mindanaoan Archives - Page 37 of 50 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Dec252009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Happy Christmas news in Mindanao – kidnapped Basilan school official released

Announcements, ARMM, Basilan, BIMP-EAGA, Campus, Controversial, Crime, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Muslim Mindanao, News

They may have paid P100,000.00 for the "board and lodging" but what's the most important is that they have their beloved relative back. Dr. Orlando Fajardo, the vice president of Basilan State College in Basilan, Mindanao, was released a few hours before Christmas at an area between the towns of Tuburan and Tipo-Tipo. Fajardo was captured two weeks ago at the BSC canteen. The Fajardo family reportedly paid P100,000.00 for the "board and lodging" of their relative. The money was also reportedly paid in installment. Basilan Vice Governor Al Rasheed Sakalahul said Fajardo was released at around 9:30 p.m. Christmas eve Thursday. Initially, the kidnappers wanted P20 million in ransom. Then, the amount was lowered to P3.5 million. Eventually, no ransom was paid. Only the ...

Dec252009 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Christmas is in the air at SM Mall of Asia

Beauty, Blogging, Business, Consumer, Corporate, Events, Features, Gifts, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Photos, Society, Style, Travel

So yes, Mindanaoan was in Metro Manila for two days. Hence, the obvious lull here in my humble blog. My two-day Manila trip was a surprise Christmas gift from two very special friends whom you'll learn more about in the next few days. Needless to say, the trip was the most expensive one I received this year...and the sweetest impromptu gift, I must admit. For now, I'd like to share some of the shots I took last December 23, 2009 at SM Mall of Asia, considered the 3rd largest mall in the world. Truly, the festive Christmas spirit can be felt at MOA! I did a little bit of Christmas shopping there, watched "Avatar" at IMAX 3D theater, ate at a relatively new restaurant and bought Krispy Kreme for pasalubong. I wanted to visit Trinoma, too, but 2 days just isn't enough! Anyways, he...

Dec202009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Mindanaoans who will run for national positions come May 2010

Advocacy, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, ARMM, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Commentary, Controversial, Davao City, Features, Government, Headline, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, News, Opinion, Personalities, Politics, Society

Did you know that several Mindanaoans will gun for national political positions come May 2010? If you're the type of person who wants to support fellow children of Mindanao in the next presidential elections, then you may want to check out the list below. Among the vice presidentiables, two are Mindanaoans. Bangon Pilipinas' vice presidential candidate Perfecto Yasay, Jr. is from Davao City. Jay Sonza, the vice presidential candidate of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan party, is also from Davao. All of Sonza's children are fellow Ateneo de Davao University alumni. As for the senatorial candidates, on the other hand, Mindanaoan has identified 10. First is Nacionalista Party's bet lawyer Adel A. Tamano of Lanao del Sur. He's the first Filipino Muslim scholar graduate of Harvard Law Schoo...

Dec162009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

List of official COMELEC candidates – candidates for president, vice president and senator

Advocacy, Controversial, Education, Features, Government, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, Politics, Society

So from 99, it's down to 8. Nicanor Perlas is out of the list but the Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan valedictorian has vowed to file an appeal before the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). Here is the official COMELEC list of candidates for president come May 2010 elections: 1. Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III 2. Olongapo City Councilor Juan Carlos “JC” de los Reyes. 3. Former president Joseph Estrada 4. Sen. Richard Gordon 5. Sen. Ana Maria Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal 6. Former defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro 7. Sen. Manuel Villar 8. Bro. Eddie Villanueva Meanwhile, here are the candidates for vice president: 1. Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay 2. Ang Kapatiran bet Dominador Chipeco Jr. 3. Former Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando 4. Sen. Lo...

Dec152009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

New hangout in Cagayan de Oro City to open this Friday – Are you ready to TILT?

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Society, Tourism

A new club will open in the City of Golden Friendship, Cagayan de Oro City, very soon! CLUB TILT, the newest, hippest hangout in this side of Northern Mindanao will open on Friday, December 18, 2009. Located along Velez Street, TILT offers "a different level of partying." Another facet about TILT that may interest you guys will be the interior design. See for yourself how the designer made use of the space and depicted tilted furniture and tilted counters. Don't forget to check out the beautiful lighting, too! Mindanaoan will be there to celebrate the opening of this new bar in CDO. Spinning on that night will be DJ Manolet Santos. DJs from HYPE will also weave their funky beats into the night. Hope to see you all there! Don't forget to have your pictures taken by members of Te...

Dec152009 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Nur Misuari successfully pools hundreds of MNLF commanders – still the man, I guess?

