Looking back a year ago, the Principal cried in the middle of her speech, on the stage, in front of everybody, when the Principal accepted the donation of 2 classrooms from FtH to the Balatbat Elementary School in Lobo, Batangas last April 18, 2009. It is a gift of much needed classrooms in the crowded school from FtH, an organization half way around the world, the Principal have not heard of until February 2009. The classrooms, donated by the Gaw Family, built in less than 2 months are a gift of love from the FtH volunteers to the students of Balatbat ES, from FtH volunteers the students have not seen and most probably will never meet.
And today, the Barangay Kagawad, looking tough and weathered beyond his age, always exposed to the sun the whole day, with his everyday farming and fishing for a livelihood, cried unashamedly in front of schools staff and FtH volunteers when he acknowledge the donation of 2 classrooms to Aplaya Elementary School in Pila, Laguna. The classrooms will replace the classrooms damaged by Typhoon Ondoy last November 2009. For two months after the typhoon, the students had to pay P2 to ride the boats to another school on higher grounds in another neighborhood, until the water subsided and the school ground had been cleaned of mud and debris. Grades 1 and 2 had to share the basketball court since their classrooms had been damaged by Typhoon Ondoy. The teachers had to play musical chairs with the blackboard to shield the students from the hot sun in the morning and later in the afternoon. The students had to suffer the dust and the noise from the street in the open classrooms. The school officials and local government have repeatedly asked for some help from the Department of Education and high government officials and all they get were empty promises to replace their classrooms.
FtH must be doing something good to make these seasoned people cry, in appreciation of the classroom donation. These people must have prayed for some miracles and FtH answered the call through some divine guidance. It was already late in the afternoon, FtH volunteers and CFO staffs were very tired from visiting about six (6) sites in Pagsanjan and Pila, since we left Manila about 8:30 AM. We already called it a day around 4:00PM; since we need two more hours to get home, when the phone rang and the teachers were asking our contact, Jerry of CFO, if we can still visit the school. We turned back; saw the school and we agreed on the need for the classrooms. Today, we met with the school staff, the Barangay officials, PTA for the pre-construction meeting, signing of the MOA and the ground breaking. The classrooms will be ready when school starts in June 14, 2010.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
St Anthony Boys Village
St Anthony Boys Village (SABV) is a home for indigent students, located inside the 7 hectares compound of the Rogationist College (RC) in Km 52 Aguinaldo Highway, Brgy Lalaan 2nd, Silang, Cavite 4118. Fr. Herman Abcede, RCJ, is the Superior of SABV, a member of the Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus.
My contact with SABV is Mr. Venancio De Los Reyes, a SABV supporter, who used to be with the Scholarship Department of the De La Salle University (DLSU) in Dasmarinas, Cavite where the Philippine Association of Metropolitan Washington Engineers (PAMWE) have a scholarship when Pablito was the head of the Scholarship Committee of PAMWE. Ven is no longer with DLSU but was able to re-establish our contact through the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO). Ven invited me to visit the SABV and promised to treat me to an Italian lunch or dinner, if I should come. Last month, coming from a trip to Tagaytay, Tess and Pablito dropped unannounced to visit SABV but there was no Ven and no Fr. Herman at the RC. Persistence and patience ruled and FtH with CFO finally made it to SABV today.
Fr. Herman and Ven were on hand to welcome the FtH volunteers Fely and Manny D. from Las Vegas and Pablito and CFO staff Eve, Marie and Angie. Fr. Herman gave us an introduction to SABV and RC and then a walking tour of their facilities. The campus is not designed for physically challenged persons and/or students; no escalators and elevators; Manny noticed no provisions for emergency or security lighting or public address system. But RC is like UP Diliman and Don Bosco School, combined, in a smaller scale. Besides high school, RC has many different colleges and trade schools. RC accepts students from outside and the residents of the SABV, called interns, are integrated in the school.
Starting with the Administration Building, we then climb up to the 3rd or 4th floor Library, then down to the trade building of welding, automotive, electronics, physics and chemistry laboratories, etc., a complete, commercial-quality printing press; an amphitheater; a huge, well ventilated, insulated gymnasium where they held the graduation exercise for about 500 high school and college graduates a year, a cafeteria with complete institutional kitchen facilities; the boys home and finally, to their dining room where we were served, among other Pinoy foods, the delicious Italian spaghetti and pizza promised to me by Ven and topped with fruit salad and espresso coffee made from a big, commercial coffee machine.
We said TY and goodbye to the interns and other fathers and went back to discuss “business” with Fr. Herman in his air conditioned office, a welcome respite from the tropical heat outside. Being an educational facility, Fr. Herman is seeking assistance to be able to accept more indigent students to the school and to be able to build more rooms to house the interns. Pablito suggested to Fr. Herman to prepare a ‘wish list’, with estimated cost and number of beneficiaries; submit the proposal to CFO for evaluation and recommendation to FtH and other associations who might be able to help them. We were thankful to Ven and Fr. Herman for the tour of the SABV and RC, which you will not be able to appreciate just looking from the outside.
April 21, 2010
My contact with SABV is Mr. Venancio De Los Reyes, a SABV supporter, who used to be with the Scholarship Department of the De La Salle University (DLSU) in Dasmarinas, Cavite where the Philippine Association of Metropolitan Washington Engineers (PAMWE) have a scholarship when Pablito was the head of the Scholarship Committee of PAMWE. Ven is no longer with DLSU but was able to re-establish our contact through the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO). Ven invited me to visit the SABV and promised to treat me to an Italian lunch or dinner, if I should come. Last month, coming from a trip to Tagaytay, Tess and Pablito dropped unannounced to visit SABV but there was no Ven and no Fr. Herman at the RC. Persistence and patience ruled and FtH with CFO finally made it to SABV today.
