mindanaoan blog Archives - Page 2 of 12 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Jul142015 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Review: High Ridge overlooking CDO Philippines

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Features, Leisure, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Society, Tourism

High Ridge CDO offers a panoramic view of the city. High Ridge is where you go when you want that "overlooking CDO" experience. High Ridge CDO actually re-opened last year and the changes are substantial - the place now has a spacious al fresco restaurant, small landscaped areas and airconditioned function rooms. High Ridge CDO reminds me of Jack's Ridge and Shrine Hills in Davao City. Anyway, I was with my family last weekend and we decided to have dinner at High Ridge. This is the kind of view you see from what could be the highest point in urban CDO: Entrance fee, by the way, is Php 100.00 per person. This is consumable at the restaurant. During dinner with family, we ordered the PCM soup (potatoes, carrots, mushrooms). This was Php 99.00. We ordered one for each and we had a...

Dec182014 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

Mindanaoan.com declared top CDO blog by ICT Awards

Advocacy, Announcements, Arts, Bisaya, Blogging, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Headline, Internet, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Musings, News, Northern Mindanao, Personal, Personalities, Society, Technology

It is with utmost humility that I announce that Mindanaoan.com has just been declared as a "Top CDO Blog" in the recently concluded 2014 ICT Awards held at the Activity Center, Centrio Mall, Cagayan de Oro, Philippines. The ICT Awards, organized by the CDO ICT Business Council, Cagayan de Oro's main information and communications technology organization, recognizes websites, individuals and organizations involved in the city's IT industry. The citation reads: "The 2014 ICT Awards, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry, National Telecommunications and Communications, Department of Science and Technology - ICTO and the City Government of Cagayan de Oro, presents this Top CDO Blog Award to www.Mindanaoan.com for the creation and maintenance of an exceptional b...

Dec42014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanaoan.com supports Bugsay Mindanao 1st Northern Mindanao dragon boat race

Cagayan de Oro City, Campus, Leisure, Misamis Oriental, News, Northern Mindanao, Society, Sports

I am very proud to announce that Mindanaoan.com is one of the supporters of the most awaited Bugsay Mindanao, the first Northern Mindanao Dragon Boat Race. To be held on December 6, 2014, 7 am to 3 pm, along the Cagayan River, Cagayan de Oro City, Bugsay Mindanao will see the participation of 10 dragon boat teams from outside CDO. Bugsay Mindanao is being held in support of the environmental efforts of Safer River, Life Saver Foundation, Inc. Watch all the action from the viewing deck located at the Liceo University main campus. Catch Bugsay Mindanao on December 6, 2014 and don't forget to support the sponsors as well :) Liempo King - http://www.facebook.com/liempoking Mindanaoan - http://www.facebook.com/mindanaoanblogger Bourbon St. Bistro - http://www.facebook.com/...

Oct212014 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mindanaoan In Korea travel series: Cheonggyecheon Stream

Blogging, Features, Korea, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Travel

After visiting Deoksugung Palace and witnessing the changing of the royal guards ceremony, my brother and I then proceeded to Cheonggyecheong Stream, an 8.4 kilometer long stream that flows west to east through downtown Seoul. What used to be a neglected overpass in the 70's was restored as a massive urban renewal project worth $900 Million in 2005 and is now one of the popular tourist destinations in Seoul, South Korea. Actually, even locals love hanging out here as well. From Deoksugung Palace, we walked for about 250 meters to Cheonggyecheong Stream. If you're at Deoksugung Palace facing the Seoul City Hall, Cheonggyecheong Stream is on your left. Just go straight and look for Chongye Plaza or this cone/shell sculpture. This signifies that you're at the mouth of the stream :) ...

