Mindanao Archives - Page 11 of 14 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Feb222009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Quick updates: Kaamulan Festival 2009 in Bukidnon

Bukidnon, Commentary, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, Kaamulan Festival, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personal

So today, Sunday, February 22, 2009, is the fifth day since the "soft opening" of the Kaamulan Festival 2009 celebration here in the Province of Bukidnon, Mindanao. I'm here because my team and I (meaning my very helpful brothers and I) are in-charge of some Kaamulan 2009 events. We regularly have a lot of responsibilities every Kaamulan time and it's something that we just love to do. There's a different kind of rush whenever you're part of something grand and looked forward to by many. Plus of course it's an honor to be a part of such a huge festival (not to mention the widely recognized only remaining authentic ethnic festival in the Philippines!) There are now hundreds of booths at the Capitol Grounds here in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. All of these booths, by the way, are only made ...

Feb152009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Healing priest Rev. Fernando Suarez to visit Butuan City, Mindanao on February 17-18, 2009

Announcements, Butuan, Mindanaoan Update, News, Religion, Society

Filipino healing priest Fr. Fernando Suarez will be in Mindanao next week for both public and private healing sessions. Father Fernando, a member of the Companions of the Cross Healing Ministry, will be in Butuan City, Mindanao on Tuesday, February 17, 2009. An open-to-the-public healing session will be held on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at the Urios University Gymnasium in Butuan. Organizers say that the healing session will be open to anybody who needs prayer, guidance and healing. A mass will also take place after the healing session, which will take place in the afternoon of February 18. Fr. Suarez's much-awaited visit is sponsored by the Butuan City Government in coordination with the Office of Butuan City Rep. Jose Aquino III. Born in Taal, Batangas, Fr. Fernando Suarez has b...

Feb122009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Spend Valentine’s Day at Pepper and Peppers Restaurant Davao City

Consumer, Davao City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Personal

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, you should already have an idea by now as to where you can bring your loved one for that special, romantic dinner. However, with just so many choices especially in Davao City, Mindanao, deciding where to go can be quite a challenge. Good thing there's Pepper and Peppers Restaurant which promises nothing but exquisite food, exclusive dining and elegant ambiance. Located at The Site, Central Convenience Store Compound, Jacinto Extension corner Mapa Street, Davao City, Pepper and Peppers Restaurant is best known for their killer (and I mean absolutely delish!) Iberian chicken, Chilean shrimp pasta and (my favorite) Sizzling Blackened Chicken. And come Valentine's Day, they've prepared two Valentine Set menus for you to choose from. The "Hopel...

Feb102009 by Mindanaoan Irene17 Comments

Dabawenya Mindanaoan to compete in Binibining Pilipinas 2009

Beauty, Davao City, Entertainment, Features, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Society

I was pleasantly surprised to see our "Baby South" during the press presentation of the official candidates of this year's Binibining Pilipinas 2009 pageant. "Baby South" refers to Priscilla Mae Navidad, a 17 year old Dabawenya. I met Mae a few years ago in Davao City, Mindanao. I was helping organize the Davao leg of the nationwide "Rainbow Tour" of premiere Filipino band South Border and after the concert, I was also selling copies of their award-winning platinum CD, "Episode III" (yes, I know, major plugging na 'to LOL :D) Anyways, there was this tall girl who kept on asking me if she could meet Jay Durias (South Border's musical director and keyboardist) because, according to her, they were cousins. I must admit, I had reservations at first because after all, there was virtually A M...

Feb102009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Discover Region 12 and ARMM in Intramuros – until Feb. 16 only!

Announcements, ARMM, Mindanaoan Update, Muslim Mindanao

Curious as to what Region XII, Mindanao and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) can offer? Head on down to the Intramuros History Town and discover the beauty of these two Mindanao areas. The said exhibit will go on an extended run until Feb. 16, 2009 only so you better hurry up! Better yet, why not make that visit your Valentine's Day celebration? From what I gathered from Sen. Richard Gordon, the Region XII and ARMM showcase in Intramuros History Town has so far been drawing roughly 6,000 visitors daily. Not bad, eh? I wonder how many of those 6,000 are certified Mindanaoans who just happen to be in Manila? :) This Intramuros History Town project, conceived by Senator Gordon, is pretty interesting and can really help boost tourism especially for the Island of Mindanao. Espe...

Feb92009 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Davao City soon to have a wakeboard park

Mindanaoan Update

I simply couldn't contain my utter excitement when I found out about this yesterday - and via Facebook, no less. Apparently, Davao City will soon have a wakeboard park! Construction of the Davao Wakeboard Park is allegedly underway and it's set to be completed on April 2009. The grand opening of this new Davao City tourist attraction is slated for May 2009. Just in time for the tail end of summer 2009! As a certified water sports aficionado, I simply cannot wait to visit this complex soon! For the uninitiated, wakeboarding is a surface water sport wherein a person uses a wakeboard (this one's smaller than a surfboard but a little bit bigger than a skateboard) over the surface of a body of water. This sport was reportedly developed via a combination of water skiing, surfing and snowboard...

