50 is the new chic: Havaianas turns gold

THE popular and iconic flip-flop brand Havaianas celebrated its 50th birthday in Bacolod City by hosting a party like no other. At the invitation-only bash at the SM City Bacolod Event Center last July 12, Thursday, the guests were beguiled by the array of colors, styles, and combinations of the lifestyle brand that has spread around the world from its home country, Brazil.

A Jane Austen wedding

IT WAS late evening in March 2011; I was cozily tucked in bed, eyes closed. My mind was in the threshold of reverie when I thought I heard Andre’s voice from a distance saying, “Mom, I’m going to propose to Katy.” My desire to sleep overpowered my curiosity, and I tripped to the world of dreams.

How to protect yourself online

RECENTLY my mother’s email account got hacked by a scam artist with a Nigerian IP address (for those of you who don’t know, an IP address is like your computer’s fingerprint). All she did was open an email address and register at a site, which she thought belonged to a prospective client. Mere hours later, all her contacts had been deleted, all her stored messages were gone, and her email address was sending out fake “help me” emails to everyone she knew.

Nene’s homecoming

AFTER a series of holidaying in Ibiza, Nene Lacson, resident of Monte Carlo, Monaco, came home to attend the wedding of good friend, Annie Carmona, in Manila and to visit family and friends here in Bacolod.

Although the trip back to his hometown Bacolod City was merely an overnight stay, he was able to reconnect with his siblings, nephews and nieces. An occasion that highlighted the trip was youngest sister Eva Gorriceta’s 60th birthday! Nene couldn’t pass on that occasion as Eva has been the most attentive sister to all the Lacson-Ledesma siblings.

USLS @ 60: The Journey Continues

AT AGE 60, the human body will have lost about half of its taste buds, perhaps half of its hair, and possibly half of its memory. But while 60 is the age where the human body is ready to retire, an institution at 60 is still making its history; and unlike the deterioration it has brought to the human body, time has only made this institution better and brighter.

The University of St. La Salle remains a shining example of academic excellence in the province and in the region. For sixty years, USLS has sustained in its mission to bring quality Christian education, and to the present it continues to teach minds, touch hearts and transform lives.

Old Spain

THEY say that the Muslims have zero tolerance for any religion that isn’t their own. People call Muslims ‘extremists’, ‘terrorists’ and ‘zealots’. In contrast we like to think of our own Catholic church as open-minded, tolerant of other religions and generally conservative.

Today there are people from both sides of the coin that you can call either religious extremists or agreeable, pleasant folks. But there used to be a time when it was the Muslims who were tolerant of the Christians – and this was in Spain. The same old ghost of an empire that gave us much of our culture and traditions.

The Search for the Sara-Sara

I CRADLE a mug of hot native coffee and inhale a familiar steam. My native coffee is native but is not coffee. How so?

It is sara-sara or a coffee substitute prepared by roasting rice grains, grinding them, and brewing them just like coffee beans.

Bato Balani at Galleria Verde

IF THERE’S an art gallery that has been very accommodating to the local visual artists of Bacolod and Negros Occidental, then it is the Galleria Verde located at the ground floor of Robinsons Cybergate right across the old Bacolod airport.

The woman behind this very favorable relationship with the different art groups here in Bacolod City is Maria Roselyn Solinap, the curator of the said art gallery.

One Sunday high

“CLIMB the mountains and get their good tidings”, John Muir penned. And this we do every time an opportunity comes.

And as most people trooped to the rivers, the seas and the pools on the Feast of St. John the Baptist, we took the opposite road instead - towards the mountain. Our destination - Maricon’s cozy place on top of the hill at Brgy. Igmayaan at Don Salvador Benedicto.

An Italian birthday bash for Cristie

ONE of my dearest friends, the beauteous Cristie Montilla, after much ado about the picking of a suitable venue for her birthday bash with another dear friend Maite Elordi, decided on Italia.

Italia is that cozy restaurant beside Riverside Hospital, as we all know it, or now called the Pablo O. Torre Memorial Hospital. Italia is owned by the young Luzuriaga couple, and aside from featuring good wine and pastas and other Italian cuisine, Italia has also endeavored to showcase various artists. The more recent should be Rodney Martinez.

