Tuesday, March 26Multi-awarded Filipina blogger, ocial media specialist, publicist and content creator
Shadow

Features

Shu Uemura Tsuya Skin launch in Cebu

Shu Uemura Tsuya Skin launch in Cebu

Beauty, Cebu City, Consumer, Events, Fashion, Features, Reviews, Shopping, Style
The thing about trying beauty products for the first time is that you really don't know for sure if they're good for your skin or not. Sometimes, relying on product descriptions may not be enough and may even be risky. Also, even if others give positive feedback about a product, you really can't be sure if you will have the same experience. However, if the manufacturer of the beauty products is Shu Uemura (which, truth be told, does not need any introduction) and if the products have SPF30, rhamnose (known for supporting cell regeneration) and promise better skin in just a few days, would you still have reservations? When I was in Cebu just a few days ago, I attended the launch of the Shu Uemura Tsuya Skin line. Tsuya means "ideal" in Japanese. The Shu Uemura Tsuya Skin line will hel...

Quest Hotel and Conference Center Cebu grand launch @QuestHotelCebu

Blogging, Business, Cebu City, Consumer, Corporate, Entertainment, Events, Features, Hotels, Leisure, Reviews, Tourism, Travel
What do you do when you receive an invitation to experience quite an "odyssey"? You say YES, my friends. Just say yes! And that's exactly what I did when the wonderful folks from Quest Hotel and Conference Center Cebu sent over an invitation for me to experience Odyssey - the Grand Launch Party of Quest Hotel Cebu - the newest addition to the hotel industry in Cebu City. The grand opening of Quest Hotel and Conference Center Cebu was held last September 20, 2012 at the hotel's all-day dining restaurant, Pusô Bistro & Bar. Guests were requested to come in purple or white. As soon as you enter the venue, which was embraced by purple lights, you'd immediately know that the night will be one for the books. Upbeat music was courtesy of Australian DJ Kristian Hernandez. To say t...
Lynard Allan Bigcas files COC as Bukidnon governor

Lynard Allan Bigcas files COC as Bukidnon governor

Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Controversial, Events, Features, Government, Headline, Journalism, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao, Photos, Politics, Society
Controversial car dealer Lynard Allan Bigcas or Allan Bigcas has officially filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) as governor of the Province of Bukidnon, Mindanao, Philippines. A native of Talakag, Bukidnon, Allan Bigcas filed his COC today, October 2, 2012 at around 11:30 a.m. at the Bukidnon Provincial Commission on Elections (COMELEC) office. Bigcas said that he is running as Bukidnon governor under the Liberal Party but the certification that was attached to his COC was specifically from Aksyon Demokratiko party. The certification was signed by the party secretary general Ernesto Ramel. Bigcas said that Aksyon Demokratiko was in alliance with the Liberal Party. In a mini press conference, Bigcas, who was initially eyed to gun for the mayoralty seat in Talakag, said that he...
Practical shooting at NMPSA Firing Range CDO

Practical shooting at NMPSA Firing Range CDO

Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Entertainment, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Northern Mindanao, Personal, Reviews, Society, Sports, Tourism
This year 2012 has been a year of many firsts for this Mindanao blogger. For the very first time, I was sent to the USA by the US Embassy in Manila for a really special leadership program. I was also given the chance to accompany US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas when he visited Mindanao last July. And on a less formal (but still very exciting) opportunity, I met a1, Blue and Jeff Timmons. I also have a new sport this year - boxing! Yup! Who knew I'd fall in love with boxing? :) And now I have fallen in love with another sport - practical shooting. Practical shooting is a sport which "challenges an individual's ability to shoot rapidly and accurately with a full-power handgun, rifle, or shotgun." Yes, folks, practical shooting is shooting with real guns and real bullets! ...
Pawpalooza Pet Festival at BTC Cebu

