Metro Infanta Foundation

By Rudy Arizala

This morning while I was going out for a walk, I saw on the ground scattered silk like white petals of cherry blossoms. When I looked up, our only cherry tree in the garden of our Apartment is starting to bloom . imperceptible sign of Spring. Spring in Santiago is in September. It reminds me that within 24 hours, it would already be the advent of Spring in this adopted country of mine.

Speaking of Spring, allow me to share with you what I wrote many years ago. If you have received it, simply ignore it. If not yet, kindly read it.

One of my favorite songs is "September in the Rain."

It rained last night and the tiny white silk-like petals of the cherry blossoms fell to the ground. How beautful but frail are the cherry blossoms like our nostalgic memories!

Rudy
- - -
IMPERCEPTIBLE SIGNS

By Rudy A. Arizala*

While rummaging over my old files now yellowing with age, I chanced upon old clippings from The New York Times I have been keeping since 36 years ago. Why did I keep it? Then I read among the several topics of the editorial on page 10 E for the day 21 March 1965, one entitled: "Spring and Equinox". Let me reproduce the full text below:

"If spring were merely a matter of the vernal equinox it would be a very dull event indeed. That incident of celestial mechanics occurred yesterday afternoon and, what with fresh snow pelting down, few of us could see that it made any particular difference in the day. No tree suddenly burst into leaf, no bank of flowers opened their petals, no chorus of birdsong hailed the moment or even the hour. The sun rose two minutes earlier this morning and will set one minute later this evening than it did yesterday, but only the minute-measurers will be aware of that. By the almanac, it is now spring; but the almanac never hatched an egg or persuaded a bud to open.

"Spring is beginnings, most of them subtle and many of them secret. Spring is roots quickening, sap livening trunk and branch, seeds being promised to prepare for growth. It is a tempered wind, sometimes, but not always, blowing from a new quarter. It is sunlight falling from a new angle, but an angle that continues to change. It is the thousand and one conditions of growth and renewal, a complexity that reaches the very germ of life.

"The equinox signals one of the conditions of change. We welcome it, but only as a promise that the beginnings of spring are now established and that new leaf and bright blossom and the exuberance of birdsong are inevitable. But what happens, the consequence that adds up to spring itself is rooted in the earth, for it is the commitment of time and change and life indomitable."

There are no spring, winter and autumn in the Philippines. We have only two seasons-the dry (summer) and the wet (monsoon) seasons. Yet, how many of us notice the rainbow after the rain or the first streak of golden sunlight of summer at dawn, the fragrance of wild flowers, the old fire-tree having shed its leaves and now aflamed with a riot of colors; the first patter of rainfall on our roofs , the murmur of a gorgling brook, the dashing of waves on the rocky shore or the heavy moist air presaging a coming rain?

Yes, it seems most often in the coming and going of the season we forget that "new leaf and bright blossom and the exuberance of birdsong are inevitable." The awareness that "the consequence that adds up to spring itself is rooted in the earth, for it is the commitment of time and change and life indomitable." We take for granted the first patter of monsoon rain on our roof; the first streak of golden sunlight filtering through our window panes; the end of summer and the beginning of monsoon and then summer again, the seemingly endless cycle of life around us.

It is our failure to notice or feel such phenomena-- the subtle signs of changing season, time and space which makes us miss the glory and beauty which God has provided us. We alienate ourselves from the rhythm and pulse-beat of nature. We fail to appreciate that a fraction of a second could make us feel eternity if we attune ourselves with nature such as the changing of the season. Perhaps, we are too busy trying to survive we have not had time to notice and reflect on our environment as well as the coming and going of the season. We take things for granted even the air we breathe which is vital to our existence.

E n d

Posted by Mila Glodava at 02:05 PM | Permalink

By Rudy A. Arizala
28 August 2007

Before the month of August come to a close, let us remind ourselves on what happened in our country in 1896, especially the so-called "Cry of Balintawak" which actually occured in the barrio of Pugadlawin.

That event has become merely a footnote to our history.

