Angeles City News October 2018

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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.

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Angeles City Catholic Church
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Sacrifice of the faithfuls by crucifying themselves.

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.

Horticulture enthusiasts stage Bonsai open competition, exhibit

(PR)

ANGELES CITY -- Horticulture enthusiasts displayed their works and artistry as the Kapampangan Horticulture and Bonsai Society (KHBS) staged the 15th Regional Bonsai and Suiseki Competition on October 26 to 28 at the MarQuee Mall Activity Center.

Themed “Bayung Pun, Bayung Suli”, this year’s exhibition cum competition was held in collaboration with the City Government of Angeles through the Angeles City Tourism Office, and the City Information Office.

The annual event has been a convergence of horticulture hobbyists, enthusiasts, and collectors from the organization’s affiliated clubs, associations, and friends. A total of 106 entries participated this year in the said competition.

The program kicked off with a ribbon cutting ceremony led by City First Lady Herminia Pamintuan, Besco CEO Im Yee Gin, KHBS President Bong De Luna BSAPI President Vincent Ferrer, KHBS Secretary Averell S. Laquindanum, and KHBS Vice President Dr. Ric Ramos.

“Working with nature including bonsai trees can help everyone become a better and a more peaceful person. The theme also represents the organization’s new sets of leaders wherein innovations and changes will be introduced in the coming years,” De Luna said.

Meanwhile, BSAPI President Vincent Ferrer said that growing and tending to bonsai trees is a wonderful avocation and enormous stress reliever, thus encouraging everyone present to do the same. “Judging this year’s competition was tough yet dynamic and challenging but believes the winners were all deserving”, he added.

Aside from the bonsai exhibition, the event also featured ‘Suiseki’, a delicate and traditional Japanese art that studies naturally formed stones as objects of beauty and enjoyment.

Overall, the aim of the presentation is to advocate the appreciation for the craft and to share the instinctive beauty of these miniature trees and stones to the curiosity of the viewing public.

For his part, Vice Mayor Bryan Matthew Nepomuceno lauded KHBS for promoting Horticulture not only as a hobby but an artistic pursuit that provides livelihood opportunities through bonsai propagation.

The event is part of the city’s month-long Fiestang Kuliat celebration.

Angeleño youth get familiar with Kapampangan traditional Games

(PR)

ANGELES CITY -- Youth from various schools and villages in this highly-urbanized city participated in a series of day-long tournaments featuring traditional Kapampangan Games as the city government here staged the 2018 edition of “Mamialung Tamu!” (Let’s Play!)

The Angeles City Tourism Office (ACTO) in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Angeles City Sports Office (ACSO) organized this year’s festivity at the Estacion de Angeles (PNR) People’s Park on October 26.

The event was attended by more than 50 children from the four school districts of Angeles City. Players wearing colored shirts representing the north, south, east and west school districts added to the festive mood of the activity.

Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan said that “Mamialung Tamu” was conceived to serve an avenue for the contemporary youth to grasp a first-hand experience of various age-old Kapampangan games.

“With Mamialung Tamu, we are embedding a mindset that there are a bunch of activities that our youth can enjoy aside from using their gadgets all day long. This also inculcates the sense of leadership, patience, and determination among competing teams which are important to the holistic development of our youth,” said Pamintuan.

Among the game events that were opened during the play-offs are Gulyot, Kusugan Tansan, Labulan Goma, Lundagan Goma, Patintero, Perdigana, Piko, Remborak, Samsamang Panyu, Tatsing Bola, Tiraan Lata and Tumpakan Goma.

Arsenia Ponce, marketing and tourism promotions head of ACTO, said that the event also aimed at reviving the Filipino culture and traditions among the youth. She also emphasized that the continuation of this event will assure the maintenance of the Indigenous Kapampangan games in the generations to come.

Meanwhile, Vice-Mayor Bryan Matthew Nepomuceno graced the occasion as the “Mamang Sorbetero” or ice cream man where he offered sorts of refreshments to the contingents. He then joined some of the traditional games and played with the participants.

“Having experienced our traditional games gives me bliss. This has been a tradition in Angeles City and I hope that our youth will continue in participating as it is intended for them. Rest assured that the city government will continue its programs that promote cultural heritage and activities that are pro-youth,” said Nepomuceno.

Also present during the event were Councilor Jericho Aguas and his wife JC Parker-Aguas, and Barangay Captain Alma Mercado of Tabun. Mamialung Tamu is one of the most celebrated sports event of the month-long Fiestang Kuliat in the city.

Jampacked street party beats records

(PR)

MORE than 80,000 residents and tourists flocked to Angeles City’s highly-anticipated Tigtigan Terakan Keng Dalan (TTKD) in 2018, setting a new record in number of attendees.

