rivermaya Archives - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Sep292015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

SMB Oktoberfest 2015 launch with Rivermaya and Ebe Dancel

Announcements, Consumer, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Photos, Society

I was there! And boy, was the SMB Oktoberfest 2015 grand launch a really fun night - not only because of all the merrymaking, pop-up bars, beer shower, celebrities, seemingly bottomless beer everywhere and amazing Pinoy music acts but also because I was there with good friends :) Much thanks to Rivermaya, I had backstage access at the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds. I rode with the boys. Their call time was at 8 PM but because we all know how bad Friday night traffic in Manila can be, they fetched me at 3:30 PM. I initially groaned at the idea of traveling for 4 hours but well - I was with Rivermaya. That alone would make any OPM fan squeal! Plus since Mark Escueta had to be in Japan to be with wife Jolina Magdangal (who had a show there) and adorable son Pele, Rivermaya requested the gre...

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 ...

Dec152013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Travel: New way to explore Davao and Samal Island beaches

Advocacy, Blogging, Business, Consumer, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Features, Island Garden City of Samal, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Resorts, Reviews, Society, Tourism, Travel

One of the many joys of living in Davao City is that it is just several minutes away (a 15-minute ferry ride away, in fact) from Samal Island (Island Garden City of Samal or IGACOS), home of white sand beaches, great resorts, clear water, healthy marine life and dive spots. A lot of tourists usually go to just one resort in Samal Island but did you know that there's now a new, fun way to explore Davao and the beaches around Samal? Why not go island hopping aboard Explore Davao? Explore Davao is an outrigger boat (bangka) complete with an expanded sun deck, bean bags, iPod dock and a cooler. Explore Davao island hopping banca even has its own comfort room and a nifty trapdoor! To show you just how comfortable Davao island hopping aboard Explore Davao is, here are my cool friends an...

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...

Jun12013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Independence Music Fest at Tiendesitas

Entertainment, Events, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities

I'm heading to Manila tomorrow and will stay there for about a week. Whenever I'm in Manila, apart from business meetings, attending events and catching up with dear friends, I always see to it that I also allot some of my time watching my favorite musician-friends play. One of the events I'm eager to catch is the week-long Independence Music Fest 2013 at Tiendesitas Activity Center, Ortigas, Pasig. Together with my friends, I plan to catch the Oktaves (featuring Ely Buendia), K.A. Antonio and Rivermaya (woohoo!) on June 4, 2013 and Freestyle, Paolo Santos (whom I've had the chance to work with not too long ago) and my super favorite Jay Durias of South Border on June 5, 2013. Speaking of Jay Durias, this music fest is the only reason why I had to MOVE my Manila trip haha! I was suppose...

Apr242013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Announcement: Rivermaya band denies inclusion in Davao April 27, 2013 concert

Announcements, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Entertainment, Events, Music

You all know that I'm a big Rivermaya band fan and supporter. That's why I got pretty sad, disappointed and a bit angry, really, when I found out about this. Apparently, there are several tarps all around my hometown Davao City announcing Rivermaya's alleged inclusion in what's supposed to be a concert, purportedly dubbed as "Metro Davao Summer Slam," at the Davao Crocodile Park in Ma-a on April 27, 2013. As you can see from this poster below, the event even cited the inclusion of other popular bands like Parokya Ni Edgar, Chicosci, Typecast and Hilera. I did a quick scan of related announcements online and found out that the event has been heavily promoted online and even through Davao Crocodile Park's Facebook Page and through this Davao Crocodile Park-created Event Page. (please see ...

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...

Oct132009 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Rico Blanco releases new song “Bangon” – all royalties waived in exchange for donations!

Advocacy, Announcements, Arts, Blogging, Broadcasting, Commentary, Culture, Features, Headline, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Musings, News, Personalities, Radio, Society

In true Rico Blanco form! Rico, a former Rivermaya vocalist, is known for his advocacies and selfless deeds. He's an active campaigner of a lot of causes - especially those that aim to champion the Filipino spirit. This time around, this very talented Filipino musician is helping raise additional funds for fellow Pinoys affected by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng by coming up with the new song entitled "Bangon" - completely FREE. In exchange for a free download of Bangon, Rico's hoping that people will donate. Trust me, the song is amazing, beautiful work that only a Rico Blanco can produce! The very first time I heard it, I got goosebumps all over! It's a truly inspiring song and you cannot help but feel the spirit of volunteerism, faith and hope! While future announcements will be ...

Sep22009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Photos – Kapamilya Karavan featuring John Lloyd Cruz, Rivermaya, Maricar Reyes, Nikki Valdes, Dennis Padilla and CDO local bands

Blogging, Broadcasting, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Music, News, Northern Mindanao, Personal, Personalities, Photos

The Kapamilya Karavan 2009 in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao was a major success! The fun event, which was made possible by ABS CBN and SM City CDO, was held last August 28, 2009 (the very day CDO celebrated the Kagay-An Festival 2009!) at the Gran Via Lot, Pueblo de Oro. Virtually thousands and thousands of people came to watch the free show, which was the organizers' way of thanking the public for their continuous support. Mindanaoan was there because I was tapped to book two local bands (thank you, ABS CBN Manila!) Mindanaoan was also one of the official event photographers :) [the other one that I got was my brother hehe...but of course, right? :) ] Check out some of the photos that I took during the Kapamilya Karavan event in Cagayan de Oro below. Apart from the M.O.R. deejays an...

Aug272009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Kapamilya Karavan CDO to feature John Lloyd Cruz, Rivermaya, Maricar Reyes, Nikki Valdes, Enchong Dee and Dennis Padilla

Announcements, Arts, Broadcasting, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Society

One of the Philippines' most popular heartthrobs will invade Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao! John Lloyd Cruz, star of mega hit movies "One More Chance" and "A Very Special Love," will headline the ABS CBN Cagayan de Oro and SM City CDO-sponsored Kapamilya Karavan 2009. The event will be held on Friday, August 28, 2009, 4PM at the Gran Via Lot (near SM CDO), CDO. This event is open to the public. Kapamilya Karavan 2009 in Cagayan de Oro will also feature popular Manila band Rivermaya and Kapamilya stars Maricar Reyes, Nikki Valdes and Enchong Dee. The musical show, which will coincide with the Cagayan de Oro fiesta, will be hosted by comedian Dennis Padilla. Mindanaoan was tapped to book two local bands to serve as front acts. I was also tapped to book an official photographer who will...

Aug132009 by Mindanaoan Irene8 Comments

John Lloyd Cruz, Rivermaya to headline Kapamilya Karavan in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Fiesta, Mindanaoan Update, Music, News, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Society

ABS-CBN Kapamilya star John Lloyd Cruz and popular band Rivermaya will headline the much-awaited Kapamilya Karavan - Cagayan de Oro on August 28, 2009 at Gran Via Lot, SM CDO, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao. This fun musical event will be held on the very same day Cagayan de Oro City celebrates its fiesta. Expect legions of fans to watch John Lloyd and other Kapamilya stars on August 28! Of course, the ABS CBN Cagayan de Oro family, M.O.R. CDO family and some representatives from ABS CBN Manila will be at the event. This early, not a few have already told me that they'll be at the venue early so that they can situate themselves near the stage. Sabagay...who wouldn't want to be up close and personal with Mr. Ingat himself? Mindanaoan was tapped to book two local artists that will s...