Tag Archives: English

PNP, COMELEC prep for elections: set up checkpoints, ups police visibility

Posted on by
Reply

by John Paul M. Omac and Belle Marjorie A. Dela Vega

The Los Baños Philippine National Police (PNP) together with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) continue to intensify their efforts to prevent crime and promote order in the municipality in preparation for the upcoming May 2013 elections.

LB Police conduct a checkpoint along the national highway (PCCARD) as part of their efforts to promote peace and order for the upcoming 2013 election (JPMOmac)

“Handang-handa na ang kapulisan ng Los Banos”, assures Police Chief Inspector Conrado Masongsong, chief of Los Banos PNP, four months before the 2013 elections.

The local police has set up  checkpoints along the national highway starting January 13 in line with the start of the nationwide gun ban. The gun ban aims to strengthen the campaign against loose firearms and possible private armies in order to reduce election-related crimes.

Randy Banzuela, the Los Baños Election Officer III, has oriented the police on the proper conduct of checkpoints to ensure that the proper procedures will be implemented and that the rights of the public will be protected,

Police Senior Inspector Anastacia Luis, who heads of the three rotating teams conducting the checkpoints, explained that they have instructed their men to abide by the guidelines and protocols given by the COMELEC. She emphasized that checkpoints should be in a well-lit place with a visible sign, a police mobile car should be present in the area of the checkpoint, and should be manned by uniformed policemen. A commanding police officer in proper uniform must also be present to supervise the operation. Ps/Insp. Luis said that they also reminded the police men to be courteous and polite when during inspections. “Mas magkakaroon ng pagkakaunawan kung magiging magalang tayo sa isa’t-isa”, she stated.

Though motorists experience delays because of the checkpoint, they gave positive feedback. “Ayos to. Para sa safety rin natin”, says Sonny Magalac, a resident of Bambang, Los Baños.

Aside from the checkpoints, the Los Baños police is also set to intensify police visibility through security patrols. Despite insufficient funds, local police have innovated a way to a carry out security patrols by using the personal motorcycles of some of the members of the force.

The election period has officially started on January 12, 2013 and will last until May 12, 2013. The local police force is now working closely with the COMELEC. Masongsong explains that this means that gun ban is strictly implemented. All those caught with firearm without approved exemption from the gun ban will be arrested even if they have ‘permit to carry’. COMELEC will be notified first about all the arrests and other related actions.

Masongsong also said that they are strengthening their intelligence and monitoring programs to deter and intercept people with illegal motives.

Furthermore, local candidates will sign a peace covenant this coming March as part of the campaign of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for a Secure and Fair Elections (SAFE) to preserve the safety of the constituents and guard the integrity of the polls.

Volunteers, vet clinic conduct free cat spaying, neutering

Posted on by
Reply

by Alexandria Nicole D. Agustin and Jasmin Joyce P. Sevilla

“Spaying and neutering is part of responsible pet ownership.”

This is according to Joan Manguiat who patiently waited while her cat, Tri, was being spayed during the Free Spay and Neuter Day for Cats organized by the Zen Cats Association Inc., in cooperation with the UP Los Baños College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM)  last Saturday (January 12) at Hayop Kalinga Veterinary Clinic in Calamba.

Helen Quimson, one the volunteers of Zen Cats Association, said that spay and neuter are two types of castration, which is an effective tool to prevent the rapid pregnancy among cats.

“Basta kapag [ano] nasa anim na buwang gulang na yung pusa, pwede na ‘yung kapunin. (As long as the cat is around six months old, then it can be castrated,” Quimson added. According to Dr. Andrew Bernardo, professor from CVM and a volunteer on the said event, spaying is castration among female cats wherein the uterus and ovaries are removed so they cannot be impregnated. Neutering, on the other hand, is castration among male cats wherein the testicles are removed so they cannot impregnate.

“The procedure is done in five minutes. Matagal lang pagpapatulog sa kanina. (It is making the cats sleep that takes a lot of time.) After the surgery, the cat will recover within the next 30 minutes,” said Dr. Bernardo.

The first step: A volunteer from UPLB CVM shaves the abdomen part of a female cat as part of the first stage of spaying

Vetmed student-volunteers conduct the operations

Luckily, owned cats are not the only ones that can be spayed and neutered. With the help of barangay officials and animal lovers, stray cats within the Calamba area are being trapped and brought to Hayop Kalinga Veterinary Clinic to be spayed and neutered for free.

According to Rosemary Yates, founder of Zen Cats Association Inc., after spaying or neutering the stray cat, it would be taken cared of for about three days to be able to recuperate and then it would be brought back to the place where it was caught.

