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VOLUME 2 NUMBER 221 WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 18, 2009 ‘Bury BNPP’ New Pampanga cop move snowballs chief: What jueteng? BY ERNIE B. ESCONDE BY TONETTE T. O REJAS BALANGA CITY - The call “to bury” the Bataan ITY OF SAN FERNANDO— Nuclear Power Plant in Napot Pt. at the Bataan The new Philippine National mountain town of Mo- Police director in Pampanga rong has snowballed C with the gathering in a does not think the illegal numbers symposium Monday af- game jueteng exist in the province. ternoon of anti-nuclear PAGE 6 PLEASE veterans and new gen- eration of advocates for a new fight against the DESPITE GLOBAL RECESSION re-commissioning of what they call “ the mon- ster of Morong”. No plan to hike After the forum that lasted from 1:00 to 5:30 in the afternoon, about 500 people joined the toll at NLEX torch parade around the major streets in the City CLARK FREEEPORT - nomic crunch. of Balanga. Chants of Metro Pacific Tollways “We are also bound by “Tutulan BNPP” filled Corp. (MPTC) president the same agreements be- the air. and chief executive officer tween the MNTC and the Monsignor Antonio Ramoncito Fernandez Tollways Regulatory Board Dumaual, lawyer Dante said here that his firm, (TRB), so the toll rates will Ilaya, University of the which has acquired 67.1 remain as is,” Fernandez Philippines Professor percent of shares of Ben- said in a briefing of local Roland Simbulan and press Holdings Corp. media. Pampanga Gov. Ed Pan- (BHC) in the Manila North He noted that the TRB lilio led the anti-nuke Tollways Corp (MNTC), would allow possible veterans in the forum PASSAGE. Sr. Supt. Keith Singian hands over PNP Pampanga banner to has no plans to increase changes in current rates PAGE 3 PLEASE Chief Supt. Leon Nilo Dela Cruz, Central Luzon Police Director as Sr. toll rates at the North Lu- only in January next year Supt. Gil Lebin Jr. waits to receive it at yesterday’s turnover of command. zon Expressway (NLEX) as scheduled. PHOTO BY B ONG LACSON despite the global eco- PAGE 6 PLEASE TARZAN SAYS No anointed candidate vs. Nepo yet

BY D ING CERVANTES mayoral plans. tral (on whom to support In an interview with for mayor in the 2010 ANGELES CITY- Pam- Punto during the inaugu- polls), but any candidate panga 1st district Rep. Car- ration of the center for is okay for as long as it is melo “Tarzan” Lazatin has “Walking Free Pampanga” not Blue Boy,” he said. clarified that he has not project for the disabled at Among those reported- anointed any “mayorable” Clark Polytechnic, he also ly poised for mayoral bid against his long-time po- virtually shut down, even are Vice Mayor Vicky litical adversary Mayor locked doors on possible Vega-Cabigting, North Lu- Francis “Blue Boy” Nepo- reconciliation with Nepo- zon Railways Corp. presi- muceno, but reiterated he muceno. dent and Subic-Clark Alli- himself no longer has “I have remained neu- PAGE 6 PLEASE

DRUG FREE. Balibago Barangay Chair Tony Mamac (3rd from right) gamely poses before submitting his urine sample for drug testing. With him are Councilor Dan Lacson, and barangay chairmen Val Lagman and John Sladky and police personnel. PHOTO BY JOEY PAVIA 3 nabbed for fake gold bar Clark BI

BY JOHNNY REBLANDO arrested by joint operatives of Beach Resort in Barangay Office (ZPPO), Director, Sr. th bars entry the 315 Provincial Mobile Calapandayan, this town Mon- Supt. Rolando Felix, identified SUBIC, ZAMBALES – Three Group (315th ZPMG) and Sub- day afternoon. the suspects as Alex Odin, 35, persons selling a fake gold ic Police Station during en- Reports reaching the office resident of Barangay Sto Niño; bar to a businesswoman were trapment operation at Atin of Zambales Provincial Police Macky Dipatuan, 38, resident of Myanmar of Barangay Amagna, all in San Felipe, Zambales and Jose Eulalio, 40, of Barangay nationals Asinan Proper, Subic, Zam- TEN MYANMAR nationals bales. who came from Kuala Lum- 315th ZPMG Director, Supt. pur in Malaysia en route to Jerry Sumbad, said that at Palau had been prevented about 1:45 p.m., operatives led from entering the country. by Inspector Jelson Dayupay Immigration Commission- arrested the suspects in the er Marcelino Libanan said the act handing the fake gold bar 10 Myanmar nationals arrived they said worth P4 million to a at the Diosdado Macapagal certain Merly, a businesswom- International Airport in Clark on an in Zambales. Monday via Air Asia and ap- Sumbad said the negotia- peared to have no hotel res- tion started from San Felipe, ervations. Zambales where Merly met Di- Libanan said the Myan- patuan and Oden, then she mar nationals are scheduled was brought to Atin Beach Re- to leave the Philippines on sort where Eulalio waited for February 25, 2008 at the Ni- them. noy Aquino International Air- THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Council 3709 of the City of San Fernando, Pampanga recently turned-over to Pampanga Archbishop Paciano B. “Hinihingian nga ako ng port (NAIA) on their way to Aniceto, proceeds of their fund-raising concert held last December. Presenting the check is Grand Knight Nathaniel M. Paras who is joined by (L-R) P5,000 para daw sa pambay- Palau. Sir Knight (SK) Roberto Hizon, SK Cesar Ma. Ocampo, Past Grand Knight and San Fernando City Councilor SK Jimmy Lazatin, Council Recorder SK ad sa banka dahil yung ginto Libanan said the Myan- Honesto Domingo Jr., SK Dan C. Dungao, SK Ernesto Dumas, SK Msgr. Norberto Coronel, and Council Financial Secretary SK Roberto Garcia. ay nasa kabilang isla at nang mar nationals stayed in Ma- ipakita niya ang bara ng ginto laysia for 15 days prior to their ay kaagad siyang sinunggaban arrival in Clark. The group in- ng mga pulis”, said Merly. tended to stay for another 10 Recovered from the sus- Aussie firm invests $500-M in mining days in the Philippines before pects’ possession was one proceeding to Palau. fake gold bar weighing more IBA, ZAMBALES—A giant Aus- “Certainly, Rusina and com- scene of its technology partner infrastructure and working capi- el ores and with A1.09 nickel Heranio Manalo, chief of tralian mining firm with an invest- pany will help ease-out the coun- European Nickel PLC which will tal, 70% of which will be spent grade. Rusina, according to than 8-kilos. the BI’s airport operations at The suspects are detained ment of $500 million has start- try’s economic gloom outlook introduced the “propriety heap in the Philippines while partner DENR sources, can produce Clark, said that Myanmar na- ed mobilizing its resources and because some 3,000 to 5,000 leach process, a mining process European PLC will spend about 24,000 metric tons of nickel ores at the Subic Police Station tionals had been using the FAKE GOLD BAR. (From left to right) Suspects Alex Oden, Jose Eulalio and Macky facing charges for violation of is ready to start its first nickel workers will be hired for various where nickel is chemically ex- $10 million for feasibility studies. daily for a