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ANGELES CITY — The mayoralty election here has suddenly become a

toss-up between Alex Cauguiran and Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. with barely three days before the elections.

AC MAYORALTY ENDGAME

Pogi, Alex in photo fi nish

Lazatin Cauguiran

Filinvest senior vice president Francis Ceballos, Filinvest group head for master planning Catherine Ilagan, Filinvest Land, Inc. president Josephine Gotianun-Yap, BCDA president-CEO Vince Dizon, Capas Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan and other offi cials prepare to shovel dirt for the groundbreaking ceremony. P !"! $!%&"'() !* CDC C!++D',

CAPAS, Tarlac – “The Death March is our history. The New Clark City is our destiny!”

Thus, said Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan during the ground-breaking of the 288-hectare “green township” project called

NEW CLARK CITY IS CAPAS TOWN’S NEW DESTINY

Filinvest groundbreaks new township projectFilinvest Innovation and Logistics Park here on Wednesday.

Catacutan said this bucol-ic town is only known as the last point in the tragic Death March where a concentration camp for prisoners of war was established

in April 1942.But now, with the rapid de-

velopment of the New Clark City (NCC) here, this town will soon become the bastion of country-side urban development and as

Citing what she said was “the latest poll sur-vey,” the Kambilan Par-ty spokesperson claimed Cauguiran and Lazatin Jr. are “statistically tied.”

“Cauguiran got 35 percent of the votes in the latest poll dated April 20 and 21, Lazatin at 37 percent while Vice Mayor Bryan Nepomuceno slid down to 24 percent, and undecided voters are

at four percent. From a statistician’s point of view, the two top can-didates are statistical-ly tied,” disclosed spox Irene Mae Manabat.

Manabat is an aca-demic researcher by pro-fession and a holder of a doctorate degree in Busi-ness Management from the Systems Plus Col-lege Foundation. P*/& 6 3#&*4&

DPWH Sec. Mark Villar, DPWH-3 regional director Roseller Tolentino and Bulacan 2nd District Rep. Gavino “Apol” Pancho lead the ceremonial drive-through to mark the formal opening of the Pulilan-Baliuag Diversion Road in Bulacan. C!-"&./%"'0 , !"!

PULILAN, Bulacan – Public Works Secretary Mark A. Villar along with key offi cials of Bulacan, formally inaugurated the Pulian-Baliuag Diversion Road Thursday.

The road completed only this year serves as a bypass to overly-con-gested sections of Ma-harlika Highway in the two named municipali-ties and cur travel time considerably.

Motorists head-ed to the North Lu-zon Expressway (NLEx) may now usethis alternate road that starts at Pulilan-Calumpit Road in Barangay Ti-bag, Pulilan and ends in Daang Maharlika in Ba-rangay Tarcan, Baliuag, traversing several Pulil-an barangays.

“The DPWH is keen on constructing more by-

Villar inaugurates P509-M bypass roadBiker-friendly too

pass roads to improve traffi c fl ow as well as en-sure the safety of travel. We are also aware that transportation improve-ment projects like these can aff ect the local econ-omies of Pulilan andBaliuag, as well as the quality of life of the Bu-lakenyos,” Villar said.

Construction of the P509.694-million four-lane 9.6-kilometer di-version road was imple-mented by the DPWH Regional Offi ce III head-ed by director Roseller Tolentino.

“Isa ito sa mga mai-pagmamalaki naming proyekto. Dahil sa di-version road na ito, hin-di na kailangang bayba-yin ng mga Bulakenyos ang kahabaan ng Daang Maharika. May alternat-ibong daan na silang

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CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – With barely a week before the elections, government work-ers in Central Luzon are re-

CSC reminds gov’t workers to remain apoliticalminded to remain apolitical in line with the upcoming May 13 Midterm elections.

Civil Service Commission (CSC) regional supervising human resource specialist

Sonny Cuadro warned state workers who will engage in political activities of possible sanctions under CSC Memo-randum Circular 30-2009.

“Those who will be caught

or found guilty of engaging in partisan political activities will be penalized with one month and one day to six months suspension for the fi rst of-fense and dismissal from pub-lic service for the succeeding off ense,” Cuadro said in his speech during the “No to Vote Buying, No to Vote Selling” motorcade.

However, Cuadro assured that due process will be fol-lowed whether it was caught in the act and until such time that the decision is fi nal and exec-utory.

Partisan political activi-ties that state workers should avoid include forming organi-zation, association, club, com-mittee for the purpose of so-liciting votes undertaking any campaign for or against can-didates; holding political pro-cesses, conference or meet-ing; and making speeches, an-nouncements or commentary or holding interviews against or for any candidate in public offi ce.

“Publishing or distribut-ing any campaign literature or materials designed to sup-port or oppose the election of any candidate, local or nation-al; directly or indirectly solicit-

ing votes, pledges or support for or against a candidate; and being a delegate to any polit-ical convention or member of any political committee or di-rectorate for similar political organization are also among the prohibited acts,” he said.

Cuadro added that mak-ing speeches or publication to draw political support in behalf of any particular party or can-didate for public offi ce; solicit-ing or receiving contributions for political purposes direct-ly or indirectly; and becom-ing publicly identifi ed with the success or failure of any can-didate are also included in the memorandum.

Cuadro also reminded gov-ernment workers to always protect and uphold their cred-ibility and continuously be of public service with or without additional benefi ts.

“As civil servants, you should always keep in mind that your position is not perma-nent and that you are dispens-able. So, it is critical that you always do what is right even if you are alone or even when you are being laughed, be-cause you will not make mis-takes in doing what is right,” he said.

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OLONGAPO CITY - Movie actress Aiko Melendez fi led a cyber libel case against Zam-bales Vice Gov. Angel Mag-saysay-Cheng at the Offi ce of Provincial Prosecutor this City.

The case stemmed from

Actress fi les libel vs. Zambales VG

Aiko Melendez assisted by her lawyer Carlo Bonifacio Alentajan fi les case at the Olongapo City Provincial Prosecutors Offi ce. P !"! /) J! --) R. R'/23-0!

the vice governor’s post in her Facebook account ac-cusing Melendez as “kabit” of Subic Mayor Jeff erson Khon-ghun.

Melendez is a girlfriend of Khonghun who is running against Magsaysay-Cheng.

Atty. Carlo Bonifacio Alen-tajan, lawyer of Melendez, said

“may mga ebidensya kaming hawak tulad ng video at mga social media post ni Mag-saysay na nagpapatunay na malisyoso ang mga pahayag nito sa kanyang facebook ac-count”.

Magsaysay cannot be reached for comment as of presstime.

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CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) has bared its members are prepared to vote for candidates “with clear agenda and platforms on gen-uine land reform, support for farmers, and food security.”

“Farmers will be very criti-cal on whom they will vote in the coming elections and opt only for candidates with clear legislative agenda and plat-form on genuine land reform, return of the coco levy fund, support for farmers and poli-cies for achieving food secu-rity,” KMP said in a statement yesterday.

KMP chair Danilo Ramos said “we have set the bar high for this election’s candidates. Especially in the Lower House, we cannot allow landlords and political clans to further domi-nate Congressional seats and enact self-serving legislation,”

He said “we have the

Peasant Electoral Agenda as our criteria for candidates from the local to the national lev-el. We are so fed up with per-sonality politics and politicians who blatantly insult the Filipino people’s intellect and political maturity.”

In its statement, the KMP cited the following criteria to be used by farmers in choos-ing whom to vote:

Support for genuine land reform and free land distribu-tion;

Pro-farmer stance against land grabbing and land-use conversion;

Support for the local rice in-dustry, support to farmers, and local agricultural production, genuine development of the domestic rice industry;

Subsidy for farmers in the form of production subsi-dies, calamity and food aid to farming families aff ected by drought and other calamities;

Support for the increase of wages of farm workers and

junking of neoliberal policies in agriculture;

Return of the coco levy fund and assets to farmers-benefi -ciaries, increase of copra and whole nut prices, and immedi-ate subsidies to small coconut farmers;

Stance on peasant polit-ical killings and human rights abuses against farmers and sectors;

Stance on the lifting of Mar-tial Law in Mindanao, lifting of Memorandum Order No. 32 in Negros, Samar and Bicol re-gions and stopping of Oplan Kapayapaan that targets peasant communities;

Stance on issues of wom-en peasants, fi sherfolks and rural youth; and

Stance against Chinese in-trusion and intervention in our territories, national sovereign-ty, and patrimony.

