Cleaning Up For 2015
After the early morning's deluge of Typhoon Seniang which turned Lacson Street (particularly the Mandalagan area in front of Robinsons) into a mini-river, it is now time to move on and do the necessary cleaning in time for 2015.
Throughout the year we tend to accumulate a lot of stuff which we really don't need at all. At the same time, we realize that we are all getting older and there really is no point in hanging on to a lot of stuff which we intended to...
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion
The Visayan DAILY STAR's annual Christmas party this year was a unique Cowboy and Indian themed bash at Business Inn, where everyone came in various cowboy or Indian attires.Everyone came in the mood to have fun and enjoy the camaraderie of the VDS group. Christmas songs were sung as the guests began arriving. Congressman Bing Leonardia dropped by to greet the crowd and left shortly for another party.Singing diva Token Lizares arrived laden...
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion
Christmas came early to the members of the Negros Occidental Garden Club when they held a most exciting and enjoyable Christmas celebration and induction of officers recently at the Grand Ballroom of the Bacolod Pavillon Hotel.Attire was strictly formal and everyone came in their most elegant and glamorous evening gowns with shimmering jewelry for the ladies and coat and tie or barong for the gentlemen. The Pavillon’s grand ballroom was bathed...
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion
The skies were dark with ominous clouds as threats of a super-typhoon called Ruby kept being aired by PAGASA on all the media for the last couple of days. But despite the warnings of foul weather, birthday celebrator Nene Rojas still remained optimistic that the weather would hold. His lovely wife, Lourdes, was equally confident and so the preparation for the grand birthday party was in full swing.On the day itself, tables were set up in the...
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion
Spellbound! This was the reaction of the enchanted A-list audience during the “Gershwin in Concerto in F” concert held recently at the Santuario de La Salle, Bacolod.The audience, composed of the city’s literati, glitterati and culturati, sat in rapt attention all throughout the concert, that began with the awesome sounds of the 56-member Metro Manila Concert Orchestra (how young they were!), brilliantly conducted by maestro Josefino Chino Toledo....
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion
They’re here!Around 45 Australian teenage students from Southern Hills Christian College in Perth, Australia arrived in Bacolod Sunday as part of their training and exposure to cultures in various parts of the world.These tours give the students the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others, learn invaluable lessons for themselves, and are given the opportunity to assist in an under-privileged community.From the airport, we had...
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion
The Coyiuto House in Bacolod opened its doors last Tuesday with a spectacular blessing and inauguration of the newly-renovated building of Prudential Guarantee and Assurance Inc., or PGAI. Rizal Street was closed to traffic for the event and all the guests were given car passes to enter the area.When we arrived, the atmosphere was delightfully festive with the throbbing sounds and music of the MassKara Festival dancers and the Chinese...
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion
Last week, Bacolod City was again treated to another dazzling festival when the local Indian community held the colorful Diwali Festival, an ancient Hindu Festival celebrated in autumn each year.To witness the Diwali Festival here is a scintillating experience as it is complete with a colorful display of Indian costumes, dances, exotic food and, of course, a sample of “Bollywood” dancing.The festival opened with formal ceremonies at the Bacolod...
What a breath of fresh air to read Bebol Carreon's column. I've gotten to the point where hers is the first column that I look for in the Sunstar (only that it doesn't come on a fixed day of the week). Her articulate writing with quotes from authors we've missed in ages past gently draw the reader in. She has a way of looking at the world that makes me smile.
She admits that she is new in this thing but the budding columnist demonstrates her skill for writing about...
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Now listen here. Your Tita will tell a story....
There is a saying that the people from Davao spend yesterday's money today, the people from Cebu spend today's money today, but the people from Bacolod spend ...well, tomorrow's money today.
How did it get to this point? What triggered such behavior? If you
still have these lingering questions, allow me to take the first step in
breaking apart the mystery.
Spending versus one's future earnings comes naturally...
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Behind the Scenes - October 30, 2014 : Leaves are Supposed to Fall Not People
Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion
“Have you had any falls in the last 12 months?” was the first question that Jonathan Fidel Zulueta asked the audience during a gathering of the WoW Club members at the GT Hotel in Bacolod City recently.Jonathan is a former Bacoleño, who has been a successful physiotherapist in London for the past years. When the club learned from his mother, Virgie Fidel Zulueta, who is also a WoW member, that Jonathan was coming to Bacolod for a visit, the WoW...
