MANILA–The Fraternal Brotherhood of Eagles, Philippine Eagles on Saturday held its first ever 2022 Philippine Eagle Basketball League (PEBL) at San Andres Sports Complex in Manila. 

Twenty one teams representing each regions in the National Capital Region (NCR) Northern and Central Luzon Region (CLR) and Southern Tagalog Region (STR) with their respective governors–1.NCR 16 Gov Don Rontas: CLR 15 Gov Mark Diaz; NCR 4 Gov Arnold Landayan; CLR 5 Gov Raffy Roque; CLR 6 Gov Jason Masa; NCR 29 Gov Roy Cinco; NCR 8 Gov Andres Visaya Jr.; CCR 2 Kuya Gov Flor Salinas; NCR 22 Gov Jerico De Guzman; CCR 1 Gov Manny Carta; NLR 6 Gov Mhel Morales Manuel; NCR 27  Gov Joseph Santos; CLR 1 Gov Perfector Tagalog; CLR 8 Gov Ronnie Mendoza; NCR 9 Gov Jocil Labial; NCR 49 Gov Elimer Catabay; NCR 2 Gov Eugene A. Duran; NCR; Gov Ronald delos Santos; STR 3 Gov Dennis Nebria; STR 8 Gov Mike Camacho and NCR 5 Gov Louie Nick Panganiban actively joined the league and attended the opening each respectively represented by their stunning, beauty and sexy muses.

CLR-1 under Governor Perfecto Tagalog emerged as winner in the first game defeating STR-3.

NCR-16 Gov. Rogelio Don Rontas congratulated each of the 21 regions for their big roles in staging the league. Rontas said the league is pursued as a post pandemic sports fellowship and camaraderie among each regions and its Kuya members. 

True with the brotherhood thrust, meaning, goal and vision of the Eagles, Rontas said the league is a manifestation of brotherhood through sports fellowship and is a vehicle to have a much stronger ties and bond. 

Rontas said each region really prepared for their team players, coaches, managers and muses to ensure a milestone success of the first ever league. 

“We call it PEBL Cup Season 1. Ang Liga ng mga Agila, Atin Ito,” Rontas told the media. 

Rontas said they expect the league  to become an annual event respectively with three seasons in a year. He said the finals and awarding is expected in December and for the second season to start in February 2023.  

“We hope to make it a more meaningful league for our health and wellness and our brotherhood we see everyone in court,” Rontas added. 

Huge cash prizes and trophies await the champion, first runner-up, second runner-up and third runner-up. 

Rontas thanked his seven fellow PEBL governors-commissioners– Kuya Jeffrey Pecson, Kuya Lyndon Panganiban, Kuya John Paul Soria, Kuya Ronaldo Borja, Kuya Kris Rael, Kuya Romeo Espino and Kuya Jeremiah Belmont as the wings behind the flight of the PEBL.

CITY OF MALOLOS–Officials unveil on Monday the marker for the province cultural center during the celebration of its 444th founding anniversary which is marked as a special non working holiday. 

Senator Joel Villanueva with Gov. Daniel Fernando and Vice Gov. Alex Castro led other Bulacan officials in unveiling the marker of Hiyas ng Bulacan Cultural Center within the Bulacan Provincial Capitol Compound. 

The Hiyas ng Bulacan Cultural Center building houses the Hiyas ng Bulacan Museum, Bulwagang Guillermo Tolentino, Tanghalan Nicanor Abelardo, Provincial Library and the Provincial History, Arts, Culture and Tourism Office (PHACTO). The structure, the first separate building built outside the Capitol was inaugurated on August 30, 1971.

Fernando said while Bulacan is now a magnet for global investment, it is also the time for the province to fully recognize and create different measures for the preservation of its arts, culture and heritage through its very own cultural center. 

Villanueva who hails in Bocaue said he has always been proud of his Bulakeño blood and race. He call on fellow Bulakeños to continue to make the beloved province shine in culture and tourism amid the present modernization and further future technological advancement. 

“Patuloy nating palakasin ang contribution ng ating lalawigan sa kasaysayan ng ating bansa sa kabila ng panahon ng internet sa ngayon, (let us continue to strengthen the contribution of our province in the history of our nation amidst the modern internet technology today), he said in his speech. 

