mindanaoan blog Archives - Page 9 of 12 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Sep182010 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Bacolod: Calea for the best desserts!

Bacolod City, Features, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Recipes, Reviews, Visayas

I was told that one's Bacolod City escapade will never be complete without visiting Calea, a famous homegrown cake shop...and it was easy to understand why. Calea Bacolod produces the best cakes, pastries and desserts this side of the world. Calea is Bacolod's answer to Manila's cake shops and bakeries but with better choices and lesser prices. This Mindanao blogger's recent trip to the Visayas was made sweeter when my friends and I stopped by Calea (the branch along Lacson Street, just a few blocks away from Sorrento Piazza, where my friends and I had a sumptuous dinner at Pepe's Grill!). This Calea branch is supposedly the first ever. These days, this cake shop has two other branches - one at Robinson's Place and another one at East Block. And just in case you're wondering about the h...

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…)

Aug52010 by Mindanaoan Irene10 Comments

Mindanaoan is attending Wordcamp Philippines 2010!

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Events, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Technology

I am absolutely thrilled to share this with y'all --- this blogger in Mindanao is attending the much-awaited Wordcamp Philippines 2010! I'm going, ARE YOU? Curious as to why Wordcamp Philippines 2010 is such a big deal especially for bloggers who use Wordpress? (Mindanaoan.com as well as all my other numerous blogs proudly use Wordpress, by the way!) Check out the deets after the jump! (more…)

Aug52010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Kadayawan Festival 2010 | Davao City’s 2010 Kadayawan Festival Schedule of Activities

Announcements, Davao City, Events, Festivals, Fiesta

Engr. Manuel A. Medros 2nd Solo Art Exhibit for Painting August 11,- September 11, 2010 Venue: Museo Dabawenyo Agri-Trade Fair August 13-30, 2010 Venue: SM City A trade fair participated by farers, plant growers, handicraft producers and manufacturers. Panagtagbo August 16-22, 6-8 PM Venue: Peoples’ Park The converging of the Ata Manobo, Ubo Manobo, K’lata, Tagabawa, Matigsalog, Maranao, Maguindanao, Tausug, Sama and Kalagan tribes, celebrating thanksgiving of their oneness with the earth through performances, culinary fiesta and age-old craftsmanship integrated in a program that showcases their strength as diverse peoples of Davao. Fair Trade Opening August 16-22, 2010 Venue: Sanguniang Panlungsod Lobby A bazaar of proudly Davao-made goods produced and manufactured by or...

Jul302010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Cute vector depiction of the Island of Mindanao

Arts, Blogging, Features, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Photos

Now this is absolutely too cute to pass up! Thanks to my Twitter friend Thysz, this blogger in Mindanao got wind of this cute vectorized map of the Island of Mindanao made by one very talented artist named Renan Barco. Check this out: Methinks it's a nice depiction of Mindanao :) Congratulations, Renan! Fab job! For those of you who want to follow more of Renan's work, check his Tumblr site. (more…)

Jul252010 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

How to renew your DTI permit | Tips for an entrepreneur in Mindanao

Advocacy, Business, Corporate, Government, Mindanaoan Update, Personal

Apart from renewing my Philippine passport and applying for a new e-passport, another thing that I did this week was renew my Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) permit. I've had mine for 5 years (how fast time flies, eh?) and it's now time for me to renew it and ensure that the name of my business as well as my services are duly registered and legally recognized by the DTI. Actually, a lot of newbie or aspiring entrepreneurs I know are hesitant to get a DTI permit for fear that it'll be too time consuming or that there will be a lot of requirements. Based on what I know about getting a DTI permit and based on my own experience, it's absolutely easy to apply for one. In fact, there's now a DTI resolution that makes DTI permit applications and renewals easier for Pinoy businessmen....

Jul242010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: Citi Park Hotel Cebu City | Hotels in Cebu City

Business, Consumer, Hotels, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism, Travel

Nestled along Cabahug Street, Panagdait, Mabolo Cebu City is a relatively new but not too expensive hotel in the Queen City of the South. Citi Park Hotel is conveniently located between Cebu City proper and Mandaue City, making travel time to and fro Cebu International Airport easy. I had the chance to stay at Citi Park Hotel Cebu during the recent electoral campaigns/sorties. I was with one of the senatorial candidates that I did PR/media relations for and we stayed for two nights at Citi Park Cebu. Here's a look at their lobby cum lounge. I arranged for a mini press conference here with some of my Cebu media friends: Here's the restaurant at this hotel in Cebu City. We took our breakfast here. They serve it buffet style: A photo of one of the hotel rooms in Citi Park Hotel after...

