Bacolód City and Negros Occidental Province [Archive] - Page 31

boy muscovado

October 18th, 2010, 07:38 PM

A BRIEF FOOD TRIP IN BACOLOD....

BREAKFAST
Longganisa Meal
Location: PENDY'S, 25th-Lacson St.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5092031454_7c11b33aac.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5092031454/)
.chorizo meal pendys (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5092031454/) by Niki Chaiwala (http://www.flickr.com/people/stdominicmd/), on Flickr

LUNCH (pics courtesy of SUV111)
Inasal nga Manok
Location: Lion's Park, Manokan Country, Bacolod Reclamation Area

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5092169339_a504fce50e_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/5092169773_25b9f246fa_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4129/5092169045_f133600be7_z.jpg

DINNER
Mixed Seafood
Location: Isla Pala-Pala, Triangle Island Plaza, B.S. Aquino-6th St.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/5092031300_ffcc4b7743.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5092031300/)
.squid (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5092031300/) by Niki Chaiwala (http://www.flickr.com/people/stdominicmd/), on Flickr
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/5091448899_f314184bca.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5091448899/)
.kinilaw (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5091448899/) by Niki Chaiwala (http://www.flickr.com/people/stdominicmd/), on Flickr
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/5092047512_b32a8be13f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5092047512/)
.tilapia (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5092047512/) by Niki Chaiwala (http://www.flickr.com/people/stdominicmd/), on Flickr
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/5091449621_4769b3c48e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5091449621/)
.Isla Pala Pala (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5091449621/) by Niki Chaiwala (http://www.flickr.com/people/stdominicmd/), on Flickr

NAMIT!!!!

national guard

October 18th, 2010, 11:36 PM

Obviously, the bee is soon coming to our barangay!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/5091448659_9be3222c0a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5091448659/)
.Jollibee ad (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5091448659/) by Niki Chaiwala (http://www.flickr.com/people/stdominicmd/), on Flickr
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/5091448369_3d74012929.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5091448369/)
.jollibee mandalagan (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5091448369/) by Niki Chaiwala (http://www.flickr.com/people/stdominicmd/), on Flickr

(Texts and photos by Boy Muscuvado, from bacolod main thread)

^^ Jollibee na naman!:nuts::lol::lol::lol:
diin ayhan location sang Jabee Mandalagan man?
Wild guess for me, basi ang U/C subong nga building sa Lopue's Mandalagan?:)

national guard

October 18th, 2010, 11:40 PM

A BRIEF FOOD TRIP IN BACOLOD....

BREAKFAST
Longganisa Meal
Location: PENDY'S, 25th-Lacson St.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5092031454_7c11b33aac.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5092031454/)
.chorizo meal pendys (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5092031454/) by Niki Chaiwala (http://www.flickr.com/people/stdominicmd/), on Flickr
LUNCH (pics courtesy of SUV111)
Inasal nga Manok
Location: Lion's Park, Manokan Country, Bacolod Reclamation Area

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5092169339_a504fce50e_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/5092169773_25b9f246fa_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4129/5092169045_f133600be7_z.jpg

DINNER
Mixed Seafood
Location: Isla Pala-Pala, Triangle Island Plaza, B.S. Aquino-6th St.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/5092031300_ffcc4b7743.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5092031300/)
.squid (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5092031300/) by Niki Chaiwala (http://www.flickr.com/people/stdominicmd/), on Flickr
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/5091448899_f314184bca.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5091448899/)
.kinilaw (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5091448899/) by Niki Chaiwala (http://www.flickr.com/people/stdominicmd/), on Flickr
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/5092047512_b32a8be13f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5092047512/)
.tilapia (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5092047512/) by Niki Chaiwala (http://www.flickr.com/people/stdominicmd/), on Flickr
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/5091449621_4769b3c48e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5091449621/)
.Isla Pala Pala (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5091449621/) by Niki Chaiwala (http://www.flickr.com/people/stdominicmd/), on Flickr

NAMIT!!!!

________________________________________________________________

^^:ohno::ohno::ohno: YUM YUM YUM YUM!
Food Trip guid tuod Doc!:lol:

Christendom

October 19th, 2010, 03:29 AM

boy muscovado

October 19th, 2010, 03:41 AM

^^ Jollibee na naman!:nuts::lol::lol::lol:
diin ayhan location sang Jabee Mandalagan man?
Wild guess for me, basi ang U/C subong nga building sa Lopue's Mandalagan?:)
sa sulod compound mig sang Lopue's Mandalagan na ang gina construct nga building? mayu tani sa gwa para makita gid sa dalan lacson...ti kun amu gid man na mig it means stand-alone guro noh?:):cheers:

If its not the stand alone at the rumored SM Savemore mandalagan site, it might be the leaseable space in the main Lopues Bldg near Police Precinct 3, mamangkot ta bala

________________________________________________________________

^^:ohno::ohno::ohno: YUM YUM YUM YUM!
Food Trip guid tuod Doc!:lol:

Share ko sa imo migs ah!!!:lol::lol::lol:

Christendom

October 19th, 2010, 03:48 AM

If its not the stand alone at the rumored SM Savemore mandalagan site, it might be the leaseable space in the main Lopues Bldg near Police Precinct 3, mamangkot ta bala

Share ko sa imo migs ah!!!:lol::lol::lol:

gina agawan gali mig sang tatlo ka players: SM, Iglesia, kag Jollibee ang lot tabok lopues...:cheers:sino ayhan ang sagad gid maghampang:cheers:let's see:)

SUV111

October 20th, 2010, 02:14 AM

now look what we got? a locked thread...as ive said, wala gid ta may makuha mag sagi sabat sa ila mga posts...better man na gani a :) para mag learn na ang isa kag isa :)

national guard

October 20th, 2010, 02:25 AM

^^ Nag-house,err THREAD CLEANING lang migs ah.:)
Utilize na lang ang aton iban nga threads.:)

hakz2007

October 20th, 2010, 02:35 AM

Welcome to Thread 4! :cheers:

Keep posting forumers :okay:

Link to Thread 3 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=676256&page=126&highlight=shop+dine+bacolod+city+compiled+threads)

national guard

October 20th, 2010, 02:50 AM

^^ Thanks MOD!:)

SSC-Bacolod members, since our Main Thread is locked, i suggest nga diri na lang ta anay ma-post.:)

Christendom

October 20th, 2010, 04:17 AM

^^katahum gid ah...musta nani gali ang ila sini nga master development plan...tahum-tahum pa gid to yah kun mahuman...:cheers::)

wwwinz

October 20th, 2010, 04:21 AM

^^ Thanks MOD!:)

SSC-Bacolod members, since our Main Thread is locked, i suggest nga diri na lang ta anay ma-post.:)

kalamay ta n kay may mga law2 nga mahilig mang labugay.:lol:

national guard

October 20th, 2010, 04:26 AM

^^ ENOUGH na palihog!

national guard

October 20th, 2010, 04:38 AM

Top Taxpayers for 2009 and the Banwahanon Awardees (http://www.ndb-online.com/oct2010/negros-events-news/Top+Taxpayers+for+2009+and+the+Banwahanon+Awardees)
By Edith B. Colmo

One of the highlights of 72nd charter day celebration yesterday was the recognition of real property tax payers for the year 2009, as banwahanon awardees. Twin City of Iloilo Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, guest speaker Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, have joined Mayor Evelio Leonardia in distributing the plaques of appreciation to the awardees.

For the corporation category, top real property tax payors were: San MiguelBrewery, Inc. having rendered tax payment in the amount of P6,040,112.20; SM Prime Holdings, Inc represented by GM George Jardiolin, has remitted to the Bacolod City government - P4,249,208.00; Bacolod Commercial & Industrial Park,Inc. - P3,264,386.00; Robinson’s Land Corporation represented by Joseph Sian, rendered real property tax - 3,154,682.52; and SM Mega Holdings - 3,109,423.00.

While the top individuals real property taxpayers were: Belina G.Ong - P400,937.00; Stephanie G.Ong - P325,059.20; Catherine Ong - P261,071.60; Nilbert T. Lamata - P253,178.96; and Teresita Cokin - P231,968.16.

The top businees taxpayers, corporation category: Coca Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc.; Schuurmans & Van Ginneken Philippines, Inc.; NEO Foods Corp (Jollibee), GLP Food Corp (Jollibee), and Marketing One Unlimited,Inc. (Lopue’s East Center and Araneta). Individual category - Jose Cajili (ChickenHouse), Araceli Regalado (Bacolod Arts & Antiques), Manuel Po (LJP Trading, Ramon Kilayko (K-Mart), and Cynthia Flores, Flores Shell Service Station.

The outstanding city government employees were chosen by the Rotary Club of Bacolod. They were Marivic Aquino and Elisha Senarillos of the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD), Dr. Johanna Ann Bayoneta (BCC), Apolinario Escopin and Teresita Sison (Department of Public Services.*

　

national guard

October 20th, 2010, 04:41 AM

Silay Intensifies Tourism Strategy (http://www.ndb-online.com/oct2010/negros-events-news/Silay+Intensifies+Tourism+Strategy)

"Silay Tourism Promotions and Marketing Strategy" will be presented today (Oct. 18) by Gerard Zorilla, consultant on tourism promotions and marketing, to Mayor Jose Montelibano and Silay Tourism staff.

Montelibano said that this new tourism concept will boost the existing tourism program of Silay because this included future plans like the operation of swimming pool in Patag, board walk in Balaring, open tourism resource learning facilities, night market, rondalla house for musicians and the additional purchase of musical instruments for the Special Program for the Arts.

The said presentation will be attended by Ignacio Salmingo, city administrator, Dinky von Eiensiedel, city planner; Neil Solomon Locsin, consultant on cultural research; SPM Uldarico Penuela, chair on tourism; Roy Golez, executive assistant; Lyn Gamboa, consultant on Tourism; Susan Velez, executive assistant on Tourism; Ver Pacete, tourism officer and other city official Montelibano will be meeting also investors and tourists from Japan who are here in Negros to look into the implementation of the NEGROS First Program of Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr.

Montelibano is also accepting the accommodation of some 35 volunteers of H.O.P.E. Operation Smile Mission in Silay for indigent patients with cleft lip and palate; and the participation of Lions Clubs from Ichon, South Korea and Kaohsiung, Taiwan in the "Lagaw Silay" Program.

Silay City has been chosen also as a venue for "Crossing Bridges," a project participated by some 80 photographers from Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.*(GERLE HILADO-SULMACA, Press Coordinator)

detours

October 20th, 2010, 04:51 AM

OMG!...that was my utterred words upon seeing our thread closed...when will it be opened?ano to natabo haw?may inaway naman cvc?baw ano ni ya aton man?bag o lang nangin twin mga cities ta bala.

Minnesota's Finest

October 20th, 2010, 04:54 AM

^^ ENOUGH na palihog!

OMG!...that was my utterred words upon seeing our thread closed...when will it be opened?ano to natabo haw?may inaway naman cvc?baw ano ni ya aton man?bag o lang nangin twin mga cities ta bala.

MGA PRE, MGA MIGS, ANO ANG NATABO?

Christendom

October 20th, 2010, 04:55 AM

Silay Intensifies Tourism Strategy (http://www.ndb-online.com/oct2010/negros-events-news/Silay+Intensifies+Tourism+Strategy)

Montelibano said that this new tourism concept will boost the existing tourism program of Silay because this included future plans like the operation of swimming pool in Patag, board walk in Balaring, open tourism resource learning facilities, night market, rondalla house for musicians and the additional purchase of musical instruments for the Special Program for the Arts.

mayu mig develop nila ang patag kag ang balaring:cheers:...himuon nalang resort ang patag:cheers:

national guard

October 20th, 2010, 04:56 AM

OMG!...that was my utterred words upon seeing our thread closed...when will it be opened?ano to natabo haw?may inaway naman cvc?baw ano ni ya aton man?bag o lang nangin twin mga cities ta bala.

^^Cyberspace lang ni migs.:)
Don't take it too seriously. :)
We still have our other threads anyway.:)

national guard

October 20th, 2010, 04:59 AM

MGA PRE, MGA MIGS, ANO ANG NATABO?

AS USUAL, Tungod sa Mang Inasal!:lol::nuts::nuts::nuts:

Christendom

October 20th, 2010, 05:02 AM

as our new thread naman,,,gusto ko liwat makita ang FOOD TOURISM STRIP natun,,,paborito ko nga karsada...:)

MGA PRE, MGA MIGS, ANO ANG NATABO?

ako wala man gani ka intsindi mayu mig,,,tamad ko magsapak...mga wala professional attitude grrh...ambot anu ila iniskwelahan man? daycare, kinder? tumanda ng paurong?...jejejemon:cheers:

Minnesota's Finest

October 20th, 2010, 05:04 AM

^^Cyberspace lang ni migs.:)
Don't take it too seriously. :)
We still have our other threads anyway.:)

Agree. Detours pre, please separate what is in cyberspace and what is online. Those are two different worlds. I'm from iloilo but waay gid ko ya sang kainit sa bacolod even if ga ilinaway online. Peace.

AS USUAL, Tungod sa Mang Inasal!:lol::nuts::nuts::nuts:

Aw ah. Abi ko bangud sa starbucks kag kape naman. Parte gali sa manok.

detours

October 20th, 2010, 05:08 AM

I visited the other threads.It was also closed....karon lang ko kabalo nga may penalty gali nga closure ang thread kon may mga amo sini nga gakalatabo sa threads?So, sige lang ta a...diri na lang ta padayon sang aton discussion sa mga new developments sa city ta.

Minnesota's Finest

October 20th, 2010, 05:09 AM

as our new thread naman,,,gusto ko liwat makita ang FOOD TOURISM STRIP natun,,,paborito ko nga karsada...:)

ako wala man gani ka intsindi mayu mig,,,tamad ko magsapak...mga wala professional attitude grrh...ambot anu ila iniskwelahan man? daycare, kinder? tumanda ng paurong?...jejejemon:cheers:

Ah ok. Ti, pwede ka man kamo di ka post sang masskara pictures? daw waay ta na ayawan tulok sa mga pics. Ka bitin. Im backreading the bacolod thread for the pics of masskara and I must say kanami gid, ka colorful and i'm wanting for more. Basi may ara pa da kamu pics? pwede ba mag post ng masskara pics dito, mga mods?

greenflare

October 20th, 2010, 05:32 AM

^^ IMO masyado lang talagang strict ang mga mods... one thing that makes this forum exciting, funny, and well received ...etc.... is for sometimes we discuss sensitive issues like Mi, coffee ... etc ... why close the thread ...? sana e ban or e brigg lang nila yung pasaway and spare those who follow the rules ... :) just my two cents ...

Good Morning Bacolod City ...!!! :)

national guard

October 20th, 2010, 05:52 AM

^^ IMO masyado lang talagang strict ang mga mods... one thing that makes this forum exciting, funny, and well received ...etc.... is for sometimes we discuss sensitive issues like Mi, coffee ... etc ... why close the thread ...? sana e ban or e brig lang nila yung pasaway and spare those who follow the rules ... :) just my two cents ...

Good Morning Bacolod City ...!!! :)
___________________________________________________________________
^^:okay::yes::yes::yes:

Linguine

October 20th, 2010, 06:54 AM

^^

I agree.....calling mods @ hakz2007....:)

national guard

October 20th, 2010, 06:56 AM

Outside SSC-the REAL WORLD:

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/nationalguard_ssc/for%20SSC%202/exchange.png
Andy Alvarez photo
Iloilo Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog (left) and Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia exchange festival masks at the twinning rites as Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri (center) and other officials look on.*

SOURCE (http://www.visayandailystar.com/)

national guard

October 20th, 2010, 07:01 AM

Says DOE committed to save RP ethanol (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/October/20/topstory4.htm)
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras has committed to bring back the 20 percent tariff on imported ethanol and to support a scheme that would bar importation if there is adequate local supply, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri said yesterday.

Zubiri, who was in Bacolod for the 72nd Charter Day of the city, is the author of the Philippine Biofuels Law of 2006 that calls for a mandatory mixing of five percent of ethanol in gasoline for the first four years and to be increased to 10 percent thereafter.

Zubiri blamed the failure of the country’s ethanol industry to move forward faster on the lack of direction of the previous administration and is hopeful that the Aquino administration will look at it differently.

He said he is very happy that President Aquino understands the problem of ethanol.

The senator said he was disappointed that former President Gloria Arroyo did not impose the 20 percent tariff on imported ethanol because it slowed down the growth of the country’s ethanol industry.

Ethanol players and sugar producers have complained that former President Gloria Arroyo who hailed the ethanol industry as an alternative to imported fuel and pushed for billions of pesos investments in it, failed them.

Sugarcane and molasses are used in the production of ethanol.

READ MORE (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/October/20/topstory5.htm)

national guard

October 20th, 2010, 07:04 AM

Golez asks for P10M for school repairs (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/October/20/topstory7.htm)

Bacolod Rep. Anthony Golez Jr. yesterday said he has requested a budget of about P10 million from the Department of Education for the repair of 43 public schools in Bacolod City.

The solon made the announcement during the 72nd Charter Day Anniversary program at the Bacolod City Government Center which was attended by public school teachers in the city.

Golez said he inspected the schools in Bacolod after Bacolod Schools Division Superintendent Gemma Ledesma requested for their repair.

He said there are schools that need rehabilitation, four schools that need additional classrooms, and one of them is the Estefania Elementary School.

He told Ledesma that they need to categorize the schools according to priorities or need, Golez said.

He cited, as example, schools that need repair should be categorized as level 1. They should also be categorized based on the student-classroom ratio, he said.*

Linguine

October 20th, 2010, 07:41 AM

Linguine

October 20th, 2010, 07:47 AM

MassKara photo,
video entries deadline Oct. 25

The deadline for the submission of entries for the 31st MassKara Festival photo and video contests is on October 25, festival director Eli Francis Tajanlangit said in a press release yesterday.

The winning photo will receive P5,000, first runner-up – P3,000, second runner-up – P2,000, while the winning video will receive P10,000, first runner-up – P7,000 and second runner-up – P5,000, he said.

Photos depicting any event of the MassKara Festival from October 1-19, 2010 with sponsors’ collaterals will have a chance to win a special sponsor’s photo prize worth P2,000, he added.

All winning photos and videos will be used in the 32nd MassKara Festival events and website in 2011, he said.

The photo and video contests were launched in September, where amateur and professional photographers have accredited with the Silver MassKara Festival Organization, he said.

Three finalists for both photo and video contests will be announced in November. Winners will also be published in local newspapers, Tajanlangit said.*

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/October/20/topstory10.htm

SUV111

October 20th, 2010, 07:53 AM

^^ Thanks MOD!:)

SSC-Bacolod members, since our Main Thread is locked, i suggest nga diri na lang ta anay ma-post.:)

good suggestions and if possible we'll make use of our other threads as well like in the infras section :) this is a shop and dine thread, kay basi ma technical naman ta if we will discuss something not related to the thread title

kalamay ta n kay may mga law2 nga mahilig mang labugay.:lol:

MGA PRE, MGA MIGS, ANO ANG NATABO?

kalamay ta gid e...nang dahil sa manok...bow!!!

SUV111

October 20th, 2010, 07:55 AM

lets discuss some of the topics here....this can be a general topic since it our business and industry thread

Linguine

October 20th, 2010, 08:02 AM

yup.....here goes....

Economic
summit today

Rep. Alfredo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) will lead close to a hundred multi-sectoral leaders of the province in the first Negros Economic Summit at the Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City today.

Benitez will also give his first 100 days report in office as a neophyte member of the House of Representatives, focusing on the state and issues in the Third District, a press release from his office said.

Gov. Alfredo Marañon will give the opening address.

Experts invited as resource persons are Dr. Rolando Dy, executive director of Center for Food and Agri-Business of the University of Asia and the Pacific; Archie Amarra, executive director of Philippine Sugar Millers Inc.; Provincial Agriculturist Igmedio Tabianan; Millie Kilayko, president of Negrense Volunteers for Change; and Helen Katalbas of the Department of Tourism Regional Office.

The participants representing local government units, non-government organizations, and stakeholders of the sugar and tourism industries will have workshop discussions to identify priority development projects and programs most especially for the Third District. Summit outputs will be presented to President Benigno Aquino III who is expected in Bacolod City in November this year, the press release said.*

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/October/20/businessnews1.htm

Linguine

October 20th, 2010, 08:04 AM

Ecological
youth camp set

The Negros Youth for the Environment Inc., with the Silay City government, will conduct a four-day ecological youth camp dubbed “Outbound Patag” at Patag Mountain Resort in Silay City, Negros Occidental tomorrow until Sunday.

About 50 participants from the different environmental organizations all over the province are expected to attend the activity, a press release from organizers said.

Participants are TIMAWA, Earthguard – University of St. La Salle, JKPO, TUP-Visayas, Youth for Progress, Christian Community Theater Inc., and Silay Parish Youth Organization, among others.

Resource speakers will discuss “Eco-Tourism – Eco-Solutions,” “Basic First Aid,” “Basic Back Packing,” “Environmental Conservation and Preservation,” “Basic Theater Arts,” and “Patag, Silay Tourist Destination,” the press release said.

Highlights of the ecological camp include the group showcase of issues and concerns affecting the environment, clean-up drive of the various waterfalls in Patag, tree-planting, musical concert featuring the Acoztic Band, and the search for Mr. and Ms. Outbound 2010.

Noel Patrick Alvior Jr., NYE chairman, said the camp will heighten the awareness of young environmentalists on the world’s various environmental issues concerning land, air and water, and global warming and climate change, the press release said.

The activity is an annual project sponsored by the NYE and a sequel to Silay’s “Taklas Dagnas” in June, which was also held in Patag, the press release added.*

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/October/20/people.htm

Christendom

October 20th, 2010, 09:26 AM

AGREE!!!...:lol:

^^ IMO masyado lang talagang strict ang mga mods... one thing that makes this forum exciting, funny, and well received ...etc.... is for sometimes we discuss sensitive issues like Mi, coffee ... etc ... why close the thread ...? sana e ban or e brigg lang nila yung pasaway and spare those who follow the rules ... :) just my two cents ...

Good Morning Bacolod City ...!!! :)

___________________________________________________________________
^^:okay::yes::yes::yes:

^^

I agree.....calling mods @ hakz2007....:)

national guard

October 20th, 2010, 11:43 AM

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/nationalguard_ssc/for%20SSC%202/SM.jpg

SOURCE (http://smcitybacolod.blogspot.com/)

bacolodchamp

October 20th, 2010, 11:55 AM

Zubiri seeking P75B to connect Visayas
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri yesterday said he is filing a “one-Visayas bill” for a P75 billion five-year infrastructure program to interconnect the major Visayan Islands through bridges.

The bill will ask the national government to put in P15 billion per year for five years to connect all the major island groups of the Visayas to promote tourism, economic development and cultural unity, Zubiri said.

“It is a tourism come-on of the highest proportion, people may even bypass Manila and go straight to Cebu to go all over the Visayas. We will have millions of people coming here,” he said.

“The economic benefits (for the Visayas) will be magnified ten fold,” said Zubiri, in an interview after his speech at the 72nd Charter Day Anniversary of Bacolod City.

At the Charter day rites, Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Iloilo Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog signed a twinning agreement between the two cities at the Bacolod Government Center.

Leonardia said the coming together of the two cities will enable them to become a potent power in terms of trade and industry and become a new growth center in the country.

Mabilog said that if Panay and Negros were connected by a bridge, they could become the next economic tiger.

Zubiri said the Korean Aid Agency has granted a $2 to P$3 million feasibility study for these bridges.

“They are starting with a Cebu-Bohol bridge and I brokered to them the idea of the Santander, Cebu to Negros Oriental bridge,” he said.

“And we should also connect Bacolod City and Iloilo City,” he added.

According to the Korean government, it will cost P1 billion per kilometer to build these bridges, Zubiri said.

The link between Negros and Iloilo will be no less than 5 kilometers, so it can be built, Zubiri said.

It will be 17 kilometers to connect Cebu and Bohol so it will cost about P17 billion, while connecting Negros Oriental to Cebu would be another P2 billion, he added.

“These bridges will draw tourists to the Visayas not only for the food and the sights, but also to see the bridge infrastructure because it will be a marvel on its own,” he said.

“Many people visit Korea to see the longest bridge in Asia,” he said.

Zubiri said the Ramos and Arroyo administrations had pushed for interconnection of the islands through a roll-on roll-off system of boats.

“These are antiquated means of transportation, as we all know that as an archipelago we are at the mercy of the wind and the waves, and typhoons,” he said.

Zubiri also said he would ask Gov. Alfredo Marañon for the preliminary study Negros Occidental has on the bridge that would connect Negros to Panay.*CPG

Says DOE committed to save RP ethanol
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras has committed to bring back the 20 percent tariff on imported ethanol and to support a scheme that would bar importation if there is adequate local supply, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri said yesterday.

Zubiri, who was in Bacolod for the 72nd Charter Day of the city, is the author of the Philippine Biofuels Law of 2006 that calls for a mandatory mixing of five percent of ethanol in gasoline for the first four years and to be increased to 10 percent thereafter.

Zubiri blamed the failure of the country’s ethanol industry to move forward faster on the lack of direction of the previous administration and is hopeful that the Aquino administration will look at it differently.

He said he is very happy that President Aquino understands the problem of ethanol.

The senator said he was disappointed that former President Gloria Arroyo did not impose the 20 percent tariff on imported ethanol because it slowed down the growth of the country’s ethanol industry.

Ethanol players and sugar producers have complained that former President Gloria Arroyo who hailed the ethanol industry as an alternative to imported fuel and pushed for billions of pesos investments in it, failed them.

Sugarcane and molasses are used in the production of ethanol.

They said the tariff would protect them from the entry of cheap imported ethanol from big industry players like Brazil.

Ethanol producers and sugar industry players had pushed for an increase in the 1 percent tariff on imported fuel ethanol to 20 percent and had gotten the approval of the National Economic Development Administration. However, Arroyo did not sign the executive order to impose the 20 percent tariff until she stepped down, sugar industry Reynaldo Bantug said.

Bantug said they are again lobbying for the 20 percent tariff on the imported ethanol under the Aquino administration because the survival of the domestic ethanol industry is necessary as a fall back for Philippine sugar producers.

“The way I see it, we made mistakes when we started changing the secretaries of the DOE,” Zubiri said.

“We had good leaders in Energy secretaries Vince Perez and Raphael Lotilla, and afterwards it went downhill from there because the other leaders of the DOE in the previous administration were playing favorites, whether to the oil companies or to other lobby groups,” he said.

Asked if he was referring to then Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes, Zubiri said during Reyes’ term “nothing happened”.

“I wish that the previous administration and the previous department heads had done more for the (ethanol) industry… think for one reason or other they were playing favorites, or they were playing safe and at the end of the day it was the investors who suffered,” he said.

There were so many who wanted to invest in the ethanol industry who put it on hold because of the lack of direction by the previous administration, he said.

“We are just asking for fairness, we are the only country with zero tariff on ethanol, Zubiri said.

He noted that other countries, including Brazil, impose tariffs on imported ethanol entering their countries by 20 to 30 percent.

Zubiri also said the biggest problem of the country’s ethanol industry is that Petron, which was previously owned by the government, was privatized.

Countries like Thailand, Brazil and India have national fuel companies supporting their ethanol programs, he said.

Petron was at the forefront of supporting the country’s ethanol program from 2004 to 2006 when the Biofuels Act was passed and then there was a 180 degrees turnaround when it was privatized, Zubiri said.

There is hope for the ethanol industry of the country if government sets a tariff, restricts importation and implements the law that requires a 5 percent ethanol blend with gasoline, because that is 220 million liters of bioethanol a year, with the blend to be increased by 10 percent in two years.

The P3 billion San Carlos Bioenergy Inc. plant in Negros Occidental has temporarily stopped producing ethanol to prevent further losses triggered by the entry of cheap Brazilian supply due to government’s failure to impose a tariff on imports, SCBI chairman Jose Maria Zabaleta Jr. said Sunday.

SCBCI will lose P15 to P20 million a month if it continues producing ethanol from sugarcane and selling it without tariff or fair price set by the government, Zabaleta pointed out.

Zubiri said the problem is not just because of government, but supply of sugarcane for ethanol and SCBI pegging its contract price for ethanol with Petron at the market price of oil, which prices have gone down.

He said that, while he agrees with the need for tariffs on imported supply, the domestic ethanol industry must also work to be competitive to survive. Mills must be run more efficiency and pricing their goods competitively, he added.

“I am appealing to the industry not to lose focus, we cannot always act like spoiled brats, we always forget that by 2014 we will have zero tariff on imported sugar.”

