P’nan Town Nixes Classes Every Time Sun Hits Danger Level

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

MANGALDAN, Pangasinan - When the heat index reaches the danger degree Celsius, the mayor here ordered that classes from the elementary to high school in public and privates school be suspended.

Photo courtesy: Inventiva

A report Thursday, for example, from the Department of Science & Technology (DOST)-PAG-ASA that the heat index would reach 46° prompted Mayor Bona Fe D. Parayno to suspend the classes to protect the students.

The action of Parayno was not new because in April 3, 2024 she signed Executive Order No. 2024-019 that instructs the suspension of all face-to-face schoolings in pre-school to high school levels in both public and private schools under the local government here.

DOST-PAG-ASA said that the 46° is under the classification “danger” to humans that would cause cramps, exhaustion, or stroke to those who expose themselves  under the blistering sun.

To those school officials who would continue the direct mode of classes, it is up for them, according to the Mayor, because they have been authorized by the Department of Education (DepEd) based on DepEd Order No. 037 Series of 2022. The order is about the g𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 c𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘳 s𝘶𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 c𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 w𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘪𝘯 s𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 e𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 n𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 d𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴, p𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 o𝘶𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘴 / p𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 i𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘶𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 c𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴.

Parayno, however, said that the parents, guardians and the students should coordinate with the school officials to know the mode of learning the children are going to undertake.

Mayor Parayno cautioned her constituents to protect their health and safety under the sizzling heat felt not only in the Philippines but in the other regions of the world.

Earlier, the mayor advice the people here to drink enough water, stay at shaded area, avoid exposing themselves to the merciless sun, wear comfortable dress, use protection from the sun like umbrella, hat and sunglasses. (With reports from Mangaldan PIO)

Batang Celeste Aagawan ng Trono si Sual Mayor

 

 MATAPOS TALUNIN NI MAYOR SI EX-CONG. CELESTE SA BATTLE ROYAL

Ni Mortz C. Ortigoza

SUAL, Pangasinan – Nagparehistro dito kamakailan lang si dating Pangasinan Board Member Arthur Celeste, Jr. para agawin ang trono ng nakaupong mayor ng pinakamayamang bayan sa buong Pangasinan.

Former Pangasinan Board Member Arthur Celeste,Jr (left) and burgeoning town mayor Liseldo "Dong" Calugay.

Tinalo noong May 9, 2022 sa isang magarbo at maingay na mayorship election dito ni two-term mayor Liseldo ”Dong” Calugay ang tiyuhin ni Celeste na si dating Pangasinan 1^st Disrict Cong. Jesus “Boying” Celeste.

Si Celeste ay pinalitan bilang pinuno ng Philippines Councilors League - Pangasinan Chapter (PCL-PC) ni Carolyn Dizon-Sison kung saan awtomatiko siyang naging ex-oficio na miyembro ng provincial board matapos maghain ng resignation letter sa opisina ni Vice Governor Mark Ronald Lambino si Celeste sa pagiging Board Member ng Pangasinan 1^st District.

Nanalo si Celeste sa PCL–PC election kontra kay Councilor Antonio Perez ng San Manuel, Pangasinan noong September 9, 2022 kung saan siya ang naging pinuno ng 47 na mga bayan at mga siyudad sa lalawigan na may mga PCL chapters.

Bago magpa rehistro dito, nagbitaw muna si Celeste bilang elected city councilor ng Alaminos City dahil iyan ay naaayon sa batas bago ang isang Filipino ay maging kandidato sa alin mang elective public pusisyon sa ibang bayan.

Former Pangasinan Board Member Arthur Celeste, Jr. (extreme right photo), Sual Vice Mayor JC Arcinue (2nd from right) and Celeste's namesake and father Pangasinan 1st District Cong. Celeste (extreme left photo). Photo taken after the young Celeste filed recently his voter registration at the 19 villages' Sual town. Photo credit: Board Member Apple Bacay 

Ayon sa Local Government Code of the Philippines ang isang “elective local official must be… a registered voter in the… town…; a resident therein for at least one (1) year immediately preceding the day of the election… (Section 39)”. 

