Bacolod City and Negros Occidental Province - Compiled Threads

[kyle@1008]

^^ I don't agree with land reform though, too many holes, what most people don't know is that small landholding would generate a very small amount of income in contrast to a large plantation, that could earn more per hectare, then it would for, a one hectare land... In the end when the land reform beneficiary starves, he would sell his land back, that's one of the main factors why it was never really successfull,..aside form that by 2010 we'll have to compete in the world market, the nation cannot afford to backtrack small landholdings..we'll have to compete with developed nations with agricultural subsidies... another path must be taken, that's why we're espousing power and fuel production from sugarcane, that would mean higher income for plantations for every sugarcane harvested, then maybe employers could provide additional income and benefits for their workers.... case in point hacienda de la rama in murcia provides free power and electricity to it's hacienda based workers, and also benefits are given to model-workers, i.e. an alternative source of income...

[habagatcentral1]

^^ I think I also heard haciendas giving good incentives to their sacadas and dumaan farmers.

And also regarding the land reform, the case of Hda. Velez-Malaga was that the unfertile lands were given to the farmers and the fertile ones to the hacienda. Correct me if I'm wrong.

But the question is why are there insurgencies that are happening in the countryside like Hda.Luisita (in Tarlac) and Hda.Velez-Malaga in La Castellana? (By the way, I think that MMK episode "Sako" was shot in La Castellana)

I think there is another way for these 2 to be reconciled but sadly I don't know the answer to that.

But for me, diversification is one of the keys for social stability and economic prosperity. With this, Negros will veer out from its dependence on sugar. I mean look at Dubai, they diversified because they know that sometime soon, oil will no longer be available in the Persian Gulf. We should look into the future and we must act now or its too late.

We don't want Negros to revert to its 1980's scenario again right? So, buliganay ta ni, hacendero man ukon sacada. :okay:

[kyle@1008]

^^ yes , quite right,...

Vicmico President Carlos Locsin once said " the best thing that could happen to negros is if the sugar industry would fall, that's when we'll be able to realise our true potential"...

he said this before martial law...

[SugarFreak]

September 25, 2007
Strong Family Ties for a Progressive Bacolod (http://www.negrosdaily.com/sep2507v4)

The Family Week Celebration commenced yesterday with a Flag-Raising Ceremony at the Fountain of Justice, Bacolod City Hall, September 24 to 30, 2007, with the theme: "Makulay ang Buhay ng Pamilyang Mati-bay".

Executive Assistant to the Mayor, Atty. Vicente Pitierre, said that the theme of the Family Week is also the belief of the Leonardia Administration which is to develop families who fear and believe in God, care for their neighbors, environment and country for the sake of future generations. Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia, he said, envisions the development of the city into a modern highly urbanized city with peaceful living conditions.

He wants to develop Bacolod into a dynamic center for economic growth where livelihood opportunities abound so that heads of families do not have to go away to earn a living, Petierre said. Councilor Homer Bais, Chairman of the Committee on Social Services, emphasized that the family is "one of the important pillars of society". If we are to develop our society, we should develop our families first, he said. Bais added that a successful politician cannot claim to be truly successful if at home his family is problematic. "If a politician has many families he is a bad example," he said. A long-time advocate of women's rights,Councilor Celia Flor said that a family can only be strong if there is equality and partnership between husband and wife and the home is free from domestic violence. "There should not only be care but love and respect and the husband must not physically abuse his wife in the alibi of discipline," Flor said. Officer in Charge of the city Dept. of Social Services and Development explained that Executive Order No. 24, Series of 1995 and Proclamation No. 60 provides guidelines for the celebration of the National Family Week.

Members of the Church of Christ of Latter-Day Saints and members of the Bacolod Pastor Prayer Fellowship were guests at this morning's flag raising ceremony.*

[SugarFreak]

September 25, 2007
Negros, Bacolod Host National Youth Summit (http://www.negrosdaily.com/sep2507v2)

The first national Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines (PYAP) Youth Summit on October 8-10, 2007 will be hosted by Bacolod City and Negros Occidental. Summit theme: Kabataan, Pahalagahan para sa Kaunlaran.

DSSD Regional Director Teresita Rosales has sent a communication to Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Negros Occidental Governor Joseph Marañon, requesting for the support of the local government units.

Rosales said there are 15 youth leaders of Bacolod City PYAP Federation who will attend this activity.

Leonardia will be the guest speaker during the opening day program on October 8.

The week-long youth summit will be held at the Panaad Sports Complex.

Expected to attend this gathering are 17 regions with 15 participants from each region all over the country.*(EBColmo)

[ngprofflorida]

Teleperformance, Capitol joint project set
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Teleperformance officials yesterday met with Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon to discuss a joint project with the provincial government to improve the English skills of students in preparation for call center jobs.

The project includes working with schools to improve teaching skills of English teachers and students, Rich Loveland, Teleperformance director for operations, said.

"This is a provincial government initiative and what we'll be doing is helping develop students' capabilities to the standards needed by call centers," he said.

"We are setting up a forum for all parties to share ideas and determine what resources are available to fast track this," Loveland added.

He also said that Teleperformance in Bacolod City has about 1,000 employees to date and is looking to expand.

Call centers in this country are looking to expand because the Philippines is becoming the number one spot for US businesses, which represents 50 percent of all the call center business, he said.

There are thousands of jobs waiting and the only thing limiting the growth in this region is the level of English capabilities of those needed to be hired, he said.

As soon as we can provide that then the growth is limitless, he said.

Paul Felton, Teleperfomance recruitment supervisor, said Teleperformance hires from 30 to 50 new employees a day.

The Teleperformance officials met with Marañon, Vice Gov. Isidro Zayco, Board Member Emilio Yulo III, Sanggunian Committee on education chairman, and Jose Ma. Valencia, chief of staff of the governor, to discuss the joint project on improving English proficiency of students in public schools and on setting up a call center course.

Marañon said he also raised the possibility of the long-term lease by Teleperfomance of a building the provincial government is prepared to build on its property next to the Philippine National Bank along Lacson Street so the call center firm can expand to create more jobs.*CPG

Web www.visayandailystar.com

Again thats another good news to bacolod residents and negros another expansion in the future, dont need to depend on haciendas. :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:
thats another employment add on to the province.

[habagatcentral1]

^^ yes , quite right,...

Vicmico President Carlos Locsin once said " the best thing that could happen to negros is if the sugar industry would fall, that's when we'll be able to realise our true potential"...

he said this before martial law...

^^ I really love this quote. I think I read that in Violeta Lopez-Gonzaga's book.

It will really move the Negrenses to be out from their dependency with sugar.

[ngprofflorida]

Gov. Hails Agreement in Hda. Malaga
Negros Occidental Governor Joseph Mara-ñon has hailed the agreement among farmer beneficiaries to peacefully end the long conflict in Hda. Malaga, Barangay Robles, La Castellana.

Marañon said, this has been long overdue and he is glad that the conflict will be solved soon that peace would be achieved at last in the area and the province as well.

Sugar Regulatory Administrator Rafael Coscolluela has confirmed that a Memorandum of Agreement has been signed by land owner Roberto Cuenca and Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangan-daman which will be presented to the two contending farmer beneficiaries - the Task Force Mapalad and Malaga- Velez Independent Workers Union. Pangan-daman also confirmed this and that he may be coming to the province any time for the presentation of the agreement and a delineation survey.

The agreement will allow the 103 farmer beneficiaries belonging to the TFM to gain possession of the 53 hectares where they were installed by Pangandaman last March 22, while members of the Union will get 43.71 hectares where the hacienda is located, Coscolluela bared.

This is also part of the solution presented by Coscolluela and Bishop Buzon in a dialogue with the farmer

[SugarFreak]

^^sana a high-rise building for that call center para ganda tingnan na katabi sya ng PNB

^^ yes , quite right,...

Vicmico President Carlos Locsin once said " the best thing that could happen to negros is if the sugar industry would fall, that's when we'll be able to realise our true potential"...

he said this before martial law...

currently he's a president even the owner now is lucio tan?

[kyle@1008]

^^ he passed away many years ago...

Vicmico was founded by the Ossorio Family, from what I've heard they still have a Board Seat in the conglomorate..

[kyle@1008]

^^ I really love this quote. I think I read that in Violeta Lopez-Gonzaga's book.

It will really move the Negrenses to be out from their dependency with sugar.

anyways here's an example of Negrenses helping out...






INQUIRER VISAYAS
Silay City family helps children go to school

By Carla Gomez
Inquirer
Last updated 01:42am (Mla time) 06/23/2007

SILAY CITY—A school in Silay City, Negros Occidental is helping children of farm workers break free from the cycle of poverty and some are now working as engineers and nurses in foreign countries.

This is because a family that could have otherwise just sat back and enjoyed the profits of their vast sugar lands chose to make a difference for others.

In 1964, their matriarch Marietta Ledesma started the St. Francis of Assisi School in Hacienda Tinihaban, Silay City, because she wanted to provide farm children with education better than what was being provided in public schools.

“My grandmother believed that given quality Christian education for free, children of farm workers would not have to be forever stuck to working on the farm, they could develop their full potential,” her granddaughter Carmela “Micmic” Abello Golez, 37, said.

When their grandmother died in 1979, their grandfather, Edgardo Ledesma, continued the school’s tradition of free education until he died in 1994, Golez said. After his death, however, “the vision sort of got lost,” for a period of seven years, said Carmela’s brother, Roberto “Robin” Abello Jr., 36.

Continuing the vision

Robin said he and Micmic belong to the third generation of their family and they wanted to bring back the tradition of free education at the school their grandmother started.

“My grandmother wanted to give children of farm workers a chance for a better life outside of the farm,” Micmic said, “because for a lot of them their parents and their grandparents before them worked on the farm.”

“We want them to know that there’s life beyond the farm, that they can pursue a different career,” she said.

But as the school expanded by accepting children outside of the Ledesma farm, funding from Hacienda Tinihaban was no longer enough to keep up with the free education program.

“My grandfather, when he died, left money for the school but it was not enough for the scholarships for the poor,” Robin said.

Micmic said they started charging a minimal fee for students who were not from sugar farms and for those who could afford the fees, but the children from the farms still received free education.

Because of the funding shortage, Micmic said they decided to establish the Tapulanga Foundation Inc. in 2001.

Today, the foundation mainly provides scholarships for students of St. Francis of Assisi School who not only come from Hacienda Tinihaban but from other parts of Silay City and the adjoining Talisay City and EB Magalona town.

Micmic said St. Francis now has 370 students in pre-school, grade school and high school.

The school is supervised by the University of St. La Salle based in Bacolod City, which helps with curriculum development.

The high school department, which opened only last year, has classrooms with large windows to let in maximum light and the breeze from a nearby creek.

St. Francis of Assisi School not only educates its students inside the classrooms, it also provides many other opportunities for the children to go on field trips, watch movies, concerts and plays, learn how to use computers, be exposed to theater arts, have swimming lessons, annual recollections and more.

Tapulanga Foundation was founded “with the vision to share God’s gifts and good news,” Robin stressed.

Micmic is its executive director while Robin is president.

Micmic holds a degree in economics from the University of the Philippines at Los Baños.

Robin has an undergraduate degree in computer science, a master’s degree in software engineering from the Carnegie Mellon University in Maryland, and is married to Kate, an obstetrician-gynecologist.

Robin and his wife live in the United States but send a lot of their earnings back to the Philippines to help run the school and also raise funds for more scholarships for the poor.

How to help

Robin said those who wish to help them in their mission may get more information at the Tapulanga Foundation’s website www.tapulanga.org. Information at the website states that $150 can pay for a year of high school education and $125 for an elementary school scholarship.

Tapulanga Foundation is a nonprofit, charitable organization that also provides health care and micro-credit opportunities, Micmic said.

She said their cousin is a pediatrician so all their students get free annual medical checkups including deworming and immunization. When Robin’s wife, Kate, visits, the mothers also get free checkups, she added.

Micmic said the foundation also provides free eye checkups and glasses because they noticed that some of the students did badly in school because they could not see.

To help farm workers increase their livelihood so that they will hopefully be able to send their children to college, Tapulanga started a micro-credit fund in 2005 to provide opportunities for small-scale entrepreneurship in the Hacienda Tinihaban and neighboring communities.

Robin said he and his wife took out personal loans in the United States for the micro credit loans that they give out at zero to five percent interest with no collateral to wives of sugar workers to start businesses such as piggery and sari-sari (retail) stores.

But Micmic and Robin are not the only Abello siblings who are trying to help others. Their brother Jose Ramon, 26, a Communication Arts graduate of Ateneo de Manila University, teaches at their school, while another brother, Jay, 35, who is into the television and film industry, has also held photo exhibits to raise funds for scholarships.

[SugarFreak]

THE 28th MassKara Festival set Oct. 1-21, 2007 will focus on ICONS OF BACOLOD which are symbols, institutions, products, landmarks and even personalities that have become synonymous to Bacolod like the piaya, the bandstand at the plaza and the San Sebastian Cathedral. Last year, the festival focused on MASKS OF THE WORLD.
^^ he passed away many years ago...

Vicmico was founded by the Ossorio Family, from what I've heard they still have a Board Seat in the conglomorate..

okay

[habagatcentral1]

^^ he passed away many years ago...

Vicmico was founded by the Ossorio Family, from what I've heard they still have a Board Seat in the conglomorate..

I beg your pardon, Ossorio?!?! :eek: I never knew that one of my close friends from Victorias is related with these tycoons! :cheers:

[kyle@1008]

yup, they're an old family.. one of the most notable products of this family is world renowned american-creole artist Alfonso Ossorio...

[birdfluuu]

BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
(Source: Listing of Establishments) 2002 2001 2000
Type of Establishment
Micro (1-9 establishments) 14,950 14,965 15,127
Small (10-99 establishments) 1,320 1,318 1,357
Medium (100-199 establishments) 82 92 90
Large (200 and over establishments) 66 67 74


Negros the highest number of establishment in the region. source:nso philippines


Wow :banana:
As “The Progressive City,”(Bacolod) we also bring state-of-the-art planning and practices to our city w/ the help of our mayor and congressman.Our city has grown and progressed for nearly nthyears i think:) and through that time we have taken a steady path that emphasizes a great quality of life.more business more jobs..i hope someday maging regional center man ang Bacolod:dance: :dance: :banana: :lock: :lock: :lock: :lock: :lock:

[habagatcentral1]

^^ I think there was a time when the regional center was transferred to Bacolod. I think it was during Aquino's Presidency, but people from Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo (Panay Island provinces) and Guimaras complained because of the distance for transacting government papers, etc.

The better alternative though is manifested by DOT Region 6, establishing sub-regional offices in Boracay and Bacolod. I think other government offices are following this trend so it will ease out the business and government transactions.

[kyle@1008]

^^ that is correct Bernie, but yeah sub-regional offices would be better.... as it would decongest the work load as well as bringing the offices nearer to as many people as possible

[jaywalker]

^^ Absolutely right! We need this regional sub-offices in Bacolod.With the upbeat local economy of Bacolod, this will provide a speedy processing of the needed documents,etc.Local governement services will become more efficient.Saves time,saves money,saves energy from the people of Negros Occidental.
I have said this before,they should provide a electronic system where we can lodge applications online or set-up with a courier services to facilitate this documents.:ohno: This basic services must be improve.

[Bo B]

^^ that is correct Bernie, but yeah sub-regional offices would be better.... as it would decongest the work load as well as bringing the offices nearer to as many people as possible

A better idea would be to combine Negros Occidental and Oriental into a new region with the regional capital being either Kabankalan City, Bais City or Mabini.

[jaywalker]

3 international groups eye no-frills hotel in RP

By MA. ELISA P. OSORIO

The Philippine Star

Three international hotel groups have expressed interest in building no frills hotels in the country through the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) hotel project.

In an interview, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) president Samie Lim said Ginger Hotel from India, European-based Accor Hotel and United Kingdom’s Yotel have already approached the proponents of the project in order build the ASEAN hotel.

The three hotel chains are interested in the project of the ASEAN member nations namely the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar and Malaysia.

The ASEAN hotel plans to build similar no frills hotels in the 10 member countries of the ASEAN.

According to Lim, the ASEAN ministers approved the ASEAN hotel concept last month after the meeting of the economic ministers in Manila.

“All the ASEAN hotels will have similar services and integrated marketing and advertising,” Lim explained. “They will also conduct a centralized training for the food and beverage staff.”

This, he said, is necessary in order to ensure that the services provided by all ASEAN hotels are consistent.

Also, Lim said there will be more than one ASEAN hotel per country. In the Philippines, he said there should be ASEAN hotels in all major tourist destinations like Cebu, Boracay, Bacolod, Baguio and Ilocos.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=93958

[jaywalker]

5th Masskara-Mayor's Cup Age Group Swimfest
More Swimmers to Join Competition
By Cyrus M. Garde

More than 350 age-group swimmers from private and public schools, including swimmers from different swimming clubs are expected to join the two-day 5th Masskara-Mayor's Cup Age Group Swimming Competition on October 13-14, 2007 at Sta. Fe Resort, Bacolod City.

There are at least five public schools which already confirmed their participation and more are expected to join, as Bacolod Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus "Thaddy" Sayson will bankroll their entry fees.

About 150 swimmers from Education and Training Center School l & ll, Rizal Elementary School, Generoso Villanueva Elementary/High School, Mabini Elementary School and Andres Bonifacio Elementary School will participate in the competition, according to Rafael "Bukay" Nava, secretary of the sponsoring Negros Swimming Association, Inc.

Nava added that other schools and local government units that have already confirmed their participation are Bago City, Silay City, Madeleine School of Hinigaran, Kabankalan City, Iloilo and Antique Swimming Clubs and John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation- Iloilo.

In Bacolod City, the private schools are University of St. La Salle, St. John's Institute and St. Joseph School- La Salle.

Nava said, the swimmers who are accredited with Philippine Amateur Swimming Association (PASA) or non-accredited clubs are also invited to join. They may contact NSA president Oscar "Nonong" Villanueva, Jr. at Sta. Fe Resort with telephone numbers 034-4341456 or 034-4321073, or with Mr. Rafael Nava at telephone numbers 034-4349865. Deadline of submission of entries will be on October 11, 2007.

This year's event is being held as part of the celebration of the 28th Masskara Festival of Bacolod.

The competition will be held at the 50-meter pool of Sta. Fe Resort. FINA rules will be applied and with the cutoff date of January 1 of the current year for the category qualification.

Medals await the winners in every event. Entry fee is pegged at P200 for each swimmer regardless of the number of entries for each category.*

http://www.negrosdaily.com/sep2507s1

[jaywalker]

5th Monico Masskara Golf Invitational
Brand new Mitsubishi Fuzion awaits hole-in-one winner

More than 200 golfers are expected to see action in the 5th edition of the Congressman Monico MassKara Cup Invitational Golf Tournament slated Oct. 13-14, 2007 at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country in Marapara, Baco-lod City.

The two-day invitational, which coincides with Baco-lod's Charter Day celebration and the annual MassKara Festival, offers a brand new Mitsubishi Fuzion GLX as its hole-in-one prize, Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella bared.

Hosted by the Rotary Club of Bacolod South, headed by its president Eric Matulac, the tournament organizing committee is co-chaired by District Governor Renier Gerochi and past president Rey Soliven. Also expected to see action in the 36-hole competition, using the Stableford system, are local businessmen, ranking government dignitaries and top corporate executives, among others.

Benefiting from the tournament are the Rotary Club of Bacolod South's Academic Excellence Award project, which recognizes outstanding Bacolod City students; the Community Health Project for Children and the ROTO-PLAST Medical Mission, among others.

Golfers interested to compete in the Monico Cup golf invitational may contact RCB-South President Eric Matulac, and organizing committee chairpersons PP Rey Soliven and District Gov. Renier Gerochi.*

http://www.negrosdaily.com/sep2507s2

[jaywalker]

A better idea would be to combine Negros Occidental and Oriental into a new region with the regional capital being either Kabankalan City, Bais City or Mabini.

^^ Possible!

[habagatcentral1]

^^ One Negros Region, if I'm not mistaken. I think I've heard plans to make Negros an independent region carved out from Regions 6 & 7. I don't know who were the proponents of this proposal.

[jaywalker]

Wednesday, September 26, 2007
1st Philippine Organic Aquaculture confab set
THE Province of Negros Occidental is hosting the 1st Philippine Organic Aquaculture Symposium on October 2-3 at the Business Inn Hotel in Bacolod City.

The event’s theme is “Feasibility of Organic Aquaculture in the Philippines: Principles, Experiences and Way Forward.”

Concepts, benefits, and trend of organic aquaculture in the Asean Region will be introduced.

Ultimately, an action plan for the pilot program in the Visayas region must be developed by the participants during the symposium.

Close to 200 participants all over the country are expected to attend the symposium.

They include hatchery owners, aquaculture producers, fish processors, feed millers and local fish exporters and distributors.

Other target audience will be coming from the academe, research institutions, LGUs, and national line agencies such as DA, BFAR and DTI.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap will be the keynote speaker, while Negros Occidental Governor Joseph Marañon will welcome the participants during the opening ceremony.

