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

Apr62022 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

GCash now offers fast, secure ways to buy crypto

Business, Corporate, Internet, Technology

To provide Filipinos more convenient, secure and innovative digital financial solutions amid the ever-evolving digital age, GCash, the country’s leading mobile wallet, now enables users to conveniently buy cryptocurrency or crypto, a digital or virtual currency that is secured by cryptography, at very affordable rates across popular crypto exchanges such as Binance, Philippine Digital Assets Exchange (PDAX), and Paxful, with many more to be added soon. “With the continued expansion of the digital age, it’s vital for financial institutions like GCash to keep up with the trends and customers’ preferences, like cryptocurrency. And at GCash, we are doing just that to further enhance the customers' experience and enable them to power up their finances for better lives. GCash will also conti...

Nov22016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

I’m heading to Blogapalooza 2016

Blogging, Mindanaoan Update, Technology

I'm pretty stoked to be in Manila this weekend for Blogapalooza 2016! Blogapalooza is the Philippines' first and largest B2B: Business-to-Blogger networking and marketing event and this year, it will be held on November 5, 2016, 10 AM to 8 PM at Novotela Manila Araneta Center, Quezon City. Themed "Charting the Uncharted: Horizons 2.0," Blogapalooza 2016 is extra special this year because several representatives from Visayas and Mindanao blogging communities will also be in attendance. If you're a Filipino blogger, I highly recommend that you sign up for Blogapalooza. It's totally FREE! For business owners, you will also benefit from this event as it will allow you to connect to bloggers directly. You can increase your profit with the help of rich content from bloggers and you can ...

Jul112016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

The new Globe Telecom content partners – absolutely exciting!

Announcements, Blogging, Broadcasting, Business, Consumer, Corporate, Entertainment, Events, Features, Internet, Leisure, Manila, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Movies, Music, Musings, News, Personalities, Society, Style, Technology, Television

A few days ago, Globe Telecom flew me to Manila (the only blogger from Mindanao!) to witness very special events – the Manila debut of the Tony Award-winning musical, “American Idiot,” (which they co-produced), the announcement of their new international content partners and the creation of Globe Studios and Globe Live (which are designed to produce original shows, exciting live events and engaging world-class content). And I must tell you – if you’re a Globe subscriber, there’s so much to look forward to! The hashtags used during the Globe event were #WWGX and #TheNextAttraction The hosts that day were Xian Lim and Coleen Garcia Aside from their partnerships with Spotify, HOOQ and NBA, Globe is also the first mobile and broadband Philippine ...

Jun52016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Covering Senator Migs Zubiri’s oathtaking ceremony

Advocacy, Blogging, Bukidnon, Events, Government, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News, Politics, Society

What was supposed to be a self-imposed, much-needed vacation last June 4, 2016 in Bukidnon turned into a mini "working holiday" when my good friend Bobby of Rappler told me that he and other Cagayan de Oro media friends were in Malaybalay City to cover the oathtaking of returning Senator Juan Miguel "Migs" Zubiri. Apparently, I've been living under a rock because I wasn't even aware that Sir Migs was taking his oath that day! Eep. Anyways, I knew I couldn't pass up that chance to witness Sir Migs as he takes his oath as comebacking Senator. Plus I would've missed this scene - Sir Migs as he personally checked his speech and made final touches: READ: Full text of Senator Migs Zubiri's oathtaking speech In 2007, I remember writing the banner headline story of him running for the...

Feb112015 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

PHOTOS: Vice Ganda Joins Kaamulan Bukidnon celebration

Bukidnon, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Kaamulan Festival, Mindanaoan Update, Photos

Took these photos of Vice Ganda during the 2014 Kaamulan Festival slash 100th Founding Anniversary of Bukidnon. Just like the print on Vice Ganda's shirt, "Sorry I'm bad" because I only shared these now :D Anyway, Vice performed right after Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla (KathNiel loveteam). I also have photos of the KathNiel loveteam HERE. The show happened last September 1, 2014 at the Capitol Grounds, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. Aside from Vice Ganda, Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo, host and club owner Tim Yap was also there. I was granted VIP access so was able to take these shots. Thank you to Tim, Direk Javi and to Senator Migs Zubiri! * Used my trusty Nikon D40 DSLR with 18-200mm lens. Yes, I know, I need a new cam! ...

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 ...

