By Dennis Gorecho As T’boli bells are believed to turn away misfortune, negative energy and malevolent entities, every Filipino should perhaps have at least one piece in their possession — to protect them from the evil effects of corruption. The sounds of T’boli bells or tungkaling consistently reverberate during the annual Pasinaya Open House Festival …
Monthly Archives: March 2026
Why medals are not enough
By Herman M. Lagon Every graduation has its rituals. Mothers adjust collars with nervous hands. Fathers clear their throats more than usual. Students grin for photos while quietly wondering what comes after the applause. Then come the honors — medals, ribbons and Latin words that sound grand during graduation. In many of our homes, they …
Planet Earth trapped record heat in 2025: UN
The amount of heat trapped by the Earth reached record levels in 2025, with the consequences of such warming feared to last for thousands of years, the United Nations (UN) warned. The 11 hottest years ever recorded were all between 2015 and 2025, the UN’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirmed in its flagship State of …
Bacolod City convenes promotions body to drive MICE sector growth
Bacolod City convened the Bacolod Meetings and Conventions Promotions Board (BMCPB) in a bid to strengthen its position as one of the country’s major meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) destinations. Mayor Greg Gasataya, who chairs the board, and Councilor Jason Villarosa, as the vice chairman, led the inaugural meeting that brought together key leaders, …
Poll prep continues amid deferment rumors
By CESAR JOLITO III The Commission on Elections in the Negros Island Region (Comelec-NIR) is pressing ahead with its preparations for the 2026 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE), despite circulating rumors that the polls may be postponed or canceled. In an interview, Atty. Lionel Marco Castillano emphasized that preparations will continue unless a law …
NHA turns over P1-B MassKara Village project
By CESAR JOLITO III The National Housing Authority (NHA) has formally launched the MassKara Village housing project in Bacolod City’s Barangay Sum-ag, aiming to provide 500 affordable housing units for qualified beneficiaries as part of the government’s socialized housing program. The development, with a total project cost of P1.04 billion, spans approximately 73,105 square meters …
Bacolod considering ‘Libre Sakay’ extension
By CESAR JOLITO III Bacolod City Administrator Mark Mayo said the local government is considering extending the “Libre Sakay Program” beyond its initial run, depending on an internal assessment of its effectiveness. The city government rolled out the free ride initiative on Monday, March 23, to assist commuters affected by transport disruptions and rising fuel …
Radio announcer’s death work-related?
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it was investigating possible work-related motives in the killing of radio announcer Julito “Jaz” Diamante Calo in Negros Occidental. Calo, 49 years old, was shot dead on Friday, March 20, in Sitio Lapak Kawayanan, Barangay Robles, La Castellana, authorities said. Initial investigation showed the victim was standing outside his …
RDC-NIR OKs inter-agency body to boost resilience program
y CESAR JOLITO III The Regional Development Council of the Negros Island Region (RDC-NIR) has approved the creation of a regional inter-agency technical working group (TWG) to strengthen the implementation of the Panahon ng Pagkilos: Philippine Community Resilience Project (PCRP). The decision was finalized during the council’s meeting on March 24, 2026, held at the …
Kanlaon spews ash once after 3rd eruption
Kanlaon Volcano spewed ash on Monday afternoon, March 23, that rose 100 meters above its summit crater, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said. State volcanologists shared time-lapse footage of the ash emission from Kanlaon on Negros Island, which was recorded at 2:51 p.m. The ash emission began at 2:40 p.m. and generated …