Pangasinan Great Run – A Half Marathon

Pangasinan Great Run – A Half Marathon will be held on September 30, 2012 at the Capitol Grounds, Lingayen, Pangasinan. The half marathon will start at 4:30AM. The race categories are 500m (kiddie run), 3K, 5K, 10K and 21K. For more details visit http://www.facebook.com/PangasinanGreatRun

Pangasinan shines, in chess

‘Gener’ drenched and flooded most of Pangasinan the other week. The weather was generally gloomy and for the Pangasinenses residing in low lying areas – scary! The localized class suspension advisories in some places were confusing if not late. But then, one can’t easily dampen the spirit of Pangasinenses. Despite the continuous rain and pesky flood, Pangasinan did shine!

A 14 year old chess prodigy officially earned the title of National Master (NM) in the recent 2012 National Open Chess Championships, where he was the youngest player to qualify. And yes, he is from Pangasinan!  The new National Master’s father, Raul Mejia is from San Jacinto. His mother, Eva Mejia hails from Labrador.

Giovanni Mejia, nicknamed “Baby Dynamite” for his aggressive and explosive counter-attacking chess moves defeated the tournament top seed GM Oliver Barbosa. Mejia also upset GMs Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr. and Roland Salvador during his eventful first stint in the national championship dubbed “Battle of the Grand Masters." A “Wesley So” in the making (referring to Filipino chess grandmaster who became a GM at the age of 14), Mejia’s brilliant semifinal finish earned him his NM status. It should also be noted that Giovanni was the Most Valuable Player in the juniors division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association in 2011, a year after leading La Salle Greenhills (where he is now a third year student) to its first league championship in three decades under the watchful eye of 2010 NCAA Juniors Coach of the Year and LSGH head coach National Master and International Arbiter NM Erwin Carag.

Brilliance does come in pairs as Giovanni’s sister Cherry Ann is a 17 year old chess whiz and a Woman FIDE Master. She finished fifth place in the women’s division of the 2012 National Open Chess Championships. Cherry Ann Mejia was a Silver Medalist in the 2011 ASEAN Age Group GU-16 and Champion in the National Age Group GU-16. She received her WFM title in 2009. She is currently a 2nd year student taking up Sports Management at De La Salle University.

Raul Mejia, Giovanni’s father, said in a phone interview that young chess prodigy’s interest with chess began when he was about 7 years old. Giovanni instantly fell in love with the sport when he saw a magnetic chess board in the market and asked his mother to buy one. It was his father, a champion in his own right in local chess tournaments in Taguig, (where he works) who that taught him the rudiments of chess. Both siblings picked up the sport naturally and now Pangasinan has “chess treasures” to be proud of. As shared by Mr. Raul Mejia, Giovanni and Cherry Ann always look forward to a stay in Pangasinan especially during occasions and holidays, away from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis - highlighted by an intense yet family bonding-filled chess game. He is also very happy that his children have brought pride to Pangasinan. His advice to young Pangasinenses: “Never lose hope whether in sports or in life. And always study hard.” 

Pangasinan Movie: Anacbanua (The Child of the Sun)

View this movie at cultureunplugged.com

Anacbanua (The Child of the Sun)

Written, produced, directed, and edited by Pangasinan filmmaker Christopher Gozum, the experimental film won the Digital Lokal Lino Brocka Grand Prize as well as the Digital Lokal Best Director Award during the 11th Cinemanila International Film Festival in October 2009. It is the first full-length digital feature film in the Pangasinan language with English subtitles. 

Synopsis: A middle class and Western-educated poet (Umaanlong) returns to the Pangasinan region, the land of his birth and his ancestors from which he was uprooted for a very long time. He is sick with a lingering physical, mental and spiritual illness. He meets the Musia (Muse) who takes care of him during his illness. The Musia performs a series of rituals that identifies the cause of the Umaanlong’s disease and appeases the ancestral and nature spirits inhabiting sacred spaces in Pangasinan’s physical landscape. While in half-sleep, the Umaanlong’s soul leaves his diseased body. The soul flight transports the Umaanlong to places and time zones in Pangasinan’s landscape and history where he undergoes cosmic immersion, a deep and intense spiritual experience for chosen people like him where the self gets absorbed in the universe. The Umaanlong discovers the Ogaw (child) who serves as a spirit guide in his magical journey. In this cosmic immersion, the Umaanlong undergoes a series of gradual and violent transformations similar to the fermentation of fish sauce, slaughtering of livestock, pounding and shaping of burning metal rods in the anvil, the moulding of the clay into pottery, and the baking of the moist bricks in the fire of the kiln. These series of rituals are tests a novice undergoes when he is called and destined to serve his people. Through this soul travel, the uprooted poet reclaims his primal and ancestral connection to the water (danum), to the land (uma), and to the people (katooan), key figures that mark Pangasinan’s landscape, history and identity. Like his ancestors who belonged to the exclusive ranks of traditional healers, storytellers, and wise leaders in the ancient communities of Pangasinan, the Umaanlong completes these series of difficult tests in a novice’s initiation. The Umaanlong returns to the real world offering himself and his art towards the humanistic progress of his community and the people of Pangasinan. In this renewed and higher state of being, the Umaanlong reunites and becomes one with the Musia. 