decade. Philippines as a transit point. commercial mining operation in works during its full operation tracted from crushed and mined Pre-feasibility study accord- Meanwhile, as a token of Dipatuan pointed the fake gold bar they are selling worth P4-million to a businesswoman Article 315 of the Revise Pe- Manalo also said that “they in Zambales after their arrest. PHOTO BY J OHNNY R. REBLANDO nal Code (Estafa). the Philippines. time by 2010,” he said. ores and are very low-cost effec- ing to Mines and Geo-science appreciation for the company’s did not present return tickets Zambales Gov. Amor Deloso, In a recent dialogue with tive.” Bureau (MGB) documents found concern and development pur- to Myanmar.” in a briefing with local officials company officials of Rusina, Acoje’s total mining develop- that the nickel project in Acoje, suit for Zambales, Deloso Manalo said the group had and business leaders here, said CEO Robert G. Gregory assured ment cost was estimated by Zambales has a deposit of about awarded Rusina a three-year tax been sent back to Malaysia Rusina Mining N.L., in partner- provincial officials here of their Rusina as about $498 million in 34.4 million metric tons of nick- holiday. –Johnny R. Reblando Masons get upgrading course on the same Air Asia flight ship with European PLC Com- earnest intentions to bring about because “they could become pany and two other local mining good prospects for the mining public charge” in the country BY ARMAND M. GALANG petitive, especially these she said. have all the safety gadgets,” entities, D.M Consunji Mining business in the country despite BEST PERFORMER AND BEST NEWSLETTER should they be allowed to Company (DMCMI) and Fil- Asia tight credit conditions and low days when a lot of workers are Bienvenido Ronas, a mason she stressed. stay. LLANERA, Nueva Ecija - “They displaced amid the global finan- who finished the training Holcim donated 200 bags of Mining Company, will operate, in nickel prices at the moment. “We are also preventing a month or two, the 10,000 hect- Acoje Nickel Mining Project in are now professional masons.” cial crisis. course as “Best Galing Mason” cement for training cum pro- human traffickers from using Thus Mayor Lorna Mae B. The training cum production said he bas been on the job for duction purposes, Vero said. are nickel mineral rich area in Zambales will remain viable for MWD bags two PWAD awards the country as a transit point,” Acoje, Sta. Cruz town. low-cost mining operation, he Vero said after the 39 construc- was undertaken inside the quite a long time now. But he Besides the Llanera LGU and said Manalo. tion masons received their cer- Llanera Central School where learned a lot more, in the Holcim, Nueva Ecija’s 2nd Dis- Deloso disclosed that a added. THE Philippines Water District “Nagpapasalamat ako sa The BI reported that some smelting plant is being put up to In a statement Gregory said Association (PWAD) has con- mga kasamahan ko sa Maba- tificates of competencies from trainees started building a course of the training. Aside trict Rep. Joseph Violago, the 2,751 suspected Filipino ‘tour- the Technical Education school building. from technical abilities, he said Association of Construction complement the mining opera- “the key to mining is low cost ferred the “Best Water District lacat Water District sa kanilang ist workers’ lacking travel doc- tion so that “only finished prod- and that’s where the Philippines Performer Award” and “Best pagsisikap, sipag, at tiyaga and Skills Development Au- “Most of our masons have he realized the importance of and Informal Workers (ACIM), uments had been prevented thority (TESDA) after undergo- acquired their knowledge by safety and communication the Department of Education ucts such as nickel blocks has an edge over the others - Newsletter Award” to the Ma- para mapaunlad at mabigyan from leaving the country last would be shipped out to foreign quality yet low cost projects.” balacat Water District (MWD) ng magandang serbisyo ang ing a seven-day Holcim Galing experience. Now, they are pro- skills. (DepEd) and the Jobs Trade, year as part of its program to Mason training on Monday. fessionally trained, equipped Teri Cruz, CSR coordinator assisted in the realization of lands instead of the usual crude Citing prospects for the Acoje in the recent 30th PWAD Annu- aming mga kababayan,” said curb human trafficking. procedure of exporting raw ma- Nickel Mining project Gregory is al Convention held at the Wa- Pangilinan. Vero said the local govern- with certificates and advanced of the Holcim Philippines, Inc., the training course. Manalo said the BI has ment, in coordination with ce- knowledge in the field,” Vero said several masons who un- After the training course for terials and products from our optimistic it will remain profitable terfront Hotel in Cebu City. “Sana sa susunod na taon stepped up its campaign country.” because of the entry into the MWD Chairman Diosdado makukuha na naman natin ang ment maker Holcim Philip- stressed. derwent the course have been mason, the local government is against human trafficking in pines and other agencies, Trained masons would en- in-demand for overseas place- pushing for the same activities Pangilinan said the MWD had dalawang awards na ito para support of the programs of been cited for the second time maging hall of famer tayo,” pressed for the training to joy the upper hand in the labor ment. “Before, they did not use for electrical, plumbing and oth- Commissioner Libanan. make the labor force more com- market, even internationally, gloves and shoes, now they er workers. as “Best Water District Per- said Pangilinan. former” because of its valuable Pangilinan urged MWD performance last year. employees to work harder to Barangay For 2008, Pangilinan said improve services to the con- Everybody loves Betty La Fea… but what does Betty La Fea love? the MWD has a team of highly Pangilinan sumers. He said that the MWD competitive individuals that has recently embarked on its WHY? Bacolod Chicken Inasal’s La Fea’s love for street food, BCI So if you want to save but greatly improved the level of Pangilinan also said that computerization program Geo- BBQuito Paborito Ni Betty La came up with BBQuito Paborito still would like a yummy and Lagundi, efficiency in their dealings with “Danum: Agus Ning Biye,” graphical Information System Fea of course! ni Betty La Fea: six combos filling meal, go for any of the the consumers. the official newsletter of the (GIS) in a bid to speed up ser- Motivated by the success of each with three sticks of barbe- BBQuito Paborito ni Betty La Pangilinan said MWD best- MWD bagged the “Best News- vices to the public. Ysabella’s Chicken – which was cues (pork, chicken and “laman- Fea. But if you can afford to ed Metro Cebu, Metro Lipa, Ba- letter Award” for the second time. Pangilinan also said that the first special project of Ba- loob” like gizzard, liver or “isol”), splurge, try Eco Moda Espe- Mexico, tangas, and