Pangasinan words for Kalso

 tangil

bangen

sangga

pangga

Pangasinan Words for Bodies of Water

Bubon - well

Pukok - ? 

Kulos - fishpond

Bubon - part of riverbed hollowed out to trap water and fish  

***

Lamo - raft

Puket - bamboo fencing with net across a river; used to catch fish

BAYAMBANG, DAPAT ALAM MO! - Accounting Office - Financial Backbone ng LGU

 BAYAMBANG, DAPAT ALAM MO!

 

BAYAMBANG, DAPAT ALAM MO na ang accounting ay tinatawag na financial backbone ng Munisipyo, ang sistema ng pagre-record at pagmomonitor ng pera at iba pang pinansyal na transaksyon ng munisipyo, upang makatulong sa tamang pagpapasya at masiguro ang maayos at transparent na pamamahala ng pondo.

 

At alam mo ba? Ang Accounting Office ay my dalawamput dalawa (22) na empleyado, na pinamumunuan ni ginoong Flexner de Vera.

 

Sa taong 2022 at 2024, ang LGU-Bayambang ay nakatanggap nang unqualified opinion. Ito ay nangangahulugang maayos, tama, at mapagkakatiwalaan ang financial statements ng Munisipyo ayon sa pagsusuri ng Commission on Audit.

 

At alam mo ba? Mayroon tayong mahigit apat na libong disbursement voucher na kumpleto, maayos, at alinsunod sa COA rules and regulations sa taong 2025.

 

As of March 11, 2026, mayroon na tayong humigit kumulang isang libong disbursement voucher. Ang pondo na ginamit dito ay galing sa buwis ng bawat Bayambangueño.

 

At alam mo ba? Bilang paggunita nang Women’s Month Celebration, si Ginang Erlinda Alvarez, ang ating dating Municipal Accountant, ay ang pinaka-unang babaeng Certified Public Accountant ng Munisipyo. At si Ginang Rosa G. Martinez mula sa Barangay Accounting Unit ay ang pinakamatagal na babaeng empleyado na nanilbihan sa LGU. Siya ay nanilbihan ng tatlumput-siyam na taon.

 

Ang lahat ng ito Bayambang ay... dapat alam mo!

 

Monday Report - March 16, 2026

 

Monday Report - March 16, 2026

 

 

[SMILE, VOLUME, ENERGY!]

 

INTRO:

 

1: Magandang araw, mga Kabaleyan! Ako po si Hazel Masiglat.

 

2: At ako naman po si Regine Cayabyab, at kami po ay mula sa Municipal Accounting Office.

 

1: Hatid namin ang mga balita ukol sa mga makabuluhang programa, proyekto, at aktibidad ng lokal na pamahalaan at ang pakikiisa ng ating komunidad.

 

2: Sama-sama nating tunghayan ang mga kaganapang patunay ng malasakit, disiplina, at pagkakaisa sa bayan ng Bayambang.

 

1&2: Ito ang... BayambangueNews!

 

=====================

 

 

[MEMORIZE THE HEADLINES]

 

 

1. RHU, Nagpa-raffle Game sa mga Kababaihan

 

Naglunsad ang Rural Health Unit (RHU) ng isang serye ng raffle game activity noong March 4 sa Wet Market bilang bahagi ng pagdiriwang ng National Women’s Month. Namahagi sila ng iba’t ibang munting regalo tulad ng sanitary napkin, alcohol, sabon, at iba pang personal care items habang isinusulong ang kalusugan at pagpapahalaga sa papel ng kababaihan sa komunidad.

 

 

2. DOLE, Nagbigay ng Occupational Health & Safety Training

 

Nagsagawa ang Department of Labor and Employment – Regional Office I, sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa PESO-Bayambang, ng Technical and Advisory Visit at Basic Occupational Safety and Health Training for Safety Officers 1 noong March 5. Layunin nitong palakasin ang kaalaman ng mga micro-enterprise establishments tungkol sa labor standards, karapatan ng manggagawa, at workplace safety.

