Deli makers lament 'dying tradition' (Sun.Star, Sunday, December 23, 2007)

Deli makers lament 'dying tradition'

By Ian Ocampo Flora

GUAGUA-While many people build up on commercialized food stuffs, deli merchants here are lamenting the gradual "falling out of love" of the locals in the traditional food delicacies.

"People are no longer craving for the food that we serve long ago, they would rather buy those food stuffs filled with preservatives than cook the food that we traditionally prepare during Christmas," Nimfa Manalo, proprietor of Nimfa's Deli here, remarked in the vernacular.

She said most people now have been more interested with easy to prepare food.

"In the past, we were asked to cook and prepare suman and kalame for even affluent families, but now it seems that most people would rather do their food preparation the easier way," she said.

She added that the high price of the ingredients and the painstaking time to prepare home-cooked delicacies like Tsokolateng Batirul, Kalame, Suman and Mamon Tustado. Deli merchants here point out that the process of making such delicacies for a whole family would take around four to five hours, depending on the volume to be produced.

"Families seem to have stopped in passing out to the next generation the food tradition, those who cannot cook the delicacies could not resort to deli merchants to cook for them since the price alone is very discouraging," Manalo said.

Despite this, deli merchants here are hoping that the attention given by local government units in the province would reawaken the interest in Kapampangan native cooking. They added that the youth should not be deprived of such interest.

The town of Guagua and its neighboring towns of Sasmuan and Sta. Rita are home to native delicacies and traditional Christmas cooking. Recently, the cultural arts group Arti. Sta Rita have celebrated their 6th Duman Festival highlighting the native Kapampangan cooking and delicacies, especially the Christmas cereal Duman. The Save Pampanga Movement has incorporated the "Pamangan Kapampangan" in their yearly celebration of the Sinukwan Festival in which different town delicacies and native Kapampangan cooking were exhibited.

4 named most outstanding Betisenos (Sun.Star, Sunday, December 30, 2007)

4 named most outstanding Betisenos

By Ian Ocampo Flora

GUAGUA -- Four individuals who hail from the district area of Betis have recently been recognized in a ceremony here that highlighted their achievements in their respective fields.

The Betis Fiesta Committee, through the Circulo Betisenos, has awarded the Most Outstanding Betiseno Awards to four distinct individuals: Roberto Huang, Margarita Songco, Bishop Eduardo Guiao, and Bishop Pablo David.

The awards aim to give due honor to outstanding sons and daughters of Betis.

The Circulo Betisenos is a brotherhood that envisions a community that cares and concerns itself with the welfare and progress of its citizens, which taps and unleashes its potentials and strengths towards economic, social, and moral upliftment and geared towards maximum professional achievement.

The awardees were chosen based on stringent criteria.

The four were honored at the Saint James Parish of Betis Friday with award plaques ingeniously carved by master artisan wood carvers.

Florentino Torres, Fiesta Committee president, said the event showcases to the people of the area the best role models and inspirations that they could emulate.

One of the awardees, Roberto Huang was former president of Coca Cola Bottlers Inc. (2003) before his current stint as president of San Miguel Beverages, Inc. and general manager of domestic operations of the brewery. "Boy," as he is fondly called, hails from San Juan Bautista Betis here.

Another notable awardee is Bishop Edgardo Guiao who is founder and president of Jesus Revival Church, Philippines. He comes from San Juan Betis. He also founded St. John Academy of Guagua. He is the current president of the Christian Minister's Fellowship of Guagua and co-founder of Jesus Saves Christian School. He is recognized as the first ordained bishop of Christian Minister's fellowship in the Philippines.

Margarita Songco is Neda-NDO assistant director general for four years (since November 2001). She worked for the Neda Agriculture Staff, National Planning and Policy Staff, Social Development Staff and the Trade, Industry and Utilities Staff for most of her professional career. She was also Assistant Director General for Investment Programming of the NDO and the Director of the Trade, Industry and Utilities Staff of Neda and Neda deputy director-general. Songco hails from San Miguel Betis.

Probably one of the most prolific of the four is Bishop Pablo David, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of San Fernando. He has been distinguished for standing up for certain social and political issues in the province. Bishop Ambo was appointed as Titular Bishop of Guardialfiera in May 2006 and was ordained Titular Bishop of Guardialfiera in July 2006. He is brother to media personality Randy David.

Torres said the four are just the beginning of the roster of prominent sons of Betis. He added that the years to come would see more names added to the growing list.

