filipino blogger Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Sep262011 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Exclusive: All 4 One and Color Me Badd thank the Philippines!

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

It's been more than 2 weeks since their highly successful Cagayan de Oro, Philippines show but this Filipina travel and lifestyle blogger is still buzzin'! Yes, folks, I'm still on a high! :D As you guys may know, Mindanaoan.com was an official media partner of the All 4 One and Color Me Badd back-to-back concert last September 10, 2011 at the Atrium of the Limketkai Center in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, Philippines. It was a major thing for a certified fan like myself --- not only did I get to meet the boys up close and personal (OMG!!!), spend time with them and see their real, offstage personas, I also had the chance to gather autographs, take lots of photos and...*drum roll please*...meet them again in Manila before they flew out for Los Angeles! *cartwheels* I will share with...

Jul242011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: Mexitalian Cuisine Cagayan de Oro City Mindanao

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Recipes, Reviews

If there are two things that I absolutely like, these are Mexican and Italian food. I'm a huge sucker for fajitas, quesadillas, tacos...and oh yes, yes, yes nachos! Yum! I am absolutely convinced that I can survive on nachos alone :D I love nachos so much that I made a special trip to a specific restaurant just to order nachos de salsa. I also love nachos with oozing melted cheese! Yeah, that's how crazeballs I can get when it comes to nachos :P I like pasta, too. There are days when I just crave for spaghetti, penne al arrabiatta, fettuccini with red sauce, basil and mushrooms and carbonara complete with bacon and mushrooms. Yum! So, yes, anytime I have my share of Mexican and Italian food, I know for sure it's gonna be a great day. So you could just imagine how excited I was when I he...

Jul182011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Project Runway Philippines 3rd season – Mindanao auditions

Arts, Beauty, Bisaya, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Fashion, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Style

The Project Runway Philippines Third Season will start real soon! The people behind Project Runway Philippines recently announced the schedule of auditions around the Philippines. Budding fashion designers can go to 4 different areas around the Philippines to audition for one of the coveted slots in the third season of Project Runway Philippines! Here in Mindanao, aspirants can go to Cagayan de Oro City on August 20 and 21, 2011 for the Project Runway Philippines - Mindanao audition. Coincidentally, there will also be a Mindanao Fashion Summit 2011 in Cagayan de Oro on that same month so I guess the organizers want to hit two birds with one stone :) If you're interested to audition, just bring your birth certificate, portfolio and three completed outfits of your own design. Also, ...

Jul132011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

T’nalak Festival 2011 schedule of activities

Arts, Blogging, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Government, Koronadal, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, News, Society, South Cotabato, Tourism, Travel

If you're heading to South Cotabato this week, then you're in luck! The 12th T'nalak Festival is underway this week. The 2011 T'nalak Festival also coincides with the 45th Foundation Anniversary of the Province of South Cotabato, Mindanao. The activities during the T'nalak Festival will be held in Koronadal City, the Municipality of Tupi and the Municipality of Polomolok. This colorful, festive celebration will feature the Mindanao tribes T'boli and B'laan, among others. The T'nalak Festival showcases the rich culture and tradition in these parts of Mindanao. Apart from the cultural shows, the activities during the 2011 Tinalak Festival will also include a regional trade expo, a drum and lyre exhibition, a field mass dance contest, a brass band showcase, a basketball tournament, motocro...

Jul92011 by Mindanaoan Irene13 Comments

Meeting Malaysian astronaut Dato Sheikh Muszaphar

Mindanaoan Update

How do you talk to an astronaut? More specifically, how do you talk to the very first Angkasawan (Malaysian astronaut) sent to space who’s tall, super smart, very passionate in his beliefs and very, very handsome without sounding like an awestruck schoolgirl? This was my very thought as soon as I found out that I was set to fetch, meet and spend time with the supposedly dashing 38 year old Dato Sheikh Muszaphar, who’s not only an Angkasawan but an orthopedic surgeon and part-time model as well. (Yes, he’s that amazing.) The last thing I wanted was to talk to someone who knew a lot about Physics, Medicine and Aerospace Engineering. Heck, I could barely remember the technicalities surrounding g-forces, gravity, micro-neurons and surface tension! How in the world could I even carry a logic...

