Hiligaynon (Ilonggo) Language
February 27, 2009
Filipinos from other regions have a general impression of the Ilonggos as “malambing”, meaning sweet or affectionate. It can be attributed to our language. We speak with a sing-song intonation that could sound very sweet to the ears of a non-Hiligaynon speaker.
I am sometimes torn whether to refer to our language as Hiligaynon or Ilonggo. Most non-Ilonggos and even the Ilonggos would refer to our language as Ilonggo. I’m neither a historian nor an expert in linguistics but through various articles I came across, Ilonggo is what you call the people that inhabit or whose ethnic origin is Western Visayas. Hiligaynon is the lingua franca of the people of Western Visayas for there exist other languages such as Kinaray-a of Antique, Capiz and the hinterlands of Iloilo and Akeanon of Aklan.
In Negros Occidental, Hiligaynon is widely spoken by the majority especially in the west coast while in the east coast facing Cebu people speaks Cebuano. Seldom can you hear Kinaray-a except perhaps from those who are Kinaray-a speakers living in Negros Occidental.
Ilonggo historian Henry Funtecha has some interesting insights on why Hiligaynon is the dominant language of the province. Rich families from the lowland of Iloilo migrated to Negros during the boom of the sugar industry. They became hacienderos and became prominent families. They brought with them sugarcane farm workers (sacada) from Antique and the hinterland towns of Iloilo where Kinaray-a was widely spoken. Imagine if you were a sacada during those times and your amo (boss) is speaking in Hiligaynon, you would probably be speaking the language of your employer too.
If you want to learn Hiligaynon, just download the Hiligaynon (Ilonggo) Language Packet being used by the US Peace Corps. Learning to converse in Hiligaynon is easy but learning the intonation is not. But if you want to learn Hiligaynon you have to start somewhere.
The language pack cotains phrases for daily communication needs. Even for Ilonggos this tutorial can come in handy if you want to review your Hiligaynon. Sometimes when we use English in our daily conversations we tend to forget correct usage of our own language.
Queen of Peace Church
February 18, 2009
The Queen of Peace Church in Bacolod City is located inside the St. John Institute campus better known as Hua Ming. The Queen of Peace Church was inaugurated in 1966 and it was constructed at P550,000 cost which is already big at that time. It looked like a giant crown from a distant thus it’s not surprising that it easily became an architectural landmark in Negros Occidental.
The church and Hua Ming are located at Capitol Shopping Center, the Chinatown of Bacolod City. It’s heritage is unmistakably Chinese though today the school caters to students from all walks of life.
The first time I went inside the Queen of Peace Church was when I went with a group photo documenting Negros Occidental Catholic churches. Repainting was being done inside the church at that time in preparation for the Golden Jubilee Celebrations.
Sharyn’s Cansi House
February 16, 2009
Cansi is the Ilonggo’s version of bulalo or boiled bone-in beef shank which come with the customary cardiac delight bone marrow. In Bacolod City cansi is synonymous to Sharyn’s Cansi House. Sharyn’s cansi is considered as the best-tasting in Bacolod City.
When I transferred here in Bacolod five years ago, it was the food destinations that I immediately wanted to explore and discover. Usually, the best place to find the culinary havens are not at the malls or at the posh business centers. You can find the best local cuisines at the public market or at the places where common folks would frequent.
Experience the best bulalo in Bacolod at Sharyn’s located at Narra Avenue, Bacolod City at the Chinatown of Bacolod City, the Capitol Shopping Center or most commonly referred to as Shopping.
A serving of Sharyn’s cansi is already good for two and you can also ask for additional soup. I think what makes cansi sinfully delicious is the utok (bone marrow). Careful with the heart though, for God knows how many cholesterol a serving has.
