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

Feb202021 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

LOOK: New Coca-Cola manufacturing plant in Davao

Business, Corporate, Davao City, Davao del Sur

Coke has a new manufacturing plant in the Philippines and it's located in Mindanao! Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI), the bottling arm of Coca-Cola in the Philippines, recently unveiled at its Davao del Sur plant its most advanced manufacturing line for returnable glass bottles (RGB) in the country. The new RGB line has a greater production capacity—further improving on the Company’s service to its customers and contributing to the bid to spur local and national economic recovery. “Our investments in 2020 went into ensuring that we can continue to care for our people, secure jobs, and expand our operations, particularly in the Mindanao region,” said Gareth McGeown, CEO and President of CCBPI during the inauguration. He added, “With this new line, we celebrate a miles...

Feb282020 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Speaking at Camera Club of Davao’s 37th anniversary

Advocacy, Blogging, Davao City, Events, Features, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Social Media, Technology

One of my deepest advocacies is to help share the good news about the power of social media and blogging. I try to do this by volunteering, being generous with my time and sharing my first-hand experience as much as I can. Even when I was still in New York, I had the privilege to share my insights and tips via #GoSocial. Speaking about social media for social good is one of my natural highs. I will always be grateful for each and every opportunity. So you could just imagine how thrilled I was to receive an invitation to be the keynote speaker during the 37th charter anniversary of the Camera Club of Davao, the oldest and most respected photography club in Davao City. It was truly an honor not only because they're THE CCD but also because it meant heading back home to the city I was...

Oct112013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Davao fruit shopping with Rivermaya @rivermayaband

Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Musings, Personalities, Shopping, Society, Tourism

Was scanning my files earlier today and I found these! Very timely - since my Rivermaya band boys are currently in Dubai as of this writing and I miss them :) I will be in Manila in a few days, actually, but I'm not sure if I could watch any of their gigs. Oh well, c'est la vie. Anyway, here's the kuwento behind these photos. Hours before that Rivermaya Live In Davao show I co-produced with Apo View Hotel and The Blue Room not too long ago, Explore Davao treated Rivermaya band members Mark Escueta, Mike Elgar, Norby David and Ryan Peralta, the Rivermaya band management (led by Raymond) and I to a fun Samal Island trip! The boys looked pretty excited that morning :) Of course, what good is a beach/island outing without baon? Davao Congressman Karlo Nograles and his lovely wife ...

Oct12013 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mindanaoan.com is a finalist in the 2013 Mindanao Blog Awards

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Features, Internet, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Society, Technology

Hi everyone! So excited to share with you all a piece of good news. My humble blog, Mindanaoan, has officially been recognized as a finalist in the Mindanao Blog Awards 2013 (MBA 2013)! Woot woot! Mindanaoan.com is one of the Best Lifestyle Blog 2013 finalists :) You can find the official announcement here. Thank you so much, daghang salamat gyud kaayo to everyone who voted in order for Mindanaoan to be among the finalists. There will still be a final round of voting (I hope I can still count on your support ;) ) but win or lose, I am already extremely proud and grateful! Thank you :) I remember when I won the Best Lifestyle Blog award in the 2010 Philippine Blog Awards and became a national finalist in the 2011 leg. The recognitions truly inspired me to help more people understa...

Aug72013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Photos: Korean stars in Davao to shoot “No Breathing” movie

Mindanaoan Update

Here's proof that Davao City is indeed safe and picturesque! Korean stars Lee Jong-Suk, Seo In-Guk and Park Jeong Cheol as well as South Korean film producers and crew are currently in my hometown Davao City to shoot a film entitled "No Breathing." The local government of Davao even threw a welcome party for these popular South Korean actors. Department of Tourism Regional Director Art Boncato said in this article (originally written by my friend Rudolph of the PIA) that Davao City was the film producers' FIRST CHOICE! They visited Manila, Cebu and Davao. Apparently, the film producers were impressed by Davao City's cleanliness and the abundance of natural resources plus the hospitality of the Dabawenyos. Woohoo! Davao City will have about 15 minutes of exposure in "No Breathing." I ...

Jul152013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

South Border Band Back To The Roots 20th Anniversary

Announcements, Davao City, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music

Anybody who truly knows me knows that my most favorite Filipino band is South Border. I love, love, LOVE them! Not only do I admire them as talented artists but I also appreciate them as humble, wonderful people. They're also fun to work with. Very professional and really know their craft. And for that, I have the highest respect for them. Even when Jay Durias did his special solo project, I still fully supported them. They've already become my friends. In a few days, I will be on enthusiastic South Border fan mode again as the band celebrates its 20th anniversary in the music industry. Can you believe it? It's been 20 long years! Wow :) To celebrate their two amazing decades as premiere Filipino artists of our time, South Border will hold a special 8-venue bar tour starting thi...

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...

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 ...

