A new sanctuary that envisions a memorial park more for the living than the departed will soon rise near the St. Jude Thaddeus Church in Brgy. Alijis, Bacolod City, a press release from its owner-developer said yesterday.

Santuario De Bacolod, owned and developed by Home Invest Realty Ventures Inc., has carefully planned amenities to provide convenience and comfort to visitors, and give solutions to problems which families normally experience when visiting their departed loved ones, it also said.

It amenities are ample parking space, arboretum, mini-golf course, children's playground, butterfly sanctuary, Blue Grass park, gazebos and sheds, pavilion, chapel, state-of-the-art crematory equipment, comfort rooms, and pathwaks.

Those interested in the project may call for more details the Home Invest Realty Ventures Inc. at Tel. Nos. 707-4621, 433-3960, 433-3259, or 433-0481; visit its website www.santuario@pinoybizpark.com, or email at santuario@pinoybizpark.com, the press release added.*

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Mayor lauds OFWs
at Rizal Day rites

We are lucky because the nation today has started to recognize more living people than the dead, as heroes, Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia said at rites to mark the 110th death anniversary of Filipino national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, a City Hall press release said.

Leonardia cited as examples the Overseas Filipino Workers, and other Filipinos who are contributing to what Rizal had envisioned and what he died for.

Many Bacoleños, going along Rizal's line of patriotism, have also done their share in seeing to it that the city continues its march to progress, the mayor added.

He also recalled that he had conceptualized and worked for the construction of what is now known as the Rizal Park in Bacolod when he was mayor in 1996, to honor the national hero.

Meanwhile, Msgr. Guillermo "GG" Gaston, who gave the invocation at the Rizal Day celebration, said the event commemorates the heroism of Rizal who sacrificed his life for the Philippines.

"For the more than 400 years, Filipinos should thank God for giving us the courage to overcome the many onslaughts heaped upon our people who suffered to defend our freedom and independence," Gaston said.

He, however, said that, "Even now, the multi-headed monsters of greed, graft and corruption are once again rearing their ugly heads and silently stalking the corridors of power."

In his invocation, Gaston, a former parish priest of Bacolod, also asked God as he prayed, "Let not Rizal Sleep in peace! Rather, let his spirit roam the corridors of power and make him Your instrument to change the selfishness, the arrogance, the dishonesty of most of our leaders who continue to expect to be served instead of serving the people."

Gaston also said, though, that there are still leaders of integrity transparency and selflessness, but that they are like "needles in the sand."

The commemoration was held at the Rizal Elementary School grounds where Leonardia and Vice Mayor Renecito Novero officiated at the wreath-laying rites.*

rizal day caption Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Vice Mayor Renecito Novero (l-r) led the wreath-laying ceremony the 110th death anniversary of Filipino national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.*

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Auditorium
construction completed

The P5 million modern auditorium beside the public market of Silay City, Negros Occidental has been completed, a press release from the city said.

Mayor Carlo Gamban said the structure will be used for social and sports activities, and other public functions, as well as house the indoor basketball court and stage.

He added that it will decongest the Natalio Velez Sports and Cultural Center and the adjacent Jose Locsin Cultural and Civic Center, the press release said.

Roofing installation supervisor Elenito Galvan said the work was finished in seven days. The roofing took three days, and the bolting two days.

Meanwhile, Gamban said his Community Mobilization and Development Program called "2 day 2 days" has helped prevent floods in the city, the press release added.

The program employs jobless Silaynons on rotation basis to clean up waterways such as drainage, canals, creeks and rivers, it also said.*

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