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Angeles City - Archived News

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.
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Angeles City

Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

20 more lanes to boost capacity of SCTEX toll plazas

(SunStar Pampanga)

IN ITS commitment to further improve customer processing time at the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), the NLEX Corporation will construct 20 additional lanes in strategically located SCTEX toll plazas.

The toll plaza capacity expansion project, which is expected to start in July and to be completed by November this year, covers Clark North, Clark South, San Miguel, Bamban, and Tarlac toll plazas.

One new toll lane each will be built in Clark North entry/exit and Clark South B exit. Two new toll lanes each will be added at Clark South A exit and Tarlac entry/exit to serve the growing number of motorists traveling in these areas.

The NLEX Corporation will also bolster the service capacity of San Miguel (Luisita) and convert it to a full interchange. This means that San Miguel will be more accessible to motorists, as those coming to and from San Miguel will now have complete entry and exit points from both northbound and southbound directions.

Meanwhile, two lanes each will be constructed at San Miguel northbound entry and southbound exit and another toll lane will be added to the northbound exit.

The soon-to-open Bamban Interchange will likewise have three entry and three exit lanes. The new interchange will become the direct connection to New Clark City, the main venue for this year’s Southeast Asian Games.

Luigi Bautista, president and general manager of NLEX Corporation, said “the additional toll lanes will help improve SCTEX's connectivity in its areas, particularly in Clark, which is being positioned as Asia's next aerotropolis and investment center.”

The new lanes aim to enable speedy toll transactions even during peak hours and holidays when traffic volume on the expressway rises sharply.

In the previous years, the NLEX Corporation, together with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), implemented several enhancement projects along SCTEX's 94-kilometer stretch. These projects include the NLEX-SCTEX electronic toll collection integration, the expansion of Tipo Toll Plaza and the Mabiga Interchange. NLEX also completed the pavement rehabilitation of the entire expressway.

CCTV System, LED lights, emergency call boxes, crash cushions, and reflective delineator plates were also installed at the expressway to enhance the safety of motorists. A new traffic control room was built in Dolores, Mabalacat City to track real-time traffic at SCTEX.


Foundation rehabilitates Angeles public library

By REYNALDO G. NAVALES

IN TIME for the celebration of the 60th Public Library Day, Widus Foundation Inc.(WFI) rehabilitated the Angeles City Public Library.

Under the project, the foundation donated an Information and Technology Center, a Leisure Reading Center, and a Center for Kapampangan Cultural Heritage to the learning facility which was opened to the public on Monday, March 11.

The P1.6-million library rehabilitation project included installation of 12 desktop computer units with printer, donation of 12 mesh chairs, metal frame bookshelves, a sala set, and a newly refurbished office set up for the Language Service Unit equipped with its own desktop computer, laptop and LCD projector.

The event also highlighted the newly established The Center for Kapampangan Cultural Heritage also known as “Sinupan Singsing.”

The center was established to host free activities and seminars focused on local heritage education.

WFI executive director Neki Liwanag cited the challenges the Kapampangan language and culture is facing. She said that WFI has chosen to support Angeles City Library because of the importance of history and culture in education.

“By further strengthening a place like Angeles City Library which provides free access of information and nurtures learning, we are able to promote and preserve our language and culture not only for today’s society but also for the years to come. It may seem challenging now but Widus Foundation is in it for the long haul until we achieve our common goal,” Liwanag added.

For his part, Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan lauded WFI for taking part of the city’s renaissance with its continuous contribution to the community.

The turnover rites were led by Liwanag, Widus human resources director Ana Christi Galura, and Widus general manager Tarek Aouini together with Pamintuan, Vice Mayor Bryan Nepomuceno, Pagcor Gaming and Licensing Development Department head Angeline Papica-Entienza, and Pagcor-Casino Filipino Angeles Sr. customer relations officer Oscar Rodriguez, Jr.

Friendship Bridge opens in Pampanga

(PR)

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga – Traveling along Angeles City and nearby towns would be much faster and easier starting Tuesday, with the opening of the newly-widened Friendship Bridge along the Friendship Circumferential Road West here.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) opened the newly-widened and more secure Friendship Bridge located in Barangay Anunas, Angeles City immediately after a two-week waterproof curing of the concrete pavement.

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar led the ceremonial drive-through and inauguration rites to mark the official opening of the bridge constructed under the government’s “Build, Build, Build” program.

Villar said the widening of the Friendship Bridge is vital to better accommodate commuters and motorists doing business in the bustling cities of San Fernando and Angeles City, including the Clark Freeport Zone, and Porac town.

“The new Friendship Bridge is the solution (to the) bottleneck traffic situation caused by the existing bridge in as much as the load section before and after the bridge had been widened,” he said.

DPWH 3 (Central Luzon) Director Roseller Tolentino, meanwhile, said the project included the construction of an additional two lanes and road widening, as well as maintenance work, such as repainting with anti-corrosion paint all metal structures, and repair of cracks on the Friendship Bridge.

“We constructed (a) new bridge and approach with a total net length of 618 meters, and an additional bridge with a length of 240.8 linear meters, two lanes RCDG on Bored Pile foundation and approaches,” Tolentino said.

He added that the bridge also has provision for concrete slope protection for approaches and abutments and safety devices, such as concrete railings, hazard markers (chevron signs) and pavement markings.

Pampanga skyline to burst with spectacular colors every Saturday night from February 23 to March 30

(INQUIRER.net BrandRoom)

Catch the 10th Philippine International Pyromusical Competition (PIPC) at The Meeting Place in SM City Clark in Angeles, Pampanga. The biggest, brightest and grandest fireworks competition in the world is an annual tradition that, for the past 9 years, has managed to gain popularity and has increasingly become highly anticipated by thousands of fireworks enthusiasts and spectators, both local and foreign.

With the theme, “A Decade of Lights, Music, and Magic,” this year’s competition is participated in by 10 world-class competing fireworks manufacturers from different countries all over the world. The participants will take on the challenge of showcasing their prowess to set the night sky ablaze with vividly bright colors that dance in perfect harmony with music.

PIPC will run every Saturday night from February 23 to March 30, with two countries trying to literally outshine each other in a colorful match where the sky will serve as their battlefield and the crowd their captive audience.

The criteria for judging are variety, music, choreography, crowd participation, and safety. Thus, aside from the grand prizes, contenders will also get the chance to bring home a People’s Choice Award. The 5-7 judges headed by Mr. James Deakin will surely have a hard time coming up with this year’s winners.

This SM Supermalls-hosted event has always complied with the international standards for environmental safety, at par with countries like Canada, Australia, and Hong Kong, and the most famous theme parks around the globe.

The annual PIPC also welcomes amateur and professional photographers for the PIPC Photo Contest. Special prizes from the event’s partners and sponsors are up for grabs.

This writer took the time to go to Clark during the first two Saturdays of the competition (and I intend to be there for the next four Saturdays, too, until the finale) to see for myself what the buzz was all about.

The show started at exactly 7:30 in the evening but, as early as 5 pm, there was already a queue near the entrance to The Meeting Place. Half an hour before the Pampanga skyline lighted up with astounding colors, the place was already packed with an excited crowd and was turned into one big picnic ground. People were coming in pairs as couples, or in huge groups of families and friends, proving that the PIPC is indeed a fireworks spectacle for all ages, classes and bunches. The air was cool and, the atmosphere, festive. Food booths were scattered in the area, merchandise of all kinds and sizes were being peddled, and a band was playing nonstop.