The country’s sugar industry should prepare an alternative and that is ethanol, “you have take that risk and be a pioneer and put it to work,” he said.*CPG

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/October/20/topstory5.htm

SUV111

October 20th, 2010, 12:13 PM

SUV111

October 20th, 2010, 12:28 PM

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/nationalguard_ssc/for%20SSC%202/SM.jpg

SOURCE (http://smcitybacolod.blogspot.com/)

may Halloween pa migs :) hahahaha

SUV111

October 20th, 2010, 12:29 PM

^^ IMO, We should rename this thread as Negros Occidental Residential Communities and Transient Accomodations Thread.:)

Bacolod City and Negros Occidental Resdiential Communities and Transient thread migs :)

We should keep Bacolod's name since were the center of our province

SUV111

October 20th, 2010, 12:31 PM

Robinsons Expansion

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/5099297592_09d019fcec_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1323/5099297850_04c83584bd_b.jpg

national guard

October 20th, 2010, 12:49 PM

Bacolod Construction Expo

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1061/5098695385_e8e3b9bc58_z.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1390/5099295874_96a494d74e_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1080/5099296074_ea5ddd5c31_b.jpg

___________________________________________________________________
^^ So, this is the Northbound Bus Terminal in Brgy.Bata!
Tahum ba!
I hope this project will be finished the soonest-time-as-possible.:)
Salamat migs for posting!:)

SUV111

October 20th, 2010, 12:51 PM

___________________________________________________________________
^^ So, this is the Northbound Bus Terminal in Brgy.Bata!
Tahum ba!
I hope this project will be finished the soonest-time-as-possible.:)
Salamat migs for posting!:)

tahum tahum migs :) its very modern. kanami gid :)

national guard

October 20th, 2010, 12:54 PM

Bacolod Construction Expo
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1383/5098696065_b1af95b4c8_b.jpg

___________________________________________________________________

^^ Future site of Chowking- East?:)
Really nice updates/renderings you got migo SUV!:okay:

national guard

October 20th, 2010, 12:57 PM

Bacolod City and Negros Occidental Resdiential Communities and Transient thread migs :)

We should keep Bacolod's name since were the center of our province
___________________________________________________________________

MUCH BETTER suggestion there migs :okay:
I agree!:)

national guard

October 20th, 2010, 12:59 PM

^^ Wala pa naka-post sa ila website migs!:nuts::lol::lol::lol:

SUV111

October 20th, 2010, 01:03 PM

___________________________________________________________________

^^ Future site of Chowking- East?:)
Really nice updates/renderings you got migo SUV!:okay:

thanks migs :) happy na ako na naga usad gid ang bacolod. Masskara made it BIG this year :) i am looking forward for a better masskara next year

SUV111

October 20th, 2010, 01:04 PM

^^ Wala pa naka-post sa ila website migs!:nuts::lol::lol::lol:

kanami trick or treat a :) hahahahaha

national guard

October 20th, 2010, 01:18 PM

^^ Reli reli BIG migs! :okay:
I feel soo proud just looking at the MassKara 2010 pics posted sa aton LOCKED thread!:)
Looking forward to MassKara 2011!:banana::banana::banana:

boy muscovado

October 20th, 2010, 02:17 PM

BACONEX 2010
Bacolod Construction Expo

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1411/5099442686_048f25d7e8.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5099442686/)
.baconex 2010 poster (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5099442686/) by Niki Chaiwala (http://www.flickr.com/people/stdominicmd/), on Flickr
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1412/5098842659_43c5524a8f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5098842659/)
. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5098842659/) by Niki Chaiwala (http://www.flickr.com/people/stdominicmd/), on Flickr
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1428/5099442958_8f3fc3e7cd.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5099442958/)
. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5099442958/) by Niki Chaiwala (http://www.flickr.com/people/stdominicmd/), on Flickr
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1229/5099443080_34df742465.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5099443080/)
. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5099443080/) by Niki Chaiwala (http://www.flickr.com/people/stdominicmd/), on Flickrhttp://farm2.static.flickr.com/1143/5098843131_797a7f04e8.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5098843131/)
.baconex 2010 5 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5098843131/) by Niki Chaiwala (http://www.flickr.com/people/stdominicmd/), on Flickr
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1116/5098843459_a2632da27d.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5098843459/)
.baconex 2010 4 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5098843459/) by Niki Chaiwala (http://www.flickr.com/people/stdominicmd/), on Flickr
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1407/5099443896_a44de39350.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5099443896/)
.baconex 2010 3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5099443896/) by Niki Chaiwala (http://www.flickr.com/people/stdominicmd/), on Flickr
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1050/5099444060_1f8fd7330d.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5099444060/)
.baconex 2010 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5099444060/) by Niki Chaiwala (http://www.flickr.com/people/stdominicmd/), on Flickr
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1360/5098844223_91673fa7e1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5098844223/)
.baconex 2010 1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5098844223/) by Niki Chaiwala (http://www.flickr.com/people/stdominicmd/), on Flickr

boy muscovado

October 20th, 2010, 02:20 PM

tahum tahum migs :) its very modern. kanami gid :)

If amu man gid ni tsura ya matapos...I think this would be one of the most modern bus terminals in the country like the Victory Bus Terminal in Baguio.

boy muscovado

October 20th, 2010, 02:30 PM

ACCU-MAPS NOW HAS BACOLOD CITY!

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1371/5098845229_6a32e069ca.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5098845229/)
Bacolod Accu-map (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5098845229/) by Niki Chaiwala (http://www.flickr.com/people/stdominicmd/), on Flickr

As I have known amu pa lang ni ang may Accu-Maps:

Metro Manila
Southern Tagalog
Central Luzon
Baguio City
Northern Luzon
Boracay
Puerto Galera
Cebu City
Cebu and Bohol
Davao City
Subic and Clark

proud to be the newest addition!

SUV111

October 20th, 2010, 02:39 PM

SUV111

October 20th, 2010, 02:41 PM

grabe naka 2nd baconex man ang Bacolod ba :) abi ko last year indi na maliwat :) grabe gid man ang construction boom sa ciudad ta a :)

boy muscovado

October 20th, 2010, 02:42 PM

Agree. Detours pre, please separate what is in cyberspace and what is online. Those are two different worlds. I'm from iloilo but waay gid ko ya sang kainit sa bacolod even if ga ilinaway online. Peace.

Aw ah. Abi ko bangud sa starbucks kag kape naman. Parte gali sa manok.

Hmmmm...nakibot lang ang madamu on the news that Jollibee Foods bought 70% of Mang Inasal to the tune of Php 3 Billion. But some misunderstood the discussion and "crossed the line". :ohno:

^^ IMO masyado lang talagang strict ang mga mods... one thing that makes this forum exciting, funny, and well received ...etc.... is for sometimes we discuss sensitive issues like Mi, coffee ... etc ... why close the thread ...? sana e ban or e brigg lang nila yung pasaway and spare those who follow the rules ... :) just my two cents ...

Good Morning Bacolod City ...!!! :)

Pasalamat ka na lang migs kay makita mo pa ang threads. Remember when the BCD and ILO main threads were also locked in October 17 and 18 last year? the threads were totally nowhere. Same with that CDO-DVO thread a little over a month ago wherein pati ang sub-threads nila gin lock man for such a long time. Well katalaka man gid ang ka-istrikto sang iban nga mods :bash:...but la ta magawa kay sila di ang otoridad....at least may control ah....behave lang ta bala kay ibalik naman na :banana::banana::banana:

boy muscovado

October 20th, 2010, 02:46 PM

amo gani. Bacolod is surging ahead na abi...hehehehe...at its own pace ah....mahinay man or madasig ang importante indi ta madunlan kag masalam-ukan

boy muscovado

October 20th, 2010, 02:48 PM

because we are a major destination na migs :)

Kunsabagay migs....nami ini kay mas madamu ang makakilala sa Bacolod and we could be the next major destination of a growing culture of backpacking all around the world...:banana::banana::banana:

boy muscovado

October 20th, 2010, 02:59 PM

ninja kid

October 20th, 2010, 04:23 PM

GOOD EVENING BACOLOD CITY

Traffic update sa Lacson Mandalagan area

Robinsons area

Southbound - light with stop and go at loading/unloading areas
Northbound - light to moderate with chokepoints at the overpass and 722 Metropolis

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4152/5099444728_f4fbaa9038.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5099444728/)

.lacson mandalagan (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5099444728/) by Niki Chaiwala (http://www.flickr.com/people/stdominicmd/), on Flickr

nagkanay-kanay ang traffic situation after Masskara ... :D

pati ang WV Main Forums amo man ...
i don't like what's happening ... daw paindis-indis ...
daw isa man lang ginhalinan ta nga dugo ...
amo nga kalma-utog, steady-ugat ta anay ... :)

nga-a indi gid pwede magpasensya kag magpatawad haw? ...
personally, i hate to see words like "lawlaw" or "gago" ... really!
only un-educated people say those ... ang mga wala bala respetasyon sa iban ...
daw kalaw-ay gid pamatian ... knowing that most of us here are professionals ...

since Bacolod and Iloilo became sister cities, i am looking forward to:

SSC Bacolod and SSC Iloilo meet or eyeball :naughty:
Bacolod or Iloilo to host more national conventions and sports competitions
Bacolod or Iloilo to share common practices in business, education, health, etc.
Negros, Guimaras and Panay to be connected by a bridge

of course, these are just my wishes ... who knows, these wishes may come true ... :D

let's encourage a healthy competition ... not crab mentality, pride or greed ...

just my Dos Sentimos ...

I, thank you! :D

boy muscovado

October 20th, 2010, 04:41 PM

nagkanay-kanay ang traffic situation after Masskara ... :D

pati ang WV Main Forums amo man ...
i don't like what's happening ... daw paindis-indis ...
daw isa man lang ginhalinan ta nga dugo ...
amo nga kalma-utog, steady-ugat ta anay ... :)

nga-a indi gid pwede magpasensya kag magpatawad haw? ...
personally, i hate to see words like "lawlaw" or "gago" ... really!
only un-educated people say those ... ang mga wala bala respetasyon sa iban ...
daw kalaw-ay gid pamatian ... knowing that most of us here are professionals ...

since Bacolod and Iloilo became sister cities, i am looking forward to:

SSC Bacolod and SSC Iloilo meet or eyeball :naughty:
Bacolod or Iloilo to host more national conventions and sports competitions
Bacolod or Iloilo to share common practices in business, education, health, etc.
Negros, Guimaras and Panay to be connected by a bridge

of course, these are just my wishes ... who knows, these wishes may come true ... :D

let's encourage a healthy competition ... not crab mentality, pride or greed ...

just my Dos Sentimos ...

I, thank you! :D

let nature take its course na lang ah...makapoy man na sila kag matak-an...mapahimunong man lang kita tanan sina indi madugay :)

ninja kid

October 20th, 2010, 05:41 PM

let nature take its course na lang ah...makapoy man na sila kag matak-an...mapahimunong man lang kita tanan sina indi madugay :)

sabagay ... gitara ... sakali ... kamote ...

i'm just hoping this situation shall come to an end sooner ... :D

demonoid724

October 20th, 2010, 05:58 PM

nagkanay-kanay ang traffic situation after Masskara ... :D

pati ang WV Main Forums amo man ...
i don't like what's happening ... daw paindis-indis ...
daw isa man lang ginhalinan ta nga dugo ...
amo nga kalma-utog, steady-ugat ta anay ... :)

naham-ot lang ko to see this photo there:
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/October/20/pix/exchange.jpg

coincidence man nga ang ginakaptan ni Mayor Mabilog nga Dinagyang head dress daw manok and ang kay Mayor Leonardia nga Maskarra mask daw may mga coffee beans nga gapilit.:lol:

daw annual event na ini ya ang saraduhay thread kada 3rd week sg october haw? nami ni cguro tawgon "captivus festival" :lol:

ninja kid

October 20th, 2010, 06:38 PM

naham-ot lang ko to see this photo there:
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/October/20/pix/exchange.jpg

coincidence man nga ang ginakaptan ni Mayor Mabilog nga Dinagyang head dress daw manok and ang kay Mayor Leonardia nga Maskarra mask daw may mga coffee beans nga gapilit.:lol:

daw annual event na ini ya ang saraduhay thread kada 3rd week sg october haw? nami ni cguro tawgon "captivus festival" :lol:

baw ginmuno mo gid ... maakigan naman ta ni sing Mods ...
abi nila ga ilinaway ta di ... wala sila kabalo that we make labing-labing ... not war ... :D

habagatcentral1

October 20th, 2010, 06:59 PM

baw ginmuno mo gid ... maakigan naman tani sing Mods ...
abi nila ga ilinaway na di ... wala sila kabalo that we make peace ... not war ... :D

Correction: Lets make love, not war. :colgate:

ninja kid

October 20th, 2010, 07:25 PM

Correction: Lets make love, not war. :colgate:

Edited. :naughty:

Christendom

October 20th, 2010, 08:50 PM

^^uy hala kibot man ko ba,,,ang dami pang abangan na constructions...ang ceres terminal daw airport gid...ang frasso kanami sang concept,,,food strip building naman na guro:cheers:

ninja kid

October 20th, 2010, 09:47 PM

^^uy hala kibot man ko ba,,,ang dami pang abangan na constructions...ang ceres terminal daw airport gid...ang frasso kanami sang concept,,,food strip building naman na guro:cheers:

Laban-laban ... daw ala-Piazza Sorrento ... :okay:

Daw kanami kay Brgy. Bata gid man ... para mabuhinan ang traffic along Lacson & North Drive ... :banana:

Thanks for the info @SUV & Dockie ... ^^

Christendom

October 20th, 2010, 10:32 PM

Bacolod Construction Expo

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1061/5098695385_e8e3b9bc58_z.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1390/5099295874_96a494d74e_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1080/5099296074_ea5ddd5c31_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/5099296416_287dab4c5a_b.jpg

may view deck pa gali ang ceres terminal...according to the news it will build the best and the biggest terminal in the country...

mayu man design sang blue nga building,,,simply the best,,,6-storey pa...baskug mga local architect...puro mahilig sa mga designs...:cheers:

amo gani. Bacolod is surging ahead na abi...hehehehe...at its own pace ah....mahinay man or madasig ang importante indi ta madunlan kag masalam-ukan

para sakun mig madasig gid,,,ga overtake gani...ok lang madunlan or masalam-ukan indi lang malumos kundi ga overcome:cheers:
Laban-laban ... daw ala-Piazza Sorrento ... :okay:

Daw kanami kay Brgy. Bata gid man ... para mabuhinan ang traffic along Lacson & North Drive ... :banana:

Thanks for the info @SUV & Dockie ... ^^

gani mig mayu gid,,,ma decongest ang traffic from shopping, mandalagan, kag bata...tawhay naman lupad sang mga street fighter ay este street traveller...:)

SUV111

October 21st, 2010, 01:42 AM

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs797.snc4/67734_1598833163041_1002379363_1680837_5409194_n.jpg

pomperadz@yahoo.com

October 21st, 2010, 02:42 AM

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs797.snc4/67734_1598833163041_1002379363_1680837_5409194_n.jpg

Hala..niwang niwang kay bernie..hehheh...or basi sa angle lang sang pag shot..nice one ton.

SUV111

October 21st, 2010, 03:02 AM

kay bernie na cam migs...gin kuha sang friend niya...its SSC MANILA< CEBU< ILOILO<BACOLOD na :)

Linguine

October 21st, 2010, 03:20 AM

Disaster response exercise set

BACOLOD CITY -- A multi-scenario emergency response drill will be conducted here tomorrow in line with the first International Day for Disaster Response and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Day for Disaster Management.

The drill will be simultaneously held in three areas in the city: government center, old city hall and Andres Bonifacio Elementary School.

Joemarie Vargas, Bacolod City Risk Reduction Coordinating Council action officer, said Bacolod will be the first to conduct a multi-scenario response drill.

Carlos Ganihong, Amity Volunteer Fire Brigade chief, said they will stage a collapsed structure scenario at the old city hall, while the Chamber Volunteer Fire Brigade will handle a vehicular accident involving four vehicles on the highway in front of the government center.

Mr. Vargas also said the Bureau of Fire Protection will conduct a fire drill at the government center, while the police bomb explosive and disposal team will stage a bomb explosion at the old city hall.

Coast Guard Auxiliary will help in the evacuation of "victims" from Andres Bonifacio Elementary School, he added.

Mr. Vargas said modern rescue equipment worth P20 million will be used during the activity.

Other groups involved include the Chamber Volunteer Fire Brigade, the Bacolod City Police Office, Philippine Red Cross, Coast Guard and Patrol 117.

Disaster preparedness has ben institutionalized under the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Act. -- Chrysee G. Samillano

http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=19824

boy muscovado

October 21st, 2010, 03:29 AM

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs797.snc4/67734_1598833163041_1002379363_1680837_5409194_n.jpg

Obviously daw ako gid ya ang kulang sa height :ohno:

boy muscovado

October 21st, 2010, 03:34 AM

Correction: Lets make love, not war. :colgate:

Hmmmm. that sounds nice...and naughty...joke!:lol::lol::lol:

national guard

October 21st, 2010, 03:39 AM

^^ Doc, DON'T MENTION THE OBVIOUS!:lol:::nocrook:

Kaltehitze

October 21st, 2010, 04:01 AM

Correction: Lets make love, not war. :colgate:

Correction to your correction: Let's make love, not babies. bwahahaha! :lol:

(dude, pare, bro berns, Im not referring to you and me. I'm saying this in general)

Kaltehitze

October 21st, 2010, 04:04 AM

kay bernie na cam migs...gin kuha sang friend niya...its SSC MANILA< CEBU< ILOILO<BACOLOD na :)

Pre, daw gathering sang SSC-Philippines ba. Kulang na lang SSC CDO and DVO para kumpleto ang luzon visayas mindanao. (That's why there's a qualification nga 'daw')

national guard

October 21st, 2010, 04:21 AM

^^nice find @Doc!:okay:

Here's the accu-map website (http://www.accu-map.com/prod_cat3.html)

Nami tani may makabakal sang para sa Bacolod City (http://www.accu-map.com/prod_S9.html).:)

PRODUCT DETAILS:
.Scale 1:9,000 - 1:18,500
.A must-have for motorists driving within Bacolod
.A reliable reference for residents, tourists, businessmen, and investors
.Features exceptionally detailed mapping, with all the latest updates for precise route planning
.Geographic data has been carefully gathered and is updated yearly by seasoned cartographers
.Shows comprehensive indexes and exact locations of hotels, restaurants, businesses, shopping venues, and sports and recreational facilities (Panaad Stadium, Casino Filipino, Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club) cultural and historical sites (Negros Museum, Capitol Building, Orange Gallery), towns, municipalities, municipal offices, hospitals, clinics, universities,
churches, and parks and natural landmarks (Negros Forest Ecological Foundation & Biodiversity Center)
.Features extensive resident-researched content on general information and history, getting to and around Bacolod, money and communication, recreation and activities, shopping, nightlife, cautionary measures, accommodations, dining, and other highlights
.Features notable places of interest beyond Bacolod city center
.Comes with a highly detailed but user-friendly design

boy muscovado

October 21st, 2010, 04:24 AM

national guard

October 21st, 2010, 04:27 AM

HERE'S a SAMPLE MAP of THE CITY OF SMILES::okay:

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/nationalguard_ssc/for%20SSC%202/Bacolod1.jpg

source (http://www.accu-map.com/Products/images/Bacolod1.jpg)

national guard

October 21st, 2010, 04:32 AM

I think 3 x na na out-of-stock ini sa National Bookstore sang SM, Gaisano kag robinsons. subong lang ko gani kabakal nga since April ko pa ni nga balik-balik sa NBS___________________________________________________________________
^^ Slowly but SURELY, we're becoming a major tourist destination!:okay:

national guard

October 21st, 2010, 04:54 AM

Benitez Bares Economic Program in Summit (http://www.ndb-online.com/oct2110/negros-events-news/Benitez+Bares+Economic+Program+in+Summit)

Third District Congressman Albee Benitez has proposed the adoption of a protectionist policy as it is related to the sugar industry and the development of the district along agricultural and aquacultural lines.

Benitez, who won overwhelmingly in the last May 10 elections, made the declaration in his keynote State of the District Address (SDA), at the Nature’s Village Resort, yesterday.

Benitez said they in the district, must have a concrete plan to fasttrack development and which will serve as an alternative to the sugar industry.

Adding, he said, the summit must come up with a plan to revitalize agriculture and aquaculture development.

On the agricultural development aspect, he said the proposal intends to utilize, produce and develop other crops and fish species which could maximize production with the district comprising several cities and towns, having rich land and marine resources.

This divesified development program comes in view of what the third district congressman said was still a frail sugar industry, which was once the "hub of economic activity."

But this development, Benitez pointed out, must be supported by reliable and not erratic power supply, which, in turn he said, needs to be addressed.

The inputs of what is dubbed as the Negros Economic Summit, which is intended to address the economic development of the province, and more particularly in his district will be submitted to President Benigno Aquino III, upon his return to Manila, added the third district congressman.

This economic summit, the successful businessman-turned legislator, said, could harness collective assets, resources, influence and political will, to embark on what he said, was his vision of a wholistic program of economic overhaul of the area which was a convergence of confluence development programs.

On the proposal for the implementation of a protectionist policies, Benitez was referring to lifting of tariff impositions three years from now and the importation of ethanol from Brazil which has shaken the ethanol industry in the province, shown through the temporary shutdown of the San Carlos City Bio-ethanol plant as it was heavily losing.

Instead of imposing tariffs on ethanol importation from Brazil, none is being imposed with the three oil giants, sourcing their ethanol from the Latin-American country, thus edging out ethanol produced in the Philippines.

Attending the summit were top ranking government officials led by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., business and sugar industry leaders and experts.

The results of the summit will be submitted to Aquino, who is slated to visit the province early in November.*

　

　

greenflare

October 21st, 2010, 04:56 AM

Northbound Terminal Render is really a WOW!!! :) the 6 floor Complex is also neat ., diin ni sa dapit ayhan ..:?:? thanks for posting guys ...:)

Good morning Bacolod!!! :)

national guard

October 21st, 2010, 04:56 AM

Masskara Festival 2010 Assessment (http://www.ndb-online.com/oct2110/negros-events-news/Masskara+Festival+2010+Assessment)
By Edith B. Colmo

This year’s masskara celebration had perhaps one of the biggest if not the biggest crowd. As observed, every year there was a tremendous increase of people gathered in Bacolod City to participate in this festival.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia said, Masskara is getting bigger and bigger, because of the year improvement. "We have already reached the level that Masskara Festival has become a standard in Philippine tourism.

Delegations from several parts of the country and the world have come to see for themselves Bacolod’s Masskara Festival.

Mayor Leonardia also said, there was a high level of delegation from Davao who came to observe and study how the festival is being run. Considering that Davao is far advance than Bacolod City, it is something flattering on our part, he noted.

He also said, common comments among visitors during Masskara festival who have called on him have unified observation - they have not seen such huge crowd of people that caused the closure of traffic, something they have not seen anywhere else.

During the festival, the underground economists were mostly benefitted because it had given them chance to earn a livelihood even with simple entrepreneurial activities. Cigarette vendors, peanuts, ballot, finger foods, fruits, and a lot more, have always made profit during Masskara festival. Hotels have been fully booked a month prior to the festival.

In short, Mayor Leonardia’s evaluation on this year’s Masskara festival, was a great success because the people from all sectors have cooperated and supported it. He expressed gratitude to everyone for their support.*

national guard

October 21st, 2010, 05:00 AM

WELCOME to the City of Smiles!:)

WW2 Jap Veterans Call On Mayor Bing To Visit Japanese Shrines Here (http://www.ndb-online.com/oct2110/negros-events-news/WW2+Jap+Veterans+Call+On+Mayor+Bing+To+Visit+Japanese+Shrines+Here)

A group of Japanese tourists including two world war 2 veterans were in Bacolod yesterday to pay a call on Mayor Evelio Leonardia and visit the Japanese Shrines in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental.

They are members of the Japanese Shrine Keeping Association composed of 2 war veterans- 92-year old Kimpa-ra, and 82- year-old Taka-hashi, with 3 other Japanese Senior Citizens, with a Japanese interpreter- Mr. Mike Suzuki.

They are members of the Shrine Keeping Association of Japan, whose objective in coming over is to upkeep the 2 shrines in Negros Island.

One is located at Rosario Heights, Bacolod City, the other is in Fabrica, Sagay. They are here also to pray for their dead soldiers, according to interpreter, Suzuki.

According to the Japs veterans, out of 17,000 sent here in 1940’s, there were 6,000 Japanese soldiers were killed.

WW2 veteran Kimpara was only 22 years when he joined the Japanese Imperial Army. He said he is greatly impressed by the Bacolod’s growing population, and the attractive eateries in the city. This is his 4th visit to Bacolod City.

Another WW2 veteran Takahashi, was only 16 when he joined the Japanese Army as weapons maker.

This is his 2nd visit to the "City of Smiles".

Their interpreter, Suzuki requently visits Bacolod. He assured that he will continue to come around as he considers their trip to Bacolod a sentimental journey. He also said Mayor Leonardia has made Bacolod more beautiful than other cities in the region.

As spokesman of the Shrine Keeping Association and member of the Manila Japanese Residents Society, Inc., Suzuki puts the Japanese message into one significant word in relation to World War II: Ahimsa, in Japanese means "not to kill".

Presently, Suzuki said, there are 80 scholars in Negros from elementary to high school and college students, plus a radio station in Abra (DZPA).

Mayor Evelio Leonardia warmly welcomed them.*

greenflare

October 21st, 2010, 05:02 AM

Ayala Technohub Campus Updates (10/19/2010)

http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/greenflames/new%20uploads/ayala10.jpg?t=1287630067

http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/greenflames/new%20uploads/ayala11.jpg?t=1287629952

habagatcentral1

October 21st, 2010, 05:06 AM

Hala..niwang niwang kay bernie..hehheh...or basi sa angle lang sang pag shot..nice one ton.

Obviously daw ako gid ya ang kulang sa height :ohno:

^^ Doc, DON'T MENTION THE OBVIOUS!:lol:::nocrook:

:lol:
Thanks for posting it. Guba daan ang internet sa balay, di ko kapost ayu.

national guard

October 21st, 2010, 05:08 AM

^^ Thanks for keeping us updated with Ayala North Point Techno Hub migs!:okay:

national guard

October 21st, 2010, 05:09 AM

:lol:
Thanks for posting it. Guba daan ang internet sa balay, di ko kapost ayu.

Curious lang Berns, did you lose weight? diet?:D

habagatcentral1

October 21st, 2010, 05:18 AM

^^ Weight? I just kept eating nowadays. :lol: Maybe its the graveyard shift. :D

national guard

October 21st, 2010, 05:21 AM

^^ Mag-graveyard shift ka na lang pirmi!:okay: It's seems effective!:lol::D

national guard

October 21st, 2010, 05:45 AM

Economic summit complements Capitol’s agenda (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/local-news/economic-summit-complements-capitol-s-agenda)
Thursday, October 21, 2010

THE Negros Economic Summit called by third district Representative Alfredo Benitez complements the Provincial Government’s “Negros First” agenda, a top official said.

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., in his opening remarks during the summit at Nature’s Village Resort, Talisay City Wednesday, said Benitez called the summit to identify and discuss pressing issues in the district which need to be prioritized in the development of the projects and policies in both the national and local levels.

The summit brought together the major stakeholders in the sugar industry, the agricultural sector, the tourism sector, and the non-government organizations.

“It is necessary that we engage a broad representation of the constituency in this summit to take into ample consideration each of their concerns in shaping project or program priorities in the district,” Benitez stated.

The resource speakers included Dr. Rolando T. Dy, executive director of the Center for Food and Agri-Business in the University of Asia and the Pacific who spoke on the global dynamics of food production and demand, with emphasis on the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities of the country and the province in relation to the worldwide food supply chain.

Sugar Regulatory Administration board member Archie Amarra shared insights on the present production and cost-efficiency of the sugar industry, as well as the challenges which the industry has to hurdle when tariff for imported sugar is lowered to a nominal five percent come 2015.

Amarra also expounded on the huge potentials of the sugarcane industry in terms of cogeneration of electricity and ethanol production, even as he candidly presented the roadblocks, which prevent the full realization of these potentials.

Provincial agriculturist Igmedio Tabianan discussed the agricultural scenario in the province, especially the irrigation potentials, status of production of different crops and the suitability and viability of introducing these crops in the most appropriate locations in the third district.

In a presentation, Millie Kilayko, president of the Negros Volunteers for Change and one of the prime movers of the Negros Trade Fair, shared her broad experience on how non-government organizations should work hand in hand with government in delivering developmental projects for their intended beneficiaries.

Lawyer Helen Catalbas, the supervising tourism operations officer of the Department of Tourism–Western Visayas, informed the audience of the direction which the National Government is embarking on regarding tourism growth. While assuring stakeholders of the department’s whole-hearted support, she also cited standards, which the province has to comply with to boost its tourism industry.

Leovegildo Ilagan supplemented the message of Catalbas with his presentation of the province’s attractions to be an ideal retirement haven.

After the messages from the resource speakers and the open forum, the participants broke into respective sectors to identify the problems and proposed solutions, which will help its sector to overcome its present challenges and flourish in the coming years.

