Nighttime at the public plaza and the reclamation area in Bacolod City is abuzz with activities as Negrenses troop to the festival site to experience this year's MassKara Festival.

At 5 p.m., streets surrounding the plaza are off-limits to both public and private vehicles to allow kiosk owners to set up tables in front of their stalls to accommodate customers, a press release from the MassKara Festival office said yesterday.

At the area in front of the BAYS Center, people can buy fresh fruits, such as durian and bananas, and other products of ECJ Farms. Tables are set up for buyers who want to eat the durian fruit there, the press release said.

Food products and handicrafts from barangay-based producers are also available at the Tiangge 6100, where some of the women-entrepreneurs are being assisted by the city government through the livelihood program under the Gender and Development Council, the press release said. Visitors at the reclamation festival site have various forms of entertainment to choose from. For one, they can hit the dance floor at the "Sarap MagBinayle sa Reclamation" until Thursday and enjoy live band music starting Friday until Oct. 19, the press release also said.

Meanwhile, efforts of the kiosk owners to keep up with the Southeast Asian theme are evident in the various décors they have adopted for their respective stalls.

The common material used by most of them was bamboo because, aside from being the cheapest, this is also indigenous to Southeast Asia, while some spent to create a more elaborate design and even come up with a two-storey structures in such a limited space.

Booths with the best Southeast Asian motif will win P30,000; P20,000 for the second place and P10,000 for the third place. Judging is ongoing, the press release added.*

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Concert to end
hunger Saturday

Singer-songwriter Noel Cabangon will be featured in a free concert to call an end to hunger in Negros at the Negros Goes Organic trade fair grounds in front of the Sea Breeze Hotel at San Juan Street at 8 p.m. Saturday.

The concert is part of the nationwide series of activities organized by various peoples and non-governmental groups in commemoration of the United Nations' World Food Day on Oct. 16, a press release from organizers said.

Cabangon is the singer of the hit song "Kanlungan," which he recorded more than 10 years ago with the Buklod singing group.

As an artist under the label of the Jesuit Music Ministry, Cabangon's album entitled "Medjas" won as Best Jazz Recording in the 2004 Awit Awards, the press release said.

Also featured in the concert are singer-songwriter Joel Alapar of the People's Agricultural Plan for the 21st Century and the Balik-Ugat group of Harry Pineda of the Altertrade Foundation.

The free concert is in coordination with MassKara Festival Committee.*

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Junta Kinsman to
mark anniversary

The Junta Kinsman Peace Organization in Bacolod City will celebrate its first anniversary Sunday at the Carmela Valley Executive Club House in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.

Mart Jason Acuyong, one of the founding members, said the celebration will be highlighted by a raffle draw for their fund-raising campaign, an acoustic concert featuring Saring Kulay Band, and a program with Benjie Jalasco as guest speaker, a press release from the group said.

The officers of the group are Jeffereck Arimas - chairman, Ernie Teodocio - vice chairman, Christopher Bernalde - secretary, Bongbong Espartero - treasurer, and Rey Gallego, public information officer, the press release added.*

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Brothers holding
art exhibit

An art exhibit by brothers Dopy and Ramoncito Doplon called "Images and Portraits" opened yesterday and will run until Oct. 24 at L'Fisher Hotel, Lacson Street, Bacolod City.

Guests of honor were Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Enrique Rojas and Sonia Sarrosa, a press release from event organizers said.

An acclaimed graphic designer, Dopy is also a coffeetable book artist, and is currently the president of the Design Agencies Association of the Philippines, and chief executive officer of the ArtOne Design and Communications Inc.

He designed a new corporate look for the Cultural Center of the Philippines, which standardized the application of the logo.

His past exhibits include the Layers, Levels and Light (1999); Passage (2001); participant to the Filipino-American Arts Expo (2001) in San Francisco, United States; and Hannover World Expo (2000).

Currently, his works in digital art are on exhibit at the Glorietta Katha Gallery, Ayala Center, Makati City.

Meanwhile, Ramoncito Doplon is known for his vibrant pastel shades and lush pastoral scenes. His works include tableaus of Filipino women in rural surroundings, portraits in duo or family settings, and local feasts, the press release said. He has held previous exhibits in Bacolod City and his paintings on the way of the Cross are installed at the Sto. Niño Church in Bacolod City. In this exhibit, his works also feature different Filipino landscapes, and he takes a very personal subject matter into canvass points, the press release added.* Captions: (art 1) "What child is this" and "Harvest" by Dopy Doplon*

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