Fr. Herman and Ven were on hand to welcome the FtH volunteers Fely and Manny D. from Las Vegas and Pablito and CFO staff Eve, Marie and Angie. Fr. Herman gave us an introduction to SABV and RC and then a walking tour of their facilities. The campus is not designed for physically challenged persons and/or students; no escalators and elevators; Manny noticed no provisions for emergency or security lighting or public address system. But RC is like UP Diliman and Don Bosco School, combined, in a smaller scale. Besides high school, RC has many different colleges and trade schools. RC accepts students from outside and the residents of the SABV, called interns, are integrated in the school.
Starting with the Administration Building, we then climb up to the 3rd or 4th floor Library, then down to the trade building of welding, automotive, electronics, physics and chemistry laboratories, etc., a complete, commercial-quality printing press; an amphitheater; a huge, well ventilated, insulated gymnasium where they held the graduation exercise for about 500 high school and college graduates a year, a cafeteria with complete institutional kitchen facilities; the boys home and finally, to their dining room where we were served, among other Pinoy foods, the delicious Italian spaghetti and pizza promised to me by Ven and topped with fruit salad and espresso coffee made from a big, commercial coffee machine.
We said TY and goodbye to the interns and other fathers and went back to discuss “business” with Fr. Herman in his air conditioned office, a welcome respite from the tropical heat outside. Being an educational facility, Fr. Herman is seeking assistance to be able to accept more indigent students to the school and to be able to build more rooms to house the interns. Pablito suggested to Fr. Herman to prepare a ‘wish list’, with estimated cost and number of beneficiaries; submit the proposal to CFO for evaluation and recommendation to FtH and other associations who might be able to help them. We were thankful to Ven and Fr. Herman for the tour of the SABV and RC, which you will not be able to appreciate just looking from the outside.
April 21, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
Our Lady of Peace Hospital
Sister Eva Maamo of the Our Lady of Peace Hospital in Brgy San Dionisio, Paranaque, recieved a variety of medicines and medical supplies from FtH . This hospital provides free medical services to indigent families around the area as well as extended medical services to the indigenous tribes in Zambales and Mindanao
.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Pasig
Left to Right: Pablito of FtH, Ms. Flordeliza A. Adan, Administrator Pasig Gen. Hosp., Ms. Imelda Biscocho,Pasig. Gen Hosp., Sir Boyet of CFO, Tess A. of FtH, and Tobi of CFO
MEDICINES FOR PASIG GENERAL HOSPITAL
The medicines were solicited by Bettina O. of FtH from the Catholic Medical Mission Board of New York; was shipped last December 8, 2009 through donations of Washington DC Fil-Ams; cleared through Custom by first week of Feb 2010 and stored in his warehouse by Martin G., a FtH. Honorary Chairperson based in Manila. The Administrator and a staff of Pasig Gen. Hospital is very appreciative of the medicines and have stated that their indigent patients can really use the free supply of medicines. The rest of the medicines are being given to other areas affected by Typhoon Ondoy, Pepeng and Santi.
Los Banos, Laguna
The Feed the Hungry Classrooms Nos. 75 & 76, was formally started today with a pre-construction meeting among the signatories to the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) namely FtH volunteers Pablito and Tess, CFO staff Tobi, Contractor Engr. Adriano, Principal Encabo, Brgy Captain Alborida, PTA president, and other school officials.
Principal Syl was very excited about the unexpected donation of the classrooms as she was wondering where to place her new teacher and more students from a new GK village nearby. Her prayers were answered and she was surprised when the construction crew and building materials arrived this week.
Capt. Alborida and the PTA President promised to fully support the construction of the classrooms by providing sweat equity from the parent and barangay residents by helping haul the materials from the road to the construction site, some distance away. Capt. Alborida assured the provision of back fill materials to level the site. All local government officials and school staff promised to protect and maintain their new classrooms.
After a long day of hard and enjoyable work, on our way back to Manila, we treated every one in our group of FtH, CFO and Engr. Myles with an ice cold , delicious, sweet, 'fiesta' (as in super big bowl) halo-halo at Chow King.
In 1993, the idea of Feed the Hungry was borne here in Los Banos when Pablito and Tess met a young street orphan begging for alms. Instead of giving some change, Tess invited the boy to have lunch with us. In gratitude for his breakfast and lunch (and maybe dinner), the boy did not accept any handout and kept on repeating his thanks to the couple. Noticing that Pablito could not back out into the very busy street, the boy placed his young body in harms' way and stopped the traffic from both directions to gave me a chance to drive home. As we drove away, we still heard him say "THANK YOU and BALIK PO KAYO", which we did every year, ever since, with other FtH volunteers joining in.
Principal Syl was very excited about the unexpected donation of the classrooms as she was wondering where to place her new teacher and more students from a new GK village nearby. Her prayers were answered and she was surprised when the construction crew and building materials arrived this week.
Capt. Alborida and the PTA President promised to fully support the construction of the classrooms by providing sweat equity from the parent and barangay residents by helping haul the materials from the road to the construction site, some distance away. Capt. Alborida assured the provision of back fill materials to level the site. All local government officials and school staff promised to protect and maintain their new classrooms.
After a long day of hard and enjoyable work, on our way back to Manila, we treated every one in our group of FtH, CFO and Engr. Myles with an ice cold , delicious, sweet, 'fiesta' (as in super big bowl) halo-halo at Chow King.
In 1993, the idea of Feed the Hungry was borne here in Los Banos when Pablito and Tess met a young street orphan begging for alms. Instead of giving some change, Tess invited the boy to have lunch with us. In gratitude for his breakfast and lunch (and maybe dinner), the boy did not accept any handout and kept on repeating his thanks to the couple. Noticing that Pablito could not back out into the very busy street, the boy placed his young body in harms' way and stopped the traffic from both directions to gave me a chance to drive home. As we drove away, we still heard him say "THANK YOU and BALIK PO KAYO", which we did every year, ever since, with other FtH volunteers joining in.
