5 "Hike to the Seven Falls of Mambukal Resort"

By: Raynier Dominic G. Rivera

Since I got to explore things in different kinds of foods to be offer to Bacolod City. I search something’s to explore and have an adventure like no other activity nearby to burn your calories in your body. I suggestion is a must on everyone’s list  going to Negros Occidental is by communing the nature for the forest in here at Mambukal Resort known for the seven waterfalls adventure to have that will fit on our summer. In simple geological terms, a waterfall is an area in the course of a river or stream where water flows over a vertical drop. In many rivers, there may be a number of drops. The river that flows through Mambukal Resort is an example of such series of waterfalls.

The summer is for you to bond with your family and get together as you do many activities to be learn. I have a filled water parks, or cruising around the island of idyllic. Beaches in here are full of definitely not on the same bodies of water. One of the places is this kind of summer get a ways can be relief from the punishing summer heat. More adventures like hiking, rock climb of the mountains to dip into pristine, cold, fresh and natural pools fed by walls and safe. The last one is they called the cascades of water. It’s very trick and roaring as a waterfall simply to have you a mind, body and spirits to get refreshing yourself. I experience that I have a holistic feelings to my body when I get here.

Mambukal Resort is located at the foot of Mt. Kanlaon and is 1200 feet above sea level giving the “cool mood” to their guests. Travel time maybe 1 hour and after that you must pay the P50 entrance fee, a staff already called a tour guide for the water-falling activity. Joining place like no other that I already do in other places. Most popular day trip destination for those who live in Bacolod City, Negros. Opened its gates to the public to visit.

The waterfall of Mambukal is about fifteen minutes away from the jump off point. Trail is a mixture of a dirt path and rough stone steps because some of the treads of which rises to more than three feet high. Amazing right! Just imagine traversing this path from above. Your body, one slip and you’d probably have an expensive paperweight on your office desk. So take time and feel this place like your resting and enjoying the travel that you had.

It was a lot quicker than we anticipated, waterfall came into a travel time of twelve minutes into the hike. Remember you can swim at this place during your tour but be careful because of the rough stone that the site have. But it has now been prohibited due to the loose rocks falling from the cliff face off the side of the falls. Took a few photo and see it for a few minutes. You will never get disappointed about the place.

The paths were well-marked and even paved in some areas. There were no detours or other paths that branched off so there was absolutely no chance of getting lost if you kept on walking on the other path. The falls weren’t that impressive but I kept on hoping that each fall would be a bit prettier than the next. They simply looked a bit dull were some parts that were steep and carved out of solid rock. Extraordinary falls that they have on this can of location.

"Calea Cakes" 1

By: Jhelaica Maglente

If we are going to talk about a list of good things and their delicious cakes in Negros City. Well, Calea would definitely be on the list. It is located at Bacolod city. But aside from the homey ambience in this dessert shop has of course, the icing on the cake is definitely their delectable cakes that are offered a world class. Because of this cake that are really taste good, I'm excited to bring my cousin Giesel Alfanta because she is the person that really loves to eat in the place that is something unique.

Once you visit their store, I assure that you will be overwhelmed by their wide selection of cakes. The problem is they don't have labels or specific names for their cakes in order for their customers to remember every bit of the detail their cakes have from the color, the flavor, and of course the consistency. It's some sort of marketing strategy but totally, it actually works! Since they don't have signature names, I could help you in describing each and every mouth watering treat. And oh, before anything else, I would like to inform you guys that the cakes in Calea is easy on the pocket. Cake prices range is from 600-800 pesos and if you want just a slice its 70-90 pesos only. Isn't this a great deal guys?

In this picture, for me this is my favorite but nothing special with this 4 different cakes but we've had better albeit not this cheap. Calea pastries and cakes is in a list for any trip to Bacolod. Their array of cakes and pastries makes wonder me but want is even more surprising is their reasonable prices. How I wish we have a Calea here in Manila, but they have so far rebuffed all calls and inquiries to expand here. But actually in the first place I had heard so much about this cakes but I was just ignored about this Lol. :D

So in my visit in Calea no, I mean WE because I'm with my cousin and friends. :) So as expected, we greeted by the cakes and they have a lot of them in all sorts and kinds. Since we could not choose which cakes to try it out and every single one seemed delicious, so we have no choice we tried ALL OF THEM! But it just a one slice per cake. Since they are all kind we would all share. And, I can say that Calea would definitely be the best.

But overall, to be honest I must say that most of their cakes were actually pretty good. I don’t think I liked the sweet ones however and there was not a particular cake that stood out. Most of my friends liked the white chocolate cheese cake while the others also chose the marshmallow one but its hard to chose what is the cakes that you need to try. Either way, it was a good meal. It's affordable and worth trying it, don't miss this delicious cakes in your vacation here in Bacolod, Negros City. Have a great day! God bless! :)

"Panda Ice Cream House" 2

By: Jhelaica Maglente

Your visit to Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental won’t be complete without trying out of these food items in the city “Panda Ice cream House”. They may not be a native delicacies but these are definitely must a try. Me and my cousin Giesel Alfanta asked if where we could find the best ice cream here in Negros then I was shocked that almost everyone pointed us to “Panda Ice Cream Store”. We really actually had a hard time to finding it, but for those planning to try it out, I will led you first,  it is located at along Maria Christina Street just a few steps from Siliman University’s side gate. It is basically an ice cream on a crispy yummy breaded shell served immediately after frying.