Other speakers include German Stefan Holler and William Kramer of the Negros Prawn Producers. (Press release)

[BYAHILO]

^^ One Negros Region, if I'm not mistaken. I think I've heard plans to make Negros an independent region carved out from Regions 6 & 7. I don't know who were the proponents of this proposal.


duigay na ina nga plano.. when i was still living in bacolod.. that one island one region plan has already been hatched. dunno who the proponents are.

pero imho, it would be good if kabankalan would be the new capital.

[kyle@1008]

^^ that actually started more than a hundred years ago,.. when Gen. Aniceto Lacson as President of The Negros Republic, tried to negotiate with the americans into turning Negros into a federal island state, that idea was scrapped, and the island after four months of unity was redivided into two provinces, as a concession negros sugar was given preferable US qouta and two negrenses, were placed on the five man-member Philippine Commission ( which before the commonwealth was the nation's highest governing body, directly under the governor -general).... It's a very old idea....

[SugarFreak]

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/1419166947_620bdba2ef.jpg
In the 50s, Bacolod City looks like this. {pic&txt courtesy by Kieron}

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/bacolodplaza1929.jpg
Nicest park in all Occidental Negros... the Bacolod Plaza, April 1, 1929.

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/bacolodplazasquare1903.jpg
Plaza (square) at Bacolod, during bicycle races given in honor of the Philippine Commission. March 16, 1903

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/bacolodcathedralplaza1930.jpg
Bacolod Cathedral / Public Plaza - 1930

[kyle@1008]

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/1419166947_620bdba2ef.jpg
In the 50s, Bacolod City looks like this. {pic&txt courtesy by Kieron}



OMG!! that's gorgeous , better than the Plaza now....

[habagatcentral1]

^^ That goes to say: "Ganito kami noon, Paano kayo ngayon?" If you see Silay's old plaza, I never knew that there was a bandstand before and a fountain.

[kyle@1008]

^^ you do realise that Peque Gallaga once considered that film (Ganito kami noon, paano kayo ngayon) as Oro Plata Mata's twin,.. he said that these two are the only truly old cultural films of the old filipino psyche...

[Farirah]

Nice pics about Bacolod's glorious past.
Well, there is always a price of being progressive, either good or bad.

Anyway, nothing to worry at all. Bacolod is still one of the midsized, progressive cities nowadays.

[ngprofflorida]

Nice pics about Bacolod's glorious past.
Well, there is always a price of being progressive, either good or bad.

Anyway, nothing to worry at all. Bacolod is still one of the midsized, progressive cities nowadays.

I AGREE WITH YOU. BACOLOD IS BEEN BLESSED:angel1: :angel1: :angel: :angel:

[SugarFreak]

^^we need the negros to changed into a 1 region...but kailan pa kaya???..hirap sa mga taga negrenses na pumupunta pa dito sa iloilo for the processing of their documents...wasting our 5 cents, times, tears, etc...if they will give a favor to bais or mabinay would be a regional capital :okay: yon pare

[jaywalker]

^^ that actually started more than a hundred years ago,.. when Gen. Aniceto Lacson as President of The Negros Republic, tried to negotiate with the americans into turning Negros into a federal island state, that idea was scrapped, and the island after four months of unity was redivided into two provinces, as a concession negros sugar was given preferable US qouta and two negrenses, were placed on the five man-member Philippine Commission ( which before the commonwealth was the nation's highest governing body, directly under the governor -general).... It's a very old idea....

duigay na ina nga plano.. when i was still living in bacolod.. that one island one region plan has already been hatched. dunno who the proponents are.

pero imho, it would be good if kabankalan would be the new capital.

^^ One Negros Region, if I'm not mistaken. I think I've heard plans to make Negros an independent region carved out from Regions 6 & 7. I don't know who were the proponents of this proposal.

^^ What's stopping this initiative?Any hindrances?

[birdfluuu]

^^we need the negros to changed into a 1 region...but kailan pa kaya???..hirap sa mga taga negrenses na pumupunta pa dito sa iloilo for the processing of their documents...wasting our 5 cents, times, tears, etc...if they will give a favor to bais or mabinay would be a regional capital :okay: yon pare

wow one island one region ayos ang plan na yan...:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :banana:

[habagatcentral1]

^^ you do realise that Peque Gallaga once considered that film (Ganito kami noon, paano kayo ngayon) as Oro Plata Mata's twin,.. he said that these two are the only truly old cultural films of the old filipino psyche...

The Oro Plata on the other hand depicts what was the Negrense in its prime. It was quite strong during those times since Marcos has been pinning down the "sugar bloc" at the time of the release. They will rose and fell and rose again.

Ganito Kami Noon is about the dawn of the Revolution and the Filipino society in the late 19th Century Tagaloglandia. They even referred to Iloilo as "Ciudad ng mga Kastila" because they already moved out from Manila after the mock battle.

The question is, when will these kind of movies be out again? Times do change and so are the movies have to adapt with the liberty that we have nowadays unlike before. Bisan Indie movie pa na, suportahan ko na gid na.

[ngprofflorida]

wow one island one region ayos ang plan na yan...:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :banana:

THAT THE REASON WHY KABANKALAN PUTTING AN AIRPORT , WHO KNOWS WHATS THE FUTURE IMPLEMENTATION. BASTA TULOY NA ANG PROGRESS SA NEGROS. "NEGROS IS MOVING FORWARD" negros cant turn back the clock were in the 21st century.:wave: :wave: :wave: :wave: AND NEGROS IS NO LONGER DEPEND ON SUGAR INDUSTRY, THE MOST DIVERSIFIED ECONOMY IN THE REGION BIO-FUEL, CALL CENTERS, INDUSTRIAL AND TOURISM.

BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
(Source: Listing of Establishments) 2002 2001 2000
Type of Establishment
Micro (1-9 establishments) 14,950 14,965 15,127
Small (10-99 establishments) 1,320 1,318 1,357
Medium (100-199 establishments) 82 92 90
Large (200 and over establishments) 66 67 74

[jaywalker]

Provincial Government Partners with Teleperformance to Bridge the Call Center Gap

Teleperformance officials vowed to help the provincial government in strengthening the English proficiency of Negrosanons to meet the pressing need of call centers in Bacolod.

Teleperformance Director for Operations Rich Loveland along with other TP officials who met with Gov. Joseph Marañon at the Capitol said the company is open in helping the provincial government in its initiatives by working with schools to improve teaching skills of English teachers and students. He added that the company will also be helping the province to align the students capabilities to the standards of contact center.

As a jump start of the initiative Capitol representatives are set to meet with Teleperformance officials every Friday to determine the available resources of the province and what Teleperformance can further contribute.

Shared ideas from both parties will then be collated and a committee will be formed to take ownership of different undertakings and initiatives.

Loveland told the governor and Board Member Emilio Yulo that the company can offer as many jobs as the local government wants as long as there are enough English speakers. He said the only hindrance to the growth of the industry is the English capabilities of applicants. However, one's address jobs will be limitless.

Loveland further stressed that contact centers are here to stay as the Philippines is the number one spot for US Business.

Teleperformance which started its operations last year now employs more than a thousand employees and is still in the process of hiring additional 500 call center agents in the next three months.

Meanwhile, Marañon also told TP officials that the provincial government is always open should they need Capitol's assistance. Marañon also offered to Teleperformance its vacant lot beside Philippine National Bank on Lacson Street as future site for expansion.

He told Loveland that the Capitol is ready to build the building which Teleperformance can lease.

With the help of Teleperformance, the province is also looking at establishing a call center training school as a training venue for prospective call center employees.

Other Officials from Teleperformance who met with the Governor included Recruitment Supervisor Paul Felton, Admin. Asst./ PR Liaison Levi Trio and TP trainer Anthony Visitacion, while representatives from the Capitol includes Vice Gov. Isidro Zayco and Tina Basa-Orbecido in-charge of the call center initiative of the province.
http://www.negrosdaily.com/sep2607b1

[ngprofflorida]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc255/erjaplacement/sep2607h1.jpg
OF SUGARCANE AND ETHANOL. Officials of the United States Department of Agriculture and the US Embassy as well as Abengo Bio-Energy of Spain discuss with Confederation of Sugar Producers Associations, Inc. (CONFED) Panay-Negros Chapter on "A" sugar and prospects of ethanol production. Confed hosted the US officials and Alejandro Moreno of Abengo Bio-Energy Monday night at the L'Fisher Hotel. From left: Reynaldo Bantug of Confed, Pia Ang, agriculture specialist; Alejandro Moreno, chairman Federico Locsin III, Emily Purdy, agricultural councilor, agricultural attache David Wolf, and Mike Gaspar of Central Azucarera de Don Pedro of Batangas.*(Rolly Espina photo) *

[ngprofflorida]

1st Philippine Organic Aquaculture Symposium Slated

Negros Occidental is hosting the 1st Philippine Organic Aquaculture Symposium on October 2-3 at the Business Inn Hotel this city.

Sponsors of the said activity are the GTZ ( e.g. German Technical Cooperation); DED (e.g. German Development Services); Province of Negros Occidental (through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist); NISARD; and the Negros Prawn Producers Marketing Cooperative.

The theme is: "Feasibility of Organic Aquaculture in the Philippines: Principles, Experiences and Way Forward". Concepts, benefits and trend of organic aquaculture in the ASEAN Region will be introduced among other objectives. Ultimately, an action plan for the pilot program in the Visayas region must be developed by the participants during the said symposium.

Close to 200 participants all over the country are expected to attend the symposium. They include hatchery owners, aquaculture producers, fish processors, feed millers and local fish exporters and distributors. Other target audience will be coming from the academe, research institutions, LGUs and National Line Agencies such as DA, BFAR and DTI.

DA Secretary Arthur C. Yap will be the keynote speaker, while Negros Occidental Governor Joseph Marañon will welcome the participants during the opening ceremony. Other speakers include German-Dr. Stefan Holler and Mr. William Kramer of the Negros Prawn Producers.* (OPA/PIA)

[jaywalker]

Loveland told the governor and Board Member Emilio Yulo that the company can offer as many jobs as the local government wants as long as there are enough English speakers. He said the only hindrance to the growth of the industry is the English capabilities of applicants. However, one's address jobs will be limitless.

Loveland further stressed that contact centers are here to stay as the Philippines is the number one spot for US Business.

Teleperformance which started its operations last year now employs more than a thousand employees and is still in the process of hiring additional 500 call center agents in the next three months.

Meanwhile, Marañon also told TP officials that the provincial government is always open should they need Capitol's assistance. Marañon also offered to Teleperformance its vacant lot beside Philippine National Bank on Lacson Street as future site for expansion.

He told Loveland that the Capitol is ready to build the building which Teleperformance can lease.

With the help of Teleperformance, the province is also looking at establishing a call center training school as a training venue for prospective call center employees.

http://www.negrosdaily.com/sep2607b1

^^ Another job opportunity for the City of Bacolod and for the whole province.:banana:

[ngprofflorida]

^^ Another job opportunity not only for the city but now they are conquering the whole province.:banana:

CORRECT MEG, wala gutom sa negros, halos tanan may obra, people in haciendas are now educated and most of them with degree in college. and now living in abroad. :banana: :banana: :banana: thats why inflation rate are lowest in the region. sa una pana nga tiempo ni magelan, the sacadas depends only to there landlords, wala na na subong were in the 21st century. mostly sa call centers na naga obra or nursing course. mmmmmmmm or if theres no job mangid ti I call them juan tamad mga tambay ina.

[jaywalker]

^^ It make sense that they are directly coordinating with the City and the Province officials for thier concerns and plans.We can expect huge job creating investment from this Companies in the future beacuse both parties are working hand in hand in combating each other needs and problems.Based on Teletech bosses statements you can feel how committed and serious they are in Bacolod.

[jaywalker]

CORRECT MEG, wala gutom sa negros, halos tanan may obra, people in haciendas are now educated and most of them with degree in college. and now living in abroad. :banana: :banana: :banana: thats why inflation rate are lowest in the region. sa una pana nga tiempo ni magelan, the sacadas depends only to there landlords, wala na na subong were in the 21st century. mostly sa call centers na naga obra or nursing course. mmmmmmmm or if theres no job mangid ti I call them juan tamad mga tambay ina.

^^ The province learned the lesson that's why we don't rely much on Sugar production now a days.

[habagatcentral1]

What Carlos Locsin said was a prophecy to Negros' future. Sugar industry fell and down came everything but the good thing is, it opened up new opportunities to newer industries. Nakatilaw man sang pa-it sang dekada 80, makatilaw naman sing tam-is sa buwas damlag. :okay: I hope that Negrense elite have learned from the past.

[TJ]

Sugar Crisis Worse than the 70s Looms, Workers Suffer Most

By KARL G. OMBION
Bulatlat
Vol. VII, No. 25, July 29-Aug. 4, 2007

The sakadas of NegrosThe Philippine sugar industry has shown itself time and again to be a moribund industry. It is dependent on colonial Philippine-U.S. trade relations. For a long time, the Philippine sugar industry has been tied to U.S. interests and demands, not to domestic needs and sustainable development. It is an industry molded and developed as export-oriented and import-dependent through unfair trade agreements with the U.S. and other advanced capitalist countries.

“Globalization” exacerbates this fundamental weakness of the sugar industry. With the worsening global crisis of overproduction, the industry is experiencing a massive decline comparable if not worse than the mid-1970s.

This crisis has been worsened by the following neo-liberal policies either imposed or adopted by the Philippine government:

1. Government avoidance of curbing protective measures and subsidies for sugar by major sugar exporting countries, especially the members of WTO-APEC-AFTA.

2. Government commitment to lowest bound rate and largest percentage reduction for tariffs on imported goods (from 80 percent in 1995, to 50 percent in 2004, to zero tariffs in 2010).

3. Executive Order No. 71 – modifying the rates of duty of certain imported articles as provided under the Tariff and Customs Code of 1978 as amended, and hastening its implementation under the New Time Frame of the Accelerated Common Effective Preferential Tariff Scheme for the ASEAN Free Trade Area (CEPT-AFTA), e.g. lowering it to five percent by 2007.

4. EO 334 – modifying the nomenclature and the rates of import duty on certain imported articles under Section 104 of the Tariff and Customs Code of 1978, as amended

5. Republic Act No. 6657 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law of 1988, as extended

6. U.S. Sugar Farm Bill No. 14, which practically turns the Philippine sugar quota in U.S. into a political tool to exert political and economic pressures on the Philippines.

7. Bio-Ethanol Act of 2007, providing more lands for sugar production for bio-ethanol.

But according to Bacolod-based independent social research outfit Center for Integrative Research, Advocacy and Multimedia Services (CIRMS), the worst effects of the “globalization” on the country’s sugar industry could better be assessed in the worsening conditions of the sugar workers and other farm workers in Negros.

According to CIRMS, Negros – once a resource-rich region – is now a ravaged land. Its once self-sufficient economy was transformed into a huge monocrop economy for the export market, with the local economy becoming a mere “dumpsite” for the surplus agricultural products of the U.S. and other monopoly-capitalist countries and its people – once self-sufficient productive forces – becoming “slave laborers.”

Among the other key findings in the recent CIRMS studies are the following:

1. Labor relations in sugar plantations have become more exploitative and oppressive as haciendero-compradors try to squeeze every opportunity and surplus to keep their farms profitable amidst the pressures of imperialist ‘globalization’. Records from Department of Labor and Employment –Region 6 and corroborated with available data from the Department of Agrarian Reform Region 6 and the Provincial governments of the region, revealed that more than 180,000 sugar and farm workers have lost their jobs.

2. Destruction of security of tenure, decreasing regular work force, and the surge in the number of contractuals, casuals, pakyao (piece-rate labor arrangement) workers, and an army of surplus labor. The “pakyao” system became more rampant in many haciendas. The use of the pakyao work system and other forms of contractualization has increased by 330 percent from 1995 to 2006, meaning that practically 3.5 of every five sugar plantation farms with sizes of 10 hectares and above use the pakyao and contractual work scheme. In sugar mills, there is rampant use of labor-only contracting, contractualization, indirect hiring or hiring through private agencies.

3. Shrinking of wages and cutting of benefits. More than half or 64.7 percent of 1,936 medium (25 – 49 hectares) and big (50 hectares and above) sugar farms in Negros are paying less than the minimum wage and engage in discriminatory wage arrangements for women. Surprisingly, minimum wage compliance is higher in small farms (24 hectares and below) than in big farms. Furthermore, close to half of 22,572 sugar farms in Negros are giving less cash payments and more are giving only food rations like rice, sardines, dried fish and others to workers. In sugar mills, there is a rampant practice of shorter work time and work rotation, resulting in the diminution of wages and removal of benefits.

4. Unpaid workers’ amelioration. Several labor groups in the sugar industry have recently demanded the release of their unclaimed and undistributed P240 million ($5.25 million based on a $1:P455.72 exchange rate as of July 27) annually since 2002 in social amelioration cash bonuses for the sugar workers, and at least P130 million annually from 1991 to crop year 2001-2002.

They said that the industry and the sugar planters associations owe them at least P240 million ($5.25 million) starting crop year 2002-2003 at P10.00 ($0.22) per picul, and hundreds of millions more from 1991 to 2001 at P5.00 ($10.94) per picul provided under RA 809.

John Milton Lozande of National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW) said that the sugar planters owe the sugar workers an estimated P150,913,299 ($3.3 million) in unclaimed and undistributed social amelioration cash bonuses. He also charged that the DOLE has been conniving with the sugar planters and “yellow unions and federations” in pocketing the workers’ money.

Under RA 6982 or the Social Amelioration Act of 1991 passed during the Aquino administration and at a time the sugar industry was facing a crisis, P10.00 per picul will go to sugar workers as amelioration share. Of the amount 80 percent will go to cash bonuses of sugar workers, and the 20 percent to various socio-economic projects.

The total number of sugar workers entitled to receive cash bonuses under the social amelioration program in the sugar industry is estimated at 500,000 – with approximately 30,000 in 27 operating sugar mills.

“The millions in sugar amelioration program are intended to uplift the working and living conditions of the workers; it should be given to them especially in the face of worsening poverty caused by the seasonal character of their job,” Lozande said.

He also said citing data from the Bureau of Rural Workers (BRW) that the average amount that each sugar worker received in a year is less than P300 ($6.56). “Surely this amount, even at P500 ($10.93) per year cannot in any measure ameliorate their working and living conditions,” he said.

He added that there are planters groups in BISCOM (Binalbagan-Isabela Sugar Company) and SONEDCO (Southern Negros Development Corp.) who really give the share to the sugar workers in compliance with the social amelioration fund (SAF) requirements of RA 6982, but pointed out that there are still numerous planters who are not only underpaying the workers but are even refusing to give their share.

He further disclosed that a number of planters do not remit the SAF to the workers because they use it as additional deposit to traders to assure that they can collect on their quedan or share after the sugar have been sold. “This is unlike in RA 6982 where there is a system in which they are obliged to pay their lien of P10 per picul upon withdrawal of their sugar,” he said.

He however put the bigger blame on the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) for what he described as its “internal incapacity” to assume effectively their enforcement functions, which he said are compounded by continuous leadership change in the department.

4. Destruction of right to organization. In the sugar industry in Negros, there are less unions or associations due primarily to elimination of regular work systems and employment of various labor flexibility schemes, and secondarily to the repressive rule of sugar farm owners. According to a report of Regional Tripartie Wages and Productivity Board in Region VI (RTWPB 6), less than 10 percent of total sugar farms in Western Visayas allow unions or other form of workers’ organizations.

5. Heightened attacks on and repression of workers and union activists. Data collated from various sources revealed that from 1996 to 2007 around 3,700 sugar workers’ and farm workers’ families were displaced from their lands, homes and jobs as a result of demolition, ejection, and land conversion campaigns by government and landlords; 930 were victims of various forms of harassments and threats from mills’ management, landlords and their armed goons; 32 were killed in the course of defending their farms and job and eight were forcibly disappeared.

6. Higher incidence of child labor in sugar and other farm plantations. CIRMS studies revealed that as of 2006, that there are 1.28 million children in Negros, of which 884,657 are in Negros Occidental, and 397,283 are in Negros Oriental.

Of this number, 334,900 are already working – 137,122 or 41 percent of whom are in Negros Occidental and 197,283 or 59 percent of whom are in Negros Oriental. Of the working children, 64 percent are rural-based and 36 percent are urban-based.

Child laborers are most numerous in sugarcane plantations and other agricultural farms. Others are found in commercial and marginal fishing trade, fish processing plants, dumpsites, commercial ports, warehouses, informal businesses, pyrotechnics, public transport utilities (trisikads, tricycles, public utility jeepneys or PUJs), eateries and carinderias, entertainment clubs and sex dens, and households.

Most of them suffer backbreaking work for hours especially those working in the sugar plantation farms, ports, warehouses, and households.

7. Permanent Tiempo Muerto. The start of “ember” season, which is marked by the opening of sugar milling and increased economic activities, is traditionally viewed as the beginning of good tidings for most Negrenses. It may have been true in the past, but not anymore.

The tiempo muerto or dead season in the Negros sugar industry, which runs from April to August, has become a year-round nightmare for an estimated 380,000 sugar workers.

