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Mindanao

Road trip Mindanao – From Cagayan de Oro City to Ozamis City

Cagayan de Oro City, Features, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Leisure, Mindanao, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Ozamis, Tourism, Travel
When my professional wedding photographer-brother Bon told me that I was to serve as one of his 2nd photographers in a wedding to be held in Ozamiz City, I need not think twice. I haven't been to Ozamis City yet and I've always wanted to visit the place. For one, I've always been curious of the place and of the many things I've heard about it. Secondly, any road trip around Mindanao is always a welcome thought for me. And thirdly, any chance for me to be a wedding photographer is always great news. Together with fellow photographer Onat, the video coverage team members and Bon, we left Cagayan de Oro City for Ozamis City last January 7, 2010. From CDO, we traveled towards Iligan City (2 hours from CDO) and then onwards to Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte (about an hour after Iligan). In K...

Mindanaoans who will run for national positions come May 2010

Advocacy, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, ARMM, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Commentary, Controversial, Davao City, Features, Government, Headline, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, News, Opinion, Personalities, Politics, Society
Did you know that several Mindanaoans will gun for national political positions come May 2010? If you're the type of person who wants to support fellow children of Mindanao in the next presidential elections, then you may want to check out the list below. Among the vice presidentiables, two are Mindanaoans. Bangon Pilipinas' vice presidential candidate Perfecto Yasay, Jr. is from Davao City. Jay Sonza, the vice presidential candidate of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan party, is also from Davao. All of Sonza's children are fellow Ateneo de Davao University alumni. As for the senatorial candidates, on the other hand, Mindanaoan has identified 10. First is Nacionalista Party's bet lawyer Adel A. Tamano of Lanao del Sur. He's the first Filipino Muslim scholar graduate of Harvard Law Schoo...

List of official COMELEC candidates – candidates for president, vice president and senator

Advocacy, Controversial, Education, Features, Government, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, Politics, Society
So from 99, it's down to 8. Nicanor Perlas is out of the list but the Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan valedictorian has vowed to file an appeal before the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). Here is the official COMELEC list of candidates for president come May 2010 elections: 1. Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III 2. Olongapo City Councilor Juan Carlos “JC” de los Reyes. 3. Former president Joseph Estrada 4. Sen. Richard Gordon 5. Sen. Ana Maria Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal 6. Former defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro 7. Sen. Manuel Villar 8. Bro. Eddie Villanueva Meanwhile, here are the candidates for vice president: 1. Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay 2. Ang Kapatiran bet Dominador Chipeco Jr. 3. Former Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando 4. Sen. Lo...

By 2014, Mindanao power deficit will be equivalent to putting out power in 5 major Mindanao cities

Announcements, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro City, Cotabato, Davao City, Events, Headline, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, News, Technology, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay
The press statement of the upcoming Mindanao Power Summit 2009 alarmed me. It said that "by 2014, projections have it that Mindanao will have a deficit capacity of 484 megawatts which is equivalent to putting out power in the five major cities of Mindanao - Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Butuan, and Cotabato." That means that five years from now, Mindanao will suffer a devastating power crisis and that the situation may reach the most critical state if we do not act fast and act now. The press statement also claimed that the entire Mindanao grid may experience regular rotating brownouts as early as next year (!), especially with the coming in of additional new investments that are anticipated to further deplete the grid’s reserve capacity. I don't know about you but their statemen...

ABS CBN Pilipinas Got Talent to hold auditions in Davao, Cagayan de Oro – phone numbers to call for auditions

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Davao City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao, Society
The Philippine counterpart of "Britain's Got Talent" is the newest talent show set to premiere via ABS CBN Channel 2. Dubbed "Pilipinas Got Talent," this show aims to showcase various Filipino acts. And yes, there is good news for Mindanaoans! For those of you who want to join this nationwide search for the most talented Pinoy acts, then read on... Pilipinas Got Talent will hold auditions in Mindanao! In Davao City, auditions for Pilipinas Got Talent will be held on November 30, December 1 and December 2. In Cagayan de Oro City, meanwhile, auditions will be held on November 25, 26 and 27. Actually, phone calls or inquiries are now accommodated. If you think you have talent or if you have an interesting act that you can showcase before the entire Philippines (and the rest of t...

