Integrated Nutrition Program launched in San Fabian

by Antonio J. Supremido, Jr.

19 September, 2011 -San Fabian. The Hapag-Asa Integrated Nutrition Program was formally launched this 19^th day September, 2011 at Longos Amangonan-Parac-Parac as the pilot barangay in the parish. The launching was inaugurated with the celebration of the Holy Mass presided over by Rev. Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza, the Parish Priest.

Integrated Nutrition Program

This Integrated Nutrition Program was initially launched in July 2005 by Pondo ng Pinoy Community Foundation headed by Archbishop Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales, Assisi Development Foundation and Feed the Children Philippines. This was already running in most parts in the country and has reached the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan with seven (7) parishes as the pilot areas and one of which is the Parish of Saint Fabian. This program is meant to develop the culture of sharing and loving among various stakeholders, to reduce malnutrition rate among children from 0-6 years old and to improve the capacity of parents to care and provide for basic needs of their children.

Nutrition, education, livelihood

The activity has three (3) program components: the supplemental feeding, the education of parents, and the skills and livelihood training of parents. The supplemental feeding is not meant to substitute the regular meals which the children get from their homes but rather is intended to complement the necessary meals so that they would acquire the required nutrients and vitamins necessary for them to grow strong and healthy. The parents are indispensable in the program. Their role is very crucial in the process. They are not only there to support the program but to see to it that the program is properly implemented and continued even after the feeding is finished. They are required to attend the parents’ education class. They are taught information on how to be effective and affective parents to their children. They are likewise given skills and livelihood training to support the financial needs of their families.

Malnourished Children, Underweight Pregnant, Breastfeeding Mothers

The target recipients are the malnourished children from 0-6 year old, underweight pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. The period of child’s development is up to 6 year old. The feeding is meant to address the lack or imbalance of nutrients in the body where they don’t usually get from regular meals. If it not addressed properly the physical, psychological, and emotional function of an individual is impaired. He/she is not capable of capable of maintaining adequate level of performance such as physical work, resistance to and recovers from illness. He/she is expected to have low literacy, lack of skills, and lack of concentration in school. So, what kind of people do we have to expect in the future?

Parents are also part of the feeding not just the children, especially the underweight pregnant and breastfeeding parents. We have to safeguard the health of parents so that we can assure the healthiness of the child they carry or breastfeed. The malnourished parents have the reduced capacity to care for the child much more they cannot give what are needed by their children in the process. This can be prevented by giving them nutritious food during their pregnancy or breastfeeding period. Again, the feeding is not meant to substitute the regular meals but as to compliment it.

There are  175 recipients in the program. There are 66 pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and the rest are children from 0-6 year old. At the end of each month, there will be evaluation if there will be an improvement in the physical, emotional and social condition of the children as well as mothers. At the end of six months, 120 days, we expect that our recipients attain the necessary objectives of the program.

Invitation to share

There are quite few parishioners who are willing to take share in the program. They’ve expressed to sponsor a couple of days of feeding by allocating certain amounts for ingredients and materials needed in cooking. But, to implement the program for six months takes a big sum of money to sustain it. We are extending our invitation to our generous and kindhearted fellow parishioners to help and take part in the program. We can never outdo God in His generosity. The amount we can share will surely given back to us by God a hundred times.

We would like also to express gratitude to the barangay council of Longos Amangonan Parac-Parac who has extended their support and assistance in the implementation and monitoring of the program and for deputizing the barangay health workers (BHW) in the identification of our target recipients.

(See also: “”Feeding our Future”)

Thousands join "Run for Life"

by Dionisia E. Embuido

16 July 2011 – Dagupan City. An estimated 4,500 people from all walks of life joined the “Run for Life” organized by the Ministry of Social Action (MISA) and the Family and Life Apostolate (FLA) of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan. Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas, Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, led the runners in church’s defense, protection and promotion of life.

“Run for Your Life”

Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas with the clergy of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan celebrated mass before the actual run. In his homily, Archbishop Villegas recalled the July 16, 1990 earthquake. He said that when the earthquake struck Dagupan and several towns of Pangasinan, it was a “run for your life”. People were running for safety, running for their lives. “Some chose to leave Dagupan City; but many chose to stay to rebuild what was destroyed by the earthquake”, he further said. “We are commemorating today the heroism of Pangasinenses and the people of Dagupan!”

The 1990 Earthquake

On  July 16, 1990, Monday, at 4:26 PM local time, the densely populated island of Luzon was struck by an earthquake with a 7.8 magnitude at the Richter scale. About 90 buildings in Dagupan City  were damaged, and about 20 collapsed. Some structures sustained damage because liquefaction caused buildings to sink as much as 1 meter (39 inches). The earthquake caused a decrease in the elevation of the city and several areas were flooded. There were 17 deaths recorded in Dagupan City in that earthquake.
 
21 years later: A New Earthquake

Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas said that a new earthquake is among us today, 21 years after the earthquake of 1990. “We are praying that there will be no more earthquakes. But there is another earthquake that is slowly destroying us, eating us up.”  Archbishop Villegas called this new earthquake: moral degradation.

Speaking in front of the young who composed the majority of those who celebrated the mass, he said that when he was young the words “abortion”, “divorce”, “euthanasia”, “Same sex marriage”  were not yet in his vocabulary. “These words have now become part of your vocabulary today. These are destroying you!”

“Boiling a Frog”

A frog when put in a boiling water will jump out of the container. He said that when you put a frog in a cold water, it will stay and swim leisurely. If the water is slowly heated up, the frog will not notice the change of temperature. It will not jump. It will stay until we will have a boiled frog! Archbishop Villegas likened the moral degradation that is killing our soul and society to the frog who did not notice the gradual boiling of water leading to its death. He challenged the youth not to be eaten up by these “bad words” in the society today but instead to stand up for life, defend life, promote life.

