TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan, Philippines — Rescuers from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported Thursday that eight missing Cagayan fishermen were found safe on Fuga Island in Aparri town.

Senior Chief Petty Officer Ernesto Renon of the PCG station based in Aparri, said the fishermen were left stranded there because of big waves.

He said that the fishermen are now waiting for coastal waters to be calm in the area before returning to their village in this province. (Freddie G. Lazaro)

Clark to host Balloon Fest

CLARKFIELD, Pampanga — Officials of the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) said Thursday that it is expecting at least 100,000 tourists to flock the Clark Freeport in Pampanga during the staging of the 17th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF) next year.

CDC CEO-President Felipe Remollo said “the 2012 edition is expected to surpass the 80,000 mark set this year since Clark Freeport now plays host to a variety of sports activities during the weekends such as football games, baseball matches and marathons.” Remollo said that around 25 countries have already signified their participation to the 17th PIHABF which is slated from February 9 to 12 at the Philippine Air Force ADAC Hangar. (Franco G. Regala)

3 hospitals get new ambulances

IBA, Zambales — Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. recently turned over brand-new and fully-equipped ambulances to three government hospitals in this province to boost health services to residents of Zambales under his medical system modernization program.

Ebdane said the ambulances, worth more than P4 million, were procured at no cost to the provincial government as the funds used in the purchase and outfitting were donated by private individuals. The new ambulance fleet is composed of three brand-new units of Toyota Hi-Ace Commuter that cost P1.2 million each without the outfitting necessary for their conversion into emergency vehicles. (Jonas Reyes)

Comics on saving rice promoted

MUÑOZ SCIENCE CITY, Nueva Ecija — In a bid to bring to children the importance of reducing rice wastage, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the country’s lead in rice science and development, will launch a “Save Rice” Comic Book that will be published by the Department of Agriculture (DA).

To be launched on Nov. 28, Bagong Bayani, a 16-page “manga” or Japanese comics with mythical characters and heroes, tells the story of a young girl who learned the value of not wasting rice the hard way. Some noted Filipino cartoonists, though, suggested that such a project should have encouraged the local-style of cartooning. (Mark Anthony N. Manuel)

Imus gathering for peace begins

IMUS, Cavite — Municipal officials and employees and other supporters of incumbent Mayor Homer T. Saquilyan have started to conduct Thursday what they called a “vigil barricade for peace” at the perimeter of the town hall here.

Municipal Administrator Ernesto M. Miranda said that the gathering called for a smooth, right and just resolution of the proceedings on a court decision unseating Saquilayan from his position and ruling that his rival Emmanuel L. Maliksi had won the 2010 elections. (Anthony Giron)