The Terrors of Sendong in Iligan City

“The LOVE in your heart wasn’t put there to stay---Love isn’t LOVE till you give it away”

---Oscar Hammerstein---

Iligan Bloggers Society Inc., is planning to have our first Christmas Party Celebration which should happen on the 18^th. Throughout the week everyone was very busy looking for the gift for each of our manito and manita. I was not in my right mind the whole week though, because of what I had experienced.

Before I went to bed on the evening of December 16, 2011, I was with my classmates conducting a survey with regards to the perception of the people towards the Iligan Night Market at the Rizal Park, Iligan City. Despite the heavy rains, we successfully interviewed some people and had enough of it and decided to go home at around past ten in the evening---still the rain is pouring. My sister informed me through text instructing me not go home as the rain is so heavy and the wind is so strong. But since in the next morning we have plans with the other members of Iligan Bloggers Society Inc., to visit one Day Care Center and bring them some food and little gifts. I decided to go home---

When I arrived home my mother shouted not to let me go up in my room and told me to sleep on the ground floor fearing that there might be an accident while I am in the second floor in my room. But I did not listen to her. I was tired and sleepy. My bed is very wet, but I did not mind it. Since I lost my digital camera and the charger of my Samsung ST65 I gave Ms Xy-za President of Iligan Bloggers Society Inc., some amount to buy since she is going to CDO that day. 

While she is still in the bus, we were very happy exchanging text messages that she was able to buy the book “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” as this is intended for Ms. Lisa Marie Mirasol’s manito Gwapito. As I was so tired that day and thinking the activity the next morning, I went to sleep with the thought in my head that “if our house gets blown away, fine!  I just hope I will not be hurt,” or wherever the house will land I just hope I won’t get hurt as I cover one pillow in my head, one pillow both of my side and one that I hugged so tightly and then I went to a deep sleep.” Before I went to a deep sleep here is a text message that I received from Xyza:

“Just arrive home safe. Keep safe everyone, there are so many trees fallen here in our street, whew, and it’s black out also. Lord Bless Us All.”

But since, I was texting her that I am so scared as our house keeps on shaking and the roof is tilting, here is what she replied,

“Alex stay at the ground-floor of your house, keep safe since you are at the hill, let’s just pray that this will get done.”

Then, I received information that our plan to visit a Kinder Garten School was cancelled and it should be pushed through when there is no more rain.

Nobody knows that the next morning, December 17, 2011, many lives have change dramatically. I don’t have any ideas that while I am in a deep sleep, many of my fellow Iliganons struggled to survive and cling for life that sadly many of them did not made it and have perished.

Upon realizing this, my tears fell as I started seeing photos of my fellow Iliganon and dead people from Cagayan de Oro city. It really broke my heart. Especially, that I could no longer reach Xy-za as I just found out that Barangay Lamabagohon is one of the badly hit by the flash floods. Imagination is killing me that moment.

Fleire Castro, one of the founders of Iligan Bloggers Society and Lisa Marie Mirasol, the Web Content Manager of Iligan Bloggers Society Inc., was online at that time. It was just the three of us who are online at that time. I received a text message from Lovette Jam Jacosalem another founder of Iligan Bloggers Society Inc., and daughter of the proprietor of Jacko’s Kan-anan, informing me that Jacko’s Kan-anan along Barangay Hinaplanon is gone. Jacko’s Kan-anan served as our meeting place---Iligan Bloggers Society Inc., temporary Head Quarter. 


I am glad to tell you that our president Xy-za O. Yape and her family survived the flash floods and now they are recovering from the trauma and whatever losses they had from Sendongs wrath. 

"Xy-za O. Yape, got bruised and cuts but alive and kicking :)"

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When Bad Karma Strikes| Surprise!

In normal days, when I wake up in the morning I used to open my computer and write anything that comes into my mind and published it. But lately things are not as smooth as it used to be. Why? Read this...


