Lingayen – Second district congressman Leopoldo N. Bataoil recently commended the brand of leadership of Governor Amado T. Espino, (GATE) Jr. which led to the effective implementation of pioneering environmental advocacies that catapulted the province to the hall of fame awards and citations in environmental governance.

“It takes a positive and inspiring leadership that made everyone cooperate and work together to make rivers in Pangasinan clean and green,” thus said by Cong. Bataoil, who was invited as guest of honor and speaker during the commemorative program and awarding ceremony of Pistay Dayat 2016 held on May 1 at the riverside in Banaga, Bugallon shortly after the staging of Banca Parada.

Bataoil further noted that the massive clearing and dredging of river systems initiated by the Espino administration brought back the natural beauty and grandeur of the rivers in the province.

Citing the positive transformation of the Agno River, the unopposed re-electionist solon said that the department of the environment and natural resources has even recognized the Agno river as among the cleanest rivers in the country today.

Meanwhile, Governor Espino thanked Pangasinenses for the all-out support he received which contributed to the over-all efforts to propel development initiatives in the province since he assumed the province’s top post in 2007.

Gov. Espino likewise bared that the Ilog Ko, Aroen Tan Bilayen Ko advocacy, a component of the multi-awarded coastal resource management (CRM) program of the provincial government, united Pangasinenses to protect, preserve and conserve natural resources of the province.

Multi-awarded province of Pangasinan under the Espino administration was adjudged regional hall of famer in CRM in 2010, for three years in a row of winning the CRM (2008, 2009 and 2010).

“All that we did to protect and preserve the natural landscapes of our province are not for us anymore, but for the benefit of the future generations,” Espino said.

At the peak of Pistay Dayat celebration, revelers witnessed the grand spectacle of hundreds of artistically-fashioned motorized bancas cruising along the Limahong Channel from sitio Bantayan, Pangapisan Norte, Lingayen to Banaga, Bugallon.

The Banca Parada, a display of the beauty of Pangasinan river and appreciation of its historical relevance, was participated in by 123 contingents from local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations (         NGOs), national government agencies (NGAs), private business sector (PBS), including 89 barangay entries.

The parade is divided into two categories: category A (barangays) and category B (NGAs, LGUs, NGOs, PBS and various stakeholders).

Winners for category A are: Brgy. Dulag, Binmaley (Champion); San Isidro Sur, Binmaley (1^st runner-up); and Brgy.Gueset, Bugallon (2^nd runner-up). Category B winners, on the other hand, include LGU Binmaley (Champion); LGU Bugallon (1^st runner-up); and CENPELCO (2^nd runner-up).

Winners received Php. 25,000 (champion); Php 20, 000 (1^st runner-up); and Php.15,000 (2^nd runner-up).

Lingayen – Twenty-three-year-old Riza Diego, one of the 23 candidates vying for Limgas na Pangasinan 2016 crown, emerged as the most-talented candidate in the talent showdown held at the Sison Auditorium on April 25.

Diego, who hails from Bayambang, delivered a catchy performance of her portrayal as “Pinkaw,” a mistreated and ill-fated individual in a society ruled by greed and power.

Despite technical glitches with her lapel, she still nailed a smooth performance which captivated the attention of the crowd.

“Actually po wala akong masyadong preparation. Nagkaroon lang ako ng script and then ako na po ‘yong bahala sa gagawin ko,” Diego said in an interview.

The oldest among the 23 candidates for Limgas na Pangasinan, Diego, reigning Miss Galicayo Camilliana, dedicates her feat to her family and supporters, as well as to all Pangasinenses.

The performances of Limgas candidates were judged on the following criteria: mastery and style (40%), level of difficulty (30%), relevance and message (20%), and overall impression (10%).

Aside from the talent competition, the candidates donned festival costumes depicting their respective One-Town, One-Product (OTOP). The winner for this category will be announced during the pageant and coronation night at the Capitol Plaza on April 30.

Limgas na Pangasinan is annually held as a component activity of Pistay Dayat revelry.

The talent showdown and OTOP-inspired festival costume parade was graced by Pangasinan first lady, Mdme. Priscilla I. Espino; Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Officer Malu Elduayan, Pistay Dayat 2016 over-all chairperson; and Provincial Employment Services Officer Alex Ferrer, Limgas na Pangasinan 2016 committee chairperson.

Lingayen – Intense sports action was witnessed by spectators and sports buffs from all over Pangasinan as the provincial government gathered anew about 30 young Manny “Pacman” Pacquaio wannabes from various towns and cities in the province who battled for supremacy in 15 weight divisions of the 7^th Paboksing Ed Gulpo held on April 29 at the Capitol beachfront, here.

