay 2016 event series. After 15 years in the business, ZoukOut is finally crossing borders and, together with Globe Telecom, will amplify the LaBoracay experience on April 30 and May 1 at Epic and Uptown Beachfront. Adding to the excitement of the music fest, Globe rolled out a poll that allowed Filipinos to pick which home grown talents they want to represent the country at ZoukOut. The race between 4 big names in the Philippine electronic dance music industry was a very close one but in the end, Deuce and Carlo Atendido won. Both officially bagged the opportunity to showcase their talent on the first ever Philippine ZoukOut stage. These Filipino t...

Mar292016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

How to consult a Filipino doctor on the phone for only 1 peso

Advocacy, Consumer, Corporate, Fitness, Health, Society, Technology

We've all been there. A medical emergency and we get rattled, don't know what to do and don't know who to call first. Do we go to the clinic? But what if it's in the wee hours in the morning and you don't have your doctor's home phone number? What about if we can't go to the clinic right away and you need to consult a licensed Filipino doctor right there and then? Plus what about the costs? HELLO, first paragraph pa lang, taranta na, di ba? :D Fret no more! KonsultaMD has made it possible for us to call and consult a licensed Filipino doctor round-the-clock, on the phone, for only 1 peso! Did that get your attention? Curious? Read on. We all know that self-medication is a common practice in the Philippines where a large percentage of the population relies on folk medicines, tradit...

Mar292016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

What to order at Pete’s Patriots Gastro Pub CDO

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

My family and I have a new favorite restaurant in Cagayan de Oro. It's where we share and enjoy the BEST crispy pata in CDO and other bang-for-the-buck meals - Pete's Patriots Filipino Gastropub. Located along Rosario Strip within the Limketkai Center area, Pete's Patriots CDO is a newly launched Filipino Gastropub restaurant - the first of its kind in the Philippines. Pete's Patriots aims to provide Kagay-anons the Manila lifestyle bar and dining experience by providing mouthwatering food, quality service and edgy ambiance. Incidentally, Pete's Patriots is owned and operated by the Red Crab Group of Restaurants - with restaurants such as Seafood Island, Red Crab and other Manila based concepts such as Murray's New Orleans, Clawdaddy, Teddy's Burgers, Johnny Kahuku Hawaiian Shrim...

Mar102016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Bukidnon Staycation at Pinegrove Mountain Lodge

Bukidnon, Features, Food, Hotels, Leisure, Northern Mindanao, Resorts, Reviews, Society

When we think of Dahilayan Adventure Park in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, we most likely equate it to Zipzone a.k.a. Asia’s longest dual cable zipline, Dropzone, my favorite Python 3D zipline and the thrilling 8-storey Sky Tower Base Jump. However, the place known as “Mindanao’s playground” also offers something pretty special - a chance to stay at 4,500 feet above sea level, in a log house-inspired manor situated among pine trees and amid chilly, sweater weather. Pinegrove Mountain Lodge, located just a few steps away from the main entrance of Dahilayan Adventure Park, offers value-for-money accommodation, good amenities and delicious food. My family and I recently had a staycation at Pinegrove - and it was a staycation we all loved. We availed of the Family Room. Priced at Php...

Mar102016 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

H&M #CDO – What it will be like to be a part of the team

Announcements, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Corporate, Fashion, Features, Gifts, Jobs, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Shopping, Society, Style

The secret's out. H&M Philippines, which first opened in Västerås in Sweden in 1947 and has become a global fashion company since, is set to open a store in Cagayan de Oro. H&M CDO is definitely one of the most-awaited brands to hit the City of Golden Friendship. Follow the Mindanaoan Facebook Page for H&M CDO updates With 3,900 stores spread across 61 countries, H&M found its first home in the Philippines in the capital city where it opened its doors in October 2014, forever changing the fashion landscape of the country. Now H&M has 13 stores in our beloved archipelago, two of which very recently opened in Cebu City. And very soon - in Cagayan de Oro City! As the retail titan that it is, H&M has around 132,000 dedicated employees who, like many creatives, ...

Mar92016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Big Bite 2016 to showcase Northern Mindanaoan food

Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Food, Mindanao, Recipes, Society

Find out the delicious "Flavors of Summer" and experience Northern Mindanao food at Centrio Mall from March 11 to 13, 2016! Experience Big Bite 2016: The Northern Mindanao Food Festival. Aside from the chance for you to sample and purchase delicious food (you can eat at the Garden Area of Centrio!), you also get the chance to see the beautiful duo of Solenn Heussaff and Iya Villania of the Kapuso show, "Taste Buddies." And guess what? I will be one of the judges for the Lifestyle Writer's Choice Award for this year's Best Dish! There will be two categories - one for mall merchants and another one for outside food exhibitors. I can't wait to sample and judge the food entries! :) Here are the highlights of this year's food festival: March 11, 2016 - Giant Ham Sandwich Ceremony an...

