Invigorating Ilocos

By Jade Pangilinan

SKETCHES

A trip to Ilocos Region was my last hurrah for the rainy summer season this year here in the Philippines. After being so consumed with work I decided to join my sister and her family in a road trip that took us from San Fernando, Pampanga to Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte and back, in all of three days.

The last time I visited Ilocos was about five years ago when I went to see my college friends who are from the enchanting heritage city of Vigan. Vigan is actually listed among the World Heritage Sites, just like Nara and Nikko in Japan, which means that it has universal value for all mankind.

Vigan will never fail to amaze anyone, young and old alike. It is always picture perfect. From the kalesa rides that take tourists along the important historic sites especially cobble-paved Calle Crisologo with its vintage shops, to the delightful royal bibingka, yummy longganisa, and delicious empanada you could enjoy at the Plaza fronting the St. Paul’s Cathedral. Just to be in Vigan is a worthwhile experience in itself. The city is a tourist destination that every Filipino could be proud of.

On the road to Vigan stops in Candon City for their famous kalamay and in

Santa Maria for their church are necessary. The Santa Maria Church in Ilocos Sur, which sits atop a hill, is also included in the World Heritage List as one of the Four Baroque Churches of the Philippines, the others being San Agustin in Intramuros, Santo Tomas Villanueva in Miag-ao and the Paoay Church in Ilocos Norte. These churches exemplify Philippine baroque architectural genre and have universal cultural value.

North of Vigan is the province of Ilocos Norte where one could also enjoy a lot of heritage and natural spots. The Ilocos Region is very blessed with both natural and cultural resources.

In Ilocos Norte one could find Cape Bojeador lighthouse in the town of Burgos, the oldest functioning Spanish – period lighthouse in the country. In the same town is the Kapupurwan white rock formation that could be considered a geological monument.

The white sand beaches of Pagudpud at the tip of Ilocos Norte are quite legendary among travelers, comparable to that of Puerto Galera or
Boracay sans the crowd. Going to the beach in Pagudpud is relaxing and refreshing in itself because the place has a very serene atmosphere.

On the way to Pagudpud travelers might want to drop by the wind mills of Bangui which look like giant electric fans from afar but actually supply the province with electric power. This is an eco-friendly innovation which also became a tourism advantage.

Paoay Church in the town of Paoay is also a World Heritage Site. Right across the church is a cozy cafeteria that serves coffee and superb tasting pizza called the Café Herencia. Must try flavors are the Pinakbet Pizza and the Longganiza Pizza which truly reflect Ilocano culinary culture.

Three days in ilocos is really not enough to make the most of the region which really has so much to offer. It is always a welcome feast for the senses that will bring any visitor back for more.

LTO Angeles City conducts Clean up day

ANGELES CITY --- Employees and officials of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Angeles District Office yesterday held a clean-up day in support of the agency’s program for cleanliness and orderliness among its establishments nationwide.
The clean up drive, Angeles District chief transportation regulations officer Aida Santiago said, is in connection with the directive of the LTO head office for the district and regional offices to commit to the 5S Standards.
“The 5S Standards—sorting, set in order, sweeping or shining, standardizing and sustaining the discipline--is a method for organizing a workplace, especially a shared workplace and keeping it organized,” according to Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia.
Though the LTO assesses the district offices every six months on the implementation of the 5S, Santiago said their office is holding clean-up activities regularly with or without the directives from their head office.
Santiago said their employees—13 organic and three job-order workers—are required to come earlier than 8 a.m. to clean up their office before accommodating the first client for the day and shortly after their have served the last transaction in the afternoon.
Last year, Angeles City ranked first in the region in the implementation of the 5S Standards. On April 23, 2009, it was cited as “model district” by LTO chief Arturo Lomibao for “efficient and dedicated service rendered to the transacting public.”
Everyday, the LTO Angeles District Office processes more than 500 transactions for driver’s license renewal and motor vehicle registration. It collected more than P125 million for all its transactions in 2008.

DPWH orders work resumed on rain-delayed road projects

By Albert B. Lacanlale

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO --- Due to the unexpected early onset of the rainy season, road projects in the region, particularly in Pampanga, suffered delay to the ire of the commuting public.

Pampanga First Engineering District chief, Enrico Guilas, said Monday that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has ordered contractors of two on-going road constructions in the province to work double-time to compensate on the delay caused by rains that arrived early this month.

