Pangasinan News May 2012

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Pangasinan Province - 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.

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.

Pangasinan dentists services the underserved

By April Montes (ANL/AMM-PIA 1, Pangasinan)

DAGUPAN CITY, May 31 (PIA) –--To uphold its vision to render oral health care which caters to underserved Pangasinenses, the Pangasinan Dental Chapter (PDC) recently held various activities in the province.

“As health care providers, we are hoping that we can obtain a better picture of the dental profession and how it can be useful in dental practice as well as in public service,” cited Dr. Evangeline Padlan, PDC president.

The dentists conducted dental education and a dental mission at Lasip Chico to promote oral health among Dagupenos on May 2.

They also underwent a zumba session on May 10 at the Power Build gym in Brgy. Herrero to become physically fit. Zumba is a Latin-inspired fitness program involving dance and aerobics exercises. Subsequently, PDC launched a community-based program in the second district of Pangasinan on May 17.

In the community-based program, mothers were taught how to incorporate “malunggay” or morinaga leaves in their dish. After their class, food with malunggay was served to children in the feeding program. Dental education and tooth brushing drill among 100 children followed the event. Padlan said that they will render free dental services to the locals of the second district in their next visit.

Padlan further asserted that their Very Important Patient (VIP) program which started last March is still on-going in the six districts of Pangasinan. Indigents under this program are given free dental services for the whole year as PDC seeks to address poor oral health of those who are underprivileged.

Re-regulating pond in Pangasinan set to be operational in August

(PNA), DCT/LVM

STA. BARBARA, Pangasinan, May 30 (PNA) -- The re-regulating pond of the San Roque Multi-Purpose Project (SRMP) in San Manuel town is set to be operational by August this year.

Governor Amado Espino Jr. said the project would be able to provide water during the dry season to additional 20,000 hectares of land in eastern and central Pangasinan and boost rice harvest by more than two million bags.

Cris Bautista, assistant director of the Department of Agriculture, regional office said with the re-regulating pond, farmers would be able to plant rice in these 20,000 hectares of land up to three times a year.

Bautista said water is plentiful in the farms every rainy season but not during summer when many farms are going dry.

The re-regulating pond will impound water being discharged by SRMP when it is generating power for the Luzon Grid, instead of flowing downstream of the Agno River and then to Lingayen Gulf.

The project, funded by a loan of the government from China's Import and Export Bank, was built by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to boost irrigation water in Pangasinan.

Pangasinan currently ranks third among the biggest rice producing provinces in the entire country after Nueva Ecija and Isabela.

5 drown in Batangas, Pangasinan

By Arnell Ozaeta and Eva Visperas (The Philippine Star)

BATANGAS, Philippines – Five people, including a policeman and a businessman, drowned in this province and Pangasinan in separate incidents over the weekend, police said.

Senior Superintendent Rosauro Acio, Batangas police director, identified the victims as Senior Inspector Renato Samson, 36; Rustico Balog, 36, businessman and a resident of Barangay Dagatan in Taysan town; and Artemio Salabit.

In Pangasinan, a 13-year-old boy drowned while swimming with his friends in Marusay River in Barangay Nalsian, Centro Calasiao town.

Romeo Tustes, 45, a resident of Barangay Salisay, Dagupan City, who is reportedly drunk, drowned while swimming along the shoreline in Barangay Patar.

Two Pangasinan fishermen rescued off Ilocos Sur

(PNA), RMA/lvm/Freddie G. Lazaro/1510/rma

MAGSINGAL, Ilocos Sur, May 28 (PNA)-- Two fishermen from Bolinao, Pangasinan, who were declared missing since they went on fishing expedition in West Philippine Sea with other fishermen on board a mother boat on May 21, were rescued off Barangay Puro, Magsingal, Ilocos Sur last Sunday.

Police identified the two as Rodolfo Molina, 26; and Gringo Garagao, 23, both of Barangay Balingasay, Bolinao, Pangasinan. The two were immediately rushed to the Magsingal District Hospital for treatment and are now out of danger.

The two fishermen were on board a motorized banca, launched from a mother boat, which suffered a mechanical defect in mid-sea.

However, the two fishermen failed to return to their mother boat on the agreed time of arrival as their motor boat suffered mechanical trouble.

Communities join ‘Brigada Eskwela'

(Venus H. Sarmiento/PIA-Pangasinan)

THE Brigada Eskwela, a nationwide program enjoining community participation in preparing schools for the opening of the new academic year, started last week as classes in preparation for the start of classes on June 4.

In Dagupan, the City Schools Division said the first day of the weeklong Brigada Eskwela on May 21 was successful with multi-sector participation.

Dr. Alma Ruby Torio, division superintendent, said a lot of teachers and stakeholders helped even as she stressed that Dagupan schools maintain cleanliness all year round.

“Everyday is Brigada Eskwela day here in Dagupan,” Torio said.

Torio said there were the usual activities during the conduct of Brigada such as the repair of chairs, windows, repainting of buildings and cleanliness in the environment and assured parents that there will be enough chairs for the students.

“We want to assure parents that all children who will come to school will have chairs to sit on,” she said.

The problem of flooding was also addressed with the unclogging of drainage canals and elevation of school pathways, including the elevation of main roads that lead to schools, Torio said.

Targeting a 1:1 ratio for students and books, Torio said textbooks have been delivered to every school based on the orders and reports of school heads and principals. A buffer supply is also available at the division office in case demand increases, she said.

Torio said the Department of Education is prepared for the yearly increase of students in public schools, particularly with transferees as she noted that private schools have increased tuition fees for school year 2012-2013.

She also stressed that public schools uphold the ‘no collection policy’ upon enrolment and even the authorized contributions remain voluntary.

Espino leads certified seeds and tilapia fingerlings distribution

By Eva Visperas (PIO)

LINGAYEN—The provincial government led by Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and ABONO Partylist distributed certified seeds and some 400,000 tilapia fingerlings to farmers, local government units (LGUs) and farmers organizations last May 24 at the Provincial Agriculture Office in Tebag, Sta. Barbara.

The distribution was part of 2nd phase of the project of the province, the DA, National Seed Quality Control Services and ABONO Partylist dubbed “Accelerated Certified Seed Production and Distribution”.

Dalisay Moya officer-in-charge of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturalist, said that the project was aimed at increasing the province’s rice and fish production and help augment the income and production yield of marginal farmers.

Likewise, Moya said that the undertaking was a continuous project for marginal farmers in the province’s aim to further improve rural-based agriculture.

The governor was joined by Rep. Robert Raymund Estrella of ABONO Partylist and DA Regional Director Valentino Perdido during the distribution rite.

