Lifestyle

Organic farmers and fisherfolk from Negros Occidental will be the main stars in the five-day Terra Madre Asia and Pacific.*Bacolod City's upcoming Terra Madre Asia and Pacific (TMAP) 2025 has been selected by luxury and lifestyle travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller as one of the world's top food festivals.The magazine recently announced the inclusion of TMAP 2025, slated for November 19 to 23, in its “11 food festivals across the world to plan your travels around” article, which featured food festivals from various countries that are happening from September 2025 to April 2026.“If you want to understand a place, it’s often best to start with what’s on its table. Food festivals around the world condense a region's identity into a few days of concentrated flavor: dishes cooked b...

The We Care United Zumba Group of Barangay Pahanocoy danced its way to the top, securing the championship title and a ₱50,000 prize in the highly anticipated MassKara 2025 ZumDigras Inter-Barangay Dance Fitness Showdown on Sunday, Oct 5.  Meanwhile, Yan-Yan Edang of Barangay Tangub was crowned ZumDigras Queen 2025. Thousands gathered at the Bacolod City Government Center grounds for what was billed as the biggest Zumba event to date, featuring vibrant costumes, synchronized routines, and non-stop movement that reinforced Bacolod’s emerging identity as one of the biggest Zumba Capitals of the Philippines. The event was composed of two main competitions: the Inter-Barangay Dance Fitness Showdown and the ZumDigras Queen Pageant. The winners in the  Dance Fi...

The talent Competition winners Ashley Bernadeth de Asis, Mary Angelique Faye Caballero and Jeremae Pacino (l-r).* Ronnie Baldonado photoThe three Ms. Bacolod MassKara talent competition winners were named Friday, Oct. 3.The winners are Ashley Bernadeth de Asis, Mary Angelique Faye Caballero and Jeremae Pacino.The 15 Miss Bacolod MassKara contestants presented their talents at the event center of the Ayala Malls Capitol Central.The 12 other contestants are Kaye Luzuriaga, Jestine Nacionales, Faith Marie Doronila, Janabea Gepana, Eynna Mei Lu, Daniella Cheska Giltendez, Sophia Kaye Zaragoza, Roshyn Kate Jamantoc, Ysabella Wuthrich, Aleyssa Dionio, Chezzy Laguna and Ednalyn Garcia.The pageant continues with the Festival Costume Competition on Saturday, Oct. 4, Corporate Da...

Fredu Bayon-on, Alaine Borja, Joy Pigar and Albert Paypon (l-r) at a MassKara press conference on Friday, Oct. 3.*The MassKara Festival 2025 is rolling out a fresh lineup of events that include a K-Pop showdown, battle of bands, pet party and a convergence of digital culture at the Bacolod City Government Center Grounds this October, organizers announced on Friday, Oct. 3.The MassK Fest 2025: Bacolod Pop Dance Cover Competition will highlight the passion of Bacolod’s youth who will showcase their energy and idol-inspired performances in a K-Pop and P-Pop showdown that connects global music trends to local culture, Alaine Borja, MassK Fest organizer, said.Eliminations are set on October 8, where groups will bring their best choreography and style to secure a spot in the finals, ...

The Negros Occidental tourism awardees*Negros Occidental and the cities of Bacolod, Bago, Silay and Sipalay were winners at the Pearl Awards rites of the 26th Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) National Convention in Baguio City Thursday night, October 2.The province of Negros Occidental was the grand winner for Best Event Hosting – International Category for the Terra Madre 2024, themed "Restoring our Relationship with Nature in the Land of Sweet Surprises”, which was yet another back-to-back win, Provincial Tourism Officer Chery Decena said,It won the same award for its 2023 international hosting of Terra Madre "Food and Culture Biodiversity", she said.The Negros Occidental provincial government was 1st runner-up for Best Event Hosting - Local for ...

The Margaha-funded short film “Taga-Taga (Praying Mantis)” directed by Trini Garcia was awarded Best Short Film (Student Category), standing out among over 300 entries nationwide at the Sinag Maynila 2025 Independent Film Festival in Metro Manila, Sept. 28.The film previously won Best Short Film at the Margaha Film Festival 2024, proving its resonance both locally and nationally, a press release from Sagay City said on Wednesday, Oct. 1.Garcia expressed how meaningful the award is not only for him but for his entire team and the people of Sagay City.“To be named a finalist was already a win in itself, because my true goal has always been to inspire fellow creatives, especially the young ones, to keep creating, to take risks, and to bring new art into the world,” he said.Als...

The countdown to the MassKara Festival 2025 is heating up as organizers officially announced Repakol Band as the main headliner for the grand opening at the Bacolod Public Plaza on Wednesday, October 1.The Elias J. TV Band and the Silent Sanctuary will also simultaneously headline the grand opening at the Bacolod City Government Center grounds.In a first-of-its-kind move, this year's launch will feature a Dual Venue Grand Launch with simultaneous festivities across two major locations, a press release from Gugma Foundation said.Festival Director Rodney Mitz Ascalon said “this is just the beginning.”“MassKara has always been about giving our people world-class entertainment that reflects the joy and energy of Bacolod. Having Repakol at the Plaza and Silent Sanctuary at the G...

The countdown is on as MassKara Festival 2025 prepares to make history on October 1 with its first-ever dual stage opening at two iconic venues: the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) grounds and the Bacolod Public Plaza.Festival organizers confirmed that OPM sensation “Silent Sanctuary” will headline at the BCGC stage, treating festival-goers to their signature mix of heartfelt anthems and string-driven rock, a press release from Gugma Foundation Inc. said.But the excitement doesn’t end there. With the Plaza stage also set to roar to life, organizers are keeping everyone guessing: who will headline at the Plaza?, the press said.Festival Director Rodney Mitz Ascalon said the dual venues reflect the growing spirit of MassKara as a people’s festival.“We are bringing MassKa...