Cebu City Archives - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Jan222024 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

lyf Cebu, a colorful coliving space, is now open!

Business, Cebu City, Features, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Travel, Visayas

lyf Cebu City is now officially open and I was there during the grand launch! lyf Cebu officially swung open its doors on January 16, 2024 ushering in a new chapter of co-living and community-centric service. This colorful, comfortable and value-for-money property is developed by Cebu Landmasters INC., a Visayas-based firm, alongside Citadines Cebu City, Citadines Bacolod City, and Citadines Paragon Davao. Check out this video I made when I attended the grand launch of lyf Cebu: * You can also view the video here: Instagram: lyf Cebu TikTok: lyf Cebu Facebook: lyf Cebu https://youtube.com/shorts/maOr4wsCo_A?si=tMsgZnuimabbc-Z6 Strategically located at Tower 3, Base Line, lyf Cebu City serves as the perfect launchpad for guests to effortlessly explore the vibrant Qu...

Feb162018 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Quest Cebu Hotel joins Cagayan Travel Exchange, trip to Bali up for grabs

Cebu City, Corporate, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews

How fast time flies! It's been more than 5 years since I got invited to attend the grand launch of one of Cebu's finest hotels - Quest Cebu Hotel and Conference Center. Not only did the lovely folks over at Quest fly me to the Queen City of the South, they also accommodated the rest of my family. It was a grand vacation and we all loved our stay at Quest Hotel Cebu! You can read all about my Quest Hotel Cebu hotel review here. Meanwhile, I have good news! If you represent government agencies or private corporations in Cagayan de Oro or in neighboring areas, you can learn more about Quest Hotel during the Travel Exchange B2B Event on February 22, 2018. Organized by the Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association, the Cagayan Travel Exchange event will be held at Limketkai Luxe Hotel....

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! ...

Jun192015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Soul Refresh At Movenpick Hotel Mactan Cebu

Blogging, Cebu City, Features, Hotels, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Resorts, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

How do you say no to a weekend of flight via Philippine Airlines and 5-star accommodation, gastronomical pleasure and pampering via Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu? It was an invitation I just could not resist. Cool gift from Philippine Airlines @flypal #flypal #aviation #travel A photo posted by Mindanaoan.com Irene (@mindanaoan) on May 16, 2015 at 2:28am PDT Philippine Airlines, which is re-introducing its daily Cagayan de Oro-Cebu flights, recently flew Mindanaoan.com to the Queen City of the South to experience a specific kind of luxury - one that I could only describe as refreshing for one’s soul, mind and heart. It was a short but smooth and comfortable flight, the kind that you can only expect with the country’s flag carrier. I even checked-in online via PAL’s website...

Nov192014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Philippines to host Let’s Do It! Regional Conference 2014 for Asia

Advocacy, Cebu City, Events

A number of non-profit organizations, volunteers and delegates from all over Asia will gather in Cebu, Philippines on November 27 to 30, 2014 for the staging of the second Let’s Do It! Regional Conference for Asia. To open the conference on November 27, local cleanup movements, organizations and artists of the EcoArt Exhibit 2014 will be recognized and awarded at the Cebu City Hall, to be participated by more than 50 delegates all over Asia and Europe. Among the topics that will be discussed during the conference are the Let's Do It World experiences from different countries, team building, PR / communication, marketing / finances, logistics and mapping, identity of the project, Zero Waste and waste management in the future. The Regional Conference 2014 for Asia is organized ...

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...

Mar312013 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Speaking at the Social Media Influencers Summit 2013

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Cebu City, Education, Events, Features, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, News, Personal, Politics, Society, Technology

The main reason why I was in Cebu City several days ago was to speak at the Social Media Influencers Summit 2013, touted as the largest gathering of social media enthusiasts in the Visayas. It was truly an honor to be one of the speakers especially since the lineup boasted of a lot of prominent online and social media personalities as well as thought leaders like Maria Ressa (CEO of Rappler.com) and Leah Besa-Jimenez (SMART). The Social Media Influencers Summit 2013 was held at J Centre Convention Hall, J Centre Mall, Mandaue City. About 300 social media users attended the summit, which was organized by iNewMedia Online in cooperation with the Cebu Bloggers Society. Topics that day included community social media influencers at work (the stories behind the Iloilo Bloggers Society...

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 ...

