Sweet Smiles of the Negrense

The Negros Island in the Philippines. Home of the sweet smiling people, or we call them Negrense or Negrosanon.

In December 2014, after my Journey in the city of Dumaguete in Negros Oriental, I took almost 7 hours of land travel going to Bacolod, the capital city of Negros Occidental. 

From the Eastern to Western Negros, I had a journey after a fulfilled short visit to the "City of Gentle People" in Dumaguete.

I was undoubtedly in the land of the 'sweet and charming' people since I was at the sugar center of the Philippines... The Negros Island. 

From Dumaguete to Bacolod, you'll see massive sugarcane plantations on both sides of the road, passing by several cities.

Yes, Negros Occidental is the province of the Philippines with the most cities, primarily due to its prosperous sugar industry. 

The sugar industry is so huge that it supplies the entire Philippines and even exports it to other countries.

Arriving in Bacolod after a long bus journey, I was greeted with a Negrense brand of hospitality, a sweet smile, and a pleasant, melodious voice.

I'm in Bacolod! The City of Smile is the home of the famous "Maskara Festival."

That was my 5th time visiting Bacolod, and I love returning to one of the most highly urbanized cities and one of the most livable cities in the Philippines.

In Bacolod and the entire Negros, people live a good life no matter what challenges they may be going through; they still keep on surviving and never forget to smile.

My highlight of the visit to Negros Island was a day tour of "The Ruins," which is an Italian-inspired architectural mansion built in the early 1900s and was burned during world war 2.

Garden by the ruins

A mansion built with the love of a wealthy Sugar baron to his Portuguese wife. The love story is just as romantic as the heritage of "the ruins." 

Sweet as the Negrense, they produce sweet products, most of which are my favorite. Muscovado sugar is the healthiest of its kind and an ingredient in making sweet delicacies like "Piaya and Pinasugbo," which are two of the most popular and a-must try delicacy if you visit Bacolod and Negros Island. 

After the pandemic, I hope to try the sweet smiles again. When the world loses its smiles, the Negrense will always give their most adorable smiles to anyone. During this time, that's all we need—a sweet smile.

The people of Negros Island are some of the most refined and kind people I've met. Beyond their sweet smiles, they deserve a precious life. A life that is full of hope, meaning, and inspiration.

©️ 2020 Del Cusay

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👉Campus Tour at the Silliman University

👉The Ruins and the Love Story

Campus Tour at the Silliman University

Located in the Eastern Negros Island, the enchanting 'City of Gentle People' awaits your discovery. This is none other than the picturesque city of Dumaguete, nestled in the province of Negros Oriental, Philippines.

In December 2014, I fulfilled my desire to visit Dumaguete and see the first American learning Institution in the Philippines and Asia- Silliman University.

Upon the invitation of the student government organization, I delivered a talk about "Balancing Life Strategies" and "Stress Management" to their officers and select staff.

That was a memorable talk with full attention and the desire to learn from the student leaders. If I had more time, I could have given another speech to some faculty and staff members. 

However, a day visit to Silliman University is not just a visit; it's an experience. The campus tour, with its diverse departments, historical and iconic buildings, chapel, open grounds, and library, is a testament to the university's commitment to providing an ideal and conducive place for higher learning.

At the Silliman University Library

At the Silliman Hall

I was impressed with the clean, green campus. The tree-lined Acacia provides cool shade plus the windy breeze from the sea; indeed, they have the best campus in town and one of the best in the country.

Silliman University faces the sea. You can stroll the baywalk along Rizal Boulevard with just a few minutes walk. That windy breeze makes a good place for walking along the boulevard. That's the place where I reminisced about the time when I was a student in college. Those times when I was full of hope and dreams, just like any student would.

My heart is set on revisiting Dumaguete and its renowned Silliman University. I yearn to once again bask in the politeness and friendliness of the students, and to be enveloped in their genuine hospitality.

As I remember, in higher learning, we aspire for growth and have the burning desire to achieve our most cherished hopes and dreams. Those are the times when we have enough energy and passion for learning.

Those student leaders I've met may now achieve excellence in their chosen fields. They may now be living their dreams and unleashing their untapped potential. They may now live their most extraordinary life and follow their ultimate heart's desire.

Learning continues after leaving College or University. It's a continuous process and a lifelong journey. We continue to learn along the way as we embark on challenges and achieve new career and life milestones.

©️ 2020 Del Cusay

Serenity in Nan Lian Garden

Amidst the constant motion of city life, I always manage to find a serene escape. It's a piece of pure calmness and soulful paradise, a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle that surrounds it. 

A pond... A rock formation... A waterfall... All that can be found in an oasis of pure joy; a magnificent city garden.

A bustling megacity like Hong Kong isn't just about a magnificent and stunning skyline. It also boasts some of the most beautiful and refined traditional Chinese landscaped gardens.

The entrance of Nan Lian Garden

I've found a peaceful ambiance in the busy area of Diamond Hill in Kowloon, Hong Kong, where I've found an ancient Tang dynasty-style complex: the Chi Lin Nunnery and the Nan Lian Garden.

That's a refined piece of ancient Chinese architecture brought back to life in Modern-day Hong Kong, with towering residential skyscrapers and a mountain range in a backdrop. 

Nan Lian Gardens' Wooden Gate

The entrance to the complex is a masterpiece of design, welcoming you with the garden's natural elements of lush greenery, ornamental rocks, and a wooden gate. It's a sight that inspires awe and a sense of true welcome.

Passing through the wooden gate leads you to one of the beautiful attractions: the golden pagoda with an attached red wooden bridge. Colors that bring good luck and prosperity according to Chinese beliefs.

The Golden Pavilion/Pagoda

A few steps from the Golden Pagoda is the Chi Lin Nunnery, a Buddhist temple converted into a school, library, and home for the elderly. With its intricate wooden architecture and serene surroundings, the nunnery is a testament to China's rich cultural heritage.

The Chi Lin Nunnery is an impressive piece of Chinese architecture with a koi-filled pond surrounding it. The wooden structure is a work of art from ancient times (618 AD to 907 AD), revived in modern times.

The Chi Lin Nunnery

To better understand ancient Chinese architecture, I had a solemn moment inside the Chinese Timber Architecture Gallery. The gallery is a place to discover the architecture of other cities in China at different periods. It provides a fascinating insight into the evolution of Chinese architecture from the Tang Dynasty to the present day.

The Nan Lian Garden is a Tang Dynasty-inspired garden built in modern times. The Tang Dynasty, known for its cultural and artistic achievements, is a rich source of inspiration for the garden's design. It's reminiscent of old but refined Chinese architecture with a balanced element of nature.

The Chi Lin Nunnery

The garden's tranquil ambiance offers visitors a great sense of peace and rejuvenation. It's not just a typical Chinese garden, but it's filled with learning about the Chinese way of living back in the old days -- the earliest civilization.

Heritage and culture must be preserved for the world to see and experience. The Nan Lian Garden is not a typical attraction; it has an old-school Chinese ambiance in a modern setting—teleported back in time.

©️ 2020 Del Cusay