mindanaoan Archives - Page 24 of 50 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Jun262011 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Sri Mariamman Temple in Singapore

Features, Photos, Singapore, Tourism, Travel

If you're bound for Singapore soon and you want to take great photos, visit the Sri Mariamman Temple in Chinatown, Singapore. The Sri Mariamman Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore. Ever since it was constructed, the Sri Mariamman Temple in Singapore serves as a refuge especially for new South Indian Tamil Hindu immigrants. The temple is considered an agamic temple, built in the Dravidian style in 1827. It was founded by Naraina Pillai, 8 years after the British East India Company started a trading settlement in Singapore. Apart from providing worship and other religious services, the Sri Mariamman Temple also highlights cultural, educational as well as social activities for Hindus in Singapore. The temple is managed by the Hindu Endowments Board. The Sri Mariamman Temple i...

Jun262011 by Mindanaoan Irene48 Comments

Join my small housewarming online giveaway!

Announcements, Blogging, Consumer, Contests, Features

Hi everyone! This Mindanao blogger is back from a weeklong trip to Singapore and Malaysia. Yes, this is my second time in both countries…having been there last February 2011 with my mom. Needless to say, I have fallen in love with these two Asian countries! This time around, I traveled with my brother, a female friend and two female cousins. Since I was the "returnee" in the group, I was also the self-appointed tour guide. Our trip went really well (I'll make kuwento!) except that I had terrible flu the night before our flight. On the day of our departure for the Philippines, I still had fever. I was so scared I couldn't go through immigration since they might check my body temperature and all. I took some medicines and thankfully, my temperature decreased. I was able to pass through Si...

Jun242011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

TV5 to tackle divorce in the Philippines in ‘Hamon sa Pagbabago’ debates

Announcements, Commentary, Controversial, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Television

Did you know that apart from the Vatican, the Philippines is the only remaining country in the whole world that continues to ban divorce? Before May 2011, there were two other countries - the Philippines and Malta, also a predominantly Catholic country like ours. However, Malta legalized divorce via a referendum last May 2011 and that only leaves us Pinoys who live in a country that still does not have divorce (although strictly speaking this is not entirely true since the Muslim community in the Philippines recognizes divorce). Amidst parliamentary debates on the reproductive health bill and other polarizing issues that affect Filipino families in particular, a women’s sectoral group revived House Bill 1799 that proposes divorce in the Philippines, leaving a hanging question if the Phi...

Jun242011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Coffee Congress 2011 in General Santos City, Mindanao

Announcements, Business, Consumer, Events, Features, Food, General Santos City, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato

General Santos City, Mindanao will play host to the 2011 Coffee Congress which will be held on July 11 to 12, 2011 at the KCC Events and Convention Center, KCC Mall of GenSan. This is the perfect event for people who own coffee shops and other coffee-related businesses and for people who have coffee farms or are looking for jobs within the coffee industry. It is also ideal for people who want to venture into the coffee business. This year's Coffee Congress in General Santos is made possible by the GSC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. in cooperation with various sponsors including the Philippine Coffee Board, Inc. Speakers include South Cotabato Congressman and former GenSan City Mayor Pedro Acharon, Jr., Philippine Coffee Board Chairman Nicholas Matti, author of the book "Barak...

Jun232011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Photos: GMA 7 Kapuso Night featuring Dingdong Dantes, Kyla, Moymoy Palaboy

Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Davao City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, General Santos City, Iligan City, Malaybalay City, Mindanaoan Update, South Cotabato

GMA 7 is really gearing up its efforts to promote their television programs and artists via regional events these days. In fact, I think GMA Channel 7 is keen on holding more and more promotional events not only in key cities but even in smaller towns and municipalities around Mindanao. Proof of this is their string of Kapuso Nights around Mindanao (and yes, in Visayas and Luzon as well). GMA 7 Kapuso Nights have so far been held in General Santos City, Iligan, Davao City, Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, South Cotabato and other areas in Mindanao. More will still be held in the next few weeks. Anyways, here are some photos taken during a GMA 7 Kapuso Night in Mindanao featuring Dingdong Dantes, Kyla and Moymoy Palaboy: Apart from the musical production numbers from the GMA 7 art...

Jun142011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Zest Air promo Manila to Cagayan de Oro, Manila to Zamboanga

Announcements, BIMP-EAGA, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Davao City, Flights, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism, Travel, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

Budget airline Zest Air Philippines has a promo for two Mindanao to Manila (and vice versa) routes. Zest Air says that they have an ongoing seat sale from Manila to Cagayan de Oro (and vice versa) and Manila to Zamboanga (and vice versa). This promo from Zest Air can be availed for as low as Php 688.00. Just in case it'll be your first time to travel to these two Mindanao areas, you may want to read my posts about CDO and Zamboanga. Manila to Cagayan de Oro - 688 pesos Booking Period: June 8 to July 7, 2011 Travel Period: July 8 to October 15, 2011 Manila to Zamboanga - 688 pesos Booking Period: June 8 to July 14, 2011 Travel Period: July 15 to October 15, 2011 You can call the Zest Air hotline number in Manila at (+63) 2 - 8553333 Or you can book your ticket online via their ...

