United States of America Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Jul222017 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Visiting that “Friends” apartment building in New York City

America, Entertainment, Features, Mindanaoan Update, New York, Tourism, Travel, United States of America

If you're not a fan of the TV series "Friends," then you'd think this is just an ordinary building. However, for certified "Friends" fans like me, my Mama and my three younger brothers (we have virtually watched all seasons including the bloopers millions of times - okay, that's an exaggeration but you get the drift!), HOLY CRAP this almost feels like home. I guess this is what they mean when they say "only fans can understand." Visiting the New York apartment building where Monica (Courtney Cox), Rachel (Jennifer Aniston), Joey (Matt LeBlanc) and Chandler (Matthew Perry) (and Ross (David Schwimmer), at one point) lived is like a pilgrimage. READ: I saw David Schwimmer in person!!! In fact, at the risk of sounding like a wuss, I got emotional when I saw the Friends apartment building ...

Jul112017 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Raising $35 Million In An Hour | Red Nose Day New York 2017

America, Entertainment, Events, Features, New York, Society, United States of America

I had the honor of witnessing the Red Nose Day 2017 live show here in New York City, USA. If you’re as uninitiated like I was, Red Nose Day is a fundraising campaign run by the nonprofit organization Comic Relief Inc. Launched in 2015, the campaign has raised $60 Million so far and guess what? That night when I was at Rockefeller Plaza, where the hour-long show was aired live, a whopping $35 Million was raised! What makes Red Nose Day pretty special is that the money it raises supports programs that ensure children in need are safe, healthy and educated, both in the United States and in some of the poorest communities around the world. The grants go to groups including Save the Children, The Global Fund, Children’s Health Fund and more. I know that Save the Children has multiple program...

Jul12017 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Times Square New York tour and the crazy things you see

America, Entertainment, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, New York, Tourism, Travel, United States of America

This blog post about Times Square New York is actually several days in the making. I thought I could come up with content for this Times Square NY tour post after just one visit but the truth of the matter is, there's just too many things to do, see, hear, discover, eat (!!!), smell (???) and film at one of New York City's super popular tourist attractions. So let's start with the basics and I'll update this blog post often with more links, videos, photos and (hopefully) more fun tips for you to help make your New York City trip one for the books. Times Square, per se, is actually technically not a square in the geometric sense of the word. Instead, what's called as "The Crossroads of the World" is more of a bowtie shape if you take it from 45th Street (where 7 Av intersects Broadway). Th...

Jun112017 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Meeting the cast of “The Mummy” in New York City

America, Entertainment, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Society, United States of America

So, okay, let’s face the elephant in the room head on. The reviews of the latest Tom Cruise-starrer, “The Mummy,” aren’t exactly ideal (fine, a lot of them are brutally bad...like seriously) but those obviously didn’t stop me from attending an event which allowed me to see some of the cast members. Besides, just like many other Hollywood films, a movie like this is for the fans! In fact, the fans made their voices heard. Despite the absolutely devastating reviews on "The Mummy," it was still able to recoup its US $125 Million and so far, has earned US $151 Million. Not exactly a runaway hit, yes, but I have a feeling it will still earn a huge chunka money especially when you factor in all the merchandise sales and all that jazz. Anyways, a few days ago, I had the lovely opportunity to m...

Jun62017 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

US Embassy now asks for your social media accounts

America, Mindanaoan Update, New York, News, Society, Technology, Tourism, Travel, United States of America

The US government has now approved plans to ask US visa applicants for their social media accounts. Just recently, the Trump administration has started conducting background checks on the social media usage of visa applicants going back 5 years ago via a new questionnaire. The development now also allows consular officers to request email addresses, phone numbers as well as 15 years of biographical information from visa applicants, should a "more rigorous national security setting vetting" is needed. This may definitely make visa applications more difficult for lots of people. READ: How to pass your US Embassy visa interview The new questionnaire has a section where you need to write your usernames for any websites or applications you may have used to create or share content (p...

