Videos Archives - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Apr172021 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Tips for the best balsa adventure (Laguindingan or Alubijid floating cottage)

Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Tourism, Travel, Videos

It's summer! And you know what that means - we all need a respite from the scorching heat. One of the surefire ways to cool off is to hit the beach or, in this case, have a balsa adventure! A balsa is basically a floating cottage or raft largely made of bamboo and wood. Balsas have become ubiquitous especially off the shores of Laguindingan and Alubijid in Misamis Oriental (and in Cagayan de Oro City, last I heard!). I'm aware of the issues surrounding the operations of Balsa in Alubijid and Balsa in Laguindingan so I leave it all up to you guys to decide if you want to patronize but I do want to emphasize that I totally support responsible and sustainable local tourism efforts. So anyway...my relatives and I went on a balsa adventure recently and I have a few tips for you before y...

Sep282020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Wild week with the Ford Ranger Wildtrak

Blogging, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Society, Travel, Videos

So I just had a realization. After taking the Ford Ranger Raptor for a spin a few weeks ago, I realized that I LOVE driving pick-up trucks! The Ford Raptor, for instance, is huge but oh what a joy it is to drive! This love for pick-up vehicles was again solidified when I had a fun, wild week with the Ford Ranger Wildtrak (yasss)! Don’t you just love how versatile it looks? The Ford Ranger Wildtrak is a workhorse for sure (built for tough!) but you can also easily take it to easy breezy picnics, to the beach and to the mountains for memorable hang-outs with family and relatives at a cozy cabin (which I did!). Muscular yet feminine. Does that make sense? I brought the Ford Ranger Wildtrak to so many places around Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon (Malaybalay City and Dahilayan...

Aug242020 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Easy city to mountain driving aboard the Ford EcoSport

Bukidnon, Cafe, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Reviews, Society, Style, Travel, Videos

Don’t you just miss bonding with family and friends, going on a road trip, savoring scenic views and delicious food, and just having a great time with those close to your heart? I’m sure this is something all of us miss and look forward to doing. Fortunately, I recently had the opportunity to see some of my friends (whom I haven’t seen since the onset of the pandemic!) and bond with my relatives. That meant driving to the city, to hinterlands, to a farm and to a newly-discovered (an accidental discovery brought about by a call from a dear friend whom I also haven’t seen in a darn long time) area that had a killer view! And so, aboard the Ford EcoSport Titanium, my weekend went off to a great start. My friends and I went to this new cafe uptown and then proceeded to Indah...

Jun42020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

I saw Ross of “Friends” a.k.a. David Schwimmer in New York

America, Entertainment, Features, Mindanaoan Update, New York, Personalities, United States of America, Videos

Are you a fellow fan of "Friends"? Because if you are then OH. MY. GOD. (oh that shrilly Janice voice!) Like any "Friends" fan worth her salt, I just HAD to see at least one of the cast members, no? As fate would have it, I saw the amazingly talented David Schwimmer, who played my favorite character, "Ross," first! Maybe I just got lucky because David Schwimmer a.k.a. Ross Geller lives in New York while the other cast members reside in the West Coast. Anyway, that doesn't matter. What matters is --- I SAW ROSS! So of course this post will be - The One With Ross In NYC :D It all happened when I scored priority tickets to "The View," a daily talk show created in 1997 by veteran journalist Barbara Walters. Currently, the show is hosted by women led by Hollywood bigwig Whoopi ...

Mar312020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

I was a Miss Kasanggayahan pageant judge

Beauty, Events, Fashion, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Style, Videos

In an earlier post, I shared all about my fun visit to Sorsogon Capitol to see my dear friend (and ok, sige na nga, super crush!) former Senator now Governor Francis "Chiz" Escudero. I was in Sorsogon, the name of which means "to trace a river upstream," because Sir Chiz, Miss Malu and the Sorsogon Tourism Office invited me for a fun and exciting task - to be one of the judges of the most-awaited annual beauty pageant of the province, Miss Kasanggayahan! I was so thrilled and readily accepted the invitation. It was my chance to see lovely Sorsogon, see old friends and meet new ones and of course, to observe Sir Chiz in his turf. As expected, he was so chill as he roamed around, drove his own vehicle and hosted us for lunch and dinner. By the way, he was so excited to share his...

