Buenos Aires Mountain Resort

resort's main gate

Buenos Aires Mountain Resort

         A renowned resort in the province of Negros Occidental is Buenos Aires Mountain Resort located at the upper portion of Bago City. Regardless of the weather condition, people do come here for family gatherings and other activities.
          It was good timing for the MESS members to schedule their acquaintance party here and had booked a nice spot in the resort. Below are the photos I took outside and inside the resort.

Destiation Vacation: Disneyland, Hong Kong

Destination Vacation: Disneyland, Hong Kong

Disneyland ticket

guidemap

                Everyone was so excited early in the morning to get into the bus to see Disneyland for the first time. We have the whole day to enjoy all the rides and take pictures inside the very famous theme park in the city. As soon as we arrived at the theme park, everyone was busy taking pictures of themselves with everything that we found amazing.

Destination Vacation: Fisherman's Wharf Amusement Park, Macau

amusement center

Fisherman's Wharf Amusement Park, Macau

     Our first stop in Macau was the Fisherman's Wharf Amusement Park. This is the famous amusement park in Macau and the most entertaining especially at night time.

     Obviously the park was quite boring when we arrived because the adventures, the exciting sceneries and rides here start in the evening. There are a number of unique structures in here which are basically new to us. Luckily at this time, we have the entire area to wander around and take pictures because visitors do usually come here at night time.

Destination Vacation: Macau Fisherman's Wharf Convention and Exhibition Centre

Macau Fisherman's Wharf Convention and Exhibition Centre

              It was mid-afternoon when we visited the Fisherman's Wharf Convention and Exhibition Center. This is just located at the right side of the main entrance of the amusement park. Actually, there was no important event occurring when we came in. We just simply roamed around and captured every thing that we found interesting both inside and outside of the convention center. Visitors at that time were only allowed to stroll around the ground floor of the convention center. The exit leads us to some areas of the Fisherman's wharf.

                    

Convention Center's lobby

The Park and the Farm at May's Organic Garden

A Quick Stroll At May's Organic Garden

         We had an unplanned organic buffet lunch on the weekend because we knew there is a new restaurant at Pahanocoy, Bacolod City. This restaurant offers organic buffet lunch at reasonable cost. May's Organic Garden is famous for their vegetables freshly picked from their garden and organic meat directly from the farm just within the area.

vegetable vendors

         Aside from the food, a spacious park is currently under construction although there are areas that are partially done and we, and the rest of the customers got the chance to roam around. Apart from the recreational park, a farm was built at the far end and some animal houses were under construction. 

           The photo above shows the large cottage near the entrance. I guess this is for large group for family gatherings or meetings. Likewise, a large area near the restaurant with array of tables where display of fresh vegetables, fruits, and some organic products are sold here.

MUDPACK Festival 2012, Mambukal Mountain Resort

16th Mudpack Festival, June 23, 2012

                It was Saturday, and  time for us to go and witness the annual Mudpack Festival in Mambukal for the first time. We left for Mambukal around 7:30 in the morning and arrived at the festival site around 8 o'clock. We paid P50 for the entrance fee and P15 for the parking space. 

                 The resort was quite crowded already when we arrived. Good thing there was an available parking space for us at the main pathway into the resort. There were a number of kiosks already setup at their own favourite spot in the resort. 

                 We were informed then by some of our friends here that the Mudpack Contest will start at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. Unlike last year, and the previous years it usually starts in the morning. Well, it was still good news for us though. We have the whole morning to take still photos, take some refreshments and stroll around the resort. But before wandering around, we first heard the Holy Mass at the open area in front of the Ishiwata Bathhouse.

The Recreational Park: Garin Farm, San Joaquin, Iloilo

The Park

             Here is the white gazebo located in the middle of the pond. Although some areas surrounding the gazebo are still under construction, the view was still awesome. The water was clean, and the pond is surrounded with a thin layer of water lilies. Shown in the photo is a formation of water lilies in front of the gazebo.

Shown in the photo below is the price list of the services taped on one of the main posts inside the restaurant.

Available Rides:
Zipline:
Sitting	P250.00
Superman	P350.00
Golf cart rides:
Gate to Pavilion	P60.00
Pavilion to Cross	P90.00
Cross to Pavilion	P60.00
Boating:
Pavilion to Gate	P60.00
Water Bike	P50.00
Kayak (single)	P40.00
Kayak (for 2)	P90.00
Pedal (for 2)	P40.00
Rubber boat (for 4)	P120.00
Other Amenities:
Swimming pool	P80.00
Horse back riding	P60.00
Goat Cart ride	P30.00
Scooter (for 5 min)	P30.00
Billiard	P60.00

Zip line platform

               This is the zip line platform framed at the right side corner facing the main entrance of the restaurant. Every thrill-seeker individual is required to put on all the necessary gears and harnesses at the ground level before going up to the platform.

The Lagoon, Bacolod City

The Lagoon

               One famous spot in Bacolod City to take time out is the Lagoon settled in front of the Provincial Capitol Building of Negros Occidental. For me, the Lagoon alleviates the strong and authoritative figure of the building, which some of my friends call 'The Mansion'. Some health conscious people come here as early as 5 o'clock in the morning to walk or jog around the Lagoon. After office hours, people start to gather around the Lagoon to relax and cool off due to their long stressful hours at work.

Morning exercise around Rafael Salas Park and Nature Center

            Some of us woke up as early as 4 o'clock in the second morning to continue writing the research output because everyone was tasked to present their output by 10 am. For our group, instead of cramming just like the others, we opted to take a walk as a morning exercise within and outside the Rafael Salas Park and Nature Center.

