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CLARK FREEPORT – After awarding to San Miguel Corp. (SMC) last September

the contract to build a new international airport in Bulacan, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has announced the contract on the project is still under review.

NEED FOR REVIEW CITED

DOTr freezes SMC’s airport in Bulacan

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — More cruise ships are expected to arrive in this premier trade and tourism port next year, as the Subic Bay Metro-politan Authority (SBMA) continues to upgrade maritime facilities to in-crease cruise tourism traffi c.

SBMA Chairman and Administra-tor Wilma T. Eisma said the Subic agency has already listed 38 con-

More and bigger cruise ships expected in Subic next year

fi rmed cruise ship arrivals and two tentative bookings next year.

On top of that, four confi rmed ar-rivals and one tentative booking have been posted for 2021, she said.

“Beginning January next year, we shall be seeing more and bigger cruise ships in Subic. This includes MS Spectrum of the Seas, which will

Passengers disembark from the cruise ship World Dream and tour the Subic Bay Freeport after the vessel docked at the Alava Wharf on Dec. 11. C !"#$%&"'( *+ "

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CLARK FREEPORT — The plan for a possible public-private partner-ship relating to agricul-ture and food between Clark locators and the Senate was proposed by Sen. Cynthia Villar.

Villar, chair of the Senate committee on agriculture and food made this pitch at the in-duction and turnover cer-emonies of newly-elect-ed offi cers of the Clark Investors and Locators Association (CILA) held at the Fontana Leisure Parks here Monday.

Villar was the guest of honor and inducting offi -cer for the newly elected offi cers and board of di-rectors.

Sen. Cynthia Villar inducts newly-elected CILA offi cers and BODs. From L-R: Karen Dizon representing Evelyn Yumul TMC marketing manager, SIAEP deputy general manager Rene Philip Banzon, Amerton Inc. VP for HR Froilanda Rodriguez, SGV & Co.’s Jose Pepito Zabat, Medina Flores Palarca Ofrin Law Offi ces’ Atty. Gerald Medina, Clark Electric Distribution Corp. VP Radito Tuazon, Demagus Trading Corp.’s Dr. Francisco L. Villanueva, Jr., Cargohaus Inc. general manager Darwin Malinit, Yokohama Tire Philippines Inc vice chair Hitoshi Kobayashi, and BBI Leisure and Resorts president Dr. Irineo Alvaro, Jr. P+ " %, J -!! M. V-/'!0$-!

Villar proposes partnership with CILA on agri, food

“We want to work with your member com-panies in implementing programs that could ben-efi t your members. Their businesses in their own sectors as well as their communities here. Pub-lic-private partnership can accomplish much given the right project or program,” Villar said.

“You may have mem-bers involved in the ag-riculture sectors. Cen-tral Luzon, Pampanga in particular, is an agricul-tural province, even the neighboring areas. Nue-va Ecija and Tarlac have rice and that is very im-portant to us,” she add-ed.

Villar also mentioned that the recently con-cluded SEA Games has

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TARLAC CITY- A new downtown for this capi-tal city?

This plan has been laid out by Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) in a project called Cresendo that will spread over 290-hect-ares eyed for mixed-use estate n Barangay Central not far from the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Ex-pressway (SCTEx) and the MacArthur Highway, and would be accessible via the Tarlac-Pangasin-an-La Union Express-way (TPLEx).

ALI said the com-munity is envisioned to become a center for in-vestments, employment, education and balanced life for local folk.

Ayala Land eyes new Downtown for Tarlac

The site would also be near the pending Central Luzon Link Ex-pressway (CLLEx), not far from the Aquino Mu-seum.

ALI, however, did not disclose the project cost.

The Cresendo proj-ect will cover a cen-tral plaza or a commer-cial district for build-ings to rise on 500- to 2,000-square meter lots. The smaller lots are for “shophouses” designed for homegrown enter-prises where owners can reside on upper fl oors.

From the central pla-za, a pathway stretching over a kilometer will lead

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CLARK FREEPORT - Three Chinese men were arrested by the police’s Regional An-ti-Traffi cking in Per-sons Task Group 3 (RATTG3) for alleged-ly prostituting nine Chinese women in a residential unit in this freeport.

RATTG3 opera-tives arrested Fan Ji-anwu, Wang Xiankai, and one alias Jeff at the ON Pool Villas on E. Aguinaldo Street here.

Police poseurs paid the suspects P6.000 for sexual ac-cess to the women before they identifi ed themselves as cops. The lawmen recov-ered from the suspects the marked cash they paid, cellular phones, passports, identifi ca-tion cards, a Toyota sedan and even box-es of condoms.

The suspects were charged with violation of Republic Act No 10364 or the Expand-ed Anti-Traffi cking in Persons Act of 2012, even as the rescued women were turned over to social welfare

Clark raids net more Chinese

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CITY OF SAN FERNAN-DO, Pampanga – Gov. Den-nis “Delta” Pineda distributed P24.8 M to 2,600 students un-der the joint Special Program for the Employment of Stu-dents (SPES) of the provincial government and the Depart-ment of Labor and Employ-ment (DOLE).

Gov. Delta said that educa-tion has always been the prior-ity program of his administra-tion.

He said, “ing pakisabi mi mung mayap, ayusan yu ing pamagaral yu. Ing priority mi reng anak Kapampangan, mangayari la ngan uling dakal employment kailangan kening Pampanga.”

He also lauded the support of DOLE.

“King sawup na ning

Gov Delta distributes P 24.8-M to 2,600 students from SPES

DOLE, tuluy tuluy ing sawup para kekayu,” he added.

Gov. Pineda explained that 60% of the cash salary was provided by the provincial gov-ernment while the remaining 40% was provided by DOLE.

DOLE Regional Director Maria Zenaida Angara-Campi-ta said students must put to good use the cash salary that they received by spending it wisely on tuition fees and oth-er school-related expenses.

Campita also praised the eff orts of the provincial gov-ernment in gathering and en-rolling thousands of Kapam-pangan students in the pro-gram. In fact, the SPES bud-get of Pampanga equals the budget of a regional offi ce out-side Central Luzon.

Pampanga has received

the largest budget allocation among the provinces in Cen-tral Luzon with 4, 600 benefi -ciaries.

It can be recalled that SPES student-benefi ciaries attended a contract signing last October this year to inform them about their tasks, duties and respon-sibilities for the summer job.

Also present in the salary distribution were Board Mem-bers Benny Jocson, Cherry Manalo, Ananias Canlas Jr., Anthony Joseph Torres, Pol Balingit, Olga Frances Da-vid-Dizon, Gabby Mutuc, Nel-son Calara, Public Employ-ment Service Offi ce (PESO) Provincial Manager Luningn-ing Vergara, and representa-tives from PESO and DOLE. – Keanu Aebramh G. Cos-tales/Pampanga PIO

SPES SALARY DISTRIBUTION. Gov. Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda leads the cash salary distribution under the Special Program for the Employment of Students at Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center here. P+ " 0 &#"'1, 2 J&! J-1 /P-4*-!5- PIO

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CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - Some 600,000 farmers from 33 provinces aff ected by the drop in palay prices are to re-ceive P5,000 each from the government starting Dec. 23, but farmers said the amount is insignifi cant compared to the average P25,000 they lost per hectare because of the Rice Liberalization Law.

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) hit the P5,000-per- farmer aid under the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFAA) as “plain dole out.”

“The Department of Agri-culture’s (DA) uncondition-al cash transfer scheme is not enough to reverse eff ects of rice tariffi cation. P5,000 is worth much less than the ac-tual losses incurred by farmers due to the plunge in palay pric-es,” the KMP said in a state-ment.

It warned that “there would be more losses in the future as long as RA 11203 (Rice Liber-alization Law) is in eff ect,” the KMP said.

