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

Dec102014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Be a part of the CDO Bloggers Christmas outreach project

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Features, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Society, Technology

In 2011, the Cagayan de Oro Bloggers trekked to the city's farthest barangay. It's so far that it would take you 2 to 3 hours of land travel aboard a dump truck, with the possibility of sharing that ride with animals, vegetables and other produce and lots of other people. The dump truck transpo also only operates once a week. In other words, it can be quite an experience to travel to Besigan, Barangay Cadayunan, CDO, where there's no electricity, no paved roads, lots of school children who barely have school supplies and families who would most likely be very thrilled to receive Noche Buena packs this Christmas. Would you like to be a Santa Claus this year and help out? We can bring your gifts for them on your behalf. Mindanaoan (who is currently the Vice President for External Affairs ...

Dec292013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Havaianas Holiday 2013 Collection

Cagayan de Oro City, Fashion, Features, Mindanaoan Artists, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Society, Style

As a certified Havaianatico, I always get really excited whenever Havaianas releases new designs. And this Christmas season is no different! Havaianas is bringing more joy and happy memories as they release the new and stylish Havaianas 2013 Holiday Collection! What's also great about this is that Spruce, my favorite go-to place for everything Havaianas, is carrying these styles. Their sister store, All Flip Flops, also has these pretty Havaianas Christmas designs! Brought by inspiration from conventional trends and infused with a modern twist comes the military-inspired Havaianas Camuflada, geometric-styled Havaianas Trend, ever-savvy Havaianas Slim Fresh and the quintessential Havaianas Striped styles. Lovely colors, right? Ready to treat yourself t...

Dec262013 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Merry Christmas from Bamboo and Mindanaoan.com

Announcements, Features, Mindanaoan Update

Merry Christmas to all of my dear Mindanaoan.com readers, subscribers, followers! I sincerely hope that you had a meaningful and blessed Christmas. For me, Christmas is when you realize that you have so many things to be thankful for and that there are many things money simply cannot buy. Christmas is a great reminder that the basic things in life are truly the most important. What about you? What does Christmas mean to you? :) I also have an extra thing to be thankful for this Christmas. Someone I admire sent me a very sweet video message congratulating me for my recent win as Mindanao Blogger of the Year 2013 and Best Lifestyle Blog awardee ! Hi Bamboo :) [yes, my face is a little beet red right now *blush*] Bamboo made this cute fan sign, too! Super special thanks to ...

Dec252012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Malipayong Pasko from Mindanaoan.com!

Mindanaoan Update

Merry Christmas, folks! Or in what we say in my area in Mindanao - Malipayong Pasko! Merry Christmas to all of you - malipayong Pasko kaninyong tanan :) I'm writing this from Cebu City - where one of my brothers now work. My entire family is here in Cebu right now to celebrate Christmas with my brother. It's such a blessing that he doesn't have work on the 24th and 25th - so at least my family will be complete on those days. He goes back to work on the 26th, see. My other two brothers will be back in Mindanao on the 26th while my mother and I will be home come 30th. It'll be quite a rough goodbye since we won't see my brother again in a while. Parting is such sweet sorrow in cases like these. Anyways, our Christmas Eve was loads of fun. Loads of laughter, overflowing food, movie mara...

Dec202012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Christmas: How it Came To Be

Arts, Beauty, Culture, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Society

Curious about the history of Christmas? The history of how Christmas came to be is pretty interesting, if you ask me. This article will shed light into the annual tradition we know as the Yuletide season. If you want to know more about Christmas, then read on. Basically Christmas is that one special day for Christians to come together to remember, commemorate, and celebrate the birth of their savior, Jesus Christ. Let’s just say it’s like a birthday, only, it’s the birthday of that special one who is mainly the reason why we are here in this world. As we consider it as a birthday of some sort, it is, of course, celebrated annually and can also easily be associated to events like the Nativity, which most Churches would re-enact during masses on the eve of the event; gift giving within fa...

