MAYOR Belen Fernandez’s announcement that the Maternity and Children’s Hospital will finally be realized this year is more than just good news—it is a long-overdue victory for the people of Dagupan. A jubilant reaction from mothers and families across the city reflects not only relief but also vindication after years…
HISTORY WALL—A young woman views World War II photographs at the History Wall donated by the Philippine Veterans Bank at West Central Elementary School’s HE Building, which was used by Gen. Douglas MacArthur as a temporary headquarters during the liberation of Dagupan City and Northern Luzon in 1945. (PUNCHphoto by…
TALONG FESTIVAL—Barangay volunteers prepare eggplants, other vegetables, slices of meat, and seasonings for cooking “pinakbet,” a famous Ilocano dish, in a wood-fired vat during the 2026 Villasis Talong Festival on January 16, 2026. (PUNCHphoto by Willie Lomibao)
DIFFERENT TASTES OF OYSTERS—Evelyn Sales adds cheese to oysters ordered by her customer. Evelyn has long been selling oysters in Brgy. Lucao, Dagupan City, prepares all kinds of menu from oysters like “adobo”, cheesy, chili, fresh, raw, and charcoal-cooked, a gustatory delight to motorists passing by. (PUNCHphoto by Butch Uka)
UNLISERBISYO THE Sangguniang Panlungsod, on January 6, held a committee hearing to discuss solutions to traffic congestion caused by fish trucks loading and unloading in front of City Plaza. Mayor Belen Fernandez attended the hearing led by Peace and Order Committee Chair Councilor Chito Samson, along with several councilors, city…
MASS BEFORE ANTI-NUCLEAR PLANT RALLY—Bishop Napoleon Sipalay Jr., OP DD, Bishop of the Diocese of Alaminos, presides over a Holy Mass at St. Isidore the Farmer Parish in Labrador town during the peaceful Anti-Nuclear plant construction rally and protest. (PUNCHphoto by Willie Lomibao)
STILL PLOWING THE OLD WAY — Despite the widespread use of modern tractors, the age-old practice of using the carabao in the fields has not entirely disappeared. In some areas, farmers continue to rely on the hardy carabao for plowing and transporting farm produce, a quiet testament to tradition enduring…
UNLSERBISYO THE city government formally opened the Teen Center in Barangay Carael on Thursday, January 8, following a blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony, offering a new space where the talent and intellect of Dagupeño youth can thrive. The facility underscores the city’s continuing commitment to programs that advance the welfare and…
THE debate over the proposed construction of a nuclear power plant in Labrador has quickly divided public opinion, almost evenly, into those who welcome the idea and those who oppose it. Supporters look ahead with optimism, imagining cheaper—perhaps even free—electricity and the promise of jobs once construction begins. Opponents, on…
By Rex Catubig Note: I am reprising this piece that I wrote four years ago, in the early years of my retirement. Since then, the seasonal activity that was my subject has not really changed much—as if frozen in time, caught in the time capsule of the holiday season….
© 2026 Sunday Punch. Dagupan.