Porac folk mourn death of Cabalen in Glorietta 2 blast (Sun.Star, Wednesday, October 24, 2007)

Porac folk mourn death of Cabalen in Glorietta 2 blast

By Ian Ocampo Flora

PORAC -- Jeweller Liza Enriquez normally calls her siblings during national disasters, but that Friday afternoon, October 19, she failed to do an ordinary routine that sent her siblings scampering to the Manila.

As Sarah Enriquez-Talavera, her sister, heard of the Glorietta 2 bombing that left 11 dead and a hundred wounded, she began calling relatives.

"We were praying earnestly that she was not in the area during that blast. We were dialing her phone number but she was not answering," she narrated to Sun.Star Pampanga during her older sister's wake at St. Louie Funeral Holmes in Barangay Cangatba here.

"It was unusual of her, she would usually call us when similar disasters occur. But last Friday we heard nothing from her." Sarah added.

Liza was at Glorietta 2 with another sister on their way to I-Bank for an official business. At around noon, her other sister went off her way. Liza on the other hand, had a lunch date with a friend. At around 1:25 p.m., she sent a text message to her sister that she was at the area of Land Mark. It proved to be her last text message. At 3:00 p.m. her phone went silent.

"I do not understand why of the so many thousands and millions of people, why should it be my sister, she doesn't deserve such a death," teary-eyed Sarah said.

Sarah's other siblings went to Manila to look for the body. When they found the Glorietta area cordoned and restricted, they were directed to hospitals where the wounded and some of the dead were brought.

"My other siblings went from one hospital to another, they were hoping to see my sister alive," Sarah said.

Their relentless search brought them to Veronica Funeral Parlor. There, they found five victims who died in the blast. To their shock, one of them was Liza, who sustained a serious wound at the back of her head, which caused her instant death.

"We were devastated, we did not immediately tell our parents, but somehow we all have to face the truth," Sarah said.

Liza Enriquez just turned 49 last month. As the eldest, she was the family's bread winner.

Liza finished BS Commerce at Holy Angel University in Angeles City. She later joined a company to support her family. She retired soon after and began pursuing jewelry trading as a fallback source of income. She was at Glorietta on that unfortunate Friday to check on her items and to meet a friend.

Family members describe her as a supportive and a loving sister. "She loves to work and every time she earns big, she shares it with us," Sarah said.

Liza's body was interred Tuesday at the public cemetery here.

Despite what happened, the family is still optimistic that justice would be served to their sister.

"In as much that we feel pain, we are still hoping that authorities will be able to give justice to our sister. What happened is only a part of the past. Now we only hope that everything will come to order in the soonest possible time," Sarah said.

Guv sacks provincial engineer (Sun.Star, Wednesday, November 14, 2007 )

Guv sacks provincial engineer

By Ian Flora Ocampo

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The die is cast.

Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio dismissed on Monday the provincial engineer in the province following the recommendation by an investigative committee that found the Capitol official guilty of serious dishonesty and falsification of official document.

Provincial Engineer Juanito Macatuno, who is serving a 60-day preventive suspension, has been charged with the alleged offenses for stating in his Personal Data Sheet (PDS) in the Provincial Government that he is a licensed civil engineer.

The committee has found out in its investigation that Macatuno was not telling the truth.

The investigative body composed of Provincial Administrator Vivian Dabu, Human Resources Department head Jesusa Goseco, and Assistant Provincial Legal Officer Joseph Quiambao was tasked to look into the allegation that Macatuno was not a civil engineering graduate of Manuel L. Quezon University (MLQU), as he had stated in his PDS.

The committee called different witnesses to establish the truth. They included Thessani Sumalapao, liaison officer of MLQU; Emma Francisco, officer-in-charge of Records Management Division, Professional Regulations Commission (PRC); Perla Sayana, OIC-Application Division, PRC; Rodelo Mangubat, chief administrative officer, Cash Division, PRC; and Lobella Damian, registrar of Mapua University.

In its investigation, the committee discovered that Macatuno consistently entered in his four PDSs that he was a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at MLQU in 1978 and passed the board examination given in the same year.

"In two of the PDSs, he likewise indicated another school, Mapua, as the school where he graduated with the same civil engineering degree. However, based on school records and ancillary documents submitted by MLQU, particularly his transcript of records, the alumni directory and the commencement exercises program for 1978, Engr. Macatuno was never a member of the graduating class of that year," the committee report stated.

"Comparing the submitted photocopy of his diploma with authentic but unclaimed 1978 diplomas, it was noted that the words 'Acting' written before the title 'University Registrar,' present in the originals, was not found in Engr. Macatuno's certificate. It was further noted that the signatures of the school officials of MLQU had marked differences between the two," it added.