Oct312013 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Mindanaoan is 2013 Mindanao Blogger Of The Year

Advocacy, Agriculture, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, America, Announcements, ARMM, Arts, Bacolod City, Banks, Basilan, Beauty, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, Bislig, Blogging, Broadcasting, Bukidnon, Business, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Campus, Caraga, Cebu City, Commentary, Compostela Valley, Consumer, Contests, Controversial, Corporate, Cotabato, Culture, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Dipolog, Education, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Flights, Food, Freebies, General Santos City, Gifts, Government, Headline, Hongkong, Hotels, Humor, Iligan City, Internet, Island Garden City of Samal, Jobs, Journalism, Kaamulan Festival, Koronadal, Kuala Lumpur, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Leisure, Macau, Maguindanao, Make Money Online, Malaybalay City, Malaysia, Manila, Marawi City, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Movies, Music, Musings, Muslim Mindanao, Negros Occidental, News, North Cotabato, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Ozamis, Pagadian, Personal, Personalities, Photos, Politics, Radio, Recipes, Religion, Resorts, Reviews, Sarangani, Shenzhen, Shopping, Sindangan, Singapore, Society, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sports, Style, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacurong, Tangub City, Tawi Tawi, Technology, Television, Tourism, Travel, United States of America, Videos, Visayas, Weddings, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

It still feels a bit surreal, truth be told. Winning the 2013 Mindanao Blogger Of The Year award and the Best Lifestyle Blog award during the Mindanao Blog Awards 2013 held last October 26, 2013 in Davao City was the farthest thing from my mind. I was there to meet my blogger friends, have a good time, maybe drink a cocktail or two and cheer for other finalists. My mindset that night was (and I actually wrote this days before the finals): Win or lose, you are a champ. What's important is that you did your best in letting more people understand and appreciate the power of social media and blogging in sparking more conversations, making better communities and harnessing better understanding. Social good, folks. Only the good. So when my name was called, you could just imagine my shock. Yup...

Oct22013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Why I’m promoting Britney Spears’ new Work Bitch video

Announcements, Blogging, Entertainment, Events, Features, Headline, Internet, Personal, Technology, Videos

So have you watched the "Work Bitch" new video of Britney Spears? It was launched today, October 2, 2013 (October 1 in the U.S.) You can watch the video below :) So let me make this quick. Let me give you 5 quick reasons as to why I'm helping promote Britney Spears' new music video for her new song "Work Bitch." 1. Because I think she's a talented, amazing pop superstar! Regardless of those "dark episodes" in her life (don't we all have those anyway?), she has sold millions of albums, filled so many stadiums around the world and made all of us dance! 2. Because I used to do Britney Spears-related stuff (fortunately, not related to song and dance ;) )! You see, back when I was still starting out as an online worker, I wrote Britney Spears-related content. I can't divulge the specif...

Jul92012 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Make Your Own Havaianas 2012 CDO leg – come with?

Beauty, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Events, Fashion, Features, Gifts, Mindanaoan Update, Style

Make Your Own Havaianas 2012 Cagayan de Oro edition! Yes, it's that time of year again! How fast time flies, eh? The much-awaited Make Your Own Havaianas 2012 CDO Northern Mindanao leg is set to happen on August 17 to 19, 2012, 10 AM onwards at the Rotunda area of Limketkai Mall, Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. Who wants to come with me? :) I don't know about you but I'm pretty excited about this one! This will be my FOURTH time to join these fun-filled MYOH events. My very first Make Your Own Havaianas event was in 2009. That pair of flip flops is still, to this day, one of my favorite pairs. For the uninitiated, Make Your Own Havaianas events is where you can create or customize your very own pair of Havaianas flip flops :) I also joined the Make Your Own Havaianas 2010 and...

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...

May92012 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Review: Annebisyosa in Cagayan de Oro concert

Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Reviews

Thanks to our super generous and lovely friends over at Airphil Express, I had the chance to watch the Annebisyosa in Cagayan de Oro concert a.k.a. Anne Curtis Live in CDO show last May 5, 2012. Fresh from witnessing first hand the signing of MOU between these congressmen and GK as well as the actual building of the homes for Typhoon Sendong victims (the congressmen used their own money for the homes, by the way! :) ), I, along with a few other blogger-friends, was treated to the Annebisyosa concert in CDO by Airphil Express, the fastest growing airline in the Philippines. The Annebisyosa in Cagayan de Oro City concert featured Anne Curtis (of course) and her guests Luis Manzano, Rachelle Ann Go and one of my favorite comedians Jon Santos! Now I must be honest - I was a bit ap...