I had this friend when I was in a boarding house who celebrated her birthday on the 14^th. With the hope of surprising her, along with other friends we prepared something for her. We bought an ice cream, chocolate cake and we even prepare a mango float. When everything is set and ready, we went down into her room and started singing “Angels Brought Me Here” outside her door also called “Manyanita”. I was really surprised as I realized that I was the only one singing very loud, while some of my friends were just smiling though there is some also who sang the song with me but with hesitation. But since, I started it all I went through it---though the lyrics is fleeting in my tongue realizing how awkward it is---singing at 3 o’clock in the morning and my voice was really loud. When the birthday celebrant opens the door everything became different then. There were instances where we became so mellow dramatic as we utter messages to the celebrant, while most of the time the experience was very exciting and funny as we joke around and remember the moments when I used to stay at the same room and apartment.

Who would have thought that bad fate will plague me that night? Apparently, after the celebration we went up to the room where I planned to sleep that night only to find out that my bag containing my wallet, money, ATM card, cash card, Phil-health, Philippine Postal , Alumni ID, digital cam and chargers, eyeglass, newly bought mouse pad, school ID, flash drive, T-shirt, and everything inside my bag has gone forever. 


My God! I was so shocked that it lead me walk like a zombie the entire day. It was really frustrating and disappointing--- I lost everything except the phone (its my mother's) that I brought with me and my new Samsung ST65 which is a gift from a very good friend and the cash which is left after I bought the ice cream for the birthday celebration. Yeah I have my new digital cam, but how can I use it when the charger is left along with my bag which is stolen? Apparently---after the planned surprise for the birthday celebrant got successful, I got the return karma right away?

Life since that day changed! What I am glad about it is that I did know who my true friends are. It’s really good to know that I may have friends before that I lost, but I gained few new ones. Yeah because of these few friends I made it through that sad and trying experience. 

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One For Iligan|Purok 9-A Bayug and Kabugason|Hinaplanon|Iligan City

On December 22, 2011, I received an email from Hermilito Go with this message:

Calling all foundations, government or NGOs, friends and to those people who have giving heart. It's been been almost a week, pero wala pajuy naka-anhe dire nga support sa among area. Please lahos pud mo dire sa PUROK 9-A BAYUG. Luoy na kaayo mi dire specially ang mga bata. No FOOD, WATER, CLOTHES, MEDICINE. Please contact me through my cel# 09267543794 if ever maka-anhe mo para matipok namo ang mga residence sa amo court. The place is PUROK 9-A BAYUG, SALDIA BASKETBALL COURT. Salamat jud kau.

Upon reading this message I directly dial my phone to verify the said information, but I cannot get through so I sent a message to the number given above to contact me through text message or a call. Then my phone rang and I talked to John Roger Saldia.

Saldia confirmed the information, and told me that there was this group who promise them a relief operation that day but never arrived.  People at their place are hungry and wounded. They need food, clothing and medicines. He further added, that in their Purok alone there were more or less 400 people in estimate count, but as neighboring purok heard that a group of people are visiting their place to give relief goods they reached the total head count of 1, 397. 

During that day, the One for Iligan volunteers are busy sorting, repacking and preparing for the relief goods that we received from Iliganon sa Manila Inc., 

After confirming this information I relay the information to the One for Iligan team that we have this needs. After the sorting and repacking we decided to promise to the group of Saldia to bring 600 number of relief goods, 600 pax of lunch with water and a group of nurse volunteers who serves as our first aiders. This is our total capacity of the day as we are lack of volunteers. 

With the hope of letting other institutions know about this information I reposted this in my facebook account and let others share it too when they come across to it, then my friends starts sharing it. Bravo! when we were at the location One for Iligan is truly ONE!!! not just just us and another one group went there to help but more groups went there yesterday---but to avoid politics I wont be naming them here in this article. I hope they wont mind about it---that is if their intentions is to help these victims of the flood.

Yesterday, I was so glad that we did not just successfully help Purok 9-A Bayug but another locality of Kabugason Hinaplanon. 

Can you see that brown line, which serves as a marking line showing how deep and how high the water during the flash floods.

Upon arriving the area, I was really teary eyed, while seeing the used to be a place of happy community ---which is now a already a devastated ruins. 

