I Do Care

When we went to Mississippi last year, I bought 30 pieces of clothes in SEARS because they are on SALE. I spent less than $100 for everything (90% off) and I was supposed to send those clothes last December for my relatives in CDO. I failed to do so when Storm Washi or Bagyong Sendong struck CDO on Dec. 16, 2011. I diverted my budget for shipping and added the amount to send financial help for my relatives and friends. This week, I will be sending 2 balikbayan boxes and those new clothes will be included in the box. (see the pix below) I tried asking help from hubbys' friends and thank God, one replied. This is better than nothing right? I already accepted the fact that when I beg for help, I am not convincing. The owner of the clothes below works at American Airlines so, her clothes are worth keeping for and I know, the recipient will be happy to wear them. Thanks to Christine Danyi, you are an angel in disguise. May God bless you abundantly! Thank you so much for extending your arms to help the survivors of Sendong. The recipient of these two boxes will be the residents of District 3 Consolacion, Cagayan de Oro City. This will be distributed to the 46 families whom I know from childhood. It would be nice if you do the same thing just to lighten up a little bit of their misery. This is not much but, these things will give them encouragement that others care for them. Go ahead! Do share!

Bagyong Sendong: Cagayan de Oro City

It's been a long while that I neglected my blogs. I will suffer if I will not update my Websites because it would mean less income to none. I was too focused on the devastating news about Cagayan de Oro City which was hit by Tropical Storm Washi (Bagyong Sendong) last December 16, 2011.

When I went home last year, my Aunt wanted to buy their rented house. She had no means to buy it and so; she asked my assistance. I can't say NO to my aunt after all, she is very close to me and I wanted her to be happy. The Landlord needed the money for medical purposes too so; we negotiated the amount. My aunt and her family can live the property without paying the rent for three years and if the Landlord cannot return the amount that I gave her, we will create another contract or finalize the property deeds. If that happens, the property will be given to my aunt in fact, in the contract my aunt and her daughter is the beneficiary of the property. I provide the financial assistance to augment their life situation. I was glad that for a year, they managed to stand on their feet and uplift their way of living. Until... Sendong came.

It was around 10PM on the night of Dec.16, 2011, I tried to check on them and there was no answer on the phone. I called my mom to calm her down because she was afraid of the storm. I told her it will be passing Cagayan de Oro soon. Everything seems normal and most of my friends in Cagayan de Oro were on Facebook and described the strong winds and hard rainfall. Then...all at once, all of them stopped updating their walls. I thought they were sleeping.

My friends in the US are the ones in panic and updated their FB walls about the rising water of Cagayan de Oro river. I called my mom again to check the news but, I awakened her. Everything seems fine with her and she told me, there's no electricity. I called my brother in Surigao and asked about his family in Carmen (a flood zone) area but, he said they are alright. I called my aunt and my cousins but, there was no answer....I waited and I prayed hard.

Around 4AM, I was relieved to read a text message from my cousin informing they are all safe. When the water subsided in the morning, they were hungry, in a daze, muddy, cold and wet. My cousin and his family in NHA were the first relatives who check on them. My mama asked them to check the situation of my Aunt and her family. They bought food and gave them money. My aunt can't go back to their place. The mud was too high to tackle. They were tired and they haven't sleep since the night before. The house is still there but, everything inside was totaled!

They are currently living with my Mama and everyone is alive and safe. Material things maybe gone but, we do not worry about it. We handle the situation in a day to day basis. What matter most right now is that all of them are spared from a life threatening situation. And we are so grateful and thankful to God for that.

Read: Sendong Survivor Story

Sweet Smile From A Survivor : Tropical Storm Sendong

"Amidst the chaos is a smile .... especially when you know that you are a survivor of a life-threatening situation." I was worried sick since Saturday when my friend and his wife had no updates on their FB walls. Both of them are my co-teachers during my first school assignment in Besigan, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. When Bagyong Sendong struck Northern Mindanao, Philippines, hundreds were missing and Tropical Storm Washi caused more than a thousand fatalities, and 1000+ are officially listed as missing.
Their house is located on the badly hit area. I have been to their place and when the raging water rises up to their gate, it really means trouble.Neighbors find refuge on their roof...waiting for the water to subside. All the residents impacted by these flood waters were forced to seek refuge on their roofs. The whole first floor was engulf with muddy water.
They are worried....
... and sleepy....
... and the water subside...
... and they are safe to come down...
In few hours the house looks like this:You can tell how deep the flood water is. Almost 20 ft perhaps? Or more? Tropical Storm Washi has brought 10 hours of torrential rains. The result was a disastrous flash flood over Northern Mindanao including my beloved city, Cagayan de Oro. My city is an area that rarely experiences tropical cyclones. During these hours, hundreds of people were killed as flood waters destroyed the homes along the riverbanks. As far as I remember in four decades, this flood is the worst in my city's history. My friends survived the flooding and though they lost everything, they have each other and that's what matter's most.

My Wish for Christmas

For so many days, I lost the drive to write and update my blog. I thought I can manage to work in a charity company but, I think I cannot handle seeing and hearing the misery of other people. Since Friday Dec. 16, 2011 when Tropical Storm Sendong (washi) hit Southern Philippines, I was doing charity work online. It was stressful and right after Christmas Eve, I have a terrible headache. I took a nap and rested for the whole day to regain my strength. This Christmas is the saddest Christmas I ever had. My family and I cannot help but think about those people who mourn for their loveones. May God bless the victims of Sendong the gift of understanding and may God heal their emptiness and sadness. This is my wish for Christmas.

VjAndep Pastel

Pastel is a Filipino Delicacy originated locally in Camiguin Island which was introduced by VjAndep. I was in great awe when I saw that VjAndep occupied the big building somewhere in Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City. It was my first visit in three years and my city has grown in unbelievable progress.I bought few delicacies which I miss while living abroad and that includes pastel, hopia, polvoron and more. The original Pastel that I like is made up of bun with "yema" filling. To my surprise, they now have 12 varieties of Pastel: .This is indeed a success story of an entrepreneur Eleanor Popera Jose who commercialized Pastel on the 8th of January in 1990. VjAndep stands for Virgelio Jose and Eleanor Popera so when you read the name the sound of "j" is silent thus, making it Vandep.
Now, I know how they got that name huh! Anyway, here are the pictures of the store that they have in Bulua.
I hope their business will be bless more with success and a long lasting enthusiasm to create more Filipino delicacy to satisfy the cravings of everyone!

Gran Europa at Christmas

If we talk about entrance gates of a village or subdivision, Gran Europa marked as having the best Christmas Decor Presentation. Inside Gran Europa has 7 subdivisions and this village is located in Cagayan de Oro City uptown. I live in one of these subdivisions by Camella Homes and I love this place.

I borrowed this pictures which were taken by May, a friend of mine.

I will post more pictures next time so you will have a glance as to how lovely our place last Christmas holidays!

Malling with Family

My nephews needed to buy new school bags and so, I treat their family to the mall. The youngest requested a barbie so, I brought two barbie dolls from the US. Inside SM mall, baby girl wants a barbie school bag. I was very amazed that my niece and nephews had their own preference of things. Oh well, their choices were expensive!LOL!Outch! Hawk brand.

Of course, we were stuck in the kiddie rides area. Here they are:
My brother was sleepy ....hehehe....but, the kiddos were so enthusiastic!
How amazing .... kids unmeasured happiness ....
Here is baby girl...
Kuya was in heaven with this ride! If only grown ups could feel the same way as they did, right?