Aug152014 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Photos: Sarah Geronimo for Globe #WonderfulMindaNOW @JustSarahG

Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Photos

After she graced the ceremonial turnover of the first mobile laboratory to a public school in Mindanao, Pop Princess Sarah Geronimo then headlined the awards night of the Globe #WonderfulMindaNOW campaign held last August 8, 2014 at the Limketkai Atrium, Cagayan de Oro City. She sang a few songs and also gave the award for the coolest spot in Mindanao. Thanks to the top honchos of Globe Telecom, my friends and I managed to snag front row seats! Globe also gave me several VIP tickets to give away to my Mindanaoan.com readers and followers :) Thank you Globe! Sharing with you some of the photos I took that night. I only used a Canon EOS mirrorless point and shoot camera so apologies if I don't have close-up pictures! By the way, I also took photos using my phone ...

Aug132014 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Globe donates first mobile laboratory package to CDO public school

Advocacy, Cagayan de Oro City, Campus, Education, Events, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, News, Northern Mindanao

Globe Telecom recently donated a Globe Mobile Laboratory to the City Central School in Cagayan de Oro City, a mobile package that consists of a set of netbooks, printers, mobile projectors as well as sound systems for the use of the said school's homeroom teachers at each grade level. The Globe mobile lab is part of the telecom company's Global Filipino Schools (GFS) program, a long-term education initiative that seeks to transform selected public schools into centers of ICT excellence and innovative teaching methods, in order to set the stage for 21st Century learning. * Photo courtesy of InCDO.com VP for Globe Prepaid Business Issa Cabreira said “As a part of its commitment to nation-building, Globe Prepaid emphasizes the importance of education among Filipino youth by intro...

May12014 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Islands Souvenirs CDO – 3 things you will love

Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Fashion, Features, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Shopping, Society, Style

Souvenirs from CDO? Look no further - Islands Souvenirs is finally back in Cagayan de Oro! In a post here on Mindanaoan.com about two weeks ago, I shared that Islands Souvenirs is set to open two stores in Cagayan de Oro. Well, the first one is finally open! Located at the 1st level, East Wing (East Concourse Annex, below the escalator, in front of the ATM row), Limketkai Mall, Islands Souvenirs CDO has truly made quite a comeback :) They first opened a branch in the 90's and now the Philippines' top brand for souvenir items is back with a bang! I was able to visit the new Islands Souvenirs Limketkai branch (much thanks to Islands Group CEO Jay Aldeguer, one of the very few people I truly admire!) and let me tell you - it's a must-visit! Here are 3 reasons why you will love sh...

Apr212014 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mainit Kasili Resort at Lake Mainit, Surigao del Norte

Advocacy, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Hotels, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Tourism, Travel

Did you know that the deepest lake in the Philippines can be found in Mindanao, Philippines? Lake Mainit, located in Surigao del Norte, is also the fourth largest lake in the Philippines. Lake Mainit has a surface area of 173 square kilometers and a maximum depth of 223 meters. Eight towns can be found around the lake, which is actually "shared" by Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Norte. If you're fond of eco-tours and photography, Lake Mainit is a splendid place in Mindanao to go to. And if you need to stay overnight or even for a few days, you might want to stay at the government-owned and run Mainit Kasili Legacy Resort. Mainit Kasili Lakeside Resort and Hotel offers several types of rooms, facilities and amenities. It has a convention center, a restaurant, function hall, s...

Apr82014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Ranchers Steakhouse Malaybalay Bukidnon

Bukidnon, Food, Malaybalay City, Mindanaoan Update, Society

This Mindanao blogger was in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon last weekend for a cousin's wedding. Incidentally, it was also my birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MEEE! :D) but since I decided to forego my birthday celebration, (will just continue raising funds for my various advocacies and charity work) I instead volunteered to be one of the wedding photographers :) Anyway, a day after the wedding, a few of my cousins and a friend visited a fairly new restaurant in Malaybalay - a rodeo-themed steak house in a ranch setting. Ranchers Steak House, located along Diversion Road, Malaybalay City, serves mostly Western cuisine. Read more about Ranchers Steak House food choices here. Here are some of the photos I took during our visit at Ranchers Steakhouse Malaybalay Bukidnon: ...

