Five Negrenses win int’l book award

FIVE Negrense bookmakers won the 2023 Gold Quill Award bestowed by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) based in Chicago. In collaboration with Impress Quality Printing Philippines Inc. and Media Wise Communications Inc., their winning entry was the pioneering coffee table book titled “Sugar & Smiles: The Negrense Legacy Beyond 2020.”

The team that produced Sugar & Smiles was led by Conrado Gen Tomas, Jose Kilayko Montalvo III, Benjamin de Leon Torre, Ma. Teresa Quebrar-Manalili, and J. Albert Araneta Gamboa. Together with 30 writers and creative staff, they launched the book in November 2021 at the main activity center of Ayala Malls Capitol Central.

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson supported the book project along with several local government units and congressional districts as well as major corporations and private enterprises.

This 320-page heirloom collectible is the first coffee table book about Negros Occidental. Its cover was designed by graphic artist Nikki Solinap and the inside pages contain original artworks from watercolor painter Edbon Sevilleno. The book’s main chapters were written by historians Modesto Sa-onoy and Roque Hofileña; lawyers Rayboy Pandan and Eli Gatanela; culturati Cecilia Locsin-Nava and Lloyd Tronco; chefs Richard Ynayan and Mia Lizares-Gonzaga; veteran journalists Carla Gomez and Cedelf Tupas; tourism official Christine Mansinares and advertising executive Nikki Golez. The book project’s beneficiary was Kalipay Negrense Foundation under Anna Claparols Balcells.

IABC is the foremost global community of communications professionals representing diverse industries and disciplines. For more than 40 years, IABC’s Gold Quill Awards program has recognized excellence in strategic communication worldwide and is acknowledged as one of the most prestigious awards programs in the industry. n

179th in the Rolex Rankings as of March 9, 2023.

• Haeji Kang is a South Korean professional golfer, with a Rolex Ranking of 181st as of March 9, 2023. She started playing golf at the age of 10, turning pro in 2008.

• Jaravee Boonchant started playing golf at age 6 in Bangkok, Thailand. At Duke, she was named a three-time All-ACC and four-time All-American selection. She ranks 190th in the Rolex Rankings as of March 9, 2023. The following LPGA superstars also joined the game: Amelia Garvey, Amy Lee, Angel Yin, Brianna Do,

Gabriella Then, Greta Voelker, Harang Lee, ILHee Lee, Jaravee

Boonchant, Jillian Hollis, Jiwon

Jeon, Kaley In, Karen Chung, Louise Ridderstrom, Luna

Sobron, Mi Hyang Lee, Min-G

Kim, Mo Martin, Rebecca Lee-

Bentham, Roberta Liti, Robynn

Ree, Sarah Jane Smith, Ssu-Chia

Cheng, Sydnee Michaels, Tisha

Alyn, Vicky Hurst and Yae Eun

Hong. This elite group of 32 pro golfers challenged each other on the stimulating and demanding course, along with their fans and golf partners. Through the tournament, tee sponsors got to swing their clubs alongside the talented golf athletes. Sponsors were able to find out which LPGA pro golfers they will be playing with the night before the tournament. The tournament began at 10 a.m. on April 4 following a brief press conference for the players. Players competed in an 18-hole scramble tournament and the team with the lowest score won the coveted CM ProAm Cup. The maximum score allowed is par. This year’s winner of the CM Pro-Am Coup was the team anchored by LPGA superstar Angel Yin. The members of team Angel Yin included James Ryu, Raymond Sun, Michael Yamaki and Sung Tae Yu. Journey at Pechanga championship golf course, one of the many high-end amenities at Pechanga Resort Casino, is consistently rated among the top public courses in California. When golfers partner their rounds with a luxury stay at the adjacent resort, the value of the experience rises. Please visit Pechanga.com or call (877) 711-2946 to for more information or to book your next stay at Pechanga Resort Casino. (Advertising Supplement)