Fire destroys 400-year-old San Pedro Apóstol Church in Vinzons, Camarines Norte…

This is horrible. Just horrible… Somebody has to be held accountable in order for this not to happen again!

Fire destroys 400-year-old church in Bicol

December 26, 2012 9:27 a.m.

A fire believed caused by an electrical overload destroyed a 400-year-old church in Camarines Norte province before dawn Wednesday.

The fire destroyed the San Pedro Apóstol church in Vinzons town, according to a report by radio dzBB’s Bícol affiliate.Parish priest Fr. Francisco Regala Jr. said the fire occurred between 1 and 2 a.m., adding they were not able to save the church’s historical artifacts.An initial investigation showed the fire started at the convent library and spread to the other parts of the church.

The fire reached the second alarm before it was put out at 5:30 a.m. Arson investigators are verifying information the fire stemmed from an electrical overload.

The report said the church was built in 1611. — LBG, GMA News

Iglesia de San Pedro Apóstol, Vinzons, Camarines Norte (photo courtesy of Pinoy Adventurista).

Sayang at di co pa mandín naquita itó. At the very least, this sacred heritage site was able to celebrate its last Christmas…

Many churches all over the Philippines have experienced the same fate during the Spanish, US, and Japanese eras. Even in modern times, accidental fires happen. But this is the first time that I’ve heard a heritage site to be gutted down by fire in modern times. Reckless, indeed.

Here in La Laguna province where I live, the churches of Biñán, Los Baños, and Liliw suffered the same tragedy. Nevertheless, they were able to rise from the ashes. Among the three mentioned, Liliw is a fine example. It was gutted down during the Tagalog rebellion sometime in 1898. It was reconstructed and was able to revive its Filhispanic architecture.

I pray that the San Pedro Apóstol Church in Vinzons, Camarines Norte would be able to revive its Baroque-style architecture soon. And in the new historical marker, they may add 26 December 2012 as an infamous date in the church’s four-century existence.

I wonder if this accident also happens in heritage sites abroad.

Around 80% of Metro Manila and surrounding provinces are submerged in floodwaters!

Quick report

No, there is no typhoon taking place. But nonstop monsoon rains left 80 percent of Metro Manila flooded on Tuesday (7^th of August) forced hundreds of thousands to escape out of their inundated homes, sparking traumatic recollections of the calamitous tropical storm “Ondoy” three years ago. Last night, Malacañang Palace suspended classes in Metro Manila and the nine provinces surrounding it.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa issued Memorandum Circular No. 34, ordering the suspension of classes Thursday at all levels, including postgraduate courses, in Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataán, Pampanga, Pangasinán, Tárlac, Bulacán, La Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal.

Actually, it has been raining for more than a week, even before typhoon Gener struck. The flash floods began gradually on Monday and severely swelled last Tuesday. Many places are in a state of calamity, especially communities along the Mariquina River and Laguna de Bay. Before last night’s memorandum, Malacañang Palace also issued a directive canceling work in both government and private offices. Even call centers/BPOs were not excluded from this, prompting the Business Processing Association of the Philippines to appeal; this is because this industry caters to international clients.

Now the sun is finally up, but barely. And the floods don’t mitigate that fast. And think of the countless families who were rendered homeless. Please, let us not allow ourselves to be mere spectators of this tragedy. We are all part of this…

How to help? Please click HERE and HERE.

We can all get through this together. That is the FILIPINO spirit. Dapat sama-sama sa hirap at guinhawa.

*******

Special thanks to my cousin, DJ Jam Alas of Magic 89.9, for the info on how to help the flood victims.

The North American Invasion of the Philippines Continues

Below is a grueling exposé of how the evil US military forces have once again occupied our nation.

THE NORTH AMERICAN INVASION OF THE PHILIPPINES CONTINUES

José Miguel García

From identifying ourselves with our nation in the 1900s when we were a newly born nation, we had reverted back to identifying ourselves with only ourselves, our family, or our clan just like when we were not yet a nation before the 1600s. An indication of how we identified ourselves with our nation was demonstrated in a letter by Ellis G. Davis, Company A, 20th Kansas about us in the 1900s: “They will never surrender until their whole race is exterminated. They are fighting for a good cause, and the Americans should be the last of all nations to transgress upon such rights. Their independence is dearer to them than life…”¹

Today, the North Americans of the United States continue to violate our nationhood. The difference is that today, we Filipinos continue to defend their violation.

