Must Watch…

Derek, The Man

A Message to the Graduates of 2008

My congratulations to the graduates of the Pangasinan State University Eastern Cluster College of Engineering and Architecture and Institute of Information and Communications Technology Urdaneta Campus.

In this century it is a must for the graduates to possess the updated knowledge and relevant skills more particularly in technology in order for them to become globally  marketable. They have to keep on learning new technologies and develop their skills further in order to match the present needs of the industries and companies worldwide. Our rapidly changing technology, more particularly in the application of computers, makes learning for an individual a truly continuous process.

I am proud to say that your Alma Mater has given you adequate knowledge and trainings that you need to cope up with what is really demanded by the national and global workplace. I hope that the education you acquired from PSU successfully molded you to become holistic professionals.

I encourage you to keep on pursuing lifelong learning to further improve your skills and competencies as a whole. Make your Alma Mater proud of you by making a good name in each field of specialization you are into after your graduation. But most importantly, try your best to practice your professions for the upliftment of our reputation as Filipinos.

Mabuhay PSU Urdaneta Graduates 2008!

AURELIE A. PERALTA

Dean, Institute of ICT

PSU Eastern Cluster

Funny girl

Blogging Guidelines: Know the Do’s and Don’ts

Some basic guidelines on blogging, if you use a service blogger.com they have their own terms and conditions for posting content. You can’t just post anything, so always read the t&c’s. If you don’t follow their rules, your blog will probably get deleted.

If you host a blog on your own hosting account, using software like WordPress. You have full control over the content you post, so your blog won’t get deleted.

What are the DOs and DON’Ts of blogging?

First the DOs:

• Do put pictures and multimedia sources to enhance the content. Could either be a vlog, photoblog, etc.

• Do base your posts with a good category structure to make it easy to find content for a particular topic.

• Do put paragraphs and sub-ideas. It’s not entertaining to read one block of manuscript. Digest it into pieces.

• Do create mutual communication between you and your readers. Answer queries without leaving your readers hanging for an answer.
Read the rest of this entry »

connection problems

Thoughts on a Thursday Night

BANNER STORY: ‘CUSTODIA LEGIS’ PROGRAM/ Guns in court cases boost PNP armory

By BEHN FER HORTALEZA JR.
PIA Dagupan Infocenter

CAMP BGEN OSCAR M FLORENDO –The Police Regional Office 1 based here recently received a big boost for its armory from no less than the trial courts which, under an arrangement, turned over 142 assorted, court case-related firearms to the latter under the “custodia legis” program.

The firearms collected were used as pieces of evidence in various cases which were confiscated through the implementation of search warrants and the intensified campaign against loose firearms in line with the police’s ‘Oplan Bakal,’ Police Regional Director Romeo C. Hilomen said.

The guns were collected upon termination of court litigation involving these.

The Custodia Legis program of PRO 1 provides the guidelines in “the proper disposition of recovered evidence acquired by PNP units and stations in their police operations or acquired in the course of follow-up investigation including any article of material property illegally possessed or voluntarily surrendered by any person or group of person.”

Chief Supt. Hilomen thanked the judiciary in the region for being supportive to the program of PRO1. He also commended the police operatives for their relentless effort in the campaign against all forms of criminalities involving the use of firearms.

Withdrawal of these firearms was coordinated with court personnel and judges in compliance to Supreme Court Memorandum Circular No. 47-98.

Based on the Crime Incident Data Management System of the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division (RIDMD), a total of 1,456 firearms were accounted from 2003 to present which were used as evidence of cases filed in court.

Hilomen said he will request PNP Chief Avelino Razon Jr., thru the Firearms and Explosives Division at Camp Crame, Quezon City to approve the eventual issuance of the recovered firearms to police personnel of PRO1 who are still without issued firearms

EDITORIAL/ Welcome to Pangasinan, GMA-7!

THE coming of television giant GMA-7 finally with its studios and crew to Dagupan can only be for the greater good of public service and information in Pangasinan and its four cities.

