'Halad kay Kang-Laon' : 1st Mt. Kanlaon National Park Festival held by La Carlota

All roads led to Sitio Guintubdan, Brgy, Ara-al, La Carlota City on August 11 for the first Mt. Kanlaon National Park Festival as "Halad kay Kang-Laon" (Offerings to Kang-Laon). Its theme was "Pag-amlig sa Dungang Manggad para sa Kaayuhan sang Katawhan" (To Protect the Natural Resources for the Good of the People).

The City Tourism of La Carlota had initiated to celebrate this festival to give honor and respect to Haring Laon or Kang Laon as the great protector and provider of the natives who lived long time ago in the said volcano. And also this is to boost tourism industry in the said place which the neighboring towns and cities could benefit too.

According to local history or local legend, Kanlaon or Canlaon is an ancient name of a Visayan god. It is idolized by the natives as their highest Ruler. The natives did highly esteemed by worshiping him as "One who is the Ruler of Time".

The volcano is where the said Ruler stayed wherein native priests and priestesses visited and did some rituals and some offerings of their good harvest as tokens of their gratefulness and respect. Some other versions of this legend had been handed by the natives to one generation to the other.

Sister Elwood Missionary Work Experience

Following is unforgettable and true story of Sister Jesica Michele Elwood, who is one of the missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who served at the Bacolod Philippines Mission and was assigned in La Carlota.

                              Jesica's Story:

Sister Elwood

I served Bacolod Philippines Mission from March 2010 to October 2011. La Carlota was her longest area. She had been transferred five times from February 2011 to August 2011.

I miss the La Carlota people and I couldn't forget my experience there. I had learned a lot from the members and the investigator as well. After four months of stay, I was transferred to other area until I went home. I won't forget all the people there. I deeply care for them and I hope to see them after life and I wish our mansion would be near each on the other life.

When I was in La Carlota, I taught many people. I had no time to write all their names. But I want to talk to them and let them know a little about my present life.

Why City of La Carlota Glitters Every Night?

by Gil Camporazo

It is now a tradition among the residents of La Carlota City to illuminate their plaza with Christmas lights every Yuletide seasons with a nightly Christmas presentation from different groups of the community including the religious and education institutions.

One of nightly presentations

Every growing tree inside the city plaza is decorated with firefly bulbs to light them every night.

This is a yearly activity of the city to usher the coming forth of the birth of Jesus Christ. It is usually done every 15th day of December leading to the following early morning mass officiated by the Catholic priest. This is traditionally known by Filipino as "misa de aguinaldo" or "misa de gallo".