El Ideal Bakery – A Family Legacy of Good Food Since the 1920’s

El Ideal Bakery, (pronounced "el idjal"), Silay's original bakery, is currently run and managed by the 3^rd and 4^th generation of the family that started it.  It is not only a family legacy of good food to their grandchildren, but also to the many Negrenses who have had this place as a part of their lives.

photo courtesy of: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2184

I, for one, am one of those Negrenses. My paternal grandfather was an original "Silaynon" (what people from Silay City are called), with my great grandmother listed as one of the owners (former owner, actually, since she sold the house when all her kids got married – it was just too big for her) of the big Spanish houses that still stand up to this day. My grandfather used to own a farm in Silay, near the area where the new Silay Airport is located today. It was sold when none of his children followed his footsteps of going into farming, and he was getting too old for it.

Anyway, El Ideal Bakery has been part of our family's tradition as well.  Every November 1, my father's side of the family – complete with my grandparents (although now it's just my grandmother since my grandfather passed away in 1996), uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews, nieces, the whole caboodle –  go there for our brunch right after we visit the cemetery (for our All Soul's Day tradition).  It has been that way ever since I could remember.

photo courtesy of:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2019

El Ideal has always been where it once were (since the 1920's), in 118 Rizal street, Silay City, Negros Occidental. The place have had some minor modifications like the installation of air conditioners, replacing of their chairs and tables with newer, more durable ones, new kitchen equipment, etc... But there are some aspects of it that remain as is, like their famous pre-war brick oven, the facade that remains almost the same up to this day since before the war, etc...

photo courtesy of: http://photos.friendster.com/photos

Every year, we never grow tired of it. My order has always been their specialty pancit malabon and fresh lumpia. My grandmother never fails to order halo-halo (her thirst quencher after the hot morning in the cemetery); the kids never fail to order the usual spaghetti; my aunt and uncles would go for my choice of food, plus some native delicacies. A November 1^st without stopping by El Ideal is not exactly November 1^st – if you know what I mean. And guess what?

Every year, at about the same time, we meet the same people – who also make their trip to El Ideal part of their tradition.

photo courtesy of: http://www.dessertcomesfirst.com

photo courtesy of:
http://elideal.multiply.com

Family traditions aside, El Ideal has earned a name for itself with its famous guapple pie. Yes, it's guava-slash-apple pie. It is one of my favorites, so to speak! This recipe was created in the 1980's when Negros Island hit a sugar crisis, and sugar became too expensive for pastries sold at reasonable prices. So guava was used as an alternative to sugarcane – and it turned out to be oh so delicious! Today, El Ideal's guapple pie is one of the most sought after pastries in local, national, and even international food fares held in the Philippines.

Their Dulce Gatas (it's Silay's version of the pastillas, made from carabao's milk and sugar) always reminds me of my father. My dad has always had a sweet tooth and it could be cured with this. Having this as dessert takes me back to my childhood days...

 I can't wait 'til next November 1! :) 

El Ideal's Telephone number: (034) 495 4430

Lakawon Island (Cadiz City)

Lakawon Island
: the virgin islet that most people often compare with the eminent Boracay Island.

photo courtesy of: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/

This banana-shaped islet is located in Cadiz City, approximately 48 kilometers north of Bacolod City.  It has only about 13 hectares of land area, and has only 1 resort, owned and run by the family of Mr. Victor Puey.

It started operating in the 1990's and has been quite a popular destination, especially for those living in Negros Occidental and nearby islands.  In the recent years, more huts, cottages, and air conditioned rooms were added to accommodate more guests – mainly families and groups (of friends) seeking an escape to the beach from the busy city.

What to Do in Lakawon?

photo courtesy of: http://www.candymag.com

Lakawon Island's resort (Lakawon Island Beach Resort) has huts and cottages for day time visitors, and rooms (aircon and non-aircon) for those who wish to stay overnight.
                                                           While in Lakawon, the best (and most basic) things that you can do are swimming and sunbathing. Swimming in Lakawon is a refreshing experience as you dip into its clear blue-green waters. This is safe for children too, as there is a lifeguard on watch, as well as a net to prevent anyone from straying into deeper waters.                                                 
Sunbathing has been a popular way to spend one's day in Lakawon (if you're not in the water, that is). Spreading your sarong on the white, pristine sands of the islet while soaking up the sun makes you feel like you're in paradise.

