Google Earth Rocks !!

Here is a Google Earth snapshot of Bacolod, where the kids are headed.  I mapped it out, and Focus is approximately 4 miles from their subdivision. 

For you computer geeks - the coordinates are

10*41'00.46" N & 122* 57'20.81" E (Focus)

10*43'00.73" N & 122*58'12.74" E (Subdivision)

The oceanfront that you can see in this picture does not have swimmer/sunbather friendly beaches.  It is more of an industry type area (see below)

There are great beaches within a few miles, up and down the coast.  Just not right in Bacolod City

This is the entrance to the subdivision where the kids will be staying.  The subdivision has street names like, Royal Palm Avenue, Date Palm Street, Bamboo Palm Street, Good Luck Palm Street, Sugar Palm Street, Sunset Palm Avenue.  From the current Google Earth view, it looks like there are maybe 30 homes built there, with the capability of 100 more. 



This is a typical street near the Focus Direct Offices



This is Robinson's a mall between Focus and the Subdivision



The further you get out of the city headed North towards their home, the less crowded it becomes

And when you get almost to their subdivision, it appears to be quite rural. 

The Island they will be on is called Negros.  On this Island, there is an Occidental (Western) and Oriental (Eastern) division.  They will be on the Occidental side. 

Negros is located in the Visayas " və-SY-əz" Region, which is one of the three principal geographical divisions of the Philippines, along with Mindanao (big island, most Southern) and Luzon (big island, most Northern), where the capitol of Manila is located.

Negros Island is located in the Western Visayas (as you can see on the picture, the western side of the island is noted in pink, and the eastern side is white)

I have made a BLACK DOT where the city of Bacolod is located.  While it IS on the ocean, it is quite well protected from any tsunamis that might occur.  I know - only a worried mom would think about these things :)

All of these pics were taken from Google Earth/Panoramia.

Another question I've been asked alot is, "What about the language?"  Spanish was the official ORIGINAL language of the Phillipines, however after WWII, English has been taught, and is spoken by everyone in the Phillipines.  There are 100+ other languages/dialects.  Most people are familiar with Tagalog.  The language spoken on Negros and in Bacolod is Illonggo.  Here is an example:

Ang indi makahibalo magbalikid sang iya ginhalinan, indi makaabot sa iya padulungan.