“These are the main issues that we look for in candidates and we will give our verdict on election day,” Ramos said.

Farmers group sets criteria for choosing candidates

CLARK FREEPORT - An air-craft commissioned by the Bu-reau of Soils and Water Man-agement (BSWM) started last Tuesday bombarding with sacks of iodized salt the cloud formations over three dams to induce rains and increase wa-ter volumes in the dams.

The BSWM, which is un-der the Department of Agri-culture (DA), said the cloud seeding was done over the Ipo, La Mesa and Angat dams which supply the potable wa-ter needs of Metro Manila and irrigate thousands of rice fi elds in Central Luzon.

This, even as the Nation-al Water Resources Board (NWRB) said it would tempo-rarily cut off irrigation water supply to rice plantations in Bulacan and Pampanga eff ec-tive May 16 amid ebbing water level in the dams.

The BSWM said in a report it used a BN-2 Islander air-craft to bombard clouds with salt, a process known as cloud seeding, and induce rain. The aircraft took off from the Plar-idel airport in Bulacan with 25 sacks of iodized salt.

BSWM project offi cer Mary Joy David said each of the 25 sacks contained 25 kilos of io-dized salt.

A report from the Metro-politan Waterworks and Sew-

Cloud seeding over dams

to induce rainserage System Angat-Umiray Transbasin operation division manager Ted Elipio said that as of the other day, the water level at the Angat Dam was at only 176 meters.

He noted this was way be-low the 214-meter spilling level of the dam during heavy rains. He recalled, however, that the situation was worse in 2010 when the dam’s level dipped to only 157 meters.

Meanwhile, the NWRB said that at present, it has con-tinued to release irrigation wa-ter from Angat Dam to Bulacan and Pampanga rice fi elds at the rate of 10 cubic meters per second or about 864 liters per day. Unless the water level in the dams go up, however, irri-gation would be cut off by May 16, it said.

Angat Dam is the source of about 96 percent of potable water for Metro Manila through the Maynilad and Manila Wa-ter fi rms.

In the fi rst quarter of this year, Angat Dam also start-ed to supply potable water to Bulacan folk under the Bula-can Bulk Water Supply Project Stage 1.

This project covers San Jose Del Monte, Santa Maria, Marilao, Meycauayan, Oban-do, and Bocaue.

– Ding Cervantes

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ANGELES CITY – The fa-mous home of the Mango Bravo has fi nally arrived in Pampanga with the opening of the Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant at the Marquee Mall here on Wednesday.

According to Michael Mar-tinez, Conti’s business devel-opment and marketing direc-tor, Kapampangans will now have another go-to place where they can satisfy their cravings for mouthwatering food whenever they like.

He said Conti’s is more than just Mango Bravo be-cause it also takes pride in its exclusive menus which are a product of its passion to de-liberately create and share tasteful fl avors and textures

Conti’s opens Pampanga branch

that will surely delight any-one.

Among its famous recipes are Conti’s baked salmon which has a special topping that compliments the fresh Norwegian salmon, roast beef in mushroom sauce which is a thinly sliced beef paired with buttered vegeta-bles, and its pies – chicken ala Kiev and garlic sotang-hon.

An all-day-breakfast menu is also available as well as all sorts of salads and pasta lovers can also enjoy Conti’s line-up of pasta dishes.

Prominent Angeleňo busi-nessman Abong Tayag was the guest of honor during the grand opening which was also graced by Conti’s found-er, Angela Conti.

CEFA president Abong Tayag, Conti’s founder Cecille Maranon, Conti’s GM Patricia Tan, Conti’s CEO Joey Garcia, Conti’s founder Angela Martinez and FAVE president Ana Hipolito during ribbon-cutting ceremony. C!-"&./%"'0 , !"!

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E d i t o r i a l

LLL Trimedia Coordinators, Inc.Publisher

General ManagerEditor

Marketing ManagerLayout

Circulation

Atty. Gener C. EndonaCaesar “Bong” LacsonJoanna Niña V. CorderoDondie B. VenturaLacson Macapagal

Business & Editorial offi ce at Unit B Essel Commercial Center,McArthur Highway, Telabastagan, City of San Fernando

Tel. No. (45) 625•0244 Cel. No. 0917•481•1416puntogitnangluzon@yahoo.com or marketing@punto.com.ph

http://www.punto.com.ph

acaesar.blogspot.com

Zona Libre Bong Z. Lacson

Opinion

After all that has been said and unsaid,

done and undone,

Vote.With God in your mind.

With the nationin your heart.

Continuity, not changeTHE GREEK letter delta – upper-cased Δ – is often used to indicate “change”. In the case of Pampanga though, Delta defi nes “continuity.”

Continuity – as in the progression of good – and caring – governance established by Gov. Lilia G. Pineda, being bequeathed to her son, succeeding Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda.

Continuity – as in the uninterrupted fl ow of services to the Capampangan, as in the unstoppable stride to a higher, if not the highest, level of socio-economic development for the province.

Aye, so great the impact of the Nanay’s brand of governance that even one pretender to the governorship made the continuity of it as his sole campaign platform. To the sheer amusement of the electorate, believing that the son, and only the son, can succeed the mother, if not by right, then by competence.

No, Delta Pineda is not exactly sprouting out of the shadows of his illustrious mother.

No, Delta Pineda is not simply BIRGing off the brilliance of his mother’s accomplishments…yay, that is basking in refl ected glory.

Delta very well can, and does, stand on his own.

Where nurturing motherhood has come to be the Nanay’s brand of governance, Delta’s is turning to be swift, decisive action – tried, tested, and validated in the worst possible cases of calamities and disasters.

YolandaIn the immediate wake of Superhowler

Yolanda, Delta personally led a 20-truck convoy to Leyte and Samar bringing much needed relief, as well as assistance in rescue and retrieval operations in the worst-hit areas.

That was not the only instant that Delta mobilized Pampanga’s resources beyond provincial boundaries to help the distressed. In many a fl ooding in Bataan, he and the PDRRMO make a constant presence.

At the onset of habagat or in times of typhoons, a recurring image in the collective minds of the Capampangan, particularly those in the fl ood-prone towns, is Delta leading rescue and relief teams, on trucks, boats, and even wading in the fl oodwaters.

Delta was in the thick of the action, eschewing caution by going to ground zero – in San Luis – at the time of the bird fl u crisis that infl icted Pampanga’s poultry industry in August 2017. Working hand-in-hand with the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Health and other agencies of the national government, the crisis was contained even before the prescribed period. And if only to prove that Pampanga poultry was safe, Delta led the fi rst post-crisis feast on chicken and egg dishes.

Within an hour of the April 22 6.1 magnitude temblor, Delta already mobilized the necessary logistics, including fi ve cranes from construction fi rms and dozens of high beam lights, as well

as teams to embark on a rescue mission at the collapsed Chuzon Supermarket in Porac.

Any accolade, even a simple congratulatory remark for his eff ective disaster response eff orts Delta always returns with: “Responsibilidad ko po ‘yun.”

Gawad KalasagThere is no denying Delta though the

rightful recognition coming with Pampanga awarded the 2018 Best Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Humanitarian Assistance Award given by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) at the 20th Gawad Kalasag National Awards.

“Pampanga has been chosen for its eff ective utilization of the local disaster risk reduction and management funds to address risk-based issues, thereby, ensuring that response actions in times of disasters are in place,” the citation read.

The NDRRMC said the accomplishments of the provincial government of Pampanga are “all notable contributions to the national eff orts to build a safer, climate change adaptive and disaster resilient Philippines, worthy of emulation by the people and recognition from the Gawad Kalasag.”