Other activities include jet skiing and snorkelling. However, you have to bring your own jet ski, as the resort doesn't have one for lease. And for snorkelling, the clear waters makes this a delight; but there aren't much marine life like corals, anemones, or various fishes to feast your eyes on. Windsurfing and skim boarding are among the popular activities to do in the island too.

The resort has its own restaurant where the food served (fish, crabs, seashells, squids, etc...) is generally good, but their calamares have been earning a lot of compliments from visitors.

If you are staying overnight, you can go night swimming as the beach front is well-lighted, and the net will keep you from straying into deep waters. Groups can spread their beach blankets over the beach and huddle around a bonfire while drinking and having a good time.

Current Rates

Lakawon's picnic tables with shade
photo courtesy of: http://s2.hubimg.com

Entrance fee to the island – 50 pesos (per person)

Picnic table with shade – 1000 pesos (per day)
Rooms without aircon – 1500 pesos (per night) *good for 5-10 persons
Rooms with aircon – 2400 pesos (per night) *good for 5-10 persons
Pumpboat from Cadiz to the island – 100 pesos (per person)

Getting There

photo courtesy of: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3120/

Lakawon is easy to get to. If you have a car, then driving all the way to (Barangay) Cadiz Viejo is all you need to do (which is about 1 ½ hours from Bacolod City), then from Cadiz Viejo you can take a pumpboat (motorized banca) to Lakawon island (15 to 20-minute boat ride).

You can also take the bus (Ceres Liner) to Cadiz Viejo and take the pumpboat to the island. Others hire jeepneys or vehicles if they don't want to take the bus, and this works just as fine.

photo courtesy of: http://images.karen808.multiply.com

Going as a group makes the trip more budget-friendly and relatively cheap. However, going in small groups of three's or two's, or alone, may be quite expensive, as you get to pay for the picnic tables and/or overnight rooms per night/day and not per person.

photo courtesy of:
 http://spillingmyownthunder.files.wordpress.com

Basically, Lakawon is a nice escape – not too far from the city, but also not too near that its waters and atmosphere is still kept as it is. Truly a great destination – especially for those who want places with less people/tourists.!

This 13-hectare islet, which is more like a sandbar, actually, simply has one resort (Lakawon Island Beach Resort) and a small fishing village on the opposite side of the island that earns their living by fishing and harvesting the sea's bounty.

the resort's "Sand Bar"
photo courtesy of: http://www.cadizcity.gov.ph

Quoting Lonely Planet, "Nature has provided Lakawon with a gorgeous white beach consisting of coarse coral sand and the island is covered with palm trees and in place dense bushes".  

Can you picture that in your mind? It's so inviting, isn't it?

Laura Seafront Resort (Cadiz City)

Just a few miles from the city proper of Cadiz, you will find Laura Seafront Resort – one of the resorts that people can go to when visiting Cadiz City, Negros Occidental.

Entrance to the Junior Olympic-sized pool

The resort holds a view of the Visayan Sea, and apparently a faint view of Cebu Island in the distance. Specifically located in Daga, about 4 kilometers from the city proper, it doesn't boast of white sand shores or clear sapphire waters. It is simply an average shoreline of the usual-colored sand and the usual-colored waters.

it was high tide after lunch

However, it is one of the popular places to visit when in the area. You can relax in their restaurant that overlooks the sea – the sounds of the waves rushing in and the strong sea breeze blowing on your face – you can't beat that.

half of the restaurant area

The restaurant, however, is just a simple place made of concrete that's colorfully painted with simple chairs and tables. They have a "videoke machine" that is pay-per-song – a song is about 5 pesos, and you drop it in, and the song becomes available for you to sing along with.                  

                                                                                                                                                    It serves coffee, sodas, chips, and other simple foods that you may want to have.

