Titas de Bacolod

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Thursday, March 06, 2014

Behind The Scenes - March 6, 2014 : Was that Kim Novak?

Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion

Like thousands of movie fans all over, I woke up very early on Monday morning to watch the Oscars presentation on Lifestyle network. It was a most entertaining show with comedienne Ellen DeGeneres as host.

But did you see former screen legend Kim Novak as a presentor? She used to be a superstar in Hollywood with unforgettable films like “Vertigo” and “Pal Joey”. My favorite Kim Novak film was “Picnic” with William Holden. She was absolutely divine in that movie as the camera showed every stunning angle of her face and figure. Now 81 years old, Kim shocked her fans when her close up revealed a completely different face! It looked like a botched plastic surgery job with no expression left.

When she announced “Frozen” as Best Animated Feature, critics came up with a lot of jokes about her stiff speech and appearance. One even said, “Kim Novak’s face just won for Frozen”. Another said, “She should be transported to the Hollywood Wax Museum”. How sad.

***

The Zumba craze is still going strong. Even Kris Aquino has been raving about it in her Kris TV show.

Here in Bacolod, hundreds of Zumba enthusiasts trooped to the Ikthus covered court and The District Ayala Northpoint, to experience once again the heart-pumping and fun-filled Zumba/Power Combat event.

Nell Astudillo, the handsome and popular Power combat instructor from Davao, flew in through the effort of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes to conduct the 2-day event together with local licensed Zumba instructors Joann Visitacion, Lalaine Guides, Ronald Dolar and Judileen Visitacion.

Different groups came to join the 2-hour fun and sweat – Zumbarkada of Talisay City, GBC/Panaad group, Students of The District Ayala Northpoint, Ikthus class, Silay Enthusiasts, Eclipse Gym students, Hataw sa Lagoon, Carmela and Active group.

Men, women and even kids came in all shapes and sizes. Sensei Nell got to pump the crowd up, punch and kick using lively and danceable tunes. He also shared some inspirational quotes in between that inspired the participants more.

Zumba Fitness, a Latin-based dance aerobics exercise, is becoming so popular in the city. It's an exercise in disguise because you are having so much fun you don't realize you are losing weight at the same time.*

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Behind The Scenes - February 27, 2014 : An International School in Bacolod

Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion

Our Australian friends came to Bacolod City recently to look for prospects for putting up an international school in the City of Smiles.

The group from Swan Christian Education Association Inc., headed by CEO Stephen Lee and COO Martin Bent with pastor Peter Chase and Paul Beacham of Southern Hills Christian College, was accompanied by pastor Gary Visitacion, president/CEO of Southern Hills International School in the Philippines.

They paid a courtesy call on Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Mayor Monico Puentevella, who enthusiastically welcomed their plans for an international school in Bacolod featuring sports academy, that they felt, would be very beneficial to the city and the province.

The group had already put up an orphanage in Brgy. Cabacungan, La Castellana town in Negros Occidental, with the help of around 30 teenage students from Southern Hills Christian College in Perth, who came to help finish the building and touch base with the orphans as part of their school training program. This is in line with the school’s thrust on character building and values formation.

During their brief stay, the school executives sampled the delicious “chicken on a stick (chicken inasal)” and other local native cuisine that they enjoyed immensely. They even tried eating crispy lechon on the sidewalk of Araneta Street, where they sat on a table beside the lechonan while passersby gawked at the incredible sight of the foreigners eating lechon and rice on the sidewalk with their bare hands!

To our Aussie friends, we bid you welcome!*

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Behind The Scenes - February 20, 2014 : Valentine’s Day

Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion

So, how was your Valentine’s Day celebration? Memorable and romantic (I hope!).

Some people think it’s vastly overrated, but why shouldn’t love be celebrated in a grand manner? It is after all, what makes the world go ‘round, isn’t it? Wouldn’t this be a dreary world if we didn’t have love to keep us going?

Bacolodnons celebrated Valentine’s Day with a bang as usual. This was a special day for the WOW ladies, who held a most successful bloodletting activity at the Amity HQ in Hilado Street, Shopping Center, in partnership with the GMA Kapuso TV Network.

The place was bustling with activity as a huge number of donors came to donate blood for a worthy cause. Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya came to give moral support to the WOW Club for this worthwhile endeavor.