Beyond disaster response, Delta has also made his mark in the agriculture sector with his open and constant dialogs, not to mention packages of assistance, to the farmers and fi sherfolk.

As with his mother, Delta’s heart cries out to the marginalized sectors too – from the PWDs and OSYs, to the single parents and even the mangangalakal.

Labor championAn unknown facet of Delta is his being a

champion of labor. True to his characteristic quietness – that which some people misconstrue as being “dungo” -Delta saved some 16,000 workers from unemployment.

With the ban on the importation of treated cow leather imposed by the Department of Agriculture in the wake of the African swine fever, Superl Philippines was poised to stop the production of bags in its factories at the Angeles Industrial Park in Calibutbut, Bacolor.

Delta immediately appraised Speaker GMA and DA Secrtary Emmanuel Pinol of the grave crisis at hand. And, within a week, an exemption to the ban was granted Superl.

Responsibilidad ko po ‘yun. In his self-eff acing ways, Delta would tell the grateful workers. Strong sense of accountability, none of entitlement. Aye, the apple does not fall far from the tree.

The son has risen. Continuity is ensured. The best governance for Pampanga endures.

B! D"#$ C%&'(#)%*

ANGELES CITY- The failure of the prosecution to present “evidence of guilt” has led the court here to grant bail to police Lt. Col. Rafael Dumlao III who was tagged as “mastermind” in the murder of Korean business-man Jee Ick Joo in October 2016.

This, as the court also issued a travel ban against Dumlao whom it said was a “fl ight risk.”

“The Court has concluded that the prosecution was not able to prove that the evidence of guilt of ac-cused Dumlao is strong at this point in the proceedings,” said Judge Irin Zenaida Buan of Regional Trial Court, Branch 56 here in a 32-page

document imposing a P300,000 bail bond for Dumlao.

Dumlao was tagged as mastermind in the case by SPO3 Ricky Sta. Isabel who was the fi rst to be arrested in the case of Jee who was abducted from his home in this city on Oct. 18, 2016. The Korean was brought to Camp Cra-me where he was killed on the same day.

The abductors later contacted Jee’s wife Choi Kyung-jin for ransom. The wife paid them P5 million in a meeting at a supermarket parking lot here, but her husband never surfaced as he had already been slain, his body already cremated by a funeral parlor in Caloocan City.

Apart from Dumlao and Sta. Isabel,

who was tagged as the one who stran-gled Jee to death at Camp Crame, the others accused included civilian Jerry Omlang who was allegedly involved in the abduction, funeral parlor owner Gerardo Santiago, PO2 Christopher Baldovino, and SPO4 Roy Villegas who was later considered state wit-ness. Villegas identifi ed Sta. Isabel as the one who killed the Korean.

But Buan said the testimonies of both Baldovino and Villegas on the al-leged communication between Dum-lao and Sta. Isabel did not prove Dum-lao was involved in the killing of Jee.

“What is telling from the testimony of witness Villegas that cast doubt to (sic) complicity of the accused Dumlao in the killing of the victim is his decla-

ration that after the accused Dumlao and SPO3 Sta. Isabel talked in Camp Crame, the latter returned to them appearing angry and exclaimed to them that he (Sta. Isabel) will already call the shots and no longer accused Dumlao,” Buan said in her decision.

Noting “very weak” evidence against Dumlao, Buan stressed, how-ever, that “this conclusion is without prejudice to the Court’s later deter-mination of the guilt (beyond reason-able doubt) of all the accused based on subsequent/additional evidence or testimony both from the prosecu-tion and the defense.”

The court, however, denied the petition for bail fi led by Sta. Isabel and Omlong.

Court cites weak evidence vs. Jee Ick Joo murder ‘brains’

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Halo-haloDing Cervantes

Opinion

TODAY IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY

Napag-uusapanLangFelix M. Garcia

Kaunting habag naman para sa mga ‘poll

watchers’DI KAYA sobra na ang Rentas Internaskung pati na itong sa Titsers pambayadng Comelec para sa ekstrang pagganapbilang ‘poll watchers’ ay kakaltasan ng ‘tax’?

Kapiranggut na nga itong inilaanpara sa serbisyo nilang gagampanan,na may kakambal na peligro kung minsan,ang limang libo ba’y dapat pang buwisan?

Na kung tutuusin ay napakaliitna halaga para n’yan isapanganibang kanilang buhay – sino ang hihiritsa katayuhan n’yan papayag pumalit?

Kung saan ay di lang beinte kuatro orasmagtatrabaho nang halos walang puknatitong mga Titsers, na ang kaakibatnito’y sobrang pagod at matinding puyat?

Kung kayo kaya riyan na taga BIR,partikular ang mga Komisyoners diyan,papayag ba kayong sa limang libo langmagtrabaho kayo ng ganyan katagal?

Di tayo kontra sa higpit kung maningilng kaukulang ‘tax’ ang BIR natin,pero huwag namang pati ang katitingna ekstrang kita lang kailangang awasin.

Alam namin na ang inyong adbokasya,makapaningil ng malaking halaga,ano’t sa ‘taxpayers’ diyan na kagayanitong may malaking negosyo talaga.

Na ang may-ari ay mga bilyonaryoat ‘multi-millionaires’ na tulad ni Lucio,Henry Sy, Gokongwei, Ayala, Cojuangco,Ramon Ang, MVP, Villar at Andrew;

At itong iba pang ubod na ng yamanay nakukuha pang dayain kung minsanang BIR sa di pagbigay ng tamang‘receivables’ nilang marapat buwisan.

Pero ano’t sa ‘ting kakarampot na ngaang kita kung minsan sa ekstrang ginawabinubuwisan pa? Nagiging kawawalalo ang buhay ng mga manggagawa.

Nangyari na mismo sa akin ang ganyannang may ipa- ‘translate’ ang NCCA minsan‘Thru a professor of AUF,’ kung saanako itong kwenta nag-‘edit’ din naman;

Sa aklat na gawa ng isang batikangmakata ng lipi nitong lalawigan,na ipinasalin sa ating pambansangwika – ako itong lubhang nalamangan;

Pagkat di nabigyan ng ’due recognition’ang naging papel ko, na di lang ‘translator’kundi nagsilbi rin naman ‘as editor,’10k nga lang ang bigay na ‘honorarium,’

Ya’y kinaltasan pa ng di lamang yata ng singko (5 %) porsyento kaya awang-awaako sa sarili’t muntik maisumpaitong BIR sa kanilang ginawa!

Ang nangyari sa ‘kin walang kinalamansa isyu – kundi ang dapat bang buwisansa BIR, itong lilimang libo langna para sa Titsers? Sana ay huwag naman!

Jesus confirms worldsin outer space

IF THERE’S any mystery in this world that can no longer be denied because of mounting evidences it exists, it’s the UFO. Rather, put it in plural, UFOs. Even a president of the US had declared he saw some.

Sightings continue to be reported over the decades all over the world. Scientists in the US have spent so much government funds putting up technology that could pick up intelligent communication with intergalactic beings. It all sounds quite scientifi c.

Also in this world, there have been other mysteries of another kind: the undeniable apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, documented in photos and videos, and other manifestations of Catholic mystics, such as bilocation, stigmata, prophecies, among others. But those belong to the realm of religion, Catholic at that, so they don’t mystify the entire world as much as UFOs do. But this is not the concern of this piece.

It did not surprise me to know that renowned Catholic author Michael Brown also believe that UFOs belong to the spiritual realm. We share the same thought that while some UFOs are from the divine, some are demonic. Asked Brown in a recent article: “Are so-called UFOs a spiritual deception, as we long have discerned most are, when they are not more readily explained?”

Brown has reported that only a few weeks ago in Australia, “an association of pilots demanded the government take those strange aerial objects more seriously, tired of their observations being ridiculed or ignored.”

In the US, the Navy Times reported that “encounters with unidentifi ed aircraft by pilots have once again prompted Department of Defense offi cials to take action.”

