CITY OF MALOLOS—The 25 years mining permit of a controversial marble firm exporting marble varieties in different countries has finally been cancelled by the Department of Environment and Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) following series of clamor to totally stop its alleged destructive operations in Biak-na-Bato mineral reservation area in San Miguel town.
Director Leo Jasareno of the Mines and GeoSciences Bureau (MGB) of the DENR brought the good news to Bulacan officials and residents here Monday during the Bulacan State University (BulSU) Rain Forestation project to help save and protect the Biak-na-Bato mountains of Bulacan.
Jasareno said the cancellation of the Mineral Product Sharing Agreement (PMSA) of Rosemoor Mining and Development Corporation (RMDC) which he signed as MGB head and was released last Dec. 28 was ordered by DENR Sec. Ramon Paje due to several violations committed by the company that were raised and presented by both government officials and various socio civic and environment groups in the province.
He told NEWS CORE that Rosemoor has been found to have allowed a number of other firms to operate and quarry marble within their MPSA prescribed quarry site without each of those getting approval from the MGB and only using the firm’s MPSA.
Jasareno also cited the internal conflict for ownership of RMDC between the family of its slain alleged former president Constantino Pascual and his aunt, Dr. Lourdes Pascual who was just recently killed in her house in Quezon City.
Constantino Pascual was killed right after he attended a Sunday mass near his house in San Miguel town in 2008, two years after he was arrested and jailed at the Bulacan Provincial Jail on large scale estafa cases filed against him by his aunt.
Their squabble for ownership has yet to be resolved before the Supreme Court.
According to Jasareno, Rosemoor’s marble quarry operation has also an unresolved issue on its effect on ground water.
He said while the national government under President Aquino’s term encourages huge economy from mining industry, mining is not absolute to any company especially if there are violations and destructions on the bigger remaining natural wealth.
“Hindi puwedeng economic-based lang, dapat balance at responsible ang mining, kung destructive ito, hindi na dapat magpatuloy,” he said.
Jasareno said the next step is for the MGB and the DENR to formally ask the President to lift the declaration of some less than 1,000 hectares within the Biak-na-Bato National and Historical Park as Mineral Reservation area.
Biak-na-Bato, which figured in the country’s history as one of the camps of the revolutionary Katipunan forces in 19th century Philippines, was declared a national park by former President Manuel Quezon on Nov. 16, 1937 through Proclamation No. 223. The area covers 2,117 hectares in the villages of Kalawakan and Talbak in Doña Remedios Trinidad town and the villages of Biak-na-Bato and Sibul in San Miguel town.
In 1970, then President Ferdinand Marcos issued an order guiding mineral prospecting and exploitation in government reservations.
Through Proclamation No. 401, issued on April 11, 1989 by President Corazon Aquino, the national government re-defined the boundaries of the Biak-na-Bato National Park.
The proclamation set aside 952 hectares as mineral reservation, 938 hectares as watershed reservation and 480 hectares as forest reserve.

CITY OF MALOLOS—Bulacan officials defended paying worth P600,000 worth of full page advertisements on three national dailies expressing their contradiction on the new toll hikes at the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) saying it came as an insult to them and would create a further effect to other goods and commodities from North and Central Luzon that are being brought to Metro Manila to increase in costs.
At a called meeting with Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) and Traffic Management Corporation, (TMC) which respectively manages and operates the NLEX including bus and jeepney transport groups representatives at the provincial board session hall here Wednesday, members of the provincial board said the increase on rates effective Jan. 1 surprised and caught them unaware and rendered them blind on how to explain it to their constituents.
Board Member Felix Ople from the first district said they felt insulted when a major portion in the NLEX is located in Bulacan but they were not advised or informed by MNTC and TMC officials of the increased in toll rates making them appear ignorant before the residents asking them about the details of the new rates.
Board Member and lawyer Enrique Dela Cru z from the second district, chairman on transportation committee at the provincial board said the sudden increase in the toll rates despite prior newspaper publications and announcements caught many Bulakenyos by surprise and yet not a single voice opposition has come out necessitating them to publish minutes of their recent meeting expressing their contradiction.
“Wala man lang tumutol o nagsalita. Wala pa tayong narinig sa mga taga Pampanga, Pangasinan, kaya’t nauna na tayo rito sa Bulacan,” he said.
Dela Cruz said it was an order by Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado to discuss and present oppositions on the new rates during their previous session and to come out with paid advertisement of their opposition to at least three major national dailies to let the MNTC and NLEX officials knew of their stand on the increase.
Dela Cruz questioned the alleged 13 % increase in toll rates amidst alleged no recent and latest improvements and developments made on the NLEX in favor of the motorists.
He also questioned the alleged bloated income of P109.5 billion by the MNTC from its 25 years contract projection of managing the NLEX, compared to only P21 billion worth of loans it incurred for the construction of the highway and its maintenance.
