I was so proud to be a part of the Municipal government of Odiongan wherein I witnessed how Odionganons united as we join the 112^th Indepence Day with the theme: “Kalayaan: Tagumpay ng Bayan”. The program started at 7:30 am held at Odiongan Municipal Office,Odiongan, Romblon. Mr. Boy Fetalvero was the Master of Ceremony for the said event. It was participated by different local Government Agencies such as the Department of Agrarian Reform, Dept. of Interior and Local Government, Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources, Odiongan Municipal Police Station, DepEd teachers from Odiongan South District, Romblon National High School-Odiongan, Mayha National High School-RNHS Ext, as well as other Educational Institution, Barangay Officials, Tablas Bikers Club and other private agencies. The invocation was conducted by Pastor Dionel A. Flores followed by a singing of National Anthem by the LGU chorale group. An inspirational message was given by Rev. Father Elvin C. Fetalco. Next was the starting of Mountain Bikers Race and Hon. Brecio D. Fajutnao Jr. welcomed everyone for he was grateful for those who participated in that event. Then our group from Mayha National High School-RNHS Ext. gave a special intermission number by singing of Ang bayan ko. Releasing of doves was headed by Hon. Brecio Fajutnao Jr. and Sangguniang Bayan members then wreath laying by different agencies and Rev. Oliver E. Lambatin led the Closing prayer. The second part of the program was the awarding of prizes for mountain bike race. Mr. Jake Sudoy, number sixty five from Looc Romblon was the fortunate biker who got the first place.

I thought it will be the same story as what Mr. Ver Pacete told us one day ago. At first it was quite boring, I even felt sleepy during the lecture. But when he showed us the video, all of us were astounded because the documentary film tackled the history of Negros Occidental. Truly a great help for us when there is another supplementary materials to deliver the message of the story and I admired Mr. Ver Pacete for sharing us the video. As what I also did sometimes in my lesson, I let my students watch a video or an impress presentation to arouse their interest for the lesson that I discussed. I was interested because I can also share this to my students.

Ver Pacete is once a sugarcane worker during his younger years and a teacher. At present he works in Tourism Office of the said place. He knows a lot about Negros because he already made a lot of research. He shared us all his knowledge about the place. So, these are the following informations taken from the lectures given by Mr. Pacete.

As you can see in the map you will notice that Negros is a boot-shape island. You will also find Mt. Kanlaon in the center of the island and they consider it as a famous landmark of Negros. It is the only province in the Philippines with thirteen cities and nineteen municipalities. “Buglas” is an early name for Negros it is a dialect term which means “cut off”and Hiligaynon is their language used.

Negritos are the aborigines of Negros who lived in the mountain areas also known as “taga-hitaas” (upland people). Negritos usually live in a place where there are lots of animals, fruits and other foods. They don’t have a permanent place, sometimes they live in the riverbank to supply their needs. They are good herbalist and hunters.

Negritos also believes in forces of nature or phenomena that they could not understand but feared. Some of them are kamana (dwarfs), kapre(black giants), tayho(tikbalang), diwata(fairies), bulalakaw(fired birds) ukoy(syokoy) and lunok( rubber tree).

When the spaniards arrived, it was Esteban Rodriguez who first travel to Negros. One of his men tasted “tuba” ( wine from coconut) and reported that he saw “los negros” (Ati). Capt. Martin de Goite visited Negros in April 1566 and it was colonized in 1567, then Augustinian priests were sent to the island. It was Miguel Lopez de Legazpi who divided Negros into encomiendas. Then pueblos were established and it was 1772 when Muslim warriors attack the pueblos wherein they burned the houses and female Negritos brought to Mindanao to be their wives.

Negros is also famous in the cultivation of sugarcane. It was their main source of living and according to Mr. Pacete,  Negrenses can survive six months of hunger. Ninety eight percent of the population are catholic. Love blooms in sugarcane field where man and woman worked. They got to know each other because both of them are working in the sugarcane field. They have a unique story when it comes to love. We’ll I guess, most people here are sweet lovers. Mr. Ver Pacete added that, a Negrense who cannot identify his culture does not deserve to live in their place.

When I received a text from our principal that I was one of the participants chosen for the CampBlog 1C I have a mixed emotions. I was overwhelmed that my name was published in CampBlog site and I felt happy because I can reach Negros Occidental. But I was worried for so many things such as the expenses, and who will take good care of my children while I’m away from home. There are lots of things to consider. Starting from that day I had so many sleepless night. I really wanted to go but still doubtful if I’m gonna grab the opportunity.

Until finally, my worries was answered by my mom. She promised to be with my children and she lend me money for my transportation expenses. To travel to different places was once in a lifetime and you shouldn’t miss it, she said. So, I packed up my things two days before I left Odiongan.

I together with my co-teachers, traveled going to Negros last May 29, 2010. First we bound to Dumaguit, Kalibo Aklan by ship. Then we rode in a bus going to Iloilo and took Supercat to Bacolod City. From there, we rode in a taxi to Natures Village, Talisay City. It’s been a long trip for us. I was really tired and I got homesick from the time we reached the place. I missed my family, even my home. So, I called and talked with them from time to time. Thank God I have an unlimited load for calling that time.

