Marking the trend in must-see destinations is Marquee Mall, a redefinition of shopping, dining and entertainment which is truly a cut above the rest. Marquee Mall is Ayala Malls' first foray in Central Luzon, making its home in Angeles City in Pampanga. It redefines convenience on this side of the country. Situated near Angeles City's business district and adjacent to the Angeles exit along North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), this new 93-hectare lifestyle hub is a vital component of "Marquee", a 53 hectare integrated mixed use community recently developed by Ayala Land., Inc.

Spanning three floors with more than 450 stores and restaurants, Marquee Mall raises the bar higher on mixed use developments in the region, as it is strategically located in the vicinity of Marquee Place, a residential area developed by Alveo Land. The 70,000 square meters Marquee Mall will also be home to an inter-modal transport terminal for buses, jeepneys, AUVs and tricycles, upgrading the accessibility and turn it into a major regional convergence area.

Indulge in sheer fun and entertainment with remarkable features such as the Activity Center, an energetic event venue where people can linger and enjoy various activities and live performances, the Civic Plaza which echoes an al fresco feel heightened by beautiful installations of water features and lush landscaping, interactive sculptures designed by Reggie Yuson, and four digital cinemas.

ANGELES CITY -- Even as Typhoon Ondoy wreaked havoc in many parts of Pampanga, it spared this city from much damage and flooding.  City Administrator Mark Allen Sison, during the opening of the Metro Gaisano Department Store here, said the city was fortunate that there were no major damages.  The typhoon brought heavy downpours that caused flooding in many towns and claimed the lives of some 14 people in Barangay Baño in Arayat in a mudslide.  “Generally, there were major damages in the city but because our elevation is 25 meters above sea level there was no flooding. But there was some erosion along Abacan River, which is perennial in nature,” said Sison.

“Actually, there were four houses that eroded last Saturday, but even before the typhoon we already cleaned up Sapang Balen Creek and Mayor Blueboy Nepomuceno already had bidden out his commitment to Balibago Bridge for the sheet pilings amounting to P30.7 million and another P10 million for the rechanneling of Abacan River that is why we were able to prepare for major calamities and avoided much damage,” he added.  He said it has been a long time ago that the city has prepared, bidding and purchasing medical supplies, food, raincoats and boots.  “We also have declogged our canals because they are being made dumpsites for wastes, so instead of the water going down the river, they are clogged and overflow,” he said. According to Sison, the Ospital ng Angeles is open 24 hours for emergencies not only for the city’s constituents but for neighboring towns as well. “All our roads are passable and our electric and water utilities have been restored,” he said, adding that after their meeting at the City Disaster Coordinating Council, city officials will distribute relief goods for affected families in Arayat and San Fernando. (Jovi T. De Leon)

RESCUE efforts for victims of Typhoon Ondoy may suffer a setback after the Supreme Court (SC) denied with finality its motion to reconsider a ruling that declared a Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) charter null and void for being unconstitutional.  In a resolution, the SC en banc affirmed its July 15, 2009 decision that struck down almost all provisions in the PNRC charter, Republic Act (RA) 95, as they ran counter Section 7, Article 14 of the Constitution, which prohibits Congress from creating private corporations, except by general law.  “Acting on its MR, the Court resolved to deny with finality the said motion for reconsideration, as the basic issues raised therein have been passed upon by this Court and no substantial arguments were presented to warrant a reversal of the questioned decision,” the Court ruled.  Justice Renato Corona took no part in the voting.

The high court earlier voted 7-5, with one abstention, declaring Sections 1-13 of the PNRC charter void. It further said that the PNRC should incorporate under the Corporation Code and register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) if it wants to be a private corporation.  The decision, penned by Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, held that Congress cannot enact law except by general law applicable to all citizens. It added that Congress cannot enact a law creating a private corporation with a special charter.

In its motion for reconsideration, PNRC lawyer Lorna Kapunan asked the SC to declare it as a private and neutral organization performing humanitarian functions as an auxiliary to government and that its charter, under Presidential Decree 1264, as amended by Presidential Decree 1643, is valid and constitutional.   The PNRC admitted that its structure is unique since it cannot be easily classified as a government-owned or controlled corporation due to the fact that the government has no control over it.

