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

Jun92014 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Must-do in Sarangani: White Water Tubing

BIMP-EAGA, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, Tourism, Travel

One of the things you MUST do when you're in Sarangani, Mindanao, Philippines - white water tubing. No Sarangani adventure will ever be complete if you don't try white water tubing. It's a fun extreme adventure experience like no other! Now let me make something clear first. If you've tried white water rafting and you think that white water tubing is almost like it, you're wrong. Personally, they offer different kinds of thrill. First off, you ride in rubber boats for river rafting. In water tubing, however, you sit on recycled rubber tubes ("salbabida") with fashioned "handles." You need to grip the handles really well so you don't fall into the water, get swallowed by the rapids or hit the boulders. Okay, I hope that didn't scare you :D Truth be told, tubing might look scary at first ...

May242014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Sarangani Bay Bodies 2014 Photos and Video

Beauty, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Mindanaoan Update, Sarangani, SoSCksargen

The Sarangani Bay Bodies 2014 was one of the highlights of the Sarangani Bay Festival 2014. A major crowd drawer, the Sarangani Bay Bodies event attracts sexy Mindanaoans not only from Sarangani and General Santos but from nearby areas as well. The winners of the 2014 Sarangani Bay Bodies were Princess Nicole Bautista (Tacurong City) and Ichin Daclan (General Santos City). Congratulations to the winners! And thanks again to the Sarangani Bay Festival 2014 organizing team led by Michelle Lopez-Solon for the invitation and warm welcome! Thank you also to Sarangani Governor Steve Solon! Follow Mindanaoan on Facebook and Twitter for more fun coverages around the world! Travel guide: CDO to General Santos City T'boli dancers...

May232014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Let these T’boli dancers welcome you to Sarangani

Culture, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Sarangani, SoSCksargen

I arrived in Sarangani, Mindanao a day before the official start of the Sarangani Bay Festival 2014. And for very good reason - the pretty and amiable Michelle Lopez-Solon, a.k.a. the better half of Sarangani Governor Steve Solon and the lead organizer of SarBayFest2014, invited me and a few other blogger-friends to a mini tour of Sarangani! The tour of Sarangani was something I've been looking forward to for a very long time. Sarangani, after all, does not only boast of rich natural resources but of culture and tradition as well. Our first stop was a barangay in Kiamba, Sarangani. There, we were met by happy, smiling faces led by Lyn Lambago, the founder of the Lemuhen Cultural Dance Troupe. Organized in 2007, the dance troupe was borne out of Lyn's observation that the T'boli cultu...

May82014 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Where Mindanaoan is heading to next – Sarangani Bay Festival 2014

Advocacy, Announcements, Beauty, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Update, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, Tourism

I'm really, really excited to share this with all of you! I'm heading to Sarangani Province in a few days for the much-awaited Sarangani Bay Festival 2014 or SarBayFest 2014!!! :D I can't wait to visit the beautiful white sand beaches at Glan, Sarangani again and witness just how fun the biggest beach festival in Mindanao is! I would like to extend my most heartfelt gratitude to the Provincial Government of Sarangani led by Governor Steve Solon for this very special invitation and most especially to the First Lady of the province - Ma'am Michelle Solon :) Thank you, thank you very much! Interested to attend the Sarangani Bay Festival 2014 as well? Come! Here's the Sarangani Bay Festival 2014 schedule of activities: May 16, 2014 5 AM - Swim Across the Bay 8 AM - SarBay T...

Sep62013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

GenSan 15th Tuna Festival 2013 schedule of activities

Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, General Santos City, Sarangani, Tourism

General Santos City, known as the Tuna Capital of the Philippines and the Home of the Generals, is currently celebrating Tuna Festival 2013! This Mindanao festival, the 15th Tuna Festival, is in celebration of the 45th Charter Anniversary of General Santos City. This year, the festivities started last August 15, 2013 and will last until September 15, 2013. GenSan, led by its Mayor Ronnel Rivera, is home to 6 of the country's 7 tuna canning factories. Lots of metric tons of tuna, including first grade or "sashimi grade" tuna, land on the famous GenSan Fish Port every single day. In 2012, a total of 139,613 metric tons of fish were landed at the General Santos Fish Port. Those tuna then get sent out not only to domestic customers but to foreign markets as well. The tuna industry sure is t...

Nov102011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

I’m joining Blogfest SOCCSKSARGEN 2011

Announcements, Blogging, Events, General Santos City, Internet, Koronadal, Make Money Online, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, Technology

I'm joining the largest gathering of bloggers, online media and social networking enthusiasts in Southern Philippines! I'm pretty excited to join Blogfest Soccsksargen 2.0 or Sox Blogfest on November 26, 2011 in General Santos City. Who wouldn't look forward to this event when you have this stellar line-up of speakers? By the way, I'm dying to finally meet Manolo Quezon III! Blogfest Soccsksargen 2.0 will also feature the awards night of the Philippine Blog Awards - Mindanao category. If you remember, Mindanaoan.com won as Best Lifestyle Blog last year :) I also look forward to visiting Sarangani the next day in time for the 2011 Munato Festival. I hope to capture great photos there! Anyone else coming to Blogfest Soccsksargen 2.0 / Sox Blogfest?

