Don Salvador Benedicto Named Summer Capital of Negros Occidental

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental passed a resolution yesterday naming the Municipality of Don Salvador Benedicto sa the Summer Capital of Negros Occidental. Said resolution was authored by Board Member Nehemias de La Cruz, former Mayor of Don Salvador Benedicto.

Don Salvador Benedicto (DSB) is locally known as the “Little Baguio” of Negros Occidental because of its cool climate. This is also the reason why flowers, fruits and vegetables that thrive in cool climate are abundant in DSB. The town also boasts of chocolate hills, rice terraces, waterfalls and caves.

The potential of DSB for tourism development also hinges on its location. It is around 47km from Bacolod City along the well-maintained zigzag road of Negros Translink Ecotourism Highway. Most people going to San Carlos City prefer this route to save time and because of the scenic view which make traveling enjoyable.

Here in ExperienceNegros, we recognize the potential of the Don Salvador Benedicto as a tourist destination thus we have featured the town several times inthe past.

Please revisit our previous feature stories to reacquaint you with the attractions in Don Salvador Benedicto.

• Things to see and do in Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental
• Don Salvador Benedicto Magnetic Hill Experience
• The Stone House in Don Salvador Benedicto
• Kape Musang of Don Salvador Benedicto

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Bacolod Chicken Inasal Grill Awaiting Guinness Verdict

The highlight of the First Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival, Bacolod City attempted to break the world record in the longest barbecue and was able to set up a 3.985-kilometer chicken barbeque grill at the North Wing Parking area of SM City-Bacolod last May 19.  Current holder of the record is the Municipality of Santo Tomas, Pangasinan which measured 3.803 kilometers.

It takes four to six weeks for Guinness to validate if indeed a world record was made. However, I think what’s important is that Bacolod City officials, with the help of the people of Bacolod, were able to hold the First Chicken Inasal Festival.

Bacolod City is known for the distinct taste of Chicken Inasal which turned the Manokan Country a food destination for tourists. The celebration of the Inasal Festival is one way of promoting chicken inasal to attract more tourists.

Guinness or no Guinness, the unity of the people behind a worthy cause was already achieved. I was there last May 19 and I witnessed the number of people who came and joined. The whole SM North Wing Parking  was filled with smoke and you can barely see people a meter away from you. It was like a scene from Ground Zero. But people still lined up to participate in this historic event. The police obviously had some trouble in crowd control as they did not expect the number of people who participated. Hopefully, next year will be better.

2009 Western Visayas Invitational Jetski Cup Winners

The 2009 Western Visayas Invitational Jetski Cup was successfully held last May 16-17 at the Marina, BREDCO Port. The event, a first in Western Visayas, was organized by Sa Baybay Events. The organizers plan to make this a yearly event in order to make Bacolod a sports tourism destination.

Here are the list of winners:

3 SEATER 4-STROKE

Champion- Jadd Gonzales           -  Seadoo
1st Runner Up – Noel Aguilar       – Honda
2nd Runner Up – Miguel Arimas    – Yamaha
3rd Runner Up – Gabby Gonzales – Seadoo
4th Runner Up – Joe Zulueta         – Seadoo

3 SEATER 2-STROKE

Champion – Tommy Andren           – Yamaha
1st Runner Up – Sunel Tan              – Seadoo
2nd Runner Up – MJ Benedicto        – Seadoo

2 SEATER

Champion – Brent Uytiepo   – Seadoo

In addition to the Jetski Competition, there were also the Market Bazaar, Soundoff and a Bikini Fashion Show.These events are slowly turning the the Marina at BREDCO as another entertainment venue for Negrenses and visitors.

Here are some pictures courtesy of Ms. Dolly Dalumpines.

Canetown, Victorias City: House and Lot for Sale

I’m helping out a friend sell their house and lot located in Canetown, Victorias City. I have personally visited the place and I like it because it already has fruit bearing trees and a nice picnic area overlooking the river.

Here’s the description of the property:

Lot Area: 1,447 Square Meters;

Floor Area: 205 Square Meters.