The summit concluded early in the evening with a presentation by each sector of its recommendations.

“Your presence here despite this late hour reflects your enthusiasm and your warm desire to do your share in the progress of our province,” Marañon said as he expressed his gratitude to the forbearance of the participants who stuck it out since the summit started at 9 a.m.

“This summit is just the first move. We still have a lot of work to do,” he reminded his fellow Negrenses.

For his part, Benitez said, “Rest assured that our efforts will not be in vain. Our governor and I will present our summit’s output to President Aquino during his visit here very soon and we will come out with an action plan to realize these outputs.” (Butch Bacaoco)

Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on October 21, 2010.

boy muscovado

October 21st, 2010, 05:48 AM

^^ Doc, DON'T MENTION THE OBVIOUS!:lol:::nocrook:

sabagay...Bonsai are nice man daw...hehehehe:banana::banana:

^^ Mag-graveyard shift ka na lang pirmi!:okay: It's seems effective!:lol::D

mas gatambok ko ya sagad pulaw....Amoebiasis was more effective... but...if thts the only way to lose weight again, I'd rather sweat it out na lang even slow..:bash:

national guard

October 21st, 2010, 05:52 AM

Zubiri vows to restore 20% tariff on ethanol (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/local-news/zubiri-vows-restore-20-tariff-ethanol)
Thursday, October 21, 2010

SENATOR Juan Miguel Zubiri assured sugar leaders and ethanol investors that Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras has pledged to work for the restoration of the 20 percent tariff on imported ethanol.

Zubiri who was in Bacolod as the guest speaker during the city’s Charter Day Anniversary the Tuesday, added the government is conducting a review of the Biofuels Law.

The Ilonggo senator made the assurance after the San Carlos Bioenergy Inc. plant in San Carlos City temporarily stopped producing ethanol to prevent further operational losses.

Officials of the ethanol plant decried the lack of government protection for the infant industry, particularly its failure to impose high tariff on imported ethanol, as the main reason for the plant’s closure.

Without tariff protection, local ethanol cannot compete with cheaper imports from Brazil, Pakistan, and Thailand.

Moreover, the ethanol producers in the country are having problems on the supply of sugarcane due to the competing demand from sugar, which presently enjoys favorable prices, added Zubiri.

One of the reasons why ethanol producers are losing is because, when they signed the supply contract with Petron, they pegged the ethanol price at the market price of oil. The price of oil has decreased, thereby causing a decrease in the purchase price of ethanol, Zubiri said.

According to Zubiri, ethanol should be priced based on the cost of production.

“My suggestion is that they should negotiate with another off-taker, such as with Shell or Chevron,” Zubiri said.

Ethanol producers complained of the previous administration’s lack of support in imposing tariff on imported ethanol.

Zubiri sympathized with the sentiments of the producers, saying the Philippines is the only country in the world which has only a nominal one percent tariff on imported ethanol.

Other countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Brazil impose a 20 percent tariff on imported ethanol, stressed the senator.

Ethanol producers should take heart that the Department of Energy is now eyeing the reinstatement of the 20 percent tariff. This will allow the country’s biofuel program to again take off, said Zubiri.

He added the biofuels oversight committee, where he is a member, is trying hard to patch up the problems on the sugar industry and that the DOE secretary is also very supportive.

Almendras also assured Zubiri that President Benigno Aquino III is fully aware of what is happening in the industry.

Government will earn from the revenues out of the tariff on biofuels. There is no reason why it should not restore the tariff, he said.

There is a market, there is demand, so the gas companies have no choice but to buy ethanol, whether it is imported or locally produced. If it’s imported, they are going to pay the 20 percent tariff so it would be cheaper for them to buy locally produced ethanol, he added. (TED)

Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on October 21,
2010.
_________________________________________________________________
^^make good on your promise Senator!:)

habagatcentral1

October 21st, 2010, 06:46 AM

Repost from NBSA thread

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http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs828.snc4/68805_1598900204717_1002379363_1681128_4082688_n.jpg

and the most affordable way going out of Bacolod-Silay Airport is...
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs463.ash2/73639_1598901284744_1002379363_1681133_448787_n.jpg
^^ P10 together with other passengers, P50 pakyaw. Asta na ina sa highway. :D

bacolodchamp

October 21st, 2010, 07:42 AM

is this a sign of something good in store for bacolod?

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/October/21/pix/Frontpage.jpg
FIREWORKS. A symphony of colors lights the sky over the Bacolod Government Center to usher in Charter Day Tuesday in these photos taken by businessman Bob Lacson who amazed even himself with the appearances of “doves” in one of them (right).*

bacolodchamp

October 21st, 2010, 07:45 AM

Leaders join summit to revitalize economy
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Leaders from various sectors gathered at a Negros Economic Summit yesterday to provide inputs that will jumpstart a convergence of public--private collaboration toward renewed economic activity in the province, Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) said.

Benitez. who initiated the summit held at the Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City, said it was a gathering to harness collective assets, resources, influence and political will for a holistic economic overhaul.

Benitez said inputs from the various sectors who attended the summit would also be submitted to President Benigno Aquino III who is scheduled to look into the province’s needs during a visit to Bacolod City on Nov. 3.

Government Service Insurance System chairman Daniel Lacson Jr., who is arranging the visit of Aquino, said they will bring to the President’s attention matters that need national government and legislative action.

Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., Sugar Regulatory Administrator Gina Martin, and government and private sector leaders were among the about 100 participants in the summit.

Benitez said the summit provided the opportunity to prepare a definitive action plan for the sugar industry that is threatened with an uncertain fate.

He challenged those present to put their heads together and come up with a plan to revitalize the agriculture sector, and inputs to address the erratic power supply faced by the province.

Speakers at the summit were Dr. Rolando Dy – executive director of the Center for Food and Agri Business of the University of Asia and the Pacific, Archimedes Amarra – executive director of the Philippine Sugar Millers Association Inc.;

Igmedio Tabianan – Negros Occidental provincial agriculturists, Millie Kilayko – president of the Negros Volunteers for Change, Helen Catalbas – Region 6 Supervising Tourism Operations Officer and Leovegildo Ilagan – who presented a report on a proposed retirement village.

Dy told the summit participants that if they want to address poverty in the Philippines, they must address agriculture.

To ensure food self-sufficiency it is important that money is put in the pockets of farmers, he said.

The days of cheap food prices are gone, agriculture alone will not save the economy, he said.

There is a need to move up the value chain by shifting to high value crops and food processing, he said.

The current global trends are diversification toward high-value production - a demand-driven process in which the private sector plays a vital role; higher incomes, urbanization, and changing preferences cause domestic consumer demand for high-value products; food spending is shifting from grains and staples to vegetables, fruits, meat, dairy, and fish; and demand for ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat foods is also rising, particularly in urban areas, he said.

Amarra, who spoke about sugar industry prospects, reiterated the need to improve farm efficiency and productivity, to explore areas of diversification and to generate other sources of revenue in addition to sugar.

Estimates show that power co-generation potential of the 19 sugar mills in the country, the majority of which are in Negros Occidental, is 400 MW, he said.

And this power generation and power export potential can further be increased with the utilization of field trash as supplemental fuel to extend cogeneration for a whole year round operation, he added.

Tabianan spoke about the provincial government’s gains in agriculture in Negros Occidental from the expansion or irrigation systems to increased production in rice and other crops.

Kilayko gave seven tips for a happy marriage between NGOs and government.

“Ties that bind government and the private sector should come from a common desire to serve mutual stakeholders,” she said.

Marañon stressed the need for everyone in the province to work as one to spur the economic growth of the province.*CPG

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/October/21/topstory1.htm

bacolodchamp

October 21st, 2010, 07:46 AM

‘Ethanol in limbo’
BY CARLA GOMEZ

The country’s ethanol industry is in limbo, Archimedes Amarra, executive director of the Philippine Sugar Millers Association Inc., said yesterday.

“It has some potential but it’s not today. In the future maybe,” Amarra, who spoke on sugar industry prospects at the Negros Economic Summit at Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City, said in an interview.

He said the problem of the ethanol industry is not just the failure of government to impose a 20 percent tariff on cheaper imported ethanol but because planters are currently earning far more from conversion of their cane crop to sugar.

There is a current high cost of ethanol production because of high prices of feedstock, the haphazard implementation of the Biofuels Law and inadequate support from government, he said.

Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (Neg. occ., 5th District), who initiated the summit, also said planters prefer sugar as a byproduct to their cane because they are currently earning far more money.

But, he said, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras has committed to bring back the 20 percent tariff on imported ethanol and to support a scheme that would bar importation if there is adequate local supply.

The Biofuels Law of 2006 calls for a mandatory mixing of five percent of ethanol in gasoline for the first four years and to be increased to 10 percent thereafter.

Amarra said the three firms built to produce ethanol are currently eyeing the production of other by-products from cane.

The San Carlos Bioenergy Inc. in San Carlos City and Roxol Bioenergy Corp. in La Carlota City in Negros Occidental, and Leyte Agri Corp. have temporarily stopped producing ethanol, he said.

The San Carlos and La Carlota plants have the potential to produce 30 million liters of ethanol each a year, while the Leyte plant has a capacity for 9 million liters, he added.*CPG

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/October/21/topstory2.htm

bacolodchamp

October 21st, 2010, 07:54 AM

re-posted from the previous thread

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posted by SUY

^^

Linguine

October 21st, 2010, 07:58 AM

Bringing more smiles to Bacolod
By Bot Glorioso (The Philippine Star) Updated October 21, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (0) View comments

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/1058/ent5.jpg

Richard with Survivor castaways Mico Aytona, Aubrey Miles, Moi Marcampo, Ervic Vijandre, Solenn Heussaff and Aira with local hosts Angelia and John.

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — You see them clashing on TV, forming alliances, tackling different challenges and whispering plans and tactics to stay in the game that is Survivor Philippines Celebrity Showdown, airing weeknights, on GMA 7.

But right inside one of the function rooms of a hotel here a few days past, the scenario was different. Aubrey Miles, Solenn Heussaff, Mico Aytona, Aira Bermudez, Ervic Vijandre and Moi Marcampo exchanged banter and answered varied questions from members of the press invited to cover Kapuso network’s participation to this year’s celebration of Masskara Festival. All six of them had only one goal that Friday afternoon of Oct. 15: To bring more smiles to this City of Smiles through Kapuso Night show at SM City Bacolod. Survivor Philippines host Richard Gutierrez was also present.

Tough days are over, they chorused. Yet all remained mum about who emerged winner of the P3-M prize and the title as the first celebrity Pinoy Sole Survivor.

“I’m fond of reality shows. That’s the reason why I took every chance to join shows like Amazing Race Asia and this, Survivor,” Aubrey said. “In Survivor, one must have the strength and determination. Money won’t work to buy food in that depressed island. It’s a mind game to survive.”

Thus, she gorged on two cups of rice and a bowl of kare-kare without feeling any guilt when she flew in from Thailand. She then weighed a hundred pounds and had darker complexion.

“My son didn’t recognize me the day I came home but I’m happy to be free from tension and hardships. I can now sleep comfortably. It also made me realize that life now is easier.”

For Mico, living on the island of Ranong made him appreciate simple things in life and “to live more independently because there’s really no one to turn to but yourself.”

And if there’s something to laugh about, it’s his inability to get over things he used to do for some weeks in the reality show. “The first few days, after I came home, I still peed on the grass and I got paranoid when I saw and heard groups of people talking. Napapraning ako na baka ako ang pinag-uusapan.”

Do they still harbor ill feelings toward each other for those “betrayal moments” while in the game?

“That’s just a game. It’s nothing to be personal about. In real life, this is what we are like,” Solenn replied as she sat side by side with the rest of the castaways.

“We bond and party together now. Siguro ang di ko lang kayang balikan ay yung mga challenges at yung di makatulog ng ayos pero yung bonding, masaya,” Aira shared.

Genuine bonding showed as they ascended the stage and greeted the cheering crowd of 10,000 a “Happy Masskara Festival.” Deafening shrieks and screams filled SM when Richard came on stage to hold a “tribal council.” Each castaway, whose name Richard picked from the bowl, will either sing or dance.

Solenn first hit the stage with a song that filled the audience’s heart with delight. Aubrey came next with a rendition of A Thousand Miles. Mico grabbed the chance to show his singing and dancing skills.

Aira’s body shaking, bone-breaking Telephone dance number brought the audience to a total high. But wait, there’s still more. Ervic and Moi shook their booties in Do You Remember finale number.

Joining the Kapuso Night were Glaiza de Castro and Geoff Eigenmann of Grazilda and Trudis Liit stars Pauleen Luna and Jillian Ward.

Pauleen put everyone in stitches when she requested for a handsome guy to come on stage. A young man volunteered despite the crowd’s protests. They shouted, “No!” with much amusement when Pauleen asked, “Is he handsome?”

Her rendition of Ewan and Maging Sino Ka Man kept everyone in a jovial mood. Jillian’s Isang Lahi and Tomorrow brought the audience endless joy.

Bacolodnons also had an unforgettable night with Geoff’s Ngiti and Always Be My Baby while Glaiza displayed her vocal calisthenics through Taylor Swift’s Love Story and Fergie’s Big Girls Don’t Cry.

“Work may be tiresome but once you hear that kind of screaming from the audience, every bad thing you feel instantly goes away. It’s really nice to see people enjoying the show,” Glaiza said.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=622827&publicationSubCategoryId=70

bacolodchamp

October 21st, 2010, 08:13 AM

Mayor creating twinning team
BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday he will create a technical working group that will sit down on a regular basis with its counterpart in Iloilo City to set the goals and parameters of the partnership between Iloilo and Bacolod, and establish the mechanism that will institutionalize the twinning of the two cities.

The cities of Bacolod and Iloilo forged the twinning relationship to boost their best practices and economic growth at rites held at the Bacolod City Government Center during the 72nd Charter Day anniversary of Bacolod Tuesday.

Leonardia and Iloilo Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog signed the twinning agreement in the presence of Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, Bacolod Rep. Anthony Golez Jr., Iloilo Vice Mayor Jose Espinosa III, Bacolod Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, and members of the Bacolod and Iloilo Sangguniang Panlungsod, as witnesses

Leonardia said the twinning will be mutually beneficial to both cities because it will be a partnership, a matter of working together and growing together.

He said it is ideally supposed to be a merger of all their resources, manpower, business, trade, industry, education, even tourism, and practically all aspects.

TO LEARN FROM EACH OTHER

In the process, they can learn from each other since it cannot be denied that there are areas where Iloilo is more advanced than Bacolod, and probably, there are also areas where Bacolod is more advanced than Iloilo.

Leonardia said both cities have many substantive and relevant similarities.

He said they are of the same age as a city, they have about the same population and have the same budget, both have been selected by the Asian Institute of Management years back as Most Competitive Mid-Sized Cities, and among the 10 next wave cities by the Commission on Information and Communication Technology, and were identified as growth centers of the Philippines by the United States Agency for International Development and German Technical Cooperation program.

MASSKARA FEEDBACK

Meanwhile, Leonardia also said the MassKara Festival keeps on getting bigger and bigger and keeps on improving every year. He said the crowd this year has been the biggest so far.

“I think we have reached that level where we can say the MassKara Festival has become a standard of sorts in Philippine tourism,” he added.

Leonardia said a high level delegation from Davao came to observe and study the way the festival is run. Having a group coming from a much bigger city and more advanced city than Bacolod just to observe the MassKara, is something that is very flattering, he said.

Many visitors coming from Manila and other countries have congratulated him, saying they have not seen anything like it anywhere else, and that they could see and feel the enjoyment of the people, Leonardia said.

“I think this is because our people themselves are happy about it,” he said.

In the first place, this is the people’s festival and many are participating because the people themselves are the ones trying to make it festive – from the barangays to the puroks, the business establishments and the different sectors, he said.

Leonardia said MassKara, for sure, is something that will now always be part of Bacolod.*CGS

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/October/21/topstory4.htm

SUV111

October 21st, 2010, 08:44 AM

SUV111

October 21st, 2010, 08:44 AM

Repost from NBSA thread

thanks for the intro berns

boy muscovado

October 21st, 2010, 10:08 AM

Linguine

October 21st, 2010, 10:14 AM

the reason maybe migs is that, Bacolenos are not just mere spectators...they are a part of the festivity and merrymaking :cheers:

I agree......:okay:....:D

pomperadz@yahoo.com

October 21st, 2010, 10:34 AM

ka alam gid ya mag sabat kay mayor a

one of my friends from other city said...."when it comes to street dancing, _________ is better than masskara, but the way people celebrate it, masskara is far better. you can really feel the festivity. Its grand! Never experienced anything like it"---

I agree with you ton..the atmosphere is different..totally different..what is good about masskara..you can really feel the festivity all throughout the city or even nearby cities..but what i enjoyed most was the electric masskara..very beautiful and the crowd, damu damu gid..biskan naga inulan..IMO, we celebrate masskara festival not for patikal sa aliwan or something like that..masskara evolves because we enjoy the festivity very much.

Anyway, im quite dissapointed the way our mods acted sa pagsara sang main thread..daw makwaan ko gana kung mag amu man lang na sila..they should do something sa forumers involved not by closing the thread only...been here for almost 3 years..same cycle nagakalatabu..open- closed ang gwa ta sini..

Mayung hapun sa tanan

Christendom

October 21st, 2010, 10:45 AM

I agree with you ton..the atmosphere is different..totally different..what is good about masskara..you can really feel the festivity all throughout the city or even nearby cities..but what i enjoyed most was the electric masskara..very beautiful and the crowd, damu damu gid..biskan naga inulan..IMO, we celebrate masskara festival not for patikal sa aliwan or something like that..masskara evolves because we enjoy the festivity very much.

Anyway, im quite dissapointed the way our mods acted sa pagsara sang main thread..daw makwaan ko gana kung mag amu man lang na sila..they should do something sa forumers involved not by closing the thread only...been here for almost 3 years..same cycle nagakalatabu..open- closed ang gwa ta sini..

Mayung hapun sa tanan

yes mig what is the use of brig, warn, or ban if it is not for pasaway only...pati mga buot dalahig nalang parehas sakun grrh:)

ninja kid

October 21st, 2010, 06:28 PM

yes mig what is the use of brig, warn, or ban if it is not for pasaway only...pati mga buot dalahig nalang parehas sakun grrh:)

basi natak-an na si migo hakz sa mga pabati-bati from both sides ... amo nga gin-lock nya na ...

Mod Hakz ... time to open it up ... Bacolod folks still has lots of Masskara pics to be posted ... :D

Thank you. ^^

boy muscovado

October 21st, 2010, 07:02 PM

basi natak-an na si migo hakz sa mga pabati-bati from both sides ... amo nga gin-lock nya na ...

Mod Hakz ... time to open it up ... Bacolod folks still has lots of Masskara pics to be posted ... :D

Thank you. ^^

No comment na ko da sa kay "Damulag" ah...basi secret fantasy nya mag jail guard :nuts::nuts::nuts:

boy muscovado

October 21st, 2010, 07:14 PM

national guard

October 21st, 2010, 10:57 PM

^^ GOOD MORNING BACOLOD!!!:wave::wave::wave:

AT LAST, OPEN NA ANG MAIN THREAD TA!:banana::banana::banana:

national guard

October 21st, 2010, 11:14 PM

Happy Halloween
http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/nationalguard_ssc/for%20SSC%202/WitchesWizardscostume.jpg

In commemoration of the Halloween Celebration this year, SM City Bacolod will hold a Witches and Wizards Costume Contest on October 31 at 3PM at the mall’s Northwing Event Centre. There will also be a Halloween Trick or Treat on the same day at 4PM.

The contest is open to kids 4-12 years old. To register, present a minimum single receipt purchase of P500 from any of the mall establishments, including SM Supermarket/Hypermarket and SM Department Store and buy at least one (1) SM Eco Bag from October 23-31, 2010 at the marketing department of Mall Admin Office.

Applicants may submit the completely filled-out application form starting Oct. 23, 2010 and are still qualified to register at the day of the event from 10am until 2pm on Oct. 31, 2010.

Participants must come in their funniest, most creative or scariest Witch or Wizard Costume for the grand costume parade on Oct. 31, 2010 at 2pm at the Event Centre.

The participants must present the stub during upon entry at the Event Centre for confirmation and validation of his/hers attendance and participation in the contest.

P3,000 worth of SM Gift Certificates will be given to each winner of funniest, most creative or scariest category.

SOURCE (http://smcitybacolod.blogspot.com/)

lgseccionph

October 22nd, 2010, 02:54 AM

Originally posted by sugar

Early Morning TREAT...

The OFFICIAL Sneak Peek (1 Day Only) of the 2nd Avida Project in the Visayas (After Cebu) and the 2nd Amaia Project in the Philippines (After Laguna)... The Sneak Peek was Held in L'Fisher Hotel yesterday, October 21, 2010

AVIDA LAUNCH And Groundbreaking will be on NOVEMBER 2010
AMAIA LAUNCH And Groundbreaking will be on JANUARY 2011

AVIDA Sneak Peek Day -- 30 Percent of the Lots Sold, More than 70 Percent of the Lots Reserved (including the Sold ones)

AMAIA Sneak Peek Day -- More than 70 Percent already reserved -- Does not accept buy-out reservation for AMAIA since it will be LAUNCHED pa in January... So LETTER OF INTENT (LOI) only is accepted! (I Got 20 LOI's for today -- and it's great! That includes myself (Im Excited for my soon to be AMAIA Home)

AVIDA Land Negros

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs779.snc4/65972_1568440183445_1608684270_1375954_3041578_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs405.ash2/68360_1568440103443_1608684270_1375953_3093710_n.jpg

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http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs941.snc4/73484_1568440823461_1608684270_1375960_3756365_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs256.snc4/40144_1568440703458_1608684270_1375959_4904396_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs773.snc4/67332_1568440623456_1608684270_1375958_3975292_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs942.snc4/73527_1568440903463_1608684270_1375961_7336065_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs823.snc4/68327_1568441103468_1608684270_1375962_4585908_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs780.snc4/66052_1568441303473_1608684270_1375963_3020617_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs940.snc4/73325_1568441503478_1608684270_1375965_7014809_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs405.ash2/68326_1568441663482_1608684270_1375966_6683029_n.jpg

The One with the CIRCLE Dots are Already Reserved -- The One with the Pentel Pen Shaded parts are already SOLD... :D:D:D and the Project is not even LAUNCHED! And this is just the 1st and Only day of the SNEAK PEEK... :D:D:D

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs443.ash2/71622_1568441743484_1608684270_1375967_5856582_n.jpg

Early Morning TREAT...

The OFFICIAL Sneak Peek (1 Day Only) of the 2nd Avida Project in the Visayas (After Cebu) and the 2nd Amaia Project in the Philippines (After Laguna)... The Sneak Peek was Held in L'Fisher Hotel yesterday, October 21, 2010

AVIDA LAUNCH And Groundbreaking will be on NOVEMBER 2010
AMAIA LAUNCH And Groundbreaking will be on JANUARY 2011

AVIDA Sneak Peek Day -- 30 Percent of the Lots Sold, More than 70 Percent of the Lots Reserved (including the Sold ones)

AMAIA Sneak Peek Day -- More than 70 Percent already reserved -- Does not accept buy-out reservation for AMAIA since it will be LAUNCHED pa in January... So LETTER OF INTENT (LOI) only is accepted! (I Got 20 LOI's for today -- and it's great! That includes myself (Im Excited for my soon to be AMAIA Home)

AMAIAscapes Negros

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs902.snc4/71559_1568439503428_1608684270_1375946_6492216_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs775.snc4/67590_1568438143394_1608684270_1375933_1951574_n.jpg

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Linguine

October 22nd, 2010, 01:45 PM

Friday, October 22, 2010

Law on the sugar industry
pushed at economic forum

Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday said that the passage of a law on the sugar industry to ensure that it becomes more competitive was one of the proposals made at the Negros Economic Summit Wednesday.

He said participants in the summit stayed until 6 p.m. and submitted their various inputs that showed the enthusiasm was there.

The governor stressed that a law on the sugar industry is needed because, right now, there are no rules, farmers harvest their cane even if they have not reached full maturity, thus they get less sugar yield.

In Australia a farmer cannot cut his cane if it is not fully grown to ensure a higher yield, and he needs a certification from a governing body to do so, he said.

In tourism, among the summit inputs were the need to create a marketing arm for the province, position the province as a retirement haven, and the creation of an action plan.

Among the suggestions of the non-government organizations were the strengthening of the Botika sa Barangay, and the implementation of capacity-building, livelihood and waste management programs, as well as working at forest and marine protection.*CPG

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/October/22/businessnews1.htm

Linguine

October 22nd, 2010, 01:49 PM

Fish processing
training slated

The Negros Occidental Technology and Livelihood Development Center and the Department of Science and Technology will conduct a three-day Trainors’ Training on Fish Processing on October 27 to 29, at the NOTLD Center, Ground Floor, Negros Occidental Barangay Center along Gatuslao Street, Bacolod City, a Capitol press release said.

TLDC program manager Ricardo Calseña said the activity is aimed at facilitating transfer of technology and providing livelihood opportunities that will help improve the quality of life of our constituents especially in the coastal towns and cities of the province.

Expected participants are TLDC coordinators or their representatives mostly coming from coastal towns and cities of the Negros Occidental, Calseña said.

The training is also open to interested individuals. Registration fee is pegged at P1,000.00 inclusive of meals and snacks.

For more details, the public may contact the TLDC Office at telephone number (034) 432-3414 and look for Leah Silva or Gerard Tupas, the press release said.*

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/October/22/businessnews2.htm

Linguine

October 25th, 2010, 11:11 AM

Telco gives support
to micro businesses

Globe Telecom awarded livelihood grants to three outstanding women microentrepreneurs of the Kabalikat Para sa Magandang Buhay Inc. Saturday in Victorias City during the KMBI Microentrepreneur’s Summit 2010 held for the first time in Negros Occidental.

KMBI is a group which provides sustainable microfinance, training, and demand driven non-financial services to small businesses nationwide.

Chosen as recipients of P20,000 livelihood grants each from Globe as well as business coaching and consultancy assistance from KMBI were Lydia Malot of Calinan, Davao City; Leticia Tabo-tabo of Dumanlas, Buhangin, Davao City; and Gina Abarca of Daet, Camarines Norte.

Malot is a nata de coco maker in the morning and a values teacher in Calinan National High School in the afternoon.

She started with 300 trays of nata de coco and had slowly made her business grow. As of today, she has two regular and 13 contractual employees. The plant operates 3 to 5 times a week, depending on the need of the market.

Tabo-tabo is a nurse by profession and a KMBI center treasurer. She is also a money-lender, uniform and ID, rice and meat dealer/supplier, grocery middleman, candle supplier, and a co-owner of a manpower services company.

Abarca started her juice drinks, fish and vinegar sauce business in 2007 and even established outlets for both wholesalers and retailers. Recently, she diversified her business by producing various nata de coco products such as nata de coco flavored juice drink.

The competition for livelihood grants was opened to all KMBI members all over the country and the criteria for the selection include the financial viability of the product – 40 percent, community benefit – 40 percent, and innovation – 20 percent.

Last year, Globe Bridging Communities, the corporate social responsibility of Globe, introduced the livelihood grant through its Enterprise Development Program to help sustain and expand community enterprise.

KMBI chairperson and president Damiana Exiomo said they have 70 branches all over the country and about 240,000 members.

She said they want to partner with Globe to alleviate the plight of the poor and because Globe provides them the motivation by giving awards and cash gifts to model entrepreneurs.

Globe Community Relations head Jeffrey Tarayao said they believe that it is in partnering with KMBI where they can invest meaningfully because they know where resources should go because they have the expertise.

He said their partners are mostly found in areas where they have cellsites.

Tarayao said about 80-90 percent of their micro finance clients in the Philippines are women.

KMBI executive director Edgardo Mercedes said they have decided to empower women in the communities so they can help their families.*CGS

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/October/25/businessnews1.htm

Linguine

October 26th, 2010, 05:40 AM

Lions Park & Community Center is Inaugurated

* Bacolod City News
* Negros Business

A P2-Million park and community center constructed by the Bacolod City Host Lions Club in Don Salvador Benedicto, was recently inaugurated. The project was jointly funded by the Bacolod City Host Lions Club and its twin clubs, Kaohsiung Port Lions Club of Taiwan and Ichon Lions Club of South Korea. The building and a 10-foot Lions statue were constructed on a 500-square meter lot donated by the family of Negros Occidental Board Member Nehemias de la Cruz.

http://www.ndb-online.com/files/oct2610h4.jpg

President Dr. Sidney Iledan, Prov’l Board member Nene de la Cruz, Ichon Lions Club (Korea) vice-president Lee Sang Bum, Kaohsiung Port Lions Club (Taiwan) president Su Chi-Ming, District Governor Raymund Tongson, PDG Em Ang, PP Ike Petero and project chairman Dr. Nilo Del Carmen, unveil the huge 10-foot lion sculpture at the Lions Park and Community Center.*

The gigantic Lion sculpture which is a symbol of Lions Clubs International, sits on top of a solid rock. The community center has a total floor area of 60 square meters and is complete with restrooms, which the Lions will use for medical missions, livelihood trainings, club retreats and other projects for the residents of DSB. The top of the community center has a viewing deck that also serves as a tourist stop, where visitors can have a good view of the landscape of the town and its beautiful verdant fields.

