Category: Blogs

How Mar Roxas handled Typhoon Yolanda as written by Roly Eclevia

In the Eye of the Storm
[A first person account by Jonathan Ronquillo,
DILG staff member, as told to and written by Roly Eclevia]

[Mar Roxas was on ground zero the day it struck on Nov. 8, 2013. He led the initial relief efforts and stayed there for three weeks more to assess the damage and to lay the groundwork for rehabilitation In contrast, Rodrigo Duterte came when all was clear, stayed for an hour to have his photo taken distributing bags of grocery and sobbing uncontrollably. The media and the people lapped it all up.]

“Take cover,” DILG Secretary Mar Roxas barked. “The ceiling fan could fall.”

Ex-Alaminos Mayor Nani Braganza and I dived and sought refuge under a table. Not that we needed to be told. The hotel seemed to be caving in.

We were right smack in the path of the strongest typhoon ever to hit land in recorded history. It also turned out to be the most destructive and the deadliest.

It was 8 a.m., Nov. 8, 2013. From where we cowered we could see, through the glass windows, branches torn from their trunks and blown all over the place. The monster—for it was a monster—hurled them at the hotel as if to flush us out.

The last bulletin we heard was at 4:30 a.m., when Typhoon Yolanda made landfall in Guian, Samar.

In the past three days SMAR (Secretary Manuel Araneta Roxas) had been conducting frenzied preparations. From the DILG Operations Center at Camp Crame, he fired orders in quick succession to governors and mayors in the typhoon’s path. He told them to preposition rescue personnel and equipment and to carry out emergency relief operations at a moment’s notice.

Then, on the eve of that great weather disturbance, SMAR left the comfort of his office and flew to Tacloban, to make sure his orders were carried out to the letter. There he planned to set up a command post for the rescue and relief operations during and after the typhoon.

He and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin checked in at the Leyte Park Hotel to sit out the howler.

Nani, with me in tow, joined them later. He was to assist SMAR in his dealings with local politicians. A former congressman, Cabinet secretary, and mayor, he was perfect for the job.

Sitting It Out
“Stay away from the windows,” SMAR again shouted. He and Nani were herding the guests and city residents who had sought refuge in the hotel, into the basement.

It was 10 a.m. The might of the monster was on full display. The one-inch thick glass door was swinging like crazy, making a fearful crashing sound each time. Windows shattered, letting in all kinds of debris: tree branches and leaves, sand and tufts of grass, mud and rain. They hit and stung us in the face, swirled around us. Outside, cars, vans, delivery trucks were being thrown every which way.

I felt like I was watching a Hollywood horror movie, only this time I was in it.

At SMAR’s instructions, I called Col. Jojo Angan, who was left behind at Camp Crame. I was to tell him the situation on the ground and relay SMAR’s orders for appropriate government agencies to get ready to move in. It was no use. All manners of communication were out. No power.

Through it all, SMAR was calm and collected. I could sense from his voice, however, that he was under tremendous pressure. The lives of people were in his hands, and he fully realized the fact, with other officials, civilian and military, deferring to his judgment and awaiting his orders.

Damage Assessment
The typhoon began to let up at 10:30 a.m. SMAR asked the hotel management for dry sheets and towels for the locals and their children who had sought refuge in the hotel. They were all soaked to the skin and shivering. He also requested food and water for everyone.

Against the advice of everyone, SMAR, Gazmin, and Nani went out to survey the damage. It was surreal outside. Otherwise sturdy structures had toppled over, their steel reinforcements bent like paper clips. Houses were flattened to the ground.

There were bodies strewn in the streets, and SMAR ordered that they be collected and brought to the undertaker and given the dignity they deserved. However, the priority now was to bring aid and comfort to the living, who were just beginning to emerge, cold and hungry, frightened out of their wits.

Nobody could show us around. We had counted on Mayor Alfred Romualdez to help us make the initial assessment. He was supposed to set up a quick response command center, but he was nowhere to be found.

Luckily, the structure housing the police sustained only minor damage, and, most important of all, 30 cops had reported for duty.

The precinct had more than 250 personnel, but most of them were victims too. They needed to secure their families first.

SMAR, grateful for the little resources he could muster, set up the command post. He instructed Col. Bong Cabillan, the chief of police, to find all DILG, PNP, BFP, and BJMP officers and men and get them to report to him.

He had two objectives: 1) establish communication with the national government and dispatch search and rescue teams, and 2) clear the airport and major roads so that help, when it came, could reach the victims.

SMAR dispatched two teams of policemen on bicycles, one to the airport to see what could be done to clear the runway, and another to Palo, Leyte, for a much needed satellite phone.

Then he and Gazmin commandeered the two working police cars to see things for themselves.

On Real Street, the city’s main road, they ran into broadcast journalist Ted Failon and his team. In tears, Failon narrated how they had been trapped in the Fishermen’s Village in Barangay San Jose. They were on their way to the ABS-CBN field unit nearby.