Pangasinan rice for plastic program lauded

By Eva Visperas (The Philippine Star)

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines – The Philippine Plastic Industry Association has commended the “Plastic Mo, Bigas Ko, Palit Tayo” project in this town for instilling the habit of keeping the environment clean.

Under the program, a kilo of plastic garbage is exchanged for a kilo of rice. It was first implemented in Sitio Longos, Barangay Bonuan Boquig.

The nearby towns of San Fabian and Sta. Barbara have also adopted the program.

“People are happy because the garbage problem in their area is being solved and at the same time we are giving them something to bring home for the family,” Councilor Jigs Seen, brainchild of the project, said.

Seen said he plans to form an advocacy movement so that more local government units and non-government organizations would adopt the project.

“In other countries, you see children keeping their candy wrappers and dispose them properly. That’s what we want to imbibe here also,” he said.

Pagcor funds Alaminos City's 'engineered bamboo' project

By Helen Flores (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) and the Alaminos City government in Pangasinan have embarked on a P31-million livelihood project that aims to benefit some 10,000 locals.

Pagcor chairman and chief executive officer Cristino Naguiat said under the project dubbed “Hundred Islands (HI) Engineered Kawayan,” a fully functional bamboo factory will be built to mass-produce high-quality furniture and school armchairs using engineered bamboo as material.

Currently, Alaminos City has a mini-factory housing machines procured from the Mariano Marcos State University for bamboo furniture production.

Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza said through Pagcor’s funding, the city government could further develop the bamboo industry in the Ilocos region, and eventually create new businesses and job opportunities in Pangasinan.

He said nearly 10,000 folk in Alaminos City and nearby towns will directly benefit from the project.

“Pagcor’s assistance will have a domino effect in the city’s economic development program. Bamboo producers, workers and family enterprises will benefit from the project, not only Alaminians but also those living in the nearby towns of the first district of Pangasinan,” Braganza said.

The first district, which includes Alaminos City, is the major supplier of bamboo in the province and Metro Manila.

Gester Tolentino, Alaminos City agriculturist and project coordinator for e-Kawayan, said the project will initially supply the armchair requirements of the Department of Education.

“Our goal is to address the 6,000 school chair requirements of the public schools in Alaminos. We hope to supply the other armchair requirements of the rest of Pangasinan in the coming years,” he said.

DSWD hires 1,664 Pangasinan youth for govt internship program

By Venus H. Sarmiento (PIA 1, Pangasinan with reports from DSWD)

DAGUPAN CITY, May 23 (PIA) -– At least 1,664 youth from Pangasinan were hired by the Department of Social Welfare and Development for 52 days and will have the chance not just to earn but participate in nation building as well.

The Government Internship Program (GIP) of DSWD signaled the hiring of out-of-school youth, and undergraduate and unemployed graduates aged 18-30 years old who will receive a stipend of P246 a day, according to DSWD’s Information Officer Iryn Delos Reyes.

These interns will be assigned in barangays, field offices, centers and institutions of the DSWD, and registered non-government organizations.

They will perform various tasks in the core social protection programs of DSWD such as Pantawid Pamilya, social pension program, supplementary feeding, cash for work for small scale farmers and fishermen, and internally displaced persons and day care services, in partnership with local government units.

Delos Reyes said the GIP provides opportunities for young people to earn and augment the family income as they develop their skills in preparing for future employment.

In the entire Region I, there are 6,096 youths hired and deployed in 3,265 barangays.

The GIP is in adherence to President Benigno Aquino’s thrust to strengthen the youth by empowering them on their skills and potentials through their participation in various government programs.

Pangasinan’s Healthy Habit Club to conduct free medical check- up

By Venus H. Sarmiento (ANL/VHS-PIA 1, Pangasinan/PIO)

DAGUPAN CITY, May 22 (PIA) -- The provincial government here is set to conduct a free medical check-up for members of the Healthy Habit Club and their families on May 23 at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center.

Among the medical services that can be availed of include ECG, bone scanning, and free consultation, according to Janet Asis, officer-in-charge of the Human Resource Management Office.

The team of health personnel from the Provincial Health Office led by Dr. Anna De Guzman will administer the check-up and consultations.

The Healthy Habit Club was launched on February 14 last year under the Health Risk Management Program of the province and has since embarked on healthful activities like fun run, joint physical exercises, healthy cooking contest, and ballroom dancing.

It was conceptualized by Gov. Amado T. Espino Jr. which aims to keep every employee fit and in shape as well as to diverse risk factors related to lifestyle to combat the increasing prevalence of lifestyle-related disease.

Sculpture workshop and exhibit at Liongoren

(The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Liongoren Gallery, in partnership with Tawir Heritage Foundation Inc. of Pangasinan, conducted an eight-day sculpture workshop in clay and fiberglass lrecently at Liongoren Gallery, Crisologo Compound,Tapuac Dist., Dagupan City.

Resource persons were Bacolod artists Israel Gonzales and Herson Sarona, and 2011 Metrobank Art and Design Excellence Sculpture Competition grand prize Awardee Jun Vicaldo. Participants to the workshop were local visual artists, art educators from Pangasinan State University, Señor Tesoro Academy, Pangasinan National High School and Pangasinan Provincial Solid Waste Management Office.

The workshop covered techniques and uses of clay and fiberglass in arts and crafts using locally sourced material. Clay was secured from barangay Quintong, San Carlos City, a traditional pottery village. Baidy Mendoza, the pioneering clay artist from Labrador, Pangasinan, gave an inspirational talk at the start of the program. Workshop director was Pangasinan sculptor and poet Paco Santos.

A visual narrative of the twin workshop, the output of the participants and trainors, works of guest artists Julie Lluch and Baidy Mendoza, paintings of workshop participants Jojit Solano, Patrick Fernandez and Boni de Guzman, are on view at Liongoren Gallery, TeoTinay Bldg., Crisologo Compound, 301 Tapuac Dist., Dagupan City.

“And then I smiled,” a solo show of UP College of Fine Arts professor Yasmin Almonte, is on extended run until June 15 also at Liongoren.

For inquiries, call or SMS 0917-8874319.

DOH’s “Kalusugan Pangkalahatan” in full swing

(PIA-Pangasinan/RRF)

“KALUSUGAN Pangkalahatan”, the Department of Health’s (DOH) program aimed at improving medical care for everybody, is in full swing with various projects targeted to benefit those who have the least access to health services.

“The DOH is implementing the ‘Kalusugan Pangkalahatan’ to provide healthcare to the poorest of the poor,” said Dr. George P. Calugay, the Pangasinan Health Team Leader for the Center for Health Development of the DOH.

Calugay, speaking during the KBP Forum, said the DOH is working to achieve the program’s objective by widening health insurance coverage and improvement of public health facilities.

