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==In PH, stage play peeks into Pope Francis’ life==
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/653715/in-ph-stage-play-peeks-into-pope-francis-life
*Sunday, November 30, 2014 7:58 pm
:By Tonette Orejas (Inquirer Central Luzon)
ANGELES CITY, Philippines – Do you know Pope Francis enough like you do a well-loved, highly expected visitor?
Nine-year-old Marianne Santiago, teener Adeliene Marie Sampang, retired teacher Ludivina Malig and businessman Reghis Romero reckoned they should know much about the Supreme Pontiff ahead of his first visit to the Philippines on Jan. 15 to 19.
A musical, “I love Pope Francis,” has been helping them understand the life of Pope Francis -— described by San Fernando (Pampanga province) Archbishop Florentino Lavarias as a “very wonderful gift.”
Performed by a cast of 50 youth, professionals and businesspeople as well as five priests, the play saw its first run to people of all ages and backgrounds at the Holy Angel University (HAU) theater here on Saturday night.
“I learned about the Pope because I watched this play,” the bubbly Santiago said, clutching her teddy bear.
Sampang saw Francis as a “modern Pope.”
“He kept up with the times,” she noted, particularly amazed that like her, Pope Francis liked the song, “What Makes You Beautiful,” by the British boy band, One Direction.
The audience clapped wildly when the actor playing Pope Francis crossed the stage while singing the refrain of that hit.
Malig, 81, said knowing the Pope would be important for all Roman Catholics, like her, all over the world.
Businessman Romero liked what he has known of him. “He’s not aristocratic. He’s a very simple man, very humane,” said Romero, drawing these insights from the portrayals by Fr. Ricardo Luzung and Fr. Ted Valencia of Jorge Mario Bergoglio as a seminarian, archbishop and cardinal in his native Argentina.
Running two hours in two acts and with 24 original songs, the musical happens in the fictional parish of San Felipe.
Here unfolds the stories of Bergoglio’s calling of priesthood during St. Matthew’s feast, how devotees kept him away from temptations while he was a seminarian, his acceptance of the vocation and his visits to the poor of Argentina. The play also tackled his planned resignation and his being summoned to the conclave to choose a replacement for Pope Benedict XVI, who resigned for health reasons in February 2013.
One of the well-loved scenes was when an apparition of St. Peter appeared to Pope Francis, with the latter singing: “I am the rock, they say I am. But I am not the truth, You are. I’m just a pebble at your feet, your humble servant beneath your seat.”
The musical showed that Pope Francis’ acts of humility and his regular visits to the poor have inspired Catholics. Cast members illustrated these through a song, a part of which went: “The Pope is like the simple dish adobo and we’re the ripe and the very sweet mango. So perfect, what a match! Together, poor men, we will catch.”
The audience rose to their feet and joined the singing and dancing, chanting “La, la, la, la. Thank you, Papa!”
In various ways, Santiago, Sampang, Malig and Romero said the play inspired them to live Jesus Christ’s gospel of love that the Pope has been preaching, and to help make the Roman Catholic Church alive in faith.
Robert Tantingco, HAU vice president for external affairs, said the staging of the musical was timely.
“While Pope Francis has been turning the world upside down, we know very little of his personal life,” Tantingco told the audience.
Pampanga Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, who has been helping in the preparations for the papal visit, said watching the musical has been one of the best ways to get ready for the event.
He urged everyone, especially the young, to watch the musical.
David said the Pope would not have the chance to squeeze the musical into his tight schedule, but members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) might watch it during a plenary after the papal visit.
Whether the Pope watches it or not, the musical is a gift of the Kapampangan to the Holy Father, according to Tantingco. HAU, together with the San Miguel Corp., is a major sponsor of the project.
“Only the Kapampangan can come up with a gift like this. We are known for our fidelity to the Church, having produced the first Filipino cardinal, first priest, first nun and first priest-governor,” Tantingco told the audience.
Pampanga was the first mission of the Augustinians outside of Manila in 1572.
Fr. Deo Galang, president of Teatru Kapampangan, which mounted the project, said the musical has been a labor of “joyful evangelization” that Pope Francis has been urging priests and laity to do.
It drew from the vast pool of talents organized by theater director and choreographer Andy Alviz from the groups, ArtiStaRita, and Ima at Arti for such church-themed zarzuela productions as “Tulauk,” “Ciniong” and “Perry.”
