The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 32,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 12 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.
Bacolod-Manila-Singapore-Kuala Lumpur – Phuket-Singapore – Manila – Bacolod — can you believe how many rides are these?
First Stop-What did I do Singapore?
Since this was not my first time in Singapore, I was not interested to visit the zoo or Sentosa, instead I checked on the Marina Bay Sands and tried my luck. I was kind of lucky tho, I won a hundred and ninety Singapore Dollars. I like the shopping area at Marina, it was complete. As usual, I enjoyed the very convenient commuter buses and trains in this city. The government are just genius for creating perfect routes, honest and discipline citizens.
Next stop, Kuala Lumpur….it looks like Manila, traffic, crowded and the drivers, you can never be sure. The streets are not clean but at least I saw the Petronas Towers. I was not lucky at Genting Highlands Casino, I lost in the two casinos, The Starworld and Resorts World Genting. Anyways, goods are not so cheap, but the massage was good.
Phuket was a great place for vacation . The beach view was refeshing. The shopping places were okay. The people were friendly and the hotels were nice and cheap. During the night, keep your children away from the pole dancing party animals.
All in all, I enjoyed my trip. There were alone times and times for the family. But one thing I believe in, if we work hard everyday, we deserve a break. Don’t be selfish with, yourself, pamper your self, travel, shop and eat, for life is short!
DJ Mo Twister, what do we call this guy? Taking a video about your sentiments of your girlfriend’s abortion with your child? WTF!! What kind of people are these two?
According to his video, he feels crushed that they had to opt to abortion because both their careers will be ruined? What do you think is happening now?
At the latest, DJ Mo flew to New York and Rhian Ramos has announced that she is going to take a break from show business.
And here’s another one, GMA Network is filing charges against DJ Mo for including the station in his confessions.
Here are the words of DJ Mo in the video:
ITS 28TH OF JULY 2010, FIRST TIME IM DOING THIS. I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHY. UM, MAYBE ONE DAY YOU’LL WATCH THIS. JUST TO REMEMBER HOW HORRIBLE OF A DAY IT IS. YOURE IN SINGAPORE, YOU’VE BEEN CRYING ALL EVENING BECAUSE TOMORROW MORNING, YOU AND RHIAN WILL GO TO THE HOSPITAL HERE AND GET RID OUR BABY. IT DOESN’T MATTER NAMAN WHAT I THINK ABOUT IT BECAUSE THIS WAS HER CHOICE. I DON’T KNOW HOW LONG YOU’LL KEEP THIS AS A SOUVENIR, BUT THIS IS THE TEST. (WHISPER) THIS IS WRONG. THIS IS THE HARDEST THING (CRYING) THIS IS THE HARDEST THING YOU’VE GONE THROUGH BEFORE AND YOU’VE GONE THROUGH SO MUCH. AND WE HAVE TO BLAME OUR JOBS FOR THIS? THIS INDUSTRY THAT JUDGES YOU FOR THESE THINGS. THIS BUSINESS HAS MADE HER BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE TO TAKE THE LIFE OF OUR OWN CHILD BECAUSE NO ONE WILL FORGIVE HER FOR THIS. THAT THIS JOB WILL RUIN HER, SO WE AGREED THAT WE’D COME HERE AND GET IT DONE. BECAUSE YOU LOVE HER AND YOU JUST WANT HER TO BE OKAY. ITS NOT LIKE RHIAN IS HAVING AN EASY TIME WITH THIS TOO. ITS HARD ON ALL OF US. SHE SAID ONE DAY WE WILL SEE THIS AGAIN. AND MAYBE OUR JOBS WILL BE A LITTLE BIT EASIER AND MORE ACCEPTING ABOUT IT. ONE DAY YOU’LL LOOK AT THIS VIDEO, 20 YEARS FROM NOW, I DON’T EVEN KNOW IF YOU WILL STILL BE TOGETHER AND IT WILL STILL HURT. IT WILL STILL HURT LIKE HELL. (CRYING). YOU’LL BE SORRY FOR THIS YOUR WHOLE LIFE. I’LL BE SORRY FOR THIS MY WHOLE LIFE. IM SORRY FOR THE BAD CHOICE WE ARE ABOUT TO MAKE. ITS