In the 1960s, the United States of the North Americans provided landing facilities inside their base here in the Philippines to the Air Force of Great Britain during our conflict against the latter over the Sabah territorial dispute.²

There is now a US military base inside the camp of the AFP Western Mindanáo Command yet the AFP has no control over it. Filipino soldiers among us do not have access inside without permit from the US occupational forces. As of this day, we have no control of foreigners like the North Americans of the United States on what they do in our own country. The senate rejection of the US bases in the Philippines in 1991 is only true within our minds. But they are not true beyond our minds.³

On July 2002, a Filipino among us, Buyong-buyong Isnijal was shot by US Sgt. Reggie Lane in Tuburan, Basilan.⁴ In November 30, 2007, North American occupational forces led by a certain Master Sgt. Ronburg ordered the staff of the Panamáo District Hospital in Panamáo, Sulú to shut down operations after sundown, threatening to shoot us if they did not follow his orders. Filipino military officers among us were impotent in leading our forces to defend us Filipinos in that part of the country against such violation of our nationhood. This deprived 40,000 among us Filipinos of that area, of medical care every night for around one month.⁵ The commission on human rights and the Sulú Desk reported on the involvement of US troops in the wanton carnage and absolute mayhem of nine filipinos which included a Philippine Army soldier on vacation, a pregnant woman, a four-year-old, and a nine-year-old in Ipil, Maimbung, Sulú on February 4, 2008. The provincial governor denounced this atrocity.^6,7,8

A certain Filipino military official of Western Mindanáo Command admitted that he disapproves the practice of higher-ranking Filipino officials among us saluting lower ranking US troops or acting as bodyguards for them.⁹ Another Filipino official among us, Philipine Navy Lt. Nancy Gadián also told the media that US troops behavior towards Filipino soldiers even of higher rank is that of a human master towards a dog.¹⁰

Under these circumstances is the official mission of the US military in the Philippines today: to train us Filipino soldiers hardened for decades of combat against terrorists in a jungle, in a hot and humid tropical environment, home-ground of the latter who have also been veterans as well as slippery in-fighting and, most notably, have been products of CIA-directed: recruitment; training; funding, and; combat experience in engaging Soviet paratroopers in the deserts and mountains of Afghanistan during the US-caused Afghan-Soviet War.^11,12 What combat skills, techniques, and tactics will the US soldiers with less experience in these types of combat and terrain than we have as we have been directly involved with for decades, can they teach us?^13,14

In Vietnam, they lost. In Afghanistan, they were never generally engaged in the daily face to face battles in every corner of the local terrain.¹⁵ In Iraq, they engaged their enemies with heavy reliance on massive technology and firepower only after they have softened defenders in their homegrounds after they have intervened in the domestic social affairs processes. Aside from local insurgents with which their original motive they corrupted, the US also transmitted local insurgent looking foreigners to increase the strength of the local insurgents. It is these insurgents who were generally engaged in the daily face-to-face battles in every corner of the physical and social terrain with the enemies of the United States of the North Americans. What they achieved in the Middle East was that they were able to destroy their supposedly military enemies only after they have destroyed the whole of the nation of their enemies. It is this whole nation who happened to be the collateral damage — a term they very often used conveniently. Therefore, it is not so much the combat techniques and tactics that they can teach us. Rather, it is their brand of military strategy —the whole of the subject nation being destroyed in order to destroy the subject enemy— that they can teach. The Abu Sayyaf issue is just one of the results of the CIA creation of religious fighters from Muslim regions including Mindanáo to fight a proxy war against the Soviets in Afghanistan. Based on US media reports themselves, Abu Sayyaf has a relationship with Al Qaeda which the US created to fight a proxy war in Afghanistan.^{16,17,18,19,20,21,22}

A brother filipino, Gregan Cardeño, was recruited as a security guard with Skylink Security and General Services, an agency based in Zamboanga City and a subcontractor of DynCorp International, a contractor of the US military. On January 30, 2010, he signed a contract with the agency to work as a security guard for the American military personnel assigned to the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P) in Maguindanáo. However, on February 1, 2010, Gregan was brought to the JSOTF-P military barracks of the North American of the United States occupying the Philippine Army’s 103^rd Battalion Headquarters in Camp Ranao, Marawi City, to work not as a security guard but as an “interpreter” for the US troops. On February 3, 2010, inside the US facility in Marawi City, Gregan was reported to have died. The local police, headed by one SPO3 Ali Rangiris, told Carivel, the sister of Gregan, that when he arrived at the scene of the incident, he found the body of Gregan on the floor and the area already “contaminated.” Filipino investigators have been blocked by the North Americans of the United States occupational forces in Mindanáo to conduct investigation inside their facility. Captain Javier Ignacio of the Western Mindanáo Command helped the family of Cardeño in the investigation. On March 25, 2010, Capt. Ignacio was gunned down by unknown motorcycle-riding gunmen in March just before he was about to execute an affidavit regarding his knowledge about the circumstances of the death.²³ A Filipina was gang-raped by members of the United States Marine Corps in Subic in 2005. The case however was dismissed inspite of the overwhelming evidences.²⁴ Another Filipina whose name was hidden was raped by a North American in Macati City in April 2009. But due to fear of ending up like another case of Nicole, she did not charge her rapist in court.²⁵