Feb262016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

A call to probe the burning of a Lumad camp in Davao City

Advocacy, Blogging, Controversial, Crime, Culture, Davao City, Headline, Musings, Society

My heart is breaking. Despite the increasing awareness of the attacks against the Lumad (indigenous peoples) communities in Mindanao, there are STILL cases of harassment, threats, killings and, just recently, the burning of an evacuation center in Davao City that hosted hundreds of displaced Lumads. KANUS-A MAN GYUD NI TAWON MOUNDANG?!?! Initial reports showed that five lumads, including two children, were hurt during the fire that broke out in Haran Center, which shelters Manobos from Davao del Norte and Bukidnon who sought safe refuge in the church-run dormitory. Who in his right mind won't be angry? Our Lumad brothers and sisters need to be protected, not driven away from their homes! I agree with Sen. Chiz Escudero, who has also called for a probe. “Those who have less ...

Feb222016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Join the HATCH Mastermind Group CDO

Advocacy, Announcements, Arts, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Corporate, Features, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Society, Technology

A mastermind group, where participants can freely brainstorm strategies, create goals and implement ideas as well as support each other, has been launched in Cagayan de Oro City. Dubbed “HATCH Mastermind Group CDO,” the free-for-all group also aims to provide a platform whereby participants can share the challenges they currently face and can seek assistance from the collective intelligence of other participants. Active Twitter users Mike of @mikeabonitalla, Vic of @vicmadz and Irene of @mindanaoan, who can also share strategies based on their respective fields of expertise, serve as the lead volunteer organizers of HATCH Mastermind Group CDO. “Cagayan de Oro is a thriving city. There are lots of investments coming in and there are lots of new and possible marketing strategies. With...

Feb212016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Covering the 1st presidential debate in Cagayan de Oro #CDO

Advocacy, Blogging, Headline, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Society, Technology

It's game time. Today, February 21, 2016, all of the presidential candidates for the May 9, 2016 Philippine elections will all converge in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines for the first round of "PiliPinas Debates 2016." And Mindanaoan will be there to observe, comment and cover. I will be one of the only 300 allowed to be inside the debate hall. I will also be among the 25 media observers. I am hoping to harness the power of social media today. May I invite you all to follow me: Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/mindanaoan Facebook - http://www.twitter.com/mindanaoanblogger Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mindanaoan Snapchat - Username is mindanaoan Please follow Bukidnon Blogger @malaybalayan as well. We will both be there. The debate will start at 5 PM and will last for...

Feb162016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Paloma-look alike Janice Adams tries CDO rafting

Bukidnon, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Features, Society, Tourism, Travel

Fifteen year old Janice Adams, a.k.a. the twin of Coco Martin's character in "Ang Probinsyano," Paloma Picache, recently tried white water rafting in Cagayan de Oro. And she experienced the thrilling CDO rafting adventure with the most reliable outfitter in the city - Great White Water Tours. Best known as the only CDO water rafting outfitter that guarantees TWO river guides per raft (safety is their utmost priority) and the only one that offers the cheapest raft + ziplines (at Dahilayan Adventure Park) packages, Great White Water Tours is the top choice of personalities, celebrities and foreign tourists from all over the world. Visit the Great White Water Tours Facebook page for more photos and information Here's a little trivia: the river where the rafting trips are done is actu...

Feb152016 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

CDO press club to boycott Feb. 21 presidential debate?

Announcements, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Society

The Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC) has released a statement of indignation where they cried foul over alleged discrimination in the media coverage for the first presidential debate set on February 21, 2016. The debate is the first in a series organized by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) alongside various media companies. Please read and share the full statement of the COPC on why the call for BOYCOTT. I also shared a few personal thoughts below. Statement of Indignation Cagayan de Oro Press Club, Inc. 14 February 2016 Respect the local press community We, members of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club Inc., express our serious concerns over what appears to be an attempt to bar the provincial press from covering the first Presidential debate scheduled at the Capitol University...

