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LuzonCentralP 8.00

Volume 8 Number 60Thu - SaT

February 26 - 28, 2015

Page 8 PleaSe

by aShley maNabaTANGELES CITY – “A nobody.”Thus, said Mayor Edgardo

Pamintuan of his presumptive opponent in the mayoralty contest in 2016, a non-reference to Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid who has made known his plan to run for mayor of the city.

‘Nobody’ vs EdPamAC MAYOrALTY 2016

“I don’t care about the guy. I don’t want to talk about him,” said Pamintuan during the press conference at the Imarex Hotel here last Wednesday.

“The mayor would not want to comment on anything about that guy who for him does not ex-ist,” he declared amid cheers from his support-

Pamintuan Lapid

ANGELES CITY – The laying out of the fiber optic cable of the Luzon network of Converge ICT Solutions, Inc. (Converge) start-ed Monday.

Dennis Anthony Uy, Con-verge president and CEO, said here on Tuesday that a total of 1,100 kilometers of fiber optic cable from Clark to north and south Luzon will be finished be-fore the end of the year.

Uy said Haidee Construction led by Spencer “Pen” Concep-cion, was hired as contractor for the fiber optic laying with an ini-tial 600 workers divided into four teams now doing the ground-

ICT fuTurE hErE ANd NOW

Converge’s fiber optic cable laying underway

work.Uy said another four teams

of 600 workers are expected to augment the workforce for a total of 1,200 workers.

Uy said a team of workers are now in the vicinity of the MacAr-thur Highway from the Circum-ferential Road at the Paning’s junction who are installing the fiber optic cables all the way to Manila and another team from Mabalacat to Baguio City and La Union.

CSrDuring a recent site inspec-

Page 8 PleaSeUy

COMMEMORATING EDSA. Mayor Edwin D. Santiago leads the lighting of candles with Vice Mayor Jimmy T. Lazatin and Councilor Harvey Quiwa in a ceremony held February 25 in front of the City Hall as tribute to Filipino heroism during the People Power Revolution that took place 29 years ago. Contributed photo

by DiNg CerVaNTeS

MABALACAT CITY - The National Grid Corpo-ration of the Philippines (NGCP) announced yes-terday a 10-hour pow-er outage in this city on Sunday.

The NGCP also is-sued an advisory that today, Friday, a 12-hour

4- to 12-hour brownouts set in 2 cities, 2 towns in CL

brownout is scheduled in Cabanatuan City and four-hour power outages in Bamban and Capas in Tarlac.

“Please be informed that there will be NGCP power interruption on March 1, 2015, Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Mabalacat City,” said an

Page 8 PleaSe

by erNie eSCoNDe

BALANGA CITY - The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resourc-es has lifted the shell-fish ban in Bataan after laboratory tests showed that all kinds of shellfish in eight coastal towns in the province registered negative of the red tide toxin, provincial agricul-turist Imelda Inieto an-

Shellfish ban lifted in Bataannounced Wednesday.

“Pwede nang mangu-ha, magbenta at kainin ang mga shellfish tulad ng tahong, talaba at iba pa,” she said.

Inieto added that even acetes or alamang that was included in the shellfish ban is now safe to be eaten.

BFAR imposed the prohibition on the gather-ing, transporting and eat-

ing of shellfish in Bataan last November 2013 that it lifted August, 2014.

The agency declared again the presence of the deadly red tide after two months on October 2014.

Affected were fisher-men from the towns of Orani, Samal, Abucay, Pilar, Orion, Limay and Mariveles and the City of Balanga.

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The dance was documented in aerial photo and video shots.

The festival is on honor of chieftain Caragan, an aeta who is said to have founded the town named after Balacat trees which dominantly filled the place.

The parade also featured winners of Miss Mabalacat City and Haring Caragan pag-eants with guest celebrity Rod-jun Cruz of GMA 7.

The most awaited part is the announcement and award-ing of certificates and plaques of recognition as Marcos Vil-lage Elementary School (Tri-bung MALIG) and Mabalacat National High School (Tribung NACIONAL) hailed grand win-ners.

The judges hailed the stag-ing of Caragan, citing its im-portance not only to arts but in preservation of the this city’s rich heritage.

“What you have brought to the people of Mabalacat through this festival is not only entertainment and pleasure but a connection to a culture most young people tend to for-get. Their participation in the parade brings back to them a first-hand experience of the hardship that brought about the culture that is as rich as they have in Mabalacat. An enriching experience that only participation can bring. Viva Caragan, Viva Mabalacat!,” said Nierras.

–Press Release

Caragan Festival 2015 breaks another record

by aShley maNabaT

MABALACAT CITY – A teen-age girl was crushed to death in a freak accident that marred the Caragan Festival parade here last Friday.

The police identified the fatality as Kacilyn T. Layug,

Death mars Caragan festMammoth crowd at Caragan Fest. Contributed photo

14, a high school student and a resident of Sitio Bana, Ba-rangay Dolores here. She was reportedly part of the crowd of spectators watching the parade when a truck (WCW 592), driven by one Wilfre-do Dela Cruz, 38, which was parked on the shoulder while

waiting for the parade to pass by, suddenly moved forward and plowed into the crowd before crashing into the last float.

Layug went under the truck where her face was reported-ly crushed by one of its wheel which initially crashed into the

float bearing Miss Mabala-cat 2015 Bianca Leana Mae De Leon and Haring Caragan 2015 Dankan Manalo as well as the daughter of Mayor Ma-rino “Boking” Morales identi-fied as Jessa, 17.

According to police investi-gator PO1 Lionel Cajigal, La-yug was declared dead on ar-rival by Dr. Ariel Ocampo at the St. Raphael Medical Founda-tion where she was brought. Layug’s remains were later brought to the Joshua Funeral Parlor in Barangay Mawaque.

It was learned that the people on the float suffered only minor bruises due to the impact while the mayor’s daughter sustained a cut in the right ankle which needed four stitches to close.

