One Majestic Night at The Great Chinese Circus

Last night, I was given a chance to witness a spectacular show of acrobats, jugglers, contortionists, and a lot more. It was The Great Chinese Circus from Hebei China. The Great Chinese Circus believed to start around 2000 or 3000 years ago as a form of art. They were considered somewhat alike the court jesters but fairly formal and serious. Unlike most circus, they performed without animals such as lions, dogs, etc. but they rather concentrate on the human performing acts. 

The Great Chinese Circus with Acrobats from Hebei. China.

The first and last circus I saw was when I was in 2^nd grade, it was The Great American Circus held at the Reclamation area here in my city. Hey, it was 22 years ago, and there were not so many circus performances or shows here in Bacolod City that caught my interest. So when I saw the ad for this event, I really had to watch this! The show started by 6PM at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum, Bacolod City. The Coliseum was jammed packed with people of all ages. From kids to grandparents, we were all there to enjoy this one of a kind treat that made us all gasp for excitement and awe. 

General Admission Tickets

Ummm... I arrived about 6.30 PM, late due to some circumstances but I hope I did not miss a lot. When I arrived, the show has already started and I began with the girl juggling a vase with her feet. What was wonderful about this was she then juggled a wooden table with her feet while lying back. I was clapping and having fun. And I thought, this was going to be a good night.

The Table Juggler

And I was not disappointed. The acts were magical and jaw-dropping. I was truly delighted by the aerial dance. Being suspended on mid-air with nothing but a blue silk cloth to hold on to dear life. This was my favorite part of the entire program. I just love how graceful the man and woman moved from silk to silk. It was like dancing while levitating. They were like gliders. One part I Iike was when the woman's legs were wrapped with the cloth, splitting in mid-air, and holding her partner while he was performing some acrobatic acts on the air. It was comparable to a romantic scene in a ballet or a pair figure skating performance only that this involves flying (or suspension.)

One of the highlights of the show: Aerial Dancers

Aerial Dancers gliding.

The evening was full of great acts that were heart-stopping. One of which was when a balancer stacked up a small table, 6 chairs and balanced himself on the tilted top most chair.

The Balancer

And he was not the only balancer of the night. There were six girls holding long poles or sticks with plates spinning at each end. They were doing stunts like tumbling and pyramids while holding or spinning plates with their hands that you cannot believe those plates were not glued to the pole.

 

The Plate Spinners

A male duo was doing the hand balancing act that is common for circuses which exhibited great muscle strength and equilibrium.

The Hand Balancing Act

There were as well a group of ladies playing with yoyos. Lots of turning and tossing of those big green yoyos, passing the circle from one far corner of the stage to the other. There was a point in the act that one girl was not able to catch the yoyo that was passed to her from across the stage. But all in all, salute to their great talent.

 

The Yo-Yo girls

Hat jugglers were also present in the show. They were 8 men holding 3 hats each. They were doing crazy and funny tricks with the hats such as tossing and passing it to each other. They were also a comedic act.

Hat Jugglers

A contortionist added more excitement to the night with all those body twisting and bending and all. Whew! Such flexibility, I had to believe she was not a human being to be able to do all those. 

Contortionist with the Candle Holders on her feet, hands and forehead.

An exciting part of the night that I agree most of the audience enjoyed was the men dressed in colorful spandex were jumping to a number of rings across the stage. I call them the Ring Jumpers! At first, there were just two rings in different sizes. Until more small circles were added to increase the height of the biggest one. They even had to do somersaults to be able to reach the highest ring that they needed to get through. And one exhilarating part of the performance was when they moved the rings to the edge of the stage. To describe this more, the rings were set higher about 10 feet and if the jumpers made one wrong move, he will dive straight off the stage. But gladly, they were able to finish the act smoothly.

The Ring Jumpers in colorful spandex ;)

The array of hair-raising and thrilling unbelievable acts ended with an entire group of balancing contortionist. It was a great way to end the entire night of intoxicating and fascinating sets of performances that left the spectators breathless.

