malaysia Archives - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Oct302015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Reconnected with ASEAN astronaut Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor

Features, Headline, Malaysia, Musings, Personal, Personalities

I'm too excited not to share this! Four years ago, I met Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, a Malaysian and the first ever ASEAN astronaut. I met him through the former Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines, Dato Seri Dr. Ibrahim Saad, and his lovely wife, Dato Zainab Kader. Apart from being the first ever ASEAN cosmonaut (he was selected from a whopping 11,435 candidates!), Dato Sheikh is also an orthopaedic surgeon, motivational speaker, model, endorser (yes, he is THAT amazing) and proud family man. (Yes, yes, I can hear the millions of hearts breaking right now haha) When I first met him, though, he was still single. Do I really need to tell you why tens of thousands of ladies find him charming? Anyway, I just want to share that today, after 4 long years, we finally got reconn...

Nov92014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

BIMP-EAGA trade fair and business gab clinch P8.9 billion in sales, investments

Advocacy, BIMP-EAGA, Business, Consumer, Malaysia, Mindanaoan Update, News

As if to solidify my previous blog entry about the success stories at the 2nd BIMP-EAGA international trade fair, I received word recently that the event actually cornered a total of Php 8.9 billion in sales and investments. Absolutely exciting news! According to event organizer Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), the 2014 Brunei - Indonesia - Malaysia - Philippines international trade fair and business conference garnered more than 1,500 participants, cornered P6 billion worth of possible investments during the business-matching sessions, while initial reports from the Philippines and Malaysia indicate a total of 2.9 billion in booked sales from the international trade fair. Other countries that participated in the five-day event that attracted more than 25,000 local and int...

Oct272014 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Success stories at the 2nd BIMP-EAGA International Trade Fair #EAGAIMT2014

Advocacy, BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Business, Consumer, Corporate, Culture, Davao City, Events, Features, Food, Government, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Mindanaoan Update, News, Recipes, Society

Thanks to the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), I was able to cover the 2nd BIMP-EAGA IMT-GT International Trade Fair and Business Leaders' Conference last October 22 to 25, 2014 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang in Davao City, Philippines. I've always wanted to witness a BIMP-EAGA event and I'm glad that I finally had the opportunity to do so. BIMP-EAGA events are important international functions especially in terms of trade, investments, tourism and even each of the participating countries' roles in the upcoming ASEAN Integration. BIMP-EAGA stands for Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area while IMT-GT means Indonesia Malaysia Thailand Growth Triangle. Now on its 20th year, the BIMP-EAGA is considered as a key strategy to accelerate social as well as...

Oct202014 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Covering the BIMP-EAGA International Business Leaders Confab and Trade Fair

Announcements, BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Business, Consumer, Events, Malaysia, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao

Very excited to share with you all that I have just been invited to cover the 2nd BIMP-EAGA and IMT-GT International Trade Fair and Conference in Davao City this October 22 to 25, 2014! This is a very important international event especially in terms of trade, investments and even tourism among ASEAN countries. I feel really very honored especially since I found out that I'm the only media practitioner (from both the traditional and new media/blogging sectors) from Northern Mindanao invited to cover this. BIMP-EAGA stands for Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area while IMT-GT stands for Indonesia Malaysia Thailand Growth Triangle. This highly anticipated event, which will be held at SM Lanang Premier’s SMX Convention Center, is expected to draw at least 800 busine...

Jul262014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Top Malaysian Getaways

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Whether you’re looking for night life or beach life, Malaysia has you covered. The area receives almost 2 million foreign visits annually, and you can find everything from overgrown jungles to remote islands. Georgetown Georgetown is named after Britain’s King George III. The town was founded in 1786 as part of the British East India Company to be a base of operations in the region. Building the town was quite the process. It was built on swampland that had to be cleared for buildings to be placed. The town still retains its colonial charms, and the nightlife of Georgetown is buzzing. Most of the population is Chinese, so the custom of food carts carried over and makes for an exciting night life of interesting tastes. Petronas Towers Prior to 2004, the Petronas Towers of Kuala ...