May192017 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

San Isidro Labrador Fiesta, New York style

America, Bukidnon, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Leisure, Malaybalay City, Musings, New York, Personalities, Society, United States of America

Five creatively decorated booths, contests on “best turon/biko/torta,” amateur and impromptu singing contests, lechon and a whole lotta dancing. These were just some of the highlights of the fiesta celebration in honor of patron saint Senyor San Isidro Labrador by the Association of Bukidnons in America (ABA) here in New York City, USA. Held a day before the actual fiesta (May 15), the gathering was not just to honor Isidore the Farm Laborer and thank him for the abundance of harvest but to also give the ABA officers and members the chance to kick back, relax and just have pure unadulterated fun! Actually, not only did I have the lovely privilege to attend the event, much thanks to my Tita Emilita, but I also had the chance to help design, create and implement my tita’s cluster’s boo...

Apr192017 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Top of the Rock New York (plus a tip on how to save on your ticket)

America, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, New York, Photos, Style, Travel, United States of America, Videos

No New York City visit is ever complete without seeing it from the top! And one of the popular places to do that is to go to the Top of the Rock - top of the Rockefeller, that is. To be able to explore unobstructed views of New York's midtown and downtown Manhattan plus the vast Central Park is an experience one can never forget. I should know - I just visited Top of the Rock and it was AWESOME to say the least! At the risk of sounding too mushy, may I just say that this view really made me very happy and thankful to be alive! CityPASS Armed with our CityPASS booklets, my aunt and I went to the Top of the Rock - one of NYC's top tourist attractions. Which reminds me - to buy your CityPASS booklet is the tip I want to share on how to save on your New York tour expenses! CityPASS is...

Mar312017 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Hello from New York!

America, Announcements, Blogging, Mindanaoan Update, New York, Personal, Travel, United States of America, Videos

Hello! I finally have the time to just sit down and blog! It's true - this surely is the city that never sleeps. I'm talking about New York City, USA! Yup, I'M BACKKK!!! Can you tell how excited I am? No? Maybe that's because I'm freaking freezing my a** off LOL :D I arrived here in New York about two days before a big blizzard. Just when I thought winter season was about to close and spring was about to come! I guess winter just wanted to leave with a bang, eh? Although it wasn't my first time to encounter snow, it was my first time to be in the middle of a raging blizzard. But deadma sa blizzard --- pose kung pose! :D Before I inundate you with my America-related blog posts, allow me to share with you my vlog about my flight from Cebu to Incheon (South Korea) and finally to ...

Mar162017 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

4 Meaningful Ways to Give Back to Your Community

Advocacy, America, United States of America

From monetary donations to social media awareness campaigns, there are many ways that you can help charities without even leaving your chair. But what if you're interested in something a little more substantial than that? What if you want to affect real-world change in your community? Here are just four meaningful ways to make a difference. 1. Get Personal Find a cause that matters to you. Join an organization that inspires feelings of love, passion, excitement and righteousness. It doesn't matter if it's saving elephants in Kenya or exposing more children to the arts with street pianos in New York; the most important thing is that you care and that you're willing to take action based on that feeling. Obligation will only take you so far. 2. Go for the Grassroots While ever...

Feb282017 by Mindanaoan Irene234 Comments

How to pass your US Embassy tourist B1/B2 visa interview

Advocacy, America, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Travel, United States of America

I’m pretty sure you’ve heard all the horror stories. Despite bringing land titles, “show money,” proof of vehicle ownership, credit cards, bank statements, letters of financial support from relatives overseas and even wearing tons of jewelry, numerous U.S. visa applicants still got denied. Even well-traveled folks still didn’t get that seemingly elusive U.S. visa. You may have even read or heard testimonies that some American consuls are too strict, don’t listen to your explanations or don’t even bother to check your other credentials and proofs that you can sustain your trip to the USA. I’m sure that those horror stories are the very reasons why you’re either scared or hesitant to apply for a B1/B2 tourist visa. Okay, let me tell you from the get-go: the entire process is VERY SIMPLE, ...

Oct312016 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

How to pay your Philippine travel taxes online

America, Announcements, Flights, Hongkong, Internet, Japan, Kyoto, Leisure, Macau, Mindanaoan Update, News, Osaka, Seoul, Society, Taiwan, Technology, Tokyo, Tourism, Travel, United States of America

Here in the Philippines, individuals who leave the country need to pay travel taxes. The Philippine travel tax is actually a levy imposed by the government. Filipino citizens, foreign passport holders and non-immigrant foreign passport holders who have stayed in the country for more than one year are usually required to pay full travel taxes when they go abroad. Currently, the Philippine travel tax rates are Php 1,620 for economy passage and Php 2,700 for first class passage. I'm sure frequent travelers like myself will agree that the queues at the travel tax payment booths can be time consuming. To address this, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) has launched a system for travelers to pay their Philippine travel tax online. Here's how you do it. ...