“More specifi cally, the Navy confi rmed that the service is drafting guidelines to establish a formal process for pilots and military personnel to report UFO sightings. The move comes following a surge in what the Navy called a series of intrusions by advanced aircraft on Navy carrier strike groups,” the publication said.

And Brown came to this conclusion: “The government has done this — studied UFOs — since the 1940s, coming up with nothing

because, perhaps, there is nothing tangible to come up with. One intelligence group concluded that its investigators were dealing not with interplanetary vehicles but a preternatural phenomenon — which is why studying this stuff has been like trying to grab a will-o’-the-wisp.”

In the Bible, there were warnings of “signs in the sky” preceding the end times. End times as in end of an era, not the end of the world, according to some modern Catholic mystics.

Is there anything at all in the history of religious, nay, Catholic mysticism that could give some clarifi cation on UFOs? It seems there was hint of extraterrestrial lives, yes, plural, in Jesus Christ’s dictations to His secretary, Maria Valtorta in the compilation of her notes used to be known as “Poem of Man-God.”

Jesus said as follows: “The Earth, about which you are so proud and fi erce, is nothing but one of the bits of fi ne dust rotating in unboundedness, and not the biggest one. It is certainly the most corrupt one, though. Lives upon lives are teeming in the millions of worlds which are the joy of your gaze on peaceful nights, and the perfection of God will appear to you when, with the intellectual sight of your spirits rejoined to God, you are able to see the wonders of those worlds.”

My personal view is that the worlds that Jesus was referring to comprise parts of Heaven which unfortunately some theologians have reduced to a mere state of being, sans any element of corporeality, thus wrongly giving us a Heaven extremely insipid and therefore unattractive.

This revelation from Jesus would seem to imply that some UFOs are from the realm of the ethereal “above.”

But as Brown puts it, Satan imitates God and must have put in place his own UFOs to instill belief that if there are extraterrestrials, then the God of the Bible becomes irrelevant. Extraterrestrials of supreme intelligence becomes hope for a new god. All scientifi c, ripe for harvesting in the end times.

ON MAY 9, 1872, Gregorio Torres Singian, the so-called Father of Philippine Surgery, was born in San Fernando, Pampanga.

Dr. Singian, who complet-ed a degree in medicine from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in March 1896, founded the Philippine College of Sur-geons in 1936.

Notably, when he was di-rector of the San Juan De Dios Hospital in 1920, it was affi liat-ed with UST and became the UST Department of Surgery in 1929 where he instituted pro-grams and residencies that

Gregorio Torres Singian is born in San Fernando, Pampanga

helped make Philippine medi-cine what it is today.

He traveled extensively to Europe, visiting clinics and acquiring expertise pertaining to surgery. Upon his return to the country, he put up a mod-ern laboratory electro-therapy clinic.

Prior to that, in 1907, Dr. Singian was appointed as the fi rst Filipino associate profes-sor of surgery in the Philippine Medical School, which later became the University of the Philippines College of Medi-cine.

During the Filipino-Ameri-

can War, he served as a doctor in the Philippine forces under General Maximino Hizon and General Tomas Mascardo.

It is said that he treated President Manuel Luis Que-zon for malaria, nursing him back to health in his home in Pampanga and they became lifelong friends.

He was the editor of the “Revista Filipina de Medicina y Farmacia” (Philippine Review of Medicine and Pharmacy), the maiden issue of which saw light in 1910.

He died on January 29, 1937 at the age of 64.

Disobedience, in the eyes of anyone who has read history, is man’s original virtue. It is through disobedience and rebellion that progress has been made. –Oscar Wilde

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F ! 1

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINESREGIONAL TRIAL COURTTHIRD JUDICIAL REGION

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, PAMPANGAOFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT & EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF

RURAL BANK OF ANGELES, INC., Petitioner-Mortgagee, EXTRA-JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE OF ~ versus ~ REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE NO. 08-19SPOUSES LOURDES CABIGTING DE GUZMANAND CONRADO T. DE GUZMAN, represented bytheir Attorney-In-Fact, NINO ADONIS P. SARMIENTO Respondents-Mortgagors.

x--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------xNOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE

WHEREAS, upon Extra-Judicial Petition for Sale under Act No. 3135 as amended by the Act No. 4118, fi led by RURAL BANK OF ANGELES, INC., mortgagee, with postal address at No. 1229 Miranda corner Sto. Entierro Streets, Angeles City against SPOUSES LOURDES CABIGTING DE GUZMAN AND CONRADO T. DE GUZMAN, represented by their Attorney-In-Fact, NINO ADONIS P. SARMIENTO, mortgagors, with postal address at Brgy. Parian, Mexico, Pampanga to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of March 11, 2019 amounted to ONE MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED SEVENTEEN THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED TWENTY PESOS AND 85/100 (PHP1,817,620.85) Philippine Currency, excluding penalties, Attorney’s Fees and expenses of foreclosure, the undersigned authorized Sheriff IV will sell at public auction on May 16, 2019 at 9:00 in the morning or soon thereafter at the Regional Trial Court, City of San Fernando, Pampanga, to the highest bidder in CASH or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency the property with all the improvements thereon, to wit:

TRANSFER CERTIFICA TE OF TITLE NO. (92915-R) 042-2018004490REGISTRY OF DEEDS OF SAN FERNANDO PAMPANGA

A PARCEL OF LAND (LOT 1035-A OF THE SUBDIVISION PLAN PSD-2154, BEING A PORTION OF LOT NO. 1035 OF MEXICO CADASTER, G.L.R.O. CAD. REC. NO. 125 WITH ALL BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS; EXCEPT THESE HEREIN EXPRESS BY NOTED AS BELONGING TO OTHER PERSONS, SITUATED IN THE BARRIO OF SANTO DOMINGO, MUNICIPALITY OF MEXICO. BOUNDED ON THE NE. BY SAPANG LUCUNG, ON THE SE. BY LOT NO. 1035-B OF THE SUBDIVISION PLAN AND LOT NO. 1033; ON THE SW. BY LOT 1033; AND ON THE NW. BY LOT NO. 1951, LOT NO. 1045 AND LOT NO. 1046. BEGINNING AT A POINT… CONTAINING AN AREA OF FORTY ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED TWENTY TWO (41,522) SQUARE METERS, MORE OR LESS…

Prospective bidders are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title of the above-described property and to the encumbrances existing thereon, if any there be.

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date.

In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on May 23, 2019 at the same time and at the same place mentioned above without further notice.

City of San Fernando, Pampanga, April 2, 2019.

REGINALDO D. SERRANO Sheriff IV

(Regional Trial Court Br. 48)Copy Furnished:

Rural Bank of Angeles, Inc. - 1229 Miranda corner Sto. Entierro Streets, Angeles CitySpouses Lourdes Cabigting De Guzman and Conrado T. De Guzman - Brgy. Parian, Mexico, Pampanga

PUNTO! Central Luzon: May 2, 9, 16, 2019

“Lazatin’s votes are in a plateau, so the rise or fall (of his votes) are negligible. Nepomu-ceno is on an irrevers-ible downward trajec-tory, while Cauguiran, most probably, will rake in the undecided voters while solidifying his loyal forces in the endgame,” Manabat said.

The poll result showed Cauguiran ranked fi rst in 13 baran-gays. The survey has a margin of error of 1.8 percent and conduct-ed in 33 barangays with 3,000 random respon-dents proportional to vot-ers per barangay.

Manabat said the sur-veyors ensured a ran-dom method in a com-munity with household intervals of at least seven houses where the ques-

Pogi, Alex in photo fi nishtion asked was: “Kung ikaw ay boboto sa darat-ing na Mayo 13, sino ang pipiliin mong Mayor?”

In a previous poll con-ducted from December 12 to 14, 2018, Nepomu-ceno was at the top at 39 percent, Lazatin at 31 percent and Cauguiran at merely eight percent.

Nepo cascadingIn his column at Sun

Star Pampanga last Feb-ruary 2, veteran journal-ist Max Sangil referred to a January 2019 sur-vey and said among the three mayoral candi-dates, “the fastest gain-er is Cauguiran who jumped from a measly eight percent and now 27 percent. Lazatin is static at 31 percent (whereas) Nepomuceno who, late last year was more than 50 percent, cascaded to 39 percent.”