Clearing Operation
Farther afield, SMAR and Gazmin caught up with city administrator Tecson Lim. At last they could talk to someone who knew the area. They told him to get city hall employees to help clear the roads.

Near the Coca Cola plant, SMAR saw a fleet of heavy equipment. He told the foreman to begin the clearing operation, assuring him rental and manpower expenses would be paid for, even if he had to advance the money personally.

A contingent of the 81st Storm Troopers Brigade came into view. He instructed them to get to work too. To the people he met around the city, he said help was coming.

At 4 p.m., Mayor Romualdez finally showed up. SMAR and Gazmin ran into him at the Junction/Rotunda. The mayor and his wife and children were with the family dogs. He said they almost drowned in their beachfront home. Informed that the family was headed to city hall, Gazmin instructed the driver of an Army truck to bring them there.

Now the clearing operation was in full swing, with the PNP and the Army leading the way.

At about 5 p.m., the cops who had been dispatched to Palo arrived. Now with the satellite phone, SMAR and Gazmin could talk to President Aquino.

Here’s what I remember SMAR telling the President:

“Sir, all communications systems are down, most government infrastructure are badly damaged, rescue personnel and equipment could barely cope. We need all the help we can get to jump-start the relief operation. We are clearing the runway now and the main roads leading to the airport so planes from there (National Capital Region) can land.”

SMAR and the cops worked until 11 p.m., to get the generators working. Then we went back to our hotel by car and, where it was impossible to go farther because of the debris, on foot.

Initial Relief Work
The next day, at 8 a.m., we were back to the police station-turned-command post. Soon we heard a C130 plane approaching and several Huey helicopters. They were carrying rescue personnel, equipment, and foodstuffs. Help was starting to arrive. SMAR’s efforts paid off handsomely. The runways had been cleared.

The Leyte Plaza had been turned into a helo pad, and choppers came and went throughout the day, all carrying more personnel and relief goods.

There was no lack of volunteers. There were SMAR’s friends in Tacloban, led by Lenny Banez and others. They offered to provide us with water from a groundwater pump and placed several heavy equipment at our disposal.

A Chinese shop owner gave us chainsaws to use, if we could assemble the kits. His technicians had not reported for work, so we put together the parts ourselves, using the Chinese language instruction manual, to SMAR and Gazmin’s amusement.

On Nov. 10, President Aquino arrived. He had been preceded by DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman, whose team was to take over the relief operation.

After lunch the President and SMAR boarded a military plane for an aerial inspection, not only of Tacloban but also of the other typhoon-devastated areas.

Help started coming in earnest, from the government and the private sector, from the US and other countries, from the UN and from international humanitarian groups.

The Blame Game
Only after three weeks—when the PNP and the Army, DPWH and DSWD, and other government agencies were firmly in place–did SMAR leave Tacloban for the rest he so richly deserved.

Ironically, he was roundly criticized for “the slow response of the government.” He was the face of the relief operation—and the subsequent rehabilitation and reconstruction program—so his political enemies found it convenient to blame him for everything that went wrong.

Never mind the fact that the tragedy was of such magnitude it was impossible to bring relief to everyone all at one time, even with the help of the international community.

Close to a million families with 4.5 million members were affected. That’s why a lot of people had to endure days, even weeks of waiting before help could reach them. Some 6,300 died and an undetermined number were injured.

“I was there the day before the typhoon struck,” SMAR once blurted out in exasperation. “How much faster than that can you get?”

No good deed goes unpunished! -Originally posted Nov. 9, 2015, getting 38K likes and 1.8K shares.

Mar Roxas takes a spill while moving around to assess the damage, and supervise the clearing operation. He is even ridiculed the media supposedly for being inept on a motorbike.

Christianity in Tucod, Cabarroguis, Quirino, how it started

Written by my mother Maria Puguon Tayaban

“In 1978, due to my marital problems, I decided to leave my husband for a while, atleast for a year to have peace of mind. I asked permission from our parish priest in Kiangan, Ifugao. I told him about my situation with my husband and he permitted me to leave but have to return to my husband after a year.

I then took my three children – my third daughter who stopped going to school and my two youngest children – and went to Tucod to live with my eldest sister. We stayed at the house where my mother lived. I am forvever grateful to the families of my two sisters who provided us our food and other needs. I was temporarily given an area to cultivate, and thanks God, I had a good harvest of palay.

For the first two months, I noticed that people just work and work everyday. There was no Sunday spiritual activities. So I asked some of them, “Brothers and sisters, God led you into this place to have a better life but you forgot to praise and thank him.” They answered, “awan ngamin mangidaulo ngem tatta ta adda kan, idaulwam ta mangrugi tayo manen kas iti inar-aramid tyo ijy Maggok nga nagapwanan tayo.” (Nobody can lead a prayer meeting but now that you are here, please lead and we will start a Sunday prayer meeting like we always did in Maggok where we came from.)

l answered them back, “inton umay garod nga Sunday, awan mapan agtrabaho, maurnong tayo ta mangrugi tayo.” (this coming Sunday, nobody then will go to work. We will gather and start a prayer meeting.)