First component is the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) seeking the reduction of deaths among newly-born and children under five years old, reduction of maternal deaths, and elimination of infectious diseases and avoidance of unhealthy lifestyle practices.

Expansion of health insurance coverage under PhilHealth comes next with the sponsorship of families that are earning no more than P3,500 a month.

Local government units, non-government organizations and private individuals are helping the DOH achieve universal insurance coverage, Calugay said.

The upgrading of health facilities such as district hospitals, rural health units and lying-in units are also being undertaken, such as the Region 1 Medical Center in Dagupan, the provincial hospital in San Carlos City, and the construction of rehabilitation centers around the province.

Calugay also noted that the provincial government has assembled community health teams, which are now conducting house-to-house medical services, especially in poor communities.

Deaths from malaria, tuberculosis, AIDS, HIV and other infectious diseases are also being addressed including non-communicable diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, he added.

Luistro thanks Pangasinan for Palaro

(The Philippine Star)

LINGAYEN, Philippines – Olympic-standard playing venues, five-star accommodations, food provisions in billeting quarters, cleanest and greenest, free medical expenses, makeshift toilets and showers, and continuity of sports development.

These were just some of the many impressions of Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro on the Palarong Pambansa 2012 during its closing ceremonies last May 12 at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center Complex here.

Luistro extended his gratitude to Gov. Amado Espino Jr. and the provincial government of Pangasinan for the assistance extended during the course of the games.

Luistro later revealed that he conducted a survey to know the impressions and memorable experiences of the participants in the national games.

Luistro bared Espino’s plan to put up a Sports Academy in partnership with the Department of Education to bolster the sports development program of the province, utilizing the facilities used during Palarong Pambansa 2012.

Police nab 4, including 2 suspected guns-for-hire, in Pangasinan

(PNA) , DCT/FFC/LVM/LMM/rma)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, May 18 (PNA) -- Four persons, two of them suspected members of guns-for-hire and also belonging to a holdup group operating in Pangasinan, were arrested in separate raids conducted by lawmen early Thursday in San Fabian and San Manuel towns.

Arrested separately at 7 a.m. Thursday in San Fabian were Allan Solis, 38, businessman, of Barangay Cayanga; and Alejandro Roca, 38, a gunsmith, of Barangay Longos Central.

The police tagged Solis and Roca as suspected members of guns-for-hire and robbery holdup group operating within the province.

The raid on the houses of the two were participated in by joint elements of the Special Operations Group (SOG), Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), Provincial Intelligence Branch, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and San Fabian police on the strength of search warrants issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Renato Pinlac of San Carlos City.

The search conducted at the house/premises of Solis resulted in the seizure of one Caliber 9 mm. Rugger P89 pistol, 14 live ammunition for Caliber 9 mm pistol, one magazine for Caliber, 9 mm. pistol and one holster and pouch.

Seized by lawmen from the house of Roca were one HP 22 Pistol, one HP 22 magazine, two Caliber 38, one improvised home-made pistol for Caliber 5.56, seven live ammunition for Caliber 38, six live ammunition for Caliber 22 and five empty shells for Caliber 45, one holster for Caliber 38 and one box of assorted tools used in machinery and repair of firearms.

The suspects and the seized items were brought to SOG office in Lingayen for further investigation and proper disposition.

Appropriate criminal charges for Violation of Republic Act 8294 or Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition against them are now being readied for filing in court.

Two other holders of loose firearms were arrested in an operation at about 6:15 a.m. Thursday by separate joint elements of SOG, CIDG Urdaneta City Office and of the San Manuel police station in Barangay San Roque, San Manuel.

Raided were the residences and premises of brothers Ricarte Bodoy, 51 and Jojo Bodoy, 26, where firearms of different types and ammunition were also seized.

Also armed with search warrants issued by RTC Judge Pinlac, the raiders seized from the the residence of Ricarte Bodoy one Caliber .38 Smith & Wesson revolver without serial number, one magazine for Caliber .45; 10 rounds of live ammunition for Caliber .38; three rounds of live ammunition for Caliber .380.

The raiders also seized from the house of Jojo Bodoy one U.S. Garand Rifle Cal.30 with defaced serial number; two rounds of live ammunition for Caliber 30 Garand, 23 rounds of live ammunition for Caliber 5.56 M16 Armalite Rifle, two long magazines for M16 Rifle and; one short magazine for M16 Rifle.

The arrested suspects and the seized items were brought to CIDG Urdaneta City Office for further investigation and proper disposition.

Appropriate criminal charges for violation of RA 8294 (Illegal Possession of Firearms and Ammunition) are now being readied against the suspects.

Pangasinan gov thanks media for supporting Pambansang Palaro 2012

(ANL/VHS-PIA 1 Pangasinan with reports from PIO)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — The provincial government here thanked members of the media for bringing a blow-by-blow account of the happenings in the week-long Palarong Pambansa 2012.

Around 200 media practitioners from national and local outlets joined the Media Night held last May 10 at the Sison Auditorium, hosted by Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr., before the Palaro came to a halt on May 12.

“Hindi po namin na-perfect ang pagiging benchmark ng Palaro sa Pangasinan ngunit na-iangat po natin kahit papaano ang Palarong Pambansa (We were not able to reach the benchmark goal 100 percent but at least we were able to raise the standards of the Palaro),” Espino said in his message.

Espino cited the four elements or characteristics of the Palaro, namely green and environment-friendly, hi-tech, continuity, and cooperation/partnership among the provincial and national government.

He underscored the fact that if the athletes are properly guided and orchestrated, the Philippines can produce athletes for the South East Asian Games, or even the Olympics.

Espino also acknowledged the efforts of the department heads who have been responsible in delivering important tasks for the national games.

During the program, some media members gave their impressions of the Palaro and congratulated the provincial government leadership for its success.

“Like any other sports event of this magnitude, there are birth pains but after the highlight of the Palaro, which was the opening ceremony, everything’s been fine. The participants have been very excited,” according to Bong Pedralvez, a senior sportswriter for Malaya.

National and local media came in full force during the opening program and bannered the spectacular feat of the Palaro in Pangasinan. Most of them congratulated the provincial government for a clean, peaceful, and very well prepared accommodations.

Earlier, Secretary Armin Luistro of the Department of Education lauded Pangasinan for its planned establishment of a Pangasinan Sports Academy, which was one of the considerations when the province presented its bid to host the national games.

DOST’s science high school scholarship now open

By Alex Romeo R. Fernandez (ANL/ARRF-PIA1, Pangasinan)

DAGUPAN CITY, May 16 (PIA) -- Pupils who will enter high school for school year 2013 to 2014 can now apply for scholarship to the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Engr. Felipe D. Andrada, director of the DOST-Pangasinan Science and Technology Center (STC), announced Thursday that the application forms are already available at the DOST-STCs in Lingayen town.

