Bacolód City and Negros Occidental Province [Archive]

SugarFreak

October 6th, 2007, 12:23 PM

Things to Do and see in Negros Occidental...

Historical:

Revolutionary Markers-
These markers in Bago and Silay Cities and E.B. Magalona, 22 km. and 15 km. from Bacolod City, respectively; commemorate the spots where local revolutionaries fought against Spanish authorities during the Negros revolution of 1898 and the American forces later on.
Araneta and Lacson Monuments (Bago City and Talisay)- 22 km. and 6 km. from Bacolod City, respectively; in memory of two great leaders of the Negros revolution.

Fountain of Justice (Bacolod City)-
Where the Capitulation of Bacolod was signed between the Spanish authorities and revolutionary forces.
Instituto Rizal (Bacolod City) - First public school established in Bacolod in 1902.

Church of Talisay (Talisay) -
7 km. from Bacolod City; constructed in the early part of 1900s; where the remains of Fr. Fernando Cuenca and Gen. Aniceto Lacson are being kept.

The House of Don Mariano Ramos (Bacolod City) -
Ancestral home of the late Don Mariano Ramos, first appointed Presidente Municipal of Bacolod.

Capitol Building (Bacolod City)
Imposing structure of Romanesque neo-classical architectural design, official seat of government of the Province of Negros Occidental; served as headquarters of the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II.

Old Fort at Himamaylan (Himamaylan)
83 km. from Bacolod City; served as a garrison when the town became the capital of Negros in 1795.

Yulo Ancestral House (Bacolod City)
By the sea; built in the early part of the 1900s; residence of Don Alfredo Yulo, mayor of Bacolod at the coming of World War II.

Balay Negrense (Silay City)
Originally the house of Victor Gaston, the eldest son of the Frenchman Yves Germaine Leopold Gaston who developed the sugar industry in northern Negros.

Ancestral House of Don Francisco Rodriguez
Built in 1938; occupied by the Japanese Imperial Army in 1941.

Balay ni Tan Juan (Bago City)
Built in the 19th century, this house once served as the residence of Gen. Juan Anacleto Araneta. Also known as “Balay na Bato”.

Old Bago Bridge (Bago City)
This bridge played a crucial role during the battle for the liberation of Negros islands against the Japanese.

Japanese Shrine (Bgy. Paraiso, Sagay City)
Commemorates the 2nd World War.

Eusebio Lopez Memorial School (Bgy. Paraiso, Sagay City)
Served as an incarceration area of captured American pilots and soldiers. Was also the headquarters of the 4th Flt. Division of the Japanese Imperial Airforce.

WWII Memorial Wall (Cadiz City)
A monument to Negrenses who figured prominently in the liberation of Negros from the Japanese Imperial Forces.

Cultural:

Ancestral House of Dr. Soriano (Bacolod City).
Constructed in 1901, the house was made of hardwood with fine carvings; served as a hospital during the Japanese occupation.

Hofileña Ancestral House (Silay City).
15 km. from Bacolod city; home to a collection of rare art pieces, antiques and paintings done by Luna, Rizal, and Hidalgo; venue of the first wood printing in Negros.

Hacienda Fe Ancestral House of Don Eusebio Uriarte Y Hermanos (La Carlota City).
42 km. from Bacolod City; where the Circulo de Agriculture, a planters organization, formed to undertake an anti-locust campaign.

The House of Don Mariano Ramos (Bacolod City).
Ancestral home of the late Don Mariano Ramos, first appointed Presidente Municipal of Bacolod.

Gaston Farm House (Silay City).
15 km. from Bacolod City; typical example of a "sugar baron's mansion"; coverted into a museum and known today as the "Balay Negrense".

Ramos Residence.
European architectural design; became the wartime residence of General Taga-ishi Kono, Provincial commander of the Japanese Imperial Army.

Negros Museum.
Showcases the important historical events which made Negros the "sugar bowl of the Philippines."

Bernardino-Ysabel Jalandoni Museum.
Built in 1912; converted into a Family Museum by the Silay Heritage group.

Lizares Ancestral House (Talisay).
One of the elaborately constructed mansions in Negros Occidental.

Hacienda House of Don Teodolfo M. Infante (Hacienda Guadalupe, San Carlos City).
Built in 1929 with intricate woodwork, it is considered to be the most beautiful hacienda house of that era; an architectural heritage masterpiece.

Steam Locomotives (San Carlos Milling Inc., San Carlos City). Dates back to 1911. Used to bring sugar planters from the Hacienda to the Sugar Mills.

Central Azucarera dela Carlota Steam Loco (La Carlota City).
About 17 ALCO (American Locomotive Company) and Baldwin made steam locos are owned by Central Azucarera dela Carlota. About 9 are in running condition.

Muscovado Sugar Mills (Hacienda Canman-ug, La Carlota City).
These Muscovado Sugar Mills are forerunners of Modern Sugar Mills. The ruins of the Muscovado Sugar Mill which was constructed in 1910 and powered by an A & W Smith Steam Company engine manufacturer in 1883 in Glasgow. This is the only mill ruin left in Negros with stoves and caldrons still intact.

La Granja Agricolas (La Granja, La Carlota City).
Established in 1881. An Agricultural Model Farm or La Granja Modelo was created through a Royal decree issued on Nov. 15, 1881 but opened on July 8, 1884 with Engr. Jose sanchez as its 1st Director.

Ma-ao Sugar Central (Bago City).
Built in the early part of 1918. One of the oldest sugar centrals of Negros.

Natural:

Patag Valley Trekking (Silay City).
45 km. from Bacolod City; located 400 meters above sea level between the highlands of Mt. Silay and Mt. Marapara; home of the Philippines’ spotted deer; highlight of the visit is a skyline ride.

Danjugan Island (Cauayan).
177.5 km. from Bacolod City; 3 hectare reserve marine sanctuary, a virtual marine paradise to lovers of the underwater world.

Busac-Busac Spring (Hacienda Reboton, Bgy. Tinampa-an, Cadiz City).
Main source of potable water in Cadiz City.

Alinsiyawan Falls (Sitio Aglolo-od, Bgy. Palmpas, San Carlos City).
35 min. more or less by private vehicle and 1 hr. by public transport from Pamhawan proper direct to falls passing hacienda Euskara, Hacienda Neguri Pamhawan or Hacienda Basconia to Sitio Aglolo-od.

Sipaway Island (Eastern part of San Carlos City).
Also known as Refugio Island. Has century-old Balete tree, white sand beach resort, Lopez beach house for snorkeling & scuba diving, a private wharf and recreation center, and a huge public swimming pool.

Codcod Rice Terraces (Bgy. Codcod, San Carlos City).
28 km. from city proper. One of the 2 main sources of rice and vegetables.

Choco Hills (Bgy. Prosperidad, San Carlos City).
Can be seen along the Negros Translink Ecotourism Highway. Differ in sizes and variations. Distance is 18 km.

Kipot Twin Falls (Bgy. Mailum, Bago City).
Consists of a stream separated by a sharp overhang that splits the water into 2 seemingly identical cascades.

Bagacay Falls & Asaw Asaw Falls (Bgy. Mailum, Bago City).
The falls are located at a place accessible only by foot; is an ideal retreat haven for nature lovers.

Rafael Salas Park and Nature Center (Guintubdan, Bago City).
A special interest park that serves as a gateway to the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park.

Guintubdan and Mt. Kanlaon Natl. Park (Sitio Guintubdan, Bgy. Ara-al, La Carlota City).
A tropical hideaway beneath a canopy of forest. Has springs, waterfalls, giant trees, ferns, among others.

Isla Puti (Escalante).
101 km. from Bacolod City; immense sand bar islet jutting out of the sea and measuring about 2 hectares in area.

Sagay Marine Sanctuary (Sagay).
86 km. from Bacolod City; established in 1978; an aggregate area of 200 hectares covering the so-called carbin reef, maca reef, maca shoal, and panal reef.

Ubong Cave (Hinobaan).
202 km. from Bacolod City; system of cave passages situated at the coastline of Sitio Ubong. Ideal for beginner spelunkers.

Pating Cave (Kabankalan).
Highest cave found in the eastern part of Bgy. Magballo.

Hagdanan Cave (Kabankalan).
Named so because of the natural formation of stairs made of stone inside the cave leading to the water under it.

Carbin Reef & Maca Reef (Sagay City).
Serves as a breeding ground of diverse marine species.

Religious:

Balaang Bukid ni Maria (Sitio Tongo, Bgy. Palampas, San Carlos City).
About 6.5 km. from city proper. Features Stations of the Cross with a Holy Cross statue of the Blessed Mother and a shrine overlooking the scenic areas of San Carlos.

Church of Our Lady Of Peace and Good Voyage (Lapaz, La Carlota City).
One of the early few churches of Romanesque architectural design. Built in 1876-77 and made of Silay red brick and corral stones.

St. John the Baptist Church (Bago City).
It is a century-old edifice built during the time of Fr. Juan Penido, with Mexican architecture. Located at the southern portion of Bago Public Plaza.

San Vicente Ferrer Church (Sagay City).
2 centuries old church. Devotees flock to the shrine of San Vicente every Friday, especially the 1st Friday of the month.

Chapel of Carthweels (Manapla).
Main attraction in the Chapel is Christ crucified in a cartwheel, as well as the altar made from a large solid rock and the virgin Mary carved out of solid "santol" tree.

San Sebastian Cathedral.
Bishop's Palace built by Fr. Julian Gonzaga served as refuge for the Spanish military and civil officials.

The Church of San Diego (Silay City).
15 km. from Bacolod City; Basilica type of architectural work constructed in the 1920s.

Mural of Birhen sang Barangay (Bacolod City).
Large mural mosaic of 95,000 pieces of shells of various species in their natural colors. A unique work of art found at the Chapel of Sta. Clara.

Sta. Ana Grotto (San Carlos City).
Built by Atty. Silverio Eusebio in the late 1960s; gained attraction among those whose illnesses and disabilities were miraculously "cured."

La Carlota Church (La Carlota City).
Constructed in 1876 out of corals and ducks eggs.

Church of Valladolid.
Constructed in 1877 under the supervision of the Recollect friar Carlos Ubeda.

Church of St. Joseph.
Found at the heart of Victorias Milling Co. complex; features the world-renowned mural of "Christ" done in psychedelic colors.

Church of Vito (Sagay City).
This century-old church is a mecca of the devotees of St. Vincent Ferrer.

Church of St. Magdalene (Hinigaran).
Built in 1858, the church was said to have a bell made of silver and gold weighing 480 kg.

Man-Made:

La Fortuna Nature and Wildlife Lagoon (Sitio Katingal-an, Bgy. Buluangan, San Carlos City)
Owned by the Ledesma family. About 12 km. from the city proper. Lagoon has Taiwan-variety and Tilapia fishes. Area is planted with various fruit and hardwood trees. Has several species of birds & domesticated animals.

Negros Museum.
Showcases the important historical events which made Negros the "sugar bowl of the Philippines."

Fort San Juan.
Constructed in 1888; served as the jail for prisoners during the Spanish era.

Mambucal Mountain Resort (Murcia)
30 km. from Bacolod City; gateway to the Mt. Kanlaon National Park; built as a spa in 1928; situated at an altitude of roughly 2,000 ft. above sea level on the north-western foot of Mt. Kanlaon.

Economic:

Crocodile Farm (Bgy. Abuanan, Bago City).
An extension of the Palawan Crocodile Farm Institute.

Sericulture Farm (Bago City).
Specializes in the production of raw silk from the cocoon of silk worm. Managed by the Organization on Industrial Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (OISCA), a Japanese private organization.

Hanao Hanao Community Development (Bago City)
Community members were trained on “patadyong” weaving using handloom and pottery making as an alternative source of income during the milling season.

B-4 Duck Farm (Bago City)
One of the biggest producers of duck eggs in Negros, accounting for around 30,000 heads.

Negros Occidental Is Famous For......

Beaches
Negros Occidental is also endowed with popular beaches and island destinations located up north and down south of the province.

Kabataang Silay Performing Arts and Rondalla Ensemble
These Young Cultural Ambassadors of Silay bring out the best of Philippine Visayan and rural folk dances and music.

Ancestral Houses
Reflect the grandiouse and lavish lifestyle of the Negrense elite during the turn of the century.

Sugar Mills and Plantation
The Sugar Industry itself - the mono-crop economy that made Negros the “Sugar Bowl” of the Philippines.

Mambukal Resort
Located 31 km. east of Bacolod City. This resort is surrounded by therapeutic sulfur springs, seven waterfalls, mountain streams, lush valleys, and hiking trails leading to Mt. Kanlaon.

Golf Facilities
The province has three world-class golf courses, Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club, Bacolod Golf and Country Club, and VICMICO Golf and Country Club, and has produced some of the country’s best swingers.

Festivals
Negros Occidental is known to be the most numbered in festivals depicting certain cultures in each of its 19 towns and 13 cities.

Cuisine
The food in Negros is legendary. Its mouth-watering dishes rank among the best the island has to offer. It is particularly popular for sugar-based food items, delicacies, and chicken “inasal. “

Iron Dinosaurs (Steam Locomotives)
Known among locomotive enthusiasts as the “Steam Paradise of the Philippines.” The Central Azucarera de La Carlota and Hawaiian Philippines Co. sugar centrals maintain these machines in good working condition. Each milling season, one may occasionally encounter one of these “dragons” creeping along the canefields like a mechanical caterpillar dragging along a host of canefield cars.

Panaad Park and Stadium
The stadium brings together the 13 cities and 19 municipalities in a showcase of history, arts and culture, tourism, trade, commerce and industry, beauty and talent as well as games and sports during the Pannad sa Negros Festival.

jaywalker

October 6th, 2007, 05:16 PM

INLAND RESORTS
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Natures Village ResortLocation:
Talisay Hi-way, Negros Occidental
Time of Travel: 10-15 minutes from Bacolod
Mode of Transportation: PUJ's and Private Vehicle
Facilities: Golf Driving Range, Restaurant, Resort Swimming Pool, Children's Park, Gazebos and Picnic Grove, Function Hall, Room Accommodations @ The Village Inn.
Contact Nos. Tel: (034) 495-3368 / Fax No. (034) 441-1104
Email: sonia@bcd.i-net.net

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The Quiet Place Farm Resort
Location: Brgy. Bago City, Negros Occidental
Time of Travel: 20 minutes from Bacolod City
Mode of Transportation: PUJ's and Private Vehicle
Facilities: Swimming Pool, Pavillons, Billiard, Table Tennis, Children's Play Park, Camping Ground, Hiking Trail, Barbecue Pits, Tropical Spa and Picnic Huts.
Contact Nos. Tel: (034) 707-7011, Fax: (034) 707-0017 Resort: 731-0700
E-mail: tqplace@mozcom.com

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Buenos Aires Mountain Resort
Location: Brgy. Ilijan, Bago City
Time of Travel: 45 minutes to 1 hour from Bacolod
Mode of Transportation: PUJ's
Facilities: Hotel Rooms, Cottages, Pavillons, Brgy Booths, Shed Houses, Function Rooms, Food and Beverages Outlet and Swimming Pool.
Contact Nos. Tel: (+6334) 461-0540 / 461-0164, Fax: (+6334) 461-0199
E-mail: bago@lasaltech.com

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Mambukal Resort
Location: Minoyan, Murcia, Negros Occidental
Time of Travel: 30-45 minutes from Bacolod City
Mode of Transportation: Private Vehicles, PUJ's
Facilities: Function Hall, Swimming Pools, Therapeutic Warm Dipping Pool, Picnic Huts, Bat Watching, Boating, Wall Climbing, Slide for Life, Canopy Walk, Camping Ground, Overnight Cottages, Hotel Rooms and Food Court.
Contact Nos. Tel: (034) 709-0990, Telefax: (034) 710-0800

MAMBUKAL leisure trails to the first three water falls, view deck along the way, adventure trails for the remaining four water falls beyond the seventh falls, trekking and hiking to the Wonder of Mt. Kanlaon Nature Park.

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Balicaocao Highland Resort
Location: Brgy. Orong, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental
Time of Travel: 2 hours and 30 minutes from Bacolod City
Mode of Transportation: Ceres Bus and Private Cars
Facilities: Swimming Pool, Pavillon, 4 Cottages
Contact Nos. Tel: (034) 471-2291

BALICAOCAO, gently nestled on the hill more than 500 above sea level, Balicaocao offers perfect ambiance for rest and leisure, while making breathtaking view and panorama of the coastal towns of southern Negros Occidental, the blue Waters of Panay Gulf and the island Province of Guimaras.

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Kipot Summer Resort
Location: Brgy. Ma-ao, Bago City, Negros Occidental
Time of Travel: 1 hour and 30 minutes from Bacolod City
Mode of Transportation: Bus, Private Car
Facilities: 5 Shade Houses, 4 Cottages
Contact Nos. Tel: (034) 410-5040
City Tourism Office, Bago City, Fax: (034) 8036

http://www.bacolodcity.gov.ph/bacolod_city.htm

jaywalker

October 6th, 2007, 05:20 PM

ISLAND RESORTS
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Jomabo Island Paradise Beach Resort
Time of Travel: 2 hours drive from Bacolod to Barcelona Port, Old Escalante and 20 minutes motorized boat ride to Jomabo
Mode of Transportation: Jomabo Van and Minicoaster by land & Jomabo pumpboat by sea.
Facilities: Cavanas, Deluxe Aircon Rooms, Family Cottage, Duplex, Tent, Ocean Kayak, Aqua Cycle Waterwheel and Banana Boat.
Contact Nos. Tel: (034) 434-3972 / 707-1904 / 434-3971
Fax: 433-2159, Cell No. 0917-5475943
Email: info@jomabo.com Website: www.jomabo.com

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Lakawon Island Beach Resort
Location: Cadiz Viejo, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental
Time of Travel: From Bacolod to Cadiz Viejo, 1 hour and 30 minutes
Mode of Transportation: Private and Public Vehicles
Facilities: Non-Aircon and Aircon Cottages, Tables and four chairs, Nipa Hut w/ Papag
Contact Nos. Tel: (034) 433-0808 / 434-7737

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Costa Aguada Island Resort
Location: Inampulugan Island, Sibunag, Guimaras
Time of Travel: 45 minutes from Bacolod to Pulupandan and 45 minutes ride by motor boat
Mode of Transportation: PUJ's and Private Vehicles
Facilities: Bamboo Cottages, Coconut Pavillon, Bar Cowrie Gift Shop, Swimming Pool, Outdoor Sport Complex with Tennis Courts and Indoor Sports, Pavillon for Table and Board Games, Children Playground, Horseback Riding and Jungle Trek.
Contact Nos. Tel: (034) 434-4541 / (034) 433-7373
E-mail: orinc@itextron.com Website: www.costa.com.ph

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http://www.bacolodcity.gov.ph/bacolod_city.htm

jaywalker

October 6th, 2007, 05:23 PM

SEASIDE RESORTS

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Palmas Del Mar
Location: J.R. Torres, Tangub, Bacolod City
Time of Travel: 10 minutes from downtown
Mode of Transportation: Private and Public Vehicles
Facilities: Hotel Amenities, Car/Van Assistance, Free Airport Transfer, Functions Rooms, Clubhouse, Picnic Grove, Restaurant and Bar
Contact Nos. Tel: (034) 434-7971 / 435-3527 / Fax: (034) 434-7972
Email: palmas@bcd.i-next.net
Website: www.palmasdelmar.ph.com

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Manapla Seaside Resort
Location: Brgy. Punta Salong, Manapla, Negros Occidental
Time of Travel: 1 hour drive from Bacolod City
Mode of Transportation: Cars
Facilities: Visitor's Lounge, Multi-Purpose Hall, Adults Pool, Net Roofing, Air-Conditioned Rooms, Karaoke Bar, Bicycles, Roof Deck, Kiddies Pool Side Canopy.
Contact Nos. Tel: (034) 434-6779 / Cell Nos: 0917-5476583 / 09294927028 / 0919-5519772

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Sunburst Bay Resort
Location: Brgy. Mambulac, Silay City
Time of Travel: 25 minutes from Bacolod
Mode of Transportation: Private and Public Utility Vehicles
Facilities: Function Halls, Carmencita Ballroom, Junior Olympic Size Swimming w/ Kiddie Pool, Pavillon for Conferences, Laterazza for Reunion, Playground, Beach Volleyball, Fishing, Boating, Lagoon, Restaurant, Rooms
Contact Nos. Tel: (034) 495-6611 / 495-6612
E-mail: sunburstbaysilay@yahoo.com

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http://www.bacolodcity.gov.ph/bacolod_city.htm

jaywalker

October 6th, 2007, 05:26 PM

BEACH RESORTS
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Takatuka Lodge & Dive Resort
Location: Langub Beach, Sipalay, Negros Occidental
Time of Travel: 4 hours drive from Bacolod to Sipalay and 15 minutes ride by motor boat
Mode of Transportation: Private and Public Vehicles
Facilities: Whitesand Beach, Cozy Aircon Cottages, Family Cottages, Diving Boat and Trekking Tours, Restaurant, Camping and Snorkeling.
Contact Nos. Tel: 0920-2309174
Website: www.takatuka-lodge.com

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Jara Beach Resort
Location: Km 16 Calumangan, Bago City, Negros Occidental
Time of Travel: 30 minutes from Bacolod
Mode of Transportation: Public Utility Vehicles
Facilities: Daytime and Overnight Accommodation and Catering Services, Function Halls, Live-in Seminar Packages, Special Wedding Package and Recreational Facilities
Contact Nos. Tel: (034) 709-7661 / 732-4505 Cell Nos: 0919-7670144 / 0920-3033110
Email: jarabeachresort@hotmail.com

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Happy Valley Beach Resort
Location: Brgy. Punta Salong, Manapla, Negros Occidental
Time of Travel: 1 hour drive from Bacolod City
Mode of Transportation: Cars
Facilities: Visitor's Lounge, Multi-Purpose Hall, Adults Pool, Net Roofing, Air-Conditioned Rooms, Karaoke Bar, Bicycles, Roof Deck, Kiddies Pool Side Canopy.
Contact Nos. Tel: (034) 434-6779 / Cell Nos: 0917-5476583 / 09294927028 / 0919-5519772

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Bonista Beach Resort
Location: Brgy. Buenavista, Escalante City, Negros Occidental
Time of Travel: 2 hours from Bacolod
Mode of Transportation: Private Vehicles, Cars and Buses
Facilities: White Sand Beach, Restaurant, Karaoke Bar, Swimming Pools, Air-conditioned Rooms
Contact Nos. Tel: (034) 454-0065 / Cell No. 0917-3609087

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Punta Bulata Beach Resort
Location: Brgy. Ilijan, Cauyan, Negros Occidental
Time of Travel: 2 1/2 hours from Bacolod
Mode of Transportation: Private Vehicles, Rent-a-Car and Public Buses
Facilities: Air-Conditioned Rooms w/ hot & cold shower, Bar & Restaurant, Honeymoon Suite, Volleyball Court, Kayaking, Snorkeling, Fishing and Diving
Contact Nos. Tel: (034) 433-5160
Website: www.puntabulata.com

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Soleo Beach Resort
Location: Brgy. Tabao Baybay, San Enrique, Negros Occidental
Time of Travel: 45 minutes south of Bacolod
Mode of Transportation: Private and Public Vehicles
Facilities: Overnight Accommodation, Picnic Day Cottages, Social and Function Hall, Fresh Water Swimming Pool and Canteen / dine in
Contact Nos. Tel: (034) 736-1067 Cell No. 0919-7120408

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Laura Beach Resort
Location: Brgy. Daga, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental
Time of Travel: 1 1/2 hour from Bacolod City
Mode of Transportation: Ceres Bus and Private Cars
Facilities: Rooms, Karaoke Bar, Disco Bar, Function Rooms, Swimming Pool, Tennis Court, Basketball and Volleyball Court
Contact Nos. Tel: (034) 493-0565 / 493-0071 Fax: (034) 493-0072

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Paradiso Beach Resort
Location: Brgy. Miranda, Hinigaran, Negros Occidental
Time of Travel: 1 hour and 20 minutes from Bacolod City
Mode of Transportation: Ceres Bus and Private Cars
Facilities: Clean Cottages, Adult and Kiddie Pools, Specialty Restaurant, Fashion Boutique, Recreation Cabana, 200 seater Pavillon and Amusement Billiard Hall
Contact Nos. Tel: (034) 391-7162 / 434-5575 Fax: (034) 433-3689

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Canonoy Beach Resort
Location: Brgy. Sitio Canonoy, Hinigaran, Negros Occidental
Time of Travel: 1 hour for Public vehicles, 30-45 minutes for private vehicles
Mode of Transportation: Public and Private Vehicles
Facilities: Shade houses, cottages for overnights, Archangel Hall for Seminars, Swimming Pool (Mini-Olympics and Kiddie) and Recreation Facilities
Contact Nos. Tel: (034) 391-7841 / Cell No. 0919-7718875

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http://www.bacolodcity.gov.ph/bacolod_city.htm

jaywalker

October 6th, 2007, 05:44 PM

Gawahon Views
by Karen Dinsay

What was once was a no-man's land or a rebels' lair has become an emerging eco-tourism destination in this part of the country, a place to unwind as one communes with nature set against the backdrop of facilities of modern comfort and convenience.

This is Gawahon Eco Park, located 18 kms. from the city proper of Victorias. With its seven waterfalls, a boating lagoon, overnight cottages perched on hills, picnic huts, gazebos, a viewing deck and a multi-purpose pavilion, it is now considered the premier nature-based attraction of the city. A swimming pool is under construction at the top of the mountain, amid the verdant greens of the upland attraction. The cottages, of various sizes, can accommodate from four to 30 persons. All rooming facilities can accommodate a total of about 70 guests.

The park occupies 162 has. of forest land which forms part of the 80,000-ha. Northern Negros Natural Park. The area, especially the first and second falls, thrives with big ferns and has a rare flora and fauna collection.

The city government under Mayor Severo Palanca is constructing a concrete road to the park to make travel more comfortable for Gawahon visitors. The park is scheduled to be inaugurated late in October.

Those interested to visit Gawahon may make arrangements with Joy Famini of the Victorias City Mayor's Office at Tel. Nos. 034-399-3459 and 399-2906.

jaywalker

October 7th, 2007, 06:05 AM

WITH MR. TOURISM
Our Weekend in Negros
The following article was emailed to StarLife by Ambrosio Gotera, a native of Igbaras, Iloilo, who migrated to Toronto, Canada 35 years ago. Gotera and his wife, Consuelo, revisited the country early this year when they met Gg. Turismo Andrew Alipato, a St. La Salle senior, who won the title a pageant held during the MassKara Festival last year. Organizers of Ginoong Turismo said they have reset this year's competition to December. Gtoera said he wrote StarLife to share his experiences in Bacolod and other parts of the country "after reading some interesting articles on the impressions of visitors in Negros in your online StarLife Sunday."