“Gawin nating paksa sa hapag-kainan ang makabuluhang kuwento ng ating kultura at kasaysayan saan man tayo makarating at ano mang panahon. Ipamana natin ang pagmamahal natin sa ating bayan, kultura at kasarinlan sa ating mga anak,” (Let us make our love for our country, culture, heritage and freedom a legacy for our children),  he said. 

The senator also urged every Bulakeño to always do their best and give their share in the nation building.  

BULAKAN, Bulacan–The 38-year old young priest who wrote novenas and prayers for the town’s different saints and patrons was laid to rest on Sunday at Manila Memorial Park in Dasmariñas, Cavite. 

The remains of Rev. Fr. John Paul Sevilla Mabanta, OSA, from Barangay Maysantol this town who is assigned in Cebu province as Provincial Secretary of Sto. Niño de Cebu was buried in Roman Catholic priest’s memorial gardens in Manila Memorial Park after a one night vigil at Nuestra Señora De Gracia Parish in Guadalupe, Makati City. 

Mabanta, known as “Fr. JP” in the church community in Cebu and in Bulacan died of heart attack on Aug. 5 while on his duties inside the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño Church in Cebu City.

His remains arrived on Thursday at his family’s residence in Barangay Maysantol for a three day vigil. The whole town mourns his death as  officials, parishioners, friends and relatives paid their last respect and tribute. 

The municipal board approved a resolution filed by Councilor Bienvenido “Benjo” Cruz Jr. in  honor of Mabanta’s contributions in further enlivening the parishioner’s faith to the Roman Catholic church. Mabanta conceptualized enhancements to the rituals and festivities during the annual Aug. 15 feast of Nuestra Señora Dela Asuncion, the parish patron saint of Bulakan town. He also wrote novenas for her.

Joey Meneses Rodrigo, member of cultural, heritage and historical group of the town “Kabesera,” said that Fr. JP was also behind creation of novena prayer for San Nicolas de Tolentino, the patron saint of nearby San Nicolas village and also the prayer devotion to Itim na Sto. Cristo, the patron of his own Barangay Maysantol. 

“He never failed to look back and give back. Kahit nadestino na siya sa Cebu ay patuloy pa rin ang pagtulong niya sa Bulakan. He wrote the novena for San Nicolas, patron ng Nayon ng San Nicolas, na kasalukuyang ginagamit na ngayon. Also, he made a suggestions to the Parish Pastoral Council of Bulakan on how to enhance its fiesta rituals and activities. Kahit nasa malayong lugar siya ay may impluwensiya pa rin siya at patuloy na iginagalang sa Bulakan,” Rodrigo said. 

The youngest of 14 grand children of famous local matriarch Lola Aurea Mabanta in Maysantol, Fr. JP is survived by his parents Rosendo B. Mabanta and Milagros Sevilla Mabanta and brothers Jose Angelo S. and Jose Enriico, sisters-in-law Loida Mabanta and and Rowena Mabanta and nephews Chino, Lance and Aian and nieces Juliana and Erika.

“Sobrang bait nya, matulungin, mapagmahal at mapagpakumbaba, sobrang close niya sa amin lahat. Siya ang bunso naming pinsan. Lagi siyang andiyan kapag humihiling kami na ipanalangin para sa aming pamilya at nang taong humihiling ng panalangin (He is so kind and helpful. He is close to all of us. He is the youngest among us all. He is always there whenever we ask for him to pray for us and the people who come to him for prayers),” his eldest cousin Aurita Mabanta-Manalo told NEWS CORE.  

Another cousin, Anita Clavinez sais JP is really a religious nd church person since he was a young boy. He described him as very kind, quiet, good listener and at times the joker in the group. 

Before his remains were flown in Maysantol, vigils, mass and public viewing were held in numerous churches in Cebu–Aula Magna Hall, Pilgrim Center, Augustinian Novitiate and  Prayer House Community, Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, Basilica del Santo Niño,  Santo Niño Spirituality Center Community, Sto. Niño Mohon Parish Community and Basilica Community. 

