Community

Jamie Elise Gutheil and John Cediel Estaniel* Ronnie Baldonado photoThe Mister and Miss Teen MassKara (MMTM) 2025 officially introduced its 26 candidates to the media, where John Cediel Estaniel and Jamie Elise Gutheil emerged as this year’s Darlings of the Press on Saturday, Sept. 13 at a mall in Bacolod City.The press presentation, dubbed “The Unveiling”, featured a couch interview-style format where candidates were grouped in batches and engaged in candid conversations, answering questions from members of the press and social media influencers.Estaniel and Gutheil earned the first major recognition of the season where they were voted by the members of the media and local vloggers and content creators.The event also launched MMTM’s 5th edition theme, “The Canvas,” symbol...

Winners in the Mission Challenge and Line Tracing Competition Elementary Level with Dr. Ma. Cristina Orbecido (2nd from right), Andy Paunellan, trainer of Pinoy Robot Games (1st from left).Isabela National High School dominated the Southern District Robotics Competition, clinching the championship titles in the Project Innovative Ideas and Mission Challenge categories in Sipalay City on Friday, Sept. 12.Gil Montilla National High School–Cabadiangan Extension secured victory in the Sumobot category, while Cabacungan National High School emerged as the champion in the Line Tracing category.At the elementary level, Barangay V Elementary School claimed the championship in both the Mission Challenge and Line Tracing categories, while Binulig Elementary School captured the championsh...

The Orange Project, as part of its  20th anniversary, will feature with "Hiblá," a special photography exhibition opening 3 p.m Saturday, September 13.The exhibit, a collaboration with FotomotoPH and the Foundation University Department of Fine Arts, will be held at the Main Gallery of the Orange Project at the Art District in Barangay Mandalagan, Bacolod City.It runs until October 29."Hiblá," which means "thread" in Filipino, highlights the gallery's enduring role as a central hub for contemporary art and community engagement, a press release from  Orange Project said.The exhibit features a curated selection of works from nine photographers: Faye Abantao, Jhundel Asunan, Cru Camara, Stephanie Frondoso, Tommy Haffalla, Nap Jamir, Neal Oshima, Sonny Thakur, and MM ...

The Hilado Family will be holding the 8th Familia Hilado Grand Reunion at the Bacolod Tay Tung High School gym and covered court in Bacolod City,  Dec 27-28.The event is a gathering of Hilado Clan members from all over the world, with relatives around Asia and as far as the US and Europe expected to attend, a press release said.The Hilado Grand Reunion started in 1985 and has become an event held every 5 years.However, the 2020 pandemic made it difficult to gather family members, thus the 8th reunion was moved to 2025.The family’s origins date back to as early as (1810), with roots traced to Don Juan “Baga” Hilado who was a gobernadorcillo of Leganes, Iloilo, a town which he co-founded in 1858.His moniker was "Kapitan Juan Baga" because his eyes burnt like coals wh...

William Hatton Jr., owner of Astro 4O2 in Deca Homes South, Barangay Cabug, and also known as YAMSCOFFEEBREAKS  bested 44 competitors from Dumaguete, Aklan, Iloilo, and Negros/Bacolod. His win secured him a spot to represent the Philippines in the international stage.Photo courtesy of Iloilo Specialty Coffee CommunityHatton, alongside other Filipino champions from different PCBL legs nationwide, will fly to Bangkok, Thailand on October 7. They are scheduled for practice sessions before competing at the Thailand Coffee Hub Show in Central World, Bangkok, from October 10 to 12. The international brewing competition will feature baristas from Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, and the Philippines.This marks Hatton’s second attempt at the PCBL. He first joined the Negros Occi...

Dulce, Mitch Valdes and Token Lizares (l-r)*A charity concert, "A Gift for Mary”,   will be held at the La Proa Ballroom of  L’Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City  6:30 p.m. today, Sept. 8.The show will feature performances by Asia’s timeless diva Dulce, singer and actress Mitch Valdes, and charity diva Token Lizares.The Rhythm N’ Babes Band and Jex de Castro are also set to perform.All proceeds from the concert will go towards the renovation of the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Barangay Bata, Bacolod City, Lizares said. The parish priest is Fr. Aniceto Buenafe.For information on ticket purchases, please call 0920-928-3801 or 0999-948-3786, Lizares said.*

The Rotary Club of Bacolod-Marapara, together with the Rotaract Club of Marapara, recently brought smiles to some 200 children from the indigent community of Don Salvador Benedicto through a day filled with joy, care and fellowship.The clubs distributed free footwear, food packs, snacks and fresh fruits, followed by lively games that sparked laughter and delight among the young participants. This hands-on community engagement marked the first major initiative under the leadership of newly-elected Club President April Kitagawa, a press release from the club said.“It was deeply moving to witness the children’s joy and laughter,” said  Kitagawa. “To begin my term with a project that embodies Rotary’s spirit of compassion and service was truly meaningful and energizing."The Ro...

Twenty-four octogenarians and nonagenarians from Barangays Taculing and Pahanocoy each received ₱10,000 during the third-quarter payout of the LGU Ladderized Centenarian Program on Thursday, September 6.The Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) initiative, fully supported by Mayor Greg Gasataya, seeks to recognize and honor the invaluable contributions and wisdom of qualified elderly members of the community who have reached milestone ages, a Bacolod City Communications Office press release said.Of the 24 beneficiaries, aged 80 years old and above, 15 were from Barangay Taculing, while nine were from Barangay Pahanocoy.The ongoing payout is part of the local implementation of the amended Republic Act No. 10868, or the Centenarians Act of 2016, granting benefits t...