HARD FOR BOTH OF US. NOBODY WANTS TO DO THIS. I KNOW OTHER CELEBRITIES HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SUCCEED AFTER THIS PROBLEM, IF IT IS EVEN A PROBLEM, I DON’T KNOW IF IT’S A PROBLEM. BUT YOU KNOW, HER PARENTS ARE TOUGH ON HER. HER STATION, HER CHANNEL, HER MANAGER IS SO TOUGH ON HER THAT IT HAS MADE HER FEEL THAT HAVING THIS BABY, IS JUST NO OTHER OPTION. I KNOW RHIAN IS YOUNG. MAYBE ONE DAY WHEN WE’RE OLDER, WHEN SHE IS OLDER, THAT WE WONT HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS. I DON’T BLAME HER. THE PRESSURE ON HER IS SO GREAT. THAT I KNOW SHE FEELS LIKE SHE HAS NO CHOICE. SO THIS IS NOT YOUR FAULT RHIAN. ITS NOT. I KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO BE YOU IN HERE, IN THIS SITUATION. ITS JULY 28, 2010 AND IM SITTING INSIDE THE HOTEL. THE RITZ-CALRTON IS SINGAPORE AND WE’VE BEEN FIGHTING ALL NIGHT ABOUT THIS. IM DOING MY BEST TO TRY TO KEEP YOU SAFE. AND ALL THIS FIGHTING IS TAKING A TOLL ON US. I WISH WE COULD HAVE THIS CHILD. I DON’T WANT TO DO THIS. THIS JOB IS SO DIFFICULT. ITS SO DIFFICULT. IM SO SORRY. I’LL BE SORRY FOREVER. AGAIN, ONE DAY YOU’LL WATCH THIS. MAYBE WHEN YOURE AN OLD MAN. YOU’LL REMEMBER HOW DIFFICULT TODAY WAS. AND I HOPE YOU WATCH THIS AND I HOPE BY THAT TIME I’LL BE MARRIED AND I’LL HAVE A FAMILY THAT I CAN TRY TO MAKE IT UP TO. YOURE GOING TO DO SOMETHING REALLY WRONG TODAY. IM SORRY FOR THAT. THIS IS BUSINESS IS SO SO HARD. THIS BUSINESS IS SO HARD ON ITS EMPLOYEES. I GUESS ALL BUSINESSES ARE. I DON’T KNOW. ITS OUR FAULT I KNOW. WE CANT REALLY BLAME OUR JOBS BECAUSE OTHER PEOPLE DID IT. BUT UM, I UNDERSTAND
Here’s an English translation of the controversial speech of the President of the Philippines Benigno S. Aquino, III at the Criminal Justice Summit:
Our gathering this morning is an opportunity to further assess the strengths and weaknesses of the present criminal justice system, and to come up with new and timely initiatives concerning the delivery of justice. We say timely, because of recent headlines in newspapers and on television, in which the entire country has witnessed the complexities of the duties of our clerks of court, our lawyers, and our judges. There is no doubt as to the gravity of your task. Your decisions and the steps you take have implications integral to our democracy. Because of this, it is important to reflect on Article 2, Section 1 of the Constitution: Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them. I remind you of this now because there was a point in our history when it seems we have forgotten this. During martial law, justice was not directed toward the welfare of the people, but rather to cater to the whims of a single person: the late President Ferdinand Marcos. My own family was a victim of this: My father was court martialed, but the verdict had already been set even before the trial commenced. With a court made up of magistrates, lawyers, prosecutors, and witnesses all appointed by the accuser—Mr. Marcos—the dictatorship exerted all efforts to skew justice and run roughshod over my father’s human rights. He did no wrong, and yet he languished for seven years and seven months in jail, while those in power feasted on the national coffers. They took away Justice’s blindfold, and tilted its scales toward their own interests.
Now, as President of this country, I have a sworn duty: preserve and defend its Constitution, execute its laws, do justice to every man, and consecrate myself to the service of the Nation. And part of my mandate is making certain that what transpired during Martial Law does not happen again, and ensuring that anyone who so much as attempts to repeat the same offenses is held accountable.