Feb82009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Be bakunado! Top reasons why you need to protect yourself against flu

Advocacy, Announcements, Internet, Mindanaoan Update

Contrary to popular belief, influenza or flu is not just a simple disease. Truth be told, it does not just come in the most common forms such as cough and colds. Flu can also come in avian, human and pandemic forms (the latter being the scariest form, IMO) - hence, it is very important that you as well as the members of your family get vaccinated. Good thing there's now a website that helps you understand flu, its forms, consequences and vaccinations that could help fight it. Check out the Bakunado sa Flu Official Website (a banner may be found at the header of the Mindanaoan website) In case the banner doesn't show, click here. The Bakunado sa Flu website will help you realize that vaccination is one important step to not only a healthier lifestyle but to a less stressful atmospher...

Feb72009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: La Tierra Del Sur Hotel General Santos City

General Santos City, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews

A few months ago and fter 14 long years, my brother and I went back to General Santos City. We went there during the yearly Tuna Festival and since that trip was abruptly planned and we were about to leave within a few days, we knew we couldn't get rooms in GenSan's larger hotels or inns anymore. After searching the Internet for hours and calling almost every possible hotel, inn and lodging place in General Santos City, we were left with the only vacant room in La Tierra Del Sur Hotel. Located along the National Highway of General Santos City and just a few steps away from the old bus terminal, La Tierra Del Sur Hotel was supposedly one of the more famous lodging places in General Santos City during its heydays or so I was told. These days, however, La Tierra operates more like a touris...

Feb72009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Will Mindanao produce three new senators this 2010?

Controversial, Government, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities

The 2010 presidential elections are just around the corner and I'm interested to know - after former Bukidnon Third District Congressman Juan Miguel "Migs" Zubiri, will Mindanao again produce new senators? Will there be two (or more) Mindanaoan senators soon? This early, I've heard a lot of buzz about three Mindanaoans who will allegedly gun for a senatorial seat this 2010 Philippine elections. These are former Bukidnon First District Congressman JR Nereus "Neric" Acosta, United Opposition spokesperson Adel Abass Tamano and current Bukidnon Second District Congressman Teofisto "TG" Guingona III. On Neric Acosta - He served as a congressman for Bukidnon's first district for three consecutive terms. The principal author of the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Solid Waste Managem...

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...

Feb12009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

A Mindanaoan won the first Project Runway Philippines title – will the next one be YOU?

Arts, Events, Fashion, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Style

Aries Lagat of Iligan City, Mindanao won the very first Project Runway Philippines title. Will the next one be YOU? The second season of Project Runway Philippines is set to air very soon and they're now on the lookout for the next contenders. Get ready to be a part of Project Runway Philippines history, fellow Mindanaoan! A casting call for those who live in Davao City and other nearby areas in Mindanao will be held on February 8, 2009, 1 to 6 pm at the SM Davao Event Center. So if you are a fashion designer here in Mindanao, 21 years of age and above, and would like to try out for a chance to become the next top Filipino fashion designer, go and make us all of your fellow Mindanaoans proud! Don't forget to pre-register, though! Send your resume and some sample images of your design...

Jan302009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Rep. Klarex Uy invitational airsoft tourney in CDO to welcome VisMin airsoft aficionados

Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Mindanaoan Update, Sports

Airsoft aficionados from both Visayas and Mindanao are very welcome to join the Congressman Klarex Uy Invitational Airsoft Tournament - “Tactical Breach: Mission Compromised" event slated this March 7-8, 2009 at the Pueblo de Oro grounds, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. This, according to Kenneth Marlowe Tan, one of the organizers of the said airsoft event. The invitational airsoft tournament will adopt an 18 - Man Team setup with no limit on the number of reserved players. The said Cagayan de Oro event will have 16 Teams and that will be on a first come, first served basis. The tournament fee is pegged at P900.00 per player, which shall cover the cost for the meals, souvenir t-shirt and help defray costs for the fellowship night. Organizers say that the upcoming airsoft competition a...

Jan292009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Breaking news: Basilan mayor slain in ambush

ARMM, Crime, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News, Sulu, Zamboanga Peninsula

Karam Jakilan, mayor of Albarkah, Basilan, along with three others, was slain in an ambush just this afternoon. They were attacked in Tipo-Tipo, according to police reports. Basilan is located just off the southern coast of Zamboanga Peninsula, Mindanao, Philippines. Basilan, which is within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), is the biggest and northernmost among the major islands of the Sulu Archipelago. Basilan Police Superintendent Salik Macapantar reportedly said that the mayor, his driver and two unnamed persons - a man and a woman - were killed at around 4 pm today. Meanwhile, three people included in the convoy were hurt. Police believe that the motive of the killing was "rido," which pertains to blood feuds that often go unresolved over several generations. ...

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 ...

Jan282009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Are you willing to pay P6,000 to the Philippine government just so you can blog?

