Category Archives: Online Journal

March 16, 2012

Personal Story and a Champion’s Tribute: Western Visayas Regional Meet 2012

By Mark Mayo - Magallanes

Opening Ceremonies for the Western Visayas Regional Meet at Panaad Stadium

Two days ago, I received a Facebook message informing me that my cousin Jason Adrian Mayo-Mirabueno won in the swimming competition over at the Western Visayas Regional Meet. Deep inside, I was elated and happy that he is finally achieving his dream. Friends back home in Bacolod City have shared some photos with me of the opening at Panaad Park and Stadium and I was about to blog about it like an Ernie Baron in the web. However, I found a really personal side to the story which I wanted to share somehow, so forgive me if I will border on something deeply personal.

Photo-ops before the competition proper

My eyes were witnesses to how this dearest cousin honed his swimming talent as a child when he first became curious of the learn to swim lessons for the Panaad Swim Team. He grew from being a curious child to a bemedalled athelete that he is now. His swim lessons are of curious interest to me whose passion I saw in his eyes while he follows his older brother James went first with the training. His victories over at amateur competitions and interprovincial meets proved that potential.

My cousin Jason waiting for his turn with competing Western Visayas athletes

My vision for this young cousin of mine seeing the national competitions grew stronger when I was still with my ex-girlfriend who happened to be an all-time champion in this very same Regional Meet and Palarong Pambansa a few years ago. I envisioned my cousin to draw the same swimming champion path as my ex-girlfriend and I even planned for a meet-up between the two achiever swimmers. Eventually, things did not happen as I planned it when my relationship with this ex-girlfriend ended bitterly and in a sour note over something slightly related to swimming and some other reason as well.

Western Visayas swimmers preparing for a relay competition

Though I love my cousin so much, that sour experience almost killed my interest with swimming. A part of me would be happy if my cousin won but another side of me did not want to hear anything about swimming again. This was my hindrance with celebrating my cousins victories through the times but his rise to swimming stardom was simply unstoppable. Somehow, blood is thicker than the waters of past experiences and swimming has found another meaning and redemption in the persona of my cousin Jason. After all, he is my cousin, right? A really talented cousin for that matter. He deserves all the accolades and honors for his years of continuous training and hard good work.

Receiving the gold medal for Negros

Events competitions continues today at Panaad Park and Stadium where Western Visayas Provinces continue to showcase athletic talent. If you are a kasimanwa and in Bacolod City, please take time to watch the games and support Team Negros athletes especially my cousin Jason. As of the latest medal tally, Negros is leading in the gold medal count. The Negros Occidental Swim Team contributed twenty-two gold medals more to the medal tally count. Athletes like my cousin Jason need all our prayers and support for a landslide win for our Negros.

The champ posing with his gold and silver medals

My personal prayer for my cousin is that he will continue down the champion’s path not only carrying the province’s banner but the country’s as well in the future. I would wish to see his talent honed in the top notch universities here in Manila when the time comes for him to enter university studies. This blogger-cousin would always be proud of you and will always be here to support you hundred percent! His four golds and three silvers qualifies him for competing in the Palarong Pambansa this May 6-12, 2012 at Dagupan City, Pangasinan. Kudos Jason for your victories and to God be all the glory!

2 comments   |  tags: , , , , , , , | posted in Culture, Events, Kish Javellana, Negros Occidental, Online Journal, Personal, The Bread Rolls

January 30, 2012

Blog Anniversary Giveaway Winners

By Mark Mayo - Magallanes

 

The week-long blog giveaway is up and now is the time to announce the winners. República Negrénse would like to thank Merci Pasalubong, Delicioso, Swap Straps and Baked Lunchbox for providing the prizes for my Blog Giveaway. As mentioned in the announcement, there will be separate winners for Metro Manila-based winners and Metro Bacólod-based winners.

The participants’ names were keyed in to the Android app “Shake Raffle Roll” developed by the Pinoy Android App Developers from Juandroid.org. If you want to know how this app works and is interested in downloading this one, just refer to this article by yours truly at Android Alliance Philippines, the online magazine I work in, for more details.

