Visit our travel blog: VIAJE NEGRENSE – your next travel destination for heritage, food, festivals and fun!

Discover agri-tourism sites where you can experience harvesting vegetables from an organic farm.

For tour inquiries, contact +63 917-300-0060 or viajenegrense@gmail.com

For Negrenses aspiring to own their dream home, 10 partner developers have come on board, namely, Ayala Land Inc., AVIDA Land Corp., Amaia Land Corp., Dynamic Properties and Realty Corp., Furen Land and Housing Devt. Corp., BAPA Realty Development Corp., Communities Negros Occ. Inc. (Camella), AFP MBAI Corp., Philippine Diversified development Corp., and Home Invest Realty Ventures Inc. , to showcase their special offers.

The Bank also introduced to the Negrenses its new housing loan variant, the Housing Loan Pay Break: “Ang Housing Loan na may Pay-Hinga,”— a one-of-a-kind housing loan product that gives you a month of reprieve every year from your monthly amortization. Clients availing of this loan variant can enjoy FREE registration fee on top of the other offers during the housing madness.

“We are very positive with our prospects in Bacolod City and the Negros Region and we believe that housing madness provides a great opportunity for people to come and search for their perfect real estate investment — whether it be for their own use or for a business purpose. The Housing Madness is a one-stop-shop where they can see 10 national and locally-based developers offering special acquisition packages. Since we know that when people decide to have a housing loan, it is one of the biggest decisions that they have to make and we, at BPI, are here to provide them with comfort in doing so,” says Mr. TG Limcaoco, President of BPI Family Savings Bank.

During the Housing Madness, housing loan clients can enjoy (1) special rates, exclusively offered at this event, which translate to low monthly amortizations, (2) loan as much as 90% of the selling price and (3) waived appraisal and processing fees if property is purchased from any of the accredited developers. Borrowers whose loan applications have been approved and availed will also get a Free BPII Express Credit Gold MasterCard*.

Clients can also have the benefit of a fast 5-day loan decision upon submission of complete loan documents.

For more information, please call our Bacolod Business Center at (034) 434-6524 / 09175207509 or visit your nearest BPI or BPI Family Savings Bank branch or log on to www.bpiloans.com.

*subject to terms and conditions

In photo (Standing from L-R): Bong Kimpo, BPI Provincial Business Center Channel Head; Maricar Rojas, BPI Bacolod Business Center Head; Donna Barroga, BPI Family Savings Bank Senior Account Manager; Mariju Rubin, BPI Housing Loan Account Officer (Sitting from L-R) Noel Altamirano, VP and Head of Product Marketing, BPI Family Savings Bank; TG Limcaoco, BPI Family Savings Bank President; Celyn Sta. Ana, SVP and Head of Retail Mortgage Division, BPI Family Savings Bank

Thirteen percent pay house rent while 18 percent do not own nor rent a house, a minority or 0.2 percent declined to answer. Housing is largely paid through cash payment or inheritance, or gift, while 6.7 percent borrowed money for their housing, mostly through government housing institutions.

Interestingly, eight in 10 household, or 78.5 percent of the respondents, are found to have insufficient fund for their own savings. Some 92.8 percent of them reasoned out they did not have enough money for a bank deposit. Some of them said they don’t need a bank/cash account, cannot manage an account, the minimum balance is too high and 1.8 percent of them said they did not want to deal with bank/financial institutions.

The study also said 73.4 percent of those surveyed pay an annual interest rate of 10 percent and below, some 14.1 percent pay 11-20 percent per annum and a minority of them pay even a high of 21 to 60 percent per annum. The survey also said most of the respondents own other forms of assets such as farms, business and motor vehicles.

The CFS results indicate a significant increase in the country’s labor force over the next decade. The sample size of the said survey was 10,520 mainly from National Capital Region and areas outside NCR such as regions 1,7 and 11 during November 2009 to January 2010, with 89.4 percent response rate.

Lacierda, who was in Bacolod yesterday with Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte, said the study is being conducted because of a push from Western Visayas solons for bridges to connect the WV islands.

It is being conducted by the Public Private Partnership Center, he said.

The study will determine the feasibility of the project, but there is no decision at the moment on whether such a bridge will be built, he also said.

Meanwhile, the Philippines will maintain its sovereignty over what it owns, “What is ours is ours.”

This was the reaction of Lacierda to Senator Ralph Recto who is urging Malacañang to seriously consider engaging China, not through diplomatic protests, but through a possible joint exploration agreement in the Spratlys Islands.