Jul182010 by Mindanaoan Irene20 Comments

How to renew your Philippine passport | How to get a Philippine e-passport

Advocacy, Announcements, Consumer, Features, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao, Personal

I just applied for the renewal of my Philippine passport. I used to have the regular green passport but since the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has now required that all new Philippine passports and renewed ones must be e-passports, I applied for a Philippine e-passport. Before the e-passport, the DFA issued machine readable passports. That's now kaput. The e-passport accordingly is a lot more secure since it contains this special chip of sorts. The Philippine e-passport is also known as the biometric passport since you no longer need a passport photo along with your passport renewal application form. Your photo, thumbprints and digital signatures will be taken during your passport renewal appointment. See more below the steps on how to renew your Philippine passport and how to...

Jul112010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Winning several bucks with PCSO Scratch It!

Consumer, Contests, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Personal

I've always had this belief that I'm a bit lucky with numbers. Not spectacularly lucky...just A BIT lucky. The kind where my winnings can help me buy a pair of shoes or a plane ticket or treat my entire family to a sumptuous dinner. Today, I tried my luck with the PCSO Scratch It! Instant Panalo game cards. These are the ones that are usually sold at a LOTTO outlet. I accompanied someone who placed her LOTTO bets at noon today. Well, because I didn't know how to play LOTTO and didn't want to just stand in a corner and be idle, I bought two Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Scratch Cards. Lo and behold --- my lucky stars shone brightly today! (more…)

Jun282010 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

A Mindanaoan blog worth checking out – Ganda Ever So Much!

Advocacy, Blogging, General Santos City, Humor, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, SoSCksargen

One of the things that this blogger in Mindanao loves about blogging is the fact that I get to meet other people who are as passionate about writing and sharing stuff as I am. Through blogs and activities related to blogging such as blog camps, bloggers day, bloggers summits, and online media briefings, I get to meet not only virtual friends but interesting people and friends in real life. Take the case of a fellow Mindanaoan named Orman who's behind a Mindanaoan blog that's worth checking out - GandaEverSoMuch.com! I first learned about Ganda Ever So Much through Avel, the man behind the award-winning Bariles Republic. Avel and Orman are brothers. I've been visiting Bariles Republic/GenSantos.com a few times before and I've been noticing Orman's name. He didn't have a blog then but ...

Jun252010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Ampatuan massacre witness killed

Broadcasting, Commentary, Controversial, Crime, Maguindanao, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News, Opinion

Suwaid Upham a.k.a. "Jessie" was shot dead recently. Not only should family and friends of the victims of the Ampatuan massacre be concerned...we Mindanaoans...nay, FILIPINOS...must also be very concerned. We must awfully, most profoundly be worried. Suwaid Upham was a very vital witness to the November 23, 2009 Ampatuan, Maguindanao massacre which claimed 58 lives. The same massacre that rocked the entire nation especially since thirty two of the victims were Mindanaoan journalists - who all went in good faith, who all just did their jobs...who all did not have any clue that it would be their last day on earth. That massacre left all of us dumbfounded.Who knew that a beast so heartless, who killed women and innocent journalists, lived in Mindanao? On the other hand, the gruesome...

Jun232010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Watching GMA 7 longtime running show Eat Bulaga live in the studio

Arts, Broadcasting, Entertainment, Features, Leisure, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Photos, Society

Whenever this blogger from Mindanao is in Manila, I always see to it that apart from the usual shopping and lakwatsa, I also look for other "extraordinary" things that I can probably do. Just like my recent visit to the KB Studios in Marikina to watch TV5's Sunday variety show, "P.O.5." where I got to see not only my friend and fellow Dabawenyo Jay Durias of Southborder (who happens to be the show's musical director) but also Lucy Torres-Gomez, John Estrada and my crush Kean Cipriano of Callalily in the flesh. I also attended my first ever movie bloggers event in Manila plus I got to watch the much-talked about Presidentiables Gut Talent comedy show of master impersonator Willie Nepomuceno. And because my mom was also in town, we decided to watch another noontime show live inside the st...

