The Central Luzon Media Association (CLMA) will hold a tree-planting activity to kick-start its 45th anniversary at this premier Freeport on Friday.

According to CLMA’s incumbent President Carmela Reyes-Estrope, the event is dubbed as the CLMA 45th Anniversary Mangrove Propagation and Clean-up Activity that will be held at the Binictican Mangrove site on September 22.

She added that 300 mangrove propagules will be planted at the said nursery and will be monitored by the media group until the mangroves are transported to larger site.

The event is hosted by the CLMA Zambales-Olongapo Chapter and the Samahan ng Mamamahayag ng Subic Freeport (SMSF), and will be participated by various government agencies such as the: Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA); Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA); Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR); Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Subic; along with the offices of Senator Peter Alan Cayetano; Zambales Congressman Jay Khonghun; and Subic Mayor Jon Khonghun. North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Corporation, SM Supermalls, Coca Cola Beverages Philippines, GN Power Dinginin, GMEC, Olongapo City Medical Society, Philippine College of Occupational Medicine, Subic Enerzone, Subic Water, Sbimms, Maple 28, and Fuel East Energy Corp. will also take part in the said event.

CLMA Zambales-Olongapo and SMSF President Vic Vizcocho said that the event is a precursor for the anniversary of the media organization as the group gives back to the community by planting 300 mangrove propagules in Subic Freeport.

MANILA-News Core’s photographer and reporter Anton Luis Reyes Catindig wins the first and second place Best Photo in Design Matters seminar workshop conducted by the Philippine Press Institute ((PPI) held in the Orchids Garden Suites in Malate, Manila on Sept. 18-20.

This reporter received the citation during the closing of the 3-days seminar on Wednesday from PPI Executive Director Ariel Sebellino, Joyce Panaras, PPI Seminar Director, Caroline Lee, Program Coordinator of Hanns Seidel Foundation and Mr. Chin Wong, Lecturer in Journalism at Ateneo de Manila University and Associate Editor for Manila Standard.

Twenty two newspaper participants with their respective publishers and lay-out artists from all over the country participated in the training.

Trainer Jimmy Domingo, Senior Lecturer, University of the Philippines – Diliman elaborated the ways on how to produce a good photo through harnessing of the elements needed for good photography. He also pointed out the categories of photos such as: active, informative and passive.

On the second day, Domingo sent them out in the field, in the streets of Manila near Orchid Garden Suites to take photos and put in substantive captions.  

Domingo then made critics on the photos.

Wong on the other hand together with Panares discussed ways, techniques and rules on how to make a good, neat, clean and balanced layout design of the newspaper, particularly the front page. All the 22 community newspapers were scrutinized before and after the workshop. Three newspapers bagged the top three awards with the most neat, balanced, clear and presentable lay-out particularly in the front page.

Sebellino encouraged all the community newspaper members of the PPI to redevelop their designs to come attune with today’s more challenging print and lay out design of all newspapers. He thanked everyone who participated and assured them of the PPI’s continued support and activities to support the print industry.

Lee also thanked all the participants and assured the PPI of continued partnership and support.    

LUNGSOD NG MALOLOS – Matagumpay na tinapos ng mga bayan ng Guiguinto, Hagonoy at Doña Remedios Trinidad ang selebrasyon ng Singkaban Festival 2023.

Sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon, nanguna ang Guiguinto sa mga kalaban nito sa Parada ng Karosa at itinanghal na Grand Champion para sa kanilang lahok na hango sa Halamanan Festival at nag-uwi ng P100,000 at tropeo.

Pumangalawa naman ang Munisipalidad ng Angat na bagaman unang sabak sa kumpetisyon ay nagwagi ng P70,000 at tropeo at sa ikatlong puwesto ang Munisipalidad ng Bulakan na may P50,000 perang gantimpala at tropeo. Consolation prize na halagang P25,000 bawat isa naman ang tinanggap ng Lungsod ng Meycauayan at mga bayan ng Santa Maria at Calumpit.