We ate it with our hands as we munch on this delicious unique food experience. Price is only 55 pesos for the first piece, and just only 45 pesos on your succeeding pieces isn't it affordable?. But I got curious because how the hell would you combine hot and cold into a yummy dessert? Well indeed, yeah to see is to believe. The Panda Ice Cream Haus serves numerous different ice cream desserts, and beautifully designed at that. So without further ado, we ordered two Panda Fried Ice Cream a Pandan flavor and Ube. Panda actually has its own jingle this is so cutie.

Their fried ice cream is made of a crispy breaded shell like the Cordon Bleu. Size is about 2 inches height. The shell appeals like a plain breaded stuff to me. It is not sweet but it just a crispy. The ice cream is just ordinary, too. But the combine of the two is what made it really special. I don’t know but I just realized that I am a big fan of these “hot & cold” thingy like Choco Lava ala mode Lol. Well I can say it is really yummy. But don't forget that you need to eat it before it totally melts inside the fried dough, otherwise it gets messy to eat and yeah it so sticky. If you want to try it, lots of people recommend ordering the pandan and chocolate flavor.

Panda Ice Cream house is a local shop that has been serving and making ice cream and snacks both,
a hot and cold since 1995. Aside from regular flavors like strawberry and chocolate. The Panda Ice Cream House has more exotic ones like durian, blueberry and choco chili, isn't it amazing? All of their ice cream is made with a fresh fruit, something that manager and owner Royani Dy is proud of. Panda boasts that its ice cream has low fat and less sugar.

Based on Royani says that her family decided to go into the ice cream business in response to El Niño, and hasn’t turned away since. Their ice cream cake is a best seller, as their specially the rainbow cake. They also have a list of splits and sundaes. They also make their own soya milk, which they offer in a different flavors,mocha for the adults and a melon is being the most popular with kids. Panda mainly sells the usual ice cream that you scoop into a cone or cup. Panda’s Fried Ice Cream is something unusual and it’s really worth  trying. Never skip the fried ice cream! :)

"Chicken Inasal" 3

By: Jhelaica Maglente

My cousin Giesel Alfanta that one of a travel blogger but known as the "fat goddess" (because she is fat. haha lol) , take us in a trip around a Bacolod, Negros City in search of the best dishes or foods there. Her favorite chicken inasal resto in Negros City is the Chicken House that located in Bacolod. You will sure of the best chicken and you will enjoy a very good service from their “self-assigned” waiters. The only downside is the serving of a rice, which is way too small. When asked by the waiter, Manong Jun, “Pila ka rice ‘day?” (How many rice would you like to order?), she will promptly answer, “seven.” My cousin likes the feel of “seven” as a word, and I really was shocked about that and you will know what she means when you are at the resto.

Negros celebrate in style. Negros cuisine developed from this eagerness for festivity, though much of this remarkable cuisine is guarded too much jealously in family kitchens. Aside from the dishes cooked with the Spanish influences, probably the most famous dish Negros Occidental is remembered for is Inasal or let's say barbecued marinated chicken. Inasal na Manok is a grilled chicken, marinated in a coco vinegar, garlic, lemon grass, turmeric and ginger. Served with a Java rice, dipping sauce and a atsara perfect with an very ice cold beverage. The Inasal is become a popular dish in the Philippines. 

There are actually two places where you can grab a yummy bite of this chicken inasal. One is the Chicken House and the other one is Manokan Country. Their chicken meals though are a bit pricey but this is base on my standard. They range from 80-100+ pesos without the rice. But if I were you, this is worth for your vacation in Bacolod.

The inclusion of the Manokan Country will not only boost of our tourism efforts but also feature the city as a destination for the entire food lover. Sounds like a simple grilled chicken recipe, isn’t it? Well, but for me it might sound like that one.  Who amongst you in the Philippines haven’t heard of this kind of this dish? I will be surprised if a huge number of the people will say that they haven’t. The Chicken Inasal is all over the place. However, the special marinade and basting sauce makes this Negros version of the grilled chicken an extra special. 

Chicken Inasal and all you can eat rice, doesn’t this sound familiar? Well I think that is what you called “Mang Inasal”. In fact, several restaurant chains that specializing in this dish are in full swing branching-out to dominate its presence in the nearby provinces and in metro manila. If you want your chicken less burn then will advice you to try removing the skin of the chicken before grilling (well this is the tips for as you know the ways how to prevent to burn your chicken :D). This will also make the dish a bit lower in cholesterol. Well, if you want to taste a chicken that will bring you up to the feel like that “I want more and more” then try  to visit the Manokan Country and Chicken Inasal only here in Bacolod, Negros City.

1 "Handicrafts"

By Mariela Mae Rico Adonis

One of the most well known products in Negros is Handicraft. This kind of product is very useful because you can create any designs using by your hand and for those people who are going to try or to buy this kind of product in Negros.