The number was based on the ticket sales of JCI Angeles Culiat, Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan announced during the flag raising ceremonies at the city hall Monday, October 29.

During the festival’s opening day on October 26, Pamintuan expressed that he was overwhelmed by the massive crowd.

“Twenty-six years have passed but Tigtigan Terakan Keng Dalan is still an event worth waiting for,” he said. The festival serves as the climax of the month-long Fiestang Kuliat.

Pamintuan was emotional as he announced that it will be the last under his administration.

The mayor, who has served a total of five terms, pioneered TTKD during his first term in October 1992 with the primary goal of uplifting the dampened spirit of the Angeleños in the aftermath of the Mt. Pinatubo eruption.

“After all the difficulties we have experienced, our city was built again and eventually became one of the prosperous cities in the Philippines,” the mayor said.

Vice-Mayor Bryan Matthew Nepomuceno reiterated in his thanksgiving speech that the two-day merriment has become “a tribute to the resilient and triumphant Angeleño spirit”.

The opening salvo included dance performances from the city’s premiere dance groups and performing arts companies such as the City College of Angeles Band and Street Dancers, ACNTS Drum Lyre Band/Street Dancers, Republic Central Colleges Street Dancers, Francisco G. Nepomuceno Memorial High School Street Dancers, Angeles City National High School, Systems Plus College Foundation, and the Sinukwan Kapampangan Center for the Arts.

There were food stalls as well as diverse forms of entertainment featuring celebrities and music artists from the local and national scene.

Local artists and government officials were also given the venue to showcase their talents with the Artists Village and the Kagawads Got Talent event, while Pamintuan rendered his handpicked The Beatles’ songs at the “Let It BE” stage.

The TTKD committee for peace and order disclosed that it has deployed more than 1,200 police personnel to ensure the safety and security of all the attendees. Various groups of volunteers reinforced the peacekeeping action teams.

Complementation key to CL tourism growth

By Malou Dungog

CLARK FREEPORT – The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is seeking to integrate tourist destinations in the neighboring provinces of Pampanga, Tarlac, Bataan and Zambales to further sweeten the pot for the cruise tourism program of the Subic Bay Freeport and create inclusive growth in the region.

In the News@Hues media forum of the Pampanga Press Club at the Park Inn by Radisson Clark recently, SBMA chairman Wilma T. Eisma said there is a need for local communities in Central Luzon to open up more attractions and strengthen each other’s tourism offerings through tactically- coordinated programs.

“Our strategy is for Subic to become the anchor cruise ship destination, but it’s actually not only for Subic but for the inclusive growth of all of us as well,” Eisma explained.

She pointed out that cruise ship passengers disembarking in Subic have frequented various destinations in Clark Freeport, as well as attractions like Las Casas De Acuzar in Bataan and mango farms in Zambales.

“The idea is to come up with curated experiences that we can commonly sell to tourists,” Eisma said.

“Zambales will have agro-tourism, Bataan and Tarlac their historical sites, while we can bring cruise ship passengers for a food trip in Pampanga to sample the popular local cuisine.”

“There is a lot of opportunity, and a lot of dreams that we can realize through the cruise ship program. The key is complementation and the strategy is to sell your own destinations as well as those of your neighbor’s,” she added.

As of now, the SBMA’s cruise ship tourism program is running smoothly, Eisma said, with Subic hosting 17 ship arrivals since February and expecting up to 10 more arrivals before the end of the year.

She added that Subic has already confirmed the arrival of 20 trips for next year, including “Spectrum of the Seas”, a 5,000-capacity cruise ship being built for launching next year by Royal Caribbean International, one of the biggest cruise lines in the world.

Last month, the Central Luzon Regional Development Council cited the SBMA for developing Subic into a premier cruise ship destination in the country and noted that cruise ship arrivals in Subic this year had generated more than P85-million worth of economic activity.

These came in the form of income from cruise ship passengers’ visits to theme parks, local transportation costs, port fees, purchase of local products, dining, and other services provided by tourism-related establishments.

To further build up the Subic cruise ship program, Eisma said the SBMA is seeking the approval of a visa-free scheme for tourists arriving at the Subic Bay Freeport that would also invigorate the tourism industry in neighboring areas.

She said the Subic agency is now working with the Office of the President and concerned agencies to amend EO 271 signed by President Fidel Ramos in 1995 that allows foreign nationals visiting Subic to stay within the free port for a maximum of 14 days without visa.

“I’m very, very hopeful that our visa-free proposal will be granted soon, because once that happens Central Luzon can expect a deluge of tourists and we would surely get our hands full,” Eisma said.