Ang batang wannabe mayor na kandidato dito ay anak ni Pangasinan 1^st District Cong. Arthur Celeste, Sr.

Ang namumuong labanan dito ay nakikita uli ng mga political experts na isang battle royal matapos gapiin ni Mayor Calugay si dating Congressman Boying Celeste sa isang magarbo, maingay at magastos na election noong May 9, 2022 kahit na daang milyong pesos ang bumaha dito sa projects at social services  galing sa pondo ni Congressman Noli Celeste.

Nakakuha si Calugay ng API ng 14,735 boto habang si dating congressman Celeste ng Nationalista Party ay merong 12, 125 na boto.

Matapos manalo na vice mayor ng matandang Celeste si incumbent Vice Mayor JC Arcinue, siya ay pinagpapalagay ng diyaryong ito na maging tandem uli ng batang Celeste sa susunod na taong election noong makita siyang kasama si Arthur Jr. noong nag file ito nag voter registration dito.

Tittle -Tattle: Estrella vs. Vice Guv Lambino

By Mortz C. Ortigoza, MPA

The critics of Pangasinan Governor Monmon Guico and Vice Governor Mark Ronald Lambino –dubbed as the vaunted Aguila in the 2022 Election – fail to sow intrigue on the photo of come backing congressional wannabe Manay Gina de Venecia of the Pangasinan 4^th District where the De Venecia’s matriarch posed for a photo op with Guico, outgoing 4^th District Cong. Toff de Venecia, and Albert Romero Estrella.

Albert Romero Estrella (extreme left photo) and Pangasinan Vice Governor Mark Ronald Lambino (extreme right photo). Estrella is the scion of Department of Agrarian Reform Sec. Conrad Estrella.

Estrella represented his father Department of Agrarian Reform Sec. Conrad Estrella during the Farmers' Night at a fiesta in Manaoag, Pangasinan.

Some media men at the Capitol suspected that the young Estrella – who has a male twin – was doing a stomp and soiree to countless of places in the huge province for his vice gubernatorial bid.

A high official doused water to the perception of the Capitol friendly reporters that the boy zeroes to unseat the vice governor at his perch in the capital town’s Lingayen.

Albert is ubiquitous nowadays because he is going to replace his uncle – Cong. Eskimo Estrella - as the first nominee of the Abono Partylist while his twin’s Gilbert will be challenging Pangasinan 6^th District Marlyn Primicias-Agabas. This after the latter was rumored to undermine the bid of the Estrellas in the district to have another congressional apportionment so their kin could run unopposed for Congress.

I wrote on my blog then: “The cause of the riff, my source who asked on conditioned of anonymity, started when Estrella’s younger brod Cong. Robert Raymund “Eskimo” Estrella, who is the lone Representative of Abono Partylist, passed a bill in the House of Representatives to transform Pangasinan six congressional districts to eight. (MY QUESTION: Why file a bill for an eight- district when we could have up to 12 districts based on our more than three million populations by using the Constitutional barometer of not least than 250, 000 population for creating a congressional district?).  My source said that Cong. Estrella’s bill carved out the towns of Asingan, Balungao and Rosales and Sta. Maria – both the bailiwick of the Estrellas - all from the old 6^th District for the new 7^th District that includes too the towns of Villasis and Sto. Tomas of the 5^th District. My mole told me that the actuation of Estrella – whose brother – DAR Sec. Conrad - and him have shaky alliance with 6^th District Rep. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas – offended the camp of the latter. Agabas’ hubby – a former congressman – is the incumbent Tayug Mayor Tyrone Agabas. “Since she is a Deputy Majority Leader of the 19^th Congress, she could torpedo the bill in the committee level before it goes to the plenary for votation,” my source – an avid reader of this column - told me when I pooh-poohed how can a lone congresswoman frustrates a bill for the welfare of the folks in Pangasinan when the 315 members of the House of Representatives resort to the popular votes and not her to catapult the bill into a law (of course with the collaboration of the Senate and the final signature of the President to make it a real law - as what our Prof taught us in Political Science)”