Sangil also men-tioned “an independent group commissioned by a sportsman-business-man” as surveyors.

From the results of another survey conduct-ed on February 2 to 5 in the city’s 33 barangays, Nepomuceno still had the upper hand at 34.29 percent (2,160 votes), Lazatin at 32.71 percent (2,061 votes) while Cau-guiran was able to catch up at 32.03 percent (2,018 votes), while the undecided was surveyed at 1 percent (61 votes), Manabat said.

The local Commis-sion on Election offi ce recently pegged the number of registered voters in Angeles City at 199,007.

City hall offi cials, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal, point to the dip of Nepomuceno’s

survey performance due to the controversial is-sue of a P1.5 billion loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines, the corresponding ordi-nances of which were approved by the vice mayor as head of the sangguniang panlung-sod along with Councilor Lazatin.

Loan issueCauguiran earlier ex-

posed and criticized this loan in his campaign sorties saying they were used to build a new city hall building and sports complex instead of im-proving the facilities and services of the city’s public hospital and col-lege.

“Cauguiran’s aware-ness and acceptance (level) among voters rose also because of this (loan issue). Voters saw

through his opponents who, instead of priori-tizing funding for public health care and quality education, entered into an irregular loan agree-ment, and thus showed poorly in the surveys. They (Nepomuceno and Lazatin) never recovered from the public backlash of what they did,” Mana-bat said.

“Cauguiran’s jump from a measly eight per-cent in February to the current 35 percent is in-dicative of the voters’ ap-preciation to a new style of leadership at the lo-cal government unit es-pecially when the city is faced with huge chal-lenges as a primary city

amid the Greater Clark Area’s continued prog-ress,” the party spokes-person said.

“The fi rst step in changing the political landscape of the city from the dominance of traditional, wealthy fami-lies, to a city that is truly responsive to the needs of the ordinary Angeleño, is to catapult to power someone whose strong managerial leadership has been tested for de-cades,” she added.

Cauguiran is running under the 34,000-strong Kambilan Da Reng Abe Party affi liated with in-cumbent Pampanga Governor Lilia G. Pine-da.

envisioned by the gov-ernment as a “green city” which has placed this town in the map, not only in the Philippines but in the world, the mayor said, as he thanked Fil-invest for its investment here.

In a joint venture with the Bases Conver-sion and Development Authority (BCDA), Filin-vest, through its real es-tate subsidiary, Filinvest Land, is seeking to de-velop a modern, smart and sustainable city within the Philippines.

The fi rst phase in-volves a 64-hectare In-novation and Logistic Park to serve as the eco-nomic base of the city with completion target-ed in the fi rst quarter of 2020, with an addition-al 60 hectares expected to be developed within three years thereafter.

“We have a vision of creating a modern, sustainable and smart city that we envisage will serve as an agent of change in shaping a stronger economy,” Filin-vest Land Inc. president

Filinvest groundbreaks new township...F ! 1 Josephine Gotianun-Yap

said in her speech.“We bring in to New

Clark City the same pas-sion and clear vision our townships like Filin-vest city stands and are founded on,” she added.

Yap also noted the re-gion’s “impressive” 2018 gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 7.1 percent far outpacing the 6.2 Philippine GDP growth now among the highest in the ASEAN re-gion.

“It is truly with great honor that Filinvest can be part of New Clark City, BCDA’s historic milestone that the next generation will look back with gratitude and pride,” she added.

Yap said Filinvest believes the township stands to benefi t from the government’s support for the project through the participation of BCDA as well as the benefi ts de-rived from being locat-ed in a special economic and freeport zone.

PioneerFor his part, BCDA

president-CEO Vince Dizon took note of Fil-

invest’s pioneering spir-it as the fi rst investor of NCC even as early 2015.

”Filinvest is one of BCDA’s pioneer and in-tegral partners in New Clark City, as we share the vision of creating op-portunities in a modern, smart, and green me-tropolis. We look forward to seeing this new proj-ect come to life,” Dizon said.

Also present were Clark Development Corp. president-CEO Noel F. Manankil, Fil-invest Group Head of Township Master Plan-ning and president of Filinvest Alabang, Inc. Catherine Ilagan, senior vice president and Busi-ness Group Head for In-dustrial Parks of Filinvest Land Francis Ceballos.

It was noted that the location of the Filinvest township has benefi ted from the construction of transport infrastructure, such as the Subic-Clark Tarlac Expressway and Clark International Air-port, among others.

These and the gov-ernment’s planned fu-ture transport links, such as the Manila-Clark

Highspeed Rail and the Clark-Subic Cargo Rail, which are expected to help bridge the distance between Clark and the Philippines’ major cities as well as provide ac-cessible inbound and outbound access for tourists and foreign in-vestors.

As part of its commit-ment to build a sustain-able community, Filin-vest expects to apply for a Leadership in Environ-mental and Energy De-sign (LEED) certifi cation for the establishments within the township.

In December 2019, the NCC will play host to the 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), providing an opportu-nity to showcase the township’s readiness to do business. The facili-ties for the SEA Games include a world-class sports complex compris-ing an athletic stadium with a seating capacity of 20,000, an aquatic cen-ter with a seating capac-ity of 2,000 and an ath-letes’ village that can ac-commodate up to 1,000 athletes.

–Ashley Manabat

pwede gamitin na bago, maluwag at mas mabi-lis,” Villar pointed out.

An additional feature implemented by Vilar in

Villar inaugurates P509-M bypass roadF ! 1 this project was the in-

clusion of bike lanes, dis-cussing the importance of pedestrian infrastruc-ture in roads across the country.

“As part of DPWH,

not only is it our main goal to provide vehic-ular infrastructure, but pedestrian infrastructure as well - especially for those who do not have private vehicles of their

own. This is why we aim to incorporate bike lanes in all our projects simi-lar to what we did here in the Pulilan-Baliuag Diversion Road,” Villar said. –Press release

MOTHER’S DAY is just around the corner! This May 12, 2019 - Midori Clark Hotel and Casino is all set to stage a memorable and extra-special cel-ebration for moms with the Celebrate MOMent: A Mother’s Day Buff et.

Happening at Midori Clark Hotel and Casino’s main dining outlet - Toscana Dining from 6PM - 10PM. Mom’s special day is even more memorable as the Celebrate MOMent features a special buff et, live entertainment and special tokens only for her.

Priced at P1,500net/head, this dinner buff et will feature a delectable international spread highlight-ing the theme of the month Fiesta Mexicana.

Celebrate MOMent this Mother’s Day at MidoriThe whole family will surely enjoy an array of sta-

tions from appetizers down to the desserts. Buff et will fi ll your appetite with UNLIMITED drinks, beer and wine.

Treats that only MOM’s DeserveIn honor of someone so loving and exceptional, Mi-

dori Clark Hotel and Casino let to eat moms for FREE!Simply tag along three (3) full paying adults, bring

a proof of MOMbership such as birth certifi cate or family picture. Plus, as a way for showing never end-ing love, mom also receives a succulents to add in her collection.

Extra treats to thy queen are not over! Moms get a chance to win special treats from Midori Clark Hotel and Casino. A pampering moment at Midori Clark Hotel and Casino’s Chan Spa and a water-mazing experience at Aqua Planet.

With not much time left to make a reservation, it’s probably best to reserve your table now!

For reservations email restaurants@midoriho-tel.com or call 09178682217 / 045 308 8888.