The committee also said records from the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) show that Macatuno took and passed the board examination for civil engineering. However, it said the same PRC records show that in his application to take the examination, he indicated Mapua as the school from where he graduated, whereas in his permanent record with the PRC he indicated MLQU as his alma mater."

"Ms. Sumalapao categorically denied the possibility of Engr. Macatuno having graduated from MLQU with a degree in civil engineering. She also gave a categorical 'NO' when asked if he graduated with a degree of Master in Public Administration inasmuch as he did not fulfill the prerequisite bachelor's course," the committee stated.

For his part, Macatuno insists that he graduated from MLQU with a degree in civil engineering in 1978. He said he also passed the licensure examination for civil engineer given by the PRC on the same year.

On October 22, Macatuno filed a complaint with the Regional Trial Court here seeking to stop the governor from investigating him for allegedly falsely claiming to have a degree in engineering. He also asked for a P500,000 in damages.

Macatuno stressed that his case was already decided by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) a few years back when former Pampanga governor now Senator Manuel "Lito" Lapid charged him with the same case. He said the CSC had ruled that he was a civil engineering graduate and a licensed civil engineer.

On October 1, Panlilio slapped Macatuno with a 60-day preventive suspension after his office received information from a "concerned citizen" alleging that he did not obtain a college degree. He also charged Macatuno with dishonesty and falsification of public documents

The investigative committee added: "On the matter regarding the document issued by the Civil Service Commission Regional Office 3 and penned by Regional Director Anicia Marasigan-de Lima, the committee said it at best may be called an order issued by CSCROIII not to give due course to the request of Atty. Benalfre Galang, provincial legal officer, province of Pampanga, to investigate Engr. Macatuno."

According to the committee, while it disposed of Galang's request due to lack of evidence, it did not prevent the filing of another complaint if new evidence so warrants."

The panel said: "Engr. Macatuno may have taken the board examination and passed it. However, it does not change the fact that he did not graduate from MLQU. He is not an engineer and is not legally and morally fit to continue occupying the position of provincial engineer in the Province of Pampanga."

Provincial legal officer Maria Elissa Velez said Macatuno was given due process. "If he (Macatuno) feels aggrieved about this, he can always make an appeal," she stressed.

Assumption U liberalizes tuition payment scheme (Sun.Star, Monday, October 22, 2007)

Assumption U liberalizes tuition payment scheme

By Ian Ocampo Flora

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- A premiere Catholic school here has announced the “liberalization” of its school fees in a bid to strengthen its enrollment standing.

The University of the Assumption (UA) on Saturday announced that they will be changing their payment schemes to make enrollment more accessible to majority of its students.

In a memorandum issued by UA’s new rector Roberto Mallari D.D., the university is reaffirming its commitment to “provide quality Christian education to the poor.”

This after the university experienced a “slight decline” in enrollment last school year. According to Dr. Ruth Balajadia-Ducut, director for academic research, the move was prompted after the university conducted a comparative survey with other leading universities in the province.

“People and some students have this perception that UA has a high tuition, but the truth is we have one of the lowest fees in the province,” Ducut said.

“The previous first payment was a bit high because we wanted the succeeding payments to be lower, but we saw that it was a bit difficult for the parents and students. Now we have ‘liberalized’ the payment scheme,” Ducut said, stressing that the school understands the current economic condition of most families.

Effective this second semester, first payment payable upon enrollment is pegged at P5,000 for all programs and levels in all colleges except for the College of Nursing. Due to operational considerations the initial payment for students under the nursing course is at P8,000.

Diana Pangilinan, coordinator for academic research, assured that the liberalization of payment schemes will not affect the quality of education in the institution.

“The liberalization scheme does not mean that we are sacrificing the educational quality of our programs,” Pangilinan said

Post-Christmas medical mission for indigents (Sun.Star,Monday, December 31, 2007)

Post-Christmas medical mission for indigents

ANGELES CITY -- Six hundred indigents from a barangay here were the beneficiaries of a medical and dental mission sponsored by the local government and a medical foundation in a post Christmas medical and dental mission.

The Tomas Dizon Foundation has joined hands with barangay officials here led by Barangay Captain Robin Nepomuceno to provide free medicines along with medical and dental services to indigent families of Barangay Cutcut here recently.

Barangay Cutcut is the rear side of Angeles City near Porac town and is reputed to be one of the most populous and congested barangays of the city.

Councilor Baby Sigua said the program was part of a series of projects undertaken by Nepomuceno to ensure the availability of medical services to his marginalized constituents. This is a move to somehow bridge the gap of health services that remain to be beyond the reach of ordinary Filipinos.

