That part of Araneta Street , between the corner of Alunan and Roxas Avenues in Bacolod City will never be the same anymore with the opening of the Planta Centro Bacolod Hotel and Residences.

Located next to Metro Dome and with the refurbished Chicken Hauz at the northern end of the strip, Planta has provided a new and more metropolitan ambience to that part of the city.

Along with the Mediterranean-inspired architecture and design and facilities, its pull to Negrenses apparently is the food, that equals, if not surpasses, the quality and  offering at its sister-establishment at Lacson Street . With corporate chef, BJ Tanpinco, who is president of the hotel, at the helm of the food preparations, we can expect more interesting cuisine within close distance to the DAILY STAR and where I live. BJ has just returned from an international culinary arts studies and we learned he is trying a lot of new things and concoctions in the kitchen for guests' gustatory delight.

Our Chicago-based writer,  Nelia Dingcong-Bernabe gives us a first-hand and close-range perspective of the presidential election preliminaries in the United States , particularly in the light of the Obama— Clinton race, who both have Illinois ties, Hillary  having been born in Chicago and Obama, an Illinois senator.

The town of Don Salvador Benedicto marked its silver anniversary last week with a big celebration, particularly of its 18th Kali-kalihan festival. Also in the celebration mood was Sunshine Cable TV, which marked its second year of community service in Bacolod City .

For those who would like to retreat from the hassles of urban living to a quiet yet not so distant place, particularly on a weekend, Buro-buro may be the place for you. Buro-buro is located amid greenery and with plenty of  lush countryside scenes, it is, indeed, a relaxing Nature Trip.