NL At a Glance: Aug. 14 to 21, 2011

2 MIN READ

NV official disappears with P1.2M
By PNA

SAN JOSE CITY, Nueva Ecija — Authorities launched a search for an official of the Nueva Vizcaya provincial government, who reportedly disappeared with a bag containing some P1.2 million government money after allegedly going to the restroom at a stop-over in Barangay Malasin here, Wednesday morning. He was with other provincial officers and driver Rommel Alfonso, on their way to Metro Manila when they made a stop-over for breakfast at Mojos Canteen. Police Officer 1 Vladimer Caratiquet, investigator, said that Remington Jamison, alias ‘Ton-ton’, 34, provincial administrative officer IV, was reported by his companions after missing for 30 minutes at 6:30 a.m. Investigation revealed that the suspect and the driver got off the vehicle while the rest of the passengers were still sleeping.

Jamison allegedly suffered stomach pain and went to the comfort room. Alfonso alerted other passengers who searched for Jamison but failed therefore the report to the police. Supt. Sidney Villaflor, city police chief, said initial investigation showed no indication at the vicinity where Jamison disappeared. #

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First ‘Sinabalu’ festival of Tuao
By Suzette Adduru

TUAO, Cagayan — Tuao East celebrated its first ever “Sinabalu” festival in conjunction with their patronal fiesta this August 15-20, 2011. Former Cong. Manny Mamba said the festivity was to promote this special product and promote strong ties and unity among Tuaoenos.

The highlight of the festival was the cooking contest of the longest Sinabalu participated in by all 31 barangays of Tuao East. Each were given five gantas of glutinous rice and five pieces of coconut. Sinabalu is glutinous rice with coconut cream slowly roasted in bamboos over open fire.

The first prize of P5,000 went to barangay Bicok, 85 cm. Barangays Centro I and Dagupan tied up with 77 cm. long and received P2,500 each. The activity was documented and it will be sent to the Guinness Book of World Records for the town’s bid for the longest Sinabalu. Tuao set a record at 506.7 meter long cooked Sinabalu certified by Lirio Pauig of the Commission on Audit.

Mamba said that next year, the contests will not only be the longest Sinabalu but also, the most delicious Sinabalu to introduce different flavors to further improve the product and be known for it. #

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Magnitude 4.8 quake rocks Ilocos province
By Cristina Arzadon

LAOAG CITY — A magnitude 4.8 earthquake rocked Ilocos Norte before dawn, August 15 but caused no damage, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported. The moderately strong temblor was recorded at 2:13 am and of tectonic origin. Ernesto Agnir, Sr., Phivolcs senior research specialist, said the epicenter was 185 km northwest of Laoag City.

Phivolcs, however, did not immediately list specific areas where the earthquake was felt. No aftershocks were reported. Phivolcs considers an Intensity IV quake as moderately strong or one that is felt generally more by people indoors. #