November in Negros

General Juan Araneta Monument

The first week of November began with a down pour  all over the island, but this did not stop us to go around and visit about eight cemeteries around as a part of tradition on all saints and all souls day to offer flowers and light a candle for the departed and say a little pray for our beloved friends and family. Some tombs  had so many flowers and colourful candles, some we visited in the evening did not have flowers at all, perhaps forgotten.  Neneng who owns a flower shop at reclamation area by the mall had so many orders even on the 31^st and had to decline walk in clients. A small basket cost Php150.00 or Php2,000.00 for the bigger ones, beautifully arranged , as loyal clients we ordered a day ahead and two flower shops were already helping each other just to meet orders.  In public cemeteries, it was like a maze, all free spaces were filled up, we walked over tombs to reach the resting place of family, we even saw an empty, old and destroyed coffin leaning over one tomb, scary and how I wish there was proper land use for public resting places as well. In private cemeteries, tombs are properly arranged and flowers are well guarded, some had fun and games, St. Peter had pink coffin standing for the living to do a selfie while inside. 

                             Nearby was Ilog river, color of water was like coffee with cream but this did not stop the 42 seater Balsa River Cruise to take tourist around, we were almost late due to heavy traffic in places with cemeteries by the road from Sum-ag to Kabankalan . 

We made it and was boarding when we arrived, some kids were celebrating their birthday, it was the first time for family to come and my third , the food was good, we had drinks and coffee, liquor is not allowed,  they have two trips daily 12 noon and 3 pm,  there were a lot of birds by the river and we enjoyed music while on board.

In Silay was also a celebration of Kaon Ta where visitors tried the local delicacies,  a boodle fight took place , the Magikland mascot and cast were also there to entertain guests, the two day affair was indeed a success. Jason and Virna Tan with son came again and never misses the event, they had a good time and ate Pato sa Tuba by the Unsons, Garlic Lumpia by Belleza, Adobong Milyonaryo by Monsigno Gigi Gaston plus Buttercake by Emma Lacson. Most of the Tour Guides came to eat and join the print making session with Reena Gamboa.

Little MIss Bago 2019 First Princess Orahbella Julia Lirazan Sitchon

Negros day was a celebration like no other, Bago with its Al Cinco de Noviembre, with the monument of General Juan Araneta adorned with an array of wreathes and the annual Sigabong sang mga Kanyon with Barangays  Balingasag and Poblacion as Champion. San Carlos City on the other hand celebrated the 27^th Pintaflores Festival with a street dance competition with Tribu Euzkara of Julio Ledesma National High School as Grand Champion receiving special awards in Best in Street Dance, Best in Ritual , Best in Choreography, Best in Head Dress, Best in Costume, Best in Human Flower Formation and Best in Musicality. Outstanding Negrenses were also recognized at the capitol like Community Workers in the field of Arts and Culture Rudy Reveche , and in the field of Organic Agriculture and Sustainability Jet Orbida as Awardees among others. Congratulations!

Today the Department of Tourist will conduct a continuing education for tour guides and Barrier Free Training for Tourism Stakeholders at the Sugarland Hotel. For more information, you may call the Negros Occidental Tourism at 433-2515/476-2018.

If you are into good food and love adobo, let us visit Casa Gamboa in Silay on Saturday and Sunday for the Adobo Festival, See yahh!