While handling food to the people who are obviously hungry---I cant help but appreciate optimistic smiles in their faces especially in their eyes. There are some of them who uttered "thank you, at least we are still alive" which made me happy---and believe that there is still hope for recovery.

But, when were going home I was sad to know that one resident will have to be brought to the hospital because first aid is not enough for the suffering she has been enduring since the Sendong flash floods. She was really bruised. When we are about to pass at the location where their house used to be standing, she cried into tears and said "I don't want to see my house, where only one post is left." 

Well obviously my tears fell down once again!

_____________________________________________________________________________

To those donors who did not even hesitate to share pledges through their Paypal donations and even those souls who handed down their donations to me, these is where your donations go. Its really a blessing to share what we have to our brothers and sisters who are now lowly. By the way, the help you can give is not limited to cash and paypal only. You can also share goods such as in can, rice and etc. Just be coordinated accordingly. Helping is still on-going. When will it ends? We don't know yet!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

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I Shout For! Enduring Solutions for the Flash Floods in Iligan City

Sendong was never the first nor the only typhoon who swept the residence of the just recently flooded Barangays of Iligan City---we all know that!

More obviously, these flooded Barangays of Iligan City are those that are located beside the rivers of Mandulog-Bayug and Tubod-Iligan River. 

Now, what I have in mind to stop and even solve this problem that we are facing is the RELOCATION of these people to safer places. No matter how much rain and how strong the flood that will pass these two giant rivers of Iligan No LIFE will be lost if there are no people that are living along the river banks. Government spends billions of pesos to aide these victims and yet they still return in this river banks once there is no flood then. So when the time that a flood will come destroy them, they cry for help. I am not saying that helping them is bad, but for heavens sake! Life is too precious to let them die and buried in the mud over and over again so long that there is typhoon that passes our own city. 

I strongly believe that to achieve a "zero casualty" the government should transfer these people to somewhere safe and not beside any river. 

Message to the Victims of the Flash Floods

1. To the victims of the flash floods, if you don't want this tragedy to happen to you again, "Please do not say "No" when a relocation is offered to you by the government."

2. Iliganons don't fret always. Lets help each other. In the past days, many have been shouting for more water, there...you are given more water.

3. Avoid the blame game. Listening to the radio is quite disappointing lately. Criticizing politicians and etc., which is not of use to the present situation we are faced of.

4. In God's grace we want to help you, please let us not hear words that make us down and make the few lowly. Nakakapanghina ng loob if you can hear victims complaining "ay naku damit lang at tubig ang binigay nakakasawa na." Hearing this words broke my heart and when you give them clothes "ay nakakuha talaga ako ng pambasahan" and judging from what I saw of what she is holding maganda pa sa suot ko ang hawak nya. People I knew in Facebook wants to help you and they didn't even ask for your "thank you". Of course not all victims fret, that is why every time someone say "thank you" made my tears fell and made me even more motivated to help more people.

I am sure if these people will remain at the flooded area, in several years from now this flood will come back and will washed them back and another casualty. Now if you don't want to die how the one thousand Iliganon died in the flash floods---vacate the place.

Message to the Government

1. Please offer a relocation site. Not just a relocation site, but a safer relocation site. I've heard some of the victims of the recent flood were from Tambacan and was relocated to Bayug. It is sad that they did not die while they are in Tambacan and yet they died when they are relocated in Bayug.

2. Implement the Total Log Ban, don't just say it! Do it! Been hearing this for so many years and yet illegal logging is still occurring. 

3. Please make our rivers safe by constructing control measures like strong and reliable rip-raps. Grow more trees. in the river banks please and please and please do studies to determine what species of trees to plant before planting them. If you don't know yet, any kind of trees don't just grow wherever it is planted. Trees grow and survived according to topography and kind of soil.

4. If there are these hard headed people who wants to stay and build a house in the flooded area, please strictly implement building codes for those places that are flooded. As I noticed houses that has strong foundations are left. No trees will be cut, if strict implementation of building codes are being done.

Feel free to suggest solutions for the flash floods problems in Iligan City and Philippines by commenting...