Mar102013 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Join the Social Media Influencers Summit 2013 in Cebu City

Advocacy, Blogging, Cebu City, Events, Internet, Make Money Online, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News, Society, Technology, Visayas

Are you interested to learn all about the best social media practices in the Philippines from top industry leaders? Do you want to learn how you can maximize social media for your personal or business advancement? Do you want to know how you can promote social media responsibility and help set ethics and standards for social media users? Then join the Social Media Influencers Summit 2013 in Cebu City on March 16, 2013 (Saturday). iNewMedia Online in cooperation with Cebu Bloggers Society, Inc. (CBSi) is set to stage the Social Media Influencers Summit 2013 at JCentre Mall Convention Hall, Mandaue City, Cebu. The event is expected to gather more than 300 social media influencers and users. Maria Ressa, formerly of ABS CBN and now CEO of Rappler.com, will be the keynote speaker. Amo...

Feb32013 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Review: STK Ta Bai Sa Paolito’s Seafood House Cebu

Business, Cebu City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Visayas

My family and I spent Christmas 2012 in Cebu City. If you've been following my Mindanaoan blog for a while, you may have noticed that my family and I regularly go to the Queen City of the South - not only because one of my brothers is now based there but also because we have business connections and plainly because we just love Cebu! :) And whenever we're in town, I always see to it that we do, eat, try, discover something new. This time around, I heard about a homey, family-run restaurant located at the Cebu Capitol area that accordingly served reasonably priced sutukil. SuTuKil or STK stands for Sinugba (grilled), Tinola (soup) and Kinilaw (ceviche). So off we went to STK Ta Bai at Paolito's Seafood House along Orchid Street for dinner to see what the fuss was all about. STK Ta Bai...

Jan32013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Sinulog 2013 Schedule of Activities

Cebu City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Tourism

Finally, it's Sinulog Festival 2013 time! I attended the Sinulog 2010 and 2011 festivities - I only missed this Sinulog 2012 for some reason I no longer remember. Hmm. I think it was because I was already in the thick of preparing for the first ever Islamic Fashion Festival in Manila (I did PR, media and social media work :) ) and the Greatest Hits Tour featuring a1, Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees and Blue. Anyways, I'm pretty excited to attend the Sinulog 2013 festivities this time around. Sinulog is the biggest and grandest festival held annually in Cebu in honor of Patron Saint Santo Nino. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, devotees, tourists and visitors from all over the world come to the Queen City of the South to celebrate. My family and I were actually in Cebu City over the holid...

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...

Oct302012 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Coffee Dream Name That Mystery Drink Contest @CoffeeDreamCo

Cebu City, Contests, Features, Freebies, Internet, Recipes, Society

Who knew that an afternoon of coffee and conversation would result to this? During my trip to Cebu City a few weeks back, I, along with my brother Nathaniel of Tennis Guru and my friend Johnn of Focal Glass, visited the I.T. Park branch of Coffee Dream. Coffee Dream is one of my favorite coffee chains in the country. And with over 35 stores nationwide, it's easy to locate one nearest you. I also wanted to meet and chit chat with Coffee Dream owner (and Cebu provincial vice gubernatorial candidate, too!) Glenn Soco. It wasn't my first time to meet him, though. I've already met up with him and Anna a few times. If you want to know more about Sir Glenn, check out his official Facebook profile or his The Dream Online blog. Anyways, what was initially planned to be a brief meeting turn...

Oct112012 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Quest Hotel and Conference Center Cebu grand launch @QuestHotelCebu

Blogging, Business, Cebu City, Consumer, Corporate, Entertainment, Events, Features, Hotels, Leisure, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

What do you do when you receive an invitation to experience quite an "odyssey"? You say YES, my friends. Just say yes! And that's exactly what I did when the wonderful folks from Quest Hotel and Conference Center Cebu sent over an invitation for me to experience Odyssey - the Grand Launch Party of Quest Hotel Cebu - the newest addition to the hotel industry in Cebu City. The grand opening of Quest Hotel and Conference Center Cebu was held last September 20, 2012 at the hotel's all-day dining restaurant, Pusô Bistro & Bar. Guests were requested to come in purple or white. As soon as you enter the venue, which was embraced by purple lights, you'd immediately know that the night will be one for the books. Upbeat music was courtesy of Australian DJ Kristian Hernandez. To say t...

