FUND RAISING–The Filipinos in San Jose Ca., USA, take a break during their Divine Mercy Sunday Fund Raising Sale for a shrine on the West Coast held at Nativity Church, Menlo Park, CA. Imelda Mamaril Tolentino of Binmaley is joined by friends Tessie Almazora, Thelma Lee and Susette Flores in setting up a booth for the Divine Mercy memorabilia. Donations can be sent to Divine Mercy Eucharistic Society, 11152 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530. For Inquiry: 510-412-4715.

ONE PANGASINAN—Governor Amado Espino Jr. speaks before mayors and other provincial government heads during the Provincial Development Council (PDC) meeting held at the Hotel Consuelo in Lingayen on Monday to develop plans that will hasten the province’s economic development. (Punchphoto by CSR)

LET THE FESTIVITIES BEGIN!—Dagupan City Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. and Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez lead city officials in releasing balloons after formally opening this year’s Bangus Festival, touted as the grandest ever in the history of the event. (Punchphoto by Willie Lomibao)

IN DEFENSE OF ELEPHANTS—Anda Mayor Nestor Pulido defends his project erecting elephant statues to remind residents and visitors of the town’s origins. The move, prompted by the discovery of elephant fossils in the island town, has been criticized by members of the municipal council.

THE TAIPAN IN TOWN—Business Tycoon Lucio Tan places some coins inside the capsule during the groundbreaking ceremony for the start of the construction of the International Development Center at the Lyceum Northwestern University (LNU) in Dagupan City on April 16. Tan was conferred Doctor of Humanities in Business and Entrepreneurship honoris cuasa by the LNU. (Punchphoto by Cesar S. Ramirez)

BEST STREET DANCERS– Barangay Mangin’s street dancers do their interpretation of “Gilon-Gilon” which won for them the top prize of P80,000 and a special prize of P20,000 for “best in choreography”. The Mangin dancers will represent Dagupan in the ‘Festivals of the North’ street dancing competition on April 26, pitting all street dancing champions in Northern Luzon. (Punchphoto by Willie Lomibao)

BANGUS FESTIVAL’S PRETTIEST—Ruth Marie Suarez of Lasip Chico (middle) is queen of the Dagupan Bangus Festival 2008. She is flanked by (from left) Pogo Grande’s Ayra Marisse Chua, 4th runner-up; Pogo Chico’s Allanah Cuison, 2nd runner-up; Lucao’s Lyka Mae Banaag, lst runner-up; and Tapuac’s Ma.Angela Carretera, 3rd runner-up. (Photo by W.Lomibao)

PANGASINAN BEAUTIES AND BRAINS—The 20 semi-finalists for the Limgas na Pangasinan give their best pose and smiles to photographers when they were presented to the media last week at the Hotel Consuelo in Lingayen. Physical beauty and intellect will get equal weight during the judging on coronation night on May 1, the celebration of the Pista’y Dayat. (Punchphoto by Cesar S. Ramirez)

DAGUPAN’S KAPAMILYA—ABS-CBN Channel 32 and Kapamilya stars Jayson Abalos and Erich Gonzales, TV Patrol News Anchor Criz Zuñiga, MOR Dagupan deejays Guk and Mag, hosts of ‘TV Natin ‘to’ join the Gilon-Gilon Street Dance and Parade during the opening of the Bangus Festival 2008 opening.