Experience the 1st Bacolod Jazz Fest 2010

Bacolod City is a Jazz haven. No other city outside of Metro Manila has more loyal Jazz followers who kept the music vibrant other than Bacolod. As a testament, Bacolod City will be one of the venues in the annual Philippine International Jazz & Arts Festival (PIJazzFest) which runs from February 12-28 this year.

The 1st Bacolod Jazz Fest 2010, presented in cooperation with the Jazz Society of Negros (JSN), will be held at the L’ Fisher Hotel Roofdeck at 6pm on February 20, 2010. The event will showcase 20-year-old British-Filipino jazz singer Mishka Adams, Sinosikat?,  Jazz Volunteers and Ilonggo artists Gabe Ascalon and Nancy Brew.

The annual PIJazzFest which debuted in 2005 gathers local and international artists in a month long festival which include mall and bar tours and campus workshops. Jazz, despite being confined to a niche audience, is slowly gaining followers from the younger generation through promotions such as the PIJazzFest. The local scene in Bacolod has likewise been very alive with JSN’s hosting of jazz shows since its inception in 2006.

Spend a jazzy evening with friends and loved ones at one of Bacolod City’s scenic spot, L’ Fisher 2 (Chalet) Roofdeck on February 20. You can grab your tickets to the 1st Bacolod Jazz Fest 2010 at the L’ Fisher Hotel for only P500 (P150 consumable).

Got Wowed by Ballet Philippines

I guess most girls thought of ballet dancing once in their life. At least I have. The art requires a lot of practice and those who want to get into it should start early in life. Financial resources are likewise needed to sustain such training. Thus, my dream of ballet dancing never got farther than watching The Nutcracker.

Fortunately, young girls such as the daughter of fellow blogger Ruby of  PinayMommyOnline got a chance to watch a live ballet performance of Ballet Philippines’ Masterworks presentation at SM City Bacolod. Together with May, we got invited by Ms. Lorena of SM City Bacolod to watch the live performance last February 2 at SM City Bacolod Cinema 1.

Ballet Philippines was founded in 1969 by Alice Reyes with the support of Eddie Elejar and the Cultural Center of the Philippines.  Ballet Philippines is the country’s premier professional dance company and the resident dance company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Ballet, whatever music accompaniment is still ballet to me. The effort exerted by the dancers in classical music or in OPM music looks the same. Years and years of practice must have made the routine easy for them and they made pirouetting looks effortless! The dancers received applause after each performance as the audience was quite amazed by their gracefulness.

There were a lot of girls at the audience and I’m sure some of them were thinking of one day joining Ballet Philippines. Thanks to SM City for bringing ballet to the masses.

Bacollywood: Negros Film Festival 2

If you’ve watched independent films Namets and Yanggaw, then you can attest to the talent of the Negrenses both in front and behind the camera. To further promote independent film-making in Negros, Produksyon Tramontina in partnership with Bacolod schools and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) organized the  Bacollywood: Negros Film Festival 2 scheduled from January 26 to January 30.

Bacollywood will feature independent films produced in Cebu, Iloilo, the annual Piaya Awards of the Negros Summer Workshop in Bacolod and as well as entries from India and South Korea. There will also be forums on the different issues  in independent filmmaking.

Not all independent films are given a chance to be shown in regular theaters. The Bacollywood will be a good venue for independent film-makers to have their works shown and for the public to have a chance to see these films. Indeed, film making is alive in Negros and let’s do our share in supporting our local talents by attending and promoting Bacollywood.

Here’s the Bacollywood intro by Poli Gonzales.

Bacollywood  Schedule of Activities & Screenings

University of St. La Salle – MM Auditorium

DAY1 January 26 (Tues)	University of St. La Salle – A C T I V I T I E S MM AUDITORIUM
9:00AM	Opening Ceremonies
9:30AM	Negros Summer Workshops films
10:30AM	Situations on the “Indie Film Making in the Philippines” By Peque Gallaga
11:30AM	Open forum
12:00	LUNCH
1:30PM	Visayan Film Making By Gabby Fernandez
2:30PM	Open Forum
3:30PM	Break
4:30PM – 8:30PM	Films from France, Mexico, India, South Korea,
	South Africa, China, Brazil

DAY2 January 27 (Wed)	University of St. La Salle – SCREENINGS MM AUDITORIUM
10:00am – 12:00pm	Animation films
1:30PM
2:30PM	Film editing By Vito Cajili
3:30PM – 5:30PM	NAMETS directed by Jay Abello
6:00pm – 8:30pm	WANTED BOARDER Directed by Ray Gibraltar

DAY3 January 28 (Thurs)	University of St. La Salle – SCREENINGS MM AUDITORIUM
9:00am – 12:00pm	Negros Summer Workshops Films
	Piaya Awards / Directors App Master Class
1:30PM – 4:30PM	INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY FOR FILM & TELEVISION FILMS