Jun132011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Singapore Chronicles: Universal Studios Singapore

Beauty, Blogging, Entertainment, Features, Flights, Food, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Photos, Resorts, Reviews, Singapore, Tourism, Travel

Universal Studios Singapore is the first movie theme park in the Southeast Asian region. Located within Singapore's first integrated resort, Resorts World Sentosa, Universal Studios Singapore is one of the Lion City's major tourist attractions. All of the rides and shows featured at Singapore Universal Studios showcase themes based on blockbuster hits such as Shrek 4-D Adventure, Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure, Revenge of the Mummy and Battlestar Galactica (my favorite!) Last February 2011, during my special Valentine's Day trip abroad with my dear Mama, we spent almost an entire day at USS. Actually, Universal Studios Singapore was still on "soft opening" then. It was only "formally" opened last May 28, 2011. My crush, actor Jet Li, as well as singer-dancer and former American Idol jud...

Jun132011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Zamboanga del Norte native declared by Guinness as world’s shortest man

Features, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

So it's OFFICIAL. A fellow Mindanaoan is now the world's shortest man. Declared by the officials of the Guinness Book of World Records as the new "world's shortest living man," Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte resident Junrey Balawing celebrated his 18th birthday last June 12, 2011 (a day before the Philippine Independence Day). The Guinness people officially measured the Zamboangueno, however, on the eve of his birthday at Sindangan Health Center, Sindangan township, Zamboanga Del Norte, Mindanao. That makes Junrey Balawing not only the world's shortest living man today but the world's shortest living man in history as well! Guess what Balawing's measurements were? The Zamboanga native was measured at 24 and 1/4 inches (about 61 centimeters) lying down and about two inches shorter than t...

Jun112011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Globe brings Vice Ganda to Davao City for “Super Party”

Corporate, Davao City, Entertainment, Events, Features

Want to watch comedian Vice Ganda in Davao City? If you're a Globe Prepaid subscriber (or if you want to be one), you can watch Vice Ganda for a minimal cost. Read below for more details! Globe Prepaid is bringing the talented comedian Vice Ganda for a live concert cum performance show dubbed "Super Party." The show will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2011, 6 PM at the University of Mindanao Gymnasium, Matina, Davao City. As you guys know, Vice Ganda is one of the judges of "Showtime" and host of "Gandang Gabi Vice," which both air via ABS CBN Channel 2. To see Vice Ganda live and watch him perform his funny antics and jokes, new Globe subscribers only need to buy a Globe Prepaid SIM at a discounted price of P20 and load P30 for a general admission ticket, P80 for a bronze ticke...

Jun82011 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Blog Action Day 2011 – please, let us save our seas!

Advocacy, Agriculture, Beauty, Blogging, Commentary, Controversial, Cotabato, Features, Government, Headline, Internet, Journalism, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Personal, Society

Truth be told, I felt so sad and embarrassed when news about the smuggling of black corals, turtles, rare seashells and other marine life here in the Philippines first broke out. Who wouldn't be? The shipment that was apprehended last May 1, 2011 at Pier 15, South Harbor Manila was from the Port of Cotabato City, Mindanao. The apprehended shipment included two 20-footer container vans declared as "rubber." Obviously, the seized shipment was far from containing "rubber." Instead, the vans yielded, among others, 134 bundles with 21,169 pieces of dried black corals, 161 turtles and roughly 7,340 pieces of rare sea shells. And to think that was just ONE shipment! That signaled a lot of concerns --- from the fact that my beloved Mindanao has apparently been the home of greedy individu...

Jun82011 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Mindanaoan Exclusive: KC Concepcion greets Mindanao, shares what she loves about Mindanao, invites fans to “Forever And A Day”

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, 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 Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

You heard the theme song. You got intrigued when you heard this - "kaya mo bang mahalin ang isang taong mawawala din sayo?" And, by now, it's likely that you've memorized this line - "Thank you for yesterday. Thank you for today. And if I forget, thank you for tomorrow." Yes, it seems you're ready to fall in love on June 15, 2011. KC Concepcion and Sam Milby will topbill one of the most awaited movies of this year, the Star Cinema offering "Forever And A Day." Truth be told, I think this KC Concepcion and Sam Milby starrer is THE most awaited movie here in Mindanao - primarily because they shot this flick in 3 key areas in Mindanao - Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City (who wouldn't be excited to see familiar places? Plus think about what this film will do for Mindanao tour...

