First AS1 Concert a Success!

Gary V, a.k.a. Mr. Pure Energy and Martin Nievera charmed Bacolod with their latest concert – the AS1 concert.

As1 brought together two different artists, both loved by millions of fans, and with very different styles. The highly energetic style of Gary V is complemented by the witty, relaxed style of Martin. AS1 was a great show – definitely worth the amount people paid for their tickets.

The AS1 Concert of Martin Nievera and Gary V had its first stop in Bacolod, and the crowd did not disappoint the artists – and vice versa. It was a good start for AS1, and was definitely a great kick off to start the ball rolling. Both artists created great rapport with the fans as they danced and grooved with the audience. AS1 concert showcased both artists' talents highly complementing each other.

Songs sang by Martin Nievera and Gary V included 80's hits like Tears for Fears' Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Filipino teleserye theme songs like those from Lobo, Kahit Isang Saglit, and Tayong Dalawa; and of course, their hit songs through the years that have made them both household names.

So what's the verdict? If you haven't seen the AS1 concert in Bacolod and you still have a chance to see it somewhere else, BUY A TICKET AND WATCH! They'll be in Davao on October 28 and Cebu on the 29^th. It's definitely worth it.

2010 Masskara Festival Schedule

Oct. 1, Friday
7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.	* Thanksgiving Mass &Opening Program Federation of Senior Citizens Assn.-Bacolod (FSCAB)	* BAYS Center
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.	* Opening: DepEd Division Athletic and Cultural Meet	* Public Plaza
	* Opening: Boys and Girls Scouts Month	* Public Plaza
3 p.m.	* State of the City Address of Mayor Evelio Leonardia	* New Government Center
	* Opening of the 31st MassKara Festival	* New Government Center
5 p.m.	* Start of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Novena	* San Sebastian Cathedral
5:25 p.m.	* ABS – CBN Live Remote Newscast	* Public Plaza
6 p.m.	* Opening of Festival Sites(with fireworks)	* Public PlazaSM MassKara Village
6 p.m.	* Pray the Rosary	* Skycable Channels 2, 4, 17
6:30 p.m.	* Unveiling of our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Bacolod(with fireworks)	* San Sebastian Cathedral
7 p.m.	* MassKara Queen Talent Pre-Pageant	* Providence Negros (Fireworks)
9 p.m.	* Live Rosary	* DYWB Bombo Radyo
Oct. 2, Saturday
	* 1st Kartzone Autocross Championships (On-going until Oct. 3, 2010)	* Old Airport, Singcang, Bacolod City
7 p.m.	* MassKara Queen Ramp Modeling Night Pre-Pageant	* 888 China Town Square Mall
Oct. 3, Sunday
7 a.m. – 5 p.m.	* Cultural Contest – DepEd	* BAYS Center
10 a.m.	* Volkswagen Club of the Philippines Motorcade	* BAYS Center NGC to SM Mall
4 p.m.	* 'The Interview' Pre-pageant presentation for the Q & A portion of MassKara Queen	* SM Bacolod Events Center
5:25 p.m.	ABS – CBN Live Remote News Cast	* Luzuriaga St.
Oct. 5, Tuesday
4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.	* Elderly Queen '10 – FSCAB	* BAYS Center
Oct. 6, Wed
	* ABS – CBN Live Remote News Cast	* Araneta – Gonzaga Street (Welcome Marker)
Oct. 9, Saturday
5:30 a.m.	* MassKara Fun Run	* East Block, Villamonte
10 a.m.	* 4th Volkswagen Car Exhibit(On-going until Oct 10, 2010)	* SM Northwing
	* Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club Mayor's Cup	* NOGCC Bata, Bacolod City
Oct. 10, Sunday
5:30 a.m.	* Occidental Negros (Host) Lions Club 10.10.10-Run, Walk, BIke Event	* Capitol Lagoon
6 p.m.	* Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Bacolod Feast day procession(with fireworks)	* San Sebastian Cathedral
7 p.m.	* MassKara Queen Pageant andCoronation Night	*  LaSalle Coliseum
Oct. 14, Thurs
	Volkswagen Club of the Philippines Car Show(On-going until Oct. 16, 2010)	* PAGCOR Hotel Lobby
Oct. 15, Friday
(Whole day)	* Market-Market Pana-ad October Bonanza	* Pana-ad Park
6 p.m.	Lights On: Electric MassKara 2010	* Lacson St., Tourism Strip
7 p.m.	* Electric MassKara (Electric Float Competition)
10 p.m.	* Live Bands 4 concert stages	* Lacson St., Tourism Strip
Oct. 16, Saturday
7 a.m – 6 p.m.	* MassKara 1st Starting Line Sprint Series(On-going until Oct. 19, 2010)	* Old Airport, Singcang
1 p.m. – 8 p.m.	* Bacolod Negros Arnis Federation International	* BAYS Center
4 p.m.	* MassKara Street Dance Competition (School Category)	* Araneta St. to Public Plaza
4 p.m.	* Negros Dragon 2nd MassKara Motorshow	* SM North Terminal
7 p.m.	*Electric MassKara (Electric Float Parade)	* Tourism Strip, Lacson Street
10 p.m.	Live Bands: 4 concert stages	* Tourism Strip
	2nd MassKara Motorshow Open Competition	* SM City North Terminal
Oct. 17, Sunday
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.	* MassKara 1st Starting Line Sprint Series	* Old Airport, Singcang
4 p.m.	* MassKara Street Dance Competition (Barangay Category)	* Araneta St. to Public Plaza
Oct. 18, Monday
	Countdown to the Charter Day Giant Street Party Celebration	* New Government Center
Oct. 19, Tuesday
	72nd Charter Day Anniversary
		* More Activities to be announced
		* Schedules are subject to change without prior notice.