It noted that “on average, a rice farmer lost a minimum of P25,000 per hectare as a re-sult of the rice tariffi cation law that caused the plummeting palay prices.”

“The RFFA is a plain dole-

Farmers to get P5K each this X’mas

But losses average P25K per hectare

out. It’s mere palliative to the deep-seated problems of the domestic rice industry that the government itself created. It’s like farmers went on caroling before the government which gave them coins because it’s Christmas time. This govern-ment has no real concern for our farmers. They keep on treating rice farmers without dignity and respect,” the group said.

Earlier, Agriculture Sec. William Dar said each farmer will get P5,000 from a P3-bil-lion fund from the Land Bank of the Philippines.

“For sure farmers will ac-cept the P5,000, but this will not drown their call for the re-peal of the Rice Liberalization Law,” said KMO chair Danilo Ramos.

KMP decried the “dole-out scheme as the latest in the un-ending series of incompetent and unsatisfactory palliatives that the government is carry-ing out to cushion the impacts of rice liberalization. “

KMP and watchdog Bantay Bigas is continuing the gather-ing of signatures against RA 11203. Copies of the initial 50,000 signatures of rice farm-ers were already submitted to Congress and Senate.

“We expect legislators to act upon the petition as soon as possible,” Ramos said.

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TALAVERA,Nueva Ecija - A village chair and a local peacekeep-er were killed in a gun attack perpetrated by still unidentifi ed suspects in Barangay Dimasalang Sur here at about 5:55 p.m. Sunday.

The victims were identifi ed as Christopher Antonio, married and head of the said barangay and Dominador dela Cruz, single, a bantay bayan member.

In her report to the provincial police offi ce, town police chief Police Lt. Col. Alexie Desamito said the victims were on their way home on board a “kolong-kolong” or improvised tricycle (IV 6843) when repeatedly shot from behind by the gunman.

The suspects fl ed on board a single motorcycle without li-cense plate, police said.

The victims were pronounced dead upon arrival at the Tala-vera General Hospital (TGH), Desamito reported.

Follow up investigation is in progress, she said.

Village chief, tanod gunned down

ANGELES CITY – Mayor Carmelo ‘Pogi’ Lazatin Jr. had fun with kids from Tuloy Foundation Pampanga, as they enjoyed unlim-ited rides at the Fiesta Carnival in Barangay Pulung Maragul.

Along with Angeles City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ACADAC) Head Ricky Saul, Executive Assistant V Raff y Angeles, City Le-gal Offi cer Atty. Ralph Macalino, City Councilor Atty. Pogs Sul-ler, staff of City Social Welfare and Development Offi ce, Gender and Development Offi ce, Angeles City Police Offi ce, and Tuloy Foundation, the Mayor took the kids out on a stroll on Monday afternoon, December 16.

According to Mayor Lazatin, this is to urge these unprivileged children to still look at the beauty of life – as much as the City Government is always willing to extend its helping hand to them.

Furthermore, the Mayor also vowed to them that he will con-tinue to intensify his programs covering the social and educa-tional welfare of children. In fact, more or less P57.8 million will be allocated for these programs in 2020.

“The City Government wants to secure the future of young-sters,” he said, “by giving priority to programs that will cater their basic needs.”

The kids then thanked the Mayor for they had a great time at the carnival. For them this is an early Christmas gift celebration.

–Press release

FUN TIME. Angeles City Mayor Carmelo ‘Pogi’ Lazatin Jr. takes time with kids from Tuloy Foundation Pampanga, as they enjoy unlimited rides at the Fiesta Carnival in Barangay Pulung Maragul. P+ " 0 &#"'1, 2 JP M-!-/-!5

Lazatin shares fun with Tuloy Foundation kids

PUNTO! CENTRAL LUZON • DECEMBER 16 - 18, 2019 • MONDAY - WEDNESDAY

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To the Point

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

On the water concession agreement with Maynilad and Manila Waters

Our word,our bond

BEFORE 1997, the MWSS was unable to fulfi ll its mandate, which resulted in poor service to the public, water loss of around 65 percent not to mention decades of underinvestment and mounting government debt in excess of $1 billion…

The MWSS concession agreement, as with all projects and agreements entered into by government during my administration, was anchored on complete staff work, review and consultation with various government agencies, organizations and the concerned public, which resulted in complete transparency all the while negotiating terms most favorable to government…

The success of this agreement has brought about an infusion of capital to upgrade the infrastructure necessary to improve the effi ciency and service coverage to the end users. In Metro Manila alone, more than 18 million Filipinos (from only 10 million in 1997) now have access to sustainable water supply…

To achieve all this, the private sector mobilized funding from both foreign and local sources depending on the word of the Philippine government that the essential conditions of adherence to the sanctity of contracts and rule of law must be observed.

These are the pillars that hold together any agreement, be it between governments and/or the government and the private sector. Our word must be our bond.

(Former President Ramos in a letter to President Duterte)

Two crocodilesYOU SONS of bitches, you’re not an entity to me. If you fool with me, you fool with the Filipino people. I will suspend the writ of habeas corpus and I will arrest all of you because I want to see billionaires in jail.

They say that all these years … where’s the big fi sh? Here, we have these two crocodiles…

Me? I will just prepare the charges. If we do not reach an understanding here, [the charges will be] economic plunder, then there is no bail.

(President Duterte in another tirade at the water concessionaires)

Ending insurgencyGOVERNMENT WINNING war versus NPA in Central Luzon.

So screamed a press release from the Philippine Information Agency-3 uploaded en toto in Punto! online Dec. 13, 2019, to wit:

Relentless focused military operations and continuous conduct of community support program by government instrumentalities in Central Luzon resulted in a series of encounters, recovery of various war materials and massive surrender of members and supporters of the New People’s Army…

Recovered fi rearms include eight M16, one M14, one Carbine, three Cal 45, two Magnum 22, one Cal 22 sub-machine gun, one Cal 38 and two homemade pistol, two Improvised Explosive Devices, one hand grenade and fi ve detonating cords…

Also, for November, three members of NPA were killed during encounters, fi ve were captured and number of surrenderees reached 600 regular members and supporters. Among the biggest include the 133 supporters under Malayang Aniban ng mga Magsasaka sa Manggang Marikit, Bagong Barrio at Yuson in Nueva Ecija…

In just a short period of time, we were able to accomplish more than what we expected or targeted. I am truly overwhelmed with the conquest of our operating troops on the ground conducting focused military operations who are very eager to pursue our mandate to End Local Communist Armed Confl ict and we will engage, empower all sectors of society to be free and resistant to communist terrorist operations and infi ltrations…

So was 703rd Infantry Brigade commander Col. Andrew Costelo quoted in the press release.

Ending the communist insurgency – the “mass surrender of rebels and sympathizers” as highlighted proof – has truly become a recurrent refrain of the Philippine military especially in the days leading to Christmas.

The timing inspiring on the Right hand -- in keeping with the spirit of hope, the blessing of peace the season brings. Dispiriting on the Left – the NPA losing adherents yet again closing in on the founding anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines on Dec. 26. Its 51st this year.

So, how many times have we heard of the government winning the war against the Reds hereabouts?

In March 2017, 7th Infantry Division commander Major Gen. Angelito De Leon declared: “All of the provinces in Central Luzon are peaceful and ready for further development, a step before being declared insurgency-free.”

Earlier, in Jan. 2014, no less than AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista declared Pampanga “peaceful, insurgency-free and ready for further development” in a memorandum of agreement he signed with Gov. Lilia G. Pineda at The Promenade, Kings Royale Hotel in the City of San Fernando.

In that same event, the AFP showed that of 11 Luzon provinces previously declared insurgency-free, three are from Central Luzon: Aurora, Nueva Ecija, and Tarlac. Which with Pampanga in 2014, and Bataan in the latest AFP statement, leaves but Zambales and Bulacan in the AFP’s red list as of the moment.

