Friday, July 8, 2022

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Kara 2022: A showcase of makeup creations

Posted: 08 Jul 2022 05:14 AM PDT

IN THE hands of a skillful makeup artist, a person's face becomes a canvas where masterpieces are made and these can either shock or awe the audiences because of their creative execution.This was the inspiration of the 12 students of the University of St. La Salle-Bacolod's Institute of the Moving Image (IMI) class under the tutelage of prominent makeup artist Carlos Durana as they competed for their makeup creations during the Kara 2022 held at SM City Bacolod-North Wing event center on July 7, 2022.The event allowed them to showcase their makeup creations in fantasy, prosthetics and bridal makeup runs.Steve Louise Rotelo, whose work took home the best prosthetics, was named Kara Artist of the Year 2022.The winners in various categories were Louie Hundana as best in fantasy makeup while Fred Ashley Donguez was best in bridal makeup.The Makeup Artists of Negros, Makeup Artists Guild of Negros, Transqueens of Negros, Gab the drag queen, Lakan ng Silay winner Heal Rodriguez along with Marx Louie Justiniani and Dale Herrera Divino, Hari ng Pilipinas-Negros Occidental and Bacolod, respectively, corroborated to mount this event.Joining them are the makeup and film students and models of Carlos Durana, the Edwin Benitez gowns, Kefi for accessories, Dwight Morana of the Negros Fashion Fes for the models, JL Talent Management, Apol Embang, Chino Christopherson and Leonard Geraldes, among others.The participants include Aubrey Mae B. Villanueva, Fred Ashly T. Donguez, Lovelyn Grace P. Reyes, Abiel A. Semillano, Noella D. Canete, Yobelle Martir, Louie Hundrana, Karen Joy E. Lipat, Riquebelle Manzo, Rob Chrysler Vaflor, Steve Louise V. Rotelo, and Adia Beatrice Manzo.

Goho: Authentic maturity

Posted: 08 Jul 2022 05:13 AM PDT

MANY manipulators lurk among us as human beings have an amazing ability to assert in order to get what they demand. One can marvel at how many can very casually step on other more oblivious beings simply to get ahead or advance a self-directed agenda.In such a fast paced society, it has become a norm to act on one's feet and think on one's toes in leveling up various personal goals geared towards self-glory and boosting one's ego. Self-preservation is apparent in an expedient-oriented world consumed by a focus on external projections and winning a complex game. And many have subscribed to a pragmatic outlook of utilizing individuals as objectifiable and dispensable beings when there is a failure to recognize the universal and objective laws that govern our world and our nature.Authenticity has become vastly diluted in a universe driven primarily by materialism and personal gain. Cynicism ensues when there is rampant superficiality and corruption in our daily behavior. Most then go about playing a strategic role and being wary of how to draw one's cards, explore and exploit the vast complexities and industries around.With the rise of technology and the degradation of values and principles, the generational shift has gone on a downward spiral towards relativism and entitlement. A soft culture has emerged and has produced pricks and brats who orient themselves toward escaping difficulties rather than confronting them.A pampered generation is inevitably detrimental towards molding the future. Hardships must be endured, problems must be faced, harsh realities must be addressed, difficulties must be encountered with shoulders back to further nourish our humanity and bring us closer to our full and real potential. Beyond external ambitions, internal realizations and character growth are integral.Without a recognition of objective moral values and duties, anything can be permitted in how we embark the various challenges we encounter in our paradigm. It would then be imperative to see the higher moral framework as opposed to our various subjective perspectives and worldviews, which prove to be lackluster in digging deeper into the core matter.Firm stances must be made over flimsy compromises, confronting harsh truths over comforting lies. Living truthfully is the ideal way to live, inclining ourselves towards eradicating chaos and suffering, enabling us to continuously level up as fallible and ironic beings.Our humanity entails more substantive complexities that go well beyond mere instinct for survival and practicality, but a deeper understanding on abstract and spiritual matters of substance that dig deep into our soul. There is a yearning from every struggling man to find unconditional love unattainable amidst the mortal and fragile consciousness we experience. We all can have the potential to honestly become our best and truest selves.

