Metro Infanta Foundation

Congrats to the Bishop, Prelatura of Infanta, Quezon and those opposing to make Real-Infanta area as transhipment for logs in Northern Quezon as reported in a Manila newspaper of 17 October 2006, reproduced below:

Rudy A. Arizala
- - - - -
Bishop, execs slam use of North Quezon to ship logs

By Delfin Mallari Jr.
Inquirer
Last updated 01:09am (Mla time) 10/17/2006

Published on Page A15 of the October 17, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

LUCENA CITY-A Catholic bishop and provincial officials supported the opposition of the local government unit of Real and the Metro Reina (Real, Infanta, General Nakar) Multi Stakeholders Forest Management Council (MRMSFMC) to the proposal of a big-time logger from Aurora to turn northern Quezon into its transshipment point in the distribution of lumber.

Prelature of Infanta Bishop Rolando Tirona, in a letter to Real Mayor Arsenio Ramallosa, expressed support to the municipal officials' decision to stop San Roque Sawmill Corp. (SRSC) from using the coastal town as an exit route for timber and lumber through the Pacific Ocean.

Provincial Board Member Isaias Ubana II criticized the plan during a hearing called by the committee on environment on Monday.

"It will only open (the town) to more environmental problems in the area," Ubana said.

He said Quezon province and Real town could both legally refuse the request for passage under the Local Government Code.

'Technical smuggling'

Real, if used as a transport channel, might also become a passageway for "technical smuggling" of timber resources from the Sierra Madre, Ubana said.

"There is a hidden agenda behind the plan. For so many decades, those Aurora loggers have been using land routes to transport their products. Why the sudden shift in the mode of transport, which would be too costly for the business?" said Board Member Eladio Pasamba.

Those who attended the committee hearing were surprised when Catholic priest Pete Montallana, chair of Task Force Sierra Madre-Infanta and member of the MRMSFMC, revealed that Environment Regional Director Antonio Principe had already approved the request of SRSC to use Real as an exit point for its forest products.

Montallana said Principe's action was contained in his memorandum to the DENR office in Real town dated Sept. 6.

This was confirmed by forester Joseph Posanso, a representative of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) in Real.

Posted by Mila Glodava at 04:03 PM | Permalink

Our thanks to Romy Coronacion for completing our IRS report for Fiscal Year 2005-2006.

As indicated below we have received total revenues of $43,223 and spent a total $50,707. Balance forwarded from previous years was a total of $18,570, thus leaving a net asset of $11,342.

Please note that all of the grants $49, 985 were donor-designated and therefore could only be used for the causes chosen by the donors. The bulk of the grants went to the Prelature of Infanta, through a Mission Appeal from the Archdiocese of Denver, and from numerous donors for the typhoon relief and for scholarships. Other causes our donors designated were the Discalced Carmelite Friars, for their Building Fund for the Seminary; the victims of the typhoon in Leyte; and the Socio Pastoral Institute, which one donor has designated to monitor the grants distribution and progress of projects supported by Metro Infanta Foundation.

Currently, Metro Infanta Foundation has 22 scholars from the Prelature of Infanta and beyond. We will have a separate report on this major project.

Balance Forward $18,570

Revenues
Donations 43,223
Membership 240
Interest 16
TOTAL $43,479

Grand Total $62,049

Expenses
Grants 49,985
Office Supplies 212
Postage 161
Secretary of State 10
Bank Charges 159
Internet 180
TOTAL $50,707

Balance $11,342

Posted by Mila Glodava at 02:16 PM | Permalink

By Rudy A. Arizala
09 October 2006

On this 42nd anniversary of our Wedding Day (09 October 2006) at New York City´s St. Patrick Cathedral almost at the end of autumn, may I share with you my reflections on such memorable event in my life when I bade adieu to my bachelorhood days and entered the portals of a married life.

FORTY-SECOND WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
By Rudy A. Arizala

Now we celebrate again
When each other we proclaimed
Our love-bond shall remain
In health, sickness or in pain.

Of that bond born three children
Grew up with their respective dreams
We nurtured, encouraged them
To go on life, shine or rain.

