So when it was nearing 3pm, I prepared and hurried myself to attend the event. Since I don’t know the place, I decided to be there early but as usual I have children to attend to first so I went in late. When I arrived, they were already at the end of their program of introducing themselves. As for me, I wasn’t able to introduce myself which makes me happy because I don’t feel like talking in front of many people.

Anyway, the event was centered on the future of the development of the IT industry here in Bacolod. City Councilor Atty. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue was there to give us a history tour on how the journey of providing 7000 call center jobs in Bacolod came to be. She also told us of her vision on her plans of making Bacolod as one of the IT hubs of the Philippines.

I really admired the vision of City Councilor Atty. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue on her quest to provide more jobs in our city and to develop young professionals in the field of the IT industry. That is the reason why I decided to support her in any way I can. I love her vision and I wished for it too come true!!

Anyway, I was able to go out with my hubby last October 16 not to enjoy the Masskara Festival but to meet and greet some blogger friends with some members of the Negros Bloggers. We went to Mc Café at McDonalds Lacson to meet up with Enrico Dee of Byahilo.com, Audrey Rose Mecabalo of Lagawan.info, Fitz Gerard Villafuerte of FitzVillafuerte.com and Don Triviño of DonTrivino.com. It was simple meet and greet. We just talked about some updates and how they found Masskara Festival so far. I was also glad that we were able to meet up since it’s been a long time since the Negros Bloggers saw each other.

As we went home, Sis Glady of ExperienceNegros.com and I were able to take few photos as we walk to the jeepney stop. Below are few of those I took:

It is an event filled with wonderful and colorful street dancing parade with colorful costumes. The sight and sounds of the street dancing event is the much awaited festival highlights by foreign and local tourist. They will also be having the Electric Masskara wherein you will see the costumes of the dancer light up in the evening!

Food from chicken inasal, lechon baboy and sea foods together with concerts and dancing at the city plaza are also the some of the things that you will enjoy during the 19 day celebration of Bacolod’s Charter Day!

So, if you want to enjoy the beauty of the Masskara Festival, come and visit us here in Bacolod City! By the way, please visit my post on the tentative schedule of the Masskara Festival 2009.

So when March of 2007 came, I was really ecstatic when SM City Bacolod opened their doors. At last, we can visit the usual SM affiliate stores that my family and I are really fond of, like Ace Hardware, Watsons and Surplus Shop!

Aside from the fact that it is located at the heart of the city, SM City Bacolod was always one ride away from us. If we decide to eat out, we can always go immediately. So, we can’t deny the fact that they have become part of our family. It was always the place where we usually go to celebrate good moments in our life and even to relieve distressing ones. Just to name a few, here are several pictures that were taken over the years. Each has a story to tell.

It was on November 2007, that my son celebrated his fourth birthday. Since we were low in finances at that time, we decided to celebrate the said occasion at SM City Bacolod with the family only. We played at Quantum and then later ate at Red Ribbon to blow his birthday cake. It was a very simple celebration but the whole family was there. It was enough to make my little boy smile!

Then on March 2008, my daughter celebrated her 8th birthday. During that time, I also bought my Kodak EasyShare digital camera at SM Appliance Center. Then after that, the children and I went to the groceries. Inside the grocery store, we took the liberty to test our new digital camera while buying what we need. After that, we ate at Jollibee. It was really an enjoyable moment for us!

And of course, my husband and I have those alone moments too. We always go to SM City Bacolod to spend our time with each other. We usually play at Quantum, and then later eat at any of our favorite fast food chains. If the resources are available, we watch a movie before heading home. Below are some of the pictures I took while dining at Max Restaurant at SM City Bacolod.

To be honest, there were many special moments that SM City Bacolod and my family have share together but we were not able to take pictures all the time especially when my digital camera’s LCD broke. But still, they were great memories that have gone through time and will always be remembered in our hearts. And since my husband and I have already decided to permanently reside here in Bacolod City, I believe that there will be more memories that SM City Bacolod and my family will shape together!

Anyway, I was glad that our internet connection was installed immediately. I thought I will be offline for more than four days. Fortunately, the Smart Broadband contractors here in Bacolod City are very fast. I got my connection up today (was offline since Saturday night)! Though I got my connection, I am also unhappy because the speed that I am experiencing is not the same as before. I am far from the base station which means there are many blockages in between. But I am still thankful that I can access the internet again, I just hope that the rain won’t be terrible because it also affects the connection.

Updates…updates…updates! Our place is still a mess with all the unpacked things we have everywhere. Our electrical wirings are also a mess since we need to install new ones to give way to some of our appliances. Our landlady got hospitalized (she suffered from a high blood pressure). The two family boarders moved-out (where they threatened by us?) which means we get the whole house by ourselves for the moment. My husband is with us…he moved in even though I said I was moving out only with the kids. He said…he wants and loves his family (oowwss!!).

By the way, I would like to thank all the people who committed and purchased through my HELP ME SAVE FOR MY BABY STORK FUND. So far, I have two confirmed purchases and few commitments in the next few days. I also thank my friends who posted about this in their blogs as a support to help me get more clients. In behalf of Bella Grace and the whole family, we would like to give our utmost appreciation to all of you. Thank you very much!! Hoping and praying for more clients.

After my boy’s exams, we bought toothbrushes and toothpastes to bring as donations to the said event. When we arrived the rain was starting to pick up, so I immediately looked for my fellow Negros Bloggers Mommy Dhadha of Maldita and Sistah Lois of The Pinay Blogger; other bloggers where not able to attend the event because of work. My best friend Mae brought my children to Dunkin Donuts to eat some snacks and to take shelter while my fellow bloggers and I register for the event, take our commitment and buy ourselves some original Ako Mismo Dog Tags.

The rained poured so hard but it didn’t stop the three bloggers from registering and going through the flow. We took our pledge form and write our commitments to help the Philippines in facing a brighter future. Then we went and donated the toothbrushes and toothpastes for the children in the mountainous areas of Negros and then visited some booths. After which, we went and bought ourselves some dog tags. We were not able to visit the other booths. There was a concert but we couldn’t even listen because of the heavy rains.

Since the rain wouldn’t stop, we were forced to take shelter. So we went to Dunkin Donuts where my children waited. We ate donuts and drank some hot chocolate drink. We stayed there for hours because it was raining cats and dogs.

Oh well, though it rained so hard, I was glad that I was able to buy original Ako Mismo Dog Tags and meet-up with some fellow Negros Bloggers. On top of that, I was happy that we were able to prove our commitment to help make the Philippines a better place and even help the children of Negros.

Photo Credits: Mommy Dhadha!