Metro Infanta Foundation

Posted Sept. 24, 2005

MCHS Alumni Batches
Received
Balance

Batch 1970
70
430

Batch 1973
268.34
231.66

Batch 1984
200
300

There are more than 30 batches of graduates from Mt. Carmel High School in Infanta. To date only three batches have come forward to help us meet the $20,000 goal to help rebuild the Mt. Carmel School buildings damaged by the typhoons of Nov. 29-Dec. 4.

Posted Sept. 24, 2005

MCHS Drive to date
MCHS Alumni Batches
Received
Balance

Batch 1970
70
430

Batch 1973
268.34
231.66

Batch 1984
200
300

There are more than 30 batches of graduates from Mt. Carmel High School in Infanta. To date only three batches have come forward to help us meet the $20,000 goal to help rebuild the Mt. Carmel School buildings damaged by the typhoons of Nov. 29-Dec. 4.

Hurricane Katrina in the gulf coast reminded us of the horrific damage the four typhoons left in our beloved hometown. Americans are showing their concern for Katrina's victims in real dollars. In fact U.S. government has appropriated more than 60 billion USD and ordinary citizens are raising billions more through many national and local nonprofit organizations. And let us not forget the entertainers who acted immediately with concerts to raise funds for the victims.

Our goal is nowhere near the above, but if all of us will give even a small amount, we can reach our goal. The list below shows many who already have made a contribution. But read on to see who are from Metro Infanta, and you will notice many names missing. Are you one of those. If you have already contributed and you have the capacity to give more, please do so. We need another $12,000 to reach our goal. Let us show that we too are concerned about the welfare of our kababayans. Let us show that in action and not just in words.

Posted by Mila Glodava at 09:39 PM | Permalink

By Rudy Arizala

Former Ambassador Rudy Arizala celebrated his 76th birthday on September 25, 2005. We extend to our dear and great kababayan many happy returns of the day and we thnk him for his many words of wisdom including the words expressed in the poem below.

Another birthday comes
Reminds me many years
I have spent with grace
With family and friends.
Now my muscles, bones pain
Have to wear eyeglasses
To read the newspapers
And wear false dentures
To enjoy daily meals.
What is there in old age?
Which give the youth courage
To go on and work hard
When youth but past image
And old age a vision?
Now, I am seventy-six
Yet hoping to witness
More and more many years
Watch sunset and sunrise
The monsoon wind and rains
Which heaven only knows
When will they come again.

Posted by Mila Glodava at 08:17 PM | Permalink

A response by former Amb. Rudy Arizala to Malaya column by Ms. Dahli Aspillera

Dear Ms.Aspillera:

Your column "Metamorphosis of Words," which appeared in the Malaya newspaper of 14 September 2005, is not only funny but also contain interesting information on how language affects the culture of Filipinos even in mundane things such as foods and restaurants..

Even my small hometown of Infanta, Quezon engages in the "metamorphosis of words." If you have in Metro Manila "Caintacky Fried Chicken" and a burger place called "Mang Donald´s," in Infanta, province of Quezon, recentlly affected by flash-floods, we have eating places called: "Infanciteria". It is short name for "Infanta Panciteria". Aside from "pancit" it also serves dishes such as "Gising-gising," a spicy hot soup guaranteed to wake you up and "Gokong soup", a tribute to the Filipino-Chinese billionaire?. This soup is made of chicken feet simmered in dark broth. Another eating place near the municipal building is called: "SM Go to Plaza" which is open 24 hours. Its announced specialty are "Goto" and "Arroz caldo."

The closest Infanta has to a formal restaurant is called "Queen Cakes" Its catchword is "dining with a difference." It treats its customers "like queen and king. " A school supplies and bookstore near the public market is called: "Gibsons" ostensibly a short for "give to your sons" school supplies and books. There is also a flower shop called "Kulasa Flower Shop", Despite its name which suggests a shoddy woman, the place smells sweet due to fragrant fresh flowers sold in that shop.

All these information and colored photographs are immortalized in a coffee table book ttiled: "INFANTA Passage to the Pacific" published by the BPI Foundation, Inc., Makati City, 2004.

With best wishes and regards.

Sincerely yours,
RODOLFO A. ARIZALA

Posted by Mila Glodava at 08:16 PM | Permalink

by Rudy Arizala

Those of you of who have been viewing and hearing news about the floods in New Orleans via CNN must have been reminded also of what happened last year (November 29, 2004) in Infanta, Real and Gen. Nakar, Quezon, when one evening while people were sleeping flash-floods came silently without warning destroying homes, farms, streets, bridges, and thousands of people were either killed or perished. Worse, with the flash-floods came logs and rocks rolling down the slopes of the mountains burying homes and people alive. After the water was gone, the town and countryside were covered by slime, mud, rocks and logs. People were wet and cold, without homes, no water to drink and food to eat.

Despite such disaster, in Reina, there were no looting, rioting, and no army was called to keep law and order. The people prayed and waited patiently to receive whatever the government and NGO´s could give them in terms of bottled water, packets of noodle, a kilo of rice for each family and some canned goods or sardines. Those who have foods shared them with others. Whatever house or home remained standing became shelter also for those unfortunate ones who lost their homes. The President, provincial governor and other officials, nurses and doctors immediately came via helicopter to supervise and render whatever necessary aids could be given to the victims. Relief goods came by air and water. Soldiers were sent not to maintain law and order but to help clear the mountain road of slime and mud, rocks and debris as well as help look for survivors or victims buried under buildings or rocks.

The Infantahins themselves tried to fend for themselves, look for their dead, bury them, rebuild their homes from ruins Those who are abroad quickly organized themselves and in groups or individually sent money, relief goods to the people of Infanta, Real and Gen. Nakar, Quezon aside from those organized in Manila or elsewhere outside of the disaster area.

We deeply sympathize with the victims and people of New Orleans affected by hurricane Katrina. We understand the frustrations if not impatient anger of Mayor Ray Nagin of New Orleans, who through a radio / TV interview this morning (2 Sept. 2005), was practically begging for "reinforcements", "buses" and that prompt and necessary aid and relief goods be extended immediately by the State and Federal Governments.

The people of Reina undoubtedly have strong faith in the Lord plus the will to help themselves for they do not forget the Lord´s Covenant after the great deluge: "When I bring a cloud over the earth, then the rainbow shall certainly appear in the cloud. And I shall certainly remember my covenant which is between me and you and every living soul among all flesh, and no more will the water become a deluge to bring all flesh to ruin." (Genesis 9:14-15).

As restated in the Infanta coffee table book: INFANTA Passage to the Pacific published by the Bank of the Philippine Islands Foundation, Inc., in 2004, "Whenever distress comes to Infanta, a rainbow would appear in the sky."

We are confident that "a rainbow would (also) appear in the sky" of New Orleans and other devastated areas. We pray for them.

Editor's Note: anyone wishing to help, please direct your contributions to the nonprofit organizations nearest you, specifically the Catholic Charities USA and American Red Cross. They can use all the help we can give them. If you wish to give through Metro Infanta Foundation, please do so. It may not be a bad idea to show solidarity with the people of Alabama, Louisianna and Mississippi.

Also, do you know if any of our kababayans are from the disaster stricken areas? Please let us know.

Posted; Sept. 5, 2005

Posted by Mila Glodava at 08:13 PM | Permalink