• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod commended a Radiologic Technologist Licensure Exam topnotcher, and the winners of the 36th Aliw Awards, saying that these Bacolodnons brought honor and prestige to the highly-urbanized city.
Era Samantha Anica Gauma, of Barangay Mandalagan, landed in Top 7 of the December 2023 Radiologic Technologist examination, with a rating of 89.60 percent and is among the 2,155 passers out of 3,878 examinees.
Gauma graduated with Honors in Secondary Education from Bacolod Tay Tung High School. She was also a journalism awardee in Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Technology from Riverside College Bacolod.
“She has undoubtedly made a mark through her exemplary scholastic record and outstanding achievement, drive, determination and leadership, and these attributes are worthy of emulation and serve as an inspiration for young people to aspire for excellence in their chosen field of endeavor,” Councilor Em Ang, author of the resolution of commendation, said.
Ang also authored another resolution congratulating John Carl Diaz and Alvin Arroyo of Inch Acoustic Duo for being awarded as the Best New Artist Group in the 36th Aliw Awards.
The Inch Acoustic Duo was nominated in two categories as a band – Best Group Performing in Hotels, Bars and Lounges, and Best New Artist Group, and one Individual award category for Diaz as Best Instrumentalist in Electric Guitar. They later won as Best New Artist Group.
“Through their perseverance, zeal for service through entertainment, passion for music and artistic expression, the Inch Acoustic Duo is an embodiment of the Bacolodnon musical innovation and expression,” the SP said.
“Diaz and Arroyo emulated the virtues of outstanding performers in the field of music and are an inspiration not only to the generations succeeding them but also to the generations yet to come. Their outstanding achievement is an honor to their family and the entire City of Bacolod,” Ang stressed.
The Bacolod-based band regularly performs in bars, like Qanto by Esquinita and in Esquinita Bar and Café. Diaz is from Barangay Villamonte while Arroyo hails from Barangay 10.
This year’s Aliw Awards was held at the Manila Hotel Dec. 11, and initiated by the Aliw Awards Foundation Inc., a non-stock, non-profit private organization dedicated to the development of live entertainment in the Philippines through a system of awards; it is the first and only organization of its kind in the Philippines and the world, Ang added. | CGC