Nov92011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Munato Festival 2011 in Sarangani

Announcements, Arts, Culture, Events, Festivals, Fiesta, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Sarangani, Tourism, Travel

Sarangani Province in Mindanao, Philippines has always fascinated me. First, because it's a haven of rich Filipino culture. Second, because it seems to be a great location for photography enthusiasts like myself. Third, because it has a lot of activities for tourists and fourth, because a former classmate of mine has successfully turned this Mindanao province into one of the busiest and most colorful places in the Philippines. Yup, I'm talking about incumbent Sarangani Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez. Today, Sarangani is no longer considered just as "that area you pass through" when you traverse the General Santos City - Davao City highway. It's now a tourism and business hub and a place that you really must visit whenever you're in SOCCSKSARGEN. If only you need to take a quick peek at ...

Aug262011 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Boxing coach Freddie Roach: Manny Pacquiao is broke

Commentary, General Santos City, Headline, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, News, Opinion, Personalities, Politics, Sarangani, Society, SoSCksargen, Sports, Weird

Freddie Roach, the longtime coach of Filipino boxing champ and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, shocked a lot of people when he allegedly said downright that the world boxing champion is broke. Yup, as in broke, wala nay kuwarta, no more money, wala nang pera. Freddie Roach's statement baffled a lot of people and not a few expressed their doubts. After all, didn't Manny Pacquiao just buy a multi-million mansion at Forbes Park? Doesn't he give millions away in his GMA 7 show "Manny Many Prizes"? Doesn't he and wife Jinkee Pacquiao have a lot of businesses not only in General Santos City, Sarangani, Davao City but even in Manila as well? Is it really possible that Manny Pacquiao, whose latest guaranteed purse from the bout with Shane Mosley last May 2011 was a staggering US 20 Million, i...

May182011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Sarangani Bay Bodies 2011 this Sarangani Bay Fest season

Beauty, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Sarangani, Style, Tourism, Travel

If there is one thing I can never pull off, then that is to wear a two piece bikini and strut my stuff along the catwalk. This is why I have so much respect for people who have the intestinal fortitude to join bikini contests and flaunt their shapely bodies before thousands of people. Sabagay, who wouldn't want to flaunt their assets if you have bodies like these two? These are the previous winners of the Sarangani Bay Bodies contest - one of the much-awaited events during the Sarangani Bay Festival in Sarangani, Mindanao, Philippines. Cute muscled guy - check! Pretty sexy lady - check! And guess what? You'll see more toned bodies this year during the 2011 Sarangani Bay Bodies event! (more…)

May52011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Manny Pacquiao to wear yellow gloves to support Gawad Kalinga

Bisaya, Blogging, Entertainment, Events, Features, General Santos City, Headline, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, News, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, Sports

The world's number 1 pound for pound boxing king Manny Pacquiao is set to wear a pair of yellow gloves come Pacquiao versus Mosley fight night to show support for Gawad Kalinga. Gawad Kalinga or GK is an organization that has built at least 50,000 homes in the Philippines, has tens of thousands of volunteers all over the country and has successfully housed over 500,000 people for low-cost housing. Accordingly, my fellow Mindanaoan Manny Pacquiao will wear yellow gloves “to represent movement and hope.” The top Filipino boxer and current Sarangani, Mindanao representative is also asking everyone to wear yellow during the Manny Pacquiao vs Sugar Shane Mosley fight this weekend. The Manny Pacquiao versus Shane Mosley fight will be held at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 7, 2011 (M...

May22011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanaoan Manny Pacquiao vs Sugar Shane Mosley livestream

Bukidnon, Davao City, Entertainment, Events, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Sarangani, Sports

Who isn't excited about the upcoming Manny Pacquiao vs Shane Mosley fight? I'm pretty sure that my fellow Filipinos are not the only ones who are looking forward to this Manny Pacquiao versus Sugar Shane Mosley fight for the 2011 World Welterweight Championship belt. Bet the rest of the world is also eager to know who will reign supreme in this boxing match. I also think that a lot are looking forward to the Manny Pacquiao vs Shane Mosley fight livestream! The Pacquiao vs Mosley fight will be held on May 7, 2011 (May 8, 2011 Manila time) at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Are YOU as excited as I am? :) Manny Pacquiao, as many of you may already know, is a fellow Mindanaoan. He was born in Kibawe, Bukidnon, Mindanao but his family later moved to Davao City then General Santos C...

