Palarong Pambansa goes global

By Leonardo V. Micua

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, April 27 (PNA) -- The Palarong Pambansa 2012, slated in Pangasinan from May 6 to 12, will go global.

This developed as Pangasinan, the host province of the country’s biggest sports event for the second time, launched the official website of this year’s games -- www.palarongpambansa2012.com with a unique package that will feature an 18-channel live streaming of all events.

Pangasinan hosts national local planners confab

Pangasinan is now host to the 22nd national convention of the League of Local Planning and Development Coordinators of the Philippines on May 16 to 20 where some 600 local planning officers coming from the different regions of the country are expected to attend the convention at the newly-built Pangasinan Training and Development Center (PTDC) here.

Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr., who expressed elation for hosting the event, said that the undertaking will serve not only as a tool for social change and development but also as a challenge for people to become catalysts for a green and healthy environment which is depicted in the theme, “A Pro-Poor Total Development in a Green Environment: A Strategy Towards Socio-Economic Progress.”

Opening program follows at the Sison Auditorium after the registration today from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Topics for the convention proper include the Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016, Land Government Project Monitoring System Updates and Seal of Good Housekeeping, Updates on Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board and Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) Policies, Mainstreaming Tourism in CLUP with Disaster Risk Reduction Management System (DDRM), DRRM, Cyclonic Wind Power for Local Government Units (LGU), Sustainable Energy, Human Development in a Green Community, Solid Waste Management, LGU Financing on Income Generating Projects, Managing the Water Resources for DRRM and Pomology:Tropical Fruit Trees for Carbon Sequestration.

The participants will be treated to a fellowship night on Tuesday at the Capitol beachfront and to a provincial tour on Wednesday.

A tree-planting activity is likewise scheduled on Thursday in support to Presidential Proclamation No. 125 declaring 2011 as “National Year of the Forests.”

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Pangasinan sets Pista’y Dayat

MANILA, Philippines -- Pangasinan celebrates the bounty of the sea as it holds the annual Pista’y Dayat Festival, regarded as the province’s “mother of all festivals”, from April 23 to May 3.

Events include beachfront concerts, beach games, boxing bouts, cycling race, a youth camp, tourism and trade expo, and the Panagarte La! art exhibit which showcases local and visiting visual artists.

Organizers will also hold traditional Pinoy games, such as patintero, tumbang preso, luksong baka, sipa, dinoron, baldo (luksong lubid), paluan ng palayok, dinagi and kadang-kadang.

Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino Jr. said that this year’s theme, “Luyag Ko, Dayew Ko,” (My Province, My Honor) will focus on environmental nurture, sports development, and revival of Pangasinense culture and art.

Some 100 colorful boats will take part in the Banca Parada fluvial parade on May 1 to showcase the improvements made on Agno River and its tributaries under Espino’s watch. Agno is the largest Philippine river in terms of water discharge draining around 6.6 cubic kilometers of fresh water into the Lingayen Gulf, or almost 70% of its total fresh water input.

Talented locals will compete in Takayan na Dayew today, April 28, a vocal solo competition.

ABS-CBN Happy Yipee Yehey hosts Randy Santiago, John Estrada, Toni Gonzaga and Mariel Rodriguez will motor around Dagupan City, Binmaley and Lingayen on April 29 before holding the game show on April 30 at the Lingayen beachfront.

Moreover, there will also be the Limgas na Pangasinan, the province’s biggest beauty and brains search on April 30 which will select Pangasinan’s ambassadors of goodwill.

May 1 is a fun-filled day with the Sayawan ed Aplaya (Street Dancing), the grand finals of Konsyerto sa Gulpo featuring rock bands Cueshe and Drivers as guest performers. Beach crowds will be entertained in a Kapuso Night with Rhian Ramos and other big of GMA TV Network stars.

The weeklong merry-making ends on May 3 with the Asin ed Asinan Cultural Show at the newly-restored Sison Auditorium, reputedly north Luzon’s best cultural center.

Most of the activities will be held at the Provincial Capitol beach front in Lingayen Gulf, one of the country’s richest bodies of water. It is also the site of the historic landing of Allied Forces led by Gen. Douglas McArthur to liberate the country for Japan. 

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19 lovely ladies vie for Limgas na Pangasinan 2011

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, April 25 (PIA) --- Nineteen equally gorgeous ladies from different towns in Pangasinan will vie for the prestigious Limgas na Pangasinan (Pangasinan beauty) title on April 30 at 6 p.m. at the Capitol Plaza.

