Pistang Dagat 2013 images

Hours after super typhoon Yolanda move out of Philippine Area of Responsibility, hundreds of residents barangays Pugad and Tibaguin in the coastal town of Hagonoy in Bulacan boarded their boats for a fluvial parade celebrating the annual Pistang Dagat while dedicating prayers for the victims of typhoon.

Here are some of the images taken during the Pistang Dagat last Saturday, November 9.

Mabuhay Online: Tuloy ang laban ng nag-iisang kandidatong transgen...

Mabuhay Online: Tuloy ang laban ng nag-iisang kandidatong transgen...: Jhane Dela Cruz (left). HAGONOY, Bulacan—Sa kabila ng kritisismo at mapanirang tsismis na ipinakalat ng kanyang mga katunggali,...

Exotic tea rose marbles to be used on Plaridel's monument?

MALOLOS CITY—Finally, the P1.5-Million nine-foot monument of the great propagandist Marcelo H. Del Pilar is re-installed and is now standing in front of the Bulacan provincial capitol building.

However, there is no schedule yet for its inauguration as its base and floor remain unfinished.

Sources said that the provincial government is considering to wrap the base with sliced marbles and the floors will be laid with tiles.

But local residents here suggested that confiscated tea rose marble blocks from the Biak-na-Bato National Park should be used.

They noted that said blocks, when sliced into slabs, will be the best material to wrap the base and used on the floor.

Others agreed nothing that it will also showcase the rich mineral resources of the province.

“It’s a good idea, but we have to check legal concerns on the tear rose blocks,” Ceasar Villanueva, the chief of staff of Governor Wilhelmino Alvarado said.

Villanueva is also the project manager of the construction and installation of the nine-foot monument made from cast bronze.

Villanueva explained that there are claimants on the exotic tea rose marble blocks which were confiscated sometime in 2008.

Others suggested that the flood of the monument be lined with different shades of marble blocks mined in Bulacan.

Based on earlier information gathered by Businessweek, Bulacan is home to at least five shades of marbles.

It includes ivory marble which is pure white and resembles an ivory; and there are marbles with shades of blue, green, beige and brown.

In the past years, issues concerning marble mining in Bulacan became contentious, but it was primarily focused on the exotic tea rose marbles which were mined within the mineral reservation are3a of the Biak-na-Bato National Park in Donya Remedios Trinidad town.

The monument of Del Pilar was erected at the center island of the provincial capitol here based on the provisions of the New Provincial Administrative Code of Bulacan whist recognized the great propagandist as “provincial hero” of Bulacan.

The monument was made by sculptor Jose Dionas Roces who also sculpted the tallest monument of Dr. Jose Rizal in Calamba City in Laguna, and the monument of the late actors Fernando Poe Jr.,and Dolphy Quizon in Manila.  Dino Balabo

CDC gears for ‘Grand Clark Fest’

CLARK FREEPORT – The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) is gearing for the upcoming “Grand Clark Festival” on Nov. 16-17, 2013 at the CDC Parade Grounds here.

CDC President Arthur P. Tugade said aside from the Freeport’s reputation as a business and economic haven, the two-day affair also aims to promote Clark as a destination for family-oriented events.

To guarantee the success of the Grand Clark Festival, Tugade said the CDC has partnered with other Clark stakeholders like the Clark Investors and Locators Association (CILA), Greater Clark Visitors Bureau (GCVB), Philippine Air Force (PAF), and locators like Global Gateways and Logistics Center (GGLC), Nayong Pilipino, and El Kabayo.

CDC Tourism and Promotions Office (TPO) Manager Noemi Garcia said the first day of the festival would be highlighted by sky diving and marching band exhibitions courtesy of the PAF and cultural dances and other presentations from Nayong Pilipino. “All these would be held at the stage area located along the parade grounds,” she said.

There would also be majorette and marching bands competition, cooking demo, Korean orchestra, musicale from St. Paul American School, native dances and jungle survival exhibitions from Paradise Ranch, cowgirl contest, and live band performances, Garcia added.

Also on the first day, El Kabayo and the CDC would be hosting the 2013 Horse Festival Exhibitions at the parade ground area near the Clark Museum. Soccer exhibition games and AME Football would be organized by CILA.

The first day would be culminated by a fireworks display at 10 p.m. at the stage area.

Garcia also said the second day of the festival would kick-off with a fun bike ride to be followed by the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at the stage area.

Other events at the stage area for the entire day would consist of Palarong Pilipino, animal show by Zoocobia, dog show, battle of the bands, Frisbee competition, second installment of the 2013 Horse Festival Exhibitions, rugby, and fireworks display.

Other simultaneous activities, Garcia said, are the (from Nov. 15-17) North Philippines Travel Expo at the SM City Clark, (from Nov. 16-17) Clark Speedway Motorcycle and Vintage Car Grand Prix, Export Overruns sale, organic market, food and non-food bazaar, “Great Clark Sale” – 50% off on selected duty-free products, hotel accommodations, restaurants, resorts, shops and theme parks, dinosaur land exhibition, static display at the PAF, and golf tournaments at the Mimosa Golf and Country Club and F Korea CC.

