Titas de Bacolod: September 2014

Monday, September 22, 2014

Behind The Scenes - September 25, 2014 : Big Night at Casa Orola

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 School.

The Aussies were delighted with the turn-of-the-century, old-world charm of Casa Orola, that they found most interesting, while British guests Hazel Stuart and Robert Harland were busy filming the affair for a TV documentary.

The evening started well, everybody feeling at ease over wine and hors d’oeuvres. Dinner was a superb presentation of dining pleasure with an array of epicurean delights specially created for the occasion. The biggest hit for the Aussies was our very own lechon that they enjoyed with an excellent paella.

The guests were blown away with the varied repertoire of the entertainment: good-looking Rey Segovia, who sang ala Michael Buble; Nick Tugaff with his magnificent Pavarotti-like tenor that shook the chandeliers, accompanied by the thunderous piano of musical guru, Norma Garbanzos. Our cheeky host John even got me to sing with him “C’est Magnifique”, while soprano Hazel Stuart sang “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” from My Fair Lady. (Julie Andrews, eat your heart out!). Not to be outdone, our Aussie guests bravely performed “Waltzing Matilda” to the delight of the crowd.

Wotta night! I’m sure our guests from Down Under still haven’t recovered from the crazy way we let our hair down at parties. After all, it’s more fun in the Philippines, isn’t it? Kudos to John, our host with the most! You’re a hard act to follow, my friend!*

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Behind The Scenes - September 18, 2014 : Soroptimist Int’l of Bacolod

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 Verdeflor. A special entertainment number was performed by Haironezza Abdullah, who enchanted the audience with her brilliant soprano as she sang the haunting love theme, “A Thousand Years”, from the movie, “Twilight”.

A funny moment occurred when the emcee introduced Bacolod Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya as “Vice-President”, which made Gasataya look quizzically around the room. He said later he thought Vice President Jejomar Binay had arrived!

After the induction of new members and installation officers, a moving candle lighting ceremony was held. Melba Tan gave a wonderful valedictory address. The new president, Em Ang, impressed the crowd with her splendid acceptance speech. After Dr. Cecile Salvador’s rousing introduction of the guest speaker, we were all raring to listen to Myra Paz Abubakar, SIPR governor, who braved the bad weather due to typhoon “Luis”, to come all the way from Zamboanga City to attend the affair. She looked like a beauty queen with her towering height and dusky complexion. She was after all, a former Miss Zamboanga. (We noticed her similarity to our own beauty queen, Miss Centennial Carmela Arcoles Gamboa). Her excellent speech did justice to her impeccable credentials. She is also a city councilor of Zamboanga.

Kudos to the Soroptimist Int’l of Bacolod for a successful and well-organized affair.*

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Behind The Scenes - September 11, 2014 : A New Japanese Resto

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 surroundings, we were warmly welcomed by the owners, Dr. Yutaka Ichikawa and his lovely Filipina wife, Nonita Gurio Sugiyami.

Soon, guests filled up the dining room bedazzled by its zen-like ambiance. We were particularly impressed by the top-of-the-line comfort room with its ultra modern fixtures – a toilet bowl that automatically opens when the user comes near (look Ma, no hands!).

I asked Yutaka why they decided to open a Japanese resto here and he said they love eating out with his family but they wanted an authentic Japanese restaurant to cater to their needs. Hence, they decided to open Nippon Ichi that features Kazumi Kimura, a celebrity chef for 35 years from the Ginza District in Japan. Incidentally, chef Kimura is still single (!)

As soon as we were settled at our table, we sampled the fantastic menu. For foodies like us, it was a most enjoyable evening, indeed.*

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Thursday, September 04, 2014

Behind The Scenes - September 4, 2014 : Happy Get-togethers

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, the waiters were very busy taking down the orders of the noisy group. I noticed that sizzling steak was the favorite choice of most of the guests.

The place was soon buzzing with laughter and stories from the group, who sang Happy Birthday to our beaming celebrator. She happily informed us that Congressman Bing Leonardia called her from Manila to wish her a Happy Birthday. Soon, the aroma of sizzling steaks whetted our appetites and in no time flat, we demolished the juicy meal set before us.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Edith!