Donsol, Sorsogon
Last Feb. 12, 2010 , another historical milestone happened in the FtH Classroom Project. While some of the FtH Volunteers were inaugurating the first FtH classrooms for the physically-challenged students in Indang, Cavite, four seasoned FtH volunteers traveled to Donsol, Sorsogon, on their own expense, to inaugurate two classrooms donated to Donsol Comprehensive National High School. That's two classroom inauguration in one day!
Joe Naldo, the donor, and his mother Mrs. Naldo who hails from Donsol, Carl Abella and Jeanette Calahong flew to Legaspi City, took a shuttle to Donsol, Sorsogon to inaugurate the two classrooms. On the trip back the same day, they inspected the water system FtH donated in Buhatan NHS in Sorsogon City and stayed overnight in Legaspi City for the trip back to Manila the following morning. It is a long, exhausting, expensive, trip for two days but the FtH volunteers were happy to be able to donate the classrooms and make the students very happy.
During the inauguration, the students of the newly donated classrooms were also treated to a lunch and gifts of school supplies, also donated by Dra. Juliet (also from Donsol) and Joe Naldo.
Since 2003, Feed the Hungry has donated 72 classrooms through out the Philippines, two (2) are under construction in Talingting ES in Carles, Iloilo in cooperation with the Rotary Club of Kalibo, Aklan; two (2) will start construction this Wednesday, Mar. 17, in Los Banos, Laguna and four (4) more are to be built in Pandi, Bulacan and Infanta, Quezon. The Philippines need around 39,900 more classrooms and they need them yesterday. Those individuals and organizations wishing to donate classrooms can get in touch with any FtH Board members and/or visit the FtH web site www.feedthehungryphil.org.
Joe Naldo, the donor, and his mother Mrs. Naldo who hails from Donsol, Carl Abella and Jeanette Calahong flew to Legaspi City, took a shuttle to Donsol, Sorsogon to inaugurate the two classrooms. On the trip back the same day, they inspected the water system FtH donated in Buhatan NHS in Sorsogon City and stayed overnight in Legaspi City for the trip back to Manila the following morning. It is a long, exhausting, expensive, trip for two days but the FtH volunteers were happy to be able to donate the classrooms and make the students very happy.
During the inauguration, the students of the newly donated classrooms were also treated to a lunch and gifts of school supplies, also donated by Dra. Juliet (also from Donsol) and Joe Naldo.
Since 2003, Feed the Hungry has donated 72 classrooms through out the Philippines, two (2) are under construction in Talingting ES in Carles, Iloilo in cooperation with the Rotary Club of Kalibo, Aklan; two (2) will start construction this Wednesday, Mar. 17, in Los Banos, Laguna and four (4) more are to be built in Pandi, Bulacan and Infanta, Quezon. The Philippines need around 39,900 more classrooms and they need them yesterday. Those individuals and organizations wishing to donate classrooms can get in touch with any FtH Board members and/or visit the FtH web site www.feedthehungryphil.org.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Taguig, Rizal
The first of 30 boxes of assorted medicines was turned over to Mr. & Mrs. Bobby and Tess Rodrigo of Rotary Club and Gawad Kalinga of Taguig, Rizal for free distribution to residents in need of the medicines.
Two other medicine boxes will be delivered by Manny and Fely D of Las Vegas to typhoon victims in Anabu-I Health Center in Imus, Cavite and Payocpoc Sur Health Center in Bauang, La Union.
Some of the medicine boxes, together with some relief goods shipped from Virginia last Dec 8, 2009, will be mailed, some will be picked up at the office of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas and the rest will be delivered personally to save on the shipping charges. Pablito 3/8/2010
Two other medicine boxes will be delivered by Manny and Fely D of Las Vegas to typhoon victims in Anabu-I Health Center in Imus, Cavite and Payocpoc Sur Health Center in Bauang, La Union.
Some of the medicine boxes, together with some relief goods shipped from Virginia last Dec 8, 2009, will be mailed, some will be picked up at the office of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas and the rest will be delivered personally to save on the shipping charges. Pablito 3/8/2010
Pandi, Bulacan
I took a taxi at 630AM for the 8:00 AM trip from CFO to Pandi, Bulacan for inspection of 2 classroom sites and a livelihood project. I arrived at CFO at 7:00 AM and had a leisurely breakfast at Jollibee across from CFO’s office. The combination fried corned beef, fried egg, fried rice and strong-fried coffee cost me Php65 ($1.50) after a 20% discount for senior citizens.
We left CFO at 8:00AM with Engr. Adriano and Tobi of CFO. Our driver, Leo, was hesitant to leave early as the traffic near CFO is really very heavy with the closure of a bridge near CFO for repairs. There were grid locks at intersections as there were no traffic lights; a lone traffic officer was on one corner directing traffic from the sideline. At one intersection, Leo got excited, got out and confronted a tricycle driver blocking our left turn while the tricycle driver was trying to go straight. It was smooth driving when we reached the North Luzon Express Way (NLEX).
Tobi used to be a salesman for Coca Cola and Pandi is part of his territory. Even with his consulting with a friend who is still with Coke, we missed the turn to Pandi by at least a mile. We then stopped by a Petron gas station and meet with our contact in Pandi, Tony J., who owns a ‘farm’ there. The farm turns out to be a breeding farm for game cocks, about 400 of them, about P5000 each.
