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Jeremiah Gazo and Steve Genzola (l-r)*Two homegrown talents from Negros Occidental will carry the Philippine flag on the international stage as they compete in the Precious of Malaysia – International Cultural Fashion Week (ICFW) in Kuala Lumpur on Aug. 17.Jeremiah Gazo of Bago City and Steve Genzola of Silay City are among only six Filipino designers chosen to present heritage-inspired collections in the prestigious cultural fashion event, which brings together top creatives from across Asia.Organized by FM Group Malaysia, the ICFW is known for its runway shows infused with cultural storytelling, heritage exhibitions, and gala nights featuring traditional performances.Designers are judged not only on creativity and craftsmanship, but also on how well their works reflect c...

The Mister and Miss Teen MassKara (MMTM 2025) is set to reveal its official candidates at the SM City Bacolod Atrium 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 17.This year’s edition is shaping up to be the biggest and boldest yet, with 13 female and 13 male candidates selected from Bacolod City and Negros Occidental, a press release from the organizers said.These teens represent the vibrant spirit of the MassKara Festival and are ready to showcase their talent, personality, and passion for youth empowerment, it said.Organized by EXZD Productions and co-presented by SM City Bacolod, MMTM 2025 continues its mission to celebrate young voices and inspire the next generation of young leaders and changemakers, the press release said. *

Sugar Regulatory Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona at the 71st Philsutech Convention in Cebu.*The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has declared that all sugar produced in the Philippines for the crop year 2025-2026 will be allocated for the domestic market.This means none of the country's sugar will be sold to the U.S. or the world markets.Sugar Regulatory Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona made the announcement on Wednesday, August 13, during the 71st Philsutech (Philippine Sugar Technologists Association) Convention in Cebu.He explained that despite an increase in sugar production beyond the 2 million metric tons mark, the country's output still falls short of the 2.6 million metric tons domestic demand.Azcona credited farmers in Mindanao as this year's heroes of th...

The La Carlota City evacuees finally go home.* DSWD NIR photoAfter more than eight months 61 families with 225 members from La Carlota City finally returned home on Thursday, August 14.The families had been living in evacuation centers following Kanlaon Volcano’s eruption on Dec. 9, 2024.They were given the all-clear to go home after the volcano's alert level was lowered from three to two on June 29.The homes they are returning to are located in Sitio Guintubdan, Barangay Ara-al.La Carlota City Mayor Jose Luis Jalandoni said each family received GI sheets and P1,800 in cash assistance.Meanwhile, in Bago City 22 families with 81 members will return home on Saturday, Dr. Merijene Ortizo, City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer, said.Ortizo said the "Bayani...

The Commission on Elections will continue to prepare for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) despite President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s signing a law postponing the polls to next year, Comelec Negros Island Region Director Lionel Marco Castillano said on Thursday, August 14.He said Comelec Chairperson George Garcia told them to continue the preparations because they anticipate that a petition may be filed before the Supreme Court (SC) questioning the constitutionality of the law.Marcos on Wednesday signed Republic Act No. 12232, postponing the BSKE from December 2025 to November 2026, and fixing the term of office of village and youth officials at four years.Under the new law, no barangay official may serve more than three consecutive terms in the same position...

The police arresting McJhonill Alabado, 30, of Brgy. Balicotoc, Ilog.*The fifth and seventh most wanted persons in the Negros Island Region, along with two most wanted individuals at the city and municipal levels, were arrested on Wednesday, August 13, the Police Regional Office–NIR reported.The top catch, McJhonill Alabado, 30, of Brgy. Balicotoc, Ilog, Negros Occidental, is accused of eight counts of qualified rape through sexual assault against his nieces, aged 7, 8, and 9.He was nabbed by the Ilog police, and operatives of the 3rd Mobile Company and Regional Mobile Force Battalion by virtue of a warrant issued by the RTC Branch 61 judge of Kabankalan City, with no bail recommended.Also arrested was the region’s seventh most wanted person, Gregorio Bulacan Jr., 44, of Br...

Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya and DSSD-Bacolod head Dr. Richelle Verdeprado-Mangga interviewing the three teens taken into protective custody*Three teenagers, aged 13 to 15, were taken into protective custody on Thursday, August 14, following a joint operation by the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) Anti-Mendicancy Team and Police Station 1.The action was initiated in response to a widely circulated video that allegedly showed the minors intimidating children at a fast-food restaurant at Gatuslao Street, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) Director, P/Col. Joeresty Coronica, confirmed the individuals matched those seen in footage showing four solvent-abusing youths allegedly harassing patrons....

The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) is calling for stricter security measures at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) and other city government facilities following the recent killing of a vice mayor in Aklan.The SP issued the call in a resolution authored by Councilor Em Ang on Thursday, August 14.The August 8 shooting incident in Ibajay, Aklan, has heightened concerns over the security of government centers and public spaces nationwide, the resolution said.Ibajay, Aklan, Vice Mayor Julio Estolloso died after being shot by a councilor at the town's Sangguniang Bayan office, the police said.The resolution emphasizes the importance of proactively strengthening security at the BCGC and other city facilities to prevent similar incidents.To achieve this, the resol...

The wrecked vehicle in Pontevedra*A 25-year-old driver escaped with only minor injuries after his car slammed into a concrete wall along the national highway in Crossing Tuguis, Pontevedra, Negros Occidental, on Wednesday, Aug. 13.Pontevedra Police Chief Capt. Darryl Kuhutan said the driver, a resident of Sitio Pahilanga, Brgy. Miranda, Hinigaran, was speeding in his Hyundai car when he swerved to avoid a road hazard and crashed into the wall of a residential property.The impact left the vehicle completely wrecked and caused significant damage to the concrete wall, the police said.The police have asked the driver to shoulder all civil liabilities, including the cost of repairs to the property.Kuhutan said that the crash occurred on a four-lane highway complete with road...

An ocular inspection of a proposed permanent relocation site for residents of La Castellana who can no longer return to their homes within Kanlaon Volcano’s 4-kilometer danger zone was conducted on Thursday, August 14.The composite team from the Negros Occidental provincial government, along with representatives from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the National Housing Authority (NHA), inspected the proposed relocation site in Barangay Talaptap, La Castellana.The team collaborated with the local government of La Castellana to assess the site, Irene Bel Ploteña Provincial Disaster Management Program Division head, said..The inspection aimed to evaluate the site's viability, including its socio-economic feasibility, safety, accessibility, and com...