With less than two months away, preparations are underway for this year’s celebration of the Bangus Festival.
Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, chairman of the festival, said the event will kick off on April 15 to May 1 with daily activities and happenings.
The Vice Mayor called for public and private support even as she encouraged all Dagupenos to invite their relatives and friends abroad or from other parts of the country to participate in the festival especially during the main events – Festivals of the North, Gilon! Gilon! Ed Dalan street dancing competitions and Bangusan Street Party.
During the festivals of the north, spectators will get the rare chance to see the battle of the best festivals of Pangasinan, Ilocos, Tarlac, Pampanga and Cordillera all in one event.
“We in the city government will work hard to equal if not surpass last year’s success. We’ll try to set an example in the province on what a real festival should be,” she said.
In an interview with the media after the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod on February 16, Fernandez bared that the much-awaited “Festivals of the North” street dancing competition will be giving away bigger cash prizes for the winning entries in each category – cities and municipalities.
First, second and third placers will receive P200, 000, P100, 000 and P50, 000, respectively.
As early as February, the roster of entries had reached the maximum number set by the organizers – solid proof of how keenly anticipated the festival is. From only 17 participants last year, 20 cities and 10 municipalities have already confirmed their participation in the competition.
“We will get the best and winning street dancers from all festivals in the region to perform in Dagupan City this year so don’t miss this opportunity,” she quips.
Another highlight of the festivity is the grandest street party called Bangusan Street Party that will feature famous celebrities and rock bands in the country today. A simultaneous display of colorful fireworks will wow the crowd in the midst of the party.
The Vice Mayor noted that the members of the events committee decided to transfer the venue of the party to De Venecia Extension Highway to accommodate a larger audience and to avoid stampede incidents.
As to financial support, Fernandez said there have been numerous sponsorships from big businesses and giant TV networks. She added that the earnings from the festival shall redound to civic and charity projects of the city government. (Leziel T. Cayabyab)
Filed under Uncategorized by Liz.
The next time you are in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, check out one of the value hotels in the Philippines – The Legend Villas.
The Legend Hotel is conveniently located in the heart of Metro Manila at 60 Pioneer Corner Madison Streets, Mandaluyong City with telephone numbers 633-1501. It currently promoting a special offer called “The Legend Villas’ Family Weekend Package“
The rate is Php2,970 nett/night and includes Buffet Breakfast for Two (2), 20% Discount at Lola Maria Coffee Shop, Business Center and Laundry Services and In-room Coffee and Tea.
The Legend Hotels are a 100% Filipino-owned and Filipino-managed chain of hotels that provides accommodation beyond 600 rooms to a wide range of clientele – company executives, families, OFW’s, balikbayans, provincial business travelers, local and foreign tourists.
The unique product offerings of LHI properties do not happen by accident. Guest rooms, for instance, are an interesting mix of shapes and sizes that cater to small and medium-sized groups of people.
There are studios for solo guests as well as rooms with living and dining areas on the ground floor. For a bit of luxury, their premier rooms feature a jacuzzi. Meals are prepared home-style using age-old Filipino recipes as well as international favorites.
Filed under events by daisys.
Indonesia may not have Europe’s high class and sophisticated charm, nor America’s fast-paced life, but behind the cover of practiced humility most Asian nations have taken to, Indonesia is a country that, given time, could easily be at par with the highly industrialized nations of today.
Jakarta, as the heart of the archipelago, hums with the busy bustle of a rapidly developing city. Jakarta alone can already give you a dash of Indonesia’s culture, through their world-renowned wayang kulit (shadow puppets), incomparable batik, and spicy foods.
Indonesians are friendly, although generally cautious to foreigners, especially fellow Asians. They rarely intermarry so the individuality of their physical features has been preserved.
