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 …
There’s a zoo/safari inside a mall! SM City Bacolod recently opened its Zoofari, which is open from January 29, 2016 (Thursday) to January 31, 2016 (Sunday) at 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm. For an entrance donation of Php 50.00 (almost USD 1.00) per person, guests get to contribute to SM Foundation’s environmental projects. Interestingly, this …
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 …
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 …
This holiday season, when relatives are coming home for reunions and gatherings, it is fun to take a break from the daily routine and give yourself a pause from what you have been doing the whole year round. Apart from parties, it is a wonderful experience having a relaxing staycation in a local hotel. Metro …
Whenever friends visit my city, they always ask me my recommended places to eat. Bacolod City, capital of the province of Negros Occidental, the sugar bowl of the Philippines, is known for its rich culinary delights, especially its desserts. And when it comes to local and international cuisines, Bacolod has a long list for you …
“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 …
Read more “Sabor Victorias Cook-off at the Kalamayan Festival”
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 …
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 …
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 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 …
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 …
Have I mentioned before that I have encountered several people who have moved to Bacolod and settled in our quiet city? There are even more friends who want to enjoy the serene and peaceful living in our province. Others are here for long-term traveling, making Negros Occidental as their second home. Though Negros is a …
Recently, we had some guests from Manila. She contacted her friends in Bacolod for a dinner together. Where else to enjoy good Filipino food with a Visayan trademark but in Chikaan at the newly opened store in SM City Bacolod? [UPDATE 2023: The restaurant has closed and is no longer in operation in this location.] …
My sister and I were having an early dinner in this relaxed atmosphere – a dining place in a veranda. Every corner and décor screams “homey”. And rightly so, because the diner, Mely’s Garden was situated (at that time) in Mely’s own abode. [UPDATE 2023: This establishment has closed in this location.] The food was …