Victorias Food Products now available in Bacolod

As a Negrosanon, Victorias products mean world class.  Victorias Milling Co. produces refined sugar and that is the sugar that we grew up to.  Established in 1919 by Don Miguel Ossorio, VMC is held with high esteem in the province.

From sugar, it has diversified into canned sardines, the Victorias sardines that we top our crackers or pan de sal. I like to eat it for snacks.

Have you ever wondered what this little store along Lacson St is?  This little kiosk houses all products manufactured by Victorias Food Products, a subsidiary of VMC.  

This kiosk is open daily from 730am to 630pm. 

The following Victorias products are available at the kiosk.

What are you waiting for?  Let's patronize our very own Negros products.  We help our province, we care for our people.

Blessing of Victorias kiosk

On March 18, 2014, the VFC kiosk located at  Lacson-16th Sts., Bacolod City was blessed. VMC company officials, members of media, travel agents and friends from tourism related establishments were invited to grace the occasion.

I love to organize events such as this.  I get to see old friends and meet new ones.  Oh, I love what I do.

Anne Tiongco, VMC Corporate Communications Director, Bambi Borromeo, Bacolod First Lady Mrs. Patching Puentevella, myself and Artie Lacson

VMC company officials with guests from HRANO and Fr. Farley Santillan

The ladies from VMC

Tour operators and tour guides

More friends with VMC Management

Don't forget to get your favorites here.  The kiosk opens from 730am to 630pm daily.

January 2014 Events in Bacolod City

Here's the schedule of events for January, 2014 in Bacolod City.  Come One, Come All!  Bring your family and friends to Bacolod City, the City of Smiles!

To know more about Batang Pinoy, pls. visit this link. http://bp2012.psc.gov.ph/  

pls click image to enlarge

pls click image to enlarge

Bacolod City celebrates the Chinese New Year in cooperation with the Chinese community on January 30 - February 2, 2014.  For details click here .

For details, please contact:

Bacolod City Tourism Office                 Tel. No. (034) 434-6751/708-3066

Bacolod City Public Information Office  Tel. No. (034) 434-9122

For local tours, pls call 0917-3000060 or click  this link  for our tour packages.

Boracay

 It is always a looooong trip going to the island of Boracay.  Especially since I come from Bacolod City, I will have to take a 75-min ferry ride to Iloilo City. Then a 5-hour drive to Caticlan, the jump off point in going to the island of Boracay.  I always love the scenic highway passing thru the province of Antique.  Long coastline, many long bridges, mountain ranges.  I love them!

This was my first time to go to the other side of the island. I was amazed to see the different activities going on there.  Lots of windsurfing, Asian tourists driving the ATVs among other activities.  I was also surprised to see 3-4 storey buildings built along the roadside.

lowtide

windsurfers

A man taking a video of ATV riders.

a welcome arch made of bamboo

I think this is more than 4 levels!

This is the famous Puka Beach.  The sand is powder white.  And the water is so blue and so tempting.  Many years ago, when Boracay was not 'discovered' yet, bracelets and necklaces made of puka shells were so popular.  It may have come from this place.

The waters are really so good.  Others would say that the island is not as natural as it is now.  It is part of commercialization and development.  The waters may be affected but it is still an experience you don't wanna miss.

a welcome arch made of bamboo

souvenir shops abound

Carabao island

view  from Shangrila Hotel

trying my hand at paddleboard.  since I can't balance myself when standing, better to sit and paddle away.

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/