Wayward LPG tanker causes 8-hr traffic jam
A TANKER carrying 18 tons of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) ended up lying on its side on the Edsa-Tramo flyover in Pasay City after the driver lost control early Thursday. The accident forced the closure of the flyover for about eight hours, resulting in heavy traffic particularly on the northbound lane headed toward Cubao, Quezon City. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chair Emerson Carlos said the accident happened around 1 a.m. on the flyover’s southbound lane but also affected traffic on the other lane. The initial investigation conducted by PO3 Marianito Agas of the Pasay City police showed that the LPG tanker was headed for the Island Gas Plant Office on Virata Street, Pasay, when the driver, Efren Canillo, lost control of the vehicle. Canillo, however, claimed that a white Toyota Innova overtook him and suddenly stopped in front of his vehicle. He maintained that he only tried to avoid hitting the Innova. While no LPG leak was reported, responding firemen hosed down parts of the flyover after the tanker spilled diesel fuel on the road. The MMDA said Canillo would be charged with damage to property because his tanker also hit and damaged two lampposts on the flyover. Maricar Brizuela and John Cyril Yee
Aliwan Fiesta is on: Bazaar, pageant, parade
THE CITIES of Manila and Pasay, along with the Manila Broadcasting Co., Star City and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, join forces to throw the biggest street party this summer, the Aliwan Fiesta, which kicked off on Thursday and will end April 16. Along Sotto Street in front of the Aliw Theater in Pasay, a bazaar has opened to feature products from all over the country. At 7 tonight, women representing different regions will vie for the title of Festival Queen and a cash prize of P100,000 in the Reyna ng Aliwan pageant. Hosted by 2014 Miss Earth and former Reyna ng Aliwan Jamie Herrell and MBC’s Dennis Antenor Jr., the show will also feature musical numbers by Paolo Valenciano and Alex Medina. The Grand Parade showcasing the country’s different festivals is scheduled at 4 p.m. tomorrow, April 16, starting from Quirino Grandstand and ending at Star City complex, where awarding ceremonies will be held at 9 p.m. The winner of the Streetdance Competition will take home P1 million, while the champion in the Float Design category gets P500,000. Program hosts Chris Tsuper and Nicole Hyala of 90.7 Love Radio will be joined by special guest performers Abra, Kris Lawrence, Bet ng Bayan winners Hannah Precillas and Kai Atienza, Ronnie Liang and Aegis.
Bonsai, cactus exhibit opens April 29
THE BONSAI and Suiseki Alliance of the Philippines Inc. (BSAPI) and the Cactus and Succulent Society of the Philippines Inc. (CSSPI), in cooperation with the Quezon Memorial Circle Administration, will hold a joint annual exhibit from April 29 to May 9 at Hardin ng Mga Bulaklak, Quezon Memorial Circle. BSAPI over-all show chair Vincent Ferrer said the event is aimed at promoting an appreciation of bonsai as a therapeutic hobby as well as a means of livelihood. Guest bonsai artists from Taiwan, Malaysia and Indonesia will also hold a workshop for beginners. The CSSPI, on the other hand, will display a rare collection of cacti and other succulents, said its over-all show chair Boyet Ganigan. Apart from the commercial exhibits there will be lecture-demonstrations on bonsai styling and cactus care, among other topics, conducted by local as well as international experts from May 1-8. Prizes will be raffled off to the audience after the lectures.