PIXELROCKET: MANG INTERESADO's OFFICIAL YOUTUBE BLOG (Your Alternative Pinoy Blogger / Vlogger)

SILAY FOOD FEAST and CINCO DE NOVIEMBRE IN ART

2024-11-05T02:21:00.012-08:00

EXPLORING KAON FESTIVAL!
SILAY FOOD FESTIVAL 2024 at BALAY NEGRENSE

When we went to KAON TA! Silay Food Festival, everything seems relaxed. People were chatting and enjoying great food and drinks from local sources. Well, not only there's acoustic music and songs being belted at a open air event but also the place itself breathes essential history. Just beside the festival is the BALAY NEGRENSE and also the Cinco de Noviembre street.

KAON TA! Sila Food Festival at Balay Negrense in SIlay's Cinco de Noviembre street (VIDEO)

KAON TA! is an event not only just for eating though. Going around the place, you will see art alive. There are local artist selling their crafts as well as kids yearning to have their face painted. There are also Cinco de Noviembre coloring books being sold for P500 and it's limited edition.

Al Cinco de Noviembre History through Art (VIDEO)

We got to see also a group of antique collectors who also sell rare stuff from Jollibee toys of yesteryears to Spanish era cabinets to obsolete Nokia phones which, by the way, are still working. These guys knew that there is money in a supposedly junk pieces or garbage to some. Memorable scenes included a sorbetero beside a Negrense-pride famous alcoholic drink Don Papa's tropical-themed booth. Ice cream and a spirit-filled beveage doesn't mix but they have one thing in common - a living heritage

Mcdonald's Silay

And speaking of heritage, Silay has great amounts of it and it makes the night in the city romantic. You're like a traveler lost in time. Caught between two timelines. The remnants of past is too strong to ignore. s you roam around the city in a fiesta week, you'll be amazed how the old Spanish era-structures can still accommodate modern buildings and business such as McDonald's which utilizes one of the buildings beside the Plaza.

Jollibee Silay

Meanwhile, Jollibee Silay designed its store in line with Silay's heritage rules, it's a respect to the living traditions every Silaynon and Negrense knew. Well, when passing in Silay when we were still kids it's like we are traveling to a portal of Spanish rule. Indeed, the romantic and nostalgic feeling you'll feel in Silay gives respect to the now popular line: Silay is the Paris of Negros.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TRAVEL TIPS

HOW TO GET TO SILAY (From Bacolod)

1. Ride a Bata-Libertad Jeepney that will bring you to Bacolod North Terminal

2. Options:
You can either Ride a Ceres Bus or a Silay-Bacolod Jeepney

HOW TO GET BACK TO BACOLOD from SILAY:
- Wait for a Ceres Bus going to Bacolod at a Loading/Unloading Area in Silay

NIGHT MARKET and FOOD TRUCKS: MEGAWORLD The Upper East

2024-11-03T01:52:00.008-07:00

EXPLORING A NIGHT MARKET
Megaworld The Upper East

Outdoor night markets are fun and stress-relieving. It's a place and time that you can explore without having to worry about the heat of the sun and workloads back home. Everything seemed relaxed and you'll get to see infectious smiles while you walk along the tent after tent. You'll see people chatting over good food and bonding. That's how this event can turn a seemingly boring weekend into a happy one.

EXPLORE THE NIGHT MATKER (NIGHT VIDEO)

Years ago, night markets aren't the in-thing in Bacolod. Usually, around 7pm, most people tend to go home already and wanted to spend their nights watching TV, spend the remaining evening with their family, or resting after a day's work. These days when Megaworld The Upper East decided to have weekend night markets on its vicinity, the lifestyle of many Bacolenos changed.

WATCH a mobile PIZZERIA cooks a Calzone using a Brick Oven (Video)

Many families wanted to dine out and instead going out to restaurants, they go to night market where smoke, smell and sound are welcoming them. The tasty Bacolod Chicken Inasal like that from JT Manokan is ever present among other street food like Pizzas, tanghulus, burgers, fried chicken, and more.

Not only Megaworld The Upper East started the Night Market craze. It has also introduced a place where people can walk and dine and choose from different local food trucks. One can enjoy coffee, shawarma, and other tasty food with affordable prices and can dine out under the clear night sky. The food trucks has grown that one area of The Upper East is full of people enjoying the night away, with bands playing music or foreigners busking.

Indeed, the night market and food trucks did put a vigor in the city where there's a big gap for night time activities. Now, everyone can enjoy alone or with families and still be safe 'til almost midnight.

LECHON :MELTS IN YOUR MOUTH

2024-10-30T07:20:00.013-07:00

LECHON de LECHE:
THE PHILIPPINE'S NATIONAL DISH
AND THE CRISPIEST OF THEM ALL

The word lechon is actually a loan word from a Spanish term "piglet". And actually, it was the Spanish who introduced this tasty dish that Filipinos come to love and made as a national dish. Despite all regional cuisines winning palates of many Pinoys, still Lechon is the fairest of all.

Video of Roasting lechons for commercial quantity

GREAT EXPECTATIONS
Lechon is expected to be crispy, crunchy and delicious (with the wow factor at first bite.) In some variants, it should have that lemon grass taste to it that captures your senses at once and eating the inner meat should have that soft melting feeling in your mouth. That oily feeling when that crispy skin lands in your mound is heaven and adding to is the crunchy sound it makes.

CHALLENGES
Lechon's cooking producer is one of the most painstaking thing for people who wanted to try roasting a big pig. Though the pig is domesticated, it can really go insane when it felt something's amiss. That's why it needs two or more people to ease the challenges of doing this Philippines' Spanish-inspired culinary pride from start to finish.

ROASTING PROCESS

The pros slaughter the pig early in the morning because they knew lechon making requires a lot of time. There's a calculated time for each process from cleaning to slicing and putting ingredients and roasting. It should be done before the the occasion starts if there's family event and it should be done much earlier before the lechon seller opens his shop.
Not only that it requires time, but also it requires the proper cooking for the reach desired crispiness and delicious taste by controlling the charcoal heat.

LECHON TRADITION
And the tradition of having a lechon during fiesta is really a Filipino heritage worth noting. For most fiesta guests, lechon will be the highlight of the host's table.

As a national dish it is not only eaten during fiestas but some families, see to it, that lechon is ever present during Christmas parties, birthdays, anniversaries and more occasions. After all, for the modern Filipinos, having a lechon during occasions, is a symbol of success or a celebration of life.

MODERN TWIST

But tradition has evolved. Now lechon meat can be bought in kilos. Well, it's the result of economics.

Some chose to order smaller pigs like the Cebu lechon that is spicier than the classic (original). There are also small lechons with seafood mix.

HELPFUL TIPS for COOKING LECHON:
1. Utilize White Vinegar: This chemical effect of white vinegar on pig's skin can help achieve a perfect crust

2. Achieve Desired Crispiness: To make lechon extra crispy, you can rub eual parts of salt and baking soda on the meat and let it sit for at least 8 hours. This takes out moisture. After this process, rinse off the baking soda with vinegar.

3. Baste: Baste the lechon using a mixture of milk and soy sauce, this process will make the skin darker in color and flavorful.

Lechon is a slow-roasted pork dish that originated in Spain. The traditional lechon is made with a suckling pig that is 2–6 weeks old, but modern lechon can be made with pigs of various sizes. Aside from the Philippines, lechon is also a cultural dish favorite in countries like Cuba, Puerto Rico, Colombia and Portugal (Mostly former Spanish colonies)

MASSKARA Street Dance Highlight (with video and results of winners)

2024-10-28T06:10:00.010-07:00

A RESOUNDING SUCCESS?

MASSKARA FESTIVAL DANCE PARADE

Sunday was an exciting day for Bacolod. Foreign and local tourists came in droves to witness the ever-colorful and energy-filled Bacolod MassKara Festival. The 2024 edition was almost marred by Typhoon Kristine and another Typhoon named Leo. But somehow, luck was with the organizers on this fateful day. So, even me, with camera on hand, went to witness a historic parade in the downtown area of the City of Smiles

Video of the Dance Parade along Araneta St. Bacolod City.

FAMILY AFFAIR
Of course, it was crowded. Parents were happy to bring their little ones as a bonding, a scene that is symbolic and as old as MassKara Festival itself. In the 80s, when the festival was born. Many flocked to the same area and parents with their little ones were in tow. Many were piggybacking so they can see clearly the parade. For sure, little kids who witnessed the festival in the 80s are now grandparents or parents themselves and they continue the legacy by sharing the fun with their children.

SAD HISTORY-TURNED TOURIST ATTRACTION
Foreigners were also enjoying the day full of fun and sun. I saw some foreigners dancing together with the MassKara performers. It means, they feel the cultural heritage and the meaning of the event which actually was created because of the sugar industry crisis and the sinking of M/V Don Juan in the 80s.