Army: 3 killed rebels in Binalbagan clash high-ranking officials

Posted: 07 Jul 2022 08:13 AM PDT

THREE of the four suspected rebels killed in a gun battle with government troops in Binalbagan town, Negros Occidental on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, were high-ranking officials of a communist terrorist group (CTG), an army official said.Brigadier General Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, said Thursday, July 7, 2022, that Roel Sagon, 30, alias "Berio" served as the leader of Sentro De Grabidad Central Negros 2 Squad 3 while Rowel Udtuhan, 40, alias "Jing-Jing/Caloy" was his assistant.Pasaporte said Sagon was from Barangay Buenavista while Udtuhan was from Barangay San Antonio both in Himamaylan City.Military records showed that the lone female casualty, Nikka Ledesma, 20, of Cebu City, was the group's political guide while the other casualty identified as Alden Rodriguez, 20, of Barangay Bantolinao in Manjuyod town, Negros Oriental was a member of the Squad 3.They were identified through the help of their former colleagues who had already returned to the government fold."They were deceptively recruited for the ideology they do not even understand," Pasaporte said, adding that it paints the true color of the CTGs that disregard the concern and human rights of the people by abandoning their dead members.In a statement, Ka Juanito Magbanua, who is the spokesperson of the Apolonario Gatmaitan Command of the New People's Army in Negros Island, debunked the claim of the military that an encounter took place.Early Wednesday morning, 94th Infantry Battalion together with the 33rd Division Reconnaissance Company (DRC) raided a hut in Sitio Calunakon, Barangay Santol, Binalbagan town.He said that a small unit of red fighters was temporarily seeking refuge at the hut after some of them contracted flu and other illnesses.Magbanua claimed that the soldiers arrested four of them, who were barely armed and not in the position to give battle due to their health conditions."To conjure a scenario of an armed encounter, the soldiers fired their assault rifles, machine guns and grenade launchers as if they were in a gun battle at around 9:30 am in nearby Sitio Amelis in Barangay Biao," the rebel leader said, stressing that it was a "fake encounter."Magbanua said this is a grave violation of the Geneva Conventions and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHIHL) and constitutes a war crime.The army earlier reported that the three-minute gun battle at the hinterland area took place following a tip around 9 a.m. from concerned citizens that several armed individuals were sighted in the area of Sitio Amelis.Three M16 rifles, one of which has an attached M203 Grenade Launcher, an AK-47 assault rifle, a .45 caliber pistol with magazine, two 40mm M203 live ammunition, 70 5.56mm, M16 live ammunition, 38 7.62mm M14 live ammunition, five M16 long magazines, two M16 long magazines, five M16 short magazines, five M14 magazines, an M16 magazine spring, two bolos and four bandoliers were recovered by the army from the encounter site.The rebels, who split into two groups, also left their belongings and several subversive documents, the military said.Meanwhile, a former CTG member was arrested by the personnel of the 3rd Mobile Platoon of 1st Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company (NOCPMFC) in Calatrava town, Negros Occidental on Wednesday afternoon.Force commander Lieutenant Colonel Jay Malong said "Ka Ricky" has earlier returned to the government fold and was able to avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip) of the government for rebel returnees.Malong said they learned that the 47-year-old resident of Sitio Ecugan of the town's Barangay Minapasok is wanted for frustrated murder.

Governor: Negros Occidental not closing borders to neighboring provinces

Posted: 07 Jul 2022 08:13 AM PDT

GOVERNOR Eugenio Jose Lacson does not intend to close the borders of Negros Occidental to neighboring provinces despite the increasing number of new coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases in Iloilo."We will maintain the same situation and we do not intend to close our borders," Lacson said Thursday, July 7, saying that "we cannot go back to the scenario of lockdowns anymore."Maintaining that Covid-19 cases in the province are manageable, he said local government hospitals have had no buildup in the number of new infections lately.Lacson attributed this to the massive inoculation drive."Fortunately, Negros Occidental is still at Level 2 because of our performance in vaccination while active cases have been going up and down," the governor noted.Despite the situation, the top official of the province said, "we'll see and observe what's happening in Iloilo and how severe the cases are."The Department of Health-Western Visayas Center for Health Development reported that as of July 6, Iloilo Province registered 28 new cases while Negros Occidental has only five new cases.

Bacolod to use evacuation center, midway facility for Covid patients

Posted: 07 Jul 2022 08:10 AM PDT

THE City Government of Bacolod will utilize the evacuation center in Barangay Vista Alegre and the midway referral facility in Barangay Alijis as quarantine facilities for coronavirus disease (Covid-19) patients.Dr. Anna Maria Laarni Pornan, focal person of the Covid-19 Action Team, said Thursday, July 7, that the classrooms in public schools will no longer be used as quarantine facilities.The Department of Education (DepEd) is now preparing for the face-to-face classes, which is why they had to remove all the equipment used for Covid-19 facilities in various public schools, Pornan said.In 2021, Bacolod City opened a total of 19 school-based quarantine facilities for Covid-19 patients."For now, the Covid-19 patients are allowed to go on home quarantine except for special cases," she added.Pornan said from June to July 7, 2022, Bacolod City had a total of 53 active Covid-19 cases.She said the City Government also intensified its Covid-19 vaccination program in various barangays and malls.On July 7, 2022, the city held the Covid-19 vaccination at SM City, Ayala Mall and City Health Office (CHO).The city also opened the vaccination sites in Barangays Alangilan, Alijis, Bata, Banago, Estefania, Banago, Granada, Handumanan, Mandagalan, Sum-ag, Singcang-Airport and Tangub.Pornan said they will accommodate city residents who will avail of initial and second vaccination, as well as those who want to have either first or second booster shots.She said that for now, they temporarily stopped the VAX-i mobile vaccination drive in various barangays due to a lack of manpower.Pornan also assured that they have enough supplies of Sinovac, Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for the people in the city.

