Hacendera for A Day: My Negros Hacienda Tour Experience

The sugar barons of Negros Occidental lived in an era long forgotten. They lived in mansions in the middle of sugar plantations, attended by their servants and money seem to be overflowing. It is a life that most of us can only dream of. Thanks to Imelda Tinsay of Next Stop Negros Tour, my friends and I got a glimpse of the life of the hacenderos even just for a day.

I am as much a stranger to hacienda life as the next tourist.  I grew up in Iloilo and the social structure there is much different from that of Negros. Landholdings were not as large and the main crop is rice and not sugarcane. So, when Imelda invited me and my friends for the Negros heritage lunch tour, she did not have to ask me a second time.

Manapla is around an hour’s travel from Bacolod City. Aside from the famous Manapla puto (rice cake), the town is also where you can find Hda. Rosalia , the  ancestral home of one of the sons of Yves Leopold Germain Gaston, Jose Gaston and wife Consuelo Ascona. Yves Germain was a Frenchman who settled in Negros Occidental and was instrumental in modernizing the sugar industry by bringing in “horno economico”.

The Chapel of the Cartwheels

The white mansion stood proud in the middle of the estate. No sugar baron lives here anymore but a servant of the church does, Monsignor Gigi Gaston. It’s not surprising then that inside the estate is a unique church, the Chapel of the Cartwheels. Monsignor Gigi was the one responsible in designing the chapel as a way of enculturation of the local culture in the church.

All the parts of the chapel were made out of cartwheels and other farm implements. The benches were made by families who attended the mass, one bench for every family. The candle holders were made out of mortars and the pestle was turned into a holy water container during christening. From afar it looks like a salakot, Filipinos’ native hat. You can’t find anything like it anywhere in the Philippines.

The Jose Gaston Mansion

Imelda then toured us around the mansion which was built in the 1930s. The high ceiling, large windows and wooden floors were typical of the period. The mansion was featured in the Peque Gallaga classic movie Oro, Plata, Mata. I was half expecting to feel something creepy as what they say of old houses. But my fears were unfounded. Besides, our noise was enough to scare any spirit lurking around.

I like old houses for they have their distinct character and seem to be frozen in time. The mansion must have witnessed a lot of happy moments and even challenging times. Monsignor Gigi kept as much of the original furniture of the house. The knitted bed sheets were still the works of Doña Consuelo who stayed at home to take care of the family. If you think that’s an easy job, think again. She and Don Jose had eight children! Even with all the servants they have, that is still one tough job. During World War II the whole clan stayed in the mansion. Imagine the fun and chaos!

We went up a steep flight of stairs to the tower where you have a 360-degree view of the hacienda. It’s probably here where you can appreciate the life in a farm. It’s away from the busy life at the city and the fresh air and the excellent view are hard to resist. But the best is yet to come.

The Delectable Food!

Celebrity Chef Jomi Gaston of  the Promdi Chef culinary show and owner of Trattoria Uma prepared a feast for us. We had chicken liver pâté and tomato and beans brusqueta for appetizer with a bottle of wine. Lunch was served at the table where the family used to eat. The couple had eight children so the table was really long. We were told the children sat according to age and nobody should sit unless the parents already sat down.

We had grilled chicken liver, fresh salad greens with mango cubes, and crab cake for starter. I thought I already had my fill but I couldn’t resist the creamed dory with tomato-caper sauce, osso buco and Monsignor Gigi’s Adobong Milyonaryo. We had the opportunity of meeting Monsignor Gigi and we asked him why the name. He said somebody described his adobo as very rich in flavor thus it came to be known as Adobong Milyonaryo. I thought it was aptly named since most of those who had a taste of his adobo must have been rich also. I just hope the luck would rub on to us as well.

Chef Jomi ate with us and we were surprised at how down to earth he is. Conversations vary from Facebook, horror movies, food, celebrity gossips and comparing notes on Iloilo and Negros. We even thought of opening a Facebook page on Iloilo vs Bacolod! It was just a friendly banter so nobody got hurt except for the panacotta on fruits which was gone in seconds.