Apr282012 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Photos: Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees Live In Manila

Blogging, Entertainment, Events, Features, Manila, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Photos

If you're one of my regular readers here on Mindanaoan.com, chances are you'd know that I helped out during the highly successful a1, Jeff Timmons and Blue Live In Manila concert last February 2012 in Manila, Philippines. I helped promote it not only through this site but in other sites as well including via social networking websites. (which reminds me, if you're not following me yet, please do so! Here are my Twitter, Pinterest, PicLyf, Instagram and YouTube accounts :) ) I also launched my very own online contest whereby the prizes were tickets to the show. I know I should have shared the photos I took of the boys before, during and after the event but you all know it's been a very hectic time as of late :) So to all of the fans of a1, Jeff Timmons and Blue, please don't worry. No...

Apr132012 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Where to buy original Sperry Top-sider in Mindanao

Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Corporate, Fashion, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Shopping, Style

Want to know where to buy original Sperry Top-sider shoes in Mindanao, Philippines? Look no further! The World’s First Boat Shoe can now be bought in one of Mindanao's best lifestyle stores (and one of my personal favorites, I might add!) - Spruce. The Sperry Top-Sider story is an example of the American knack for ingenuity and innovation. It also represents a love of sun, surf and soul of the ocean...something that the brand coins a "Passion for the Sea". In 1935, Paul Sperry, an avid sailor and outdoorsman, discovered a long- sought solution to a problem that had long troubled the sailing community: the fact that traditional shoes performed “like roller skates” on a wet deck. As Paul Sperry described it, his new shoes "stuck like a barnacle". Sperry Top-siders are known to ...

Jan122012 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

How and where to buy HELP CDO and ONE FOR ILIGAN shirts

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Events, Features, Headline, Iligan City, Internet, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Musings, Muslim Mindanao, News, Northern Mindanao, Personal, Personalities, Shopping, Society

You can still help the thousands of victims of the deadly Typhoon Sendong (international name: Washi) by purchasing these HELP CDO and ONE FOR ILIGAN shirts! The proceeds will help feed 10 people. Some of the proceeds will also go to a charity organization. My family, friends and I already bought several shirts last weekend and they're of really good quality. The HELP CDO and ONE FOR ILIGAN shirts are priced at Php 180.00 (white) and Php 220.00 (black). In Cagayan de Oro City, you may buy the shirts in Missy Bon Bon and Bigby's Cafe (both located at Rosario Arcade, Limketkai Center). The HELP CDO and ONE FOR ILIGAN shirts will also be available in Cebu City soon. They will be sold in Bigby's Cebu. In Manila, the shirts will be sold on January 19, 2012 during a charity concert at t...

Nov92011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Munato Festival 2011 in Sarangani

Announcements, Arts, Culture, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Sarangani, Tourism, Travel

Sarangani Province in Mindanao, Philippines has always fascinated me. First, because it's a haven of rich Filipino culture. Second, because it seems to be a great location for photography enthusiasts like myself. Third, because it has a lot of activities for tourists and fourth, because a former classmate of mine has successfully turned this Mindanao province into one of the busiest and most colorful places in the Philippines. Yup, I'm talking about incumbent Sarangani Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez. Today, Sarangani is no longer considered just as "that area you pass through" when you traverse the General Santos City - Davao City highway. It's now a tourism and business hub and a place that you really must visit whenever you're in SOCCSKSARGEN. If only you need to take a quick peek at ...

Nov32011 by Mindanaoan Irene20 Comments

Color Me Badd and All 4 One experience and yes I danced onstage – FINALE

Advocacy, Agriculture, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Announcements, ARMM, Arts, Bacolod City, Banks, Basilan, Beauty, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, Bislig, Blogging, Broadcasting, Bukidnon, Business, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Campus, Caraga, Cebu City, Commentary, Compostela Valley, Consumer, Contests, Controversial, Corporate, Cotabato, Culture, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Dipolog, Education, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Flights, Food, Freebies, General Santos City, Gifts, Government, Headline, Hongkong, Hotels, Humor, Iligan City, Internet, Island Garden City of Samal, Jobs, Journalism, Kaamulan Festival, Koronadal, Kuala Lumpur, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Leisure, Macau, Maguindanao, Make Money Online, Malaybalay City, Malaysia, Manila, Marawi City, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Movies, Music, Musings, Muslim Mindanao, Negros Occidental, News, North Cotabato, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Ozamis, Pagadian, Personal, Personalities, Photos, Politics, Radio, Recipes, Religion, Resorts, Reviews, Sarangani, Shenzhen, Shopping, Sindangan, Singapore, Society, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sports, Style, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacurong, Tangub City, Tawi Tawi, Technology, Television, Tourism, Travel, Videos, Visayas, Weddings, Weird, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