For Metro Bacólod-based readers, here are the winners of last January 29, 2012 raffle done between 12 nn to 1:30 pm and arranged by the order they were randomly chosen by the Android app. Each of the ff. will receive two gift certificates each from Delicioso:

WINE –

Ms. Andrea Xayide Gaurana

COLD CUTS AND CHEESE –

Mr. Neil Cordova

CAFÉ AMERICANO with BAILEY’S CHEESECAKE

Ms. Jade Bioneda

Ms. Emgee Po

Mr. Mark Rowell Prado

For the winners, please wait for February 3, 2012 to claim your gift certificates from Delicioso to give way for the transmission of winners’ name to the restaurant management. Delicioso is located in the ground floor of Breizh Building, Lacson St., Bacólod City which is fronting the Carmelite Monastery near Robinsons Place Bacólod.

For Metro Manila-based readers, here are winners of last January 29, 2012 raffle done between 12noon to 1:30pm and arranged by the order they were randomly chosen by the Android app. Since Swap Straps are flip flops for women, names of the ladies who gave in their entries were first chosen. Two ladies will receive a pair of Swap Straps flip flops with two sets of straps and they are the ff.:

Ms. Bea Gonzales

Ms. Rachel Canales

For the winners of Swap Straps Gift Certificates, please wait until February 3, 2012 to claim your prizes to give way for transmission of winners’ names to the Swap Straps Entrepreneur, Ms. Jerina Ramos and for the electronic GC’s to be sent to the winners’ email. I recommend reading my previous blog feature in Swap Straps to be guided on your choice of flip flops and straps.

Meanwhile, the names of the ladies who were not chosen randomly by the Android app were included for the other prizes. Names of Swap Straps winners were not anymore included. Here are winners of last January 29, 2012 raffle done between 12nn to 1:30pm and arranged by the order they were randomly chosen by the Android app. The ff. are the prize winners:

MERCI PASALUBONG –

Mr. Raffy Pekson II

Ms. Vix Parungao

Ms. KC Canlas

Mr. Lawrence Fernandez

Mr. John Patrick Magallanes

Ms. Millicent Tan

The prizes for Merci Pasalubong Boxes may be claimed anytime. Just set an appointment via text at (0927) 485-73-34 or via email at administrator@republicanegrense.com. The meet-up points are either in the general areas of West Ave. and North Triangle (SM North EDSA or TriNoMa) or in Greenhills Christian Fellowship (GCF), Ruby cor. Garnet Roads, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

Those who will be preferring a meet-up in West Ave./North Triangle areas, you will be meeting me personally while those who will prefer picking it up in GCF may redeem it from the lobby guard but inform me of the day so that it will be dropped off the day before.

For the winner of the Giant Cookie, you may get it anytime from the Baked Lunchbox Entrepreneur, Ms. Tracey Tan from the area of the University of Asia and the Pacific at Pearl Drive, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Here is the winner for Baked Lunchox:

BAKED LUNCHBOX GIANT COOKIE –

Mr. David Rosario

Kiong Hee or Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Anniversary Blog Giveaway and see you in the next blog giveaway which is hopefully on my birthday week, July 3, 2012 onwards. Thank you and… TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!

10 comments   |  tags: , , , , , , , , | posted in Feature, Online Journal

January 29, 2012

What I Love About Dumaguete City

By iamejbioneda

Negros Island is one beautiful island blessed with natural wonders and attractions. While many of those featured in this blog are in the Occidental side of the Island, there are lots of wonderful attractions you can explore in Negros Oriental. Located in the eastern seaboard of Negros Island, the province’s beautiful Capital City is Dumaguete. I first came to Dumaguete when I was still a young kid, about nine or ten years old when Mom was still alive. My family kept on going back here and we always go on a holiday getaway because we have learned to love the “City of Gentle People”.

Having frequented Dumaguete City, I already consider it as my third home with my beloved Bacolod City as my present home and Iligan City as my second. Dumaguete is a very small city and in the words of some tourists, a cosmopolitan city in the disguise of a small town. Everything you need at close proximity, either a walk or a tricycle ride away. Most of the people who live there own a motorcycle or two since it is the primary mode of transportation with the city having small narrow streets. The laid back feel, the people’s kindness and intimate environment are what makes it lovely.