The Lions Park and Community Center was blessed and inaugurated.

The inauguration was attended by Lions district governor Raymund Tongson, first vice-district governor Faustino Yuson and members of different Lions clubs from Bacolod and Iloilo. Taiwanese and Korean Lions were also present during the ceremony.*

http://www.ndb-online.com/oct2610/negros-events-news/Lions+Park-Community+Center+is+Inaugurated

NTprime

October 26th, 2010, 06:36 AM

Para indi ta matak-an sang hulat sa pag bukas sang main thread mang puk-si ta anay Blackberry sa Ruins ah...remember indi pag pahid sa bayo kay ma mantsahan...guripaton ka gid sang labandera nyo :bash::nuts:

Philippine Blackberries

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/5092034114_333abba67a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5092034114/)
.phil blackberries (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5092034114/) by Niki Chaiwala (http://www.flickr.com/people/stdominicmd/), on Flickr
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/5092033854_b7038f2490.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5092033854/)
.phil blackberries 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5092033854/) by Niki Chaiwala (http://www.flickr.com/people/stdominicmd/), on Flickr
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/5091435101_4926621049.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5091435101/)
.phil blackberries 3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5091435101/) by Niki Chaiwala (http://www.flickr.com/people/stdominicmd/), on Flickr

(the red ones are still sour)

I know this fruit quite well. It's also called mulberry (of which there are over a hundred varieties). May ara kami sang puno nga ini sang gamay ako kag asta karon, sa pihak balay namon diri sa Manila may ara man. The tree grows fast, even if you chop off its branches it will continue to sprout new ones.

I know they can make wine out of this, similar to bugnay/bignay wine. BTW, aren't there grape plantations also in Negros? I remember hearing about them when I was a little boy, though I never verified the sources.

Linguine

October 26th, 2010, 08:42 AM

I know this fruit quite well. It's also called mulberry (of which there are over a hundred varieties). May ara kami sang puno nga ini sang gamay ako kag asta karon, sa pihak balay namon diri sa Manila may ara man. The tree grows fast, even if you chop off its branches it will continue to sprout new ones.

I know they can make wine out of this, similar to bugnay/bignay wine. BTW, aren't there grape plantations also in Negros? I remember hearing about them when I was a little boy, though I never verified the sources.

Yes, mulberries, my friend planted these and used its leaves as food for his silkworms.....:)

Linguine

October 26th, 2010, 10:11 AM

Jomabo Island Resort
Escalante, Negros Occ.

http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lavlt9PU3e1qcbca4o1_500.jpg

low tide at the sandbar of Jomabo

http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lavo25gwTz1qcbca4o1_500.jpg

high tide at Jomabo sandbar

photos courtesy of postergirl:

boy muscovado

October 26th, 2010, 06:04 PM

I know this fruit quite well. It's also called mulberry (of which there are over a hundred varieties). May ara kami sang puno nga ini sang gamay ako kag asta karon, sa pihak balay namon diri sa Manila may ara man. The tree grows fast, even if you chop off its branches it will continue to sprout new ones.

I know they can make wine out of this, similar to bugnay/bignay wine. BTW, aren't there grape plantations also in Negros? I remember hearing about them when I was a little boy, though I never verified the sources.

The Carmelite nuns of Carmelite Monastery in Mandalagan grow grapes but I dunno if they still do...I saw them 5 years ago...and a peanut plantation too..inside the monastery grounds :)

Linguine

October 27th, 2010, 07:17 AM

Editorial: Where in Bacolod is Fort San Juan?
Tuesday, October 26, 2010

FORT Santiago, Manila. Fort San Pedro, Cebu City. Fort San Juan, Bacolod City.

Can anybody pinpoint where this old Spanish fort is in the City of Bacolod?

Google it and you won’t find this mysterious fort in the search engine.

According to Edwin Gatia, professional tour guide for 25 years and former officer-in-charge of the Department of Tourism in Bacolod who is now based in the United States, there were only two such forts ever constructed by the Spanish government in the province of Negros Occidental: Fort San Juan in Bacolod, and the Fort in Himamaylan, near the bank of the mouth of the Himamaylan River, where its ruins now rotting its way back to nature under the forces of a huge lunok tree holding on and strangling whatever is left of the Fort.

Incidentally, according to Gatia, Himamaylan was the second capital of the island of Negros before the capital was moved to the town of Bacolod in 1848 and remained as the capital of the Province until after the creation of the Oriental Negros in 1890 until Bacolod became a city in 1938.

He further narrated that it is from this old fort that prison labor was availed by the Spanish friars for the laying of the foundation and construction of the San Sebastian Cathedral.

Fort San Juan in Bacolod is still a very visible façade along Gatuslao Street, under a different identity, yet still serving the same purpose as a garrison for prisoners -- the Negros Occidental Provincial Jail.

It may not look as stately and awe-inspiring as the walled prison cells of Manila and Cebu, but we do have a Spanish heritage that is however sadly decaying in neglect.

Perhaps ignorance?

The proposed transfer to a new and bigger location at Barangay Tabunan, Bago City hopefully early next year may help ease stress and tension among the congested inmates.

In the meantime, let us hope that out of the ruinous state of the old provincial jail, the old Fort San Juan be restored for tourism and historic purposes. After all, isn’t Negros Occidental being repackaged as a major tourist destination in the Visayas?

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/opinion/editorial-where-bacolod-fort-san-juan

Linguine

October 27th, 2010, 07:26 AM

Pacete: Patag Eco-Adventure Endurance Challenge

By Ver F. Pacete

As I See It

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

REBOLUSYONARYO Run! This is for history. This is for Negros. Negrenses are always reminded that our life is a celebration. Our struggle is going on. We are fighting for what we aspire. Whatever it is, we have to win!

Cinco de Noviembre commemoration is sacred for the Silaynons. It is a date in Negros history that time stopped. Our ancestors were so focused on how freedom could be regained. And, on that Saturday at two o’clock in the afternoon, the Spaniards surrendered to the Silaynon leaders. The surrender paper was signed by Lt. Maximiano Correa. Mabuhi ang Negros! That was Nov. 5, 1898.

To relive the challenge on another field of battle, Mayor Jose Montelibano and Dr. Bob Ledesma have come to think of fighting and winning another battle. This time it is for the environment. The 34K Patag Eco-Adventure Endurance Challenge is for everyone to join and conquer Patag in Silay. Patag was the battle ground when the Japanese Imperial Army made its last stand there against the joint US-Filipino Forces during the Second World War.

Now, Patag is fighting for survival. Its remaining flora and fauna must survive. We want the new revolutionaries to wage war for the protection of the environment. Let’s all run to Patag and find out what we can do for the survival of Mother Nature. The run will be on Nov. 5, 2010. It will start at 5 a.m. at Cinco de Noviembre Marker at Cinco de Noviembre St., Barangay Cinco de Noviembre. We are expecting 100 participants composed of doctors, lawyers, other professionals and professional road runners.

Since, this is sanctioned by the Silay City Government through the Silay Tourism Office, we are coordinating this event with the barangays involved in the area – Barangay Cinco de Noviembre, Barangay Rizal, Barangay E. Lopez, Barangay Captain Ramon and Barangay Patag. We are establishing water and food stations in strategic places. We know that barangay residents will be at the roadside to offer their buko juice and steamed root crops for the runners.

Dr. Bob Ledesma has made very good coordination with the organized road runners of Negros Occidental and he is still reaching out for the participation of Iloilo runners. Those coming to Silay are the groups of Dick Pison, Iloilo Oval Runners’ Club; Philip Chua, New Society Commercial Runners; Joemarie Layson, Iloilo Beauty and Handsome Runners’ Club; Boyet Rentoy, Pro-Sports Iloilo; and Mayor Patrick Jed Mabilog’s best runners from Iloilo City.

Hugyaw Silay Inc., a Silay-based NGO helping in the cultural and tourism program, will be there also to extend helping hands. Dr. Bob will be assisted by Bebing Gamboa in the preparation with proper coordination with PNP-Silay, City Health Office, and Liga Ng Mga Barangay. The event will be closely supervised by SPM Uldarico Penuela who heads the SP Committee on Tourism.

The Natalio G. Velez Sports and Cultural Center and the Tourism Center in Patag are now ready for the possible billeting of runners who may not be able to get early accommodation from Silay pension houses.

So, November 5 is not just Negros Day. As Silay is preparing for the cenotaph of the revolution – commemorative program, float presentation, street dance-drama and food festival – the leg breakers will ascend Patag and the organizers will bestow a “conqueror’s medal” to all finishers of the 34K run. In this event, everyone is a winner. “He has conquered himself. He has taken Patag. And, he won for the environment”. These runners will not just run for the sake of running. They will run and preach the value of the environment. They will conquer Patag and entice others to do their share for Patag. After all, Patag is a beauty to behold with its fresh Mt. Silay scent, bubbling brooks, enchanting fogs, cascading waterfalls and romantic panoramic view.

Be a rebel for a cause! Run and join the fun!

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/opinion/pacete-patag-eco-adventure-endurance-challenge

Linguine

October 27th, 2010, 07:43 AM

Negros Museum Hosts Food Author Amy Besa

* Bacolod City News
* Negros Business

Chefs, culinary students and food enthusiasts are invited to a free lecture exchange entitled How We Can Move Filipino Food Forward by Filipino food author and New York based restaurateur Amy Besa at the Negros Museum today, October 27, 2010 at 10AM.

In 2006, Amy Besa co-authored with her husband Romy Dorotan the book Memories of Philippine Kitchens which won the IACP Jane Grigson Award for Distinguished Scholarship in the Quality of Research Presentation.

She now owns the restaurant Purple Yam in Brooklyn and runs it with her husband.

The couple also owned and managed Cendrillon in 1996-2005, a Filipino restaurant in New York.

No registration for this event, but the museum would like to reserve for all interested parties, so please call/message 09173007742, or 4334764.*

Linguine

October 27th, 2010, 07:43 AM

Linguine

October 27th, 2010, 07:46 AM

November is Wildlife Month Negros will get wild next month.

* Bacolod City News
* Negros Forests Ecological Foundation
* Environment Issue

On November 9-26, the Province of Negros Occidental will celebrate its 6th Provincial Wildlife Month with the theme "Preserving biodiversity is a life-long stewardship."

Several activities are lined up for the month - exhibits, inter-high school contests, film viewings, tattoo painting, coloring activity, story-telling, tree planting and Animals of Negros foot parade. The island of Negros, part of the Western Visayas faunal region, is one of the biodiversity hotspots in the country.

The celebration is an excellent venue for promoting biodiversity conservation through various activities that can increase awareness and expression of commitment to preserve the unique and threatened wildlife of Negros and their remaining habitats.

Non-government organizations (NGOs), schools, public and private sector, and the Local Government Units (LGUs) will actively participate in this celebration.

The celebration is in coordination with the Negros Forests and Ecological Foundation, Inc. (NFEFI) by virtue of Provincial Ordinance No. 002, Series of 2009, "An Ordinance Declaring the Month of November of every year as Wildlife Month for the Province of Negros Occidental." Ms. Mimie M. Ledesma, Education Officer of the NFEFI-BCC and Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc. (PBCFI) said that this celebration will be a simultaneous event with the province of Negros Oriental - promoting not only a wider support for wildlife conservation but also introduces to every Negrense the different wildlife species found only in the island.

The province is serious in its quest for a better environment for Negrenses and this celebration is a commitment of stewardship for its unique wildlife, it was pointed out.* (PEMO/PIA/EAD)

Linguine

October 27th, 2010, 01:45 PM

Farmers, LGUs team up
for better corn production

The Science and Technology for the Development of a Sustainable Corn Industry in Negros Occidental activity today and tomorrow at the Negros State College of Agriculture in Kabankalan City will end with 101 farmer-leaders and agriculturists participating.

The presentation of research and technology output is set today at NSCA, while the graduation rites are set tomorrow.

The program has three categories. Agriculturists from 11 local government units, farmer-leaders from 15 barangays in Kabankalan City, and more than 40 built-in farmer-field schools on integrated pest management for corn conducted in Brgy. Camingawan, Kabankalan City are attending the initiative.

Armando Abaño of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist said the program aims to update the participants on science and technology in corn production and how to increase crop yield through appropriate technology and location specific intervention.

Abaño said this technology-based corn farming system will increase the production of corn in the province and also help the economic stability of small farmers.

The technology is also friendly to the environment, he said.

As a corn specialist, Abaño said the province could also produce corn apart from sugarcane if only farmers are willing to adapt the technology.

He said that the trainings have been conducted to various local farmers but it has to be monitored and followed up because most of them are still applying their old farmer’s practices.

Abaño also said the province is still 20 percent corn sufficient in the entire region.

The sufficiency level is still not enough since it has a large livestock and poultry industry, he added.

The production of more corn in Negros Occidental will not be a threat to the feed millers because its supply is not enough for the needs of the industry, Abaño also said.

Abaño is one of the proponents of the program from OPA in collaboration with Kabankalan City agriculturist Nemesio Cañete, NSCA director for research Mae Flor Posadas and NSCA director for extension services Ferdinand Abello.

Other agencies involved in this program are Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Unit 6, Agricultural Training Institute, Western Visayas Agriculture Resources Research Development Consortium, Kabankalan City and its city agriculturist office, and Brgy. Camingawan.*LTG

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/October/27/businessnews1.htm

national guard

October 27th, 2010, 10:04 PM

^^
(add ko lang sir Linguine):)

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/nationalguard_ssc/for%20SSC%202/amybesatalkcopy.jpg

source (http://negrosmuseum.blogspot.com/)

national guard

October 28th, 2010, 05:40 AM

Ethanol producer wants 20% tariff on imported ethanol (http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=20109)

ETHANOL producers are proposing a policy framework to allow them to become more competitive against foreign suppliers.

Jose Maria T. Zabaleta, chairman of San Carlos Bioenergy, Inc., told reporters the Philippines should adopt the policy of Thailand, which imposes a 20% tariff on imported ethanol as well as price caps.

“We’re not really looking for more incentives. The policy framework ... is something that may be looked at,” said Mr. Zabaleta.

He noted that Thailand still produces ethanol even if prices of sugar are going up.

If the government fixes the price of ethanol, “it also protects the consumer and acts as a safety net for producers,” he added.

Ethanol producers are calling for an increase in ethanol tariffs to 20%-30% from just 10%.

Mr. Zabaleta had said expansion plans of San Carlos Bioenergy were halted because of losses in running the ethanol plant. The firm blames the preference of oil companies for cheaper ethanol from Brazil.

Local ethanol producers are still reeling from losses despite a law requiring oil firms to mix all gasoline sold at the pumps with 5% ethanol.

By February next year, fuel stations must increase the ethanol blend to 10% from 5% under Republic Act No. 9367 or the 2006 Biofuels Act. Under Section 5.2 of the Biofuels Act, oil companies are allowed to import ethanol in the first four years of implementation.

The Department of Energy, which is proposing changes to the law to allow oil firms to import the shortfall in local ethanol supply, could not be reached for comment.

The installed capacity of the country’s bioethanol plants is around 80 million liters -- split between San Carlos Bioenergy and Roxol Bioenergy, Inc. Other companies are planning to open ethanol plants next year. These are Green Futures, Inc., Cavite Biodiesel, and a biodiesel plant in Pampanga which will provide an additional 68 million to 80 million liters.

Mr. Zabaleta said the proposed policy framework should not be viewed as protection for the local biofuel industry, but for local farmers.

“All agricultural products have a protection. Protectionism is a good word if you’re a Filipino, especially when [it involves] critical products,” Mr. Zabaleta said. -- Emilia Narni J. David

national guard

October 28th, 2010, 05:42 AM

P2.4B kasla investment set for production of oil, power (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/October/28/topstory5.htm)
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Up to P2.4 billion is set to be invested in the planting of jatropha and the building of a plant at the Bacolod reclamation area, Mario Macainan, president and chief executive officer of Kasla Energy Philippines, said yesterday.

Macainan, the German investors, Land Bank of the Philippines director Tommy de Leon and Nena de Leon presented the jatropha business venture in Negros Occidental to Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. at the Capitol.

Macainan said P2.4 billion will be invested in Negros Occidental for the venture starting this year until 2015. He said the plant to be built will extract oil from jatropha seeds for sale in Europe and generate power for Negros.

“We will push for the planting of jathropha throughout Negros Occidental,” he said.

Jatropha curcus is a drought-resistant perennial that grows well in marginal or poor soil. It grows relatively quickly producing seeds for as long as 50 years, the Jatropha World website at http://www.jatrophabiodiesel.org says.

Jatropha produces seeds with oil and its by-product – press cake is good for organic fertilizer, it adds.

“While we are exporting the jathropa oil, we will also be giving sustainable livelihood to farmers, provide reforestation and build up watersheds,” Macainan said.

He said their Kasla Group is part of the United Nations environment program.

Macainan pointed out that jatropha holds more water, unlike eucalyptus trees that absorb a lot of water.

To produce power one has to cut a eucalyptus tree, while with jatropha one only has to harvest its seeds, he said, making the procedure more ecologically friendly.

Their group has already coordinated with the LBP to finance farmers who are part of cooperatives in the planting of jatropha, Macainan added.*CPG

national guard

October 28th, 2010, 05:43 AM

Germans push planting of jathropha (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/October/28/topstory6.htm)
BY LISA GAPAC

Investors from the Kasla Group Germany yesterday promoted the investment opportunities in the cultivation of Jatropha for the province of Negros Occidental at a seminar held at the Bacolod Pavillon Hotel and Resort in Bacolod City.

KGG chief executive officer Juergen Unfried said kasla, or the “seed of hope,” has high value of energy and high content of oil that makes it a good substitute for fuel and is friendly to the environment. It is also non-edible to both human and animals, he added.

Unfried said this is a good venture for the province because it can provide sustainable livelihood, reduce global warming, and is a good source of renewable energy.

He also explained the planting system of kasla. The planters do not have to replant after every harvest. “This is a ‘one time’ planting because it can provide sustainable and predictable income in the next 50 years,” Unfried said.

The planting and the propagation period does not require much fertilization, but if the farmers want to have a good harvest, kasla has to be cultivated and taken care of. On the third year after plantation, it is ready for harvest, Unfried said.

The plant is also a good aid for reforestation. It is suitable for marginalized lands and lands that are unused, he said.

Department of Trade and Industry provincial director, Rebecca Rascon, said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources identified eight million hectares of marginal lands in the province that need urgent reforestation.

Rascon said this plant will resolve the problem of soil erosion and can provide good biodiesel and electricity.

Meanwhile, KGG chief finance officer Gert Eckmann said there is a ready market for kasla planters. Germany has been producing biodiesel for transport cars and vehicles, thus, there is a need for more producers of kasla, Eckmann said.

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia also assured the Germen investors of the city’s willingness to be a part of the investment. The city is willing to coordinate in the project because this will give investors a picture of how business prospects come to Bacolod.

Meanwhile, Bacolod City agriculturist Goldwin Nifras said his initial estimate shows that the city has around 1000 hectares of marginal lands in Alangilan, Granada, and Cabug-cabug.

The investment is great, but a system has to be devised so that local planters will be encouraged to plant. The viability of planting kasla has to be identified, apart from the economic gain, Nifras said.

Nifras also said this might be a major shift for the planters and might require more laborers, but the investors have to make sure that the funding is ready because they cannot expect the local planters to provide their own seeds and start everything from scratch.

One of those present, Pedro Agapito, a licensed developer, told the DAILY STAR that he is willing to plant and invest. He also said kasla is easier to plant than sugarcane because it is not labor intensive.

Also present yesterday were Financial Market Partners CEO Heinz Nemmert, FMP Bethmann Bank Mortiz von Bethmann, CEO KenPhil, Inc. Mario Macainan, Land Bank national director Tommy de Leon, and Bacolod Chinese Chamber of Commerce president Roberto Montelibano.

Representatives of local government units, private organizations, and non-government organizations, as well as engineers and planters, attended the event.*LTG

national guard

October 28th, 2010, 05:44 AM

Company for women opens Bacolod branch (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/October/28/people.htm)

The packaging makeover of Cebu-based GT Cosmetics has led to a rapid expansion of its market foothold in central and southern Philippines in just two months even as its products like its bleaching soap continues to gain positive reviews online, a press release from the firm said.

GT Cosmetics that began as a backyard industry in Liloan town, Cebu, is facing more intense and aggressive competition from more established giants based at the National Capital Region.

“Our company is like David going against Goliath when we started venturing into markets outside Cebu,” Leonora Salvane, owner and national sales manager of GT Cosmetics, said in the press release.

Salvane recalled that for a long time, the company relied on word of mouth to let people know how effective GT products are, like its carrot soap and bleaching soap. While the company has built a solid customer base in Cebu, the company looked forward to expansion beyond the island’s borders.

Salvane said it is clear that they could not match the immense resources their competitors are pouring into their marketing campaigns especially expensive television advertisements.

Salvane said the company decided on generating publicity in key urban centers in neighboring Visayas islands and Mindanao around its use of a more hip packaging.

The company’s marketing program started to revolve around product launches using its new packaging in key urban centers in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Because Watsons and Robinsons have begun displaying GT products, a product launch is being planned in Metro Manila.

“Our publicity approach around our new packaging proved to be very effective in attracting attention to our products,” Salvane said and pointed to news reports about the public acceptance of GT Cosmetics lines in Davao City and other major urban centers in the Visayas and Mindanao.

“Our sales force tells me many are repeat buyers. These are people who are convinced after using our products,” Salvane said.

Online, GT users are even becoming evangelists by posting positive reviews in their blogs and various online discussion groups, she also said.*

Linguine

October 29th, 2010, 07:50 AM

IN FIRST 100 DAYS
Guv sets P489M to boost
health care, food security
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. reported yesterday that in the first 100 days of his administration P489 million was allocated for numerous programs for Negrenses, with emphasis on optimum health care and food security that he called “the essentials of life.”

“We are determined to reduce poverty in the countryside and to put in place more interventions to address it,” Marañon stressed in his first 100 days report to the people of Negros Occidental.

The 30-minute report was delivered at an alliance building workshop for the province organized by the provincial government and the Department of Interior and Local Government at the Natures Village Resort in Talisay City attended by provincial officials and all of the mayors of Negros Occidental.

Marañon said that, in order to provide the poorest of the poor financial access in times of sickness, the provincial government enrolled more than 70,000 indigent Negrenses under the sponsored program of PhilHealth and paid their premiums amounting to P33.5 million.

The provincial government also launched the Negros Occidental Comprehensive Health Program that seeks to provide comprehensive health care to all Negrosanons, in full cooperation of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan headed by Vice Governor Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr. and in partnership with Representatives Alfredo Marañon III (2nd District), Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (3rd District), Jeffrey Ferrer (4th District) and Mercedes Alvarez (6th District), he said.

Eight hundred families from the four districts composed the first batch of beneficiaries, he said, adding that 14,200 more are being processed for enrolment this year. The target next year is to reach 150,000 beneficiaries with the participation of the first and fifth congressional district, too, he added.

Marañon also said more than P46 million was spent for the renovation, expansion and upgrading of district hospitals while P11.43 million was allocated for the purchase of medical, dental and laboratory supplies and equipment in Negros Occidental.

He cited major renovations at the Valeriano Gatuslao Memorial Hospital in Himamaylan City and Valladolid District Hospital, and the earmarking of P80 million to renovate the Don Salvador Benedicto Memorial Hospital in La Carlota City and the Cadiz District Hospital.

Additional nursing staff was also provided to the provincial and district hospitals where close to 45,000 patients were served from July to September this year, he added.

Marañon reiterated that the provincial government is upgrading the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital into a tertiary hospital, which means an increase in its bed capacity from 100 to 250, with construction expected to start before the year ends. It will cost P107 million, he said.

Also to be constructed is a 64-bed capacity hospital in Sipalay City to cater to local residents and tourists, he said, noting that Rep. Alvarez has pledged a P10 million counterpart for the building.

To ensure a stead supply of blood, Marañon said the provincial government has also tied up with the Department of Health for the establishment of a P15 million Negros Occidental Blood Center to be located on a provincial-government property within Bacolod City.

FOOD SECURITY

Marañon also stressed that the advantage of Negros Occidental lies in its agriculture-based economy.

“We are aggressively pursuing programs maximizing agricultural productivity to achieve food sufficiency, with an allocation of P120 million”, he said.

He cited the thrust of the provincial government toward strengthening the province’s livestock industry with the recent infusion of 100 heads Brahman cattle from Saranggani and 70 heads pregnant Holstein Fresian Sahiwal cattle from New Zealand for breeding, fattening and dairy programs.

The provincial government also allotted P20 million for certified rice and hybrid corn seeds, and fertilizer for farmers, he said.

This has brought the provinces rice sufficiency level to 95 percent in spite of the climatic challenges, with the target to reach 100 percent, he added.

OTHER PRIORITIES

Marañon said 14 percent of the provincial funds or close to P67 million were also allocated for various social services projects. The figure does not include almost P65 million the province got mostly from the Department of Social Welfare and Development Regional Office for various social services projects, he added.

Marañon also bared the commitment of Environment Secretary Ramon Paje to provide funds for the maintenance of the Sagay Marine Reserve, which the DENR has not done in the past.

Through the Provincial School Board the Negros Occidental provincial government has also allocated P36 million from the Special Education Fund for various projects in his first 100 days in office, he also said.

TOURISM

Marañon lauded the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for passing the Provincial Sustainable Tourism Code of 2010, which he said is expected to spur investment, employment and growth.

“We also hope it would stimulate an enhanced sense of pride for the Negrosanon culture and heritage,” he added.

The code would put to test our potential for a collaborative undertaking as it calls for the creation of a private sector-led Provincial Tourism Council, he added.

ECONOMIC DEV’T

Marañon said the provincial government is also determined to increase local revenue utilizing its corporate personality.

The provincial government has negotiated the turnover of the Paglaum Sports Complex back to the provincial government, he said.

“Our plan is to develop the property into a call center and dormitory for college students, especially the provincial scholars,” the governor said.

An additional P15 million has also been invested for the further development of Mambukal Resort in Murcia, he said.

“If we could put in more money into the resort, which is one of our profitable economic enterprise undertakings, we will construct a hotel and various recreation and entertainment centers,” he added.

The provincial government has also allocated P30 million to reinvent its “pala pala” in Bacolod City into a Negros Food Terminal Market-cum-Trading Post where the public cab buy fresh fish, meat, vegetables and fruits, he added.

Marañon also commended Rep. Benitez for recently initiating a Negros Economic Summit to provide inputs for the revitalization of the Negros economy.

The governor pointed out that Negros Occidental has the strongest political alliance in the country, its officials should not let the golden opportunity to make a difference for Negros pass now.

He also lauded Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia for the successful staging of the recent MassKara Festival.*CPG

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/October/29/topstory1.htm

Linguine

October 29th, 2010, 07:54 AM

DTI to intensify checks
on prices, standards

The Department of Trade and Industry will be stricter in implementing rules and regulations on Christmas decors and firecrackers without product standard marks, Maximo Ravena, DTI chief for consumer welfare and trade regulatory division, said yesterday.

Ravena said this holiday season they will check Christmas lights, fireworks, and other noche buena traditional food products.

In previous years, he said, there were not many violators in Negros Occidental and he hopes that it will be the same this year.

“When it comes to firecracker producers, we still do not have a licensed manufacturer in the province but we have one pending application that is currently being evaluated by the DTI,” Ravena said. He added that they have to be strict about explosive entertainment because it involves the safety and welfare of consumers.

Meanwhile, the DTI and the price-monitoring unit of Bacolod City yesterday conducted a saturation drive as part of the Consumer Welfare month celebration.

The team checked all stores, supermarkets, grocery stores, and the wet market.

Ravena said the monitoring is conducted every now and then to make sure that all the business owners and operators adhere to the fair trade laws on price tags, business names, and compliance with the product standards.*LTG

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/October/29/businessnews1.htm

boy muscovado

October 29th, 2010, 04:45 PM

Those who like it BIG, LONG and YUMMY...DAKO, MALABA, MANANAM!