 

 

3. Ambulansya at PTV, Nakatulong sa Iba't Ibang Pasyente

 

Patuloy na nagbibigay ng serbisyo ang Bayambang Public Safety Office sa pamamagitan ng kanilang ambulance at Patient Transport Vehicle, upang maihatid ang mga pasyenteng nangangailangan ng espesyal na gamutan sa iba’t ibang ospital sa loob at labas ng Pangasinan. Sa serbisyong ito, natutulungan ang mga residente na makarating sa mga pangunahing pagamutan ng libre at makakuha ng tamang pangangalaga mula sa mga espesyalista.

 

 

4. Profiling Activity para TUPAD, Isinagawa

 

Noong March 6, isinagawa ang isang profiling activity para sa mga benepisyaryo ng TUPAD na nakatuon sa mga magulang ng child laborers at sa mga PWD. Pinangunahan ito ng DOLE sa tulong ng PESO upang matukoy ang mga kwalipikadong benepisyaryo batay sa survey at opisyal na talaan ng PWD Affairs Office.

 

 

5. 20 Trash Bins na Bigay ng Rotary Club, Ipinamahagi

 

Ang 20 na improvised trash bins na donasyon ng Rotary Club of Bayambang sa LGU ay ipinamahagi ng ESWMO sa iba’t ibang barangay. Ito ay kongkretong suporta ng Rotary Club sa pangangalaga sa kapaligiran at pagtaguyod ng waste diversion para sa mas malinis na komunidad.

 

 

6. Mga Timbangan at Ilaw, Ininspeksyon sa Public Market

 

Ang mga kawani ng Special Economic Enterprise kasama ang Meat Inspector ay nag-inspeksyon sa mga karne at weighing scale sa Public Market at sa may Nalsian Sur upang matiyak ang kaligtasan ng mga produktong karne at ang tamang timbang na ibinibigay sa mga mamimili. Dalawang defective weighing scales ang nakumpiska, pati na rin ang ilang ilegal na dilaw na ilaw na ginagamit ng ilang meat vendors.

 

 

7. Orientation on Anti-Sexual Harassment Act, Idinaos

 

Nagsagawa ang HRMO ng isang orientation activity tungkol sa Anti-Sexual Harassment Act bilang bahagi ng pagdiriwang ng National Women’s Month. Pinalawak ng aktibidad na ito ang kaalaman ng mga kawani tungkol sa karapatan at proteksyon laban sa sexual harassment at itaguyod ang ligtas na espasyo para sa kababaihan.

 

 

8. Mga Kababaihan ng LGU, Nag-enjoy sa Art Activities

 

Kinahapunan, nagsagawa ang HRMO ng isang art activity noong March 10 para sa mga babaeng empleyado ng pamahalaang lokal. Sa pamamagitan ng mga gawaing tulad ng flower crafting, paint by numbers, at keychain making, naipakita ng mga kalahok ang kanilang pagkamalikhain habang nagrerelax.

 

 

9. Price Monitoring, Mahigpit na Ipinatupad!

 

Bumuo ang LGU, sa pangunguna ng BPLO at DTI, ng isang price monitoring team, upang magmonitor sa mga gasolinahan at grocery store noong March 10 at 11. Kanilang sinuri at mahigpit na binantayan ang presyo ng petrolyo sa mga gasolinahan at pangunahing bilihin sa mga grocery stores, upang matiyak na patas at naaayon sa batas ang mga presyo at maprotektahan ang kapakanan ng mga mamimili.

