At the formal inauguration of the New Government Center of Bacolod City, from left: Sen. Franklin Drilon, Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Mrs. Gretchen Cojuangco, Mrs. Elsa Leonardia, Rep. Manny Pacquiao and Jinkee Pacquiao.

BACOLOD CITY – Sen. Franklin Drilon and Rep. Manny Pacquiao, along with Mrs. Gretchen O. Cojuangco, were the special guests at the oathtaking of Bacolod City Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia last Saturday, July 3.

Rep. Manny, the country’s pride in the world international boxing arena, administered the oath to Mayor Bing, a close personal friend who he considers his “lucky charm” in his championship bouts. In some of his fights it was Mayor Bing who carried Manny’s belt to the ring. In his speech, Rep. Manny said he is very proud to be an adopted son of Bacolod.

The neophyte solon was with his beauteous wife Jinkee. Manny said his priority bills will be for the construction of a provincial hospital and a state college in Sarangani. He still occasionally appears in his TV show “Show Me da Manny” on GMA-7.

Another close friend of Manny and Mayor Bing, Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson, also flew to Bacolod to witness the oath-taking.

Sen. Drilon was the guest speaker. It took him nine hours to reach Bacolod because of the navigational problem at NAIA that caused delays and even cancellation of flights. He ended up riding in Gov. Chavit’s private plane. Sen. Drilon is well-loved in Bacolod because of his support and many contributions to the city.

The occasion coincided with the inauguration of the New Government Center, a very impressive architectural structure that costs the city more than P340 million (amid scores of law suits against the mayor, 13 of which have been dismissed, Mayor Bing bared) and which could be considered the crowning glory of the hardworking, dedicated and only third-termer city executive of Bacolod. The five-hectare lot in which the NGC stands is a donation of the heirs of Fernando Gonzaga. The City Hall (said to be one of the most beautiful in the country) was constructed during his first term, was finished during his second term and inaugurated on his third term.

Interestingly, Mayor Bing who celebrates his birthday on Saturday, July 10, was a former regional tourism official who spearheaded the creation of the Masskara Festival.

Under his leadership, Bacolod City has become the call center hub in the Visayas, there was a boom in construction, the city now has 2,644 hotel/inn rooms. Among others, the city has been “crowned” as the Most Business Friendly City in the Philippines,” and “The Best Place to Live In.”

By the way, soprano Lisa Cabahug who hails from Bacolod sang Our Father and other musical pieces during the inaugural program.

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‘Sigwa,’ star-studded Cinemalaya entry

The 6th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival officially starts on Saturday with the gala screening of the entries, among them “Sigwa,” a Joel Lamangan film about the memories of the First Quarter Storm of 1970, which he calls his era. “Sigwa,” produced by Beginnings At Twenty Plus, Inc. and Sine Totoo Productions, is an entry to the Directors Showcase, a new category open to established directors.

“Sigwa” is the most star-studded entry to the filmfest with Zsa Zsa Padilla, Tirso Cruz III, Gina Alajar, Jim Pebanco, Marvin Agustin, Allen Dizon, Pauleen Luna, Lovi Poe, Megan Young, Jay Aquitania, Rico Barrera, Ayen Laurel and Dawn Zulueta. The producers, especially Pelita Peralta Uy, were so impressed with their performance.

“Sigwa” is the story of six young, idealistic people who were caught in the tempest of the First Quarter Storm of 1970. Dawn plays Dolly, a Filipino-American journalist who is sent to the Philippines to do a story about the rising social instability where she met a group of student activists.

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Aliw Theater hosts Russian ballet stars

The Aliw Theater and Star Theaters in Pasay City are dreams-come-true for prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde. For one who used to dance in makeshift stages in the remote places, the building of a show venue for ballet performances was a great achievement. Not only did the venues pave the way for exquisite dance concerts by Ballet Manila where Lisa is artistic director, it also gave the concert and musical theater industry a much-needed boost.

And on Saturday night, Aliw Theater presents “Today’s Stars of the Russian Ballet.” The show will feature many pas de deux (ballet duets) from highlights of classical ballets namely “Don Quixote Grandes Pas De Deux,” “Flames of Paris,” “Sleeping Beauty” pas de deux, “Le Corsaire” pas de deux, and “Giselle” as performed by principal dancers of the Bolshoi, Mariinsky, and Dutch National Ballet.

Lisa, together with the members of Ballet Manila will also perform Tony Fabella’s “Dancing to Czemy,” and Bam Damian’s contemporary pieces “Rebel” and “Reconfigured.”

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on July 10 go to Bacolod City Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia, Marco Sison, Geny Tan, Amaparito Lopez, Philip A. Nazareno, Princess Revilla, Alex Timbol, Julie Manahan, Rufina Mangabat-Aldea of Tagum City, Armand Braun Jr., Linda Dizon, Ed Pacheco, Sally Ancheta, and Millie Sta. Ana-Gurfinkel of California. Happy wedding anniversary to Juan and Maria Gomez.