According to Cajigal, a po-liceman he identified as PO2 Reynaldo Asuncion was on the float at the time of the ac-cident. Cajigal said Asuncion was able to jump off the float as the truck crashed into it spraining his ankle. Asuncion said he saw the truck driv-er desperately pumping his brakes before it crashed into the float.

Bystanders said Dela Cruz allegedly tried to move his truck forward as the last float passed by at the end of the parade to beat other motor-ists in the horrendous traffic following the parade. But in-stead, the truck plowed into the crowd of spectators, who also began moving forward, before crashing into the float shattering its windshield.

Cajigal said Dela Cruz tested negative for alcohol consumption contrary to re-ports that he was drunk at the time of the accident. “Katata-pos lang nilang mag-spray sa mangahan ni Dr. Tiglao (They

MABALACAT CITY -- Tens of thousands of individuals trooped to the grandest fes-tival in the Central Luzon as Caragan Festival in this city wowed crowd with elaborate costumes, head dresses and

performances.With 53 participating tribes

from the junior (elementary) and main (high school/college) division, Caragan marked an-other record of most watched and most attended festive

event in the region, and proba-bly in the country.

The parade and street dance filled abut 3 kilome-ters of the Macarthur Highway from Poblacion to Xevera in Tabun which highlighted the

Aeta ancestry of this town that was founded in 1712.

Also reported to be a re-cord was the simultaneous mass dance of 53 participating tribes which converged at Xe-vera after the 3-hour parade.

just finished spraying the mango orchard of Dr. Tiglao),” the police investigator said.

It was learned that May-or Morales visited the victim’s wake shortly after the inci-dent.

“We regret the accident took place,” said Caragan festival chairman Dionisio “Jhune” Magbalot. “The city government would like to as-sure the family of the victim of assistance as well as in pur-suing a case against the truck driver,” he assured.

“I personally would like to help in other ways too,” he added.

The Caragan parade was near its end as the last float went past the SCTEx over-pass and was already near the Sacobia Bridge in Ba-rangay Tabun on its way to the Xevera housing complex when the accident occurred.

The parade ended the Caragan five-day celebration, from February 16 to 20, in honor the first chieftain of Ma-balacat who is a native Aeta married to a Mabalaqueña named Laureana Tolentino.

Caragan is part of the month-long fiesta activities in celebration of the feast day of Our Lady of Divine Grace Par-ish, the patroness of the city.

Highlights of the Caragan festival include street danc-ing, participated by students along the three-kilometer stretch from the Poblacion to Xevera; a regional trade fair all throughout the five-day festival; and the search for Haring Caragan (Mr. Mabala-cat) on February 17.

Held every third week of February, Caragan is now an annual cultural event bringing to light the Aeta culture and the founding of the town.

Killer truck. photo by Ashley MAnAbAt

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by aShley maNabaT

PORAC, Pampanga – A charitable organization ad-vocating women empower-ment, child protection, rights and welfare has now trans-formed itself into a partylist group promoting moral, so-cial and economic well-being and was launched here Sat-urday.

Leira Buan, the avowed leader of Lingap Balen (LB), led some 500 members of the group in an oath-taking ceremony during its general assembly at the Marissa Hall in Barangay Poblacion.

Present during the occa-sion were Mayor Condrali-to “Carling” Dela Cruz, Vice Mayor Dexter David, Mu-nicipal Councilors Maynard Lapid and Ronnie Mercado, presidential granduncle and former Tarlac congressman Hermie Aquino, senior citi-zens, persons with disabili-ties, the youth, profession-als, doctors and even ordi-nary folk with some coming from Olongapo City, Bataan and Mabalacat City.

Buan said LB will seek a seat in congress in the 2016 elections in order to be more of service to the peo-

Leira Buan leads oath taking for Lingap Balen with former Tarlca Rep. Hermie Aquino. photo by Ashley MAnAbAt

‘Lingap Balen’ launched in Poracple. “Mayroon kang ibibigay sa taong bayan, so nagiging tulay lang ako from the na-tional government down to the grassroots na nangangailan-gan ng tulong (So that I can give more to the people, so I just become a bridge from the national government down to the grassroots who needed help),” she said.

financial resourcesBuan said at present, she

is using her own financial re-sources as she also acknowl-edged the help of doctors in giving free medical services to indigent patients.

Buan said she also has friends who donate money to LB but did not want to be iden-tified.

Buan said she was a for-mer flight attendant for Saudia Airlines and United Airlines and a private flight attendant of the International Airlines Passengers Association, a de-signer of jewelry in Dubai with a company called The Money Dubai, and a consultant of a mining firm in South Africa.

She admitted she already spent millions of pesos since she started helping others be-ginning in 2003. “But I really don’t count,” she enthused.

During her speech, Buan said the LB mirrors her per-sonal life story as a battered wife in Taiwan who attempt-ed to take her own life not once but four times. “Lingap Balen is the story my life,” she said.

Buan said God has trans-formed her life and turn it around completely when she began to ask for forgiveness. She said she allowed herself to be used by God to serve others.

“God uses me whatev-er it takes to be an instru-ment to serve the sons and daughters of other people,” she said.

Plan in CongressIn Congress, Buan said

she plans to sponsor a bill that will empower women, fulfil the needs of senior cit-izens, help single parents, equip farmers as well as help preserve the total welfare of the whole family.

“Wala akong itatapon hanggang kaya ko at hang-gang mayroon akong mai-tutulong, hanggang sa hul-ing patak tutulong ako (I will not waste anything until I can help, until the last drop I will help),” she vowed.

SM FOUNDATION, INC. thru its College Scholarship Pro-gram has conducted the screening and examination of applicants at SM City Olonga-po recently. Fourth year grad-uating students from Public High Schools of Olongapo, Zambales and Bataan rushed to the 6th level of the mall to take the exams.

SM Scholarship program aims to help provide quality education to bright but under-privileged public high school graduates. One good thing about the scholarship is that student can work in the com-pany of his choice when he graduates.

The scholarship includes free matriculation fee, monthly allowance, student can enroll

THE ANNUAL fire and earth-quake seminar was held last Monday at SM City Clark.