This is why, from the moment I assumed office, we have been laying the groundwork to get to the bottom of the allegations of corruption against the past administration: from the fertilizer scam, which ended up fattening only the pockets of a few officials, to the ZTE deal, which allegedly resulted in the abduction of witness Jun Lozada; from the allegations of fraud in the 2004 and 2007 elections, to the many other acts of corruption that we want to shed light upon.
We started by creating the Truth Commission, which was supposed to look into the alleged widespread acts of corruption during the past administration, and to hold those responsible for them to account. We had no other purpose for this than to address past wrongdoings as quickly as possible. But we all know what happened: The Supreme Court said that the formation of the Truth Commission was unconstitutional. From the onset, obstacles had already been put in our path.
It is within the COMELEC’s duties to make certain that our elections remain fair. So it is but natural that they ask for the assistance of the DOJ in investigating the allegations of cheating back in 2007. The formation of such panels is not uncommon, and yet once again the Supreme Court is questioning it. They are also questioning the legality of the warrant of arrest issued by the Pasay Regional Trial Court to Mrs. Arroyo.
Also, note this: The Supreme Court handed down the TRO together with certain conditions. But not long after that, they themselves admitted that the conditions need not be met for the TRO to be in effect. How baffling of them to include conditions they had no plans of seeing fulfilled. We have been following all the right processes, and still we are being accused of picking a fight. May I ask: who in their right mind would not be suspicious of their true intent?
This is not the first time we were perplexed by a ruling of the Supreme Court. According to Article 7, Section 15 of the Constitution, “Two months immediately before the next presidential elections and up to the end of his term, a President or Acting President shall not make appointments, except temporary appointments to executive positions when continued vacancies therein will prejudice public service or endanger public safety.” But we all know how Mrs. Arroyo insisted on appointing the Chief Justice. He was appointed, not two months before the election, but a week after. According to the law and one of their previous decisions, the Supreme Court ruled that the President could not appoint any official two months before an election, except for temporary appointments to the executive position. But they turned their back on their pronouncements when Mrs. Arroyo appointed the Honorable Chief Justice Renato Corona—in a position that was not in the executive branch, but of the judiciary. The question now is: is the Supreme Court in violation of the Constitution?
Another decision we have trouble accepting concerns the creation of districts in Congress: Article 6, Section 5 of the Constitution states that every district must have a population of more than 250,000. The problem was, there were areas that could not achieve this number—such as Camarines Sur, which has a population of about 176,000. When I was still in the Senate, as Chairman of the Committee on Local Government, I questioned the creation of this district, though the Supreme Court only junked the inquiry. The question now is: If the establishment of a district no longer relies on population, on what basis, then, will lawmakers rely? Does this mean that we continue to have rules on the creation of cities, but we have none for provinces or districts in provinces? I commiserate with the new Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Government, Senator Bongbong Marcos: I wish you good luck in resolving this problem; I tried my best to do so in my time.
We remain respectful of the separation of powers between the judiciary and the executive branches. We have no intention of encroaching on their duties, disregarding their rights, or tarnishing anyone’s reputation. But we need to remind ourselves of the bedrock principles of our democracy. We in public service owe it all to our Boss, the Filipino people. We are here only to serve the people, and to serve our fellow Filipinos with utmost industry and integrity.
Now, if there is one public servant who thinks he does not owe his countrymen—who, after all, is the wellspring of our power—but a patron who had snuck him into position, can we reasonably expect him to look after the interests of our people?
I do not have a degree in law. But I was brought up with a clear view of what is right and what is wrong; of what is just, and what is corrupt. I stand firmly in my belief that justice cannot be steered toward the whims of magistrates. Not even lawyers and judges can treat the law as a toy to be fiddled with or juggled according to what they desire.
Allow me to reiterate what I had mentioned earlier: the power of the Supreme Court, the President, and Congress all emanate from their single Boss: the people. Therefore, we should only favor and fight for the people’s interests. I swore to preserve and defend the Constitution, execute its laws, do justice to every man, and consecrate myself to the service of the Nation. I have no intention of violating my sworn oath; I have no intention of failing the Filipino people.
