philippines Archives - Page 3 of 3 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Dec102008 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Will Davao have its own airline soon?

Business, Davao City, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel

I've been receiving buzz from various businessmen around Mindanao and in Manila that Davao City is supposedly set to have its "own airline" very soon. By own airline, I reckon they mean an entire fleet with "Davao" in its name somewhere and that it will serve as Davao City's very own answer to Cebu Pacific Air and Philippine Airlines. I asked a few well-placed personalities in Davao if they've heard of this and most of them did confirm that there are "movements" on this plan. If ever this will push through, this will definitely give Mindanao travel and tourism a big boost. I wonder, though, if the planes of this alleged fleet are as small as those of Mindanao Express' (Beechcraft 1900C)? Or if the planes are basically those of Mindanao Express' and then they'd just change the name? Is t...

Dec92008 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Sony Philippines sets up display exhibits in CDO, Davao

Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Davao City, Events, Mindanaoan Update, Technology

All right, so because Mindanaoan has really been (and is still is!) overwhelmed by the massive traffic to THIS POST about her first Sony experience (DAGHANG SALAMAT! Many thanks!), she's also inspired to share another round of good news to all of you Mindanaoans who want to buy Sony products or gadgets for your loved ones this Christmas. By the way, NO is the answer to the question if I got a VIP invitation to the recently concluded Sony Expo in SM Mall of Asia. So, NO, my entry wasn't one of the 50 shortlisted entries. I reckon I missed the deadline. Nevertheless, I had fun sharing with you all my first Sony experience and that's all that matters :) So on to the good news...Sony Philippines will hold exhibits in various areas in Mindanao this month of December! Check out the schedule: ...

Dec22008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Davao Chinatown 168 Mall to open December 6, 2008

Business, Corporate, Davao City, News, Travel

Davao Chinatown will be busier this weekend as the much-awaited Chinatown 168 Mall is set to open this Saturday, December 6, 2008. Davao China Town 168 Mall is within the Uyanguren district of Davao City, near the Magsaysay Park (where most durian vendors are) and Agdao area. Initially, I thought that this was a branch of the famed 168 Mall in Binondo, Manila (and I actually got a bit excited since I always see to it that I drop by 168 Manila during my frequent trips there) but such wasn't the case. Nonetheless, the China Town 168 Mall in Davao City is something to look forward to. See you there, fellow Mindanaoan!

Nov242008 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Pacman vs. Golden Boy: Pay Per View Or Not?

Events, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Sports

Who's looking forward to the upcoming Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao - Oscar "The Golden Boy" De La Hoya bout as much as my family and I am? Can't wait to watch the exchange of jabs, hooks and upper cuts on December 6, 2008. The event, which will be held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, is dubbed the boxing match of the year! Do you think Oscar will win or will the Kibawe, Bukidnon-born Pacman deliver a knockout? Anyways, as we all know, HBO Pay Per View (PPV) will carry the bout on December 6, 2008. So now I'm a bit confused as to whether or not I should avail of the PPV. The local cable company here in my area is offering its subscribers the PPV service for P700.00 (roughly US$15.50) If I pay on or before November 30, 2008, I only need to shell out P600.00 (roughly US$13.33) Now the big que...

Nov222008 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Huge Christmas tree at SM Mall of Asia

Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Tourism

Took this picture of the huge Christmas tree found in what's considered as the third largest shopping mall in the world, SM Mall of Asia (MOA). It's a pretty Christmas tree - it had lots of trimmings such as Christmas balls and stars, large gifts at its foot and loads of Christmas lights. The tree is located right in front of the French Baker branch and right beside the mini castle at the Entertainment Hall section of the Main Mall. I'm not too sure if this Christmas tree is larger than the one in Cubao, though. What do you think of MOA's Christmas tree? By the way, I found it rather interesting to see a lot of families milling around and about MOA that day. You see, we went there on a Tuesday morning, which is supposed to be work day, yes? Makes you hope that the parents went t...

