Malaybalay City Archives - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Jul292015 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Bukidnon Kaamulan Festival 2015 schedule of activities

Announcements, Bukidnon, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Malaybalay City

The Kaamulan Festival 2015 schedule of activities is finally out. Kaamulan Festival, a yearly festival that aims to gather Bukidnon’s 7 hill tribes, is usually held every March but in 2014, the Kaamulan Festival was held in August so that it would coincide with the Bukidnon Centennial Celebration. This 2015, the Bukidnon government decided to move it to October. The Kaamulan 2015 festival schedule of activities can be found below but please do “like” the Kaamulan Festival Facebook Page to be constantly updated. Need a place to stay in Bukidnon? BOOK YOUR BUKIDNON HOTEL ROOM HERE OCTOBER 1 - GRAND OPENING 6 AM - Opening Ritual (Pamukalag), Grandstand Malaybalay – Motorcade (to be participated by festival sponsors) – School Band parade - Food Fest, Agri Fair, Indigenous Ba...

Mar242015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Visit Coffeeworks Malaybalay for coffee dates in Bukidnon

Bukidnon, Business, Consumer, Food, Malaybalay City, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Reviews, Society

Coffeeworks, a Cagayan de Oro coffee shop brand, has finally opened its Malaybalay City branch in Bukidnon. Coffeeworks Malaybalay is the newest, latest coffee and pastry shop in the capital of Bukidnon. Located at Mandani Arcade along Fortich Street (just a few meters away from Bukidnon State University, see Google map below), Coffeeworks Malaybalay is home to freshly brewed coffee, smoothies, ice blended drinks, "over ice" drinks, teas and pastries. I'm a regular customer of the Coffeeworks Cagayan de Oro branches at Rosario Arcade, Limketkai Center and Corrales Avenue (right next to the Xavier University gymnasium) so I'm familiar with their menu. So when I was invited to visit Coffeeworks Malaybalay a day before their formal opening, I just had to order my all-time favorit...

Sep172014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

PHOTOS: It’s Showtime host Jhong Hilario thrills a fan in Bukidnon

Bukidnon, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Kaamulan Festival, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Photos

"It's Showtime" hurado Jhong Hilario was one of the celebrities who visited Bukidnon for the 2014 Kaamulan Festival, the yearly gathering of the Province of Bukidnon's 7 hill tribes. Jhong Hilario joined Kamikazee for the SMART sponsored night held last August 31, 2014 at the Capitol Grounds, Malaybalay City. Thank you very much to Talk 'N Text for giving Mindanaoan and several Bukidnon Bloggers Group members VIP access! Here are some of the photos I took:

Sep172014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

PHOTOS: Kapuso celebrities during Kaamulan Festival 2014 in Bukidnon

Bukidnon, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Kaamulan Festival, Mindanaoan Update

If ABS CBN brought in Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla for Kaamulan Festival 2014 (Bukidnon's yearly gathering of 7 hill tribes), GMA 7 brought in 4 of their celebrities. During the Kapuso Night held last August 30, 2014 at the Capitol Grounds in Malaybalay City, Yasmien Kurdi, JC Tiuseco, Enzo Pineda and Jeric Gonzales performed before a crowd composed of tens of thousands. Congratulations to GMA 7 for the successful event! And thank you very much for the VIP access :) For other Kaamulan Festival 2014 updates and photos, like the Kaamulan Festival page See how happy this fellow is? :)

Apr82014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Ranchers Steakhouse Malaybalay Bukidnon

Bukidnon, Food, Malaybalay City, Mindanaoan Update, Society

This Mindanao blogger was in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon last weekend for a cousin's wedding. Incidentally, it was also my birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MEEE! :D) but since I decided to forego my birthday celebration, (will just continue raising funds for my various advocacies and charity work) I instead volunteered to be one of the wedding photographers :) Anyway, a day after the wedding, a few of my cousins and a friend visited a fairly new restaurant in Malaybalay - a rodeo-themed steak house in a ranch setting. Ranchers Steak House, located along Diversion Road, Malaybalay City, serves mostly Western cuisine. Read more about Ranchers Steak House food choices here. Here are some of the photos I took during our visit at Ranchers Steakhouse Malaybalay Bukidnon: ...

