Typhoon Cosme's Path of Destruction in Pangasinan

22 May, Thursday. Five days after Typhoon "Cosme" unleashed its fury and destroyed millions worth of properties, leaving hundreds homeless, the people of San Fabian, one of the worst hits towns in Pangasinan, are now slowly rebuilding destroyed homes, putting order back to their lives, arousing hope amidst the destruction brought about the strongest typhoons to hit the country in decades.

"In all of my 80 years, I have never experienced so strong a typhoon than this one!" Mrs. Felomina Sagun, long time resident observed. This was the same observation echoed by many of the town's older residents. The howling winds were so devastating that the roof of the almost one third of the front part of the parish church was blown off. Several other parts of the roof were blown off. Masses and other liturgical celebrations are temporarily being celebrated at the Parish Center which suffered only slight damages. The Archdiocesan School of San Fabian suffered almost similar destruction as the parish church. Classrooms of Grades I and VI were partially damaged, as well as the main administration building.
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Mass for Truth, Justice and Peace in Dagupan City

4 April, Friday. Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz, the Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, with Msgr. Renato P. Mayugba, DD, the Auxiliary Bishop, of Lingayen-Dagupan presided over the celebration of the Mass for "Truth, Justice and Peace" at the Dagupan City Astrodome, Dagupan City. The mass was attended by the NBN-ZTE witness Engr. Rodolfo "Jun" Lozada with several nuns who accompanied him as part of his campaign to let the truth be known by the majority of the Filipinos regarding the NBN-ZTE deal and his alleged abduction upon his arrival from Hongkong at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport last Febraury 2008.

The Social Action Apostolate of the Archdiocese coordinated the whole event. Days before the said event, the streamers put by the Social Action Apostolate at the various strategic places in Dagupan City to announce the mass and to welcome Engr. Lozada to Dagupan City were systematically removed. Two more streamers were put on the night of 3 April, Thursday. Although not removed, they were covered by huge tarpauline streamers derogatory of Engr. Jun Lozada. Dagupan City residents woke up to thousands of anti-Lozada pamphlets scattered along the streets of the City. "We love GMA" were seen hanging all over the metropolis. - more -