December 26, 2009
Bisaya, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Entertainment, Features, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personal, Society
So finally, Mindanaoan has met Ettore “Thor” Dulay!
Thor, a fellow Dabawenyo (and so of course is also a fellow Mindanaoan), is one of the country’s most talented vocalists. From starting out in a Davao City vocal group to recording an album with a hit single entitled “Wonderland” (this song held the number spot at Wave 89.1’s show “Soul Review” for 5 straight weeks) to recording a song for the 2003 Metro Manila Film Festival entry “Fantastic Man” to basically being one of the most sought after singers in Metro Manila today, Thor has definitely gone a long way.
So okay, here’s the lowdown — even before our unplanned, fateful meeting last December 22, 2009 (right in the middle of the OTG gig of RnB band K24/7), Thor and I have been in touch through online and SMS. I have heard of him way, way back through members of South Border (I’ll write about them here in Mindanaoan.com, too) and of course, when I learned that he, too, was from Davao City, I made a mental note to meet him someday and tell him how he’s made all of us Mindanaoans proud.
Fast forward a few years later, and as fate would place a nice twist to things, my very good and pretty friend Mai became his “special someone.” Mai and I met through South Border, too, as both of us are passionate fans of the band. So there — Thor and I finally had a mutual friend! 
Even if Thor and Mai were based in Manila and I, at the time, was already back in Mindanao, we didn’t lose touch. When I needed Thor’s help during one of my World AIDS Day events, Mai helped him create Thor’s video greeting. I then used that video greeting and played that during my WAD event And then of course we also kept in touch through various social networking sites.
And finally, on December 22, 2009, after years of connecting only through the virtual world, I met my longtime “virtual” (now IRL) friend Thor
Ah, nothing beats meeting a friend for the very first time, yes?
Here’s a video clip of Thor singing “One Last Cry.” Took this one when he jammed alongside K24/7:
LikeDecember 15, 2009
Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Society, Tourism
A new club will open in the City of Golden Friendship, Cagayan de Oro City, very soon!
CLUB TILT, the newest, hippest hangout in this side of Northern Mindanao will open on Friday, December 18, 2009. Located along Velez Street, TILT offers “a different level of partying.” Another facet about TILT that may interest you guys will be the interior design. See for yourself how the designer made use of the space and depicted tilted furniture and tilted counters. Don’t forget to check out the beautiful lighting, too!
Mindanaoan will be there to celebrate the opening of this new bar in CDO.
Spinning on that night will be DJ Manolet Santos. DJs from HYPE will also weave their funky beats into the night.
Hope to see you all there! Don’t forget to have your pictures taken by members of Team Oro or by me . If you spot me, please don’t hesitate to introduce yourself as well I would love to meet readers of Mindanaoan.com!
Meanwhile, if you need an events organizer in Cagayan de Oro City, Davao City, Bukidnon or in any other part around Mindanao or if you need a wedding or event photographer, please contact (+63) 919 2386575. You can also check the official website of ASTERISK Events and Communications.
See you all on Friday!
December 7, 2009
Arts, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Photos
Here are some photos taken during the Regine…Most Requested concert of Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao last December 4, 2009. These photos were taken by my very talented brother Bon, a professional photographer, illustrator, graphic artist and layout artist.
For more samples of my brother Bon’s work, please check out his official website. Hire him if you need a wedding photographer — he’s simply amazing! Plus he often gets me as his back-up or 2nd photographer so there’s a chance that we’ll meet, too! 
Don’t forget to let me know that you read my blog post about him, okay?
Regine Velasquez’s concert was held at The Atrium, Limketkai Center, CDO. Musical director of the show was Raul Mitra (Regine’s brother in law). Special guests were Jed Madela and Eva Castillo.
Please do not forget to give credit to my brother Bon (please don’t forget to include a direct link to his official website — http://www.BonAserios.com) should you use these photos in any form.
In the meantime, if you need a photographer (wedding, debut, baptismal, portraiture etc) or an event organizer in Mindanao, please feel free to CONTACT ME. You can also call (+63) 919 238 6575.
October 16, 2009
Announcements, Arts, Campus, Davao City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Musings, Personal, Society
Allow Mindanaoan to be oh-so-giddy! I’m just sooo excited with this piece of news that I got a hold of yesterday via Davao Base. I learned that there will be an Ateneo de Davao University and Ateneo de Manila University Glee Club joint concert on November! AAAHHH!!!