Para sa Arc Making Competition, nasungkit ng Munisipalidad ng Hagonoy ang unang pwesto at tumanggap ng P60,000 perang gantimpala, ang Munisipalidad ng Marilao sa ikalawang pwesto na may P35,000 at bayan ng Calumpit sa ikatlong pwesto na tumanggap naman ng P25,000 na perang insentibo. Karangalang banggit naman ang mga bayan ng Bocaue, Bustos at San Miguel na tumanggap ng tig-P10,000.

Gayundin, nakuha ni Ray Alvin Gumafelix ang unang gantimpala sa Cultural Costume Competition at nag-uwi ng P35,000 at tropeo para sa kanyang lahok na manika na nakasuot ng damit na naglalarawan sa sining at kultura ng bayan ng DRT.

Tinawang ang kanyang lahok na “Mama Lourdes of Bulacan’s Last Frontier” kung saan ang nasabing obra maestra ay nagbibigay pugay sa Mapaghimalang Nuestra Señora de Lourdes na kilala bilang “Mama Lourdes of Sierra Madre: Church from the Hill” ng DRT, isang bulubunduking lupain na may marilag na tanawin sa tuktok nito.

Si John Errol Pascual naman ang nakakuha ng ikalawang pwesto at nanalo ng P25,000 at tropeo na tampok ang bayan ng Calumpit; at ikatlong pwesto si Daniel Feliciano Gonzales na nag-uwi ng P15,000 at tropeo para sa Guiguinto. Ipinagkaloob naman ang consolation prizes na nagkakahalaga ng P8,000 bawat isa kina Marlon Fuentes (Bocaue), Lean Robert Abejuela (Bulakan) at Anthony Mancao (Pandi).

Pinangunahan ni Bise Gobernador Alexis C. Castro kasama ang Pangalawang Tagapangulo na si Romeo “Bobby” Dela Rosa ng Bulacan Culture and Arts Council ang seremonya nang paggawad para sa tatlong paligsahan.

CITY OF MALOLOS – Truly, the fresh, flourishing , lively, bright and full colors of Guiguinto Halamanan Festival rules the Sining Kalinangan ng Bulacan (Singkaban)  Festival “Indakan sa Kalye,” as it takes home the 2023 Hall of Fame award for winning the title for three consecutive years.

With an exceptional dance choreography and remarkable performance, the ‘Halamanan Festival’ of Indak Guiguinteño Folkloric Group dominated the Indakan Sa Kalye 2023 as the overall champion in this year’s Sept. 8-15 Singkaban Festival.

The Hall of Famer Halamanan dancers  brought home P120,000 cash prize along with a trophy. They also bagged the Best in Costume and Best in Street Dancing award, both with P20,000 cash prizes and trophies with gift certificates from the event’s sponsor.

The dance troupe from City of San Jose del Monte also nailed their performance inspired by their ‘Tanglawan Festival’ and landed 2^nd place with P80,000 cash prize, trophy and gift certificate while the students from Malolos Marine Fishery School and Laboratory representing the City of Malolos secured the 3^rd place and took home P50,000 cash prize, trophy and gift certificate from the sponsor.

Meanwhile, both dance troupes from the towns of Angat and Santa Maria got the consolation prizes with P20,000 cash prize, trophies and gift certificates each.

Russel Valenzuela, overall director and choreographer of Guiguinto’s Halamanan Festival, said that their group will continue to inspire and motivate Bulakenyo youths.

“Kami po ay community-based so mahirap po ‘yung pagtitipon namin sa mga bata pero at the end of the day, napagtagumpayan po namin lahat ng ito. Thank you very much po sa mga kabataang Guiguinteño na patuloy na sumusuporta. At sa mga Bulakenyo, ito pong achievement na ito ay hindi natatapos. Patuloy po kaming magbibigay inspirasyon at motibasyon sa bawat kabataan, hindi lamang po sa Bulacan kundi sa buong Pilipinas,” Valenzuela said.

In his message, Vice Governor Alexis C. Castro lauded all the street dancers for their world class performances. “Alam ko na ang mga ipinakita ninyo ay pang world class. I believe, mga Kabataang Bulakenyo, hindi lang tayo pang bayan, hindi lang tayo pang probinsiya, hindi lang tayo pang buong Pilipinas – ang talento ng mga Bulakenyo ay pang world class and we’re very proud of you. Ipakita natin ito sa buong mundo. Sana sa susunod na taon, sumali ulit kayo,” Castro said.