ARMM, BIMP-EAGA, Controversial, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Muslim Mindanao, News, Personalities, Society, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

Don't strike Nur Misuari out just yet! Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Chairman Nur Misuari successfully assembled hundreds of MNLF commanders, leaders and members during the 5th National Bangsamoro Consultative Assembly held at Zamboanga Sibugay, Mindanao. Hundreds of MNLF members came (a lot even came down from the boondocks just for the event) that the local army reportedly got a bit alarmed. Thankfully, authorities understood what the event was for. It was, after all, a peaceful meeting among Bangsamoros. The 5th National Bangsamoro Consultative Assembly aimed to obtain, through "shura" or Islamic consultation, the pulse of the Moro people regarding the peace talks between the government and the MNLF. (more…)

Dec112009 by Mindanaoan Irene10 Comments

GMA 7, QTV, Radio GMA rate cards – airtime prices

Advocacy, Broadcasting, Business, Consumer, Controversial, Corporate, Features, Headline, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Update

With all the hoopla over the upcoming May 2010 elections, Mindanaoan is sure that a lot of you out there are interested to know --- exactly how much does a national candidate have to pay for radio and television airtime? Remember, if you're running a national campaign, you should also tap the regional and local radio and TV channels, right? So if you're paying P100,000 per 30 seconds for ONE time airing, exactly how much do you pay not only for regular airing via national TV but via regional and local radio outlets, too? Mindanaoan got a hold of the latest rate cards (airtime prices) of GMA Channel 7, QTV Channel and Radio GMA (DZBB, DWLS, DZBB Super Radyo). The rate cards below even specify how much it would cost if you place your ad by program. For instance, it costs P475,200.00 fo...

Dec112009 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Yes, Virginia, I sang a duet with Atty. Adel Tamano!

Entertainment, Features, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Musings, Personal, Personalities, Photos, Society

So one of my blogs celebrated its anniversary recently and guess who my very special guest was? Atty. Adel Tamano, of course! Just in case you've been living under a rock, Atty. Adel A. Tamano is one of the senatorial bets of the Nacionalista Party, which is led by presidential candidate Manny Villar. Atty. Adel is the first ever Filipino-Muslim graduate of Harvard Law School, the first ever Filipino-Muslim commencement speaker of Harvard University and he's the president of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM). And yes, he was the spokesperson of the Genuine Opposition in the 2007 elections. Bongga ang guest ko di ba? Actually, I spent the entire day with him and his entourage as they toured Bukidnon last December 4, 2009. He was with his brother, Atty. Aquil Tamano, as wel...

Dec72009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Photos: Regine Velasquez concert in Cagayan de Oro City Mindanao

Arts, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Photos

Here are some photos taken during the Regine...Most Requested concert of Asia's Songbird Regine Velasquez in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao last December 4, 2009. These photos were taken by my very talented brother Bon, a professional photographer, illustrator, graphic artist and layout artist. For more samples of my brother Bon's work, please check out his official website. Hire him if you need a wedding photographer --- he's simply amazing! Plus he often gets me as his back-up or 2nd photographer so there's a chance that we'll meet, too! :D Don't forget to let me know that you read my blog post about him, okay? :) Regine Velasquez's concert was held at The Atrium, Limketkai Center, CDO. Musical director of the show was Raul Mitra (Regine's brother in law). Special guests were Jed Ma...

Dec72009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Five out of ten Galing Pook awardees are from Mindanao!

Advocacy, Announcements, BIMP-EAGA, Bukidnon, Contests, Cotabato, Features, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News, Sarangani, Society, Technology

Five Mindanao cities and towns were among this year's awardees in "Galing Pook." The Galing Pook Awards 2009 is sponsored by the Galing Pook Foundation and aims to highlight the innovative and practical approaches to common local development challenges. Galing Pook Awards also aims to highlight the best practices that actually worked in a Philippine town. The 5 Mindanaoan areas that received the prestigious Galing Pook awards were Midsayap, North Cotabato; Surallah, North Cotabato; Sarangani, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon and Valencia City, Bukidnon. Foundation chairman Rafael Coscuela said this year’s GPF awardees were chosen from 123 nominations by a national selection committee chaired by prominent economist Solita Monsod based on “innovation, positive results, transferability, sus...

Dec52009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Full text of Maguindanao martial law declaration – Proclamation No. 1959

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

Mindanaoans here is the full text of President Gloria Arroyo’s declaration placing the province of Maguindanao under martial law. THOUGHTS? PROCLAMATION NO. 1959 PROCLAIMING A STATE OF MARTIAL LAW AND SUSPENDING THE PRIVILEGE OF THE WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS IN THE PROVINCE OF MAGUINDANAO, EXCEPT FOR CERTAIN AREAS WHEREAS, Proclamation 1946 was issued on 24 November 2009 declaring a state of emergency in the provinces of Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and the City of Cotabato for the purpose of preventing and suppressing lawless violence in the aforesaid areas; WHEREAS, Section 18 , Article VII of the Constitution provides that ” x x x In case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety so requires it, (the President) may, for a period not exceeding sixty days, suspend the p...

