Meriah Hazel's Baptism Cake

     This simple cake made of orange chiffon frosted with boiled icing and decorated with sugar flowers is for my newest goddaughter Meriah Hazel. This isnt my first time to make boiled icing but all failed in the past. It always gave me headache wondering what went wrong. Makes me think that the problem must be with the ingredients, my sugar must not be ready yet, the procedure or is it because I'm only using an electric hand mixer.  My first try with boiled icing was a total failure. It icing became runny after I put colors on it, even if I'm using a gel color. And the colors sink to the bottom after a few minutes. Then the next one, I overcooked the sugar which makes the icing crunchy, with solid crystals on it.  My third try was kinda alright. It has the perfect firmness but after I put colors on it, it became a little bit soggy.  This is my fourth try, its not perfect because I was in a hurry and the sugar wasn't ready yet.  With more practice I think I'll be able to do it perfectly next time.

Mambukal Mountain Resort Attractions

     Mambukal Mountain Resort is a famous summer getaway in Brgy. Minuyan, Murcia because of its cool climate even during summer.  Situated 1,200 fett above sea level, it serves as an entry point to mountaineers who wanted to experience climbing the glorious Mount Kanlaon volcano. The Mambukal Mountain Resort offers beautiful sites both man-made and nature working at its best.

Easter Sunday Getaway to Mambukal Mountain Resort

     Last Easter Sunday my family decided to have our first family outing this summer in Mambukal Mountain Resort in Brgy. Minuyan, Murcia. After several days of fasting and observing the season of lent, Easter Sunday would be the perfect day for a celebration and family bonding. This isn't our first time to be here and as a matter of fact this place is very close to my heart.  This is where Ruel realized his true feelings for me.

     Mambukal Mountain Resort is 1,200 feet above sea level and serves an an entry or gateway to mountaineers who wants to climb Mount Kanlaon. From Bacolod City, it is 20 to 30 minutes drive by private car and 30 to 45 minutes by public utility vehicle.  There are plenty of PUV's plying the Bacolod-Mambucal route and their terminal is located on the south portion of the Libertad Public Market. Transportation fare is somewhat between Php 35-40.

Spending a Day in Paraiso Beach Resort

You really can't deny the summer heat even though its chilly in the evening.  Last Saturday, Mheck, a friend of mine from call center days asked if we wanted to hang out with her in a beach.  She did not only invited me but some of our friends from Uzzap days also.  The nearest beach destination within the city is the Puntatytay where several beach resorts could be found.

This is Paraiso Beach Resort, one of the several resorts in Brgy. Punta Taytay in Bacolod City. It has several like "fifty" day time cottages or more lol. Some are small and there are others that can accommodate large groups. For only Php 100 - 300, you can rent the cottage hut till midnight.  Entrance fee is only Php 5.00 for adults and if your coming in a large group children are sometimes free.

Getting there is not a problem. There are public vehicles or jeepneys routed Central Market to Punta Taytay. Just ask the driver if they can take you to the beach. Jeepney fare is Php 15.00  from downtown area to the beach resort.

 

If you happen not to bring any food, there are restaurants in the area that serves fresh seafoods that wont robbed your pocket.  Recommended just for hanging out or spending quality time with friends or loved ones but not for swimming.  The beach is next to residential area. You know what I mean.

Panaad Park: Touring Negros Occidental in a Day, Going South This Time Part 2

ISABELA  -  Isabela was known before as a part of Binalbagan when the Spaniard arrived to the island of Negros. The place was once inhabited by native people with full of tattoos in the body called “Pintados”.

MOISES PADILLA -  Moises Padilla was a former barrio of Isabela a neighboring town and its original name was Mgallon and later became Moises Padilla when it declared it as a town.   The name of the town was changed after the death Mr. Moises Padilla a mayoralty candidate who was tortured and killed by assassins of a certain prominent family in Negros Island due to political reasons. 

Panaad Park: Touring Negros Occidental in a Day, Going South This Time Part1

Now that we're done with all the cities and municipalities on the northern part of Negros Occidental it's time to move down to the south.  Sit back, relax and enjoy.

BAGO CITY  -  the top rice producer in the province and is home to industries like the Maao Sugar Central, Viva Mineral water bottling plant, Ginebra San Miguel distilled products and the Alter Trade muscovado mill.

PULUPANDAN  - derived its name from the vernacular phrase “pulo sang pandan”, meaning “isle of pandan”, due to the wild forest of palms in the town during the early days before it became a bustling seaport. 

Panaad Park: Touring Negros Occidental in a Day, Going East

Now that we're done with the cities and municipalities on the northern part of Negros Occidental, lets proceed to the two municipalites and one city on the eastern part.