"The barangay has done similar projects in the past, but it is only now that Tomas Dizon Foundation has joined us in our project," Sigua said.

The foundation has managed to put in eight volunteer doctors to man the medical and dental services. The project was made possible through consultative talks with the city government, Home Emergency Response Office (HOME), Civil Engineering Office (CEO) and the General Services Office (GSO) who provided the manpower and logistics support. Sigua said the local government would assume the responsibility of augmentation and bringing forward possible beneficiaries.

"We made sure that our first priority would be indigent families that we have scouted. The foundation has done almost everything since they have the medicines and all. The local government, on the other hand, would augment in case that the medicines would not be able to cover all the beneficiaries," said Councilor Beth Angeles.

The medical services included check-ups and consultation with free medicines ranging from vitamins to antibiotics. The dental service was only limited to tooth extraction due to budgetary constraints. Joining the event was City Mayor Francis Blueboy Nepomuceno, and councilors June Vega, Guaning Dayrit, Nestor Datu, Ed Bundalian and Noel Pineda.

The police augmentation came from Chief Superintendent Medy Manalo of Police Station 5 and Compac Comander Ernesto Silva. (Ian Ocampo Flora)

Holiday is employment time for tomb cleaners (Sun.Star, Saturday, November 03, 2007)

Holiday is employment time for tomb cleaners

By Ian Ocampo Flora

GUAGUA, Pampanga -- It has been two weeks now that Michelle Sandico and Anton Camaya, out-of-school youths, have been cleaning tombs in the Guagua Old Public Cemetery in Barangay Sto. Cristo.

The two belong to marginalized families living beside the public cemetery just between the walls of the "apartment-type" tombs. They have been accustomed to living beside the dead.

"We have been used to living with the dead, at this time of the year they're the ones that allow us to live," said 17-year-old Sandico.

Sandico's house stands alongside the back wall of the tombs. "We have become used to it, we are no longer afraid," she added as she scrubs the marble plate with a liquid polish.

Her family belongs to the 50 families, most of them poor, living in the area around the half a century old public cemetery.

Incidental income

Anton Camaya, on the other hand, tends to five mausoleums, mostly of old rich families of the town, all year round. "I usually clean them twice a month, but during November 1 and 2, I also do the painting jobs on them and the usual maintenance," he said.

Camaya added that he gets paid a thousand pesos a year per grave and he usually collects this during All Saints' Day when the families of his "employers" would come to pay a visit.

The half-century old cemetery houses more than six thousand tombs, niches, and mausoleums. However, one perennial problem of the cemetery is the floodwater that rises from drainage canals due to high tide and poor drainage system.

"Because the cemetery is inundated, some people would have their tombs cleaned up for them," Camaya said, adding that most tomb cleaners make easy bucks from cleaning ranging from P50 to P150 depending on the tomb size.

"The tombs without caretakers would ask most of the kids around here to clean for them. Children here would also scrape up candle wax from worn out candles and sell these by the kilo," Camaya added.

He said the season provides a brisk opportunity for business. The only problem now would be how to source out possible income after November 1 and 2, he said. (Sun.Star Pampanga/Sunnex)

Angeles City hall workers give blood (Sun.Star, Monday, October 08, 2007)

Angeles City hall workers give blood

By Ian Ocampo Flora

ANGELES City Hall employees donated blood during a recent bloodletting program that saw the participation of more than 30 workers.

The activity was a collaborative effort between Angeles Mayor Francis Nepomuceno and the Philippine National Red Cross Angeles City Chapter.

The program dubbed "Bigay Buhay Project" is in accordance with providing adequate and safe source of blood for patients in the region needing blood transfusion. The move was the result of the closure of commercial blood banks in the country late last year.

Augusto Ocampo, chapter administrator, said the present status of blood supply in the region is still enough to support the present need.

However, he stressed that the Red Cross must maintain a working supply to address immediate need from other provinces and the possible outbreak of dengue because of the rains.

"The Red Cross supplies blood to nearby provinces because we have a distribution scheme that assures a steady supply. However, we are propagating the awareness and importance of donating blood most especially now that we are the only source of free blood in the country," Ocampo said.

The government previously closed commercial blood banks due to the unscrupulous collection of blood from "unscreened" and "unfit" donors.

Ocampo also stressed that it was a usual practice to sell blood to blood banks. "Blood is life and a gift from God, it should not be taken as a form of commodity," he added.

The activity at City Hall was participated in by the rank and file of different departments who underwent screening and check-up before undergoing the blood letting process.

