World-Class Bago Silk

Sericulture, the rearing of silkworm for the production of raw silk,  is a thriving industry in Bago City that supports hundreds of farmers. Because of its potential, Silk is the One Town, One Product (OTOP) of Bago City and the banner OTOP of the Province of Negros Occidental.

The Silkworm Rearing Project in Bago City is managed by Organization for Industrial, Spiritaul and Cultural Advancement (OISCA)- International, an NGO founded and based in Japan but extends help to developing countries mostly in Asia and the Pacific with agriculture as its main thrust.

Farmers from Bago and other neighboring towns rear silkworm whose cocoons are produced into silk yarns which are used as raw material for barong and other products.

The Sericulture project of OISCA was established in 1989 in Murcia, Negros Occidental with just 50 farmers and about 20 hectares of mullberry plantation. In 2008, around 260 farmers benefited from the project with 170 hectares of land utilized for mullberry plantation.

Good results of the initial cocoon production paved the way to the establishment of a Silk Reeling Plant at the OISCA Compound in Brgy. Tabunan, Bago City which was inaugurated in 1999.

Around 80% of high quality silk  products are sold to weavers in Aklan and the remaining 20% to Manila dealers. The silk byproducts, pupae and silk of lower quality, were also fully utilized into other products.

Another milestone of the project was the establishment of a Silk Showroom and Weaving Center in 2004 which was inaugurated by no less than President Gloria Arroyo in 2005. Various products made of silk were on display such as barongs, bags, table runners, etc.

Prospects for the industry is still looking up with local demand still unmet. With the continuous support from the private and public sector, the project will continue to help a lot of farmers.

Sources: www.oisca.org, Ang Bagonhon, DTI OTOP-Philippines

Pataan Mountain Resort, Bago City

Had my grandma not have her hair permed that weekend, we would have not known that Bago City is home to another marvel, the Pataan Mountain Resort. From Kipot Twin Falls, we travelled three (3) kilometers following the road to PNOC (thanks to the locals who gladly gave us directions). Along the way, a lady hailed to hitch a ride with us. Incidentally, she was going to the resort too. Turns out she works for the owner of the resort and her folks work there too. Knowing that, my folks didn’t wait long before they could ask her more questions about the resort. So she gave us a little backgrounder.

It’s owned by a retired police who bought the property in 1998. Many people had showed interest in co-financing the development of the resort but the owner declined them all. Too many cooks spoil the broth, so they say. Instead, they relied on the concerted efforts of family members who contributed to the growth of the property from a simple bahay bakasyunan to a resort ready to accommodate picknickers,backpackers and nature lovers.

The resort has now at least 9 picnic cottages (much like the day cottages at Mambucal, but built with wood) situated near the pool of water from the falls. Big groups can rent the space which doubles up as a canteen, the pavillion or the other bigger structure (restaurant set-up) at the opposite side of the day cottages. Two overnight rooms are available for group accommodations: one good for 6 and the other good for 15. There is a swimming pool which, during our stay, was dominated by kids. From there, you get a good view of the rice terraces in the lowland plus a good view of your parked vehicle, in case you feel like checking on it once in a while. If you think you are too old for the pool or just didn’t want to pay PHP50.00 to get wet, there is the many pools of water from the waterfalls at no extra cost.

And the waterfalls. Wow… it’s a different sight from the ones I’ve seen in Mambucal. It’s wider and covered with greens all over. My folks took a dip in the pool under the waterfalls but didn’t stay long because the water was cold. I would have gone with them had I been in better health during our visit. (poor me huhuhu).

If you want a new mountain resort experience, do check out Pataan Mountain Resort while it’s not yet known to many. The owners didn’t want to advertise so they rely on word of mouth and referrals of satisfied customers who bring friends and relatives along during their next visits. Works for them really, as they feel that they are not yet ready to draw more crowd than they could serve.

