It was my great pleasure recently to meet several of Bacolod’s aspiring authors. Not only did I get to meet them but I had the privilege of teaching them creative writing at Jack and Jill School, Homesite, Bacolod. Through that 4-week summer program I really got to know these girls aged between 12 and 15 and they were talented. Not only that but they were fun and intelligent; a credit to themselves and their parents. I started a series here recently under the title Philippines Got Talent. It featured local musicians and vocalists in the main. Now, I can tell you this country, and Bacolod in particular, has talent in the field of writing. All of the students took a full part in the writing… Read More
Expat In Bacolod
Stephen Bentley - Writer
Page 3 of 39
Guerrero Farm Nature Park is indeed a gem. I recommend it highly and if you go I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed. What is Guerrero Farm Nature Park? The words of one reviewer best describe what it is – The best place to unwind and chill because you’ll get the chance to be with the nature, the garden is really amazing, and the water of the pool is fresh. It’s a perfect getaway for family bonding because it’s not over crowded and the amenities are designed for family outing. I can’t really add to that succinct description but I can tell you how much all our family enjoyed the day there. One of the things I can add is that it is located high… Read More
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. – The Gospel According to St Matthew Chapter 5 There is something humbling about men and women who possess a purity of heart. In my life I have found many such people and many have one thing in common. They get their hands dirty and often toil in the most difficult of conditions. So it was when I experienced a tire blow-out yesterday. Luckily, neither Zabrina or I were hurt and we didn’t hit anything or hurt anyone else. There was an almighty bang then a fearsome noise. The rear nearside tire had shed its tread, striking and cracking the mudflap and creating one awful racket! The bang drew the attention of a nearby construction crew on… Read More
I reproduce this article “Coke-free Panaad Festival” by Butch Bacaoco and hope you find it as interesting and informative as I do. I learn something new every day! “Coke-free” Panaad Festival Negros Occidental’s “Panaad Festival”, dubbed as the “Mother of All Festivals” in the province, opens tomorrow. The police have beefed up security measures in preparation for the daily onslaught of thousands of people who are expected to take part in this world-famous event. Police personnel and force multipliers will be deployed throughout the site’s 25-hectare area to deter pickpockets and snatchers, as well as salisi and bukas-kotse hooligans. Right at the entrance, body checks and inspections will be implemented. And for the first time in Panaad’s 24-year history, x-ray scanners will be installed at… Read More
Yes I love Bacolod and the Philippines but nowhere is perfect! Customer Service Lip Service came to mind and the title inspired by a sign outside of the CENECO building here in Bacolod. It read ‘Customer Service 24/7.’ CENECO is the Central Negros Electric Cooperative and provides power to the homes and businesses of the region. I challenge it on its claims about customer service because I experienced the fact it either sucks or is non-existent. First, you need to understand what happened. I rent a 2-story town house and was just about to shower last Monday morning when the electricity failed. I thought another brownout, but I was wrong. We had been disconnected. I pay the bills but no one had bothered to tell… Read More
Earth Sunday Productions is a different kind of Philippines talent. In the past I have featured local Bacolod vocalists and musicians. These guys are involved in a film production company. The guys being Jezrel, Rap Rap, Airo and Jay. They are very good at what they do and a fun bunch to be with. You can find out more about them through their Facebook page. They describe themselves under this label – Wedding Photography & Video, Event Documentation, Advertisement, Music Videos, Audio Visual Presentation, Films. They can be contacted on +63 (0)932 8655 382 | (0)977 4740 279. Long story short, ITV Wales hired them to film me for a documentary to be aired in September 2017. It’s all about Operation Julie and my book… Read More
Want to know where the two best Negros Island beach resorts are? Zabrina and I happened to stay at both only last week. Takutaka Lodge Beach and Dive Resort and Bugana Beach and Dive Resort are both close to Sipalay some 4 hours drive or so south from Bacolod City. In my opinion they surpass any other resort on the island and have to be in the top ten in the whole of the 7,100 islands in the Philippines. There is a connection between the two resorts. Let me call it the Swiss connection. Karl is the male half of the Takatuka team running that resort with his partner Cathy. Both are Swiss although I am led to believe Karl was born in Germany. Karl’s… Read More
In the first part of my post on this delightful restaurant (but is it?), I extolled the virtues of Esperanza. Yet, I made it clear I had not eaten there and intended to return. I did both – on more than one occasion. The Food of Esperanza What can I say? Brilliant home cooked food with all natural ingredients. I tried the specialty of the combo and it was simply delicious without being overpowering. The buffalo wings are the pièce de résistance but the back rib ran it a close second. I spoke to the brother part of the ownership, and cook, and he told me what he used for the spicy coating of the wings. I correctly identified all ingredients but one. He said,… Read More
When I first started blogging I “attended” a useful Blogging 101 course run by WordPress. I got to know some great people and bloggers from around the world and became friends with some of them. John Steiner is one such friend. He writes on his blog PhotobyJohnbo. It is, as he calls it, some reflections on places traveled and photos taken or simply Journeys With Johnbo. John recently reviewed my book, Undercover: Operation Julie – The Inside Story, after he won a free signed copy in a competition I ran here. He also asked me to provide him with a guest post. I obliged. One of John’s great passions is flying and here he tells us all about it. Enjoy! But I Digress… Always Vigilant… Read More
It was my great pleasure to meet Ednalyn Grace Samson (Lyn or Edz) last night at the Hat Trick Bar and Grill. It was an even greater pleasure to hear her sing.
She has that rare quality of singing voice that touches your inner soul and I can tell you I was almost moved to tears.
Enough babble from me, this is a selection of YouTube clips I found of her wonderful voice. The Philippines truly has some great talent!
I will also feature her friend Jack soon. He also had a great voice 🙂
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