Sundate at The Ruins for the First Time

Unexpected momentous date at Talisay Ruins in the afternoon after our Sunday services, my wife and I have. In so doing we have a mutual feeling of happiness and excitement. She has been to the place where she has never dreamed of for she seldom goes to outing, to field trip or whatever where she could be in a tourist spot and the like.

My wife and I have never gone together lately for an outing. The time that we usually go out for an excursion together with our family is every January 1 of the year. This year we spent it at the Soleo Beach, here in our locality, particularly in San Enrique, Negros Occidental, Philippines. We did enjoy so much.

The recent we went together for an outing was in the afternoon of Sunday. Our daughter-in-law, Carissa invited us to go with her siblings who are coming from La Castellana to visit The Ruins in Talisay, Negros Occidental. The Ruins were historical relics of the highly acclaimed architectural design of the mansion of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson built for his beloved wife, Maria Braga.

Mayor Ferrer: 'Let's Go La Carlota'

Mayor Atty. Juliet Marie D. Ferrer is inviting not only fun-loving tourists, business investors, but the Mangkasanon, native of La Carlota who are working around the world to come to La Carlota and share the week-long, more fun merrymaking as a thanksgiving of a year-long bounty of harvest of this city.

La Carlota Mayor Ferrer

This year's festival is in its 34thd year of celebration. This will formally be opened on the late afternoon of Monday, April 23 and it will be culminated on Sunday, April 29 with street dancing competition and grand arena showdown of all participating registered tribes in the city.

Drumbeating City of Beauty, Music and Dance

Because of this festival backed by its samba beat inroduced by the late mayor Nonoy Jalandoni 1979, La Carlota, earned the title  as the "Drum-beating City of Beauty, Music and Dance". This week-long fun-filled activities will showcase the native products of  La Carloteños in their Agro-Trade Fair.

Another crowd-getting activities aligned in this festival  are talents show and skills of the Mangkasanons like Rhythm Competition, Battle of the Bands, Scroll Painting Competition, PyroMusical Competition,Mangkas Challenge, 5- cock Derby, Palarong Panlahi, Mountain Bike Challenge, Sports Competition-Shootfest, Football, Billiard, Inter-Cities Chess,Marathon, Karatedo, Boxing Tournament, Trisikad Race, Awit Sayaw Grand Finals,Dog Show, Pawasak 2013, Jobs Fair, Parokya Ni Edgar, and Night Street Partying.

Festival Dance and Float Competition, among others are some of the memorable events a family and transient and tourists can enjoy and join the fun-filled Pasalamat revelry.

Pasalamat Festival Queen and her court of last  year search

Pasalamat Festival Queen Search 2013

In the evening of Saturday, Search for Pasalamat Festival Queen 2013 will be held at the festival park just at the facade of the city hall. Various movie, TV stars and showbiz celebrities will add attraction to this annual prestigious beauty pageant of the city.

Last year Queen was Lady Ann V. Alquizar, 18, a first-timer in this search. She hails from Bacolod City and a student of B.S. Accountancy at La Salle University. There were 19 other beauty contestants in the Pasalamat 2012 pageant.

'Let's Go La Carlota'

"Let’s Go, La Carlota City", a battlecry of Mayor Atty. Juliet Marie D. Ferrer inviting everyone to g come to her city in this year's momentous event and to get lost in the crowd as they dance to the La Carlota Samba beat. "Let's go Cuatro Distrito," added Mayor's hubby, Congressman Jeffrey P. Ferrer who takes lead in  the 4th District of Negros Occidental.

What are you waiting for? Start packing up and go to La Carlota to witness its 33rd Pasalamat Festival, an annual Pasalamat (Thanksgiving) Festival of the residence of La Carlota for all the abundance of their  harvest and blessings they have enjoyed all-year round as God the Almighty has given them for their hardships and sacrifices they had in their life.

image credits: LaCarlotaCity.net

Related Source: NDB Events

Anybody Can Beat Tribu RSB?

For more than six years straight, nobody could unseat Tribu RSB (Roberto Salas Benedicto) from the championship position in La Carlota thanksgiving festivities.