And they all fulfilled their dreams
For their dreams also our dreams
To be useful citizens
As the Good Lord destined.

As we celebrate this year
Forty-second wedding rites
We thank Lord of universe
For all His blessings and care.

E n d

What is the secret of such long togetherness? Such marriage lasted for 42 years today and God willing, it will last for many more years to come having in mind what a noted poet and writer said when Almitra asked him to speak of Marriage before his departure for home from the island. Kahlil Gibran in his literary master piece "The Prophet" said of Marriage in the following immortal words:

OF MARRIAGE
By Kahlil Gibran in his book “The Prophet”

You were born together, and together you shall be for evermore.
You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.
Aye, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness.
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.

Love one another, but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other´s cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each other one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.

Give your hearts, but not into each other´s keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other´s shadow.

E n d

Indeed, in your togetherness, love, grow, share each other´s joy but at the same time let there be also space for aloneness from each other. In the words of Kahlil Gibran: “Let there be spaces in your togetherness. . . .Stand together, yet not too near each other: / For the pillars of the temple stand apart, / And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other´s shadow.”

Posted by Mila Glodava at 02:03 PM | Permalink

Jeremiah Opiniano, an advocate of "Diaspora philanthropy," mentioned Metro Infanta Foundation in his Sun Star article, Sept. 12, 2006, on new "Filipino power" that's making a difference back home, especially in their hometowns. "There are some inspiring examples: Metro Infanta Foundation, based in Colorado, USA but formed with 400 Infantanhins from varied parts of the world, is one example-and its formula works."

Yes, we are proud of the work of Metro Infanta Foundation. I hope all Infantahins will show their pride by becoming even more supportive of the work that Metro Infanta Foundation does for our hometown. Wouldn't it be nice if all the Infantahin groups could pull our resources together ofr our common mission?

While it may be wishful thinking to form one solid Filipino organization, Mr. Opiniano said, "Perhaps there is no single best way to put these groups altogether. For one, the conditions vary by country, though the contract workers in the Middle East can learn a thing or two from the permanent residents in North America and Europe, who can learn from those in Africa or the Pacific islands. Whatever is happening back home is overseas Filipinos's concern, but whatever happens to a Filipino in one of those 193 countries may be something that is concern of overseas Pinoys from any part of the world (it can be interesting to see if Filipino Americans talk about overseas Filipinos concerns with leaders of domestic workers organizations in Hong Kong, despite the economic status of those from the latter groups).

For another, let these groups enjoy their comfort zone. Regionalism and working individually will not be gone but if, for example, these hometown associations pool money and invest it or entrust it to an NGO with a development project, that will be the positive side of the group splits. Migration and development advocates even think this is a direction towards luring migration's resources for local economic development in the motherland. So groups like the Banians of the USA, the Papaya Novo Ecijano in Belgium, and the Aguman Kapampangan in the United Arab Emirates are in the right direction, especially when think tank development groups help them.

It will be humanly impossible to form one very solid global Filipino network, or a Filipinos-for-the-planet-earth coalition where members and member-groups are on equal terms (no matter if they are documented or undocumented migrants, or successful and unsuccessful overseas Pinoys). But what can be possible are not just the individual and manageable efforts to help fellow migrants and the birthplaces in the Philippines, or tactical coalitions over issues that many may agree in principle.

Human respect, openness, and contrition for people's mistakes are also possible. If these Filipino migrants and their varied affiliations are willing to do this among each other in their remaining times on earth is entirely up to them. There are some inspiring examples: Metro Infanta Foundation, based in Colorado, USA but formed with 400 Infantanhins from varied parts of the world, is one example-and its formula works.

Under an environment with open human relations, don't mind if whites look at your migrant group and laugh at your ingenious parlor games, your beauty pageants, or your English or French speaking with an accent. You're Filipino, and beneath your banter are a vision for human betterment and an aspiration for renewed friendly Pinoy warmth and trust.

To read the entrie article please click here: Opiniano: Pinoys abroad here and there.

Posted by Mila Glodava at 12:18 PM | Permalink