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

Aug112013 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Kagay-an CDO Fiesta 2013 schedule of events

Announcements, BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, News, Tourism

Kagay-an Festival 2013 schedule of activities. Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar "Oca" Moreno has said that the 2013 CDO Fiesta will push through this year. This, despite the recent news about the bombing incident at Rosario Arcade, Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, Philippines. The Kagay-an Festival 2013, which is celebrated in honor of patron Saint Augustine, will hold the theme "Higalaay: The Kagay-an Festival 2013." Higalaay means "friendly gathering/friendly atmosphere." Check out this Kagay-an Festival 2013 schedule of events: KUMBIRA: Aug 14-31, 2013 Limketkai Mall Atrium (Kumbira is a professional and student culinary show and live competition. It is the largest culinary event in Mindanao. Check out what happened during Kumbira 2012) GARDEN SHOW: August 15-31...

Jul102013 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Camiguin Island travel guide: How to get there

Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Leisure, Tourism, Travel

One of my favorite tourist destinations in the Philippines is Camiguin Island a.k.a. The Island Born of Fire. Located in Northern Mindanao, Camiguin is the second smallest province in the Philippines. Apart from its historic sites, beautiful coastline and environmental tourism areas, visitors just love the crystal clear water. Who wouldn't want to visit a place as beautiful as this? Last weekend, my entire family and I went to Camiguin for a 3-day, 2-night escapade. Being the one fond of researching, preparing itineraries and following budgets, I took it upon myself to plan the entire trip to Camiguin Island. It's not my family's first time to visit the island. However, we try to discover new things and stay in a different place every time we visit. Now if you want to visit the i...

Jun202013 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Kadayawan Festival 2013 Davao City schedule of activities

BIMP-EAGA, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Tourism, Travel

It's Kadayawan 2013 time, folks! Mindanao's king of festivals, Kadayawan Festival, is happening this August! The 2013 Kadayawan Festival in Davao City will once again showcase Davao's rich and diverse culture and tradition, thanksgiving of oneness with the Earth and bountiful harvest. The Kadayawan Festival 2013 will also provide the opportunity for the various indigenous tribes such as the Ata Manobo, Ubo Manobo, K’lata, Tagabawa, Matigsalog, Maranao, Maguindanao, Tausug, Sama and Kalagan to converge. The term "Kadayawan" comes from the Mandaya word "Madayaw" which means anything good, valuable, bountiful, beautiful. Kadayawan Festival 2013 Davao City Schedule of Activities Follow Mindanaoan on Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus and Instagram for updates. Kadayawan Festival 201...

Apr82012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Airphil Express has special Easter promo – ZERO base fare!

Flights, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel

Happy Easter, folks! And to celebrate Easter the special way - why not book your next big adventure? Avail of the latest promo fare being offered by the Philippines' fastest growing carrier, Airphil Express Airphil Express has a special Easter airline promo! This is an express sale so better avail of this ASAP! Selling period for this Airphil Express promo fare is from April 8 to 10, 2012. Travel period is for July 1 to September 30, 2012 and February 1 to 28, 2013. The zero fare promo by Airphil Express is only for domestic destinations. Please note that all flights are priced one way from original to destination or vice versa. Remember also that Airphil Express offers 10 kilograms FREE baggage allowance (absolutely great value!) So are you ready to book your n...

Jan312012 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Full text of travel advisory – CDO white water rafting fully operational again

Announcements, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, News, Northern Mindanao, Tourism, Travel

So as we all know, the Department of Tourism launched a new tourism logo and slogan --- "It's more fun in the Philippines"! But for Typhoon Sendong (international name: Washi) victims in Cagayan de Oro City, Iligan City and Dumaguete, things weren't exactly "fun" ever since the December 16, 2011 floods. To date, more than 1,400 people have died in CDO alone and hundreds more are still missing. In Iligan and Dumaguete, it's the same scenario. Lots of lost lives, damaged properties and broken dreams. Slowly but surely, however, things are picking up, thanks to selfless volunteers and generous souls. For weeks, so many relief operations were launched. Then rehabilitation efforts. Now, it's time to REBUILD. And for Kagay-anons, tourism can really play a big role in rebuilding CDO. Thi...

Oct152011 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Camiguin Lanzones Festival 2011 schedule of activities

Announcements, Arts, Beauty, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, Blogging, Broadcasting, Business, Camiguin, Consumer, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Resorts, Society, Tourism, Travel

How fast time flies! It's now October and that means one thing --- it's Lanzones Festival time! Lanzones Festival is celebrated yearly in the beautiful island paradise that is Camiguin Island, Mindanao, Philippines! This year, the Camiguin Lanzones Festival 2011 celebration will kick off on October 16, 2011. The Camiguin Island Lanzones Festival 2011 schedule of activities can be found below. Thank you to the Camiguin Island Tourism Office for the information! Camiguin Island remains to be one of my most favorite places to go in Mindanao --- heck, it's one of my most favorite places to go period! It's a pretty island that has a lot of flora and fauna and of course, Mantigue Island and White Island are just amazing. Blue green waters, white sand, barely anyone else on the island......

