RIZAL TRADE

TAYTAY, Rizal — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is showcasing the province’s best products and services in the Christmas bazaar now being held at a mall here. The Rizal Exporters and Manufacturers Association Incorporated (REMAI), a local group of exporters, said the ongoing trade fair which runs until December 9 at the Event Center of SM Taytay here features various export-quality furniture pieces, holiday decors, ladies and mens’ accessories, native food and non-food products at factory prices. Massage services of the province’s persons with disability (PWDs) are also an attraction at the trade fair. (Nel B. Andrade)

KIDS’ SAFETY

BALER, Aurora — A 30-day “Child-Centered, Community-Based Climate Change Adaptation” project has been launched here by Save the Children, a non-governmental organization. The project will cover 30 barangays from the municipalities of Baler, Maria Aurora, Dipaculao and Dinalungan benefitting over 9,500 kids and 1,900 households. The adaptation program aims to prepare households on what to do and how to reduce risks of earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons and floods through a localized information, education and communication campaign that will make it comprehensible to children — who are the most vulnerable in times of disasters. (Mark Anthony N. Manuel)

BULACAN SURVIVOR

CAMP GEN. SANTOS, Bulacan — Bulacan Board Member Mark Cholo Violago has been gifted with a second life. The 29-year-old ex-officio provincial board member representing the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) survived an attempt on his life last Friday afternoon while traveling along the bypass road in Barangay Bulihan, Malolos City. Police said doctors attending to Violago, a son of San Rafael Vice Mayor Cipriano Violago, have declared him out of danger after being shot in the right side of his head while on board a speeding Hyundai Starex van. Probers are now trying to track down the suspects. (Freddie C. Velez)

CHESS TILT

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — This province maintains its standing as host to various national and regional sports tournament, as some 100 chess enthusiasts converged at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC), here, from November 27 to December 3 for the first National Primary and Secondary Schools Chess Championships. Organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) in cooperation with the provincial government of Pangasinan, the sports spectacle gathers the best young chess players of the country for a showdown, said Provincial Administrator Rafael F. Baraan who welcomed the participants. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

P.A.O. PROGRAM

LUCENA CITY, Quezon — The Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) has recognized 11 recipients of Kabuhayan Showcase after a successful training program they attended in Apiculture, Handicraft and Coco Sap Sugar Production. The training in apiculture (honeybee culture) took in three days; handicraft making lasted two days; and coconut sap sugar production was a one-day program given by the PAO. Quezon Governor David C. Suarez said among the recipients from different towns was Jojo Landig who trained in handicraft making project and received a Kabuhayan Showcase from which he will draw income. (Danny Estacio)