Jun172010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Kim Atienza becomes Philippine Eagle Champion

Advocacy, Announcements, Broadcasting, Davao City, Features, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Society

Great news from Davao City, Mindanao! Look who's the newest champion of the Philippine Eagle! It's none other than Kim Atienza, the son of former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza and host of educational program "Matanglawin" (aired via ABS CBN Channel 2). The Philippine Eagle Foundation, with head offices in my hometown Davao City, recently announced that Kim Atienza is the newest champion of the endangered national bird. Quite fitting, actually, since Atienza is an environmentalist, an animal lover and of course, the host of "Matanglawin." Kim Atienza is also the "weather dude" in primetime newscast TV Patrol and early morning show Umagang Kay Ganda. Atienza was recently in Davao City to attend the Agila Gala program, where he was installed as the newest champion of the beloved Phili...

Jun132010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Mindanaoan.com Exclusive: Interview with incoming Bukidnon 2nd District Congressman Florencio T. Flores, Jr.

Blogging, Bukidnon, Features, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Politics

"If there's just one thing that I'm worried about, it's the pressure that will come from the people of Bukidnon." Such was the statement from incoming Bukidnon Second District Congressman Florencio T. Flores, Jr. In an exclusive interview with this writer from Mindanao, Flores, who finished three terms as Malaybalay City Mayor and who recently bagged the coveted Bukidnon 2nd District congressional seat, said that although he doesn't feel pressured at all at the moment, he knows that it will be a "different, most likely interesting" road ahead. "The people in the second district of Bukidnon will have expectations and as much as I want to strive hard to meet those expectations, we know that we can't satisfy all the needs. That is why we need to prioritize," he said. Flores' distr...

Jun82010 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Mindanao blogger at TV5’s PO5 (Party on 5)

Arts, Davao City, Entertainment, Features, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Society, Style

A few weeks ago, this blogger from Mindanao, along with her friends, had the chance to watch the live telecast of PO5 (Party on 5) right inside the studio, thanks to my dear friend Jay Durias of the band South Border. P.O.5 or Party On 5 is TV5's Sunday noontime variety show - their answer to ABS CBN's "ASAP XV" and GMA 7's "Party Pilipinas." The show's hosts include Lucy Torres-Gomez (who's now a congresswoman - not sure if she'll continue her hosting job), John Estrada, Wilma Doesnt, JC de Vera, Alex Gonzaga and Tuesday Vargas. Ryan Agoncillo was still a part of the show when I watched it live from the studio but he later quit in order to attend to wife Judy Ann Santos' pregnancy. Guess who the show's musical director is? Jay, of course! :) (more…)

Jun32010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Usher in Manila concert – Mindanaoan desperately needs to watch this!

Entertainment, Events, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Musings, Personal

OH. MY. GOD. THIS IS MAJAH!!! So it's now finally confirmed - Usher Raymond - multi-awarded, super talented, R&B sensation and one of Mindanaoan's crushes since time immemorial - yes, THE Usher will hold a concert in Manila, Philippines! BE STILL, MY HEART!!! The Usher Live in Manila concert will be held at the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds on July 9, 2010, Friday. Who has the heart of gold out there who can sponsor my airplane fare, hotel and concert tickets? I know it's wishful thinking but who knows? Someone generous (and considerate of this blogger from Mindanao who has held a candle for Usher since time immemorial LOL) might get to read this desperate plea and let me watch Usher live in Manila! OMG just the thought sends excited chills down my spine! *bounces up and do...

May312010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Freebies alert – Giving away Mindanaoan.com keychains!

Announcements, Blogging, Contests, Freebies, Mindanaoan Update

Hello everyone, I'm giving away several Mindanaoan.com keychains :) Simple yet useful keychains for all of the valued readers of my humble blog about Mindanao and life in Mindanao! It's super easy to receive a FREE Mindanaoan.com keychain. All you have to do is SUBSCRIBE TO MINDANAOAN (CLICK, CLICK!) :) Yes, yes, it's THAT easy for you to get this freebie :) After you click the link leading you to the SUBSCRIPTION PAGE, please just leave a valid email address and don't forget to verify your email address by clicking on the URL that will be sent to you via email. Subscribe NOW because I will start shipping these keychains out by June 15, 2010! NOTE: Existing subscribers of Mindanaoan.com need not fret because all of you will also be included in this mini keychain-giveaway thingi...

