Digicast Negros
December 20, 2020 by Digicast Negros Staff

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the Christmas celebration in the Metro 3rd District of Negros Occidental continues to be happy and hopeful.

That was the message of former representative Alfredo “Albee” Benitez to Asenso leaders and barangay officials in the district today, December 20, during the first-ever large-scale raffle held online so far.

The 25,374 Asenso leaders and barangay officials from all over the Third District of Negros Occidental, could not converge in one venue like they did during the 2017 and 2018 December assemblies because of the Covid-19 pandemic, but connectivity was made possible by virtual convergence

The former congressman who marked his 54th birthday was joined by his younger brother Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District), Minority Floor Leader Stephen Paduano (Abang Lingkod party-list), and the Metro 3rd Mayors in launching the 1st Asenso Leaders Christmas Virtual Raffle.

A total of 227 names were drawn as winners from a virtual spinning wheel fed live through Facebook from a total of 25,374 entries uploaded.

The initial budget of P2 million as prizes grew to P5.1 million the raffle program continued in three segments starting at 2 p.m. and ending at 7 p.m. as well wishers of the former congressman donated more cash prizes.

The five-hour raffle program also featured birthday greetings from Brightlight talents like Piolo Pascual, Catriona Gray, Sue Ramirez, Gloria Diaz, Korina Roxas and Maja Salvador.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte also greeted Albee Benitez online.

Two winners from Murcia – Ronilo Tubongbanua of Iglau-an and Talisay – Nonito Villarin, Jr. of Dos Hermanas won the multi-cab as grand prizes.

Five Asenso Leaders were winners of P 100,000.00 each. They are: Riza Yuto of Brgy. 2, Victorias; Marlon Osiel of Brgy. Poblacion 2, EBM; Mila Almacin of E. Lopez, Silay; Tessie Satera of Zone 14-B, Talisay; and Rodente Toledano of Canlandog, Murcia.

Twenty winners got P 50,000.00 each; 100 leaders got P20,000 each as prizes; and 100 winners got P 10,000 cash prizes.

The virtual raffle was witnessed by the Benitez brothers, Paduano, and Deputy House Speaker Rep. Arni Teves of Negros Oriental.

Also present were Board Members Ryan Gamboa, Agustin Bascon, Frederick Ko, Victorias Mayor Francis Palanca, EB Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon, Vice Mayor Eric Matulac, Silay Mayor Mark Golez, Talisay Mayor Neil Lizares, Nicolai Jalandoni, and Murcia Mayor Gerry Rojas, and Vice Mayor Johnny Reosura.*