Tourism Archives - Page 15 of 17 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Nov302009 by Mindanaoan Irene11 Comments

Gaisano Mall of Davao Red Carpet cinema equipped with La-Z-Boy seats

Arts, Consumer, Davao City, Entertainment, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Movies, Musings, Society, Style, Technology, Tourism

Gaisano Mall of Davao, one of the large malls in the world's most livable city, now has a large, spacious cinema equipped with lazyboy (or rather La-Z-Boy) seats! For only P150.00, you can enjoy sitting on a very comfortable, cushiony seat with foot rest at the Red Carpet cinema! The theater is very spacious and you get a lot of extra leg room. What I did notice, however, was that the seats come in two. Meaning if you're going to watch a movie solo, there may be a possibility that someone else will also occupy the adjoining lazyboy seat. So I guess the Gaisano Mall of Davao Red Carpet cinema encourages catching flicks with a friend :) You also have your very own cup holder and extra space for small things (like perhaps your cellphone or car keys). It's not my first time to watch in a...

Nov232009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Davao City Mindanao to finally have its own sports dome

Announcements, Davao City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, News, Sports, Tourism

Thankfully, my fellow Dabawenyos and I can now finally say that our beloved Davao City REALLY is a world-class city to live in. I just learned that the world's most livable city will soon have its very own sports dome --- fully airconditioned, ready to accommodate roughly 8,000 people and worth roughly P100 million. And here's something that may surprise a lot of people --- the City Government of Davao need not shell out a single cent since the funds for this project have been sourced elsewhere --- i.e. the national government funds. Interestingly, the funding for this Davao City sports dome will be taken from the congressional development fund of the Speaker of the House Prospero Nograles, a certified Dabawenyo. Nograles said that the initial P100 million was taken from the natio...

Nov172009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Zest Air back to serving Zamboanga to Sandakan Malaysia route

Announcements, BIMP-EAGA, Business, Consumer, Flights, Mindanaoan Artists, Tourism, Travel, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

Zest Air, formerly Asian Spirit, is now back to serving the Zamboanga-Sandakan route. This is definitely good news for travelers who want a faster way to reach Sandakan, Malaysia...and hopefully a way to discourage people from using the back border. The Zamboanga-Sandakan route is in consonance with the continuing confidence in the potentials of trade, tourism and investment in the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). Zest Air is now plying the said route three times a week. Check out the photo of the 56-seater MA60 modern ark aircraft below: This Zamboanga to Sandakan, Malaysia route is, I believe, Zest Air's first international flight here in Mindanao. The airline company currently serves flights to Hongkong and soon in Japan, Inch...

Nov122009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Sarangani Province Munato Festival 2009 is a go!

Announcements, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, Government, Mindanaoan Update, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, Tourism, Travel

Everything seems to be up and ready for the much-awaited Munato Festival 2009 in the Province of Sarangani, Mindanao. The festivities will begin on November 23 although the bigger events will really start by the 25th. Munato Festival in Sarangani is one of the much-awaited events in that area of Mindanao. Check out the schedule below. Thanks to Miss Michelle Solon, wife of Sarangani Vice Governor Steve Solon, for the information. Congratulations are also in order to my classmate Sarangani Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez and to the rest of his staff!

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 ...

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...

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...

Nov32009 by Mindanaoan Irene51 Comments

Dahilayan Adventure Park ZipZone in Bukidnon – longest zipline in Asia

Bukidnon, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Society, Sports, Tourism, Travel

Bukidnon, Mindanao no longer means just pineapples, cool climate and lush greenery. It's now home to the longest zipline in Asia - Dahilayan Adventure Park's Zipzone! I know that Mindanaoan has featured this piece of news way back in September but ZipZone offers new and exciting adventure that it deserves to be continually promoted, yes? Besides, two of my friends got featured on the front page of Inquirer because of this new Mindanao tourist destination! Say hello to my fellow thrill seekers Moi and Des: (photo courtesy of Inquirer/Cai Panlilio) Located at the verdant Dahilayan Adventure Park in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon (an hour’s drive away from nearby Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao), Asia’s longest Dual Cable Zipline is now open for business. Check out the rates below: (do...