Guilas was referring to the road constructions along the Jose Abad Santos Avenue (JASA) between Mexico and Sta. Ana towns and Gen. Hizon Road in this capital city.

Motorists plying the two roads have complained of the inconvenience due to the construction works.

Guilas said that the P10 million Gen. Hizon Road project was also delayed by the sudden change in the project plan, that included the increase of the road elevation from 0.3 meter to 0.8 meter and the upgrading of its line canal.

The contractor, Mark-Ness Construction, he said, has vowed to finish the base course overlaying by July 15 and concreting 40 to 50 days thereafter.

“We did not expect the rain to come early this year, thus the delay. But we are now fasttracking the project so it could be passable to all vehicles in the next few days,” Guilas said.

As for the 405.6-kilometer JASA road project, Guilas said, the contractor also vowed to finish construction by July 25.

60 Mexico indigent PWDs get free wheelchairs

MEXICO, Pampanga --- Some 60 indigent persons with disability (PWD) received June 30 free wheelchair from the combined efforts of Mayor Teddy C. Tumang, Pastors Association of Mexico (PAM) and the Operation Blessing Foundation, Inc.

Jeanette Lacson, municipal social welfare and development officer, said that the 60 wheelchairs were the result of the initiatives of Tumang and PAM, led by chairman Allan Valencia and vice-chair Roger Bondoc of the Rotary Club of Eastern Pampanga.

Lacson said the municipal government identified the beneficiaries from among the poorest of the poor in the town for the first batch of recipients for the wheelchair. Some 100 of the medical equipment will still be awarded to beneficiaries here.

Tumang said the wheelchairs were received by the municipal government on June 18. These donations came from the United States through the Operation Blessing and the Free Wheelchair Mission.

In simple ceremonies yesterday, Tumang and Operation Blessing representative Christine Oriviana, signed a memorandum of agreement for the conduct of other services for Mexicano folk.

Tumang said the municipal government would continue to process applications for the provision of wheelchairs.

In his message, Tumang lauded PAM and Operation Blessing Foundation, Inc. for their support to his constituents.

“We are truly blessed for having organizations like PAM and Operation Blessing Foundation who are genuinely concerned on the welfare of our town mates. This project is in conjunction with our priority programs on health services for Mexicanos,” Tumang said.

He announced that the municipal government is also set to open the Mexico Community Hospital which is now under construction in Barangay San Carlos here.

Medical equipment amounting to P40 million have been sourced out and are expected to arrive from the United States sometime in October.

SMART offers 'ultimate unlimited' calling to 38M subscribers

Smart Communications Inc. (SMART), the country’s leading wireless services provider, launched today a new service that enables SMART Buddy and SMART Gold subscribers to make unlimited calls to over 38 million mobile phone users on the SMART network.

Called Smartalk, the new service will be available starting June 26, does not require any changes in SIM or cell phone number, and can be enjoyed by SMART Buddy and SMART Gold subscribers.

SMART subscribers will be able to avail of the service by purchasing loads for unlimited calls which come in two denominations. The first is “Smartalk 100” which for P100 offers 5 days of unlimited calls to any subscriber on the SMART network anywhere in the country, at any time of the day.

Another variant, “Smartalk 500”, offers 30 days of unlimited calls to any subscriber on the SMART network for only P500 – effectively reducing the cost to as low as P17 for a whole day of unlimited calling to any number within the country’s largest mobile subscriber base.

“With this new service, SMART subscribers all over the country need only one phone, one SIM, and one number, to be able to make unlimited, crystal-clear calls to over 38 million SMART numbers anytime, anywhere,” said Orlando B. Vea, Chief Wireless Advisor of SMART, and also one of its founders.

“This is our way of helping out our subscribers in these difficult times and is our response to the government’s call for more affordable telecommunications services,” added Vea.

“This is the ultimate unlimited. Smartalk re-writes the rules in the way ‘unlimited’ mobile services are made available to Filipinos -- no other service offering provides unlimited, nationwide calling to a subscriber base as large as SMART’s, while assuring callers of crystal-clear signal quality anywhere in the country,” said Danilo Mojica, head of SMART’s wireless consumer division.