However, Vice Gov. Daniel Fernando acknowledged presenting an erroneous claim of 13 % increase in the toll rates whereas the actual increase is only 11.8%.
Fernando said their first knowledge was a 13% increase.
According to Fernando, there was no obvious recent developments on the NLEX.
Representatives from different bus companies—ES bus Transport, Baliuwag Transit Corp, Five-Star Bus Company, Victory Liner including jeepney transport groups also expressed their contradiction to the new toll rates.
But, Marlene Ochoa, vice president for corporate communications of MNTC told NEWS CORE during interview at the meeting that jeepney transport groups plying routes for Monumento-Meycauayan and Bocaue including in San Fernando Pampanga to Dau and other areas are exempted from the rate increase.
Benigno Valles, senior manager for corporate communications of TMC said the said jeepney routes have their respective Pasada and Tsuper Card demanding from them a minimal P190.00 whole day 24 hour payment for using the NLEX.
Ochoa and other officials of their company acknowledged committing a shortcoming with the Bulacan officials of not prior making information or communication of the new toll rates come Jan. 1.
However, she said, the toll fee increase is based on road user’s choice. “Maganda naman ang serbisyo at facility ng NLEX, kung sino lang naman ang gusting dumaan, it’s a choice, kung gusto dumaan sa magandang kalsada, magbayad ng ganoong fee at yung ayaw naman ay doon sa libre dumaan,” she said.
Ochoa, defended the new toll increase as only toll rate adjustment with only a very minimal 11.8 percent increase from the current rates is lower than the opening rates in 2005.
Today’s minimum toll for class 1 vehicles is at P41.00 from P36.00 compared to P42.00 when the NLEX re-opened under MNTC-TMC sister companies both under the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation new management in 2005.
The previous P64.00 Tabang toll to Balintawak Plaza is now at P72.00 for class 1 vehicles. Balintawak to Sta. Ines for class 1 vehicles is at a new rate of P195.00.
She said the January 2007 toll rates went down by 11. 6 percent and the July 2008 toll rates further went down from the previous 2007 rates by 3.1 percent.
Valles said the new rate notice had been long announced and advised to the public.
Ochoa said the new toll rate is based on provisional authority given to them by the Land Transportation Franchise and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and will be implemented while a public hearing will also be conducted.
She said the toll being collected is worth because of the high quality services being offered and returned to all motorists using the NLEX because.
She said the highway is smooth and there is no area with holes and that can cause traffic.
She said recent road traffic and safety improvement facilities acquired such as accordion type accident impact reducer, lane management vehicle and intervention vehicles further completes the good services returned to the motorists.
Valles said the Intervention Vehicles and four Lane Management Vehicles roaming along the NLEX help guide and warn motorists of possible road abuses and shortcomings that can lead to accidents.
He added the opening of the Mindanao Avenue Link also eases up traffic along Balintawak toll plaza.

CITY OF MALOLOS—Bulacan officials defended paying worth P600,000 worth of full page advertisements on three national dailies expressing their contradiction on the new toll hikes at the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) saying it came as an insult to them and would create a further effect to other goods and commodities from North and Central Luzon that are being brought to Metro Manila to increase in costs.
At a called meeting with Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) and Traffic Management Corporation, (TMC) which respectively manages and operates the NLEX including bus and jeepney transport groups representatives at the provincial board session hall here Wednesday, members of the provincial board said the increase on rates effective Jan. 1 surprised and caught them unaware and rendered them blind on how to explain it to their constituents.
Board Member Felix Ople from the first district said they felt insulted when a major portion in the NLEX is located in Bulacan but they were not advised or informed by MNTC and TMC officials of the increased in toll rates making them appear ignorant before the residents asking them about the details of the new rates.
Board Member and lawyer Enrique Dela Cru z from the second district, chairman on transportation committee at the provincial board said the sudden increase in the toll rates despite prior newspaper publications and announcements caught many Bulakenyos by surprise and yet not a single voice opposition has come out necessitating them to publish minutes of their recent meeting expressing their contradiction.
“Wala man lang tumutol o nagsalita. Wala pa tayong narinig sa mga taga Pampanga, Pangasinan, kaya’t nauna na tayo rito sa Bulacan,” he said.
Dela Cruz said it was an order by Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado to discuss and present oppositions on the new rates during their previous session and to come out with paid advertisement of their opposition to at least three major national dailies to let the MNTC and NLEX officials knew of their stand on the increase.
Dela Cruz questioned the alleged 13 % increase in toll rates amidst alleged no recent and latest improvements and developments made on the NLEX in favor of the motorists.
He also questioned the alleged bloated income of P109.5 billion by the MNTC from its 25 years contract projection of managing the NLEX, compared to only P21 billion worth of loans it incurred for the construction of the highway and its maintenance.
However, Vice Gov. Daniel Fernando acknowledged presenting an erroneous claim of 13 % increase in the toll rates whereas the actual increase is only 11.8%.
