LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Pistay Dayat celebration will stage a solo singing competition dubbed “Takayan Na Dayew” for Pangasinense youths aged 6 to 22 years in two categories on April 29 at the Capitol Plaza, here.

The contest is open to all Pangasinenses who are bonafide residents of Pangasinan for at least six months while professionals under any contract are disqualified from joining the competition.

Audition and screening of contestants will be held on April 18, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center in Lingayen. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

Sports Fest

MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan — At least a thousand children from various non-government organizations (NGOs) and residential facilities in Central Luzon will showcase their skills and sportsmanship in the 15th Regional Association of DSWD Licensed and Accredited NGO’s and Institutions (READLANI) Summer Sports Fest today until April 20 at the Bulacan Sports Complex, Barangay Sta. Isabel, this city. Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy Alvarado, who will serve as the guest of honor, said that it is a great opportunity to demonstrate support to these institutions that work hand-in-hand with the government in providing homes and serving as family to the underprivileged and orphaned youths in the region. (Freddie C. Velez)

Disaster Drill In San Pedro

SAN PEDRO, Laguna — A fire and earthquake drill was conducted yesterday at the San Pedro Municipal Hall through the coordination of local government offices, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and the local police.

Municipal Administrator Felimon Sibulo presided over the drill which was ordered by San Pedro Mayor Calixto Cataquiz to ensure the safety of all municipal employees and other persons who transact business in the building.

San Pedro Information Officer Linda Sieterrales said the drill was conducted in compliance with the guidelines of the local disaster risk reduction management council. (Ferdinand F. Castro)

16 Survivors

CAMP DIEGO SILANG, La Union — Sixteen people survived after the bus they were riding in careened off a cliff on Naguillian Road and fell into a ravine in Sitio Gabur, Barangay Old Poblacion, Burgos, La Union last Sunday night, police revealed yesterday.

Police said 12 of the passengers of a Baguio Bus Line, with Plate No. AVW-176 and driven by one Jimmy Oblero, of Balaoan, La Union, were injured. The bus they were on was enroute to San Fernando City, La Union from Baguio City when the vehicle’s brakes malfunctioned while negotiating a sharp curve on Naguilian Road around 7 p.m. Sunday. (Freddie G. Lazaro)

New Projects Up In Pampanga

LUBAO, Pampanga — Governor Lilia G. Pineda, through the initiative of the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), launched various livelihood programs in barangay Santo Domingo here. The projects are dubbed “Sampaguita Mabanglu”, “Basura Mo, Tulak Ko!”, and “Masustansyang Pamangan Para King Barangay (Techno Cart).”

The barangay received 1,000 sampaguita plants, 2 bote-bakal push carts, and a techno cart. Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Director Raymundo Agravante said the program addresses needs for environment-friendly livelihood projects, livelihood restoration, and livelihood enhancement. (Franco G. Regala)