Jun delos Reyes

Dreams come true. It was the brainchild project and inspiration of Madam Julie Benedicto-wife of the late Ambassador Roberto Salas Benedicto of the Rainbow Foundation Inc., with Agnes Cuenca, Jean Trebol, Marilou Aguirre among others, with their active participation which made this worthy and noble project the “Renovation of Don Salvador Benedicto Memorial Hospital” realized. Governor Alfredo G. Marañon Jr., Congressman Jeffrey P. Ferrer-4th District of Negros Occidental, La Carlota City Mayor Juliet Marie D. Ferrer, Provincial Board Member & Vice-Gubernatorial Candidate Dr. Melvin Ibañez, Provincial Board Member Joeben Alonso and Senator Francis Pangilinan who pooled their resources together, their time and efforts by allocating financial budget for the effective and efficient delivery of health services to the benefit of people in the City of La Carlota and nearby Municipalities, such as La Castellana, Moises Padilla and San Enrique with Mayor Mario “Mayok” Magno, SBM Alexander AL-al Delfinado, Dr. Jose Mari Salvador-Chief of Hospital, La Carlota City, Vice-Mayor David T. Baga Jr., SPM Luis “Jacky” Jalandoni, and the Chief of Hospital who spearheaded the blessing and inauguration of the P 50 Million, 25- bed Don Salvador Benedicto Memorial Hospital in La Carlota City Friday. Rev. Fr. Joy G. Jimera, VF of the La Carlota City Parish officiated the blessing ceremony.

In accordance with the priority agenda of Mayor Juliet Marie D. Ferrer - all-out campaign against illegal and prohibited drugs in this city, 18 PNP officials of La Carlota City Police Station had been awarded the certificate of commendation. This is in connection with their successful conduct of search and seizure operation last December 13, 2012, 4:00 P.M. and in arresting Richard Meles Y Agreda, 37, married, of Purok 3, Barangay Nagasi by virtue of Search Warrant No. 41 issued by Judge Edgar R. Tupas of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) and having done so recovered eleven sticks of suspected knot-tied marijuana cigarettes on act in violation of The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The Search and Seizure was witnessed by Barangay Captain Joel Senares and Barangay Kagawad Estanislao Tuma-ob. The subject Richard Meles Y. Agreda was brought to the La Carlota City Police Station for booking and disposition. A case for violation of Section 11, Republic Act 9165 was filed by the station at the Prosecutor’s Office.

Family and friends gathered at L’ Fisher Hotel last Friday, February 8, 2013 to celebrate Domingo Ciocon Kilayko’s birth-day. The event was hosted by his children who travelled from Canada and the United States to be with him on this special occasion. The celebration continued on Saturday at the family farm in Catabla, Talisay City with holy mass officiated by Rev. Fr. Francisco Javier, followed by food and games for the children. His workers and their children have been a family to him since his return to Bacolod.

Birthday celebrant Domingo Kilayko ready to blow the 100 candles on his cake carried by his great grandchild Alley Kilayko from the US, held at L’ Fisher Hotel last Friday, Feb. 8, 2013. * (Jun de los Reyes/NDB photo)

Domingo Kilayko was born on February 9, 1913 to Primitivo and Rufina Ciocon Kilayko in Talisay City, Negros Occidental. He and wife Clara Kakilala (deceased) have seven children namely: Cecilia Yuthasastrakosol from Winnipeg Manitoba; Antonio Kilayko from Stockton, California; Rexie from British Columbia who currently spends most of his time in Bacolod with his father; Oliver from Missisauga, Ontario; Corazon Kinoshita from Surrey, British Columbia. Domingo and Clara migrated to Baguio in October 1949 where they raised their children until their return to Talisay City in 1963. In 1977, they migrated to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada to be closer to their family, who had set roots in Canada and in the United States. After his wife, Clara passed away in 1998, he returned to Bacolod City. He has 19 grandchildren and is a "Super Lolo" to 23 great grandchildren.

The Outstanding Students Awards (THOS Awards) is widely considered as the most prestigious recognition for the best and brightest students in Bacolod City and the entire province of Negros Occidental. Started by JCI Sen. Ramiro "Chick" Garcia Jr. in 1970, the THOS Awards became the Flagship Program of the Junior Chamber International Philippines-Bacolod, Inc. (Bacolod Jaycees, Inc.) which aims to commend the outstanding students every year who excel in the field of leadership, academic achievement, dedication, hard work, integrity as well as social responsibility. Now on its 44th year, THOS Awards continue to inspire student excellence and leadership as it journeys toward the goal of creating positive change.

Last January 5, 2013, the nominated students from both private and public high schools, colleges and universities underwent the rigorous Preliminary Screening from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the O Hotel in order to determine the finalists.