2012 Pasalamat Queen and her court

In this year 2012 Pasalamat Festival in La Carlota, Tribu RSB still retained the Grand Champion place in a Street Dance Competition as the Best Performing Group  in Over-all Ranking-Best Performing Tribe in Category A with a trophy and cash prize of P30,000.00.

In the elementary school category (B), again Tribu RSB got the Best in Performing Tribe  in Over-all ranking and received a trophy and a cash prize of P 15,000.00.

Congratulations RSB! You deserve it.

I'm sure you've made Congressman Jeffrey P. Ferrer and his wife, Atty. Juliet Marie D. Ferrer, Mayor of La Carlota feel proud and happy for your best performance. I know you can do it again next year 2012.

Alquizar, Pasalamat Festival Queen 2012

La Carlota Pasalamat Festival Queen Alquizar and her court

Ms. Lady Anne Villanueva Alquizar, candidate no.9, 18 years old, 2nd year student of the University of St. La Salle taking up Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, and the 2nd child of Mr. and Mrs. Corazon and Luisito Alquizar, government employee of Bacolod City, was the La Carlota Pasalamat Festival Queen 2012.

La Carlota City Mayor Juliet Marie D. Ferrer , Congressman Jeffrey P. Ferrer of the 4th District of Negros Occidental and Miss Alajar Sabanal , Pasalamat Festival Queen 2011 crowned Alquizar in a audience-packed Public Plaza of La Carlota Saturday.

What's New in La Carlota Pasalamat Festival?

Let's Go La Carlota! The city of beauty and dance!

La Carlota Pasalamat is an annual thanksgiving festival of the Mangkasanon, the native of La Carlota for a bountiful harvest they have in the whole year. It was conceptualized by the late La Carlota City Mayor "Nonoy" Jalandoni who introduced his signature samba beat for the festival.

La Carlota is popularly known as the drum-beating city of beauty and dance, home of the oldest and most prominent sugar mills in the province, fierce fighting cocks, a dream for nature lover, and birthplace of the three world [boxing] champions.

The Beauty and The Brain of Lin-ay Sang Negros

Allysa Marie Villarico (H. J. Toga/NDB)

The lin-ay sang Negros (young ladies of Negros) resemble a typical Filipina beauty with a brain and a talent to show not only to the whole island of Negros Occidental, but even to the whole universe.

To look for who are among the fairest of them all, Search for Lin-ay sang Negros is held as one of the highlights in the annual Panaad sa Negros Festival, the mother of all festivals in Negros Occidental, that started sometime in 2003, showcasing the various cultures, beliefs and traditions of the municipalities and cities of Negros Occidental.

And the fairest of them all is Allysa Marie Villarico, a Bacoleña crowned as the 2012 Lin-ay sang Negros in a recent concluded week-long Panaad sa Negros.

La Carlota Guintubdan Visitor's Pavilion, a Place for Lovers Too

Inaugurated recently, the Guintubdan Visitor's Pavillon and Garden in Brgy. Ara-al, La Carlota City, is one of the tourist destinations of the Province [of Negros Occidental]. Overlooking its top are clean and green botanical garden, ornamental plants, hybrid flowers, waterfalls, spring water, among others.

It is furnished with tourist class amenities like rooms, beds, viewing center for meetings and conferences. It is also ideal for overnight stay with a cool, cozy atmosphere enhanced with clean, green landscape environs.

Delivering her message at the inauguration of GVP, La Carlota City Mayor Juliet Marie D. Ferrer relayed her personal attachment to the place, "This a place close to my heart, the place where Congressman Jeffrey P. Ferrer told me how he felt about me."

Tribu Pan-ay - Dinagyang Festival Champion Anew

Tribu Pan-ay of Fort San Pedro National High School with its astounding performance in January 22 Ati-atihan contest of the Dinagyang Festival this 2012 retained the grand champion title.

Tribu Pan-ay also amassed various special and minor awards like Best in Performance, Best in Choreography, Best in Music, Best Musical Director, Best Costume Designer and Best Choreographer.

While Tribu Lunok of the Iloilo City National High School was the first runner-up, and Tribu Ilonganon of Jalandoni Memorial National High School,  second runner-up.

