SAN LEONARDO, Philippines (PNA) — After 31 long and agonizing years of “living-in” together, a 67-year-old farmer finally took his 74-year-old girlfriend home as his lawfully wedded wife in this town Saturday night.

They sealed it with a brief smooch after the mayor, who officiated the wedding, told them: “you may now kiss the bride.” Rogelio Pangilinan and Juliana Ramos both heaved a sigh of relief after their civil wedding at the campus grounds of the Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST) here.

“It’s a dream come true,” says a visibly overjoyed Pangilinan of his union with Ramos. They were one of over a dozen couples who swapped I do’s in the mass wedding presided by Mayor Froilan Nagaño, who also doubled as sponsor together with Board Member Romanito Juatco and Jon Padiernos, who represented Vice Gov. Jose Gay Padiernos.

Peace Process

MALOLOS CITY, Philippines (PNA) — The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) has recognized the importance of the "Yes for Peace- Kabayani sa Kapayapaan" movement as a vital instrument in the achievement of just and people-oriented lasting peace in the country.

OPAPP Assistant Secretary Rosalie Romero, in a letter to Kenneth Tirado, communication head of the Department of Education (DepEd), thanked the education department and the organizers of the movement for its continuing support to the peace process and the private citizen’s related initiatives.

Romero also told Tirado that OPAPP appreciated the initiative of Ernesto Alcanzare, lead organizer of the Yes for peace movement, saying any initiative by a private organization that supports the peace process is laudable and worthy of recognition.”

Dental Firm 

CLARK FREEPORT, Philippines — More than P55.9 million or $1.3 million pharmaceutical plant facility, will soon rise inside this Freeport, that is expected to generate a significant number of jobs for local residents here.

This after Dental Health Laboratories Inc. (DHLI) Director Mary Jane Fowler and husband Justin Francis Fowler, and Clark Development Corporation (CDC) president Felipe Antonio Remollo recently signed the lease agreement for the construction of the said plant. (Franco G. Regala)

Vegetable Gardens

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Philippines (PIA) — The agriculture department in Central Luzon continuously supports and advocates vegetable gardening in backyards and schools, specifically in agrarian reform communites (ARCs).

According to Andrew Villacorta, regional nutrition committee chairperson and regional director of the Department of Agriculture (DA), the projects, jointly spearheaded by the DA, Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), and Department of Education (DepEd), is one way of promoting organic vegetable farming in communities within the region.

Villacorta added that, with such projects, people need not go to supermarkets to buy vegetables for food.

Cainta Anniversary

CAINTA, Philippines — Festivities all over the town have started to mark the 440th founding anniversary of this first class urban municipality of the province.

Cainta Mayor Ramon “Mon” Ilagan said the various cultural presentation, variety shows, sports activities and various contests are part of the programs lined up for the celebration of the foundation day of the town’ which was founded on November 30, 1571. (Nel B. Andrade)