The petitioner added that it cannot be strictly categorized as a private corporation because it was not organized under the Corporation Code.   The PNRC explained that its charter was created under Presidential Decrees 1264 and 1643 issued by then President Marcos and not under RA 95.  In nullifying their charter, the organization said it was never a party to the case which was filed by a group led by former Quezon City Representative Dante Liban with Senator Richard Gordon, PNRC chair, as the lone respondent.

In their petition, Liban’s group argued that PNRC is a government office, thus Gordon’s appointment as chair of PNRC automatically forfeited his seat in the Senate.  But the SC dismissed the claim of the petitioner that the PNRC is a government agency as it held that it is a private organization performing public functions.  Being so, the Court said, the PNRC chairmanship may be held by any individual, including a senator or a member of the House of Congress. (JCV/Sunnex)

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- As this city gears up for the 7th Annual Frog Festival, officials here led by Mayor Oscar Rodriguez Friday afternoon disclosed during the press conference for the yearly “Piestang Tugak” the fast diminishing population of edible frogs common in their habitat in farms, river banks and wetlands. The greenish-yellowish edible frog, a specialty and delicacy in most Kapampangan kitchens, has become a symbol of this city’s leapfrogging to success and growth the past years, according to the mayor.

“Because of rapid urbanization, we have observed that the edible frogs are fast disappearing and maybe nearing extinction. Subdivisions are taking over farmlands and river banks, because of the necessity to avert flooding, are being paved as concrete embankments, driving away the frogs from their natural habitat. That is why for this year, we will divert from the usual aspect of frogs as food and the catching process, but rather move to preserve and protect them,” Rodriguez told Sun.Star Pampanga.

He said the City Government, starting with this year’s festival, would put emphasis on the frogs’ benefits to humans, the environment and ecological balance.  “We are seriously considering a program to preserve these species of frogs, snails and crabs along with moves to culture them and save them from extinction. I have asked City Administrator Ferdinand Caylao to discuss this project with our Technical Working Group to maintain, propagate and link-up with other local government units nearby to encourage culturing this vanishing species for the benefit of generations to come,” he said.  Rodriguez narrated how frogs sustained him and his family during the early years when the province was teeming with the amphibians as a source of food and livelihood for many folks.

“It became for us then a source of food and livelihood as we would sell part of the catch in the market. The best recipe them was ‘tortang tugak’ (minced frog cooked in soy sauce) and of course the all time favorite ‘betute’ (fried stuffed frog) which I even saw in Europe as a delicacy. If we don’t act on their diminishing population now, the future generations might not even recognize these frogs anymore,” Rodriguez said.  He added that it is the species of poisonous frogs (karag in the vernacular) that have been proliferating lately.

Frog Festival chair Engr. Marni Castro for his part said the city now has 10 pairs of the popular and edible farm frogs which are being cultured under the watch of Caylao, who is set to create a “frog garden” similar to the famous butterfly gardens launched to save the winged insects from extinction.  Meanwhile, Community Affairs Department head Donny Sayre said this year’s festival will feature the first frog street dancing festival.

Sayre said the winner in the street dance contest, to be participated in by students from the city’s integrated schools, will represent the city in the provincial Sinukwan Festival in December. He added that aside from the P20,000 grand prize, the City Government will subsidize the winners with another P10,000 for the December contest.  This year’s festival reels off on October 7 with a frog collection exhibit, frog mascot competition and street dance contest at SM City Pampanga; a frog catching (paduasan) contest at Heroes Hall on October 8; and the “Lundag Tugak” (frog leaping) and other frog games on October 9 at the city proper.

CAMP OLIVAS -- The Central Luzon Police Office reported on Tuesday the arrest of American national Michael Scott Given by police intelligence operatives.  Given, 50, a resident of Barangay San Nicolas 2 in Magalang town, has been subject of an intensive manhunt ordered by Chief Superintendent Leon Nilo dela Cruz a few weeks ago for violating Republic Act 9262, other wise known as "Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004."

The act which Given allegedly violated “values the dignity of women and children and guarantees full respect for human rights. The law also recognizes the need to protect the family and its members particularly women and children, from violence and threats to their personal safety and security.”

According to Central Luzon Police Information Officer Baltazar Mamaril Jr., Given was arrested in Barangay San Nicolas, Poblacion in Concepcion, Tarlac by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Bernardita Erum of the Regional Trial Court in Angeles City. He added that Given is now in police custody as his case will soon be heard. He said Given’s capture was a result of the cooperative manhunt efforts of the members of the regional police.

