• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Two Negrense artists recently named National Artists for 2025 and the province’s top real property taxpayers were honored during the 128th Cinco de Noviembre commemoration at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall in Bacolod City yesterday.
Led by Vice Governor Jose Benito Alonso, the awarding ceremony recognized the outstanding contributions of Negrenses to Philippine arts and culture, as well as individuals and corporations that posted significant contributions to the province through real property tax payments.
Named Outstanding Negrenses in the National Artist category were visual artist Nunelucio Alvarado and theater artist Teodoro “Teddy” Hilado, who was honored posthumously.
A native of Barangay Fabrica, Sagay City, Alvarado is known for his social realist paintings depicting the lives, struggles, and experiences of sugar workers and marginalized communities in Negros. His works have drawn attention to social issues and the realities faced by ordinary Negrenses.
Among his major accolades are the Cultural Center of the Philippines Thirteen Artists Award in 1992 and Grand Prizes at the Philip Morris Philippine Art Awards in 1997 and 1999.
Hilado, a native of Silay City, was recognized as the Father of Theater Lighting in the Philippines for his pioneering contributions to lighting design and technical theater.
He served as technical director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and theater director of the Folk Arts Theater, helping shape the country’s theater industry and mentoring generations of theater practitioners.
His distinctions include the 1997 Gawad CCP for Excellence in Lighting Design and Technical Theater and the 2011 Living Legend of Philippine Theater award.
Both artists were conferred the title of National Artist for 2025 by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. through Proclamation No. 1414, signed on Sept. 1, 2026, in recognition of their exceptional contributions to Philippine arts and culture.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Treasurer’s Office recognized the Top 10 Individual and Corporate Real Property Taxpayers for 2025.
Topping the individual category was Jose Ramon Gil E. Suatengco, with properties located in Pulupandan and Moises Padilla.
The other awardees were Rafael Abello of Isabela and Moises Padilla; Carmen D. Angodung and Ruperto Jr. Angodung of Hinigaran; Ma. Socorro Yulo Tuvilla of Hinigaran and Binalbagan; Maja Grande Arroyo of La Castellana; Ma. Luisa O. Cojuangco of Pontevedra; Peter Bilbao Garcia of Hinoba-an; Dr. Ismael and Amparo Rienoso of E.B. Magalona; Maria Teresa Fermin Cuenca of E.B. Magalona; and Nicolas R. Kramer of Isabela.
In the corporate category, Aboitiz Solar Power Inc. of Calatrava ranked first, followed by Negros Island Solar Power Inc. of Manapla and Binalbagan-Isabela Sugar Company (BISCOM) of Binalbagan.
Completing the top 10 were Globe Telecom Inc., with properties in Negros Occidental; Calatrava Sugar Alliance Inc.; Tanduay Distillers Inc. of Murcia; Victorias Milling Co. Inc. of Manapla; Jocelyn Forge Inc. of E.B. Magalona; Jobeco Agro-Industrial Corporation of Manapla; and Asian Alcohol Corporation of Pulupandan.
Cinco de Noviembre is observed as a special non-working holiday in Negros Occidental under Republic Act No. 6709. The celebration commemorates the historic Negros Revolution of 1898, which led to the surrender of Spanish forces in the province. | GPB
