ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal, Philippines — Residents of this city feel blessed with the year-opener visits of two revered Catholic pilgrim images that of the Our Lady of Fatima and the Sto. Niño de Cebu, Mayor Danilo Leyble said Friday.

Leyble said residents are in high spirits as the city receives on Saturday a replica of the 400-year-old statue of the Sto. Niño de Cebu which will be staying at the Cathedral of the Our Lady of Peace ang Good Voyage from January 21 to 29.

Last Saturday, the pilgrim image of Fatima left this city after a brief yet fruitful visit highlighted by a concelebrated mass officiated by Monsignor Sabino Vengco. (Nel B. Andrade)

New books for Panipuan school

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga — Thousands of new books were donated by the Books for the Barrios, Inc. to the Panipuan Integrated School for its new library last Thursday. Books for the Barrios President Nancy Harington said the donation was in line with their mission to strengthen public school education worldwide.

 Panipuan Integrated School Principal Carina O. Tarenio expressed gratitude to the city government and sponsors for their untiring support for better education facilities. For his part, Mayor Oscar Rodriguez vowed to continue providing easier access to education through his Scholarship in Education for Empowerment and Development (SEED) Program. (Franco G. Regala)

JRI, APO hold medical mission

ORION, Bataan — Indigent folk will be provided free medical and dental services free on Sunday in this town through an outreach project sponsored by the Jose Rizal Institute Alumni Association Class of 1979 and the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) Samat Alumni Association.

Dr. Junn Teopengco, APO-Samat president, spearheads the medical services for the poor and said that their project is “being supported by Vice President Jejomar Binay.” Councilor Madell Bathan said the same group conducted a similar project in Samal. (Mar T. Supnad)

NPC execs heed Alvarado's plea

MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan — Provincial Public Affairs Office chief Maricel Santos Cruz said Friday that Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy Alvarado was delighted to know that the elementary school near the Angat Hydroelectric Power Plant (HEPP) Dyke in Norzagaray town now has electricity and water.

Cruz said the governor is thankful that officials of the National Power Corporation (NPC) granted their request to help the students and teachers in improving the conditions of their small school which is located within the Angat dam watershed area. “Better education will now be served and made accessible to children and residents living in the far-flung areas,” Cruz said. (Freddie C. Velez)

14th ‘Sikhayan’ in Sta. Rosa

STA. ROSA CITY, Laguna — The City of Sta. Rosa celebrates its 14th SIKHAYAN (Pagsisikap sa Kabuhayan) festival coincides with their 220th Founding anniversary.

Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas equated the growth of the Santa Rosa from a municipality depending on agriculture to a progressive City bustling with industries and commercial establishments.

There were also reforms in governance and efficient delivery of basic services backed by the awards received. “Truly this has been a year of excellence,” she added. (Ferdinand F. Castro)