Pupils who can qualify for the scholarship must be in the upper 10 percent of their class or must have grades of at least 85 in Math and in Science and at least 80 in all other subjects, he said during the KBP Forum at the Philippine Information Agency office on Thursday.

Prospective scholars whose families have less than P165,000 annual income must submit two copies of accomplished application forms, a copy of birth certificate, and two 1x1 ID pictures. Those who belong to the lower-income families are required to also submit three months of electric bill and high school tuition bill for evaluation.

Application forms can be obtained and filed at any DOST offices or PSHS campuses nationwide.

In Pangasinan, the DOST office is located at Alvear East St. in Lingayen and can be reached at (075) 542-6682 or andrada_felipe@yahoo.com.

Deadline of filing of applications is on July 13, while the scholarship exam, the National Competitive Examination (NCE), is on Sept. 29.

Successful examinees will undergo summer orientation program, he said, noting that the successful examinees in the previous examination are now undergoing such in San Fernando City, La Union.

Courses being offered in the scholarship are Engineering, Bachelors of Science in Chemistry, Physics or Biology, Education Major in Science or Mathematics, and computer courses.

Benefits include free tuition, monthly allowance, and textbooks loans. Transportation, and uniform and living allowances will also be extended to scholars from low-income families.

Students with pending petitions to go abroad or those who have previously failed in the NCE are not qualified for the scholarship.

For more information, log on at www.dost.gov.ph

Pangasinan hauls six Golds for R1

(Sunday Punch)

LINGAYEN–Host Region 1 had its moments of glory in the Palarong Pambansa. At presstime, its athletes, all coming from Pangasinan, bagged six gold medals, two of which are in chess, another two in swimming and one each in javelin throw and boxing.

As in previous years, the National Capital Region (NCR) dominated the various sporting events, especially swimming and gymnastics, and as of presstime, was poised to be declared champion, trailed by proverbial 1st runner-up Western Visayas.

But in the penultimate day of the meet, Pangasinan Chess player Samantha Glo Revita who was trained at the Governor Espino Chess Clinic, pulled a victory against her finals opponent, a time when Region 1 needed the gold most.

Overall, the Rosales-born Revita registered 9 points to stay unbeaten in board 1 of the girl’s chess elementary division.

R1's second gold in chess was in team category (elementary girls division) while both the secondary and elementary boys placed 4th in the team event final standings.

Another Pangasinense gold medallist is Danilo Abarra of Alaminos City National High School who ruled the javelin throw, secondary division with a distance record of 51.51 meters.

Meanwhile, Ryan Torres of Region 1 pummeled his last opponent in pinweight 46 kilogram to win the sixth gold medal for the host.

Palaro Delegates Appreciate Over-all Accommodations in Pangasinan

(PIO/Sheila H.Aquino)

Delegates of the Palarong Pambansa 2012 can only express positive impressions over the warm reception they have been receiving in their respective billeting schools in Pangasinan. Gov. Amado T.Espino, Jr has assigned each provincial government department to oversee the accommodations in a particular billeting area.

Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Geraldine Baniqued, who is in-charge of West Central I and West Central II in Dagupan City occupied by the National Capital Region (NCR) delegates,said the group was thankful of the warm hospitality accorded to them. “The delegates had joined many Palarong Pambansa events, but in terms of accommodation, they said Pangasinan is the best,” Baniqued said. She added that the delegates, headed by Rizalino Jose T. Rosales, were even surprised that there were give-aways like t-shirts from the provincial government. The NCR group,numbering 695 in all, came fully prepared with various committees to handle the needs of the group.

Baniqued likewise noted that some delegates have themselves billeted in hotels at their own expense, citing the scion of business magnate Lucio Tan. She said that aside from the provincial government, the city government of Dagupan has been fully supportive of the delegation. “Thankful tayo dahil maraming nag-aasist sa kanila tulad ng mga barangay officials, Philippine National Police, Deltacom at marami pang iba,” the lady legal officer said.

During the first two days of the Palaro, the NCR displayed outstanding performances in gymnastics and swimming, garnering first, second and third place standings, according to Baniqued. Region IV-B or the MIMAROPA-Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan delegates, are billeted at the Tandoc Elementary School and Tandoc National High School in San Carlos City.

The 648-member delegation expressed appreciation to the warm welcome party held on May 4 which was made in cooperation with the Department of Education. Led by Arlene dela Vega, the group expressed elation over the well-coordinated accommodations. Provincial Employment and Services Officer Alex Ferrer handled the billeting area for the MIMAROPA delegation.

“The MIMAROPA athletes display courtesy whenever visitors come in the area by forming a line, bowing their heads and greeting people whom they meet. Mayroon din silang kanya-kanyang area na nililinisan,” according to PESO personnel. The Polong Elementary School and Polong National High School located in Bugallon housed the delegates from the ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) who number a total of 501 and is headed by Director Taya Ablal.

“Masaya sila sa accommodations ng provincial government at doon sa welcome party na pinaghanda para sa kanila, pati doon sa mga t-shirts na pinamigay ni Gov. Espino,” according to Engr. Victor Punay, officer-in-charge of the Provincial Engineering Office.

Dagupan City receives sewing machines from Japan

By Venus H. Sarmiento (JCR/VHS-PIA-Pangasinan with reports from CIO)

DAGUPAN CITY, May 13 (PIA) – This city was a recipient of several sewing machines from Japan’s Nippon Skilled Volunteers Association (NISVA) on May 2.

Represented by Shinji Okumura, NISVA donated one unit of Singer 311, four threads edging machine, one unit hi-speed sewing machine 191D and Chinese cotton threads to the city government.

The donor also handed over cash money to Mayor Benjamin Lim as a one- year maintenance fund of the machines amounting to P6,000 and expenditures for oil amounting to P600 a year.

Lim thanked the donors saying the sewing machines are a great help to the city's livelihood projects, one of which is being managed by the Pugaro Sewers Association operating for a year now.

The city shall be responsible for the management, operation, maintenance and repair of the donated sewing machines at its own expense.

The cost of electricity in the operation of the sewing machines, cost of labor and other incidental expenses shall also be in the account of the city.

Palarong Pambansa results highlights: Day 6

(Rappler.com)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan - On Day 6, regions that will be competing for gold were determined while other sports wrapped up and posted overall standings.

Below are the highlights. For photo highlights, click here.

EDITOR's NOTE: Highlights are based on results posted by 8PM, Wednesday, May 9.

ELEMENTARY

ARNIS

It was a 1-2 finish for Western Visayas and CAR in both the boys and girls divisions. Region VI finished with 48 total points while CAR had 41.

BASEBALL

Zamboanga Peninsula successfully defended their crown against Central Luzon, 6-3, at the close of the elementary baseball competition.

