Titas de Bacolod

Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion

You just haven’t seen anything like it! The WOW ladies recently held their first quarter birthday celebrators’ party at Ambience, Pavillon Hotel in Bacolod, and it was a scream!

Everybody came in their most summery outfits, adding glamour and color to the torrid hot summer night. Guest of honor was Tita Nena de Leon, who looked simply stunning in her bold engine-red summer outfit. The party began with a game where the guests were divided into groups of five. The head of each group was given a letter which was to identify parts of the body, either in English, Tagalog, or Ilonggo. The group that had the most number of body parts identification won. Things started heating up when the letter P was given to the group heads. Amidst naughty laughter and squeals of glee, the ladies began giving the parts of the body beginning with the letter P. This was pretty risqué so I’ll leave it up to your imagination what words they came up with.

The next game was the “Longest Line”. Each group had to form a long line with the things they wore. There was mad scrambling as the ladies took off their jewelry, headbands, hats, flowers, jackets, etc. Finally, an ear-splitting scream could be heard when Edith Robillo took off her entire outfit. I saw the waiters run out of the room in sheer panic! Voila! She was wearing a matching bathing suit underneath, to everyone’s surprise (relief?). Mercifully, Baby Bonnin announced that dinner was served.

After dinner, there was an induction of new members: Dr. Margarita Nosce, Chuchi Ledesma and Edith Robillo. All the WOW officers, led by president Inday Pefianco and members, came up to personally congratulate and welcome the inductees.

Afterwards, it was dance, dance, dance ‘til you dropped. Wotta night! Trust the WOW ladies to have a riot of a party!*

Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion

Our good friend Mely Gonzales recently invited her friends to a merienda cena at her newly re-opened Mely’s Garden located at her home at C.L. Montelibano, Bacolod City.

It was a sunny afternoon with just the hint of a mild breeze when we arrived at her sprawling place which was laid out with tables and chairs for the occasion. We were impressed with the homey feeling the place immediately made one feel. The floor-to-ceiling windows gave the garden feel with a lush view of the colorful plants outside.

As we entered the room which was already filled with guests, the aroma of delicious food wafted towards where we were, filling us with wild anticipation of the scrumptious Filipino fare we would soon be enjoying. The merienda buffet was groaning with so much native delicacies that we just had to have a peek at what was prepared for the meal. Ahhh, our lips smacked at the wonderful spread Mely had prepared.

It was great to see our good friend, Marlin Villasor, who came with daughter Therese. There is never a dull moment when Marlin is around. Soon, she kept the group laughing with her steady supply of naughty jokes. Another gal who swept into the room like a breath of fresh air was popular DJ Gigi Starr, who tablehopped and swapped stories with a delighted group of friends.

Needless to say, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the feast that was laid out by our gracious host. Good luck on your new venture, Mely!*

Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion

 There was a collective reaction of surprise from some of the audience during the 79 th Negros Press Club induction ceremony held recently at the SMX Convention Center in Bacolod City, when the guest speaker, lawyer Teodoro Locsin Jr., described the King of Jordan's immediate reaction to the brutal killing of a young Jordanian pilot by the ISIS militants.

Locsin described King Abdullah's reaction as that, “of a true leader, not a brat”.

Whaaat? Coming from one of the closest and most loyal men of the late former President Cory Aquino, it was a shock to hear him describe her son, President Benigno Aquino III, as a brat. We have always admired Teddy Locsin (as he is more popularly called), for being a man of distinction with a brilliant mind.

He was Pres Cory's speech writer, especially when she spoke at the US congress where the top American leaders wildly applauded her speech and gave her a standing ovation. Why would Teddy now call Pres Noy, a brat? Does he know something we don't?

Nonetheless, the NPC induction was a well-organized and well-attended affair. Kudos to the new president, Dolores Epacta, for the smooth running of the entire program. The SMX Convention Center was an excellent choice for the formal ceremony.

We managed to have a brief chat with Teddy Locsin after the program and we suggested to him that a Filipino poet should write a poem about the “Gallant 44”, who died in the Mamasapano massacre. This could be somewhat similar to Alfred Lord Tennyson's immortal “Charge of the Light Brigade”. One of the lines in the poem even says, “Someone had blunder'd”.

What an interesting evening it was. I do love moments like this when we are spellbound by a man with a brilliant mind. *

One of blessings of social media and the digital age is that publication of an article may not have to take a week or even a day.  There is no press production time to wait for.  The satisfaction of seeing one's literary work is instantaneous by the mere press of a button.  The obvious downside to it though is that in the flurry of churning out that all important post, the devil lurking in the details emerge.