Fernando said their first knowledge was a 13% increase.
According to Fernando, there was no obvious recent developments on the NLEX.
Representatives from different bus companies—ES bus Transport, Baliuwag Transit Corp, Five-Star Bus Company, Victory Liner including jeepney transport groups also expressed their contradiction to the new toll rates.
But, Marlene Ochoa, vice president for corporate communications of MNTC told NEWS CORE during interview at the meeting that jeepney transport groups plying routes for Monumento-Meycauayan and Bocaue including in San Fernando Pampanga to Dau and other areas are exempted from the rate increase.
Benigno Valles, senior manager for corporate communications of TMC said the said jeepney routes have their respective Pasada and Tsuper Card demanding from them a minimal P190.00 whole day 24 hour payment for using the NLEX.
Ochoa and other officials of their company acknowledged committing a shortcoming with the Bulacan officials of not prior making information or communication of the new toll rates come Jan. 1.
However, she said, the toll fee increase is based on road user’s choice. “Maganda naman ang serbisyo at facility ng NLEX, kung sino lang naman ang gusting dumaan, it’s a choice, kung gusto dumaan sa magandang kalsada, magbayad ng ganoong fee at yung ayaw naman ay doon sa libre dumaan,” she said.
Ochoa, defended the new toll increase as only toll rate adjustment with only a very minimal 11.8 percent increase from the current rates is lower than the opening rates in 2005.
Today’s minimum toll for class 1 vehicles is at P41.00 from P36.00 compared to P42.00 when the NLEX re-opened under MNTC-TMC sister companies both under the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation new management in 2005.
The previous P64.00 Tabang toll to Balintawak Plaza is now at P72.00 for class 1 vehicles. Balintawak to Sta. Ines for class 1 vehicles is at a new rate of P195.00.
She said the January 2007 toll rates went down by 11. 6 percent and the July 2008 toll rates further went down from the previous 2007 rates by 3.1 percent.
Valles said the new rate notice had been long announced and advised to the public.
Ochoa said the new toll rate is based on provisional authority given to them by the Land Transportation Franchise and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and will be implemented while a public hearing will also be conducted.
She said the toll being collected is worth because of the high quality services being offered and returned to all motorists using the NLEX because.
She said the highway is smooth and there is no area with holes and that can cause traffic.
She said recent road traffic and safety improvement facilities acquired such as accordion type accident impact reducer, lane management vehicle and intervention vehicles further completes the good services returned to the motorists.
Valles said the Intervention Vehicles and four Lane Management Vehicles roaming along the NLEX help guide and warn motorists of possible road abuses and shortcomings that can lead to accidents.
He added the opening of the Mindanao Avenue Link also eases up traffic along Balintawak toll plaza.

CITY OF MALOLOS—Bulacan officials defended paying worth P600,000 worth of full page advertisements on three national dailies expressing their contradiction on the new toll hikes at the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) saying it came as an insult to them and would create a further effect to other goods and commodities from North and Central Luzon that are being brought to Metro Manila to increase in costs.
At a called meeting with Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) and Traffic Management Corporation, (TMC) which respectively manages and operates the NLEX including bus and jeepney transport groups representatives at the provincial board session hall here Wednesday, members of the provincial board said the increase on rates effective Jan. 1 surprised and caught them unaware and rendered them blind on how to explain it to their constituents.
Board Member Felix Ople from the first district said they felt insulted when a major portion in the NLEX is located in Bulacan but they were not advised or informed by MNTC and TMC officials of the increased in toll rates making them appear ignorant before the residents asking them about the details of the new rates.
Board Member and lawyer Enrique Dela Cru z from the second district, chairman on transportation committee at the provincial board said the sudden increase in the toll rates despite prior newspaper publications and announcements caught many Bulakenyos by surprise and yet not a single voice opposition has come out necessitating them to publish minutes of their recent meeting expressing their contradiction.
“Wala man lang tumutol o nagsalita. Wala pa tayong narinig sa mga taga Pampanga, Pangasinan, kaya’t nauna na tayo rito sa Bulacan,” he said.
Dela Cruz said it was an order by Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado to discuss and present oppositions on the new rates during their previous session and to come out with paid advertisement of their opposition to at least three major national dailies to let the MNTC and NLEX officials knew of their stand on the increase.
Dela Cruz questioned the alleged 13 % increase in toll rates amidst alleged no recent and latest improvements and developments made on the NLEX in favor of the motorists.
He also questioned the alleged bloated income of P109.5 billion by the MNTC from its 25 years contract projection of managing the NLEX, compared to only P21 billion worth of loans it incurred for the construction of the highway and its maintenance.
However, Vice Gov. Daniel Fernando acknowledged presenting an erroneous claim of 13 % increase in the toll rates whereas the actual increase is only 11.8%.