Tony led the way to our first stop at the Ramirez NHS. We met with the principal who is very hopeful that FtH will donate the classrooms to them. The principal told us that the school have title to the property, have the space to build the classroom, have a 70 student per classroom ratio, willing to get the PTA involve with the construction and maintenance of the classrooms and will accept the ‘red color’ standard of FtH classrooms. Our next stop was at a primary school, photo attached, who have a classrooms donated by CGMA, a new 2 classroom building given by the DECS at a cost of P1,300,000, an old Marcos-type classroom and a single room building. Their student/classroom ratio is 40 students per classroom, even with the new students relocated there from Manila. If we add 2 more classrooms in the only space available, the whole school with be wall-to-wall buildings with no space to breath the air.
Tony treated us to lunch of chicken tinola, chop suey and caldereta and with other barangay officials as we discussed their proposed livelihood project. Tony then showed us a rice field, very dry with dead grass which he would like to turn into a vegetable garden for the community, with a possible FtH funding of a deep well. I urged Tony to prepare a proposal to FtH about this livelihood project, estimated cost, number of families to be benefited by the deep well and FtH will evaluate the proposal.
Our last stop was Tony’s farm with his game cocks, his breeding stocks, a piggery and a tilapia fish pond on his 5 hectare lot. Tony was just recuperating from a bite from a part- pit bull when he tried to break a fight between his guard dogs. I told him my story of being bitten also by a dog last week. With the temperature at 90 degrees, we were given ice cold water and we said our TYs and ‘till we meet again’ for the classroom construction and livelihood project. Pablito 3/3/2010
We left CFO at 8:00AM with Engr. Adriano and Tobi of CFO. Our driver, Leo, was hesitant to leave early as the traffic near CFO is really very heavy with the closure of a bridge near CFO for repairs. There were grid locks at intersections as there were no traffic lights; a lone traffic officer was on one corner directing traffic from the sideline. At one intersection, Leo got excited, got out and confronted a tricycle driver blocking our left turn while the tricycle driver was trying to go straight. It was smooth driving when we reached the North Luzon Express Way (NLEX).
Tobi used to be a salesman for Coca Cola and Pandi is part of his territory. Even with his consulting with a friend who is still with Coke, we missed the turn to Pandi by at least a mile. We then stopped by a Petron gas station and meet with our contact in Pandi, Tony J., who owns a ‘farm’ there. The farm turns out to be a breeding farm for game cocks, about 400 of them, about P5000 each.
Tony led the way to our first stop at the Ramirez NHS. We met with the principal who is very hopeful that FtH will donate the classrooms to them. The principal told us that the school have title to the property, have the space to build the classroom, have a 70 student per classroom ratio, willing to get the PTA involve with the construction and maintenance of the classrooms and will accept the ‘red color’ standard of FtH classrooms. Our next stop was at a primary school, photo attached, who have a classrooms donated by CGMA, a new 2 classroom building given by the DECS at a cost of P1,300,000, an old Marcos-type classroom and a single room building. Their student/classroom ratio is 40 students per classroom, even with the new students relocated there from Manila. If we add 2 more classrooms in the only space available, the whole school with be wall-to-wall buildings with no space to breath the air.
Tony treated us to lunch of chicken tinola, chop suey and caldereta and with other barangay officials as we discussed their proposed livelihood project. Tony then showed us a rice field, very dry with dead grass which he would like to turn into a vegetable garden for the community, with a possible FtH funding of a deep well. I urged Tony to prepare a proposal to FtH about this livelihood project, estimated cost, number of families to be benefited by the deep well and FtH will evaluate the proposal.
Our last stop was Tony’s farm with his game cocks, his breeding stocks, a piggery and a tilapia fish pond on his 5 hectare lot. Tony was just recuperating from a bite from a part- pit bull when he tried to break a fight between his guard dogs. I told him my story of being bitten also by a dog last week. With the temperature at 90 degrees, we were given ice cold water and we said our TYs and ‘till we meet again’ for the classroom construction and livelihood project. Pablito 3/3/2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Catbalogan, Samar
Feed the Hungry volunteers Percy and Pepito S., Pablito and Tess, Fely and Manny D. and their niece Gloria F. from Las Vegas met at Terminal 2 of the airport at 6:30 AM, Feb 18, 2010 for the 8:50 AM flight to Tacloban, Leyte. From the airport, we hired a van to take us to our hotel in downtown Tacloban. We had lunch at Chow King, toured a couple of sites around Tacloban and retired for the early trip the following day. We spent Friday, Feb 19, visiting the water system in Brgy Pagmisian, Bontoc and the classrooms in Maasin, Southern Leyte. Saturday morning, Feb 20, we checked out of our hotel in Tacloban and boarded a van arranged by Betty L. for the trip to Catbalogan, Samar.
We crossed the beautiful San Juanico Bridge, connecting Leyte and Samar. Last time I was in this area was in 1962, in a Bureau of Coast and Geodetic Survey ship, navigating the San Juanico Strait, under the bridge. The small huts/stores near the pier in 1962 are now a BIG MacDonald restaurant. At that time in 1962, McDo is not yet in my vocabulary.
We checked in at Fortune Hotel in downtown Catbalogan and right across our hotel is a banner announcing the FtH mission. The venue is in the St Mary's College, next to the church, about a block away from our hotel. We had breakfast in Jollibee, about 2 blocks away, and took a walking tour around the market, plaza, and church to get familiar with Catbalogan.
Sunday, February 28, 2010, we took a walk in the opposite direction and reach the pier about 2 blocks away. We saw the fresh catch of the day, shrimps, they're big, lots of them. We had breakfast at Jollibee again; hear the mass and then the gift giving at 10AM.