West Negros University – Auditorium

DAY2 January 27 (Wed)	West Negros University – A C T I V I T I E S
9:00AM	Introduction/ Welcoming Ceremonies
10:30AM	Visayan Film Making By Gabby Fernandez
11:30AM	Open Forum
12:30NN	Lunch
1:30PM	INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY FOR FILM & TV FILMS
	SCREENING (set 1 – 12)
4:00PM	“WANTED BOARDER” directed by Ray Gibraltar

January 30, 2010

The Arrival Premier

Directed by Erik Matti

ROBINSONS PLACE MOVIEWORLD Bacolod Cinema 1

5:30PM (BY INVITATION)

La Consolacion College – Little Theater

DAY1 January 26 (Tues)	LA CONSOLACION COLLEGE – SCREENINGS LITTLE THEATER
1:30PM	International academy for Film & TV films (set 1 – 12)
2:30PM
3:30PM
4:30PM
5:30PM

DAY2 January 27 (wed)	La Consolacion College – ACTIVITIES LITTLE THATER
9:30AM	Welcoming Ceremonies
10:30AM	Screening Dumaguete Films
11:30AM	Open Forum
12:30NN	Lunch
1:30PM	Intellectual Property Rights By IPO Rep Atty. Mark Dy
2:30PM	Open Forum
3:30PM	Break
4:30PM	THE INDIE ACTOR Dennis Ascalon, Milton Dionzon, Charles Hilado
5:00PM	Open Forum
5:30PM -	Films from France, South Africa, South Korea, Mexico, India, China, Brazil

DAY4 January 29(FRI)	La Consolacion College – SCREENINGS LITTLE THEATER
9:00AM – 12:00PM	ANIMATION FILMS

Collegio de San Agustin – Bacolod – AVR/Auditorium

DAY1 January 26 (Tues)	Collegio de San Agustine – AVR SCREENINGS
9:00am	“NAMETS” directed by Jay Abello

DAY2 January 27 (Wed)	Collegio de San Agustin – AVR SCREENINGS
9AM – 12PM	NEGROS SUMMER WORKSHOPS
	PIAYA AWARDS FINALISTS
	DIRECTORS APPRENTICESHIP Master CLASS SHORTS – NSW
1:30PM – 4:00PM	“Wanted Boarder” directed by Ray Gibraltar

DAY3 January 28 (Thurs)	Collegio de San Agustin – auditorium A C T I V I T I E S
9:00AM	Welcoming Ceremonies
10:30AM	THE INDIE ACTOR DENNIS ASCALON / MARISOL / MILTON DIONZON/ RUDY REVECHE
11:30AM	Open Forum
12:30NN	Lunch
1:30PM	Intellectual Property Rights IPO
3:30PM	Open Forum
3:45PM	Films from France, South Africa, Mexico, India, South Korea, China, Brazil

You can also visit the following sites:

• Bacollywood official Facebook Page
• Bacollywood Blog

A Night of Music with Lea Salonga

Audiences did not mind lining up last January 8 from the USLS gate to the coliseum in order to watch the performance of a world class performer such as Lea whose mother Ligaya happens to hail from the town of Pulupandan, Negros Occidental.

Lea Salonga’s repertoire in her “Lea… Your Songs” concert was requested by her fans from around the world and from all walks of life.  The result was a smorgasbord of all time favorites. She sang these songs as if they were written for her.

Lea sang pop classics This One’s For You, Making Love Out of Nothing At All, and Now and Forever. Her repertoire also included the latest chart toppers Halo and the ever popular Poker Face. Her tribute to the King of Pop Michael Jackson was a poignant rendition of Gone Too Soon.

A GK volunteer was brave enough to sing A Whole New World with Lea onstage. He earned a round of applause and perhaps, the admiration of the female audiences.

A lot were surprised with her Rehab song and dance number with Hip Hop dance group The Philippine All Stars. We all know Lea’s a world class singer, but most of the audiences haven’t seen her dance as well.

Lea’s OPM medley includes Ang Himig Natin, Huling El Bimbo, Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal, and Salamat. She sang I Don’t Love You Anymore with up and coming singer Reymond Sajor.

As expected, she belted some of her fans’ favorite”high brow” songs, as what my friend refers to Broadway music. She sang I Dreamed a Dream, On My Own, and her version of Defying Gravity from the musical Wicked was simply wicked!

We are so used to hear Lea sing Broadway songs but surprisingly, she can sing Jukebox songs such as Basang Basa sa Ulan and Halik just as well. This was in collaboration with “Comedy Concert  Queen” Ai-Ai de las Alas who was simply hilarious. Ai-Ai’s antics onstage simply brought the house down.

For finale, Lea sang the most requested song, Bayan Ko. Hers was a moving rendition audiences must have felt goosebumps. For encore, she sang Thank You For The Music and her signature song Tomorrow.

The concert is for the benefit of Gawad Kalinga (GK) and Lea Salonga was introduced by no less than fellow Negrense Tony Meloto of GK. She said GK is not just about building homes, but it is about building hope. Prior to her concert, she visited GK sites in Bacolod City and she was overwhelmed by the happiness of the people she met. She said she did not see despair on their faces but she saw hope.

It was the second concert of Lea Salonga in Bacolod City. The first time was her All For Love concert where she had the USLS Coliseum jam packed with around 7,000 fans. Well, we hope this will not be her last concert in Bacolod City since we are looking forward to her next concert.

