Community

Mayor Greg Gasataya led the opening of G-Hive, a new hub for the local creative industry and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), at the Mansilingan Activity Center (MAC) in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City, on Monday, June 29.The facility is designed for graphic artists, designers, animators, game developers, fashion designers, and MSMEs, a press release  from the Bacolod City Communications Office said. It features four core components - a Foundry available to multimedia artists free of charge; a Studio for filmmakers and videographers; an Academy providing specialized training for MSMEs and dressmakers; and a Gallery showcasing high-value MSME products, artworks, and creative innovations."Finding a space was a bit of a challenge until the barangay approv...

The Negros Occidental Garden Club (NOGC) conducted its annual mangrove planting activity on Tuesday at Purok Batad, Barangay Sampinit in Bago City.The initiative was led by NOGC President Nonoy Napao, alongside the organization’s officers, board of directors, and members.Technical guidance and logistical support were provided by Rex Magbanua, Bantay Katunggan Coordinator of the Bago City Environment Management Office, along with local Bantay Katunggan personnel to ensure the proper planting of mangrove propagules along the shoreline, a press release from NOGC said."This initiative, first launched in 2019 under the leadership of the late former president Nenita Estrella, has grown into a lasting commitment," Napao said."Today, we were delighted to see how mangroves planted s...

City Councilor Caesar Distrito officially represented Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya at the Regional Networking Event for Project Preparation and Climate Finance: Lessons from IMT-GT Cities, in Bangkok, Thailand, on Tuesday, June 30. The event was organized by the United Cities and Local Governments Asia-Pacific (UCLG ASPAC) in partnership with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP) and other international organizations.Serving as a pre-session activity for the 9th Committee on Environment and Development (CED-9) of UN ESCAP, the summit gathered city leaders, policymakers, development partners, and climate finance experts from across the Asia-Pacific region to strengthen regional cooperation and promote investment-ready climate ...

Silliman University in Dumaguete City will honor eight distinguished alumni with the Outstanding Sillimanian Award (OSA) during the University’s 125th Founders Day celebration, recognizing their exceptional contributions in their respective fields and their embodiment of Silliman's enduring values.The conferment of the awards, approved by the Silliman University Board of Trustees upon the recommendation of the Silliman Alumni Association, Inc. (SAAI), forms part of the University's milestone celebration anchored on the theme, “125 Years of Legacy: Remembering with Gratitude, Moving Forward with Hope”, the  university announced on its Facebook pagee.The 2026 Outstanding Sillimanian Award recipients are: • Edwin M. Caliolio, Ll.B. — for Community and Business Leadership• Juancho C. Campa...

The Rotary Club of Bacolod, the fourth longest-serving Rotary club in the Philippines, held its 89th charter anniversary  and induction of officers  at O’ Hotel in Bacolod City, recently.Esperanza Melgar, Acting Regional Director for the Negros Island Region - Department of Trade and Industry, was the keynote speaker.Leading the club for Rotary Year 2026–2027 is President Edlyn Agraviador, who received the leadership mantle from Immediate Past President Amelyn Bravo. Agraviador’s vision is focused on building upon the incredible legacy of the leaders who came before him, while continually finding innovative ways to expand the club’s reach and overall community impact, a press release from the club said Thursday, June 25. Agraviador and the rest of the in...

 Negros Pride, in partnership with Artscenic, officially kicks off its 2026 Pride Month celebrations today, June 22.This year’s festivities are anchored on the theme “FantaSiya”.Over the next seven days, the organizers are staging what is set to be the biggest pride pop-up event in the Visayas region, culminating in the highly anticipated annual Pride Parade, a press release said.The multi-day cultural and community event is split across two major venues in Bacolod City, offering a mix of queer artistry, community markets, and advocacy:June 22–25 | Ayala Malls Capitol Central: The first leg of the massive pride pop-up, showcasing local queer-owned businesses, artists, and creators.June 26–28 | Cinematheque Centre Negros: The second leg shifts focus toward media an...

Dr. Victoria Bantug Hoffarth receives an honorary plaque from members of the Department of Education, Schools Division of Negros Occidental and Banilad Elementary School after they signed a Memorandum of Understanding supporting the digital and functional literacy of the school.* Banilad Elementary School photoA public elementary school in EB Magalona, Negros Occidental, is getting a technological upgrade through a ₱3-million public-private partnership aimed at bridging the digital divide. The Klaus Hoffarth Center for Critical Thinking (KHC) has partnered with the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Negros Occidental for a comprehensive digital and functional literacy program at Banilad Elementary School, located in Barangay Nanca, a press release from the ...

Mayor Greg Gasataya (center) and Councilor Israel Salanga (second from left) honor 20 women who graduated from the Elevate AIDA Program, with JR Roque, Impact Lead for Jobs at Aboitiz Foundation and Agnes Gervacio, Chief Executive Officer of Connected Women (first and second from right).*BCCO photoMayor Greg Gasataya, in partnership with the Aboitiz Foundation, led the graduation rites for 20 beneficiaries of the Elevate AIDA program at the Bacolod City Government Center on Monday, June 22. Gasataya said that the program aims to boost local economic empowerment under the Pag-eskwela to Pagtrabaho (P2P) initiative, which specifically targets students, job seekers, and single mothers from various barangays, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.“A ...