As I was searching for some old pictures sent to me by my friend Matt for our future gallery portion of our batch website, I saw this old picture of me with my two classmates in Nursing at the Colegio de San Agustin - Bacolod standing along the entrance of a resthouse. I remember it was taken more that 10 years ago. If I am not mistaken it was taken around 1994 during one of our outings in one of the pride destinations which is the Mambukal Mountain resort in Barangay Minoyan, Murcia Negros Occidental, Philippines.

It was not yet fully developed at that time. The pools were already constructed but some of the cottages were not yet properly taken cared off. Unlike today after visiting my friend, a former school mate in CSA-B who is presently working in the tourism department of the province shared about the latest developments on the resort.

The site is also where my former boss and former Mayor of Sagay City, Negros Occidental gave an award as he named the city one on the cleanest cities of the province and even in the region. He is Joseph Maranon, now governor of Negros Occidental. But sadly I received an information that he passed away just a week ago. My deepest sympathy and prayers to the family of my former boss. He was the one who gave me an opportunity to serve in the local government of my “kababayan” in Sagay City.  He served the province for almost 7 years in his 3 terms of office.

Mambukal is once again and now Negros Occidental’s premier resort and tourist

destination. The improvement of Mambukal continues with the inauguration of the 300-person capacity convention center and the operation of the newly renovated Ishiwata Bath House.

Mambukal Resort lies 1,200 feet above sea level and serves as a gateway to the Mt. Kanlaon Volcano. It was originally developed by a Japanese architect named Ishiwata in 1927, 23.6 hectares resort started as a bath house and picnic garden before.and the favorite place of mostly  Negrenses. A big mountain stream, fed by several tributaries, descends in a series of seven falls and cuts through the center of theresort, feeding the swimming pools and boating lagoon.

Aside from its warm dipping pool  also boasts a number of hot sulfur springs

Its slopes and dips house interesting rock formations and lush forests of tropical and semi-tropical trees as well as a variety of pines, ferns and orchids that thrive on its cool climate and rich soil, known as Mambukal clay.

Mambukal resort provides strategically located viewing decks or, for more intimate encounters with nature, the Canopy Walk, with its hanging bridges. Or try yourself their Rock Climbing Wall or the Slide for Life. With those old rest house before now the resort has a Tourist Lodge which offers standard rooms and suites. There are single airconditioned cottages or camp sites to choose from as well as picnic sheds for day visitors.

Mambukal has a conference room and various function rooms available for business meetings and functions. The resort’s regular programs and special events such as bat, bird and firefly watching and the annual Mudpack Festival are fast becoming a rave among artists and tourists from all over the world.

With the help and support of the Department of Tourism, it is no wonder that Mambukal resort will not only be know in Negros but in the whole country and maybe the world.

 We always love to eat in Super Bowl of China. My wife was the one who introduced me to this Chinese restaurant when Denice and I were still not married then. Evrytime I would visit her in Manila we would always have our date in Super Bowl. I will never forget the menu she made me try and these remain the dishes I keep ordering until now; crispy noodles with beef brisket, beef broccoli, lemon chicken, fried chicken and their fried rice with salted fish. Since then we still keep on coming back to the restaurant. I fell in love with its crispy noodles since noodles are really my favorite dish eversince. My Japanese blood could also be the reason why I love noodles so much.

Every time we have visitors, friends and relatives from the province we always recommend Super Bowl because foods there are delicious and not as pricey as the other restos. Service is also fine, you get your order in no time even when we have to wait for how many minutes before we could have our table ready. This is because they usually have long lines of customers lining up especially during lunch and dinner time.

I’m just sad that the restaurant doesn’t serve our favorite crispy noodles nowadays. I also visited their sister restaurant Big Buddha and unfortunately, it’s not served anymore in that place either.

Just hoping that the management or the owner of Superbowl of China and Big Buddah will serve it again…please!

 How does it feel to be king or queen for a day? Perhaps the feeling is somewhat close to when my family happened to check in for an overnight stay at the Regency Suite King of the Hyatt Hotel and Casino.

The hotel’s website describes the accommodation site as ‘a stylish 74-sq.-metre suite with modern decor and unique Filipino artwork complementing the bedroom, living and dining areas, oversized work desk with high-speed Internet and marble bath with tub and rain shower.’  

To add to the amazement, the room offered breathtaking views of Manila Bay and tropical gardens. The accommodation also came with exclusive access to The Lounge so we could hang around and enjoy cocktail hours.

As the night got deeper, I had a taste of Club Oasis first for some spa treatment and jacuzzi splash so I’d feel refresh by the time I get back to the room.

What my husband considered as serendipitous was the sight of two oversized flat screen TV sets in our room. For the first time we didn’t have to compromise. He and my son watched their favorite show at ESPN while I could have my melancholic spree over Cinema Paradiso between the sheets in the king-sized bed. I hardly noticed everyone falling asleep.

The following day, after a brief breakfast buffet at the Market Café, we spent the entire morning at the outdoor pool. If you’re someone who enjoys the resorts yet finds traveling a hassle, perhaps the poolside at the Hyatt Hotel and Casino would do the trick.

Time flew quite fast as we’re having fun. The most difficult part of the agenda was checking out and to leave behind the thought that for once in you’re life, you’re a royalty for a day.

I discovered one form of art. Actually the name was taken from a commercial trademark but it is related to photography. Forgive me on this but I am not sure whether my definition of this is correct. I was just writing this post as a person who loves photography. I just want also to explore this world which is related to photography and it is called Lomography.

It is actually the commercial trademark of Lomographische AG from Austria for products related to photography. I have seen this episode on TV and was fascinated by those photograph results from this kind of camera. Since I enjoy discovering photography, I hope to be able to give it to you someday.

According to Wikipedia, lomography emphasizes casual snapshot photography. Characteristics such as over-saturated colors, off-kilter exposure, blurring, “happy accidents,” and alternative film processing are often considered part of the “lomographic technique.” Users are encouraged to take a lighthearted approach to their photography and use these techniques to document everyday life, as the Lomo LC-A’s small size, simple controls, and ability to shoot in low light encourages candid photography and photo reportage

Here are some sites for those who also heard it for the first time. In these sites, you will be able to visualize what are those photos that are related or called or result of lomography.

1. http://www.lomography.com/
2. http://www.lomomanila.ph/