May252012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Cayman Islands In My Mind

Cebu City, Travel

I’m currently in Cebu City for a mini vacation. One that I feel I truly need and somehow deserve. I’ll tell you all more about my Cebu vacation but let me give you a little sneak peek: through the kind assistance of Cebu’s one and only Queen, Jude B., I’m doing an amazing hotel hop – Marco Polo Plaza, Waterfront Hotel and Casino Lahug, Radisson Blu Cebu, Islands Stay Cebu and Maribago Bluewater Resort Mactan. Exciting, huh? :) Although I do remember that someone sent me a message a few days ago. He asked that if I wasn’t in Cebu, where would I want to spend a vacation in and why? My quick answer? Cayman Islands. Yes, I know that to visit Cayman Islands and see the wonderful Cayman Islands Attractions sound a little bit far-fetched (for now!) but hey, a girl can dream, yes? :) I me...

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...

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...

Dec112010 by Mindanaoan Irene30 Comments

Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa Day Tour | What to do in Cebu

Blogging, Business, Cebu City, Consumer, Corporate, Features, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personal, Photos, Resorts, Reviews, Style, Tourism, Travel

Yes, the rumors are true. Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa is a beautiful paradise that you just have to visit at least once in your lifetime! :) I finally availed of the much-talked about Shangri-La Mactan day tour recently. I treated my brother so it was the two of us who had a grand time at Shangri-La Mactan Cebu. The Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa Day Tour rate, as of October 2010, is P2,500.00 per person (roughly US $65.00) - a bit expensive for many but I must say, our experience was worth every penny. From Cebu City proper (along Salinas Road, to be exact), we took a metered cab towards Mactan. Travel time was about half an hour, notwithstanding traffic. Fare was around P160 but I paid P200 - just to start the day right :) Here's what greeted us when we arrived at Shangri-La...

Dec62010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Review: Red Box Karaoke Ayala Cebu

Beauty, Business, Cebu City, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Reviews, Tourism

I finally had the chance to visit the much-talked about Red Box Karaoke located at G101, Garden Level of The Terraces (below Active Zone, just beside the fountain) at the Ayala Center Cebu, Cebu Business Park. I've been hearing a lot of praises about this new Cebu hangout - karaoke place in Cebu so when my Cebu City-based brother finally had one free weekend, we decided to go to Red Box Karaoke Cebu and try their primetime package. The Red Box Ayala Cebu primetime package is available from 7 PM up to 12 midnight. For only P299.00+ per head (P399.00+ on Fridays and Saturdays), you can enjoy TWO FREE drinks (drink choices: iced tea, soda, local beers, mineral water, hot tea and brewed coffee), access to the extensive song library composed of more than 100,000 songs and fully airconditione...

Nov302010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Hainanese White Chicken at Tsim Sha Tsui Ayala Terraces

Cebu City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Recipes, Reviews

This is a follow up of sorts to my earlier post about Tsim Sha Tsui Ayala Terraces. Apart from ordering hakao, stewed beef and my favorite quail egg siomai, my brother and I also ordered Hainanese White Chicken. I was craving for Hainanese Chicken Rice that day and good thing they served that at TST: My verdict? (more…)

Nov132010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Tsim Sha Tsui Ayala Terraces

Cebu City, Commentary, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Photos, Reviews

No, this time it's not the Tsim Sha Tsui district found in Hongkong (which I miss but will soon be in again come March 2011! Well, that's another post :D) We're talking about the Tsim Sha Tsui restaurant found at The Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu. Tsim Sha Tsui serves, quite obviously, Chinese cuisine. This Cebu restaurant is also known for their Dimsum Conveyor Buffet (an eat-all-you-can thingie for about P350.00 per head). Tsim Sha Tsui (pronounced as sim-shya-tswoy, according to Hongkies or Hongkong locals) is found at the second level of the Ayala Mall Cebu The Terraces. Anyways, on my first day in Cebu City, my brother and I had lunch at TST. And you know what this means. Food shots! The Hakao / Ha Kao / Hakaw or shrimp dumplings were juicy and delicious! (more…)

Nov122010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Off to Cebu City! Thank you Air Philippines for saving the day

Bisaya, Business, Cebu City, Features, Flights, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Travel

This is already almost too embarrassing to say considering what happened just a few weeks ago but really, my deep gratitude to the staff and crew of Air Philippines - Lumbia Airport, Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao. I was super late for my Cagayan de Oro to Cebu City flight but they still let me board. Now don't be alarmed, though. I wasn't late late. Let's just say that I didn't make the 45 minutes before the flight cut-off. My flight was at 12:50 PM and I arrived at the airport at 12:30 PM. I have a valid reason, though! I was in Bukidnon for the blogging workshop I organized and left a good 4 hours before my scheduled ETD. Unfortunately, the usual 2-hour trip from Malaybalay City, Bukidnon to Cagayan de Oro City became a 3 and a half hour ordeal, no thanks to an 18-wheeler tru...