It was attended by agency personnel, tenants and em-ployees to intensify aware-ness

in times of disaster. SF03 Crisconde Lalic, Chief Oper-ations of Bureau of Fire An-

FIRE TALk. SF03 Crisconde H. Lalic receives from Asst. Mall Manager Aaron Jeffry B. Montenegro and Building Admin Manager Engr. Ronald Abrazado. sMCK photo

SM City Clark conducts Fire and Earthquake seminar

geles City was the resource speaker of the said activity.

The seminar is a prepa-ration to the actual fire and earthquake drill which will be held in March to test and eval-uate the preparedness, logis-tics and capability of the mall and the personnel in handling disaster situations.

Ni rommel ramoS

HAGONOY, Bulacan--- Kalaboso ang dalawang kalalakihan matapos silang bumagsak sa kamay ng mga operatiba sa isang entrapment operation dahil sa pagpapanggap sa internet bilang ticketing office ng Cebu Pacific Airlines.

Nakapiit ngayon sa Hagonoy Municipal Jail ang mga sus-pek na nakilalang sina Jomar Payongayong, 25, at John Michael Cruz, 20, kapwa residente ng bayan ng Hagonoy.

Ayon sa ulat ng Hagonoy PNP, dumulog sa kanilang tangga-pan ang biktimang si Waynna Perez, 46, residente ng Pateros, Metro Manila upang ireklamo ang dalawang suspek.

Ayon sa ulat, gumawa ang mga suspek ng isang internet ac-count ng Cebu Pacific at nagpapanggap bilang ticketing office.

Nang makita ng biktima sa internet ang logo ng Cebu Pacif-ic ay doon siya napunta sa internet account na ginawa ng mga suspek at doon na ito nakipagtransaksyon dahil mura ang pro-mo ng mga ito.

Nagbayad ang biktima ng paunang bayad na mahigit P10,000 para sa unang dalawang ticket ngunit hindi naman daw ito naka-tanggap ng kumpirmasyon mula sa pekeng ticketing office.

Muli siyang nakipagtransaksyon sa mga ito at nagbayad muli ng mahigit P21,000 ngunit wala pa ring natanggap na kumpir-masyon.

Dahil dito ay nagtungo na sila sa main office ng Cebu Pacific at doon nila nalaman na peke ang kausap nila sa internet.

Ngunit muli na naman daw na nakipagtransaksyon sa kanya ang mga suspek kayat nagtungo na ang biktima sa himpilan ng pulisya para sa ikadarakip ng mga ito.

Naberipika naman na sa LBC Hagonoy wini-withdraw ng mga suspek ang bayad ng biktima kayat ikinasa ng PNP ang isang entrapment operation.

Nang muling nagtungo ang mga suspek sa LBC Hagonoy branch upang muling kumubra ng pera ay doon na naaresto ang mga ito.

Hindi naman nagbigay na ng pahayag ang dalawang suspek na nahaharap sa kasong swindling at paglabag sa Anti Cyber Crime Law.

2 pekeng ticketing agent kalaboso

in courses leading to degrees in Computer Science, Infor-mation Technology, Informa-tion Management, Electronics and Communications Engi-neering, Computer Engineer-ing, Civil Engineering, Electri-cal Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Elementary and Secondary Education and Ac-countancy.

In addition, scholars can enjoy the annual activities such as the general assem-bly, recollection, sportsfest, Christmas party, summer and Christmas break jobs at the SM stores and job offers af-ter graduation from SM that is significantly present in most, if not all, the commercial centers in the country.

The SM College Schol-

arship Program started with Henry Sy Sr.’s vision: “to send one child from a less fortu-nate family to college so that the scholar could qualify for a better paying job and afford to send a sibling to school upon graduation. By repeating the cycle, the family is hoped to overcome poverty.” Starting with 100 scholars in 1993, the Scholarship Program has pro-duced over 1,900 graduates, now employed in their chosen fields. More than 1,300 schol-ars are currently enrolled in the Foundation’s 82 partner colleges and universities na-tionwide.

Successful applicants will be notified through phone call by the second week of April.

–PR-SMOL

Who will be the next batch of SM scholars?

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THE PHILIPPINES’ leading carrier, Cebu Pa-cific (PSE:CEB) signed a forward sale agree-ment with a subsidiary of Allegiant Travel Com-pany (NASDAQ: ALGT), covering Cebu Pacific’s sale of six Airbus A319 aircraft. Allegiant is the parent company of Las Vegas-based low-cost airline, Allegiant Air. De-livery of aircraft to Alle-giant is scheduled this year until 2016.

“This agreement is in line with CEB’s efforts to continuously improve operational efficiency by replacing and upgrading our fleet with the larger, more fuel efficient, and longer range A321neo aircraft,” said Lance Gokongwei, CEB Presi-dent and CEO.

The A321neo is the largest model in the A320neo series, which incorporates new en-gines and large wing tip devices called sharklets. The advances will deliv-er fuel savings of 20 per-cent and additional pay-load or range capability. The fuel savings trans-late into some 5,000 tonnes less CO2 per air-craft per year. In addition, the aircraft will provide a double-digit reduction in NOx emissions and re-duced engine noise.

CEB inks forward sale agreement with Allegiant

CEB currently oper-ates a fleet of 54 aircraft comprised of 10 Airbus A319, 31 Airbus A320, 5 Airbus A330 and 8 ATR 72-500 aircraft. Between 2015 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 7 more brand-new Air-bus A320, 1 Airbus A330, and 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft.

CEB’s Airbus A321neo aircraft will be equipped with the Pratt and Whitney PurePower Geared Turbofan™ en-gine. The aircraft has a flying radius of over 6 hours and can be con-figured to have up to 240 seats. This will enable CEB to access new mar-kets in the Indian sub-continent and Australia, including Perth, Bris-bane and Adelaide.