Dec162019 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Buy With Me: Very affordable, high-value insurance

Announcements, Features, Musings, Society, Technology, Videos

Did you have the chance to watch my vlog about this low-cost, high-value insurance? If you haven't, please do click the subscribe link below and don't forget to hit the notification bell so you can be updated with new, exclusive content from me! Please subscribe to my Mindanaoan Vlog (it only takes 2 seconds, trust me!) Thank you so much for your support! So let me ask you this --- do you already have an insurance policy? I know, I know. Buying insurance is a sensitive issue especially for folks who live paycheck to paycheck, don't have enough savings or consider insurance as "luxury." Truth be told, insurance is something that we need but, more often than not, can be tedious, confusing, time-consuming and EXPENSIVE to buy. I DO HAVE GOOD NEWS, THOUGH! In my vlog below, I...

Dec22019 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

At the Seda Hotel CDO Christmas Tree Lighting and Centrio Mall Lights and Sounds Show

Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Videos

Don't you just love how hotels are dressed up during the holidays? What for the majority of the year are just lodging places, business travel pitstops or staycation venues for many of us, turn into bright, colorful, shiny, shimmering, splendid (!!!) "extensions" of our homes during Christmas. I just LOVE staying at hotels during Christmas and New Year! There's just something magical when you visit certain hotels during the holidays, don't you think? :) Seda Hotel Centrio CDO (book your room here) is no exception this year. This well-loved Cagayan de Oro hotel (which I helped launch in 2012, by the way!) held a lighting ceremony of their Christmas tree and it was such an oh-so-lovely event! Complete with great food, ballet dancers, fun music, chorale and lots of familiar, friendly faces...

Mar112019 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

LOOK: DAISO New York Now Open

America, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, New York, United States of America, Videos

DAISO Japan has finally opened its very first New York store and my little wasteland nut heart is going crazeballs! Daiso, known for its very wide selection of products at extremely low prices, has opened its doors in the Greater New York Metropolitan Area and I got invited to their grand opening! I also got to meet Mr. Yoshihidae Murata, Senior Vice President of Daiso US Operations, who said that they're confident that "New York residents will be delighted by the Daiso shopping experience that is beloved by many!" Beloved indeed! Personally, I frequent Daiso stores. In Cagayan de Oro, I think I'm at their Centrio Mall branch several times a month! Here in New York, their Daiso Flushing store, located at The Shops at Skyview Center, sells quality and oh-so-kawaii products f...

Jan82018 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

3 social media and business trends to look out for in 2018

Blogging, Business, Mindanaoan Update, Social Media, Technology, Videos

A few weeks ago, I mentioned here on my blog that I will be a part of the “Go Social: A Digital Marketing Tour Boot Camp.” The boot camp tour, a project of the Iligan Bloggers Society and funded by the U.S. Embassy in Manila, was held in Iligan, Cotabato, Cebu and Baguio. It helped hundreds of entrepreneurs learn how they can maximize the power of digital marketing to grow their micro, small, medium and social enterprises. Since I’m still here in the USA, I only sent a video message whereby I spoke about the future of digital marketing in the Philippines. I'm thinking of releasing that video soon --- maybe when I finally do a webinar on blogging, social media and earning online! What do you think? :) Tweet me if you want me to do that. Anyway, for this blog post, allow me to share so...

May232017 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Cat Cafe Cebu | What To Do In Cebu Philippines

Cafe, Cebu City, Features, Society, Videos, Visayas

Before my flight from Cebu to New York, USA, my two brothers, mom and myself went to a cat cafe in Cebu City. It wasn't my first cat cafe experience, though. Along with my brother, who absolutely adores cats (I'm more of a dog person but I don't abhor cats or anything), I already visited a cat cafe in Korea (in the busy district of Hongdae, Seoul) and another one in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan - the Cat Cafe Calico Japan (which was accordingly one of the oldest and more popular ones in Tokyo). I think cat cafes are creative, innovative businesses that gives animal lovers the chance to interact with furry, feline friends. There are dog cafes nowadays, too. I have yet to visit one, though. Anyway, the Cebu cat cafe we went to was...well, Cat Cafe Philippines. From their original spot in Guadal...

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 ...

