Bacolod Masskara Bags Showtime Inter-town Grand Prize

Spectacular, World-class, engaging, bringing the fiesta spirit… these are all the words you can hear from the Madlang People and the judges after the Bacolod Masskara Dancers rendered their number as one of the Grand Finalists of the ABS CBN Noontime Show, Showtime.

The Masskara dancers bagged the grand prize of 3 Million pesos, of which the 2 Million will be divided by the performers in the studio and in the remote area. The remaining 1 Million will go to the LGU (Bacolod City).

The dancers showcased their electrifying and very colorful performance which made Brgy. Banago, the Champion in the Inter Barangay street dancing competition last Masskara 2011, the grand prize winner of the Inter-town competition beating 7 other LGUs including two other groups from Negros ( La Castellana and Dumaguete).

From the studio, the audience was filled with the energy of the dancers not to mention their colorful and eye catching props. In the remote area, the festival mode was all over the New Government Center. The group was supposed to be the 4th group to perform, but because of technical defects, they were moved to 2nd to the last. But despite that, the dancers did not look tired and dismayed under the heat of the sun. The New Government Center was filled with dancers, supporters headed by the mayor himself, Mayor Bing Leonardia. A helicopter lent by Negros Occidental 3rd District Congressman Albee Benitez gave a huge impact to the performance, and is now trending on twitter.

The performance made Vice Ganda speechless and just pressed 10 as his score. All the judges gave the group as perfect ten.

Bailes de Luces from La Castellana, Negros Occidental also did a spectacular performance. They made the day time into night and showcased their multi – colored lights with snappy dance steps both in the studio and in the remote area.

As of the moment, the City of Smiles is in a festive and victorious mode. People are celebrating for the victory and pride that the Masskara Dancers gave them. It’s more fun indeed in the Philippines, especially in Negros Occidental!!!! Congratulations!!!

 

My Three in One Trip

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!

The Flyover Experience

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.

10 reasons to visit Casino Filipino Hotel – Bacolod

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.

Masskara 2011 Schedule of Activities

MassKara Festival 2011 Schedule
* updated as of August 10, 2011
Friday, Sept. 2, 2011
* Launch Bacolod Public Plaza

Saturday, Oct. 1, 201
* Opening Bacolod Public Plaza
New Government Center
SM City MassKara Village
[Carnival Site]

Saturday, Oct. 7
* Majica MassKara Opening

Sunday, Oct. 8
* Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary * San Sebastian Cathedral, Plaza

Friday, Oct. 14
* Electric MassKara * SM City, Rizal Street
* Bacolod Public Plaza
* Tourism Strip, Lacson Street

Saturday, Oct. 15
* Streetdancing [Schools] * Araneta Street to Plaza
* Electric MassKara * SM City Rizal St.
* Bacolod Public Plaza
* Tourism Strip, Lacson Street

Sunday, Oct. 16
* Streetdancing [Barangays] * Araneta Street to Public Plaza
* Concerts * Public Plaza
* Old City Hall
* SM City, Rizal Street

Monday, Oct. 17
* MassKara Queen
[Reception for Balik Bacolod] Bacolod Government Center Grounds

Wednesday, Oct. 19
* Closing Program * Bacolod Public Plaza
* Concert/Fireworks
* Awarding Rites

* Schedules are subject to change without prior notice.

*Courtesy of Masskara Festival Official Website

You know you’re from Bacolod, Philippines If….

It’s been 4 days that my maximum number of sleeping hours is only 4…My maids wonder why I don’t sleep and I laugh alone facing the computer!! I bring my netbook to the office and every break time, I don’t eat or talk to anybody!

So far, this has been one of the tiring yet funny and thrilling days of my life. I can’t help it, it’s so addicting! Right now, my sleepless eyes are so very tired, but why do I not lay down and sleep to prepare for the night’s duty?

This new page in Facebook is the best so far — “You know you’re from Bacolod if”.. People speak about the yesteryears, the fun stuff, how Bacolod was 30 years ago, the establishments, the streets, the dialects, the hobbies of the people. It is awesome to know that almost 4,000 people grew up in almost the same way and practiced the same routine since childhood.

Looking though the threads of this page, I realized that indeed, life as a child is incomparable. All you do is eat, play and have a good time!

Through this page, I realize I am a lucky and normal girl. I’m so thankful for my parents, they gave me an experience na “indi man mapierde sang iban”.

To all my childhood friends, classmates, cousin,siblings I miss you all. Thank you for the memories, for the games we played, the jokes we shared, the secrets we kept, the clothes we borrowed from each other, the food we ate, the places we hang out, the movies we watched, the funny experiences we had, for being part of the life for the last 37 years.

And to all my new found FB friends, that’s why you’re so familiar, we might have met before. Just keep it coming!! Cheers all!!

IF I win in the Lotto, what will I do?

As they always say, dreaming is free! I know at this point in time, millions of people like me are dreaming not only in their sleeps, but also during the daytime, at work, while travelling, while playing mahjong, watching their kids or jogging  in the oval..

To date, the PCSO’s jackpot has reached up to Php 600 Million. People flock to lotto outlets to catch the craze. The PCSO website went down and the internet’s top trending is “lotto results”.

People in my office also partake in this fad. Everyday, we would form a group, start to jot down our numbers and daydream for the rest of the shift.

If I win in the lotto, what will I do?

First of all, I will go to Manila to the PCSO Office which was recently transferred to PICC Buidling in Roxas Blvd. and there I claim my prize. The winner has the choice to which bank to deposit his / her winnings. Secondly, I will check in at Shangrila Makati or at New World Rennaissance where we can easily shop at Greenbelt and buy our favorite signature items say hand bags and shoes from Prada and LV, Goyard, Jimmy Choo, Balenciaga, etc., and of course just to feel I have a Hermes, I’ll buy only one. I will also overhaul my beauty and maybe visit Tony and Guy, Frank Provost or Emphasis.