 

 

10. Barangay Officials, Nagseminar

 

Dumalo ang mga opisyal ng barangay ng Bayambang sa tatlong araw na Integrated Skills Enhancement Seminar sa Subic mula February 27 hanggang March 1, kung saan tinalakay ang mga paksa tulad ng barangay legislation, Katarungang Pambarangay, anti-drug program, VAWC laws, at solid waste management. Kaya naman muling napalawak ang kaalaman at kakayahan ng mga opisyal sa mas mahusay na pamamahala at serbisyo publiko sa kanilang mga barangay.

 

 

11. Energy Conservation Team, Nag-spot Check

 

Nagsagawa ng random spot-checking ang Energy Conservation Team sa mga opisina ng pamahalaan at mga street light sa Public Market upang matiyak ang pagsunod sa mga hakbang sa pagtitipid ng kuryente. Layunin nitong paalalahanan ang bawat tanggapan na patuloy na ipatupad ang energy conservation initiatives sa gitna ng nakaambang energy crisis.

 

 

12. BPSO at TFD, Nag-inspeksyon sa Tricycle Terminal

 

Nagsagawa rin ang Bayambang Public Safety Office (BPSO) at Task Force Disiplina ng inspeksyon sa Bayambang Tricycle Terminal. Kanila namang tiniyak ang kaayusan, tamang pamasahe, at pagsunod ng mga drayber sa mga lokal na ordinansa at batas-trapiko.

 

 

13. SB Members at Barangay Officials, Nagseminar

 

Dumalo ang mga Sangguniang Bayan Members at mga opisyal ng barangay ng Bayambang, kabilang ang mga SK, sa 3rd District Liga ng mga Barangay-Pangasinan Provincial Congress 2026 na ginanap mula March 8 to 13 sa Puerto Princesa, Palawan, upang talakayin ang mga programang magpapalakas sa pamamahala at serbisyo sa barangay. Tampok sa kongreso ang temang nakatuon sa disaster prevention, anti-drug initiatives, at barangay development.

 

 

14. Grade Schoolers, Inimbita sa Open House ng BFP

 

Bilang bahagi ng pagdiriwang ng Fire Prevention Month, nag-Open House ang Bayambang Fire Station mula March 11 hanggang 13, kung saan inimbitahan ang mga mag-aaral mula sa tatlong paaralang elementarya upang makasalamuha ang mga bumbero at makita ng malapitan ang kanilang mga kagamitan. Sa pamamagitan ng mga demonstrasyon, pamilyarisasyon, at interaksyon, natutunan ng mga kabataan ang mga pangunahing kaalaman sa pag-iwas sa sunog at tamang pagtugon sa emerhensiya.

 

 

15. Mga Kalalakihan ng LGU, Nakibahagi sa Laban Kontra Karahasan sa Kababaihan

 

Sa isinagawang aktibidad ng LGU na “Men Standing Up for Women” noong March 12, dinaluhan ng mga kalalakihang kawani mula sa iba’t ibang tanggapan ang isang programa na may layong palakasin ang kamalayan at hikayatin ang mga kalalakihan na maging katuwang sa pagpigil sa Violence Against Women o karahasan laban sa kababaihan. Itinaguyod sa nasabing aktibidad ang respeto sa kababaihan at pagkakapantay-pantay ng lahat sa buong komunidad.

 

 

16. BPC, Nagsagawa ng Orientation sa Solid Waste Management

 

Nagsagawa ang Bayambang Polytechnic College ng isang Orientation on Solid Waste Management noong February 27 upang palawakin ang kaalaman ng mga mag-aaral at empleyado tungkol sa wastong paghihiwalay at pamamahala ng basura. Nagbahagi ng mahahalagang impormasyon ang MENRO at ESWMO, na sinundan ng isang open forum.

 

 

17. Bayambang, Nakiisa sa 1Q NSED 2026

 

Nakiisa ang LGU-Bayambang at iba’t ibang sektor sa 1st Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) 2026 upang tuluy-tuloy na palakasin ang kahandaan ng komunidad sa lindol. Sa drill, binigyang-diin ang tamang pagsasagawa ng “Duck, Cover, and Hold” at ang kahalagahan ng sama-samang paghahanda sa oras ng sakuna.