Jun72011 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Proudly Mindanao made: Boyongs Special Bagoong

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

You know when people say don't even try to glance at food blogs or pictures of food before you sleep? Okay, I made that up (HAHA) but really, that should be made into law! I made this mistake of checking out photos of food tonight (I was supposed to sleep about 10 minutes ago) and then I stumbled upon product shots of one of my favorite foodie finds since late last year --- Boyong's Special Bagoong! Obviously, I can't sleep now. I'm hoping that by blogging about this Mindanao product, dalawin uli ako ng antok! O.o Now for the uninitiated, bagoong is a Philippine condiment made of partially or completely fermented shrimps (or fish). Here in Mindanao (and in the Visayas), bagoong can either be ginamos (or fish bagoong --- the fish used is usually bolinao or anchovies) or bagoong alaman...

Jun42011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Singapore Chronicles: Singapore hawker food at Maxwell Center

Blogging, Features, Food, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Singapore, Tourism, Travel

One of the things that I absolutely MUST do whenever I travel domestic or abroad is try the local cuisine. By local cuisine I mean street food, food sold in hawker centers or food courts or food that look "unique" --- basically food usually eaten by locals during regular days. As much as possible, this Mindanao blogger doesn't eat at fastfood chains. I do this because it makes me appreciate that country's culture, people, tradition and food better. Besides, hawker centers in Singapore are still the undisputed sources of delicious authentic Singapore food! Before I proceed with this post about the Singapore hawker center my mom and I went to during our February 2011 mother-daughter Valentine's Day trip abroad, you might want to read these blog posts to learn more about our Singapore - Ma...

Jun32011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

World Food Expo 2011 Mindanao schedule of activities

Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Corporate, Events, Features, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, News, Northern Mindanao, Shopping, Technology

Here is the full schedule of activities of the World Food Expo 2011 Mindanao or WOFEX Mindanao 2011. WOFEX 2011 is Mindanao's biggest and most focused trade show on food and beverage. This is one event that people in the food, beverage, food processing and packaging technology industries should not miss. This year's World Food Expo Mindanao will be held on June 8 to 11, 2011 at the Atrium of Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao. WOFEX 2011 is the supply solution to the region's fast growing food service industry. As you can see in the WOFEX 2011 Mindanao schedule of activities, there will be various cooking demos, competitions such as flairtending, baking demos and pocket events such as the 5th Grand Barista Mindanao contest. Please feel free to SHARE this s...

Jun32011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Jollibee inaugurates first completed, donated classroom in Davao City

Announcements, Campus, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, News, Society

The students of Bago Elementary School in Talomo, Davao City have something new to be super happy about! Jollibee, the country’s leading fastfood chain recently inaugurated a brand new classroom in my hometown Davao City for the students of Bago Elementary School in Talomo. According to Jollibee Philippines, this is one of the 40 classrooms that popular fastfood chain committed to construct under its Build-A-Classroom project, an undertaking with the Jollibee Franchisees Association and the Jollibee Foundation. It also represents the company’s concrete support to the Bayanihang Pampaaralan program, being one of the first private organizations to come forward to help address the classroom gap. Jollibee Senior PR Manager Arline Adeva said "Jollibee is steadfast in extending the s...

May302011 by Mindanaoan Irene9 Comments

Air Philippines launches 100 pesos airfare promo seat sale

Announcements, Blogging, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Corporate, Davao City, Features, Flights, Internet, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, News, Tourism, Travel

Yes, AirPhil or Air Philippines is launching its special 100 pesos airfare promo seat sale tonight at the strike of midnight! Air Philippines is set to offer its 100 peso seat sale as soon as the clock strikes midnight tonight. This Mindanao blogger already shared this info via Twitter earlier this evening (which should be enough reason for you to follow me on Twitter ;) ) but I'm sharing this again for the benefit of my beloved Mindanaoan.com blog readers. Take note that this Air Philippines seat sale promo will only be available from May 30 to 31, 2011. Pay only 100 pesos* for trips to Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao! Definitely the best time for you to explore the Philippines :) Travel period for this promo: August 1 to September 30, 2011 * one way, domestic flights only, ex...

May272011 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

ARMM Elections 2011 candidates

Announcements, ARMM, Basilan, BIMP-EAGA, Government, Headline, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Marawi City, Mindanaoan Update, Muslim Mindanao, News, Politics, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Tawi Tawi, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

ARMM Elections 2011 official list of candidates. Here are the names of candidates for the 2011 ARMM elections, tentatively planned to happen on August 8, 2011. I say tentatively because Philippine President Benigno Aquino III and the rest of Malacanang are trying their best to move for the postponement of the ARMM elections. PNoy is proposing that the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao elections be reset for synchronization with the 2013 midterm polls. Qualified ARMM voters are set to choose the Regional Governor, Regional Vice-Governor and Regional Assemblyman during the ARMM elections 2011. Candidates for ARMM Governor: (14 candidates) Mamintal Alonto Adiong (incumbent Lanao del Sur Governor) Ashmaira Mayasa Abdullah Saad Ibrahim Amate Pangalian Macaorao Balindong Ephraim ...

