All roads for Visayas bloggers lead to Silay City today for the 2011 Philippine Blog Awards (PBA) – Visayas.  The PBA is a an annual event that aims to give recognition to outstanding blogs in the Visayas.

The PBA-Visayas will be be held at 2pm today at the Sen. Jose C. Locsin Cultural and Civic Center in Silay City. The program will feature the presentation of AVP documentary “Rediscover Silay” by Leo Vision and the performance of Kabataang Silay Rondalla. There will also be food tasting of the delicious treats from Merci Pasalubong and buy pasalubong right there at the venue.

A‘Lagaw Silay’ guided tour will be facilitated by Silay Tourism Office headed by Ver Pacete on November 13, 2011 at Balay Negrense Museum, Hacienda Adela Folklore Village, Fresh Start Organic Farm, and Silay Mangrove Eco-Park at Brgy. Balaring.

Those who pre-registered for the Heritage tour will meet at the steps of Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol at 8am on November 13 and will be picked up by the Silay City bus. A free lunch at the Balay Negrense was prepared by Fresh Start Organics and the Organic na Negros! Organic Producers and Retailers Assn. (ONOPRA).

If you want to be updated on the event, you can follow the Negros Bloggers on the following:

• Negros Bloggers on Facebook
• Negros Bloggers on Twitter
• 2011 PBA-Visayas Live Webcast

Silay City ” Life is Sweeter here” from Leo Vision on Vimeo.

Searching for a good documentary online about Silay City, I found a comprehensive video detailing a story about Silay’s origins and how it prospered as a cultural center of Negros Occidental. The video is by Leo Vision, a photo-video service based in the City of Bacólod. Apart from the Silay City Documentary, I also found tourism documentary videos of the Cities of Sipalay and Kabankalan which not only satisfies the eyes but hunger for learning. This is a wonderful contribution of Leo Vision in the land that nurtured their business. Leo Vision is not primarily a history and/or documentary-making enterprise but a business, a business of capturing your moments special.

Originally, the company was established as a home-based photo-video business by Gary Lake Manzanida Liza. His touch in video and photography runs in his family since his father, George R. Liza, was in charge of the video presentations in the TV Station of RPN-8 in Bacólod. If you are curious of why the name “Leo”, that is because Leo is the zodiac sign of Gary Lake and is proverbial since the company tops among the jungle of photo-video services in the market. The company specializes in the following services:

1. Digital Wedding Photography
2. Digital Wedding Video Coverage
3. Pre Nuptial/Post Nuptial Photography
4. Same-Day-Edit
5. Onsite Editing
6. AVP (Slideshow of Photos)
7. AVP (Slideshow of photos with interview and location shoot)
8. Portrait Studio Set-up at the Reception
9. Photography (Children’s Party/Baptismal/Party Events/Interment)

“Your moments, your story, your legacy of life on photograph and video…” is their mission but they not only capture your moments but make these moments special and lasting. A quick look in their YouTube and Facebook niches reveal a lot of quality videos and images that will be a delight with your special someone. Leo Vision is not just like any other video services, it is a trusted name not just locally but nationwide with a number of big conglomerations and famous personalities seeking their specialized services. To name a few, among the companies and entities they have serviced are:

1. Victorias Milling Company (AVP’s and documentaries)
2. Negros Navigation, Philippine Sugar Technology
3. Philippine Centennial Celebration in Cebu
4. Sarabia Optical Centennial Celebration(AVP)
5. St. Rafael Development Corporation (TV commercials)
6. Colegio de San Agustin-Bacolod
7. Office of the Congressman Charlie Cojuanco (documentaries)
8. Ms. Masskara Pageants from year 1996-1998 to year 2000-2002 organized by the Masskara Foundation

Their team are experts in the field so you are assured of quality services for your story to tell. You may reach them via Tel. Nos. (034) 434-2643, 707-2360, 476-2067; Mobile: 09209190371/09208770139 or Email: leovsionph@yahoo.com; info@leovision.com.ph. Leo Vision is a silver sponsor of the Philippine Blog Awards Visayas in Silay City and will be covering the whole event on Saturday, November 12, 2011, 2pm.