Benitez issues order streamlining functions of EOC to disaster management office

Posted: 07 Jul 2022 08:09 AM PDT

BACOLOD City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has issued Executive Order (EO) No. 5 that streamlines the functions of the Emergency Operations Center Task Force (EOC-TF) by transferring to and designating the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) to spearhead the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) response of the city, complemented by the different departments and offices of the City Government.Benitez, who signed the EO on July 5, said in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the increasing number of the Bacolodnon affected by Covid-19 infection, Bacolod City created EO No. 59, Series of 2020, or an order creating the EOC-TF, tasked to undertake all planning, operations, and coordination needed to manage the increasing number of Covid-19 infections at that time.He said the President issued EO No. 151, Series of 2021, on November 11, 2021, approving the nationwide implementation of the alert level system for Covid-19 response."Currently, the National Inter-Agency Task Force (NIATF) for the Management of Emerging Diseases, issued last June 27, 2022, Resolution No. 169-A, Series of 2022, placing Bacolod City under Alert Level 1 effective July 1, 2022 until July 15, 2022," the mayor added.Benitez said that Bacolod City has maintained its downward trend on Covid-19 incidents, prompting this administration to step up its effort to transition to a new normal and strategize action plans geared toward economic recovery and resiliency.Section 2 of the EO stated that there shall be created a Covid-19 Action Team for the city to come up with a coordinated action for Covid-19 response that will be led by the city mayor as the chairman and Dr. Anna Maria Laarni Pornan, head of the DRRMO, as the vice-chair or focal person.The Covid-19 Action Team members include Dr. Ma. Carmela Gensoli, of City Health Office (CHO); Pacita Tero, of Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD); Ramon De los Reyes, of Management Information Technology and Computer Services (MITCS); and Agnes Lira Jundos, of Public Information Office (PIO).The CHO was also tasked to lead the vaccination drive to be led by Dr. Edwin Miraflor and Dr. Wendy Marie Yap; management of swab test team, Dr. Grace Tan and Dr. Yani Fernandez; management of Bacolod Respiratory Outpatient (BRO) Center and City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (Cesu), Dr. Ava Joy Infante; data collection, management and status reporting as needed by the various local and national agencies, Ramon De los Reyes and Engineer Edrian Robete; teleconsult, Dr. Juvy Vergara, Dr. Luz Maapni, Dr. Babylin Drilon and Dr. Georgina Habaradas; information, education and training of medical personnel involved in the management of Covid-19, Dr. Infante and PIO; one hospital commander center, Dr. Geraldine Sy and Dr. Antonio Javi; patient monitoring and contact tracing, Dr. Rosalie Deocampo and Dr. Carlo Ortega; mental health, counseling and psychological wellness program as needed, Dr. Romeo Orcajada and Psycho-social Support Consultancy Hub; and temporary treatment and monitoring facilities, Dr. Claire Capiral.The DRRMO was also tasked with quick response action plan; quarantine, isolation and disinfection; extraction logistic/transport of vaccine, food and non-food items' and reporting, while the DSSD shall be responsible of the social services and relief operations for the Covid-19 victims and their families.The CHO and DRRMO shall also conduct daily reporting to the chief executive as head of the Action Team.Benitez said regular evaluation and reporting as to the status of the current Covid situation in the city must be forwarded to the relevant local and national offices as per guidelines of the NIATF.He said recommendations and advices from DRRMO and CHO may form as basis of the local policies and guidelines of the city to ensure that it is on top of the Covid-19 situation.

Decision on councilors, mayors leagues polls underway

Posted: 07 Jul 2022 08:08 AM PDT

NEGROS Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said Thursday, July 7, 2022, that the provincial officials will always be guided by the principles of the coalition between Love Negros and United Negros Alliance (Unega).Lacson issued the statement amid the upcoming elections of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL), Association of Chief Executives (ACE) and League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) - Negros Occidental chapters."That is something that we are still committed to, to keep the coalition of Love Negros and Unega," he said.Lacson also said that they have not decided yet about the elections of the organizations, adding that the two local political groups may meet this coming month about the PCL elections."I understand that the election of the new set of officers of PCL will be in September, so we still have time for it," the governor said.When asked if the equity of the incumbent will be observed in the election of the PCL, he said, it is something that they would look into.He said that the coalition of the two local political parties has yet to make a decision on the matter.Meanwhile, Lacson confirmed that Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer told him that La Carlota City Councilor Julius Martin Asistio, son of Fourth District Representative Juliet Marie Ferrer, is interested in running for the presidency of tPCL-Negros Occidental.The position is currently held by Silay City Councilor Ryan Gamboa, who earlier said that he is willing to abide by the party's decision on the matter.

Kabankalan mayor underscores priority projects at city council inaugural session

Posted: 07 Jul 2022 08:07 AM PDT

THE new set of members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) of Kabankalan held its inaugural session last week with Vice Mayor Miguel Zayco as presiding officer.Kabankalan City Mayor Benjiie Miranda, who attended the session, delivered his inaugural address and outlined his proposals that he said would need legislative support.Among which is the additional budget for the provisions of medicines for Kabankalan City Hospital, and more funds for the maintenance and other operating expenses like fuel.Miranda urged members of the council to support his infrastructure projects and intensified agriculture programs by allocating additional budget to be utilized by the City Agriculture Office.He also asked for their support for the establishment of Kabankalan City College in Barangay Tabugon. The mayor is also pushing for the review of the existing Tax CodeFor his part, Zayco said that he is honored to have been chosen by his fellow Kabankalalanons to be the city's vice mayor.He said that he is also apprehensive knowing that with great power also comes greater responsibility, sacrifices, a larger crowd of critics and a higher standard to achieve what he has set out to do."Nevertheless, my apprehension pales in comparison to my desire to see a brighter future for the city," he said.As the leader of the SP, he expressed his hope for a council that could represent the people's voice, one that is independent-minded and dynamic.The vice mayor added that in the coming months, the SP sessions would be broadcasted over social media in order to engage the constituents and encourage them to participate and support the city government's programsZayco also disclosed the legislative agenda he wishes for the SP to pursue like the approval of the new Internal Rules of Procedure (IRP) which will include newly created committees envisioned to address the needs of new sectors.These include the Committee on Information, Communications and Technology, Committee on Housing, Urban Development and Land Use, Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and Committee on Labor, Employment and Civil Service.Zayco assured that they will work together with the executive branch to conduct a thorough review of the budget.Water resource identification and development is a top legislative priority along with sustainable and targeted support for farmers, medical and health assistance to indigent constituents, education assistance and scholarships, Zayco noted.The scholarships will be for in-demand courses to meet the skilled workforce requirement of the business sector, expanding the senior citizen support, strategic fund allocation for calamity and disaster preparedness, response, relief and rehabilitation, and enhancement of the sports programs of the city, he said.Present during the inaugural session were Councilors Roger Regalia, Jeanna Genizera, Joestar Bandojo, Adolfo Mangao Jr., Macario Zafra III, Jerzy Guanzon, Rey Cordero, Jose Dumaguete, Marie Vic Ramos, Joan Cagape, Liga ng mga Barangay President Gerard Tronco, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Jeorgelyn Largado and Indigenous People Mandatory Representative Jennelyn Largado.Plaques of appreciation and gratitude were also awarded to former mayor Pedro Zayco Jr., former vice mayor Raul Rivera and former City Councilors Helen Zafra, Delia Anacan, Celestino Dumaguete, Ramon Cordova and Efren Gaspillo Sr. in recognition of their invaluable services.