A picture paints a thousand words, according to one song. But with the showdown of the brightest fireworks during the PIPC in Clark, no picture or video could ever do justice to the spectacular fireworks display that filled the sky with a breathtaking kaleidoscope of colors and the air with a symphony of sounds – with the two blending together in perfect harmony.

Only one word would come to mind upon witnessing such extravaganza. Magic.

WATCH: The Philippine International Pyromusical Competition (Official) defending champion Steffes-Ollig Feuerwerke from…

由 SM Supermalls 发布于 2019年3月5日周二

For those who want to experience the same magic that I did, you may buy your tickets at www.pyrophilippines.com or through SM Tickets, SM Cinemas, SM Mall of Asia and SM City Clark ticket booths, and Metrodeal. Ticket prices range from P1,800 for Patron with dinner, P600 for VIP, P350 for Gold, and P120 for Silver. Ticket prices, however, will vary for the March 30 finale show.

Philippines’ very own Platinum Fireworks Inc. will provide the opening exhibition during the first night and the closing exhibition during the finale. The epic closing exhibition will surely leave the viewers wide-eyed and open-mouthed – a fitting conclusion to a decade of competition among the best fireworks manufacturers in the world. The competing countries with their corresponding schedules are as follows:

February 23: Opening Exhibition; Belgium’s CBF Pyrotechnics

March 02: Portugal’s Pirotecnia Minhota; Germany’s Steffes-Ollig Feuerwerke

March 09: France’s Brezac Artefices; Finland’s Oy Pyroman

March 16: Italy’s Viviano S.R.L.; United Kingdom’s Pyrotex Fireworks Ltd.

March 23: China’s Polaris Fireworks; Canada’s Fireworks Spectaculars

March 30: Poland’s Surex Firma Rodzinna; Closing Exhibition

This Brightest Show on Earth is made possible with Platinum Fireworks Inc., the City of Angeles, Pampanga, the Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board, Philippine Reclamation Authority, and their many sponsors.

For more information, inquiries and block reservation, visit the SM Supermalls social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and bit.ly/10thPIPCFAQs or call any of their hotline numbers:

Platinum: 0966-9682256; 0947-5989523; (02) 3591486

SM Mall of Asia: (02) 556-0660

S Maison: (02) 946-3848

SM By The Bay: (02) 556-6244

SM City Clark: (045) 499-0198

SM Tickets: (02) 470-2222

Metro Deal: (02) 823-1955

DOH intensifies immunization drive in Pampanga

By IAN OCAMPO FLORA

THE Department of Health (DOH) in Central Luzon region has been conducting a series of intensified measles outbreak response immunization.

DOH Regional Director Cesar Cassion and the Philippine National Police in Pampanga led the vaccination of children in Barangays Balibago and Pampang in Angeles City over the weekend.

This was simultaneous with the Japanese encephalitis immunization program.

At the same time, he said the DOH is coordinating with the executives in the region on the possible extension of vaccination services to include weekends.

Data from the DOH’s Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) showed that from January to February 12, there were 721 measles cases with 14 deaths in the region.

The three provinces with the highest number of measles in Central Luzon were: Bulacan with 222 cases and four deaths; Pampanga with 191 cases and four deaths; and Tarlac with 180 cases and four deaths.

Measles is a highly infectious and communicable disease caused by a virus. Symptoms include high fever, cough, conjunctivitis and colds.

If not properly managed, it can lead to complications, such as blindness, encephalitis, pneumonia, diarrhea and even death.

This March, the Health department is in full operation to vaccinate all children 9 to 59 months of age against Japanese encephalitis.

Japanese encephalitis is a disease spread through mosquito bites and its symptoms, such as fever, vomiting, confusion and difficulty of moving, could lead to swelling of the brain and coma and eventually death.

The DOH said that there is no specific antiviral treatment for Japanese encephalitis. Vaccination is the single most important control measure.

The department is advising the public to get in touch with their local public health officers for the schedule of vaccinations.

Gokongwei, Nepomuceno share vision for Clark airport

By REYNALDO G. NAVALES

ANGELES CITY -- Lance Gokongwei, the chief executive officer of JG Summit Holdings, Inc., and Bryan Nepomuceno, this city’s incumbent vice mayor, have vowed to work together for the full development of Clark International Airport (CRK).

During their recent meeting, the duo have shared their vision that Clark airport will continue on its path of becoming the country's major international and domestic hub.

“We both agreed that Clark airport must continue to develop as a major hub in the region, and one of the best ways to do this is a strong partnership between the airport management and city government,” said Nepomuceno, the official candidate for mayor of the local dominant party Partido Abe Kapampangan in the coming May 2019 elections.

Nepomuceno was invited by Gokongwei for a meeting last Thursday morning at the Robinsons Equitable Tower in Pasig, the corporate headquarters of JG Summit.

JG Summit is part of the North Luzon Airport Consortium (NLAC) which signed with government-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) a 25-year concession agreement for the operation and maintenance of the CRK.

Gokongwei is also president and CEO of Cebu Pacific airlines, a subsidiary of JG Summit that already operates at CRK international flights to Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore, and domestic routes to Cebu, Davao and Tagbilaran and to Caticlan starting March 31.

“Through our close partnership with the airport operator, with the entry of more airlines and arrival of more tourists at Clark airport, Angeles City and its people stand to benefit from more business and employment opportunities,” Nepomuceno said.

If elected mayor, Nepomuceno vowed to work on programs to ensure that tourists in the city enjoy safe transportation.

“It is very important for tourists to feel safe as they go around the city and not worry about being hustled or overcharged. We can help ensure this through our Angeles City-Accredited Safe Tourist Transport Providers program,” Nepomuceno said.

The consensus frontrunner in the mayoral race likewise vowed to continue to help attract more investments into Clark similar to the $25 million business jet aviation center of Hong Kong-based Metrojet Ltd.

Nepomuceno and his wife, bar topnotcher Erika Jimenez-Nepomuceno, provided the needed legal services that finally convinced Hong Kong-based lawyers of Metrojet to accept Philippine legal standards contained in their 50-year lease contract with government for their hangar project inside Clark airport.

“Aside from their $25 million investment at Clark airport, Metrojet’s business aviation center will generate high paying jobs for our people as well as provide them additional training in aircraft maintenance that is in high demand all over the world,” Nepomuceno said.

Metrojet is part of the Kadoorie Group owned by on Michael David Kadoorie, one of Hong Kong’s richest billionaire who also owns among others the international chain Peninsula Hotels.

SM City Clark hosts 10th Philippine International Pyromusical Competition

By Leony Garcia

All roads led to Angeles City, Pampanga, for the opening ceremonies of the 10th Philippine International Pyromusical Competition (PIPC) held for the first time at SM City Clark. Locals, including foreigners living in the city patiently, waited as the Pampanga skyline bursts with vibrant colors, as the country’s very own Platinum Fireworks Inc. took to the sky opening the festivity together with an amazing drone-exhibit show.

The much-awaited pyromusical show is a tradition at the SM Mall of Asia that has brought endless enjoyment to millions of Filipinos each year. But in support of the ongoing Manila Bay rehabilitation program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, SM Supermalls has decided to move the 10th edition to SM City Clark starting from February 23 to March 30.

SM Supermalls Senior Vice President Steven Tan welcomed the media, guests, participants and mall goers as the first contender, CBF Pyrotechnics from Belgium, also presented their pyrotechnic delights.

