Community

Immediate Past President Rolem Basiya turns over the gavel to Joselito Sion to symbolize the change of club leadership.*The 30th president of the Rotary Club of Bacolod Central officially took over leadership, along with the new set of officers for Rotary Year 2025-2026, during induction and turnover rites at the Sugarland Hotel in Bacolod City, recently.Joselito Sion and the officers took their oath before Past District Governor Nanette Garcia, with the ceremony witnessed by District Governor Victor Federico Acepcion, District Governor-Elect Carlo dela Cruz and PDGs Maria Ester Espina, Jude Doctora, Rafael Jocson, Enigardo Legislador, Ramiro Garcia and Ramon Cua Locsin, among others.The other officers are vice president Hargie Tan, secretary Roseo Depra, treasurer Sharon Parro...

The NOGC members in Valladolid to plant trees*The Negros Occidental Garden Club (NOGC), together with its Board of Directors led by President Nonoy Napao, officers and members, recently spearheaded a tree planting initiative in Barangay Bayabas, Valladolid, Negros Occidental. This green endeavor reflects the club’s enduring commitment to environmental sustainability and the promotion of natural wellness, a press release from the club said.The event featured a diverse range of fruit-bearing seedlings - including coffee plants - chosen to foster biodiversity and generate lasting ecological benefits. The selection of fruit trees also presents promising economic opportunities for the local community in the years to come, the press release said.This collaborative effort bro...

VMA Global College EVP Dr. Remedios Johanna Salabas Cargas VP Dr. Carlitos Orola Vice Chairman Danilo Cruz, Chairman Dr. Elizabeth Orola Salabas, President Capt Niño Elson Orola Salabas and VP for Training Centers Ellisther Niña Salabas Ligna, Hiroshi Fukuda and Capt. Makoto Kono (l-r) at the inauguration.*Ronnie Baldonado photoVMA Global College in Bacolod City inaugurated  and blessed  its new Marine Engineering Building  on Tuesday, July 29.It is a milestone in the institution’s pursuit of excellence in maritime education, a press release from the college said. This landmark development was born out of the vision of the college president Capt. Nino Elson O Salabas’ expansion and modernization project, in response to the significant rise in student enrollment a...

As preparations for this year’s MassKara Festival ramp up, the official search for Miss Bacolod MassKara 2025 is now underway.Organized by the Bacolod Gugma Foundation Inc., the annual pageant aims to crown a young woman who best represents the ideals of the MassKara Festival—joy, resilience, and pride in Bacolodnon heritage.“We are looking for someone who goes beyond beauty,” said Carlos Durana Jr., Pageant Chairperson. “She should be a symbol of unity, strength, and optimism—the very values that define the MassKara spirit. Someone who is ready to inspire the community and proudly represent Bacolod on a larger stage.”The pageant is open to women aged 18 to 25 years old, at least 5’5” in height, single, and a resident of Bacolod City or with Bacolodnon roots up to the third deg...

 The Bacolod City government  has officially designated the Bacolod Gugma Foundation Inc. as the new organizer of the MassKara Festival.“At the core of this newly formed foundation is the powerful concept of  ‘Gugma’ – love not just as a symbol, but as love in action, expressed through service, unity, and cultural pride," a press release from the foundation said on Friday, July 25.This vision aligns with Mayor Greg Gasataya’s commitment to bring MassKara back to the people, where it truly belongs, the press release said.Leading the foundation is Rodney Mitz Ascalon, who will serve as both Foundation President and Festival Director.“Gugma is more than love. It’s service. It’s sacrifice. It’s giving without asking in return. That’s what this foundation stands f...

Mayor Gerry Rojas, alongside health officials and local leaders, recently launched the PuroKalusugan program in Barangay Minoyan, Murcia, Negros Occidental, aiming to bring essential healthcare services directly to the community.PuroKalusugan, a flagship initiative of the Department of Health (DOH), prioritizes the delivery of basic healthcare to barangay zones or "puroks," aligning with the DOH's 8-point agenda under the current administration, a press release from Murcia said Monday, July 21."Health has always been and will always be my top priority," Rojas said. "This DOH flagship program will significantly enhance the delivery of basic health services to Murciahanons, directly benefiting residents at the grassroots level", he said.The launch event saw nurses, midwi...

Ricardo “Cano Gwapo" Tan and his wife, Nenita, (5th and 6th from left) at the awarding rites*Businessman Ricardo “Cano Gwapo" Tan and his creation, the Campuestohan Highland Resort in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, won two awards at the 43rd People’s Choice Excellence Awards.The awarding rites took place at the Centennial Hall of The Manila Hotel on Sunday, July 20.Tan and his wife, Nenita, the founders of Campuestohan Highland Resort, were honored with the People’s Choice Excellence Award for the Best Theme Park and Recreational Luxury Resort in the Philippines, as well as the Dangal Ng Bayan Award.The People’s Choice Excellence Award, established in 1980, is the Philippines' leading consumer recognition program, honoring outstanding companies, products, and services b...

Mabuhay accommodation establishments in Bacolod City, including inns, pension houses, transient homes, and bed-and-breakfasts, elected their  officers on Thursday, July 17.The newly elected officers of the Mabuhay Accommodation Establishments  in Bacolod City are:President: Angelo Lizares – Maharlika City InnVice President: Rafael Palmado – Royal Am ReiSecretary: Edelyn Yap – Check Inn CorporationTreasurer: Angelica Bantug – Bantug Lake RanchThe newly elected board members include:Marketing and Promotions: Sharon Yanong – Saltimboca Tourist InnLogistics and Operations: Ailen Bayle – Bayle Camping GroundMedia Relations: Edelynn Herera – Nato’s FarmThis alliance's formation marks a key milestone in empowering these establishments as v...

A captivating exhibition, "Flora Filipina," featuring the works of 22 talented women artists, is set to open at Gallery Orange on the second floor of the Orange Project Building, located at the Art District in  Bacolod City.The exhibit will run from July 26 to September 6.Organized by Floral Artists Manila (FAM), a vibrant all-female collective founded in 2019 by Addie Cukingnan and Remy Boquiren, "Flora Filipina" celebrates the diverse beauty of native and endemic flowers of the Philippines.FAM was established to provide a platform for women artists to explore the "power and poetry of flowers" and has since grown to reimagine floral imagery across various styles and mediums, including watercolors, oils, mosaics, and sculptures.This exhibition marks a continuation ...

Bacolod City officials  led by Mayor Greg Gasataya and Vice Mayor Claudio “Kalaw” Puentevella, joined the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) 2025 Newly Elected Officials Performing Leadership for Uplifting Service (NEO PLUS) Program this week.  The initiative, designed to strengthen local governance through strategic leadership and accountability, marks a collaborative effort to enhance public service delivery across the city. DILG-Bacolod City Director Christian Nagaynay spearheaded the event, which also saw participation from members of the Bacolod City Council, department heads, and special guests including Secretary to the Mayor  Marty Go and City Administrator Mark Mayo. The NEO PLUS Program, a three-year capacity develop...