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The author blogs in his home website RepúblicaNegrénse.com

In a world that is beginning to be health conscious, organic products have seen an increasing demand. The Provincial Government of Negros Occidental led a call for a widespread organic farming to make Negros Island the organic food bowl of Asia. This call did not go unheard for a company started up with a selection of organic products that answers needs from food, beauty and household cleaning. I first heard of Fresh Start Organics last Negros Trade Fair when the Association of Negros Producers launched their organic products in line with the province’s initiative. The ones in charge for the booth of Fresh Start was kind enough to entertain my queries with a matching cup of coffee. No good-mannered Negrénse gentleman can ever refuse a good cup of coffee especially when its a good one. My first taste with Fresh Start’s coffee is the famous Mt. Kanlaon Blend which the province used to be known for but brought back alive by Fresh Start. This Mt. Kanlaon blend is 60% arabica and 40% robusta which is mild in coffee standards but very aromatic with the mountain and organically grown arabica beans. What caught my taste is the Negrénse Native Coffee which is purely robusta beans. If you are a coffe lover, you would most probably recognize robusta as a potent blend of caffeine goodness. No matter how strong it is though, Fresh Start’s muscovado was able to tame the taste.

Complimenting their coffe products are the numerous selection of jams like calamansi, passionfruit, yacon, purple yam, sweet potatoes, mango and many more fruits organically grown in their farm at Silay City. These fruits grow well and are rich in flavor since no chemicals were added with the cooler climate, being situated on the mountain foothills. Their free taste of jams included a selection of breads and crisps made of the usual wheat to the innovative carrots and sweet potatoes. Among those I found on their bottled fruit selection is the sour fruit called batwan. Batwan is a rare treat in Manila but very much abundant in the Visayas area but it is only in Negros where this fruit is used extensively. This type of mangosteen is hard to grow in some climates which may be the reason to its rareness in Metropolitan Manila. Negrénses use batwan as a souring agents in our various cuisines like cansi, sinigang and a lot more food too many to detail. The curious twist to their organic products is their line of beauty products which goes well with the never failing principle that natural is always the most beautiful. An even stranger fare is their line of kitchen cleaners that I only encountered at Fresh Start. To satisfy your curiosity or to fill your needs of organic products, you may contact them at (034) 441-1490. Fresh Start is a silver sponsor for this year’s Philippine Blog Awards Visayas in Silay City.

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The author blogs in his home website RepúblicaNegrénse.com

Barangay  Banago was  declared  champion  in  the  32nd MassKara Festival  street  and arena dance competition Sunday night (Oct. 16), besting 14 other groups that competed in the barangay category.

Choreographed by William Bangcaya, Banago also won the special awards for Best in Concept and Best in Live Rhythm.

Headed by barangay captain Arnel Benjamin, Banago’s mask designer was Ronelo Mabilog, while its costume designers were Mabilog and Joseph Ferdinand Silva.

Barangay 17 was first runner-up, Barangay Tangub—second runner-up, Barangay 23—third runner-up, and Barangay Alijis—fourth runner-up.

Choreographed by Frederick Endrada, Barangay 17 was also adjudged Best in Choreography. It was also first runner-up and Best in Choreography last year.

Barangay Alijis, whose mask and costume were designed by Emiljune Bantolo, also won the Best in Costume and Best in Mask awards.

Banago, one of Bacolod’s biggest barangays, will receive P100,000 as cash prize. Barangay 17 will get P75,000; Barangay Tangub—P50,000; Barangay 23—P30,000; and Barangay Alijis—P20,000.

Banago will also get the P20,000 as LBC Prize for Best in Live Rhythm, while the rest of the 14 live bands will get  P2,000 each as consolation prize.

The Best in Live Rhythm is a new award as this is the first time the festival streetdancing used live music.

The Top 3 winners have been invited to perform in Salute to Bacolod program on Oct. 18, 7 pm. at the Bacolod City Government Center.

The awarding of streetdance winners will be on the closing rites on Oct. 19, 6 p.m. at the Bacolod Public Plaza. (PR)

Photos by James Toga

[Show as slideshow]

The official theme, logo, and website of the 2011 MassKara Festival were unveiled yesterday at the Business Inn, while the orientation for streetdance competition and Electric MassKara float parade competition is set tomorrow, Friday.

This year’s theme, “Celebrating the New Icons of Bacolod,” gives emphasis on the new places and structures that have risen in our city in recent years that prove how far Bacolod had gone in terms of progress and development, festival director Eli Francis Tajanlangit said.

“This year’s MassKara Festival will focus on these new icons—landmarks, structures, institutions, and even personalities—that have dramatically transformed Bacolod in recent years,” he said.

Some of these new icons are, but not limited to, the Bacolod City Government Center, the Pope John Paul II Tower, SM City Bacolod, East Block, The Chalet of L’Fisher Hotel, Planta Hotel, and Art District, he said.

The theme also supports the “Balik Bacolod” program of Mayor Evelio Leonardia aimed at bringing balikbayans to Bacolod in October for the 32nd MassKara Festival.

