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Br. Daniel Fenton delivering his In his commencement speech *The University of St. La Salle conferred the prestigious Fides Award upon Br. Daniel Fenton during the 2023 Graduation Rites for the Graduate School and the College of Medicine at the St. La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod City, Sunday, June 25.The Board of Trustees, led by Chairman Edgar Chua, and USLS President and Chancellor Br. Joaquin Severino Martinez, recognized Fenton's unwavering faith, commitment to the Church, religious education, and pursuit of peace and justice through his dedicated work at the Bahay Pag-asa Youth Center (BPYC) in Bacolod City.Fenton, a California native, completed his high school education in Troy, Fullerton, and pursued higher education at California State University, earning a Bachelor of Ar...

La Castellana SK Federation President Herald John Guinanao, Acting Secretary to the Sangguniang Bayan- Russel R. Peñacuba, Councilor Añejo Nicor, Mayor Rhummyla Mangilimutan, Ulsan City Mayor Kim Yeong Gil, Professor Jungwan Kim , Councilor Patrick Estoya, and ABC Pesident Isidro Reggie Arnaiz (l-r) after the signing of the partnership on Saturday.*A friendship and cooperation agreement between La Castellana, Negros Occidental, and Jung-gu Ulsan Metropolitan City in South Korea was signed Saturday, June 24.La Castellana Mayor Rhummyla Mangilimutan and Ulsan City Mayor Kim Yeong Gil signed the agreement in Korea.The agreement states Jung-gu Ulsan Metropolitan City and La Castellana agree to promote mutual understanding and form friendly and cooperative exchanges based on the pri...

The Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation Inc. (AIDFI), a Negros-based non-government organization, won in the water category of the global Water, Air, and Food Awards (WAFA) this month.The organization that has provided ram pump systems to almost 580 communities in Negros Occidental, won over four other nominees in the category which was announced on June 15 in a virtual awarding ceremony, a press release said Friday.WAFA is a Denmark-based non-government award-giving body that identifies and showcases initiatives that work on reducing the Earth’s environment and social challenges.Other nominees were Metamorphic International from Cambodia, Forest and Agroforestry Promoters from Cameroon, and the Mercy Projects Foundation from Tanzania.“This year’s finalists all sh...

Bacolod Councilor Celia Flor (left) with Irene Gamboa (2nd from right), vice president of Community Animal Rescue Efforts Inc., and other animal welfare advocates during their meeting at the City Council session hall on Tuesday.*Bacolod City PIO photoAnimal welfare advocates in Bacolod are pushing for ways to address concerns brought about by stray cats and dogs around the city.A report on Wednesday, June 21, showed that Alaga.BCD, an alliance between private non-government organizations (NGOs) comprised of various animal welfare advocate groups partnering with the local government unit (LGU), has recommended five solutions, which they presented during a meeting with Councilor Celia Flor on Tuesday.“Animal owners need to become responsible pet owners. This is where the problem ...

Suntown Camp 17 campers, leaders, staff, and volunteers during the Open Day.*“My life was a messBefore meeting you guysLike the sun, you gave us the lightTo accept our illness.Like the clouds, you gave us a dream.What we want to be when we grow up.Like the sky, you taught us to choose peace than chaosAnd like the wind, the strong wind –You taught us that no matter how strong the words they say –We are so much stronger.So thank you so much, Suntown”These were the words by Cheiza, a camper of Suntown Camp 17 which she shared in a spoken word performance during the camp’s gala night held at CICM Maryshore in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.Suntown Camp Foundation welcomed 16 campers, who are children with cancer and other debilitating lifetime diseases, to their 17th Camp June 14-...

Riverside Medical Center Inc. announced on Tuesday, June 20, a medical milestone with the successful completion of the first Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG) in Negros.The groundbreaking procedure was performed by a team of highly skilled doctors in the Philippines on June 3.Dr. Michael Cabalatungan, Dr. Calvin Fernandez, Dr Grace Manganti, Dr. George Masa, and Dr. Christian Tortosa, assisted by surgical and medical experts from Manila and Iloilo City conducted the successful surgery.Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery is an intricate procedure that restores blood flow to the heart by bypassing blocked or narrowed coronary arteries.“This remarkable achievement marks a major breakthrough in cardiovascular care within Negros, providing new hope and advance treatment options f...

VMC delivers food assistance to several barangays in Victorias City and EB Magalona as part of their continuing community service.Victorias Milling Company (VMC) gave out food packs and health and hygiene kits to more than 500 households and served almost 300 patients during their medical mission in Barangay 13, Victorias City during the weekend.VMC President Linley Retirado led the distribution of food packs, which to date have totaled over 2,500 consisting of rice, alcohol and face masks to three barangays, a press release from VMC said Thursday, June 15.Retirado said this is part of their community service to their constituents, which they have been doing regularly in close coordination with the local government units, both at the city and barangay levels.He also thanked...

Vice President Sara Duterte and Bacolod learner Brianne Naomi in Brunei*SINGAPORE — A 14-year-old learner from Bacolod has joined Vice President Sara Duterte in her official engagements in Brunei Darussalam and Singapore as the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) council president.Brianne Naomi, a Grade 8 student of the Mariano G. Medalla Integrated School, accompanied Duterte as the second participant in the special project You Can be VP of the Office of the Vice President.The project aims to give the participants the chance to see first-hand the job of the vice president by allowing them to follow her and observe her official engagements, a press release from the Office of the Vice President said Wednesday, June 14.Participants must have impressiv...

Former rebels in Brgy. Camingawan, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, were recently trained in mushroom production to provide more livelihood opportunities for them and their families.The 94th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army with the Department of Agrarian Reform Provincial Office, Program Beneficiaries Development Division (DARPO-PBDD), conducted the training on June 8, a press release from the Army said.Lt. Col. Van Donald Almonte, 94IB commander, lauded the dedication and enthusiasm demonstrated by the former rebels throughout the training program.He emphasized the importance of providing opportunities for their successful reintegration into society and encouraged other stakeholders to support similar initiatives that contribute to peace-building and socioeconomic...