mindanao blogger Archives - Page 3 of 22 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Jun292022 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

TM is the key reunion concert in CDO to feature Alden Richards, SB19, December Avenue and a lot more

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Technology

It's finally time to get the good vibes back and dance and sing together with your friends and family! Mobile network TM is set to help make this happen as they hold the most-awaited “TM is The Key Reunion Concert” on July 2, 2022, Pelaez Sports Center, Cagayan De Oro City. This is set to be a reunion concert for all Ka-TMs with their much-loved TM Ambassadors, such as Alden Richards, Seth Fedelin, Matthaios, and The Juans. Joining them too are talented guest artists such as Zack Tabudlo and December Avenue, together with CDO-based bands, Inside City and Cyber Band, who will fill the air with Pinoy music that the audience can jam into. And, guess what --- SB19 was just announced as an exciting addition to the already amazing roster of performers! Personally, I'm looking forward to hear...

Jun52022 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

LOOK: Ice cream artisan Creamery Studios CDO

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Features, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Restaurant

We all have those days when we just want ice cream, comfort snacks, delicious coffee (yasss) and maybe a drink that resembles the northern lights, right? Because I do! Thankfully, there's a new place in Cagayan de Oro where you and I can indulge in everything good and sweet - Creamery Studios CDO!Try their ice cream artisan specialties, Korean egg drop sandwich, Spanish latte and the Sparkling Aurora (which resembles the breathtaking aurora borealis) The pasta chips and the berry tea fusion are also delicious choices. The Creamery Studios CDO space is also full of unicorn hues. Great for small events! However, aside from the food and drinks and colorful space, what makes Creamery Studios a must-visit is the affable owner, Chino. He is hands-on and passionate about his new venture...and ha...

Apr232022 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Senatorial bet Herbert Bautista: Loans of up to P100K needed to revive MSMEs

Business, Politics

UniTeam senatorial candidate Herbert “Bistek” Bautista proposed a package of aid to micro, small and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs) that were battered by the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that could include providing up to P100,000 in loans to each small enterprise that is trying to reopen. “But let’s not give aid without a condition,” said Bautista, citing a similar assistance program for small businesses hit by the pandemic in Japan, Germany and the United States as examples of what the Philippine government can do for local MSMEs. “I’ll give you an example. I’ll give you 100,000 pesos to restart but you should hire those employed with you before,” said Bautista, who is running on a platform of Internet reform, Livelihood for all and Youth development (ILY0 and Pagkai...

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...

Mar212022 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Chiz Escudero: Deploy more doctors to the barrios, health resources for Universal Health Care in Mindanao

Agusan del Sur, Basilan, Cotabato, Mindanaoan Update, Sarangani, Tawi Tawi, Zamboanga del Norte

Sorsogon Governor Chiz Escudero said the country’s implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act will be useless if it does not benefit the poorest provinces, especially in Mindanao. Escudero, who is running for senator, said local government units (LGUs) in the south tend to be neglected when it comes to support for infrastructure development and health care, which explains why the municipalities and provinces there remain the poorest in the Philippines. “You cannot have a healthy economy without a healthy constituency. And there can be no true UHC if the people in Mindanao continue to have little or no access to quality health care. That requires adequate supply of medicines, health equipment and health workers,” Escudero said. Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) ...

Mar192022 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Migz Zubiri: Strengthen alternative fuels such as Biofuels and E-Vehicles

Mindanaoan Update

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri is pushing to suspend fuel excise tax, in the midst of skyrocketing fuel prices sparked by Russia’s war on Ukraine. Further, he is calling for stronger implementation of the Biofuels Act, as an option for alternative fuels. “With these prices, we should consider the temporary suspension of the fuel excise tax to give our people some welcome respite from the weekly increase of fuel,” said Zubiri. “Especially PUV operators and drivers, who are still trying to recover from the pandemic.” “Just when the economy is beginning to open back up and they finally have a chance to recoup, here comes an oil price surge to kill their momentum. “But suspending excise tax is a short-term solution. We need to think long-term, to avoid coming to another si...