Bungalow type, 2 living rooms, dining room, kitchen, 5 bedrooms, 2 Toilet & Bath,  Attic (convertible to 2 more bedrooms) and garage.

Large lawn (front and back), with fruit bearing trees like lanzones, Indian mangoes, chicos, coconuts. Big palms like Madagascar and torch, fox tail, champagne, and blue palm. Many kinds of flowering plants.

Location: Canetown Subdivision, Victorias City, Negros Occidental,
walking distance from Entrance gate of Canetown.

Price: P 2.3 Million only.

If only I have that kind of money I would consider buying it as an investment. You can’t get a price that low for such a prime property.

If you are interested, just contact me using the Contact Form. It’s best to visit the property and see for yourself. The owners also welcome Licensed Real Estate Brokers.

Here are pictures of the property:

First Western Visayas Invitational Jetski Cup Slated

Another event this weekend which we all can look forward to in addition to the holding of the First Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival is the First Western Visayas Invitational Jetski Cup organized by Sa Baybay Events.

The Jetski Cup will be held at the Marina, BREDCO Port, Bacolod City. Other highlights include Night Markets, Audio Soundoff and Bikini Fashion Show. Special guest Gretchen Barreto will be gracing the awarding of winners.

Schedule of Activities

May 12               4pm                                  Press Conference with Jetski Officials

May 15                10am                              Jetski Registration

Jetski Practice Run

May 16               10am                              Jetski Practice

2pm onwards            Jetski Competition starts

5pm                                Night Market Bazaar

6pm onwards             Car Audio Sound Off by Western Electronics

8pm                                Party Band by Undertow

May 17            10am onwards              Jetski competition – Finals

5pm onwards               Night Market Bazaar

6pm-8pm                       Car Audio Sound Off by CENTERLINE

8pm-9pm                       Party Band by Undertow – 1st Set

9pm-10pm                    Awarding of Winners (w/ Guest Gretchen
Bareto)

Bikini Fashion Show

10pm                                Party Band by Undertow – 2nd Set

Sandra Seifert Crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2009

Sandra Seifert of Negros Occidental was crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2009 in the Coronation Night held at The Arena in San Juan City last night besting 49 candidates. It was a double victory, since another Negros Occidental candidate, Adie Adelantar of Victorias City was crowned Miss Eco-Tourism.

It was a heart-warming moment when Seifert and Adelantar held hands and raised their arms when Billy Crawford was about to announce who between them will be crowned Miss Philippines Earth. It’s like  they’re raising the pride and glory of Negros Occidental. They really made their fellow Negrenses proud.

Seifert and Adelantar had very impressive answers both in the Top 10 and in the Final Question and Answer which received thunderous applause from the audience. Indeed, they have the brains to go with the face and body.

Seifert is very updated on the environmental issues in Negros Occidental especially in Bacolod City. Seifert identified waste segregation as the major concern of Negros Occidental having only three out of the 13 citites implement the Solid Waste Management Act. She said it’s her advocacy to promote solid waste management so that more cities and municipalities in the province implement it.

Seifert and Adelantar are both previous candidates in the Bb. Pilipinas pageant. Whereas Adelantar failed to grab the crown in 2007,  Seifert was controversially disqualified two days before the coronation night of Bb. Pilipinas 2009 because of some racy photos with FHM. What a great come back for the two beauty queens!

Another winner from Western Visayas was Michelle Martha Braun of Aklan.

Miss Philippines-Earth2009 Complete Results

Miss Philippines Earth 2009
Sandra Seifert (Negros Occidental)

Miss Philippines Eco Tourism
Adie Adelantar (Victorias City)

Miss Philippines Fire
Patricia Marie Tumulak (Quezon City)

Miss Philippines Air
Michelle Martha Braun (Aklan)

Miss Philippines Water
Catherine Loyola (Sydney Australia)

Watch this video of the final Question and Answer courtesy of Starmometer.