Be updated! Visit www.midorihotel.com or stay connected, like Facebook.com/midoriclarkhotel, follow @midoriclark on Twitter and @midoriho-telcasino on Instagram. –Press release

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SpotlightArci Pineda

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINESOFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT

REGIONAL TRIAL COURTTHIRD JUDICIAL REGION

ANGELES CITY

ALLAN RAZON GARCIA, FC CASE NO. 2019-2001Peteitioner/Mortgagee, Extrajudicial Foreclosure of -versus- Real Estate Mortgage under Act No. 3135 as AmendedSPS. MARINA F. LUGTU and by Act No. 4118HILARIO S. LUGTU represented byhis attorney-in-fact, MARINA F. LUGTURepsondents/Mortgagors.

x------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------xNOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE

Upon extra judicial petition for sale under Act 3135 as amended, fi led by the above-named Mortgagee against the Mortgagor SPS. MARINA F. LUGTU AND HILARIO S. LUGTU represented by his attorney-in-fact, MARINA F. LUGTU, with residence and postal address at No. 453 Purok 3, Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Porac, Pampanga to satisfy the mortgage debt which as of March 18, 2019 amounts to ONE MILLION THREE HUNDRED SIXTY SIX THOUSAND PESOS (Php.1,366,000.00) Philippine Currency, together with the agreed interests, and penalties until fully paid and fi fteen (15%) percent of all amounts due as by way of attorney’s fees, the undersigned Sheriff IV will sell at public auction on June 4, 2019 at 10:00 o’clock in the morning or soon thereafter at the Offi ce of the Clerk of Court Regional Trial Court, located at G/F Jose Abad Santos Hall of Justice, Pulung Maragul, Angeles City, Pampanga, to the highest bidder, for cash or manager’s check and in Philippine Currency, the following parcel of land with all the improvements existing thereon, to wit:

TCT NO. -045-2013002523-“A parcel of land (Lot 19, Block 7, of the subdivision plan Psd-

03-138514, being a portion of Lot 1, Pcs-03-012747, LRC Rec. No.) situated in the Barrio of Pampang, City of Angeles. Bounded on the NW., along lines 1-2-3 by Road Lot 2, on the NE., along line 3-4, by Lot 18, Blk. 7, on the SE., along lines 4-5-6, by easement Lot, and on the SW., along line 6-1 by Lot 20, Blk. 7, all of the subdivision plan. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx …Containing an area of TWO HUNDRED FOURTEEN (214) SQUARE METERS more or less x x x”.

Prospective buyers may investigate for themselves the above-described property and encumbrances thereon, if there be any.

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date.

In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on June 11, 2019 at 10:00 o’clock in the morning without further notice.

Angeles City, April 29, 2019.

GLENN P. CARLOS Sheriff IVCopy furnished:

ALLAN RAZON GARCIANo. 724 Valenzuela St.,Brgy. Lourdes Sur EastAngeles CityPampanga

SPS. MARINA F. LUGTUAND HILARIO S. LUGTUNo. 453 Purok 3, Brgy. Sta. CruzPorac, Pampanga

ATTY. EDGAR VICENTE D. OCAMPO2/F Mendoza Bldg., Mirand St.Angeles CityPampanga

PUNTO! Central Luzon: May 2, 9 & 16, 2019

NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENTNotice is hereby given that the heirs of MARIO ESGUERRA who died

intestate on June 14, 1998 in Mexico, Pampanga executed an Affi davit of Extrajudicial Settlement with Special Power of Attorney on his estate, more particularly described as a parcel of land (Lot 16 of the subdivision plan Psd-03-029312 (OLT), being a portion of Lot 2 Pcs-03-000300 and L.R.C. Rec. No. __), situated in the Barrio of San Nicolas & San Lorenzo, Municipality of Mexico, Province of Pampanga and covered by Transfer Certifi cate of Title No. 11837, Emancipation Patent No. 412398 in the Registry of Deeds of Pampanga, before Notary Public Gener C. Endona as per Doc No. 195, Page No. 40, Book No. 56, Series of 2017.

Punto! Central Luzon: May 9, 16 & 23, 2019

Lea Salonga feels dismayed by those ‘singing out of tune’ in

noontime musical variety showLEA SALONGA on unnamed noontime musical variety show: “We deserve far better than what we’re being off ered.”

The award-winning Broadway actress reposted the post of her brother, Gerard Salonga, who is himself a world-renowned orchestral conductor and musical arranger.

Lea wrote on her verifi ed Facebook account on Sunday, May 5: “From Gerard’s Facebook page. It was too good to not share.

“Was watching a noontime musical variety show, and my daughter very accurately remarked “they’re singing out of tune, and way too slow”. Producers and artists alike - please realize that there are a lot of people who actually listen, and are not merely dazzled by the stars.”

In the comments section of her post, Lea responded to a writer who also observed the same thing. Reporter Pilar Mateo commented on Lea’s post: “Sabi ko na may makakapuna!!!”In response, Lea pointed out: “Lagi naman eh! But no one wants to do anything about it!”The singer-actress also commented, “I’d like to think that we deserve far

better than what we’re being off ered. Haist! Ewan!” q q q

CLINT BONDAD is now an offi cial Kapuso after inking a managerial contract with GMA-7 on May 7, 2019..

On Instagram, Clint thanked his Love You Two co-star, Jennylyn Mercado, for being one of the reasons why he wanted to become a Kapuso.

The two fi rst worked together in an episode of Dear Uge in November 2018. It was Clint’s fi rst appearance on GMA-7 after doing TV shows with rival network ABS-CBN.

He wrote, “And the transfer is offi cial! Part of the #kapuso network GMA

“Just wanted to say thanks to @mercadojenny for being the main reason why I became interested. Our Dear Uge episode last year really changed my view on a view things. Needless to say you are such a sweetheart!”

Clint also thanked his handler Christian Torio and GMA Network in his post.

He wrote: “thanks to the Kapuso Network GMA for all the fun we already had so far and will have!”

GMA-7 TV host Tonipet Gaba and actor Andre Paras left comments on Clint’s post.

Tonipet wrote, “Finally! Welcome to GMA, Brother!”

Andre commented, “I can Finally be your stunt double (minus the shirtless parts)”

Clint fi rst did a regular TV project in 2016, via ABS-CBN’s daytime series Be My Lady, starring Erich Gonzales and Daniel Matsunaga.

In 2017, he became a part of ASAP’s boy group Coverboys, along with Albie Casiño, Luis Hontiveros, Tommy Esguerra, and Tanner Mata.

However, in that same year, the boy group was disbanded.

On January 21, 2019, through an Instagram post, Clint explained that he left ASAP and stopped appearing in TV shows to focus on his business. Lea Salonga

SM FOUNDATION INC. (SMFI) awards scholarship grants to around 500 incoming college students na-tionwide at the MAAX Auditorium in Pasay City, and in either SM Stores

500 students get SM scholarship grants, 7 from Tarlacor SM Malls in various provinces, si-multaneously on May 8, 2019.

In Tarlac, seven college scholarship recipients namely, Monica Charize Agu-ilar, Carol Beteño, Aisle Lush Valdez,

Kyla Grace Aduca, Alliah angelica Ban-aybanay, Mark Lester Quiambao and Joseph Christopher Balabag, were ori-ented and awarded along with their par-ents and guardians at the training room of The SM Store at SM City Tarlac.

“We are very thankful to SM for this opportunity that we are granted”, said Mr. Rey Aduca, father of one of the SMFI scholarship recipients. He could not help his tears as he expressed his deepest thanks for the blessing given to their family.

Mr. Jerry S. Dy, Branch Manager (BM) of The SM Store shared words of wisdom to the new scholars. He en-couraged them to study hard and to stay focused in their chosen courses.

Meanwhile, Engr. Thelma Mangu-bat, SM City Tarlac’s Building Admin-istration Manager (BAM), advised the scholars to have a vision and to keep an eye in that vision just as she did when she was their age.

Of the 500 new SM college schol-ars, 35% are from the National Capital Region (NCR) and 65% are from the other provinces, bringing the total num-

ber of college scholars to 1,200 for school year 2019 – 2020. This year also marks another milestone for the program as it expanded its reach to students from Bataan, Daet and Sor-sogon.

The SM College Scholarship pro-gram was founded on SM patriarch, Tatang Henry Sy, Sr.’s belief that education is the greatest equaliz-er. He believed that if he could help send one child to school, that child can then help his or her siblings fi n-ish schooling and together, they can help uplift their family out of poverty. From its inception in 1993, the pro-gram has produced 3,274 college scholar-graduates and still contin-ues to provide thousands of Filipino youth the chance for a better future through higher education.