Are we already independent? Except for Carlos García, we never had any president who could not be controlled by the United States of North America and stay long as president.²⁶ All these presidents are products of US-tampered development of our educational system. The guns are the tools of the North Americans to destroy our defenses and control our archipelago. The English language is the tool of the North Americans to destroy our identity and control our minds.²⁷

This US control of our national developmental code is the cause of why despite of our Asian neighbors having already overtaken us in defense status today, despite of our having had an excellent defense system in 1898 up to the early 1900s, having been able to militarily maneuver for years against being caught, locked, and controlled by the world power US aggressor forces until they resorted to massive kidnapping and extermination of the civilians among us, and despite of decades of US pumping of military aid, training, guidance, and tutelage to us, we are still dependent on US and impotent in defending our nation against foreign invaders today.

Have we not been an invaded territory by the United States of the North Americans until today?

*******

ENDNOTES

1. Kipling, R. Letters from the Front: An Insight into the Filipino-American War
2. Vizmanos, D. 2002. Rejoinder to Pro-Balikatan Arguments. Bulatlat, Vol.2, Number 7. http://www.bulatlat.com/news/2-7/2-7-reader-vizmanos2.html
3. Citizens Peace Watch. 2008. Report of the Fact-Finding Mission to Zamboanga City and Sulu, pp. 3-6, 64. Quezon City.http://www.focusweb.org/philippines/docs/CPWReport.pdf
4. Conde, C. 2002. Terrified Basilan Woman Swears U.S. Soldier Shot Her Husband. Bulatlat.com. http://bulatlat.com/news/2-25/2-25-basilan.html
5. Alipala, J. 2007. Talks of U.S. Interventions Prompts Sulu Meetings. Philippine Daily Inquirer.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20071231-109541/Talk_of_US_intervention_prompts_Sulu_meetings
6. Citizens Peace Watch. 2008. Report of the Fact-Finding Mission to Zamboanga City and Sulu, pp. 6-9, 64. Quezon City.http://www.focusweb.org/philippines/docs/CPWReport.pdf
7. Alipala, J. 2008. Sulu ‘Massacre’ Survivor Claims Seeing U.S. Soldiers. Mindanao Bureau.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20080207-117398/Sulu-massacre-survivor-claims-seeing-US-soldiers
8. Watson, P. 2008. U.S. role in Philippine raid questioned, Los Angeles Times.
9. Citizens Peace Watch. 2008. Report of the Fact-Finding Mission to Zamboanga City and Sulu, p. 10. Quezon City.http://www.focusweb.org/philippines/docs/CPWReport.pdf
10. Calonzo, A. 2009. U.S. Troops Joined Combat In Mindanao, Says Navy Wistleblower. GMANews.TV.http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/170796/news/nation/us-troops-joined-combat-in-mindanao-says-navy-whistleblower
11. Chossudovsky, M. 2002. The Nobel War Prize.http://globalresearch.ca/articles/CHO210B.html
12. Bengwayan, M. 2002. US Forces in the Philippines Facing CIA-Trained Abu Sayyaf Terrorists.http://www.officialconfusion.com/oldsite/terrorfiles/phillipines/abusayyaf.html
13. Citizens Peace Watch. 2008. Report of the Fact-Finding Mission to Zamboanga City and Sulu, p. 10. Quezon City.http://www.focusweb.org/philippines/docs/CPWReport.pdf
14. Vizmanos, D. 2002. Rejoinder to Pro-Balikatan Arguments. Bulatlat, Vol.2, Number 7. http://www.bulatlat.com/news/2-7/2-7-reader-vizmanos2.html
15. Blum, W. Afghanistan- 1979-1992: America’s Jihad. U.S. Military & CIA Interventions Since World War II. http://killinghope.org/
16. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dqn0bm4E9yw
17. http://www.yonip.com/main/articles/intervention.html, International Solidarity Mission, Statement of the, “Against U. S. Armed Intervention in the Philippines July 24-31, 2002,”
18. http://www.yonip.com/main/articles/philippines.html, A six-part series The United States in the Philippines: post-9/11 imperatives, By Larry Chin
19. James M, & Cooley J. 2001. The Abu Sayyaf-Al Qaeda Connection. ABC News. pp. 1-2. http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=79205&page=1#.T8i4KajLb-s
20. Chin, L. 2001. The Abu Sayyaf. The United States in the Philipines: Post 9/11 imperatives, Part 6, Yonip Library Section – Visiting Forces Agreement and Balikatan Exercises.
21. Santuario, E III. 2007. Abu Sayyaf: The CIA’s Monster Gone Berserk. Constantine Report. http://www.constantinereport.com/allposts/abu-sayyaf-the-cia%E2%80%99s-monster-gone-berserk/
22. Cooley, J. 1999. Unholy Wars: Afghanistan, America, and International Terrorism. Pluto Press, 345 Archway Road, London N6 5AA and 22883 Quicksilver Drive, Sterling, VA 20166-2012, USA
23. Zarate, C. I. 2012. Gregan. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Chino Roces Avenue corner Yague and Mascardo Streets, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines. http://opinion.inquirer.net/27799/gregan
24. Rodis, R. 2009. The Subic Rape Case. Inquirer.net.http://www.inquirer.net/specialreports/subicrapecase/view.php?db=1&article=20090509-203985
25. Olea, R. 2009. Another ‘Nicole’: Filipina Accuses US Marine of Rape; Case Heightens Junk-VFA Call. Bulatlat.com.http://bulatlat.com/main/2009/05/14/another-%E2%80%98nicole%E2%80%99-filipina-accuses-us-marine-of-rape/
26. Carlos P. García. Wikipedia.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_P._Garcia
27. http://thefilipinomind.blogspot.com/2006/03/making-of-americanized-filipino-minds.html