Dec52009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Atty. Adel Tamano’s statement on the martial law declaration in Maguindanao

Announcements, Commentary, Maguindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Politics

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has declared martial law in Maguindanao, Mindanao. The declaration, contained in Proclamation 1959, also suspended the writ of habeas corpus in the province. In line with this, Mindanaoan senatorial candidate Atty. Adel Tamano released a statement on the Maguindanao martial law declaration: The Maguindanao massacre was an outrage but you do not solve it by committing an outrage on the rights of Mindanaoans, specifically those of Muslim Mindanao, by declaring unconstitutional martial law. The lack of actual - not merely possible or imminent - rebellion shows the illegality of the declaration. While all Filipinos, Mindanaoans especially, want swift justice against the monsters who committed the massacre, it must be done within the bounds ...

Dec32009 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Why Mindanaoans especially Dabawenyos still love TAPS

Commentary, Davao City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Musings

New fastfood outlets and restaurants may pop up like mushrooms in Davao City Mindanao but methinks Dabawenyos still love TAPS. Taps, short for "tapsilog" (tapa - sinangag - itlog), has long been in the food industry in Davao City and it's known for its wide array of "pares" or "tapsi" meals. Name it - they most probably have it. From tapsilog to bangsilog (bangus-sinangag-itlog) to tocilog to lekasilog (lechon kawali-sinangag-itlog) to adosilog (adobo-sinangag-itlog), TAPS Davao has it! If I'm not mistaken, they've been in existence for more than 15 years. Taps was one of the places my friends and I frequently hung out in during our high school days (only goes to show my age, eh?) These days, Taps now has branches in Bolton Street (the one I still frequently go to), Sta. Ana Street, Leg...

Dec32009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

If Pampanga has a Fr. Panlilio, Bukidnon has a Fr. Tabios

Bukidnon, Commentary, Controversial, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Society

It seems there's no stopping priests from joining politics these days. If Pampanga has a Fr. Eddie Panlilio, Bukidnon Mindanao has a Fr. Diosdado Tabios. Tabios, the former parish priest of Valencia City, Bukidnon, is set to run for governor in Bukidnon come May 2010. He's set to face incumbent Bukidnon Vice Governor Alex Calingasan (LAKAS CMD KAMPI), who will run for the gubernatorial position, his relative Ernesto Tabios (Liberal Party) and Delfina Bicatulo (Alpha Omega 9K Party). While re-electionist Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio has reportedly filed a petition asking that he leave his priestly duties as he pursue his political plans, Tabios has yet to formally file a written petition. He has, however, spoken to Bishop Honesto Pacana of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon and the latter sai...

Dec12009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanao jobs alert: multinational beverage company is hiring!

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Jobs, Mindanaoan Update

Spotted this ad by a "top multinational beverage manufacturing company" in a regional newspaper here in Mindanao today. The company's name wasn't specified (and I must admit, I have qualms about this) - still, it's worth a try, yes? Especially since a lot of Mindanaoans still don't have jobs these days. Here's the text of the job opening in Cagayan de Oro City Mindanao that I spotted: General qualifications: candidates must ideally be 21-30 years old, have good scholastic performances, have good communication skills, are literate in Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Powerpoint and Excel and must have leadership and good interpersonal skills. There are job openings for: 1. Industrial Engineers - male, working experience in logistics. Related job experience an advantage ...

Dec12009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Christmas shopping? Buy jewelry or furniture from Mindanaoan Ann Tiukinhoy Pamintuan

Advocacy, Arts, Beauty, Bisaya, Business, Consumer, Fashion, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Style

Want to buy furniture or jewelry this holiday season? Thinking of Christmas gift ideas? Why not buy furniture or jewelry pieces from Mindanaoan Ann Tiukinhoy Pamintuan? Because if I only could, I definitely would! This Filipino-Chinese Dabawenya, who's part of the prominent Pamintuan clan in Davao City, is part of the Movement 8 alliance composed of various Filipino designers. Ann's works have invaded New York, Moscow, London and Sweden. Ann Tiu Pamintuan holds the distinction of being the very first female Asian designer to be featured in the International Design Yearbook. Not bad for someone who actually doesn't have any formal training in design. In fact, this passion for design started out as a hobby of hers. Amazing, eh? So far, this gold mango bangle by Ann T. Pamintuan is o...