She said the SBMA is continuously working with officials of Clark Freeport and government executives in Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga and Tarlac to plan out tourism cooperation programs, including the hosting of the Southeast Asian Games next year.

In the same forum, SM Clark public relations manager Venus Manalang noted that the renowned mall chain has been accommodating cruise ship passengers who arrived from the Subic Freeport and expressed support to SBMA plans to promote tourism in Central Luzon.

“If the SM Olongapo City branch opens their doors earlier than the scheduled work hours to accommodate cruise ship passengers, the SM Clark branch will also find ways to heighten the interests of cruise ship passengers who will visit our branch,” Manalang said.

CBS hosts DepEd venture financial wellness meet

By Chris Navarro

IN RESPONSE to calls by education officials and economic managers for initiatives to promote personal finance education, China Bank Savings (CBS) recently sponsored a Central Luzon-wide financial wellness meet dubbed “CBS DepEd Venture 2.0: Alay sa Mga Guro” at the Grand Palazzo Royale in Angeles City, Pampanga.

Over 500 principals, teachers and non-teaching staff representing public elementary school and high school teachers in the provinces of Pampanga, Bulacan, Bataan, Tarlac, Zambales and Nueva Ecija attended the intensive course in money management.

With the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas underscoring the need to enhance financial knowledge among Filipinos, China Bank Savings rolled out the nationwide CBS Financial Wellness Roadshow last September 6.

The CBS Financial Wellness Roadshow is the ongoing advocacy program on personal finance for public school teachers, with whistle stops in 13 cities including the Visayas and Mindanao regions. The program took off from the successful DepEd Venture financial wellness event organized last year in Manila in partnership with (DepEd).

CBS DepEd Venture 2.0 in Angeles City served to highlight the bank’s nationwide advocacy program. This year’s meet was anchored on the seminar “Charting the Course of your Financial Life” and featured financial adviser Rex Mendoza, president and CEO of Rampver Financials. Takeaways from the seminar include practical skill sets for making smart financial decisions, conserving family assets, and preparing for a worry-free retirement.

The program was formally opened by DepEd Regional Director Dr. Beatriz G. Torno and keynoted by Undersecretary Victoria M. Catibog on behalf of Education Secretary Leonor M. Briones.

Thousands to flock to biggest football event

(SunStar Pampanga)

MORE than 7,000 football enthusiasts are expected to flock to Clark Freeport to witness the staging of the biggest football tournament in the country dubbed as “Pinas Cup 2018” on October 27 to 30.

Organized by Manila Soccer Academy in cooperation with Philippine Football Federation, the event will bring together some 115 teams including participants from across the country.

Spectators and supporters of competing teams coming from Cebu, Davao, Bacolod, Iloilo, Cagayan De Oro, Bicol and Metro Manila will also come over to cheer and enjoy the festivities during the four-day football tournament.

Representatives from leading schools and universities in the country such as Ateneo, University of the Philippines, La Salle, and Xavier School and other selected schools will also join the competition.

Clark Development Corporation (CDC) is coordinating with the organizers to ensure the success of the said event, which is being held for the third time in Clark.

In a statement posted in their website, the organizers of the event have cited the suitability of Clark as a location for the said tournament and its potential as a premiere sports-tourism destination.

“Clark Freeport Zone is now a primary sponsor. They provide us with eight full size pitches and five small size pitches and have agreed to maintain the pitch to a well acceptable standard and playing quality. We also find Clark as an ideal venue to host national and international teams with the international airport, numerous hotels in the area as well as various entertainment attractions,” the organizers said.

This year’s Pinas Cup will include girls, women's and men's categories, making the tournament a family affair.

Clark hosts Pinas Cup 2018

By Ding Cervantes

CLARK FREEPORT – This freeport is premium spot for over 7,000 football enthusiasts as it hosts the biggest football tournament in the country dubbed as ‘Pinas Cup 2018’ on October 27 to 30.

Organized by Manila Soccer Academy in participation with Philippine Football Federation, the event will bring together 115 teams including participants from Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Indonesia, and Thailand among other countries, the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) said.

CDC said “supporters and spectators of competing teams coming from Cebu, Davao, Bacolod, Iloilo, Cagayan De Oro, Bicol and Metro Manila will also come over to play, cheer and enjoy the festivities during the four-day football tournament here.”

Representatives from leading schools and universities in the country such as Ateneo, University of the Philippines, La Salle, and Xavier School and other selected schools will also join in the competition, it added.

Pinas Cup is now on its third year here. In a statement posted in their website, the organizers of the event cited the suitability of Clark as a location for the said tournament, citing the freeport’s “potential as a premiere sports-tourism destination.”