Decline in morals

We have, in fact, two kinds of morality side by side; one which we preach but do not practice, and another which we practice but seldom preach.
—Bertrand Russell—

Last October, the whole world was shocked when a surveillance video in Foshan, China caught a van recklessly and mercilessly running over a two-year-old girl. And for a harrowing ten minutes or so, several passersby didn’t bother to help the severely injured toddler. She died in a hospital a few days later.

A few days before the above incident, Apple Inc. co-founder and chairman Steve Jobs passed away after a long bout with pancreatic cancer. The internet community all over the world wept and heaped tons of praise and eulogy to this pioneer of the personal computer revolution. Many of these people didn’t even know who he really was until after he died. But for many, many years, the whole world has been cognizant of the famine and hunger that is going on for decades in various parts of the African continent.

On 29 October 2011, local Philippine showbiz was rattled with the murder of young character actor Ram Revilla. What made this more sensational was that Ram was no ordinary actor — he was the son of former Senator Ramón Revilla, himself a legend in Philippine Cinema. Ram is also the half-brother of current Senator Ramón “Bong” Revilla, Jr. But what shocked the nation even more was when the motive behind the killings was exposed: Ram was killed because of sibling rivalry. Results of the investigation revealed that at least three of Ram’s siblings (RJ, Ramona, and Gail) were involved. And all this bloodbath because they were fighting over the monthly allowance they were receiving from their ailing father.

Ram and his siblings RJ and Ramona. Both his siblings were accused of masterminding his murder.

The police were adamant and mighty confident with the results of their investigation: Ram was indeed ordered to be killed by his siblings.

Two days later, international singing sensation Charice Pempengco’s father was stabbed to death in San Pedro, La Laguna. The YouTube sensation’s dad was estranged from her since she was three years old. She then went on to become one of the greatest singers discovered from the internet. But at the height of her fame, not once did she try to visit her dad. And just when the father died did she pay him a visit: but already a lifeless shell inside a coffin. She then went on to tell the local press how she loved her dad so much, singing here and there in every interview, hoping that her hymns would be heard by her dad. And last November, she paid the ultimate tribute to him in Mandalay Bay. For all intents and purposes, it was mere gimmick, perhaps wittingly or unwittingly from her part. But the result remains the same: to garner sympathy to add up to her stardom’s poignancy, reminiscent of many other attention-starved celebrities who came before her.

And speaking of celebrities, we have another revelation on moral issues, this time from the not-so-moral Mo Twister:

This confession (if true) reveals a dirty truth behind the local mass media and how they wants to portray their up-and-coming starlets: seductive yet virginal at all costs. And contractually, they should remain that way. Otherwise, their careers would have to join the breadlines. For Rhian Ramos’ part, as per Mo Twister, their baby’s life had to go to in exchange for the mother’s blossoming TV/film career.

In local politics, President Noynoy Aquino‘s relentless pursuit for his predecessor‘s alleged crimes as well as the current Supreme Court Justice’s “crown” is a classic example of misplaced priorities. Running after them for their past (and current) crimes is OK. But that shouldn’t be the number one priority, something that seems to be the obvious in the current administration’s activities. And so the million-dollar-question is: will this pursuit even uplift our economy?