Mar292014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Jalan Alor Food Trip – must-do in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Food, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel

One of the things I love doing whenever I'm in a foreign country is try good, affordable local food. Preferably right at the sidewalks, at hawker stalls, at karinderyas, at local food markets. I'm not saying, though, that swanky restaurants don't offer good food. I just think that a lot of unique, flavorful, delectable dishes can be found at simple, often unexpected places. This is exactly what happened when Ryan and Scott, my two very well-traveled, now Kuala Lumpur-based friends, took me and co-Malaysia Social Media Week 2014 speaker from the Philippines Anton Diaz to a special food trip night at Jalan Alor. Actually, they did more than just take us. They generously treated us and I must say, I felt really touched and grateful :) Jalan Alor at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is a certified ...

Mar262014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Re-visiting Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia @TourismMalaysia

BIMP-EAGA, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel

Whenever I'm in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, I always seem to find myself at Batu Caves. The first time was with my mother and she and I were toured there (aboard a fancy Hummer, no less!) by a dear Malaysian friend, Zaiful Ibrahim. The second time was with my brother, cousins and a friend and again Zaiful was with us. We took a van at the time. Now during my most recent trip to Kuala Lumpur (to speak at the 2014 Malaysia Social Media Week), I again found myself at Batu Caves - this time with a co-speaker from the Philippines, Anton Diaz of Our Awesome Planet. He has never visited the place and upon my insisting, we took a taxi from his hotel in Bukit Bintang (cost was roughly RM 25) and reached Batu Caves in about 15 minutes on a humid afternoon. Located about 13 kilometers north of Kual...

Mar242014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Simply Penang at @Sunway_Pyramid Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Food, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews

So of course I had to hunt for nasi lemak as soon as I got settled in during my most recent trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where I was one of the Malaysia Social Media Week 2014 speakers. Never mind if it was already way past noon time and if nasi lemak is usually eaten for breakfast. I love, love, LOVE nasi lemak and, like many foodies nowadays, I absolutely do not mind eating it any time of the day. So, together with my co-speaker from the Philippines, Anton Diaz of Our Awesome Planet, we looked for a nice restaurant within Sunway Pyramid Mall, which was adjacent to the hotel where all of the speakers were billeted in - Sunway Pyramid Tower Hotel. We found Simply Penang. It was located near the skating rink. Anton and I took one of the tables outside so I don't have any idea ho...

Mar132014 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Relaxing stay at Sunway Pyramid Tower Hotel Kuala Lumpur Malaysia @Sunway_Pyramid

Hotels, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Travel

During my most recent trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where I spoke about "Viral Magic" during the Malaysia Social Media Week 2014, I had the pleasure of staying at Sunway Pyramid Tower Hotel, much thanks to the MSMW 2014 organizers and sponsors. I stayed at this Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia hotel for 4 days and it provided the perfect respite from work and hectic days. Located at Persiaran Lagoon, Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya, Sunway Pyramid Tower Hotel KL is adjoined to Sunway Shopping Mall. It is also within the same complex where Sunway Resort Hotel and Spa, Sunway Lagoon Waterpark and Surf Beach (the world's largest man-made surf beach and the first in Malaysia to offer the Surf Simulator Flow Rider) and Sunway University are. My carpeted room, which was on the 6th floor, had a ki...

Jun12012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad to visit the Philippines this June 2012

Announcements, BIMP-EAGA, Features, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Personalities, Politics

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad will visit the Philippines this June 2012. Admired by many around the world, it was under the leadership of H.E. Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad leadership that Malaysia developed into one of the most prosperous economies in Southeast Asia. Dr. Mahathir Mohamad will be in Manila, Philippines come June 10 to 11, 2012. He will be accompanied by his spouse H.E. Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali. According to incumbent Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines Dato Seri Dr. Ibrahim Saad, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad will have a fairly packed schedule while in the Philippines. Apart from giving a keynote lecture at the University of Santo Tomas (which will be themed loosely on modernization, good governance as well as national development), he will a...