The amateur boxing competition dubbed Governor Amado T. Espino Jr. Cup, a component program of the sports development thrust of the provincial administration, forms part of the annual Pistay Dayat celebration.

Provincial Sports Director Modesto Operania, in an interview, noted that the stamina and boxing skills of young Pangasinense boxers have been developed through the boxing tournaments of sports competitions like Batang Pinoy where they compete.

Operania said that under the Espino administration, more Pangasinense boxers have been given the opportunity to enhance further their boxing skills as the provincial government sponsors their trainings and participation to various boxing tournaments.

“Taon – taon, parami ng parami ang nanunuod ng boxing event na ito dahil likas sa mga Pangasinenses ang pagiging magaling sa sports kabilang na ang boxing,” Operania said.

Paboksing Ed Gulpo boxers competed in the following weight divisions: light paper weight (40-42 kgs); light pin weight (44-46 kgs.); pin weight ( 46-48 kgs.); light bantam weight (52-54 kgs.); feather weight (56-58 kgs.); and welter weight (62-64 kgs.)

Winners in the weight categories include: Manuela Yanday (Sual), Marvez Yanday (Sual) – Light Paper Weight; Mark Leonard Carretero (Anda) – Light Pin Weight; Joseph Lozadas (Labrador), Jaycer Odtujan (Labrador) – Pin Weight; Raymundo Sentinillar (San Miguel), Marvin Garibay (Anda), Eleazar Brumuela (Dagupan ), Cyrus Malanum (San Fabian), MilvenAvilez ( Lingayen), Jon Rhey Gascon (Urdaneta) – Light Bantam Weight; Dhan Rey Carolino (Anda), Eduardo Lorega (Mangatarem) – Feather Weight; John Lanquino (Calasiao), Gerson Astadan (Dagupan) – Welter Weight.

Kings of the ring each received Php1,500 cash prize and a medal while non-winners brought home Php1,000 each

Lingayen – The provincial government supports the bid of Limgas na Pangasinan 2015 Maybelle Pameroyan for the Ms. Earth – Philippines 2016 crown.

Twenty-four-year-old Pameroyan, who hails from Sta. Barbara, is competing against 48 other Ms. Earth – Philippines hopefuls from different towns and cities in the country. Coronation night is slated on June 12.

Prior to the Miss Earth coronation night, Pameroyan will crown her successor at the coronation night of the 2016 Limgas na Pangasinan pageant on April 30 at the Capitol Plaza in Lingayen.

Limgas na Pangasinan, a feature activity of Pistay Dayat celebration, focuses on environmental advocacies that is similar to the causes promoted by Miss Earth which is among four esteemed international beauty searches.

A first-time competitor in a national pageant, the Pangasinan beauty, in an interview, said: “My journey as Limgas na Pangasinan 2015 has exposed me to various component projects of the multi-awarded coastal resources and management (CRM) program of the provincial government.”

Graduating with flying colors in the Pangasinan State University – Bayambang Campus with the degree of Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English, Pameroyan is an environment lover who advocates environmental protection, preservation and conservation through educating people, especially the young to embrace these causes.

Being a secondary English teacher, Pameroyan said she constantly encourages the students through seminars and forum to embrace their own environmental advocacies which are timely and relevant to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Other candidates from Pangasinan vying for the Miss Earth-Philippines crown, are: Eva Eunice Reinoso (Alaminos); Liza Cacho (Anda); Chissan Rae Balderas (Infanta); and Shannon Rebecca Bridgman (Rosales)/.

Last year, Limgas na Pangasinan 2014 Allyssa Ashley Calimlim of Villasis town, also joined the said beauty tilt.

PISTAY DAYAT 2016 OPENS. Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. leads the opening program of the biggest sea festival in the province, Pista’y Dayat 2016 held last April 22 at the Capitol Beach front in Lingayen. The University of Luzon DBC along with the Dangoan Dancers of the provincial government amused the audience with their performance of native Pangasinan music and dances. /Photo by Tyrah Vinluan

9THPANGASINAN TOURISM AND TRADE EXPO OPENS. Governor Amado T. Espino Jr. leads the ceremonial ribbon cutting of the 9th Pangasinan Tourism and Trade Expo, held at the Pangasinan Traning and Development Center (PTDC) last April 22. He is joined by Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim Jr. (extreme right), Pangasinan first lady Madam Priscilla “Mely” Espino (fourth from right), Congressman Leopoldo Bataoil (third from left) and Board Member Raul Sison (second from left). The expo runs until May 2. /Photoby Jedidiah Ordoñez

Lingayen – The grand parade of hundreds of artistically-designed motorized boats dubbed “Banca Parada” will again cruise along the historic Limahong Channel from sitio Bantayan, Pangapisan North, Lingayen to Banaga Bridge in Bugallon to serve as the main delight of the Pistay Dayat revelry on May 1.

