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

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.

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

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."

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

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

At a luncheon meeting on Feb. 15, Friends of Metro Infanta Foundation made plans to help the Foundation raise, by December 2010, the $200,000 (9.4 million pesos) we committed to help rebuild the Gabaldon school building destroyed by a typhoon back in the mid-70s. Joanne Horne, a regular Foundation supporter and member of the board, agreed to serve as chair for this event. The committee agreed not only to host various events to raise funds but also to bring awareness to our Gabaldon Project and, we hope, major donors as well.

“Sa alikabok ka galing
Sa alikabok rin ang balik!”
Mga katagang sinambit
Habang ang iginuguhit
Ng Pari ay krus na uling
Sa noo na may kulimlim.
Magsisi sa kasalanan
At manalanging taimtim
Kapatawaran, hilingin
Ito ang ibig sabihin
Ng krus na iginuguhit
Sa araw ng alikabok.

The article: “Jessie Lichauco at 98: Feasting by the Pasig, dances with memories," by Ms. Sunshine de Leon which appeared on 07 February 2010, Philippine Daily Inquirer, made me recall to mind a distinguished lady who, accompanied by her two daughters, made a stop-over in New Delhi in 1958, on their way to London. I was then a young lawyer starting my diplomatic career at the Philippine Embassy as private secretary and confidential assistant to the Philippine Ambassador. I was designated to act as their tourist guide during their stay in the Indian capital.

Our 1958 visitors from Manila in New Delhi were no other than Mrs. Jessie Lichauco and her two teenaged daughters. I remember that the motherly and kind lady, more by way of endearment than in jest, fondly referred to me as the “boy lawyer” of the Philippine Embassy. Or, sometimes she calls me “hijo”.

Since that episode, I have not heard from them. But I never forget such motherly attention. It is, therefore, a pleasant surprise and gratifying for me to know that the distinguished lady I met with her two daughters many years ago, celebrated recently her 98th brithday; that she is still strong enjoying life and love of her children and grandchildren.

I wish to avail myself of this opportunity to extend to her my belated but sincere congratulations on her birthday. And of course, I wish her a very Happy Valentine which all grandparents like her deserved.

"So many column inches have been written – like the proverbial water
under the bridge – on whether our next well should be the Wawa or
Laiban Dam.
THE SKINNY. A battle between Patron Saints: On one side is San Miguel
Corporation’s Manila Water, championing Laiban Dam; opposite is San
Lorenzo Ruiz Builders Corp. with 17 years lien on the Wawa river dam.

"SMC has deep pockets and is favored by MWSS; but Laiban requires
relocating population, building 70 kms. pipeline infrastructure
(including tunneling) and three pump stations.

I hope that would rally our mga kababayans to support the proposal / suggestion of Mr. Cruz so that the Laiban Dam would not come to light and be left at peace, thereby saving thousands of inhabitants, fauna and flora from being either destroyed or relocated at great expense and inconvenience as well as destruction of our environment.

"One thing I want to share is I admire our Filipino actors and
actresses in portraying their respective roles. Puwedeng-puwede sa
Oscar award!

How many young children
Failed to bloom but wilted
Before they could emerge
Under Caribbean sun?
Faces sad, speechless.
How many mother's breasts
Dried before they could nurse
Emaciated babies?
Staring blankly their eyes.
How many are jobless
Surrounded by ruins
Despair and hopelessness?
Mouth silent as Sphinx.
People condemned to death
Even before their birth!
E n d

I agree with you that Filipino telenovelas are addicting. To appreciate them, as you've said, just follow the story until it ends. That's why I have to go home without delays from work to watch them. If I missed one, I had to call my friends. Nakaka-addict talaga!

One thing I want to share is I admire our Filipino actors and actresses in portraying their respective roles. Puwedeng-puwede sa Oscar award!

Maipagmamalaki talaga ang mga Pinoy in all fields of achievements.

I am proud to be a Filipino and an OFW. I am proud of all Infantahins working here in Saudi Arabia and in other Middle East countries.

More power to you and the Metro Infanta Foundation. Keep up the good works.

God bless you and all Infantahins.

Thanks and best regards,
Tony L. Vera Cruz
From poverty, I am now an ISO Consultant in one of the first-class oil and shipping service companies in the Gulf Region.