'Summer sizzles in Bacolod!'

It's that time of the year again when the temperature soars up to a sweltering high and the sun worshippers rush to the beaches to cool off. The popular resorts in the province are filled with people eager to have fun with their families and friends. There is nothing like the beauty of turquoise water, pristine beaches gleaming in the sunlight, coconut and palm trees swaying with the breeze.

The hottest summer outfits are colorful shorts with cool tees. Bathing beauties can show off their perfect bodies clad in form-fitting bathing suits and bikinis. A lot of our friends spent their Holy Week in Boracay - now considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. However, they said the crowd was so big (everybody but everybody was there!), it was like they were back in the city. Instead of bumper-to-bumper traffic, it was people-to-people all the way. What a fun week it was!

A favorite vacation spot here in Negros is Lakawon Beach Resort, with its shifting white sands nestled amidst palm trees and dense bushes. Spotted on the island over the holiday were prominent families of Bacolod: Lacson, Gaston, Gamboa, Mora, Lizares, Wuthrich, Puentevella, Balcells and of course, the Pueys, who couldn't resist the seductive lure of this island paradise. Parents, children and grandchildren made the holiday break in Lakawon a real family affair. Pumpboats, speedboats and jetskis on the shimmering blue water, added to the fun and frolic for the more adventurous souls.

Our friend Robert Harland, who was an active member of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club in Hong Kong where he owned several yachts, was blissfully happy sailing around Lakawon on board his new native "pump" boat which he called "Puede Na" (!). (Don't ask me why it's called that because I'm too shy to ask!).

The "Commodore" told me his boat can comfortably accommodate twelve passengers for a pleasant day cruising off one of the white sand islands in the province. It is rather more luxurious than regular pump boats with its specially designed fixed awnings, upholstered seats and (would you believe!), a CR!

By the way, Bon Voyage to Robert who is off again to Australia and New Zealand for a holiday!*