SOFTBALL

Over at softball, Western Visayas used a huge fifth inning to seal its 4-0 victory over MIMAROPA to regain the crown it lost last year to NCR.

Davao Region drubbed NCR, 6-2, to snatch the bronze.

SWIMMING

NCR topped both girls and boys categories. More details here.

BASKETBALL

NCR and CALABARZON will face off in a competitive finals game after beating respective foes. Details here.

FOOTBALL

In the elementary division, NCR battles Region VII while Western Visayas takes on defending champion Northern Mindanao in the semifinals.

SECONDARY

ARNIS

Western Visayas thoroughly dominated the women's division then placed a close second in the men's to emerge as overall champions of the 2012 Palarong Pambansa secondary arnis competitions at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center here.

The Region VI representatives collected 40 points from four first-place finishes in the girls contests while leaning on two team golds in the boys to finish with 66 points, 10 off second-placer CAR, which posted 56 markers.

Northern Mindanao had two individual golds and ended up with 43 points to end up as third overall.

BASEBALL

National Capital Region beat Central Luzon in the finals to score their third straight championship in the Palarong Pambansa baseball tourney.

CALABARZON bagged the bronze while Northern Mindanao, Western Visayas and Central Visayas finished fourth, fifth and sixth.

SOFTBALL

Western Visayas blanked Central Visayas, 9-0, to bag their third Palarong Pambansa softball crown in the last four years.

CALABARZON zapped Central Luzon, 7-0, to nab the bronze even as deposed champion NCR and Northern Mindanao were fifth and sixth, respectively.

CHESS

In boys' chess action, National Capital Region came out on top ahead of Central Visayas and Davao Region.

Region XI topped the girls division as MIMAROPA and Central Visayas followed suit at second and third.

SWIMMING

NCR topped both girls and boys categories. More details here.

BOXING

Davao raked in the most medals for both secondary and elementary. Details here.

TAEKWONDO

Taking home the most number of medals for the Kyorugi was CAR, snagging 8 of the 48 up for grabs. Details here.

BASKETBALL

NCR and CALABARZON will face off in a competitive finals game after beating respective foes. Details here.

FOOTBALL

Defending champs Central Visayas will face NCR in the finals. Details here.

VOLLEYBALL

Archrivals NCR and Western Visayas will battle for gold in the secondary girls finals. Details here.

SPECIAL GAMES

Western Visayas tops overall special games standings. Details here.

Weather forecast more accurate now, says DOST

(JCR/ARRF-PIA 1 Pangasinan)

DAGUPAN CITY, May 11 (PIA) -- Prediction of weather is more accurate now than it used to, according to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Engr. Felipe D. Andrada, director of the DOST-Pangasinan Science and Technology Center, said this is because weather data can now be localized through two weather stations installed in the province.

He said DOST last year installed an automatic rain gauge station at the Pangasinan State University campus in Sta. Maria town and an automatic weather station at the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in this city.

The latter is capable of monitoring rainfall, relative humidity, wind velocity and temperature, he said during the KBP Forum at the Philippine Information Agency office on Thursday.

The stations, which were built atop buildings to prevent them from being stolen, are checked regularly by employees from Manila for maintenance, he added.

Andrada noted that localized collection and monitoring of data is more accurate than distant ones being done by radars. The scope of radars can be limited by overcast sky or hindered by mountains along their lines of sight, leading to false readings.

“At least we can predict the weather more accurately now. Unlike before, when storms cannot even be predicted although they are already near,” he stressed.

Additional weather stations are being planned to be installed this year, he added.

Forecasts and weather data can be accessed at http://202.90.128.12/predict/stations.php.

Meanwhile, the DOST and the Philippine Volcanology and Seismology have installed four seismic stations in the province to monitor earthquakes. The stations are located in the towns of Lingayen, Bolinao, San Manuel (near San Roque Dam) and Urdaneta City.


6, 520 Athletes Vie for Supremacy at Palaro 2012

(PIO/Gerry Oblanca)

The Screening and Accreditation Committee of the 2012 Palarong Pambansa headed by Atty. Cornelio A. Pacala declared a total of 6, 520 athletes from various elementary and secondary levels in the Philippines who are now competing in various sporting events of the 2012 Palarong Pambasa on May 6-12, 2012. Most of the games are now played at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC) and in some selected areas in Lingayen while other game venues are located in Binmaley, Dagupan City, Calasiao and San Carlos City. After scrutinizing the records of the athletes submitted by 17 participating regions in the country, the committee recorded 2,902 athletes in the elementary and 3,618 in secondary who will compete for 17 sporting events such as Arnis, Athletics, Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Boxing, Chess, Football, Gymnastics (Artistic Gymnastics – M; Artistic and Rhythmic Gymnastics – W), Sipa Takraw (for Elementary) and Sepak Takraw (for Secondary), Softball, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis and Volleyball. Archery is only included in the secondary level. The committee also listed 1,002 coaches and 280 chaperons accompanying the participating athletes. During the formal opening of the Palarong Pambansa 2012, Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III urged the athletes to give their best shots in making Palaro 2012 the best sporting event in the country. He likewise commended the preparations done by the Provincial Government in hosting Palaro 2012. Pangasinan Governor Amado T. Espino Jr. expressed his deepest thanks to the athletic delegations and to those who have been supportive to realize this sporting event as the benchmark of the next Palaro editions to come. There are 17 athletic delegations participating this year including host Region 1 (R1AA – Region 1 Athletic Association); Region 2 (CVRAA – Cagayan Valley Region Athletic Association); Region 3 (CLAA – Central Luzon Athletic Association); Region IV-A (CALABARZON); Region IV-B (MIMAROPA); Region V (BRAA – Bicol Region Athletic Association); Region VI (WVRAA – Western Visayas Region Athletic Association); Region VII (CVRAA – Central Visayas Region Athletic Association); Region VIII (EVRAA – Eastern Visayas Region Athletic Association); Region IX (ZPRAA – Zamboanga Peninsula Region Athletic Association); Region X (NRMAA – Northern Mindanao Region Athletic Association); Region XI (Davao Region Athletic Association); Region XII (Cotabato Region Athletic Association); Region XIII (CRAA – CARAGA Region Athletic Association); ARMM (ARMMAA – Autonomous Region for Muslims in Mindanao Athletic Association); CAR (CARAA – Cordillera Administrative Region Association) and NCR (NCRAA – National Capital Region Athletic Association).

Rolling with the punches: An underdog boxing story

by Anna Isabel C. Rodriguez (Rappler.com)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan - World champion boxer Manny Pacquiao has been given countless opportunities because of boxing -- the boys of Region 1 just want an opportunity to box.