Hataw Balungao!: The Balungao Hilltop Adventure

Hataw Balungao!

Balungao is a 4th class municipality in the 6th District of the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. A municipality with 20 barangays, it's primary place of interest is an inactive/ extinct volcano: Mount Balungao. 

Mount Balungao stands at 383 meters high and is situated about 5 kilometers southeast of the Balungao town proper. The mountain boasts of both hot and cold springs; one of only two found in Pangasinan (tManleluag Spring National Park in Mangatarem). Balungao is 188.55 kilometers from Manila thru Carmen, Rosales. 

In September 8, 2011,  a new adventure resort was opened within the hot and cold springs resort. Aptly named Balungao Hilltop Adventure, it is the longest Zip Line in Region 1. The Zip Line has a length of 600 meters which could last from 15 seconds to a minute depending on your weight and your position when you are suspended at the Zip Line. 

Entrance fee is P50 for adults and P25 for children. Cottage amenities like the "Kubo" can be rented for only P200 while the "Umbrella" is pegged at P100. Overnight accommodation (12 hours) is also available at the Cabana for only P800 per room (maximum of 4 persons per room).

The rates for the adventure activities are as follows:

Zipline - P300

ATV Driving - P200/ 15 minutes

Bungee Trampoline - P100

*Sulit Package - P500 inclusive of Zipline, Bungee Trampoline and 15 minutes of ATV Driving.

Other adventure amenities included in one's stay in Balungao Hilltop Adventure are Hiking, Mountain Climbing, Mountain Biking, Trail Walking, Trust Fall, and a dip in the Hot and Cold Swimming Pools. Operating hours is from 8am to 5pm. 

At the radio travel show Biyahe at Gimik on Sonshine Radio Dagupan 981, Balungao Mayor Philip Peralta revealed to hosts "What's Up Dagupan" and Jay Mendoza that the facility has allowed the local government to recoup their investment within a span of a few months. "In fact last December (at the peak of tourists' arrivals), we were able to earn more than a million pesos" said Mayor Peralta. He thanked the governor, congresswoman, municipal officials and residents of Balungao for making the project possible. The area is safe and secure as assured by the mayor. Further improvements like additional room accommodations and restaurants are still being planned.

When in Pangasinan, the Balungao Hilltop Adventure is worth visiting especially for the adventurous travelers and tourists. Make sure though to bring your own food and refreshments as the resort facility doesn't have a functional restaurant as of the moment. 


For inquiries, one may call the following contact numbers: (075) 583-8421, (075) 583-8412, 09215988081. One may also visit  Balungao's website: www.balungao.org for more details. 


It's more fun in Pangasinan! 

2012 Mangaldan Town Fiesta Activities

2012 Mangaldan Town Fiesta Activities


March 3 & 4, 2012 - Mayor’s Cup Shootfest (MAPSAI) 
8:00 A.M; Jharssel Shooting Range Bari, Mangaldan, Pangasinan
c/o P/Spt.Mateo C. Casupang


March 4, 2012 - Wer-weran ed Mangaldan Bike Race
6:00 a.m Municipal Grounds c/o Mr. Jesus Garcia Jr.


Gabi ng Pasasalamat (Religious Groups)
6:00 P.M; Mangaldan Public Plaza 
c/o Pastor Rodrigo G. Sante 


March 6, 2012 - Mr. and Ms. Hot Bodies 2012
7:00 P.M; Mangaldan Public Auditorium
c/o Harlijk Production Mr. Maharlika Mirasol


March 7, 2012 - Sangguniang Kabataan Night
8:00 P.M; Mangaldan Public Plaza
c/o Hon. Charlene Joy F. Flores (SK President)


March 8, 2012 - Senior Citizens Night
8:00 P.M; Mangaldan Public Plaza
c/o Mr. Adriano M. Biala and Mrs. Linda S. Ang


March 9, 2012 - LGU/Educators/ Balikbayan/OFW/Peoples Night
7:00 p.m c/o 2012 EXECOM


- PBA Legends vs Celebrity Players (Basketball Exhibition)
1:00 P.M; MYDC Gym
c/o Globe Telecom and Harlijk Productions 


March 10, 2012 - Parade 
7:00 a.m c/o Sir Jose A. De Vera


- Baptism
9:00 A.M – 12:00 NN/1:30 P.M. – 3:00 P.M
- Mass
6:00 A.M/5:00P.M
c/o Madam Vicky B. Sotto and Mdm. Teresita G. Cera
Parish Office Secretariat


- Coronation Night
8:00 P.M; Mangaldan Public Plaza
c/o Mrs. Gloria G. Romero and 2012 EXECOM


March 11, 2012 - Mass
5:30 A.M/7:00 A.M/8:15 A.M/5:00 P.M
- Baptism
9:00 A.M – 12:00 NN/1:30 P.M – 3:00 P.M
- Confirmation ( Kumpil )
10:00 A.M – 12:00 NN
c/o Mrs.Vicky B.Sotto and Mdm. Teresita G. Cera
Parish Office secretariat


- Samahan ng Mga Barangay Night
8:00 P.M; Mangaldan Public Plaza
c/o Hon. Ritchie G. Abalos (Liga President) 


March 12, 2012- Raffle draw- 
1:00 p.m- Municipal Grounds
c/o Dr. Ophelia T. Rivera (MHO)