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Jul252011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Full text President Noynoy Aquino SONA 2011

Here is the full text of President Aquino's SONA or State of the Nation Address 2011. Philippine President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III delivered this 2011 SONA or 2011 State of the Nation Address last July 25, 2011 (Monday) at the House of Representatives (Lower Congress), Batasan Pambansa Complex, Quezon City, Philippines. The English translation of President Aquino SONA 2011 or State of the Nation Address can also be found below. Please feel free to share this page to everyone especially those who missed watching President Noynoy Aquino's 2011 SONA. This Mindanao blogger watched President Aquino or PNoy as he delivered his SONA. Did you? What are your thoughts about his SONA 2011? Please share your comments below. State of the Nation Address of His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino...

Jul72011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

America in 3D goes to Baguio

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Broadcasting, Events, Features, Government, Jobs, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Technology

A few months ago, the United States Embassy in Manila, Philippines conducted its first ever America in 3D event. It was so successful that the US Embassy in Manila, under the leadership of the very amiable Ambassador Harry Thomas, decided to do a roadshow! First stop - Baguio City! Come join the U.S. Embassy when it brings “America in 3D” to Baguio City from July 8 to 10, 2011 at SM City Baguio! All residents of greater Baguio are invited to participate in our FREE, fun events in SM City Baguio from July 8 through 10, from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. The three-day weekend will include a full lineup of musical performances (everything from jazz to hip-hop, from country music to Broadway tunes), free samplings of American food, cooking demonstrations, and information about U.S. visas and ...

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...

May282010 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Review: The Maxwell Hotel Cebu | Budget hotel Cebu

Business, Consumer, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

The Maxwell Hotel Cebu is located along N. Escario Street, Cebu City, Philippines - a prime location in the Queen City of the South. It's a fairly new hotel in Cebu City and can be considered a Cebu budget hotel. Mindanaoan stayed at the Maxwell Hotel Cebu for two nights during my recent 4-day escapade at Cebu to attend the first ever Cebu Blog Camp 2010. The first two nights were spent at my Cebu City-based brother's apartment. My brother is also a blogger, by the way, and he accompanied me at the Cebu Blog Camp. He blogs about tennis here. Since he often lacked sleep because of the uber warm Cebu weather as of late, I, as the dutiful "ate" (ahem, ahem), decided to check-in at The Maxwell Hotel Cebu and treat him to two days of rest, sleep and an absolutely relaxing massage (more about...

Apr222010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Does this political TV ad for Mindanao by Villar, Pimentel and Tamano work?

Announcements, Bisaya, Blogging, Commentary, Government, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Muslim Mindanao, News, Opinion, Personalities, Politics, Technology, Videos

Nacionalista Party standard bearer Senator Manny Villar has released (yet another) political TV ad. This time, he's speaking in Bisaya and it's an ad specifically for Mindanao. In this political ad, he appears with NP senatorial candidates Gwen Pimentel and Atty. Adel Tamano. As we all know, Pimentel and Tamano are Mindanaoans. Pimentel is the daughter of Senator Aquilino Pimentel and the sister of Atty. Koko Pimentel, who lost in the previous elections to Mindanaoan and Bukidnon senator Juan Miguel Zubiri. Adel Tamano, on the other hand, is from Marawi City and is the first Filipino-Muslim scholar-graduate of Harvard Law School. In this political TV ad, Villar, Tamano and Pimentel raised the 8-hour brownout currently plaguing Mindanao (actually, a lot of areas around the island even...

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...

Oct152009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Blog Action Day 2009 Philippines: Climate Change

Advocacy, Beauty, Blogging, Commentary, Consumer, Controversial, Events, Features, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Personal, Society

Today, October 15, 2009, is Blog Action Day 2009. Blog Action Day is an annual event held every October 15 that aims to unite all the bloggers of the world and encourage them to post about the same issue on the very same day. This, in the hope to ignite discussions about that particular issue and to inspire people to take action. This year, the topic for Blog Action Day 2009 is Climate Change. I, Mindanaoan, am joining thousands of other Pinoy bloggers for the Blog Action Day 2009 - Philippines Edition. And we Filipinos of all people know very well just how devastating the effects of climate change are. After our harrowing experience with tropical storms Ondoy (international name: Ketsana) and Pepeng (international name: Parma), we should no longer put this issue of climate change a...