Feb72014 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Migs Zubiri: I’m quitting politics

Bukidnon, Business, News, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Politics, Society

Former Senator and 3-term Bukidnon congressman Juan Miguel "Migs" Zubiri says he is quitting politics and will now just devote his time on being a businessman. Zubiri, who served as Bukidnon 3rd District representative for 3 consecutive terms and became Senate Majority Leader, recently launched a business venture in Bukidnon. He told Mindanaoan.com that he is "no longer interested in politics." "I have decided to invest my time and finances in the province that I love," he said. His latest business venture is an ice plant in Malaybalay City, the capital of Bukidnon, called Z-Ice Purified Ice. His father, Bukidnon Governor Jose Zubiri, Jr., wife Audrey and Malaybalay City local officials were present during the ribbon cutting ceremony. Zubiri's statement comes amid rampant chatt...

Oct22013 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Revisiting the Monastery of Transfiguration in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon

Beauty, Bukidnon, Culture, Features, Malaybalay City, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Photos, Society, Tourism, Travel, Weddings

I had the chance to revisit the Monastery of Transfiguration last weekend. Located in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, the Monastery of Transfiguration, also known as the Benedictine Transfiguration Monastery, is my most favorite spiritual refuge. It's an ideal place to visit in Mindanao, Philippines if you want to go on a spiritual retreat. The centerpiece of the Monastery of Transfiguration is this popular cone-shaped chapel, designed by the late National Artist for Architecture Leandro Locsin. There's a dress code that you need to follow before you enter the chapel, please. If you find yourself alone in the church, consider yourself very lucky. It's when I'm alone inside this beautiful chapel that I can truly meditate and speak with the Lord. The well-manicured garden ...

Sep282012 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Creation of Bukidnon 4th District gets Senate OK

Bukidnon, Government, Malaybalay City, News, Northern Mindanao, Politics

The Senate has approved the bill seeking the creation of the Bukidnon 4th District. The Senate has approved on the 3rd and final reading House Bill 5236 which seeks the creation of the Bukidnon Fourth District. The bill was passed September 20, 2012. A total of 12 senators, led by Senator Bongbong Marcos who chairs the Committee on Local Government, OK'd the passage of the Bukidnon 4th District bill. Philippine President Benigno Aquino III still needs to sign the bill first, though, before it becomes a law. If the Bukidnon 4th District bill gets ratified, there will be a need for a congressman who will represent the said district. The proposed Bukidnon 4th District shall be composed of Valencia City, Kalilangan, and Pangantucan. Bukidnon 1st District will then be composed of...

Aug252012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Chowking opens Malaybalay City branch

Bukidnon, Business, Food

Chowking Malaybalay is finally open, making this Chowking branch the second one in Bukidnon. The Malaybalay City, Bukidnon branch of this popular Chinese fastfood chain opened for business just a few days ago. Chowking Malaybalay is located along Fortich Street, the main thoroughfare in Malaybalay City. It's easy to spot it - it's almost right across Plaza Rizal and the Malaybalay Cathedral. Now if you're wondering why Mindanaoan wrote about Chowking Malaybalay, it's because I find things like these a little bit fascinating. You see, Malaybalay may be a city but it's still a small, burgeoning city, with less than 160,000 population (according to a 2010 census). Can a business like this survive in a city like Malaybalay? How many years would it take for Chowking to see returns on inve...