Balik-Bacolod, Leonardia added, is essentially “a reunion of Bacoleños from all walks of life, brought together to celebrate the joys of life as one big community,”

Tajanlangit said this October is the best time for our balikbayans to come home, rediscover Bacolod and witness what has become of their city.

“As we go back to the original meaning of the festival, we find that MassKara is a celebration of everything the Bacolod community has achieved,” Tajanlangit said.

“Many of these reasons for celebration are the new landmarks in our midst. We may have ignored or overlooked them but they’re here, and they’re worth celebrating,” he added.

The 2011 MassKara festival logo was designed by veteran Bacolod visual artist and fine arts professor Bamboo Tonogbanua who has also been commissioned to do the trophies for all the official competitions of the 32nd MassKara Festival.

Tonogbanua said the logo shows a spectrum of colors that the festival is famous for, adding that the logo combines the glamorous but realistic portrayal of the mask, itself a symbol of the festival, and the vibrant colors of the MassKara Festival.

The hair of the mask is illustrated like flowing ribbons to symbolize the lively and festive atmosphere of the festival, he said.

The headdress of the mask showed symbols of the new icons of Bacolod: the Bacolod City Government Center, the Blessed John Paul II Tower, and other rising business structures.

Also in the headdress are the public plaza’s bandstand, where the MassKara streetdancing competitions are held, and the Philippine flag, to symbolize patriotism.

The official website of the 2011 MassKara festival, www.themasskarafestival.com was also unveiled yesterday.  Starting today, this website will be updated regularly to inform Filipinos and tourists here and abroad of the exciting events leading to October, the official month of the MassKara Festival.

Meanwhile, the orientation for the streetdance competition and the Electric MassKara float parade competition is set tomorrow, at the MassKara Hall 3 and 4 of the Bacolod Government Center, Rudy Reveche, streetdance committee chairman, announced.

Representatives of each of the 61 barangays in Bacolod are enjoined to attend, he said. Registration starts at 2 p.m. and the orientation starts at 2:30 p.m., he said.

Guidelines for the competition as well as the innovations to be implemented in this year’s contests will be discussed, Reveche added.  (PR)

Crisostomo Ibarra, the protagonist in Dr. Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere, leaps from the pages of the incendiary novel and onto the stage in a contemporary dance retelling by Ballet Philippines July 25, 2011 at the Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod Gym with 2 shows at 2PM and 6PM.

Artists’ groups of Negros Dance Pull Dance Company and The Performance Laboratory Inc. come together with The  Negros Museum to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of our national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal with this rare performance of Ballet Philippines in Bacolod City.

Under the choreography of Paul Alexander Morales (Artistic Director of Ballet Philippines) and music by Jed Balsamo, Crisostomo Ibarra springs to life in a new production about a young man’s struggles to stand tall in his ideals despite the cruel buffets of fate. The dance narration takes the audience inside the psychological world of Ibarra and strips bare this epic story that underscores the continuing relevance of Rizal’s timeless character.

Crisostomo Ibarra, the dance, highlights the life of an idealist reformer, a man striving to make a change in a society living under corruption and oppression. It takes an introspective look at the life of a hero sacrificing his personal happiness for love for country. The dance resonates with hope and reflects the Filipinos’ need for heroes in a society buffeted by many challenges and divergent beliefs.

Crisostomo Ibarra is presented in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in celebration of the Philippines as the ASEAN Cultural Capital for 2010-2011. It topbills Jean Marc Cordero reprising Crisostomo Ibarra; silver medalist in the recently concluded International Ballet Competition, Candice Adea, as Maria Clara; Kit Trofeo, Angel Gabriel, and Carissa Adea lead the cast. The BP touring group also includes Bacolod’s Macel Dofitas.

This production is Ballet Philippines’ second offering for its 41st season, Hero’s Journey. An excellent artistic and educational supplement for students taking Filipino and Rizal classes, Crisostomo Ibarra brings together history and ballet in this new interpretation of the novel that shaped a nation. Crisostomo Ibarra is a winner for Outstanding Dance Production and Outstanding Ensemble Performance in the upcoming 2010 Gawad Buhay Awards for the Performing Arts.

Tickets of P1000, P500, P300 and P100 are available at the Negros Museum 708-5080, MMB Dance Center 707-7164, Lydia Gaston School of Dance 453-0226, The Garcia-Sanchez School of Dance 434-8139 and Dance Pull Dance School 456-1291. Students will be given 30% discount and bulk purchases can avail of special discounts also.  (PR)

The Gardens at Ayala North Point opens to your senses and caress your soul with nature’s gifts.  Amidst the grand residences of Ayala North Point are four garden sanctuaries Aroma, Vista, Terra, and Aria.

