Tourism Archives - Page 16 of 17 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

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! :)

Jul92009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Full list of 58 erring contractors suspended by the DPWH – Mangima Road, Manolo Fortich contractor among those suspended

Announcements, Bukidnon, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Commentary, Consumer, Controversial, Davao City, Malaybalay City, Mindanaoan Update, News, Tourism, Travel

MINDANAO - If you've recently tried a Bukidnon-Cagayan de Oro City road trip or a Davao City-Bukidnon-Cagayan de Oro City road trip, then you've most likely noticed the bottleneck of traffic at the Mangima Road section of Sayre Highway, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, Mindanao. There's currently a road and rehabilitation project there and I absolutely dread that section. I was once stuck there for 5 hours (!) during a Malaybalay City to Cagayan de Oro City trip. It usually just takes me 2 hours. You could just imagine the amount of time I've wasted! That Mangima Canyon Road repair project has been a cause of delays and loads of inconvenience for the riding public for months now. In fact, in an effort to ease the traffic somehow, the Provincial Government of Bukidnon has requested that no 1...

Jul62009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Why blame the Mindanao media all the time?

Advocacy, ARMM, BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Broadcasting, Commentary, Controversial, Crime, Government, Headline, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personal, Personalities, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, Tourism

My classmate in Ateneo and Sarangani provincial governor Miguel Rene Dominguez is asking for trouble. Not a few eyebrows will surely be raised after he reportedly blamed the Mindanao media for "always highlighting all the bad things that are happening in Mindanao." Same goes with Lt. Colonel Edgardo de Leon, commander of the 73rd Infantry Battalion, who also blamed the media. Dominguez said that the "insurgency and other conflicts in Mindanao is actually just a game of perception. And I blame the media for that!" He reportedly then said that the culture of the media today, except for a few who are practicing peace journalism, is not very commendable. De Leon, on the other hand, said that the rest of the country's and the world's perception of Mindanao at present is also the work of t...

Jun302009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Disappointed with two Davao City taxi drivers

Consumer, Controversial, Davao City, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personal, Tourism

So I was in Davao City over the weekend for their Philippine Councilors' League gig. Since I'm a certified Dabawenya (born and raised in Davao City!), I was the self-appointed "tour guide" of sorts during our two-day stay in the largest city in the world. Now what I'm about to share is NOT to lambast anyone. Instead, I'm hoping that somehow this could serve as a wake-up call not only for the City Tourism Office of Davao City but also for the hundreds of taxi drivers in Davao City as well. You see, on our first night in Davao, our group, composed of five people, caught two taxis from Matina Town Square (MTS). Ches and I rode in one taxi while the other three rode in the other one. I won't name the taxi company anymore. Suffice it to say that it may take me a while before I flag down o...

Jun232009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Miss Kagay-an 2009 requirements

Announcements, Beauty, Cagayan de Oro City, Campus, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism

The Search for Miss Kagay-an 2009 is on! This much-awaited yearly search for Cagayan de Oro City's muse is finally open for interested applicants. If you think you can be an ambassadress of goodwill and tourism for Cagayan de Oro City, if you can execute grace and poise, exhibit wit and brilliance under pressure and act in a manner fitting and worthy of the Miss Kagay-an crown, then read on. The Miss Kagay-an 2009 pageant is open to all single ladies between 18 and 25 years old, at least 5 feet and 4 inches in height with a beautiful face and figure, has pleasing personality and of good moral character and can speak fluently in English, Tagalog and Cebuano. If the interested candidate wasn't born in CDO, she must provide proof that her parents or grandparents were born in the city. ...

Jun142009 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Conquering the Xcelerator – the longest speed zip line in Asia

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

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

Jun52009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

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

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

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

May282009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Thermal scanner to be installed at Lumbia Airport Cagayan de Oro

Announcements, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Corporate, Flights, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao, Tourism, Travel

I got word that Philippine Airlines (PAL) has donated a thermal scanner that can detect if a person has flu or fever. This thermal scanner is set to be installed at the Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao very soon. This is really very good news especially since there are now 10 confirmed H1N1 virus cases in the country (and if I'm not mistaken, three people in the Caraga region, Mindanao are currently being suspected of carrying the deadly virus as well) Interestingly, it had to take a corporate giant like PAL to donate a working thermal scanner just so passengers using the Cagayan de Oro airport can be assessed for fever or flu or be more protected against the H1N1 virus. So exactly where's the health department in all of these? What about the local government?...

May282009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Looking forward to trying the Xcelerator!