FUTURE OF THE SUPER CITY
However, perfumers and organizers look forward to the future as they wanted Bacolod to reach the Super City status as the city. Thus, their theme and concept for their dance portray the positive side and what the government had achieved. Like right now, the city is experiencing a massive development in infrastructure and business opportunities, a reality that was impossible to think of in the past.

USUAL STANCE
As usual the performers have to compete along the street before moving to Paglaum Stadium for the Grand Arena competition. Supporters, sponsors and dancers have to walk along Araneta Ave. through thousands of crowds filling up the sidewalks and cheering for their favorite entry.

DIGITAL COVERAGE
The competition, which was broadcast live via social media, ended with a spectacular drone light show and fireworks.

Brgy. Granada was declared the CHAMPION and this year it's another glandslam for the group. The win marked a second three-peat for Granada after taking the titles in 2022 and 2023 as well as in 2014, 2015, and 2016 which is equivalent for two grandslams.

RESULTS of the MASSKARA FESTIVAL 2024
STREET DANCE AND ARENA COMPETITION

CHAMPION - BARANGAY Granada - 1,000,000

ADDITIONAL PRIZES sa CHAMPION BARANGAY

BINGOPLUS - 50,000

PLAYMAX- 30,000

BELLA EVE WINES SOUTH AUSTRALIA - 15,000

1st Runner-Up – Barangay Bata (P500,000)

2nd Runner-Up – Barangay 12 (P300,000)

SPECIAL AWARDS

TODO na DITO Champion - 100,000 - Barangay Granada

Pillar of MassKara Festival - 10,000 - Segundo Cabalcar Jr.

MINOR AWARDS

Best in Music - 25,000 - Barangay Granada

Best Theme and Concept 25,000 - Barangay Granada

Best Mask and Costume 25,000 - Barangay Granada

BYH Choice Award - 15,000 - Barangay Granada

ELECTRIC MASSKARA FLOAT PARADE 2024

2024-10-26T21:57:00.006-07:00

THE GRANDEST MASSKARA
FESTIVAL FLOAT PARADE

It was a Saturday with clear blue sky. Bacolod was still celebrating MassKara Festival and there was a stark contrast compared to the past few rainy days, when Typhoon Kristine, brought havoc in the city's merriment. There were reports that the organizers will move the parades and street competition to a later schedule because another typhoon (LPA) is at PAGASA's sight and the festivities will be marred with bad weather again.

VIDEO OF THE ELECTRIC MASSKARA FLOAT PARADE

SUNSHINY DAY
However, that Saturday was different. It was blessed with a sunny disposition and there was excitement in the air once more. The festival's Electric MassKara Float Parade and Elelectroika Diva did continue to spread magic to street merrymakers.

People flocked to Megaworld The Upper East and Lopue's East area to witness another historic and grand parade of creativity. Parents with their little kids were already eagerly waiting at Mcdonald's East.

READY, LIGHTS ON
At exactly 6 p.m., as the sunset turns into a bluer hue, the first float arrived. People were surprise to see floats sponsors like Jollibee, Cebu Pacific, Bingo Plus and more. The second phase where the beautifully crafted Baranggay floats that are entries for the Best Float contest and atop of th em are the Eletroika Divas (dance competitors).

However, from among the many amazing works, three stood out with the so-called a Wow Factor:

RESULTS

Electric MassKara Float Champion

Baranggay 29

1st runner-up and Best in Float Design and Designer

Baranggay Pahanocoy

2nd Runner-up

Barangay 17

CONGRATULATIONS ELECTRIC MASSKARA FLOAT WINNERS OF 2024!

BAMBOO ROCKS BACOLOD MASSKARA FESTIVAL DESPITE TYPHOON

2024-10-24T17:11:00.003-07:00

MASSKARA FESTIVAL: RAIN OR SHINE

The MassKara week is almost over but then Typhoon Kristine started to wreak havoc and an LPA, possibly, another Typhoon (to be named Leo) threatens the rest of MassKara weekend. But despite all of these, most people didn't worry and still wanted to enjoy the festivities and one proof is Bamboo's concert at the Bacolod City Government Center last rainy Thursday (see video below)

Belting out songs from his Rivermaya years like Elesi, Mabuhay!, Hinahap-hanap Kita, Bamboo is so glad to see people braivng the rain just to see their The Voice coach idol.
However, rain did affect some eating stalls beside the area but still you can feel the Filipino resiliency still unstoppable. Many kiosk are ready for the rain. With smiles on their faces, they do run to protect their food as if it depends on their lives.

Concertgoers at Bamboo Night

The Thursday act was challenging compared to the sunny and non-rainyday concerts sponsored by PureGold and BingoPlus the next day. SB19 was the highlight artists of PureGold's MassKaravan wherein a record of 150,000 flocked to Bacolod City Government Center. Kz Tandingan and TJ Monteverde and Piolo Pascual, meanwhile, serenaded concertgoers during the Bingo Plus Night Concert.

Kym's Grill

The typhoon maybe be harsh to revelers and the peope who do business during MassKara. But actually, through a historical flashback, the origins of the Bacolod MassKara Festival was actually sadder and harsher. It can be traced back to the 1980s when Negros Occidental, considered the sugar bowl of the Philippines, suffered a terrible crisis when its sugar was priced at an all-time low because of alternatives introduced in the market resulting in one of the infamous famines in the country’s history.

Added to it was the sinking Negros Navigation's MV Don Juan, a tragic ferry accident carrying mostly Negrosanons including those prominent families of Bacolod and most of them are fresh graduates from Manila's universities excited to go home to celebrate. These events overshadowed the usual life of Negrosanons. Many were too s
Local artists with LGU, in the spirit of resiliency, created MassKara Festival out of these heartbreaking origins. The idea of covering one's face with a smiling mask gave birth to an annual competition that celebrates life despite the hardships.

MassKara Festival and Moonlight

Another sad event, Covid Pandemic, also inspired the BALIK YUHUM MassKara anthem and bigger celebrations during Mayor Albee Benitez's term. Indeed, it's nice to look at the fireworks every salubong night of the MassKara, a symbol of hope and happiness despite the odds.

Let's enjoy at the Lacson St. this Masskara!

NETFLIX's OUTSIDE: Loser or winner?

2024-10-22T22:44:00.000-07:00

Netflix's OUTSIDE
Did it Make You More Mad or so Glad?

By George Pontino Jr.

There's a lot of brouhaha over the issue whether the Pinoy flick OUTSIDE (now streaming globally on Netflix) is a bad Zombie movie or a good psychological thriller amidst a Zombie apocaplyse. These rants and reviews came out when people got to finally see the most anticipated Pinoy film marketed as "the first Zombie movie."

CREDIT: NETFLIX

THE PREMISE
For starters, OUTSIDE is about a family trying to outrun a zombie apocalypse while they also face a more sinister threat within. Released just before Halloween (All Saint's Day), the OUTSIDE universe has become a hot topic in social media with questions like: If Outside was not marketed as a zombie film, will you still watch it? (Let's Watch This FB group) which garnered lots of replies, some are transparent and some are not sure if they'll watch it if promoted differently. The film earned fans that they defended the film's premise, that the director made it clear that it's a psychological thriller amidst the backdrop of a spread of a mysterious infection, making the dead undead. Well, watching the movie, the true horror lies in the family's conflicts and the way they handle survival. The zombies are just there for added scare fest. Without it, it will be just a normal Pinoy drama. Many also praised the "world-class quality" of the flick, story-wise aside cinematography and editing-wise, since the writer was able to make a suspenseful story within an already scary story.

Well, this is my take on these two divided sides. This is just a sentiment on how zombie die-hard fans should look, from a serious personal vantage point of view, and on how they should embrace the zombie basics - an apocalyptic world where a massive living dead are spreading out to wipe out humans because, well, they need also food to "live". And usually, to understand how to kill these creatures not usually possessed by evil but infected by a certain disease is hard to grasp. That's why most zombie movies have the notion that aiming for the head is the rule to eliminate any sign of abnormal life from them. And in the movie OUTSIDE, how the characters of movie handled the post-apocalyptic event can be seen as a product of their own confusion because, well, they don't know what's happening, what's causing it and why the dead are still moving and talking. And this utter confusion made their flaws to show. Hence, they are developing psychological disorders as they move on with their lives. They are just human and are too shocked with the sudden events.

THE ZOMBIE TROPE
Now, if you're a fan of this genre, you should also know a little history of the zombie trope. George Ramero, the director who explored the possibility of bringing back the dead through infectious diseases had his first Zs walk so slow that our protagonists still have the time to escape or fight. He has even has a talking corpse in The Living Dead - it answers clearly if questioned. Nowadays, with many new creative writers and directors, zombies can evolve into something different. Some can do parkour and some can even detect you if you pour blood all over your body. Gone are the days that zombie movies used a certain formula. That's why, viewers should open their minds to any kind of new possibilities of Z storytelling.