These kids roll with the punches -- literally. Getting hit, they say, does not hurt because it is something that they’ve grown accustomed to. They also point out that they use protective gear during bouts.

Protective gear that can only do so much.

Raymundo Sadac is 11 years old. He hails from this year’s Palaro host region, Pangasinan, and studies in Umingan National High School. He has been boxing for a year.

In his first time to compete for the Palarong Pambansa, he won in his first elimination session in the minimum weight division.

A small victory to ease his sacrifices, Sadac struggles to maintain the 34 kg maximum weight for his division.

Controlling weight is something boxers are accustomed to doing, but it becomes a feat when that boxer is an adolescent boy. Aside from dieting, Sadac says he jogs to lose the rest of the weight.

Sadac tells Rappler that he is aiming for gold in this year’s Palaro. It’s hard to imagine that there was a time when this young boy almost gave up boxing because of the hardships he had to endure during training and weight maintenance.

When asked if he gets hungry, he quickly said, “Hindi (No!)”, and then sheepishly admits, “minsan (sometimes).”

With encouragement from his trainers and coaches, he is now part of the team that will hopefully bring home Region 1’s first gold from the Palarong Pambansa.

New sport for Region I

Although the region has won silver and bronze medals in boxing in the past Palaros, they have yet to win the coveted championships. According to Region 1 trainer Rene Rabilas, IRAA boxing is a fairly young compared to boxing in other regions, having only started 6 years ago.

Before that, no athletes were sent for the sport.

Financial issues hinder the team from reaching their goals as far as the Palaro and other competitions are concerned. Rabilas tells Rappler that there is a need for better equipment and facilities.

For these athletes' trainings, sacks are used as improvised punching bags, and boxing mitts are old and dilapidated.

Even in protective boxing gear, there is a scarcity.

Some athletes are only able to use gear in actual competitions, and only because they have been issued to them by the event officials.

Artemia Fortunato Jr., a volunteer boxing trainer said, “Kumbaga sa manok, tsaka lang masusuotan nang tari ang mga bata pagka lalaban na po sila (It’s as if they’re roosters in a cockfight who have only been fitted their sabong knife in the fight itself)."

Unlike boxing powerhouse regions like Western Visayas and CRAA, there is need for more focus in the sport. When these big bet regions train their athletes, it is a continuous cycle. Athletes in Region 1 only begin training for Palaro a month before actual tournaments.

That’s an improvement as opposed to the 2-week period they used to train for before competitions.

Gunning for gold

Reynaldo Galiado, a former Olympian and a former Palarong Pambansa champion for boxing (1986), now trains the group for the Palaro. He stresses the importance of a constant training and focus on the sport.

“Isang malaking karangalan na kayo nagrepresent nang region niyo sa Palaro," Galiado told the group of athletes, “Sa ngayon kapag di man papalarin, gawin bilang isang challenge yun...itong year di ko nagawa, next year kukunin ko na (It is an honor to represent your region in the Palaro. If this year you are not fortunate enough to win, then take it as a challenge, this year you weren’t able to do it, next year tell yourself, 'I will')."

Winning this the Palarong Pambansa is always a struggle, even more so for these Region 1 boxing underdogs. They are, however, on the right track with 5 wins so far from the elimination rounds.

Their trainers are hopeful, though, as it is not just a championship that’s at stake for these young athletes.

They aim to prove that boxing is a worthwhile sport that should be nurtured and supported, and are confident that there is potential in their boxing athletes -- something the coveted gold can validate.

Pangasinan to organize sports academy after the 2012 Palarong Pambansa

(PNA), FFC/LVM/rma

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, May 8 (PNA) — The first of its kind sports academy will be put in place in Pangasinan after the Palarong Pambansa jointly by the provincial government, the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

Governor Amado Espino Jr. said this is consistent with the program of the provincial government which it outlined to DepEd when it presented its bid as the host of the 2012 Palarong Pambansa.

Espino said he will hold on to the promise of Education Secretary Armin Luistro that under the K to 12 program, it is looking into Pangasinan as one of the provinces where the sports academy will be integrated into the senior high school curriculum.

Under the K to 12 program, the basic curriculum had been expended from kindergarten to primary, junior high school and senior high school or 12 years.

In a press conference, Luistro said DepEd is looking into provinces that have already the capacity to start the sports academy, given the present standard sports facilities that it now has.

Luistro indicated that Pangasinan is one of these provinces since it already has standard sports facilities first used in the Palarong Pambansa in 1995 and then 17 years later this year (2012).

Since Governor Espino took the helm of the provincial government in 2007, he introduced the massive reconstruction of the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC) built for the Palarong Pambansa in 1995 and improved it some more for the 2012 Palarong Pambansa.

The refurbished NSRCC, said Espino, include quarters now being used as billeting areas for some 800 coaches of the 2012 Palarong Pambansa, which can be harnessed as living quarters for athletes to be trained under the proposed Pangasinan Sports Academy.

Espino said while the sports academy component of the senior high school is not yet in place, he called on DepEd to lend to Pangasinan its coaches and trainers every summer or even on Saturdays and Sundays to train local athletes on some focused sports.

The overall objective is to make the Pangasinan Sports Academy eventually the training venue for athletes from Regions 1, 2, 3 and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

At the same time, the governor urged athletes of Region 1 Athletic Association to enroll in colleges and universities in Pangasinan, including in Dagupan City, so that they can be covered by the Pangasinan Sports Academy (PSA).

He said a survey showed that all over Northern Luzon, Pangasinan has the most number of colleges and universities as compared to other provinces.

Pangasinan bares cleanest rivers and riverbanks in the Pakar Awards

By April Montes (JCR/AMM-PIA 1, Pangasinan)

BUGALLON, Pangasinan, May 7 (PIA) -- The provincial government bared what the cleanest rivers and riverbanks are in Pangasinan during the Pakar Awards held at the foot of Bañaga Bridge in this town on May 1 as part of the Sea Festival celebration.

Pakar Awards aims to see how local government officials and non-government organizations manage or propagate “pakar” (mangroves), Dalisay Moya, provincial agriculture officer and executive chairman of the fest, said.

She added that cities and municipalities were judged based on the physical parameters of their river, foremost of which is its cleanliness; the local government units’ (LGUs) strong legislative agenda for the river; the LGUs programs or projects on river protection; and sustainability programs.

The winner for the Inland River Category and dubbed as the Hall of Famer being a three-time victor is Mangaldan town. Meanwhile Bolinao town won in the Coastal River Category. Both municipalities brought home P100, 000 as cash prize.

For the barangay level category A which involves the beneficiaries of the provincial government’s river clean-up led by the Task Force Kalikasan, the champ is barangay Dupo of Binmaley town followed by barangay Bued of Alaminos City that won in category ‘B’ that included those which had not yet been reached by the clean-up. These two were given P50, 000.