Mar162022 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Australian yogurt drink specialty shop Koomi opens Cagayan de Oro branch

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Features, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Reviews

I’m a certified yogurt fanatic so you can just imagine how excited I was now that Koomi Philippines has opened a branch in Cagayan de Oro! Koomi, a natural yogurt drink specialty shop from The Land Down Under , serves guilt-free yogurt treats. Every cup of Koomi is made FRESH DAILY! I also absolutely enjoyed the Waterberry Wonder Tartness is perfect and the fruits they use are fresh and delicious Not only are these yummy, they’re healthy, too! They use a natural sweetener which is fruit honey and of course, our tumtums love the probiotic yogurt that aids our digestive system. Now that’s what we call #GuiltlessGoodness. Check out Koomi CDO at the G/F of SM CDO Downtown Premier (by the main entrance) or you can order via FoodPanda and GrabFood

Mar32022 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Shopee introduces Marian Rivera as new brand ambassador, to hold March 15 consumer day sale

Announcements, Consumer, Corporate, Shopping, Society, Technology

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, is set to hold its 3.15 Consumer Day, the first mega sale of the year. Consumer Day, which will be held on March 15, 2022, will bring the excitement of Shopee’s year-end festivals to all users, giving them more reasons to celebrate and reward themselves as they gear up for the year ahead. Shopee is pioneering 3.15 Consumer Day to bring more value and joy to all shoppers, who are now using e-commerce to fulfill their needs all year round. Everyone can be a part of 3.15 Consumer Day which features the widest variety of products, made better with: Free Shipping with Php 0 min. spendPhp 1 Deals10% off daily starting March 3, kicking off the celebration with the 3.3 Consumer Day Adding to the 3.15 celebrations, Sho...

Jan172022 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Live Safe with Defensil Isopropyl Alcohol

Features, Health, LifeStyle, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews

Here's a brand of isopropyl alcohol that my family and I have been using for months now - Defensil! With many establishments slowly re-opening and allowing people to resume their pre-pandemic lifestyles, Defensil Isopropyl Alcohol encourages Filipinos to live safe. With the nationwide vaccination program in full force, Filipinos can slowly enjoy various activities such as more dining options as well as doing physical activities by going to the gym. However, health experts continue to remind everyone to not let their guards down even as we gradually go back to normal. As there are reports of new and potentially more contagious variants, everyone must remain vigilant through following established health protocols and getting vaccinated so we can all continue to live safe and prevent ...

Dec182021 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

The Loop by Power Mac Center arrives in General Santos City

Features, General Santos City, Technology

Premier Apple partner Power Mac Center (PMC) opened its first store in General Santos City last November 26, 2021 to bring fans in the region even closer to Apple technology. The expansion is a continuation of Power Mac Center’s goal of increasing its geographic footprint across the nation to serve more people through its retail stores, service centers, and training centers. “New beginnings are always good. Despite the difficulties of the current situation, it’s important for us to power through the challenges and be there for our customers in the different channels they prefer. With our inaugural store in General Santos City, we hope to help more people in the south in their need to access Apple technology for their day-to-day lives, especially amid the shift to digital for productivi...

Nov152021 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

JOIN FOR FREE! Ford Philippines Brings Driving Skills for Life in Mindanao

Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Technology

Ford Philippines is bringing its Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) program in Mindanao this month as part of its commitment to create better and safer drivers on the road. With the theme “Safe Driving in the New Normal”, this year’s DSFL will cover timely topics including pandemic car care and maintenance tips, car sanitation and disinfection, and driving techniques during the rainy weather. These are in addition to the existing DSFL training module which covers basic vehicle dynamics and handling, driving in various conditions, anti-distracted driving, and fuel-efficient driving. This year’s DSFL sessions will be conducted virtually in order to foster a safe and physically-distant learning environment. The DSFL is back this year after its postponement in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pande...

Nov42021 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Senator Joel Villanueva: Surge of passport applications in the millions expected as COVID retreats

Features, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News

As the easing of COVID-19 cases prompts OFWs to job-hunt again, the government should open more off-site passport processing centers in malls outside of Metro Manila, Sen. Joel Villanueva said. Villanueva said the move of the Department of Foreign Affairs to open six Temporary Off-Site Passport Services (DFA-TOPS) in NCR last month is “a great solution that should be replicated and scaled up” nationwide. Passport processing, the senator added, is “an important employment assistance not only to OFWs but to first-time job seekers.” “Well, in a sense, you can view it as job generation activity,” Villanueva said. As travel restrictions get rolled back globally, this will open up economies that will take back furloughed workers, many of whom were Filipinos, the chair of the S...

