IN PHOTOS: FLOODS, GARBAGE HOUND THE DEAD

Spilling garbage from an open dumpsite and knee-deep floodwater brought by recent weather disturbance hound the dead and the living in a public cemetery in Bonuan, Dagupan City. Families of the people buried here have been long complaining of the foul smell, flooding and garbage spilling over the walls of the cemetery. Millions of Filipinos flocks to cemeteries to clean prepares the graveyards of their departed ones for the observance All Saints Day and All Souls Day. 

October 25, 2016

© Jojo Riñoza/MB

IN PHOTOS: SUN SOAKED PANGASINAN

IN PHOTOS:

Some walk, some takes a boat crossing the flooded streets leading to the town center at bgy. Lasip and San Vicente in Calasiao, Pangasinan on a Sunday, Many low-lying areas have remained flooded long after weather disturbances have left the country.

©

all photos by Jojo Riñoza

IN PHOTOS : War On Drugs - Murder In Broad Daylight - Pangasinan, Philippines

The body of Eric Estrada, an alleged drug pusher lies along a busy street at Barangay Mayombo in Dagupan City early Thursday. Initial reports say unidentified assailants riding in a motorcycle shot Estrada in broad daylight. Six (6) empty bullet shells of still unknown caliber were recovered at the crime scene. Police said Estrada was listed in the BADAC drug watch list. October 6, 2016 / PHOTO/JOJO RIÑOZA/MB

In Pangasinan - Philippine's War On Drugs Continue

“one time big time” – Seventeen (17) suspected drug pushers arrested during a 24-hour police operations are presented to media during a press briefing at Dagupan City Police Station (DCPS) yesterday afternoon, September 21. Pangasinan Police Office have reported more than 500 drug personalities arrested and 30 killed in more than 400 police operations since the start of government’s ‘war on drugs’, while 121 deaths due to shooting incidents are under investigated. Report also shows 16,803 drug users and 2,023 drug pushers have already surrendered to the authorities in the whole province.

In cold steel bracelet 

Too late for regrets 

Will be hugging cold bars – Seventeen (17) suspected drug pushers arrested during a 24-hour police operations remove handcuffs as they were put inside a congested detention cell at Dagupan City Police Station (DCPS) yesterday afternoon, September 21. Pangasinan Police Office have reported more than 500 drug personalities arrested and 30 killed in more than 400 police operations since the start of government’s ‘war on drugs’, while 121 deaths due to shooting incidents are under investigated. Report also shows 16,803 drug users and 2,023 drug pushers have already surrendered to the authorities in the whole province. 

Evidence

“One time, big time” – Police operatives of Dagupan City Police Station prepares for a operation early morning Wednesday. Several drug suspected drug pushers were apprehended during a 24-hours multiple search warrant and buy-bust operations conducted during the ‘one time, big time operation’ against illegal drug personalities within the city. Police report (initial) says seven (7) drug pushers were apprehended in Dagupan City early morning Monday (September 21). 

Anti-Illegal Drugs Summit, Pangasinan,PH

Lingayen, Pangasinan - Local Government Secretary Ismael D. Sueno commends the Pangasinan provincial government for extending its all-out support to the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

He also thanked the provincial government as well as the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) for coming up with a worthy endeavor such as a whole-day multi-sectoral summit.

Sison Auditorium, September 9, 2016

Monsoon rains flood Dagupan City - Philippines

Business as usual – Despite flooding due continuous monsoon rains and the high tides, now on its third day, its business as usual to these market vendors at Magsaysay Fish Market in Dagupan City on Wednesday, August 17, 2016. jojo Riñoza/MB

Casa Real undergoes genuine restoration

Lingayen, Pangasinan — Casa Real is not just a house of grandeur and history to the people of this province, but considered one of the symbols of the state.

While many among our generation recognize it as a tourist spot or a colonial-era mansion converted into an events hall of nostalgia, it should never lose its historical identity.