Two years hence, notwithstanding AFP’s the declaration of a large chunk of Central Luzon as insurgency-free, the war versus the Reds goes on, albeit the AFP winning it, of course.

Indeed, when did the AFP ever come to losing the war against the NPA? From the yellowed archive of columns I wrote in the long-defunct Angeles Sun, timeliness sprang in this one (8-13 Dec. 1988 issue) – exactly 31 years to the day of the PIA-3 press release that opened this piece:

The fallacy of overkillTHE ARMED Forces of the Philippines may

be winning the insurgency war but the bite, that walloping impact, of victory is dissipated with the amateurish handling of information dished out for public consumption.

This is indicative of an inept, if not inane and inutile, propaganda machinery. Or of the employment of propagandists steeped in the old Hitlerian institution of the Big Lie. Nowhere is this more evident than in Pampanga where the overkill syndrome has become the norm in martial propaganda.

Rebel surrenderees are a stock-in-trade in the hearts-and-minds battle in any insurgency campaign, be it in Vietnam, in Malaya, in Somoza’s Nicaragua, or here.

The packaging of information relative to the surrenderees could spell the chasm of a diff erence between earned propaganda value and loss of credibility. To the latter has fallen many a report of surrenders. Not for anything else but for the substance of incredulity or illogic.

For instance, there were this year successive reports of NPA “regulars” surrendering in droves in Pampanga – 50 in Lubao, 40 in Sta. Ana, 30 in San Simon, if memory serves right – over the “200 regulars” captured and “subjected to tactical interrogation for one week” by a ranking PC offi cer.

Against the backdrop of military pronouncement that there are less than 200 NPA regulars in Pampanga, the reports would show that the NPA in the province is operating on a defi cit manpower or negative level!

Incredible too is the superhuman feat of tactical interrogation for one week of 200 NPA rebels by only one PC offi cer. With him alone, we wonder why there is still an insurgency war in Pampanga or in the whole country for that matter.

The slip in the surrender drama shows too in some fi eld offi cers’ attempt at excellence directed toward an ultimate rise in the ranks.

During the Marcos misrule, an offi cer-friend was lionized in the local press for the number of “surrenderees” who took the oath of alliance to the Republic before him. The surrender rites being always on Sundays and in marketplaces sowed the seeds of disbelief that subsequently uncovered the sham of surrender and ultimately eff ected this offi cer’s relegation to the doghouse.

He was found to have been gathering all marketgoers on Sundays, telling them of a new Philippine Republic to which every Filipino should pledge his allegiance, and then passed off the pictures to newspapers as those of NPA surrenderees.

Overkill transcends the fi gurative and goes to the literal in certain casualty reports in internecine encounters between the NPA and the Hukbong Mapagpalaya ng Bayan (HMB).

The conclusion of 20 dead in a recent encounter between the two, without any body retrieved or accounted for is plainly fi ctitious. Especially when the speculated number of combatants did not go beyond two scores and the fi refi ght lasting for a mere ten minutes (that would be two killed per minute).

The above data culled from a single military report evidenced the contradictory and illogical presentation of facts and fantasies that have become indistinguishable in many a military mind.

That the NPA has greatly lost its strength in the province, owing to military victory in Maj. Sonny Gutierrez’s and Maj. Roman Lacap’s fi elds of battle; in Col. Efren Q. Fernandez’s barangay dialogs; and in Lt. Col. Amado Espino Jr’s “capitalist cheerers,” is not simply believable but highly probable.

It has been a long time since the last sparrow killing and fi eld encounter. A number of NPA sympathizers do indeed return to the fold of the law. A relative peace reigns in the province. No need therefore to tilt the balance more by coming up with these ridiculous and insulting propaganda schemes. Which makes an utter fallacy of the military’s actual victory.

AND the war goes on.

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Halo-haloDing Cervantes

OpinionNapag-uusapanLangFelix M. Garcia

‘Of rice tariffication law’

ANG kahilingan ng mga magsasaka

kay Pangulong Digong na ipabasura

ang batas hinggil d’yan… napakahalaga

para sa pambansa nating ekonomiya.

Na nararapat na mabigyan kaagad

ng akmang solusyon sa ikaliligtas

nitong magbubukid sa napakasaklap

na kalagayan at di magandang bukas

Sa dahilang ito ang naging sanhi r’yan

ng biglang pagbaba ng presyo ng palay

na kanilang ani sapol ipairal

ang naturang batas na kaugnay nga n’yan.

Kung saan bunsod ng batas na nasabi

bumaha ng murang bigas sa palengke,

na nagresulta sa pagbagsak d’yan pati

ng presyo syempre ng butil na nasabi.

At ang apektado sa naturang batas

na minadali ng mga mambabatas

para maipasa, karagdagang bigat

sa pasanin ni Juan mula ipatupad.

Napagtanto kaya riyan ng kung sino

na nagpanukala ng batas na ito,

kung anong posibleng masamang epekto

n’yan sa industrya ng kalakalan dito?

Na kagaya nitong dito ay mayrun din,

pero ano’t ito’y kailangan pa nating

sa ‘foreign producers’ ay ating angkatin

ang naturang butil kung pakaisipin?

Na hayan, bunsod na rin nitong agarang

pagpapatupad sa batas na naturan,

libu-libong umaasa sa sakahan

ang lugi dahil sa mura ang bentahan!

Eh, bakit di sila r‘yan mag-uumiyak

kung ang ani nga n’yan mahal pa ang darak,

kaysa pinuhunan ng pagod at hirap;

(At pagkabaon sa utang ang dinanas),

Kaya nga’t sa puntong nasabi, ang hiling

ngayon nitong sektor d’yan ng manananim

sa ating Pangulo patungkol o hinggil

d’yan sa pag-pawalang bisa madaliin.

Sana naman, itong ating mambabatas

sampung beses munang isipin n’yan dapat

ang anumang ‘bill’ na gustong isabatas

bago sa plenaryo ihain at sukat.

Nang sa gayon hindi magiging pasanin

sa lahat ang gaya ng ipinasang ‘bill’

ng Kongreso at nitong Senado natin,

na nagresulta sa hindi akalain.

Kaya nga’t bago pa matapos ang Pasko,

kumilos na dapat ang ating Pangulo

na ma-‘annul and void’ itong siya mismo,

inapruban nang di nasuri ng husto.

At bilang pamasko sa naturang sektor

ni kagalang-galang na pangulong Digong,

ibasura ang ‘rice tariffi cation law’

bago sumapit ang Pasko’t Bagong Taon!

The real First ChristmasBLESSED ANNE Catherine Emmerich could have been another source of what really happened on the fi rst Christmas in Bethlehem, but it is said that her account was so edited by overly rigid church people in her time that the reality she saw churned out much fi ction in print.

Instead, I share with you the writings of mystic Maria Valtorta (1897-1961) whose book initially titled Poem of Man-God was mired in controversies and at one time included in the list of the Church’s forbidden books, but later hailed by experts in all fi elds, including scientists, as stupendously credible. Valtorta was transported in time to witness details of biblical episodes, from Adam and Eve, through Jesus, to the Last Judgement.

Christmas being around the corner, let me share her account of the First Christmas in a cave for animals in Bethlehem, as follows (though abridged due to limited space and spared of quotes for convenience):

A thin ray of moonlight creeps in through a crack in the vault and it seems a blade of unearthly silver looking for Mary. It stretches in length as the moon climbs higher in the sky and at last reaches Her. It is now on Her head, where it forms a halo of pure light.

Mary lifts Her head, as if She had a celestial call, and She gets up and goes on to Her knees again. Oh! How beautiful it is here now! She raises Her head, and Her face shines in the white moonlight and becomes transfi gured by a supernatural smile. What does She see? What does She hear? What does She feel? She is the only one who can tell what She saw, heard and felt in the refulgent hour of Her Maternity. I can only see that the light around Her is increasing more and more. It seems to come down from Heaven, to arise from the poor things around Her, above all it seems to originate from Herself...

