davao blog Archives - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Oct292014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

That honest, taray Davao taxi driver story and things I learned when a post gets viral

Announcements, Davao City, Davao del Sur, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Musings

Hello, world. Yes, that was me. The person who posted that "taray Davao taxi driver" story on Facebook that got viral --- no, really, really viral --- was me. Google "Davao taxi driver," "taray Davao taxi driver" or "honest Davao taxi driver," chances are, most of the hits on the first page and Google images are about my post. (this is what SEO folks would die for!) And, like anybody whose post unknowingly attracted thousands of "likes," shares, retweets, reposts and comments from people around the world, I now have my own story to tell. I also learned a couple of lessons, both good and bad. Well, I want to focus on the good so trust me, there were more good than bad. Did I mention, though, that as a result, I received several TV and radio interview requests and hundreds of friend reque...

Jun262013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Dionne Warwick and the Tavares Live in Davao

Davao City, Events, Music, Society

Dionne Warwick Live in Davao! The singer behind well-loved songs like "I Say A Little Prayer For You," "I'll Never Love This Way Again," "Walk On By," "Do You Know The Way To San Jose" and "What The World Needs Now" will perform live in Davao City on July 21, 2013, 8 PM at the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premier, Davao City. The Dionne Warwick Live in Davao City concert will also feature the Tavares, an American R&B, funk and soul music group. Tickets to the Dionne Warwick Davao show are priced at Php 3,000, Php 2,500, Php 2000 and Php 1,000. If you're planning to watch the show, why not stay at the same hotel where the legendary singer will be? Seda Hotel Abreeza Davao is the official residence of Dionne Warwick. Check out the beautiful rooms, amazing amenities...

Jun212013 by Mindanaoan Irene9 Comments

Rivermaya band Davao radio tour and SM City Davao gig

Davao City, Davao del Sur, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Society, Videos

So a day before the big Rivermaya Live At Blue Room, Apo View Hotel Davao gig that I co-produced, the Rivermaya boys - Mark Escueta, Mike Elgar, Norby David and Ryan Peralta - performed first at SM City Davao for a pre-Independence Day gig. I was already in Davao City then, comfortably settled in my spacious executive deluxe room at the Apo View Hotel (which had a nice view of the pool, by the way - thanks so much, Apo View!) when I found out that the boys were supposed to have a Davao City radio tour before their scheduled performance at 5 PM at the SM City Davao Annex atrium. So I did what every Rivermaya fan worth her salt should - bug the Rivermaya band manager (hello Raymond! :D) and insist - without any hesitation or shame - that I tag along. Fortunately, Raymond was convinced tha...

Jun212013 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Co-producing a Rivermaya band gig at Blue Room, Apo View Davao

Announcements, Arts, Entertainment, Events, Features, Island Garden City of Samal, Leisure, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Musings, News, Radio, Society, Videos

Like most things that end up being hands-down epic, my being a co-producer of a recent Rivermaya band gig at Blue Room, Apo View Hotel Davao all started with two phone calls and a Facebook message. Yep. A phone call from the Rivermaya band manager, a phone call to a former classmate in Ateneo and a Facebook message to his cousin (who also happens to be a batchmate). That's all it took. A day and a half later, the Rivermaya Live At Blue Room, Apo View Hotel Davao City was a go. Things moved pretty quickly. My assistant and I were on the phone, calling a few friends who may want to sponsor the show. Fortunately, everyone we got in touch with all said yes. Who wouldn't? It's RIVERMAYA - the Banda ng Bayan - the very band responsible for the monster hits "Kisapmata," "Umaaraw, Umuulan," "Yo...

Apr262013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Davao Summerfest 2013 schedule of activities

Announcements, Davao City, Education, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Artists, News, Society, Sports

The much-awaited Davao Summerfest 2013 is set to officially kick off today, April 26, 2013. The opening program of the 2013 Davao Summer Fest, a festival of arts, culture and sports, is set to take place at the People's Park, right beside Apo View Hotel Davao. At least 1 Million pesos has been set aside as budget for this year's Davao Summerfest 2013. Various sports competitions, sports camps, clinics as well as musical events will comprise the Davao Summerfest 2013 schedule of activities. The summerfest is scheduled to go on until May 5, 2013. Click on the poster below for the official Davao Summerfest 2013 schedule of activities: (highlights include the 36th National Duckpin Bowling Tournament, football clinics, Ritmo Dabawenyo (music) and Mindana0-wide Cheerdance contest) ...