“Clark Freeport Zone is now a primary sponsor. They provide us with 8 full size pitches and 5 small size pitches and have agreed to maintain the pitch to a well acceptable standard and playing quality. We also find Clark as an ideal venue to host national and international teams with the international airport, numerous hotels in the area as well as various entertainment attractions,” the organizers said.

This year’s Pinas Cup will include girls, women’s and men’s categories, making the tournament a family affair which attracted a number of international youth teams to come and experience football games, including the beauty and festive culture of the country.

Angeles City officials receive National Heritage Award

(Politiko Central Luzon)

Vice Mayor Bryan Matthew Nepomuceno of Angeles City, Pampanga led in receiving Wednesday the Philippine Heritage Awards to the city government of Angeles.

The Presidential citation and Philippine Heritage Award were presented to the city government of Angeles under the Heritage Program Support Category, “in recognition of its exemplary work and contributions in the area of heritage preservation and conservation efforts through its Cultural Renaissance of Angeles City Program.”

The citation noted that the local government’s program “provides a long-term sustainable vision and blueprint for the local government, non-governmental organizations, religious institutions, private entities and members of the community to successfully collaborate in protecting and preserving heritage sites and infrastructure.”

The event was held at Malacanang Palace, with President Rodrigo Duterte conferring the awards together with National Commission for Culture and the Arts Chairman Virgilio Almario and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

The Philippine Heritage Awards was among four awards given out. The three others are the National Artist Award, the National Living Treasures, and the Presidential Medal of Merit.

It is the first time that the NCCA is presenting the Philippine Heritage Awards as it recognizes special achievements and important contribution and services in the area of heritage preservation and conservation efforts, in accordance with the National Cultural Heritage Law.

Nepomuceno received the citation in plaque, while Angeles City Councilor Edgardo Pamintuan, Jr. held the trophy.

On his Facebook page, exclaimed, “To God be all the Glory!” as he shared screenshots of his and Nepomuceno’s appearance on the RTVM coverage of the event.

Metro Pacific Tollways gears up for ‘Undas’

By Marna Dagumboy Del Rosario and Manny Balbin (PNA)

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga -- The Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) announced on Tuesday the boosting of service capacity of its expressway network to provide more convenient travel to the public, particularly in the coming holidays.

MPTC is the holding company of North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Subic- Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), and Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX).

MPTC president and CEO Rodrigo Franco, during the “Safe Trip Mo, Sagot Ko (SMSK)” press conference held at the Luxent Hotel in Quezon City, said they will continue to enhance traffic management and toll collection services for the convenience of motorists.

He said no road works will start from Oct. 26 to Nov, 5 this year on any of the three expressways.

Lawyer Romulo S. Quimbo Jr., NLEX Corporation senior vice president for communication and stakeholder management, said from Oct. 26 to Nov. 5, NLEX-SCTEX traffic management teams will adopt extended working hours to closely monitor and manage the expected high volume of vehicles in Balintawak, Mindanao Avenue, Bocaue, Sta. Ines, Tarlac, and Tipo toll plazas.

Additional patrol and incident response teams will also be deployed in critical areas to immediately assist motorists.

During the peak periods of Oct. 26, 28, 31, and Nov. 1, the Balintawak Toll Plaza will open a maximum of 28 toll collection points while Mindanao Avenue, Tarlac, and Tipo toll plazas will open a maximum of 10, 20, and 6 toll collection points, respectively.

Portabooths and portable toll collection equipment will be used to lessen motorists’ waiting time at the toll plazas.

By Oct. 28, Nov. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the Bocaue Toll Plaza will have a maximum of 60 collection points for southbound motorists. Toll tellers at the Tarlac Toll Plaza will be ready to issue pre-encoded transit tickets to motorists.

During the same period, CAVITEX will field more patrol teams to manage the traffic and assist motorists.

Construction along the mainline road at the NLEX-SCTEX-CAVITEX will be suspended from Oct. 26 at 5 p.m. to Nov. 5 at 9 a.m.

The MPTC and its partners will likewise set up SMSK Motorist Camps and provide free calls, Wi-Fi, drinking water, basic mechanic services and first aid treatment in designated locations.

The SMSK will also provide 24-hour free towing services to the nearest exit for Class 1 vehicles from Oct. 31, 6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. of November 4.

“One of the advanced enhancement for the digital world of MPTC is real-time traffic situation at the NLEX-SCTEX, which can now be viewed via Facebook Live on the NLEX Corporation Facebook page from Oct. 31-Nov. 4,” Franco said.

In the expansion projects, the NLEX Corporation is constructing new toll lanes in four toll plazas in Pampanga aimed at matching the rapid pace of the province’s traffic growth.

