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Tag: blogger in mindanao

Sen. Chiz Escudero seeks relief of Cotabato police, army leadership

Cotabato, Government, Muslim Mindanao, News, Personalities, Politics
The rising number of abductions in Cotabato City over the past months has prompted Senator Chiz Escudero to call for the relief of the local police and armed forces chiefs in the area, saying they failed in their duties to secure and protect the people from criminals like the kidnap-for-ransom gangs. Escudero, chairman of the Senate committee on national defense and security, condemned the latest abduction in the city involving Chinese businessman Eulogio Lim Yu last Saturday. This came a month after a nine-year-old girl was kidnapped but rescued in Pigcawayan, a town adjacent to the city. The girl’s father, trader Allan Tamayo, was killed when he tried to stop the abductors. Before this, Chinese businesswoman Conchita Tan was also snatched in Cotabato City, and her driver and bod...

And the winner of my simple Starbucks contest is…

Announcements, Contests, Mindanaoan Update, Society
Here it is...finally! The winner of the simple Mindanaoan.com Starbucks beverage coupon contest :) It took me a few days to figure this out since I couldn't chance upon my niece (who was supposed to draw out the lucky winner of two tall Starbucks beverage coupons) and some people who said they joined the contest couldn't see their posts on the official Mindanaoan.com Facebook Page. In fairness to these people, when I did check their Facebook profiles, the requirements were all there and their posts were made public but they still didn't appear on the Mindanaoan FB Page. Ugh. So I'm not sure whether it's a technical glitch or just the universe's way of saying that FB contests may not be a good idea anymore LOL. So, in the spirit of fairness, I'm ditching the manually conducted raffle...

Photos: Pokwang in “The Crooner and The Comedienne” concert

Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Photos
I'd like to share with all of you the photos I took of talented comedienne Marietta Subong a.k.a. Pokwang during the "The Crooner and The Comedienne" concert last December 19, 2010, Limketkai Atrium, CDO. These are all raw photos, by the way. Apart from the watermarks, the photos have not been manipulated in any way. Please feel free to share this page and please leave a comment :) Thank you. Also, as previously promised with you all, I'll share more videos of Richard Poon, Pokwang and Markki Stroem. I still have an exclusive video interview with Markki Stroem! Can't wait to share that with all of you! The former Pilipinas Got Talent finalist was a gentleman --- he was very eloquent, spontaneous, funny and smart. No wonder there are a lot of Markki fans out there! In the meantime, en...

Mindanaoan.com ‘s exclusive interview with big band crooner Richard Poon

Arts, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Videos
Before his big concert with Pokwang and Markki Stroem last December 19, 2010 at the Atrium of the Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City, this blogger in Mindanao got the chance to interview the Big Band Crooner himself, Richard Poon. Just in case you don't know, Mindanaoan.com was one of the proud media sponsors of the successful run of "The Crooner and The Comedienne," which was made possible by Joey Pelaez Events. Mindanaoan.com had the chance to ask Richard Poon about his choice of music genre, how he can be an advocate of music especially among the youth, how he applies the skills he learned as an entrepreneur to his being a musician (he liked the question, by the way! :D) and what keeps him inspired these days *wink, wink* [READ THIS, just in case you think you're kindda out of the...

Your next Starbucks drink is on us! Join Mindanaoan’s contest now!

Announcements, Blogging, Consumer, Contests, Features, Food, Freebies, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Shopping
If you're a big coffee lover like I am, then I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say that the Christmas season isn't really the same if you don't drop by a Starbucks store and have your share of the Starbucks Christmas drinks. After all, Starbucks Christmas is absolutely much-awaited not only by kids, teens and yuppies. Christmas at Starbucks is a most-awaited season by virtually everyone! This year, Starbucks Philippines is featuring three delicious varieties - Praline Mocha, Toffee Nut Latte and Peppermint Mocha. Out of the three, my favorite is the Toffee Nut Latte. A tall Toffee Nut Latte beverage never fails to cheer me up, whatever time of the day. In fact, during my most recent visit to Cebu City, I took my brother and mom (who also flew in a few days later) to Starbuck...