Unfortunately, I was not able to have a cityscape picture of Dumaguete since we were interested about historical places, tourist spots, foods, and lagoons. One notable place famous in Dumaguete City is Rizal Boulevard, or simply called The Boulevard, where you can see a lovely view overlooking the calm sea which complements a ever beautiful sunset. Hotels and resorts are lined up along this area and a notable number of lovely restaurants too.

Before digging in to countless choices of restaurants along the Boulevard, what you really have to try eating here is their tasty but rather infamous balot. The coolness of the area made it a nice place to enjoy the treat. I even saw two random Koreans trying what may have been their first taste of balot. They looked rather disgustingly happy while eating. There is a growing number of expat community in this part of the Philippines because everywhere you go you will never fail to meet a foreigner, notably white Americans.  Anyway, here are some photos I’d like to share with you:

The city is really lovely, isn’t it? Kudos to Dumaguete City! Expect features to come for Dumaguete City or Negros Oriental for I hope to go back here soon and this time with my boyfriend Cyrelle for a wonderful time of travel and leisure. I’m sure he will love this amazing place as much as I did. Why not drop by and visit this one of a kind city too? Dumaguete City by plane is just an hour from Manila or 30 minutes from Cebú, by bus is just 5 hours from Bacólod City while by ferry, just 4 hours from Cebú. Catch more of me, Jade Seriña – Bioneda, in my pink-blushed journal blog – Jaded.

2 comments   |  tags: , , , , , , | posted in Ej Bioneda, Negros Oriental, Online Journal, Personal, Travel

January 22, 2012

First Anniversary Blog Giveaway!

By Mark Mayo - Magallanes

Finally, here is what you have been waiting for the first anniversary of República Negrénse! I will be having a little blog giveaway as my appreciation to you my readers as I celebrate this blog’s First Anniversary and the Chinese New Year. Exciting prices await for the winners of the blog giveaway that will run today until Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 12nn. I will be having a separate blog giveaway to Manila-based readers and Bacólod-based readers.

FOR MANILA-BASED READERS

For the blog giveaway for my Manila-based readers, nine (9) lucky winners will be chosen by way of the Android App “Shake Raffle Roll” by Juandroid.org. The first set of six (6) winners will received a box of pasalubong treats from Merci Pasalubong, the second set of two (2)winners will receive a gift cheque from Swap Straps and the last set of a single winner will receive a Giant Cookie from Baked Lunchbox. For you to have an idea of the prizes, here are some pictures provided by our commercial partners:

MERCI PASALUBONG Boxes with the ff items:

not pictured: cheese tarts (my favorite) and pita crackers

SWAP STRAPS Gift Certificates

BAKED LUNCHBOX Giant Cookie

In order to join and qualify for the app raffle, do the ff:

  • posting it here on the comment section
  • posting it on the comment section of the Photo Blog Post
  • posting it on the Facebook page of República Negrénse
  • tweeting it to @RepNegrense with the hashtag #MoreFunInNegros
  • Please include your email address in your comments. For Twitter, DM me your email address.
  • Failure to comply with either of the above-mentioned will nullify your entry.

FOR BACÓLOD-BASED READERS

For the blog giveaway for my Bacólod-based readers, five (5) lucky winners will be chosen by way of the Android App “Shake Raffle Roll” by Juandroid.org to avail of GC’s or Gift Certificates from Delicioso. Delicioso, as I have featured before, is at Breizh Bldg. at Lacson Street, Bacólod City, right in front of the Carmelite Monastery. The first set of one (1) winner will received a GC for wine, the second set of one (1) winner will receive a GC for Cold Cuts & Cheese and the last set of three (3) winners will receive a two GC’s each for Cofi with Bailey’s Cheesecake. For you to get more excited with Delicioso, here are some pictures:

In order to join and qualify for the app raffle, do the ff:

  • Please “like” República Negrénse in Facebook and/or ”follow” me on Twitter @RepNegrense and/or Tumblr.
  • Please “like” Delicioso- Wine Food Coffee on Facebook.
  • Tell me what places I must visit or delicacies/food I must savor in Negros Island by either:
  • posting it here on the comment section
  • posting it on the comment section of the Photo Blog Post
  • posting it on the Facebook page of República Negrénse
  • tweeting it to @RepNegrense with the hashtag #MoreFunInNegros
  • Please include your email address in your comments. For Twitter, DM me your email address.
  • Failure to comply with either of the above-mentioned will nullify your entry.