Metro Tuguegarao MWD clinched the same award MWD is currently overseeing colod Chicken Inasal (BCI) with all served with garlic rice and cials. for the much coveted “Best Per- for the newsletter in 2008. the construction of the water ABS-CBN – the Philippines’ pre- Nestea iced tea. The barbecues Bacolod Chicken Inasal has former Award.” The newsletter reports on the reservoir with water treatment miere chicken Inasal family res- are doubly flavorful because branches at Edsa Central, Jupi- “This only shows that the various developments in MWD facilities in Barangay Ca- taurant has decided to concoct they’re dipped in sweet marinate ter St., Greenhills, Quezon City Mabalacat Water District had projects and highlights major machiles. The project is ex- another tasty teleserye treat! and then basted with a secret Circle, SM City Sta. Mesa, Rob- Pampanga been efficient in its operations,” achievements such as modern- pected to be finished in 14 The result is not just one but barbecue sauce. The BBQuito insons Place Ermita, Glorietta 4, said Pangilinan. ization and so on. months. eight delicious meals, all in- Paboritios are BCI’s first-ever Metrowalk, Forum Robinsons Pi- spired by ABS-CBN’s well-loved value meals affordably priced oneer, SM Megamall, Paseo Cen- primetime show “I Love Betty La between P99.50 to P109.00. ter, Trinoma, SM City Clark, Rob- Fea” that features Bea Alonzo Then there is the Eco Moda insons Otis, One E-ComCenter - in the title role. Especial set. Take your pick of SM Mall of Asia, One World ‘Bury BNPP’ move snowballs The program’s creative team two sumptuous feasts. The first, Square McKinley, Fastbytes Fil- FROM PAGE 1 ta tulad noon,” the priest of the ond Sunday already. Panlilio said he has been wastes?,” the Pampanga gover- and Bacolod Chicken Inasal’s Pollo Galantina, is quartered invest, SM City Marikina and SM Hermosa (Bataan) parish said. The third statement will be against the nuclear plant since nor said. He called on every one marketing team brainstormed chicken stuffed with meat, City Baliwag and soon to open at with a new crop of advocates. Speakers reminisced the past on read this coming Sunday after he was a seminarian. “Tutol ako to unite and register their voices and put on their culinary think- cheese and vegetables, accom- Summit Ridge Tagaytay. Some nuns were seen in the fo- how they participated in mass which the following Monday noon at tutol pa rin ako ngay- against the BNPP. “Hindi la- ing caps and thought of two sets panied with thick gravy. This rum and in the torch parade. actions all over Bataan. Some (February 23), a prayer rally will on,” he said. The priest turned mang mga taga-Bataan ang of dishes: one based on the sim- gallantina is actually a treasured Dumaual, former chairperson pictures of the protest actions be held in front of the St. Joseph politician said the BNPP was magbabayad ng uutangin na ple, no-frills, and practical milieu family recipe from the grand- of the Nuclear Free Bataan were shown. Cathedral in Balanga City. marred with anomalies after namang $1 bilyon kundi ang la- where Betty La Fea resides, and mother of the BCI owners. Movement in the 1980s threat- Dumaual said the call Monsignor Dumaual said the anomalies. He said the plant hat ng mga Pilipinong taxpay- another based on the posh and Then there is also the healthy ened to go back to the streets against the re-commissioning of International Atomic Energy stands at an earthquake fault ers,” Panlilio said. “sosi” environment of the Eco and mouth-watering Liempo Sa- and conduct “welgang bayan” the nuclear power plant began Commission has found 4,000 dangerous not only for the peo- Bataan Gov. Enrique Garcia Moda advertising agency where broso – roasted pork belly fla- that they did at the height of the after Bishop Socrates Villegas defects in the BNPP “with some ple of Bataan but for most of has also registered his sentiment Armando (played by John Lloyd vored with lemongrass and struggle against the BNPP. issued three pastoral state- defects that can no longer be Central Luzon. against the opening of the Cruz) and Daniella (Ruffa Guti- served with soy vinegar dip. The “Pero, sana naman makinig ments condemning the revival of remedied.” The participants in “Wala pang kakayahan sa BNPP. “Tanungin muna natin errez) hold office. Eco Moda Meals are priced at na ang gobyerno para hindi na the BNPP. The pastoral letters the forum signed a giant “State- science ng nuclear ang Pilipinas ang taong-bayan at sila ang da- PUNTO! CENTRAL LUZON • FEBRUARY 18, 2009 • WEDNESDAY LUZON • FEBRUARY CENTRAL PUNTO! Thus, taking heed of Betty only P225. maulit ang malawakang protes- were read in masses for the sec- ment against revival of BNPP.” at saan dadalhin ang nuclear pat masunod,” he said. WEDNESDAY 18, 2009 • LUZON • FEBRUARY CENTRAL PUNTO! 2 3 Editorial Napag- As Capitol falters, OpinionOpinion Tetangco soars uusapan A MARKED decrease in overloaded trucks going through Notes on Logistics Hub: lang Apalit town has been noted lately. Ni Felix M. Garcia This, no thanks to the Capitol – enmeshed as it is in a turn-over Sentro ng daluyan the tug-of-war between the governor and the sangguniang panlalawigan (SP) over Ordinances 261, 349, whatever AVE ATQUE vale. As the Latins have it, hail and farewell. As the Samahan di else that has anything to do with trucking. police – at least Chief Supt. Leon Nilo de la Cruz, top cop for ng negosyo at Central Luzon – has it, “from one good hand to another.” “The decrease in the number of overloaded trucks The helm of the Pampanga Police Office that is. Senior Supt. umigi, sumama passing our town is the desired effect of the very strict Keith Ernald Singian, OIC-police director, relinquishing his post to komersyo implementation of our anti-overloading campaign. We Senior Supt. Gil Lebin, his PMA mistah, yesterday morning. really want to protect our roads and infrastructure, avoid “Two great police officers,” said De la Cruz of Singian – “for his NASABI ko sa nakaraang Agyu Tamu! Atbp kolum, na pag-uusa- pa kaysa dati! highest devotion to duty,” and Lebin – “hard-working.” pan natin ngayon kung anu-ano ang mga infrastructure projects na road accidents and teach violators due and rightful After pinning the Medalya ng Kasanayan, the police efficiency kasalukuyang ipinapatupad ni Presidente Arroyo sa buong kab- ANHIN MAN po nating suriin kumbaga recognition of the law.” Thus said Apalit Mayor Oscar medal, on Singian, the regional police director, hailed Singian for uuan ng Luzon, sa ilalim ng pamamatnubay ng inyong cabalen at his accomplishments in “curbing crime and developing abang lingkod bilang Chairman/CEO ng Subic-Clark Alliance for Itong nangyayari sa pagitan nina Tetangco Jr. acaesar.blogspot.com professionalism among his men.” Development Council (SCADC) and Development Champion of the Ed Panlilio at ang S.P. ng Pampanga Tetangco has been at the vanguard of the anti- Came to mind what the uber developer Delfin Lee said at the Luzon Urban