The beauty pageant, one of the highlights of this year’s Pistay Dayat (sea festival) celebration, has been a major attraction during the annual sea festival and considered the biggest beauty contest in the province featuring the stunning physical attributes and wit of Pangasinan ladies.

The lovely ladies will be formally introduced to the public in a press presentation on Monday at 11 a.m. at the Capitol Resort Hotel.

The talent competition will be on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the historic Sison Auditorium.

This year’s official candidates are Ma. Regina D. Casayuran from San Quintin; Bianca P. Binas, Sta. Maria; Honey Lyn M. Dizon, Mangaldan; Araceli Elizarde, Urdaneta City; Maui V. Palisoc, Urbiztondo; Whitney C. Tibayan, Tayug; Maria Marjorie Antigua, San Carlos City; Christy R. Regaspi, Sual; Kramae G. Librado, Pozorrubio; Janice B. Begonia, Alaminos City; Rosvielentine V. Rosales, Urdaneta City; Eorlene D. Pedeglorio, Villasis; Lence B. Fantastico, Infanta; Ma. Cristina Sanchez, Urdaneta City; Dianarra C. Cardozo, Anda; Ma. Benigna A. De Guzman, Alaminos City; Charmaine S. Gamboa, Lingayen; Leona Paula R. Santicruz, Sta. Barbara; and Katlyn T. Sable, Binmaley.

There are minor awards which include Miss Friendship, Best in Swimsuit, Miss Photogenic, Best in Evening Gown, Ms. Talent and Best in Festival Costume.

Last year’s Limgas winner was Jasmine G. Molina of Rosales town.

Provincial Health Officer Anna Maria S. De Guzman chairs the contest.

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Pangasinan sea fest features traditional games

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, April 20 (PIA) - Filipino traditional games will be featured in the “Larong Pinoy sa Tabing Dagat,” one of the exciting activities lined up in this year’s celebration of Pistay Dayat (sea festival).

The activity on April 30 at the Capitol beachfront aims to build wholesome camaraderie among the participants and create stronger bond among families. It also ignites love for Filipino culture among Pangasinenses, according to organizers.

Beach games committee chair Alvin Bigay of the Provincial Housing Urban Regulation and Development Council urged beachgoers between ages seven to 45 to register on site before the games which were scheduled between 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. “Pwede pong magpalista ang mga participants before 3 o’clock in the afternoon sa mismong site sa may beach area on April 30 depende sa tatlong age groupings,” he said.

The three age groupings are as follows: children’s games for ages 7 to 12; young adult games for ages 13 to 24; and adult games for ages 25 to 45.

Games to be played are categorized into two - beach games and Filipino traditional games.

The Beach games include fill-a-bucket relay race, water balloon toss, blowing the paper, push-the-ball, shell balancing relay, sack race, tug-of-war (culliot), and going-to-the-beach relay.

The Filipino traditional games, on the other hand, include patintero, tumbang preso, luksong baka, sipa, dinoron, baldo (luksong lubid), paluan ng palayok, basagan ng itlog, tupa, dinagi and kadang-kadang.

Big cash prizes await the winners for both individual and group categories while consolation prizes will be given to all participants, Bigay said.

“Aside from bringing childhood memories among adult participants, these Pinoy games will surely inspire the young players to appreciate the games of their parents and grandparents,” he also said. (ANL/DOS-PIO/PIA 1 Pangasinan)

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‘Turnover your shotguns’

RICAFORTE TO KAPITANS
LINGAYEN— No way you are going to keep the shotguns.
This was the gist of message of the police provincial command to the more than 1,300 barangay chairmen of Pangasinan have been given until Monday, October 4, to turn over their issued shotguns to their respective police stations in compliance with the gun ban currently in effect for the coming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
Superintendent Harris Fama, deputy police provincial director for operations, said that while full compliance is being awaited, Senior Superintendent Rosueto Ricaforte, police provincial director already directed all chiefs of police to collect the shotguns from individual barangay captains from their homes.
Fama said kapitans have been slow in complying with the order.
To date, only the barangay chairmen of Bautista and Binalonan towns have voluntarily turned over their shotguns to their respective police stations.
“Either they submit their shotguns or the police will collect these from them,” said Fama, noting the hesitancy of some barangay chairmen to bring their issued shotguns to the police station for fear that they might be apprehended at checkpoints and charged for violating the gun ban.
These shotguns were issued by the provincial government to the kapitans through the Police Provincial Office.
Barangay kapitans in the province who did not receive a shotgun include those in Dagupan, being an independent-component city and is not under the provincial government, and 25 of the 39 in Alaminos City who declined at the suggestion of Mayor Hernani Braganza citing that these weapons are not necessary given the good peace and order situation in the city.