Our partners in this gift giving are the Ladies of Charities of Catbalogan. They selected the 500 indigent recipients, purchased the gifts, prepared the individual packages and issued the claim tickets to the recipients. We also have the assistance of ALERT, a local organization to help with crowd control. Pepito introduced FtH, mentioned that the funds are coming from donors from Metro WashDC and the distribution began with Tess collecting the tickets, Gloria handling the gifts and the rest of FtH volunteers assisting. The recipients were grouped in 10 to avoid overcrowding. After the gift giving, Betty treated the volunteers to lunch and we then visited a Monsignor whose house on top of the hill provided a panoramic view of Catbalogan City and Samar Bay.
We also visited the on-going medical mission by the PMAA of New York, under Dr. Prospero Lim and Evan and Dra. Prado. The mission is for 3 days and they expect to treat about 8,000 patients, with free medicines. We met Dr Lim in NY last November 2009. Dr Lim donated $500 to FtH to cover the cost of shipping 23 boxes of books to Catbalogan.
We were invited for dinner at the LIM CLAN REUNION held at the Samar School gymnasium. We arrived while Dr. Prospero Lim of NY was addressing the rest of the Lims. The first clan reunion I attended was about a week ago with the JOYA Clan Reunion in Gen. Trias Convention Center in Cavite, attended by about a 1,000 of the Joya Families. When we were about to leave, Betty was requested and she did a very graceful rendition of the “Kuracha” a money-dance tradition where people throw money on a table cloth on the floor to keep Betty dancing. Then, local dance instructors partnered with Betty, Tess and Percy for a cha-cha number and then we said good night to all.
Monday, Feb 22, 2010, about 9:00 AM, we left Catbalogan for the shuttle to Tacloban Airport for our flight back to Manila. The original 2PM flight was moved to 5:00 PM. We had plenty of time so we dropped by the Dept. of Health Processing Plant, just after the San Juanico Bridge, where Pito and Fely bought some Lagundi Plant and Lagundi and Sambong tablets, Bayabas soap and toured the plant. The Philippine Airlines came and left on time. We were home by 8PM after a successful 3-FtH mission trip to Leyte and Samar.
We crossed the beautiful San Juanico Bridge, connecting Leyte and Samar. Last time I was in this area was in 1962, in a Bureau of Coast and Geodetic Survey ship, navigating the San Juanico Strait, under the bridge. The small huts/stores near the pier in 1962 are now a BIG MacDonald restaurant. At that time in 1962, McDo is not yet in my vocabulary.
We checked in at Fortune Hotel in downtown Catbalogan and right across our hotel is a banner announcing the FtH mission. The venue is in the St Mary's College, next to the church, about a block away from our hotel. We had breakfast in Jollibee, about 2 blocks away, and took a walking tour around the market, plaza, and church to get familiar with Catbalogan.
Sunday, February 28, 2010, we took a walk in the opposite direction and reach the pier about 2 blocks away. We saw the fresh catch of the day, shrimps, they're big, lots of them. We had breakfast at Jollibee again; hear the mass and then the gift giving at 10AM.
Our partners in this gift giving are the Ladies of Charities of Catbalogan. They selected the 500 indigent recipients, purchased the gifts, prepared the individual packages and issued the claim tickets to the recipients. We also have the assistance of ALERT, a local organization to help with crowd control. Pepito introduced FtH, mentioned that the funds are coming from donors from Metro WashDC and the distribution began with Tess collecting the tickets, Gloria handling the gifts and the rest of FtH volunteers assisting. The recipients were grouped in 10 to avoid overcrowding. After the gift giving, Betty treated the volunteers to lunch and we then visited a Monsignor whose house on top of the hill provided a panoramic view of Catbalogan City and Samar Bay.
We also visited the on-going medical mission by the PMAA of New York, under Dr. Prospero Lim and Evan and Dra. Prado. The mission is for 3 days and they expect to treat about 8,000 patients, with free medicines. We met Dr Lim in NY last November 2009. Dr Lim donated $500 to FtH to cover the cost of shipping 23 boxes of books to Catbalogan.
We were invited for dinner at the LIM CLAN REUNION held at the Samar School gymnasium. We arrived while Dr. Prospero Lim of NY was addressing the rest of the Lims. The first clan reunion I attended was about a week ago with the JOYA Clan Reunion in Gen. Trias Convention Center in Cavite, attended by about a 1,000 of the Joya Families. When we were about to leave, Betty was requested and she did a very graceful rendition of the “Kuracha” a money-dance tradition where people throw money on a table cloth on the floor to keep Betty dancing. Then, local dance instructors partnered with Betty, Tess and Percy for a cha-cha number and then we said good night to all.
Monday, Feb 22, 2010, about 9:00 AM, we left Catbalogan for the shuttle to Tacloban Airport for our flight back to Manila. The original 2PM flight was moved to 5:00 PM. We had plenty of time so we dropped by the Dept. of Health Processing Plant, just after the San Juanico Bridge, where Pito and Fely bought some Lagundi Plant and Lagundi and Sambong tablets, Bayabas soap and toured the plant. The Philippine Airlines came and left on time. We were home by 8PM after a successful 3-FtH mission trip to Leyte and Samar.
Maasin, Southern Leyte
CLASSROOMS IN BACTUL-I PRIMARY SCHOOL, MAASIN, SO. LEYTE
We arrived at Maasin for an inspection of the existing classrooms in Bactul-I Primary School.
The classrooms were built in January 2007 by the contractor of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) through the Classrooms Galing sa Mamamayan Pilipino Abroad (CGMA), a joint project of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department for Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Department of Education and Cultural Services (DECS) and were inaugurated on March 16, 2007 by the donor, Eleanor Credo-Lindner and FtH volunteers Pablito and Tessie. It was reported about a year ago that the glass on the windows were breaking by itself and numerous cracks on the walls were noticed. These classrooms were revisited this Feb 19, 2010 in conjunction with another inspection of a water system in Bontoc, a nearby town of Southern Leyte.