Participants from all walks of life

The more than 4,500 participants came from the different parishes and schools of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, students from the different colleges and universities in Dagupan City, non-government organizations as well as the members of the Couples for Christ. Governor Amado T. Espino, Governor of Pangasinan, former Speaker Jose de Venecia and Congresswoman Gina de Venecia and Congresswoman Kimi Cojuangco and several government officials joined the advocacy for life.

The run has 1K, 3K, 5K and 10K distances. The finishers were given ID cards telling that they have completed the run. They also put their thumb marks in a huge “Run for Life” board.

The Catholic Church has always been teaching the value and dignity of human life. Blessed Pope John Paul II in his Evangelium Vitae: "Precisely in an age when the inviolable rights of the person are solemnly proclaimed and the value of life is public affirmed, the very right to life is being denied or trampled upon, especially at the more significant moments of existence: the moment of birth and the moment of death." (Evangelium Vitae no. 18, John Paul II)

The Church has the duty and the obligation to defend life from the many attempts to demean and even to destroy it, where a life is preferred over material and economic gains or over the quality of life of another: the sick over the healthy, the poor and the underprivileged over the wealthy and the powerful, the young over the old.

Abortion and Contraception

It has been noted that couples who unintentionally conceive a child while using contraception are far more likely to resort to abortion than others. Tragically, our society is being bombarded by the mentality that views children as a burden and invites many to consider abortion as a "backup" to contraceptive failure. The Church warns that with the acceptance and use of contraception, so will come the  acceptance and use of abortion.  An end to abortion will not come from contraceptive campaigns but from a deeper understanding of  human sexuality, and of human life, as sacred gifts deserving careful stewardship.

Mother Teresa’s quotation on life

Printed on the tarpaulin for the thumb marks of the run-finishers are the words of Blessed Mother Teresa: “Life is beautiful, admire it; life is costly, care for it; life is wealth, keep it; life is a promise, fulfill it; life is too precious, do not destroy it; life is life, fight for it”.

(Pictures courtesy of Fr. Manuel delos Santos, from his Facebook account)

Ms. Dionisia E. Embuido is at present a Grade 4 teacher at the East Central Elementary School (San Fabian))

Commissioning of Lay Ministers set on 12 June

San Fabian. The commissioning of the different Lay Ministers of the Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr, will be held on 12 June 2011. It will be done during the third mass of the day at 8:00 AM.

In a circular letter written by Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas, DD,  he reminded all the parish priests that “the Commissioning and Renewal Rites of Lay Ministers of the parish must be done during the Principal Mass of the parish on Pentecost Sunday.” This year, Pentecost Sunday will be on 12 June 2011.

The Lay Ministers to be commissioned are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, the Lectors and Commentators, Liturgical Ushers, members of the choir, as well as the Catechists and the Social Action Ministers.

Feeding our Future

By Ms. Shirley Tersol

San Fabian, Pangasinan – 25 May 2011. In a recent survey conducted by Social Weather Stations, some 20.5 percent of Filipinos or about 4.1 million families are going hungry, an increase almost seven points above the 12-year average of 13.8 percent. Also, 51 percent or some 10.4 million families are considering themselves "mahirap" or poor – two points up from November’s 49 percent, according to a new survey by pollster Social Weather Stations.

The problem of malnutrition is also a persistent problem closely connected with the problem of hunger and poverty. The malnutrition prevalence among children in the Philippines has remained alarmingly high in the last 10 years. Results of the 7^th National Nutrition Survey conducted by Food and Nutrition Research Institute in 2008 showed that there are still about 3 out of 10 children ages 0 to 10 years who are underweight (26.2% for children ages 0-5 years old and 25.6% prevalence for 6-10 years old). About the same proportion (27.9% and 33.1% respectively) are under height which indicates chronic or long-standing malnutrition.

MISA in San Fabian

In response to the prevailing problem of hunger and malnutrition among the children aging 6 months to 6 years old, the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan Ministry of Social Action (MISA) in partnership with HAPAG-ASA, an integrated Nutrition Program connected with the Church based Pondo ng Pinoy of the Archdiocese of Manila and Assisi Foundation and Feed the Children Philippines, embarked on a holistic feeding program in some selected parishes in the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan. These parishes are the pilot parishes for the feeding program of the Ministry of Social Action.

The Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr is one of the seven parishes involved in the program. The parish has chosen Brgy. Longos Parac-Parac as its pilot barangay. The others are the St. John the Evangelist, Dagupan City, Annunciation of the Lord in Bonuan Gueset, Dagupan City, St. Ildephonse, Malasiqui, Holy Cross, Laoac, St. Dominic, San Carlos and Epiphany of our Lord, Lingayen, Pangasinan.

Hapag Asa: Feeding our Future

The Hapag-Asa Integrated Feeding Program was launched in July 2006 by Archbishop Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales. It aims to develop the culture of SHARING and LOVING as demonstrated in the Miracle of the Multiplication of loaves and fish (Mt. 14:13-21) to children, their families and communities; to reduce malnutrition prevalence rate among 0 to 12 years old children and to improve capacity of parents to care and provide for basic needs of their children.

The program feeds 6 months to 12 year old undernourished children in the community once a day, five days a week for six months. Each meal is enriched with Vitamins and Minerals through the addition of Vitameal a mixture of rice and lentil.

Longos Parac-Parac, San Fabian: Pilot Barangay

The Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr, has chosen Barangay Longos Parac-Parac as its pilot barangays for the program. Rev. Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza, parish priest of St Fabian said that that there are 118 children and 66 pregnant and lactating mothers who are enrolled in the feeding program in Brgy. Longos Parac-Parac.

Bro. Antonio Supremido, the Parish Program Coodinator, said that the children were first weighed and their height measured before they were enrolled in the Hapag-Asa program.

He explained that the program focuses on 6 months to 12 years old undernourished children and underweight pregnant and lactating women. “The program gives priority to younger age group – 6 years old and below”, he said.

He explained that the program provides one meal a day, five days a week for six months or a total of 120 days. The food can be complete meal or heavy snacks. The workforce is provided by the parents of the enrolled children.