The Aroma garden brings tranquility with the scent of its lush dewy flowers and fruit trees. Walking through Aroma is a spa for the soul and an experience that is truly invigorating.

Located one block across the Aroma garden lays the Vista garden.  Vista could be the entryway to a jogger’s trail.  A perfect place to start a sprint, Vista has a vibrant landscaping and a pathway lined with trees and shrubs.

Towards the east of Vista is another haven, the Terra garden. The surge of energy flows through every corner of the garden. Here, nature is the architect with various curves and textures which serve as a feast for the senses.

At the eastern tip of the Ayala North Point residences is the Aria garden.  A place dedicated to refresh the mind.  Aria is a reminder of the simple yet more important things in life and the blessings of the gifts of nature.  Distanced from the residential area, Aria is a private garden that soothes and calms the mind with the gentle tunes of nature.

The gardens of the Ayala North Point are gifts of nature and a gift to the Ayala North Point community.  Share this gift and be part of the neighbourhood in Ayala North Point.

To be part of this exclusive community, please contact the Ayala Land Sales Team for site tours and inquiries at 63(34) 7088900-02.  More details can also be found at the website, www.ayalanorthpoint.com.  (PR)

Negros Bloggers will host this year’s Visayas Blog Awards (VBA) this coming  November 12, 2011 at the “Ruins” in Talisay City showcasing the Visayans’ “vibrant mix of persuasions and personalities”.

Short for the word “Weblog”, a blog is an online journal of all ideas which  could include texts, videos, photos, music, and all kinds of entries which an  internet is capable and those who are into blogging are called “bloggers”.

Here in Negros Occidental, the “Negros Bloggers” was organized two years ago  and is now ready to host such a momentous event that would signal its active  involvement in the world’s borderless “virtual network” community.

To be held in Talisay at the 19th century “Ruins” of a mansion built by Don  Mariano Lacson and his wife Maria Braga, the first of its kind awarding event,  the VBA will beam this great Negros Occidental architectural feat to the  blogging community from Luzon down to Mindanao and to the unimaginable number of  bloggers all over the world.

Likewise, the VBA will bring out all sorts of blogsites and niches created by  the Visayan blogging community showcasing hundreds and hundreds of indigenous  topics developed by each blogger.

A preliminary seminar on relevant topics, meanwhile, will be held this  September 3, 2011 in preparation for the forthcoming VBA Night in November.  –  Gil Severino

The 18th Panaad sa Negros Festival or popularly known as “Panaad Festival”, is held annually during the last week of March until the first week of April in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines. But this year, the festival will open today, April 4 until Saturday, April 9 at the Panaad Park & Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan, this city.

Former senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, who has his roots in Bago City will be the guest of honor and speaker in the opening ceremony. Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr. will give their respective messages during the program.

World Boxing Organization minimumweight champion Donnie Nietes, a Murciahanon native is also expected to grace the ceremony later this afternoon. He is now moving up in the junior flyweight division and held his public workout yesterday to further promote his fight against a Mexican this Saturday.

Thirty two towns and cities are pumped up for the week-long Panaad festivities to showcase the best of its products, places, tourism, and more. Below are the schedule of happenings at the festival site.