2010 Masskara Festival Officially Starts

The 2010 Masskara Festival officially opened yesterday, October 1, 2010.

Starting October 1, certain streets will be closed during the afternoons up to the evenings in the downtown areas; and this is the day when you start seeing those colorful banderitas hanging over the streets. Officially, the Masskara Festival has begun.

Marking the opening of the Masskara Festival is the pre-pageant Masskara Queen Talent Night held in Providence Negros Subdivision (Brgy Granada).

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

The 10 finalists for the Masskara Queen Pageant showcased their talents which ranged from unique role playing talents to highly energetic fire dances to captivating gyspy dances, as well as Filipino folk dances.

Before the Masskara Queen Talent Night began, umbrellas started sprouting as rain fell on the open grounds of the venue. But still, awaiting to see the 10 Masskara Queen finalists, nobody thought about leaving. 

The Masskara festivities was in the air as drum beaters greeted the crowd at the entrance.  A number of kiosks were lined at the sides adding to the festive atmosphere. To add to the spirit of the Masskara Festival, prices were given away to 40 lucky winners during the Masskara Queen Talent Night too – prices ranged from umbrellas to t-shirts to cellphones. To top off the excitement, the Masskara Queen Talent Night was graced by the presence of artist Richard Poon as one of the show's guests. 

The Masskara Queen Talent Night, although entertaining, was quite a fast-paced show; which means that the excitement continues on to the Masskara Queen Pageant & Coronation Night on October 10.

Aside from the pageant and crowning of the 2010 Masskara Queen, the winners of the several pre-pageant contests will be announced at the Masskara Queen Pageant and Coronation Night – a ticketed event at the La Salle Coliseum. See you there!

Sugar and Style

Bacolod City is where sugar and style can mix irresistibly.

photo courtesy of Clay Tan

Sugar & Style Fashion Show held in L'Fisher Hotel's new La Proa Ballroom last September 9, 2010 was the great culmination to the two-day Ultimate Wedding and Events Fair Exhibit.

photo courtesy of Gerard Dacles

photo courtesy of Gerard Dacles

Sugar &Style featured Bacolod's own BAM models, as well as DJ Leandro and the Patiqueros and GMT (Gerry Grey). 

Designers featured in Sugar & Style were John-John Ditching 

photo courtesy of S. Keiron Tan

and Kelly Cuachon.

photo courtesy of S. Keiron Tan

photo courtesy of S. Keiron Tan

 Guest models included 8 of Philippines' top models too, including Bacolod's own Grendel Alvarado (Philippine's Next Top Model Winner) who is now based in Manila.

photo courtesy of S. Keiron Tan

Sugar & Style -- sweet fashion and style altogether.   How was it?  Sweeeet!