                                                                                                                                                   They have aircon rooms at 500 pesos per night – a great deal actually, considering that it is already air conditioned. They have function halls too which can serve as venues for seminars or conferences.

the junior Olympic-sized pool

If you're just there to have a good time, they have two pools. A junior Olympic-sized pool and a kiddie's pool; they also have a tennis court if swimming isn't your thing. Fees for swimming are 40 pesos for adults and 25 pesos for children.                 

they had bird houses and doves
flying all over the place :)

Aside from these, they have huts where you can stay for the day that are adjacent to the restaurant, thus, the same view of the Visayan Sea and Cebu Island.

So, where's the ship? ;)

The place is interestingly designed and decorated too as it is filled with colorful flags, some stone structures, and some nautical objects that were painted colorfully. In fact, about 25% of the guest were foreigners (Caucasians mostly) when I went there.

Even he is happy... :)

Overall, it is a second class resort, as Cadiz City is not yet as developed and progressive as the other bigger cities.  The rates are a good deal, and the people (staff and personnel) are friendly and accommodating. Great deal, nice people, equates to a nice time.

Negros Island – Of Culture, Heritage, and Breathtaking Sights

With the diversity among the 7, 107 islands making up the Philippine archipelago, Negros Island is the fourth largest and boasts of heritage, countless scenic destinations, and a distinct culture that makes it stand out from the rest.

Divided into two by a string of mountains, the island is composed of the two provinces: Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, the former being the bigger portion. This sock-shaped island located in the middle area of the archipelago is the only island that has two main languages – "Hiligaynon" (or "Ilonggo") in Negros Occidental and "Cebuano" in Negros Oriental.

 Negros Occidental occupies 7,926 sq. km and is the northern and western areas of the island, while Negros Oriental holds 5,402.30 sq. km, and comprises the southern and eastern areas of the island. Both provinces color the islands distinct culture with the East's (Oriental) Spanish-oriented cultural influences, and the West's (Occidental) warm hospitality and tremendously delicious cuisine.


Just a Bit of History
Negros Island was originally known as "Buglas" – a native word meaning "cut off" because this island was said to be part of a larger island but got separated during the continental drift during the Ice age.
The original inhabitants of the island were members of the Negritos ethnic group, dark-skinned, thick-lipped, kinky haired natives. Thus the name "Negros" was given to the island by the Spaniards who discovered it.

Bacolod City

center of the Bacolod public plaza
photo courtesy of: http://www.vistapinas.com

Bacolod City is the capital of Negros Occidental and is dubbed as a city of the friendliest and gentlest people in the country.   Known as the "sugar bowl" of the Philippines, it has vast lands of sugarcane plantation and several milling centrals all over the province.

This is also the home of the Masskara Festival; the festival that attracts thousands of tourists both from and outside the country who flock to the city every October.

a dancer during the street dancing
of the Masskara Festival

They are dubbed as "cariñoso", a Spanish word meaning "affectionate". Negros Island is one of the islands that have been highly influenced by the Spanish culture and it lives on in its inhabitants up to this day.

The warmth of the "Ilonggo" people (people in Negros Occidental) is so distinct that it goes very well with the "Negrense" cuisine, the pristine beaches and serene mountain resorts.

People from other areas of the Philippines are often heard saying

photo courtesy of: http://blogalag.typepad.com

"In Bacolod, everywhere you go, the food is great! You don't need to choose a good restaurant because every restaurant is good."

Another "Ilonggo" trademark.

Dumaguete City

Dumaguete's famous boulevard
photo courtesy of: http://in-indie.org

The portside city of Dumaguete is the capital of Negros Oriental and home of the oldest American University established in Asia – Silliman University (1901).

Silliman University
photo courtesy of: http://img40.imageshack.us

Just like its sister province on the other side of the island, it also holds the "festival of festivals" in the Oriental side which is the Buglasan Festival, apparently also celebrated in the month of October.

Buglasan Festival
photo courtesy of: http://farm4.static.flickr.com

Although there are areas in Negros Occidental with great beaches and scenic views, Negros Oriental is much more known for this. They have beautiful white sand beaches and terrific diving sites that any beach lover would love. Apo island, a marine sanctuary just off the coast of Dumaguete is a favorite among divers. It is also here that you can find the only resort in the island with villas – private villas with your own pool and outdoor Jacuzzi.