Subscribe and “Like” the Mindanaoan FB page to start winning prizes

Announcements, Blogging, Contests
I've been meaning to post this ever since I managed to create a Facebook Page for my humble blog but only got to finally doing this today. Yikes. Better late than never, though :) I'll be launching several contests and will be giving away some freebies in the next few days but only subscribers of Mindanaoan.com and those who "liked" the Facebook Page will be allowed to join. So here's your chance for a headstart of sorts. You may join the Official Mindanaoan.com Facebook Page through the widget below: Meanwhile, you can also subscribe to Mindanaoan.com via email below: DO NOT - I repeat - DO NOT forget to check your email address and open the email that will be sent to you by Feedburner. Click on the link that will be sent to you via email so that your email address will be...

Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa Day Tour | What to do in Cebu

Blogging, Business, Cebu City, Consumer, Corporate, Features, Hotels, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personal, Photos, Resorts, Reviews, Style, Tourism, Travel
Yes, the rumors are true. Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa is a beautiful paradise that you just have to visit at least once in your lifetime! :) I finally availed of the much-talked about Shangri-La Mactan day tour recently. I treated my brother so it was the two of us who had a grand time at Shangri-La Mactan Cebu. The Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa Day Tour rate, as of October 2010, is P2,500.00 per person (roughly US $65.00) - a bit expensive for many but I must say, our experience was worth every penny. From Cebu City proper (along Salinas Road, to be exact), we took a metered cab towards Mactan. Travel time was about half an hour, notwithstanding traffic. Fare was around P160 but I paid P200 - just to start the day right :) Here's what greeted us when we arrived at Shangri-La...

Two Mindanaoan groups win in the 8th TAYO Awards

Announcements, Compostela Valley, Features, Headline, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao, Society, Surigao del Sur
Here's a great follow-up to my previous blog post about the Mindanao youth org-finalists to the 8th Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) Awards --- two (yes, TWO!) youth groups from Mindanao won! Let's all congratulate the Pro-Drop Out Reduction Program (PRO-DORP) Team from Surigao del Sur, Mindanao and the 4-H Mandaya Tribal Youth Organization (MTYO) from Compostela Valley, Mindanao! Both Mindanao youth groups received P50,000.00 cash grant from the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines as well as a specially handcrafted trophy by artist Toym de Leon Imao. Woohoo! Congratulations guys! I'm super proud of all of you! * photo credit: Momblogger The awarding ceremonies of this year's 8th TAYO Awards was held today, December 9, 2010 at the Malacanang Palace. No less than President...

An appeal to all of my valued Mindanaoan.com readers

Bisaya, Blogging, Contests, Features, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Society, Technology
After bagging the Best Lifestyle Blog for Mindanao 2010 in the Philippine Blog Awards, this humble Mindanao blog is once again nominated - this time to two national blogging awards - the 2010 Philippine Blog Awards Bloggers' Choice Award and the 2010 Philippine Blog Awards Readers' Choice Award. As I previously wrote, however, I myself will not even vote for my own blog for the Bloggers' Choice Award since my vote will go to Bukidnon Online but for the Reader’s Choice Category, I would really appreciate a little help from my valued Mindanaoan.com readers, subscribers, supporters! :) Mindanaoan.com and other Readers' Choice Awards nominees will be judged according to the number of Facebook "LIKES" starting today until before 11:59 pm on December 11, 2010 (Saturday). Most number of lik...

Davao City’s musical fountain worth P18M is 1st in Mindanao

Announcements, Arts, Davao City, Features, Government, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism
As you guys may or may not know, the local government unit of my hometown Davao City, Mindanao has banned the use and sale of fireworks for years now. So yes, it's been a series of pretty "quiet" Christmases and New Year's Eves in Davao for several years now. Quiet but safe. Now, because fireworks aren't permitted, the Davao City government, led by Mayor Sara Duterte, has come up with the next best thing - an P18 Million dancing, musical fountain! The grand musical fountain, which can be found at the Davao City People's Park (former PTA Grounds, along Camus Street), is said to be the first in Mindanao. The musical fountain in People's Park Davao is also a part of the yearly Pasko Fiesta, which the Davao government holds to usher in the holidays. I don't have a photo of the grand m...

Why I organized the Bukidnon Bloggers group

Blogging, Bukidnon, Commentary, Events, Internet, Malaybalay City, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Personal, Technology
A few weeks ago, right before this blogger from Mindanao flew to Cebu City to open a small, humble branch of my PR, events, media and marketing business, I organized an event dubbed "BukidnonOnline.com Bukidnon Blogging 101 and How To Make Money Online Workshop" in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, Mindanao. It was a workshop I never expected to be such a huge hit - especially since there were hardly any bloggers in that part of Mindanao. However, more than 40 would-be and newbie bloggers came - and with a lot of help from the CDO Bloggers group, ASTERISK Events and Communications and from generous friends and sponsors - not only was the blogging workshop a major success but it also bore a 10-man Bukidnon Bloggers core group. Needless to say, as event organizer and bloggers myself, I felt abso...