The old Casa Real

The "New" Casa Real

Historical value

Historians have said that since it once served as the seat of political power in the North, Casa Real’s renovation is not just a matter of fixing one of the oldest buildings in the province, but also restoring the integrity of its character.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), in partnership with the Pangasinan provincial government, is coming up with a comprehensive Pangasinan Museum that will be housed in the edifice.

Recently, Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino, III and NHCP Executive Director Ludovico Badoy led the inspection and monitoring of the ongoing reconstruction of the Casa Real located at the town center of this capital town.

“The Casa Real (once completed) shall serve as repository of artifacts and other materials with significance to Pangasinan history and culture,” said Espino.

Badoy added: “Local people will run the museum and they will be properly trained by the NHCP, and we will always be there to monitor and train people.”

Real restoration

Badoy said Phases 1 and 2 of the structural restoration is now 85% complete and that preparations are ongoing for Phase 3 that includes focused on-site development and curatorial works.

The provincial government assumed initial funding of P5 million for Phase 1 of the restoration project that started in August last year.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) then spent P30 million to complete Phase 2 of the project through the efforts of former governor and now 5th District Rep. Amado T. Espino, Jr. and 2nd District Rep. Leopoldo N. Bataoil.

Gov. Espino said another P50 million budget coming from the Tourism Infrastructure and Economic Zone Authority (TIEZA) is allotted to complete the final phase of the restoration. (as published at Manila Bulletin, July 24, 2016 by the same author)

Buntis Congress

About 250 pregnant women avails free laboratory examination, pre-natal check-ups, ultrasound, beauty and dental care as the join in the Buntis Congress by the Pangasinan LGU with Provincial Health Office, Pangasinan Medical Society and Villasis LGU at Villasis, Pangasinan on Wednesday, July 13, 2016. The congress is a strategic approach aimed to boost the moral of pregnant women and increase awareness on the significance of facility-based delivery attended by skilled birth attendants, breastfeeding nutrition and family planning. Jojo Riñoza/MB

“Duterte sword” inspires blacksmith in Pangasinan - Philippines

Pozorrubio, Pangasinan – Inspired by the iron-hand character of President Rody Duterte, a daughter of renowned Pangasinense blacksmith created the ‘DUTERTE SWORD.

Joyce De Guzman of Neneng’s Cutlery shows the “Duterte Sword” together with some their popular replicas. The sword named after President Rodrigo Duterte represents PRRD’s fight against criminality. Pozorrubio, Pangasinan, July 8, 2016. Jojo Riñoza/MB

Joyce de Guzman, 27 years old who now manage the Neneng’s Cutlery after the passing of her father Filomeno De Guzman last May 2016 had the idea of naming one of his father’s sword creations after the 16^th President of the Republic.

De Guzman narrates, “After the passing of my father we tried to put names on every sword he made and this particular sword was left unnamed.” Neneng’s Cutlery makes swords like Katana, moon crescent, Viking swords, Celtic knives, Roman and Greek infantry swords.

Blacksmith works in a sword

The sword (Duterte sword) with a blade length of 27 inches and a handle of 7 inches comes with a unique knuckle shape on its handles end. “The knuckle reminds me of President Digong, particularly the closed fist he always branded. That gave us the idea of naming it Duterte Sword,” says de Guzman.

De Guzman also added the sword represents the fearless fight against illegal drugs and criminality.

Neneng Cutlery became popular during the early 2000 when they made replica swords of Japanese samurai, Roman Gladiators, and Hollywood inspired fighting swords like the “Conan”, “The last Samurai” and the very popular “Braveheart”.

Blacksmith on metal works creating medieval weapons replicas

With fame hitting the Duterte Sword, De Guzman says their business is picking up again. “We are planning to make more of the sword as orders locally are coming in maybe because of the popularity of President Duterte.” (JOJO RIÑOZA)