Jan142014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Kaamulan Festival 2014 in Bukidnon moved

Announcements, Bukidnon, Culture, Events, Tourism

The Kaamulan Festival 2014 in Bukidnon will now be celebrated the entire month of August. In the past few years, Bukidnon celebrates Kaamulan Festival every end of February to March 10, supposedly the day the province celebrates its founding anniversary. However, the Provincial Government of Bukidnon has recently passed a resolution stating that the founding anniversary should be celebrated every September. To clarify, however, Kaamulan Festival has been celebrated every August before. So I guess this development is more like a "homecoming" (to the original date!) of sorts :) The culmination of the 2014 Kaamulan Festival will be held on September 1. Highlight during that day will be the streetdancing competition, where all 20 municipalities and 2 cities of Bukidnon will send continge...

Dec292013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Havaianas Holiday 2013 Collection

Cagayan de Oro City, Fashion, Features, Mindanaoan Artists, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Society, Style

As a certified Havaianatico, I always get really excited whenever Havaianas releases new designs. And this Christmas season is no different! Havaianas is bringing more joy and happy memories as they release the new and stylish Havaianas 2013 Holiday Collection! What's also great about this is that Spruce, my favorite go-to place for everything Havaianas, is carrying these styles. Their sister store, All Flip Flops, also has these pretty Havaianas Christmas designs! Brought by inspiration from conventional trends and infused with a modern twist comes the military-inspired Havaianas Camuflada, geometric-styled Havaianas Trend, ever-savvy Havaianas Slim Fresh and the quintessential Havaianas Striped styles. Lovely colors, right? Ready to treat yourself t...

Dec262013 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Merry Christmas from Bamboo and Mindanaoan.com

Announcements, Features, Mindanaoan Update

Merry Christmas to all of my dear Mindanaoan.com readers, subscribers, followers! I sincerely hope that you had a meaningful and blessed Christmas. For me, Christmas is when you realize that you have so many things to be thankful for and that there are many things money simply cannot buy. Christmas is a great reminder that the basic things in life are truly the most important. What about you? What does Christmas mean to you? :) I also have an extra thing to be thankful for this Christmas. Someone I admire sent me a very sweet video message congratulating me for my recent win as Mindanao Blogger of the Year 2013 and Best Lifestyle Blog awardee ! Hi Bamboo :) [yes, my face is a little beet red right now *blush*] Bamboo made this cute fan sign, too! Super special thanks to ...

Dec92013 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

South Border, Side A, Freestyle in 1 concert – Yolanda fundraiser

Advocacy, Announcements, Davao City, Entertainment, Events, Features, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Music, Society

It's been a month since deadly typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) struck the Philippines. The death toll so far - 5,260. Unfortunately, that number is still increasing. Haiyan, a category 5 super typhoon, left thousands of people homeless and hungry. While it's true that billions of dollars in aid have started to pour in, the fight is still not over. Far from it. Hence, every fundraising event, volunteer movement and donation drive really counts. One upcoming fundraising event for typhoon Yolanda survivors, dubbed "Pag-Asa Sa Pag Gising," is close to my heart. I love all of the performers, yes, but one of the bands is my most favorite ever - South Border. I wrote a post earlier about just how much I love them and why they will always have my love and support. Additionally, thi...

Nov192013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Photos: Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray at ABS CBN ASAP

Entertainment, Events, Headline, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Music, Personalities, Photos

One of the highlights of my October 2013 was meeting Mark McGrath and the rest of Sugar Ray band and playing a role in the staging of the SugarSmashGin concert in Manila. Anybody who knows me can attest that I am one very big Mark McGrath fan and that I have a big crush on him. So meeting him in person, having the chance to hang out with him, having the chance to talk to him and discuss so many things and getting lots of hugs and kisses in the process is like my heaven on earth! :) Since I know that my kuwentos related to Mark McGrath, Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth and Gin Blossoms will require several blog posts, for now, let me start by sharing some of the photos I took when Mark went to ABS CBN to promote the concert at ASAP, a Sunday variety show. I went along. Needless to say, he was the ...

