Stories that ‘rocked’ Pampanga in 2012

NATURE’S WRATH. On the morning of August 8, Kapampangans woke up in deep floodwaters after the Habagat or southwest monsoon inundated more than 119 barangays in almost 15 towns and cities in the province, breaching the critical San Fernando-Sto. Tomas Minalin-Tail Dike, displacing thousands of families and taking dozens of lives that Capitol put Pampanga in a state of calamity after damage to property and crops rose to more than P40 million.
Nature, beleaguered with political issues like illegal quarrying, made officials led by Governor Lilia Pineda and mayors, plus stakeholders like the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., get their acts together in relief, rescue and rehabilitation efforts, exemplified by the bayanihan in Mayor Lito Naguit’s Sto. Tomas and volunteerism in Minalin spearheaded by Mayor Arturo Naguit. The fury of Mother Earth, as volunteer Marni Castro quipped, was an “act of nature” which Pampanga could learn from.
ALLIES TO FOES. In a surprising turn of events, incumbent First District Representative Carmelo Lazatin midway of the year set his 2013 sights on the mayoral post of Angeles City, training his political guns on “former ally” current Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan for the reason, the solon stressed, of avoiding a repeat of the hardworking mayor’s “betrayal” of him years ago. The two have since engaged in a long running exchange of brickbats and mudslinging on issues of graft and corruption.
ONE TOWN, TWO MAYORS. The reported “sudden and mysterious” reversal of the Ombudsman’s decision on Mexico Mayor Teddy Tumang’s three-month suspension has left not only municipal employees but common folks alike doing business in the town wondering as to who the real mayor is, after Acting Mayor Roy Manalastas and his camp refused to step down after the former re-assumed the post a couple of weeks before Christmas. Although relegating the post in a gentleman’s fashion to avoid violence, Manalastas has questioned the legality of the Ombudsman’s decision, which was “served” just after a month of Tumang’s suspension. Confusion has marred the day-to-day affairs of the town, which has been run by two mayors.
KEEPING AN EYE. Pampanga landed on the Top 15 watchlist of the Commission on Elections, an alleged “potential hotspot” that has kept watchful eyes on the province as election season begins. Refuting the claim, Kapampangan officials headed by Gov. Lilia Pineda have called on stakeholders to join hands and have the province taken off the list. “Pampanga is peaceful. Hindi ganyan ang mga Kapampangan. Let us all work together to show them that we are a peaceful province with or without elections,” reiterated the governor.
NO JUETENG. Police officials led by Regional Director Edgardo Ladao and Provincial Police Director R’Win Pagkalinawan publicly declared that jueteng in Pampanga does not exist. The disclosure comes after Interior Department Secretary Mar Roxas issued a “challenge” on police and other officials to rid the province of the illegal numbers game, allegedly guised as the Small Town Lottery. The statement of the police officials was later on corroborated by a resolution from the Liga ng mga Barangay headed by Ex-Officio Board Member Melchor Pingol, which refuted the claim that jueteng lords operate in villages, branding the accusation as “malicious.”
JUSTICE. The family, relatives and friends of slain Barangay San Miguel [Mexico] village chief Jose Gonzales Jr. continue to seek justice for his death and the serious injuring of his son Jason for what observers branded was “politically motivated” ambush. On December 18 last year, Gonzales’ wife Consolacion filed murder and frustrated murder against two suspects.
BREAKING RECORDS. Quarry revenues have peaked to more than a total P630 million in November 2012, with income boosted more at year-end to break the records of past administrations in collections from the province’s premier industry and income generator.
Officials are optimistic that the P770-million projected income set by Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Officer Art Punsalan will be realized.
Based on records, Punsalan noted that the three-year collection of the past administration which was posted at P616,158,000 has been breached.
From 1999 to 2001 under the NRDC, collections were at P382,580,900. Under former Governor Lito Lapid in 2002 to 2003, it was posted at P34,573,000.
Then in 2004 to end of June in 2007 under former Governor Mark Lapid, revenues were posted at P82,680,000, which was surpassed by the Biyaya A Luluguran At Sisikapan of Governor Panlilio with their P616 million record. “But at the rate the Kapampangan A Lulugud At Matapat of the Pineda-Guiao administration is running, it is history in the making with the current collection of P630-million,” Punsalan said.
THE THIRD CITY. Towards the end of the year, Pampanga’s third city was born as Mabalacat’s cityhood was officially and formally signed by President Benigno Aquino III. Mabalacat City is part of the triad of San Fernando – also a component city – and highly urbanized Angeles City.
First Mabalacat City Mayor Marino “Boking” Morales expressed optimism that the cooperation of the three cities will push further the province’s growth engines in all directions.
WORLD CLASS. After City of San Fernando Mayor Oscar Rodriguez ranked 4th in the league of world class mayors—and after being named 2012 Presidential Lingkod Bayan awardee, a cap to the downpour of awards for him and city, comes Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan on the nomination list of the World Mayors. Pamintuan is the only Asian to remain on the shortlist.
ON THE ROSTER. Names on the “Rock Pampanga” roster that made Kapampangans smile and rejoice include Senator Manny Villar as one of the Most Outstanding Kapampangans of 2012; then the three Fernandinas who ramped away with major local beauty titles: Mutya ning Kapampangan 2012 Sheena Rhea Puno, Mutya Ning Sinukwan 2012 Korina Christine Reyes and Prinsesita Ning Sinukwan 2012 Francesca San Valenton; and of course, the year ended with a pleasant surprise as Barangay Del Pilar stunned champion and hall of famer Barangay Sta. Lucia in the grand, world renowned Giant Lantern Festival at Robinsons Starmills, as the famous Parul Sampernandu continues to make waves in the international scene.
The local art scene also rejoiced when two films made by Kapampangan directors have made it to this year’s Cinemanila International Film Festival last November 11 to 17 in Taguig City.
The films, “Sydney-Manila Express” and “Manenaya” directed by Bor Ocampo and Richard Soriano Legaspi, are included in the festival’s finalists for short film exhibition.
Meanwhile, Kapampangan artist Willy Layug made a historic first when the Presidential Merit Awardee for Ecclesiastical Arts installed a Filipiniana altar dedicated to Filipino St. Lorenzo Ruiz and St. Pedro Calungsod at the prestigious Pontificio Collegio Filippino in Rome, Italy during the latter’s canonization to sainthood.
Layug is the first Kapampangan to install his work at the Pontificio Collegio Filippino, sharing the same stage with classical masters whose works adorn major churches and shrines in Roman Catholic churches a few blocks away. (Sun.Star Pampanga Reportorial Team)
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2013/01/08/stories-rocked-pampanga-2012-261799
Enjoyable place for traveler to hang out near Manila for family bonding is Clearwater Beach Resort