For my loyal readers outside Manila and Bacólod, I know you would have wanted to also join in. If you will be in Manila or Bacólod next week and will be staying in for a minimum of five (5) days, you are also qualified to join. Just put a note “visiting next week” beside the email address you will be posting in the comment or through DM and indicate the number of days you will be staying. Winners will be announced in this Blog, Photo Blog (Tumblr), Facebook and Twitter. Confirmation messages with instructions for price redemption will be sent to the winners via the official blog email – administrator@republicanegrense.com.

After receiving your prices, I hope you’ll email be back and tell me what you think about these products. You may send just a simple comment or even a full-length 400-word article that will be featured here. Best wishes and God bless all of you!

30 comments   |  tags: , , , , , , | posted in Beyond the Island, Fashion, Food, Food, Lifestyle, Lifestyle, Mark Magallanes, Negros Occidental, Online Journal, Personal, The Bread Rolls

January 20, 2012

¡Feliz Primero Cumpleaños República Negrénse!

By Mark Mayo - Magallanes

Aimlessly looking out in the internet to divert his attention to the problems that crushes his heart, he searched for random things just to soothe his broken heart. That was the night of January 20, 2011, the day after a bitter break up from someone he once has his whole attention day to night and very much heartbroken. He found WordPress.com and thought suddenly to open an account just to serve as his emotional diversion. He did not think of anything fancy, just a place online to pour his heart out. After a few clicks and types, he launched his blog with the title The Midway Journal as he was in the middle of a lifechanging situation. Little did he know that his little “emotional diversion” would someday help travelers, tourists and foodies to discover his beloved homeland, Negros Island and his beloved hometown, Bacólod City.

– Mark Will Magallanes, diary entry for January 10, 2012

The story of República Negrénse is a very personal story mine, borne out of a simple prayer that the pain caused by a bitter break-up would have meaning in my life. Exactly one year later, I have seen it bear fruit with readers from several countries worldwide, five plane tickets to or from my hometown, unbelievable amounts of food tasted, countless of friends made, a domain, thousands of fun miles walked and enjoyed. The very heartache that spurned me to blog is now already gone but here I am still, blogging. It was an answer from the Lord I did not realize until I looked back at how many breakthroughs I had with my life because of this blog, a blessing in disguise. Thousands of words and 160 posts later, I am now celebrating this blog’s first anniversary.

As I am writing this, I keep on finding right words to use but joy has overwhelmed me much. I thank my family for being my most rabid fans and has been helping me in many aspects of blogging. Mom, Dad, my younger brother John and even my older sister Chrysee, I give my biggest thanks, my warm hugs and appreciation. My dearest friends, nongs and nangs from Negros Bloggers, blogging friends in Manila like Jillian Bantang and Berniemack Arellano, even to the very supportive SSC Bacólod barkada, I give my biggest thanks. My loyal readers and all my blog sponsors, I thank all of you for reading my blog and believing in República Negrénse. My wish is that I can offer more exciting blogs to help you in your travel, heritage and food fancies.

Highest of all, I thank the Lord for making all these possible! You never left my side when all the zephyr of problems kept on knocking me down. You deserve all my praise and offering, to you I dedicate this year, this blog all the way. GOD BLESS…

and TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!

2 comments   |  tags: , , | posted in Mark Magallanes, Online Journal, Personal, The Bread Rolls

January 14, 2012

First Anniversary Wishlist

By Mark Mayo - Magallanes

A week and a few days from now, it’s going to be the First Anniversary of República Negrénse. While I would not write about the story of the blog, which was actually born out of a heartache, I am giving you my wishlist for the New Year of 2012 and the next twelve months that this blog will be heading. The query goes of why choose to write about it today instead of New Year’s Day? For those who do not know yet, today is the New Year for those who are still traditionally using the Julian Calendar especially in countries that adhere to the Orthodox Christian faith. My wishlist reflects reflects some of the longings I have even before República Negrénse was even started. I have five items on my wishlist and on…