“With every stand-off, the territorial tension only escalates and we’re not gaining anything – zero. We could pursue a different tack by working out a possible joint exploration without impinging on our sovereignty,” Recto said in a press statement yesterday.

Recto said the change in tack could be adopted in the wake of another escalation of tension in South China Sea over suspected Chinese poachers in Scarborough Shoal, who got a “save” from responding Chinese military vessels.

Lacierda said the area in the Scarborough Shoal is within Philippine territory and it is part of the country’s exclusive economic zone that it has sovereign rights to.

“What is our is ours, what is theirs, we will respect,” he said.

He said the Philippines had Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessels in the area, but the president decided to pull out the Navy’s vessel in the area to lower the tension in the Scarborough Shoal .

The matter has been brought to the International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea, of which the Philippines and China are members, he said.

There is no reason for us not to avail of the international body to decide on the issue, he also said.

Everyone, from households to companies and organizations, are enjoined gather their recyclable items and dispose them at their nearest SM Mall in Bacolod and Iloilo in exchange for cash. For this year’s Earth Day, SM celebrates with its trash to cash patrons by giving the first 200 participants a free Eco Bag too!

Some of the items that can be sold at SM’s Waste Market Fair are are scrap iron at P11/ kilo, pet bottles at P14/ kilo, aluminum cans at P30/kilo, plastic containers at P14/kilo, cartons at P3/kilo, newspapers at P3/kilo, empty cups (plastic) at P8/kilo, tin cans at P5/kilo, aluminum (heavy) at P45/kilo and mixed paper at 50 centavos/kilo. Trash to Cash also accommodates items that need special disposal: sell your electronic wastes at P6/kilo and old car batteries at P15/kilo.

The Trash to Cash program is one of the SM innovations that has helped garner awards, such as the prestigious Anvil and the ASEAN Award “Friends of Biodiversity.” In addition, SM has received numerous recognitions for this endeavor that supports communities and helps the environment.

The success of the Trash to Cash was not achieved without the mall patrons who have played very important roles in this partnership for the environment. With that, SM makes its continuous call for involvement and participation to noteworthy projects such as Trash to Cash. Not only will you be disposing of your junk and de-cluttering your home and office, you can also earn cash in the process. And this Earth Day affair, you get a free Eco-Bag too!

For more information about the Trash to Cash Waste Market Fair, interested persons may call SM Bacolod at telephone numbers (034) 468-0168 and SM Iloilo at (033) 3209609.

Villarico, who was 2011 MassKara Queen second runner-up, won P60,000 in cash and a full one-year college scholarship. Earlier she was also chosen Lin-ay sang Media at a pre-pageant Press Presentation.

She was crowned by first lady Dr. Marilyn Marañon, 2011 Lin-ay sang Negros Ann Marie Malayo, and Department of Tourism consultant Leonilo Agustin, who was chairman of the board of judges.

Other Lin-ay sang Negros crown holders from Bacolod were Christer Mari Taclobos who won in 2007, and Jan Nicole Puentevella who won in 2006.

Villarico is incoming senior Mass Communication student of the University of Negros Occidental—Recoletos in Bacolod.

Villarico also won Miss Energy Development Corporation, Miss Mary Kay, Miss ASN People’s Choice, and Miss Globe.

Coming close to winning the crown is first runner-up Jemaimah Taladico of Victorias City.

Taladico, who impressed the judges and the audience with her wit, is a Mass Communications student of the University of Saint La Salle in Bacolod. She won a 75-percent one-year college scholarship and P40,000 in cash.

Second runner-up is Sherizze Sean Acot of Talisay City. She is an AB Communication student of the University of Saint La Salle. She won P20,000 in cash and 50-percent one-year college scholarship.

Acot was also chosen Miss Del Monte Fit ‘n Right and Miss Watchmen Daily Journal Readers’ Choice.

Manapla’s bet Patricia Anne Reconquista and Hinoba-an bet Kristy Claire Ebreo belonged to the Top 5 Finalists. Ebreo won Most Congenial, while Reconquista won Miss New Placenta.

Bago City’s bet Catherine Joy Marin did not make it to the Top 5 although she won two major awards, Best in Evening Gown and Best in Swimsuit, as well as Miss Island Living Channel, Miss Kapuso, Miss 2Go Freight, Miss Dermaline, and Miss Camisa.

