Jose Ceralde
24 June 2007

 

 

Ms. Marifi Jara, I could not understand why you are disturbed by the American flag draped casket.

When I was growing up in the Philippines I had witnessed many bereavement of so many Filipino American soldiers and sailors who served the US military draped in the American flag. This is the first time I heard that someone is disturbed.

Has Pangasinan really changed that much that a family’s choice may be too much for some of our kabaleyan? Did you bring this up to your editor so the picture of the casket is not in the net for everyone to see?

I also have served in the US military and although a third generation American, I have wished to be buried beside my dad in Dagupan. I’ll probably be carried by the USAF Honor guard and draped in American flag.

But if this is the climate then I need to know since I find it disturbing that I may not be welcome with the (US military brotherhood) I had served.

As part of Dagupan City’s 60^th year celebration, the local government gave special recognition to its oldest and youngest citizens.

Emiliana Mejia Embuido of Barangay Bonuan Boquig, now 102 years old, was cited as the oldest living Dagupeña.

Meanwhile, Jayvee James Daroy won the search for Dagupan’s Diamond Anniversary baby, having been the first infant born on June 20, the Agew na Dagupan, at 8:43 a.m. at the Pangasinan Center for Family Medicine, Inc.
Read more

Yes, he’s retiring but certainly not taking time to rest.

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz has announced that he intends to retire soon and pursue his long-time dream of taking up a doctorate degree in Philosophy of Law and writing more books.

Cruz told The PUNCH he is finally optimistic that his long pending request to resign will soon be granted by the Catholic Church.
Read more

ALAMINOS CITY–Another good news for this city’s public education sector.

A P4.2 million fund has been committed by the local government for the construction of a new building that will house the school division office as well as serve as working areas for teachers. 

The fund, which is part of the city’s Special Education Fund, was made possible by the increase in the collection of real property taxes.

Mayor Hernani Braganza said the project has been on the drawing board since 2003, but limited funds prevented them from carrying it out.
Read more

She’s an astute businesswoman.

No one would have suspected that at age 33, Sally Lopez, a fish trader from Barangay Salapingao Dupo, Dagupan City, could not read nor write.

But she does not intend to stay that way.

Lopez has recently sought the assistance of a private tutor so she can begin to acquire these two basic learning skills which she knows are very important.
Read more

ANDA–The national government has promised to extend help to the towns of Anda and Bolinao in the wake of another massive fishkill that cost the bangus industry millions of pesos in losses.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap assured officials of the two towns that help is now underway for the beleaguered fish cage and pen operators and their caretakers affected by the fishkill in June 10-15.
Read more

ALCALA–The family of the late Senator Cipriano Primicias has donated a 5,000 square-meter lot to the local government here to fulfill the dream of their distinguished ancestor for his hometown.

A simple turn-over ceremony was held Monday between the senator’s heirs comprising the Cipriano Primicias and Sons, Inc., and the local government at the town hall.

The donated lot, according to Mayor Manuel Collado, is located in Barangay Pindangan Central and is being eyed as a possible site for a town hospital.
Read more

THREE students of the Lyceum Northwestern University’s Francisco Q. Duque Medical Foundation Special Science High School stood out as among the best in various Competitions.

Jamaica Marie Calicdan, 15, a junior student, was chosen member of the Philippine team to the China Junior High School Math Olympiad to be held in Shijiazhuang, China on August 5 to 9, 2007. He is the only student from Northern Luzon who qualified in the national team.

Marynel Dixie Brao, a senior student, captured the championship in this year’s Agew na Dagupan ‘Sukata’y Talisiw’, a quiz bee competition.
Read more

LINGAYEN– Dr. Victoriano Estira, the new president of the government-owned Pangasinan State University (PSU), is setting her sights on making the school more responsive to the needs of underprivileged students.

Estira, who assumed his post on June 20, wants to increase the university’s student population by 50 percent next school year, with more poor students getting a chance at higher education.

In an interview with The PUNCH, Estira said he wants to go to the grassroots and find out their preference using the “ladderized curriculum”.
Read more

TRUE LOVER OF SPORTS—University of Pangasinan basketball team head coach Angel Gumarang showed his love for other sports by traveling to Baguio City last May 24 to meet and give moral support to the Pangasinan cyclists, particularly the Pitaki Boyz, during the seventh stage of the Padyak Pinoy cycling event. Gumarang shares a light moment at Burnham Park with the Pitaki Boyz, including (from left) Ericson Obosa, Renier Clauna and Sherwin Carrera. With them are The Punch columnist Jess Garcia, Jr., Reynaldo Navarro and Pitaki Boyz manager Jazy F. Garcia.