SM Foundation is the social de-velopment arm of the SM Group of Companies. Its programs are fo-cused on providing better access to education, healthcare, food securi-ty through farmers’ training, shelter, and social inclusion. –Press release

Awardees of SMFI scholarship grants at the MAAX Auditorium in Pasay City . C!-"&./%"'0 , !"!

PUNTO! CENTRAL LUZON • MAY 9 - 11, 2019 • THURSDAY - SATURDAY

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PUNTO! CENTRAL LUZON • MAY 9 - 11, 2019 • THURSDAY - SATURDAY

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the “new center for economic development.”

“Having Proactive Proper-ties onboard in our endeav-or of building CGC as a new central business district aligns with our mission of building this generation’s new center of commerce, life and innova-tion,” GGDC chair Dennis A. Uy said.

“It is notable that Proactive Properties is not just an up and coming industry player, it is an off shoot of a six-year long industry insights and ex-perience gained by PRIME Philippines. It has a fresh per-spective and, being led by millennials, it understands the needs of this generation in terms of work-life balance and how a business district can in-spire that,” he added.

PRIME Philippines is a real estate consulting group founded by Jettson “Jet” Yu that provides sound recom-mendations and guidance for enterprises who are on the lookout for owning a proper-ty that is aligned with their ob-jectives.

It has recently released a report titled “Philippine Real Estate Outlook for 2019.”

For the fi rst phase of its development, Proactive Prop-erties intends to build a mil-lennial-inspired commercial center which will bring inter-national retail shops to this freeport and Pampanga.

Its second phase of de-velopment covering 2,800 square meters will be a 12-storey offi ce building, de-signed for international com-panies that aims to take ad-vantage of the tax incentives of this freeport.

“We share the same vi-sion of ‘The New Center’ with Udenna Group. Apart from the bullish demand for offi ce spaces and retail spaces in Clark for the next fi ve years, we see the need of an addi-tional Central Business Dis-trict outside the congested areas of Makati, Taguig and Pasig,” Proactive Properties CEO Jet Yu said.

The real estate company is banking on the phenome-nal growth of Central Luzon. It said the region’s “growing and

Clark Global City welcomes Proactive Properties

IN JUST three years under the Duterte administration, the Bases Conversion and Devel-opment Authority (BCDA) has remitted P15.455 billion, much higher than the total P14.464 billion declared during the six-year Aquino administration.

BCDA recently remitted to the National Treasury the amount of P5.401 billion rep-resenting asset disposition proceeds, dividends and guar-antee fees. The state-owned agency previously declared P6.004 billion in 2018, and P4.050 billion in 2017.

“BCDA’s positive perfor-mance in the past three years can be attributed to the effi -cient governance promoted by President Duterte. Because of this, BCDA has already remit-ted P1 billion more than what was declared during the six years of the previous adminis-tration,” said Dizon.

BCDA remits P15-B in just three years under Duterte

PAL COMPLETES LONG HAUL JET REFLEETING. Philippine Airlines completed its widebody refl eeting for long-haul operations with the arrival last May 4, 2019 of the 6th Airbus A350-900 aircraft that are designed for ultra-long haul fl ights to the North America east coast and Europe. Capt. Emmanuel Generoso led the delivery team that fl ew the A350 direct from the Airbus plant in Toulouse, France. –PR

Republic Act No. 7656 or the “Dividend Law” requires government-owned and -con-trolled corporations, including BCDA, to declare and remit at least 50 percent of their annu-al net earnings.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), BCDA’s biggest stakeholder, got the lion’s share of P12.5 billion in the past three years.

Out of the total P15.455 bil-lion, P12.5 billion was contrib-uted to the modernization pro-gram of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), BCDA’s biggest stakeholder.

“This amount refl ects the commitment and support of BCDA and the Duterte admin-istration to upgrade the capa-bilities of the AFP,” said Dizon.

Since its creation in 1992, BCDA has remitted a total of P62.229 billion to the National Treasury. –BCDA-PAD

talented population of more than 2.1 million only shows that a minimum of 300,000 square meters of offi ce loca-tions and 200,000 square me-ters of commercial retail spac-es will be needed within the next fi ve years.”

With a buildable area of more than 123 hectares, CGC will host top-grade offi ce build-ings, up-market retail outlets, contemporary academic cen-ters, sports centers, an urban park, an iconic tower, an inte-grated resort and casino, and modern support services and amenities.

CGC was previously envi-sioned as an aviation-focused logistics park exclusively de-veloped by GGDC. When the Udenna Group took over in 2017, it renewed its lease agreement over the estate to run until 2085 and amended the master plan with a vision of developing the area as the next central business district – maximizing allowable building heights and fl oor area ratios, opening additional access points, right-sizing the lot cuts to the needs of the market, and welcoming local partners in developing the leasehold.

The development has since received strong interest from locators. According to a market study conducted by the research team of PRIME Philippines, CGC is well po-sitioned to be the fi rst central business district in Pampanga given its premium infrastruc-ture and close proximity to the Clark International Airport.

Situated within this free-port, the development off ers an ideal regulatory, economic and operating environment. It is also poised to benefi t from various public infrastructure projects such as the expan-sion of the Clark International Airport, NLEx-SLEx Connec-tor Road, Subic-Clark Cargo Railway and PNR North Rail-way.

“We are confi dent that Proactive Properties’ mixed-use development will fur-ther establish and help fulfi ll CGC’s purpose of becoming the next central business dis-trict in the northern part of Lu-zon,” Uy said.

B A M!"#

CLARK FREEPORT -- A 2,208 square-meter lot at the sprawling Clark Global City (CGC) here has been marked

for a mixed-use development by Proactive Properties De-velopment Corp. (Proactive Properties).

This was affi rmed with the signing of a memorandum of

agreement between Global Gateway Development Corp. (GGDC) and Proactive Prop-erties recently which the for-mer planned as part of the mission in building CGC as

TRULY THAT fashion shows are not only for slim, long-legged, and young girls, as this was recently proven by the elderly group in San Jose del Monte City through a fashion show organized by SM in an eff ort to continuous-ly recognize the talent and skills of the senior citizens.

Dubbed as “Senior Fash-ionistas”, 45 chic grandmas from diff erent barangay se-nior citizens aff airs offi ces fearlessly walk the runway at the mall atrium to show-case their renewed confi -dence highlighting the diff er-

ent fashion trends from 1960’s to 199 0’s.

More than 500 other senior citizens fl ocked the venue to support their fellow senior cit-izens as well as the family and friends of the participants.

The Seniors Day at the Mall in SM City San Jose del Mon-te is a quarterly event to show love and appreciation to the senior members of the com-munity and also to encourage them to stay active despite the age.

Earlier this year, senior citizens celebrated their fi rst gathering through a dance

competition to highlight their talent in dancing and to prove that they still have the energy and groove, and also to promote healthy lifestyle. Same goes for the next se-nior’s day on the third quar-ter this year, which is pegged to highlight the food prepara-tion and cooking skills of our beloved elderlies. Date is yet to be announce.

For more exciting and fun happenings, you may check SM City San Jose del Mon-te’s offi cial Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SMC-itySanJoseDelMonte/. –PR

Senior Fashionistas walk atSM City San Jose Del Monte’s runway

Participants laugh after they are asked to turn right mimicking the traditional right and left turn in a pageant during the second Senior’s Day at SM City San Jose del Monte. C!-"&./%"'0 , !"!

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STATE-RUN Social Securi-ty System (SSS) on Thurs-day said more than P30.5 billion in salary loans were released in 2018 to over 1.8 million member-borrowers.

SSS President and Chief Executive Offi cer Aurora C. Ignacio said that salary loan acquisition rose to 5.3 per-cent last year compared with the preceding year.

“We are glad that we are able to help more of our members on their fi nancial needs in the form of salary loans,” Ignacio said.