The writer, a former high school teacher in Igbaras, is a book author, a poet and a historian. He wrote The Igbarasnon, a historical compilation of his home town, a novel, Datu Puti, and a collection of poems, The Star of Bethlehem, which inspired by his trip to the Holy Land in 1999.

Datu Pati has sequels, Sumakwel and Marikudo, which completes his novel-trilogy which he hopes "will make the present generation help to retrace their pre-Hispanic roots when moral values flourished in every Malay family". My wife and I spent our 2007 winter getaway by island hopping in the Philippines. We are retired Filipino-Canadian couple from Iloilo, but haven't visited Negros lately. I was once in Bacolod City in 1965 and my wife also went once to Kabankalan when she was a little girl.

Almost a year ago (Oct. 15, 2006), I read your online article on the Tourism Guys which prompted me to send a postcard to the winner of Guinoong Turismo, Joseph Andrew Alipato, congratulating him and giving him my email address. To our surprise he responded and gave us his cell phone number. I phoned him and we were happy to know each other.

It was wonderful that this 19-year old tourism guy sounded very enthusiastic to meet us. So I told my wife that we would include Bacolod City in our itinerary.

We left Toronto on Jan. 15 at the middle of a snowstorm, a kind of weather we always tried to avoid. From Manila where we stayed for two weeks, we visited Vigan, Ilocos Sur and Legaspi City, Albay. Perhaps those ancestral houses in Vigan were as old as the Cagsawa church buried (except the belfry) by the Mayon Volcano eruption in 1814.

We proceeded to Iloilo and stayed there for two weeks. Then we flew to Davao City for a long weekend. We visited the Eden Nature Park and other tourist spots around the big city. In land area, Davao City is the biggest in the country. It is peaceful, clean and few years from now when it is fully developed; it will be the hub of commerce and industry in the southern Philippines. From there we flew to Cebu City for our second visit. We stayed there for nine days.

We visited Boljoon church built in 1571 by the Augustinian missionaries and is one of the oldest Roman Catholic churches in Cebu. From there we went to Bohol. The Sagbayan Peak and chocolate hills as well as the tarsiers, the hanging bamboo bridge across the Loboc river and it's floating restaurants got our fancy out of the many places to visit and things to do in this beautiful island of Bohol. We also visited the Blood Compact marker where Miquel Lopez de Legaspi the governor and captain general of the island of Cebu and Datu Sikatuna of Loboc sealed their friendship through blood compact on March 25, 1565. We also visited the Baclayon church, the oldest in Bohol and our tour ended in Panglao island.

On March 8, we texted Andrew to reserve a room for us at any hotel of his choice in Bacolod City. He recommended L'Fisher Hotel, which according to him, is the best in the city. We arrived there the following day, Friday at around noon time. He texted to welcome us and he apologized for not being there personally to greet us. We told him that we understood his situation, not to worry about us, and we would see him after school. He promised to meet us at 7 p.m. after his last class, but to our surprise he fetched us from L'Fisher Hotel half hour early. I realized there's no such tardiness called "Filipino time" anymore.

Our first meeting with Mr. Tourism at the hotel lobby was cordial and memorable. He suggested that if we like sea foods, we would have our dinner at Aboy's Seafood Restaurant. After few minutes taxi ride, we were there looking at the showcase of seafood dishes. We got acquainted very well at the end of the meal, and we also agreed that the next day, Saturday he would rent a car for us and drive us to Mambukal resort.

He invited us to drop by their house, and after that we had a night tour of Bacolod City. He told us about his family and we learned that his father, Andresito is a retired policeman and is mother, Delia is the sales manager of the Alpha Publishing Corporation. Using his father's old jeep, he toured us around The City of Smiles.

We stopped in front of the Provincial Capitol which, according to him, was the former Negros Museum. Inside the capitol building he pointed to us where the time capsule was buried and the perimeter around it, is the zero kilometer of Negros Occidental, or the distances to other towns and cities of the province start from there.

Then we strolled around the well lighted plaza as Andrew explained to us the symbolic statues of two water buffaloes commonly called carabaos which are handled by a male and a female representing the north and the south regions of the province. Overlooking the wide lagoon each carabao is staring at each other symbolizing both sexes of animal kingdom in which we top the list because of our human intelligence and moral character.

Pointing to us the statue across the lagoon, Andrew said, "That statue is the representation of human sufferings because of poverty, what you can see there are human beings lying and seem to be very tired of working yet earning less or nothing at all."

"That's an interesting piece of art," I said as we got closer to it. "Would that symbolize abstractly Juan Tamad or the sacadas working in the sugar plantation?"

"I'm not too sure," Andrew answered. "Perhaps it's more of the latter."

"Sometimes it depends on what's in the mind of the artist who created it and on the perception of the viewers." I said, "I'm impressed."

The next day despite of his tight schedule at University of St. La Salle, where he is studying commerce majoring in marketing and business management, he went to school for a brief seminar, then at around 10 a.m., he picked us up with a rented car and he drove us to Mambukal Resort. He accompanied us to climb up to the 6th waterfalls of that beautiful resort. After our lunch we had a dip at the hot spring pool. Then he drove us around the resort for more picture taking.

He took us to Santa Fe Resort where his class was giving a tribute to the seniors of business management major at the resort's function hall. All he did were to sign an attendance sheet and to socialize and snack with his classmates and friends while we walked around the resort and had an ice cream at the cafeteria. We were there for an hour or so, then we took off to the site of the famous annual festival of Pana-ad, "the festival of all festivals in Negros Occidental usually celebrated in April", he told us. In there, we also learned the different cities and towns and the famous industries of the Occidental negrenses as represented in their respective and unique booths.

In Pana-ad, Park is the biggest stadium in Western Visayas. From there we went to souvenir shops to buy T-shirts and handcrafts that we could bring with us to Canada. It was already late in the afternoon when he drove us to Silay City for sightseeing of the ancestral homes or "Balay Negrense", the biggest of which is now a museum; and the landmark of the Negrenses' uprising against Spain on November 5, 1898.

We tried to catch up with the 5 p.m. Saturday mass at St. Sebastian Cathedral but the mass was almost over when we arrived there. A couple of pictures with the Centennial Bells at the background sufficed our visit there.

From the church he drove us to the Manokan Country where the longest food chain in the world is located. It is famous for its chicken inasal. "During Maskara Festival the entire street is closed to be set up with chairs and tables for so many local and foreign tourists come and dine here, and they can also order for take out." Andrew told us. With enjoyed our dinner with oysters and chicken breasts inasal that we ate with our hands.

As a cap collector, I was looking for a Bacolod cap which we could not find at the souvenir shops and even at Robinson's, so went to SM Bacolod, but we couldn't find it there either at that time (Andrew bought one later and sent it to me last May).

Our tour with Mr. Tourism ended with a dessert at Bob's Cafe at Lacson Street, his treat to us. That was where we thanked him for what he did to us, and I also asked him to become one of my spiritual foster sons and he agreed (as such his only commitment are friendship, communication and prayers for his spiritual foster brothers. I have nine of them now, the prominent ones are Lawrence San Juan, a junior officer who is involved with the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny with Sen. Trillanes. The other recently died - 2Lt. Ariel Toledo of the Philippine Air Force. I met all them except the recent one from Dumaguete City, Mark Xander Fabillar, the 2006 Hari Ng Negros).

We rewarded Joseph Andrew Alipato full scholarship and monthly school allowance this school year and also for his summer school last April. What he did to us was out of the ordinary, which led to our friendship not only with him but also with his family. We also plan to help him come to Toronto after his graduation later for a better job opportunity and quality of life. His reign as Mr.Tourism of Negros ends next month but his deeds of goodness will reign in our hearts as long as we live. .

ngprofflorida

October 8th, 2007, 11:06 AM

CONTRATULATION nami meg!!!!!!!!!!!!!:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

ngprofflorida

October 8th, 2007, 11:19 AM

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TOURISM/RECREATIONAL FACILITIES/SERVICES

Accommodation Facilities/Beaches, Hotels and Cottages

Â· Palau Beach Resort & Hotel

Calatrava, Negros Occidental

Resort: Tel. No. (034) 727-8888

San Carlos City Office

Tel. Nos. (034) 312-5271 & 729-9553

Fax No. (034) 729-8541

Â· CassandraÂ’s, A Private Compound To Swim & Relax in Comfort and Privacy

San Isidro, Calatrava, Negros Occidental

Cell Phone No. 09177343562

Â· EL-JOY Beach Resort

Barangay San Isidro

Calatrava, Negros Occidental

Cell Phone No. 09192607072

Facilities:3 Gazebo Style Cottages (Open); 7 Open Cottages along the Beach; Male and Female Toilets, and BBQ Grill Stand available

Â· LOLY BEACH

Barangay San Isidro

Calatrava, Negros Occidental

Facilities: 5 Big Cottages; 8 Small Cottages; 1 Extra Big Cotage

BBQ Grill Stand Available; Shower Rooms for mem and women Canteen serving snacks only.

Â· Other Beaches:

TALA BEACH RESORT

Barangay Lo-ok, Calatrava, Negros Occidental

VALMAYORÂ’S BEACH

Barangay Refugio, Calatrava, Negros Occidental

SugarFreak

October 8th, 2007, 11:27 AM

discover and explore the Tourist Spots within our province through our Local Attractions, Festivals, Leisure/Recreation/Shopping, and Accommodation

SugarFreak

October 8th, 2007, 12:22 PM

September 17, 2007
2007 WV Tourism Assembly slated November in Bacolod (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/bac/2007/09/17/bus/2007.wv.tourism.assembly.slated.november.in.bacolod.html)

THE 7-day Western Visayas Tourism Assembly with the theme “Entrepreneurial Tourism: Beyond Tourist Arrivals” is slated from November 12-18 in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.

The assembly aims to highlight, promote, and showcase the diversity of the tourism attractions, services, and facilities of the different areas of Region 6. It is intended to be a colorful display of destination attractions, cultural and historical events, shopping, and investment opportunities.

Join forum on Sandiganbayan's guilty verdict on Estrada plunder case. Post comments here.

Some of the highlights of the assembly are the Regional Tourism Fair and Cultural Showcase on November 12-18 at SM City Bacolod, Regional Travel Exchange on November 12-14 at Sugarland Hotel, Regional Tourism Congress on November 14 at L’Fisher Hotel, Tourism Excellence Awards on November 14 at Natures Village Resort, Talisay City, Search for Ms. WV Tourism on November 15 at the Provincial Capitol, and Regional Parade of Festivals on November 16.

The assembly is sponsored by the Department of Tourism 6, Bacolod City Government, Provincial Government of Negros Occidental, Negros Island Tourism Inc., Association of Tourism Officers of Negros Occidental (ATONO) in cooperation with National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (NAITAS), Hotel and Restaurant Association of Negros Occidental (HRANO), and Women in Travel-Bacolod.

For information, the Negros Occidental Tourism Center can be reached through 433-2515 and 709-8775 or send an e-mail to tourism-negocc@yahoo.com. (Press release)

kyle@1008

October 8th, 2007, 12:37 PM

The Official Philippine promotional ad which featured maskarra

9BJ_hbj306M

kyle@1008

October 8th, 2007, 12:40 PM

San Carlos City

San Carlos City is a 1st class city in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines.

San Carlos is situated in the heart of the Visayan Islands in the central Philippines, close to the main sea lanes of South East Asia. At the crossroads of four major cities and provinces with a total population of about eight million, it is close to domestic and international trading and communication links of Cebu City. It is then an hour by jet to Manila, two to Hong Kong and Taiwan, and four to Singapore, Korea and Japan.

San Carlos will be an exemplary modern agro-industrial zone and a new town that is distinct, memorable, economically viable, socially responsible and in balance with the environment.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/wheretoflash3.jpg

Exemplary

San Carlos is posed to take a leading role in the agro-industrial development of Negros through the diversification of its productive agricultural base and the adoption of the highest standards in planning and project implementation.

Modern
San Carlos shall provide for a modern and world class living and working environment with or thru:

* Application of new cost-effective techniques to address quality of life issues
* Incentive business activities
* World-class facilities
* Connected to the world
* Safe and healthy environment
* Access and application of new technology
* Sound educational system including vocational & technical schools
* 24/7 Infrastructure
* Provide a variety of recreation & social activities
* Encourages economic development
* Provides quality health care
* Zero squatters

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Agro-Industrial Zone
San Carlos is capable of becoming an efficient agricultural base and a competitive industrial area in numerous fields such as:

* Flower and Ornamentals Production
* High Value Crops Production and Processing
* Aquaculture and Mariculture
* Light industry. Technology & Services
* Knowledge & Skill-based Manpower Development

New Town
San Carlos City shall be a town that exhibits a town-feel character with lots of open spaces.

Distinct
This means that the city would look and feel different not only to visitor and tourists but to residents as well. The Master Development Plan plans to make the city known for the hospitality of its people and for its distinctive mark.

Memorable
What the Master Development Plan really wants is to boost the city's Tourism Industry in turning it into a place where people would always want to come back to.

Economically viable
The Master Development Plan will create job opportunities in order to avoid brain drain. San Carlos City will not only be for a selected few but everybody would be given the opportunity or responsibility to participate.

Socially Responsible
The Master Development Plan shall create a society wherein residents are concerned with the welfare and well-being of everybody.

In balance with the environment
The Master Development Plan envisions the city to have a balance among business, recreation, social, health and family life.

History

San Carlos City was formerly named Nabingkalan, derived its name from Nabingka, a beautiful daughter of a chieftain of the Negrito settlement in the area, who ruled the barrio during the early part in the 17th century. She was famous for her loveliness and mental and physical prowess. After her death, the people mourned for two (2) years, but to perpetuate her memory, something had to be done, and that was to name the barrio Nabingkalan. The settlement was later bought by Carlos Apurado from Badian, Cebu, who, with the help of fellow pioneers, developed the settlement into a thriving Christian Village.Fragments of written history show that in 1856, the Island of Buglas (Negros), as a politico-military province under Spain, was divided into two (2) provinces, the West Negros under Iloilo and the East Negros under Cebu. The barrio of Nabingkalan under Calatrava, was under the jurisdiction of Iloilo. Señor Don Emilio Saravia, the first political-military governor in the island during the Spanish era, renamed the place and established it as a "pueblo".

San Carlos prospered through the years, however, the village lost its "pueblo" category, and in 1890, when Negros Island was divided into Occidental Negros and Oriental Negros, San Carlos was recorded as an "arrabal" or barrio of Calatrava (Hilub-ang).

On October 16, 1898, a parish priest of Calatrava, then the township under whose jurisdiction Nabingkalan, was a barrio, visited the place. He found it more prosperous than the town proper. So he assembled the cabesas de barangay and after a short conference, decided to name the new town San Carlos, in honor of the Patron Saint of the barrio, Saint Carlos Borromeo, whose feast day was November 4, and on the same day, the seat of the town was transferred to San Carlos.

During the first years of the American jurisdiction of the Philippines, the economic and social phase of the activities of the people was gauged on the movements of the big landholders and Spaniards in the lowlands. In 1903, the political arena was a hot place, it being the first taste of the Filipinos to elect their own leader. Since then, the following elections were always a sensational political drama. In 1912, when the sugar central was constructed, the economic life of the people was greatly enhanced. The political activities, however, was closely woven with that of Calatrava, until 1925, when Calatrava was organized into a municipality.

From 1899 to the last days of the administration of the municipality of San Carlos, the following persons have served as presidentes and mayors, has each contributed in one way or another to the progress of the town:

Vicente Flores Bernardino Lazanas Jose Cervantes Pelagio Carbajosa Agustin Ylagan (4 terms) Domingo Medina (2 terms) Vicente Atienza Juan P. Broce (2 terms) Fausto Caballero Eugenio Antonio, Jr.

Festival

Pintaflores was born out of the people's search for a cultural identity and tradition.

If Cebu City has its Sinulog, Bacolod City its Masskara, and Aklan its Ati-atihan, San Carlos City also dreamt of having its own unique festival.

In 1992, after successfully holding two activities, the Nabingkalan Tattoo Festival and the Dances of Flowers as highlights of the city fiesta, the idea of blending the two concepts to come up with a presentation that could be considered the City's very own started what today is one of the most popular street dancing festivals in the region - the Pintaflores Festival of San Carlos City.

Pintaflores is coined from the words Pintados, the concept behind the Nabingkalan Tattoo Festival, and the "flores", the Spanish word for flowers that dominated the theme of the Dances of Flowers. The Pintaflores street dancing and ritual competition highlights the annual Pintaflores festival every November 3-5.

It features rhythmic dances and dance dramas of life and death and the triumph of good against evil that depict the people's thanksgiving of merriment, abundant blessings and success. As part of the Pintados Tradition, the faces, arms, bodies and legs of the dancers are painted with flowers to express gratitude to man and his environment.

The street dancing is culminated by a dance ritual performed at the City Auditorium. Different dance steps and musical accompaniment add to the thrill of the competition. The Human flower formation is another impressive part of the dance ritual which are products of the ingenuity and skill of the choreographers and dancers.

Building a name on the streets of Cebu, Negros and Panay

It takes time to build. but, with Pintaflores, the time to gather frame is at a very young age. Colegio de Sto. Tomas - Recoletos high school students, bested seasoned contestants to land third place in the free interpretation category in the heavinly-competed Sinulog festival in Cebu City in January 1993. In April of the same year, the group bagged the championship in Panaad Sa Negros '93, to province-wide cultural festival in Negros Occidental.

Represented by Barangays II and Quezon, the Pintaflores street dancing contingent emerged first prize in Panaad Sa Negros in 1996. The same group with the participation of Barangay Ermita bagged again the championship in Panaad Sa Negros 1997 and the fifth prize in Sinulog festival '98.

In Panaad Sa Negros '98, the Pintaflores group composed of dancers from Barangays Punao and Palampas and the City Hospital graced the fiesta presentation as guest performers. In Panaad '99. the Pintaflores represented this time by elementary school children, once again proved its unbeatable streak by emerging champions, consequently reaping the Hall of Fame award for topping the fiesta presentation event in four consecutive years.

Having established a name in street dancing, Pintaflores danced performers in such places as Iloilo City (1996) and the Roxas City (1997) as among the best of the best in the region, and in Canlaon City and Victorias in 1999 as the best in the province.

But the best is yet to come to Pintaflores as a new breed of dancers has emerged with the launching of Pintaflores Bata or Pinta Bata in 1996. A street dancing and ritual competition among elementary school children. Pinta Bata thrills one with the children's pleasing gracefulness and versatility that promises a crop of excellent dancers in the years to come.

San Carlos comes alive and colorful every November 5. Its streets become ablaze and animated by the sprightly dance of flower-painted dancers in colorful ethnic-inspired costumes as the traditional Pintaflores festival hits this its peak in a colorful and lively streetdancing competition.

After five years and many awards, including the Hall of Fame awards in streetdancing in the Panaad Sa Negros, the word Pintaflores, like "Daan Sa Kaunlaran" and Homelot program, now has become another byword of the creativity of San Carloseños.

San Carlos Business Park

is an area besides the city hall, which is set to become an export processing zone, it is also the site of the San Carlos City airport set to open in 2010

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People's Park

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/202875437_5fa2a4fad2.jpg

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Sipaway Island

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Hacienda Fortuna Lagoon
is a park within the 3,000 hectare sugar plantation owned by the Ledesma family of which Rep. Jules Ledesma belongs to

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/lagoon1.jpg

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San Carlos Sugar Mill

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/2sancalros15-1.jpg

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for more information please visit the website http://www.sancarloscity.org/

SugarFreak

October 8th, 2007, 01:10 PM

San Carlos City

San Carlos City is a 1st class city in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines.

San Carlos will be an exemplary modern agro-industrial zone and a new town that is distinct, memorable, economically viable, socially responsible and in balance with the environment.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/lagoon2.jpg

for more information please visit the website http://www.sancarloscity.org/

like this scene ,,, beautiful

ngprofflorida

October 8th, 2007, 01:25 PM

like this scene ,,, beautiful

I thought post card ina, the best ang scene, very professional and kuwa...

Bravo!!!!!!:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

jaywalker

October 9th, 2007, 09:23 AM

Body painting contest held

The 2nd "Lawas Taliambong" body painting contest was held by Duag, an artists' association in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, Saturday, a press release from the city said.

The event, participated in by 10 artists and models, was in cooperation with the city government and the Kabankalan Cultural and Tourism Foundation Inc. Winners were Francis Niday, Randy Malala and Kenny Tañes as first, second and third placers, respectively.

Niday's model, Alyssa Lorenzo, had her body painted with scenes from Balicaocao Resort. Malala painted the new city hall on his model Chyrine Ramoran, and Tañes painted the city plaza on model Fil Rose Basis, the press release said.

A program before the competition was held with Mayor Pedro Zayco Jr. and Vice Mayor Delia Anacan as speakers, followed by the induction of officers of the Du-ag Artists Association by Zayco.

Sworn in were Dave Tajanlangit, president; Randy Malala, vice president; Rowena Jane Casama, treasurer; Noel Etabag, secretary; Vanessa Grace Docto, assistant secretary; Nonoy Suyod, auditor; Edmund Equibal, Francis Niday and Aldyn Moreño, public information officers; and Michael Mayabo, business manager, the press release added.*

SugarFreak

October 9th, 2007, 10:53 AM

I thought post card ina, the best ang scene, very professional and kuwa...

Bravo!!!!!!:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

para yan sayo mego ngProfessional
lols

kyle@1008

October 9th, 2007, 12:06 PM

check this out, the Famous La Carlota Drum Beaters at the Pasasalamat Festival in their home turf at La Carlota City

9V93AQ8bV2c

BxFjEZJBGM4

SugarFreak

October 9th, 2007, 12:35 PM

^^Pasalamat Festival of La Carlota City
they are won during the Panaad festival 1998

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/pasalamatlacarlota1.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/pasalamatlacarlotadrum.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/pasalamatlacarlotadancer1.jpg

jaywalker

October 9th, 2007, 01:02 PM

You are so profound about Negros Kyle!Those images of San Carlos City is extremely attractive! Good job,keep it up!
Acknowledgement for the untiring effort of Sugar in starting this thread,Thank you ,Sugar!
So, this thread exclusively focuses on Negros Tourism,covering the Towns and Cities from the whole Province of Occidental and Oriental.Hopefully we could see some post from our brothers in NegOR.:)

SugarFreak

October 9th, 2007, 01:15 PM

Wreck Dive & Beach Resorts - City of Sipalay
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/resort_wreckdivemainsipalay.jpg
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http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/resort_wreckdivefarviewsipalay.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/resort_wreckdiveviewsipalay.jpg

SugarFreak

October 9th, 2007, 01:23 PM

kyle@1008

October 9th, 2007, 01:44 PM

Apo Island Marine Reserve Negros Oriental

one of the best dive sites in the country

4-yIDmdIpSM

kyle@1008

October 9th, 2007, 02:49 PM

oh yeah this one's lovely...

Sunrise at Silliman Beach, Dumaguete City

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1219/1271550702_5d94ddca1f.jpg?v=0

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1320/1270816709_4a9bc1b3ce.jpg?v=0

pics from revenui's flickr (http://www.flickr.com)

nicko

October 10th, 2007, 09:43 AM

ANTULANG BEACH RESORT
Siaton, Oriental Negros

PARADISE LOST... NOW FOUND.

these pictures do not even do justice to this heavenly place..

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/5018/antulanggift4vw.jpg

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nicko

October 10th, 2007, 09:45 AM

ANTULANG

Indeed, once you are in Oriental Negros, there's really no need to go out to other islands to experience the best of the best beaches, resorts, and spas.. its all in here! after all, our place boasts of having the best of all worlds.. ;)

(in fairness, antulang is still not well known and publicized all over pinas yet it has already been a favorite place for local and international personalities)

some local stars enjoying antulang..
http://www.antulang.com/gallery/albums/album02/ANGELICA_ON_HORSEBACK.jpg
Angelica Panganiban on a photo shoot for BENCH's print ad

http://www.antulang.com/gallery/albums/album02/RAFAEL_ON_HORSEBACK.jpg
Model Rafael Rosell on a photo shoot for BENCH's print ad

http://www.antulang.com/gallery/albums/album02/GMA_7_AT_THE_POOL_FOR_THE_WEB.jpg
Philippine TV's top network GMA-7 on a location shoot with some of the country's most popular stars: from L to R are Bearwin Meily, Richard Gomez, Joey Marquez, Raymart Santiago and Benjie Paras.

http://www.antulang.com/gallery/albums/album02/RICHARD_GOMEZ_ANA.jpg
Philippine matinee idol Richard Gomez with young fan Ana at the balcony

http://www.antulang.com/gallery/albums/album02/RAYMART_SANTIAGO_FOR_THE_WEB.jpg
Philippine cinema's Raymart Santiago at his element

http://www.antulang.com/gallery/albums/album02/ARGOS_KARLYN_FOR_THE_WEB.jpg
Singer-violinist Karlyn Bayot hams it up with resident lab Argos

http://www.antulang.com/new/images/index_07.jpg

kyle@1008

October 10th, 2007, 11:42 AM

the two provincial capitols, with their imposing facades....

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/9114/dgtecapitolec6.jpg
oriental in dumaguete

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/60.jpg
occidental in bacolod

twin cities...

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/7597/provcapitol8uh.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/capitol2a.jpg

jaywalker

October 10th, 2007, 11:53 AM

Welcome our fellow Negrense from Oriental.:) Glad you've made it!:)

^^ Antulang is truely a World Class Resort.Magnificent views!I have visited thier website and it shows guests like the Foriegn Dignitaries of some Embassy here in the Country. May i know why it was called Antulang?Thanks Nicko:) !

^^ Those two monumental Provincial Capital are very much similar.