This is the garden full of calla lilies surrounding the stairs going up the monument

Rafael Salas Park and Nature Center

Research Workshop, May 17-19, 2012

                A research workshop was scheduled at Rafael Salas Benedicto Park and Nature Center, Guintubdan last May 17 to 19. The participants were faculty members who initially passed the preliminary screening of research proposals done by URC in USLS. We traveled by land for almost two (2) hours from Bacolod City to the park. On our way, we felt our ears start to pop due to the pressure change which was basically a sign that we were increasing our altitude and the temperature was getting colder as we moved up the mountain.

The Ruins, Talisay City

            My boyfriend and I decided to go to The Ruins in the afternoon to gather as many pictures of the sunset as we could. The Ruins is the most famous historical mansion in Talisay City. The mansion was owned by Don Mariano Lacson, a sugarcane haciendero, and was built after the death of his wife, Maria Braga. Physical make-up was added to modify the wide and grassy ground surrounding the ruined mansion, such as shown on the photos below.

The two (2) mini golfs at the entrance near the parking area.

Artistic Diving Beach Resort and PADI Dive Center, Sipalay City

Sipalay Escapade with colleagues and friends - May 12-13, 2012

           After almost five (5) hours of travel by land from Bacolod City to Sipalay City. Finally! We arrived at their market and stopped by to buy some fresh meat and fish. This photo shows the white sand highway of Sipalay City and, right across this highway is the Ukay-Ukay store.  Across the Ukay-Ukay store is the market. For me, it is indeed a peaceful and stress-free place.

Granada Eco Park, Bacolod City

USLS Summer Splash, May 4, 2012

         Summer splash is a main activity every summer that every student has been waiting for. This used to be held at the beach somewhere in the north and south of the province. But last year and this year, summer splash was held at Granada Eco Park in Granada, Bacolod City.  On that day, the park was exclusive only for USLS.

              Students arrived in the park earlier than we did. As we arrived, the Amazing Race game had just started.

Sta. Fe Resort, Bacolod City

                       My boyfriend and I came to Sta. Fe Resort last April 29 not to swim at any of their pools but only to take pictures as early as 6 o'clock in the morning. This is the main gate of the resort, however, I apologize I was not able to get a nice picture of the main gate because there were banners and streamers hanging above it.

Main gate

                        Inside the resort are not just swimming pools but there are also conference halls to hold meetings and various events.

New Government Center, Bacolod City

New Government Center

          The new hang out place of the young people in the city is the New Government Center or locally known as the NGC. Some call it the White House, but I would like to call it as the White Mansion because its architectural design is  very majestic even from a distance. Early in the morning before office hours, people come here to perform their healthy rituals such as walking and jogging. In the afternoon after sunset, people come here with their family and friends complete with prepared stuffs such as foods, drinks, utensils and mats ready to spend a few hours at the park in front of NGC for an evening picnic. While others, like me want to come here at sunset to walk and jog around NGC area for an hour just wanting to be relieved from stress due to the day's work. One reason why I like this place is because of its environment. It is clean, well-maintained, fresh air and of course there are policemen assigned in some areas especially at the back of the White House.

Mitra's Ranch and Balay Inato Pension, Puerto Princesa

MITRA'S RANCH

It was our first time to be in Palawan last October, 2008. My colleagues and I had our official business trip with an industry in the province and we visited one of Palawan's best destinations in Puerto Princesa which was just a detour on the last day. We visited first the Mitra's Ranch in Sta. Monica Heights. On the left shows the main entrance to the ranch of the late Senator Ramon Mitra. It is currently the residence of his son. The ranch has a great view of Palawan.

Plazuela de Iloilo, Iloilo City

          Hi everyone! Friends and I were so excited to stay overnight at Iloilo City from a summer vacation in Guimaras last April, 2012. We planned to go to Plazuela de iloilo and Smallville because it was the first time for most of us. Well, honestly it was my second time to be in Plazuela de Iloilo and first time in Smallville. But before that, we need to visit the San Jose Church, an Agustinian Church because it was Sunday.

Front view of the San Jose Church

          At Plazuela de Iloilo, everyone were impressed by its main entrance or should I say lobby to the point that we forgot we were hungry and it was time for dinner. There was a nice and well-lighted fountain that seemed to welcome visitors positioned at the lobby.

Olongapo City Museum and Marikit Park

             Last October 2011, me and my college friends visited the museum of Olongapo City situated at  East Tapinac. We planned to see the museum for 30 minutes only, but because the staff was very friendly and accommodating we decided to roam around the museum.

              The statue of the city's legendary chieftain named Apo is placed right at the entrance of the museum. According to the legend, he was beheaded by other natives, his head was placed on top of a bamboo pole.

Chieftain Apo

At the right side facing the statue of Apo is a model ship designed according to the style of a Spanish vessel used by early Spaniards to visit the Philippines.

There is a painting right next to the big vessel which imparts the arrival of the first Spaniards at the place of Chieftain Apo.

Zoobic Safari, Subic Bay Freeport Zone

Exploring Zoobic Safari!! 
          I joined for the second time an international conventional of metallurgical engineers held at Subic Bay Freeport Zone last October, 2011. I was so overjoyed when I met my college classmates, college professors and I even met new metallurgical engineers. Now, to cut the story short, we had our teambuilding at Zoobic Safari on our last day.

           I am going to show you loads and loads of photos of big and small animals inside the zoo. So, fasten your seat belt and enjoy the ride!

A lazy albino tiger at the entrance

Forest Park Resort, Bacolod City

           Hello guys, how are you all doing? After two years of hybernating, I have gathered few pictures from a nice and relaxing resort known as Forest Park Resort in the city of smiles, Bacolod City! The photo above shows the largest pool and a big pink flower at the center of it. In the resort, there is a mini zoo where you can find various beautiful species that can be found everywhere in Negros Occidental.