SMART Buddy prepaid subscribers may avail of Smartalk through registration. A subscriber just needs to send Talk100 to 6400 for a Smartalk 100 package, or Talk500 to 6400 for a Smartalk 500 load. The payment for the package bought will be automatically deducted from subscriber’s prepaid load, and they just need to have a P1 maintaining balance.

They can also buy these Smartalk packages as a load from any of over a million SMART Load retailers all over the country.

When making a call using the Smartalk unlimited package, SMART Buddy subscribers just need to dial *6400 plus the 11-digit subscriber number being called, eg., *640009181234567.

Subscribers of SMART Gold, the telco’s pioneering postpaid brand, may also stretch their monthly budget for mobile services by availing of Smartalk.

All SMART Gold subscribers from Plan 800 and up may avail of 30 days of unlimited calls to any number within the SMART network, with Smartalk 500. They just need to send Talk500 to 6400 to purchase the package, and the 500-peso charge will be billed on top of their monthly service fee (MSF).

SMART Gold subscribers can also purchase Smartalk 100 or Smartalk 500, from any of over a million SMART Load retailers all over the country. This is best for post-paid subscribers who prefer to stay within their MSF cap yet need to avail of unlimited calling service through the convenience of a prepaid package.

SMART is widely credited for having made mobile phone services much more affordable and accessible, when it introduced sachet-size packets of prepaid airtime through Smart Load. The electronic load platform has also enabled SMART to offer a wide variety of call and text packages that are specially designed to be affordable, and made available through a wide network of retailers present in every corner of the country.

“Over the years we have progressively lowered the costs of our services and designed our offers to truly meet the varying needs and purchasing power of our subscribers. By offering Smartalk -- a service that’s easy to understand, ubiquitous, and affordable – SMART once again transforms the playing field and offers real value to mobile subscribers,” Vea said.

Smartalk will be offered nationwide until September 30, 2009. For more information, visit www.smart.com.ph.

2 Kapampangan artists in Vienna exhibit

TWO young Kapampangan artists, Ronald Salazar and Don De Dios, are starting to make waves in the European art scene with their avant-garde sculpture and paintings in an exhibit in Vienna, Austria.

Ronald Salazar, a native of Sta. Rita, is best known for his bottle art and advocates the art philosophy of assertionism. He was the Grand Prize winner in the Art Association of the Philippines Annual Competition in 2005 for sculpture and an honorable mention in the Shell National Students Art Competition.

Don De Dios, who hails from the City of San Fernando , is a multi-media artist widely recognized for his wire sculptures and chess pieces series. De dios was the Juror’s Choice in the 2006 GSIS National Painting Competition and an honorable mention in the 2006 AAP Annual Competition, sculpture category.

The works of Salazar and De Dios, along with the modernist works of international artists Salvador Dali, Paolo di San Lorenzo, Estonia’s premier sculptor Tauno Kangro, Frank Hauser, Fabio Calvetti and Ademaro Bardelli, are featured in a group exhibit entitled “Latin American Symbolisms” together with the works of Ecuadorian artists in celebration of the 200^th Independence Day of Ecuador this month.

The exhibition opened last June 9, 2009 at the jma Gallery in Vienna and was attended by members of the Diplomatic Community including the nine ambassadors namely:

Ambassador of Guatemala : H.E. Carla María Rodríguez Mancia

Ambassador of Paraguay H.E. Dr. Horacio Nogues Zubizarreta

Ambassador of Peru: Rómulo Acurio Traverso

Ambassador of Cape Verde H. E. Hercules do Nascimento Cruz

Ambassador of Egypt H.E. Ehab Mohamed Mostafa Fawzy

Ambassador of Lebanon H.E. Ishaya El Khoury

Ambassador of Pakistan H.E. Shahbaz

Ambassador of Saudi Arabia His Majesty Prince Mansour Bin Khalid Al-Saud
Ambassador of Sri Lanka H.E. Musthafa Mohamed Jaffeer

The exhibit is organized by Ms. Jackie Mauersberger-Arce, Manila-born Filipino artist and gallery owner who received her art degree form the Philippine Women’s University, now an Austrian citizen married to Dr. Horst Mauersberger, a nuclear physicist.

Two other Filipino artists who also joined the exhibition at jma gallery were Gerardo De Guzman, based in Vienna, and Jill Zabala Centino, based in Phoenix Arizona.