Advocacy, Blogging, Business, Consumer, Controversial, Headline, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Technology

Because this seems to be the case if ever a proposal dubbed "Guidelines on the Provision of Contents, Information, Applications and Electronic Games" lodged before the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) pushes through. Now, how does this affect Mindanaoan bloggers or content providers here in the Philippines, you ask? This controversial proposal, when loosely translated, would mean that the Philippine government wants to require people to hold licenses in order to create or post content online. And, of course, there will be corresponding fees and charges. Under the proposal, a filing fee of P300.00 shall be imposed and an annual registration fee of P6,000.00. There will also reportedly be surcharges for late filings. While the proposal probably has commendable objectives and w...

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...

Jan192009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Is Mindanao really RP’s “Wild West”?

Advocacy, Commentary, Government, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion

This got me thinking when I received a press release from the Office of Sen. Richard Gordon recently. The PR read: "Turn around Mindanao’s image as RP’s ‘Wild West’ – Gordon" The senator said that Mindanao has "gained a negative reputation in the international media as the country’s “Wild, Wild West” due to the continued spate of kidnappings, sporadic bombings, and the poor peace and order situation." Is our beloved island Mindanao really the Philippines' version of the so-called "Wild West"? In a meeting with the Regional Development Council of Region 12 and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Gordon challenged Mindanao executives to turn around Mindanao's negative image from being the “Wild West of the Philippines ” into a premier tourist destination with its unique history and ...

Jan162009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Davao-Hongkong and Davao-Singapore now on ZERO FARE!

Business, Corporate, Davao City, Flights, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Travel

Good news Mindanaoan travelers! If you've been meaning to visit bustling Hong Kong or clean and beautiful Singapore then now is the time to travel! Cebu Pacific Air is offering another round of its infamous zero fare promo for Davao-Hongkong (and vice versa) and Davao-Singapore flights! The seat sale promo starts today, January 16, 2009 up to January 22, 2009. There are 70,000 seats available for Cebu Pacific Air's international seat sale so that's 70,000 chances for you to travel to your Asian destination of choice! Actually, the airline is offering zero fares for flights to Bangkok, Guangzhou, Ho Chi Minh, Jakarta, Kaohsiung, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Shanghai and Taipei as well. Pretty exciting deal, eh? I did a mock reservation just a few minutes ago for a Davao to Sing...

Jan152009 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Review: Bahia Spa and Wellness in MetroLifestyle complex Davao City

Beauty, Consumer, Davao City, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Society

First of all, let me just stress that this is NOT a sponsored post. I just want to share my very good experience over at the Bahia Spa and Wellness Center in Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines. Here's hoping that my review of the place could help weary travelers, spa aficionados, health buffs and perhaps Dabawenyos who still have reservations with regard to spas and health centers. Please feel free to share your thoughts :) Bahia Spa and Wellness Center is located along F. Torres Street, Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines. It's near the Davao City National High School and can be found within the Metro Lifestyle Complex, which also houses a Bo's Coffee Club franchise, a gym (MetroLifestyle Fitness Center), the Krua Thai restaurant Davao branch and a Dermalife Facial and Slimming center....

Jan152009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and Sylvester “Sly” Stallone together in a movie?

Bukidnon, Entertainment, Features, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Update, Movies

Well, this information's straight from Erik Pineda, Manny Pacquiao's business manager, so I guess this one's true! Pacquiao is reportedly set to do a movie with Rambo himself, Sylvester "Sly" Stallone. In fact, the duo reportedly met at Stallone's office in Los Angeles, California last January 6, 2009. During the meeting, Sly even gave the Pacman's two sons, Jimwell and Michael, a pair of boxing gloves which bore the signature of former world light-heavyweight champion Tony Tarver. Still, this piece of development shouldn't be treated as a 100-percent-fully-done-and-waxed type of deal. Everything's still in the planning stage. Erik Pineda was quoted as saying that it's "not a boxing movie but something like ‘Rush Hour’ (a Jacky Chan-Chris Tucker hit." Looks like Manny, who's a certif...

Jan132009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanao to have cold weather and rains in next few days

Mindanaoan Update, News

Like a lot of people, I myself also can't stand cold weather. I hate catching colds and to remain stuck at home can somehow be boring. So you can just imagine how disappointed I was today when I learned that Mindanao will continue to see rains and cold weather in the next few days. According to Nathaniel Cruz, chief of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (OMG, I can't remember the last time I said that out loud...hmm), the country is currently plagued with a cold front, which also apparently triggered the rains and unfortunate flashfloods in both Visayas and Mindanao (Cagayan de Oro City has been badly hit by these flashfloods as of late). Which reminds me...I hope this cold front will not dampen the Sinulog 2009 celebration. I'm actually looking ...

Jan122009 by Mindanaoan Irene93 Comments

Should we now close the Philippine Post Office?

Business, Consumer, Government, Mindanaoan Update

I don't know about you but I'm getting more and more disappointed with the Philippine Post Office. A few months ago, I received a very important package from the United Nations and its sides were torn and were deliberately "put back together" by mere use of a transparent packing tape. You could just imagine how insulting that was --- I wonder if an employee or two from the national or local post office thought that there was money inside the large envelope or probably some lucrative contracts? And now, after traveling for two days, I come home and see my mails...and I find out that they were all supposed to be delivered last November and December! One package, for instance, was full of important coupons I could've used to avail of discounts during the Christmas holiday shopping sprees. ...