Celebrations!

The 18th branch of Munsterific convenience store was opened recently in Barangay Villamonte, Bacolod City. It kicked off with a motorcade along major thoroughfares, followed by the ribbon cutting, led by first lady Josefa Puentevella, Munsterrific chief operating officer Waiman Yip and franchisee Andrew Vincent Valencia.

Guests enjoyed loads of freebies and door prizes. The store has branches in Bacolod and Iloilo cities.

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The St. John’s Institute community recently celebrated three back-to-back events: Living Rosary, Family Day, and the United Nations Day, organized by its principal, Fr. Emil Ascano, and Odette Gomez, president of the Parents-Teachers Association.

The triple celebration aimed to showcase the costumes, cultures, foods and festivals of countries around the world. Highlights of the Living Rosary were the prayer of the students for their families, the world leaders and the different nations in English, Chinese, Indian, Spanish and Filipino.

The Family Day was of bonding, fun and games with educators, students and parents; and in celebration of the United Nations Day, the students were dressed in attires inspired by the nations of the world.

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The Negros Occidental provincial government recently honored five Negrenses in line with the 115th Cinco de Noviembre celebration, at the social hall of the Capitol in Bacolod.

They were Dr. Angel Alcala for environment management, Dr. Januario John Rivas for public service, DAILY STAR editor-in-chief Ninfa Leonardia for community journalism, Merceditas Montilla, community service, and Leticia Ledesma for arts and culture.

Alcala is former secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and chair of the Commission on Higher Education; Rivas is the honorary consul-general of the Philippine Consulate in the Northern Territories; Leonardia, a two-time president of the Negros Press Club, was recognized as the “Mother of Bacolod Media” as she continues to mentor young professionals, such as myself, to become responsible writers and media practitioners (My success in the field of media is because of the guidance, inspiration and encouragement of Tita Ninfa. Without her, I would not be where I am today);

Montilla was recognized for always being ready to help the poor; and Ledesma, the “Shell Lady”, was honored for her involvement in culture and arts, her famous work being the shell mosaic at the Barangay sang Birhen, Sta. Clara Church in Bacolod City, making it a major tourist attraction.

Congratulations to the awardees! Hear, hear!*