Dr. Bernardo further explained that castrated cats will be marked with a V-shaped notch on their ears for easy identification, especially for the stray ones.

Quimson said that cats would be healthier and a lot more tamed once they were subjected to castration. Dr. Bernardo also added that castration would tend to lengthen the lifespan of cats.

“Ang maganda sa kinakapon na pusa, hindi na siya nakakaperwisyo. Di na sila kumakalkal ng basura, di na sila maingay.  Di na pwedeng dumami. [Ang] pakinabang ng pusa na lang pag nakapon, manghuli ng insekto, matulog. (The good thing about cat castration is that they would not be a disturbance anymore. They won’t scavenge for food in trash bins. They’re not noisy. They won’t multiply. The purpose of castrated cats is to just catch insects, sleep,)” added Quimson.

Quimson explained that cats release certain type of hormone that makes them feel the urge to be sexually active and mate. Attracting mates would cause the non-castrated cats to be noisy.

Pet owners within the vicinity of Laguna grabbed the opportunity to have their cats be spayed and neutered for free.

One of them was Joan Manguiat, 24, nurse, whose cat, Tri, had been spayed. It was her first time to have a pet spayed. When asked what her purpose of spaying is, she replied, “Roaming ang cats [at] independent. Unlike dogs na sa bahay lang na di mo palalabasin pwera lang pag exercise. Ang cats, roaming, mabilis mabuntis. (Cats roam [and] are independent. Unlike dogs that just stay in the house unless you’d walk around with it for exercising. Cats are roaming and can be easily impregnated.)”

Another pet owner, Gemma Salinas, 42, office worker, also shared the same insights with Manguiat. She has ten adopted cats and two of which have been spayed and neutered before.

According to her, castration of cats is highly beneficial because her two castrated cats have been a lot healthier and livelier now.

 

SCUAA-bound UPLB contingent departs today

Posted on by
Reply

by Levi Joshua Verora

Los Banos, Laguna- A total of 230 athletes, coaches and officials from the University of the Philippines-Los Banos (UPLB) departed this morning for the annual State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association-Calabarzon (SCUAA) to be held in Calapan City, Mindoro Oriental.

Included in the UPLB delegation are the respective varsity teams of basketball, volleyball, swimming, football, badminton, chess, table tennis, athletics, taekwondo, dance sport, karate-do, cheerdance, and sepak takraw. A muse and escort will also represent the school in the annual sports spectacle.

Professor Noemi Enriquez, the UPLB Sports and Recreation Committee Vice Chairman, wants people to expect the best from the student-athletes of UPLB. “We are stronger now,” she said. She also relayed UPLB Chancellor Dr. Rex Victor Cruz’s message which encouraged the participants to compete not only for their own glory but also for the university’s pride and honor.

This year’s SCUAA-Calabarzon is hosted by the Mindoro State College of Agriculture and Technology (MinSCAT). It formally opens today and will last until the 15th of January. Competing teams include Cavite State University, Palawan State University, University of Rizal System,  Southern Luzon State University and Western Philippines University, among others.

Grand Revelry Rocks Los Baños

Posted on by
Reply

By Ladylove May Baurile

Los Baños Laguna- The municipality of Los Baños held the Grand Revelry last night at Paciano Rizal Park. Grand Revelry is still part of the Paskuhan sa Bagong Los Baños wherein revelry is a noun synonymous for festivity.

According to Vice Mayor Baby Sumangil’s opening remarks, the municipality realized how concerned their citizens became when typhoon Habagat reached their place ever since. They chose to support the five barangays affected by Habagat instead of continuing the activities for the Bañamos Festival.  “Napakabait po ng ating Poong Maykapal dahil ngayong Disyembre,… ngayong kapaskuhan, nagkaroon po tayo ng magandang panahon…. upang ihandog po sa inyo  ang pamaskong handog ng Bagong Los Baños,” said Sumangil.

Part of the said event was the introduction of winners of past contests like Miss Los Baños Jonnadel Dongsay of Brgy. Timugan, Los Baños Idol Nimfa Arevalo of Brgy. Anos , Miss Gay aka Tony Gonzaga of Brgy. Baybayin and Make your Move’s Nasty Boys. The winners for the Fluvial Float Parade were the Brgy. Bayog, Brgy. Mayundon, and Brgy. Baybayin for the first, second, and third places, respectively.

Winners of Los Baños Idol, Ricky Mendoza, Aya Aguinaldo and Nimfa Arevalo, and of Make your Move Dance Contest, the Nasty Boys, performed on the said event. Mendoza sang “Rolling in the Deep”, Aguinaldo chose “Di kita Pipilitin” and Arevalo performed “Muntik na kitang Minahal” plus her winning piece, “Kahit Sandali”

Groove it! Make your Move first placer Nasty Boys proved to people that they deserved to win through their performance last night at the Paciano Rizal Park (photo by LMBaurile).