Next, after shopping for me and my family, I will call a contractor to make a plan in renovating our house in Victorias. I will call my friends in Manila and treat them to the Farm in Batangas to enjoy spa and a relaxation escapade for a day. Then during the night, we will paint the town red by going to bars like Republique, Members Only and of course Jill’s and party like there’s no tomorrow.

When I fly back home the following day, I will check in at L Fisher where I distribute my pasalubongs to my family, go to Appliance Centrum, or SM Appliance Center to order state of the art appliances for the house. I will also go to La Costa Brava to pay in full my lot there and purchase the nearby lots.

I will also order a car from my sister, a yacht and a jetski. I will give money to all my siblings and deposit an account for my son. I will throw a party to my office mates and friends. I will renovate the mausoleum of my parents.

I will call all orphanages and homes for the elderly in the city and ask for their needs like renovations, more food, clothing and  organize parties for them. I will also go to the jail house to give money to the prisoners and bail out somebody close to our family. I will also renovate the small chapels in the barangays in Victorias City.

The next few days, I will ask my brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces, helpers and Yaya to complete their passport requirements for a travel abroad. After I treat them say in Singapore, Bangkok or HK for more shopping’s spree, me and my son will have to go to Europe and USA.

SO, if I continue, this blog space may not enough for my wish list.

So how about you? What’s your number, you may have won too?
Good luck!

One Lovely Day: Mickey and Ginny’s Wedding

It was so hot, I was driving from Hotel PAGCOR to pick up cousin Lara to attend a wedding. I wore a Venus cut inspired knee-length purple dress I bought from one of the shops somewhere. My car A/C was kind of busted that time.

But the heat was all worth it. After my wedding a few years ago, I saw an elegant, romantic and a fairy tale-like wedding. It was my niece Ginny’s (my cousin Riza Garcia Lizares’ only daughter) union with Mickey Gonzaga Guitche. Mickey is the son of Hector Guitche of Victorias and Marissa Gonzaga and also a nephew of my old friend, the late Raymund Gonzaga.

The beautiful female sponsors led by the Garcia sisters (Manang Jo Ann Lo Henares, Manang Tina Velarde, Manang Aya and Amel Garcia) marched in first, with their rainbow and spring gowns, a sight very refreshing to the eyes. When it was the bride’s time to march, I saw the father of the bride, Manong Ronnie Lizares, teary eyed while bringing his daughter, who wore a very lovely and elegant strapless gown, to the altar.

The wedding ceremony went well and the couple were announced husband and wife at around 4:00 pm.

Everyone proceeded to the family (Lizares’) owned Palmas del Mar Resort were at first, cocktails were served. I picked a lot of appetizers on the buffet table. There was chicken hot wings, barbecue, some finger foods and of course the lechon.

The newly weds entered the reception area, which, by the way was designed by one of  Manila‘s Top Florist, the Villanueva Flower Shoppe, at around dinner time. While the mouth-watering dinner was served, the lovely video which started from the couple’s childhood up to the time their love affair bloomed until their precious Xavi came in to their lives were shown. Some went teary eyed watching the speeches on their rehearsal dinner.

The party ended with dancing to the beat of the 80′s music and overflowing drinks. Well, it was a wedding that made you want to fall in love again. Friends turned lovers – Mickey and Ginny is such a perfect match and with Xavi around, what more can you ask for?

Good luck and best wishes to the both of you. May you have more years of friendship, love and respect for each other! Love you two!

14th Mudpack Festival

It has been five years since I last set foot on the grounds of Mambukal during a Mudpack Festival. And thank you PAGCOR for that June 18, 2010 day off.

I went up with the family on a rainy Saturday afternoon and well, despite the weather (and the forgetting to book my cottage by a Mambukal staff), everything was worth it. The kids enjoyed watching the  Body Painting Contestants as I was seated in the front row side by side Jenny Cordero and Andy Alvarez, all three of us taking pictures – the rookie and the experts!

Rico was amazed with the multi colored clays painted all over the contestants’ body so he researched where in the resort he could get those stuff.

Mamita Ian shared her room for the day and when night time came and we were about to leave, BM Patrick and Mayor Demi offered their villas, to the kids delight…

As it is, Mambukal is as beautiful as it was during the happy times with  Jonie Pena, Joey Escalante, Atty. Joval, Ellen Vasquez, BM Gary, the lovable and generous Gov. Joseph, etc. etc. etc.  By happy times, I meant numerous functions, back and forth trips,  overnight escapades, wasted moments sponsored by Atty V. and a whole lot more to remember this haven by..

It was also nice to bump around former Capitol Officemates and drinking buddies — Nay Lets, still the  Resort Manager and pretty babe Ellen, transformed lass  Bevs de Oca,  Ching, RWSO Ramil, Avelyn ,  Tess and Meloy,  Maestra Oliver Dondonay and a lot more.

So see you again next year for the 15th Mudpack Festival.

Our Boracay Summer

The last time we were at Boracay was two years ago. We went with Mom and Dad and the whole Acuña family. Joco was only seven months old, young enough to remember the beautiful spots and escapades we had.

Last week, when my Forced Leave started, we brought Joco again to Boracay. His cousin Princess tagged along.This time it was just us.


We check in at Serendipity on our first day and we transferred to La Carmela on the following day.

Joco enjoyed every bit of the experience. He partied with us during the 80s beach party until the wee hours.

No matter what they say Boracay is still paradise, and i will keep on bringing my family to the island that i enjoyed since twenty years ago.