COJUANGCO AND VG LAMBINO’S BROUHAHA

When I crossed path with Vice Governor Lambino last Monday at the Capitol, he reacted to the two sentences of my front page news article in the vernacular titled: Si VG Lambino na ang Gustong Makalaban ni Urdaneta Mayor that saw print on our April 21-27 issue of the Northern Watch Newspaper where I am the Editor-in-Chief.

THE VAUNTED members of the Aguila that destroyed the political machinery of the Espino family in Pangasinan. From left to right: Pangasinan 1st District Rep. Art Celeste, Pangasinan 2nd District Rep. Mark Cojuangco, Pangasinan Governor Monmon Guico, and Billionaire Businessman Cezar Quiambao. 

  I wrote: “Noong mag krus ang landas ni Lambino at Cojuangco kamakailan sa Bagoong Festival sa Lingayen, sinabihan ng huli ang una na hahanapan niya ng kalaban sa pagiging bise gobernador si Lambino”.

“Itong pangyayari ay ayon sa insider ng diyaryong ito sa Lingayen na nagsabi na masama pa rin ang loob ni Cojuangco matapos magpatawag noong September 2023 si Lambino sa mga miyembro ng provincial board para imbestigahan ang illegal na P75 million na seawall sa Lingayen na panukala ni Cojuangco na gawin ng Department of Public Works & Highway”.

The young two-term vice governor told me that he met with the solon and was told what I wrote above. He disagreed however that Cojuangco was still smarting on what he did and his lawmakers on the seawall.

“A few days later I met him and everything was fine as if nothing happens,” he told me.

As what the overused phrase said: All well that ends well!

So If Lambino and Cojuanco are chummy again so with Governor Guico and the mestizo 2^nd District congressman – the son of the man behind the success of the mammoth conglomerate’s San Miguel Corporation.

In a post at Facebook by Cojuangco dated April 19, Governor Guico was seen in a jovial moment with the solon, Pangasinan 1^st District Rep. Art Celeste, and Billionaire Businessman Cezar Quiambao where they dined at a posh restaurant in Imperial Manila, probably, and stood, held their fingers, and raised their hands to project to all and sundry their unity.

Cojuangco captioned it: “Ayon sa mga bali-balita na gawa ng mga Marites at Tolits, nabuwag na raw ang TEAM AGUILA. Ako raw at si Gov. Ramon Mon-Mon Guico III ay hindi na nag-uusap at may samaan ng loob, at tumiwalag na raw ako sa Team AGuiLa. Wala na pong paliguy-ligoy pa, kayo na ang humusga! Sabi nga nila, a picture paints a thousand words. Kaya heto na po ang picture namin na kuha ngayong gabi Paki-share na lang sa mga Marites at Tolits, mga ka-distrito!

I quipped by writing at my Facebook Account after sharing the photos of the meeting of those four powerful men of Pangasinan:

“Ayaw niyo kasi maniwala sa mga blogs ko na walang kalaban sa pagka Gob si Monmon Guico sa 2025 election. Heto, buongbuo ang apat na orig ng Aguila!” after Governor Guico showed me text messages from Cojuangco, Cong. Toff de Venecia, and Manay Gina de Venecia who greet him on his natal day.

The quadrumvirate of Guico, Cojuangco, Quiambao, and Celeste collaborated in the 2022 Election to destroy big time the political machinery of their archrival the perennial ruling Espino family – composed of former Governor Amado, his son and namesake the former Guv, and his congressman son’s Jumel -  in the national and provincial politics.

With Guico and Lambino cozying up with Cojuangco, their critics and bashers have lost topics to sow intrigue.