The Final Act

And that was, ladies and gentlemen, The Great Chinese Circus!

This evening has brought back the kid in me. I was in awe the whole night, clapping, gasping and ooohing with the entire viewers during entire of the show. I totally enjoyed all the stunts and tricks. They did not let all the audience down. They have delivered an entertaining show that will surely be remembered by all who have witnessed. From the general admission to the VIP, it was worth it!

Café Love

My 6 Most Loved Cafés in Bacolod

Coffee is my ultimate addiction and food is my first love. I can’t last a day without a cup of that miracle beverage. This has been my greatest companion through work. It just keeps me going and going. In short, my battery! And coffee time is a best occasion to spend with friends.

Yes, my dear readers, I have already come to an age where I no longer find partying and lots of booze as my way to bond with friends. So I have embraced my maturity and switched from alcohol to caffeine and food (lotsa!) As for food, well I’m just the type who is always hungry. So may it be street or restaurant food, as long as my palate loves the taste (and it’s clean), I’m a happy camper.

Bacolod, for those unfamiliar with the place, is located in the middle part of the Philippines, specifically in Western Visayas. Our City is well-known as the “City of Smiles” and our colorful Masskara Festival that we celebrate every October. Not only are we identified through these, we are part of a province, Negros Occidental, which is branded as the “Sugarbowl of the Philippines” for the reason that we generate half of the country’s sugar production.

There are several coffee shops in Bacolod that visitors will truly enjoy. I, even as a local, have not yet been to all of them. They are just so many and so little time. So I have a few favorite spots to enjoy my afternoon (or night) and my coffee.

6. Café Umá

In our dialect, Hiligaynon, Umá means hacienda or farm. Oh yeah, our province has numerous umás or sugar fields. Café Umá serves Western and Asian dishes. Although pricier than most, their food are worth every penny. People say they serve the best pasta but what I love about this café is the coffee and pizza. They serve a variety of coffee that will suit your needs from lattes to espressos. And their pizza? A pleasure in every slice. Fine cheese, meat and nothing but meat and that oven-baked crust will undeniably make my day.

Located beside L'Fisher Hotel

5. Cantina Mondo Artisanal Deli and Cafe

Located at the back of a mall, this café is very accessible. So after a day of shopping, you can just sit and relax with a cup of brewed coffee and a quick bite to refill the energy you have spent getting in to one store to another. You will be able to find Bacolod or Negros delicacies which are usually best for “pasalubongs”. They serve wines, sausages, main courses, sandwiches, desserts and a whole lot more. 

What I like about Mondo is the Milo Dinosaur, a chocolate shake topped with chocolate powder. Just every kid’s dream! The coffee, house blend or Benguet Arabica, can surely make your day. And nothing compares to their sticky toffee pudding and banoffee pie, simply delectable. The sticky toffee pudding is made of a very soft sponge cake filled with luscious toffee sauce. Ohhhh…Am gonna get one after this! Their banoffee pie consists of banana, toffee, cream and condensed milk is so tasty!

The Banoffee Pie. Cantina Mondo is locate at Central Citywalk, Robinson's Bacolod

4. Calea

Just one dessert comes into mind when people hear Calea, Imported Chocolate Cake. When you say chocolate cake, it has to be Calea, nothing else. This is a distinguished dessert shop in Bacolod. They offer a variety of cakes, I say tons of choices, that one will enjoy. They offer Blueberry cheesecake, mudpie, oreo cheesecake, chocolate dome, semi-freddos, oh they are just too many. And what best goes with cake? You are on the right path, my friend. A mug of coffee! Their latte and cappuccino are really good. Coffee with a hint of milk. Or is it the other way around?  Two words: BEST COMBO! If you are a desert or cake addict, you may need to go to rehab after you visit this establishment.