It is my obligation—it is everyone’s obligation—to remain focused on a single direction, under one unifying aspiration: to serve and uphold the interests of the nation. To all those who stand shoulder to shoulder with us along this straight and righteous path, have faith: So long as we are on the side of what is right, we will not back down from any fight. And so long as the people are behind us, we will triumph. Let us not let them down.
Thank you.
~ Source
According to reports, the Chief Justice has no plans of resigning amid persistent attacks by the President in his speeches, (ha?)
In an interview, Supreme Court spokesman and Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez said Corona has not mentioned anything about giving up his post.
Corona’s term ends in 2018.
Here comes Masskara once again! Time to party and unwind. Like the previous, I together with my family and my friends were visible on the streets. Friday night, I met my siblings and the kids at Robinsons Place. We ate dinner and then off to the Lacson Strip.
The crowded strip showcased more than five bands playing on every corner. I saw one in fronting PNB, one near Munsterrific, one in Coca Cola old building, another one in Enting’s Special of Sagay and another one in 21 Bar.
My first stop was at Kaisei were I met with friends Dante, Honey and Tisha with their kids, While Joco joined Mike, Dennis and Rico at the Carnival, Princess and Jan Jan with Yayas were with me in Lacson.
That Friday we went home at around 2pm. The following day was carnival time. The kids enjoyed the all the safe rides they took. That night, i partied with friends along the crowded strip.
I’m glad that Masskara has really made a name as one of tourists’ targets when it comes to festivals.I see a lot of Tagalogs, Bisaya and foreign nationals around. I hope the city will continue to improve the events and be more creative so that people will always look forward for it and remember when it’s October, it’s Masskara time!!
It was a few of the days when the City of Victorias was so quiet and the streets looked really sad. It was like a holiday without cars on the road, the flag half mast, the traffic enforcers sad looked, the City hall employees have teary eyes.
The people are crying, the workers are in mourning, the family is in grief. The Mother of Victorias left them. Former Mayor Remedios P. Bantug was a woman that almost everyone knew to be the most generous, religious, kind-hearted and yet strong-willed lady who helped thousands of people. The legacy that she left the City is enormous that thousands of people flock to her wake. The flower shops stopped accepting orders of flowers because everyone was just sending her. People lined up to see a glance of the old lady. The President of the country and some members of the Senate and House of Representative, Public Officials and Officers of multinational Corporations sent their sympathies.
Personally, Mrs. Bantug or Lola Idiong, was the most generous person to have helped me and my family. She shared in our tuition fees, paid some of the lawyers fees, paid some of the hospital bills and medicine, gave work and business to my parents, lend us anything that she had to facilitate relatives. I can hardly remember her saying no to a needy family member. This kind of testimony is not for us but for the people she loved in general , the people whom she saw the need of extending a hand.
Lola Idiong built that Ikaayong Lawas Foundation Hospital or Immaculate Conception Hospital, the only hospital in Victorias which catered the people of Manapla, Victorias and EB Magalona. She spearheaded the Damas de la Caridad and was active in Church activities because of the many donations for the Church. Her family is always involved in medical missions and outreach programs. During her stint as Mayor of Victorias, at the age of 81, she has built the Victorias Rehabilation Center, beautified the plaza, shared in the construction of the Coliseum and many other projects that helped the City to be a better place to live in.
Lola Idiong is survived by her siblings, Atty. Sammy Palanca, Mayor Vero Palanca, Nenita Alonte, Chayong Palanca and Dr. Ernesto Palanca, children, Vicky Hoffart, Armita Rufino, Reynaldo Bantug and Cynthia Regino, her children in law, grand children and great grandchildren. She will always be remembered for her kind heart and generosity, firm leadership, sweet smile, and her smart dresses and jewelries, and her throwing of extravangant parties held in her “punong”.
Farewell, grand matriarch, may your rest in peace!
Wow it’s the first time in that I did not write for a month and it reached two months that I didn’t. The last article I posted was about my brother’s eulogy to Lola Aling who passed away last Sept. 2. Whew that was a long time ago.
Blogging and writing really takes time. You produce great articles when it is time for you to do so. When you are not in the mood to write, don’t!! Because you will end up not satisfied with your writing. Despite of the things that has transpired for the past two months, I did not bother or attempted to write. I just didn’t feel like doing so. Despite that life changing, moving and happiest occasions I’ve been through.