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...

Oct12009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Camiguin Lanzones Festival 2009 Schedule

Announcements, Camiguin, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao, Society, Tourism, Travel

Interested to visit Camiguin Island for this month's Lanzones Festival 2009? Check out the Camiguin Lanzones Festival 2009 schedule below. The 30th Lanzones Festival of the Island of Camiguin aims to give tribute to...well, what else...but the delicious lanzones fruit. If you haven't tried lanzones from Camiguin, Mindanao yet, you're missing a lot! Camiguin lanzones are best known for their sweet taste. If you're heading on down to Camiguin Island, don't forget to bring your camera, lots of suntan lotion (Mindanaoan highly recommends that you visit both Mantigue Island and White Island), swimwear and other travel essentials...just don't bring sand, please! There are funny (but cute!) things to see in the place dubbed as "Island Born of Fire." By the way, if you're looking for a hotel...

Sep262009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Photography enthusiast? Check out the DENR Park in Initao, Misamis Oriental

Arts, Beauty, Blogging, Iligan City, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Photos, Tourism, Travel, Weddings

So this Mindanao blog is finally back on track! :) If you're a regular visitor of my humble blog, you may have noticed a couple of changes in the past few days. Because my blog has turned one year old, I wanted a new, fresher look. Hence, after hours of searching for a good, clean and functional Wordpress theme, I finally settled for this Typogriph theme. Do you guys like it? I do! :D I think my posts are easier to read now and my blog looks wide! :) My old theme, Revolution Church by Brian Gardner served me so well and I would like to thank Brian for letting me have a free copy (the Church theme can now be purchased at a reasonable price) and for letting me use it for an entire year. Thank you very much, Brian! I've also installed additional useful Wordpress plugins - one of which is ...

Sep142009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3 on! Pre-register today for this October 24, 2009 special event in Mindanao!

Advocacy, Announcements, Bisaya, Blogging, Broadcasting, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Entertainment, Events, Features, Headline, Internet, Journalism, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao, Personal, Society, Technology, Tourism, Travel

Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3 is on! Finally, the much-awaited Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3 is now open for pre-registration. This blogging event, Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3, will be held on October 24, 2009, 8am to 5pm at Pearlmont Inn, Lim Ket Kai Drive, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. Led by the Cagayan de Oro Bloggers (CDO Bloggers), Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3 aims to draw bloggers from all over Mindanao and provide a platform where ideas, opinions and analyses about Mindanao can be exchanged. Moreover, Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3 or MBS 3 also aims to provide a venue where bloggers and stakeholders can discuss how Mindanaoans (that's you and me! :) ) can use blogs, the Internet as well as other new methods and technologies to project a better, safer and cleaner Mindanao. With the th...

Sep62009 by Mindanaoan Irene7 Comments

Zipzone – Asia’s longest dual cable zipline in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, Mindanao

Announcements, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Corporate, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Society, Sports, Tourism, Travel

Mindanao is definitely on a roll these days! It's fast becoming the host of so many tourist attractions and exhilarating, unique and uber fun extreme sports and adventures! First there was the Xcelerator, dubbed Asia's longest speed zipline, then there was the Davao City Deca Wakeboard Park, which opened last August 28, 2009, and now, Mindanao will be the location of what's to be the longest dual cable zipline in Asia! ZIPZONE Extreme Zip Line Adventure Philippines will soon be open for business. Located at the verdant Dahilayan Adventure Park in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon (an hour's drive away from nearby Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao), Asia's longest Dual Cable Zipline is currently on a test run. Fast facts about this zipline adventure in Northern Mindanao: - Dual Carryin...