CAMP OLIVAS -- Carjackers strike anew in Angeles City.  A brand new van was forcibly taken along Santos Street, Nepo Subdivision in Barangay Sto. Rosario, Angeles City around 2 a.m. last Sunday.  Reports reaching this camp said that a 2009 Toyota Hi-Ace Grandia, with license plate NIQ-677, was taken at gunpoint while parked at the subdivision by four unidentified gunmen on board a black Kia Sportage SUV without plate numbers.  The owner, Clarita Limiac, 39, of Purok 3, Porac town, together with driver Clarizon Tolentino, Michael delos Reyes and Paulo San Jose, were inside the vehicle when the carjackers appeared.  At gunpoint, two of the suspects ordered the van’s occupants to disembark, the report said.  Police said one of the suspects boarded the Toyota Hi-Ace and drove it to unknown direction while the Kia Sportage was tailing it.  Senior Superintendent Pierre Bucsit, Angeles City police director, said he has ordered a manhunt against the carjackers. (Ric Sapnu)

SAN SIMON -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led the distribution of relief goods to victims of tropical storms Ondoy and Pepeng during her visit in San Pedro village Sunday. According to Fourth District congresswoman Ana York Bondoc, this remote village located near the boundary of San Luis town was one of the worst hit villages here with floodwaters rising from five to eight feet.  "There are about 2,400 affected families who have received packs of foods through the generosity of the President," Bondoc said. Each food pack contained two kilos of rice, instant noodles, canned goods and used cloths.

The residents and local officials warmly welcomed the President.  They have profusely thanked her for finding time in attending to their needs, especially in times of calamities.  "Nagpapasalamat po kami sa mahal na Pangulo dahil kahit na malayo ang aming barangay ay pinupuntahan niya kami para tulungan at bigyan ng pagkain lalu na ngayong nilubog kami," a resident said. Martha Alfaro, 73, and Rosita Santos, 70, said poor people like them are in need of food, as they cannot afford to work because of their old ages. "Maraming maramng salamat po," they said in teary eyes. Mayor Rodrigo "Digos" Canlas also joined the President in the distribution of the relief goods. (Herbert P. Mapiles)

CLARK FREEPORT -- All seats have been taken for the inaugural flight of Zest Air to Hong Kong Friday. This signals the start of its full commercial operation via the Clark-Hong Kong route at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA). A roundtrip ticket of only $70 via Clark-Hong Kong flight was sold like a hot cake in their first-ever international operations at DMIA that is expected to boost passenger volume before the end of this year.

Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) President and CEO Victor Jose Luciano, Zest Air President and CEO Ambassador Alfredo Yao and Subic Clark Alliance for Development Council (SCADC) Secretary Edgardo Pamintuan will lead the inaugural flight of Zest Air at DMIA Friday afternoon.  "This is another history in the making for DMIA and we will continue giving world class service to our passengers using DMIA," Luciano said.  Simple send-off ceremonies will be held at the DMIA VIP Lounge at 3 p.m. Friday.

Zest Air, formerly known as Asian Spirit, will be using its brand new Air Bus 320 with a capacity of 166 seats, which will be arriving at the DMIA at 2:30 p.m. for its inaugural daily flight to Hong Kong.  Zest Air passenger flight Z2-083 will be coming from Manila then proceed to DMIA at 2:30 p.m. to pick up passengers bound for Hong Kong.  The aircraft will be arriving at the Hong Kong International Airport at around 5:40 p.m. where passengers would be treated by a short welcome at the airport.

The airline company is the second local air carrier to operate international commercial operations at DMIA.  It also flies local domestic operations via Clark-Caticlan flights to the world famous Boracay Beach Island Resort in the Visayas.  DMIA is also home of other foreign carriers such as Tiger Airways which flies to Singapore, Air Asia via Kuala Lumpur and Kotakinabalu and Asiana Airlines via Clark-Incheon in South Korea with connecting flights to the US, China and Japan.

Zest Air also flies international such as Singapore, Macau, Hong Kong, Incheon in South Korea, Fukuoaka and Okinawa in Japan, while domestic flights are Puerto Princesa, Busuanga, San Jose, Marinduque, Naga, Virac, Legaspi, Tablas, Kalibo, Calbayog, Catarman, Tacloban, Bacolod, Iloilo, Cebu, Zamboanga, Tagbilaran, Cagayan de Oro, Surigao, Siargao, Caticlan, Clark and Davao.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo designated DMIA the country's Premier International Airport right after the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila.

