Lifestyle

DOT 6 Regional Director Crisanta Marlene P. Rodriguez*Crisanta Marlene P. Rodriguez has assumed her post as Department of Tourism Region VI head, a press release from the DOT said Wednesday, January 4.The new regional director has more than 16 years of experience in development work in the Philippines, partnering and working with upland and coastal communities in developing sustainable livelihood and protecting the environment.Prior to her DOT appointment, she was the director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Biodiversity Management Bureau from 2018 to 2019. She also served as Regional Executive Director of DENR IX where she received the JCI Philippines Western Mindanao’s Pinay Power Award 2020 for her “exemplary dedication to serve beyond the boundaries ...

The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod on Wednesday, January 4, approved the mayor’s signing of a memorandum of agreement for the allocation of P3 million for the Bacolaodiat Festival that kicks off on January 20.The SP approved the request of Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez for authority to sign the MOA with Bacolaodiat Inc. represented by John Stephen Sy, chairman of the Bacolaodiat Festival 2023.Bacolaodiat Inc. on Wednesday released the schedule of activities for the 18th edition of the festival to usher in the Chinese New Year in Bacolod City on January 20 to 22.The three-day 2023 Bacolaodiat Festival will highlight the Year of the Rabbit which is believed to offer opportunities for contemplation, rest and nurturing of body and soul, Sy said.“We are optimistic and it is our...

The BacoLaodiat Festival will once again showcase its famous Chopsticks Alley which will be strategically located at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) and Megaworld’s The Upper East during the City’s celebration of the Chinese New Year from January 19-22.This is the first time that the festival will have two venues for its famous food walk and night market that typically features Chinese culinary delights and Filipino street food favorites, Bacolaodiat Inc. Chairman John Stephen Sy said..“Among the many things we are delighted about is our partnership with Megaworld and the Bacolod City government for the Chopsticks Alley, which we expect will be patronized and visited by the general public in January,” he said.With this announcement, BacoLaodiat Inc. is now opening slo...

The Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias Panamyaw Choir*The Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias Choir representing Victorias City was the top winner at the “Kanta sang Paskua sa Magikland”, the 1st Metro 3rd Magikland Christmas Chorale Competition, held at the Magikland Park in Barangay Guinhalaran, Silay City, on Sunday, December 18.The project, a joint effort of the Aton Land and Leisure Inc. and the office of Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District), is part of the Christmas activities of the Third District this year.It showcased young musical talents and helped foster the Christmas spirit among Magikland goers, especially residents of the Third District, with the support of the local governments of Victorias, Silay, Talisay, EB Magalona and Murcia, a press release f...

Nicole Centeno (second from right) who bagged the first Bida sang Barangay in the 9th Kalamayan and Christmas Festival in Victorias City with Judges Rodney Ascalon, Rene Hinojales, John Arceo, VMC President Minnie Chua, Centeno and Victorias Mayor Javi Benitez (l-r).*Female rock performer Nicole Centeno of Barangay V bagged the P40,000 in the search for the “Bida sang Barangay” in celebration of the 9th Kalamayan and Christmas Festival in Victorias City over the weekend.Centeno bested nine other finalists with her cover of “Banal na Aso, Santong Kabayo,” a song by the 90’s punk-rock band Yano.The competition was sponsored by Victorias Milling Company who also brought in pop princess Zephanie to entertain the crowd.VMC President Minnie Chua, Mayor Javi Benitez, PR consul...

La Consolacion College Bacolod (LCCB) is holding a benefit dinner concert to support the Center for Music, Arts, and Culture establishment, a project aimed at reinvigorating the arts and culture programs, once a popular feature of education and training at LCC Bacolod.Titled “Everlasting Light, a Christmas Carol for a Dark World”, the concert is a cantata featuring the music by Claire Cloninger and Mark Hayes that will be held at the LCCB main campus quadrangle 6:30 p.m. Friday, December 16.It is conducted by Ar Jico Monte, the chorale’s director, who is also a faculty member in the School of Architecture, Fine Arts, and Interior Design.Even during the pandemic, preparations were undertaken to work on this long-term project, including re-organizing the LCC Chorale. The concert ...

Elves and fairies abound on the Christmas tree of artist Carlin Javelona Martir*Ronnie Baldonado photoWhimsical elves and fairies.These are the ornaments that abound on the Christmas tree of artist Carlin Javelona Martir at Lolita Heights in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City.Martir, who paints and is into theater, said she has collected the ornaments on her 12-foot Christmas tree for about 10 years.The Christmas tree of Carlin Javelona Martir*Ronnie Baldonado photosSome of the ornaments on Carlin Javelona Martir's Christmas tree.*The fairies and elves look like they are from an enchanted world she still has not left even if she is all grown up, she said“This year's tree is my poetry of emotions and a canvas of self-expression,” Martir said.She...

Bacolod Councilor Jason Villarosa and Carmeli Bantug-Zayco received the awards for Bacolod City and the mayor during the awards night.*The MassKara Festival of Bacolod City won for its “Best Festival Practices and Performances” at the Aliw Awards 2022 held at the Manila Hotel on Monday night, December 5.Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez also won as “Best Festival Catalyst/Organizer”.The 43rd edition of the MassKara Festival was held in October after a two-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.Bacolod bested two other nominees - the Pandang Gitab Festival of Lights of Lubang Island Mindoro and the Fiestang Caragan of Mabalacat City, Pampanga.“The MassKara Festival is a celebration of the strength and resilience of Bacolodnons in times of crisis and tragedy. An...

Young musical talents will be showcased in the “Kanta sang Paskua sa Magikland”, a chorale competition among the five top choices of the cities of Victorias, Silay and Talisay, and the municipalities of EB Magalona and Murcia, at the Magikland Theme Park in Barangay Guinhalaran, Silay City, 5:30 p.m. December 18.Aton Land and Leisure Inc. and the office Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) join efforts to bring back the spirit of Christmas joy and celebration as the new normal gradually sets in, in the province, a press release from the office of Benitez said Tuesday, December 6.The chorale contest is among the Christmas events in the Third District, with the support of the local government units.The competition is open to the musical choir that will be endor...

The Orange Erudites champions*Ronnie Baldonado photoThe Orange Erudites clinched the STI West Negros University 2022 Christmas Festival of Lights championship trophy for their lively performance that culminated at the Bacolod Public Plaza Sunday night, December 4.The Pink Vikings emerged as first runner-ups while Red Sentinels were second runner-ups.The most disciplined team was the Pink Vikings and the top three floats were the Blue Guardians, Yellow Tycoons, and the Green Titans.Executive Vice President Dr. Ryan Mark Molina announced that Monday, December 5, will be a STI WNU rest day.Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez also led the switching on of the Christmas Lights at the Bacolod Public plaza Sunday night.He said a total of 800,000 bulbs were switched on.* ...