OUTSTANDING MUSICIANS—The St. Cecilia’s Music School honors its outstanding students during its 25th anniversary concert. From left to right: Luis Ramirez, “Most Expressive Pianist”; Jorim Loresca, “Most Brilliant pianist”; Jaco Vasquez, Gian Baraan Estrada, Faith Baraan Estrada, the three ‘Youngest & Fastest Learners’. With the awardees is SCMS music professor & directress Fe Guadiz-Vasquez. Other major awardees but not in the pictures are the two “National Music Competitions Young Artists” champions: Carlo Salvatierra (1986 champion) and Gerald Salvatierra (2005 Champion). Special Distinction Awards were presented to Edna Orlino-Padilla, Alice Chua, Lorna S. Areola, Sheryl Villacorta and Aida Macaraeg-Slock for having achieved the status of Music Professia.

Five newsweeklies, four were from Luzon and one from the Visayas were cited for excellence in community journalism this year.

Pampanga News of Mabacalat, Pampanga won best in photojournalism; Balikas of Lipa City for science and environmental reporting; Baguio Midland Courier of Baguio City for business and economics reporting; Mabuhay of Bulacan for best edited paper; and MetroPost of Dumaguete for best editorial page.
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OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY PAPERS —The representatives of this year’s winners take a bow before the assembled community publishers and editors who attended the 12th National Press Forum of the Philippine Press Institute, namely (weekly category) Pampanga News, Balikas, Baguio Midland Courier, Metro Post and Mabuhay; (daily category) Sun.Star Davao and Cebu Daily News.

CHINESE COMMUNITY EXTENDS HELP—Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PCCI) Pangasinan Chapter, led by chairman of the board Anton Lee (6th from right) donates P50,000 to Dagupan City Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. for calamity victims in the city. At the turn-over meeting were PCCI Pres. Allan Apaga (8th from right), City Councilors Alfie Fernandez and Dada Reyna. The group also donated P100,000 to Gov. Amado Espino, Jr. for typhoon victims in the province.

It’s a double celebration at THE “St. Cecilia’s School of Music” in Dagupan City.

The school will celebrate its 25th anniversary on June 1, 2008 while it’s founder, Fe Guadiz Vasquez, will also mark her “Golden Anniversary” in her music career.

The twin celebration will begin with a Thanksgiving Mass at St. Therese Chapel and will be followed by a motorcade around the city.
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OPERATION SMILE—Forty-one children beneficiaries of Operation Smile and their parents are joined by their principal patrons Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, Dagupan City First Lady Elmina Fernandez and members of the Operation Smile Philippines (OSP) shortly before they were ushered inside Region I Medical Center’s surgery room. The activity held last May 15 to 16 was sponsored by the Dagupan City government, IWC, CSI Group of Companies, R1MC and OSP.

A PHOTOJOURNALIST WINS—Veteran photojournalist Wilfredo Lomibao (right), a contributor to The PUNCH, receives his prize from Dagupan City Councilor Farah Marie Decano after winning the second and third prizes in the Sports category of the Bangus Festival photography contest. Lomibao also took two consolation prizes in the same category and another consolation prize in the Street Party category. The contest judges (left to right) journalist Liway Yparraguirre, veteran lensman Raymond Sto. Domingo, and Engr. Romeo Rosario join the presentation. (Punchphoto by Cesar S. Ramirez)