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ILIGAN CITY|FLOATING SURVIVORS OF SENDONG RESCUED|ILIGAN BAY

My tears fell down watching this video of the actual rescue operation with the victims of typhoon Sendong in Iligan Bay, Iligan City. Cannot contain the pain in my heart watching these young children who stayed very long in the water throughout the night the fact that they do not know how to swim.

I have this feeling that if these tragedy occurred to me, I would have died right away---It was good thing that these rescued individuals lived in Bayug Island, which is in the shore line of Iligan Bay. They were not hit by those huge logs.

I admire the humor that the rescuer cracked just to calm the victims. 

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ONE FOR ILIGAN|The Iligan Bloggers Society Inc., Donation Campaign for Typhoon Sendong Victims

To those asking ---?


1. How to donate via Paypal?
2. How to donate cash via a local bank?
3. How to send packages?
4. Where can I find drop off points from here in Cebu/Manila/Makati/Quezon?


ALL THE IMPORTANT DETAILS CLICK BELOW


ONE FOR ILIGAN

DISCALIMER: ONE FOR ILIGAN Campaign by Iligan Bloggers Society, Inc. is ONLY accepting donations thru PAYPAL (singcol.inquisitor@gmail.com), UNION BANK ACCOUNT (Revilla Carbonell - Noel), and personal delivery or hand-over.. Any money/cash transactions to other accounts goes through other volunteering groups/organizations not accounted for Iligan Bloggers Society, Inc.

I would like to make things straight to you ---the DONORS, that Iligan Bloggers Society Inc., initiates and run this campaign with a spirit of "Voluntarism" therefore we would like to make a statement that "we do not slash some part of the raised funds to fund our own food and fares---so far these were taken cared of by our own networks ----Transportation are taken cared of by Jacko's Kan-anan of the Jacosalem Family and Mr. Pat Noel---and so far meals are taken cared of by Jacko's Kan-anan and at times by our own individual money---"

I hope this will erase your doubts. So far we do not have overhead costs that is shouldered by the funds you donate to the OneForIligan Campaign. Smart is generous enough to provide us free communications since yesterday and I hope Globe will follow for the rest of the members of the working team who are using their network.

We are Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) registered!

On the other hand, as we were the one collecting your donations it is our sole responsibility to distribute them to the victims. We do not want to disappoint you in your wishes to help them. We will not be turning over the donations to any entity or body or organization as some detractors thought it to be.

"THE VICTIMS NEEDS YOUR PRAYERS, BUT BE SENSIBLE ENOUGH TO INCLUDE DONATIONS IN YOUR PRAYERS..."


Looking for lost family members during Sendong? Click here


THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! PLS. PASS!!!

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ILIGAN CITY EVACUATION CENTERS| AFFECTED BARANGGAY| FAMILY| SENDONG

AS OF DECEMBER 18, 2011 7PM

CSWD INCHARGE, MS PERLY MANTOS

NUMBER OF AFFECTED FAMILIES - 10,341.

DEPENDENTS - 45,821

CONFIRMED DEATH - 279
NUMBER OF DAMAGED HOUSE - 1635
PARTIALLY DAMAGE - 1652
LOST/MISSING INDIVIDUALS: 230

LIST OF EVACUATION CENTERS
1. Iligan City Central School,
2. tambacan barangay hall,
3. tubod mangga elementary sCHOOl.
4. Merila chapel,
5. pugaan barangay hall,
6. sta cruz elementary sCHOOl IN rogongon,
7. kabangahan elementary sCHOOl IN rogongon,
8. tibanga gym, msu iit,
9. san Lorenzo RUIZ pariSh church,
10. luinab elementary sCHOOl.
11. Madrasa evacuation center,
12. echaves elementary sCHOOl,
13. Franciscan seminary,
14. lady of fatima parish IN digkilaan

LIST OF AFFECTED BARANGAY

1. Mahayahay
2. tambacan
3. tubod,
4. tipanoy,
5. abuno,
6. palao,
7. ubaldo laya,
8. pugaan
9. ROgongon,
10. tibanga,
11. Santiago,
12. hinaplanon proper,
13. sta felomina,
14. luinab,
15. upper hinaplanOn,