Calea at Lacson St. Above are the Imported Chocolate Cake and Strawberry Semi-Freddo (Ice cream cake)

3. Café Bobs

I consider this as one of our city’s pride. This is one big café in Bacolod. And we may even consider it as our local counterpart for Starbucks. They started as a small coffee shop along my high school and in front of a university. I assume their target market that time were college students who needed a place to study that allowed them to eat and drink coffee at the same time (which is not allowed in the libraries). And it was a big hit! Surely, we had to get in a long line to be able to get the ever popular “frap.” They, indeed, have live up to that standards they had started in 2000, brewed coffee and frappes, coffee or cream based, got everyone hooked. They have since expanded to many branches and an array of food choices. My favorites are the carbonara and lasagna. Their carbonara is really creamy and the lasagna is super cheesy! Their CAB Gelato is also a must try. I love the bubble gum flavor. It just brings out the kid in all of us.

 

CAB Gelato

Creamy Carbonara and the very cheesy Lasagna with garlic bread.

2. The Coffee Station and Green Tree Gelato Café

Started as a small coffee shop at the second floor of a mall in Bacolod, The Coffee Station caught the heart of the locals. With various choices of coffee and drinks, they were able to gain many regulars. Not to forget, their staffs are super friendly. Before the law for public smoking was passed, this café used to be the only place in the mall that customers are allowed to smoke. 

They then branched out, literally just outside the mall, into Green Tree Gelato Café. The same drinks with Coffee Station but with Gelato. My favorite, ever since I started drinking coffee, is their famed Granita. It is a slush type drink, not made of fruits, but of coffee. If the weather is so hot and you wanna drink coffee, Granita is the best choice. Their house blend iced tea is as well one of a kind. Made with real lemon and served with 3 slices of lemon in the glass, this is totally a thirst quencher. And when you are torn between wanting to get drink or a gelato, no worries, you can turn your Gelato into a drink. Satisfaction!

 

The Granita!!!!

1.  Kuppa Coffee and Tea

Kuppa was derived from the term “Cup of” or cuppa, which is a slang for cup of coffee or cup of tea. It is on top of my list. Why? Here are a few reasons. Their booth is comfy. I love most of their food choices. The place has a very nice ambience. Staffs are friendly and alert. They have a wide range of selections for coffee, tea, sodas and other drinks. And have I mentioned I love their food? Oh yeah! I did! But I like mentioning it again. 

Let’s start with the Wimpy’s Burger. It is an open faced burger with the patty and bun covered with gravy on one side and the other bun covered with melted cheese. It may look messy but once it reaches your taste buds you wouldn’t mind. Truly a genius creation! 

Wimpy's Burger

The Mark’s Oriental Salad is not one of my favorites (since I am a fully fledged carnivore) but according to people who have tried it, it is one of the best on the menu. Moving on, the Eugene’s Favorite Pizza: all meat! There is nothing more that I can say. I’m a hardcore meat eater. 

 

Mark's Oriental Salad and Eugene's Favorite Pizza

And lastly, one of my much loved on the menu is the Pasta in Pesto Sauce. I admit the best Pesto Pasta in town is found in Trattoria Uma, yet it is too expensive for frequent consumption. While Kuppa’s Pasta in pesto sauce is affordable and tastes delish!

Pasta in Pesto Sauce

Now let’s go with the drinks. I am not much of a tea drinker. Given the fact that I love brewed coffee, my frequent order is the Iced White Cloud Mocha. 2 shots of espresso, milk and sugar syrup on ice feels heavenly. Good name choice for the beverage. You will feel like you are on the clouds because it is extremely yummy.

Iced White Cloud Mocha

So if you happen to be wandering around Bacolod, especially during the Masskara Festival in October, try these cafes/restos to experience a one of a kind food and caffeine feast, Bacolod style! We live up to our city’s name, “City of Smiles”.  It is because once any of these cuisines and the drink makes contact with your palate, that smile will be on your face for a long time. 

An advice of caution though, the moment you start indulging these food, you just can’t stop. And beyond any doubt, you will keep coming back for more. Like an addiction, the cravings will eat you up. Nahhh! Just kidding! If you have friends from Bacolod, you can always have them buy one for you and have it sent through an overnight courier. Hahahaha.

‘Till the next food rampage! Ta ta!