After getting lost and asking for directions twice, we arrived at Bactul-I Primary School to the welcoming committee of the students and faculty. The family of Eleonor was on hand to greet us and Diego, the brother, had a local contractor to estimate the damage and repair of the classrooms. YES, there were several cracks on the walls, some glass on the jalousies were missing and one end wall has exposed foundations due to erosion cause by running water when it rains since it was built on a lower elevation. The school built a ditch to intercept the running water in front of the building but maybe too late, too short, to prevent further erosion of the foundation. If the classrooms were built according to the specification of the DECS, as required in the Memorandum of Agreement between FtH, CFO and CGMA, there should have been no problem with the classrooms. But we were told during the inauguration in 2007 that the construction materials and labor were transported all the way from Tacloban, about 4 hours away, and the building was completed in 2 weeks.
As usual, after the inspection, we were treated to some snacks and we bid goodbye to the students, faculty and family of Eleonor. The faculty also requested the provision of electrical and lighting system of the classrooms. We got an estimate from the local contractor. Before we left Maasin, we were treated to dinner by Governor Mercado of Southern Leyte. We got back in Tacloban around 6PM, before sundown, as scheduled.
Upon arrival in Manila, we requested our partner, CFO, to request assistance from the Southern Leyte Provincial Engineer’s office to investigate the construction of the classroom, if according to the standards of the DECS and for action against the contractor, if found defective.
February 23, 2010
We arrived at Maasin for an inspection of the existing classrooms in Bactul-I Primary School.
The classrooms were built in January 2007 by the contractor of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) through the Classrooms Galing sa Mamamayan Pilipino Abroad (CGMA), a joint project of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department for Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Department of Education and Cultural Services (DECS) and were inaugurated on March 16, 2007 by the donor, Eleanor Credo-Lindner and FtH volunteers Pablito and Tessie. It was reported about a year ago that the glass on the windows were breaking by itself and numerous cracks on the walls were noticed. These classrooms were revisited this Feb 19, 2010 in conjunction with another inspection of a water system in Bontoc, a nearby town of Southern Leyte.
After getting lost and asking for directions twice, we arrived at Bactul-I Primary School to the welcoming committee of the students and faculty. The family of Eleonor was on hand to greet us and Diego, the brother, had a local contractor to estimate the damage and repair of the classrooms. YES, there were several cracks on the walls, some glass on the jalousies were missing and one end wall has exposed foundations due to erosion cause by running water when it rains since it was built on a lower elevation. The school built a ditch to intercept the running water in front of the building but maybe too late, too short, to prevent further erosion of the foundation. If the classrooms were built according to the specification of the DECS, as required in the Memorandum of Agreement between FtH, CFO and CGMA, there should have been no problem with the classrooms. But we were told during the inauguration in 2007 that the construction materials and labor were transported all the way from Tacloban, about 4 hours away, and the building was completed in 2 weeks.
As usual, after the inspection, we were treated to some snacks and we bid goodbye to the students, faculty and family of Eleonor. The faculty also requested the provision of electrical and lighting system of the classrooms. We got an estimate from the local contractor. Before we left Maasin, we were treated to dinner by Governor Mercado of Southern Leyte. We got back in Tacloban around 6PM, before sundown, as scheduled.
Upon arrival in Manila, we requested our partner, CFO, to request assistance from the Southern Leyte Provincial Engineer’s office to investigate the construction of the classroom, if according to the standards of the DECS and for action against the contractor, if found defective.
February 23, 2010
Water Supply System in Barangay Pagmisian
Feed the Hungry volunteers Percy and Pepito S., Pablito and Tess, Fely and Manny D. and their niece Gloria F. from Las Vegas met at Terminal 2 of the airport at 6:30 AM, Feb 18, 2010 for the 8:50 AM flight to Tacloban, Leyte. From the airport, we hired a van to take us to our hotel in downtown Tacloban. We had lunch at Chow King, toured a couple of sites around Tacloban and retired for the early trip the following day. We left Tacloban at 6:00 AM, Feb 19, 2010 for the 4 hour trip to Bontoc, Southern Leyte where we will inspect the water system in Barangay Pagmisian, as funded by the Hawaii International Relief Mission (HIRO) through ex-Rep Jun Abinsay. We were provided with a van by the provisional government of Southern Leyte as arranged by CFO. The driver left Maasin at 3:00 AM to be with us by 6:00 AM. The road from Tacloban to Bontoc is very good except for the short leg to Brgy Pagmisian. We had breakfast of bread, lanzones, chocolates on the van and had brunch when we reached Bontoc town proper.
The water supply system cost about $15,000 consisting of a concrete reservoir to hold water from an existing spring and piping the water downhill for about a kilometer (0.6 miles) to the cluster of homes of the residents. The homes were organized by Gawad Kalinga in coordination with the Dept of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Each group of 8 to 10 houses was provided with an outlet and a common wash basin/reservoir for all.
On this visit, the water pipe was ripped apart by a backhoe working on the road system and had to be repaired; we were not able to see the actual flow of water on the outlet.
We also visited the school on top of the hill. The school building was donated by UNESCO complete with china ware, plates, cups, computers, furniture, refrigerator, drums and guitars, etc. We were told that they have the drums but not being used because they do not have anybody to teach the musical instruments. FtH volunteers chipped in P3, 000 as seed money for the school and barangay officials to find a teacher so that the students will be able to play the drums during flag raising ceremonies and other activities.
Even though the neighborhood is very poor, we were still treated to some snacks of young coconuts, bananas, sweet potatoes, rice and one chicken menu for lunch.
We left about 12 noon for our next inspection trip to an FtH classroom in Maasin, Southern Leyte.