Buy-bust nets over P81,000 in 'shabu'

Posted: 07 Jul 2022 08:07 AM PDT

AN ESTIMATED P81,600 worth of suspected shabu was seized in a drug bust operation by operatives of Police Station 7 in Purok Kabugwason, Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City around Wednesday afternoon, July 6, 2022.The operation also led to the arrest of Arnel Alcones, 58, of the said village.Captain Elmer Bonilla, commander of Police Station 7, said Alcones was arrested after he sold a sachet of shabu to a poseur buyer.Police recovered from Alcones's possession six sachets of suspected shabu weighing 12 grams, the P500 marked money, pouch and P250 cash.Bonilla said Alcones was identified as a street-level individual in Bacolod City. He was under surveillance for almost a month before his arrest.He said Alcones has a supplier of illegal drugs in the city, but he refused to divulge further information.The suspect was operating in Barangay Mansilingan and most of his customers used to visit his house to get the illegal drugs, he added.He is now detained at the custodial facility of Police Station 7 and will be charged for violation of Sections 5 and 11 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Hinoba-an mayor forms emergency hotline, social services office

Posted: 07 Jul 2022 08:07 AM PDT

HINOBA-AN Mayor Daph Anthony Reliquias has established the Livelihood and Cooperative, Emergency Assistance and Social Services Offices in his first three days of office.Reliquias, in a statement, said that for the first time the town set up a one call/text/direct message hotline dubbed "Dial D.A.P.H" despite its geographical location.Any concerns on emergency, fire, police and medical support will be sent through the hotline so that the central command can relay and coordinate with proper offices the immediate response, he said.As for the Hinoba-an Social Services Unit, which is directly under Reliquias' office, it aims to timely address scholarships, financial assistance, medical and hospitalization and other social services needs of the town residents.It is likewise a one-stop-shop for all social services concerns thus, eliminating table-to-table and office-to-office hooping of someone who is in dire need of help from the local government, the mayor said.Meanwhile, the Municipal Cooperative And Livelihood Development Unit (CLDU), which is geared to empower and organize those at the grassroots level and be the catalyst for self-empowerment of the town's residents, was also established.Under the CLDU, cooperatives and methodically drafting and dispensing livelihood programs that can greatly impact the lives of people in the municipality will also be developed, he said."I am a nurse by profession and a public servant by commitment; thus, I am trained to save lives as a nurse and deliver the best ever service directly to the people as a public servant", the mayor added. (PR)

Batapa-Sigue: Post-election citizen engagement

Posted: 07 Jul 2022 05:55 AM PDT

IN THE Philippines, the electoral season is always the peak of citizen's involvement and participation. The aftermath is another story. A post-election citizen engagement is as important if not more important than how leaders engage with their constituents during the election period. Citizen's participation is crucial to the success of every government in the modern world.Innovative leadership means being strategic in all aspects, especially in communicating with one's constituents and stakeholders, both internal and external. Leaders with the desire and commitment to constantly engage with the people they serve create more meaningful programs since they can work with their citizens from designing these programs up to its evaluation. Let us observe the different types of strategies our newly elected officials in the local governments of Negros Occidental and Bacolod display as we move forward. Let us closely monitor the different platforms and tools they will deploy to actively collect citizen's suggestions and feedback. Advocacy and activeness for public issues must never stop after elections. We need to work closely with our leaders to effect real change. Otherwise, change would end up merely as a campaign slogan.Engaging with citizens is one of the most critical steps to innovating government policies and services as emphasized by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in its Embracing Innovation in Government: Global Trends publication (2017). To maximize the potential for innovation through citizen engagement, the research recommended four strategies for governments. I would like to share the full discussion below.First is to develop government-wide engagement strategies. Governments should develop a strategy with clear objectives to promote open government and citizen engagement, and to show that they are government priorities. The OECD (2009) Principles for Open and Inclusive Policy Making provide guidance for countries in designing and implementing an effective framework for citizen engagement, including coordinating engagement initiatives across governments to avoid consultation fatigue and creating a coherent approach. The principles also stress the role of accountability, including efforts to report back to citizens regarding the impact of their input.These strategies would help ensure that processes for citizen engagement are replicated throughout the public sector in a consistent way that will promote trust among citizens. Public officials from central and local institutions, as well as key actors from civil society and the private sector, should be involved throughout the entire process to ensure a comprehensive approach and buy-in. This strategy should include considerations for building up the capacity of public employees to interact with and hold citizen-centered conversations with the public, and for interpreting and acting on what they learn.The second strategy is to arm public employees and citizens with tools to connect and establish dialogue. Government leaders cannot simply tell civil servants and citizens to talk to one another. They must also provide tools to allow this two-way dialogue to take place. These tools can include technological solutions for asynchronous electronic discussions and include dialogue tools to assist with in-person discussions. Simply providing physical space to bring people together for conversations can also help.The third recommendation is to build evaluation into the innovation process. Governments should consider the need to evaluate innovation projects during their design. This includes identifying specific monitoring and evaluation activities and tools that translate into easily analyzed information that will support the expansion of innovation by showing benefits.The fourth suggestion is to take feedback into account and reconnect with citizens. Governments must endeavor to build formal mechanisms to ensure that feedback from citizens is considered and acted on, as appropriate, and that citizens are made aware of how the feedback was acted upon. Credibility and trust are diminished if governments are perceived to be listening only to appear inclusive of citizen views, but not to really take into serious consideration their suggestions.