Nov272010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Truefaith to rock Munato Festival 2010 in Sarangani Mindanao tonight

Announcements, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, News, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, Tourism

The Province of Sarangani, Mindanao is currently celebrating its 18th Foundation Anniversary as well as its 8th Munato Festival. The Sarangani Munato Festival 2010 bears the theme "History, Culture, Resources." Sarangani, Mindanao is made up of the following towns: Alabel, Glan, Malapatan, Malungon, Kiamba, Maasim and Maitum. As you all know, the world's best pound for pound boxer, Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao, is the new Sarangani congressman. For sure, you'll see much of Congressman Pacquiao all throughout the festival. My former classmate and now Sarangani Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez, along with Vice Governor Steve Solon, will also be around and about for sure. By the way, one of the much-awaited events during the 2010 Munato Festival is the musical concert featuring to...

Nov262010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

PacMan: Behind the Scenes with Manny Pacquiao

Bisaya, Blogging, Features, General Santos City, Humor, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Politics, Reviews, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, Sports

Many say that one will either extremely love or extremely hate this new biography about my fellow Mindanaoan, Manny Pacquiao. For fellow fans of the world's best pound for pound boxer and now Sarangani Mindanao congressman who haven't had the chance to read this new PacMan: Behind The Scenes With Manny Pacquiao book, I'm hoping that I will at least like it and not curse the book's author, Gary Andrew Poole. Because you see, while most of the "expert reviewers" say that this is a good read, many also say that it's poorly edited, contains unverified and even stupid material and reveals things about Pacquiao and the rest of Team Pacquiao that can, accordingly, "stain his good name." Before we talk about the nega stuff, though, let's consider some of the "good reviews." Scoop Malinows...

Nov152010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Pacquiao – Margarito fight replay videos

Bisaya, Entertainment, Events, Features, General Santos City, Headline, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Videos

Of course, by now you know that fellow Mindanaoan Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao captured his 8th title - World Light Middleweight - and has undoubtedly carved his name in boxing history. The Pacquiao versus Margarito fight last November 13, 2010 at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium was indeed one exciting fight, yes? Antonio Margarito, who reportedly had to undergo facial surgery after the boxing championship bout, displayed courage, will and sheer determination and I bet all Filipinos appreciated that. Sarangani, Mindanao's very own congressman, Manny Pacquiao, on the other hand, displayed nothing but enviable, world-class boxing skills. Congratulations, Congressman Manny Pacquiao! I'm super proud of you! Thank you for uplifting the Filipino name and spirit once again! Congratulations to coach Fred...

Oct122010 by Mindanaoan Irene11 Comments

Pacquiao vs Margarito fight on November 13, 2010

Bisaya, Blogging, Events, General Santos City, Headline, Mindanaoan Artists, News, Personalities, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, Sports

Fellow Mindanaoan, Sarangani Congressman and the world's best pound-for-pound boxer, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, is set to face Mexican boxer Antonio Margarito on November 13, 2010 at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium for the World Light Middleweight Championship belt. As expected, this will be another day when Filipinos all around the world will root for our very own Pacman. I bet all Mindanaoans will again feel so proud of Manny Pacquiao, who was born in Kibawe, Bukidnon but who has lived in both General Santos City and Sarangani for several years. For sure, this Pacquiao vs Margarito boxing bout will be another blockbuster! I must admit, I have a few reservations about this Pacquio versus Margarito fight. (more…)

Sep12010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

General Santos Tuna Festival 2010 on September 18 – 26, 2010

Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Update, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, Tourism, Travel

General Santos City, Mindanao is set to celebrate the much-awaited Tuna Festival 2010 on September 18 to 26, 2010. This, after the Tuna Festival Council of GenSan decided to change this year's schedule. Normally, the Tuna Fest is celebrated during the first week of September. This year, however, it's set to happen on September 18 - 26, 2010. The 42nd Charter Day celebration of General Santos City will also be held on September 5, 2010. The following is this year's GenSan Tuna Fest 2010 official schedule of activities: Tunafest Schedule as of August 16, 2010 (more…)

Apr142010 by Mindanaoan Irene7 Comments

Visiting the Team Pacquiao by Manny Pacquiao store in General Santos City Mindanao

Business, Consumer, General Santos City, Gifts, Koronadal, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Society, South Cotabato, Sports, Style, Tourism

More often than not, anybody who gets to visit General Santos City, Mindanao for the first time has this question: where can we find Pambansang Kamao Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao and is there any place where we can buy Pacquiao souvenirs? Well, for die hard Manny Pacquiao fans, fret no more! During Mindanaoan's most recent visit to the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, she finally had the chance to visit the Team Pacquiao by Manny Pacquiao store in Robinson's GenSan! The Team Pacquiao store, located at the Ground Floor of the said General Santos City mall, sells a wide array of souvenir and gift items - from Manny Pacquiao shirts to Team Pacquiao jackets to pretty notebooks to Pacquiao keychains and Pacman lanyards! (more…)