Sep152016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

S&R Cagayan de Oro to hold Buy 1 Take 1, 50 percent off promos

Announcements, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Corporate, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Shopping, Society, United States of America

Let me make this fast and simple - S&R Membership Shopping Cagayan de Oro is holding its Members' Treat from September 30 to October 2, 2016, 8 AM to 9 PM. That means buy 1 take 1 deals and awesome discounts of up to 50 percent! Big, big, BIG savings! And, hey, look, that's a payday weekend! :D Trust me, the S&R CDO Members' Treat event is the perfect time to hoard on all your favorite health and beauty products, imported snacks, imported grocery, imported ice cream, frozen, fresh, produce, home items and bakery goods! And here's a little teaser for you all - why don't you follow Mindanaoan on Facebook so you can have some ideas on which products will go on sale!!! *wink* SHARE this good news with everyone and plan a shopping trip together! See you at S&R CD...

Jul162016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

PHOTOS: Sneak peek inside S&R Membership Shopping Cagayan de Oro

Announcements, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Corporate, Events, Features, Headline, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Muslim Mindanao, News, Northern Mindanao, Shopping, Society, United States of America

World-class shopping center S&R Membership Shopping will finally open in Cagayan de Oro on July 28, 2016, 9 AM! S&R CDO is a membership-shopping club modeled after the warehouse membership shopping chains introduced in the United States. Located along Kauswagan Highway (across the RTMI garage, before you take a right towards the Bulua Bus Terminal if you're coming from CDO city proper), S&R CDO will offer irresistible promos and discounts on opening day. So be sure to be there! Actually, if you already got your new membership card and have your voucher booklet (with coupons worth as much as Php 65,000!), you can use the red coupons from September 1 to 7, 2016 as well. Anyway, let me take you to a sneak peek of S&R CDO. You can also find store rules, store hours and ot...

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...

Dec112015 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Joining the US Embassy Manila YOUnified celebration

Advocacy, America, Announcements, Bukidnon, Events, Misamis Oriental, United States of America

I'm a proud alumnus of the International Visitor Leadership Program, a U.S. State Department-sponsored program for global emerging leaders. The IVLP is the Department of State's premiere professional exchange program and - I have said this before and will not hesitate to say it again and again - that experience of being sent to America changed my life and inspired me in so many ways. This is why whenever I have the opportunity to inspire others especially the youth and help them become leaders, I really find time. This weekend, I will be a part of the YOUnified Bukidnon celebration! YOUnified is the 2nd anniversary of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI). Bukidnon will be one of the 20 communities across the Philippines that will simultaneously celebrate YSEALI's ann...

Oct42015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Meeting the new US Embassy Manila Counselor for Public Affairs

America, Events, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Society, United States of America

A few days ago, I attended a special event in Manila. It was a reception in honor of the new US Embassy Manila Counselor for Public Affairs Carolyn Glassman. The intimate event, which was organized by the Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States of America, Michael S. Klecheski, gathered select embassy friends from various sectors of society including the media. Truly honored to be invited and to meet Miss Glassman :) Note: Mindanaoan is a proud International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) alumnae. The IVLP is the US State Department's premier professional exchange program for the world's emerging leaders. * Photos courtesy of Miss Noemi. Thank you! :) By the way, a few years ago I also met the then Embassy Counselor for Public Affairs in Cebu. It was quite a...

Jun32015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Google My Business CDO event a success

Advocacy, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Events, Government, Make Money Online, Misamis Oriental, News, Northern Mindanao, Technology, United States of America

One of the things that I really like doing is helping and supporting small and medium businesses especially local ones. This is the reason why I readily accepted the role of Google Business Group - Women lead coordinator. Being the GBG Women CDO lead allows me to share various strategies and tips especially on how to effectively use the Internet to promote businesses online. GBG Women is under the umbrella of GBG CDO, a community of business professionals helping people explore, learn, share, and discover how Google products can help the local business communities benefit from technology. GBG CDO is a local chapter under Google Business Group - Philippines. One of the recent activities the GBG CDO folks and I got involved in was the Google My Business CDO orientation and sign-up day ...