Sweet City Captel
February 16, 2009
I recently discovered a new budget accommodation in Negros Occidental. The Sweet City Captel was inaugurated last February 2, 2009 by Gov. Isidro P. Zayco. The hostel located at the North Capitol Road corner Gatuslao Street in Bacolod City is now being managed by the Capitol Government Employees Multi Purpose Cooperative (CAPGEM).
The newly renovated Sweet City Captel is a budget traveler’s haven right at the heart of Bacolod City. It’s strategic location makes it accessible to public transportation and major business establishments in Bacolod City.
Dorm-type accommodations are available in aircon and nonaircon. For organizations having seminars and trainings, the Marañon and Montelibano Halls are available for lease. Currently, 2 and 4-bed standard rooms are being remodeled. Captel also provides discounts for government employees and senior citizens.
Below are the rates:
Dorm-type rooms, non aircon P100/head
Dorm-type rooms, aircon P200/head
Marañon Function Room P800/day + P250/day for use of electricity
Montelibano Function Hall P2,000/day + P250/day for use of electricity
Standard room, 2-bed P600/day
Standard room, 4-bed P800/day
For inquiries, call Sweet City Captel at (034) 432-2089 0r send your e-mail to capgem_coop@yahoo.com
New Proposed Sites for Bacolod Flyover
February 16, 2009
Due to oppositions from business estalishments along Lacson St., the proposed sites for the Bacolod flyover were changed from Lacson – B.S. Aquino and Lacson – Burgos junctions to Lacson-Circumferential (Bangga Pepsi) and Araneta-Magsaysay.
It was reported that the project consultant Woodfields Consultants Incorporated was on the stage of designing the flyover together with Geoscience Technologies Incorporated which was employed to conduct soil/geotechnical investigation.
A press release from DPWH said that construction for the Magsaysay flyover may commence this March or April and if funds will be available, the Bangga Pepsi flyover will immediately follow.
The change in the sites of the Bacolod flyover are welcomed developments since the new proposed sites are also bottlenecks during rush hours.
Araneta and Lacson streets are main thoroughfares in Bacolod City. Lacson street leads to Northern Negros Occidental while Araneta to Southern Negros Occidental therefore most vehicles going to and fro Bacolod City pass by these streets daily.
MV Doulos Schedule in Bacolod City
February 3, 2009
MV Doulos will be docking at BREDCO Port 3 in Bacolod City on February 12 and will be open to the public on February 13 until March 2. On March 3 they will again sail to their next destination. MV Doulos returns to Bacolod City and to other key cities in the Philippines to bring once again “knowledge, help and hope” to the country.
Like the first time they were here in Bacolod City, I will again mark the MV Doulos schedule since based on experience, one visit is not enough for a bookworm like me.
For those who are first timers and veterans alike, here’s the schedule of MV Doulos:
Book Fair Opening Hours
February 13, 2009 (Friday): 2 PM – 9 PM
Sun – Mon: 2 PM – 9 PM
Tue – Sat: 10 AM – 9 PM
Sun – Mon: 2 PM – 9 PM
Entrance Fee: P10.00
Free entry for children under 16 and they must be accompanied by an adult. Avoid brining Backpacks since these are not allowed on board.
Doulos Fiesta
Celebrate Valentines Day on board the World’s Oldest Ocean-Going Passenger Ship. Imagine yourself as Rose or Jack on board the Titanic since MV Doulos is just two years younger than that ill-fated ship.
Bring your family on board the ship and meet the crew and discover their life onboard MV Doulos. Entrace is for free and you get a walk through on the cultural display inside the ship.
February 14, 2009 (Saturday): 2 PM – 5 PM
February 28, 2009 (Saturday): 2 PM – 5 PM
International Cafe
Let the international crew entertain you to music and dances from around the world in an evening of relaxation in a cafe setting.
February 15, 2009 (Sunday): 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
February 22, 2009 (Sunday): 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Tickets for this is P20.00 and can be bought at the Philippines Christian Bookstores in Robinsons and SM City Bacolod and at the Book Fair onboard MV Doulos.