Nov192008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Sarangani to celebrate Munato Festival 2008

Events, Sarangani

The Province of Sarangani, Mindanao is set to celebrate its 16th Founding Anniversary and at the same time, the much-awaited Munato Festival 2008. With the theme, "Ang Galing mo...Sarangan!," the festival will kick off on November 24 and will end on November 29, 2008. Check out the poster below: (CLICK the poster for a larger view) Among the activities that you should look out for are the tribal sports activities (November 27), Mindanaoan Joey Ayala's concert, the Fabil Gu Ni (Municipal Showcase), the Fyu Kura, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Provincial Employees Housing Project, the Cheerdance competition, the Street Dancing competition (November 29) and the Sugarfree concert.

Nov122008 by Mindanaoan Irene10 Comments

How to get your SSS number

Jobs, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Society

I'm a longtime Social Security System (SSS) member but I figured I'd share these tips on how to secure your SSS number. I was at the SSS office in our area early this week because I had to get my SSS ID and found a couple of how-to tips that I hope some of you might find useful. Here are the steps on how to secure your social security (SS) number: If you're employed, get the SS form E-1. If you're self-employed, secure the SS form RS-1. Get these from the Forms Issuance Counter. Fill up the form in two (2) copies. Submit the accomplished forms together with the supporting documents at the counter. The list of supporting documents can be found at the back of the form (some of the supporting documents include your original, National Statistics Office-certified birth certificate, I...

Nov92008 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Immunizers company launches travel shots contest

Contests, News, Photos, Travel

Are you a budding photographer like Mindanaoan? Or do you have lots of fun photos? Why don't you consider joining The Immunizers Travel Shots Digital Photo Competition? Submit your best images in three categories and your photos may just pull in P10,000.00! The categories you can submit your photos to are: 1. Extreme Adventure (best action shot) 2. Food Trip (best eating shot) 3. Little Jetsetters (best shot of a traveling child/children) For details on each category, check this page. You can send your entries via email (send to [email protected]) or by joining the Immunizers Flickr group (http://www.flickr.com/groups/immunizers) Deadline for submission is on November 24, 2008, 11:59 PM. The competition is open to all residents of the Philippines. By the way...

Nov62008 by Mindanaoan Irene8 Comments

Tales from the Piolo Pascual – Angel Locsin Bukidnon movie shoot

Bukidnon, Entertainment, Features

Three weeks after the entire cast of the tentatively titled "Land Down Under" movie arrived here in the Province of Bukidnon, the Piolo Pascual and Angel Locsin Bukidnon cowboy movie fever is still on. Several exciting tales, funny anecdotes and clearly soon-to-be urban legends/tales have begun to sprout. From university students who still seem to be tickled pink because Piolo smiled at them to teachers who pretended not to care when they saw Piolo at a restaurant (but excitedly shared their experience with fellow teachers and to their eager students) to a local family that got a substantial amount of money in exchange for his humble bahay kubo, the tales have spread and the locals merrily discuss the stories every single day. Naturally, the Municipality of Impasug-ong, noted as t...

Nov52008 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Senator Richard Gordon on Obama’s victory

Headline, News

From the Office of Senator Richard Juico Gordon: “I join the rest of the world in extending our warmest congratulations to US president-elect Barrack Obama for his historic electoral victory. His ascendancy to the most powerful post in the world as the first African-American President signals a political and cultural paradigm shift as it sends a clear and loud message to all peace and freedom-loving nations – CHANGE IS IN OUR HANDS. The impossible has happened. Change has indeed come to America, and it was made possible by the power of the ordinary people." - Sen. Dick Gordon

Nov52008 by Mindanaoan Irene11 Comments

Monks Blend Arabica Robusta Premium Coffee from Bukidnon

Bukidnon, Food

The Transfiguration Monastery in Barangay San Jose, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon is a Catholic Benedictine monastery. Highly known for its pyramid chapel where millions have already sought refuge, peace of mind and calmness of soul and spirit, the Monastery of Transfiguration is also the perfect serene place to talk to the Lord. The monastery is also known for their trademark Monks' Blend Premium Coffee. Made with quality arabica robusta coffee beans, Monks' Blend Arabica Robusta coffee has that very special rich taste that coffee lovers like myself will surely enjoy. I believe the rich taste is brought about by the fact that the choice coffee beans are from the monastery farm (yes, you can actually see parts of the farm from behind the chapel) and from the coffee growers of Bukidnon (wher...

