simoncsyen: April 2010

Life has been busy right after CNY. After returned to Tawau, we had been working on our research project to bring it to another level, commercialization-cum-trial on our product in our neighbour country – Philippines. Philippines was one of the biggest shrimp farming in the 1980s. Although the number of shrimp farms in Philp. has decreased nowadays (not only in Philp., but the whole world!), it is still viable to look into their market as the logistic wise is convenient.

We had 1 week (15^th March till 22^nd March) work-trip to Philp., besides attending the 7^th Philippines Shrimp Congress which was held in Bacolod City, Negros. We spent the work-trip together with our CTO, Mr Huan, who was also the invited presenter in the Congress. We landed in Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport by Cebu Pacific Air from Kota Kinabalu, forced to overnight in the airport in order to wait for the next connecting flight to Bacolod City. The airport was crowded by people especially the Filipinos. We found out that Cebu Pacific is the important transportation for the Filipinos to travel from one island to the other. It is the Philippines’s budget airline, but much cheaper than our AirAsia!

We also observed that the Filipinos carried the mattress together with them in the airport, which the Malaysians never done that before. This may due to the Filipinos’ normal practice to overnight in the airport while waiting for their next connecting flight. Another interesting thing we came across was the roosters crow which we heard during checking in. Are the Filipinos checking in their chicken/fighting chicken? Bringing along into the plane? Wondering if there is any rules on this matter…

Upon our arrival in Bacolod City, we were welcomed by the Hoc-Po Manager, Mr William, our official collaborator in the research project. He took good care of us, by guiding and making sure that we had a pleasant stay there. We stayed in L’ Fisher Hotel, 4-star hotel and also the highest hotel in Bacolod City. We loved to stay there, enjoyed every night after dinner at its roof-top swimming pool…ah and not to forget the San Miguel and Mohito! We were so addicted with those drinks! They only cost half price than our beers in Malaysia!

Besides attending the Conference and signing the MOU, we managed to roam around in the city. We visited the Ruins, which was burnt down during WWII. We took pretty good shots on its building due to the right time of visiting during the sunset =D We also visited the oldest church which is a Catholic Church, SM Mall, shrimp farms, and all the good restaurants for sure! Talk about foods, Lechon was so yummy!!!~~~ Baby ribs BBQ! JollyBee! Inasal pork! *saliva is dropping*……. Thumbs up to their tempting pork! You may find it anywhere, anytime…including in the hotel!

Bacolod City is known as the City of Smile in Philp. The citizens are friendly and easy-going. The Face Mask with different designs and colours is the symbolic of this city. Just the day after we left, there was the biggest celebration event in the city, City Festival. The participants would wear mask while dancing all the way. It is celebrated once a year, and we were told that the roads get very messy after the event, with all the bottle beers everywhere! The people would just drink and drink till they drunk…Wasted, we missed that wonderful event~~~

From Bacolod City, we flied to Cebu for 2 days break. Cebu City is the 2^nd biggest city in Philp., which is known as the City of Resort. Many resorts can be found there due to the beautiful beaches and the blue sea. What else, we love this island sooOoo much!!! Thanks to Joanne and Karsten….. for spending time with us there! We might miss some of the interesting places without guidance from them! We remember the delicious Crispy Pata, Allegre Guitar, Night-view of the city observed from the Peak, the live-band performed by Catski, the cheap clothes made in Philp., and not forgetting the pretty looking girls of Filipino there!!!!!!!~~~~~~ ahhh…after all, it’s just another place that we would like to have vacation again whenever there’s a chance =)

We had a fun working trip there in overall, and specifically, we had learned how the shrimp farming in Philp has changed in recent years. We realized that all the farmers or managers are really hoping for a Miracle, a cure to against the virus outbreak. We are working to reach for that Miracle…hopes God guides us along the way…

Cebu Pacific Airline

Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport

Arrived in Bacolod-Silay Airport

At the L' Fisher Hotel for breakfast

Our room.......

Lobby

Top floor of L' Fisher Hotel where the swimming pool located

Bacolod City, Negros

Halo-Halo (ABC in Philippines)

Pork ribs.......yummy-licious!

The oldest church in Bacolod City

One of their government buildings

A visit to shrimp farm

The Ruins.........This mansion built in the early 1900 by Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson in Talisay City, was torched in the early part of World War II by US Army along with Filipino guerrilla to prevent the Japanese forces utilize as headquarters.