CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Philippines — At least 25 hot air balloons from more than 10 participating countries plus an aerial stunt of F-16 fighter jets of the United States Air Force will be the main attraction of the upcoming 17th Philippine Hot Air Balloon Fiesta here on February 9-12. Clark Development Corporation (CDC) President Felipe Antonio B. Remollo said this year’s event will be bigger and better as more American and European balloonists have confirmed attendance.

Organizers said spectators should watch out for participating balloons shaped like a kiwi fruit, an orange, a birthday cake and “flying bubbles.” Fly-bys or a flight passing of US Air Force trainer planes, ultra light and helicopters, along with a demonstration flight of F-16s, will also be a highlight of the event. (Franco G. Regala)

Bulacan Offers Free Eye Surgery

CALUMPIT, Bulacan — More than 200 Bulakeños suffering from cataract and pterygium (pugita) problems will now get the opportunity to be operated on to fix their eye disorders at a district hospital here for free. Dubbed as “Liwanag sa Mata, Handog ko sa Inyo,” the free eye operations will be on February 8, 9 and 10.

A project of Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino Sy Alvarado, the project involves at least eight ophthalmologists from the Department of Health (DoH). The eye-screening for those who will avail themselves of the free surgical procedures was conducted earlier this week. (Freddie C. Velez)

Chinese Officials, Traders Tour Imus

IMUS, Cavite — A group of Chinese officials and businessmen visited Thursday the historical sites in this capital town of Cavite. The visiting Chinese contingent, led by Liu Xeurong, mayor of Huanggang Municipal People’s Government which is a sister-municipality of Imus, was invited by Mayor Emmanuel L. Maliksi.

The group went to the historical Camp General Pantaleon Garcia where they were welcomed by Senior Superintendent John C. Bulalacao, PPO director. The camp was where the Filipino Revolutionaries Monument, more than two-centuries-old Cavite Armory-turned Museum, and the Queen Isabel Bridge are. (Anthony Giron)

Braganza: P4M To Help Hospital

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan — The Region 1 Medical Center (RMC1) is now receiving more funds after a report came out on the need to improve its facilities and health services, its official said Thursday.

RMC1 Director Joseph Roland Mejia and Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) for the utilization of funds amounting to P4 million for improvements to be made in the hospital.

Braganza said he was tasked by Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) Secretary Mar Roxas to give the financial to the RMC1 for the benefit of indigents in Pangasinan who frequent the hospital. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

50 Laguna Cops Undergo Test

CAMP GEN. PACIANO RIZAL, Laguna — More than 50 police officers assigned in this province were subject to a drug test Thursday as part of the Police Provincial Office’s (PPO’s) campaign for transparency in weeding out drug users in its ranks.

Senior Supt. Gilberto Cruz, Laguna PPO director, said those who took the drug test conducted by personnel of the Laguna Crime Laboratory included all chiefs of police in the province. (Ferdinand F. Castro)