Travel Archives - Page 14 of 16 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Aug62010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Kadayawan Fiesta at the Apo View Hotel Davao City

Business, Davao City, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel

My most favorite Philippine festival is right around the corner - Kadayawan Festival 2010 in my beautiful hometown Davao City, Mindanao! And what better way to kick things off than checking out the Kadayawan 2010 Fiesta at the Apo View Hotel? The Apo View Hotel, one of Davao's finest hotels, again pays tribute to Davao’s artistic, cultural and historical heritage via the Kadayawan Fiesta Week: The merriment, bounties of Mother Nature, richness of culture and gifts of bountiful harvest can be felt at The Apo View. (more…)

Jul242010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: Citi Park Hotel Cebu City | Hotels in Cebu City

Business, Consumer, Hotels, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

Nestled along Cabahug Street, Panagdait, Mabolo Cebu City is a relatively new but not too expensive hotel in the Queen City of the South. Citi Park Hotel is conveniently located between Cebu City proper and Mandaue City, making travel time to and fro Cebu International Airport easy. I had the chance to stay at Citi Park Hotel Cebu during the recent electoral campaigns/sorties. I was with one of the senatorial candidates that I did PR/media relations for and we stayed for two nights at Citi Park Cebu. Here's a look at their lobby cum lounge. I arranged for a mini press conference here with some of my Cebu media friends: Here's the restaurant at this hotel in Cebu City. We took our breakfast here. They serve it buffet style: A photo of one of the hotel rooms in Citi Park Hotel after the j...

Jul212010 by Mindanaoan Irene10 Comments

Mindanao’s first ever wavepool to open in Davao City very soon!

Announcements, Business, Davao City, Events, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, News, Tourism, Travel

Mindanao now has its first ever wavepool! Not only does Mindanao have fabulous beaches, it now boasts of its first ever and so far the only wave pool in this side of the Philippines. A beach resort in Davao City, Mindanao is set to open its wavepool to the public via a grand event on July 25, 2010 (Sunday), 6 PM. Check out the poster below: The event will also showcase some of Davao City's models, dance groups, fire dancers and local celebrities. (more…)

Jul132010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Iligan City’s Maria Cristina Falls is now reopened to the public

Announcements, Government, Iligan City, Mindanaoan Update, Muslim Mindanao, News, Northern Mindanao, Tourism, Travel

Good news! The majestic Maria Cristina Falls, one of the major tourist attractions in Iligan City, Mindanao, is now reopened to the public...and it now even has a Nature's Park! Known as the Philippines' second highest waterfalls, the Maria Cristina Falls plays a very vital role in generating power for Mindanao. Maria Cristina Falls powers the National Power Corporation's Agus VI Hydroelectric Plant which is capable of generating as much as 200 MW. A lot of areas around Mindanao depend on the Agus VI. *photo credit: Iligan City What's also exciting about the reopening of the Maria Cristina Falls is that it now also has a nature's park. (more…)

Jun282010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

T’nalak Festival 2010 Schedule of Activities | South Cotabato’s 44th Foundation Day

Announcements, Culture, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, Koronadal, Mindanaoan Update, South Cotabato, Tourism, Travel

Koronadal's yearly T'nalak Festival is here once again. For tourists and local Mindanaoans who want to witness this colorful festival, check out the Tinalak Festival 2010 Schedule of Activities below. The theme for T'nalak 2010 is “One Dynamic People; One Vibrant Spirit." T'nalak Festival is celebrated in South Cotabato, Mindanao. Incidentally, this year also marks the 44th Foundation Anniversary of South Cotabato. DATE JULY TIME EVENT VENUE (within Koronadal City) 13 Tuesday 4:00 PM Interfaith Thanksgiving Services South Cotabato Gym 6:00 PM Releasing of Flying Lanterns So.Cot Sports Complex 6:30 PM Ceremonial Opening: * Regional Trade Expo 2010 Protech Center * Agri Fair 2010 Rizal Park 14 Wednesday 7:...

Jun212010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Pearl Farm Resort Davao City tempting offer!