The highlights of the event were the act of duo-comedian Iyah and Tekla, the performance of the band, Itchyworms and the fireworks display.

Iyah and Tekla were hired from Punch line, Laugh line and Metro Bar. Itchyworms performed their hit singles “Kabataang Pinoy”, “Akin Ka Na Lang”, “Gusto Ko Lamang Sa Buhay”, “Love Team”, “Freak Out Baby”, “Beer” and “Pahingi Ako Niyan.” Moreover, people enjoyed the grand fireworks displayed for about ten minutes.

The Grand Revelry. Jugs of Itchyworms led the band in performing their hit singles “Kabataang Pinoy”, “Akin Ka Na Lang”, “Gusto Ko Lamang Sa Buhay”, “Love Team”, “Freak Out Baby”, “Beer” and “Pahingi Ako Niyan” (photo by LMBaurile).

Save the best for last. Itchyworms, the last highlight of the event, rocked the Los Baños community through performing their seven hit singles (photo by LMBaurile).

Past activities of the Paskuhan sa Bagong Los Baños like Marian Convention (Dec. 6), Dia Agua Santa: Elejer (Dec. 7), Fluvial Float Parade (Dec. 7), Himigsikan (Dec. 9), Miss Los Baños Talent Night (Dec. 12), Miss Los Baños Swimsuit Competition (Dec. 13), Make your Move Dance Competition (Dec. 13), Los Baños Idol (Dec. 14), Miss Los Baños Coronation Night (Dec. 15) were presented and flashed on screen.

According to Mayor Anthony Genuino, having a new Los Baños wherein the local government aggressively develop services for health, occupation and education and make long-term projects for each barangay was just a dream before but that dream becomes a reality as of today.

“Actually, itong Grand Revelry ang main event ng Paskuhan kasi lahat ng best of the best na nangyari sa Paskuhan ay dito pinalabas… I think in the next more years… mas maa-uplift pa yung tourism in terms of events, yung mga tourism sites siyempre madedevelop ‘yon at… mas maa-upgrade pa ‘yong quality,” shared KC Manaquelod, municipal tourism officer and Grand Revelry coordinator.

Reach for the skies. People of Los Baños enjoyed the grand fireworks symbolizing the new Los Baños. It was displayed for about ten minutes in the Grand Revelry (photo by LMBaurile).

Jonnadel Dongsal bags Miss Los Baños 2012 title

Posted on by
Reply

By Ladylove May Baurile and Gretzel Lantican

Los Baños, Laguna- Candidate number 17 Jonnadel Dongsal of Brgy. Timugan won the title of Miss Los Baños 2012 last night at the Paciano Rizal Park.

The question asked to Miss Dongsal in the Question and Answer Portion was “Halimbawa mayroon kang sariling party at pwede kang mag-imbita ng kahit na sino. Sino sa tatlong ito ang iimbitahan mo, si President Noynoy Aquino, si Manny Pacquiao, o si Derek Ramsay?”

“Ang akin pong iimbitahan ay si P-Noy po… Dahil hindi naman po bongga yung party ko… Hindi tulad ng mga handaan sa Malacañang, sa mga munisipyo. Hindi ganun karangya. Gusto ko ipakita sa kaniya na kahit hindi ganun kaganda yung party na pupuntahan niya sa amin, nagkakaisa naman kami sa amin and kung ano po yung napaghandaan, yun po iyong pinaghirapan namin. Yun lang po at maraming salamat,” answered Miss Dongsal.

Simple and humble. Newly crowned Miss Los Baños Miss Jonnadel Dongsal from Brgy. Timugan didn’t expect that she’ll win the competition. (Photo by Joan G. Nacorda)

The first, second, third and fourth-runner up titles were bagged by Louisse Ann Perez (Brgy. Timugan), Rubelyn Malitic (Brgy. Bayog), Roxanne Siman from (Brgy. Bambang) and Arnie Delideli (Brgy. Mayondon), repectively.

Miss Dongsal also won the most number of special awards, including  “Miss McDonald’s Best Smile”, “Best in Swimsuit”, and “Miss Metro Hair”. Other special award winners were Rubelyn Malitic for “Emery Award”, Victoria Banagan for “Best in Talent”, April Rose Dichose for “Miss Casual Wear”, Arnie Delideli for “Macdonald’s Customers Choice”, Aira Mae Trinidad for “Miss Press Photographer’s Choice Award”,  Roxanne Siman for “Miss Informatics Choice Award”, Victoria Banagan for “Best in Long Gown” and Louisse Ann Perez for “Miss Globe”.

