An all-Negrense pop band called “Tres” recently launched in Metro Manila its debut album “Dayo”, containing 13 tracks, a press release from the group said.

The band is composed of Mark Ramos on vocals and guitar, Justin Bandolon – lead guitar and back-up vocals, Archie Tolarba – bass and back-up vocals, Jobim Garay – keyboards, and Tito Mijares – drums.

The band plays mainly pop-rock with a collective influence from Latin music. The album "Dayo" is dominated by love songs of dedication. Other tracks are "Ikaw Ang Musika," "I Look On," "Pangarap Ka Lamang," "Ikaw Ba Yan," "Abot Ang Langit," "Minsan," "Ito'y Para Lang Sa'yo," "Isipin Mo Na Lang," "One More Time," and the acoustic versions of "Angel" and "Ikaw Ang Musika", the press release added

A prospective bidder, who joined the Aug. 20, 2008 bidding for the purchase of furniture and fixtures for the new Bacolod City Government Center, is appealing to Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia to investigate the possible collusion of two other bidders.

Former Negros Occidental Victor Puey, in his letter dated Aug. 23, 2008, to Leonardia said he believes Summit Furnishings, Inc. and Comfac Corporation connived to defraud the city government and the people of Bacolod City by bidding as two separate suppliers when, actually, they were used by one person or supplier.

Puey said both had the same samples using the same materials and style. The irony is that both used the same wrong materials and style based on specifications required by the Bids and Awards Committee, he said. “I doubt that two suppliers could possibly make the same mistake,” he added.

Both Summit and Comfac used the same truck – samples came from the same container van, Puey said. No competitive supplier will ever allow this to happen unless they are one, he said.

Puey said that under the city’s “Instruction to Bid” based on R.A. 9184 on Corrupt, Fraudulent and Corrective Practices – any move to deceive the government by any supplier or to connive with other suppliers is punishable by law and if found guilty, they shall be banned from future biddings and could be prosecuted by the proper courts.

“I pray that you act on this appeal so as not to allow suppliers to make a mockery of our very important bidding process and law which protects the people of Bacolod City from fraudulent suppliers,” he said.

Puey said he is making the appeal because he sees no action from the BAC people especially from its chairman who, he said he believes, knows these things and up to now has not acted on it.

He said that if he has been very vocal against some members of the BAC, it is because of his perception that they are making things difficult for him and siding with certain suppliers

Six suspected New People’s Army rebels blew up construction equipment in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, Friday night causing damage estimated at P3.5 million, police said yesterday.

The bombed P8-million backhoe was being used by AC de Luna Construction firm, in the concreting of the road between sitios of Luciana and Old Fabrica in Brgy. Cabagna-an La Castellana, initial police investigations showed.

Backhoe operator Mario de Leon told the police that he and his companion, identified as Trechel Quiachon, were working overtime in concreting the road in the barangay, when six unidentified men armed with M-16 assaults and hand guns, suddenly appeared, and ordered them to stop working.

De Leon said the armed suspects placed an improvised bomb on the backhoe, while their companions brought them to a safe place, before it exploded.

The two construction firm employees were later released unharmed by the armed suspects, who fled immediately.

Lt. Col. Franco Nemesio Gacal, 11th Infantry Battalion commander, said the failure of the construction firm management to pay revolutionary taxes, triggered the destruction of their heavy equipment.

Gacal said two extortion letters from the Leonardo Panaligan Command of the Kilusang Larangan Central Negros, had been received by the staff of the construction firm in previous months, but the demand was ignored by the company, he added.

The bombing in La Castellana was the latest atrocity committed by the NPA. A month ago they also destroyed equipment and facilities of a mining company operating in Sipalay City, police records showed.

Gacal yesterday reiterated his appeal for cooperation from business firms, to immediately report extortion activities of the CPP-NPA.

Whatever the NPA calls it, Gacal said they can not hide the fact that they are destroying private properties and putting the lives of innocent civilians in extreme danger.

By this act, he added, they are now reducing themselves to common criminals who would go on a rampage if their extortion demands are not met.

Earlier, suspected NPA rebels also burned three delivery trucks of Tanduay Distillery Corp. in Escalante, burned and destroyed two transloading stations of Lopez Sugar Corp. and Victorias Milling Company in Toboso, and destroyed equipment of two coal mines in Calatrava, police records also showed.