Sep232021 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Coffee at the Abbey

Mindanaoan Update

The Monastery of Transfiguration, located in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, also known as the Benedictine Transfiguration Monastery, is my most favorite place for spiritual refuge. It's an ideal place if you want to go on a spiritual retreat. The centerpiece of this Mindanao monastery is a popular cone-shaped chapel, designed by the late National Artist for Architecture Leandro Locsin. There are no entrance fees. Just make sure that you're appropriately dressed. They have a dress code. I've written extensively about the monastery and what you can see and do there (READ: Revisiting the Monastery and 3 Things You Can Do At the Monastery of Transfiguration) but there's a new and nice development there. They have a new coffee shop slash gift shop! It's called the Abbey Giftshop and now ...

Sep232021 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Panagatan Restaurant Opol now offers breakfast

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Restaurant, Reviews

Breakfast with a view? How about breakfast by the sea? Yes, please! Panagatan Restaurant, considered as Northern Mindanao's culinary gem and everyone's favorite seafood restaurant in this side of Northern Mindanao, Philippines, now offers breakfast and now opens at 6:30 AM (closes at 9 PM). For only Php 150 (US $3.00), your main viand (choose from bacon, corned beef, beef tapa, crispy danggit or daing na bangus) comes with 2 eggs and rice (or toasted bread). Value for money! There are also other breakfast options on their menu so go ahead and try this Cagayan de Oro breakfast place. Enjoy your breakfast by the bay! Panagatan Opol is atop the water so you can enjoy the morning sea breeze with delicious breakfast. Want to reserve tables or have inquiries? Just call Panagatan Resta...

May22021 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

My GMA 7 TV interview experience

Advocacy, Bisaya, Blogging, Entertainment, Features, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Personalities, Society, Television

It was an invitation for a TV interview I simply couldn't resist. Just recently, I was interviewed for a segment of "At Home with GMA Regional TV," a morning TV show aired all over Mindanao, Philippines! I shared a bit about my blogging journey, how and why I started, the places I've been to around the world (I've visited Japan, the two Koreas, Taiwan, Singapore, Hongkong, Malaysia, the United States of America and more), some tips on how to become a responsible social media user and tips for folks who want to start their own blogs/vlogs/podcast etc. I also shared a bit of good news - I landed on the 4th spot on the Top 60 New York Lifestyle Blogs, Influencers and Websites 2021! The interview was aired on: GMA TV 5 Davao, GMA TV 35 Cagayan de Oro, GMA TV 8 General Santos Cit...

Feb202021 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

LOOK: New Coca-Cola manufacturing plant in Davao

Business, Corporate, Davao City, Davao del Sur

Coke has a new manufacturing plant in the Philippines and it's located in Mindanao! Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI), the bottling arm of Coca-Cola in the Philippines, recently unveiled at its Davao del Sur plant its most advanced manufacturing line for returnable glass bottles (RGB) in the country. The new RGB line has a greater production capacity—further improving on the Company’s service to its customers and contributing to the bid to spur local and national economic recovery. “Our investments in 2020 went into ensuring that we can continue to care for our people, secure jobs, and expand our operations, particularly in the Mindanao region,” said Gareth McGeown, CEO and President of CCBPI during the inauguration. He added, “With this new line, we celebrate a miles...

Dec42020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

These Mindanao youth groups champion bayanihan during quarantine

Advocacy, Cagayan de Oro City, Campus, Cotabato, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Society, Surigao del Sur

In the midst of so many challenges this year 2020, I'm so glad that several Mindanao youth groups have taken the initiative to address gaps in social services and collaborated with local government units and NGOs to develop projects that prioritized the survival, health, and livelihood of many of our fellow Filipinos. Here is a list of Mindanaoan youth groups that showed bayanihan during the quarantine: Tabang Sikad Tabang Sikad is a fund-raising initiative for sikad drivers from several barangays in Cagayan de Oro City. The project provided relief packs to sikad drivers whose daily income decreased from Php 300 to Php 80 – Php 100 during the quarantine. Started by a duo, Nekka and Liam, the team expanded their impact to collaborate with the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associa...