Interested passengers are advised to log on to www.zestair.com.ph for bookings to avail of Zest Air's other special promos.

ANGELES CITY -- The alleged leader of a robbery syndicate operating in Central Luzon was apprehended by the city police Tuesday after he was suspected of handling methamphetamine (shabu).   Senior Superintendent Danilo Bautista, newly installed city police officer-in-charge, said Allan Roque Sotelo, alleged leader of the Sotelo Gang, was arrested in Barangay Sapang Bato by personnel of the Police Station 5.   Bautista said that Sotelo has been included in the list of most wanted persons in the city.  He said Sotelo allegedly heads the notorious Sotelo Gang and Aries Group, which are responsible for a series of Akyat-Bahay and hold-up incidents in Pampanga and Tarlac provinces.  Sotelo's group reportedly encountered some months ago elements of the Tarlac provincial police unit.  At least eight members of the gang were killed during the shootout with policemen.  Meanwhile, one Michael Mayo Lusung, 29, a tricycle driver, and a resident of Purok 5 Ponciano Street, Fatima Subdivision, Santa Cruz, Porac, Pampanga was arrested by the city police.  Bautista said Lusung is wanted for physical injuries under criminal case Number 09-4330.  Sotelo and Lusung are now  detained at the Angeles City District Jail.  "We intensified police operations to arrest wanted persons. We would like to assure the people that criminals are brought behind bars for justice and held accountable for the crimes they committed," Bautista said. (Reynaldo G. Navales)

ANGELES CITY -- Two motorcycle-riding gunmen ambushed a younger brother of former Public Works and Highways Secretary Jose "Ping" De Jesus while jogging inside a subdivision last October 17.  The unidentified suspects shot Antonio de Jesus, 61, at 7:15 a.m. along 9th St., Plaridel 2 Subdivision in Amsic village, this city. The victim, however, survived the attack.

The two other recent victims of motorcycle-riding killers were not as lucky.  Joseph Padua Castro, 26, was having a conversation with his teenage nephew around 9:20 p.m. last October 27 in front of their compound in Mt. View Subdivision, Barangay Balibago when he was shot three times by still unidentified suspects. Chief Inspector Rogelio Javier, station commander of police precinct 4, said the two suspects pulled over in front of the victim and asked for direction.  While Castro was giving them direction, one of the suspects drew his gun and shot the victim thrice and sped off.  Relatives rushed Castro to a nearby hospital but he was pronounced dead on arrival by attending physicians.  Three empty shells of a .45 caliber pistol were found in the crime scene.

The second victim of the motorcycle-riding killers was identified as Edwin Caguigin Paulino, 27, a waiter at Chang's K Videoke Bar near the Clark Freeport's main gate also in Barangay Balibago. Police investigators said Paulino, along with a co-employee, was waiting for customers in front of the bar around 1:50 a.m. last October 28 when two still unidentified men on board a motorcycle arrived and shot the victim four times. The suspects then fled towards unknown direction. Paulino was rushed to a hospital but pronounced dead on arrival by doctors.  A slug from a .38 caliber handgun was found in the crime scene.

Police have yet to identify and apprehend the suspects in the two shooting incidents. (JAM)

ANGELES CITY -- As part of its campaign against criminality and traffic violations, the City Government here has installed closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras along major thoroughfares.  Mayor Francis “Blueboy” Nepomuceno led the launching of CCTV surveillance system in this city during the Street Jam and Party celebration along McArthur Highway at Barangay Balibago.  He said at least seven cameras with zooming capabilities are already operational. They will be used to monitor major thoroughfares to help deter crimes. Videos and still images are transmitted over fiber optic lines to the operation center.  “The CCTV cameras will be jointly monitored and supervised by the Angeles City Police Office (Acpo) and Office of the Mayor,” he said.

City Administrator Mark Allen Sison said the CCTV cameras would also be used to manage the traffic situation in the city and to gather relevant data on vehicular traffic, including its volume, for future traffic regulations.  Nepomuceno also said that he is re-implementing Ordinance 175, which requires all banks, money changers, pawnshops, malls, supermarkets and other similar establishments to install CCTV cameras to prevent cases of armed robbery, theft and similar criminal offenses in their respective establishment.  He said the ordinance was approved by the City Council on January 16, 2006 but many establishments are still not complying with it.  The ordinance, he said, is in reference to the Local Government Code under Section 16, stating that every local government unit shall exercise the powers essential to the promotion of the general welfare of its inhabitants.  It states that all banks, money changers, pawnshops, malls, supermarkets and other similar establishments with capitalization of more than P500,000 are required to install CCTV monitors within a period of one year.

