‘Upsets’ in the billiards tourney

UPSET. Billiard's boy wonder, 15-year old, AJ Manas takes to the table while the legendary world champion, Efren "Bata" Reyes looks on. Manas won the game with an 8-5 score, ending Reyes' bid for the grand prize in the 1st Mayor Albee Benitez MassKara Billiards Tournament at the SM City North Atrium in Bacolod City.*It was a tension-filled game that left the crowd in disbelief when 15-year old AJ Manas crushed the legendary billiards world champion, Efren “Bata” Reyes, with a score of 8-5 in the 64-players knockout semi-finals round in the 1st Mayor Albee Benitez MassKara Billiards Tournament at the SM City North Atrium Wednesday, October 5.It was not the only upset though. Another seeded billiards’ player, Dennis Orcollo, who ranks fifth in the country, was also eliminated by Cebu...

Oct52022 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

‘Make Christmas special with gifts that give back’

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The NVC Christmas balls that will help feed undernourished children*“All in one swoop, gifts that save the earth, give forward and can hang from a tree” are what the Negrense Volunteers for Change Foundation has created for the Christmas holidays this year, its president Millie Kilayko said Wednesday, October 5.The gifts crafted in NVC Foundation's Artisans of Hope livelihood workshops are colorful Christmas balls, miniature parols, nativity scenes and angels to hang on one’s tree made of discarded Nespresso capsules.“They are not only perfect for as Christmas gifts, they are actually gifts that give back,” Kilayko said.The foundation started producing these special beautifully handcrafted gifts early for people who want to make the spirit of giving this Christmas extra mea...

Oct52022 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Albee eyes Korean Town, direct flights from Seoul

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Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Benitez and his Korean visitors.*Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez said he is eyeing the creation of a Korean Town in Bacolod City and direct flights from Seoul to attract more Korean tourists.Benitez met with representatives of Eduglobe, a consulting company for international education and culture exchange and overseas training, and Daegu-Gyeongbuk International Exchange Association, at the Bacolod City Government Center on Tuesday, October 4.“During their courtesy visit, we were able to discuss about the creation of a Korean Town in Bacolod to invite more Koreans in the city,” Benitez said in a post on his Facebook page on Wednesday.“As more tourists are coming in this MassKara Festival, we are also eyeing to talk to airline companies to give us...

Oct52022 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Officials honor mentors on World Teacher’s Day

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Flowers being sold in front of La Consolacion College in Bacolod City on World Teachers' Day.*Romeo Subaldo photoGov. Eugenio Jose Lacson expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the teachers of Negros Occidental for everything they do for the children of the province on Wednesday, October 5, which was World Teachers' Day.“Your dedication, hardwork and guidance have truly made a big difference in this world,” Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez also said.Lacson said the abruptness of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the immediate changes it necessitated hurled the educational system to its most challenging phase.“Amid the provocations and the utter unpreparedness, it was our teachers and school administrators who faced the task of making the needed transitions to ensure the...

Oct52022 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Confed president urges unity to protect sugar industry

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“The sugar industry needs to close ranks, take a close look at where we are today and where we want to be in the future,” Aurelio Gerardo J. Valderrama Jr., Confederation of Sugar Planters’ Associations Inc. (CONFED) president, said Wednesday, October 5.He said CONFED also “needs to reinvent itself in order to be more relevant to our member associations and industry stakeholders.”Valderrama’s recent election was an expression of confidence among his peers following his short-lived stint on the Sugar Board, where he was dragged into the controversy surrounding the aborted passage of Sugar Order No. 4, a press release said.“The domestic sugar industry has been in the national limelight over the last few months, and not in a flattering way, due to the controversy regarding Sugar O...

Oct52022 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Sagaynon Ulirang Nakakatanda 2022 national awardee

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Exequiel Cañete*Sagay City lauded a former Brgy. Andres Bonifacio captain for his recognition as one of the Sampung Ulirang Nakakatanda Awardees for 2022 in the Philippines during the city flag ceremony at the Sagay City Government Center on Monday, October 3.Mayor Narciso “Narwin” Javelosa Jr., together with the president of the Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines-Sagay Chapter president, John H. Espeso, recognized Exequiel Cañete during the program, in time with the Elderly Week celebration.He received a trophy and cash prize of P20,000.Cañete was an outstanding leader for his contribution to the development of his community such as the electrification system of Barangay Andres Bonifacio of which he used to be a Punong Barangay, a press release fr...

Oct52022 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

UAAP women’s volleyball squads to face off in MassKara

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One of the most awaited events in celebration of the 43rd MassKara Festival is the match between the University of Santo Tomas and the Ateneo women’s volleyball squads at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum on Sunday, October 9.Tickets are running out fast considering that this is the first time that the UST Tigresses will face off with Ateneo’s Blue Eagles since their “epic showdown” in 2019 in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s volleyball championship match, organizer Bea Tan said. Ateneo won in three games against UST in that match.“Everyone is very excited to see two UAAP teams headline the event for the MassKara Festival,” Tan said, adding that “this is a must-see game” that volleyball enthusiasts and fans in Bacolod and Negros can catch....

Oct52022 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Defective weighing scales destroyed in Cadiz: mayor

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The weighing scales being crushed by a road roller in Cadiz City* Bilis Cadiz Ugyon photoMayor Salvador Escalante said 72 defective weighing scales at the Cadiz City Public Market were destroyed to protect consumers from dishonest vendors on Tuesday, October 4.The defective weighing scales were crushed with a road roller, he said.The weighing scales were confiscated by the Market Operations Division Composite Team during a series of surprise inspections at the Cadiz City Public Market over a period of four months.The confiscation is part of the city government's response to complaints from consumers on the inaccurate weighing of goods by some vendors, Escalante said.October is Consumer's Welfare Month.Department of Trade and Industry provincial director, Rachel N. N...

Oct52022 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Change in Oriental governor not expected to affect NIR

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Roel Degamo and Pryde Henry Teves (right)*Whoever the governor of Negros Oriental is will not affect the push for the creation of the Negros Island Region, two officials said.Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Rep. Francisco Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) were reacting to the Commission on Elections proclamation of Roel Degamo as governor of Negros Oriental on Monday.The Comelec en banc also nullified the May proclamation of Pryde Henry Teves as governor of Negros Oriental.Degamo has supported the creation of the NIR in the past, and Teves is also in favor of it, Lacson said on Tuesday, October 4.“We are ready to work with whoever is governor of Negros Oriental,” Lacson said.Benitez said Degamo has supported the NIR before, he does not expect him to r...

Oct52022 by Marchel P. EspinaNo Comments

Army honors slain CAFGU member

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The slain CAFGU member was laid to rest in Moises Padilla on October 2.*303rd IB photoThe 62nd Infantry “Unifier” Battalion of the Philippine Army gave full military honors to a slain Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) member in Brgy. Poblacion 4, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, on Sunday, October 2.Joselito Raboy who was assigned the Quintin Remo patrol base was off duty when he was waylaid by his assailants at Sitio Kabayabasan, Brgy. Montilla, on September 24.Raboy served as a dedicated active auxiliary of the Quintin Remo patrol base, who helped in maintaining peace and order in the community against the rebels’ threats and extortion, the Army said, adding that the victim is known to be a law abiding citizen and a good father to his wife and three young chil...