CREDIT: HBO THE LAST OF US

BUDGET ISSUE?
Now, going back to OUTSIDE. Many were irked because their expectations weren't met - less zombies and the characters are not exploring any other places and they are locked on in just a small hacienda house (In actuality, the film was shot in three different places in Negros Island Region in the Philippines. The bridge was in La Castellana, the church was shot in Kabankalan and the house was located in Ilog. All these places are in the south of Bacolod City, the capital of Negros Occ.) If budget was really an issue, they could have shot it in Manila. Why shot it in a province where they need to move their gears and pay hotels for their actors. The producers believed that shooting in a farmland is breath of fresh air. Buildings and cities burning are usual scenes in zombie films and their treatment for the places they choose are intentional and not by accident. That's the nice thing about filmmaking, you can trick people's mind and create a small environment by combining different locations which are far apart. As for the trailer, many had high hopes for the movie. Now the problem when one watches a trailer, he or she can get too overly excited, expectations run high. Sometimes it's better to save some excitement because it's only a teaser. That's why the film industry calls it a teaser trailer because the marketing team wants to give a sneak peek to potential viewers.

CREDIT: TWD Rick Grimess and son

TO TELL OR NOT TELL (ORIGIN STORY)

Now, do we need to know the origin of the outbreak?

Well it's really up to the film's writer to really tell the origin of the zombie infection. Is it necessary or is better not to tell.

Just like many American Z films, most scriptwriters leave the origins of the outbreak to the imaginative minds of viewers, this is helpful in creating mystery that could help if producers need to make a sequel or a prequel. However, there's one film that really divulged the origin of the infection because it's a must for them to introduce the universe where the zombie post-apocalypse is happening. The Last of Us is one film that shows the cause of the deadly outbreak. With this, gamers and viewers are able to immerse in the world of the game/movie's zombies called the infected (people with Cordysep brain infection). Telling the viewers the origin is also helpful in introducing more evolved form of infected like the clickers. For one, the concept is based from the real world "ant zombies" controlled by parasites usually found in Indonesian forests. This real concept made a fictitious story solid and makes The Last of Us even scarier. They wanted people to think and ask: WHAT IF? while they are playing or watching the series.

Zombie ant

OUTSIDE's TWD CONNECTION?
And here's my final take on Outside's family and psycholigcal drama. Remember TWD when it came out? Well, I love how The Mist-director Frank Darabont wrote and directed The Walking Dead when it was released over AMC. He gradually introduced characters. There was drama, lots chasing scenes, gore, lots of walkers and survivor characters. The Season 1 intro even tells you a little backstory of the main casts. However, the direction went from exciting to boring. I slowly became disinterested with what's become with TWD in Season 2 because the new writers didn't focus on the original survivors' tales. Instead, they added new characters, unnecessary Zombie chase scenes and inner conflicts, competing factions (communities made up just to cover a whole season) and how the writers poorly gave us a hint on how people can turn into zombies without even bitten or infected - but by just becoming full of rage and thinking negative thoughts. What? The survivors in the TWD universe becomes Walkers themselves just by hate and being paranoid? Well, I see this storyline as a poor innovation on the Zombie trope. This idea was a slap to many zombie fans.
Meanwhile, many original survivors who were introduced in the first season were left in a sorry state, forgotten in the sidelines. Some died in uninteresting fashion thus they are just probably victims of bad writing or poor ratings. The leader Rick Grimes, with all the fateful events he experienced like learning his wife is carrying a child from an affair, was a goner in later episodes. Well, it's okay to make him turn crazy .At least, they tried to tell the viewers that he is just human, very vulnerable. Now here is where I can connect OUTSIDE to the TWD series.
I guess the psychological family drama of TWD might have an influence to the OUTSIDE story premise.
Unlike in the TWD though, the people behind OUTSIDE focused and heavily invested their limited screen time on the characters on how, with a mysterious infection spreading and food becomes scarce, can affect the characters emotions, minds and relationships. Now, adding to the pressure are the past traumas the characters are carrying while the world is collapsing behind them. Everyone is becoming insane and having trust issues.
Now, seems familiar right? It seems it's inspired by TWD's Rick Grimes sad tale, after all. Now, about the spin-off Fear The Walking Dead? Well, people lost interest despite the many hordes of zombies. 'nuff said.

ZOMBIE HUMOR OR SERIOUSNESS
Sometimes it's nice to have Zombie movies that are filled with humor like the Japanese and Korean ones, and, oh, Zombieland, yes that funny take surviving the zombie apocalypse with a list of survival tips. Yes, these kind of movies are very entertaining to watch because of the humor and fast-paced action. But, sometimes it's great when you get to watch Z flicks with utter seriousness. At least, you'll really feel that the apocalypse isn't a time for laughter, it's always a time to survive. OUTSIDE didn't fail to show us the seriousness of the situation.

OUTSIDE Bridge scene

RUNNING TIME AND A SEQUEL?
The only thing that OUTSIDE editor(s) didn't do is to, at least, cut the running time. Make a tight shorter story because it's too dragging to watch a lengthy drama with emotional effect on the viewer. There's nothing wrong with telling a dramatic story as part of the plot but by shortening it could have given the audience time to breathe.
One one hand, Cinematography is great. Zombie make up are also fantastic. Acting were solid. Lighting effects feel natural.
In the meantime, the writers kept some stories untold and didn't gave answers to some lingering questions. This is a good idea if they are planning to do a sequel. Well, maybe, if they do, we will probably see more zombies (means more budget from Netflix), the kids grown up making awesome DIY weapons, the older sibling meeting her lady love once again against all odds, the mom has become a bad ass zombie killer too like Madmax's Furiosa amidst a backdrop of "real" post-apocalyptic outside world of the OUTSIDE universe. This will be cool!

It's 8/10 for me.

OUTSIDE is a directed by Carlo Ledesma. The cast are Sid Lucero, Beauty Gonzales, Marco Maza, Aiden Tyler Patdu, Enching Dee, Joel Torre and hordes of Zombies from Visayas.

CREATIVE SUPPLIERS EVENTS EXPO of NEGROS ISLAND REGION

2024-10-22T01:23:00.003-07:00

KASALAN and KOTILYON EXPO 2024

CREATIVE SUPPLIERS HOLDS EXPO
at AYALA MALLS CAPITOL CENTRAL

It is the grandest gathering of creative event suppliers from Negros Island Region at the Kasalan & Kotilyon 2024, National Wedding Tourism Expo, by Kasal.com at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central.

Target Market Couples (To-be weds), dalagita debutantes, and families who are looking at affordable yet reliable event supplier options had a chance to choose amongst almost 50 event venues, wedding or birthday (debut) photo-video suppliers, photo or video booth, caterers, hotels, event stylists, food carts, custom wedding souvenir makers, wedding planners and a whole lot more.

WATCH VIDEO OF THE KASALAN & KOTILYON EXPO

Event Suppliers to Choose

Every year, new innovations are being introduced to the creative event community. A wide range of suppliers came for this biggest wedding expo in Negros. One of the suppliers that really stood out was a 360 Video booth from Glambot.Bacolod, Due to the popularity of IG reels and TikTok short videos, the traditional photobooth has become an obsolete event favorite and was replaced by this more dynamic platform where guests can do dancing with families within a rotating device through vertical video clips.

Mobile Beverage Services from AM / PM

350 Glambot.bcd (Glambot Bacolod) Video Booth

From Food to Drink Services

Other booths that displayed their crafts and services are from the food industry, and it includes coffee and ice cream pop up carts like But First, Coffee, May's Organic, Paleta Gelato and AM/PM beverage services. A hot and fresh piaya stall, where a baker will show how a piaya is made from start to finish, was eye-catching. And we have a video to prove how satisfyingly it is to see the preparation and cooking (heating) of a piaya flatbread from start to finish. Indeed, in Sugarlandia, piaya should be in the centerstage in your wedding. and debut celebrations

Video of How to Cook Piaya (Hot and Fresh Organic way)

Hotel Industry
Hotels and venues like SugarLand Hotel, Hotels Negrense, Mansion de Bacolod, The Bam at Mango Ranch, Nabulao Beach and Dive Resort and L'Fisher Hotel-Bacolod showcased their services too to future bride and groom and, of course, debutantes. Mangley Couture. Other suppliers that joined the bridal/debut fair were Mangley Couture, Vaughnn's Gold, The Perfume Pals, Conceptu Bacolod Event Specialist and more.

BACON POP 2024: COSPLAYERS INVADE THE MALLtiverse

2024-10-19T21:15:00.001-07:00

MALLTIVERSE OF MADNESS

BACON POP TURNS AYALA MALLS CAPITOL CENTRAL INTO POP CULTURE HAVEN (with video)

With a mission to bring Pop culture enthusiasts, and local talents & artists together under one roof, BaCon Pop brings fun to mallgoers.
Ayala Malls capitol Central became full of kids and parents who wandered around the booths filled with Pop culture stuff and merchandise. Around the mallgoers were local Cosplayers who are equally stunned in seeing others in costume play.