22nd SAUSAGE HOUSE
The Village Residencies, 22nd Street, Bacolod City

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1156/5125434299_d2f96993c5.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5125434299/)
.22 sausage haouse (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5125434299/) by Niki Chaiwala (http://www.flickr.com/people/stdominicmd/), on Flickr
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1335/5125434139_62840e3960.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5125434139/)
.22 sausage deli bar (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5125434139/) by Niki Chaiwala (http://www.flickr.com/people/stdominicmd/), on Flickr
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1123/5126040770_4edfd6ac81.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5126040770/)
.22nd sausage deli girls (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stdominicmd/5126040770/) by Niki Chaiwala (http://www.flickr.com/people/stdominicmd/), on Flickr

After the Pizza's (Mama Maria, Papa Giorgio, Greenoz, Pizzas) and the Burgers (Hungry Pete's, Crave, Kuppa, Bob's, Roli's), here comes the SAUSAGES...IMBISS, SANDER'S and 22nd SAUSAGE HOUSE!!!

national guard

October 29th, 2010, 09:38 PM

P2.4-B jathropa mill set to rise in Bacolod (http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/284934/p24b-jathropa-mill-set-rise-bacolod)
By EDITH B. COLMO and PNA
October 29, 2010, 8:17pm

BACOLOD CITY (PNA) — A German company that specializes in producing fuel from jatropha plant (kasla in the vernacular) and with branch in the Philippines is interested in building a P2.4 billion processing mill here that will extract oil from kasla seeds, and export it to Europe and other parts of the world.

Mario Macainan, president and chief executive officer of Kasla Energy Philippines, said the demand for oil from jatropha seeds is becoming bigger in Europe.

He said one-third of oil from jatropha seeds will be exported while the two-thirds will be used here for power generation to augment the oil supply as a solution to the power shortage problems in Negros Occidental.

"While we are doing this for oil exploration, we will also provide sustainable livelihood to our people," he said.

"Kasla Group is a member of the United Nations Environment Program. While we are conducting oil exploration, we will reforest the area and build watersheds," he said.

Macainan and several Germans from the Kasla Group met with Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. recently to inform him of their plans to build a jatropha plant here.

"Based on our Letter of Intent to the governor, the Kasla Group will build a processing plant for jatropha oil in the Bacolod Reclamation Area with an initial budget of P180 million," Macainan said.

"The following year, it’s going to be P240 million, and until 2015 our total investments will be about P2.4 billion," he said.

The Kasla Group is composed of Kasla Energy Philippines, Kasla Milling GMBH , and Kasla Trading GMBH – both of Germany, he said.

Kasla Philippines will buy the jatropha seeds from Negrense farmers, while Kasla Milling will provide the infrastructures and equipment for the extraction of oil from jatropha seeds, with Kasla Trading to engage in the export of the said product to Europe, Macainan explained.

"We have already coordinated with Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP). They will finance the kasla farmers, mostly the cooperative members, to cultivate jatropha plants. We are going to buy seeds from these farmers," he said.

Meanwhile, Macainan said jatropha is more ecologically safe than eucalyptus as the latter has to be cut to extract oil, while the former needs only to extract oil from its fruits.

Linguine

November 2nd, 2010, 05:58 AM

Mambukal Mountain Resort
Negros Occidental

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Linguine

November 2nd, 2010, 06:20 AM

Mambukal Dipping Pool.....

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Linguine

November 2nd, 2010, 06:32 AM

around Mambukal.....

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Bats

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Linguine

November 2nd, 2010, 07:53 AM

Sweet Greens
Bacolod City

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pasalubong

Linguine

November 2nd, 2010, 08:55 AM

SM City
Bacolod

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opening day of new store all flip flops

Linguine

November 2nd, 2010, 03:56 PM

bad news....:(

Ethanol Firm Lays Off 86 Workers Due to Losses

* Edgar Cadagat
* San Carlos City
* Negros Business

By Edgar Cadagat

The ethanol manufacturing firm, Bio-Energy, Inc., faces a double whammy as it faces the prospect of being sued by workers who were dismissed soon after the management announced that it was stopping production as it was losing by as much as P15M monthly as its cost of production is higher than the price of the product it sells to oil companies which by law, are duty-bound to buy a percentage of the ethanol it needs as mixes in oil products. Laid-off were 86 workers, San Carlos City Vice-Mayor Eduardo Quisumbing said in an interview with ABS-CBN.

The ethanol company management earlier stressed that oil companies have been buying its ethanol mix from cheaper imports, primarily in Brazil. Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, contrary to her commitment before the establishment of the ethanol-producing firm, the first in Asia, failed to ink an executive order imposing a 20 percent tariff on imported ethanol. This resulted in the imports costing cheaper than that of the same product produced in the country.

It also happened that sugar prices rose several times higher in the domestic market and in the world market, with the cost of sugarcane also higher thus, resulting in higher production cost.

There was no way that the company could make substantial profits and was, therefore, forced to close for now. The Northern Negros City’s second-ranking official likened the workers’ plight to the closure of the once vibrant San Carlos Milling Company years ago, displacing many workers who had no choice, but to engage in other livelihood undertakings such as pedicab and tricycle drivers, for survival’s sake.

The prospects of ethanol production opened high hopes as did the production of jatropha, a few days ago during a meeting in Bacolod City

Sugar industry expert Archie Amarra said in an interview recently that the ethanol industry’s prospects were in the future and not now, where, incidentally prices of sugar are at an all-time high.*

http://www.ndb-online.com/oct3010/negros-local-news/Ethanol+Firm+Lays+Off+86+Workers+Due+to+Losses

Linguine

November 2nd, 2010, 04:28 PM

Peso to hold jobs fair on Nov. 4
By Carla N. Canet

BACOLOD City’s Public Employment Services Office (Peso), in cooperation with ABS-CBN Bacolod and Robinsons’ Place Bacolod, will hold its 9th Jobs Fair on November 4, 2010 at the Fountain Area, Robinsons Mall.

Peso manager Moises dela Cruz said that there will be 15 overseas agencies and 20 local companies, which will participate in the Jobs Fair to hire nurses for Singapore and Middle East, service crew, restaurant supervisors, engineers, plumbers, accounting clerk, cashiers, Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) related works, welders and other skilled works.

Dela Cruz expects around 3,000 applicants to come to the jobs fair at 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.

He urged the applicants to bring numerous copies of their resumes, transcript of records, diploma, photocopied passport and other requirements for submission to different hiring agencies.

“This is the 9th jobs fair for the year. At least 30 percent to 40 percent are usually hired, depending on their experience. One of the most sought after jobs is Hotel and Restaurant Management–related work,” he said.

“I invite those who are qualified to come and try their luck in the 9th and last jobs fair for this year which is organized by PESO office in cooperation with Robinsons and ABS-CBN Bacolod. It’s your chance to work either locally or overseas. We are here to help and assist the applicants until they find the right jobs for them,” dela Cruz added.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/local-news/peso-hold-jobs-fair-nov-4

Linguine

November 3rd, 2010, 05:57 AM

repost....

Miren Desserts Cafe

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1238/5139277115_a3160ce7ab.jpg

Cafe interior
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Cakes display
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Red Velvet
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Red Velvet Slice
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Cafe Latte
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Carrot Cake
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/5140973943_974236cfdf.jpg

Cafe Americano
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/5141586322_4c5b4f1cc1.jpg

Linguine

November 3rd, 2010, 06:01 AM

repost...

Jacopo

Babaganoush, Chile con Carne and Hummus with Pita Bread
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Lamb Kebabs with Saffron Rice
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Tandoori Chicken Kebabs with Saffron Rice
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Hummus and Pita Bread
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1054/5139980374_04d42ce7b3.jpg

US Angus Beef Kebabs with Saffron Rice
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/5139983562_cac5e9e12b.jpg

Mediterranean Grilled Chicken with Saffron Rice
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4040/5139371989_7d0f696e52.jpg

Linguine

November 3rd, 2010, 06:03 AM

repost....

Totosan

Fried Maki
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1089/5139931574_7924f1cc06.jpg

Masskara Maki
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Linguine

November 3rd, 2010, 06:26 AM

Felicia's

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Linguine

November 3rd, 2010, 06:33 AM

Totosan at Sweet Greens

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Ebi Tempura

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Chahan

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Chicken Terriyaki

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Donburi Tartoro

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Fried Maki

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Masskara Maki

Linguine

November 3rd, 2010, 08:59 AM

Aquino’s agenda to be presented in Negros

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

ECONOMIC managers will present President Benigno Aquino III’s economic agenda, including Public-Private Partnership (PPP) infrastructure projects worth P127.8 billion, during their visit in Negros Occidental.

Frank Carbon, president of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), said President Aquino’s scheduled visit here has been re-scheduled next week.

He said local concerns must be presented to the President so that the province could also get a share on the P127.8 billion PPP infrastructure projects.

Based on the initial list, Negros was not among the recipients of the identified projects for the said funding requirements.

Although the presidential visit was postponed twice, Carbon said he is confident that the President will surely come to Negros this time because the province is the next stop in his regular consultation on PPP projects nationwide.

The first two meetings were already held in Cebu and Davao.

Negros is next, said Carbon.

The economic managers who are expected to come to the province with the President will be headed by Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima who chairs the economic team.

Other members include National Economic Development Authority (Neda) Secretary Cayetano Paderanga Jr., Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Armando Tetangco Jr., Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, and Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras.

The economic managers are set to hold a briefing with the province’s business group at L’Fisher Hotel where President Aquino is set to deliver a message.

Paderanga will provide the overview on the government’s economic agenda while Purisima will discuss the fiscal position of the government.

According to Carbon, the business group will present to the economic managers and the President the different concerns in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City.

Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) president Edward Gasambelo will present the need of Negros for a 100-megawatt power plant to ensure power stability. By 2014, it is projected that we will have a worse power problem if we could not have a province-based power plant, Carbon said.

Former councilor Jocelle Batapa-Segue will present the status of the Business Process Outsourcing industry in the province; Dr. Carmen Benares will present the status of the small and medium-scale enterprises; and, Sugar Board member Archie Amarra will present the bio-fuel concerns.

Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) regional governor for Western Visayas Roberto Montelibano will present the dialogue report to President Aquino.

Aquino is also set to hold another meeting with the local officials headed by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr at Nature’s village Hotel and Restaurant in Talisay City.

The inputs during the first Negros Economic Summit initiated by third district Representative Albee Benitez last October 20 and other concerns, particularly on the sugar industry, will also be presented to the President. (Teresa Ellera-Dulla)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/local-news/aquino-s-agenda-be-presented-negros

Linguine

November 3rd, 2010, 09:16 AM

IN SILAY
Eco-adventure to
protect flora, fauna

A 34-kilometer run called “Patag Eco-Adventure Endurance Challenge” from Cinco de Noviembre Marker up to Patag Tourism Center will highlight the Silay Cinco de Noviembre celebration on Friday, a press release from Silay City, in Negros Occidental said.

Mayor Jose Montelibano said this run is for the environment because of the need to protect the flora and fauna in Patag, as part of the Negros Forest Reserve.

Montelibano added that other government agencies should help Silay City in concreting farm to market road which connects Patag to the highway, the press release said.

Dr. Bob Ledesma, Councilor Uldarico Penuela, Ver Pacete, Leo Canson and Bebing Gamboa are coordinating the activity, in coordination with Efren Dequilla, Renato Palermo, Joedith Gallego, Noel Ayalin and Milagros Catalan, the press release said.

Also involved in the activity are Supt. Jerry Bartolome, Sonia Cordero, and Dr. Sabina Damaso who are tasked for traffic and safety, first aid and transportation, it added.

Iloilo runners joining the challenge are the groups of Mayor Patrick Jed Mabilog, Dick Pison’s Iloilo Oval Runners’ Club, Philip Chua’s New Society Commercial Runners, Joemarie Layson’s Iloilo Beautiful and Handsome Runners, and Boyet Rentoy’s Pro-Sports Iloilo, the press release said.

Each finisher will receive a “Patag Conqueror’s Medal” and a “Rebolusyonaryo for the Environment” t-shirt while standing on heroes’ peak in front of Patag Tourism Center.

The Liga Ng Mga Barangay members in the areas covered by the run will be out in the roadside to offer buko juice and steamed root crops to the participants, the press release said.

Organizers are expecting 50 to 100 participants consisting of doctors, lawyers, businessmen and professional lawyers, the press release added.*

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/November/03/starlife.htm

Linguine

November 4th, 2010, 08:30 AM

Firm seeks mining
exploration permit
BY GILBERT BAYORAN

Another Manila-based mining company has applied for a permit before the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Mines and Geosciences Bureau for a two-year mining exploration work, to cover 4,722 hectares, in six barangays of Sipalay City and Cauayan, in Negros Occidental.

The proponent, BF Mining Corporation, stressed in its environmental work program, a copy of which furnished to the Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan that the project is basically mineral exploration, with the objective of identifying and delineating metallic minerals deposit with the proposed contract area, and to develop it for commercial utilization.

The estimated budget for a two-year exploration work program was placed at P5.1 billion. The amount of P510,000 has been set aside for any environmental protection and management measures, the mining company said.

The project site is located in the barangays of Cartagena, San Jose, Maricalum, Canturay and Cabadiangan in Sipalay City, and in the barangays of Bulata, Buclao and Camalandaan, in Cauayan, Negros Occidental.

Two other mining companies have previously initiated mining exploration activities in the Sipalay and Hinobaan areas, in search for copper, gold, silver and other mineral deposits.*GPB

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/November/04/topstory9.htm

Linguine

November 4th, 2010, 08:39 AM

dapat may corresponding improvement ang ciudad sa ila services like garbage collection, more traffic signal lights, asphalt overlay sa mga dalanon, designation of tourist police, more street lights, new and clean public markets, early completion of north and south bus terminals, etc, etc.....

MBCCI backs proposed
Revised Revenue Code

The president of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry said they have nothing against the proposed Revised Revenue Code of Bacolod City as long as the taxes paid by the taxpayers will redound to basic services.

MBCCI president Frank Carbon yesterday said this will also mean an improvement of the business climate in the city.

He said that, according to Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Region VI governor, Roberto Montelibano, they expect that an increase in taxes will mean an increase in basic services.

“We businessmen, we are willing to pay the right taxes as long as it is not exorbitant, meaning it should be comparable to other class B cities. Because if our taxes are too high, no investment will come in,” he added.

Carbon said they are in favor of increasing taxes because they know that it will mean improvement of services like peace and order, traffic lights, garbage collection, clean markets, and hopefully, the city can put up its own hospital which is needed, since the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital is too crowded.

Councilor Al Victor Espino said they will send the MBCCI copies of the proposed Revised Revenue Code in advance so that when they conduct committee hearings next week, they will know how much they are going to pay and give their thoughts on the new tax rate.

The Technical Working Group presented to the members of the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod yesterday the proposed Revised Revenue Code so they will understand and dissect the Tax Code, he said.

Espino, who heads the TWG, said they have tackled the salient points of the Tax Code yesterday and they will continue the rates for businesses and expect to conclude it today, since they have already published the notices in the newspaper for the schedules of committee hearings for the Tax Code on November 8-10 for the business sector, and other stakeholders.

He reiterated that the city’s Revenue Code has not been revised for 17 years and there are some items in it that are flawed.

Espino said they will try to correct these flaws in the exiting Tax Code because, according to the City Treasurer, instead of being progressive, it is regressive.

He cited that, instead of paying higher taxes if one’s income is increasing, the reverse is happening and this is one of the flaws they want to correct.

Espino also cited for example that Bacolod’s twin city, Iloilo City’s interpretation of their Tax Ordinance is 81 percent of one percent while Bacolod is starting with 50 plus 1 percent of 1 percent, which is the lowest in the tax table.

Present during the presentation of the proposed Revised Tax Code were Councilors Caesar Distrito, Em Legaspi-Ang, El Cid Familiaran, Archie Baribar, Catalino Alisbo, Sonya Verdeflor, Homer Bais and Roberto Rojas.*CGS

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/November/04/businessnews1.htm

Linguine

November 4th, 2010, 08:41 AM

Agri-livestock
project signing held
BY LISA GAPAC

A ceremonial signing on Sustainable Agri-Livestock Techno Park project of the Province of Negros Occidental together with University of the Philippines Los Baños, UP La Granja, and UPLB Alumni Association- Negros Occidental Chapter is set today at UP La Granja in La Carlota City.

Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Renato Decena said the signing is in line with the Negros First Priority Development Agenda of Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. to intensify the cattle and livestock industry in the province.

Abner Jardinico, San Enrique Vice Mayor and UPLB Alumni Association-Negros Occidental Chapter president, said this will serve as a training ground for students to learn more about agriculture.

UPLB chancellor Luis Rey Velasco, UPLB agriculture dean Domingo Angeles, and Gov. Alfredo Marañon, with the project partners, are attending the ceremonial signing.*LTG

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/November/04/businessnews4.htm

Linguine

November 4th, 2010, 08:45 AM

Mall sets simultaneous
opening of Christmas

SM City Bacolod, together with 39 SM malls in the country, will hold a simultaneous opening of the Christmas celebration, at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Northwing Event Centre of the mall, a press release from SM-Bacolod said.

Themed “'Tis a Joyful Season at SM Supermalls,” the event will be highlighted by the performance of various choral groups in Bacolod and Negros Occidental, who will sing the new SM Christmas ChriSMs jingle which will be played in all SM Supermalls nationwide.

A total of 30 children-beneficiaries from the Home of Hope will be treated to a day filled with entertainment and gift-giving. The public is invited to donate new and old toys and cash, as well, for these children, the press release said.

There will also be a ceremonial switch-on of Christmas light at the mall and unveiling of live Santa Claus who will meet and greet SM shoppers particularly children. Provincial and city government officials and non-government leaders are also invited to the launch, the press release added.*

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/November/04/people.htm#people2

Linguine

November 5th, 2010, 09:08 AM

Food Processing, Livelihood Skills Training Set Here

* Alfredo Marañon
* Bacolod City News
* Negros Business

More food processing and livelihood skills trainings will be conducted by the Home Management and Nutrition Division of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) at its Demo Farm at the back of the Provincial Capitol Building along Gatuslao Street in Bacolod City.

Provincial Nutrition Coordinator Ma. Teena Acebedo said Fish Tocino and Fish Crackers Making is set November 8; Quick Ham and Pork Tocino Making - November 15; Vegetables Pickling and Salted Egg Making - November 22; Candles, Soap, and Dishwashing Liquid Making - December 6; and Malunggay Polvoron and Instant Salabat Making - December 13. These trainings, held Mondays at 1:30 p.m., are for all interested parties particularly housewives and rural women planning to start a small business to earn additional income for the family, said Acebedo.

This capacity enhancement project is in support of the Food Security Program of NEGROS FIRST, the priority development agenda of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental under Gov. Alfredo Marañon, Jr. and Vice-Gov. Genaro Alvarez, Jr.

To be more equipped with food processing skills, Home Management and Nutrition Staff were trained on Bangus Deboning and Tilanggit Making. Tilanggit (small dried tilapia) were soaked in brine solution and dried using the all-weather post-harvest Dual Feed Dryer for Fish and Crops devised by the OPA Engineering Division. In October, private individuals and employees of the Provincial Government were also taught how to make Beef Tapa, Fish Tapa, Banana Chips, Banana Marble, and Peanut Butter. * (vishia tolcidas/OPA-FITS-Negros Occidental)

　

Linguine

November 5th, 2010, 09:11 AM

Capitol awards firm as outstanding taxpayer
Friday, November 5, 2010

DESPITE its plant closure in Pulupandan town, Asian Alcohol Corporation (AAC) is recognized by the Provincial Government as one of the outstanding taxpayers in Negros Occidental.

The recognition was made public at the awarding ceremony during the celebration of Cinco de Noviembre.

Other awardees together with AAC in the corporate category are Biscom Inc. in Binalbagan, Tanduay Distillers in Murcia, Victorias Milling Company in Victorias City and Fuel Inc. in Binalbagan.

In the individual category, the awardees are Ma. Antonia Abello of Isabela, Joaquin Bilbao of Hinobaan, Maja Grande Arroyo of La Castellana, Enrique Rojas of Murcia and Atty. Rodolfo Gamboa of E. B. Magalona.

The outstanding Negrense artists are Ma. Cecille Sycangco Ibarrola - Dance, Joel Torre - Theater, Ronnie Lazaro - Cinema, Arch. Ramiro Garcia - Architecture and Allied Arts, Gilopez Kabayao - Music, Rolando Espina - Literature (journalism) and Nuneluncio Alvarado - Visual Arts.

Atty. Jose Maria Valencia, chief of staff of Governor Alfredo Maranon Jr. said the awards are given based on the taxes paid by the companies and the individuals in previous years.

Meanwhile, AAC has asked the Pulupandan Municipal Government to green-light its demolition of its plant, which has been non-operational since its closure on June 2, 2009. The plant was closed due to the municipal government's demand for compliance with pollution control requirements.

Pulupandan Mayor Magdaleno Pena said he would allow the demolition of the plant only if the company pays its tax deficiency amounting to P351 million, based on the current assessment of the municipal and provincial government assessors.

"The company will be given the tax award because, despite the deficiency, AAC still paid a huge amount in taxes. But if they pay their deficiency, the company would be very outstanding," Pena said.

He added that AAC paid a yearly business tax pegged at P4.5 million and another P8 million in real property taxes.

On the other hand, AAC contested the provincial assessor's tax assessment. The protest is now with the Local Board of Assessment Appeal, according to Valencia.
The Local Board of Assessment Appeal is composed of the Provincial Registrar of the Register of Deeds, the Provincial Prosecutor's Office and the Provincial Engineer.

"AAC has correctly and consistently paid its real property tax for the relevant years, pursuant to the real property assessments issued and computed by the Municipal Assessor's Office," AAC lawyer Teddy Esteban Rigoroso said in the company's protest letter.

He stressed that the company has no tax deficiency.

The assessments covering 2005 to 2009 are void and of no legal effect because it covers properties beyond the territorial jurisdiction of the province of Negros Occidental, Rigoroso said.

The value of AAC's properties indicated in its Audited Financial Statements, which was made the basis for determining the assessed value, included AAC properties located in Manila and Cebu City, he added.

He also pointed out that the Notice of Assessment covered anti-pollution machinery and equipment or the biogas plant, which are exempt by law from taxation. (Teresa Ellera-Dulla)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/local-news/capitol-awards-firm-outstanding-taxpayer

Linguine

November 5th, 2010, 09:26 AM

Magnolia Ice Cream adds
sweets to Bacolod City

The favorite ice cream brand of Bacoleños, Magnolia Ice Cream, is now available in the shelves of some supermarkets in Bacolod, a press release from Magnolia said.

Apart from the classic ice creams, Magnolia has introduced new flavors to cater to the different segments and tastes of the market.

It also introduces the No Sugar Added ice cream that comes in Vanilla, Chocolate, Café Latte and Cheese flavors for the healthy and the health conscious.

Also available are the classic (chocolate, vanilla, mocca, mango, strawberry and ube), gold label (double dutch, rocky road, cookies n’ cream, dulce de leche, creamy halohalo, macapuno ube swirl, quezo primero, buko salad royale, choco chip cookie dough, coffee Vienna and buttery sweet corn), limited edition (ube keso, ube leche flan and french vanilla mudpie) and frozen delights, the press release said.*

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/November/05/businessnews3.htm

Linguine

November 5th, 2010, 12:47 PM

repost.....

L'Cafe

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Iced Cafe Latte
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Ham and Egg
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Mocha Frappe
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Pastrami Quesadilla
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Dessert Display
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Linguine

November 6th, 2010, 07:49 AM

650 hectares Negros land
eyed for Kasla production

About 650 hectares of land from four places in Negros Occidental will be used for the kasla plantation and oil production of Kasla Energy Philippines in the first quarter of 2011, Kasla Energy Philippines chief executive and president, Mario Macainan, said.

Macainan said they hope to start the project next year together with the company’s financed plantation in Moises Padilla town.

The Land Bank of the Philippines will be the financial partner of the Kasla Energy and it will assist farmer-beneficiaries in starting plantation, he said.

The cities of Himamaylan with 100 has. and Kabankalan with 150 has., and the towns of Cauayan with 200 has. and Moises Padilla with 400 has. will be the prime places for the kasla plantation, he said.

The farmers under the Renewable Energy Livelihood Development Foundation Inc. will be the first planters particularly in Moises Padilla and Cauayan, Macainan also said.

The group is also negotiating with Cadiz City as one of their prospect producers of kasla seed with its 1,050 has. of kasla plantation.

Macainan also said that they already have a ready market in Germany for 18 years. It means the farmers are socially benefited, and the project is economically and ecologically sustainable, he added.

They are eyeing the 86,000 has. in the province, but Macainan said this is only three percent of what is needed by the market in Germany, and that is why they are continuously looking for planters and investors willing to provide the plantations needed for the big market.*LTG

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/November/06/businessnews3.htm

Linguine

November 6th, 2010, 07:51 AM

City to hold public forum
on Revised Revenue Code

Public hearings and consultations with different sectors in Bacolod City will be held next week on the proposed Revised Revenue Code, Bacolod Councilor Caesar Distrito said yesterday.

The Technical Working Group, composed of the local finance committee, had conducted a technical briefing with members of the SP last week so they will understand better the 1993 Tax Code compared to the proposed new Tax Code, Distrito said.

He said they have also requested the City Treasurer to provide them a table of comparison on the 1993 Tax Code and the new Code so they will be able to explain to the public why there is a need for some changes to be made on the 17-year-old Tax Code of Bacolod City.

The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod has passed on first reading a proposed ordinance approving the Revised Revenue Code of Bacolod City, and will pass it on second reading after the consultations and public hearings, Distrito said.

Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Frank Carbon had said earlier that they have nothing against the proposed Revised Revenue Code of Bacolod City as long as the taxes paid by the taxpayers will redound to basic services.

He said they are willing to pay the right taxes as long as they are not exorbitant.*CGS

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/November/06/businessnews1.htm

national guard

November 6th, 2010, 11:53 AM

Bacolod City and Negros Occidental Residential Communities and Transient Accommodations thread migs :)

We should keep Bacolod's name since were the center of our province
___________________________________________________________________
^^ Just noticed, gin-islan na gali sang our Mods ang thread name!:)
Much better lang tani if gin-retain ang Bacolod City, IMO.:)

national guard

November 7th, 2010, 07:17 AM

Posted by blueguy
( from the main thread )

Mambukal 2010

http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/9155/mambukal4.jpg (http://img560.imageshack.us/i/mambukal4.jpg/)

http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/104/mambukal1.jpg (http://img577.imageshack.us/i/mambukal1.jpg/)

http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/6443/mambukal14.jpg (http://img844.imageshack.us/i/mambukal14.jpg/)

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/61/mambukal12.jpg (http://img209.imageshack.us/i/mambukal12.jpg/)

Linguine

November 8th, 2010, 06:14 AM

Golez bares accomplishments,
modernization of CLMMRH
BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO

Bacolod Rep. Anthony Golez Jr. bared his accomplishments and priorities for Bacolod City which includes the modernization of the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital and the establishment of a proposed Mariculture Park in Banago, in his first 100 days in office report Friday.

The solon delivered his report before the Rotary Club of Bacolod- East led by Degaulle Geolingo at L’Fisher Hotel, which was attended by officials of the Department of Health led by regional director Dr. Ariel Valencia, Philippine Ports Authority and city officials led by Bacolod Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson.

Golez, a medical doctor by profession, said that after he had served at the CLMMRH in 2000, it has been his advocacy to make sure that its condition will be changed for the better.

He said that for this year, the DOH will provide P343 million for its implementation, although all the funding requirement for the modernization of the CLMMRH is already there.

Golez presented the new layout of the CLMMRH which showed the 250-bed Mother and Child Building to be solely dedicated for pregnant women and for nursery, the Heritage building, which will be maintained and renovated in cooperation with the National Historical Commission; the 6-storey East Tower building that will house surgical patients and the operating rooms;

The 6-storey West Tower for the ICU, pediatrics, medical and diagnostics; the Laboratory and Payward building, which is about to be finished; Medical Arts Training Center for doctors and nurses where they will put up a commercial space so the hospital can have a rental income; a two-storey Emergency Room building, and a satellite office for the DOH.

“These are not just plans but these are plans being implemented right now,” Golez said.

He said the Mother and Child Building will be finished in September 2011, the Payward Building in January and the West Tower on November 2011.

Golez said the daily patient census of the CLMMRH is 850 a day, so in order to decongest the hospital they are constructing three lying-in or Mother and Child Health Care facilities, to address simple cases and normal delivery, in Barangays Granada, Banago and Pahanocoy this year.

The DOH will provide birthing facilities in the lying-in facilities which will be PhilHealth accredited, he said.

Golez said the Department of Public Works and Highways will put up the first flyover in Bacolod this month and design also three landmarks in the boundary of Talisay and Bacolod.

Included in his program for infrastructure is the renovation of port terminal and the construction of two RO-RO facilities in Banago early next year, he said.

Golez said Bacolod might have a public port after Negros Navigation turned over the expired foreshore lease agreement to the Philippine Ports Authority Thursday. It is also going to pump in P2 billion to expand the port together with the government, he said.

He has also requested for four Automated Weather Station for Bacolod that can predict when a flashflood will come, Golez said.

