Northland Resort in Manapla is a perfect place to relax and unwind from the hustle and bustle of the City life. The resort is just 45 minutes to an hour ride from Bacolod City. It is conveniently located just a few meters from the Highway, the restaurant and the Mall.

Well last August, I was fortunate enough as I got the chance to go on an overnight trip and experience Northland Resort for my Birthday, thanks to Portia and Celia!

Located at the Municipality of Manapla, Northland Resort offers wide varieties of rooms, cabana and gazebo that are perfect for your needs, may it be a day trip or an over-night stay. The room rate is affordable as well as the food prices. We only paid Php 350 for our lunch and the serving was really big so my cousin had it wrapped.

The family rooms cost is Php 2,500 (4 adults and 2 children) and they charge Php200 for extra person but we made a bargain with the receptionist and told them we’re 5 in the group with 2kids. She told us it’s ok but didn’t charge us the extra person. Good deal right? My aunt even told me that when they stayed at Northland they just booked the standard room which is Php 1,650 and they were 10 in the room. I was like “uhhh?! How did you fit in there? Someone slept at the bathroom? ” I can just imagine them looking like sardines in a can *smiles* Anyways, if you’re a fitness buff Northland is perfect for you as you’ll have a complimentary use of the resort fitness gym aside from the complimentary breakfast. The resort is also a WiFi zone so you’ll still have a connection to your family and friends.

Well, one will never get bored in Northland Resort Hotel as they offer entertainment and sports facilities. They have a ten-pin bowling lanes where you could challenge your friends or family. They also have a billiard hall, electronic arcade games, Videoke rooms, fitness gym and boxing training arena. The only downside with the resort is the lack of water sports. Well, that’s understandable as it’s a waterpark. You can’t go jet skiing on the pool right? Hmmm… That gives me an idea. Why don’t we try that next time? Just for the heck of it? Or am I on a suicide mission here? Well, don’t mind me.

Anyways, all-in-all Northland Resort Hotel is a perfect place to just chill after a busy weekday. It’s a home away from home where you could bond with your friends and family. Well, we really had fun during our visit. We also tried there ten-pin bowling lanes before we went home. And guess what? Our body ached the next day because we bowled for 3hours.But it was all worth it. Sad to say I lost the game to Portia. Better luck next time right?

Thanks again Portia and Celia!!! Until our next trip guys.

Tara Lagaw ta!

For the first month of the year, I was really blessed as I was able to join the Kabankalan Sinulog Festival and Iloilo Dinagyang Festival. Aside from that I was able to go on a tour of southern Negros. I was lucky as I met new friends during the festival. It was also my first time to experience the Tibiao Fish Spa. It was really one of a kind.

During the month of LOVE, I was invited by Ms. Rossini of Bago Tourism Office to celebrate with them the Babaylan Festival. Babaylan means a healer. Aside from that I was able to join the Bacolaodiat Festival in Bacolod. I’m part of one of the contingent but unfortunately we weren’t able to win the grand price.

How could I forget March? This was when we went to Sagay City for the Sinigayan Festival streetdance only to be a bit disappointed with it, but we weren’t disappointed with the food as we went home in a full stomach. Victorias City also celebrated their Kadalag-an Festival during March and it was the first time that SugarCoatedKismet joined us covers it. We were the only blogger/photographer in the middle of the plaza.

Food tripping on April woot! Wooh! Yes, it’s the Pana-ad sa Negros Month so it means food trip for us. We ate puto and oyster for the whole week of Pana-ad, April 4-9. I also went to Don Salvador and ate Palitaw for the first time. And oh it was so good. Aside from that I went back in Manila for another food trip. Yes! Yummy April it was.

Adventure May. Who in their right mind would jump off a 60 foot tree? Suicide right? But Uhmm… I did?! Yes, I jumped of a 60 ft tree in TreeTop Adventure Subic and it was really crazy. I assure you, you’ll get your dose of adrenalin rush with this one. It’s my first time to try the wave pool. It’s fun, especially if you’re with friends.
June was spent with my lovely friends in Manila. I so miss them much.