Paano iyan walang kalaban na formidable sa governorship and vice governorship sa 2025 election ang dalawa, another three years kayong insecure na naman niyan mga kritiko at sour grapes?

Money Fight: Garcia should Duke-Out with Pacquiao, Spence

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

The series of punishment dealt by Lightweight Division’s pug Ryan Garcia on Devin Miles Haney - his adversary last weekend – was scintillating.

NEW FACE of boxing American Ryan Garcia (left photo and clockwise), explosive Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao and the still dangerous American Errol Spence. 

While glued excitedly on Round 1 (where Ryan powerful left hook wobbled Haney), I reminisced the mauling of Manny Pacquiao of the then favorite to win Antonio Marco Barrera on their first meeting when I saw Garcia did the same to Haney in Round 7.  I recalled, too, how the hard hitting Nicaraguan Ricardo Mayorga with his street brawl style kept knocking down the technical – just like Haney – World Boxing Association World Welterweight and Welterweight’s World Boxing Council Champ’s American Vernon Forrest when Garcia felled his opponent twice in Rounds 10 and 11.

My take on Haney: When your opponent is a knocked out artist, you don’t fight him tit-for-tat. The only guy who did it was Sugar Ray Leonard against Roberto Duran on their first hard fought back and forth take- no- prisoner battle. What made Leonard different to Haney, the former had a chin, powerful hand speed, and fast footwork.

POST FIGHT PRESSER

In the post press conference called by the camp of Garcia, Golden Boy Promotion Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Oscar dela Hoya told the members of the press that Ryan is the face now of boxing.

“Ryan is calling all the shots now – that is the fact! If he (opponent) wants to fight at 147, he wants to fight at a catch weight, guess what?  If anybody wants to make money, if anybody wants to make more money they have to fight Ryan. Guest what? He calls all the shots, that’s it!”

Ryan Garcia emerged victorious over American compatriot Devin Haney in a high-stakes match held in New York. The taller and powerful champ strategic implementation of his left hook proved instrumental, leading to his opponenet's staggering knockdowns in the seventh, 10th, and 11th rounds.

DANGEROUS ON THAT EXCESS WEIGHTS

Garcia exceeded by 3.3 pounds the maximum limit of 140 pounds of the Lightweight Division that made him heavier and powerful in the fight night against the beleaguered Haney whose victims were George Kambosos, Jr (twice) and Vasyl Lomachenko (controversial win).

“Garcia would be dangerous despite the technicality of Haney because of that excess weight a day before the fight night,” I told my two grown up boxing aficionado sons a day before the rumble at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York City.

Boxing experts and renowned combat sports players opined in the post-fight that the native of Los California should be fighting at 147 pounds (Welterweight) and not to return to the lower weights like when he looked gaunt where Tank Davis knocked him down to the dais big time in Round 2 and knocked him out through a kidney punch on Round 7 on their April 22, 2023 outing.

Garcia mulled to fight the towering Sebastian Fundora - the champion of the WBO and WBC 154 Super Welterweight Division.

 Garcia however should evaluate thoroughly whom to fight next as based on Dela Hoya’s logic for profit.

 Garcia was declared on that breathtaking fight by the ref as the majority (two judges) winners at 114-110 and 115-109 while the other judge gave that controversial draw of 112-112.

HIGH PAYING FIGHT

Garcia camp should call out legendary boxer Manny Pacquiao or Errol Spence – who could enhance the PPV - instead of a rematch with Haney and a duke out with Teofimo Lopez – the present WBO Super Lightweight champ.

On the last outing of Spence versus Terrence Crawford at Welterweight, the event gross $55 million and a gate revenue of more than $20 million while Pacquiao versus Keith Thurman at Welterweight sold $37.5 million in PPV.

The Tank versus Garcia fight in April 22, 2023 at Las Vegas, Nevada earned 1.2 million PPVs at $84.99 and approximately $22.8 million from ticket sales or a total revenue of $124.9 million.

