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Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and the mayors of Negros Occidental ring the bell to officially open the Panaad sa Negros Festival on Monday.*Ronnie Baldonado photoThe 29th edition of the Panaad sa Negros Festival, the festival of all festivals of Negros Occidental, which showcases the unique treasures of the 32 towns and cities on Negros Occidental was off to a festive start at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City, on Monday, March 24.The Sidlak Kadalag-an Festival of Victorias City  and the Bailes de Luces of La Castellana town were the champions in the  Best of Festival Dances competition at the Panaad  Monday night.The Sidlak Kadalag-an performers at the Panaad.*Ronnie Baldonado...

The detention of former president Rodrigo Duterte at the Hague is a special grace, Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon said in his homily on Sunday, March 23.“We can understand why the loyalists of Duterte are moving heaven and earth to get him out of prison. What drives them is, to use their own words, their love for their Tatay Digong,” the bishop said.But true love should seek the good of the beloved, he said.“If they truly love their Tatay Digong, they will do well to leave him in peace where he is now. I strongly believe that his detention in The Hague is a special grace. This could be the last chance for him to return to God,” he said.He said Duterte is nearing 80 years old, “which means that he lives on a bonus and borrowed time, pointing out that the scripture says that ...

The Commission on Elections in the Negros Island Region (Comelec-NIR) on Monday, March 24, asked local officials running in the May 12 polls to remove or cover their photos and names on government vehicles during the campaign period.Comelec-NIR Assistant Regional Director Jossil Macute said it is only for the duration of the campaign period for local candidates, which starts March 28 and ends May 10."Ideally, we recommend to local officials whose photos and names are plastered on ambulances, dump trucks, and other vehicles owned by the local government units (LGUs) to temporarily remove or cover these to avoid being accused of utilizing government resources for their campaign," Macute said."Of course, there will be exceptions, such as with ambulances when they are needed during...

The  Banana Festival in La Castellana in April  2024.*Ronnie Baldonado photoThe celebration of the Banana Festival and grand alumni homecoming in La Castellana town, Negros Occidental,  has been cancelled because of the current state of Kanlaon Volcano, the town’s Incident Management  Team announced on Monday, March 24.Thousands of La Castellana residents remain in evacuation centers because of Kanlaon’s unrest.Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said for now Kanlaon Volcano is still at Alert Level 3 and there is no word if additional funds will be provided by the national government for the evacuees.The Office of the President earlier released P50 million to Negros Occidental for residents displaced by Kanlaon still living in evacuation centers.The aff...

A 19-year-old man drowned in the Bago River in Purok Citrus, Brgy. Bunga, Don Salvador Benedicto, on Saturday, March 22.The victim had epilepsy and suddenly ran towards the river and accidentally fell, his mother told the police.The victim went missing and was later found floating in the river in Purok Saging of Brgy. Bunga, the police said.Meanwhile, a farmer was stabbed dead while on his way home in Sitio Calapayan, Brgy. San Rafael, Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental, on Sunday, March 23.The 43-year-old farmer was found dead by the residents at about 12:30 p.m. on Sunday.The police said while the victim was driving his motorcycle, an unidentified person attacked him with a bolo.He sustained hack wounds on his head, neck, and abdomen resulting in his death.*

The Bacolod City Pavilion welcomes visitors with art, culture, and community pride at the Panaad sa Negros Festival at the Panaad Park in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City.The Bacolod Pavilion, with the theme “Bacolod Smiles Shared with the World,” opens its doors with a display of local artistry, community collaboration, and heartfelt storytelling, a press release from, the Bacolod City Tourism Office said Monday, March 24.A floor mural, “Bacolod Mural Art Walk” painted by Bacolodnon artists, is the pavilion’s centerpiece - depicting the daily life, struggles, and triumphs of Bacolodnons. It is a celebration of resilience, hope, and the joy that defines the City of Smiles, the press release said.Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and other city officials cut the ribbon at...

The Bacolod City Police Office seized about P3 million in shabu in a series of operations in Bacolod City from Monday to Sunday, March 17 to 23.The BCPO operatives conducted 10 anti-illegal drug operations leading to 12 arrests.They also seized 449.5 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street drug price of P3,056,600.The Bacolod police also arrested three most wanted and six other wanted persons last week.*

Extension Managers’ Council for Negros Island Region chairman Roger Ray Manzano (right) leads the organizational meeting at the Siquijor State College in Larena town*The Extension Managers’ Council for Negros Island Region (EMC-NIR), the regional governing body for extension programs of state and local universities and colleges, is expected to improve research-based extension programs and promote other related initiatives in the new administrative region.“This new council’s innovation comes with extending memberships to local universities and colleges, which will improve research-based extension programs in NIR,” EMC-NIR chairman and director of the Carlos Hilado Memorial State University (CHMSU) Extension and Community Services Roger Ray Manzano said in a statement on Monday, Mar...

A driver and a farm security man were injured in hacking and shooting incidents at a disputed property in Hacienda San Antonio II, Brgy. Dos Hermanas, Talisay City, Negros Occidental, Sunday, March 23.Nestor Tolosa Jr., 51, a driver and resident of Hacienda San Antonio was injured after he was hacked by alias “Bernie”, a farm security man, the police said.Tolosa stoned a warehouse when he found out that their root crops withered due to the spraying herbicide, prompting Bernie to confront and hack him, the police added.“Chan”, a driver and resident of Hacienda San Antonio, saw the hacking incident prompting him to shoot Bernie om the shoulder.The victims were brought to the Talisay City Health Office and later transferred to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional H...

The 11th Infantry Battalion soldiers and civilian rescuers with the four foreign hikers rescued in Barangay Silab, Amlan, Negros Oriental, on Saturday.* 11th IB photoThe four remaining foreign trekkers who went missing in Negros Oriental, were rescued in Sitio Hydro, Brgy. Silab, Amlan, Negros Oriental, at about 9:44 a.m. Saturday, March 22.The four and two others who were rescued Friday, who are German, British, Russian and Canadian nationals, set off on a trek from Barangay Malabo, Valencia, on Wednesday, March 19, and were hit by heavy rain.When they failed to return from what was supposed to be a one-day trek they were reported missing.Rescued on Saturday were Germans Alwin Fink, 60, and Wolfgang Arthur Schlenker, 67, Russian Anton Chernov, 38, and Canadian Terry de Gunten, 50....