John Robertson, producer of “Miss Saigon,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “Les Miserables,” “Mama Mia” and other musicals, regarded “I Love Pope Francis” as Alviz’s “most cohesive in terms of storytelling.”
Randy del Rosario’s music was well-executed, Robertson said, adding that the cast performed with their heart.
Next play dates are Dec. 12 and Jan. 10, with showings at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., at the Holy Angel University in Angeles City.
==SM City Clark to open traveler's lounge for OFWs==
*Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2014/11/29/sm-city-clark-open-travelers-lounge-ofws-379251
*Saturday, November 29, 2014
:By Ian Ocampo Flora
CLARK FREEPORT-- SM City Clark will soon open a travelers’ lounge for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) travelling through the Clark Airport.
SM City Clark Public Relations Manager Venus Manalang told Sun.Star Pampanga that the lounge will also be made available to SM City Clark partners and was made possible through the initiative of Clark International Airport Corporation and Philtranco.
Manalang said that the lounge’s soft launch will be on December 15. Manalang said that the lounge is part of the mall's corporate social responsibility program and aims to support and give added convenience to OFWs.
Travelers or transients can store their luggage there for a set fee.
Travelers can also charge their mobile phones, laptops and game consoles.
WiFi is available, courtesy of the mall. The lounge is open as early as 7 a.m. and closes at 9 p.m.
SM City Clark will be the third SM Supermall to offer such services after SM Iloilo and SM Cebu.
==AUF to stage University Week 2014==
*Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2014/11/28/auf-stage-university-week-2014-379105
*Friday, November 28, 2014
:By Reynaldo G. Navales
ANGELES CITY -- The Angeles University Foundation (AUF) has set its University Week 2014 celebration, which will highlight academic, cultural and sports activities.
AUF president Dr. Joseph E. L. Angeles said the weeklong celebration will start with the opening ceremony of the 2014 University Games with Ateneo Blue Eagles cager Kiefer Ravena as guest speaker, on December 1.
AUF’s 10 colleges will compete in various sports events like chess, basketball, volleyball, swimming, lawn tennis, badminton, table tennis and cheer dance competition.
The university has also scheduled the final rounds of academic competitions including Debate, Computer Quiz, Bible quiz, Math and Science Quiz, Poetry Interpretation, Impromptu Speech, Visual Essay Competition, and Innovative Idea Challenge.
The Fourth National Conference on Teaching Mandarin as a Foreign Language organized by the AUF Confucius Institute will be held on December 2 and 3 with 300 participants from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
The Founder’s Day celebration on December 4 will start with a Eucharistic Celebration to be officiated by Pampanga Archbishop Florentino G. Lavarias, D.D., Archbishop Emeritus Paciano B. Aniceto, D.D. and Auxiliary Bishop Pablo Virgilio S. David, D.D. This will be followed by the Solemn Investiture of Dr. Angeles as Fourth president of AUF.
The search for Mr. and Ms. University 2014, meanwhile, will be held on December 5 featuring 24 candidates vying for the most coveted titles which launched to modeling stardom the likes of Abbygale Arenas, Marilyn Maristela, Darlene Carbungco, Ritchie Odejar and Maricel Morales.
A major highlight of this celebration is the fund-raising concert dubbed Spongecola: Live at AUF, on December 13 at the AUF Sports and Cultural Center.
The grand finals of the Awit Paskuhan 2014 Inter-school Choir Competition, will be held on December 18 at the AUF St. Cecilila’s Auditorium.
To cap the celebration, the AUF Concert Chorus will stage a Christmas Concert at SM City Clark on December 21.
==CDC earmarks P23-M for infra projects along parade grounds==
*Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2014/11/27/cdc-earmarks-p23-m-infra-projects-along-parade-grounds-378962
*Thursday, November 27, 2014
:By Reynaldo G. Navales
CLARK FREEPORT — Clark Development Corporation (CDC) has earmarked more than P23 million for the on-going rehabilitation projects at the most frequented tourist destinations inside this Freeport.
The CDC has sent notice to all stakeholders, visitors, and tourists on the various inconveniences brought by the improvements being undertaken at the Clark Museum, Parade Grounds, Command Center, and the construction and installation of LED lighting along the 2.5-kilometer park.