Batanes Islands is the northernmost province of the country and is the homeland of the Ivatan people. The Capital Town of Batanes is Basco, a town named after Governor-General Jose Basco y Vargas, a Spanish Count. Because of the Islands’ seclusion, the northernmost islands of Batanes boasts of being the only part of the country with four seasons. Southeast Asian Airlines or SEAir and Sky Pasada regularly flies from Manila to Basco Airport with Sky Pasada flying a service onwards to Itbayat Airport on another island in Batanes. The weather is cool and serene with friendly people and so it is not surprising that this province has a virtually zero-crime rate. From the northernmost province of the country, my wishlist now goes southernmost and on…

General Santos City, or what is popularly called GenSan, is the southernmost Highly-Urbanized City of the country. As many of us already known, General Santos is home to the iconic fishing industry that exports my most favorite fish, yellowfin tuna. Because I love tuna so much, a visit to tuna heaven is a must. An interesting fact is that South Cotabato, the province it was once attached to, is home to Mindanao’s largest community of Hiligaynon-speakers which makes it a place close to home and also home to the vast pineapple plantations of Dole. The food here is a curious mix of Ilonggo, Negrénse, Cebuano, Ilocano and Mindanaoan flavors which is a consequence of migration. When it comes to food though, I prefer spicy kinds and on…

Seoul is the Capital City of South Korea and the heartland of Korean culture. Despite being a Filipino with Chinese and Spanish heritage, I coax well with Korean cuisine and is becoming one of my top 5 choices in global cuisine. My wish to go to Seoul was also inspired by the fact that ZestAir now flies twice a week from Bacólod-Silay International Airport to Incheon. Though a lot of Korean restaurants have already sprouted in Metropolitan Manila and Metropolitan Bacólod, I still find it best to experience the cuisine where it would be surely free from any form of culinary “bastardization”. The phenomenal growth of  Christianity in Korea amazes me too. A unique experience of faith though would be to set foot on where it first laid ground and on…

Close to a Jew or Christian’s heart is the Holy Land, most of which is now the State of Israel. This little piece of land on the edge of the Middle East had a privilege of being called home or homeland by the great men of the Bible. May it be traversing Via Dolorosa, or visiting the Sepulcher where Jesus was once buried, such is a once in a lifetime experience that one must grab if one has the means or chance. There goes as well experiencing the unique Jewish kosher cuisine that dates back from the time of Moses. This unique experience deserves to be captured in photo or video, that is why on…

Capturing precious moments on camera is one thing, but capturing them in their best is a bigger premium and that is why my no. 1 wish is a new dSLR camera. Though my current slim Nikon CoolPix S5 has been a loyal companion in most of my blogging trips but I am always disappointed that it cannot take non-daylight shots well and does not do justice on the scenery. In order to capture my blogging trips the best especially rare ones, I am putting this one on my top list. I hope the year 2012 and the next 12 months of this blog would fare well as new adventures awaits for us at República Negrénse.

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | posted in Mark Magallanes, Online Journal, Personal, The Bread Rolls

January 1, 2012

New Year’s Message

By Mark Mayo - Magallanes

Dear Loyal Readers,

Happy New Year to all!

New Year’s Day does not only mark the beginning of the year or a new start for the brokenhearted but also the First Year Anniversary of República Negrénse, twenty days from now. The blog was started as an emotional diversion to ease out a big heartbreak but ended as a public service, a lifestyle website to showcase to the world the wonders of Negros and people beyond it, the heritage the people from all over go back to in Negros Island. These unique experiences I have enjoyed helped for people to discover what Negros Island really is and for some people to rediscover the wonders of their Negrénse heritage. The year has seen people being helped out in their vacation plans for my home Island and actually visited the Island because of this blog, people who have actually thanked me for encouraging them to visit the unique places Negros has to offer.

The year has also seen unique participations, interactions and features. For the likes of companies and organizations like Negros Bloggers, the Association of Negros Producers, Negros Museum, Fresh Start Organics, Negros Daily Bulletin, Merci Pasalubong Treats, the Silay City Government, 92.7 Wild FM Iloilo and many more I have forgotten to mention, I would like to thank all of you for believing in my blog, welcoming me in your company and even letting me have a peek with what’s new and latest for the people yet to see.

