Monday, April 20

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Spanish journalist documents Sagay’s slow food culture

Spanish journalist documents Sagay’s slow food culture

Community
A Spanish journalist and documentary team recently visited Sagay City to document its rich slow food culture, highlighting local communities, traditional practices, and sustainable food systems that define the city’s identity, March 17 to 18.The visit is part of an international documentary project led by journalist Ander Roldán and joined by Rocio Diaz that aims to showcase the cultural, social, and gastronomic heritage of Negros Island, with a focus on communities practicing the Slow Food movement.During their stay, the team explored key areas in Sagay, including Lapus-Lapus Macapagao Conservation Area, Suyac Island, Enting’s Special of Sagay Restaurant where Mark Lobaton demonstrated kinilaw preparation, Pala-Pala sa Vito, and Carbin Reef.The documentary centers on how loca...
SEN. ESCUDERO CONCERNED OVER IMPACT OF DOE’S PLAN TO IMPORT BIOFUELS ON LOCAL SUGAR, COCONUT FARMERS

SEN. ESCUDERO CONCERNED OVER IMPACT OF DOE’S PLAN TO IMPORT BIOFUELS ON LOCAL SUGAR, COCONUT FARMERS

Press Release
Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero has expressed concern for the country’s coconut and sugar farmers as the government studies possible amendments to Republic Act 9367, or the Biofuels Act of 2006, including proposals to allow limited biofuel importation to address rising global oil prices. In a statement, Escudero said any policy shift should carefully consider its impact on rural livelihoods that rely on the domestic biofuel industry. He noted that the Department of Energy (DOE), in a recent Senate hearing, said it was considering a one‑year allowance for biofuel imports to mitigate oil price surges. The senator said such a move could significantly affect local producers and farmers, and urged the DOE to reassess the proposal. Instead of importation, he urged the depar...
Garden Club explores  art of Japanese flower arrangement

Garden Club explores  art of Japanese flower arrangement

Community
Doreen Dofitas demonstrates Ikebana: one of the aesthetic arts of Japan*The Negros Occidental Garden Club held its March General Assembly recently at the Acacia Hotel, Bacolod City, hosted by the Cadena de Amor Group under chair Wilma Nakhai.The highlight of the gathering was a special lecture by Bacolod-based garden designer, floral articulturist and artist Doreen Dofitas, who introduced members to the philosophy and practice of Ikebana, the traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement.In her talk, Ikebana Reflections, Dofitas emphasized that Ikebana is more than arranging flowers — it is a disciplined art form that expresses harmony between nature, space and the human spirit. She guided members through its origins and evolution, explaining how different schools and styles h...
Negros boosts disaster-resilient planning

Negros boosts disaster-resilient planning

Community
A total of 125 planning officers, Geographic Information System (GIS) experts, engineering and DRRM officers and agriculture personnel from 21 Local Government Units completed  the five-day Enhanced Climate and Disaster Risk Assessment Training (E-CDRA) on Saturday, March 21..The activity was  conducted by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) – Negros Island Region, in collaboration with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) and the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) of the Provincial Government at the Negros Residences, Capitol, Bacolod City.The  participants came from the LGUs of Bago, Balaban, Cauayan, Candoni, Calatrava, Don Salvador Benedicto, EB Magalona, Hinigaran, Ilog, La Carlota, La Castella...
NegOcc hosts 2nd International AI Education Summit

NegOcc hosts 2nd International AI Education Summit

Community
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson (right) interacts with a humanoid robot, showcased in the 2nd International AI Education Summit held at NOLITC Campus in Talisay City as Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz and NOLITC School Administrator Dr. Ma. Cristina Orbecido look on.*The Provincial Government of Negros Occidental, through the Negros Occidental Language and Information Technology Center (NOLITC), in collaboration with Eastwest International Educational Specialists Inc. and the Asian Institute of Artificial Intelligence, hosted the 2nd International AI Education Summit 2026 on Wednesday, March 18.The summit gathered educators, policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to explore how artificial intelligence can transform education, foster collaboration, enhance ...
CHMSU modernizes IT systems with hyperconverged infrastructure, centralized network

CHMSU modernizes IT systems with hyperconverged infrastructure, centralized network