Garcia can earn more than $50 million on his latest match. According to thesporters.com, he stands to earn $30 million not to mention $12 million he won at the casino when he bet $2 million for himself. The American – whom many thought became a nut job - was the underdog on this Haney fight. The ballyhooed fight is expected to earn one million PPV sales.

(Send comments to totomortz@yahoo.com)

FRIENDS

Come backing Pangasinan 4th District congressional wannabe Gina de Venecia (standing) and her son Rep. Toff de Venecia (extreme right) cozy up with Pangasinan Governor Monmon Guico (extreme left) and Albert Romero Estrella (center) who represents his father Department of Agrarian Reform Sec. Conrad Estrella during the Farmers' Night at a fiesta in Manaoag, Pangasinan. Photo credit: Manay Gina de Venecia

Resuello Praises for Addressing Vitamin-A Deficiency

 By Mortz C. Ortigoza

BASISTA, Pangasinan – The constituents of mayor Jolly R. Resuello lauded him by making the landlocked town as pilot project of Malusog (Golden) Rice Seed and Grain Production.

 The project was initiated by Pangasinan 2^nd District Congressman Mark O. Cojuangco in partnership with PhilRice to address Vitamin-A deficiency of the Filipinos. The rice contains additional levels of beta-carotene which the body converts into vitamin A.

GOLDEN RICE is a new type of rice that contains beta carotene (provitamin A, a plant pigment that the body converts into vitamin A as needed). This compound is what gives this grain its yellow-orange or golden color (RRRI).

Golden Rice was developed by the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) in partnership with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

Golden Rice, according to IRRI, is developed through genetic engineering. While ordinary rice does produce beta carotene, it is not found in the grain. Thus, scientists used genetic engineering to add the compound to the grain - a minor tweak that improved the grain’s nutritive value. The beta carotene in Golden Rice, which was made possible by the addition of two new enzymes, is identical to the beta-carotene found in green leafy and yellow-colored vegetables, orange-colored fruit, and even in many vitamin supplements and food ingredients.

Like ordinary rice, Golden Rice does not require any special cultivation practices, and generally has the same yield and agronomic performance.

While vitamin A can be obtained from food products and supplements, challenges regarding their availability, accessibility, and affordability make it difficult to address the problem of vitamin A deficiency (VAD). As rice is a staple food in many vitamin A-deficient communities in Asia, Golden Rice can be a significant help in improving these areas’ vitamin A status once the grain becomes available for public consumption.

“Thanks to the leadership of our esteemed Mayor Jolly R. Resuello, our town of Basista has been chosen as a pilot area for the Golden Rice Production project,” a post at Agriculture-Basista at Facebook said.

Si VG Lambino na ang Gustong Makalaban ni Urdaneta Mayor

FINAL ANNOUNCEMENT SA AUGUST

Ni Mortz C. Ortigoza

Inihayag sa isang press conference sa Urdaneta City kahapon na tatakbo sa pagka bise gobernador ang kontrobersyal na Alkalde nito pagmaganda ang survey results niya dito.

Ani news reporter Ed Gonzales na andoon sa press meeting, sinabi ni Parayno sa mga reporters na may balak siyang tumakbo sa nasabing pusisyon.

Urdaneta City Mayor Julio "Rammy" Parayno III (left) and Pangasinan Vice Governor Mark Ronald Lambino.

“Kung sakali man na bahagya lang ang diperensiya sa pagtakbo sa mayor mapipilitian akong tumakbong vice governor,” ani Parayno sa isang video, “Nagkaroon ako ng dream na mag preside ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan at ito ay naging forte ko noong ako’y vice mayor ng Urdaneta”.

