DAGUPAN CITY - A team of experts from the National Historical Institute (NHI), one of the country’s leading government agency, arrived in Dagupan City on September 1 to gain new insights and perspectives about the city by visiting its seven historical landmarks.

The NHI group headed by supervisor for history research architect Lorelei Devianna and history researcher architect Maria Luisa Valerio surveyed seven historical places in the city recommended by the Dagupan Heritage Commission and Metro Dagupan Culture and Arts Council (MDCAC). Read more

From the Saltbeds by Restituto C. Basa

WE used to celebrate our independence day on July 4, the same day the Americans celebrate theirs.

When Diosdado Macapagal, father of our incumbent president, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was president, he issued a decree that we celebrate Philippine independence day on June 12.

Our July 4 independence day celebration was imposed upon us by the United States of America. This was because we used to be a colony of the United States (from 1900 to 1946).

On July 4, 1946 America granted us our independence.

Macapagal changed our independence day celebration from July 4 to June 12. Since then, we have been celebrating our independence on June 12. Read more

ALAMINOS CITY, Pangasinan - Hundreds of responsible pet owners submitted their pets to free anti-rabies vaccination during the three-day intensified mass vaccination in all the city’s barangays last week.

For the fourth consecutive year now, the city veterinary office with the help of 65 clinicians from Benguet State University, Virgen Milagrosa State University and Tarlac College of Agriculture have spearheaded the city-wide anti-rabies vaccination drive.

The said program is in line with the observance of the United Nations Proclamation of the whole month of March as Rabies Awareness Month and to fully implement City Ordinance 2002-2003 otherwise known as Anti-Rabies Ordinance. Read more

by Restituto C. Basa (From the Saltbeds)

FOR this year, 2006, April 9 has double significance to us Filipinos.

As we are Christians, we mark the day as Palm Sunday, the day Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem and he was hailed by pilgrims as the son of King David. The pilgrims gathered palms which theys spread along his way to the temple of Jerusalem.

It was also on this day, in 1942, when Bataan fell to the Japanese invaders.

As per our religious faith, it is a day of triumph. We mark it as the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.

In the history of our nation, it is a day of defeat. Our valiant soldiers, who took the stand in Bataan, surrendered to the superior forces of the Japanese invaders. Read more