mindanaoan blogger Archives - Page 7 of 12 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Dec102010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

A Kagay-anon’s dream come true – this Richard Poon, Pokwang and Markki Stroem CDO concert

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Society

In its initial offering as a concert producer in Cagayan de Oro (CDO), Joey Pelaez Events is set to conquer the music scene on December 19, 2010 at the Atrium Limketkai Center with The Crooner and The Comedienne featuring the country’s top standard music singer Richard Poon and the fashionable and witty Pokwang, and introducing Markki Stroem of Pilipinas Got Talent fame. (more…)

Dec72010 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Mindanao tourist spot: Alalum Falls in Sumilao Bukidnon

Bukidnon, Malaybalay City, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Photos, Tourism, Travel

Let's take a break from all my Cebu and Philippine Blog Awards-related posts :) I'm sharing photos I recently took of a Bukidnon tourist spot - the Alalum Falls found at Kisolon, Sumilao, Bukidnon. This Bukidnon waterfalls is probably the most accessible in the entire province of Bukidnon since it's located along Sayre Highway and just a few meters away from the Municipal Hall of Sumilao, Bukidnon. Alalum Falls is approximately 148 feet. Check out one more shot after the jump! (more…)

Dec72010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

An appeal to all of my valued Mindanaoan.com readers

Bisaya, Blogging, Contests, Features, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Society, Technology

After bagging the Best Lifestyle Blog for Mindanao 2010 in the Philippine Blog Awards, this humble Mindanao blog is once again nominated - this time to two national blogging awards - the 2010 Philippine Blog Awards Bloggers' Choice Award and the 2010 Philippine Blog Awards Readers' Choice Award. As I previously wrote, however, I myself will not even vote for my own blog for the Bloggers' Choice Award since my vote will go to Bukidnon Online but for the Reader’s Choice Category, I would really appreciate a little help from my valued Mindanaoan.com readers, subscribers, supporters! :) Mindanaoan.com and other Readers' Choice Awards nominees will be judged according to the number of Facebook "LIKES" starting today until before 11:59 pm on December 11, 2010 (Saturday). Most number of lik...

Dec62010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Review: Red Box Karaoke Ayala Cebu

Beauty, Business, Cebu City, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Reviews, Tourism

I finally had the chance to visit the much-talked about Red Box Karaoke located at G101, Garden Level of The Terraces (below Active Zone, just beside the fountain) at the Ayala Center Cebu, Cebu Business Park. I've been hearing a lot of praises about this new Cebu hangout - karaoke place in Cebu so when my Cebu City-based brother finally had one free weekend, we decided to go to Red Box Karaoke Cebu and try their primetime package. The Red Box Ayala Cebu primetime package is available from 7 PM up to 12 midnight. For only P299.00+ per head (P399.00+ on Fridays and Saturdays), you can enjoy TWO FREE drinks (drink choices: iced tea, soda, local beers, mineral water, hot tea and brewed coffee), access to the extensive song library composed of more than 100,000 songs and fully airconditione...

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...

Dec32010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Photos: Jay-R at Ayala Terraces

Cebu City, Entertainment, Mindanaoan Update, Photos

If there's one young Filipino singer-composer whom I'm pretty impressed with, then that's no other than the Prince of RnB, Jay-R. I just love his clear, soothing voice! His dance moves aren't bad either and his compositions are really good so yup, I think that Jay-R Sillona is one great Filipino artist :) I had the chance to interview him before and I found him pretty charming, humble and smart. Some friends of mine later seconded my impression of Jay-R. My friends - the members of multi-awarded Filipino band South Border --- attested that Jay-R was indeed very nice, easy to get along with and was one very talented musician. Glad I was right! So when I heard that Jay-R was in town for a mini-concert, I no longer thought twice. I simply had to watch! So here are some photos I took of ...

Dec32010 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Why I organized the Bukidnon Bloggers group

Blogging, Bukidnon, Commentary, Events, Internet, Malaybalay City, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Personal, Technology

A few weeks ago, right before this blogger from Mindanao flew to Cebu City to open a small, humble branch of my PR, events, media and marketing business, I organized an event dubbed "BukidnonOnline.com Bukidnon Blogging 101 and How To Make Money Online Workshop" in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, Mindanao. It was a workshop I never expected to be such a huge hit - especially since there were hardly any bloggers in that part of Mindanao. However, more than 40 would-be and newbie bloggers came - and with a lot of help from the CDO Bloggers group, ASTERISK Events and Communications and from generous friends and sponsors - not only was the blogging workshop a major success but it also bore a 10-man Bukidnon Bloggers core group. Needless to say, as event organizer and bloggers myself, I felt abso...

Nov292010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Bukidnon: The Philippine Frontier coffee table book released

Announcements, Arts, Beauty, Blogging, Bukidnon, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, Photos, Politics, Society, Style, Tourism, Travel

It was a dream project that took five - yes, 5!!! - years to complete. And now it's finally done. Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri presents a copy of "Bukidnon: The Philippine Frontier" to Bukidnon Gov. Alex Calingasan at the launching ceremony recently held at the NBC Tent in Fort Bonifacio Global City. Senator Migs Zubiri said the coffee table book is a dream project that took five years to complete. The 183-page book is written by Rafael "Apa" Ongpin with photographs by Neal Oshima. Photo shows (L-R) Neal Oshima, Apa Ongpin, Senator Migs Zubiri, Gov. Alex Calingasan and Bukidnon Vice Gov. Joe Zubiri (Senator Migs' dad and former three-term Bukidnon governor) at the unveiling ceremony. On a personal note, this blogger from Mindanao received a text message from Senator Migs hims...