16. san roque,
17. mandulog,
18. digkilaan,
19. mainit,
20. san Miguel,
21. villa verde,
22. bagong silang,
23. santo Rosario,
24. kalilangan,
25. panorogangan
26. bONBONON
27. DEL CARMEN
28. DULAG
29. HINDANG
30. LANIPAO

for list of confirmed deaths click here

FOR LIST OF MSU-IIT STAFF, FACULTY, STUDENT AND OFFICERS AFFECTED BY SENDONG CLICK HERE
FIND YOUR LOST LOVED-ONE'S DURING SENDONG CLICK  HERE
FOR AN UPDATED DISASTER REPORT OF FLASH-FLOODS IN ILIGAN CITY CLICK HERE

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Sendong's Effects in the Eyes of a Blogger

Photo: Lovette Jam Jacosalem

While conducting the OneForIligan campaign, I and the Iligan Bloggers Society Inc., conducted a visitation of the site to observe and share in part of what we have gathered. Yesterday, before visiting the San Lorenzo Parish Evacuation Center at Brgy Hinaplanon I attended the meeting at Iligan City Hall and learned some updates about the calamity that struck Iligan. The two bridges that connect Barangay Hinaplanon and Lambagohon and Sta Feliomena suffered a great loss. Rehabilitations will cost hundreds of millions. President Aquino is coming on Tuesday and Red Cross's Richard Gordon is said to arrived today, Monday to assess the situation. No more coffins for the dead people, and no more formaldehyde to preserve the dead victims of the flood. While passing through the city, not just once or twice that I saw police cars carrying dead people to funeral parlors.

Here is a video of the rescue and retrieval operations done by the authority.

Now what is the situation in the evacuation center?

San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish Evacuation Center

We went first to San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish to send in cartoons that can serve as mats for the displaced which came from Calda Pizza---in no minute all the cartoons are gone---too few for the many evacuees. Then we came back in less than an hour to send in 100 packs of foods from Jackos Kananan whic was also devastated. The owner just made use of their house at Luinab to cooked whatever left to share for the victims of the flood.

Basically what I saw when i visit the place is ruins! Muds are everywhere and water. Sad people, teary-eyed people. 

My city---Iligan City used to be like this. 

Now it looks like this!

With all the possible dead people which are until now are missing...I don't know how many...

On the other hand, the Iligan Bloggers Society Inc., are still continuously receiving your donations through this paypal account: fleiremae@yahoo.com. For more information, if you have some donations please just log on to www.iliganbloggers.com.

I will keep you posted with the development of the OneForIligan Campaign thru Twitter: @lexuzinquisitor
For donors list click here.
For list of the missing and dead victims of typhoon Sendong click HERE.

We need your prayers, but along with your prayers be sensible enough to include your donations. Thank You!!!

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ILIGAN CITY| Typhoon Sendong Killed Many Iliganon's

Photo: Mark Landicho

I am in much grief to tell everybody that a lot of Iliganon's lost their lives in the flash floods brought about by Typhoon Sendong. Last night, I arrived at home from conducting an interview with my fellow blogger www.traveljams.com and www.pinaytravelista.com and a classmate Shy at the Iligan City night market. There was strong winds and rain, but despite that I walk the streets following the trail with my brother Glen who met me at my sister's house. My younger sister sent me an sms telling me not to go home and just sleep wherever I can find a place to sleep with, but I went home despite the text warning. When I arrived home our house is shaking and the roofs are tilting, but with that, our house were able to stand still despite the rain water coming inside our house wetting my bed and myself while sleeping.

The night had past and there was no rain anymore when I woke up, but my emotions broke and tears fell upon knowing that many of my fellow Iliganon's lost their lives from flash floods that occur in Mandulog-Bayug River. www.traveljams.com had lost their restaurant business, and up to now my friend www.xy-zaspeaks.com the president of Iligan Bloggers Society Inc. cannot be contacted whom I know residing at Brgy. Lambagohon, Iligan City which is just beside the aforementioned river. As of writing this article there were forty (40) confirmed deaths and two hundred sixty (260) are missing.