VIDEO of BaCon Pop 2024

Pop Culture Extravaganza! You might misinterpret the brand BaCon Pop as a food event at first glance. Well, actually, it's an acronym for Bacolod Convention on Pop Culture, it's an annual event usually held during Bacolod MassKara Festival weeks in October. It's designed by pop culture enthusiasts for Pop Culture fans (the fandom includes but not limited to Anime/Manga, Superhero flicks, Hollywood iconic characters, Music, Gaming, Iconic Memes)

Phenomena And when you speak about pop culture in general, you need to note how wide is this phenomena spreading in the island of Negros, considering how fast media spreads information and data nowadays and there are a lot of genres and fandom to choose from.

Kids were amazed with BayMax Cosplayer

Asian and Western Influences
First and foremost, it's not only focused on Japanese animes and manga culture. There are also a lot of American comic and cinematic universes intertwining as pop culture fans' taste are so diverse these days.

Day of the Cosplay That's why, walking along the mall, there are a barrage of superheroes characters meeting horror movie characters. And yes, they get along. It seems to be an unlikely scene but you will know how massive is the influence BaCon Pop have created among Negrenses.

Asian Dr. Strange in the MALLtiverse

Merch, Anyone? The presence of cosplayers are equally important as the merch booths at the event center of Ayala Malls Capitol Central. The men and women in costume are so entertaining that are cool to look at. They really get the attention of families.

Larger-than-life Baymax
You'll find lots of sci-fi characters and gaming console icons taking to each other. Seeing a larger-than-life Baymax is a sight to behold and kids and Big hero 6 fans are going crazy over the all white white "mascot". You'll just be curious on how the cosplayer behind it can breathe inside of it.

Cosplayers are enthralled with each other's costumes

Dr. Strange is no Stranger The Sorcerer Supreme Dr. Strange is even a hit to many as the cosplayer personifying him looks and moves like Benedict Cumberbatch's acting in MCU movies.

Real-Life Gaming
BaConPop has exciting events like Fightsaber, Asian Pop Quiz, Random Play Dance, FanClub Fanchant Clash, Bee for Superfans, Cosplay Parade, Pro Cosplay Showdown, Meet and Greet and more.

CAMPUESTOHAN AWARDED By GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS

2024-10-19T06:22:00.001-07:00

LARGEST ROOSTER BUILDING

HOW DID CAMPUESTOHAN HIGHLAND RESORT APPLIED AND WON A GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS AWARD? (with videos)

In the Philippines, a gigantic rooster building rose in the mountains of Talisay city, just an hour drive from the capital, Bacolod. This giant rooster is the newest attraction of Campuestohan Highland Resort. However, it's not just a simple tourist destination but a product of a great vision. Inside are rooms intended to welcome visitors and guests who wanted to sleep overnight in this resort. Imagine that creativity! And now let's get to another story.

New Cock Addition
To add to all of this amazing things the owners are doing, they applied for Guinness World Records to help put their resort not only locally but also in the international map of travel. Called "Manok ni Gwapo Cano Tan", this towering hotel is worth to set a record not only in Asia but in the world. And how did the owners do that?

Guinness Criteria
It turns out applying and setting for Guinness World of Records is not that easy. Guinness World Records, a global authority on World Record Breaking Achievements, have lists of criteria. One of them is how to record the precise size of the structure using modern surveying techniques. So, the owners rented the services of professional surveyors to map out the big rooster hotel (which was still under construction at the time).

WATCH: VIDEO OF LASER SURVEY for GUINESS WORLD OF RECORDS

Drone Survey

The engineers used a LIDAR (laser scanner) attached to a DJI drone and let it automatically fly and scan to record it from above, 360 degrees. (see YT video above)
The surveyors from Manila also used other tools to scan the building perimeter and submitted it to the award institution as basis for their judgment - to set it as it is the biggest rooster building or not.

Awarding Day

On October 19 2024, Saturday, a Guineess World of Records adjudicator declared "Manok ni Cano Gwapo Tan" at Campuestohan Highland Resort in Talisay City as the Largest Rooster Building.

Facing Challenges
Indeed, the sacrifices of those who envisioned and built it, especially the owner Ricardo Cano Tan and his team, who were braving the rains and hot sunny weather are worth it. Indeed, we can't wait for the book to be published.

CAMPUESTOHAN ACTIVITY GUIDE VIDEO

For Newcomers (About the Resort)

For those who are not yet familiar with the place or still planning to visit it, Campuestohan Highland Resort has many activities ranging from swimming to Bike in the Sky to Slide for Life and more. (See campuestohan Guide video above) The place will also feature the longest slide race that could also be worthy for Guiness World Records.

CAMPUESTOHAN AT NIGHT
(VIRTUAL VIDEO OF LIGHT TUNNELS)

Lights at Night

At night and especially during ber Months and post Christmas, Campuestohan attracts more visitors because of their beautiful night effects like tunnels scattered all around the vicinity. These light effects, ranging from Sci Fi portals to Alien plants, can be experienced through the video above that will give you a virtual tour.

JOLLIBEE COLLECTIBLES, HISTORY and BIRTHDAY PARTY

2024-10-18T17:42:00.003-07:00

THE BEST JOLLIBEE KIDDE MEAL CHRISTMAS COLLECTOR'S ITEMS?

If you are an avid Jollibee Kiddie Meal Toy collector, you've come to the right place. Jollibee, as all we know, is a more than a mascot. One can't deny its magic. For kids and families Jollibee makes them whole when they dine in a certain branch.

JOLLIBEE CHRISTMAS SEASON SANTA-INSPIRED COLLECTIBLES (VIDEO)

Jollibee's main target are wide range but they tapped on to the kid's market as they knew how their mascot has become a beloved icon by kids. And the kids, who are now, grown up and have their own families. And it turns out, their own children also love Jollibee. As a company, Jollibee is spreading more magic worldwide with branches in the Philippines, Brunei, Taiwan, Jakarta, Indonesia, Singapore, Hongkong, Qatar, Vietnam, China, Saudi Arabia, UAE, USA, UK and more places.

But how did Jollibee even began? From a humble ice cream parlor in 1975 located in Cubao, Quezon City, the outlet later began selling hot meals and sandwiches. When the food became more popular than the ice cream products, the family decided to convert the parlor into a fast food restaurant which became the first Jollibee branch in 1978. Even its original name Jolibe was changed to what is now. Adding one l and e really helped the brand stood out from its competitors.

And now the Kidde Meal toys are worth collecting. The one that really stood out was the Santa Claus Paskong Pinoy "Filipino Christmas"-themed collector's items which portrays a mascot wearing Santa costume. Each is also doing significant Xmas traditions and cultural stuff like drums, lanterns, and more. Not only these are toys, but they are also made decoration that you can hang on your own Christmas trees. Just one click of a button, each toy moves or alights.

Aside from just selling Chicken Joys and Jolliburgers and Kiddie Meals Collectibles, one of Jollibee's oozing pride is bringing fun to children especially on their birthdays. True to the character of their ever-smiling and friendly mascot. That's why most Jollibee standalone stores have event spaces or rooms for bday celebrations.

KIDDIE MEALS with TOYS INSIDE

Guests are entertained by crews with icebreakers, parlor games, prizes and most of all a surprise meet ang greet with a real Jollibee Mascot (not just the statue) who will dance with the crew and also assist in giving the giveaways and kiddie meal collectible toys (shown in the video above).
Well, the famous Jollibee advertising song I LOVE YOU, SABADO still resonates to many, as weekend kickstarts ,so as many scheduled parties in their branches.

BATCHOY: THE PERFECT RAINY DAY FOOD

2024-10-17T04:26:00.001-07:00

BATCHOY IS A PERFECT RAINY DAYS COMFORT FOOD, WOULD YOU AGREE? It's a stormy week again? Well, one thing that can cure our hunger on a rainy day and gives us a comforting feeling is one soup that really is satisfying to the stomach. BATCHOY or batsoy is a very popular FIlipino noodle soup cuisine that originated in the Visayas. And it is one perfect rainy day food.

21 resto's batchoy

It is usually composed of pork offal, crushed pork cracklings, chicken stock, beef loin, and round noodles. There are many origin stories about this delicious dish. The original and most popular variant, the La Paz Batchoy, traces its roots to the Iloilo City district of La Paz, in the Philippines. However, the origin of the La Paz Batchoy is unclear with several accounts claiming credit for the dish.

One restaurant that's filled to to brim especially during rainy days is Super Batchoy House. Super Batchoy House is located in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. They have branches spread all over the city. Their delicious Batchoy has been sold for many years and still has the consistent flavor that many are still hooked to eat even up to this day.