ARRESTS

Meanwhile, Fama announced that as of September 30, six persons have been arrested in Pangasinan for violating the gun ban.
Two of the suspects were arrested for intimidating other persons with their guns, three others were nabbed with bladed weapons, and another for possessing a toy gun replica which is among those being banned to be carried outside of residence during the official election period from September 25 to November 10.
Fama also said all police stations have been directed to conduct checkpoints, both scheduled and unscheduled, to be manned by uniformed policemen, headed by an officer.—LM

GOOD TO BE IN WATCHLIST, SAYS FAMA

IT’S not a bad thing to be in the watchlist of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Philippine National Police.
This was the clarification made by Supt. Harris Fama, Pangasinan police deputy director for operations, following complaints made by some local government officials whose towns or cities have been included in the list of places to watch during the campaign period and on election day for the October 26 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
“Huwag bigyan ng masamang kahulugan ang paglalagay ng isang lugar sa Comelec-PNP watchlist,” Fama said
“Hindi porque nasa watchlist na ang isang bayan ay ibig sabihin magulo na,” he added.
Fama told the concerned mayors to look at the brighter side of the situation, which is there will be increased support from the police force.
Included in the watchlist are the cities of Dagupan and San Carlos, and the towns of Urbiztondo, Bayambang, Sta. Maria, Tayug, Natividad and San Quintin.
Among those who complained about being in the list include Dagupan Mayor Benjamin Lim and Rodrigo Rafael of Natividad.

CHALLENGE

Fama said being on the watchlist should also be treated as a challenge by the mayor and the local police chief to prove that their area is indeed peaceful and orderly.
“Patunayan nila na talagang tahimik sa kanilang lugar. Next election mawawala na sila sa listahan,” he said.
Fama explained that the listing was drawn after a thorough evaluation by a panel using reports from police stations on previous incidents, tension felt in the area and political rivalry.
Provincial Elections Officer Reddy Balarbar earlier said the two cities and six towns have been tagged as areas of concern in this election due to perceived intense rivalry among candidates.

DAGUPAN

In Dagupan, City Comelec officer, Atty. Remarque Ravanzo said he welcomes the inclusion of the city under the watchlist citing the same reason as Fama’s.
“I have nothing against it dahil ang mangyayari mas lalong mababantayan natin ang peace and order dito sa Dagupan. We will be having augmentation of our police force,” Ravanzo said.
For his part, the city’s police chief, Superintendent Romeo Caramat Jr., said a dialogue and peace agreement signing will be organized.
“The Comelec and the PNP will schedule a dialogue with all the possible candidates to explain some important election rules and regulations and come up with the signing of a peace covenant,” Caramat said.
He also assured Dagupenos that the PNP will enforce the full force of the law regardless of the personalities that may be involved in any election related violence.


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PSU bats for green environment

PSU bats for green environment

by Venus H. Sarmiento

Lingayen, Pangasinan (28 July) -- The Pangasinan State University embarked on a tree planting activity yesterday and today, as part of its social concern to help protect the environment.

PSU President Victoriano Estira said the commemorative tree planting activity forms part of the 31st anniversary celebration of the school to develop awareness and participation among the students.

"We would like to show the way and lead the way in caring for the environment. We exemplify tree planting as an immediate concern and translate in the form of the participation and more involvement of faculty members and students," Estira said.

The initial tree planting activity was conducted in the nine campuses of PSU located in the towns of Asingan, Binmaley, Bayambang, Infanta, Lingayen and in the cities of San Carlos, Urdaneta and Alaminos. It was capped by the university celebration in the main campus in Lingayen where the planting activity was spearheaded by Estira together with the university's three vice presidents- Dr. Lydia Buduhan for Administration and Planning, Dr. Manolito Manuel for Academic Affairs and Dr. Honorio Cascolan for Research and Extension.

Thousands of forest tree seedlings like mahogany and gimelina were planted to provide shade and recreation area within the vicinity of the school campuses, not to mention their aesthetic value and contribution to filtration of carbon dioxide in the air.

