THE last month of 2018 was a busy month for many of us. For my part, it was a time to wrap up several work-related matters and organizing a family trip abroad. It was also a satisfying month as I celebrated with my fellow bloggers in the Negrense Blog Awards, travelled with my mother for the first time, and took time off from work.
Negrense Blog Awards
The first-ever Negrense Blog Awards was held in partnership with La Consolacion College-Bacolod Graduate School, Megaworld Corporation, and Merzci Bread and Pastries.
Recognized during these awards were Jojo Vito for the Best Travel Blog, Best Business Blog and Best Parenting Blog; Eduardo Joven for the Best Food Blog; Glady Reyes for the Best Lifestyle Blog, and Mea Pabiona for the Best Beauty and Fashion Blog.
Merzci awarded yours truly, Sigrid Lo and Jojo Vito for the Merzci’s Choice for Best Feature Story. Megaworld’s Choice for Best Feature Story was given to Eduardo Joven. Present during the awarding were Megaworld senior assistant vice president and head for public relations and media affairs Harold Geronimo, Megaworld senior social media and digital supervisor MJ de Leon, Jeremy Lo who represented Merzci president and CEO Jonathan Lo, Merzci marketing manager Femmy Lee Magbanua, and LCC-Bacolod vice president for external affairs and dean of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education Ma. Mercedes Joson.
Negros Occidental Provincial Tourism Officer Tin Mansinares also took this opportunity to give the Provincial Tourism Special Citation plaques to this author, Jojo Vito and Glady Reyes for helping promote Negros Occidental through our respective blogs.
With the theme of “Negros Occidental: Tukibon Naton,” students of LCC-Bacolod also competed in two categories: Blogging and Video Blogging. The Best Blog Story went to Geiczar Ross Real followed by first runner-up Nadia Diana Casas and second runner-up Lisette Dayo. The Best Video Blog was awarded to Ronald Lubiano followed by the group of Louie Pagdato, Ariel Toriales, and Krizah Ann Ramos for first runner-up, and the group of Louie Pagdato, Catherine Marañon, and Jose Antonio Cuenca Jr. as second runner-up.
Family travel
It was the first time for me, my mother and my sister to travel together abroad. In fact, it was the first for my mom to leave the country. We felt the chilly December breeze in Taiwan, especially in Taipei and even down south in Taichung City. I’ll write a separate article about our whole Taiwan adventure here in my column. Overall, it was a great way to spend Christmas in the vibrant environs of Taiwan.
Staycation in Bacolod
The Christmas Village at Stonehill Suites, both outdoors and indoors, has become an attraction for those in Bacolod City. It was a well-deserved rest and relaxation after several days of travelling by spending a night in the posh interiors of this new hotel. It’s another option on where to stay for those who are Bacolod bound.
December came by so fast and we are now in the year 2019. I wonder what’s in store and what new roads will open up before us. It will be another exciting adventure with more things to see in Bacolod and more places to explore outside of it.