STUDENT WIZ

KALIBO, Aklan (PIA6) — Civil engineering student Allyn T. Artates of Aklan State University – College of Industrial Technology (ASU-CIT) topped this year’s 21st Philippine Statistics Quiz (PSQ) provincial elimination held at the National Statistics Office (NSO) here. Blas Solidum, NSO-Aklan statistics officer said the PSQ is an annual contest designed to assess the competency and skills of students in statistics as acquired from secondary education curriculum. “The quiz aims to promote and instill awareness on the importance of statistics in all development planning activities of government,” he said.

C.T.O.A. HAPPY

ROXAS CITY, Capiz (PIA) — Capiz tourism operators group, Capiz Tour Operators Association (CTOA) said a more vibrant local tourism industry could be expected with the inclusion of the city by another airline’s including Roxas City in its service route. The CTOA is referring to Airphil Express, which flew here on its maiden flight, replacing Philippine Airlines Bus 320 200, last Oct. 28. The new carrier's maiden flight was almost full with 140 passengers aside from the 2,298 kilos of inbound cargo from Manila. “This is good news for those from Capiz as we will still have the same type of aircraft with light snacks and a hot cup of coffee but now with lower air,”said CTOA President Donnel San Antonio. In Manila, Airphil takes off from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

P.M.H.A. SUMMIT

DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental — The Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA) Negros Oriental and Cebu Chapters will jointly hold the first Bipartite Summit on Mental Health themed “Depression: A global crises” on November 10 at the Negros Oriental Convention Center. Speakers include World Health Organization Dr. Cornelio Banaag, who is considered Philippine Father of Child Psychiatry and psychiatrist and Cebu’s Perpetual Succor medical director Dr. Pureza Oñate. Registration fee is P1,000 to cover meals. Interested parties may call PMA Dumaguete at 422-5359.

MASS WEDDING 

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar (PIA) — Ninety-six couples from Catbalogan’s remote areas who have long lived together without marriage are now lawfully married couples after being married in a mass wedding by the City Civil registrar sponsored by the Catbalogan local government unit (LGU).  Catbalogan City Mayor Coefredo Uy officiated the mass weddings in Brgys. Silanga, Old Mahayag, Bagongon, Rama, Cinco Sierra and Cagutsan last month. The event was in coordination with the National Statistics Office (NSO) Local Civil Registrar Ofelia Royandoyan said. “It was part of the LGU’s desire to bring government closer to the people,” she said.

ELDERLY CONGRESS

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte (PIA) — Some 200 senior citizens from different barangays in the province will be at the annual Provincial Elderly and Senior Citizens Congress on Nov. 7, 2012. Flordeliza Trani, Biliran Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Flordeliza Trani said the Provincial Elderly and Senior Citizens Congress is the best time for the elderly in Biliran to listen to lectures meant to inspire them to enjoy old age and be more productive in their twilight years.  The event also gives them a chance to show their talents in a cultural show and talent hour to be held on the day-long affair.