A Story of a BERONDO MASSKARA Hand-painted Masks

It was in year 2009 that we went to eat at the now demolished Manokan Country. The SM mall was still in its 2nd year of existence. The going to the mall was still dark and lonely. But by the roadside, something colorful caught my attention and we went to check. And what we discovered were Bacolod MassKara masks but made of paper and hand-painted. I ended up buying two.

A NEGROS NOSTALGIA
Though my memory fails to give me every detail of that event, I vividly remember I had an instant concept that night after purchasing the two masks. I still remember I asked our bald driver to model for me. His baldness would add impact on my photography vision. I asked him we should go the San Sebastian Cathedral and make the historic church as the main backdrop and voila, my concept came to fruition. I took two versions and the one that I let him close his eyes has the most impact. 

The roadside near reclamation area and Manokan Country
where the author bought two Bert Berondo hand-painted masks

BY THE HAND OF A GENUINE ARTIST
When I checked the back of the mask, I stumbled upon the artists' signature BERT BERONDO 2009. What I like about his work is that every mask he produced is unique unlike those MassKara plastic masks that are mass produced. This one is alive with colors and it feels so genuinely human. 

Mask by the late Bert Berondo (signed 2009)
Model: Gretchen

FROZEN IN TIME
I carried the Berondo mask when we went to travel for photography sessions in Mambucal Resort. I got to invite two models who were truly professional to pose for my ideas but more than the glamor, I added the mask as focal point which greatly transformed my photos dramatically and it gave it a meaningful local vibe as the MassKara Festival heritage is highlighted in my photography concept.

Chance encounter with Bert Berondo's son Eric Berondo, who is also an artist, at the Arts Month opening in Ayala capitol Central

FAST FORWARD: A CHANCE ENCOUNTER 
The year 2025 had a pivotal surprise for me. To educate my younger son about local art, I brought him to Negros Museum and then to the Ayala Capitol Central Mall in Bacolod where the mall is hosting an event for Arts Month. There I met Eric Berondo, a Bacolodnon artist. We talked and he showed me a large acrylic work of his late father. I was deeply pondering why Eric's family name seems familiar to me so I investigated by checking one of the masks I bought in 2009 with the signature Bert Berondo. I asked him via chat if his father's name is Bert and he confirmed that he is indeed his late dad, the one we were discussing in the mall days ago. Indeed, it's a twist I didn't expect.

The late Bert Berondo, Negrense artist 

and his signature at the back 

of one of the masks I bought in 2009
(credit: Eric Berondo)

IN MEMORIAM
That chance encounter made me realize that the hand-painted mask I kept is already 15 years old. It also made me saddened that I lost the other one. Thankfully, I still have the photos I took which features the great masks made and painted by Eric's late father, Mr. Bert Berondo. If only he is still alive, I could have shared ad he could have seen my photography with his masterpieces on it. As a Negrense artist myself who wanted to promote local creatives, his works are not just a photography prop but a focal point of a Negrense heritage that I know is worth sharing to the world.

 

Bacolod Manokan Country (Home of the BEST Chicken Inasal) is now DEMOLISHED

The End of an Era but a Signal of New Growth and Opportunities.
This is how I see the demolition of this popular landmark in Bacolod that is the Manokan Country. It's indeed time for a change. The place is ready for a P4-billion redevelopment project by SM Prime holdings.                                                                                                             

A LEGACY DISCONTINUED?

The Bacolod Manokan Country is more than just the famous authentic Bacolod Chicken Inasal like that of Aida's, Rosing's, Cita's, Nena's. and more.  It is also known for oysters and it also popularized the use of chicken oil. This legacy spread to Bacolodnons, Negrenses and eventually to tourists who came to know about the legendary taste of the chicken inasal of the City of Smiles. 

PLACE OF UNFORGETTABLE MEMORIES

From its humble origins in the 80s in a solitary lot that is a former seashore turned into a reclamation area, the tenants saw success as large groups ate there to celebrate events like birthdays, anniversaries and graduations. Before the construction of SM Mall across its building, traffic and parking were already a headache but it was a sign that people just want to go there to dine. 

QUESTION OF HYGIENE
Decades pass by and Manokan Country has fallen into a landmark with food handling and safety issues problem. There were news of food poisoning and other issues such as customers seeing rats running in the kitchen area while others were witness to unhygienic practices of some tenants. Comfort rooms were stinky and some dining tables are near these areas. With these issues, the City Government stepped in. Thus, the plan to renovate the area took place but without objections from internal and external forces. The plan stalled for many years. 