Beltway (LUB) Super Region. Ang SCADC at LUB Ay posibleng dulot lang ng pulitika. overloading campaign, long before it came to fashion – PPO last Monday: “Respect is what one feels soon as entering Agyu Tamu! infrastructure projects ay para sa pagtatayo ng isang WORLD- and passion – at the Capitol. Early last year, he created Zona Libre the grounds here. Respect is what Keith Singian has earned not CLASS MEGA LOGISTICS HUB ditto sa Subic-Clark Corridor na Na namamagitan sa dalawang paksyon Bong Z. Lacson a task force comprising of local officials, police and Land only from his men but among the various sectors of Pampanga magsisilbing sentro ng daluyan ng negosyo at komersyo at ng Mula nang maupo bilang Gobernador society. I now belong to your fans, Colonel Singian.” Atbp tinatawag na MAIN GATEWAY n gating bansa sa Asia Pacific Itong si Among Ed na solong humabol Transportation Office deputies to implement the law to Edgardo “EDPAM” Region na kung saan naroroon din naman ang mga bansa na may Pero tinalo ang Administrasyon; its fullest. The two-year term of Singian at the PPO saw So what is his stand on jueteng, asked the Pamintuan kanya-kanya sentro ng daluyan ng negosyo at komersyo. Hundreds of overloaded trucks have since been the neutralization of kidnap-for-ransom gangs and intrepid Tonette Orejas. (At si dating senior board member Pineda, raids in shabu laboratories and warehouses in “Is there jueteng here?” Ano nga ba ang “logistics hub” at bakit kailan- While the United States has trailblazed the logis- Na bagama’t kumpleto ang makinarya apprehended, impounded and penalized. Apalit and Floridablanca and Dau, Mabalacat that greatly Why Lebin, despite the expressed objection gan nating maitayo ito? May nalathala sa “The tics highway…however newer state-of-art hubs Ay nasapawan ng isang baguhan pa nearby San Simon have become access detours for diminished the nefarious drug trade in the province, of the governor, I asked De la Cruz. Economist” (7/16/06) na makapagbibigay ng ideya have emerged in the global arena…the most Na katulad niyang wala namang pera). quarry trucks evading various checkpoints on their way if not in the whole region. “Lebin is the only available qualified officer.” tungkol dito: talked about of which is the front running of the of It was at Singian’s watch too that a large cache How about, Senior Supts. George Gaddi, to Metro Manila and Southern Tagalog for their deliveries. “… logistics has become the electronic the emerging economy of the Middle-East—the of arms of the splinter group Rebolusyonaryong Sonny Cunanan, and Danilo Bautista who were age’s PHYSICAL INTERNET… a vital interac- city state of Dubaiin the United Arab Emirates.” Natural lamang na ngayo’t nagsosolo “This apparent success of our anti-overloading Hukbong Bayan was confiscated, which, some supposed to be in a list? tive link in the Global Supply Chain that pro- Alam natin na para umunlad ang ekonomiya At walang kakampi itong si Panlilio, campaign is no reason for self-congratulations but an police officers deemed as a major setback to what “Both Gaddi and Cunanan are not assigned in pels the fast moving Global Economy’s trade ng isang bansa at upang ang mga mamumu- Sa bumubuo riyan ng ating Konseho impetus for us to strive even harder, until our roads are remains of the insurgency movement. the region. Bautista is holding a very sensitive and commerce.” hunan, Pilipino man o banyaga, dapat makapag- Ay ano pa nga bang maasahan nito? Then there was the hostage drama on a position at the regional office. And what list?” Sa pamamagitan nito, paliwanag ng The Econ- tatag ng LOGISTICS HUB na siyang SENTRO finally freed from their scourges,” Tetangco said. Genesis bus beamed live to a national television Tonette again: “The list you were supposed to omist article: NG DALUYAN NG NEGOSYO AT KOMERSYO. Kundi ang posibleng palagi siyang talo A hands-on manager, Tetangco himself often takes audience that ended in the safe release of all the have returned to SILG (Interior Secretary Ronnie “… goods are moving around the world At ito nga ang dahilan kung bakit iniutos ni Pres- Sa anumang bagay na hilingin nito; charge of the nitty-gritty of his anti-overloading campaign, hostages, and, the death of the hostage-taker. Puno) according to my source.” with increasing efficiency … transporting idente Arroyo na magsagawa at magtatag ng mga Partikular na sa alin man proyekto The two-year term of Singian saw the “Who is your source?” items from fresh flowers … to electronics … kinakailangan infraistraktura ng transportasyon Na pam-‘pogi points’ sa panig ni Panlilio! going about town even in ungodly hours just to make Pampanga Police Office earning PPO of the Year Tonette: “I cannot tell you, you know that.” and even live whales! …which have been tulad ng seaports, airports, roads and bridg- sure his men are on the job. (2007 and 2008) in Central Luzon. “Your source is lying. I did not return any list.” Fedexed from one place to another.” es, and related communications infrastruc- Pero ano man ang posibleng dahilan “Great officers like you will always shine, Why is Lebin OIC only and not PD? “… this logistics phenomena has spawned the tures such telecommunications broadband The Capitol, especially the governor, has a thing or Nitong di matapos-tapos ng iringan two to learn from the young Tetangco here. wherever your way takes you,” De la Cruz said of “This is in accordance with law. With Singian construction and development of hub centres in network, telephone and cable systems, and Singian in his send-off. due for relief and in the absence of a list presented strategic capitals of the world from London Heath- the like, sa kabuuan ng Luzon, na sumesentro Nina Ed Panlilio at ng Sanggunian, Even as the below-40-years-old first-term mayor To Lebin, he gave two pieces of advice: “Do to the governor, an OIC has to be designated.” row to Paris, Cologne GermanytoHongkong and sa Subic-Clark Corridor, para sa pagtatayo ng Ay taong bayan ang apektado po riyan. expressed high hopes for an anti-overloading ordinance your job. Do it well.” Even as he expressed the So is Cong. Mikey Arroyo meddling in police Singapore, Guangzhou and Manila in the Asia- isang WORLD-CLASS LOGISTICS HUB, upang finally resolved by the governor and the SP, he totally certainty that Levin “can do it.” matters? Pacific rim.” ang ating bayan ay makasama sa tinatawag na Kasi, imbes sila’y makapagserbisyo No stranger to Central Luzon is Levin, having “I am the RD and I make decisions. The last Ng tapat at walang halo kahit ano, disapproved of the move to cut truck sidings as a means “… these logistics hubs act as distribution and GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN na kung saan ang mga been at the Criminal Intelligence and Detection time I had contact with the congressman was when tran-shipment nerve centers buzzling with load- mayayamang bansa ay nakikipagnegosyo at ko- Yan ng dahil lamang sa naturang punto to curb overloading. Group at