Gokongwei

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LLL Trimedia Coordinators, Inc.Publisher

General ManagerEditor

Marketing ManagerLayout

Circulation

Atty. Gener C. EndonaCaesar “Bong” LacsonJoanna Niña V. CorderoDondie B. VenturaJojo Manalo/Lacson Macapagal

Business & Editorial office at Unit B Essel Commercial Center,McArthur Highway, Telabastagan, City of San Fernando

Tel. No. (45) 625•0244 Cel. No. 0917•481•1416puntogitnangluzon@yahoo.com or marketing@punto.com.ph

http://www.punto.com.ph

E d i t o r i a lacaesar.blogspot.com

Zona Libre Bong Z. Lacson

Opinion

TODAy IN PhILIPPINE hISTORySource: www.kahimyang.info

Enemies of peace“IF WE give in to the enemies of peace, it’s as if we’re also allowing the conflict in Mindanao to worsen. If we surrender the establishment of the Bangsamoro, it’s like we’re allowing them to bequeath arms to the next generation of our fellow Filipinos.”

So President BS Aquino III said at the Shrine of Mary Queen of Peace at the corner of EDSA and Ortigas Avenue on the 29th anniversary of the People Power revolt that catapulted his mother Corazon to the presidency of the Philippines.

Vowed BS: “We would never allow this to happen. It’s only by attaining lasting peace that all the sacrifices will be worth it for those who fought in EDSA, including those who lost their lives to end fear and violence in society.”

Yes, peace in Mindanao only through the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, BS believes, adamantly, stubbornly. Anyone, absolutely anyone, in opposition to the BBL is an enemy of that peace. So should we shudder in fear?

Peace, at the cost of the dismemberment of the Republic.

Peace, at the expense of the Supreme Law of the land.

Peace, to the surrender of national sovereignty.

Peace, to the exclusivity of a minority group and at the exclusion of all other groups within the same territory.

Peace dictated by a foreign entity.Peace, ceded to the force of terror. That is the peace BS sells. In fact, a

sell-out of the Filipino nation.Yes, we are enemies of that peace. As all who love peace should be. As all Filipinos must be.

What hath EDSA wrought?NECROPOLITICS. THAT was the germ of the EDSA Revolution of 1986 that grew into the presidency of Corazon C. Aquino.

Or – to a simple mind like mine, it cannot be any plainer to understand than this: Benigno Aquino, Jr. was killed. EDSA happened. Cory Aquino became president.

Coming full circle anew after the interregnum of Fidel V. Ramos, Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo: Cory Aquino died. Benigno Simeon Aquino III became president.

Dying as the foundation to reigning in non-monarchical Philippines, to ruling in a democratic republic. “The King is dead. Long live the King” finding some deviant meaning here.

Wonder still why death and destruction run rampage all over the islands under Aquino administrations?

Indeed, massacres and disasters find parallel lines in the presidencies of the mother and the son.

In the contemporary times of BS:The Mamasapano Massacre of 44 Special

Action Force troopers a month ago. The Al-Barka Massacre where 19 members

of the Army Special Forces were killed and 14 others seriously injured by Moro rebels in October 2011.

The ambush-mutilation of seven Marine troopers by the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu in July 2011.

Lest we forget, the “Hostage Crisis Massacre” of eight Hong Kong tourists at the Luneta on August 20, 2010.

Then the natural calamities:In November 2013, Supertyphoon Yolanda

(Haiyan) reduced to rubble Tacloban City and the rest of Leyte as well as Samar with some 9,000 people dead.

The 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck Bohol and Cebu in October 2013, grounding to dust heritage churches, toppling down buildings, creating sinkholes that swallowed houses, killing over a 100 persons.

In December 2012, Typhoon Pablo (Bopha) smashed into Central and Northern Mindanao killing some 1,900 people.

In December 2011, Typhoon Sendong (Washi) struck the northern part of Mindanao killing at least 1,080 people.

And a maritime disaster:MV St. Thomas Aquinas collided with the

cargo ship MV Sulpicio Express Siete off Cebu on August 16. 2013, leaving 114 people dead.

In the still-remembered past with Cory:

The Mendiola Massacre right at the very gates of Malacañang in January 1987 with 13 demonstrating farmers dead.

The Lupao Massacre in Nueva Ecija in February 1987 with 17 killed.

The slaughter of 39 people, including women and children in Digos, Davao del Sur in November 1989.

The Vizconde Massacre in Paranaque in June 1991, with three members of the family as victims.

Even more devastating natural calamities then, like:

The 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Central and Northern Luzon wreaking full havoc in Baguio City and Cabanatuan City on July 16, 1990, killing 1,621 people.

In June 1991, the Mount Pinatubo eruptions that killed 800 people, recorded as the “second largest volcanic cataclysm of the 20thcentury” topped only by the 1912 eruption in some God-forsaken spot in the Alaskan Peninsula.

In the wake of the eruptions came the lahar rampages that buried whole communities and added to the death toll.

And supertyphoons too: Sisang (international name: Nina) in

November 1987, ravaging the Bicol region with 240 kph winds and causing 979 deaths.

Ruping (Mike) in November 1990, its 220 kph winds causing a swath of destruction in Central Philippines, killing 748.

Uring (Thelma) unleashing flash floods in Ormoc, Leyte in November 1991, killing more than 5,100.

And the maritime disasters: MV Doña Paz colliding with the MT Vector

off Marinduque on December 20, 1987 resulting to 4,341 deaths in what has been recorded as “the worst peacetime sea disaster in the 20th century.”

MV Doña Marilyn – sister ship of MV Doña Paz – sinking at the height of Typhoon Unsang on October 24, 1988 resulting to 77 fatalities.

Death and destruction make the defining constancy in the Aquino presidencies. No matter BS’s straight path. Notwithstanding the secular canonization of Cory. Predestined fate? Preordained destiny? Pure coincidence? Spurious correlation?

Whichever, it is the nation that most suffered.And we celebrate EDSA for this?

