mindanao blog Archives - Page 5 of 15 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Jul22012 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

US Ambassador Harry Thomas, Jr. meets with Mindanaoan youth leaders

America, ARMM, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Campus, Features, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Muslim Mindanao, News, Northern Mindanao, Society, United States of America

Here's more about my 2-day task of accompanying US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry K. Thomas, Jr. around Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. Thanks to the folks over at US Embassy Manila, this Mindanao blogger got the chance of a lifetime to experience first hand how it was to officially be a part of an American ambassador's party :) After the awarding of HACCP certificates to 10 Mindanao companies, our next stop was the roundtable discussion with the alumni of the Congressional Internship Program for Mindanao Youth Leaders (CIPYML). The roundtable discussion of these Mindanaoan youth leaders with US Ambassador Harry Thomas, Jr. was held at the American Corner at the Xavier University Library. Ambassador Harry Thomas, Jr. was welcomed by Xavier University officials: On our ...

May172012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Perks of Living in Mindanao

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, 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, Hotels, Humor, Iligan City, Internet, Island Garden City of Samal, Jobs, Journalism, Kaamulan Festival, Koronadal, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Leisure, Maguindanao, Make Money Online, Malaybalay City, 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

If you listen to the news on Mindanao, the most likely reaction is that you’ll hesitate to come here. Much less choose to live here. But given the direness of the news on the peace and order situation here, have you ever wondered if there are perks to living in Mindanao? Actually, what’s so terrible in the news is merely a microcosm of Mindanao society. Given the largeness of the island and the number of regions, cities, and cultures that are found in Mindanao, you might want to take the news with a grain of salt the next time. Mindanao is generally a peaceful place. The members of the populace are satisfied with their lives, and commerce and trade are smoothly moving along. The economics show a due representation from the filthy rich to poverty level poor, but people manage to get by. ...

May162012 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Island Garden City of Samal: Bidding for the moniker “Island of Festivals”

Island Garden City of Samal, Mindanao, Tourism, Travel

The Island Garden City of Samal is the kind of place you don’t want to miss in your lifetime. White sand beaches, pristine waters, majestic waterfalls, fascinating caves and panoramic views are plenty in the city. Its amenities and several exciting activities have added more vibrancy to the Island Garden City of Samal, making it a major tourist destination in Southern Philippines. In fact, the city is hyping up its well-celebrated festivals to earn the moniker “Island of Festivals” and to draw more tourists to its naturally beautiful land. The Island Garden City of Samal is a group of islands that is centrally located in Davao Gulf in the southeastern part of Mindanao. It is a second class city in the Davao del Norte province which is politically subdivided into 46 barangays. Presently,...

May162012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Finding Spain in the heart of Zamboanga City

BIMP-EAGA, Mindanao, Travel, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

If you set foot in the lands of Zamboanga City, one of the first things that get into your mind is the feeling that you’re in some other part of the world, perhaps in Spain or in Latin America. But don’t be deceived, you’re not in any city in the west; you are actually in a more beautiful and alluring city called Zamboanga. Often called as “Philippines’ little Spain” and “Asia’s Latin City,” Zamboanga City is a highly urbanized city that lies in the southernmost tip of Region IX in northwestern Mindanao. The sixth largest city in the Philippines and among the few cities independent of any province, Zamboanga City is bounded to the north by land masses and to the other directions by water formations that include the Sulu Sea (west), Moro Gulf (east), Basilan Straight (south) and Celebes ...

May152012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Ozamiz City: The enviable destination of northwestern Mindanao

Mindanao, Ozamis, Tourism, Travel

The city of Ozamiz is a second class city that stretches out along Panguil Bay in the northwestern part of Mindanao, Philippines. Although it is only a chartered city and not the capital of the Misamis Occidental province, Ozamiz is a prospering city that is the provincial center for health, transportation, education and commerce. With the city’s convenient setting, it has become a historical, cultural and pilgrimage destination in this part of the country. Currently, several projects are underway to boost the development of the city and to make it an even more anticipated destination in the south. Ozamiz City was formerly called Misamis by the early settlers composed mostly of the native Subanons, Jesuit missionaries and other Spaniards. Later, a steady influx of settlers from nearb...

May152012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Butuan City: Timber City of the South

Agusan del Norte, Butuan, Caraga, Mindanao, Tourism, Travel

Butuan City is known for its booming logging industry and for its abundance of timbers; no wonder why migrants from other sides of the Philippines and from abroad settled in this highly urbanized city to seek for good fortune and agricultural profits. But more than just being the Timber City of the South, Butuan is a place where rich history, preserved culture, kind-hearted people and active economy thrive. Butuan City is the provincial capital of the Agusan del Norte province and the regional center of the Caraga Region in the northeastern part of Mindanao. It sprawls near the mouth of the Agusan River, the deepest, widest and longest navigable river in Mindanao. On the north, it is bounded by several municipalities of Agusan del Norte; on the east by the Agusan del Sur province; and o...

