urban-scout-blog

[urban-scout-blog]

CLTV36 Celebrates their 12th Year by Making a Difference

On their 12th year, The TV Station Central Luzon TV36 (CLTV36) spearheaded the Social Services conference and expo at the Robinsons Starmills, City of San Fernando, Pampanga on the 22nd of March. ----

"This time, we want to make a difference, that's why we partnered with ABSNET Pampanga; so that we could have a meaningful celebration of our first dosena"- Mr. Billy San Juan, Vice President and Deputy Manager of CLTV 36.

The Social Services Conference and Expo 2019 or SocSecon 2019 is to be first of its kind, bringing together non Government Organizations, Charities and Foundations, and other Social Service Sectors. It aims to provide insight and up-close interaction between facilitators and participants.

The speakers from various social services topics widening the audience's knowledge on children's health, entrepreneurship, disaster resiliency, environment, fake news and many more.

In addition to Mr. San Juan's 12th year vision "The social services sectors was having a hard time accessing support for different advocacies. We want to be a platform of these advocacies so that they could access support, bonding, partners and they can do so through this expo, thru this conference and thru CLTV36."

#CLTV36LocalPride

[urban-scout-blog]

Customers line up for this New Milk Tea Shop in Angeles City

(even if they soak under the sun)

The milk tea craze hypes the people until now. New milk tea shops can sprout anytime and anywhere. But have you heard of a milk tea shop wherein customer’s line reaches the parking lot? Customers of Taste from the Greens (TFTG) line up even under the hot weather and wait for more than 30 minutes just so they could buy their favorite drinks.

Some students who have tried TFTG several times from Holy Angel University (HAU), Angeles City gave their reviews about their experience:

Samantha Garcia, HAU college student, acknowledged the authenticity of one of TFTG’s best sellers, "they have the most "legit"cream puff compared to other milk tea places, and super generous nila sa mga sangkap nila hindi nila tinitipid and very affordable".

Jesther Capil, an alumna of HAU mentioned his preferred perfect balance of taste, "I love the frappe-ish texture of their milk teas. It's kinda like the perfect balance for me, taste wise. And one last thing, their cream puff, so delicious!!"

However, in spite of being one of the generation’s crazes, some customers commented regarding slow orders and complained how small the place is for them. Capil added, "The shop is quite small. They have only few employees which affects the ordering time which is resulting into long waiting lines."

The main branch of Tastes from the Greens is located at Dolores, City of San Fernando.

Since 2017, milk tea is now the favorite beverages in the country. Its popularity has arisen countless milk tea stalls and made a way for some restaurants to include it in their menu. According to some industry reports, the average bubble tea shop sell between 150 to 30 drinks per day. Known as the "Culinary Capital of the Philippines" Pampanga has the best local based milk tea shops especially near Schools, Colleges and Universities.

[urban-scout-blog]

Sexual Harassment: ‘Normalized’ in Balibago, Angeles City

Sexual violence is not new in the Philippines. 1 out of 5 children in the country experience sexual harassment daily as stated by UNICEF.  Walking Street Balibago, Angeles City, is well known for its nightlife and party atmosphere. However, it is not just famous for its festive ambiance, it is also known as the place of “entertainment” for locals, mostly and especially for foreigners.

Near the infamous street are some residential areas, where many families grew and businesses flourished. Majority of the residents are employed and have businesses around Walking Street, and some are students. In places such as Balibago, it has become a norm to be sexually harassed by foreigners around the place. Most residents have grown accustomed to the situations; a young college student who requested to keep her identity anonymous described their neighborhood/street as a quiet place however she also said, “kapag lumalabas ako sa street namin, kahit umaga or gabi, hindi naiiwasan yung may mga foreigner na nagtatanong kung magkano ako. Iniisip nila bayaran, hindi ko nalang pinapansin”.

The place is hostile for children and women; robbery, hold upping and catcalling are just some of the heinous situations that happen in the area on a daily basis. “Na-immune na siguro ako, hindi naman kasi pwedeng di ako masanay dahil ganon lagi ang nangyayari tuwing lumalabas” said the young lady.  The number of sexual harassment cases in our country is alarming, and in this area in Balibago, women have come to the point where they are simply ‘used’ to it.

When asked if environment there is healthy for children and women she replied, “Hindi, hindi naman dapat normalized ang ganitong situation. Kasi nattrauma ang mga babae kapag may nambabastos sakanila”. The place is dangerous for girls and young children to walk especially on their own.

When asked why some residents choose to stay at Balibago, the answers are all connected; they all said that because it is a very convenient place to live. But, is all the convenience worth the health and safety?

 Walking street, Balibago, formerly known as Fields Avenue is located in the city that never sleeps, Angeles City, Walking Street is a melting pot of culture; Bars, clubs, restaurants and hotels make up most of the of the area. Despite the closure of the Air Base at Clark, many foreigners still go around to experience the overnight ‘hospitality’.

Bloomed in the 1960’s, Fields Avenue catered to the American soldiers from the Clark Air Base and when the Air Based closed during the early 90’s, Fields avenue adjusted to suit their growing Asian market (Korean and Japanese Business Men). Nine years ago, a section of the Fields Avenue was dubbed as the “Walking Street”, a reference to Thailand’s Pattaya, restricting the passage of cars and other vehicles from 6pm to 6am to give way to tourists and local pedestrians.

