By Eva C. Visperas EVERY year, Villasis celebrates more than beauty — it celebrates promise. The Miss Villasis pageant unites the town’s most confident and purpose-driven young women. This year, 14 candidates proudly carry not only their barangays’ names but also the heart and hopes of the Villasinian community….
By Eva C. Visperas “GOOD governance is not just about being seen, it is about being heard—and more importantly, being acted upon.” In Dagupan City, this philosophy now takes center stage with the launch of Bantay Dagupan, Sumbungan ng Bayan, an initiative of Mayor Belen Fernandez that puts the people…
Bantay Dagupan: The City’s New Voice
By Eva C. Visperas THE heart of Pangasinan is not just its people, culture, and rich history — it is also its living, breathing green spaces. Trees are more than background scenery. They are silent sentinels that cool our towns, shelter our wildlife, and capture the carbon emissions that…
The Capitol trees are a living heritage
By Eva C. Visperas WHAT was supposed to be a quiet Sunday night last September 14 turned into one of the most alarming evenings Pangasinan has experienced in recent memory. At around 9:00 p.m., I came across a post on Facebook that sent shivers down my spine — a…
Lessons from a little angel
By Eva C. Visperas GO to the Capitol area. Hug the trees there. Soon, they will be gone. A total of 192 trees will be cut — vanishing from our sight, living only in our memories. On Monday, September 8, 2025, I went, as I always do, to the…
The last days of the Capitol trees
By Eva C. Visperas THERE are days in local governance that leave you quietly hopeful, and there are days that leave you unsettled. Last week in Pangasinan, we experienced both—and the contrast could not have been sharper. I was in Calasiao on August 29, standing among local officials, transport…
Of promises fulfilled and broken vows
By Eva C. Visperas WHAT makes Vietnam a big hit among tourists? As someone who loves exploring our own Pangasinan and other parts of the Philippines, my trip to Vietnam last month made me ask: Why are they drawing in more tourists than us? Curious and eager to visit…
From Vietnam to Pangasinan
By Eva C. Visperas WHEN I was a child — several decades back — I used to look forward to the carnival, or as we called it then, the karnabal. The sights, the sounds, and the thrill of saving a few coins from our baon just to enter the…
Side Show and Us
By Eva C. Visperas AT a time when the West Philippine Sea is often a theater of intimidation, coercion, and calculated aggression, rare moments of tactical brilliance remind us of the courage and skill of our defenders. These are moments that not only lift the nation’s spirits but also…
Salute to the guardians of the West Philippine Sea
By Eva C. Visperas ONE chapter closes, another one begins. In Dagupan City, leadership transitions can be more than just changes in designation — they become moments of gratitude, reflection, and renewed hope. This was felt strongly during the send-off and welcome ceremony held on August 4, as the…