Camp Olivas for quite a time – “going he texted Merry Christmas and once in January.” ing and unloading of highly containerized cargoes mersyo sa pamamagitan ng palitan o bilihan ng Ay pigil ang lahat diyan sa Kapitolyo; Explains Tetangco: “It is not only quarry materials our through four RDs (regional directors).” So has the region’s top cop been talking to crossing varying international datelines often in “goods and services” na mga produkto ng kani- fellow truck operators load, though lahar really seems to Before coming back to the region as a member the governor on these matters, lately? the stealth of night.” kanilang bansa. Na kung saan pati mga Ordinansa of the RD staff last month, Lebin was chief of the “No.” “… the principal driving force in this vast Kung kayat ang mga proyektong nauukol sa At E.O. na dapat masunod kumbaga, be the most damaging of their load. Many carry other PNP Maritime office in Palawan. Hold onto your seats folks, more drama is set and increasingly complex global-supply mga pangangalian na ito ang kasalukuyang pi- Ay bine-veto at nire-repeal nila loads on their trucks, especially on their way here. I agree Whispered as a relative of the Arroyos, being to unfold in this saga of the hunt for a police chief chain is the underlying Cost Effectiveness of nagkakaabalahang itinatayo ng gobyerno Arroyo Bunsod nitong sila’y laging magkakontra. with the other groups in their opinion. The best way to an Ilonggo, Lebin said the only Arroyo he could to Panlilio’s liking in the province of Pampanga. the manner these cargoes jump from one para kompletuhin bago matapos ang termino ng relate to was the street where he lived. Ah, yes, RD De la Cruz remembered me all mode to another like landbased lorries and Pangulo sa 2010, samantalang ang iba naman determine a truck’s load is by weighing it. Weighing So what had he to say of the open animosity too well for the inclusion of my name in the police trucks to fixed railways trains to airborne jum- ay naitayo o natapos at kasalukuyan nang gina- At di magkaisa sa magandang layon scales will be the best solution to the problem of of Gov. Eddie T. Panlilio on his designation as order of battle when he was Pampanga PC’s intel bo and midsize jets” and, if I may add, seaborne gamit. At ang mga proyektong ito ay siya natin Dala lang marahil sa ayaw po nitong overloading and not cutting.” OIC-PD of Pampanga? officer. shipping vessels. ngayong iisa-isahin, gaya ng nasabi ko sa na- Bumubuo po riyan ng kabilang paksyon Tetangco knows whereof he speaks, grounded as he “I follow orders. I just do my best.” A hearty laugh we had in remembering. “… This phenomena has given rise to the so- karaang kolum. Ang mga sumusunod na proyekto Na bumango si Gob sa kanyang panahon? called Multi-Modal interconnected transport sys- ang tinutukoy ko. is in the success of his anti-overloading campaign. And tems criss-crossing these logistics centres. (To be continued) Kaya’t anhin na lang nila’y di tumagal a ‘tis said, you can’t argue with success. TODAY IN HISTORY Si Gob Ed Panlilio sa panunungkulan, But will the governor listen. Yeah, does the governor A CO-ED’S VIEW Dulot na rin nitong posibleng personal ever listen? Pluto discovered Na interes lang ng ilang ‘aspirants’ d’yan? Na di po malayong ya’y may koneksyon din ON THIS DAY in 1930, Pluto, astronomic technique of pho- eighth planet. Coping with the trying times Sa isinusulong na siya’y patalsikin, once believed to be the ninth tographic plates combined After its discovery, some Kundi man sa Recall, ay baka sakaling planet, is discovered at the with a blink microscope. astronomers questioned of junk foods and meriendas, needed.” Sa ibang paraan ay kusang bibitiw; Lowell Observatory in Flag- His finding was confirmed whether Pluto had sufficient BY GRAZELLE ANN BUMANLAG INTERN schedule shopping of clothes “It’s always helpful to find al- staff, Arizona, by astronomer by several other astronomers, mass to affect the orbits of (they can do it at least once a ternatives that are of equal qual- Sa pamamagitan ng laging pag-ipit Clyde W. Tombaugh. and on March 13, 1930--the Uranus and Neptune. In 1978, NOWADAYS, it’s hard to pur- month), walk instead of driving if ity and benefit to the things I got Ng S.P. kay Gob sa mga ninanais The existence of an un- anniversary of Lowell's birth James Christy and Robert chase a candy for only fifty cen- where you’re going to is only used to. Sometimes it may even known ninth planet was first and of William Hershel's dis- Harrington discovered Pluto's Nitong ipairal ngunit ginigipit tavos. It would be impossible to around the area, simple things mean giving up the “wants” and Itong dating Pari ng nasa paligid! EDGAR V. MOVIDO proposed by Percival Lowell, covery of Uranus--the discov- only known moon, Charon, photocopy two pages with only aren’t hard to do, all you need is just focusing on my needs,” said Founder who theorized that wobbles in ery of Pluto was publicly an- which was determined to have a peso. It would be unreachable motivation,” said Edwin De Ms Barrios. the orbits of Uranus and Nep- nounced. a diameter of 737 miles to Gaya halimbawa nitong pag-repeal n’yan LLL Trimedia Coordinators to own a car because the price Leon, an Angeles University As well, a Political Science Sa sarili na rin po nilang Ordinance, Publisher tune were caused by the grav- With a surface tempera- Pluto's 1,428 miles. of gas has constantly been cost- Foundation student. professor added, “Set your pri- itational pull of an unknown ture estimated at approxi- Together, it was thought ly despite whatever roll backs. Javi Barrios, a former call orities and learn to budget.” Na naglalayong baguhin ng tuluyan General Manager Atty. Gener C. Endona planetary body. mately -360 Fahrenheit, Plu- that Pluto and Charon formed Ang nilalaman ng Ordinance 261. Editor Joey R. Aguilar It’s a challenge to cope with in center agent and a student, said “I’m also forced to give up (or Lowell calculated the ap- to was appropriately given the a double-planet system, these trying times. Below are that living beyond her means has just minimize) the habits that I Editorial Consultant Caesar “Bong” Lacson proximate location of the hy- Roman name for the god of which was of ample enough Na kung saan ito namang pina-iral Joanna Niña V. Cordero some people who share their become a no-no. Just like what have been constantly doing to Marketing Manager pothesized ninth planet and the underworld in Greek my- mass to cause wobbles in Ng implementing rules saka mga guidelines Administrative Staff Ma. Teresa U. Villanueva methods of coping with that Dr. Bernadette Dalusung said, save for the ones that are on the searched for more than a de- thology. Uranus' and Neptune's orbits. Ni Panlilio hinggil sa unang Ordinance Layout Dondie B. Ventura challenge. “Live within your means and cut top of my priority list,” explained cade without success. Pluto's average distance In August 2006, however, “Stop unnecessary purchase down on