One way of viewing this development in the local information sector is that GMA’s setting shop here to pit programs with rival network ABS-CBN’s means there’s money to make in this part of northern Luzon, something you can hardly begrudge these giant telecom industries for wanting to have a piece of.

Another way of looking at GMA’s chosing to be in Pangasinan, specifically Dagupan, is that there’s a whole wide and fertile ground out there for public service and news-entertainment that eager servers can fill and often eagerly do.

Indeed with its vast area and vibrant economic potentials, Pangasinan is every agency’s and investor’s dream for a playing field and commanding presence. Its people always open to welcome newcomers and fresh opportunities, it is just now slowly realizing that for it to attain the pinnacle of success seemingly already achieved by its counterpart giant provinces like Cebu and Rizal, it must empower its people with information to turn their
lives – and manner of thinking – around.

Media is a vital part of such empowerment. While the province already has a surfeit of newspapers and radio stations to begin with, the coming of television into the landscape completes the equation.

From here on, and sooner not later, with the combined effective reaches of these media forms, not a single corner, not a lone nook of the province, will ever be caught and labeled as “information poor.” The modern-day purveyors of news and information who set out to do their daily task of bringing the news to the people where it happens and when it happens, will see to that.

AFTER ALL/ What regulation? It’s tricycle anarchy out there!

BEHN FER. HORTALEZA, JR.

MANY DAGUPENOS, pedestrians especially, are wondering whether there’s still the law regulating the operation of tricycles in Dagupan City. They feel that if the law has not been repealed or amended, perhaps it’s more honored now in the breach than in the observance.

One need only look at the buzzing, roaring tricycle units in the city roads today to realize what these observers mean – there are infinitely much more units running on the road now than at any other time and, hear this, six out of 10 of them do not have the mandated route and windshield numbers painted on them.

That could only mean they’re, in more sense than one, colorum (or unregistered) units. Woe to the passenger who meets an accident while riding in one of these three-wheeled contraptions.
And the manners and discipline of many of these drivers – they’re fit to be hanged for gross discourtesy! City Hall (or anyone interested to find this out among the many salaried, sitting factotums in there – hello, anybody home?) need only ask the first citizen on the street to validate this observation.

* * * *
This unwelcome development can also mean many of these public utility conveyances (to include the jeepneys), since the start of this city administration, have been thumbing their noses at enforcement authorities (and the law itself) and violating regulations at will.

They can hardly be blamed though; with no official (surprisingly even Robert Erfe Mejia’s “orange boys” – the POSO) now seemingly giving a hoot about authorized or unauthorized, legal and illegal, genuine or fake operators, it’s a free zone out there. And the law be damned!

Perhaps, they’re all waiting for a precedent case when an accident victim, riding in one of these colorum tricycles, finally sues the city for allowing these illegals to ferry people even without the mandatory insurance covers.

Remember that case long ago of a citizen who fell on an open manhole here and sued the city for his pain and shame? Well, the city lost that one – and the city seems not to have learned its lesson well.

* * * *

Speaking of the Public Order and Safety Office (POSO), while we commiserate with Robert’s Boys for their largely marginalized role (compared to BSL’s time) in the Fernandez Et.Al. era, we feel that does not at all justify their ever making light of their duties (after all, they’re still being paid by the city, correct?) or worse, making hay, using precisely such duties.

During the Bangus Festival Street Party on April 30, for instance, a friend was hot under the collar reporting to us about an alleged lucrative trade of a POSO operative stationed at the Mayombo (near Mercury Drug area) loading/unloading area when traffic was rerouted.

It seems he made a ‘killing’ charging P20 from each driver loading passengers for the Calasiao, Urdaneta, Santa Barbara route.

“Akalmoy baleg”!,was how our informer described the POSO guy’s “livelihood” that stretched for several hours that day.
I know Robert won’t stand for this one bit. Too bad, this reached us very close to deadline I didn’t have the luxury of time to talk to him, though I did try calling him up but missed him.