SugarFreak

October 10th, 2007, 12:04 PM

^^that's why Oriental Negros and the all negrenses are proud as the 20 best places to live in the world...cited as the world class diving destination Apo Island in Dauin town,,, marine sanctuaries and the dolphins at the Tañon strait of Bais City...

jaywalker

October 10th, 2007, 12:19 PM

^^ Negros Oriental has bounty of Nature's Wonder.^^

jaywalker

October 10th, 2007, 03:56 PM

Antulang Beach Resort
VQk0Mia6grM

ritche

October 11th, 2007, 05:54 AM

http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/7583/theresortimage05xo4.jpg

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/768/galtheresort01cq4.jpghttp://img166.imageshack.us/img166/5368/galtheresort03ln3.jpghttp://img171.imageshack.us/img171/9308/galtheresort02ea0.jpg
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/8293/galwatersports01ky5.jpghttp://img402.imageshack.us/img402/1582/galwatersports05vg8.jpghttp://img402.imageshack.us/img402/9623/galwatersports04jz3.jpg

jaywalker

October 11th, 2007, 08:32 AM

^^ Another splendid place to be in Negros Oriental.This places is unknown to local tourist.It's just needed to spread the words about what NegOr natures beauty to catch attention.Hope we can add info's about this world class resorts of NegOR like the addresses and ways to get there.

SugarFreak

October 11th, 2007, 10:16 AM

October 11, 2007
IN ESCALANTE CITY: ASOTEC holds tour (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2007/October/11/people.htm)

The Association of Tourism Officers and Staff of Escalante, Negros Occidental held a tour in the upland barangays of the city, recently, a press release from Escalante said.

The tour in barangays Dian-ay, Magsaysay and Binaguiohan was part of its tourism week celebration, in coordination with Mayor Melecio Yap Jr.

The organization headed by Alfredo Canabe, visited a proposed tourism spot at Sitio Mud Rocks, Brgy. Dian-ay, where an overlooking view of a passable bridge connecting Brgy. Pinapugasan is located.

The group also visited the mystic caves and river in Barangay Binaguiohan, the press release added.*

jaywalker

October 11th, 2007, 11:05 AM

Some vids of Bahura Beach Resort.
GBxX8uikLQM
OBmwR6j_bOY

SugarFreak

October 11th, 2007, 02:43 PM

October 11, 2007
Bayawan pushes for aggressive tourism campaign (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dum/2007/10/11/news/bayawan.pushes.for.aggressive.tourism.campaign.html)
By Edmund B. Sestoso

BAYAWAN CITY -- Councilor Mark Fidencio Aurelia said the administration of Mayor German Sarana is investing on promoting the city as tourism and economic destinations that will redound to the benefit of the people.
Aurelia said along this line, Mayor Sarana issued an executive order creating the Projects Promotions Team that is composed of the different local department heads and the tourism office.

Aurelia, who heads the team, explained that the group will serve as a "spokesman" of sorts of the City Government both in provincial, national, and international arenas.

He also said the team will conduct campaigns to inform the people of what the City Government is doing.

The councilor said that in the event there are several activities or visitors in the city, it is the work of the promotions team to come up with a unified itinerary for them.

Councilor Aurelia also said they are maximizing the city's three fiesta celebrationsto attract tourists.

He said the city now has three traditional fiesta celebrations: September 22, a parochial fiesta dedicated to Sto. Tomas de Villanueva; February 18, the harvest season; and December, the charter day celebration.

He added that September is declared as Tourism Month, February as Motorsports Month, and December as Belen Festival.

jaywalker

October 12th, 2007, 06:53 AM

originally posted by Sugarfreak
SIPAWAY ISLANDSan Carlos,Negros Occidental

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/sipaway-1.jpg

WHISPERING-PALMS ISLAND RESORT
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/a_Aussichtv_1.jpg

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/a_WillkommenBildSDk_1.jpg

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/Resortansicht.jpg
http://www.whispering-palms.com/
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/SIPAWAYISLAND.jpg

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/SIPAWAY1.jpg

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/Whispering_resort2.jpg

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/Resort_willkommen.jpg

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/a_Whispering_start08.jpg

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/sipawaysancarlos.jpg

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/sancarlos_sipawayisland.jpg

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/Strand_grill.jpg

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/Speisesaal.jpg

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/Bar1.jpg

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/Bar-1.jpg

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/resort_whisperingpalmssancarloscity.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/sipawaytowerlandscape.jpg

jaywalker

October 12th, 2007, 07:03 AM

NEGROS (SCUBA)DIVING CENTERS

Dive Philippinen / Antulang Beach

Thalatta Dive Resort / Zamboanguita

Sipalay Easy Diving and Beach Resort / Sipalay

Easy Diving Robinson Cruse Beach Resort / Sipalay-City

Sea Explorers Dumaguete / Dauin

Artistic Diving & Resort / Sipalay City

DiveNegros Resort / San Carlos

Paul's Diving School / Dauin

Apo Island Beach & Dive Resort / Dauin

Dive Society Dumaguete / Lipayo-Dauin

Atlantis Dumaguete Beach & Dive Resort / Dumaguete

Scuba Venture / Dumaguete City

Castaways Beach & Dive Resort ( Amontillado Beach & Dive Resort ) / Dauin

Abyss Pro Dive / Dauin

Malatapay Beach Resort / Zamboanguita

Takatuka Lodge and Dive Resort / Sipalay

Quality Time Divers / Sipalay

International Dive Center / Sibulan, Negros Oriental

jaywalker

October 12th, 2007, 05:35 PM

Experience road trip in Negros Occidental

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/street_lacsonmandalagan1bacolod-1.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/street_lacsonmandalagan2bacolod.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/279325028_7294b300b7.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/bacolod071.jpg

this photo courtesy pf ponslizares @ flickr...
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/820002108_2208b35354.jpg

the talisay-silay highway is the one which coonects bacolod to silay and to the new bacolod-silay airport... the highway stretches for more than an hour, it's not only wide and smooth, but it's actually very beautiful and scenic, tried to take as much pic as possible, since the landscaping varies...

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/bacolod047.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/bacolod049.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/bacolod051-1.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/bacolod052.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/bacolod053-1.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/bacolod054-1.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/bacolod056-1.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/bacolod057.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/bacolod059.jpg

this is the last stretch...

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/bacolod068.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/bacolod069-1.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/bacolod070-2.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/bacolod071-1.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/bacolod072-1.jpg

Ex!lE

October 13th, 2007, 07:56 AM

share ko lang mga pics. na kuha ko during our vaction. (sorry sa quality camphone lang gamit ko)

set 1:

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p82/Exile_NDC/07272007560.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p82/Exile_NDC/07272007558.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p82/Exile_NDC/07272007556.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p82/Exile_NDC/07272007570.jpg

Ex!lE

October 13th, 2007, 08:21 AM

set 2:

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p82/Exile_NDC/07272007565.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p82/Exile_NDC/07272007564.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p82/Exile_NDC/07272007562.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p82/Exile_NDC/07272007561.jpg

Ex!lE

October 13th, 2007, 08:33 AM

set 3:

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p82/Exile_NDC/07272007568.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p82/Exile_NDC/07272007567.jpg

Ex!lE

October 13th, 2007, 01:36 PM

set 4:

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p82/Exile_NDC/07272007571.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p82/Exile_NDC/07272007570-1.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p82/Exile_NDC/07272007569.jpg

jaywalker

October 13th, 2007, 04:12 PM

Antulang is so enticing!I like to soak in the pool overlooking the sea.What activities have you done in your visit to Antulang?Difinitely Negros host to some worls class resorts.
Great shots there Exile!thanks

Ex!lE

October 14th, 2007, 08:03 AM

nicko

October 14th, 2007, 12:02 PM

http://www.philippineairlines.com/palimg/globmenu/logo_pal.gif
PAL is back by next month!

but wait, not only that!...

http://flyseair.com/images/seairlogo.jpg
SEA AIR

http://www.asianspirit.com/graphics/Asian_Spirit_logo.png
ASIAN SPIRIT

are also serving Dumaguete also by next month with connections to Mactan, Boracay, Panglao, Siquijor, and Palawan!!

These are all confirmed by the ATO authorities..
In fact, the renovation of the ticket offices at the departure areas at the airport terminal are now brisk.. Present service airline, Air Philippines and its sister airline, PAL will both occupy the eastern side counters, while the west side will be occupied by Cebu Pacific, Asian Spirit, and Sea Air..

Now, Dumaguete will have a total of 5 service airlines serving in almost every corner of the country!..

The current serving airlines are:

http://www.octopustravel-asia.com/ph/cebuair/images/cebupacificLogo.gif
CEBU PACIFIC

http://www.bestasiaphilippines.com/gifs/airphilippiines_logo.jpg
AIR PHILIPPINES

http://tommyschultz.com/images/mnl-04/dgte-airport2.jpg

Both with twice per day service to Manila.

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

jaywalker

October 14th, 2007, 05:41 PM

^^ basically ligo, kain at boating lang, Antulang is in a secluded area so theres no night life, para maaliw kami sa gabi, we just rented a videoke machine at nagkantahan and they have a folk show during weekends.

^^ It is something like hideaway.A truely relaxing place i may say.Recomendable for lovers,honeymooners.Actually they could develope a portion of Antulang as a Spa Resort.

jaywalker

October 14th, 2007, 05:44 PM

SugarFreak

October 15th, 2007, 10:32 AM

share ko lang mga pics. na kuha ko during our vaction. (sorry sa quality camphone lang gamit ko)

set 1:

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p82/Exile_NDC/07272007560.jpg

masyadong delikado ito para sa mga bata at sa mga buing...nice photo...purified waters

set 4:

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p82/Exile_NDC/07272007569.jpg
very quiet waters...may bato pa sa gitna ng pool...great picture...distilled waters

SugarFreak

October 17th, 2007, 08:24 AM

Silay City

St. Francis Natures Village Promotional Video
LQVwweUUnXg

Tinagong Dagat
kyWCGdtSDjY

Patag View
ZoFNBZlSwjo

jaywalker

October 17th, 2007, 02:29 PM

^^Informative videos!Thanks for the tour around Silay ,Sugar:cheers:

nicko

October 18th, 2007, 04:36 AM

TAMBOBO BAY

nicko

October 18th, 2007, 04:42 AM

Tambobo Bay freeport (where Antulang is located)
Yachts from every corner of the world dock here and enjoy the scenery of Negros. These yachts also occasionaly dock at Dumaguete bay making the Rizal Baywalk scene more appealing and charming..
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/93/222747123_068bc87231.jpg?v=0

Sand Bar in the middle of the sea.. (Bais-Mabinay border)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/93/277548666_63c3732c36.jpg?v=0

Atlantis Beach Resort
http://www.atlantishotel.com/toko/images/photo_index_01.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/188/478140942_364d16fc71.jpg?v=0

ngprofflorida

October 18th, 2007, 02:17 PM

jaywalker

October 18th, 2007, 02:34 PM

^^What a beauty! A truely world class destination!:cheers:

thanks bai Nicko!:)

nicko

October 18th, 2007, 04:21 PM

sure! no prob! All for NEGROS!

jaywalker

October 20th, 2007, 12:28 PM

'Mambukal most profitable
among Capitol enterprises'
Mambukal Resort is the most profitable among the economic enterprises of the provincial of Negros Occidental, now self-sustaining after posting sustaining consistent income growth since 2004.

Japhet Masculino, head of the Economic Enterprise and Development Department, which runs the Mambukal Resort, said the upbeat income performance can be attributed to the aggressive development of the resort facilities which started in 2003.

He said that Mambukal became a self-sustaining enterprise after earning more than its expenses for personnel services and maintenance and other operating expenses, which is pegged only between P14 and P15 million a year.

Figures from the Negros Occidental Provincial Treasurer's Office show that from 2004 to 2005, Mambukal's annual revenue grew by 20 percent - from P14.003 million to P16.792 million - while from 2005 to 2006, by 19 percent - from P16.792 million to P19.927 million.

Although the data indicate a one percent drop in the percentage of increase from 2005 to 2006, figures show that the revenue increase during the period is still higher compared to that in 2004 to 2005. From 2005 to 2006, collection increase totaled P3.135 million, 12 percent higher than the P2.788 million from 2004 to 2005.

As of August this year, the income of Mambukal Resort already reached more than P17 million.

Governor Joseph Marañon, whose administration spearheaded the repair and rehabilitation of Mambukal Resort, said with the growth in the resort's income in the last couple of years, he is optimistic that they can reach the target P20 million collection by the end of 2007.

Mambukal earns from cottage rentals and entrance fees. Its facilities inclue lodges, convention hall, bathhouse, swimming pool, dipping pool, boating lagoon, canopy walk, camping grounds, and other recreational facilities such as Slide for Life and Climbing Wall.*NLG

nicko

October 20th, 2007, 03:58 PM

^^ i have been to mambukal back in 2005 but it was not totally finished yet. how is it now??.. how i miss the place.. touring around the huge area using the hanging bridges attached to the treetops and seeing the majestic waterfalls. we then hiked up to the mountains and we lost our way. so scary.. however, we were able to encounter another waterfall.. such memories!! i cant wait to go back!!

jaywalker

October 21st, 2007, 02:34 PM

The last time i was there was just last year for a picnic only,it's way much better with the new added attraction.There were many foreign visitors on sight,subathing on the pool side.Nature at it's best plus the countryside views you'll be able to see on the road trip to Mambukal Resort.
Spring water is very refreshing but climbing the stairway to the waterfalls is a good health test and challenging.:lol:

nicko

October 21st, 2007, 05:57 PM

^^ id luv to see some mambukal pics here..:)

jaywalker

October 22nd, 2007, 09:38 AM

Yeah Definitely, We'll have it here,the Mambukal Resort pictures,Bai Nicko:cheers:

jaywalker

October 22nd, 2007, 09:40 AM

Alijis bags championshipBY PATRICK PANGILINAN

Open category

Barangay Alijis' penchant for pulling off a surprise victory in the open category of the MassKara Festival street and arena dancing competition continued for the second straight year yesterday.

Gyrating with style and energy, the Alijis dancers grabbed the spotlight again where the stakes were higher, after missing out on the top prize in the barangay category Saturday.

It marked the second straight year that the group came through with the golden performance in the open category.

With yesterday's triumph, Alijis, which swept the open category awards last year, took the P100,000 purse, while first runner-up Barangay 23, which topped the barangay category Saturday, was awarded P75,000.

Barangay 28 was adjudged third and won P50,000. It was also declared Best in Mask. The Barangay 28 dancers wore rotating feathered headdresses that extended as their masks.

With Barangay 23 and Alijis finishing at the 1-2 positions Saturday, the stage was set for another showdown between the two groups. Apart from the open category crown, Alijis was also awarded for the Best in Choreography, while Barangay 23 was adjudged Best in Concept and Best in Costume.

Veteran choreographer Segundo Jesus “Panoy” Cabalcar trained the Alijis contingent and also designed their masks and costumes. Cabalcar also choreographed for past grand slam champions Barangays Pahanocoy and Villamonte.

Amid sweltering conditions, the groups danced to the medley of folksongs in elaborate and colorful costumes and sequined masks that drew cheers from a crowd of more than 75,000 along the festival route and the public plaza.

Bal Defensor Jr. and Ken Buenaoro served as Brgy. 23's choreographers while Vicente Lotayco crafted the group's mask and costumes.

Hello mga Migoz ko diri sa Skyscraper,

Below are the pics of Masskara 2007 winners :)

The Champion : Brgy. Alijis

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2314/1679824488_03f4ae0af8.jpg

1st Runner-up : Brgy. 23

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2411/1678962773_81b418fb62.jpg

2nd Runner-up : Brgy. 28

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2058/1679819856_2272474064.jpg

More Pics to be uploaded on my blog so watch out na lang mga Migoz :).

SugarFreak

October 22nd, 2007, 10:00 AM

^ always champion ang brgy Alijis...if not alijis brgy villamonte

jaywalker

October 22nd, 2007, 01:35 PM

But on Baranggay Category they were beaten by Brgy.23.Ang Alijis ang manok ni Eric:lol:i like the masks and they're becoming more colorful from head to toe.

By the way Sugar,please if you picutres of Mambukal Resort,can you kindly post some in here.Thank you

jaywalker

October 22nd, 2007, 01:46 PM

http://www.dumagueteinfo.com/board/attachments/photo-board/2047d1193025940t-twin-lakes-viewing-deck-tl11a.jpeg.jpg

http://www.dumagueteinfo.com/board/attachments/photo-board/2048d1193026021t-twin-lakes-viewing-deck-viewing-deck2c.jpeg.jpg

http://www.dumagueteinfo.com/board/attachments/photo-board/2046d1193025891-twin-lakes-viewing-deck-viewing-deck-1.jpeg.jpg

http://www.dumagueteinfo.com/board/attachments/photo-board/2049d1193026071-twin-lakes-viewing-deck-view-g.jpeg.jpg
Photos courtesy of Pickled Newt of DumagueteInfo.com

Twin lakes Viewing Deck

SugarFreak

October 22nd, 2007, 01:46 PM

^^ayos ah,,,grabe ang news and the ads sa TV about sa masskara celebration...Sasieboy thank you for posting the fabolous pictures of masskara

jaywalker

October 22nd, 2007, 01:48 PM

Yes it was Sugar,If not for the Glorieta Blast we could have expect more crowds on the streets but all in all it was very successful especially with the entry of Electric Masskara.

SugarFreak

October 23rd, 2007, 08:59 AM

October 23, 2007
Entrepreneurial tourism pushed in summit (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2007/October/23/businessnews2.htm)

The 2007 Western Visayas Assembly will be held in Bacolod City on Nov. 12–18, 2007 to showcase the best of the region, Bacolod Councilor Homer Bais said yesterday.

This year's activity, with the theme “Entrepreneurial Tourism: Beyond Tourist Arrivals”, is co-hosted by the City of Bacolod and Negros Occidental local governments, under Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Gov. Joseph Marañon, respectively.
The summit was held last year in Iloilo City .

Bais, chairman of the Committee on Tourism, said the Department of Tourism VI has allocated a budget of P1.2 million for the activity.

He said Tourism regional director Edwin Trompeta is also asking the Bacolod City government and the Negros Occidental provincial government to allocate P600,000 each.

They are expecting governors, mayors, tourism officers and travel agencies in the region including those from Manila to attend the summit, Bais said.

The summit in travel and tourism industry seeks to combine the tourism potentials of the six provinces and two highly-urbanized cities in the region.

It will also showcase the diversity of tourism attractions, services and facilities of different destinations of the region, and display various crafts, cultural and historical festivals, shopping and investment opportunities.*CGS

SugarFreak

October 23rd, 2007, 12:04 PM

/v/0s0uOouRKgk&rel=1

PINTAFLORES joins Pahugyaw Sa Sayaw 2007 at the Ayala Mall Cebu
/v/EJw4fcsqx00&rel=1

Pintaflores Festival 2006 Reprise
/v/IFnpPKRnSF4&rel=1

Cebu Sinulog 2007 and PINTAFLORES SAN CARLOS CITY
/v/-hb0Gf5xIfc&rel=1

(From: DJblue1969 & bjhamj)

sigurado gid basi maka join sila mag WVTA same as with La Carlota

jaywalker

October 23rd, 2007, 01:31 PM

MAMBUKAL RESORT
Murcia,Negros Occidental
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2086/1707473201_de8f3fa7bc.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2243/1708325358_9b092220f0.jpg?v=0

By SMILE778

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1042/529133931_6d739fe7cc_m.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/190/529039676_c2a556a22b_m.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1223/529122105_7719c201a7_m.jpg

Our Thanks to Sassieboy Of Negros Island Online

jaywalker

October 23rd, 2007, 01:53 PM

Adventures in MAMBUKAL RESORT

Nw6jCSTtouo
from joyc1014

cSOn8UHvG7o
from plasmapheresis

al6Qtlg6a-c
from pepski

PjaFEUJib4E
from sethcjuplo

SugarFreak

October 25th, 2007, 09:06 AM

October 25, 2007
Guv urging LGU support for Buglas Festival 2007 (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2007/October/25/negor2.htm)

Gov. Emilio Macias II assured the public that the Sidlakang Negros Village and Showroom will be ready for the holding of the Buglas Festival in December.

The construction of the Sidlakang Negros site is ongoing, he said and expressed optimism that the 25 local government units will support the festival.

The festival coincides with the Negros Day celebration, Macias said, adding that the provincial government will save funds as it will have to spend only once on various December activities, including the annual “Pinaskuhan Sayawit.”

He said that the materials used for the Showroom, Trade Center and the Pasalubong Center will come from the Buglas Bamboo Foundation.

The use of indigenous materials will also add to their beauty and architectural designs, he said. He also clarified that the participation of local government units will be voluntary.*MA

jaywalker

October 26th, 2007, 03:37 AM

^^Any festivals do we have in Negros for November?

SugarFreak

October 26th, 2007, 07:23 AM

October 26, 2007
AT REGION 6 SUMMIT: 9-in-1 tourism showcase set (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2007/October/26/businessnews1.htm)

The 2007 Western Visayas Tourism Assembly, to be hosted by Bacolod City and Negros Occidental on November 12 to 18, will be a nine-in-one showcase of the region's tourism and travel industry.

This is the biggest tourism assembly among all regions in the country, Director Edwin Trompeta of the Department of Tourism 6 said in a press conference at the Capitol in Bacolod City yesterday.

The seven-day meet will include a series of nine events that includes the Regional Tourism Fair and the Regional Cultural Showcase on November 12 to 18 at SM City; Regional Travel Exchange, November 12 to 14 at Sugarland Hotel; Regional Tourism Congress, November 14 at Business Inn;

Regional Tourism Excellence Awards, November 14 at Nature's Village in Talisay City ; Tourism Olympics, November 15 at SM City; Regional Food Festival, November 16 and 17 at SM City Carpark; Search for Miss Western Visayas Tourism, November 15 at Provincial Capitol Lagoon Park ; and the Regional Parade of Festivals on November 16.

Trompeta said the Tourism Assembly, themed “Entrepreneurial Tourism: Beyond Tourist Arrivals,” is expected to gather between 2,000 and 3,000 participants throughout the week coming from hotels, resorts, travel agencies, transport and tour companies, local government units, academe and the media.

It will be a summit of sorts of all stakeholders in tourism and travel industry of Western Visayas , he said. The series of events will highlight, promote and showcase the diversity of the tourism attractions, services and facilities of the different provinces of Region 6.

Also, it will be a colorful display of destination attractions and serve as a forum for stakeholders to explore, identify issues, resolve priorities, and establish linkages for tourism development in the region.

Joining the DOT 6, City Government of Bacolod and Provincial Government of Negros Occidental in presenting the week-long event are the Negros Island Tourism Inc. and the Association of Tourism Officers of Negros Occidental in cooperation with NAITAS HRANO and Women in Travel Bacolod.*NLG

SugarFreak

October 27th, 2007, 09:25 AM

^^Any festivals do we have in Negros for November?

Negros Day (or Cinco de Noviembre)
Western Visayas Tourism Assemly
PintaFlores

jaywalker

October 27th, 2007, 09:39 AM

Negros Day (or Cinco de Noviembre)
Western Visayas Tourism Assemly
PintaFlores

Which city or town are this festivals,I only know WVTA is in Bacolod and Negros day would be in Silay?Howabout the Pinta Flores?

SugarFreak

October 27th, 2007, 09:54 AM

jaywalker

October 28th, 2007, 03:38 AM

Experience Mambukal!
Written by Neg. Occ. Tourism Center

After years of seeming hibernation, Mambukal is once again emerging as Negros Occidental's premier resort and tourist destination. The improvement of the tourism flagship of the province continues with the inauguration of the 300-person capacity Convention Center and the operation of the newly renovated Ishiwata Bath House.

http://www.negros-occ.gov.ph/images/stories/places/mambukal/sign2_s.jpg
Mambukal Resort lies 1,200 feet above sea level and serves as a gateway to the Mt. Kanlaon Volcano.

Originally developed by a Japanese architect named Ishiwata in 1927, the resort started as a bath house and picnic garden and has provided cool haven for Negrenses and their guests.

Spread over 23.6 hectares, Mambukal is blessed with exceptionally beautiful natural resources.

http://www.negros-occ.gov.ph/images/stories/places/mambukal/boat_s.jpg
The Boating LagoonA big mountain stream, fed by several tributaries, descends in a series of seven falls and cuts through the center of the resort, feeding the swimming pools and boating lagoon.

http://www.negros-occ.gov.ph/images/stories/places/mambukal/sulfur_s.jpg
Mambukal also boasts a number of hot sulfur springs whose medicinal waters are a balm for the weary flesh and continually feeds the warm dipping pool.

The Sulfur SpringIts slopes and dips house interesting rock formations and lush forests of tropical and semi-tropical trees as well as a variety of pines, ferns and orchids that thrive on its cool climate and rich soil, known as Mambukal clay.

http://www.negros-occ.gov.ph/images/stories/places/mambukal/slide_s.jpg
The Slide for LifeThe resort has strategically located viewing decks or, for more intimate encounters with nature, the Canopy Walk, with its hanging bridges. Or go all-out and challenge yourself on the Rock Climbing Wall or the Slide for Life.

For visitors who wish to take time, the Tourist Lodge offers standard rooms and suites. There are single airconditioned cottages or camp sites to choose from as well as picnic sheds for day visitors.

http://www.negros-occ.gov.ph/images/stories/places/mambukal/lodge_s.jpg
The Tourist LodgeMambukal is also ideal for those inclined mix business with pleasure, with a conference room and various function rooms available.

To rejuvenate one's spirits and touch base with Mother Earth, there is nothing like Mambukal's regular programs and special events such as bat, bird and firefly watching and the annual Mudpack Festival, fast becoming a rave among artists and tourists from all over the world.

http://www.negros-occ.gov.ph/images/stories/places/mambukal/mudpak_s.jpg
Mudpack FestivalThe improvement of Negros Occidental's tourism flagship, the Mambukal Resort, continued with the construction of the 300-person capacity Convention Hall, assisted by the Department of Tourism, which was recently inaugurated during the 9th Mudpack Festival.

No other resort in the Visayas gives one a holistic experience of nature that invigorates the mind and soul, transporting visitors to the realm of peace and tranquility - and the journey starts from the gateways of Mambukal.

Contacts

Mambukal Mountain Resort
Brgy. Minoyan, Murcia
Province of Negros Occidental, Philippines
Tel. No. (034) 7100-800/TeleFax (034) 7100-801

Mambukal Reservation Office
Provincial Capitol Building
Gatuslao Street, Bacolod City
Tel. No. (034) 709-0990/TeleFax (034) 433-8516

Negros Occidental Tourism Center
Provincial Capitol Building
Gatuslao Street, Bacolod City
TeleFax (034) 709-8755/Tel. No. (034) 433-2515
E-Mail: tourism@negros-occ.gov.ph

http://www.negros-occ.gov.ph/

jaywalker

October 28th, 2007, 04:45 AM

^^El Cinco de Noviembre (or Ngros Day), Bago City; every November 5; a celebration in commemoration of the rebellion of local revolucionarios against Spain.