On Saturday, his remains was led in a funeral procession and vigils in

Sto. Rosario Chapel in Barangay Tibig, Dambana ni San Nicolas de Tolentino in Barangay San Nicolas and the Holy Crucifix in Our Lady of Assumption Parish for an 11:00 a.m. mass before it was transfer for a vigil at Nuestra Señora de Gracia Parish in Guadalupe in Makati City and Guadalupe Monastery also in Makati City, Metro Manila.

NLEX-SCTEX Biyahero Road Safety Caravan, one of NLEX Corporation’s road safety initiatives, secured the support of the country’s four big transport organizations of trucks and bus operators.

Held during the Manila Commercial Vehicle Show at the SMX Convention Center in July, the caravan is part of the tollway company’s commitment to provide safer expressway experience to NLEX-SCTEX motorists.

The event converged for the first time all four big transport organizations of trucks and bus operators in the country namely Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines (CTAP), Inland Haulers and Truckers Association (INHTA), Haulers and Truckers Association in the Watersouth (HATAW), and Nagkakaisang Samahan ng Nangangasiwa ng Panlalawigang Bus sa Pilipinas Inc. (NSNPBPI).

“We always strive to make our expressway safe by rolling out road safety education programs in partnership with our stakeholders, exemplifying the culture of safety that we endeavor to instill among our motorists and stakeholders,” NLEX President Luigi Bautista said.

The NLEX-SCTEX Biyahero Road Safety Caravan underscored the importance of road safety through intensified education on proper expressway driving, rules and apprehensions and vehicle preventive maintenance.

“We are one with NLEX-SCTEX in their road safety education initiative. As a shared responsibility, we aimed at eliminating road accidents caused by negligence or driver error, making this program even more relevant and value-adding for the transport sector”, CTAP President Maria Zapata said.

This road safety education effort highlights safe expressway driving through NLEX Usapang Driver and #NLEXPatrolBreak.  The discussion zeroed in on enforcement of road rules and apprehensions within NLEX-SCTEX.

Participated in by 226 transport members,  they were treated to fun interactive activities at the NLEX booth such as driving and drunk driving simulation, as well as, Spin n Win and buzz wire. An Easytrip Pitstop kiosk was also setup for easier facilitation of Easytrip RFID transactions such as installation, checking of balances, reloading and updating of customer information. Indeed, NLEX Corporation continues to roll out initiatives through various programs dealt mainly on strengthening road safety education not only for motorists but also for stakeholders.

LUNGSOD NG MALOLOS – Sa pakikibahagi sa bansa sa obserbasyon ng Linggo ng Kabataan 2022 nagsagawa ang Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Bulacan sa pamamagitan ng Provincial Youth, Sports and Public Employment Service Office ng isang linggong aktibidad para sa mga kabataang lider na edad 13 hanggang 17 taong gulang na kabilang sa Boy/Girl Officials 2022 upang sila ay magkaroon ng karanasang nauugnay sa mabuting pamamahala at pamumuno.

Pinangunahan ni Gobernador Daniel R. Fernando ang mga piling Boy/Girl officials sa panunumpa sa kanilang tungkulin bilang mga kabataang katumbas ng mga halal na opisyal at mga pinuno ng tanggapan sa Pamahalaang Panlalawigan sa isinagawang ‘Pagsasalin ng Tungkulin sa mga Boy/Girl Officials 2022’ kasabay ng Lingguhang Pagtataas ng Watawat sa Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium dito.

Sa pangunguna nina Boy Governor Jhon Ken Landayan ng Guiguinto Vocational High School at Boy Vice Governor Mark Joshua Carreon ng San Roque National High School, dumalo ang 61 Boy/Girl Officials sa probinsiyal na lebel sa isang buong araw na puno ng aktibidad kasama na ang Tree Planting, Leadership Training, Disaster Preparedness, at Basic Survival Skills and Swimming sa Bulacan Sports Complex noong Martes.

Binisita rin nila ang ilang tanggapan sa Pamahalaang Panlalawigan para sa karagdagang kaalaman kabilang ang Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Pasalubong Center at Hiyas ng Bulacan Museum at nagtanghalian pagkatapos kasama ang gobernador sa Guillermo Tolentino Exhibit Hall, Capitol Compound noong Miyerkules.