ARAYAT -- Authorities accosted 10 persons believed to be involved in treasure hunting activities in Barangay San Juan Baño at Mt. Arayat last Sunday.  Superintendent Luisito Magnaye, outgoing Arayat chief of police, identified the suspected treasure hunters as Domingo Garcia, 42, of Barangay San Nicolas; Jaycee Napoles, 31, Arman Gallardo, 26, Clarito Gillongo, 30, Niko Tobesa, 18, Nestor and Narciso, 48, all of Barangay Mesulo; Ogelio Cajucom, 36, Garry Galudes, 30, and Ener Guevarra, 51, of San Nicolas village; and one alias Giony, of legal age, a native of Nueva Ecija province.

Magnaye said that based on the sworn statement of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) employees Amador Bernardo and Jose Mallari, they received a "tip" at 7 a.m. Sunday from a concerned citizen who said that a huge hole was discovered and several equipment used in digging at the foot of the mountain near the Delta dam were found.  He said the two DENR employees immediately informed the police, soldiers belonging to the 703rd Infantry Brigade, and barangay chairman Jesus Delos Santos who rushed to the digging site and confiscated three shovels, roll cable wiring, two electric flashlights, a water pump machine, a gas stove, gas tank, plastic jar, chain block, kitchen utensils, one can of biscuit, plastic can with gasoline, assorted can goods, bolo, nylon rope, plastic hose, small chain block and assorted clothes.

Magnaye said the suspected treasure hunters, who were at the digging site, were accosted by authorities and were brought to the police station here for questioning.  He said initial investigation revealed that Garcia is the alleged financier of the group.  Mayor Luisito Espino has urged the DENR and police to file appropriate charges against the suspected treasure hunters, saying that Mt. Arayat is a natural and historical landmark that must be preserved and protected. Espino said the Municipal Government of Arayat will be coordinating with the police, DENR and other concerned agencies to study the filing of appropriate charges against the suspected treasure hunters.

A Sun.Star Pampanga source who requested anonymity said treasure hunters believe that gold bars had been buried in the fabled mountain by soldiers of the Japanese Imperial Army led by General Tomoyuki Yamashita before the end of World War II.

At the height of Typhoon Ondoy last September 27, a mudslide occurred at the foot of Mt. Arayat in Barangay San Juan Baño, where 12 people, mostly women and children, were buried alive. Some 50 houses were destroyed and some 2,000 individuals were displaced. (Chris Navarro)

CLARK FREEPORT - The US-based United Parcel Service (UPS) Thursday donated US$50,000 to the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) as part of their assistance for typhoon victims.  CIAC president and CEO Victor Jose Luciano and UPS Asia Pacific Region senior vice president KM Liu led the ceremonial turnover of the donation to PNRC officials led by chairman Emeritus former Justice Leonor Ines Luciano and Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang at the CIAC Boardroom Thursday.  "UPS has chosen the PNRC through the American Red Cross as the recipient of the $50,000 donation intended to help the victims of Typhoons in Northern and Central Luzon," Luciano said.  "We are happy that a Clark-based company like the UPS are extending their assistance to those affected by the typhoons," he added.

UPS was the one who pioneered the development of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA). It started cargo operations in 2002, according to Luciano. UPS is a partner of CIAC for the development of DMIA. Lui said UPS is committed to support community activities especially in providing assistance to the victims of calamity in the Philippines.  "We are very pleased with President Luciano and the whole of CIAC for their cooperation and support to UPS and we look forward to continue the relationship and continue our objective for the development of DMIA and the whole of Clark," Lui said.

Last October 27, SIA Engineering Company donated $20,000 dollars for the victims of the typhoon. The funds were turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the PNRC. 

Other personalities who graced Thursday's turnover rite include Kevin Chan director UPS Asia Pacific Region, Rolly Nierva senior manager UPS Shared Services, CIAC executive vice president Alexander S. Cauguiran, Lauro Ortille vice president for Administration and finance, Romeo Dyoco vice president for Operations and Business Development, and Captain Ben Solis of the Asia Foundation.