In the CDC reports, improvements around the Parade Grounds are being undertaken in preparation for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Senior Ministers Meeting to be held here early next year.
The Parade Grounds is one of the most frequented places at Clark, often used as site for various sports tourism events, biking, jogging, and walking among others.
The CDC allotted P4.70 million for the parade grounds project consisting of the repair and improvement of the jogging lane, supply and installation of three units of drinking fountains, eight concrete benches, repair of existing pavers, landscape improvements at flag pole area, landscaping of 470.40 square meters and other related works, including the construction of lampposts with LED lights.
The CDC also sent notice to local and foreign visitors for the temporary closure of Clark Museum to give way for the programmed construction in the next few weeks. The project cost for the renovation project totals about P11.32 million.
“We apologize for any inconvenience. Rest assured that we will update you on the developments concerning the Clark Museum,” the CDC signboard said.
Likewise, CDC also informed the public on the installation of LED park lights and area lights at the parade grounds being undertaken by Onlite Ledlighting Tech. Int’l Corporation.
The CDC is spending P6.21 million for the lighting project, including the provision of the LED lights.
Also under construction is the Integrated Command Center with a construction budget of P1.76 million. The project will be used as the command center once CCTVs are installed in the entire Freeport area.
Aside from the on-going infrastructure projects, the CDC report also said that the CDC Health Office, Public Safety Department buildings, including Chapel 2 at the commercial area have been repainted as part of the beautification project for the APEC.
It also included the provision of 26 sets of trash bins, 11 sets of barbeque grills and repainting of playground equipment to improve the Bi-Centennial and Children’s Park located near the CDC Corporate headquarters.
The CDC also said that drainage improvements were also undertaken to improve drainage systems along CDC locators.
==RPOC expands membership, eyes construction of admin building==
*Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/561417010134/rpoc-expands-membership-eyes-construction-of-admin-building
*Wednesday, November 26, 2014
:(CLJD-PIA 3)
CLARK FREEPORT, November 26 (PIA) -- Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) has approved today resolutions that expanded its membership and move for the construction of an administrative building.
“Among those admitted as new members include the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Bureau of Customs, and Bureau of Immigration as well as private sector representatives Bulacan Drug Rehabilitation Foundation Incorporated, Angeles City-based Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Politics, and Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry,” Department of Interior and Local Government Regional Director Florida Dijan said.
Moreover, the 3,000 square meter Philippine National Police lot inside the Regional Government Center in barangay Maimpis, City of San Fernando, Pampanga is being eyed as the location of the proposed administrative building of Central Luzon RPOC.
Also being planned in the same area is the construction of an office for the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
“The council has tasked Department of Public Works and Highways to come up with a detailed design for both the administrative building and PDEA Office. A possible cost sharing for its construction by all provincial governments is being explored,” Dijan added.
“RPOCs, per Executive Order Nos. 739 and 773 are responsible for the orchestration of internal security operations efforts of civil authorities, agencies, military, and police at the subnational level,” Dijan explained
Membership is made up of all provincial governors, mayors of highly urbanized cities, chapter presidents of municipal mayor’s league, regional directors of national government agencies, a representative from the mayors of component cities, infantry division commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the area, and three representatives from the private sector.
It is currently being chaired by Governor Aurelio Umali from Nueva Ecija and Police Regional Director CSupt. Raul Delfin Petrasanta as Vice Chair.
==Clark tourist arrivals up==
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/good-news/2014/08/25/1361271/clark-tourist-arrivals
*Tuesday, November 25, 2014 - 12:00am
:By  (The Philippine Star)
CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga , Philippines  – The state-owned Clark Development Corp. (CDC) boasted of “dramatic tourist arrivals” of nearly a million visitors so far this year, noting that the number of tourists was 19.65 percent higher than that of last year over the same period from January to June.
The CDC’s Tourism Promotions Office (TPO) attributed the increase in tourists mostly to “high impact and well attended events such as the MICE Conference and various sports activities.”
In her report to CDC president and chief executive officer Arthur Tugade, TPO manager Noemi Garcia said “Clark tourist visitors both domestic and international increased to 947, 227 from January to June this year, higher by 19.65 percent from the 791, 599 arrivals recorded in the same period of 2013.”
