Wednesday, November 4, 2009

GIVING BACK

Social responsibility is an ethical or ideological theory that an entity, whether it is a government, corporation, organization or individual has a responsibility to society at large. Hari ng Negros strongly supports this concept and believes that even after all the pomp and pageantry of the competition there must always be purpose .






In coordination with the GILAS (Gearing up Internet Literacy and Access for Students) program of the Ayala Foundation, Canlaon City public high school students for the first time were able to access the internet in their school.




The Hari and Princes of Negros sharing with the students the importance of education and the power the internet can bring to their lives.




Joshua Imperial (Prince of Victorias 2009)and Mark Gargoles (Crown Prince of Negros 2009) show to the students that their is more to the internet than just, Facebook, Friendster and Youtube.



With the Canlaon City District Hospital and some officials, we were able to assist in a local medical mission in very remote areas.





Jayar Gandola (Prince of Dumaguete 2009) with his new-found family.









After practically picking up and holding all the babies, its about time someone picks Jayar up.




Jayar assisting optometrists in fitting new glasses to patients.



Hari ng Negros 2009 Melrick Calijan looks at the cataracts of a patient.



Giving moral support to a little brother undergoing a circumcision.




Melrick assisting in piercing the ears of little angels.



Mark Gargoles, Crown Prince of Negros 2009 with the weighing scale




and holding a future prince who might become a Hari.




Distributing popsicles to kids.






Anyone want to try our popsicles?






Jayar entertaining the crowd while doing the Papaya Dance.




Distributing gifts from our sponsors.







And giving hope to those who need it the most.




We will never turn our backs away from you.



Proud to be a Negrense. Forever, Hari ng Negros.


Sunday, October 25, 2009

HOME AT THE VILLA



Protected by the mystical Mt. Banahaw, volcanic sister of Mt. Kanlaon, world famous Villa Escudero Plantation and Resort located in Tiaong, Quezon Province has always been a second home to the Haris.



The owner Don Ado Escudero, or simply Tito Ado (seen here judging at Hari ng Negros with Patis Tesoro) has always welcomed every year the new King of Negros Island to the Villa to experience Filipino hospitality at its finest.




Tito Ado in front of his ancestral home.





Lush gardens and fountains adorn the ancestral house of the Escuderos.





A museum with the most incredible collection of Philippine history and memorabilia awaits visitors.



In his private residence, Tito Ado has one of the largest collections of antiquities in the country.




According to historian Dennis Villegas, The Dormido of Tito Ado is probably the oldest one in existence. It purportedly came from Mexico during the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade and was eventually purchased by Don Placido Escudero (Don Ado's grandfather) in the 19th century. The Santo Nino, sleeping peacefully on his gilded pajamas, bed and urna, is truly a breathtaking piece of beauty, artistry and antiquity.




Nuestra Senora de Paloma (life-size figure), one of the largest and most beautiful solid ivory santos in Tito Ado's collection. Carved from a solid mammoth tusk 200 years ago.




One of the hundreds of ivory santos inside the house of Tito Ado is this magnificent Nuestra Senora del Rosario (Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary)



Presidents, dignitaries, royalties and Haris once dined in this marble table.



Tito Ado hosting a testimonial dinner at his private residence in honor of Hari ng Negros Reiven Bulado and Mark Fabillar.



Tito Ado, posing in front of his grandfather, the 19th century haciendero Don Placido Escudero. Painting by Felix Resureccion Hidalgo.



Behind Tito Ado is the original Louie XVI tapestry from Versailles Palace. He bought the tapestry at Sotheby's. The French government wanted to buy back the tapestry but Tito Ado said his house was not an antique shop.



Royalty is nothing new to Tito Ado, he is considered the Grand Patriarch of Philippine Society and has entertained many local and international celebrities, dignitaries and officials at the Villa. (Shown here with Prince Andrew, Duke of York, brother-in-law of the late Princess Diana.)



Here with Amparito Lhullier and friends.



The Villa's charm is unique and extraordinary. (Prince of Calatrava 2007 Joemar Locsin with Hari ng Negros 2007 Paulo Mirasol)




Visitors have a chance to get their feet wet while dining al fresco at Labasin Waterfalls.



And eat some of the best native Filipino dishes.



Some of our best pictures are taken at this waterfall.


Or at rafts located adjacent to the Villa River Cottages.






Thank you Tito Ado again for taking time out and being with us here in Negros.





Melrick, Mark and JR the Villa awaits your arrival.




Proud to be a Negrense. Forever, Hari ng Negros.


The Hari ng Negros organization would like to thank Mr. Dennis Villegas for giving us permission in using his pictures for this blog post.