Pinta Flores Festival, San Carlos City; every November; coined from the words "pinta" and "flores", depicts the tradition of welcoming visitors through dancing as in the "pintados" during the coming of the Spaniards in the Visayas. Flowers instead of tattoos are painted on the bodies and costumes of the dancers.

Thanks for that Sugar,It reminds me of San Carlos City Pinta Flores performance in Cebu's Sinolog Festival last year.They could have been doing this every year on participating in Sinolog Festival as part of thier promotion.

SugarFreak

October 30th, 2007, 04:52 AM

^^i wonder why they are not invited during some big events in bacolod,,,but the other festivals like of la carlota are always and i think they are not joined during the SigaBoom in SM Bacolod,,,mabuti pa sa Cebu parang may unity sila

jaywalker

October 31st, 2007, 03:18 AM

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/8287/place01ug8.jpg

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/7868/place02xa2.jpg

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/3842/place04dm5.jpg

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http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/3453/place17jk2.jpg

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/6673/place05ty9.jpg

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/6368/place07yt9.jpg

We need more of this here.Thanks Ritche!

bariQ

October 31st, 2007, 03:32 AM

oi guys may tour ba dyan sa mga ibang2 hacienda at mansion?

jaywalker

October 31st, 2007, 04:07 AM

There are some outside Bacolod City tours offered by DOT-Bacolod.Please take a visit to the Bacolod City website.

bariQ

October 31st, 2007, 04:52 AM

Ok thanks jaywalker :D

jaywalker

October 31st, 2007, 05:20 AM

You are most welcome,Bariq!:)

BYAHILO

October 31st, 2007, 07:34 AM

^ always champion ang brgy Alijis...if not alijis brgy villamonte

migs isa lang n ila choreographer. si panoy.. sang wala pa villamonte, kung kadumdom ka pahanocoy man gahataw, pag geand slam nila nag gwa ang villamonte, then subong alijis naman.

But on Baranggay Category they were beaten by Brgy.23.Ang Alijis ang manok ni Eric:lol:i like the masks and they're becoming more colorful from head to toe.
i havent seen any vid sang aljis sa youtbue ah tani may ma upload. thats why i cant compare. pero in fairness i like the choreography. may concept,

By the way Sugar,please if you picutres of Mambukal Resort,can you kindly post some in here.Thank you

/v/0s0uOouRKgk&rel=1

PINTAFLORES joins Pahugyaw Sa Sayaw 2007 at the Ayala Mall Cebu
/v/EJw4fcsqx00&rel=1

Pintaflores Festival 2006 Reprise
/v/IFnpPKRnSF4&rel=1

Cebu Sinulog 2007 and PINTAFLORES SAN CARLOS CITY
/v/-hb0Gf5xIfc&rel=1

(From: DJblue1969 & bjhamj)

sigurado gid basi maka join sila mag WVTA same as with La Carlota

yeah, id also love to see the pintaflores in WVTA. i love their performance at the sinulog. i was there last jan in cebu. mapuli ko nov16 5AM flight bcd for the WVTA, pagka nov17 mapa iloilo ko dayun for the Kahilwayan festival. hopefully by 18th pa guimaras ko before ko balik manila.

^^Any festivals do we have in Negros for November?

nov 5 al cinco de noviembre in silay and talisay
nov 5 pintaflores
nov 2 tigkalalag festival

SugarFreak

October 31st, 2007, 07:45 AM

migs isa lang n ila choreographer. si panoy.. sang wala pa villamonte, kung kadumdom ka pahanocoy man gahataw, pag geand slam nila nag gwa ang villamonte, then subong alijis naman.
yup only 1,,,and i remembered

nov 5 al cinco de noviembre in silay and talisay
nov 5 pintaflores
nov 2 tigkalalag festival

silay and talisay and same as with of bago

BYAHILO

October 31st, 2007, 07:51 AM

^^ngek talisay gali na type ko.. whats in my minda pag type ko was sily and bago. talisay na type ko LOL

oh well. lucky for negros they have 5 days holiday kmi di sa manila 4days lang

SugarFreak

October 31st, 2007, 08:02 AM

^^OWZ,,,LOLZ

jaywalker

November 2nd, 2007, 04:56 AM

Anyone got the schedule of activities of the mentioned festival?Please post naman.Thanks!

jaywalker

November 3rd, 2007, 02:32 PM

The Dumaguete Church

http://img3.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/ce769ecd67.jpg

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http://img3.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/936b5a6de0.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)

jaywalker

November 4th, 2007, 02:21 AM

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2007/Starlife/2007/November/04/images/starcover%2011-04-07.jpg

CELEBRATING EL CINCO DE NOVIEMBRE Kasaysayan Festival in Silay

It will be a trip back into time – when the revolution broke out in Luzon on Aug. 23, 1896. The Spaniards and the priests in Negros were alarmed but they believed that Negrosanons would remain loyal to the church and the Spanish crown.

On Nov. 5, 1898, Negros rose in revolt against Spanish authority in the island. The planning was done in Silay, the money collected to finance t he revolution was done by Leandro Locsin in his pharmacy in Silay. The final directive for a coordinated attack from Roque Lopez, president of the Provisional Revolutionary Committee of Iloilo was sent to Gen. Aniceto Lacson, leader of the revolution in North Negros . The Central Revolutionary Committee was in Silay. It was so because Silay was considered the cultural and intellectual hub of Negros .

These historical moments will be brought to the stream of popular consciousness once more when the Silay City Government, through the Barangay Cinco de Noviembre Council, Sangguniang Kabataan Ng Silay and the Silay City Tourism Office, will hold a special commemoration tomorrow designed to best honor the sugarcane field workers ( jornaleros) and the plantation owners ( hacenderos) who staged the first bloodless revolution in Philippine history.

The event, the “Kasaysayan Festival”, now on its fifth year, is a thanksgiving testimony and a colorful celebration of courage, patriotism and nationalism of the Silaynons.

A holy sacrifice of the mass officiated by Fr. Abenir Pineda will be held at the San Diego Pro-Cathedral at 6 a.m. to be followed by motorcade follows featuring the characters of the revolution mounted on top-down cars.

A Pagtililipon Sang Mga Baganihan (Gathering of Heroes) program will be held at 5 de Noviembre marker at 7:30 a.m. to feature the re-enactment by the Silay artists of that historic event 109 years ago. Rep. Jose Carlos Lacson, Mayor Jose Montelibano and Vice Mayor Mark Golez, and Cong. Jose Carlos Lacson will pay homage to the heroic deeds of their ancestors.

An excerpt from the Ilonggo zarzuela Cinco de Noviembre, penned by this writer, will be portrayed by the performing artists of the Christian Community Theater – Silay City Chapter.

Ang Mga Hampang Sadto will be played at the public plaza at 1:30 pm with the participation of Sangguniang Kabataan members. Also highlighting the occasion will be the Battle of the Drum and Bugle Corps.

The Kasaysayan Dance-Drama competition will be staged at the Covered Court at 5p.m. Mayor Montelibano said that this theatrical presentation will bring to life the storming of the Spanish garrison by the obreros and the hacienda owners who became instant military chiefs. The Spaniards and the Filipino civil guards, under Lt. Maximiano Correa, gave up but in the capitulation it was state d that his men surrendered only after a -hand-to-hand combat. That was apparently a face-saving ploy for M other Spain.

The production will also show how the Philippine flag made by Olympia Severino, Perpetua Severino and Eutropia Yorac and was dramatically hoisted on a bamboo pole at the plaza amid the cheers of the freedom-thirsty Silaynons.

The descendants of revolution leaders Nicolas Golez, Timoteo Unson, Vicente Gamboa and Melecio Severino have been invited to witness the show.

Mayor Montelibano extended the invitation to all Negrenses to see the show to know better the men and women behind the historical uprising. Fireworks display will highlight the climax of the evening.

The celebration will be capped by a public dance featuring the “Saringkulay Band”.

Cinco de Noviembre is a whole day dramatization of an unforgotten event which made Silay a cradle of revolution and a harbinger of change, organizers said.

The writer is the tourism officer of Silay City .

BYAHILO

November 4th, 2007, 09:10 AM

malipayon nga pag dumdum sang al-cinco de noviembre kag pag hiwat sang Pintaflores festival sa ciudad sang San Carlos!

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i149/ericd001/Sinulog/000023.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i149/ericd001/Sinulog/000031.jpg

BYAHILO

November 4th, 2007, 09:11 AM

The Dumaguete Church

thats santa catalina right? havent been to that church yet. ganda ng kulay. sana ma include ko sya sa calendar next year.

jaywalker

November 4th, 2007, 11:09 AM

Fantastic shots Eric!Thanks for the photos.

Pinta Flores Festival is very colorful.:cheers:Will they perform in WTVA in Bacolod?

jaywalker

November 5th, 2007, 03:22 AM

Negrenses to show ‘wild’ side

BACOLOD City – November has been designated as Negros Wildlife Month. It aims to increase awareness among Negrenses of the need to protect and conserve the diverse, colorful and remarkable local wildlife of the island.

This will be the first island-wide celebration of Negros wildlife with collaborative activities organized in both provinces.

The program kicks off on November 13 with an “Animals of Negros” foot parade in Bacolod City featuring representatives from local schools, government and non-government organizations dressed in costumes to show many of the endangered species of Negros including rare hornbills, spotted deer and leopard cats.

Other activities include an extemporaneous speech contest on different environmental topics; an environmentally-themed essay-writing contest for high school students and a junk art and banner contest.

Highlight of the month’s celebrations will be the first Negros Occidental Wildlife Quiz Bowl with competing teams from high schools from throughout the province.

Winners will then compete with teams from Negros Oriental in the first Negros Island Wildlife Conservation Quiz Bowl to be held at Dumaguete City.

The month’s activities will culminate on November 29 with a Cultural Night featuring performers from different schools in Bacolod City.

Negros wildlife Month is organized by The Negros Forests and Ecological Foundation, Inc (NFEFI) in association with the Governor's Office through the Provincial Environment Office, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, La Consolacion College-Bacolod, West Negros College and Silliman University-Center for Tropical Conservation Studies in Dumaguete City.

Said NFEFI chairman Gerry Ledesma: "Negros wildlife is in grave danger because of illegal trafficking, hunting and loss of habitat. We hope the month's activities will help Negrenses understand why everyone including individuals, companies, schools and local government units must take steps now to protect and conserve wildlife before it's too late."/PN

jaywalker

November 5th, 2007, 04:00 AM

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL TOURIST ATTRACTIONS:

HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS

REVOLUTIONARY MARKERS in Bago and Silay Cities and E. B. Magalona; 22 kms. and 15 kms. from Bacolod City, respectively; commemorate the spots where local revolutionaries fought against Spanish authorities during the Negros revolution of 1898 and the American forces later.

ARANETA AND LACSON MONUMENTS, Bago City and Talisay; 22 kms. and 6 kms. from Bacolod City, respectively; in memory of two great leaders of the Negros revolution.

FOUNTAIN OF JUSTICE, Bacolod City; where the Capitulation of Bacolod was signed between the Spanish authorities and revolutionary forces.

INSTITUTO RIZAL, Bacolod City; first public school established in Bacolod in 1902.

CHURCH OF TALISAY, Talisay; 7 kms. from Bacolod City constructed in the early part of 1900's where the remains of Fr. Fernando Cuenca and Gen Aniceto Lacson are being kept.

ANCESTRAL HOUSE OF DR. SORIANO, Bacolod City; constructed in 1901, the house was made of hardwood with fine carvings; served as a hospital during the Japanese occupation.

HOFILEÑA ANCESTRAL HOUSE, Silay City; 15 kms. from Bacolod City; home to a collection of rare art pieces, antiques and paintings done by Luna, Rizal and Hidalgo; venue of the first wood printing in Negros.
HDA FE. - ANCESTRAL HOUSE OF DON EUSEBIO URIARTE Y HERMANOS, La Carlota City; 42 kms. from Bacolod City where the Circulo de Agriculture, a planters organization formed to undertake an anti-locust campaign.

THE HOUSE OF DON MARIANO RAMOS, Bacolod City; ancestral home of the late Don Mariano Ramos, first appointed Presidente Municipal of Bacolod.

CAPITOL BUILDING, Bacolod City; imposing structure of Romanesque neo-classical architectural design, official seat of government of the Province of Negros Occidental; served as headquarters of the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II.

GASTON FARM HOUSE, Silay City; 15 kms. from Bacolod City; typical example of a "sugar baron's mansion"; converted into a museum and known today as the "Balay Negrense".

OLD FORT AT HIMAMAYLAN , Himamaylan; 83 kms. from Bacolod City; served as a garrison when the town became the capital of Negros in 1795.

YULO ANCESTRAL HOUSE, Bacolod City; by the sea; built in the early part of 1900's; residence of Don Alfredo Yulo, mayor of Bacolod at the coming of theWorld War II.

THE CHURCH OF SAN DIEGO, Silay City; 15 kms. from Bacolod City; Basilica type of architectural work constructed in the 1920's.

MURAL OF BIRHEN SANG BARANGAY, Bacolod City; large mural mosaic of 95,000 pieces of shells of various species in their natural colors. A unique work of art found at the Chapel of Sta. Clara.

CHINESE TEMPLE, Bacolod City; symbol of Chinese influence in the cultureof the province.

For more info:

Negros Provincial Tourism Office:
Provincial Capitol, Bacolod City
Tel.: (034) 433-2517 / 433-2115
Fax.: (034)20313

Bacolod Tourism Office
City Hall, Bacolod City
Tel.: (034)20801 / 435-3535
Fax.: (034) 435-3333

DOT Provincial Office
Bacolod Plaza
Tel.: (034)29021

http://www.westernvisayastourism.com.ph/

BYAHILO

November 5th, 2007, 09:10 AM

Fantastic shots Eric!Thanks for the photos.

Pinta Flores Festival is very colorful.:cheers:Will they perform in WTVA in Bacolod?

yeah most probably they will perform in WVTA. being the perennial champion of panaad sa negros and the 2007 Sinulog Festival 4th placer. (out of more than 40 contingents)

jaywalker

November 5th, 2007, 04:25 PM

BYAHILO

November 6th, 2007, 02:41 PM

That's a very good achievement for San Carlos.Did we have the initial list of performers in WVTA? Should expect to see all the participants of Panaad Sang Negros Festival?

WVTA doesn't have much publicity.It's almost closed to the day of the event but so far no schedule of activities has been released to the media.

WVTA is being co sponsored by the Province and the City. most of the events are handled by the province. but the parade of festivals will be handled by the City. that's what the provincial tourism officer said to me in her last email.

am na nga asta subong indi ko ka kuha sang official list sang participants kay wala sa kamot sang probinsya ang parade. kabudlay man kontakon sang syudad kay wala man sila ya email address. kag kung may ara man... wala man sila ga bother mag reply.

habagatcentral1

November 6th, 2007, 02:56 PM

WVTA is being co sponsored by the Province and the City. most of the events are handled by the province. but the parade of festivals will be handled by the City. that's what the provincial tourism officer said to me in her last email.

am na nga asta subong indi ko ka kuha sang official list sang participants kay wala sa kamot sang probinsya ang parade. kabudlay man kontakon sang syudad kay wala man sila ya email address. kag kung may ara man... wala man sila ga bother mag reply.

Basta, the insider is, for Panay Festivals:
Aklan and Capiz might not come due to budgetary and transportation constraints.
Antique might send its Binirayan
Iloilo Province will be sending Tinuom of Cabatuan and Pandayan of Badiangan
Iloilo City might be sending 2 Dinagyang Tribes
I don't know if Guimaras will be sending theirs too

The rest will be coming from Bacolod and Negros Occidental

This is for the Parade of Festivals on 16 November. ;)

ritche

November 6th, 2007, 04:09 PM

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/2268/9ballsqj7.jpg

jaywalker

November 6th, 2007, 04:13 PM

This so cool!Dumaguete has been hosting big events both local and international.:cheers:

jaywalker

November 6th, 2007, 11:57 PM

PIA Press Release
2007/11/06

2007 WV tourism assembly "biggest" in RP, says DOT official

Negros Occidental (6 November) -- In line with the program of the national government of to make Visayas as the tourism capital of the country, the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 6 is set to stage the biggest tourism assembly in the country on November 12-18 through its 7-day assembly consisting of 9 tourism events.

The assembly aims to highlight, promote and showcase the diversity of tourism attractions, services and facilities of the different areas of Region VI. This event is co-hosted by the City of Bacolod and the Province of Negros Occidental.

DOT 6 Director Edwin Trompeta said this year's theme Entrepreneurial Tourism: Beyond Tourist Arrivals should be translated into generating income to the community through jobs and livelihood going beyond the number of tourist arrivals.

Trompeta said that the WVTA is a summit in the travel and tourism industry that seeks to combine the strength and tourism potentials of the six provinces and two highly urbanized cities in Region 6.

Jennylind Cordero, Negros Occidental Provincial Tourism Officer assured that the City of Bacolod and the Province of Negros Occidental are joining forces in hosting the event adding that both party will share in the tourist arrivals and investment opportunities that the WVTA is bringing.

The nine events lined-up for the week long assembly are: Regional Tourism Fair, Regional Travel Exchange, Regional Cultural Showcase, Regional Tourism Congress, Regional Tourism Excellence Awards, Tourism Olympics, Regional Food Festival, Search for Miss Western Visayas Tourism and the Regional Parade of Festivals.

Western Visayas is being positioned by the DoT as the Heritage and Resort Destination. The WVTA is expected to bring in 2,000 to 3,000 participants for the nine events.

DoT Secretary Ace Durano, Senator Richard Gordon, President of League of Cities President and Mandaluyong Mayor Benjamin Abalos Jr., Camarines Sur Governor Luis Villafuerte and Philippine Economic Zone Authority Commissioner Lilia de Lima are expected to grace the week-long Western Visayas Tourism Assmebly. (PIA/EAD)

jaywalker

November 7th, 2007, 01:51 PM

Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Sagay Marine Reserve finalist in 2007 Outstanding Marine Protected area

THE Sagay Marine Reserve in Negros Occidental is one of the nine finalists for the 2007 Outstanding Marine Protected Area (MPA) Awards.

Sagay Marine Reserve is the only entry from Western Visayas.

The Sagay Marine Reserve covers 32,000 hectares of coastal water. It is rich in coral reefs and inhabited by blue crabs, sea urchins, abalones, sea cucumbers and various sea shells. Of the 32,000 hectares of coastal waters, some 1,000 hectares within the marine protected areas was set aside as "no take" areas.

The average fish catch around the area increased from 3.27 kilos per fisherman per day in 1997 to 6.41 kilos in 2005.

From 1997 to 1999, there is also a noted increase in the catch of sustainable fishermen in the area. The increase in catch is estimated to reach P18 million. In the same period, Sagay City spent P8 million for the protection of marine reserve. For the past years, the local government generated P1.9 million from the collection of resource use fees.

In 1995, the Sagay Marine Reserve was declared as marine reserve. Prior to its declaration as a marine reserve, it was still considered as a fish sanctuary in 1983. The declaration was made based on Republic Act 9106 as part of the National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS).

The Sagay Marine Reserve is a well-established MPA because of the participation and commitment of the local government to protect the area. The local government efficiently enforced fishery laws. They had sea borne patrols and exerted efforts on the registration of fishers as well as their boats.

In 1997, Sagay Marine Reserve won in the Galing Pook Award for Innovation. It is one of the first local government units that initiated a MPA. They protected fisheries and different habitats like mangroves and sea grass beds. The marine reserve now serves as a learning area for MPA managers, academe, research, institutions and other local government units.

The other finalists in the 2007 Outstanding MPA awards are the Buluan Marine Sanctuary in Buluan, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay; Iniban Marine Reserve in Ayungon, Negros Oriental; Harka Piloto Reef Fish Sanctuary in Calapan City, Mindoro Oriental; Handumon/Libaon Marine Sanctuary in Jandayan Island, Gestafe, Bohol; Agsalin Fish Sanctuary in Barangay Agsalin, Gloria, Oriental Mindoro; Twin Rocks Marine Sanctuary in Barangay San Teodoro, Mabini, Batangas, MiSSTa Marine Protected Area in Barangays Militar, Suyod, Sto. Nino and Tagulo in Tukuran, Zamboaga del Sur and Capandan Fish Sanctuary in Capandan, Cortes, Surigao del Sur.

The winners will be announced next month. The awarding ceremony will be held in Manila. (PR)

NEGROS has two entry on the finalist!

jaywalker

November 8th, 2007, 12:57 PM

Dumaguete's Festival!!!
23 November 2007

16 more days to go before the city goes BANG!
Cheers for Dumaguete's month-long fiesta celebration!!
Watch out for SANDUROT FESTIVAL

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/1456/dgtesandurotne5.jpg

http://www.negroschronicle.com/final/nov_27/sandurot.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1205/559302059_7832678cce.jpg?v=0

http://www.wowpinoy.net/admin/images/events/events_1588462210.JPG

jaywalker

November 8th, 2007, 01:47 PM

Pintaflores 2007 Calendar of Activities
October 27, 2007 ACTIVITY
VENUE COORDINATOR
8:00 AM Women's Under-17 Invitational 9 Aside Festival SJRI Football Field Sports Office
9:00 AM Lawn Tennis Invitational- SACATA vs. Bacolod SCMCI Tennis Court Sports Office
8.00 PM Talent's Night of Miss San Carlos 2007 City Auditorium Ms. San Carlos 07 Organizing Committee
October 28, 2007

9:00 AM Lawn Tennis Invitational- SACATA vs. Bacolod SCMCI Tennis Court Sports Office
8:00 AM Boy's Under-15 Invitational Football SJRI Football Field Sports Office
October 30, 2007

10.00 AM Waste Market Fair Opening SCC Public Transport Terminal Solid Waste Mgt. Office
October 31, 2007

8.00 AM Agri Variety Show SJRI Grounds City Agriculture Office
7:00 PM Live Drama SJRI Grounds Mr. Douglas Ragde/DYRS
8.00 PM Senior Citizens' Night (FSCAP) City Auditorium Hon. Luis Dizon
November 2, 2007

8:00 AM Murata's Cup - Interschool Girls Softball Tournament SJRI Grounds Hon. Luis Dizon
9:00 AM Darts Invitational- SCUDA & Various Clubs from Negros
Janne's Grill Sports Office
2:30 PM WNC Under 19 vs SCC Sel Under 17 - 11 Aside SJRI Football Field Sports Office
November 3, 2007

4.30 AM Pamukaw / Diana City Streets Mr. William Vergantiños-DepEd
8:00 AM Murata's Cup - Interschool Girls Softball Tournament (Championship Games) SJRI Grounds Hon. Luis Dizon
8.00 AM Boxing Invitational - San Carlos vs. Bacolod-Escalante-Toboso City Auditorium Sports Office
8.00 AM 6-8, 9-10 & 13 Under Invitational Festival SJRI Football Field Sports Office
8.00 AM Garden Show/Exhibit Opening SJRI Grounds Dr. Minerva Alcarde
4:00 PM Basketball Invitational - SCC Govt. Employees vs. Calatrava Govt.Employees SJRI Basketball Courts Sports Office
10.30 PM Basketball Invitational - Chi Sigma Tau SJRI Basketball Courts Chi Sigma Tau
8.00 PM Miss San Carlos Beauty Pageant City Auditorium Ms. San Carlos 07 Organizing Committee
November 4, 2007

8.00 AM 6-8, 9-10 & 13 Under Invitational Festival SJRI Football Field Sports Office
8:00 AM Murata's Cup - Interschool Girls Softball Tournament SJRI Grounds Hon. Luis Dizon
8.00 AM Seniors Bootfest Div. I,II & III SJRI Football Field Sports Office
10:00 AM Concelebrated Mass Parish Cathedral Diocese of San Carlos
4:00 PM Solemn Religious Procession of the Image of St. Charles Borromeo City Streets Diocese of San Carlos
4.00 PM Basketball Invitational - SCC 40UP Sel vs. NEPRO AC Bacolod; SCUPA vs Bacoleños . 35 up SJRI Basketball Courts Sports Office
7:00 PM Variety Show (Halad sa Gugma kang San Carlos Borromeo) City Auditorium Diocese of San Carlos
8:00 PM SMB Band Show SJRI Barrio Fiesta Benmar Enterprises/Mr. Benito Gustilo
November 5, 2007

12:00 NN Pintaflores Festival Assembly at PPA Grounds City Tourism Office
(Convergence of Negros Festivals in Pintaflores) City Streets to Auditorium Pintaflores Foundation
8:00 PM Hudyaka sa Pintaflores 2007 Streetparty City Hall Façade Sangguniang Kabataan & SMB/Benmar
9:00 PM 1st Pintaflores Fireworks Competition SJRI Grounds Hon. Eddie Apuhin

Medyo na late na.:)

SugarFreak

November 9th, 2007, 06:22 AM

November 9, 2007
PINTAFLORES STREETDANCE
Escalante bags 5 th place; Kabankalan also in tilt (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2007/November/09/people.htm)

The Manlambus Festival dancers from Escalante City won first place in the 1 st Open Invitational Pintaflores Competition dubbed “Convergence of Negros Festival,” in San Carlos City , Negros Occidental recently, a press release from the Escalante City government said.

The Brgy. Magballo dancers from Kabankalan City , Bago, Victorias , and Silay, also joined the festival where Oriental Negros was represented by Bayawan, Sibulan, Guihulngan and Vallehermoso.

Choreographers for the Escalante contingent were Janry Chavez and Mr. Margarito, with support from Mayor Melecio Yap Jr. and his staff.

Meanwhile, Magballo Brgy. Captain Jeffrey Tubola in Kabankalan said their dance tribe had 200 members, including propsmen and had won first place in the Kabankalan Sinulog 2007.

Other delegates from Kabankalan were Vice Mayor Delia Anacan, with Councilors Raul Rivera, Jorge Largado, Severino Nacional, Jo-an Cagape, Ted del Rio, Jun Villaluz and Jose Dumaguete, the press release added.*

SugarFreak

November 9th, 2007, 06:24 AM

November 9, 2007
Gordon keynote speaker at WV tourism gab (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2007/November/09/people.htm#people3)

Sen. Richard Gordon, chairman of the Senate Committee on Tourism, will be the keynote speaker of the Regional Tourism Congress on Nov. 14 at the Business Inn Hotel, during the Western Visayas Tourism Assembly co-sponsored by the province of Negros Occidental and Bacolod City , a Capitol press release said.

The registration of participants will start at 8 a.m. and the opening ceremony will be at 10 a.m. with Gov. Joseph Marañon and Mayor Evelio Leonardia giving the welcome remarks.

The theme of this year's WVTA is “Entrepreneurial Tourism: Beyond Tourist Arrivals”.

