December 7, 2009
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, sustainability, efficiency and people’s participation.”
To the local leaders of all Mindanao Galing Pook 2009 awardees — congratulations to all of you and keep up the very good work! 
It’s been a crazy, crazy few days for Mindanaoan. Apart from preparing my June 9, 2009 event (”Sound Sexy: A Band and Dance Club Party” featuring my boys, Cagayan de Oro City-based Southrace, Amplified DJs from Cagayan de Oro and Kidnon, Bloodlust and Karcinoma), I also had to book some performance artists for the June 12, 2009 TM ASTIGFEST event in Valencia City, Bukidnon, fetch Shamrock (hitmakers of “Alipin” and “Captain Barbell”) from the Cagayan de Oro City airport, fetch my Southrace boys from CDO area as well and prepare them for the TM ASTIGFEST Bukidnon leg show.
The TM ASTIGFEST (Republika ng TM) event at the Plaza Rizal of Valencia City, Bukidnon last Friday, June 12, 2009 featured my boys, Southrace, and Shamrock. You can find pictures of the said event HERE.
Here’s a picture I took of my Southrace boys during their sound check:
Anyhoo…it has been a crazy time the past few days but it’s all worth it! Mindanaoan had fun fetching Shamrock and Southrace, the almost 3-hour road trip was fun as well and the show itself was very successful!
Kuwentos about the show will be posted on another entry, though. For now, I’d like to share some of my personal thoughts and tips for budding event organizers out there or budding personal assistants for celebrities or artists. These tips will come in handy when you need to fetch performers, celebrities or artists from the airport, pier, bus terminal etc. and then if you need to go on a road trip (if the venue of the concert, let’s say, is about 3 hours away)
Please feel free to share your thoughts, too!
1. Always check and re-check the booking contract. See if the artists or celebrities require DUTY MEALS. If they do, then see if it’s feasible to bring packed meals or if it’s wiser to bring them to a restaurant before you proceed to the concert venue or hotel.
2. Always bring contingency funds.
3. Always bring a first aid kit and some medicines (paracetamol, aspirin etc)
4. Always ask the driver (if you’re bringing a vehicle, let’s say) to check the fuel tank (some drivers will raise their eyebrows at you and will insist that the vehicle has enough gas…but INSIST on this. The last thing you want to happen is to get stuck in the middle of nowhere because your vehicle ran out of gas!)
5. Be at the airport or pier or bus terminal at least 30 minutes before the ETA (expected time of arrival). That’s enough time for you to ask around, let your driver find a good parking spot and coordinate with the artists or their road manager or personal assistants (just in case they’ve already arrived and are at the baggage area already)
6. Bring several bottles of mineral water and if need be, bring sandwiches, too. There’s always a possibility that the celebrity or artist will go hungry during the road trip and will ask for food.
7. Be aware of where the police stations, hospitals and halfway houses are. Artists may require for washroom breaks, too.
8. Have a back-up plan like whom to call just in case your vehicle breaks down.
9. Check your itinerary. If and when the artists or celebrities need to do something like a radio station visit or guesting or motorcade, check if it’s wiser to go to their hotel first, have their stuff checked in or if it’s all right to go directly to the radio station or join the motorcade. You must coordinate with the celebrities’ road manager or PA for this. Also, just in case the artist wouldn’t comply (some celebrities will turn into snotty divas and will insist that they skip some commitments), remind them of their booking contract and of the terms stated there.
10. HAVE FUN AND BRING A BIG SMILE! Performers, artists, celebrities like to see a smiling face after a tiring trip.
Need more tips in event organizing? Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE TO MINDANAOAN!
April 28, 2009
Arts, Beauty, Bukidnon, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Photos
Talented comedian, singer and actress Tuesday Vargas may be known for her hit single “Babae Po Ako” but there’s another thing that she’s pretty famous for — her artsy, beautiful and pretty interesting tattoos. For those who still don’t know, Tuesday also performs in a band so her tattoos (found on her back) can really add to her “visual” appeal especially on stage.
Check out some of the photos I took of Tuesday Vargas and her tattoos: (I took these photos after the Talk ‘N Text Gaaniversary activity in Valencia City, Bukidnon Oval last Saturday, April 25, 2009…she performed alongside funny man Vhong Navarro and Rufa Mae Quinto…I served as one of the official photographers of the event, thanks to Talk ‘N Text and SMART of course )
April 23, 2009
Announcements, Bukidnon, Business, Consumer, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Freebies, Mindanaoan Update
VALENCIA CITY, BUKIDNON – In commemoration of Talk ‘N Text’s 9th anniversary, the said prepaid GSM service, considered the Philippines’ second largest, will bring its “Gaaniversary” activities to Valencia City, Bukidnon, Mindanao.
“We are happy to bring the Talk ‘N Text Gaaniversary celebration to Valencia City, and we are excited to continue contributing to the vibrancy of this area,” said Steve Alcoseba, SMART head for sales in the Visayas and Mindanao.
The Talk ‘N Text Gaaniversary activity is a yearly series of merrymaking held in different places in the country to let hardworking Filipinos and their families take a break and have fun together. This year’s series, dubbed “Talk ‘N Text Gaaniversary: Ikaw ang Bida”, kicked off last March 28, 2009 in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
On Saturday, April 25, 2009, at the Valencia City Oval, it will be the turn of the people of Valencia City to be treated to various games, free services such as haircut and massage, the opportunity to purchase affordable grocery items at discounted prices and to a variety show featuring Rufa Mae Quinto, Vhong Navarro and Tuesday Vargas.
Talk ‘N Text subscribers just need to load at least P15 to join any one of the games at the Oval. Load P30 and Talk ‘N Text subscribers get free access to all the games plus a chance to win in an exciting raffle.
Non-Talk ‘N Text subscribers just need to buy a brand-new Talk ‘N Text SIM for only P30, then load P30, for access to all the games and a raffle stub. Buy a Talk ‘N Text SIM and load P15 for access to any one of the games.
Mindanaoan will be there as photographer of the event! See you in Valencia City, Bukidnon on April 25, 2009 for the Talk ‘N Text Gaaniversary event!
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Roadhouse Cafe Baby Back Ribs and Pumpkin Soup
October 2, 2009
Bukidnon, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Commentary, Consumer, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Photos, Reviews, Tourism
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I, Mindanaoan, was finally able to “introduce” my mom to the renowned Roadhouse Cafe baby back ribs. I say renowned because a lot of foodies and food experts have already given their thumbs up on the baby back ribs served at Roadhouse Cafe.
Roadhouse Cafe serves Asian and Western cuisine. Its first and original branch can be found along Sayre Highway (national highway), Valencia City, Bukidnon, Mindanao. It now has a second branch at SM City Cagayan de Oro. Cagayan de Oro is roughly 2 and a half hours away from Valencia City.
Reasonably priced, Roadhouse Cafe’s baby back ribs tastes a bit sweet and tangy. The meat is very tender and definitely what you can call “fall off the bone”! As you can see from these photos, you’re given extra sauce and a few slices of cucumber. The rice is served separately.
I also ordered the pumpkin soup, which was also tasty and not too thick…just perfect to kickstart your appetite. As you can see, the pumpkin soup doesn’t have that “orange-y” hue. Not that the color makes any difference. Roadhouse Cafe pumpkin soup still tastes amazing, no matter what color it is!
My mom’s verdict? Thumbs up! She enjoyed the meal as much as I did. So the next time you’re in Cagayan de Oro, I suggest that you drop by Roadhouse Cafe. Or if you’re in Bukidnon, check out their original branch as well. It has a very homey feel
And while you’re there, try their fried bread and fried noodles!