things which are not Ms Barrios. Ay natural lang na apektado po riyan! Circulation Jose Yabut/Gilbert Mendoza However, in 1929, using from the sun is nearly four bil- the International Astronomical Business & Editorial office at Unit B Essel Commercial Center, the calculations of Powell and lion miles, and it takes ap- Union announced that Pluto W.H. Pickering as a guide, proximately 248 years to would no longer be considered At tila lalo lang lolobo kumbaga McArthur Highway, Telabastagan, City of San Fernando Ang dati’y malubha na nga pong problema Tel. No. (45) 636•6327 Cel. No. 0917•481•1416 the search for Pluto was re- complete one orbit. a planet, due to new rules that e-mail address: [email protected] sumed at the Lowell Obser- It also has the most ellip- said planets must "clear the Nitong mga ‘Truckers’ sa paghakot nila pdf file at http://www.geocities.com/puntogitnangluzon vatory in Arizona. tical and tilted orbit of any neighborhood around its orbit." Ng buhangin galing sa ating probinsya; On February 18, 1930, planet, and at its closest Since Pluto's oblong orbit Punto! Central Luzon is a proud member of Tombaugh discovered the tiny, point to the sun it passes in- overlaps that of Neptune, it (May karugtong) PUNTO! CENTRAL LUZON • FEBRUARY 18, 2009 • WEDNESDAY LUZON • FEBRUARY CENTRAL PUNTO! The Philippine Press Institute distant planet by use of a new side the orbit of Neptune, the was disqualified. WEDNESDAY 18, 2009 • LUZON • FEBRUARY CENTRAL PUNTO! 4 5 New Pampanga cop chief... Dina Bonnevie nagwala sa presinto sa Makati FROM PAGE 1 NAKIALAM si Dina Bonnevie sa kaso ng kanyang kaibigang Syrian guy na nagngangalang Hassan PROFILE Sarmini. Business partner daw si Dina ang Arabo kaya dagli siyang sumugod sa “Meron ba rito (Does it presinto nang mahuli at nakasuhan ang kanyang ‘kaibigan’ sa kasong pangan- exist here)?” Senior Supt. gagat ng isang GRO sa leeg. Gil Lebin Jr. answered Nagulat ang mga kapulisan sa presinto sa Makati dahil yung GRO ang pi- back when asked by Pun- nagdiskitahan ni Dina. Sinabihan daw ni Dina yung babae na sana tingnan muna to Central Luzon! how he Sr. Supt Gil Lebin Jr. nito kung ano ang trabnaho nito bago siya nagreklamo. Sa pananalita ni Dina, tila would deal with jueteng PMA Class ‘83 inaalisan niya ng karapatan yung GRO na magreklamo dahil nga mababa lang uri which, after the quarry ng hanapbuhay nito. Na hayagang ginawang pagkampi si Dina na pati nga kaba- scam, Gov. Eddie Panlilio bayan at kabaro pa naman niya ay ininsulto sa halip na damayan. planned to stamp out. “Dapat sana, tinulungan na lang niya yung Arabo na makapagpiyansa o kaya In the same interview naman, kinunan na lang niya ng abugado. Lumabas tuloy na sobrang baba ng immediately after he as- tingin ni Dina sa mga babaing kababayan niya na biktima ng mga dayuhang ma- sumed on Tuesday the The hilig gaya ng ‘kaibigan’ si Sarmini. post as officer-in-charge, Regional chief, Maritime Office Mimaropa Dec. 17, 2007 Hindi naman kasi excuse yung sinasabi ni Dina na matagal ng suki ng club ang Lebin did not give an as- Regional chief, PMG PRO Calabarzon Sept. 3, 2007 Arabo at yung statement na mababang uri lang ang pagiging GRO. Ang higit na sessment of the Pampan- Duty, HSS Camp Crame Sept. 8, 2006 Gossip- dapat niyang binigyang-diin ay yung inabuso at sinaktan ni Hassan ang isang baba- ga situation. ing Pinay at dapat nakisimpatya siya, at least dito. Lebin replaced Senior Regional chief, CIDG Calabarzon June 8, 2005 Bonnevie Dina Regional chief, CIDG Central Luzon Aug. 4, 2005 Anyway, matagal na naming nakikita si Dina na lagging may karay na Arabo Supt. Keith Ernald Sin- miller saan man siya magpunta. After she had a falling out with her husband noon na ang Regional chief, CIDG Western Visayas Sept. 17, 2003 gian, OIC for two years by Cesar Pambid apelyido ay Pecson, lagi nang nagpapakita sa mga functions si Dina na may kasa- who would assume the mang Arab- looking man. Ito na kaya si Hassin o sadyang post of chief of sdirectori- a game that the people being on official leave then. friend at business associate niya ito? al staff at the regional po- must stop. It’s a very vi- Panlilio said he has lice office in Camp Olivas. cious way. Forgive my nothing personal against His priority, he said, is term, binaboy nila ang Lebin. Considering howev- Marami’ng nanlalait kay Bb. Gandanghari ensure peace and order in proseso ng PNP, pinag- er the stringent process of the home province of Pres- laruan nila, pinaikot-ikot the SOPBB and the deci- KUNG NARIRINIG sana ni Bb Gandanghari yung mga maaanghang na statement na patungkol sa kanyang pag- ident Macapagal-Arroyo. ang gobernador,” Panlilio sion made by Chief Supt. paastang babae. Hindi na namin iisa-isahin ang naririnig na naming mga mapanlait na salita mula sa mga hindi Sought for comments, said of how the PNP han- Leon Nilo de la Cruz, Cen- umaayon sa pagiging babae na niya. Panlilio said: ”Based on dled his requests to have tral Luzon police director, To cap all those nasty words about Bb, hindi raw ito mukhang babae at higit sa lahat, walang maitutulong sa our study, jueteng opera- what to him is a morally to recommend him, he kanyang career ang desisyon niya. Masagwa raw siyang tingnan na mukhang baklang kapre na dapt kung bakla tions is camouflaged by upright police director. said he could not accept man siya, he should have stuck sa kanyang tunay na pagkatao bilang Rustom Padilla na alam ng lahat na the small-town lottery Lebin also assumed the appointment of Lebin. bading pero mukhang lalaki pa rin. (STL). STL is very rampant. the post although Panlilio De la Cruz said he did Yung iba naman, nagsabing sobra silang nainsulto kay Rustom na alam na alam nilang mula sa isang macho It’s a very efficient system has tried to block it through not act on the recommen- image pero ayan, nagladlad at higit sa lahat di pa niya matanggap na bakla lang siya’t hindi tunay na babae. in hiding jueteng.” requests made to Interior dation of the PML. “I Sana raw di na na-ilusyon pa si Rustom na totoo siyang babae. The Philippine Sweep- Secretary Ronaldo Puno choose him in my roster At ang nakatatawa, may pabirong sabi yung isang reporter na di hamak daw na mas maganda pa sa kanya stakes Charity Office, and PNP Director Gener- of officers, he was the only si Ian Valdez na naging gay beauty queen noong araw. At the most daw, si Ian ‘Ate Ganda ang ka-level ni which owns the STL fran- al Jesus Verzosa on Mon- one available and qualified Rustom. chise, started giving per- day. to be in Pampanga,” Pero teka, tanggap kaya ni Ian Valdez na kakalibre lang niya si Rustom? “Ayaw, higit naming magaling (PG13) mits to private corpora- “Is this also why my 18 Lebin said he returned VALKYRIE akong umarte kesa sa kanya, ano,” mataray na sagot ni Ian Valdez. tions to operate the STL requests to the PNP and to the Central Luzon po- 1040FS • 1100MF • 130 • 400 • 630 O ayan, Bb Gandanghari, hindi ka pa ba susuko? in 2004. STL operators the [Department of Interi- lice “last January.” De