mindanawan blogger Archives - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Dec132011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanaoan is a national finalist in the 2011 Philippine Blog Awards

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, Sindangan, 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 Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

I know, I know...this is a super delayed post. My apologies! I've been traveling a whole lot the past few days and I've also been very busy with some projects (more on these later). I do know, however, that I absolutely must write about this, no matter how briefly. My humble blog, Mindanaoan.com, was a NATIONAL FINALIST in the recently concluded 2011 Philippine Blog Awards! YEY! :D After being nominated in the Philippine Blog Awards 2011 - Mindanao, this Mindanao lifestyle blog was also declared as one of the finalists for the lifestyle category - national level. Here's a screenshot from the 2011 Philippine Blog Awards website: YEHEY! :) WOO HOO! :D The awards ceremony was held a few days ago and although I didn't win, it warms my heart so much to know that I was one of the ...

Nov282011 by Mindanaoan Irene8 Comments

a1, Blue and Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees Live in Manila and Singapore

Announcements, Entertainment, Features, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Music

a1, Blue and Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees Live In Manila --- and in Singapore! Three of the hottest, most talented acts will perform live in Manila on February 25, 2012 at SMART Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines. Mindanaoan.com first shared the exclusive news about the a1, Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees and Blue Live In Manila concert a few days ago. Then, Mindanaoan.com shared the special video invitation from Jeff Timmons himself! Now, here are two fresh updates --- a1, Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees and Blue will be in Singapore on February 28, 2012 for a show at the Singapore Indoor Stadium and that the tickets for the Manila concert are finally out! The Greatest Hits Tour: a1, Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees and Blue LIVE in Manila ticket prices: Patron VIP – Php 5810 ...

Nov212011 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Borgy Manotoc and his super sweet and cute video message for me!

Beauty, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Corporate, Entertainment, Events, Features, Food, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Musings, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Society, Style, Videos

Borgy Manotoc came and went but this tall and gorgeous human specimen left a super sweet and cute video message for me and my Mindanaoan.com readers! Believe me, it's really *kilig to the bones* :D As always, I will share photos and kuwentos about Borgy Manotoc's bar tour for BenMore Scotch Whisky last Friday (seriously, who knew I'd be BAR HOPPING WITH BORGY MANOTOC?!) but for now, allow me to share this sweet video message from Borgy Manotoc for me and for all of you! Just in case you don't know, Borgy Manotoc or Fernando Martin Marcos Manotoc is a model, endorser, blogger (although he told me he's not a "natural blogger"), photography enthusiast and entrepreneur. He has starred in various ad campaigns for Bench, Swatch, Blue Soda, Fila and of course BenMore Scotch Whisky. Borgy Ma...

Oct72011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

UPDATED: Tabo at Timba and Max Surban featuring the 70’s Superband Live in CDO this October 15, 2011!

Arts, Bisaya, Cagayan de Oro City, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Music, Northern Mindanao, Society

UPDATED: Popular Visayan novelty singer Max Surban will now be part of the show! Fancy watching a comedy show that's sure to tickle your funny bones? Here's one event in Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao that you surely don't want to miss! The Cagayan de Oro Federation of Senior Citizens Association, Zillion Life Global and the City Government of Cagayan de Oro will make possible a special comedy musical show this October 15, 2011 --- the Pinoy Jokebox featuring Tabo at Timba back to back with Max Surban! Tabo and Timba is a hugely popular stand-up comedy duo. Tabo and Timba is a novelty duo that's also known for their songs "Salitang Hapon," "Ibon Ko," "Dead Or Alive," "Si Tasyong Tange," "Langaw At Gagamba" and "Yakozayo." Max Surban, on the other hand, is of course known for his mega...

Oct72011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Hats off to you Steve Jobs | Steve Jobs commencement speech at Stanford University

Advocacy, Blogging, Commentary, Headline, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Personal, Personalities, Society, Technology

Steve Jobs. Apple Co-Founder. American computer entrepreneur and inventor. Former Pixar Animation Chief Executive Officer. Adopted as a child but became to be one of the greatest geniuses of our time. 1955 - 2011. So much has been said about the man we all know as the one behind the iMac, iPod, iTouch and iPhone. When Steve Jobs died yesterday, October 5, 2011, people mourned, people became "iSad, iMourn, iCry." As a fan and user of Apple products, I also became very sad. I took to Twitter and shared my thoughts. I agree, Steve Jobs made the world immeasurably better. And I will forever be thankful that he shared his talent, skill and passion with all of us. However, I also have to say one thing: I will think about death much like how Steve Jobs did. It'll inspire me to follow my ...

