Written by Mr. Ramon Formantes
After a week of Medical/Dental, Veterinary, and Engineering missions (February 15 - 21) in different areas of Laoag City, the US Air Force Pacific troops, assisted by their Filipino counterparts, in what is dubbed as Pacific Angel 2010, finally accomplished their mission.
In the Closing and Turn-over Ceremonies held at Caaoacan Elementary School, where engineering works were done to school buildings, the Director of Operations, Plans, Requirements and Programs of the US Pacific Air Forces, Major General Jan-Marc Jouas, and the Division Commander, 1st Air Division, Philippine Air Force, Major General Lino Lapinid, AFP, appreciated the turn-out of the mission citing the more than 13,000 medical, dental, and optical patient-beneficiaries that were served.
In the same program, Mayor Michael V. Fariñas expressed his sincerest thanks, on behalf of all Laoagueños, to Pacific Angel 2010, for being the first-of-it's-kind humanitarian operation on a large scale that was done by the US government specifically for Laoag City.
LAOAG CITY TENDERS APPRECIATION PARTY FOR PACIFIC ANGEL 2010
The US Pacific Forces and their Filipino counterparts were treated to a very sumptuous dinner by Mayor Michael V. Fariñas as a token of appreciation. The informal-attire dinner, which saw the forces on their shorts and civilian dresses, included ilocano dishes like "lechon baboy", "chicharon", "dinengdeng", "adobo", and many other local delicacies. As requested, and to the delight of the troops, local beer was overflowing while being fascinated by Ilocano songs and dances performed by the INNHS Performing Group.
Pacific Angel 2010 Mission Commander, Lt. Col. Al Alana, and Co-Mission Commander, Col. Fonbuena, led the troops in dancing their hearts out. Laoag City government officials led by City Mayor Michael V. Fariñas and the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, together with the different Department Heads of the City government, joined in the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