Jun232011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Photos: GMA 7 Kapuso Night featuring Dingdong Dantes, Kyla, Moymoy Palaboy

Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Davao City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, General Santos City, Iligan City, Malaybalay City, Mindanaoan Update, South Cotabato

GMA 7 is really gearing up its efforts to promote their television programs and artists via regional events these days. In fact, I think GMA Channel 7 is keen on holding more and more promotional events not only in key cities but even in smaller towns and municipalities around Mindanao. Proof of this is their string of Kapuso Nights around Mindanao (and yes, in Visayas and Luzon as well). GMA 7 Kapuso Nights have so far been held in General Santos City, Iligan, Davao City, Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, South Cotabato and other areas in Mindanao. More will still be held in the next few weeks. Anyways, here are some photos taken during a GMA 7 Kapuso Night in Mindanao featuring Dingdong Dantes, Kyla and Moymoy Palaboy: Apart from the musical production numbers from the GMA 7 art...

Jun32011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

World Food Expo 2011 Mindanao schedule of activities

Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Corporate, Events, Features, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, News, Northern Mindanao, Shopping, Technology

Here is the full schedule of activities of the World Food Expo 2011 Mindanao or WOFEX Mindanao 2011. WOFEX 2011 is Mindanao's biggest and most focused trade show on food and beverage. This is one event that people in the food, beverage, food processing and packaging technology industries should not miss. This year's World Food Expo Mindanao will be held on June 8 to 11, 2011 at the Atrium of Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao. WOFEX 2011 is the supply solution to the region's fast growing food service industry. As you can see in the WOFEX 2011 Mindanao schedule of activities, there will be various cooking demos, competitions such as flairtending, baking demos and pocket events such as the 5th Grand Barista Mindanao contest. Please feel free to SHARE this s...

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…)

May22011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Video: US President Barack Obama speech on Osama Bin Laden death

Announcements, Controversial, Government, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Politics, Videos

Like you, I was one of the hundreds of millions of people around the world who got a bit stunned when the news of Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden's death broke out today. Osama bin Laden, the alleged mastermind of the 9/11 bombings, was killed by U.S. forces in a mansion Abbottabad, north of Islamad, capital of Pakistan. This, after nearly 10 years (!) after the 9/11 attacks. Reportedly, some of Bin Laden's relatives were also killed during the military operation. I must admit, the news of the death of Osama Bin Laden, one of, if not THE most wanted person in the world, was the last thing on my mind. After all, haven't there been so much going on in the world as of late? The Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, the beatification of Pope John Paul II and locally, the resig...

Mar162011 by Mindanaoan Irene10 Comments

How to prepare a do-it-yourself Singapore and Malaysia trip

BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Davao City, Features, Flights, Hongkong, Hotels, Internet, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Malaysia, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Shenzhen, Singapore, Society, Tourism, Travel

A few weeks ago, my mom and I finally had the chance to visit Singapore and Malaysia. Although it wasn't our first trip outside of the country, it was our very first time to visit Singapore and Malaysia and it was also the first time that we followed a DIY or do-it-yourself itinerary. We opted not to avail of the services of a travel agency for a number of reasons including the fact that we didn't want to be led to tourist traps just like what happened during our Hongkong, Shenzhen and Macau trip two years ago. Plus I'm also the type who loves to take on a challenge and preparing for a trip abroad - starting from scratch - can be quite a challenge! Don't be alarmed, though! Preparing a do-it-yourself itinerary can actually be fun, too! Plus it brings a whole lotta meaning to accomplishm...

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...

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...

Feb62011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

My second studio visit at TV5 Manila’s PO5 Sunday show

Arts, Broadcasting, Davao City, Entertainment, Features, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Society, Style

The first time my friends and I watched PO5 (Party on Five) live, we all trooped to a studio in Marikina. During our second visit just a few days ago, my friends and I went to Broadway Centrum along Aurora Boulevard, the same studio complex where the longest noontime show in the Philippines is also aired from Monday to Friday - "Eat Bulaga." PO5 does not use the same studio, though. It uses the one adjacent to the "Eat Bulaga" studio. For the uninitiated, by the way, PO5 is Channel 5's Sunday noontime variety show, their answer to ABS CBN Channel 2's "ASAP" and to GMA 7's "Party Pilipinas." Among its hosts are Richard Gomez, Lucy Torres, John Estrada, Wilma Doesnt, Alex Gonzaga, Danita Paner and...be still my heart...Kean Cipriano :D (more…)

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...

Feb42011 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Meeting the Malaysian ambassador and his wife

BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Features, Internet, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Personalities, Society

I've said it and I'll say it again and again. Blogging, even micro blogging through Twitter or Plurk, does wonders for you and for your life. Not only can you share your thoughts, tips and photos with others (which may help them in the process, without you necessarily knowing about it), earn a bit but more importantly, get to meet new, interesting people and experience new and exciting things. Just take the case of a pretty cool thing that happened to me a few weeks ago. Because of the power of the Internet and micro blogging, I had the ultimate honor to meet the Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines Dato Seri Dr. Ibrahim Saad and his beautiful wife Datin Seri Zainab Kader. * credits for photo above goes to Malaysia Tatler Before I continue, let me just say, though, that the...