The Department of Education will construct four more school buildings in the city which he has requested, he said, adding that he has also requested funding for the repair of each dilapidated school and for scholarships, he said.*CGS

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/November/08/topstory5.htm

Linguine

November 8th, 2010, 06:23 AM

Mariculture project bared

Monday, November 8, 2010
More Sections

REPRESENTATIVE Anthony Golez plans to duplicate mariculture in Bacolod and establish a Techno Demo Mariculture Park in Banago village.

Golez intends to implement the project second week of November, in coordination with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

He will eventually put up 128 fish cages that will raise tiger groupers in the 16 coastal barangays of the city.

Mariculture, according to Golez, is a major industry in Tawi-Tawi, the hometown of his wife Princess Soraya.

It has made Tawi-Tawi very productive, as it is now touted as one of the world’s biggest fishing resources, which exports high valued marine products, he added.

Tawi-Tawi fishermen engaging in mariculture earn as much as P100,000 a month, said Golez.

The introduction of high-value marine culture in Bacolod will improve the fisherfolks’ income from P10,000 to P60,000 a month.

"Our fishermen traditionally go far out to sea to catch fish. With mariculture, we will let the fish come closer to our fishermen," he said.

As to land-based livelihood opportunities, Golez will establish high value organic farming in Barangays Alangilan and Granada to supply Cebu’s need for vegetables.

The ongoing Self Employment Assistance - Kaunlaran (SEA-K) project - administered through the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and which provides qualified residents P5,000 each to start their livelihood undertaking, will still continue.

Golez also assured that the two flyover projects in the city will push through starting November. (Carla N. Canet)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/local-news/mariculture-project-bared

Linguine

November 8th, 2010, 06:25 AM

Low steam delays geothermal work

Monday, November 8, 2010
More Sections

INADEQUATE steam extraction continues to delay the completion of the company’s Northern Negros Geothermal Power Field (NNGPF) at the buffer zone of Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park, a power firm official said.

Retired general Raymundo Jarque, security manager of the Energy Development Corporation (EDC), said EDC wants to get the reaction of the community in Negros about its project.

The company would also like to know the outlook of the province in terms of its power situation, Jarque added.

EDC has invested about P8 billion for the development of the NNGPF, the first renewable power project in the country to operate as a merchant plant under the new electricity environment.

The company remains the country’s largest producer of geothermal energy with an installed capacity of 1,198 megawatts.

In 2005, it accounted for 60 percent of the Philippines’ installed geothermal capacity and contributed approximately 12.4 percent of the country’s installed capacity. (Teresa Ellera-Dulla)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/local-news/low-steam-delays-geothermal-work

Linguine

November 8th, 2010, 06:28 AM

Bank okays Capitol's loan

By Teresa Ellera-Dulla

Monday, November 8, 2010
More Sections

THE Land Bank of the Philippines approved the loan of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental amounting to P1.5 billion to finance projects included in the strategic development plan and annual investment plan.

In a letter to Governor Alfredo Maranon Jr., Freddie Maningo, head of the bank’s Negros Occidental Lending Center, said Land Bank has approved the P1.5 billion loan subject to standard terms and conditions.

The loan will be paid in 10 to 15 years with seven percent interest. (TED)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/local-news/bank-okays-capitols-loan

Linguine

November 8th, 2010, 07:45 AM

Exporters urged to attend
free trade business forum

Twenty local exporters from Negros Occidental have been invited to the forum on “Doing Business in Free Trade Areas” of the Department and Trade and Industry in Iloilo City Friday.

DTI Negros Occidental provincial director Rebecca Rascon said the forum will feature garment exporter Eferma Gonzaga and Philippine Export president Joey Gaston, who will talk on how FTA helped their businesses.

Rascon said FTA helps the local exporters to bring their business to countries abroad with which the Philippines has free trade agreements. Friday’s forum will also give participants ideas on how to sell their products overseas, she said.

The forum will include sessions with the Bureau of Customs and the Tariff Commission. Representatives from the DTI’s Bureau of Export and Trade Promotion and International Trade Relations will also attend the event.

Rascon said, entrepreneurs will to learn how to apply for the Certificate of Origin and be introduced to the procedures in doing business with FTAs and the tariff rates.

The Tariff Commission, DTI, and the BOC answer their queries on tariff rates and export processes for goods under FTAs, she also said.*LTG

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/November/08/businessnews3.htm

Linguine

November 9th, 2010, 05:56 AM

Ayala to Boost Talisay as New Growth Center

* Negros Opinion
* Rolly Espina
* The Monitor

November 9, 2010

Sometimes, we often fail to notice rumors and plans that could affect major changes in our environment. And I think one of these things we had overlooked is the plan by Ayala Corporation to convert Talisay City into a new growth center outside of Bacolod City.

And, I suppose Mayor Eric Saratan is the most eager to see the Ayala dream materialize.

One tip was the fact that Saratan is eager to sponsor the training of Talisay’s qualified candidate for training in IT. That plan should virtually assure Talisay’s organizedmanpower entry into the proposed call centers Ayala intends to put up in Talisay City.

True, the original vision of Bacolod officials was the conversion of Talisay into a residential surburbs of Bacolod City. But it has grown faster than had been anticipated. And the cooperative program of the local officials sort of convinced Ayala that all their future investments will become more profitable if poured into Talisay City.

Silay City already has one call center. And Talisay, if present plans of Ayala will hold true, reportedly may soon find itself clogged by seven such call centers.

That could drown out Bacolod which is already suffering from a dearth of call center agents. Some local agents have gravitated to Manila. Thus, we also have virtually almost 30 percent of those now employed by Bacolod call centers are from Iloilo and other nearby provinces.

This phenomenon has convinced Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. to take advantage of some 20,000 call center agents to accelerate the Provincial call center training program at the Paglaum Sports Complex.

It surprised me. I never had known that the program had been started during the term of former Governor Isidro Zayco, now Kabankalan Mayor.

And the thing that struck me was the fact that a Bacolod call center intends to put up another branch in Kabankalan City. The reason — they know of Ayala’s plan to put up several centers in Talisay City.

And they are also aware that Kabankalan City intends to spend the necessary amount for the training of their "scholars" in English proficiency by the provincial training center at Paglaum.

Incidentally, Chief of Staff Jose Ma. Valencia is the one in charge of the program. And he is determined that per instruction of Gov. Marañon as many local government units and non-government organizations invest in the training program to assure that more Negrenses can avail of the potential employment by call centers.

But for the immediate future, we have ourselves trained on Talisay City and what Ayala intends to do with their investments there. And, by the looks of it, Talisay may soon rival Bacolod City.

But, I have noticed that the first non-government organization to have taken advantage of the provincial training program was Provincial Board member Miller Serondo. He is also president of the Northern Negros Planters associated. And the Board had reportedly signed memorandum of agreement with Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. to send several of their qualified candidates for training at the provincial center at Paglaum Stadium.

Incidentally, that training center is one of the best equipped in the province. It boasts of air-conditioned room for computers as well as an air conditioned dormitory where trainees from outside of Bacolod may stay at the average of only P500 per student per month.

I shall report soon on gains by the province from the program. And, yes, another group which is ready to sign another MOA with the provincial government is the Fabricanian Association, headed by Mrs. Joy Sato, the president.

The Fabricanian officials were enthusiastic to take up the cudgels for the program of the provincial government. For them it represents the hope that many talented youth of the barangay will be eligibly trained for employment by call centers.

In short, that’s the good news for Negros Occidental.*

http://www.ndb-online.com/nov0910/monitor

Linguine

November 9th, 2010, 06:34 AM

Governor: 3 More Investors Eyeing Power Plants in Negros Occidental

By Danny B. Dangcalan

Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said more investors are signifying interest in building power plants in Negros Occidental, with at least three companies having discussed their plans with him recently.

These companies are the Global Power Corporation, the Alto Power Corporation, and the Green Power Philippines, he said.

Last week, Global Power Corporation officials, headed by its president, Art Aguilar, discussed with him their plans, the governor said. They discussed the plan with Pulupandan Mayor Magdaleno Peña, who is supportive of the project, he added.

Marañon said coal-fired power plants are expensive but the reason it is so is that the companies that invest on them are ensuring that they are providing clean power to the people.

Moreover, Alto Power Corp. is also planning to put up a hydroelectric plant here, the governor disclosed.

Alto Power is processing its application with the local government agencies to push through with their project that would tap major rivers in the province, especially Bago River, he said.

Marañon, however, said that as for hydro-power plants, it would require three years for the feasibility study alone, because it would require a longer study.

Meanwhile, Green Power Philippines has also written the governor about its plan of investing into a 35-megawatt biomass power plant in Sagay City, which was endorsed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

Marañon said that David de Montaigne, president of Green Power Philippines, will visit again to discuss about the most appropriate location for their project, meet with potential biomass suppliers here, and discuss the hosting of a public consultation as an information and communication tools for the project, he said. The governor said he was informed by Montaigne that Green Power has already applied for a Renewable Energy Certificate and Operating Contract with the Department of Energy for the project.*

http://www.ndb-online.com/nov0910/negros-local-news/Governor-3+More+Investors+Eyeing+Power+Plants+in+Negros+Occidental

Linguine

November 9th, 2010, 06:45 AM

Visayas coops oppose
Green Core power rates
BY CARLA GOMEZ

The Energy Regulatory Commission has ordered a pre-trial conference and evidentiary hearing on the petition of the Association of Visayas Electric Cooperatives Inc. for arbitration of its Energy Supply Contract dispute with Green Core Geothermal Inc., which it says is charging too much for its power.

The hearing is set at the ERC Hearing Room of the Pacific Center Building at San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City, 2 p.m. Dec. 1, ERC chairperson Zenaida Cruz-Ducut said in her order received by Central Negros Electric Cooperative yesterday.

The electric cooperatives of Negros Island want to buy power from the Green Core Geothermal Inc. in Palinpinon because it is Negros Island- based but it selling at a rate that is too high, CENECO general manager Sulpicio Lagarde said.

The price of geothermal power is supposed to be cheaper than coal but in this case it is not, he said.

Since there is a provision in the Electric Power Industry Reform Act that allows for ERC arbitration if an agreement on rates cannot be reached, we decided to seek its help, he said.

It is not true that we do not want to buy GCGI power, we just cannot agree on its rates, Lagarde said.

AVEC, in its petition, said the controversy started sometime in January 2010 when GCGI initiated the sending of a draft power agreement to the electric cooperatives in the Visayas with expiring National Power Corp. power contacts in 2010.

The electric cooperatives exchanged comments with the CGCI on the provisions of the draft PSA and the most contentious part was the electric energy price it offered at P4.7859 per kWh, AVEC said.

The electric cooperatives in the Visayas have found the energy price offer too high and very difficult to pass on to its electric-member consumers, AVEC said.

AVEC noted that its consumers are expecting lower electricity rates because of the presence of geothermal plants in the area.

The present price offer of GCGI would put the electric cooperatives in a hot-seat situation in justifying such a rate, it said.

In 2009 the electric cooperatives were buying electric energy supply from the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. at a weighted average of P3.56 kWh on time-use-basis and yet still received numerous complaints of high cost of electricity, AVEC said.

So one peso higher than PSALM’s price would probably trigger a chaotic scenario and they would be on the receiving end being the front-liners, AVEC added.

GCGIs energy supply offer was made worst and unacceptable since it only limits its supply to base load requirements of every electric cooperative, it said.

That means the cooperatives have to look for other sources for their mid-peak and-high peak energy requirements, AVEC said.

GCGI is also not even assuring electric cooperatives of energy supply during its 60-day projected maintenance period, AVEC added.

GCGI stands firm on its energy selling price of P4.7859 kWH with a take-it or leave-it attitude, AVEC said.

On the other hand, AVEC has a counter offer to buy the power generated by Palinpinon and Tongonan Geothermal Power Plants at P2.9408 per kWh or at a round off amount of P3, AVEC said.

It said its counter-price offer is anchored on technical considerations that would justify the amount.

In her order, Cruz-Ducut said the AVEC petition was found to be sufficient in form and substance for the holding of a hearing.

ERC directed GCGI to answer the petition within 10 days of receipt of its order.

Manny Candelaria, GCGI steam and power sales manger, last night said “we believe out P4,70 offer to all Negros coops is the lowest. Our current clients agreed to get power from us because of this, the latest of which is NORECO (Negros Oriental Electric Cooperative) II.”*CPG

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/November/09/topstory1.htm

in the end, kaluluoy gid mga consumedor kay ang mga tag iya magan it gid na ya kay ang priority is profit.....dapat damu competensya para indi magsaka tudo ang rates.....:ohno:

national guard

November 10th, 2010, 03:23 PM

[dp]

cords

November 10th, 2010, 04:24 PM

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cords

November 10th, 2010, 04:45 PM

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Linguine

November 11th, 2010, 07:32 AM

Robinsons Place Bacolod

new look Dunkin Donuts..

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Linguine

November 11th, 2010, 08:17 AM

Bistro Negrense

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leche flan

Linguine

November 11th, 2010, 11:13 AM

Japanese contractors
to select Pinoy workers

Twenty-eight contractors from Narita and Tokyo, Japan, will be in Bacolod City on Nov. 12 to 14 for the 18th Construction Field Skill Test of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Province of Negros Occidental.

MBCCI secretary general Jose Ma. Zayco said 36 applicants will be chosen from skilled applicants like cargo handlers, scaffolders, steel fixers, carpenters, mason, and welders.

Zayco also said the Japan delegates will personally screen the applicants and if they pass, they will undergo a 60-day training with MBCCI and the province. The MBCCI will provide the educational instruction for Japanese language and culture, while the province will provide their allowance, he said.

The chamber will also help prepare the applicant’s passport and visa while they undergo the training and the successful ones will have the on-the-job training in Japan for 36 months with $850-1000 monthly allowance.

The screening is open to males, 24 to 34 years old. The testing will be held at the YMCA Gym, Burgos Street, Bacolod City, with the Negros Japan Human Resource Association and the Philippine Japan Skills Training Association supervising it.*LTG

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/November/11/businessnews3.htm

national guard

November 12th, 2010, 04:27 AM

UP, Capitol ink MOA for agri dev't. (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/local-news/capitol-ink-moa-agri-devt)
Friday, November 12, 2010

The Provincial Government, the University of the Philippines (UP) and the UP Los Banos Alumni Foundation of Negros Occidental signed Thursday at the Governor's Office the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for Sustainable Agri-Livestock Technology (SALT) Training and Extension Program for the region.

The program is in support of the agricultural development program to ensure food security under the provincial government's "Negros First" agenda.

The training and extension program of UPLB College of Agriculture will showcase and promote economically and ecologically viable agricultural production practices for demonstration, training, use and eventual transfer of technology to intended communities.

Governor Alfredo Maranon Jr. said the provincial government will provide the financial support for the program as well as identify the program beneficiaries.

UPLB College of Agriculture has research and extension facilities known as the UPLBCA Research and Training Station located in La Granja, La Carlota City. The facilities include training halls, dormitory, animal pens, and 250 hectares of agricultural land.

Under the MOA, the province and UP will jointly implement and support the creation of the province's SALT program through the supervised use and development of the said property.

UP Chancellor Dr. Luis Rey Velasco said the university had offered the same partnership with several Local Government Units (LGUs) in the past. He added that he appreciates Maranon's move for such partnership.

Under the MOA, the Provincial Government shall undertake the construction of necessary additional structures and the rehabilitation and maintenance of existing training halls, dormitory and such other existing facilities at the UPLBCA research and training station.

It shall also provide all the necessary inputs, such as cattle and other livestock, feeds, medicines, machineries, equipments, seeds and other planting materials, fertilizers, and crop protection measures.

Negros Occidental's economy is still agriculture-based. The total family income in the province is P43.6 million, based on the family income and expenditure survey conducted in 2000.

The biggest source of income is "other services" industries with P18.1 million, followed by agriculture with P10.3 million which account for almost 24 percent of the total family income.

Of the 792,607 hectares total land area of Negros Occidental, about 67 percent representing 531,017 hectares is devoted to agriculture. (Teresa Ellera-Dulla)

Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on November 12, 2010.

national guard

November 12th, 2010, 04:28 AM

Capitol to purchase 200 lambs (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/local-news/capitol-purchase-200-lambs)
Friday, November 12, 2010

IN LINE with the strengthening of its food security program through animal dispersal, the Provincial Capitol will purchase 200 heads of Damara Dorper lamb worth P2.5 million from General Santos City.

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Maranon Jr. personally went to General Santos City Tuesday to choose the lambs which is pegged at P12,500 each.

The lambs, which are pure-breed animals from Australia, will arrive in the province in January next year, he added.

Lambs reproduce faster than other animals. Their gestation period takes only five months and they sometimes bear twins. Moreover, they can adjust to the province's weather conditions.

The governor said the lambs will be taken to the animal farm in Barangay Sta. Rosa, Murcia, which was purchased recently by the Provincial Government.

The Provincial Government recently purchased 100 heads of Brahman Heifer cattle, also from General Santos City, and 70 heads of cattle from New Zealand for dairy production. (Teresa Ellera-Dulla)

Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on November 12, 2010.

national guard

November 12th, 2010, 05:13 AM

13TH ADOBO FESTIVAL of Cinco de Noviembre 2010
CINCO DE NOVIEMBRE Celebration

Negros Cultural Foundation features
13th Adobo Festival
at Balay Negrense, Silay City

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It was a sunny and fun Friday morning as culinary enthusiasts, chefs, restaurateurs and foodies come together for the Negros Cultural Foundation’s Adobo Festival as it marks its 13th year with the 112th Cinco De Noviembre at the historical Gaston house Balay Negrense, Silay City.

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Very special guest for the event was famed restaurateur Margarita “Gaita” Araneta-Fores who was welcomed by Silay City Mayor Jose “Oti” Montelibano and his First Lady Madam Marissa and NCF President Lyn Gamboa.

Gaita Fores hastily shared that she came from her family’s hometown Bago City as they also celebrated Sigabong for their Cinco’s activities. Gaita, a nick she preferred, talked about how she was excited about the Adobo Festival and technically “invited herself” to this year’s festival.

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“I love Adobo and I must admit I got my inspiration from Adobo for most of dishes that I made for my restaurant. Adobo has reached tables internationally. And now I come here to enjoy and most probably to learn from the contestants and with you,” she said in her short message to fellow Negrenses.

Fores alongside Sugarland’s Chef Datu Pendatun, Joe Chan of BISCOM, Gerardo Veloso and the festival’s originator Lynell Gaston judged the 17 entries for the Adobo Cooking Contest. Robert Harland’s Adobo Crevette A l’Anglaise was given the First Prize and Leanna Marie Severino’s Adobo Pasta ranked Second and Third to Cicero Bayle’s Angus Adobo with Sweet Ham.

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The newer Muscovado Cooking Contest on its 5th year now was joined by 13th entries from all over the province. Judges were Kring Locsin of Sugarland, Felicia’s Chef Vincent Macasa and Institute of Culinary Arts De La Salle’s Chef Richard Ynayan. The Muscovado Sampler by Jason de Oca was hailed First Prize. Other entries which also placed were the following: Cookies by Paul Benedict Castillo (2nd) and Butter Cream Silvanas by Victor Dumancas (3rd).

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NCF President Lyn Gamboa beamed with pride as the festival this year also gave way to several interesting sidelights such as the free food tasting of Nature’s Village’s Buffalo Adobo with Mango Chutney, Silay Manuglibods, Kitchen Art Exhibit and a Gourmet Adobo Demo by Chef Datu of Sugarland Hotel. All of these activities of the garden party were warmly participated and received by the hundreds of Negrenses who flocked this year’s celebration. Gamboa hopes to see more newer faces next year for the 14th Adobo Festival.

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source (http://negrosmuseum.blogspot.com/)

national guard

November 12th, 2010, 06:21 AM

Christmas tree lighting to open bazaar (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/November/12/people.htm)

The 888 Chinatown Square in Bacolod City will have the traditional ceremonial lighting of its giant Christmas tree Monday, at 6 p.m. at its peacock area, a press release from the mall said.

This is for customers to feel the spirit of the Christmas Season, it also said.

Before the ceremonial lighting, two dance studios from the mall will enthrall the crowd with their latest dance steps in a variety show, with the Children’s Joy who will also sing Christmas carols.

A mini-concert featuring a live acoustic band will follow at the mall’s event center in time for the opening of 888 Chinatown Square’s Christmas Bazaar, the press release said.

The bazaar will be open daily from 2 p.m. up to 11 p.m. starting Monday until Dec. 31, the press release added.

national guard

November 12th, 2010, 06:32 AM

The Good Life
with Eli F.J. Tajanlangit
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The taste of old Negros

This is the taste of old Negros: earthy and sweet, with whiffs of the bitter and the sour dancing in between. It is a taste that is at once organic and coquettish, difficult to pin down and always dramatic. It is the taste of muscovado sugar, the “virgin” sugar produced by heating cane juice to remove the water.

At the recent Muscovado Festival in Silay City, this taste fused with the flavors of the world, in the hands of upcoming chefs of Negros who used this sugar for flans, caramel fillings, cannolis, silvanas, snickerdoodles, pecan pies.

The future cooks are students from La Consolacion College in Bacolod, who swept all but one place in the top five of the muscovado cooking competition: Jason de Oca, first; Paul Benedict Castillo, 2nd; Victor Dumancas, 3rd and Ivy Fualve, 5th. The fourth place went to chef Robert Harland.

Muscovado is an exciting ingredient, says the students’ mentor, BJ Uy, chef of Planta hotel who himself loves to play with old ways of cooking to come up with new dishes. He points to muscovado as one such old element in the Negrense kitchen that may help propel our cuisine in the world. And with the bravado of the young, BJ emphasizes how the most ordinary of muscovado variants – the darker, the better, the one who usually find in our public markets – are the most exciting. This is the muscovado that has strong character and very pronounced texture, that puts an original stamp on the dishes where it is used, such as the desserts he and his students have developed.

In a world that is trying to go back to a simpler, healthier times, these students are on the right track. During the last years, muscovado has been enjoying aresurgence in the world that has rediscovered the value of organic chemical-free products. Given its simple process, muscovado is deemed healthy, as it had gone through a minimum of fuss. It is cane sugar in its purest form, and only lime has been added to produce. It has retained plenty of its minerals, as opposed for example to refined sugar that saw plenty of chemicals in its production, and plenty of its minerals taken away.

Just a tiny fly, though. There is now the question of what, exactly is muscovado sugar. Like the Piaya, I am afraid we already have lost the chance to establish the standard for muscovado. There is, for example, the so-called “reverse process” muscovado – which is refined sugar recooked to come up with brown and golden brown granules of muscovado. Should there be a muscovado police, perhaps a standard regulatory agency attached to SRA?

Unless we do something about this, we might find the muscovado going the way of our Piaya, another food icon that now has a million and one variants, the original ones are already losing out to aggressive marketing of the Johnny-come-lately versions.

Yet a lot is stake with muscovado. Using it in recipes that are already familiar to the world, as the LCC students have done, is the cheapest marketing strategy yet to exporting this sugar and establishing its foothold in the world market.

Italians I am sure will delight at the way their cannoli tastes with muscovado, the fluffy creaminess cut by the earthy character of the sweetness in it. Ditto the muscovado leche flan – how the Spanish must be intrigued, at the very least, at how their dulce de leche can taste like this while the French should be interested in custard that doesn’t taste all dairy.

The taste of old Negros may well be our ticket to the future.

The Visayan Daily Star (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/November/12/goodlife.htm)

Linguine

November 12th, 2010, 03:53 PM

DAR: Philippines needs
460M liters of bioethanol

Undersecretary Gerundio Madueno of the Department of Agrarian Reform and the policy, planning and external affairs office yesterday said that based on the data provided by the biofuel board, the country has to produce 460 million liters of bioethanol to reduce fuel import.

Madueno said the demand to produce bioethanol is 218 million liters and based on the number of land areas and sugar planters, the country can only produce 20 percent of that number.

He said government is aiming for the 10 percent blend of bioethanol on fuel since the 40 million liters of locally produced bioethanol is far from the 200 million liters mandate to achieve five percent mix for gasoline as the law requires.*LTG

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/November/12/businessnews2.htm

national guard

November 12th, 2010, 08:54 PM

POSTED by SUV111
(from the Main Thread)

Just Gold
Now Open @ SM Southwing

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1237/5169639194_8f31dd73f5_z.jpg

national guard

November 12th, 2010, 08:56 PM

POSTED by SUV111
(from the Main Thread)

Pavilion Hotel and Condo

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national guard

November 12th, 2010, 08:59 PM

POSTED by SUV111
(from the Main Thread)

The Twist
@ Sugarland Hotel

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national guard

November 12th, 2010, 09:02 PM

POSTED by SUV111
(from the Main Thread)

SUGARLAND HOTEL

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national guard

November 12th, 2010, 09:04 PM

POSTED by by SUV111
(from the Main Thread)

Sugarland Hotel Lobby

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Linguine

November 13th, 2010, 05:04 AM

soon to open at Robinsons Place Bacolod.....

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_4162-1.jpg

Linguine

November 13th, 2010, 05:27 AM

Linguine

November 13th, 2010, 05:43 AM

Robinsons Place Bacolod

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_4163.jpg

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national guard

November 13th, 2010, 07:17 AM

soon to open at Robinsons Place Bacolod.....

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_4162-1.jpg

^^
Nice!
Ang isa ya ka Croc ( Lacoste ), san-o ayhan ma-open sa Bacolod?:):nuts::lol:
*wish mode*

Linguine

November 13th, 2010, 01:52 PM

Fior Cafe'
Robinsons Place Bacolod

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Linguine

November 15th, 2010, 11:34 AM

Israeli envoy,
guv to tackle agriculture
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday said he is meeting with Israeli Ambassador Zvi Aviner Vapni to request for agricultural expertise assistance, and with officials of Global Green Power PLC Corp. on their planned construction of a power plant in Negros Occidental.

The Israeli ambassador and the Global Green officials will meet separately with the governor at Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City this morning.

The governor said the ambassador will be accompanied by the agricultural attaché of the Israeli Embassy.

“We hope to get some assistance in Israeli agricultural expertise that is one of the best in the world,” he said, citing its “very efficient use of water for drip irrigation and excellent dairy industry.”

The governor will also meet with Green Power officials this morning to discuss their plan to build a power plant of about 34 megawatt in Sagay City, depending on the availability of biomass to sustain its operations.*CPG

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/November/15/topstory4.htm

Linguine

November 15th, 2010, 11:35 AM

NICERT certifies 24 organic firms
BY LISA GAPAC

The Negros Island Certification Services has certified 24 organic companies and smallholder groups from Negros Occidental and Cebu City, a NICERT September report showed.

NICERT organic guarantee officer Robert Gasssparillo said these entities have a total area of 988.94 hectares that grow, process, and sell products like coffee grains, herbs meat, fruits, poultry, sugarcane, fertilizer, and aquaculture.

Gasparillo said they provided producers information, method of production, cultural management, source of inputs, and its total volume of production during the evaluation.

The Organic Inspectors Association Negros Island, composed of inspectors with specific filed of specialization like crop, livestock and aquaculture, also conducted an onsite inspection that verified the data provided to them, he said.

Tanunan Organic Farm manager, Cyrel Roquez, said the NICERT accreditation allowed them to have more clients and business prospects and that the certification is their assurance to clients that the products they sell are 100 percent organic.

Among the 24 companies accredited are Fresh Start General Merchandising, Sag-ang Oganic Coffee Producers Association, Dublin Bio-Industries, Ramon Peñalosa Farms, Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation Inc., Iliranan Tribal Council, and Negros Institute for Rural Development.

NICERT is currently working on the applications of the 14 more companies from Negros Occidental, Iloilo, Cebu, and Bohol.*LTG

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/November/15/businessnews4.htm

Linguine

November 15th, 2010, 11:37 AM

Seminar on dyeing of
indigenous fibers set

The Association of Negros Producers will conduct a two-day seminar on “Dyeing of Indigenous Fibers” on Nov.24-25 at the ANP Conference Room from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., a press release from the group said.

The seminar aims to conduct pretreatment processes on indigenous fibers and hands-on learning of various techniques.

It will also be led by the Metals Industry Research and Development Center in cooperation with the Department of Science and Technology.

The seminar is open to all individuals interested to learn. For reservations and inquiries, those interested may contact ANP Business Service Office at 434-1000/709-9032 and look for Hazel Rivera, the press

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/November/15/businessnews5.htm

boy muscovado

November 15th, 2010, 03:31 PM

Robinsons Place Bacolod

construction update of additional parking spaces at the back in preparation for mall expansion and Go Hotel construction.....

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Go, go go!!!!!.....more hotels, more tourists!....BUILD AND THEY WILL JUST COME!:banana::banana::banana::banana:

Israeli envoy,
guv to tackle agriculture
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday said he is meeting with Israeli Ambassador Zvi Aviner Vapni to request for agricultural expertise assistance, and with officials of Global Green Power PLC Corp. on their planned construction of a power plant in Negros Occidental.

The Israeli ambassador and the Global Green officials will meet separately with the governor at Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City this morning.