Jimenez: Hotels in Asia you, too, will enjoy

AS I have always stressed, travel is indeed an education on our selves. That is most important as you could feel and experience the different cultures, behavior, discipline, and the sights and sounds of every country or kingdom that you will visit.

Surplus: A sure fashion hit with a plus

YOU’VE heard of “bigger and better” but with the re-opening of Surplus last June 30 at the South Wing of SM Mall, “smaller and better” applies here.

When the newly refurbished store was unveiled, it sported a totally different look like a dowdy gym instructor who finally got herself a stylist. (“Why, Surplus, you’re…beautiful!”)

The water garden and Forest Park in Taculing

IF YOU’RE a member of the Legion of Mary, you are familiar that every summer, there is something called the outdoor function. This function dates back to the earliest days of the Legion when it was conceptualized by Marie Louis de Monfort, the founder of the Legion of Mary in Ireland.

Although it is not obligatory, it is highly recommended. It may take the form of an excursion, a pilgrimage or, as the name connotes, an outdoor function away from the confines where the weekly meeting is held. It can be either a Curia activity (the Curia being the larger community) or the smaller group called the Praesidium.

The Museum Café's first

TO CELEBRATE its first anniversary last June 24, the Museum Café came up with a whole day fete of a three-course meal. Guido and Gemma Nijssen offered their specialties and more, featuring organic and locally sourced food paired with popular Argentinian wines, Melodia and Via Libre, for lunch and dinner that day.

What started as scrimpy appetizers (one of each of duck rillette and sausage rolls) for me and a girl friend escalated into a gut-busting dinner.

Nunelucio Alvarado: A preview

ART aficionados in Bacolod City and outlying areas were recently treated to a visual feast from Negrense senior artist Nunelucio Alvarado who held a preview of his July 13, 2012 solo art exhibit in Iloilo at the Department of Foreign Affairs Regional Consular Office Bacolod Branch Art Gallery at the East Block Square along the Circumferential Road.

Guest of Honor during the ribbon-cutting ceremony last June 15 was DFA RCO Officer in Charge Joselito Blas, a self-confessed art collector. Multi-awarded and internationally acclaimed visual artist Nunelucio Alvarado presented his newest India ink on paper drawings entitled Fish Oil, Tentasyon, Patdan, The Mader, Relif, Shy Girl, Flower ni Inday, Toxic, Bukog, Ihaw, Kontaminado, and Itlog Baog.

I can't speak all the Englishes

I DE hail you mates. Howzit vriende? Salutations and goode morrow to thee, my goode readers. I grew up speaking English - people usually tell me I sound very natural and that I have an American accent (I don't, all my white friends can tell the difference). I also teach English at a school for Koreans, and I hear the same thing all the time - our Korean friends want to learn English so that they can live and work in Australia.

"Australia?" I usually say, "You know they speak a different brand of English there, right?" they usually respond with either a casual "I know, but same" or a surprised "oh really?" And then I tell them the truth - there's more than one flavor of English in the world, and learning American English will mess with their ability to learn Australian English - the English they actually need.

Another year to be grateful for

THE year 2012 opened with some sadness with the passing away of my dearest Mom. But, at 94 turning 95, the best comforting consolation was that my Mom is now together with Our Lord. Living a full and blessed life filled with giving and receiving love, it was now time for her to come home to her permanent home. Oh the glories that she is now enjoying in the heavenly mansion that the Lord has prepared for her.

Jimenez: A celebration of chefs in Iloilo

IT was, indeed, an evening to celebrate as Iloilo City focused on one event that Friday night of June 15. The affair was “A Celebration of Chefs” held at the La Tolda–The Tent of Plazuela de Iloilo, the newest dining, lifestyle and entertainment destination of the region.

Humbly saying, it was an event conceptualized by your Spotliter Toots when he invited Chef Ram Villaluna, a culinary expert and instructor, to hold a food showcase along with two Ilonggo chefs. Chef Ram picked Chef Miguel Cordova and Pastry Chef Allen Mae Borro-Pido.

Landowners beware

IN yesterday’s issue of the Philippine Star, the Department of Agrarian Reform published the notice of CARP coverage to all landholdings which it intends to compulsorily acquire under the agrarian reform program.

Time is running out for DAR. It has barely two years to complete the land acquisition and distribution under the CARP Extension with Reforms Law which expires by 2014.

Viva los churros!

