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Philippines now has an Island Cruise Ship that will cater to island hoppers who include foreign and local travelers of the country.

The 7107 Island Cruise Ship will provide 5 star luxury accommodation to its shippers according to Esteban C. Tajanglangit Sr., businessman and owner of the cruise. It’s probably the first Island Cruise in the Philippines with 137 rooms and can accommodate 400 guest.

The 7107 Island Island Cruise Ship will cruise its route Three top Island destination in the Philippines Coron Palawan, Puerto Gallera and the Beautiful Island of Boracay. Foreigners especially Koreans National are now reserving for the said cruise that will cost them almost $ 125. US or 5500 Philippines peso a day.

Travel agencies don’t have any information for now about the Cruise Ship accommodation and prices. The Island Cruise Official website is not yet launched. I am sure this will be another “Wow” for the Philippines Tourism and this means more jobs for Filipino sea fearers.

My cousin Helen sent me some photos of the Panaad Park and Stadium with her sister Honey Lyn and our ever beautiful Aunt Marissa through during the Panaad Festival last week. When I saw those pictures, they reminded me of those times when I would always be there. Every festivity such as the early provincial sport events, rescue olympic events and the like, most of the local government from the province have always participated. It was when I was still a part of the Medical Support Team (Medic) of Sagay City Health Office.

Panaad sa Negros is a “Mother of All Festivals” In the “Sugar capital of the Philippines” in Negros Occidental. This festival started in 1993 as a thanksgiving celebration for the good life in Negros. It features 32 festivals from every 13 cities and 19 towns in the province. The festival showcases Negros cities and its towns’ history, culture, trade, agriculture, tourism and other industries. Venue has always been at Barangay Mansilingan in the “City of Smile,” also known as Bacolod City.

“Festival of Festivals” is celebrated from April 26 and end up last May 3, 2008 where this year’s Panaad sa Negros Festival, on its 15th year were focused more on showcasing the best of Negrense history and culture through its songs and dances, aside from its arts, sports, products and tourism destinations. Each local government is provided a booth to decorate and open to the public with the display of history and culture, native products including food, among others. With its annual celebration, there is also the  “Best of Festival Dances” competition during the first day. It seems that each year is more meaningful than the previous year because of the research on historical roots and production.

Search for Lin-ay sang Negros 2008 (Miss Negros 2008) and other minor and major competitions such as Pop Idol, Banda Diri, Banda Didto - elementary and secondary levels, Latin Dance Competition, Pop Dance Showdown, Panaad Livelihood Skills Olympics, On-the-Spot Painting Contest, songwriting competition, folk dance showcasing the Negrense dances, Composo and among others were also held during the festivity. 

I really miss those times.  One more thing I will never forget is when my last girl friend first visited me in Negros Occidental. Even though her family’s roots were also from Negros, she was raised for most of her life in Manila and the Panaad Stadium was the very first place where I brought her along to see. And that’s the last time I visited the place for more than 8 years now. My girl friend and I never had a chance to see and visit the place again how I wish to let her see the place now that are married.

My family counts ourselves happy that the place we stay is quite near B Mansion, an affordable yet comfortable Hotel and Resort in Makati.

Whenever we have relatives from abroad who would visit, we almost always refer them to B Mansion. From its brochure, I also noted that OFWs are its primary target market. That is why the place is usually available on pre-reservation basis rather than walk ins. When my sister and her family had a renovation done to their place, we also had them stay temporarily at the B Mansion. We’re such a familiar face especially because we let our son  swim there about twice a week this summer.

The nice thing about B Mansion is that it maintains a homey atmosphere in terms of how they treat you from the time you check in, the way they serve your breakfast till your check out. This is something you don’t easily get from other similar hotels and resorts nearby. The staff is friendly and they make you feel a VIP whenever you’re there, just as our experience has always been with Ms. Beth de Leon and Mr. Boy Ibaňez among others.

B stands for “Baluyot,” a family who is famous for their political, business and medical affiliations in Makati City.

My wife is about to leave for Jakarta Indonesia next week for her client presentation. I am hoping that she could get better flight deals because my son and I would like to join her.  I know that there are lots of beautiful places there also.

Jakarta is the capital city of the Republic of Indonesia where the famous Central Museum is located. The museum is established in 1778 by U.M.C. Rademacher under the auspices of the Batavia Association of Arts and Sciences. It offers historical, prehistorical, archaeological and ethnographic aspects of Indonesia through its extensive collection of artifacts and relics which dates as far back as to the Stone Age.

Some places draw special memories. L’Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines is one example. It was in this hotel when I met my future in-laws in 2001 as they are also based in Negros Occidental. Although I came from the same province, I’ve been based in Manila since College. This is why Kit and I used to have a long-distance relationship because he used to work in this province back then.

I still remember how we met. I was actually on fieldwork in Bacolod. In between the job, Kit suggested that it was time to meet his parents, sister and other relatives. They were the one who fetch me from the airport and took me to the hotel. We then had lunch but  my in-laws left dinnertime for me and Kit alone. That’s how understanding they are. 
Fast forward to the present, I still smile whenever I happen to bump into this hotel whether actual or through the internet. It will always be special to me.

My wife has been asking me to visit Vigan ilocos Sur in order to see the old heritage houses there and those beautiful places in Ilocos. I told her it’s really far, and that maybe I could bring her to Silay City instead of Vigan.

I remember when we were having our hospital duty at Silay General Hospital during my college nursing days at Colegio de San Agustin – Bacolod, we had to wake up early because Manong will leave at 6 am. He was our driver for almost three years of hospital duties for both morning and night duties where we had to attend almost more than 10 birth deliveries a night back then.

Of these moments, what I will never forget was when we were having our last duty in Silay. Manong toured us for free in all of those old houses in Silay. He served as our tourist guide. This houses were densely concentrated and you can easily walk from one to the other. Some remain in private hands with the people living there quite literally living in the past. These may be closed to the public, but there are many that are open and a stroll around the city will bring you face to face with history.

Worthy of note was the home of rich and famous people before like Victor Gaston, son of a French sugar baron who settled in the Philippines. Bernardino Jalandoni who built a museum in 1908, Vicente Conlu Montelibano’s house, Maria Ledesma Golez’ house which has been converted to the Silay branch of RCBC bank, while the Angel Araneta Ledesma house, also known as the “Green House”, is currently used as the Silay culture and tourism offices. and Kapitan Mariano Montelibano Lacson’s house.

I also remember Manong brought us to the known haunted house in Silay. I don’t if it’s true though. Neverthless, I wish I could bring my family also in Silay someday.