The afternoon session will have Dir. Ma Victoria Jasmin of the Department of Tourism-Investing Promotion Group to talk about “Tourism Investment Laws and Opportunities in the Philippines”; Ma. Antonette Colmenares, president of the Association of Negros Producers will discuss “The Success of ANP”; and manager Elmer San Pascual of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority-Special Economic Zone Act on “Tourism Investment Opportunities in Special Economic Zones”, the press release said.

There will be raffles of door prizes right after every talk, tourism forum chairperson and Provincial Tourism Officer Jennylind Cordero said in the press release.

The Tourism Excellence Awards Night will follow at 7 p.m. of Nov. 14 at Nature's Village Resort in Talisay City .

For more information, interested parties may contact Negros Occidental Tourism Center at Tel. No. 433-2515, the press release added.*

jaywalker

November 9th, 2007, 10:38 AM

http://www2.sunstar.com.ph/static/bac/2007/11/09/article_235214_11-09-2007.jpg
A diver amazingly looks at the batfish, one of the beautiful fishes found underwater of Sagay's Carbin Reef, Western Visayas entry for 2007 Outstanding Marine Protected Area in the country. (Sun.Star Bacolod photo)

jaywalker

November 9th, 2007, 10:42 AM

PINTAFLORES STREETDANCE
Escalante bags 5 th place; Kabankalan also in tilt
The Manlambus Festival dancers from Escalante City won first place in the 1 st Open Invitational Pintaflores Competition dubbed “Convergence of Negros Festival,” in San Carlos City , Negros Occidental recently, a press release from the Escalante City government said.

The Brgy. Magballo dancers from Kabankalan City , Bago, Victorias , and Silay, also joined the festival where Oriental Negros was represented by Bayawan, Sibulan, Guihulngan and Vallehermoso.

Choreographers for the Escalante contingent were Janry Chavez and Mr. Margarito, with support from Mayor Melecio Yap Jr. and his staff.

Meanwhile, Magballo Brgy. Captain Jeffrey Tubola in Kabankalan said their dance tribe had 200 members, including propsmen and had won first place in the Kabankalan Sinulog 2007.

Other delegates from Kabankalan were Vice Mayor Delia Anacan, with Councilors Raul Rivera, Jorge Largado, Severino Nacional, Jo-an Cagape, Ted del Rio, Jun Villaluz and Jose Dumaguete, the press release added.*

SugarFreak

November 9th, 2007, 10:55 AM

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/miss20san20carlos20website20copy.jpg

jaywalker

November 9th, 2007, 11:09 AM

^^^^Lovely and beautiful Ladies of San Carlos!:cheers:Who won the pageant?

jaywalker

November 9th, 2007, 01:31 PM

Ecological youth camp conducted in Negros Occidental
Bacolod City (9 November) -- The Negros Youth for the Environment Incorporated held an Environment Awareness Campaign Project called "Outbound Escalante", an ecological youth camp at Cansimbog Beach Report, Brgy. Old Poblacion, Escalante City, this province.

The group headed by Renen Garcia, chairman and moderator Angelo Bibar, a biologist of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The organization is a non-stock, non-profit and non-school based environmental youth organization that had an advocacy on environmental conservation and preservation aiming to break the apathy that is plaguing the society through education and environmental awareness campaign. (PIA/cad)

jaywalker

November 11th, 2007, 12:08 AM

Dance of Flowers

The tribes came from all over the island – nine in all – and their presence lent more color to the annual Pintaflores Festival, the Dance of Flowers the Nov. 3-5 celebration of rhythm and sounds in San Carlos City .

Pintaflores combines the artistry of body painting and the colors of flowers in its celebration started 15 years ago. Organizers said the participating groups features rhythmic dances and dance dramas of life and death and the triumph of good against evil — which are depicted in the thanksgiving rituals portrayed by the street performers.

It is part of the Pintaflores that streetdancers must have their faces, arms, bodies and legs painted with flowers to demonstrate the love and respect fornature and the environment.

This year's grand winner in the open invitational of the tribal and streetdance competition held Nov. 4 were the Kanglambat performers of Vallehermoso, which also won the Best in Ritual and best Human Flower Formation special awards. Sibulan's Yogyog, which was named Best in Costume, Street Dancing and Choreography, won first runner-up honors with Bayawan's Tawo-tawo Festival and Silay's Kansilayan rounding up the Top Four.

In the Pinta Bata school-group competition, Districts 1, 2 and 4 copped the top prizes, respectively.The other participating groups in the invitational were Escalante, Bago, Victorias, Sinulog and Guijulngan's celebration. The Pintaflores dancers joined the parade as hosts.

BYAHILO

November 11th, 2007, 10:54 AM

jaywalker

November 11th, 2007, 12:19 PM

Basking in Bindoy

If Bindoy were a person, the small rustic town that sits 70 km. north of Dumaguete City would have to be no one else but Maria Clara—conservative, traditional, reserved, and very much lethargic.

Apart from a rising cliff that reflects the arresting reds and oranges of a late afternoon sunset, as well as a pool of water that's about as still as a faceted and polished blue diamond, Bindoy strikes the passing traveler as just another town in the northern part of Oriental Negros. Nothing too striking. Nothing too special. Or so it seems.

Devoid of action, Bindoy could very well be the setting of an endearing barrio flick set in the late Fifties to the Early Sixties – like Manuel Arguilla's countryside-set masterpiece, How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife, should someone consider recreating the classic short story into an equally short film.

There is no such thing as a thriving night life in Bindoy—should ‘a thriving night life' come to mean partying beneath a the throbbing shades of disco and strobe lights couples with the deafening boom of Gwen Stefani songs in the background. In fact, by the strike of 8, the children are herded into their houses, market stalls are pushed against the wall, and apart from the dim glow of the plaza lights, on a clear night, there are only the stars scattered against a velvety black background like shards of Swarovsky crystals pulverized to their finest.

A night of fun in Bindoy could either mean one of the two things: sitting at the patio of a great grand aunt while singing a kundiman or two beneath the silvery beams of a ghastly full moon; or listening to a grandfather's recollection of his travails in the hands of the Japanese at the height of the second World War.

For the most part, Bindoy, which is closely bounded by the municipalities of Ayungon on the north, Manjuyod, down south, Mabinay to the west, and Tañon Strait to the east, is a town comparable to M. Night Shymalan's The Village. It is frozen in time with the traditional balay nga bato or tabiki lining its pebbly paths and santan-lined sidewalks.

“Actually, before Bindoy was called by its present name, it used to be named after a legendary datu who helped the villagers during their times of great need,” Jesusimo Baldomar, the municipal planning and development officer said.

The legend tells that Datu Paya, a valorous chieftain of a Negrito tribe, offered his hut, which was cradled by the gnarled and twisting branches of a huge tree, as a place of refuge to the villagers when the billowing sails of the Moro pirates rose from the horizon. Since then, the datu earned the commitment and loyalty from the Amaros, Babors, and the Amolos—the early settlers of Bindoy—and thus the land came to be known as Payabon, in honor of Datu Paya.

“Payabon used to be a part of Manjuyod before it eventually became a municipality on June 7, 1949 by virtue of EO 228 by then President Elpidio Quirino. Later on, it was named after Hermenegildo ‘Bindoy' Villanueva, a prominent leader of Payabon,” Baldomar added.

Baldomar said that based on a census conducted not more than 10 years ago, 99.92 percent of Bindoy's 20,000-plus inhabitants speak in Cebuano. This, he said, confirmed that the first settlers came from the surrounding municipalities of Negros Oriental, as well as from Cebu, particularly from a small trading village right across the Tañon, the town of Alegria .

Only 5 percent of Bindoy's 17, 652 hectares can roughly be considered as urban while the remaining 95 percent is a patchwork of lush green rice fields, still fish ponds and prawn farms, and the interwoven hues of mauve and green of the sugar cane fields.

“Local businessmen are the main driving force of the local economy, playing a strong and leading role in generating productive employment opportunities and improving access of Bindoyanons to less expensive, more varied, and better quality of goods and services,” said Mayor Rosa Paras, a soft-spoken elderly woman who is at the helm of Bindoy.

However, despite the presence of local business men, Bindoy still keeps much of its traditional means of livelihood like fishing and farming. A trip down its quaint public market will take one past fruit and vegetable stalls bursting with yellows from mangoes, the deep reds of rambutan, and the freshly harvested greens of kangkong, kalamunggay, and plethora of vegan treats. Round the corner to the wet market, one's nose is greeted by the brisk and unsavory smell of fish freshly hauled from the sea by fishermen's nets.

Much of the less rural areas of Bindoy are dotted with bakeshops, sari-sari stores, carinderias, and dried fish and meat vendors, betraying how much an investment in food-related businesses would mix well with the Bindoyanon's passion for food.

“Although Bindoy is one of the lesser known municipalities in the province, it does not mean that we do not have anything in store for tourists who would want to explore Negros Oriental,” Mayor Paras said. In fact, according to Mayor Paras, there is more to Bindoy than what meets the eye and a tourist willing to go the extra mile to explore the place will find the experience similar to discovering a mountain of gems behind the gushing curtains of a waterfall. “We have Lake Mantahao, an ecological park in Barangay Nalundan and Mantalip Reef, an ecological dive site in Barangay Tinaogan,” the mayor said.

Add the subterranean cathedrals and the rising stalagmite spires in the caves of Barangay Cabcaban and the expansion of the wildlife sanctuary in Barangay Nalundan and you've got the perfect itinerary for the first-time nature adventurer.

“Bindoy may not have too many tourists yet but we are not alarmed. We are still developing our tourism potentials by undergoing conservation and preservation campaigns for our natural resources. It's part of the steps we are undertaking in order to make Bindoy a first class municipality with nature as its main attraction,” Mayor Paras said.

There is no rush, indeed. Bindoy's lazy, lethargic barrio feel is an endearing escape in itself from the hustle and bustle of urban life.

The writers submitted the story for their Feature Writing class at Silliman University under STARLIFE columnist Dr. Cecil Genove.

jaywalker

November 12th, 2007, 01:16 AM

WVTA Festivals that have confirmed their participation are:

MassKara of Bacolod City

Babaylan of Bago City

Pasundayag of Valladolid

Pintaflores of San Carlos

Sinulog of Kabankalan

Minuluan of Talisay City

Manggahan of Guimaras

Sinadya of Capiz

Bariw of Nabas, Aklan

Pahinis of Antique

Pandayan of Badiangan, Iloilo

Samba Regatta and Dinagyang of Iloilo City.

SugarFreak

November 12th, 2007, 10:00 AM

nag reformat na gali ang pintaflores subong..

i wouldnt be surprised if cangmating, sibulan's yagyag festival and bayawan's tawo tawo festival will emerge as one of the top tribes.

ive seen these two festivals perform and i must say that they're one of the best lesser-known festivals our country have.

yagyag won the Wow philippines best of the regions festivals in 2002 yata or 2001 theyve also performed in japan in 2005

tawo tawo on the other had is 4th placer (or 5th?) for the sinulog based categ of 2007 sinulog festival in cebu beating 40+ other groups

good to hear they are already performed in japan,,,babaylan of bago city has already performed abroad...how about the pasalamat festival of la carlota city and the other festival there in our province?

WVTA Festivals that have confirmed their participation are:

MassKara of Bacolod City

Babaylan of Bago City

Pasundayag of Valladolid

Pintaflores of San Carlos

Sinulog of Kabankalan

Minuluan of Talisay City

Manggahan of Guimaras

Sinadya of Capiz

Bariw of Nabas, Aklan

Pahinis of Antique

Pandayan of Badiangan, Iloilo

Samba Regatta and Dinagyang of Iloilo City.

not yet confirmed pa ang pasalamat of la carlota, dinagsa of cadiz and of panaad festival... and from the iloilo province of passi pintados and kahilwayan of sta barbara

BYAHILO

November 12th, 2007, 10:21 AM

good to hear they are already performed in japan,,,babaylan of bago city has already performed abroad...how about the pasalamat festival of la carlota city and the other festival there in our province?

wala gd ko idea kung naka pa abroad na ang pasalamat sang la carlota ah. pero ang babaylan nag USA/ European tour na sila last year. theyre one of the very few philippine festivals to have performed at the hallowed grounds of the United Nations Headquarters in Vienna Austria.

not yet confirmed pa ang pasalamat of la carlota, dinagsa of cadiz and of panaad festival... and from the iloilo province of passi pintados and kahilwayan of sta barbara

indi mag intra ang pintados de passi kag kahilwayan. thats confirmed.

kay nov 17, the day after wvta parade of festivals kahilwayan festival sa sta. barbara. ti sako ang tanan. amo man ina nga ma overnite lng ko sa bcd kay mahingabot ko didto sang streetdance sang kahilwayan.

jaywalker

November 12th, 2007, 11:27 AM

BYAHILO

November 12th, 2007, 11:58 AM

amo pa lng ina...

SugarFreak

November 12th, 2007, 12:04 PM

Pintaflores Street Dancing and Ritual Competition Results 2007

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/gfhg.jpg

Major Awards ** City/Municipality ** Contingent No.

CHAMPION - VALLEHERMOSO - 5
1st Runner-up - SIBULAN - 9
2nd Runner-up - BAYAWAN - 2
3rd Runner-up - SILAY - 6

Minor Awards

Best in Streetdance - SIBULAN - 9
Best in Ritual - VALLEHERMOSO - 5
Best in Flower Formation - VALLEHERMOSO - 5
Best in Choreography - SIBULAN - 9
Best in Costume - SIBULAN - 9
Best in Musicality - SIBULAN - 9
Festival Queen - GUIHULNGAN - 8

jaywalker

November 12th, 2007, 12:05 PM

Sa Masskara ang Alijis kag Brgy.23 confirmed na bala 2 sila maperform

jaywalker

November 12th, 2007, 03:18 PM

Monday, November 12, 2007
W. Visayas Tourism Assembly kicks off Monday
By Jerome S. Galunan Jr.

AS PART of the National Government's goal of making the Visayas as the tourism capital of the country, the Department of Tourism Region (DOT)-Western Visayas opens the biggest tourism assembly in the country Monday.

Leading the guest of honors for Monday's opening is Senator Richard Gordon alongside Department of Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, President of League of Cities President and Mandaluyong Mayor Benjamin Abalos Jr., Camarines Sur Governor Luis Villafuerte and Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) Commissioner Lilia de Lima.

The seven-day assembly will run from November 12-18, and will feature various tourism events.

The assembly aims to highlight, promote and showcase the diversity of tourism attractions, services and facilities of the different areas in Western Visayas.

Jennylind Cordero, Negros Occidental Provincial Tourism Officer assured that hosts of the event namely the City of Bacolod and the Province of Negros Occidental, will share in the tourist arrivals and investment opportunities that WVTA will bring.

DOT Director Edwin Trompeta said this year's theme "Entrepreneurial Tourism: Beyond Tourist Arrivals" should be translated into generating income to the community through jobs and livelihood.

Trompeta said WVTA is a summit that seeks to combine the strength and tourism potentials of the six provinces and two highly urbanized cities in the region.

The nine events lined-up for the week-long assembly are: Regional Tourism Fair, Regional Travel Exchange, Regional Cultural Showcase, Regional Tourism Congress, Regional Tourism Excellence Awards, Tourism Olympics, Regional Food Festival, Search for Miss Western Visayas Tourism and the Regional Parade of Festivals.

Western Visayas is now being positioned by the DoT as the Heritage and Resort Destination. The WVTA is expected to bring in 2,000 to 3,000 participants for the nine events.

jaywalker

November 13th, 2007, 02:37 AM

Kabankalan named best tourism oriented LGU

By Eddie M. Yap

KABANKALAN City is the recipient of the Best Tourism Oriented LGU Award (Component City Category) in this year’s Western Visayas Tourism Excellence Award.

City Mayor Pedro P. Zayco Jr. will receive the award Nov. 14 at Nature’s Village Resort, Talisay City.

The award is one of the highlights of the Western Visayas Tourism Assembly that started on Nov. 12 to 18 and themed “Entrepreneurial Tourism: Beyond Tourist Arrivals”.

The assembly showcases and promotes the diversity of the tourist attractions, services and facilities of the various local government units in Region 6.

Tourism officer of Kabankalan Vir Gerongani said the city deserves the award because it is a safe place for tourists, has comfortable lodging houses, nice spots to visit and a gateway to Dumaguete and Cebu Cities.

ngprofflorida

November 13th, 2007, 05:34 AM

Bacolod City, Philippines Tuesday, November 13,2007

Web www.visayandailystar.com

Kabankalan, 2 Silaynons bag
reg'l tourism excellence awards
Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental will receive the Western Visayas Best Tourism Oriented LGU Award, in the component city category, at the ongoing WV Tourism Excellence Award, at Nature's Village Resort, Talisay City at 7 p.m. tomorrow, a Kabankalan press release said.

Severino Pacete and Leo Canson, both from Silay City, were also chosen by the Regional Screening Committee to receive awards in the event on the theme “Entrepreneurial Tourism: Beyond Tourist Arrivals,” which runs until Nov. 18.

Tourism officer of Kabankalan Vir Gerongani said their city was awarded because it is safe for tourists, and has comfortable lodging houses, nice spots to visit and is a gateway to the cities of Dumaguete and Cebu, in Central Visayas , the press release said.

Meanwhile, Pacete will be awarded as Best Tourism Officer 2007 component city category. He was also a recipient of the award last year and was DOT Regional Director Awardee in 2007, the press release said.

Canson is the chairman of IKAW-AKO Japan-Negros Partnership for Environmental Protection. His entry for Silay City is Brgy. Balaring Mangrove Rehabilitation Program.

It is a 50-hectare project managed by Balaring Mangrove Planters' Association coordinated by Prof. Yorihisa Goto of Nihon Fukushi University in Japan . The project is focused on pagatpat planting, king mudcrab culture and ecotourism, the press release said.*

SugarFreak

November 13th, 2007, 08:18 AM

November 13, 2007
Maranon is W.Visayas Tourism Lifetime Achievement awardee (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/bac/2007/11/13/news/maranon.is.w.visayas.tourism.lifetime.achievement.awardee.html)
By Jerome S. Galunan Jr.

THE Department of Tourism through the Regional Screening Committee of this year's Western Visayas Tourism for Excellence Awards (WVTEA) has chosen Negros Occidental Governor Joseph Maranon to be the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award.

In a letter signed by Regional Director Edwin G. Trompeta, the award will be formally given to Maranon on Nov. 14 at the Nature's Village Resort in Talisay City. Meanwhile, Maranon expressed gratitude for this commendation from DOT.

On the other hand, the WVTEA, which is one of the highlights of the Western Visayas Tourism Assembly, will carry out various awards in seven categories. This, as WVTEA aims to recognize institutions and individuals who have contributed to the promotion and development of tourism in Western Visayas.

Among the seven award categories include institutional awards, creative awards, individual awards, destination, special awards, lifetime achievement awards and the regional director's awards.

The awards that will be given under the institutional category include Western Visayas' Best Hotel (First class, Standard class, Economy class), Best Special Accommodation Facility, Best Resort, Best Restaurant, Best Tour Operator, Best Tourism Event, Best Tourism Convention/Marketing Bureau, Best Tourism Council/ Association, Best LGU (Provincial/City /Component City/Municipal), Best Tourist Transport Operator.

For the creative category, are the Best Tour Package, Best Travel Writer and Best Travel Publication while awards for the Individual category are Best Tour Guide, Best Tourism Frontliner, Best Taxi Driver, Best Tourist Transport Driver and Best Tourism Officer Award.

The Destination Award will be presented to a destination in recognition of its contribution to the development and promotion of the tourism industry through the cooperative efforts exhibited by both private and local government sector.

Special awards, on the other hand, will be handed for the Best Eco-Tourism Product and Best Business Practice.

While the Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an individual in recognition of his/her noteworthy career as a tourism practitioner.
And the regional director's award recognizes an outstanding contribution by an individual or a private organization to the development and promotion of the tourism industry in the region.

This contribution should have a significant impact and bring about long term positive benefits to the tourism industry.

SugarFreak

November 13th, 2007, 08:31 AM

November 13, 2007
Bacoleña wins Shell National Student Art tilt (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/bac/2007/11/13/news/bacolena.wins.shell.national.student.art.tilt.html)

MYLENE Stephanie Lacson, a senior Bachelor of Fine Arts student of La Consolacion College Bacolod won first prize in the Digital Art Category of the recently concluded 40th Shell National Students Art Competition (NSAC).

The competition is an annual undertaking of Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation which is open to college students who may submit entries in the four categories: oil/acrylic, watercolor, sculpture and digital arts.

This annual program of Shell has launched careers of many established and rising Filipino artists among them: Jose Joya, Ang Kiukok, Bencab, Federico Alcuaz, Juvenal Sanso, Danny Dalena, Angel Cacnio, Angelito Antonio, Nestor Vinluan, Junyee, Mario Parial, Norberto Carating, Fred Liongoren, Charito Bitanga and Norma Balleza.

Lacson bagged home a total of 50,000.00 cash, a trophy, medals and a plaque of recognition.

Together with Lacson are two other finalists from La Consolacion College Bacolod namely Michael John Pama for the Oil Painting Category and Anika Marie Loquite for the Acrylic Painting Category. Mr. Antonio Tejado, Program Head for Fine Arts, acted as their contest adviser.

The award was given on November 7, 2007 at the Ayala Museum in Makati City by Mr. Eduardo O. Chua, Shell Chairman and Robert S. Kanapi, Shell VP for Communications.

La Consolacion College Bacolod School of Architecture, Fine Arts and Interior Design stands as the only school in Negros Occidental to offer Bachelor of Fine Arts and is proud to have produced notable students and continually earns recognition as one of the best schools for visual arts outside Metro Manila.

SugarFreak

November 13th, 2007, 08:51 AM

November 13, 2007
8 festival queens to vie for WV crown (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2007/November/13/people.htm)

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/wvta07beauties.jpg

Eight festival “Queens” will vie for the title of Ms. Western Visayas Tourism, one of the highlights of the weeklong regional tourism assembly in Bacolod City .

Iloilo Paraw Regatta Queen Christy Joy Camohoy said the pageant will be a “battle among the bests” as each of the candidates are representing their province and people have high expectations of them.

Masskara Queen Rosario Sales said that while competition was tough in last month's Masskara pageant, she would consider the WV Tourism contest as a step higher since she is the host city's candidate.

Also competing in the “ Battle of the Queens” are Iloilo City 's Dinagyang Queen Cara Jeanne Sullano who represented Iloilo in the national pageant of the Aliwan Festival and Capiz' Sinadya sa Halaran titlist Helen Grace Gonzales who joined the recent Miss Teen Philippines national finals.

Representing Guimaras' Manggahan Festival is Jea Ferrer, Michelle Martha Braun represents Aklan's Ati-Atihan and Michelle Ann Acuña, Antique's Binirayan.

The candidates said they are proud to represent their provinces in the tourism assembly which is a showcase of the region's history and cultural heritage.

Sullano said the event is an opportunity to promote Western Visayas and encourage more tourists to visit its beautiful destinations while Sales said the assembly defines the cultural identity of the West Visayans .

The talent night is set at the SM Event Center at 6 tonight, while the pageant night will be at the Capitol steps in Bacolod City 7 p.m. Thursday.*NAB

jaywalker

November 13th, 2007, 03:31 PM

Who among this ladies are Miss Masskara and Miss Pana-ad?Stand out ang nakagreen and violet color swimsuit.

BYAHILO

November 14th, 2007, 05:57 AM

ang delegate sang iloilo 1st runner up ina sa Reyna ng Aliwan 2007. she was the crowd favorite pero ang candidate sang Disposorio Festival, Hagonoy Bulacan ang nag daug.

jaywalker

November 14th, 2007, 05:07 PM

We'll see who wins tomorrows Pageant.

WVTA Sched of activities .

bag o lang gin padala sang provincial tourism officer sang neg occ.

Western Visayas Tourism Assembly
Schedule of Events

November 14 (Wednesday): Aklan Day

10:00 AM - 8:00 PM - Travel Fair/Exhibit SM Bacolod Activity Center
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM - Western Visayas Tourism Forum
Venue: Business Inn
4:00 PM - Aklan Cultural Showcase
Venue: SM Bacolod Activity Center
7:00 PM - Western Visayas Tourism Awards
Venue: Nature's Village Resort, Talisay City

November 15 (Thursday): Guimaras Day

10:0 AM - 8:00 PM - Travel Fair/Exhibit - SM Bacolod Activity Center
- Tourism Olympics
- Quiz Bee
- Tour Guiding
- Poster Making
- Essay Writing
4:00 PM - Guimaras Cultural Showcase
Venue: SM Bacolod Activity Center
7:00 PM - Pageant Night - Miss WV Tourism
Venue: Provincial Capitol

November 16 (Friday): Capiz/Roxas City Day

10:00 AM - 8:00 PM - Travel Fair/Exhibit - SM Bacolod Activity Center
2:00 PM - Parade of Festivals
4:00 PM - Capiz/Roxas City Cultural Showcase
Venue: SM City Activity Center
5:00 PM - Food Festival - SM Bacolod Car Park
(Banda Dito, Banda Doon)

November 17 (Saturday) Iloilo Province/City Day
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM - Travel Fair/Exhibit - SM Bacolod Activity Center
4:00 PM - Iloilo Cultural Show
Venue: SM City Bacolod Activity Center

November 18 (Sunday) Bacolod City Day
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM - Travel Fair/Exhibit - SM Bacolod Activity Center
4:00 PM - Bacolod City Cultural Presentation
5:00 PM - Closing Ceremonies
- Food Festival

SugarFreak

November 15th, 2007, 08:42 AM

Jan Nicole Puentebella of Lin-ay sang Negros 2006 got a crowned during the 1st WVTA last year held in Iloilo and got the 1st runner-up i think si Taclobos last name nya of Ms Masskara 2006

jaywalker

November 15th, 2007, 03:57 PM

4 universities join Sandurot
BY JUANCHO GALLARDE & MARICAR ARANAS

Four colleges and universities will participate in this year's Sandurot Festival of Dumaguete City that kicks off Saturday, organizers said yesterday.

The festival is part of activities lined up for the fiesta and charter day celeberation of Dumaguete.

The performers, who will showcase various cultures and influences are from the Silliman University - American, Negros Oriental State University - Muslim; Saint Paul University of Dumaguete - Chinese; and Foundation University – Spanish.

The festivities will start with the “Pakighimamat” at the Rizal Boulevard at 1 p.m. followed by a street dancing activity at 3 p.m., at the stretch of Perdices Street from corner Bishop Epifanio Surban to the corner of San Jose , which will be closed to traffic.

