Zambales on my mind

BY JHOANNA S. DASIG

As we are locked down in the four corners of our home, it’s boring to stare all day at the ceiling. Thus, we try to find entertainment and spare ourselves from the languor of the pandemic.

We listen to music or watch Korean dramas like the hugely popular Crash Landing on You. A lot of viewers were fascinated when they saw Switzerland’s breathtaking natural scenery in the Korean drama.

It is interesting to note that we, too have a place with a Switzerland vibe. The place is Zambales. Located in the Central Part of Luzon, Zambales boasts stunning natural attractions. From its island coves, blue ocean waters and beaches, Zambales can fill in the missing pieces of the puzzle in your life.

One of the most famous camping spaces is the Camp at Anawangin Cove. This is one of the most popular tourist camping spots in Zambales as it is sheltered by the bay. Its ash-colored beach reminds everyone of the Mt. Pinatubo volcanic eruption in 1991 . If you love camping, this is your go-to place. The camping cove is surrounded by evergreen Agoho trees similar to pine trees. It’s as if you’re visiting Boracay and Baguio at the same time.

Inflatable Island Subic opened its floating theme park last 2017. It is popular as a big playground set above the open sea in Subic. This one-of-a-kind attraction is built for kids and even kids-atheart, as the fun extends from

the shaky bridges to the Tarzan swing, a crowd favorite. If ever you feel tired or prefer to relax, the island’s pink or yellow bean bags and the Sunflower Lounge is perfect for you.

Want some action? Visit animals at the Botolan Widlife Farm, ride horses at El Kabayo Stables and go hiking at Mt. Pinatubo.

History lovers will love the Ramon Magsaysay Museum.

Culinary adventures abound. According to Guinness World Records, the sweetest mango is found in the coastal region of Zambales. When you roam around the rural area, you will see rows of mango

trees blooming during the “Ber” months. You can taste its sweetness by picking it from the tree yourself, or by asking the friendly people in the neighborhood to do it for you.

You can indulge your sweet tooth by concocting graham float, fruit shake and mango sago’t gulaman. Or you can enjoy served ala carte, too! Kakanin, a sweet dessert made from glutinous rice and coconut milk, is also one of the star delicacies in Zambales. Examples of these desserts are bibingka, calamay, biko, sapin-sapin, and suman, found in local markets and served in restaurants and local markets.

Zambales is also popular for its variety of seafood and fresh water goods that are best for grilling near the coastline or beside the river.

Then of course, there’s the people themselves. As a Zambaleña myself, I am witness to the people’s warmth, not only to each other, but to tourists as well. We share what we have. We care, because at the end of the day, we are not only Zambaleños. We are Filipinos

Here’s to Zambales and the Zambaleños!

CONTACT NOS.: (034) 435.1818 I +63966.830.7600 I +63908.298.9243 6th Lacson Sts., Narra Avenue, Bacolod City www.metroinnbacolod.com Metro Inn Bacolod

...Egypt A s a veteran of international film festivals, award-winning actor Allen Dizon has been to many beautiful places. He has taken a ride on a gondola, held his breath as he marveled at the grand pyramids of Egypt, gazed with awe at the destinations in Spain.

He has met people of different races from all walks of life.

It’s a charmed life. The photos on this spread show his interesting journeys.

...Venice ...Madrid ...and Trevi fountain in Rome

Almaty Big Lake in Kazakhstan San Sebastian in Spain

St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin, Ireland

Tricase, Italy Shymbulak Mountain Resort

The Great Pyramid, Cairo, Egypt

BY ATTY. AURALYN PASCUAL

BEING a United States government scholar, getting quality education with highlysecured accommodation, three buffets meals every day, traveling on free time, enjoying scenic spots around America—what more can one ask for?

In 2017, I got a once-in-alifetime opportunity to represent the country in one of the best law enforcement schools in the world—the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy (FBINA since 1935) in Quantico, Virginia, USA. One can watch the movie Silence of the Lambs and be familiar with the environment. Participation is by invitation only. I am one of only five female Filipina law enforcers who experienced that rare chance to date.