The light is given off more and more intensely from Mary’s body, it absorbs the moonlight. She seems to be drawing to Herself all the light that can descend from Heaven. She is now the Depository of the Light. …

The vault, full of crevices, of cobwebs, of protruding rubble balanced by a miracle of physics, the dark, smokey repellent vault, now seems the ceiling of a royal hall. Each boulder is a block of silver, each crack an opal fl ash, each cobweb a most precious canopy interwoven with silver and diamonds….

And the light increases more and more. It is now unbearable to the eye. And the Virgin disappears in so much light, as if She had been absorbed by an incandescent curtain…and the Mother emerges….

Yes. When the light becomes endurable once again to my eyes, I see Mary with the new-born Son in Her arms. A little Baby, rosy and plump, bustling with His little hands as big as rose buds and kicking with His tiny feet that could be contained in the hollow of the heart of a rose: and is crying with a thin trembling voice, just like a new-born little lamb, opening His pretty little mouth that resembles a wild strawberry, and showing a tiny tongue that trembles against the rosy roof of His mouth. And He moves His little head that is so blond that it seems without any hair, a little round head that His Mummy holds in the hollow of Her hand, while She looks at Her Baby and adores Him weeping and smiling

at the same time, and She bends down to kiss Him not on His innocent head, but on the centre of His chest, where underneath there is His little heart beating for us… where one day there will be the Wound. And His Mother is doctoring that wound in advance, with Her immaculate kiss….

Also Joseph, who almost enraptured, was praying so ardently as to be isolated from what was around him, now rouses and he sees a strange light fi lter through the fi ngers of his hands pressed against his face. He removes his hands, lifts his head and turns round. The ox, standing as it is, hides Mary. But She calls him: ‘Joseph, come.’

Joseph rushes. And when he sees, he stops, struck by reverence, and he is about to fall on his knees where he is. But Mary insists: ‘Come, Joseph’ and She leans on the hay with Her left hand and, holding the Child close to Her heart with Her right one, She gets up and moves towards Joseph, who is walking embarrassed, because of a confl ict in him between his desire to go and his fear of being irreverent.

Then Mary bends down and says: ‘Here, Joseph, take Him,’ and off ers him the Child.

‘What! I?… Me?… Oh, no! I am not worthy!’ Joseph is utterly dumbfounded at the idea of having to touch God.

But Mary insists smiling: ‘You are well worthy. No one is more worthy than you are, and that is why the Most High chose you. Take Him, Joseph, and hold Him while I look for the linens.’

Joseph, blushing almost purple, stretches his arms out and takes the Baby, Who is screaming because of the cold and when he has Him in his arms, he no longer persists in the intention of holding Him far from himself, out of respect, but he presses Him to his heart and bursts into tears exclaiming: ‘Oh! Lord! My God!’

And he bends down to kiss His tiny feet and feels them cold. He then sits on the ground, and holds Him close to his chest and with his brown tunic and his hands he tries to cover Him, and warm Him, defending Him from the bitterly cold wind of the night. He would like to go near the fi re, but there is a cold draft there coming in from the door. It is better to stay where he is. No, it is better to go between the two animals which serve as a protection against the air and give out warmth. Thus, he goes between the ox and the donkey, with his back to the door, bending over the New-Born to form with his body a shelter, the two sides of which are a grey head with long ears, and a huge white muzzle with a steaming nose and two gentle soft eyes.

Mary has opened the trunk and has pulled out the linens and swaddling clothes. She has been near the fi re warming them. She now moves towards Joseph and envelops the Baby with lukewarm linen and then with Her veil to protect His little head. ‘Where shall we put Him now?’ She asks.

ME: WE CAN PUT JESUS IN OUR HEARTS THIS CHRISTMAS. BETTER, EVERYDAY FROM NOW ON.

PUNTO! CENTRAL LUZON • DECEMBER 16 - 18, 2019 • MONDAY - WEDNESDAY

6

PUNTO! CENTRAL LUZON • DECEMBER 16 - 18, 2019 • MONDAY - WEDNESDAY

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F��� ���! 1

NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENTNotice is hereby given that the heirs of JOSE D. MARQUEZ and

ENRICA B. MARQUEZ who died intestate on November 7, 1976 and April 4, 2004, respectively, both in Angeles City executed an Affi davit of Extrajudicial Settlement with Waiver of Rights on their estate, more particularly described as a parcel of land (Lot 6, Block 78) located at EPZA Resettlement Site in Angeles City, Pampanga as evidenced by Certifi cate of Housing Allocation No. L1-EPZ-1614 and covered by Transfer Certifi cate of Title No. 94269 in the Registry of Deeds for the Province of Pampanga, before Notary Public Reymon E. Fabros as per Doc No. 429, Page No. 100, Book No. VI, Series of 2014.

Punto! Central Luzon: December 2, 9 & 16, 2019

NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENTNotice is hereby given that the heirs of FRANCISCA BALUYUT who died

intestate on August 13, 2000 in Floridablanca, Pampanga executed an Affi davit of Extrajudicial Settlement with Special Power of Attorney on her estate, more particularly described as a parcel of land (Lot A of the consolidation-subd. plan (LRC) Pcs-22871, approved as a non-subdivision project, being a portion of the consolidation of Lots 10 and 11, (LRC) Psd-18964, LRC Cad. Rec. No. 1498) situated in the Bo. of Gutad, Mun. of Floridablanca, Prov. of Pampanga and covered by Transfer Certifi cate of Title No. 142595-R, before Notary Public Roseller T. Logronio as per Doc No. 392, Page No. 80, Book No. CLXVI, Series of 2019.

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

NOTICE OF SELF-ADJUDICATIONNotice is hereby given that ERLINDA COROLLO CASTANTE, Filipino,

resident of 1192 Surla St., Balibago, Angeles City and sole heir of JOHANNES F.M. NOORDHUIZEN who died intestate on June 27, 2012 in Angeles City executed an Affi davit of Self-Adjudication on his estate, more particularly described as a two (2) storey building that stands on a parcel of land situated at Josefa Subdivision, Brgy. Malabanias, Angeles City and covered by Transfer Certifi cate of Title No. 198476 in the Registry of Deeds of Angeles City and a Joint Bank Account (Dollar and Peso) in some Philippine Bank, before Notary Public Pepito G. Rivas as per Doc No. 114, Page No. 23, Book No. VII, Series of 2012.

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

NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENTNotice is hereby given that the heirs of GUILLERMO M. BULOS who

died intestate on September 23, 1949 in Apalit, Pampanga executed an Affi davit of Extrajudicial Settlement on his estate, more particularly described as an unregistered parcel of land (Lot 844 of the Apalit Cadastre) located Sucad, Apalit, Pampanga and covered by Tax Declaration No. PSP-010010-0276, Property Identifi cation No. 019-01-0010-021-26, before Notary Public Jocelyn M. Flores as per Doc No. 403, Page No. 82, Book No. LXXXV, Series of 2019.

Punto! Central Luzon: December 16, 23 & 30, 2019

NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENTNotice is hereby given that the heirs of CRISANTO MANALOTO

QUIAMBAO who died intestate on April 14, 2018 executed an Affi davit of Extrajudicial Settlement on his estate, more particularly described as a parcel of land (Lot 693-B-3-A-10-D of the subd. plan Psd-03-158564, being a portion of Lot 695-B-3-A-10, Psd-03-144130, L.R.C. Rec. No. ) situated in the Bo. of Dau, Mun. of Mabt., Prov. of, Pamp. and covered by Transfer Certifi cate of Title No. 161926 in the Registry of Deeds for Angeles City, before Notary Public Rodolfo S. Uyengco as per Doc No. 2077, Page No. 90, Book No. LVII, Series of 2018.