Accordingly, the pyrotechnics competition always complies with international standards for environmental safety, at par with countries, like Canada, Australia and Hong Kong, and famous theme parks around the world for the past nine years.

Tickets to the 10th PIPC are available at www.pyrophilippines.com, through SM Tickets and Cinemas, and SM Mall of Asia and Clark ticket booths. This magnificent family-friendly bonding experience is made possible with Platinum Fireworks Inc., the city of Angeles, Pampanga, the Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board, Philippine Reclamation authority and others.

The annual PIPC photo contest will also highlight entries from amateur and professional photographers wherein will receive special prizes from PIPC’s partners and sponsors.

The PIPC’s annual program has 10 competing countries taking on a battle of breathtaking fireworks performances amid the symphony of sounds. On March 2 Germany’s ninth PIPC champs “Steffes-Ollig Feuerwerke” and Portugal’s “Pirotecnia Minhota” will treat crowd with their tradition and mastery of skills in the sky.

On March 9 the Pampanga skyline will witness France’s “Brezac Artifices”, followed by a burst of vibrant colors by Finland’s “Oy Pyroman”. Italy’s very own “Viviano SRL” and last year’s champion, United Kingdom’s “Pyrotex Fireworx”, will battle it out on March 16.

Canada’s turn to paint the night sky bursting with colors will be on March 23 with their very own “Fireworks Spectaculars” and China’s “Polaris Fireworks” will surely stun the crowds.

To cap off the competition and close a decade of giving the best pyromusical exhibition in the Philippines, March 30 promises the most spectacular display of colors and surprises with Poland’s “Surex Firma Roidzinna” and the country’s own Platinum Fireworks Inc. in a grand finale like no other.

USD25-M aviation parking facility to rise in Clark

By Marna Dagumboy Del Rosario (PNA)

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga – A USD25-million state-of-the-art business aviation parking and maintenance facility will soon be built at the Civil Aviation Complex inside this Freeport zone.

Officials of Metrojet Limited led by its manager for commercial Justin Yeung, together with Angeles City Vice Mayor Bryan Matthew Nepomuceno, led the groundbreaking ceremony for the facility that is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2020.

Bruce Watson, chief operating officer of Metrojet Limited, said the construction of the USD25-million facility is part of the company’s Southeast Asian expansion.

"This development represents the largest investment made by Metrojet in its 21-year history, demonstrating our commitment to the development of business aviation in the Philippines. With this Clark facility, we at Metrojet are strengthening our footprint in Southeast Asia,” he said.

Watson added that the growing strategic importance of Clark, with its freedom of operations and Freeport zone, enabled them to provide their clients with a high quality and very competitive hangar parking and maintenance facility in the region, especially with locations such as Hong Kong and Singapore becoming increasingly expensive and having the capacity constraints. Dwyn Jones, Metrojet Limited’s regional manager for operational excellence and special projects, meanwhile, expressed appreciation for the support of the Philippine government in this investment as part of the economic and innovative growth of Clark airport.

"Not only will this facility help us to provide high-quality aircraft services to our clients, but this investment represents our commitment to create local jobs and build opportunities,” Jones said.

Vince Dizon, president and CEO of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, for his part, cited Clark not only as a strong business district but also an ideal aviation and logistics hub.

“The ongoing expansion of the Clark International Airport positions Clark as a premier international gateway in the Philippines. I am optimistic that this would bode well for Metrojet's new investment in Clark and for future investors from the aviation industry," the BCDA official said.

The 26,000-square meter facility was designed to provide a world-class customer experience while maximizing safety and productivity in all activities.

With over 7,100-square meter of hangar floor space, the facility can typically accommodate up to 10 long-range business jets.

Set to be built to the highest international standards, the aviation parking facility will include a full typhoon-proof structure, an aviation specific fire suppression system, and over 2,500-square meter customer accommodation and storage area.

With a dedicated taxi-way and parking ramp of over 11,000 square meters, it will provide secure and private aircraft parking, and maintenance.

Also present during the groundbreaking ceremony were Metrojet Engineering (Clark) Ltd. general manager Wesley Slate; Clark International Airport Corp. president and chief executive officer Jaime Alberto Melo; Bases Conversion and Development Authority vice president Arrey Perez; and Mabalacat City Mayor Cris Garbo.

Angeles gov’t breaks ground for new, ‘green’ city hall

(PR)

ANGELES City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan and Vice Mayor Bryan Matthew Nepomuceno led Tuesday’s groundbreaking and time-capsule laying ceremony for the new annex building of the Angeles City Hall in Barangay Pulung Maragul.

Pamintuan said that the construction of the new city hall will help the local government in intensifying its operations especially now that the demand for public service and frontline transactions are increasing as manifested by the daily surge of people availing government services.

“More than a physical structure, this for me represents the city’s seat of power and leadership, and our shared vision that propelled the city to what it has attained over the years,” said Pamintuan.

The five-story structure will have approximately 3,630 square meters per floor level and a total floor area of 16,023.70 square meters. It will house spacious executive, legislative and frontline government offices; additional amenities such as conference rooms, auditorium and multipurpose hall; multi-level parking and driveway; and rentable spaces on the ground floor.

The city mayor also added that the project is another major breakthrough for the local government as it advocates environmental-friendliness conforming to the Green Building Regulations.

“Our new city hall will also feature an integrated modern design with elevators and improved safety, sanitary, and traffic conditions within the vicinity which will make the nit PWD and senior citizens friendly,” the mayor added.

In affirmation, Nepomuceno said “the new facility will provide service to the Angeleños in an easy one-stop experience and will be a source of pride for all the residents of Angeles City.”

Meanwhile, the City Engineer’s Office (CEO) projected the construction and completion of the new P580-million Angeles City Hall in 600 calendar days.

Pamintuan said that it is about time for Angeles to have “a government complex fit for a highly-urbanized city”.

“This is a much-deserve breakthrough for the people of the City: a perfect edifice to house world-class local governance and public service for the Angeleños, and a fitting tribute to the legacies of our city for the generations to treasure,” the mayor said.

Present during the ceremony were incumbent City Councilor Edgardo Pamintuan Jr., City Administrator Dennis Albert Pamintuan, representatives from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Angeles City, PNP Director Narvin Mangune, Kuliat Foundation President Marco Nepomuceno, AC-DILG Director Martin Pores Moral, CLAC President Thelma Indiongco, Tabun Barangay Captain Alma Mercado, former City Communications Officer Jay Pelayo IV, City Hall Land Benefactor Reynaldo So, businessman Ricardo Tan, and the department heads of the local government.

Midori Clark launches Treats 4 the Graduates promo

(Press release)

GRADUATION DAY is coming! Since you’ve been stressing out yourself for months due to sleepless nights in making projects, beating the deadlines and reviewing for exams. We know how stressful it is. But you made it and it’s all worth it! And because of that, you deserve a celebration with the whole family to mark your achievement.

Toscana Dining has a treat for you, graduates of 2019 get to eat for free as it launches the Treats 4 the Graduates Promo. Simply bring FOUR (4) full paying adults and present ANY of the following: Diploma, Graduation Photo, or Graduation Program with the graduate’s name/ceremony invitation (all supported by the school ID) and you can dine for free! Promo is available daily excluding holidays.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday – Feast like no other at the Weekend Buffet priced at P1, 199+ for Adults and P600+ for kids. Enjoy an array of international dishes paired with UNLIMITED DRINKS, WINE, AND BEER available from 6 PM to 10 PM.

