Tuesday 4 December 2012

PIA News Dispatch - Sunday, December 2, 2012


President Aquino lauds provincial government of Tarlac, Tarlac Heritage Foundation, Commission for Cultural Heritage of the Church for collective efforts in making the province globally recognized as 'Belen Capital of the Philippines'

 CAMILING, Tarlac: President Benigno S. Aquino III lauded the provincial government of Tarlac, the Tarlac Heritage Foundation, the Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church, the Tarlaqueños and other stakeholders for their collective efforts in making the province globally recognized as the "Belen Capital of the Philippines."

 "Sa nakalipas na limang taon ng pagdaraos ng patimpalak na ito, naging maugong ang husay at talento ng mga kalahok sa Belenismo. Hinangaan ito hindi lamang, balita ko, sa Pilipinas, kundi pati na rin sa ibang bansa. Kinikilala na ang Tarlac bilang “Belen Capital of the Philippines,” the President said in his speech during the 2012 Belenismo sa Tarlac Grand Awards Night held at the Tarlac College of Agriculture Gymnasium, Barangay Malacampa, Camiling, Tarlac on Saturday.

 The President said that more tourists are visiting the province of Tarlac since the "Belenismo sa Tarlac," an annual tradition promoting the art of Belen-making, was launched in 2007.

 "Balita ko pa po, dumadagsa ang mga turista rito upang masilayan ang katangi-tanging sining ng mga Tarlaqueño. Sa pamamahala po ni Isa (Tarlac Heritage Foundation Co-Founding Chairperson Dra. Isabel Cojuangco Suntay), at sa pakikibalikat ng mga katuwang na ahensya, hindi na po nakakapagtaka ang lawak at tayog ng tagumpay na nakamit ng Belenismo sa Tarlac," he said.

 Belenismo sa Tarlac is a festival showcasing the creativity, bayanihan spirit and spirituality of Tarlaqueños, the President said.

 “Bukod po sa makukulay na Belen, tampok din dito ang pagkamalikhain at bayanihan ng ating mga Tarlaqueños. Mayroon pong mga Belen na yari sa mga bagay na dating itinatapon lang, pero ngayon ay nagagamit na sa makabuluhang paraan,” he noted.

 "Iba po talaga ang galing at tatak ng Pinoy: Kung ano ang mayroon tayo, dinidiligan natin ng sipag at talento, upang magbunga ng pag-asenso. Wala naman pong tututol: pinatutunayan nating saan mang panig ng mundo, kahit sa anumang larangan, kayang mangibabaw at magpakitang-gilas ang mga Pilipino," he said.

 While the government is doing its efforts in improving the country's economic development, the President said his administration remains committed in fighting corruption for the good of all.

 "Hindi po tayo nagpatumpik-tumpik sapaggawa ng tama na nagbubunga ng sunud-sunod na biyaya. Pinanagot natin ang abusado, itinalaga ang mga tapat na pinuno, at ginamit ang pondo sa matuwid na serbisyo," he said.

 "Mula sa pagpapaunlad ng imprastraktura hanggang sa pagpapalago ng agrikultura; mula sa pagpuno ng mga kakulangan sa silid-aralan, hanggang sa paglikha ng mga tiyak na kabuhayan; mula sa pagpapailaw ng mga sitio, hanggang sa pagpapaliwanag ng kinabukasan ng nangangailangan, nakatutok ang inyong gobyerno sa kapakanan ng mas nakakaraming Pilipino," he said.

 President Aquino also said that Christmas is a traditional time for families to gather in commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

 "Tandaan lang po natin, sa darating na Pasko, may mga pamilyang hindi maiiwasang magkahiwalay. Idamay po natin sa ating mga dasal, na sana naman po ay sa lalong madaling panahon ay magkasama-sama sila," the President noted.

 "At tuwing sasapit po ang Pasko, lahat ho tayo ay kumikilala sa ginawa ni Hesukristo sa atin; lahat tayo umaasa na hindi ho matitinag ng mas magandang silayang araw na susunod," he said.

 The President led the awards rites for the first prize winners in the six categories of ‘Belenismo’: high school diorama, personal diorama, church, monumental, grand municipal (local government units) and grand non-municipal (government agencies and business establishments).

 The provincial government of Tarlac, the Tarlac Heritage Foundation, and the Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church organize ‘Belenismo’ every year drawing entries from different individuals and institutions for the belen-making contest.

 A belen is a tableau depicting the nativity scene which is a common adornment that can be found in Filipino households every Yuletide season.

 Since its inception in 2007, ‘Belenismo’ has become not only an annual competition for belen makers in Tarlac but also a gathering for tourists who wish to relive the spirit of Christmas through various artistic interpretations of how Jesus Christ was born. (js)


Government ready for typhoon 'Bopha,' Malacanang says 
 
 As the country braces for the arrival of typhoon “Pablo,” (international codename: Bopha) this week, Malacañang said on Sunday that the government has prepared all the necessary precautions including government resources and is ready to provide assistance to "all those that may be affected."

 In a press briefing aired over government-run radio station dzRB Raydo ng Bayan, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte also appealed to the members of the media to help the government in disseminating information on the typhoon’s track.

 State weather bureau PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) said in its 11:00 a.m. weather bulletin that “Pablo” was located at 1,110 km East Southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur with maximum sustained winds of 185 kph (kilometers per hour) near the center and gustiness of up to 220 kph. It is forecast to move West Northwest at 22 kph.

 Valte called on the local government units to continuously monitor the PAGASA bulletins and updates in order to keep their constituents safe.

 “Keep updated on the bulletins from PAGASA. Always cooperate with the local authorities as the National Government is all ready to provide all assistance to those that may be affected,” Valte said. PND (rck)