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion
“Stupendous!”This was how the huge crowd described the P1.5 billion SM City Bacolod expanded north wing at its inauguration last week. The affair was attended by top local officials as well as Hans Sy, president of SM Prime Holdings, who came with top Manila executives of the company.It was certainly an awesome experience to walk around the gleaming edifice that spelled opulence and luxury at every corner. The new section is almost double the...
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion
It was a glorious Ruby Jubilee celebration that the 40th La Consolacion College High School Class '69 held in Bacolod City recently. The group decided to hold a reunion every five years thereafter, realizing that “we are not getting any younger and so we shouldenjoyeach reunion to the fullestas if it will be our last”.So,for their45th class reunionspearheaded by classmates from theU.S.A. and in agreement with classmates from PH, the plan for...
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion
It was one of the happiest weddings we’ve ever been to (and we’ve been to so many). The wedding ceremony of Joebert and Jen (Concepcion) Leonardia last Saturday afternoon at the Birhen sang Barangay Chapel at Santa Clara Subdivision was an intimate family affair with mostly family and close friends present.Joebert looked so happy as he marched down the aisle with his parents Nene and Mellie Leonardia. The principal sponsors looked elegant in...
Monday, September 22, 2014
Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion
When John Orola throws a party, you can be sure it’s done with flair and pizzazz.Last weekend, Casa Orola was filled with lights, music and sounds of people’s laughter to celebrate the birthday of his sister, Fannie Balenia, and to welcome the VIP executives of Swan Christian Education Ass. Inc., the Australian group from Perth, who came to finalize plans for putting up an international school in Bacolod: Southern Hills Christian International...
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion
The ladies looked fabulous in their smart uniforms and the guests enjoyed themselves immensely during the Soroptimist International of Bacolod’s installation of officers and induction of new members, held recently at L’Fisher Hotel.The noontime affair opened with the processional of past presidents, officers and members of the club. Lunch followed immediately after the acknowledgement of the guests and welcome remarks by president-elect Sonya...
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion
People in Bacolod have come to love Japanese food for its simplicity and freshness, highlighted by the neatness of its presentation. They look forward to the subtle flavors of each dish, the textures and the quality of its ingredients.Recently, we attended the soft opening of the new Japanese restaurant – Nippon Ichi – at the second floor of Villa Angela Hi Strip at Circumferential Road in Bacolod. As soon as we stepped in the cool and elegant...
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion
We've been to two cozy, intimate gathering of friends, that we really enjoyed recently.One was the birthday celebration of Bacolod's glamour lady, Edith Robillo, who celebrated her natal day with a sumptuous lunch at Bob's Restaurant, Robinsons Bacolod. Her guests, composed of close friends and members of her various civic organizations, soon filled up the two long tables of the resto. Edith told everyone to choose their preferences and soon,...
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion
The Negros Occidental Orchid Society presented its much-awaited 12 th Waling-Waling Festival recently, at the Fountain Area of Robinsons Place Bacolod, highlighted by the launching of a commemorative magazine in honor of the late Julie Benedicto, founder and first president of the NOOS.Tita Julie, as she was fondly called, firmly believed that the majestic Waling-Waling deserved to be recognized as the “Queen of Orchids” in the Philippines. Truly,...
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion
“Omigosh, Wow!”This was the inevitable reaction of guests to Dr. Rudy Patiño’s newly renovated house in Silay, during his birthday celebration recently. We were happily surprised to see the front lawn spruced up with plants and greens, creating a fitting entrance to the house.Our affable and genial host greeted us warmly and immediately led us to a tour of his spectacular bedroom, which simply took our breaths away. The room was enormous with...
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion
Ever been to a well-dressed party where the guests kept laughing all night?Well, this happened recently during the Sunshine Boys' joint birthday celebration at L'Fisher Hotel. Birthday celebrators, Drs. Ricardo Yanson, Serafin Jimena Jr. and Ed Mercado, Pompeyo Querubin, Judge Jesus Ramos and Milque Benedicto, were all a picture of sartorial elegance in their formal coat and tie attires. They certainly gave a party with style, even giving...