Nov302009 by Mindanaoan Irene11 Comments

Gaisano Mall of Davao Red Carpet cinema equipped with La-Z-Boy seats

Arts, Consumer, Davao City, Entertainment, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Movies, Musings, Society, Style, Technology, Tourism

Gaisano Mall of Davao, one of the large malls in the world's most livable city, now has a large, spacious cinema equipped with lazyboy (or rather La-Z-Boy) seats! For only P150.00, you can enjoy sitting on a very comfortable, cushiony seat with foot rest at the Red Carpet cinema! The theater is very spacious and you get a lot of extra leg room. What I did notice, however, was that the seats come in two. Meaning if you're going to watch a movie solo, there may be a possibility that someone else will also occupy the adjoining lazyboy seat. So I guess the Gaisano Mall of Davao Red Carpet cinema encourages catching flicks with a friend :) You also have your very own cup holder and extra space for small things (like perhaps your cellphone or car keys). It's not my first time to watch in a...

Nov262009 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

List of journalists killed in the brutal Ampatuan massacre

Commentary, Crime, Headline, Maguindanao, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Personal

First of all, we should not call it "Maguindanao Massacre" anymore. We should now call it "Ampatuan Massacre." Ampatuan is the specific place where the mass graves were found. Maguindanao is the province here in Mindanao. Secondly, to fellow journalists out there (especially those from Luzon) who make the constant mistake of treating Mindanao as one "lawless island," (come on, you know who you are!) please...please be extra careful. Maguindanao IS NOT Mindanao. Mindanaoans like myself have been doing our best to help keep our place peaceful and safe. Unfortunately, like any other area, there are people who refuse to obey the law and think that they are above it. These people do not represent the entire island of Mindanao. One tiny yet misleading description of our island can re...

Nov262009 by Mindanaoan Irene13 Comments

Google Wave invitations – Mindanaoan is giving away Google Wave invites!

Announcements, Contests, Freebies, Mindanaoan Update, Technology

Looking for a Google Wave invitation? Then read on...:) Mindanaoan has been using Google Wave for the past few weeks...and all I can say is...WOW. In case you haven't heard, Google Wave is an online tool for real-time communication and collaboration. Yep, the key there is REAL TIME. Through Google Wave, for instance, I can now communicate with my fellow writers and they can help edit my work in real time, they can share related photos or maps with me in real time and they can also format my article the way they want it or the way that it should be. So for very busy newsrooms, for instance, this can certainly be an advantage because there will no longer be a need for a writer to email an article to the editor and then for the editor to email back the proofread document. Google Wave...

Nov252009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

President Gloria Arroyo’s press statement on the Maguindanao massacre

Announcements, Controversial, Cotabato, Crime, Headline, Maguindanao, Mindanaoan Update

Lame duck President Gloria Arroyo released a statement on the very gruesome Maguindanao massacre...the very massacre that led the International Federation of Journalists to declare that the Philippines is the most dangerous place for journalists to work in. Yep, after Efren Penaflorida's triumph as CNN Hero of the Year and after Mindanao Manny Pacquiao's 7th world title, the Philippines is again hogging headlines. And sadly, Mindanao is at the center of it all. I can't quite point a finger to it...I don't know but I feel icky whenever I read this so-called "press statement." Maybe because the government hasn't done a thing ever since this entire brutality took place. Or maybe because all of PGMA's mouthpieces have only exercised lip service and nothing else. Or maybe because I am just t...

Nov242009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mindanaoans beware – Typhoon Urduja to hit Mindanao

Announcements, Mindanaoan Update, News

Fellow Mindanaoans! Let's all be on alert! PAGASA has said that tropical depression “Urduja” has entered the Philippine area of responsibility yesterday afternoon and it has now hit Mindanao and Visayas. Here in Mindanao, storm signal number 1 has already been raised over Camiguin, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat and Siargao Island. According to PAGASA, typhoon Urduja is bringing strong winds from 30 to 60 kilometers per hour. Let's all take the necessary precautions. In my side of the world, the weather's turning to be very chilly.It rained a bit earlier today and I reckon more rainshowers will come later today. The skies are very dark and heavy here. What about in your part of the world? How's the weather like?

Nov232009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Davao City Mindanao to finally have its own sports dome

Announcements, Davao City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, News, Sports, Tourism

Thankfully, my fellow Dabawenyos and I can now finally say that our beloved Davao City REALLY is a world-class city to live in. I just learned that the world's most livable city will soon have its very own sports dome --- fully airconditioned, ready to accommodate roughly 8,000 people and worth roughly P100 million. And here's something that may surprise a lot of people --- the City Government of Davao need not shell out a single cent since the funds for this project have been sourced elsewhere --- i.e. the national government funds. Interestingly, the funding for this Davao City sports dome will be taken from the congressional development fund of the Speaker of the House Prospero Nograles, a certified Dabawenyo. Nograles said that the initial P100 million was taken from the natio...