The FBINA is a professional development program for US and international law enforcement executives designed to level up law enforcement standards, knowledge and international cooperation. I had 221 classmates from 49 US states, 20 countries, four federal agencies and three branches of the US military in the 11-week long Fall Session. I was the lone female international student.

My first official travel during my studies was when I was chosen to speak on behalf of the international students during the Law Enforcement Memorial in the Judiciary Square in Washington, D.C. - a very solemn event one could hear a pin drop. (https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=-4JkerDzl0A&t=88s)

It was the first time a Filipino was requested to speak in the Law Enforcement Memorial, and it was quite a privilege. It was also an opportunity for me during the so-called Roll Call to honor our NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) agents who perished in the line of duty. In the morning following my speech, my

classmates gave me accolades in the corridor. In class, they clapped for me and even gave me a standing ovation. My studies were marked with a lot of academic work, lectures, presentations, official tours and physical training. There was also an International Night where all international students got to showcase their traditional outfit and dishes. I was lucky I had friends of Filipino descent who supported me throughout my stay in the Academy. They showed me around, took my photos, brought was requested to speak in the me to places, cheered for me and Law Enforcement Memorial, attended my graduation. I am and it was quite a privilege. It forever grateful to them. was also an opportunity for me during the so-called Roll Call to honor our NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) agents who perished in the line of duty. In the morning following my speech, my classmates gave me accolades in the corridor. In class, they clapped for me and even gave me a standing ovation. My studies were marked with a lot of academic work, lectures, presentations, official tours and physical training. There was also an International Night where all international students got to showcase their traditional outfit and dishes. I was lucky I had friends of Filipino descent who supported me throughout my stay in the Academy. They showed me around, took my photos, brought me to places, cheered for me and attended my graduation. I am forever grateful to them. Tours and more tours

Some of the places they brought me to are Hartland Orchard, where I got to pick apples, the mostly forested

Aboard the FDNY boat on the way to the Ellis Island to see the Statue of Liberty. Behind me is the iconic New York landmark, the One World Trade Center, the main building of the rebuilt World Trade Center and the tallest skyscraper in the USA.

The mostly forested Shenandoah National Park, which extends along the Blue Ridge Mountain in Virginia, USA.

At the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Virginia, USA

With classmates from Korea, Nigeria, Vietnam and Korea The cafeteria serves three buffet meals everyday.

Every FBI and FBINA graduate certainly has a photo on this tree just outside the FBI Gym and made famous by the movie “Silence of the Lambs.”

Shenandoah National Park which extends along the Blue Ridge Mountain, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (or the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center), all in Virginia.

The class also had official tours around the National Museum of the Marine Corps just outside the gates of Quantico, the US Holocaust Museum, the interactive Newseum, and the US Capitol in

Washington, DC.

Classmates from Philadelphia and New York arranged some tours as well, something I would definitely not pass up.

We visited the Philadelphia Police Tactical Campus where we were given Bomb Squad, SWAT and K-9 demonstrations and had a Taste of Philadelphia Luncheon at the Fraternal Order of Police. We also went to see the historic Liberty Bell, the Independence Hall, the Constitution Center, the Philadelphia Art Museum where I ran the steps of Sylvester Stallone during his training as a boxer in his movie, Rocky.

We also had an exclusive tour to the Phillies Stadium, where we gained access to the otherwise private locker room of famous professional baseball team players. For lunch, we savored the famous cheesesteak in Philly at Geno’s Steak before proceeding to the Delaware Valley Intelligence Center.

My New York travel was as unforgettable. We had a helicopter rescue demonstration by the Emergency Services

Unit of the NYPD (New York Police Department) and a tour of their headquarters called One Police Plaza in Manhattan. We capped the day with an Italian dinner and open bar at Carmine’s Restaurant in Times Square. We also had a harbor tour of Manhattan aboard a Fire

After a run at the oval of the FBI Academy.

NYPD’s addition to its vehicle police fleet—the Smart Fortwo—one of the smallest on the road, intended for one officer only and used for patrolling places with narrow paths.