The WOW ladies, led by their president, Inday Pefianco, served hot arroz caldo donated by Mely’s Garden restaurant, with freshly baked bread brought by members of the Negros Occidental Rainbow Foundation.

In the evening, traffic was practically at a standstill as most people were out for dinner with their family and loved ones.

Our group at the DAILY STAR had a special Valentine’s dinner at L’Fisher Hotel, which was offering a special international menu for the special day. The place was crowded to overflowing. Families and sweet twosomes enjoyed the gastronomic experience while romantic violins serenaded the crowd with popular love songs.

Ah, what a lovely evening it was to celebrate the day of love.*

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Behind the Scenes - February 13, 2014 : A Little Girl’s Dream Birthday Party

Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion

Shades of pink and lilac with a touch of silver set the mood of a pretty little girl’s Barbie-themed birthday party. The celebrator, Ysabella Andrea Dormido, known to family and friends as Bella, especially requested for a ballerina Barbie-inspired party as she turned four this month.

Guests came dressed as Ken and Barbie. The excited little guests and their mommies filled the L’ Sea Restaurant function room, that was transformed into a “Barbie Party Room” with décor of colors and toys so close to a little girl’s heart.

Bella and her classmates from L’Ecole opened the party with a fantastic dance number which drew rapturous applause from the audience. She and close friends Lance, Lysander, Shae and Anne made guests giggle and enjoy while they energetically danced to One Direction's Live “While We're Young”. Little boys Ali Visitacion and Myron Garth Lipa serenaded the birthday girl with their own renditions of “My Heart Will Go On” and “Just the Way You Are”, respectively.

Aside from the kiddie games and pabitin, the children had fun watching the puppet show, courtesy of Mr. Wilson. The kids were amazed when they witnessed the highlight of the party – The Bubble Show. Giant and small bubbles floating in the air made the children jump and shout for joy. The kids were also given a chance to try their hands at making bubbles.

Bell is the daughter of Engineer Crispin Dormido and ABS-CBN broadcast journalist Yasmin Pascual-Dormido.

Keisha Cheniese Alquizar won as best in Barbie costume, with Yumi Miranda and Beatrice Mijares as first and second runners-up. After feasting on the yummy food especially prepared for the party, everyone enjoyed the games, songs and dances which they all participated in.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BELL!*

Friday, February 7, 2014

Friday, February 07, 2014

Behind the Scenes - February 7, 2014 : A Reunion to Remember

Blog, Events

Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion

The Ruby Jubilee of the Riverside Nursing Graduating Class ’73 Jan. 29 to Feb. 1 was a most unforgettable reunion with the arrival of class members from USA, Europe and other places in the Philippines.

The organizers abroad, Necoy Lim, Beng Pido, and Lea Agudelo, and their local counterparts, led by Lourdes Lobaton, left no stone unturned to ensure the success of their much-awaited reunion.

January 29 was the day the members arrived. The scene was complete bedlam as they welcomed their friends with tears of joy, shrieks of recognition and amazement, and spent the day bonding again and touring the old familiar places. A fellowship dinner was enjoyed by all at Ading’s Pala-pala.

The next day, a thanksgiving mass was held at the chapel of their alma mater, Riverside College. It was another day of touring the new landmarks of the city. A sumptuous dinner was held at Aboy’s where they sated themselves with their favorite local delicacies.

The third day highlight was a festive lunch at Manokan Country. In the evening, a riotous Mardi Gras was held at Palmas del Mar, where everyone came in spectacular costumes. What a riot it was! Queen of the Mardi Gras was Yolanda Panes, who looked absolutely fabulous that evening. There was dancing until the wee hours and some members almost passed out from exhaustion.

The Gala Night was the finale of the celebration. This time, everyone came dressed to the nines in their best evening attire complete with bling-bling! After the delicious feast especially prepared for the occasion, Cristina Agudelo Dee, looking drop-dead gorgeous in her stunning gown, gave a touching speech that left the audience misty-eyed. She then entertained the crowd with a beautiful operatic song, followed by a show-stopping Broadway number “So in Love”.

The members paid tribute to their Manay Pamplona, who was their strict but loving “terror matron” during their student years. In response, “Manay” sang to her former students. A video presentation of their old school-day photos elicited screams of horror and delight among the alumni. Then it was time to dance, dance, dance “until you drop”!

