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

Jan232017 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

New fave Cebu hotel: Cuarto Hotel

Cebu City, Features, Hotels, Leisure, Reviews, Society, Tourism, Travel

Every frequent traveler to Cebu knows this – it’s a continuous challenge to find spacious, well-fitted, affordable, strategically located hotel rooms that offer free delicious buffet breakfast. There will always be something amiss – either the hotel is too far from the city proper or the room may be too small you can barely move around with your luggage. Fortunately, I recently discovered a charming boutique hotel a block away from Fuente Circle Cebu that could easily rival the bigger hotel chains. Cuarto Hotel is just across Robinson’s Cybergate and steps away from a few of Cebu’s biggest hospitals and call centers. Don’t worry, though. While Cuarto Hotel Cebu may be in the midst of the hustle and bustle of city life, you will still have the most comfortable stay. I did! ...

Oct12016 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Why Toast Cafe Should Be On Your Must Visit In Cebu List

Cafe, Cebu City, Features, Food, Hotels, Restaurant, Reviews, Taiwan, Tourism, Travel, Visayas

I’m back on Philippine shores! Taiwan was lovely and I can’t wait to share with you all my travel stories. In the meantime, let me share a really cool place I just discovered in Cebu City, where I took my flight to Taiwan from. It’s called Toast Cafe, it’s located at Cuarto Hotel near Fuente Circle, and it’s awesome. Toast Cafe is chic with its brick walls and wooden furniture yet homey with its chalkboards and friendly, attentive staff. Space is limited but is private enough to let you concentrate on your own meal, laptop or book. Tasteful interiors and a great use of space. Plus this may sound peculiar but can I just say that you must use the john (slang for washroom!) while you’re there? Toast Cafe is a nice date place, a place where you can meet your gal pals or have fami...

Mar62014 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Cebu to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia – MSMW 2014 Chronicles

Cebu City, Flights, Food, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Travel

I'm back from Malaysia! :) I previously wrote here on my blog that this Mindanao blogger was invited to speak at the Malaysia Social Media Week 2014 (MSMW 2014) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Stayed in Kuala Lumpur for almost a week and truly loved my stay. It wasn't my first trip to Malaysia but it certainly had its fair share of amazing memories. Will be sharing with you all my Malaysia adventures (and misadventures, too)! My first post will be about my quick one-day stay in Cebu before heading towards Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Since there aren't any direct flights from Mindanao to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, I requested the Malaysia Social Media Week 2014 (MSMW 2014) organizers to fly me out from Cebu City, which was a 20-minute flight away from Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. One of my brot...

Mar242013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

MAC Cosmetics Archie’s Girls Collection Launch In Cebu

Beauty, Business, Cebu City, Consumer, Events, Fashion, Features, Gifts, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Shopping, Society, Style

I was so excited when I got an invitation to attend the grand launch of MAC Cosmetics Archie's Girls Spring Collection 2013 in Cebu City. The timing was perfect! I was actually in Cebu for the Social Media Influencers Summit 2013 and I always welcome additional events to attend especially if time permits it anyway. So I immediately said yes to the invite-only MAC Archie's Girls launch in Cebu! The MAC Archie's Girls makeup collection 2013 Cebu launch was held last March 16, 2013 at the Ayala Center Cebu Activity Center. The place was packed with so many eager MAC Cosmetics fans! I spotted TV host Bianca Gonzales, celebrity makeup artist Jigs Mayuga and fashion bloggers Kryz Uy and Camille Co. I also met Atty. Christina Garcia-Frasco, the daughter of Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia and ...

Nov32012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: Marriott Hotel Cebu City Philippines hotel @MarriottCebu

Cebu City, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

My family and I only stayed at Marriott Cebu Hotel for less than 12 hours (yep) but from the very moment I stepped inside our Cebu City Marriott Hotel room, I knew for sure it was going to be a lovely stay. Located within the Cebu Business Park, Marriott Hotel Cebu offers the same 5-star Marriott service known the world over. Cebu City Marriott is just beside Ayala Mall and a few steps away from The Terraces, where lots of lifestyle and wellness shops, coffee shops, bars and restaurants can be found. This Cebu hotel is one of the city's most loved - it's a favorite of many prominent personalities, foreign tourists and celebrities. Marriott Hotel Cebu City has 301 guestrooms which includes 22 suites and 19 executive level rooms. My family and I were given two deluxe rooms. Each room w...