Aquil Tamano joins the Games and Amusements Board

ARMM, Blogging, Features, Government, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Marawi City, Mindanaoan Update, Muslim Mindanao, News, Personalities, Politics, Society, Sports
If you're a regular reader of my humble blog, you'd know that I consider Atty. Aquil Tamano a dear friend. I met him during the Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3, which was held in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao in 2009. His brother, former Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) President and former senatorial candidate Atty. Adel Tamano, accepted my invitation to grace the said event and deliver a special message. That fateful day was the beginning of what I can proudly call a good friendship. I also later on met Sir Aquil's wife, Inee, who's as equally as nice as he is. She's pregnant, by the way, and their precious one is due on February 2011! :D Anyways, fast forward to November 2010, great opportunities went Sir Aquil's way. First, I heard that he became the lawyer of some GMA 7 artists in...

Bukidnon: The Philippine Frontier coffee table book released

Announcements, Arts, Beauty, Blogging, Bukidnon, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, Photos, Politics, Society, Style, Tourism, Travel
It was a dream project that took five - yes, 5!!! - years to complete. And now it's finally done. Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri presents a copy of "Bukidnon: The Philippine Frontier" to Bukidnon Gov. Alex Calingasan at the launching ceremony recently held at the NBC Tent in Fort Bonifacio Global City. Senator Migs Zubiri said the coffee table book is a dream project that took five years to complete. The 183-page book is written by Rafael "Apa" Ongpin with photographs by Neal Oshima. Photo shows (L-R) Neal Oshima, Apa Ongpin, Senator Migs Zubiri, Gov. Alex Calingasan and Bukidnon Vice Gov. Joe Zubiri (Senator Migs' dad and former three-term Bukidnon governor) at the unveiling ceremony. On a personal note, this blogger from Mindanao received a text message from Senator Migs hims...

Full text – Sen. Ping Lacson’s siblings speak out

Announcements, Blogging, Controversial, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News, Politics
From my mailbox --- received this press release from the Office of Senator Ping Lacson. It's the full text of Senator Panfilo Lacson's sibling's statement "In Defense of Our Family’s Honor." I am printing this verbatim: In every Filipino family, two things are most treasured: honor and home. Our brother, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson is accused of masterminding the murder of Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver. The principal evidence against him that the previous administration’s DOJ investigating panel and the court considered “probable cause” was an affidavit by a lone witness, Cesar Mancao. In that affidavit, Mancao narrated a supposed conversation inside a car between Ping and Michael Ray Aquino wherein Ping allegedly ordered Aquino to have Dacer murdered. He claimed to have ov...

Truefaith to rock Munato Festival 2010 in Sarangani Mindanao tonight

Announcements, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, News, Sarangani, SoSCksargen, Tourism
The Province of Sarangani, Mindanao is currently celebrating its 18th Foundation Anniversary as well as its 8th Munato Festival. The Sarangani Munato Festival 2010 bears the theme "History, Culture, Resources." Sarangani, Mindanao is made up of the following towns: Alabel, Glan, Malapatan, Malungon, Kiamba, Maasim and Maitum. As you all know, the world's best pound for pound boxer, Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao, is the new Sarangani congressman. For sure, you'll see much of Congressman Pacquiao all throughout the festival. My former classmate and now Sarangani Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez, along with Vice Governor Steve Solon, will also be around and about for sure. By the way, one of the much-awaited events during the 2010 Munato Festival is the musical concert featuring to...

SOCCSKSARGEN Blogfest 2010 – registration now open!

Announcements, Blogging, Events, General Santos City, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, SoSCksargen, Technology
If you're a budding blogger in Mindanao and you missed the recent blogging events in Bukidnon and Zamboanga City, then you're in luck! The much-awaited SOCCSKSARGEN BlogFest 2010 is set to take place in a few days' time and yes, registration is now open! The 2010 SOCCSKSARGEN BlogFest will be held on December 11, 2010 at the New Grand Ballroom of East Asia Royale Hotel, National Highway, General Santos City, Mindanao. Slots are very limited so if you're interested to join this blogging event, register ASAP! A fee of P250/US$6.50[PayPal] (Early Bird P150/US$4, before 01 December) will be collected from each delegate. Deadline for registration is on Friday, November 26, 2010. The fee includes a meal, two snacks, a BlogFest 2010 mini-kit and a raffle ticket. You may pay in adva...

