Month: May 2025

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Gov. Ramon V. Guico III led the blessing and the inauguration rites of the province’s first-ever MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) last Wednesday.

The state-of-the-art equipment installed at the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital (PPH) in Bolingit, San Carlos City is expected to help government physicians to have more accurate diagnosis and shall also provide the best treatment for patients, said Dr. Cipriano Fernandez.

MRI is a non-invasive medical imaging test that produces detailed images of almost every internal structure in the human body, including the organs, bones, muscles, and blood vessels.

“Today, we will witness another historic first in the province,” said Fernandez while thanking and commending the governor for his effort in bolstering health reform in Pangasinan.

“Congratulations PPH on having the first MRI. This is the first time for Pangasinan to operate and to own such an advanced equipment,” Governor Guico said.

On the same day, the new diagnostic building in the Mangatarem District Hospital (MDH) was also inaugurated. Said facility shall offer laboratory and radiology services to include 32-slice CT scan, stationary X-ray, two portable X-ray units, and ultrasound equipment.

Dubbed as historic first in in the municipality, MDH head Dr. Eusebio Sison thank ed the governor adding that Gov. Guico is the first provincial chief executive who fulfilled a campaign promise to modernize health facilities in Pangasinan.

“Because of the strong leadership and dynamism of Gov, MonMon Guico, Pangasinan is now entering a new era, an era of the first where big dreams are finally turning into reality,” he said.

Modernization of all government hospitals in Pangasinan is one of the top priorities of Gov. Guico, who wants to change the lives of the less-privileged Pangasinenses.

Vice Gov. Mark Ronald DG. Lambino who also graced the events, vowed to fully support all initiatives of Gov. Guico as he expressed optimism that progress and development will be felt by Pangasinenses in the next couple of years.

“ In just three years, I think we can see the changes here in the province, in terms of education, infrasctructure, social services, especially in health program, we can see all the changes. So I can say that our province is developing,” the vice governor said.

Gov. Guico further vowed to continuously lead the province into greater heights if given the opportunity.

Among the dreams of the governor is the establishments of at least 20 government hospitals in Pangasinan by 2031 as well as a network of tertiary hospitals and specialty ceters like Pangasinan Heart Center, Pangasinan Kidney Center, Pangasinan Lung Center, and Pangasinan Children’s Medical Center.

Healthcare enhancements under Gov. Guico also include procurement of various state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment which were never before purchased by the past administration.

Aside from the MRI, the present administration has purchased, to date, 19 stationary X-ray machines, 21 mobile X-ray machines, 22 ultrasound machines, and six CT (computed tomography) scan.

It was during Gov. Guico’s term that the Province of Pangasinan was given recognition for the first time last February 20 by the Department of Health as ‘Kampeon ng Kalusugan sa mga Komunidad.’ (Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Pangasinan’s local culture, traditions, and heritage took centerstage during the staging of this year’s ‘Gayaga Pangasinan Festival Street Dance Exhibition,’ one of the exciting highlights of Pista’y Dayat 2025.

Streetdancers from Infanta, Mabini, Anda, the cities of Alaminos and San Carlos and the capital town Lingayen, took turns in performing with the strong beat of music.

Gov. Ramon V. Guico III commended all participating LGUs for their support to the sea festival. He likewise thanked the performers for giving their best in helping promote Pangasinan culture through their lively moves.

Infanta showcased its Taraon Festival); Mabini its Balincaguin Festival; Anda had its Binongey Festival; Alaminos City featured its Hundred Islands Festival; San Carlos City came up with its Mango-Bamboo Festival); and Lingayen presented its Bagoong Festival.

Infanta’s Taraon Festival was launched this year as a tribute to the agriculture and sea bounties of the town.

Mabini’s town history, on the other hand, is depicted in their Balincaguing Festival. Balincaguing by the Sambalic phrase “Bali Lan Caguin” which means ‘abode of bats.

One of Pangasinan’s delicacy–binongey (rice cake cooked with coconut milk in a bamboo tube) was highlighted by streetdancers of Anda while performers from Alaminos presented thru lively dance the diverse tradition of their island-rich city.

San Carlos City performers highlighted the two one-town-one-product of their locality which are the best-tasting mango and the ever-popular bamboo.

Lingayen’s best product which is the bagoong and how it was prepared became the main plot of the performance.

A unity dance participated in by the six contingents took place after their group performance.

Vice Gov. Mark Ronald DG. Lambino also graced the event and delivered his welcome address before the group performances. Other guests include Lingayen Mayor Leopoldo Bataoil, department heads, Limgas 2025 title holders and LGU representatives.

The event was chaired by the Pangasinan Polytechnic College headed by its president, Dr. Raymundo Rovillos. Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN – Abong ni Tio Berto’s complete combo food entry topped this year’s Ponsia: Pangasinan Culinary Challenge today at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center (PTDC) here.

Tio Berto’s “Apoy at Yelo: Lasa’t Likha mula sa Dagat at Lupa” course of three was top on the list of a three-person panel of judges to went home the winner.

The winning food combo starts with pinidpid a pakpak ni Berto (stuffed chicken wings) as appetizer, followed by its main course of Al (berto) silog consisting of alimango, sea grapes, marinated egg yolks; and, for dessert, mangga’t asin of creamy mangoes and salt with candied calamansi peel presented on a block of clear ice.

Jem’s Cuisine and D’Saints Grill and Resto Bar presented versions of ‘Kinamatisang Dalag ed Pias tan Pantol’ and ‘Pilipinas’ bangus belly, bagoong, coconut milk as some of its main ingredients, respectively, bagged first and second runner-up.

Consolation prizes went to three other chef tandems—Amo’s Unli Wings; B&T Seafoods Restaurant; and Bani Hidden Paradise.

Ponsia, a Pangasinan term for ‘feast,’ was launched by the provincial government through the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO) under Ma. Luisa A. Elduayan in 2023, in celebration of the Filipino food month that year.

Ponsia aims to create heirloom dishes that will highlight the identity and culture of Pangasinan.

It is one of the highlights of the annual Pista’y Dayat (Sea Festival) celebration to recognize the culinary skills of local chefs.

Gov. Ramon V. Guico III has earlier vowed to support all tourism and cultural programs highlighting the distinct products of each locality to include the province’s renowned 3B’s—Bangus, Bagoong and Bucayo.

This year’s event was attended by GMA Sparkle Artist and Chef Jose Sarasola and Kapuso actress Vaness Del Moral who both stunned the audience with their individual cooking expertise.

Judges for the culinary contest were chefs Miko Badillo, Miguel Valdez, and Francis Joseph G. Buhay.

The winners received their prizes from provincial consultant Atty. Maan Ferrer Villegas, who represented the governor in the awarding ceremony. (Ruby F. Rayat/ Carlo de Cruz-PIMRO)