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- Slow Food Community of Negros Island holds Earth Market Pop-Up
- Mangrove restaurant: ‘A home away from home’
- Marx Louie Justiniani: A ‘king’ of various advocacies
- Tanduay Bacolod Rum Festival back this year
- ARTABLADO: An art exhibit for healing
| Slow Food Community of Negros Island holds Earth Market Pop-Up Posted: 18 Jul 2022 05:02 AM PDT THE Slow Food Community of Negros Island held a two-day Earth Market Pop-Up from July 16 to 17, 2022 at May's Organic Garden in Barangay Pahanocoy in Bacolod City.It was held to support the local farmers coming from various organizations, including the Negros Organic Fair Trade Association, Manara Upland Farmers Association, Bukidnon Organic Farmers Association, Mamabel's Garden, Homemade Bacolod, Bajay Patol Agrarian Reform Corp., Chris Fadriga's Criollo Cacao Nursery, Minoyan Murcia Marginal Coffee Growers Inc., Southern Negros Occidental Inc. and Family Farms Incorporated.Other participants of the event were Catafa-Camingawan Tagukon Farmers Association, Felix Hagad, Twenty-Six Herb Garden, Kalibutan Society Inc. (Kusina Slow Food South), Mushmakulay Mushroom Farm, Haciendero's Agrarian Reform Cooperative (Harc) and Altertrade Philippines.Aside from them, the Green Organic Enterprise, Central Philippines State University, Andrea's, Fresh Start and Kopa Association, Eco Agri Foundation, Puro Organic, Victorias Organic Farmers Association and the Confederation of Indigenous People's Organizations in Southern Negros Occidental were also present.In support of the local artisans, the Sant Jordi Meat Corner by Sifi, Kusinata, Mercanti Veneziana Trading, Nanam, Sienna Sourdough, Timplada, 7 Hectares, Maayo Farms, Twenty Herb Garden and Bogsbrew craft beer and Sagup Negros were also present.The Slow Food Negros Community is headed by Reena Gamboa.She said the Earth Market is one of the primary projects that Slow Food international encourages as it highlights the farmers."To this day, people don't realize how important it is to support the farmer (big or small)," she said, adding that it's not just about planting vegetables.A farmer can grow chickens and pigs and other edible items (and) even fishers are included in the generic term we refer to as farmers.Without the farmers, none of our precious endemic food sources will be protected."The farmers will not only assure you that you have food on the table but also protect the environment because they preserve our food sources, especially what grows naturally to us, thus, continuing our culinary heritage," Gamboa said.She added, "The farmer is the beginning of the food supply chain, and when you exchange with them, you will understand more of how things are grown and will realize where your food is coming from."Gamboa stressed that Slow Food Negros wishes to make every Negrense realize that as an agricultural island, "we should treasure what we have and support the farmers, and help take care of our food sources while using them in our daily lives and promoting what is truly Negrense.""That way, we practice GOOD, CLEAN, AND FAIR FOOD. Thank you to all who supported the event, and hopefully, we touch more lives in every activity we do at Slow Food," she said.Meanwhile, the undertaking has stimulated good, clean, and fair produce with educational talks and workshops from experts and professionals and the promotion of local foods, drinks, music, and art.Chef Gabriel Melocoton had a demo cooking on the scrap broth tinola; How businesses can hack the packaging, and a talk by the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation Inc.; Growing a food forest by Jo Anne Coruña; Sanlag sessions: Coffee Cupping by Thomas Sproten and an Interactive program by Sagup Negros.Claude Schulze talked about Sustainable ranching in the Philippines; Kiko Torno talked about Achieving Sustainable Aquaculture in Negros; Cooking with Ark of Taste by Chef Jairus Cambelisa ; Alupi and Ibos: by Casa A. Gamboa; Sanlag sessions by Teddy Cañete of the Negros Fine Robusta and an interactive program by Sagup Negros. |
| Mangrove restaurant: ‘A home away from home’ Posted: 18 Jul 2022 12:45 AM PDT HAVE you imagined yourself enjoying your favorite food amid the lush mangrove plantation?It is possible when you visit the Mangrove Restaurant in Barangay Old Sagay, Sagay City, Negros Occidental.What started as a passion to share his skills in cooking and innovative menus, Junine Vistar's restaurant served more than its purpose, as it helped create job opportunities for the residents of Purok Santan 2 where it is located.Vistar said it also helps people to be aware of the importance of protecting and conserving mangroves since it plays a vital role in marine ecology.The restaurant has been there since 2017 but was only opened to the public in June 2021 right after the restrictions brought by the ongoing coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic started to ease, he said.Vistar added that what makes the restaurant unique from the others is that their guests' dining experience is within the lush mangrove plantation, its delectable homegrown cuisine, and the love of the local community, making you feel "a home away from home.""We are also offering overnight stay for tourists to stay longer at restaurants sleeping under cottages within the Mangrove Forest overlooking the sea," the restaurant owner noted.More than just the food that they offer, guests can also buy Sagay-made products and others that promote health and nutrition such as vegetable pasta and others to help local producer's products and farmers to sustain their existing business amid the pandemic."We are planning to expand its operation to make it a resort in order to cater more tourists and to create more jobs to the nearby communities," Vistar shared.From the highly urbanized city of Bacolod, it would take an hour and a half bus trip to reach the Mangrove Restaurant, which is now becoming a venue for photoshoots and vlogs. |