Sa kanyang mensahe, hinimok ni Boy Governor Landayan ang kapwa niya mga kabataang Bulakenyo na patunayan na ang mga kabataan ay may maiaambag rin para sa ikauunlad ng lipunan.

“Sa loob ng mahabang panahon, oras na para ipamalas pa ang ating kakayahan, patunayang wala namang kaibahan ang mga kabataan. Marami tayong kayang patunayan at marami tayong maiaambag sa ating lipunan. Kaya mga kapwa kong kabataan, patuloy nawa tayong manindigan. Sapagkat tayo ang liwanag sa kadiliman, babasagin natin ang ingay sa katahimikan at patuloy na panghahawakan ang iniwang gampanin sa ating lipunan batay sa ating pambansang bayani na si Gat Jose Rizal,” aniya.

Sinabi rin ni Fernando na bilang gobernador, nais niyang maging inspirasyon sa mga kabataang lider na ipagpatuloy ang kanilang mabuting hangarin at pinuri sila sa kanilang inisyatiba na maglingkod sa bayan.

Bilang panapos na gawain, nagsagawa ng recognition program ang PYSPESO para sa Boy/Girl Officials sa Nicanor Abelardo Auditorium ngayong araw.

Alinsunod sa Republic Act No. 10742 o ang SK Reform Act of 2015 na nagsasaad ng obserbasyon ng “Linggo ng Kabataan” tuwing buwan ng Agosto, ang Lalawigan ng Bulacan, kasama ang mga lungsod, munisipalidad at barangay nito ay nagsagawa ng “BOY/GIRL OFFICIALS 2022” mula Agosto 8 hanggang 12, 2022.

BUSTOS, Bulacan- Kinilala na ng pulisya ngayong araw ng Linggo ang natagpuang patay matapos maiulat na nawawalang kinse anyos na dalagita sa isang madamong lugar ng Plaridel Bypass sa bayang ito.

Ayon kay Col. Leopoldo Estorque Jr., hepe ng Bustos police, ang dalaga ay pinaniniwalaang pinatay sa ibang lugar at doon lamang itinapon ang katawan sa madamong lugar sa gilid ng Bypass road. Natagpuan ang kanyang bangkay noong Biyernes ng umaga matapos itawag ng ilang motorista at concerned citizen sa kanilang tanggapan.

Sa inisyal na imbestigasyon, ayon kay Estorque ay walang tama ng bala o saksak ang katawan ng biktima.

Ang biktima na isa umanong sikat na ‘bike rider’ at kabilang sa bike rider’s groups sa Bulacan ay hindi dinala ang kanyang bike nang siya ay umalis ng kanilang bahay sa Towerville subd. Barangay Graceville ng Siyudad ng San Jose del Monte noong Miyerkules.

Nagpaalam daw ang biktima na makikipagkita sa ilang mga kaibigan nito, ayon sa mga kaanak nito, subalit hindi na nga ito nakauwi hanggang sa iniulat na nila ang pagkawala nito.

Patuloy ang imbestigasyon ng pulisya at Inaantabayanan pa ang resulta ng autopsy upang matukoy ang dahilan ng pagkamatay ng biktima at kung sino ang mga suspect sa krimen na ito.

CITY OF MALOLOS–Police arrested one of Bulacan’s Most Wanted Persons for charges of rape filed  by his own daughter after more than a year in hiding in Navotas, Metro Manila on Thursday. 

City of Malolos police chief Col. Ferdinand Germino said joint Malolos and Hagonoy town police arrested the 42 year old suspect who is a fisherman from island Barangay of Pugad in Hagonoy past 6:00 p.m. in Barangay Tanza, Navotas. 

Bulacan Regional Trial Court Br. 16 Judge Sita Jose Clemente issued the warrant of arrest against the accused in Feb. 10, 2021 with no bail recommended for several counts of rape filed against him by his 16 year old daughter.

Germino said the crime was committed since 2019 but the helpless victim just kept it to herself because her father threatened to beat her up if she will report his immoral and criminal acts against her. 