May152012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanaoan In America: Washington DC Metro Subway photos, tips

Advocacy, America, Blogging, Features, Government, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Photos, Technology, Travel, United States of America

This is a continuation of my "Mindanaoan In America" blog series :) You can read more about my escapades in the USA when I was a 2012 International Visitor Leadership Program delegate HERE. The first state that we stayed in was Washington DC. Like many states in America, Washington has its own subway or railway system. They call it the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit or simply - Metro. I found the Metro Washington DC subway easy to understand although my group and I did have to be guided by our ELO Alan especially when we already had to buy our very first fare cards or train tickets :) You can find below a photo of the farecards and passes machines - you can buy tickets there or you can always approach a friendly Metro employee. Here are some easy to follow tips on how to ...

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...

May22012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Photos: Blue Live In Manila

Blogging, Entertainment, Features, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Photos

Here are the much awaited photos of BLUE a.k.a. the fine looking boys from the U.K. Okay, ladies, breathe in, breathe out :) Blue, composed of Duncan James, Simon Webbe, Antony Costa and Lee Ryan, was recently in Manila, Philippines for the Greatest Hits Tour featuring a1, Blue and Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees. I was fortunate to have met and worked around the guys :) Yes, yes, I'm a very lucky girl ;) I found Jeff Timmons, a1 and of course, Blue, to be very warm, down to earth, talented and very approachable. Anyways, the photos here of Duncan James, Antony Costa, Simon Webbe and Lee Ryan were taken during the radio tour, some backstage and during the show. Which of these photos are your favorites? :) Let me know below at the comment section :) By the way, here are the photos...

Apr212012 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

I’m home!

Blogging, Features, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Travel, United States of America

So I am finally back from the U.S. I'm home, I'm home! :) *waves* I stayed in America for more than a month. I was there because I was chosen to participate in the International Visitor Leadership Program, a U.S. Department of State-sponsored program. Technically, my IVLP 2012 experience only lasted for 3 weeks. However, I chose to fly to New York City, savor the sights and sounds of the Big Apple and spend my birthday there! (more on this later) I stayed in NYC for 2 weeks. I also had the chance to visit Connecticut specifically Yale University for a day. Anyway, the IVLP program that I participated in led me to Washington D.C. (and in some parts of nearby Virginia and Maryland), Orlando, Florida, Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon. I was the only female in the group an...

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 ...

Apr132012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Razzle Dazzle 3 photography workshop registration ongoing

Announcements, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Fashion, Features, Headline, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Photos, Society, Style, Tourism

How fast time flies! Back in 2010, I was still pitching possible names for a photography workshop to my super talented brother (who happens to be an awarded and very in-demand professional wedding photographer). He liked what I offered - "Razzle Dazzle." According to the dictionary, razzle dazzle means dazzling excitement or extravagant display of technique. Not long after that, he named his very first photography workshop "Razzle Dazzle Photography Workshop." Fast forward two years later, Razzle Dazzle Photography Workshop is now on its 3rd cycle! This photography workshop in Mindanao is set to take place on May 5 to 6, 2012 in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, Philippines. Don't you want to spend two days of summer learning new photography techniques? This CDO photography worksh...

Feb212012 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

And the winner of the tickets to the Greatest Hits Tour Manila show is…

Announcements, Contests

First off, I'd like to apologize for the delay in announcing the winner. I'm finally here in Manila for the much-awaited Greatest Hits concert featuring Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees, Blue and a1 and as expected, the days have really been very busy! My apologies to everyone who has been waiting for the big verdict. So anyways, without further ado...let me announce the winner of four (4) general admission tickets to the upcoming a1, Blue and Jeff Timmons in Manila concert (February 25, 2012, 8 PM Smart Araneta Coliseum)... *drum roll please* Congratulations to ERLINDA VILLAMIL! :) Please wait for my email. I trust that the email address that you used is still working ha :) Once you receive my email, please send me the Twitter account you used to follow Wilbros and Asian Touring. I also nee...

Feb132012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Airphil Express launches piso fare sale for Valentine’s Day!

Announcements, Bacolod City, Cagayan de Oro City, Cebu City, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Dipolog, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Update, Ozamis, Pagadian, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tawi Tawi, Travel, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

Great news for all travel bugs! The Philippines' fastest growing carrier, Airphil Express, will launch a very special PISO FARE sale! Yes, folks, Airphil Express has a peso fare sale just in time for Valentine's Day! This is an express piso promo fare so you better book your tickets as soon as possible! The selling period for Airphil Express promo fare for Valentine's Day will be held from February 14, 2012 to February 16, 2012 Travel period: September 1 to December 15, 2012 The express Airphil piso fare will cover these routes: Cebu to Bacolod, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Caticlan, Cotabato, Davao, Dipolog, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iloilo, Kalibo, Legazpi, Ozamiz, Pagadian, Puerto Princesa, Surigao, Tacloban, Zamboanga Davao to Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, Zamboanga Zambo...

Feb82012 by Mindanaoan Irene73 Comments

Win tickets to the Greatest Hits Tour Manila featuring a1, Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees and Blue!