The fluvial float parade staged annually as a feature activity of Pistay Dayat celebration is a showcase of the beauty and history of the revived rivers in the province which has undergone a series of clearing and silt dredging operations conducted by the Task Force Kalikasan as part of the “Ilog Ko, Aroen Tan Bilayen Ko” advocacy of the provincial administration led by Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr.

Limahong Channel, dug by 15th century Chinese Pirate Limahong for his escape when he was pursued by the Spanish colonizers, is a historically significant natural feature of Pangasinan that was utilized for transportation in the antiquity.

Depicting this year’s theme “Masaganang Ilog at Karagatan, Yaman ng Pangasinan,” Banca Parada can be viewed along the river banks, on top and under the Domalandan bridge in Lingayen and in areas near the Banaga bridge in Bugallon.

Pistay Dayat commemorative program follows right after the banca parada where fluvial float winners will be recognized.

Participation to banca parade is open to all interested barangays (category 1); and national government agencies (NGAs), city/municipal local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs) and private business sector (PBS) groups (category 2). Acceptance of entries is until April 25.

Other mechanics and guidelines for the competition include:
• Contingents should provide their own motorized bancas that shall be prepared for decoration within the staging area at sitio Bantayan, Pangapisan North, Lingayen at 3pm on April 30;

• Decorated bancas must be docked at the designated staging area at least two hours before the start of the parade for judging;

• Materials that will be used as props decorations etc. must be dominated by indigenous and biodegradable materials; corresponding budgetary requirement shall be shouldered by the contingent;

• Floats depicting the competition theme shall bear the name and or/logo of the participating barangay/LGU, NGA, NGOa and PBS;

• Outfits of passengers shall be the official uniform of the participating contingent or any colorful outfit;

• Criteria for judging of the bancas include: ingenuity, creativity and artistry (30%), relevance to the theme (30%), dominance in the use of indigenous and biodegradable materials (30%) and over-all impact (10%);

• At stake in the contest include trophies and certificates of recognition and cash prizes as follows (for categories A and B): best fluvial float (Php25, 000), 1st runner-up (Php20, 000) and 2nd runner-up (Php15, 000).

Lingayen – The Provincial Health Office here advises the public to be mindful of health precautionary measures this summer season as heat index is expected to rise in weeks ahead.

Provincial Health Officer Anna Ma. Teresa De Guzman said her office issued the health advisory at the onset of the summer season to raise public awareness regarding health issues caused by the increasing temperature which is aggravated by the El Nino phenomenon.

“Avoid direct exposure to sunlight from 10am to 3pm as heat index peaks in between these hours,” said Dr. De Guzman, who noted that, so far, no cases of heat stroke have been reported in the province.

She also advised people to stay hydrated by drinking at least ten glasses of water daily and avoid coffee, tea, soda and alcohol intake. If the need to stay outdoors cannot be avoided, hats and umbrellas should be used, she added.

Heat stroke is a medical condition where the body overheats and cannot cool down because the body cannot take off the excessive heat by sweating because of dehydration and/or humid environment.

Signs of heat exhaustion may include warm and flushed skin, faintness, dizziness, weakness, headache, very high fever, rapid heartbeat, convulsion and unconsciousness.

Other common diseases this summer are: sunburns, sore eyes, jellyfish sting, skin diseases such as ringworm, athlete’s foot, chicken pox, malaria, dengue, viral infections such as cough, gastro-intestinal infection and rabies.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) launched the Oplan Summer Vacation (SumVac) last March 23 to oversee the safety of beachgoers, local and foreign tourists visiting the Lingayen gulf.

PDRRMO spokesperson Avenix Arenas said SumVac is conducted by the provincial government annually in anticipation to the large group of beachgoers and tourists who frolic at the Capitol beachfront to witness various events of Pistay Dayat 2016 revelry which takes off on April 22, Friday.

Arenas assured that there will be enough personnel who will man the Capitol beachfront during Pistay Dayat and the rest of summer period until June 5 as augmentation has been requested from the Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Army and rescue teams from Lingayen and Bugallon local government units.

“To avoid any untoward incident on the beach like drowning and jellyfish sting, the public is advised to strictly observe the safety precautions for beachgoers,” Arenas pointed out.

Lingayen – Before deployment, the new set of 75 Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) beneficiaries from all-over the province were primed by the Pangasinan Employment Services Office (PESO) Wednesday.

The orientation held at the agency’s training hall was led by PESO Manager Alex Ferrer, briefing them on basic professional conduct and dress code observed in the participants’ workplaces.

