Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez presented the first Mayor’s Medal of Distinction to a sister of the Holy Trinity during the 27th Kadalag-an Festival Awards Night at the Don Alejandro Acuña Yap-Quiña Arts and Cultural Center in Victorias City on Monday, March 23.
Sr. Marie Ann Rasoamandimby, originally from Madagascar, has resided in Victorias City for 20 years and is known for her dedication to uplifting the lives of Victoriasanon children through her feeding and scholarship programs.
Meanwhile, the Sidlak Award — the highest distinction given to a son or daughter of Victorias City — was awarded to Victoriasanon painter Mark Justiniani, known for his surrealist paintings.
The Malihaw Awards were also given to exemplary Victoriasanons from various fields and categories.
This year’s Malihaw Award recipients are Engr. Rynor Jamandre for Business and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Josephine Grace Tan for Health and Medical Science, Punong Barangay of Barangay XIX-A Andrei Delgado for Music, Visual, Literary and Performing Arts, and PLt. Col. Sheryll Macarangal for Public Service, Community Development, and Humanitarian/Social Services.
The city government also recognized the Employee of the Year 2024, Chitalisa Valenciano, for her 25 years of service as a Nurse II at the City Health Office.
She received the Employee of the Year Award with City Health Officer Dr. Richard Garlitos and her husband, Benjamin Valenciano III, together with their son, Benjamin Valenciano IV.
The award was presented by City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, Vice Mayor JunB Bantug, HR Specialist I Esper Herminio Legaste from the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Negros Occidental Field Office, representing CSC Negros Occidental Field Office Director II Atty. Phillip Bernard Capadosa, together with SP Committee Chair on Personnel and Human Resource Warlito Undar and City Human Resource Management Officer Ana Liza Fuentes.
During the event, the City also recognized the entrepreneurs and business taxpayers who played a crucial role in improving the economic landscape in Victorias, while the Joint Inspection Team (JIT) was acknowledged for its role in ensuring the ease of doing business in the city.
The following awards were given:
BUSINESS TAXPAYER OF THE YEAR:
Micro Finance and Lending Institution
*Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation, Inc. (Microfinance NGO) – Dungganon
*ASA Philippine Foundation (Microfinance NGO)
Sustainable Tourism Accommodation
*Malihaw Inn
Catering and Events Services
*Triple R Restobar
*Marjhun’s Catering Services
Banking Institution
*Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)
*Security Bank
BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARD
Micro Business
*Jea-Jays Sari-Sari Store
*Elizabeth Antivo Rice and Corn Retailer
*Lee Ann Monteflor Fish Stall
*Victo Grill
*Jocelyn M. Nicor Pork and Meat Section
Heritage Tobacco
*Ernie’s Tobacco Product Store
Pharmacy
*Mercury Drug Corporation
Corporate Social Responsibility Award
*Colegio De Sta. Ana De Victorias
Entrepreneur of The Year
Victorias Milling Company Inc.*