Back in Bacolod in July. Visited Mambukal with my dear friends. And finally able to get my student drivers permit (again?!?). Yes, I applied for another permit again as I always forgot to get my driver’s license.

August. It’s my birthday! Yo! Shawty it’s my Birthday. For the first time, I was able to celebrate my birthday with my relatives on my mother side. It was really a blast!

September. Busy month with the business and the Negros Blogging Seminar.

October. Met new friends during Masskara Festival. I also spent the month with our Masskara Dancers, Brgy. 17. October is also the  Anniversary month of Lagawan, but instead of the usual blog contest I decided to do a charity project and spend it with the children of Central Manapla. The Project was scheduled first week of November for a reason.

Bitter-sweet November. Celebrated Lagawan’s 7th anniversary with the Children of Manapla. The Paying it Forward Charity Project was a way of giving back to others all the blessings this blog got. The was the month for Negros Blogger as we hosted the 2011 Philippine Blog awards – Visayas in Silay City, Negros. NB also went on a tour after PBA but unfortunately I wasn’t able to join them as I got operated due to ruptured appendix. Ah! Bad timing. But that didn’t hinder me in going to Mambukal with my family.

Party December! It was a party month. The family had a party or 2 every week, plus the numerous nights out we had. Christmas was a blast! I so love the lechon, yummy! Last week of December, I went to Central Manapla to Welcome 2012 with a Bang!

Well, I can say 2011 has been a good ride for me. I had a chance to go to new places, meet new friends along the way, got new job opportunities, got kinda known because of Lagawan (yes, this was a surprise to me too) and of course I learned a lot of life lessons. I’m really thankful for all the blessings I received last 2011. Thank you Lord for everything!!!

2012 is here, I hope and pray that I’ll get greater opportunities and more travel this year. *Crossing-fingers* let’s face 2012 head high everyone. Happy New Year to all!

Regular Holidays

New Year’s Day – January 1 (Sunday)
Maundy Thursday- April 5
Good Friday – April 6
Araw ng Kagitingan – April 9 (Monday)
Labor Day -May 1 (Tuesday)
Independence Day – June 12 (Tuesday)
National Heroes Day – August 27 (Last Monday of August)
Bonifacio Day – November 30 (Friday)
Christmas Day – December 25 (Tuesday)
Rizal Day – December 30 (Sunday)

Special (Non-Working) Days
Chinese New Year – January 23 (Monday)
Ninoy Aquino Day – August 21 (Tuesday)
All Saints Day – November 1 (Thursday)
Additional special (non-working) day – November 2 (Friday)
Last Day of the Year- December 31 (Monday)
Special Holiday (for all schools)
EDSA Revolution Anniversary – February 25 (Saturday)
Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha
(These are tentative only, official dates to be announced by our Muslim brethrens)
Eid-al-Fitr – August 20 (Monday)
Eid-al-Adha – October 26 (Friday)

So hurry and plan your vacation for 2012, as there are many long weekends.

Thank you Lord for all the blessings and for making 2011 a wonderful year for all of us. Praying for a blissful and prosperous year.

Happy, happy New Year everyone!!!

Love, love, love

This was learned from Mayor Faustino Aquisio who said that the celebration of the town’s 111th anniversary on November 25 will signal the season of the increased tourists in the area.

Being one of oldest attractions in the Cordilleras, foreign tourists are among those who take interest in visiting the mummy caves which have guarded secrets of how the natives were able to mummify their dead similar to that of ancient Egypt.

Besides, adventurers who were able to climb Mount Pulag were able to see for themselves the unusual presence of two mountain lakes and mossy forests which are habitats to unique fishes and animals like the clouded rat.