Jan182011 by Mindanaoan Irene7 Comments

Bukidnon Mindanao Kaamulan Festival 2011 schedule of activities

Announcements, Bukidnon, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update

Want to attend the Mindanao festival that was once called by then Department of Tourism Secretary Ace Durano as the "only authentic ethnic festival in the Philippines"? Kaamulan Festival is the annual gathering of Bukidnon's 7 hill tribes namely Matigsalug, Bukidnon, Manobo, Talaandig, Higaonon, Umayamnon and Tiguahanon. Bukidnon is a landlocked province in Mindanao, Philippines. It is located on the southern part of Mindanao and is largely considered as the food basket of the Philippines. Here's more information About Bukidnon. Among the highlights of the Kaamulan Festival 2011 are: February 18, 2011 - soft opening of Kaamulan Festival 2011, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. A "pamuhat" or Pamukalag ha pamuhat ta Kaamulan will be held at the Capitol Grounds at 8 am. February 22, 2...

Dec32010 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Why I organized the Bukidnon Bloggers group

Blogging, Bukidnon, Commentary, Events, Internet, Malaybalay City, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Personal, Technology

A few weeks ago, right before this blogger from Mindanao flew to Cebu City to open a small, humble branch of my PR, events, media and marketing business, I organized an event dubbed "BukidnonOnline.com Bukidnon Blogging 101 and How To Make Money Online Workshop" in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, Mindanao. It was a workshop I never expected to be such a huge hit - especially since there were hardly any bloggers in that part of Mindanao. However, more than 40 would-be and newbie bloggers came - and with a lot of help from the CDO Bloggers group, ASTERISK Events and Communications and from generous friends and sponsors - not only was the blogging workshop a major success but it also bore a 10-man Bukidnon Bloggers core group. Needless to say, as event organizer and bloggers myself, I felt abso...

May52010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Bukidnon governor embroiled in a scandal with ex PBB teen

Bukidnon, Commentary, Controversial, Entertainment, Government, Headline, Malaybalay City, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Personalities, Politics, Society

First off, a lot of people in Bukidnon, Mindanao claim that this isn't exactly fresh news. However, I guess this issue involving Bukidnon Gov. Jose Ma. Zubiri, Jr. and ex-Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) Teen housemate Claire Cabeguin (who's from Bukidnon herself) will continue to be controversial and will forever be circulated unless, most probably, if one of them either speaks up against or confirms the issue. Before I continue, a brief backgrounder first. Zubiri is on his third term as the governor of Bukidnon and is currently gunning for the vice gubernatorial seat. He used to be an active member of LAKAS CMD KAMPI until he recently surprised not a few when he endorsed Nacionalista Party standard bearer Sen. Manny Villar. Zubiri is the father of Mindanaoan Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri. Cabegu...

Dec72009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Five out of ten Galing Pook awardees are from Mindanao!

Advocacy, Announcements, BIMP-EAGA, Bukidnon, Contests, Cotabato, Features, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News, Sarangani, Society, Technology

Five Mindanao cities and towns were among this year's awardees in "Galing Pook." The Galing Pook Awards 2009 is sponsored by the Galing Pook Foundation and aims to highlight the innovative and practical approaches to common local development challenges. Galing Pook Awards also aims to highlight the best practices that actually worked in a Philippine town. The 5 Mindanaoan areas that received the prestigious Galing Pook awards were Midsayap, North Cotabato; Surallah, North Cotabato; Sarangani, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon and Valencia City, Bukidnon. Foundation chairman Rafael Coscuela said this year’s GPF awardees were chosen from 123 nominations by a national selection committee chaired by prominent economist Solita Monsod based on “innovation, positive results, transferability, sus...