CAMP GEN. ALEJO SANTOS, Bulacan–Two drunk robbery hold-up suspects who pose as police officers were arrested by the authorities on Tuesday.

City of Malolos Police Chief Col. Ferdinand Germino identified the suspects as Regie Garcia, 32, a factory worker and Angelo Asistin, 27, a shoe repairman both from Barangay Tikay in Cuty of Malolos.

The “duo” flagged down Mark John Contridas Butal, 23 and Ronel Rabina, 24, also both from City of Malolos on board their motorcycle at about 8:40 p.m. along Barangay Sto. Nino.

They demanded for the driver’s license of the two motorists including motorcycle documents and ordered them to follow them to the police station. But in a dark area in Barangay San Juan, the two threatened their victims using bladed weapons and announced the hold-up. They took the cash money amounting to P7,000, cellular phone, other valuables of the victims and immediately fled away. 

The victims then reported the incident to the police. Immediate police response led to their arrest. 

The police recovered the cash money, mobile phone and the other valuables stolen from the victims.

SAN RAFAEL, Bulacan–Farmers in the province can now expect more yields and increase earnings as they go high tech today through the use of modern farming equipment and facilities–drone seed spreader and mechanical rice transplanter. 

Gov. Daniel Fernando prioritized the purchase of the equipment for Bulacan farmers to benefit from today’s advance technology in agriculture to help improve their production and the rice farming industry in the province in general. 

Fernando said the pandemic has taught everyone the need to strengthen the agriculture, particularly rice dependency for food security and it is now the time to put on top of priority the farmers sector similar to the thrust of President Ferdinand Marcos. 

Gloria Carillo, Bulacan provincial agriculture officer said seed spreader drones can spread up to 40x faster than manual spreading, and allow users to spread seeds quickly and efficiently on hills, wetlands and other land terrains. The drone spreader can be used also for pesticides spreading, she said. 

Carillo said Mechanical Rice Transplanter which is a manually-operated machine transplants rice seedlings in rows with a definite distance or space between plants. This provides easier task for planting. 

Bulacan farmers in different towns will share usage of the equipment as the provincial government intends to purchase more in the coming months. 

Farmers are now on their second or wet season planting. 

CITY OF MALOLOS–Fresh college graduates in Bulacan are now job priorities in all SM Malls in the country through SM Supermalls Academic Partnership Program. 

Veronica B. Cunan, SM Baliwag and Pulilan Media Specialist said a recent Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed between SM Academic Program oand Centro Escolar University (CEU) Malolos and St. Mary’s College of Baliwag officials for recruitment and job placement of their newly graduates.

Clerical and administrative works are available for the young professionals in all SM Branches in the country, Cunan said. 

“Through SM Supermalls Academic Partnership Program with different schools, universities, and colleges, we aim to help the community through learning session and career opportunities that we hope will bring higher talent development and employment rate” said SM Supermalls Assistant Vice President for Human Resources Atty. Roderick J. Reyes. 

Also part of the MOA is an internship program for graduating students where they will later be recruited for employment.

Centro Escolar University Vice President Dr. Maria Flordeliza Anastacio during MOA signing ceremony said that the recent partnership will apply across CEU campuses in Malolos, Mendiola and Makati. “We look forward to more enrollment, more CEU graduates rising to the ranks in the different branches of SM Supermalls” Dr. Anastacio added. 

In the internship programs, Cunan said the learning sessions will help students be equipped with knowledge and skills as company expert will personally handle their learning and training.

Cunan said that aside from CEU and St. Mary’s College in Baliuag, SM Bulacan malls is also set to seal their partnership with Bulacan State University and Baliuag University on the coming months.   

Being a top employment generator nationwide, SM in Grand Central collaborates with Caloocan City Public Employment Service Office (PESO), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) CAMANAVA Field Office and Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to hold a MEGA JOB FAIR on August 16. Numerous job vacancies for local and overseas, including SM Supermalls job opportunities await Caloocan jobseekers. MEGA JOB FAIR will be held at the 3rd level of SM City Grand Central from 8 to 4 pm.   

SM’s school partnership and job fair are the many ways SM gives back to its community. With the recent partnership, SM Supermalls hopes to contribute to the community development in the province of Bulacan through academic linkages.