Such is the case of a blog which on the page of it's Managing Editor claims to be "the best food blog according to Google".  Philippine cuisine is enchanting to say the least, simply because of its diversity.  Comprised by multiple regions, the Philippines has so many culinary offerings.  In reviewing these offerings, the least a food blogger or an editor can do is to be adept with the regional origins of Filipino cuisine. 

Take the example of this post recently made wherein Pat-Pat's Kansi of Taboy Servando was referred to as an Ilocano Bulalo soup.  Well, the last time I recall, kansi never changed its place of origin.  It was and always will be an Ilonggo or Negrense dish.  To say that is Ilocano could be tantamount to saying Negrenses staple crop is tobacco.

Research! Research! My dear!  If being adept with the regional origin of Filipino dishes is not one's strength, one should at least be a ruthless editor of his or her own work.

Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion

The wedding invitation said “Strictly Formal (long gown and coat and tie)” for the evening wedding of Mariel Genito and Bryan Hojilla at the Queen of Peace Parish Church in Bacolod City, recently.

And so we headed off to the venue for a most romantic wedding ceremony ever. Tons of well-dressed guests from the old families of Negros, socialites, movers and shakers, and the couple’s young friends soon filled the church. Our good friend and mother of the groom, Cristie Montilla vda. de Hojilla, looking drop-dead gorgeous, welcomed us with beso-beso y abrazo and a radiant smile.

As the wedding entourage marched down the aisle, everyone turned to look at the church’s entrance for a vision of the lovely bride. And there she was, looking so stunning and ethereal in her exquisite wedding gown as she floated towards her handsome groom with his “movie star” looks, at the altar.

The reception was held at L’Fisher Hotel, La Proa Main, which was soon filled with Bacolod’s crème de la crème, who enjoyed their cocktails with tasty hors d’oeuvres. Dinner was a superb collection of buffet selections that would satisfy the most finicky taste. Our enjoyment of the food was often interrupted with greetings from friends we haven’t seen for some time now.

The young friends of Bryan and Mariel livened things up with their good wishes for the newlyweds, who looked so much in love. To describe the occasion, it was certainly one of “understated elegance”. *

Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion

It was a lovely sunny day recently when Ana’s Garden Grill & Seafood Restaurant at 6th Street in Bacolod City, held its blessing and inauguration.

Our good friend, Ricky Trinidad, introduced us to its pretty owner, Ana Maria Ledesma Blardony, who also happens to be his fiancée. The good-looking young couple revealed that they plan to get married soon (early next year, perhaps?).

Fr. Felix Pasquin officiated in the blessing, while Bacolod socialite Loreto Lopez Gonzaga and Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya did the ribbon-cutting. Soon, the place was overflowing with guests, who kept admiring the décor and the sprawling Bali-esque ambiance of the restaurant.

Everyone trooped to the Function Room where the buffet tables groaned with a cornucopia of delectable dishes designed to tantalize the most discriminating taste. The luncheon started off with a refreshingly cool green camias juice that certainly hit the spot. The food was an all-sensory experience. There was a wide choice of time-tested culinary classics to new epicurean delights. Ricky and Ana made sure to keep the guests abreast on their exciting plans for the new restaurant.

We were informed that the food was “bueno, bonito, barato”, because they aim to offer affordable dishes without sacrificing on the ingredients. Apart from the great Pinoy comfort food being offered, seafood lovers will satiate their cravings with the vast array of fresh seafood on display. For hopeless ‘foodies’ like our group - Ninfa, Perla, Buddai, Nena and Carla - this was certainly good news.

Kudos to Ricky and Ana, and good luck on their new venture “Ana’s Garden Grill & Seafood Restaurant”. See you there!*

Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion

They were certainly there – the city’s A-list businessmen, corporate VIPs, socialites, civic leaders, movers and shakers, etc. It was a night of thanksgiving to all the guests invited by Island Living Channel for a special dinner, sponsored by Smart Infinity, at L’Fisher Hotel recently.

The evening’s guests, dressed in cocktail chic, soon filled up the La Proa venue as the band kept the mood in high gear. The program was hosted by two extremely good-looking celebrities: Lorraine Kendrickson, Ms World Philippines 2014 first princess, and Andrew Wolff, popular celebrity in Metro Manila.

On hand to welcome the guests was ILC chairman and CEO, Radjie Caram Jr., looking a bit young for such a big position (he actually looks like a college student, would you believe!). But I guess it is Radjie’s “aw shucks” charm that manages to convince the businessmen to advertise in ILC. Smart Infinity’s big brasses, Julie Carciller and James Yulo Chi were there to see that everything ran smoothly.