Aug22011 by Mindanaoan Irene10 Comments

Leave Dato Zainab alone

Mindanaoan Update

I was still at the airport yesterday when I received a phone call. Apparently, a Philippine Star columnist, Jarius Bondoc, claimed that the wife of the Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines, Dato Zainab, "sullied the Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal." Jarius Bondoc claimed that Dato Zainab tweeted and called Rizal an "infidel Malay." My very first thought was...naw, it couldn't be. It must be just some random, silly joke. Dato Zainab would never say such a thing. Plus, I thought, Jarius Bondoc and the Philippine Star know how to abide by basic and proper etiquette. It is only proper for a columnist to verify facts, lest he appears stupid and naive. It is only proper for a columnist to have proof. Also, doesn't Philippine Star's masthead say "Truth Shall Prevail"? Unfortunat...

May192011 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

KLutched designer bags, totes and satchels now in the Philippines

Beauty, Blogging, Business, Consumer, Fashion, Features, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Society, Style

I very well know that Filipinas are silent bag hags. Bags are oftentimes that guilty pleasure we simply cannot let go. So you could just imagine how excited I was when I recently got wind of a piece of exciting news! So here you go ---Good news to all Filipino fans of bags, totes and satchels! KLutched, one of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's most talked about brand, is finally here in the Philippines! Yes, yes, yes! KLutched is finally available in the Philippines! Created by the young and very talented Ung Yiu Lin, who also owns the brands ShoesShoesShoes and Idylinn, KLutched promises gorgeous bags - from slouches to totes to miniaudieres to satchels and yes, to clutches! (KLutched...clutched...get it? Plus the "KL" can also mean Kuala Lumpur! Cool branding, huh?) - made of exotic skins and ...

Apr222011 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

This just in: Justin Bieber greeted Malaysian concertgoers “Hello Manila!”

Announcements, Blogging, Commentary, Controversial, Entertainment, Features, Headline, Internet, Malaysia, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Musings, Opinion, Personalities

Okay, this is just too funny, cute and weird to pass up! So I was hanging out over at Twitter (because I'm a certified Twittaholic, as you guys may very well know) and saw some tweets about the arrival of pop sensation Justin Bieber in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for his Justin Bieber Live In Malaysia concert. I also read some tweets about the arrival of the girlfriend of Justin Bieber, fellow pop singer Selena Gomez, in Malaysia. There were also tweets about Joel Madden of Good Charlotte doing an impromptu song number with the Biebs onstage! And then I read a tweet in Bahasa that got my attention: "Justin Bieber Saya "Hello Manila" Bengong, ini Malaysia bukan Filipina” I asked the person for an English translation but other Twitter friends came to the rescue and sent me the translation: ...

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...

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...

Nov172009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Zest Air back to serving Zamboanga to Sandakan Malaysia route

Announcements, BIMP-EAGA, Business, Consumer, Flights, Mindanaoan Artists, Tourism, Travel, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

Zest Air, formerly Asian Spirit, is now back to serving the Zamboanga-Sandakan route. This is definitely good news for travelers who want a faster way to reach Sandakan, Malaysia...and hopefully a way to discourage people from using the back border. The Zamboanga-Sandakan route is in consonance with the continuing confidence in the potentials of trade, tourism and investment in the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). Zest Air is now plying the said route three times a week. Check out the photo of the 56-seater MA60 modern ark aircraft below: This Zamboanga to Sandakan, Malaysia route is, I believe, Zest Air's first international flight here in Mindanao. The airline company currently serves flights to Hongkong and soon in Japan, Inch...