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Read the rest of Bacolod’s Masskara Festival 2011 [PHOTOS]

© 2011 Junnjun Mendoza | Gigs Ilonggo - Iloilo Lifestyle Blog | Permalink | Be the first to comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Bacolod, Bacolod City, Bacolod Events, Bacolod Festivals, Bacolod Tourism, Bacolod Travel, Festivals, Masskara Festival, MassKara Festival 2011, Negros Festival, Negros Occidental, Negros Occidental Festivals, Tourism Negros

This year marks the 32nd celebration of the MassKara Festival with the theme “Celebrating the New icons of Bacolod”.

It talks about the new structures all over the city which symbolizes Bacolod’s progress making it one of the country’s growth center. Some of these new icons include Bacolod City Government Center, Pope John Paul II Tower, SM City Bacolod, East Block, The Chalet of L’Fisher Hotel, Planta Hotel, and Art District.

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Read the rest of Bacolod MassKara Festival 2011 Schedule

© 2011 Junnjun Mendoza | Gigs Ilonggo - Iloilo Lifestyle Blog | Permalink | Be the first to comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Bacolod, Bacolod City, Bacolod Events, Bacolod Festivals, Bacolod Tourism, Bacolod Travel, Festivals, Masskara Festival, MassKara Festival 2011, Negros Festival, Negros Occidental, Negros Occidental Festivals, Tourism Negros, Visayan Festivals

This year’s celebration is slated on February 3-6, 2011. Negrenses welcome the Year of the Rabbit with the theme “Hopping Towards Prosperity”.

Bacolaodiat is coined from “Bacolod” and “Lao Diat” – a Fokien word for celebration.

A grand parade, fireworks display, dragon dance and other various events will be held at 4th to 17th Lacson Streets while the Chopsticks Alley, a food and fair strip, one of the most sought-after during the celebration will be at the North Capitol Road.

Below is the summary of what’s happening in the Bacolod’s Bacolaodiat Festival 2011.

Bacolaodiat Festival 2011 Schedule:

February 3, 2011
Grand Parade – 5pm, with colorful and larger-than-life zodiac animals
Chopsticks Alley Opening – 6pm, along North Capitol Road
Cultural Show – 6:30pm
Symphonty of Lights and Sparks – 9pm

February 4, 2011
Parade of Mascots and Street Acts – 4pm, North Capitol Road
Kapuso Night – 5:30pm, with GMA Network artists, Fireworks Display and live bands

February 5, 2011
Lion and Dragon Dance Street Exhibition – 6pm
Lantern Dance Parade – 8pm
Giant Rabbit Lantern Showcase – 10pm

February 6, 2011
Bacolaodiat Festival 2011 Closing and Awarding Ceremonies, SM City Bacolod

January 17-31, 2011
Bacolaodiat Through the Years Photo Exhibit, SM City Bacolod East Bridgeway
Chinese Minority Costumes Exhibit, SM City Bacolod East Bridgeway

February 6-12, 2011
The Zodiac Animals Display, SM City Bacolod Al Fresco Areas

[Photo Courtesy: http://www.byahilo.com/]

© 2011 Junnjun Mendoza | Gigs Ilonggo - Iloilo Lifestyle Blog | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Bacolaodiat, Bacolaodiat Festival, Bacolaodiat Festival 2011, Bacolod, Bacolod Chinese New Year, Bacolod City, Bacolod Events, Bacolod Festivals, Negros Occidental Festivals, SM City Bacolod

The tower is composed of seven (7) stories with a relatively small floor area that made it really look like a tower. The Pope celebrated a Eucharist on this actual site before an assembly of almost a million people on February 20, 1981 during his memorable visit.

This landmark stands in a 700 square-meter lot at the  reclamation area within the Bacolod Real Estate Development Corporation (BREDCO) area just across SM City Bacolod. An 8-foot sculpture of the Pope was also built beside to complement the tower.You can have a clear and crisp panoramic view of Bacolod and the Guimaras Straight here than anywhere else in the city for FREE. No entrance fee or something to be paid but there is no elevator in the building, you have to trek your way up until you reach the summit of the tower.

SM City Bacolod

BREDCO

Also exhibited inside the tower are the memorabilia and photos of the Pope’s visit.

© 2010 Junnjun Mendoza | Gigs Ilonggo - Iloilo Lifestyle Blog | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Bacolod, Bacolod City, Bacolod Tourism, Bacolod Travel, Pope John Paul II Tower, SM City Bacolod

Bacolod has its own version of the Chinese New Year celebration every year as such that of Iloilo called Bacolaodiat. Etymologically, Bacolaodiat is coined from “Bacolod” and “Lao Diat” – a Fokien word for celebration. It was started 5 years ago and now it is a much anticipated event in the city that draws attention to every Bacolodnon even outside of the Filipino-Chinese Community. The main purpose of this event aside from celebrating the new year of the Lunar calendar is the assimilation of the Chinese with their Filipino brothers and sisters, and bringing the Chinese culture to a better understanding.