Well now, I am not really forced to. Even though checking the numbers, its been admittedly lower that it used to be. I have a free time this afternoon. I have nothing to do, and I feel like i that not shopping nor going to spa should kill my afternoon but some articles to fill my site.
So seat back and relax and enjoy reading, I am back to the blogging world, and its not just one but more article for this afternoon…
FAREWELL LOLA ALING
MISS ROSALINA J. HAUTEA
February 11, 1927-September 2, 2011
I will miss you my love./Writing a farewell message to you is the hardest thing I could do./ I just can’t say Good bye./ I wish I could change the wheels of time and the shape of our destiny so I can go back to our sweetest moments together./ I miss you/ and I miss everything about you./ I am so lost to know that we will never see each other again ever./ I was not just ready to let you go especially that I am not home./ I thought we will stick to our promise to wait for each other?/ I have asked for March so I can go home to take care of you./ It so break my heart that you had to go and not wait for me./ I had asked for 6 more months, after 4 ½ years of longing to see you./
This is the most painful time for me ever in my whole life./ I know how hard you tried to wait for me so we can fulfill our promise./ I dread for that day,/ but I know, it will never happen anymore. My bags have been packed just as I am ready to go home immediately but it was just too late. Please forgive me for not being able to see you,/ hug you/ and kiss you for the last time./ I failed to take care of you with my own presence and touch./ I am so sorry Lola Aling./ It’s so hard to accept the fact that you are gone forever./ You meant so much to me/ and I love you so much,/ and I love you so much that I had to go/ so I can give you the best./ But that’s what love is really all about./ It means sacrificing your personal happiness and interests for the one you love./ I learned it from you./
Finding the right words to say good bye is difficult./ It will take me a lifetime to recover from this pain./ It breaks me apart./ No words can express how I feel about losing you./
It is my faith in our God that keeps me strong at this point in time./ I know I have no one to turn to especially that I am alone,/ but to hold on to my faith and accept HIS WILL./
Oh sweetest Jesus in Heaven,/ please receive my Lola Aling,/ I trust in You./
Now that you are gone,/ I have no reason to stay longer in the US./ My business here is done./ I will just drain out whatever endurance is left and go home/ to live simple and decent life./ For I know from day one,/ America is not for me, but home/ but because I needed to serve you and ensure your wellness,/ I happily decided to stay./ Because I know I won’t earn the kind of money that we will need for your medical needs, if I were there./ I just hope to myself,/ that perhaps I was able to fulfill my duty to you as a son./ Because I am your son/ and you are my mother,/ and you are my joy./
Two Nights after Lola Aling passed away,/ my real mother,/ Mommy Minda visited me in a dream./ Thank you Mommy for coming to comfort me./ It is indeed true that a mother,/ knows and feels the child’s pain./ In my dream,/ Mommy and I were walking along downtown in Bacolod,/ when an old woman gave me a handful of loose diamonds in my hand./ I did not like it because it got defects and came in different weird sizes and shapes./ When I started to complain,/ Mommy, pat my back and consoled me with these meaningful words,/ “ Just accept it and be thankful”./ Upon waking up, I realized what Mommy was really trying to tell me,/ to accept that Lola is gone and be thankful that she is finally home./
A few days later,/ a small white butterfly touched me in the arm in broad day light here in California./ I surely knew it was my Lola Aling,/ because I felt her presence./ She was visiting me,/ just like when I smelled the scent of fresh flowers when my Mom passed away./
I did not ever imagine that,/ that morning in the airport some 4 years ago on March 9, 2007/ will become our last meeting/ and that kiss would be the last kiss./ I could have given you my hardest hug and my sweetest kiss/ but even so,/ it will not be enough,/ I know./ I don’t know how to handle this because its just too painful./ The ache is constant./ But I know God has a reason for everything that has happened./ I know I should be happy because you are now under His care/ and that could not be any better than any of my own care. /
Every time I wake up/ I see only your face/ and from that face I feel better, knowing that face loves me so much/ and treated me like her own son./
You never gave up on me in all my troubles,/ even though the world was telling you to leave me,/ and for that,/ I say THANK YOU.
