blogger from mindanao Archives - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Jul32012 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Photos: US Ambassador Harry Thomas leads turnover of donations to Bulua

America, Announcements, BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Campus, Education, Features, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, News, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Photos, Society, United States of America

Like I previously mentioned in this blog, I had the chance of a lifetime to accompany US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas, Jr. for two days. It truly was an honor to be that up close and personal with the American ambassador, who I found to be very smart, direct and friendly. As a part of his party when he visited Cagayan de Oro City for the very first time last week, I got the chance to accompany him in various events. We attended the distribution of HACCP and ISO certificates to 10 Mindanao companies, the roundtable discussion with CIPMYL graduates in Xavier University and the launch of the Cities Development Initiative in CDO. Another event that I got to witness was the turnover of donations to Bulua National High School. The United States Agency for International Develo...

Jul22012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

USAID, Cagayan de Oro sign MOU; launch Cities Development Initiative

America, BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Government, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, News, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Politics, Society, United States of America

During his recent visit to Cagayan de Oro, US Ambassador Harry K. Thomas, Jr. led the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Cagayan de Oro City LGU. The MOU was for the launch of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)'s Cities Development Initiative. Ambassador Thomas, USAID Mission Director Gloria D. Steele and Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Vicente Y. Emano all signed the MOU last Friday, June 29, 2012 at a local hotel in Cagayan de Oro. The launch of the Cities Development Initiative in CDO is seen to be very beneficial to the LGU. The Cities Development Initiative is an integral part of the U.S.-Philippines Partnership for Growth (PFG). Launched in November 2011, PFG is helping the Philippines achieve its high growth potential by creating a more tra...

Jul312011 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Airphil Express piso fare sale!

Announcements, Bacolod City, Cebu City

Here's great news for all of you who want to enjoy the sun, sea and sand in various areas around the Philippines...and for a measly PISO FARE! Yes, folks, the country's fastest growing airline, Airphil Express, is set to offer its ultra special and much-awaited piso fare sale starting midnight tonight, August 1, 2011. Airphil Express PISO FARE sale tonight! You need to book your tickets right away since this sale will only run for 24 hours and I bet a lot of travelers want to avail of this Airphil Express promo fare sale :) All you have to do is visit the official Airphil Express website and book flights online. Check out the official announcement from Airphil Express below: Airphil Express PISO FARE Selling period: August 1, 2011 Travel periods: February 1 to March 15, ...

Jul262011 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Mindanao Fashion Summit 2011

Arts, Beauty, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features

The Mindanao Fashion Summit 2011 is set to take place on August 1 to 6, 2011 at the Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. Led by the Oro Fashion Designers Guild and in cooperation with the Department of Tourism Region X, the Mindanao Fashion Summit 2011 aims to showcase the works of notable and talented fashion designers from Mindanao. According to the organizers of the 2011 Mindanao Fashion Summit, the objective of this event is to broaden fashion and brand awareness of all affiliated companies and organizations amongst the chic urban professional consumer community. It is designed and appealed to the tastemakers that take active roles in setting the mold for style in Mindanao and the hottest trends and over all ingenuity of Mindanaoan designers. During the summit, please...

Jul82011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

A first in Mindanao! Join the Cagayan de Oro – Dahilayan ultra marathon (details here)

Mindanaoan Update

The home of Asia's longest dual cable zipline will also be the home of the much-awaited CDO - Dahilayan Trail 55k Ultra Marathon tomorrow, July 9, 2011 (Saturday). Dahilayan Adventure Park will be the end point of what's believed to be the first ever mega marathon of this kind in Mindanao. Yes, this is definitely a first in Mindanao and this Mindanao blogger is absolutely happy to be one of the supporters of this ultra marathon! Mindanaoan.com is one of the very proud media partners of the upcoming CDO - Dahilayan Trail Ultra Marathon 55K 2011! Runners will follow the picture-perfect CDO - Dahilayan trail which covers one city (Cagayan de Oro) and two Bukidnon towns (the Municipalities of Libona and Manolo Fortich). From Rodelsa Circle in Cagayan de Oro City, the participants of the ...

Jul72011 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Photos: Philippine football team Azkals versus Sri Lanka Brave Reds (PART 1)

Blogging, Events, Features, Headline, Journalism, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, Photos, Sports

It was the day I've been waiting for. To finally watch our very own Philippine National Football Team AZKALS play against another team LIVE! It finally happened last July 3, 2011 at Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila, Philippines. And I even had a Pilipinas Futbol Azkals shirt on to boot! Much, much thanks to my very generous sponsors, Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines Dato Seri Dr. Ibrahim Saad and his lovely wife Datin Seri Dato Zainab Kader, I had a special front row seat to watch the Azkals play against the Sri Lanka Brave Reds. Just in case you're wondering, my ticket was worth a whopping Php 3,090.00! The day was truly memorable. One for the books! The Azkals won 4-0 (woohoo!) and successfully hurdled the first round of the World Cup qualifiers! Their first duel...

