Greenleaf Hotel GenSan

My trip to GenSan was for a Google event called GDayX GenSan held at the Exhibit Hall of SM GenSan.  And what could be an appropriate and convenient accommodation venue  for us if not the four-star Greenleaf Hotel GenSan which is just across SM GenSan.  Very convenient for guests to shop or eat at the mall.  A popular coffee shop is just located across the street.  Perfect for coffee lovers dying to complete their collection to get a planner.  hahaha.... could that be you?

The driver of the hotel car service was very helpful in acting as a tour guide for my friends and myself.  Ilonggo is widely understood in GenSan.  So we were very at home in conversing with the locals.  Travel time from the airport to the hotel was about 30 mins.

sorry for the poor lighting but this is located at the driveway

very impressive lobby

and the bedroom.....

and a knock on my door and this was delivered just as I was about to unpack

My friends and I enjoyed the wide selection of breakfast choices. 

Let me also mention that my friends and I enjoyed the live music at Zanzibar.  They even obliged for guests who insist in rendering a song.  And we danced to our heart's delight too!  The following night we checked it out again, but, it was closed since it was a Sunday.

I love GenSan!  I love Greenleaf Hotel Gensan!  Thanks to Avel Manansala, GBG Lead for GenSan, for facilitating to give us compli rooms.

Independent Film Director Brillante Mendoza in SM Bacolod

It was a privilege to be with International awardee film director Brillante Mendoza for the second time.  The first time was also his film showing at SM about two years ago.  Now promoting his films "Thy Womb" and "Captive", he is in Bacolod again and with an extra day to see some places in Bacolod.

with students from Bacolod City National High School

at the forum after the film showing

Special thanks to Ms. Julia Javellana, SM Bacolod Asst. Mall Manager and Ms. May Castro, PR Manager.

The Advent of Christmas

Do you ever wonder what is the meaning of the Advent wreath that is lit during Christmas Season?  The lighting of the wreath is practiced by Protestants as well.  It originated from Lutheran churches and is now practiced by Christians.

The Advent wreath is a Christian tradition that symbolizes the passage of the four weeks of Advent in the liturgical calendar of the western church.

It is commonly a horizontal evergreen wreath, shaped in a circle with four candles tied to it.  The round wreath symbolizes the love of God which has no beginning and no end.  In Catholic churches, the color of the candles are purple and rose, corresponding also the liturgical vestments for the Sundays of Advent.  Rose is the color of the third Sunday of Advent, also known as Gaudete Sunday from the Latin word to rejoice.

In some variations, a white candle is placed in the middle to be lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. White is the traditional festal color in the Western Church.

Now, what are the meanings of the candles.
1.  The first candle is purple, the Candle of Hope.  Hope because God is faithful and will keep His promises to us.  
2.  The second candle is the purple, the Candle of Preparation. It means to get ready for the coming of Christ as  our Saviour.
3.  The third candle is the rose, Candle of Joy.   The angels sang a message of  joy.
4.  The fourth candle is purple, the Candle of Love.  God sent His only to save us because He loves us!
5.  The fifth candle is white, the Christ Candle which reminds us that Jesus is the spotless lamb of God, sent to wash away our sins.

Sources:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advent_wreath
http://livinghopeomaha.wordpress.com/about-living-hope/bible-stud/the-meaning-of-the-advent-wreath/

Sumosam at The District at Ayala NorthPoint

Now  open at The District at Ayala North Point

Marvin Agustin talking with the bloggers.

with consultant Adolf Aran, Jr. and Sumosan co-owner actor Marvin Agustin

Easter Vigil Mass

Prior to attending the Easter Vigil Mass at Queen of Peace Parish, the parishioners were advised to bring candles.  The ceremony started with the blessing of the light outside the church.

About 20 adults had their Holy Sacrament of Baptism  Most were converts.

At the end of the mass, is the 'Salubong' or 'Sugat' in Hiligaynon.  There would be a procession of the Dolorosa, grieving Mary, followed by the women coming from one end.

At the other side the Jesus Christ followed by men in the parish.

Then, Mother and Son would meet and brought inside the church.

 The Queen of Peace Parish

Globe Appreciation Party: A Christmas in January

A Christmas in January!  This was the appreciation party hosted by Globe to the media in Bacolod City.  All media were represented in this dinner held at 21 Restaurant.  

And it was fun!  Games!  

which we, the bloggers group, won!  They prepared a list of items for the "Bring Mr Game"  but with cooperation of our team we were the first to complete the set.  One has to run to the lobby to get a newspaper and  one has to borrow a bottled water from the bar.

For our prize, each of us got a P300 Globe load

Raffle time! 

Congrats to Elena Gatanela for winning the electric griller!

and to Ed Joven for winning the Globe Tattoo stick!

 With EJ Francisco, External Affairs Manager, Corporate Communications awariding the Blackberry cellphone to May Castro.

The dynamic duo, Anton and May, who raked in prizes in every game that they participated!

You must have P10 to join in this game.  Papel, gunting, bato!  if you lose, you pay your partner P10.  And the loot becomes bigger as the game progresses.

We all came home with this in our  loot bag.  Thank you and Globe Evening!

Senatoriables in Bacolod

The Negrense Blogging Society got an invite from the staff of Sen. Chiz Escudero for a meet and greet.    When I got the invite, I said to myself, "here they come now!  Election fever starting to set it."  Some members could not make it and finally it was just Doc Maritel and I who made it there.  When I arrived 20 mins late than the agreed time,  there was Sen. Chiz with a radio reporter and fellow blogger Doc Maritel who obviously had started lunch.  

Then local candidates came in followed by senate  aspirant Grace Llamanzares-Poe, who arrived with her Tonggoy relatives.  Funny how she contacted her maternal relatives thru a 'panawagan' when she had a radio interview since she didn't get their contact numbers the last time she was here.  

Then came in senate aspirant and presidential cousin Bam Aquino.  He is so fair with smooth white skin  in his signature Ninoy yellow and black t-shirt for quick recall and easy recognition.

It was a casual lunch for a getting to know these candidates.  Saw these people how they acted without the camera and press people.  I was glad I accepted the invite.