Mar302017 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Delicious Taiwanese cuisine at Tien Ma’s CDO

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Restaurant, Reviews, Videos

My first visit to Taiwan is still pretty fresh in my mind. Obviously, I really had so much fun in Taipei, Jiufen and other nearby Taiwan areas for me to still remember that oh-so-lovely vacation! Guess what's a big part of those lovely memories? Yup, the FOOD! Taiwanese cuisine is absolutely delicious (and we're not just talking about xiao long bao, people!). This is why I'm thrilled Tien Ma's opened a branch in Cagayan de Oro! Tien Ma's CDO serves Taiwanese cuisine. Founded by a Chinese couple, the first Tien Ma's branch is located in Retiro, Quezon City. The brand's rise to popularity sure is fast - they now have branches in Libis, Makati and now, Cagayan de Oro. By the way, Tien is the family name of the female owner. Ma is for "mother." Ergo, Tien Ma means Mother Tien or Mama...

Feb162017 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Why I’m inspired to vlog (plus a quick and easy giveaway!)

Announcements, Contests, Features, Freebies, Personal, Travel, Videos

I'll make this short and sweet :) I'm pretty inspired to vlog (video blog) these days because I'm off to a big trip real soon and I plan to take lots of videos while I'm there. If things go as planned, I will be away for quite a while. Besides, I feel that vlogging can help hone my skills, if any LOL. Anyway, it would really be awesome if you could join me during my big trip by following my Mindanaoan YouTube Channel. I would be so thrilled to see your comments and hear from all of you so please, please subscribe to my YouTube channel :) To really get you inspired to subscribe right now (YAY), I'd like to hold a quick and easy giveaway! I have 8 prizes in store for you. Lookie: Happy with what you saw? I have totes bought in Singapore, coin purses bought in...

Dec132016 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Globe Telecom, Hineleban Foundation lead “Rainforestation” and livelihood program for IPs in Bukidnon, Lanao del Sur

Advocacy, ARMM, BIMP-EAGA, Bukidnon, Business, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Misamis Oriental, Muslim Mindanao, News, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Videos

A "rainforestation" program for the 6 mountain ranges in Mindanao as well as livelihood opportunities for indigenous people in Bukidnon and Lanao del Sur are underway. Leading telecommunications company Globe Telecom is set to donate roughly Php 1.4 Million to Hineleban Foundation. Globe, represented by its SVP for Corporate Communications Yoly Crisanto, inked an agreement with the foundation together with its thousands of Globe MyLifestyle iPhone 7 customers for a 5-year "rainforestation program," composed of 3 key components, namely: reforestation, sustainable livelihood development and food security. Through Globe’s MyLifestyle Plan which starts at P2,599, clients have the option to contribute in the reforestation of denuded forests, particularly in Bukidnon and Lanao del Sur provinc...

Jul62016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Greenwich Pizza SM CDO sports new look, launches Bacon Crispy Thins

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Corporate, Events, Food, Reviews, Videos

Something happened to the Greenwich Pizza restaurant at SM City Cagayan de Oro. A first of its kind in CDO, Greenwich SM CDO has been transformed into a pizzeria, similar to what you can see all over Italy! The new restaurant is now dressed up with wood and brick elements, now has a "balcony" (which can serve as a mini event place) and even has high tables, chairs, bar stools and couches. The new look has a rustic feel - complete with wooden pizza peels, tin buckets as well as colorful ceramics. This young, modern, mid-century industrial neighborhood pizzeria look that Greenwich is taking on will surely attract both loyal Greenwich pizza lovers and curious foodies alike, to be a part of the barkada and savor in the goodness that is truly world-class. During an event last July 5, ...

Jul42016 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Touring the Coca Cola Misamis Oriental Philippines plant

Business, Corporate, Events, Features, Food, Freebies, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Travel, Videos

I first had the chance to tour a Coca-Cola plant in Davao City many, many moons ago. I was still studying at the Ateneo de Davao University and Ateneans had regular field trips at the Coca-Cola plant in Ulas. I remember being given ice cold Coke fresh off the bottling line. Best part? We were allowed to drink as much as we can and we were also given freebies at the end of the tour. For any kid, that was truly quite a fun experience. Fast forward 2016, I was again recently given the opportunity to trace the "journey of the Coca-Cola bottle." I was invited to tour the Coca Cola Misamis Oriental Plant located at the Municipality of Villanueva, about half an hour away from Cagayan de Oro City. Built from the ground up and inaugurated in 2011, the Coca-Cola FEMSA Misamis Oriental Plant is...

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...