We’ve spent our second day in Bacolod City. We went to SM, I bought some things for myself and for my kids. The third day was the first day of our seminar. I met new friends especially when our speaker discussed about social networking. Then the following day was quite busy for us. I was very interested when our speaker taught us about Online Writing, Resource Planning and Photography. In each topic, there was always a workshop. So, we were busy working on it. But I was so excited to be one of the bloggers that’s why I really tried to finished my work and I was grateful that I’ve met Mr. Joe Torres, the editor-in-chief and Mr. Jimmy Domingo, the photographer of Remate. I learned so many things from our speakers and I enjoyed so much. I really can apply those things in my daily activities as a teacher and a blogger.

Then the most awaited time had come, June 4,2010 was the heritage tour to Negros. I woke up at 5:00 o’clock in the morning, then I took a bath. At 6:30 a.m. I have taken my breakfast. Then at 7:oo o’clock Mam Helen and I were ready for the journey. In fact we’re the first one who were able to prepare for the said activity among the participants.

Oh my gosh! This is so exciting. As we were riding in a bus Mr. Ver, our tour guide discussed some important facts about Negros Occidental. According to him, Bacolod is the capital of Negros Occidental. Talisay is another city and famous for sweet lanzones. I was surprised when I learned that you cannot be a governor of Negros unless you are a sugarcane farmer. Since people here are sugarcane field worker. Along the road are sugarcane field. Here I saw workers busy working on it. Some are harvesting and some are still planting. So, sugarcane is the source of income here in Negros.

As our tour went on, I witnessed the beauty of Negros. My worries disappeared when we began to travel. Because yesterday, I kept thinking of what are those things I can see in Negros. I have proven that there’s no place like Negros Occidental. It’s full of fascinating places and I was so lucky that I was here to experience it. So fortunate to be one of the participants in CampBlog from Romblon. A big opportunity for me to stay here and meet the Negrenses. I was beginning to like it here. What about migrating here? Oh! maybe

The Balay Negrense

that’s impossible because my life is in Odiongan. My family is waiting for me to get home. Maybe I should bring my family here for vacation someday.

During the tour we first visited the Balay Negrense in Silay City and I was amazed with the appearance and the preservation of the house. The house is of the type called “bahay na bato” and it was built in 1897. Originally it was the ancestral house of Victor F. Gaston. It was also the first museum established in the province of Negros Occidental. There you can see the old typewriter, telephone, piano, and even the kitchen utensils of long time ago. We enjoyed taking pictures and I will gonna share it to my students.

Then we went to Hofilena’s House in Silay City. It was Mr. Ramon Hofilena who maintained the preservation of the house. He shared us a lot about Hofilena family. This antique house is remarkable because of its art collection by different national artist .

Next destination was to Merci’s Pasalubong Center in Bacolod City to buy some stuff such as torones, piaya, t-shirts , and key chains for our love ones.

Of all the places I visited, I really enjoyed most in the Ruins located in Talisay City. It is surrounded by a landscaped gardens of varied inspirations, from formal English to Japanese gardens, and sugarcane plantations. In the garden there you can find the 4- tiered fountain This mansion was owned by Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson. But it was burned during World war II. As I was exploring the place, I was captivated with the spot. I have learned that special events may also be held at the Ruins such as birthday, wedding, family reunions and many other occasions. What a good idea. They really had a very wide space and it can accommodate hundreds of people. Another thing that everybody can do here is playing golf. I haven’t tried it for we are running out of time since most of us were so tired . I was’nt also able to take photo due to my batteries were empty.

The location is great for the tourists who want to relax. For those who haven’t been there, I encourage you to visit the place. It’s really nice to have vacation. Be there and have fun. Although I’ve never heard about this before, but now I have seen the beauty of Negros.

This day was probably my best day. I really enjoyed a lot. One of the main skills I learned from today’s activity was photography. I can apply the techniques and strategies, learned from Mr. Jimmy Domingo. Truly a big help for me in capturing images.

When we talk about beautiful places, many things come in our mind. But when you say you’re looking for a peaceful place, I would rather suggest, Odiongan is the best place to be. We’ll, I’m one of the luckiest Odionganon who belong in this island. Why? Because it is very peaceful and free from any danger. People of Odiongan call themselves as Odionganon. It consists of 25 barangays.

In every barangay there are public elementary schools and we have 3 secondary public schools. These are Libertad National High School located at Libertad, Odiongan, Romblon National High School – Main located in the heart of town and now there is a newly established school in Mayha, the Mayha National High School, an extension of RNHS-Main wherein I’ve been teaching there for 3 years. But some Odionganons, preferred to send their children in private schools.

Though we had only one state college in Odiongan, it was converted to University just recently . Through this, some students would no longer go in manila to have their college education for they offer different courses.

Odionganons are truly hospitable, we share ulam to our neighbors. Especially, ginataang langka, nilabog and gayabon ( gabi). Bananas, camote and other root crops or what they called duma are the favorite foods of Odionganons.

As years passed by, Odiongan was developed. As of now, there are some restaurants, bars, resorts, and hotels were built. Then last year we have the newly established mall located in the town proper. One of the favorite restaurant I enjoyed most is Lyns. There you can have your meal and snacks. It’s that we own the place, but because it is one of the well-known restaurant in the locality.

If you want to unwind and bond with your family, Rencious is the right place to go swimming especially during weekends. There you can bring you loved ones and kids.

At night, if you feel bored and nothing to do, you can visit any bar in Odiongan. Baywalk and Beach Inn are my favorite place wherein I can relax and bond with my friends.

This is Odiongan, the place to be.

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