Community

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...

Sagay City officially launched its 51st Nutrition Month celebration in July, prioritizing food security and nutrition awareness under the national theme, “Food and Nutrition Security – Maging Priority! Sapat na Pagkain, Karapatan Natin.”Mayor Leo Rafael “Bebo” Cueva, who chairs the City Nutrition Council, marked the start of the month-long campaign on Monday, July 7, by planting papaya trees and various vegetables at the City Agriculture Demonstration Farm. This symbolic act promoted sustainable food sources adaptable for households and communities. Cueva emphasized empowering families through backyard gardening, food sufficiency, and climate-smart farming, stating, “Good nutrition begins with accessible and nutritious food at home.”He urged Sagaynons to support local agri...

Silliman University (SU), through its Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) panel, and the Silliman University Faculty Association (SUFA) have reached a final compromise  agreement to settle their CBA dispute, following a meeting at the National Conciliation and Mediation Board on Wednesday, July 9.The formal signing of the Supplemental CBA is scheduled  on Monday, July 14, a  post on the University’s Facebook page said.The SU post said affirming the provisions of the June 5 SOLE (Secretary of Labor and Employment) Decision, both parties agreed to the following economic benefits for academic personnel:• A monthly salary increase of ₱1,400 effective June 1, 2024, and ₱1,600 effective June 1, 2025;• An annual rice subsidy of ₱9,100 and ₱12,100 for the fourth an...

Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya recognized the unwavering dedication of fire volunteers who have served the community for 20 to 30 years.The Mayor paid tribute to these unsung heroes during a visit to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) building in Barangay 8 on Thursday, July 10.Accompanied by City Fire Marshal FSupt. Jenny Mae C. Masip,  Gasataya toured the facility and received updates on BFP Bacolod’s operational readiness.This included reviewing equipment inventories, recent milestones in fire prevention, and strategies for addressing high-risk "red zone" areas.The focus of the visit, however, shifted to the bureau’s invaluable volunteers when Masip highlighted their extraordinary contributions,  a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Group sai...

Tofil national chairperson Ivy Cubid (center) with Rey Felix C. Rafols and Ismael “Maeng” Penado (right) at the Talisay City launch.*Ronnie Baldonado photoThe JCI Senate Philippines, in partnership with the Ropali Group of Companies, has officially opened the 2025 Search for The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) Awards a nationwide call to recognize remarkable Filipinos aged 41 and above whose integrity, excellence, and service have made a lasting mark on the country.Its area launch in Negros Occidental was held at Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City, Thursday, July 10.Established in 1988, the TOFIL Awards stand as one of the most esteemed honors for Filipino individuals who have dedicated themselves to uplifting their profession, advancing public welfare, and contributing t...

Residents of Hda. Carmen in Barangay Blumentritt, Murcia, can now enjoy improved access to water with the official turnover of a new water system.Murcia Mayor Gerry Rojas, joined by Benjie Villa, Office of the 3rd District Geographical Coordinator for Murcia, and Barangay Blumentritt officials, led the ceremony.The water system project was a collaborative effort, funded by the Office of former 3rd District Rep. Francisco "Kiko" Benitez in partnership with the Murcia Local Government Unit (LGU). Rojas affirmed his administration's commitment to further enhance water services in the community, assuring residents that more water transmission pipes will be donated to extend delivery to other areas.*

Now in its 52nd year, Bacolod Arts, Cultural and Heritage Inc. (BACH), formerly the Bacolod Cultural Foundation, Negros Occidental, commemorated its founding anniversary with an exhibition titled “Celebration” featuring the works of its artist-members.The exhibit reflects the organization’s enduring commitment to nurturing creativity and cultural expression in the region, a press release from BACH said.During the group’s regular monthly meeting - held every first Saturday at Mansion de Bacolod - participating artists were awarded Certificates of Appreciation in recognition of their contributions to the exhibition.As part of the yearlong anniversary festivities, members also discussed a series of upcoming cultural initiatives and events aimed at enriching Bacolod’s artistic land...

District Governor Pip Acepcion leads the bloodletting activity in Roxas City.*Rotary clubs under District 3850 welcomed the new term year with a simultaneous blood donation drive in ten venues in Western Visayas and Western Mindanao today, July 1, collecting more than 300 bags from donors.The simultaneous activity, in partnership with the different chapters on the Philippine Red Cross, were held in ten areas in Iloilo, Antique, Roxas, Aklan, Guimaras, Zamboanga City, Basilan, Dipolog and Kabankalan and Bacolod cities in Negros Occidental.Through this event, District Governor Victor “Pip” Acepcion said, we also mark the beginning of the Blood Donors Month with a powerful message – saving lives in not only for the few but for the many.“Every donor who walks through ...

District Governor Pip Acepcion leads the bloodletting activity in Roxas City.*Rotary clubs under District 3850 welcomed the new term year with a simultaneous blood donation drive in ten venues in Western Visayas and Western Mindanao today, July 1, collecting more than 300 bags from donors.The simultaneous activity, in partnership with the different chapters on the Philippine Red Cross, were held in ten areas in Iloilo, Antique, Roxas, Aklan, Guimaras, Zamboanga City, Basilan, Dipolog and Kabankalan and Bacolod cities in Negros Occidental.Through this event, District Governor Victor “Pip” Acepcion said, we also mark the beginning of the Blood Donors Month with a powerful message – saving lives in not only for the few but for the many.“Every donor who walks through these door...