Negros Farmers Organic Festival Harvests Millions

The week-long 6th Negros Island Organic Farmers Festival earned Php2 million in gross sales, said Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. who spearheaded this year's festival under its Negros First Development Agenda.

The farmer festival was held on Dec. 16 to 20, 2011 at the Provincial Capitol grounds.

Twenty-five top chefs and restaurateurs, which 17 were Manila-based, joined the CookFest, to demonstrate their special menus using local and organic ingredients.

The chefs considered the Negros Island as a major source of organic products for they cannot find them by bulk or with consistent supply in Luzon for their respective restaurants in Manila, said Ramon “Chin-chin” Uy Jr., president of Organik na Negros! Organic Producers and Retailers Association.

La Carlota Festival of Lights and Music 2011

Sked of Nightly Cultural Presentation

Every 15th of December of every year is the opening of festival of lights and music of  La Carlota, 45-minute travel from Bacolod City.

A nightly Christmas musical presentation which runs till 31st of December, delights you as you spend your time at the public plaza of La Carlota.

Different religious sectors, schools and NGOs take turn to entertain you of their Christmas cantata, tableau, song and dance while you take a sip of cold drinks, a burger and  a popcorn with your family members, relatives and friends seating in a plastic chairs provided by the City.

Visiting the plaza at every night in this Christmas seasons, you will enjoy so much by appreciating the different illuminated trees around the plaza. Different sectors of the community have their own trees to maintain. They are lighted up by Christmas lights of different colors, style and built.

2011 Bacolod MassKara Queen: 'Strong, Adaptable, Friendly'

Nikki, Bacolod MassKara 2011 Queen

MassKara Queen is “strong in all adversities in life, can easily adapt to different situations, ... and can go along very well with people coming from different strata of society,” confidently described Alexis Danica Drilon when Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia asked her in a question and answer portion of the search.

Nikki, the fond name of Ms. Drilon outshone other 9 MassKara Queen candidates, and won six of the 12 “minor” awards.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia proclaimed Nikki the 2011 MassKara Queen. She was very articulate in expressing herself.

Six minor awards received of Drilon were  Miss Negros Navigation and Miss Super Ferry, the Lifestyle Bacolod Magazine’s Choice, Miss Samsung, Miss Photogenic, Best in Festival Costume (courtesy of Supercat) and Best in Fantasy Make Up.

Best Picture of Iloilo Public Plaza Photo Contest

Winners of photo contest - Panami nami kuha sang mga plaza sa Iloilo (Best Picture of the plaza in Iloilo)

Guimbal Plaza

First place winner was the Guimbal Plaza taken by Reymund Flores with 206 number of LIKEs.

This contest was initiated by Hawili Hurom. It started on October 4 and ended October 15. The winners were chosen by the FB account holders by signifying their LIKE to their own choice. Picture with the most LIKE wins. So far 80 entries were posted in Hawili Hurom Photography album, PHOTO CONTEST - PANAMI NAMI KUHA SANG MGA PLAZA SA ILOILO.

Many locals refer to the square of Guimbal as Luneta Park Iloilo. Within the premises of the square, people can enjoy and relax because it has attractive places. The majority of tourists visit this tourist place of Iloilo admire different types of ornamental plants in the workplace. In addition, this place of tourism has a captivating landscape that makes people more attractive to locals and foreigners. (Source: Iloilo.net.ph)

La Paz Plaza

The 2nd place went to La Paz Plaza by Dayan Segovia with 137 LIKEs vote.

The La Paz District Plaza aside from the covered gym with a basketball court, has the lagoon. Usually several groups of people can be seen here, strolling and admiring the view. There is also a gazebo where you can take shade.

The mixture of recreational sports and relaxation spots have made the La Paz District Plaza one of the most popular parks in the city. If you get physically tired from all the Iloilo sightseeing you have been doing, this is the place to wind up the day.