Meanwhile, a Shell gasoline station in Bacolod where its convenience store serves Special Batchoy with cheaper price. It's very tasty for its price. However, drinks are sold with the usual convenience store pricing which is usually higher compared in restaurant or eatery. Batchoy is a Filipino noodle soup of pork offal, crushed pork cracklings, chicken stock, beef loin and round noodles. There are more restaurants that serve batchoy and these are Ted's, Deco, 21 restaurant in Bacolod, Nick's in Manapla, and even Shell convenience stores.

Different VARIANTS of BATCHOY:

ORDINARY or REGULAR BATCHOY - no egg and no offals or chicharon (sometimes smaller serving) SPECIAL BATCHOY - with egg, chicaron and offals (bigger serving) SUPER BATCHOY - with raw egg, offals, chicharon, bone marrow. usually served in bigger bowl

WHAT'S INSIDE A JOLLIBEE PARTY (with video tips)

2024-10-07T01:33:00.003-07:00

WHAT TO EXPECT in a JOLLIBEE CHILDREN'S PARTY
(What are the secrets and surprises?)

What happens in a Jollibee party?

Well, every Jollibee Children's Birthday Party follows a template - play parlor games, eat food, award prizes, dancing and more.

WHAT HAPPENS IN A USUAL JOLLIBEE PARTY? (WATCH VIDEO)

But of course, when you are present in one of these birthdays, you will always see the kids' excitement and that the love for the endearing mascot is overwhelming. Thanks to the Jolli Crew, the event is always fun and full of surprises.
Watch the video (above) where Jollibee (mascot) has to hide in one of the rooms before he shows itself and its dance antics in a Meet and Greet session - a surprise that always make guests and the birthday celebrator jump up with glee.

JOLLIBEE KIDDIE PARTY IN SAUDI? (WATCH VIDEO)

Even Jollibee branches around the world and specifically in Saudi Arabia have Children's birthday celebration event space which welcomes local and expat families alike to celebrate there. (See video above) But is the party the same in the Philippines? Well, try to find with the videos shared here,
Do check out 10 What to Expect inside the usual Jollibee event also in the video.
Don't forget to Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!

S&R Bacolod Christmas Decors (with video)

2024-10-05T07:52:00.004-07:00

S&R Decorations will light up
your Homes and Offices

Christmas season is here. The Ber months are almost over soon. With this in mind, we need not to rush for our holiday's needs. You name it- colorful Christmas decors.
As early as October, establishments like S&R has already selling beautiful Christmas decorations.

Holiday Special S&R, a membership shopping store, are providing their members a lot of options for Xmas ornaments from the usual giant Christmas tree to unique decorations such as lamp posts, a giant ball ornament, Santa and white bear soap collection, Belen (Holy Family), Xmas Gingerbread man baking set, Cute Christmas Village and more.

WATCH THE VIDEO

Ornaments for the Holiday
These ornaments are or not your usual displays. These are innovations with class and are crafted well.

The YouTube video above is a walk through guide for the holiday products that are displayed in their Bacolod city branch, Philippines just beside SM mall Bacolod.

10 Usual Decorations in a Filipino Home

1. Santa socks

2. Christmas Lights

3. Star Lanterns or Parols

4. Christmas Tree

5. Belen (Holy Family)

6. Merry Christmas Letter Banners

7. Santa Claus statues or paper hangers

8. Images of Angels Blowing Horns

9. Bethlehem Star

10. Santa driving his sleigh posters

TWO FACES OF BORACAY: NATURE and BUSINESS

2024-10-03T19:44:00.003-07:00

THE BORACAY THAT
WE USED TO KNOW
(Nature and More Modernity)
WITH TIPS for Tourists

No doubt, Boracay is one of the top tourist destinations
in the Philippines. With its long white beach and strings of leisure hotels, travelers love to spend their vacation because they wanted to enjoy the best of both worlds. The picturesque places of Boracay indeed are worth a thousand words.

Boracay: Past and Present There's always an endless debate if the modernization of the island did harm than good. You can see rows of buildings and houses along its white long beach. If compared to decades ago, the Boracay that few knew, esp the locals, is a virgin island where the only shelter you'll see is a kubo (wooden house) surrounded by tropical forests.

How The Island Became Popular
Then massive development began due to influx of tourists thanks to a 70s Hollywood film that was shot in the island. It was entitled Too Late the Hero starring Michael Caine. With this, international hotels (some with gold courses), stores and brands soon sprouted like mushrooms, changing the island's landscape.

Mall by the Bay

Also, there was only D*Mall, an array of stores lined up beside the shore, selling stuff from shirt to bikinis to sandals and souvenir.

It was just the beginning. Now, the streets of Boracay is mostly establishments ranging from banks to hotels to pop up stores to restaurants, one can be surprised of new developments each year. you'll see this if you look around. Ride a motorcyle or e-bike, if you will.

TIPS for VISITORS IN BORACAY:
1. Travel light (there are lots of stores in Boracay)

2. Bring enough cash but be wary of the prices (Before you buy, check if you are buying or paying an overpriced food, goods, souvenirs or services like tattoos or massage.

3. Observe safety when riding risky rides like parasailing and banana boat (Unfortunately, these exciting fun rides caused deaths to some of tourists in the past due to accidents and the lack of checking or following safety nets). Don't make pranks when you're riding.

4. Observe safety when swimming. Use a floating device if you must. Always check the head counts if you are a group.

5. If you have a drone, check out for places that are ok for flying one. Most of the places in Boracay have a strict ordinance on drone use as crashes can hit tourists.

6. Don't drink too much and get crazy during a party. Just enjoy! Check your phone always. It could slip through and lost in the sand.

7. No lovemaking on the beach (It's illegal).

8. Be aware of people forcing visitors to join their dinner seminars in the guise of free good, fast profitable returns or a famous star (their endorser) Usually, you can't get out easily once you ate the free food and they will force you to invest spot on. Just say No! to them and the free food.

9. Keep your phones and laptops safe always. Some hostels have reports of burglars and thievery. Report your missing items by filing a blotter report at the island police station.

10. Throw garbage on the proper bin. Make Boracay's beach clean always.

DOT Slogan through the Years (HATE and LOVE RELATIONSHIP)

2024-10-03T17:11:00.002-07:00

DOT Slogan through the Years
(HATE and LOVE RELATIONSHIP)

Remember when The Department of Tourism (DOT) unveiled its tourism campaign slogan "LOVE THE PHILIPPINES?" Well, it caused some controversy among Filipinos but the DOT was fast to counter that - by creating a campaign video and posters on how they can use wordplay on the slogan to capture attention.

Screen grab from the DOT's new

Love the Philippines advertisement in YouTube

Biting Backlash However, the video was also met with a massive backlash when a netizen pointed out that some clips were taken from a stock website and worse, one video doesn't represent the Philippines at all but another country.

WATCH THIS VIDEO for all DOT Slogan through the years

From Fun to Love The I LOVE THE PHILIPPINES replaced the 11-year-old slogan "MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES", a word play on tourism that was also controversial when it was also launched. It caused rants social media platforms, a hate-love relationship among netizens who initially were against it but eventually, many came to love the idea and they realized the slogan has a creative purpose.

Screen grab from the DOT's new Love the Philippines advertisement in YouTube

Tourism Advertising Campaign Indeed, there are many fun activities in the Philippines. The fact that the country is made of thousand of islands with beautiful and scenic tourist spots, one can say that spending time in the Philippines for one's vacation is indeed fun.

Many tried to explain why they hated it. Even the advertising agency that did the campaign was rocked with the controversies. Is it just that many are harder to please? or many netizens have a valid reason to be angry and critic it.

Fast Recall

WOW Philippines, meanwhile, under Sen. Gordon, was a well-loved slogan as it has a high recall among many locals and foreigners alike. But, of course, it should change after years of usage.
For you, what's the best slogan among the slogans you've seen and liked?

HOME IMPROVEMENT STORES (Bacolod)

2024-10-01T17:33:00.010-07:00

INSIDE CITI HARDWARE
and OTHER DIY STORES

CITI HARDWARE's Business model spawned many more Depots

like Triumph Depot, Wilcon Depot and AllHome (See videos below)

If you are into construction, DIY and Home Improvement, what comes to mind is a gargantuan task of searching for the right materials, equipment, interior ornaments and the like.
During the 90s, all you need to do is go to many stores or hardware shops that specializes in different brands and materials. It takes days for you and your contractor to decide what's the best material with reasonable prices.

One Stop Shop But when CITIHardware popularized the one-stop-shop hardware, everything changed. This time people can go check what they need and purchase them under one roof. The warehouse offer you almost all you need to build a shelter or furniture.

What's Inside Inside CITI Hardware is an array of simple to beautifully-designed tiles. They sell a lot of lighting and bathroom fixtures. They do have garden decorations too. If you need a door, they do sell made to install doors from simple to complex design.

Paint Brands
Also inside are many aisle of paint brands for different purpose and the great thing there are people who can electronically mix your paint. Brands like Boysen has a Mix and Match Paint Mixing Station inside and Davies has Computerized Paint Mixing Machine.

