Lifestyle

The watchtower at the Suyac Island and Mangrove Ecopark.* Sagay’s premier eco-tourism destination Suyac Island and Mangrove Ecopark in Brgy. Taba-ao re-opened its spa and watchtower on Thursday, August 10, after a non-government organization provided P1.5 million for its repair and rehabilitation. The re-opening was witnessed by Ferdie Marcelo, country representative of the non-government organization Seacology, as he inspected the infrastructure in Suyac Island, a press release from Sagay City said. Suyac Island Mangrove Ecopark’s Spa and Watchtower was funded through Seacology that allocated P1,494,693 (approximately USD 26,900) with the technical assistance from the of City Engineering Office led by Engineer Jezreel Alingco. Marcelo conducted a site visit to check the compl...

A sudden downpour did not dampen the spirits of the Tanduay Bacolod Rum Festival 2023 crowd as Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez led its opening at the Bacolod City Government Center grounds on Saturday afternoon, August 12. The Bacolod Rum Festival will run until August 20 with different activities highlighting the world’s No. 1 selling rum, Tanduay, a press release from the Bacolod City Public Information Office, said. The Bacolod Rum Festival activities include a Rum Barrel Painting contest, Flairtending and Mixology Competition, Culinaria Competition, a Food Park, and a music festival. It will culminate with a free concert at the BCGC grounds by singer-songwriter Ely Buendia on August 19. Celebrities Derek Ramsay and Kylie Verzosa are also expected to join the festival. ...

Outgoing governor John Michael Ng turns the gavel over to Rotary International District 3850 governor Maria Ester “Mate” Espina*Ronnie Baldonado photo The need to put service above self and to create hope in the world were the key messages of the new governor of Rotary International District 3850 and a business leader who was a Paul Harris scholar. Maria Ester “Mate” Espina was inducted as governor of Rotary International District 3850 at rites held at the Acacia Hotel Convention Center in Bacolod City, Saturday night, July 8. Guest speaker at the event was Jose Antonio "John" Alonte, Jr. who is chairman, president, founder and/or part owner of BREDCO Port Services, Bacolod Reclamation and Port Development Corporation, Bacolod Harbor Tug Services, Acacia Hotel Bacolod and several...

The three-story Upper East House that pays homage to the historic “White Mansion” of the former Bacolod-Murcia Milling Company complex is the latest addition to Megaworld’s 34-hectare The Upper East in Bacolod City. The Upper East was recently named "Real Estate Project of the Year in the Philippines" at the World Business Outlook Awards 2023, Harold Geronimo, Megaworld vice president for public relations and media affairs, said on Thursday, June 22, during a media tour of the Upper East House. The Upper East House is a nod to the township’s historic past as it is located on the former Bacolod-Murcia Milling Company property, he said. The Upper East House, located within the curated park beside McDonald's Upper East, will serve as the township’s information center and showroo...

Eli Francis Tajanglangit* Hopefully the 2023 MassKara Festival in October will be better than last year, Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez said on Sunday, June 18. Preparations for the festival have started, he said. Eli Francis Tajanlangit, who was MassKara Festival director from 2004-2012 and 2016 to 2019, will be part of the team handling this year’s festival, Benitez said. “We recognize his experience from previous MassKara Festivals,” he said. Tajanlangit will be one of those who will be handling the MassKara events, Benitez. Mostly the same people from last year will also handle the 2023 MassKara Festival and they also got more on board, Benitez said. Benitez said the Bacolod Yuhum Foundation will also still be handling the festival.*

The Banwahanon awardees Token Lizares, Benjamin Lopue Jr., Willy Au and Ian Manauel Lo (l-r) holding their plaques with Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, Modesto Sa-onoy and Councilor Jason Villarosa.*Ronnie Baldonado photo Four outstanding Bacolodnons were conferred Banwahanon Awards at Bacolod’s 85th Charter Day Anniversary program at L’Fisher Hotel Sunday night, June 18. The city government led by Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez also honored outstanding city government employees and tax payers, and gave an "I'Il Be the Change Award" for the first time. The 2023 Banwahanon Awardees are charity diva Ruby “Token” Lizares and businessmen Willy Au, Ian Manuel Lo and Benjamin Lopue Jr. Benitez said they were honored for extraordinary deeds in the aid of others. Negros Occ...

Pride celebration in Bacolod City begins with a charity event for persons living with HIV (PLHIV) on Saturday night, June 17. Bagani Community Center will hold the “Baile: Bagani Pride 2023”, a charity event that will present local “drag” performances and a lip sync competition featuring local queer artists of Bacolod at Lunar: Art, Cafe and Resto at Lacson Street, Bacolod City. Bagani is a non-government organization in the province that advocates for HIV/AIDS education, testing, and treatment. 
They have been touring around the province giving free HIV orientation and testing to communities, especially those who are members of LGBTQ+. Bagani Hub Manager Carlz Libo-on told DIGICAST NEGROS that more than a celebration the event also aims to help those who are living with H...