Monday – Thursday – How about satisfying your Chinese cravings in for your celebration? Dim Sum All You Can is available from 11 AM to 2 PM for lunch and 6 PM to 10 PM for dinner for only P699+ / head.

Another option is to relish in an enticing freshly grilled barbecue offerings at our unlimited Poolside BBQ for only P799+. Pair it with UNLIMITED BEER for only P200+.

Promo cannot be used in conjunctions with other in-house promotions or discounts. Treats 4 Graduates runs from March 1, 2019, to April 30, 2019.

Reward yourself for a job well done and celebrate your milestone at Midori. You may also book our ongoing room promotions for a complete treat! Enjoy 60% off from our Published Rate with our Summer Madness promotion available from Sunday to Thursday or avail our Flash Sale every Sunday and Monday for only P5,500 net/night at a Superior Room. Both promotions are inclusive of Breakfast Buffet for two (2), use of hotel amenities and scheduled shuttle service from SM City Clark – vice versa.

For room reservations, email reservations@midorihotel.com for room and restaurants@ midorihotel.com for restaurants. You may also call 045 308 8888 / 09178195163. Be updated! Visit www.midorihotel.com or stay connected, like Facebook.com/midoriclarkhotel, follow @midoriclark on Twitter and @midorihotelcasino on Instagram.

Pampanga to host 3 SEA Games events

(JTD)

IT’S history in the making for Pampanga as the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) has chosen and affirmed the LausGroup Event Centre as the venue for judo, jujitsu and Koresh competitions of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games on December 1 to 11, a first in the annals of the province and the City of San Fernando.

During the formal talks at the equally historic Mt. Pinatubo Room of the Laus Group of Companies corporate headquarters here, PHISGOC Venues Director David F. Carter disclosed that they have decided to hold the martial arts and contact sports competitions in Pampanga and not in Metro Manila due to its proximity to the SEA games main venue at the New Clark City in Tarlac.

“The LausGroup Event Centre has very nice facilities and Chairman Levy [P. Laus] is very accommodating. At the same time, the province of Pampanga and the city is free from pollution and traffic. So why should we still bring the events to another venue? Although we were being convinced to transfer it to Manila, it will be here and it is final,” he said.

“These events will bring in multiple golds during the SEA games. And news, not only nationwide and Southeast Asia but the whole world as well, will be focused here. In judo, we are looking at five golds, six to seven in jujitsu and koresh could deliver three to four golds. We are looking at 277 athletes and officials for judo alone. So multiply that by three plus double the number of relatives and supporters of the athletes who will come with them so you have a huge crowd coming to the province and the city which could positively affect the local economy. That is why the help of Chairman Levy and the support of Pampanga and San Fernando is a welcome development because of the budget cuts in the SEA games. And with the accommodation accorded us by officials here, others might take their competitions here, too,” Carter added.

Both Vice-Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda and San Fernando Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago vowed full support for the hosting of the three sports events in Pampanga’s capital city, especially since the dates fall on the timelines of the Pampanga Day celebrations and giant lantern festival.

“We are very happy about hosting some of the SEA games events because Pampanga and the City of San Fernando will be known as places for sports development and sports tourism. And since these will coincide with giant lantern festival timeline, we will have the opportunity to showcase the culture of Kapampangans. Definitely, the city government will extend its full support to the SEA games,” Santiago said.

For his part, Pineda extended his gratitude to the PHISGOC.

“I thank the PHISGOC for choosing the LausGroup Event Centre located in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga as the official venue of the games especially martial arts. It’s a big honor for the province,” he said.

The vice-governor stressed that the provincial government would take care of security and other logistical concerns the PHISGOC needs.

“We have already committed to take care of security and immediately, I will bring this up with the Philippine National Police. We will extend full support together with the city on other concerns the committee would have as this is history for Pampanga. At the same time, we will make the SEA games events here one of the highlights of our Pampanga Day celebration,” Vice-Governor Pineda added.

Meanwhile, Laus disclosed that the LausGroup is prepared to assist the PHISGOC for the hosting of the games.

“Practically, modesty aside, the LausGroup has everything from two-wheel vehicles to big trucks. We also mentioned to them that we can provide a helicopter to transport their VIPs as we have a helipad here. That would certainly interest them,” he said.

“We are very happy about this. I made sure that they will get very supportive rates for the LausGroup Event Centre in the name of national interest. It’s very historical for the province. We feel we should never miss this opportunity that is why we are supporting them with much enthusiasm,” concluded Laus.

City College of Angeles celebrates 7 years of academic excellence

(Angeles CIO)

ANGELES CITY- Vice Mayor Bryan Matthew Nepomuceno and Councilor Edgardo Pamintuan Jr. together with school administrators and students of the City College of Angeles (CCA) led this institution’s 7th founding anniversary held Tuesday in Barangay Pampang.

Themed “Siyete Sitenta: Kapagmasusyan ning Pamagpasalamat”, the occasion highlights the accomplishments of the educational institution and its students, and the inspiration instilled by Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan to achieve excellence.

In his welcome remarks, CCA President Dr. Richard Daenos reiterated CCA’s solemn pledge to the Angeleños of providing free and quality tertiary-level education especially to the less fortunate yet truly deserving students.

The 3-day anniversary celebration is marked by various academic, cultural and sports competition all geared to serve as platforms for CCA students to showcase their talents and skills, and to strengthen their sense of sportsmanship and camaraderie.

In just a span of seven years, the school has produced three batches of graduates and has welcomed more than 2,000 students this academic year. CCA is also a proud recipient of numerous awards, recognitions and accreditations bestowed by higher educational institutions and international organizations.

To date, CCA gets a candidate accreditation status from the the Association of Local Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (ALCUCOA). CCA is also an International Center of Excellence for Events Management and Center of Excellence in Library Information Science, Physical Education and Technical Teacher Education given by the Asia Pacific Institute for Events Management, to name a few.

Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Nepomuceno congratulated everyone for making CCA a top-notch educational institution considering it is the youngest community college in Central Luzon. He added that the establishment of the city college is the best decision the city government have ever made as it strongly manifests its stern commitment of delivering quality education to young Angeleños.

“Contentment is not something that should be in for the City College of Angeles rather the challenge now is to take it to the next level. Much has been done but much is still needed to accomplish for our very own city college. The best is yet to come for our students who wish to breakaway from the shackles of poverty,” said Nepomuceno.

For his part, Mayor Pamintuan also extended his congratulations to the school administration and teaching force for materializing his promise to the Angeleños.

“May the beginnings and accolades gained by this institution inspire all of us to strive more for the betterment of our students. CCA will always have a big place in my heart,” said Pamintuan as he considers CCA as his administration’s greatest achievement enshrined in his 8-point platform of governance dubbed “Contract with the Angeleños”.

DPWH set to open Friendship Bridge

By IAN OCAMPO FLORA

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in a news release said that it is set to open the new Friendship Bridge along the Friendship Circumferential Road West in Angeles City.

However, the DPWH, in its news release on Thursday, did not specify the exact date of opening of the said structure to public traffic. The said project was completed last January 15, 2019.

“DPWH Secretary Mark Villar will lead the inauguration of the new P130-million infrastructure facility in Barangay Anunas, Angeles City constructed under the national government’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ program,” the DPWH added.

DPWH Region III Director Roseller Tolentino said the project included the construction of additional two lanes and road widening, as well as maintenance work such as repainting using anti-corrosion paint on metal structures and repair of cracks on the Friendship bridge.