Fernando said their first knowledge was a 13% increase.
According to Fernando, there was no obvious recent developments on the NLEX.
Representatives from different bus companies—ES bus Transport, Baliuwag Transit Corp, Five-Star Bus Company, Victory Liner including jeepney transport groups also expressed their contradiction to the new toll rates.
But, Marlene Ochoa, vice president for corporate communications of MNTC told NEWS CORE during interview at the meeting that jeepney transport groups plying routes for Monumento-Meycauayan and Bocaue including in San Fernando Pampanga to Dau and other areas are exempted from the rate increase.
Benigno Valles, senior manager for corporate communications of TMC said the said jeepney routes have their respective Pasada and Tsuper Card demanding from them a minimal P190.00 whole day 24 hour payment for using the NLEX.
Ochoa and other officials of their company acknowledged committing a shortcoming with the Bulacan officials of not prior making information or communication of the new toll rates come Jan. 1.
However, she said, the toll fee increase is based on road user’s choice. “Maganda naman ang serbisyo at facility ng NLEX, kung sino lang naman ang gusting dumaan, it’s a choice, kung gusto dumaan sa magandang kalsada, magbayad ng ganoong fee at yung ayaw naman ay doon sa libre dumaan,” she said.
Ochoa, defended the new toll increase as only toll rate adjustment with only a very minimal 11.8 percent increase from the current rates is lower than the opening rates in 2005.
Today’s minimum toll for class 1 vehicles is at P41.00 from P36.00 compared to P42.00 when the NLEX re-opened under MNTC-TMC sister companies both under the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation new management in 2005.
The previous P64.00 Tabang toll to Balintawak Plaza is now at P72.00 for class 1 vehicles. Balintawak to Sta. Ines for class 1 vehicles is at a new rate of P195.00.
She said the January 2007 toll rates went down by 11. 6 percent and the July 2008 toll rates further went down from the previous 2007 rates by 3.1 percent.
Valles said the new rate notice had been long announced and advised to the public.
Ochoa said the new toll rate is based on provisional authority given to them by the Land Transportation Franchise and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and will be implemented while a public hearing will also be conducted.
She said the toll being collected is worth because of the high quality services being offered and returned to all motorists using the NLEX because.
She said the highway is smooth and there is no area with holes and that can cause traffic.
She said recent road traffic and safety improvement facilities acquired such as accordion type accident impact reducer, lane management vehicle and intervention vehicles further completes the good services returned to the motorists.
Valles said the Intervention Vehicles and four Lane Management Vehicles roaming along the NLEX help guide and warn motorists of possible road abuses and shortcomings that can lead to accidents.
He added the opening of the Mindanao Avenue Link also eases up traffic along Balintawak toll plaza.

CITY OF MALOLOS—Challenged by officials and students from colleges in Metro Manila showing concern and conducting efforts to help save and protect the Biak-na-Bato National and Historical Park from destructive mining operations, officials, faculty and students of the Bulacan State University (BulSU) launched Monday a Rain Forestation project to contribute preserving the said rich national wealth of the province.
Ray Naguit, dean of the college of social sciences and philosophy who lead the project launching said they felt insulted when it’s other universities and colleges outside Bulacan who have been initiating moves for the protection of Biak-na-Bato Park which is a cultural and historical wealth of Bulacan.
“Nahihiya kami na tayong mga mga university dito sa Bulacan walang nagagawang effort para tumulong mahinto ang pagmimina at quary sa Biak-na-Bato at pagtatanim ng puno para mapagyaman pa ang kagubatan nito,” he told NEWS CORE.
Participated in by different government organizations and socio civic groups in Bulacan, BulSU with the help of Buklod Unlad ng Dalitang Umaasa sa Kabundukan (Bundok) Inc., a local folk group in San Miguel for the protection of Biak-na-bato and their counterpart Dumagat tribe members is set to gather wild species of trees—lawaan, yakal, palusapis, malatagum, tibig, luknab from the inner forest area of Sierra Madre.
Naguit said the trees once gathered and initially grown in a semi-nursery area near the Biak-na-Bato area will be planted and taken care of by the BulSU officials, faculty and student on a sustained basis.
Victorino Villela, president of Bundok Inc. and other residents living at the foot of the Biak-na-Bato mountains in this town in San Miguel have earlier asked President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to declare the mountains protected areas to stop marble quarrying and mining there.
Villela said parts of Biak-na-Bato were declared a mineral reservation, that could spell disaster to nearby residents. Environmental groups have noted the damaging effects of quarrying and mining on the mountain — including soil erosion and landslides during heavy rainfall and typhoons.
At least 500 persons live in the area surrounding Biak na Bato.
Villela said quarry trucks and equipment also damaged roads leading to their villages.