Mauersberger –Arce stated that she will present the works of Ronald Salazar and Don De Dios at the International Art Fair in Utrecht , Holland in September 2009 as well as in the Foire International Automne Fair in Luxembourg in October 2009.

In an interview, Ron Salazar asserted, “I believe that my eagerness to share this opportunity to other artists was one of the factors that took place in (JMA) Jackie’s decision of opening the doors to us Filipino artists the chance to showcase our Art in the European Art and mostly in the International Art Circuit.

With Jackie’s guidance we are contemplating on improving our craft to meet the standards of the International Art to further join International Art Fairs and probably contribute to the Philippine Art.”

Gloria for congress, Mikey for governor?

By Albert B. Lacanlale
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO --- Rumors are rife all around Pampanga that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s frequent visit to her home province, especially in the Second Congressional District, indicate that she will be seeking a slot in the House of Representatives in the 2010 elections.
Since January this year Arroyo has visited Pampanga more than 10 times, mostly in towns of the Second District being represented by her son, Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo in Congress.
The frequent sightings of the elder Arroyo in the towns of Guagua, Lubao, Sta. Rita, Floridablanca, Porac and Sasmuan fanned speculations that the Chief Executive is indeed hell bent in replacing Mikey as representative of the district.
Palace officials would not provide hints on the President’s next political move but brushed aside legal obstacles that would prevent Mrs. Arroyo from seeking a congressional seat.
Deputy Spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said in recent telephone interviews that the President’s visits to Pampanga are just part of her normal routines as Chief Executive.
“But even if she (Arroyo) decides to run for congress, I don’t think there are Constitutional provisions that would stop her from doing so,” Fajardo said.
Critics are looking at the political moves of Mikey to somewhat determine Mrs. Arroyo’s own plans for the May 2010 elections. The young Arroyo may opt to re-elect for his third term or gun for another position to give way to the supposed congressional bid of his mother.
Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo, a close ally of Arroyo, said the President has not intimated to them her political ambitions.
But Pelayo said that Arroyo, with all her qualifications, could run for any position for so long as the Constitution would permit her.
“Ang tanong, gusto kaya ng Presidente na kumandidato sa pagka-kongresista at makakatanggi kaya siya kung hikayatin siya ng mga tao sa Second District?” Pelayo said.
Pelayo further explained that even as congresswoman, Mrs. Arroyo cannot even assure landing the Prime Minister’s position if only to diffuse concern of the opposition of the President extending her stay as top official of the land.
“To become a prime minister would still be a game of numbers in the House. If the opposition thinks Mrs. Arroyo did not work well as president, why do they sound afraid of her running for congress?” Pelayo added.
Party decision
If Mikey were running for governor, the merged Lakas-Kampi CMD party will be having its hands full in choosing for its standard bearer in Pampanga.
Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid, who had been Lakas CMD’s gubernatorial candidate for the past several elections, has expressed intention to regain the provincial capitol.
Incumbent Vice Governor Joseller “Yeng” Guiao, another Lakas stalwart, is also trailing his sight to the governorship.
Asked to comment on Mikey's possible entry to the gubernatorial race, Guiao said "everybody has his own game plan. Nobody can stop anybody from pursuing their objectives for the province."
He said that though he is leaning towards to gubernatorial position more than his other option to run for congress, he would submit to the party's process in selecting the official candidates for Pampanga.
"I have a feeling that everything will be settled in the party caucus. I think every party will be heard before the party," he said.
Guiao said that it was the first time he has heard about Mikey's supposed gubernatorial plan and he would just accept this as "mere speculation."
"Everything is speculative at this point because nobody has made an official declaration of their plans. We would not decide on our political plans based on speculations," he said.

