Lifestyle

EB Magalona town in Negros Occidental inaugurated and blessed another eco-tourism destination that showcases its famous seafood on Friday, June 3.The Isla Madalag Eco-Haven features a bamboo restaurant built on stilts in the water beside a 5-hectare mangrove in Barangay Madalag, which serves SUTUKIL (sugba, tula, kinilaw) fish, crab, shrimp and seashell dishes.At a smaller dining area connected to the main restaurant by a bamboo footwalk guests can feel the seawater on their feet during high tide.A bamboo viewing deck next to the smaller dining area gives visitors a better view of the mangroves and the sea.Mayor Marvin Malacon (right) and Vice Mayor Eric Matulac cut the ribbon at the inauguration of the Isla Madalag Eco Haven*“Immerse with nature and s...

The filming of “Amon Banwa sa Lawod” or “Our Island of the Mangrove Moon" on Suyac Island*The first international full-length film shot on the mangrove island of Suyac, Brgy. Tabaao in Sagay City has recently wrapped up production and is set to premier in 2023.The film “Amon Banwa sa Lawod” or “Our Island of the Mangrove Moon” in English directed by Anton Juan was produced by the US-based Kellogg Institute for International Studies, Erehwon Center for the Arts, the Performance Laboratory, Negros Cultural Foundation, The Negros Museum and the City Government of Sagay.This is the first feature film ever shot on Suyac Island, with the community’s permission and participation. Fisherfolk, children, and island people served as spot and supporting actors during the 10-day shoot durin...

Thirty journalists, bloggers, and content creators from Visayas and Mindanao were honored at the 9th Globe Media Excellence Awards (GMEA)⁠—the longest-running media awards covering Visayas and Mindanao. They were recognized for their outstanding and impactful works that inspired and uplifted lives using digital technology.These storytellers showed tenacity as they pivot with the times to be a driving force in making a difference. They produced stories and advocacies that best represent the theme for this year’s GMEA #PadayonDigital: Uplifting Lives through Digital Technology and Globe’s sustainability pillars – digital nation, care for people, care for the environment, and positive societal impact.“I salute all of you for embracing the digital space to overcome today’s challenges a...

In celebration of Heritage Month this May, the office of Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez brings not only to the Third District but to Negros Occidental a series of activities to highlight local heritage as a vital community asset.“Heritage is what we inherit from those who came before us, it is the legacy of our community that binds us, roots us, and gives us a sense of who we are, where we came from, and what makes us unique”, Benitez said.“Preservation requires us to remember and celebrate our heritage, ensure that we treasure it, and ensure that the future generations enjoy the wealth of our community’s heritage and pass on who we are,” he added.Partnering with the Filipino Heritage Festival Inc., the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the local government units ...

Alan and Haydee Plantillo ride on a firetruck to their wedding reception.*BFP photosThe groom did pushups with his bride seated on his back beneath pipe poles, which are firefighters’ tools.*They kissed beneath a hose loop amid a spray of water.*They used a fireman’s ax to cut their wedding cake .*A Bacolod firefighter married his girlfriend of almost 12 years on Saturday, May 21, and also honored the job he is passionate about.FO1 Alan G. Plantillo II, 29, chief of the Personnel and Training Unit of the Bacolod City Fire Station, and Haydee Sumaya, 30, were married at the San Isidro Labrador Parish Church in Brgy. Tangub, Bacolod City, on Saturday, May 21.In keeping with the Bureau of Fire Protection tradition, his bride rode on a fire truck to their wedding and when they l...

Fotomoto is a photographers’ collective originating in Metro Manila. The group’s objective is to promote Philippine photography as a manifestation of our shared experience as a nation, including diversity in perspectives from different geographies, socio-economic status, genders and ages.Through exhibitions and a programming of educational activities, Fotomoto aims to foster conversations about photography’s role in our culture and demonstrates ways in which the photographic medium as an art form can express our complex identities.The first event, ‘Fotomoto 21 Invitational: Portraits’, held in November to December 2021, was the largest photography exhibit held in the country to date.Over 300 images from 100 artists were installed in 11 venues around Metro Manila, and also featu...

Floyd Pison Bermejo and his Philippine Eagle photo* Photos courtesy of Sipalay LGUThe photographer behind the Philippine Eagle on the new P1,000 bill is from Sipalay City, Negros Occidental.The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has recently released what it has described as a smarter, cleaner and stronger polymer P1000 bill, in response to pressing public health and safety concerns due to COVID-19.The most noticeable part of the latest banknote is the iconic image of the Philippine Eagle replacing the photos of national heroes Jose Abad Santos, Vicente Lim, and Josefa Llanes Escoda on the obverse side, the BSP said.The photographer who captured the image of the Philippine Eagle is Floyd Pison Bermejo, a licensed pilot, a wildlife photographer and a conservationist, a press...

Nine contestants joining the Hari ng Pilipinas-Negros Occidental 2022 were introduced during a sashing ceremony at the Northwest Inn Hotel in Bacolod City on Friday, May 13.The preliminary competition of this year’s Hari ng Pilipinas-Negros Occidental, which motto is “Matikas, marangal, marunong, makatao (fit, honorable, intelligent and humanitarian)”, will be held at the Bantug Ranch in Barangay Alangilan, Bacolod City, on May 24, a press release from the organizers said.The Bacolod coronation night will be at the Northwest Inn on May 28.Joelito Aspan Orencio Jr., who was last year’s Bacolod representative to the national pageant, said the pageant’s motto speaks of its thrust to promote not just the tourism of Negros Occidental but to discover talented young men.Now the pr...

The 9th Globe Media Excellence Awards celebrated the excellent work of the media and content creators in telling powerful, rich stories that influence the challenging period.Using digital platforms, these inspiring, new breed of storytellers were able to find ways to uplift lives through digital technology—through narratives that ease burdens and brighten up spirits.Bearing the theme “#PadayonDigital: Uplifting Lives Through Digital Technology,” this year’s awarding of winners was held online on May 6.Here's the list of Visayas winners in this year’s GMEA:News Report of the Year: Loon Church in Bohol rises from the rubble (Inquirer)Explanatory/Investigative Story of the Year: Rhick Lars Vladimer Albay (ANCX)Column of Year: Maria Lourdes “Nini” B. Cabaero (Sunstar Ce...

The annual town fiesta of Isabela town drew a crowd of 12,000 at the Isabela public plaza to cap the celebration on April 23.On the last day of Kinalipay sa Isabela, townsfolk and its visitors from across the Philippines and even abroad feast with delight at the last events and activities up until the dawn of Sunday.The week-long celebration made a return after two years of hiatus because of the pandemic, and the first fiesta held during the administration of Mayor Irene Consunji-Montilla.Tourism OIC Jacel Jane Pineda said, “we have seen the hope to celebrate as Negros Occidental downgraded to Alert Level 2, which allows a maximum of 50% indoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated individuals only and 70% outdoor venue capacity.”She added that this year’s celebration listed ...