The students will be spread out to administrative, clerical, housekeeping and maintenance posts in hospitals and other government office in Pangasinan for 20 days starting this April 18.

Per diem for each participants is fixed at the minimum provincial government rate of Php 409 /day, which is higher than the Php 253 basic rate in Region 1, which Ferrer pointed out to be of great help for the students to save up for the coming academic year.

To ensure that the grantees are saving up for school, the office requires them to submit a proof of their enrolment.

Sixty percent of the pay the beneficiaries will get is shouldered by the Capitol while the remaining 40 percent is covered by the Department of Labor and Employment.

To qualify for the program, students and out-of-school youth must come from a family with parents’ annual income falling within the annual regional poverty threshold level that is Php 110,000 for Pangasinan and must have obtained passing mark from the previous school term enrolled in.

Another set of 75 SPES grantees will be enlisted to the program on June this year, bringing the total of beneficiaries for the summer period to 150.

Lingayen – Pistay Dayat 2016 celebration kicks off on April 22 to present a spectacle of events that reflect the beauty, artistry and wealth of the province’s natural and human resources, captivating tourist destinations and local industries which are sources of ‘civic pride among Pangasinenses.’

What used to be just a simple celebration which serves as thanksgiving for the bounty of fish harvest in coastal villages in Pangasinan, Pistay Dayat merriment has evolved through the years as a ‘sight to behold,’ featuring a wide-array of activities and events that draw a big crowd of people from all over the Philippines visiting Pangasinan this summer.

Pangasinan, under the leadership of Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr., takes pride of the Pistay Dayat celebration which has gained prominence as the ‘Mother of All Festivals’ in the province.

Last year, Pistay Dayat was hailed by the Department of Tourism and the Association of Tourism Officers in the Philippines (ATOP) as first runner-up in the coveted Pearl awards (best tourism event – festival category).

As a Pearl awardee, the provincial government has been recognized for its stellar contributions in making the Pistay Dayat a boost to the province’s tourism sector.

Governor Espino will lead the opening program of 2016 Pistay Dayat at the Capitol beachfront on April 22 at 4PM, followed by the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Pangasinan Tourism and Trade Expo dubbed “Aliguas Turismo tan Ekonomiya” at the Provincial Training and Development (PDTC) compound.

In the evening of April 22, beachgoers and revelers will find time to enjoy the I Love Pangasinan (ILP) beach rave concert/party which is a joint activity of the ILP Movement and the San Miguel Brewery, Inc.

The opening of exhibit and the PanagARTela Art Workshop at the PDTC are scheduled on the following day, April 23, at 9AM.

The Capitol beachfront will be filled with a large group of sports buffs and spectators with the staging of two sporting events, namely: Paboksing ed Gulpo (April 29) and the Beach Volleybelle competition (April 30 – May 1).

Most-awaited sand-sculpting competition which features the artistry and ingenuity of local artists takes off on April 30 at the Capitol beachfront. Public viewing of sand sculptures is on May 1.

Twenty-four ladies from various parts of Pangasinan will vie for the Limgas na Pangasinan 2016 title at the coronation night slated on April 30 at the Capitol Plaza. On April 23, the Limgas candidates will outshine each other in the talent showdown and the parade of One-Town-One-Product (OTOP) –inspired festival costumes.

A Thanksgiving Mass will be offered on May 1 at the Capitol beachfront.

The Banca Parada, a fluvial parade of a large cluster of artistically-designed bancas cruising from sitio Bantayan of Pangapisan, Lingayen to Banaga in Bugallon will serve as the main delight of the May 1 revelry. The Pistay Dayat program and awarding of Banca Parada winners follow right after the fluvial parade.

At 4PM, best booths and exhibitors will be recognized during the Tourism and Trade Expo awarding ceremony while a Night Job Market organized in celebration of the Labor day opens at the Pangasinan PESO compound at 6PM onwards.

Other May 1 sponsored activities include: Panalo Ka Pilipinas by the Smart Company at the Capitol beachfront (10am onwards); 1st Pangasinan Skateboarding competition by the Pangasinan Skateboarding Collective at the Capitol beachfront (1pm onwards); and Mitoy Yonting concert sponsored by Unilever at the Capitol Plaza (7PM).

The San Miguel Brewery, Inc. will sponsor a Battle of the Bands at the Capitol beachfront on April 25-27; and Sayawan at Musikahan sa Dagat (beach party) on April 28-30.

The 1st Pangasinan Pistay Dayat Carshow and Motorshow sponsored by the Unite Productions is scheduled on April 30 at 10AM onwards at the Capitol beachfront.