Due to the massive number of foreigners flooding the area, many businesses are booming at Balibago, giving a good number of local’s job opportunities. Here, prostitution is no stranger, young Filipina women, ages 18-25, fill up the streets, standing in front of pubs and other establishments. Men from all ages and backgrounds are looking to have a good night; students, businessmen, tourists, retired soldiers and such.

[urban-scout-blog]

Sapang Balen Bridge Road Closure and Re-Routing- Short Notice Angers Citizens

Angeles City - The road closure and re-routing for the widening of the Sapang Balen Bridge did not just caused traffic, but also madden the citizens due to delayed announcement.

Road Closure and Re-routing in Angeles, particularly at the portion of Rizal Extension from Mabini St. Corner Rizal Ext. toward San Nicolas Fire Sub-station and Rizal Ext. Corner Sto. Rosario, would be enforced for the widening of the Sapang Balen bridge starting January 16, 2019 (Wednesday), confirmed by enforcer Jayson Gonzales of Angeles City Traffic Department Office (ACTDO).

Several citizens gave negative feedbacks through the Facebook page of City Information Office Angeles City saying that information as important as road closure and re-routing should be announced weeks or days before executing the project. Some gave complaints stating that most traffic enforcers were laid back and not doing anything to those several drivers making road violations. However, no one gave any feedbacks or complaints to the ACTDO enforcers the day before January 18, regarding the road closure, according to Gonzales.

Gonzales mentioned that the project will be started on January 18, 2019 (Friday) and will be finished approximately within the year.

[urban-scout-blog]

Ligligan Parul 2018

By Angela Deang

Photo Courtesy of Robin Pinzon, Inquirer

This year's 'Ligligan Parul' from the Christmas Capital of the Philippines – San Fernando, Pampanga is held at Robinsons Starmills, December 15, 2018.

These Giant Lanterns are mostly made of bamboo frames, fiberglass, and handmade paper. To make it more dynamic or vibrant they utilized in excess of 5,000 hued light bulbs and hundreds of wires.

The Giant Lanterns made sure that they sticked to the tradition by using rotors and circular contraption that make the bulbs light up and also the source for their movements.

[urban-scout-blog]

Fernandinos' and The Spirit of Christmas

By Chelsea Jano

Image by rove.me

Christmas is just around the corner. The City of San Fernando is known as the "Home of the Giant Laterns" nationwide.

The Capitol, Municipality of San Fernando and the Metropolitan Cathedral is already lit up to uplift the Chirstmas spirit here at San Fernando Downtown. If you take the Jose Abad Santos Avenue road, you will also notice that the light posts also have christmas decors that can light up the night.

There is a lot of ways to celebrate or feel the Christmas spirit, but for the Kapampangans; Tradition is also a reason to celebrate. We have 10 days left before Christmas! Let's have a colorful and meaningful one with the birth of Jesus Christ.

[urban-scout-blog]

Kapampangan Pride at the MMFF

By Elaine Alcantara

Photo courtesy of Mr. Roby Tantingco

The international award winning film, ARI – My Life With A King, is part of this years Metro Manila Film Festival’s pre-event line up. The film will be screened at the UPFI Film Center – Cine Adarna this December.

ARI – My Life With A King is directed by Carlo Catu, and is produced by the Center of Kapampangan Studies of Holy Angel University(HAU). ARI will be screened on Decemeber 10, 11, 20 and 21, the tickets for the screening cost P150 and can be purchased at the cinema’s entrance.

Catu is a graduate of Hotel and Restaurants Management at HAU, and his other works are ARIA, Kung Paano Hinihintay and Dapithapon and Mga Anak ng Kamote.

[urban-scout-blog]

Likhang Fiesta: Gabi ng Parangal

By Pauline Peñano

Audiences and the participants of Fiesta Communities' event, Likhang Fiesta, gathered at SM City Clark for its awarding, Gabi ng Parangal, on December 14, 2018.

Likhang Fiesta's participants, homeowners of Fiesta Communities, professionals, students of different schools and universities around Pampanga, and some audience are welcomed to join Likhang Fiesta: Gabi ng Parangal. The event targeted to showcase the real-life stories inside Fiesta Communities in a creative perspective by providing a platform for the creatives to visualize and manifest their stories through various contests which included short film competition, poster-making contest, and photowalk challenge.

The event was more than just a celebration of Fiesta Communities' first decade, but also it was inspired by it's values which they emphasized the one that promotes family spirit.

[urban-scout-blog]

A man was caught after stealing a bag through a broken window

By AJ Sunga

December 11, 2018, a 20-year-old man was caught after stealing a bag through a broken window of the house of a family in Pulung Cacutud, Angeles City, Pampanga.

According to the victim, around 12:30 midnight, she was awakened by her 2-year-old daughter when she saw a hand reaching her bag through the broken window of their bedroom. When her husband moved the curtain the man rapidly ran off with the bag. Gladly, just as the man was running there where residents who caught him and brought him to the nearest Police Station. Based from the investigation, the accused was found to have been in the influence of illegal drugs when he did the crime. Also, the accused was found to had raped a 2-year-old child before but was already been acquitted from the crime.

The victims did not anymore file a case against the accused because they got back the bag rather the husband talked to the accused and asked him to pray with him. The accused was released after few hours but now his name is in the police blotter of Pulung Cacutud, Angeles City, Pampanga.