La 830LFS • 900LMF • 1100END count at least 16, PCSO or and Local Government], Cruz said Lebin came Kris Aquino, Ai Ai Delas Alas ayaw pang magbati records showed. done in person four times back to the regional head- WHEN I MET YOU (GP3) “When [Lebin] says he and copy furnished to quarters in “late last year.” HANGGANG ngayon pala di pa ayos yung dating isyu kina Kris Aquino at Ai Ai delas Alas. does not know that jueteng 1020FS • 1035MF • 1240 • 245 • 450 • 655 President Macapagal-Ar- According to De La Ito yung joke ni Ai Ai noon na isoli na lang ni Kris si James sa nanay niya kaugnay ng kontrobersya nina is operated in Pampanga, 843LFS • 900LMF • 1048END royo, not heeded?” the Cruz, the SOPBB was pre- James at Hope Centeno noon. Labis na nagdamdam si James kay Ai Ai at mula noon, hindi na naging maganda that raises a lot of ques- governor further asked. paring another list from para kina Kris at Ai Ai ang lahat. tions,” the governor not- (GP3) Panlilio also took note which Panlilio can choose INK HEART Kaugany nito, nagsalita raw si Ai Ai na kapag nag-guest si Kris sa bagong ed. of the fact that Lebin was the next provincial police 1050FS • 1100MF • 100 • 300 •500 • 700 show nila ni Ruffa sa Dos, di ito aaten. Meaning, hanggang ngayon, maigting For one, he asked if the director. recommended by the 845LFS • 900LMF • 1045END pa rin yung isyu kay Ai Ai. anti-jueteng reputation of Pampanga Mayors’ He said he had to put Kapag si Ai Ai naman ay nasa The Buzz, nagkukulong lang daw si Kris his choices—Sr. Supt. League, “who is chaired in Lebin to stop the gover- sa dressing room. This simply means na ayaw pa ni Kris na batiin si Ai Ai, Cesar Hawthorne Binag by the son of the alleged nor’s repeated clamors to YES MAN (PG13) kahit lagi nitong sinasabi na silang dalawa ni Ai Ai ay walang problema. and Sr. Supt. Sonny jueteng lord in Pampan- replace Singian. 1050FS • 1100MF • 100 • 300 • 500 • 700 Si James daw ang kaaway ni Ai Ai, kumbaga. Cunanan—- was the rea- ga.” Singian, although as Anyway, ayaw namang pakialaman ni Boy Abunda ang away ng son why they were not 835LFS • 900LMF • 1032END He was referring to an OIC since January dalawa. Kilala daw kasi niya’ng dalawang alaga at batid niyang baling appointed although they Lubao Mayor Dennis Pine- 2007 under former Gov araw, maaayos daw ito. “Wag nating ipilit ngayon, di pa panahon,” have been nominated and da, son of Rodolfo “Bong” Mark Lapid, had managed PINK PANTHER 2 (GP3) sabi pa ni Boy Abunda. endorsed by the Senior Pineda who had been im- to stay on longer reported- 1200FS • 1215MF • 200 • 345 • 530 • 745 Officers Placement and plicated in jueteng scan- ly through the intervention 846LFS • 900LMF • 1031END Promotion Board dals investigated by Con- of Pampanga Rep. Juan Heart Evangelista di puwedeng (SOPBB). gress in 1994, 2000 and Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo. mabuntis at manganak Lebin’s appointment 2005. A regional trial court To this allegation, De SHOPAHOLIC (PG13) came on the heels of three cleared the elder Pineda La Cruz replied: “Mikey 1015FS • 1035MF • 1240 • 245 • 450 • 655 NAKATATAWA naman yung rason na binigay ni Heart kung bakit nag- resolutions issued by the does not meddle into po- of the charge on corrupt- 839LFS • 900LMF • 1044END back out siya sa Muling Buksan Ang Puso. Sila sana ni National Police Commis- ing public officials in 1995. lice matters. I am the re- Dennis Trillo ang magtatambal sa afternoon soap pero sion in the last 20 months. gional director. I decide A copy of Resolution last minute, nagdesisyon si Heart na wag nang ituloy None of those resolutions No. 52 of the PML, fur- matters here.” ang paglabas dito. listed Lebin as a nominee. Lebin, a Baptist whose nished to Panlilio on Feb. Siyempre, nalungkot si Dennis Trillo lalo na nga’t Two of the resolutions 3, showed it was signed wife is a Catholic, said he No plan to hike toll at NLEX may mga malisya yung umiikot na isyu na siya were not officially transmit- wanted to make a courte- FROM PAGE 1 the construction of the agement Corp. (TMC) by all mayors except May- mismo ang inayawan ni Heart. Kumalat din kasi ted to Panlilio. or Pineda who was indi- sy call to Panlilio as soon P2.1-billion NLEX-Seg- which managed NLEX day- yung balitang sobrang makulit si Dennis noong “This is wrong. This is as possible. In June last year, Pres. ment 8.1, which will link to-day operations. cated in the document as nagtambal sila ni Heart, na niligawan nga niya Arroyo ordered TRB to NLEX to the C-5 Road, will Fernandez said MPIC CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC (PG13) ito, kaso nga, walang gusto sa kanya si Heart implement lower NLEX toll start this March. now holds 67.1 percent of 1050FS • 1100MF • 100 • 300 • 500 • 700 kaya basted agad siya. rates as the peso-dollar He said the segment the shares previously 845LFS • 900LMF • 1045END Pero hindi naman yan ang binigay na rason exchange rate then fell to will be a two-lane, 2.7-ki- owned by BHC and it is No anointed candidate... ni Heart. Okey lang daw sa kanya na makata- only P43 to the US dollar. lometer expressway that now the holding company ROM PAGE mbal si Dennis Trillo kaya lang, ang manager F 1 ning the 2007 polls, occu- 2010 mayoral race, Ne- In July, MNTC lowered the will link Mindanao Ave. to of the MNTC. YES MAN (PG13) niyang si Annabelle Rama ang nagdesisy- pying a post which Nepo- pomuceno can’t pre- rates by three percent. For the NLEX. The project is MNTC was established 1220FS • 1240MF • 245 • 450 ong umalis na lang sa afternoon soap at ance Development Coun- muceno also filled for three sume political edge, lo- Class A vehicles traveling expected to be completed in 1998 in response to the 635LFS • 655LMF • 840END maghihintay na lang sila ng primetime cil chairman Edgardo Pa- terms. cal political observers the entire stretch from by April 2010. call of the Philippine gov- soap gaya ng Luna Mystica. Sa tono ni mintuan and Barangay Lazatin has lately been who asked not to be Balintawak, Quezon City Publicly-listed (MPIC) ernment for private sector Heart, minamaliit niya yung daytime Balibago chairman Tony hitting Nepomuceno with named said. to the Sta. Ines exit in was reported to have allo- partners willing to provide HAUNTING OF MOLLY HARTLEY (G) slot kaya payag siyang ‘wag na lang Mamac. All of them have allegations of anomalies in “These are extraordi- Mabalacat, Pampanga cated P12.26 billion to the capital and technical 1200FS • 1220MF • 230 • 440 sa Muling Buksan Ang Puso. been reported earlier as purchases of vehicles and narily hard times and was reduced from P180 to acquire Lopez group’s expertise needed to build 630LFS • 650LMF • 840END Isa pang dahilan ni Heart, di raw Lazatin’s bet. firearms, as well as in the we’re fed up romanticizing P174. stake in MNTC, a compa- the infrastructure vital to gusto ng kanyang endorsement The Lazatins and Nep- P10-million refurbishment traditional politicos. Now, But despite unstable ny which runs the 84-kilo- national