California-based Bacoleños
vow support for MassKara

Another group of Bacoleños gathered in Laguna Hills, California, to attend a video presentation on Bacolod and an open forum with Mayor Evelio Leonardia, a press release from the city said yesterday.

The gathering was hosted by Nestor and Grace Labayen, and those who attended assured Leonardia that they will help campaign for friends and relatives in the southern California area to come home for the MassKara Festival in October, the press release also said.

Members of the Bacolod Society in America and the Negrenses of America Inc. also expressed their interest and anticipation of the MassKara Fest, especially after its recent international exposures in the ABS-CBN television program "It’s Showtime", and the Philippine Independence Day celebration in New York City, when it grabbed the top honors in both competitions, the press release added.*

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Brgy. Cabug SK
feeds 200 kids

About 150 youths participated in the celebration of the Linggo ng Kabataan from May 28 to June 2, a press release from the group said.

The activities included the induction of the new SK officers, a feeding program for 200 kids supported by Harris Nanduani, clean-up drive and tree- planting in the puroks of the Cabug, a drug awareness forum, a sports activity sponsored by Riverside Students government, and the “Be the Juan Concert” and search for the SK singing pop sensation, the press release also said.

The celebration was led by Sangguniang Kabataan chair Kesha Charina Duenas of Brgy. Cabug, Bacolod City, the press release said.

The SK officers inducted were Archie Cuenca, Eugene Jagocoy, Honey Joy Abalajon, Jundel Canales, Riza Barayoga, Roland Leonillo, Pearly Lane Diotay and Dueñas who will be under the supervision of the barangay council, led by Barangay Captain Juan Zonuel Malayang.

PO1 Rey Jereos of the Bacolod City Police Office spoke on the campaign against illegal drugs and the ill-effects of the prohibited substance to the youth. The winners of the singing pop sensation will represent Cabug in the inter-barangay singing contest on June 15 at the City Government Center, the press release added.*

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‘Virtual’ Elvis eyed

An Oscar-winning US firm is to create a "virtual" Elvis Presley to bring the King of Rock and Roll back to life for today's music audiences, it announced.

Digital Domain Media Group, which helped late rapper Tupak Shakur rise from the grave in an eye-popping music festival performance recently, has signed a deal to resurrect the swivel-hipped music icon.

"This is a new and exciting way to bring the magic and music of Elvis Presley to life," said Jack Soden, head of Elvis Presley Enterprises, a division of CORE Media Group which signed the deal.

"His lifelong fans will be thrilled all over again and new audiences will discover the electric experience of Elvis the performer," he added in a statement.

DDMG and CORE Media Group will produce "a series of 'virtual' Elvis Presley likenesses for a range of entertainment projects - from shows and appearances to film, TV and multi-platform productions throughout the world," they said.

The vividly life-like Shakur hologram performance, in which the late rapper appeared to rise from the stage, shocked some fans at the Coachella music and arts festival in Indio, California in April.

The spectacular digital 3D display triggered speculation about whether any number of dead celebrities can be brought back to life, whether for shows or other events.

DDMG boss John Textor called Presley "the most recognized performer on the planet," adding: "We are thrilled to have been chosen to bring new performances and original shows where fans can have their own, new experiences of Elvis."*AFP

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SIFI holds 15-day therapeutic
massage treatment training

The Sugar Industry Foundation Inc. held the training for its 3rd batch in therapeutic massage treatment, in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority regional center in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, its press release said.

Fifteen trainees from sugar farms in Talisay, Silay, E.B. Magalona, Victorias City, Manapla and Sagay City attended the 15-day program that taught competencies in massage treatment preparation, hand and foot reflex, back massage, head and Swedish massage, the press release also said.

The graduates are undergoing on-the-job training in the city health offices of Bacolod, Talisay, Silay and Victorias, and at the DOH Extension Office.

SIFI partnered with mills and planters’ associations like the Lopez Sugar Corporation, Associated Planters of Silay-Saravia Inc., First Farmers Association, VIMACA, C-PRIME Corporation and VICMICO Planters’ Association, in the implementation of the program, the press release added.*

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