MVP, no show in MassKara

BACOLOD City marked its 75th Charter Day celebration last October 19.

However, the much awaited presence of Manny V. Pangilinan (MVP) and some awardees who were supposed to get the mayor's special citation were not able to come due to conflict of schedule.

But it did not dampen the spirit and enthusiasm of Bacolod City Mayor Monico O. Puentevella to celebrate the city's Charter Day celebration where “the show must go on.”

Rene "Butch" Meily and Paul Gueco were the representatives of MVP and told the crowd that MVP was abroad.

He extended his congratulations to the people of Bacolod and to Puentevella and the rest of the city officials on the charter anniversary.

Meily said the resilience of Bacolodnons was extraordinary as they refused to stay down when a crisis hit the city and Negros Occidental in the 1980's.

This was the reason that this festival was born to make people smile again. The country has faced many disasters like flood and typhoon in Luzon, earthquake in the Visayas, and war in Zamboanga.

"Mr. Pangilinan said that the people of Bacolod and your Mayor have shown everybody in the Philippines that kaya natin. We will rise again from these disasters. We were battered but we will come back," Meily relayed the message of MVP.

He added: “There is someone here who has been with us in good and in bad times. He has been with us in sports, in serving the people. He is more than a politician, a mayor of a great city, he is a true friend. Thank you to Mayor Monico Puentevella, a great man and a great mayor of a great city."

Some Bacolenos get “Brilyante Awards

Some Bacoleños who excelled in their respective chosen fields were recognized by Puentevella and the City Council members as one of the highlights of the Charter Day Anniversary Program held at the Bacolod City Public Plaza.

The Brilyante Awards has paid tribute to trailblazers who have brought with them in their success, the name of the city and to those personalities who helped elevate the status of Bacolod in the field of sports, medicine, culture, journalism, and community development.

For his innovation, originality, and for coining the name “MassKara” to the now world famous fiesta, a known artist, the late Ely Santiago, was awarded. He was the first to be awarded by Puentevella who, during his first few days as the city mayor, pushed the idea for Santiago to be credited as the “man behind MassKara”.

The Brilyante Award for Sports were given to silver medalist and Smart Gilas-Pilipinas member Jeff Chan, sharpshooter James Yap of the San Mig Coffee Mixers, WBO Light Flyweight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes, WBO Minimumweight titleholder Merlito “Tiger” Sabillo, and Super Bantamweight champ and Barangay Punta Taytay resident Genesis “Azukal” Servania.

Psychiatrist Dr. Antonio Gauzon was named recipient of the Brilyante Award for Medicine for his persistent effort to eradicate drug addiction not only in the city but in the whole country,.

Veteran journalists Ely delos Santos, Rolando Espina, and Negros Daily Bulletin’s Ruperto Toga, Jr. and William Henry Streegan were acknowledged for their contribution in Bacolod media and as pillars of journalism in the city.

The 2006 Outstanding Filipino awardee for Humanitarian Service Antonio Meloto, Jr. was cited for his undying service to build homes for the underprivileged.

His founding project, Gawad Kalinga, is now being implemented in almost 2,000 communities all over the Philippines and has reached the countries of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Cambodia.

Special citations went to former St. John’s Institute standout Archer Kib Montalbo; ex-Stingers Luis Alfonso “LA” Revilla, Luigi dela Paz, and Clark Daniel Bautista.

Montalbo, Revilla, and dela Paz are members of the 2013 UAAP champions De La Salle Green Archers while Bautista is the co-captain of the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers alongside Jeric Teng. Monico Cup stalwart and 2010 No. 1 draft pick of the Philippine Basketball Association Severino “Nonoy” Baclao was also given a special citation award.

In addition, Philippine Azkals team manager Dan Stephen Palami and Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta were also credited for their support to reignite the province’s passion for football during the finals of the Football Peace Cup last Tuesday.

Likewise, Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Ricardo Garcia was merited for his contribution to Philippine sports and for letting Bacolod host the Batang Pinoy Games this November.

Puentevella, happy with the success of MassKara Festival

Puentevella expressed great elation and joy during the Charter Day celebration due to the success of the 34th MassKara Festival and 75th Charter Day Anniversary.

"I am one of the happiest persons on earth because God is so good that He gave us good weather and a peaceful celebration. Thank God for this beautiful MassKara weather. We have a beautiful reason to celebrate. we enjoy this success because of all of us and my fellow city officials. I also thanked the past mayors, vice mayors, and councilors who made their contributions of bringing Bacolod to what she is today. GOd is so good all the time and we have more reason to continue smiling. We shall overcome all the challenges that came and may come along as long as we all have faith in God and the cooperation among our people and fellow government officials," Puentevella said.

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