 

 

18. Committee Hearing para sa Revised Revenue at Market Code, Isinagawa 

 

Isang committee hearing ang isinagawa ng Sangguniang Bayan noong March 12, upang talakayin at pinal na repasuhin ang mga panukalang ordinansa tungkol sa Revised Revenue Code at Revised Market Code ng munisipyo. Layunin ng dalawang ordinansa na mapalakas ang pamamahala sa koleksyon ng buwis at ang maayos na regulasyon ng pamilihan sa bayan.

 

 

19. Little Mr. & Ms. Bayambang, Nagtagisan sa Talent Competition

 

Pinahanga ng mga batang kalahok sa Talent Competition ng Little Mr. and Ms. Bayambang 2026 ang mga hurado at manonood sa kanilang masaya at malikhaing pagtatanghal noong Marso 13. Ipinakita ng mga tskiting ang kanilang husay sa pag-awit, pagsayaw, pagbigkas ng tula, at iba pang talento bilang paghahanda sa gaganaping grand finals sa March 30 sa Balon Bayambang Events Center.

 

 

20. Bayambang, May Bagong Firetruck!

 

Ang Bayambang ay nakatanggap ng isang brand new firetruck, salamat sa ilang taong pakikipag-ugnayan nina Mayor Niña at Dr. Cezar Quiambao sa tanggapan ni Senator Imee Marcos. Noong March 12, itinurn-over at binasbasan ang bagong firetruck sa Municipal Hall. Nagpahayag ng pasasalamat sa senadora ang mga opisyal ng LGU at Bureau of Fire Protection sa pangunguna ni Acting Regional Director Antonio Razal Jr.

 

VO

 

21. BIR, May Tax Assistance Center sa Bayambang!

 

Naglunsad ang Bureau of Internal Revenue Revenue District Office No. 4 ng isang Tax Assistance Center sa Business One Stop Shop ng Municipal Annex Building, upang tulungan ang mga indibidwal at negosyo sa kanilang tax filing para sa taong 2025. Bukas ang center tuwing Martes at Huwebes hanggang Abril 15, at magbibigay ng mga serbisyong tulad ng pag-file ng income tax returns, pagkuha ng TIN, business registration, at gabay sa paggamit ng Online Registration and Update System o ORUS.

 

 

22. LSB, Muling Nagdonate ng mga Kagamitan at Pasilidad sa DepEd

 

Muling nagkaloob ang Local School Board ng iba’t ibang kagamitan at pasilidad sa mga paaralan ng DepEd Bayambang I at II bilang bahagi ng patuloy na suporta ng lokal na pamahalaan sa pagpapabuti ng kalidad ng edukasyon. Kabilang sa mga ipinagkaloob ang iba't ibang office supplies, 30 prefabricated handwashing facilities, at office equipment  upang higit na mapabuti ang kalinisan, kalusugan, at mga gawaing administratibo sa mga paaralan.

 

***

 

Host: Rodney Maniquez

 

[SMILE, VOLUME, ENERGY!]

 

BAYAMBANG, DAPAT ALAM MO!

 

BAYAMBANG, DAPAT ALAM MO na ang accounting ay tinatawag na financial backbone ng Munisipyo, ang sistema ng pagre-record at pagmomonitor ng pera at iba pang pinansyal na transaksyon ng munisipyo, upang makatulong sa tamang pagpapasya at masiguro ang maayos at transparent na pamamahala ng pondo.

 

At alam mo ba? Ang Accounting Office ay my dalawamput dalawa (22) na empleyado, na pinamumunuan ni ginoong Flexner de Vera.

 

Sa taong 2022 at 2024, ang LGU-Bayambang ay nakatanggap nang unqualified opinion. Ito ay nangangahulugang maayos, tama, at mapagkakatiwalaan ang financial statements ng Munisipyo ayon sa pagsusuri ng Commission on Audit.