growth. yung role niya sa Muling …. omucenos have long dom- of a room at city hall, but we will have to think of exchange rate and world- meter motorway spanning Other shareholders of VALKYRIE (PG13) Manganganak daw kasi siya inated local politics and the mayor’s camp has not feeding our families and wide recession that could Balintawak to Mabalacat in MNTC include Egis 1200MF • 215 • 430 rito at inaakala niyang had clashed in many elec- been short of blaming we’ve had enough of re- also affect NLEX’s income Pampanga. Projects S.A. of France, 640LFS • 700LMF • 910END makasisira ang role na tions. present woes as spill over ports of corruption. I think generating capacity, MPTC used to be the reportedly the world’s big- ito sa produktong ine- Lazatin had been a from the Lazatin adminis- Angeleños will vote for a MPTC, now the holding First Philippine Infrastruc- gest tollways operator; endorse niya. three-term mayor of this tration. mayor whose name is not company of MNTC, will ture, Inc., (FPII). The Lo- Leighton Asia Ltd. of Aus- INKHEART (G) Well, maaaring true city until he again became With Lazatin count- traditional,” one of them maintain the current toll pezes, through First Phil- tralia, a civil works spe- 1200FS • 1220MF • 230 • 440 • 650 ang mga tinuran ni congressman upon win- ing himself out of the said. rates at NLEX. ippine Holdings Corp. and cialist with an extensive 830LFS • 900LMF • 1045END Heart pero di po kami He noted that an aver- BHC, had owned 99.84 track record in toll road makapaniwala. Higit age of 140,000 vehicles ply percent of FPII, a public- construction; and Philip- WHEN I MET YOU (G) na malalim ang ka- the NLEX daily. ly-listed firm which, in turn, pine National Construction 1050FS • 1100MF • 100 • 300 • 500 • 700 nilang dahilan kesa Fernandez also reiter- owned 67.1 percent of the Corp. (PNCC), the state- sinasabi niya ated the earlier announce- Manila North Tollways owned company that holds 845LFS • 900LMF • 1045END ngayon. ment of MPTC chairman Corp. (MNTC) and 46 per- the franchise for the oper- Hindi kaya? PUNTO! CENTRAL LUZON • FEBRUARY 18, 2009 • WEDNESDAY LUZON • FEBRUARY CENTRAL PUNTO! THINK GREEN WEDNESDAY 18, 2009 • LUZON • FEBRUARY CENTRAL PUNTO! Manuel Pangilinan that cent of the Tollways Man- ation of the expressway. Heart Evangelista 6 7 Conquering Mt. Pinatubo today

BY J OEY PAVIA about an hour to reach the so- called “skyway,” one of two stag- CAPAS, Tarlac – The tourism ing points to Pinatubo where officer of Mabalacat, Pampanga people start walking to reach the has a specific instruction to our crater. group: Leave Angeles City by 5 The other staging point is a.m. so that you can stay at the called the “old way.” It will take crater of Mount Pinatubo for at at least three hours of walking least three hours. before you reach Mt. Pinatubo This reporter and four others, via this old route. Naturally, we including Camille Lazatin and have chosen to be taken to the her mother Bella, left the city a skyway where you cut the aver- little past 5 and arrived at about age trekking time by as much 6:30 in Barangay Sta. Juliana, as two hours. Thanks to the here. Department of Tourism (DOT) in There was no traffic along the Central Luzon for developing the way as expected. But notable “easier route” about two years were the improved roads from the ago. Capas Public Market up to Sta. “But many tourists, most of Juliana, a well-known village whom foreigners, prefer to use since 2001 when people began the old way,’ said our guide in treks to Mt. Pinatubo. the dialect. “They want more fun.” Mt. Pinatubo is an active stratovolcano at the borders of Walking for one hour might Zambales, Tarlac and Pampan- be quite easy to think about. ga. The volcano’s ultra-Plinian Doing it to reach Mt. Pinatubo eruption in June 1991 produced is really easier thought than the second largest terrestrial done. You pass by rocks of dif- eruption of the 20th century and ferent sizes, river beds and wa- the largest eruption in living mem- ter coming from the mountains. ory. We had to rest twice before Our driver parked our vehicle making the final push to reach in a vacant lot in front of a Kore- our destination. an spa and the office of the mu- But the trip was fun because nicipal government where visitors there were plants to cover the register and pay the necessary rays of the sun and the surround- fees. ings was clean. Best of all, there They ask P50 each from were no snakes or wild animals those who want to see Mt. Pi- along the way. natubo. You pay as much as “Five minutes more and we P500 for a single tourist guide will be there already,” said the The crater lake and it is required to get one for a guide, who could report for work small group like ours. only once a week because there Locals rent 4X4 vehicles for are more than 200 other tourist tos and serving as a backdrop They allow visitors to swim Our group didn’t stay at the about P3,000 each per day. guides waiting to be dispatched. was the crater. Of course, we did and have boating in the crater crater for three hours as told. They can accommodate five per- “It’s just above that cut moun- the same. with the help of boatmen. Don’t More than an hour was enough sons, excluding the driver and tain,” he added. We thought of just staying forget to first pay P250 per per- to see the sight to behold – Mt. the guide. A few minutes later I saw on top of the mountain overlook- son at the Sta. Juliana office for Pinatubo which made the areas You can bring your own vehi- man-made stairs and I had a ing the crater. There were stairs boating. around it very popular all over the cle but you have to pay P250 as hunch Mt. Pinatubo was just leading to the crater’s green col- We wanted to have a boat world following its devasting a “road tax.” But think twice be- within reach. Ergo, after a few ored waters. Camille said it’s ride but we didn’t know the rule. eruption. fore you bring your own vehicle steps, I finally saw it, raw, natu- blue-green to be precise. We were contended in seeing Hey, we had to walk for an – the ride is quite challenging ral, beautiful. There was no funny smell the sights, though many Cau- hour again before we reached as you have to pass by a dry That was a Saturday and we near the waters of the majestic casians and some Korean en- the skyway where the rented river, big rocks and hills before were not the first ones to see crater. Our guide disclosed that joyed swimming. The rest of vehicle was waiting to ferry us reaching the nearest point to Mt. the majestic view surrounding at the portion of the crater was the tourists were Filipinos who back to Sta. Juliana. So glad I Pinatubo. Mt. Pinatubo. Those ahead of us a body of hot water – no wonder were mostly from Metro Ma- was not with “white men” who From Sta. Juliana, it will take were busy taking souvenir pho- the volcano is still active. nila. preferred the old, long way. PUNTO! CENTRAL LUZON • FEBRUARY 18, 2009 • WEDNESDAY LUZON • FEBRUARY CENTRAL PUNTO! 8