Announcements, Business, Davao City, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel

Pearl Farm Beach Resort is one of the premiere tourist destinations in my hometown Davao City, Mindanao. Now managed by Fuego Hotels, Pearl Farm Davao City brings back so many memories and I cannot wait to go back. Luckily, this Mindanao blogger found this Island Escapades promo flyer. Apparently, Pearl Farm Beach Resort Davao has a great offer from June 1 to September 30, 2010 for local residents and expatriates! Check out these discounted rates: (more…)

Jun42010 by Mindanaoan Irene21 Comments

Dahilayan Adventure Park ZipZone Bukidnon zipline – longest dual cable zipline in Asia

Blogging, Bukidnon, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Davao City, Entertainment, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Resorts, Society, Sports, Tourism, Travel

So, YES, finally! Mindanaoan, her brother and mom finally got to visit Dahilayan Adventure Park in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon - home of ZipZone Bukidnon zipline, reportedly the longest dual cable zipline in all of Asia! We finally managed to visit this Mindanao tourist destination, which is fast becoming a favorite of thrill and adventure seekers, in time for my brother's birthday. Actually, we've been looking forward to trying out this Bukidnon zipline adventure for months but we only had the chance this most recent weekend. Also, quite unfortunately, my two other brothers couldn't come with us so it was just me, my brother and my mom. Nonetheless, my brother and I were so excited to try the much-talked about 840 meter zipline, considered the longest dual cable zipline in Asia. Apart ...

May282010 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Review: The Maxwell Hotel Cebu | Budget hotel Cebu

Business, Consumer, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

The Maxwell Hotel Cebu is located along N. Escario Street, Cebu City, Philippines - a prime location in the Queen City of the South. It's a fairly new hotel in Cebu City and can be considered a Cebu budget hotel. Mindanaoan stayed at the Maxwell Hotel Cebu for two nights during my recent 4-day escapade at Cebu to attend the first ever Cebu Blog Camp 2010. The first two nights were spent at my Cebu City-based brother's apartment. My brother is also a blogger, by the way, and he accompanied me at the Cebu Blog Camp. He blogs about tennis here. Since he often lacked sleep because of the uber warm Cebu weather as of late, I, as the dutiful "ate" (ahem, ahem), decided to check-in at The Maxwell Hotel Cebu and treat him to two days of rest, sleep and an absolutely relaxing massage (more about...

May272010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

The first Soccsksargen summer safari | Mindanao Food Appreciation Tour

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Davao City, Events, Food, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Update, SoSCksargen, Tourism, Travel

Taking its cue from the very successful Davao Food Appreciation Tour a.k.a. DFAT (which is now on its third round, by the way!), this now famous bloggers-go-on-a-major-food-trip tour has now expanded and has now turned into the Mindanao Food Appreciation Tour (MFAT)! This doesn't mean that DFAT has seen the last of its glory days, though. On the contrary, it has now paved the way for a bigger, larger and definitely more exciting food appreciation tour for bloggers in Mindanao! The first Mindanao Food Appreciation Tour 2010 will be held late this month and will be participated in by Davao Bloggers, CDO Bloggers and SOCCSKSARGEN Bloggers. Check out the poster below for some of the generous partners of this most awaited food safari!

May172010 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Mindanaoan is attending the Cebu Blog Camp 2010

Blogging, Internet, Make Money Online, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Society, Technology, Travel

This blogger from Mindanao is attending the much-awaited Cebu Blog Camp 2010! Yes, folks, I'm off to the Queen City of the South this weekend to join other blogger-friends all over the country. The theme for this year's Cebu Blog Camp is “Blogging, Expressions, and Opportunities" and topics to be discussed include basics of blogging, great sources of content (especially when you're running out of topics to write about!), photoblogging and videoblogging, blogging ethics, blogging in the community and for the community (this is something I can most definitely learn from especially for Bukidnon Online), blog marketing, blogging and citizen's journalism, personal branding through blogging, earning through blogging and many more. (more…)

Feb242010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Compostela Valley Mindanao celebrates 12th Bulawan Festival

Announcements, Arts, Compostela Valley, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel

With the theme "Compostela Valley Province: Shining at 12. Promising now and beyond...!," Compostela Valley Province, Mindanao will celebrate its 12th founding anniversary on March 3 to 8, 2010 via the renowned Bulawan Festival. Bulawan means gold in the local dialect. Here are the activities that will be held during the 5-day celebration: March 3, 2010 - Motorcade - Opening Program (Guest speakers are Senators Loren Legarda and Juan Miguel Zubiri) - Trade Fair, Barangayanihan, Techno Demo and LGU Night March 4, 2010 - Social Services - Volunteers' Day (Guest speakers are Senator Manuel Villar and senatorial bet Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. Nacionalista Party senatorial bet and spokesperson Atty. Adel Tamano will also be there) - Lanog sa Kapitolyo - Concert for Peace (featuri...