"I feel more refreshed and my body seems lighter after I donated blood," said Juanita Andaya, an employee here, after donating blood.

Studies prove that blood letting provides considerable health benefits. Bone marrows are said to function much better aside from new blood that is subsequently produced.

The bloodletting program is just a part of the general services provided by the Red Cross, which includes disaster services, safety services, social services, and community nursing.

KDF distributes artificial legs (Sun.Star, Sunday, December 16, 2007)

KDF distributes artificial legs

By Ian Ocampo Flora

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- After two Saturdays of measuring amputees for artificial legs, the Kapampangan Development Foundation (KDF) has distributed free prosthesis and wheelchairs to qualified beneficiaries at the Social Action Center of Pampanga (Sacop).

The KDF, an organization of Kapampangans based outside the province, teamed up with the Physicians for Peace in a bid to provide free artificial legs to amputees all across the province.

The KDF is responsible in identifying possible beneficiaries through physical and medical screening.

KDF President Benigno Ricafort said the project aims to help indigent amputees to walk again and become productive. "This project would identify the beneficiaries based on qualification; we are prioritizing those who have been victims of accidents. The KDF is also prioritizing beneficiaries who could be productive if given artificial legs," he said.

"We are not just helping the amputee but also the family members who could devout their time and energy to other endeavors," Ricafort said.

Around 100 amputees have qualified for the project since the initial screening last October. However, the KDF said that it could not provide immediately all the needed prosthesis since they are hindered by manpower constraints. According to Dr. Penny Bundoc of the Physicians for Peace, their technician needs to balance between his daily work and that of the KDF. Each pair of prosthesis usually takes around a day or two to assemble.

Aside from this, Bundoc added that not all could have artificial legs. "Those who could not be given artificial legs because of health considerations would be given wheelchairs so they could become mobile and able to do their work well," Bundoc said.

The distribution of the 21 prosthesis and 20 wheel chairs was attended by Gov. Eddie Panlilio, KDF volunteers, and Rotary Club organizations. The KDF is still screening amputees for prosthesis every first Saturday of each month.

Town launches regional Green Philippines project (Sun.Star, Monday, August 27, 2007)

Town launches regional Green Philippines project

By Ian Ocampo Flora

ARAYAT -- In line with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's Green Philippines program, the Department of Environment and National Resources (DENR) launched the regional counterpart of the program focusing on national shrines and watersheds.

According to Environment Municipal Officer Ricky Hernandez, the Green Philippines program is a thematic approach on foresting Central Luzon's national shrines and critical watersheds, mangrove and coastal areas, agro-foresting of fruit bearing tress as well as urban greening.

"The program on the reforestation of national shrines and critical watersheds will start this August while coastal and mangrove areas would start in November," Hernandez said.

The program for the greening of national shrines and critical watershed areas was launched at the Arayat National Park. The program featured a ceremonial tree planting, attended by local government officials from Magalang and Arayat, media, non-government organizations and environmental groups. The real project would commence with the participation of the local community in the actual tree planting activities.

Hernandez added that they are encouraging the schools and organizations to participate in the greening program.

The Green Philippines program aims to plant 20 million trees across the country.

Hernandez said 1.25 million of these trees would be produced in each region. On Saturday, about 1,000 seedling trees would be planted on the slope of Mt. Arayat by students from Asian Institute of Computer Studies in Dau, Mabalacat.

"We are still looking for concerned groups and organizations that would help us in this activity to help the environment and to realize the importance of planting trees," he said.

The Arayat Municipal Environment Office is calling on civic and non-government organizations to participate in various thematic activities of the Green Philippines program.

Priest says Sinukwan fest is apolitical (Sun.Star, Monday, December 03, 2007)

Priest says Sinukwan fest is apolitical

By Ian Ocampo Flora

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- "Politicians of this province should stop politicking that is meaningless and time-wasting, whoever the governor is they should start serving the interest of the people"

Thus said Fr. Resty Lumanlan of the Save Pampanga Movement, who conceptualized the famed Sinukwan Festival during the opening of the festivities here on Sunday. The festival is also in line with the commemoration of the Aldo Ning Kampangan.

In an interview with Sun.Star Pampanga, Lumanlan clarified that the Sinukwan Festival is aimed at saving the "Kapampangan Soul," which is the culture, arts and tradition of the province and not a staging ground for politicians.

"In the past the celebrations used to commemorate the founding of the province were done by politicians. Beauty contests and selection for honorees of the province were done with huge expenses and vague criteria. But the Sinukwan is different, we are apolitical," Lumanlan said, adding that the intention of the Save Pampanga Movement is to safeguard and propagate the rich culture and tradition of the province.

