The Wheel and Axle

Perth Paradise

From Bacolod very early Sunday, we made our way south via a 5-hour bus ride to Sipalay, a coastal city (don’t expect a Manila or even a Bacolod) home to some lovely scenic waters: beaches, lagoons, marshes, and the like. The resorts here are ubiquitous, one after the other.

Hiring a tricycle, we made our way to Tinagong Dagat Resort and the popular Perth Paradise Resort for some sightseeing. Both are open to day tourists who either want to just see the views or do some swimming. Tinagong Dagat’s view of its inland waters is good, but Perth Paradise’s view of islets that are reminiscent of the Bohol Chocolate Hills is spectacular.

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During our transit in Bacolod on Saturday, we also made our way to the popular Ruins in nearby Talisay City. Known as the “Taj Mahal of Negros,” this famous tourist site has a romantic and tragic history behind it.

Built in 1920 by the wealthy sugar plantation haciendero Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson, it was meant to be for his first wife, Maria Braga. However, she passed away before the mansion was even completed… and she had been pregnant with their eleventh child at the time of her death.

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Welcome to the City of Smiles!

Next stop on our Negros road trip was Bacolod City, the capital of Negros Occidental and known as The City of Smiles.

We went there on Saturday, coming from Lakawon Island, and checked into Planta Centro Bacolod. It was a last minute hotel choice; we booked it as we were literally getting off the bus. Every other place we tried contacting was fully-booked, from hostels to more upscale places. Nonetheless, Planta was a serendipitous choice, a quaint plantation-themed hotel with reasonable prices and which was quite cozy. Given that Negros is known for sugarcane plantations that stretch back to yesteryear, it helped make us feel the Bacolod spirit even more.

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Lakawon Island in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental is just around 1.5 hours from Bacolod by land (plus a 10-15 minute boat ride). The private island is starting to gain attention because the place is beautful and is fairly accesible. The beach, while not Boracay or Palawan, has some good sand and the waters are fairly clear and lovely.

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Finally, Pietro posted Part 2 of his Palawan fun. After the thirst-inducing first video in El Nido, now he’s sharing his Coron experience.

Can I experience it with him next time? Pretty please?

Here’s something to make your Friday… toxic!

This went viral a few weeks back, but it’s still just so much fun. Totally would love to see this live next time I fly AirAsia.

Happy Friday, everyone!

Speaking of ads, here’s a little compilation of classic Pinoy ads that I came across recently. Most of these run circles around recent marketing efforts when it comes to creativity.

My Top Three from this compilation. These, in my opinion, remain to be angat sa iba (a cut above the rest), not just for their time but also up to this day.

1. The Sarsi ad is the most magnificent one and could still stand today. Epic, one could even say. The treatise on conformity vs. non-conformity is visualized and choreographed well, and the music and vocals are just astounding.

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This just made me want to visit Palawan even more. Mmm.

Because Russian figure skating champions are just this cool, fun, and epic.

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