According to historians, the premature disclosure of the existence of a secret society, the Katipunan, by Teordoro Patiño through the confessional box to Spanish friar Fr. Gil, led Andres Bonifacio and his men to flee Manila and seek refuge in its environs. At first they went to barrio Kangkong and then on 23 August 1896. They gathered at barrio Pugadlawin in the yard of Juan Ramos, the son-in-law of "Tandang Sora" (Melchora Aquino). There, as a sign of protest against Spánish rule in the Philippines, Bonifacio and his men tore up their "Cedulas" (Residence Tax Certificates); shouted "Long live the Philippines!";and decided what next to do.

Teodoro Plata, the brother-in-law of Bonifacio, expressed the opinion that before they stage a revolution or uprising, they should first have money, firearms and ammunitions. The more than one thousand men which gathered at Pugadlawin were only armed with a dozen revolvers, a rifle, and the rest with bolos, daggers, spears and wooden lances. But Plata was overruled by Bonifacio and Emilio Jacinto. The majority opted to start the revolution right that day. From Pugadlawin they marched the next day (24 August) toward a nearby barrio called Pasong Tamo, to the farm of Melchora Aquino where they were fed by the kindly old woman with 100 cavans of rice and 10 carabaos which were slaughtered.

But this "barrio fiesta" atmosphere at the farm of Tandang Sora did not last long. A contingent of well-armed Spanish security forces consisting of native (indios) soldiers and three Spaniards happened to reconnoiter the place. Thus, the first "skirmishes" between Bonifacio´s peasant army and Spanish forces occurred at Pasong Tamo on 26 August 1896, marking the first stage of the Katipunana revolution against Spain.

From that first encounter, Bonifacio and his men marched toward "Hagdang-bato" in Mandaluyong where they received food and other supplies as well as additional men and firearms. At Hagdang-Bato, Bonifacio planned to launched a simultaneous and concentrated attack on Manila by various Katipunan forces. The attack on Manila was scheduled on 29 August 1896, through an agreed signal - the firing of a canon ball.

However, for unknown reason, Bonifacio failed to give that signal to attack Manila. Historian Marconi Dioso in his book "Trilogy of Wars"wrote: " But the signal for the general assault against Manila was never given by Bonifacio . . . This signal fiasco can be attributed to Bonifacio´s lack of military discipline during that very early phase of the revolution."

Instead, Bonifacio attacked the Spanish aresenal in San Juan del Monte, but failed. It could be said that the "Battle of San Juan del Monte" was the "Waterloo" of Bonifacio. Again, according to historian Dioso: "By mid-morning the battle was over. Ninety-five Katipuneros lay dead with many of their corpses littering the roadways. Spanish casualties were small: three killed and fifteen wounded. This was undoubtedly a clear victory for the forces of Echaluce. The next morning when John Foreman, a British trader and earstwhile historian, rode over to San Juan del Monte with a Castillian friend, he described the scene before him: ´The rebel slain had not yet been removed. We came across them everywhere-in the fields and in the gutters of the highroad. Old men and youth had joined in the scrimmage and, with one exception, every corpse we saw was attired in the usual working dress (of peasant)."

The rest is history. Aguinaldo, a landlord of Cavite, took over the command of the Katipunan peasant army; won several battles in his home province of Cavite until the truce of Biak-na-Bato hammered by Don Pedro Paterno. Under said peace treaty, Aguinaldo and some of his top leaders would go on exile abroad but receive monetary compensation. Aguinaldo reportedly spent part of that money in purchasing rifles, ammunitions and other weapons from Japan. Unfortunately, that shipload of armaments never reached the Philippines for it was shipwrecked somewhere in Japan sea due to a storm.

Aguinaldo then met U.S. Commodore Dewey in Hong Kong and had a deal with him. Aguinaldo and his men would return to the Philippines and continue the revolution against Spain provided the Americans would give assistance or help in liberating the Philippines from Spain.

But such deal did not happen. Thru a "mock battle" in Manila between the U.S. forces and the remaining Spanish forces in the Philippines, the latter surrendered to the the U.S. forces in the Philippines. With Commodore Dewey´s victory in the Battle of Manila Bay against Spanish armada led by Admiral Montojo, followed by the 1898 Treaty of Paris whereby Spain sold the Philippines to the U.S. in the amount of US 20 million dollars, Aguinaldo and his men have to fight the forces of what they think at first were their friends and allies.