Among these toll plazas are in San Fernando (southbound entry and exit), Mexico, and Angeles.

“Two more toll lanes at the San Fernando southbound (SB) exit and one additional toll lane at the SB entry are in the works to accommodate the increasing traffic volume. The Angeles toll plaza will be augmented with two entry lanes and one exit lane, while another toll lane will be built at the Mexico northbound exit. Additional lanes will likewise be constructed at the connecting ramps of NLEX and SCTEX in Mabalacat City," Franco said.

Meanwhile, the Cavitex Infrastructure Corporation is set to fully open the Marina left-turning flyover to pave way for smoother traffic flow and eliminate the existing traffic lights.

All these enhancements are expected to be completed by the end of 2018.

In toll and traffic system enhancements, Renato Punzalan, vice president for Tollways Development and Engineering South, said the MPTC continues to innovate through systems enhancements in NLEX, SCTEX, and CAVITEX in an effort to elevate customer experience.

“To accommodate the increasing number of Easytrip subscribers, some cash and mixed toll lanes in NLEX will become exclusive electronic toll collection (ETC) lanes,” Punzalan said.

“From 15 exclusive ETC lanes in 2017, NLEX will now have 27 exclusive ETC lanes for Easytrip subscribers. At Cavitex, two toll lanes at the Parañaque Toll Plaza will be converted to exclusive RFID lanes,” he added.

Over at the SCTEX, four emergency call boxes (ECB) are currently being installed at Dinalupihan (Subic-bound), Porac (Subic-bound), Dolores (Tarlac-bound), and San Miguel (Tarlac-bound) to ensure the security and safety of motorists.

Punzalan noted that the call boxes will enable distressed motorists to directly and quickly reach the SCTEX Traffic Control Room and allow SCTEX teams to respond faster.

"The new call boxes are also equipped with cameras for better roadside management," he said.

Meanwhile, variable electronic message signs providing useful and updated traffic information will also be put up at the Floridablanca (Subic-bound), Concepcion (Subic-bound), Porac (Tarlac-bound), and Bamban (Tarlac-bound) interchanges.

SM to develop 10 hectares in Clark

By Jenniffer B. Austria (/Udenna Corp)

Property developer SM Prime Holdings Inc. signed a sublease agreement with Global Gateway Development Corp. of businessman Dennis Uy to develop 10 hectares in Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga province.

GGDC, the owner and developer of a 177-hectare mixed-use development in Clark, said in a statement SM Prime would initially sublease five hectares of Clark Global City, with an option to lease another five hectares within the next three years.

The subleased space will expand the adjacent retail, office and hotel developments of SM Prime in Clark Freeport Zone. SM has a shopping mall along M.A. Roxas Ave. in Clark Freeport, Angeles City.

“Clark Global City provides us another platform to help develop Clark and thereby unlock employment and business opportunities in the region,” said SM Prime executive committee chairman Hans Sy.

“We will explore more opportunities to contribute to the transformation of Clark as a premier investment destination in Asia-Pacific,” he said.

Clark Global City is a master-planned development with a buildable area of more than 123 hectares. It will host top-grade office buildings, up-market retail outlets, contemporary academic centers, sports centers, an urban park, an iconic tower, a hotel and casino and modern support services and amenities.

Clark Global City is home to a 173-bed hospital under The Medical City brand along with two fully leased out Grade A office buildings.

The existing office buildings, with 57,000 square meters of leasable office and retail spaces, form part of a complex called West Aeropark. Three more buildings, which have been pre-leased, are under construction at the site.

“Having SM Prime as one of our anchor locators boosts our efforts in developing Clark Global City as the country’s new center of business, life and innovation,” GGDC chairman Dennis Uy said.

“We look forward to welcoming more companies and investors as partners in realizing our vision for Clark Global City, which we believe will translate to more jobs and better living conditions for our fellow Filipinos,” Uy said.

GGDC is wholly-owned subsidiary of Udenna Development Corp., the real estate and property development arm of one of the fastest-growing holding companies in the Philippines.

‘Commercio’ to reopen in Clark for Christmas

By REYNALDO G. NAVALES

IN TIME for the Yuletide season, “Commercio Central” is set to reopen at Clark Freeport in a “lifestyle market” format.

Clark Manabat, one of the organizers of Commercio, said that the soft–opening will be on October 26 while the grand reopening will be on November 6.

On its second season, the lifestyle-weekend market at the Parade Grounds will feature some 50 concessionaires with additional kiosks that will showcase authentic Kapampangan dishes and products.

Manabat also mentioned that different goods from other provinces will also be available at Commercio.