This year’s edition is set on February 12 to 14, and will feature Chinese national ethnic costumes that were specially ordered from China. There will also be street, lion and dragon dances, food festivals that will showcase the Chopsticks Alley – all Chinese food fest, and cultural programs featuring the colorful Chinese traditions.

This year’s theme centered to “Leap of courage with renewed vitality.”

Below is the list of detailed activities of the 3-day Bacolaodiat Festival 2010 for your perusal.

February 12, 2010
4:00 pm Chopsticks Alley North Capitol Road (beside the provincial lagoon)
4:30 pm Dazzling Grand Parade (Bacolod plaza to Provincial Lagoon)
6:30 pm Convergence (A Tsinoy Show)
9:00 pm Symphony of Lights & Sparks (Fireworks Display)
9:30 pm Globe Night – Live Band

February 13, 2010
4:00 pm Chopsticks Alley North Capitol Road (beside the provincial lagoon)
7:00 pm Lantern Street Dancing Competition (Lagoon to 22nd Lacson St.)
10:00 pm Symphony of Lights & Sparks (Fireworks Display)
10:30 pm Rexona Night – Rico Blanco Live
12:00 am Closeup Lovapalooza (Kissing Couple)

February 14, 2010
4:00 pm Chopsticks Alley North Capitol Road (beside the provincial lagoon)
5:30 pm Kapuso Night
9:00 pm Symphony of Lights & Sparks (Fireworks Display)

ILOILO CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL 2010 SCHEDULE

© 2010 Junnjun Mendoza | Gigs Ilonggo - Iloilo Lifestyle Blog | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Bacolaodiat Festival, Bacolaodiat Festival 2010, Bacolaodiat Schedule 2010, Bacolod, Bacolod Chinese New Year, Bacolod City

The mansion of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson (1865 – 1948) or better known today as The Ruins is one of the tourist magnets in Negros Occidental. It has amused visitors both foreign and local alike with its majestic architecture. It was built in  an Italianate architecture with neo –Romanesque twin columns. The materials used for the foundation and main structure of the manse was made of an A-grade mixture of concrete with oversized steel bars and a finishing of egg whites mixed with cement. Don Mariano Lacson is a very rich “haciendero” at that time that affords him to build such this kind of magnificent residence in the middle of his sugarcane farm plantations. It has been said to be one of the largest residential structure ever built at that time. It was constructed after his wife Maria Braga died, and out of despair he had his and her initials molded onto the posts that represented Mariano and Maria. The surrounding field and the garden of the mansion are beautifully landscaped with a 4-tiered fountain at the middle fronting the main door. Right in front of the gate is the “Simborio” a local name for the smokestack used then in the production of the mascovado sugar from the crops of the sugarcane.

During the World War II, the USAFFE (United States Armed Forces in the Far East) or the then guerilla fighters in the Philippines burnt the mansion to prevent the Japanese forces from expending it as their headquarters. But the structure was very rigid that it withstood the fires that could turn it into ashes, because of its strong foundations and superior materials. The fire has eaten the roof and the 2-inch wooden floors of the mansion, hence it is now called “The Ruins”.

The Fountain’s view from the main door

Most of the structures and parts of the house are still the original construction built about a century ago. To sustain the visitors with some modern facilities various new conveniences was developed including the 18-hole mini-golf course. The Ruins has served also as the venue for various parties, weddings and other events including concerts and plays. They also take pride in their modern, semi-fine dining restaurant which serves some of the dishes that are originals from the menu of the Lacson family.

Overlooking the Simborio (Chimney)

The Fountain overlooking the Simborio

The Restaurant

The Souvenirs

The Entrance

The way to The Ruins

If you happen to drop by Negros Occidental, don’t miss to visit The Ruins in Talisay. Bring your cameras with you; I tell you, a picture-perfect splendid masterpiece is right there standing, waiting to be devoured by your lenses. The most ideal time to visit is in between 3 and 4 in the afternoon, where the old grand mansion and its surroundings turn golden; unluckily when I visited during the Masskara Festival 2009 it was partly cloudy. I’ll surely visit this oasis again and again, I can’t get enough of its grandeur.

The Ruins c/o Raymond H. Javellana
Sta. Maria Farms, Bo. Simborio
Talisay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines
Mobile: +63 917 8326003
Telephone: +63 34 476-4334
Website: http://theruins.multiply.com

© 2009 Junnjun Mendoza | Gigs Ilonggo - Iloilo Lifestyle Blog | Permalink | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Bacolod, The Ruins, Tourism Negros

This year’s event marked the 30^th year of unleashing smiles and the celebration was grander than the previous ones. Tourists both local and foreign alike were everywhere during the fete and you can see the eagerness in them to witness such a colorful and eclectic street dance with sightly and intricately crafted masks along the thoroughfares of Bacolod. An innovative addition to the usual street dance competitions was introduced this year, the “Electric Masskara Ledge Dancing”. During nighttime street parties were held mostly along the stretch of Lacson Street closing down the area to the vehicles. There were stages in every corner with bands playing all through the night to entertain the partying crowd.

