Lasagna downs 27 at school prom

Twenty-seven people, mostly students, were rushed to the hospital Friday night after reportedly eating lasagna served at the Jose Rizal University’s high school prom.

Mandaluyong City police chief Senior Superintendent Ericson Velasquez said the caterer, identified as Mary’s Catering Service, is under investigation for the mass food poisoning incident.

“We will file charges against them, if we find evidence against them,” Velasquez said.

The catering service, owned by a certain William Lee, lists its business address as 6 Pasig Boulevard, Barangay Bagong Ilog in Pasig City.

The police learned that the lasagna was singled out as the dish that caused students and school personnel who consumed it to suffer dizziness, stomach pains, and vomiting during the event.

Ten students were rushed to the Mandaluyong City Medical Center and St. Martin de Porres Hospital but discharged after receiving treatment.

Eight students are still confined at the Lourdes Hospital while another eight are at the San Juan Medical Center.

Also brought to the hospital for food poisoning were Nilo Barcelona, head teacher of business technology and physical education; and Avelino Caraan Jr., a prop and sound man of the school.

Investigators found that many of the students started to complain of nausea and suffer vomiting spells at around 11:40 p.m., as the ball was about to end. The event was held at the grounds of the university located along Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong.

High school principal Ramon Navarro said they will look into the possibility of suing the caterer, and assured parents of afflicted students that the school will help with their hospital bills.  – With Jose Rodel Clapano