The Save Pampanga Movement, during its initial inception had advocated for the saving of the "tangible Pampanga." It was among the first groups to raise the cause for the construction of the Mega Dike during the initial onslaught of Mt. Pinatubo. After fulfilling its first task, the organization began looking into the "soul" of the Kapampangan by preserving local traditions and culture.

According to Lumanlan, this "soul" is vital in understanding the various facets of the Kapampangan persona. "A province that does not now its culture is like a person without a soul," he explained while pointing out that the Sinukwan Festival was a timely vehicle in the promotion the cultural and tourism potential of the province.

"The past administrations have failed in looking into the people's needs in such events. What we saw in the past were just activities that did not focus on the needs of the province. This is what we are trying to address now," he said.

The Sinukwan Festival will run in line with the Aldo Ning Kapampangan, both of which would feature cultural and artistic events. The Aldo Ning Kapampangan also focuses on the commemoration of the founding anniversary of the province and will run until December 11.

"We are inviting fellow Kapampangans to take part in various events and support the activities," Lumanlan said.

Sinukwan Festival wows Mr. Palengke (11:21 a.m., Monday, December 10, 2007)

Sinukwan Festival wows Mr. Palengke (11:21 a.m.)

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Senator Mar Roxas recently visited Pampanga and has expressed his amazement over the province's premiere festival.

Dubbed as "Mr. Palengke", Roxas graced the culminating activities of the cultural programs of the Sinukwan Festival Saturday. The festival is a yearly event organized by the Save Pampanga Movement. It is aimed at preserving and propagating Kapampangan culture and tradition through week long festivities.

Roxas attended the programs at Robinsons Starmills here flanked by Governor Eddie Panlilio, City San Fernando Mayor Oscar Rodrigues, Father Resty Lumanlan of Save Pampanga Movement, along with a throng of officers of the various committees of the Festival.

"This is my first time to see it, and I saw the obvious enthusiasm of the participants and the beauty of all these is the cultural aspect. Pampango culture is included in all the presentations, its very beautiful and culturally full filling," Roxas told Sun. Star Pampanga in an exclusive interview. (Ian Ocampo Flora/Sun.Star Pampanga/Sunnex)

Council assails 'lapses' in Angeles bomb scare (Sun.Star, Wednesday, November 21, 2007)

Council assails 'lapses' in Angeles bomb scare

By Ian Ocampo Flora

ANGELES CITY -- Members of the City Council have assailed the Angeles Police Office (ACPO) for its alleged lapses in handling the bomb threat at City Hall last Nov. 9.

The council expressed their dissatisfaction over how the ACPO had handled the "bomb scare" situation.

During the council's regular session Tuesday, Councilor Willie Rivera criticized the police leadership for what he called as "poor management" of the incident.

He alleged that personnel of the City Treasurer's Office and City Budget Office were "not allowed" to vacate their respective offices at the height of the bomb threat.

"The people from the city treasurer's office are saying that the Office of the Mayor did not allow them to leave their offices. If the bomb scare is really taken seriously then the PNP should have ushered the people out of their offices. I believe that the PNP should investigate further on the entire incident and why these offices were not afraid to leave their offices," Rivera said.

The City Information Office, on the other hand, said the offices of the city treasurer and budget were evacuated along with other offices when the policemen responded to the bomb threat.

CIO officials told Sun.Star Pampanga that skeletal force of the two offices were told to stay only after the Special Weapons and Tactics of the ACPO had declared the area "cleared" of any bomb.

ACPO deputy director Lorenzo Detran appeared in the council session Tuesday and reported to the councilors how the ACPO had handled the Nov. 9 incident. He said the City Assessor's Office received three telephone calls on that date about the impending detonation of a bomb placed somewhere in the premises of the City Hall.

Detran said they responded to the phone calls around 9:45 a.m.

However, on the same day the City Council was hosting the oath-taking ceremonies of Barangay and SK Officials. The incident, he said resulted in the "abbreviation" of the program and disrupted major functions in City Hall.

He said policemen had treated the incident seriously by clearing the building of its personnel until it was assured that the bomb threat was just a hoax.

In an interview with Sun.Star Pampanga after the session, Rivera said he was not convinced with Detran's report and how the ACPO had handled the incident.

"The way they treated it was not really efficient and, yes, I believe this is politically motivated."

Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting also called the attention of Detran stating that the people present in the activities of the council were only asked to leave at around 10:30 a.m. or almost an hour after the bomb threats were received.