Feb22011 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Review: BonChon chicken – fried twice, twice as good

Food, Mindanaoan Update, Recipes, Reviews

During my most recent trip to Manila, three very good friends and I finally had the chance to visit the Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati branch of Bonchon Chicken. Now if you haven't heard of BonChon, this below might give you an idea of what you're supposed to expect: (yes, that's from the New York Times!) BonChon chicken is supposedly one of, if not the best, tasting chicken you can ever taste in your lifetime. And I must say, after that early dinner with friends, I can only agree 110%! Here's why... (more…)

Jan272011 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mass videoconference aims to link Manila and Iligan students

Advocacy, Announcements, Campus, Events, Iligan City, Lanao del Sur, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao

Before anything else, I'd like to say that I'm a proud RockEd volunteer. Rock Ed Philippines, which began in 2005, aims to get Filipinos interested in nation building. Rock Ed links Filipinos from all walks of life with causes that they are interested in. Once you sign up for Rock Ed, you're assigned projects that fit your expertise, interests or skill sets. In my case, I usually volunteer for projects related to blogging, publicity, event management, photography, media and business-related stuff. Now this is where the point of this blog post starts :D You see, I found this project in the Rock Ed Philippines website. It's about a mass videoconference that aims to link at least 2,000 students in Manila to at least 2,000 students in Iligan - yup, that's all the way down here in Mindanao. How...

Jan272011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Havaianas 2011 collection and the list of authorized Havaianas retailers all over Philippines

Beauty, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Features, Gifts, Mindanaoan Update, Shopping, Style

A lot of my blog readers have been asking me about this and you all know I aim to please...so here you go! :) Here's a peek at the most awaited Havaianas 2011 collection as well as a complete list of the authorized retailers all over the Philippines. And yes, my favorite boutique in Northern Mindanao, Spruce, is one of the friendly authorized retailers of our favorite flipflops Havaianas. Just in case you're wondering why it's important for you to know where to get original pairs of Havaianas, well, you DO deserve something more than mere imitation, yes? :) And for those who want to check out what Havaianas Philippines has in store for all their loyal Havaianaticos, check out the Havaianas 2011 collection below: (more…)

Dec212010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanaoan.com ‘s exclusive interview with big band crooner Richard Poon

Arts, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Videos

Before his big concert with Pokwang and Markki Stroem last December 19, 2010 at the Atrium of the Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City, this blogger in Mindanao got the chance to interview the Big Band Crooner himself, Richard Poon. Just in case you don't know, Mindanaoan.com was one of the proud media sponsors of the successful run of "The Crooner and The Comedienne," which was made possible by Joey Pelaez Events. Mindanaoan.com had the chance to ask Richard Poon about his choice of music genre, how he can be an advocate of music especially among the youth, how he applies the skills he learned as an entrepreneur to his being a musician (he liked the question, by the way! :D) and what keeps him inspired these days *wink, wink* [READ THIS, just in case you think you're kindda out of the...

Dec212010 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Exclusive and with photos: Maricar Reyes watches suitor Richard Poon’s concert in Cagayan de Oro Mindanao

Beauty, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Photos

Are they or aren't they? I guess that was what a lot of people were wondering last night during the much-awaited The Crooner and The Comedienne concert featuring Richard Poon and Pokwang with special guest Markki Stroem of Pilipinas Got Talent. You see, someone very close to Richard Poon's heart was in the audience that night. The very girl the Big Band Crooner himself described as "the most beautiful girl I have ever seen in my life" - doctor, actress and model Maricar Reyes (who, by the way, hails from Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao) For those of you who feel a bit lost --- here's the gist. Richard Poon met Maricar Reyes. He was immediately smitten but felt it wasn't the right time to get to know her better. Then they met again at a ball and then she starred in his music video and then...

Dec132010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Photos: Pupil Live in Cagayan de Oro City Mindanao

Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Photos

The long wait is over, boys and girls! Here are the most awaited photos taken during the Pupil Live in Cagayan de Oro City special concert! Ely Buendia and the rest of the Pupil band were in CDO recently for the PUMA Archive Uncovered concert series. Thanks to PUMA for bringing the boys over and of course to my favorite boutique Spruce for letting magic happen that night. All photos are taken by my professional photographer-brother Bon. Ready for more? Check out more photos after the jump! And oh if you need a wedding, events, fashion and portrait photographer in Mindanao, please do not hesitate to CONTACT ME. Please refer me and my brother to your friends as well. Cheers and thanks! (more…)

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...