I would also like to thank the people who have directly made an impact with my blog and blogging. From sponsors like Nang Glady Tomulto-Reyes, Atty. Eli and Elena Gatanela who sponsored a year of my site’s domain and my airfare to the Philippine Blog Awards; Nong Jojo Vito, Nang Ria Akamatsu, Nong Chin-chin Uy, Congw. Mercedes Alvarez and Ina Ramos who let me featured their organizations, companies, products or events like the Association of Negros Producers with Vito Creations, Merci Pasalubong Treats, Fresh Start Organics, Run for CHICKS (Negros Occidental Sixth Legislative District) and Comer.cio with Swap Straps; Jillian Bantang, Dilyn Lopez, Ej Bioneda, Vir Silva and Bernie Arellano for blogging partnership or link exchanges at The Food Scout, Sugarcane Nomads, Jane Meets World, Melankoliko and HabagatCentral.com; Ashley Rivera and Gindy Cezar who are lovely girls behind Petra Mahalimuyak and Sexy Maggie of 92.7 Wild FM Iloilo, and many more I have actually forgotten to mention. Thank you for being part of my República Negrénse and its first in history.

To all of you approximately 9,000 readers and your friends, I would like to thank you for loving my blog, Above all, Soli Deo Gloria, to God alone be the glory! Without You, there could never be República Negrénse. Viva República Negrénse! God bless all of you and a billion thanks from my heart!

Truly and sincerely yours,

 

with

MARK WILL MAYO – MAGALLANES
Blog Administrator

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , | posted in Mark Magallanes, Online Journal, Personal, The Bread Rolls

October 23, 2011

Sunny Hours at the Coast in Carbin Reef

By Kish Javellana


“Life’s a beach”. Good enough for a cliche. There is just something about it that soothes a torn soul. Last Wednesday, I had a chance to visit Sagay City, the home of the 32,000-hectare Sagay Marine Reserve, with some friends. Carbin Reef is such a beautiful marine sanctuary with colorful schools of fish. I’ve been here three times and it never gets old (believe me, it’s worth playing hooky for). I just love that feeling when I sit on the sand and I bury my feet in it like I did when I was a little kid, and I just look out to the sea.


Carbin Reef is a tongue-shaped, white sandbar. There are no trees or shrubs so the number one thing that you should never ever forget is your sunscreen. Trust me, you don’t wanna get burnt. Another thing you might not want to forget is water. Nobody wants to drink sea water right? So you really have to make sure you bring enough water and food since there are no shops in the islet. Ascertain that you pee or poop too before getting on the 15- to 20-minute boat ride because there aren’t any toilets available there.


They have tents for you to stay in and a two-storey tower which you could rent for about Php300-600, all seasons. At low tide, the sandbar is exposed to the sun’s dazzling rays. During this time diving is discouraged due to the shallow water. In contrast, at high tide the sandbar can be submerged. Though it rarely happens during the day, it is important that you check the tides before planning a visit. For this reason, Carbin Reef visitors can only go on a day-trip. I wish I could spend a night in the islet but for safety purposes, they just let guests stay up until 3-4 pm only depending on the wind strength and direction. Still, it attracts plenty of bathers and people who are just eager to get away from the mainland for a spot to play a game of volleyball or frisbee in or even just for picnic.


The place is perfect for a scenic somersault, my favorite pose when they take me a picture. It’s all free play. Sometimes though, small rocks or shells in the rough sand cut my feet as I tread across the beach. Still, it is definitely worth getting my feet on those sands everytime for an ultimate fun and memorable Carbin Reef experience.

13 comments   |  tags: , , , , | posted in Kish Javellana, Negros Occidental, The Bread Rolls, Travel

October 13, 2011

RepublicaNegrense.com Launching Soon

By Mark Mayo - Magallanes

Heaven answered my prayers as I was looking for sponsors for my WordPress blog’s upgrading to a domain website! Fellow Negros Blogger Glady Tomulto who blogs at ExprienceNegros.com sponsored my domain yesterday as part of my prize package for winning Negros Bloggers’ logo contest. I will be launching my official domain website, RepublicaNegrense.com next week Friday in lieu of the Skycrapercity Bacólod and Negros Bloggers Regular Meet-Up. I am looking for ways to innovate my website by adding contributors in RepublicaNegrense.com. I mentioned in my previous blog that I will be choosing one contributor blogger from Negros Oriental and another one from Negros Occidental but I guess I should accept more contributors since I am planning to have this website feature four kinds of blogs: Lifestyle, Travel/Leisure, Opinion and Food. RepublicaNegrense.com will be accepting as much as 8 bloggers to cover our four categories but only two, one from Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental will receive freebies courtesy of our sponsors and donors. I will be opening the registration for contributors now until next week Thursday.