"There was a memorandum that on Nov. 8 there would be an evacuation drill in the city hall, but what is surprising is that there was a bomb scare on Nov.9 on the events of the council. Most people believed that the incident was already the drill," she said.

"There are lapses here that should be addressed, we only learned about the bomb scare at around 10:30. It scares me to think that there was already a threat to the lives of the people that we were still oblivious about it. I hope that people behind these acts should think first about the repercussions of these condemnable acts," the vice mayor added.

Detran, for his part, said he would be taking the issues aired by the council.

"We advise people here that they should not touch any suspicious equipment or material that they see in the premises and once a threat is identified the local police should be immediately notified. The PNP treats these things seriously," he added.

Despite the incident, Cabigting said the oath-taking of the officers for the barangay and SK post was already "legal" despite the "abbreviation" of the usual program.

Clark firm prexy backs Miss Earth’s environmental thrusts (Sun.Star,Tuesday, November 06, 2007)

Clark firm prexy backs Miss Earth’s environmental thrusts

By Ian Ocampo Flora

CLARK FREEPORT -- The annual Miss Earth 2007 pageant -- with its splendor and glamour -- seem to have not wavered in its objective of promoting environmental concerns, thus earning the praise of the chief executive officer here.

Clark Development Corporation (CDC) president Levy Laus has assured that the state-owned firm “is one with organizers of the Miss Earth 2007 in their earnest efforts to make our planet a better place to live in.”

Laus said working to save the environment is no easy task. “We, at the Clark Development Corporation, are also doing our part to preserve and protect Mother Nature,” he said.

He said this year CDC’s Environmental Management Department (EMD) has implemented several measures to assure the safety and protection of the immediate environs of the Clark Freeport.

“Among them is our campaign to reduce carbon emission within the Clark Freeport. We have recently called on CDC employees and locator firms here to reduce power consumption in a bid to reduce the effects of global warming,” Laus said.

Last year, EMD manager Juan Miguel Fuentes reported to Laus that CDC reduced fuel consumption on all CDC vehicles to save on fuel costs and the emission of carbon monoxide and other harmful elements into the atmosphere.

The CDC is also active in participating in various tree planting activities to propagate the growth of more trees that are vital in reducing the effects of global warming, Laus said, adding that recently, “the CDC participated in the planting of thousands of Magsaysay Centennial trees inside the Freeport.”

Laus said ecological balance in Clark is one of the top priorities of CDC for the locators, investors, tourists and other visitors who frequent the economic zone to enjoy the clean and sound environment inside the freeport.

With this, CDC has reduced the gasoline allowance to all the vehicles of the state-owned firm in order to help reduce the CO2 effects in the atmosphere.

It is expected that the example started by CDC will be followed by other investors and locators and other government agencies in the country to help maintain the ecological balance and prevent the effects of global warming.

“I would normally end my speeches by inviting people to wear their shades with the assurance that everything, most especially the future, is bright and sunny in Clark,” Laus said.

The Fontana Leisure Park, which is being operated by Jimei Group of Companies, is among the major sponsors and sites of the swimsuit competition on November 4.

Aside from Laus and the Miss Earth organizers, Jimei Group owner Mr. Jack Lam, Jimei president Tony Biggs and Jimei Human Resources Group director Vergilio Benito were also present during the swimsuit competition which was participated in by about 90 contestants.

Capitol, Bacolor officials at odds over Gugu ‘desilting’ (Thursday, October 18, 2007)

Capitol, Bacolor officials at odds over Gugu ‘desilting’

By Ian Ocampo Flora

BACOLOR -- Capitol officials and operators of the Gugu "desilting" operations here exchanged heated words which resulted in a standoff, after the Pampanga Provincial Government issued a closure order on the alleged "commercial" quarry operations in the area Wednesday afternoon.

In an order issued by Provincial Attorney Vivian Dabu to Assistant Provincial Legal Officer Joseph Quiambao, Capitol officials with personnel from the Biyaya a Luluguran at Lilingapan, with a throng of police enforcement from the Special Action Force (SAF) of the Pampanga Police Office went on to "temporarily" stop the activities in the contested area.

This came in lieu of the statement of Bacolor Mayor Buddy Dungca that he would be defying the previous Capitol order to stop the activities at Gugu creek.

Barangay San Vicente chairman Nikki Santos expressed annoyance over the standoff and branded the Capitol as "unsympathetic" and "oblivious" of the real situation along the disaster risk area.

Santos along with other concerned citizens tried to dissuade Quiambao's group, arguing that the "desilting" should not stop lest officials risk the lives of people living in the area.