A Depot for Everyone CITI Hardware pioneered this kind of business model and it inspired some companies to do the same. Now you can find many big names in this kind of industry with their own style of depot like Triumph Depot and Wilcon Depot.

HERE ARE OTHER DIY/HOME IMPROVEMENT WAREHOUSES

1. Triumph Hardware Depot
(Hilado St. branch) This branch sells many local brands such as Firefly products for lighting. They also sell Off grid solar lighting systems, paints, read-made doors, bathroom fixtures and more.

2. Wilcon Depot
(Villamonte branch near Villa Angela and Bacolod City Government Center - BCGC or NGC)
Wincon Depot has a wide array of product offerings which include local and international brands of tiles and flooring, plumbing and sanitary wares, electrical and more.

3. AllHome by Villar Group
(Buri Road, Mandalagan, Bacolod City branch)
The store is within the AllValue Home complex of stores that sells furnitures, decorations, ornaments, tiles, construction materials and more.

Your Future Home: Megaworld The Upper East Herald Parksuites Showroom

2024-09-29T22:50:00.000-07:00

HERALD PARKSUITES at The UPPER EAST

Megaworld's first Smart Condo in Bacolod

Looking for a Condo in Bacolod?
Then you've come to the right web page. Megaworld The Upper East is bringing dynamic and vibrant life in Bacolod with the development of their township projects. The Upper East is one of the two brands (the other is Forbes Hill) that are fueling growth in the Eastern side of the City of Smiles.

Below are some videos of the Herald Parksuite showroom (WATCH THE VIDEOS)

Video of Studio Unit Showroom

Being a realty powerhouse, Megaworld appreciates business to mix with leisure. That's why the people behind The Upper East took to the table a former milling space to be transformed to a New York-inspired community where people can have a balanced lifestyle.
Herald Parksuites is the 4th residential condo development inside the 34 hectare land. Each unit boasting of spacious floor plans and wireless smart home systems.

Video of 2-bedroom unit Showroom

Megaworld The Upper East MAP

For a township living like this, people can enjoy amenities like swimming pools, reading books, children's playground and daycare center, a private dining room, and game room. The building is also near big establishments like Lander's Superstore, Splash Park Bacolod McDonald's East, Lopue's East Department Store, Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC), Starbucks Circumferential Road, Jollibee East, KFC East and more.

E-JEEPNEY (Philippine Transport Modernization)

2024-09-24T21:41:00.005-07:00

Goodbye JEEPNEYS! Hello e-jeepneys

Jeepneys are rare these days. These transports are truly endangered with the sudden changes in the Philippine transport industry. Considered to be a cultural icon and heritage, jeepneys has been considered as obsolete and are now slowly phased out to pave way for modernization.

Many knew that this transport was a product of Pinoy ingenuity - wherein military jeeps used in World War 2. That's why it's hard for its existence to vanish without considering its cultural vale. Jeepneys were actually forgotten. Americans left many jeeps in the country after World War 2. Because pinoys were out job after the war, they saw the opportunity to develop the parts that were salvaged and dismantled from the Army jeeps into something useful and can be a source of income. The product of that endeavor was a hit - the Jeep became Jeepney. It is a portmanteau of post-war words "jeep" (brand) and pre-war "jitney" (a bus or other vehicle carrying passengers for a low fare.

WATCH THIS VIDEO

The jeepney ruled the Philippines streets for decades. It has become one of the so-called poster boys of the Tourism Industry just like the Chocolate Hills, the Tarsier and the Philippine Eagle.

Foreign and local tourists are enamored by this road beast. However, time and also new modern innovations endangered this well-loved mode of transportation. When the biggest jeepney maker Sarao company closed due to financial difficulties, it was a telltale sign that Modernization of the transport industry is at the horizon.

Indeed, the inevitable happened. Nowadays, modern buses with AC and other amenities, replaced the Sarao-type transport and even the boxed ones. Many were sad that the new buses were too ugly, too modern and are stiff looking. Gone are the colorful motif that truly gave jeepneys its identities.
However, there were others who are okay with the change but wanted to preserve the traditional image of a Jeepney. Thus, a hybrid was born, the e-jeepneys, an innovative form of Pinoy transportation that looks modern but with the some old-fashion form.

INSIDE Starbucks BACOLOD CIRCUMFERENTIAL during Opening

2024-09-24T05:29:00.005-07:00

STARBUCKS opens another Branch in the EAST side of Bacolod, the City of Smiles
Just in time for the Bacolod MassKara Festival

Bacolod coffee lovers have a new reason to celebrate - STARBUCKS Circumrenal Road has finally opened. And this time, it's in the EAST area where new developments are sprouting like mushrooms. First, there's the city resort Splash Park Bacolod near BCGC (Bacolod Government Center).

Developments at the East
There's the Megaworld The Upper East where Herald Parksuites Condominium, new McDonald's, Landers Superstore Bacolod and other buildings. Then along the circumferential road are new establishments like the DIY/Home improvement store, Triumph Depot. There's Rockwell to the North too.

Branches in Bacolod The new standalone branch, compared to its, predecessor, the first ever Starbucks in Lacson St., has 3 distinct new features: a Drive-Thru, a 2nd floor and a balcony area.

Starbucks for Riders Though the parking area is limited, the Drive-Thru serves as an option for those who have cars yet they wanted to have their morning coffee, a hot Starbucks cup.

WATCH THIS VIDEO

Second Floor Area The 2nd floor is idea for those who are looking to CoWork or work away from home. Virtual assistants, those who are coders, social media managers can work on the large large table good provided by the coffee chain.

Balcony Area The balcony is welcome idea especially those who just wanted to drink coffee or relax. This is a place that you can look at time without worrying or just watch passing cars while thinking of new ideas or a new business. Couples will find the balcony an ideal dating area too. From the balcony, one can see a vantage view of mountains of Negros Occidental.

Tambayan at the East Well, it's good to have an international chain opening in a once solitary place. It's a sign that Bacolod, indeed, is growing and new opportunities are coming. It's an added tambayan for Bacolod MassKara Festival revelers every October.

Pinoy Streetfood Overload WALKING TOUR

2024-09-22T22:30:00.005-07:00

Street Food CRAZE in the Philippines
(With YouTube Videos)

Asia is one of continents in the world that has a different street vibe compared to other places. For one, like in Thailand and China, exotic street food abound. The different aroma in the air are so strong that you get easily hungry. Being a tourist, cultural food should be a must on the list in the itinerary.

Grilled Balut

Street food is a big industry albeit however some see the people behind it, the vendors as nuisance or illegals. However, this thriving economy has become a part of Asian or Filipino culture.

Originally, kanto food is focused on carinderias (food eatery by the road) but now, it has evolved into something mobile. Vendors now show up at any places like parks, townships (like in the Megaworld The Upper East or at the back of Bacolod City Government Center in Bacolod City, and pop-up carts or food trucks.

On sticks and plastic cups

Now, with these foldable or mobile trucks, people can pay affordable food and enjoy it outdoors or simply, order them as a take away. The only drawback with this kind of business is the weather. When it rains, few customers might show up.

Philippines' street food scene is not focused solely on Pinoy cuisine as a whole but it has become a fusion of cultures, traditions, tastes, cooking and styles. It has evolved so much.

Now, you can find Arabic cuisines like Shawarma, Hummus, Shawarma Rice as well as Chinese ice candy Tanghulu and siomai; Japanese Tempura and Kikiam, Korean's Kimbop and Cordog, Mexican Burritos, Tacos, Nachos, Chimi Changa, Italian's Pizza and there's the Taiwanese Milk Tea too.

Beef Pares Overload is so trendy now thanks to Paresan queen, Diwata in Manila

And for authentic Filipino traditional street food, there's the tasty and popular Balut, bbq on sticks like the Chicken Inasal, Beef Pares Overload,

For the kids, there are pancake, cotton candy, choros and popcorn.

If given the training and support from Government like from DOT (Department of Trade), people especially those who are jobless can embrace this kind of opportunities, giving them hope to start small, but also to dream big. Having a street venture with value, cleanliness and respect customer is an honest work, after all.

7 Public Outdoor Resorts with Pools in Bacolod

2024-09-05T02:35:00.004-07:00

7 Family-friendly Outdoor Resorts
near and within Bacolod City
(with swimming pools)
The last is a multi-awarded innovative mountain resort

DESTINATIONS

Are you searching for a place for family outing with a pool but near or within Bacolod City?
Fret no more! Here are some public resorts that has swimming pools and activities that the family will do and enjoy. Here's your guide (with YouTube Video features)

1. Bacolod Splash Park
Bacolod Splash Park is just within the city centre. It is the most accessible resort in the city as it is just in front of the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC), Megaworld The Upper East and beside Sixty Fifth Hotel along circumferential road. Inside are modern giant slides, train ride, playground, animal statues, food stalls, a JT Manokan Restaurant, and a Safari lazy river. At night, the place glows with beautifully-placed lamp posts and light effects that adorn its garden landscape. Splash Park is one of the locations of the new Bacolod MassKara Festival 2024 official theme song's music video featuring Josh Collen of SB19 and Tiana Kocher.

