By Herman M. Lagon Here’s a program many Filipinos quietly root for but rarely talk about. In a country where resumes often outrun diplomas, the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program, or ETEEAP, has been the hidden main door that many mistake for a side gate — open, dignified and life-changing. I say this …
Monthly Archives: October 2025
Estefania wins MassKara street dance school category
By CESAR JOLITO III Despite the rainy weather, Estefania Elementary School secured the grand title in the MassKara Festival 2025 Arena and Street Dance Competition – School Category on Saturday afternoon, October 18, marking their second consecutive win since the last competition in 2019. Their performance, entitled “Dancing in the Rain, Through a Child’s Eye,” …
Lacson amid sugar price drop: ‘Not good for us’
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson was worried over the sharp decline in the prices of sugar, as he warned about dire consequences for local farmers and the local economy. “It is definitely not good for us,” Lacson said, emphasizing the potential for even efficient farms to struggle, with many merely breaking even at current prices. …
Bacolod begins mitigation in Mandalagan River
By CESAR JOLITO III The Bacolod City government is set to launch a large-scale clearing and desilting operation along the Mandalagan River starting Monday, October 20, in a proactive move to address recurring flood concerns. The initiative, spearheaded by Mayor Greg Gasataya and implemented through the City Engineer’s Office (CEO) in partnership with the Department …
Bacolodnons enjoy reading Watchmen Daily Journal’s MassKara Festival supplement
Text and photos by CESAR JOLITO III with AJ Palcullo In the midst of the vibrant colors, upbeat music and joyful crowds of the 46th MassKara Festival, both locals and tourists were spotted proudly reading Watchmen Daily Journal’s special supplement for the festival. The special edition, released during the festival highlights weekend, featured exclusive stories, colorful photo spreads, …
5 brgys under monitoring after Kanlaon ash emissions
Five barangays in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental are closely being monitored amid the recent ash emissions of Mt. Kanlaon, a Dumaguete City official involved in disaster response said. Seth Bariga, information officer-designate of Canlaon City’s Emergency Operations Center, told the Philippine News Agency that trucks are on standby to evacuate residents of these barangays if …
NegOcc logs 2 suicide cases
By CESAR JOLITO III Two separate suicide cases were reported in Negros Occidental — one each in the cities of Sipalay and San Carlos — both allegedly connected to depression, police said. In Sipalay, a 55-year-old backhoe operator was found lifeless inside his home in Purok Guaper, Barangay Cartagena, around 3:00 a.m. on October 16. …
P9-M in prizes, tourism projects up for grabs in Buglasan Festival
The Negros Oriental provincial government, headed by Governor Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria, has allocated over P9 million for the upscaled Buglasan Festival set from October 16 to 26. Held every October, the Buglasan Festival is the leading yearly event in Negros Oriental that highlights the province’s socio-cultural, heritage and tourism features. At a press conference, Sagarbarria …
UST surges past Adamson for 6th straight UAAP win
By ADRIAN STEWART CO The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigresses leaned on a third-quarter surge and a strong all-around showing from Negrense Kent Pastrana to overpower the Adamson University Lady Falcons, 79-55, and move a step closer to sweeping the first round of the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta …
Negros, Biñan post back-to-back wins in MPVA women
By ADRIAN STEWART CO The Negros Spikers continued their late surge in the 2025 Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association (MPVA) after bagging back-to-back victories, including a 25-20, 25-22, 25-20 sweep of the Marikina Lady Shoemasters at the Arellano University Gym in Legarda, Manila. Andrea Caparal paced Negros with 15 points, while Gelah Lopez and Jehiel Moraga …