Aguinaldo and his peasant army continued to fight for freedom but had to retreat up North in Luzon due to superior enemy forces. A boy general, 21 year old Gregorio del Pilar and his handpicked 60 soldiers tried to defend Tirad Pass from the pursuing American forces in pursuit of Gen. Aguinaldo and his men. In the process, the boy general was killed and according to a U.S. officer, " we left him alone in his own glory"- his dead body rotting under the noonday sun until another U.S. army officer came by and gave the body of young Gregorio del Pilar a decent burial.

Thru a "ruse de guer", Col Funston of the U.S. army, using the native Macabebe mercenary soldiers dressed in Katipunero uniforms, was able to penetrate the headquarters of Aguinaldo in Palanan. Aguinaldo was taken prisoner and brought to Manila. Col. Funston was promoted to General. Shortly, thereafter, Aguinaldo swore allegiance to the Stars and Stripes. Other Katipinero generals were either killed, captured or surrendered to the U.S. Forces. Gen. Miguel Malvar of Batangas was the last General of the Aguinaldo Army to surrender to the Americans. Another Katipunero leader Sakay was captured and hang by the Americans. Gen. Artemio Ricarte or "Viborta" was banished to Guam, then went on exile to Japan. Ricarte during WW II retunred to the Philippines under the banner of the Rising Sun. Apolinario Mabini, the close adviser, "hefe de gabinete" of Aguinaldo and foreign affairs secretary was banished or exiled to Guam by the Americans. Homesick and

tired of eating "canned sardines" in American concentration camps in Guam, he pledged allegiance to the Stars and Stripes so that he would be able to return to the Philippines. He died of cholera at his nipa house under Nagtahan bridge in Manila during a cholera epidemic in the city.

In war or revolution, it is said "the victors write history". I shall neither write history of the Filipino struggle for freedom nor judge them. I would simply quote what Thomas Gray wrote in his "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard," which states: "Let not Ambition mock their useful toil / Their homely joys, and destiny obscure; / Nor Grandeur hear with a disdainful smile / The short and simple annals of the Poor."

But perhaps as a footnote to history, may I remind readers: There was once a Filipino peasant army who with bolos and wooden lances, fought for freedom against superior enemy forces. "They lost the battle, but not their struggle for freedom."

Posted by Mila Glodava at 01:26 PM | Permalink

By Pol Derilo

Infanta hosted the Congressional Athletic Meet attended by delegations from the 1st District of Quezo on Friday, August 24, 2007. Delegates in colorful uniforms and costumes paraded around town from the elementary school ground. Most mayors from the participating towns were in attendance as well as Congressman Enverga and Gov. Nantes.

Posted by Mila Glodava at 08:43 PM | Permalink

Amb. Rudy Arizala laments the fact that only a handful of Infantahins have received the MLQ Medalya ng Karangalan award. Upon his suggestion, we are taking a lead role in seeking nominations to said award, using the qualifications from the MLQ Medalya ng Karangalan and the rules for submission of nominations. Please click Medalya ng Karangalan.

"There are many from Infanta, Real and Gen. Nakar, who also deserve to be nominated," Said Amb. Arizala. "For example, the late Vic Mopera (posthumous) in the field of public information."

In sum, anybody from Quezon province could nominate and such nomination could be endorsed or seconded by the MIF.

The one making the nomination could simply write a letter either via email or airmail addressed to the Chairman of the Committee of the MLQ Medalya ng Karangalan Award saying: "I have the honor to nominate Mr. or Ms. So and So for the MLQ Medalya ng Karangalan in the field of_____(indicate in what field whether in "public service", "community development," "health"; military, diplomacy, journalism, public informationm, agriculture,
environment, etc., enclosing a duly accomplished nomination form with all the required data including photograph of the nominee.

Then the MIF could endorse such nominationn to the Chairman of the MLQ Medalya ng Karangalan Award.

The nomination should be done before the deadline (July 1) set by the Award Committee.

Let us increase the list of MLQ Medalya ng Karangalan awardees from Metro Infanta. We need your support in nominating those deserving. Let us not wait until someone dies before we tell them they have made a difference in our lives.

