LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — The provincial government has given Pangasinan’s “I Love Pangasinan” tourism campaign a push with the recent launching of its television commercial. The Tourism Operations Division said this is the beginning of a more vigorous campaign to promote unique and exciting tourism destinations in the province. The viewing of the TV ad was attended by hospitality management and tourism students from universities and colleges in the province, municipal and city tourism officers and other tourism enthusiasts. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

‘JALAJALA BIRA!’

JALAJALA, Rizal — In spite of the flood that still affect most of the lakeshore villages here,  the fluvial parade and cultural presentation that traditionally marks yearly festivities in honor of the town’s patron saint, St. Michael the Archangel, pushed through here yesterday. Mayor Elionor Pillas led residents in celebrating the town fiesta by joining the traditional fluvial procession of several boats with the largest boat, popularly known as the ‘pagoda’ bearing the image of the most popular archangel, St. Michael, in Laguna Lake yesterday morning. Street dancing with the young and old residents dancing to the music played by the brass band provided a festive mood to the town as the procession passed by. (Nel B. Andrade)

BROWNOUTS

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — A 12-hour power interruption is scheduled on Tuesday, October 2, in the 2nd District of Ilocos Norte, affecting five towns and one city, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) announced yesterday. The brownout is scheduled to begin at 6 a.m. and affect Batac City and the towns of Currimao, Pinili, Badoc, Nueva Era and some parts of Paoay. An 11-hour brownout was is also set on Wednesday, October 3, in the 1st District. It will start at 7 a.m. and affect Laoag City and the towns of Bacarra, Pasuquin, Burgos, Bangui, Pagudpud, Adams, Dumalneg, Vintar, Piddig, Carasi, Sarrat, Solsona, Dingras, Marcos and San Nicolas. (Freddie G. Lazaro)

SURFING BREAK

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — “La Union Surfing Break,” held here recently, has positioned the province as the Surfing and Active Lifestyle Holiday Destination of the Philippines. It was also told that the event has become a “buzz word” in the surfing community. This year, the annual national surfing event in the province is a finalist for Best Tourism Event, Sports and Wellness Category (Provincial Level) of the Pearl Award, the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) – Department of Tourism (DOT) Best Tourism Practices of the Philippines Awards. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

BUILDERS CITED

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur — A lady solon cited the significant role of Filipino engineers and architects in helping strengthen the country’s resiliency to disasters by ensuring the structural integrity of buildings and critical infrastructure. Senator Loren Legarda, chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, said that architects and engineers are the keys stakeholders for nation-building because they have the talent, skills, and expertise to build infrastructure that will shield the people from natural hazards. “Our engineers and architects should lead efforts towards promoting disaster-resilient development by ensuring the structural integrity of buildings and critical infrastructure, especially to reduce the impact of strong tremors,” Legarda said. (Freddie G. Lazaro)