 

At alam mo ba? Mayroon tayong mahigit apat na libong disbursement voucher na kumpleto, maayos, at alinsunod sa COA rules and regulations sa taong 2025.

 

As of March 11, 2026, mayroon na tayong humigit kumulang isang libong disbursement voucher. Ang pondo na ginamit dito ay galing sa buwis ng bawat Bayambangueño.

 

At alam mo ba? Bilang paggunita nang Women’s Month Celebration, si Ginang Erlinda Alvarez, ang ating dating Municipal Accountant, ay ang pinaka-unang babaeng Certified Public Accountant ng Munisipyo. At si Ginang Rosa G. Martinez mula sa Barangay Accounting Unit ay ang pinakamatagal na babaeng empleyado na nanilbihan sa LGU. Siya ay nanilbihan ng tatlumput-siyam na taon.

 

Ang lahat ng ito Bayambang ay... dapat alam mo!

 

***

 

 

OUTRO:

 

[SMILE, VOLUME, ENERGY!]

 

 

1: At iyan po ang mga balitang nagbibigay-inspirasyon at pag-asa sa ating bayan. Muli, ako po si Hazel Masiglat.

 

2: At ako naman po si Regine Cayabyab mula sa Municipal Accounting Office.

 

1: Sa patuloy na pagtutulungan ng pamahalaan at mamamayan...

 

2: ...Mas nagiging maliwanag ang kinabukasan ng Bayambang.

 

1: Hanggang sa muli...

 

1&2: Ito ang... BayambangueNews!

 

 

"Matibunek" (Matambok)

"Matibunek" (Matambok)

Someone from the Facebook group page Saray Taga-Pangasinan asks, "Antoy talos na matibunek?" In Tagalog, "Ano ang ibig sabihin ng matambok?"

Of course, we all know what matambok means in Tagalog: maumbok, mabukol, malusog, malaman, and siksik. In other words, it means plump or rotund and other equivalents in English.

In comparison, the answers the poster got in Pangasinan language were overwhelming in number and variety.

Pangasinan language is endlessly surprising. Look at this unexpected haul from random group members.

matibunek

matimbukel

atibugkol, tinmibugkol, binmugkol (bumukol; protruded)

bunaknak, abunaknak

seksek (Tagalog siksik)

aseksek

aneksek

makarkarga

malimlimpek

tinmambuko

bimmokel

bimmokegkeg

matiboknek

binmungol

pinmungol (turned into an anthill)

mapugkok

mapatnag (obvious)

matitimbuko

mataba (fat)

amuknel

naing-ingkek

naitet

mantampuwag, manlepwa?

manpugpugkok

malapalapa

amugkal

matmatyan

Idiomatic expressions include:

malaman, nakno'y laman (fleshy, full of flesh)

maiyan (full of pulp or flesh)

makarga (full of content)

naksel, naknaksel (so full)

abutit (too full)

aneksek (nagsiksik)

malitliknew

natnatno (filled up)

Other, more literal expressions:

mairap ya sakuban (mahirap takpan; hard to cover)

ngalngali naputatan (halos maputukan?)

naglngali unpultak (halos pumutok)

bugian (has eggs)

bukel-bukel (seeds)

masanting ya laman (nice body)

Similes

Something that is matibunek is likened to a fat piglet (mataban belek), ripe camachile fruit, the pan de coco, monay, or pagong/pinagong bread, turtle (bakukol), and buyog (earthen pot).

Someone else said, singa angibulasay (angibulsay?) karag (like someone put a toad in his pocket?).

The term matibunek is, of course, most popularly used in salacious, sexual context, to refer to the female breast and/or genitals.

