Negros Occidental Tourism

The University of St. La Salle Ecopark, which is designed to meet the educational, recreational and relaxation needs of the young and old was inaugurated yesterday.

The 10-hectare center is located in Brgy. Granada, Bacolod City, and is nestled at the foothills of the Marapara mountain range, which is part of the Northern Negros Natural Park.

Ecopark coordinator Lilibeth Cordova said that the ecopark was made possible after 12 years of planning, adding that the center is the manifestation of the University’s concern for the environment and the welfare of the citizenry.

Cordova said that the center is also a magnificent showcase and a splendid landmark not only for the city of Bacolod but for the province of Negros Occidental as well.

Among the features of the center is the ecopark kiddie park, rainforest exhibit, orchidarium, rock garden, the butterfly park, the cactus hut, the foot trail and the Mary’s well.

Another noted spot in the center is the vaugirard, a secret space where one can refresh the body and renew the spirit with two blue swimming pools, a fishing lagoon, a large bamboo hall, five picnic sheds, two Cabanas, sprawling camping and picnic grounds with a view of majestic Marapara Mountain range.

The Center can also be a site for retreats and recollections, family and community picnics field laboratory research, group tours, leadership training camps and science filed trips.*APN

Source: The Visayan Daily Star

Negros Occidental and City of Bacolod joined the Western Visayas Tourism Assembly held at Capiz city last December 4 - 6 2009. One of the important highlights of the 2009 Western Visayas Tourism Assembly is the Tourism Excellence Awards on December 6 with both Bacolod City and Province of Negros Occidental as recipients of the following awards:

Bacolod City, Negros Occidental – Best Tourism Oriented LGU (Highly Urbanized City)
Bago City, Negros Occidental – Best Tourism Oriented LGU (Component City)
Silay City, Negros Occidental – Special Award, Tourism Oriented LGU (Component City)
NYALA Tours – Best Tourism Transport
Josel Malinaw- Faith Taxi-Best Taxi Driver
L’Fisher Hotel – Best Hotel (First Class)
Sylvia Manor – Best Hotel (Standard Class)
Luci Lizares Yunque , Talisay City – Best Travel Writer
Sun Star Bacolod- Special Award, Travel Publication
Ang Bagonhon, Bago City – Special Award, Travel Publication
Silay, The Sweet Life- Special Award, Travel Publication
Balaring Mangrove, Special Award, Eco-Tourism Product
Special Award for Tourism, Ma. Elma Gerasmo
Severino Pacete, Silay City-Regional Director’s Award
Cristine Mansinares, Sipalay City – Best Tourism Officer (Component City)
Jennylind Demerre Cordero, Negros Occidental -Best Provincial Tourism Officer

Lin-ay sang Negros, Miss Vicky Marie Milagrosa Rushton was crowned as Miss Western Visayas Tourism 2009 , she also received 3 major awards such as Best in Gown , Best in Swimsuit and Best in Festival Costume, 2 minor corporate awards Miss Palmolive and Miss Meyers.

First Runner up is Miss Iloilo Dinagyang-Natalie Grace D. Roberts who was also awarded Best in Interview , and was also chosen as - Miss Diet Coke , followed by Miss MassKara Maria Aika Rivera Uy as 2nd Runner up and was also awarded Miss Congeniality plus and many more corporate awards.

Provincial Tourism Photo

BACOLOD CITY AND NEGROS OCCIDENTAL JOINS WESTERN VISAYAS TOURISM ASSEMBLY AND WILL RECEIVE VARIOUS TOURISM AWARDS

Department of Tourism Region 6 headed by Director Edwin G. Trompeta is inviting everyone to attend the Western Visayas Tourism Assembly in the City of Roxas, Province of Capiz on December 4 – 6, 2009.

One of the important highlights of the 2009 Western Visayas Tourism Assembly is the Tourism Excellence Awards on December 6 with both Bacolod City and Province of Negros Occidental as recipients of the following awards:

Bacolod City, Negros Occidental – Best Tourism Oriented LGU (Highly Urbanized City)
Bago City, Negros Occidental – Best Tourism Oriented LGU (Component City)
Silay City, Negros Occidental – Special Award, Tourism Oriented LGU (Component City)
NYALA Tours – Best Tourism Transport
Josel Malinaw- Faith Taxi-Best Taxi Driver
L’Fisher Hotel – Best Hotel (First Class)
Sylvia Manor – Best Hotel (Standard Class)
Luci Lizares Yunque , Talisay City – Best Travel Writer
Sun Star Bacolod- Special Award, Travel Publication
Ang Bagonhon, Bago City – Special Award, Travel Publication
Silay, The Sweet Life- Special Award, Travel Publication
Balaring Mangrove, Special Award, Eco-Tourism Product
Severino Pacete, Silay City-Regional Director’s Award
Cristine Mansinares, Sipalay City – Best Tourism Officer (Component City)
Jennylind Demerre Cordero, Negros Occidental -Best Provincial Tourism Officer

The City of Bacolod and the Province of Negros Occidental will also participate in various activities such as the three-day travel fair with a 3×3 booth showcasing festivals and adventure tourism plus a trade fair selling handicrafts of the province at the Capiz Gymnasium.

Pintaflores Festival’s Pinta Bata of San Carlos City, Bago City’s Sigabong Sang Canyon and La Carlota’s Pasalamat drumbeaters and dancers together with Bacolod City’s Masskara Festival dancers will represent Bacolod City and Negros Occidental in the street dance parade and arena dance showcase on December 4.

The tourism congress on December 5, 2009 will be held at the Gerry Roxas Foundation Resource Center. Topics will include the National Tourism Act and its Internal Rules and Regulation. Registration fee is P1,850.00 per person. This will be followed by Miss Western Visayas Tourism beauty pageant and Negros Occidental will be represented by Miss Vickie Marie Milagrosa Rushton of Talisay City - Linay sang Negros 2009.

The Municipality of Valladolid will represent the province in the cultural show on December 6, 2 p.m. at Capiz Gym with Ugyon Ensemble and Valladolid National High School to showcase their folk dance with the Lanceros de Negros. A pop dance number will be performed by Bacolod City dancers while a Hablon fashion show themed ‘ANG BAGONG DAGWAY’, ‘MGA SABLAY’(TWA HABLON SHAWL PRODUCTS), “ANG BISTI SA AMON (HABLON FABRIC PRODUCTS) will highlight the event with Hadasa Von Camporaso as guest singer. The Pasundayag Festival and Masskara Festival dancers will also perform in the cultural show.

Negros Occidental’s participation is spearheaded by the Negros Occidental Tourism Center-Economic Enterprise and Development Department, and other divisions such as the Technology and Livelihood Development Center and Panaad Park Division, in cooperation with the Association of Tourism Officers of Negros Occidental with the full support of participating LGU’s , Governor Isidro P. Zayco, Vice Governor Dino Yulo and the Provincial Board Member.*

Posted by: Negros Occidental Tourism Center