Since the time you took me under your care when I was 6 years old,/ I felt nothing else lesser than your love,/ and care,/ and protection./ You are my mother/ and I am your son/ and I thank you for the privilege of being your son./ Thank you for making that decision to raise me./ I owe my life to you./
The retired teacher’s community here know pretty well/ that since then,/ I became like a tail to you./ Wherever you are,/ Dino is following you./ They often would say/ “Ari na ang Bata ni Saling”./ Thank you for caring for me,/ for the attention you gave me./ And for that LOVE,/ that did not recognize limits and boundaries./
We became a family of two./ For many years since I was a boy,/ we lived in one small bedroom in the house in atubang simbahan,/ with our own kitchen,/ dining/ and living area in it./ We lived independently./ We slept in one bed/ and I remember not being able to sleep without Lola Aling by my side./ I was everything to you/ and you to me./
You were a wonderful cook/ and many people remember you for your Valenciana,/ Dinugu-an/ and Pancit Molo,/ I went with you wherever the cookings took place./ As well as your mahjong sessions./ You gave me my childhood experience./ The trips to Bacolod,/ mostly to get loans from Feobit/ or GSIS/ which normally entails eat/ and shop at downtown were one of the bests./ Eating Batchoy in Downtown was your item./ You loved to buy step in sandals for yourself./
In your stronger days,/ you don’t trust others to do my laundry works/ especially my karsonsilyo/ as you call it/ because only you/ can make the best,/ the whites whiter./ When I wake up,/ my breakfast is ready/ and my towels have been prepared./
Each time I complement breakfast is good,/ I will have the same breakfast for the rest of the week,/ until I start to complain,/ then that’s when the menu gets changed again./ All at my convenience./
You know everyone/ including their business/ both good and bad./ I remember as a boy when we walk in a street,/ to go from point A to point B/ which will normally take us only 20 minutes,/ it will get us 3 hours to reach to our destination/ because you would chat to everyone that we meet along the way,/ as a boy I was always there pestering you./ It becomes a sweet memory now./
The prayers you taught me,/ to this day,/ I still pray them each single night./
In all of my 6 years at Victorias Elementary School,/ you were also there as a teacher./ You let me choose who I want to be my teacher for next school year/ and I usually get it./ By the time I graduated,/ it was also the time of your retirement after 38 years of service./ As I went to Don Felix to study High School,/ you went with me when you rented the school’s canteen./ That’s why all of my teachers and classmates from both elementary and high school know who is Tya Saling to Dino./ We lived very simple/ but loved filled life./
Lola Aling,/ I want to tell you how much I love you/ and how much I miss you/ and I wish you are still around to be with me,/ for one,/ to sing with me via skype, our favorite old visayan songs like Felimon and Dandansoy,/ and we would both giggle./
I know that your mission is now over./ You have done your part,/ you have raised 2 sons/ and taught many students/ and loved many friends./ Served relatives/ and touched lives./ God wants you home now,/ so I release you./ In my heart,/ you never went anywhere,/ you are always here with me./ My heart is a safe place where you dwell now./ We are always together./ Farewell,/ but I will never say good bye./
To the Retired Teachers Community who are here today,/ Thank you very much./ You are always very dear to me because you are a part of mine and Lola’s lives./ Each time I will see any of you,/ it will always remind me of my Lola Aling./ Thank you for your love./ I consider you our family./
To all of Lola’s friends and relatives,/ Madamo gd nga salamat sa inyo pag unong sa amon sa sini nga ti-on./ The love you have shown today meant so much./
To my siblings Michael,/ Maricel,/ Maricar,/ and Dennis,/nephew Rico and Niece Princess/ cousins Lara and Andre/ and friends Grace,Randy/ and Ning-ning/ thank you so much for covering for me while I’m gone,/ for making the effort to make Lola Aling feel that she is not alone/ and also,/ for your own love/ and affection/ shown to our dearly beloved Lola Aling./ Words can’t express how grateful I am to you/ for giving Lola the love that she deserves from you./ You have become selfless for her./ I have seen how a family works in us./ THANK YOU.