MURCIA   -  Convergence of the North and South and where East meets West. Murcia is home to the province’s flagship tourism attraction, the scenic and romantic Mambukal Summer Resort., the Bacolod Golf and Country Club, the Tanduay Distillery  and PNOC Geothermal Power Plant.

DON SALVADOR BENEDICTO  -  Located at the center of the mountains of northern Negros Occidental.  Tagged as the "Little Baguio of Negros Occidental" because of the cool weather and the beautiful pine trees that lined the main road.

Panaad Park: Touring Negros Occidental in a Day, Going North Part 2

MANAPLA  -  known for the Cartwheel church and the delicious Capulso Puto Manapla.  The town got its name from the wife of the capitan, fondly and respectfully called by the residents as Manang Pula.  Later, the Manang Pula as name of the town was shortened to Manapla, the name carried on until now.

CADIZ CITY  -  dried fish capital of Negros Occidental  and the famous tourist attraction, Lakawon Island Resort.

Panaad Park: Touring Negros Occidental in a Day, Going North Part 1

Every year, the Panaad sa Negros Festival is always flocked by both local and international tourists to witness the week long celebration of  the "Mother of All Festivals".  Aside from the food and the activities lined up for the whole celebration, one of the reason that people purposely flock the Panaad Festival are the booths of different towns and cities of Negros Occidental.
I took the liberty to take photos of all the booths and what's in store for the visitors. To all Negrosanons on the other side of the planet, I hope these photos can make you feel like you've have been here celebrating the festival with us.

Let me start from my very own city, Bacolod City, then we''ll head north.  Okay?  Enjoy as I tour you around the Panaad Park.


BACOLOD CITY - dubbed as the City of Smile, the capital city of Negros Occidental, home of the Masskara Festival and the famous Chicken Inasal (grilled chicken).
The Balay Bacolodnon sa Panaad booth is a fusion of the old and new Bacolod., with the plaza gazebo and bandstand as icon of the city's old world charm and the New Government Center as symbol of the modern City of Bacolod surging ahead.

This giant mask greets the visitors on the entrance of Bacolod booth.

Panaad sa Negros Festival Dance Competition Part 3

Sinigayan Festival of Sagay City
An annual thanksgiving in honor of St. Joseph, showcasing the best of Sagay’s arts, culture, products, and people.

Manlambus Festival of Escalante
“Manlambus” is a Visayan term meaning “to strike with a club” - because its coastal waters were then teeming with fishes that catching them could be done simply by clubbing.

Babaylan Festival of Bago City
Babaylan Festival is based on the rituals performed by the Babaylans or shamans, like rituals on marriage, baptism, healing, harvest and others. Babaylans get their healing powers from the unseen spirits.

Sag-ahan Festival of Toboso
Sag-ahan is derived from the original name of the settlement near the Sag-ahan River many years ago In the local dialect “sag-ahan” means to take or catch fish with the hands, This method of fishing was popularly used due to the abundance of fish in the area.

Kalag-kalag Festival of Isabela
This Festival is celebrated during the All Soul’s Day to remember the departed. The dance routine depicts dead people, and some skeletons dancing to the drumbeats.

Bailes de Luces Festival of La Castellana
Its unique feature is the use of lights or “luces” as props and adornment and its nocturnal festivities and streetdancing.

Panaad sa Negros Festival Dance Competition Part 2

Pabalhas sa Tablas Festival of Candoni
Held every 11th of February, the concept of their festival originated from the actual history of Candoni when  group of settlers look for a land they can call their own.

Pintaflores Festival of San Carlos
Pintaflores is coined from the words Pintados, the concept behind the Nabingkalan Tattoo Festival, and the "flores", the Spanish word for flowers that dominated the theme of the Dances of Flowers. The Pintaflores street dancing and ritual competition highlights the annual Pintaflores festival every November 3-5.

Panaad sa Negros Festival Dance Competition Part 1

Last Monday I was able to witness the Festival Dance competition, another first time for me, during the opening of the 18th Panaad sa Negros Festival 2011.  Here I'll be sharing some of the photos I've taken and a little information about the festival.

Kadalag-an Festival of Victorias City

KADALAG-AN symbolizes the many victories achieved by the people against adversities in life. This is in addition to the literal translation of Victorias which is victory. Falls on the 21st of March which is also the city's Charter anniversary.

Lubay-Lubay Festival of Cauayan

Held every 25th of Janauary, Lubay-Lubay portrays and preserves the early cultures of Cauayanons in facing the adversity of life as well as the abundance and prosperity endowed by the Almighty One.