mindanaoan blog Archives - Page 8 of 12 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Dec92010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Two Mindanaoan groups win in the 8th TAYO Awards

Announcements, Compostela Valley, Features, Headline, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao, Society, Surigao del Sur

Here's a great follow-up to my previous blog post about the Mindanao youth org-finalists to the 8th Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) Awards --- two (yes, TWO!) youth groups from Mindanao won! Let's all congratulate the Pro-Drop Out Reduction Program (PRO-DORP) Team from Surigao del Sur, Mindanao and the 4-H Mandaya Tribal Youth Organization (MTYO) from Compostela Valley, Mindanao! Both Mindanao youth groups received P50,000.00 cash grant from the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines as well as a specially handcrafted trophy by artist Toym de Leon Imao. Woohoo! Congratulations guys! I'm super proud of all of you! * photo credit: Momblogger The awarding ceremonies of this year's 8th TAYO Awards was held today, December 9, 2010 at the Malacanang Palace. No less than President...

Dec52010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Davao City’s musical fountain worth P18M is 1st in Mindanao

Announcements, Arts, Davao City, Features, Government, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism

As you guys may or may not know, the local government unit of my hometown Davao City, Mindanao has banned the use and sale of fireworks for years now. So yes, it's been a series of pretty "quiet" Christmases and New Year's Eves in Davao for several years now. Quiet but safe. Now, because fireworks aren't permitted, the Davao City government, led by Mayor Sara Duterte, has come up with the next best thing - an P18 Million dancing, musical fountain! The grand musical fountain, which can be found at the Davao City People's Park (former PTA Grounds, along Camus Street), is said to be the first in Mindanao. The musical fountain in People's Park Davao is also a part of the yearly Pasko Fiesta, which the Davao government holds to usher in the holidays. I don't have a photo of the grand m...

Nov262010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

PacMan: Behind the Scenes with Manny Pacquiao

Bisaya, Blogging, Features, General Santos City, Humor, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Politics, Reviews, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, Sports

Many say that one will either extremely love or extremely hate this new biography about my fellow Mindanaoan, Manny Pacquiao. For fellow fans of the world's best pound for pound boxer and now Sarangani Mindanao congressman who haven't had the chance to read this new PacMan: Behind The Scenes With Manny Pacquiao book, I'm hoping that I will at least like it and not curse the book's author, Gary Andrew Poole. Because you see, while most of the "expert reviewers" say that this is a good read, many also say that it's poorly edited, contains unverified and even stupid material and reveals things about Pacquiao and the rest of Team Pacquiao that can, accordingly, "stain his good name." Before we talk about the nega stuff, though, let's consider some of the "good reviews." Scoop Malinows...

Nov252010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Pokwang invites fans to Mindanaoan.com-supported CDO concert

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Videos

Look who has a special video invitation! It's no other than the very talented comedianne Pokwang who wants to invite all of YOU to watch “The Crooner and The Comedienne - Richard Poon and Pokwang - Back2Back Live in Cagayan de Oro that's set to happen on Sunday, December 19, 2010, 7:30 PM at The Atrium of Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. Big band crooner Richard Poon will join Pokwang in this very special event. Special guest is Pilipinas Got Talent finalist Markki Stroem. This humble blog, Mindanaoan.com, is one of the proud sponsors of this Christmas concert :) And may I just say that it makes me smile whenever I receive text messages from friends in CDO who constantly let me know that they see www.Mindanaoan.com on those huge billboards around the city. Thanks guys...

Nov162010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Giant christmas tree at SM City Cebu

Cebu City, Features, Gifts, Internet, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Shopping, Society

Christmas is really in the air! Don't you just love the Yuletide season? In Mindanao, a lot of people bring out those Christmas decors as early as October but most really get into the spirit after All Souls' Day (November 2). In 2008, my Mindanaoan blog featured this Christmas Tree found at People's Park, Davao City, Mindanao. In 2009, Mindanaoan featured the Christmas Trees found at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay and at Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao. And to officially welcome Christmas 2010, I present to you a photo I took of the giant Christmas Tree found at the Northwing of SM Cebu: Pretty nice, eh? By the way, I would like to invite you to check out my very first Christmas blog! MyChristmasGiftGuide.com is where you can read all about Christmas, Christmas symbols and ornam...

Nov82010 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Senator Kiko Pangilinan congratulates www.Mindanaoan.com!