The afternoon breeze at the hacienda was very tempting to have siesta and I imagine that’s what they do in the old days. Hacienda life must be bliss. No wonder a lot of foreigners, just like the Gaston family, had made Negros their home. I’d like to think it’s more than just the money that the sugar industry brings. It’s the landscape, the culture, the food, and the charming people. As they say, Negros is sugar and more.

For more inquiries on Negros Heritage Lunch Tour,  contact Imelda Tinsay
Tel. No.+63.34.4355377
Mobile:+63.917.5122071
Email: nextstopnegrostours@gmail.com
www.nextstop-negros-tours.com

Photos by: Anne Valdez and Maymee Mojeno

Sandra Seifert Miss Earth 2009 Photos

Sandra Seifert did not win the Miss Earth 2009 title but she still went home as Miss Earth 2009 Air. She was very good in her interview so many people including myself were surprised that she did not win the title.  We were speculating the organizers did not want some controversy over two Philippine candidates winning the crown back to back. Those were just speculations and may not also be true.

With or without the title she has already a lot of fans and after her reign as Miss Earth 2009 Air, a very promising career in modeling or even in showbiz awaits her. For the fans who can’t get enough of Sandra Seifert, here are photos during the Miss Earth 2009 pageant courtesy of Amular Photography. Thanks Dan Amular for sharing these photos.

Carlos Hilado Top Performing School, UNO-R Grads Placer in CE 2009 Board

Carlos Hilado Memorial State College (CHMSC) was the top performing school for the Civil Engineering November 2009 Licensure Examinations with its 16 takers passing the Board or a 100% passing rate.

This is the second batch of graduates for Civil Engineering from CHMSC and it is already making a name as one of the top performing schools. Its first batch of CE graduates placed 2nd and 4th in the November 2008 Board Exams.

Rank	School	Total No. of Examinees	Total no. Passed	Percentage Passed
1	Carlos Hilado Memorial State College – Talisay City, Negros Occidental	16	16	100%
2	University of the Philippines – Diliman	45	43	96%
3	University of the Philippines – Los Baños	39	37	95%

On the other hand, two graduates of the University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos made it in the Top 10. Romyr Zamora Iwayan placed 3rd with a rating of 96.35% while Francis Jay Nava Bordaje was 7th placer with a rating of 95%.

Negros Occidental schools have consistently produced top graduates as evidenced by the number of passers and even placers in the board exams. In the November 2009 Chemical Engineering Licensure Examination, two graduates from the University of St. La Salle were also in the Top 10. Cathy Tan Ng placed 7th with a rating of 81.10% and Sheldon Lemuel Tan Lim placed 8th with 80.90% rating.

Congratulations to our New Engineers!

Source: http://www.pinoyboardresults.co.cc

Organic Lunch with Margarita Fores

Another cause worthy of our support is the Organic Lunch with Margarita Fores and Chef Richard Ynayan of the Culinary Institute De Lasalle – Bacolod on November 26, 2009. Proceeds from this event will go to the Suntown Camp Cancer Foundation. This event is still a part of the 4th Negros Organic Farmers Festival.

Manila-based Ilongga restaurateur Margarita Fores traces her roots from the Araneta clan of Bago City. Ms. Fores owns Cibo, Pepato, Cafe Bola in Manila. The benefit lunch will be at the Provincial Social Hall where Ms. Fores will be cooking her specially prepared menu using locally  produced certified organic ingredients.

Among the dishes are organic salad of palm heart and guava jelly vinaigrette,pate raviolini with sage butter, roast Bacolod style lechon with duetto sauces of liver and mostarda di frutta, roast goat capretto rosmarino with English mint, lemon and pepper roast chicken, and fried organic boneless bangus with mango wansuy salsa.

Tickets for this activity will be available at Fresh Start Organic Foods Stores in Sweet Greens and Robinsons Place and at NISARD Office. For reservations, call 4332174 and 7071434.

The 4^th Organic Farmers Festival is a project of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental in cooperation with the Organik na Negros! Organic Producers and Retailers Association and Negros Island Sustainable Agriculture Research and Development.

4th Organic Farmers Festival Schedule of Activities

The Organik na Negros! Market will be holding the 4^th Organic Farmers Festival on November 25-27, 2009 at the Organic Market at the back of the Provincial Capitol. The products available at the trade fair are organic certified fruits, vegetables, rice, coffee, herbs, spices, free range native chicken, pork and fish.

