December 16, 2011 is a Tragic Day to Remember

December 16 is always a memorable date for Filipinos because it is the start of "Simbang Gabi" or Midnight Masses which for nine consecutive days, Filipinos eager to attend believing to gain indulgence. It is always a happy date to note but, December 16, 2011 marked a catastrophic event in the history of Cagayan de Oro City, my beloved hometown. Bagyong Sendong or Tropical Storm Washi hit Northern Mindanao and caused widespread flash floods. At 10PM, the raging flood of mud and water rises as far as 31 feet in seconds. Caught off-guard, the Cagayanons living along the river banks took refuge on their roof , the trees and higher buildings. Those who woke up too late drowned inside their bungalow-styled houses. The fatality is 1, 300, more than a thousand missing and displacing 20,000 people. For the first time, affected Baranggays only experienced one Simbang Gabi. Who would ever thought that December 16, 2011 is a tragic day to remember for the rest of our lives? Thanks to NADEREV SANO for the picture shared in FB pages. Check the inspiring experience of KEISHA: A SENDONG SURVIVOR STORY.

Attention ABS CBN Re: Relief Operation to CDO

I hope this incident will never happen again. The ABS-CBN network together with Kris Aquino (& the group) visited Cagayan de Oro City to provide Relief Operation in Consolacion and Balulang areas. The result of the visit is negative and it created a big discussion in Facebook groups because the victims were not treated accordingly. Below is an opinion posted in Facebook Wall:
Ang sa akin lang po, sana naman ibinahagi ang tulong para sa mga biktima ng tama. The flood victims were cold, hungry and thirsty for water. They waited for hours but, hindi nabigyan lahat kasi umalis na kayo pagkatapos ng video footage. Feeling nang mga biktima ginawa silang props para may maibalita kayo. Tama ba yun na umalis kayo at hindi nyo naibigay ang tulong na intended for them? Okay lang sana kung naubusan kayo, kaso marami pa pero di ninyo ibinigay. Sana hindi nyo nalang ipinakita sa kanila kasi torture yan eh. Here's another observation from a volunteer:

RE-POST: Actual report by Volunteer =Tess:

"last dec. 19 @ 2pm more or less my son with other abs cbn volunteers reported for duty.. when the truck abs cbn streamer was full of relief goods already, the team was instructed to proceed to Balulang evac. center to download and be ready for distribution the goods in the truck. while on their way to balulang, a call from the base instructed them to stop and wait for kris aquino and party. so the team waited for for these people. @ 6pm, a call from the base advised them to proceed instead to Brgy. Consolacion since Kris and party was there already. Imagine 3 hrs naghulat mga volunteers only to be instructed to go to Consolacion instead. Nag yawyaw na volunteers ngano ing ana pamaagi ( and my son even said in a loud manner " kang Kris ba diay ning mga relief goods? but the wala choice man but to heed to the instructions given...unsay pagtuo nila sa mga volunteers mga robot nga bahalag abtan midnight hulat2x ok lang di na kailangan foods to sustain them from doing the tasks? again, the team proceeded to Consolacion. sobra kaayo jud ka heavy ang traffic so hinay jud ang dagan sa truck....dawbe kay ang mga tao didto gutom na jud kaayo kay halos man pangbirahon na ang mga sinako relief goods but no instructions given yet if i distribute ang goods. ila na lang gi explainan volunteers ra sila and have to wait for further instructions..ga singgit na sila" unsa man na bay inyo ra na paibog. para unsa ra man na nga gidala dala dili ihatag?"gutom na daw sila kaayo. kinsa sad kaha wala nagutom sa nahitabo. hadlok na kaayo ang volunteers basin musaka na ang mga tao then sakwaton mga sinako nga goods.wala sad sila gipakuyugan ug volunteer-soldier or police for security reasons unta.. after a while, there came vans in convoy. Kris and party naman diay muagi with arrogant PSG men shouting "tabi kayo..saan ba mga pulis dito. sus nakurat tawon ang team nga mulakaway naman diay kris and party why pa man paadto pa sila didto? minutes after, a call from the base instructed them to leave Consolacion and head for Balulang again. OMG, ang relief goods gipalaway lang jud diay...upon reaching Balulang around 9pm more or less gisunodsunud jud tawon ang truck sa mga victims..wala lang gihapon instruction if i download na relief goods sa evac center. gihikap na pud sa mga evacuees ang sako2xng goods..they are shouting na nga manghatag na kay gutom na kaayo. wa man jud sila instruction as in pa lamo2x na lang sila di mamansin. kay nakita man lagi nila ang atreamer abs cbn relief ops. ug wala man sila balebaleha..nisinggit sila "aha naman inyong presidente?" Among Binay gkan na dinhi...nadawat nasad dayon sila call from the base instructing them to go back to base..grabe ila kauoy sa mga tao nga grabe pa trauma gidaladala then wla pa tagda ila pangamuyo tagaan sila. wal choice ang team but to go back to base but ni sekreto sila open sako then secretly hand in goods sa malabyan nila pero ila sad sinyasan "psst ayaw saba sa uban". hadlok man sila basin kalit mangdasuk mga tao..maapsan baya sila kay traffic pud hinay dagan sa truck.. mao na ila ordeal murag mas na trauma sila sa mga actuations sa network kay kita nila mismo ang mga situations sa mga areas affected nga ila naadtuan unya nag location-hopping lang man diay sila. ako na siya pa stop volunteer sa network and instead get involved thru NGO's or schools or any parish."