Advocacy, Agriculture, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Announcements, ARMM, Arts, Bacolod City, Banks, Basilan, Beauty, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, Blogging, Broadcasting, Bukidnon, Business, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Campus, Caraga, Cebu City, Commentary, Compostela Valley, Consumer, Contests, Controversial, Corporate, Cotabato, Crime, Culture, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, 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, Shopping, Society, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sports, Style, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacurong, Tangub City, Technology, Television, Tourism, Travel, Videos, Visayas, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

I must admit that even a few days after my humble Mindanaoan.com blog won as Best Lifestyle Blog for Mindanao in the Philippine Blog Awards 2010, I still am on cloud 9. While a lot of people have already congratulated me (and I still continue to receive several congratulatory messages until now) and even my ever-supportive Mama has already made plans to have a special tarp printed and displayed (yikes! :D), nothing prepared me for an absolutely wonderful surprise I got yesterday. November 6, 2010, the very day of a blogging 101 workshop that I organized, was made extra special when someone sent in this video message that did not only make my cheeks burn but make my heart melt as well :) No less than Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan congratulated me! Yes, THE Senator Kiko Pangili...

Nov72010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

California Berry Davao – frozen yogurt delight in Mindanao

Blogging, Business, Consumer, Davao City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews

I was in Manila during the first wave of the so-called "froyo" or frozen yogurt craze. As a self-proclaimed Mindanaoan foodie, I visited almost every available frozen yogurt store (and yep, basically said adieu to my diet!) and I often wondered when the "froyo" craze would invade Mindanao. Fast forward a few months later, the frozen yogurt trend has finally penetrated Mindanao - there are now frozen yogurt businesses in Davao City and Cagayan de Oro City. I'm pretty sure more frozen yogurt businesses will sprout in other Mindanao areas. The froyo outlet I most recently visited was California Berry. Located at the 2nd floor of Gaisano Mall Davao along Bajada, California Berry Davao serves nonfat frozen yogurt. I ordered the seasonal green apple yogurt with, as you can see, three differe...

Nov42010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Where to eat in Davao City Mindanao – CTres Buffet Restaurant and Piano Bar

Blogging, Business, Davao City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism

More and more buffet places have been sprouting in my hometown Davao City, much to the delight of both Dabawenyo and non-Dabawenyo foodies. One of the buffet places in Davao City that has been receiving great reviews is CTres Buffet Restaurant and Piano Bar. CTres, by the way, is pronounced "seetres." Located along E. Palma Gil Street, Barrio Obrero (although a lot of people consider it part of Bajada), CTres serves buffet lunch and dinner everyday, even on Sundays. If you're planning to have dinner there, I highly suggest that you reserve a table as the place gets packed really quickly. I personally witnessed this. I went to CTres at around 6:30pm and there was only a lone vacant table. About two minutes after I got settled, I saw an entire barkada enter the joint and got disappointed ...

Nov32010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Thank you for Filipino family reunions!

Blogging, Contests, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal

If there's one thing that I've been absolutely thankful for in the past few days, it's the fact that we Filipinos like holding family or clan reunions. There's just something fun and magical about Filipino family reunions, don't you agree? More often than not, these traditional Filipino reunions are noisy, crazy, fiesta-like and absolutely full of food and games! So you can just imagine the craziness if it's a grand clan reunion! Two days ago, I attended our grandest clan reunion yet. It was the most-awaited, too, since my aunt, who hasn't been home in nearly 10 years, has flown in from New York with her new husband. * Loving clasp - photo by www.Mindanaoan.com (more…)

Oct312010 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Mindanaoan.com wins! Best Lifestyle Blog – Philippine Blog Awards 2010 Mindanao

Advocacy, Agriculture, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Announcements, ARMM, Arts, Bacolod City, Banks, Basilan, Beauty, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, 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, 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, Shopping, Society, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sports, Style, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacurong, Tangub City, Technology, Television, Tourism, Travel, Videos, Visayas, Weddings, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

Woke up to sweet and absolutely wonderful piece of news today! This humble blog - www.Mindanaoan.com - won as Best Lifestyle Blog in the recently concluded Philippine Blog Awards 2010 - Mindanao Division! Yebah! Woot woot! :D My warmest, sincerest gratitude to the organizers and sponsors of the Philippine Blog Awards 2010! Thank you for the recognition and may you continue to uplift the blogging community! And of course, my deepest gratitude to all of my readers and followers! Like I previously mentioned, just the thought of you guys sparing a few minutes of your time each day just to come and visit my little online home brings me so much joy and inspiration. I am humbled. Daghang salamat! And to the readers and followers of my two other blogs that were also finalists of the PB...