Ms. Michelle A. Vallejos, the Barangay Program Coordinator, said, “The supplemental feeding is just one of the components of the program.”

She said that two other components which are vital to the success of the program are the “Parents’ Education Classes” and the “Livelihood and Skills Training”. The classes are scheduled every Sunday afternoon, while the feeding component is scheduled at 4 o’clock in the afternoon, from Monday to Friday. The seminars will be on affective parenting, livelihood and skills training; health and nutrition; values formation; and responsible parenthood to ensure that the parents can take care of their children even after the feeding.

The Hapag-Asa Integrated Feeding Program has been implemented in 836 parishes all over the Philippines as of November 2010. It has served 128,104 children.

The Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr, will formally launched the program this coming June 2011.

(Shirley Tersol is a member of the Parish of St. Fabian Ministry of Social Action. She is also at present the Teacher-in-Charge of Jose N. Juguilon Elementary School, Colisao, San Fabian, Pangasinan).

Caritas-San Fabian holds Basic Reflexology Seminar

20 June 2010 – San Fabian. Caritas- San Fabian, a component of the Social Action Apostolate of the Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr, in cooperation with Terra by Footprints of Dagupan City, held a two-weekend seminar on Basic Reflexology. The seminar attracted 47 participants in the parish. It was facilitated by Ms. Cristina G. Reyes, Trainor of Terra by Footprints.

The Basic Reflexology seminar was given to provide skills to the parishioners and offer opportunities for work to the participants.

During the Graduation Exercises held at the end of the seminar, Mr. Ponciano Catipon, the TESDA Provincial Director, in his speech to the graduates, said that the most of the graduates of the Basic Reflexology are already employed or are offering home-services. He noted that massage therapists are in demand especially in the province. He said that with the seminars being provided by TESDA, “We can fight poverty in Pangasinan.”

The Basic Reflexology came after Caritas-San Fabian sponsored a five-weekend, 10-day sessions on Basic Hairdressing.

 

Save Bued River! Save Binday!

4 June 2010 – Binday, San Fabian, Pangasinan. Residents of Brgys. Binday, Anonang, their supporters and sympathizers staged a Rally near the Binday Dam to manifest their concern with regard to the on-going rehabilitation project being undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

During last year’ onslaught of Typhoon Pepeng, a greater portion of Binday, notably Sitio Binday South, was destroyed by rushing flood waters. Twenty-One houses were destroyed, and more than 5 hectares of farmland were eroded and destroyed during that calamity.

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) was one with the protesting residents in asking the Department of Public Works and Highway to present a comprehensive plan in the construction of the flood control dike along Bued River. The Social Action Apostolate of the parish through Bro. Antonio Supremido, the ASAP Parish Coordinator, has been coordinating closely with the residents and officials concerned regarding the said action of the residents.

The residents of Brgys. Binday and Anonang were worried that the construction of the said flood control dike located at the downstream of the Binday Dam could  easily be destroyed by the strong waters rushing coming from the upstream of Bued river.

Engr. Renato Milan, the Provincial Administrator of the National Irrigation Administration, said that the residents do not want a repeat of the disaster that happened to them which destroyed their houses and the irrigation canals resulting in less harvest for them.

Mr. Juan Juguilon, Jr., the Municipal Agriculturist, expressed his apprehension that failure to properly rehabilitate the Bued River will result once again in the destruction of the Binday Dam.

The concerned officials of the Barangays Binday and Anonang and the municipality of San Fabian as well as the affected residents are demanding that they be consulted in the rehabilitation project as they know more about the “life” of Bued River.

A mass was celebrated by Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza, the parish priest, near the Binday Dam, before the Rally was held.

To see more pictures of the Rally, kindly click HERE.

PPCRV-LD inspects PCOS machines

Franklin Q. De Guzman
Archdiocesan Social Action Apostolate Lingayen-Dagupan

2 May 2010 -DAGUPAN CITY. Contingent from the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan (A LD) inspected the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines to be used in some parts of Pangasinan on Sunday.

In a safe warehouse somewhere in Dagupan City, Fr. Oliver Mendoza, the Apostolate Director of the Archdiocesan Social Action Apostolate (ASAP) of Lingayen-Dagupan, together with Fr. Allen Romero, PPCRV Lingayen-Daguapan’s (PPCRV LD) Chair and other 3 PPCRV volunteers checked the security of more than 1,000 PCOS machines to be used in the Congressional Districts 2, 3, 4 and 5 of Pangasinan province. The PPCRV group was accompanied by the SMARTMATIC Team led by Col. Magtanggol Halili, the Pangasinan Provincial Security Coordinator.

The inspection is necessary in order to make sure that “the PCOS machines are safe, secured and sealed,” Fr. Mendoza said. “It (PCOS) is the most important equipment that we will be using for this 1st Fully Automated Elections,” he added.

Upon inspection, the PCOS machines are to be found in good order and condition. They (PCOS) are safely stored in a warehouse hidden to the public and they are still unpacked in their plastics, according to the PPCRV contingents.

More than a thousand ballot boxes to be also used during elections were also properly stored in the warehouse along with 1 generator per municipality and 1 battery per PCOS in case of power interruption.

According to Pangasinan Comelec, the PCOS machines are expected to be delivered to each municipal Comelec Offices on May 6. On the following day, the PCOS machines will be delivered to the polling precincts. It (PCOS) will stay there until the end of elections.

PPCRV LD assured that they will send their volunteers to watch the security of the PCOS machines from its delivery to the Municipal Comelec Offices until the end of elections.

The PCOS machines to be used in Pangasinan were delivered on April 26, 2010 by SMARTMATIC Team in three hubs in Pangasinan. Aside from the warehouse in Dagupan which is the largest, other hubs are located somewhere in Urdaneta and Alaminos City.