Today, most Negrenses do not feel anymore the distinction between dead season and milling season, or boom and bust of the sugar industry; economic hardships and hunger have become daily problem for most people here especially the sugar workers. Most sugar workers are deeply indebted to their amo (bosses or masters) and often depend on them for daily survival on small cash advances and rice rationing. Their children also usually help in farm production and harvest without pay.

Even the middle class is feeling the pressures as their salaries remain low, and they suffer cuts in basic benefits and surging prices of basic commodities. A number of them face a lack of job security as a growing number of business establishments and private offices are employing labor-only contracting, casualization, and other “labor-flexibility” schemes resulting in loss of permanent jobs and diminution of salaries.

The tiempo muerto is very distinct in Negros which is a monocrop sugar-based economy. Unlike in other sugar provinces like Bukidnon, Iloilo, Cebu and Batangas where neighboring provinces have diverse economies, most people in Negros live and thrive only on the sugar economy.

Even the dominant service sector, wholesaling and retailing businesses in urban centers are very much dependent on the behavior of the sugar industry; thus if the sugar industry suffers crises, urban-based businesses also feel its ripple effects.

The only factor that keeps the Negros economy afloat and assures the continued circulation of the money supply is the remittances of Negrense overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) estimated by government at between 200,000 and 300,000.

8. Migration is another serious effect of the chronic crisis in the sugar industry and sugar-related industries. Official and unofficial sources place the rate of out-migration (migration to outside of Negros) at around 12,000 to 18,000 a year. Around 30 percent of those out-migrating apply for jobs abroad.

The most visible pattern of in- and out-migration occurs during tiempo muerto where thousands of sugar workers and hacienda-based households migrate to the city of Bacolod, provincial district urban centers, other provinces, and a few abroad, to look for jobs.

Most in-migrants take various odd-jobs such as transport conductors, drivers, construction workers, stevedores in the local ports and warehouses, errand workers in small eateries, while a substantial number – especially women and children – become commercial sex workers and house helpers.

9. Socio-cultural practices. Extreme poverty among the sugar workers and other farm workers have caused a rising trend of alcoholism, gambling, and other anti-social activities in 93 percent of areas where interviews were conducted. This trend appears to confirm the result of the cursory scans in 30 more plantation farms made by CIRMs in the last three years in the entire region.

In sum, the sugar industry has undergone two major stages of crisis.

The first stage was in the mid-1970s to mid-1980s, characterized by its collapse due to the worldwide glut in sugar.

The second stage began in the early 1990s and continues to the present, characterized by its struggle to survive the onslaughts of “neoliberal policies” of liberalization, deregulation, and privatization through technological innovations in milling, farming and sugar variety, and the use of more exploitative labor policies

But sugar millers employing “modern” milling technology for sugar and non-sugar based industries like bio-ethanol and bio-fuels, said that the upgrades are not signs of the modernization process in the sugar industry, but are attempts at coping with the pressures of and taking advantage of whatever they could get from the process of “globalization”.

“Globalization,” a neo-liberal economic policy of the U.S., has only made the nation’s sugar cartel (big planters, millers and traders) to implement measures to maximize the benefits from a neo-colonial economy that is export-oriented and import-dependent.

Philippine Sugar Millers Association (PSMA) executive director Jose Maria Zabaleta clearly articulated the position of sugar producers when he said, “Certain countries like Brazil have totally redesigned their mills to produce these three products on which it anchors its sugar sector’s competitiveness and vigor, making full use of installed facilities whole year round. For instance, Thailand, Australia, the United States, India, and Guatemala have also adopted or are adopting the same business strategy as they are now installing or have installed integrated co-generation and distillery plants in their cane milling facilities. Certain countries produce sugar at half the price of others, not because they have adopted new technologies but because they changed technology. New sugar/ethanol plants can produce sugar from primary juice at half the cost of a traditional mill while continuous production of molasses from the rest of the juice lowers cost of producing alcohol to half that of an old distillery; new boiler technology can now produce so much energy that large power plants generate a new revenue stream subsidizing sugar and ethanol.”

“If we add to these three products, produced at half the cost of the ‘old way,’ the advances in automation and electronics, the advances in cane supply logistics with IT (information technology) and GIS (geographic information systems) – hardware and software used for storage, retrieval, mapping, and analysis of geographic data, and a few etceteras, no wonder some people produce sugar at half the price of others. Where the economics justify, cogen plants are now being designed to run year round, allowing them to save on off-season energy costs, to refine sugar year round, and operate distilleries continuously, thus lowering capital costs in oversized refineries and distilleries. The traditional sugar mills will now have to play a catch-up game, but with assets in place and huge capital outlays required, they will not find it easy. Can sugar mills metamorphose to cane mills slowly or will they just have to shut down like the old ‘trapiches’ they replaced a century ago? I believe sugar mills as we know them have spread too far and too wide globally for them to just die by the way-side of the new technology.”

“Many lives are dependent on their continued existence. It behooves us as leaders and perhaps the most outspoken in the industry to see to it that a gradual transformation occurs and not a replacement of one industry for another,” he concluded.

[TJ]

Penalize GMA, Not Sugar Workers – Sugar Workers’ Group

A leader of the National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW) has raised concern over reported plans by the U.S. to impose penalties on all sugar exports from the Philippines should the Arroyo government fail to address a complaint initiated a few months back by the International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF). He said that penalties should be meted directly on the Arroyo regime, not on sugar workers.

BY KARL G. OMBION
Bulatlat
Vol. VII, No. 33, September 23-29, 2007

BACOLOD CITY – A leader of the National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW) has raised concern over reported plans by the U.S. to impose penalties on all sugar exports from the Philippines should the Arroyo government fail to address a complaint initiated a few months back by the International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF). He said that penalties should be meted directly on the Arroyo regime, not on sugar workers.

The ILRF complaint, submitted last June before the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, cites the Arroyo regime for violating workers’ freedom of association and right to organize and join unions. Citing data from the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the ILRF petition stated that in 2006 alone, Philippine trade unionists and labor activists experienced 110 assaults on picket lines, 102 physical assaults and injuries, 41 instances of torture, 33 killings, 40 abductions, 748 instances of intimidation, 946 grave threats, and 159 illegal arrests or detentions, and 1,097 instances of blocking, breaking up or violently dispersing demonstrations.

The U.S. is reportedly considering the imposition of a penalty of P662 ($14.61 based on an exchange rate of $1:P45.31 as of Sept. 20) for every ton of sugar exported from the Philippines should the Arroyo administration fail to respond satisfactorily to the complaint.

“Penalize President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, not the sugarcane growers, for her policy of killing all legitimate dissent and democratic opposition to her administration,” said NFSW’s John Milton Lozande.

“We are fully aware that the imposition of penalty of P662 for every ton of sugar export to the U.S. will hit the medium and small sugar producers, especially the agrarian reform beneficiaries,” NFSW’s. “An estimated 90 percent of the sugarcane growers (are) small and poor agrarian reform beneficiaries and medium sugarcane growers.”

Lozande said that in Negros, the names of NFSW leaders Edwin Bargamento, Manuel Batolina and Mario Fernandez are in the long list of victims of summary executions perpetrated by the military and its “death squads.” Meanwhile, Lozande said, NFSW Education Committee staff member Perseus Geagoni’s forced disappearance “still brings a painful experience to his wife and children,” Lozande also said.

“They are genuine and sincere labor activist who have sacrificed their lives serving the exploited and oppressed sugar workers of Negros; they die against the backdrop of intense workers and peasants repression in the sugar industry,” Lozande said.

Lozande stressed that hacienda workers continue to live in a very miserable existence. Whenever the workers complain of their meager income and unpaid salaries, they are slapped with job termination and union repression, he said. “The lives of agrarian reform beneficiaries (who) comprise the bulk of sugar cane growers had deteriorated and were displaced due to lack of capital and support from the government; laborers still have to bear the low salaries and massive retrenchment in the sugar mills, industrial and commercial establishment, ‘flexible labor schemes’ implemented under the GATT-WTO (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade0World Trade Organization) agreement gives way to massive contractualization and union busting (which violate) the right of workers to job security,” he said.

Lozande further said, citing data from Kartapatan (Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights), that to date more than 880 activists and government critics have been killed and more than 184 missing since Arroyo assumed presidency and launched her own version of U.S. President George W.Bush’s so called “war on terrorism. “

“Even majority of medium and big planters condemn such high (numbers) of political killings,” he said.

“(But) why should the crimes of human rights violations and trade union repression will be charged against the sugarcane growers when it is PGMA that should be responsible?” Lozande however said.

“Let us not allow the world pressures and penalties for GMA’s terrorist campaign be passed on to the sugarcane growers and sugar workers; instead let GMA be punished for her acts,” he said.

[TJ]

CORRECT MEG, wala gutom sa negros, halos tanan may obra, people in haciendas are now educated and most of them with degree in college. and now living in abroad. :banana: :banana: :banana: thats why inflation rate are lowest in the region. sa una pana nga tiempo ni magelan, the sacadas depends only to there landlords, wala na na subong were in the 21st century. mostly sa call centers na naga obra or nursing course. mmmmmmmm or if theres no job mangid ti I call them juan tamad mga tambay ina.

easy to say it for someone viewing things from a different point living an easy lifestyle... have u seen poor farmers with nothing to eat?... they try fishing in rivers but there is no fish.. so take salted rocks from the river and cook it... and drink its soup.

did u know that are over 140,000 child labourers in negross occidental alone?

did u know that the current job's call centers are supplyling is not enough in order to call it a success and overall improvement. Because call centers only hire those fluent in english and at least high school graduates.

So what about the poor sakadas that are left to fend for themselves with no work during the dead season with there is no harvest and tilling??

What about the thousands of illiterate squatters people?? do u expect a call center to hire them?? do u expect the governement to send each and every one of them to school and college??

As long these things remain as they are i won't believe on every thing that you have stated. things u stated are only a small fraction of reality to some of the people here... the reality is that most people are still living poverty no jobs.. not becoz they are tamad but because there is really no freakin jobs around!!!

I live in bacolod i know how things are in here specially regarding the real status of living here not on some well off rich person's point of view trying to make a hype... but from the regular view of most bacolenos.

[jaywalker]

^^ This long standing and broad problem of the whole province will never be solve instantly.It will takes time and long process of equation to answer this problem.Local Government is doing there efforts to minimize this sufferings and anguish of the Negrense.Inviting investors,promoting tourism ,diversification,establishing Industrial Parks,livelihood projects, etc, etc.
Thers's always a light of hope in every problem.It's not only the Province is experiencing poverty problem but the whole country as well.First world countries are also experiencing this problem.The solution is a work in process.
Everytime i go home,I always see progression and i'm happy for it.By promoting Bacolod,it will create a chain of reaction of development among neighboring Cities and town.Just let us help us each other and we will get there.:cheers:

[jaywalker]

Thursday, September 27, 2007
SM City opens Travellers’ Lounge
SM City Bacolod is more than just shopping.

Aside from the mall’s 200 tenants, SM anchors, fashion boutiques, shoe and home stores, and computer stores where shoppers can indulge in everything they need and want, situated at the Southwing Transport Terminal is the Travellers’ Lounge designed to accommodate traveling customers and tourists coming in to Bacolod City and Negros Occidental province.

Travellers’ Lounge has a ticketing office for Iloilo-Bacolod vice versa ferries where the personnel assist travelers to get a quick taxi ride. It also has a lounging area where customers can relax and make a call using its telephone booths. Its amenities also include electronic and prepaid cards loading, cellfone charging, baggage compartment to secure one’s belongings, and bathrooms with hot and cold shower.

[jaywalker]

Thursday, September 27, 2007
USDA execs visit Negros Occidental

TRADE Director Dennis Voboril, Counselor Emiko Purdy, Agriculture Attaché David Wolfe and Agriculture Specialist Pia Ang, all of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), met with Governor Joseph G. Marañon and other key officials of the province in a breakfast conference last Tuesday.

The meeting was coordinated by the Office of the Provincial Veterinary (OPV) to look into the livestock industry of Negros Occidental.

They are particularly interested in the Provincial Animal Genetic Improvement Project, one of the Seven-Point Priority Agenda for Development under the Agricultural Productivity and Food Security Program of the present administration.

The USDA delegation recognized the program and the effort of the Provincial Government in improving its livestock industry and welcomed the use of new livestock semen that would come from their breed through Artificial Insemination (AI) to further upgrade the industry.

A 10-minute presentation on the Dairy Programs as well as insights and learning during the Maryland State Fair Agriculture Exhibit last August 24 to September 3, 2007 was given by Dr. Renante Decena.

Present during the activity were 4th District Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer, 2nd District Rep. Alfredo Marañon III, Provincial Board Members Miller Serondo and Adolfo Mangao, Sagay City Mayor Alfredo Marañon, Jr., Provincial Dairy Development Council Vice Chairman Manapla Mayor Manuel Escalante III, Provincial Agriculturist Engr. Igmedio Tabianan, Roy Balicas, and Negros Federation of Dairy Cooperatives chairperson Luzinda Elbanbuena, among others.

Voboril and his group also went with Dr. Decena and his OPV staff on a site visit to a Dairy Cooperative in Brgy. Codcod, San Carlos City. This cooperative was provided financial assistance worth P100,000 by the Provincial Government.

The group also visited Mambukal Resort in Murcia and the Panaad Park and Sports Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City. (Capitol News)

[SugarFreak]

wow one island one region ayos ang plan na yan... :dance: :banana:

i only transact my documents to put a signature from my boss to the regional headquarter but its a long long red ink to be wasted

Thursday, September 27, 2007
SM City opens Travellers’ Lounge
SM City Bacolod is more than just shopping.

Aside from the mall’s 200 tenants, SM anchors, fashion boutiques, shoe and home stores, and computer stores where shoppers can indulge in everything they need and want, situated at the Southwing Transport Terminal is the Travellers’ Lounge designed to accommodate traveling customers and tourists coming in to Bacolod City and Negros Occidental province.

Travellers’ Lounge has a ticketing office for Iloilo-Bacolod vice versa ferries where the personnel assist travelers to get a quick taxi ride. It also has a lounging area where customers can relax and make a call using its telephone booths. Its amenities also include electronic and prepaid cards loading, cellfone charging, baggage compartment to secure one’s belongings, and bathrooms with hot and cold shower.

pero mabuti nalang ito mababawasan ng kaunti

[ngprofflorida]

thats good news SM has travel lounge area, thats convenient to the customer espcially traveling across the island.

[ngprofflorida]

^^ The province learned the lesson that's why we don't rely much on Sugar production now a days.


corrrect jay only small portion of sugar industry na lang nabilin. nasa modern world na ang negros. wala na ang sugar industry. anyway jay and quedan price subong above 1,000.00 pesos which is a good price.

[habagatcentral1]

^^ I disagree that Negros Occidental's sugar industry is "gone" or in "small portion"? Why is it that the sugar centrals still exist and why are there still haciendas if you believe the sugar industry is gone? Why is it that 80% of sugar of the country comes from Negros Occidental? Why is it that most of the lands still being tilled with sugarcane? If the sugar industry is of not quite influential in Negros' economy, they why is the current SRA administrator a Negrense? Be careful since your sentence is quite declarative.

Please support your statements with facts. Thank you. :)

[kyle@1008]

^^ if it's bacolod then maybe, but yeah, outside the capital, the main source of income is still the sugar industry...

[SugarFreak]

corrrect jay only small portion of sugar industry na lang nabilin. nasa modern world na ang negros. wala na ang sugar industry. anyway jay and quedan price subong above 1,000.00 pesos which is a good price.

out of 15 sugar centrals ilan nalang ang mga natitira:
1> 2 in kabankalan (sonedco & dacongcogon centrals)
2> binalbagan (biscom)
3> silay (hawaiian)
4> sagay
5> san carlos
6> la carlota (azucarera de la carlota)
7>...
replacing it into ethanol plants

[ngprofflorida]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc255/erjaplacement/405628901_f5d572b5ce_m.jpg
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc255/erjaplacement/405629164_de9fc5c24c_m.jpg

Everytime I had a scheduled trip going north one of my favorite food stopover is the Floating Restaurant in Brgy. Balaring. If you love sea foods then this is the place to consider, here you can order Shrimps, Sinugbang Bangus (Grilled Milkfish), Squids, and many others, but my favorite is the Juicy Talaba (Oysters) in a very affordable price.The restaurant is located at Baranggay Balaring, Silay City. Just a few minutes travel time from City proper and its very accessible to any land transportation

[ngprofflorida]

out of 15 sugar centrals ilan nalang ang mga natitira:
1> 2 in kabankalan (sonedco & dacongcogon centrals)
2> binalbagan (biscom)
3> silay (hawaiian)
4> sagay
5> san carlos
6> la carlota (azucarera de la carlota)
7>...
replacing it into ethanol plants

negros is on diversified economy. only few left. good ka gid mag research. believe ako sa imo.

[SugarFreak]

^^ if it's bacolod then maybe, but yeah, outside the capital, the main source of income is still the sugar industry...

within the capital only,,,believing not outside---still sugar2x

[habagatcentral1]

^^ if it's bacolod then maybe, but yeah, outside the capital, the main source of income is still the sugar industry...

In Bacolod and its vicinity then maybe its true but I couldn't agree that the sugar industry is gone in Negros Occidental.

Why do we have to escape these realistic situations that are happening in our society? Its not just Negros who has these problems but other places as well. :ohno: Its ok of we criticize or see the other side of our cities and provinces for they themselves are the creation of man who are naturally imperfect for there is a room to improve. Constructive criticism.

Sorry to say but is this the essence of celebrating Masskara?

[kyle@1008]

out of 15 sugar centrals ilan nalang ang mga natitira:
1> 2 in kabankalan (sonedco & dacongcogon centrals)
2> binalbagan (biscom)
3> silay (hawaiian)
4> sagay
5> san carlos
6> la carlota (azucarera de la carlota)

replacing it into ethanol plants

to add

8. ma-ao central
9. Vicmico
10. Lopez Milling..
11. first farmings holdings corp (talisay)

....

but they're not being replaced, it's just that e-sugar is being classified for ethanol,... the ethanol plants will get there supply of sugar from the mills.. they have to work in tandem,.. and the mills are also diversifying to power production...

these is an effort to free our country form its dependence on foreign oil,.. fuel and power could bring more income to the province than any other venture that is being done now...

[ngprofflorida]

to add

8. ma-ao central
9. Vicmico
10. Lopez Milling..

that's as far as I know,...

but they're not being replaced, it's just that e-sugar is being classified for ethanol,... the ethanol plants will get there supply of sugar from the mills.. they have to work in tandem,.. and the mills are also diversifying to power production...

these is an effort to free our country form its dependence on foreign oil,.. fuel and power could bring more income to the province than any other venture that is being done now...

yap thats true, yeah right now per barrel is $80.00 thats high enough.

[habagatcentral1]

^^ And thats a good news indeed if they are shifting to e-sugar but hopefully this would not retain the feudal agrarian system that exists in the haciendas.

Its so nice to hear Bacolod and Negros moving on but we do not have to discard the other realities as well. What I don't like is to be a hypocrite in the current society that we have. How can we reach out and listen to the voices of the other end if we keep on being deaf and blind?

[SugarFreak]

to add

8. ma-ao central
9. Vicmico
10. Lopez Milling..
11. first farmings holdings corp (talisay)

....

but they're not being replaced, it's just that e-sugar is being classified for ethanol,... the ethanol plants will get there supply of sugar from the mills.. they have to work in tandem,.. and the mills are also diversifying to power production...

these is an effort to free our country form its dependence on foreign oil,.. fuel and power could bring more income to the province than any other venture that is being done now...

oh let's pray that the other existing sugar centrals will be not to abandon,,,so that the e-sugar/ethanol will be multiply...nakalimutan pa ang vicmico---the largest sugar mill in the country, and the world's largest integrated sugar mill and refinery...

[SugarFreak]

In Bacolod and its vicinity then maybe its true but I couldn't agree that the sugar industry is gone in Negros Occidental.

Why do we have to escape these realistic situations that are happening in our society? Its not just Negros who has these problems but other places as well. :ohno: Its ok of we criticize or see the other side of our cities and provinces for they themselves are the creation of man who are naturally imperfect for there is a room to improve. Constructive criticism.

Sorry to say but is this the essence of celebrating Masskara?

oonga naman we're born & grown from them...& it will be that our glorious past part...masskara???smile lang dude kahit nandyan sya sa loob

negros is on diversified economy. only few left. good ka gid mag research. believe ako sa imo.

believable talaga,,,kaya lang may kulang2x pa,,,buti nalang nandyan si guardian angel Kyle

[iloilocitykid]

wow one island one region ayos ang plan na yan...:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :banana:

I don't want to sound rude or anything but I dividing Negros into another region will just cause more problems. Out government is too tired of all the problems around, what more adding another region. Add to that, the Location, Culture, Language of Negros Occ is still Ilonggo or the more appropriate term would be, Western Visayan. That's the category for putting up a region. And besides, the Oriental side of Negros is enjoying her share in Central VIsayas because they speak almost Cebuano and they are improving thanks especially to Cebu. They work hand in hand.