RESTAURANTS IN BACOLOD

3T Restaurant & Grill Station
Robinson's Place, Mandalagan

Bacolod United House
Hilado Extension., Bacolod City
Tel No 434-9716 / 434-6564

Ting-Ting's Native Food
North Drive
Tel No 433-0594 / 709-8891

Bacolod Seafood Restaurant & Dimsum
Goldenfileds Commercial Complex
Bar 21 Restaurant
21st Street Lacson
Tel No 433-4096 / 435-3852

McDonald's Bacolod
6th Lacson Street
Tel No 434-6670 Fax 433-0983


C&L Noble Inc.
Lacson Street, Bacolod City

Bing?s Chicken Barbeque
No. 6 Manokan Country
Reclamation Area, Bacolod City

New Holiday Restaurant
Centroplex Building
Tel No 434-7337 / 434-3210


MO2 Restobar
Goldenfield,Singcang, Bacolod City
Tel No. 4336026

Cozy Nook Restaurant
15th Street, Tel No 434-1545


Quadnet Bar
86 Side A Bldg., BS Aquino Drive


MO2 ICE Bar and Restaurant
Lacson St., Mandalagan, Bacolod City
Tel. No. 441-1481

Nature's Chinese Restaurant
21st North Drive
Tel No 2-8015 / 435-2133

Inaka Restaurant & Sushi Bar
21st Lacson Street
Tel No 434-4045


Bacolod Chicken Etcetera
Yakal-Hilado Sts.
Villamonte, Bacolod City

Aida?s Chicken Barbeque
Reclamation Area, Bacolod City

Connie?s Cansi House
Narra Avenue, Bacolod City
Bacolod City


Bob?s Restaurant
111 Lacson Street, Tel No 441-1431

Apollo Restaurant
Atrium Bldg., Cuadra / Hilado St., Shopping
Tel No 435-4732 / 435-4733

Jo's Chicken Inato
Rizal-Reclamation Area
Tel No 433-7769


Bacolod Chicken Etcetera I
Liroville Subd., Magsaysay, B.C.

Aboy?s Restaurant
Goldenfiled, Bacolod City
Tel No 435-0760

Cruise Restaurant
St. Joseph Bldg., Gonzaga Street,
Bacolod City


Old West Steakhouse
Goldenfields Commercial Complex

Akasya Grill
17th Street Lacson, Bacolod City
Tel No 433-6369

New Natures Hot Spot Restaurant
Main Shopping Center


Casa Noble Restaurant-Caterer
91 Lacson, Bacolod City
Tel No 435-4781

Jollibee Foods Corporation
La Salle Avenue
Tel No 433-3111

Knights Cabin-Restaurant
Goldenfileds Commercial Complex


Pizza O Restaurant
Goldenfield Comml Complex
Tel No 433-2071

Shakey's Pizza Restaurant
Goldenfield Comml Complex
Tel No 2-6346 / 2-3972


15 Street Pavillion Restaurant & Bowling Lanes
Reclamation Area, Bacolod City


Carlo Restaurante Italiano
Goldenfield Commercial Complex,
Tel No 435-4899

Thai Pan Grille
10th Lacson Street, Bacolod City

Deco Stop Bar & Restaurant
P. Hernaez St., Taculing

Fountain of Justice
In front of the Bacolod City Hall, the former site of the old City Hall where the formal signing of the Spanish surrender to the local forces by Gen. Aniceto Lacson tool place - Col. Isidro Castro, Spanish governor of Negros, signed in behalf of he Spanish forces on November 7, 1898.

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Bells of San Sebastian
The centennial bells of San Sebastian Cathedral were brought down from their places in the belfry and mounted at the right side of the churchyard in 1976, the 100th year anniversary of the Cathedral.

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San Sebastian Cathedral
Built in 1876 upon the initiative of Fr. Mauricio Ferrero, a Recollect friar. It became a cathedral in 1933 is one of the century -old churches found in Negros Occidental.


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Negros Museum
The Negros Museum is a unique historical and humanities museum in that in does not collect antiques but stories about the people of Negros Occidental. It showcases important historical events which made Negros as 'The Sugarbowl of the Philippines". Thus, the museum is sometimes referred to as 'The Sugar Museum'. Open from Tuesday to Sunday. from 10:00 A. to 6:00 PM. / Tel. No. 433-4764.