To the daughters of Lola Pelia Lazalita- Manang Nancy and Manang Echel,/ thank you very much for always being there and checking on/ and giving me advices on Lola’s health condition./ Your love and kindness is sincerely felt,/ SALAMAT GID.
I would like to special mention Tita Ninfa Lajera,/ Tita Myrna De Asis/ and our neighbors/ Tita Loret Palmes,/ Tita Norma/ and especially The Demiden Family/- Tita Didi,/ Tita Lete,/ Tita Mila,/ Tita Annete,/ for always seeing Lola and keeping her in company./ She needed those./
To my 3 other Nanays,/ Tita Lilia Espera/ Tita Pearl Javelosa,/ and Mams Visi Calida/ – For 3 years now—in all my sorrows and griefs—I always found solace and comfort in your words./ Your love is felt deeply./ SALAMAT GID SA INYO.
To Lola’s biological nieces from Iloilo,/ I can’t thank you enough for sharing Lola Aling with us./ I know how much you love your Auntie Saling/ and how much you wanted her to be with you/ but you gave her the freewill to do what she desires./ I will always give you my respects/ and I humble myself to you because you are my Lola Aling’s loved ones./ I consider you a family./
To Manong Jonas,/ madamo gid nga salamat sa imo. You never ceased to help and care for Lola Aling. You gave her your lifetime commitment. I am glad that you and I were able to be with her till the end. She did not die lonely, and helpless.
Lastly,/ let it be known to all/ and I say it with pride/ and honor,/ that in my LIFE, there was once MISS ROSALINA J. HAUTEA, who took care of me like her own child. She will live in my heart forever.
Lola Aling,/ farewell my love./ I promise you/ I will live by the many life’s lessons that you imparted to me. SALAMAT GID KAG PALANGGA TA GID KA./ Till we meet again.
Toto Din-din
It always feels good and proud to have a milestone in your locality. The first flyover in Bacolod which has been a topic of debates and credit was formally launched last Friday.
People have been waiting so much for take a ride to the popular benchmark. Me and my friend Ian, out of curiosity, tried to pass thru it during the opening day itself and we enjoyed the ride.
I felt good and felt I was in Manila and other places while driving up the flyover. Joco too was enjoying and asked to pass thru it over and over again last Saturday. Sadly the u turn slot is in Talisay so I kind of consumed an unreasonable amount of gasoline for that vice of my son.
When you’re there above, you can see both roads to the side. The right sight show Bata Road going to Marapara Golf Club and the opposite shows the road going to Banago Wharf. You also can see the sea at the Banago Wharf. Beside the flyover stand big Chowking and Ayala billboards, similar to those in Edsa.
Going North, I can see the terminals being constructed and the wide highway leading to Talisay’s Class Subdivisions, Ayala Northpoint, Amaia, Plantazione and Active group. I am so happy and excited to live in La Costa Brava, it’s the subdivision nearest to the landmark and all the newly opened establishments nearby.
A few years back, I was really bored to stay in Bacolod. The phase of life was really slow and backwards. Lately, I refused an offer to transfer to Manila by my employer because it seems that my hometown underwent a lot of transformations and developments and I want to enjoy it first before other people would. After all, there’s no place like home.
Located just 30 minutes from the new Bacolod-Silay International Airport, it’s an easy drive going to Casino Filipino Hotel-Bacolod. As soon as you get within the Goldenfield Commercial Center—a misnomer as it’s considered the premiere night life area in the City of Smiles—it’s hard to miss the hotel with its Spanish-inspired architectural style towering amidst various restaurants, nightclubs, shops and other hotels/inns operating in the area. A mere five minutes away lie bustling Shoemart Bacolod, the Bacolod City Port Area and the city center downtown.
But the real reasons why guests keep coming back to Casino Filipino Hotel-Bacolod? Simply these:
1. Gaming tables
There’s never a dull moment from the 22 gaming tables that the casino operates in its main gaming floor. Find your Lady Luck on the exciting Baccarat and Super Six tables, then jump over to the Pontoon and Paigow games for more action. Check out the Roulette wheel if you’re just killing time, but there are also the more intimate VIP rooms if you’ve got the money to drop in private!
