San Carlos Town Center: The Latest Toast of San Carlos City in Pangasinan

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The simple and peaceful town of San Carlos in Pangasinan recently welcomed the grand opening of the San Carlos Town Center and we were there to share in the fun.

A colorful and lively cultural dance entertained the eager and excited towns folk before the actual ribbon cutting led by City Mayor Joseres "Bogs" Resuello and the owner's family led by Mike Guico and their associates and other partners.

The mall was a plan of Mayor Resuello to San Carlenians.

Like any other mall, the Town Center was comprised of food chains, department store, supermarket, play area and hopefully a movie theater. I was informed that the nearest mall theater was located in Dagupan. Quite a distance away.



Once the mall was opened, the huge crowd of overly excited throng of towns folk finally got to enter their latest town center and I was personally happy for them since it is already simple luxury for the people in the proivinces to have their own malls or town centers.

Not all branded stores were open yet since the mall is still in progress. Expect more stores to open in the next few months this 2018.

San Carlos Town Center is located at Rizal Avenue corner Zamora Street.



Mayor Resuello said the city government stands to earn millions in additional revenues once the establishments start operating.

He added he was assured by the mall owners that they will closely observe city ordinances that seek to protect the environment.

Among the VIP guests who graced the grand openiong aside from the city counsellors and mall partners were the pretty winners of Miss San Carlos beauty pageant.





There were also jugglers and clowns who entertained the kids and families. A special mall show likewise featured celebrity clothing endorsers Miguel Tan Felix and Bianca Umali and a mini concert by Silent Sanctuary.



According to Mr. Guico, its very young owner, they opened the town center in time for the holidays and Christmas/New Year festivities where a lot of people were expected to shop and bond with families, friends and relatives.

So the next time you're in San Carlos, in Pangasinan, check out San Carlos Town Center and enjoy a piece of mall adventure in the countryside.



Written by Mars Callo

DOE Directive to Oil Companies

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Department of Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi released the Guidelines, thru the Oil Industry Management Bureau headed by Undersecretary Donato M. Marcos, to all oil companies to effectively monitor and implement the new Tax Reform Inclusion and Acceleration (TRAIN).


Pertinent provisions of the Guidelines are as follows:

1) Submission of a duly notarized inventory report as of 31 December 2017. The inventory shall be on per depot and per product basis;

2) Implementation of the excise tax under TRAIN shall not be applied unless the 31 December 2017 stocks of finished products are fully exhausted. (The minimum 15-day inventory requirement shall be enforced in accordance with Department Circular ‎2011-03-0002);

3) Submission of the daily summary of withdrawal starting 01 January 2018 until the depletion of the declared inventory as of 31 December 2017, supported by the Official Registry Book (ORB);

4) Retailers are required to post in a conspicuous area, for transparency, notice of the new excise tax implementation under the TRAIN in a signage measuring 1 meter by 1 meter in size; and

5. Submission of the petroleum products inventory report as of December 31, 2017 is on 5 January 2018.

“We remind the consumers and the oil industry participants that violators face the sanctions under the law,” Cusi said.

The DOE calls on the public to be vigilant and to report any violation to info@doe.gov.ph or to the Consumer Welfare and Promotion Office at Tel. No. ‎‎479-2900 loc. 329.

Traslacion 2018: The Procession of the Black Nazarene

Wazzup Pilipinas!

What is it about the Black Nazarene that moves millions of Filipino Catholics to gravitate to it?

This said to be miraculous image of Jesus Christ has blessed the lives of the devotees, but we should not hide the fact that it also claimed lives during the crowded procession.

But who are we to doubt what millions of people believe. Even at this day, there seems to be a multitude of believers who would literally die for offering their praises towards their beloved God.

Faith is indeed something great to hold on to as it gives many people strength and hope for a better tomorrow. But as they say "Nasa Diyos and Awa, Nasa Tao ang Gawa." We should therefore also exert extra effort to work on our dreams and aspirations, and not rely on a miracle. Praying to win in the Lotto is totally wrong. Praying to get a job without investing on learnings appropriate skills will get you nowhere. We all have to work hard, or smart, to get what we want.

For the annual Traslacion, a media briefing was held on January 4, 2018 at Quiapo church led by Quiapo Church Parish Priest Msgr. Hernando Coronel, MMDA Chair Danilo Lim, at MPD Director PC Supt. Joel Coronel

The Manila Police District (MPD) will be fielding more or less 5000 policemen and augmentation for the safe conduct of the Traslacion 2018 and security of devotees who will participate on January 9.

A Quiapo Church rector also said that organizers will be setting up 12 prayer stations along the procession route - an effort to give other devotees another option aside from joining the procession.

Classes in all levels for both private and public schools and work in government offices in Manila are suspended on January 9 in observance of Traslacion 2018.

Several roads will also be closed as early as Sunday from 1 p.m. onwards. Due to safety considerations, new route will be implemented for Traslacion 2018, veering away from the Lagusnilad: from Manila Hotel proceed to Katigbak drive to pass thru Intramuros to NPC to Jones Bridge then same route as to the previous years will be followed.

Aside from the signal jammers to prevent usage of mobile phones, a 48-hour gun ban will be implemented in the city from 12mn of Jan 8 to 12mn of Jan 10 as an security measure. 

There is no actual, direct or imminent threat reported.

As usual, it is expected that Manila will be a very busy day so it is advisable for commuters to avoid passing through the areas where the Traslacion is held. Pregnant women, children, elderly, sick and disabled or handicapped, are discouraged to attend since even the strongest man could be trampled upon by the over-eager crowd all wanting their share of the blessings.

We believe that God will grant our wishes even if we are miles away from the image of the Black Nazarene, or any other saint and church. We should not be required to actually be present at religious places to receive the blessings of the Lord. As we all believe, God is omnipresent and thus is everywhere. He is omnipotent which makes him capable enough to whatever he desires.

God gave us the free will to choose and decide for ourselves, so there is no wrong choice or decision, and that includes standing up to what we believe in. What is wrong is to give in to what the majority dictates in spite of our personal disbelief. We see Science and technology slowly enlightening us but there are still many questions left unanswered. We believe it will be a never-ending quest for answers as there are just too many wonders in this world.

Life alone is a miracle that still has many intricate complexities. We are forever a continuous story, and though we could not make it as perfect as we hoped for, the effort to go through life believing, or not, still serves many purpose for those who have gone through life loving others unconditionally.

Our fervent hope is for the devotees to spread their love not only towards the Black Nazarene, but to others as well. It is such a disappointment seeing religious people participating in the Traslacion and other similar activities but are perpetrators of unethical acts. Sadly, some just want to be seen for publicity - and this is not limited to the celebrities or politicians.