The famous Borobudur Temple which is in the province of Yogyakarta is a mere 25 minutes flight from Jakarta. Its every bit as wondrous as it must have been to archaeologists in the past, when they considered naming it as one of the seven wonders of the world. The temple also depicts the life of Buddha, through the intricate stone carvings on its walls. You have to walk around the entire temple to finish it. At the topmost level, you’ll be rewarded with a fantastic view of mountains, including the range they call Sleeping Giant because it resembles, well, a sleeping giant.
Tagged as the Paradise Island, the island of Bali is a place i truly dream of. The usual tourists here are those from Europe or America, with a few Asians drifting in and out. A vacation atmosphere hangs heavily in the air and you can detect it simply by looking at people.
Bali is a weird, totally cool place. Its like one very big house. You can wear anything you want (or nothing at all), and get away with it. And the beaches are really something, although I have some reservations of calling it the “second heaven.” Its just miles and miles of unspoiled beach, with the softest sand you ever stepped on. You can go in for as far as thirty feet, and not get anything but your knees wet.
Jovial and momentous activities have been lined up for year’s celebration of the Dagupan City fiesta on December 1 to 30 carrying the theme “Celebrate Life.”
City fiesta executive committee chair Maria Librada Reyna stressed that all fiesta activities organized by the city government and some private sectors are in line with the city’s vision to make it bigger and better for Dagupeños and Pangasineses here and abroad.
Fiesta-goers will be feted with street parties, concerts, social activities, art exhibits, trade expo, costume and lantern parades, cultural shows, drum and bugle exhibitions, fireworks display, various talent competitions, among others.
To contribute to the festive mood and colorful theme of the fiesta, a search for the best Dagupan fiesta PUJ, tricycle and calesa will be launched on December 7. The entries will parade the entire stretch of the downtown area during the Lim-mewawa caravan, a citywide fiesta motorcade, on December 16.
On the same day, the multi-awarded University of Luzon drum and bugle corp will have its exhibition.
A grand fiesta parade dubbed “Pakislapan” featuring the participants of the lantern and costume competition will enthrall the crowd on December 22.
Free concert performances by the country’s hottest rock bands Sponge Cola and Calla Lily will entertain Dagupeños on December 14, 7pm, at the People’s Astrodome.
On December 19, high school students from public and private schools will outperform each other during the Inter high school cheerdance competition at the Malimgas Market.
A dance festival and cultural show is slated on December 22 at the People’s Astrodome followed by Himig Pasko, a grand choral competition, on the 23rd at the city plaza.
On the other hand, Dagupan fiesta is not just about pleasure but it also serves as a venue for reunions among various clans and organizations in the city, such as: Patrima Night (Dec.17), Barangay Health Workers Day (Dec17), Banker’s Night (Dec. 19), Senior Citizens Night (Dec.20), MADAVFE Night (Dec21), SK Night (Dec.21), Educator’s Night (Dec. 22), Pankakasakey na Sangkakanayon (Dec.23), Barangay Night (Dec. 27), DCNHS Alumni Homecoming Night (Dec. 28), Pawil Dagupan Night (December 29), Dalton Clan Night (Dec. 29), and Rotary Night (Dec. 30).
The celebration of the annual fiesta is in honor of St. John the Evangelist, the city’s patron saint whose feast day is December 26. (Leziel T. Cayabyab)
Filed under events, festival, travel by Liz.
Dagupan City’s competitiveness and performance continue to improve over the years based on the overall rating given by the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) Policy Center during its roadshow presentation on the city’s state of competitiveness on October 5.
Out of the ten most competitive small-sized cities, Dagupan scored the highest in quality of human resources and third in infrastructure.
From a 5.80 rating in 2003, the AIM team said that the city has increased its level of competitiveness to a 6.25 rating based on its 2005 Philippine Cities Competitiveness Ranking Project (PCCRP).
”With the participation of our citizenry, Dagupan City will become even more competitive in the years to come,” said Mayor Lim in his welcome remarks.