Jul252011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Look where Airphil Express is taking Mindanaoan!

Blogging, Cebu City, Consumer, Corporate, Features, Flights, Hongkong, Leisure, Macau, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Reviews, Shopping, Society, Tourism, Travel

A few days ago, this blogger in Mindanao received an invitation from Airphil Express. The invitation came a few weeks after my brother, cousins and I flew to Singapore and Malaysia (yes, yes, I flew there again :) If you guys remember, I treated my mom to a special mother-daughter trip abroad last February 2011) aboard --- quite coincidentally --- Airphil Express :) It was an invitation that was very hard to turn down --- it was a chance for me to be on board the special maiden flight of Airphil Express' Cebu to Hong Kong route! Yes, folks, Airphil Express now has Cebu to Hong Kong flights! Now, Hong Kong is more accessible not only for people in the Visayas but for fellow Mindanaoans as well. I'm pretty excited with this Hong Kong trip. This will be my third time in beauti...

Feb192011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Photos: Kean Cipriano of Callalily Band

Entertainment, Features, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Photos

Anybody who knows me well knows that I am a huge fan of Kean Cipriano. For the uninitiated, Kean Cipriano is the lead vocalist of the popular Filipino band Callalily. His band is best known for the hit songs "Hintay," "Magbalik," "Stars," "Sanctuary" and "Susundan." I first met Kean in person when I was hired as an event organizer of a Callalily concert a few years ago. Needless to say, as soon as I watched him and his band perform, I was hooked! I became a self-proclaimed "Callalista" :D Then, fast forward 2010, I accidentally found out that one of the lawyers in the same firm where a former senatorial-candidate-friend of mine was a partner was actually Kean's uncle! Yikes :D So, okay, enough of the blab. Here's one of the photos I took of Kean Cipriano during a recent visit to the ...

Feb22011 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Review: BonChon chicken – fried twice, twice as good

Food, Mindanaoan Update, Recipes, Reviews

During my most recent trip to Manila, three very good friends and I finally had the chance to visit the Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati branch of Bonchon Chicken. Now if you haven't heard of BonChon, this below might give you an idea of what you're supposed to expect: (yes, that's from the New York Times!) BonChon chicken is supposedly one of, if not the best, tasting chicken you can ever taste in your lifetime. And I must say, after that early dinner with friends, I can only agree 110%! Here's why... (more…)

Jan312011 by Mindanaoan Irene10 Comments

Review: GoHotels.ph value hotel in Mandaluyong | budget hotel Manila

Business, Consumer, Corporate, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Reviews

For budget conscious Mindanaoans like me who often travel to Manila, it is but imperative to stay in a value hotel that offers not only comfort and safety but an ideal location as well. Although I do put a lot of weight on the price of a hotel room, I don't mind paying extra if I see that I get my money's worth. I also prefer hotels that are near public transportation options. Enter GoHotels.ph - a relatively new hotel located along EDSA Mandaluyong. For the uninitiated, EDSA, formerly known as Highway 54, is the main highway of Metro Manila here in the Philippines. It's also the same circumferential road where the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) passes through. GoHotels is the sister company of budget airline Cebu Pacific. Hence, it's no wonder that the said Manila budget hotel operates the s...

Dec212010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Photos: Pokwang in “The Crooner and The Comedienne” concert

Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Photos

I'd like to share with all of you the photos I took of talented comedienne Marietta Subong a.k.a. Pokwang during the "The Crooner and The Comedienne" concert last December 19, 2010, Limketkai Atrium, CDO. These are all raw photos, by the way. Apart from the watermarks, the photos have not been manipulated in any way. Please feel free to share this page and please leave a comment :) Thank you. Also, as previously promised with you all, I'll share more videos of Richard Poon, Pokwang and Markki Stroem. I still have an exclusive video interview with Markki Stroem! Can't wait to share that with all of you! The former Pilipinas Got Talent finalist was a gentleman --- he was very eloquent, spontaneous, funny and smart. No wonder there are a lot of Markki fans out there! In the meantime, en...