ON FEBRUARY 26, 1903, Apolinario Mabini, took oath of allegiance to the United States of America, before the Collector of Customs. Mabini who had on two previous oc-assions refused to do so, said in his manifesto:

“I went into this struggle, heeding the voice of the peo-ple; I now abandon the strug-gle for the same cause.” He closed this document with a declaration of his faith in the United States and its purpos-es. “I will now return”, he said,

Apolinario Mabini takes oath of allegiance to the United States

“to the obscurity from which, impelled by circumstances, I have come”.

He claimed no honors, nor asked for any reward. He had done his duty to the land he loved, and nothing else mat-tered.

Mabini went on to live alone in his humble nipa home on the outskirts of Ma-nila, like a man who sees the last glorious rays of his de-scending sun, Mabini thought less of the future and more of the past.

Mabini was not to live long in seclusion. The last of fate’s unkind gestures toward him came on May 13, 1903, when he was stricken with cholera. He was then but 38 years of age. With his death there passed away, in the words of Teodoro M. Kalaw, “a Ma-layan statesman of immea-surable talent, possessing neither previous experience nor universal political culture, yet great for his sagacity and foresight and powerful for his firmness and patriotism”.

Acceptance is such an important commodity, some have called it “the first law of personal growth.” –Peter McWilliams

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Halo-haloDing Cervantes

Opinion Napag-uusapanLangFelix M. Garcia

Blessed Mother appearsin Iraq, California too

FOR THREE days last January over the city of Alqosh in Iraq, the Blessed Mother Mary hovered luminously in the sky. Thousands saw her amid the horrendous sufferings in Iraq, in a city that was just recently overtaken by the ISIS whose terrifying extremists beheaded or crucified Christians, including children.

In the serene aridity of the Mojave Desert north of Los, Angeles in California, Maria Paula Acuna has been attracting more people, especially every 13th of the month. There, she also sees the Blessed Mother and one would think that there, too, she was fortifying faith among the people of California, a state long rumored to be sitting on the brink of geological cataclysm..

In Iraq, the three-day apparition of the Blessed Mother created a sensation that renewed faith. It was as if she was telling the Christians to hold on to their faith regardless of what was to come. As in her apparitions before hundreds of thousands on top of the Coptic church in Zeitoun, Egypt in the 1960s, some people photographed her.

One photograph that has made it through digital media was uploaded by American Jeff Gardner of Missouri who heads a group called Picture Christians which is dedicated to putting face on the horrible sufferings of Christians in the hands of the ISIS.

A witness described the Blessed Mother as being “like a north star but isolated from everything else. It was rose-colored and like she had her head bowed in prayer.”

At the Mojave Desert in California, Maria Paula Acuna wears the habit of a nun, and attracts many, including the sick, every 13th of the month when the Blessed Mother appears to her. Only Maria Paula sees the Blessed Mother, but witnesses armed with cameras have taken pictures on unusual lights and cloud formations of angels. Some have reported smelling roses during the apparitions.

Now for our staple messages from the Blessed Mother as conveyed through visionary Pedro Regis last Feb. 10.

“Dear children, open your hearts to the Lord and discover the great treasure that is within you. I know each one of you by name and I came from Heaven to show you the way to conversion. Do not hold back. My Jesus needs your sincere and courageous yes.

“Take care of your spiritual life and live separated from things of the world. You belong to the Lord and He is the only One you should follow and serve. Humanity has become spiritually poor because men have strayed from the truth. Return to the Lord. Say no to sin and let yourselves be led by the One who is your All.

“You are prone to commit sin and many times, without thinking, you put yourselves on the side opposed to God. Be careful. Bend your knees in prayer. Only through prayer can you understand the plans God has for you. Do not be afraid. The day of your liberation is near. The Victory of God will occur with the definitive Triumph of my Immaculate Heart. The Lord will wipe away your tears, and the just will live in joy. Go forward.

“This is the message which I bring you today in the name of the Most Holy Trinity. Thank you for allowing me to bring you together here once again. I give you my blessing in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Peace be with you.”

Iraq apparition

Keka Mayor EdPam,king Aldo mung

Kebaitan (Bistaman keta pang milabas a Lunes, Pebrero 23, ing Aldo nang Kebaitan Mayor Ed Pamintuan, ning Siyudad ning An-geles, malugud deng patagal yampang ding bibilug king Agu-man ding Talasulat, a panimunan kekong Talasuyu, iting kawatasan a sinulat ning metung karing kayanib kaniti bil-ang panalala at kapasalamatan king mapuring Alkalde king alang sawa nang pamantabe at kasaupan karing poeta at talasulat ning Amanung Sisuan banting ing sabing maybug nang malumpawi akwa nang masagip at magambul miuman kapamilatan ning mesabing Aguman)

ING BULAN NA ning Pebrero beinti tres ya kabilanganYang aldo nang kebaitan Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan;Ing pigkalub nang serbisyu nung iti kekatang susuryanBinye na ngan ing agyu na, iting balen baneng suywan;Ding memalen Angeleño matapat na’lang pigsilbyan,Inya ngening kayang Birthday saganan yang palakpakan.

Kaibat na ning palakpak yu, lawen yeng aldo makaslagKeti siyudad ning Angeles king serbisyu nang linatagKilub na ning pilan banwa masalusu yang miglayagKarin king banuang katasan susulagpo, mamayagpag,Inya itang Angeleño sukat tamung magpanatagKabang Mayor ya’y Pamintuan, ing balen lalu yang tatag.

Inya ngeni kekong sabla matning-matni kung sasabyanArapan da ring memalen ampon kareting Kapitan,Maswerti lang Angeleño ‘tin lang lang tapat manungkulanAlang sawang magserbisyu karing kayang sasakupan;Kareting kayang serbisyu sambitlan ko ring mapilan,Nung sakali kukulang la, ibie yo ring karagdagan.

Karetang “informal settler”, ‘ting proyekto nang pabaleKanyan namang kalikasan, kalinisan, “one million tree”Ing “renal care” (dating ONA,) ating “Philhealth” da pang pamyeLibring Doktor king barangay, libring panulu rang babie;City College, “infrastructure,” kaayusan masaleseKang Mayor Ed Agyu Tamu… Saup-Saup… Abe-Abe!