* * * *.
Everyone who has worked with him will miss “Reggie”– yes, Reginald Ubando of Bonuan, this city, he who gamely handled the Waste Management Division when no one among the limpia manos wanted to.

Reggie was one of the few city officials I could relate to, both in the past Lim administration and the new Fernandez regime, which he both served. He had that uncanny way of seeing to it that your questions or concerns about governance are answered with tact and humility, whether it’s embarrassing to him or not.

When I first noticed him in the City Hall area, that is, during the first years of Mayor Al Fernandez as a seemingly overeager technical assistant (consultant) of the late controversial Jaime “Kamagong” dela Cruz who sat in the city council for a time, I immediately sensed the young Reggie would make a career in local government.

And he did. Not as an elective official, perhaps, (although I’ve always believed he was only marking time and piling resources before he would make a run for a council seat) but as an appointive one who soon became a byword in the City Hall circle.

He was everywhere during the Bangus Festival all of last month and nobody could have known what that heart of his was carrying as a burden all throughout. It proved too much even for the young dynamo that he was.

Goodbye, Reggie. Yours was a life well lived, not wasted.

THE PEN SPEAKS/ Idled assets

By DANNY O. SAGUN

RAINS spoiled what could have been a grand street party last Wednesday night, the Kalutan or Bangusan as this year’s organizers called it, at Dagupan’s main thoroughfare. There was no record to break unlike in the time of former hizzoner Benjie Lim so that there was less worry whether rains would spoil the event or not but it could have been merrier and drew more people considering that big names in the local rock/pop industry were invited.

Whether Lim grinned or not when heavy downpour played KJ (kill joy) to the fun and disappointed the city administration, the people, and the visitors no end, we nevetheless congratulate Mayor Al Fernandez and this year’s Bangus festival chair, Vice-Mayor Belen Fernandez, for staging the festival that made Dagupan famous not only in the Philippines but in the world.

It only showed that they put partisan politics aside and thought about the welfare of the city. A good program or project must be pursued even if it was started by a political enemy.
* * *

We are therefore watching with keen interest how the city officials treat other projects started by the previous administration. One is the idle Mac Adore building which the city purchased for P50 million from the national government. Another is the building construction project just across city hall. And of course the losing Malimgas market which was built out of a bank loan to the tune of some P300 million.

The former five-star hotel was supposed to become a government center that would house some national government offices.

Perhaps Mayor Al was not keen on the plan so that up to this time, the building is kept idle and deteriorating. Or there is no money to renovate it. We think there are bright boys at City Hall however who can devise ways to make the edifice alive again as it was decades ago.

By the way what happened to the plan to accommodate SSS and Philhealth there? Those two income-generating agencies can readily pay whatever rent the city may impose.

* * * *
Too bad construction of the building project at the former Magsaysay (Bugnay) market was still on going when the new administration took over. Immediately upon assumption of Mayor Al, the city engineer ordered construction to stop purportedly due to the owner’s failure to secure a building permit. Of course, as building official engineer Virginia Rosario had all the right to do so.

Interestingly, she waited for the new administration to come to perform her function. She did not dare doing it when Lim was still around. We really don’t know if she was pricked by pride and vengeance when she padlocked the premises. We all know how she fared during Benjie’s time.

Still, the city government can make that area productive. We do not think it is sound management to let that place as it is till Kingdom come. The city is losing much money both from those idle properties.

For the Malimgas market, we also believe that there are many ways to make it an earning entity. The city has to move fast on its plan to convert the upper floors for other commercial uses.

People are watching what Dagupan may become in the next two years.

Bugallon lass wins Limgas na Pangasinan crown

LINGAYEN- - -If Lindsay Pauline S. Poulakos, the first Limgas Na Pangasinan 2008 title holder, would thumb up to movie-making, she would probably end up with a role from his father’s own film (her father being an international independent film producer in New York) because of her grace and charm.