Sep272009 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Please donate – let us show that Mindanao cares for the typhoon Ondoy victims in Luzon

Advocacy, Announcements, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Society, Technology

Hello, everyone! I know it's been a very difficult two days for all of us here in the Philippines - more especially for those in Luzon. Typhoon Ondoy (international code name: Ketsana) has caused so much catastrophe in our country. It left thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, homeless, hungry and in pain. So far, a lot of deaths has already been reported and with another typhoon set to visit the country in the next 3 days (yes, unfortunately!), we really need to unite and help each other. Even though we're here in Mindanao, it is still our duty as Filipinos to help out. So please, I want to enjoin you all to please donate. The victims of Typhoon Ondoy need all the help they can get. You can donate through these measures: Donate to the Red Cross Rescue and Relief Operations. Te...

Jul142009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Let’s not forget the 3 kidnapped teachers…part deux

Advocacy, ARMM, Basilan, Commentary, Controversial, Crime, Government, Mindanaoan Update, Muslim Mindanao, News, Sulu, Zamboanga Sibugay

MINDANAO - Opposition senator and reported 2010 presidentiable Francis "Chiz" Escudero and I share the same sentiments. Chiz Escudero, in his recent press statement, has asked the public that while it's true that we all should be happy for International Red Cross volunteer Eugenio Vagni's safe release from captivity in Basilan, we should still not forget the three teachers who remain hostages of the Abu Sayyaf. If you remember, these are my very thoughts last May 2009. The three teachers namely Jocelyn Enriquez, Jocelyn Inion and Noemi Mandi were abducted by last March 13 off the island barangay of Bangkaw-Bangkaw, Naga town, Zamboanga Sibugay while they were on the way home. “The end of Mr. Vagni’s ordeal should convince those working behind the scenes to exert more effort in...

Apr102009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

The presidentiables, senatoriables are now reaching out to Mindanao

Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Commentary, Controversial, Government, Headline, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Personal, Personalities, Society

The next Philippine national elections may still be a little over a year away from today but the various personalities believed to be among the "2010 senatoriables" and "2010 presidentiables" have started to make their presence felt here in Mindanao. Just a few days ago, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay paid Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao a visit. He was the guest of honor in an SK-related event, I think. However, sources told me that he also proceeded to the Province of Bukidnon to meet some political allies. Care to guess what they discussed? Senator Mar Roxas, on the other hand, has also been visible around Mindanao as of late. Touted as the Liberal Party's presidential bet, Senator Mar has been doing the rounds here as commencement exercises speaker. Same thing with the solon fro...

Feb152009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Healing priest Rev. Fernando Suarez to visit Butuan City, Mindanao on February 17-18, 2009

Announcements, Butuan, Mindanaoan Update, News, Religion, Society

Filipino healing priest Fr. Fernando Suarez will be in Mindanao next week for both public and private healing sessions. Father Fernando, a member of the Companions of the Cross Healing Ministry, will be in Butuan City, Mindanao on Tuesday, February 17, 2009. An open-to-the-public healing session will be held on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at the Urios University Gymnasium in Butuan. Organizers say that the healing session will be open to anybody who needs prayer, guidance and healing. A mass will also take place after the healing session, which will take place in the afternoon of February 18. Fr. Suarez's much-awaited visit is sponsored by the Butuan City Government in coordination with the Office of Butuan City Rep. Jose Aquino III. Born in Taal, Batangas, Fr. Fernando Suarez has b...

Jan292009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Avail of the 50 percent discount on a DTI permit, Mindanaoan!