Pawpalooza Pet Festival at BTC Cebu

Advocacy, Announcements, Cebu City, Events, Features, Society, Visayas
If you're a pet lover (like me!) and you're in Cebu or bound for Cebu (like me again! Woohoo!), then you must visit the PAWPALOOZA Pet Festival at Banilad Town Centre, Cebu City on September 22, 2012 (Saturday) from 1 PM to 7 PM. The PAWPALOOZA Pet Festival at pet-friendly mall Banilad Town Centre (BTC Cebu) is a fab time for you to bond with your precious pets :) The PAWPALOOZA Pet Festival also aims to promote responsible pet ownership, foster camaraderie among pet owners and just provide both pet owners and their pets an overall fantastic, "pawsome" time! (I know, I know, so cute!) Registration of pets will begin at 1 p.m. Activities during the Pawpalooza Pet Festival Cebu: - free veterinary and grooming services that include anti-rabies vaccination, deworming and nail t...

Human Nature CDO store opening

Advocacy, Beauty, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Fashion, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Reviews, Shopping, Society, Style
The Human Nature CDO store has re-opened and is now at a new location, making it easier for consumers of organic, chemical-free and 100 percent made in the Philippines products to purchase and to even apply as dealers. The store re-opening of Human Nature Cagayan de Oro was held last Saturday, September 15, 2012 at its new location at Hayes corner Velez Streets, Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao, Philippines. Mindanaoan was invited to witness the Human Nature Cagayan de Oro store re-launch. Thank you to Sheilah, Marla and to all the other branch operators for the invitation :) Human Nature is a social enterprise focused on natural and organic products. Human Nature stands by the philosophy of being Pro Philippines, Pro Poor and Pro Environment. Founded in November 2008, Human Na...
Alaxan, Puerto locals team up to build Court of Inspiration in CDO

Alaxan, Puerto locals team up to build Court of Inspiration in CDO

Advocacy, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, News, Northern Mindanao, Sports
Alaxan FR and local residents of Barangay Puerto, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao have teamed up to build a "Court of Inspiration," a project that aims to not only to highlight the importance of sports development in a community, the spirit of volunteerism and corporate social responsibility but also to even encourage people to change the way they should look at pain. Under the "Court of Inspiration" project, a community basketball court will be constructed. Alaxan FR will provide the materials while the residents and other volunteers from the barangay will do a "bayanihan" and will work together to build it. The Cagayan de Oro "Court of Inspiration," which will be built at Zone 5, Puerto, will also be built on land donated by the Pagutayao family. The groundbreaking ceremony was he...

Voter registration Philippines requirements and guidelines #ElectionWatch2013

Advocacy, Announcements, Education, Features, Mindanaoan Update, News, Society
The 2013 midterm elections is fast approaching. Have you registered as a voter yet for the 2013 Philippine elections? Here are the registration requirements and guidelines for new voters, transferees and existing voters (those whose registrations were deleted and need to be re-activated). Please feel free to share this post with your family, friends and colleagues. Thank you! Fast facts: Filipinos eligible to vote can register at Commission on Elections (COMELEC) offices nationwide until October 31, 2012. You can also register as a voter at off-site locations. For new voters: qualified to vote are those who have not voted and who were born on or before May 13, 1995 For transferees: qualified voters who have voted before or those who have voted elsewhere other than the city/mun...
Funny sign at COMELEC Davao

Funny sign at COMELEC Davao

Davao City, Features, Humor, Mindanaoan Update, Musings
So I was back home in Davao City a few days ago. I was there to attend a seminar on covering the 2013 elections. Along with carefully chosen journalists all over Mindanao, I was taught how to uncover campaign finance, local power and governance. I will write more about what we learned from that Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism-organized event. Anyways, I just want to quickly share this funny sign that I found at the Commission on Elections - Davao City office. You know how people go to COMELEC to register as voters or fix their voter's registration IDs, right? More often than not, they're asked to place their thumbmarks on official COMELEC documents. Unfortunately, the fingerprint ink can be difficult to wipe off. So guess where some Filipinos "get rid" of the pesky ink......