Announcements, Blogging, Consumer, Contests, Entertainment, Events, Features, Internet, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Society

Win tickets to the Greatest Hits Tour Manila featuring a1, Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees and Blue! Hi everybody! I'll make this short and simple. I'm giving away four (4) general admission tickets to the upcoming Greatest Hits concert featuring a1, Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees and Blue! The Manila leg will be held on February 25, 2012 (Saturday), 8 PM, Smart Araneta Coliseum. So are you ready to win some tickets for yourself and three of your friends? Read on and share! Contest mechanics: - You must be a subscriber of Mindanaoan.com CLICK HERE to subscribe (don't forget to verify your email address, okay? :) ) - Follow the Official Mindanaoan.com Facebook Page - Follow the Drake World Entertainment Twitter account (http://www.twitter.com/asiantouring) - Follow the Wilbros L...

Feb32012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Meet Maria Ressa at SIBYA – social media for social change

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Features, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Technology

If there's one journalist I absolutely admire, it's Maria Ressa. She's a multi-awarded journalist and former CNN Jakarta Bureau Chief. I've always wanted to meet her and I might just have the chance in a few days! Maria Ressa will be one of the guest speakers at SIBYA - the First Northern Mindanao Student Communicators Congress. With the theme "Social media for social change," SIBYA is organized by the Crusader Publication of Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan in cooperation with the Development Communication Department of the same school SIBYA will also feature other speakers from Rappler: - awarded debater, Inquirer columnist and ANC Storyline producer Patricia Evangelista - former Ateneo de Manila Journalism Graduate Program chief, ABS CBN ethics head and investigative...

Jan242012 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Kicking swing at Saddle Ridge Camp Dahilayan

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Entertainment, Features, Leisure, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Musings, Northern Mindanao, Resorts, Reviews, Society, Tourism, Travel, Videos

Typhoon Sendong (international name: Washi) claimed thousands of lives, left tens of thousands of homes damaged (some damaged beyond repair, some totally wiped out) and basically left so much destruction in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan - two cities in Northern Mindanao, Philippines. Both cities are still trying to cope - so much still needs to be done. Still, I'm happy to share with you all that amid ongoing relief and rehabilitation operations, there also are movements from various sectors of society to REBUILD both cities. In Cagayan de Oro City in particular, there's a movement called "Barog, Kagay-anon" (Move, Kagay-anon), a series of activities that aims to revive CDO tourism. Tourism, after all, can do wonders for a city. We all know that the more tourists, the better the economy and...

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...

Dec192011 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Was PNoy at a party while Typhoon Sendong victims tried to pick up the pieces?

Blogging, Commentary, Controversial, Features, Government, Headline, Humor, Internet, Leisure, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Personalities, Society, Style

It all just started with a tweet...and I really did not think that it would all lead to this. As you guys may or may not know, I'm an avid Twitter user. (You can see and follow my Twitter account HERE) Just a few hours ago, Sunday night, December 18, 2011, I was monitoring tweets about Typhoon Sendong when I noticed GMA 7 Network reporter/journalist Joseph Morong ask a certain @iammarlonramos (who turned out to be Philippine Daily Inquirer reporter Marlon Ramos) if he was serious. Curious, I checked what the tweet was about. Apparently it was a reaction to Filipina celebrity Valerie Concepcion's tweet that she was at a party in Malacanang (the PSG Christmas Party, to be exact) and that the Philippine President Benigno Aquino III was there. Now for those of you who don't know, two cit...

Dec132011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanaoan is a national finalist in the 2011 Philippine Blog Awards

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, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

I know, I know...this is a super delayed post. My apologies! I've been traveling a whole lot the past few days and I've also been very busy with some projects (more on these later). I do know, however, that I absolutely must write about this, no matter how briefly. My humble blog, Mindanaoan.com, was a NATIONAL FINALIST in the recently concluded 2011 Philippine Blog Awards! YEY! :D After being nominated in the Philippine Blog Awards 2011 - Mindanao, this Mindanao lifestyle blog was also declared as one of the finalists for the lifestyle category - national level. Here's a screenshot from the 2011 Philippine Blog Awards website: YEHEY! :) WOO HOO! :D The awards ceremony was held a few days ago and although I didn't win, it warms my heart so much to know that I was one of the ...

Dec132011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Cotabato City Crab Festival 2011

Cotabato, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, Food, Maguindanao, Mindanaoan Update, North Cotabato

I love eating crabs. No, make that - I love, love, LOVE eating crabs! If you want to make me happy in an instant, serve me a crab dish. The regular steamed crab dish is my all time favorite. I also like roasted garlic crab, beer-steamed crab (yup, you read that right!), Sprite-steamed crab (again, you read that right!), ginger and scallion steamed crab, pepper crab and of course, the chilli crab (preferably cooked the Singaporean way!). So, yes, as you can see, I love crabs! (Do you as well?) So I'm pretty excited to know that here in Mindanao, a large city is set to celebrate its first ever crab festival! Presenting the Cotabato Crab Festival 2011! The 2011 Cotabato City Crab Festival, a component event of the upcoming Shariff Kabunsuan Festival, will take place from December 15 ...