Bulacan Vice Governor Alexis C. Castro gives his inspirational message during the opening of “Kasalan at Okasyon: BESA Bridal and Events Fair Exhibit” recently at Robinsons Place Malolos, City of Malolos, Bulacan as part of the week-long celebration of Singkaban Festival 2023. INSET: Castro visits the exhibitors at the fair including Packetswork Corporation Print and Packaging Solution.

CITY OF MALOLOS– The Provincial Government of Bulacan headed by Governor Daniel R. Fernando conferred the Outstanding Municipality in Nutrition award to the Municipality of Guiguinto and received P100,000 during the 49^th Nutrition Month Celebration Culminating Activity held at The Pavilion, Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center in this city last Thursday.

Guiguinto Mayor Atty. Agatha “Agay” Cruz shared the recognition with the people working for their town’s nutrition program and said that she envisions their town to be the happiest place for a child to grow.

“Palagi ko pong iniisip na ang gusto ko, ang lahat ng lalaki sa Bayan ng Guiguinto ay mayroong lamang sa buhay. Mula pa lamang po sa sinapupunan ng kanilang ina ay inaalagaan siya ng Pamahalaang Bayan, inaalagaan siya ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan, para sigurado rin ang kanyang kaligtasan hanggang siya ay makapag-aral at makahanap ng magandang trabaho,” Cruz said.

Meanwhile, Committee on Social Services Chairman and Vice Gov. Alexis C. Castro, who prides himself as a son of a barangay volunteer worker, acknowledged the tireless work of barangay volunteers that greatly contributes to the collective aim of their respective barangays.

“Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat. Tayo po ay dumanas ng mga pagsubok noong mga nakaraang buwan. Binagyo tayo, binaha tayo. Maraming mga kababayan natin ang nahirapan, nasira ang mga bahay, nasira ang mga gamit. Kayo ang naging kaagapay namin, kayo ang nakaalalay sa amin sa pag-ikot namin ng halos dalawang buwan, araw-araw, simula umaga hanggang gabi,” the vice governor said.

Moreover, Baliwag City got the 2^nd place for the Outstanding Municipality in Nutrition award and received P75,000, while Marilao town placed third and was given P50,000.

Awardees for Outstanding Barangay in Nutrition include Sta. Rita, Guiguinto in 1^st place with P30,000; Concepcion, Baliwag City in 2^nd place with P20,000; and Sta. Rosa I, Marilao in 3^rd place with P10,000.

Also, Kathleen L. Cruz from Marilao was hailed as the Outstanding Nutrition Action Officer and went home with P5,000, while Percy T. Bitoon of Sta. Rosa I, Marilao was the Outstanding Lingkod Lingap sa Nayon (LLN) and got P5,000.

Long Serving and Retiring LLN was also honored including Irene Santiago of Bungahan, City of Malolos; Fortunata Garcia of Telapatio, San Ildefonso; Perla Tacadino of Bubulong Malaki, San Ildefonso; Cristeta Valdemosada of Bulusukan, San Ildefonso; and Marcela Dela Cruz of Sayang Dayap, San Ildefonso and each received P3,000.

The Municipality of Hagonoy headed by its Mayor Flordeliza C. Manlapaz (center) and Tourism Officer John Paul Manlapaz received the ceremonial check amounting to P60,000 and a trophy of recognition from the Provincial Government of Bulacan after winning first place in the Singkaban Festival 2023 Arc Making Competition held recently at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium, City of Malolos, Bulacan. Also in photo are (L-R) Bulacan Culture and Arts Council Vice Chairman Romeo “Bobby” Dela Rosa, Crispin E. de Luna and Provincial History, Arts, Culture and Tourism Officer Dr. Eliseo Dela Cruz. INSET. The winning arc design of the Municipality of Hagonoy titled as “Arkong Kinayas ng Hagonoy 2023”, wherein the arc is composed of pillars made of singkaban and a boat that connects the said pillars. Bulacan Public Affairs Office

