CHRISTMAS IN THE CITY BY: Owen S. Bayog

Roaming around the City - I passed by the San Sebastian Cathedral and saw a man who is climbing the  church tower...

I also took a photograph of the Cathedral from the gate...

Moving on to the Bishop's Palace where a star placed at the veranda 

served as a good foreground while the San Sebastian Cathedral stands tall at the background...

The image of Christ in front of the Bishop's Palace...

The ongoing Christmas Baratilyo by the street in front of the San Sebastian Cathedral

gives the people an option aside from shopping at the malls...

The Bacolod Public Plaza bandstand at night...

Kids at the plaza bandstand - Rose May and Toto...

A stunning view of the San Sebastian Cathedral while at the Public Plaza...

and to end my photo walk I dropped by to buy salted peanuts along Gonzaga street...

and met Manang Rosalie who has been selling for almost 5 years now...

FRISBEE AT NGC BY: Owen S. Bayog

It was late in the afternoon when we finished shooting a wedding at the New Government Center when I passed by a group of students playing frisbee at the NGC lawn.  I was also greeted by a friend (Christine Thel Geollegue) who was with her friends who are playing the game.  I took some photos of the group while the enjoy the game.

PROVINCIAL CAPITOL LAGOON BY: Owen S. Bayog

Another day on the streets looking for my street photos I happened to bump into a group of kids playing under the giant Christmas Tree at the Provincial Capitol Lagoon.  One of the kids approached me and ask if I could have their photos taken.  All smiles! as I snap some shots.

CHRISTMAS IS A TIME FOR CHILDREN BY: Owen S. Bayog

Santa Claus has a nice idea for giving gifts and his visit – he does it once a year.  That is why there is a need for civic groups and individuals to fill in the days without Santa around.  (eyeblogphotos) Owen and Rem Bayog along with our daughter Cassie were invited to join a simple feeding activity of a group of Nurses in Bacolod dubbed as “N.U.R.S.E” Nurses Unite to Raise Awareness, Stop Hunger and Educate the youth.

On their second year as an organized group – NURSE choose Holy Infant Nursery Foundation as beneficiary to a feeding and gift giving session this year.  Nurses namely; Girlyn Rubi, Chesterlyn Labayen, Liza Mae Palacios, Mary Jo Cordova, Rea Jae Cruz and Hera Yales led the said activity.  The group prepared food for the children and toys as their early Christmas gifts.

Wide smiles on their faces as members of the group went around helping feed the kids and interact with them.  Everyone was also excited of the gift packs with toys that the group distributed after the humble meal.

Children all over the world are excited about the holidays, Christmas presents and being with their loved ones but how about these children who were left by their parents outside the gates of half-way houses?  Some of them are abandoned after birth at the hospital.  What is Christmas for them?  

LAGAW SILAY By: Owen S. Bayog

(eyeblogphotos) was invited to a tour dubbed “Lagaw Silay” December 15 with tour guides, tour operators, travel agents, lifestyle writers and tourism officers to have a glimpse and experience Silay City’s museums, mansions, cultural-historical landmarks, ecotourism parks, churches, sugar mill, waterfalls, flora and fauna sites, and World War II terrains.

Maricar Dabao, president of the Alliance of Tour Guides of Negros, said the familiarization tour will help her group institutionalize tour guiding in Silay that she said is the “seat of arts, culture and ecotourism in Western Visayas.

Mayor Jose Montelibano meet and greet the participants in a courtesy call at the Mayor’s Office.  Mayor Montelibano asks the group to give a critique as well as feedbacks on the said tour and how could Silay City flex its wings for people to come to Silay City.

Silay City Tourism Officer Ver Pacete led the tour and disclosed historical facts about the places and landmarks of Silay during and after the war.  The group took off to Barangay Balaring where a 600 meter bamboo bridge leads to the Mangrove forest – a cooperation of the Japanese and the locals.

Later on the group went for a 33 kilometer road trip to Mount Patag and had lunch.  The soft saline breeze welcomed the participants upon arrival – truly a soothing nature get-away for those who needs to simply rest and relax.

Jenny Cordero, tourism officer of Negros Occidental said that the tour will be among the tour packages for the province.

Just before heading back to the City – the group observed the stunning contours of the mountains,  sugar plantation and the people living in the area.

As a photojournalist/blogger I would definitely invite friends to visit Silay – they have so much to offer in terms of eco tourism spots and preservation of the forest reserves.#osb