Sep272011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Davao City launches “Life Is Here” tourism campaign

Advocacy, Announcements, Arts, Beauty, Bisaya, Blogging, Culture, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Features, Government, Headline, Leisure, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Tourism, Travel, Videos

Davao City has a new tourism campaign and I love, love, love it! The Davao City Government recently launched its "Davao - Life Is Here" tourism campaign and they used the Philippine Eagle as the tourism icon. To quote Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte: “What is it in Davao that we want to present to the market? We have the Philippine Eagle, we have the durian and pomelo. We go to Samal (beaches) for lunch or we go to Eden (Nature Resort) to picnic. These are the things we need to promote." As we all know, my hometown Davao City is also known for its annual Kadayawan Festival, Araw ng Davao festivities and its Summerfest! The new "Davao. Life Is Here" campaign reportedly cost Php 1.5 Million. Rey “Bai” Manginsay, a former Lanao del Norte resident, was tapped as creative co...

Jul232011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Davao event: Malagos Farm Fair 2011

Advocacy, Davao City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism

Are you Davao City-bound soon? Or are you a fellow Dabawenyo? Then let's all head down to the Malagos Farm Fair 2011 on August 6 and 7, 2011! The Malagos Farm Fair is a weekend full of seminars, farm games, music and entertainment, food tasting and yes, time with our animal friends :) It will be one fun open house weekend! During the 2011 Malagos Farm Fair, attendees will not only have the chance to see cows, ostriches, pheasants, chickens, ornamental birds, ducks, horses, peacocks and dairy goats, they will also have the chance to buy some and learn how to raise them as well. Themed "Responsible and Efficient Farming Systems," this year's Malagos Farm Fair will be held at - where else - Malagos Garden Resort, a 12 hectare inland nature resort in Malagos, Calinan, Davao City. According ...

May122011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Tiger Airways to offer Manila to Davao City flights by July 2011

Announcements, BIMP-EAGA, Business, Cebu City, Davao City, Flights, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel

The Francisco Bangoy International Airport a.k.a. Davao City International Airport will be doubly busy come July 2011. This, after Tiger Airways recently announced the launch of their Manila to Davao City and vice versa flights. Tiger Airways will also launch their Manila to Cebu and vice versa flights on the same month. There will be 10 daily domestic flights between Manila and Cebu. The Tiger Airways Manila to Cebu flights will start on July 1, 2011. Meanwhile, there will be 6 daily flights between Davao and Manila. The Tiger Airways Davao to Manila flights will start on July 2, 2011. These Tiger Airways Manila to Cebu and Manila to Davao flights are the airlines' first two domestic routes in the Philippines. Tiger Airways flies from Clark, Pampanga to Hong Kong, Singapore and Maca...

Aug312010 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Photos: New Bacolod Silay Airport

Blogging, Mindanaoan Update, Photos, Tourism, Travel

One of the reasons why this blogger from Mindanao had to spend roughly two weeks in Visayas was a fab, much-awaited weekend in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental with my gal pals Joyce, Iza and Crissa! Although it wasn't my first time to visit Bacolod City (the renowned City of Smiles and home of the Masskara Festival), it was my first time to spend three days with dear friends whom I all met in Manila. I'll tell you more about these amazing ladies in the next few posts :) For now, I'll share with you some travel tips should you take the Cebu-Bacolod route soon (the Masskara Festival is just around the corner, after all!) and some of the photos I took at the fairly New Bacolod Silay Airport. I usually book my flights online using a credit card. For my Cebu City to Bacolod City flight, I...

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...

Feb242010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Compostela Valley Mindanao celebrates 12th Bulawan Festival

Announcements, Arts, Compostela Valley, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel

With the theme "Compostela Valley Province: Shining at 12. Promising now and beyond...!," Compostela Valley Province, Mindanao will celebrate its 12th founding anniversary on March 3 to 8, 2010 via the renowned Bulawan Festival. Bulawan means gold in the local dialect. Here are the activities that will be held during the 5-day celebration: March 3, 2010 - Motorcade - Opening Program (Guest speakers are Senators Loren Legarda and Juan Miguel Zubiri) - Trade Fair, Barangayanihan, Techno Demo and LGU Night March 4, 2010 - Social Services - Volunteers' Day (Guest speakers are Senator Manuel Villar and senatorial bet Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. Nacionalista Party senatorial bet and spokesperson Atty. Adel Tamano will also be there) - Lanog sa Kapitolyo - Concert for Peace (featuri...