“We constructed the new bridge and approach with a total net length of 618 meters, and an additional bridge with a length of 240.8 linear meters, 2 lanes RCDG on Bored Pile foundation and approaches,” Tolentino said.

Angeles City Council named 2018 best local legislative body in Central Luzon

By REYNALDO G. NAVALES

ANGELES CITY -- Incumbent Vice-Mayor Bryan Nepomuceno is set to receive an award from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) recognizing the City Council as the best in its category in Central Luzon.

Nepomuceno, presiding officer of the Council and mayoral candidate of the Partido Abe Kampampangan for the May 2019 elections, was informed by DILG regional director Julie Daquioag that the City Council under Nepomuceno’s leadership will receive the “2018 Local Legislative Award–Highly Urbanized Cities Category Regional Winner.”

“We commend your efforts and initiatives in advocating public service excellence by fostering and ensuring an effective legislative body,” Daquioag told Nepomuceno.

Nepomuceno said the prestigious award is a testament of the City Council’s strict adherence to prescribed rules and procedures in the conduct of its business during the last three years.

“Contrary to what our political opponents during these elections are saying, the DILG award clearly proves that everything we have done during our term have all been according to laws, rules and regulations especially to the Local Government Code of 1991,” Nepomuceno said.

“Siguro ay dahil lang sa kanilang ambisyon ngayong eleksiyon kaya tayo ay binabatikos ng walang katotohanan (Their baseless accusations are just probably because of the elections),” Nepomuceno lamented.

According to Daquioag, the city’s legislators “garnered a score of 91.79 points out of 100 on the basis of the functionality criteria of the 2018 Local Legislative Awards which, among others, include the responsiveness of the legislative agenda, effectiveness and efficiency of the Council, availability of documents, and other citations.”

DILG City Director Martin Porres Moral likewise congratulated Nepomuceno for his achievements.

“We re-echo the congratulatory message of the regional management for the milestone achieved towards excellence in local governance,” Moral told Nepomuceno.

“We would not have accomplished this milestone without the support, cooperation and hardwork of the other members of the Council, especially councilor Edu Pamintuan who championed the public education programs for the benefit of poor students,” Nepomuceno said.

Edu, the son of incumbent Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan and running mate for vice mayor of Nepomuceno, is the chairman of the committee on education and environment of the City Council.

The DILG Local Legislative Award, is given every three years, corresponding to each council’s term. The award is jointly organized by the DILG and the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) in order to recognize exemplary performance of Council’s legislating measures that help build the foundation of meaningful local administration and development.

As the regional winner, Angeles City will represent Central Luzon in the national levels competing against other highly urbanized cities around the country like Quezon City, Davao City, Mandaue City, and Manila.

As a local legislator, Nepomuceno has authored numerous ordinances toward these objectives such as exempting indigent residents from fees and charges at the Local Civil Registrar; regulating the use of plastic bags; prohibiting disposable styrofoam/styropor items like cups and plates; institutionalizing the Public Employment Services Office; enacting a Poverty Diagnosis Plan; and “The Empowerment Ordinance of Angeles City” to promote and ensure a system of partnership in local governance among all stakeholders in the city.

CDC supports 10th TCS Clark Animo International Marathon

(PR)

CLARK Development Corporation (CDC) recently expressed its support to the staging of the 10th TCS Clark Animo International Marathon which will be held in Clark Freeport on March 10 of this year.

CDC together with Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Angeles City Government, Medical City and Lasik Center – AUF conveyed their support of the said event which is organized by the De La Salle Alumni Association- Pampanga Chapter (DLSAA-Pampanga).

CDC president and CEO Noel Manankil lauded the event during a press conference held at the Clark Global City.

In a statement, DLSAA – Pampanga president Melvin Panlilio said that this year’s event will offer a more exciting experience for participants as the courses for the marathon have been given international certification.

“We’re likewise proud to announce that for 2019, our courses have been given international certification by the International Association of Athletic Federations and the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (IAAF-AIMS),” Panlilio said.

Meanwhile, some 10,000 runners are expected to participate in the event which will feature various distances like 42.2 km marathon, half marathon, as well as 10 km, 5 km, and 2.5 km courses. Cash prizes will also be awarded to first, second and third placers of the various categories while a special award will be given to participants with the best costume.

Apart from their mission of successfully holding the marathon, the DLSAA- Pampanga also aims to give back to the community. The proceeds of the run will be used to fund their organization’s environmental and community projects like tree planting, maintenance of Angeles City Watershed, support for the La Salle Botanical Gardens in Alviera, Porac as well as the Yellow Boat Foundation for the marginal school children of coastal Pampanga.

The said event is also supported by Tata Consultancy, one of the biggest consultancy company in this Freeport. DLSAA- Pampanga encourages prospective participants to register at www.tcsclarkanimo.com.

Quarrying destroys dike sections in Angeles City

By Tonette Orejas (/lzb, Inquirer Central Luzon)

ANGELES CITY – Three sections of the slope protection of a dike controlling the flow of Mt. Pinatubo’s lahar on Abacan River here have slid down on Wednesday morning.

A resident in Barangay (village) Ninoy Aquino where the dike is situated described the damaged portions as having “fallen down like a curtain.”

Arnold Ocampo, assistant district engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ Pampanga Third District Engineering Office, said the damage was caused by quarrying on the Mexico town side of Abacan, making the river bed fall by three meters.

The damaged sections spanned 50 meters, 60 meters, and 80 meters, all on the side of Barangay Ninoy Aquino, Ocampo said.

No families were directly in harm’s way, he said.

Ocampo noted that the DPWH began doing remedial measures on Wednesday. A bulldozer machine was also sent to temporarily rechannel the water away from the damaged portions.

Because the structure was completed and accepted in 2016, he said the DPWH would need to reinforce it at a cost of about P20 million.

Rivers in Pampanga are quarried for sand needed by the construction sector.

The local governments are checking if operators have permits to quarry on Abacan River.

Mayoralty bet eyes tourism for employment, economy

By REYNALDO G. NAVALES

CITING an international travel and tourism report that for every 30 new tourists, one new job is created, Angeles City mayoralty bet and Alexander Cauguiran vowed to push the city’s tourism industry to be “one of the key drivers for employment and business opportunities for its residents.”

“According to the World Economic Forum (WEF) travel and tourism report,” the Kambilan official candidate said, “thirty new tourists create one job at the point of destination. This means that if 600,000 new tourists come to Angeles City in one year, we will be able to create 20,000 jobs. With the upgrading of the Clark International Airport (CRK) to service eight million passengers per year, we need to create attractive tourist packages and build better ground infrastructure to increase our share of domestic and foreign tourist arrivals.”

Cauguiran, who was president and chief executive officer of the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) before he filed his certificate of candidacy, issued the statement following the commitment of North Luzon Airport Consortium (NLAC) to invest P6 billion for the modernization of Clark International Airport (CRK) and double its terminal capacity to eight million passengers per year.

Describing its vision for the CRK, Josephine Gotianun-Yap, president and chief executive officer of the Filinvest Development Corporation (FDC), one of the firms that comprise the NLAC, said that transforming “the CRK into a world-class airport will help boost the region’s tourism industry and related businesses.”

“It is NLAC’s vision to redefine the air travel experience at Clark International Airport. The airport will be the Northern and Central Luzon’s gateway, connecting the region to the rest of the Philippines and the world,” Gotianun-Yap said.