Meet Mindanao’s richest governors and mayors

Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Announcements, ARMM, Basilan, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, Blogging, Broadcasting, Bukidnon, Business, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Caraga, Commentary, Compostela Valley, Controversial, Cotabato, Davao City, Dipolog, Features, General Santos City, Government, Headline, Iligan City, Island Garden City of Samal, Journalism, Koronadal, Lanao del Norte, Malaybalay City, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Musings, Muslim Mindanao, News, Northern Mindanao, Ozamis, Pagadian, Politics, Sarangani, Society, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay
Who says we here in Mindanao don't have multimillionaires? The Island of Mindanao may still look rural to many but we have a lot of silent (and otherwise) multimillionaires here, mind you...and some of them are in office! Seriously. Meet Mindanao's richest governors and mayors. According to a Mindanews report, Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario is STILL (meaning he was the richest last year) the richest governor in Mindanao with networth P408.94 million while Oroquieta City Mayor Jorge Almonte is the richest city mayor with networth P54.71 million as of yearend 2007, according to their Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN). Here are the top 15 richest Mindanao provincial governors: 1. Davao del Norte’s Rodolfo del Rosario …………P408.94 million 2. Bukidnon...

Mindanaoans who aim to have a seat in the Senate

Advocacy, Agusan del Sur, ARMM, Bukidnon, Commentary, Controversial, Features, Government, Headline, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Muslim Mindanao, News, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Personalities, Politics
First off, let me make this clear. This list of Mindanaoans who want to run for Senator in the 2010 elections is just initial - there may still be more interested senatorial candidates in the days to come so Mindanaoan will try to update the list as often as possible. Hopefully, this list can help you, fellow Filipino voters and fellow Mindanao residents, in choosing the right candidate to send to the Senate. I'm also hoping that this post can help provide a platform for all of us Mindanawans to discuss who can really be the true voice of Mindanao in the Senate. Please feel free to share your thoughts! Aquilino Martin "Koko" Pimentel III - ran for the Senate during the last elections but lost to former Bukidnon congressman and now Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri. Koko Pimentel has since l...

Take You To The Philippines music video by Black Eyed Peas member Apl de Ap

Advocacy, Blogging, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Musings, Videos
I think these days, more than ever, we Filipinos need to promote our country. Despite the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Ondoy (international code name: Ketsana), we have all seen the spirit of unity and camaraderie in times of crisis. It may take a long time before we can finally recover but we will get there. We just need prayers, political will and unity. May this "Take You To The Philippines" music video by Black Eyed Peas member and fellow Pinoy Apl de Ap inspire you all. It's reportedly part of the tourism campaign of Sec. Ace Durano and the Department of Tourism. No mention of a Mindanao city in the song but it's aight :) I like this pretty catchy ditty :) Enjoy! p.s. Congratulations and thank you to Apl de Ap and to the Black Eyed Peas. Congratulations to Sec. Ace, t...

Davao City sends P10M financial aid to Tropical Storm Ondoy victims

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Davao City, Events, Features, Government, Headline, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, News
Wow, go Mindanao! This piece of news about my beloved hometown is definitely heartwarming :) Davao City will send P10 Million from the city's own calamity fund for the victims of Tropical Storm Ondoy (international code name: Ketsana). Thank you to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and to all the members of the city council for this effort! I salute you all and of course, I salute all fellow Dabawenyos for the hard work you've all exerted so far. The money will be coursed through the Philippine National Red Cross. Meanwhile, if you're in Davao City and have some relief goods or clothes or food to share, please don't hesitate to drop them off at these areas: - Ateneo de Davao University (go Ateneo! :) I'm so proud of my school hehe) - ABS-CBN Davao City (Mc Arthur Highway, Matina) ...

Mindanao – what are you doing for your country today?

Advocacy, Agriculture, Announcements, Bisaya, Blogging, Consumer, Controversial, Corporate, Culture, Internet, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Personal, Politics, Society, Technology
Mindanaoan still can't concentrate well. As much as I want to work and attend to various other matters, I still can't help but log on to Twitter via Tweetdeck (which I highly recommend that you Twitter-holics use, by the way) and check how the search and rescue as well as the relief goods distribution efforts for Typhoon Ondoy victims are doing. I keep on retweeting helpful information as much as I can and it warms my heart to see so many private citizens doing their share in helping the victims. Interestingly, though, I received a comment today in my "Advertise" page from a person who calls himself "ew." I reckon he's from Luzon. Check this out: ew gmtristan.com [email protected] 125.60.228.50 (I.P. address) ew……….what an ODD offer…and sorry to say this..but the quality of ...