Bulacan Gov. Daniel R. Fernando applauds the splendid performance of artists at the “Dulaan Filipino Sining Bulakenyo: Doon Po Sa Amin” theatrical show featuring the brilliant veteran actress Shamaine Buencamino as the lead cast (far left) together with the whole cast Rex Bautista, Yco Tanig, Jazzlie Guevarra, Eduardo Espino, Dominique Paytone, Mark Joshua Maclang and Emie Maclang at Tanghalan Nicanor Abelardo, Provincial History, Arts, Culture, and Tourism Office last September 08, 2023 coinciding with the opening of the Singkaban Festival. Bulacan Provincial Public Affairs Office

The SM Group and UNIQLO Philippines have joined hands to rehabilitate schools damaged by Typhoon Paeng, one of the strongest typhoons that hit the country in 2022.

One of the beneficiaries of the said project is Bulacan, particularly Sto. Cristo Elementary School in Pulilan.

Earlier, SM Foundation and UNIQLO also collaborated to refurbish health centers in the province, including Pulilan Rural Health Units (RHU) 1 and 2, and Baliwag Rural Health Units (RHU) 1 and 3. They also helped install handwashing facilities in schools as well as distribute Emergency GoKit+ and dinnerware in other typhoon-hit areas.

Aside from Pulilan, Bulacan, the SM Foundation and UNIQLO’s school rehabilitation project also benefitted Gen. Luciano San Miguel Elementary School in Noveleta, Cavite, and also targets to repair one more school in Batangas.

Boracay, renowned for its pristine white sand beaches and spectacular sunsets, is a great tourist hub in the Philippines. Amid the abundance of hotels and accommodations catering to the hordes of tourists, running a guest house presents a business opportunity to entrepreneurs.

Jeangen Salilin, a businesswoman, carved out her niche in the vibrant landscape of the island through her determination and resilience. Her journey towards establishing a guest house on the islands was not smooth sailing, but rather a testament to her grit. 

She first experienced the charm of Boracay during a vacation. Captivated by the island’s beauty, she returned to work there for six months. To fuel her dreams, Jeangen seized the opportunity to work in Singapore as a waitress. She gained exposure through on-the-job training, alongside her studies in Hospitality Management.

Armed with savings and experience, Jeangen returned to the Philippines and start her entrepreneurial journey by starting a bar and restaurant in Boracay. Together with her family, they moved from General Santos City to Boracay, ensuring her venture’s success. However, the rapid development around her establishment led to congestion, prompting her to relocate her business.

After relocating to her newfound place, super typhoon Yolanda unleashed its fury which affected her business. Nevertheless, she proved her grit and her business weathered the storm. In 2013, she discovered CARD Bank, a microfinance-oriented rural bank. With low interest rates on loans and insurance offerings, she applied for her initial loan of PHP 5,000 which she invested in a sari-sari store.

As her business thrives, Jeangen got access to a bigger loan amount from the bank in 2018, which she used to build her guest house. In 2019, even though it was not fully furnished, visitors and guests started checking in because of her warm hospitality.

However, the pandemic in 2020 brought unprecedented challenges, forcing her to close her bar and restaurant due to community restrictions. “My biggest concern was my responsibility to pay my loans,” Jeangen said. Since there were no tourists, the sari-sari store was their primary source of income for their daily needs and weekly payments.

Amidst the crisis, she found comfort in CARD’s financial assistance. Despite an existing loan, CARD Bank supported her with another loan to aid her recovery. She used the loan for their daily expenses, guest house maintenance, and repairs. It’s good that someone rented her place during the crisis. She even lowered the rental fee just to ensure she can accommodate others while they still earn for their daily needs.

“The products and services of CARD Bank were our support, especially in ensuring my businesses’ survival,” Jeangen said. “In challenging times, CARD Bank did not put pressure on us but rather assisted us in finding survival strategies.”

As the island gradually heals from the impact of the global health crisis, her businesses continue to thrive, with the second level of her guest house currently under construction. Resolute and optimistic, Jeangen said, “We will encounter more hardships, but I am confident that both we and our businesses will prevail.”