On the same day of the launching, the Manila-based Bacoleño forum members of Skyscrapercity.com will meet next week Friday. Skyscrapercity.com, or colloquially known as SSC, is a forum website that features developments in tourism, investment and infrastructures across all countries of the world. Philippines has its own forum platform within Skyscrapercity with Bacólod City and Negros Occidental Province Thread is the official home of  Negrénse forum members, along with the associated threads like Heritage Watch, Samahan, Bacólod-Silay Airport Thread and many others. Since there is a growing number of forum members hailing from Negros Occidental, Negrénse forumers decided to form a conglomeration called Skyscrapercity Bacólod in order to have a network of actual people outside the Threads. SSC Bacólod members are staunch advocates for the preservation and promotion of Negrénse culture, heritage and investment. Apart from these matters, SSC Bacólod also gives back to the community by organizing Annual Christmas Gift Giving to our less fortunate kasimanwas.

With regards to the SSC Bacólod and Negros Bloggers Meet-Up last Negros Trade Fair, it was a resounding success! We also teamed up with the KONEK Forum in order to bring a more informative part to the program. I would like to thank Merci Pasalubong Treats and the Office of Congw. Mercedes Alvarez for supporting us in the event. If you are curious with what is SSC Bacólod or Negros Bloggers and know more about our advocacies and activities, you may leave your comment or send your inquiries to my blog email at mwm.magallanes@gmail.com and I’ll be happy to help you.

Leave a comment | posted in Feature, Online Journal, The Bread Rolls

October 12, 2011

República Negrénse’s Search for Contributor Bloggers

By Mark Mayo - Magallanes

Lately, I have been noticing that my blog hits and readership has been soaring for the past few weeks. I am about to have 500 hits so far this week alone with readers from 50 countries and scattered over all livable continents of the world. For República Negrénse to be more interactive and more informative with at least one posts per day, I am currently looking for contributors. Since my blog is dedicated to Negros and everything about Negros, the contributors must also be Negrénse. Preferably, I would love to have a contributor from Dumaguete City or any part of Negros Oriental which can blog about tourism, heritage and culture. The scope of República Negrénse and its namesake, the República Cantonal de Negros of the olden days, includes Negros Oriental. República Negrénse wants to feature not just the sights and wonders of Negros Occidental but Negros Oriental as well. Apart from that, I would be also needing another contributor that is a resident of Bacólod City or any part of Negros Occidental.

Being a contributing blogger about Negros Island entails some perks, responsibilities and passion for our homeland. The contibutor should be well versed in English since our readers are of the international scope. Contributors must love to travel or explore new places to visit or restaurants to eat out and document them clear on camera. Since the blogging platform that República Negrénse is using is WordPress.com, the contributor must be also registered to the same site. If you are interested to be part of my blog and advocacy, you may send your profile details by adding me on Facebook. Send me your notification that you added me on Facebook together with a sample blog and the email you use in your WordPress account to my blog email: mwm.magallanes@gmail.com.

This is purely in a voluntary basis, only passion for Negros. If you are not into blogging but interested to support my blog by donating funds for my website’s upgrade to the domain website RepublicaNegrense.com, you may email me too. However, if one of us receives some special treats on travel or food because of República Negrénse, the chosen blogger should share. I am planning on selling República Negrénse t-shirts and merchandise which the contributors will avail for free. The contributor blogger is entitled and must avail membership in the Negros Bloggers, the elite group of bloggers in Negros Island. Membership in Negros Bloggers and joining me in República Negrénse will enable you to enjoy the perks and events that Negros Bloggers is invited or will be organizing, as well as privileges given to me or the group. Only one blogger from Negros Oriental and another from Negros Occidental will be chosen as my partners in República Negrénse. If you have what it takes, why not write for República Negrénse. Join now!

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