The best practices of various municipalities and barangays in Pangasinan were also awarded. Adjudged Model LGU in Watershed Protection Project: Enforcement of Zero Charcoal Production is Infanta town; while Sta. Maria town is the Model LGU in Implementing Innovative Project: Developing the Agno River as Eco-Tourism Destination. Both received P50,000 worth of cash prize.

Subsequently, the Model Barangay in Sustainable River and Riverbank Protection of the Sinocalan River is barangay Poblacion of Sta. Barbara town; barangay Bañaga of Bugallon town capped the Model Barangay for Self-Help Community Initiative for River and Riverbank Protection. Each bagged P25, 000.

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo graced the occasion and motivated the awardees to improve further.

“Hindi po tayo hihinto kahit tayo na ang pinakamahusay kundi tayo ay magpupunyaging lalo…tayo ay magsumikap na mas humusay kaysa sa panahong pangkasalukuyan (We should not stop even if we are already the best, instead we must strive more…we should persevere to become better than the present),” he said.

With this, he affirmed that the Seal of Good Housekeeping was launched by DILG to encourage public service which is skillful, honest, and straight.

He also announced that this year, DILG will release the silver grade seal in addition to the bronze provided to earlier recipients. Next year, the gold grade seal will be set off to inspire LGUs to enhance their performance for the benefit of the citizens.

After the awarding ceremony, Robredo led the groundbreaking rites of the Pangasinan Resettlement Project. The project will benefit some 200 informal settlers of barangay Pangapisan North in Lingayen town.

Palarong Pambansa' Opening Ceremony Monday

By LIEZLE BASA INIGO

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — The Capitol promised to kick off a memorable opening to the Palarong Pambansa with a parade set at 7 a.m. today at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC) Grandstand.

President Benigno S. Aquino III is expected to grace the 10 a.m. opening program that will gather approximately 30,000 spectators, including the delegates and guests.

Included in the program is the singing of the Philippine National Anthem and the Pangasinan Hymn led by the Pangasinan Provincial Chorale, to be followed by an ecumenical prayer.

Governor Amado T. Espino will deliver a welcome message followed by the ceremonial turnover of the Palarong Pambansa banner.

Mayor Dominador G. Jalosjos Jr. of Dapitan City and Regional Director Dr. Walter O. Albos of DepEd Region IX will turnover the said banner to Gov. Espino and Assistant Regional Director Teresita M. Velasco of DepEd Region 1.

The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of the Philippines will hoist the Palarong Pambansa banner, DepEd banner and the delegation banner.

Palarong Pambansa 2011 Gold Medalist in Elementary Taekwondo Christian Rafael V. Daroy will lead the oath of sportsmanship.

Palaro 2012 Technical Management and Administration Deputy Secretary-General Cesar S. Abalon will lead the oath of officials.

The next activity will be the lighting of the urn of peace and friendship that will be led by P-Noy and Gov. Espino.

Philippine Basketball Association player Danny Ildefonso of Petron Blaze team, will also lit a torch and relay it on to a representative of a participating region.

Palarong Pambansa 2012 games kick off Sunday

(PNA) , scs/lvm/lvmicua/rma

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, May 5 (PNA) -- This year's Palarong Pambansa will fire off Sunday with the elimination round of different games at various playing venues in Lingayen, Binmaley, Calasiao and the cities of Dagupan and San Carlos.

On the eve of the start of the elimination phase, the host province of Pangasinan announced that all the 10,000 athletes from 17 regions of the country have already checked in and are staying in different billeting centers.

It will be the second time in 17 years that the province of Pangasinan is hosting the Palarong Pambansa since 1995, at a time when retired Gen. Fidel V. Ramos, a son of Lingayen, was president of the Philippines.

Though the games begin on Sunday, the formal opening is scheduled on Monday when President Benigno S. Aquino III will address the athletes, coaches and officials, including spectators at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC), main venue of the Palaro, in Lingayen.

President Aquino was personally invited to grace the Palarong Pambansa by Education Secretary Armin Luistro.

Expected to come with the President are Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director-General Joel Villanueva, a product of the Palarong Pambansa.

The opening ceremonies will be preceded by the parade of athletes at 7:00 a.m. from the Pangasinan provincial capitol grounds to NRSCC to be completed in time for the opening program at 10:00 a.m.

Security is tight in all the playing venues in Pangasinan and the police is enforcing a total gun ban that started April 27 and will continue up to May 15, even after the Palarong Pambansa slated from May 6 to 12 is already over.

Police Regional Director Franklin Bucayu assured the security of all athletes, coaches, Department of Education officials and all spectators in all the game venues.

Bucayu said that under the total gun ban being enforced, only policemen and other members of law enforcement agencies are allowed to carry their firearms outside their homes provided that they are in proper uniform and must be on official duty.

On the eve of the Palarong Pambansa, Atty. Verna Perez, head of the Palaro Secretariat, reminded that they are showcasing a “green and environmentally-friendly Palaro” that can be made as the benchmark of future events.

This means that cleanliness and sanitation will be strictly enforced in all the playing venues and the billeting centers and that the use of plastic and Styrofoam will be discouraged.

For their own protection, athletes will be barred from swimming in the beaches of Pangasinan throughout the duration of the national games.

For the first time in the history of the Palaro, all games will be brought to the public via live streaming which can be accessed through cellphones and computers.

Pangasinan convenes youth for province-wide camp

By April Montes(JCR/AMM-PIA 1 Pangasinan)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, May 04 (PIA) -- A province-wide youth camp dubbed “Doypuay Kalangweran” (gathering of the youth) was held from April 30 to May 1 at the beachfront in this town as part of the Pistay Dayat (Sea Festival) celebration.

A total of 382 provincial scholars from the nine campuses of Pangasinan State University (PSU) attended this development program which aims to inculcate environmental awareness, instill appreciation of local culture and imbibe essential family values among young Pangasinenses.

As their initial activity, the campers participated in the tree planting spearheaded by the provincial government. The event took place at the foot of the Bañaga Bridge in Bugallon town which is the province’s post commemoration of the Earth Day.

They also listened to discussions of different resource speakers centered on ecology preservation, history of Pangasinan way of life and character formation conducted at the camp site. Further, various Filipino games such as kite flying, “palo sebo” and sack race were played which brought them closer to one another.

On the following day, they have witnessed the parade of colorful and artistically-designed boats in the fluvial float competition called “Banca Parada” which showcased the improvement of the rivers in Pangasinan.

The youth camp is now on its fifth year and continuously provides worthwhile experiences for young Pangasinenses. “It was an unforgettable occasion and we learned a lot of things that will develop us being the future of Pangasinan,” affirmed Maria Cristina Libao from PSU Infanta campus.