When I’ve been there in Negros last year I really enjoy making or creating handicrafts. And for me it’s a type of work in Negros where I or other people can be useful and do decorative things that are made completely by hand or by using only some simple tools. I’ve learned also in Negros that it is a traditional means of making goods that’s why for me it is a good product.

So, when I visited Negros, I saw many handicrafts that are made by the people who were living there. There are different designs, different colors and different shapes. In Negros I also met a supplier of handicrafts there and that supplier is a really kind person. I learned many things from that supplier about handicrafts. And for me Handicrafts is a product who is easy to make especially for the students who is addicted in making different designs. On the Handicraft shop that I visited they offer a lot of handicrafts. I know that there’s a lot of girls today are really addicted in different types of accessories.

When I was walking in some place in Negros I saw a shop and it has a lot of Handicrafts product. On that shop that I visited it is truly beautiful and if you are going to visit here also for sure you will be amaze in their handicrafts product.

When I went there in Negros, I really liked seeing handicrafts that is made by hands. I found them all pretty since I consider myself as a fashionista. Then I realized that Negros is really a good place when it comes to good handicrafts product.

"Aboy's Restaurant" 4

By: Jhelaica Maglente

If you are in hurry and you are so hungry. ABoy's Restaurant is the answer. We went there together with my cousin and very close friend from Bacolod. It was my first time actually to go there and quite excited to try it. We went inside and ordered, as we were guided by the waiter to our designated place, after maybe 5-7 minutes or so food was served! And I said “WOW” that was really fast! I don't know if this happens all the time, though there were not so many customers at that hour because it was 2:00pm in the afternoon. But nevertheless, I am really impressed by the very good service of their service crew, the food especially the sinigang! Wow! Very delicious!

This is the only place that their serves squid fat, adobo style with vinegar garlic and onion. Many people discard this part of squid not knowing that it can be turned into a delectable dish. It's high in cholesterol so beware of this. You will also love their native grilled chicken (although Manukan Country's and Chicken house is still the best). First timers in Bacolod should make it a point to dine in there to get a taste of what this province has to offer in terms of gastronomic satisfaction and has great yummy foods there.

It’s suits to the events which is parties, anniversaries, weddings. And there’s more! It’s a café place and you can drink beverage with your friends. Aboy's Restaurant that I know it's started as small eatery near in the Burgos Public Market. This resto initially catered office employees of pharmaceutical companies based in Bacolod. The best sellers of aboy's restaurant is their Blue Marlin that cost 110 pesos per 100 g, 900 pesos per kilo, grilled mushrooms that cost 165 pesos, ginataang paguie 125 pesos, and their sinigang na managat 110 pesos.

Aboy's has a really good Filipino turo-turo dishes and options of meats and seafood to cook grilled, sinigang, sizzling and etc. Though specializing in Filipino cuisine, the restaurant is classy and pricey, using old wood, antique hardwood chairs and tables, ethnic decor, and an illusion of being in a garden setting even when indoors. My siblings and cousins from Manila always have one or two meals in Aboy's every time they are in Bacolod (which is at least twice a year).  Aboy's is the preferred restaurant for special occasions and for visitors we really want to impressed.

They offers a variety of home cooked foods and it is the home to fresh seafoods. This restaurant is started as an small eatery and after how many years or so, its became one of the Bacolod Negros City's Best Restaurant. They have already cooked foods that you can choose from the display glass. They served free taragon tea after your meal to assure that you are in a full stomach. So, what are you waiting for? Come, Relax and Visit the aboy's restaurant at liroville, subdivision singcang, Bacolod Negros City.

2 "Negros Abaca Products"

By: Mariela Adonis

Last year, I was very excited when I visited Negros Island. I heard many good things about Negros Island. First am I want to see the beautiful places, delicious foods, hospitable people there and lastly their very nice and good abaca products. 

Abaca is also known as a good product in Negros. It has a quality that other product doesn't have. It is also known with a high quality product in negros which is also you can find around the world not only here in the Philippines. Some people are looking for some decorations or designs mostly the mommy's, which they can put in their house well abaca product, can be used also on that.

As soon as I landed on Negros Island, I check-in at the hotel, and get ready for my tour in Negros. I'll be staying on Negros Island for 1 week so have to make the most of it. At the first day, I travel around Negros Occidental, where I am checked-in. I travel around Negros for two days. And the third days, I already go to Negros Occidental.

The Abaca products really got my attention, because of its beautiful designs and bright colors. There are many designs to choose from, many sizes and also many colors. I scan them one by one to see if they are really well-made and I'm 100 % sure that they are really well-made and handmade. I bought 3 decorations to my house. And after my 5 day trip to Negros I already go straight home.

Actually, the abaca products really fit in my house and they add more beauty and colorful in my house. The colors really fit in everything. And I already have it for like a year now and still looks new and nice. I 

  can clean it easily whenever. 

Abaca product must have for those people who love decorating their house. This product is really high class quality. Not your typical decorations. I totally recommend it for everyone, locals or foreigners.