WATCH: SPLASH PARK BACOLOD DURING THE DAY

WATCH: SPLASH PARK BACOLOD AT NIGHT

2. Bantug Lake Ranch
A mountain resort, Bantug Lake Ranch is very accessible via the roads of Brgy. Granada, Bacolod City. Amenities include rooms for overnight stay, a large man-made lake where families can go boating or fish on it, two swimming pools, and a horse riding area. Cabanas for rent are spread all over beside its open air restaurant with a picturesque garden and playground.

WATCH: BANTUG LAKE RANCH WITH DRONE SHOTS

3.Forest Park Resort

Located in Taculing, this resort boasts a large swimming pool with a giant mushroom scuplture in the middle and a bridge connecting the two corners of the cabanas. Forest Park is open from 9 am to 6pm from Mondays to Fridays and 8pm to 7pm during Saturdays and Sundays. There's a mini zoo for the kids, a lazy pool river and a promenade.

4. Palmas del Mar (Hotel Seaside Resort)
A seaside resort, Palmas del Mar has been serving Negrenses for decades already with its hotel and leisure amenities. Inside are three pools with different shapes and theme. One of the pools are adorned with cute cherubim angels. Next pool has a mini bridge. The main pool is the larget and features a slide and a kiddie pool beside it. Palmas del Mar's name is based on what you'll really find within its vicinity. Beside the sea are palm trees that add to the tropical vibe. On a good day, as the sun sets, one can see magical reflection hues on a man-made lake with an island connected via a wooden bridge..

VIDEO OF PALMAS DEL MAR ON A GOOD DAY
UNTIL SUNSET (BLUE HOUR)

5. Bocal Bocal Spring Resort Alangilan
As the name of the resort suggests, you will find two swimming pools that utilize fresh spring water. Thanks to Mother Nature, the unlimited flow of water replenishes the area's adult and kiddie pools with freshwater daily. Also inside are wooden huts for rent and wide barbecue grilling areas. There's not much activity this place can offer but swimming under a lush forest and sounds of birds around make your family outing a memorable moment. This resort is near the Alangilan town center where the Catholic church is located.

VIDEO OF A FAMILY WEEKEND OUTING AT
BOCAL BOCAL SPRING RESORT ALANGILAN

6. Mambucal Sanctuary and Wildlife Sanctuary

In our list, Mambucal, situated in the mountain ranges of Murcia town, is the oldest resort for the public that has been revamped many times. There was once restaurant where you can eat by the river and also a slide for life activity but these two were discontinued. But, many things stayed as usual in this resort owned by the Negros Occidental Provincial Government. It's the only tourist spot in Negros Occidental that has hot springs pools (Japanese onsen) and a massage spa beside the vicinity. With Mount Kanlaon's hot steam, boiling muds and sulfuric water, this destination has become a popular place for people who love dipping.in a hot spring and believe it can cure some ailments.

The cold pool and the river with man-made lake are popular amenities for families who are not used to bathe in hot sulfur water. Inside Mambucal's vicinity is a hotel, open cottages, mini cabanas for families and a contemporary restaurant. Large flying foxes and other faunas are present within the lush forest of Brgy. Minuyan in Murcia.
Mambucal has 7 Falls for trekkers to hike and bathe. Along the hiking area are zigzagging paths with lush forest and rare insect species.

7.Campuestohan Highland Resort
For years, Campuestohan Highland Resort in Talisay has attracted so many visitors, bringing arrivals in Bacolod, which is the jump point to this mountain destination. Currently, the resort owners are building the Biggest/Largest Rooster Hotel and the longest water slide race which they are trying to verified for Guinness Book of Records.

Virtual Night Tour of
Campuestohan's Light Tunnels
(Amazing Sci-fi/Science Fiction, Romantic
and Christmas Holiday Light Effects)

Campuestohan Activity Guide

With its owner Bacolodnon Ricardo "Cano" Tan, it has received many accolades and multiple awards from different Tourism sectors for being a creative and innovative place for families to gather and enjoy. The place has many activities and it caters not only to the kids and adults, but even to the elderly. Activities include horseback riding, outdoor play place, swimming in its many pools especially in the wave pool near its outdoor cafe, overnight staycation, karaoke, selfies with many dinosaurs and other pop culture statues, foam bath, free gym, relaxing at a spa, strolling around its amazing areas, hamster wheel, bike in sky, walking along its hanging bridge, Life-sized dinosaurs, whimsical statues, giant chess game. New added attractions/amenities are bright light effects tunnel at night, and as earlier written, a giant rooster hotel (biggest in Asia and will be adjudged for Guinness Book Records), longest slide race and free use of its outdoor gym.

KTV and KARAOKE Lifestyle

2024-09-04T00:21:00.004-07:00

The KTV Lifestyle:
Singing Karaoke songs Bring Family and Friends closer to each other

LIFESTYLE

Karaoke is a very popular Japanese innovation. It's a type of interactive entertainment that changed the night lifestyle of partygoers. If swaying in the dance floor was the in-thing in the 90s, Karaoke singing has become the staple of restobar hunters these days.

Can't Stop the KTV Culture
For one, they can sing their heart out.
Karaoke systems are popular in clubs, bars and beach resorts or at home. People get to sing along to their fave pre-recorded accompaniment using a mic and imagine themselves they are the star and in a concert. In Asia, it became a staple entertainment system then spread worldwide. The Philippines is one country that took karaoke and made it a cultural element.

KTV bar in the City
Here's BCasa 2375 Bar and Restaurant with karaoke (KTV) rooms in Bacolod City, Philippines (CL Montelibano Ave, in front of Bascon Cafe, near Lasalle USLS):
Google Maps direction (Click here)

Watch this YouTube Video from Manng Interesado

Evolution of the Room
Through the years, Karaoke culture and lifestyle have evolved. There are private rooms catering to groups who just wanted to be with themselves.

Cursed Song There are also public KTVs but deemed dangerous in the Philippines where some unlucky patrons were killed during Karaoke session. It's seemed to a a mystery, a phenomenon of some sorts. We may never know what's the real motive behind the KTV deaths but the song "My Way" by Frank Sinatra is seen as the culprit. it's odd but it made headlines.

Here are some Karaoke Bar Etiquette to be followed (Subject to change). 9 Rules to follow: 1. R.E.S.P.E.C.T - When someone is singing, don't grab his or her mic. Even he or she sings in out of tune. Still respect to avoid problems esp if it's a public karaoke bar. 2. Don't force anyone to sing. Some people are shy and introvert. 3. Never Boo anyone (esp if there is a score system) 4. Don't stand in front of the screen when somebody is singing . This is a practice that is annoying. 5. Don't destroy equipment. These are not cheap. Don't throw mirophones or remote control. 6. Drink Moderately. Too much drinking can cause fights or misunderstanding in the bar. 7. Share the mic, Give others a chance to sing. 8. Don't brag if you feel you have a high score. It will make others feel low. 9. Don't sing "My Way" if you are in public KTV Bars. It's better to sing it alone at home.

BACOLOD FILM FESTIVAL (WITH WINNERS LIST)

2024-09-01T10:00:00.006-07:00

Ten local shorts filmmakers compete Bacolod Film Festival Boosts Local Creative Economy (BACOLOD FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS NIGHT RESULTS BELOW)

Filmmaking

The Government of Bacolod City finally made history by finally recognizing and celebrating emerging local filmmakers through a short film festival. The success of the Bacolod Film Festival (despite the stormy weather) did prove that Bacolod has rich creative talents that fits the film industry. It's great to note that boosting the creative economy is one of the projects of Mayor Albee Benitez and this endeavor is a big welcome and change for the City of Smiles. The awards ceremony was held on September 15 at SM Cinema 1 in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines. The jurors were Joey Javier Reyes, Joji Alonso, Philip Cheah, Law Fajardo and Wanggo Gallaga. Winners of the first ever Bacolod Film Festival are:

BEST PICTURE - Sa Pwesto ni Pistong BEST DIRECTOR - Vincent Joseph "VinJo" Entuna (Sa Pwesto ni Pistong)

BEST ACTOR - Dante Macam - Laragway sa Karon

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR - Rene Hinojales - Puli na, Diche Lesly

BEST SCREENPLAY- Vincent Joseph "VinJo" Entuna (Sa Pwesto ni Pistong)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY - Rosco Cofreros - Aninaw

BEST EDITING - Xavier Nojas and Fahleen Fang - Laragway sa Karon

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN - Margaret Kathryn-Baynosa Entuna - Chicken Inasal (Those Little Things)

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS - Poli Gonzales - Chicken Inasal (Those Little Things)

BEST MUSICAL SCORE - Khyle Zedrick Anasta - A Flower in a Day

BEST SOUND - Rolf Baynosa - Chicken Inasal (Those Little Things)

BEST MAKE- UP - Alvin Belesario - Glub

JURY'S PRIZE WINNER - Milton Dionzon, Reynaldo Amagun and Louis Dormido - Aninaw

AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD - Laragway sa Karon

GET TO KNOW THE 10 Entries:

1. A FLOWER A DAY

Directed by Chelsea Tasic

Produced by Dulaab Productions

🏆Award (1): BEST MUSICAL SCORE - Khyle Zedrick Anasta

A young woman finds solace amid the faded charm of a quiet, rundown café. She returns to the café routinely, drawing the attention of an intrigued barista.

