Bantay Lasang (literally means forest guards) volunteers, a name given to those who patrol the forests of Negros Occidental, Philippines, eagerly waited at the Camalanda-an National High School in Cauayan for us to arrive. I joined the officers and executives of the Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE), Globe Telecoms, and the Ecological and Agricultural …
I have heard of the word “lawud” when I was still a child when fishermen manning my auntie’s boats would leave at sundown to the deep sea. Yes, “lawud” is the Hiligaynon word for the deeper part of the sea. The name Palawud for this restaurant located in Brgy. Banago in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, …
Since I love to travel and I prefer to do things DIY style (Do-It-Yourself), I’ve learned to include “hosteling” in my vocabulary. It started in Guangzhou (Read: First-time in Guangzhou RiverSide Youth Hostel (Jiangpan) where I booked in a youth hostel and found the place favorable and affordable. The one I enjoyed most was in …
I was quite in luck that my high school buddies are frequent travelers to Sipalay and they have some contacts there. One of their friends is the owner of Robinson @ Cruse Beach Resort. It is located at the Punta Ballo area where there is a stretch of white sand and a large marine sanctuary …
The spotlight is now trained on Sipalay City as the must-go place in the province of Negros Occidental in the Philippines. It’s the heel part of the sock-shaped island of Negros. Fine white sand beaches, tiny islands and breathtaking bays dot the coastline of Sipalay City. From the stretch of the Punta Ballo beach area, …
We started early in the morning coming from Bacolod City going through the Murcia-Bago road onward to La Castellana, Negros Occidental for the turnover of the Agos Ram Pump project of Coca-Cola Philippines, in partnership with the Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation, Inc. (AIDFI), in celebration of Earth Day 2016. With several vehicles on convoy, we …
When I tagged along with my DOT-accredited tour guide friends, Maricar and Artie, to Salvador Benedicto, they were talking about the Lux Mundi monastery in Murcia, a town between Bacolod City and Salvador Benedicto. They were planning to visit the monastery the day after but as we left Balokon Spring Resort earlier than planned, we …
Read more “Murcia’s Lux Mundi Monastery & Catholic Ming Yuan College”
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 …
The day trip to Salvador Benedicto was really refreshing. Being in the uplands, it was a change of scenery and a cooler weather. But the highlight of our trip was the few hours we spent relaxing at Balokon Spring Resort. Coming from Bacolod, if you see the Malatan-og Falls view deck, it’s a few turns …
Since I moved back almost two years ago to my home province of Negros Occidental, Philippines, I have always been eyeing a day trip to Salvador Benedicto, or often referred to Don Salvador Benedicto or DSB. This upland town is dubbed as the summer capital of the province because of its cool weather. I wanted …
You can dine under the stars and surrounded by beautiful artworks at Homegrown Bacolod, formerly Café Bob’s grounds. It’s located along 21st and Lacson Streets of Bacolod City, Philippines and provide al fresco dining for those who want to enjoy the open space. [UPDATE 2023: The new Cafe Bobs Deli building now stands in what …
As of 2015, the Philippines was in the top 25 countries in the world to retire, and it comes in third among the Asian countries. In the Philippines, the two provinces of Negros Island — Negros Occidental to the west and Negros Oriental to the east — have always been cited as some of the ideal …
Read more “10 Reasons to Acquire Real Estate and Settle in Negros”
Merkado in local language (Hiligaynon is the language of those living in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines) means market. Most towns in my country, especially those in remote areas, have market day wherein locals and visitors alike flock to the town’s economic hub to see new goods being delivered and buy those that they need …
I recently attended an event by Don Papa Rum set in a beautiful garden spot with the classic Ruins of the Mariano Ledesma Lacson Mansion at the backdrop and the night sky and glittering stars above us. Don Papa Rum or the Don, sat on the cocktail tables, looking at home in the island of …
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 …