Feb 23, 2010
The water supply system cost about $15,000 consisting of a concrete reservoir to hold water from an existing spring and piping the water downhill for about a kilometer (0.6 miles) to the cluster of homes of the residents. The homes were organized by Gawad Kalinga in coordination with the Dept of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Each group of 8 to 10 houses was provided with an outlet and a common wash basin/reservoir for all.
On this visit, the water pipe was ripped apart by a backhoe working on the road system and had to be repaired; we were not able to see the actual flow of water on the outlet.
We also visited the school on top of the hill. The school building was donated by UNESCO complete with china ware, plates, cups, computers, furniture, refrigerator, drums and guitars, etc. We were told that they have the drums but not being used because they do not have anybody to teach the musical instruments. FtH volunteers chipped in P3, 000 as seed money for the school and barangay officials to find a teacher so that the students will be able to play the drums during flag raising ceremonies and other activities.
Even though the neighborhood is very poor, we were still treated to some snacks of young coconuts, bananas, sweet potatoes, rice and one chicken menu for lunch.
We left about 12 noon for our next inspection trip to an FtH classroom in Maasin, Southern Leyte.
Feb 23, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Muntinlupa City
THE FTH T.S. CRUZ VILLAGE FEEDING PROGRAM STORY
FEB. 11, 2010
We arrived in Manila after an almost 36 hours travel from Leesburg, Virginia. Our son drove us to the airport for a 630AM flight and we were at Washington Dulles by 2 in the morning of Feb 9, 2010, to allow for possible snow emergencies. The 630 AM flight was first postponed to 7:09; then the Delta counter announced that they are just waiting for the flight crew; then they announced that they have problem with fueling the plane but they already have a mechanic looking into it; then Delta announced that they need to transfer the fuel from one side to the other to balance the load; then they announced that they are looking for volunteers since the flight was overbooked. The Delta offer for volunteers was very tempting but we ignored it because of this feeding project in the TS Cruz Village; we final took off by 1030 in the morning.
As we landed in Minneapolis, I saw the de-icing operation in all planes in progress. We had to transfer in Minneapolis for the plane to Japan and then to Manila. Because of the 4 hour delay in Dulles, we arrived in Minneapolis about 30 minutes before the flight to Japan. We talked to the steward for some help and she said she will have a cart standing by when we land to drive us to the other side of the terminal for the connecting flight. But there was no cart to drive us and I told Tess let’s run for it. On the way, I put my 200 lb body in front of a cart and requested the driver to take us to terminal B as we are trying to catch a plane to Japan. The driver agreed (he had no choice) and I admired his skill in zig-zag-ing around people along the way, using no horns! We arrived on the last call for boarding, with NO minutes to spare! We touched down in Manila at 1030PM, Manila Time, Feb 10. After we cleared Custom and Immigration, we were home by 2AM Feb 11
On Feb 11, same day as our arrival, we arrived at the covered basketball court at 1030AM, inside the T.S. Cruz Village in Muntinlupa City where the feeding program is being done by the FtH partners, COPA, the community outreach of the parishioners of Alabang. We were told that this FtH sponsored feeding once a month is very special to the 150 kids or so, since they get extra food; today it is hot dog, marshmallow, spaghetti and fruit juice. The kids normally get a plate of rice, one ulam and water.
A sister from the parish read a bible story about the prodigal son, one group of kids performed a dance exhibition, a prayer was said and the volunteers started giving the lunch. While having lunch, the kids were also treated by FtH to a gift of toys and school supplies.
Ex-Rep Jun Abinsay from Hawaii arrived and joined us in the distribution of lunch and gifts see photos. Later, Mr. Abinsay handed FtH a donation of $6,000 for relief operations in Baguio and Isabela affected by Typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng. The Hawaiian International Relief Operation (HIRO) is coursing its relief operation through Feed the Hungry.
After the feeding, we proceed to another FtH gift giving mission to indigent families in Imus, Cavite where we almost missed the end of the event but manage to taste some newly fried turon for snack. It was a fun day that day!
FEB. 11, 2010
We arrived in Manila after an almost 36 hours travel from Leesburg, Virginia. Our son drove us to the airport for a 630AM flight and we were at Washington Dulles by 2 in the morning of Feb 9, 2010, to allow for possible snow emergencies. The 630 AM flight was first postponed to 7:09; then the Delta counter announced that they are just waiting for the flight crew; then they announced that they have problem with fueling the plane but they already have a mechanic looking into it; then Delta announced that they need to transfer the fuel from one side to the other to balance the load; then they announced that they are looking for volunteers since the flight was overbooked. The Delta offer for volunteers was very tempting but we ignored it because of this feeding project in the TS Cruz Village; we final took off by 1030 in the morning.
As we landed in Minneapolis, I saw the de-icing operation in all planes in progress. We had to transfer in Minneapolis for the plane to Japan and then to Manila. Because of the 4 hour delay in Dulles, we arrived in Minneapolis about 30 minutes before the flight to Japan. We talked to the steward for some help and she said she will have a cart standing by when we land to drive us to the other side of the terminal for the connecting flight. But there was no cart to drive us and I told Tess let’s run for it. On the way, I put my 200 lb body in front of a cart and requested the driver to take us to terminal B as we are trying to catch a plane to Japan. The driver agreed (he had no choice) and I admired his skill in zig-zag-ing around people along the way, using no horns! We arrived on the last call for boarding, with NO minutes to spare! We touched down in Manila at 1030PM, Manila Time, Feb 10. After we cleared Custom and Immigration, we were home by 2AM Feb 11
On Feb 11, same day as our arrival, we arrived at the covered basketball court at 1030AM, inside the T.S. Cruz Village in Muntinlupa City where the feeding program is being done by the FtH partners, COPA, the community outreach of the parishioners of Alabang. We were told that this FtH sponsored feeding once a month is very special to the 150 kids or so, since they get extra food; today it is hot dog, marshmallow, spaghetti and fruit juice. The kids normally get a plate of rice, one ulam and water.
