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)

Gun for hire (?) : Brothers arrested for illegal possession of high powered firearms in Pangasinan - Philippines

• Philippine National Police - Crime Investigation and Detection Group's OPLAN PAGLALANSAG
• Campaign against loose firearms
• 2 suspects arrested in an early morning raid on Friday, July 1, 2016 in San Carlos City, Pangasinan
• confiscated firearms - 1 caliber .45 pistol with SILENCER and ammunitions; 1 caliber .22 rifle
• Raid conducted by personnel from CIDG-Pangasinan, RSOTG, 102nd Maritime Police Station and San Carlos City Police Station
• The arrested persons together with the seized firearms and ammunitions were brought to CIDG Sattelite 2 Office in Dagupan City, Pangasinan. A case of violation of Republic Act 10591 is being prepared against the suspects.
• suspects name withheld

confiscated firearms

caliber .45 with silencer (noise suppressor)

the suspects

Chief Inspector Modesto Carrera, CIDG-Panagasinan Chief

Dear Mr. President Rodrigo Duterte: Militants in Pangasinan

A group of militants led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan Pangasinan Chapter rally at the Capitol Plaza in Lingayen, Pangasinan north of Manila to express their sentiments and specific issues to the national and provincial government on Thursday, June 30, 2016 in time for the oath-taking ceremonies of Philippines new President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañan and Pangasinan's new Governor Amado I. Espino III. Jojo Riñoza/MB