Here’s some useful info about the resort:
Location: Sitio Pata-an, Brgy.Mailum, Bago City

How to Get There:

• By Public Transport

Travel Details	Mode of Transport	Fare
Libertad Market to Ma-ao Public Market	Road Star Bus	P30.00/head
Ma-ao Public Market to Pataan	Tricycle	P30.00/ head; P150 for hire

• Private Transport

Alternative Routes:

1. Bacolod City > Araneta St > Brgy Sum-ag > Crossing Abuanan > Maao Public Market>
2. Bago City > Crossing Mining > Maao Public Market

When you reach the market, you just go straight up following the concrete road til you pass by the signboard to Buenos Aires, then Kipot Twin Falls. No harm in asking locals for directions to be sure (LOL!)

Useful tips:

1. There are no PUJs passing by the resort so you have to work out your transpo details
2. Bring your own food and drinks, if you can help it. They don’t charge corkage fee except for liquor (I’m not sure about the beer though). And bring only what you can consume so you wouldn’t have to bring them all back home.
3. Make reservations in advance.Especially if you plan to stay overnight. You may call any of the following numbers: 476-1330 or 433-0443 or 434-6854
4. Be prepared to get wet.
5. You can’t get your camera too close to the falls because of the mist so I suggest you bring one with a powerful zoom to get a good close-up of the falls.

Enjoy Pataan!

Text and Photos by: Roxie Yap

The Day Negros Bluffed Its Way To Freedom

Today, Negrenses celebrate the 110th anniversary of Al Cinco de Noviembre to commemorate the Negrenses’ uprising against the colonizers on November 5, 1898. The uprising led to the surrender of the Spanish troops in the province and the establishment of the short-lived Cantonal Government of Negros reuniting Negros Occidental and Oriental.

Led by Gen. Juan Araneta from Bago and Gen. Aniceto Lacson from Silay, the rebels marched mostly sugarcane workers, marched towards Bacolod armed only with farm implements. The revolutionaries augmented their lightly-armed men with fake arms consisting of rifles carved out of palm fronds and cannons of rolled bamboo mats painted black. Seeing the troops, the Spanish Governor Isidro de Castro surrendered.

The revolutionaries were gallant enough to let the Spanish save face by letting them sign a capitulation that Spanish forces surrendered only after a breath-taking hand-to-hand combat, that, they “fought valiantly and killed many”.

Cinco de Noviembre played a significant role in the history of Negros since it was the day that hacienderos and sugarcane workers fought together in battle. Its commemoration is not only to honor Generals Lacson and Araneta but also the countless sugar workers who remain nameless but are heroes just the same. Through the celebration of Al Cinco de Noviembre, may the ideals of those heroes remain steadfast in the hearts of the Negrenses.

Photo Credit: Negros Occidental Website

7 Negros Occidental Cities Ready to Streamline Business Licensing System

Seven cities in Negros Occidental yesterday forged a Memorandum of Understanding with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) for the implementation of Streamlining Business Permits and Licensing System (BPLS) Project.  This project is aimed at upgrading their business permits and licensing issuance system, a common backlog in starting a business.

Volker Steigerwald, Visayas coordinator of GTZ-SMEDSEP, said that after piloting the project in Bacolod City and Ormoc City , they are now ready to replicate it in other parts of the Visayas. The cities of Bago, Cadiz, Kabankalan, Sagay, San Carlos, Silay, and Talisay will replicated the Business Permits and Licensing System which has been proven to considerably cut the processing time for business licensing.

Present at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding were Mayors Jose Montelibano of Silay, Alfredo Marañon of Sagay, Eugenio Jose Lacson of San Carlos, Pedro Zayco of Talisay and Salvador Escalante who were the signatories in behalf of their respective LGUs. Bago Mayor Ramon Torres and Talisay Vice Mayor Neil Lizares, who was supposed to represent Mayor Eric Saratan, failed to come.

GTZ will provide technical assistance through capacity building by training the LGU personnel. The local government on their part will assign a focal person who will work closely with DTI and GTZ in the implementation of the BPLS Project.