Ding simbitla kung proyeto keting balen binye no’ ngan;Ing kutang ku naman ngeni… king aldo nang kebaitanNang’ regalu ding memalen, ing Mayor ban pamatulanKaring masamyung bulaklak kekatamu yang kwintasan?Ding liryu at sampagita, ngaku e la karampatan,Malanat la’t mako banglu karas na ning kabukasan.

Nanu ya mo ing regalung sukat tamung ibie kaya,A malyaring e kumupas kekaba na nitang bie na?Ding matapat a Kapitan, ing sasabian deti, ngara:“King pagkalub tamung lamak e ta’man gumastus pera,Iti nung kekatang ibie pilming-pilming tumula ya”“Nanu? ” ngara ding mangutang, i-“segregate” ing basura.

Sopan taya king nasa na ba’yang lubus pamatulan,Ing regalung ibie tamu king aldo nang kebaitan,Tagimpan nang kalinisan dinan tamung katuparanAgkatan lang kabarangay, ing basura pikawanian;Ing syudad na ning Angeles ba’yang lalung sunlag legwan, ‘Segregation’ keng Basura, kekatang papanatilian!

Neng Adora G. (Dalagang Baryu) FerrerBarangay Anunas, Angeles City

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From Page 1

NOTICE Of ExTrAjudICIAL SETTLEMENTNotice is hereby given that the heirs of jESuS CuNANAN fIGuErOA

who died intestate on June 17, 2014 executed an Affidavit of Extrajudicial Settlement with Absolute Sale of his estate, more particularly described as a parcel of land located at Brgy. Capaya, Angeles City and covered by Transfer Certificate of Title No. 138959, before Notary Public Reymon E. Fabros as per Doc No. 59, Page No. 88, Book No. VII, Series of 2015.

Punto! Central Luzon: February 20, 27 & March 6, 2015

NOTICE Of ExTrAjudICIAL SETTLEMENTNotice is hereby given that the heirs of PONCIANO I. dEL rOSArIO who

died on September 30, 2004 in Magalang, Pampanga executed an Affidavit of Extrajudicial Settlement with Waiver of Share of his estate, more particularly described as a Willy’s Jeep with MV File No. 0364-3729, Engine No. 522663, Chassis No. 283R, Plate No. CEB 722, and C.R. No. 57642153, before Notary Public Almario D. Marimla as per Doc No. 495, Page 39, Book XXVI, Series of 2015.

Punto! Central Luzon: February 13, 20 & 27, 2015

NOTICE Of ExTrAjudICIAL SETTLEMENTNotice is hereby given that the heirs of BErNArdO Q. CAPIO who died

intestate on January 21, 1993 in Magalang, Pampanga executed an Affidavit of Extrajudicial Settlement with Sale of his estate, more particularly described as a parcel of land (Lot 25-C, Psd-328333) situated in the Barrio of Lourdes, Angeles City and covered by Transfer Certificate of Title No. 69059 of the Registry of Deeds of Angeles City, before Notary Public Reymon E. Fabros as per Doc No. 101, Page No. 96, Book No. VII, Series of 2015.Punto! Central Luzon: February 13, 20 & 27, 2015

advisory sent by NGCP to the Pampanga Elec-tric Cooperative II. The reason for the power out-age was not mentioned.

At the same time, the NGCP also issued another advisory say-ing that today, Feb. 27, power supply through the Cabanatuan Electric Corp. (Celcor) would be cut from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

4- to 12-hour brownouts set in 2 cities...“This is to accommo-

date Celcor’s request for replacement of poles along Maharlika High-way to connect Celcor’s new Sumacab substa-tion,” NGCP said.

Also slated for pow-er interruption today are Bamban and Capas in Tarlac, lasting from 8 a.m. to 12 noon “to facili-tate testing of instrument transformers for Tarelco II’s revenue meter simul-

taneous with Tarelco II’s energization of 10MVA transformer at O’ Donnell Substation.”

“Specific cities and municipalities to be af-fected by the power inter-ruption are determined by the above mentioned Distribution Utility (DU), unless the activity af-fects the entire franchise area. The DU allots the available power with-in its franchise area and

implements the pow-er interruption schedule among the end-users,” NGCP explained.

“Normal operations will immediately resume after work completion. NGCP’s customers and the gen-eral public are advised to take the necessary prepa-rations and precautions for this scheduled inter-ruption,” the NGCP ad-visories to the affected towns also said.

tion, Uy said he noticed that the workers don’t have enough to eat de-spite working hard under the hot sun.

As part of the corpo-rate social responsibili-ty of Converge, Uy said he has immediately ap-proved a supplemental feeding program for the workers for the entire du-ration of the project con-sisting of rice, chicken and meat.

The workers use a French made Marais concrete cutter, among other tools, to lay the fi-ber optic cable to a stan-dard 1.2 meters under-ground where a blue two-inch micro duct, which has seven sub ducts, and another two-inch HDPE duct is laid down, Uy said.

The Marais concrete cutter slices about four inches of the road which is immediately filled in after the fiber optic cable is in place.

Uy said for every two

Converge’s fiber optic cable laying underwayFrom Page 1 to three hundred me-

ters, depending on the location, there is a hand hole for the service stop which goes out that can then be attached to the post and into homes or businesses.

He said in the bus-tling Balibago commer-cial district here, hand holes for every two hun-dred meters are already in place.

In other areas in the countryside where there is not much activity, the service areas can be placed at every two or three kilometers, he said.

GatewayBacked by congres-

sional franchise (RA 9707) to construct, in-stall, establish, operate and maintain telecom-munications systems throughout the Philip-pines, Converge is also currently laying a sub-sea cable from Hong Kong to La Union then on to Guam for its inter-national gateway facility

(IGF) that will connect to the Luzon grid.

At present only PLDT and Globe telecoms have IGF in place, he said.

At the Pacific Tele-com Conference in Ha-waii last January, Uy said the topic was “Dig-ital Disruption” because the revenues of the telco industry worldwide went down eight to nine per-cent per year for the past two years.

