TAYTAY, Rizal — The streets here were filled with hundreds of self flagellants yesterday that the yearly Good Friday tradition here has been tagged by many as a “fiesta of penitents.”

Self-flagellation of penitents during the morning of Good Friday has been a common sight in almost all the major streets of the municipality that the event has attracted tourists from other parts of the province as well as balikbayans and foreign visitors.

Liza Cruz of Barangay San Isidro, here said it has been a tradition of some residents in their community to either carry a wooden cross or whip their backs with bamboo beads as an act of penance. (Nel B. Andrade)

Leaf beetles infest El Nido

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY (PNA) – Senior agriculturist Clare Mendes of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) said the municipalities of Roxas, Taytay and El Nido have been infested with coconut leaf beetles (Brontispa longgissima) that feed on young leaves and damage seedlings and mature coconut palms.

Mendes said after controlling the onslaught of the coconut pests in Southern Palawan a few months ago, Brontispa infestation had been detected on around 5,000 coconut trees in the three towns by the PCA Office in the province.

She suspects that the infestation came from ornamental plants bought in Manila.

Tourism up in Tagaytay

CAVITE — Vacationers continued to arrive in Tagaytay City for the Lenten retreat and Easter recreational activities, officials said yesterday. Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, the police and Emergency Medical Services and Rescue Group under Clyde A.

Yayong and other local agencies are on guard to ensure the safety and security of the residents and the visitors in the area.

Information Officer Lani Diesta said that there was no Holy Week break for the concerned agencies “This is the period that we don’t have break. All concerned officials are monitoring the city situation,” said Diesta. (Anthony Giron)

Long lost suspect found

CAMP GEN. ALEJO SANTOS, Bulacan — As mostly of Filipino people celebrate the Holy Week in commemoration of Jesus crucifixion, a fugitive of almost three years who was listed as one of the most wanted persons in this province was arrested by police.

Senior Supt. Fernando H. Mendez Jr., acting Bulacan police director, identified the arrested man as Sonny Balagtas. Balagtas, who is wanted for murder, stands trial before the sala of Judge Veronica A. Vicente-De Guzman, Branch 9 dated September 16, 2008. He was arrested by Bulacan intelligence operatives in Subic, Zambales. (Freddie C. Velez)

Franchising confab set

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga (PIA) — This world-class freeport served as the venue of the recently held 1st North Luzon Franchising Conference and Exhibit at the Holiday Inn in Clark last April 13.

The event, spearheaded by the Metro Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MACCII), in cooperation with the Ateneo Graduate School of Business and Association of Filipino Franchisers, Inc., featured at least 28 franchise companies during the conference exhibit.

MACCII President Frankie Villanueva Jr. said aside from the exhibit, the conference was highlighted by seminars from a battery of experts from the franchising industry led by Paulo Tibig.