Titas de Bacolod

Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion

My favorite young couple, Kitkat (Leonardia) and Koi Valenzuela, recently held the baptism of their cute baby boy (their first), at the Silay San Diego pro Cathedral. The name they gave to their son is Kairi. Such an unusual name for an adorable baby boy.

Fr. Raphael Babano, greeted all the guests who attended the baptism. Baby Kairi, who was lovingly carried by Dad Koi all throughout the baptism rite, cried loudly, showing what strong lungs he had. It was only when his Lola Ninfa Leonardia cradled him in her arms did he stop crying, to the delight of the crowd composed of family and friends.

After it was all over, everyone converged at their lovely home, which was refreshingly cool from the trees that abound in the garden. A pleasant gentle breeze cooled the guests, who settled down on the outdoor tables and chairs for the scrumptious merienda cena of Mongolian barbecue buffet, that everyone loved and, of course, the ubiquitous crispy lechon that added a festive touch to the meal.

I got a chance to talk with Koi's mom Carol, who told me that they were so glad to be here and get away from the debilitating heat of Manila, with its monstrous traffic, air and noise pollution, etc. Listening to her, I realized how lucky we were here in the province with our laidback lifestyle, fresh air and delicious food.

Welcome to the Christian world, Kairi! *

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.

***

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.*

Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion

The late award-winning architect Leandro Locsin once called the Negros Provincial Capitol building as one of the most beautiful government buildings in the country. This impressive edifice was recently the venue for a grand musicale presented by the Negros Cultural Foundation Inc., Bacolod Cultural Foundation Inc., and Central Philippine Adventist College, in cooperation with the Office of Vice-Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.

By the time we arrived, the Capitol Social Hall was already filled with performers and the music-loving audience, who came to have an unforgettable cultural experience. Seen among the crowd were the province's first lady, Dr. Marilyn Marañon, Patching Puentevella of Bacolod, Lyn Gamboa of the Negros Museum, and the officers and members of the participating sponsors.

The program opened with a stirring overture by the full orchestra, led by conductor Winner Silvestre. How we marveled at each masterful stroke of his baton that brought out spectacular performances from orchestra members. The Marian Missionaries then wowed the audience with their stirring renditions of favorite songs that have stood the test of time. A gifted blind young man amazed the crowd with his musical skills that brought rapturous applause.

As a fitting finale, the audience was entranced by the awesome performance of the Central Adventist College Choir and Orchestra, together with the Children's Chorus of the Bacolod Evangelical Church Orchestra, and the Negros Mission Academy Choir and Instrumental Ensemble, that brought the audience to its feet.

What a great cultural experience the evening was. Kudos to the organizers!*

Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion

We attended the opening of Great Pillars Academy, a Montessori-based preschool at Capitol Heights, Bacolod City, recently.

The building is a newly-remodeled house designed to meet the needs of a training school for young kids aged 2 to 5 years old. The classrooms are fully air-conditioned and the modern facilities are conducive to a child’s rapid development in the early stages.

The school president, Gleah Dimachi, welcomed us warmly as the program began. We learned that she had been a teacher for a good number of years in Japan, and her dream was to open a Montessori school in Bacolod. She also gave us a bird’s eye view of the Montessori curriculum where every child is taught a love of discovery to explore his or her creative ability. In this way, the children can become independent learners.

An orchestra of youths from the Bacolod Evangelical Church played the Pambansang Awit and the Alma Mater song. Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentevella welcomed the addition of the school to the city and hoped that this could help train and develop future leaders. Dimachi informed us that enrollment is going on and that they are offering summer swimming classes for kids.

Entertainment was provided by Justine Gallego, a young boy with an amazing voice. MC was popular media personality Rod Simon. After the program, a sumptuous lunch was served to the guests.*

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.*

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.*