A Madagascar nun, a resident of Victorias City, Negros Occidental, who, for more than 20 years, is known for her dedication to uplifting the lives of Victoriasanon children through feeding and scholarship programs, was conferred the Medal of Distinction during the recent 27th Kadalag-an Festival Awards Night held at the city’s Don Alejandro Acuña Yap-Quiña Arts and Cultural Center.
Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez presented the first Mayor’s Medal of Distinction to Sister Marie Anne Rasoamandimby of the Sisters of the Most Holy Trinity.
The Sidlak Award—the highest distinction given to a son or daughter of Victorias City—was awarded to Victoriasanon painter Mark Justiniani, known for his surrealist paintings.
The Malihaw Award recipients included Engr. Rynor Jamandre for the Business and Entrepreneurship category; Dr. Josephine Grace Tan for Health and Medical Science; Punong Barangay of Barangay XIX-A Andrei Delgado for Music, Visual, Literary, and Performing Arts; and PLtCol. Sheryll Macarangal for Public Service, Community Development, and Humanitarian/Social Services.
Moreover, the City also recognized the Employee of the Year 2024, Chitalisa Valenciano, for her 25 years of service as a Nurse II at the City Health Office.
She received the Employee of the Year Award with City Health Officer Dr. Richard Garlitos and her husband, Benjamin Valenciano III, together with their son, Benjamin Valenciano IV.
The award was presented by Mayor Benitez, Vice Mayor JunB Bantug, HR Specialist I Esper Herminio Legaste from the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Negros Occidental Field Office, representing CSC Negros Occidental Field Office Director II Atty. Phillip Bernard Capadosa, together with SP Committee Chair on Personnel and Human Resource Warlito Undar, and City Human Resource Management Officer Ana Liza Fuentes.
During the event, the City also recognized the entrepreneurs and business taxpayers who played a crucial role in improving the economic landscape in Victorias, while the Joint Inspection Team (JIT) was acknowledged for its role in ensuring the ease of doing business in the city.
The awardees were Micro Finance and Lending Institution, Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation, Inc. (Microfinance NGO) – Dungganon and ASA Philippine Foundation (Microfinance NGO), Malihaw Inn, Triple R Restobar, Marjhun’s Catering Services, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Security Bank, Micro Business, Jea-Jays Sari-Sari Store, Elizabeth Antivo Rice and Corn Retailer, Lee Ann Monteflor Fish Stall, Victo Grill, Jocelyn M. Nicor Pork and Meat Section, Ernie’s Tobacco Product Store, Mercury Drug, Colegio De Sta. Ana De Victorias, and Victorias Milling Company Inc.*