Biak-na-Bato, which figured in the country’s history as one of the camps of the revolutionary Katipunan forces in 19th century Philippines, was declared a national park by former President Manuel Quezon on Nov. 16, 1937 through Proclamation No. 223. The area covers 2,117 hectares in the villages of Kalawakan and Talbak in Doña Remedios Trinidad town and the villages of Biak-na-Bato and Sibul in San Miguel town.
In 1970, then President Ferdinand Marcos issued an order guiding mineral prospecting and exploitation in government reservations.
Through Proclamation No. 401, issued on April 11, 1989 by President Corazon Aquino, the national government re-defined the boundaries of the Biak-na-Bato National Park.
The proclamation set aside 952 hectares as mineral reservation, 938 hectares as watershed reservation and 480 hectares as forest reserve.
Earlier, the Dangal ng Bulacan Foundation Inc. and multi-sectoral groups in Bulacan launched signature campaigns to ask Ms Arroyo to stop marble quarrying at Biak-na-Bato.
Former Governors Josefina Dela Cruz and Joselito Mendoza both pushed and clamor for the national government to cancel the MPSA of RMDC on claims it was operating illegally because it was not given recognition or was cleared by the provincial board.
Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado also recently ordered suspended the operation of RMDC pending national government’s cancellation of its MPSA.
Alvarado said the internal squabble on the company’s ownership should first be settled before the firm should be allowed to operate.
Mendoza who is now representative of the third district of Bulacan immediately filed on September, barely just two months after he stepped his feet in Congress House Bill 2677, “an act providing for the reinstatement of the original area of Biak-na-Bato National Park, a historical landmark of the province of Bulacan situated in the municipality of San Miguel for its preservation and protection and for other purposes”.

BUSTOS, Bulacan—”Minasa,” an original food delicacy the rich exclusively prepared for them and their guests and was told as a product borne out of Spanish-inspired houses of the wealthy folks here during the old times which recently have been one of the Overseas Filipino Workers and Balikbayans most favorite Bulacan sweets pasalubong will take center stage recognition during a Minasa Festival here was started last Jan. 16.
Lourdes Cruz, a 75 years old retired teacher and one of the pioneer makers of minasa, dubbed as the “meryenda ng mayayaman ng kahapon’ said the cookies they sold at P140.00 per plastic jar are most in demand by OFW and Balikbayans as their keep-sake food stuffs for their families, friends and work mates in foreign countries where they stay.
With around ten makers of minasa in this town and the industry to yet has a minimal of only close to P2 million worth of investment, the distinct one town one product pasalubong food stuff of Bustos is well known especially by many Filipinos abroad.
Cruz said their regular buyers and customers who came to their stores and manufacturing sites in this town are not only OFW’s and Balikbayans from the province but even came from as far as Ilocos, Batangas, Quezon and Cebu who would make a detour here when they are in Manila just for jars and containers of their minasa.
She said their last Christmas sale especially for the Balikbayans and OFW’s rose to more than P200,000 excluding the sales from different government and private agencies as part of the Christmas party baskets and give-away.
Cruz said she belongs to the fifth generation of “meryenda ng mayayaman kahapon” makers who rose from the later less richer and middle class group of the original minasa makers.
Minasa, she said is formerly and originally a favorite home-made merienda of only the wealthy and rich folks in this town which they exclusively prepared for them and their guests during feasts and other special occasions during the Spanish time.
She said that time, the minasa cookies, known as minasa because of the literal and actual hand mixing and flattening of the flour mixture or batter are not yet being sold commercially.
But, over the years, even those from the middle class and even the poor managed to learn to prepare and cook this minasa because the maids and workers they have in their haciendas and houses who they ask to join them and help them while preparing the minasa came from the poor class of residents.
“ Ang tawag namin dito ay meryenda ng mayayaman kahapon. Mayayaman lang talaga ang nakakakain nito noong una, pero kalaunan, may natuto na ring mga nasa middle class hanggang sa yung iba kahit mahirap natuto na irng gumawa nito,” she said.
She said the minasa uses cassava flour, egg yolk, coconut milk, sugar and margarine are being made and baked by the rich using their own old style process especially the “minasa” or the literally mixing by the hands alone the batter of mixture for the cookie product.
Cruz recalled she was just a small girl when she heard her ancestors talking to one another expressing joy over their learning of how to make minasa.
“Tuwang tuwa yung mga lola namin nung matutuo na silang magluto ng minasa, sinabi nila sa sarili nila na pwede na rin silang masabing mayaman kasi marunong na silang gumawa ng minasa at nakakakain na rin sila nito,” she said.
It was only in late 1980’s when she decided to make pieces of the cookies and sold them in their store here for some experimental purposes and as a continuous work to be busy with for her retirement in teaching work.
Called the “Fe’s Minasa,” her and her family’s cookie products was the original maker of the minasa of Bustos that continue to bake today the delicious minasa. Cruz store, house and baking area is located just opposite the municipal government hall and compound in Poblacion.
