Sagay marks 16th
Charter anniversary

The 16th Charter Anniversary of Sagay City kicked off Monday with a parade led by Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva and other city officials, a press release from Sagay said.

A thanksgiving mass was celebrated by the Assistant Parish Priest of St. Joseph Parish, Rev. Fr. Adonis Niño Pabalate.

The theme of this year’s celebration is, “Children: Our bridge to the future”.

The Charter Day Program was hosted by the junior guides of the Museo Sang Bata Sa Negros, Jeane Malou Togle and Johnreb Mermida. Sagaynon children sang the Pambansang Awit, Sagay Hymn and the city’s battle cry, “Tin-ad Sagay,” the press release said.

Cueva, who welcomed the guests and Sagaynons, said that in this year’s Charter Day celebration, the children took center stage because they are the reason for all that they have strived for and achieved.

“Our children are our bridge to our future. They are our hope to keeping alive the dream of our city’s founders,” he said in the press release.

Rep. Alfredo Marañon III, (Neg. Occ., 2nd district) urged everyone to mold children to be strong and effective leaders and responsible citizens of our country.

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. told Sagaynons to thank God for all the blessings and goodness from year to year.

Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr. and Sangguniang Panglalawigan Member Miller Serondo joined the governor during the affair.

Awards were given during the program.

The over-all winners in Excellence in Barangay Governance Performance Awards 2011 were Barangay Fabrica headed by Punong Barangay Merle Demavibas - second runner up who received a plaque, P50,000 in cash and P200,000 worth of projects; 1st Runner up – Brgy. Tadlong headed by Punong Barangay Roberto Hecita who received a plaque, P75,000 and P300,000 worth of projects; and the champion was Barangay Old Sagay headed by Punong Barangay Felisa de la Cruz who received a plaque, P100,000 in cash and P400,000 worth of projects.

The Sagay officials also inaugurated a Feeder Port at Brgy. Old Sagay, a Youth Development Center, Wet Market and Feed Mill, the press release added.*

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Film on Hofileña
house showing Friday

The Hofileña Heritage House, Silay City’s first home to be opened to the public, is celebrating its “50th year of service to the people,” Ramon Hofileña said yesterday in a press release.

A movie on the house will be shown at Silay’s Sen. Jose C. Locsin Cultural and Civic Center 4 p.m., Friday with admission free, it said.

The Hofileña house was opened to the public in 1962, 30 years before the next house did likewise. It is also the first house in the area, still inhabited, to be installed with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines’ historical marker as a “national treasure.” It’s also the first house in Silay, still inhabited, to be declared by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts as a museum, a press release said.

Built in 1934 by Manuel Severino Hofileña and his wife Gilda Ledesma Hojilla, a former Miss Silay, it’s now the house of Ramon Hofileña, one of their nine children.

All its furniture are authentic period pieces, many more are older than the house, mostly Hofileña heirlooms, the press release said.

It houses the Ramon Hofileña art collection of more than 1,000 pieces by renowned artists from the 19th century to the present – Luna, Hidalgo, Amorsolo, Manansala, even Jose Rizal to name a few, the press release said.

Visits to the Hofileña Heritage on 14 Cinco de Noviembre Street, Silay City are by appointment, and can call telephone number (034) 495-4561, the press release said.*

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Bacolod Rotary marks 75th  year

The Rotary Club of Bacolod, will celebrate its 75th Charter Anniversary and turnover ceremony at La Proa Ballroom of L’ Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City 7 p.m. Saturday.

Former Las Pinas Rep. Cynthia Villar will be the guest speaker at the diamond anniversary on the theme "Peace through Service," a club press release said.

In June, 1937, the Rotary Club of Bacolod received its charter from the Rotary International, becoming the fourth Rotary club to be founded in the Philippines next to Manila, Cebu and Iloilo in that order, it said.

There were 21 charter members, all distinguished citizens of Bacolod headed by Ricardo Nolan, an American soldier under Admiral Dewey, who opted to remain in the Philippines and marry into the Lizares Family, the press release added.

Superintendent Roderick Alba will be the first police officer to be the president of the Rotary Club of Bacolod after 75 years.

Leilani Salem-Alba is vice president, Vicky Don – secretary, Jonathan Avelino – assistant secretary, Jovy Linga – treasurer, Jun Alemany and El Cid Familiaran – sergeant at arms, Maida Torre – parliamentarian, Past District Governor Edgar Sy - club ddviser; Glen de Guzman - immediate past president and Gregory Andrew Julian Mapa - president elect.

Part of the countdown for the diamond year is a motorcade and mass at the Redemptorist Church on Friday, the press release added.*

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Poon set to
perform in  Bacolod

Richard Poon, one of the country’s most admired crooners, will perform at L’Fisher Hotel in Bacolod 8 p.m. Friday.

 His Bacolod show is part of his 2012 seven-city tour titled, “Richard Poon, The Crooner Philippine Tour 2012.”

 “I am excited to meet everyone in the tour… It is always nice to perform for different people from different places,” Poon said.

The Crooner, Philippine Tour 2012 is more than just a sampler of what the ASAP 2012 mainstay can offer to his fans and music lovers. Poon will share the stage with other Fil-Am artists, the press release said.

Poon is set to win the hearts of Bacolod’s locals as he serenades them with his soothing voice, perfect for this season of relaxation and chilling out the press release said.

Tickets to The Crooner Philippine Tour 2012 may be reserved by calling 0939-6248689, the press release added.*

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