Fleire Castro, one of the founder of Iligan Bloggers Society Inc., came up with this One For Iligan campaign using Paypal to donate cash donations of which I and Lisa Marie Mirasol http://www.pinaytravelista.com/ gladly agreed to cooperate with. So here it is...if you want to help just click it and you will be redirected to the instructions. This is the best gift you can extend to the typhoon affected areas of Iligan City. For more inquiries about this...Please do not hesitate to contact me...Help spread this blog article so that many people can extend their helps.

On the other hand, Iligan Bloggers Society, Inc., are also accepting in kind donations and the drop off center is at Calda Pizza, over at Pala-o, Iligan City. Please help spread this article.

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Delecta and Diner Cafe's|Baby Back Ribs

In my previous posts, I made mention about vising some restaurant in Iligan City and will try to give you a review. So, here is the first. Part of being clingy, I went out and walked through the streets of Iligan City with Lisa Marie Mirason|Pinay Travelista a few days ago. After getting tired, we found ourselves inside Delecta and Diner Cafe. I first visited this place during the MBS5 Tour with Mr. Alvin Gale Tan, Traveljams.com, Explore Iligan 9200, Gwapito.com and as usual PinayTravelista.com. We do not have the luxury of time to try their dishes at that time because we are set to tour Alvin around Iligan City. It was just in this event with Lisa Marie, that I had my first share of what Delecta and Diner Cafe has to offer to its patrons. 

Now, what makes it a good restaurant?

1. The Place. Look! this is how it looks inside the restaurant...Cozy right? and also clean! I really had enough fun with Pinay Travelista while having our early dinner. You know, conversations about life, while enjoying the food that we have in our table, but what most of our topic revolves around how can we eat all of the food that we ordered and are served to us. 

Second Floor of Delecta and Diner Cafe

2. The Service. As Pinay Travelista is a patronizer of the restaurant, we were given an excellent dining experienced. It was really fun how the waiter ask us, if we want an extra rice. Oh! they have unlimited rice! If you want to take the food out, you can have two cups of rice maximum with the dish you bought.

Ground Floor of Delecta and Diner Cafe

 3.The Food. As a first time diner, I did ask Pinay Travelista of what is the best in the house and according to her, I should try Baby Backs Ribs. Before I had my first bite of Delecta's bests, I choose to enjoy first the colorful and deliciously looking Garden Salad seasoned with vinaigrette. That was really a garden of colorful flavors!

 Actually, I ordered Baby Back Ribs! I've tasted Baby Back Ribs twice in another restaurant in Iligan City, but oh its too way far from Delecta's! If you are new and plan to dine out, I suggest you have to try this dish. I mean you really have to try it. Unlike other Baby Back Ribs recipes where in the middle of eating, you get to be feeling sick of the taste before you can have enough of it, Delecta's Baby Back Ribs is amazingly and incredibly tender and tasty. "Walang Umay!"

While Pinay Travelista took Sate Babi a deliciously marinated and grilled meat (pork). I really made a request from Pinay Travelista to have a little taste of it, which she gladly offered some of it to me. I will reserved a post about that in my next blog :)

To quenched our thirst, Lisa Marie gladly introduced me this colorful drink called "Delecta Coolers," which is really cool more than that I expect!

4. Cleanliness. Oh as you can see in the photo, cleanliness is well taken cared of.

5.Price of the Foods. For the perfect taste and a well cooked and well tenderized Baby Back Ribs, I believe I didn't waste my money over a deliciously made meal.

I had my first experience at Delecta and Diner Cafe, how about you? Care to tell me?

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The 9th HALONGKULAY |Visual Arts Exhibit

HALONGKULAY---is a group of visual arts enthusiast of Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology. Since it is an MSU-IIT based organization, members came from the different colleges of the University. However, lately they have been accepting talented individuals coming from other schools and colleges in Iligan City.