The only problem with this though is the location...but that's why we have sub-regional offices. If it's sort of pride thing, then that's plain bad. If Negros pushes for being a region, what would the Orientals who are enjoying a progressive life in Central Vis say? What way would it help our country more? Would it really be a cause for unity? Let's look aroung and see many towns dividing to form another town for the sake of MONEY. :ohno: Did they progress? No...

Let's just help each other. Everything is what is provided. Sub-regional offices are already there and I believe there's no problem or any difference for a normal civilian to have a sub-regional or regional office in their city whatsoever.

Peace lang po. I'm not just targeting Negros for this but the whole country who believes dividing and adding more TOWNS, CITIES, PROVINCES, REGIONS will help the country. It doesn't.

[SugarFreak]

^if the super and the mega regions will be able to re-systemized how much more the negros island only.lols

[iloilocitykid]

^^

The mega-region plan is on track as well because there are no opposition to this plan.

I really want a Federal System, wherein development is not concentrated too much on Manila but to us medium sized cities as well. THink about it, PNB might have been a midget building by now compared to skyscrapers soaring thru Bacolod if we were Federal.

[jaywalker]

^^ This thread supposed to be for Bacolod only.We have a separate thread for Negros.:cheers:

[kyle@1008]

^^ it's kinda funny, but we do tend to forget :lol: :lol:

it's because topics tend to overlap...

[habagatcentral1]

^^ The thing here is that Bacolod City is attached to Negros Occidental. These 2 localities are inseperable as the city itself is the capital of the province. So I don't think there is a problem discussing about Negros Occidental in this thread as it is the center of the province.

IMO, Negros Occidental and Oriental are 2 different provinces, culturaly and politicaly.

This thread should be even Bacolod City & Negros Occidental thread.
Why do we need to seperate the topics or info these 2 things that are traditionally inseperable?

Bacolod is Negros Occidental's capital and still and will be part of it.

[kyle@1008]

^^ we won't be able to separate it,.. even if we wanted to anyways :colgate:

[jaywalker]

I agree! But by creating the Negros Thread it will bring the whole island closer to each other.That should be main purpose.There are so much things that other Cites and provinces of Negros island can offer.It will give more attention For Bacolod in this thread and Negros thread for the whole Negros.Just like what Panay Island did.You have separate threads for Ilo-Ilo,Capiz,Aklan.

[habagatcentral1]

^^ We did, but later on, they moved on to their seperate ways. So I don't think there is something wrong with discussing issues or promotion of Negros Occidental here in the Bacolod thread since it is the capital city.

[kyle@1008]

yes, which is kinda funny, .

cause when it started the title was Bacolod and Negros thread, it covered even dumaguete, ...it was later on that dumaguete and oriental negros separated, and now we have a separate negros thread... evolution baby...:colgate:

[SugarFreak]

^evolution baka sa huli revolution babes

[jaywalker]

There's nothing wrong with it,You're right!And there's nothing with what i've said that this thread should focus more on Bacolod.I can't stop you if you still insist and i'm not stopping you.Go ahead.It was just a friendly reminder.
As a Negrosanon,I haven't been in Negros Oriental, and same with others too,i think.So basically,there's also no wrong in sharing toughts with the our island counterparts.We just want to create a bonding between the Occidental and Oriental.If we have good bonding with the rest of WV why shouldn't we with the rest of Negros.We belong to one island and i think we share the same the sentiments.

[kyle@1008]

nobody did anything wrong...

[kyle@1008]

it is good to share progress in all fronts...

[SugarFreak]

volution breaker

capitol building from the glorious past
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/photo_3.jpg
1931 - The Provincial Capitol. Considered as the most expensive edifice built in that period. It was Inaugurated in the month of January 1932.

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/photo_2.jpg
September 7, 1911. Residence of the Luzuriaga Family up to 1906. Donated by the family to the province which became the Casa Provincial up to 1932 and later became the Municipal Building of Bacolod and then in 1938 became the City Hall. Demolished in the middle '60s to give way for the new city hall.

[habagatcentral1]

There's nothing wrong with it,You're right!And there's nothing with what i've said that this thread should focus more on Bacolod.I can't stop you if you still insist and i'm not stopping you.Go ahead.It was just a friendly reminder.
As a Negrosanon,I haven't been in Negros Oriental, and same with others too,i think.So basically,there's also no wrong in sharing toughts with the our island counterparts.We just want to create a bonding between the Occidental and Oriental.If we have good bonding with the rest of WV why shouldn't we with the rest of Negros.We belong to one island and i think we share the same the sentiments.

Nothings wrong with it. My point is that we should not limit our discussions with Bacolod City in this thread since it is so attached to the Province of Negros Occidental.

And there is nothing wrong with sharing other ideas from other cultures. That is why the Panay and Negros threads still exist.

[jaywalker]

^^ That wasn't meant to limit the discussions.i just mentioned that we have Negros Island Thread since the topic is not only about Occidental it was the whole Negros.So that's include Oriental.

[habagatcentral1]

^^ Yun nga eh. Talk about Negros Occidental and Oriental. Waay man sala dira. :okay:

[jaywalker]

:okay: End of story.

[SugarFreak]

^ganda naman ng story nyo,,,kahit hindi high storey

[jaywalker]

http://www2.sunstar.com.ph/static/bac/2007/09/27/article_229847_09-27-2007.jpg

Three days from now, MassKara fever will start in Bacolod. The city is expected to be “flooded” with thousands of both local and foreign visitors who want to explore and experience the MassKara Festival in the City of Smiles. (Sun.Star Bacolod photo)

http://www2.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/index.html

[eonynx]

^if the super and the mega regions will be able to re-systemized how much more the negros island only.lols

the super and mega regions are economic blueprints of this administration and are not a permanent political and administrative delineation!:)

anyway, i really hope we can jumpstart our ethanol endeavors as other latin american countries are already well-placed and producing them already! good thing there appears to be a concrete development regarding this recently. i hope sige-sige na ini!

[birdfluuu]

I don't want to sound rude or anything but I dividing Negros into another region will just cause more problems. Out government is too tired of all the problems around, what more adding another region. Add to that, the Location, Culture, Language of Negros Occ is still Ilonggo or the more appropriate term would be, Western Visayan. That's the category for putting up a region. And besides, the Oriental side of Negros is enjoying her share in Central VIsayas because they speak almost Cebuano and they are improving thanks especially to Cebu. They work hand in hand.

The only problem with this though is the location...but that's why we have sub-regional offices. If it's sort of pride thing, then that's plain bad. If Negros pushes for being a region, what would the Orientals who are enjoying a progressive life in Central Vis say? What way would it help our country more? Would it really be a cause for unity? Let's look aroung and see many towns dividing to form another town for the sake of MONEY. :ohno: Did they progress? No...

Let's just help each other. Everything is what is provided. Sub-regional offices are already there and I believe there's no problem or any difference for a normal civilian to have a sub-regional or regional office in their city whatsoever.

Peace lang po. I'm not just targeting Negros for this but the whole country who believes dividing and adding more TOWNS, CITIES, PROVINCES, REGIONS will help the country. It doesn't.

:ohno: Western Visayas Region is made up of 2 big islands and lots of small islands including Guimaras.The administrative centre of the Western Visayas Region is Iloilo City.Traveling to Iloilo City will take you about 40-55minutes travel by seas.ferry..masyado kabudlay ina kag ka trabahuso para sa taga Negros..kabudlay gid:bash: :nuts: :ohno:

[jaywalker]

^^ Is there any Regional Sub-Offices in Bacolod. Do they exist?

[Bo B]

I don't want to sound rude or anything but I dividing Negros into another region will just cause more problems. Out government is too tired of all the problems around, what more adding another region. Add to that, the Location, Culture, Language of Negros Occ is still Ilonggo or the more appropriate term would be, Western Visayan. That's the category for putting up a region. And besides, the Oriental side of Negros is enjoying her share in Central VIsayas because they speak almost Cebuano and they are improving thanks especially to Cebu. They work hand in hand.

The only problem with this though is the location...but that's why we have sub-regional offices. If it's sort of pride thing, then that's plain bad. If Negros pushes for being a region, what would the Orientals who are enjoying a progressive life in Central Vis say? What way would it help our country more? Would it really be a cause for unity? Let's look aroung and see many towns dividing to form another town for the sake of MONEY. :ohno: Did they progress? No...

Let's just help each other. Everything is what is provided. Sub-regional offices are already there and I believe there's no problem or any difference for a normal civilian to have a sub-regional or regional office in their city whatsoever.

Peace lang po. I'm not just targeting Negros for this but the whole country who believes dividing and adding more TOWNS, CITIES, PROVINCES, REGIONS will help the country. It doesn't.


Easy for you to say because you're from Iloilo. The only problem that the creation of a Negros Island Region will create is probably a reduce the budget allotment for Region 6 & 7 since it will have to be divided into 3 this time around.

I think that this will be more beneficial as it will reduce expenses related to travel for document processing and what have you for the Negrense. This will enable the Negrense to be more productive and reduce risks associated with unnecessary travel.

IloiloKid, don't worry, We the people from Bacolod do not want the distinction of being a regional capital. The city has thrived and progressed to the point of being an important urban center despite not having Regional Government Offices in the city. The absence of these offices is a big handicap to the city as its people as well as the people of the whole island, have to travel to another city, either Cebu or Iloilo for most of the documentation work for travel, deeds, etc. Money that could have been otherwise saved and invested goes to waste because it has to be spent for travel as well as hotel accomodations, food, and other fees.

I think it is high time that we Negrense should push for the creation of a new region with the capital being located in Central Negros for the mutual benefit of the whole populace of the island.

[jaywalker]

Vega Eyed as Administrator of P400-M Hospital
By Edgar Cadagat

The administrator of the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH), controversial Chief of Hospital Dr. Domingo Vega was being eyed to assume a new position when the planned construction of a P400-M hospital being worked out by fifth district Congressman, Ignacio Arroyo, would later push through, highly reliable sources told NDB yesterday.

Arroyo is activating a plan to build a spanking new hospital worth P400-M in the present compound where the CLMMRH sits. But the old hospital will not be torn down as hospital authorities want to preserve the historical structure.

The funding for the four-story hospital building will be sourced from the huge budget allocation of the DPWH, the source further said.

The Arroyo and hospital authorities' plan will push through, as the fifth district congressman has enough clout to make things move, being the brother-in-law of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
http://www.negrosdaily.com/sep2707v2

[eonynx]

^^ Is there any Regional Sub-Offices in Bacolod. Do they exist?

yes, there are! the latest being the DFA sub-regional offices.

[eonynx]

Easy for you to say because you're from Iloilo. The only problem that the creation of a Negros Island Region will create is probably a reduce the budget allotment for Region 6 & 7 since it will have to be divided into 3 this time around.

I think that this will be more beneficial as it will reduce expenses related to travel for document processing and what have you for the Negrense. This will enable the Negrense to be more productive and reduce risks associated with unnecessary travel.

IloiloKid, don't worry, We the people from Bacolod of being a regional capital. The city has thrived and progressed to the point do not want the distinction of being an important urban center despite not having Regional Government Offices in the city. The absence of these offices is a big handicap to the city as its people as well as the people of the whole island, have to travel to another city, either Cebu or Iloilo for most of the documentation work for travel, deeds, etc. Money that could have been otherwise saved and invested goes to waste because it has to be spent for travel as well as hotel accomodations, food, and other fees.

I think it is high time that we Negrense should push for the creation of a new region with the capital being located in Central Negros for the mutual benefit of the whole populace of the island.


you say you don't want the distinction in being the regional capital but you also at the same time pushing for a new region. which is which? and where is it exactly in central negros. if it's near kabankalan, it will be also inconvient for many on the opposite sides of the negros island because that would be more than 2 hours travel!

that said, if your idea of a new permanent political and administrative region for negros is realized, then i say, good luck!;)

[ngprofflorida]

Easy for you to say because you're from Iloilo. The only problem that the creation of a Negros Island Region will create is probably a reduce the budget allotment for Region 6 & 7 since it will have to be divided into 3 this time around.

I think that this will be more beneficial as it will reduce expenses related to travel for document processing and what have you for the Negrense. This will enable the Negrense to be more productive and reduce risks associated with unnecessary travel.

IloiloKid, don't worry, We the people from Bacolod do not want the distinction of being a regional capital. The city has thrived and progressed to the point of being an important urban center despite not having Regional Government Offices in the city. The absence of these offices is a big handicap to the city as its people as well as the people of the whole island, have to travel to another city, either Cebu or Iloilo for most of the documentation work for travel, deeds, etc. Money that could have been otherwise saved and invested goes to waste because it has to be spent for travel as well as hotel accomodations, food, and other fees.

I think it is high time that we Negrense should push for the creation of a new region with the capital being located in Central Negros for the mutual benefit of the whole populace of the island.


Thats a good proposal, hopefully our dream will come true , this will benefits\the entire island, am 100% percent with you.

[ngprofflorida]

you say you don't want the distinction in being the regional capital but you also at the same time pushing for a new region. which is which? and where is it exactly in central negros. if it's near kabankalan, it will be also inconvient for many on the opposite sides of the negros island because that would be more than 2 hours travel!

that said, if your idea of a new permanent political and administrative region for negros is realized, then i say, good luck!;)

We dont have a problem travelling for :ohno: :ohno: 2 hrs. the road is well paved, kag wala naga balod.

[ngprofflorida]

^^ This thread supposed to be for Bacolod only.We have a separate thread for Negros.:cheers:

Lets continue to promote Bacolod City and Negros Occidental, this would benefits the tourism industry. cheers:cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

[ngprofflorida]

Originally Posted by jaywalker
3 international groups eye no-frills hotel in RP

By MA. ELISA P. OSORIO

The Philippine Star

Three international hotel groups have expressed interest in building no frills hotels in the country through the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) hotel project.

In an interview, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) president Samie Lim said Ginger Hotel from India, European-based Accor Hotel and United Kingdom’s Yotel have already approached the proponents of the project in order build the ASEAN hotel.

The three hotel chains are interested in the project of the ASEAN member nations namely the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar and Malaysia.

The ASEAN hotel plans to build similar no frills hotels in the 10 member countries of the ASEAN.

According to Lim, the ASEAN ministers approved the ASEAN hotel concept last month after the meeting of the economic ministers in Manila.

“All the ASEAN hotels will have similar services and integrated marketing and advertising,” Lim explained. “They will also conduct a centralized training for the food and beverage staff.”

This, he said, is necessary in order to ensure that the services provided by all ASEAN hotels are consistent.

Also, Lim said there will be more than one ASEAN hotel per country. In the Philippines, he said there should be ASEAN hotels in all major tourist destinations like Cebu, Boracay, Bacolod, Baguio and Ilocos.

thanks jay this is a good proposals. your good in research, dala mo pa ang college time mo.

[eonynx]

We dont have a problem travelling for :ohno: :ohno: 2 hrs. the road is well paved, kag wala naga balod.

then maybe and indeed, it is high for negros to be the newest distinct region in our country!:cheers:

[SugarFreak]

Originally Posted by jaywalker
3 international groups eye no-frills hotel in RP

By MA. ELISA P. OSORIO

The Philippine Star

Three international hotel groups have expressed interest in building no frills hotels in the country through the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) hotel project.

In an interview, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) president Samie Lim said Ginger Hotel from India, European-based Accor Hotel and United Kingdom’s Yotel have already approached the proponents of the project in order build the ASEAN hotel.

The three hotel chains are interested in the project of the ASEAN member nations namely the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar and Malaysia.

The ASEAN hotel plans to build similar no frills hotels in the 10 member countries of the ASEAN.

According to Lim, the ASEAN ministers approved the ASEAN hotel concept last month after the meeting of the economic ministers in Manila.

“All the ASEAN hotels will have similar services and integrated marketing and advertising,” Lim explained. “They will also conduct a centralized training for the food and beverage staff.”

This, he said, is necessary in order to ensure that the services provided by all ASEAN hotels are consistent.

Also, Lim said there will be more than one ASEAN hotel per country. In the Philippines, he said there should be ASEAN hotels in all major tourist destinations like Cebu, Boracay, Bacolod, Baguio and Ilocos.

thanks jay this is a good proposals. your good in research, dala mo pa ang college time mo.

baka ito ang 1st 5-star hotel in bacolod

Vega Eyed as Administrator of P400-M Hospital
By Edgar Cadagat

The administrator of the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH), controversial Chief of Hospital Dr. Domingo Vega was being eyed to assume a new position when the planned construction of a P400-M hospital being worked out by fifth district Congressman, Ignacio Arroyo, would later push through, highly reliable sources told NDB yesterday.

Arroyo is activating a plan to build a spanking new hospital worth P400-M in the present compound where the CLMMRH sits. But the old hospital will not be torn down as hospital authorities want to preserve the historical structure.

The funding for the four-story hospital building will be sourced from the huge budget allocation of the DPWH, the source further said.

The Arroyo and hospital authorities' plan will push through, as the fifth district congressman has enough clout to make things move, being the brother-in-law of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
http://www.negrosdaily.com/sep2707v2

good for will be having a re-development,,,making a 4-storey...currently is a 3-storey only...actually they have a small expansion beside to that hospital but dunno why did they stop the constructions

[WawaY[625]]

baka ito ang 1st 5-star hotel in bacolod


Originally Posted by jaywalker
3 international groups eye no-frills hotel in RP


;)

[SugarFreak]

Despite the rains, the Bacolod social calendar is fully booked, with many events going on such as the yearly Miss MassKara Queen and Super Mom pageant, the NOPSSCEA and the UNO-R Jubilee celebrations.

Also, New York-based chef Richard Ynayan will open the Institute for Culinary Arts De la Salle-Bacolod in November. This is a dream come true for chef Richard and for aspiring chefs who no longer need to go to Manila or abroad to become a culinary expert. The center hopes to prepare Ilonggo talents for careers in the culinary world.

Recently, Richard also opened the Q-Bistro at the Malayan Plaza in Ortigas Center. It is elegantly designed at the heart of the Ortigas business district.

The new breed of chefs now dominate the restos in Bacolod. They include Ritchie Gamboa of Bar 21, JP Anglo of Mu Shee, Jomy Gaston of Trattoria Uma and Rommel Hinlo, and many more. cont'd (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2007/September/28/starlife.htm)

[SugarFreak]

the super and mega regions are economic blueprints of this administration and are not a permanent political and administrative delineation!:)

anyway, i really hope we can jumpstart our ethanol endeavors as other latin american countries are already well-placed and producing them already! good thing there appears to be a concrete development regarding this recently. i hope sige-sige na ini!

means negros economy is redprint...but thinking negros can be able to keep an eye on itself as a federal state if the proposal has will be done.lols

[eonynx]

^^ an economic blueprint is an economic masterplan. what federal state are you referring to? there is no federal state here. if i'm not mistaken, the super and mega regions that you are referring in your previous post includes central and western visayas as one economic bloc in the president's national economic masterplan while remaining as politically and administratively distinct regions.

try to countercheck it though if i'm correct/incorrect.

[jaywalker]

yes, there are! the latest being the DFA sub-regional offices.

Having the DFA sub-regional office in Bacolod means they issue Passports there?I remember my younger brother has to go to Ilo-Ilo for his NBI clearances.


Battle of the Bacolod Malls Continues........

Friday, September 28, 2007
Hot rewards at Robinsons Food Court

ROBINSON Place Bacolod Food Court Hot Rewards promo kicks off October 1 until November 5. To be given away are a laptop computer and five USB flash drives during the grand draw.

An Ipod Shuffle and five Globe Call & Text Cards will be given away every week during the preliminary draws.

A customer is entitled to one raffle coupon for single receipt purchase made at the Robinsons Place Bacolod Food Court during the promo period worth P75 and above or P50 and above for students. Customers may exchange their receipts for a raffle coupon during mall hours at the promo booth located at the food court area.

Draw dates are scheduled on October 8, 15, 22 and 29 every 1 p.m. with a grand draw on November 5 which will be held at Robinsons Place Bacolod Food Court.
Sunstar Bacolod

================================================================
Friday, September 28, 2007
Search for SM Little Stars regional finals set Saturday
TEN talented Negrense kids will compete for the regional finals of the search for the country’s SM Little Stars on September 29, 2007 at 4 p.m. at the northwing Event Centre of SM City Bacolod.

The pre-screening has attracted the attention of at least 238 kids coming from different schools in the city, and after careful deliberation, five pairs of boys and girls were chosen by the panel of judges. One of each five pair will go on to the Grand Finals.

The SM Little Stars competition has its roots in SM Supermalls in Xiamen, Jin Jiang, and Cheng Du, China.

In its original form, it was a talent show for every area, and each area would have one winning Little Star. The Little Star project proved to be very successful in China, and initiative was taken to adapt it to the Philippine context.

The Philippine Little Star competition has evolved into a national contest, involving all SM Supermalls.

It aims at finding the brightest, shining little kids that will be named as “Little Stars.” The competition itself is not strictly a formal beauty pageant or talent show, but a fun opportunity to showcase a child’s natural charm, wit and, yes, talent.