Punto! Central Luzon: December 16, 23 & 30, 2019

Republic of the PhilippinesCITY CIVIL REGISTRAR OFFICE

Province of PampangaMabalacat City

Publication NoticeR.A. 10172

NOTICE TO THE PUBLICIn Compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG

Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1 Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A 10172) Notice is hereby served to the public that JAYVEE CHAN ELWIN has fi led with this Offi ce, a petition for correction of entry in the sex from MALE to FEMALE in the Certifi cate of Live of birth of JAYVEE O. CHAN at Mabalacat City, Pampanga and whose parents are JONATHAN C. CHAN and VISITACION M. OMANDAN.

Any person adversely aff ected by said petition may fi le his/her written opposition with this offi ce not later than seven (7) days after the completion of the publication period.

VICTOR TERRY A. MEDINA CITY CIVIL REGISTRAR

FOR THE CITY CIVIL REGISTRAR

GLENDA A. JARIN Administrative Offi cer III

Punto! Central Luzon: December 16 & 23 , 2019

In a statement, the DOTr said the review is being done by the Jus-tice department at the request of the Depart-ment of Finance, “to en-sure that the said agree-ment will faithfully serve the interest of the Filipi-no people.”

But the DOTr de-bunked allegations that it is delaying the con-struction of the New Ma-

DOTr freezes SMC’s int’l airport in Bulacannila International Airport in Bulakan town, which was initially announced to be launched this month, December.

The statement said the government is re-viewing its ₱734-billion deal for SMC to build, operate, and maintain the airport project, a contract that was offi cial-ly awarded in Septem-ber. Transportation Sec. Arthur Tugade even is-sued the notice to pro-

ceed with the project.SMC president and

chief operating offi cer Ramon Ang was quoted to have cited “new ques-tions and issues” for the delay.

The DOTr said “clar-ifi cations have to be made to ensure that all provisions are favorable to the government, in-cluding “the phrasing of provisions on materi-al adverse government action (MAGA) for sit-

uations where the gov-ernment deviates from contractual obligation and as such is required to compensate a private entity, as well as the cap on liability in rela-tion to operational per-formance and delivera-bles.”

“The DOTr fully sup-ports initiatives that re-duce the risk of future complications wherein contracts are exposed as disadvantageous, or

worse - onerous - to the government and to the people,” the statement said.

The statement was issued in the wake of the supposedly onerous contracts with Maynilad and Manila Water. A Sin-gapore-based interna-tional tribunal had or-dered the government to pay billions of refund to the water concession-aires but Pres. Duter-te said the agreements

were tantamount to sur-rendering the country’s sovereignty. He also threatened to sue the utility fi rms and former government offi cials for economic plunder.

SMC made the new airport proposal in 2016 to cover 2,500 hectares in Bulakan, Bulacan. The move was justifi ed by the need to decon-gest Metro Manila, as well as the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

given opportunities that enabled the government to build more facilities here.

“Ang ating national government is a great believer in the develop-ment of Clark. In fact, they have given so much to Clark. The SEA

Villar proposes partnership with CILA on agri, foodF��� ���! 1

to a seven-hectare river terraces near residen-tial areas. The terrac-es area, with a viewing deck, is designed to be-come a community con-vergence point.

Roads are to have bi-cycle lanes and be lined with trees. Sidewalks will be as wide as three meters with walkway arcades, punctuated

Ayala Land eyes new Downtown for Tarlac

Games enabled the gov-ernment to build more facilities in Clark which i think will become handy in the near future,” said Villar.

The senator also not-ed that CILA is at the forefront of the business-es in this freeport and a factor in the investment growth in Clark as its

neighboring areas con-tinue to pick up.

Addressing a contro-versial issue imputed on her, Villar clarifi ed that she doesn’t believe in the importation of fi sh, “galunggong” in particu-lar, as some fi sh traders asked for her help to im-port fi sh.

“Bumili tayo ng mga

isda na available. Bakit ba kailangan natin mag-import kasi naawa ako sa ating mga fi sher-men. I-patronize muna natin yung atin,” she said.

“Bakit pag nasho-short ang isang isda, pinag-uusapan agad ay importation? Hindi ako kasi believer ng impor-

tation. Ang dami naman alternatives. Hindi ako naniniwala masyado na dapat iencourage ang importation. Dapat natin

iencourage yung mapro-duce natin what we need, kahit na hindi ung ideal but meron naman,” Villar explained.

F��� ���! 1 with “pocket parks” and promenades.

ALI said the Don Bo-sco Technical Institute will open a senior high school in Cresendo as well as a technical vo-cational education and training center to ac-commodate some 5,000 youths.

AI sad Phase 1 of the project consists of the construction of a church and the school, the de-

velopment of its fi rst res-idential community, a transport terminal and an industrial park.

Once completed, the 32-hectare Cresendo In-dustrial Park (CIP) will provide employment op-portunities in the area. CIP will have various lot sizes ranging from 1,200 sq m to 10,000 sq m for sale at P6,000 to P9,000 per sq m. This will be open to locators

in light to medium, non-polluting industries by 2022. In full swing, the industrial park is expect-ed to generate approxi-mately 2,000 jobs.

For greater mobility and accessibility, Cre-sendo will have a pri-vately managed trans-port system, ensuring high accessibility and traffi c effi ciency through-out the estate.

–Ding Cervantes

dock here on December 27 and then come back for another visit on Janu-ary 20,” Eisma said.

“Then on February 28, its sister ship, the MS Quantum of the Seas, will be arriving in Subic,” she added.

The two ships, which are owned and operat-ed by Royal Caribbean International (RCI), the world’s largest cruise line by revenue and sec-ond largest by passen-ger counts, are among the world’s largest cruise ships in operation today.

MS Spectrum of the Seas is set to arrive with 4,819 passengers, while MS Quantum of the Seas will bring in 4,905

More and bigger cruise ships expected...F��� ���! 1 passengers.

“These arrivals will also serve to provide additional income to the Subic community, as well as neighboring areas that cruise passengers visit upon arrival here,” Eisma said.

According to SBMA records, the 19 cruise ship visits in 2018 yield-ed a total of 38,205 vis-itors and direct revenue of P8.4 million for the SBMA Seaport Depart-ment.

This year, the 15 cruise ship arrivals from January to October gen-erated 38,985 visitors and an income of P8.07 million for SBMA Sea-port.

Eisma pointed out that the actual income

earned by all the tour-ism players in Subic and neighboring commu-nities would be bigger since this would include money earned by tour buses and taxis, enter-tainment groups, restau-rants and shops, tiang-ge vendors, theme parks and resorts, as well as malls in Subic and near-by areas.

Eisma said the SBMA aims to generate more cruise ship traffi c by ret-rofi tting the Alava, Bra-vo, and Rivera wharves in the Subic Freeport to accommodate more ar-rivals.

“We’re also upgrad-ing the Subic Bay Inter-national Airport to attract passengers who may opt for the sea-air connec-

tion available in Subic,” she said.

Eisma said that an-other measure the SBMA would look into is the is-suance of implement-ing rules and regulations for Executive Order 72, which governs the ad-mission and stay of for-eign nationals in Subic as temporary visitors.

The latest cruise ship to arrive in Subic was MS World Dream, which arrived on December 11.

World Dream, which has a capacity of 3,376 passengers, was de-signed for the Asian cruise market and is now operated by the Dream Cruises line of the glob-al entertainment and lei-sure fi rm Genting Hong Kong. –SBMA-MPD

offi ce of Mabalacat City pending intervention of the Bureau of Immigra-

Clark raids net more ChineseF��� ���! 1 tion.

Only las Dec. 3, two Chinese nationals Lin Xuan and one identifi ed only as Lapai were also

nabbed by the RATTG3 for the same off ense, in an operation that led to the rescue of six Viet-namese and eight Chi-

nese women in a hotel unit at the Regency Park on Jose Abad Santos Av-enue also in this freeport.