Goho: Overcoming entropy

Posted: 07 Jul 2022 05:54 AM PDT

ANY deviation from an objective moral foundation has the capacity to cripple a society. Anytime wrong notions of freedom are misused and abused leads towards malevolence on a larger scale. Truth seems bleak in a chaotic world given the deep-seated selfishness ingrained in all of humanity when there are seekers of various and misguided kinds.While the selfishness of men have paved the way for an evolutionary development, there are tendencies of it leading towards cynicism, nihilism, and destruction. When responsibilities and moral obligations are undermined and the stubbornness of individuals overrule creating a rippling downward effect. There are lines that need to be drawn to enable uprightness to prevail. This is perhaps the warfare that needs to be conquered in establishing a deeper sense of meaning and substance amidst all the fickleness and mundane routinary aspects of life.There are endless problems that need resolving, tasks to further endure leading to advancements and breakthroughs that create overwhelming impacts geared towards progress. Human beings can be aloof given all the faulty principles amidst a loud world full of empty distractions to fill many voids. Time is very much limited and it is ultimately essential to seek higher matters to withstand entropy and destruction.Life is fleeting and yet most continue to be headstrong towards oblivious emptiness. It may be ideal to revert back and come closer towards objective moral laws instilled by our creator. An aim towards continuous repentance over a circumstantial one may be instrumental towards attaining peace and maturity to withstand uncertainty.

Negrenses competing at Philippine Archery tourney in Cebu

Posted: 07 Jul 2022 05:54 AM PDT

MEMBERS of the United Negrense Archery Club (Unac) will be competing in the 16th Philippine Archery Cup 2022 Leg 3 and Grassroot Archery Tournament in Cebu City from July 22 to 24, 2022.Participating in the event are Jaden Jarbonido, Maegan Valencia, Mishka Ejercito, Unna Ejercito, Marguax Yang, Kiesha Lacson, Julian Bautista, Judd Tayong, Mervyn Veñegas, Chie Ejercito, Blaire Ejercito and Churchill Lopez.In June, Unna Ejercito won gold for the 18M juniors and 30M- women while Keihsa Lacson both received bronze medals for both categories at the First Barotac Viejo Target Shooting Competition.Mishka Ejercito got silver medal for 18M juniors while Blaire Ejercito was the champion in the Barebow Men category.Prior to this Churchil Lopez and Mishka Ejercito also won in the 15th Philippine Archery Cup 2022 Leg 2 in April this year and Grassroot Archery Tournament at Dumaguete City a month after.

Lolong: Making ‘big splash’ on primetime

Posted: 07 Jul 2022 05:49 AM PDT

RURU Madrid's adventure-serye "Lolong" made quite a splash on its pilot airing as the GMA Public Affairs' latest TV offering dominated the ratings and online trending topics on Monday, July 4.Based on Nielsen Philippines' National Urban TV audience measurement overnight ratings for July 4, Lolong's pilot episode, which aired on both GMA and GTV, posted a combined people rating of 17.7 percent – beating rival show FPJ's Ang Probinsyano, which only managed to get a combined people rating of 11.6 percent (TV5, A2Z, Kapamilya Channel, Cinemo).Lolong's "dambuhalang" arrival on Philippine TV was also met with netizen's overflowing praises on the show's maiden episode.From the story's social relevance to its quotable quotes, powerhouse cast, CGI effects, and cinematography, Lolong became the talk of the town yet again–with the official hashtag #LolongPremiere took the number one spot on Twitter Philippines trends and amassed more than 35,000 tweets.Madrid took to social media to thank everyone who watched the pilot episode with him.Excitement has been brewing over the Kapuso primetime show ever since it was announced in 2019, and the long wait was definitely worth it.Viewers were already treated to big, action-packed scenes in the first few minutes of the first episode where Lolong, played by Madrid, was facing a group of armed men led by Ryan Eigenmann and Mon Confiado raging war against the Atubaws.Lolong, having the ability to have his wounds heal faster, managed to get the upper hand.But soon Lolong found himself being attacked by a hooded man, played by young Actor Paul Salas, armed with a special knife, was able to inflict wounds on Lolong.The scene then took viewers to an earlier time–eight years ago where a younger Lolong (Zyren Dela Cruz) was seen in his hometown, Tumahan, together with his parents Gloria (Abby Viduya) and Raul (Leandro Baldemor).Here, viewers got a glimpse of the beginning of Lolong's upcoming journey of discovering his identity.Lolong was inspired by the idea of award-winning broadcast journalist and GMA News pillar Jessica Soho and Assistant Vice President for GMA Public Affairs LJ Castel.Aside from the TV airing on GMA and GTV, the episode last Monday was live streamed on the social media platforms of GMA Public Affairs.Lolong also stars Shaira Diaz, Arra San Agustin, Christopher De Leon, Jean Garcia, Rochelle Pangilinan, Malou De Guzman and Bembol Roco, among others. (PR)

