Tulabut: Bits and Pieces (2)

Friday, July 8, 2011

INDEED, there are lots of events and persons that need some commentaries. I am writing this piece just for the purpose. It is usually not my style to be writing about three items or more but I guess, I could waive that once in a while.

MR. MABALACAT. Tonight will be the finals of the search for Mr. Mabalacat. It will be held at Xevera Multi Purpose Hall in Barangay Tabun. Aside from the fact that this is an interesting event, Mr. Mabalacat promises to be a fun and grand spectacle with well-planned production numbers.

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

And I would not be surprised if the event pulls one grand show once again as the man behind it is no less than June Magbalot, one of most trusted men of Mayor Marino Morales.

June, who was called as culturati and gemologist by mentor and colleague Bong Lacson in one of his columns, is the same man who is responsible for putting up festivities, pageants and other events in the town. This includes the very successful Caragan Festival in honor of the town's Aetas, the Miss Mabalacat search that has produced the likes of Marilen Maristela, winner of Mutya ng Pilipinas and Miss Asia Pacific 1996, and, Juliann Savard, Miss Teen Philippines 2006.

Without June, the town would be boring and would lack efforts to revisit the town's rich cultural past while at same time herald its beauty at present. This is one reason that June is indispensable to Mayor Boking. He makes things happen in our town.

June, by the way, celebrated his birthday yesterday. He has turned 40 (not his waistline now, ok?). My wishes and prayers for a man who personifies pomp, pageantry, kindness, discipline, understanding and generosity.

No taxes for 5 years. Whoever is spreading rumors that Mabalacat cityhood would result to higher taxes is out of his mind. Crazier even are people -- especially local government officials in Mabalacat who signed a resolution of support but are now shooting down at the cityhood bid by raising (non) issues.

It is very clear in the House and Senate Bills that call for Mabalacat to become a component city that there will be a five-year moratorium on tax increases in the town.

"The five-year tax increase moratorium will allow investors to rethink their business plans in the town. Mabalacat is the next big thing in Pampanga, it will become the financial district of Pampanga and it will happen," said Morales.

Most residents of Mabalacat town support the conversion of the first class town into a component city, a survey conducted recently in Mabalacat villages indicated.

Mabalacat's income has already reached over P144 million annually, which is way above the P100 million income requirement to become a component city. On population, the NSO has also certified that the town has 203,000 residents, more than double the 100,000 required population.

Mabalacat has all the economic generators that it needs to prosper and push its conversion into a component city will further improve delivery of basic services to the people, said Morales.

Remollo on the go. Last week, new CDC president Atty. Ping Remollo called his first official press conference (he has met some media colleagues though in previous engagements) at Mimosa where about 50 practitioners were present.

The dashing CDC top honcho laid down part of his plans for Clark where tourism is one of the top priorities. Rightly so, as Clark is a true gem of a destination that needs only little sprucing up.

Atty. Ping is but on a right direction to make Clark one of the country's top tourist destinations. He also looks at developing the Freeport into a world-class sports tourism spot. This is one reason why he is in full support to the P300-million wakeboarding facility being put up by the Department of Tourism.

Already, there are new sporting events in Clark such as baseball games at the Parade Grounds, the conduct of international paintball competitions (today and tomorrow) and series of other sports spectacles like championship Frisbee, duathlons, car racing, among many others.

Expect many great and interesting attractions in Clark that will be enjoyed not only by sports aficionados but also by the whole family.

This past week, he has met with the officers and members of Alliance of Travel and Tour Operators in Pampanga (ATTAP) and the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Pampanga (Harp) as these organizations are throwing full support to his plans. This meeting solidifies even more the kind of cooperation that Clark's major stakeholders are giving to his no non-sense leadership in the Freeport.

I have never seen any CDC President to be as enthusiastic, bullish and so determined to succeed in sports tourism plans as Mr. Remollo. He is showing the way on just how Clark could take a coveted spot in global tourist destinations.