Titas de Bacolod

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 Pasquin, a close family friend, officiated at the ceremony.

As the couple renewed their vows, the crowd burst out laughing when Nene answered, “I do!” in a loud voice when asked by the priest, “Do you take this woman to be your lawful wedded wife…?”

The reception was held at the sprawling garden, that was made festive with a big beautiful white tent draped with sheer gauzy swaths from the ceiling, while a 3-piece band entertained the guests with songs of yesteryears. Everyone enjoyed the mouth-watering dishes specially made for the occasion. Red wine was served to those who cared to have a drink while the rest enjoyed the delicious refreshing concoctions from the refreshment station.

Friends kept asking the couple what was the secret of their successful marriage. With a smile, Nene said it takes love, hard work and respect for each other. To this, Mellie could only smile and nod her head shyly. I couldn't help remembering the lyrics of my favorite song which I found so apropos, “How do you keep the music playing, how do you make it last…How do you keep the song from fading too fast?...

Ahhh, that's love!*

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 by WOW president Inday Pefianco. Soon, the hall was filled with elegantly dressed members with their favorite blings designed to compete with the brilliance of the fantastic lights in the venue.

Judge Lorna Demonteverde, in a form-fitting black dress with a stunning décolletage, inducted the members of the club. Talented member Aimee Villa entertained the audience with her upbeat songs ala Nora Jones. There were 10 birthday celebrators, who blew the candles on the huge birthday cake while the entire club sang Happy Birthday. The dance floor was filled with the adventurous members, who performed the Line Dance amid much laughter and ribbing from the audience.

Dinner was a special presentation of superbly-done dishes, which had the guests coming back for seconds. Then, it was time to let your hair down and dance, dance, dance! The entire room was swinging with ballroom dancers, who ripped up the dance floor with their unbridled energy as they danced till they dropped!

What a swellegant, elegant party it was!*

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 Ladies, led by Inday Pefianco, were there in full force to enliven the day for the celebrator and make the occasion really special. Excited voices and deafening laughter filled the room as everyone enjoyed the expertly-crafted delicacies that kept coming in from the kitchen. It was gastronomic heaven!

There was that atmosphere of fellowship and delightful sociability which makes a party a delightful celebration. Everybody was so merry and so filled with the joy of living. What a scene! This gorgeous group of ladies in Bacolod really know how to have a good time.

Through it all, our Mely made every guest feel welcome as she flitted from table to table with aplomb and her great big smile, urging each one to have some more of the never-ending, mouth-watering dishes that kept appearing at the buffet. The afternoon sun was gently setting in the horizon when we decided to call it a day.

After this swanky soiree, we can truly call our Mely, “The host with the most!” HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MELY!*

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 to dramatic effect.

Gleaming cutlery was complemented by dainty napkins while each table had a centerpiece filled with foliage. Each guest was warmly welcomed by the Zontians as they were ushered to their tables. Dinner was absolutely divine. Everyone enjoyed themselves as they savored expertly-crafted dishes especially concocted for the occasion.

The induction of new members was officiated by Dr. Flor Miel of Zonta Club of Cebu II, while the induction and installation of officers was officiated by Elena Chiongbian-Young, also of Zonta Club of Cebu II. Negros Occidental first lady, Dr. Marilyn Marañon, delivered an inspiring acceptance speech after her induction as the new club president, where she revealed her plans and dreams for the club. Her husband, Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., was wildly applauded when he presented her with a beautiful bouquet of flowers after her speech.

The other officers are Suzette Lacson - vice president, Edna Pahilanga - secretary, Carissa Maalat - treasurer, Belen Elizalde - auditor, and Manon Hernaez, Lina Lim, Laniebelle Javelosa and Nina Arceo - directors.

The guest speaker, Chiongbian-Young, impressed the audience with her eloquent and enlightening speech on what it means to be a Zontian. Guests commented on how well-organized the entire affair was. Kudos to the organizers for a terrific job. Well done!*

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 eager to see the masters of Argentine Tango perform the “world’s most passionate and sophisticated dance”.

Soon, the lights focused on the dance floor and there they were - Analia looked luminescent and radiant in a form-fitting shimmering gown that showed every curve, every line of her incredible figure. Luis looked like a dashing and debonair Steven Seagal in his tuxedo.

As they slowly began their dance, we could see why the tango is also called “the dance of seduction”. Every look or movement is filled with intense passion. The experience is one of those “ahhh” moments – you just can’t quite figure out what you’re seeing, yet you marvel.

While we sat in rapture, we were visually dazzled and wildly entertained by the spectacular movements of the two artists. A collective gasp of terror erupted from the audience when Luis twirled Analia way up above him and suddenly caught her in mid-air, holding her suspended on his upraised left arm with such mastery of style that one slip would surely have catastrophic consequences. It looked so dramatically effortless that the audience forgot to breathe!

Wotta show! Kudos to the organizers for an exhausting but totally exhilarating evening!*

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, admirers, business partners, supporters and fans. Sister Fanny Balenia was the perfect emcee with her Chicago accent.