The 18-year-old incoming B.S. Pharmacy student of the Saint Louis University in Baguio City, admits that her greatest passion is modeling.

“I want to become a ramp model, in fact, it is my long-time dream since I was young,” she says.

The only daughter in a brood of three of George Poulakos, a Greek-American marketer and part time ‘indi’ film producer, and the former Heidi Sison, a medical assistant in New York, Lindsay chose to finish her college degree in the Philippines before joining her family in the US where she was born and raised.

Adjudged as Miss Chowking and Miss Talent with her scintillating and innovative violin rendition of the Pangasinense song, ‘Malinac Lay Labi’, the lady is a homebody, preferring to read books and play the violin to while away the hours.

Strikingly tall at 5’7” with regal bearing and queenly sculptured face, she bested the other 19 candidates with her wit during the casual interview done by the emcee to gauge the breadth of her intelligence for the selection of the seven finalists and also in the final interview by the judges..

Runners –up in the Limgas na Pangasinan pageant held May 1 at the Capitol grandstand are : Joy Anne N. Cornejo (Lingayen), 1st runner up and Marilee S. Dela Cruz ( San Carlos City ), 2nd runner up.

The special awards winners were: Miss Friendship – Marilee Dela Cruz ( San Carlos City ), Miss Personality – Ma. Angela Veronica S. Carretero (Malasiqui), Smart Texters Choice – Lovely Angelica Pre (Lingayen), Miss Talent – Lindsay Pauline Poulakos (Bugallon), Darling of the Press – Elaine A. Manangan (Binalonan), Best in Swimsuit – Aimee Flor F. Romero (Binmaley), Miss Coke Zero – Aimee Flor Romero’ Miss Photogenic – Krizette Chrishna A. Unabia (Lingayen), Miss Chowking – Lindsay Pauline Poulakos (Bugallon), Best in Evening Gown – Jarydel V. Prado (Lingayen).

Cash prizes are P80,000 for the Limgas titlist, P50,000 for the 1st runner-up and P30,000 for the 2nd runner-up.

The title holder will serve as the ambassador of goodwill and promote environmental awareness and conservation as well as the various tourist destinations of the province, one of the priority concerns of the provincial government. (Ruby R. Bernardino)

I Was A Teenage Bot Master

DZRH - Dolorosa

• Dolorosa - Thursday May 08, 2008
• For Port 8080 access Click Here
• For MMS access click here

This podcast is made possible by the collaboration between DZRH and Eradioportal a Bitstop media production. Also checkout Taft Tower Dormitories official site hosted by BNShosting.net.

DZRH - May Pangako ang Bukas

• May Pangako ang Bukas - Thursday May 08, 2008
• For Port 8080 access Click Here
• For MMS access click here

This podcast is made possible by the collaboration between DZRH and Eradioportal a Bitstop media production. Also checkout Taft Tower Dormitories official site hosted by BNShosting.net.

ABU DHABI SHIPBUILDING (ADSB) - May 8,2008

FABRICATORS-

Experience and knowledge as a fabricator in new ship construction or repair to fit all manner of ship structural parts, including tack welding of hull plates and equipment foundations.  Knowledge to read and understand complex ship construction or repair drawings, sketches and documents associated with fabrication.  As a minimum, the ability to understand weld symbols, shapes, datum lines, reference lines, comprehend basic math and fit x-ray joints.  Experience and knowledge to rig assemblies into place, including placing hoist cables and chain falls and to work in confined spaces.  Experience and knowledge of Regulatory Body Rules, Military Specifications and Good Shipbuilding Practices.

WELDERS-

 Experience and knowledge to perform welding using Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) in the 2G, 3G and 6G positions associated with new ship construction or repair on steel and aluminum vessels; Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) processes on new ship construction or repair on steel and aluminum vessels. Experience and knowledge to perform mirror welding in confined areas.  Ability to set up jobs including caring of equipment and materials.