Here are some photos of their FOR SALE Paintings. If interested, just visit their exhibit at the hallway of the College of Engineering Technology.

Wonder why I posted these artworks in this article? Well, I love paintings! Its just that I cant afford to hang them in my wall, so I decided to display them here in my blog. On the other hand, one of the member of HALONGKULAY is a very good friend of mine. Check-out his other artworks  here.

"My friend, Mr. Ron Michael Pamplona with his Artwork"

Have your say...

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SangYaW| A Concert for a Cause

One Day
One Cause
One Concert

The Gathering of Iligan's Pure Talents

Featuring:

Sor Christiani Apao - Tv5 Talentadong Pinoy 6-Time Defending Champion
and
Leo Emperio - Iligan Pop Star, Champion 2011

Special Guests:

Aljun Mark Decalan - Iligan Pop Star- 1st Runner up 2011
Rushy Alasagas - ABS CBN's Little Big Star- Champion - 2006
PowerHit danz- Iligan Dance group
Streetmovers -ABS CBN's Showtime Weekly Finalist 2010
Technical Feat- Iligan's beat boxers 
Justerine Jade Siglos- Instrumentalist

Tickets Prices:

Regular for Students - 30.00 Php
Regular (Orchestra)- 50.00 Php
Bronze - 100.00 Php
Silver- 150.00 Php
Gold - 200.00 Php

For Ticket Inquiries:

Tickets are available at Red Cross Chapter Office

Tubod Ros. Hgts., Iligan City

Call/text 063-223-1065 /or dial 09054465168 / 09279663559.
For RCY members contact your RCY School adviser or Officers!

Do something special this Christmas! Gifts may not always come in fancy boxes! Share your blessings and share happiness! Help us in this one cause!

Proceeds of the concert will go to the chosen charities in Iligan City.


Concert starts at 3:00 PM and will end at 5:00 PM.
So, be at the SMC Auditorium on Satruday, December 17, 2011.


See you guys at the concert venue!

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Blogfest Soccsksargen 2.0|Meeting with People and Imprinted Learning from the Speakers

"Speakers and Participants of the Blogfest Soccsksargen 2.0"

As the event went through, everybody had the chance to meet and greet and even took photos with the present mayor of Gensan, no other than, the stunningly beautiful Ms. Darlene Antonino Custodio who spoke about the IT development in Gensan. She showed us a video presentation laying out the future of information technology and computer literacy of General Santos City. Wiring up all the public schools and establishing website portals each of them, training young bloggers from elementary to high school student. According to the video presentation, this initiative is fueled by the challenges of this century and with the advent of Globalization.

"With Gensan Mayor Darlene Antonino Custodio"

On the other hand, Raffy Tima of GMA 7 urge the bloggers and the general public to be responsible in using the social media and the social networking sites. He outlined to the bloggers, the importance of "THINK, BEFORE YOU CLICK" campaign of GMA Network. Raffy Tima, laid down a list of important Guidelines to remember when using the social media networking platforms:

1. Be truthful, accurate and fair.
2. Verify facts before posting, tweeting or re-tweeting.
3. Do not do or say anything in social media that you wouldn't do in public.
4. Remember. Anything you upload can be shared by others.
5. Try to ignore tweets and comments intended to provoke quarrels.
6. Acknowledge, delete and or correct errors, and apologize if necessary.
7. Don't do anything stupid.

"With GMANews Raffy Tima"

Pondering on the list he gave us really awaken the bloggers which is evident by the reactions and comments that some of the participants shared to everyone. I myself realized that anything found in the web should not be shared and forwarded to others unless they are really worth to be shared.

Now, what makes the event a jaw-locking for the participants? Well, of course you don't know yet, that I and the rest of the participants met in person the famous "Juana Change" Mae Paner. I just used to see her on her humorous paint commercial. Honestly, when i saw her all I did is stare at her. Maybe, she noticed that, since she was sitting in-front of me. I didn't even throw a smile at her. I guess, she wondered that? What makes me jaw-locked is that I just cant make sure myself that I am seeing her. I know it was her, but the other side of me, saw something different, I wasn't sure at all if it was really her. Well, the Mae Paner in that paint commercial was "BIG" as in "BIGGER" literally than the person in front of me. So, I didn't know if it was really her, not until I saw her handed a few DVD tapes to the organizer for give-a-ways. 