Dec42020 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mindanaoan.com lands on Blogmeter top Philippine blogs list

America, Blogging, Entertainment, Features, Headline, Internet, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, New York, Technology, United States of America

So excited to share with you all that this humble blog, Mindanaoan, landed on BlogMeterTop's top Philippine blogs list. I'm excited about this because it has been quite a challenge to write this year. So this is such a blessing and a reminder for me to always just power through! Mindanaoan.com landed on 3 categories - on the "Top" overall, on the November 2020 top list and on the November 2020 Travel and Leisure. Mindanaoan.com is among the top 50. BlogmeterTop is a Web analytics service that tracks and reports website traffic for all Philippine blogsites. According to BlogmeterTop, they track the user’s activity on the site such as page visits and statistics. BlogmeterTop’s approach is to show the dashboard-type data (as a more in-depth data) report for the casual PH blogsite ow...

Mar202020 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Got featured on Philippine Star!

Fashion, Features, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Photos, Style

I'm in my very early 40's and I haven't seen my "original" hair color in a very long time. By that, I mean I've been coloring my hair often for many years now --- turning it blonde, ash gray, pink, red and purple! Currently, my hair is platinum blonde mixed with gray. You can see some of my current photos on my Instagram. Anyway, the reason why I mentioned my age is because, as a professional publicist, social media specialist and blogger, I always receive comments that my hair should also "look" professional. I often think that what they probably meant was that my hair should be the ubiquitous black or brown. Maybe the most extreme would be to have highlights and that's about it. Nothing crazy like pink hair! Alas, I'm not one who conforms just so I can fit in. I have long conclud...

Feb282020 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Speaking at Camera Club of Davao’s 37th anniversary

Advocacy, Blogging, Davao City, Events, Features, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Social Media, Technology

One of my deepest advocacies is to help share the good news about the power of social media and blogging. I try to do this by volunteering, being generous with my time and sharing my first-hand experience as much as I can. Even when I was still in New York, I had the privilege to share my insights and tips via #GoSocial. Speaking about social media for social good is one of my natural highs. I will always be grateful for each and every opportunity. So you could just imagine how thrilled I was to receive an invitation to be the keynote speaker during the 37th charter anniversary of the Camera Club of Davao, the oldest and most respected photography club in Davao City. It was truly an honor not only because they're THE CCD but also because it meant heading back home to the city I was...

Nov192019 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

KABIT now for sale

Announcements, Bukidnon, Features, Food, Malaybalay City, Mindanaoan Update

In Tagalog, kabit means attach, fasten or connect. In Bisaya, kabit is the usual term for mistress, male lover or someone you get entangled in an illicit affair with. The KABIT that's now for sale? It's neither ;) I'm talking about KABIT (tear-jerker) salt and pepper crunchy chili garlic made by Christine, a friendly entrepreneur I met in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon! So, yes, you could say that kabits are being produced right from Bukidnon, considered the food basket of Mindanao ;) I first met Christine a few weeks ago. Apparently she has been following my blogs! A few days later, my mother and I met with her personally. We also met another Bukidnon entrepreneur that day, Paula, who made delicious pineapple jam, pineapple cider vinegar and pineapple filled muffins. They we...

Jun142019 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Witnessing the fashion show in New York of this Mindanao designer

America, Cagayan de Oro City, Fashion, Features, Mindanaoan Update, New York, United States of America

Despite the threat of rain, it was still a great day to witness something special --- a fashion designer friend of mine from Cagayan de Oro, Boogie Musni Rivera, unveiled his lovely collection during the 121st Philippine Independence Day celebration here in New York City, USA. Together with our mutual friend Miss Gean Tulang-Cesar and my aunt, I braved the gloomy weather and went to Madison Square Park, where Boogie presented his beautiful creations. Truth be told, Boogie is already an accomplished CDO fashion designer but it was his very first fashion show in the Big Apple and during the Independence Day event, no less, so I was super proud! While we waited, Miss Gean, my aunt and I roamed around the nearby blocks and checked out the various booths. We chanced upon the alley full...