Nagpatawag si Parayno ng mga media men sa kaniyang opisina kahapon ng alas tres para sagutin ang batikos sa kanya ni Pangasinan 5^th District Congressman Ramon “Monching” Guico, Jr. na siya ay kurap at wala siyang nagagawang maganda sa Urdaneta, bilyong peso ang utang ng siyudad sa pamumuno nito, nagagalit daw siya tuwing may flag ceremony sa mga government workers niya, babaero daw siya, at merong maliit na ari.

Hindi kaila na makakalaban ni Parayno sa reelection niya si Maan Guico – maybahay ni Pangasinan Governor Ramon “Monmon” Guico III – matapos mag pa register as new voter siya sa Urdaneta noong March 14 para matupad ang requirement sa batas na one-year residency bago ang isang dayo na galing sa Binalonon, Pangasinan makatakbo sa pagiging alkalde ng 34 villages na siyudad kung saan 16 na Kapitanes ay pro Maan Guico na.

Nakikita ng mga experto na isang Herculean na gawain na labanan ni Parayno si Maan lalo walang nakikitang makakalaban ang kanyang mister sa pagka gobernador sa susunod na taon na eleksiyon.  Kaysa gumastos siya ng milyon-milyon kontra sa Guico, makakalibre daw siya sa gastos pag nilabanan niya si reelective Vice Governor Mark Ronald Lambino.

“Happy ako noong inoffer sa akin iyan parang…may certain degree of happiness o brightness or parang alam mo iyong ito na iyon it is a destiny or a fate,” dagdag niya pa.

Maniniwala ang karamihan, gayunpaman, na hindi ito pakana ni Parayno para maiwasan ang mainit na isyu sa kanilang dalawa ni Cong. Monching kung siya ay makikita ng mga taga Pangasinan na umiikot na sa 44 towns at 3 cities na lalawigan para matupad ang pangarap niyang maging No.2 man ng provincial government.

Hinamon ni Parayno si Cong. Monching dati sa pagiging alkalde ng Urdaneta pero ni kontra hamon din siya ng huli na maglaban sa congressional seat ng 5th District.

“Parayno was once a presiding officer in his home town as elected vice mayor in this city and during his stint years as head of the Sangguniang Panlungsod  (city lawmaking body) he performed extra-ordinary results in parliamentary procedures,” dagdag ni Gonzales.

Si two-term mayor Parayno ay nagtapos ng Bachelor of Arts sa Political Science major in Parliamentary Rules at Bachelor of Laws sa University of Pangasinan kung saan naging professor si Duterte Administration Secretary Raul Lambino – ama ng kasalukuyang bise gobernador – doon ng matagal.

Kung naging guro ni Parayno si Lambino sa Political Law at Constitution malamang gagamitin ni Mayor ang natutunan niya galing sa ginagalang na academician sa pangangampanya niya at sa pagiging presideng officer sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial legislature) kung paano tutulungan niya ang Guico Administration at ang pro Guico lawmakers doon -- iyon kung manalo siya sa May 12, 2025 election – to hammer laws.

“He said as of now he is conducting a survey whether or not he will continue his dream to run for Vice Governor and appeal to the Pangasinanses that he should be given up to August to finally decide after the survey result has come up”

Pag hindi daw pabor kay Mayor ang survey tatakbo na lang siya sa last reelection niya kasama ang kanyang congressional candidate na si dating Pangasinan Governor Pogi Espino na makakasagupa ni Cong. Monching.

***

Noong mag krus ang landas ni Lambino at Cojuangco kamakailan sa Bagoong Festival sa Lingayen, sinabihan ng huli ang una na hahanapan niya ng kalaban sa pagiging bise gobernador si Lambino.

Itong pangyayari ay ayon sa insider ng diyaryong ito sa Lingayen na nagsabi na masama pa rin ang loob ni Cojuangco matapos magpatawag noong September 2023 si Lambino sa mga miyembro ng provincial board para imbestigahan ang illegal na P75 million na seawall sa Lingayen na panukala ni Cojuangco na gawin ng Department of Public Works & Highway.