Jan162010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Mindanaoan is off to Cebu City for Sinulog 2010

Arts, Beauty, Blogging, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Flights, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Tourism, Travel

Mindanaoan is off to yet another fun adventure! Mindanaoan will be off to the Queen City of the South - Cebu City - today to take part in this year's colorful Sinulog 2010 or what's dubbed as the Sinulog at 30. Here's hoping that I will have a safe trip today via Philippine Airlines (Mindanaoan's favorite airline as of late). Nay, make that a trip that will push through! I'm a bit worried because it's been rainy the past few days and I heard about the Cebu Pacific Air passengers who got stranded at the CDO airport. Hundreds of passengers who were supposed to be bound for Cebu were reportedly left to fend for themselves as the airline refused to provide food and accommodation because, according to the Cebu Pacific Airlines management, they weren't obliged to provide anything especially i...

Mar42009 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Review: Tia’s Beach Resort Camiguin Island Mindanao budget hotel

Camiguin, Hotels, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

Summer is drawing near and I'm pretty sure that most, if not all, of you are thinking of places to go to during those hot summer days. And with airlines now offering more flights to and fro Camiguin Island, Mindanao, I'm sure many of you are considering the place dubbed as the "Island Born of Fire" as one of your summer destinations in the Philippines. Tia's Beach Resort in the Island of Camiguin, Northern Mindanao, Philippines can be considered a good place to stay especially if you're on a budget. The last time my mother, brothers and I stayed there was last year during the Holy Week. We planned to go to Camiguin at the last minute so practically most of the hotels and inns were already fully booked. Good thing my brother remembered Tia's Beach Resort and how he and his friends like...

Feb152009 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Are you a Havaianas fan? Write and join Isla Havaianatico in Samal, Davao, Mindanao

Davao City, Events, Island Garden City of Samal, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update

Listen up, all you Havaianas fans! There's a day-long treat in store for all of you in a Havaianas Beach Resort and Spa somewhere in Samal (or should I say Island Garden City of Samal - IGaCOS) Davao City, Mindanao...but only if you write a one-page essay stating why you love your Havaianas. You must email that essay along with three creative photos of you wearing your Havaianas pair/s to [email protected] and if you're lucky, you get to spend a whole day Havaianas adventure in Samal on March 21, 2009 (Saturday). Deadline for submission of entries is on March 14, 2009. By the way, winners, their friends and VIP media guests will be grouped into teams during the island event and the champion team will receive P20,000.00 cash. Exclusive Havaianas items will also be given away as mi...

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 ...

Jan162009 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Davao-Hongkong and Davao-Singapore now on ZERO FARE!

Business, Corporate, Davao City, Flights, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Travel

Good news Mindanaoan travelers! If you've been meaning to visit bustling Hong Kong or clean and beautiful Singapore then now is the time to travel! Cebu Pacific Air is offering another round of its infamous zero fare promo for Davao-Hongkong (and vice versa) and Davao-Singapore flights! The seat sale promo starts today, January 16, 2009 up to January 22, 2009. There are 70,000 seats available for Cebu Pacific Air's international seat sale so that's 70,000 chances for you to travel to your Asian destination of choice! Actually, the airline is offering zero fares for flights to Bangkok, Guangzhou, Ho Chi Minh, Jakarta, Kaohsiung, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Shanghai and Taipei as well. Pretty exciting deal, eh? I did a mock reservation just a few minutes ago for a Davao to Sing...

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...

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...

Nov282008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

The Red X Jonathan Neri photography Xperience

Arts, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Photos, Society, Tourism

Team Oro, a Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao-based group composed of very talented photographers, stylists, visual artists and graphic designers, is currently presenting an event dubbed "Red X: The Jonathan Neri Photography Xperience" at the Cagayan de Oro City Tourism Showhouse, Divisoria. The exhibit, which will run from November 27 to December 27, 2008, will showcase Onat Neri's artisty, passion and "eye" for beauty and detail. Check out the poster in this page. The poster for this event in Mindanao, Philippines is designed by Team Oro member Bon. Pretty neat, huh? If you need to commission Bon for any design work, graphic work, caricatures/drawings, layout and even for photography services, do contact (+63) 919 238 6575. You may also send an email to asteriskEC (at) gmail (dot) com TE...

Nov232008 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Iligan City to host 1st ICT Summit

Events, News, Technology

The Iligan City Government in coordination with the Iligan Information Communication Technology and E-commerce Council is organizing the 1st ICT Councils/Foundations/Organizations Summit on November 25 to 26, 2008 at the Ma. Cristina Hotel Sky Room, Iligan City, Mindanao, Philippines. The keynote speaker during the event is Hon. Joseph A. Santiago, Chairman of the House Committee on ICT. Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Ll. Cruz and the Department of Trade and Industry Region X Director Alicia Eusena will also grace the event. The summit's goal is to bring together the organized ICT Councils and ICT stakeholders/players who are concerned in the development of Information Technology in the country. This affair is envisioned to serve as an opportunity to share the various ICT initiatives by...

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...