The two groups heated up when Quiambao's group insisted on holding three remaining trucks with sand, which resulted in long traffic in the area.

"They can’t be allowed to enter the area. They should wait for their permit first,” Quiambao said, adding that the permit would be approved soon.

But the barangay officials insisted that the trucks would not make a big difference.

Capitol explains

In a phone interview, Dabu said the order to stop the activities indeed came from the Capitol. "Mayor Dungca only filed for 'gratuitous' permit from the Capitol just this morning but even if he filed for a permit it does not mean that they could already resume their activities at Gugu," she said.

The gratuitous permit is a special grant from the Provincial Government to allow local government to haul sand for "public" purposes.

However, Dabu clarified that the permit's approval is still a prerogative of the Provincial Government.

"If they can prove that it's not for commercial purposes then the Provincial Government would allow them," Dabu said, assuring that the permit, if necessary requirements are met, would be issued immediately.

Dabu also said the presence of the police was for "assistance" purposes only after barangay officials here decried that the closure operation was "overkill".

Buddy's side

Dungca expressed his disappointment with the Capitol, saying it failed to look on the grater reason behind the continued desilting operation.

It was in the same area that the infamous Cabalantian tragedy originated, causing loss of lives and property.

When asked if the Capitol is doing this because of the rumored enamored relationship between him and Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio due to political alliances, Dungca said he does not believe that the governor is getting back at him.

As of press time, watchers were set in the vicinity of the Gugu creek to uphold the closure order pending the deliberation of necessary permits from the Capitol.

Betis photographer bags 2 entries to national tilt (Sun.Star, Sunday, November 04, 2007)

Betis photographer bags 2 entries to national tilt

By Ian Ocampo Flora

GUAGUA -- A photographer here has once again made history after two of his entries in a prestigious national photography contest made it to the finals.

Post comments here on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's grant of pardon to former President Joseph Estrada.

Two entries of Ruston Banal of San Juan Betis here are among the finalists in the Philippine Airlines Photo Contest. The competition, which aims to capture the best of Philippine culture and tradition, was participated in by at least 3,000 photography enthusiasts from all over the country.

Banal is one of the 12 finalists in the Enthusiast and Professional Category through his entries "Sasampang Damulag" (Climbing water buffalos) and "Kuraldal: Baptism and Recollection," both of which present rural customs and traditions. The entry "Kuraldal" shows his barrio's tradition of the San Juan Basa fiesta celebration, characterized by a folk carrying a cross while dancing on the street and people throwing water to one another.

"I never actually believed that my entry will end up among the finalists since there are a lot of entries and almost anybody can join. I would be happy if I could be a finalist in just one category but, fortunately, I was able to get two categories," Banal told Sun.Star Pampanga.

Banal, a first timer in Photography contest is a graduate of Fine Arts from the University of The Philippines (UP)-Diliman. He practiced and honed his talents in photography while teaching media education. He went into full practice of his craft soon after. Banal became one of the graphic artists for Pinoy Big Brother and set photographer for the Rounin series of ABS-CBN.

Currently, Banal is a freelance photographer. "I am hoping that I could win in the PAL contest. That then would be my legacy to my town as an artist," Banal added.

The PAL Photo Contest started accepting entries last June and the grand awarding of winners for the various categories would be on November 10.

Acupuncture training offered to Guagua folks (Sun.Star, Sunday, August 05, 2007)

Acupuncture training offered to Guagua folks

By Ian Ocampo Flora

GUAGUA -- The Parish Ministry Service, the social arm of the Parish of Saint James in Betis here, is conducting Acupuncture and Reflexology training for local and nearby parishioners who would like an easy way to earn money.

According to Fe Pineda, officer of the parish ministry service, the program aims to develop self reliance among trainees and provide them with a source of income.

The training was also done in nearby parishes in Sto. Tomas, Sta. Rita, and Samuan. The training is recognized by the Technical Skills and Development Authority (Tesda) and training graduates are given certification after the completion of the said training.

“The venue for the training is at Bale Ugnayan Betis and would start on August 20 to 24. We are not just inviting our own parishioners here in the Parish of Saint James but as well as those within the Vicariate of Saint Joseph,” Pineda said.

The training fee is pegged at P200 per trainee which is inclusive of all the training materials and hand-outs to be used by the participant. Pineda said the program is in coordination with the Municipal Government of Guagua and the Guagua Soroptimists.

“We are teaching them a way to earn a living but we are also reminding them that the skills they have learned should also be provided to those who cannot pay for their services. We are teaching them in the spirit of sharing and we also want them to do the same for others in need,” Pineda ended..