Feb242010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: Highway 21 Hotel in Iloilo City, Visayas

Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

My first night in Iloilo City was spent in Highway 21. Classified as a pension house, I actually thought that this nice place located right in the heart of Iloilo City was more of a hotel. The perfect choice for budget conscious tourists, Highway 21 Iloilo City is located along the busy General Luna Street. Highway 21 is actually right beside the Sarrabia Manor, a well-known hotel in Iloilo. Compared to Sarrabia, though, Highway 21's rates are way cheaper. I stayed at the new wing of Highway 21. The rooms found at the new wing are slightly higher than those found on the annex area but I thought the added expense was worth it. The new wing had an elevator while the annex didn't have one. Plus all the rooms at the new wing had free, fast wireless Internet connection. That was impor...

Feb232010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanaoan goes to Iloilo City

Beauty, Cagayan de Oro City, Flights, Leisure, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Tourism, Travel

Mindanaoan has always been very curious of Iloilo City, the largest province in Panay Island. We've all heard the many stories about this beautiful city - just how malambing Ilonggos are, just how fascinating the tourist sites are, just how delicious their delicacies are, just how booming their business sector is and just how warm and friendly the people in Iloilo are. So when I recently got the chance to travel to this beautiful city located at the Western Visayas Region, I no longer had second thoughts. Off I went to the city formerly called "Irong-Irong." From Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, I took an airplane ride going to Cebu City (roughly 30 minute ride). From there, I took another flight, this time from Cebu to Iloilo (roughly 50 minute flying time). If you're in a bit of a hurry,...

Feb72010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Review: Lamar Inn Cagayan de Oro | Budget hotel in Cagayan de Oro Mindanao

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

Hello fellow Mindanawans! Planning a trip to CDO soon? Here's a budget hotel in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao that you might be interested in. Lamar Inn, located at the corner of JR Borja and Velez Streets (just a few blocks away from Divisoria, the heart of the city), is a downtown hotel that offers value for money. Conveniently located at the central business district of the City of Golden Friendship and owned and operated by VIP Hotel (which is located just right across the street), Lamar Inn CDO offers reasonably priced rooms and good amenities. They have 14 tourist type rooms (P750.00 per night), 8 business type rooms (P850.00 per night) and two suites (P1,300.00 per night). The business type room that we stayed in recently was air conditioned, had cable television, had a tel...

Jan282010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Region 10 becoming Mindanao’s dominant regional economy

Bukidnon, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Commentary, Consumer, Features, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, News, Northern Mindanao, Technology, Travel

Hi guys, the following is a pretty interesting read. This guest blog entry is from Mindanaoan's friend, Mike Banos, a respected journalist based in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. Read, read, read :) Since Iligan City and Lanao del Norte were integrated back into Northern Mindanao (Region 10) in 2002, the resulting region has remained Mindanao’s biggest economy. Recent years indicate it is now pulling away to attain a position of dominance among the island’s regional economies. A quick look at the economic accounts of the island’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) shows that before the realignment of regions in 2002, Region 10 trailed the Davao Region (Region 11) in GRDP. However, since Iligan and Lanao del Norte rejoined Region 10 and some parts of the Davao region were re-align...

Jan252010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Bukidnon, Mindanao’s Kaamulan Festival 2010 schedule of activities

Announcements, Arts, Bukidnon, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Society, Tourism, Travel

KAAMULAN FESTIVAL 2010 | 2010 KAAMULAN | KAAMULAN 2010 | FESTIVAL IN BUKIDNON | KAAMULAN FESTIVAL BUKIDNON 2010 SCHEDULE - So it's that time of year once again! The much-awaited Kaamulan Festival in the Province of Bukidnon is set to happen in a few weeks. For those of you who want to experience what Department of Tourism Secretary Ace Durano dubbed as the country's only authentic ethnic festival, here's the tentative schedule of Kaamulan Festival 2010 activities. Please note that there may be changes to the schedule so please check this Bukidnon blog as often as possible. Should you want to use this Kaamulan 2010 schedule of activities, please feel free to share this page and please don't forget to credit www.Mindanaoan.com as your source of information. Thank you very much for your ...