Jul212009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

PGMA in Bukidnon Mindanao today, to hold cabinet meeting – and why I want to be a fly on the wall

Bukidnon, Controversial, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, Politics

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is set to be in the Province of Bukidnon today, July 21, 2009. This trip, reportedly her 7th in Mindanao so far this year, could be, in my opinion, quite a controversial one. First of all, she's supposed to hold a cabinet meeting in Malaybalay City, the capital of Bukidnon. Why Bukidnon of all places, you ask? Exactly. Bukidnon is the "political home" of the Zubiris. Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri served as congressman in the third district for 9 years. Incumbent Bukidnon governor Jose Ma. Zubiri, Jr. is on his last term. Bukidnon 3rd District Congressman Joey Zubiri is Migs' brother and eldest son of the governor. Malaybalay City Vice Mayor Ignacio "Inaki" Zubiri, nephew of the governor and cousin of the senator, is said to be eyeing the mayoralty post in ...

Mar122009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

After Villar and Teodoro, Bukidnon’s Zubiri is now endorsing Loren Legarda

Bukidnon, Controversial, Government, Headline, Kaamulan Festival, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Personalities

I cannot help but wonder what's going on Bukidnon Governor Jose Zubiri, Jr.'s mind right now. Isn't he supposed to be a LAKAS-CMD member? What's he doing endorsing NPC member Senator Loren Legarda as "the next President" of the country? Zubiri publicly called Legarda "the next Philippine President" and "President Legarda" during the female senator's recent visit to the Province of Bukidnon, Mindanao. Legarda served as the guest of honor during the 92nd Foundation Day (Aldaw Ta Bukidnon) of the Province of Bukidnon last March 10, 2009. Before thousands of people, the Bukidnon governor and father of current Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri called on his constituents to support Legarda. Zubiri's statement has raised a lot of questions. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS? Photo courtesy of ...

Mar52009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Kaamulan Jam 2009 in Bukidnon, Mindanao Grand Finals photos

Announcements, Blogging, Bukidnon, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Kaamulan Festival, Mindanaoan Update, Photos

The photos are out! I'd like to share with you some of the photos I took during the grand finals of the Kaamulan Jam 2009 Lock and Load Battle of the Bands which was held last February 28, 2009 at the Capitol Stage, Capitol Grounds, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. The finals night was a successful one - hundreds of people came despite the rain and very chilly weather. A total of five bands performed that night (elimination nights were held from Monday to Friday that week and the winning band had the chance to compete in the finals) and the band called "The Jam" nabbed the top prize of P25,000 cash. By the way, apart from being one of the official photographers of the event, I (well, technically, the agency I own and manage) was also a sponsor and part of the coordinating committee :) C...

Mar22009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Bukidnon Kaamulan Festival 2009 Ethnic Street Dancing competition to have 7 contingents

Announcements, Bukidnon, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Personal, Society, Tourism, Travel

I learned from the Kaamulan Festival 2009 Chief Coordinator today that a total of seven (7) contingents will compete during the Kaamulan Ethnic Street Dancing competition this Saturday, March 7, 2009. The contingents will represent the cities of Malaybalay and Valencia and the municipalities of Cabanglasan, Kalilangan, San Fernando, Malitbog and Quezon. I must admit, I was a little bit disappointed with the news. Out of 20 municipalities in Bukidnon and 2 full pledged cities and only 7 will vie for this year's much-awaited event! However, the Kaamulan overall coordinator said that in recent years, the provincial government of Bukidnon has imposed a couple of changes in the way they handle the yearly festival --- and the cutting down of budgets for official streetdancing competitors is o...

Feb82009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Senate commends Mindanaoan junior tennis champ Francis “Nino” Belderol Alcantara

Arts, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Sports

The Philippine Senate recently formally commended Mindanaoan Francis Casey "Niño" Alcantara, the first Filipino Australian Open champ, via a resolution. Just this week, the senators unanimously adopted Senate Resolution Number 860 authored by Senator Pia Cayetano commending the country's newest sports phenomenon. Alcantara recently nabbed the Junior Boys Doubles crown of the Australian Open Tennis Championships. Alcantara played alongside partner Cheng-Peng Hsiehtoi of Taiwan. Alcantara, 17 years old, is a student of Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan University) in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. The son of a Bukidnon native (his mother Sarah is from Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, Mindanao), this young Mindanaoan is the very first Filipino to win a "Grand Slam" tennis tournament. * Nin...