May242011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Be Captain Planet: Help Save Our Ailing Mother Earth

Advocacy, Cagayan de Oro City, Campus, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Society

(Note: This article is written by Ana Rizza D. Celades and Benedict Jan T. Baloncio. Please take your time to read this and share this article with your family, friends and colleagues --- I'm sure they will thank you for this! And to BJ and Ana, thank you for entrusting this article to Mindanaoan.com - it serves as a constant reminder of our roles as stewards of Mother Nature) With the higher frequency of natural disasters, retreat of glaciers in mountainous areas, abrupt increase in sea level, coastal flooding, and just about the extremities of weather we now experience, are brought about by effects of climate change, even plants and animals species have become extinct, and sudden outbreak of diseases in places are now high - these and the many more damages are the price we all have to...

May232011 by Mindanaoan Irene15 Comments

Is Tingting Cojuangco qualified to run for ARMM Vice Governor?

ARMM, Basilan, BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Commentary, Cotabato, General Santos City, Government, Headline, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Marawi City, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personalities, Sulu, Tawi Tawi

If she wins, she may very well be the most stylish vice governor the ARMM has ever had. Unfortunately, style is not enough to win in ARMM. Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco surprised, befuddled a lot of people (including me) when she officially filed on Saturday her certificate of candidacy for vice governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Yes, Tingting Cojuangco, former Tarlac governor, socialite, philanthropist and one who was labeled in the 70's as one of Harper Bazaar's most beautiful women in the world, wants to be the ARMM vice governor. Why? Because, she says, she has given her life "to the Muslims for the past 26 years." She says she also wants to "bring about change to the ARMM by embarking on good governance, education and honesty." As of press time, two...

May192011 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

KLutched designer bags, totes and satchels now in the Philippines

Beauty, Blogging, Business, Consumer, Fashion, Features, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Society, Style

I very well know that Filipinas are silent bag hags. Bags are oftentimes that guilty pleasure we simply cannot let go. So you could just imagine how excited I was when I recently got wind of a piece of exciting news! So here you go ---Good news to all Filipino fans of bags, totes and satchels! KLutched, one of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's most talked about brand, is finally here in the Philippines! Yes, yes, yes! KLutched is finally available in the Philippines! Created by the young and very talented Ung Yiu Lin, who also owns the brands ShoesShoesShoes and Idylinn, KLutched promises gorgeous bags - from slouches to totes to miniaudieres to satchels and yes, to clutches! (KLutched...clutched...get it? Plus the "KL" can also mean Kuala Lumpur! Cool branding, huh?) - made of exotic skins and ...

May192011 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Zest Air launches Manila to Cagayan de Oro, Manila to Zamboanga, Manila to Davao flights

BIMP-EAGA, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Corporate, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Flights, Leisure, Manila, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Tourism, Travel, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

Zest Air Philippines, formerly Asian Spirit, will soon offer Manila to Cagayan de Oro (and vv), Manila to Zamboanga (and vv) as well as Manila to Davao City (and vv) flights! While this sounds promising especially for Mindanao tourism, I'm not sure if the dissatisfied customers of Zest Airways will be excited about this. Remember what happened to fellow bloggers Winston (a.k.a. Batang Yagit) and Conrad Miguel? Their horrible, horrible experiences with Zest Air airlines has left a really bad taste in the mouth and I have tried so hard to avoid booking Zest Air flights like the plague! I would rather pay extra than avail of Zest Air promo flights and undergo a mind numbing 16 hour delay!!! BUT!!! if only to let you guys know that yes, Zest Air airways will soon land on Mindanao soil and (...

May182011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Sarangani Bay Bodies 2011 this Sarangani Bay Fest season

Beauty, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Sarangani, Style, Tourism, Travel

If there is one thing I can never pull off, then that is to wear a two piece bikini and strut my stuff along the catwalk. This is why I have so much respect for people who have the intestinal fortitude to join bikini contests and flaunt their shapely bodies before thousands of people. Sabagay, who wouldn't want to flaunt their assets if you have bodies like these two? These are the previous winners of the Sarangani Bay Bodies contest - one of the much-awaited events during the Sarangani Bay Festival in Sarangani, Mindanao, Philippines. Cute muscled guy - check! Pretty sexy lady - check! And guess what? You'll see more toned bodies this year during the 2011 Sarangani Bay Bodies event! (more…)