“The more tourists,” Cauguiran said, “the more jobs, the more tourism-based enterprises we create. This is precisely the reason why regions, provinces, cities, and municipalities are aggressively competing to attract more tourists to their destinations. Metro Manila and Cebu have become the country’s top tourist destinations primarily because of their airports. But with a bigger and more modern international airport we can now be at par with other top destinations.”

“Aside from generating employment,” Cauguiran said, “the tourism value chain benefits a wide range of local businesses including hotels, restaurants, resorts, transport, travel agencies, health and wellness, souvenirs and handicrafts, food production, other tourism-related enterprises. Tourism is like an export without the goods and services leaving their location. It is a veritable goldmine that we must aggressively but sustainably as well as responsibly exploit.”

“Employment opportunities,” he explained, “will not be solely confined to graduates of tourism courses, as businesses will need drivers, tourist guides and translators, IT technicians, accountants, bookkeepers, cashiers, clerks, janitors and utility men, and other forms of jobs.”

“Our challenge,” he said, “is to be more competitive with other destinations. The best way to do this is to adopt a well-studied framework for travel and tourism competitiveness which the WEF has provided.”

“In the last meeting of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Pampanga (HARP),” Cauguiran said, “I have briefly discussed the specific concerns that the city government must address in the context of the WEF travel and tourism competitiveness model. The four pillars of that model include: Enabling Environment, Travel and Tourism Policy and Enabling Conditions, Infrastructure, and Natural and Cultural Resources.”

“In our party’s platform of government, “he explained, “our initiatives for Enabling Environment include, the ‘ease of doing business;’ development of IT mobile access to information on services, programs, and activities of the city government; grant of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for construction of new hotels and tourism establishments adopting green architecture; ensuring industry workers’ access to quality hospitalization services at the Ospital ng Angeles (ONA); maintenance of peace and order and solutions to vehicular traffic problems; and improvement of sanitation and hygiene throughout the city.”

“Initiatives under Travel and Tourism Policy and Enabling Conditions,” he continued, “shall include a 5-year tourism development plan in coordination with the private sector and tourism-related organizations, and the Department of Tourism and its attached agencies; implementation of a branding strategy for Angeles City in coordination with the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB); and yearly strategic planning to be participated in by the city’s tourism industry stakeholders.”

“In support of the private sector’s improvement of their hotels and ground infrastructure, the city government shall initiate the construction of “last mile” roads connecting the national highways with existing or potential tourist destinations areas in the city in coordination with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA); and the installation of more streetlights in areas frequented by tourists,” he said.

As one of the founders of Tigtikan-Terakan Keng Dalan (TTKD) which has now gained widespread popularity, Cauguiran vowed to make the event as one of the yearly attractions for domestic and foreign tourists. “We want it bigger, better, and more tourist-friendly,” he said.

Cauguiran also proposed the establishment of a world-class cuisine institute to be funded by the city government, to make Angeles City internationally known for its food and delicacies. “We shall promote our culture, as a showcase of our identity and as a source of pride of Angelenos,” he said.

“We shall coordinate with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the National Historical Institute of the Philippines (NHIP) to help identify, preserve and protect more historical, religious, heritage, and cultural sites in Angeles City,” Cauguiran said.

Angeleños fete Ms. Tourism World Intercontinental 2019

By Marna Dagumboy Del Rosario

ANGELES CITY -- Miss Tourism World Intercontinental 2019 Francesca Taruc was warmly welcomed by Angeleños as she returned home on Monday, a week after winning the beauty title.

Taruc, who paid a courtesy call on Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan and Vice Mayor Bryan Matthew Nepomuceno, was greeted and congratulated by city government officials, employees, friends, and fans who supported her throughout her 23-day pageant journey in Nanjing, China.

A certificate of distinction was awarded by the city government to Taruc “for giving pride to the city and its people.”

The recognition was also bestowed to her as “a manifestation of the local government’s appreciation of her achievements that placed Angeleña beauty, confidence and wit to the international pageant arena”.

In an interview with the 20-year-old lass, she said that joining beauty pageants has been her holy grail since she was young.

As she pursues her dreams of becoming a beauty queen, Taruc has earned local and national titles such as the Mutya ning Angeles-Youth Ambassador in 2017 and Miss Freedom of the World-Philippines in 2018.

“Honestly, it still hasn’t sunk in yet. I still remember attending the flag ceremony here to ask for your support and now, you are all congratulating me,” she said.

Talking about her plans after winning the first international crown for the Philippines for 2019, Taruc said she will soon return to China to fulfill her duties as an international ambassadress.

Taruc said that she also plans to pursue a career in show business and join Binibining Pilipinas, with the hopes of bringing home another international crown for the country.

“I will also be active in charities and other meaningful causes,” she said.

Pamintuan, for his part, said that “Angeles City is indeed privileged to have a beauty queen whose backstory is more than the usual plot of failure and conquest. You are destined to triumph and give pride to the city just like the legacy of your ancestors.”

Francesca, or Fran as she is fondly called by her family and friends, was born in San Luis town and was raised in this city.

She holds a degree in Communication Arts from Holy Angel University.

Angeles clan grows with city

By Tonette Orejas (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

ANGELES CITY — Without fail for the past 25 years, one of the city’s oldest clans has been holding reunions that nurture the value of family heritage.

On Jan. 13, about 600 members of the Valdes clan will assemble at Ely’s Orchard in Barangay Mining, where the gatherings began in 1995, according to Eloisa Rivera-Narciso, granddaughter of Agripina J. Valdes and Orchard owner.

Their forebears, Francisca Valdes and Cenon de Jesus, lived in Bacolor town and migrated elsewhere in Pampanga. Cenon’s namesake was a revolutionary during the Spanish colonial period, while the children used their mother’s family name.

Three of the children — Agripina, Maria and Emiliano — settled in Angeles, then named Kuliat town, to raise their families. Their sister Agueda migrated to Zamboanga while brother Pedro moved to Malabon.

Married names

After the 1896 Revolution, half of them again used De Jesus as their surname.

“The surname Valdes may not be often heard now in Angeles as the female Valdeses have assumed their married names,” Narciso said in a narrative.

Villages in Santa Maria, where the Tinio family settled, are named after their mother, Maria Valdes de Jesus Tinio, she said.

“Agripina J. Valdes is the grandmother of the Riveras, Jimenezes, Tiamzons, Garcias [and] Dizons,” Narciso said.

Before World War II broke out, Emiliano J. Valdes became mayor of Angeles. He donated 5 hectares with a two-story building to serve as hospital for people with tuberculosis.

The main street of Marisol Village at Barangay Ninoy Aquino leading to TB Pavilion was named after Emiliano, who was said to have started the cane industry in the Philippines in 1910, and produced and exported cane furniture.

Family lines

Two prewar mansions in Angeles belonged to the Valdeses.

Dr. Gregorio Valdes served as councilor and health officer for two decades. Tramo, the road near the railway, was named after him.

They are related to Supreme Court Justice Camilo D. Quiazon, former Education Secretary Armand Fabella whose family started Jose Rizal University and who donated land for hospitals in Manila, Ambassador Carlos J. Valdes, and businesswoman Florencia Coronel who forged the Cinderella shopping brand.

They are also relatives of Fr. Rodolfo Rody Valdes, SJ; Sister Maria Cecilia Valdes; culinary arts celebrity Africa Valdes-Reynoso, matriarch of the Valdes-Reynoso families of culinary fame; and furniture manufacturer Remedios Panlilio.

A forerunner of the country’s department stores was Valleson (Valdes Lilles de Leon), which operated after World War II.

