Philippine beaches

Fly Straight to these Philippine Beach Destinations

Fly from Los Angeles, USA to Cebu, Philippines (or vice versa) Non-Stop With Philippine Airlines (PAL)! Wanting to go to a warmer place and enjoy the islands? Now, there’s a way for travelers from the US to fly straight to the heart of the Philippines — the Visayas region, where thousands of beaches and islands …

Hilltop Murcia

A Restobar at Murcia’s Hilltop

From Bacolod City in Negros Occidental, Philippines, we went via Sum-ag towards Brgy. Tabunan, Bago City to visit the OISCA silk-making facility. On our way home, we had snacks at the Hilltop Resto and Bar in the town of Murcia, which was totally unplanned and a spur of the moment decision. I was then with …

OISCA Bago

Silk Making at OISCA Bago

I have heard of the popular silk making industry in Bago City, Philippines that is run by OISCA, or Organization for Industrial, Spiritual & Cultural Advancement. The organization started in Japan in 1961 and the OISCA-Philippines Chapter was organized in Manila in 1965. However, it was not until 1981 when the OISCA-Bago Training Center (OBTC) …

Bacolaodiat

Bacolaodiat Chinese New Year

The Chinese New Year is one of the celebrated occasions in the world, especially in Asia, and definitely in parts of the Philippines. Bacolod City, on its part, celebrates it through the Bacolaodiat Festival. It is a conjoined word from Bacolod (the City of Smiles in the Philippines) and Lao Diat, which is a Fookien …

Palmas del Mar

Palmas del Mar: 20 Years of Fun Under the Sun

For 20 summers, guests from all over the world have enjoyed this little piece of paradise in Bacolod, which is Palmas del Mar Resort and Hotel. Sprawled across five acres of land are 55 rooms and villas, function rooms, cottages and three swimming pools, plus other amenities. Because it is situated by the seaside, it …

Bantug Lake Ranch

Family Getaway at Bantug Lake Ranch

At the outskirts of Bacolod City, Philippines, towards the upland portion at the eastern side of the city, lies the Bantug Lake Ranch – a beautiful hideaway that is suitable for weekend picnics or family getaways. The land, which used to be a sugarcane plantation and orchard poultry, is now a lush landscape with a …

Sabor Victorias Cook-Off 2015

Sabor Victorias Cook-off at the Kalamayan Festival

“Kalamay” means sugar in our local language. Victorias City is home to the famous Victorias Milling Company (VMC), which has been producing sugar since 1919. It is, thus, no surprise why Victorias City has started with its Kalamayan Festival last year. Every Kalamayan Festival, the city government of Victorias, along with VMC and its sister …

Negros Bloggers Christmas Party

Christmas Treat Ideas from the Negros Bloggers Christmas Party at L’Fisher Hotel

When the Christmas spirit is in the air, expect gatherings, parties and celebrations left and right as people are wont to bring the holiday cheer through laughter and gifts. The Negrense Blogging Society, Inc. (NBSI or Negros Bloggers) is no exemption as it gathered its active members for its annual Christmas Party. L’Fisher Hotel was …

Make the best happen

Make the Best TRAVEL Happen

There’s a new website that recently caught my attention. Not only does it talk about my main interest – traveling – but it also provides me with a support system on how to make my travel experiences a lot better. This is part of the new campaign of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) …

Balaring Silay City

First-time in Melkens Balaring

It was a bright sunny day and the noontime heat would probably be unbearable if not for the windy breeze. The sea has moved back and the row of tilted restaurants fill the shore of Balaring in Silay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines. I was with members of the Negros Blogging Society, Inc. (NBSI), or the …

Silay City

Negros Bloggers go on a Silay Heritage Walk

There I was again traversing the streets of Silay City, Negros Occidental, and re-acquainting myself to the old structures that spoke thousands of stories. I have walked Silay City’s heritage district several times since my  move back to the family’s nest last year as a heritage mapping assignment for a Wikimedia Foundation project that I took part …

Rau-Ram Cafe

Rau-Ram Café: three years of Vietnamese cooking

I haven’t been to Saigon Café’s humble beginnings but I have witnessed it become what it is today – Rau-Ram Café. I wrote about their opening, which happened earlier this year. This authentic Vietnamese Restaurant in Bacolod City celebrated its third anniversary and we were the special guests by the owners.   It was also …

Sapori D'Italia Bacolod

First-time in Sapori D’Italia

Sapori D’Italia literally means flavors of Italy. It is one of the newest restaurants that recently opened in O Residences along Lacson St. in Mandalagan, Bacolod City. [UPDATE 2023: The restaurant has closed and is no longer in operation in this location.] Its opening is a testament that Bacolod City, often called the City of …

10th Negros Island Organic Farmers Festival

10th Negros Island Organic Farmers Festival

Whenever the Negros Island Organic Farmers Festival is being held each year, it is fun to go to the Provincial Capitol Grounds in Bacolod City and check out the many fresh and organic products of farmers in Negros Island and neighboring islands in the Philippines. It was in 2014 when I was first exposed to the …

18th St. Palapala Restaurant: Fresh Catch

Palapala, to Negrenses, is synonymous with having fresh seafood on display and you can have them cooked however you want. It has become a tourist attraction and the whole experience of choosing your fresh seafood and have them cooked is something that many travelers look forward to enjoying. I have tried it at the Palapala …