An upbeat 3-pc band set the mood for the evening with excellent performances by gifted local performers. But the one who brought the house down was a charismatic tall young tenor, Nic Norman Tugaff, who sang classical songs and other favorites, like “Nessun Dorma”, “Mutya ng Pasig” and many more, with an unusually powerful voice that rocked the entire room at the loudest decibels you can imagine. Each song was met with rapturous applause from the audience.

Dinner was a plethora of mouth-watering dishes that created havoc with our waistlines. Then John took center stage as he belted out his signature songs to the delight of the audience. Happiness was written all over his face as he blew the candle on the huge birthday cake, together with his beloved Mamang, who is still spry and active as ever at 94!

John's special guests were officers from the Lancaster Group, one of the country's fastest growing property developers, who are all set to fully develop 87 hectares, including John's property, Oroland, in the southern part of the city; envisioned to provide the lifestyle that Bacolod truly deserves.

Wow, John, you are truly lucky and blessed. I guess when a person is as kind and wonderful as you are, good things do happen. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOHN!*

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 the lanai, spilling out to the serenity of the green grassy area.

The Sampaguita Group is chaired by Tess Yusay, with Mepa Conde, 1st vice chair, and Robert Harland, 2nd vice chair; and Linda Yulo, Ivy Visitacion, Gloria Gensoli, Mely Gonzales, Hazel Guerrero, Emma Montinola, Mercy Lopez, Hazel Stuart, Perla Leonardia and Julie Carbon, as members. All cooperated in making the presentation a successful affair.

For entertainment, Robert suggested that the members lip-synch and dance to “I Enjoy Being A Girl”, that the members enthusiastically endorsed. Linda took care of the merienda cena while the rest helped in gathering garden decors for the presentation theme “Decors for a Garden”.

Everyone enjoyed the divinely-inspired cuisine, courtesy of Wacky’s, that was arrayed on the buffet. A decadent chocolate cake was served for the May birthday celebrants, represented by Mila Chiu. As the afternoon sun began to settle in the horizon, the guests slowly dispersed, still raving about what a great time they had.

Thank you and kudos to the Sampaguita Group!*

Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion

 There is something very special when friends you haven’t seen in a long while appear out of the blue to surprise you.

Our dear friend, Sanchit Bayani Conway, a former Bacolod media practitioner, gave us a big thrill when she suddenly showed up after living so many years in her beloved Sydney, Australia. On her first night, she met with old friends Bing and Ray Ascalon and yours truly, for a memorable dinner at L’Fisher Hotel, where we recalled our former escapades, remembering media friends from the past, who were still alive and some who had passed away.

She couldn’t get over the fantastic changes in Bacolod where we used to have our favorite nightly haunts during our younger days. We decided to end the evening with a nightcap at Calea for some yummy treats, when we happily ran into our former “barkada”, Congressman Bing Leonardia, who was there with wife Elsa. He could hardly believe his eyes on seeing Sanchit after all this time.

The next evening, we had dinner at Kai Sei with colleagues, Ninfa and Perla Leonardia together with Carla Gomez, who all raved over how young Sanchit has remained through the years. She hasn’t changed a bit – still a riot despite living a very comfortable (and wealthy?) life in Australia. Our laughter and chatter lasted well into the night until we found ourselves the last customers in the restaurant. We ended with a nightcap at Felicia’s where we gorged on sinfully delicious desserts.

On Sanchit’s last night, we had a most enjoyable “despedida” dinner at the Lobatons’ where Sanchit was staying. Other guests at the party were her relatives and friends who have not seen her in a long time. We all enjoyed the specially-prepared dishes and, of course, the incomparable lechon, that makes any dinner a celebration.

Bon voyage, dear Sanchit. Until we meet again.*

Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion

We were there to witness the Gala Night of the Negros Occidental High School Class ’64 Golden Jubilee, held recently at the grand ballroom of L’Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City.

This was sponsored by the International Chapter of the Alumni, whose members were there in full force. Everyone was dressed to kill with their elegant gowns for the ladies and suits or barongs for the gentlemen. The venue was fully decorated with giant MassKara masks, courtesy of ABS-CBN, whose personnel produced the show for their former manager, Bing Ascalon, president of the NOHS Class ’64 for the Golden Jubilee.

The colors and the lights set the mood. The Gala Night was the culmination of the eight days celebration of the Jubilee, filled with sports games, parties, picnics, dancing, etc., that the alumni enjoyed to the max.

And now, the alumni gathered for the last time to see their old classmates who were older and grayer but still, young at heart. There were endless photo ops to remember this moment by as they enjoyed the spirit of camaraderie and fellowship that permeated the gathering.

Stories of their escapades during their high schooldays were told and retold. It was a poignant, transcendent journey to the past. Were they really that young and foolish? Laughter filled each table as the ‘young once’ recalled the golden days of their youth. The music of the 60s filled the room, enhancing their recollection of their memories.

Dinner was a gustatory experience with scrumptious dishes enjoyed by all. The guest speaker was supposed to be Ambassador Carmelita Salas, whose speech was read for her by her son, Rafael Miguel Salas. He charmed everyone with his engaging personality and movie star looks. Entertainment was provided by the MassKara Electric dancers, with special dance numbers by the local and international alumni chapters. After the program, everyone let their hair down and danced, danced, danced!

Wotta night! Kudos to the organizers for a most successful Golden Jubilee!*