It is as well a realization of the provincial government’s vow to prioritize programs geared on enhancing the youth, turning them into well-rounded individuals and at the same time renewing their significant role in the society.

Pangasinense wins 2012 juniors chess tilt

(PR)

MANILA -- Pangasinan wood pushers have all the reason to be jubilant with the recent victory of a homegrown young chess athlete who ran away with the championships trophy in the 2012 National Age Group and National Juniors Chess Championships at the Event Center in Tanauan, Batangas on Monday.

Fide Master Haridas Pascua, a native of Mangatarem town, a BS IT sophomore student of University of Baguio, notched the top post in the tourney after beating Chester Jason Coquilla of Cagayan de Oro and drew with Fide Master Alcon John Datu of Manila in the final round.

He finished 29 points on nine wins, two draws and one loss in 12 games in the event hosted by Atty. Ruel V. Canobas and backed up by SMART, PSC, POC and DepEd.

Pascua, the highest rated player in Pangasinan, now has five titles to his name after winning four title in the tournaments in the province of Pangasinan organized by sportsman Juan Sison.

"Nagpapasalamat po ako kina Congressman (Butch) Pichay at Atty. (Ruel) Canobas na patuloy na sumusuporta at nagsisilbing punong abala sa mga grass roots chess development sa bansa. Kay Gov. (Amado) Espino na simula pa nuon nagsisimula ako ng chess ay tumutulong na sa akin, lokal man o internasyunal at kay G. (Juan) Sison ng Pangasinan Chess," said Pascua.

Woman Fide Master Jedara Docena of Antequera, Bohol, on the other hand, ruled the distaff side by tallying 23 points, half point ahead with runner-up and last year's champion Janelle Mae Frayna of Legaspi City.

Pascua and Docena, both will represent the country in the 2012 World Junior Chess Championships in Athens, Greece.

No Less than National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) chairman/president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales, Bayan Muna Representative Neri Javier Colmenares and Organizing Committee member Chito Lat of Tanauan, Batangas (representing Organizing Committee Chairman Atty. Ruel V. Canobas) led the closing rites.

In the age group categories, Stephen Rome Pangilinan of Manila and Regyne Palaming of Urdaneta, Pangasinan dominated their respective divisions.

Pangilinan went home the Boys 10 and under title with 31 points, followed by Jeremy Pepito of Cebu (26 points) and Dennis Gutierrez III of San Fabian, Pangasinan (24 points).

Palaming lorded the Girls 10 and under class with 39 points, five points head with runner-up Me Ann Joy Baclayon of Misamis Oriental and nine points head with 3rd placer Francois Marie Magpily of Makati.

Other winners in the event hosted by Atty. Ruel V. Canobas and organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) headed by chairman/president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. were Mc Dominique Lagula of Nueva Vizcaya (boys U-20), Austin Jacob Literatus of Davao (boys U-16), Daryl Unix Samantila of Tonsuya, Malabon (boys U-14), Daniel John Lemi of Vigan, Ilocos Sur (boys U-12) and Justin Mordido of Las Pinas (boys U-8), Marie Antoinette San Diego (girls U-20), Shania Mae Mendoza of Sta. Rosa (girls U-14), Bernadette Galas of Makati (girls U-16), Vic Glysen Derotas (girls U-12) and Methusellah Ramos of Cebu (girls U-8).

Samantha Glo Revita of Rosales, Pangasinan lost to Mendoza in the tie break points for the top honor in the Girls U-14 and settled for runner-up place.

6,000 athletes to participate in Pangasinan Palarong Pambansa

(PNA), LDV/lvm/rma

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, May 2 (PNA) - Some 6,000 athletes from 11 regions of the country are now in Pangasinan to participate in the Palarong Pambansa which is set to open May 6 and ends on May 12.

This was disclosed by Atty. Verna Nava-Perez, task force Palaro commander, saying that all the other athletes from six more regions are expected to arrive today until Saturday.

Overall, some 10,000 athletes in both the elementary and high school divisions are coming for the week-long national games being hosted by the province of Pangasinan, only for the second time since 1995.

Though the games will begin on Sunday, this year's Palarong Pambansa will officially open on Monday in ceremonies slated at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC) here with President Benigno Aquino III as guest of honor and speaker.

Already in Pangasinan are the athletes from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and Regions 3, 4, 4B, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.

It was the athletes from Region 4B (Mindoro, Masbate Romblon and Palawan area) who arrived first since early last week.

Nava said still to arrive are athletes from host Region 1, and those from Regions 2, 11, 12 and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Nava said it is now all systems go for the 2012 Palarong Pambansa as she announced that all the playing venues as well as the billeting areas in Lingayen, Dagupan and San Carlos cities, Binmaley, Calasiao and Bugallon are now ready, except for just but a few finishing touches.

All the athletes who have arrived so far have in fact participated in the celebration of the Pangasinan Pistay Dayat (sea festival) last May 1 and the Dagupan Bangus Festival last April 30.

Many of them are now practicing at the NRSCC ovals and grounds, beach front in Lingayen and in other playing venues.

Tree planting ushers in celebration of Sea Festival in Pangasinan

(PNA), FFC/LVM/lmm/rma

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, May 1 (PNA) -- Governor Amado T. Espino Jr. led provincial government officials and employees, chiefs of hospitals, members of the media and scholars in planting forest trees on April 30 at the foot of the Banaga bridge in Bugallon.

The governor said the activity form part of the province’s post celebration of Earth Day two weeks ago timed and which also ushered the celebration of current "Pistay Dayat" or sea festival Tuesday (May 1).

He said that part of the present administration’s thrust to further the cause of saving the environment is the conduct of reforestation and clearing of waterways as key solutions to address climate change.

The program includes the developing barren lands into mini-forests for them top hold water in order to prevent and make them productive.

“We are now in our finishing touches. After cleaning and clearing our rivers and waterways, we are now conducting massive planting along our riverbanks to bring back the beauty of our surroundings. We will not stop until we have totally re-green all our coastal areas and riverbanks,” the governor said.

Even during his term as the PNP Provincial Director in 1994, Espino made the Save Lingayen Gulf (SLING) movement as his pet project to save the gulf from further degradation.

Later, while serving his first term as the provincial chief executive, the governor expanded the project to include the province’s rivers through the “Ilog Ko Aroen tan Bilayen Ko.”(My river, I will love it and make it live).

“Now our rivers have turned blue and we can now start to enjoy their natural beauty,” he added.

Simultaneous with the tree planting activity, mangrove planting along the coastal area in Sitio Bantayan, Pangapisan North in Lingayen was held with 2,000 mangrove seedlings planted by the PNP personnel, government employees and members of the host barangay council.

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