Mambukal: Still among Negros Occidental's top tourist spots

Posted: 07 Jul 2022 05:41 AM PDT

IF WE are given a chance to visit tourist sites in the Province of Negros Occidental, our common considerations will always be distance.Or, others would think whether these destinations would be pleasant to the eyes, and whether going in these locations would be enjoyable for their family and friends.Of course, the not-so-distant place to consider will include the Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary in Murcia, which is home to bats and natural hot springs, trees, waterfalls and swimming pools.One can get there in 30 minutes or so from the province's capital city of Bacolod.Provincial Tourism Officer Cheryl Decena considers Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary, under its rebranded name, to remain as among the tourist sites to visit with its nature-packed ambiance and cool environment, rising on a 1,200 feet above sea-level setting.The province-owned resort is endowed with beautiful spots being a sanctuary to numerous flora and fauna, which is a perfect spot for nature trekking, hiking to the waterfalls, and bird and bat watching.It will be a pleasant mood to relax and unwind in this beautiful spot in Murcia, Negros Occidental -- whether you are a domestic or foreign traveler.

DAR unveils second ‘Buhay sa Gulay’ site in Negros Occidental

Posted: 07 Jul 2022 04:11 AM PDT

IN A bid to ensure food security amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has inaugurated its "Buhay sa Gulay" site in Cadiz City recently, the second in Negros Occidental.Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr., who led the activity, said the project will help boost the economy of the city."There is a potential business in vegetable farming, and it is progressive," he added.Officer-In-Charge Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Teresita Mabunay said the Covid-19 pandemic has brought a lot of challenges, but there were also many success stories."This new site of communal agribusiness is truly one to be proud of," she added.The Hacienda Gamboa Barangay Mabini Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association (HGBMARBA) with 30 members will manage the 5,000-square meter communal vegetable farm initially planted with bitter gourd, string beans, squash, cabbage, chili pepper, sweet potato, and mushroom.The property is formerly owned by Eduardo Gamboa/Spouses Edwin and Brenda Cornel, with a total area of 41.6674 hectares, located at Hacienda Gamboa in Barangay Mabini, Cadiz City.To sustain greater production volume, the launching of the Buhay sa Gulay and Farm Business School (FBS) will help the farmers to integrate their farming activities into a joint-agribusiness venture, the DAR said.The agency said Farm Business School is organized for farmers to learn farm business management.It aims to capacitate the participants with entrepreneurial and fundamental management skills through the learning-by-doing approach, developing critical concepts and exercises designed to help the farmers build knowledge, enhance their skills and adjust their attitudes to make their farms more profitable, it added.The implementation of the project is geared towards the goal of building resiliency for agrarian communities, it said, adding that specifically, the objective is to enhance and sustain the agricultural productivity of agrarian communities as an adaptation measure towards resilience.The DAR, through its Program Beneficiaries Development Division (PBDD), constitutes development and support services interventions through the provision of training programs, and construction and rehabilitation of infrastructure facilities.Access for agrarian reform beneficiary (ARB) households to basic social services is also included in this sector to ensure holistic support for the farmer beneficiaries.In Western Visayas, the pilot site for the integration of the communal vegetable farm is located at Barangay Alangilan in Bacolod City managed by Benez ARB Farmers Association, which is an assisted cooperative of DAR Negros Occidental I.Meanwhile, also present at the activity were DAR-Negros Occidental I PBDD Officer-In-Chare Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer Aisha May Ardiente, Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer Hannah Jubay, Barangay Mabini Captain Rosevil Villarin, and Cadiz City Cooperative Development Division Representatives Mirasol Gane, Jessa Villaceran, and Jordan Asuzena, among others. (With PR)

CDA, DICT forge partnership for cooperatives in NegOcc

Posted: 07 Jul 2022 04:08 AM PDT

THE Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) have signed a partnership for the implementation of DigitalJobsPH program for members of various cooperatives in Negros Occidental.Formerly called Rural Impact Sourcing (RIS) Program, the DigitalJobsPH aims to capacitate people in the countryside to do online freelancing as a means of livelihood using their own internet platform or RIS Hubs.It is a pioneering program in the region that aims to provide training to cooperatives in Western Visayas starting with the Kabankalan-Ilog Teachers and Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Kitempco).Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who witnessed the signing held at Negros Residences in Bacolod City on Thursday, July 7, said that the initiative is a well-founded measure that enables the members of the cooperatives to strengthen their capacities in the face of tight competition brought about by globalization."It is a tool for the attainment of inclusive and sustained economic growth, financial inclusion and reduction of poverty," he said, adding that its capacities must be maximized in order to have a true positive impact on our people.Also present at the agreement signing were CDA Assistant Secretary Vidal Villanueva III, Assistant Secretary Virgilio Lazaga, Undersecretary Joseph Encabo, CDA Director Nora Patron, DICT Regional Director Jane Javellana, Negros Occidental Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz II, DICT-Negros Occidental Head Engr. Romeo Tome, Negros Occidental CDA Field Office Supervisor Atty. Roumelia Alpasan Base, and Kitempco chairman Tito Pillar.This the second CDA-DICT partnership forged in the country, next to that of Region 7. (PR)