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Palacio Episcopal
Older than the San Sebastian Cathedral by approximately 50 years, the Bishop's Palace was built by Fr. Julian Gonzaga but was eventually finish only in the 1890's. During and after the revolution of 1898, the Palacio served as refuge for the Spanish military and civic officials.

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Museum Negrense de La Salle
The only school-based museum in Bacolod City that was born out of a dream to preserve vital documents, photographs, cultural artifacts and the history of Negros. The museum can accommodate 40 visitors at one time. Large groups are requested to call the Museum at least 48 hours before the visit at Tel. No. 435-5998. It is open Monday to Friday from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

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Bacolod Plaza Bandstand and Gazebo
Right at the center of Bacolod Public Plaza, the bandstand was constructed in 1927 to complement the weekend cultural activities of the early Bacole񯳬 Names of world-famous composers like Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, and Wagner circle the sides of the roofing, attesting to the early Bacolodnon's familiarity with European culture.


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Yulo's Park
The park is the site of the ancestral home of the prominent Yulo family. The Yulo's belong to a clan of politician's that helped shaped the status of Negros Occidental. - a premier province of the south. The Park used to be the center for social and recreational affairs in Bacolod at the turn of the century.

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Negros Occidental High School Alumni Promide
Fronting the Negros Occidental High School along Araneta Street. The promenade used to be a sidewalk renovated and beautified by the city to honor the school alumni who are now prominent civic and government leaders.

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Barangay sang Virgen Chapel
The Sta. Clara Subdivision chapel features a unique mural mosaic measuring a 9 ft. x 21 ft. of the lady of the Barangay Sang Virgen done on a collage of 95,000 pieces of shells of various sizes, shades and colors.


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San Antonio Abad Church
This crown-shaped church features stations of the cross done by Bacolod's top artists. It also features an altar sculpture "The Risen Christ" done by a national Artist, Solomon Saprid.


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Rizal Centennial Park
Fronting the Rizal Elementary School along Araneta Street. The city's contribution to the Centennial Celebration. Inaugurated in December 30, 1996, the park is the tribute of Bacolod to the national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal and provides an oasis for many city commutes, students and professionals during early morning and late afternoons.


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Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club, Inc.
Golf is one of the most popular sports attractions in Bacolod today as local golf course - The Negros Occidental golf and Country Club, Inc. provides challenging 18-hole adventures for amateur and professional golfers, with panoramic views of scenic Mounts Marapara and Patag.

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Negros Forest Ecological Foundation & Biodiversity Center
A breeding and rescue center for endangered and endemic animals found in Negros Island as well as other places in the Philippines Visayan spotted deer, Luzon bleeding heart pigeon, Philippine Visayan Tarictic hornbill, Philippine hawk-eagle, monitor lizard, Philippine serpent eagle and the sailfin lizard. Tel. No. (034) 433-9234.


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Bacolod Western Visayas Clonal Nursery
The Bacolod Western Visayas Clonal Nursery lies on a one-hectare flat and gently rolling grassland terrain located 2.5 kms. away from Barangay Alangilan which is about 17 kms. from the city proper of Bacolod. The only one of its kind in the Province of Negros Occidental, this nursery has been put up in order to provide continuous supply of quality planting stocks for the reforestation and greening program of the city. It has an orchard of hedge plants for vegetative propagation, a nursery for seeds and planting stocks; a hardening shed and a potting area for rooted cuttings to pots. Visits to the nursery is by appointment through the City Environment Office; the City Mayor's Office or the City Tourism Office.


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The ANP Showroom
Considered as the country's number one trade house and pasalubong center, the Showroom is an alternative giftshop that houses arts and crafts that Negros island had to offer - from furniture to furnishings, ceramics, scented candles, pottery, novelties, ladies/children's garments, fashion accessories, souvenir t-shirts as well as indigenous foods. Open from 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM. Tel. No. (034) 434-0717 / 434-1000.

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Recuerdos de Bacolod
"Recuerdos" (souvenirs) is know for its collection of excavated items and heirlooms, wooden saints, furniture and pottery pieces as early as the 7th and 9th century. These antique items were taken mostly from Bohol and Panay.


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Panaad Park and Stadium
Located in Barangay Mansilingan near the boundary of Barangay Alijis, this 25-hectare sports complex and park is known to be one of the best in the country and has already been host to a lot of national sport events. It has a rubberized oval tract, an Olympic-size swimming pool and other sports facilities. Its unique feature is the replica of the landmarks of the 13 cities and municipalities of Negros Occidental.