31 Candaba students probed for A(H1N1)

By Albert B. Lacanlale
CANDABA, Pampanga --- Thirty-one elementary students in this town are now being closely monitored by the Department of Health (DOH) after exhibiting influenza-like illnesses.
Health officials, led by Center for Health Development (CHD)-3 director Rio Magpantay, traveled to the Tagulud National High School in Barangay Tagulud here to investigate on the reported cases amidst the continuous increase of confirmed Influenza A(H1N1) cases in Central Luzon.
The CHD investigating team immediately departed for Tagulud to conduct interviews and possibly to take swab samples among the elementary students who have complained of either fever, colds, sore throat or cough, which are among the symptoms of the novel H1N1 disease.
Barangay Tagulud is one of the isolated villages of Candaba and is close to Jaen, Nueva Ecija where 23 confirmed cases of H1N1 have been found. It is 20 minutes away from the town proper.
Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo said the municipal government is set to release part of the town’s five-percent Calamity Fund for emergency preparedness, including the purchase of soap, alcohol and medicines.
Pelayo also led the conduct of a summit on A(H1N1), which was attended by school principals, health workers and barangay officials since cases of the disease have also been reported in Bulacan, a province at the southern border of Candaba.
In the whole region, 35 individuals have been diagnosed with A(H1N1) with two coming from Pampanga and 10 from Bulacan, Magpantay said.
The two victims from Pampanga have already recovered.
Magpantay said that though symptoms of A(H1N1) in the country were apparently mild compared to those that hit other countries the DOH is bracing for the possibility of the virus mutating into a more potent strain.
“Though there have been no deaths reported due to the A(H1N1), there is always the possibility that this virus would mutate into something more harmful to humans,” Magpantay said.

Sketches

Cheers to Freedom!
June 12 is one of the most celebrated days in San Fernando as the city joins the entire nation in observing Independence Day. Since the start of his administration, Mayor Oca Rodriguez has been a prime mover in commemorating red-letter days in the province to make us citizens aware of our history and heritage.
This year is no exception as the City Hall and its private sector partners celebrated Independence Day with simple yet meaningful activities.
The morning event focused on the Civic Military Parade participated by various government offices and multi-sectoral representatives. The Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology were represented in the parade while the First Air Division of the Philippine Air Force did a complimentary confetti drop to liven up the activity.
Different organizations such as the Rotary Clubs of Central Pampanga and San Fernando (P), Pampanga Masonic Lodge 48, Jose Abad Santos Memorial Lodge 333 and Leonard Wood Lodge 105, Order of Demolay Far East Chapter and Virgilio Bunao Memorial Chapter and the Independence Day Executive Committee joined the City Officials in the wreath laying ceremony at the Heroes Park.
Also present were contingents from the City’s Muslim Sector, Transport Sector, Homeowners’ Association, Department of Education City School’s Division, City College of San Fernando faculty and officials, private schools such as the University of the Assumption, San Lorenzo Ruiz Center of Studies, ACSAT, CelTech, AMACC and the like, among many others.
Highlighting the day’s event was the Independence Day Ball held at the Heroes Hall where the City Mayor launched the Adopt a Scholar Program in his Independence Day toast in the presence of private sector leaders, top taxpayers of the city, and PHS alumni groups. This was a very timely move for the city to pursue free education for its constituents.
Guest of honor and speaker was international award winning independent film director Brillante Mendoza, a true blooded Fernandino who hails from Brgy. San Isidro. Direk Dante delivered a heartfelt message which stressed the importance of having the freedom to pursue one’s dream, based on his experiences.
Superb entertainment was provided by the City Hall’s very own choral group under Prof. Sonny Briones, Music Studio students Sherwin De Leon, Gio Dizon, Eric De Leon, Chelsea Monasterio, with artistic director Ms. Liz Liwanag, and the Miravilla Dei Strings Ensemble under Prof. Stan Palma. A serenade was given by the Magsilbi Tamu Brass Band 919 under the baton of Prof. Edwin Lumanug.
Kudos to the Independece Day Executive Committee under Coun. Lingat and Ms. Jeng Bonifacio for a job well-done! --By Jade Pangilinan

SM Pampanga Mall Manager, Engr. Roman Palo (2L) and Board Members Johnny Quiambao, Nelson Calara and Ric Yabut, release doves as part of the SM City Pampanga's celebration of the 111th Anniversary of the Philippine Independence Day last Friday, June 12, 2009.
Photo by Albert B. Lacanlale

Mexico, Pampanga municipal officials led by administrator Ronnie Maniago (2nd from right) and Councilors (L-R) Jonathan Pangan, Lourdes Sicat, Trina Dizon, Nat Colis and Ruding Gonzales participate in the 111th Independence Day Celebration in the whole country.
Photo by Albert B. Lacanlale

San Fernando nearing PGS Hall of Fame

By Albert B. Lacanlale

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The City Government of San Fernando is well on its way to becoming part of the Hall of Fame of organizations all over the world that have adopted the Harvard-patterned Public Governance System (PGS).

