Coconut sugar and syrup are promising alternative sweeteners

Do you know that coconut sap, the fluid from coconut flowers that are cut

systematically can be turned into sugar or syrup? And do you know also that the

resulting sugar has a low Glycemic Index (or GI)? This is according to the Glycemic

Index of Commonly Consumed Carbohydrate Foods in the Philippines, a book

published in 2011 by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department

of Science (or FNRI-DOST).

This has made coco sugar and syrup popular alternative sweeteners among a

growing number of diabetics and health buffs, but health and nutrition experts still

advise consumption of cocosap sugar and syrup be done in moderation under their

supervision.

This message is brought to you by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of

the Department of Science and Technology, the government’s lead agency on food

and nutrition research and development. For more information, contact: Dr. Mario

V. Capanzana, Director, FNRI-DOST, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig

City; Telefax Numbers: 837-2934 and 837-3164; email: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph,

mar_v_c@yahoo.com; website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. (FNRI-DOST S & T

Media Service/PIA Bulacan)

Pistang Balangueño captures tourists and businesses

CITY OF BALANGA, Bataan, April 27 (PIA) – The annual Pistang Balangueño of

this city has “evolved” not only into a tourism magnet but also as a lure to various

businesses in putting up shows to capture the masses, a top official disclosed.

“This festival in honor of St. Joseph is a promotion and advertisement of the city

itself and for the tourism likewise,” said city administrator Rudy De Mesa. He

explained that the real feast of the city’s patron is on March 19 but was moved to

April 28 as the former date occasionally concurs with Lent.

De Mesa said the residents of Balanga have started to get involved in the

celebration following the administration of Mayor Jose Enrique Garcia III that

changed the former week-long celebration into a month-long extravaganza since

2008.

Various sectors were represented in the festival including the police, women,

market vendors and tricycle drivers among others who were given one night each

to perform.

Themed “Balik Saya Kada Dekada,” the Pistang Balangueño 2012 engaged the

sectors of bank, senior citizens, third sex, barangay enforcers, and businesses.

“The cooperation in the fiesta is great. The constituents are involved with the

activities they look up to yearly rather than going outside the city,” De Mesa said.

With this crowd support, De Mesa disclosed that business stakeholders have

continued rendering sponsorships to festival programs which minimized the cost of

operations and show prizes.

He said the “feeling of belongingness” was already established among private

businesses which provided shows like Gabi ng Ocampos Metromall, SMB Night and

Gabi ng Galeria Victoria.

“The festival draws up a lot of tourists. Bataan is a peninsula, covered with water.

So this festival should be the reason why they should come here,” he added.

Tonight, the coronation of the Mutya ng Lungsod ng Balanga will be held. On April

27, cultural shows La Torre and Serenata will be staged; on April 28, a battle of the

bands will be organized by UP Tangway and Republique Art; and on April 29 is the

Gabi ng Galeria Victoria. (CLJD/JMG-PIA 3)