This is because of the advent of the social media network, Uy said. Everybody now calls abroad using internet protocol (IP) applications like facebook, Viber, Tango, facetime, etc. for free instead of calling through the cellular net-works which have regu-lar charges, he added.

But Uy said the us-age of the “bandwidth” because of the social media network and vid-eo went up three times.

“The growth of the usage is too fast that is why they (telcos) have

a big problem coping with the upgrade and de-mand,” he said.

CongestionEven with about

7,000 cell sites around the country, it is not enough because wire-less have capacities and therefore have limita-tions, he reasoned.

They are simply con-gested that is why we have slow internet that is why we need to fiberize all these, he added.

During big events like the 7107 RHCP concert in Clark last year, mo-bile stations were put up around the concert ven-ue to support the cloud, otherwise the system will crash, Uy said.

Fiber optic technol-ogy is better because even with the sudden increase in demand or whatever capacity you want, the only thing you need to change is the equipment, Uy said.

“The way we see it now, technology is go-ing fiber to the home.

The whole Asia-Pacif-ic region as of January this year has 100 million homes already connect-ed to fiber optic cables,” Uy said.

The biggest is Korea where 99 percent of the houses are connected to fiber and then China and then where about Ja-pan 70 to 80 percent of homes are connected to fiber, he said.

Here in the Philip-pines, only about one percent of homes are connected to fiber, he added.

Meanwhile, telcos now have a problem in migrating to the new fi-ber technology because they have an old legacy so when they migrate, it takes a while, Uy ex-

plained.“Unlike them, Con-

verge is a new player, so we lay out our backbone with the new technolo-gy,” he said.

Optical Fiber is a flexible, transparent fi-ber made of high quality extruded glass or plas-tic that can function as a light pipe to transmit light to both ends of the fiber. Fiber Optics is most of-ten used in fiber-optic communication or the di-rect transmission of in-formation over long dis-tances at higher band-widths than other com-munication forms.

With its backbone in place, Converge’s in-ternet performance can give speeds that burst up to 100 Mbps.

ers present at the ven-ue.

“It is really ‘res ipsa loquitur’ (the thing speaks for itself),” com-mented Pamintuan cit-ing a legal doctrine in describing the senator.

“Halos lahat ng mga tumakbo (sa India) artis-ta sa Bollywood, almost 70 percent artista. But after one decade wala na. Dito saan ang mga artista natin ngayon? Edi nakakulong (Almost all the candidates in In-dia are actors in Bolly-wood, almost 70 percent are actors. But after one

‘Nobody’ vs EdPamFrom Page 1 decade they’re gone.

Here, where are the ac-tors today? They’re in jail!),” Pamintuan, who will seek re-election for his last term, pointed out.

“Makukuha mu ba sa pogi pogi yan? (Can you achieve this with just mere good looks?),” the mayor asked.

This, even as Pa-mintuan said he did not want to think about the elections yet since it is still a year and half away. But already, his political opponents are making a lot of noises as he admitted that some of his supporters are af-

fected and also eager to join the fray.

VM prospects“Magtapat ku kekayu,

dakal na lulub ken, da-kal na talagang men-gayari na, deng aliwa angdyang alila meyari term mamalagwa nala bisa lang tagal (I will be honest with you, a lot would like to come in, most of them have fin-ished their terms while others, even if they still have not finished their term, now want to run) for vice mayor and of course they still have to go through the process,” Pamintuan said.

“Pogs (Suller) tata-gal ya rugu (wants to run too); Jericho (Aguas) manimuna ya keng sur-vey, lulub ya naman pero atin yapang me-tung a term (he leads in the survey, he wants to enter too but he still has another term); pareng Alex (Cauguiran), at the onset aisip na bisa yang tagal (he realized he wanted to run),”the may-or said.

He said he gave Cauguiran, whom he described as “the best warhorse who is bet-ter in a war room than in any other position,” a piece of advice. “Nung

bisa kang tagal kanita pa meg-prepare naka, eni mu sabyan yan tagal ka… tagal ka karetang mumuna keka (If you want to run, then you should have prepared then, but if you say that only now… you run after those who are ahead of you),” Pamintuan said.

“But since I am older than him (Cauguiran) I know what is better,” he said. “All of them are all aspiring in pursuing their plans at this early to run for vice mayor as my running mate.”

Buried ambitionDuring the 66th birth-

day celebration of Pa-mintuan at the city hall grounds last Monday, Cauguiran reported-ly became emotional during his speech saying if only to give the mayor a free hand in choosing his running mate he will have to do away with his political ambition.

“Kutkut kunamu ing ambisyun ku (I will just have to bury my political ambition),” Cauguiran said. And as soon as he stepped down from the stage, the mayor’s wife Herminia met and em-braced him in a tight hug while both of them were reportedly crying.

by DiNg CerVaNTeS

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The Ar-my’s 7th Infantry “Kaugnay” Division (7ID) based in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija is fielding 120 of its 280 newly graduated soldiers with private rank to three Army units in Mindanao.

The 7ID said departure ceremo-nies are slated for the fielding of the 120 privates to the 71st, 84th and 69th Infantry Battalions respectively

120 new Army privatesto be deployed in Mindanao

based in Pangibiran, Mabini, Compos-tela Valley; Malagos, Baguio District, Davao City; and Panabo City, Davao del Norte.

The 120 were among the 280 sol-diers who graduated from a course that gave them the rank of private at the headquarters of the 7ID in Fort Mag-saysay in Laur, Nueva Ecija. Of the 120, 41 are from Mindanao, 79 from Luzon and 10 from the Visayas, the 7ID said.

It also said that families, friends and military superiors of the 120 privates are expected to attend departure cere-monies for them later this week.

The 7ID said that more are be-ing trained so that infantry battalions throughout the country could be aug-mented by at least 40 soldiers each as part of the move to strengthen them.

“The 120 privates will be transport-ed by C-130 from Villamor Air Base to Davao City after the departure ceremo-

ny,” the 7ID said.In his message to the 120 privates,

7ID commander Maj. Gen. Glorioso Miranda said “soldiery is a noble pro-fession so each soldier should be pre-pared to be assigned to the different parts of the Philippines in serving the people and securing the land.”