VMC protestor charged for direct assault nabbed

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 08:34 PM PDT

ONE OF the three persons who protested against the operation of the Victorias Milling Company (VMC) distillery plant at Barangay Purisima in Manapla town, Negros Occidental was arrested on Monday, July 4.Daniel Lausa Patigas of the barangay's Sitio Felicidad was arrested on the strength of an arrest warrant issued by E.B. Magalona Municipal Circuit Trial Court Judge Ranhel Anotado Perez for Direct Assault Upon Agents in Person of Authority.Perez has recommended P36,000 bail for the temporary liberty of Patigas, who is now under the custody of the Manapla Municipal Police Station.Similar arrest warrants have been issued against Randy Bacaron, Reynaldo Illustrisimo Arriola and Peter Paul Lausa Patigas, court records show.The VMC also filed multiple charges against 21 other residents for allegedly barricading themselves outside the perimeter gates of the distillery plant, preventing the entry and departure of its trucks and tankers hauling raw materials on February 14 this year, a statement from the company said.Earlier, Jose Ramon Eduardo Unson, head of the VMC Asset Protection and Safety Department, in his complaint affidavit filed before the Negros Occidental Prosecutor's Office, alleged that the 21 respondents put up barbed wires and wood with protruding nails in the area.Among the charges filed were illegal assemblies, tumultuous disturbance, unlawful utterances, alarms and scandals, serious illegal detention, grave threats and grave coercion.*

NegOcc maintains strict border control against ASF

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 08:31 PM PDT

TO ENSURE that Negros Occidental will remain free from Asian Swine Fever (ASF), the provincial government is maintaining its strict border control, Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Placeda Lemana said yesterday, July 6.Lemana stressed that Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson would like to make sure that the province maintains its ASF-free status, saying that Negros Occidental is one of the few provinces that are still free from the dreaded disease affecting swine.She emphasized that the province is trying to protect its P6 million swine industry, especially that Negros Occidental remains number one in terms of backyard swine raising nationwide.Meanwhile, Lemana assured that the province still has sufficient pork and chicken supply.Negros Occidental produces 70,000 to 75,000 heads of chicken per day with a consumption of about 60,000 to 70,000 heads per day.She also noted an increase in the price of chicken meat attributed to the high cost of feeds.*

Provincial Board members get committee assignments

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 08:28 PM PDT

MEMBERS of the Provincial Board of Negros Occidental have received their committee chairmanships during their inaugural session at the Provincial Capitol Building in Bacolod City on Tuesday, July 5.Board Members Rommel Debulgado helmed the Committee on Budget, Finance, Ways and Means and Internal Relations; Board Member Juvy Pepello - Committee on Barangay Affairs and Good Government, Senior Citizen; and Board Member Jeffrey Tubola- Committee on Cooperatives and Labor and Employment.The Committee on Food and Agriculture and Environmental Protection and Games and Amusements was assigned to Board Member Andrew Montelibano; Committee on Disaster Preparedness to Board Member Samson Mirhan; and the Committee on Peace and Order as well as the Committee on Trade, Industry and Commerce, Investments and Promotions to Board Member Jose Benito Alonso.For the Committee on Education, Women, Children and Family Welfare, it will be chaired by Board Member Rita Angela Gatuslao while the Committee on History, Arts and Culture as well as the Committee On Trade, Industry and Commerce, Investments and Promotions will be chaired by Board Member Valentino Alonso.Board Member Ryan Gamboa is the committee chairman on Information and Communications Technology while Board Member Manuel Frederick Ko is the chairman of the Committee on Energy, Public Utilities and Transportation, and Human Resource, Public Works, Housing and Land Use.Taking the chairmanship for the Committee on Health and Social Services and Tourism is Board Member Araceli Somosa; Committee On Human Rights is Board Member Anthony Dennis Occeño and Committee On Internal Ethics and Laws, Rules & Ordinances is Board Member Sixto Guanzon, Jr.Meanwhile, Committee On Youth and Sports Development along with the Committee on Government Assets will be spearheaded by Board Member Pocholo Yuvienco and Committee On Government Enterprise and Privatization by Board Member Martin Torres.Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who spoke at the session, reiterated his projects and plans for the province in the next three years of his administration anchored on his Abanse Negrense Development Agenda for the province.It includes the full implementation of the Universal Health Care Program and the expansion and strengthening of the existing Provincial Health Board through the Inter-local Health Zones.The governor also noted the conversion of Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital from Level 2 to Level 3 to accommodate up to 300 in-patients, as he stressed that it would become a premiere hospital equipped with state-of-the -art facilities.He also mentioned the upgrading of Lorenzo D. Zayco District Hospital in Kabankalan City and Cadiz District Hospital from Level 1 to Level 2, to serve up to 100 in-patients."We shall continue to modernize the equipment and infrastructure facilities of our eight other district hospitals," Lacson said.The governor also told the Board Members that the provincial government will urge all local government units (LGUs) to adopt the One Hospital Command program to further simplify the process of providing our constituents with rescue medical interventions in times of emergency,As to the social services, Lacson told them that the provincial government will establish the Centers for Children in Situation of Armed Conflict, Children in Conflict with the Law or the Bahay Pag-asa and Half-way House for rebel returnees.*

Amateur boxer drowns; body retrieved 2 days later

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 08:27 PM PDT

TWO days after he was drowned at Tabla River in Ilog town, Negros Occidental, the body of an amateur boxer was retrieved at about 10 a.m. yesterday, July 6.Robert Landero, 26, of the town's Barangay Canlamay, was with a relative and they were trying to cross the overflow bridge when the water suddenly rose on Monday afternoon.Gido Padilla, who is the head of the town's Disaster Risk Reduction Management, said Landero's relative survived while he was trapped in the pile of floating bamboo causing him to drown.A search and retrieval operation was launched for two days until Landero's body was recovered in the portion of Tabla River between the boundaries of Barangays Canlamay and Balicutoc.A budding boxer, Landero's career started in 2013 and became notable in the local boxing scene with 11 wins, eight losses, two knockouts and two draws.Before his demise, he was able to finish his match in Cebu City where he bowed down to Christian Araneta.*