–Ding Cervantes

long to the Zoo. And it is also my fi rst time here in Aqua Planet that’s why we really enjoyed our day here),” said Jay, who shied away to give his

Watermazing Wish concert pool party...F��� ���! 12 last name.

“Sana meron pang next year kasi ang gan-da ng concept (With this nice concept, I hope they will do it again next year),” prodded Anne.

Aqua Planet is one

of the biggest and most modern water theme parks in Asia located in-side this freeport.

DWNU, broadcast-ing as Wish 107.5, is an FM radio station in Met-ro Manila owned by Pro-

gressive Broadcasting Corporation and operat-ed by Breakthrough and Milestones Productions International.

At present, Wish 107.5 has 7,320,000 Youtube subscribers.

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SpotlightArci Pineda

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINESREGIONAL TRIAL COURTTHIRD JUDICIAL REGION

BRANCH 55MACABEBE, PAMPANGA

IN RE: PETITION FOR THE CORRECTION OF ENTRIES IN THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF PEDRITO M. USI UNDER LOCAL REGISTRY NO. 1261, more particularly:

(a) To correct the entry appearing in Entry No. 6 – Date of Birth from “August 14, 1970” to “August 14, 1971;”

PEDRITO M. USI,Petitioner,

-versus- SPECIAL PROCEEDINGS NO. 19-0959(M)

THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF MASANTOL, PAMPANGA, THE NATIONAL STATISTICIAN, AND ALL PERSONS WHO HAVE OR CLAIMING ANY INTEREST IN THIS CASE, Respondents.

x-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------xORDER

On October 29, 2019, petitioner Pedrito M. Usi fi led the verifi ed Petition, of even date, praying that the Local Civil Registrar of Masantol, Pampanga, and the Civil Registrar General, Philippine Statistics Authority, Quezon City, be ordered to correct Entry No. 6 – “Date of Birth” from “August 14, 1970” to “August 14, 1971” appearing in his Certifi cate of Live Birth with Local Civil Registrar No. 1261 on fi le in said offi ces.

This court fi nds the petition to be suffi cient in form and substance.WHEREFORE, this court hereby (a) sets this case for hearing on the

petition on February 18, 2020 at 11:30 in the morning at the Session Hall of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 55, Macabebe, Pampanga; (b) orders the petitioner (i) to cause the publication of this Order once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in an accredited newspaper of general circulation in the province of Pampanga at his own expense; (ii) to serve within twenty-four (24) hours from receipt of this Order, copies of the petition and its annexes to the Offi ce of the Solicitor General of the Philippines, the Offi ce of the Provincial Prosecutor of Pampanga, the Local Civil Registrar of Masantol, Pampanga, the Civil Registrar General of the Philippines; and (iii) to show proof of said service to this court on said date and time of hearing; (c) orders all persons interested in the petition to appear before this court on said date and time of hearing and to show cause, if any, why the petition should not be granted; (d) orders this court’s OIC – Branch Clerk of Court to furnish copies of this Order to the petitioner, his counsel, the Offi ce of the Solicitor General, the Offi ce of the Provincial Prosecutor of Pampanga, the Local Civil Registrar of Masantol, Pampanga, the Civil Registrar General of the Philippines and the Offi ce of the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Macabebe, Pampanga; and (e) awaits the entry of appearance of the Offi ce of the Solicitor General in this case.

SO ORDERED.Macabebe, Pampanga, October 30, 2019.

MARIA JOSEPHINE M. ROSARIO-MERCADOJudge

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

NOTICE OF LOSSNotice is hereby given that EUGENIO S. MERCADO JR., Filipino,

married, a resident of Lourdes Sur East, Angeles City executed an Affi davit of Loss on Petron Corporation Stock Certifi cate Nos. 0001521053, 0001394746, 0000775372 and 0000424675, before Notary Public Cyril Victor N. Bermudo as per Doc No. 8816, Page No. 33, Book No. LVII, Series of 2019.

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

NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENTNotice is hereby given that the heirs of WILLY BASANGAN GUINTU

who died intestate on May 7, 2019 in Angeles City executed an Affi davit of Extrajudicial Settlement on his estate, more particularly described as a parcel of land (Lot 14, Block 2 of subdivision plan (LRC) Psd-48978, being a portion of Lot 630-A-2, Psd-15855, (LRC) CLRO Rec. No. 124) situated in the Barrio of Cutcut, City of Angeles, Island of Luzon and covered by Transfer Certifi cate of Title No. 158955, before Notary Public Marcelino A. Pineda Jr. as per Doc No. 2693, Page No. 97, Book No. 11, Series of 2019.

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

NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENTNotice is hereby given that the heirs of Sps. JOSE QUIASON CRUZ

and CONSOLACION YALUNG-CRUZ who died intestate on October 16, 1980 and October 25, 2015, respectively, both in Angeles City, executed an Affi davit of Extrajudicial Settlement on their estate, more particularly described as a parcel of land (Lot 224-B, of the subdivision plan Psd-03-080371, being a portion of Lot 224, Angeles Cad. LRC Rec. No. ) with an old house built thereon, situated in the Barrio of Sto. Rosario, City of Angeles and covered by Transfer Certifi cate of Title No. 110745, before Notary Public Reydon P. Canlas as per Doc No. 2010, Page No. 68, Book No. 75, Series of 2019.

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

NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENTNotice is hereby given that the heirs of REYNALDO SANTOS

TEODORO who died intestate on August 2, 2007 in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga executed an Affi davit of Extrajudicial Settlement on his estate, more particularly described as a parcel of land (Lot No. 1-0, of the subd. plan Psd-03-079171, being a portion of Lot 1, Psd035403-049640, L.R.C. Rec. No.) situated in the Barrio of Buensuceso, Municipality of Arayat, Province of Pampanga and covered by Transfer Certifi cate of Title No. 399145-R, before Notary Public Ryann T. Rueda as per Doc No. 233, Page No. 48, Book No. VII, Series of 2019.

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

NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENTNotice is hereby given that the heirs of HONORATO LAYUG who died

intestate on January 30, 2016 executed an Affi davit of Extrajudicial Settlement with Absolute Sale on his estate, more particularly described as parcels of land, to wit:

TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 31212Registry of Deeds of Angeles City

Lot No. 6, Block 55 of the subdivision plan (LRC) Psd-66539 (Sheet 2), being a portion of Lot 72-B, described on plan (LRC) Psd-48796, LRC (GLRO) Cad. Record 124, situated in the Barrio of Pampang, City of Angeles, Island of Luzon;

TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 67550-RRegistry of Deeds of Angeles City

Lot 17, Block 14 of the subdivision plan Psd-10196, Sheet 4, being a portion of Lot 72-B of the cadastral survey of Mabalacat, L.R.C. (G.L.R.O.) Cad. Record No. 132, situated in the Barrio of Mamatitang, Municipality of Mabalacat, Province of Pampanga;

before Notary Public Crisanto A. Cocal as per Doc No. 10288, Page No. 76, Book No. 162, Series of 2019.

Punto! Central Luzon: December 16, 23 & 30, 2019

Michelle Dee fails tobring home the crown

TONI-ANN SINGH of Jamaica is the new Miss World.Ophély Mézino from France and Suman Rao from India were fi rst and 2nd runners up respectively.Miss World-Philippines Michelle Dee fails to bring home the Miss World 2019 crown.The coronation night was held saturday Dec 14 in ExCeL Arena, London, England.The pinay beauty competed with 110 beauties from all over the world.Michelle only landed on the top 12.Here are the countries who joined the top 40 Antigua & Barbuda, Australia ,Brazil ,BVI, China PR, Cook Islands ,Denmark, England ,France ,Guyana

,Hong Kong China, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Nigeria, New Zealand, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Portugal

Puerto Rico, Russia, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam, Wales.