Feb32009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Calling all bands! Join the Kaamulan Jam 2009 Battle of the Bands in Bukidnon

Announcements, Bukidnon, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, Mindanaoan Update, Music

How would you like to bag P25,000.00 cash? If your band has no recording contract yet or has not released any commercial CDs, then the KAAMULAN JAM 2009 “LOCK AND LOAD Battle of the Bands” might just be the exposure that you and your band needs! The much-awaited Kaamulan Jam 2009 is part of the Kaamulan Festival 2009 celebration in the Province of Bukidnon, Mindanao, Philippines. And, yes, just in case you're wondering - this is the same Kaamulan Festival where Ara and Migo met - the character played by Angel Locsin and Piolo Pascual, respectively, in the recent Star Cinema offering, "Love Me Again (Land Down Under)" :) Back to Kaamulan Jam 2009 Battle of the Bands - all genres are welcome! Bands will vie for the following amazing prizes: Top plum: P25,000.00 cash Second prize: P15,000...

Jan312009 by Mindanaoan Irene9 Comments

Bukidnon’s Kaamulan Festival 2009 official schedule of activities

Announcements, Bukidnon, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, Kaamulan Festival, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel

The official schedule of the Province of Bukidnon's Kaamulan Festival 2009 celebration is finally out! This Kaamulan 2009 celebration sked was furnished by the Bukidnon Tourism Office of the Provincial Government of Bukidnon. The Kaamulan Festival is the largest festival in Bukidnon and is largely recognized as the only remaining authentic ethnic festival in the Philipines. Kaamulan is an indigenous Bukidnon term for “'gathering for any purpose.'" It can also mean a datuship ritual, a wedding ceremony, a thanksgiving festival during harvest time, a peace pact, or all of these together. Bukidnon's Kaamulan Festival, which began in the year 1977, is an ethnic festival featuring the province of Bukidnon’s seven (7) hill tribes namely Tala-andig, Higaonon, Umayamnon, Manobo, Tigwahanon, ...

Jan282009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Bukidnon’s Kaamulan Festival 2009 to start by February 18, 2009

Bukidnon, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel

The much-awaited Kaamulan Festival 2009 in Bukidnon, Mindanao, Philippines is set to begin on February 18 and I myself cannot wait to join in the festivities! The Kaamulan Festival is the largest festival in Bukidnon and is largely renowned as the only remaining authentic ethnic festival in the Philipines. Kaamulan is an indigenous Bukidnon term for “gathering” for any purpose. It can also mean a datuship ritual, a wedding ceremony, a thanksgiving festival during harvest time, a peace pact, or all of these together. I was furnished a tentative schedule of activities for this year's Kaamulan Festival celebration in the Province of Bukidnon by the Bukidnon Tourism Office and although I can say that there aren't that many changes from previous celebrations, there are still a lot of things ...

Jan202009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Want to promote your business during the Kaamulan Festival 2009 in Bukidnon?

Bukidnon, Business, Consumer, Events, Fiesta, Kaamulan Festival, Mindanaoan Update

Budding entrepreneurs, webmasters and companies - hear ye, hear ye! Here's good news for those who want to do business during the much-awaited Kaamulan Festival in the Province of Bukidnon, Mindanao. Will you be one of the many business owners, participating companies or entrepreneurs during the much-awaited Kaamulan Festival 2009 celebration in Bukidnon? Or do you intend to promote your website, service or business and let the hundreds of thousands of residents, guests and tourists alike know what you're offering? Let Bukidnon Online help you promote your business venture, website or service in what is largely called the remaining authentic indigenous festival in the Philippines - the Kaamulan Festival! Thousands of people are guaranteed to participate in the almost 3-week long Kaamul...