Dec52011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

CDO Christmas Bazaar at Magsaysay Park Divisoria

Announcements, Arts, Beauty, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Corporate, Fashion, Food, Gifts, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Shopping

Christmas activities here and there! Have you done your Christmas shopping yet? I've already finished my initial Christmas shopping tasks but you guys know how it is during Christmas --- nothing's ever enough! It's the season for good food, time with family and friends, merriment and loads and loads of shopping trips! This season, why not hunt for bargains in the second “CDO CHRISTMAS BAZAAR – Handog Pamasko sa Kagay-an” at the Magsaysay Park, Divisoria. The Christmas bazaar will formally open on December 9, 2011. The Christmas bazaar, which will kick off with a variety show featuring local talents and artists, is a joint project of the Cagayan de Oro City local government and select students of the School of Business and Management - Xavier University. This CDO Christmas bazaar activit...

Nov162010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Giant christmas tree at SM City Cebu

Cebu City, Features, Gifts, Internet, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Shopping, Society

Christmas is really in the air! Don't you just love the Yuletide season? In Mindanao, a lot of people bring out those Christmas decors as early as October but most really get into the spirit after All Souls' Day (November 2). In 2008, my Mindanaoan blog featured this Christmas Tree found at People's Park, Davao City, Mindanao. In 2009, Mindanaoan featured the Christmas Trees found at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay and at Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao. And to officially welcome Christmas 2010, I present to you a photo I took of the giant Christmas Tree found at the Northwing of SM Cebu: Pretty nice, eh? By the way, I would like to invite you to check out my very first Christmas blog! MyChristmasGiftGuide.com is where you can read all about Christmas, Christmas symbols and ornam...

Dec252009 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Christmas is in the air at SM Mall of Asia

Beauty, Blogging, Business, Consumer, Corporate, Events, Features, Gifts, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Photos, Society, Style, Travel

So yes, Mindanaoan was in Metro Manila for two days. Hence, the obvious lull here in my humble blog. My two-day Manila trip was a surprise Christmas gift from two very special friends whom you'll learn more about in the next few days. Needless to say, the trip was the most expensive one I received this year...and the sweetest impromptu gift, I must admit. For now, I'd like to share some of the shots I took last December 23, 2009 at SM Mall of Asia, considered the 3rd largest mall in the world. Truly, the festive Christmas spirit can be felt at MOA! I did a little bit of Christmas shopping there, watched "Avatar" at IMAX 3D theater, ate at a relatively new restaurant and bought Krispy Kreme for pasalubong. I wanted to visit Trinoma, too, but 2 days just isn't enough! Anyways, he...

Jan22009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Lighted Christmas tree in Divisoria Cagayan de Oro

Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanaoan Update, Photos

I've been so preoccupied during the holiday season that I now only had the chance to post this picture! Well, better late than never, eh? :) Here's a picture that I took of the large Christmas tree found in Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. I took this on a Friday, which coincidentally was also "Night Cafe" day in CDO. "Night Cafe" is a regular Friday and Saturday event in the City of Golden Friendship. Most roads within the Divisoria area are closed to traffic and various vendors put up shop along the streets. So without further ado - here's the lighted Christmas tree. Pretty, yes?

Dec242008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Malipayong Pasko kaninyong tanan!

Mindanaoan Update, Personal

From my family to yours - Merry Christmas! (Malipayong Pasko) I hope the past year has been fruitful, peaceful and definitely merry for you and your family. My 2008 has been (and still is!) amazing - I have traveled to more places this year, attended more events and festivals around Mindanao, met more interesting people around the Philippines and tried my hand on more things such as photography, white water rafting and Photoshop dabbling! I intend to continue this amazing journey next year, 2009 - the Year of the Ox. Hopefully, I will travel even farther, increase my list of friends, meet more people, help more strangers, hone my talents more and just become a well-rounded, warmer, more confident, more courageous person. Expect bigger things here in Mindanaoan as well! Once again, Merry...

Dec232008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Bukidnon provincial government employees receive P50,000 Christmas bonus

Bukidnon, Controversial, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News

So how much did you receive as Christmas bonus this year? If you think your ten or twenty thousand pesos is already a big amount, think again. Government employees in Bukidnon received fifty thousand pesos for their bonus this December. Yes, Provincial Government of Bukidnon (PGB) employees received P50,000.00 each (more than a thousand US dollars) this year. Don't be too surprised, though, because the said amount is actually LESSER than what the regular Bukidnon provincial government employees received last year. The year 2007 saw each and every regular provincial government of Bukidnon employee receiving a staggering eighty thousand pesos (P80,000.00) Interestingly, some of my friends working in the PGB said that the P50,000.00 still wasn't enough. They said that they still have to...