If the words of the assessment team sent by the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA) were any indications, then this city is close to having its PGS implementation institutionalized, meaning it will be part of the city’s governance even as leaders come and go.

ISA executive director Chris Zaens said the city posted “impressive results” since it adopted the PGS about four years ago.

Any day this month, the ISA will determine if the city’s PGS will be elevated into the “Institutionalized” status, the fourth and final stage of the Balanced Scorecard ladder.

Balanced Scorecard is an innovative measurement system used in improving the governance of public and private institutions globally by identifying workable action plans and periodically assessing the progression based on quantifiable accomplishments.

Zaens said San Fernando, which is one of the second batch of Philippine cities that adopted the PGS, has been among the resilient LGUs to push on with the rigorous process despite the strict requirement set by the ISA.

“Many were called but few are chosen,” Zaens said referring to the huge percentage of fall-outs among the LGUs that have joined the PGS bandwagon but could not go further up the assessment levels.

Once San Fernando receives the “Institutionalized” status, Zaens said the ISA would nominate the city to the Balanced Scorecard Hall of Fame.

Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, in 2005, initiated the move to adopt the Balanced Scorecard after being invited by the ISA, chaired by former Finance secretary Jesus Estanislao.

For the purpose, Rodriguez also supervised the creation of a Multi-Sectoral Governance Council (MSGC), which will help the LGU craft significant programs for the Fernandinos.

Rodriguez said the PGS translates to effective and transparent governance to benefit the constituency.

CDC, DOT train Aetas to become tour guides

CDC President and CEO Benigno N. Ricafort delivers a message before Aeta participants in trainings to become tour guides for the Next Frontier.

CLARK FREEPORT – The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) on June 15 have launched the “Specialized Tour Guiding Seminar” where 20 Aeta settlers from the Sacobia Valley will be trained as tour guides of this Freeport.

CDC President Benigno N. Ricafort said the specialized tour guiding seminar is part of the state-firm’s parallel development program on tourism for the Freeport and the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ), located at the Sacobia Valley or the Next Frontier.

“The CDC has embarked on an aggressive tourism campaign through various projects that will place Clark on the tourism map and position itself as a value-for-money tourist destination,” Ricafort said.

Under the tour guiding program, the CDC aims to assist in providing employment to young Aetas living in neighboring communities of the Freeport and CSEZ by working as tour guides of the Clark Museum.

Ricafort said the CDC has collaborated with the DOT’s Office of Tourism Standards and the agency’s regional office, headed by Director Ronaldo Tiotuico, for the training, which runs from June 15 to 19 at the Clark Museum here.

The seminar will be conducted by local and Manila-based experts in the field of tourism, arts and culture, and museum operations: DOT training officer Donald Balanhi will discuss the seminar mechanics and expectations and “Child Wise Tourism” while Tiotuico will deliver an overview on the Philippine tourism industry and current issues.

Haribon Foundation CEO Blas Tarabanza will talk on “Promoting Environmental Protection and Conservation with Ecotourism Concepts” while Clark Polytechnic Chief Executive Director Jose Vladimir Sampang will lecture on “Work Values Formation.”

Lord Francis Musngi, consultant of the Center for Kapampangan Studies of Holy Angel University, will delve on the “History of Pampanga and Clark” while his colleague Erlinda Cruz will lecture on the “Qualities of a Museum Guide.”

Clark Museum Curator Ceferina Yepez will deliver an overview of the Clark Museum while other topics like “Duties and Responsibilities of a Tourist Receptionist, “Preparing and Conducting Tour Commentaries,” and other tour guiding techniques will be given by Prof. Dolores Salamanca of the College of Hospitality and Tourism Management.

The speaker for the last two days of the training is DOT’s Julius Judalena who will discuss “Effective Customer Service” and “Effective Communications Skills.”

The latter part of the seminar will also be used for the technical tour and mock tour, Ricafort said, adding that the exercise will be rated by a panel of evaluators.

SM, Sony Ericsson launch ‘Spread The Smiles’ campaign

SMILE WALL: SM Pampanga Mall Manager Roman Palo and PR Manager Roselle Sarmiento, together with Sony Ericsson Branch Manager Donnalyn Cuadrado, formally open the Smile Wall at SM City Pampanga where smile photos of donors will be posted.