Crowned beauties. Different barangays were represented in the Miss Los Baños pageant to showcase the true beauty of the people of Los Baños. The pageant is an annual event held during the Bañamos Festival in September but because of the habagat this year, it was moved to the Christmas festival of the municipality. (Photo by Joan G. Nacorda)

 “First time kong manalo nang may title kasi matagal na ako nasali ng pageant pero hindi pa rin ako nanalo. Dinededicate ko ang pagkapanalo ko sa family ko at kay God. Alam mo ba na may piso pa ako sa paa bilang lucky charm,” said Miss Los Baños 2012.

Supporters and family of the candidates filled the coronation night of Miss Los Baños 2012. Guest singer Jimmy Bondoc also serenaded the ladies with his hit song “Let me be the one.”

Los Baños Idol finalists showcase singing talents

Posted on by
Reply

By Ladylove May Baurile

With reports from Kezia Grace Jungco

Los Baños, Laguna- Twenty two candidates showcased their talents and fought for the title of Los Baños Idol last night at the Paciano Rizal Park.

The participants were divided into three batches that performed accordingly. The first batch consisted of Elaine Kaye Teaño (Malinta), William Don Criste (Lalakay), Mart John Renz Regis (Tuntungin-Putho), Aira Bautista (Bayog), Lenie Briones (Lalakay), Fiona Beltran (Mayundon) and Amiel Job Liwanagan (Batong Malake). The second batch was composed of Ricky Mendoza (Bayog), Regine Masecampo (Anos), Emmanuel Casubha (Batong Malake), Ana Liza Belloga (Maahas), Marie Fe Cao (Bayog), Shararayah Sto. Domingo (San Antonio) and Caren Patiten (Mayundon). Moreover, the third batch consisted of Lord Cedric Pavia (San Antonio), Roel Anthony Wagan (Batong Malake), Kathleen Anne Galula (San Antonio), Nimfa Arevalo (Anos), Ronnie Teaño (Malinta), Aya Mikhaela Aguinaldo (Bayog), Jomark Mesa (Bayog) and Dianne Ubaldo (San Antonio).

Another highlight of the event aside from the performances of the participants was the intermission of the duo child dancers who will compete for “Batang Pinoy National Dancespat Competition” and the “Laguna Teatro Kislap”.

The contestants were also given memberships to the “Organisasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mang-aawit” (OPM). Among the chosen participants were Nimfa Arevalo, Ricky Mendoza and Marie Fe Cao who was chosen among the three to perform for the organization’s upcoming concert.

“Sumali ako dito para mashowcase yung talent ng barangay namin at para mapprove na ang mga Los Baños ay magagaling, masaya dito kasi nakakabonding mo ang mga kalaban mo at hindi mo aakalain na yung kompetisyon ay ‘di ganoon kabigat,” shared Marie Fe Cao.

From the top 5 out of 22 finalist of the Los Baños Idol singing competition, only one will become the champion. The top 5 have performed amazingly in the elimination rounds and in the final rounds. (Photo by Joan G. Nacorda)

The top five performers for the said activity were Ricky Mendoza who sang “Don’t Stop Believin”, Lord Cedric Pavia who sang “Lady”, Marie Fe Almazan Cao who sang “And I am Telling You”, Aya Mikhaela Aguinaldo who sang “When you Believe” and Nimfa Arevalo who sang “Kahit Sandali”.

The winners were Nimfa Arevalo, Marie Fe Almazan Cao and Aya Mikhaela Aguinaldo respectively. They received cash prizes of P10000 for grand winner, P7000 for the first runner-up and P5000 for the second runner-up with scholarship from Informatics Institute.

“Sumali ako dito kasi gusto ko matulungan si mama, patay na kasi si papa kaya ako na lang ang inaasahan… kaya thank you po sa lahat lalo na kay God,” said Nimfa Arevalo.

It is the inaugural staging of the Los Baños Idol, which is still part of the Paskuhan sa Bagong Los Baños.

Nimfa Arevalo from Brgy. Anos bests 21 other finalist at the Los Baños Idol singing competion. She joined the competition in hopes of helping out her mother. In fact, she hopes to buy building materials for their house with the cash prize. (Photo by Joan G. Nacorda)

“Sa mga nanalo sobrang salamat sa pakikiisa sa programa namin at congratulations sa lahat kahit tatlo lang yung nabigyan ng OPM… lahat sila panalo dahil naipakita parin nila sa Los Baños ‘yung talent nila,” said Hon. Julius Moliñawe, event coordinator of the event.