PIPEFITTERS

- Ability to read and understand piping diagram.  Ability to make templates to fabricate pipes to replace existing ones.  Knowledge various pipe codes and practices.  Capable of making gaskets etc.  Knowledge of flushing / testing of pipe lines.  

SHIP ELECTRICIANS

–  Experience and knowledge to perform installation, repair and testing of ship board electrical systems such as deck equipment, power distribution, intercommunication, electronics, navigation, weapons and lighting systems on Military and Commercial vessels.  Experience and knowledge to read and understand drawings, wiring tables, wiring schematics, documents and sketches associated with electrical systems.  Experience and knowledge to use standard electrical test equipment such as Meggers, Flukes, Amp Meters, Multi-Function Volt-Ohm-Meters, Decade Boxes, Power Supplies, Stroba Tacks, Phase Rotator and Frequency Generator 

MILLWRIGHTS -

Responsible for installing and aligning rotating equipment throughout the ship, including Main and Auxiliary Diesel Engines, Hydraulics and various pumps and pump motors. Knowledgeable in removing and installing shaft, rudders, capstans, anchor drives, air conditioning compressors and equipment (including Freon system), valves (valve overhaul of oil and hull valves, bottom gate valves),  mast, antennas, sea water and chill water systems, as well as lube oil pumps, gauges and systems. Experienced in marine air-conditioning and refrigerant plants. Must be able to take apart and rebuild refrigerant and air compressors. With certificates of training in proper handling and disposal of Freon. Able to read complete drawings with at least 4 years commercial/naval experience.  

BLASTERS/PAINTERS

-Experience and knowledge in preparing areas (scraping of barnacles, dislodging of tanks, degreasing etc.) for blasting and painting, grit or sand blasting and painting of external, internal and confined areas on steel and aluminum vessels, use of high pressure water blast machines, vacuum blaster, blasting pot, airless spray and conventional spray, roller and conventional brush, dew point indicator, and wet and dry mill thickness gauges, and mixing various paints, pot life and curing time 

MARINE CARPENTERS-

Experience and knowledge to perform carpentry or joinery works such as the use of hand tools, power tools, fabrication and installation of wooden furniture, wall panel, plexiglass, trim and finishing items. Installation of formica and application of stains/polish/waxing on board vessels, conventional spray and rollers 

INSULATORS

-Experience of three years or more in marine industrial insulating (fiber glass board, piping and padding made of materials such as calcium silicate and fiber glass) Able to carry at least 40 pounds of materials and wear a respirator.  

SHEET METAL WORKERS-

Experience basic sheet metal layouts of air ducts, off-set and regular transitions and calculates sheet metal bending allowances 

SCAFFOLDERS-

Experience in building or dismantling scaffoldings structures to provide safe working platforms. Able to read drawings for requirements or instructions from the supervisors. Assemble and fit together steel pipes, support beams, braces and clamps to support scaffoldings.  

RIGGERS-

Able to communicate with different equipment operators with knowledge of various hand signals and safety. Can independently erect portable scaffoldings and sling various equipment or materials without causing damage. 

Guimaras: More than just the sweet Mangoes

For many the island province of Guimaras is usually spelled M-A-N-G-O-E-S. Mangoes, Mangoes, and more sweet mangoes! It is an undeniable fact that the world’s sweetest mangoes came from this side of the planet. But other than the heart-shaped golden delight we all love, many know nothing about this place.

Probably only a handful of brave souls have explored this quaint jewel. Guimaras is like a diamond with several facets that has yet to be polished.

Our trip to Guimaras has a multi-pronged itinerary. Something that will definitely keep all of us interested. Upon arrival at the Jordan Wharf we then proceeded to the Public Market and mango Orchard to check out the sweetest produce.

We then proceeded to the Trappist Monastery. The monastery is the only of its kind in the Philippines. This is run by the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (OCSO) or more popularly known as the Trappists. They live a life of prayer and penance. That is also why you don’t get to see them most of the time. The monastery has a small souvenir shop where one can buy pasalubong like mango preserves, t-shirts prayer books or keychains.