Community
 VP for Academic Affairs Russel Dela Torre, Comstor Country Manager Sheila Belmoro, President Norberto Mangulabnan, LMI CEO  Axel Banay, Cisco Account Manager Belle Caraan, and ICT Unit Head Ariane Torres  (l-r) sign the turnover documents of CHMSU’s upgraded IT system. Also witnessing the signing were VP for Administration and Finance Jay Estrellas and VP for Research, Extension, and IP Ma. Riza Manalo.*Carlos Hilado Memorial State University (CHMSU) has unveiled a major information technology modernization initiative aimed at transforming its network infrastructure across four campuses in Negros Occidental.The system was formally received by President Norberto Mangulabnan from LMI Corporation led by Engr. Axel Banay, CEO and President, along with Cisco Account Manager Belle Caraa...
Museo sang Bata sa Negros holds traditional Filipino games at Sagay plaza

Museo sang Bata sa Negros holds traditional Filipino games at Sagay plaza

Community
Traditional Filipino games returned as part of the Sinigayan Festival celebration as Museo sang Bata sa Negros conducted its annual activity at the Sagay City Public Plaza on Tuesday,  March 17.The event was transferred to the plaza this year to provide a wider and more accessible space for participating children, teachers, and facilitators, a press release from Sagay City said.Dr. Mel Serondo, Sangguniang Panlungsod member and member of the Board of Directors of Museo sang Bata sa Negros, welcomed the participants, teacher-trainers, and facilitators at the start of the program.In his message, Museo sang Bata sa Negros President GJ Sarrosa said the activity has been a regular part of the Sinigayan Festival as the organization continues its efforts to encourage children...
‘Tamad Si Juan’ tops  Red Horse Beer Pambansang Muziklaban

‘Tamad Si Juan’ tops Red Horse Beer Pambansang Muziklaban

Press Release
The rock band 'Tamad si Juan' from Davao City*Out of the garage and onto the throne - Tamad si Juan from Davao City has officially been crowned the 2025 Red Horse Beer Pambansang Muziklaban Grand Champion.The high-octane finale, held on Saturday, March 14, transformed the Filinvest City Events Grounds in  Alabang Muntinlupa,  into a mecca for Pinoy Rock.The Davao-based quintet outperformed the country’s toughest rising talent to secure the prestigious title and a life-changing P1 million cash prize.The journey to the top wasn't easy. After a year of grueling preliminaryThe band—composed of Reg Twostone (vocals), Kram Noiz (lead guitar), Shed Jabinez (guitar), Jepax Jaso (bass), and Vistal—expressed deep gratitude for the platform, noting that the long journey from the ...
30th Sinigayan Fest kicks off, highlights creativity, culture

30th Sinigayan Fest kicks off, highlights creativity, culture

Community, Top Stories
 Sagay City officials led by Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva with  Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, DepEd Assistant  Secretary Jerome Buenviaje and  the Sinigayan Dancers at the opening of the  30th Sinigayan Festival at the Sagay  City Public Plaza.*Creativity, education, and cultural identity took center stage during the grand opening of the 30th Sinigayan Festival as Department of Education Assistant Secretary Jerome Buenviaje framed the celebration as a reminder that festivals serve as spaces where communities reconnect with their heritage while nurturing future generations.Speaking on behalf of Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara during the festival opening at the City Public Plaza Monday, March 16, Buenviaje described festivals like Sinigayan as “living classroo...
Filipina Showjumper Sophia Louie Begre Lacson Caps Strong Month with National Championship and Podium Finish at Asia Pacific Rising Star Academy

Filipina Showjumper Sophia Louie Begre Lacson Caps Strong Month with National Championship and Podium Finish at Asia Pacific Rising Star Academy

Community
Sixteen-year-old Negrense showjumper Sophia Louie Begre Lacson delivered an impressive series of performances over the past month, highlighted by a national championship title and an international podium finish, further cementing her reputation as one of the Philippines’ promising young riders.Competing in the Newcomers Division of the Equestrian Association of the Philippines (EAP) National Championship Series, Begre Lacson began her campaign on February 21, 2026, earning second place aboard Ceres during the opening leg of the competition.Shortly after, she traveled abroad to participate in the first leg of the FEI Asia Pacific Rising Star Academy (APRA), held from February 23 to March 1, 2026 in the beautiful Thai Polo and Equestrian Center in Pattaya, Thailand. Riding the le...
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