Friday, April 20, 2007 Lin-ay pageant aborts Friday's cloudseeding By Erwin Ambo S. Delilan
THE conduct of cloudseeding operations in Negros Occidental for four successive days now proved effective with almost all towns and cities in the province benefiting from artificial rains.
Friday's cloudseeding, however, will be suspended to ensure that there will no rains until tonight because of Lin-ay sang Negros coronation pageant.
"We will suspend cloudseeding today to make sure that there will be no rains during Lin-ay pageant to be held at the Panaad Park and Stadium," said Gov. Joseph Marañon during a press conference held at the Ilog booth in Panaad Park Thursday.
Lin-ay search is the highlight of the yearly Panaad Festival in the province.
This year's crown will be competed by 24 candidates coming from different towns and cities in Negros Occidental.
They are Crister Mari Taclobos of Bacolod City, Madel Magbanua - Bago City, Katherine Rosal - Binalbagan, Xyza Magbulogtong- Calatrava, Candy Granada - Candoni, Sugar Meshelle Tumpag - Cauayan, Frebejean Bartolo - Don Salvador Benedicto, Ma. Corazon Bilbao - E.B. Magalona, Vanessa Isok - Himamaylan, Aprille Paz Felicisimo - Hinigaran, Curie Evangelista - Hinoba-an, Gretchen Simple - Ilog, Berlyn Grace Tolentino - Kabankalan City, Lara Angelika Vera - La Castellana, Toni Kinlah Tumapa - Moises Padilla, Princess Dya Dim de la Cruz - Murcia, Margarette Bantiling - Sagay City, Kareen Kaye Gustilo - San Carlos City , Rhea Mae Balome - San Enrique, Carol Corcoso - Silay City, Rose Sheil Oñate- Valladolid, Aiza Caberte- Talisay City and Elan Jane Esteban - Victorias City.
Friday night's Lin-ay pageant will be hosted by actor TJ Trinidad and the lucky girl who will be crowned by senatoriables Tessie Aquino-Oreta and Juan Miguel Zubiri, will recieve P100,000 cash prize, among others.
Meanwhile, cloudseeding is being conducted by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA).
The province has alloted a total of P1 million for the rental of private plane, purchase of salt and payment for manpower.
Provincial Agriculturist Igmedio Tabianan said OPA is paying a private plane P12,000 per flying hour.
Cloudseeding is done to avert terrible damage on crops in Negros Occidental.