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Fort San Juan
Was constructed in 1888 mainly thru the initiative of Don Ramon Pastor, the governadorcillo at the time and with the cooperation of Recollect Friar, Fray Mauricio Ferrefo, who designated and constructed the Fort San Juan, with Fernando Cuenca, also built the San Sebastian Cathedral. The Fort served as the jail for prisoners during the Spanish era. After the Negros Revolution in 1898, thirty six (36) Spanish friars were ordered in incarcerated. Today, the fort serves as the Provincial Jail.


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Provincial Building
An imposing structure of Romanesque neoclassical architectural design, is the official seat of the government of the Province of Negros Occidental. It served as the headquarters of the Japanese Imperial Army during the World War II.

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Paghimud-os Provincial Capitol Park
"Ang paghimud-os " which literally means "The Struggle" is a fine sculpture erected at the east entrance of the Capitol Lagoon Park. This magnificent work of art was done by one of the country's noted sculptor, Eduardo Castrillo.


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Provincial Park and Lagoon
It is located In front of the Capitol Building. To the north and south ends of the rectangular lagoon stand the statues of a woman and female water buffalo and a man and a male water buffalo, respectively. The woman standing beside the female water buffalo is a massive sculptural work said to have been done by a Italian artist whose work was never been duplicated until a Negrense artist who finished Fine Arts from the University of the Philippines duplicated the Italian's work of art by coming out with a man and male water buffalo. Presently, the lagoon grounds is a favorite jogging area of Bacolod residents.

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The Yamaha multi-pronged road show called “Yamaha Fiesta” kicked off Monday and will run until Sunday at SM City Bacolod.

It is a showcase of Yamaha motorcycles where SM shoppers get a chance to test the products’ versatility, manual and AT range, a press release from the company said.

Highlighting the event is the Yamaha Concert featuring one of the hottest bands in the country today – Bamboo – tomorrow from 6 p.m. onwards at the North 2A Car park of the mall.

Other activities include the Motorcycle Test Ride until Sunday at the North 1A Car park, and the Bike Trick Show by the Narita Brothers today until Sunday at the South 1A Car park.

There will also be dealers pre-selling activity, customized motorcycle display, safety riding, fashion show and exciting games, the press release added.*

visayan daily star

The slapping incident at the Negros Occidental provincial Capitol in Bacolod City is turning out to be not just a tiff between employees as it raised questions yesterday about the manner in which financial assistance to those in need are being made at the governor’s office.

Gov. Isidro Zayco said he has directed Virginia Parreño, Human Resource Management Officer at the Capitol, to look into the slapping incident involving Jiecyl Abalajon, a technical assistant of Board Member Nehemias de la Cruz, and Joey Aquino of the Governor’s Office, in the Office of Board Member Adolfo Mangao Wednesday.

Abalajon said she slapped Aquino, and he slapped her back.

However, Aquino yesterday said he did not slap Abalajon back he just parried her hits to protect himself. And he said that when he went to the Police Station 2 headquarters in Bacolod City, to file a complaint, Abalajon’s husband, Julius, boxed him, causing his left eyebrow to bleed.

He said Abalajon probably slapped him because he had recommended that the P10,000 financial assistance she had sought following the hospitalization of her child be reduced to P5,000.

Abalajon Wednesday showed reporters a piece of paper indicating that only P5,000 in assistance was approved for her by Jonathan Lobaton, executive assistant of the governor.

But Lobaton yesterday said she was, in fact, given P10,000 through the governor’s office and another P5,000 from the Sanngunian funds.

Lobaton said he is the approving authority for the allocation of assistance sought through the governor’s office that he then forwards to the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office for processing.

Asked why such a large amount was given to Abalajon from supposed PSWDO funds, which are usually allocated for needs of indigents, Lobaton admitted that Capitol employees are not included in the classification of indigents.

Capitol employees supposedly cannot apply for such assistance but if they are in need of help, consideration has been made, he said.

However, because of what happened we have made strict guidelines that employees of the Capitol should not be covered, he said.

Lobaton also denied allegations that the full amounts being approved for assistance were not being given to the supposed recipients, and that someone was taking cuts.

Zayco said the slapping incident was not good, differences should be resolved through dialog and not through violence.

He also said requests for assistance submitted to the governor’s office under the process are forwarded to the PSWDO for evaluation.

visayan daily star