Negros: 12 Stops in 3 Days

I shall always remember my trip to Negros. The three days I spent in our country's third largest island proved that it is really more fun in the Philippines.


Our entry point to Negros was Silay City—where the airport is. And during our first day, we tried to visit all the must-sees in the city known as the Paris of Negros, as well as in Bacolod—the city of smiles. The Mascara festival ended already, but there were still a lot to see.

First stop: Balay Negrense. A restored house of Victor Gaston—a Negrense sugar maven during the 1900s—and his one dozen children. I found the place quaint with a touch of creepiness. I am a fan of old houses but I also have a wild imagination; so not-so-nice images kept on appearing in my mind.

Second Stop: Aboy's to eat yummy and affordable food for lunch. We ordered lots of sea foods like talaba (oyster), pagi (stingray), and alimango (crab). I had a plate of talaba and slurped it all. Those talaba sent me home earlier than everybody else that night because of upset stomach.

Third Stop: Tana Dikang's (or Tana Dicang) mansion. Full of awesome and unbelievable Pinoy-made artworks like the painstakingly done wire sculptures of Ian Valladarez; wherein he shapes a continuous piece of wire to a tree, plant, or athlete.

Fourth stop: MO2 Western Hotel. I recommend this place for budget travelers--design and facilities are both practical, whole hotel is clean, and rates are affordable. Room rate is at P1,100 per night and can fit up to three persons.

Fifth stop: Bacolod City Hall. It was so new and grand—we stopped and took photos.

Sixth stop: Bar 21. Swanky yet we were surprised that our total bill was just P2,000+ for eight people.

Seventh stop: Mushu. A hip and happening night-out place in Bacolod. Locals and tourists flocked at the venue while the DJ played popular, in-demand and up-to-date mixed tunes. The DJ was good, I must say.

Eighth stop: Manukan Country. We wouldn't miss the authentic Bacolod chicken inasal— juicy and flavorful—I devoured my pecho sagad-to-the-bones.

Ninth stop: Mambukal Falls. A series of seven small falls that can be seen as you go uphill. It was one of the many highlights of our Negros expedition.

Sulfur hot spring

Tenth stop: my friend Goey Mapa's Japanese rice farm—called Oisca—in Negros Oriental. Picturesque and heavenly; it seemed like a land for rice fairies. The wide property of Goey's family is considered as Canlaon City's model farm and I can clearly see why. All the procedure they do in the farm like seedling and worm cultivation, rice milling, and feed formulation are done with great care and tried-and-tested systems.

Every Monday, there is a flag ceremony and calisthenics attended by all the workers

The oldest--approximately 1,800 years old--and biggest balete tree in the Philippines
can be found in a national park located inside the farm

Painting -like scenery during ani season

Love this! Classic gas pump inside the farm

One shy boy—
the family of Oisca's trusted farmers stayed within the property, too

Not just rice, but also Tilapias are grown in the farm

Eleventh stop: Goey's cousin's mini zoo. I thought Goey was joking when he told us that his cousin has a zoo. But those animals were no joke all! There were many species of reptiles including snakes, lizards and turtles; and birds that you unusually see.

Twelfth stop: Villa Indo where we ate our late lunch before we went to the airport.

Ariel's Point: 43feet Cliff Jump

If you--like me--are in the look out for an experience that will bring chills to your spine then jumping off a 43-feet high cliff at Ariel's Point, Boracay is for you! 


I really made sure that my friends and I went to Ariel's Point when we were at Boracay. Our balik-bayan friend--Isay--from Canada paid for all of our entrance fees. Yes! That was P1,500 per person for one whole day with unlimited jumps  from all the five platforms; open bar with bottled water, soft drinks, rum cola and beer; lunch buffet; merienda; and other stuff to do like snorkel or canoe.

The highest platform is at 42.65ft to be exact. I was still hangover  from the night before--that made the jump so much easier. Well, I actually did not jump, I just stepped off the plank and made sure that I kept my body straight. Then waited for what seemed like forever for my feet to hit the water. I thought I died already! 

Raffy and I were the only ones who tried the highest plank. 

Iza and Joel chose the second highest plank.

We all cheered on Joel for minutes before he was able to do his thing--flip off the plank. It was all worth it. I'm glad Raffy was able to capture the stunt on photo.

We all had lots of fun, excitement, sense of accomplishment and laughter. We just had to laugh at ourselves while we all share our off-the-plank experiences. Plus, I think we were all still drunk. 

Jen and Jay's Wedding: 50s Theme

Two of my close friends, Jen Bendo and Jay Yap, got hitched the 50s way. All the aspects of the wedding including the bride and entourage's dresses, bridal car, reception set-up and even the guests' outfits were crafted to match the said decade. 

The 50s fashion is known for its structure, simplicity and elegance. The bride's dress and head gear without doubt captured the 50s style--simple yet lovely.

The entourage dresses were also so 50s. Different cuts where used but the yellow and gray combination was maintained for uniformity.

Shoes- matching gray pumps

Me and my bestfriend Nica

The bridal car--looked like it time traveled from six decades down.

And this photo is the ultimate 50s wedding car shot. 

The guests were asked to wear their best 50s fashion rendition, too!

The wedding was held at Caluruega Church in Tagaytay. 

Oh, yes, they were very happy during their day--always were, always will be.