April 04, Monday
6:00AM   Hataw sa Panaad with Ching’s Group (Football Field)
7:30AM   Boxing (weigh-in) — Panaad Cabanas
8:00AM   Panaad Thanksgiving Mass (2F Stadium)
               Chess (Stadium VIP Room)
9:00AM   Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies for:
               Panaad Tourism & Trade Fair @ LGU Pavilions*
               Negros’ Best Products Display, NOTLDC (2F Stadium, North Wing)*
               Negros First Food Security Fair (GF Stadium, North Wing)*
               Livestock & Dairy Products Fair (GF Stadium, North Wing)*
               Festival Costumes Exhibit & Competition (GF Stadium, South Wing)*
               Eco-Garden & Wellness Show (south area across Candoni Booth)*
               Environmental Information Advocacy (2F Panaad Stadium)*
               3rd Annual Panaad Motor Show UNIMFED (Cabanas)*
       *Daily Activities
2:00PM   Championship, Panaad Bulang (Panaad Covered Court)
               Boxing Cabanas
3:00PM   Motorcade & LGU Floats Competition (Provincial Capitol to Panaad Park)
4:00PM   Opening Ceremony & Festival Dance Competition (Stadium)
7:00PM   KBP-SMC Broadcasters Night (Food & Drinks Alley)
8:00PM   GMA “Kapuso” Show (Stadium)
               Fireworks Display
April 05, Tuesday
6:00AM   Hataw sa Panaad w/ Panaad Hot Bodies (Football Field)
7:00AM   Athletics (Panaad Field)
8:00AM   Swimming (Panaad Swimming Complex)
               Chess (Stadium VIP Room)
2:00PM   Boxing (Panaad Cabanas)
4:00PM   NOPSSCEA Cultural Show (Stadium)
5:00PM   RAMIZ Young Singers of Negros (Panaad Stadium)
6:00PM   Negros Pop Music Festival – Composo / Pop Song Writing Competition (Stadium)
7:00PM   RMN Panaad Hip Hop Challenge (Panaad Park Stage)
April 06, Wednesday
6:00AM   Hataw sa Panaad w/ Panaad Hot Bodies (Football Field)
7:00AM   Athletics (Panaad Field)
8:00AM   Swimming (Panaad Swimming Complex)
               Chess (Stadium VIP Room)
               UPLBAA Annual Panaad Seminar (Provincial Capitol Building)
               Panaad Long Board Push Race & Game of Skate with Killer Bee, Free Energy Coop & Bacolod Skateboarders
               (Panaad Covered Court)
9:00AM   Latin Dance Sport – Elimination Round (NOMPAC Gym)
1:00PM   Drum & Bugle Competition, Secondary Level (Football Field)
2:00PM   Boxing (Panaad Cabanas)
               3rd Annual Panaad Motor Show UNIMFED (Park Stage)
3:00PM   Latin Dance Sport – Adult, Senior & Juvenile Categories (NOMPAC Gym)
8:00PM   UNILIVER “POP FIESTA” (Stadium)
April 07, Thursday
6:00AM   Hataw sa Panaad w/ Panaad Hot Bodies (Football Field)
7:00AM   Athletics (Panaad Field)
8:00AM   TESDA Livelihood Skills Olympics (Covered Court)
9:00AM   Taekwondo – weigh-in (2F South Wing, Stadium)
1:00PM   Taekwondo (Panaad South Wing, Center Stage Stadium)
2:00PM   Boxing (Cabanas)
3:00PM   Animo Puppet Theater Group – PEMO (Park Stage)
5:00PM   Negrense / Ilonggo Folk Dance Competition (Stadium)
9:00PM   Technical Rehearsal, Lin-ay sang Negros (Stadium)
               MOR Local Stock – Ilonggo Music Fest (Park Stage)
April 08, Friday
6:00AM   Hataw sa Panaad w/ Panaad Hot Bodies (Football Field)
               Mambukal Team Relay w/ Provincial Sports Office & Gatorade
8:00AM   Taekwondo (Panaad South Wing, Center Stage Stadium)
1:00PM    Provincial Capitol Employees’ Day (Covered Court)
2:00PM    Boxing (Cabanas)
4:00PM    Bingo by Globe (Park Stage)
7:00PM    Globe Night (Park Stage)
8:00PM   “Search for Lin-ay sang Negros 2011? Pageant (Stadium)
April 09, Saturday
6:00AM   Hataw sa Panaad w/ Ching’s Group (Football Field)
               Murcia – Panaad Run w/ Provincial Sports Office & Gatorade
               Lion’s Club Fun Run
8:00AM   Farmer’s Day Celebration & Farmers Forum (Covered Court)
3:00PM   Closing Ceremony w/ Awarding & Presentation of Winners (Stadium)
7:00PM   Pasidungog sa Mangunguma, Mangingisda kag Manugsagod Sapat (OPA / PVO / ABS-CBN) (Panaad Stadium)
               NPC Media Night (Balay Kalamay)
9:00PM   ABS-CBN’s Kapamilya Fiesta Caravan (Panaad Stadium)
               Fireworks Competition with ABS-CBN

Negros Museum cordially invites everyone to join the WORKSHOPS @THE NEGROS MUSEUM presenting a Puppetry Workshop this coming September 28-29, 2010. This workshop is ideal for Pre-school Teachers and interested individuals working closely with children. “PUPPETS @ THE NEGROS MUSEUM”, to be facilitated by Mr. Jaime Chua, will be a 2-day workshop.

This is another program designed by The Negros Museum with the museum’s Tuklas Learning Center to offer alternative ways of teaching children through infusing arts and culture to the conventional ways of learning.

Kindly call 433-4764 or email negros_museum96@yahoo.com for more info.