NNNP biodiversity
expedition ends

The biodiversity expedition to the North Negros Natural Park to do a comprehensive survey of the rare and unique mammals inhabiting the area, that started March 24,  ended Tuesday, a press release said.

The expedition team, composed of scientists, biologists, mountaineers, teachers and logistics experts from the United Kingdom and the Philippines, used 20 remote cameras to capture some 4,000 hours of footage, much of which showed evidence that the park is still home to a multitude of rare and endemic species, the press release said.

The team also undertook an extensive study of insects, rare reptiles and amphibians. Expedition leader James Sawyer said that although the trip had been physically challenging, it  was  a beautiful experience. The UK members of the expedition will return to England later this week, the press release said.

Meanwhile, the data collected will be analyzed and assessed by local and international experts before any results could be released, Sawyer said in the press release.

The expedition was supported by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Provincial Environment and Management Office, and the Negros Forests and Ecological Foundation, the press release added.*

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Group exhibition
opens in Balaring

A group exhibition by the Prima Art Group called, “PAGpamayagpag sa Payag”, was opened recently at the Payag Souvenir Shop in Barangay Balaring, Silay City, Negros Occidental, a press release from organizers said.

Artworks on display include the sculptures of Hardy Tiu Gubac, the bas relief of Noby Juno, mixed media on canvas by Nunistell Fulo-Lee, Jing Torrecampo and Anna Ursal, acrylic on canvas by Michelle Ma Belle Tupaz, Tex Romero, Patty Jane Ku Ong, Nicoy Colandog and Iloilo artists Carol Salvatierra and Duvince Zhalimar, the press release also said.

The exhibit will run until August, in time for the yearly Pagatpat Festival of the city, in celebration of the mangrove planting and protection activities of the local tourism sector and a Japanese nongovernment organization, the press release added.*

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Jehovah's Witnesses
circuit assembly April 21-22

The Jehovah’s Witnesses will conduct its annual circuit assembly called “Let Your Name Be Sanctified”, April 21 to 22, at the Cabatuan Cultural and Sports Center, in Iloilo, a press release from the sect said.

The activity will start with discussions  on “Your Privilege to be a people for God's Name”, and how to “Make God's name Known as Full-time Servants.” In the afternoon, the program will focus on how Christians should glorify the name of God, even in their use of social networking, as well as by avoiding bad association and harmful gossip, the press release added.

A symposium that will focus on how to sanctify God's name in thoughts, speech, decisions and conduct as revealed in the scriptures, will also be conducted, as well as a discourse entitled “Jehovah Will Sanctify His Great Name at Armageddon”, that will highlight the two-day assembly, the press release added.*

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Medical mission helps
268 Silaynons

A total of 268 patients benefited from the medical-educational mission, held recently at the Silay plaza covered court, and the Sen. Jose C. Locsin Cultural and Civic Center, a press release from the city said.

The mission was initiated by the American College of Chest Physicians–Philippine Chapter, Philippine College of Chest Physicians–Negros Occidental, and the Lung Study Group of the Philippines, in cooperation with the United American Pharmaceuticals, as part of ACCP’s 19th convention, the press release said.

Services provided were lung pre-screening, a test with top-of-the line breathing function machines, and lectures to enable patients to better participate in the cure and control of their conditions.

Doctors focused on diseases like asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, lung cancer, and lymphadenopathies, and patients were made to identify symptoms like cough, hemoptysis, difficulty of breathing, back pain and wheezing, the press release also said.

Dr. Ricardo Salonga, governor of the American College of Chest Physicians – Phil. Chapter, said his group is committed to bring up-to-date medical knowledge and cutting-edge technology on patients with lung diseases, the press release added.

The outreach program was joined by doctors Liza Garcia, ACCP president; Susan Lee, overall chair of the 19th ACCP Convention; Josefa Sobrepeña, past president of PCCP–Negros; Ethel Locson, president of PCCP, and Sabina Damaso, Silay City Health officer, the press release added.*

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