Quest Cebu Hotel and Conference Center grand opening – I will be there!

Announcements, Blogging, Business, Cebu City, Consumer, Features, Flights, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Resorts, Tourism, Travel
I received a really exciting invitation a few days ago - I will be flying to Cebu City for the grand launch party of Quest Hotel and Conference Center Cebu! :D The grand opening of Quest Cebu Hotel is set to take place on September 20, 2012 and I am super excited to be where the action is! Quest Hotel Cebu is located along Archbishop Reyes Avenue, Cebu City - a few steps away from Ayala Mall Cebu. Ergo, it's right within the business district. This Cebu hotel is an 18-storey hotel that boasts of 427 delightfully furnished rooms (deluxe and premier deluxe) and suites (corporate and junior) as well as 8 modern meeting rooms with state-of-the-art facilities. Click on the logo below to find out more about this new hotel in Cebu: I will be live-tweeting the Quest Hotel Cebu grand opening s...
Meeting Aurora Congressman Sonny Angara @sonnyangara

Meeting Aurora Congressman Sonny Angara @sonnyangara

Advocacy, Blogging, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Politics, Society
Sonny Angara. Meeting Sonny Angara. I know he's a 3-term congressman representing Aurora, a lawyer (he was even the spokesperson of the prosecution team during the impeachment trial of former Philippine Supreme Court Justice Renato Corona), the chairman of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education and of course, the son of Senator Edgardo Angara. However, I wanted to see Congressman Juan Edgardo "Sonny" M. Angara in a different light. I wanted to hear him speak spontaneously. I wanted to see how he was without the flurry of Congress beat reporters, without the political supporters, without the TV network studio lights. I also wanted to see how this possible 2013 senatorial candidate would treat "non-traditional" media practitioners - in other words, would he treat us blogger...

Updated: Make Your Own Havaianas 2012 Davao

Beauty, Blogging, Business, Consumer, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Events, Fashion, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Style
It's Make Your Own Havaianas 2012 Davao time! After the hugely successful Make Your Own Havaianas 2012 CDO leg, it's now your turn, Dabawenyos! The Make Your Own Havaianas 2012 Davao City leg is set to happen on September 14 to 16, 2012 at the Activity Center of Abreeza Mall, JP Laurel Avenue, Bajada, Davao City. A Make Your Own Havaianas event is where you can customize your own pair of Havaianas flipflops. You can choose from various soles (including two specially designed ones called the MYOH Estampas - available in both top and slim designs), straps and iconic pins. So during the Make Your Own Havaianas 2012 Davao event (MYOH Davao 2012), you can design a truly unique pair of Havaianas - one that truly reflects your style! You might want to read my Make Your Own Havaianas 2012...
Norwegian boy band a1 to hold a concert in Cebu City

Norwegian boy band a1 to hold a concert in Cebu City

Announcements, Arts, Cebu City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Leisure, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Musings, News, Personalities, Society
a1 is coming back to the Philippines! The boys who brought us hits such as "Like A Rose," "Caught In The Middle," "Same Old Brand New You" and their most recent hit in Asia, "Waiting For Daylight," is coming back to the Philippines! Who's excited for the a1 Live in Cebu show? The British-Norwegian group a1, composed of cutie pies Mark Read, Ben Adams and Christian Ingebrigsten, is set to hold an a1 Live In Cebu concert on November 23, 2012 at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino Lahug. The boys were in the Philippines last February 2012 for the Greatest Hits Tour with Jeff Timmons and Blue. Are you as excited as I am? If you have been following this blog, I mentioned before that I tagged along with the guys in Manila. And with this latest development, I can't wait to see these gorgeous me...
Let’s tour the US Ambassador to the Philippines Baguio residence

Let’s tour the US Ambassador to the Philippines Baguio residence

America, Blogging, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, United States of America, Videos
If you're as curious as I am as to where foreign dignitaries stay while they're stationed in the Philippines, then we're in luck. The US Embassy in Manila has released this brief video featuring the historic and special Baguio residence of the US Ambassador to the Philippines. Special because the US Ambassador's Baguio residence was recently included in the U.S. Secretary of State's Register of Culturally Significant Property. This virtual tour of the US Ambassador's residence in Baguio City is hosted by Manila historian and cultural activist Carlos Celdran. Carlos, in his suit and bow tie, takes us around the historical house and shows the famed "Yamashita Room." You have to watch the video to learn why General Tomoyuki Yamashita chose that particular room. You also have to watch the v...

