We have this joke that when you reach the age of 32 you’re no longer in the calendar since it has only a maximum of 31 days. You are now part of the Lotto club since it has numbers up to 49. If you reach 50 then you’re a member of the Bingo club until you reach age 75. After that, well, either you’re dead or you’re too old to …

We should all be concerned about the recent milk crisis caused by melamine contamination of milk from China.

Happy birthday to me! I just turned 32 arggh! Actually I will turn 32 later at dawn. My mother told me I was born at dawn when the band at our barangay chapel plays the “diana”. You see, it was also our barangay fiesta, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. The whole barangay is celebrating my birth! As if they knew  all the while that I’m a gifted child. …

No less than the President herself, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, declared the 29th Masskara Festival officially open yesterday at the Bacolod City Public Plaza. The event is very historic since it’s the first time that a Philippine president graced the opening ceremonies.
As expected, wherever GMA goes, the protesters follow her. GMA’s speech was interrupted by protesters raising placards and shouting “Oust GMA”. She resumed her speech as if nothing happened after the …

The Extra Challenge’s Promdi Episode is one of the most hilarious and entertaining episodes I’ve watched. It was aired in 2005 featuring actress and beauty queen Ruffa Gutierrez, international VJ Donita Rose, and international recording star Jasmine Trias. The three celebrities were challenged to take on tasks which they probably never imagined themselves doing. Those tasks are quite familiar for a Promdi (from the province) like me but for the …

Are you afraid of the Balete? Certainly not this Promdi. Well, at least not anymore. It is said in Filipino folklore that the Balete tree is enchanted and mystical beings like tikbalang, kapre and dwende live in it. People who grew up in the the Philippine provinces must have heard stories of people hurt by beings inhabiting a Balete tree.  As much as possible never get close to them unless …

Folklore stories are always part of Filipino life and culture. We grew up hearing stories about aswang, tikbalang, dwende and other mystical creatures believed to live among us. Others have swore to have seen one of these creatures and swore to their existence. I am skeptical about these stories but growing up hearing them retold countless times makes one beleive they’re true.  Last week we visited San Carlos City, Negros …

I admit I’m not also very good with Philippine Geography and I can’t memorize all the Philippine provinces. But if I make that mistake I’m sure you’ll forgive me. However, if mainstream media such as a television news report would make such a mistake, it’s entirely a different story.
The writers of TV 5 just made that mistake in one of their news tonight. A story about a pilot plant for …

Cafebacolod.com, an online events calendar for Bacolod City and Negros Occidental has been launched. For Negrenses abroad, the Internet, in addition to families back home, is another important source of news and information. CafeBacolod aims to be the online source for the latest events happening in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental as well as in Negrense Communities abroad.
In addition to feature stories, the site also has a forum where members can …

Ploning which stars Judy Ann Santos will be the Philippines’ official entry to 2009 Oscars for the best foreign language film. The Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) has chosen Ploning over Sharon Cuneta’s Caregiver.
Ploning is a 30-year old promdi lass from Cuyo, Palawan. The story revolves around her and her relationship with a boy she has sort of adopted. It’s about love, friendship, selflessness amidst the backdrop of life …