Apr242013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Announcement: Rivermaya band denies inclusion in Davao April 27, 2013 concert

Announcements, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Entertainment, Events, Music

You all know that I'm a big Rivermaya band fan and supporter. That's why I got pretty sad, disappointed and a bit angry, really, when I found out about this. Apparently, there are several tarps all around my hometown Davao City announcing Rivermaya's alleged inclusion in what's supposed to be a concert, purportedly dubbed as "Metro Davao Summer Slam," at the Davao Crocodile Park in Ma-a on April 27, 2013. As you can see from this poster below, the event even cited the inclusion of other popular bands like Parokya Ni Edgar, Chicosci, Typecast and Hilera. I did a quick scan of related announcements online and found out that the event has been heavily promoted online and even through Davao Crocodile Park's Facebook Page and through this Davao Crocodile Park-created Event Page. (please see ...

May92012 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Davao City bans plastic bags, styrofoam starting June 28, 2012

Advocacy, Announcements, Bisaya, Blogging, Business, Consumer, Controversial, Corporate, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Features, Food, Government, Headline, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personal, Society, Technology

YEY! I am so, so, sooo happy with this development! Congratulations Davao City! What an awesome move! I'm so proud of my hometown Davao City for finally, FINALLY deciding to put a ban against non-biodegradable plastic bags and styrofoam! Points for Mother Nature, environment and the start of the use of eco-friendly products :) I wonder, though, how the fastfood chains and other business establishments that use plastic bags and styrofoam will cope when the ban takes effect on June 28, 2012. Hmm. What do you think? Anyways, here's the news report from SunStar Davao: Non-biodegradable plastic bags and polystyrene foam as food and beverage containers will no longer be allowed in this city starting June 28, this year. Polystyrene foam is more commonly referred to as Styrof...

Nov112011 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Presenting the Starbucks Planner 2012 – Philippine edition

Announcements, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Corporate, Davao City, Features, Food

Last year, I was one of the proud owners of a super cool Starbucks Philippines Planner 2011. I loved, loved, loved using it - my Starbucks Planner 2011 went with me almost everywhere! I wrote a lot of ideas, plans, strategies and thoughts on my 2011 Starbucks planner. I even shared a lot of my hopes and dreams in that planner --- and thankfully, a lot came true! So you could just imagine how happy I was to know that the Starbucks Planner 2012 was finally out! Instead of the usual 3 designs, though, Starbucks Philippines has released 5 really pretty designs this year. The Starbucks Planner 2012 - Philippine edition comes in 5 wooden finishes namely Poplar, Bamboo, Cherry, Spruce, and Oak. Each Starbucks 2012 Planner also comes with a free sleeve, a bookmark and 9 different coupons tha...

Oct42011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: C5 Dormitel Davao City | Budget hotel Davao

Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

Looking for a cheap hotel in Davao City? If you need an affordable place to stay in Davao City, Mindanao, then you might want to consider a dormitel (dormitory + hostel/hotel). A dormitel may not have all the fancy amenities found in a hotel but it does offer the basics --- bed, washroom, shower, cable TV, aircon, wifi (in some cases). Just the right features for travelers who need a clean place to crash in and want value for their money. One Davao dormitel that you might want to check out is C5. Located along Roxas Avenue, C5 Dormitel Davao is just a block away from the Ateneo de Davao University campus along CM Recto. C5 Dormitel is also just a few steps away from the renowned Marco Polo Hotel Davao and the tourist favorite Aldevinco Shopping Mall. So location is pretty good. C5 Do...

Sep272011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Davao City launches “Life Is Here” tourism campaign

Advocacy, Announcements, Arts, Beauty, Bisaya, Blogging, Culture, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Features, Government, Headline, Leisure, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Tourism, Travel, Videos

Davao City has a new tourism campaign and I love, love, love it! The Davao City Government recently launched its "Davao - Life Is Here" tourism campaign and they used the Philippine Eagle as the tourism icon. To quote Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte: “What is it in Davao that we want to present to the market? We have the Philippine Eagle, we have the durian and pomelo. We go to Samal (beaches) for lunch or we go to Eden (Nature Resort) to picnic. These are the things we need to promote." As we all know, my hometown Davao City is also known for its annual Kadayawan Festival, Araw ng Davao festivities and its Summerfest! The new "Davao. Life Is Here" campaign reportedly cost Php 1.5 Million. Rey “Bai” Manginsay, a former Lanao del Norte resident, was tapped as creative co...

Aug152011 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Come, taste and experience the Davao Punch!