An SM Little Star is well-rounded, fun-loving kid willing to have fun and show other people his or her style.

Prizes for the various stages of the competition have been provided for by the sponsors, mostly as cash and toys worth a particular amount. Aside from the cash and toys, the Grand Finals winners will also get a contract to be print models for the department store.

Participating Sponsors are as follows: Banco De Oro, SM Department Store, Toy Kingdom, and Storyland.
Sunstar Bacolod


==========================================================
Mad Science Goes to Gaisano City
Inviting all 5-12 years old students... Come & be entertained on Friday, September 29, as Gaisano City Bacolod Supermall and SC JOHNSON & SON brings you Mad Science featuring "Fire and Ice", a non-stop scientific discovery such as Bubbling Potions, special Mad Science "burp" potion & giant beach balls floating in the air. Students will surely be amazed by sizzling, shivering scissors and special bubbly showers.

The show presentation will range 45-60 minutes of non-stop scientific discovery including the importance of protecting our skin from mosquito bites. This is a very important knowledge that a kid should know now that it is raining season.

Experiments presented will also include things like our stupendous Air Pressure experiments, the Heaven Effect, Bubbling Potions and a lot more!

Mad Science Special Event is an interactive and spectacular science theme presentation animated by professional Mad Scientists, Innovative, Unique, and hassle free.

Registration starts 1:00 p.m. at Gaisano activity center 2nd level food court area.*
http://www.negrosdaily.com/sep2707v4

[SugarFreak]

^^ an economic blueprint is an economic masterplan. what federal state are you referring to? there is no federal state here. if i'm not mistaken, the super and mega regions that you are referring in your previous post includes central and western visayas as one economic bloc in the president's national economic masterplan while remaining as politically and administratively distinct regions.

try to countercheck it though if i'm correct/incorrect.

a proposal (^^edited above)...i know and is part also of the PGMA-SONA on deviding and form into a super & mega regions...anyway let us wait for the long result

[ngprofflorida]

So Bacolod now is busy preparing for the upcoming masskara....... Friday, September 28, 2007
‘Natural healers’ in Bacolod

SOME 30 passersby and City Government employees were served by the Association of Natural Healers, Inc. (ANHI) Thursday at the side passageway of the Bacolod City Hall.

Trained members of the ANHI conducted massage therapy and other healing techniques that offer relaxation and wellness to those who felt all types of pain.



According to ANHI president Rolando Selga, “We call ourselves natural healers. We believe that the body has a natural way of healing its own disease. Our technique stimulates the healing powers of the body. Thus, many of our clients felt relief without the aid of chemical medicines.”

Selga explained that their association is an alternative to the high cost of medical care. “At the same time, we trained those who are interested to become a member of our association. At least, we help them earn a living.”

“I know so many graduates who are there wasting their time because of joblessness. Some are students who cannot pursue education because of poverty. These people can avail of our training services and earn something for their school allowances,” Selga said.

“To help these young people, we go from one barangay to another and conduct healing sessions using herbs and massage as the most common techniques,” Selga added.

“Our clinic at Rosario-Mabini is equipped with steam or hydro massage which can help in blood circulation,” he added.

Selga further said that in their clinic, they have plenty of herbal preparations for various kinds of pain relievers, the most interesting is what he called “Wat Chu Tsao” herb that can be very helpful in erectile dysfunction.

“There are many barangay residents who had taken this herb. It’s a Chinese anti-stress herb that actually energized the body to meet all kinds of stresses in the workplace,” Selga added.

Meanwhile, Selga stressed that their association is accredited by the City and Provincial governments that is why they were allowed to conduct healing sessions Thursday at the City Hall side. (GABS)

[ngprofflorida]

Despite the rains, the Bacolod social calendar is fully booked, with many events going on such as the yearly Miss MassKara Queen and Super Mom pageant, the NOPSSCEA and the UNO-R Jubilee celebrations.

Also, New York-based chef Richard Ynayan will open the Institute for Culinary Arts De la Salle-Bacolod in November. This is a dream come true for chef Richard and for aspiring chefs who no longer need to go to Manila or abroad to become a culinary expert. The center hopes to prepare Ilonggo talents for careers in the culinary world.

Recently, Richard also opened the Q-Bistro at the Malayan Plaza in Ortigas Center. It is elegantly designed at the heart of the Ortigas business district.

The new breed of chefs now dominate the restos in Bacolod. They include Ritchie Gamboa of Bar 21, JP Anglo of Mu Shee, Jomy Gaston of Trattoria Uma and Rommel Hinlo, and many more. cont'd (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2007/September/28/starlife.htm)

hey sugarfreak thats a good news again to Bacolodnon, another business school to place in the city.

[SugarFreak]

hey sugarfreak thats a good news again to Bacolodnon, another business school to place in the city.

de la salle culinary arts institute ang name...will wait for if they will build their own low-rise school building like in silay city also putting up their own,,, a human resource based school near of the NBSA...or baka maglease lang sila ng building november na kasi ang target opening nila...plus also bacolod has a proposal for putting up a Polytechnic Industrial Technology university

[habagatcentral1]

Pact puts end to hacienda bloodshed
By Carla Gomez
Visayas Bureau
Last updated 11:29pm (Mla time) 09/27/2007

LA CASTELLANA, Negros Occidental -- The signing of an agreement between two farmer groups here put an end to the 11-year bloody conflict at the Hacienda Velez Malaga.

The 103 beneficiaries allied with Task Force Mapalad and the 199 identified with landowner Roberto Cuenca have had violent clashes in the past, resulting in the death of three TFM members.

On Thursday, Romeo Caram, representing the Hacienda Malaga Multi-Purpose Cooperative that is allied with Cuenca, signed a memorandum of agreement for the equitable and acceptable division of the farm among the beneficiaries at the La Castellana town hall.

Healing process

Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman, Mayor Alberto Nicor and landowner Roberto Cuenca witnessed the signing.

Pangandaman, Cuenca and Gregorio Paclibar of the Hacienda Velez Malaga Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organization (Havemarbo), which is allied with the Task Force Malaga, had signed the same agreement last Saturday.

Sugar Regulatory Administrator Rafael Coscolluela and Fr. Rolex Nueva, who had helped broker the settlement, said the signing of the MOA signaled the start of a long healing process.

“It is sad that what happened in the past at Velez Malaga has created widespread mistrust. I hope that starting now the healing process will begin,” Nueva said.

He also thanked Cuenca for helping in the process and called on the beneficiaries not to waste the opportunity given to them and to the owners of the land.

It’s over

“For the last 11 years, Hacienda Velez-Malaga has been out in the limelight as a place where chaos reigns. That is finally over,” Cuenca said.

Cuenca said he and his family were turning over the land they had “nurtured and developed to the care of people whom they hope will also cultivate and love the land that we have all fought for.”

The MOA, among others, included a land swap among the two farmer groups that allows those allied with Cuenca to remain in the main section of the farm.

Cuenca also turned over P437,000 in cash to the TFM camp for the cultivation of 43.71 hectares that technically belonged to Havemarbo but was given to the cooperative farmer-members. In exchange, Havemarbo members received an equivalent area in another lot.

All parties also agreed to withdraw all agrarian related cases that had been filed, excluding criminal cases, and execute the necessary agreements for submission to the courts.

However, the TFM members did not attend the town hall signing since Paclibar had already signed the MOA on Saturday, said Lani Factor, TFM deputy national coordinator.

The TFM members welcomed the signing of the MOA but chose to stay at the farm for Mass where they offered their victory to their slain fellow beneficiaries, Factor said.

Separate rites

“It would have been so much better with everybody here celebrating the occasion; it would have spelled a very real step towards reconciliation and healing. But I guess, the TFM members wanted to celebrate on their own, let’s not place any malice or express any disappointment, let’s just respect that,” Coscolluela said at the signing rites.

The total land area covered by CARP under the MOA is 477 hectares, with 94 hectares going to the TFM group and the rest to the members of the cooperative, TFM deputy national coordinator Lani Factor said.

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=91144

[Bo B]

baka ito ang 1st 5-star hotel in bacolod good for will be having a re-development,,,making a 4-storey...currently is a 3-storey only...actually they have a small expansion beside to that hospital but dunno why did they stop the constructions

The hotel will not be a five star hotel since it is a NO FRILLS hotel in the first place. It is not a redevelopment either as a redevelopment means taking something dilapidated, tearing it down and rebuilding it.

[SugarFreak]

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/1201485310_d5ee0d745c.jpg
one of the stalls selling local pasalubong items in front of the airport...boosted the colors with picnic tools...(pic&text by loybart2000)

The hotel will not be a five star hotel since it is a NO FRILLS hotel in the first place. It is not a redevelopment either as a redevelopment means taking something dilapidated, tearing it down and rebuilding it.

:okay:hindi ko kasi nabasa lahat...yong nakabold text lang
re: hospital> having a separate building or to have an expansion

[iloilocitykid]

Easy for you to say because you're from Iloilo. The only problem that the creation of a Negros Island Region will create is probably a reduce the budget allotment for Region 6 & 7 since it will have to be divided into 3 this time around.

I think that this will be more beneficial as it will reduce expenses related to travel for document processing and what have you for the Negrense. This will enable the Negrense to be more productive and reduce risks associated with unnecessary travel.

IloiloKid, don't worry, We the people from Bacolod do not want the distinction of being a regional capital. The city has thrived and progressed to the point of being an important urban center despite not having Regional Government Offices in the city. The absence of these offices is a big handicap to the city as its people as well as the people of the whole island, have to travel to another city, either Cebu or Iloilo for most of the documentation work for travel, deeds, etc. Money that could have been otherwise saved and invested goes to waste because it has to be spent for travel as well as hotel accomodations, food, and other fees.

I think it is high time that we Negrense should push for the creation of a new region with the capital being located in Central Negros for the mutual benefit of the whole populace of the island.


I'll give you guys the benefit of the doubt that you really do not want the distinction of being the regional capital. But can we just think of the problems arising? Western Visayas is the 2nd RICHEST REGION IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY!!!!! Better than that of Central Visayas because the WV economy is 7.3% while Cebu is 7.1% that of the National GDP. THe new government center is almost finished and things will work better now once it is completed.

I haven't seen any Orientals posting they want to be part of this region where in fact, they're soaring high with Cebu by her side. Have you ever thought what happens to them once they have to travel 5 hours to Bacolod instead of the usual easy trip to Cebu? :ohno:

As I've said, dividing pronvinces, cities, towns, regions will not benefit the people or the "masa" but the officials at the top. Let's not support this corrupt practice. I got mad when they separated Mina from Pototan when it was on the verge of becoming a city and neither got any benefits. It's only a matter of time before the government center is done and it's all peaceful for Bacolodnons.

Iloilo was chosen for its strategic location and nothing more. Anyway, I don't see any Aklanons or Antiquenos compalining. Their sub-regional offices seems to be helping them.

Also, you stated that the people from Negros will benefit from it more. Where do you think they will get the IRA? Duh, from the rest of Panay's. And who will suffer, those in Panay. Let's think about this and vote for who will really benefit the whole Western Visayas. We need unity, not division.

Again, peace. No harsh words please.

[jaywalker]

^^ You don't see the point why they must put most sub-Regional offices in Bacolod.You cannot compare the economy of the rest of Panay to Bacolod and the rest of Negros.You just don't know how hard for the some Negros Occidental folks to come to Ilo-Ilo to process this document they badly needed.You just don't know and have not experience this inconviniences.You just know how much time and money we have to spend to cross the border.You just have not experience missing a last trip of ferry home and worrying where to stay for a night.Do you know how far you travel to Ilo-Ilo form Kabankalan or La Castellana.Waking up very to catch the ferry first trip and hurrying up to catch the last trip.You just don't know.
This is not an issue of pride or question of unity.We are trying to voice out our discontentment and services which that we need.The point WV has to upgrade it's services.Come closer to people.

[iloilocitykid]

^^ I see the point and that's what the sub-regional offices are for. Isn't it the government center is almost finished?

[COLLIN JASPER]

Who knows guys, maybe 5 years from now, high tech na ang processing like passports and Professional licenses, MARINA.Inde na kinahanglan magkadto sa Iloilo, online na lang.

[habagatcentral1]

^^ That is why they are already making moves in constructing/putting up regional sub-offices for government offices. DOT and DFA are already there and soon the other agencies as well.

Voice the grievances to the proper authorities and they will listen. Time will come that it won't be an inconvenience to Negrenses living in the south that are processing their papers.

And certain agencies are going online to provide convenience to the people.

By the way, you should also reconsider the Aklanons, Antiqueños and Capiznons and northern Ilonggos also have to travel vast distances too. ;)

[jaywalker]

The thing is you are questioning about the unity.Some parts of Panay can travel by land and if you have a car it's easy but If your From Negros Occidental imagine how you spend if you missed ferry.The question is if you have the money to spend.You cannot blame us Negrenses from the situation.The head office is there they should have seen this problem.

[iloilocitykid]

^^ That is why they are already making moves in constructing/putting up regional sub-offices for government offices. DOT and DFA are already there and soon the other agencies as well.

Voice the grievances to the proper authorities and they will listen. Time will come that it won't be an inconvenience to Negrenses living in the south that are processing their papers.

And certain agencies are going online to provide convenience to the people.

By the way, you should also reconsider the Aklanons, Antiqueños and Capiznons and northern Ilonggos also have to travel vast distances too. ;)

Yup. The majority have to be helped First. I believe solutions are underway for the convenience of Negrenses and the idea of another region is what I resent. :)

[habagatcentral1]

Then instead of babbling, we can have it voiced out by writing some petition letters to the LGUs or if anyone has a connection to someone right?

And yes, the regional sub-offices are on its way. Regional offices are such positioned for the convenience of the whole region. And since Western Visayas is quite active economically, then sub-offices are to be open. And it doesn't mean that if you are not the regional capital, you're lesser right? In so much that Bacolod and Negros is contributing for the economy of Western Visayas as a whole. Why do we have to further divide our regions into more regions?

[jaywalker]

^^ Gessh,what do you mean by that Bernie?Don't involve asking unity or pride or whatever it is.This has been a long time overdue problem with this sub-regional offices.That's the only problem and this has been there for ages and have never given any solution and people from Negros Occidental are sick of it already.This causes bribery and extortion for speedy proceessing of documents.

[habagatcentral1]

^^
Megs, better take a look on previous pages and how the issue of unity and sub-regional offices started. I wasn't the one who started it.

Ayun na nga eh! They are already moving with the sub-regional offices na nga eh. Also, they are going online to provide convenience. Period. ;)

[jaywalker]

^^ Just take note,that we Bacolodnon and Negrosanon are not all the same,some are born to be tikalon and some are not.

[COLLIN JASPER]

Hay bisan ano nyo pa ka bais da, wala man gyapon kamo solusyon nga mahimo. Kabalo kamo ang ugat sina tanan is pride kg ara gyapon ang silent war city vs city.

[habagatcentral1]

^^ Just take note,that we Bacolodnon and Negrosanon are not all the same,some are born to be tikalon and some are not.

Did I generalize megs? I didn't.

Hay, lets stop this argument for it will lead only to bashing each other, okay? Indi ko gid akig sa imo migs, pwede mo pa gani ko tawgon kon gusto mo.:okay:

What we are arguing here is politics and the society. And the thing here is that we're not depriving anyone of the chance to have the convenience of transacting papers because I really know how it feels to process these bureaucratic papers.

[jaywalker]

^^ Actually i don't feel it that there a city vs city and there shouldn't be.I think that only works on politics.

[Farirah]

[QUOTE=iloilocitykid;15605297]I'll give you guys the benefit of the doubt that you really do not want the distinction of being the regional capital. But can we just think of the problems arising? Western Visayas is the 2nd RICHEST REGION IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY!!!!! Better than that of Central Visayas because the WV economy is 7.3% while Cebu is 7.1% that of the National GDP. THe new government center is almost finished and things will work better now once it is completed.


Wow! What a breath-taking?! But any source please if you don't mind. ^^

[jaywalker]

Did I generalize megs? I didn't.

Hay, lets stop this argument for it will lead only to bashing each other, okay? Indi ko gid akig sa imo migs, pwede mo pa gani ko tawgon kon gusto mo.:okay:

Of course you did Not!:lol: I always hate to argue.There's always a better ways to communicate.I not used of bashing either.We are born to be sweet and thoughtful kuno and it's our nature to be Malambing.:lol:

[habagatcentral1]

^^ Char! So peace na ni. :D Daw makadlaw gid ko sa mga arguments ta. We have points and our arguments have sense. :D

[jaywalker]

^^ We're always for Love and Peace not for war!That's the spirit of Sportmanship.:lol:

[COLLIN JASPER]

Ok lets move on. Tahan na..relax....breathhhhhh

[COLLIN JASPER]

^^ We're always for Love and Peace not for war!That's the spirit of Sportmanship.:lol:
AGREE! Lets move on ok:cheers:

[Farirah]

IMO, Iloilo City for now deserves to be a regional center in WV since it has been a center since pre-hispanic times if I'm not mistaken in Illongo world.
But who knows that Bacolod City will have a sub-regional offices. It'll be the matter of decision by our national authority out of people's grievances.
Anyway even Bacolod is not a regional center in WV, still she's one of the progressive cities in the Philippines, and she has contributed more economy to WV people.

[jaywalker]

AGREE! Lets move on ok:cheers:

:cheers: :cheers1: :grouphug: Tagay na!

[blueguy]

Just visit SM City Bacolod

[jaywalker]

Just visit SM City Bacolod


:hi: Van! That's Great! hope you've enjoyed it!Hope some pictures to shares,thanks!

[birdfluuu]

Just visit SM City Bacolod

.SM City Bacolod was like the ultimate department store to go to celebrate.One of the most beautifull and modern shopping center in the Philippines today:banana:

:banana: :banana:

Sa Robinson ka kadto kana? Daku man ina katama:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

[habagatcentral1]

^^ By the way, Nong Van works with SM Prime. :)

Anyway, here's a video invite of the Kapuso Network (GMA TV-10 BCD) for the upcoming Masskara Festival

UK8cNzTIcMA
by elmobenguan

[blueguy]

Guys there's a new attarction at the SM Mall of Asia...

THE SCIENCE DISCOVERY CENTER...an interactive science museum equipped with the latest technology. May planetarium, earthquake simulation room, parang star trek...It will open on Oct. We were the first ones to tour the new attraction. Surely, it will be a crowd drawer. In fact it is now fully-booked up to Feb 2008!

[SugarFreak]

GoodNoon Bacolod!!!
^^no need to voice out my own,,,same as below...but the door is already closed...maamot pa tani ako bah

^^ You don't see the point why they must put most sub-Regional offices in Bacolod.You cannot compare the economy of the rest of Panay to Bacolod and the rest of Negros.You just don't know how hard for the some Negros Occidental folks to come to Ilo-Ilo to process this document they badly needed.You just don't know and have not experience this inconviniences.You just know how much time and money we have to spend to cross the border.You just have not experience missing a last trip of ferry home and worrying where to stay for a night.Do you know how far you travel to Ilo-Ilo form Kabankalan or La Castellana.Waking up very to catch the ferry first trip and hurrying up to catch the last trip.You just don't know.
This is not an issue of pride or question of unity.We are trying to voice out our discontentment and services which that we need.The point WV has to upgrade it's services.Come closer to people.

[SugarFreak]

September 29, 2007
Public speaking workshop set (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2007/September/29/people.htm)

Teleperformance will hold a public speaking workshop for the 10 Masskara Queen candidates at 2 p.m. today at ABS-CBN studio, Bacolod City, a press release from Teleperformance said.

The workshop aims to get the candidates to speak to audience with authority and confidence during the pageant night. Among the topics to be discussed in the workshop are tips on public speaking; how to overcome stage fright and the dos and don'ts when on stage, the press release said.

The 3-hour workshop will be conducted by TP trainers Jeremy Paul Arbolario, Remo Temana, Cristina Ilalto, and Anthony Visitacion. Teleperformance is once again sponsoring this year's MassKara events organized by ABS-CBN Bacolod, as its way of joining the yearly Festival of Bacolod City.

Executives and clients of Teleperformance are also set to arrive on October to join the festivity, the press release added.*

[BYAHILO]

nabatian ko na ang kanta sang masskara. ahahahah

stig...


amo lang na ma komentar ko... :D

[ngprofflorida]

nabatian ko na ang kanta sang masskara. ahahahah

stig...


amo lang na ma komentar ko... :D

puwede mo share sa amon, kay malayo kami ya:ohno: :ohno:

[ngprofflorida]

Contact Us About us Home Negros Bizmen to Hold Trade Fair Next Week

By Edgar Cadagat
Metro Manilans will once more see the best of Negros Occidental products, mainly cottage industries when businessmen once more hold a Negros Trade Fair activity at Rockwell's in Makati from October 3-8, 2007.
This is the 22nd year that Negros producers have held a trade fair. Rose Peña and Mariel Agustin told ABS-CBN's ANC that the Negros sugar crisis in the 1980s forced them to become innovative, diversifying and using native products in manufacturing items initially in their homes.

Gradually, they and their workers became more professionals, establishing more factories and inventing new designs for their products, thus, making it attractive.