THE BIG SHIFT

However, a major change began to rejuvenate the future of the Manokan Country as the Albee administration were seriously focused in overturning the stalled plans. There were challenges  as tenants felt they were losing the opportunity to do business and carry on the legacy. But with SM, as its partner, the local government breathe fresh air to this vision and also gave the tenants temporary solutions to continue business with SM providing them a temporary Manokan Country at their North Block area. As for the future plans, SM released their proposal that includes multi-level parking areas with elevators, twin BPO buildings, a comfortable and cleaner dining area with AC, and a bridge connecting SM City Bacolod mall.  

AN EXCITING ERA IS ABOUT TO COME
Tourists and locals who love to dine in Manokan country were so glad to see these changes coming. Of course, there were some who hated the modern design or the fact that it's SM again that is destroying heritage sites. Some pointed out, the contemporary look of the planned Manokan Country erases the street food vibes and culture but there are also many who praised the vision as these signals a better and safe place for families and tourists to eat and enjoy authentic Bacolod Chicken Inasal.

EuroXtreme Circus Invades Bacolod

Bacolod City is known for its MassKara Festival and happy people. Thus, it's aptly called the City of Smiles for nothing. Every October, fun and revelry fill the streets of this Negros Occidental city. Colorful dancers with smiling mask join in to entertain people from all walks of life. Well, that's indeed life down here in Bacolod.
But in the early of January 2025, a different entertainment was brought to the city's Megaworld The Upper east avenue. 

A TENT OF FUN AND EXCITEMENT
EuroXtreme Circus, fresh from entertaining Cebuanos in SM Seaside last December, pitched up their carnival tent in Megaworld's grounds this time. Chinese New year was just starting when they opened their doors to Negrenses especially Bacolodnons, thus adding colors and excitement to the local lunar festivity of the city called Bacolaodiat Festival. 

ALLIANCE OF NATIONS
Though most of the performers are from Europe, they do have Filipino partners too. The show starts with a march and waving of different flags. It is indeed a unity of different nationalities and merging of different talents. Families trooped rain or shine to have a heart-pounding experience as they watch dazzling performances, fearless stunts and comedic acts. 

STELLAR PERFORMANCES
Aside from the dance of talented European lady dancers in sexy garbs, there were a line of fun, breathtaking stunts and surprises for everyone. Clowns interact with locals by inviting them onstage by dancing or doing acrobatic skits with them live. Difficult stunts are done by expert acrobats and extreme riders, of course, with safety in mind, making guests gasp for breath as they  watch them defying gravity. The night ends with guests are taking photo ops with their favorite performers.
The troupe will be performing until March 2 in Bacolod City and will move to another location.

WHERE TO FIND BACOLOD's BATCHOY at the EAST AREA

Hungry? Craving for something hot and delicious? Well, You've come to the right place. Rain or shine, we get to have this hot food craving once in a while.  Thanks to Batchoy, it is an all-one-one Ilonggo dish, that's comforting during normal days and best for rainy days. Thankfully in Bacolod, there are 3 diners in the East area which serves Batchoy that are truly worth the price.

1. SUPER BATCHOY HOUSE
Since 1980s, Super Batchoy House has served Bacolodnons with an array of options. You can either choose original, Special or Super Special (a bigger bowl with egg). Its legacy continues by serving tasty batchoy Bacolod at the east area in Villa Angela East Block.

2.  ROLI'S DINER
This diner is also very famous restauran since the 1940s. Its surviving and current branch is located inside Lopue's East Centre. Not only it offers great tasting burgers, sandwhiches, Bijon Malabon, Pancit Molo, Arroz Caldo and snacks, they do have also regular La Paz Batchoy and Batchoy Special (with egg) you can enjoy rain or shine.

3. FIVE STAR BATCHOY at Shell Select
This is an unusual place to serve batchoy. However it works as the place is just inside Shell Select, a convenience store which targets only drivers but also those who need refreshments.  It is open 24 hours and is secured. Their batchoy, dubbed "FIVE STAR" has the distinct taste that you
can truly say it's worth the price.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

SM City Bacolod Mall Opens NORTH BLOCK

Valentines Day was a great timing for SM City Bacolod's opening of its North Block. 
There was a rush of families and couples who wanted to eat with a different atmosphere and experience.

