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.
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)
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)
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A critically endangered hawksbill turtle rescued by a fisherman from barangay Pugaro is surrendered to the city agriculture office on July 10 and is set for release in the open sea of the Lingayen Gulf by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
According to Emma Molina, city agriculturist, the turtle is supposed to be released on Tuesday (July 11) but was delayed due to a bad weather condition spawned by typhoon “Florita.”
Molina said that the about 4-year-old turtle, locally known as pawikan, is considered priceless as it is listed among the critically endangered marine species and believed to be on the verge of extinction.
Based on the official measurement of CENRO employees, the turtle is 15 inches long and 13 inches wide.
City administrator Raffy Baraan and Marlyn Banda, community environment and natural resources (CENRO) chief of protected area and wildlife section, attached a corresponding metal tag in its flippers for reference purposes to its would-be captors.
Baraan said that the city government will give a special citation award to the fisherman who saved the endangered turtle identified as Nonong Narvasa.
”The incident shows that the fisherfolks in the city really care about our marine resources,” Baraan said.
According to Molina, the hunting and killing of marine turtles as well as disposing their meat or any of their by-products is punishable by law pursuant to Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act or R.A. 9147.
She added that the national law for the protection of sea turtles imposes imprisonment and penalty to those found guilty of catching, selling and slaughtering the endangered aquatic creatures.
Some of the listed endangered turtles include the green turtle, loggerhead turtle, leatherback turtle and olive ridley turtle. (Leziel T. Cayabyab)
Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz challenged all public servants to uphold at all times the value of integrity in order to achieve good governance and genuine reforms in the government during the observance of the 59th Agew na Dagupan on June 20 at the city plaza.
”If we want to become more progressive, economically viable and prosperous, then a public servant must nurture the value of integrity,” Archbishop Cruz, guest speaker at the commemorative program, said.
In his speech, Cruz stressed that every government employee must be true, honest and dedicated to be worthy of the people’s trust and respect.
The archbishop cited Dagupan City as an example of a local government unit that practices integrity in its governance.
According to Cruz, he witnessed the transformation of the city from a devastated and seemingly hopeless city after the 1990 killer earthquake, into a progressive and well-developed city that it is today.
”Sixteen years ago, Dagupan City was wrecked but it has managed to become progressive and be back on its feet because of the integrity of the officials who have served this city,” he added.
However, he pointed out that the ill notions about our country regarding corruption and poverty are brought by greedy and self-serving public servants.
”Sa dulo ng lahat ng kasamaang nangyayari sa ating bansa ay ang mga taong walang alam kundi magnakaw at baluktot ang paglilingkod,” Cruz said.
He ended his speech by encouraging the youth to practice integrity early in their youth. Leziel T. Cayabyab
Mayor Benjamin Lim is set to fly to Vancouver, Canada on June 19 and stay there until 23 as one of the representatives of the Philippine delegation who will attend the third session of the World Urban Forum III (WUFIII) that will be hosted by the government of Canada.
The participation of Lim in the said international event will be sponsored by the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) that includes all traveling expenses in airfare and accommodation.
The WUFIII is a biennial gathering that is attended by a wide range of partners from non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, urban professionals, academics, local authorities and national and international associations of local governments.
For this year, WUFIII is centered on the theme, ‘Our Future: Sustainable Cities – Turning Ideas into Action.
Such participation will enable Lim to examine one of the most pressing issues facing the world today: rapid urbanization and its impact on communities, cities, economies and policies.
”This will give Dagupan City an opportunity to share with other countries on how to minimize poverty, improve urban poor’s access to basic facilities such as shelter, clean water and sanitation and achieve environment-friendly, sustainable urban growth and development,” said Lim.
During his five-day visit, Lim will actively participate in the following activities: Municipal Global Village Opening and Exposition, Asia Partners meeting, public engagement & dialogue, plenary sessions, visit to Canada pavilion, forum on Integrating Global Concerns into Urban Management in Asia, local government sessions, networking session on gender mainstreaming and local governance and urban development policies and programs, meeting with the mayor of Vancouver and Greater Vancouver Regional District and Global Advisory Board Meeting with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and Asia Partners.
The fourth session will be held in Nanjing, China in 2008. (Leziel T. Cayabyab)
With the city government’s effective garbage management, Dagupan City is now gaining prominence as the favorite lakbay-aral destination of some cities and municipalities in the entire country.
On June 7 and 14, officials of barangays Lakewood and Bayog of Zamboanga del Sur will conduct a separate lakbay-aral tour to benchmark the city’s implementation of RA 9003 or Solid Waste Management Act which is part of the Lakbay Aral program of assistant majority leader of the House of Representatives and Zamboanga del Sur 2nd District Congressman Antonio H. Cerilles and Governor Aurora Enerio-Cerilles.
The two Zamboanga del Sur delegations will explore the city’s material recovery facilities (MRFs) which are being implemented in the different barangays for proper waste segregation, recycling, composting and storing of recyclable materials.
The MRF program of your city has gained prominence from the different officials of Mindanao after it was effectively done in the barangay level,” said congressman Cerilles in a letter sent to Mayor Benjamin Lim dated May 26.
“Dagupan City is very willing to share its waste management programs to the officials of Zamboanga del Sur,” said Lim.
As of present, thirteen barangays of the city are already using MRFs as of December 2005 right after the city government started the massive implementation of RA 9003. These barangays include Pantal, Brgy. I, Brgy. II & III, Brgy. IV, Carael, Poblacion Oeste, Pugaro, Bonuan Binloc, Bonuan Boquig, Bonuan Gueset, Tebeng, Mayombo and Herrero-Perez.