Nov22013 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Review: Fersal Hotel Makati – homey budget inn

Hotels, Leisure, Manila, Mindanaoan Update, Reviews, Travel

Looking for accessible, affordable yet very homey hotels in Makati can be quite a challenge. Most Makati hotels within the business district can be pricey and for budget-conscious travelers like myself, it may mean that I can only stay in cheap Makati inns in seedy areas. So I was really very grateful when I had the chance to stay for two nights at Fersal Hotel Makati during my most recent trip to Manila. This comfortable bed and these seriously soft pillows welcomed me. I knew there and then that it was going to be a cozy two night-stay. Fersal Hotel Neptune Makati is just a stone's throw away from Makati Avenue, one of the city's main thoroughfares. Although it is also very near a lot of dining choices, Fersal Hotel also has a cafe near the lobby where you can enjoy sumptuous m...

Oct312013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanaoan.com wins Best Lifestyle Blog in 2013 Mindanao Blog Awards

Announcements, Blogging, Features, Headline, Internet, Leisure, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Personal, Society, Technology, United States of America

My lucky stars truly shone on me during the recently concluded Mindanao Blog Awards 2013. Apart from bagging the Mindanao Blogger of the Year award, Mindanaoan.com also won the Best Lifestyle Blog award :) Thank you so much, daghang salamat to all of my fellow Mindanao bloggers who nominated and voted for me and to all of the judges as well. I am really grateful for this recognition! Such an honor, such an honor. I remember when I won the Best Lifestyle Blog award in the 2010 Philippine Blog Awards and became a national finalist in the 2011 PBA. Those citations truly inspired me to help more people understand the power of blogging and social media. In just a span of 2 years, I have organized a bloggers group, organized some blogging and mapping workshops, traveled to several a...

Oct312013 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Mindanaoan is 2013 Mindanao Blogger Of The Year

Advocacy, Agriculture, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, America, Announcements, ARMM, Arts, Bacolod City, Banks, Basilan, Beauty, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, Bislig, Blogging, Broadcasting, Bukidnon, Business, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Campus, Caraga, Cebu City, Commentary, Compostela Valley, Consumer, Contests, Controversial, Corporate, Cotabato, Culture, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Dipolog, Education, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Flights, Food, Freebies, General Santos City, Gifts, Government, Headline, Hongkong, Hotels, Humor, Iligan City, Internet, Island Garden City of Samal, Jobs, Journalism, Kaamulan Festival, Koronadal, Kuala Lumpur, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Leisure, Macau, Maguindanao, Make Money Online, Malaybalay City, Malaysia, Manila, Marawi City, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Movies, Music, Musings, Muslim Mindanao, Negros Occidental, News, North Cotabato, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Ozamis, Pagadian, Personal, Personalities, Photos, Politics, Radio, Recipes, Religion, Resorts, Reviews, Sarangani, Shenzhen, Shopping, Sindangan, Singapore, Society, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sports, Style, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacurong, Tangub City, Tawi Tawi, Technology, Television, Tourism, Travel, United States of America, Videos, Visayas, Weddings, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

It still feels a bit surreal, truth be told. Winning the 2013 Mindanao Blogger Of The Year award and the Best Lifestyle Blog award during the Mindanao Blog Awards 2013 held last October 26, 2013 in Davao City was the farthest thing from my mind. I was there to meet my blogger friends, have a good time, maybe drink a cocktail or two and cheer for other finalists. My mindset that night was (and I actually wrote this days before the finals): Win or lose, you are a champ. What's important is that you did your best in letting more people understand and appreciate the power of social media and blogging in sparking more conversations, making better communities and harnessing better understanding. Social good, folks. Only the good. So when my name was called, you could just imagine my shock. Yup...

