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Thirty-three Juris Doctor students of the University of St. La Salle (USLS) College of Law formally took their oath as law student practitioners  at the Hall of Justice in Bacolod City on Tuesday, Jan. 6.The oath-taking ceremony was administered by Regional Trial Court (RTC) No. 47 Presiding Judge and Hall of Justice - Bacolod Executive Judge Therese Blanche Bolunia, pursuant to Rule 138-A of the Rules of Court, which governs the Clinical Legal Education Program (CLEP).The program authorizes qualified law students to engage in supervised legal practice upon certification by the Supreme Court of the Philippines.Present during the ceremony were USLS Law Dean Rhodora Lo and Assistant Dean June Steve Barredo, and supervising lawyers Jocelle Batapa-Sigue and Keith Anthony Balbi...

Carlos Hilado Memorial State University (CHMSU) has reached another significant milestone with the Level III Re-Accreditation of ten undergraduate and graduate programs by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines Inc. (AACCUP).The programs, offered under the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business Management and Accountancy, College of Computer Studies, College of Education, and College of Industrial Technology, are Level III re-accredited from Sept. 1, 2025, to Aug. 29, 2029, a press release from the university on Thursday, Dec. 18, said.AACCUP submitted its mandatory requirements on August 25, 2025 on the screened academic program offerings across the Talisay (Main), Alijis, Binalbagan, and Fortune Towne campuses.In the Talisa...

In the spirit of the yuletide season, a brand-new Toyota Wigo A/T and 3 motorcycles are once again up for grabs as the Bacolod City Local Government celebrates Employees Day at the Bacolod City Government Center on Friday, December 19.Mayor Greg Gasataya thanked Rep.  Alfredo “Albee” Benitez for the big-ticket contributions, as the city continues its tradition of honoring city employees while adding excitement to the annual celebration through a much-anticipated raffle draw.The vehicle donations highlight the strong partnership between the city administration and the congressional office, both of which remain committed to recognizing the hard work, dedication, and support of Bacolod City employees, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said. Gasa...

The Provincial Government of Negros Occidental recognized the Negrense World War II woman veteran and the 2024 Outstanding Taxpayers of the Province during the Pasidungog 2025 awarding ceremony held on Friday December 12, as part of the annual Negros Day celebration.Governor Egenio Jose  Lacson, together with Board Members Arthur Marañon and Bambi Depasucat, led the awarding ceremony held at the Capitol Social Hall, a post of the Negros Occidental Facebook page said.Rosita Tabacug Mayang, a World War II veteran, was recognized as Outstanding Negrense Woman, represented by her niece, Mayriam Mayang Arellano.The Top 10 Real Property Taxpayers for 2024 under the Corporate Category were Negros Island Solar Power Inc., BISCOM, North Negros Biopower, Inc., Victorias Milling Comp...

The University of St. La Salle (USLS) and Kyungpook National University (KNU) in Daegu, South Korea formalized a key milestone in their three-year cooperation agreement with the unveiling of the Global Initiative Center for Exchange (GIC-E) signboard at the Language Learning Program Center, recently.Held during KNU’s courtesy visit to the campus on Nov 19,  the ceremony marked the establishment of the GIC-E at the University, a dedicated platform aimed at enhancing international cooperation and promoting global academic excellence between the two universities, a press release from USLS said.Representing the University during the event were Br. President Joaquin Severino Martinez,  Vice Chancellor for Mission and Development Mark Christopher Dueñas, Center for Linkages and...

The University of St. La Salle (USLS) and Kyungpook National University (KNU) in Daegu, South Korea formalized a key milestone in their three-year cooperation agreement with the unveiling of the Global Initiative Center for Exchange (GIC-E) signboard at the Language Learning Program Center on November 19.Held during KNU’s courtesy visit to the campus, the ceremony marked the establishment of the GIC-E at the University, a dedicated platform aimed at enhancing international cooperation and promoting global academic excellence between the two universities.Representing the University during the event were Br. President Joaquin Severino Martinez, FSC DMin, Vice Chancellor for Mission and Development Mark Christopher Dueñas, Center for Linkages and International Affairs OIC - Direct...

NOGC members celebrated with Santa and his cheerful elf helper, Levi*The festive season sparkled early in Bacolod City as the Negros Occidental Garden Club (NOGC) staged its annual Christmas celebration and induction of 2026 officers and directors at the Acacia Hotel in Bacolod City.Nonoy Lope Napao was sworn in as the club’s 63rd president by honorary member retired Judge Lorna Demonteverde. In his acceptance speech, Napao — continuing his leadership from 2024 and 2025 — thanked members for their unwavering support and pledged to advance gardening and community projects across the province.NOGC 2026 officers and directors, sworn in by Judge Lorna Demonteverde (5th from left), with Nonoy Lope Napao, (6th from left) the club’s 63rd president*Retired Judge Lorna Demonteverde ...

EB Magalona Mayor Matt Malacon during his visit to the Barangay 1-Poblacion Early Childhood Development Center.*EB Magalona PIO photo EB Magalona  in Negros Occidental has been named a Child-Friendly Municipality by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).The Child-Friendly plum is a validation how his administration ensures and nurtures a safe space for children in EB Magalona,  Mayor Matthew Louis Malacon said in a press statement on Sunday, Dec. 7.EB Magalona was among the 17 local government units in Negros Occidental or 79 localities in Region 6 recognized as passers of the  2024 Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance (SCFLG) award.Malacon said that beyond politics, he feels the need for a safer environment for children in EB Magalona."With so ...

Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo has secured two nominations in the prestigious 38th Annual Aliw Awards, while the town’s cultural celebration — the Magayon Hinuptanan Festival — also earned a nomination under the Best Festival category.The Aliw Awards, the country’s first and longest-running recognition body for excellence in live entertainment, at the Manila Hotel Fiesta Pavilion in Manila will be held on Dec. 15.In recognition of her leadership in strengthening the cultural and artistic programs of Garcia-Yulo was nominated in  two categories: Best Festival Catalyst/Organizer and Best Festival Director.She is nominated alongside other mayors and festival officials from across the Philippines — a clear sign of Moises Padilla’s growing prominence in the national cultural ...