Visiting the Organic Market

I have heard of the advantages of going for organic products for quite some time now.

In malls, there are stalls selling organic vegetables, fruits, rice, and even beauty products all from organic stuff. However, it has only been recently that I kept on coming back to the Organic Market.

The Organic Market is a humble place located at the back of the Provincial Capitol Building, right in the center of Bacolod City. Upon going in the little gates, you'll see a number of stalls lining up to your left selling organic produce such as bananas, papayas, eggplants, squash, etc... And to your right, a simple structure with screen windows and about 3 umbrellas that look like a parasol but is made of nipa.                                                                                                    
Inside, that simple structure they sell healthy foods!

photo courtesy of http://37581/photos/view/7/19

If you want a place that sells healthy foods, it is here! They have several viands such as bitter gourd with egg, squash with some greens, chicken tinola, and so on.

But what I always go there for is their fresh fruit mix.

In the afternoon, when I crave for something sweet for a snack, that is what I get. It is a mix of different fruits they have during that time, such as papayas, avocado, ube, and bananas, all mixed together with crushed ice, their organic pasteurized milk (which they also sell if you wish to buy), and just a bit of organic sugar. On a hot day, it is the perfect – healthy – snack. One glass or small bowl costs 25 pesos – not a bad price for a healthy snack.

They also have other products for sale that you might enjoy such as mascobado sugar, salabat (ginger tea), herbal soap, and organic wine, among others. These would make great souvenir ideas too.

photo courtesy of http://37581/photos/view/7/19

Bascon Café: Your Own Little Place

When I was younger, I used to dream about cafes in Europe, small and cozy with some outdoor chairs and tables for some who'd like to stay out there. :) There has always been such a romantic and homey feel to it.

they've got a high chair for your baby too! :)

The closest one to this, that I have found, is Bascon Cafe (along C. L. Montelibano Street, which is their original branch). The moment you step inside the glass door, everything is about 3 to 5 steps away from each other. This is what I like about the place. It is a quaint little place where I can have my pasta, salad, and iced tea without the noise and the stress.

I've always been picky when it comes to pesto pasta, and this is one of the two places that I would like to have some. They also have many desserts ranging from bite size ones such as cupcakes and muffins, to mini cakes, and regular sized cakes. My favorites are still their lemon meringue pie and their natilla. They make excellent cinnamon rolls too – my favorite is the orginial one and blueberry – it goes very well with coffee!

Their other branch (the one along Lacson Street) opens at 6:00am in time for breakfast. They serve traditional Filipino breakfast and international ones as well. From time to time, they have new additions to their menu and it makes it something to look forward to. Bascon Café has really nice staff – very friendly and accommodating. It's not for anything, but I still love going to their original branch. It has a homier feel for me.
Plus, the staff there is always very pleasant. Looking from the sidelines, you can see them smile and serve as though they just want to do it. It adds to the nice ambience of the place.

Celebrating 112 Years of Independence

After being under the rule of Spain for 333 years, and then America for another 48 years, and then Japan for about 3 years; it would be understandable how the people thirsted for independence. 

Thus, the Independence Day.

Today, June 12, 2010, the Philippines is celebrating their Independence Day, freedom for 112 years, and just as any other country, it is still learning and growing as a nation.

The country celebrated having its 15^th President proclaimed just 3 days before its Independence Day, along with the newly-elected Vice President. :)

Meanwhile, the 112^th Independence Day celebration of Bacolod included a parade around 1:00 in the afternoon, on which the highlight was the human flag – formed by government employees of the city.

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio "Bing" Leonardia, together with the other newly-elected officials graced the event with their presence, celebrating Independence Day in Bacolod -- 112 years of Philippine Independence.  

Korean nationals getting a glimpse of Filipino customs
photos courtesy of: Owen S. Bayog

Afterwards, it was back to business as usual...

photo courtesy of: http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x260/byron1789/PFwave.jpg

God Bless the Philippines! :)

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. :)