Incidentally, the nature-loving Estira revealed that he just planted 500 seedlings last weekend in his farm located in Bugallon town as it is "always the people's responsibility to sustain and care about the trees and the environment not only for themselves but most importantly for the future generations to come."

A short program honoring the loyal PSU faculty members, retirees and board passers was held after the greening activity. Marcelo Casillan of the PSU Board of Regents, was the event's guest of honor and speaker (PIA-Pangasinan)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p100728.htm&no=23

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Pangasinan set to clean waterways

Pangasinan set to clean waterways

By MAR T. SUPNAD
July 25, 2010

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — The provincial government of Pangasinan has intensified its commitment to protect and preserve the environment by launching a series of massive clean-up drives along the rivers of Pangasinan in line with the observance of the National Disaster Consciousness Month.

During the recent kick-off ceremony at the Capitol Plaza here, Paterno M. Orduna, Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) executive officer, said that pilot areas for the project include the Agno River Tributaries within the cities of Dagupan and San Carlos, and the municipalities of Binmaley and Lingayen.

The activity is part of the continuing commitment of Pangasinan Gov. Amado T. Espino Jr. to save the environment which has been his advocacy even before he was still a police officer.

Orduna stressed that now is the time for everyone to share in the task of taking care of the environment as he urged everyone to engage in proper practices to thwart the effects of climate change.

Dagupan City Councilor Bryan Lim who represented his father, Mayor Benjie Lim, affirmed that the clean-up drive is vital to keep everyone aware of the effects of calamities and other forms of disasters.

“Let us make sure that the next generation will not look back at us and say that we didn’t do anything. We did not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we just borrowed it for our children,” he said.

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/268751...lean-waterways

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Taiwanese to invest in Pangasinan

Taiwanese to invest in Pangasinan

By Danny O Sagun

Lingayen, Pangasinan (22 July) -- Pangasinan continues to attract prospective foreign investors.

This time a group of top government officials and businessmen from the Republic of China visited the province to explore the possibilities of setting up business.

The group, led by Taiwan Senator Lu Hsuen-Chang, paid a courtesy call on Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. at the provincial Capitol Thursday. They later faced the local media in a press conference at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center and also visited scenic Bolinao town.

Lu, speaking thru an interpreter, said the Taiwanese government looked forward to cementing closer ties and friendship between the two countries. He said the Taiwanese were willing to share with Filipinos their experiences in the field of agriculture, tourism and industrialization.

He said that thru hard work the Taiwanese were able to turn Taiwan from a backward agricultural country to what it is now, a leading industrial giant in Asia. "We worked hard to get more," he told the press conference at the PDCC conference room. Their efforts, he said, proved successful with the setting up of one industrial park after another.

He clarified however that the Taiwanese did not entirely abandon agriculture. "On weekends our people spend time in their farms and so that?s extra income for them," he said.

Reports said that Taiwanese farmers are a breed different from typical Filipino farmers. They live in nice houses and own luxury vehicles and expensive equipment.

Apparently, that country had a successful land reform program. Their attitude to work also spelled the difference, a mediaman was overheard as telling another after listening to the visiting dignitary.

The delegation of about 24 people proceeded to Bolinao after the press conference for a tour of that scenic western Pangasinan town.

Koreans are also interested in programs and projects initiated by the provincial government like tourism, health services and industry. Some Korean groups have been in town exploring investment possibilities. (PIA Pangasinan)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p100722.htm&no=33

Capitol trains tourism frontliners

Capitol trains tourism frontliners

LINGAYEN –Enhanced training for provincial government’s service frontliners was recently conducted to further reinforce tourism initiatives.

Some 143 provincial employees whose duties include providing direct frontline services to Pangasinenses, visitors and tourists participated in the training.

“You were trained so you can appreciate the very things we are doing here, the very things that we are protecting here, this is the very essence of this training,” said Governor Amado Espino Jr. said during the culminating rites.

In 2009, the province posted a total of 316,850 tourists and visitors, making it one of the top tourist destinations in Region I.

The one-day seminar, held in three batches, was dubbed “Tourist-Friendly Pangasinan Frontliners.”

The activity was spearheaded by the Provincial Tourism Division co-sponsored by the Department of Tourism Region I (DOT-Region I).

http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archiv...m-frontliners/

Pangasinan Pista’y Dayat 2009: A Summer Spectacle with social relevance

LINGAYEN — Pangasinan Pistay Dayat 2009 offers a complete summer spectacle here that caters to children, teenagers and adults, as the provincial government prepares a series of fun-filled activities infused with social relevance from April 25 to May 2.