Sugar Beach at Sipalay, Negros Occidental
photo courtesy of: http://www.travelphil.com

"Negrenses" as what people from Negros Island are called, are known for their laid back lifestyles, great food, friendly people, and a culture rich of heritage and tradition. It is even said that Negros Island has a "culture of its own" that even astonishes Filipinos from other areas of the country.

view of Apo Island, Negros Oriental
photo courtesy of: http://www.rgreve.dk

Experiencing Philippines is one thing, experiencing Negros is another; a blend of heritage, culture, and tradition with the fun-loving individuals and the natural warmth of the people – it's just something that even other Filipinos would like to have a taste of.  Drop by Negros island and witness the blend of heritage, tradition, and culture, along with savory foods that you can't get enough of, and the warm and friendly nature of the Negrenses. :)

Boracay Island – the Once Secret Paradise

This dog-boned shape island with a total area of 10.32 square kilometers is now one of the most coveted tourist destination --- all year round!

However, all this hype and rave about Boracay only started in the 1970's which rapidly increased in the 1980's, and today it is one of the busiest, most visited beaches in the world. 
                                                                                                                                                    In 1990, BMW Tropical Beach Handbook voted Boracay as one of the best beaches in the world, and in 1996, it was again voted by TV Quick, a British publication, as the number one beach in the world.
                                                                                                                                                What was it before all these?
                                                                                                                      Boracay Island was home to the Ati Tribe, and became independent in April 1956.

The white sand beach lay untouched and undiscovered while the azure waters washed along its shores. It was once a secret paradise that many kept mum about. It was their own secret paradise, it was their own hideaway.
                                                                                                   Stories of how it was discovered vary.
                                                                                                 Some say it was stumbled upon accidentally by a foreign filmmaker and his crew in the 70's. Some say it was a book by a German traveller, "Jens Peters", which talked wildly about the island. Whichever it was, it certainly put an end to Boracay being a secret paradise for the few who knew about it.

a usual afternoon in Boracay

And today...…
                                                                                                                                           Boracay is considered by some to be the ultimate summer destination – the beach capital of the Philippines; while some considers it to be too crowded, too commercialized. As for me, I think it depends...…
                                                                                                                                                                                    I think that Boracay Island is a place for everyone.

For fun-loving, active people, you'll never get tired of the endless activities:

• Boating
• Island hopping
• Scuba diving
• Snorkelling
• Reef walking (this one's exciting!)
• Parasailing
• Sunset sailing
• ATV along the mountainside of the island
• Go up Mt. Luho (the highest point in Boracay where you can see a glorious view of the ocean!)
• Visit the wildlife conservation area where they have giant bats!
• Party 'til dawn

the famous Boracay sunset

For those who seek the island life to get away from activities and stress, you'll love it too, imagine:

• Sitting by the beach and soaking up the sun
• Having an ice cold drink by your side as you lazily watch the crystal waters come into the shore
• Go inside to the comforts of your room and watch some TV or listen to music if it becomes too hot
• What comes with a good vacation is good food. Check out the endless options of restaurants and cafes

For those who wants to go on vacation but can't totally leave work behind:

• The island is filled with wi-fi ready hotels, restaurants, and other establishments that you can still be connected to your office.
• The island is not isolated, your cellphone's signals will be so high, you'll forget you're on an island!
• You've got everything you need from grocery stores to banks to couriers, and so on.

calm, pristine beaches, and azure waters of Boracay island

For those who want to go and commune with one's self and nature:

• There are beaches that are actually isolated with only very few people in it – at the other side of the island, Puka Beach, where you can sit and not a single person will bother you.
• Most restaurants are away from party places and clubs where there is much less noise
• You can go soul searching on the pristine beaches of the island and go home feeling refreshed.
• Honeymooners love the island...it's both a concealed and exciting place.

This once secret paradise is still paradise --- it is just more known and has more options to offer you as to what your definition of paradise is. So come on, soak up the sun, enjoy the breeze, and be rejuvenated. See you there! :)