Agustin, who owns Domesticity said, from raw materials including pandan which is plentiful in San Carlos City where she stays, they were able to produce handkerchiefs for the local, Manila and foreign markets. Even in the case of goodies they sell, they became more innovative producing bite-size piyayas they call piayitos. Quan is also among those specializing in native foods which adopted the name in reference to Negrenses' referring to nobody or nothing in particular.

Peña said she was in second year college when the sugar crisis struck which in some aspects proved positive.*

LA VIDA NEGRENSE

[ngprofflorida]

Contact Us About us Home Museo sg Bata sa Negros Opens
SAGAY CITY - Museo sang Bata sa Negros in cooperation with Jewelmer International Corporation opens another permanent exhibit "How Pearls are Formed" recently in this city.

PLS CHECK NEGROS OCCIDENTAL THREAD

[Bo B]

I'll give you guys the benefit of the doubt that you really do not want the distinction of being the regional capital. But can we just think of the problems arising? Western Visayas is the 2nd RICHEST REGION IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY!!!!! Better than that of Central Visayas because the WV economy is 7.3% while Cebu is 7.1% that of the National GDP. THe new government center is almost finished and things will work better now once it is completed.

I haven't seen any Orientals posting they want to be part of this region where in fact, they're soaring high with Cebu by her side. Have you ever thought what happens to them once they have to travel 5 hours to Bacolod instead of the usual easy trip to Cebu? :ohno:

As I've said, dividing pronvinces, cities, towns, regions will not benefit the people or the "masa" but the officials at the top. Let's not support this corrupt practice. I got mad when they separated Mina from Pototan when it was on the verge of becoming a city and neither got any benefits. It's only a matter of time before the government center is done and it's all peaceful for Bacolodnons.

Iloilo was chosen for its strategic location and nothing more. Anyway, I don't see any Aklanons or Antiquenos compalining. Their sub-regional offices seems to be helping them.

Also, you stated that the people from Negros will benefit from it more. Where do you think they will get the IRA? Duh, from the rest of Panay's. And who will suffer, those in Panay. Let's think about this and vote for who will really benefit the whole Western Visayas. We need unity, not division.

Again, peace. No harsh words please.

The Dumagueteno's I think would also love to have a regional center close by where they don't have to take a ferry to be able to process document. A ferry trip is always stressful and expensive and it will take more time just to get tickets and await boarding. It will also cost more money if you missed the ferry back home as you have to dine out, get a hotel room, and pay fare to and from the terminal. As we've said before, we from Bacolod do not want the regional offices to be located here since IT WILL MEAN that PEOPLE from Negros Oriental will have to travel five hours to get here. What would be feasible is to establish the regional capital in either Kabankalan, Mabini, or Bais cities.

As for the IRA, I don't think that it will take away Panay's share. What should happen is that Negrense taxes will go into it's own share to establish and maintain the regional offices in the new regional capital.

An internet system for processing documents will not be a viable solution. It may cut some of the inconveniences by reducing the number of trips, but it will still mean that you have to go to either Iloilo or Cebu to get your certified documents. That is the big problem.

Why do you people from Iloilo feel so threatened with this proposal. Iloilo City will still be the regional capital for Region VI, and Bacolod will not become a regional capital as we are proposing that it will go to a more neutral place.

And lastly, I agree with you about unity... Negros has to be reunited for it to move faster.



One more thing... When you say DUH, you are being so rude! And yet you are telling us not to say anything harsh? What gives?

[jaywalker]

^^ By the way, Nong Van works with SM Prime. :)


Oh! I see.:)

nabatian ko na ang kanta sang masskara. ahahahah

stig...


amo lang na ma komentar ko... :D

^^ Maybe you might want to share it with us, most of us would be interested to hear it.please.:)

[iloilocitykid]

^^ Dude, the issue was solved already. Cool down. I only resent forming a new region, not the transfer of the regional capital. I know the negatives of forming new regions, or cities or even towns because it's just another way for people to corrupt the system. Peace, it's a done deal.

Sub-regional offices offer certified papers, am i right?

[jaywalker]

Mikey guest speaker at charter day
BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO

Pampanga Rep. Mikey Arroyo will be the guest of honor and speaker during the Charter Day celebration of Bacolod City in October, Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday said.

Leonardia said Arroyo has confirmed that he will join the countdown to the Charter Day which was started by his administration in 2004. He said the countdown has become a tradition and will become part of the celebration. "We look forward to it because it is successful," he added.

Leonardia said the MassKara Foundation Inc. has signed an agreement with TeleTech for the countdown. The call center company is also sponsoring the school's category streetdance competition, he said, adding that this shows that their business confidence in the MassKara Festival is established and they know the value of MassKara for promotional purposes.

Leonardia said there are 29 to 32 entries in the streetdance competition - barangay category.*CGS

[jaywalker]

Masskara Festival fever is on....

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2007/September/29/pix/masskara.jpg
MASSKARA. Bacolod artists paint oversized masks in preparation for the 28th MassKara Festival that kicks off Monday in Bacolod City.* Sunstar Bacolod

[ngprofflorida]

good morning bacolod whats new!!!!!

[ngprofflorida]

Feature 1
Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines Sunday, September 30, 2007

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc255/erjaplacement/startoon2009-30-07.jpg


'INNOVATION & REINVENTION'
ANP Trade Fair FEATURES
'INNOVATION & REINVENTION'
ANP Trade Fair
Away from Home, Latvia
Joy Amid
Greens and Blooms
For the youth
Young Lives


Entrepreneurship must not only be about profit. It must also be used as a way of helping the underprivileged empower themselves through livelihood opportunities they avail of.

This is the spirit behind the growing operations of the Association of Negros Producers which holds Oct. 3-8 the 22nd Negros Trade Fair at Rockwell in Makati. The 2007 trade fair focuses on the theme: "Innovation and Reinvention", which reiterates the ANP philosophy of productivity, industry and ingenuity.

The trade fair attracts an average of 6,000 visitors and have generated about P15 million in annual domestic sales, both on the spot and orders generated, ANP said.

Seventy three Negros-based producers of the almost 100 ANP members who are engaged in micro-small-medium enterprises, will participate in the exhibit which will showcase furniture and furnishing, fashion and garments, food products and gifts and houseware. [

Doreen Alice Peña, ANP vice president for trade, fair and marketing, reiterated that the fair serves not only as a shopping venue but also an opportunity to tap new domestic and international markers and strengthen ANP linkage within the country and abroad.

[FONT="Arial Black"]The ANP world market abroad includes the United States, Italy, France, Poland, Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, Africa, the Middle East and Scandinavian countries. ANP said 70 percent of its estimated annual income of P120 million come from exports.
[COLOR="Red"]Today, ANP members employ more than 15,000 full-time workers and sub-contractors who work on the products based on materials that are indigenous to Negros.
EXPORT QUALITY

Children's Wear Almost 25 years ago, Isabel Lovina, a native of Manila who moved to Bacolod city, was in search of good quality dresses for her daughter. She ended up starting her own company-with its factory in Ubay, Pulupandan - which produces top-quality hand-smocked and embroidered children's apparel bearing the Ines Moda Infantil label. Lovina, who owns Vicmik Enterprises, Inc. is one of the ANP members who will display her products in the ANP exhibit at Rockwell.

After starting her venture, Lovina attended product development trainings and trade expositions which resulted in widely-patronized garments for children appealing not only to high-end buyers but also to the U.S. market where she established her clientele through her trade fair contacts. Consequently, her work force increased from about 150 to thousands handling different phases of the production, including subcontracts. At the same time, she invested on better technology for better cost efficiency.

She said because of the livelihood opportunity her business offered, workers have now a regular source of income not only for survival but also for their children's education. In fact, she said, the child of an old-time employees is now working with the accounting staff of her company. It's been almost 25 years since she started her venture.

And Lovina continues to strengthen her business that transforms and empowers workers and their families. Almost a quarter of a century ago, she drew inspiration from her young girl to start the company. That motivation and inspiration have multiplied. This time, she said, they include her grandson. .

[ngprofflorida]

Excitement & Exploration
by Venice Marie Anlleza

There was once a tourist who prayed to the Lord, "Lord, please bless me with a place that was everything I need rolled into, one package - a wondrous tour, an exciting adventure and a home away from home." Since the tourist was a good man, the Lord answered his prayer and, voila, the man was then sent to a beautiful place called Negros Occidental. Upon searching it, the man was overjoyed to know that the place embodied everything we wanted and so much more.

Although this story is pure fiction, its message is not only clear but also very true. Any tourist who was comes to our dear province would agree to this notion. Negros Occidental is indeed something that would command the attention of anyone who steps inside its premises. Not just because of the many captivating scenic spots dotting the province, but also because of a very potent sense of adventure that comes with the fun and excitement of being in a place of pure wonder.

Yes, Negros Occidental is not only a tourist destination, it is an adventure. It's definitely not the kind of place where you pay a lot of that hard-earned cash and in exchange, get a bus ride that only gives you fleeting-glances of the places you long to explore. Here in Negros, you get what you see, because it is what you deserve.

In this paradise, you don't only hear about the sweetness of sugarcane, you get to taste it. You don't just gaze longingly at the white sands of Carbin Reef, you also get to fill the fine texture covering your bare skin. You don't get intimidated by the formidable Mambucal Falls, you also get the chance of conquering its height. You don't just feel the itch of wanting to dive into those waters surrounding the coast, you actually get to relieve the itch by plunging into their serene depths. And, instead, of just seeing by the colorful lights of Bacolod City, you can also get caught up in the vivacious tide of its night life.
And if you are not yet contended with the adrenaline surge brought about by trying conquer nature's enormity, you can definitely complete your adventure with a dose of toe-tingling excitement brought about by the idea of being warmly loud by a total strangers. Negresanons are famous for the warm love they exude for their visitors.

The hospitality and fuss you get from welcoming natives are effective that make you feel the warmth of home. And the fun and love they show you are more than enough to make you stay.

Many people don't easily get satisfied with simply staring at those breathtaking views. What completes them is the undesirably powerful surge of excitement and adventure that comes with exploration - trekking mountains, diving through reefs, tasting exotic food and the likes. Thankfully, God created Negros Occidental, a wondrous place to give them all that and so much more.
Two-in-One Destination

[ngprofflorida]

Two-in-One Destination
by Katherine Kabig

When we say Negros Occidental, what things do really enter our minds? Beautiful coasts, abundant forests, mouth-watering delicacies, and most especially very accommodating and friendly people. Negros Occidental is blessed with these goodness, gifts abundant from the mountaintops of San Carlos down to the coasts of Sipalay.
We have already proven that Negros is more than just sugar. We produce blue crabs, tilapia and savory dishes from different towns and municipalities. Tourists see Negros not as a haven for NPA but a place full of beauty and wonders. Nature has been generous and the province just keeps on improving day after day. We have green pastures enchanted aquatic and marine life and productive, talented, resourceful and intelligent people. Negros Occidental seems to have it all. What more could we ask for?

Aside from being a tourist destination, Negros Occidental is to be considered as an adventure. With those sights to see and places shall surely make someone feel satisfied. When everything pours abundantly here, like food, marvelous beaches and others, why go abroad?

Assuredly, I say to you, when you want real adventure, come and see Negros Occidental. The breath-taking falls, the sandy shores, the powerful people, the religious sites and historic ruins will surely put a little spice on mountains, go biking on its slopes. Or even just enjoy some foodtrips on towns here.

The people are very responsible on their acts and still practice a value that came from our late ancestors; hospitability. It would surely make you feel contended and consider this places as the very last place you want to be before you die.

"What attracted tourists to come here like flies to honey?" A you little boy was asked, he answered, "Evreything." That's producing province. It's adventure brought to real life.

Men and women; children and the not-so-young; poor and even rich people alike craves for something adventurous. That's why reality and adventure programs easily click on our television time. But instead of destroying your eyes upon watching programs, try visiting some beaches here. A place where you could stay up all night, beside a bonfire, gazing at the stars. Now, that's real adventure.

When the tourism industry rates in the province boosts high, it could also provide more opportunities for men and women alike who wish to be employed. They could work here and still earn money instead of going overseas and spend their lives as workers on foreign lands. This answers our demand of Filipino workers here. It could provide jobs for the needs of their families. Now, this is our everyday life adventure!
When tourism is stable, everything will just come together. Jobs, economic stability and progress. See how it works?

If Piolo Pascual and Angel Locsin claims they want to be compete; if two uses in one product are abound in markets; we can also claim that Negros is complete and serves two uses in one province: Negros Occidental as a tourist destination and as a place full of adventure.

If you wish to marvel at jaw-dropping sights and experience high-packed adventure, don't hesitate, visit Negros:wave: :wave: :wave: :wave: :wave: :wave: :wave:

[ngprofflorida]

Table 1. Provinces with the Highest Number of Motor Vehicles Registered, 2005

Rank Province Total
1 Cebu 266,086
2 Laguna 181,148
3 Bulacan 166,548
4 Batangas 166,049
5 Pampanga 161,748
6 Cavite 157,575
7 Pangasinan 140,294
8 Negros Occidental 113,435
9 Nueva Ecija 110,441
10 Davao del Sur 102,758

Table 2. Provinces with the Highest Number of Motor Vehicles Registered By Type of Use, 2005

Rank Private For Hire Government
Province Number Province Number Province Number
1 Cebu 229,569 Laguna 41,514 Cebu 2,697
2 Laguna 138,415 Pangasinan 39,100 Davao del Norte 2,451
3 Bulacan 135,100 Cavite 36,149 Davao del Sur 2,402
4 Batangas 130,893 Cebu 33,820 Zamboanga del Sur 2,106
5 Pampanga 127,298 Batangas 33,727 Negros Occidental 2,043
6 Cavite 120,404 Pampanga 32,794 North Cotabato 1,645
7 Pangasinan 100,252 Bulacan 30,804 Pampanga 1,554
8 Nueva Ecija 90,372 Isabela 28,271 Leyte 1,536
9 Negros Occidental 86,382 Negros Occidental 25,010 Misamis Oriental 1,432
10 Davao del Sur 86,318 Tarlac 24,703 Batangas 1,429

[birdfluuu]

Table 1. Provinces with the Highest Number of Motor Vehicles Registered, 2005

Rank Province Total
1 Cebu 266,086
2 Laguna 181,148
3 Bulacan 166,548
4 Batangas 166,049
5 Pampanga 161,748
6 Cavite 157,575
7 Pangasinan 140,294
8 Negros Occidental 113,435
9 Nueva Ecija 110,441
10 Davao del Sur 102,758

Table 2. Provinces with the Highest Number of Motor Vehicles Registered By Type of Use, 2005

Rank Private For Hire Government
Province Number Province Number Province Number
1 Cebu 229,569 Laguna 41,514 Cebu 2,697
2 Laguna 138,415 Pangasinan 39,100 Davao del Norte 2,451
3 Bulacan 135,100 Cavite 36,149 Davao del Sur 2,402
4 Batangas 130,893 Cebu 33,820 Zamboanga del Sur 2,106
5 Pampanga 127,298 Batangas 33,727 Negros Occidental 2,043
6 Cavite 120,404 Pampanga 32,794 North Cotabato 1,645
7 Pangasinan 100,252 Bulacan 30,804 Pampanga 1,554
8 Nueva Ecija 90,372 Isabela 28,271 Leyte 1,536
9 Negros Occidental 86,382 Negros Occidental 25,010 Misamis Oriental 1,432
10 Davao del Sur 86,318 Tarlac 24,703 Batangas 1,429


The Highest Number of Motor Vehicles Registered, sa western visayas ay sa negros Occidental? wow galing no1 pala tayo sa Western Visayas region:banana: :banana::banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

[BYAHILO]

puwede mo share sa amon, kay malayo kami ya:ohno: :ohno:


mga next week i post ko na jaz heard it over sa YM.. gina hulat ko pa ang CD ko mag abot..

[Sinjin P.]

The Highest Number of Motor Vehicles Registered, sa western visayas ay sa negros Occidental? wow galing no1 pala tayo sa Western Visayas region:banana: :banana::banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

I don't want to be negative but is having a large number of motor vehicles something to get proud about? I myself am not proud about Cebu being the province having the largest number of motor vehicles since it translates to more pollution brought about by more smoke emitted by the vehicles :)

[gonzahr22]

The Highest Number of Motor Vehicles Registered, sa western visayas ay sa negros Occidental? wow galing no1 pala tayo sa Western Visayas region:banana: :banana::banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

WOW!!! Galing ah. Even with that number, Bacolod and Negros Occidental as a whole are still not as polluted as expected.:banana:

[ngprofflorida]

WOW!!! Galing ah. Even with that number, Bacolod and Negros Occidental as a whole are still not as polluted as expected.:banana:

Thats true, negros occidetal still not polluted thats what I like to bring my foreign friends and they keep coming back, and negros is proven more than just a sugar but the adventure place. favorite destination punta bulata they love water skis and scuba diving.:banana: :banana: :banana:

[iloilocitykid]

The Highest Number of Motor Vehicles Registered, sa western visayas ay sa negros Occidental? wow galing no1 pala tayo sa Western Visayas region:banana: :banana::banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

Also take into consideration that Neg Occ is the most populous pronvince in Region 6. :)

[WawaY[625]]

wow!

[bariQ]

I don't want to be negative but is having a large number of motor vehicles something to get proud about? I myself am not proud about Cebu being the province having the largest number of motor vehicles since it translates to more pollution brought about by more smoke emitted by the vehicles :)

it does also mean there are many people who can afford cars which means a good economy :D upkeep for cars/vehicles is not cheap. we can always ride on public transpo

[Sinjin P.]

^ But then there are a lot of surplus vehicles :D

[bariQ]

well... thats not really exclusive to bacolod... its allover the country i guess

[WawaY[625]]

^ But then there are a lot of surplus vehicles :D

basta lang gud naa ika brag :D

[Sinjin P.]

;15637919']basta lang gud naa ika brag :D

Bragging is not good. Especially if these vehicles suddenly stop running while you're bragging :lol:

[WawaY[625]]

Bragging is not good. Especially if these vehicles suddenly stop running while you're bragging :lol:

i think the number of private motor vehicles is something most bacolodnons are proud of? kasi when i was there, madalas ko yan marinig sa mga naging friends ko (when they are comparing BCD and ILO) na kesyo sa BCD daw mas maraming private vehicles and konti lang ang PUVs while baliktad sa iloilo..

[gonzahr22]

Whats keeping Bacolod upbeat nowadays is the 28th Masskara Celebration. Kailinit, its been a decade na gid since i witness a live Masskara dance mardi gras. Nakontento na lang always sa TFC, YouTube and now SSC. Hopefully next year, i'll make it up to some of my dabarkads in Bacolod. Kari na sa Bacolod!!! Happy Birthday Bacolod!! Masskara Festival!!! :pepper: :banana: :cheers1:

[Sinjin P.]

Hay naku I hope the Bacolod Forumers don't have hidden motives of upscaling this into another City vs City

[WawaY[625]]

Whats keeping Bacolod upbeat nowadays is the 28th Masskara Celebration. Kailinit, its been a decade na gid since i witness a live Masskara dance mardi gras. Nakontento na lang always sa TFC, YouTube and now SSC. Hopefully next year, i'll make it up to some of my dabarkads in Bacolod. Kari na sa Bacolod!!! Happy Birthday Bacolod!! Masskara Festival!!! :pepper: :banana: :cheers1:

and this year's Masskara would be among the best because the great Waway[625] will be there :lol:

[gonzahr22]

Whats keeping Bacolod upbeat nowadays is the 28th Masskara Celebration. Kailinit, its been a decade na gid since i witness a live Masskara dance mardi gras. Nakontento na lang always sa TFC, YouTube and now SSC. Hopefully next year, i'll make it up to some of my dabarkads in Bacolod. Kari na sa Bacolod!!! Happy Birthday Bacolod!! Masskara Festival!!! And also more pictures for this years Masskara Festival ha... And also the official mardi gras music. Post here also. 28th Masskara Festival. The Best!!!:banana: :banana: :banana:

[gonzahr22]

;15638026']and this year's Masskara would be among the best because the great Waway[625] will be there :lol:


Everybody's welcome in Bacolod. Lashingan na!!! hehehehe! :cheers1:

[Sinjin P.]

Whats keeping Bacolod upbeat nowadays is the 28th Masskara Celebration. Kailinit, its been a decade na gid since i witness a live Masskara dance mardi gras. Nakontento na lang always sa TFC, YouTube and now SSC. Hopefully next year, i'll make it up to some of my dabarkads in Bacolod. Kari na sa Bacolod!!! Happy Birthday Bacolod!! Masskara Festival!!! And also more pictures for this years Masskara Festival ha... And also the official mardi gras music. Post here also. 28th Masskara Festival. The Best!!!:banana: :banana: :banana:

Whats keeping Bacolod upbeat nowadays is the 28th Masskara Celebration. Kailinit, its been a decade na gid since i witness a live Masskara dance mardi gras. Nakontento na lang always sa TFC, YouTube and now SSC. Hopefully next year, i'll make it up to some of my dabarkads in Bacolod. Kari na sa Bacolod!!! Happy Birthday Bacolod!! Masskara Festival!!! :pepper: :banana: :cheers1:

Is there a need to double-post? :?