The First Magis: The All-Ateneo Glee Club Concerto will be held on November 28, 2009, 7PM at the Finster Auditorium, 7th Floor of the Finster Building, Ateneo de Davao University, Davao City, Mindanao! The Ateneo de Manila College Glee Club and the Carillon, the official Ateneo de Davao University Glee Club, will perform.
And why is this such a big deal for me, you may ask?
Well, ahem, ahem…Mindanaoan was once a part of the Carillon I was one of the sopranos, thank you very much! Tee hee
Modesty aside, I’ve always been a part of my school’s glee clubs. Always soprano. Always joined as many glee club events as possible. And I loved singing to death.
Back in college, during my Carillon days, we were under the tutelage of Fr. Marasigan. I always have fond memories of him and of his teaching style. He wasn’t exactly the strict strict conductor…he was more like a friend. He even allowed us to have chocolate once in a while! (chocolate for singers is a no-no) He would sneak outside the Jesuit House and bring a lot of candies and chocolate bars for all of us. Sometimes he also asked us to join him for a cup of salabat.
During my Carillon days, we would practice at the old ADDU auditorium in front of the existing covered court, right beside the now defunct dormitory. We would all sing our “hee hee ha ha ha ha ha haaaa” and our “Where are you going today?” voice warm-up lessons. We would then sing the standard “Lupang Hinirang” for final warm-up before we practice our entire repertoire. It would mean that the dormers can’t sleep up until 9 pm but I’m sure they didn’t mind 
Our batch, if I’m not mistaken, was the very first one that held a joint concert with the Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan Glee Club in Cagayan de Oro City. That show was a huge success and I could still remember the packed Little Theater, where we performed for two nights.
I simply have sooo many kuwentos pa about my Carillon days and about my love affair with music. Ah, how is it that I have stopped singing? I should probably do that again…sing!
In the meantime, I look forward to watching this joint ADMU-ADDU Glee Club concert entitled the 1st Magis. Please come and watch, too!
October 5, 2009
Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Contests, Davao City, Entertainment, Events, Journalism, Mindanaoan Update, Music, News, blogging, iligan city, northern mindanao
The winners of the Nescafe 3in1 Soundskool 2009 Mindanao regional finals were declared last Saturday, October 3, 2009 via an afternoon-long musical event held at The Atrium of the Limketkai Mall in Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao.
Little School House of Xavier University, EEVEE of Philippine Women’s College Davao City and Disco, Disco, Disco of St. Michael’s College were declared the winners of the Mindanao eliminations. Each of the winning college bands received P25,000.00 and the chance to compete in the national finals to be held in Manila.
Prizes at stake at the national finals include P250,000.00 in cash, P100,000.00 worth of band equipment for the school the band represents and an exclusive record contract with Sony Philippines.
The Nescafe 3in1 Soundskool is an inter-collegiate competition open to young, unsigned bands in the Philippines. Nescafe 3in1 Soundskool, which has committed itself to discovering the best college bands and helping them become famous, has produced some of the country’s hottest young bands including last year’s winner Letter Day Story and Hilera. NESCAFÉ 3in1 Soundskool aims to support the artistic passions of young Pinoy musicians all over the country.
Popular Manila band 6Cyclemind (of “Walang Iwanan,” “Sige,” “Trip” and “Sandalan” fame) also performed during the event. Maxine and TJ, hosts of a local Sunday TV show, served as the hosts for the day.
The Nescafe 3in1 Soundskool 2009 Mindanao Regional Finals event was part of the nationwide tour to select the cream of the crop among the college bands that have sent in their entries up until early September this year. The three finalists from Mindanao will join 10 other bands from all over the Philippines in a special “mentorship program” wherein the band members will have the chance to listen to advice and insights of some of the local music industry’s top artists and business executives about how to further improve songwriting skills, ability to connect with audience, among others. Last year’s list of mentors included Callalily, Sandwich, Jr. Kilat, Urbandub, Pupil and Spongecola.
The 2009 Nescafe 3in1 Soundskool holds the theme “Huwag Na Magtago! Magparamdam Ka Na!” Supporters of this annual event include the Commission on Higher Education, Sony Music Entertainment Philippines, Paseo de Bahamas, Rudy Project, Boracay Scuba, Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel, Ix Chel, La Carmela de Boracay Resort Hotel and Parkmall Mandaue Cebu.
For more details, visit the official Soundskool website.
Check out this video Mindanaoan took during the Nescafe 3in1 Soundskool 2009 Mindanao finals competition:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO THE NESCAFE 3IN1 FAMILY FOR INVITING MINDANAOAN. I would also like to thank Kristine of Ogilvy PR Manila. Thank you very much!
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