Dec232008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Busy Christmas shoppers flock to Gaisano Mall Davao

Consumer, Davao City, Mindanaoan Update, Photos

Have you been to Gaisano Mall of Davao lately? Because I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say that you will never think there's a financial crisis going on when you see the throngs of Christmas shoppers in that mall. Actually, the scenes in other malls aren't different either. A lot of Dabawenyo Christmas shoppers are also busy checking out the Christmas sales in SM Davao, Chimes, 168 Mall Davao, NCCC Mall, Times Square and in other shopping centers around Davao City, Mindanao. I also spotted a lot of people along San Pedro Street (does anybody remember Mantex? What about A & M?) Anyways, here are some photos I took over the weekend when my family and I bought some gifts at G-Mall: See? You can't help but wonder, "Crisis? What crisis?" I guess CRISIS-mas isn't "uso" in Pin...

Dec202008 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Two of my most favorite Visayan Christmas carols

Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personal

Kasadya Ni-ining Takna-a and Ani-a Kami are two of my most favorite Visayan Christmas carols. These songs bring back so many childhood memories - from my father cradling me on his lap to the glee clubs which want to raise money for their groups by singing Christmas carols around our subdivision to the children who bring their homemade musical instruments. I bet all Mindanaoans, Visayans and even Luzonians love these songs! Just in case you're also in the mood to sing Christmas carols, here are the lyrics of Kasadya Niining Takna and Ania Kami: KASADYA NIINING TAKNA-A Kasadya niining taknaa Dapit sa kahimayaan, Mao ra’y among nakita Ang panagway nga masanagon. Bulahan ug bulahan Ang tagbalay nga gi-awitan, Awit nga halandumon Sa tanang Pasko, magmalipayon. Bag-ong tuig, bag...

Dec92008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Secret ways to cut down on holiday gift spending

Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Society

We definitely love to get a good bargain on great items this coming holiday season, considering that the world is currently facing an economic crisis. A feature on “Good Morning America Weekend” should help you on saving up on holiday gift spending. • Purchase refurbished items: Trustworthy sites such as Sony, Amazon, Apply and Best Buy reportedly offers refurbished products. These are still in very good condition and can be bought at lesser price. The good thing is that these sites offer full refunds and return periods just like when you buy new items. In this case, rely on a reputable retailer rather than those fly-by-night sites. • Buy gifts in bulk: Chances are, you will get a great discount for buying a lot of items in your preferred retail store. Check out the store’s gift pack...

Nov272008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Top 5 tips on Christmas gift shopping

Advocacy, Consumer, Mindanaoan Update, Musings

A U.S. survey recently revealed that the consumers are setting aside an average of $832 just for Christmas shopping this year. However, due to the global financial crisis, the said amount may seem too expensive or steep. Financial experts say that one doesn’t have to overspend this holiday season. Seriously, there's no need to overspend on perfect presents! Here are the top 5 tips I can share on Christmas gift shopping: 1. Make a written plan: Be realistic when it comes to how much you can spend for the holiday gifts. As much as possible, don't allot more than you can afford! 2. Spend on sentimental gifts: Gifts such as picture frames with memorable photos will be for sure more valuable for the recipient. A personalized scrapbook highlighting your travel photos for this year will ...

Nov222008 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Huge Christmas tree at SM Mall of Asia

Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Tourism

Took this picture of the huge Christmas tree found in what's considered as the third largest shopping mall in the world, SM Mall of Asia (MOA). It's a pretty Christmas tree - it had lots of trimmings such as Christmas balls and stars, large gifts at its foot and loads of Christmas lights. The tree is located right in front of the French Baker branch and right beside the mini castle at the Entertainment Hall section of the Main Mall. I'm not too sure if this Christmas tree is larger than the one in Cubao, though. What do you think of MOA's Christmas tree? By the way, I found it rather interesting to see a lot of families milling around and about MOA that day. You see, we went there on a Tuesday morning, which is supposed to be work day, yes? Makes you hope that the parents went t...