Garcia’s report also indicated that 568, 904 of the total arrivals had been accommodated in various hotels within the Freeport.
“The occupancy rate was impressive as it increased by almost 60 percent from last year’s 283,632 for the same period,’’ she noted.
In her report, Garcia said “the remarkable increase this year is also attributed to massive promotions via liaising, high travel fairs participation, networking and distribution of promotional materials and improved data collection on tourism statistics.”
“A total of 137,760 day visitors, 78,636 events and 59,124 educational tours have been recorded in the first half of the year. Airport arrivals, on the other hand, were pegged at 240,563,” Garcia also said.
The MICE Conference held last June was among the many well attended events at the Freeport, which gathered some 600 delegates and guests from Australia, China, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, United Kingdom, Germany, Poland and Russia, she added.
“Others that equally contributed to the surge in Freeport arrivals sports activities such as the Clark Animo Run 2014, Milo Marathon, Run Tourism Clark and 2014 Regional Little League Asia-Pacific, which had 52 teams from 16 participating countries,” Garcia said.
==TMC-Clark opening moved next year==
*Source: http://www.centralluzondaily.net/tmc-clark-opening-moved-next-year/
*Monday, November 24, 2014
:By Jess Malabanan
CLARK FREEPORT – The much-awaited inauguration of the world-class medical facility here is not going to happen next month due to unavoidable circumstances, an insider told Central Luzon Daily over the weekend.
“There was a delay in the turn-over of The Medical City (TMC) building but the blessing of the structure will take place on Dec. 9,” said the highly-placed source at the KGL Investment Company [Asia], adding that the media tour at the facility was held on Nov. 18.
The inauguration, the source said, will be held early January next year.
TMC-Clark announced its inauguration on December this year but problems surfaced along the way, including the delay in the turn-over of the facility and issuance of permit to operate by the Department of Health.
“The facility is ready but there was a delay in the turn-over of the building to TMC by KGLI,” the source further said, adding, however, that some equipment vital to hospital operations are in place.
The source, holding key position in KGLI, said the TMC structure and its surrounding are being maintained by manpower services personnel.
Global Gateway Development Corporation (GGDC) president Mark William told reporters last month that works at the TMC had been accelerated in time for the December opening.
Aside from TMC, Williams said the GGDC had earmarked $150 million for the construction of five smart buildings adjacent to TMC.
“Very soon, we are starting the construction of five buildings adjacent to TMC with about 10 to 12 floors each,” he added.
GGDC and CIAC had signed a 50-year lease agreement on 2008 for the development of the 177-hectare GGLC project, which slowed down earlier this year after Peregrine attempted to prevent GGDC from exercising its rights over the project which includes the TMC.
==Former US marine extradited==
*Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2014/11/22/former-us-marine-extradited-377994
*Sunday, November 23, 2014 (Date Published)
:By Ferth Vandensteen Manaysay
ANGELES CITY -- A former US Marine accused of killing a retired Northern Ireland police officer and his Filipino girlfriend in this city has been extradited from Los Angeles, California, according to the Associated Press (AP).
The 36-year-old suspect, Timothy Kaufman, was reportedly brought by the National Bureau of Investigation's Interpol division at the Los Angeles Airport on November 14 and reached the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on November 16.
AP's Michael Hill said Kaufmann was immediately transferred to the Angeles City regional trial court, which will rule over the suspect’s murder charges.
David Balmer, 54, and his 26-year-old girlfriend Elma de Guia were found dead on September 2, 2011, in an apartment owned by Richard Agnew, a club owner along Fields Avenue in Barangay Balibago, Angeles City.
Three months after the killing, Kaufman, along with American Joseph Tramontano and Filipino driver Jesus Santos, were charged with two counts of murder.
Citing his "safety" and "unfair trial" in the county, Kaufman left the Philippines before the charges were formally lodged against him.
According to the reports, a county court in Albany, New York ruled that "there was sufficient evidence against Kaufman for the US Department of State to extradite him to the Philippines."
The authorities said they are presently looking into the possibility of illegal drugs as the motive of the crime.
==Village near AUF installs CCTVs==
*Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2014/11/22/village-near-auf-installs-cctvs-378011
*Saturday, November 22, 2014
:By Joey Pavia (Contributor) 
ANGELES CITY -- Police officials and businessmen have lauded the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at the village near a university here, describing it as "the best project and an effective deterrent against crime."
