Winning in the Negros Occidental Tourism Blog Contest

My blog entry entitled, Lair of Breeders (Republished here: Negros Occidental: Lair of Game Fowl Breeders), won second place to Atty. Andrea Si and her entry, Twist of Sugar, in the recently concluded Tourism Blog Contest. The awarding was coincided with the opening of the Negros Tourism Week last September 20, 2010 held at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol Building.

My husband and I attended the event. We were ecstatic. I won a P2,000 cash prize, trophy, and a round-trip ticket Tourist class from Negros Navigation. I hope I can negotiate it as a round trip ticket for two so that my family can travel and I can blog about the company some more. I wonder what their destinations from Bacolod are. We may take a weekend trip this November if circumstances permit it.

The opening ceremonies were graced by Tourism Regional Director Edwin Trompeta, who was also guest speaker. The beloved Negros Occidental Governor, Hon. Alfredo G, Maranon Jr. said in his speech that his administration has so many plans to encourage tourism in province, such as a Tourist Class hospital in the south, a hotel and new cottages at Mambukal Resort. He said, “We are already left behind, we should not stay left behind.”

Well, here I am receiving my award from Silay City Tourism Officer Ver Pacete. Right, the Social Hall is packed with Tourism officers and staff of the different LGUs here in Negros Occidental. The theme of this year’s celebration is “Tourism and Biodiversity.” I think it is worthy to mention that the province of Negros Occidental had been awarded “Best Tourism Week Celebration in the Philippines” in the years 2006, 2008, and 2009.

Coinciding with the opening ceremonies is the Negros Occidental Food Festival. There was Crabs and Oysters from the Municipality of Ilog, fresh lumpia from Silay City, chicken inasal and pork barbecue of Bacolod City, freshly picked sweet lanzones from Talisay City, pan de bisaya from Escalante City, guavas and rambutan from the Municipality of Murcia, glutinous rice products from the Municipality of San Enrique, an alimusan dish from Binalbagan, and more seafood products from Sagay City and Cadiz City. Too bad we were not able to partake of this sumptuous lunch because we had to take our baby home.