“Commercio will offer authentic Kapampangan foods like sisig, ihaw-ihaw and street foods. We will also have products coming from other provinces like Ilocos with their empanada and also products from Baguio,” he said.

Manabat said that during the grand reopening, guests and tourists can expect a variety of new activities that will help to promote tourism here. He added that several competitions will be conducted which will be participated by different schools and barangays near this Freeport.

“Our activities will be until December. We have singing and dance competitions with schools in Angeles and Mabalacat cities as yung mga target participants. Then we will also have a battle of the bands, plus a drum and lyre competition for different schools and barangays,” he said.

Manabat said that a lighting ceremony and a dinner for a cause will also be held in December to support the Aeta community here.

He added that with the vision of Commercio in promoting tourism, they are trying to reach out to local government units (LGUs) to help different municipalities in promoting their local products through Commercio.

“We also ask support from the LGUs to raise awareness about the local products of municipalities sa Pampanga. With the support of House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Governor Lilia Pineda, we asked for their help if they can give us a way to introduce to them Commercio so at least the products each municipality will be promoted through Commercio,” Manabat said.

Senior citizens converge for Elderly Week celebration

(PR)

ANGELES City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan and Vice-Mayor Bryan Matthew Nepomuceno joined thousands of Angeleño senior citizens on Wednesday, October 17, to celebrate this year’s Elderly Week at the MarQuee Mall Activity Center.

Spearheaded by the Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (Osca), the celebration with the theme, “Kilalanin at Parangalan: Tagasulong ng Karapatan ng Nakakatanda tungo sa Lipunang Mapagkalinga”, aims to empower and give recognition to the elderly sector for their invaluable contribution to the society and nation building.

During the event, the city government officials led by Pamintuan gave special song numbers for the attendees. OSCA also prepared song and dance numbers, and raffles which were actively participated by the elderly.

In his speech, a sentimental Pamintuan bid his farewell to the elderly as he is about to complete his final term as mayor of the city.

The mayor also emphasized in his message the need to give the younger generation of public servants the opportunity to lead the city.

For his part, Nepomuceno emphasized that the fete serves to increase public awareness on different issues affecting senior citizens, and to highlight the elderly as potent sector of the society.

By virtue of Proclamation No. 470, “Elderly Filipino Week” has been a yearly celebration held every October to pay tribute, give encouragement and support, as well as recognize the rights of the senior citizens.

Travel guide: Discovering Angeles City through heritage, culinary walking tour

By Rosette Adel (philstar.com)

PAMPANGA, Philippines — When we speak about heritage and culinary walking tour in Luzon, the places that usually pops our mind are the Old Manila and Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

Little did we know that just around two hours away from Manila, a hidden gem in Pampanga is waiting to be discovered.

Pampanga is known as the culinary capital of the Philippines but one of its cities, Angeles City, also houses several cultural and historical spots worth visiting and exploring.

Philstar.com recently embarked on a heritage and walking tour to the foodies’ paradise and rich city of Angeles. We have listed down the places and restaurants to visit to enrich your wanderlust and fill your tummies.

First stop: Holy Rosary Parish Church

Begin your walking tour with a food for the soul and visit the 141-year-old Holy Rosary Parish Church located at the heart of Angeles City.

The historic church, formerly known as “Santo Rosario Church,” is situated in front of the city’s Old Municipal. It has been declared as one of the most important cultural properties by the National Museum.

Holy Rosary Parish Church is also considered as one of the chief landmarks of Angeles City as its structure stood the test of time and surpassed the World War II. The church's bellfry was destroyed during the war in 1940 but it now stand beautifully in the capitol where restored cobblestones roads can also be found.

Second stop: Café Fleur

For a hearty breakfast, one is suggested to add celebrity chef Sau Del Rosario’s Café Fleur in their top priority food stop.

This café features avant-garde Kampampangan cuisine in a simple and cozy setting.

Among the breakfast meals to try are daing na bangus, Fleur’s French toast, Lucban longganisa, scrambled eggs partnered with fried rice or sinangag. The café’s organic, fair-trade coffee by Volcano coffee should also be checked out.

Third stop: The Pamintuan Mansion

What better way to burn your breakfast calories is to visit one of the most historical places in Angeles City called “The Pamintuan Mansion.”

Although it is popularly known as Pamintuan Mansion, this heritage house is Angeles City’s Museo ng Kasayan ng Panlipunan ng Pilipinas.

The house is built by rich Pampangeños, Mariano Pamintuan and Valentino Torres, as a wedding gift to their son, Florentino.

What makes this mansion historic and special are not just its grandiose structure and antique pieces but also because it used to serve as the headquarters of General Antonio Luna and General Arthur MacArthur in 1899.

The site is also where the Philippines' Independence was first declared where former President Emilio Aguinaldo held celebration.