(Photos from the Facebook account of PPCRV Lingayen-Dagupan)

Pangasinan Walks for CHAMP

By Franklin Q. De Guzman
Archdiocesan Social Action Apostolate Lingayen-Dagupan

17 April 2010 - LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN. - More than two thousand Pangasinenses gathered together to express their call for Clean, Honest Accurate Meaningful and Peaceful (CHAMP) May 2010 Elections. Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas, the Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, and the volunteers of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible (PPCRV), walked around the streets of Lingayen, Pangasinan last 17 April 2010, Saturday morning. The gathering was dubbed as “Lakad Pangasinan, Malinis na Halalan”. Lingayen is the capital town of Pangasinan.

“Lakad Pangasinan” can be understood in two ways. From the Pangasinan language, it is an invitation to “go to Pangasinan”; in Filipino, it means “walk Pangasinan.”

Contingents from the different parishes led by their parish priests from the three ecclesiastical areas in Pangasinan : the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan (ALD), the Diocese of Alaminos and the Diocese of Urdaneta , were on hand for the walk.

The two main candidates for Pangasinan governorship, re-electionist Gov. Amado Espino, Jr., and former Governor and now 2nd District Congressman of Pangasinan, Victor Agbayani were both present in the said event. Former Philippine National Police (PNP) NCRPO Chief Leopoldo Bataoil, who is running for a congressional seat in the second district, and other local candidates also joined the walk.

Commission on Elections (COMELEC) representatives from the different parts of Pangasinan headed by Provincial Elections Officer Atty. Reddy C. Balarbar and the Pangasinan PNP led by PNP Region I Director Police Chief Superintendent Constante D. Azares, Jr. and Pangasinan Police Provincial Director, Police Senior Superintendent Percival G. Barba, also went out to the streets to manifest their support for the said cause.

Lakad Pangasinan gained a lot of positive comments among people.

“This is a very significant event. I have been working for the COMELEC for so many years now and this is the first time that this event happened in our province,” Balarbar said in Filipino.

“This event is a very strong manifestation that here in Pangasinan, we are united in calling for a clean and honest elections,” a 22-year old participant also said with optimism.


Thou Shall Not Steal, Kill, Lie

“Our love of country is another expression of our love of God. If you say that you love God but you don’t love your country, you are a liar.”

These were the strong opening words of Archbishop Villegas in his homily at the Don Narciso Ramos Sports Complex in Lingayen, Pangasinan . Msgr. Villegas presided over the Eucharistic celebration just before the walk for CHAMP. He said in Filipino that the gathering was “a response to the Christian responsibility to change the society and to evangelize every person that we meet.”

In order to realize CHAMP Elections, the prelate urged everyone present never to do anything on May 10 2010 that will compromise their salvation. He asked each one especially the candidates and PPCRV Volunteers to obey the commandments of God especially the commandments not to steal, kill and lie. He also appealed to everyone to be vigilant in ensuring that nobody will steal, kill and lie this coming May Elections. He challenged both the candidates and voters “to stand up for life, human rights and truth” instead.

Villegas was very hopeful about Pangasinenses’ ability in realizing CHAMP Elections this coming May. “We can do this,” he said in Filipino.

He ended his homily by wishing that all candidates will win. “But it is not possible”, he continued. “However, I hope that when you win, you win according to God’s way,” the prelate said. (Listen to Archbishop Soc’s homily)

I Pledge

The walk started from the Narciso Ramos Sports Complex. It ended in front of the Provincial Capitol where a simple program was held. A little girl, called the “hope of the nation” by the emcees, led the gathering in singing the National Anthem. A young girl in her teens led the “Panunumpa sa Watawat”. Both evoked from the people who gathered in front of the Provincial Capitol Building a sense of hope, and a greater zeal to make the CHAMP a reality for their sakes.

Archbishop Villegas, the clergy, the PNP representatives, the COMELEC Officials, the PPCRV Heads from the different parishes of Pangasinan, and the local candidates pledged to be united in ensuring CHAMP Elections in Pangasinan. Each one made an imprint of their hand on a black wall set up on the stage with “Pangasinan is for CHAMP Elections” imprinted on top of it. The handprints served as concrete evidence and manifestation of their collective oath in ensuring CHAMP Elections in Pangasinan. Msgr. Villegas was the first to put his handprints on the wall.

“This is a very meaningful event. If all candidates will take up the challenge of Archbishop Villegas not to steal, kill and lie then we will have a peaceful and truthful elections here in Pangasinan,” Congressman Victor Agbayani commented on the event.

Asked on what can he do to ensure CHAMP Elections, “Just obey those things (referring to the homily of Villegas),” Governor Amado Espino also said.

On the part of the COMELEC, “we are also educating the voters on how to vote the right person. Just like what Archbishop Soc (Villegas) said, that is also what we are telling the voters, “ Balarbar said in Filipino.

PPCRV General Orientation

The thousands of PPCRV volunteers proceeded to the Sison Auditorium to undergo a general orientation given by the COMELEC Officials headed by Balarbar. Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza, the Social Action Director of the Archdiocese, also gave an orientation to the volunteers on their various responsibilities and duties. The Archdiocese is hoping to fill up all the precincts with PPCRV Pollwatchers, as well as fill up all the PPCRV volunteer types. PPCRV LD is hoping to get 15,000 volunteers to ensure CHAMP.

One of the highlights of the said orientation was a simulated voting process participated in by the PPCRV Volunteers.

The highlight of the general orientation was the demonstration by the COMELEC officials of the Precint Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machine which will be used during the first national automated elections. A sample ballot was given to all the volunteers. 30 volunteers “voted” using the PCOS machine.

“It (PCOS) is OK. It is easier and faster,” said Elvira Guno, one of those who “cast” her ballots during the mock elections.

Although the COMELEC assured the volunteers that the PCOS would be very hard to hack because of its security code, some were still doubtful about it. “It is still a machine that can be possibly manipulated by humans. What we must do is to be very vigilant about it (PCOS),” said Edgardo Salinas, one of the PPCRV volunteers. This was reiterated by the provincial COMELEC. “As PPCRV, you must be vigilant about what is happening in the elections because this is your responsibility why you are here,” Balarbar said.