Jun52012 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Cebu island hopping with Islands Banca Cruises

Blogging, Business, Cebu City, Consumer, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Resorts, Reviews, Society, Style, Tourism, Travel, Visayas

Ever wanted to tour Cebu islands in style? Here’s one Cebu adventure you must try! I have always wanted to go on a Cebu island hopping trip. Who hasn’t heard of the beauty of the Pandanon white sandbar as well as the rich and lovely marine life at both Gilutungan and Talima Marine Sanctuaries? Add to that the fact that I absolutely love to swim and snorkel. What best way to do all that but to go on an island hopping adventure in Cebu, right? Fortunately, my wish was granted just a few days ago, much thanks to Islands Banca Cruises. My recent Cebu island hopping adventure aboard Islands Banca Cruises was made possible by the generosity of Islands Group President and Chairman Jay Aldeguer and with the able assistance of Islands Banca Cruises marketing officer Jefferson Cruz. Islands Banca...

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...

Nov132010 by Mindanaoan Irene10 Comments

Cheap taxi at Mactan Cebu airport

Advocacy, Blogging, Business, Cebu City, Consumer, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Society, Tourism, Travel

I've been to Cebu City countless of times but I think I haven't shared yet one tried and tested travel tip: how to avail of cheap taxi service at the Mactan Cebu International Airport. By cheap I mean the regular, metered taxi service rate and not the fixed or coupon-type of taxi service rate. This tip is especially helpful for first time travelers to the Queen City of the South. But before that, let's talk a little bit about the Mactan Cebu International Airport. The airport, as the name suggests, is in Mactan Island - meaning it's NOT within Cebu City proper. Usually, it takes you about 20 to 30 minutes from downtown Cebu to reach the airport. To go to Mactan, you need to cross one of the two bridges that connect Cebu to Mactan - the Mactan-Mandaue bridge and the Marcelo Fernan bridge...

May242010 by Mindanaoan Irene8 Comments

Finally finding No Reservations Anthony Bourdain Cebu lechon – the Zubuchon!

Bisaya, Blogging, Business, Consumer, Culture, Features, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personal, Recipes, Reviews, Society

Apart from attending the Cebu Blog Camp 2010, another reason why I was looking forward to going back to Cebu City, the Queen City of the South, was the fact that I will finally have the chance to try the world-famous Zubuchon - yes, the very same Cebu lechon featured and praised by popular chef and travel show host Anthony Bourdain of "No Reservations." Ever since Anthony Bourdain featured it in "No Reservations" (one of the very few travel shows that my entire family loves to watch), we agreed to definitely try it once we have the chance to go back to Cebu. As we all know, Cebu lechon is already famous as it is but for a specific Cebu lechon to be featured as the Anthony Bourdain preferred Cebu lechon is another thing. A brief background first for the unitiated - Lechon or fire roas...

Mar132010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Nacionalista Party’s Grand Cebu City “Wowowillie” rally

Commentary, Controversial, Entertainment, Events, Features, Government, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Photos, Society

Mindanaoan had the chance to cover the uber grand "Wowowillie meets Manny Villar" rally in Cebu City recently. Yes, it was "Wowowee" and popular host Willie Revillame meet Nacionalista Party standard bearer Manny Villar, vice presidential candidate Loren Legarda and senatorial bets Atty. Adel Tamano, Gilbert Remulla, Bongbong Marcos, among others. I was personally curious as to how the show would go. Of course, it was obviously a political affair in the guise of a variety show. However, and I say this with all fairness, you could sense during the show that because Willie Revillame is an avid supporter of Manny Villar, the show had "heart" (Willie spoke spontaneously as he rallied support for Villar, Legarda and the senatorial candidates, he shared personal experiences, personal thoughts...

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...

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...