norby david Archives - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

May282023 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Trying out Lampara Poblacion with Norby David

Features, Food, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Restaurant, Reviews

Lampara is a neo-Filipino bistro located in Poblacion, Makati. As the name suggests, Lampara (“lamp” in Filipino) aims to “shine light” on contemporary Filipino cuisine. Lampara Poblacion Makati features a variety of Filipino dishes with a modern twist. The restaurant is housed in a two-storey building with modern and industrial interiors, with walls adorned with graffiti-style artwork and with mixed-and-matched chairs and some tables made from reclaimed wood. Lampara has a large outdoor patio that's perfect for al fresco dining. That's where Norbs and I sat and enjoyed some of Lampara's small plates. For new readers of this humble blog, Norbs is Norby David, with whom I just marked a decade-long friendship with. I first met Norby in 2013 during a San Miguel Beer-sponsored concert...

Jul42016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Manila debut of “American Idiot” : Rowdy Visual Candy #Globe9WTAmericanIdiot

America, Arts, Entertainment, Features, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Reviews, Society, Technology

I just spent a few days in crazy busy Manila. I was there to witness first hand the formal announcement of Globe Telecom’s new content partnerships with top global brands Netflix (IKR!!!), Sports Illustrated, Disney, Cartoon Network, Smule, Turner and Astro plus the exciting rise of Globe Studios and Globe Live. Globe Studios aims to produce clips, series and even movies from top directors such as Erik Matti, Paul Soriano, Quark Henares, Dan Villegas, Sigrid Bernardo, Joyce Bernal, and Lav Diaz. I must say, however, that I’m most excited with Globe Live. Globe Live aims to produce, promote and deliver engaging, creative events of international size and quality. Globe will use its wide distribution channels to promote these live events and bring them to the customer wherever he or she...

Mar42015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Tagging Along With The New Rivermaya

Entertainment, Events, Features, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Photos, Society

Spent some time with the new Rivermaya during my most recent Manila trip. In case you still can't tell by now, I am a huge supporter of this premier Filipino rock band, considered to this day as one of the most successful and critically acclaimed bands in the Philippines. I always make it a point to attend their gigs not only because I'm a fan of their music but more importantly, because they're really cool guys to hang out with :) Just look at my Cebu Oktoberfest with Rivermaya photos and you'll most definitely agree! The photos here were taken during the Rivermaya Live at Adamson University and Energy FM gigs - both held in one day. Truth be told, I almost couldn't attend. Both gigs were held in the heart of Manila and I figured it might be difficult to commute. Luckily, Raymond, the ...

Jan182015 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

PHOTOS: Catching Up With Rivermaya band in Cebu

Cebu City, Entertainment, Music, Musings, Personalities, Photos

I will let you in on a secret: Rivermaya band, despite the multi-platinum record selling success, thousands of successful concerts here and abroad and millions of fans, is actually composed of very friendly, down-to-earth, kulit guys. (so kulit you have to be on your toes whenever they have sheepish looks on their faces :D) When you're around them, they make you feel welcome. And when they're around you, they're just themselves - no rockstar attitude at all. This is why, apart from being a fan of their songs, I love hanging out with them. Offstage, the Rivermaya guys - Mark Escueta, Mike Elgar, Norby David and Ryan Peralta - are just regular, funny and cool guys. Let me prove that by sharing some of my photos with Rivermaya in Cebu :) Spent two days with some of my favorite guys. Enj...

Oct112013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Davao fruit shopping with Rivermaya @rivermayaband

Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Musings, Personalities, Shopping, Society, Tourism

Was scanning my files earlier today and I found these! Very timely - since my Rivermaya band boys are currently in Dubai as of this writing and I miss them :) I will be in Manila in a few days, actually, but I'm not sure if I could watch any of their gigs. Oh well, c'est la vie. Anyway, here's the kuwento behind these photos. Hours before that Rivermaya Live In Davao show I co-produced with Apo View Hotel and The Blue Room not too long ago, Explore Davao treated Rivermaya band members Mark Escueta, Mike Elgar, Norby David and Ryan Peralta, the Rivermaya band management (led by Raymond) and I to a fun Samal Island trip! The boys looked pretty excited that morning :) Of course, what good is a beach/island outing without baon? Davao Congressman Karlo Nograles and his lovely wife ...