PPCRV-LD Partnership with the local Media

In a related development, the PPCRV Lingayen-Dagupan forged a partnership with the local media in a meeting held at the Chancery last 16 April 2010. The partnership will provide news and feature stories from different parts of Pangasinan (specifically those areas covered by the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan) regarding May 2010 elections which will be delivered by the local media partners and PPCRV online sites. Reports will be given by the PPCRV volunteers down to the precinct level.

The partnership aims to provide the public with accurate news and feature stories (text, photos, videos, audio) regarding election-related issues and event in Pangasinan.

For PPCRV LD, the partnership will serve as an outlet in disseminating information to a larger audience. It can be helpful in educating the public regarding election-related matters which can assist the public in coming up to an informed decision. It can also help PPCRV LD in ensuring a clean and honest elections through rigid election monitoring and reporting.

For the journalist, the partnership will serve as a reliable source of information, specifically tips and leads regarding election-related news and events, which will be provided by PPCRV LD Media Desk before, during and even after the elections.

PPCRV LD Facebook and Twitter accounts have been set up for everybody to follow news, events and updates regarding the May 2010 elections.

PPCRV Twitter account: http://twitter.com/PPCRVLD

PPCRV Facebook account: Just search for PPCRV Lingayen-Dagupan

For more pictures, click the following links:

PPCRV Lingayen-Dagupan

Walk for CHAMP

Skills and Livelihood Training on Hairdressing starts

10 April 2010 – San Fabian. The Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr Social Action Apostolate has launched today the first of its several skills and livelihood training programs. The parish Social action Apostolate through its Caritas Ministry has scheduled a Hairdressing Skills and Livelihood program which will last until 16 May 2010, or a six-weekend program with 12 sessions, including the final examination for the participants on 15 May 2010.

Vibrante Training Center and Caritas-San Fabian

The Parish Social Action Apostolate has asked the help of Mr. Marcel Jon C. Mendoza, the lead trainer for the seminar-workshop, who has undergone Trainor’s Methodology Training Program ( TMTP ) and Competency Assessment Methodology Course ( CAMC) held by TESDA ( Technical skills Development Authority ) which qualifies him to train and assess students taking up Hairdressing National Certificate II.

Mr. Marcel Jon Mendoza has been a hair artisan for over 5 years. He is one of a very few practitioners of ‘Flying shears’ technique, a technique developed by Bruce Choy ( an internationally acclaimed hairstylist ) where hairstyles are done with great precision, integrity, natural and seamless. He has generously shared his talent to the parish. He is the Technical Director of Vibrante Training Center, where he is able to share his passion for hairdressing. Marcel Jon is a nephew of Rev. Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza, the parish priest of the Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr. Vibrante Training Center is located in Malasiqui, Pangasinan.

Participants will receive certificates issued by TESDA.

The seminar workshop has the following schedule:

April 10: Hair science, haircutting tools and application (Demo ), hair treatments
April 11: Pre and post hair care activities and demo, Haircut primer, Haircut 1 and blow-dry (lecture and demo)
April 17: Haircut 2 and 3 lecture and demo( am) HANDS ON haircuts 1,2 and 3 (pm)
April 18: Haircut 4,5 and 6 lecture and demo ( am) HANDS ON haircuts 4,5 and 6 (pm )
April 24: Haircolor theory and demo
April 25: HANDS ON hair coloring
May 1: Rebonding Lecture and Demo
May 2: HANDS ON Rebonding
May 8: Manicure, pedicure and footspa lecture and demo
May 9: HANDS ON manicure and pedicure
May 15: Examinations
May 16: Graduation issue of certificates

During HANDS-ON sessions, students are required to bring their tools and ‘models’.

“Lakad Pangasinan … Malinis na Halalan”

INVITATION

Responding to the call of times for an even greater involvement of the Church in the mission of social transformation according to the spirit of the Gospel, I invite the People of God in the Archdiocese of Lingayen Dagupan and all people of good will in Pangasinan Province to participate in "Lakad Pangasinan .. Malinis na Halalan" on April 17, 2010 at the Don Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center, Lingayen, Pangasinan starting with a Eucharistic Celebration at six o’clock in the morning.

The covenant for Clean Honest Accurate Meaningful and Peaceful (CHAMP) Elections will take place in front of the Provincial Capitol Building at half past eight in the morning. The General Assembly of PPCRV volunteers will take place at nine o’clock in the morning at the Sison Auditorium following the covenant signing.

Be part of this Lakad Pangasinan! Please come wearing white to express your love of God and country!

Thank you even now for your wholehearted participation!

From the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist, Dagupan City, April 4, 2010 Easter Sunday

+SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS

Archbishop of Lingayen Dagupan

Local Candidates sign “Covenant for Peaceful Elections”

24 March 2010 – San Fabian. The five mayoralty candidates and their allies signed a “Covenant for Peaceful Elections” during the mass celebrated by Rev. Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza, the parish priest. The signing coincided with the 4,30 PM mass last Wednesday. The majority of the candidates for the local positions in San Fabian took part in the signing. Mr. Bienvenido Azurin III, the local COMELEC officer was very confident that with the signing of the covenant, the elections in San Fabian would be peaceful and orderly.

The five mayoralty candidates are: Irene Libunao, Gerald Gubatan, Liberato Villegas, Jimmy Tiu and Myrna Torralba. They also took part in a recollection facilitated by Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas, DD, the Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, for the local candidates in Pangasinan last 23 March 2010, at the Lay Formation Center. In that recollection, San Fabian had a perfect attendance from its mayoralty candidates.

The signing of the covenant in San Fabian was witnessed by the parishioners, the members of the Philippine National Police and the PPCRV of the Parish of St. Fabian.

The signing was done two days before the start of the campaign period for the local positions.

