I have heard of Rapha Valley a lot of times. Ever since I settled back in my hometown in Bacolod City, Philippines, the town of Don Salvador Benedicto or DSB has become one of my favorite destinations in our province of Negros Occidental. Yet, I never found the opportunity to make a visit to Rapha …
If there’s one festival that you should look forward to when in Negros Occidental, that’s Panaad sa Negros Festival, the festival of all festivals in this province in Western Visayas. The whole Panaad Park and Stadium is alive, with all the pavilions of each town showcase the best from their city or municipality. (Read: First-time …
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 …
Bacolod City, my hometown in the Philippines, has been cited as one of the retiree-friendly places in the country, if not in the whole world. True enough, more and more foreigners are finding their way to my city. Recently, I also had friends coming to Bacolod to attend meetings, trainings, seminars, conferences, or other business …
And a Chance to Fly to Singapore via Cebu Pacific for Free! For those in Bacolod who are craving for a taste of Singapore, you can enjoy one this weekend as L’Fisher Hotel heats up its international buffet a notch higher with the inclusion of a Singaporean Food Fest on September 19 and 20, 2015 …
No, we’re not getting enough of yummy chicken delights in Bacolod City. While we boast of a Manokan Country (“manok” is the Filipino word for chicken) where delectable grilled and barbecued chicken abound, we still welcome other chicken treats – fried, roasted, simmered, glazed, or cooked in any other way. [UPDATE 2023: The restaurant has …
I live in what is known as the Sugar Bowl of the Philippines – the province of Negros Occidental. I grew up in such a way that the sugar mill was my playground. I breathed the whiff of caramelized sugar during milling season. I was attuned to the noise the heavy types of machinery make. …
Living in the Philippine capital for 20 years, the closest thing I have come to apprising myself on the latest about home (home is Bacolod City in the province of Negros Occidental) that has tangible evidence of progress are the products I see at the Negros Trade Fair that is held yearly in Metro Manila. …
With all the restaurants and food outlets sprouting all throughout Bacolod, it is no big surprise to find global brands, like the Kenny Rogers Roasters, finding its way in the City of Smiles. After all, just utter Bacolod and food instantly comes to mind. Travelers who come to Bacolod find their checklist of must-dos full …
A traveler’s pair of feet is a necessity in one’s quest for exploration. I love to feel the coarse sand under my feet as I walk barefoot at a beach. I feel the stones and the water current massage my feet when I hiked the falls of Baler, Quezon. I stretch my foot muscles whenever I …
It was a satisfying Independence Day celebration for me this year. It seemed that it was a day that granted me freedom from hunger, to be specific. I might not be in nearby Iloilo City, a sea away from my hometown Bacolod, where the President of the Republic commemorated the event; nor was I in Kawit, …
There’s a new gourmet experience in town. Bacolod, known for its good food, has a new dining adventure to offer to both locals and visitors alike. It’s an open-air-dining-beneath-the-stars kind of night that makes eating more fun and alive. Metro Manila has many Mercato-type dining places. Even when I stayed overnight at MNL Hostel, there …
We were at the terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport when a lady ran after my niece and grabbed her hand. Surprised, my niece turned, who was walking in front of me. The lady asked, “Where did you buy your J.Co Donuts?” My niece was still taken aback and didn’t respond. I quipped, …
I’m entering my 12th month as a returning resident of my hometown, Bacolod City, in Negros Occidental, Philippines. I’m beginning to feel as if it’s a long-term travel. There are still more roads to take, more food to try (yup, yup!), and more leaves to turn as I continue to explore my own backyard. I …
Read more “Negros Forests and Ecological Foundation: Nature in the City”
The Panaad Festival is the much-awaited event in the province of Negros Occidental. The Panaad Park and Stadium come alive whenever this festival is celebrated every April. The pavilions of the 13 cities and 19 towns of the province display the best of their respective places, from food to crops to handicrafts to tourist attractions. …