A sister from the parish read a bible story about the prodigal son, one group of kids performed a dance exhibition, a prayer was said and the volunteers started giving the lunch. While having lunch, the kids were also treated by FtH to a gift of toys and school supplies.
Ex-Rep Jun Abinsay from Hawaii arrived and joined us in the distribution of lunch and gifts see photos. Later, Mr. Abinsay handed FtH a donation of $6,000 for relief operations in Baguio and Isabela affected by Typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng. The Hawaiian International Relief Operation (HIRO) is coursing its relief operation through Feed the Hungry.
After the feeding, we proceed to another FtH gift giving mission to indigent families in Imus, Cavite where we almost missed the end of the event but manage to taste some newly fried turon for snack. It was a fun day that day!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Indang, Cavite
FtH Inauguration of the Classrooms for the Physically Challenged students of Indang Central Elementary School, Indang, Cavite
Feb 12, 2010
Murphy’s Laws states that when you think you have prepared for everything, the least expected event happens. The date was set a long time ago but the time had to be adjusted when we arrived in Manila due to local FtH events overlapping each other. We were late.
The ceremonies just barely started at 10:00 AM when we arrived at the school with the donor’s father, Martin G., bringing along a BIG box of Braille books we solicited from Chuckie I. from Fairfax, VA. and a set of Braille machine. The Mayor has another engagement and had to be placed ahead of the other speakers. The Tolentino sisters and their brother, Mercy, Vi and Julie, with Paul S. from US were there with their donation of a brand new wheel chair. Larry and Mila, with their apo from Maryland, donated the Braille machine that we secured directly from the supplier from Massachusetts. Other FtH Board Pepito Lottie, Percy, were already seated at the head table with the rest of the VIPs from the Department of Education, the Mayor and Brgy Capt, the Principal, the teachers, the handicapped students, about 20 of them. Other FtH volunteers Fely and Manny D. from Las Vegas, Joe C., from Virginia. The engineer who handled the construction, Ms. Myles A. was there. Staff from CFO headed by Evelyn with Veda and Toby and driver Leonard. Local FtH volunteer Flor A. from Imus hitched a ride with the Dumo’s now living in Anabu, Imus, Cavite. And the rest of the event went on very smoothly except that we did not get the ice cream promised by a local supplier.
The lone entertainment was from a young, pretty student who exhibited her expertise in baton twirling, with both hands! Pepito spoke about the role of FtH. Martin gave some very good advice to the officials and PTA to help preserve the condition of the classrooms, and to the students to keep on persevering in their goals. The turn over of the Braille machine was made by Larry and Mila. The Tolentino family donated the wheel chair. Lottie, pepito, Percy, Tess, Fely and Manny turned over the Braille books. Pablito was the camera man.
After the speeches and turn over of gifts inside, the group went outside to cut the ceremonial ribbon and exhibited the stainless steel marker naming the donors, FtH, CFO, local officials of the school and the community. The school prepared a very sumptuous lunch and gifts of fresh fruit of caimitos and mangoes which every body enjoyed, to go, with these very successful celebration.
We said the usual good-byes and proceeded to two more FtH missions, a livelihood project in Paliparan, Dasmarinas, Cavite and a scholarship program in DeLaSalle University-Dasma Campus.
Feb 12, 2010
Murphy’s Laws states that when you think you have prepared for everything, the least expected event happens. The date was set a long time ago but the time had to be adjusted when we arrived in Manila due to local FtH events overlapping each other. We were late.
The ceremonies just barely started at 10:00 AM when we arrived at the school with the donor’s father, Martin G., bringing along a BIG box of Braille books we solicited from Chuckie I. from Fairfax, VA. and a set of Braille machine. The Mayor has another engagement and had to be placed ahead of the other speakers. The Tolentino sisters and their brother, Mercy, Vi and Julie, with Paul S. from US were there with their donation of a brand new wheel chair. Larry and Mila, with their apo from Maryland, donated the Braille machine that we secured directly from the supplier from Massachusetts. Other FtH Board Pepito Lottie, Percy, were already seated at the head table with the rest of the VIPs from the Department of Education, the Mayor and Brgy Capt, the Principal, the teachers, the handicapped students, about 20 of them. Other FtH volunteers Fely and Manny D. from Las Vegas, Joe C., from Virginia. The engineer who handled the construction, Ms. Myles A. was there. Staff from CFO headed by Evelyn with Veda and Toby and driver Leonard. Local FtH volunteer Flor A. from Imus hitched a ride with the Dumo’s now living in Anabu, Imus, Cavite. And the rest of the event went on very smoothly except that we did not get the ice cream promised by a local supplier.
The lone entertainment was from a young, pretty student who exhibited her expertise in baton twirling, with both hands! Pepito spoke about the role of FtH. Martin gave some very good advice to the officials and PTA to help preserve the condition of the classrooms, and to the students to keep on persevering in their goals. The turn over of the Braille machine was made by Larry and Mila. The Tolentino family donated the wheel chair. Lottie, pepito, Percy, Tess, Fely and Manny turned over the Braille books. Pablito was the camera man.
After the speeches and turn over of gifts inside, the group went outside to cut the ceremonial ribbon and exhibited the stainless steel marker naming the donors, FtH, CFO, local officials of the school and the community. The school prepared a very sumptuous lunch and gifts of fresh fruit of caimitos and mangoes which every body enjoyed, to go, with these very successful celebration.
We said the usual good-byes and proceeded to two more FtH missions, a livelihood project in Paliparan, Dasmarinas, Cavite and a scholarship program in DeLaSalle University-Dasma Campus.
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