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion
The moment I stepped into the Queen of Peace Parish for the elegant afternoon wedding of Erween Calvo and Jessica Ho, I was struck by how attractive and good-looking the bridal entourage and guests were. Everyone was dressed to the nines - the ladies in their glamorous gowns and the gents in coat and tie. Motif of the wedding was peach and Tiffany green. ...
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion
It was time for the people of Bacolod to hear what our congressman, Evelio “Bing” Leonardia, of the lone district of Bacolod, was doing in Congress. His birthday celebration July 10 at the Garden Royale, Goldenfields Complex in Bacolod City, was a most opportune time for Bing’s State of the District Address. The crowd began gathering at the venue as early as 10 a.m. for the Holy Mass, concelebrated by Frs....
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion
How can two people stay in love for 45 years?We should ask our dear friends, Nene and Mellie (Mejeca) Leonardia, who recently celebrated their 45 th wedding anniversary in a joyful and intimate celebration at their well-appointed home in Santa Clara Subdivision, Bacolod City, with family members and friends.Nene looked handsome and debonair in his barong, while Mellie was radiant in a pale blue outfit that was elegant in its simplicity. Fr. Felix...
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion
There’s never a dull moment in a WOW gathering.These “Women of Wonders” always manage to make each occasion a fantastic must-go happening. Not even a heavy thunderstorm and windswept rains could prevent the ladies from attending the recent second joint birthday celebration and induction of members at the Ambience Hall of the Bacolod Pavillon Hotel.As soon as the slightly-soaked guests arrived, they were served delicious red wines especially chosen...
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion
It was a nostalgic evening for us, when the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas NegOcc Chapter, held its induction of officers recently at L'Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City.I haven't seen my old KBP group in a very long while, and seeing my former co-KBP chairman Cornelio Mayang brought back happy memories of the halcyon days when I was KBP chairman during the Martial Law years. It was a time for endless seminars to upgrade the broadcast industry...
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion
A very popular lady recently celebrated her birthday and it was fabulous!Looking regal and sublimely happy, our birthday celebrator, Mely Gonzales of Mely’s Garden Restaurant, greeted her numerous friends, and well-wishers, who trooped to their favorite restaurant to greet her on her natal day.The place was bursting at the seams with people, undisputed proof of Mely’s popularity and esteem. Members of Bacolod’s social scene, including the WOW...
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Behind The Scenes - June 12, 2014 : A Glittering Zonta Affair
Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion
It was an evening of elegance when the Zonta Club of Bacolod held the induction of officers for 2014-2016 and the new members at the Nature's Village in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, recently.There was a distinct note of refined taste all throughout the evening. Zontians and guests came in their finest Filipiniana attire, complete with sparkling jewelry, while the men looked dashing in their barongs. The dining hall was bathed in soft light...
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion
It was an experience not easily forgotten. This was the Inaugural Bacolod Tango Blitz held recently at Ambiance, Bacolod Pavillon.Guest performers were the Argentine couple from Buenos Aires: Analia Carreño, she with the “body-to-die-for”, and Luis Ramirez, he with the “looks that could kill”. The place was soon filled with Bacolod’s glamorous set who came in full force. The ladies in elegant evening attire, bedecked in sparkling jewelry, all...
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion
He is one of the most popular guys in Bacolod. Everyone loves former congressman John Orola. He oozes charm, laughter, intelligence, pizzazz, sex appeal (?) and so much more.So, on his birthday recently, he was honored with a big surprise birthday bash by his loving family at Imelda's Restaurant in Bacolod. The place was swinging with music and excitement by the time we arrived. It was packed wall-to-wall with people: John's big family, friends,...
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion
There is nothing as pleasurable as spending a summer afternoon in a lovely garden. It is even more delightful if it is with your friends and fellow garden lovers.The Negros Occidental Garden Club’s Sampaguita Group decided to hold their special presentation recently at the enchanting garden of Linda and Emy Yulo, with its lush, verdant plants all around the inviting swimming pool. The attendance was amazing as the huge number of guests filled...