The Lingayen beach will host most of the events aimed at raising awareness on environmental concern and preserving the culture and tradition of Pangasinan.

The weeklong celebration is set to kick off with a fluvial parade along the Agno River at eight in the morning of April 25 and a boodle fight at lunchtime in Salasa, Bugallon.

Pangasinan Tourism and Trade Expo will also open on the same day at 4:00 a.m. featuring the best product of every municipality and city in the province which will also coincide with Drum & Lyre/Drum and Bugle dubbed as “Banda Parada” exhibition from Capitol Plaza to Lingayen beach.

Music will take center stage in the evening during the semi-final of the “Konsyerto sa Gulpo,” a concert featuring the original composition of local bands advocating environmental awareness. The six districts will each have two representatives to compete in the concert.

Children will have a full day of fun flying kites or sculpting sand castles on April 26 during the Children’s Day or “Gantilan na Ugugaw ed Dayat.”

At 4:00 p.m., the multi-awarded Calasiao Children’s Choir, which is set to join international choir fest, will render a concert at the Lingayen Beachfront. The Bingo Socials will also be simultaneously held to raise funds for the Choir.

They will also be treated to a world class performance of amazing acrobatic show and visually stunning dance number by the Wanders International Circus on April 29 at 7:00 p.m.

After its successful debut last year, the Grand Orchestra and Ballroom Dancing Showdown now dubbed as “Sangkabalegan ya Suwayan tan Sayawan” will return on April 27 with a bigger number of participants from four last year to 10 this year.

The loveliest ladies of Pangasinan will vie for the coveted title of Limgas na Pangasinan 2009 Talent competition on April 28 at 4:00 p.m.

The yearlong search for Cleanest River and Coastal Municipality/City will have its awarding ceremony on May 1 at the Lingayen Beachfront. The search is a brainchild of Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. aimed at protecting the coastal and rivers in Pangasinan.

The other anticipated events are: “Pagalaw na Luyag” or Pangasinan Native Games, GATE Chess Competition Elimination Round and Beach Volleyball (Men & Women) on April 27; Cultural Show or “Labi na Ligliwa” on April 28; Youth Camp or Doypuay Kalangweran” on April 29; Open Family Beach Camp on April 30; Thanksgiving Mass on May 1, Lingayen Beach Woodstock featuring Konsyerto sa Gulpo Finalists and Banda ni Ate at 10:00 a.m. and Governor’s Cup Shootfest on May 3 at the PNP Firing Range in Lingayen. (PIO/Ninia F. Nicolas)

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Baywatch cops to be deployed in Lingayen Beach

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LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Jan. 5 (PNA) — The town’s police force is set to organize a team of Baywatch cops to be deployed in the Lingayen Beach due to spate of drowning incidents lately.

Superintendent Harris Fama, chief of the Dagupan police, said the deployment of Baywatch cop will be done with the support of Mayor Ernesto Castaneda as five persons already drowned there just within a period of 10 days starting before Christmas.

Noting that the Lingayen Beach is being mobbed by tourists year-round, Castaneda is also forming teams of lifeguards and volunteers so that they can immediately respond to any kind of emergencies that may arise in the area.

The latest to drown was Jerald Rodriguez, 21, of Rizal, Nueva Ecija at 1:20 p.m. last January 2, three days after the drowning of Heide Sabangan, 14, of barangay Balay-buaya, Bayambang on New Year’s eve.

Prior to these, three cousins drowned in barangay Maniboc, Lingayen, at about the same spot where a Sudanese student of University of Luzon in Dagupan drowned two weeks before.

Fama said Rodriguez was swimming with two other persons when carried to the deeper portion of the Lingayen Gulf by high waves and strong water undercurrent.

Rodriquez was having an outing with fellow members of the Aglipayan Church when the incident happened.

Fama said he had already assigned two policemen in the beach area who are tasked to warn swimmers to stay in the safer area and to exhort parents to watch their children while swimming.

Most of the children who drowned, he said, were unaccompanied by their parents or adults.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) earlier warned that because of the northeasterly winds called “amihan”, occurring mostly at this time of the year, waves are so high and the water undercurrent is so strong, making swimming very dangerous, especially for children.

Fama said his policemen are also giving out leaflets to beachcombers, telling them to adopt all precautionary measures so tragedy will not spoil their beach outing. (PNA) 
FFC/LVM/rma