Feb92016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Why parents should send their kids to Galileo Learning Center CDO

Cagayan de Oro City, Campus, Education, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Society

Let's face it. More often than not, English and Math are two of the subjects that most kids have difficulty on. The curriculum has evolved, is now advanced and is served fast-paced. There's a constant need for the children to absorb, catch up and even implement the learnings in real life. Parents also either find it difficult to teach their kids or they do not have the luxury of time to do so. Add that to the innate interest of children to excel in school (who doesn't want to receive a medal and praise from classmates?) and things can be quite a challenge for both parents and child. Fortunately, parents now have a partner in Galileo Enrichment Learning Program. Galileo CDO, which recently opened another branch in Kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro (the first one is along Tomas Saco Street), w...

Jan92016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

How to subscribe to Netflix in Philippines without credit card

Announcements, Corporate, Entertainment, Features, Internet, Media, Society, Television, Videos

Everyone's talking about Netflix and thankfully, it's finally available in the Philippines! Netflix is a popular Internet television network that provides online streaming of your favorite movies and TV shows. You can watch over 100 million hours of TV shows and movies (including original series, documentaries and feature films) via your Internet-connected smart TV, game console, PC, Mac, mobile, tablet and more! Another beauty of Netflix is that you can play, pause and resume watching - all without commercials or commitments. Pretty cool, right? Morever, Netflix Philippines is even offering a FREE one-month trial so Filipinos can now experience the joy of binge-watching their favorite movies and TV shows. The succeeding subscription rates then start as low as Php 370 a month. But ho...

Jan92016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Chiz Escudero to government: respond to Mindanao’s concerns quickly

Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Announcements, Basilan, Bislig, Broadcasting, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro City, Caraga, Compostela Valley, Cotabato, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Dipolog, General Santos City, Government, Iligan City, Island Garden City of Samal, Koronadal, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Malaybalay City, Marawi City, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Muslim Mindanao, News, North Cotabato, Northern Mindanao, Ozamis, Pagadian, Sarangani, Society, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacurong, Tangub City, Tawi Tawi, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

Following the successive bombings of NGCP towers here in Mindanao and even the lack of water (the Zamboanga City Water District has announced water rationing starting January 7, 2016!), I'm glad that Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero has called on the national government to focus its attention and support for the people of Mindanao. “Malacanang should have all hands on-deck with regard to the problems currently besetting Mindanao. The list is getting alarmingly long and there is apparently no end in sight for many of these problems,” said Escudero, the frontrunner in various vice-presidential preference surveys. Foremost among Escudero’s concerns was the successive bombings of towers owned by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) that started in the third quarter of 2015...

Dec292015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

US Embassy Manila YSEALI Anniversary in Bukidnon #YOUnified

Advocacy, America, Bukidnon, Events, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Society, United States of America

If you remember, I wrote about me planning to join the Young South East Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) 2nd anniversary celebration in Bukidnon a few days ago. I mentioned that as a very proud alumnus of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), a US State Department-sponsored professional exchange program for global emerging leaders, I am always more than happy to support events especially those that help shape young leaders. * My super comfortable wide leg pants are from ZIYA (they have several stores across the Philippines - check more details about ZIYA here) Well, that event, which was held last December 12, 2015, was a huge success! I joined some members of the US Government alumni - Bukidnon Chapter, Bukidnon State University student council leaders and severa...

Dec212015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanaoan Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach bags #MissUniverse2015 crown

Beauty, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Features, Iligan City, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Society

The new Miss Universe 2015 is Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, the Filipino-German stunner who considers Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao, Philippines her second home. The road towards being Miss Universe 2015 wasn't easy for Pia Wurtzbach. She had to join the Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageants three times before she bagged the Bb. Pilipinas Universe title, which eventually allowed her to represent the Philippines to the Miss Universe pageant. Although she was born in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, the 26 year old beauty queen stayed for many years in both Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. In CDO, she attended kindergarten at Kong Hua School and primary school at Corpus Christi. Now, Pia has bagged the Miss Universe 2015 title. This makes her the third Filipina to bag the crown. Hmm. Which ma...

Nov42015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

From Me To You: Get FREE Php 939 Airbnb credit

Hotels, Leisure, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Muslim Mindanao, Northern Mindanao, Society, Travel

Traveling but don't want to spend too much on hotels? Want to stay in condos, hostels, inns or even rooms for rent? Want to experience first-hand hospitality from homeowners themselves? Airbnb can address that! Airbnb is a website for people to list, find, and rent lodging. It has over 1,500,000 listings in 34,000 cities and 190+ countries. And, yes, there are numerous listings in the Philippines! In fact, I found interesting listings - from a cabin in the woods to a fully furnished studio right in the middle of a bustling city to a family-friendly place complete with pool! Are you ready to experience Airbnb? If you are, I have great news for you! Mindanaoan.com wants to give you FREE Php 939.00 (roughly US $23.00) Airbnb credit! What is Airbnb credit? You can use this to book ...