Jun212013 by Mindanaoan Irene9 Comments

Rivermaya band Davao radio tour and SM City Davao gig

Davao City, Davao del Sur, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Society, Videos

So a day before the big Rivermaya Live At Blue Room, Apo View Hotel Davao gig that I co-produced, the Rivermaya boys - Mark Escueta, Mike Elgar, Norby David and Ryan Peralta - performed first at SM City Davao for a pre-Independence Day gig. I was already in Davao City then, comfortably settled in my spacious executive deluxe room at the Apo View Hotel (which had a nice view of the pool, by the way - thanks so much, Apo View!) when I found out that the boys were supposed to have a Davao City radio tour before their scheduled performance at 5 PM at the SM City Davao Annex atrium. So I did what every Rivermaya fan worth her salt should - bug the Rivermaya band manager (hello Raymond! :D) and insist - without any hesitation or shame - that I tag along. Fortunately, Raymond was convinced tha...

Jun212013 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Co-producing a Rivermaya band gig at Blue Room, Apo View Davao

Announcements, Arts, Entertainment, Events, Features, Island Garden City of Samal, Leisure, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Musings, News, Radio, Society, Videos

Like most things that end up being hands-down epic, my being a co-producer of a recent Rivermaya band gig at Blue Room, Apo View Hotel Davao all started with two phone calls and a Facebook message. Yep. A phone call from the Rivermaya band manager, a phone call to a former classmate in Ateneo and a Facebook message to his cousin (who also happens to be a batchmate). That's all it took. A day and a half later, the Rivermaya Live At Blue Room, Apo View Hotel Davao City was a go. Things moved pretty quickly. My assistant and I were on the phone, calling a few friends who may want to sponsor the show. Fortunately, everyone we got in touch with all said yes. Who wouldn't? It's RIVERMAYA - the Banda ng Bayan - the very band responsible for the monster hits "Kisapmata," "Umaaraw, Umuulan," "Yo...

Mar312013 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Fun after-party with Rivermaya band

Bukidnon, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Malaybalay City, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Photos, Society

So after Rivermaya band's performance at the SMB Night Kaamulan Festival 2013 in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, my friends Jojo, Jacquee, Emil and I, including the San Miguel Beer bosses and folks behind St. Jude Distributors, accompanied them for dinner. Artists usually request for food after concerts and frankly, my friends and I became pretty hungry, too haha! Who wouldn't be when Rivermaya gave quite an electrifying performance and we all danced and sang our hearts out that night? In fact, all of us were still on a natural high after the show :) We all trooped to a local restaurant, thinking that all we'd do is eat, accompany the boys, take photos and say our goodbyes. What actually happened was far more than just that. There was laughter - LOTS of it. There was an impromptu jam. There ...

Mar302013 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Photos: Rivermaya Band Live Kaamulan 2013 Malaybalay Bukidnon

Bukidnon, Mindanaoan Update

MALAYBALAY CITY | BUKIDNON | KAAMULAN FESTIVAL 2013 - As I previously mentioned, this blogger from Mindanao was in Bukidnon for the Kaamulan Festival 2013, the yearly festival that also serves as the gathering of Bukidnon's 7 hill tribes. I made sure I attended this year's Kaamulan Festival since I missed it last year, having been sent by the U.S. Embassy to take part in the U.S. State Department's International Visitor Leadership Program. Not only is the festival a chance for me to witness cultural diversity and rich traditions, it is also a chance for me to be with friends and family. One of the Kaamulan 2013 events I covered was the San Miguel Beer (SMB) Night held at the Capitol Grounds, Malaybalay City last March 10, 2013. This year, the SMB Night was topbilled by no less than popu...

Mar122013 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Rivermaya Live At Ayala Center Cebu for new album tour

Cebu City, Entertainment, Events, Music

It's been a while since my "crazed avid fan" days. My friends know I'm a huge South Border fan and supporter and I went gaga when Color Me Badd came. I've watched and worked with so many artists (local and foreign) already but yes, it's been a while since I truly, madly, absolutely got impressed. That changed when I watched Rivermaya last weekend. Actually, I didn't just watch them perform. I was at their dinner-after-the-show which later turned out to not only be a super fun after-party but a chance for me to see a different side of the band. I must say this - I never expected them to be that accommodating, friendly and fun! My only regret now is that I didn't get to produce or organize any of their concerts before. The closest I got to work with them was during an ABS CBN Kapamilya sh...