She said all her four children, all males knew how to prepare and bake the minasa. There are times, she said, they bake the cookies with the names of each of his son as the molded designs based on their own clamors and requests.
After all the ingredients are mixed, they will be placed in a wooden mold with usually floral designs which they use up to this time and they will be cut into smaller pieces before they are placed on top of an aluminum tray for baking inside huge oven.
Before, Cruz, said, the rich make their minasa just like how bibingka was being cooked, with flames on top and at the bottom. But, during these days, oven helped them a lot in easier and speedier baking. She said they still keep with her the old cooking gadget of the rich people in her town and plan to preserve and keep it in her baking spot.
Cruz said their preparations from mixing was made better and lighter through the help of the Department of Science and Technology after it gave them worth close to P400,000 worth of mixer, cutter and molder.
Mayor Arnel Mendoza who is the first local official of Bustos who gave interest in further promoting the minasa industry in the town out of the Festival said their notion of the minasa cookies since they were small kids was show different yet still related to the minasa as the rich folks of this town’s favorite merienda during feasts.
Mendoza said they usually heard from old folks that minasa cookies are made by rich people in their town so as to still make good use of the pales and pales of left egg yolks which are remnants of the egg white used during those times in sticking the piles of bricks used in the construction of Spanish-styled houses.
“Yung ang kuwento sa amin, lumaki kami sa ganoong kuwento, ginagamit ng mayayaman yung claro ng itlog sa pagdidikit ng mga bricks pag gawa ng bahay noong Spanish time at yung mga asawa nilang mga babae, para hindi matapon at masayang lang ang pula ng itlog, ginawa silang cookies na tinawag nilang minasa,” he said.
Arnold Beltran, Bustos municipal secretary said some of the famous Mercado and Mateo Spanish-inspired houses in their town built in 1853 and 1888 were said to have used egg whites as in between sticky materials for the bricks and stones.
“Karaniwan ng mga bahay na iyan ay pag-aari ng mga land lords, yung pula ng itlog ginagawang minasa para ihanda pag may special na okasyon at panregalo sa mga bisita nilang mayayaman,” Beltran said.
The mayor recalled the rich people formerly use the extract of sago plant which are abundant in their town before switching using the cassava flour which is presently being used today.
Mendoza who said the minasa business in Bustos is still a cottage industry believes it will further grow bigger in years to come as more families and businessmen may also invest in the business to meet the demand abroad and even in local market.
The Minasa Festival will also highlight a street dancing competition highlighting the cookies and in the uniform tune of Minasa Song Festival sang by known band Escabeche in the country whose members are from Bustos and adjacent Baliuag town.

HAGONOY, Bulacan— Close to 2,000 local believers of Black Nazarene of Quiapo Church in Manila participated on Sunday’s procession of the Feast of the Black Nazarene through their own celebration of fluvial parade.
For 32 years now, the devotees from this town and other places in Bulacan have been joining the annual traditional festive yet sacrificial procession of the patron of Quiapo Church in Manila through their own distinct way of fluvial parade of the image in Parong-parong river.
They first attended the 9 a.m. mass at the Parong-parong chapel along the Halang river in Barangay San Agustin before they boarded the makeshift huge banca and ten other smaller ones along the said river for the past 11 a.m. actual procession of the image.
Following the mass, fireworks were cracked in the air in front of the chapel compound to symbolize and call on other devotees that the water procession is just about to start.
Rosalla Montehermoso, one of the close devotees and organizers to the Feast event, said the fireworks made of skyrocket or kuwitis was made an integral part of the procession as a symbol calling on other devotees in the remote Sitio of Parong-parong who are still in their houses to go to the chapel as the fluvial procession is just about to go ashore.
Flora Santiago-Robles, 69, from Sitio Halang and a close Black Nazarene of Quiapo devotee said the annual fluvial parade of the Black Nazarene patron of Parong-parong chapel that had been going on for 32 years now continue to draw more devotees from several other places every year.
Robles who joined her brothers and sisters in shouldering the construction of the said chapel more than 20 years ago to help keep the Roman Catholic faith of regularly going to mass of the residents in the said remote place, said another set of firecrackers are cracked symbolizing the image of the Black Nazarene is already making its trip along Halang river, a major part of this town’s waters connected to the Manila Bay.
A third batch of firecrackers was cracked in the air as the image of the Black Nazarene approached back the chapel, Robles said symbolizing the thanksgiving and praises of the residents to their chapel’s patron for an abundant year and hope for a continuance of the said blessings.
“The water procession of the Nazarene has also become a tradition for them and the people to spread the graces of God to their folks living in the coastal villages by giving blessings to the river where many residents depend their living,” she told NEWS CORE.
As the major coastal municipality in Bulacan, more than half of the residents here are fishermen.