I hope we learn a lesson in this scenario. People trust their money to your network with the hope that you will deliver accordingly. You gathered millions of donations sana man lang naipamahagi ito ng tama. God bless to all the donors and thank you for your compassion.

There Is Hope Cagayan de Oro City

December 16, 2011 is the day Tropical Storm Sendong hit the Philippines. For almost a week, I can't console myself to do other things but, stay on FB for updates, doing some charity work and watch the videos in YouTube. Most of us probably sent our help but we know it is not enough. The impact of this calamity is huge because we mourn with them for the loss of their children, husband, father, mother, cousin and neighbors. It is heartbreaking to see the coastal area of my beloved city covered with mud, deformed and houses washed away from the raging flood waters. Since Day 1, my family was doing the best we can to make our 10 relatives feel at home to ease a little bit of their traumatic experiences. They live with my mom in a safe place in CDO. All of us do not worry of what's tomorrow may bring. What we worry right now is the other families that we know who have no place to go but stay in Evacuation Areas. Most of the victims who survived were now homeless. But, we can only do so much. For a start, I give up most of my clothes in the closet to distribute to some of the family victims. My relatives are victims but, they decided to help by bringing gallons of drinking waters to their neighborhood. Most of the people that I know are doing the same thing which is really heartwarming.But, it is very depressing to see photos like these knowing that there were houses stood there before and now, it's gone. As of today, the death toll in Cagayan de Oro alone reaches a thousand and rising because there are hundreds of people who are missing.We mourn today but, with the help you extend, we have high hopes that CDO will restore its beauty. Thank you for all your help and for responding to our desperate call. From the bottom of the hearts of the Cagayanons, SALAMAT JUD SA TANAN NGA MITABANG.

(All photos were snagged from naderev sano's FB)

Read this story: GOD BLESS CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY

A Very Merry Christmas

Hello Everyone! How was your Christmas? I bet you were all having a wonderful time with your family and friends, right? I can imagine the laughter's and the joys of those dear to your heart who got a present from you :-) Christmas is a time of family bonding, gift giving, sharing a good laugh and simply enjoying a wonderful holiday. I hope that you did not forget the true meaning of Christmas and that is making JESUS, the saviour as the center of your family bonding. Attend a midnight mass with your family and bring home the spirit of happiness and contentment as you celebrate the season of cheer and good times. May you practice that joy in your heart this New Year! Happy Holidays friends!

SM Mall in Cagayan de Oro City

Very Christmassy! It is good to spend Christmas in the Philippines especially when family is around, isn't it? While some of my family went to do the grocery, the kids were spending their time in the game room. Me? I took the time in taking pictures of the busy activities in the mall.

Here are few of the pictures which I took in SM Cagayan. On holidays, the mall provided a nightly show for those who patronize their mall, their way of thanking the shoppers.It is a good entertainment since the hosts were having trivias and give-aways were given randomly to those who participate the show.
This is the Christmas Village which can be found on the first floor. It was truly beautiful and colorful.
This is the caption in some areas going to the theatres.
Kids area and on the right, I took the picture of the stairway.
Here is another attraction inside which the kids loves to ride.
Here is another area located near the entrance from the mall parking lot.
Sorry it is blurrry! We made a banking transaction inside.
Kids wonderland on the first floor. You can also find different food chains and fine dining on this level. You will never get hungry!
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! Thanks for stopping by. Give something for this holiday! After all, Christmas is a time for gift-giving!

Cagayan de Oro City Fiesta

The Cagayan de Oro City Fiesta is every August 28, celebrating the life of Saint Augustine of Hippo, the city's patron saint.
These are the beautiful floats which participated the fiesta parade.
Aside from this event date, there are so many fiesta celebration in each street/barangay's of Cagayan de Oro. Each has it's own dates according to who is their patron saint. Here are some of the beautiful creations of each participants.
During Fiesta celebration, it is a holiday and at the same time a family day.

More pictures to come. Thanks for stopping by.

SM Cagayan de Oro City

I owned a property in a nice uptown community in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. It is a well gated European styled community called Gran Europa Village. Close to the airport and one of the best golf courses in the country is just adjacent to the place. Cagayan is continuously booming with infrastructure. That is why big time businesses such as SM Prime Holdings never hesitated to open SM Cagayan in the city.SM mall is located in the uptown area of Cagayan and less than 5 minutes away from my place. I miss this mall. It has everything in it and considered as the supermall in Northern Mindanao.