Masskara is held every 3^rd week of October, a weeklong celebration that includes mask-making contest, food fairs, brass band competitions, beauty pageants (i.e. Ms. Masskara) and so much more.

Below are some photos during the highlights of the street dance competitions held on the last day of the event. Here are the winners of the street dance competitions.

Fireworks Display after the Charter Day Countdown

© 2009 Junnjun Mendoza | Gigs Ilonggo - Iloilo Lifestyle Blog | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Bacolod, Masskara Festival

Here are the Official list of winners of the recently concluded Masskara Festival 2009 of Bacolod. The street dance competitions was held last October 16 and 17 along the streets of Araneta going to the Plaza where the finale performance was held.

OPEN Category

Grand Prize Winner: Barangay Taculing
1st Runner-up: Barangay Mandalagan
2ndRunner-up: Barangay 23

Special Awards:
Best in Mask: Barangay Mandalagan
Best in Costume: Barangay Taculing
Best in Choreography/Concept: Barangay Taculing

BARANGAY Category

Grand Prize Winner: Barangay Taculing
1sd Runner-up: Barangay Mandalagan
2nd Runner-up: Barangay Bata

Special Awards:
Best in Mask: Barangay Mandalagan
Best in Costume: Barangay Taculing
Best in Choreography/Concept: Barangay Taculing

© 2009 Junnjun Mendoza | Gigs Ilonggo - Iloilo Lifestyle Blog | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Bacolod, Masskara Festival, Negros Festival, Tourism

October 1
• Opening Program – Bacolod Plaza
• Senior Citizen Day – BAYS Center
• Dep. Ed Opening Day – Bacolod Plaza
• Festival Sites Opening – Bacolod Plaza

October 3
• Dep Ed Cultural Presentation -BAYS Center

October 4
• Senior Citizen Cultural Presentation – BAYS Center

October 5
• Parade and Coronation Night of the Elderly – BAYS Center

October 7
• Just Dance… G Force Live in Concert – West Negros University

October 9
• MassKara 2009 Arnis Open Competition – BAYS Center

October 10
• Night of the Press Club Stars
• Ms. Gay MassKara Talent Night – BAYS Center
• Karera sa MassKara ’09 (motorcycle drag race) – Old Bacolod Airport

October 11
• Ms. Gay MassKara Pageant Night – BAYS Center

October 15
• Search for MassKara Queen ‘09
• IPAO Mid Year Convention sa MassKara – L’Fisher Hotel

October 16
• MassKara Drag Race Competition – Old Bacolod Airport
• Street Dancing School Category – Araneta St. – Plaza
• Opening Electric MassKara – Tourism Strip, Lacson Streets

October 17
• Barangay Category Street Dance Competition -• Araneta St. to Plaza

October 18
• Street Dancing Open Category – Araneta St. to Plaza
• Countdown to Charter Day – NGC (main stage) Satellite Stages in Lacson St. and Araneta St.

October 19
• Bacolod City 71st Charter Day

Photo Courtesy: http://www.photo.net.ph/blogalicious

© 2009 Junnjun Mendoza | Gigs Ilonggo - Iloilo Lifestyle Blog | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Bacolod, Masskara Festival, Negros Festival

SuperCat Fast Ferry Corp. once again had opened its operations in Bacolod and Iloilo after its closure in 2005. SuperCat has been known as the most convenient vessel to ply Bacolod-Iloilo route. With its cozy seats and faster travelling time no wonder SuperCat has been a favorite ride of passengers from and to Bacolod and Iloilo. MV SuperCat 25 has a 204 passenger capacity and has a speed of 25 knots which travel at the rate of one hour and 15 minutes in both ways. SuperCat will have eight trips daily from Bacolod to Iloilo and vice versa.

SuperCat has constructed a new terminal building in Iloilo near the Weesam Express terminal to accommodate passengers and a new facility also in Bacolod with free wi-fi access. They will also deploy personnel with canine dogs to ensure the safety of the passengers. SuperCat will be starting its operations on Thursday August 27, 2009 with the passage fare of P280 one-way. However, they are offering promotional fares like 50% discount for return trips and another two days advance booking discount of 20%. Students, on the other hand, get an automatic discount of 15 percent while senior citizens get a 20 percent discount. Supercat Fast Ferry Corp. is owned by the Aboitiz Group of Companies under Aboitiz Transport System (ATS) Corp.

So this is gonna be a good news for those who have frequent trips in both cities (Iloilo and Bacolod). You now got 4 options to take, there is Weesam, Ocean Jet, RoRo in Dumangas and now SuperCat.

Trip Schedule Bacolod – Iloilo
6 a.m.
9 a.m.
12 nn
3:15 p.m

Iloilo – Bacolod
7:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
1:30 p.m.
5 p.m.

© 2009 Junnjun Mendoza | Gigs Ilonggo - Iloilo Lifestyle Blog | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Bacolod, Bacolod Travel, Travelling to Iloilo