May292015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

US Embassy Manila donates Gibbons guitar to Liceo de Cagayan

America, Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Music, News, Northern Mindanao, United States of America

A school in Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao recently became the recipient of a very special, limited edition Billy Gibbons guitar. The U.S. Embassy Manila donated a Billy Gibbons electric guitar to Liceo de Cagayan University College of Music. This CDO university was chosen to receive the guitar because of the University’s commitment to serve their music students through scholarship programs. Representing the U.S. Embassy was Cultural Affairs Officer Kristin Kneedler who officially donated the guitar. William Frederick "Billy" Gibbons is an American musician. Billy Gibbons is best known as the guitarist of the rock band ZZ Top. Gibbons was ranked at number 32 on the 2011 Rolling Stone list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.

Aug212014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Excited to be a part of US Ambassador Goldberg’s first ever webchat

Advocacy, America, Mindanaoan Update, Technology, United States of America

So I just arrived at my office yesterday, still feeling a bit blah because of the really warm weather when a friend who works for the U.S. Embassy Manila invited me to join a really special event tomorrow - the first ever webchat of U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg! Dubbed "Ask The Ambassador Google+ Hangout," Ambassador Goldberg's first ever webchat will be held on August 22, 2014 from 11:00am - 11:30am. Ambassador Goldberg will answer questions about the U.S. Embassy, U.S. foreign policy objectives, or the U.S. government. Do you have anything you want to ask him? Join the event page by clicking the link below: https://plus.google.com/+USEmbassyManila/posts/gbL9Vnaeo9R You can also follow the event via the hashtag #AskAmbassador or by following U.S. Emb...

Aug112014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: Bradley Bascon violin concert CDO Philippines

Advocacy, Arts, Beauty, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Music, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Reviews, Society, United States of America

When I was invited to watch a concert featuring a 15 year old violin protege, I knew somehow I was in for a treat. After all, for someone so young, Bradley Bascon has already achieved so much - far more than most lads his age - including winning the Violin Master Class panel finals organized by the Music Teachers Association of California, performing with an orchestra as a featured soloist in Spain and Portugal, performing in the London Olympics in 2012 and participating in festivals in Germany, Austria and Italy. Still, I felt that I had to hold back my cheers and praises until the litmus test - that one-night only concert held last July 31, 2014 at the Rodelsa Hall, Liceo de Cagayan University. Along with collaborating artist Rudolf Golez, who himself is an internationally acclaimed F...

May12014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Fun Things To Do On Your Winter Vacation

America, Sports, United States of America

If you're heading for the mountains or other snowy retreats, you might think that there will be little to do when the weather is so cold and the roads are closed. But think again! Here are just six ways to break a sweat even when it's -10°F and falling. 1: Skiing One of the most popular winter pastimes in the world, skiing is a great way for beginners and experienced athletes alike to enjoy the thrill of a snow-capped mountain. Take a lift to the very peak of the cliffs, then go sailing down the edge with the wind in your hair and only two thin sticks between you and the rushing ground. 2: Snowboarding Do an ollie on top of the world when you snowboard at extreme altitudes. With tailgrabs, poptarts and shifties, even fallen logs can turn into a daring obstacle course when y...

Dec222013 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

EXCLUSIVE: Macklemore and Ryan Lewis Live In Manila, Philippines 2014 #MacklemoreRyanLewisPH

Announcements, Entertainment, Events, Features, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Society, United States of America

UPDATED: Very affordable ticket prices below! YES! MACKLEMORE IS HEADING TO MANILA!!! Superstar duo Macklemore and Ryan Lewis Live in Manila on March 16, 2014 at the Mall of Asia Arena! Who's ready to go to the "Thrift Shop" and "throw our hands up like the ceiling can't hold us"? If you've been following Mindanaoan on Twitter, well, folks, this is the exciting news I've been dying to share with you all! Macklemore and Ryan Lewis are bringing their multi-platinum hits "Can't Hold Us," "Same Love," "White Walls" and of course, "Thrift Shop," called by Forbes as "one of the biggest sleeper hits of the decade, earning certification for 7 million downloads sold in the United States" alone. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis' "The Heist" album also sold more than 1 million copies, perform before SOLD...