Beauty, BIMP-EAGA, Culture, Davao City, Features, Festivals, Headline, Humor, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Photos, Society, Style, Tourism

Tourists arriving in Davao City from August 11 to 21, 2011 will be welcomed not only with warm Dabawenyo hospitality but also with one swift, delicious PUNCH! Yes, folks, we welcome tourists with a PUNCH! Presenting the Davao Punch - a non-alcoholic mix of guava, pomelo and calamansi! Yum, yum, yum! Yes, yes, it's obviously a play on the recent controversy involving our Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte. For those who still do not know, Mayor Sara garnered a lot of attention after she PUNCHED a sheriff. But hey, doesn't this show the world we Dabawenyos have a sense of humor, too? Anyways, a chef from the Center for Culinary Studies Davao (CACS Davao) reportedly concocted this delicious drink that obviously has a kick! (thanks to the calamansi!) The Davao Punch was concocted in ...

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…)

May12011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

1st Davao Summerfest 2011

Announcements, Arts, Beauty, BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Culture, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Leisure, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music, News, Society, Sports, Style, Tourism, Travel

Here's another 1st from my hometown Davao City! The City Government of Davao, in cooperation with the Davao Association of Tour Operators and the Davao Tourism Association, will be holding the 1st Davao Summerfest from April 29 to May 29, 2011. The 1st Davao Summerfest was organized to address the need to hold an event during summer in Davao City, a season when the city receives the most number of tourists, as well as to complement the city’s existing major festivals — Araw ng Dabaw and the Kadayawan Festival. This year’s Summerfest will showcase a series of events that will focus on sports, eco-adventure, and entertainment for both visitors and locals to enjoy during the summer season. Blessed with “natural venues” for outdoor sports, the Summerfest will allow visitors to see...

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...

Nov42010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Where to eat in Davao City Mindanao – CTres Buffet Restaurant and Piano Bar

Blogging, Business, Davao City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism

More and more buffet places have been sprouting in my hometown Davao City, much to the delight of both Dabawenyo and non-Dabawenyo foodies. One of the buffet places in Davao City that has been receiving great reviews is CTres Buffet Restaurant and Piano Bar. CTres, by the way, is pronounced "seetres." Located along E. Palma Gil Street, Barrio Obrero (although a lot of people consider it part of Bajada), CTres serves buffet lunch and dinner everyday, even on Sundays. If you're planning to have dinner there, I highly suggest that you reserve a table as the place gets packed really quickly. I personally witnessed this. I went to CTres at around 6:30pm and there was only a lone vacant table. About two minutes after I got settled, I saw an entire barkada enter the joint and got disappointed ...

Aug72010 by Mindanaoan Irene7 Comments

If New York has yellow cabs, Davao City has violet taxis

Davao City, Features, Festivals, Society

Before anything else, let me emphasize that this isn't exactly breaking news. I've seen these types of taxis roam around Davao City but it's only over the weekend that I was able to take a photo. So here it is. One of the conspicuous violet taxis plying all around Davao City, Mindanao: If the Big Apple - New York - has yellow cabs, Dabaw has violet ones. Can't help but wonder if this will set a trend of some sort. Violet isn't a really bad choice, really. It represents vibrancy and violet is the color of some varieties of orchids (Davao is where a lot of flowers and orchids are in bloom especially this time of year!) (more…)

Feb22010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

BlogDavao.com – Davao’s blogging landscape at a glance!

Advocacy, Announcements, Bisaya, Blogging, Davao City, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Technology

Mindanaoan is super excited to share this great piece of news with you all! As you know, I'm a very proud Dabawenya and I promote Davao City as much as I can and in any way possible. One of the ways that I do this is to blog about my hometown Davao (but of course!). Fortunately, I'm not the only one who loves to write about the world's most livable city. There are a lot of other Davaoenos who are as eager to share updates, news, photos and even the latest chismis about Davao as I am! :D Presenting BlogDavao.com - the most comprehensive aggregator site of Davao-based blogs. Blog Davao features Davao's blogging landscape at a glance! What's great about this site is that you can easily find so many Davao-based blogs and quickly access the entries that may catch your fancy. BlogDav...

Aug122009 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Davao City Deca Wakeboard Park to open on August 28, 2009

Announcements, Business, Corporate, Davao City, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, News, Resorts, Sports, Tourism

Experience beyond the ride! That's what the soon-to-open Deca Wakeboard Park in Davao City, Mindanao promises! And on August 28, 2009, sports enthusiasts will have their first taste of the fun of wakeboarding as Deca Wakeboard Park - Davao opens its doors...and just in time for the Kadayawan Festival 2009! Located at Deca Homes Resort Residences at Brgy. Tacunan, Mintal, Davao City, this wakeboarding complex in Mindanao, which aims to be the largest in the whole of Southeast Asia, will definitely provide a big boost to the local tourism industry. So who says that there's not much to do in Mindanao? For the uninitiated, wakeboarding is a surface water sport wherein a person uses a wakeboard (this one’s smaller than a surfboard but a little bit bigger than a skateboard) over the sur...