Apr182015 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Finally jumped off the 8-storey Dahilayan Skyjump tower

Advocacy, Bukidnon, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Entertainment, Features, Headline, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Personal, Reviews, Society, Sports, Tourism, Travel, Videos

I finally did it! I jumped off the 8-storey Dahilayan Skyjump Base Jump Tower, the Philippines' tallest parajump platform. I did this just a few days before my birthday this month of April and it was one of the most exhilarating things I ever did! I previously wrote about the Dahilayan Skytower Base Jump and that post has been shared over 10,000 times on Facebook alone. You might want to read that :) The Dahilayan Skyjump is the latest attraction at Dahilayan Adventure Park, located at Barangay Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. The park is about an hour away from Cagayan de Oro city proper. When you arrive at the park, look for the ticket station on your right. If you only want to do the Skyjump, price is Php 400. If you'll buy passes to other rides, the Skyjump fee will only t...

Oct312013 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Mindanaoan is 2013 Mindanao Blogger Of The Year

Advocacy, Agriculture, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, America, Announcements, ARMM, Arts, Bacolod City, Banks, Basilan, Beauty, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, Bislig, Blogging, Broadcasting, Bukidnon, Business, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Campus, Caraga, Cebu City, Commentary, Compostela Valley, Consumer, Contests, Controversial, Corporate, Cotabato, Culture, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Dipolog, Education, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Flights, Food, Freebies, General Santos City, Gifts, Government, Headline, Hongkong, Hotels, Humor, Iligan City, Internet, Island Garden City of Samal, Jobs, Journalism, Kaamulan Festival, Koronadal, Kuala Lumpur, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Leisure, Macau, Maguindanao, Make Money Online, Malaybalay City, Malaysia, Manila, Marawi City, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Movies, Music, Musings, Muslim Mindanao, Negros Occidental, News, North Cotabato, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Ozamis, Pagadian, Personal, Personalities, Photos, Politics, Radio, Recipes, Religion, Resorts, Reviews, Sarangani, Shenzhen, Shopping, Sindangan, Singapore, Society, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sports, Style, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacurong, Tangub City, Tawi Tawi, Technology, Television, Tourism, Travel, United States of America, Videos, Visayas, Weddings, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

It still feels a bit surreal, truth be told. Winning the 2013 Mindanao Blogger Of The Year award and the Best Lifestyle Blog award during the Mindanao Blog Awards 2013 held last October 26, 2013 in Davao City was the farthest thing from my mind. I was there to meet my blogger friends, have a good time, maybe drink a cocktail or two and cheer for other finalists. My mindset that night was (and I actually wrote this days before the finals): Win or lose, you are a champ. What's important is that you did your best in letting more people understand and appreciate the power of social media and blogging in sparking more conversations, making better communities and harnessing better understanding. Social good, folks. Only the good. So when my name was called, you could just imagine my shock. Yup...

Oct22013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Why I’m promoting Britney Spears’ new Work Bitch video

Announcements, Blogging, Entertainment, Events, Features, Headline, Internet, Personal, Technology, Videos

So have you watched the "Work Bitch" new video of Britney Spears? It was launched today, October 2, 2013 (October 1 in the U.S.) You can watch the video below :) So let me make this quick. Let me give you 5 quick reasons as to why I'm helping promote Britney Spears' new music video for her new song "Work Bitch." 1. Because I think she's a talented, amazing pop superstar! Regardless of those "dark episodes" in her life (don't we all have those anyway?), she has sold millions of albums, filled so many stadiums around the world and made all of us dance! 2. Because I used to do Britney Spears-related stuff (fortunately, not related to song and dance ;) )! You see, back when I was still starting out as an online worker, I wrote Britney Spears-related content. I can't divulge the specif...

Jun242013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Covering ABS CBN “Luv U” and “Goin’ Bulilit” press conferences

Blogging, Entertainment, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Television, Videos

So one of the things I did during a recent trip to Manila was attend a press conference at the ABS CBN Channel 2 Dolphy Theater. Attending (and organizing, even!) media briefings aren't new to me but that one was an exception - it was the first entertainment/showbiz press conference I attended in a very long time! It probably was my first ever - I'm not too sure. But I must say, it was a bit intimidating since I'm far more comfortable with politics and news and current affairs-related press gatherings. Still, I was interested to attend since I was curious as to how showbiz presscons were handled and I was also interested to observe entertainment reporters and listen to their questions. A little bit of background, though. I'm pretty familiar with the ABS CBN Manila compound since I worke...