May242011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Be Captain Planet: Help Save Our Ailing Mother Earth

Advocacy, Cagayan de Oro City, Campus, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Society

(Note: This article is written by Ana Rizza D. Celades and Benedict Jan T. Baloncio. Please take your time to read this and share this article with your family, friends and colleagues --- I'm sure they will thank you for this! And to BJ and Ana, thank you for entrusting this article to Mindanaoan.com - it serves as a constant reminder of our roles as stewards of Mother Nature) With the higher frequency of natural disasters, retreat of glaciers in mountainous areas, abrupt increase in sea level, coastal flooding, and just about the extremities of weather we now experience, are brought about by effects of climate change, even plants and animals species have become extinct, and sudden outbreak of diseases in places are now high - these and the many more damages are the price we all have to...

May122011 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Paris Hilton to visit Davao City Mindanao Philippines soon?

Beauty, Blogging, Business, Commentary, Consumer, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Entertainment, Fashion, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personalities, Shopping, Society, Style, Tourism

I'm pretty sure you've read it all - from Paris Hilton watching the Pacquiao vs Mosley fight ringside to Paris Hilton meeting Jinkee Pacquiao and Manny Pacquiao to Paris Hilton actually tweeting just how much she likes the representative of the lone district of Sarangani to how much she adores the Pacquiao couple and...of course, her plans of coming to the Philippines real soon "for a new and exciting project." Well, okay, she actually tweeted "I'm so excited for my trip to the Philippines. I am really looking forward to my newest business endeavor." There have been a lot of speculations (there was even a buzz that a Paris Hilton Beach Club was in the works) but it's clearer now. I guess this is the reason why Paris Hilton will visit the Philippines soon: (more…)

May112011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Jobs in Mindanao alert – Cebu Pacific Airlines to hold cabin crew job screening in Davao, Bacolod, Manila

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Davao City, Flights, Jobs, Mindanaoan Update

Here's a great job opportunity for those who want to be a part of an airline company. If you or someone you know may be interested in becoming a part of the Cebu Pacific Airlines family as cabin crew member, then this Mindanao job alert is for you! Cebu Pacific will hold cabin crew job screenings in Davao City, Bacolod and Manila. So if you're looking for jobs as flight attendants of Cebu Pacific, then check this job opening below: More details and other job openings after the jump! (more…)

May12011 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Sarangani Bay Festival 2011 – Mindanao’s ultimate summer experience!

Announcements, Blogging, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Update, News, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Tourism, Travel

Have you ever been curious about Sarangani Mindanao? I have! I've always wondered what you can do, what you can see, what you can visit/explore/discover and even what you can eat in Sarangani! Admittedly, all I know for sure (so far) about the Sarangani Province are: - it's the district being represented by top Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao - it's where you can experience fun-filled water tubing - it's the home of my former classmate in Ateneo, incumbent Sarangani Provincial Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez Needless to say, this Mindanao blogger needs to explore, smell, taste, feel Sarangani! And what better way to do it but during the most awaited Sarangani Bay Festival 2011! Sarangani Bay Festival or the Sarangani BayFest is Southern Philippines' biggest beach party! From May 19...

Apr252011 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Spruce opens a branch in Valencia City

Bukidnon, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Fashion, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Ozamis, Pagadian, Society, Style

As you guys may know, I'm a big supporter and regular customer of Spruce lifestyle boutique. Spruce is one of my favorite boutiques in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. It's where my relatives, friends and I buy original Havaianas, Charcoal, Lacoste and Happy Feet products! And, if you must know, Spruce is also responsible for all those fun Make Your Own Havaianas events in Northern Mindanao! Check out my very own Make Your Own Havaianas 2010 experience here. Owned by Spruce Designer Network Inc., Spruce has a main branch at the 2nd Level West Concourse, Limketkai Mall. It also has branches in Pagadian and Ozamiz. Recently, Spruce opened its newest branch - Spruce Valencia City, Bukidnon. (more…)

Mar202011 by Mindanaoan Irene18 Comments

Keeping up with the fun, funky familia!

