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Showing posts from January, 2013

un-LAKE-ly view of Burnham Park

I would just like to share these pictures of the Burnham Lake minus the water.  Instead of boats, I found backhoe in the middle of the famous Burnham Lake. Instead of tourists admiring the cold weather, I saw workers busy clearing the man-made lake.      The clearing project of the Burnham aims to fix the flaws of the lake that was built during the American regime in the Philippines.     The boats were placed outside the lake, and was replaced with backhoes.     After draining the lake, tilapia, wallets, and cellphones were found at the bottom of the lake. The tilapia were given to the bystanders. Tourists and residents watch as workers clear the now muddy Burnham lake with backhoes.    The empty Burnham lake is expected to be refilled with water by January 25, in time for the Panagbenga Festival in February.

Phase3: Legwork

        Being assigned in the Benguet beat, Monday is a very important day. There is a heavy coverage every Monday, and the days to follow is for the reporter to work on the details of the stories. View of La Trinidad, Benguet from the balcony of the Capitol            It's been part of my weekly routine to attend the Provincial Board Meeting in the morning, and the Municipal Council Meeting in the afternoon every Monday.        There isn't much newsworthy stories in the agenda of the two meetings last Monday. In case there is, they usually wouldn't elaborate on the matter or put the issue for next week's agenda. I couldn't think of any stories to work on, but my supervisor, Ma'am Malen, attended the Board Meeting and asked me to what's my story? I immediately blurted about the mining issue I saw on the agenda though I'm not sure what it's about. She said okay and told me to work on it.       No idea about the mining matter, I asked the s

Phase 3:The People

Provincial Board Meeting at the Capitol It's my third time covering the provincial board meeting at the Capitol in La Trinidad, Benguet. However, aside from the Board Members and Vice-Governor Pacalso, the new Provincial Director P/Sr. Supt. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. was also present. He discussed about the  checkpoints that would be set up as part of the election gun ban. The board members also asked him about his plans regarding some issues such as juvenile offenders, sex trades, and marijuana. The media people was able to interview him as he personally approached us. He think he is friendly and open-minded. I hope he does well. During the interview with PD Azurin, I also met Sun Star Baguio reporter Ma'am Ruby. She is the supervisor of Cyril Encarnacion.  In the afternoon, I attended the Municipal Council Meeting in La Trinidad. I was surprised to see that almost all the councilors were present. The last time I was there, Council Botiwey acts as the presiding officer and

Phase3: Mayor's office

     Today, I had my first assignment for 2013. My supervisor, Ma'am Malen, is on travel right now, and she asked me to do a news story about the status quo on taxes. I went to La Trinidad municipal hall to gather information. I am really glad that the staff are all friendly and approachable. I didn't had trouble getting information since they are all willing to help even though they are busy.      Aside from getting the information I need, I also learned the process and the requirements needed to get married. ^_^