Atop the mountain are the shortest bamboo-like grasses covered for some hours with frost in the early mornings of December, January and February.

Aquisio said the improved local tourism of Benguet encourages entrepreneurs to invest on tourism-related industries which include the production of souvenir items and delicacies. (PNA)

Paying it Forward Charity Project was held at St. Michael Archangel Church in Central Manapla, Negros Occidental.

Everyone really enjoyed the outreach and went home with a big heart & big smile on our faces. Just seeing those kids enjoying the party and so happy with the small give-aways we gave them could make you happy and sad at the same time. Hays! If only I have lots of money to do this everyday. Anyways, for more touching stories during the Paying it Forward Party please visit DBuzzToday.

I just want to thank everyone who helped me make this possible, especially to my Mom & her friends for the big donation, to Mayla of milesglimipses.com, Shang, Portia, Chona, My Nieces (Chelle, MM, Weweng), Eunice, My brother & his friends and to all my family and friends. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Until the next outreach everyone!!!

***PAHABOL***
- I need help for my next project this coming holiday season. Anyone willing to help? To Donate please email me at amecabalo[@]yahoo[.]com for details
- Things needed for the next Paying it Forward Charity Project: Rice, canned goods, noodles

Masskara Festival 2011 High School Category Champion: Luisa Medel High School

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Masskara Festival 2011 Elementary Category Champion: Sum-ag Elementary School

- Domingo Lacson High School

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Crowd and dancers after the Masskara Barangay Category arena dance competition, waiting for the results.

Electric Masskara. Efficascent Oil joined Bacolod Masskara Festival, or should I say IPI – Pharma

Big mask decor at Balay Quince

Well, during the announcement of the final result I was really tensed and excited and I kept crossing my fingers and chanting Team 17 while the City Mayor kept everyone in suspense with drumbeats effect on the side Hays! Sad to say we didn’t go home as the 2011 Masskara Festival Streetdance Champion for the Barangay Category but of course we’re still happy as we bagged the best in Choreography and the 1st runner-up. What’s important is we had a great time and the crowd loves us. So, I guess better luck next time Team 17 & we’re still proud of you guys!

Anyways here’s the 2011 Masskara Festival Barangay Streetdance Competition Winners:

GRAND WINNER: Barangay Banago
1ST RUNNER-UP: Barangay 17
2ND RUNNER-UP: Barangay Tangub
3RD RUNNER-UP: Barangay 23
4TH RUNNER UP: Barangay Alijis
Special Awards:
Best in Costume and Mask: Barangay Alijis
Best in Concept and Live Rhythm: Barangay Banago
Best in Choreography: Barangay 17.

Good job and Congratulations everyone for a successful Masskara Festival!

More photos and videos soon…

The masks making competition was held last Oct.2 at the Fountain Area of Robinson’s place and I was supposed to cover it but due to some important things I wasn’t able to go their or during the opening of the Village last Monday. But I’m happy to say that I was able to visit the Masskara Village yesterday and for 4 straight years out of 5.

Anyways, if you haven’t visited the MassKara Village yet don’t fret! As you still have until October 21, 2011 before the exhibit ends.

*****

ABS-CBN MASSKARA VILLAGE 2011

2nd Flr Robinson’s Place Bacolod

MakaBAYAN Masks

More photos later….

The seminar proper started with the introduction of the Negros Bloggers logo designed by Mark Will Magallanes. Then the speakers talked about blogging 101 from the very basic (introduction, how to start blogging, free blogging platform, etc) to SEO and how to earn money from it. Then Mr. Tronco also discussed about why Negrense should blog.

This event was made possible thanks to Ms. Lorena of SM City Bacolod for the venue, Negros Daily Bulletin for the print ads, Sugarlandia Barquillos for the food, Eduardo Joven of Pinoy Recipe for the T-shirt, Eric and Lloyd for saying yes (biskan pro bono sya ), and to all Negros Bloggers. Kudos to us! Until the next event!