Green Alert Negros recently launched its 2009 campaigns that will focus on the issue on Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park, particularly their opposition to the entry of the Energy Development Corporation's geothermal project, which it calls “immoral and illegal”, in Bacolod City, a GAN press release said.

Green Alert reiterated its previous call to challenge EDC for a public debate and holds accountable of violation of human rights the Negros Occidental government, Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Energy, Negros Forest and Ecological Foundation Inc. and others who endorsed the cutting of 4,000 trees in the 12.5-kilometer buffer zone, the press release said.

The launching was held at the Namit-Namit Art Resturant.

GAN also announced its summer activities like Panikang-tikang, a trekking activity in the remaining forests of Negros; and Palawod, a coastal trek and hopping; and Earth Day, the press release said.          

The group is also preparing a manifesto of these activities covering various issues of the specific ecosystem to be given to the local government units concerned for action and response, the press release said.

GAN will also join the 1st Arte-Kalye organized by the Art Association of Bacolod where it will give inputs on solid waste management and recycling to the artists on February 17, as part of their Recycling Art Day, the press release added.*

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Opening of cyber library set

The Silay Cyber Library is set to open Saturday at 2 p.m. at the M & N Building, Rizal Street in Silay City, Negros Occidental.

This is the second Cyber Library project of the Betty Bantug Benitez Foundation Inc., a facility open to students and other residents of the community who wish to avail of free internet facilities for research and educational purposes, a press release from the foundation said.

Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, president of the foundation, cited the value of providing invaluable access especially to young people to the multi-faceted learning through internet technology and providing opportunities for educating more in the community through short basic computer courses and modular trainings that the Foundation offers from time to time.

The blessing rite on Saturday will be officiated by Fr. Abelardo Pineda, followed by an inaugural program with Rep. Jose Carlos Lacson (Neg. Occ., 3rd District), Silay City Mayor Jose Montelibano and Benitez, the press release said.

Foundation executive director Mary Ann Dino said the first Cyber Library facility is in Victorias City at the Vic Arcade along Osmeña Avenue.  For a minimal monthly membership due of P 20, students can readily avail of its computer and internet facilities, the press release added.*

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Job fair set

The University of St. La Salle in Bacolod City, through its Job Placement Office, will hold its Annual Job Fair at the St. La Salle Coliseum, from 8:30 to 12 a.m. on Feb. 17, a press release from the school said.

Interested applicants or companies may inquire about registration requirements by calling USLS at Tel. No. (034) 435-2594, the press release added.*

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Silay to fully implement
new tourism trends

New trends in tourism development based on the concept for 2009 of Tourism Secretary Ace Durano will be fully implemented this month in Silay City, Negros Occidental, a press release form the city said.

Mayor Jose Montelibano said the strategy promotion of Silay will be established on quality over quantity, and environmental and cultural integrity over profit, the press release added.         

The priorities will be volunteer vacations, outdoor recreation through recreational activities, coastal expeditions, authentic immersions, culinary tours and adventure activities, the press release also said.      

The Silay Tourism Office registered 317,086 excursionists who visited the city in 2008, the press release said.   

Meanwhile, Prof. Yorihissa Goto of the Nihon Fukushi University in Japan will visit Silay on February 15 to help local tourism on concerns related to climate changes, the press release also said.*

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Negrense wins int’l award
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Part of Lacson’s winning travel spread*

RJ Lacson

Negrense Roberto Juan “RJ” Lacson won a silver medal in the recent Asia Travel and Tourism Awards (Magazine Editorial Spread on travel-related category) held in Singapore, for “Behind the Masskara,” that he wrote and shot.

The winning piece is a travel spread on visiting Bacolod City during the festival season that competed with other international and local airlines and other travel related magazines.  The silver medal is the highest award given per category followed by a bronze medal, organizers of the award said.

The Asia Travel and Tourism Creative Awards is the most reputable competition in the travel industry in Asia. It is organized by AdAsia, one of the leading magazines in the advertising and marketing field, in conjunction with Travel and Living.

Awards were given in 28 categories which honored the best in print design, television commercials, web design, direct marketing, magazine spreads and photography.

 Winners were selected based not just on the aesthetics of their designs but primarily on their effectiveness to communicate the intended messages and making the right impression on target audiences, AdAsia said.

RJ Lacson, son of former Gov. Daniel Lacson and businesswoman Tima Sarabia Lacson, is a multi-media artist who started photography when he was a communication arts student at the De La Salle University.

He is a contributing writer and photographer in Cebu Pacific’s Smile Magazine.

After earning his film degree at the New York University, he made several commercials, short films and worked as art director, visual consultant and production designer for film and TV directors such as Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes.

As a photographer, his work has been exhibited at galleries in Bacolod and Museo Iloilo, and he also shoots for top magazines in the country.*CPG

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