Dr. Cheryl Calimlim Mendoza, Educator, Scholar, and Academic Leader

 Dr. Cheryl Calimlim Mendoza

Educator, Scholar, and Academic Leader

In the continuing tradition of Bayambang as a cradle of scholarship and public service in Pangasinan, Dr. Cheryl C. Mendoza stands among the contemporary educators who have devoted their lives to the advancement of learning, the cultivation of teachers, and the strengthening of academic institutions. Through decades of dedication to teaching, research, and academic leadership, she has become one of the respected figures in higher education in the region.

Born on January 13, 1980, in Bayambang, Pangasinan, Dr. Mendoza grew up in a community long known for producing scholars, educators, and civic leaders. She is the daughter of Adoracion Latorre Calimlim and Eligio Alvarez Calimlim, whose values of discipline, perseverance, and commitment to education would later shape her own aspirations. She is married to Avelino P. Mendoza, Jr., and together they have been blessed with two children, Aviel Jared and Cyrle Elisha, who remain her enduring inspiration.

Dr. Mendoza’s academic journey reflects both intellectual diligence and a deep sense of purpose. She completed her Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Social Studies, graduating Cum Laude from Pangasinan State University – Bayambang Campus, where she first embraced the vocation of teaching and scholarship. Determined to further expand her knowledge and professional capacity, she pursued graduate studies and earned her Master of Education major in Social Studies from the same institution.

Her pursuit of learning did not end there. Recognizing the importance of law in shaping institutions and public life, she studied Juris Doctor at the University of Baguio College of Law, gaining legal insight that would later strengthen her leadership in academic governance and institutional development. She subsequently completed her Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies at the Pangasinan State University School of Advanced Studies in 2015, an academic milestone that deepened her interdisciplinary understanding of education, society, and development.

Dr. Mendoza has devoted much of her professional career to Pangasinan State University, where she began her service as a faculty member and steadily rose through the academic ranks. Since 2008, she has served as Associate Professor V, contributing to the university’s mission of academic excellence and public service. Over the years, she assumed numerous leadership roles within the institution, including Chairperson of the Social Sciences Department and Chairperson of the General Education Department, where she helped guide the development of curricular programs and faculty initiatives.

Her administrative leadership expanded when she became Program Dean for the PhD in Development Studies at the School of Advanced Studies, further strengthening graduate education and interdisciplinary research. She also served as Center Head of the Center for History, Culture, Arts, Languages and Innovative Education (CHCALIE), promoting scholarship that highlights cultural heritage, innovative teaching, and community engagement.

Committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic quality, Dr. Mendoza has likewise served as an AACCUP Accreditor, participating in the evaluation and development of academic programs across higher education institutions in the Philippines.

In January 2026, she was appointed Dean of the College of Teacher Education at Pangasinan State University – Bayambang Campus, a position that placed her at the forefront of shaping the preparation of future educators. In this capacity, she continues to guide programs that develop competent, ethical, and socially responsive teachers who will serve communities throughout the country.

Beyond the classroom and administrative offices, Dr. Mendoza has distinguished herself as a researcher and scholar. Her studies have been published in reputable academic journals, including the Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research. Her research addresses significant educational issues such as bullying intervention strategies in elementary schools and the role of Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education in preserving cultural identity and informing educational policy.

Her scholarly work has also reached an international audience. She has presented research papers and participated in academic conferences in Taiwan, Thailand, and Singapore, reflecting her engagement with the broader global community of educators and researchers.

Dr. Mendoza has likewise contributed to national initiatives aimed at strengthening teacher education in the Philippines. She participated in the development of prototype syllabi aligned with the Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers (PPST) for priority pre-service teacher education programs. She has also taken part in national faculty training initiatives for the implementation of new General Education courses, helping shape curriculum reforms in Philippine higher education.

Widely respected as a speaker, consultant, trainer, and conference organizer, Dr. Mendoza frequently shares her expertise in seminars, workshops, and academic forums. She also contributes to the scholarly community as a peer reviewer and session chair in international research conferences, supporting the advancement of research and academic dialogue.