Oct262010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Meet Lola Techie at the Teach Lola event, NCCC Mall Davao City

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Broadcasting, Corporate, Davao City, Education, Entertainment, Events, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, News, Society, Technology

Most, if not all, of us know who Lola Techie is, yes? Lola Techie is that Internet-savvy grandma who we all admire. Check out this cute and funny video of her talking to her apo (and warning him that she'll "drop kick" him if he doesn't poke back LOL) over the Internet: Here's a more recent video of Lola Techie standing her ground against Cherie Gil (first watched this during the 17th National PR Congress, which I attended): Undoubtedly, Lola Techie has endeared herself to a lot of people all over the country. Why, she has a lot of fans (including me ;) ) I actually saw her during the 17th National Public Relations Congress but unfortunately didn't have the chance to talk to her or have a photo taken with her. But ah...I may have the chance to do so real soon ;) For fellow...

Oct252010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Did you vote today?

Advocacy, Blogging, Commentary, Events, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News, Opinion, Personal, Politics

I did. Together with my family, this blogger from Mindanao exercised her right to suffrage today, October 25, 2010 - the day of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections. Armed with my Panasonic Lumix digital camera, my Flip Mino HD, my Nikon D40, ballpen, voter's ID and ever trusty Blackberry, I went to my polling precinct at around 9:30 a.m. I looked like I was ready for war. As usual, I spotted several odd things during my trip to my polling precinct: 1. There were only a handful of voters. Ergo, low voter turnout. 2. I spotted several candidates only a few meters away from the polling centers. According to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), this should not be. Candidates must be at least 100 meters away from polling centers. 3. I didn't spot any policemen or ...

Oct242010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Golden Cowrie restaurant at Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro

Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews

Finally had the chance to treat my mom and brothers to the newly opened Golden Cowrie Native Restaurant located at the Rosario Arcade, Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. This Golden Cowrie CDO branch is a franchise and the first outside Cebu, where Golden Cowrie started in 1982. I'm actually a regular customer at the original Golden Cowrie restaurant along Salinas Drive, Lahug, Cebu City (just a few blocks away from Waterfront Lahug) and I often bring my PR clients there for meetings or small press conferences. In fact, a few weeks before the May 2010 elections, I organized mini press briefings there for three senatorial candidates (all of whom were my clients --- I provided public relations, events, media and marketing services to them). Anyways, going back to the Gold...

Oct242010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Pokwang and Richard Poon – Back-to-back Live in Cagayan de Oro

Announcements, Arts, Blogging, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Contests, Entertainment, Events, Features, Iligan City, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music, News, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Society

Talented comedianne Pokwang and big band crooner Richard Poon, together with special guest Markki Stroem, are set to tickle Kagay-anons' fancy when they perform together live for the very first time ever in “The Crooner and The Comedianne - Richard Poon and Pokwang - Back2Back Live in Cagayan de Oro.” The much-awaited special show will be held on Sunday, December 19th, 2010, 7:30 pm at The Atrium of Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City. Filipino-Norwegian hunk Markki Stroem of Pilipinas Got Talent will join Richard Poon and Pokwang. This show, a Joey Pelaez Events Production, will definitely be a certified hit! For tickets, call (088) 8584444 / (0915) 4519429 / (0915) 4988941. You may also send an email to [email protected] BUT HERE'S FABULOUS NEWS FOR R...

Oct202010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Marks and Spencer to open its first Mindanao branch in Cagayan de Oro City

Announcements, Beauty, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Fashion, Features, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao, Shopping, Society, Style

Over the years, I've learned to shop not only because of the price of the item/s but also because of the quality of the said item/s. If in the past, I was willing to buy stuff because they're cheap and affordable and "somehow look okay," now I take into consideration the quality and the fact that the item may last for at least a few years. The item should also be a classic and not just something that you can wear because it's part of the trend or fad. The item should also be easily paired with just about anything you can get from your closet. Enter Marks and Spencer. It is one of the United Kingdom's leading retailers. Each Marks and Spencer store sells clothing for men and women (and kids, too!), food, underwear, wine, shoes and even home and furniture stuff. The prices of the items...

Oct192010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Sen. Chiz Escudero wants to put ceiling on credit card interest rates

Consumer, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News, Politics

Usurious interest rates slapped by credit card companies should be regulated to protect consumers from unconscionable hidden charges, Senator Chiz Escudero said. In Senate Bill No. 166 (SBN 166), Escudero seeks to put a ceiling on interest rates and surcharges imposed by credit card companies and prohibit hidden charges that further burden plastic card holders. “While credit cards are deemed as relief for consumers during bad times, woes begin when card companies levy interests and charges which are usually unknown to the users that eventually saddle them with more debts. We want to put a stop to the hidden charges which catch consumers unaware,” Escudero explained. SBN 166 puts a cap of 1 percent per month or 12 percent per annum on the interest rates that credit card companies c...

