BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — This mountain resort city, particularly the Tam-awan village here, is ready for the second staging of the prestigious Tam-awan International Arts Festival that will bring well-known artists to help boost the local tourism industry.

The theme of this year’s Tam-awan international festival is “Weaving through the arts,” which will help spur the preservation of culture and the arts not only in the city but also the whole region.

The TIAF aims to present the seven mediums of art like the weaves of the region as they will come together and create one tapestry of art. (Dexter See)

Bangued ups trike fare

BANGUED — The long overdue fare hike for tricycles in this capital town has been implemented with the approval of the fare matrix raising the minimum fare to P8.50 from P7.50 in the seven zones of the Poblacion.

The fare matrix also provides for discounts for students and senior citizens.

Sangguniang Bayan Member Christopher Joy L. Bachiller, chairman on the committee on transportation and communication, said tricycle drivers and operators were advised that they may only impose the fare hike if they have a copy of the fare matrix displayed inside their tricycles. (Dexter See)

Free circumcision in Mangaldan

PANGASINAN — At least 500 boys from five barangays of Mangaldan will benefit from the free circumcision on May 14 at Barangay Bantayan.

The project was organized by Mangaldan Lodge No.354 of Free & Accepted Masons of the Philippines by Worship Master Ferdinand de Asis in coordination with the barangay chairman Rechie Abalos.

According to De Asis, the project is line with the community relations activity.

Masons who are doctors and nurses will assist in the circumcision. (Liezle Basa Inigo)

Pampanga probes fish incident

MASANTOL, Pampanga — The Provincial Government of Pampanga, in cooperation with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR,) will start investigation on the fish-kill incident in this coastal town where hundreds of dead fish where found floating in Pampanga River.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Pampanga will conduct a hearing immediately with the barangay and municipal officials here, the BFAR, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other concerned agencies of the government.

Pampanga SP Committee on Environment chairperson Nestor Tolentino said that he ordered the probe regarding the allegations of fishermen here that the fish kill was caused by other fishermen from neighboring provinces who visit Pampanga. (Mark Anthony N. Manuel)

Mayor fetes poor on birthday

CAINTA, RIZAL — Hundreds of residents of poor communities, including honor students, and the jobless are this year’s beneficiaries of the various programs of the municipal government in line with the 51st birth anniversary of the town’s chief executive.

Mayor Ramon “Mon” Ilagan, will be celebrating his birthday today, not with a lavish party, but with simultaneous mass feeding, medical mission, distribution of Philhealth Cards to poor beneficiaries in various barangays of the town. (Nel B. Andrade)