Sep42009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Iligan City Mindanao fiesta to feature Higantes

Announcements, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, Iligan City, Lanao del Sur, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Tourism, Travel

Here's another reason why you should all go and visit Iligan City, Mindanao during their fiesta month this year (September 2009 up to first week of October 2009). "Higantes" will be among the attractions in this year's celebration of the Iligan City fiesta. These "higantes" (giants), made of paper mache, cloth and other indigenous materials, will be part of the "Kasadya Street Dancing and Merrymaking" event. Similar to Angono, Rizal's "Higantes," (see inset picture) the entries will vie for a cash prize of P20,000.00. Each "higante" entry must not exceed 12 feet in height. Organizers also say that the entries must depict two characters linked to the Iligan City fiesta namely St. Michael and Luzbel (Lucifer). I guess this will be one fun event to take photos of! Wow, Mindanaoan w...

Aug192009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Cagayan de Oro City Mindanao aerial shots

Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Flights, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Personal, Photos, Tourism, Travel

During my PAL Express flight from the Cebu International Airport, Mactan to Cagayan de Oro Domestic Airport, I took some aerial shots. I got a window seat at that time (I was also supposed to have a window seat during my PAL Express CDO to Cebu flight but my seatmate, an elderly woman who confessed that it's been so long since she last traveled by plane, looked pale and scared so I no longer insisted) so it was easy for me to take aerial shots of Cagayan de Oro City as our plane descended and prepared for landing. Mindanaoan wishes to share these Cagayan de Oro City aerial shots:

Aug122009 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Davao City Deca Wakeboard Park to open on August 28, 2009

Announcements, Business, Corporate, Davao City, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, News, Resorts, Sports, Tourism

Experience beyond the ride! That's what the soon-to-open Deca Wakeboard Park in Davao City, Mindanao promises! And on August 28, 2009, sports enthusiasts will have their first taste of the fun of wakeboarding as Deca Wakeboard Park - Davao opens its doors...and just in time for the Kadayawan Festival 2009! Located at Deca Homes Resort Residences at Brgy. Tacunan, Mintal, Davao City, this wakeboarding complex in Mindanao, which aims to be the largest in the whole of Southeast Asia, will definitely provide a big boost to the local tourism industry. So who says that there's not much to do in Mindanao? For the uninitiated, wakeboarding is a surface water sport wherein a person uses a wakeboard (this one’s smaller than a surfboard but a little bit bigger than a skateboard) over the sur...

Aug82009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

General Santos City celebrates Tuna Festival 2009 – official schedule inside

Announcements, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, General Santos City, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Society, SoSCksargen, Tourism

General Santos City, Mindanao is set to celebrate the Tuna Festival 2009 this month of August until early September. If you're thinking of visiting that part of Mindanao, then you're in luck --- Mindanaoan found this GTX 2009 Schedule of Activities (updated as of August 7, 2009) online. Check out the schedule below. Thank you to Scribd subscriber Orman for uploading the schedule. Meanwhile, if you're looking for a budget hotel in General Santos City, you might want to read my review of La Tierra Del Sur. My brother and I stayed there last year when we joined the Tuna Festival 2008...and when we learned that our uncle, whom we haven't seen in more than 10 years, died seeing his brothers and sister without proper homes. You see, my other uncle and aunt's homes were demolished and until no...

Aug32009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Aboard PAL Express flight Cagayan de Oro to Cebu City

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Flights, Internet, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Northern Mindanao, Personal, Society, Tourism, Travel

A few hours after the Rock the Vote 2009 Cagayan de Oro leg and after sharing a hearty meal with the members of Team Oro Photo and Video (who generously extended their time and support to the Register and Vote Campaign...thank you, thank you!) as well as the event's hosts, Maxine Monasterio (Miss Teen Philippines 2007 and a CDO native) and Titus "TJ" Monterde (he's the son of Tito Monterde, the station manager of Wild FM CDO) --- (Max and TJ also host the ABS CBN Northern Mindanao Sunday show, Mag TV Na, Ato Ni!), I caught a CDO - Cebu PAL Express flight. PAL Express is owned by Philippine Airlines and is geared towards shorter flights. It was my first time to catch a PAL Express flight. After years of traveling from CDO to Cebu via boats (I've tried Trans Asia Shipping Lines, Superferry...