Mar202013 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Singapore Math Learning Festival in Davao City

Campus, Corporate, Davao City, Events, News, Society

The methods of teaching these days have really changed. Gone are the days of traditional ways of teaching subjects - especially those that most students do not particularly like. Take Math, for instance. Back when I was still in school, I could only probably count with one hand the people in my batch who liked it. These days, though, with newer, fresher and more unique ways of teaching Math, kids will understand it, love it and appreciate it a thousand times more than I did. One of the novel methods of teaching Math nowadays is Singapore Math. The Ministry of Education in Singapore developed a Math curriculum and framework that has resulted in top ranking results of Singapore students in various examinations. Because of the great results, Singapore Math is now also taught in the Philipp...

Dec72012 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

What A Girl Wants Davao Young Ambassadors of Style 2012

Beauty, Blogging, Consumer, Davao City, Fashion, Mindanaoan Update, Style

Young and stylish Dabawenyos will be launched as What A Girl Wants (WAGW) Davao Young Ambassadors of Style 2012 on Saturday, December 8, 2012, 4 PM to 7 PM at the WAGW Ayala Abreeza Mall branch. The Young Ambassadors of Style is an annual selection of Davao City's fresh, new faces and stunning style setters. This year, the WAGW Davao Young Ambassadors of Style are stylish Milen Aquino, Lorenzo Rabat and CCia Ang. Along with the launch, What A Girl Wants Davao will also offer a very special 20 percent discount on all products. The discount will also apply on What A Girl Wants...For Her Man's collections. The discount will only apply on December 8, 4 to 7 PM. Great reason for you to start your Christmas shopping, right? :) Visit the What A Girl Wants (WAGW) boutique at the 2nd L...

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

Marco Polo Davao City Fright Run 2011

Mindanaoan Update

Here's one interesting event in Davao City Mindanao that you might want to join! Marco Polo Davao, one of Davao City's premiere hotels, is organizing the Marco Polo Davao City Fright Run 2011! This Halloween running event will be held on October 30, 2011. It's a truly unique and exciting fun run you wouldn't want to miss! The following are the prizes at stake: Those who will come and participate in the Marco Polo fun run Halloween in their most creative Halloween costumes or masks can stand the chance to win Overnight Stay at Marco Polo Davao as well as dining certificates. Individual Category (4K Male and Female): 1st place – Php2,000.00 2nd place – Php1,500.00 3rd place – Php1,000.00 Individual Category (8k Male and Female) : 1st place – Php3,000.00 2nd place – Php2,000....

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 ...

Aug132011 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Kadayawan Festival 2011 Access Pass guidelines

Mindanaoan Update

It's Kadayawan Festival 2011 season in Davao City, Mindanao these days. Unfortunately, if you think you can just take your award-winning photos especially during the Indak Indak sa Kadalanan Parade (street dancing) or the Pamulak (floral float parade) just like that, then you're in for a big surprise. This year, the Kadayawan Festival 2011 organizers (Duaw Davao Festival Foundation) have drawn new guidelines for...hold your breath...an access pass. Something pretty similar to what the Sinulog organizers in Cebu have done/are doing. I'm not sure if Davao is ready for this, though. Anyways, please read and kindly share your comments/thoughts about this below: MEDIA If you are affiliated with a media network: 1. Send your full name, company (TV, print, radio) to duawdavao@gmail...

Jul252011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Look where Airphil Express is taking Mindanaoan!

Blogging, Cebu City, Consumer, Corporate, Features, Flights, Hongkong, Leisure, Macau, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Reviews, Shopping, Society, Tourism, Travel

A few days ago, this blogger in Mindanao received an invitation from Airphil Express. The invitation came a few weeks after my brother, cousins and I flew to Singapore and Malaysia (yes, yes, I flew there again :) If you guys remember, I treated my mom to a special mother-daughter trip abroad last February 2011) aboard --- quite coincidentally --- Airphil Express :) It was an invitation that was very hard to turn down --- it was a chance for me to be on board the special maiden flight of Airphil Express' Cebu to Hong Kong route! Yes, folks, Airphil Express now has Cebu to Hong Kong flights! Now, Hong Kong is more accessible not only for people in the Visayas but for fellow Mindanaoans as well. I'm pretty excited with this Hong Kong trip. This will be my third time in beauti...

May192011 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Zest Air launches Manila to Cagayan de Oro, Manila to Zamboanga, Manila to Davao flights

BIMP-EAGA, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Corporate, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Flights, Leisure, Manila, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Tourism, Travel, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

Zest Air Philippines, formerly Asian Spirit, will soon offer Manila to Cagayan de Oro (and vv), Manila to Zamboanga (and vv) as well as Manila to Davao City (and vv) flights! While this sounds promising especially for Mindanao tourism, I'm not sure if the dissatisfied customers of Zest Airways will be excited about this. Remember what happened to fellow bloggers Winston (a.k.a. Batang Yagit) and Conrad Miguel? Their horrible, horrible experiences with Zest Air airlines has left a really bad taste in the mouth and I have tried so hard to avoid booking Zest Air flights like the plague! I would rather pay extra than avail of Zest Air promo flights and undergo a mind numbing 16 hour delay!!! BUT!!! if only to let you guys know that yes, Zest Air airways will soon land on Mindanao soil and (...

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…)