[WawaY[625]]

bring on the talaba :lol: sarap ng talaba kasi mura (how much nga ang kilo?)

[Sinjin P.]

;15638110']bring on the talaba :lol: sarap ng talaba kasi mura (how much nga ang kilo?)

Diba sa Iloilo maraming talaba? We ate at a restaurant named "Oyster Boy" and they said they had oyster farms in Iloilo :)

[WawaY[625]]

meron din sa bacolod..when i was there, kumain kami dun sa lugar na maraming inasal restos malapit sa (then u/c) SM..may talaba din dun :D

[gonzahr22]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieron/53332904/in/photostream/

Talaba in Bacolod are everywhere. Even in Manukan country, it is served as a side dish. Cheers Bacolod!!! Happy Birthday!!! :banana: :banana2:

[Sinjin P.]

;15638170']meron din sa bacolod..when i was there, kumain kami dun sa lugar na maraming inasal restos malapit sa (then u/c) SM..may talaba din dun :D

Basta ang sarap ng talaba at suka :banana:

[WawaY[625]]

while it tastes good, ang habol ko yung side effect ng talaba :D

[Sinjin P.]

^ Side effect?

[Ex!lE]

I've been to bacolod at ang sarap ng chicken inasal nila pero di ko natikman yung talaba.

[iloilocitykid]

;15637989']i think the number of private motor vehicles is something most bacolodnons are proud of? kasi when i was there, madalas ko yan marinig sa mga naging friends ko (when they are comparing BCD and ILO) na kesyo sa BCD daw mas maraming private vehicles and konti lang ang PUVs while baliktad sa iloilo..


Wow. :ohno:
It just puzzles me...Ilonggos rarely care about comparing the two cities. Is this how bad things have gotten? Do these people really want to be social climbers?

The culture really is different with both Iloilo City and Bacolod. Iloilo has a rather simple lifestyle while some Bacolodnons tend to be social climbers. :ohno:

Does it really matter how many private vehicles each city has? Is it really a proof of a better economy? As far as I know, Iloilo City has a higher economy and if you divided the economy by the number of residents, Ilonggos are still richer. sigh...

[Sinjin P.]

^ Okay, lets not allow this issue to escalate into another round of City vs City arguments. Thank You.

[iloilocitykid]

^^ Sorry sinj...I'll keep my mouth shut for now.

[jaywalker]

^^ Please be careful with your words toto.You're way over the bakod.Please don't generalize all Bacolodnon.:)

[iloilocitykid]

^^ I did not generalize. I just said "some" . . . :happy:

[WawaY[625]]

^ Side effect?

nakaka libog :D

effective na aphrodisiac ang talaba..parang durian :D

[jaywalker]

^^ Please if you have a problem with the other forumers,tell them straight away.Don't use the word Bacolodnon beacuse it means many,plenty.Saying some Bacolodnon is almost as saying most.:)

[iloilocitykid]

^^ Okies

[jaywalker]

Thank you!:)

[Ex!lE]

;15638793']nakaka libog :D

effective na aphrodisiac ang talaba..parang durian :D

ahh.. durian pala ang dahilan kung bat ako nakaramdam ng ganon dati.:D

[jaywalker]

;15638026']and this year's Masskara would be among the best because the great Waway[625] will be there :lol:

^^ Bacolod best marching bands has been readied and the placards are all over the city to WELCOME your arrival.:banana: :lol:

[gonzahr22]

http://www.friendster.com/photos/22907409/1/423470549

Bacolod peeps, tani more pictures and updates of the 28th Masskara Celebration. Kari na sa Bacolod. :pepper:

[jaywalker]

A testimonial from Exchange Student of Latvia to Manila and Bacolod

Away from Home, Latvia

My parents, Sarmite Gþibovska and Gunars Gþibovskis, were not really new to the idea of student exchange, since my 19-year-old brother, Janis just recently came home from his exchange year in Argentina. I bade my farewell to my family and friends and I embarked on my long journey to Manila. The airplane ride went through Frankfurt, Germany and then landed in Manila International Airport, 18 long hours later.

Let me tell you more about my home country first. It is a funny thought that not a lot of Filipinos know about Latvia.

Latvia is a small country state in northern Europe and it is one of the Baltic States, together with Estonia and Lithuania. Its neighboring countries are Russia to the east, and Sweden, which is just across the Baltic Sea in the country's western part. Its largest city is my hometown, Riga, the capital city. It is the undisputed Baltic metropolis, a major port and industrial center of about a million people. The city was founded by Albert von Buxhoeveden, a German canon who arrived in 1201 with 20 shiploads of crusaders to convert the Latvian tribes to Christianity.

The people are called Latvians, and our language is called Latvieðu. Due to the Soviet occupation of our country (Latvia was once part of the former Soviet Union), most Latvians are fluent in Russian. Latvia is rich in history and culture, and there are a lot of tourist spots and famous places in my country.

I found the Philippines very different from Latvia the moment I stepped out of the airplane. The hot climate was the first thing that I have noticed. But the next thing that caught my attention was the Filipinos' genuine and warm smiles and kind gestures. It occurred to me that I was in another country, and everybody looked different. Before I came to the Philippines, all I knew about the country after my quick research about the place was its low economical status as compared to Latvia, and that it was under Spanish occupation for several hundred years, but I was about to find out more.

I was immediately shuttled to the University of the Philippines, Diliman Campus, where we had our orientation and welcoming activities. I am currently here in the Philippines with 10 other exchange students from countries such as Colombia, Bolivia, France and Turkey. It was a lot of fun getting to meet my exchange student friends, and we instantly found friends among ourselves as we talked about everything that we expect to get out of our exchange year.

AFS Philippines briefed us about rules and regulations, and also, equipped us with knowledge about our host country, including the basic greetings and important words.

It was another farewell as I waved my new friends goodbye one early morning so that I could catch the first flight out of Manila to Bacolod City. The name, Bacolod sounded strange, but I was excited to ride the plane and finally meet my host family after days of anticipation. My host parents are Atty. and Mrs. Lyndon Cana.

The atmosphere in Bacolod City Airport that drizzly morning of July 7 morning was of great welcome and hospitality. Bacolod-based AFS returnees and volunteers welcomed me and my Belgian exchange student friend, Hanne, who unfortunately had to go back to her home country due to medical reasons. It was then that I saw why Bacolod was nicknamed "the City of Smiles". Everybody was smiling and waving at the people who I rode the plane with. I was surprised when I saw young people like me among the welcoming party, and I found out later that they are also returnees of the exchange program.

I was excited to see how the people lived here in the Philippines, and I was very anxious to learn about the culture, the history and the language. It is also very hard because I spoke only a little English at that time. I enjoyed my first jeepney and tricycle rides not long after I have settled in my host family's house.

I spent most of my first week here in Bacolod getting acquainted to the people in my house, as well as how to go around the city. Although the city looks very different from Riga and other cities I have been to in Europe, it had its own charms. I liked the bustle of activity as people went on with their daily activities.

School followed not long after. I was primarily enrolled in Trinity Christian School and I went there for about one month. I got to meet a lot of good friends in Trinity. I then transferred to the University of St. La Salle- Integrated School, where I am currently enrolled as an 11th grader. School is a also a lot different than the way it is back in Latvia. In Latvia, school ends at around 3 p.m. every day while I get of at around 4 p.m. here in the Philippines.

The activities I enjoy here in the Philippines vary from meeting new people to trying out new things that are unique to the country. In Latvia, I would usually go to the beach, enjoy summer sports and go snowboarding in the winter. I also like to travel around and see my friends.

In the three months that I have stayed in the Philippines so far, I have acquired a lot of good experiences and memories. One very funny experience was when I had to perform "maglalatik", the Filipino native dance in front of a big crowd during the AFS 50th Anniversary in Manila. I had a lot of fun learning the dance, and it was really embarrassing trying to pull it off, but I was glad that my Colombian exchange student friends were with me.

Another great experience was being able to travel to Mambucal Resort and explore its wonders. I really love traveling and I hope to see the rest of the Philippines, as well as Negros in the future.

One thing I also enjoy is the delicious Filipino food. Bacolod chicken inasal easily became my favorite because it reminds me a lot of saðliks (sash-leeks), the Latvian national dish, which is also barbequed marinated chicken. I have also tried adventurous food choices, such as the chicken adidas, tina-e, isol and dinuguan. I am yet to try the famous balut, though.

I can say that it is hard to be away from my family, friends and from my country, especially that there are lots of fun activities and events that I am missing out on. However, I believe that it is all worth it because I am learning a lot out of the exchange student experience. I am looking forward to more fun activities, and I would like to learn more about the language. I am also looking forward to improving my English by the end of my exchange stay.

I'd like to encourage young people in the Philippines and all over the world to take every opportunity to become an exchange student. Being part of a intercultural exchange will not only give you a lot of friends and new experiences but it is also life changing. Let us all make a change in the world by building bridges of understanding and peace.

Ejam kopa, roku roka. Let's walk together hand in hand.

The 17-year-old Latvians student shared his experiences with Nonito Cabrera, an AFS exchange student in the United States who is back in Bacolod City, where he is a senior at Negros Occidental High School. .

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2007/Starlife/2007/September/30/feature2.htm

[jaywalker]

http://www.friendster.com/photos/22907409/1/423470549

Bacolod peeps, tani more pictures and updates of the 28th Masskara Celebration. Kari na sa Bacolod. :pepper:

Mig Gonz! maybe we can ask Eric's permission to post his photo's here.:lol:

[gonzahr22]

Mig Gonz! maybe we can ask Eric's permission to post his photo's here.:lol:

^^ That would be perfect, Jay!!! :banana:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/enricodee/masskara2005/mosaic.jpg

[gonzahr22]

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc18/zackillah/poster-psd-copy-new.jpg

[jaywalker]

^^ That would be perfect, Jay!!! :banana:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/enricodee/masskara2005/mosaic.jpg

^^ This is a piece of an artwork!Perfect to be fitted on a picture frame and hang on the wall.

[kyle@1008]

..Oh btw, they'll be closing lacson street on oct. 18, I heard they're planning to have an electric maskarra parade and a street party in lacson,...:colgate:

[jaywalker]

True! That's what stated on thier schedule.It's a new event and attraction of the festival.

[jaywalker]

..Oh btw, they'll be closing lacson street on oct. 18, I heard they're planning to have an electric maskarra parade and a street party in lacson,...:colgate:

^^ I think this is night time event as this will involve lightings on the customes and mask.Interesting.I think Lacson Street starting from Mister Donut is the much suitable place for a street party than those in Araneta Street.

[ngprofflorida]

Hinigaran is the talaba capital of negros, maraming restaurant doon..... :banana: :banana: :banana: if you eat talaba same as you take viagra...

[ngprofflorida]

Idle but ideal lands for bio-fuel plants abound in Negros



DANNY FAJARDO

BACOLOD CITY — The Negros island has vast areas of unused or idle lands totalling 93,659 hectares, which are however ideal for coconut plantations.


The Department of Agriculture Biofuels Feedstock Group said that at least 59,666 hectares of idle lands are in Negros Occidental, while in Negros Oriental, the idle lands comprise 33,993 hectares.

The DA Biofuels Feedstock Group said areas suitable for coconut are also suitable for palm oil.

Both coconut and palm oil are used as feedstocks for biodiesel production.

Biodiesel produced from coconuts is called coco methyl ester, or CME.

The DA Biofuels Feedstock Group said there is an opportunity to expand coconut areas in the country as demand for biofuels will continue to increase.

For this year alone, the demand for CME is only 78 million liters. By February 2009, the law will require a minimum of two percent blend of biodiesel.

Records of the DA show that demand for CME by 2010 will reach 173 million liters a year, with equivalent feedstock volume demand of 274,603 metric tons of coconut and equivalent area for production demand of 269,219 hectares.

The DA data also showed that by 2015, CME demand is seen to reach 209 million liters a year, wherein feedstock volume requirement will be 331,746 metric tons of coconut, and required areas for production, 325,241 hectares.

Prospects for coconut-sourced bio-fuel is currently being threatened by the coconut leaf pest infestation that may spread to more provinces in the Visayas unless effective and adequate measures are adopted.

Hundreds of hectares of coconut plantations in at least three provinces in the Visayas have been hit by the beetle pest, placing the industry at risk.

Expanding to other areas, especially those provinces with vast idle lands, is seen as a good option to maintain current levels in coconut production.

[ngprofflorida]

LANZONES FESTIVAL OF TALISAY CITY
Talisay City, Negros Occidental

A thanksgiving celebration of Brgy. Conception, City of Talisay, the home of sweet lanzones, rambutan, mangosteen and durian. It features a ceremonial ribbon cutting of the agro trade fair, street dancing competition highlighted by the ‘Eat all you can of Lanzones fruit for free’.
For more information please contact:
Ms. Renea Ferrer
City Tourism Officer
Talisay City
Telefax no. (6334)

[ngprofflorida]

another good news to the province,

[habagatcentral1]

^^ Sir Ngpfflorida, na-doublepost ang article. :)

[sasieboy]

Hey Peps if you like Talaba I suggest sa Balaring in Silay City, its the BEST :)

[habagatcentral1]

^^ How do we get there?

And if I'm in Negros, I always think of Hinigaran equals Talaba yumyum :food: :D

[ngprofflorida]

Hey Peps if you like Talaba I suggest sa Balaring in Silay City, its the BEST :)

yeah balaring, is that near floating restaurant?

[jaywalker]

PSC-PSI offers 220 scholarships for coaches

]After a 17-year hiatus, the Philippine Sports Commission, through the Philippine Sports Institute, will award 220 scholarship grants for grassroots-based coaches nationwide under the first Grassroots Coaches Accreditation System program that will be launched next month, a press release from the PSC said.

"Coaching education is envisioned to address the critical dearth among trainers and coaches," PSC chairman William "Butch" Ramirez said.

The GCAS program in the Visayas will be launched Oct. 17-23 at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City.

The press release said GCAS aims to enhance the knowledge and experience of grassroots coaches about the general education on sports, sports science, and sports medicine.

The program is divided into three levels, with Tier 1 requiring coaches to undergo a five-day training on multi-discipline general education sports.

Tier 2, on the other hand, is a seven-day training and certificate program on various disciplines under sports medicine and sports science. All GCAS program for the three regions will proceed to PhilSports-Ultra, Pasig City for Tier 2.

Meanwhile, Tier 3 is a five-day immersion in the field of sports the scholar opted to be an expert of, guided by the National Training Pool, the press release said.

The participating coaches need to pass the 75 percentage of the examination after every level in order to proceed to the next one.

All 220 scholar coaches will be expected to submit a "Grassroots Coaches Training Manual" for their chosen field of sports, the press release added.

The same manual they will be required to use in forming a club or an organization for sports in their respective areas in the span of three months, it said.

Each scholar coach will be entitled as a "PSI-Accredited Coach," after passing the examination for the final level of the program, the press release added.

However, after the program, PSC-PSI shall continuously monitor the progress of the scholars' performance in the areas where they will have to establish a sports center/club/organization, it said.

In the same press release, PSC-PSI Director Marilou Cantancio emphasized that "PSCI-PSI aims to ensure that the national sports development of the country is run or facilitated by well-trained, internationally-competent sports coaches and mentors, after all". Interested parties may contact Larry Domingo and Alona Quintos at (02) 536-8508 or (02) 400-1864.*


Web www.visayandailystar.com

[jaywalker]

Speaking of Talaba,Howabout the smaller version of it, we called "Sisi" for local dialect.I find them more tastier than Talaba.

[jaywalker]

:dance: :dance:

MassKara fest opens today

The 28th MassKara unfolds today with the opening of the festival sites at the Bacolod public plaza, the MassKara Village in Manokan Country, and SM City.

"It definitely is going to be, yet again, the biggest MassKara ever. This just gets bigger every year," festival director Eli F.J.Tajanlangit announced. Simple rites declaring the festival open will be held at the MassKara Village in Manokan Country at 6 p.m. to be led by Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Vice Mayor Thaddy Sayson. Fireworks will follow.

A parade ushering in the opening day will be held at 7 a.m. together with the Department of Education, Culture and Sports as part of its annual division athletic and cultural meet.

At the plaza, a Battle of the Bands among member schools of the Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports, Cultural and Educational Association will be held at 5 p.m.

The San Miguel Beer Night will follow at 8 p.m. at the plaza and at the MassKara Village stage.

This year's festival promises to be the biggest, with the biggest number of participating entries in the barangay street dancing tilt on Oct. 20.

There are 32 barangays which have listed up. It also has the biggest festival site, with the entry of SM City where major events are also lined up.

An entirely new event, the "Electric MassKara" will be added this year. For this event, a "MassKara Strip", from 5th to North Drive along Lacson Street, will be activated on Oct. 19 and 20.

Scheduled here will be an Electric Masskara dance parade, three concert stages, a fantasy costume show and light shows. Establishments in the area are encouraged to set up tables along the sidewalks.

The MassKara Queen pageant will be held Oct. 17 at the USLS Coliseum.

Oct. 18 will be the TeleTech Cup street dancing competition [schools category] and the "Countdown to Charter Day" giant street party along Araneta Street. Oct. 19, Charter Day, will include the civic military parade and Electric MassKara.

On Saturday, Oct. 20, will be Globe Day, which will include the barangay category street dancing competition at Araneta st and a major concert at SM City.

The open category street dancing competition is set on Sunday, Oct. 21. This will be followed by a tribal drum beating contest at SM City.

The 28th MassKara revolves around the theme, Icons of Bacolod, as it comes a year before the 70th anniversary of the city. We want this festival to launch an awareness campaign for all things related to and we love about Bacolod in preparation for her big day next year, Tajanlangit said. Co-presentors of the festival are SM City, San Miguel Corp, Globe Telecom and the Department of Tourism. Major sponsors are Coca-Cola and Teletech. *


Web www.visayandailystar.com

[SugarFreak]

Hey Peps if you like Talaba I suggest sa Balaring in Silay City, its the BEST :)yeah balaring, is that near floating restaurant?

si Kyle nakapunta don baka palagi sa dyan...ask him if how delicious and juicy (ano icream) is

Hinigaran is the talaba capital of negros, maraming restaurant doon..... :banana: :banana: :banana: if you eat talaba same as you take viagra...

true...cadiz city is a fishing capital of the province


^^ I think this is night time event as this will involve lightings on the customes and mask.Interesting.I think Lacson Street starting from Mister Donut is the much suitable place for a street party than those in Araneta Street.

kasi dikit dikit ang mga building don but araneta is a wide street...

[birdfluuu]

BACOLOD Masskara Festival one of the most beautifull and colorful festival
in the country today:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

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

ma baha naman ni TALABA mo:lol:

[filino]

good day guyz... ask lang me what is the date for the masskara grand parade? were planning kc to watch.

[SugarFreak]

good day guyz... ask lang me what is the date for the masskara grand parade? were planning kc to watch.

oct 19 perhaps,,,a charter day celebration of bacolod or try visit this site @
http://www.bacolodcity.gov.ph/sked.htm

[filino]

oct 19 perhaps,,,a charter day celebration of bacolod or try visit this site @
http://www.bacolodcity.gov.ph/sked.htm


oic, so masskara festival is part of the charter day celebration of bacolod city. i thougth sa fiesta. hmmmm im learning here. thnx sa info....

[jaywalker]

:dance: :dance:

MassKara fest opens today

The 28th MassKara unfolds today with the opening of the festival sites at the Bacolod public plaza, the MassKara Village in Manokan Country, and SM City.

"It definitely is going to be, yet again, the biggest MassKara ever. This just gets bigger every year," festival director Eli F.J.Tajanlangit announced. Simple rites declaring the festival open will be held at the MassKara Village in Manokan Country at 6 p.m. to be led by Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Vice Mayor Thaddy Sayson. Fireworks will follow.

A parade ushering in the opening day will be held at 7 a.m. together with the Department of Education, Culture and Sports as part of its annual division athletic and cultural meet.

At the plaza, a Battle of the Bands among member schools of the Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports, Cultural and Educational Association will be held at 5 p.m.

The San Miguel Beer Night will follow at 8 p.m. at the plaza and at the MassKara Village stage.

This year's festival promises to be the biggest, with the biggest number of participating entries in the barangay street dancing tilt on Oct. 20.

There are 32 barangays which have listed up. It also has the biggest festival site, with the entry of SM City where major events are also lined up.

An entirely new event, the "Electric MassKara" will be added this year. For this event, a "MassKara Strip", from 5th to North Drive along Lacson Street, will be activated on Oct. 19 and 20.

Scheduled here will be an Electric Masskara dance parade, three concert stages, a fantasy costume show and light shows. Establishments in the area are encouraged to set up tables along the sidewalks.

The MassKara Queen pageant will be held Oct. 17 at the USLS Coliseum.

Oct. 18 will be the TeleTech Cup street dancing competition [schools category] and the "Countdown to Charter Day" giant street party along Araneta Street. Oct. 19, Charter Day, will include the civic military parade and Electric MassKara.