And so finally we have come to the BIG FINALE of my All 4 One in Philippines and Color Me Badd in Philippines fan experience! Yes, folks, that entire experience deserves 3 parts :D For part 1, please visit my big All 4 One and Color Me Badd experience page. For part 2, you can visit this Color Me Badd experience page. I would also like to thank each and every one of you who took the time out to read, leave comments and shared the articles. Hopefully, more Color Me Badd fans and more All 4 One fans would get the chance to read my posts! Help me promote, okay? :) I'm thinking of raffling off autographed photos as my token of gratitude! What do you think? :) Yes? No? :) Let me know in the comments section! :) Thanks again from the bottom of my heart and please, please, please leav...

Oct252011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Martin and Sarah are coming! Are you ready?

Announcements, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Society

Martin and Sarah in Cagayan de Oro! Just a few more days and Martin Nievera and Sarah Geronimo will hit the stage for the much awaited What Love Is concert in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao! The Martin Nievera - Sarah Geronimo Live in CDO concert is set to happen on November 4, 2011, 8 PM at the Atrium of Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao, Philippines. Are you guys ready to watch the Concert King and the Pop Princess? My humble online space, Mindanaoan.com, adjudged as the Best Lifestyle Blog for Mindanao 2010 by the Philippine Blog Awards, is one of the official media partners of the Martin Nievera - Sarah Geronimo What Love Is Cagayan de Oro concert! Look at what I found inside Limketkai Mall during a recent visit to CDO: Listen to the radio ad of the Martin Nieve...

Oct132011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Resorts World Manila presents The Sound of Music

Announcements, Arts, Blogging, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Features, Headline, Leisure, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Resorts, Society

Well if you're a regular reader of this Mindanaoan.com blog, you'd probably know that I'm a frequent visitor of Resorts World Manila, that entertainment, food, shopping destination and luxury hotel complex right across the new Ninoy Aquino International Airport 3 (NAIA 3). There are a lot of reasons why I like Resorts World Manila a lot but I guess the best one would be the fact that I had one ultra amazing night there before and the results of that lucky night helped me and my Mom spend our first ever mother-daughter Valentine's Day celebration in Singapore and my entire family (me, my Mom and 3 younger brothers) spend a few glorious days in Hong Kong and Macau :) Yep, I only have fun memories about Resorts World Manila! Now, here's another reason for me (AND YOU!) to love Resort...

Aug102011 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Review: Movenpick Resort and Spa Mactan Cebu

Business, Cebu City, Commentary, Consumer, Features, Hotels, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Resorts, Reviews, Tourism, Travel, Visayas

A few days ago, Airphil Express invited me to join their Cebu to Hong Kong maiden flight. Since I had to be in Cebu City a day prior, the friendly folks from Airphil Express flew me from Mindanao to Cebu and sponsored my stay at the spanking Movenpick Resort and Spa in Mactan, Cebu. Muchos gracias Airphil Express! :) Formerly the Hilton Cebu Resort and Spa, Movenpick Resort Cebu is now managed by Swiss-based Movenpick Hotels and Resorts. Mövenpick is said to be an upscale, Swiss hotel chain that has been in the business for 35 years. Moevenpick Resort and Spa Cebu is the very first Movenpick hotel in the Philippines. From the Mactan Cebu airport, it will take you about 20 minutes to reach Movenpick Resort and Spa Cebu. You can take a taxi from the airport (here's a tip on how to get ...

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…)

Mar82011 by Mindanaoan Irene15 Comments

America in 3D – your chance to work in, taste and feel America

Mindanaoan Update

Here's a fabulous chance for all of you who want to travel to the United States of America, to work for American companies and for those who simply like to learn more about American music, films, food and possible study programs. Ambassador Harry Thomas and the U.S. Embassy - Manila warmly invite you to celebrate American culture, values, and programs in the Philippines during a three-day program dubbed “America in 3-D.” From March 18 to 20, 2011 at SM City North EDSA in Quezon City, Philippines, the U.S. Embassy will provide FREE musical performances, food tastings, sports clinics, film screenings, cooking demonstrations, Q&A opportunity with Fil-Am White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford, a job fair, sports clinics and information sessions about applying for visas and...

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...