2. Slot machines
There are about 227 exciting slot machine units waiting to charm you, including Sports of Kings, Fire and Ice, Manny Pacquiao Link, Cash Express and the 12 newly-installed units of Fa Fa Fa. Try your luck, who knows you might be one of the 4 jackpot winners monthly!
3. Hotel
Casino Filipino Hotel-Bacolod has more than enough space to accommodate you with its 48 deluxe rooms, 16 deluxe double rooms, 3 suite rooms and a Presidential Suite. Among PAGCOR’s casinos, its Bacolod branch is its only property with a hotel. Room rates range from P1,188 to P6,600, with each air-conditioned room equipped with cable TV, hot and cold shower, a mini bar and WiFi connection to the Internet.
4. Dining
The hotel’s Café Tertulia operates at the main lobby, offering a delightful view of Goldenfield Commercial Complex by night. Its bill of fare is proudly Bacolod cuisine, with mostly Filipino specialties. Among its must-try bestsellers are Crispy Pata, Baby Back Ribs and Bulalo. There is also a mouth-watering weekend dinner buffet from Fridays to Sundays. There’s more: be entertained while dining with nightly bands at the lobby.
5. Function Rooms and Amenities
Poolside
Get tan while your kids go for a dip at the Poolside of the hotel. Take a sip from a wide choice of fruit smoothies while relaxing in the cabanas and tents surrounding the adult and kiddie pools. Poolside is also ideal for children’s swimming parties and Luau parties at night.
Amphitheatre
Standing just beside Poolside, the amphitheatre is a preferred venue for cockfighting events, boxing matches and bingo sessions. It can seat from 800 up to 1000 depending on the event set up. It has been a favorite venue for concerts and corporate parties.
The Cinco de Novembre
This is a function room comfortably located up the grand staircase at the second floor. It is perfect for meetings, seminars, conferences and training events. It can accommodate up 80 persons on a theatre set up, and up to 60 persons with a classroom-style arrangement.
The Taberna
The Taberna club can accommodate up to 150 guests. It is equipped with a sound system and videoke for music lovers and music makers. The stage is great for bands and performances while you sip your favorite cocktail drink. The center dance floor invites party-goers to swing the night away!
6. Bingo
Famous for its Bingo games, Casino Filipino Hotel-Bacolod holds twice-a-week Bingo session every Tuesday and Friday, as well as special Bingo Bonanza Events with big jackpot prizes throughout the year.
7. Nightly entertainment
Taking a break from gaming action? Relax and be amused from the nightly entertainment available at the casino gaming floor itself. There’s another band playing at Cafe Tertulia from 9:00 pm to 1:00 am daily, not to mention the lively pianist playing favorites at the main lobby of the hotel. Get the urge to sing along? Feel free. Why not ask our pianist for more? He will gladly oblige with your accompaniment.
8. Chapel
Who says meditation and prayers don’t go along with casino playing? Casino Filipino Hotel-Bacolod boasts an air-conditioned chapel off its Poolside where guests and employees can hear Sunday and First Friday Mass.
9. Goldenfield Commercial Complex
As already mentioned, Casino Filipino Hotel-Bacolod is situated within the Goldenfield Commercial Complex area, where the city’s night life pulses till the wee hours. Some notable establishments include Caribbean Water Park where the family can rest while children enjoy the swimming pools and slides. If you like bowling with your friends, check out the Super Bowling Center beside the hotel itself. Party and celebrate till you drop at the Mo2 Restobar, which also features billiards and a videoke club. Feast on more seafoods, exotic fruits, Filipino and Ilonggo specialty food at nearby Aboy’s Restaurant, but don’t forget to savor the authentic Bacolod chicken inasal at the Chicken Alley right smack in the center of the Complex.
10. Employees and excellent customer service
From the drivers to the chamber maids, the concierge and the card dealers, waiters and the top management, the service of CF Bacolod is their biggest asset. Upon entry to the hotel, a warm smile welcomes the guests. According the Branch Manager, Ms. Estrella Luz Cabebe who herself is very accommodating and ebullient, customer service is a top priority to CF Bacolod and is the best thing that the keeps the beloved patron coming back.