From Trappist, we then drove further down south to Barangay Dolores in Nueva Valencia in a place known as Guisi Point. A lot has been written about this place. But I must say, you need to hike this area to really appreciate its beauty. Guisi Point is known for its centuries-old lightouse, ruins and the breathtaking view of the unspoiled Guisi Beach. The road leading to the lighhouse is uphill and muddy. But every drop of sweat is worth it. Once you got to the lighthouse area you would feel that you don’t want to go back anymore.

Guisi may have a breathtaking beach, but the crowd is all in Alubihod Beach. Alubihod has a more upscale accommodation and restaurant where one can have lunch. People also use Alubihod as a jump off point when going to another island. Our stay in Alubihod is only brief as we only had our lunch here.

From Alubihod, we were picked up by a speed boat for an adventure of a lifetime: Island Hopping Guimaras style. Highlights of our trip were our visit to the Sea Turtle Sanctuary. It is really amazing to see an Olive Ridley in the flesh! This species has already been marked as endangered.

Our adventure continued by visiting one of the caves. Our boat has literally entered it and you can actually hear the sound of the bats.

And just before sunset we arrived in our resort where only the three of us were the guest. We were literally the owners of the island at that time! Isn’t that a wonderful feeling? With this adventure, I can say that Guimaras is just more than just sweet mangoes waiting to be explored.

WARNING!!! If you are reading this from another blog, it is possible that this has been copied without my permission. BYAHILO: Ito ang Trip Ko!

Guimaras: More than just the sweet Mangoes

Making RP-Pakistan relations robust

Islamabad -At the Jinnah shopping mall, where we made a stop after a series of interviews and a visit to the historic site of Taxila outside the capital city, we heard three young boys horsing around, speaking Tagalog.

We were glad to see Filipinos as we needed tips and directions in our effort to contribute to Philippine –Pakistan economic relations.
(more…)

Wait, there’s more!: Don’t have Paypal yet? What are you waiting for? Sign up now!

Israel at 60

SAYAN INDIO/ Ekas Gang

Nen MARIO F. KARATEKA

NENGNENG mo pay kalokoan daray totoo met, awa?

Imbes a mikasakey iratan ingen iyagel day siyudad da ed makapoy a pakabitla ed sayay kalabalabas ya Bangus Pistibal, sikarani so manderal na pakadayewan na siyudad.

Say tutukuyen ko aliwa labatlan satay apabalitan pigaran tuson pinalsan manga-alay kontribusyon ed saray lokal iran negosyantes para konod say Bangus Pistibal balet ibubulsa da labat so nakolekta, no ag ingen pati samay impinge-ekas na saramay “tarpaulins” ya anunsiyo na saray nanduruman aktibidades ed Pistibal.

Agaylay dismaya toniay makolin Bise Mayor Belen Pirnandis nen naimano ton baleg a porsiyento daray pinanirapan a impepeket tan inkakabit iran istrimers tan tarpaulins ed nanduruman pasen na siyudad anggadman ed Bonuan et – niaka—tinatakew na sakey sindikato.

Sindikato kuanko ta singa nalmoan ed impansukisok, saray angaala tan nan-eekas na tarpaulins et grupo kono na akatraysikel ya aka-ID met na Bangus Pistibal. Siyempre anggan walay makaimanod gagaween da bilang, ta walaan met iray uniporme tan ID na BF lanti, et agdalara banoen.

Manisia kayo tan diman lad solar mismo nen Madam Belen ya CSI Da Siti Mol et inekas niray tarpaulin yaw wadmad paloob o butada na Nanarian nen Nana Belen tan apalusotan so saray akatanyareg ya sikyos?

Alay sibeg daranian sindikato met!

Walay inap kon sarayan animales et say trabaho dad abong… manekas na impesak no asingger lan onoran. Korik ka, Nana Ilet, Saraya et man-ngaray Andres.

Korni?