Senior Superintendent Eden Ugale, city police director, said the project of Salapungan, barangay captain Reynaldo "Rey" Malig and the village council "would boost our capability to solve crimes and make police investigators work easier."
Salapungan is in front of the Angeles University Foundation (AUF), which reportedly has some 9,000 students. It also hosts some of the buildings of the AUF hospital.
Businessman Masing Aguas, who owns 62 rooms of dormitories in Salapungan, said “it’s the best project and would certainly reduce average crime volume by at least 50 percent.”
“The criminals will have second thoughts before committing their acts. They are being watched,” said Aguas who attended the recent launching of the anti-crime project at the barangay hall. He is the grandfather of City Councilor Jericho Aguas.
Aguas and Councilor Edu Pamintuan, son of Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, also graced the launching.
Malig, who is a long-time official of the anti-crime group Tropang Crime Watch, disclosed that 32 CCTV cameras will be installed in their village with seven puroks.
“All the major streets and areas, especially those frequented by students, will be closely monitored,” said Malig.
“We are the first to install CCTVs barangay-wide in Angeles City because I, my people and the councilors want to serve well our people and students, many of whom live outside the city,” he added. “Our economy largely depends on the income from hosting thousands of students.”
Malig said that at least P350,000 will be used for the project. He added that P150,000 of the total budget will be used for the installations of the CCTVs.
Malig said Aguas and businessman Reghis Romero II vowed to support the project.
“The barangay could only allot at least P200,000. The rest will be shouldered by our friends, including Romero and Aguas,” he added.
Gerry Sanchez, information technology consultant who was previously based in the US, said the CCTVs “are state-of-the-art and can function well even at night.”
Station 6 Commander Chief Insp. Dederick Relativo said “crimes against students are prevalent in Salapungan and this project will help us a lot solve and stop illegal acts.”
==Holy Angel top performing school in aeronautical engineering exam==
*Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2014/11/21/holy-angel-top-performing-school-aeronautical-engineering-exam-377812
*Friday, November 21, 2014
:(PR)
ANGELES CITY -- The pioneer graduates of the BS Aeronautical Engineering program of Holy Angel University (HAU) scored a 100 percent passing rate in the November 2014 licensure exams for aeronautical engineers, with five of them landing in the Top Ten.
The perfect passing rate made HAU the board exam's Top Performing School, according to the Philippine Regulatory Commission (PRC).
The five topnotchers from Holy Angel University are: Mary Nheza Acordon (No. 4), Justin Patrick Bumanlag (No. 6), Ed Ryan Guevarra (No. 7), Ma. Karra Isabelle Llamas (No. 8), and Anjo Perlas (No. 10).
The rest of the successful examinees from HAU are: AmorsoloTapang Chua, Renan De Guzman Casino, Vince Carlo Pineda Roque, John Asher Masanque Sta. Cruz, Joseph Christian Magcalas Sarmiento, Jerwin Paul RoqueTapnio, ReneilArpaBusogLingat and Dale Adrian Salinas Lutchiang.
This is not the first time a pioneer batch of the University’s degree programs scored a perfect passing rate in the government board exams. The first graduates in the HAU Architecture program also scored a 100 percent passing rate in the licensure test several years ago, and last year, the first Criminology graduates of the University posted a 100 percent passing rate.
The Dean of the HAU College of Engineering and Architecture, Dr. Doris Bacamante, attributed the latest success of her graduates to the dedication and expertise of her faculty, the University’s facilities, the curriculum and the determination of the students themselves.
"Aeronautical Engineering is one of the fastest growing majors in the University," Dean Bacamante says.
==CDC employees up in arms Over COA order to reimburse P21.2-M of health benefits==
==CDC employees up in arms Over COA order to reimburse P21.2-M of health benefits==
*Source: http://punto.com.ph/News/Article/21676/Volume-8-No-35/Headlines/CDC-employees-up-in-arms-br-i-Over-COA-order-to-reimburse-P21-2-M-of-health-benefits-i
*Source: http://punto.com.ph/News/Article/21676/Volume-8-No-35/Headlines/CDC-employees-up-in-arms-br-i-Over-COA-order-to-reimburse-P21-2-M-of-health-benefits-i
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