May292010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mindanao job alert: GLOBE Telecoms territory sales head for Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Bukidnon

Announcements, Camiguin, Jobs, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental

Here's another Mindanao job alert for all of you who need a job in Mindanao or for those who want a career change. Globe Telecom, Inc. is in need of a territory sales head for Misamis Oriental, Camiguin and Bukidnon areas. Responsibilities of the territory sales head: * 1. Plan for sales blitzes,secures approval,manages ingress/egress (where required),does pre-work (permits,etc.),recommends and executes sales programs (AUR / DTS / sales activities) * 2. Monitors network (GBB & mobile) – demand investigation,facilities augmentation,quality,DP/DJ plotting,checking of facilities,nomination of wireless cell-sites * 3. Recruits,trains,monitors,motivates and supports i-/TPAs * 4. Manages the daily deployment and field monitoring of i-/TPAs * 5. Monitors call slip reports of...

May282010 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Gelatissimo in Greenbelt 5

Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Davao City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Tourism

Thanks to Manila-based Twitter friend Ryan, this blogger from Mindanao got invited to check out the much-talked about Gelatissimo store in Greenbelt 5, Makati City, Philippines. It was an invitation that I immediately accepted especially because I've heard a lot of good feedback about this gelato shop. By the way, Gelatissimo isn't a homegrown brand. Gelatissimo is an Australian brand and they offer yummy gelato that's made fresh every single day, sundaes, chocolates, traditional Italian biscotti and roasted coffee. For the unitiated, gelato is a low fat, creamy alternative to traditional ice cream. It tastes a bit "warmer" than ice cream but nonetheless equally delish! As expected, I found a packed Gelatissimo Greenbelt 5 branch. Believe me, the photo I took below didn't do justi...

May272010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

The first Soccsksargen summer safari | Mindanao Food Appreciation Tour

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Davao City, Events, Food, General Santos City, Mindanaoan Update, SoSCksargen, Tourism, Travel

Taking its cue from the very successful Davao Food Appreciation Tour a.k.a. DFAT (which is now on its third round, by the way!), this now famous bloggers-go-on-a-major-food-trip tour has now expanded and has now turned into the Mindanao Food Appreciation Tour (MFAT)! This doesn't mean that DFAT has seen the last of its glory days, though. On the contrary, it has now paved the way for a bigger, larger and definitely more exciting food appreciation tour for bloggers in Mindanao! The first Mindanao Food Appreciation Tour 2010 will be held late this month and will be participated in by Davao Bloggers, CDO Bloggers and SOCCSKSARGEN Bloggers. Check out the poster below for some of the generous partners of this most awaited food safari!

May262010 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Mindanaoan at the first ever Cebu Blog Camp 2010

Advocacy, Bisaya, Blogging, Events, Internet, Leisure, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Technology

So I'm finally back from a 4-day escapade in Cebu City, the Queen City of the South. The primary reason as to why Mindanaoan was in Cebu was to attend the first ever Cebu Blog Camp 2010. The event, which held the theme "Blogging, Expressions and Opportunities," gathered more than a hundred bloggers from all over the Philippines. The Cebu Blog Camp provided a platform whereby bloggers, IT experts and experienced new media practitioners discussed various issues concerning the blogosphere including online journalism, blogging ethics, marketing yourself as a blogger, blog marketing and earning money online. I learned a lot from the speakers (thanks Hans Koch for the very helpful WP plugins and big thanks to Tonyo Cruz for reminding me why I shifted to online media after 8 long years as a...

May122010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Review: Willie Nepomuceno and the “Presidentiables Gut Talent” show

Advocacy, Arts, Blogging, Commentary, Entertainment, Events, Features, Humor, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personalities, Photos, Politics, Society, Weird

If there is one thing that I, Mindanaoan, absolutely love to do whenever I'm in Manila then that would be to catch as many comedy shows as I can. I'm not referring to comedy shows on TV or stand-up gigs at comedy bars, mind you. I'm referring to live ones that you get to watch at venues like the Music Museum in Greenhills or at the newer one, Teatrino, at the Promenade (located also at Greenhills). There's just something about live comedy shows that I find so invigorating. Well, obviously, apart from the fact that they do provide a venue for you to escape the daily grind somehow and let you laugh (at least for about two hours), I think comedy shows celebrate the amazing talent Filipino comedians have. Just check out my review on "Da Spooftacular Showdown" featuring Jon Santos, Pokwang, ...