Titas de Bacolod

Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion

The story of the Visayan DAILY STAR is well known by now. It is the story of blood, sweat and tears by people, who have printers ink in their veins. A more dedicated group would be hard to find.

And so, the DAILY STAR celebrated its 32 nd anniversary April 12 with a sumptuous merienda cena at its office in Araneta Street, Bacolod City. By the time I arrived, the party was underway, with everyone enjoying the delicious spread on the long table. A huge lechon was almost stripped bare of its crispy skin (why is it that this most in-demand part of the lechon is always the first to disappear?).

Seen hopping all over the place was our lovely singing diva, Token Lizares, who brought a mouth-watering cake to the party. Token regaled us with stories about her recent concert in Manila, that was a huge success. Congrats, my friend! We sang Happy Birthday twice since it was also the birthday of Glenn Leonardia (thanks for the lechon!)

Ninfa, Perla and Nena Leonardia, Buddai Piccio, and yours truly, had to leave the party for a while to attend the Anticipated Mass at the nearby church. By the time we got back to the party, a sing-a-long session was in full swing. Everyone had to sing (including Ninfa, would you believe!). We almost rolled down in laughter as the most libagon (out-of-tune) got the highest score on the sing-a- long! It was a fun session, indeed!

Congratulations to the Visayan DAILY STAR!*

Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion

When the WOW ladies let their hair down and decide to have fun, you can be sure it will be a riot!

This was what happened during the first quarter joint celebration of the members celebrating their birthdays for the months of January, February and March 2014.

The summer sun was already high that early morning when the members swooped down at McDonalds East, wearing their dainty pink uniforms and startling the early morning joggers who were having breakfast there. The convoy of vehicles then proceeded to Baby Bonnin’s beautiful resort in Alangilan, the venue for the celebration.

A little bit of paradise greeted the guests, who raved over the lush green plants and trees, the inviting swimming pool that beckoned to all to have a swim, and the fish pond filled with colorful koi fishes, giving the place a rustic ambiance. We all assembled at the huge gazebo where the table settings were prepared by the waiters.

The aroma of the freshly roasted lechon filled the air, making our taste buds water. Our hunger pangs were titillated by the yummy peanuts, sweet corn, and all kinds of pica-pica washed down with ice-cold drinks. Lunch was a fabulous affair, with all the guests having their fill of mouth-watering dishes.

The fun-filled program was hilariously emceed by the wacky Brenda Tenk, who can outdo Ai-Ai de las Alas, Pokwang, Elizabeth Ramsey and all the comediennes combined. She’s that good! Laughter and squeals of glee filled the air as Brenda’s ad libs and antics tickled our funny bones, and brought tears of laughter to our eyes.

There were solo performances by Inday Pefianco, WOW president, Viol Caram, and a torrid flamenco dance by Baby Bonnin. Everyone joined in the games and dancing, that had the ladies acting like crazy schoolgirls. It was a scream.

Kudos to the WOW organizers for a wonderful, fun-filled day!*

Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion

It was a “by invitation only” affair.

The occasion was the launching of VMC products at Tyrol Restaurant in 12th Street, Bacolod City. I arrived there with my good friend, Luci Lizares and when we walked in, we could see that the place was full of people: foodies, broadcast journalists, chefs, culinary arts students, etc.

European chef Michel from the Bacolod Academy for Culinary Arts was delivering a warm welcome to all the guests while explaining what the event was all about. Some ladies in the audience whispered that he looks like handsome Hollywood actor Matt Damon (!). Perhaps, he heard the remark as he blushed.

We were served a refreshingly delicious green-colored juice that was just right to cool us off the very warm weather. Soon, a couple of students of BACA demonstrated how to make a scrumptious salad with Victorias Spanish Style Bangus that was served to all the guests. This was promptly followed by a demonstration of Banana Bacon wrap using the VMC Bacon, that the audience gobbled up as soon as it was served. Other dishes, like the Chorizo Spider, Chorizo Patties and Spaghetti Arabiata, all using Victorias Food products, made an impact on the crowd.

It made us wonder why we still have to use imported goods for our special dishes when we have our very own excellent products here. The foreign chefs even declared that these local products are just as good, if not better, than the imported products they have been using.

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The Circulo de Bacolod recently gave its yearly Gawad Bayani Award to outstanding students of various public elementary schools in Bacolod City for SY 2013-2014. The Award is one of the special projects of Circulo de Bacolod for the deserving students of the city.

The awardee must possess good moral and academic record, has exemplified the characters, traits, virtues, and abilities of becoming a transformative leader worthy of emulation, and must have demonstrated during his/her school life, a high sense of leadership and heroism, or heroic activities. Selection of awardees was done upon the recommendation of the teachers and principals of the schools.

The student awardees each received a beautiful medal and a cash prize of P2,000 from the Circulo de Bacolod. The awards were presented during the closing ceremonies of the selected schools.*