The 2011 Philippine Blog Awards Visayas could not have been held in a more fitting venue than Silay City. Its vibrant local economy and a local government supportive in the preservation of its rich cultural heritage cannot be matched by any city in Negros Occidental. Silay has the most number of declared Heritage houses in the Philippines thus it is often referred to as a Museum City.
The bloggers were greeted with the music of the Kabataang Silay Performing Arts and Rondalla Ensemble as they entered the Sen. Jose C. Locsin Cultural and Civic Center. It was the first cultural center in the Philippines named after the late senator who was instrumental in its establishment and in making Silay into a city.
It is very uncommon for a politician to arrive on schedule but Silay City Mayor Jose “Oti” Montelibano arrived on time and even exchanged pleasantries with the bloggers. What’s even more impressive was he is well versed in the latest technology – he knows what a blog is, uses Audible, updates himself with the latest gadgets and he maintains his own Facebook account. The fact that the Silay Public Plaza is a WiFi Zone is an evident of his grasp in the power of technology and new media. He encouraged the bloggers present to blog more about Silay.
The AVP Documentary “Rediscover Silay” was shown so that the bloggers from all over Visayas who attended will acquaint themselves on the history of Silay, its culture and its people.
Philippine Blog Awards President Juned Sunido shared in his message that he read a blog which considered Silay as the Vigan of the Visayas but the blog ended by concluding that Silay is actually better than Vigan. He added that he walked around the city and he was very impressed with the heritage houses.
Negros Blogger Gil Severino and Emcee rejoined that while Vigan’s heritage houses are more Mexican in design, Silay’s are more Filipino considering the large windows of the houses.
The Kabataang Silay Performing Arts and Rondalla Ensemble performed a beautiful piece which is a fitting tribute to the Philippine Blog Awards Visayas winners which are as follows:
- Culture and Arts – Tumandok
- Food and Beverage – Flavours of Iloilo
- Lifestyle – RandomThoughts
- Personal – The Young Pinoy Blogger
- Photoblog – onethirdpoundpatty
- Technology – Leon Kilat: The Cybercafe Experiments
- Travel – Backpack Traveler
Our very own, Sir Gil Camporazo made us truly proud for bagging not one but two awards for “Culture and Arts” and “Lifestyle”. He is a school principal by profession but has a passion for writing. Kudos Sir Gil and we hope you inspire the younger generation to blog!
The winners received a plow or what we locally call “arado” as token and as a symbol of their “labor of love” in their blogs. They will soon be receiving an artist’s interpretation of Kansilay, Silay’s very own legendary pre-colonial warrior-princess.
The bloggers were treated with local delicacies which is what Silay is also known for. The bloggers also enjoyed different delicacies from Merci Pasalubong who also gave out T-Shirt prizes and pasalubong boxes. Negros Blogger Eli Gatanela was the lucky winner of one Verzio digital camera courtesy of Geiser Maclang Communications Inc.
The bloggers will have a guided tour of Silay on November 13 facilitated by no less than Tourism Officer Ver Pacete. It will be a different facet of Silay which the bloggers will get to experience. As what Gil Severino said, it will be a tour on Silay in the “trabajador” perspective. Highlights of the tour would be Hacienda Adela Folklore Village, Hacienda Maquina, Balay Negrense and Silay Mangrove Eco-Park at Brgy. Balaring. A sumptuous lunch will be prepared for the bloggers courtesy of Fresh Start Organics.
Despite a few glitches, the event was a resounding success. It was only possible with the support of our sponsors and partners.
National Sponsors
- Smart Communications
- AirPhil Express
Local Sponsors
- Merci Pasalubong – Gold Sponsor
- Leo Vision – Bronze Sponsor
- Fresh Start Organics – Bronze Sponsor
Media Partner
- Negros Daily Bulletin
Our heartfelt gratitude most especially to the City Government of Silay through Mayor Oti Montelibano and Silay Tourism Office headed by Ver Pacete. The Philippine Blog Awards Visayas has found a home in Silay.