MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Philippines — Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy Alvarado will recognize the excellence of skilled workers and graduates of technical-vocational schools and training centers through a two-day skills competition in this province. Under the theme, “Galing at Talino, Specialista ‘Pagmalaki Mo,” hundreds of students and trainers will compete in the Central Luzon Regional Skills Competition (RSC) slated January 25 and 26. Alvarado said Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. is expected to grace the opening of the event at the Bulacan Capitol Gym, together with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Joel Villanueva. (Freddie C. Velez)

Blood donation

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — In response to the lack in voluntary blood donors, personnel of the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) gathered its personnel to donate blood to the Philippine National Red Cross last Friday. The mass blood donation was aimed at raising the consciousness among police personnel and the public on the noble act of bloodletting in order to save lives. Chief Superintendent Edgardo T. Ladao, PRO3 director, was able to call on 38 police personnel to donate a combined amount of 19,000 ml of blood. Alongside the event was a free hepatitis B vaccination for dependents of police personnel. (Franco G. Regala and Freddie C. Velez)

‘Talong' Festival

VILLASIS, Pangasinan — This town celebrated its annual “Talong Festival” (Eggplant Festival) last Friday with a cooking contest of the well-loved Filipino dish, “pinakbet.” A total of 21 barangays participated in the cooking contest, giving excitement to the Talong Festival which started in 2006 through the effort of former Mayor Nonato S. Abrenica and now continued by Mayor Libradita G. Abrenica. Thousands of tourists witnessed the cooking showdown for the best “pinakbet sa kawa” recipe. They also enjoyed the fashion show of gowns adorned with vegetables and a local dance exhibition. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

Athletes compete

PANIQUI, Tarlac — Young athletes competed in the recent Provincial Athletics Meet in Paniqui, Tarlac, drawing a good number of sports enthusiasts, talent scouts and spectators. The young athletes were cited by local officials led by Vice Governor Pearl Pacada during the opening of the sports fest at the Jose Cojuangco Sr. Memorial Athletic Bowl in Paniqui, Tarlac. “Play for Peace, Unity and Progress” being the theme of the event, the athletes competing for five days in various events were promised support by local officials and by the Department of Education. (Mar T. Supnad)

K+12 program

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Department of Education (DepEd) Undersecretary Dr. Yolanda S. Quijano called on educators in this province to prepare for a busy year as the department is set to implement the Kindergarten to Grade 12 (K+12) program in school year 2012-2013. Quijano made the call at an international conference workshop dubbed “Addressing the K to 12 Curricular Enhancement in Philippine Education” held January 19-21 at the Sison Auditorium, here. “We will be implementing the K+12 program starting 2012-2013 in which five-year-olds must be enrolled in Kindergarten and six-year-olds will be in Grade 1,” Quijano said. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)