Because of the resident’s recognition and thanksgiving to the abundant aquatic food and resources being made available to them and their families for over a hundred of years, they are annually bringing the image of St. Anne, (Virgin Mary’s mother), their town’s patron saint in a fluvial parade.
Robles, a mother of five used to walk on her knee at Quiapo church especially during the time of her nearing respective date of giving birth to all of them. She said she was doing that to ask graces and offer the lives of her children to God and Jesus Christ through the Black Nazarene.
Robles said she was not surprise she had an easy and light delivery to all of them.
When each of her children is about two months old, she again walk on her knee from the entrance door of the Quiapo Church to the altar carrying them and offering their lives to God to become good children and good followers of His name.
Robles, who is one of the owners of the Bulacan Garden ornamental plant firm that has already gone intoexporting since several years back and whose family is the one who built the Parong-parong chapel said that she got her strong and deep faith in God and her devotion to the Black Nazarene first from the influence of her parents. She said, her personal encounters of trials and graces made her faith deeper.
Just like Robles who previously show her faith and respect to the Black Nazarene in Quiapo but have made switch to the Black Nazarene of Parong-parong, many from the devotees annually flocking to the said chapel for the Feast of the Black Nazarene are also regular devotees to Quiapo but transferred here after the chapel had been made and the fluvial parade had been started.
Eighty one years old Cristina Magsakay from Tawiran this town was in tears during the procession because of her wholehearted thanksgiving to the Black Nazarene for keeping her alive and with still a sound health despite her age. She said she used to go to Quiapo every Black Nazarene day but she contended herself in Parong-parong chapel after it was constructed.
Rosalie De Guzman, 63, from nearby Paombing town said she started going to Quiapo Church and made her devotion to the Black Nazarene when she was only 23 years old.
Nea De Jesus, from Barangay San Miguel this town is now on her second year devotion to Black Nazarene in Parong-parong seeking for a cure through faith to the bone problem of her 4 years old niece Cristina.

CITY OF MALOLOS—Officials forecast a possible resurgence of shortage of water these coming months as water level in Angat dam which supply 97 % of water requirement of Metro Manila and Bulacan and Pampanga farmers continue to drop.
Rodolfo German, general manager of Angat River Hydro Electric Power Plant (Arhepp) which operates and manages the Angat dam in the mountainous Hilltop area in Barangay San Lorenzo in Norzagaray town said Monday the absence of rains in December brought down to 203.23 meters above sea level (masl) the current elevation of the dam.
Liza Mungcal, provincial disaster management office head of Bulacan said the last recorded high level of water was at more than 204.00 meters last Dec. 8.
Angat dam has a normal elevation of 210-214 masl from dry to rainy season.
German told NEWS CORE by phone, the current elevation is critical because it is lower than the level last year during the first week of 2010 where shortage of water was experienced by Metro Manila residents and the farmers from Bulacan and Pampanga.
“Critical ito, mas mababa pa ito kaysa last year na ganitong pagpasok ng January ay nag-204 mahigit ang level noon, ngayon 203 lang. Dapat napuno ang dam ng mga ulan bago matapos ang taon dahil sa ngayong mga darating na buwan wala tayong aasahang ulan dahil papunta tayo sa tag-araw,” he said.
However, German said, id there will be rains to come before May, the water shortage direction may be averted.
German sees a continuous drop in the water level if there will be no rains to come.
He said because there were no more rains experienced during the last weeks of 2010, Angat dam which had a hard time pulling up its critical low level to its current more than 200 masl level may go back decreasing its stock of water.
“Walang ulan nitong Disyembre, posibleng magtuloy tuloy na ang pagbaba ng level ng tubig natin dito sa Angat dam,
During the third quarter months last year, Angat dam continue to reach its far below 180.00 masl critical prompting a cut in the supply of water to Bulacan and Pampanga farmers to prioritize supplying the need of Metro Manila.
In July last year, Angat dam set a record in history of reaching down its lowest elevation when it reached 157-158 masl.
German calls on the Manila Water Company Inc. and the Maynilad Water Company, the two water concessionaires for Metro Manila which gets their supply from Angat dam to make a fast water conservation and preservation information campaign drive to the metro residents.
“Ngayon pa lang dapat mag-info drive na sila, ang mga Metro Manila users dapat magitpid sa pag gamit para hindi maranasan ang water shortage,” he said.
During the water shortage last year, Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado through a provincial board resolution placed the 17 towns in Bulacan dependent of water needs for farming use under state of calamity for the purchase of shallow tube wells and other augmenting facilities to make water available for the farmers.
However, the rains and typhoons during the last quarter of 2010 which have suddenly pulled jup the water elevation in Angat dam have destroyed the crops of the farmers.
Alvarado called on the national government to look for alternative water source for Metro Manila so that the more than 25,000 Bulacan and Pampanga farmers dependent of water need to Angat dam should not always be sacrificed to favor Metro Manila.