Dec212010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanaoan.com ‘s exclusive interview with big band crooner Richard Poon

Arts, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Videos

Before his big concert with Pokwang and Markki Stroem last December 19, 2010 at the Atrium of the Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City, this blogger in Mindanao got the chance to interview the Big Band Crooner himself, Richard Poon. Just in case you don't know, Mindanaoan.com was one of the proud media sponsors of the successful run of "The Crooner and The Comedienne," which was made possible by Joey Pelaez Events. Mindanaoan.com had the chance to ask Richard Poon about his choice of music genre, how he can be an advocate of music especially among the youth, how he applies the skills he learned as an entrepreneur to his being a musician (he liked the question, by the way! :D) and what keeps him inspired these days *wink, wink* [READ THIS, just in case you think you're kindda out of the...

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...

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...

Sep182010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Photos: Make Your Own Havaianas Davao City leg

Davao City, Events, Fashion, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Style

The Make Your Own Havaianas 2010 Davao City, Mindanao leg is being held at the Gaisano Mall (GMall) along Bajada Avenue, Davao City. It started last September 16, 2010 and will end tomorrow, September 19, 2010. I was able to visit the MYOH 2010 Davao event on the very first day and by the looks of it, the certified Havaianaticos in this side of the country came in full force! The Davao City leg of Make Your Own Havaianas comes after the highly successful Make Your Own Havaianas 2010 Cagayan de Oro leg, which was held last August 2010 (Mindanaoan was there, too, of course, much thanks to our special friends over at Spruce). Check out more photos after the jump: (more…)

Jul132010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Iligan City’s Maria Cristina Falls is now reopened to the public

Announcements, Government, Iligan City, Mindanaoan Update, Muslim Mindanao, News, Northern Mindanao, Tourism, Travel

Good news! The majestic Maria Cristina Falls, one of the major tourist attractions in Iligan City, Mindanao, is now reopened to the public...and it now even has a Nature's Park! Known as the Philippines' second highest waterfalls, the Maria Cristina Falls plays a very vital role in generating power for Mindanao. Maria Cristina Falls powers the National Power Corporation's Agus VI Hydroelectric Plant which is capable of generating as much as 200 MW. A lot of areas around Mindanao depend on the Agus VI. *photo credit: Iligan City What's also exciting about the reopening of the Maria Cristina Falls is that it now also has a nature's park. (more…)

May262010 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Mindanaoan at the first ever Cebu Blog Camp 2010

Advocacy, Bisaya, Blogging, Events, Internet, Leisure, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Technology

So I'm finally back from a 4-day escapade in Cebu City, the Queen City of the South. The primary reason as to why Mindanaoan was in Cebu was to attend the first ever Cebu Blog Camp 2010. The event, which held the theme "Blogging, Expressions and Opportunities," gathered more than a hundred bloggers from all over the Philippines. The Cebu Blog Camp provided a platform whereby bloggers, IT experts and experienced new media practitioners discussed various issues concerning the blogosphere including online journalism, blogging ethics, marketing yourself as a blogger, blog marketing and earning money online. I learned a lot from the speakers (thanks Hans Koch for the very helpful WP plugins and big thanks to Tonyo Cruz for reminding me why I shifted to online media after 8 long years as a...

Apr152010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Love cereals? Cerealicious is a must-try!

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

Mindanaoan is a huge cereal fan. You name it - I love it! Frosties, regular corn cereals, choco coated cereals...I love them all! I must admit, though...I'm not a regular breakfast eater (which I know is a bad thing because breakfast is the most important meal of the day...I'm really trying my best to eat breakfast as often as I can!) but you can be sure that I'll be at the table (mas mabilis pa sa alas kuwatro!) if cereals and milk plus fruits or cookies are served. So you could just imagine how happy I was when I first learned that the Philippines now has the first ever cereal cafe! Yup, you read that right. Cereal cafe! Welcome to Cerealicious - the country's first ever cafe that serves 30+ cereals, 40+ toppings and even gives you the chance to come up with your very own mix of ...