In the video below, Noynoy made no qualms in attacking Supreme Court Justice Renato Corona for his being a midnight appointee (which is true anyway) as well as other iniquities done in collaboration with allies in the legislature. However, these attacks was not done in a proper forum.

Indeed, the other is thick-faced. But the other one is rude.

And do we even have to mention the rude one’s clamor for the passing of the RH Bill, the controversial bill that has divided our nation?

Finally, Lady Gaga’s music video, a post-apocalyptic orgy entitled “Judas” —released just in time for the Holy Week—, needs no further description:

The sacrilegious video, by the way, was directed by a self-professed “Christian”. And Lady Gaga fans all over the world even enjoyed this visual-aural “art” without minding the profanities nor the religious sensitivities of many people involved.

*******

These are but some of the moral issues that hit the headlines last year. We have asked for too much liberty. Now that we are enjoying an excess of liberalization, are the above examples the price that we have to pay?

What does 2012 has in store for us?

Nothing. It is us who fill up the events of an empty calendar year. Our destiny is ours to make. And it is up to us if we allow or disallow morality to guide our actions.

2011 Filipino Of The Year — The Filipino People!

For the second time, FILIPINO eSCRIBBLES and ALAS FILIPINAS have unanimously chosen the Filipino People to win the 2011 FILIPINO OF THE YEAR! The decision is very simple: because once again, the Filipino people has joined hands in helping out their fellow Filipinos in Northern Mindanáo (Cagayán de Oro and nearby towns such as Iligan) who were victimized by the flash floods caused by Typhoon Sendong (and deforestation) last December 16. Thousands of people lost their lives. Countless more lost their homes and properties. Northern Mindanáo was almost an apocalyptic scene right after the typhoon left. Hopelessness seemed to reign supreme.

But like what happened two years ago, almost the whole country immediately came to rescue their southern brothers through various donations online as well as online petitions and campaigns seeking for more assistance. This is a proud moment for the Filipino, known for its bayanihan spirit.

Nevertheless, more help is still needed. Northern Mindanáo is still reeling from the devastation of the flash floods. More help should pour in. Can we revive the region? Yes we can! And we are already working on it!

Please click here on how to help the typhoon/flash floods victims.

Congratulations to the Filipino people! May we all have a happy and prosperous new year!

*******

2010 FILIPINO OF THE YEAR
2009 FILIPINO OF THE YEAR

Batangas City’s basilica was vandalized on Christmas Day!

Last Sunday, Christmas Day, the parishioners of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Batangas City were shocked to find out that a seemingly crazed man, armed with a metal candlestick, attacked the altar and the image of the Santo Niño. Photos (with captions) of the carnage were immediately posted by Fr. Leonido C. Dolor, the basilica’s Director of the Archdiocesan Commission on Social Communication and Mass Media, on his Facebook page and has since become viral on the said social networking site.

As of this writing, the album already has 103 shares.

The description on Fr. Dolor’s album reads:

At around three in the afternoon, Christmas day itself, a man for reason not yet assessed, took hold of one of those big candelabras at the altar of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Batangas City and laid waste the marble altar (see photos) and then took a swing at the altar of Sto. Nino, breaking the glass panel and deforming the crown of the Child Jesus! Is this his way of saying “Happy birthday, Jesus?” He later fought the “tambays” outside the Basilica who tried to apprehend him.

This crime is a concern not only for the Catholic faithful of Batangas City and elsewhere but for heritage advocates and travelers/tourists as well. Whenever me and my wife visit an old town, we make it a point to stop by the town proper’s old church. And although no religious services were held during the times that we get to visit these churches, we almost always gain easy access to their interiors, including the bell towers. Many of these churches’ caretakers are hospitable and accommodating whenever we request entry for photograph sessions. But this crime which happened in Batangas City’s basilica last Sunday is not just a case of vandalism but can also be considered a security breach, thus it might set a precedent: future church visits might become a pain in the neck for tourists. Many churches might even have their doors locked after a Mass.

And to make matters worse, it coincided with the gruesome bombings of about five churches in faraway Nigeria.

Via Facebook, I inquired for more details from Fr. Dolor. He replied immediately, saying that the vandal had a “brief psychotic reaction due to deprivation of food and sleep”. It was later learned that this man walked all the way from Macati City to Batangas for five days without food nor sleep! Further inquiries also revealed that this man was a Pentecostal, but that he was “angry at God”; Fr. Dolor did not elaborate further. What is sad here is that one of the “tambays” (bystanders) who tried to apprehend him was injured during the commotion (he was hospitalized; please pray for him).