Aboard a boat of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY), we went to Ellis Island where we got to see the Statue of Liberty up close. The façade of the FBI Academy inside the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia, USA, where I stayed for 11 weeks attending FBINA Session 270.

Department of New York (FDNY) boat going to Ellis Island to see the Statue of Liberty up close. We got exclusive access to then still unfinished 75th Floor of the One World Trade Center (or One WTC), main building of the rebuilt World Trade Center and

At the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum (Steven F. UdvarHazy Center), which displays aviation and space artifacts, including a Concorde, in Virginia, USA

From the interactive Newseum, there is the US Capitol (Washington DC)

Being a US government scholar, getting quality education with highly secured accommodation, three buffets every day, traveling on free time, enjoying scenic spots around America—what more can one ask for?

I am right under the dome of the US Capitol in Washington D.C.

the tallest building in the US. I stood at Ground Zero before proceeding inside 9/11 Memorial and Museum.

My trip to the White House was also noteworthy. I had a glimpse of the East Wing’s Blue Room, Red Room and Green Room, the State Dining Room and a view of the White House Rose Garden. It was Christmastime. So decorations were all over.

In all these trips, we traveled escorted by the highway patrol. Inter-state, various police departments took turns escorting us in segments. We felt like VIPs, protected every step of the way.

By the time my studies were about to end, winter was approaching. It was my first time to experience snow in all the times I went to the US. I eagerly stepped out of my dorm, and walked under the snow with utter excitement.

Graduating in the FBI National Academy – a coveted distinction desired by every law enforcer around the globe. Inside the official residence of the US President and his family, the White House, adorned all over with pompous Christmas decorations.

Behind us is the historic Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania—said to be America’s birthplace—where the US Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution was debated and adopted.

Snow on the grounds of the FBI Academy.

I was the lone female international student. Of the 222 students, 20 are from countries other than the US, namely Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Barbados, Costa Rica, France, Iceland, Jordan, Korea, Latvia, Malta, Moldova, Nigeria, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, UAE, UK and Vietnam.

The presence of then US President Donald Trump made our graduation special. FBI Director Christopher Wray said it has been 46 years since a US Commander-inChief participated in the FBINA graduation. So we felt honored.

As for me, I am proud to have achieved a GPA (Grade Point Average) of 3.947—just a tiny bit short of the perfect 4.000 score.

Bringing home the bacon? Yes. Traveling while studying? Yes.

Need I ask for more?

At One Police Plaza, the headquarters of the New York Police Department, in Manhattan.

Not everyone gets to access the otherwise private locker room of the professional Phillies baseball team players inside the Phillies Stadium in Philadelphia. Seated on the room originally intended for US Presidents when visiting the US Capitol. Senators now use it for press conferences.

Nearly 3000 names of the men, women and children killed in the 9/11 attacks are inscribed around the twin memorial pools behind me.

At the FBI Academy marker. Having a good laugh during one of our classroom activities.

During the Law Enforcement Memorial at the Judiciary Square in Washington DC where I delivered a speech in behalf of the international students.

Running the steps of Sylvester Stallone during his training on his movie Rocky at the Philadelphia Art Museum.

ONE of the most bankable celebrities, an awardwinning actress of her generation, Jennylyn Mercado leads an unconventional campaign to promote authenticity and acceptance to one’s real splendor regardless of the shape, height, and skin color through a campaign named “Raise Your Legs Challenge.”

Behind the movement is a revolutionary skincare brand, UNFILTERED, that rallies a call for everyone to take on the challenge. Individual or in pairs, with friends or family are all into the test spotlighting the legs, which we all should also be paying attention to. “Skin care doesn’t mean that your skin has to be perfect, that you have to be white, but all you have to do is just remove all the insecurities. It’s really more on you embracing yourself,” says the CEO and Founder of UNFILTERED Rina Navarro. This is a celebration focused on self-care to constantly remind every individual to believe in the capabilities of their genuine selves as a way of life with an involvement of an uncomplicated skin care routine.