On Saturday, Oct. 20, will be Globe Day, which will include the barangay category street dancing competition at Araneta st and a major concert at SM City.

The open category street dancing competition is set on Sunday, Oct. 21. This will be followed by a tribal drum beating contest at SM City.

The 28th MassKara revolves around the theme, Icons of Bacolod, as it comes a year before the 70th anniversary of the city. We want this festival to launch an awareness campaign for all things related to and we love about Bacolod in preparation for her big day next year, Tajanlangit said. Co-presentors of the festival are SM City, San Miguel Corp, Globe Telecom and the Department of Tourism. Major sponsors are Coca-Cola and Teletech. *


Web www.visayandailystar.com

^^ Those were the highlights of the Masskara Festival but starting today Bacolod's Public Plaza is flooded with kiosko's which open till dawn.Starting today, scenes around the city will be more livelier.Peace order in the city will be more organized than ever.

[SugarFreak]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BACOLOD!!!HAPPY MASSKARA!!!
:dance:
Anyway,,, Bacoleños already identify this festival as their very own, and some of those who go abroad make sure to bring colorful miniatures of the masks for pasalubong... It will be a thoughtful reminder to those now living away from Bacolod that they should make plans to come home and hold reunions with the folks at home... I also hear that the participants are guarding the designs of their costumes and their masks like a military secret for fear that they might be imitated or excelled... That shouldn't really be a cause for worry,,, because,,, so far,,, the contingents have always been original and with an attractiveness all their own

..Oh btw, they'll be closing lacson street on oct. 18, I heard they're planning to have an electric maskarra parade and a street party in lacson,...:colgate:

^^ I think this is night time event as this will involve lightings on the customes and mask.Interesting.I think Lacson Street starting from Mister Donut is the much suitable place for a street party than those in Araneta Street.

people's attention is now turning to the coming celebration of the annual MassKara Festival which will officially open today with various activities... I hear from Festival director Eli Tajanlangit that they will make the climax of the street dancing activity an electric parade... That is somewhat like what they have in Disneyland,,, which makes people wait,,, no matter how late,,, because the darker the night is,,, the more beautiful the lights are. Is it true that there are 32 entries from the city's barangay this time?

[ngprofflorida]

[QUOTE=SugarFreak;15655776]HAPPY BIRTHDAY BACOLOD!!!HAPPY MASSKARA!!!
:dance:
Anyway,,, Bacoleños already identify this festival as their very own, and some of those who go abroad make sure to bring colorful miniatures of the masks for pasalubong... It will be a thoughtful reminder to those now living away from Bacolod that they should make plans to come home and hold reunions with the folks at home... I also hear that the participants are guarding the designs of their costumes and their masks like a military secret for fear that they might be imitated or excelled... That shouldn't really be a cause for worry,,, because,,, so far,,, the contingents have always been original and with an attractiveness all their own





people's attention is now turning to the coming celebration of the annual MassKara Festival which will officially open today with various activities... I hear from Festival director Eli Tajanlangit that they will make the climax of the street dancing activity an electric parade... That is somewhat like what they have in Disneyland,,, which makes people wait,,, no matter how late,,, because the darker the night is,,, the more beautiful the lights are. Is it true that there are 32 entries from the city's barangay this time?[/QUOTe
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___
Actually sugarfreak thats true, I remember I was in Disney world last 2 years ago in Orlando Florida they have fantasy parade at night called electric parade, I think Mr. Tajanlangit pattern this event in Disney World. I TELL YOU GUYS ITS REALLY COLORFUL AND BEAUTIFUL LOTS OF SPARKLING LIGHTS, the participants worn masskara. same style in Bacolod. wow how exciting!!!!!!! Mr. Tajanlangit is very imaginative every year.

[SugarFreak]

on the bottles of cokes and the sanmigs MASSKARA edition
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/Picture1-1.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/masskaracocacola.jpg
tagays na mga parts .... cheers ahhh

[ngprofflorida]

on the bottles of cokes and the sanmigs MASSKARA edition
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/Picture1-1.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/masskaracocacola.jpg
tagays na mga parts .... cheers

Sugarfreak are you serious san miguel beer and coke bottles makes masskara logo? or just exclusive only in negros during masskara?

[jaywalker]

For Sure,Baha na naman nang beer dira sa plaza.:lol: May ara pa ayhan ang promo nga 1 peso per bottle of San miguel Beer.I still remeber,kon may ara ka 1peso nga old,ang dagko nga 1 peso pwede mo ibakal sa 1 ka bottle nga San Miguel Beer.Does San Miguel Beer will going to have thier Octobeer Fest there?I think this year will be more exciting because of the presence of SM City,in the Reclamtion Area.

[habagatcentral1]

Sugarfreak are you serious san miguel beer and coke bottles makes masskara logo? or just exclusive only in negros during masskara?

Yes. Limited edition Coke and SanMig Masskara bottles in Masskara are for sale but it is slightly expensive than the ordinary bottle.

Cebu, Boracay and Davao had its own limited series during their festivities.

[jaywalker]

^^ It's nice, collectors would be interested in this or can be keep as souvenir item.

[FLARNEX_XENRALF]

ay wow!!!
mas sadya ni guru ang masskara kaysa last year!!!
w8....
diin nila gn butang ang mga perya???
well just asking...
pero daw indi b complete ang masskara kung la perya...
timing gid ni ang masskara ky lapit nlng bday kuh!!!
hehehehe OCT.14 gle ah...
hehehehe!!!
txt me lng kung cnu gusto mang libre saakon ah!!! hahhahahaha!!!
peo mas sadya cguro ang masskara ky may sm na today!!!
cguro ma cooperate na ang sm coz lapit xa sa downtown...

[jaywalker]

^^ Far flex advance Happy Bday!:)

They call it the Masskara Village and is located at the front of Manokan Country!Gin anaugurahan kag ina ini.

[jaywalker]

Bacolod Famous Pasalubong Center "Bong Bongs

NWznruDPsnA

[eonynx]

on the bottles of cokes and the sanmigs MASSKARA edition
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/Picture1-1.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/masskaracocacola.jpg
tagays na mga parts .... cheers ahhh

these are nice embedded logos/symbols in an everyday consumer item!

"collector's item" material!:cheers:

[jaywalker]

Bacolod Pasalubong Center and Treats"Merci"

SgHscBY1o58

jRQqvkwS6D4

9BKPS0ylLvA

[gonzahr22]

^^ nice one, Jay!!! :)

[jaywalker]

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2007/October/01/pix/masks.jpg
Andy Alvarez photo


^^ No worries Mig Gonz!

[jaywalker]

Bacolod Spa
_Xp2yHqc59E

[gonzahr22]

BACOLOD Masskara Festival is one of the most beautiful and colorful festivals
in the country today:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

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

ma baha naman ni TALABA mo:lol:


And unique in so many ways among the others. :)

[jaywalker]

And unique in so many ways among the others. :)

^^ What makes it so unique is the dozens of loud speakers of the Sound System scatttered in the vicinity of the street parade playing the festival's music.:lol:It's a massive street party. My last attendance in Masskara Festival was like 2 years ago and barricades are kind enough to let you go through to take pictures of the dancers.There's a lot of local and foriegn photographers both amateurs and professionals.

[birdfluuu]

And unique in so many ways among the others. :)


Masskara Festival has been invited to perform in several key cities in the country including Manila, Iloilo Davao, and Bohol. They have also danced their way to Singapore during the Chingay Festival. It was a proud moment not just for the Bacoleños, but for the entire Filipino nation, the Masskara festival won the top prize in the 2004 World Tourism Festival in Shanghai, China. They also won the Best Foreign Contingent Award during the 2005 Midosuji Festival in Japan.
:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

unique talaga ang Masskara Festival:banana: :banana: :banana:

by ericd001:banana: :banana:

[jaywalker]

Web www.visayandailystar.com


MassKara Village opens

The ABSCBN 11th MassKara Village opened yesterday at the 2nd level of Robinsons Place in Bacolod City, with Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Vice Mayor Judge Thaddeus Sayson, and members of the Sangguniang Panglungsod as guests, a press release from the station said.

Entries this year include 36 wearable and six giant masks.

The contest, an effort of the station to perpetuate mask making as part of the annual festival, is co-sponsored by Robinsons' Bacolod and the Philippine National Oil Company-Energy Development Corp., the press release said.

MassKara Village curator Art Alvarez categorized the entries into Filipiniana, contemporary and high-end. The entries "are more wearable this year," Councilor Celia Flor said.

In her welcome remarks, station manager Leilani Salem-Alba reminisced the first ever Masskara Village with only 13 entries, and how it has evolved to great artistic heights through the years, the press release said. Entries will be judged on October 9, at 10 a.m. at Robinson's Place Bacolod, the press release added.*

[jaywalker]

28th Masskara fest kicks off
BY NIDA BUENAFE
The Masskara Festival opened last night at the Manokan Country with Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia enjoining food stall operators in the area to revive its long lost glory as a major tourist attraction.

Leonardia said it is only fitting to open the celebration in the area to give attention to its potentials. He challenged the operators to maintain cleanliness and order in the area while maximizing the support the city government will provide to them.

He added that the Manokan County has the support of the city officials and the public and it is up to the operators to decide on what direction to take to further develop their business.

The focus of this year's celebration, he added, is to give attention to the potentials of Bacolod City, among them the Manokan country.

Meanwhile, the mayor lauded the people of Bacolod for coming together and showing unity in celebrating the Masskara Festival.

The celebration, he said, has become the identity and character of the Bacoleños and every year the event is bigger, happier and more successful than the previous one.

Joined by Manokan children on stage, Leonardia said the celebration is for their future and through bad times and good times, the people of Bacolod will always have the Masskara Festival to celebrate.

Also present during the festival opening at the SM Masskara Village in Manokan Country were Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson and members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.*NAB


Web www.visayandailystar.com

[jaywalker]

Presidential son Pam-panga Rep. Mikey Arroyo will be the guest of honor in the 69th Charter Day anniversary of Bacolod City.

Councilor Greg Gasa-taya, Chairman of the Charter Day Committee said preparations are already made sure that the big day on October 19, 2007 will enable everyone in the city to celebrate the birth of Bacolod as a chartered city, the capital of Negros Occidental.


In its 69th year, the city has continued to reap what is sowed in terms of economic and infrastructure development.

No more calesas on the streets as it used to several decades ago and when it was declared a chartered city in 1938. Luxury vehicles can now be seen plying the streets despite the rise in the cost of oil. Councilor Gasataya said they will finalize today this year's theme.

Bacolod at 69 is oozing with development and modernization.

Information technology has wired Bacolod into the global market. The world is now reachable through the use of the Internet.

People transact business, do the trouble shooting and even find their mates and partners through the Internet.

Bacolod is now part of the world web map.


Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia has invited dignitaries, balik bayans and even foreign tourists and friends to be a part of the city's big celebration.
Teletech Holdings, Inc., one of the highly recognized call centers in the city has taken part in the Count Down celebration where the city and its people celebrate on the eve of October 18 and rejoice, have fun to the fullest while awaiting the revelry of October 19, the charter day.


More fun can be expected in this year's celebration as the Committee handling the Charter Day celebration is making its best preparation for the city's historical birthday as a Chartered City.*



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.negrosdaily.com/oct0107h1

[SugarFreak]

GOOD DAY BACOLOD!!!
ANY PICTURES OF THE 1ST DAY OF MASSKARA DAY CELEBRATION???
i wonder why the masskara official website is offline

BACOLOD Masskara Festival one of the most beautifull and colorful festival
in the country today:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

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

ma baha naman ni TALABA mo:lol:
only today???yesterday beileving not???hmmmnnnn am not sure

Masskara Festival has been invited to perform in several key cities in the country including Manila, Iloilo Davao, and Bohol. They have also danced their way to Singapore during the Chingay Festival. It was a proud moment not just for the Bacoleños, but for the entire Filipino nation, the Masskara festival won the top prize in the 2004 World Tourism Festival in Shanghai, China. They also won the Best Foreign Contingent Award during the 2005 Midosuji Festival in Japan.
:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

unique talaga ang Masskara Festival:banana: :banana: :banana:

i salute

[ngprofflorida]

Contact Us About us Home Masskara Festival a Rio de Janeiro Look-Alike, Festival Director Says
By Edgar Cadagat
Not less but more because the Masskara Festival which started its run yesterday, October 1, will have that Rio de Janeiro quality seen only in the Mardi Gras Festival in the Latin-American country, Festival Director Eli Francis Tajanlangit declared in an interview yesterday over Aksyon Radyo. And there are innovations which guarantees this, among which would be the designation of half of the whole length of Lacson St., a major thoroughfare in the city, as a festival site where cultural presentations, music and dancing could be done.

"The festival site will be from the 5th St. to Crossing North Drive, a more than one kilometer distance," said Tajanlangit. "The festival site will be opened October 19 and 20." The opening of the

Lacson strip is intended to involve the whole city in the activity where songs, dances and other cultural performances could be done.

Specifically, scheduled are electric Masskara Dance parades, concert stage, fantasy costume show presentations, and other entertainment offerings. Business establishments in the sunrise to sunset strip will be encouraged to set up their own displays and tables in the streets fronting them.

In another major thoroughfares, Araneta St. a giant street party is scheduled October 18, until October 19 which is the city's Charter Day anniversary. But the day starts with a ceremony scheduled as of presstime in the Manokan Country in the reclamation area, the designated Masskara Village. Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia will declare the Masskara Festival open 6 p.m. A fireworks display will follow. Before this, a parade was held in the morning and at 5 p.m., a Battle of the Band kicked off at the public plaza.

As for the Masskara street dancing competition, this will be held October 20 and 21 with the barangays showcasing their talents first followed by those participating in the open category.

"`Icons of Bacolod' is the theme of the festival, which is part of a consciousness campaign for all things related to the city," Tajanlangit said.

This becomes even more significant because Bacolod will turn 70 years old next year.

Big-time companies are co-presentors of the festival and which include Shoemart, Globe, San Miguel and the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Well-known personalities and celebrities are expected to come to Bacolod, including diplomats and foreign tourists.*

[FLARNEX_XENRALF]

^^ Far flex advance Happy Bday!:)

They call it the Masskara Village and is located at the front of Manokan Country!Gin anaugurahan kag ina ini.

thnx

ay amu man gyapon parehos last year
same location man gyapon...
la ku b chance mag kad2 ky hegtic ang sked ku sa skul....
well sa parking lot man gyapon sa sm?

[SugarFreak]

October 2, 2007
Nietes: New world champ (http://www.visayandailystar.com/2007/October/02/sportnews1.htm)

Bacolod City boxer Donnie Nietes became the latest toast of Philippine sports Sunday night when he defeated Thailand's Pornsawan Kratingdaenggym via a unanimous decision to capture the World Boxing Organization miniflyweight title at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City.

The 25-year-old Nietes knocked down the Thai with a body and head combination punctuated by a right straight to the jaw midway in the fourth round. The knockout epitomized Nietes' domination of the first four rounds.

A one-point deduction for excessive low blows in the 10th round by referee Raul Caiz Jr. also did not help the Thai's cause. And despite a lethargic showing in two of the final three rounds, Nietes gained enough leverage for his great work in the early rounds as judges Salven Lagumbay scored it, 116-110, and Levi Martinez 115-111. The third judge, Sawaeng Taweekom of Thailand had Nietes the winner by the slimmest of margins, 114-113.

With the victory, Nietes added his name to the growing list of Filipino world boxing champions, including San Carlos City's Gerry Penalosa, the WBO bantamweight champ, who was at ringside to witness his fellow Negrense's victory. Nietes became the first world titlist from the stable of Bacoleno Antonio "ALA" Aldeguer. The other current world titleholders are Florante Condes (minimumweight, IBF) and Nonito Donaire, Jr. (flyweight, IBF, IBO).

Nietes hiked his record to 22-1-0 with 13KOs, while Pornsawan dropped his first bout in 21 fights.

INSPIRATION

In a press statement, Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella lauded Nietes' feat, saying the boxer born in Murcia and raised in Barangay Granada "provides an inspiration to young, upcoming boxers who are dreaming of also making it big in the ring in the likes of the sensational Manny Pacquiao and Bacolod's own Joan Tipon, who won the gold in the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar".

The solon yesterday filed a House Resolution commending Nietes.

"Bacolod's pride Donnie Nietes, like the other boxing champions before him, are our modern-day heroes. Nietes' triumph serves as an inspiration to many of us, at a time when the country is battered not only by natural calamities but also by too much politics and scandals that tend to divide our nation," Puentevella said in his resolution.

Vicente Tan, treasurer of the Negros Amateur Boxing Association, who was with NABA president Monju Guanzon to witness the world title fight, said Nietes' form was impressive and his attacks consistent.

Nietes, who started boxing when he was 12, said he hopes to be like Pacquiao and Peñalosa.

Aldeguer said the victory of Nietes will boost the Philippines' bid to host the next World Cup of Boxing.

As a rule, the host country must have, at least, two reigning world titlists in the line-up and Nietes can be the second next to Peñalosa.

In other fights, AJ 'Bazooka' Banal made short work of Mexican super flyweight champion Esau Gaona with a first stoppage highlighted by three knockdowns.

'AMMONIA INTAKE'

Meanwhile, a report posted at philboxing.com disclosed that a Thai national, who was present at the Donnie Nietes-Pornsawan Kratingdaenggym WBO bout last night, revealed that Pornsawan used "Chai Che Chew" or better known as Ammonia to help revive him in the crucial moments of the 12-round showdown.

The Thai national was shown the small bottle confiscated by Filipino trainer Juanito Ablaca from the Thai's corner after the fight, and confirmed that indeed, it was Ammonia, the report said.

GAB physician Jose Unabia revealed that the post-fight urine test he conducted on Pornsawan was positive for Ephedrine, a substance found in a highly-regulated substance, although Unabia said it could have been triggered by the use of Ammonia.

But Unabia said that the finding on Pornsawan is "not yet conclusive," but should lead to some revelations later.

WBO Asia Pacific chairman Leon Panoncillo said Ammonia is not allowed in any fight, and he will confer with the WBO on what step to take next, the boxing website reported.*CPT

[jaywalker]

:applause: Well done Donnie Nietes! Another Negrense Boxing Champ!There's will extra celebration for the upcoming Masskara Festival.Negros so far have produce so many boxing champions to the nation.

[BYAHILO]

on the bottles of cokes and the sanmigs MASSKARA edition
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/Picture1-1.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/cosmosnegros/masskaracocacola.jpg
tagays na mga parts .... cheers ahhh

may ara ko sina sang coke bottle. i bought it 2years ago. for non bacolenos u can buy that in ebay.ph damo da bidders, pero mahal ila baligya. the SMB bottle just started last year, wala ko nag bakal kay kalaw ay sang design.. aside from masskara i also have the sinulog version of the coke bottle i bought last january in cebu



Masskara Festival has been invited to perform in several key cities in the country including Manila, Iloilo Davao, and Bohol. They have also danced their way to Singapore during the Chingay Festival. It was a proud moment not just for the Bacoleños, but for the entire Filipino nation, the Masskara festival won the top prize in the 2004 World Tourism Festival in Shanghai, China. They also won the Best Foreign Contingent Award during the 2005 Midosuji Festival in Japan.
:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

unique talaga ang Masskara Festival:banana: :banana: :banana:

hmmmmm tingala ko kafamiliar sang linya nga ini.... i double checked my posts, kag gin kopya na naman wala gid credit. tsk tsk it was written september 18, 2006 http://www.byahilo.com/?p=498



GOOD DAY BACOLOD!!!
ANY PICTURES OF THE 1ST DAY OF MASSKARA DAY CELEBRATION???
i wonder why the masskara official website is offline


only today???yesterday beileving not???hmmmnnnn am not sure



i salute


Zyanz nag expire na ang domain sang masskara, daw june pa bala mo or july, wala na nila gin renew.

[jaywalker]

^^ Hey Erick! Here are some statement from the George Macainan about the the first Masskara Festival in Sunstar Bacolod.Are you fully aware of this?Here's the link for the whole news http://www2.sunstar.com.ph/static/bac/2007/10/02/news/masskara.loses.its.taste.founder.html

"Participants then were mostly schools, Latin music in vogue was used, each group carried their own cassette and it was so ‘crude’ not everybody could hear the music but the simplicity and naiveté brought with it unexplained joy,” Macainan said.

Macainan stressed, “If there is one joy MassKara had offered, it’s because almost all cities in the entire Philippines followed the idea of MassKara street dancing. In varied forms and styles, people around the Philippines are dancing in the streets now and it’s so beautiful,” he added.

[jaywalker]

"George Macainan, a school teacher, writer and actor, is one of those who founded the MassKara Festival with the late Ely Santiago of the Negros Press Club." from Sunstar Bacolod

So actually before there's no loud speaker along the streets.When did this loud speakers of Sound System started to be used on the street along side with the coming up of the Official Music for the Festival.

[jaywalker]

thnx

ay amu man gyapon parehos last year
same location man gyapon...
la ku b chance mag kad2 ky hegtic ang sked ku sa skul....
well sa parking lot man gyapon sa sm?

Not in the SM carpark,it is the next block from SM City,just in front of Manokan Country.