Meanwhile, the pageant committee has strictly imposed the prohibition of the use of vulgar clothing in the contest set Nov. 24-25 at the Lamberto Macias Sports Complex, event chairperson Manolet Teves said.

He said almost all of the candidates are minors who will be vying for the Miss Dumaguete 2007 and Miss Teen Dumaguete 2007.

Contestants for the Miss Dumaguete are from colleges and universities while those for the Miss Teen are from different high schools in the city.

Teves said the committee also decided to replace the swimsuit category with the sports attire.

He said Dumaguete is a city that is conservative and sensitive in its culture and too much display of skin might just create a controversy.*JG/MA

jaywalker

November 16th, 2007, 04:06 PM

Bindoy opens new tourist spot
BY MARICAR ARANAS
Another natural tourism attraction in Bindoy, Negros Oriental is now open to local and foreign visitors, Mayor Rosa Yap said yesterday.

The Lake Mantahao in Bindoy has an area of about two hectares including the thick forest surrounding it. Yap said it took a lot of efforts to revive the lake after it was destroyed and dried up by a group of treasure hunters.

She said the municipal government has spent some amount in reforesting and restoring the lake, that is eyed to boost the tourism potentials not only of the locality but of the province as well.

A Genetically Enhanced Tilapia hatchery can now be found in the lake, some 60,000 fingerlings of which were given to the municipality of Ayungon .

Yap said they will ensure that the lake will not be destroyed again.

Among the amenities of the tourist spot is the log cabin that can accommodate visitors who stay overnight. The facility has two rooms and a mezzanine, and was inaugurated recently, the mayor said.*MA

jaywalker

November 16th, 2007, 05:18 PM

City fiesta to feature half-marathon
BY MARICAR ARANAS
Marathon enthusiasts and road runners are invited to join the half-marathon to be held November 24 during the fiesta of Dumaguete City , event organizers said yesterday.

The sports event is also open to recreational fun-walkers or competitive runners, events coordinator Paul Paras of the Metro Dumaguete Roadrunners Club said.

The half-marathon is envisioned to be the grandest sports tourism event in Negros Oriental. It took 15 months for organizers to finalize the 21-kilometer road race to be held on the eve of the city's Charter Day on Nov. 24.

The activity is also expected to draw marathon and running advocates from Manila , Cebu, Bacolod , Bohol, and the northern Mindanao cities of Cagayan de Oro and Davao , Paras said.

Paras said the event will be the first in the Philippines . It is an offshoot of the Marathon Clinic organized by the Foundation University Institute of Youth Sports for Peace.

Interested parties may call the event Secretariat at Tel. Nos. (035) 422-9167, local 165 or 113, organizers said.*MA

jaywalker

November 16th, 2007, 10:49 PM

Win-win solution in conflicts generated by eco-tourism needed

By Edgar Cadagat

BACOLOD CITY – The government must arrive at a win-win solution to the conflicts between eco-tourism developers and those affected, especially those making a living from the country’s natural resources, Senator Richard Gordon, former tourism secretary and chairman of the Senate committee on Tourism, said in a press conference yesterday at the Business Inn Hotel.

The senator was also the keynote speaker of the Western Visayas Tourism Assembly which runs from November 12-18. The Tourism Assembly with representatives from all over Western Visayas was held here.

Gordon also reiterated what he said was the threat of destabilization, citing the bombing at the Batasan Pambansa which he said could and must be overcome to dispel the doom and gloom scenario it generated.

Destabilization has come and gone in the form of coup d’ etat, kidnappings by the Abu Sayyaf and the series of bombings some years ago in Metro Manila but has not affected the tourism industry.

All stakeholders in tourism must adjust to change so that a win-win solution to the problem can be achieved, he said.

Although he did not speak categorically about his proposed adjustment, he indicated that those whose livelihood has been affected by, for example, establishment of beach resorts and golf courses, must find new employment is such ventures.

The former Tourism secretary who was the brain behind the WOW Philippines tourism program which drew in more tourists and visitors from here and abroad, advised those involved in the tourism industry including government to stay focused in spite of problems afflicting the tourism sector.

Explaining what he meant by focus, Gordon said that with Western Visayas being the beach resort capital of the Philippines attracting tourists from Asia, government and private stakeholders can focus on promoting Bacolod as a tourist destination by inveigling visitors to take direct flights to the area connected by airports of international standards.

This would be the same for Iloilo where visitors can enjoy the sights and facilities available.

Negros province’s attraction can be promoted in Japan, resulting in Japanese visitors coming in droves here.

An expert on tourism promotion whose accomplishments included placing the Philippines on the world tourism map with his advertisements in the international news cable network CNN, Gordon said the industry can further advance with the passage of the Tourism Bill of which he is the major sponsor.

The bill allocates funds for tourism promotion. The fund will come from operations of government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) such as PAGCOR and airport operations.

DOT Undersecretary Oscar Palabyab cited what he said were substantial advances made by the tourism industry in various aspects of its operation.

Among these is the investment of P93.3 billion in tourism development. More tourists have visited the country as shown by the two million who came here last.

Citing the famous island-resort of Boracay, Palabyab said it generated gross revenues of P8 billion in August alone.

Negros Island has great potentials as a tourist destination. Its attractions comparable to those in Bali in Indonesia, Palabyab said, citing natural attractions such as Mambukal, The Quiet Place, the Nature’s Village and the numerous beach resorts island-wide.

The Visayas is the epicenter of beach resorts in the country, said Palabyab.

SugarFreak

November 17th, 2007, 07:32 AM

November 17, 2007
Six provinces join parade of festivals (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2007/November/17/topstory4.htm)

Residents of Bacolod City were treated yesterday to a colorful parade as delegates from the six provinces of Western Visayas joined the Regional Parade of Festivals in celebration of the WV Tourism Assembly held in the city.

From the Paglaum Sports Complex Area, passing through Araneta Street going to the Public Plaza, dancers of Aklan's Bariw Festival, Antique's Pahinis, Capiz's Sinadya, Guimaras' Manggahan, Iloilo's Dinagyang, and Bacolod 's MassKara performed their dance routine. Also joining the parade were performers of the Pandayan Festival from Badiangan, Iloilo; La Carlota City's Pasalamat dancers, Talisay City's Minuluan, Kabankalan's Sinulog; Bago City's Babaylan, San Carlos City's Pinta Flores and Iloilo City's Paraw Regatta.

Adding color to the event was the float of Miss Western Visayas Tourism, MassKara Queen Rosario Ann Sales, and her court: first runner-up Christy Joy Camohoy (Paraw Regatta), second runner-up Christer Mari Taclobos (Lin-ay sg Negros ) and Helen Grace Gonzales (Capiz' Halaran sa Sinadya).

The dancers who brought the best of their festivals to Bacolod City , also performed to the crowd at the Public Plaza .

During the program, Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia said the WV Tourism Assembly showcases the unity among the tourism officers in the region and the dynamic leadership of DOT Regional Director Edwin Trompeta.

Representing Negros Governor Joseph Marañon was Board Member Edgardo Acuña who said the parade of festivals succeeded in bringing together the rich cultural heritage of the six provinces in the region.*NAB

jaywalker

November 18th, 2007, 04:10 AM

Fairest of the Festival Queens

Two want to lay their hands and hearts in the world of health care while one is now cooking up plans to be in the game of culinary and management arts. Three women, one dream: to carve a name and a niche for themselves through their wisdom, charm, and beauty.

One got the crown – her second in less than two months. Rosario Anne Sales bested seven other young ladies representing various festivals in the region to take the Miss Western Visayas Tourism title, the pageant, a highlight of the regional tourism assembly held last week in Bacolod City .

Sales says she wants to be a surgeon to further her love in caring for Filipino patients and, hopefully, to help find a cure for her brother, Andrew, who has cerebral palsy. Accomplishing this goal, the 20-year-old Nursing major at the University of St. La Salle , anticipates that “he will be happy. I will be happy and our lives will be better.”

And she's starting this dream on her own. Sales, who represented Bacolod City as MassKara Queen, the title she won in October, says that one reason why she joins beauty contests is to save money to finance her education. To date, she had bagged more than P150,000 with her two consecutive victories.

Reigning Lin-Ay sang Negros Christer Mari Taclobos, on the other hand, is planning to specialize either in surgery or cardiology. Deciding to take up medical technology despite the fact that both her parents are engineers, the Miss WV Tourism second runner-up winner says that her passion for health had somehow prevailed over her liking for mathematics, especially when she discovered that her family has a history of heart ailments. “Hard work, perseverance, discipline, and prayers could help me lot,” the 18-year-old coed at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos says.

And she's now observing those things, dividing her focus between measuring blood platelets and doing roundhouse kicks as a karate belter that she has started since high school. “Behind that focus is my will to do my best in everything I do. It's not an easy job but I only pass this way once,” Taclobos says.

While Sales and Taclobos are charting their way to the land of care to help soothe the pains of the sick, Miss WV Tourism first runner up, Christy Joy Camohoy is busy preparing the ingredients for a career in the human resource and hospitality industries. The 21-year-old hotel and restaurant management graduate of the St. Therese MTC Colleges, is now finishing her master's degree in hospitality management at Philippine Christian University.

“My family is very fond of cooking and I got the influence from them,” Camohoy, who is due to graduate in May next year, says.

But more than the fondness for the pleasure of baking dressed-up cookies or roasting stuffed chickens, Camohoy, Iloilo 's reigning Paraw Regatta Queen, says that she hopes her studies will eventually help her establish her own business and compete in the ever-growing hospitality market. “This degree could take me to different fields,” Camohoy says.

And with their optimism toward their future, mixed with their physical and intellectual features, these three women's degrees will most certainly take them to different places to the delight of their families and the people that they will meet along the way.*PP

habagatcentral1

November 18th, 2007, 07:56 AM

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/5/photos/121/500x500/2/Image00081.jpg?et=VV5q2u5mqWlNmSdiEACWjg
Ladies of Pintaflores Festival (San Carlos, Negros Occ.)

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/5/photos/121/500x500/3/Image00082.jpg?et=y%2B7JG2wstzn6aeU6LnoDkw
Sinulog sa Kabankalan Contingent (Kabankalan City, Negros Occ.)

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/7/photos/121/500x500/4/Image00084.jpg?et=8osf0va%2BeZSGGTbsJ%2C%2CYGg
The Bariw Queen (Nabas, Aklan)

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/5/photos/121/500x500/5/Image00085.jpg?et=8qL8TeTBBRqJWJrQHheSpg
Tribu Atub-Atub of Dinagyang Festival (Iloilo City)

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/8/photos/121/500x500/7/Image00087.jpg?et=z4hNVPiHRrAdGvLFBj9IIw
Friendships (Masskara of Bacolod and Dinagyang of Iloilo)

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/6/photos/121/500x500/9/Image00089.jpg?et=CSCDrHTDxzESyqUqjQHNUw
Ang Nagasaot. Masskara Festival (Bacolod City)

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/6/photos/121/500x500/12/Image00092.jpg?et=6oL3PN1goPWemCyBxDc3ww
Si Luningning kag si Milagring. Pasalamat Festival (La Carlota City, Neg Occ)

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/5/photos/121/500x500/16/Image00096.jpg?et=Fl6%2CSPW98bJ3ejX3FVY4yQ
Lin-ay Sang Ka-Umahan. Pahinis Festival (Laua-an, Antique)

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/3/photos/121/500x500/31/Image00111.jpg?et=TR2fQ8MgpvB8wj6S5QQd%2CQ
Miss WVTA.

More to come... :D

habagatcentral1

November 18th, 2007, 08:15 AM

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/5/photos/121/500x500/18/Image00098.jpg?et=j5nmnPN%2BUEejXFR7DhesmQ

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/5/photos/121/500x500/19/Image00099.jpg?et=SBo6Km8cVM7MNsipSAco1g

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/4/photos/121/500x500/22/Image00102.jpg?et=Rj6u39C25ISuHiW8c1rOEA
Pandayan Festival of Badiangan Iloilo

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/3/photos/121/500x500/29/Image00109.jpg?et=lEgCzAqrdzoc7lPLfasZwQ
Sinadya sa Halaran of Roxas City Capiz

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/5/photos/121/500x500/34/Image00114.jpg?et=NsGwpKfa8os8bQvB7xUVWA
Si Inday GaKiay-Kiay. Pasalamat Festival of La Carlota City

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/3/photos/121/500x500/36/Image00116.jpg?et=flHH9QswHSbldS0Lp5R4qQ
Rizal Elementary School. Wowowee!!! :Lol:

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/4/photos/121/500x500/42/Image00122.jpg?et=%2BDNNDYTpM8dELAT1VlAp1A
City Hall of Bacolod

jaywalker

November 18th, 2007, 11:36 AM

Marvellous shots Bernie.:applause::applause::applause:

Don't have much crowd though.Masskara still very known to Bacolodnon.It shows the lack of popularity nationaly.

Ex!lE

November 18th, 2007, 12:08 PM

jaywalker

November 18th, 2007, 12:12 PM

Pinta Flores will be more like Masskara Festival in a few years time in terms of popularity.I find thier customes very colorful.It is feast for a photographers eyes.

SUV111

November 18th, 2007, 01:55 PM

habagatcentral1

November 19th, 2007, 10:19 AM

Wala pa na ang Plaza Shots. :D

jaywalker

November 19th, 2007, 10:42 AM

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/6/photos/121/500x500/12/Image00092.jpg?et=6oL3PN1goPWemCyBxDc3ww
Si Luningning kag si Milagring. Pasalamat Festival (La Carlota City, Neg Occ)

Bern,Can you judge between Luningning and Milagring for the best dancer title.:lol:

habagatcentral1

November 19th, 2007, 10:46 AM

^^ Ambot lang megs. Basta they shake their bellies with the tune of Samba by the famous drum beaters of La Carlota. I cannot distinguish them from the rest since they all look the same from the distance, wahehehe!!! :lol:

jaywalker

November 19th, 2007, 10:51 AM

You could have been hypnotize caused by prolong staring on thier graceful belly dancing:lol:

habagatcentral1

November 19th, 2007, 10:54 AM

^^ Hahaha!!! I think I'll be needing belly dancing lessons too. I'm so desperate removing my beer belly, after years of praising "Pulang Kabayo", wahehehe!!! :lol:

jaywalker

November 19th, 2007, 11:05 AM

Pulang Kabayo,,,,Pula nga Kabayo or in other words RED HORSE.:lol: Just let the Pulang Kabayo kick your belly then.:lol:(joke)

Once you have too much of Pulang Kabayo, i'm sure it will be easy to learn the belly dancing.

jaywalker

November 19th, 2007, 11:11 AM

Kabankalan City wins cleanest city provincial award for 2007
Negros Occidental (19 November) -- The city of Kabankalan, this province, is named the cleanest and greenest city for the year 2007 by the Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran.

The award was given to the city for three consecutive years by the Gawas Pangulo sa Kapaligiran.

Representatives from the Provincial Health Office, Department of Education, Provincial Environment Management Office and the Department of Interior and Local Government are part of the evaluation team that visited and inspected the city's public market, city plaza, public CRs, barangay halls, health office, material recovery facility buildings, sanitary landfill and the different offices at the city hall.

Dottie Zayco, wife of City Mayor Pedro Zayco Jr. welcomed the team who were toured in the city by Roger Diaz, city engineer; Engr. Glicerio Cabatac, project in-charge; Vir Gerongani, tourism officer and Eddie Yap, information officer.

A demonstration on converting plastic bags and containers into garden steps and flooring tiles was also shown to the group. The group also saw the city vegetable gardens using organic fertilizer produced from the garbage of the city.

During the feed backing session held after the tour, one of the evaluators observed that the city is consistently clean any day of the year and not only on evaluation day. (Kabankalan City/PIA)

SugarFreak

November 19th, 2007, 11:23 AM

^^basta ako ya boom tarat-tarat lang ah,,,mas nami pa ako sa duha nga ina

jaywalker

November 19th, 2007, 11:26 AM

Who will host the 2008 WVTA ?

habagatcentral1

November 19th, 2007, 11:48 AM

^^ Antique kuno according to Ben Jimena but still needs confirmation.

Anyway, here we are at the Plaza

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/9/photos/121/500x500/51/Image00132.jpg?et=C%2CcQ%2BAv5QRwsUiYnO%2CdQIw
Pahinis Festival of Laua-an Antique

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/8/photos/121/500x500/65/Image00146.jpg?et=RjcEgRC8xQYWUlRpjO5l6g
Pandayan Festival of Badiangan, Iloilo

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/8/photos/121/500x500/69/Image00150.jpg?et=GR%2CvKE4Llb3GMWEP%2CjkJvA
Sinadya sa Halaran Festival of Roxas City Capiz

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/9/photos/121/500x500/80/Image00161.jpg?et=IRDxwVmoA75jhNQdsFnA6w
Pasalamat Festival of La Carlota City, Negros Occ.

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/7/photos/121/500x500/82/Image00040.jpg?et=HRdCMtpnp9Kbn03L0tEQ2A
Minulan Festival of Talisay City, Negros Occ.

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/7/photos/121/500x500/85/Image00043.jpg?et=RdkEttIaB8Y8BvjvZhupyA
Sinulog sa Kabankalan Festival of Kabankalan City, Negros Occ.

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/7/photos/121/500x500/88/Image00046.jpg?et=idsC%2CYreaRESbWB%2Bggwiqw
Babaylan Festival of Bago City, Negros Occ.

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/8/photos/121/500x500/101/Image00059.jpg?et=fPfEFYjqBUoZfYFj2039OA
Pintaflores Festival of San Carlos City, Negros Occ.

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/6/photos/121/500x500/105/Image00063.jpg?et=5%2BAYwPqAfm80gBVJviQkwg
Samba Paraw of Paraw Regatta Festival, Iloilo City

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/8/photos/121/500x500/108/Image00066.jpg?et=nm9GHEDhDr%2BbVakb9usyDw
Bariw Festival of Nabas, Aklan

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/8/photos/121/500x500/118/Image00076.jpg?et=oRec1HdUgTa3f8JTBOi8Og
Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/3/photos/121/500x500/144/Image00082.jpg?et=RIkQSskhCvj6QnwNaLuHcQ
Manggahan Festival of Guimaras Province

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/3/photos/121/500x500/152/Image00090.jpg?et=ttfMbbxteIu43WJ4Sqw9Iw
Masskara Festival of Bacolod City

The sequence of the pictures are of the same sequence of the actual presentation.

jaywalker

November 20th, 2007, 12:40 PM

PRESS RELEASE
Public Information Office-City Mayor's Office
November 19, 2007

FESTIVAL WINNERS
The splendid performance of Bacolod �s MassKara Festival rendered the group as Best in Choreography and Best in Performance during the Parade of Festivals held last November 16, 2007 in line with the recently-concluded Western Visayas Tourism Assembly held in Bacolod.

Best in Music went to Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City ; Best in Concept and Best in Costume Awards were given to Pinta Flores of San Carlos City.

A total of eleven festivals in Western Visayas participated in the parade dubbed as �festivals of festival�. Other festivals entries were �Pahinis Festival� of Laua-an Antique, �Sinadya sa Halaran�, Capiz, �Pasalamat�, La Carlota, �Minuluan� of Talisay, �Sinulog� of Kabankalan, �Babaylan� of Bago, �Bariw� of Nabas, Aklan, and �Mangahan� of Guimaras.

Other awards were: Best in Destination Booth which went to Antique, Negros Occidental and Guimaras; Most Artistic /Corporate Booth: Iloilo City and Bacolod City; Best Product Presentation: Capiz, Aklan Iloilo Province and Best Cultural Presentation Capiz and Antique.

Meanwhile MassKara Queen 2007 Rosario Ann Sales was proclaimed Miss WV Tourism Queen.

habagatcentral1

November 21st, 2007, 03:40 AM

Oh by the way, from what I've heard, looks like the next WVTA would be in San Jose de Buenavista, Provincia kang Antique. But let me just check out DOT-6 later for confirmation.

jaywalker

November 21st, 2007, 07:03 AM

^^Thank you!:cheers:

jaywalker

November 21st, 2007, 07:07 AM

OPA to hold agri-tourism orientation

The value of responsible tourism as a strategy for sustainable development will be discussed during an Orientation-Workshop on Agri-Tourism on November 22 and 23 at the Governor's Conference Hall of the Capitol Building in Bacolod City , a press release from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist said.

The gathering, intended for farmer-entrepreneurs and government agriculturists, is being organized by the Farmers' Information and Technology Services Center of the Province of Negros Occidental .

The theme is “Deconstructing Paradise: Exploring Responsible Tourism”. The group will also introduce tools that could initiate the development of an agri-tourism program in the province, the OPA said.

The orientation-workshop, to be facilitated by Prof. Doreen Cortez of the University of the Philippines-Visayas, will be co-sponsored by the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium, Harbest Agribusiness Corporation, and Alemany Farms.

Gov. Joseph Marañon, whose priority programs include food security, agricultural productivity, and tourism development, is also working to institutionalize agri-tourism.

He said that agriculture in Negros Occidental has evolved from sugarcane to high-value crops, from sugar to other by-products, and from conventional/chemical to organic/natural.

This can be attributed to the continuing change in farm management, environmental changes like global warming, and probably the realization that integrated farming could provide year-round employment to farm workers, he added.*

jaywalker

November 21st, 2007, 07:20 AM

Silay to give environment award

Prof. Yorihisa Goto, director of the IKAW-AKO Japan-Negros Partnership for Environmental Protection, will receive a commendation from Silay City government Sunday, at the City Activity Center , a Silay press release said.

Mayor Jose Montelibano said the award is in recognition of the effort of IKAW-AKO to rehabilitate the Balaring mangrove in Silay.

Vice Mayor Mark Golez will present the award. The Balaring mangrove project is a recipient of the Tourism Excellence Award as Best Eco-Tourism Product in Region VI, recently, the press release said.

Goto with other Japanese volunteers are scheduled to plant mangrove seedlings at Balaring shoreline on November 26.

The press release said Ver Pacete, City tourism officer, said that Goto and party will also do food tasting of Balaring restaurant seafoods to identify the best menu for Japanese visitors who will attend "Project: Romancing the Mangrove" in February.

Leo Canson, IKAW-AKO chapter president, will also bring visitors to Sipalay City to plant mangrove seedlings and to do snorkeling, the press release added.*

SugarFreak

November 22nd, 2007, 08:05 AM

November 22, 2007
Cultural Tour in Negros turns 35 (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/bac/2007/11/22/feat/cultural.tour.in.negros.turns.35.html)

THE Annual Cultural Tour in Negros Occidental (ACTNO), the longest-running cultural tour in the world, turns 35. For the forthcoming tours -- December 1, 8 and 15 -- the itinerary was formed with some who've joined the ACTNO at least twice.

The ACTNO was originally a one-shot deal as part of Ramon H. Hofilena's art promotions. But after that first tour the participants flocked around Hofilena asking for more. Then phone calls followed. And an institution was born.

A sincere public service, passengers are charge at cost, without profit. Its itinerary is slightly changed yearly. Each tour introduces new attractions, a feat which history are continually undertaken even abroad.

"As the longest-running cultural tour in the world," said Hofilena, "it's a fact. I was once an account executive of a travel agency in New York, and I asked our contacts worldwide about cultural tour in their countries, not one was as long-running as ours here."

Registration opens today at Jara Laboratory & Blood Bank on Lacson-1st Sts., Bacolod City, tel (034) 4346398 during office hours, Monday to Friday. The fee is P550 a person; that already covers everything: lunch, snack, bottled water, Pepsi-Cola, transportation, etc. Payment is required on registration. Each tour starts and ends at Jara Lab. It starts 9 a.m sharp and ends about 5:30 p.m.

The itinerary: Bacolod's Negrost Forest & Ecological Foundation; Silay City's Bernardino Jalandoni House (museum), Hofilena Heritage House and its art collection and printmaking workshop, food trip to outstanding delicacy sources; Victorias City's Church of St. Joseph the Worker; Manapla's Chapel of the Cartwheels; plus introduction of a new attraction.

To be explained without leaving the bus; Bacolod's San Sebastian Cathedral, palacio episcopal, capitol building of Negros Occidental and park, Kilometer 0; Talisay City's Hda. Matab-ang monument, enchanted trees; Silay's ancestral houses, Church of San Diego, Cinco de Noviembre marker, cultural center; E.B Magalona's Heroes of Guintabuan monument; Victorias' iron dinosaurs, Victorias Milling Company.

Included too are the Philippines' most internationally known mural, first examples of Filipinism in liturgical art, works by Jose Rizal and the national artists, the country's first cultural center, the world's smallest dolls which need magnifying glass to be seen, Negros island's oldest antique (Iron Age 900-589 B.C). Plus brief talks on pre-Magellanic Philippine "architecture," conservation framing, folks arts, etc.
Lunch will be Japanese chicken oriental, Chinese pepper steak, American imperial salad, plain rice, Philippines Christmas banana cake with candied dried fruits to be served at Victorias Golf & Country Club.

Snack will be ethnic Ilonggo delicacies: baye-baye, becho-becho, kalamay hati, puto lanzon, sundol, plus bottled water and Pepsi-Cola. Food trip will be to two Silay houses selling terrific delicacies invented more than 100 years ago and can't be found anywhere else, their recipes being kept secret.

Hofile¤a, the regular tour guide, will speak in English. Each tour is limited to 43, first come, first served : no reservations allowed. The airconditioned bus has sound system.

Assisting are those who gave help without being solicited. They are Jara Laboratory which has been handling registration for 19 straight years; Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc., which has been donating drinks for 12 years; and Silay Heritage Foundation Inc., which helps in the tour's many aspects.

Past big assistance came from Negros Occ. Cultural & Sports Foundation, former Escalante City Mayor Santiago Barcelona Jr. and Escalante City itself, and Espinosa Signs & Stickers.

Help also came from the following Negros Occ. government officials: former Rep. John Orola, former Gov. Lito Coscolluela, former Gov. Jun Montelibano, former vice governor Roy Gamboa, former Mayor Joy Valdez, Mayor Bing Leonardia, former Councilor Mariano Locsin.

Past help also came from Ramon and Emily Jison, Leonor Kilayko, Linda Ledesma, Minister Doyle and Linda Moore, Ruska Gamboa, Dida Locsin and the printing press called Impress.

Except for two, all government officials mentioned above have joined the ACTNO, including former Rep. Charlie Cojuangco and some mayors and councilors from different parts of the country.