Announcements, BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Bukidnon, Government, Headline, Hongkong, Kaamulan Festival, Leisure, Macau, Malaysia, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Personalities, Politics, Society, Technology, Tourism, Travel

Let's take a breather from my Singapore Chronicles series of blog entries, shall we? Right now, at this very minute, I'm actually taking a break myself. Taking a break from packing my clothes, preparing my documents and checking (and re-checking) my to-do list. And for some reason, amid all the chaos, I am now rather becoming a little bit sentimental. I can't help it. I become mushy whenever I think of my beloved fun and funky family :) Come to think of it - in the past year alone, so many things have happened to me and my family. First off, we finally moved to our new home! It's smaller than the previous one we lived in for years but at least this one's ours! Woohoo! :D I was so excited that I shouldered the special landscaping for our front yard. Never mind if it shaved a lot off m...

Mar182011 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Singapore Chronicles: Day 1 – Cebu to Singapore

Blogging, Cebu City, Flights, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Singapore, Travel

Singapore Chronicles Day 1 - From Cebu to Singapore. I'm typing this message thousands of feet above sea level. Specifically, 35,000 feet. Right now, at this very moment, my mom is fast asleep on my right, two men seated infront of me are still immersed in a serious conversation and my beloved Victorinox travelers bag is on the seat on my left. I'm typing this message while aboard our flight from Cebu City, Philippines to Singapore. While it's not my first time to go abroad, it is my first time to visit a first world country (well, this is still a pretty sensitive topic but for the purpose of this blog post, let's call it that, ok? ;) ). It's also my first time to travel for more than 3 hours by plane. Yes, you can say it's quite a whole new experience for me. It's pretty exciting yet a...

Mar162011 by Mindanaoan Irene10 Comments

How to prepare a do-it-yourself Singapore and Malaysia trip

BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Davao City, Features, Flights, Hongkong, Hotels, Internet, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Malaysia, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Shenzhen, Singapore, Society, Tourism, Travel

A few weeks ago, my mom and I finally had the chance to visit Singapore and Malaysia. Although it wasn't our first trip outside of the country, it was our very first time to visit Singapore and Malaysia and it was also the first time that we followed a DIY or do-it-yourself itinerary. We opted not to avail of the services of a travel agency for a number of reasons including the fact that we didn't want to be led to tourist traps just like what happened during our Hongkong, Shenzhen and Macau trip two years ago. Plus I'm also the type who loves to take on a challenge and preparing for a trip abroad - starting from scratch - can be quite a challenge! Don't be alarmed, though! Preparing a do-it-yourself itinerary can actually be fun, too! Plus it brings a whole lotta meaning to accomplishm...

Mar82011 by Mindanaoan Irene15 Comments

America in 3D – your chance to work in, taste and feel America

Mindanaoan Update

Here's a fabulous chance for all of you who want to travel to the United States of America, to work for American companies and for those who simply like to learn more about American music, films, food and possible study programs. Ambassador Harry Thomas and the U.S. Embassy - Manila warmly invite you to celebrate American culture, values, and programs in the Philippines during a three-day program dubbed “America in 3-D.” From March 18 to 20, 2011 at SM City North EDSA in Quezon City, Philippines, the U.S. Embassy will provide FREE musical performances, food tastings, sports clinics, film screenings, cooking demonstrations, Q&A opportunity with Fil-Am White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford, a job fair, sports clinics and information sessions about applying for visas and...

Feb222011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Join the first ever webchat on U.S. non-immigrant visas by the US Embassy Manila

Advocacy, Announcements, Features, Headline, Internet, Media, Society, Technology

Has it always been a dream of yours to visit the United States of America but whenever you try to apply for a tourist visa, you often get denied? Do you have questions pertaining to U.S. non-immigrant visas? Have you always wanted to ask a real US Embassy consul what you need to do and what you need to have in order to secure that most wanted U.S. non-immigrant visa? Then here's your perfect chance! On Wednesday, February 23, 2011, from 4 PM to 5 PM, you can join the first ever web chat ever on U.S. non-immigrant visas. This webchat, dubbed "Ask the Consul," is organized by the US Embassy in Manila. Read more details after the jump! (more…)

Feb222011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

King of Acoustic Paolo Santos says hello to Mindanaoan

Arts, Blogging, Bukidnon, Business, Consumer, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Society, Videos

The Philippines' King of Acoustic Paolo Santos has a very special video message for this humble blogger from Mindanao :) You see, I was a co-producer and co-event organizer of the "Moonlight Acoustic Serenade by the King of Acoustic Paolo Santos" Valentine's Day show last February 14, 2011. Interestingly, though, I wasn't around during the show itself since I was abroad :D (My assistant and I have done all the work before my trip, though...the only task left was the on-site, on-the-day coordination) So I had to contend with this video message from Paolo Santos himself. Good thing I have a very reliable assistant in the person of Erik Dave :D By the way, if you or someone you know needs events management services anywhere in Mindanao, please do not hesitate to CONTACT ME :) That Valentin...