*It was opened on November 2002 with a land area of 5.2 hectares (13 acres) and a total floor area of 86,288 square metres (928,800 sq ft) (56288m2 mall + 30000m2 parking building). -source wikipedia

If you are planning to buy a property in Cagayan de Oro City, buy somewhere near this area. It maybe expensive but it will be worth it.

How to Recite The Chaplet of Divine Mercy

Today is Divine Mercy Sunday. For those of you who would like to learn how to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, here is the guide. Source of this information was taken from EWTN.COM. Visit the website for more information about the Divine Mercy.

1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross, 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and The Apostles Creed.
2. Then on the Our Father Beads say the following:

"Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world."

3. On the 10 Hail Mary Beads say the following:

"For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world."

(Repeat step 2 and 3 for all five decades).

4. Conclude with (three times):

"Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world."

Jesus said to Sister Faustina:

"Say unceasingly this chaplet that I have taught you. Anyone who
says it will receive great Mercy at the hour of death. Priests
will recommend it to sinners as the last hope. Even the most
hardened sinner, if he recites this Chaplet even once, will
receive grace from My Infinite Mercy. I want the whole world to
know My Infinite Mercy. I want to give unimaginable graces to
those who trust in My Mercy...."

"....When they say this Chaplet in the presence of the dying, I
will stand between My Father and the dying person not as the just
judge but as the Merciful Savior".

San Augustine Church in Cagayan de Oro City

I was browsing the net searching for pictures of my city. Then, I found this photo of my church where I usually go to attend mass on Sundays. This is San Augustine Church located in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines.

When I was about four or five years old, I joined the "Flores de Mayo" where little girls excited to dress as angels and learned some songs. This is the church where I go to.

I was able to sing in this church too as a member of a choir. I became a lector in a wedding ceremony of my friends held in this church also. When I close my eyes right now, I can remember the scent of this church and the nice garden at the back area.

I have so many memories in this church and I missed it a lot.

photo courtesy:wiverne flicker's page

Thanks to the Donors

• Palalan Elementary School is located in Tablon, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines.
• The school Population: 155 elementary pupils and 22 in kindergarten
• Headed by the School Principal: Mr. Joel Lariba

during the distribution of flipflops

Above photo: The kids who needed to have a new pair of slippers.

Bottom Picture: The worn out slippers that the pupils used.
These are the people who donated a small amount to make this humble project come to reality:

1. Theresa Stuart of USA
2. Ronald Saunders of USA
3. Rose Buenconsejo of Cebu City, Philippines
4. Adi Adriyani of Indonesia
5. UMMA of USA
6. Yena Eras of Metro Manila, Philippines

Photovoltaic Power Plant

Last 2005, I took a Teacher Training Program in Elementary Science sponsored by Department of Science and Technology and Department of Education, Culture and Sports. Part of the field trip that was so memorable for me was our visit to PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER PLANT in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines.

PHOTO COURTESY FROM cepalco.com.ph

the 1MWp polycrystalline silicon-based PV plant

Xavier Sports and Country Club

Are you planning to visit Cagayan de Oro City in the Philippines? One of the best places to stay is at Xavier Sports and Country Club. This place is just few minutes away from the airport. My husband and I love the accommodation and the privacy of Chalet. The air conditioned room is huge with refrigerator, mini bar, cable TV, hot and cold shower, telephone and high-speed Internet access. Our room has a terrace overlooking the back view of the property. I highly recommend this place. If you need a weekend of privacy, this is the best place for you. The city proper is about 15 minutes away but, one of the biggest malls in the city is just few blocks away. If you love shopping and dining, SM Mall is all you need. Chck out LimKetKai Mall also which is located in the city proper.

Xavier University: Ateneo de Cagayan

I would like to give credit to JUDAY , the source of these beautiful photos. Take a glimpse of my school in College. I miss this place. I stayed here for 5 years including my MA. This is the chapel. This is what it looks like at night during Christmas. It always had masses every 12 noon and 5:00 PM.This is part of the football ground with the benches surrounding the field. That is the Commerce and Canteen building (right).
The football ground , the end building is the Lucas Hall , far left building is the Loyola House, Jesuits live here. We used this ground during Physical Education time, we even played baseball and softball here.
This is the way going to Science Center Building. Right: Social Science....Left: the Chapel. This is the place where The Glee Club used to gather for a practice every night. Those low and colored white wooden "railings", we sat there and sing randomly while waiting for our beloved Professor Lino Y. Abrio. Those were the days, right Cookie and Dharlz?
The Chapel and the right building is the main library where I work as a student assistant for 5 years. Wanna tour the inside of where I work? Visit www. xu.edu.ph Enjoy.
This is the place where our Jesuit Priests lives, The Loyola House.
Pathway Exit ...
Commerce Building and Canteen
Left: Commerce Building and Canteen, then, Engineering Building (center of the pic) , CIT Building (far right). The building in between these two: German Doctor's College

Wanna see more? Visit the website www. xu.edu.ph and you can tour.