Photography enthusiast? Check out the DENR Park in Initao, Misamis Oriental

Arts, Beauty, Blogging, Iligan City, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Photos, Tourism, Travel, Weddings
So this Mindanao blog is finally back on track! :)  If you're a regular visitor of my humble blog, you may have noticed a couple of changes in the past few days. Because my blog has turned one year old, I wanted a new, fresher look. Hence, after hours of searching for a good, clean and functional Wordpress theme, I finally settled for this Typogriph theme. Do you guys like it? I do! :D I think my posts are easier to read now and my blog looks wide! :) My old theme, Revolution Church by Brian Gardner served me so well and I would like to thank Brian for letting me have a free copy (the Church theme can now be purchased at a reasonable price) and for letting me use it for an entire year. Thank you very much, Brian! I've also installed additional useful Wordpress plugins - one of which is ...

Philippine Blog Awards now has special awards for Mindanao blogs

Advocacy, Announcements, Bisaya, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Headline, Internet, Journalism, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Technology
Great news for Mindanao bloggers! The Philippine Blog Awards (PBA) now has special awards for blogs made in Mindanao and by Mindanaoan bloggers! So if you're a blogger and if you're from the beautiful island of Mindanao, then go ahead and nominate your own blog for the PBA Mindanao Special Awards. The awarding ceremony will be held on October 24, 2009 in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao - in time for the Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3. You can nominate your Mindanao blogs in these categories: Mindanao Advocacy Blog In line with the objectives of the Mindanao Bloggers Community, the Best Advocacy Blog is a blog that exemplifies how an online publication can bring a worthy cause to the consciousness of a broad audience. It is a blog that inspires its readers to take action and participate ...

NBA Superstar Kobe Bryant in Mindanao

Advocacy, Commentary, Events, General Santos City, Humor, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sports
NBA MVP and Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant is coming back to Manila! Nike has made an official announcement that NBA superstar Kobe Bryant will be in Manila, Philippines on July 21, 2009 (this actually falls on a Tuesday so I'm guessing there will be many students who will cut classes so that they can keep up with the Kobe Bryant in Manila schedule). Kobe's much-awaited Asia Tour 2009 will kick off in Manila then the LA Lakers player will be off to Singapore, Taipei, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Cheng Du. During this Asia Tour, Kobe Bryant will also promote the new Nike Dream Season sneakers exclusively released for Asia. I'm sure Kobe will be a busy bee while he's here in the Philippines. Actually, by the time he comes over, he has most probably finished filming a Nike comm...

Tata Group of India to open call center operations – Mindanao areas on top of their list!

Advocacy, Announcements, BIMP-EAGA, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Corporate, Davao City, Internet, Jobs, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News
Attention Mindanao businessmen, leaders in Mindanao and Mindanao job seekers! This is definitely good news for all of us Mindanaoans! Giant conglomerate Tata Group of India is reportedly setting up call center operations in the Philippines with an initial capacity of 250-300 seats...and guess which areas are on top of their list? Mindanao areas, of course! According to Jonathan de Luzuriaga, executive director for industry affairs for the Business Processing Association of the Philippines, the Indian group conducted a due-diligence study in the country. “The trend of site-hunting now has tipped. IT'S NOW MINDANAO FIRST, Visayas second, and Luzon third,” de Luzuriaga said. This is really very good news! Apart from the fact that more and more Mindanaoans will land jobs, those who we...

Smart, Talk ‘N Text Mindanao exclusives

Advocacy, Announcements, Business, Consumer, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update
I'm sure that most, if not all, of you have noticed the various billboards, posters, tarps and radio ads about SMART and Talk 'N Text's Mindanao exclusives --- exclusive "unlimited texting" and "unlimited calls" promos meant only for Mindanao subscribers. I have yet to try this type of promo but I'm wondering if it's worth the trouble? You see, many of the people I know who've registered under these so-called Mindanao exclusives promos of SMART and Talk 'N Text have encountered several problems. For one, they claim that they no longer receive messages especially during night time even though the people who sent them those messages swore to the high heavens that they "successfully sent" those SMS notes. Still, these types of promos are very interesting and I would really like to try t...

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 ...

I’m now a wedding photographer here in Mindanao!