The AIM team, led by program manager of AIM policy center Leah Umali, presented the 10 strongest indicators that contributed to the city’s high level of competitiveness, as: average rent of commercial space, number of tertiary educational institutions, number of vocational institutions, number of banks and lending institutions, incidence of theft per 100,000 population, hospital beds per 100,000 population, adequate phone signals, connecting to telephone lines from other service providers is easy, rest and recreational activities are adequate and internet service providers are adequate.
Umali also cited Dagupan as one of the best implementors of participative governance where the local government unit, non-government organizations and the private sector adhere to a common vision.
However, Lim said that the city government is more concerned with the factors that pulled the ratings of the city because it ranked 12th in both dynamism of local economy and responsiveness of local government, 16th in quality of life, 19th in linkages and accessibility, and 31st in the cost of doing business.
”We shall dig deeper into these factors in order to improve our rating,” Lim stressed.
The roadshow, which is part of AIM’s Philippine cities competitiveness ranking project, gathered government officials, city hall employees, professionals, businessmen, non-government organizations, the religious sector, academic institutions, banking and medical institutions, civic organizations and the media sector.
After the presentation, an open forum that aired various concerns of the different sectors was conducted by the AIM team. Leziel T. Cayabyab
Dagupan City’s preparation in staging the 2006 Dagupan City fiesta is in full swing as the calendar of activities that are worth the attention and visit not only from local guests but international tourists as well are already lined up for this year’s celebration.
According to Coun. Librada “Dada” Reyna, 2006 fiesta hermana mayor, this year’s celebration will not only focus on the major events done each year but will also highlight worthwhile activities for Dagupeño children and their families since the fiesta coincides with the Christmas season.
Reyna bared that this year’s theme “Celebrate Life” will feature various events ranging from social, educational, economic, cultural, sports and religious activities.
She said that this year’s celebration promises to be a globally spectacular event through a series of activities that include the trade expo, family carnival, singing contest, dance festival, photo contest, sportsfest, beauty pageant, garden show, car show, street party, acrobatic show, dog show, cheerdance competition, fluvial parade, street parade, lantern and costume parade, live bands, cultural entertainments, homecomings, fireworks display, among others.
”We want to let our guests, especially Dagupeños, know that aside from witnessing the traditional events, they will also experience new and exciting activities,” Reyna pointed out.
In connection with the preparation of the fiesta celebration, the hermana mayor said she started meeting with the chairpersons of various events committee in as early as June 28.
”We will not be able to stage all these activities without the support of the community and the private sector,” she stressed.
The month-long celebration of the city fiesta is slated on December 1 to 30. (Leziel T. Cayabyab)
The sister city relationship between Dagupan City and Iwata, Japan ushered in a new phase of relations after Iwata City officials visited Mayor Benjamin Lim anew on September 13 to discuss the possibility of economic, cultural and educational exchanges.
”They came to Dagupan not only to renew ties but to discuss the possibility of exchanges between businessmen, Rotary clubs and student exchanges,” said Mayor Lim.
Lim noted that the sister city relationship between Dagupan and Iwata almost disappeared after the Marcos regime.
He further added that the bilateral relations entered in a new era after the city government of Iwata invited Mayor Lim along with five high school students to attend the celebration of their 30th anniversary of sisterhood ties on July 27 to 30 this year.
It was learned that Lim invited the presidents and past presidents of various Rotary Clubs based in the city to join the discussion that is expected to include their involvement in the establishment of a business partnership between the two cities.
The bilateral talks dwelled on the interest of both cities to establish a study exchange program for high school students.
Both cities agreed to study thoroughly the planned educational exchange program before deciding on its eventual approval.
Lim said that once approved, the qualified high school Dagupeño students will be sent to Iwata during their school vacation period from April to May.
“Just like the Milpitas study exchange program, this is another venue for the Dagupeño students to observe the academic environment and educational system of Japan as well as experience the culture of Japanese students,” Lim stressed.
The Japanese officials informed Lim that they have already visited Dagupan City five years ago. (Leziel T. Cayabyab)
A team of experts from the National Historical Institute (NHI) arrived in Dagupan City on September 1 to gain new insights and perspectives about the city by visiting its 7 historical landmarks.