Business, Consumer, Davao City, Entertainment, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Society, Tourism, Travel

Experience some atmosFEAR! Now who wouldn't be curious with that? I am really, really looking forward to trying the Xcelerator zip line over at Davao City's Outland Adventure this weekend! The Outland Adventure Xcelerator is supposedly the longest speed zipline in all of Asia! Cool, eh? The Xcelerator is open everyday from 8am to 5 pm. Groups reservations available for weekdays. Fee is P300.00 per adult. They grant a 50 percent discount for small children if they're riding in tandem with an adult. Outland Adventure is right across the GAP Farm along the Diversion Road in Ma-a, Davao City, Mindanao. Check out this video:

Apr302009 by Mindanaoan Irene9 Comments

Davao to Cagayan de Oro direct flights launched

Announcements, Bukidnon, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Corporate, Davao City, Flights, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel

Well, after years of waiting for another airline to launch Davao to Cagayan de Oro, Cagayan de Oro to Davao direct flights (the last airline that offered this was Mindanao Air - if memory serves me right - I was able to fly twice), the wait is finally over. Cebu Pacific Airlines has launched a direct thrice-weekly service from Davao to Cagayan de Oro starting May 14, 2009. And here's pretty tempting news for those who want to try this new route --- Cebu Pacific is introducing this Davao City to Cagayan de Oro City, Cagayan de Oro City to Davao City route with a one-way ‘Go Lite’ promo fare of P499 all-in. The seat sale will run from today to April 30, 2009 and is valid for travel from June 1 to August 31, 2009. Promo fare is non-refundable. The flight departs from Davao every Tuesday...

Apr202009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: EMR Suites in Koronadal City, Mindanao

Cotabato, Hotels, Koronadal, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Reviews, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Tourism, Travel

My companions and I were billeted at EMR Suites in Koronadal City, Mindanao last week. We were in the land formerly called Marbel for a two-day gig at EMR Center, which was actually just a few steps away from EMR Suites. Two words to describe my 3-night stay? UBER COMFORTABLE. My room had a large queen sized bed (you may also opt for the room with two single beds), an airconditioning unit, a table large enough for you to place your laptop and a few work-related stuff on, a few stools (my room had three), a large flat screen TV, cable connection and space for your clothes. The bathroom, meanwhile, was clean (this is very important, of course). It had hot and cold shower. Water current was strong, which I liked. I was also provided with a towel, a roll of toilet paper and a small...

Apr92009 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Warning: don’t bring sand from White Island, Camiguin

Advocacy, Announcements, Camiguin, Mindanaoan Update, News, Tourism, Travel

CAMIGUIN ISLAND, MINDANAO - The world-renowned White Island in the Province of Camiguin is undoubtedly one of the more famous tourist spots in this side of Mindanao. Thousands of local and foreign tourists flock to this beautiful island year after year. And because it's one of the more preferred tourist destinations in the Island of Camiguin, the local government is doing everything in its power to maintain the beauty and cleanliness of the renowned White Island. The Camiguin government has also enforced a couple of rules and regulations that aim to protect and preserve White Island. One of these rules is that visitors are not allowed to bring sand from White Island. Check out the picture I took (the picture that appears in this post). There's a sign that says "Guinadili pagkuha s...

Mar42009 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Review: Tia’s Beach Resort Camiguin Island Mindanao budget hotel

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

Summer is drawing near and I'm pretty sure that most, if not all, of you are thinking of places to go to during those hot summer days. And with airlines now offering more flights to and fro Camiguin Island, Mindanao, I'm sure many of you are considering the place dubbed as the "Island Born of Fire" as one of your summer destinations in the Philippines. Tia's Beach Resort in the Island of Camiguin, Northern Mindanao, Philippines can be considered a good place to stay especially if you're on a budget. The last time my mother, brothers and I stayed there was last year during the Holy Week. We planned to go to Camiguin at the last minute so practically most of the hotels and inns were already fully booked. Good thing my brother remembered Tia's Beach Resort and how he and his friends like...

Mar22009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Bukidnon Kaamulan Festival 2009 Ethnic Street Dancing competition to have 7 contingents

Announcements, Bukidnon, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Personal, Society, Tourism, Travel

I learned from the Kaamulan Festival 2009 Chief Coordinator today that a total of seven (7) contingents will compete during the Kaamulan Ethnic Street Dancing competition this Saturday, March 7, 2009. The contingents will represent the cities of Malaybalay and Valencia and the municipalities of Cabanglasan, Kalilangan, San Fernando, Malitbog and Quezon. I must admit, I was a little bit disappointed with the news. Out of 20 municipalities in Bukidnon and 2 full pledged cities and only 7 will vie for this year's much-awaited event! However, the Kaamulan overall coordinator said that in recent years, the provincial government of Bukidnon has imposed a couple of changes in the way they handle the yearly festival --- and the cutting down of budgets for official streetdancing competitors is o...

Feb142009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Bukidnon featured in Cebu Pacific’s inflight magazine “Smile”

Announcements, Bukidnon, Festivals, Fiesta, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism

The Province of Bukidnon found in Mindanao, Philippines takes the spotlight in the current issue of the inflight magazine of Cebu Pacific Air, "Smile." The article about Bukidnon entitled "Tribal Pursuits" centers on the province's largest annual festival called the Kaamulan Festival. The Kaamulan festival is the annual gathering of Bukidnon's 7 hill tribes. For more information and for the complete schedule of activities for this year's Kaamulan 2009 Festival, check this page. Going back to the article found in Cebu Pacific's magazine, I would just like to personally thank the writer, Irwin. I met him last year during the Kaamulan Festival 2008 celebration in Bukidnon. He was very pleasant and friendly. Salamat, Irwin! Thanks for mentioning Bukidnon Online, too ;) The article is re...