Highly recommended summer vacation destination outside Manila is Clearwater Beach Resort in Clark, a safe and convenient tourist spot that offers natural ambience for visitors to enjoy the outdoors with no stress.

Holy Week gives hard-working Manila residents a break from the stressful life at work. Many residents of Manila decide to go out of town to the North, to Subic, Angeles City, Pampanga and Clark Philippines in search for a peaceful and tranquil lake and beach resort hotel for the family to spend some quality time together.

Manila residents travel out of town to the north to relax and unwind in a good resort in Pampanga that is suitable for family bonding. The best resort in Pampanga is Clearwater which is located in Clark.

Family bonding is a regular activity in the Philippines for families living in cities like Cebu and Manila where residents experience a lot of stress from work. Many choose to travel out of town to the north for family bonding in a resort in Pampanga. Clearwater Resort is the most popular destination for family bonding as well as team building because it offers over 10 exclusive venues for events and gatherings. This resort is Pampanga is highly recommended by event organizers and trip advisories for family bonding, company outings, retreats and team building near Manila.

Philippines Travel Guide just unveiled recommendations and tips for Holy Week and Easter Holidays in Philippines. The report covers highly recommended resorts and hotels in North Luzon, nice getaway destinations for families with children, safe and convenient place for tourists to relax and unwind, good restaurants, resto bars, pubs and fine dining establishments in Pampanga, frequently visited places as well as historical sites in Angeles City, Pampanga, Clark Philippines.

The best getaway destination vacation spot near Manila is the safe and accessible private resort Clearwater Beach Resort in Clark Pampanga, a 13-hectare property with lake, beach, picnic grounds and small number of cottages. Parents enjoy a good round of golf in one of the best golf courses in Pampanga while children enjoy the outdoor picnic facilities of the best hotel near Manila, Philippines.

Clark is already a popular destination for golfers from Manila. Clark Freeport offers some of the best golf courses in Pampanga and outshines many golf clubs and golf courses elsewhere in the Philippines.

For inquiries and bookings, Please click here to contact Clearwater Resort for inquiries and reservations now

Clearwater Resort and Country Club, Clark Pampanga
Creekside Road near Centennial Expo,
Clark Freeport, Pampanga Philippines 2023
(045) 889-5151 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177
Joanne or Jeremy or Loydha

Getting to this lake and beach resort in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Philippines

After entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway MA Roxas, passing the stand-along wine shop called Clark Wine Center on the right, continue to bear right making no turns at all, go past Mimosa Leisure Estate on the opposite side of the road, one will hit a major intersection. Go straight and the road becomes Creekside Road. YATS Clearwater Resort and Country Club is on the right just 200m down.

Family Bonding by the famous lake of Clark Pampanga

http://www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay

Email: Inquiry@ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Please click here to contact Clearwater Resort to reserve a venue for your upcoming event now

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

While in Clark, one might as well add to the itinerary a visit to the famous Clark Wine Center, the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.
http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

For jobs and business investment opportunities in the Philippines please visit http://www.yilp.com

Hot Line for what’s happening in Clark: 045 889-5151 or 0927-940-2669 ask for Loydha

0915-542-6250 (Jeramie)