Let us support our local organic producers and help promote organic agriculture by joining the activities for this festival.

Schedule of Activities

November 25, 2009
8 am	Opening and Cutting of Ribbon
Whole Day	Ongoing cooking demo and organic food tasting by Chef Guido Nijssen and the students of the International Culinary School of West Negros
1:30 – 4:00 pm	Agriculture at the Crossroads by Dr. Romeo Onijano (Bacolod Pavilion)
6:00 – 9:00 pm	Talk Shop with Folk band serving Natural Wine, Draft Beer and Organic Foods
November 26, 2009
8:00 – 10:00 am	Organic Vegetarian Cooking: Organic Vegan 101 by Dr. Albert Jo
10:00 – 11:30 am	Official Launching of NICERT Organic Certification Services
11:30 – 1:30 pm	Organic Lunch and cooking demo by Margarita Fores with Chef Richard Ynayan & the Institute for Culinary Arts De La Salle – Bacolod. Proceeds is for the benefit of Suntown Camp Cancer Foundation (Social Hall)
1:30 – 2:30 pm	Donors’ Forum
2:30 – 3:30 pm	Marketing Opportunities
3:30 – 5:30 pm	Packaging and Labeling by Lina Gelonga, DOST Region 6
6:00 – 9:00 pm	Talk Shop with Folk band serving Natural Wine, Draft Beer and Organic Foods
November 27, 2009
8:30 – 9:30 am	Organic Free Range Chicken Production by Mr. Philip Reyes, Fresh Start Organic
9:30 – 10:30 am	Organic Bangus Production by Josephine Ledesma
10:30 – 12:00 nn	Practical Organic Approaches on Livestock by Ramon Peñalosa
1:30 – 4:00 pm	Healthy Lifestyle: The Organic Way by Dr. Jaime Galvez-Tan
4:00 pm	Closing Program and Talk Shop with Folk band serving Natural Wine, Draft Beer and Organic Foods

The 4^th Organic Farmers Festival is a project of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental in cooperation with ONOPRA and NISARD.

Miss Earth 2009 Winners

There was never a doubt in my mind that Miss Earth – Philippines Sandra Seifert will win a title in the Miss Earth Pageant. I know we were all hoping for her to win the Miss Earth title but just the same, we are still very proud of Sandra Seifert who was crowned Miss Earth Air 2009.

The pageant night was held at the Boracay Ecovillage Resort and Convention Center in Boracay Island. Pre-pageant activities were held in various locations in the country, showcasing our tourist attractions. The event was also a big boost to Western Visayas with Bacolod City and Iloilo City as venues of the pre-pageant talent competition.

Here’s the complete list of Miss Earth 2009 winners:

• Miss Earth 2009 – Miss Brazil Larissa Ramos
• Miss Earth Air 2009 – Miss Philippines Sandra Seifert
• Miss Earth Water 2009 – Miss Venezuela Jessica Barboza
• Miss Earth Fire 2009 – Miss Spain Alejandra Echevarria

Winners of Special Awards:

• Best in National Costume – Tanzania
• Best in Swimsuit – Philippines
• Best in Long Gown – Philippines
• Miss Talent – Tahiti
• Miss Congeniality – Switzerland
• Most Photogenic – Czech Republic

Image Credit: MissEarth.info

Uratex Bacolod Showroom Now Open

Bacolod has more reasons to have a good sleep as Uratex, the country’s best-selling foam producer opened its showroom to the public last November 9, 2009. A wide range of highly durable foam products such as mattresses, sofabeds, pillows, and Uratex monoblocks such as chairs, tables, and cabinets are available in the showroom located at 60^th Lacson St., San Sebastian, Bacolod City.

“We offer to the Bacoleños more selections of our best-selling foam products that complement their discriminating taste in comfort, quality, and price. We want to give Bacoleños the best quality and comfort they deserve,” Mr. Ryan Magalona, Operations Manager of Uratex Foam Bacolod said.

An interview with Mr. Stephen Brian Lee, Industrial Marketing Manager, revealed that Bacolod City is the 3rd branch outside of Metro Manila after Naga and Cebu. The company plans to expand and open more branches in the Vis-Min area. With the opening of the showroom, customers are assured they will be buying original and high quality products.