The Jan. 13 reunion gathers the families of Sisenando, Pedro, Emiliano, Agripina, Maria and Agueda, who belong to the Valdes family line of Francisca; Galicano, Paula and Apolonia from the first generation’s Ignacio; Felisa, Leonardo, Florencia and Laurentina from Leodegaria; and Felicisima, Jose, Pedro, Rosario and Florentina from Roman.

Anna, a first generation Valdes, died at infancy.

After the Reynosos, Tinios, Quiazons, Coronels, Lilleses and Narcisos organized the first reunion, Fabella made the genealogy book and directory of the Valdeses.

“Family has always been very important to the early Valdeses. In gatherings, they would always talk of their ancestry and pride themselves with their achievements. To this day, the current generation looks up to their forebears and emulates their goodness, brilliance, stature and dignity,” Narciso said.

Clark Corp, firm ink MOA to develop facility for eco-friendly materials

(PR)

CLARK Development Corporation (CDC) recently inked a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Green Antz Builders, Inc. (Green Antz) to develop an Innovation, Research and Development Facility and Training Center that will be instrumental for generating eco– friendly construction materials.

CDC President-CEO Noel Manankil and Green Antz President-CEO Rommel Benig signed the MOA which will help usher collaborative efforts in exploring ways and means in promoting the conservation of the environment by developing eco-friendly supplies including eco-bricks and porous pavers.

Green Antz, a provider of environment–friendly products and solutions for the construction industry will collaborate with CDC for the construction and development of the said facility which is envisioned to be a platform in revolutionizing environment-friendly products.

The partnership between the state-owned firm and Green Antz will also reinforce their mission to formulate programs that will encourage participation from all stakeholders in the Clark Freeport to disseminate proper ecological practices to business enterprises in pursuit of a clean and safe environment.

Manankil said the project is part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program of the state-owned firm that is geared towards the promotion of environmental consciousness.

“The project is more aligned to a CSR concept. And the next step after the completion of the construction of facility will be identifying and awarding to the beneficiaries the training and empower them to have successful stories so that the support of the management would always be there,” he said.

Accordingly, Benig said that their partnership with CDC will create a platform in realizing their mission to raise awareness of environmental preservation not only in this Freeport but also for other areas across the country.

“To really clean up the Philippines, one community at a time and one break at a time,” Benig said.

Another Filipina wins in international beauty pageant

(CNN Philippines Staff)

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 9) — The Philippines welcomed 2019 with a win in an international beauty pageant.

Philippine bet Francesca Taruc was crowned Miss Tourism World Intercontinental 2019 in Nanjing, China on Tuesday.

Her win comes less than a month after the country's pride Catriona Gray bagged its fourth Miss Universe crown.

Tatarsan was the first runner-up, while Ukraine bagged the second runner-up title.

During the preliminary competition, Taruc, who is based in Angeles, Pampanga, shared that she was awarded "Best Body."

Her homecoming will be on Thursday.

CDC welcomes 500 Chinese tourists

By Reynaldo G. Navales

THE Clark Development Corporation (CDC) recently welcomed some 525 Chinese tourists who arrived on board luxury cruise ship MV World Dream, which docked at the Alava Wharf in the Port of Subic Bay.

Passengers of the said cruise ship were then transported in 15 buses to visit various destinations such as the Nayong Pilipino and Clark Museum.

Clark Freeport and Subic are increasingly becoming popular destinations for cruise ships. Several cruise ships now call on the Port of Subic Bay.

The CDC said that together with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), they have been undertaking capacity-building initiatives to address the influx of Chinese tourists and investments.

Recognizing China as one of its major markets for tourism and business-related pursuits, it can be recalled that CDC entered in a memorandum of understanding to give better services by fully understanding language and culture.

This was signed along with SBMA and University of the Philippines Diliman Confucius Institute to train their officers and front line services staff on learning Mandarin language.

The conduct of the said training is seen to give better services to foreign tourists to usher in better communication by understanding their culture.

More Angeles villages receive brand new garbage trucks

(SunStar Pampanga)

ANGELES CITY -- Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan and Vice Mayor Bryan Matthew Nepomuceno led the turnover of 14 dump trucks to the third batch of recipient-barangays during the flag raising rites at the City Hall on Monday, January 7.

The ceremony marks the completion of the City Government’s distribution of garbage trucks.

“We have successfully turned-over all the garbage trucks to our 33 barangays. Our goal here is to assist and equip our villages with equipment necessary for their solid waste management campaign,” said Pamintuan.

The brand new Hino garbage trucks were formally received by all the village chiefs and councilmen of each respective barangays.

Vice Mayor Nepomuceno reminded the village officials to take good care of the vehicles as these will be of great help to bolster the city’s waste disposal campaign.

“We were never picky on which barangay shall receive these garbage trucks for we believe that the problem of one barangay is the problem of the city as a whole. We are all in this together since cooperation in any government undertaking is indispensable,” the vice mayor said.

The mayor pitched a hint on the groundbreaking of the first Waste2Worth facility in the Philippines this year which will be built in the city.

It is remembered that in 2017, Pamintuan inked a Joint Venture Agreement with Procter & Gamble for the establishment of the facility which is seen to help the city intensify its ecological solid waste management and cut government’s spending on waste disposal.

“What we can do now, we can do better; what we can do five years from now, we are doing it here. I would like to express my gratitude to our villages who have been painstakingly performing their mandates as front-liners of government service,” the five-term mayor said.

“We will continue the legacy of good change. I may not be here as your mayor but rest assured that the interest of the city government for development for its people will be forever etched,” Pamintuan said.

Joining Pamintuan and Nepomuceno in the turnover ceremony are Hino Motors Philippines – Pampanga Chief Operating Officer Marco Hizon, Development Bank of the Philippines Senior Manager Regin Soliman, and Account Officer Aileen Candelaria.

Also present during the rite are incumbent Councilors Edgardo Pamintuan Jr., Danilo Lacson, Jericho Aguas and wife JC Parker-Aguas, Alexander Indiongco and wife CLAC President Thelma Indiongco, former City Communications Officer Jay Pelayo IV, Tabun Barangay Captain Alma Mercado, Mining Barangay Captain Chris Cortez, and Raco Del Rosario.

Angeles City, firm tie up for environment program

By REYNALDO G. NAVALES

ANGELES CITY -- The City Government has tied up with a septic tank disposal firm to remove used oil from drainage systems which partly causes flooding in the city.

Councilor Jesus "Jay" Sangil said the cooperation of the local government unit (LGU) with Soliman E.C. Septic Tank Disposal was made following the amendment of Section 87 or the Disposal of Septage, Grease, Used Oil and Used Cooking Oil of the City Ordinance Number 431 Series of 2017 otherwise known as the Angeles City Environment Code.

Sangil and Councilor Edu Pamintuan sponsored an ordinance amending Chapter 7 and 13 of the said ordinance to implement the project.

The pilot project was conducted in Barangay Santo Domingo Saturday, January 5, according to Sangil.

"Of course, we will do the same thing in other barangays. This is the first time in Angeles City, hauling of collected used oil held on January 5, at the Barangay Hall of Santo Domingo," Sangil said.

The councilor described the project as partnership of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) and the Soliman EC.

Sangil thanked Association of Barangay Councils president Jerry Alejandrino and the Santo Domingo barangay officials led by village chief Oliver Chaneco for supporting the project.

"Sa konting malasakit, we are saving our communities and our city from massive flooding and environmental disaster," Sangil said.