Other winners are: Chinky Cantere of Murcia—Miss Silka and Miss Olive-C; Cel Marie Lachica of Silay—Miss SunStar Readers’ Choice and Miss Coca-Cola; Precious Grace Heradura of Himamaylan—Miss 2Go Travel; Karla Ape of La Castellana—Miss Robinsons Place Most Photogenic; Vanessa Marie Oyos of Kabankalan—Miss AirPhil Express; and Damaris Landao—Best in Festival Costume.

Judging the pageant were Department of Tourism consultant Leonilo Agustin, 2009 Lin-ay sang Negros and 2011 Mutya ng Pilipinas International Vicky Marie Milagrosa Rushton, 2011 Miss World first princess Helen Henson, model Raphael Kieffer, and 2004 Lin-ay sang Negros Blance Marie Brown.

Hosting the pageant were Binibining Pilipinas-World 2006 Ann Mariz Igpit and GMA star Victor Aliwalas.

La Carlota, known as the “Drumbeating City of Beauty, Music and Dance” will feature its pride which is its native products produced by La Carloteños that will be featured at the Agro-Trade Fair.

Display of talents and skills will be filling up activities such as the Mangkasanons in Rhythm Competition, Battle of the Bands, Scroll Painting Competition, PyroMusical Competition,Mangkas Challenge, 5- cock Derby, Palarong Panlahi, Mountain Bike Challenge, Sports Competition-Shootfest, Football, Billiard, Inter-Cities Chess,Marathon, Karatedo, Boxing Tournament, Tricikad Race, Awit Sayaw Grand Finals,Dog Show, Pawasak 2012, Jobs Fair, Parokya Ni Edgar, and Night Street Partying.

Search for Pasalamat Queen 2012, Festival Dance and Float Competition, among others are some of the memorable events your family can enjoy and have fun with at Pasalamat.

Pasalamat Festival casts of movie and TV stars and showbiz personalities will include famous national and international singers, dancers and artists – making the Pasalamat this year a wholesome entertainment.

The 33rd Pasalamat Festival is a Thanksgiving Festival of the La Carloteños to God Almighty for all the bountiful harvest and blessings they have received all the year of their hardships and sacrifices they encountered in life.

“Let’s Go” La Carlota City is headed by Mayor Atty. Juliet Marie D. Ferrer and Vice Mayor David T. Baga Jr. and Sangguniang Panlungsod Members, while Congressman Jeffrey P. Ferrer spearheads the 4th District of Negros Occidental in ” Let’s Go Cuatro Distrito”.

Brgy. Banago 2011 Masskara Street Dance Champion (Photo by: H James Toga)

Below are the Official list of  Winners for Barangay Streetdance Competition..

GRAND WINNER:   Barangay Banago

1ST RUNNER-UP:  Barangay 17

2ND RUNNER-UP: Barangay Tangub

3RD RUNNER-UP: Barangay 23

4TH RUNNER UP: Barangay Alihis

Special Awards:

Best in Costume and Mask: Barangay Alihis

Best in Concept and Live Rhythm : Barangay Banago

Best in Choreography: Barangay 17.

Merci Pasalubong Treats is the home of sweet delicacies in Bacolod City such as piaya, biscocho, butterscotch, and tarts among others.

MERCI, meaning “Thank You” in French, is a family business that started in 1995.  MERCI is the market brand of CM & Sons Food Products. It started as a small bakery, supplying bread to a single store at the Libertad Market in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental and soon evolved into a fast food restaurant serving delicious affordable snacks and meals for people on the go.

Complementing its food line, MERCI diversified its business interests in 2003 with the introduction of its bottled water brands, Merci Purified Drinking Water and Vitalife Purified Drinking Water.

In January 2005, CM & Sons launched its newest line — Merci Pasalubong Treats — to cater to the growing tourist and balikbayan crowd that regularly visit Negros Occidental.

MERCI now has 24 branches in Negros Occidental, with two more branches opening this year:  one in La Carlota City (Neg. Occ.) and another at the Iloilo City Airport.  In 16 years, MERCI has delivered quality food products and water in its 99 outlets and dealerships in the provinces of Negros, Panay and Cebu, plus the cities of Iloilo, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga.

MERCI can also be found in Metro Manila and is exported to the USA, Canada and other parts of the world.

Merci Pasalubong Treats Sample Products:

Merci Pasalubong Treats Head Office:
CM & SONS FOOD PRODUCTS, INC.  Merci Compound, Hervias Village II, Brgy. Villamonte, Bacolod City

Contact Numbers:

Tel. Nos. 034 435 5555/ 707 4444
Cel 0917 3048267/ 0928 5041751

(Schedules subject to  change without prior notice.)

Please don’t forget to check the SM CITY Bacolod Movie Guide.