Oct22013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Why I’m promoting Britney Spears’ new Work Bitch video

Announcements, Blogging, Entertainment, Events, Features, Headline, Internet, Personal, Technology, Videos

So have you watched the "Work Bitch" new video of Britney Spears? It was launched today, October 2, 2013 (October 1 in the U.S.) You can watch the video below :) So let me make this quick. Let me give you 5 quick reasons as to why I'm helping promote Britney Spears' new music video for her new song "Work Bitch." 1. Because I think she's a talented, amazing pop superstar! Regardless of those "dark episodes" in her life (don't we all have those anyway?), she has sold millions of albums, filled so many stadiums around the world and made all of us dance! 2. Because I used to do Britney Spears-related stuff (fortunately, not related to song and dance ;) )! You see, back when I was still starting out as an online worker, I wrote Britney Spears-related content. I can't divulge the specif...

Aug112013 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Kagay-an CDO Fiesta 2013 schedule of events

Announcements, BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, News, Tourism

Kagay-an Festival 2013 schedule of activities. Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar "Oca" Moreno has said that the 2013 CDO Fiesta will push through this year. This, despite the recent news about the bombing incident at Rosario Arcade, Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, Philippines. The Kagay-an Festival 2013, which is celebrated in honor of patron Saint Augustine, will hold the theme "Higalaay: The Kagay-an Festival 2013." Higalaay means "friendly gathering/friendly atmosphere." Check out this Kagay-an Festival 2013 schedule of events: KUMBIRA: Aug 14-31, 2013 Limketkai Mall Atrium (Kumbira is a professional and student culinary show and live competition. It is the largest culinary event in Mindanao. Check out what happened during Kumbira 2012) GARDEN SHOW: August 15-31...

Aug112013 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

Judging at ABS CBN’s Barangay Gwapo 2013

Announcements, Beauty, Bisaya, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Musings, Northern Mindanao, Society

How do you help find the fairest of them all? Well I'm about to find out when I'm set to become one of the judges during the finals night of Barangay Gwapo 2013, an ABS CBN Northern Mindanao-organized and produced men's pageant. Yes, folks, Mindanaoan Irene got invited to be one of the Barangay Gwapo 2013 CDO finals night judges on August 17, 2013, 6 PM at the Capitol University Gymnasium, Cagayan de Oro City. This should be fun ;) * photo by my friend Mark Edson Valledor Pagaspas The Barangay Gwapo 2013 CDO finalists are Joseph Ryan Mar (Patag), Paul James Pagalan (Bulua), Phillip John Mamac (Iponan), Marc Paul Adame (Kauswagan), Michael James Cheshire (Macasandig), Val Anthony Araneta (Balulang), Lloyd Sacala (Bugo), Elpidio Murillo, Jr. (Kauswagan), Jethro Noel Danos (Patag...

Jul152013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

South Border Band Back To The Roots 20th Anniversary

Announcements, Davao City, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Music

Anybody who truly knows me knows that my most favorite Filipino band is South Border. I love, love, LOVE them! Not only do I admire them as talented artists but I also appreciate them as humble, wonderful people. They're also fun to work with. Very professional and really know their craft. And for that, I have the highest respect for them. Even when Jay Durias did his special solo project, I still fully supported them. They've already become my friends. In a few days, I will be on enthusiastic South Border fan mode again as the band celebrates its 20th anniversary in the music industry. Can you believe it? It's been 20 long years! Wow :) To celebrate their two amazing decades as premiere Filipino artists of our time, South Border will hold a special 8-venue bar tour starting thi...

Jul102013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Barangay and SK Elections 2013 – important dates, requirements

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Consumer, Education, Events, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News, Society

The Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections 2013 are drawing near. Have you registered as a voter yet? Or are you interested to run in the 2013 Barangay and SK elections? Here are the important Barangay and SK Elections 2013 Philippines dates to remember, voter registration requirements and transfer of voter registration records requirements. Please exercise your right to suffrage! For SK: 15 to below 18 years old - please bring birth certificate or baptismal certificate or school records For Barangay: at least 18 years old or older, bring valid ID Voter qualifications: To vote in the barangay elections, you must be at least 18 years old on election day (October 28, 2013), a Filipino citizen, a resident of the Philippines for at least 1 year, a resident of the place...