From top 40, Michelle made it to the top 12.The eleven candidates for the top 12 were: Kenya, Nigeria, Brazil, Mexico, India, Nepal, Vietnam, Jamaica,

France, Russia, and Cook Islands.The top 5 sime fi nalists were: Nigeria, Brazil, India, Jamaica, and France.

q q q

THE CLASH Season 2 winner Jeremiah Tiangco won P1 million cash and a house and lot.This was revealed in the Kapuso reality singing competition’s fi nale episode aired tonight, December 15,

2019.He had to defeat four other singers in the last rounds of the competition to clinch the title.And in the end, the judges of The Clash—Ai-Ai delas Alas, Lani Misalucha and Christian Bautista—picked

Jeremiah as the overall winner. The three were impressed by his star potential during the fi nale night, and throughout the whole competition.

Jeremiah also had a clean record, because he was never in danger of being eliminated during the whole season. His strong performances always placed him in the safe position, and he never experienced being in the bottom two.

The Cavite-based singer won P1 million pesos, a house-and-lot and an exclusive management contract from GMA Artist Center.

Only fi ve contestants were left at the start of the fi nale episode.First was Nef Medina. The Cavite-based singer came back to

the competition as a wildcard, after being eliminated in the second round of the season.

Then there was Jeremiah Tiangco, who is also from Cavite. The judges always praised him for his good looks.

Third was Jennifer Maravilla. The Malabon-native was bashed by netizens last November for failing to reach a high note during one of her performances.

Antonette Tismo also vied for the title. The Paranaque-based balladeer who returned to the contest in the comeback episode that aired one week ago.

Last was Thea Astley, a writer and R&B singer from Doha, Qatar.

In the fi rst round, the fi ve Clashers had to perform a medley of two songs.

Nef performed Donny Hathaway’s A Song for You and Celine Dion’s It’s All Coming Back to Me Now. The judges commented the Caviteno singer’s performance was “a very good fi ght.”

Jeremiah was next. He performed a soulful rendition of R Kelly’s I Believe I Can Fly and Adele’s Set Fire to the Rain. The judges said he looked like a star while on stage.

Jennifer then performed a birit version of Manny Pacquiao’s Para Sa ‘Yo Ang Laban na ‘To and Apl de Ap’s Bebot. The judges praised the brave song choice, and commended her for always surpassing her previous performances.

Antonette showcased her ability to reach the high notes by singing Run to You by Whitney Houston and Brave by Sara Bareilles. The judges said she was in her element, and added that they were proud of you.

Thea performed last for this round. She gave life to two classic songs, Shirley Bassey’s The Greatest Performance of My Life and Tina Turner’s River Deep, Mountain High. The judges said she showcased her best performance so far, and that it gave them chills.

In the end, the judges picked two singers who advanced to the grand fi nals. They picked Thea and Jeremiah, and the two headed to the ultimate Matira ang Matibay.

Thea performed Aretha Franklin’s You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman, then Jeremiah sang Fantasia’s I Believe.

The trophy went to Jeremiah as the judges picked him as the winner of The Clash of 2019. Michelle Dee

PUNTO! CENTRAL LUZON • DECEMBER 16 - 18, 2019 • MONDAY - WEDNESDAY

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KABANATA 3DSalesayan Tamu Ing Milabas Itang GANITO KAMI, anti ne man kanini. Ibat ketang 1889, ating mapilan a Pilipinung sinulat tungkul kareng Pil-

ipinu, at metung ne pin ken i Jose Rizal, ban ipakit da karing Kastila nung makananu kasalese at kasanting at kaulaga ing kultura at pamibiebie da deng Pilipinu bayu la dinatang ding Kastila at nung makananu rang giluan ita deng Kastila. (Reyes 2002: 7-10; 233-353)

Uling susulat la king amanung Kastila, ding Kastila ila mung pakisabian da, at e la miyabe keng pamisabi ding kalupa dang Pilipinu. Inauad da nang inauad karing Kastila ing maging lalawigan na ne sana ning España ing Pil-ipinas at ing mibayu sana ing palakad ning gubiernu keti. Lalto balamu mo ding Kastila ilang makibandi king sarili tamung gabun. (Ibid.)

Anya anggiang tungkul ya king milabas nang panaun ning Pilipinas ing susulat da, sakup ne pa mu rin ning Historia da reng Kastila. Aliua ya ing tune dang kasaysayan deng Pilipinu. (Ibid.)

Anyang datang no man ding Amerikanu, sindu da deng Pilipinung talasu-lat ita. Mu pin, bukud keng amanung Kastila, ing amanung Inglis naman ker-aklan ing ginamit da. Ding kasabi da ngeni, aliua pa mu rin ding kalupa dang Pilipinu, nun e ding Amerikanu. Ing pekisabi da namang pekisabi ing midi-nan yang kalayaan ing Pilipinas o kaya naman maging metung yang “state” ning United States. Anya anggiang tungkul ya king kasalukuyan at milabas dang panaun ding Pilipinu ing susulat da, sakup ne pa mu rin ning Historia da reng Kastila at sakup ne pa ning History da ding Amerikanu. Aliua ya ing tune dang kasaysayan deng Pilipinu. (Reyes 2002: Ibidem. Moralina 2009. Guillermo 2003).

Mipatuki la king pulay ning isip da ding Kastila ampon Amerikanu ding talasulat a Pilipunung deni angga ketang 1974. (Ibid.). Alimbaua, uli mong i Fernando Magallanes ing minunang diling taga-Europa ing mekatagmu king kekatang kapuluan, sinulat da: “Ferdinand Magellan discovered the Philip-pines”.

Dapot, ing katutuan na niyan minuna de pang atagmuan iti detang Aus-trenesyanu. At bayu pa kareni, atagmuan da ne pala iti at tiknangan da ne pala detang Homo luzonensis, atin nang mga 50,000 banua anggang 67,000 banua ing milabas, anti ing belita na kapilan pamu ning anthropologist a Pilipinung i Armand Salvador Mijares, at ating palatandaang, minuna pa karela, atin nang dinatang at menuknangan keti mga 706,000 banua na ing milabas o migit pa, anti ing pemalita na nitang metung pang anthropologist ketang milabasan a banua: 2018. (Tan 2019: A11. Pamintuan 2019: 8. Ma-teo 2019: 2).

Susulat da naman detang manunulat a Pilipinung deta ing binie ne mo kanu ning America king Pilipinas ing “independence” (kasarinlan) ketang July 4, 1946. Dapot ing katutuan na niyan, itamung Pilipinu, king pamanimu-na da di Andres Bonifacio at Pangulong Emilio Aguinaldo, itamung memie kasarinlan king bansa tamu ketang June 12, 1898, ketang kasarinlan a sim-sam da kekatamu ding Kastila ketang 1521 o 1565.

(Abatan ya ing kasuglung)

Ing kasalesayanning Kapampangan

(The history of Pampanga)B! F". E#$%&'"() S*+(),

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AS TIME passes by, many things do change and in order for us not to be left out, we must be able to adopt and embrace them.

One of which are the attitude of learners that we cater. Many seasoned teachers would highly agree that the learners before have diff erent attitudes when compared with the millennial learners or the 21st century learners.

For, our learners today are more dynamic and independent. Thus, edu-cators are bound with more challenges and create more innovations in order to meet their demands and expectations.

For us to do this, we must able to identify their needs and interests so we could teach according to how they shall be motivated the most.

First, let us not forget the fact that they are well-versed when it comes to technology. Most of their time is maximized in utilizing their gadgets, tablets and ipads for games, cellphones for chatting and social networking.

Thus, let us take this as an advantage. Let them use these technologies for their academic endeavors. They would be more interested because they know they are in it.