Arts, Beauty, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Davao City, Fashion, General Santos City, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Photos, Sarangani, Society, Weddings
So I just produced the photos I took during my very first wedding photography coverage gig. I was one of the photographers (and the only female photographer, I should say) during the Prestenbach Wedding in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao last December 28, 2008. (Yep, I guess I'm now a wedding photographer here in Mindanao! :) ) It was truly a great day - to be able to capture people and moments and to be a part of a nice couple's memorable day. The Prestenbachs, a Germany-based couple, have been together for 15 great years and they're thinking of moving here in the Philippines for good. The Prestenbachs have two lovely children. They also have this magnificent beachfront property in Baloy, Cagayan de Oro. Here are some of my wedding photography photos: * All photos are of low ...

Bukidnon anticipates “Love Me Again (Land Down Under)” but needs to go to CDO or Davao to view film

Bukidnon, Entertainment, Features, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Movies
Residents of Bukidnon Province, Mindanao are highly anticipating the showing of the Angel Locsin-Piolo Pascual starrer "Love Me Again (Land Down Under)" come January 15, 2009. However, there's one catch - they need to either travel to Cagayan de Oro City (which is roughly 2 hours away from Bukidnon's capital city Malaybalay) or Davao City (which is about 5 hours away by land) OR wait for the DVD version of the movie (hopefully some won't resort to buying pirated copies of the film!). You see, there aren't any movie houses or cinemas in the entire province of Bukidnon. After the Belyca cinema in Malaybalay City closed down years ago, no other movie house has operated in the capital city of the said province that's considered the food basket of Mindanao. (I actually remember those days wh...

Trans-Asia Shipping Lines makes Cagayan de Oro to Cebu travel even faster, better

Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Corporate, Leisure, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism, Travel
Traveling from Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao to Cebu City, Visayas (and vice versa) is now made even better, faster and more comfortable with Trans-Asia Shipping Lines' new ship! The MV Trans-Asia 3 has started serving the Cagayan de Oro and Cebu routes and so far, passengers have been highly satisfied. Trans-Asia Shipping Lines bought this new ship from Japan, a passenger-cargo vessel with vehicle deck that can accommodate 707 passengers. The new ship has 2,908.47 gross tonnage and has a good cruising speed of 18 knots. This means that travel between Cagayan de Oro and Cebu will now only be at a mere 9 hours. Definitely good news for money-conscious and time-conscious travelers! The MV Trans-Asia 3 ship offers comfort and ease even for travelers in the 2nd class non-aircon accommodatio...

Josh Hartnett and his Mindanao film set for showing this year

Arts, Davao City, Entertainment, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Movies
Just when I thought Hollywood heartthrob Josh Hartnett's Mindanao-set film will never see the light of day here in the Philippines, word has it that it will be shown (finally!) this year, 2009. "I Come With the Rain" is about a former Los Angeles cop turned private investigator (played by Josh Hartnett). Kline, the character played by Hartnett, goes to Hong Kong in search of Shitao, the son of a Chinese billionaire who has gone missing. He meets former colleague and now Hong Kong cop Meng Zi and they collaborate. The big twist in the movie, though, is when Kline is distracted from his search of Shitao. He gets haunted by memories of the serial killer Hasford (played by Elias Koteas) who was the reason Kline quit the L.A. police force in the first place. Well, it seems "I Come With th...

Camiguin’s Lanzones Festival 2008 Schedule

Camiguin, Events, Fiesta, Mindanao, Tourism, Travel
The Island of Camiguin is set to celebrate the 29th Lanzones Festival starting this Saturday, October 18, 2008. The event's special guest speaker is President Gloria Arroyo. The 29th Camiguin Lanzones Festival will last until October 26, 2008. Here's the official schedule of activities: OCTOBER 18, 2008 (SATURDAY) 7 A.M. HOLY THANKSGIVING MASS Venue: San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Church 1 P.M. PARADE Assembly Area: Provincial Plaza to Camiguin Tourism Center UGMAD 2008 Venue: Camiguin Tourism Center Part I: RIBBON CUTTING Part II: OPENING CEREMONIES: 29thCamiguin Lanzones Festival Declaration of UGMAD 2008 Opening / Viewing of the Exhibits (Depending on the time of PGMA's arrival) MOTORCADE OF CAMIGUIN TOURISM ASSOCIATION THE AMAZING RACE: PINOY X-GAMES SERIES ...
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