"C" IS for "churros" and "C" is for "chocolate." Both make up the charming combination of comfort food offered by C's by L' Fisher Hotel-churros in three flavors. One order gives you four pieces of golden-brown Spanish crullers that are crunchy on the outside and soft and warm on the inside, plus the dip of your choice.

The Catholic etiquette for mourning

THERE have been so many deaths of cherished people this first half of the year that eulogies and odes seem to be the preoccupation of these past articles. Just a few days ago, we buried the husband of my good friend Lanibelle Velayo Javelosa, Cirilo G. Javelosa Jr.

Death is such a painful experience for the living. We cry and we grieve and we mourn for our nearest and dearest. We are sad that our loved ones have left us, but the most comforting consolation is the knowledge that they are united with our Creator. We are still here in this valley of tears struggling, coping and trying to live a meaningful life so that when our time is up, we too can be welcomed into the heavenly home.

Internet bravery

IN THE olden days, people used to pray to their war gods, drink weird teas and eat funny-tasting mushrooms to increase their bravado. In this day and age, all we need to do is sit our fat butts down behind a computer screen and let it all go on Facebook, Twitter, or whatever social networking site you’re into. And don’t lie to me—I know you have a Facebook account. If my technophobic parents have accounts, then you have an account too.

The other temple

CURIOUSER, curiouser, as Alice in Wonderland would mutter over something she was perplexed or intrigued about. Curiouser, too, was I over that “other” Chinese temple I would see when I pass by Tangub.

I am a frequent visitor at the Fa Tzang Temple in Shopping, the Fo Guang Shan Yuan Tong along Burgos Street, and the Sian Tian where their cafeteria sells vegetarian fare, yet, I have never set foot on the temple in the southern part of Bacolod.

Bacolod City at 74: Photo Display Galore

JUNE 18, 2012 is a very significant date in the history of Bacolod City, as it was the first time that the Charter Day Anniversary Celebration was held based on the date of the actual signing of Commonwealth Act 326 by then Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon in 1938.

On that very memorable day, I witnessed the 74th Charter Day Anniversary Parade that winded up at the Bacolod City public plaza.

Aesthetically crafted - Desinyo Ilongga

SHE was stooping on what I knew to be one specie of a grass. Knowing that I had already done my usual three turns around the whole area, I stopped and asked her why she was doing such careful trimming of the branches of such plant. Rowena, her name which I later learned, answered that she will use these branches as part of the trimmings of the native stuff she is making. And the rest is this story.

Tea chan

ANYONE who enjoys a cup of tea may want to try tea chan or tea meditation. This tea ceremony allows the participant to set aside some time to relax and be still and take a breather from a harried moment of the day.

Tea chan can help one gain enlightenment. When the mind is at peace, it can think more clearly.

How to survive a sinking ship

THERE’S a storm a ‘coming, and it’s called Butchoy. PAG-ASA doesn’t believe that the 65kmph-wind tropical storm will make landfall, however due to its size and nature it is most likely to affect the winds and behavior of waters to the east.

I’m optimistic – it may not be as bad as a direct hit, but small vessels like your common bangka and kumpit are going to be hit bad. But if you’re really, truly unlucky, then the storm will increase in speed and zoom this way.

The story behind Our Lady of Perpetual Help

THE month of June celebrates many important feasts. There is the feast of San Antonio de Padua—a special saint to me—last June 13, then this Friday was the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and on the 27th is Our Lady of Perpetual Help, although this year the fiesta will be celebrated in Bacolod this weekend the 17th .

The Lovely Lin-ays of Silay

THE search for a beauty queen is a tough job, as I have discovered at the Lin-ay sang Silay 2012 pageant. Yet it’s a really rewarding one, not only because I get to meet up close the lovely candidates but also because I get to realize that there are a lot of young ladies who possess inner beauty as well.

Judging at the search gave me a more intimate view of the 16 women who represented the barangays of the city and I was impressed by their intelligence, their drive, their love for their families and country, and pride in their city.

Bacolod City at 74: Naga Ratsada

WE CAN’T change the world overnight but we can change things little by little. One activity that aimed to bring about some positive change, especially in the lives of little children, was the Poster Design Making Contest that was held at the Robinson’s Place Bacolod Fountain Area last June 12, 2012 with the theme “Bacolod: Naga Ratsada.”