LINGAYEN, Philippines— Despite typhoon Pedring and Quiel affecting the large portion of agriculture in the province there is a good news that awaits farmers at the newly opened Rice Processing Complex (RPC) in Sta. Barbara town.

It was learned that the RPC is now buying newly-harvested palay and is also accepting palay drying services. Provincial Agriculturist Dalisay Moya said that farmers can sell harvested palay at P12 per kilogram to RPC.

If delivered directly to RPC, the palay will have an added cost of 20 centavos per kilogram. In case the farmer would not like to sell their palay, they could also avail of the drying services of the RPC, which will cost him P1.20 per kilogram plus the cost of fuel. (Liezle Basa Inigo)

Miss Subic Bay  Tourism crowned

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines — With elegance and poise, nine candidates sashayed on the runway here, displaying both wit and charm as they vied for the title Ms. Subic Bay Tourism 2011 during the pageant’s awards night on September 24 at the Subic Gym.

Nine beautiful candidates from various communities surrounding the Subic Bay Freeport showed their statuesque figures in the long gown, Filipiniana and swimsuit competitions held that night, and then also presented their performing skills in the talent portion of the contest.

In the end, the title Ms. Subic Bay Tourism went to Cherryl Algabre, who was also chosen as Best in Talent. (Franco G. Regala)

Blind musicians

ANTIPOLO CITY, Philippines - The province’s pride, the visually-impaired but musically talented group of blind men and women based in this city will be serenading the public once again as they perform rondalla music to patrons of the ‘Governor Ynares Tiangge’ starting this week.

Manny Calimlim, leader of the Antipolo Blind Musicians and Massage Therapists Association (ABMATA) said his group has also been grateful to Governor Casimiro “Junjun” Ynares III for allowing them to showcase their talent in singing and playing string instruments before the visitors of the province’s holiday bazaar located inside the Ynares Center Complex in this city. (Nel B. Andrade)

Imus' foundation 

IMUS, Philippines — Municipal officials are celebrating the town's 236th founding anniversary on Friday (Oct. 7) with the prestigious Gawad Parangal where the best town citizens for the year will be feted.

The founding anniversary is one of the most celebrated occasions in this historical town, the capital of Cavite.

Mayor Homer T. Saquilayan and other town officials will lead the presentation of awards and medallions for 15 outstanding individuals during the Gawad Parangal Night ceremonies set at a hotel in Manila. Senator Alan Peter S. Cayetano was invited as guest of honor and speaker during the affair. (Anthony Giron)

2 Earthquakes

SINAIT, Philippines — Pre-dawn 3.6 magnitude tectonic earthquakes hit some areas in Ilocos provinces Sunday here but it doesn’t caused any damage to property, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). Local Phivolcs Researcher Julius Galdiano based in Sinait, Ilocos Sur told the 3.6 magnitude tremor occurred at 3:28 a.m. with its epicenter traced at 9 kilometers northwest of Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte with a depth of 19 kilometers. (Freddie G. Lazaro)