“Our White Glow Body Soap thoroughly cleanses and whitens pigmentation of the skin. This bar also helps to brighten your complexion, and regenerates skin cells, and most importantly moisturizes your skin,” injects Navarro. The clinically tested and prudently formulated soap bar, White Glow Body Soap, is proven to give your skin an alluring and healthy glow like never before.

The campaign also aims to support I AM Hope, a relief organization that aids charitable homes, children’s villages, and vulnerable communities. UNFILTERED also advocates a drive with the goal of aiding frontline heroes, the local government units, and sectors that are badly hit by the ongoing global health crisis.

Heed the call and join the campaign, now! Here’s how:

1. Post your entry for the Raise Your Legs Challenge 2. Tag @unfilteredskin_main & @mercadojenny with your post 3. Challenge and tag your friends to do it too! 4. Use the hashtags: #raiseyourlegschallenge #ChallengeAccepted #LEGlow #UNFILTEREDSKIN #LEGit

Stay in the loop to know more about Unfiltered– visit, like and follow Unfiltered’s social media pages: Facebook (Unfiltered Skin Essentials & Wellness Industry), Instagram & Tiktok (@unfilteredskin_main), Twitter & Lyka (@unfiltered_ main). For more information, you may reach Unfiltered at 0917-8845698 (0917-8UGLOW8) or send an e-mail to info@ unfilteredskinindustry.com.

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TREAT YOURSELF TO YUMMY BULACAN FOOD • HUMBLE ROOTS IN MALABON • WORRY-FREE DINING IN AL FRESCO RESTOS • GROWING UP ON ILOCANO FOOD • WAZE VS GOOGLE MAPS: WHICH ONE’S BETTER? • ZAMBALES ON MY MIND • AROUND THE WORLD WITH ALLEN DIZON • TRAVEL DIARIES OF AN FBI SCHOLAR • RAISE YOUR LEGS CHALLENGE ELEVATES AWARENESS ON EMBRACING YOUR REAL SELF • PROVINCIAL BOARD MEMBER ALEX CASTRO: TO BE YOUNG AND FULL OF HOPE IT’S TIME. New Generation of Public Servants BULACAN GOV. DANIEL FERNANDO & BOARD MEMBER ALEX CASTROBULACAN GOV. DANIEL FERNANDO & BOARD MEMBER ALEX CASTRO IT’S TIME. New Generation of Public Servants DR. JOSE ODILON ARANTON DREAMING BIG FOR A HEALTHIER FUTURE  DINGDONG AT YOUR SERVICE  STARS AND THEIR DREAM DESTINATIONS  MY JOURNEY THROUGH 3 COUNTRIES THIS PANDEMIC  THE GO TO STORE PET LOVERS  A TRANQUIL GETAWAY FROM THE CITY  PETS UNDER THE SUNSET  BEWITCHING BULACAN  AMAZING ABRA  BULACAN GOV. DANIEL FERNANDO HIS MISSION CONTINUES Account Manager‘s Name and Signature

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BY MARIDOL RANOA-BISMARK PHOTOS BY MON ALMAZAN

BULACAN provincial board member Alex Castro always wanted to serve others. As a teen growing up in Barangay Hiyas, Marilao, this Dennis Trillo lookalike’s way of bonding with friends was joining the barangay’s Oplan Linis and other civic-oriented activities.

He not only made many friends along the way. His innate passion for service grew, until it became a way of life.

“Batang lansangan ako (I was a street kid),” he admits during an interview at Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando’s official residence in Malolos one rainy afternoon. “Sumali ako sa mga samahang pangkabataan (I joined youth organizations).”

His outgoing ways and natural love for public service catapulted the then 16-year-old future politician to the highest position open to young people in government. Friends urged him to run as Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairman, a challenge he accepted, not because of peer pressure, but because his heart and mind was on public service.

Castro was elected, unopposed. He must have done well, even if he was the youngest to occupy the post. That’s because his fellow youth gave Castro a bigger responsibility soon after. They elected him head of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation, which handles all the SKs in Bulacan. He held the position for five years.

The pace, to say the least, was hectic.