The mansion is the highest structure in Angeles. From its rooftop area, you can view Mt. Arayat and the rest of the city.

Fourth stop: LA Bakeshop

After enjoying the educational trip to The Pamintuan Mansion, a good way to follow it through is by visiting the store that offers the original cheese bread in town, LA Bakeshop. Established in 1985, this shop offers quality bread that can also serve as your souvenirs.

Aside from cheese bread, Spanish bread from this bakeshop is also a best-seller and a must-try.

Fifth stop: 25 Seeds

For lunch, another gem from chef Sau, 25 seeds, is a must-visit food-stop.

The restaurant is centered on a farm-to-table concept. This is where you can taste delightful Kampangpangan dishes with a modern and fusion take such as Sisig Paella, Crispy Pork Belly with Truffled Macadamia Kare-Kare, and crispy okay, among others.

25 seeds is located at the Dycaico Ancestral House where Café fleur is also situated. The restaurant promotes sustainable food creations and help boosts the farming business in Angeles by using their crops as ingredients.

Sixth stop: Toll House

A Filipino road trip is nothing without merienda, so a visit to Angeles City’s Toll House is also obligatory.

This family-run restaurant which has been around in the city since 1988 is a favorite among the locals because of its affordable desserts and nostalgic comfort food. The place itself gives a homey vibe making it truly family-friendly.

Toll House now has four other branches outside Angeles but its main branch in Sto. Rosario has since become an icon. For 30 years now, it continues to appeal to students and family members as it is also located near the church and school.

The restaurant also used to only sell few dishes but when it expanded, the management decided to offer other dishes and pastries. They are best known for baked macaroni, clubhouse sandwich, pandan and black forest cakes, as well as shepherd’s pie, among others.

Seventh stop: Bale-balayan Museum

After all the calorie-intake, a visit to Bale-Balayan Museum for the Poor Center For Transformation Through Arts is always a good idea. This museum was established by artist Peter de Vera who has a huge collection of musical instruments.

Instead of just making it a typical museum where one can explore musical instruments and his other artwork collection, he opened it to street kids who wanted to learn about performance arts. Bale-Balayan is now home to 40 aspiring and talented kids who also entertain and perform for guests in the museum.

While visiting, these kids will perform for you and encourage you to help other street children who are willing to be transformed by music and education.

Eighth stop: Pigs and Pints

Cap off the whole heritage and food tour with drinks and dinner at nose-to-tail-gastropub Pigs and Pints.

Nose-to-tail is a concept reitroduced into the Western culinary mainstream by Henry Ferguson from the United Kingdom in 1999.

This gastropub conceptualized by executive chef Bong Sagmit is perfect for night-outs and casual hangouts with friends and families who would like to enjoy good food and music. It offers craft-beer and pub grub such as seafood paella, fresh oysters sourced from Caticlan, pulled beef shank as well as other bar chows, wings, sweet potato fries, and chicharon, among others.

You can enjoy this heritage and walking tour with travel essentials such as your trusty umbrella, hydration bottle, and wearing a comfortable footwear like the Skechers’ GOwalk.

Global lifestyle brand Skechers has just launched its latest and most technologically advanced walking footwear in their famous GOwalk collection: the GOwalk Evolution and GOwalk Revolution that surely helped make the walking tour easier.

As a review of the shoes, the ultrago cushioning made the walk bearable as it is very lightweight and carries responsive midsole perfect for walking. Despite the heat, your feet will still be happy due to the breathable air cooled gogamat insoles feature of the shoes.

Whether you are a history junkie or a curious foodie, gearing up best for walking tour in Angeles City will satisfy you and fulfill your travel goals as it showcased important landmarks and a food establishments that mirror the culinary expertise of the city. Surely, Angeles City, Pampanga is a one-stop-shop for culturual, history and food trip.

FIESTANG KULIAT : Angeleños witness Serenata ‘18

(Angeles City CIO with reports from Ana Mira Cunanan and Leian Chelo Ibe)

ANGELES CITY – Hundreds of residents and tourists here troop the Sto. Rosario Heritage District on October 13 to experience a night of musical spectacle as the city government here stage a bigger ‘Serenata’ as part of the month-long Fiestang Kuliat.

Serenata or “Serenade” has been a tradition in Angeles City held every second week of October, a day before the Feast of Our Lady of Holy Rosary La Naval de Angeles. The Band 88 of Sta Maria, Bulacan and Band 33 of San Antonio, Bacolor participated in this year’s edition of the event with no less than 50 brass band members per delegation.