Posted by Mila Glodava at 08:21 PM | Permalink

Congratulations to Mrs. Dulcinea E. Abcede for having received the MLQ Medalya ng Karangalan last 19 August 2007, in the field of community service and philanthropy.

May other deserving personalities from Infanta, Gen.Nakar, Real, Polillo and Mauban province of Quezon merit recognition for the MLQ Award in the future.

How about the MIF taking the initiative to scout yearly for personalities from REINA to be recommended for MLQ Award to keep alive the Quezonian traits of love of country, service and dedication to social justice and humanity?

Rudy Arizala

Posted by Mila Glodava at 10:18 AM | Permalink

Congratulations to Mrs. Duclinea Enverga Abcede, the latest Infantahin recipient of the prestigious MLQ Medalya ng Karangalan Aug. 19, 2007 in Lucena City. Mrs. Abcede was cited for her lifetime of community service and philanthropy.

Since the institution of the Quezon Award in 1970, twelve Infantahins have received said award, as follows:

1978 - Gen. Guillermo Nakar, Military Service (Posthumous)
1985 - Dr. Jose M. Pujalte, Medicine
1992 - Dr. Abelardo A. Mercado, Medicine
1994 - Bishop Julio X. Labayen, OCD, Christian Leadership
1995 - Amb. Rodolfo A. Arizala, Foreign Service
1998 - Fr. Francis B. Lucas, Community Development
2003 - Atty. Jose Mario C. Buñag, Law Practice
2004 - Mrs. Mila Garcia Glodava, Community Service
2005 - Ms. Rita J. Ramírez, Education
2005 - Fr. Charlito C. Colendres, Spiritual Shepherding (Posthumous)
2005 - Dr. Amando A. Gurango, Military Medical Service (Posthumous)
2007 - Mrs. Dulcinea Enverga Abcede, Community Service

Posted by Mila Glodava at 10:19 AM | Permalink

By Rudy Arizala

On 19 August 2007, will be 129th birth anniversary of the late President Manuel L. Quezon, a great Filipino leader and President of the Philippine Commonwealth.

Methinks, the best way of honoring him on his birthday is to remember and put into practice the principles under Executive Order No. 217 which he promulgated on 19 August 1939, shortly before the outbreak of WW II in the Pacific.

Below is my thinking on the matter.

- - - -
THE QUEZON CODE OF ETHICS

ITS RELEVANCE TODAY

By Rudy A. Arizala

Santiago, Chile 19 August 2007

In celebration of Philippine Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon´s 129th birth anniversary, it is worth remembering the relevance of his thinking as expounded in is "Code of Citizenship and Ethics" which he promulgated under Executive Order No. 217 on his 61st birthday, 19 August 1939.

There are 16 postulates or principles in all, but suffice to quote here only 6 of them which have relevance up to these days, to wit:

1.. Have faith in the Divine Providence that guides the destinies of men and nations.
2.. Love your country for it is the home of your people, the seat of your affections, and the source of your happiness and well-being. Its defense is your primary duty. Be ready at all times to sacrifice and die for it if necessary.
3.. Safeguard the purity of suffrage and abide by the decisions of the majority. (No. 5 in the Code of Ethics).
4.. Value your honor as you value your life,. Poverty with honor is preferable to wealth with dishonor. (No. 7 in the Code of Ethics).
5.. Contribute to the welfare of your community and promote social justice. You do not live for yourselves and your families alone. You are a part of society to which you owe definite responsibilities. (No. 14 in the Code of Ethics).
6.. Use and develop our natural resources and conserve them for posterity. They are the inalienable heritage of our people. Do not traffic with your citizenship. (No. 16 in the Code of Ethics).

Instead of holding parades and delivering speeches, let us remind ourselves of the above six postulates or principles and put them into practice. Methinks, that is the best way of honoring the late President Manuel L. Quezon on his 129th birth anniversary today, 19 August 2007, and in the years to come.

These are faith in God; love of country; sanctity of the ballots, primacy of honor; social justice; and conservation and development of our national resources.

Posted by Mila Glodava at 09:48 PM | Permalink

Ni Rudy Arizala

Talagang hindi yata titigil ang pagpuputol ng mga kahoy sa natitira pang maliit na kagubatan sa Sierra Madre.