Jan162010 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Kalilangan Festival 2010 in GenSan schedule of activities

Events, Festivals, Fiesta, General Santos City, SoSCksargen

General Santos City, Mindanao is not just known for its Tuna Festival. It's also host of the Kalilangan Festival, which aims to highlight jubilation and the unity of the people of General Santos. Here's the full schedule of the GenSan Kalilangan 2010: Pre-Festival Activities 02/05/2010, Friday 03:00:00 PM Raprapan Screening @ Gaisano Mall 02/06/2010, Saturday 03:00:00 PM Sayaw Barangay Screening @ Gaisano Mall 02/07/2010, Sunday 03:00:00 PMLakan at Lakambini Screening @ Gaisano Mall Continuing Events 02/08 – 03/03/2010 Fiesta Carnival 02/08 – 03/03/2010 Kandagang sa Padiyan 02/15 –02/28/2010 Garden Show and Exhibits 02/15 – 02/28/2010 Coca-Cola Food Zone 02/15 – 02/28/2010 Asia Brewery Pistahan Zone 02/15 – 02/28/2010 SMB Barkada Zone 02/23 –02/26/2010 Bakbakan sa Gensa...

Dec72009 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Five out of ten Galing Pook awardees are from Mindanao!

Advocacy, Announcements, BIMP-EAGA, Bukidnon, Contests, Cotabato, Features, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News, Sarangani, Society, Technology

Five Mindanao cities and towns were among this year's awardees in "Galing Pook." The Galing Pook Awards 2009 is sponsored by the Galing Pook Foundation and aims to highlight the innovative and practical approaches to common local development challenges. Galing Pook Awards also aims to highlight the best practices that actually worked in a Philippine town. The 5 Mindanaoan areas that received the prestigious Galing Pook awards were Midsayap, North Cotabato; Surallah, North Cotabato; Sarangani, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon and Valencia City, Bukidnon. Foundation chairman Rafael Coscuela said this year’s GPF awardees were chosen from 123 nominations by a national selection committee chaired by prominent economist Solita Monsod based on “innovation, positive results, transferability, sus...

Nov202009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Manny Pacquiao and Krista Ranillo together in Baguio

Controversial, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personalities, Photos, Sarangani

Are these photos of Filipino boxing champ and new world welterweight boxing champion Manny Pacquiao and sexy starlet Krista Ranillo just for their upcoming movie, "Wapakman," or what? Are these just for publicity or are they really having a secret love affair? I'd hate to think that the latter is the answer. After winning his recent bout against Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico, Pacquiao and Ranillo have become tabloid fodder. Do you think these photos of Manny Pacquiao and Krista Ranillo in Baguio will taint Pacman's Sarangani congressional plans? One more photo after the jump...

Jul62009 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Why blame the Mindanao media all the time?

Advocacy, ARMM, BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Broadcasting, Commentary, Controversial, Crime, Government, Headline, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personal, Personalities, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, Tourism

My classmate in Ateneo and Sarangani provincial governor Miguel Rene Dominguez is asking for trouble. Not a few eyebrows will surely be raised after he reportedly blamed the Mindanao media for "always highlighting all the bad things that are happening in Mindanao." Same goes with Lt. Colonel Edgardo de Leon, commander of the 73rd Infantry Battalion, who also blamed the media. Dominguez said that the "insurgency and other conflicts in Mindanao is actually just a game of perception. And I blame the media for that!" He reportedly then said that the culture of the media today, except for a few who are practicing peace journalism, is not very commendable. De Leon, on the other hand, said that the rest of the country's and the world's perception of Mindanao at present is also the work of t...

Jul52009 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Mindanao pride Manny Pacquiao, Tiger Woods and Kobe Bryant in Nike commercial

Announcements, Corporate, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Sarangani, Society, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sports, Videos

Mindanaoan Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao will again star in a major Nike commercial --- but this time, he will be joined by two other sports giants - NBA star Kobe Bryant and golf sensation Tiger Woods. I may be wrong...but I think that while this isn't Pacquiao's first time to do a Nike commercial, this is the first time that he will film a commercial with Woods and Bryant. As expected, this will be one very explosive commercial...one that Pinoys, most especially Mindanaoans, will look forward to. This much-awaited Nike commercial featuring Manny Pacquiao, Kobe Bryant and Tiger Woods will reportedly be shot in Los Angeles on July 8, 2009. Meanwhile, check out this cool Nike superstars commercial featuring Pacman, Kobe, Cristiano Ronaldo, Maria Sharapova and others: (this one's for Nike...