Nov272010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Full text – Sen. Ping Lacson’s siblings speak out

Announcements, Blogging, Controversial, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News, Politics

From my mailbox --- received this press release from the Office of Senator Ping Lacson. It's the full text of Senator Panfilo Lacson's sibling's statement "In Defense of Our Family’s Honor." I am printing this verbatim: In every Filipino family, two things are most treasured: honor and home. Our brother, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson is accused of masterminding the murder of Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver. The principal evidence against him that the previous administration’s DOJ investigating panel and the court considered “probable cause” was an affidavit by a lone witness, Cesar Mancao. In that affidavit, Mancao narrated a supposed conversation inside a car between Ping and Michael Ray Aquino wherein Ping allegedly ordered Aquino to have Dacer murdered. He claimed to have ov...

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...

Nov222010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Mountain Madness Bike Race 2010

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Mindanaoan Update, Sports

The All Terrain Trekkers and Cross-Country Klub (ATTACK) of Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao is celebrating its 12th anniversary and in line with this, the said biking and outdoor club is holding a mountain bike competition. The event, dubbed "Mountain Madness 11," will be held on December 5, 2010 in CDO, Mindanao. This mountain bike competition aims to draw mountain biking enthusiasts not only from Cagayan de Oro City but from nearby cities and provinces as well. The total length of the race route is 16 kilometers and the terrain includes concrete roads, creeks, single tracks and rough roads. Pretty challenging, don't you think so? :) Registration fee is P189.00. However, according to the event organizer, if you register early between November 20 to 30, you’ll be paying P160.00 only. ...

Nov202010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mindanaoan senator Guingona et al take first step to budget reform

Advocacy, Announcements, Broadcasting, Bukidnon, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News

Senator Teofisto ‘TG" Guingona III, a fellow Mindanaoan, has taken his crusade for a transparent, accountable and participatory budget process a step further. The solon led the signing of the Open Budget Partnership Agreement during a forum on the 2011 National Expenditure Program attended by members and leaders of civil society organizations in Ortigas, Pasig City today. “Today, we are witness to a historic event, when the government and the civil society join hands in safeguarding one of the most important processes in good governance – that is, making sure that the budget process will be truly crafted in the true essence of democracy, one that will benefit the people whose taxes make this country run,” stated Guingona. The Open Budget Partnership is a collaborative initiative amon...

Nov182010 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Got an invite to attend a forum on the 2011 National Expenditure Program

Advocacy, Bukidnon, Controversial, Events, Government, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Personalities, Politics

I must say that it was a surprise - a nice one at that, I suppose - to receive an invitation to attend a forum on the 2011 National Expenditure Program. I received the invite from Mindanaoan Senator Teofisto "TG" Guingona III's office. Guingona is the convenor of the Open Budget Partnership (OBP). As to what the Open Budget Partnership is, I seriously don't have any idea so don't ask. However, I'm hoping I will understand it better on Saturday, the day of the forum. The event will be held in Manila, by the way. Let me just say, before anything else, that I'm grateful for the invitation. This is a good step forward especially for the government to bring in not only members of the traditional media but those involved in the new media as well. Although I do have plans of writing news artic...

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...

Nov132010 by Mindanaoan Irene10 Comments

Cheap taxi at Mactan Cebu airport

Advocacy, Blogging, Business, Cebu City, Consumer, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Society, Tourism, Travel

I've been to Cebu City countless of times but I think I haven't shared yet one tried and tested travel tip: how to avail of cheap taxi service at the Mactan Cebu International Airport. By cheap I mean the regular, metered taxi service rate and not the fixed or coupon-type of taxi service rate. This tip is especially helpful for first time travelers to the Queen City of the South. But before that, let's talk a little bit about the Mactan Cebu International Airport. The airport, as the name suggests, is in Mactan Island - meaning it's NOT within Cebu City proper. Usually, it takes you about 20 to 30 minutes from downtown Cebu to reach the airport. To go to Mactan, you need to cross one of the two bridges that connect Cebu to Mactan - the Mactan-Mandaue bridge and the Marcelo Fernan bridge...

Nov122010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Off to Cebu City! Thank you Air Philippines for saving the day

Bisaya, Business, Cebu City, Features, Flights, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Travel

This is already almost too embarrassing to say considering what happened just a few weeks ago but really, my deep gratitude to the staff and crew of Air Philippines - Lumbia Airport, Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao. I was super late for my Cagayan de Oro to Cebu City flight but they still let me board. Now don't be alarmed, though. I wasn't late late. Let's just say that I didn't make the 45 minutes before the flight cut-off. My flight was at 12:50 PM and I arrived at the airport at 12:30 PM. I have a valid reason, though! I was in Bukidnon for the blogging workshop I organized and left a good 4 hours before my scheduled ETD. Unfortunately, the usual 2-hour trip from Malaybalay City, Bukidnon to Cagayan de Oro City became a 3 and a half hour ordeal, no thanks to an 18-wheeler tru...

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...