Feb222011 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Review: Cebu R Hotel | Cebu City hotel

Blogging, Business, Cebu City, Consumer, Features, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

If you're a regular reader of my humble Mindanaoan blog, chances are you'd know that I frequently visit the Queen City of the South - Cebu City. Not only because I like to visit but I also because I need to. You see, I recently expanded my lil public relations, events management and media and marketing business in Cebu :) This means that I can now cater to businesses and individuals based in Cebu and neighboring islands that need PR, media relations, events management and marketing services. Anyhoo, I was recently in Cebu...yet again. Since my mom traveled with me, I thought of booking a room in one of Cebu's many affordable hotels. I also wanted to stay in a Cebu hotel that I haven't stayed in yet (so that I can review it and share my thoughts with y'all, of course! :D). I landed on Ce...

Feb202011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Cute Manny Pacquiao and Mommy Dionisia Pacquiao commercial!

Arts, Bisaya, Blogging, Bukidnon, Davao City, Features, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Sarangani, Society

Fellow Mindanaoans Manny Pacquiao and his very own Mum, Mommy Dionisia Pacquiao, have a new, super cute Datu Puti TV commercial! I like the play on the "bumili ka lang ng suka, champion ka na" statement :D Of course, the quotable quote in this TVC is also Manny Pacquiao's "boxing is not for killing." :P In this Datu Puti Manny Pacquiao TVC, a guy who's supposedly playing the role of Coach Freddie (Roach, the Pacman's real-life boxing coach) tells the "true story" behind the Pacman's road to success. Well, of course it's not the real story but this commercial is really funny and clever :) Props to the agency behind this cool Manny Pacquiao TV commercial! By the way, just in case you don't know how Manny Pacquiao and I are fellow Mindanaoans, check this out: (more…)

Feb192011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Photos: Kean Cipriano of Callalily Band

Entertainment, Features, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Photos

Anybody who knows me well knows that I am a huge fan of Kean Cipriano. For the uninitiated, Kean Cipriano is the lead vocalist of the popular Filipino band Callalily. His band is best known for the hit songs "Hintay," "Magbalik," "Stars," "Sanctuary" and "Susundan." I first met Kean in person when I was hired as an event organizer of a Callalily concert a few years ago. Needless to say, as soon as I watched him and his band perform, I was hooked! I became a self-proclaimed "Callalista" :D Then, fast forward 2010, I accidentally found out that one of the lawyers in the same firm where a former senatorial-candidate-friend of mine was a partner was actually Kean's uncle! Yikes :D So, okay, enough of the blab. Here's one of the photos I took of Kean Cipriano during a recent visit to the ...

Feb62011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

My second studio visit at TV5 Manila’s PO5 Sunday show

Arts, Broadcasting, Davao City, Entertainment, Features, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Society, Style

The first time my friends and I watched PO5 (Party on Five) live, we all trooped to a studio in Marikina. During our second visit just a few days ago, my friends and I went to Broadway Centrum along Aurora Boulevard, the same studio complex where the longest noontime show in the Philippines is also aired from Monday to Friday - "Eat Bulaga." PO5 does not use the same studio, though. It uses the one adjacent to the "Eat Bulaga" studio. For the uninitiated, by the way, PO5 is Channel 5's Sunday noontime variety show, their answer to ABS CBN Channel 2's "ASAP" and to GMA 7's "Party Pilipinas." Among its hosts are Richard Gomez, Lucy Torres, John Estrada, Wilma Doesnt, Alex Gonzaga, Danita Paner and...be still my heart...Kean Cipriano :D (more…)

Feb62011 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

At the wedding reception of the Malaysian ambassador’s daughter

BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Features, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Politics, Society

Ever since I had the utmost privilege to meet the Ambassador of Malaysia to the Philippines Dato Seri Dr. Ibrahim Saad and his beautiful wife Datin Seri Dato Zainab Kader, I've become so fascinated with Malaysia, its people, its culture and traditions and even their food! I've also become quite fascinated with certain similarities between the Philippines and Malaysia and the glaring fact that at the end of the day, we really all are connected. So when I received this special invitation to attend the wedding reception of the Malaysian ambassador's daughter Zaireen Ayu Ibrahim and her groom Shazlan Sufian, I knew I just had to go. Not only was it a fabulous chance for me to witness an akad nikah (traditional Malay wedding) but it was also a chance for me to meet and mingle with new Malays...