Advocacy, Announcements, Business, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News

Got laid off? Have you been toying with the idea of launching a business? Want to concentrate on being self-employed this time around? Well, now's a great time to do it and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is doing its share of making that plan of yours easier on the pocket. According to a press release sent to me (Mindanaoan) by the Department of Trade and Industry, the DTI has reportedly slashed its business name registration and renewal fees to half. Yes, you read that right. A fifty percent discount on that much-needed DTI business permit. This, in accordance to a department order issued by DTI Secretary Peter Favila. Instead of the standard P300.00 fee for business name registration, DTI will now only collect P150.00 per business name registration and renewal transaction....

Jan282009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Are you willing to pay P6,000 to the Philippine government just so you can blog?

Advocacy, Blogging, Business, Consumer, Controversial, Headline, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Technology

Because this seems to be the case if ever a proposal dubbed "Guidelines on the Provision of Contents, Information, Applications and Electronic Games" lodged before the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) pushes through. Now, how does this affect Mindanaoan bloggers or content providers here in the Philippines, you ask? This controversial proposal, when loosely translated, would mean that the Philippine government wants to require people to hold licenses in order to create or post content online. And, of course, there will be corresponding fees and charges. Under the proposal, a filing fee of P300.00 shall be imposed and an annual registration fee of P6,000.00. There will also reportedly be surcharges for late filings. While the proposal probably has commendable objectives and w...

Jan192009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Is Mindanao really RP’s “Wild West”?

Advocacy, Commentary, Government, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion

This got me thinking when I received a press release from the Office of Sen. Richard Gordon recently. The PR read: "Turn around Mindanao’s image as RP’s ‘Wild West’ – Gordon" The senator said that Mindanao has "gained a negative reputation in the international media as the country’s “Wild, Wild West” due to the continued spate of kidnappings, sporadic bombings, and the poor peace and order situation." Is our beloved island Mindanao really the Philippines' version of the so-called "Wild West"? In a meeting with the Regional Development Council of Region 12 and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Gordon challenged Mindanao executives to turn around Mindanao's negative image from being the “Wild West of the Philippines ” into a premier tourist destination with its unique history and ...

Jan122009 by Mindanaoan Irene93 Comments

Should we now close the Philippine Post Office?

Business, Consumer, Government, Mindanaoan Update

I don't know about you but I'm getting more and more disappointed with the Philippine Post Office. A few months ago, I received a very important package from the United Nations and its sides were torn and were deliberately "put back together" by mere use of a transparent packing tape. You could just imagine how insulting that was --- I wonder if an employee or two from the national or local post office thought that there was money inside the large envelope or probably some lucrative contracts? And now, after traveling for two days, I come home and see my mails...and I find out that they were all supposed to be delivered last November and December! One package, for instance, was full of important coupons I could've used to avail of discounts during the Christmas holiday shopping sprees. ...

Jan72009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Josh Hartnett and his Mindanao film set for showing this year

Arts, Davao City, Entertainment, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Movies

Just when I thought Hollywood heartthrob Josh Hartnett's Mindanao-set film will never see the light of day here in the Philippines, word has it that it will be shown (finally!) this year, 2009. "I Come With the Rain" is about a former Los Angeles cop turned private investigator (played by Josh Hartnett). Kline, the character played by Hartnett, goes to Hong Kong in search of Shitao, the son of a Chinese billionaire who has gone missing. He meets former colleague and now Hong Kong cop Meng Zi and they collaborate. The big twist in the movie, though, is when Kline is distracted from his search of Shitao. He gets haunted by memories of the serial killer Hasford (played by Elias Koteas) who was the reason Kline quit the L.A. police force in the first place. Well, it seems "I Come With th...

Dec312008 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Review: Southwinds Hotel Cagayan de Oro City near Centrio Mall

Cagayan de Oro City, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Travel

Southwinds Hotel is located along Capt. Vicente Roa Street Extension in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, Philippines. It is a hotel known for its very strategic location - Southwinds Hotel is right behind the new Centrio Mall Cagayan de Oro or the Ayala Centrio Mall, it's just a few meters away from Gaisano Mall Cagayan de Oro (walking distance) and a few blocks away from Robinson's Mall Cagayan de Oro and Lim Ket Kai Mall CDO (you can just ride one of the local trisikads or padyaks for 5 pesos per person) It's also in front of the main branch of Graphic All-In-One (a large chain of stores that sells cellular phones, cellphone accessories and the like). Just this week, my mom, brother and I stayed in Southwinds Hotel. It was my second time to stay there, the first one was during a media t...

