An adventure to the Buglasan Festival of Negros Oriental

Buglas is the name of Negros Island many years back...this refers to the buglas reeds which is said to be predominant vegetation at that time, another version means 'to cut off' , it is believed that the island of Negros use to be part of a large mass of land that has been cut off due to continental drift.

Today, Buglasan is the festival of all festivals in Negros Oriental. As Trent of the Lonely Planet 2012 edition has written, Negros Oriental is the more famous one in terms of Tourism - because of the dive sites, proximity of the mountain and the seas, and a lot of foreign tourist has become residents of the island.

I practically grew up in this side of Negros, studied in Silliman University and Saint Louis School-Don Bosco in High School and earned a degree in Mass Communication in College at then 'School of Communication', Silliman University.

In Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental you call all the friends of your parents Tita and Tito, kissing friends and family on the cheek is natural as a sign of greetings, the language is Cebuano in a sing song and very malambing level. 

You know you are in Dumaguete when you say 'lami-a pod' to something delicious or 'pachada' to something nice,  breakfast is 'pamahaw'. lunch is 'pani-udto', coffee break is 'painit', dinner is referred to as 'pani-hapon' .

In my childhood, I would run around the Piapi to Bantayan area with friends and take a dip into the clean Piapi or Silliman beach, we would bike around connecting villages passing through coconut trees to friends houses, a Sunday walk to the 'First Baptist Church' , or simply sit on a kamalig, eating green mangoes while watching the helper swing from one branch to the other , getting more mangoes for me and dear friend Aries.

At the backyard in Amigo Subdivision, we also had a mango tree and Felix Gaudiel would climb up the tree and shake the branches with Ryan Del Carmen and I  catching falling mangoes.

Trying on your friend  Alex Abregana's  motorcycle and end up crashing on a post because dogs were running after you...after seeing a crush ...lol.

If you needed Red Roses, just walk to Tita Flory and Tito Junior Paralejas' house and you can pick as many roses as you can. Elaine and I would go to the bodega and look for books to read.

As we grew older, cuzn Christine and I would take a pedicab to the market and buy fish, pork , veggies, and yes 'uyap' for the pinakbet and the gabbi for the humba...the best tasting recipe of Tita Virgie and Uncle Bebe. Thanks to Ate Chinky for cooking humba for me during the Buglasan Festival.(tsk tsk i still owe her big time Napoleones...the one that doesn't expire)

Buglasan before was celebrated on the first week of January. In college, I had to come home for the new year to cheer for my friend Gay Quindo who joined the Miss Negros Oriental representing Bayawan, she was first runner up during her time-well with trainor then girly law student Earl Bracamonte now transformed to a real man.

Dumaguete Festival King and Queen

Recently, I was invited to take part in the 2012 Buglasan Festival as judge in so many competitions---Festival Dance Showdown, Street dance, King and Queen, and the Best Booth Competition, plus the 2-night Fireworks Display. Just cant say NO to dear friends Myla and Raffy...and of course-Governor 
Degamo.

with Governor Degamo, Myla Abellana, Janeth , Maritoni and Raffy

Day 1 was fun having lunch with the National Media and Governor Degamo, a very cool and charming Governor, who pats you at the back and wears a big smile all the time-very approachable.

Maritoni and Bebsy were very efficient in  taking care of the judges...with me were Rodel, Janeth Joseph of La Carlota City, Joe Alingasa of San Carlos, Tita Cora of Davao, Marichu Tellano and Franco Velas of the NCCA and Josette of Siquijor.

Rodel and his plate at Pasta King

at Pasta King

We had a four course meal at Pasta King...we had superb host like  Hukad, Moon Cafe, Bethel Guest House, Sunburst Fried Chicken, and many more...it was a mix of  Filipino, Mexican,  Italian and Chinese  food. When in Negros Oriental dont miss puto and tsokolate in the morning at the painitan in the Dumaguete City Public Market, Budbud from Tanjay, Makilings Chicharon and Sylvanas at Sans Rival.

puto and tsokolate

Negros Oriental Convention Center

We were billeted at the Negros Oriental Convention Center Hotel with very nice rooms...and soon to function under private sector management.

Valencia's booth

Amlan

The booths were decorated and well lighted, there was the cave, a heritage house, a bar, a coffee shop, a furniture display, a restaurant, and lots and lots of souvenir items. I like the agricultural side tho, showing organic food and handicraft.
The Buglasan Festival was a success . Kudos to the very strong public and private partnership of tourism stakeholders including the academe under the leadership of Governor Roel Degamo.

with Tourism Officers of Dumaguete,Mabinay, Tayasan, Siaton
Siquijor, La Carlota, Bayawan and Negros Oriental

My Negros Oriental Tourism Family is fun to be with , be it a meeting, training or festival, I am always at your service.

This is my second time to be a part of the Buglasan, the first was in 2010 ...they are very efficient host and you are treated like a queen.

All I can

 say is Good Luck on the hosting of the 2013 Palarong Pambansa!