Please read Sunday Punch article on the above event. (Photo courtesy of Sunday Punch)

Local Candidates undergo Spiritual Recollection and Day of Prayer

23 March 2010 – Dagupan City. With only few days before the start of the campaign period for local positions, a number of Pangasinan’s political candidates underwent a spiritual recollection and reflection facilitated by Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas, DD. They later promised a peaceful May 2010 Elections by signing a covenant for peace.

More than half a hundred of political aspirants vying for local positions (governor, vice governor, congressman, and mayor) pledged to ensure a clean, honest, accurate, meaningful, and peaceful (CHAMP) elections through a peace covenant signing with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and Philippine National Police (PNP). The signatories come from different political parties. The signing was held at the Lay Formation Center of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan (ALD) in Bonuan Gueset, Dagupan City.

The signing of the peace covenant, a spiritual recollection was facilitated by Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas, DD for the local candidates. The candidates were given moments of reflection through slides and sharings by Archbishop Villegas. The Blessed Sacrament was exposed and the candidates were also given time to reflect and pray. In front of the Blessed Sacrament, Archbishop Villegas prayed for and blessed the candidates individually.

The holy mass followed the recollection. During his homily, Villegas asked the candidates to assure peace during the campaign period and elections. The prelate opened his homily by saying, “Everyone wants a clean election. Nobody wants a dirty election. Everyone wants a peaceful election. Nobody wants an election with violence.” He further said that he would be praying three things for the candidates: “lakas ng loob”, “ganda ng loob” and “kalooban”.

Most Rev. Socrates Villegas, Archbishop of ALD, with Atty. Reddy C. Balarbar, Provincial COMELEC Officer, PC Supt Constante D. Azares, Jr, the Regional Director, PRO1, and PS Supt. Percival G. Barba, Provincial Director of Pangasinan Provincial Police Office (PPO) served as witnesses for the said event.

Villegas also urged the candidates to be faithful to the covenant that they were about to sign. He said, “Put your conscience on it. Put God on it. For if not, it will just be a palabas.”

The Recollection, Holy Mass and Peace Covenant Signing was a joint event of Pangasinan PPO, Pangasinan COMELEC and Archdiocesan Social Action Apostolate (ASAP) of ALD.

Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza, the Social Action Director of the Archdiocese speaks before the Archbishop and General Azares, the Regional PNP Director, before the covenant signing.

More than 50 of the 158 candidates attended the recollection and covenant signing.

All photos, courtesy of Rev. Fr. Mario Dominic Sanchez of the Lay Formation Center

News Report by Mr. Franklin de Guzman

“Panangaro na Ina, Regalo na Ina”

San Fabian -- 8 December 2009. To celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr, held an early gift-giving program to marginalized families of the parish. The gift-giving activity was dubbed "Panangaro na Ina, Regalo na Ina" showing the love of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Gift she had given us through her Son could be our model in sharing and loving our fellowmen, especially the most vulnerable in our community.

"Panangaro na Ina, Regalo na Ina" is a project program of the Social Action Apostolate of the Archdiocese. The different parishes and chaplaincies of the archdiocese simultaneously held this gift-giving activity. The gifts consisted of kilos of rice, noodles and canned goods, including clothes which were received by the archdiocese through the Social Action Apostolate from different groups and individuals in the Philippines and from abroad. There were 150 families who took part in the "Panangaro na Ina, Regalo na Ina."

The parish held the activity at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. The families were gathered at the parish Church where a sharing on the Divine Mercy was done. The parish has had a strong devotion to the Mercy of God and considers the recent program as a corporal work of mercy.

A Holy Mass was celebrated with the families. Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza, the parish priest, celebrated the Eucharist.

The families had a great time at the Parish Center after receiving their gift-box. The Parish Center was transformed into a huge "Ukay-Ukay" center where the individual members of the families got to pick and try the clothes they liked and needed.

The Parish Social Action team prepared and repacked the gifts, and supervised the whole activity.It was a fitting tribute to a Mother who gave her all, including her Son for the salvation of all.

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To see more pictures of “Panangaro na Ina, Regalo na Ina” gift-giving program, pleas click HERE.

Continuing Relief Operations

18 October – San Fabian. Relief operations and services have been going on for the past days since the Great Flood struck San Fabian last 9 October. Ten of the hardest barangays have been visited by the Social Action Apostolate (ASAP) team of the parish. As of today, almost 2,000 families have received help from the ASAP of the parish. Eight thousand individuals have been given relief goods.

The Parish of San Juan Bautista, Pinaglabanan, San Juan City sent a truckload of relief goods, including rice, canned goods, noodles, clothes and medicine. They also gave school materials to replace the writing paper, pencils and ballpens that many of our school children lost during the flood.

The convent and the garage were transformed into relief operations center of the parish.

The relief goods being handed to those affected and displaced by the flood of 10/9.

(Pictures courtesy of Sem. Estephen Espinoza)

“Pasasalamat kay San Juan Bautista”

15 October 2009 –San Fabian.

It was on October 9, Friday dawn when floodwaters in 32 towns and three cities in Pangasinan were initially seen rising fast due to the swelling of major rivers, notably the Agno River, initially from the continuous rains unleashed by Typhoon Pepeng. It was aggravated when the San Roque Multi-purpose Project (SRMP), reputed to be highest rock-fill dam in the south east Asian region and the second highest in Asia, began spilling its excess water at the lower stream of the Agno River through its six spillway gates by 26 meters at 3 a.m. (from the Sunday Punch) By the end of the day the 90% of the province was inundated by flood waters causing untold pain and suffering to our people.

The Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr, (San Fabian, Pangasinan), of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan was not spared by the calamity that devastated Pangasinan. The Bued River rampaged through San Fabian and eroded large tracks of land, including 25 houses erected in Barangay Binday. The floodwaters submerged houses in some barangays, particularly in Brgys. Lekep-Butao, Taculit, Angio, Longos Central, Parac-Parac and Proper. Many did not expect the waters to rise so fast. In some areas, their houses were inundated in less than thirty minutes. Many had to spend more than 24 hours, without food and rest, on the rooftops of their houses. The rampaging waters made rescue efforts more difficult.