Prohibited in the forthcoming tours are children aged six and below, grade and high school students in big groups, and all kinds of sound recorders for some talks can be misconstrued when taken out of context of the tour. More printed information can be obtained at Jara Lab.

jaywalker

November 22nd, 2007, 11:48 AM

Boys, Girls Tourism Day slated in Silay City
Bacolod City (22 November) -- The Boys and Girls Tourism Day held recently in Silay City, Negros Occidental with the theme "Turismo at mga Kabataan".

The itinerary includes the Silay Domestic Airport, Balay Negrenses Museum, Jalandoni House Museum and Silay City Hall.

The tour was participated in by some 50 boy and girls officials, and Silay Rotary Club members headed by Isidro Javier.

Silay City Mayor Jose Montelibano said that young Silaynons should be proud of their city, because Silay is the seat of arts, culture and eco-tourism in Western Visayas.

Tourism Officer Ver Pacete talked on the tourist attractions in Silay, tour guiding and social ethics. (PIA/cad)

jaywalker

November 26th, 2007, 03:55 PM

Monday, November 26, 2007
Negros Wildlife Month: A Great Success!

"Negros Wildlife Month was an overwhelming success", said Dr. DJ Darwin Bandoy, curator of the Negros Forests and Ecological Foundation's Biodiversity Conservation Center (NFEFI-BCC) in Bacolod which organized the month-long program. "We'll definitely stage it again in 2008".

Speaking on Friday evening at the final events at Robinsons Bacolod to mark this celebration of local wildlife, Dr. Bandoy and Clint Alvior, NFEFI's Conservation Education Officer, expressed their appreciation of everyone involved, especially the many students who took part.

"The joint efforts of students and participating organizations was very effective in increasing awareness of the need to protect and conserve wildlife," said Alvior.

Main feature of the final day was the first Musikalikasan Song Writing Contest. Students were invited to write and sing a song focusing on the environment. Winner was Ziebert Rigg C. Festano from La Consolacion College-Bacolod with his song Kalikasan Ating Alagaan. His song expressed the need to appreciate nature.

Second place went to Lourgielyn Chua Agbon from the University of St. La Salle with her song Pangakong Iiingatan. Chris Emmanuel Alejado of LCC-Bacolod with his number Likas na Awit was placed third.

Chief judge was NFEFI's Toti Ledesma assisted by NFEFI Admin and Finance Officer Arlene Ebalde and trustee Robert Harland

Special awards for the Animals of Negros Parade were given to Handumanan High School for the best gimmick with their imitation of the sound of a maral (Visayan leopard cat) as a cheer; to LCC High School for the best costumes and LCC Elementary School for the most number of participants with some 350 students taking part. All students in the parade wore masks and costumes depicting the endemic wildlife of Negros.

Negros Occidental High School student Alyssa Camille Salvio was the winner of the Wildlife Essay Writing contest with a paper on the role everyone can play to help promote conservation. Second place went to LCC-Bacolod's Alyssa Diazs and third was USLS-IS student John Vincent Angeles.

Winners of the Negros Occidental Wildlife Month Quiz Bowl were Jeanie Karen Uy and Kanel Cheng from St. John's Institute. Second place went to John Mark Hermano and Paul Fernandez from West Negros College. In third place were Paulo Emmanuel Betila and Roger Esteron from St Joseph School-La Salle. They will now compete in the Negros Wildlife Quiz Bowl in Dumaguete City on November 27.

Negros Wildlife Month was organized by NFEFI in association with the Governor's Office through the Provincial Environment Office, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, La Consolacion College-Bacolod, West Negros College and the Silliman University-Center for Tropical Conservation Studies in Dumaguete City.

jaywalker

November 26th, 2007, 04:05 PM

Tour of Negros set
Bacolod City (26 November) --
The 35th of Annual Cultural Tour of Negros Occidental will be held December 1, 8 and 15 this year.

The itinerary of the tour which starts 9 a.m. and ends 5:30 p.m. includes the Negros Forest and Ecological Foundation in Bacolod City, Bernardo Jalandoni House, Hofileña Heritage House and its art collection and printmaking workshop, and trip to outstanding delicacy sources in Silay City; Church of St. Joseph the Worker-Victorias City; Chapel of the Cartwheels-Manapla town; and an introduction to a new tourist attraction.

To be explained to participants on board the bus are the San Sebastian Cathedral, Palacio Episcopal, Capitol building and park of Negros Occidental, and Kilometer O-Bacolod City; Hda. Matab-ang monument and enchanted trees-Talisay City; ancestral houses, San Diego Church, Cinco de noviembre marker and cultural center-Silay; Heroes of Guintobuan monument-E.B.Magalona town; and iron dinosaurs and Victorias City.

Each tour is limited to 43 participants, on a first come first served basis. (PIA/cad)

jaywalker

November 28th, 2007, 11:48 AM

Christmas tiangge opens in Silay City
Bacolod City (28 November) -- "Ang Tiangge: Sang Barangay sa Silay Plaza" a cluster of sixteen (16) booths made of local materials selling local products will open at Silay Christmas Village on December 6.

Silay City Mayor Jose Montelibano said that the "Tianggi" (store) will serve as the show window of Silay products for sale this Christmas season.

Montelibano said that there will be judges who will go around to identify booths which excel in artistry, product display and Christmas motif.

"Tianggi" will be complemented by a series of fruit stands and Christmas Food Park for tourists and pilgrims.

The opening will coincide with the Christmas Village switch on ceremony on December 6, at 7:00 p.m. (PIA/cad)

jaywalker

November 29th, 2007, 01:33 AM

BONISTA BEACH RESORT
Escalante City,Negros Occidental

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pics from http://www.negrosislandonline.com/page/2/

jaywalker

November 29th, 2007, 02:01 AM

‘Tinabu-ay' kicks off Sunday

The “Tinabu-ay” 2007 in Murcia, Negros Occidental, will open Sunday and will run December 8, a press release from the town said.

Opening day activities on Sunday are Market Tenants Day, derby, food court entertainment, Market Tenants Group singing contest, and evening live band.

The Tinabu-ay parade is set Monday, followed by a drum and bugle corps exhibition, and drum beating contest, the press release said.

Other events lined up are evening live bands, free carnival rides day, Araw ng mga Bata, eating contest, playground demo, Educators' Day, and gamefowl exhibition.

The Lin-ay Sang Murcia 2008 Pageant will take place Thursday evening, followed by fireworks display. Activities on Friday consist of Karera de Sintas, and amateur singing contest.

On Saturday, a mass wedding will be conducted in the morning, and fiesta lunch at the municipal building, followed by the Tinabu-ay 2007 Street Dance Parade Competition, and boxing exhibition in the afternoon, followed by the Local Government Unit Night and fireworks display and live band, the press release added.*

SugarFreak

November 29th, 2007, 08:41 AM

PintaFlores Festival November 2007- San Carlos City
/v/K-t1bFtsL0s&rel=1
From: bellryan214

Amo ni pinakatahum nga performance ever!
Pinta Flores sang San Carlos City at STA Grounds
during the 2007 Homecoming
/v/h_Ee255RtHA&rel=1
From: yumcarrotcake

WVTA November 2007
/v/KBxYjLOIoAI&rel=1
From: nozrev

Fireworks display
/v/1gH2kgMRmKA&rel=1
this video was taken during the 1st pintaflores fireworks invitational
at the center mall grounds.were different cities showed how beautiful
the fireworks are made here in the philippines.this is the dumaguete city presentation who took the first prize
From: jungardz47

jaywalker

November 29th, 2007, 02:18 PM

Sipalay bags tourism excellence awards
Negros Occ. (29 November) -- The City of Sipalay was awarded again as the Western Visayas' Best Destination (emerging) during the recent Tourism Excellence Awarding last Wednesday, November 14 at Nature's Village Resort in Talisay City.

Mayor Soledad C. Montilla received the award from the Department of Tourism –Region VI. Montilla is at the forefront of the campaign in transforming the province' Southern city an important tourism area of the country.

Sipalay Tourism Officer Cristine C. Mansanares also received a special award for her involvement in the development of tourism industry in Sipalay.

COA E-NGAS Award

Mmeanwhile, the City of Sipalay was recently recognized as a Local Government Unit with the shortest roll-out period and a city with up-to-date generated financial statement Electronic New Government Accounting System (E-GAS) during the E-NGAS users' circle conference in Sulu Hotel, Quezon City.

The award was given by the Commission on Audit due to the valuable support and sustained efforts of the city in achieving the objectives of he E-GAS.

Part of the objective of this program is to promote and maintain high professional standards in government and to enable the accounting and information technology profession to discharge its public responsibilities effectively. (Sipalay PIO-PIA

SugarFreak

November 30th, 2007, 07:46 AM

November 30, 2007

A week-long celebration of the Western Visayas Tourism Assembly was held at SM City, recently. Our group, including Budot and Chona Flores, attended the Antique Day.

The assembly aims at highlighting, promoting and showcasing the diversity of the tourism attractions in the region, and show the colorful display of arts, craft and local products such as bag, barong, mat and colorful hablon with intricate design, and many more.

Dynamic Gov. Salvacion Zaldivar Perez of Antique welcomed guests to the Antique day, highlighted by the Banig Gown Fashion Show where everything was made of materials for making mats or “banig,” designed by couturiers from Antique. The show was the brainchild of Meridith Javier.

Closing remarks where made by Vincent. Piccio of the Provincial Board, and chairman of the Sanggunian Committee on Tourism.

Then off we went to the Bacolod Pavillon, where a number of Antiquenos were present.

Anastacion Rufon introduced all the distinguished guests in attendance headed by Mayor Bing Leonardia who delivered the welcome address, as well as Board Member Gary Acuña, who represented Gov. Joseph Marañon

Noli Legaspi delivered the closing remarks, followed by a sumptuous dinner.

Officers of the Antiqueño Sa Negros are Judge Anastacio Rufon - president, Roberto Chiongson - vice president, Benjamin Candari Jr. - secretary, Elsie Sabay – assistant secretary, Noli Legaspi – treasurer, Prima Pefianco - auditor, Romeo Baldevarona - P.R.O, Ronnie Butiong – business manager, and Celia Annabelle Balonon – assistant business manager.

Remember: God, teach me to be patient, to go slow, and how to wait on you when my way, I do not know.* source (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2007/November/30//starlife.htm)

jaywalker

November 30th, 2007, 01:49 PM

TravelXchange '08 set in Bacolod

THE 3rd TravelXchange will be held in Bacolod City from February 1 to 3, 2008 featuring not only the country's top tourist destinations but also those within the ASEAN region.

TravelXchange 2008 will bring together sellers from different hotels, resorts, airlines, cruise lines, hospitality and leisure products, tour operators, travel agents, dive resorts, fast-craft operators and destination companies to Bacolod to offer its residents attractive tour packages and rates.

Supported by the Department of Tourism, PAGCOR, City of Bacolod, Office of the Governor and Skal International, the three-day event will feature variety shows and dances from the different participating regions. Attractive travel products and holiday packages will be raffled off daily during the show.

Amongst the early confirmed participants are Cordova Reef Village Resort, Island & Sun Beach Resort (Cebu), Malaysian Tourism Board, White Rock Beach Resort (Subic), Cebu Pacific, Seahorse Tours, DOT Region 10, DOT Region 11, Travel Club, Enchanted Kingdom, Casino Hotel Bacolod, Baron Travel Corporation, Star Hotels, Marist Royal Holidays, Smile Tours & Travel and Mountain Woods Resort (Subic).

Tourism Secretary, Joseph Ace Durano is expected to join local dignitaries in opening the 3rd TravelXchange on February 1, 2008. Travel product updates will be presented by the Department of Tourism for the public during the fair. Tour operators, corporate accounts, and group organizers from Bacolod and Iloilo will attend workshop sessions.

Panay News and Sikat TV also support the event as its media partners.

Parties, within the travel, hospitality, wellness and sports industry, interested to participate may call Selrahco Management (6332) 231.7673 or email: starhtel@mozcom.com, or contact Mr. Toots Jimenez Jr. - 0922-8211705 or 0927-2507080.

^^

jaywalker

December 1st, 2007, 01:07 PM

PALMAS DEL MAR Resort and Hotel
Bacolod City
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courtesy of Pons Lizares

jaywalker

December 1st, 2007, 03:38 PM

SUV111

December 1st, 2007, 04:02 PM

PALMAS DEL MAR Resort and Hotel
Bacolod City

looks like its not in Bacolod :) nice naman talaga ang Palmas eh :) thanks NG for posting this pic :)

jaywalker

December 3rd, 2007, 04:11 AM

Buglas Festival 2007
features local cuisine

Attractive prizes await the winners in the Lutong Garbo sa Sidlakang Negros set December 29 at the Conference Hall of the Provincial Agriculturist Office, as part of the forthcoming Buglas Festival 2007, organizers said yesterday.

Sylvia Uy, of the Negros Oriental Tourism Council and overall chairperson, said the Lutong Garbo is aimed at rediscovering, showcasing and promoting the cuisine traditions and the creative use of indigenous ingredients in the province.

Up for grabs for winners are gift packs and trophies, plus a cash prize of P10,000 for the first prize winner; and P7,000 and P5,000 for the second and third prize winners, respectively.

Consolation prizes of P1,00 each plus gift pack and certificates will be given to non-winners.

The Buglas Festival is set December 21 to 31.

The competition is open to all interested Filipino residents of Negros Oriental, of legal age, who must represent his/her own locality.

Each local government unit shall have only one entry duly endorsed by the city/town mayor, organizers added.

Winning dish entries of last year's Lutong Garbo contest are disqualified. However, non-winning entries are qualified to join in this year's contest.

Entries will be judged based on the following criteria: palatability, 40 percent; originality, 40 percent; texture, 10 percent; and dish presentation or visual appeal and creativity, 10 percent.

For more details, interested persons may call Bambi Yap of the Provincial Tourism Office at Tel. Nos. 422-0675, organizers added.*RG

SugarFreak

December 4th, 2007, 12:17 PM

Happy Valley Beach Resort- Hinobaan, Negros Occidental
Happy Valley Beach Resort has a recorded capacity of 25 air condition rooms provides food and drinks, first class toilet and bathroom facilities.

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derfbcd

December 4th, 2007, 08:46 PM

Marvellous shots Bernie.:applause::applause::applause:

Don't have much crowd though.Masskara still very known to Bacolodnon.It shows the lack of popularity nationaly.

i disagree, as what my experience says each time masskara dance on various places here in the philippines, it is hailed by its audience, very well knowned and crowd fave...well that is only my opinion, i respect yours jay..:)

SugarFreak

December 7th, 2007, 12:04 PM

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SugarFreak

December 11th, 2007, 06:15 AM

2007 PintaFlores Festival of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental

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SugarFreak

December 11th, 2007, 06:44 AM

2007 PintaFlores festival of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental

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BYAHILO

December 11th, 2007, 07:15 AM

ahay kanami sang pintaflores ah.. sa WVTA kag sa Sinulog ko plang na sila nakita. i hope sa nov5 2008 maka pa san carlos ko ba.

SugarFreak

December 11th, 2007, 08:54 AM

2007 PintaFlores festival of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental

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SugarFreak

January 9th, 2008, 12:20 PM

January 09, 2008
Bacolod's tourism head vows to boost local tourism industry (http://www.thenewstoday.info/2008/01/09/bacolods.tourism.head.vows.to.boost.local.tourism.industry.html)

BACOLOD CITY -- The newly-appointed chief operating officer of the Tourism, Culture and Development Council (TCDC) of Bacolod (COO), former congressman John N. Orola, Jr. vowed to boost the tourism industry of the capital city of Negros Occidental.

Orola, who used to be the Philippines' tourism attache to Japan and the United States West Coast, said through the TCDC, he will "create a new landscape for Bacolod in the areas of tourism and hopefully I will be able to meet the expectations of Bacoleños."

In an interview with the Philippines News Agency, Orola said tourism is "a broad field, not only arrivals which has multiplier effects, but also preserving what is truly Negros which is our own heritage."

"We look forward to work with city officials as well as with those in the province and satellite cities with tourist attractions and potentials. Bacolod is the sugar capital of the Philippines. We will create a new industry that can institutionalize tourism as an industry, and can complement with the sugar industry. This will become an avenue that can link Bacolod to the rest of the world," Orola said.

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia appointed Orola as COO of TCDC through Executive Order (EO) No. 22, series of 2007, dubbed "Reconvening and Reconstituting the Membership and Composition of the TCDC".

The EO is pursuant to City Ordinance No. 97, series of 1993 creating TCDC in the City of Bacolod, with objectives that include planning, evaluating and executing tourism program and projects.

The ordinance stipulates that TCDC is an organization that truly represents the major players in the tourism industry. Its primary aim is to position Bacolod as a tourist destination in the country.

Members of the TCDC from the government sector are Bacolod Councilor Homer Q. Bais, Committee Chair on Tourism; Councilor Greg G. Gasataya, Committee Chair on Environment, Trade and Industry; Ma. Elma. M. A. Gerasmo, Senior Tourism Operations Officer, TCDC Secretariat; Sr. Supt. Ronilo V. Quebrar, Bacolod City Police Director;

Ireneo J. Asuga, Director, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG); Lea Gonzales, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); Ardis Jaculina, Investment Promotion and Development Task Force (IPDTF); Nelson Sedillo, General Services Office (GSO) and Engr. Belly Aguillon, OIC City Engineer's Office.

From the private sector are John Lizares, Hotel and Restaurants Associations of Negros Occidental (HRANO); Greg Flores, National Association of Independent Travel Agents (NAITA); Christina Gaston, Association of Negros Producers (ANP); Raymund Tongson, Chairman, Council of Lions Club Presidents and Renier Gerochi, Lions District Governor, Council of Rotary Club Presidents.

Ronnie Lizares representing resorts was elected by the Council as Deputy Executive Director. (PNA)

Other Panay News
Pagdilao, on deck as WV PNP chief
Region's future writers gather in 2-day DepEd journ gab

jaywalker

January 18th, 2008, 09:01 PM

Solon backs tourism drive
BY MARICAR ARANAS

Rep. George Arnaiz (Neg. Or., 2 nd district) yesterday said one of his proposed projects this year is the improvement of the night capability system and the expansion of the Dumaguete City airport in support of the tourism development program of Negros Oriental.

Arnaiz also said he is waiting for the 2008 budget to be passed so he can allocate funds for the road concreting projects in the second district. He said good roads are a tourism advantage.

Some roads going to the tourism destinations are still dilapidated, which is not a good sign for visitors, Arnaiz said.

Arnaiz said he agreed with Tourism Undersecretary Cynthia Norton who said that Negros Oriental still needs to improve its infrastructure support program.

Norton had also pointed out the lack of hotels in Dumaguete City, since some of the best accommodation in the province are in the neighboring towns.

Arnaiz said he hopes that the Provincial government will find the funds to at least continue phase by phase the construction of the Negros Oriental hotel adjoining the Negros Oriental Convention Center.*MA

www.visayandailystar.com

SugarFreak

January 21st, 2008, 07:15 AM

BACOLAODIAT 2008
Parade of lanterns to open festival (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2008/January/21/people.htm)

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A spectacular parade of lanterns, illuminated floats, dragons and lions, will open the four-day BacoLaodiat Festival on Feb. 7, to usher the Chinese New Year, a press release from organizers said.

The event will start at SM, pass by the City Hall and public plaza, and proceed to the Capitol Lagoon which will be ablaze with lanterns on the water and on the grounds.

Lighted markers depicting the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac will be installed along the festival circuit. All throughout the city, a synchronized fireworks show, the “Symphony of Sparks and Lights,” will immediately erupt following the declaration by Mayor Bing Leonardia of the start of the BacoLaodiat, which will climax with a two-hour cultural show of dances and songs, the press release said.

All throughout the celebration, Chinese temples will be decorated and lighted up at night and each will have special activities, like cooking demos, displays of Chinese paintings and calligraphy, exhibits of Chinese arts and crafts and herbal and traditional medicines, and Chinese cultural games to be participated in by members of the Chinese family associations.

Other activities include a Chopsticks Alley at Shopping area, and kiosks and rolling carts, colorful lanterns and an open-air dining tent where Chinese food will be served will be held at 6 th Street between Lacson and Hilado streets. Invited to join the trade activities are merchants of Chinese delicacies and other products from Manila , Cebu and Iloilo , the press release said.

SugarFreak

January 21st, 2008, 07:28 AM

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jaywalker

January 21st, 2008, 09:38 AM

January 21, 2008
IN SILAY: Negrense artwork at airport (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2008/January/21/people.htm)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2386/2198773375_a7432f7dda.jpg?v=0

“Dance of Celebration”, a 4 by 10 feet oil on canvas impressionistic interpretation of Silay City , dubbed as the Paris of Negros and keeper of a glorious cultural past, now hangs at the pre-departure area of the New Bacolod-Silay Airport .

In the colors and characters of a Charlie Co painting, it reveals the nuances of a life rich in history.

There is a very strong cultural flavor that is an intimation of the prevailing presence of music and dance, as well as distinct images suggesting the French and Spanish influence that shaped Silay City of heritage homes and lifestyle museums, Co said.

The touches of an agricultural life coming from the hacienda era harmoniously blend with contemporary representations of the development of the city, especially in the imminent presence of an airplane taking wing in the Silay skyline.

The sun speaks of new beginnings and the moon croons of hope and a better future, Co said.

Right at the heart of the work is a dance that celebrates the love of country.

It has a dominant backdrop of the majestic Mount Mandalagan, Mount Silay and Mount Kanlaon, the same vista that greets travelers at the new airport.*CPG

:cheers::cheers:

SugarFreak

January 21st, 2008, 12:45 PM

testing post only kun nami man ang design

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/bonistabeachnegros.jpg

jaywalker

January 23rd, 2008, 07:29 AM

Very rare giant flower found in buffer zoneBY CARLA GOMEZ

A very rare parasitic flowering plant, Rafflesia speciosa, which is a member of the family of the world's largest flower, has been discovered in the 169-has. Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park buffer zone, a Philippine National Oil Co.-Energy Development Corp. commissioned study released yesterday showed.

“The species is the first record of this unique genus is the island (of Negros ),” the PNOC-EDC commissioned Maunsell Philippines Inc. Biodiversity Study furnished the DAILY STAR said.

“The genus Rafflesia is very rare and can only be seen in the forests of Panay, Palawan , Makiling and Banahaw,” the study said.

Among the seven recorded Rafflesia species in the Philippines , Rafflesia Speciosa has the largest flower that can attain a maximum diameter of two feet, the PNOC-EDC study said. The one found in the MKNP buffer zone was about 30 centimeters.

The Rafflesia, unlike other flowers that are just parts of plants, is the plant itself, a Haribon Foundation report said.

“It has no stem, no branch, not even leaves. But its real strangeness lies in its size, these blooms range in diameter from a cabbage head to a car tire. Finally, instead of the pleasant scents we've come to normally identify with flowers, most of these giant blooms emit a foul rotting odor,” the report written by Art Fuentes and posted on the Haribon website (www.haribon.org.ph) added.

The flower is named after its European discoverer Thomas Stamford Raffles. First discovered in Sumatra in 1818, more than twenty Rafflesia species have been found so far in different parts of Southeast Asia . Many of the species are extremely rare, and have been recorded from only a handful of localities, the Haribon report stated.

“The flower is actually a parasite. It grows within its host, the tetrastigma vine, and in its early stages appears as but a tangle of fibers. It only starts manifesting itself during its reproductive cycle. Outgrowths appear on the root vine, then cabbage-like buds develop, then a fully open flower blooms and bears fruit. The flowers themselves take a long time to develop,” Fuentes wrote.

PNOC-EDC senior vice president Agnes de Jesus yesterday assured that the firm will avoid all important species, including the Rafflesias when it enters the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park buffer zone to tap geothermal energy.

“We will mark all important species and physically avoid cutting them. This rule applies to the Rafflesias,” she told the DAILY STAR.

In fact the biodiversity study said the specimen was found outside the PNOC-EDC development area in the buffer zone.

The PNOC-ENC Northern Negros Georthermal Power plant is located in Mailum, Bago, and the firm plans on entering 29 hectares of the buffer zone to tap more geothermal power.

In order to enter the area with minimal environmental damage it was required to conduct a biodiversity study.

Eight other species, which are probably new island records, have also been listed but still need verification, the study said.

Results of the study also revealed that the Mt. Kanlaon buffer zone, including the PNOC-EDC proposed development area has a high biodiversity value.

The number of new island records, island or near endemics, Philippine endemics and threatened species in the area are found to be significant, the study said.

The PNOC-EDC entry into the buffer zone, however, will not have a considerable effect on the overall biodiversity of the area considering the modest size of its development area, the study said.

It is 17 percent of the 160-hectare buffer zone and only .1 percent of MKNP, the study added.

Measures will be adopted to minimize the effects of the PNOC-EDC entry into the buffer zone and to enhance its ecological status, de Jesus said.*CPG

BYAHILO

January 23rd, 2008, 08:09 AM

Congrats sa San Carlos Pinta flores for ranking 5th in the recently concluded Cebu Sinulog.

jaywalker

January 24th, 2008, 07:05 AM

Good for San Carlos,good exposure for thier festival.Congratulations!

La Castellana was also successful in staging thier festival.Something with Luces at the end.Anyone knows La Castellana's festival?The celebration is being held every January.

BYAHILO

January 24th, 2008, 08:06 AM

Maghanda na! manug abot na ang Panaad sa Negros!!

April 26 - May 3 2008

jaywalker

January 24th, 2008, 01:56 PM

Let's Visit...LA CARLOTA

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2291/2215650629_c9856a7bd9.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2288/2215650521_57b361fdbe.jpg?v=0

^^^^

jaywalker

January 24th, 2008, 02:17 PM

LA CARLOTA...PART 2

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2175/2215649849_93eccee9ac.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2139/2215650705_26a54b87da.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2273/2216442440_1331f31cb9.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2061/2216442288_afeeace516.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2029/2216441968_3f2de60672.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2035/2216441818_dd5efc5318.jpg?v=0

^^^^

jaywalker

January 24th, 2008, 02:45 PM

La Carlota....Part3

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2010/2216441152_1e0fe8720d.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2174/2215649411_8a4d36dfe8.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2059/2216441322_b1c5ca2020.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2416/2215649339_93b2da7bf4.jpg?v=0

^^^^

SugarFreak

January 25th, 2008, 10:26 AM

January 25, 2008
Bacolodiat Sets 1st Lantern Parade, Street Dancing (http://www.negrosdaily.com/jan2508v1)

The 2008 Bacolaodiat Festival is gearing up for a presence that will be visually appreciated by the local community. The first ever Grand Evening Lantern Parade is a radiant spectacle featuring the 12 Chinese zodiac animals in a parade as giant lanterns in illuminated floats, with dragons and lions in attendance. The Chinese Lantern Street Dancing, on the other hand, is the Tsinoys’ way of reaching out to other cities and municipalities in the hope of a positive affirmation of a culture that has long been assimilated into the local community. As is customary, the Symphony of Sparks and Lights is a series of fireworks display believed to provide the welcome of positive energy and the chasing away of negative ones as the community ushers in the New Year.