On a positive note, we should still be thankful that this crazed man was in no way a terrorist, and that the damage he had wrought upon the basilica’s altar was minimal compared to what had happened to those churches in Nigeria. But as mentioned above, this might set a precedent regarding security measures. There is no problem to that. The Catholic Church as well as all the other religious denominations should really plan more about this (especially during these days when not even banks are in danger of being attacked by mindless scum). But hopefully not to the detriment of a social-networking-starved and a digital-camera-wielding public. Why, even Fr. Dolor himself has a Facebook account.

Help Cagayán de Oro (YouTube)

More help is needed. Please.

*******

RELATED ARTICLES
Fifteen ways to help the victims of Typhoon Sendong.
More ways to help the victims of Typhoon Sendong.

More ways to help the victims of Typhoon Sendong

Here’s more info (from my cousin Jam) on how to send your donations to the victims of Typhoon Sendong:

Want to help but don’t know where to drop off your donations?
Here’s a list of places. ♥ Let’s all do our part this Christmas Season!
(If you know of more places, please don’t hesitate to comment.)

Places to Donate:
ORTIGAS: UA&P which is located at Pearl Drive, Ortigas and is accepting until today (Friday, 23rd).

KATIPUNAN/WHITE PLAINS/ VALLE VERDE Area: Corinthian Hills (North Hall) is accepting til the 27th.

MAKATI: Fiamma Fresh Fridays; “Clothing, canned goods, bottled water, or a suggested donation of P100 gets you in the door. 12/23/12 “

ALABANG & SOUTH Kids:
-CBTL Alabang Town Center is accepting donations TODAY.
-DSWD @ Alabang-Zapote Road, Alabang, Muntinlupà City 1770 Tel. No: (02) 807-4140. Fax No: (02) 807-1518.

QUEZON CITY:
-SAGIP KAPAMILYA ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. @Mother Ignacia cor. Eugenio Lopez St., Dilimán, Quezon City
-GMA Kapuso Foundation located @ 2nd floor, Kapuso Center, GMA 7, EDSA Dilimán, Quezon City

PÁSAY: DSWD’s National Resource Operations Center (NROC) 852-8081(24 hours),Chapel Road, Pásay City (back of Air Transportation Office).

MANILA: DSWD NCR @ San Rafaél St., Legarda, Manila

Fifteen ways to help the victims of Typhoon Sendong

Once more, it is time for Filipino netizens to unite in this time of crisis.

A few nights ago, Typhoon Sendong wreaked havoc in Northern Mindanáo. It brought so much destruction particularly in Cagayán de Oro and Iligan. Aside from the typhoon, a deadly mix of gigantic timbers/driftwood (swept by the rainwater from the nearby mountains due to illegal logging), high tide, and darkness (the tempest occurred during the night) contributed to the catastrophe that destroyed so many lives around the Río de Cagayán and elsewhere. As of this writing, the death toll has risen above 1,000. And it is feared to rise even more. The chaos caused by Typhoon Sendong proved to be more terrifying than Typhoon Ondoy.

Now it’s time to clean up. No political bickerings for now. This is the time that we all help our fellow Filipinos down south. We should not allow ourselves to be mere spectators of this tragedy, especially since Christmas is just around the corner. We are all part of this…

*******

Here are 15 Different ways you can help the Victims of Sendong:

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP:

A. VOLUNTEER

1. DSWD

Volunteers are needed at DSWD Cagayán de Oro ( located at Masterson Road, Upper Carmen) to repack and deliver relief goods. Contact number: 09066150095.

B. DONATE (Old clothes, Blankets & Towels. Toiletries, Water, Canned Goods, Or Money)

2. Iligan City Government
Please address all monetary donations to:
Account Name: City Treasurer’s Office Iligan City
Trust Fund # 0820-016201-030
Bank Name: DBP (Development Bank of the Philippines), Iligan City

3. ROCK ED ILIGAN.
Running a soup kitchen in Iligan now. Donate any amount so they can continue to serve hot meals for homeless families in the neighborhood to BPI Loyola 3080.0073.44. Tweet @rockedradio for help

4. UA&P Student Executive Board-H.O.P.E.S. and Serve Life CDO, Inc.
Ready to accept donations for the flood victims of Cagayán de Oro / Misamis Oriental / Iligan. You may deposit thru Banco de Oro, CDO-Cogon Branch Acct#: 001918010567 (Acct Name: Serve Life CDO Inc). God bless you for your kindness! Please pass!