Pagka hindi tinigilan ang pagputol ng mga kahoy sa Sierra Madre, darating ang araw na matutuyo o mawawala na ang ating Ilog Agus sa Infanta at Gen. Nakar.

Malimit ko nang isulat o ipa-ala-ala ang sinabi ni Red Indian Chief Seattle noong nais bilhin ng Pamahalaang Amerikano ang lupa, kagubatan at kailogan ng mga Indians.

Naito uli ang sinasaad sa wiking Ingles:

"The shining water that moves in the streams and rivers is not just water, but the blood of our ancestors. . .The rivers are our brothers. They quench our thirst They carry our canoes and feed our children. . .

"When the last red man has vanished with this wilderness, and his memory is only the shadow of a cloud moving across the prairie, will these shores and forests still be here?Will there be any spirit of my people left?

"We know that the white man does not understand our ways. One portion of land is the same to him as the next, for he is a stranger who comes in the night and takes from the land whatever he needs. . .

"His appetite will devour the earth and leave behind only a desert."

If we will not put a stop to cutting of trees in our forest especially in the Sierra Madre mountains, borrowing the words of Chief Seattle, their "appetite will devour the earth and leave behind only a desert."

Do we like that to happen?

Posted by Mila Glodava at 08:58 AM | Permalink

By Delfin Mallari Jr.
Southern Luzon Bureau
Last updated 05:44pm (Mla time) 08/13/2007

LUCENA CITY-- Northern Quezon Catholic bishop Rolando Tria Tirona has condemned the resurgence of illegal logging in the Sierra Madre mountain ranges and assailed the failure of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to stop the forest destruction.

“The Prelature of Infanta and I are very much concerned with the glaring apathy of the caretakers and defenders of our environment to the rampant cutting of trees in the Sierra Madre,” Tirona, head of the prelature, said in a text message to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, parent company of INQUIRER.net.

Tirona called on newly-designated Environment Secretary Jose “Lito” Atienza to finally put an end to the destruction of forests in the longest mountain ranges in the country.

According to Fr. Pete Montallana, chair of Church-backed environmentalist group Task Force Sierra Madre (TFSM), massive illegal logging in the Sierra Madre has returned.

“The national government could always initiate the planting of millions of trees to help rehabilitate the country’s denuded forest but the fact will still remain that illegal logging syndicates continue to operate with impunity because of the indifference of DENR personnel,” the priest said.

Last week, a government “informer” on illegal logging in the Sierra Madre narrated to the Inquirer the extent of forest destruction he had noted recently.

He said the truckload of illegally cut hardwood species recently seized by the military was concrete proof that illegal loggers had resumed operations.

“When I reached the Agos riverbank in the mountain village of Magsaysay, what were noticeable were tell-tale signs of a just-concluded operation of mobile saw mills. Wood slabs and saw dust were all around,” said the informant, who was instrumental in the joint DENR-military “Oplan Baykuran” operation last year.

“Oplan Baykuran” was a massive government anti-illegal logging plan implemented last year in the southern Sierra Madre, which resulted in the confiscation of illegally-cut logs and illegal cutting paraphernalia worth millions of pesos.

“I spotted new breed of ‘magbubulaog’ [haulers] pulling timber in the river. They are younger and stronger,” said the informer.

“My sources from the indigenous tribes confirmed my suspicions that it’s fiesta time again for the forest rapists. Illegal band saws have again sprouted like mushrooms. Definitely, illegal logging is now wrecking havoc again,” he said, shaking his head in disgust.

However, Antonio Diwa, community environment and natural resources officer based in Real town, refuted the resurgence of illegal logging.

“The reports on the supposed resurgence of illegal logging have no basis. They were all rehashed allegations,” Diwa said over the phone.

He said former environment secretary Angelo Reyes had issued a memorandum dated July 12 ordering a total log ban in the three towns of Real, Infanta and General Nakar.

He added that Quezon governor-elect Rafael Nantes had also issued the same directive upon assumption into office.

Montallana retorted: “What’s that memorandum? What’s that directive? Illegal logging never stopped. What we’ve been asking from Malacañang is to investigate the local DENR office. Another log ban proclamation will not help if the implementers could not be trusted.”

Pio Astejada, TFSM president, said: “[The] log ban is not being observed in Sierra Madre.”