--------------------------------------------

2. ANINAW

Directed by Charlene Mead Tupas

Produced by Zone Studios

🏆Awards (2): BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY - Rosco Cofreros JURY'S PRIZE WINNER - Milton Dionzon, Reynaldo Amagun and Louis Dormido - Aninaw

In pursuit of finding the place where their deepest desires will come true, three friends embark on a journey against the backdrop of an evolving city and their failing memory.

--------------------------------------------

3. BLIND DATE

Directed by Victor Villanueva

Produced by Juan Carlo Miguel for JCM Films

Two savvy social media stars get set up, and they struggle to meet up at all.

--------------------------------------------

As home to the authentic Bacolod Chicken Inasal cuisine and its annual festival (video above), one of the entries is a story based on this tasty dish but with a futuristic twist.

4. CHICKEN INASAL (Those Little Things )

Directed by Poli Gonzales and Massah Gonzales-Gamboa

Produced by Massah Gonzales-Gamboa and Georgia Elardo for Kwentista Produksyon

🏆Awards (3):

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN - Margaret Kathryn-Baynosa Entuna

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS - Poli Gonzales BEST SOUND - Rolf Baynosa

Set in 2222 in the cyberpunk city of Bacolod, a teenager goes through her usual day with her father with no idea that the best surprise of her life was going to happen.

--------------------------------------------

5. GLUB

Directed by Zack Verzosa

Produced by Champorado Productions, Zol Films, Kantiaha Prod., Anggulo Community, and Playback Productions 🏆Award (1): BEST MAKE- UP - Alvin Belesario - Glub

An outcast who wants to have someone who understands him, meets a person who he thinks would be the one.

--------------------------------------------

6. LARAGWAY SA KARON

Directed by Pau Ortaliz Santos and Nina Aira Villanueva

Produced by Three Wheels Production in collaboration with Xouvenir Studios. 🏆Award (1):

BEST ACTOR - Dante Macam BEST EDITING -Xavier Nojas and Fahleen Fang

An old man aims to win a photography contest to solve his financial challenges. There, he meets a young and spirited photographer – unveiling an unexpected friendship full of colors.

The true story of the old Manokan Country (video above) inspired one of the entries in the Bacolod FIlm Festival

---------------------------------------------

7. MANOKAN COUNTRY

Directed by Banjo Hinolan

Produced by Banjo Hinolan Films

A determined restaurant owner in Bacolod City faces off against a ruthless real estate developer in a high-stakes Chicken Inasal cooking competition to save his family's eatery and preserve the heart of his community.

----------------------------------------------

8. PULI NA, DICHE LESLY

Directed by Willbryan Garcia

Produced by Salekula Dahlia Studios

🏆Award (1):

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR - Rene Hinojales

A bittersweet story of family ties and the things we do for love. A successful Filipino-Chinese artist drives home to her hometown of Bacolod for her father's heart surgery.

-------------------------------------------------

9. SA PWESTO NI PISTONG (The Barber's Chair)

Directed by VinJo Entuna

Produced by Maragtas Film Productions 🏆Awards (3): BEST PICTURE BEST DIRECTOR - Vincent Joseph "VinJo" Entuna

BEST SCREENPLAY- Vincent Joseph "VinJo" Entuna

A humble barber navigates a tumultuous era while serving a diverse array of customers including a prominent haciendero and an idealistic nephew.

------------------------------------------------

10. THE MANSION

Directed by Alvin "Swoop" Diaz and Oscar Villanueva

Produced by T3 Studios

A videographer accidentally meets someone while doing his job, leading him to a rude awakening.

------------------------------------------------

From out of 33 entries screened for the Bacolod Film Festival, ten finalist made it. These entries are visions of Bacolod residents Chelsea Taisc, Charlene Mae Tupas, Juan Carlo Miguel Araullo, Georgia Mari Elardo, reginald Amador Zack Versoza, Mary Pauline Santos, Rodolfo "Banjo" Hinolan Jr. Willbryan Garcia, Vicent Hoset Entuna, and Oscar Villanueva. Filmmaking is a dynamic and intricate art form that demands creativity, resilience, and collaboration at every stage.

The grantees received 300,000 pesos each to fund and finish their films.

Trailers of their films were launched via the Bacolod Film Festival Facebook page on September 1. All 10 short films were screened on September 12-15, 2024 at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central and SM City Bacolod Cinemas.

Meanwhile, the official poster for the Bacolod Film Festival captured the essence of the festival's spirit. The iconic smiling eyes from the logo seamlessly morph into ten dynamic waves, each symbolizing the fresh and powerful visions of Bacolodnon filmmakers. These waves serve as a striking metaphor for the boundless creativity and visionary storytelling that these filmmakers will bring to Philippine cinema. Their collective energy, symbolized by these fluid forms, reflects an unstoppable force of artistic expression.

Tambayan Restaurants and Coffee at Bacolod's Buri Road (MANDALAGAN)

2024-09-01T09:53:00.001-07:00

Buri Road (GM Cordova Avenue):
From a Lonely Path to a site of Vibrant Progress

LIFESTYLE

To many Bacolodnons, Brgy, Mandalagan's famous Buri Road in the 90s was a dark, secluded and lonely road. The only thing that comes to mind about this less known path is that it's a shortcut point to the Lady of Mercy Hospital and Eroreco subd or to the Circumferential Road that also connects to Brgy. Bata. Buri Road was known also for being the road to one of Bacolod's elite subdivisions, the Mountain View Subdivision.
At night, nobody seemed to dare to pass by this area unless it's an emergency situation or if you live within the area.

WATCH THIS VIDEO

However, with the transfer of the Vallacar's Ceres Bus Terminal and other small transportation players to the North Terminal at Bata area plus the opening of the Bacolod-SIlay Airport access road, Buri Road eventually became, not only a shortcut, but one of major arteries for transport traffic in the north of city which helped spawn the rise of business establishments like SME (Small to Medium Enterprises). Nowadays, there are clear signs of massive development in the area - a far cry back decades ago.

CitiMall Mandalagan is the first major landmark that signals you're already at this road. Driving along, you can find some car wash, resto bars, cafes, subdivisions, grocery stores, water refilling stations, a FastWest gasoline station, laundry hubs, pet shop and more like Tawhai Spa. If you are entering from the circumferential road, the landmark you'll see first is Home Improvement Mandaue Foam and Furniture's showroom.

But what makes Buri Road, a modern stopover and destination are the presence of major property developers and popular local cafes and restaurants.

First, there's the flagship of Vistaland - Camella Homes Subdivision which dominates other small subdivisions like Estancia Subd. Then beside is the high-rise condo apartment the Camella Manors Olivera and Vistaland's affiliate AllValue establishment which has AllHome (homebuilder depot), All Value Supermarket, Coffee Project, All American (Pizza), Chicken Deli in its vicinity.

WATCH THIS VIDEO

At the adjacent side, you can find Rockwell's Nara Residences. Just in front of the entrance of this condominium development is The Pavilions at Nara. This lifestyle hub has stores like UCC Cafe Terrace (coffeeshop), Mitsuyado Sei-Men (Japanese Ramen - Tsukemen noodles resto), Coco Ichibanya (Japanese Curry Rice Toppings) diner, Firehook Boulangerie Et Patisserie (Artesan bakery restaurant) and soon Buri Road Coffee.

WATCH THIS VIDEO

Meanwhile, local coffee and cake shop Quino's, restaurant Masskara Chicken Inasal, At Ani Building, you can find Steamin' Cup, Romantic Baboy, a Baan Thai Homm (a Resto that offers authentic Thai cuisine), Edibowl, Sizzling Station Mandalagan, Kapehan ni Roney, and Keeka.

In front of All Value is a marketplace with establishments like Cafe Milan, Taste Station pop up cart, Community Clinic, Two Spot restobar, Carbin Seafood, Wash Buddies laundry station, Aqua Touch Water Refilling Station, Kakao Chicken Korean Grill Restaurant, and Ninik's Kandingan.

If you and your friends are in this area of Bacolod and hunters of great tasting food and tambayan, Buri Road is more than a path but a prime destination that has lots to offer.