General Santos Tuna Festival 2012 schedule of activities

BIMP-EAGA, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Update, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Tourism, Travel
It's that time of year again - Tuna Festival 2012 in General Santos City! Actually, not only is it the start of the Tuna Festival 2012 celebrations today, September 5, 2012, but it is also the 44th Charter Day celebration in General Santos City. Today is also a special (non-working) day in General Santos City, according to the General Santos City official Facebook page. The theme for the 2012 Tuna Festival is "Tunafest Tunafun sa Magandang Gensan!" Check out the official 14th GenSan Tuna Festival 2012 schedule of activities below. Just click on the image for a larger view: * Schedule from the General Santos FB Page One of the guests during the Tuna Festival 2012 is Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero. According to info sent to this Mindanao lifestyle blogger, Senator Chiz Escud...
DFA consular office opens in SM Davao City

DFA consular office opens in SM Davao City

Announcements, Consumer, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Features, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News, Travel
Good news for all those in Davao City and neighboring areas who need to apply or renew their passports. The Department of Foreign Affairs or DFA has finally opened its new consular office on the 3rd floor of SM Davao City. Aside from serving as the DFA Region XI consular office, the new DFA Davao consular office at SM Davao will also serve as its Mindanao office. The DFA consular office in SM Davao began operations Monday, September 3, 2012. Initially, only passport applications will be accepted. DFA SM Davao consular office hours: Monday to Saturday - 10 AM to 8 PM; Sunday 10 AM to 2 PM You can call (082) 285-4885 or (082) 285-5190 for inquiries. Meanwhile, here's how to renew your Philippine passport or how to get a Philippine e-passport * photo of DFA CDO taken and...
Cagayan de Oro to Davao flight

Cagayan de Oro to Davao flight

Cagayan de Oro City, Davao City, Davao del Sur, Features, Flights, Mindanaoan Update, Travel
I have been meaning to write a mini travel guide for folks who plan to take a Cagayan de Oro to Davao City flight. A lot of readers have been asking me what to expect, what to do etc if and when they do take a CDO to Davao City flight so here it is - a quick and simple guide for travelers. Hope this helps those who will travel from Cagayan de Oro City to Davao City :) Please don't forget to leave a comment below :) The Cagayan de Oro City airport is located in Lumbia (for now - since the Laguindingan International Airport will soon be operational). The CDO airport terminal fee is only Php 30.00 (less than US $1.00). The Davao City domestic airport terminal fee, on the other hand, is Php 200.00 (roughly US $5.00). This is how the CDO airport pre-departure area looks like: The C...
Visit our One Happy Story booth at Kasalang Filipino 2012

Visit our One Happy Story booth at Kasalang Filipino 2012

Announcements, Arts, Beauty, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Fashion, Features, Northern Mindanao, Photos, Style, Weddings
May I humbly invite you all to please visit the One Happy Story Photography booth at the Kasalang Filipino 2012 bridal fair in Cagayan de Oro City - the One Happy Story Wedding Photography team will have a corner booth at this CDO wedding and bridal fair. The said bridal fair will be held on September 13 to 15, 2012 at the Limketkai Rotunda, Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City. So if you're getting hitched soon, you might want to take this opportunity to meet various CDO wedding suppliers, CDO wedding photographers and wedding videographers in Cagayan de Oro (speaking of which, let me know if you want referrals :) ) One Happy Story Photography is led by my brother Bon and his team of skillful CDO wedding photographers. I sometimes serve as a back-up wedding photographer :) Please feel free to ...