Drug bust operations yield P2.8-M ‘shabu’

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 08:24 PM PDT

SUCCESSIVE drug buy-bust operations in two barangays in Bacolod City on Tuesday, July 5, yielded over P2 million worth of suspected shabu.It also resulted to the arrest of drugs suspects Lifranco Leyes, alias "Nonoy," 27, of Mayon Street in the city's Barangay Villamonte; Christine Dacumos, 36, of Purok Sigay in Barangay 2; and Jonald Sonico, 22, of Purok Kagaykay also in Barangay 2.Reports from the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) showed that Dacumos, a high value individual, was arrested after she transacted with a police poseur buyer at about 10 p.m. along Magsaysay Road in Barangay Singcang-Airport.Some 28 sachets and plastic containers of the banned substance all weighing 415 grams were recovered from her possession upon her arrest, police records showed.Investigation also showed that her husband, whose name was not disclosed, was also imprisoned for illegal drugs charges.Earlier, Leyes and Sonico also fell into the hands of the authorities after they also transacted with a police poseur buyer at Purok Kagaykay in Barangay 2 at about 6 p.m.Eight sachets containing suspected shabu weighing five grams and valued at P34,000 were recovered from them along with the buy bust money.The suspects are now detained at the lockup cells of Police Stations 2 and 8 while charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against them.*

Albee allies hold most Bacolod City Council committees

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 08:22 PM PDT

MOST of the committees at the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) of Bacolod went to the councilors belonging to Team Asenso of Mayor Alfredo Abelardo "Albee" Benitez during the inaugural and first in-person session of the city council after two years.Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said the members of the city council, who belong to the majority group, meet beforehand to discuss which committees they will handle.Familiaran said that whichever committee the members of the majority will not choose, will go to those who are part of the minority group."The chairmanship (of the committees) is chosen through nomination, so if they (the minority) nominate they will still lose," he said.To avoid long discussions, Familiaran stressed, the members of the minority group in the city council will just have to accept or choose from the remaining committees.Familiaran was the presiding officer during the inaugural session at the Bacolod City Government Center yesterday, July 6.Heading the committees on Agriculture and Fisheries, Appropriation and Finance and Cooperatives and Livelihood Programs is former vice mayor and now Councilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson while reelected Councilor Al Victor Espino holds the chairmanship of the Committee on Laws and Ordinances.Espino also now leads Committees on Education, Transportation and Traffic and Urban Planning previously under Councilor Renecito Novero and former Councilors Dindo Ramos and Archie Baribar, respectively.The chairmanship for the Committees on Energy, Environment and Health was given to Councilor Claudio Puentevella while Committees on Fire, Social Defense, and Natural Disasters were entrusted to reelected councilor Paoline Sy.Councilor Celia Flor is now the chairman of the Committees on Women, Gender, Family, and Childcare, Markets and Slaughterhouse and Senior Citizen.For Councilor Vladimir Gonzales, the SP decided to let him lead the Committees on Ways and Means, Trade and Commerce and Urban Poor, Housing, and Resettlement.Meanwhile, Councilor Jason Villarosa is now the chairman of the Committees on Information and Communication and Tourism while Councilor Simplicia Distrito is the chairman of the Committees on Human Resource and Development and Social Services.Minority member Councilor Israel Salangga is the chairman of the Committee on Government Assets while his companions Councilor Em Ang heads the committee on History, Culture, and Arts and Councilor Cindy Rojas is the head of the Committee on Labor and Management.Novero took the chairmanship of the Committee on Human Rights.*

4 suspected rebels killed in Binalbagan encounter

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 08:08 PM PDT

FOLLOWING an almost three-minute gun battle with the government forces, four suspected rebels were killed at the hinterland area of Barangay Santol in Binalbagan town, Negros Occidental yesterday, July 6.Brigadier General Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, said that they are yet to identify the casualties which included three males and a female.No casualties or injuries on the side of the government troops, he said.Pasaporte said the members of the 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) received a tip at about 9 a.m. yesterday from concerned citizens that several armed individuals were sighted in the area of Sitio Amelis.He said M16, M203 and M14 rifles as well as a .45 caliber pistol and other subversive documents were recovered from the encounter site.Pasaporte also said that about 10 to 15 members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) were encountered by the government troops.Military records showed that they are members of the Mt. Cansermon command of the Central Negros 2 (CN2), who were behind the ambush of the Binalbagan policemen on February 14 this year where two policeman and a bypasser were injured.The encounter happened few days after 19 former members of CN2 Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Bohol, Siquijor, Cebu (KR-NCBS) surrendered to the troops of 94th IB due to hardships and false promises of the CNT leaders in their organization.Few hours later, another encounter transpired in Calatrava town between elements of the 79th IB against seven rebels believed to be part of the group encountered earlier by the army in Binalbagan.The troops of 79th IB were responding to reports from local residents in the area regarding the presence of armed members of the New People's Army (NPA).No casualties or injuries were reported from the government side while the military believed that some of the rebels were wounded as there were bloodstains in the encounter site.In a related development, the army reported the arrest of Isabelle Necesario alias "Maoline/Nads" who is believed to be the deputy secrtary of North Negros Recovery Team of the rebel group."We assure everyone that we will not put our guards down and we will continue to go after this terrorists who continues to sow fear and intimidate the communities," Pasaporte said.He lauded the immediate response of the troops in helping the locals of Binalbagan and Calatrava against the extortion and atrocities of the CTG members in the towns.*
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