Alvarado also want the leaks of major pipes of the water concessionaires be completely repaired to maximize the use of water coming from Bulacan dam.

MARILAO, Bulacan—A policeman is now inside the municipal jail of this town after he shot dead a man he had a traffic altercation with and seriously wounding a barangay watchman who tried to pacify him in Barangay Ibayo early dawn Tuesday.
Supt. Cezar Tanagan, Marilao police station chief identified the suspect as PO2 Arman Canilang, assigned at San Jose del Monte City police station and his victims as Arnel Dulzura, 35, from this town and Amllie Salangsang, 40, a village watchman of Ibayo.
Tanagan said Canilang and Dulzura both on board their own motorcycles and had just came at a nearby restaurant were under the influence of liquor when they had a road traffic confrontation an altercation.
The two alighted from each of their motorcycles and engaged in a fist fight when suddenly Dulzura managed to run and asked for help from Salanglang who was in a near barangay outpost. But, while the village watchman was just about to approach Canilang to pacify him, the policeman drew his gun and fired on Dulzura and Salangsang.
Dulzura was pronounced dead on arrival at the nearby Nazarenus Hospital while Salangsang was rushed at the National Orthopedic Hospital in Quezon City and is now in critical condition due to gun shot wounds on his spinal column.
A by-stander identified as Ian Adante, 19, who was also hit at his arm and was also rushed at a hospital is already declared safe.
Tanagan said Canilang with his two brother who are back riders on his motorcycle identified as Arman and Alvin jay were also arrested.
Tanagan said the three suspects will be charged of murder.

GUIGUINTO, Bulacan—At the struck of 12:01 for the new year 2011, new toll fee rates were also implemented at the 85-km North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) from Balintawak to Sta. Ines, officials of the Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) which manages the speed highway confirmed Thurdsay.
Marlene Ochoa, vice president for corporate communications of MNTC, defended the new toll increase as only toll rate adjustment with only a very minimal 11.8 percent increase from the current rates will be lower than the opening rates in 2005.
Today’s minimum toll for class 1 vehicles is at P41 from P36 compared to P42 when the NLEX re-opened under MNTC-TMC sister companies both under the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation new management in 2005.
The previous P64 Tabang toll to Balintawak Plaza is now at P72 for class 1 vehicles. Balintawak to Sta. Ines for class 1 vehicles is at a new rate of P195.
Ochoa at a patch phone interview at the Traffic Management Corporation (TMC) office here said the MNTC made the upward adjustment for the first time since it opened six years ago.
She said the January 2007 toll rates went down by 11. 6 percent and the July 2008 toll rates further went down from the previous 2007 rates by 3.1 percent.
At the NLEX booth toll plazas in Balintawak and Bocaue where this reporter entered Thursday, notices of the new toll rates to be effective January 1, 2011 were all up and posted.
Benigno Valles, senior manager for corporate communications of TMC said the new rate notice had been long announced and advised to the public.
Ochoa said the new toll rate is based on provisional authority given to them by the Land Transportation Franchise and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and will be implemented while a public hearing will also be conducted.
She said the toll being collected is worth because of the high quality services being offered and returned to all motorists using the NLEX because.
She said the highway is smooth and there is no area with holes and that can cause traffic.
She said recent road traffic and safety improvement facilities acquired such as accordion type accident impact reducer, lane management vehicle and intervention vehicles further completes the good services returned to the motorists.
Valles said the volumes of traffic this Holiday Season especially those motorists going to North have already increased from 10-15 percent but NLEX personnel have not encountered long piles of vehicles in any of its toll booth.
He said the entry record of vehicles this Christmas has set the highest record of 201,000 compared to the highest so far in the past years of only 199,000. However, the highest transaction was recorded last All Saint’s Day.
Despite the said volume of motorists that used the NLEX this Holiday Season which they also expect to further go up this New Year, Valles said, no major accidents have occurred and no volume of traffic was recorded.
“All are smooth flow, there was no problem area except for the Bocaue section near the stores of fireworks,” he told NEWS CORE.
He said only self accidents of blown tires.
He said the motorists did not take the NLEX in bulk at once time but have scattered times of undergoing their long trips home that’s why there was no heavy volume felt at one time despite an already increased up to almost 20,000 in the numbers of vehicles that have travelled this Christmas Season compared to regular days.
He said the Intervention Vehicles and four Lane Management Vehicles roaming along the NLEX help guide and warn motorists of possible road abuses and shortcomings that can lead to accidents.
He added the opening of the Mindanao Avenue Link also eases up traffic along Balintawak toll plaza.
Francisco Dagohoy, Information officer of TMC said they are expecting a heavy turn of traffic come January 2 and 3 when the vacation is over and motorists are gear back to Metro Manila that’s why they release advisories for the motorists to take extra precautionary measures to avoid accidents.
Dagohoy said they are advising drivers to have enough rest and sleep so that they will not fall sleepy while on the wheels.