Moreover, the MRF of Brgy. IV is famous for its butterfly garden and nursery while Brgy. Mayombo is also known for its communal garden and vegetation. (Leziel T. Cayabyab)
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The city government’s Oplan Zero Drowning implemented along the beach of Bonuan Tondaligan Park during the recent observance of the Holy Week season and Pista’y Dayat has been fully achieved after no single drowning victim was reported.
“No untoward incidences happened during the influx of bid crowds of people that came to the beach,” said Dino Zabala, Tondaligan Park Administrator.
According to Zabala, the success of the anti-drowning operation was achieved through the tight watch conducted by the four professional Red Cross certified lifeguards who were stationed at their respective high towers on look out at the swimming public from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm equipped with binoculars, megaphones, ring buoys and whistles.
The professional lifeguards were augmented by lifesaver organizations in Tondaligan beach composed mainly of 50 volunteers who helped monitor and ensure the safety of the swimming public.
He added that from April 10 up to the present, no drowning incident was reported except for six persons who were almost drowned, but were immediately rescued by lifeguards and volunteer lifesavers on the look out within their areas of responsibility.
Among those that almost drowned but saved were: Rodel Mendoza, 20 years old from Bonuan Boquig (April 15); Alfie Angelo, 11 years old; Ann Gayo, 12 years old and Jillian Villanueva, all residents of Benguet (April 17); Randy Melchor 11 years old from Nueva Ecija (May 7) and Arthur Martin, 62 years old from Brgy. Malued.
The Tondaligan Park Administration also served as an assistance center for lost beach-wandering kids who were immediately returned to their respective parents. (Leziel T. Cayabyab)
Spectators who witnessed the opening of the basketball “gaymes” Battle of the 3rd kind were delighted upon seeing for the first time how gays try to outshoot and outdribble each other during the staging of this one-of-a-kind sports competition in the municipalities of San Fabian and Manaoag on April 1 and 2, respectively.
Mayor Benjamin Lim along with wife Celia Lim took the opportunity to promote this year’s celebration of Bangus Festival which is set to be one of the biggest ever. The organizers decided to extend the festival’s coverage to nearby towns and municipalities in Pangasinan.
“We thought of staging some of the Bangus Fest activities in other towns so we could gain the participation of other coastal towns like San Fabian, San Jacinto, Mangaldan and Manaoag and to create a district-wide festive ambiance. I am extremely pleased that you have shown your support for the Bangus Festival,” said Lim.
As early as 4pm, the crowd began to cheer as the teams composed of gay players started to display their own style of playing basketball at the San Fabian open basketball court and Manaoag Sports Complex.
A total of 8 teams competed in the two-day event. On the first elimination round, Manaoag beat the Dagupan-Bolosan team scoring 19 – 6 while Mangaldan scored over San Fabian with 21 – 15. On the second elimination round, San Fabian team outscored Dagupan-Bolosan with 48 – 3 while Manaoag beat Dagupan-DCNHS team with 16 – 13.
The winning teams in each round will automatically qualify for the championship game scheduled on April 28 at the city plaza.
Aside from the basketball “gaymes,” the search for the Bangus King & Queen bikini open contest is also one of the festival’s highlights that celebrate the beauty of swimsuit fashion.
The elimination round held at the Manaoag Sports Complex was participated in by 18 male and female candidates from various towns and cities like La Union, Mangaldan, Cabanatuan, Baguio City, Pampanga, Lingayen, San Fabian,San Jacinto, Manaoag and in some parts of Manila. The spectators were treated to a series of exciting production numbers during the event which include different festival costumes, stylish bikini outfit, casual wear and the interview portion.
At least 15 pairs of male and female candidates will compete for the grand finals slated on April 27, 7pm at the City Plaza.
The next elimination rounds for the Bangus Festival King & Queen and basketball “gaymes” will be held at the San Jacinto Plaza on April 8 and at Mangaldan town plaza on April 9, respectively. (CIO/Leziel T. Cayabyab)
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This year’s celebration of Dagupan City’s much-awaited Bangus Festival will highlight a new event dubbed “Bangus Fest Amazing Race 2006,” a 4-day travel adventure race that will bring the 15 team participants all around Dagupan City and some nearby towns on April 23 to 27.
This travel adventure game derived from America’s most popular reality show “The Amazing Race” and the local show “Extra Challenge” will challenge the physical, mental, emotional and even spiritual endurance of the participants by performing different tasks and obstacles as they arrive at every destination using only public transportation.
“The participants will surely experience an adventure of a lifetime as they encounter many challenges that will push and test the limits of their team. I dare them to be brave and face each challenge with courage and faith,” said Coun. Vladimir Mata, chairman of the event.
“Participating teams should aim to outperform each other since the first complete team to reach the final destination wins a total of P30,000 cash prize,” bared Mata as he assured their safety with members of the Search and Rescue Team always on the look out all throughout the race course.
The first day of the competition starts at the Dagupan City Plaza where a letter containing travel instructions will be handed to each adventure team that will lead them to perform a certain task to their next destination covering the municipalities of San Fabian, Manaoag, Mangaldan and San Jacinto. Team participants are strictly prohibited from bringing personal money.
The contest is open to all nationality aged 18 to 33 and each team must be composed of 2 males and 2 females. Application forms are available at the Office of Coun. Vlad Mata in Sangguniang Panlungsod or call 522-2907/515-5535 and look for Ms. Maan Carvajal.
Deadline for submission of application forms is on March 30. (CIO/Leziel T. Cayabyab)
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