Wotta night!

Thank you to you dear friend, Paula Gustilo, for arranging our invitation to this unforgettable reunion. I know the class will treasure the laughter, triumphs and struggles of their student days. Everyone declared that this reunion will stay in their memories forever.*

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Behind The Scenes - January 30, 2014 : It Began 35 Years Ago

Blog, People

Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion

This is a love story that began 35 years ago. The groom, Pastor Amado Perez, met his future bride, Teena Orola, during a church event when she had just graduated from high school.

At that time, though, they each had different plans for their future. Teena was entering the university and Amado was answering a call to serve God on a higher level. The years passed and their lives went on different directions. The pastor’s life took him to other places and a ministry in Eastern Visayas, while Teena’s brought her to distant shores.

After a long while, she came back to her family in Bacolod while he expanded his own ministry and built other churches. But fate brought them together again during a chance meeting in one church function in Bohol. This time, the pastor was a widower with grown-up children, and Teena had grown to be a mature woman, who had weathered the storms that life has to offer.

They held long talks afterwards and suddenly, they realized that friendship had blossomed into love. Teena’s former high school classmates were thrilled at the news. Their group, who called themselves the “Yaya Sisterhood”, became her wedding planners. And they gave Teena a ‘wedding to remember’.

The venue was the grand ballroom of Sugarland Hotel in Bacolod, that was filled with family and guests. Teena looked radiant as she walked down the aisle to the altar where her groom eagerly waited for her. Her family – the Orolas – was there in full force as were the children of Pastor Amado.

After the wedding ceremony, a most enjoyable program was held where the groom sang a love song to his bride as her friends cheered him on. Teena’s siblings welcomed Amado to their family and his son, Dove, gave a beautiful message to his new “Mom”, after which he sang to them.

It was such a touching and intimate moment that almost brought people to tears. This was one wedding where you could feel true love in the air. To the newlyweds, congratulations and best wishes!*

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Behind The Scenes - January 23, 2014 : WOW Party

Bacolod, Blog

Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion

A group of distinguished ladies of Bacolod recently decided to form a new organization called the “Wow” (Women of Wonder). They decided to invite their likeminded lady friends to join this new project. And so a new dynamic club was formed.

A couple of weeks ago, the launching of the club was held at the luxurious home of Linda Yulo, an active lady of the community with the attendance of almost 100 percent of the invitees. The event was a gathering of women, who turn heads with their style, and draw admiration for their intelligence.

What sets this club apart is the overall friendly, relaxing atmosphere and the freewheeling exchange of ideas in its undemanding style. Some of the ladies called it “stress-free”, which adds to its appeal.

The “host with the most” Linda Yulo delighted the guests with her amazing gastronomic feast fit for a queen. Guests oohed and aahed at the terrific spread of international dishes, which had them going back for seconds. After the sumptuous dinner in the elegant dining room, everyone went to the sprawling basement playroom where they let their hair down in various games that had them rollicking in laughter and delight.

Winners received valuable prizes that they shared with the other members. Dance music was played and they then danced till they dropped.

Bacolod’s “woman of substance”, Inday Pefianco, was elected first president of the Wow Club. She was immediately inducted into office together with the other officers by Judge Lorna Demonteverde.

The objectives and aims of this new club are being formalized by the group. One of their first endeavors was their outreach project at the St. Mary’s Home for the Aged, where they distributed clothes, food and goodies to the delighted recipients.

Kudos and good luck to the Wow Club!*

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Behind The Scenes - January 16, 2014 : Shirley's Birthday Bash

Blog, Events

Behind The Scenes with Tita Ivy Visitacion

Shirley Ledesma has been described as a force of nature, with such pulsating vitality that can erupt into rip-roaring laughter at any moment. To survive her friendship, you need to understand all her contradictions.

An active member of various civic clubs in Bacolod, Shirley is the one to call on when you want to get something done. She is also a loyal friend who will be there for you through thick and thin. There is never a dull moment when Shirley is around.

Shirley celebrated her birthday with a ‘Red Party' at the Chalet, L'Fisher, recently, that was attended by her family and close friends. Red was the color of the evening with almost every guest attired in fiery red.