About 60% of San Fabian was underwater. There were thousands who were affected, that the Evacuation Center of the town was filled. It could not accommodate all of them. The woes of the evacuees were compounded when floodwaters reached the only evacuation center of the town. The parish opened and welcomed the hundreds of evacuees who filled up the parish Church, the Parish Center and the Catholic School.

We have been struck by a calamity, and wounded by the onslaught of devastating floodwaters. But we also have been loved much by so many people who have gone out of their way to help us in our need. We believe we are blessed, in spite of this tragedy that had befallen us. We are blessed because there are people who have shown so much love and generosity. You are here in our hearts, and with you we will rise. We will prevail. We shall overcome.

To the Parish of St. John the Baptist, Pinaglabanan, San Juan City, our heartfelt and sincere gratitude to you all. To Fr. Frank Ungria, Jr., the parish priest, a native son of San Fabian, to his Parochial vicar, Fr. Mike Kalaw, to the members of the PPC and to all of you: MARAMING SALAMAT PO sa TULONG at PAGMAMAHAL! We believe that God in His unfathomable mercy will reward you a hundredfold!

Fr. Mike Kalaw, the Parochial Vicar of St. John the Baptist with the brother of Fr. Frank Ungria, Jr., the parish priest.

The members of the Mother Butler Guild of San Fabian Parish helped in repacking the truckload of relief goods.

Relief Operations under way

14 October 2009. Five days after the Great Flood that inundated 90% of the province of Pangasinan, including the 28 parishes and chaplaincies of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, the Archdiocesan Social Action (ASAP) has started its relief operations. The Mary Help of Christians College Seminary in Bonuan Gueset, Dagupan City has been transformed into its Center for Relief Operations.

Since 10 October 2009, Sunday, relief goods have been pouring in for the relief operations in the Archdiocese. They have not yet stopped. Most of these relief goods and packages came from individuals and groups from Manila, and from Bataan. Msgr. Socrates B. Villegas, DD, the in-coming Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, has issued an appeal for the relief needs of the parishes that were greatly affected by the floodwaters which submerged Pangasinan for four days.

Generous and Selfless Donors

The Community of the Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace (Our Lady of EDSA) or more popularly called as the EDSA Shrine, was one of the very first groups to give to the Archdiocese. The EDSA shrine community responded very generously and selflessly to the appeal of Archbishop Socrates Villegas. They sent in four truckloads of relief goods which included rice, canned goods, bottled water, clothes and slippers, noodles and more than a thousand pieces of bread.

Other groups who sent are the Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan of Ateneo, the Order of Malta, Ms. Mila Drilon and Mr. Larry Murillo who sent in 200 sacks of rice.

The Diocese of Balanga where Msgr. Socrates B. Villegas is presently the ordinary donated one truck load of relief goods. Ms. Elvira Go and company sent in their relief goods on 11 October, Sunday. She personally accompanied the truck that brought in the goods and made a personal visit to the flooded areas especially in the Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr.

“Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan Calamity Fund”

Msgr. Socrates B. Villegas, DD, has opened an account where donations can be sent in for the relief and rehabilitation of the most distressed areas in the archdiocese. Cash donations can be deposited with Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI) Account No. 8081-0001-32 under the account name “Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan Calamity Fund” for peso deposits only. The Archdiocesan Social Action Apostolate is already making plans and programs to help the farmers whose crops were destroyed by the flood waters as well as for the rehabilitation of those who lost their houses.

10,000 Families

The Archdiocesan Social Action Apostolate (ASAP) through the different ASAP parishes has reached out to almost 10,000 afflicted families of the Archdiocese. These massive relief efforts would not have been possible without the selfless and generous hearts of donors. Truly, God cares! And He cares through people with loving and caring hearts!

A STATEMENT OF CONCERN

by Rev. Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza, Parish Priest

Bued River, showing the destroyed Binga Dam (Google Earth)

Inararok iran kabaleyan, pinablik iran atateng tan agagi ed Kristo:

Say panangaro tan kareenan nen Kristo.

Nen sakey a Huwebes, 10 Septiembre 2009, walay agawan “Consultation Meeting” diad Parish Center na Parokia na San Fabian, Papa tan Martir. Sayan “Consultation Meeting” et nipaakar ed say nagagawan “quarrying operations’’ diad baley tayon San Fabian, particular diad Bued River ya sakop na pigaran Barangay tayo: Colisao, Binday, Anonang, Aramal. Saya so dinagopan na saray mangilalaman na nanduroman ahensia na gobierno, taloran Kagawad na baley tan taloran Kapitan na Barangay tayo tan pigaran concerned citizens tan parokiano na San Fabian.

Diad sayan meeting, apapaway so twan nagagawan quarrying operations tan say kipapasen tan situation na San Fabian laut la ed saray abitlan barangay lapud sarayan quarrying operations:

Unaan, say manunan  rason no akin et aderal so Binday Dam nen inbeneg a taon et aliwa labat lapud say kapeles, kabaleg tan kakasil na danum ya inmagos lapud say Bagyon Cosme no ingen lapud say abayag la tan anggapoy tunda tan unregulated quarrying operations ya nagagawa. Say Binday Dam so structura ya balbaleg so tulong tod dakerakel ya dumaralos na San Fabian. Sanlibon hectaria so naseserbian na sayan dam. Nen saya so aderal lapud saray rason ya abitla la ngal-ngali anggapo so naani nen inbeneg ya taon diad sarayan barangay. Agaylay inpanirap da.

Kumadwa, naamtaan met ya dakel ed sarayan quarry operators so onsusumlang ed say ley tan regulations ya inpaletneg na Department of Environment and Natural Resources tan say National Irrigation Authority.

1. Say ley malinew ya ibabaga to ya agnayari so man-quarry 1.5 kilometers downstream and 1.5 kilometers upstream diad say dam ya inpalagey. Balet, pinmaway ya anggad 500 meters kaasinger ed dam so pankokotkot na saray manga-alay bato.
 
