Lifestyle

Oct32023 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

I’m here to break the mold, relocation site beauty says

Therese Pira-an is contestant No. 2.*MBM photoA Physical Therapy student who lives in one of the resettlement areas in Bacolod City aims to bring representation from her community to the Miss Bacolod MassKara (MBM) stage by being one of the candidates this year.Therese Pira-an, 22, who lives at the Arao Relocation Site in Brgy. Vista Alegre, said that she dreams of being a trailblazer who will pave the way for the young girls in the community.She is MBM candidate No. 2 who aims to push her advocacy on animal welfare and protection, while carrying the dream for her community. “I consider myself as a trailblazer in my community at Arao Relocation Site. It is a huge step for the women in my community to be able to represent them,” she said during the MBM press presentation on ...

Oct22023 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Miss Bacolod MassKara bet bats for sustainable fashion

Lifestyle, Top Stories

Georgette Ysabelle Millan, candidate number 1.*MBM photoSustainable fashion is what Georgette Ysabelle Millan, one of the Miss Bacolod MassKara (MBM) candidates, is pushing for in joining the pageant this year.Millan, MBM’s candidate number 1, brings to the pageant stage her advocacy on sustainable fashion, environment, and livelihood.She is 19 years old and taking up a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of St. La Salle-Bacolod.In her video introduction, she said that she is fond of thrifting and upcycling believing that you can make fashion through conscious choices.She is also a working student and has a fascination with the art of “drag”. In her video, she said she wants to be a drag queen someday.During the press presentation, she was asked how sh...

Oct22023 by Nanette GuadalquiverNo Comments

Sagay City’s mangrove island film wins top international award

Lifestyle, Top Stories

Acclaimed Filipino director Anton Juan (2nd from right) shows the poster of “Amon Banwa sa Lawod (Our Island of the Mangrove Moons)” with fellow filmmakers at the Louth International Film Festival in Dundalk, Ireland.*The “Amon Banwa sa Lawod (Our Island of the Mangrove Moons)”, a full-length film showcasing the mangrove island of Suyac in Sagay City, Negros Occidental, won the award for Best International Feature in the Louth International Film Festival (LIFF) in Dundalk, Ireland, Sunday night (Monday morning in the Philippines).Helmed by acclaimed Filipino director Anton Juan, who wrote the screenplay with Sagaynon assistant director Mark Garcia, the movie, devised from the play “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder, revolves around the memories of the island centered on the life, love, ...

Aug132023 by Digicast Negros StaffNo Comments

Improved spa, watchtower open in Suyac Ecopark

Lifestyle, Top Stories

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 comple...

Aug132023 by Digicast Negros StaffNo Comments

Bacolod rum festival opens despite sudden downpour

Lifestyle, Top Stories

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.Al...

Jul172023 by Digicast Negros StaffNo Comments

Victorias Sidlak Kadalag-an Festival dancers triumph in Aliwan Fiesta 2023

Lifestyle

Victorias City’s Sidlak Kadalag-an Festival Dancers won 5th Place in this year’s Aliwan Fiesta Cultural Street Dance Competition held at the Aliw Theatre, CCP Complex, Pasay City, Saturday, July 15.They earned the city’s first-ever trophy in the Aliwan Fiesta, the country's grandest festival, a press release from Victorias City said.This is also the LGU’s first participation in the Cultural Street Dance Competition.Sidlak Kadalag-an Festival Dancers were the champions of the 2023 Panaad sa Negros Festival competition.They represented Victorias City and the Province of Negros Occidental in the Aliwan Fiesta.The team was headed by their choreographer Ricky Lapidante Jr.Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez attended the Aliwan Fiesta and ...

Jul92023 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Espina inducted governor of Rotary District 3850

Lifestyle, Top Stories

Outgoing governor John Michael Ng turns the gavel over to Rotary International District 3850 governor Maria Ester “Mate” Espina*Ronnie Baldonado photoThe 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 ...

Jul32023 by MaryKay Carlson U.S. Ambassador to the PhilippinesNo Comments

Celebrating milestones as friends, partners, allies

Community, Lifestyle

This July 4, Americans all over the world are celebrating the 247th anniversary of U.S. independence. Here in the Philippines, we are also commemorating the 69th Philippine-American Friendship Day, making July 4 doubly special – a time to celebrate all that the Philippines and the United States have accomplished together as steadfast friends, partners in prosperity, and ironclad allies.Since I arrived in July last year, I’ve had the opportunity to see the deep, multifaceted U.S.-Philippine relationship at work. During a recent trip to Cebu, I met talented new friends from the vibrant network of U.S. exchange alumni in the Visayas. In Ilocos Norte, I learned how our development efforts are improving energy efficiency standards, a key part of the Philippines’ clean energy transition. Las...

Jun232023 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Upper East House pays tribute to historic ‘White Mansion’

Lifestyle, Top Stories

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 showroom, an...

Jun182023 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Four outstanding Bacolodnons conferred Banwahanon Awards

Lifestyle, Top Stories

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 photoFour 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 Occi...