“Serenata is staged every year so that people can experience our beautiful city and its rich arts and culture. It has also become the city’s tribute to one of its patron saints, the Our Lady of Holy Rosary,” Angeles City Tourism Office (ACTO) head John Montances said in his welcoming speech.

ACTO Deputy for Heritage, Culture and Arts, Joy Cruz explained that the tradition dates back in 1860 and was discontinued during the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991.

This year, ACTO is bringing back this traditional openair musical extravaganza featuring top rondalla and brass bands in the province serenading to the tune of folk and contemporary music.

Cruz also stressed that during the first term of Mayor Ed Pamintuan in 2011, he started the Serenata again as “he wants to maintain this old tradition among Angeleños”.

“He [Mayor Pamintuan] is pushing the development of the city as a cultural destination and center for the promotion and preservation of culture and tradition,” Cruz added.

For his part, Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan emphasized that the centuries-old traditions of the Angeleños weave the invaluable assets of the city’s rich artistic tapestry.

“These traditions reflect who we are as Angeleños. I hope that this cultural renaissance in the city will continue for this will pave the way to the rediscovery of our tangible and intangible cultural assets,” Pamintuan said.

Joining the mayor and the jampacked crowd were Vice Mayor Bryan Nepomuceno, Councilor Edgardo “Edu” Pamintuan Jr., City First Lady Hermita Pamintuan, Barangay Captain Andy Tan of Lourdes Northwest, and Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) Head Gloria Tanhueco.

The ceremony ended with a spectacular fireworks display.

DM Group celebrates 1st year anniversary

(PR)

THE DM Group of Companies celebrated on Thursday, October 4, its first year anniversary with the grand opening of its newest member, Shiners Carwash and Auto Detailing/Painting located at DM Building, Henyfel Street, Balibago in Angeles City.

Jeffrey del Mundo, chairman and CEO of DM Group of Companies who celebrated his birthday that same day, said that he is very thankful for the support of loyal customers who have been instrumental in the success of the DM Group.

“We owe our first year to our loyal customers who have been with us since the very beginning and to the men and women behind the DM Group of Companies. Let us continue to work together in order to provide the quality services and products that our customers truly deserve. Let us strive for excellence because our customers only deserve the very best,” del Mundo said.

The DM Group of Companies members are DM Prime Holdings, DM Real Estate, DM Leisure, DM Construction and DM Holdings Company.

Also under the DM Group are Techno Global Infinity Solutions a business process outsourcing company; Lemon Bar and KTV, the most modern bar and KTV in Metro Angeles; DMX Boxing and Fitness Gym, the cleanest and most equipped boxing and fitness gym; Lemon Jar, a health thirst quencher and healthy cafe with sandwich and pasta options; Lemon Kitchen, a unique tapsilog restaurant concept; Idrink H20, a clean drinking water provider for residences and business establishments; and Velvet Ganache, the best boulangeria and patisserie in the Metro.

Shiners Car Wash, the new edition to the DM Group provides the most advanced techniques in car wash and auto detailing services.

NLEX expands Pampanga toll plazas in 3 major exits

(Manila Bulletin)

The NLEX Corporation has undertaken several expansion works in its expressway by constructing additional toll lanes in four toll plazas in Pampanga.

Among the toll plazas undergoing expansion are in San Fernando, Mexico, and Angeles, all aimed at matching the rapid pace of the province’s progress. This is according to Lawyer Romulo S. Quimbo, senior vice president for communication stakeholder management.

“Apart from increasing the service capacity, the NLEX enhancement projects will considerably bring relief to motorists by reducing transaction time at the toll lane,” said Quimbo.

In Pampanga’s capital city, two more toll lanes at the San Fernando southbound (SB) exit and one additional toll lane at the SB entry are in the works to accommodate the increasing traffic volume in Pampanga. Total lanes of the SB entry and exit will now be six and five, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Angeles toll plaza will be augmented with two entry lanes and one exit lane, bringing the total toll lanes to 10. This move is expected to alleviate mounting traffic issues in Angeles City, which is also one of the busiest areas in NLEX.

The NLEX Corporation will likewise add another toll lane to the Mexico toll plaza exiting northbound to serve the growing number of motorists traveling in the area.

Additional lanes will be constructed at the connecting ramps of NLEX and SCTEX. All these enhancements are expected to be completed by the end of 2018.

The City of San Fernando has been one of the centers of trade and commerce in the Central Luzon region, playing host to shopping districts and several business establishments. Its proximity and access to other provinces such as Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and Zambales makes it a vital industrial corridor.

Economic activities are also steadily rising in Mexico due to several housing developments in this first-class municipality.

Earlier this year, the tollway firm finished the expansion of the northbound exit ramp of San Fernando Interchange which has since prevented traffic bottlenecks especially during rush hours.