5. ABOITIZ/NEGROS NAVIGATION

Emergency/Relief goods and equipment bound for Cagayán de Oro/Iligan- we have ships ready to transport them asap. For bulk items, bring directly to Abotiz/Negros Navigation, Pier 2, Manila. Call +63 2 211 5484 for more information.

6. Xavier University, Cagayán de Oro
Needs donations in CASH, FOOD (noodles, canned goods, etc.), BOTTLED WATER, and CLEAN CLOTHES. Details here: http://www.xu.edu.ph/index.php/other-news/642-bagyong-sendong-relief-operations-in-xavier-university/

7. Iligan Bloggers Society
Cash donations, canned goods, noodles, bath and laundry soaps, toothpaste, rice, used clothings, slippers will be very much appreciated. Details here: http://iliganbloggers.com/food/one-for-iligan-help-the-typhoon-sendong-victims/

8. ABS-CBN SAGIP KAPAMILYA. Donations accepted in cash and in kind.

-> Peso Account

Account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.-Sagip Kapamilya
Account Number: 39301-14199
Swift Code: BNORPHMM

-> BDO Dollar Account

Account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.-Sagip Kapamilya
Account Number: 39300-81622
Swift Code: BNORPHMM

-> PNB Peso Account

Account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.-Sagip Kapamilya
Account Number: 419-539-5000-13
Swift Code: PNBMPHMM

-> BPI Peso Account

Account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.-Sagip Kapamilya
Account Number: 3051-1127-75
Branch: West Triangle, Quezon City
Swift Code: BOPIPHMM

->BPI Dollar Account

Account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.-Sagip Kapamilya
Account Number: 3054-0270-35
Branch: West Triangle, Quezon City
Swift Code: BOPIPHMM

In Kind – SAGIP KAPAMILYA
ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.
Mother Ignacia cor. Eugenio Lopez St.
Diliman, Quezon City
*You may send rice, canned gods, noodles, biscuits, coffee, sugar, clothes, blankets, mats, medicines

9. GMA KAPUSO FOUNDATION

You may go to GMA Kapuso Foundation, 2nd floor, Kapuso Center, GMA 7, EDSA Diliman, Quezon City or call 9284299/9289351.

-> via METROBANK

Peso Savings

Account Name: GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number: 3-098-51034-7

Dollar Savings

Account Name:GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number:2-098-00244-2
Code: MBTC PH MM

-> via UNITED COCONUT PLANTERS BANK (UCPB)

Peso Savings

Account Name: GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number:115-184777-2 or 160-111277-7

Dollar Savings

Account Name: GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number: 01-115-301177-9 or 01-160-300427-6

10. Cebuana Lhuillier Pawnshops Nationwide.

For your donations to be properly acknowledged, please fax the bank transaction slip at nos. +63.2.527.0575 or +63.2.404.0979 with your name, address and contact number.

11. Globe G-Cash.

Text DONATE(space)AMOUNT(space)MPIN(space)SLB and send to 2882

12. GAWAD KALINGA
Please address donations in kind to:

CAGAYÁN DE ORO :
Corpus Christi School, Tomasaco Street, Cagayán de Oro
Contact Harvey Maraguinot : 0917-8888427

ILIGAN :
GK Missionville, Purok 3, Canaway, Tibanga, Iligan City
Contact Judi Bentoy : 09178888745

DUMAGUETE/BACOLOD :
Contact Binsoi Rivera : 09175007092
Silliman University, Dumaguete City
St. Scholastica Academy Gym, La Salle Avenue, Bacolod

Donations Through Bank Deposit
Gawad Kalinga Philippine Peso Current Account
# 3101 0977 56 BPI EDSA Greenhills

Gawad Kalinga US$ Savings Account
# 3104 0162 34 BPI EDSA Greenhills

Swift code: BOPIPHMM

13. LBC Express

Now accepts donations for typhoon Sendong victims. You may drop off your donations in any LBC Express branch. To All Pinoys in Singapore you can drop your donations at LBC AirCargo #04-077 Lucky Plaza, Orchard Rd.

14. DSWD

Donations can be sent to: National Resource Operations Center (NROC) 852-8081(24 hours),Chapel Road, Pásay City (back of Air Transportation Office).

Donations can also be brought at all DSWD Field Offices. For DSWD NCR: San Rafael St., Legarda, Manila

Those living near the South: DSWD FO IV-A:Alabang-Zapote Road, Alabang, Muntinlupà City 1770 Tel. No: (02) 807-4140Fax No: (02) 807-1518.

15. PHILIPPINE RED CROSS
-> Through Mobile
-Globe. Text RED to 2899. You may transfer P5, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500
-Smart. Text RED to 4143. Valid donation amounts 10, 25, 50, 100

-> In-Kind Donation

Local

Please send in-kind local donations to Philippine Red Cross – National Headquarters in Manila. We could also arrange for donation pick-up

International

Step 1. Send a letter of intent to donate to the PRC.