Photo by Albert B. Lacanlale

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO --- With a goal of raising P1 million for the United Nations Children's Fund, SM Supermalls and Sony Ericsson launched May 9 the “Spread the Smiles” campaign at the SM City Pampanga.

Roselle Sarmiento, SM Pampanga Public Relations Manager, said the project embarks on a campaign to collect a million smile photos, raise a million, “and spread the smiles all over the Philippines.”

For every smile photo collected through smile booths in selected SM malls, the official Spread The Smiles website, and in Smiles Zones in Sony Ericsson Experience Shops, the project will donate P1 to UNICEF.

Additionally, for a P20 donation, a donor will be entitled to a photo printout, a spot on the Smile Wall, and a raffle ticket for a chance to win a Sony Ericsson C510 Cyber-shot phone.

The project’s smile booths in SM Pampanga will be open until June 15, Sarmiento said.

PamCham leads bamboo planting in Pampanga

MABALACAT, Pampanga --- The Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PamCham) has led last week a bamboo planting project in Barangay Paralayunan, Mabalacat town as the group’s part in the international Earth Day celebration.

Led by its Bamboo Propagation committee chaired by Myrna Bituin, PamCham conducted the bamboo planting at the Techno Resource Center (TRC) in the said barangay.

Other industry associations like the Chamber of Furniture Industries of Pampanga (CFIP), Philexport R3 along with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Pampanga Agricultural College (PAC) also planted bamboo seedlings during the event.

PamCham said the project was a kick off program for a regional and province wide bamboo propagation and product development awareness program.

Before the end of the year, PamCham’s Bamboo Propagation committee intends to conduct a bamboo show where products made out of bamboo will be showcased and sold in the local market.

The Bamboo Propagation committee’s approach to the project is holistic, PamCham said. Farmers would be taught the proper management of bamboo clumps--from seedling propagation, transplanting of new shoots to allow for quality sized trunks and proper harvesting methods.

Farmers will also be made to realize the cash crop potential of bamboo which shall be the central objective of the project.

According to Bituin, farmers and their families -along with the surrounding communities should be the primary beneficiaries of the bamboo program.

There is also the livelihood component of the project which the various products manufactured out of bamboo raw materials can generate--from furniture, decors, medicines, linens and other potential by-products of the so-called “grass of life.”

Another component of the project, product development, is also critical, PamCham said.

“This advocacy should not end with bamboo planting and management. There should also be intense research and development on the potentials of bamboo as raw materials for other end products. China had successfully generated medicines and even quality textile made out of bamboo which commands exceedingly high prices in the global market,” Bituin said.

Environmentally, bamboo is given high carbon credits for its massive carbon dioxide sequestration capability. Research shows that bamboo “aids in soil conservation by checking on erosion, making it excellent vegetative cover for stream banks and sloping areas.”

Relative to this project, the committee already proposed to City of San Fernando Mayor Oscar Rodriguez to initiate planting of bamboos along the Megadike, particularly in the dumpsite area intended to rehabilitate the soil and also provide support to the embankment.

Bituin also proposed to the Subic Clark Alliance for Development Council (SCADC) headed by Secretary Ed Pamintuan that a portion along the SCTEx should also be planted with bamboos to aid in product propagation and environment protection.

Dong awards grants to 219 scholars

Third District Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales, Jr. awards the P100,000 cash prize to the champion team of Barangay Del Pilar who reigned supreme in the recently concluded “First Dong Gonzales Interbarangay Basketball Cup” in the City of San Fernando. With Gonzales are tournament chairman Raymund Guevarra, Barangay Del Pilar chairman Bernardo Policarpio and congressional staff Arthur Bondoc.

Photo by Albert B. Lacanlale

By Albert B. Lacanlale

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO --- Some 219 students are now part of the almost 2,000 scholars being supported by Third District Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales, Jr.

Last week, Gonzales handed over checks representing the congressman’s educational assistance to the scholars who come from the five localities of the district.

In coordination with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Gonzales is awarding at least P6,000 to each student every semester.

Awarding of grants are held in various locations in the district. The most recent was at the solon’s district office in Barangay Sindalan here.

Gonzales said he gives premium to assisting the education of poor but deserving students.