Image Credit: Miss Philippines Earth Official Website

Three Negros Occidental Candidates in Ms. Philippines Earth Pageant

Three Negros Occidental beauties are vying for the 2009 Ms. Philippines-Earth title.  Ms. Jan Maricris Vega of Bacolod City, Ms. Adie Adelantar of Victorias City, and Ms. Sandra Seifert representing Negros Occidental are all competing for the 9th Annual Ms. Philippines-Earth.

The people of Negros Occidental are all excited to watch the Coronation Night on May 10, 2009 at The Arena in San Juan City which will be telecast by ABS-CBN.

Ms. Jan Maricris Vega was crowned MassKara Queen 2008. The 18 year-old Vega is an Electronics & Communications Engineer Student of the University of St. La Salle.

Victorias City representative Adie Adelantar already joined Bb.Pilipinas in 2007 but was not able to make it even into the semi-finals. Will the 21 year-old Tourism Graduate make it this time as Miss Philippines-Earth? We know she has a good chance.

Another bet of the Negrenses is Sandra Seifert, a 25 year-old Registered Nurse. A lot of people were disappointed when she was disqualifies from the Bb. Pilipinas 2009 pageant just two days before the coronation night over some photos of her published in FHM. We’re glad that Miss Earth officials doesn’t seem to mind.

Ms. Seifert is an early favorite and has already won some Miss Earth pre-pageant awards like Best in Swimsuit, Gandang Ricky Reyes Award and Best in Cultural Attire.

Most people in Bacolod and Negros Occidental will be glued on their TV sets during the Coronation Night on Sunday. With three candidates vying for the title, we know there is a good chance that the next Miss Philippines-Earth will be coming from Negros Occidental.

We wish them luck!

Update:  Sandra Seifert Crowned Miss Philippines Earth

Image credit: Miss Philippines-Earth

Pacquiao Vs Hatton Video Replay

Bacolod City’s adopted son, Manny Pacquaio beats Ricky Hatton on the second round of their fight.

Pacquiao knocked down Hatton twice in the first round then hit Hatton with a left in the second that sent Hatton flat on his back on the canvas.The referee waved his hand without counting to 10 since Hatton was not even moving. It took him a long time to get on his feet.

Pacquiao snatched Hatton’s International Boxing Organization junior welterweight title and his sixth title in different weight divisions.

Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia whom Pacquiao considers as his lucky was there to raise the Pacman’s belt.

If you haven’t watched it, here’s the Pacquiao Vs. Hatton replay.

Watch live video from orgullosamente_latino’s channel on Justin.tv

Bacolod to Hold First Chicken Inasal Festival

When it comes to chicken inasal, nobody can boast being the Manokan Country more than Bacolod City. To celebrate Bacoleños love for inasal, the first Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival is slated on May 15-20 at the Manokan Country and the SM City North Wing vacant lot.

Chicken inasal is a form of barbecued chicken specific to Bacolod. Manokan Country located near SM City is an area in the city filled with inasal stalls with rustic ambiance that has become a tourist attraction.

The people responsible for creating the Manokan Country and those who helped catapult inasal into national prominence shall be given recognition during the opening ceremonies on May 15. They include former Bacolod Mayor Jose Montalvo and Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia, who was then the tourism officer of Negros Occidental. Other awardees are actor Joel Torre and film director Peque Gallaga for their contribution in introducing inasal to Manila; Jun Tanalgo, who owns 23 branches of Bacolod Chicken Inasal in Makati and Manila; Edgar Sia, the owner of Mang Inasal, among others.

The city will attempt to have the Inasal Festival break into the Guinness Book of World Records by staging the longest grilled chicken barbecue in the world. It was reported that City Councilor Alex Paglumotan said this year’s Inasal Festival targets up to six kilometers of chicken barbecue line to establish the record that would involve 18,000 chickens, each quartered and skewered for a total of 72,000 sticks of chicken barbecue. He estimated that the whole event would also require up to 20,000 sacks of charcoal for the grill and 18,000 to 20,000 volunteers to grill the chicken.

That’s a lot of chicken inasal to consume. But with the threat of a swine flu pandemic, who needs pork?

The Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival is going to be an annual event since the City wil register it with the Department of Tourism as one of the festivals in the country.