Dec312008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Sen. Gordon’s New Year’s Message

Government, News

Here's the full text of Senator Richard "Dick" Gordon's New Year's Message. This coming year 2009 (year of the Ox), I also hope that each and every one of us can be the change or agent of change that our country (badly) needs. It really all comes from within! Sen. Gordon's year 2009 message: Let us be the change our country needs. I extend my warmest greetings to my kababayans here and abroad as you, along with the rest of humanity, eagerly await the dawn of New Year 2009! Each New Year is a symbol of hope and a herald for new beginnings. The year 2009 stretches across us like a horizon, filled with opportunities to be explored and challenges to be overcome. As we celebrate another milestone in our history, let us not forget the lessons we have learned from the past and continue t...

Dec232008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Bukidnon provincial government employees receive P50,000 Christmas bonus

Bukidnon, Controversial, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News

So how much did you receive as Christmas bonus this year? If you think your ten or twenty thousand pesos is already a big amount, think again. Government employees in Bukidnon received fifty thousand pesos for their bonus this December. Yes, Provincial Government of Bukidnon (PGB) employees received P50,000.00 each (more than a thousand US dollars) this year. Don't be too surprised, though, because the said amount is actually LESSER than what the regular Bukidnon provincial government employees received last year. The year 2007 saw each and every regular provincial government of Bukidnon employee receiving a staggering eighty thousand pesos (P80,000.00) Interestingly, some of my friends working in the PGB said that the P50,000.00 still wasn't enough. They said that they still have to...

Dec182008 by Mindanaoan Irene8 Comments

Review: Casa Crystalla (Budget hotel in Cagayan de Oro City)

Cagayan de Oro City, Hotels, Reviews, Travel

Back in college, the Ateneo Glee Club had a joint concert with the Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan University) Glee Club. (Don't laugh but I was one of the Sopranos of the Ateneo Glee Club :D) Anyways, all of us had to stay with either foster families or in lodging houses in Cagayan de Oro City. Casa Crystalla, a budget hotel in the City of Golden Friendship, was one of the concert's sponsors and they offered several rooms for my co-club members. (I stayed with the lovely Yap family) Fast forward a few years later, Casa Crystalla CDO is now one of the CDO inns I stay in whenever I'm in town. There are a couple of reasons why I like staying there - for one, the rates are very affordable (I usually get the deluxe room with ref, table and chairs - like a mini sala set of sorts - and b...

Dec182008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Giant Christmas Tree at People’s Park Davao City

Davao City, Mindanaoan Update, Photos, Tourism

I got the chance to snap a couple of photos of the giant Christmas tree within the vicinity of People's Park, Davao City. The Christmas tree was adorned with a lot of trimmings and lights and can be found between the huge Durian dome and the fountain area. You won't miss it! This Christmas tree is also near the benches. Go to People's Park (right beside the Apo View Hotel along Camus Street) and check out this pretty Christmas tree. Better if you go there at night. Don't forget to take pictures! :)

Dec112008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Pacman’s win should not mask true state of RP sports

Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Personal, Personalities, Sports

I absolutely agree with Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero's statement that Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao's win over Oscar "Golden Boy" De La Hoya recently should not mask the real, true state of Philippine sports. While we're all happy and proud of Pacquiao's win in the recently concluded "Dream Match," (congratulations, Manny!) we should not forget that there's still so much to be done in order to really make the Filipino truly excel in different sporting fronts (and not just in boxing). It's true that Pacquiao, a certified Mindanaoan by the way (he was born in Kibawe, Bukidnon and grew up in General Santos City, Mindanao), is a genuine sports hero not only among Filipinos but among boxing aficionados all over the world. What he displayed last weekend was exemplary sportsmanship, skill and ded...