Montallana recalled that President Glorioa Macapagal-Arroyo declared a “total log ban” policy right after the 2004 flashfloods and landslide in northern Quezon.

“But we are saddened because despite our earnest effort to support the total log ban policy, DENR has never implemented it seriously,” he said.

At least three DENR-Quezon chiefs have been sacked due to their failure to stop illegal logging in Sierra Madre.

Copyright 2007 Southern Luzon Bureau. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Posted by Mila Glodava at 07:24 PM | Permalink

OR A GATE TO GLORIOUS PEACE?

By Rudy A. Arizala
06 August 2007

Those who were born after 06 August 1945, or those who were still babies would not remember what happened on said date which led to the end of WW II in the Pacific and the unconditional surrender of Japan to the Allied Forces. On said date the first atomic bomb called "Little Boy" was dropped on the City of Hiroshima followed by the dropping of another atomic bomb on Nagasaki killing thousands of innocent civilians, men, women and children, wiping almost entirely the two cities converting them into radioactive ashes..

It may be recalled that on 6 August 1945, an American B-29 baptized as "Enola Gay" dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima from an altitude of 27,900 feet. The bomb transformed itself into a mushroom cloud of fire estimated at 180 feet in diameter which rose to a full height of more than seven miles - virtually "a miniature sun." It was 8:15 in the morning at Hiroshima.. Seeing the spectacle below from the plane, one of its crewmember named Caron exclaimed: "A peep into Hell." While another crewmember called Lewis penned in his logbook: "My God, what have we done"?

Today, at the Memorial Cathedral which now stands on the heart of Hiroshima City inscribed on its gate the following words:

"This church was erected in memory of the victims of the first atomic bomb, dropped on Hiroshima on 6 August, 1945, and as an augury of peace for all nations symbolizing the true and only way that leads to peace with God and man: The way of truth, not of deception; of justice, not of violence; of love, not of hate.

"Therefore all who enter this church are earnestly requested to offer their prayers for the eternal repose of the departed and for peace among the peoples of the world."

As I look back, I wonder whether the atomic bomb called "Little Boy" born more than half a century ago have matured and languished in repentance and out of that repentance comes love, or have we , like the story in the Arabian Nights, unleashed from its bottle a black genie-- a grotesque deadly monster representing the "Fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse."

"Love is the gate of peace," proclaimed the message on the bronze door of the Memorial Church at Hiroshima, and on its Tabernacle is inscribed: "Out of the ruins of man´s guilt springs the triumph of the risen Christ and His peace."

The choice is on us, created in the image of our Lord.

E n d

Posted by Mila Glodava at 11:12 AM | Permalink

By Mila Glodava

The Board of Trustees has approved over the phone, by mail and email, several resolutions of inportance to Metro Infanta Foundation and its mission to address the needs of the towns in Metro Infanta and beyong.

1) Resolution to open a stock account. This resolution was prompted by a potential major donor's desire to donate has some stocks to Metro Infanta Foundation for distribution to various causes in the Philippines, including the Gabaldon Restoration Fund, Socio Pastoral Institute, Carmelite Spirituality Center in Bacolod and a local Roman Catholic Church in Hinoba-an on negros Island.

2) Gabaldon Restoration Fund: In view of the fact that the Gabaldon Restoration Fund is benefiting from the above donation, we have asked the board to launch this capital campaign to raise at least $100,000 to make this dream come true. Use of this fund is, of course, subject to the findings on the legal ownership of the land on which the Gabaldon is built, and the counterpart funding from the local, provincial and national governments.

3) Term of Office: We asked the members of the board to signify in writing whether they wish to remain on the board or not. If the latter, we asked them to nominate someone who will really want to serve on the board and keeping in mind the following qualifications:

a. Will make a commitment to promote the mission of Metro Infanta Foundation
b. Will make time for meetings, whether at a specific location or by email or phone conference.
c. Will make a commitment to support the Foundation financially
d. Will contribute ideas to keep the Foundation’s mission alive.
e. Will recruit other supporters of the Foundation.

