|
|
MTG Destinations takes a look at the venues in which MTG-related events are held in. In this inaugural article of MTG Destinations, we visit Bacolod City, also known as the City of Smiles and home to the 2005 MTG Young Mathematician's In-House Intensive Training Program.
Welcome to Bacolod! For the first time ever, the Mathematics Trainers’ Guild visited the home of the famous Masskara Festival—Bacolod City, to hold this year’s annual Young Mathematicians’ In-House Intensive Training Program there. The capital city of the province of Negros Oriental, Bacolod is located on the northwest coast of the island of Negros. It is just a 55-minute plane ride away from Manila, making it a convenient destination spot during vacation.  The city of Bacolod has many things to offer to its visitors that it goes by various nicknames. Among them, there are two that particularly stand out. First, Bacolod is known as the City of Smiles. This could be credited to the warmth and hospitability inherent among the populace, and partly to the charming tone of their accents as well. Also, Bacolod is known as the Sugarbowl of the Philippines, with its numerous sugar plantations there and in the surrounding areas. In fact, the largest sugar mill in Asia, Victoria Mills, could be found in the adjacent city of Victoria. The Venue Deep in the heart of Bacolod lies the main venue of the 2005 MTG Young Mathematician’s In-House Intensive Training Program—the Baldevia Pension House. This is where, for the entire duration of this event, the best mathematical minds in the secondary level that the country could offer, engaged in a battery of mind boggling and challenging sessions and tests, aimed at determining as to who would earn the right to represent the country in international mathematics competitions. The Baldevia Pension House also served as the dining area for the event, as well as the venue for both the opening and closing ceremonies of the In-House Training Program. It is also just a short walk away from the participants living quarters at the Check-Inn Pension Arcade.  With its good location, the venue of the In-house Training Program is only a short distance away from some of the city’s beautiful sites. Within the same block is the Bacolod City Hall, while the old San Sebastian Cathedral is only two blocks away. Walking further allows you to see and experience the busy marketplace – Bacolod Style.  For more information about Bacolod, you could check their official website at http://www.bacolodcity.gov.ph. |
