Top Stories

The 29th Panaad sa Negros Festival launching on Friday*Ronnie Baldonado photoNegrenses will showcase their local culture and heritage during the 29th Panaad sa Negros Festival and seven other major festivals in six local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental in March.“March 2025 is packed with cultural richness and exciting celebrations. One of the highlights is the highly-anticipated Panaad sa Negros,” the Provincial Tourism Division said in a statement on Monday, March 3.Panaad is the Hiligaynon word for vow or promise.Set from March 24 to 30 at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City, the event is the province’s annual “festival of all festivals” participated by all 32 LGUs in Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City.In the north, Sagay City will celebrat...

A man died after he lost control of his motorcycle and hit a rock in Purok Proper, Brgy. Dulao, Bago City, Negros Occidental, on Sunday, March 2.The fatality was Juan Lansangan Jr., 35, of Purok Pahu, the police said.The victim was going to his friend whose motorcycle had a mechanical problem but when he reached a curve in the road he lost control of his motorcycle, the police said.The motorcycle was cut in half due to the impact and Lansangan who was thrown off sustained fatal injuries.*

Victorias City is officially launching its 27th Kadalag-an Festival at the Activity Center of the Ayala Malls Capitol Central in Bacolod City 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 5.The grand unveiling of the exciting activities lined up for this year’s celebration will be held during the launch, a press release from Victorias said.The naming of the official candidates for this year’s Search for the Sidlak Kadalag-an Queen will also be held during their sashing ceremony and press presentation during the Kadalag-an launch.*

A judge dismissed a murder case filed against 14 persons, including current and former Moises Padilla town officials and a previous mayor of Isabela town in Negros Occidental, on Friday, Feb. 28.Guihulngan City Regional Trial Court Acting Presiding Judge Ma. Anna Priscila M. Pareja dismissed the murder raps lodged against the 14 for the death of Moises Padilla councilor Jolomar Hilario because of lack of interest by the complainant to pursue the case.Hilario was killed by armed men in his residence at Barangay Inolingan, Moises Padilla, in March 2019. The New People’s Army’s Leonardo Panaligan Command had claimed responsibility for the killing Hilario, claiming he was a military asset.“In line with the Constitutional guarantee of an accused's right to a speedy trial and to pre...

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson with the Negros Occidental delegation in Antique.*Richard Malihan photoGov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said he is hoping that the Negros Occidental athletes “deliver a memorable and outstanding performance” at the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) Meet that kicked off in Antique on Sunday, March 2.The governor, who attended the opening rites, expressed his full support for the athletes from Negros Occidental.“The Negros Occidental delegation has always been a strong contender and a powerhouse of outstanding athletes in the WVRAA. I extend my best wishes to all our Negrense athletes,” he said.“This moment is bittersweet, as it may be the last time Negros Occidental competes in the WVRAA due to the creation of the Negros Island Region. Wi...

Bacolod Bulk Water Inc. (BBWI) apologized to the households affected by its pipe breakage that caused temporary flooding within the vicinity of the Bacolod City Water District 6500 ground reservoir in Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City, on Saturday, March 1.“The incident occurred during the chlorination and disinfection process of our 800mm transmission lines, which is part of our efforts to deliver an additional 10-25 MLD of water supply to benefit the Bacolodnons,” BBWI chairman Ryan Yap said in a statement.He said upon being notified of the situation, a BBWI team promptly responded by closing the necessary valves to halt the flooding.“BBWI takes full responsibility for what happened and reached out directly to the affected households. We are fully committed to compensating for ...

The drugs seized in Barangay Taculing, Bacolod.*The Bacolod City Police Drug Enforcement Unit arrested two persons and seized suspected shabu worth P1.6 million in separate operations in barangays Taculing and 39, Bacolod City, on Saturday, March 1.The police arrested Aldan Jeff Parandas, 22, in a buy-bust operation in Purok BM, Brgy. Taculing.They recovered 157 grams of suspected shabu from him estimated to cost P1,067,600, the police said.Oscar Ledesma III, 35, was arrested in Brgy. 39.Recovered from him 80 grams of suspected shabu worth P544,000, the police said.The two are in police custody and will face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.*

Two teenagers died while seven others were injured in motorcycle accidents in the 5th District of Negros Occidental, on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 28 and March 1.Alias “Christian”, 17, a grade 11 student, died when his motorcycle accidentally hit a tricycle at Purok 2, Brgy. Bi-ao, Binalbagan, Friday.The victim, together with his 17-year-old back rider, were travelling northward when a tricycle suddenly turned causing the motorcycle to hit it, the police said.The driver of the tricycle was identified as alias “Joseph”, 44, while his passenger was “Feline”, 39, his wife.All four of them were brought to the hospital due to injuries but Christian was declared dead on arrival.Meanwhile, another alias “Christian”, 19, died while four others were injured when his motorcycle hi...

Pintor Kulapol artists with Nunelucio Alvarado (2nd from left)*Sagay-based artist collective “Pintor Kulapol” honored master artist Nunelucio Alvarado during their recent celebration of the 12th Nature Encounter Arts Festival in Sagay City.The collective, composed of artists from Sagay and other parts of Negros Occidental, honored Alvarado for starting the arts festival, which ran from Feb. 14 to 16 at the Kape Albarako in. Brgy. Old Sagay.The “Nature Encounter XII: Duta, Tubig, Hangin”, included a series of talks, art workshops, and gallery exhibitions by local artists.The event also included a screening of documentary short film “Ang Kalibutan ni Nunelucio Alvarado” directed by Candy Nagrampa.Back-to-back visual arts exhibitions titled “From Time Immemorial” by Burog...