In the meantime, the Metro Infanta Foundation wishes to thank the current Board of Trustees for their support over the years. To date, the Foundation has distributed more than $350,000 in grants to various causes, most of which were donor-designated. In addition, Metro Infanta Foundation has facilitated nearly $250,000 in grants from various funding agencies that send funds directly to the charitable causes in the Philippines, especially the Prelature of Infanta, Socio Pastoral Institute and the Discalced Carmelite Friars.

A strong Board of Trustees will enable us to continue this valuable service to Metro Infanta and beyond. If you know of any kababayan who will be interested in serving on the board please let us know at editor@infanta.org. We will need all the basic information about them -- name, address, phone numbers, email address, and statement of commitment to serve on the board -- so we can contact them and received their approval to include in the nomination for approval by the current board.

Posted by Mila Glodava at 01:48 PM | Permalink

The Metro Infanta Foundation Board of Trustees (see below), is currently seeking new members of the Board of Trsutees to begin their term in January 2008 through 2011. Members of the board who are retiring have nominated a few names but we are still awaiting their go signal before we can publish their names. The qualifications we require are as follows:

a. Will make a commitment to promote the mission of Metro Infanta Foundation
b. Will make time for meetings, whether at a specific location or by email or mail correspondence, or by phone conferences.
c. Will make a commitment to support the Foundation financially.
d. Will contribute ideas to keep the Foundation’s mission alive.
e. Will recruit other supporters of the Foundation.

Officers

President
Mila Glodava

Secretary
Salvacion Azcarraga Derilo

Treasurer
Vacant

Board of Trustees:

Chairman of the Board
Apolinar Derilo

Members
Thelma Telan Coralde
Melecia C. Garcia
Marilyn Bunag Ibanez
Carol Rutaquio Nido
Amor Penaverde Santiago
Divinia Tingzon

Unable to contact
Frederick Villamayor
Mita Recio Pasia

Auditor
Romeo Coronacion

Posted by Mila Glodava at 12:00 AM | Permalink

By Rudy A. Arizala

When I was a kid, the month of August in Infanta, Quezon or Liliw, Laguna, is the dry season aside from being remembered as the days of upheavals or revolutions such as the "Cry at Pugad-Lawin", of national heroes and the "roar of guns of August." It is a month when we have lots of sunshine that the grass sometimes turn yellowish or brownish in color. But the santol and lanzones trees do not turn yellowish because of the drying leaves but due to their bountiful harvest of golden fruits.

Santol fruit could be eaten when ripe, the slippery seeds having that enticing sweet sour taste. The meat of the santol fruit has that sour taste and eaten with a dash of salt. The meat of the santol fruit is also shredded and cooked with coconut milk mixed with "balaw" or "alamang" (tiny salted shrimps) and eaten as "ulam" or viand. Such native dish is called "sinantol". Try to eat "sinantol" with newly-harvested rice cooked in earthen pot covered on top with "pandan" leaves, and you will remember the "good old days" in Infanta prior to the advent of "electric rice cooker" and gas stove. The santol fruit could also be eaten either as dessert or refreshing drink. The meat and seeds are mixed with water and sugar. It could also be made into marmalade or "matamis na santol".

Lanzones fruits in Liliw, Laguna, are also yellowish in color when ripe and have also sweet-sour taste. But in partaking of the lanzones, be careful not to bite the seeds for they are bitter.

Santol trees in Infanta grow in remote places especially at river banks (Please do not ask me why). While lanzones in Liliw, Laguna, grow under the coconut trees and at the foothills of Mt. Banahaw.

August is generally associated with hot season, prickly dry heat and upheavals. But in rural areas such as in Infanta and Liliw, it is remembered as the month of that refreshing taste of santol fruit and lanzones as well as by the sight of rows and rows of stalls made of dried coconut palm leaves with bamboo tables laden with the golden santol and lanzones fruits being sold by pretty sweet smiling young girls along the winding mountain road from Quezon and Laguna Provinces to Manila.

Posted by Mila Glodava at 09:17 AM | Permalink

Aug. 3 … River Crisostomo
Aug. 17 … Juliet Pimentel, NDV
Aug. 22 … Marilyn Buñag Ibañez
Aug. 30 … Eunice Crisostomo

Wedding Anniversaries
August 31… Cenon and Emelita Garcia

Posted by Mila Glodava at 12:00 AM | Permalink