All system go for 2013 Singkaban Fiesta

CITY OF MALOLOS-   Continuing the tradition of showcasing the best of the arts and culture of Bulacan, Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado will lead the opening ceremony of the Singkaban Fiesta 2013 on September 9, at 7:00 a.m in front of the Provincial Capitol building in this city.

The governor said that theme of this year’s festival, “Makulay na Sining at Kalinangan: Bulacan, Ipagmalaki at Ikarangal,” urges Bulakenyos to be proud on the flamboyant cultural and artistic heritage of Bulacan.

“Bulacan is known as the cradle of heroes, filling a number of pages in the country’s history. Until the modern times, our province is continuously trudging the path toward a remarkable success not only in economic development but also in the promotion of arts and culture. We are inviting everyone to witness and join us in a weeklong celebration that includes cultural presentations, arts exhibits and other fun activities that you will surely enjoy,” said Alvarado. 

He said that the celebration will begin with a thanksgiving mass that will be attended by more than 3,000 Bulakenyos and will be followed by the “Parada ng Karosa at Kasaysayan,” a parade of floats which will feature achievements of Bulacan in 2012 such as in sports, beauty pageants, arts and governance. This will be participated by local government units and other private partner agencies.

He added that they will also open different exhibits and trade fairs that are conveniently located within the capitol compound. Among them are the Bulakenyo Trade Fair which is a display of Bulacan products like sweets and delicacies, gifts, toys, clothes, bags and fashion accessories; Manlilikhang Bulakenyo which features Bulakenyo inventors and demonstration of their inventions; Dakilang Bulakenyo and Lakan Sining Exhibit which will recount the life and contributions of Mariano Ponce in commemoration of his 150th birth anniversary and an exhibition of Bulakenyo visual artists; and Sining sa Hardin which will show performances of Bulakenyo artists and the Hiyas ng Bulacan Brass Band.

They will also re-launch the Bulacan Pasalubong Center and Bulacan Packaging Service and Toll Packing Center to draw the attention of the public on the services they offer.

Thousands of participants also await the Bulacan Food Festival Exposition (BUFFEX) that will call together the sectors involved in food production in Bulacan, its partners and down-stream industries. The activity also includes selling, food sampling, on-the-spot cooking demo, “Chefs on Parade” and other competitions.

Tourism students from selected universities and colleges will also serve as tour guide of elementary and high school students from different schools in the province in the “24K Lakbay Aral” as they visit the capitol, museum, and mini-forest making them aware of the exceptional features of the province.

“We are proud of our cultural inheritance that reflects who we are as Bulakenyos… our talents, artistry and uniqueness. So we are inviting you to come, experience only the best, experience Bulacan, experience Singkaban,” the governor said.

Alvarado urges Filipinos to pay tribute to the Philippine flag

MALOLOS CITY- Hundreds of provincial government employees led by Gov. Wilhelmino  Alvarado gathered in front of the provincial capitol building for the celebration of the  National Flag Day on Tuesday, May 28.

The governor, on his speech, said that commemorating the importance of the national flag  brings back not only the spirit of patriotism but also the essence of being a true Filipino.

“Taglay nito na parang isang kaluluwa ang buong kuwento ng pakikibaka ng maraming  henerasyon para sa kalayaan at mga pagpupunyagi ng isang lahi upang kamtin at tamasahin ang isang buhay na dakila at marangal para sa ating lipunan sa habang panahon,” he added.

He also emphasized that the flag as a symbol of our democracy serves as a guiding light for  public servants of today’s generation.

“Bayaan natin ang bandila ay pumainlanglang at mamayagpag sa ating mga puso at isipan  upang sa bawat araw na dumaan ay paglingkuran natin ng buong katapatan at walang pagiimbot ang ating mga kalahi at ang ating bayan upang ang daang matuwid ang maghatid sa atin sa isang gobyernong naglilingkod… para sa lahat ng Pilipino,” the governor said.

Alex Balagtas of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines added that the flag is an important aspect of our citizenry and must be honored and respected.

 “Isa itong napakahalagang bagay sa mga Pilipino, dahil ang pambansang simbolo, ang  watawat, ay siyang naging gabay sa ating pakikipaglaban para sa kalayaan at pagkabansa. Kaya  nararapat na igalang natin bilang makabuluhang bahagi ng ating kasaysayan at maging sa ating  hinaharap,” he said.

In accordance to the Republic Act 8491 Section 7 also known as “Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, the National Flag Day is being celebrated every May 28. The present Philippine Flag  was designed by Aguinaldo and sewn by Doña Marcela Agoncillo, Lorenza Agoncillo and Delfina  Herbosa de Natividad in HongKong. The celebration of the National Flag Day also marks the  start of preparation for the Independence Day on June 12.