Jan252010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: Lubi Resort Santander Cebu Diving Hotel

Hotels, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Resorts, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

During Mindanaoan's weeklong Cebu trip, I was fortunate to have had the chance to stay overnight at a Cebu resort that's widely said to be Cebu Provincial Governor Gwen Garcia's favorite. Lubi Resort is located at Santander, Cebu Province, a 5th class municipality included in the second district of Cebu. And it's not difficult to understand why Gov. Gwen loves Lubi Resort. It's a homey, quaint refuge at the southernmost part of Cebu. To reach the resort is a bit difficult to do so unless you have a private vehicle. Actually, I think the resort's "exclusivity" is one of its main strengths. For people who just want to get away from all the hustle and bustle of everyday life and just want to enjoy their "me" time, then Lubi Resort in Santander, Cebu is the answer. Lubi Resort, as its...

Jan162010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Mindanaoan is off to Cebu City for Sinulog 2010

Arts, Beauty, Blogging, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Flights, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Tourism, Travel

Mindanaoan is off to yet another fun adventure! Mindanaoan will be off to the Queen City of the South - Cebu City - today to take part in this year's colorful Sinulog 2010 or what's dubbed as the Sinulog at 30. Here's hoping that I will have a safe trip today via Philippine Airlines (Mindanaoan's favorite airline as of late). Nay, make that a trip that will push through! I'm a bit worried because it's been rainy the past few days and I heard about the Cebu Pacific Air passengers who got stranded at the CDO airport. Hundreds of passengers who were supposed to be bound for Cebu were reportedly left to fend for themselves as the airline refused to provide food and accommodation because, according to the Cebu Pacific Airlines management, they weren't obliged to provide anything especially i...

Jan112010 by Mindanaoan Irene9 Comments

Road trip Mindanao – From Cagayan de Oro City to Ozamis City

Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Leisure, Mindanao, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Ozamis, Tourism, Travel

When my professional wedding photographer-brother Bon told me that I was to serve as one of his 2nd photographers in a wedding to be held in Ozamiz City, I need not think twice. I haven't been to Ozamis City yet and I've always wanted to visit the place. For one, I've always been curious of the place and of the many things I've heard about it. Secondly, any road trip around Mindanao is always a welcome thought for me. And thirdly, any chance for me to be a wedding photographer is always great news. Together with fellow photographer Onat, the video coverage team members and Bon, we left Cagayan de Oro City for Ozamis City last January 7, 2010. From CDO, we traveled towards Iligan City (2 hours from CDO) and then onwards to Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte (about an hour after Iligan). In K...

Dec262009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Check out the “My Davao, My Mindanao” photo exhibit

Announcements, Arts, Davao City, Events, Features, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Photos, Society, Tourism, Travel

Are you in Davao City, Mindanao? Or will you be in Davao City this month? Looking for events in Davao City? There's a month-long photo exhibit that you might want to check out. Dubbed "My Davao, My Mindanao," this photo exhibit showcases the works of photojournalists Jojie Alcantara and Rhonson Ng. The exhibit will show the beauty and grandeur of Davao City and Mindanao through the eyes (and camera lenses!) of Jojie and Rhonson. The "My Davao, My Mindanao" photo exhibit can be found at Museo Dabawenyo.

Dec252009 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Christmas is in the air at SM Mall of Asia

Beauty, Blogging, Business, Consumer, Corporate, Events, Features, Gifts, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Photos, Society, Style, Travel

So yes, Mindanaoan was in Metro Manila for two days. Hence, the obvious lull here in my humble blog. My two-day Manila trip was a surprise Christmas gift from two very special friends whom you'll learn more about in the next few days. Needless to say, the trip was the most expensive one I received this year...and the sweetest impromptu gift, I must admit. For now, I'd like to share some of the shots I took last December 23, 2009 at SM Mall of Asia, considered the 3rd largest mall in the world. Truly, the festive Christmas spirit can be felt at MOA! I did a little bit of Christmas shopping there, watched "Avatar" at IMAX 3D theater, ate at a relatively new restaurant and bought Krispy Kreme for pasalubong. I wanted to visit Trinoma, too, but 2 days just isn't enough! Anyways, he...

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...