Guests included her friends from Circulo de Bacolod, the Negros Occidental Garden Club, Soroptimist Club and her BFFs from the legal profession. From the DAILY STAR came Ninfa and Perla Leonardia, and Shirley's former student, Sheila Hinojas-Miled, who came from Paris with her hubby, Mourad.

After a scrumptious dinner, an impromptu program was held with Edith Robillo opening the musical portion with a love song. Other guests who performed were Viol Caram, who sang a Spanish number, Buddai Piccio and Pacita Adeva showed their dancing skills with partner Robert Asong. Des Mercado sang together with fellow Garden Club members, and a special dance number specially choreographed by Ope Gonzaga, performed by the Circulo de Bacolod group: Mila Moya, Vicky Angudong, Johanna Rabago, Blythe Balbin with Robert Asong.

Shirley's friends gave their own special messages for her birthday, including Luchi Sumugat, who delivered a passionate poem, “How Do I Love Thee?” Then every one let their hair down dancing the night away.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Shirley!*

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Thursday, January 09, 2014

Behind The Scenes - January 9, 2014 : A new pala-pala opens

Bacolod, Blog

Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion

One of the best attractions of Bacolod City is our delicious fresh seafood that has visitors coming back for more. A new addition to the restaurants catering to this specialty is “Ading's Palapala” seafood restaurant bar, in front of the Palapala Market.

This restaurant is the brainchild of our friend, Ricky Trinidad of Mely's Garden Restaurant, who decided to open a sprawling, spacious sea foods place, together with Gigi Sumawang, daughter of Manila socialite, Ofelia Trinidad, who was famous for her Pistang Pilipino restaurant in Malate, Manila.

When we arrived for the opening night, the place was already filled with the food-loving Bacolod crowd. Ricky informed us that it was named after his father, Arcadio “Ading” Trinidad, who was also a known restaurateur in Manila.

Dinner was a marvelous array of scrumptious Filipino dishes that gave us a preview of what the restaurant has to offer. We particularly enjoyed the succulent seafood that was fresh from the sea and tasted divinely with our drinks. Ricky also said this is a family restaurant where kids can play in the playroom designed especially for them while their parents enjoy their meals. What a marvelous addition it is to the numerous eating places we have in Bacolod.

Bon appetit! *

https://www.visayandailystar.com/2014/January/09/starlife.htm

Monday, April 22, 2013

Negros Occidental mayor to file claims vs Benedicto estate over PNB crop loans

Events, Negros

BACOLOD CITY - Pulupandan, Negros Occidental Mayor Magdaleno Pena, who manages the Montilla Estate that joined former Ambassador Roberto S. Benedicto in his single sugar marketing scheme during Martial Law but failed to earn anything, will intervene on Benedicto's estate proceedings to avoid foreclosure.

Peña’s lawyer Roger Reyes confirmed the chief executive’s plan to file the intervention after the elections in a press conference held over the weekend.

Reyes said that in response to the demand letters from Philippine National Bank for their crop loans during that time, Peña will file claims on Benedicto’s estate before the Regional Trial Court Branch 51 in Metro Manila, where the case is pending.

“A group of sugar producers especially the Montilla family has decided to take actions against the estate of Roberto S. Benedicto,” he said.

Reyes also urged other sugarcane planters in the province who are in the same situation as his client to do the same.

"Unless the sugar producers will take action to defend themselves, the PNB, which is now controlled by Lucio Tan, will eventually start foreclosing the sugar lands and other collateral for the crop loans,” he warned.

From 1972 to 1984, Reyes said an estimated P14 billion has been taken by the defunct National Sugar Trading Corp. (NASUTRA) from sugar producers through its single selling marketing scheme based on a research conducted by University of the Philippines’ School of Economics.

NASUTRA, then headed by Benedicto, was the buying marketing arm of the Philippine Sugar Commission (Philsucom) organized in 1977.

“What happened was no single centavo was returned to the sugar industry. That's why, until now, there are no new investments like putting up new sugar centrals,” he lamented.

He added that after Martial Law, sugar planters did not acquire new tractors because of uncertainties in the sugar industry in addition to the threats of Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

Reyes said Manny Lacson and Lopez Sugar Corp. were the only groups that filed intervention on the Benedicto estate proceedings with minimal claims.

These groups were able to get the records of the proceedings from the Supreme Court, he said.

Benedicto was among the business cronies of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos.

-Philippine News Agency