The governor said the ambassador will be accompanied by the agricultural attaché of the Israeli Embassy.

“We hope to get some assistance in Israeli agricultural expertise that is one of the best in the world,” he said, citing its “very efficient use of water for drip irrigation and excellent dairy industry.”

The governor will also meet with Green Power officials this morning to discuss their plan to build a power plant of about 34 megawatt in Sagay City, depending on the availability of biomass to sustain its operations.*CPG

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/November/15/topstory4.htm

The Israeli's have turned most of the desert areas of their country into an agriculture miracle, growing wheat, olives and grapes for export. They stood up with their inclusion of the Middle East's "Fertile Crescent". We should now learn from them. agriculture in one of the most challenging climates :banana::banana::banana:

national guard

November 16th, 2010, 01:07 AM

POSTED by greenflare
(from the Main Thread)

Isla Pala2x... TIP complex

http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/greenflames/Shop%20and%20Dine%20Malls/isla4.jpg?t=1289787680

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national guard

November 16th, 2010, 01:10 AM

POSTED by greenflare
(from the Main Thread)

Blue Grass Bar ... 2nd floor East View Hotel

http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/greenflames/Shop%20and%20Dine%20Malls/blue2.jpg?t=1289789644

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national guard

November 16th, 2010, 02:57 AM

POSTED by greenflare
(from the Main Thread)

888 Mall Shots

http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/greenflames/Malls/m8885.jpg?t=1289809331

http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/greenflames/Malls/m888.jpg?t=1289809400

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national guard

November 16th, 2010, 03:48 AM

SM Eco Bags AVAILABLE

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/nationalguard_ssc/MISS%20San%20Carlos%202010/EcoBags.jpg

SM Supermalls, as part of its environmental sustainability initiatives, has launched a new reusable shopping bag - the SM Supermalls Eco Bag.

The New SM Supermalls Eco Bags are designed for all, and yet with the youth in mind. We recognize the important role of the youth in nation-building and through these new eco bags, we hope to imbibe in them four simple philosophies - RENEW, SPARK, FLOW & BREATHE - simple words that inspire a life change and reflects the importance of the four elements that comprises and sustains life on Earth.

RENEW our earth by reducing our waste.
SPARK a revolution for smarter energy.
Let’s make our waters FLOW with life.
Let’s BREATHE clean, pristine air once again.

SM Advantage and Prestige Card holders will be given two (2) extra reward points every time they use the Eco Bag for groceries at SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket and Savemore.

The Eco Bag is a recyclable hard wearing non-woven fabric bag that may last up to two years of weekly use. It is made of 100-percent polypropylene, which is non-toxic, allergy free and non-reactive to human skin.

One may purchase SM Supermalls Eco Bags for Php 35.00 each at the SM Eco Bag Booth located between Event Centre and Foodcourt starting on 06 August 2010. You may place your brand on the Eco bag above the SM Supermalls logo.

May we encourage you to purchase Eco Bags as part of your Christmas Giveaways.

Join us in creating a sustainable environment for the future generations.

JOIN THE ECO BAG MOVEMENT!
Contact Billy Martinez or Fritz Bacera at 468-0168 and 468-0169.

SOURCE (http://smcitybacolod.blogspot.com/2010/11/sm-eco-bags-available.html)

national guard

November 16th, 2010, 04:12 AM

Gov. Marañon Inspects Mechanical Rice Planter (http://www.ndb-online.com/nov1610/negros-events-news/Gov.+Mara%C3%B1on+Inspects+Mechanical+Rice+Planter)

Gov. Alfredo G. Marañon, Jr. inspected the mechanical rice planter recently acquired by the provincial government through the Department of Agriculture - Region VI, as he also consulted the farmers working in the provincial government-owned farm lot located at Brgy. Tabunan, Bago City, last week.

The mechanical rice planter can perform easier and faster compared to manual rice planting.

Recently, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) also conducted a demonstration of mechanical rice planter witnessed by members of the Vermi Producers Association of Negros Occ. (VPAN), non-government organizations, farmers from the towns and cities and students from Negros State College of Agriculture (NSCA) and Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology (NONESCOST).

The mechanical rice planter model SPW-48C is exclusively distributed by Kubota Agro-Industrial Machinery Philippines, Inc. that costs P330,000 per unit. It has a fuel tank capacity of four liters using unleaded automobile gasoline and consumes only 15 liters per hour.

Comparative study shows that rice planted using the machine has faster and higher growth rate compared to those planted manually. It has an average lifespan of five years.

Present in the activity were Executive Asst. to the Governor, Angel Verdeflor, Provincial Agriculturist Igmedio Tabianan, and OPA staff Edna Garde and Lucille Gelvolea, among others.* (Capitol News)

　

national guard

November 16th, 2010, 04:14 AM

Israeli Envoy Wants to Include Negros Occidental in Their Agricultural Programs (http://www.ndb-online.com/nov1610/negros-events-news/Israeli+Envoy+Wants+to+Include+Negros+Occidental+in+Their+Agricultural+Programs)
By Danny B. Dangcalan

Israeli Ambassador Zvi Aviner Vapni yesterday said he would like to include Negros Occidental in his country’s programs on technology transfer, particularly in the field of agriculture.

"We want to include the province of Negros Occidental in those programs. We see the potentials of Negros in terms of agriculture and we think that there are several avenues to which we can cooperate on agriculture issues," he said.

Vapni met yesterday with Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. at the Nature’s Village Hotel and Restaurant in Talisay City. He then proceeded to Silay City to meet with Mayor Jose Montelibano.

He is expected to go to Sagay City today and to meet again with the governor before going back to Manila.

He is accompanied by Saike Stern, Israeli agriculture attache.

Vapni added they are devoting more efforts on agricultural technology transfer, help diversify crops, and make these more durable to parasites and floods.

He said the program was "a great success" in other parts of the Philippines like Nueva Ecija. He added that they are also offering a program that would send Filipino students to train in Israel.

Marañon earlier said he is meeting with Vapni to request for agricultural expertise assistance.

"We hope to get some assistance in Israeli agricultural expertise that is one of the best in the world," he said.*

Linguine

November 16th, 2010, 06:37 AM

Global Placement Successfully ‘Sends’ 3 Applicants to London

By Gil Alfredo B. Severino

Global Placement Provider Services (GPPS), Bacolod City Office had already assisted and successfully sent three applicants to London through the Tier 4 Visa of the British Government and issued by the British Embassy in Manila, thus proving itself to be a legitimate visa assistance and consultancy outfit.

http://www.ndb-online.com/files/nov1610h6.jpg

Bacolod media practitioners interview Emelyn Bueneventura in London, one of the 3 applicants approved of their Tier 4 Visa during a teleconference at the GPPS office at St. Francis Building yesterday.* (H. James G. Toga/NDB)

Otherwise no less than the British Embassy itself will issue an official statement expressing so by publicly warning people not to transact business with GPPS, but this is not the case.

The approval of Tier 4 Visa and departure of three applicants namely Ligaya Tudtud of Isabela, Cagayan (1 year visa), Johnny Casido of Bacolod (4 year visa) and Emelyn Buenaventura of Pangasinan (4 year visa) is enough to disprove the accusation that GPPS is an illegal recruiter.

The British Government offers the Tier 4 Student Visas to welcome foreign students who want to study in England.

GPPS invited the Bacolod media yesterday for a teleconference with these successful applicants and for Global Placement Provider, Ltd., London Executive Director Jocelyn Lantron herself to answer whatever questions they may have.

She explained that it is high time GPP Ltd. and GPPS Bacolod faced the Bacolod media because of the adversarial effects done by complainants here in Bacolod and Manila.

Because of the delay in sending applicants caused by immigration problems in England, Lantron said it is understandable how applicants feel but deplored lies and distorted facts complainants say in media.

It is impossible, she said, to settle this matter amicably because complainants are not qualified for refund, GPPS paid their tuition in full and had caused trauma to her family especially the detention of her younger brother Joel Dableo.

Here in Bacolod, seven applicants filed complaints before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and in Manila, officially, 48 applicants filed complaints with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Camp Crame leading to the detention of its Operations Manager Joel Dableo and worst, implicated an innocent applicant Mark Silva of Bago City.

Despite these circumstances, however, GPPS Bacolod continues to serve its clients and help the indigent sector of Bacolod City.

Even before the GPPS Bacolod Office was set up, Mrs. Lantron had already been engaged in distributing wheelchairs to all Barangays in Bacolod prompting Mayor Evelio Leonardia to officially issue Certificate of Recognition to this effect. It has also actively participated in the last Masskara Festival by being a major sponsor of Barangay Mandalagan Street Dance Competition and which came out the champion. GPPS, likewise, is an institutional partner of Tahanang Walang Hagdan where above wheelchairs given to Bacolod City Barangays are fabricated.*

http://www.ndb-online.com/nov1610/negros-local-news/Global+Placement+Successfully-Sends-3+Applicants+to+London

Linguine

November 16th, 2010, 06:38 AM

$80-M Plant in Sagay-POWER FIRM TO BUILD 35-MW BIOMASS PLANT TO BOOST ENERGY

By Danny B. Dangcalan

Sagay City Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva yesterday said they will likely approve the proposal of Global Green Power PLC Corporation (GGPC) to construct a 35-megawatt multi-fuelled biomass power plant in their city too boost energy supply here.

"Our people are supportive of this project. Our technical people have been studying the project and so far, we are comfortable with it," he said.

Cueva said the proposed site for the biomass power plant, which will cost $80 million, is within the 100-hectare Sagay Export Processing Zone at Hacienda Ricky in Brgy. Paraiso.

The mayor said one of their major goals is to attract more investors and the pre-requisite to this is the stabilization of electricity, which the GGPC could help a lot.

GGPC President David de Montaigne presented their proposal at a public consultation with the provincial government of Negros Occidental and the city government of Sagay at Nature’s Village Hotel and Restaurant in Talisay City yesterday.

De Montaigne said there is a tremendous excess of biomass in Negros Occidental to supply their power plant.

Negros Occidental produces 1,064 percent of biomass energy that is more than the fuel requirements of a 35-megawatt power plant, which is 318,720 tons, he said.

Negros produces 2,225,442 tons of cane tops, 101,900 tons of rice husk, 886,090 tons of rice straw, 155,312 tons of corn straw, and 23,297 tons of corn cob, for a total of 3,392,041 tons of biomass residues, he added.

Moreover, GGPC only utilizes biomass that does not compete with the "human food chain," has emissions, mitigates climate change, and displaces fossil fuels thus it is not harmful to the environment.

De Montaigne stressed that the estimated money inflows from the 35-megawatt biomass power plant to the community for the first year of operation is P832.2 million, and will increase to P34.7 billion after 25 years.

It is expected to provide jobs for 3,400 people and will take at least 14,000 people out of poverty, he said.

If the contract is signed between the Sagay City government and GGPC soon, the construction is expected to start early next year, and will be completed in 2013.

Montaigne also assured that although the biomass energy generated from the plant would be sold by GGPC to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), they will retain the required power to Sagay as required under the law.

Meanwhile, GGPC is now constructing a 17.5-megatt power plant in Mina, Iloilo; and will soon be constructing a 17.5-megawatt power plant in Nueva Ecija, and another 35-megawatt power plant in Bukidnon, de Montaigne said.*

http://www.ndb-online.com/nov1610/negros-local-news/$80-M+Plant+in+Sagay-POWER+FIRM+TO+BUILD+35-MW+BIOMASS+PLANT+TO+BOOST+ENERGY

Christendom

November 16th, 2010, 03:43 PM

Horizon Tower
BREDCO Complex, Bacolod City

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national guard

November 17th, 2010, 01:37 PM

POSTED by greenflare
(from the Main Thread)

East View Hotel by night

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Linguine

November 18th, 2010, 05:30 AM

DA allocates P900M
for organic agriculture

The Department of Agriculture has allocated an initial P900 million in its budget next year to boost the country’s organic agriculture program, a government press release said.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said the money will be used to jumpstart the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 or Republic Act No. 10068, which he authored when he was still congressman in the second district of Quezon Province during the 14th Congress.

RA 10068 seeks to create the National Organic Agriculture Board, a policy-making body that will provide direction and general guidelines for the implementation of the national organic agriculture program.

Alcala said the DA funding will help address major issues concerning the program including policy formulation and registration, accreditation, certification and labeling.

The fund will also be used in the promotion, research and development of organic agriculture, and program implementation and provision and delivery of support services to farmers and other stakeholders, the press release also said.*

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/November/18/businessnews1.htm

Linguine

November 19th, 2010, 07:34 AM

for those interested......

Annual tour of Negros set

The 38th Annual Cultural Tour of Negros Occidental will be held December 4, 11 and 18, a press release from its organizer said.

The itinerary includes Birhen sang Barangay Chapel and Dizon-Ramos Museum in Bacolod City; San Diego Procathedral, Bernardino Jalandoni House (museum), Hofileña Heritage House and its art collection and printmaking workshop, and food trip to outstanding delicacy sources in Silay City; Church of St. Joseph the Worker in Victorias City; Chapel of Cartwheels in Manapla; plus introduction of a new attraction in Talisay City.

The participants will be informed about the Philippines’ most internationally-known mural; first example of religious imageries as Filipinos; over 100 meteorites found in Negros Occidental; world’s smallest dolls which need a magnifying glass to be seen; Negros Island’s oldest antique (Iron Age 900-589 B.C.); corrections in “history” about Rizal, Luna, Hidalgo, and the November 5, 1898 revolution, among others, the press release said.

To be discussed on board the bus are San Sebastian Cathedral, Capitol building and park in Bacolod; Hda. Matab-ang monument and enchanted trees in Talisay; ancestral houses, Cinco de Noviembre marker, the Philippines’ first cultural center in Silay; monument of Heroes of Guintabuan in E.B. Magalona; iron dinosaurs and Victorias Milling Co. in Victorias.

Each tour, with Ramon Hofileña as guide, will start and end at the Jara Laboratory and is open Monday to Friday. It will begin 9 a.m. and end 5:30 p.m.

Each tour is limited to 60 participants on a first come-first served basis.

Registration is ongoing at Jara Laboratory and Blood Bank at corner Lacson-1st streets, Bacolod City, at Tel. No. (034) 4346398, the press release added.*

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/November/19/people.htm

national guard

November 19th, 2010, 07:50 AM

^^Nice itinerary !:okay:
How I wish ara ko dira!:ohno:

Anyway, may NEXT TIME pa man ah!:D

Linguine

November 19th, 2010, 08:18 AM

valid point.....

Slogan: Tourism stakeholders not consulted?
SHOOTING STRAIGHT By Bobit S. Avila (The Philippine Star) Updated November 19, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (1) View comments

Early morning last Wednesday, my text message alert for my celphone was buzzing with messages. Friends and people congratulate me for putting the Department of Tourism (DoT) in its proper place for changing the tried and very tested and widely accepted “WoW Philippines” branding for the Philippines which began under then DoT Sec. Richard “Dick” Gordon, and later continued under Tourism boss Joseph “Ace” Durano. No sir, there was nothing wrong with the WoW! Philippines slogan.

Perhaps our Tourism boss Sec. Albert “Bertie” Lim doesn’t realize that in the eight years that we sold the Philippines under the Slogan “Wow Philippines” the DoT came up with hundreds of thousands of beautiful colored posters that adorn so many travel offices or agencies all over the world. It just makes me wonder how much money the DoT would spend to change all that? Could it be that there is someone behind the scenes who will certainly “profit” from the printing of these new slogans? Hey, I thought the Philippines had money problems? Hmm, maybe Sec. Lim knows about this.

All that the Philippines sorely lack was some kind of booster, like an advertisement campaign on CNN or BBC to impress upon the world that the Philippines can wow tourists to come and visit us. The fact is, we needed those foreign ads especially after that deranged highly-decorated PNP officer killed those eight innocent Hong Kong tourists who only came to see and have fun in this country. This is why we don’t need a new slogan; rather what we need is something of a booster for our tourism campaign.

Coincidentally, when our article came out last Wednesday, there was a front-page story on this in The Philippine STAR dubbed “Tourism Industry unimpressed with New DOT slogan.” Well, it looks like the opposition against this new slogan is snowballing not just on the social networks like Twitter, but also from the Federation of Tourism Industries of the Philippines, Inc. (FTIP) whose president Alejandra Clemente was quoted in that front page story saying, “The slogan did not ignite much excitement. Maybe they rushed in coming out with a new brand. But what we need is something that would create a great impact.”

If at all, the new slogan ignited indignation from the tourism industry who are asking what is the direction for our tourism campaign under the P-Noy administration. I have worked closely with the Tourism sector for so many decades, after all I was in the restaurant business for 26 years until I sold our Chika-an Restaurant and let me tell you that we do not need to start from scratch because Wow Philippines has already wowed many foreign tourists to our shores, which is why we got a record number of tourists coming here.

But if Sec. Bertie Lim thinks that the tourism campaign starts by changing the old but well accepted tourism slogan, let me tell him that he is starting on the wrong foot and if he wants to save the day, he ought to scrap this new Tagalog based slogan (I refuse to say that it is in Pilipino) because he’ll be wasting money or should I say, someone will profit from it?

Now that the opposition to this new slogan has snowballed, I was watching Sec. Lim trying to explain his side that this campaign was done in Tagalog similar to what Hawaii did when they used their “Aloha” greeting as their campaign slogan. Of course no one told him that this is Hawaii’s only tourism slogan since time immemorial. In short, they never changed it!

I also saw Anthony Taberna’s TV Show “Umagang Kay Ganda” (hmmm this talkshow sounds like the DoT slogan) yesterday with my good friend Bobby Joseph, chairman emeritus of the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (NAITAS) who told Sec. Lim on his face that changing the slogan was “Idiotic” and that the stakeholders in the tourism industry were not consulted on this. Now didn’t Pres. P-Noy make a vow in Cebu during the campaign that his Presidency will be one of consultation?

What I found deeply disturbing is that Sec. Lim lied when he said that the new slogan was not yet final… that it would be finalized in three weeks. Come now, didn’t the DoT send out formal invitations to the launching of the new slogan? Didn’t we see him offer a champagne toast with DoT Undersecretary Vicente Romano when they unveiled the new slogan? Come now Mr. Secretary, why don’t you simply admit that this was all a mistake? As I said, the Philippines could never catch up with our ASEAN neighbors because we do not have a program for continuity. Every new kid on the block puts in his own ideas and start from the beginning. Meanwhile the Malaysians continue with their “Malaysia truly Asia” campaign. Incredible India for India, Amazing Thailand for Thailand or Singapore’s Uniquely Singapore or South Korea’s Soul of Asia. If only Sir Max Soliven were alive, he would have screamed “Sanamagan!” Perhaps I should rephrase that to “susmarijosep!” Is this all that the DoT can do for our tourism industry?

national guard

November 19th, 2010, 09:19 AM

^^:ohno::ohno::ohno:

So TRUE! so TRUE!

Linguine

November 22nd, 2010, 10:51 AM

not so good news......:(

EDC shuts down plant

LISTED ENERGY Development Corp. (EDC) said it has closed Northern Negros geothermal plant for technical studies.

In a statement, EDC said the plant and steamfield was due for preventive maintenance.

"The technical study will last for nine months with an estimated cost of P6 million," the company said in its statement. -- Emilia Narni J. David

http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=21610

Linguine

November 22nd, 2010, 02:48 PM

The Negros Showroom
By Cecile Jusi-Baltasar
November 21, 2010, 3:06pm

There is much to like in Bacolod City, the booming capital of Negros Occidental. At the top of the list are the delicious food and a vibrant art scene (director Peque Gallaga, painter Charlie Co, and actor Joel Torre are true-blue Negrenses). Coming a close second is Negrense craftsmanship. This skill to create something beautiful out of indigenous products is showcased in the Negros Showroom, efficiently and artfully run by the 24-year-old Association of Negros Producers (ANP).

The Showroom, which is, according to the Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotions, the top trade house in the Philippines, sits in an unassuming two-storey building right across the Capitol Building and an artificial lagoon on busy Lacson Street. Entering the Showroom, one is welcomed by a shiny burst of color from laughing masks of Bacolod’s famous annual Masskara festival. Everywhere else one looks, there are exquisitely made handicrafts, such as ceramic wind chimes, jewelry, photo frames, souvenir T-shirts, embroidered children’s clothes. Also, shelves and shelves of signature Negrense sweets for pasalubong. Upstairs are the furnishings, the Showroom’s bestsellers both in the Philippines and abroad.

All these products are made by the laid-back and artistic Negrense.

Backyard Businesses

The ANP currently has 92 active members, made up of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), corporations, and foundations. All these members have their products consigned to and displayed in ANP’s Negros Showroom. The products are divided into four categories: furniture and furnishings, food, fashion, and gifts and houseware.

“We have an advocacy to help Negrense entrepreneurs,” says Kathleen Trebol, operations manager of the ANP. “Our profits go back to our SME members to assist them in any way we can.” Membership into the ANP has many benefits: quick and low-interest financial loans, assistance in DTI and DOST registrations, exposure in local and Tinternational markets, help in product development and quality control.

This is why an ANP membership is highly sought by Negros producers. To become a member, the entrepreneur has to be, of course, Negrense. Also, the manufacture of products (from materials that have to be sourced in Negros) has to be done in Negros. ANP tries marketing applicants’ products for three months, after which a product evaluation takes place, which makes or breaks the application process.

Successful applicants aren’t always big-shot entrepreneurs. Small businesses, whose production takes place in the owner’s kitchen or garage, are always welcome to apply for ANP membership. In fact, says Trebol, “we help our members grow from being just backyard businesses to becoming confident and experienced entrepreneurs and even exporters.”

To accomplish this, ANP members are consistently exposed to trade fairs, both local and international. Also, ANP facilitates hook-ups between its members and international buyers (or even just buyers from Manila). Presently, the Negros Showroom, which doesn’t have any branches, supplies products to high-end Manila-based stores such as Kultura Filipino, Balikbayan Handicrafts, Tesoro’s and Rustan’s. The Showroom’s jewelry selection has found a home in Firma, in Greenbelt, and has secured an invitation to display from the Ayala Museum.

Overseas, Trebol says the ANP’s top customers are the Middle East (which orders the most furnishings), the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Australia.

Although currently the export market is down due to the world economic crises, the local market is up, with furniture as the bestsellers.

Rising from Poverty

The ANP’s history is actually about how a group of women raised the rest of Negros up from hunger. Negros, a monocrop industry, suffered a huge drop in economy in the 1980s when world sugar prices plummeted. In reaction, the government grabbed control of sugar trading, crippling sugar workers all across Negros. Eighty-four percent of Negros then lived below the poverty line, 60 percent of its children became malnourished, over 150,000 workers were displaced.

In an effort to get up from this huge stumble, 15 Negrense women began sharing their craftsmanship and entrepreneurial know-how with the wives of the unemployed farm workers. The House of Negros Foundation was thus born: a non-stock, non-profit, non-political organization made up of entrepreneurs, professionals and housewives with the sole objective of creating jobs. Later on, the organization took on the name Association of Negros Producers.

In time, this organization would mold little-town budding craftsmen into global entrepreneurs. And rightly so.

The Negros Showroom is at Lourdes C Building, 9th Lacson St., Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. Tel. nos: (034) 434-1000 and (034) 433-8833. E-mail: info@anp-philippines.com.

http://www.mb.com.ph/node/288758/the-negro

Linguine

November 22nd, 2010, 02:49 PM

Linguine

November 23rd, 2010, 04:48 AM

5th Negros Organic Farmers’
Festival on Dec. 2–4

BACOLOD City — To celebrate the gains of the local organic food stakeholders, the 5th Negros Island Organic Farmers’ Festival will be held on December 2–4.

The three-day festival, which started in 2006, is considered as the first and the longest-running festival of its kind in the country.

It will feature cooking demonstrations of organic food by famous Negrense chefs; exhibits of organic, healthy, local and vegetarian food, and eco-friendly products and technology; talks by nationally and internationally known experts on organic food production and business and related topics; agri-tourism health and wellness fair; and open-air live band concerts.

Exhibits will be displayed at the Organic na Negros! Market at the back of the Provincial Capitol building while simultaneous symposia will be held at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall and event booth.

The activities will center on the theme “Organic Agriculture: Consolidating Gains, Meeting Challenges and Opportunities.” They will start on December 2 at 8 a.m. with a Thanksgiving Mass and blessing of the newly renovated Organic na Negros! Market to be officiated by Bishop Vicente Navarra.

An opening ceremony to be attended by Gov. Alfredo Maranon Jr., Negros Oriental Gov. Agustin Perdices, Vice Gov. Genaro Alvarez Jr., Negros Oriental 2nd District Rep. George Arnaiz Jr., Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and Agriculture regional executive director Larry Nacionales, will follow.

Organic cooking demonstrations will be done by chefs Margarita Fores, Jomi Gaston, Richard Ynayan, Aboy Evaristo and BJ Uy.

Talks will be led by Mara Pardo de Tavera, Dr. Albert Jo, Honey Grace Catalan, Pamela Henares, Pastor Jerry Dionson, Juan Miguel Gaston, Sagay City Vice Mayor Kent Javelosa, Marivic Rio, Joseph Reyes, Ramon Uy Jr., Ramon Penalosa, Nicholas Matti, Nunelucio Alvarado, Akia Brown, Stephen Zaragosa and Nelson Sotomil.

Tristan Lecomte, president of Alter Eco of France, will talk about fair trade. He is one of the Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World as a fair trade visionary in its April 2010 issue.
On the other hand, Pacita "Chit" Juan will talk about social entrepreneurship.

She is one of the founders of the Figaro Coffee Company, the largest Filipino-owned chain of coffee shops in the country. She is also the president of the Philippine Coffee Board.

The festival is spearheaded by the Negros Island Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Foundation, in collaboration with the provincial government and the Organik na Negros! Organic Producers and Retailers Association./PN

Linguine

November 23rd, 2010, 05:45 AM

San Carlos continues
PPP agri programs

The San Carlos City government has started to establish its Agricultural Productivity Training Center-2 facility in Brgy. Prosperidad as part of its agricultural programs, a press release from the city said.

This facility is a component initiative of the Desarrollo Project designed to introduce 500 upland farmers and leaders to modern organic agricultural production, the press release said.

This is in line with the direction of the San Carlos Master Development Plan to establish Rural Growth Centers as a mechanism of food security to promote economic development in rural upland areas of the city, it added.

APTC is considered one of the San Carlos MDP’s development priorities and originally envisioned by Rep. Jules Ledesma (Neg. Occ., 1st District), the press release said.

The activities are supported by local, national and international agencies like the Consuelo Foundation, Rotary Club of Honolulu, Hawaii, Canal de Isabel II of Spain, which provided a water system support project and sanitation, the German Development Service Weltwaerts program, and the Asian Rural-Urban Development and Peace Institute, the press release also said.

A central feature is the use of the San Carlos Enviro-Blox earth-based construction technology or the interlocking compressed earth block, which is the hallmark of the city’s infrastructure establishment initiatives, the press release said.*

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/November/23/businessnews2.htm

national guard

November 24th, 2010, 03:08 AM

Livestock supplier approval ongoing (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/November/23/businessnews3.htm)

The accreditation of the supplier of P2.5 million worth of sheep from General Santos City to be purchased by the Negros Occidental provincial government is underway, Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena said yesterday.

The necessary papers will be submitted to the Provincial Bids and Awards Committee for processing and that will take about a month before the sheep can be brought into the province, he added.

To be purchased are Damara and Dorper sheeps -146 of which are females costing P15,000 each and 10 males costing P30,000 each, Decena said.

Meanwhile, livestock coordinators from different regions of the country will arrive in Negros Occidental tomorrow for a three-day gathering to discuss livestock development, Decena said.

Negros Occidental is one of the pioneers in livestock development and the visitors on Friday will be brought to its breeding areas in La Granja, La Carlota, and Sagay City, he added.*CPG

Linguine

November 24th, 2010, 08:59 AM

Loan plan available
for farmers, fisherfolk

Bacolod City Councilor Carl Lopez recently sponsored a two-day orientation activity on lending programs, a press release from his office said.

One was with Dungganon Bank for Small Entrepreneurs attended by women members of Kitahanon Small Fishermen Association, residents of Brgy. Banago, Bacolod City.

The other one was with the Landbank of the Philippines for Small Farmers and Fisherfolk attended by associations from Brgy. Banago and Pahanocoy, the press release said.

The program aims to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of marginalized farmers and fisher folks by financing agricultural projects and activities that will increase their productivity and incomes, it also said.

Those who attended the orientation are eligible to make loans, the press release added.*

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/November/24/businessnews4.htm

Linguine

November 24th, 2010, 09:01 AM

Kabankalan joins
training on tourism

The Advanced Tourism Statistics Training Session 2 held in Tagaytay City recently was attended by 79 participants from the provinces of Negros Occidental, Cebu and Siquijor, a press release from Kabankalan City said.