In addition, she has co-authored books and instructional modules used in higher education, particularly in subjects such as Philippine History, Teaching Strategies in Social Studies, The Contemporary World, and Rizal Studies, providing valuable academic resources for both students and educators.

Through her work as an educator, scholar, and administrator, Dr. Cheryl C. Mendoza continues to uphold the enduring ideals of education—knowledge in the service of society, scholarship guided by integrity, and leadership dedicated to the formation of future generations. In doing so, she contributes not only to the advancement of Pangasinan State University but also to the continuing legacy of Bayambang as a community that nurtures learning, leadership, and public service.

 

Dr. Dave Francis Junio: The Dentist Who Chose to Serve

 Dr. Dave Francis Junio: The Dentist Who Chose to Serve

In the town of Bayambang, there is a dentist who refuses to accept that children must grow up fearing dental chairs or living with preventable pain. For him, dentistry is more than tooth extractions and fillings — it is also about dignity, prevention, and hope.

Dr. Dave Francis Junio began his journey in public health not for prestige, but for purpose. But long before he wore the white coat and carried the title of doctor, his story began in the classrooms that shaped his dedication to learning and service.

He completed his elementary education at Pangasinan State University KD Elementary School, where he first developed the discipline and curiosity that would guide his future career. He then pursued his secondary education at the Pangasinan State University Laboratory High School (Batch 2008), where his academic foundation and sense of community responsibility continued to grow.

Determined to pursue a career in healthcare, he moved to the city to earn his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Centro Escolar University Makati, one of the country’s respected institutions for dental education. During his training, he developed not only clinical competence but also a strong appreciation for preventive and community-based dentistry.

Believing that public health leadership requires continuous growth and deeper understanding of community health systems, he later pursued and completed his Master’s Degree in Public Health at Lyceum Northwestern University, strengthening his expertise in health promotion, disease prevention, and program development.

Dr. Junio officially began his journey in public health dentistry when he was assigned as a municipal dentist in January 2017. He stepped into a system where oral health services were often limited to the basics. But he saw beyond what was — he envisioned what could be.

He expanded services. Preventive care became a priority. Cleanings, fillings, fluoride applications, and dentures for indigent citizens were no longer optional — they became part of a mission. He initiated structured oral health programs for daycare pupils across Bayambang’s 77 Child Development Centers, integrating lectures, toothbrush drills, and biannual fluoride applications. He made sure oral health education reached not only children but also mothers, students, and community workers.

Under his leadership, Oral Health Month in Bayambang evolved into a movement — vibrant, participatory, and deeply rooted in advocacy. From motorcades to municipal-wide toothbrushing drills, from Project Guro to Project Buntis, he built programs that recognized that oral health is lifelong — from the First 1000 Days to the elderly.

He does not measure success by the number of teeth extracted, but by the number of cavities prevented.

His dedication did not go unnoticed. Recognized by the Department of Health – Region 1 as Best Oral Health Program Implementer and National Awardee as Best Oral Health Program Implementer in Luzon by the Department of Health National Association of Dentists, he proved that even a municipal Rural Health Unit can set a standard for excellence.

Yet beyond the awards, his most powerful vision remains simple and heartfelt: “One day, sana wala na kaming bubunutan na bata na may bulok na ngipin.” (One day, we hope we won’t have to remove any child’s tooth due to severe decay.)

That is not merely a statement, but a promise to the children of Bayambang, to first-time mothers, and to indigent families. ...A promise that public health dentistry can be proactive, compassionate, and transformative.

More than a municipal dentist, Dr. Dave Francis Junio is a builder of programs, a mentor to child development workers, a collaborator with public and private partners, a voice for prevention, and above all, a servant leader who believes that every smile in Bayambang deserves to be healthy.

And he continues — one fluoride application, one lecture, one celebration, one child at a time.