Thanks “Tikalon” for sharing your pictures.

Lea Salonga Will Sing Your Songs

Lea Salonga will again entertain the Negrenses at her concert “Lea… Your Songs” in Bacolod City on Friday, January 8, 2010 at USLS Coliseum. Lea will be accompanied by a 32 piece Filharmonika Orchestra under musical director Gerard Salonga. The show will be directed by Bobby Garcia with special guests  Ai Ai de las Alas and Reymond Sajor.

So, what can we expect from the concert? A great time! If you were fortunate to watch her perform live then you know how very good she is as a performer. With Ai-Ai de las Alas we can expect a hilarious number. Lea’s repertoire for “Lea… Your Songs” includes songs requested by her fans so expect her to sing some of today’s popular songs.

The concert is for the benefit of Gawad Kalinga to help raise funds for its growing work of building communities for the poorest in the province.

Tickets for the concert will be available at Café Bobs Lacson, Gawad Kalinga office and Robinsons Mall, SM City Bacolod and the USLS Coliseum, and those interested may call GK at Tel. nos. 433-4718 and 457-1004.

Tickets are sold at 400, 1000, 1500,2000, 3000, 4000. There is a special price for those who want to buy tickets for the bleachers. You can buy 3 tickets  for P1000. Better hurry before tickets are sold out.

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.

Rica Paras Enters Pinoy Big Brother

Most Negrenses were glued on their TV screen last night as a housemate from Bacolod enters the Pinoy Big Brother House. Rica Paras, 26 is the Math Goddess from Bacolod Iloilo. Don’t be fooled by the looks, Rica is in fact a transvestite. But she has very impressive credentials – she graduated from the Philippine Science High School and  Ateneo.

She will surely make PBB house more exciting especially since her special task is to make the housemates believe that she and Rob are partners.

Update: Rica or Richard Paras is from Iloilo and not from Bacolod.

A Classy New Specialty Hair Salon Opens in Bacolod City

El Kay Salon, a classy & full-service hair salon, has opened in Shopping North Drive neighborhood. The salon, opens from Monday to Sunday, 10 a.m. -8 p.m., is located at Centrum Agri-Business Realty Bldg., Shopping North Drive, Bacolod City (beside Rib House). Salon owners, Laielyn Genovea & Diana Nazareno offer professional haircuts for men, women and children, special occasion,bridal styling, rebonding, color, highlights and a variety of other services.

After years of experience in the 1st Branch of El Kay Salon at El Sea, Lacson St., Laielyn & Diana opened another branch & secured their own space in a flourishing business district in Shopping-North Drive.

“We are so happy to have this opportunity,” says Laielyn “Not only are we living our dream of opening our 2nd Branch, but we found this outstanding location on a great block with other new businesses. The new shops complement each other well and we are proud to add our expertise to this quaint retail area.”

El Kay Salon, a name inspired by daughter of Laielyn, Kay features the latest in hair technology, all new stations and equipment, a kid-friendly atmosphere, natural & branded hair care products and original artwork. The owners plan to rotate the artwork introducing and showcasing new artists to their clientele.

As mothers, Laielyn & Diana intentionally added features and services to the salon that would be inviting to children and families. “We are a neighborhood specialty salon and hope that all members of this community and beyond will feel comfortable and welcome here,” adds Diana Nazareno.

El Kay Salon, a classy & full-service hair salon, is located at at Centrum Agri-Business Realty Bldg., Shopping North Drive, Bacolod City (beside Rib House). Salon owners, Laielyn Genovea & Diana Nazareno offer professional haircuts for men, women and children, special occasion, bridal styling, rebonding, color, highlights and a variety of other services.

For more information, call 476-6668/ 0928-5000705/09192426383

Text and Photo by:

Dolly B. Dalumpines
Event Organizer
In Touch Events Network & Promotions

The Blade Salon & Spa Opens Branch in Mambukal

The Blade Spa @ Mambukal is now open to serve you.

The formal opening was held today, June 20, 2009, to coincide with the Mambukal Mudpack Festival. The occasion was graced by Negros Occidental Provincial Board Member Patrick Lacson.

The Blade Spa @ Mambukal wishes to offer relaxation services to the guests at the resort. Clients can first take a bath at the Sulfuric Hot Springs Pool just beside the spa. Afterwards, they can get a relaxing Swedish massage for one hour at The Blade Spa. Other services include Body Scrub, Facial, Foot Massage and Manicure or Pedicure.

With the opening of The Blade Spa @ Mambukal, the natural healing properties of the resort has taken a new dimension. Wellness is now the thrust at the resort as well as relaxation. Mambukal Resort is no longer just a venue for family recreation, it has now become a wellness destination.

All the therapists at The Blade Spa have undergone intensive training to ensure the quality of the service they provide.

The Blade Spa @ Mambukal is open daily, from 10Am to 11PM. They also offer cottage service, with the last call at 10PM.

Text and photos by: Sigrid Lo
Visit The Blade Salon & Spa Website

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.

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