Uratex also produces high quality foams for automobiles and in fact one of its big  clients is Vallacar Transit, owner of Ceres Line of buses operating nationwide with corporate office in Bacolod City. There has been a clamor for Uratex to open a branch in Bacolod for a long time but now seems an opportune time with the current developments in Bacolod City.

Congratulations Uratex and welcome to Bacolod!

Video: Rediscover Silay

The Rediscover Silay is a 40-minute video project of Silay Tourism Office as one of the highlights for the Al Cinco de Noviembre celebration. Know more about this genteel town and its important role in the history of Negros.

This video documentary is another excellent work of Leo Vision Multimedia. I have worked once with a project with Leo Vision and I can attest to their dedication to their craft and the quality of their works. Congrats Gary Lake for another job well done!

Rediscover Silay from Gary Lake Liza/Leo Vision on Vimeo.

Negros Wildlife Month Celebration

The Negros Wildlife Month Celebration will with theme “Preserve our home – conserve wildlife – protect their habitats”, this year’s program kicks off on Tuesday, November 10 with an “Animals of Negros” foot parade leaving from the  Bacolod Public Plaza at 1:30pm. Participants will be dressed in masks and costumes of the endemic and threatened species of Negros including the Visayan tarictic hornbill, Visayan spotted deer and the Visayan warty pig.

Activities will run through to November 26 and will include an environmentally-themed art competition; wildlife quizzes; an extemporaneous speech competition focusing on different environmental topics; film showings; tree plantings and a unique research-oriented ‘bat encounter’ experience. Activities will culminate on November 26 with the 3rd Negros Island Wildlife Quiz Bowl to be held this year at Silliman University in Dumaguete City.

Negros Occidental is very fortunate with the signing of the president of a law banning commercial logging in the Northern Negros Natural Park. This law will be a big help in the conservation and protection of Negros wildlife.

Show your support for this endeavor by joining the different activities lined up for the Negros Wildlife Month Celebration. For inquiries, contact the Negros Forests and Ecological Foundation, Inc (NFEFI)on 433 2036.

Image Credit: NFEFI

Cozy Dining at Puffs N’ Tarts Restaurant

My friends and I had a very scrumptious dinner at Puffs N’ Tarts Cake Factory and Restaurant last Thursday.  My friend Weng has been asking me for ages to try Puffs N’ Tarts but we only found time to go there the other night. Besides, what are we to do? It’s Negros Day and blackout in most areas in Bacolod. Having dinner at Puffs N’ Tarts was perhaps the saving grace of a rather boring day spent at home.

At first I thought they were only serving cakes and pastries because of the name but they actually have pizza and pasta. The food was really good and we have to thank Chef Ryan Sy and staff for that. We had Caesar salad, Pizza Hungarian, Pasta Arabiatta and Pavlova and Banana Cream Crepe for dessert. Their pizza is unique because they are rectangles instead of the usual circular shape.

I was told their best seller was Pizza Roma which unfortunately we were not able to try. Blame my companion who’s not into veggies. Anyway, if their not-so-best-seller was already good then you might say their best-seller would be better.

Don’t be fooled by the facade of the building. It may not look like a fancy restaurant outside but inside it’s very cozy and suitable for a quiet dinner for two or even a big family dinner. Perhaps due to its location, where it’s not along a busy street, the place is not crowded and you have a little privacy from the prying eyes of bystanders.

I was surprised by the price since I did not expect it to be very affordable. Bacolod City is not short of restaurants with really good food but it’s still nice finding a place where you feel you paid for the food and not for the over-rated ambiance.

Puffs N’ Tarts Cake Factory and Restaurant
#77 San Sebastian St., Bacolod City
Tel. 7088719
Business Hours:  Mon-Sat /10am-10pm

Range:

Pizza: P195
Pasta and Salad: P120-P150
Steak: P250
Cakes: P360-P800/P36-P70 per slice
Desserts: less than P100

How to Get There

When going there for the first time, your landmark would be Virgie’s Pasalubong Center. Puffs N’ Tarts is just a few meters away. Taculing-Central Market jeepneys also pass by the restaurant.

View Bacolod City Dining Places in a larger map

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