| Marx Louie Justiniani: A ‘king’ of various advocacies Posted: 15 Jul 2022 06:15 PM PDT Since being crowned as Hari ng Pilipinas (HNP) - Negros Occidental earlier this year, a lad from Don Salvador Benedicto town has brought his "core and moral values in life" focusing on various advoacies.Eldest of the three children, Justiniani is an incoming sophomore nursing student of the University of St. La Salle - Bacolod.Recounting his final answer during the pageant night, Marx Louie Justiniani, 19, of the town's Barangay Bunga, said that he is eager and determined to pursue his Youth Awareness in Keeping them Abreast for Progress (Yakap) program.It was one of the reasons, he said, why he joined HNP, particularly to establish the Yakap Program that would focus on self-awareness, education, and empowerment among the youth.To support the cause for the environment, the coastal cleanup and tree growing activity recently in Sipalay City were among the pool of events he attended. These initiatives are poised to help create an impact on the lives of the people."For us to tackle and address bigger problems we should seek first the root of these issues from which we can start by being self aware, educated and empowered by then we can only truly achieve progress if we alone are open for improvement," he added.On Sunday, July 10, Justiniani held a free medical mission and Operation Tuli as part of his advocacy at Barangay Bunga in his hometown.The mission was supported by his parents, JL Talent Management Services and local government unit, and in partnership with Adventist Medical Center Bacolod and Sangguniang Kabataan of the barangay.Prior to the national pageant competition to be held in Ormoc City this October, Justiniani had enjoyed his schedules and community involvement in the past few months.He said that he was able to know the importance of accountability and achievement, and cited that HNP provided him the platform to influence, especially through social media."As an advocate for change, my plan for the youth is to be more knowledgeable when it comes to things that matter, especially social issues which are very vital for the youth to have a stand. To have an open mind in order to understand both perspectives in any situation," he said.Moreover, HNP Provincial Director Joelito Orencio Jr. said Hari ng Pilipinas also provided a platform to "execute advocacies and make the winners visible implementing it.""It's role is to give an impact especially to empower the youth by encouraging them to be part of certain environmental organizations or any organization that can bring positive results for all," he said.Aside from the said activities, Orencio said that they had a gift giving and feeding program for the indigenous people's (IPs) in Don Salvador Benedicto recently, partnered with the Provincial Environment and Management Office (Pemo) for environmental advocacy as well as with the BaganiI community by love yourself in celebration of the Pride month, among others."HNP has the eagerness to perform its purpose and that is to be part in creating the change because as the theme says there is only one earth and we have the responsibility to protect it, to love it and to take care of it for the future generation to see how beautiful our environment is. So we should do our part," he said.Orencia asked the continued support for Justiniani and Dale Divino who will represent Negros Occidental and Bacolod City, respectively."We are still engaging with the two different organizations in the province for them to improve and grow as better individuals. We are also preparing activities that Negrense could support for their advocacies align with the province and local government activities as well," he ended.* (With reports from Erwin P. Nicavera) |
| Tanduay Bacolod Rum Festival back this year Posted: 15 Jul 2022 05:41 AM PDT LUCIO Tan III, president and chief operating officer (COO) of Tanduay Distillers, Inc. and the grandson of the late taipan Lucio Tan, visited Bacolod City Friday, July 15, for the promotion of the Tanduay Bacolod Rum Festival this year set this August 12 to 20, 2022.Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo "Albee" Benitez, Councilors Em Ang, Jason Villarosa, Celia Flor, Jude Thaddeus Sayson, Paoline Sy and Vladimir Gonzalez welcomed the young business executive.He was with his brother Kyle Tan, who is the vice president of distillery firm and lawyer Carlu Fernandez, who is the vice president of Philippine Airlines.At a press conference at the MassKara Hall of the Bacolod City Government Center, Tan, who is also serving as the vice chairman of the Lucio Tan Group (LTG), said he is happy to be in Bacolod and lauded the mayor."We at Tanduay are honored to be part of your initiative in driving business and tourism back into the city as we continue this year, the holding of the Rum Festival," he said.He explained that the reason why they decided to hold the festival in Bacolod that one of the most popular spirits in the world which is rum, comes from sugarcane, which is abundant in Negros Occidental.It is also the sugarcane that helped build Negros Occidental's strong economy.Currently, about 60 percent of the province's lands is dedicated to sugarcane farming.Rum makers owe the provincial sugarcane industry for producing the best quality raw materials for its spirits that are now gaining new followers in different countries.He said Negros Occidental is blessed with volcanic soil and elevated areas that are perfect for growing the grass crop in rum-making.Four of the biggest rum distilleries in the Philippines are located in the province.With this in mind, the City Government of Bacolod and Tanduay Distillers, Inc. conceived the first rum festival in the Philippines in 2019. The weeklong festival was a homage to the crop and the province that produced the best raw materials for rum-making.Today, the province is likewise the source of the World's No.1 Rum, Tanduay.Tanduay has been on a winning streak most years. Our proudly Negros-made rum has been declared the world's No. 1 Rum brand by Drinks International Magazine for the fifth consecutive year.Despite the challenges posed by the global pandemic and a more competitive spirits market, Tanduay managed to outsell other rum brands and win its fifth consecutive World's Number one rum award by selling P23.7 million nine-liter cases in 2021.Tanduay has stayed ahead of the game because of the diligence of the people behind it – the local farmers who harvest the heirloom sugarcane we use for our rums; the people working at our distillery and bottling plants; our research and development group; and our marketing team. Together, they have continued Tanduay's winning legacy."We are thankful to everyone for your support to Tanduay. All these are reasons enough to celebrate. I am inviting everyone to the 2022 Tanduay Bacolod Rum Festival. We look forward to a fun and fruitful celebration. Thank you once again, Mayor Albee. We wish you all the best and the people of Bacolod,"he said.For his part, Benitez said, "It is a great honor for you to be here specifically for having this first presscon held in Bacolod and we would like to thank you for that.This event was enshrined in a City Ordinance authored by Ang.Meanwhile, the Tanduay Bacolod Rum Festival will be a fitting prelude to the MassKara festival which will be staged anew this coming October.The Tanduay Bacolod Rum Festival will showcase the craftsmanship, skill, and artistry of Bacolodnons through various events such as the Barrel Art, Bottle Design and Street Art competitions.Bacolod's famed culinary culture will also be under the spotlight through the highly anticipated Culinaria Competition.Throughout the festival, there will be a food park for visitors to enjoy various dishes. An exciting Flairtending and Mixology contest will likewise take place.The highlight of the Tanduay Bacolod Rum Festival will close with music and dancing at the NGC complex. There will be a street dance fusion and float competition and a rock concert to be headlined by a surprise list of guest artists from Manila. |
| ARTABLADO: An art exhibit for healing Posted: 13 Jul 2022 07:58 PM PDT SOME local artists in Bacolod City joined the ARTABLADO exhibit led by artist Joan Honorides of the Association of Negros Artists (ANA).The art exhibit is ongoing at the second floor of Robinsons Place mall in Bacolod City.Aside from Honorides, other artists joing the exhibit were Ardien Aspan, Bea Mocorro, Tracy Uhlmann, Charm Ramos-Tan, Ritche Arvin Cuesta, Samantha Acosta, and Tracy Uhlmann.Aspan entered his paintings of a roaring lion, Bugana with fishes caught on the fishnet, and a kid enjoying the rain.He said he painted the roaring lion because it represents the quality of having a strong personality and earns the respect of his fellow animals while the fishes depict the blessings of a good harvest.As to the kid playing in the rain, Aspan said his inspiration was his memories as a child when he was bathing in the rain.The artist said his colleagues are also mentoring some children who are inclined to art and painting.At the same time, he encourages them to continue honing their skills because this will give them a unique sense of fulfillment.They are teaching the kids how to do sketching until they can discover their style and artistry.Honorides was the one who invited them to join the ARTABLADO to impart to others their art pieces and also inspire others to follow their love for the arts.He also thanked those who allowed him to join a group of artists to have their art pieces displayed at the ARTABLADO."We are happy to reveal that the Association of Negros Artists is in partnership with ARTablado, the official art gallery of Robinson's Mall,"He said that the current artworks being displayed are part of the group art exhibition by six artists, around the theme "heal."* |
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