The training, now on its second year, is aimed at using statistics generated from the basic standard data gathering methodologies, assessing the results of the interview and questionnaire survey and the resource inventory list, compiling market data and integrating interview and questionnaire survey, being introduced to marketing and promotion and formulating action plan for the planning session, the press release said.

The training is the DOT-JICA Technical Cooperation Project for the Development of Tourism Statistics System for LGU’s. City tourism officer Virgilio Gerongani and Tourism Office staff Alfred Otea represented Kabankalan City, the press release added.*

boy muscovado

November 24th, 2010, 09:06 AM

Linguine

November 24th, 2010, 09:06 AM

Firecracker sale site under study

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

BACOLOD City is still studying the safest location for the 70 pyrotechnic and firecracker sellers this Christmas, said acting Bacolod City Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson.

There was a proposal to retain the old site at the back of the Bays Center. However, considering that Shoe Mart has already placed a concrete wall in the area, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Bacolod City Police Office (PCPO) considered the area dangerous as the exits are limited, in case of accidental explosion or fire.

The BFP and BCPO recommended three sites which they deem the safest for the sellers and the buying public. They are the open space beside the Government Center which is owned by the Gonzaga family; a vacant lot at the boundary of Barangays 14 and 15; and, at the back of Shoe Mart, South Wing.

However, SM Mall Manager George Jardiolin said that he still needs to get a clearance from the SM head office if the company will allow it.

Sayson already prepared an official letter to request SM Management to allow the use of the property at the back of South Wing.

Pyrotechnic and firecracker sellers will be allowed to sell their wares starting December 1 to January 2, 2011. Based on recent years, sales go full swing starting December 15. (Carla N. Canet)

Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on November 24, 2010.

Linguine

November 25th, 2010, 08:28 AM

Sail Away to Sagay

By Betsy Gazo

Saturday, November 20, 2010

IN CASE you find yourself in Sagay City perplexed as to where to go, choose from an assortment of destinations. This city 82.9 kilometers from Bacolod can delight different tastes.

The Himogaan River Cruise, for example, is fast becoming a popular activity.

For P7,000, 20 people can enjoy a 2-hour trip with lunch, tour guide and entertainment over the clean river from Brgy. Fabrica to Barangay Old Sagay. The singers on our boat were very good and sounded like seasoned musicians. Amazing talent abounds in Sagay. Its tourism personnel are well-trained and well-prepared with their spiels. In fact, the city won first place for the best tour guide award in the high school category during this year's Provincial Tourism Week.

Museo sang Bata sa Negros

Children will surely love the first hands-on and interactive children's museum outside Metro Manila - the Museo sang Bata sa Negros. The ground floor showcases the diverse and rich marine life of Sagay. On display are shells (among these are the sigay from which "Sagay" was coined), sand specimen, even real life specimens of live marine animals. The kids can touch and feel and handle objects to learn more about the wonderful life under the sea.

What's interesting about Museo sang Bata is that it has kiddie guides to assist one in getting around. They are very cute and quite articulate as they do their spiels at particular assigned spots around the ground floor. Their little sing-song voices can blow you away. I was absolutely charmed and taken by their jaunty poses and self-confidence.

Vito Church

Tourists who want some religion can visit the San Vicente Ferrer Church at Vito. The over-a-century-old wooden image of San Vicente Ferrer has been touted to have miraculous powers by the faithful. A popular activity is to have the image pressed on sick parts of the body for healing, hence, the term "palapak" from "lapak" i.e. to step on. The church was established by the Recollect Friars in 1860. It isn't done in the heavy Baroque style as most churches were done during that era. Instead, the architectural style is light and easy on the eye with delicate hues for the exterior and interior. It is only 25 minutes from the city proper.

Carbin Reef

Oh, but a visit to Sagay is not quite complete without a day trip to Carbin Reef, that 200-hectare marine sanctuary. The postcard-pretty cream-colored sandbar innocuously hides the richness of the waters surrounding it. Swim there, scuba dive or snorkel there, or go boating, Carbin Reef is only a portion of the 32,000 hectare Sagay Marine Reserve. The rest are Panal Reef, Macahulom Reef, and Molocaboc Island which is worthy of a separate trip by itself.

Carbin Reef is only 20 minutes away from the Old Sagay Port. Sagaynons are awfully proud of their marine reserve. It is recognized nationally and internationally as one of the most successful marine conservation programs in the Philippines. It entered the Top Ten Innovative Programs on Marine Conservation and Protection of the 1997 Gawad Galing Pook/AIM and Ford Foundation.

In 2006, it won the Best Eco-Tourism Product in Western Visayas given by the Department of Tourism, Region VI. In 2007, it got 2nd place from
among 170 entries of the Marine Protected Areas Support Network's "Outstanding Marine Protected Area."

Food

If the awards don't convince you, the seafood will. Do you like the green stringy thingie called "lukot"? We love it in its simplest form - with vinegar, red onions and freshly quartered tomatoes. Enjoy fresh crabs, clams, fish, squid and even sea urchins. I did enjoy squid rings but, no, not at Carbin. I went to Veloria's squid ring factory which is in a compound of houses that squid rings built. Crisp, white, freshly cooked squid rings with the sea flavors sealed in. Sagay's product is done the old-fashioned way - in a huge kawa (vat) over a wood stove.

A great last stop to rest would be at the Living Trees Museum, a one-hectare park with a gazebo, pond, footpaths, and lots of trees and flowers to gawk at.

Or overnighters may try any of the rooms at Kauswagan, the city's own mini-hotel with a convenient location. I commend the Sagay government for maintaining the natural beauty of the place and also for always being on its toes in developing whatever they already have. Many thanks for such hospitality and untiring charm. So typical of true Sagaynons.

Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on November 20, 2010.

Linguine

November 25th, 2010, 09:18 AM

3rd nat’l ICT convention opens today

BY RANIE S. AZUE

BACOLOD City — The 3rd National ICT Summit officially opens today.

Delegates from different information and communication technology (ICT) councils, local government units (LGUs), business processing outsourcing (BPO) locators, colleges and universities, telecommunication firms and other information technology (IT) industry stakeholders are expected to attend the event.

Plans for the industry for the next five years are hoped to be formulated during the summit, according to Atty. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, chair of the Bacolod-Negros Occidental Federation for Information and Communications Technology (BNEFIT).

BNEFIT hosts this year’s summit.

Sigue said the two-day summit aims to gather 40 ICT councils and federations and 200 other delegates from the academe, real estate, telecommunications and business sectors and LGUs.

It will also feature speakers from the Teleperformance, Philippine Computer Society, Game Developers Association of the Philippines and the Business Processing Association of the Philippines, she said.

The organizers are hoping to create a road map for the country’s IT industry and further boost the rankings of different LGUs in the Next Wave Cities for IT, she said.

Plans on how the IT sector in the country can become globally competitive will also be formulated, said Sigue.

Raymond Diaz of the General Santos City ICT Council who was with Sigue yesterday said IT is not just about “call centers,” as perceived by many.

IT covers cyber services, e-governance, human capital and infrastructure, said Diaz.

Also featured in the summit are sessions on BPO/Contract Center/Voice Services; Animation/Game Development; Medical/Legal Transcription; Software Development and Non-Voice/Back Office Application.

Guests will be introduced to various ITO-BPO-KPO companies, integrators, innovators, service providers, new technologies and systems and modern gadgets and software, Sigue said./PN

http://www.panaynewsphilippines.com/bacolod%201.htm

Linguine

November 26th, 2010, 05:28 AM

Provincial seminar held
for fisheries technicians

The First Provincial LGU Fisheries Technicians’ Seminar on Technology Updates was held recently with extension officers of local government units and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist involved in the implementation of the AGRI-PINOY Fisheries Program participating.

A press release from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist said the two-day seminar, held at the Technology and Livelihood Development Center Training Hall of the Negros Occidental Barangay Center in Gatuslao Street, Bacolod City, gave updates on various aquaculture species, like abalone and sea cucumber culture, as well as the packaging and labeling of fishery products.

Also discussed were good aquaculture practices, project proposal-making, and the impact of climate change to fisheries sector.

Speakers were Robert Espinosa, Roed Shane Hablo, Erwin Pador and Jessica Esmao of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Regional Field Office 6, and Reynaldo Acap, a private aquaculture practitioner in Iloilo City.

Provincial Agriculturist Igmedio Tabianan, who gave the welcome address and a message on behalf of Gov. Alfredo Marañon, Jr., challenged fisheries technicians to make innovations and continue to strengthen fish production through aquaculture both inland and marine.

He said enhancing the capacities of fisherfolk is a priority of the leadership of Marañon and Vice Gov. Genaro Alvarez Jr. under the Food Security Program of the Negros First Agenda.*

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/November/26/businessnews3.htm

Linguine

November 26th, 2010, 09:29 AM

SM Bacolod

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_4201.jpg

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_4206.jpg

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_4203.jpg

national guard

November 26th, 2010, 09:38 AM

^^
Nice shots of Bacolod's famous warehouses in BREDCO!:okay::D
Daw first time pa lang nga may nakakuha pics from these angles Sir Linguine esp pics 1 & 3.:)

MORE! MORE!:D

Linguine

November 27th, 2010, 02:13 PM

FITS centers launched

Bago City and La Castellana town recently launched its Farmer’s Information and Technology Services Center being the 9th and 10th FITS center in the province of Negros Occidental, Office of the Provincial Agricultural FITS manager Edna Garde said.

Garde said the two local government units launched their centers before the transfer of FITS management to the Agricultural Training Institute by next year.

The Bago FITS center has one of the best facilities in the province because it was collaborated with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and with the Philippine Rice Research Institute for its Open Academy for Philippine Agriculture, she said.

The La Castellana FITS center also collaborated with the Department of Education in its Alternative Learning Services where students and local farmers can do their researches and paper work using the materials provided by the ALS, she added.

Garde said that the La Castellana district 1 personnel cooperative is also supporting its local farmers in their entrepreneurial endeavor through the center.

FITS center is the information tool for students and local farmers who are willing to learn new agricultural technologies. It provides technology and livelihood training for local farmers and interested parties.

Meanwhile, OPA FITS center and Distileria de Bago in cooperation with Ginebra-San Miguel, Inc. will conduct a free livelihood training using cassava waste material for organic fertilizer, Garde said.

The training is slated on Dec. 2, at the Marañon Hall, Sweet City Captel, Bacolod City from 1p.m. to 5p.m. Cassava growers and local farmers are encouraged to attend, she added.

To confirm participation, interested parties may contact Garde at 09096250757 or Ed Yongque at 09175398721.*LTG

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/November/27/businessnews3.htm

Linguine

November 30th, 2010, 05:51 AM

Government Urged by Visayas Electric Coops to Keep its Rates Down (1)

* Bacolod City News
* Gil Alfredo B. Severino
* Negros Business
* Power Crisis

By Gil Alfredo B. Severino

The collapse of electricity price - rates negotiation between the 31-member Association of Visayas Electric Cooperatives (AVEC) and energy supplier Green Core Geothermal, Inc. (GCGI) which was started January 2010 prompted the former to file petition before the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for it to intervene in accordance with the Electric Power Reform Act otherwise known as EPIRA Law of 2001.

Order and Notice of Hearing is set tomorrow, December 1, 2010 to "hear out" the initiative of AVEC’s in filing said petition hoping that the Government’s instrumentality ERC used its power to determine the correct electricity power rates.

In a statement issued by Central Negros Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Ceneco), it is not that AVEC, where Ceneco is an active member, will not contract a New Power Supply Agreement (PSA) which is necessary to ensure sustained power supply even after the expiration of existing Transition Supply Contract (TSA) with the National Power Corporation (NPC) on December 25, 2010.

Rather, AVEC found GCGI price determination as unreasonable on grounds that a. price of geothermal steam it is selling is benchmarked to the world price of coal; b. front loading of the refurbishment cost; c. investment and operations and maintenance cost; d. overstated weighted average cost on capital (WACC); e. questionable purchase orders and f. other non-rate concerns.

The recitals, meanwhile, of the AVEC petition to the ERC, stated among others, the "take it or leave it" attitude of GCGI, reading "GCGI stand firm on its energy selling price at Php 4.7859 per kilowatt hour (kwh) while AVEC’s counter offer the power generated by Palinpinon and Togonon Geothermal Power Plants at Php 2.9408 per kilowatt hour, or at the round off amount of Php 3.00.

The Ceneco statement likewise read, "GCGI’s term sheet offer is Php4.70 per kwh, the AVEC counter-offer price of Php3.00 per kwh and since both sides of the negotiating parties seem to have fortified their stand and cannot agree on a mutually acceptable terms in order to wiggle out the contentious Php1.70 price variance, ERC petition for intervention was deemed necessary."

"For residential customers consuming an average 100 kilowatt-hours per month, a Php1.70 upward adjustment would mean that the custo-mer’s electricity bill shall increase by Php170.00 per month starting December 26, 2010," the Ceneco statement, added.

"AVEC and N-PSAG find the Php4.70 offer grossly unreasonable to the residential consumers and disastrous to the emergent conducive investment climate in the CENECO franchise area and Negros Island as a whole," it read.

GCGI, on the other hand, urged AVEC members to sign the PSA in advance and submit the same for approval; AVEC finds such arrangement absurd as this would deprive them of questioning an unacceptable price offer for them.

They are left with no choice, however, since GCGI is at present the only energy supplier of the base loads in the Visayas, thus they assail the said energy price offer through an instant petition.*

http://www.ndb-online.com/nov3010/negros-local-news/Government-Urged+by+Visayas+Electric+Coops+to+Keep+its+Rates+Down

Linguine

November 30th, 2010, 08:23 AM

soon to open....

Robinsons Place Bacolod

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_4325.jpg

Linguine

December 1st, 2010, 09:08 AM

Certified organic products
to take center stage at fair

The Negros Island Certification Services will feature 14 certified and approved products during the 5th Negros Organic Farmers’ Festival on Dec. 2 to 4 at the Organic Negros.

Agri-products like rice, vegetables, coffee, livestock and poultry, pork, organic bangus and fertilizers will be displayed at the festival, NICERT organic guarantee officer Robert Gasparillo said yesterday.

Displaying the organic products at the festival will also help the local organic producers to sell their goods at the same time educate buyers that there is a market for organic producers, he added.

Local producers joining the festival including Fresh Start Organics, Homayan Ministry, Iliran Tribal Council, Free Grow, organic coffee association, and alter trade products, he added.

Aside from the 14 accredited products, 40 applicants will also expected to display their products.

NICERT is now seeking accreditation with the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Products Standards of the Department of Agriculture in compliance with the Republic Act 10068, or the “Organic Agriculture Act of 2010.”*LTG

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/December/01/businessnews3.htm

Linguine

December 1st, 2010, 01:19 PM

Aboitiz OKs buyout offer for shipping unit

LISTED holding firm Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. will sell its stake in transport unit Aboitiz Transport Systems Corp., the company told the local bourse on Wednesday.

"At a special meeting today, Dec. 1, the Board of Directors of Aboitiz Equity Ventures voted unanimously to accept the offer of Negros Navigation Co., Inc. (NENACO) to buy its shareholdings in its transport subsidiary," the company said in a disclosure.

NENACO offered to buy shares of Aboitiz Equity and major shareholder Aboitiz & Company, Inc. in the transport unit at an equity value of $105 million or $0.043 per share.

The equity value covers all the logistics and shipping businesses of Aboitiz Transport, except interest in its joint venture companies with the Jebsen Group of Norway.

"Abotiz Equity will acquire prior to closing the 62.5% equity stake of Aboitiz Transport in the ship management, manning and crew management, and bulk transport businesses of the Aboitiz Jebsen group for approximately P355.91 million," the holding firm said.

Furthermore, Aboitiz & Co. will buy 50% of Aboitiz Transport's equity stake in Aboitiz Jebsen’s chartering business for P44 million pesos.

"If the buyout is consummated, Aboitiz Equity expects to receive approximately $81.1 million in its Philippine peso equivalent to be computed using a value spot exchange rate to be determined two business days prior to the closing date," the company said.

"The buyout is expected to close on or before January 10, 2011," it added.

Aboitiz Equity and Aboitiz & Co. own 77.24% and 15.96% of the total outstanding capital stock of the transport firm, respectively. --Neil Jerome C. Morales
|

http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=22133

Linguine

December 1st, 2010, 01:26 PM

RP needs 300,000 tons of sugar

THE PHILIPPINES could import 300,000 tons of sugar next year to plug a forecast supply shortage, the Trade department said on Wednesday.

Already, the domestic market is faced with a 100,000-ton shortage and will likely see another 200,000-ton gap next year with sugar millers expected to export that volume to the United States in 2011, Trade Secretary Gregory L. Domingo told reporters.

In the meantime, retailers are now free to sell sugar at whatever prices they see fit for this month after the Trade department decided to suspend the suggested retail price, Mr. Domingo added.

This should ensure that stores will be encouraged to sell sugar and meet the Christmas demand, he said.

"And we will need to speak with the Sugar Regulatory Administration and the sugar industry," he said in Filipino. -- Jessica Anne D. Hermosa

http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=22134

sigayboy

December 1st, 2010, 10:39 PM

CAMELLA MERIDIAN in Mandalagan, Bacolod City of Camella homes Filinvestland- just a heads up for this company.

they promised to start construction upon payment of Downpayment in full.

Full downpayment paid months ago- but still NO CONSTRUCTION DONE (still empty lot). :bash:

be careful in dealing with this developer. just saying. :ohno:

national guard

December 2nd, 2010, 05:39 AM

POSTED by jedai_blaze
(from the main thread)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5050/5222229987_8b4d19ce50_z.jpg

national guard

December 2nd, 2010, 05:42 AM

POSTED by jedai_blaze
(from the main thread)
(Edited)

Silay City: The greens beyond the heritage houses

Words and Photos by Izah Morales

Silay City, which is in the Philippines' Western Visayas region, has been dubbed the "Paris of Negros." The place is known for its heritage houses, which are influenced by European architecture. But there's more than these famed houses.

Forty minutes away from Bacolod City, I found myself transported back in time in Silay City's 19th century façade. I began my journey to history at Balay Negrense, one of the 31 heritage houses accredited by the National Historical Institute.

http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/inspirations__10/inspirations-370290231-1290666999.jpg?ym4f5IEDJjQV.oey

Balay Negrense, a century-old two-storey ancestral home of the Gastons, was transformed into a museum and is one of the most visited heritage houses in Silay. There, I met Susan Velez, executive assistant for Tourism, who invited me to join their trip to Barangay Balaring.

At first, I thought Silay was just about its heritage houses but I was wrong. Silay City Mayor Jose Montelibano said that they wanted to develop their eco-tourism sector through the development of the Balaring Coastal Eco-tourism Area and the Patag Mountain Resort.

http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/inspirations__10/inspirations-6774997-1290667223.jpg?ymXj5IEDVR.cWu_A

"We need to jumpstart a model tour for tour operators, so the rest of the cities will follow," said Montelibano.

After passing by the houses, we found ourselves walking on a 700-meter long bamboo bridge built in the middle of a 50-hectare mangrove forest. The Mangrove Forest Plantation was initiated by a Japanese-led non-government organization IKAW-AKO in 1997 to protect the coastal villages.

http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/inspirations__10/inspirations-630539342-1290667816.jpg?ymos5IEDXKVCG9vD

While walking, I noticed these signages hanging on the trees. Tourism officer Ver Pacete said that students visit the place to plant mangroves. Tourists are also welcome to plant mangroves. The IKAW-AKO foundation encourages people with their motto, "Planting Mangroves for life. It's fun."

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http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/inspirations__10/inspirations-210059204-1290667600.jpg?ymRp5IEDHVZvX8JA

After a 15-minute walk, we reached Tom Tower, a nipa hut which gives a breathtaking view of the sea and the mangrove forest.

http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/inspirations__10/inspirations-225771375-1290667920.jpg?ymQu5IEDL7UdICNo

The breeze in the nipa hut was cool and refreshing. One can reflect and commune with nature. Indeed, Silay wants to be known not just as a haven of culture and the arts but also as an eco-tourism destination.

source (http://ph.travel.yahoo.com/inspirations/212-silay-city-the-greens-beyond-the-heritage-houses?cid=today)

national guard

December 2nd, 2010, 05:46 AM

POSTED by neomind
(from the main thread)
(edited)

Photos in Silay

http://www.daryljimenea.com/ssc/01silay/1.jpg

http://www.daryljimenea.com/ssc/01silay/2.jpg

http://www.daryljimenea.com/ssc/01silay/3.jpg

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Linguine

December 2nd, 2010, 10:27 AM

SM questions
city’s tax code

The SM Group of Companies claimed that the proposed Tax Ordinance of Bacolod City failed to comply with the guidelines and limitations set by Congress in the Local Government Code of 1991, and the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

Cecilia Patricio, SM Corporate Tax Division senior vice president, wrote to the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod City on Nov. 26, 2010, they understand the benefits that this proposed Ordinance will ultimately provide to Bacolod City.

“We have seen the sincerity of the city’s desire to provide basic services and facilities to its constituents to aid in the attainment of its goals,” Patricio said.

But they have some reservations on the legality of the proposed ordinance which prompted them to submit a position paper, she said.

Patricio also claimed that the power of the local government unit to create its own sources of revenue and to levy taxes is not inherent, but depends for its existence on what is granted by the Constitution.

She said that being governed by the Constitution, this power of taxation unlike the inherent power of taxation of the national government is not absolute nor is it illimitable.

The Constitution itself has provided that this power is “subject to such guidelines and limitations as Congress may provide, consistent with the basic policy of local autonomy,” Patricio further claimed.*CGS

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/December/02/businessnews3.htm

Linguine

December 2nd, 2010, 10:36 AM

Gawad Saka
finalist invited

Organic farming practitioner and entrepreneur Ramon Peñalosa of Victorias City, Negros Occidental and Lucban, Quezon Province will speak on “Business Opportunities in Organic Farming" at 3 p.m. today, at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol Building in Bacolod City, a press release from organizers said.

Peñalosa will be among the experts in organic food production and business who will be featured in the 5th Negros Island Organic Farmers Festival set today until Saturday, the press release said.

A national finalist in the Gawad Saka Awards of the Department of Agriculture, Peñalosa is the Magsasaka-Siyentista of the Farmers Information and Technology Services Center of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist-Negros Occidental and the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium, the press release also said.

His farming technologies include "Probiotic Swine", Probiotic Poultry", and "Plant-Water-Harvest.”

His farms in Victorias and Manapla are favorite agri-tourism destinations, the press release added.*

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/December/02/businessnews2.htm

Linguine

December 2nd, 2010, 10:45 AM

Organic Farmers' Festival

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Linguine

December 2nd, 2010, 10:53 AM

Organic Farmers' Festival

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http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_4337.jpg

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http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_4333.jpg
for export

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/linguine16/IMG_4332.jpg
for export

national guard

December 2nd, 2010, 05:24 PM

POSTED by SUV111
(from the main thread)

Mirens

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs588.ash2/151016_465078334542_545194542_5659826_1008000_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1153.snc4/149584_465078254542_545194542_5659824_5843956_n.jpg

SUV111

December 2nd, 2010, 05:58 PM

national guard

December 2nd, 2010, 08:26 PM

^^
:D:D:D
You're Welcome anytime, all the time migs.:)

national guard

December 3rd, 2010, 12:09 AM

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/nationalguard_ssc/ssc%203/Shoptil10PMcopy.jpg

wala na sang mas daku nga pic...:lol:

Linguine

December 3rd, 2010, 09:49 AM

IN 2011
Visayas to have
adequate power
BY CARLA GOMEZ

The Visayas is expected to have positive power reserve by the second quarter of next year with three new plants expected to be fully operational, but power rates are also expected to go up, Rey Maleza, supervisor of the Energy Industry Management Division of the Department of Energy -Visayas Field Office, said yesterday.

Maleza and other DOE officials held a press conference in Bacolod City yesterday to call on power consumers to observe energy efficiency and conservation.

The DOE is celebrating the National Energy Consciousness Month this December with the theme “Towards Energy Access for More Through Energy Efficiency and Conservation.”

“Energy Efficiency will reduce need for oil imports. Such reduction will lower the capital and operating costs of electricity and will consequently provide Filipinos with sufficient electricity at lower possible costs,” a DOE statement said.

“For companies increased energy efficiency means more savings and profit, which will lead to greater company stability, more jobs and competitive markets,” it added.

The DOE also said energy conservation and efficiency will also mean less environmental stress.

Meanwhile, Maleza said expected to be fully operation by next year are the Panay Energy Development Corp with 150 megawats, Cebu Energy Development Corp with 210 megawatts and KEPCO Salcon in Cebu with 200 megawatts.

All three are coal-fired power plants.

This will provide the Visayas with adequate energy supply and a reserve of about 100 to 150 megawatts, he said.

Maleza also lauded the efforts of Gov. Alfredo Marañon at convincing investors to build power plants in Negros Occidental noting that they are needed to ensure power security in the province that relies on supply from other areas.

It would be ideal to buy power from a plant closer to the area serviced to prevent transmission wastage and ensure stability, Maleza said.

The DOE officials also said the shutdown of the geothermal power plant in Bago City will not affect the power needs of Negros Occidental since it had not been servicing the area anyway.

DOE Science Research Specialists Felix Timbal, Eduardo Amante and Magdaleno Baclay joined Maleza at the press conference in lobbying for energy conservation.*CPG

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/December/03/topstory3.htm

Linguine

December 3rd, 2010, 09:50 AM

Cassava industry
gets boost
BY LISA GAPAC

About P30 million will be infused monthly to cassava growers of Negros Occidental for their produce to be used for the production of alcohol by Ginebra San Miguel Inc. for its distillery in Bago City, Negros Occidental, GSMI business farming operations head Edmundo Yonque said yesterday.

Yonque said the Bago distillery needs 4,000 metric tons of dried cassava chips monthly as raw material for alcohol production. The company now buys dried and chipped cassava at P7.50 per kilo which translates to P30 million if produced by Negrense cassava growers, he added.

GSMI business procurement group head, Redentor Galura, said the company wants to make use of the idle and unproductive lands for a profitable alternative and regular source of income as well, he added.

He said the company’s cassava project will also allow the company to help rural development and alleviate poverty through sustainable agriculture and a way of diversifying the crop production in the province.

GSMI also invited the cassava growers to sell their produce to authorized GSMI buyers. They can also enter through the production purchase agreement with the company, Galura said.

Through PPA, the company will provide the cooperatives with free cassava planting materials and guarantee that they will buy the produce of fresh and dried cassava at a price agreed upon by both parties, he also said.

Galura added that farmers can also retain half of the planting materials that they can either re-plant or sell to other farmers.

The company is importing 20,000 tons raw material from Vietnam and Thailand that costs them P260 million. He said that if the local cassava growers can provide enough materials, this money will be redirected to Filipinos.

GSMI has planted 160 hectares of idle lands with industrial-grade golden yellow, KU 50, and Rayong 5 cassava varieties in the eight cassava demo farms in the province, Galura said.

The farms are located in Victorias, Bago, Talisay, Pontevedra, San Carlos, Candoni, and San Vicente. They also have a demo farm in Guimaras Island, he said.*LTG

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/December/03/topstory5.htm

Linguine

December 3rd, 2010, 09:59 AM

‘Market for certified
produce growing’

“The market for organic products is so big that we cannot accommodate them all,” organic farming practitioner and entrepreneur Ramon Peñalosa of Victorias City, Negros Occidental said yesterday

Peñalosa said that in Negros Island, organic products are in demand for local exports which means that the market is growing and there is a need for more organic growers.

The road to market and kitchen are among the business opportunities that Peñalosa cited. Some supermarkets in Bacolod City have allotted spaces for organic fruits and vegetables each day and at the end of the day, these fruits and vegetable stands are left empty, he added.

Peñalosa said that if only the local organic growers will work as one, there will be a sustainable market for organic products. There is competition but, at present, there is no way a small organic farmer can compete with another small organic farmer. Both will end up with less than what they are supposed to earn, he added.

These organic growers do not have to focus on one industry. There are other industries that they can target restaurants and cafes – this is the Road to Kitchen, Peñalosa said.

Poultry and swine production is another area of organic farming, Peñalosa said. In swine production, he identified four don’ts that will hamper the bio-security of the animals, environment, and health.

“No piggery in shops, No farm in the cities, No farm in the highway, No farm in places where there are chickens, sheep, and ducks,” Peñalosa said that the bottom line of organic farming is bio-security, thus, “we have to avoid cross-specie contamination.”

Peñalosa also said that putting a vaccine is putting a disease to the swine which means the farmer is preventing the development of natural immunity and shield of the animals.

Organic growers have to produce healthy animals and it means they have to keep and increase the population of healthy bacteria for competitive exclusion in moisture, air, food, and space, he said.

This is known as the regular co-infection of good bacteria, Peñalosa said.

He also said that there are millions of ways to do business in organic farming. It only needs the farmers’ willingness, ideas, and intervention to make it progressive, he added.*LTG

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/December/03/businessnews2.htm