Get free tickets to Pupil concert in Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Mindanaoan Update, Music
Are you a fan of Ely Buendia and his band Pupil? Do you live in Cagayan de Oro City or nearby areas? Then you will most definitely love this piece of news! The 2010 PUMA Archive Uncovered on the road concert series will make its last pitstop for the year at Club Tilt, Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao and of course, PUMA will bring no other than Pupil! Watch Pupil live at Club Tilt on Dec. 8, 2010, 6:00 PM! If you want to know more about Club Tilt, this blogger from Mindanao has written something about Club Tilt here. Meanwhile, if you want to know how you can get TWO FREE TICKETS to watch Ely Buendia and the rest of Pupil, then check out the details after the jump! (more…)

Got an invite to attend a forum on the 2011 National Expenditure Program

Advocacy, Bukidnon, Controversial, Events, Government, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Personalities, Politics
I must say that it was a surprise - a nice one at that, I suppose - to receive an invitation to attend a forum on the 2011 National Expenditure Program. I received the invite from Mindanaoan Senator Teofisto "TG" Guingona III's office. Guingona is the convenor of the Open Budget Partnership (OBP). As to what the Open Budget Partnership is, I seriously don't have any idea so don't ask. However, I'm hoping I will understand it better on Saturday, the day of the forum. The event will be held in Manila, by the way. Let me just say, before anything else, that I'm grateful for the invitation. This is a good step forward especially for the government to bring in not only members of the traditional media but those involved in the new media as well. Although I do have plans of writing news artic...

Should the Maguindanao Massacre trial be made public?

Advocacy, Announcements, Broadcasting, Controversial, Crime, Headline, Maguindanao, Mindanaoan Update, News
This blogger from Mindanao thought about this today after I received a press release from the Office of Senator Francis 'Kiko' Pangilinan. Reportedly, Sen. Pangilinan has filed today Resolution No. 186, expressing the sense of the Senate that the Maguindanao massacre trial should be made public through radio and television coverage of the court proceedings. "It would be in the best interest of our judiciary to have transparency in the judicial process, especially in such an unprecedented case of brutality that captured the attention of the international media. The Constitution recognizes the right of the people to public information on matter of public concern," it said. Pangilinan also said that having the proceedings twice a week is the right step. He said that twice-a-week proceed...

Off to Cebu City! Thank you Air Philippines for saving the day

Bisaya, Business, Cebu City, Features, Flights, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Personal, Travel
This is already almost too embarrassing to say considering what happened just a few weeks ago but really, my deep gratitude to the staff and crew of Air Philippines - Lumbia Airport, Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao. I was super late for my Cagayan de Oro to Cebu City flight but they still let me board. Now don't be alarmed, though. I wasn't late late. Let's just say that I didn't make the 45 minutes before the flight cut-off. My flight was at 12:50 PM and I arrived at the airport at 12:30 PM. I have a valid reason, though! I was in Bukidnon for the blogging workshop I organized and left a good 4 hours before my scheduled ETD. Unfortunately, the usual 2-hour trip from Malaybalay City, Bukidnon to Cagayan de Oro City became a 3 and a half hour ordeal, no thanks to an 18-wheeler tru...

California Berry Davao – frozen yogurt delight in Mindanao

Blogging, Business, Consumer, Davao City, Food, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews
I was in Manila during the first wave of the so-called "froyo" or frozen yogurt craze. As a self-proclaimed Mindanaoan foodie, I visited almost every available frozen yogurt store (and yep, basically said adieu to my diet!) and I often wondered when the "froyo" craze would invade Mindanao. Fast forward a few months later, the frozen yogurt trend has finally penetrated Mindanao - there are now frozen yogurt businesses in Davao City and Cagayan de Oro City. I'm pretty sure more frozen yogurt businesses will sprout in other Mindanao areas. The froyo outlet I most recently visited was California Berry. Located at the 2nd floor of Gaisano Mall Davao along Bajada, California Berry Davao serves nonfat frozen yogurt. I ordered the seasonal green apple yogurt with, as you can see, three differe...
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