He said the effort is also in line with Soliman EC's project dubbed "Iwas Baha, Iwas Sakit, Konting Malasakit.”

Aqua Planet in Clark reopens

By Ashley Manabat

CLARK FREEPORT— Aqua Planet has announced its reopening on January 15 after being closed for maintenance and other safety concerns for three months.

The reopening was announced with new ticket prices at P1,180 for adults and P980 for kids below four feet every weekend (Saturdays- Sundays) or weekday rates at P950 for adults and P750 for kids.

Senior citizens can avail of their 20 percent discounts as well as persons with disabilities (PWDs) while infants are free of charge.

However, online booking is yet to be announced.

Aqua Planet, which is now headed by acting general manager Simon Jiang, has passed the third-party certification which means it is now at par with international standards in terms of safety.

BB International is the developer of the 10-hectare water theme park located at the northwest section of this freeport. Aqua Planet is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

DepEd to conduct training on innovative teaching

By PRINCESS CLEA ARCELLAZ

THE Department of Education (DepEd)-Central Luzon is setting the path of public school teachers into practicing a more developed and competitive teaching method.

Starting January, a total of 100 selected educators in Central Luzon will undergo a flexible learning course which aims to develop and enhance their facilitating skills as Southeast Asian teachers.

The chosen teachers will be enrolled in the online training course entitled “Gearing up Responsible and Outstanding Teachers in Southeast Asia for the 21st Century (GURO21)” and will run from the third week of January until the last week of March.

The 54-hour self-pace training course seeks to build the competencies of teachers for them to effectively play their role as learning leaders of the 21st century in a knowledge-based economy.

“The Department of Education Regional Office III initiated this effort in partnership with the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization or SEAMEO Innotech and allotted the registration fees for the 100 teacher recipients coming from the twenty schools division offices in the region,” DepEd-Central Luzon director Beatriz Torno said.

The GURO21, developed based on the Southeast Asian Region-validated Competency Framework for Southeast Asian Teachers of the 21st Century, is a menu of flexible learning courses that aims to address the teachers’ needs in relation to the technological advances and changing educational trends of the 21st century.

It is also expected to enhance the teachers’ knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values (KSAVs) on teaching and learning in the new century that they can pass on to their students to help them face challenges.

The learning process involves use of self-instructional modules, synchronous and asynchronous discussion sessions, provisions for learning support, and face-to-face or online revalida.

Successful course completers will receive an international course certificate from SEAMEO Innotech and at least six units of advance academic credit from SEAMEO Innotech partner universities.

SM, CGC mulling hot air balloon fiesta in Clark

By Ashley Manabat

CLARK FREEPORT – Plans are afoot that SM Supermalls owned by SM Prime Holdings, Inc. and Clark Global City (CGC) owned the Udenna Group of Davao businessman Dennis Uy are planning to hold the hot air balloon fiesta here in March.

This developed after the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF) led by Capt. Joy Roa recently cancelled the annual event for what it said was “lack of government support.” According to Serafin Tolentino, one of the organizers of the Lubao International Balloon Festival (LIBF) who is privy to the negotiations, the two private corporations in partnership with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and its subsidiary the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) are in the thick of plans on how to conduct the hot air balloon fiesta here with limited flight capabilities.

This means that only tethered hot air balloons will fly. The event is planned in the first week of March at the back of SM City Clark at the sprawling area of the 177-hectare CGC which is now being advertised as the next center of economic growth in the country.

Tolentino said the activities at the Clark airport cannot be compromised with a Notice To Airmen (Notam) to allow the hot air balloons to fl y with the wind, thus the tethered flights.

However, Tolentino said the Lubao International Hot Air Balloon Festival is set on April 5,6 and 7 at the Pradera Verde in Barangay Prado Siongco in Lubao where balloonists from all over the world are set to participate.

Meanwhile, the PIHABF, held annually every February in this freeport for more than two decades, has been cancelled for this year, according to its announcement.

The organizers of the event said the holding of the annual spectacle did not push through for this year due to lack of government support.

“We regret to inform you that because PIHABF has not received the commitment from our government partners on time, we will not be able to organize the annual The Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (and The Weekend of Everything that Flies!) in Clark this coming February 2019,” a statement from PIHABF said.

“Thanks to everyone’s abiding enthusiasm, the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF) hosted 22 years of ‘A Weekend of Everything that Flies’ in Clark, Pampanga,” it added.

However, the PIHABF also said it may organize air shows outside this freeport for this year. “We will announce plans and developments on our website, www.philballoonfest.net, and social media channels and we welcome your continued enthusiastic participation,” the PIHABF said.

The PIHABF said the event is the longest-running sports aviation event in Asia, gathering aviators and spectators from around the world for four days of non-stop flying action.

“From hot air balloons to aerobatic exhibitions, formation flying to radio-controlled aircraft, paragliding, skydiving, and dozens of on-ground activities, visitors are always guaranteed to have an unforgettable weekend,” the PIHABF said.

It can be recalled that hot air ballooning started in Clark in 1994 to drum up attention and support to this former US air base which was devastated by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo three years earlier.

The Department of Tourism formed a committee through its Secretary Mina Gabor with regional director Ronnie Tiotuico as executive director who then organized the first hot air balloon fiesta with original members Noel Castro, Bernie Bituin, Joel Santos, Lerma Quiambao, Sol Medina, Raidis Plateros and Tolentino.

Joining the organizing committee were Korean businessman and hot air balloon pilots Sung Kee Paik, British Airways general manager John Emery and German aviation enthusiasts Max Motschmann. In 1996, the event was transferred by the DOT to Air Ads, Inc. led by Roa.

SM Clark gives ChriSMiles treat to kids

(PR)

FOR the past years, SM’s ChriSMiles has brought a genuinely sweet smiles to underprivileged kids, it’s an annual “Share Your Blessings” activity of SM employees that helps extend the joy of Christmas and touch the lives of those in need.

“I know waking up very early in the morning is not in your system, but for the sake of giving joy to these kids, you came,” SM Olongapo mall manager Mark Herrera said in his speech.

“ChriSMiles is just one of the programs of SM Cares, a simple way of giving back to the community,” he added.

This year, the mall has chosen Barangay Gordon Heights as beneficiary. Kids were welcomed in the mall where they received gift packs and enjoyed the parlor games and dance number prepared for them by volunteer employees. These kids also showed their talents in dancing and singing in return.

“Sa ngalan po ng Barangay Gordon Heights kami po’y nagpapasalamat sa SM dahil ang mga bata ng barangay ang inyong napili para sa activity na ito (In behalf of Barangay Gordon Heights, we thanked SM for choosing our kids in the barangay of this activity),” said Nancy Bolo, purok leader.

SM City Clark

SM City Clark volunteers shared their time, resources and walked at least one kilometer for the ChriSMiles project to bring holiday cheer to the kids of Sitio Haduan in Mabalacat.

About 50 Aeta children ages five to 12 years old enjoyed a day of fun.

To make the activity more meaningful for the beneficiaries, the employees distributed meals, gifts wrapped by the employees themselves and shared the Bears of Joy.

“ChriSMiles”, is a nationwide employees’ volunteerism activity of SM Supermalls that aims to bring smiles to chosen beneficiaries. The program also encourages all SM employees to be more appreciative of their blessings by sharing these with the underprivileged sectors of society.

More than 3,000 employees of SM Supermalls brought cheers through various charitable activities throughout the Christmas season.

Angeles City Archived News

The older news reports are kept here

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