Metro Infanta Foundation

By Rudy A. Arizala
27 February 2010

Awaken by loud thundering sound
Followed by shaking of the earth
Buildings swayed like huge, tall hammocks
Eerie darkness spread around
My wife and I prayed together
'Til rumbling sound, shaking stopped.
By phone asked daughter's situation
How's Mayra, our granddaughter
Thank God they are all safe and sound.
A neighbor knocked at window pane
Asking if we are all right
Turned on the emergency light
Replied we are safe and sound.
Heard from battery radio set
Announcer said there was earthquake
In Santiago and Concepcion
Advised the people remain calm,
Turn off gas, electric power.
Then came reports of damages,
Injuries and death of victims
At Concepcion epicenter.
We stayed awake 'til daybreak
Feeling aftershocks now and then.
Daughter and her family came
Told us harrowing experience
Under table they sought shelter
While TV, fixtures fall around.
Grandchild Mayra remains in arms
Of her loving, caring mother.
Told her there is nothing to fear
For Jesus love children like her.
She saw doll lying on the floor
She picked it up; hugged and kissed her
Played as if no earthquake occurred.
E n d

Posted on March 07, 2010

By Rudy Arizala

The news "Maynilad not keen on Laiban Project" from The Philippine Daily Inquirer of 05 March 2010, implies that the Laiban Dam Project is temporarily dead but might be resurrected. So all concerned, especially those from Infanta-Real-Gen. Nakar Area should be vigilant and offer alternative solution to water-thirsty Manilans such as the construction of "rainwater catchments" as done in Hong Kong.

Eternal vigilance against the construction of Laiban Dam is necessary but at the same time let us suggest "doable" alternative solution.

Posted on March 06, 2010

Dear Mila:

Thanks again for your prayers and for informing our kababayans thru
the MIF website that we are safe and sound in Chile despite the
strong earthquake which occurred at dawn of 26th February 2010. My
relatives as far as from Saudi Arabia called me via overseas phone
expressing concern for our safety whom I have not heard for 20 years.
I was referring to Electrical Engineer Freddy "Boyet" Cuento, son of
Peddy the former sacristan of the American Carmelite Fathers in
Infanta. He said: "Tito Rudy, kinukumusta ko po lamang ang
kalalagayan ninyo diyan. Harinawa na ligtas kayo sa panganib."
Another "pamangkin" - Mario Combalicer now residing in England
sent me an email messge also expressing concern for our safety. It
dawned upon me that "kinship", pakikimag-anak" at "pakikiramay" are
still being observed by our kababayans and relatives in times of crisis.

But not only kababayans and relatives show that spirit of concern and
sympathy, but also former officemates or co-workers from the Big
Apple such as our former Communication / Press Officer Mr. Tambi Wycoco.

Mahigpit na yakap and regards.
Rudy

Posted on March 02, 2010

Please pray for the Chileans who are now suffering from the devastating earthquake at 3:30 in the morning Feb. 27. Severe damages and hudnreds of deaths have been reported, and millions more affected by the devastation of the strongest quake recorded in history.

Along with at least 80 Filipinos, our very own Ambassador Rudy Arizala and his family reside in Santiago, Chile. Ambassador Arizala extends his thanks for prayers. He says, "Thanks again for your concern and prayers for our safety in Chile."

Continue reading "8.8 Earthquake hits Chile; Arizala's o.k." »

Posted on February 27, 2010

Dear Mila:

The letter to you of Ms. Gemma Araneta Cruz of the Heritage
Conservation is heartening, indeed, offering assistance and whatever
help necessary in the restoration of the Gabaldon type of schoolhouse
in Infanta, Quezon, as it has done in other places or towns in the
Philippines. The ball is on our court. It is up for us to act. And
what I mean by this is that every Infantahins should get involve
actively especially the town officials in addition to the MIF. We
should not be merely on the receiving end. Our town officials should
also take the initiative by active participation with the MIF if not
yet done.

Rudy Arizala

Posted on February 24, 2010

Below is a Blackerry email from Ms. Gemma Cruz Araneta, offering support for our Gabaldon Restoration Project. Ms. Araneta and the Heritage Conservation Society are very involved in the restoration of the Gabaldons across the Philippines. I hope with their help we can make our dream to rebuild the Gabaldon a reality. I hope that Infantahins will respond to our call for cooperation. We cannot be just on the receiving end of this project. We must actually be engaged in making it happen. I hope to hear from Infantahins from all corners of the world. Let's rebuild the Gabaldon. Editor

Dear Ms. Glodava,

Thank you for your letter which I found quite encouraging. Yes, the Heritage Conservation Society has indeed been involved in restoring Gabaldon schoolhouses since 2004. The first one we restored, the Jose Rizal Elementary School in Bacolod City was built in 1904, which makes it pre-Gabaldon.

The most recent one in Kuguita, Camiguin, was a joint endeavor with AUSaid and Streetwise, an Australian NGO; they want to do another one in Mindanao.

I am happy to know that you want to restore some Gabaldons in Infanta. I would like to email you a couple of articles I wrote about the Gabaldons, should you be interested.

The HCS is at your service.

Sincerely,
Gemma Cruz Araneta

Posted on February 23, 2010