Jan312009 by Mindanaoan Irene9 Comments

Bukidnon’s Kaamulan Festival 2009 official schedule of activities

Announcements, Bukidnon, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, Kaamulan Festival, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel

The official schedule of the Province of Bukidnon's Kaamulan Festival 2009 celebration is finally out! This Kaamulan 2009 celebration sked was furnished by the Bukidnon Tourism Office of the Provincial Government of Bukidnon. The Kaamulan Festival is the largest festival in Bukidnon and is largely recognized as the only remaining authentic ethnic festival in the Philipines. Kaamulan is an indigenous Bukidnon term for “'gathering for any purpose.'" It can also mean a datuship ritual, a wedding ceremony, a thanksgiving festival during harvest time, a peace pact, or all of these together. Bukidnon's Kaamulan Festival, which began in the year 1977, is an ethnic festival featuring the province of Bukidnon’s seven (7) hill tribes namely Tala-andig, Higaonon, Umayamnon, Manobo, Tigwahanon, ...

Jan282009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Bukidnon’s Kaamulan Festival 2009 to start by February 18, 2009

Bukidnon, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel

The much-awaited Kaamulan Festival 2009 in Bukidnon, Mindanao, Philippines is set to begin on February 18 and I myself cannot wait to join in the festivities! The Kaamulan Festival is the largest festival in Bukidnon and is largely renowned as the only remaining authentic ethnic festival in the Philipines. Kaamulan is an indigenous Bukidnon term for “gathering” for any purpose. It can also mean a datuship ritual, a wedding ceremony, a thanksgiving festival during harvest time, a peace pact, or all of these together. I was furnished a tentative schedule of activities for this year's Kaamulan Festival celebration in the Province of Bukidnon by the Bukidnon Tourism Office and although I can say that there aren't that many changes from previous celebrations, there are still a lot of things ...

Jan212009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Off to Cebu City! Visayas here I come!

Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Tourism, Travel, Visayas

Mindanaoan is off to Cebu City tomorrow and will be back by Tuesday. However, I just got word that the hotel in Cebu where I'll stay in has WiFi access (hopefully it's free! *fingers crossed*) so I think I'll be able to post and entry or two while I'm in the Queen City of the South. My trip will be a combination of business and pleasure so I really hope to make the most of my time in Cebu City. While it's not my first time to travel to Cebu City, Visayas, it'll be my first time to take "better photos" (hopefully!) of the city's sights. It'll be my first time to take photos using my ever trusty Nokia DSLR, my first time since I got more engrossed with digital photography and my first time since the photography workshops, trainings and one-on-one tutorials. Pretty excited - yes I am! I...

Jan72009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Trans-Asia Shipping Lines makes Cagayan de Oro to Cebu travel even faster, better

Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Corporate, Leisure, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel

Traveling from Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao to Cebu City, Visayas (and vice versa) is now made even better, faster and more comfortable with Trans-Asia Shipping Lines' new ship! The MV Trans-Asia 3 has started serving the Cagayan de Oro and Cebu routes and so far, passengers have been highly satisfied. Trans-Asia Shipping Lines bought this new ship from Japan, a passenger-cargo vessel with vehicle deck that can accommodate 707 passengers. The new ship has 2,908.47 gross tonnage and has a good cruising speed of 18 knots. This means that travel between Cagayan de Oro and Cebu will now only be at a mere 9 hours. Definitely good news for money-conscious and time-conscious travelers! The MV Trans-Asia 3 ship offers comfort and ease even for travelers in the 2nd class non-aircon accommodatio...

Dec182008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Giant Christmas Tree at People’s Park Davao City

Davao City, Mindanaoan Update, Photos, Tourism

I got the chance to snap a couple of photos of the giant Christmas tree within the vicinity of People's Park, Davao City. The Christmas tree was adorned with a lot of trimmings and lights and can be found between the huge Durian dome and the fountain area. You won't miss it! This Christmas tree is also near the benches. Go to People's Park (right beside the Apo View Hotel along Camus Street) and check out this pretty Christmas tree. Better if you go there at night. Don't forget to take pictures! :)

Dec172008 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Cotabato to Cebu, Siargao Surigao to Cebu flights for only P500

Business, Consumer, Cotabato, Flights, Mindanaoan Update, Surigao, Tourism, Travel

Want to fly from Siargao, Surigao (the renowned surfing capital of the Philippines) to Cebu or from Cotabato to Cebu for only P500.00? That's now possible but only for a limited period of time! Cebu Pacific Air just announced that they're now offering flights from Cebu to Cotabato and from Cebu to Siargao starting January 1, 2009. To kick things off, the airline company is offering a P500.00 Go Lite All-In fare. The seat sale STARTS NOW until December 19, 2008 only so book your flights ASAP! The seat sale is good for travel from January 1 to March 18, 2009. Meanwhile, starting January 10, 2009, Cebu Pacific will fly three times weekly between Cebu and Cotabato and the Cebu to Siargao flights will be thrice weekly beginning January 30, 2009. This is definitely another reason for you t...