“I personally experienced how hard it is for a poor family to send their children to school that’s why I always made it a point to help through whichever way I can. My heart breaks for children who badly want to be in the school but their families have no means to support their studies,” Gonzales said.

Ben-Hur Baniqued, TESDA provincial director, said their office is always willing to help public officials like Gonzales who put education on top of their priorities.

Baniqued personally witnessed the awarding of the grants to the beneficiaries.

CITY COLLEGE

CITY COLLEGE: Officials of the City of San Fernando --Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, Vice Mayor Edwin Santiago (4^th and 3^rd from left, respectively) and Councilors (from right) Alex Patio, Nelson Lingat, Reden Halili and Jimmy Lazatin--and DepEd officials formally open the City College of San Fernando.

Photo by Albert B. Lacanlale

SF City College opens

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Over 600 scholars in this city can now pursue college degrees for free as the city government officially opened night classes at the San Fernando City College, a flagship project of the Rodriguez Administration.

Business entities and individuals also poured in support to adopt more scholars who would take up courses in information technology, hotel and restaurant management, business administration and education at the City College.

Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, whose administration’s main thrust is development in education, said 606 scholars will initially fill in classes to be temporarily held at the Pampanga High School.

The city government earmarked P7.5 million as seed fund to kick-start the city college for this year, he said.

The City College was officially launched last week at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention

Center. In the same event, the Adopt A Scholar Program (ASAP) was also introduced.

Rodriguez said that though the city government initiated the City College project, various sectors and government agencies have pledged support to make the program successful. Barangay Councils have agreed to allocate part of their barangay funds for scholarship programs to support students who would be enrolled in the City College.

Initially, all 35 barangays in the city adopted sent two to 10 students to the city college through the ASAP program.

Councilor Jimmy Lazatin, chairperson of the city’s Committee on Education, explained that the program is also encouraging the private sector to help in the campaign to send more scholars to college.

Pledges and donations of private firms to the program are tax deductible, covered by an official receipt and will go to a trust fund to ensure that these are properly spent.

Rodriguez said the United Lanao Muslim Traders, the Office of Senior Citizen Affairs, various transport operators and drivers associations in the city, parent-teacher associations, and school officials, and the Federation of Homeowners Associations of the City of San Fernando have all expressed support for the program.

Rodriguez explained that though the City College is also hoped to accommodate deserving students from outside San Fernando, the city government has limited the enrolees to bona fide residents of the city.

“Perhaps in time we could accommodate other students who are not from the city,” he said.

City officials, he said, can only refer possible beneficiary of the program but it is the board that selects the final enrolees.

“Each applicant is screened thoroughly to assure that they are really qualified,” Rodriguez said.

By Albert B. Lacanlale

‘2 SCTEx interchanges operational by August’

SUBIC FREEPORT --- The two remaining interchanges of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) in Pampanga are expected to be completed by August this year, Subic-Clark Area Development Council (SCADC) chairman Edgardo Pamintuan told reporters Monday.

Pamintuan said the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), the lead agency that implemented the SCTEx project, is fast-tracking the construction of the interchanges in Porac and Floridablanca to serve more motorists who wish to gain access to the 94-kilometer toll road.

Pamintuan, who was tasked by the President to supervise the synergy between the Freeports of Subic and Clark and the economic zone of Tarlac, said the actual interchanges in the two Pampanga towns may be completed by the end of June.

Access roads, however, will only be completed by July or August. These are being constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

For the Floridablaca interchange, a 5.6-kilometer access road has to be constructed to connect existing roads of the town to the toll highway. For Porac, on the other hand, a 5.8-kilometer access road is needed.

So far, only P100 million had been released for the Floridablanca interchange and only P187 million for the Porac interchange access that requires the construction of a 40-meter bridge.

Though the interchanges will be completed, the BCDA said it cannot open the exits leading to rough roads because this may cause pose safety risk to motorists.

Pamintuan said the SCTEx will serve a vital role in the development of Subic, Clark and Tarlac into international logistics hub.

The SCADC has already convened meetings with local government units along the SCTEx to prepare areas along the so-called “growth corridor.”

Unified Comprehensive Land Use Plans, he said, are on the works among the LGUs to determine the type of industries each areas of growth could accommodate.

Such growth potentials, Pamintuan said, will be the result of spill-over development from the Freeports, which are starting to expand outwards.--By Albert B. Lacanlale