The beauty of the La Paz District Plaza is another reason why tourists are frequenting the province and the capital city. With an environment pleasing to the eyes and soothing for the body, it is little wonder that it is a favorite among locals and foreign visitors. (source: Iloiloboard.com)

Guimbal Plaza 

And the 3rd place winner was another Guimbal Plaza taken by Rey Bayona with 123 LIKEs vote.

According to history, Guimbal square was developed by the municipal government in the early 1900s to boost tourism in the area. In addition, this place was built to provide a pleasant place for local residents to relax and bond with their families. To continue to fulfill its purpose, the Government regularly provides funding for the maintenance of the site. When it comes to cost, tourists who like to spend time in this tourist spot of Iloilo nothing have to worry about the budget and you can freely visit and stay at the Plaza of Guimbal. Allocate at least 100 pesos for costs of transport from the port of Iloilo, can have a wonderful, notable time and relaxation in this site.

Bacolod MassKara Celebrates New Icons

Today opens 32nd Bacolod MassKara Festsival along with its theme: "Celebrating the new icons of Bacolod" at 7 p.m., at Bacolod public plaza.

The lighting of the 19 giant mask-lanterns in the plaza commences the annual activities. Then the lighting of bandstand lights ensues.

These mask-lantern entries are crafted by the inmates of 19 district jails all over the province to participate at the 1st Priso Mask-Making Competition in partnership of SMFO with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

Acting Bacolod Mayor Jude Thaddeus leads this year's MassKara Festival.

Sometime in 1980 the MassKara Festival was born amidst the MV Don Juan sea disaster that claimed the lives of many Negrenses including prominent families, and the tremendous drop of prices of sugar in the world market. Bacolod Mayor Jose Montalvo, as a victim of the sea tragedy, where he lost four members of his family, took the lead in deciding to a festival of smiles for Bacolod at that time was also known as the "City of Smiles."

Tourism officials and the city’s artists led by Art Association of Bacolod president Ely Santiago, and civic groups also joined the Mayor Montalvo in holding the said festival.

The initial festival was a declaration of the people of Bacolod that no matter how tough and bad the times were, Bacolod is going to pull through, survive, and in the end, triumph. Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia, then head of the Tourism Office in Negros Occidental, nurtured the festival through its early years and was chairman for several years. And now, as chief executive of the city, he continues to entice local and foreign tourists, particularly Balikabayans to come to Bacolod for the MassKara.

Happy celebrating Bacolod MassKara! Long live MassKara!

Bacolod MassKara Festival 2011: 'The Dawn of Masskara Rhythm'

Exciting, challenging and distinct this year Bacolod MassKara Festival. It's the dawn of MassKara rhythm.

Live drums and percussion instruments will be used in barangay category. "First in the 32-year history of the festival," said Rudy Reveche chairman streetdance committee.

“It’s actually the dawn of the MassKara rhythm. It will be exciting, and a challenge for all (participating groups), since we have to be distinct from other cities,” Gerry Grey, music committee chairman disclosed in a press conference.

Bacolod MassKara Festival 2011: What's New?

Designed & Illustrated by Feril

The Bacolod MassKara Festival 2011 has come up with a new logo which is a mixed mass or conglomeration of spectrum of colors, the mask, the hair of the mask, the headdress of the mask, and the public plaza bandstand.

The logo was designed and illustrated by Daryl Feril, a student of La Consolacion College-Bacolod with the direction of veteran Bacolod visual artist and fine arts professor Bamboo Tonogbanua.

Tonogbanua described the significance of every object in the design. Thus, the spectrum of colors represents the festival is famous for. The combination of the glamorous but realistic portrayal of the mask and the vibrant colors of the MassKara festival are the symbols of the festival itself.

Cebu City - 10th ASEAN City of Culture Among PHL Cities

Cebu City was declared as an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) City of Culture in lavish ceremonies held on July 15 at various areas around the city of Cebu.

Source: MyPhilately.com

Executive Director Olivia Palala of DFA Office of ASEAN Affairs supported claims why Cebu City was named as an ASEAN City of Culture.

“From the historic Magellan’s cross planted in the heart of the city, to the city’s magnificent hotels, pristine beaches and diving spots, colorful religious and tourist festivals and vibrant industries—you name it, Cebu has it,” she said.