Jul292009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Book your PAL Express flights using your ATM card

Announcements, Corporate, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Technology, Tourism, Travel

MINDANAO TRAVEL - This is very good news especially for Mindanaoans who regularly fly via Philippine Airlines (PAL). Apart from the fact that your PAL Express flights can now earn you miles (sayang ang miles!), you can now also use ATM cards to buy PAL tickets! Good news for those who don't own or use credit cards :) Effective last July 1, 2009, all PAL Express flights automatically earn miles that can be converted to free flights both on Philippine Airlines (PAL) and PAL Express. So if you're a Mabuhay Miles member like myself, this is definitely an advantage! Meanwhile, BancNet ATM cards will soon be accepted as mode of payment for PAL tickets purchased online. This feature will be available next month. As soon as this is online, PAL passengers without credit cards can book and bu...

Jul212009 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Digital Filipino and Syntactics treat CDO Bloggers, pave way for new and strengthened connections!

Advocacy, Bisaya, Blogging, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Corporate, Events, Features, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Personal, Personalities, Photos, Society, Technology, Tourism, Travel

Can you still remember that mixed feeling of anticipation, eagerness and curiosity --- much like the feeling you had on your very first day in school? That was exactly how I felt when I attended a recent bloggers networking event in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. Although it wasn't my first time to attend one, I still felt like a bright-eyed girl who was so excited to learn new things, to know more updates on the goings-on in the blogosphere and to meet new people in a new town - all of whom I felt shared my love and belief on the power and beauty of the Internet and blogging. Plus I was able to invite 6 friends from Bukidnon and all of my 3 brothers! HOW COOL WAS THAT? :) Mindanaoan attended the 1st Digital Filipino Club and Cagayan de Oro Bloggers Meet-up last July 17, 2009. Generousl...

Jul152009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Miss US International 2009 is daughter of Cagayan de Oro and Balingasag Misamis Oriental couple

Announcements, Beauty, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Features, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Photos, Tourism

MINDANAO NEWS - Thanks to Sir Mike of Kagay-an.com for this great piece of news! The Filipino-American daughter of a couple from Cagayan de Oro City and Balingasag, Misamis Oriental has been crowned the new Miss United States International 2009! Aileen Jan "A.J." Valdehueza Yap, 20, won the title of Miss US-International 2009 during the pageant held July 7-10, 2009 at the Stafford Conference Centre in Houston, Texas. Aileen Jan Yap will represent the US in the 49th Miss International pageant to be held at the Venetian Macao Resort in Macau, China on November 7, 2009. A.J. is the daughter of Dr. Romeo “Boy” Sy Yap of Cagayan de Oro City and Virgincita “Geget” Bautista Valdehueza Yap of Balingasag, Misamis Oriental. She is the younger of two siblings and has an older brother, Nathan. ...

Jul122009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Montegelo Grind – pool party and lunch buffet at San Miguel Manolo Fortich Bukidnon

Announcements, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Resorts, Society, Tourism

MINDANAO - There's a party in Bukidnon and it's happening on Saturday, July 18, 2009! Montegelo Farms (also called The Obrero Place) is presenting "Montegelo Grind" - a lunch buffet and pool party event. Montegelo Farms is located at San Miguel, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon Tickets are sold for only 200 pesos a piece. A ticket entitles you to a Lunch Buffet or four (4) drinks and use of the pool. Prizes await for ladies and gents in their sexiest swimwear. Groovy beats will be provided for by the AMPLIFIED DJ team from Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. See you all there! :)