Oct182008 by Mindanaoan Irene8 Comments

Justice for Mantigue Island, Camiguin residents

Camiguin, Controversial, News, Opinion, Resorts

My family and I went to the Island of Camiguin a few months ago. What supposedly was a time to relax and unwind turned out to be work somehow. You see, when we visited the beautiful islet of Mantigue in Camiguin (the "less popular" islet --- tourists usually go to the famous White Island), we learned from the residents there that the local government has started to send them feelers. The residents said that the local government wanted them off the island as soon as possible because they were considered "illegal occupants." The residents opined, however, that most of them have been born in the island. They asserted that they were "natives" there and that they grew up knowing only one home and that is Mantigue. Over the years, they learned how to fish, culture seaweeds and eventually welcom...

Oct142008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Camiguin’s Lanzones Festival 2008 Schedule

Camiguin, Events, Fiesta, Mindanao, Tourism, Travel

The Island of Camiguin is set to celebrate the 29th Lanzones Festival starting this Saturday, October 18, 2008. The event's special guest speaker is President Gloria Arroyo. The 29th Camiguin Lanzones Festival will last until October 26, 2008. Here's the official schedule of activities: OCTOBER 18, 2008 (SATURDAY) 7 A.M. HOLY THANKSGIVING MASS Venue: San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Church 1 P.M. PARADE Assembly Area: Provincial Plaza to Camiguin Tourism Center UGMAD 2008 Venue: Camiguin Tourism Center Part I: RIBBON CUTTING Part II: OPENING CEREMONIES: 29thCamiguin Lanzones Festival Declaration of UGMAD 2008 Opening / Viewing of the Exhibits (Depending on the time of PGMA's arrival) MOTORCADE OF CAMIGUIN TOURISM ASSOCIATION THE AMAZING RACE: PINOY X-GAMES SERIES ...

Oct102008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Happy birthday, Sen. Chiz!

Personalities, Society

It's Senator Francis Joseph Guevara "Chiz" Escudero's birthday today! (Betcha didn't know that was his full name, eh?) I just greeted him via text message a few minutes ago. I bet he'll have a great, grand birthday today. I remember the very first time I interviewed him was via text message as well. He was Sorsogon's representative then and was closely associated with former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada. Later on, he served as the late Fernando Poe, Jr.'s spokesperson during the latter's presidential campaign trail. It was a time when I felt that the local newspapers barely had access to the opposition. Most, if not all, of the stories that I read back then were anchored on the side of the administration. There were hardly any comments from the opposition. It was a time when the phra...

Oct92008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

1.6 Billion pesos to buy fluorescent lamps…seriously?!

Controversial, Government, News, Opinion

Bukidnon congressman Teofisto "TG" Guingona III obviously has lots of efficient moles in various government, non government and financial agencies. I mean, how else could he have uncovered the fact that the government plans to take out a loan to the tune of P1.6 Billion just to buy fluorescent lamps? Yes, P1.6 Billion or roughly $35 Million to buy fluorescent lamps. Yes, my jaw dropped, too. I mean, really, who in their right minds would want to spend that much on mere light bulbs when the economy is in shambles, when millions of Filipino children walk barefoot to school, when the ordinary jeepney driver barely meets his daily boundary because of high gas prices, when the ordinary Filipino family can barely eat healthy food everyday and when we're all supposed to tighten our belts...

Oct62008 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Review: Mallberry Suites Cagayan de Oro City hotel

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Hotels, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

IMPORTANT NOTE: This review of Mallberry Suites CDO was written in 2008. A lot of things have changed since then. You can see the new facilities and book your Mallberry Suites CDO hotel room here. I've been staying in a lot of various hotels in Cagayan de Oro City as of late. One of my favorites so far is the Mallberry Suites Business Hotel, which is located right along Florentino Street. It's right behind the Robinson's Mall near the Lim Ket Kai Center in downtown Cagayan de Oro City. Mallberry Suites CDO is a relatively new hotel in Cagayan de Oro, which is dubbed the "City of Golden Friendship." It's perfect for traveling businessmen who need a place where "everything's within reach" and for someone who may need to conduct their meetings at the same hotel where they're billeted in...