‘Ugyon sa VIVA’ exhibit on

The Art Association of Bacolod-Negros is holding a group exhibit, titled “Ugyon sa VIVA”, at Kape Albarako at San Juan Street in Bacolod City, until tomorrow.

The activity is part of the series of group exhibitions held by the group, in line with the 13th Visayas Islands Visual Arts Exhibition and Conference, or VIVA ExCon, held in Bacolod City early this month.

VIVA ExCon, founded by the Black Artists of Asia, opened in Bacolod City Nov. 13, and is being held every two years in different regions in the Visayas.

AAB-N president Nunelucio Alvarado is one of founding members ofthe Black Artists of Asia, along with Charlie Co and Dennis Ascalon, who handled VIVA ExCon 26 years ago.

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Scout Ranger Regiment
honors distinguished members

The 1st Scout Ranger Regiment, one of the Armed Forces of the Philippines elite military forces, marked its 64th founding anniversary in Camp Tecson, San Miguel in Bulacan Tuesday, and paid tribute to its forefathers, including Negrense retired Maj. Gen. Julius Javier, and Medal of Valor awardees.

Javier, a native of Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, earned the moniker the “Living Legend”, having survived numerous ambushes unscathed, repulsed an overwhelming enemy attack, faced bullets to rescue wounded soldiers, led a seven-man team of Rangers to infiltrate and capture communist rebels, and convinced an MNLF commander to surrender along with his followers and firearms, during his stint in Mindanao.

Military records show that he used to be assigned as commander of the 3rd Infantry Division in Jamindan, Capiz, commanding general of the AFP Visayas Command and the Special Operations Command, aside from being the commander of the 1st Scout Ranger Regiment, among other key military positions.

Javier is also highly-regarded by his fellow soldiers, after having been promoted to full colonel just 13 years after graduation.

Other notable Scout Rangers are Col. Cirilito Sobejana of the 1st Scout Ranger Company, and Captain Robert Edward Lucero of the 6th Scout Ranger Company, both Medal of Valor awardees for exemplary leadership and courage under intense battle against the enemy in 1995 and 1996, respectively.

Sobejana used to be assigned at the 11th Infantry Battalion in northern Negros.

Brig. Gen. Eduardo Davalan, Scout Ranger Regiment commander, led the distribution of medals at Camp Tecson in Bulacan, with Capt. Franco Baylon and Sgt. Neil Silos receiving the Gold Cross Medals for gallantry in action during encounters with the Abu Sayyaf bandits in Mindanao.

Baylon and Franco, despite being wounded in gun battles, ably led their men for several hours of firefight with Abu Sayyaf bandits April this year, and October last year, respectively, killing 12 local terrorists and inflicting injuries to 10 others.

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