Well, during her talk everybody found out, especially me, that she embraced herself the change that she is evangelizing to everybody. She is now living in a healthy life-style. According to her, "Wa touch sa lechon" and other foods that will make her bigger again. I believe her accounts made us laugh, but the message she embodied on it transcends in our hearts. Few people are blessed with such talent---speaking with sense along with powerful and humorous persuasion. I really look forward to meet this lady again. "Bongga mga punchline niya! Sapul na Sapul!" 

Bloggers should blog and go out, immersed and enriched themselves with experience on subject areas that they want to write about. Sometimes bloggers are fool of themselves. Sometimes criticism is important, bloggers should be open to be criticized.

Here is the video footage during Juana Change talk. Enjoy, and I hope you learn something from her. (Pagpasensyahan n'yo nalang, masyadong unsteady yong video kasi hindi ko inaasahan at wala ako plano kumuha ng video that time, wala rin tripod at natatawa ako kung minsan kaya masyadong malikot ang video :))

Have your say...comment now!

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The Blog-fest Soccsksargen 2.0 Experience!

On November 17, 2011, I posted an article about myself being vivaciously ready to attend the Blogfest Soccsksargen 2.0. The said event happened on the 26th of the same month, being situated on the other side of the island of Mindanao we started our travel at the dawn of November 25, 2011. Along with me are the co-equally eager members of the Iligan Bloggers Society, Inc., whom two of the society members are nominated in the Philippine Blog Awards for Mindanao. Pinay Travelista of Lisa Marie Mirasol got nominated for Best Travel Blog, while Adventures in Life of Revilla Carbonell-Noel got nominated for Best Personal Blog. The Blogfest took place during the day, while the awarding took place at night. How exciting it was for me and the other members of IBS Inc., I would say that the event was a neck cramping and jaw locking experience. 

I am so glad that the event started on time and it is well attended. With regards to the things I learned from the event. Of course, I am doing a separate post that will tackle them one by one.

Gensan Mayor: Ms. Darlene Antonino Custodio

Philippine Blog Awards for Mindanao. Though, my nominated friends didn't won the awards, it did not prevented us to enjoy the night. Who will not enjoy for that night? For me the dinner is perfect, while being serenaded to one of my favorite song performed live by a female singer "Stand Up for Love"...and oh the singer is unbelievably great. Though I don't know her name, she really deserved a booming applause! It was my first time also to taste wasabe! Grrr! Now, I know I don't like the taste of it ^^ but I am really glad to have a taste of it.

Gensan Tour. Whew! It was really a very big surprise for me. All I know is that, we are set to visit Gensan Fish Port only. But, look! where the the organizer brought us! 

We actually had breakfast at the Paradise of Gensan---the Sarangani Highlands. While at the site, all I did is point and click my camera at every breath-taking view and display of beauty that my eyes laid on. Plants are everywhere, with the freshest air you can breath for free. Clean restrooms and accommodating owner and staff. I will truly go back and stay at one of the rooms in this resort.

After the unforgettable breakfast, we proceeded to Sweet Valley where we bought our "pasalubong" for our family left at home. As usual everyone are doing a panic buying :) Well, not everyday we can shop  these things back home. It was really a valley full of dried sweets. From dried mango sweets, pineapple, papaya and etc. I bet everyone enjoyed shopping.

After our shopping galore at Sweet Valley, the group decided to dropped by the beautiful Mansion of the Pound for Pound Boxer Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao. Though it was not part of the tour, the Iligan Bloggers decided to visit the place for this is a one chance for us. Pacquiao really has a taste when it comes to house design. Special thanks to "Bobby" who serve as our tour guide during this part of the travel.

After accomplishing what we really came for, we are ready to set home. Everyone settled in our respective seats provided by the Iligan City Tourism Office. Thank You!

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