Dinner was a lavish array of scrumptious dishes designed to ignite the sensory indulgences of the A-list guests. The program hosts kept the audience enthralled with their superb emceeing job as well as the attractive prizes given away. Yours truly was one of the lucky recipients of the numerous prizes but don’t ask me what I won, cuz my lips are sealed!

Kudos to the Island Living Channel for a most successful two years! We know this is just the beginning of more years of success.*

Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion

 The Bacolod Cultural Foundation Inc. held its induction of officers and new members at Business Inn in Bacolod City recently. Club members, led by re-elected president Araceli Mirano, worked tirelessly for days to ensure the evening’s success.

We arrived promptly at 6:30 p.m. to find most of the club members already waiting at the venue, looking so elegant in their colorful Filipiniana attire. The invocation was led by club director Emilie Zayco, followed by the Pambansang Awit sang by Edith Robillo. Pacita Adeva welcomed the guests to the evening’s affair.

A cocktail of delicious light white wine, brought by Inday Pefianco, was served to the delighted guests who enjoyed sipping while waiting for dinner. The meal was a fine selection of popular favorite dishes which had guests coming for seconds.

The second part of the program opened with Mayor Monico Puentevella inducting the officers, with Araceli Mirano as president; Celia Ferrer, vice president; Pacita Adeva, secretary; Myrna Desabelle, treasurer; Norma Garbanzos, auditor; and Violeta Caram, public information officer.

The members of the Board of Directors are Angie Echaus, Charito Parreño, Gilda Puey, Elsie Gonzaga, Prima Inday Pefianco and Emilie Zayco. Mirano thanked the club for giving her a new term as president, and spoke of various plans for the club during her new term. Puentevella delivered an inspiring speech and thanked the club for its theme, “Embracing Filipino Culture and Values”.

Then the club members relaxed and enjoyed the impromptu performance of its members, who surprised all with their talents in singing, reciting and dancing. It was fun to watch these elegant ladies let their hair down and give their all.

Kudos to the Bacolod Cultural Foundation Inc. for a successful induction.*

The legal counsel of the man shown in the airport CCTV video, whose bags caused a 64-year-old Bacolod resident to trip and suffer serious injuries at the pre-departure area of the Bacolod Silay Airport in Silay City, yesterday apologized for the injuries suffered by the victim.

Rayfrando Diaz II said his client, whom he did not identify, never knew that the injuries suffered by Rosario Hofileña of Barangay Taculing, Bacolod, were that bad, and did not realize that there was a complaint about the incident.

He said his client welcomes the fact that all these things came to light and that he is now informed that the injuries were suffered but were “purely accidental.”

The airport CCTV video shows the man taking his bags off the X-ray machine after entering the pre-departure area and placing them in the path of the elderly Rosario, who did not see them, tripped over them and landed flat on her face.

As airport personnel and other passengers rushed to help the woman, the man calmly put his shoes back on, picked up his bags and walked away without assisting or even speaking to the woman, as also shown in the CCTV footage.

Diaz said they would like to assure the family that his client is willing to face whatever responsibility and would like to make amends and reach out to them. However, they would like to request for privacy because his client is a private person and considers the “alleged mystery” solved, he said.

He said they are already in touch with the victim’s lawyer, Renecito Novero, and have already intimated their intention to sit down with him and the family of Rosario Hofileña.

Diaz said that his unnamed client said he saw that there were airport personnel already attending to Rosario so he thought they were in a capable position to help her.  The incident caused injury to the left side of her face, fractured her left shoulder bones, and dislocated her left shoulder joints which totally disabled her, the complaint said.

Nobleza y Valor

Estimado Sobrino Mar,

I watched you on the news this evening talking to the SAF and I felt your pain.  You mentioned in your talk to the brave and gallant members of the SAF that lingering questions bother you as you lay your head to sleep.  Questions of what could have been if only you were told in advance of the Mamasapano raid.

One thing is clear.  You were kept in the dark and "out of the loop" for an ominous plan which deviates from simple service to the people. 

This note will be short but it hopes to take you back to what may truly count for you and our beloved Inang Bayan.

You only have to look at the escudo de armas of our family.  Go back to Nobleza y Valor.

If there is an opportune time to break away from the forces that are weighing down the flight of our nation, it is now.  Let Nobleza y Valor rise up within.

In the spirit of the unswerving bravery displayed by the great General Juan Araneta, I trust that you will do the right thing.