Of the total loan releases in 2018, more than 166,000 or 9.22 percent of the 1.8 million loan releases were through Union Bank of the Philippines’ (UBP) Quick Card. This fi gure is almost triple compared with the 55,835 recorded in 2017.

“Over the years, we have seen that more members opt to receive their salary loan proceeds through electron-ic means since they do not have to wait for their checks to be delivered to their hous-es or offi ces and go person-ally to the bank to encash the check. We have decid-ed to further expand the pro-gram of salary loans through UBP Quick Cards by allow-ing more kiosks in additional branches nationwide,” Igna-cio said.

As of date, of the 10 ad-ditional branches, four of which already have UBP Quick Cards kiosks. These branches are Cubao, San Francisco Del Monte, Mariki-na, and Binondo.

SSS branches that of-fer the program since 2015 are Diliman, Makati-Gil Puy-

SSS releasesP30.5-B salary loans in 2018

at, Pasig Shaw, Makati-Aya-la, Kalookan, Mandaluy-ong, Manila, Alabang, Baco-or, Biñan, Dagupan, Bagu-io, Cebu, Iloilo, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro.

The Salary Loan Releas-es Thru-the Bank Program authorized UBP to provide an effi cient and convenient mode for the release of sal-ary loan proceeds of the member-borrowers. It can be performed either through di-rect crediting to SSS mem-ber-borrower’s UBP Quick Card, which is an ATM card linked to UBP savings ac-count, or if readily available, through an existing UBP Checking or Savings Ac-count.

Members who wish to avail of the program must fi le their loan applications personally at the branches where UBP on-site kiosks are stationed.

From three to fi ve work-ing days upon the approval of the loan, the member-bor-rower will receive the loan proceeds in their account. They may withdraw the pro-ceeds through any Mega-Link, BancNet, and Express-net automated machines.

“With the continuous in-crease of members avail-ing of the SSS benefi ts and loan programs, we are com-mitted to develop effi cient and convenient options to better serve our members. But we would like to remind our members that these are loans that should be paid re-ligiously and on time to avoid penalties and possible de-ductions in their fi nal claim like retirement,” Ignacio said.

–Press release

CLARK FREEPORT— A Kore-an fi rm is set to pour additional P15 billion investments in their leisure and resort complex project in the next three years inside this Freeport zone.

The additional invest-ment was announced during the signing of the consolidat-ed lease agreement between Clark Development Corpo-ration (CDC) President and CEO Noel F. Manankil and Wi-dus International Leisure Inc. (WILI) President Daesik Han.

In an interview, WILI Assis-tant Vice President for Corpo-rate Planning and Compliance Agnes ‘Neki’ Liwanag said their fi rm has committed to pour the additional investment to develop a new property that will complement their existing facilities here.

“This property that we got (which is around three hect-ares) is to supplement our cur-rent property thus giving WILI a total of around 11 hectares of property to develop. For us to acquire the lease for this prop-erty, we committed to be able

Widus Int’l adds P15-B investments in tourism-related project in Clark

COMMITMENT. CDC president-CEO Noel F. Manankil signs the consolidated lease agreement with Widus International Leisure Inc. president Daesik Han to invest an additional P15 billion in the next three years. At the signing are CDC VP for business enhancement and business development group Evangeline Tejada, Widus AVP for corporate planning and compliance Agnes Liwanag, CDC chair Jose “Ping” De Jesus and CDC directors Ana Liza Peralta and Nestor Villaroman, Jr.

P !"! $!%&"'() !* CDC-CD

to have invested a total of P15 billion ($300 million) by 2022,” Liwanag mentioned.

Part of the P15 billion com-mitted investment by year 2022 are the on- going con-struction of their Tower 4 which composed of 380 rooms, the expansion of their casino and the establishment of a retail area here.

Once the project is com-pleted, Liwanag said that this will fulfi ll their vision of making Widus “the fi rst fully-integrat-ed resort outside Metro Ma-nila.”

WILI has already invested around $200 million which in-cludes the Widus Tower 1 and 2, the existing casino and the Clark Marriott Hotel. Accord-ingly, around $300 million or P15 billion investment will be added once their Tower 4 is completed.

“We intend to bring in more branded hotels in Clark to en-sure that Widus provides noth-ing but the best in the indus-try,” Liwanag added.

–CDC CommDep

CABANATUAN CITY - At least 87 residents, mostly benefi -ciaries of the conditional cash transfer program, popularly known as Pantawid Pamily-ang Pilipino Program (4Ps), from Barangay Daang Sarile here have fi nished a 45-day training on urban gardening Wednesday.

Alberto Pangilinan, 44, a motor mechanic, said he has already felt the relief of earn-ing additional income from an erstwhile isolated backyard which is now planted to diff er-ent vegetables, including egg-plant, tomato, chili and lettuce.

The training called Kab-alikat sa Kabuhayan, which also included seminar on pro-

Villagers venture into urban gardening

duction of organic fertilizer and pesticide, was principally sponsored by the SM Founda-tion, the charity arm of the gi-ant mall chain.

“Wala kaming ginamit na kahit anong commercial na abono at pamatay-kulisap,” said Pangilinan. The scheme, he said, made them earn bet-ter as they produced healthy vegetables. “Malaking tulong sa amin.”

Cristina Angeles, assistant vice president of SM Founda-tion, said the project is being conducted in cooperation with the city social welfare and de-velopment, the agriculture de-partment and the village offi -cials.

The program, she said, is being implemented in diff erent parts of the country with bene-fi ciaries already numbering to 23,000.

“Kami po ay nagpapas-alamat, bagaman at maliit na porsiyento na hindi itinuloy, pero alam ko sa pagtatanim ng halaman sa mga nagtagump-ay kami po ay very very proud sa inyo kasi patuloy niyo kam-ing pakakainin,” Angeles said.

She asked for God’s con-tinuous guidance for urban farmers.

On Tuesday, the farmers had their harvest festival at the village. They prepared food using their organic vegetables.

– Armand M. Galang

Harvesting chili. P !"! /) A&+3-0 G323-6

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ANGELES CITY – Scores of various multi-sectoral groups have joined the bandwagon be-hind the candidacy of Joseller “Yeng” Guiao, boosting his comeback bid as Congressman of First District of Pampanga.

This developed even as a recent poll survey showed that Guiao is ahead of Cong. Jon-jon Lazatin for the congressio-nal race.

Leading this group is the Association of United Christian Churches of Angeles and Maba-lacat (AUCCAM) which recently issued a Manifesto of Support for the former Congressman. The organization also has mem-bers from Magalang town which forms part of the First District.

Part of the Manifesto states: “we (shall) endorse and cam-paign Cong Joseller Yeng Guiao’s candidacy to our mem-bers, friends, and acquaintanc-es with prejudice and bias to-wards him.”

The manifesto was present-ed to Guiao by AUCCAM Chair Rev. Gilbert K. Miole, head pas-tor of the Christian Praise and Worship Church, one of the biggest churches in the First

More groups join Guiao BandwagonDistrict. AUCCAM comprises of evangelical and born again churches. Several AUCCAM members also support the can-didacy of re-electionist May-or Garbo and his running mate Atty Geld Aquino in Mabalacat City.

A huge religious group in the First District has also endorsed the candidacy of Guiao for Con-gressman.

Other groups that have thrown their support to Guiao including the women and youth sector in the district.

We support the candidacy of Congressman Yeng because we believe he can work for the advancement of gender and de-velopment programs in the fi rst district.

“Kami po sumusuporta sa kandidatura ni Congressman Yeng Guiao dahil naniniwa-la kami siya lang ang tanging makakapagsulong sa aming mga karapatan,” Maria Wilma Rodriguez, President of Moth-er’s Club in Magalang said.

Guiao also has projects lined-up for the youth, spe-cifi cally the development of a sports program.

MORE SUPPORT. Comebacking former 1st District Rep. Joseller “Yeng” Guiao receives a copy of manifesto from Alliance of United Christian Churches in Angeles and Mabalacat chairman Rev. Gilbert Miole as the evangelical/born again leaders and members throw support to his congressional bid. C!-"&./%"'0 , !"!