Category: Family

Now that the summer season has officially opened, throngs of beach bums and sun worshippers are now rushing to the various beach resorts all over the country. While many still prefers to bask in the aquamarine waters of Boracay, there are still other spots in the Philippines that offer equally white sandy beaches and crystalline waters.

One of them is the province of Negros Occidental. Aside from the moniker as the Sugar Capital of the Philippines, Negros Occidental also boasts of white sandy beaches especially along the northern and southern sections of the province. Various kinds of resorts are available depending on the budget. From the high-end island adventure thrills to the backpacker adventures.

Negros Occidental can be reached via plane or ship from Manila or Cebu and via fast ferry from Iloilo City. Bacolod City, the province’s provincial capital is the gateway to the numerous resorts scattered all over the Negros Island.

When in Bacolod, it is highly recommended to stay in the first and only boutique hotel - The Sylvia Manor. They guarantee excellent hotel service and a sumptuous in-house restaurant offers an eclectic dining experience for their guests. With rates that are just easy on the pocket, The Sylvia Manor is truly a great value for your money.

The Sylvia Manor is located along San Juan of downtown Bacolod. The hotel is just a walking distance from the City Hall, the Bacolod Public Plaza, San Sebastian Cathedral, Manukan Country, and the SM City shopping mall.

More Flights to HK than any other Filipino airline

Cebu Pacific (CEB) will mount a fourth daily service on Manila-Hong Kong starting June 30, 2008 in response to the growing demand for flights to serve this route.

With this additional frequency, CEB will offer the earliest departure from Manila to Hong Kong; as well as the first departure from Hong Kong to Manila than any Filipino airline.

The flight departs at 5:15 am and arrives in Hong Kong at 7:15am every Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. Consequently, the return flight leaves Hong Kong at 7:55am and arrives in Manila at 9:55am.

Meanwhile flights on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday depart for Hong Kong at 5:40am and lands at 7:40am. The return flight to Manila takes off at 8:25am and arrives at 10:25am.

Candice Iyog, CEB VP for marketing and product, said, “With our very encouraging passenger loads, we are very happy to provide our guests with this additional service that will make travel to Hong Kong even more convenient. The additional frequency will also allow travelers to visit Hong Kong early in the morning and return to Manila on the same day.”

One-way fare to Hong Kong starts from P1,499 one way, exclusive of taxes and surcharges.

With the additional flights, CEB will offer the most direct flights to Hong Kong than any other Filipino airline, operating 76 direct flights weekly from Manila, Cebu, and Davao.

The airline will operate 56 flights weekly to Hong Kong from Manila and twelve flights weekly from Cebu. It also announced that it will fly direct to Hong Kong from Davao eight-times weekly beginning May 8, 2008.

The additional frequency will translate to a 30% increase in capacity for CEB’s Manila- Hong Kong service.

Iyog said the best way to get CEB’s lowest ‘Go’ fares to any destination is through its website, cebupacificair.com.

Now in its 13th year, CEB continues to have the youngest fleet in the Philippines. CEB flies to 12, soon to be 15 international destinations, with the addition of Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, and Kaohsiung. CEB also operates flights to 21 domestic destinations.

One of the most memorable moments during my recent trip to Angono in Rizal Philippines is the visit to the Blanco Family Museum. I must admit, I was so surprised at what I saw. An family that is just so blessed with all the talents in visual arts.

I was so amazed to know that one of the Blanco kids, Peter Paul has started sketching at the very young age of eleven months! Wow! It’s just pure talent that runs in the Blanco family blood. Check out the painting below. You will notice that Peter Paul can barely write his name legibly, but his artwork looks so astonishing. Looks like a work of an adult painter.

And all of them are realism painters. This means that their artworks are depicted as they appear in everyday life.

I am just so amazed at their talent. And indeed, visiting Angono will not be complete without going to the Blanco Museum.