Next, our learners are dynamic and inquisitive. They love to explore lots of things in and out of their shells. So instead of spoon feeding them with in-formation, they could learn best by letting them discover on their own. Let them move and give them the opportunities to explore and have an experi-ence that will benefi t their well-being.

Also, our learners are more exposed with things that happen around them. Thus, they are easily bored to the things they already know. Their in-quisitive minds lead them to seek more adventures and challenges. Truly, we must be creative enough to provide them with new things that would make them think and productive individuals.

Lastly, our learners are the most important clientele in the education sys-tem. Therefore, we must teach them well to be able to provide themselves with learning that will satisfy their hunger for knowledge. Competencies are achieved when they are taught well. – Cynthia S. Dizon

(Unsolicited contributions here are unedited, unabridged, as is.Errors in grammar, syntax, etc, solely the writer’s. -- Editor)

The 21st century learners

AMBASSADOR. George Samson, president and CEO of World Medical Relief, Inc. (left) administers oath of offi ce of Dr. Irineo “Bong” Alvaro as Ambassador of Health for the Michigan-based charitable organization.

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THE RUN WITH ME charity fun run of Re-sorts World Manila was recently awarded the Charity Event of the Year Award at the prestigious 3rd Philippine Sports Tourism Awards.

Resorts World Ma-nila’s ‘Run with Me’ fun run is a celebrity-led charity that fosters ca-maraderie and sports-manship among its par-ticipants all while raising funds for various chari-ties. A good complement to other sporting events that focus on personal merits and recognition, the 2018 Run with Me fun run garnered almost 5,000 runners and col-lected a total of 3.5 mil-lion pesos which were distributed to 6 founda-tions namely the HERO Foundation, YESPi-noy Foundation, ERDA Tech Foundation, Right Start Community Devel-opment Inc., EPCALM Adult Leukemia Foun-dation of the Philippines, and Empowering Brilliant

Resorts World Manila gets Sports Tourism Award

Minds Foundation.In receiving the award

on behalf of Resort World Manila, Mr. Joee Guilas, the Director for corporate communications defi ned the award to be close to the hearts of everyone involved in the project. “We are honored to be recognized by the PSTA for this charity program and we shall continue to help our benefi ciaries in every way we can.”

Organized by Selrah-co PR and Primetime Plan Bravo, the Phil-ippine Sports Tourism Awards, now in its 3rd year, sought to recog-nize and celebrate the movers and shakers of sports as a major pillar of Philippine tourism. Dif-ferent institutions which were awarded the presti-gious PSTA trophies var-ied from governments, private companies, venues, conventions, and more. A total of 14 awards were present-ed in the Grand Bar & Lounge of Resorts World

Manila, Pasay City. Other winners of

PSTA 2018 were Sunrise Events, Inc. (Event Or-ganizer of the Year – Pri-vate), City of Dumaguete (Event Organizer of the Year – Government), Subic Bay – Ironman (Event of the Year – In-ternational), Ceres – Ne-gros FC (Sports Associ-ation of the Year), City of Davao (Destination Mar-keting of the Year – Iron-man), Sunlife Financial (Event Sponsorship of the Year), Philippine Air-lines (Airline of the Year), AA Philippines (MICE Event of the Year), Mar-co Polo Plaza Hotel (Ho-tel of the Year), Cebu Pacifi c – Juan for Fun (Adventure Event of the Year), Philippine Sports Commission/Philippine National Games (Event of the Year – Domestic), Panaad Park & Sports Complex, Bacolod City (Sports Venue of the Year) & Clark Freeport (Sports Destination of the Year). –PR

Joee Guilas, director for corporate communications of Resorts World Manila receives the award for Charity Event of the Year for RWM’s ‘Run With Me’ fun run which raised a total of P3.5-M which were later granted to 6 partner charities. Joining him onstage are DOT Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr., PSTA founder Charles Lim, and Primetime CEO Pauland Dumlao. C !"#$%&"'( *+ "

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CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — For their innovative practices in addressing calamities, four Pampanga barangays were hailed as winners in the province’s fi rst search for the best Barangay DIsaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils.

Riverside Barangay Sto. Cristo, Guagua solely funded and built an evacuation center that has four toilets and a separate kitchen that can accommodate 50-70 families. The village has also accumulated tools for search and rescue, a mini-fi re truck, three water pumps and trained several residents in rescue works.

Barangay Capalangan in Apalit town converted two govern-ment-owned vehicles into an ambulance and a mini-tuck. It also installed a village-wide CCTV and a public address system. The small fi retruck is able to navigate narrow streets.

Barangay Sta. Lucia in Sta. Ana was cited for the creation of a 15-person team that volunteers for basic life support work, managing traffi c, clean-up drives and other activities.

Masantol town’s Barangay Nigui, located at end of the Pam-panga River, built a fl oating evacuation center in partnership with the local government led by Mayor Danilo Guintu and the Center for Emergency Aid, Rehabilitation and Development (Concern). It can house 10 families, harvest and fi lter rainwater for potable water supply, and is fi tted with solar panels and a toilet. It has a separate garden for growing vegetables.

Speaking before more than 6,000 village leaders from 505 barangays, at the awarding rites held at the Bren Z. Guiao Con-vention Center here Tuesday, Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda said the contest is one way to motivate local councils.

“You are all frontline organizations in our campaigns against crimes, illegal drugs, disasters, terrorism and other threats to our peace, order and health,” Pineda said.

Pineda thanked the barangay chiefs for a zero-death record during the

6.2 earthquake last April 24 and fl oods caused by high tide and typhoon.

The governor said Pampanga has stepped up its eff orts in public safety by constructing a command center that operates 24/7, installing plastic colored plates as codes to prioritize peo-ple with disability, pregnant women and young children.

The center will also run “disas-tours” to show the resilience of people who survived calamities, said Angelina Blanco, Pro-vincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offi ce chief.

– Bong Z. Lacson with PIO-Pampanga

4 barangays win in Pampanga’s 1st search for best disaster risk reduction practices

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CLARK FREEPORT — A diff erent kind of pool party was held at the Aqua Plan-et here in partnership with Wish 107.5 through its “Wa-termazing Wish Concert” on Sunday.

Recognized as the most innovative FM radio station in the country, Wish107.5 brought its popular Wish Bus to display along with its “Wishclusive” artists Louie Anne Culala and Kimberly Baluzo as well as Wish DJ Alice and the band “I Belong to the Zoo” as the highlight of the concert.

According to Aqua Planet marketing communications offi cer Coleen Cordero, the

concert was the main highlight of the event with an all-day ac-cess to the resort’s slides and other attractions to its guests who attended the event.

“This is in partnership with Wish 107.5. It’s a concert and an all-day access to all slides and bonus po yung concert ng I Belong to the Zoo and other Wish artists,” said Cordero.

“Today we have infl uenc-ers and the Wish Bus DJ, DJ Alice. All artists will play in the peninsula but the bus is only here for display,” Cordero add-ed.

The Watermazing Wish Concert was the fi rst concert pool party held at Aqua Plan-et’s wave pool’s peninsula area where guests went on to jam with the artists and DJs as

they enjoyed the dip in the pool and listen to the band’s OPM music while some stayed to chill in at the com-fortable cabanas.

“It is a unique concept. It is the fi rst concert in a wave pool area. Hopefully this will become an annual event” said Cordero.

With over 38 slides and attractions to enjoy all-day, regular guests as well as concert attendees enjoyed the fun and excitement brought together for a one of a kind holiday experience.

“Alam ko yung I Belong to the Zoo and fi rst time ko din dito sa Aqua Plan-et kaya nag-enjoy talaga kami (I know the band I be-

Watermazing Wish concert pool party at Aqua Planet

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Aqua Planet’s watermazing wish concert at the wave pool area. P+ " %, J -!! M. V-/'!0$-!