Oct162010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Photos of Matt Mullenweg in Wordcamp Philippines 2010

Blogging, Events, Features, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Photos, Technology

This is a follow-up to my earlier post about Wordcamp Philippines 2010, Wordpress founder and lead developer Matt Mullenweg and his video greetings for moi! :D Ch-ch-check out the video greetings here! I'm well aware that keywords such as "Matt Mullenweg photos" and "photos Matt Mullenweg Wordcamp Philippines" have led a lot (and I mean A LOT) of netizens on my humble Mindanaoan blog so as earlier promised, I'm sharing some of the photos I took of Matt. Enjoy ;) More photos after the jump! (more…)

Oct142010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Forever 21 Manila Philippines – my initial loot

Arts, Beauty, Blogging, Business, Consumer, Fashion, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Reviews, Shopping, Style

Well, it basically took "forever" but the wait is finally over! (Hey, how's that for a rhyme? :D) Forever 21, a popular retail chain, opened its first Philippine branch over at SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City last July. Sadly, I wasn't in Manila when the Forever 21 Manila branch opened and I also didn't have the chance to visit it even if I was there last August. Ugh. But well, I was back in Manila for Wordcamp Philippines 2010 and yes, I allocated an entire afternoon just to visit the store (finally!). That was how determined I was to snag at least a few pretty finds! LOL. Besides, it was the afternoon before the big John Mayer Live In Manila gig and I wanted to wear something special! Good thing my fellow bloggers Venus, Jacq and Cherry decided to join me in my quest to scour all of the...

Oct122010 by Mindanaoan Irene11 Comments

Pacquiao vs Margarito fight on November 13, 2010

Bisaya, Blogging, Events, General Santos City, Headline, Mindanaoan Artists, News, Personalities, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, Sports

Fellow Mindanaoan, Sarangani Congressman and the world's best pound-for-pound boxer, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, is set to face Mexican boxer Antonio Margarito on November 13, 2010 at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium for the World Light Middleweight Championship belt. As expected, this will be another day when Filipinos all around the world will root for our very own Pacman. I bet all Mindanaoans will again feel so proud of Manny Pacquiao, who was born in Kibawe, Bukidnon but who has lived in both General Santos City and Sarangani for several years. For sure, this Pacquiao vs Margarito boxing bout will be another blockbuster! I must admit, I have a few reservations about this Pacquio versus Margarito fight. (more…)

Sep272010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

RJ Ledesma’s special video message for me and a friend

Blogging, Entertainment, Features, Journalism, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Videos

If you were born in the 80's (or even late 70's), chances are you know who RJ Ledesma is. He's the lovable "Joey" in that popular Royal Tru Orange series of TV commercials. Here's one below (this one's entitled "Teacher's Pet") Here's another classic RJ Ledesma as "Joey" commercial (this one's entitled "Kuya"): Well, fast forward several years later and no longer the "Joey" we used to know, RJ Ledesma is now a grown man --- UNO Magazine's Editor In Chief, newspaper columnist, book author, uber talented host and proud dad! So you could just imagine how happy I was to finally see him in the flesh (after years of just seeing him as "Joey" on TV!) during the recently concluded 17th National Public Relations Congress. RJ was the host of the 2-day confab and he did an amazing jo...

Sep212010 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Maxims Hotel Resorts World Manila – only 6 star hotel in the Philippines

Blogging, Consumer, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Resorts, Tourism, Travel

Remember my first Resorts World Manila blog entry? Apparently that garnered a lot of attention not only from my regular readers but from virtually everyone around the world. That was one of the most viewed posts in my blog! So of course that only means that a lot of people are really curious as to what's happenin' over at Resorts World Manila - the latest entertainment destination in Newport City (which is located right in front of Ninoy Aquino International Airport 3 or NAIA 3) Read more about Resorts World Manila here and see why it pays to be a member! (Membership is FREE, by the way :) ) In the meantime, here's a peek of what I'm gonna do later tonight - tour Maxim's Hotel at Resorts World Manila. Maxim's Hotel is the only 6 star hotel in the Philippines! I will join a special to...

Sep212010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Off to Manila – and I’m attending the 17th National PR Congress!

Announcements, Blogging, Business, Corporate, Events, Flights, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Personal

It's exactly 5:31 AM. September 21, 2010. I'm bound for Manila today. I'm supposed to be at the airport in a few hours' time but I can't resist this chance to go online and blog in order to share one piece of good, exciting news - Mindanaoan is attending the 17th National Public Relations Congress! WOOT! :) Yes, my earlier post got me a free delegate pass to the country's most prestigious PR event of the year! As a practising publicist, social media consultant, blogger and media practitioner, this opportunity to listen to and learn from top PR and media executives is absolutely a blessing! I am looking forward to all the talks - especially those by Weber Shandwick Asia Pacific Chairman Tim Sutton and Ogilvy Southeast Asia Director Andrew Thomas. (more…)