2. Say kaaralem labat  ya sarag ya pangotkot et sakey metro. Balet, diad say sankaaraleman  la na say akotkot ed Bued River et lipos la so sakey ya kiew a niyog.
 
3. Say pangot-kot na bato et ag nepeg ya ag onasingger ya 5 metros ed river banks. Balet, naneng-neng ed say aktwal ya kipapasen ya Bued River ya say panag-kotkot et mas asingger ni nen say 5 metros.
 
4. Say endorsement pian say sakey et makapan-quarry so manlapud say Sangguniang Bayan odino diad Sangguniang Barangay. Naalmoan ya say Sanggunian tayo et agni akapangiter anggan sakey ya endorsement tan likud ed sakey ya barangay ya angiter na sakey ya endorsement, saray Barangay ya apektado et ag met nira akapangiter na endorsement ed sarayan operators. Akin et tuloy-tuloy ni so operasyon na quarry ed baley tayo.
 
5.  Walay quota odino limitasyon na sakey ya operator nipaakar ed saray karakel ya nakotkot ton bato ed sakey taon. Anggad natan, anggapo so makapangibaga no pigara lan tonelada so akotkot ed San Fabian ya inawit ed arum ya baley, tan arum ya probinsiya na sarayan quarry operators.

Lapud saraya, naamtaan ya talomplon hectaria lan dadalosan so aderal tan abalang. Pigara lan irrigation canals so ngal-ngali la nasabi na tebag lapud maksil ya agos lapud say kaaralem la na Bued River. Akin et inmaralem ya maong so sayan ilog? Lapud say unregulated ya panag-quarry! No atapew labat komon so akot-kot, aliwan onyan kakasil tan kapeles na agos na danum, tan agkomon ontebag tan naiyagos so pigapigaran hectarian papageyan. Say sakey ya pakakatakotan tayo: no naderal lamet so Binday Dam.
No naderal so Binday Dam lamet, say kairapan so kabaliksan to ed dakerakel ya pamilya. Tan lapud saya, say chain effect to so onkayat ed say edukasyon, say abig-laman tan say negosyo  diad San Fabian.

Anto so nagawaan tayo?

Unaan, kerewen tayod Sangguniang Bayan ya mangipasa ya tampol na Resolosyon para say Provincial Government tan DENR ya mangaway Stoppage of Quarrying Operations diad San Fabian leleg na say Sangguniang Bayan so mangipasa na sakey ya ordinansan mamalet na regulasyon nipaakar ed say Quarrying Operations diad baley tayo. Kerewen kon suportaan tayo iyan action na Sanggunian Bayan.

Kumadwa, walay sulat para say Gobernador na Pangasinan ya onkekerew na say pamatunda na say quarrying operations tan say pamatunda na pangiter na arum niaran  quarrying permits. Imbestigaan komon na saray ahensian walad kanepegan so nagagawan quarrying operations diad baley tayo tan itdan na kanepegan ya aksion ed saray naalmoan ya onsusumlang ed saray ley. Saya petition letter so komon et pirmaan tayon amin.  Tan kasumpal, saya so ipawit ya tampol ed say Gobirnador tayo.

Kumatlo, say panbantay tayo; say pangasikaso tayo ed say inter na Dios ed sikatayon kalikasan. Aliwan amin et nasaliw na kuarta. Wala ra so nailakon agla balot naipawil. Wala ray ag naisalat ya kayaryan na baley. No aderal so kalikasan diad baley tayo, anto ni so naipatawir tayo ed saray ontumbok ed sikatayo? Nunoten so pankamaongan na karaklan aliwan say pigpigara labat. Agtayo komon nalingwanan ya wala ni ra so arum ya onsublay ed sikatayo diad say arapen iran panaon. Tan saraya et saray inararo ran anak tan apo tayo ra.
Baleg so nagawaan tayo no mankakasakey tayo. Ilaban tayo so San Fabian! Saya labat so baley tayo. Agtayo abuloyan ya naderal iyan pinablin baley tayo.

Kasian tan bendisionan tayon amin na Dios a Mapangasi!

San Fabian Parish hosts ASAP Advocacy Training, KA-ANTABAYAN

30 August 2009 – San Fabian. The Social Action Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan (ASAP) as part of its continuing formation program for the lay ministers of social action of the archdiocese held an Advocacy Training at the Parish Center of the Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr, San Fabian, Pangasinan.
The training program  involved a skills training on “Critical Awareness” process in making a study/survey of a current situation and making a concrete stand and action responding to the understanding of the situation. This was given by Mr. Tony Liwag of the ASAP secretariat and the ADVOCACY ASAP coordinator.

Three desks of the advocacy ministry were also discussed. Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza, the ASAP Director talked on the ANTI-GAMBLING Desk, Ms. Farah Decano, a councilor of the City of Dagupan and a proponent of the ordinance on the anti-flesh trade, spoke on the ANTI-FLESH/PROSTITUTION Desk. Mr. Juvenal Azurin, a member of the regional Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) presented the illegal Drugs situation in Region 1 and the province of Pangasinan. This was for the ANTI-DRUGS ADDICTION desk.

A workshop was held to discuss possible immediate actions and continuing programs to be done regarding the three advocacy desks discussed during the training/workshop.

The chairpersons of the different Parish Social Action Apostolate, the Parish Advocacy coordinator and the three desks officers of Anti-Gambling, Anti-Flesh and Anti-Drugs Addiction were invited to attend the training/workshop.

KA-ANTABAYAN of the Student Councils


A gathering of presidents and officers of Student Councils of different universities and colleges in Pangasinan was also held in the Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr, last 29 August. It was a half-day affair which was held in the afternoon of Saturday, 29 August.

The Archdiocesan Social Action Apostolate invited the students for a possible convening and eventual organization of the different student councils.

These student councils officers were able to organize themselves and resolved to work together in bringing about the common good of the Pangasinan youth and students.