“Dumalo ako sa mga pagpupulong ng Sk. Nakipagdebate ako sa sesyong pang-plenaryo. Gumawa ako ng mga takdang aralin at mga proyekto sa paaralan. May mga pagsusulit din kami. Lumiliban ako sa klase dahil sa mga gawain ko sa SK (I attended (SK) meetings, debated in plenary sessions, finished school assignments, projects and exams. I’d be absent from class to attend sessions),” he recalls.

But he didn’t feel burned out. He even enjoyed his tightrope act of combining school and public service.

SK taught Castro something four years in high school back then did not.

“Natuto akong mag-debate sa plenaryo. Nagsalita ako sa harap ng mga tao upang ibigay ang mga kuro-kuro ko tungkol sa mga isyu at isulong ang aking mga adbokasiya (I learned how to debate in plenary. I spoke up to give my opinion about issues and promote my advocacies),” Castro, now 35, looks back.

He also learned to multi-task and achieve a work-life balance, skills he now uses to the full as provincial legislator, devoted husband (to former dancer Sunshine Garcia) and father.

These skills came in handy when Castro ran, and won

as the youngest councilor in Marilao. He was 21, and fresh from college. Like most people his age, Castro had the energy to attend his college graduation at the PICC (Philippine International Convention Center) in the morning, and rush to Bulacan to resume his door-to-door campaign.

Flushed with victory, Castro fulfilled his work with such passion, he cut a familiar figure in many gatherings. The young man with boyish good looks eventually caught the eye of a talent scout who cast him for a shampoo commercial. Another commercial, this time for a giant food chain, followed. And before he knew it, Castro was answering call slips from ABSCBN.

Castro is proud of the fact that public service came before showbiz. He did not use showbiz as his stepping stone to public service, his first love.

But he stayed in showbiz because he wanted to help his parents, who ran a humble lugawan (porridge store). He used his extra income to augment his tuition money. This was also where he drew his daily school allowance.

“Hindi mayaman ang aming pamilya. Sakto lang kami (My family isn’t rich, just average),” he explains. “Kaya naman akong papag-aralin ng mga magulang ko. Pero ayaw ko maging pasanin. Bilang bunso sa mga magkakapatid, nakita ko ang pinagdaanang hirap ng mga magulang ko para sa amin (My parents can send me to school. But I don’t want to burden them. As the youngest of four children, I saw how hard my parents worked for us).”

Castro and his siblings hardly saw their parents because they’d leave at the crack of dawn to buy porridge ingredients at the public market. The siblings trooped to the lugawan after school to help or say hello to mom and dad.

His love for his parents pushed the future Bulacan solon to finish school and turn over his college diploma as “a reward” for mom and dad’s hard work. He knew graduating from college would make his parents proud. So he combined showbiz and government work with school

until he earned his college diploma.

After graduation, Castro threw himself full-time into public service. As the youngestserving provincial board member, Castro is brimming with ideas which he translated into ordinances and resolutions for Bulakenyos.

Now on his second term in office, Castro is proud of the fact that the provincial board approved his proposal to allot P30,000 burial assistance to families whose member died of Covid-19.

“Wala akong alam na

With Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando

probinsiyang may ganitong programa (I don’t know of any province with this kind of program),” says Castro, who always wears a necklace with a crucifix pendant anywhere he goes. “Sobra akong nalulungkot tuwing may nakikita akong mga taong namamatay sa Covid. Naaawa ako sa mga pamilyang walang pang-cremate sa kanilang mahal sa buhay. (I feel sad seeing people die of Covid-19. I pity families who have no money to cremate their loved ones).”

Castro is just as proud of his proposal to boost his constituents’ health by recommending that Bulacan become the pilot site of the country’s Universal Health Care program. This program of the national government makes health services available in every barangay.

Saying health is a right, not a privilege every Filipino is entitled to, Castro thinks making Bulacan pilot site of the program will enable Bulakenyos, especially less-fortunate ones, become Philhealth members.

More importantly, it will provide every barangay and municipality a doctor and nurse on duty, plus medicines they can use, to help the needy.