Slated on the first day of the festival, February 7 at 6PM is the Grand Evening Parade. The parade of the Twelve Zodiac sign animals will start from SM and culminate in the Provincial Capitol Lagoon where the giant zodiac lantern will be displayed for the duration of the festival. The lantern parade is under the helm of Charlie Co’s creative leadership. He is collaborating with local artists from the groups of Tramontina, Arte Negrense and that of Neil Benavente. It is the intention of the activity to provide color to the opening festivities and develop in the community an appreciation for the Chinese philosophies that find their way into the Filipino culture, one of which is the 12-year cycle of animals referred to as the Chinese zodiac. In Chinese astrology the twelve animal signs represent twelve different types of personality. It traditionally begins with the sign of the Rat, which brings this year to the beginning of the Earth cycle with the year of the Earth Rat.

The Chinese Lantern Street-Dancing is a competition open to various private and public schools (secondary and college level), barangays, cities, and municipalities. It is set on February 9, 2008. The 6th Street Festival Site is the first performance area and the second will be in front of PNB-Lacson. The Lacson strip will once again be closed, in the same spirit that it was during the Masskara Festival last year. The participating groups, composed of 20 to 30 dancers, will be competing in terms of lantern design and choreography with adherence to the theme, Strength in Unity”, which celebrates the merging of both the Filipino and Chinese cultures. As a form of support to the participants, Panoy Cabalcar gave a chereographers’ workshop in early January. Cash prizes at stake are P70,000 for the champion, P50,000 for the second prize, P30,000 for the third prize and P5,000 for minor prizes.

The Symphony of Sparks and Lights is a city-wide synchronized lighting ceremony which will include installations and a city-wide firework show as the Mayor declares the opening of BacoLaodiat at the main stage along 6th Street. The fireworks will be done almost every night. The earliest documentation of fireworks dates back to 12th century China where they were first used to frighten away evil spirits with their loud sound (“bian pao”) and also to pray for happiness and prosperity. Eventually, the art and science of fireworks making developd into an independent profession of its own with the pyrotechnicians (firework-master) mounting dazzling displays of light and sound. Since then, any event-a birth, death, wedding, coronation, or New Year’s Eve celebration-has become a fitting occasion for noisemakers.

Indeed, Bacolaodiat will light the fire of community brotherhood come the Chinese New Year.*

jaywalker

January 25th, 2008, 01:05 PM

^^Bacolodiat celebration is getting and exciting bigger each year.This will bring in more tourist to Bacolod especially the Tsinoys in our country.

SugarFreak

January 26th, 2008, 04:54 AM

A city museum in the making (http://www.kabankalancity.gov.ph/visitors.asp)

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/kabankalanmuseum.jpg

It has been City Mayor Pedro P. Zayco, Jr.'s dream to have a museum in the city. This dream is now turning into reality.

The city is lucky to have already an existing building suitable for this proposed museum. It's not actually a new building but the former city hall ideally located in front of the city plaza. This building built in 1933 had been vacant for quite sometime when all the offices were transferred to the new city hall in Brgy. Talubangi.

But life has again been lately restored in the temporarily abandoned building after Mayor Zayco decided for the Information and Tourism office to occupy the building. The mayor wants the museum to be under the supervision of tourism. The transfer was an initial step towards this plan.

The former city hall is now a landmark in the city with its American colonial design and was built with durable hard wood. It's wide windows of Capiz shell and ornate ceiling

designs will be restored to its original state. The second floor of this building will be converted into a display area and will be provided by dividers and display racks while the ground floor will house the information office.

What is encouraging for this proposed museum according to tourism chief Vir Gerongani is the positive and spontaneous response from the public especially the young people.

When the people learned that a museum will be set up in the city many express a desire to donate their art pieces. Even the artists in the city are encouraged to form an organization confident the museum can give them assistance in their projects.

This early, the tourism office is already getting art donations from some of the residents and surprisingly the first donors are from the younger

generation. Our big thanks to Dave Zayco Tajanlangit, a young artist, who donated his abstract oil painting of Madonna and Child and oil on canvas painting of old jars.

Dave also donated three sculpted figures. A life-size clay sculpture of a squatting native in tribal attire and a terra-cotta figures of a sweepstakes vendor and a “katutubo” in ethnic attire.

Our thanks too to Keeney Jose Tañez of this city for his religious paintings which now adorn the walls of the tourism lobby.

President of Kabankalan Senior Citizen Association Rodolfo Garaygay also donated an antique mortar and pestle more than half-a-century old and a primitive corn grinder rarely seen these days.

These gestures from the city residents are good signs of their willingness to be a part of this art center that

will showcase the rich cutural heritage of Kabankalan. Our tourism office is now ready to accept donations of old art pieces, heirlooms, old pictures, etc. from the residents that can be displayed in our museum. These items will be properly labeled to identify donors.

jaywalker

January 26th, 2008, 08:09 AM

^^Zayco's are very dedicated in making Kabankalan a tourist destination.

SugarFreak

January 26th, 2008, 11:22 AM

Kabankalan version of Sinulog Festival 2007

Tribu tapi
/v/loyOVwf21_w&rel=1

tribu wabrak
/v/d0TRCYxN-YE&rel=1

(tribu tres)
/v/SkjD3TmehvY&rel=1

tribu tampalon
/v/yBMI21P7uzc&rel=1
(From: rastapepz)

jaywalker

January 26th, 2008, 04:02 PM

^^Nice find @ Sugar.This is great,Negros has it's own version of Sinulog.We're becoming a province of many Festivals all year round and this festivals are slowly getting a lot of attention nationwide through Panaad festival.:cheers:

SugarFreak

January 29th, 2008, 01:47 PM

January 29, 2008
Tourism-police seminar held in Silay (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2008/January/29/people.htm)

The first session in the series of Tourism Police Seminar-Workshop in Silay City , Negros Occidental, held recently was attended by 50 policemen led by Supt. Roderick Augustus Alba, a Silay City press release said.

Topics included "Understanding Tourist Attractions in Silay," "Protocol and Social Grace", "Escorting VIPs", "Handling Foreign Tourists Violating Philippine Laws" and "Familiarizing Common Incidents Related to Tourism".

The press release also said that Mayor Jose Montelibano said that he wants Silay policemen to be tourist-friendly and he expects them to provide tourists the basic information about the tourism potentials of the city.

Alba is also giving seminar-workshops to barangay tanods of the 16 barangays to augment the regular police force considering the influx of visitors in Silay due to the operations of the airport, the press release said.

The seminar was jointly facilitated by the Silay City Tourism Division, Silay City Tourism Development Council and Air Transportation Office, in coordination with the Association of Tourism Officers of Negros Occidental, the press release added.*

jaywalker

January 29th, 2008, 04:29 PM

Zamboanguita to mark100 th anniversary
BY JUANCHO GALLARDE

The town of Zamboanguita in southern Negros Oriental, will start its centennial celebration on February 3, to culminate on May 13, 2008.

Highlights of the opening salvo for the 100th year celebration of Zamboanguita are a "diana" or morning reveille and a Eucharistic celebration to be held at the grounds in front of the town plaza.

Zamboanguita earned its independence from Dauin town on May 13, 1908, councilor Glenson Alanano said.

Former parish priests of Zamboanguita and priests who originally hail from the town have been invited to concelebrate the Mass.

Other activities through May 13 are sports competitions, an open house featuring the heritage of the town to include mayors and beauty queens, a search for the outstanding Zamboangnon, and a Ms. Centennial Zamboanguita to be contested by 14 candidates.

Zamboanguita was coined from the Visayan phrase "Sab-ongan ug Kugita", or a place where dangling octopus can be found.

Although May 13 is the official charter day of Zamboanguita, the town also celebrates its feast day on May 15 in honor of its patron saint, San Isidro de Labrador, the farmer.

Meanwhile, several areas in Zamboanguita also celebrated last Sunday the feast of the Señor Sto. Niño.

Tessie Eltanal, former town councilor and organizer of the Sinulog activity in Barangay Maluay, said this is to propagate the faith and bring the youth closer to Jesus Christ and learn of His life on earth.

Eltanal said that while it is not as grandiose as other Sinulog festivals such as the internationally-famed one in Cebu , the Sinulog in Maluay brings with it the true meaning of paying homage to the Sto. Nino.

Men, women and children always look forward to participate in this yearly activity, which is already into its 11th this year.

Zamboanguita assistant parish priest Fr. Jay Enriquez lauded the people who work to celebrate the feast of the Child Jesus even with meager resources.*JG

SugarFreak

February 1st, 2008, 11:48 AM

PREPARATIONS FOR PANAAD SA NEGROS FESTIVAL 2008 ONGOING (http://www.negros-occ.gov.ph/negros-island/press-release2008/01-31-08b.htm)

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/panaadsanegros07bacolod.jpg

Preparations are ongoing and activities are lined up for this year’s Panaad sa Negros Festival, which is dubbed as the “Festival of Festivals” that is scheduled on April 26-May 3, 2008 participated in by the 13 cities and 19 municipalities of the Province of Negros Occidental.

The local government units’ pavilions at the Panaad Park and Stadium located at Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City will again be decorated and opened to the public with the display of history and culture, native products including food, among others.

There will be competition for new and innovative products that will be judged according to four categories such as personal accessories, home accessories, home furnishings, and processed food.

The annual celebration will have the “Best of Festival Dances” Competition on the first day that this year will be more meaningful because of the research on historical roots and production.

Other proposed competitions among LGUs are Panaad Sports Competition, Pop Idol, Banda Diri, Banda Didto – elementary and secondary levels, Latin Dance Competition, Pop Dance Showdown, Panaad Livelihood Skills Olympics, On-the-Spot Painting Contest, songwriting competition, folk dance showcasing the Negrense dances, Composo, and the Search for Lin-ay sang Negros 2008.

Negosyo-to-Go which is a hands-on demonstration on how to make fashion accessories, herbal oil, hair gel, whitening lotion, detergent powder, among others will also be scheduled by the Negros Occidental Technology and Livelihood Development Center.

According to Negros Occ. Provincial Information Officer and Panaad Festival Action Officer, Marlin P. Sanogal, this year’s Panaad sa Negros Festival, on its 15th year will focus more on showcasing the best of Negrense history and culture through its songs and dances, aside from its arts, sports, products and tourism destinations./Capitol News

SugarFreak

February 4th, 2008, 12:19 PM

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/Kabankalan/Heading.gif
Search for Hara Sang Negros 2008

For the past many years, the Search for Sinulog Queen has been one of the main highlights of the Sinulog Festival in the City of Kabankalan held every third week of January.

Local beauties, preferably those with roots in the city, join this tilt to vie for the prestigious title, which oftentimes serves as their passport to fame and honor.

In the passing of years, the beauty tilt has slowly evolved from a simple beauty contest to a spectacular pageant today with global publicity and drawing visitors from all over the country.

However, the city feels that the time has come for the pageant to reinvent itself in order to keep up with the rapid growth of Kabankalan heading towards globalization.

For this reason, Kabankalan has decided to widen the scope and exposure of the Sinulog Queen Search by going Negros-wide, hence, the change of name to “Hara Sang Negros.”

In line with this concept, “Hara” opens its door to candidates from the different LGUs in the Occidental and Oriental sides of Negros Island. No screening is required for candidates endorsed by her LGU which is proof enough she is qualified to be a candidate.

The “Hara” title holder will reign in Negros Island for one whole year. She will not only be representing Kabankalan City as Sinulog Festival's “Hara Sang Negros” but the whole Negros as well.

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/Kabankalan/1.jpghttp://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/Kabankalan/2.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/Kabankalan/3.jpghttp://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/Kabankalan/4.jpg

SugarFreak

February 4th, 2008, 12:22 PM

Search for Hara Sang Negros 2008 II
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/Kabankalan/5.jpghttp://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/Kabankalan/6.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/Kabankalan/7.jpghttp://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/Kabankalan/8.jpg
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http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/Kabankalan/11.jpghttp://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/Kabankalan/12.jpg

SugarFreak

February 4th, 2008, 12:33 PM

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/Kabankalan/13.jpghttp://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/Kabankalan/14.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/Kabankalan/15.jpghttp://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/Kabankalan/16.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/Kabankalan/17.jpghttp://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/Kabankalan/18.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/Kabankalan/19.jpg

derfbcd

February 6th, 2008, 03:05 AM

just want to include the masskara, panaad sa negros is fast approaching

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q124/bhoyet09/1_733284619l.jpg

BYAHILO

February 6th, 2008, 04:03 AM

boyet, ang alijis ma perform sa panaad or sa Aliwan?

pareho ang date nila.

derfbcd

February 6th, 2008, 10:24 PM

sa panaad lng gro eh, kabalo ka naman sang city la gd naga support sa masskara when it comes to aliwan, kadako tani sang chance, with dancers that we got and with panoy, we have an edge...:ohno:

SugarFreak

February 7th, 2008, 07:49 AM

^^a worldly known festival but they cannot support it for the aliwan...ga participate gani sa luwas nation sa local indi,,,sus nano na ngah...maybe gusto niya out of the country gid

derfbcd

February 7th, 2008, 08:41 PM

^^a worldly known festival but they cannot support it for the aliwan...ga participate gani sa luwas nation sa local indi,,,sus nano na ngah...maybe gusto niya out of the country gid

yup natingala ko gani....ambot sa ila ah ngaa wala nila gna suportahahn ang masskara sa aliwan:ohno:

derfbcd

February 7th, 2008, 09:07 PM

VILLAMONTE MASSKARA MEMORIES

2003
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q124/bhoyet09/124598209ikOtIK_fs-1.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q124/bhoyet09/124602922VzaQet_fs.jpg

THIS ENTRY ALREADY WENTTO CHINA ^^^^

2004

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q124/bhoyet09/masska32.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q124/bhoyet09/1_802151694l.jpg

^^ETO SILVER MASSKARA CHAMP, REPRESENTED PHILS SA JAPAN, AND TOPPED OTHER CONTINGENTS

2005

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q124/bhoyet09/1_432933171l.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q124/bhoyet09/1_177150294l.jpg

^^ ETO PINAKAMAGASTOS SA LAHAT VILLAMONTE SPENT A MILLION FOR THIS ENTRY

:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

derfbcd

February 8th, 2008, 12:31 AM

lapit na lng panaad hehehehe sadya naman ni:banana:

kyle@1008

February 8th, 2008, 12:35 AM

well it was worth it , from what I remembered those customs were reused for the sea games

BYAHILO

February 8th, 2008, 12:38 AM

VILLAMONTE MASSKARA MEMORIES

2003
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q124/bhoyet09/124598209ikOtIK_fs-1.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q124/bhoyet09/124602922VzaQet_fs.jpg

THIS ENTRY ALREADY WENTTO CHINA ^^^^

[/qoute]

amo ni nga tuig wala ko ka puli sa bcd. this is the 2nd time nag champion ang villamonte.

2004

[quote]

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q124/bhoyet09/masska32.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q124/bhoyet09/1_802151694l.jpg

^^ETO SILVER MASSKARA CHAMP, REPRESENTED PHILS SA JAPAN, AND TOPPED OTHER CONTINGENTS

^^ amo ni ang una nga group nga nag pa mantawi. this was during the silver masskara

2005

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q124/bhoyet09/1_432933171l.jpg

^^ ETO PINAKAMAGASTOS SA LAHAT VILLAMONTE SPENT A MILLION FOR THIS ENTRY

:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

i guess ika duwa sa pinaka mabig at nga masskara. heaviest i think is the 2006 mask sang alijis.

derfbcd

February 8th, 2008, 12:38 AM

yup, palahat pati props,paano pag wala ang villamonte sa seagames?...hmmmmm...i guess parang wlang color....:ohno:

derfbcd

February 8th, 2008, 12:42 AM

:banana:eric ika third lng na nga pinaka mabug at ng mask ang heaviest is ang iya ka alijis then ang 2004 na mask....pinaka comfortable naman ang sang 2005 la labot na indi cya mayo heavy, dako pa sang mask...so kanami ipalak hehehehe....:banana:..by the way ang first nga nag pa Mantawi is ang Pahanocoy 2002:banana:

BYAHILO

February 8th, 2008, 12:59 AM

derfbcd

February 8th, 2008, 01:10 AM

bhoyet aga ka pa online? ahaha grabe cvhange sked naman ko subong 8AM-5PM daw malipong na ko sang katuyo diri. im so used to my 1PM work sked. tag 11AM ang bugtaw. LOL.

neways ano balita da sa babaylan festival? ang ila tourism officer wala ga sabat sang email ko ha. mayo pa ang taga probinsya.

amo-amo man lng na ang babaylan pero naka US tour kag european tour na ina sila. nag saut na sila sang last year sa UN headquarters sa geneva

aga pa ko online kay 2 am duty ko until 11 am, cge lng agwantaha hehehehe..ambot sa tga bago ah...ngaa la ayhan nila gna answer ang imo nga email...nd lng ko maghambal ah hehehehe, basi makahambal ko kwann hehehehehe joke....:nuts:

BYAHILO

February 8th, 2008, 02:04 AM

aga pa ko online kay 2 am duty ko until 11 am, cge lng agwantaha hehehehe..ambot sa tga bago ah...ngaa la ayhan nila gna answer ang imo nga email...nd lng ko maghambal ah hehehehe, basi makahambal ko kwann hehehehehe joke....:nuts:
'
ahahha na notice ko lng na many govt offices have websites kag may "contact Us" section pero wala gd sila ga dumdom mag reply sa mga naga sulat sa ila.

included sa "should be damned to hell" list ko ang:

bago

baguio
pasig
makati
BACOLOD City tourism office!!! ahahaha
Cebu Sinulog foundation!!

kag ang mga mabuot ya na naga take time to reply ang:

Iloilo City tourism
Neg occ provl tourism
Gen San
bukidnon
Davao

ahihihi

derfbcd

February 8th, 2008, 02:21 AM

'
ahahha na notice ko lng na many govt offices have websites kag may "contact Us" section pero wala gd sila ga dumdom mag reply sa mga naga sulat sa ila.

included sa "should be damned to hell" list ko ang:

bago

baguio
pasig
makati
BACOLOD City tourism office!!! ahahaha
Cebu Sinulog foundation!!

kag ang mga mabuot ya na naga take time to reply ang:

Iloilo City tourism
Neg occ provl tourism
Gen San
bukidnon
Davao

ahihihi

basi busy pa sila hehehehe, nami ang costume sang 2003 noh?....damo stones hehehehe:lol:

BYAHILO

February 8th, 2008, 03:03 AM

nami an ko ya sang 2005. apti ang headress amo na ang pinaka nami. and obviously pinaka mahal aheheh

derfbcd

February 8th, 2008, 03:11 AM

huo man gani, asta subing daw wala pa gd sang may na ka tumba sang 2005 entry ah, sa costume, saot, props, pati sa saot...hehehehe...i guess amo to ang pina ka disiplinado na entry na natudluan ni panoy, sep 15 pa lng ya human na ang saot namon..hehehe:banana:

SugarFreak

February 8th, 2008, 08:02 AM

February 8, 2008
Talisay City’s 10th Charter Day Celebration Opens Today (http://www.negrosdaily.com/feb0808v2)

The City of Talisay will celebrate its 10th Charter Day Anniversary starting today, February 8 to 11, 2008. Talisay City was chartered on February 11, 2008 through Republic Act No. 8489 signed on February 14, 1998 by President Fidel V. Ramos.

Dubbed as the 10th Pasidungog Festival, it is a Four-day Arts & Cultural Fair with various sports competitions.

A caravan will open the celebration to be followed by a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Employees’ Mass Dance Competition.

There will be a nightly band concert at the Public Plaza and the highlight of the festival is the Search for Lin-ay sg Talisay on February 11, 2008. There will also be a Search for Little Miss Pasidungog tomorrow, February 9, 2008 at the Public Plaza.

Aside from these, there will be a Drum and Bugle Corps Competition, Cheer and Dance Competition, Car Audio Sound-Off Exhibition, Hip-hop Dance Showdown, Skills Olympics and Sayaw-Awit Competition.

A Dental and Medical Mission with Feeding, Blood Letting Program and Job Fair will also be conducted at the City Public Plaza covered court.

There will be an unveiling ceremony of the portraits of the past and present mayors of the City at Second Floor of the New City Hall to give honor to their contributions to the development of the City throughout the years.

To complete this wholesome event, various sports competitions such as basketball, boxing, Airsoft Competition and the 1st Mayor Doc Eric Mountain Bike Challenge will also be held.

Meanwhile, the City of Talisay will hold a Local Overseas Job Fair on February 11, 2008, 9:00 a.m. to 12: noon at the City Public Plaza Covered Court.

Joining the job recruitment activity are San Miguel Corporation, Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Pepsi, First Farmers Holding Corporation, SM Bacolod, Robinsons Mandalagan, Libra Mart, Teletech, Teleperformance, and Convergys. While LWV and ALCARE will be accepting applicants for overseas employment whose job order includes Engineers, Welders, Industrial Electricians, Pipefitters, Plumbers, Rigger, Iron Workers, Scaffolders, Lubeman, Mechanical Fitter, Mechanical Technician, Computer Operator, Human Resource Officer, Junior Safety Officer, Contracts Assistant Hydraulic Machine Operator, Project Control Coordinator, Assistant Acounts Manager, Quantity Tracker, and Female Caretakers and Domestic Helpers, respectively.

Dubbed “Obra Para Sa Masa,” this activity is one of the programs pursued by the City Government of Talisay under the administration of Mayor Eric Saratan, M.D. and Vice Mayor Neil Lizares in cooperation with Public Employment Office (PESO) and the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWDO). It aims to assist job hunters find jobs by matching their skills and qualifications with what employers look for.

Interested parties are advised to bring resume and 2x2 pictures. For inquiries, please contact PESO Talisay City at 495-6282.*

SugarFreak

February 8th, 2008, 12:57 PM

February 08, 2008
The Chinese Culture (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/bac/2008/02/08/feat/the.chinese.culture.html)
By Gil ALfredo B. Severino

CULTURE is anything that is the work of the mind and the hand. Sometimes these works can be 'bad' so that culture must be judged against time, truth, one another or in comparison with other cultures.

Part of the Chinese culture is their penchant for their version of the zodiac signs. This year is the rat, last year it was the pig, the other year it was the dog, and so on.

It is true, the animal zodiac signs of the Chinese is unique compared to the 'Latin-Western' type. It is indeed part of the Chinese way of life but it has to be judged as superstition.

We are not discriminating the Chinese for being superstitious. All human races have superstition in their unique culture. Superstition, however, must be recognized and discriminated. There are other creation of the hand and mind that is far superior than zodiacs.

The culture of the Chinese in terms of foresight and frugality, is perhaps the best and the most beautiful. Because of foresight and frugality, they survived centuries of discrimination, massacre and ethnic tension here in the Philippines despite the permanent 'umbilical cut' from their motherland.

The Chinese in the Philippines could not have been a contributor to the economy had it not been for their business. Their frugality in the stewardship of their properties in legendary, it is unfortunate that the Philippine curriculum did not include it for serious consideration. Filipinos in general did not learn from their Chinese fellowmen in their country. This is sad.

It was not their zodiac signs, feng shui, 13 round fruits, dragon and lion dances that made them prosperous. These Chinese amenities unfortunately are fast becoming integrated into the Filipino psyche. The average Filipino thought these work magic among the Chinese thus its worth emulating.

It was sheer acumen - foresight and frugality that made them prosperous. We better discriminate this, superstition and the Chinese value system.

jaywalker

February 8th, 2008, 06:48 PM

Talisay City’s 10th Charter Day Celebration Opens Today

The City of Talisay will celebrate its 10th Charter Day Anniversary starting today, February 8 to 11, 2008. Talisay City was chartered on February 11, 2008 through Republic Act No. 8489 signed on February 14, 1998 by President Fidel V. Ramos.

Dubbed as the 10th Pasidungog Festival, it is a Four-day Arts & Cultural Fair with various sports competitions.

A caravan will open the celebration to be followed by a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Employees’ Mass Dance Competition.

There will be a nightly band concert at the Public Plaza and the highlight of the festival is the Search for Lin-ay sg Talisay on February 11, 2008. There will also be a Search for Little Miss Pasidungog tomorrow, February 9, 2008 at the Public Plaza.

Aside from these, there will be a Drum and Bugle Corps Competition, Cheer and Dance Competition, Car Audio Sound-Off Exhibition, Hip-hop Dance Showdown, Skills Olympics and Sayaw-Awit Competition.

A Dental and Medical Mission with Feeding, Blood Letting Program and Job Fair will also be conducted at the City Public Plaza covered court.

There will be an unveiling ceremony of the portraits of the past and present mayors of the City at Second Floor of the New City Hall to give honor to their contributions to the development of the City throughout the years.

To complete this wholesome event, various sports competitions such as basketball, boxing, Airsoft Competition and the 1st Mayor Doc Eric Mountain Bike Challenge will also be held.

Meanwhile, the City of Talisay will hold a Local Overseas Job Fair on February 11, 2008, 9:00 a.m. to 12: noon at the City Public Plaza Covered Court.

Joining the job recruitment activity are San Miguel Corporation, Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Pepsi, First Farmers Holding Corporation, SM Bacolod, Robinsons Mandalagan, Libra Mart, Teletech, Teleperformance, and Convergys. While LWV and ALCARE will be accepting applicants for overseas employment whose job order includes Engineers, Welders, Industrial Electricians, Pipefitters, Plumbers, Rigger, Iron Workers, Scaffolders, Lubeman, Mechanical Fitter, Mechanical Technician, Computer Operator, Human Resource Officer, Junior Safety Officer, Contracts Assistant Hydraulic Machine Operator, Project Control Coordinator, Assistant Acounts Manager, Quantity Tracker, and Female Caretakers and Domestic Helpers, respectively.

Dubbed “Obra Para Sa Masa,” this activity is one of the programs pursued by the City Government of Talisay under the administration of Mayor Eric Saratan, M.D. and Vice Mayor Neil Lizares in cooperation with Public Employment Office (PESO) and the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWDO). It aims to assist job hunters find jobs by matching their skills and qualifications with what employers look for.

Interested parties are advised to bring resume and 2x2 pictures. For inquiries, please contact PESO Talisay City at 495-6282.*