BACOLOD -- It’s always nice to be back in Bacolod. I used to visit the City of Smiles frequently for the Panaad Festival coverage. In fact, I had nearly visited all the provinces of Negros Occidental down from Sipalay going up the boot-shaped island, among them Kabankalan, Binalbagan, La Carlota, Valladolid, Murcia, Mambukal, Talisay, Victorias, Cadiz, Sagay, San Carlos, and parts of Kanlaon.

My annual visit was cut by the pandemic and it was only recently, by the middle of May 2024 that I came back with a group of Manila and Iloilo-based media, educators, and online influencers.

And what a whirlwind trip it was -- short but sweet! -- and truly memorable. My long-time friend, Rachel Saludo and her equally beautiful daughter Melrose (such a sweet mother-daughter tandem!) meticulously arranged our itinerary in Bacolod making sure there were no stones unturned.

From Iloilo Port, we rode a fast craft, the OceanJet 6, and we were in Bacolod in less than two hours. From Bacolod Port, meeting a younger colleague and former staff writer in Manila, at the nearby Ayala Malls Capitol Central, was top on our list.

Finding business success through Grazetronomy BCD

And we met again after a decade or so. The former Shylynne Castillo, now Mrs. Christian Señoron, is a successful business owner in Bacolod. With a simple idea of offering beautifully styled, delicious grazing tables that would make every occasion special, Grazetronomy BCD was born during the pandemic. 

Today, Grazetronomy BCD is the to-go company for luxurious grazing experiences. They offer an exquisite selection of European cold cuts, international cheeses, and antipasti, perfect for any event. 

In addition to their grazing tables, Grazetronomy BCD offers bespoke graze boxes, luxury pop-up picnics, and homemade baked goods. Whether it's a wedding, a corporate event, or a holiday celebration, Grazetronomy has it covered. Their attention to detail and commitment to quality have made them a favorite in Bacolod. 

The Señorons are expanding their services to include school lunch orders and specialized setups for hens' nights, bridal showers, baby showers, and wedding coordination.

The famed chicken and intestine inasal with fresh talaba served everyday at Bacolod Manokan Country

Inasal & sweet indulgence 

Melrose knew we deserved the best chicken inasal in Bacoolod and so we headed to Aida's in Manokan Country for lunch. Second generation owner Ms. Theresa Garcia personally met us and shared about the family heirloom of a business. After 50 years in the business, she said, she came up with her own brand, Aidalicious, which is open for franchise all over the country, making it the first authentic Bacolod Manokan Country inasal available outside of Bacolod. 

The hearty lunch over good conversation was followed by a sweet indulgence at Calea Cakes courtesy of Melrose. We had a little of everything from ice cream cake, to cheese, chocolate, blue berry, etc. over hot coffee latte. No wonder, cakes company from Manila couldn’t make it to Bacolod because Calea is more than enough for the Negrense taste!

Melrose (seated) with Lin-ay Sang Silay 2023 Arianah Dimson (standing center) and her runners up during a recent visit at Amarah for Silay’s Santacruzan 2024

Silay surprises

What an enchanting city Silay is! The home of heritage houses in this part of Negros Occidental, and touted as the Paris of the Philippines, Silay is home to Amarah Eliezer's Gowns & Suits and SC Food Riders Silay, owned and operated by Melrose herself. Amarah is her dream business inspired by her own wedding. Started as a rental business with her own wedding gown for rent, today Amarah supplies wedding entourage and suits and gowns for all occasions not only in Silay and Bacolod but anywhere else in the Philippines and abroad. 

Not resting on her laurels, this mom of two, and supportive wife to seafarer Rowen Canson, also launched SC (Saludo-Canson) Food Riders Silay, “to supply the basic needs of the people in quarantine during the pandemic.” Today, SC Riders lord it over other rider groups for the mobile delivery needs of Silay and nearby communities.

And as if her hands were still not full, Melrose partnered with friends for a food kiosk, the Bongga Wangga Inasalan by Dos Mil Otso, in celebration of her town’s fiesta which culminated in June 12, 2024. For one month, her group offered inasal goodies, unli-rice and live bands for her kababayans to enjoy. 

Guests listen to Engr. Almario Senoro on a lecture on green farming

Farm Life at Melba's Farm & Senoro Green Farm

At Melba's Farm in Talisay, our home for two nights, we traded our laptops for forest bathing and nature’s healing. Melba's Farm owner, a true-bloodied Negrense Alvin M. Carranza, dreams of converting it into a Botanical Forest Park & Zoo to become a living museum of diversity to help address Climate Change. And why not? Negros Occidental is known to champion organic and sustainable living. 

Then, a tour at Senoro Green Farm in Bago City, got us down learning the ins and outs of agriculture. Owned and managed by Almario Senoro and his wife, Frances Mae, the farm is an Integrated Sustainable Organic Farm that practices green technology, regenerative soil, zero waste farming and biodiversity. Both chemical engineers, the Senoros are armed with an advocacy of loving health transforming love for life, love for nature and technology transfer to fellow farmers. 

A lunch of everything fresh and organic invigorated and prepared us for some pampering at Cradle Massage & Wellness Living nestled on the entire third floor of the La Luz Building in the bustling Lacson St.

Relaxation and wellness

Owned and managed by the regal and beautiful Anna Liza F. Lacson, with the support of her husband, Philip, and their millennial, handsome sons, Cradle started with home service in 2016 with only 8 therapists. Today with 52 staff, it's the only spa in the area offering spa parties for events like weddings, reunions, and birthdays, both at the physical clinic and through their home service. Huge shoutout to the Lacsons for creating such a serene oasis which this busy world utterly needs. 

All the goodness of flavorful ice cream, everything sweet, milk, and what have you at Halo-Halo Fiesta, served exclusively at Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod

Homebound highlights

Before bidding farewell to Bacolod, we made a pit stop at the Piayaland (Merzci Pasalubong Factory) for some sweet treats to share with loved ones back home. This humongous structure is located at Vista Alegre at Brgy. Mansilingan, and it showcases how pasalubong goodies, which Bacolod is famous for, such as piaya, butterscotch, biscocho, napoleones are made.

Bonus adventures and side trips to The Ruins, Campuestuhan, and Wildlife Center Bacolod added an extra dash of fun and learning to our already epic journey.

And of course, Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod served up the perfect farewell lunch: kare-kare, Chinatown chicken noodles, chicken inasal salad, and callos. We topped the sumptuous lunch with the Halo-halo Fiesta (good for 5-10 persons), exclusive served in Park Inn Bacolod. It was such a gustatory delight leaving our taste buds tingling with joy!

The hotel's dynamic duo, general manager Sherwin Lucas and cluster marketing manager Myka Ella Pahilanga, together with chef Rufino Dungca, Jr., also gave us the inside scoop on their top-notch features and innovative initiatives.

Bacolod, you’ve stolen our heart, you've left us speechless (and definitely, some pounds heavier!). Until next time, keep the chicken inasal warm and the Calea cakes fresh — we'll be back for more!

 Forest farm in Negros offers taste of holistic, sustainable living

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