The University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos School of Agriculture in Bacolod City won three gold medals at the 1st Regional Agri-related Conference held at Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, recently, a UNO-R press release said.

A total of 21 schools participated in the conference. 

Reaping gold medals from UNO-R were Ivy Francisco for project proposal presentation, Reginald Geollegue – feed formulation, and Michael Rabuco – determination of area and distance by pacing.

Bea Emma Bachinela got a silver in research proposal presentation and bronze in extemporaneous speaking, while Ester Ruth Francisco won silver in pesticide formulation, the press release said. 

The UNO-R Department of Agriculture is headed by Dr. Vilma Azucena with Dr. Ma. Evangeline Cafino,  Ma. Corazon Acaba, Jie Arro, Donita de los Santos, Armigilda Benedicto, Japhet Masculino, Edgar Libetario, Enrique Escollada, and Bro. Jaazeal Jakosalem – Agri Coordinator.

The department is under the PAASCU Accredited College of Arts and Sciences under Dean Jose Ferraris, the press release added.*

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Showdown grand
finals set March 8

The Abbey Road and Fig Tree bands completed the set of grand finalists for the Acoustic showdown being held at Robinsons Place in Bacolod, a press release from organizers said.

Abbey Road won as Best Bossa for their rendition of "Wave". The vocalist, Jessa Mae Arroz, is a student of Bacolod Tay Tung High School. Its other members are Angelo Oro on guitar, Rey Navarra – percussions, Edward Garcia – trumpet, Christian Samillano – bass guitar and are students of Bacolod City National High School.

The Best Original Composition was won by the Fig Tree for their song "July". The band is composed of Tessa Tamase – vocals, Femila Melocoton – guitar, Mark Daniel Flores – bass guitar, and Danilo Pahilanga – percussions. Tamase is from Riverside College, while the rest of the group are from the University of St. La Salle, the press release said.

The original composition of the bands will be played over ABS-CBN 101.5 M.O.R., along with those of the previous winners Marit Larsen Band and Single Strings entitled "Next to the Fire" and "Under the Rain", respectively.

Snap Time Band from Sagasa National High School in Bago City, Acoustic Plann – Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod, and 7th String from West Negros University were the consolation prize winners, the press release said.

The grand final of the showdown will be March 8, 4 p.m. at the Fountain Area where qualifiers will be competing.

P10,000 will be given to the grand winner, P2,000 each for the Best Bossa and Best Original Composition, and P3,000 for the consolation, the press release added.*

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Environment forum to
tackle landslide risk

Environment Forum Tackles Landslide Risk Assessment in Negros Park

The Center for Environmental Initiatives will hold its 21st CEI Environmental Forum. at the Governor’s Conference Hall, Provincial Capitol Building, in Bacolod City, 1:30 p.m. March 5, a Philippine Information Agency press release said.

Among the main agenda is the presentation of the “Landslide Risk Assessment within the Northern Negros Natural Park”, a study conducted by Antoin Denis of the Catholic University of Lau vain, Belgium, University of St. La Salle Balayan Project Staff Anna Rosa Carmona, disclosed.

Denis is a graduate student in Bioengineer in Environmental Sciences and Land Use Planning whose school linked with USLS to undertake the project in “Building Local Capability in Water Resources Management in the Philippines”, the press release said.

Carmona, who is doing a study on soil quality in Bacolod, will do the presentation in the absence of Denis.

Provincial Environment and Management Office chief Edwin Abanil will lead the group in tackling other environment related issues such as forest and wildlife conservation, water reforestation; pollution, mining and infrastructure, coastal resource management, and enforcement of environmental laws, the press release added.*

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