This way, adds Castro, people won’t rush to the provincial hospital for mild allergy, lowgrade fever and flu.

There are many other problems Castro wants to address. The environment is high on his list of priorities. He looks at waste segregation as one way to solve the problem.

“Kailangan nating turuan ang

mga tao kung paano paghiwalayin ang mga basura para hindi marumihan ang ating mga ilog (We must educate people on how to segregate waste so our rivers won’t be polluted),” he observes.

Coordination is not enough, he adds. Instead, long-term commitment among local government leaders is needed.

Castro cites the interconnecting Marilao, Meycauayan Obando (Bulacan), Caloocan and Valenzuela rivers as examples.

“Halimbawa, kapag maglilinis ng mga ilog ang Marilao at Meycauayan, pero hindi ito gagawin ng iba, masasayang ang ating pagsusumikap. Kailangan natin alagaan ang buo nating katawan. Kapag marumi ang

kamay, marumi rin ang katawan. Kapag marumi ang mukha, marumi ang buong katawan (If Marilao and Meycauayan clean their rivers, but the others don’t, all efforts will be wasted. We have to take care of the entire body. If our hands are dirty, the whole body becomes dirty. If our face is dirty, our whole body is dirty).”

He also stresses the value of consulting the people. Castro has seen “road improvement” projects go wrong because government left people out of the picture.

He cites the case of a floodprone street which was elevated, alright. But the residents’ problems persisted because that part of the street where the houses stand, remained submerged in flood when the rains came. The problem could have been avoided if the people were involved in the planning stage.

Castro also believes in tapping experts—engineers, architects, etc.—to solve the flood problem, which applies only in certain parts of Bulacan, like Hagonoy. He admits he lacks the technical expertise to handle the problem, so he asks help from those who know more than him.

Funds are just as important for projects—big and small—to take off. When it comes to this, Castro looks up to Lady Justice, who decides based on merit, not personality nor party affiliation.

“Ang pinag-uusapan ay pondo ng mga mamamayan. So kailangan natin ito gastusin sa mga tamang bagay (We’re talking of people’s funds. So we have to spend them the right way),” he reasons out.

Castro thinks every barangay—whether they are allies or not—deserves equal treatment. He will be the first to oppose anyone who fails to implement a government project in a barangay because the people did not vote for him.

The issue of corruption also comes into play. Castro knows how hard it is to fight something which has become such a part of one’s culture, people have accepted it as the norm, not the exception.

“Kaya kong sagutin ang hamon (I’m willing to step up),” he promises. He is willing to lead by example.

The need to fight corruption arising from political dynasties, is another challenge. And Castro is clear about his stance: no to political dynasties.

“Ayon sa mga pag-aaral, bumabagal ang pag-unlad sa mga lugar na may political dynasties (Studies show that progress slows down where political dynasties exist),” Castro points out. He cites the lack of check and balance, which is a must in fighting corruption.

Castro walks the talk. He is the only politician in the family. And while this devoted dad says he won’t say no if his child (the eldest is 14) wants to enter public service as well, Castro would rather make them stay away from government.

Having one politician in the family at different points in time is fine. But when dad is mayor, Junior is vice mayor and the missus is a congressman all at the same time, problems crop up.

Castro’s non traditional views is like the proverbial whiff of fresh air we need, especially during this time of the pandemic. Bulacan governor Daniel Fernando saw this early on, and chose the millennial public servant as his partner in steering the province to what he wants it to be in years to come.

Castro is proof that youth is no hindrance to those who want to serve.

“May mga bagay na alam ng mga kabataan na hindi alam ng mga nakatatanda. May mga bagay na alam ang nakatatanda na hindi alam ng mga kabataan (There are things young people know that their elders don’t, and vice-versa),” Castro says. That’s why young people like him shouldn’t be afraid of being called inexperienced.

The important thing, Castro adds, is they respect each other, and work harmoniously for the common good. Add substance, an advocacy, and the will to touch people’s lives, and you have a winning formula, whether you’re young or old.

Thankfully, Castro seems to possess all these. Thankfully, Castro seems to possess all these.