He also noted the importance of the support of families, relatives and other loved ones to the soldiers, “es-pecially those assigned to Mindanao.”

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The GossipmillerCesar Pambid

Aljur Abrenica balik-GMA 7

MUKHANG naayos na ang problema ni Aljur Abrenica sa GMA Network at sa GMA Artist Center dahil ibinalita ni Kris Bernal sa Instagram (IG) na balik-network na ang aktor.

Nagkita sila ni Aljur sa GMA Network at nagkumustahan at sa nakita naming pictures nila, mahigpit ang yakapan at panay ang halik sa kanya ni Aljur.Post ni Kris: “A special someone surprised me at my taping today. I hadn’t seen him for nearly a year! We have barely texted each other! I’m just sooo happy to

see him in GMA grounds today! He made my day!“Walang nagbago...except that he’s sexier and a whole lot better! I miss everything about him. Higpit na yakap at walang katapusang chika. He’s sooo back!

Excited to work with him again...I wish it’s soon.”Nakiusap si Kris na ’wag nang mag-nega sa pagbabalik ni Aljur sa GMA Network.“Let’s just all be happy for him. I dedicate this photo to all SOLID ALKRISIANS na matagal naghintay, umasa at sumuporta. Aljur Abrenica, we’re all tuned in for

your comeback,” dagdag ni Kris. Ang sabi, lalabas si Aljur sa Sunday All Stars sa Sunday at may mga susunod pa siyang lalabasang shows habang wala pang soap.Ibig kayang sabihin nito, drop na ang kasong isinampa niya sa GMAAC?Hindi pa nagsasalita si Aljur tungkol dito at hindi pa nga nag-post ng picture nila ni Kris at ni Mark Herras.May picture rin si Aljur with Mark na masaya rin sa kanyang pagbabalik, kaya lang, ngayong bumalik na si Aljur sa GMA Network, ibalik din kaya siya sa Cain at

Abel?Sila ni Alden Richards ang original cast ng movie, pero pinalitan siya ni Mark nang magsampa siya ng kaso sa GMAAC.Ano ’yun, aalisin si Mark at ibabalik si Aljur? Problema ito ni Direk Adolf Alix, Jr., at ng GMA Films at kanilang co-producer.

CLTV 36 Star Mill’s concert tagumpay

NAGING matagumpay ang ginanap na concert ng mga talent ng Star Mill: Central Luzon TV noong February 19 na ginanap sa Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center. Tampok sa Star Mill: the Concert ang Star Mill Season 2 Grand Champion at Heartthrob ng Pampanga na si JD Simon at ang mga runner-up na sina Barbie

Manalo, Louie Anne Culala at Lemuel Lansangan. Namangha rin ang mga Ka-Rehiyon sa pagtatanghal ng ibang finalist na sina Rica David, Dale Sese, Renzo Nicolau at Paul John Carlos, kasama ang mga Star Mill Season 1 finalists na sina Eliza Arnaiz, Andy Pangan, Awit Garcia at Jeneal Mariano. May special guests pa tulad ng boy band na Men2Be at ang Body Shocks Dancers.

Dalawang breses ginanap amng show. Alas dos ng hapon at pangalawa naman ay alas siyete ng gabi. In both shows, talaga namang nagpakitang-gilas ang mga peformers.

Tinilian ng mga kababaihan ang my giling moves ng mga guwapong sina JD Simon at Lemuel Lansangsan. Puwede bang isalang sa mainstream ang dalawang ito na posibleng kumabog sa marami nating hunk singers sa ngayon.

Personal kung nagustuhan ang suot na Little Mermaid costume ni Rica David na puwede na ring maging kaliga ng mga Tween stars ni Kuya Germs sa Walang Tulugan.

Pero siyempre, walang hindi hahanga sa mga performances ng mga divas na sina Barbie Manalo, Eliza Arnaiz, Louie Ann Culala at Jeneal Mariano.Breath of fresh air naman ang peg ni Awit Garcia everytime she comes up onstage.We would like to commend the organizers of this concert particularly Ms. Sonia Soto ang Billy San JuanlMabuhay po kayo!

hataw Superbodies levels up several notches higher

SA SABADO na gaganapin ang Hataw Superbodies (The Nesxt Level) ng JSY Publishing ng Hataw Tabloid. After several years, this competition is raised to a level several notches that the past.

The conpetetion will be held at Area 5 (Former Ratsky) along Tomas Morato on Saturday, February 28.

Fifteen pairs of sexy females and gorgeous hunks will compete for high prizes at stake.

Alma Concepcion and John Nite will host the evening affair, while Meg Imperial, Tyrone Oneza, Raymond Cabral and Vhong Navarros’s kaloka-

alike Mark Tyler Cruz will spice up the night with their musical renditions. Bc Legs Dancers will also display their dance routine

during the proceedings.

Sam Concepcion nakatikim ng hagupit ng dila ni Anne Curtis

SISTER knows best! Looks like ’yan ang naramdaman ngayon ni Jasmine Curtis-Smith na balitang hiwalay na sa boyfriend na si Sam Concepcion.

Nakatikim din kasi si Sam ng hagupit ng dila ni Anne nang time na kasagsagan ng relasyon nila ng

kapatid ng aktres.Dahil doon, nagkaroon ng haka-haka na ayaw ni

Anne kay Sam para kay Jasmine.Pero naging quiet si Anne nang ma-link si Jasmine

kay Daniel Padilla. Siyempre nga naman, Daniel Padilla ’yon kumpara kay Sam.

Wala pang pahayag si Jasmine sa hiwalayan nila ni Sam. Pero ang aktor, nabasa namin sa website ng Star Cinema na,

“Sam clears the name of friend entangled in rumored breakup with Jasmine.”

Gayunpaman, hindi man magsalita si Anne, batid na natin ang emosyon niya sa pakikipaghiwalay ni Jasmine kay Sam.

Pampanga’s bets

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