The Diocese of Bacolod will commemorate the 30th year of the Pastoral Visit of Pope John Paul II in Bacolod on February 20, a press release from Fr. Felix Pasquin, rector of the San Sebastian Cathedral in Bacolod City, said.

The visit of the Holy Father was occasioned by his Pastoral Visit to the Philippines, and he took time to come to Bacolod to speak to the workers and leaders of the sugar industry on social and economic matters, as well as to the clergy and faithful of Visayas and Mindanao.

The Pope was the only Supreme Pontiff to visit this island and close to one million people from the Visayas and Mindanao flocked to the Bacolod reclaimed land, where today stands the Pope John Paul II Tower in commemoration of that historic visit, the press release said.

The tower, a gift of Simplicio Palanca to the Diocese of Bacolod and inaugurated last year by the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, was constructed as a remembrance of his Pastoral Visit.

The tower has become a pilgrim site and tourist attraction. Thousands of visitors some coming from Mindanao had been recorded to have visited the seven-storey edifice, the press release said.

The edifice contains photographs and memorabilia of the Holy Father’s visit and affords a good view of the City of Bacolod, especially at night.

A committee to prepare for the commemoration has been formed and also to mark the beatification of the Holy Father that the Vatican has announced to be held on May 1, the press release said.

The beatification process names Pope John Paul II as blessed and is the first step towards canonization or proclamation of sainthood, the press release added.*

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Escalante police
conduct dialog

Escalante City policemen in Negros Occidental led by Supt. Santiago Rapiz conducted a dialog with barangay officials and residents of Barangay Cervantes, at the barangay plaza recently.

The dialog was conducted to update the residents on city ordinances, and problems pertaining to peace and order, and  past and current events, a press release from Escalante PNP said.

Topics discussed and given emphasis were on anti-illegal drugs, anti-illegal gambling and violence against women and children.

An open forum was also held where problems and queries were answered by the Rapiz. About 100 persons attended, the press release added.*

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PRC on-the-road  
program kicks off

The mobile servicing program of the Professional Regulation Commission called “PRC On-The-Road” will start today, at 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Coco Grove, Bacolod Pavilion Resort Hotel in Bacolod City, a press release from organizers said.

The program will run from until Friday and will accept applications of teachers for the April 3, 2011 Licensure Examination;  process applications for initial registration of new professionals; and process applications for renewal of Professional Identification Card for all professionals.

The PRC Region VI roadshow in Negros Occidental this week is in collaboration with the PRC-Iloilo Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative and the Office of Rep. Alfredo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District), the press release said.

On January 26 to 28, services will start at 8 am until 5 pm.

Application fee for licensure examination is P900. Initial registration fee for a new professional is P1,050, while renewal of the Professional Identification Card or PIC that is good for three years is P450. There is a surcharge fee if the PIC is expired.  The mobile servicing management fee is P250, the press release added.*

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Play on juvenile
delinquency set at USLS

Bahay Pag-asa Youth Center-Bacolod and The Performance Laboratory Inc. will present Fundador Mytor Tipon II’s “Palad,” a full-length play on juvenile delinquency, onstage today and tomorrow, and Friday and Saturday, 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the  USLS Gallaga Theater, a press release from the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod City said.

Set in contemporary times and detained in the cold confines of Balay Paglaum Youth Detention Home, Palad is the story and plight of five youth-at-risk and children-in-conflict-with-the-law, whose lives interweave in a static cycle of circumstance and choice within a society set out for day-to-day survival.

Ex-seminarian Rodel, 17, charged of homicide, enters the home and encounters fellow juvenile delinquents; Crispi, 18, a cross-dresser charged of robbery; Boyet, 16, a drug addict accused of rape; Yuri, 17, a prostitute with petty theft case; and tough Bagis, 19, with multiple heinous crimes.  While waiting for their court orders, they persist and resist to serving justice in diversion, intervention and rehabilitation programs with the firm maternal guidance of a social worker and the harsh casual police officer and house parent, the press release said.

Casts include Neil Patrick Begasa (Bagis), Rosco Cofreros (Rodel), Alyssa Louise Lozañes (Yuri), Peter John Palma (Crispi), Gerhard Krysstopher Pagunsan (Boyet), Lisette Joan Baldeviso (Sabel), Kriss Jan Arno Dumasis (Hans), Banjo Hinolan (Romy), Ihvonie Sevilleno (Gigi), Andre Tagamolila (Fred) and Charlene Mae Tupas (Guada), the press release said. 

Creative and production team involves Bro. Arian Lopez and Tanya Lopez (producers), Renee Posecion (executive producer), Fundador Mytor Tipon II (playwright and marketing manager), Lovelle Bellocillo (director), Banjo Hinolan (video director), Janice Arbolario-Oro (production designer), Carlos Durana Jr. (character stylist), Rogelio Bellocillo (technical director and lighting designer), Jullian Peter Reyes (sound designer and original theme composer), Adam Henoch Riolo (graphic designer), Junamae Quiocson (production manager), and Jensen Artifice (stage manager).

For ticket reservations and for more information, interested parties may call Palad Marketing at 09209484363 or 4321619 or log on to www.facebook.com/performancelaboratory.inc, the press release added.*

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