LOCATION
The North Block is strategically located at former parking area of the mall at the north side of the reclamation area. Hence, the name North Block. It's just below the NU campus building and the new SM City's multi-level parking which are so close to S&R membership shopping building.

WHAT TO EXPECT
SM CITY Bacolod welcomed tenants with different business models that caters Negrenses mallgoers different tastes. Inside the modern-designed space are restaurants and beauty care establishments. Though there are still spaces that are yet to open in the future.

INITIAL TENANTS
Initial tenants occupying the lengthy ground floor are Bigby's, J.CO donuts, Yayoi Ken, Al Forno, Seoul Black, local dining and cafe Coffee Guys, Lechoneria and more like: Suise Cakery, LGO's Senorita de Bacolod, Sushi Unlimited, Avocadoria.ph, Crazy Tori, Coco Ice Cream, Kohi Manju, K Tea, Oh Sugarbaby, Scopp and Stroop Gelato Station. Beauty Salons/Essentials providers include Michiko, Kesthetica

SNACKEE, a Bacolod's Classic Restaurant is COMING BACK SOON!

Social Media is indeed a powerful tool to spread news. Just days ago, there's a viral post that reverberated around Facebook about the reopening of a well-loved classic restaurant that was very popular in Bacolod. Before Jollibee, Mcdonald's and Chowking, there was Snackee.

Credit: Snackee Bacolod Facebook page

A JOLT OF NOSTALGIA
Thanks to the Snackee Bacolod Facebook page, news spread about the reopening of this classic Bacolod resto of the 80s. The FB posts have been giving little hints and photo teasers have been stirring younger people's curiosity and older individuals' childhood memories. 

SNACKEE'S HISTORY

A fast food by design, Snackee is one of the 1st Restaurants in Negros Occidental. It was established in April 1983 in the capitl city, Bacolod. This dearly-missed homegrown diner offered burgers, spaghettis, shakes and even siopao to patrons back in its heyday. Surviving Snackee Restaurants are still operating til this day if you go down South of Negros. There's one in Kabankalan and also in Binalbagan with retro 80s vibe to them.

HUSHED COME BACK
With a tagline 'Mula Noon hanggang Ngayon', there's no stopping for Snackee to be revived in the modern era. It's return though has been hushed in secrecy. There's no definite date and place yet of when and where it will finally open as owners are still adamant to give exact dates of its reopening. Location will be revealed soon.

DEARLY MISSED RESTAURANTS
Along with Snackee, there are more dearly missed 80s restaurants that still lingered in the many memories of Negrenses. These restos are Popeye's, Coney's Island, Tavie's, Junie's, Snack Plaza, Bacolod Ice Cream House, Reming's, and Holidays. 

TEMPORARY MANOKAN COUNTRY is SPARKLY CLEAN (USHERING TO THE NEW ERA of This ICONIC LANDMARK)

It's about time that the tenants of the original Bacolod Manokan Country agreed to the demolition and renovation of their building.This will finally usher for the rehabilitation of this iconic landmark in the City of Smiles and a new era of the local food tourism. People of Bacolod and Negros as well as tourists will soon eat  Authentic Chicken Inasal in a place with a superb dining experience in the future.

What Happens Next?

SM City Mall Bacolod  built a temporary site (See video below) for the affected tenants. The new site is located just within the mall's vicinity which is just near the SM terminal and NU building, the malls Northwing area. 

WATCH

What Travelers Can Expect 
Tenants like Lion's Park, Aida's, Nena's I, Nena's II and Nena's Beth have stalls in the temporary site. Though small in space, the place lets you experience an open-air dining experience. It's also an access for people wanted to go to the SM North Block, multilevel parking and NU campus But what's important is that the SM management sees to it the area has security and also good hygiene should be maintained. 

Amenities of the Temporary Site
Talking about hygiene, as the area is still new so as the washing area and the toilets. This temporary site is a far cry from the old building that is simply receiving bad negative from reviews locals and tourists as well due to neglect in cleanliness and maintenance. 

Future of Manokan Country 
SM City and the Bacolod Government will build a newer multi-level building that has air-condition, parking spaces and also aesthtic interior with high ceilings. It will be a landmark that locals and foreign tourists will have a comfortable dining experience. and will be assured of maintained cleanliness. The new Manokan Country building will have two BPO towers as well as a bridge to connect SM City Mall itself to it.