Winners of the Mindanaoan – Spruce giveaway

Announcements, Beauty, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Contests, Fashion, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Shopping, Style
I'm happy to announce the winners of my online giveaway! Much thanks to our very generous friends over at Spruce Designer Network (Mindanaoan's highly recommended fashion and lifestyle store in Cagayan de Oro City) who sponsored two pairs of gorgeous BSIDED hand sewn espadrilles that are 100 percent made in France! :) And without any further ado...this Mindanao lifestyle blogger is happy to announce the two winners of the Mindanaoan - Spruce giveaway: a Rafflecopter giveaway Congratulations Sheila and Vic! Enjoy your new pairs of kicks! :) Thank you Spruce! Please visit Spruce at the 2nd Floor of Limketkai Mall, Cagayan de Oro City. Please support the other Spruce-owned stores as well: All Flip-Flops: SM City, Cagayan de Oro PUMA: Limketkai Mall, Cagayan de Oro and Aya...
Miss Kagay-an 2012 winners

Miss Kagay-an 2012 winners

Beauty, Cagayan de Oro City, Campus, Contests, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Malaybalay City, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Society, Tourism
The winners of the Miss Kagay-an 2012 beauty pageant have already been declared. The announcement of the Miss Kagay-an 2012 winners was held during the coronation night last August 26, 2012 at the Atrium of the Limketkai Mall, Cagayan de Oro City. Mindanaoan.com was there to cover the event since Mindanaoan.com is an official media partner of Miss Kagay-an 2012. The Miss Kagayan 2012 winners are: Miss Kagay-an 2012 - Greanne Trisha Mendoza, a Malaybalay City, Bukidnon-born event organizer Miss Tourism - Lovely Jane Estampa, a legal analyst at the Development Bank of the Philippines First runner-up - Emie Lou Yamba, sales representative of Amore Travel and Tours Second runner-up - Maria Leslie Angelina Ghan, Civil Engineering student at Xavier University Third runner-up - Maria El...

Miss Kagay-an 2012 swimsuit competition

Beauty, Cagayan de Oro City, Contests, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Photos, Society, Style
Along with 2 blogger-friends, I witnessed the Miss Kagay-an 2012 swimsuit competition held last August 18, 2012 at the poolside of a hotel in Cagayan de Oro City. As I previously mentioned to you all, Mindanaoan.com is an official media partner for the Miss Kagay-an 2012 beauty pageant, which is one of the core events for the Kagay-an Festival 2012, the annual fiesta in Cagayan de Oro City in honor of patron Saint Augustine. Check out one of the Miss Kagay-an 2012 billboards (the URL of Mindanaoan.com is there somewhere :P) Anyways, here are some of the photos I took during the Miss Kagay-an 2012 swimsuit competition. Apologies for the poor photo composition - there were a lot of shutterbugs that day and I also failed to bring my DSLR. By the way, you ca...
Make Your Own Havaianas 2012 CDO – #MYOHCDO2012

Make Your Own Havaianas 2012 CDO – #MYOHCDO2012

Beauty, Cagayan de Oro City, Corporate, Events, Fashion, Features, Gifts, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Reviews, Shopping, Society, Style
As I'm writing this, it's the 2nd day of Make Your Own Havaianas CDO 2012. So that means you have today and tomorrow to join MYOH CDO 2012! :) The Make Your Own Havaianas 2012 Cagayan de Oro leg covers Northern Mindanao and it kicked off yesterday, August 17, 2012. MYOH CDO 2012 will run until August 19, 2012 at the Limketkai Rotunda, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. A Make Your Own Havaianas event is where you can customize your own pair of Havaianas flip flops. It's that time of the year when Havaianaticos are given the chance to choose their desired sole, strap and pins. In other words, it's a chance for Havaianas lovers to design their very own - truly unique - pair. Moreover, it's only during MYOH events when specially designed soles and unique pins can be bought :) This year i...
error: Content is protected !!