The NHI group, headed by supervisor for history research Lorelei Deviana and history researcher Maria Luisa Valerio, both architects, surveyed the 7 sites as jointly recommended by the Dagupan Heritage Commission and Metro Dagupan Culture and Arts Council (MDCAC).
Priority in their list of landmarks was the home economics building at the West Central Elementary School which General Douglas MacArthur used as temporary headquarters after landing at the Lingayen Gulf, in fulfillment of the “I shall return” promise he had made before leaving the Philippines for Australia to spearhead Allied preparations for the liberation of the Philippines and other Asia-Pacific countries from the Japanese. Next on their priority list was the Gabaldon Schoolhouse, also found at the West Central.
According to Nora G. Siapno, MDCAC chairman, the history experts were amazed upon seeing the century-old buildings still standing erect and even survived the devastating earthquake 16 years ago.
”This is a major boost in our tourism landscape. Dagupan will surely benefit from the institute’s much needed expertise – assisting the city executives educate its citizenry and stakeholders on heritage conservation and preservation,” Mayor Lim said during the group’s courtesy call on him at his City Hall office.
Other landmarks they toured were the City Hall, PNR station, Spanish and American stations, ancestral house of the De Venecias in Tambac and the landing site of General MacArthur in Bonuan Gueset, which is now a subject of controversy due to a landowner’s claim of ownership of the vicinity.
”We should follow great cities of the world where preservation, conservation and restoration of old structures are high on their priority list. Tourism has earned these cities enormous sums of money,” stressed Carmen Prieto of the heritage commission.
Before departing, the NHI group thanked the city government for its warm reception and hospitality.Leziel T. Cayabyab
Filed under history, travel by Liz.
A meeting on the First North Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle will take place in Leisure Coast, Dagupan City on August 17.
Presidential management staff (PMS) director general and designated champion for the North Luzon Super Region Arthur C. Yap will preside in the said meeting. Yap, whose mother is a Dagupeña, was the former secretary of the Department of Agriculture.
The meeting aims to discuss with local government units the commitment of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to develop North Luzon as an agribusiness quadrangle as announced in her 2006 SONA and determine various areas of cooperation.
During the affair, various government agencies will report on the status of on-going programs in the Super Region as well as discuss measures to ensure their effective implementation.
Dagupan City Mayor Benjamin Lim along with the city officials and other local executives are expected to attend the meeting and participate in the discussion of agribusiness projects.
The one-day meeting will tackle farm-to-market road projects, irrigation projects, post harvest facility, energy projects, airport projects, seaport projects and road and expressway projects.
Mayor Lim is expected to bring up for discussion the proposed Bangus Processing Plant, the flagship agribusiness program of the city. (CIO/Leziel T. Cayabyab)
Filed under Uncategorized by Liz.
Afterwards, the group proceeded to the material recovery facilities (MRFs) of Barangay IV and Barangay Herrero-Perez to observe their implementation of R.A. 9003 or the solid waste management act.
According to Renomeron, he plans to replicate in his municipality the city’s MRFs, butterfly garden and communal nursery after their visit to the two barangays.
The group also toured the city’s major river systems in barangays Pantal and Calmay where city agriculturist Emma Molina discussed the zonification and regulation of fish pens and fish cages in the city.
Moreover, Mayor Codilla expressed his interest in learning more about the city’s dredging and declogging operations to minimize the recurrent flooding in some areas of Ormoc City.
City tourism OIC Dea Que, city agriculturist Emma Molina and waste management division chief Reggie Ubando served as tour guides.
Before departing, the two mayors thanked the city government for the warm reception and hospitality extended to his group.
At present, a total of eight lakbay-aral groups have visited Dagupan City this year alone. Others were Sasmuan, Pampanga; Pilar, Capiz; Santiago, Isabela; Zamboanga City; Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur; and Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur. (Leziel T. Cayab
Filed under lakbay aral, travel by Liz.
|
|