Step 2. A letter of acceptance from PRC shall be sent back to the donor.

Step 3. Immediately after shipping the goods, please send the (a) original Deed of Donation, (b) copy of packing list and (c) original Airway Bill for air shipments or Bill of Lading for sea shipments to Philippine Red Cross – National Headquarters c/o Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang, Bonifacio Drive, Port Area, Manila 1018, Philippines.

The PRC does not accept rotten, damaged, expired or decayed goods. Though we appreciate your generosity, PRC also discourages donations of old clothes as we have more than enough to go around.

->Through Cebuana Lhuillier

We can now accept donations in any of the 1,500 Cebuana Lhuillier pawnshops nationwide.

For your donations to be properly acknowledged, please fax the bank transaction slip at nos. +63.2.527.0575 or +63.2.404.0979 with your name, address and contact number.

-> Bank accounts for Donations

Banco De Oro
Peso: 00-453-0018647
Dollar: 10-453-0039482

Bank of the Philippine Islands
Peso: 4991-0036-52
Dollar: 004994-0103-15

Metrobank
Peso: 151-3-041631228
Dollar: 151-2-15100218-2

Philippine National Bank
Peso: 3752 8350 0034
Dollar: 3752 8350 0042

Unionbank of the Philippines
Peso: 1015 4000 0201
Dollar: 1315 4000 0090

All Check/Cash for the account of Philippine Red Cross (Swift Codes):

Banco De Oro – BNORPHMM
Bank of the Philippine Islands – BOPIPHMM
Metrobank – MBTCPHMM
Philippine National Bank – PNBMPHMM
Unionbank of the Philippines – UNPHPHMM

-> For Online Donations:

Please fill up the form at http://www.redcross.org.ph/donate
Payment method: Credit Card, Online Banking, Megalink
Accepts: GreenPeso, PayPal, Bancnet, and GCash

*******

Special thanks to my cousin Jam Alas for the above info. I’m proud of you for doing this!

Farewell, Ate Mayén

Marién Gómez de Lizares (1968-2011).

The angels in heaven will soon be dancing flamenco. And Marién Gómez de Lizares will be their maestra.

Last night, my dear friend and mentor Señor Guillermo Gómez‘s única hija passed away last night (7:00 PM). She is survived by her husband Paul Lizares, their children (Iñigo, Saulo, and Inés), her brother (Guillermo Gómez y Ordóñez) and sister-in-law, nieces and nephew, and her parents.

I used to see her in my younger years while visiting her dad in Macati. There I watch both father and daughter perform powerful and captivating flamenco performances together with their friends and Japanese students. I will never forget her rendition of the Spanish dance Celos del Viento. It was such a spectacle to see, and it displayed the strength and color of her femininity and grace. And at the end of the dance, she twirled like a tornado without losing the gracefulness of a true performance artist.

Her life was a life of music and dance. Under her illustrious father, Ate Mayén started dancing at a very young age (four years old). Later on, she studied overseas (California, USA) under the tutelage of Maestro Rubén Nieto and acclaimed dancer/choreographer Linda Vega. She then studied ballet at the age of six. This performance dance became a passion of hers which she pursued at the age of thirteen.

She then took up advanced courses at the Academy of the Performing Arts under Alice Parham Juico and Sony López Gonzales. She also studied at the Manila Metropolis Ballet under renowned dance masters Eduardo Mendoza (popularly known as Eddie Elejar) and the late Antonio “Tony” Fabella. She finally became the principal dancer of that group. Her Jazz mentors were Marissa Aboitiz and Douglas Nieras.

Years later, she relocated to Bacólod, Negros Occidental to start a family with Paul Lizares (who is from one of the most illustrious families in the said province) where she worked as a dance instructress at Power Dance Fitness & Dance Studio. She occasionally visited her father in Macati to perform with the latter’s dance group and to assist him with his flamenco students. She also taught jazz, flamenco, and yoga at Lydia Gaston’s School of Dance (also in Bacólod).

Many see her as Don Guimo’s likely successor in the field of Flamenco Filipino. Unfortunately, to borrow from Alanis Morissette, life has a funny way of sneaking up on you when you think everything’s okay and everything’s going right. A few years ago, she was diagnosed with brain cancer, the cause of her passing…

This is a sad moment for Don Guimò. And since his loss is my loss, it is a sad moment for me as well. This is also a sad moment for Philippine Dance. Flamenco Filipino has just lost an icon.

Descanse en paz, Ate Mayén. Vaya con Dios…