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.

ANOTHER HARI HITS THE SILVER SCREEN

Hari ng Negros 2006 Mark Xander Fabillar makes his acting debut with the indie film Ang Laro ng Buhay ni Juan

This film explores two hours in the life of Juan Reyes (Ray An Dulay), known to others as Erwin. Juan is a 25 year old Masbate native who just found his way to Manila three years ago. Erwin has tried his hand at many odd jobs and now works as a live-sex performer at an underground gay bar but has decided to leave Manila for good. On the day of his departure, he will take us with him as he makes life decisions—big and small. The most important one of all is leaving the impoverished place which he called home for a year, capping it with his emotional goodbyes with his lover, Noel (Nico Antonio). And how a raid by the authorities marred his last performance in an underground bar called Inner Sanctum which changed his resolve.

The film marks the beginning of filmmaker Joselito Altarejos foray in producing his own films under BEYONDtheBOX. It stars 2008 Cinemanila Best Actress awardee Angeli Bayani, Richard Quan, Perry Escaño, Lex Bonife, Nico Antonio and Ray An Dulay. The support cast is led by daring newcomer Ace Ricafort, Ivy Sumilang, May-i Fabros, Bobby Reyes, Michael Cayetano, Tony Lapeña, Dexter Pelagio, Annelle Durano, Arlene Pilapil, and Mark Fabillar.

Ang Laro ng Buhay ni Juan will be showing exclusively at Robinsons Cinemas (Galleria and Manila) on October 21st.

Way to go Mark!

Proud to be a Negrense. Forever Hari ng Negros.

THE MASK

I was once sad and lonely,

Having nobody to comfort me,

To hide my feelings behind a lie.

Before long, I had many friends;

With my mask, I was one of them.

But deep inside, I still felt empty,

Like I was missing a part of me.

Nobody could hear my cries at night

For I designed my mask to hide the lies.

Nobody could see the pain I was feeling

For I designed my mask to be laughing.

Behind all the smiles were the tears

And behind all the comfort were the fears.

Everything you think you see,

Wasn't everything there was to me.

Day by day,

I was slowly dying.

I couldn't go on,

There was something missing..

Until now I'm still searching

For the thing that'll stop my crying.

For someone who'll erase my fears,

For the person who'll wipe my tears.

But till then I'll keep on smiling.

Hiding behind this mask I'm wearing.

Hoping one day I can smile,

Till then, I'll be here.. waiting.

Proud to be a Negrense. Forever Hari ng Negros.

The Hari ng Negros Organization sincerely thanks Don Ado Escudero and Patis Tesoro for making our Masskara experience very enjoyable and memorable.