The following Sunday, I and nine other women gathered at the house of Mr. & Mrs. Alfredo Bilibli, the cousin of former Miss Evelyn Dulnuan, now Mrs. E. Mendoza, one of the present lay leaders. We started by praying the Holy Rosary. But the house had a store and every now and then, we were disrupted by customers. I asked God to give us a better venue.

I asked help from cousins who were working at the Luzon Loggers Inc. – Domingo Kimmayong, Vicente Baguilat, and brother-in-law ex-barangay captain Antonio Codamon. Gratefully, they were very cooperative. A small lot was assigned and the men provided lumber while we, women provided ‘pan-aw’ (grass) for the roof. The men and other volunteers constructed a small building for our Sunday gatherings. There was no parish yet in Gundaway, Cabarroguis. It was Father Herman at the parish in Diffun who sometimes came to say the Holy Mass.

After a year, some cousins, who were living in Caboaan, Aglipay, Quirino, invited us to live there. The prospect was encouraging as it is a newly opened area and one can just cultivate a part of the virgin forest and become his. Same cousins constructed a house for us, made out of thick barks of timber. I then bid goodbye to my sisters, relatives, and those who are gathering during Sundays and went to Caboaan where I facilitated the construction of the St. Paul Catholic Church in Alicia, Aglipay, Quirino.

I accepted everthing as God’s plan for me to work for His glory.”

History of the Catholic Church in Maggok, Hungduan


Written by my mother, Maria Puguon Tayaban

“Sometime in the 1950s, the late Rev. Father Jerome Moreman (a Belgian priest), with two Belgian nuns, Sister Ana and Sister Renata, visited our barrio of Maggok. The sitio they first stepped on was Nunggawa, a sitio near the Poblacion. In the evening, they had a house to house visit to the people. They lovingly greeted them and asked them not to go to work the following day and gather in one house. The people obeyed and they assembled the following day. The sisters taught them Catholic Cathechism before Father Moreman celebrated the first Holy Mass in Maggok. This was then the beginning of Christian evangelization in Maggok.

During that time, there were three priests at the Saint Joseph Parish in Kiangan, Ifugao. Father Moreman as Parish Priest; the second priest as Director of Saint Joseph School, and Fr. Silvano as bario priest who goes around the barios to say mass once a month. So every month, Fr. Silvano, together with two convent girls and a sakristan, go to Maggok to say Mass. They always start by evangelizing the people for thirty minutes before the Holy Mass. Father Moreman saw how interested the people were to embrace Christianity, so he decided to build a church for them.

Time went by and the former Miss Angelina Nicod-am volunteered as adult Cathechist but she did it for a short time only. She was succeeded by her brother Mr. Paul Nicod-am and Mr. Fernando Namuhje, but again, they did it for a short period only.

I was in high school at that time and Fr. Moreman encouraged all students to teach the Catholic Chathechism in their own barios. So I, with former Miss Maria Dulnuan, and former Miss Mary Butic, who were also studying in Saint Joseph School, taught the basic Catholic doctrines to our bariomates in Maggok during weekends. In December, we celebrated Christmas with a program. We went carolling with the adults.

In 1958, I graduated from high school but didn’t continue on to college due to financial constraints. Sister Ana convinced me and I applied as Cathechist for Maggok Elementary School. Hence, I was the first Cathechist but only for a year because I got married and my husband, Robert Tayaban, took me with him to Benguet in 1959. He was an employee of the Department of Public highways, now DPWH.

In 1963, my husband was transferred to Ifugao, so we went back home to Maggok and resided at the poblacion. I then resumed as Cathechist at the elementary school where Mr. Manuel Dulawan was the Head Teacher. This time, Fr. Leon Dapiawen, a native from Bontoc was the bario priest. He comes to Maggok every month with Miss Catalina Accatan. One time, when they had lunch with us at our house, he mentioned that a bugdet was set aside for the construction of the church. He said that he likes the church to be constructed at the Poblacion, being the center, and near the school. I told him that I will ask Mr. Daniel Baguilat to donate a parcel of his lot above the school. Thanks God, Mr. Baguilat readily agreed. He and his family are among the faithful Christians in Maggok.

Mr. Raymundo Dulnuan was the barangay captain at that time. At the open forum during our barangay assembly meeting, I asked if they would help me in levelling the area where the church will be constructed. Praise God, they were all willing. We made a schedule for each purok to work alternately. Poblacion, my purok, were the ones to start the work. My husband then headed the first team of workers. After two weeks, the levelling was finished.

In June 1965, the most difficult aspect of the work was done – the hauling of materials from Kiangan, Ifugao. People carried the materials from Kiangan center to Poblacion Maggok by hiking the 12 kilometer trail. It was all God’s intervention that the people were very cooperative. The following month, construction begun. The carpenters were from Kiangan headed by Mr. Jose Pataweg. In August 1965, the Church was finished.

Father Leon and Miss Accatan said, “Oh, that was quick. So what do you say Mrs. Tayaban, shall we inaugurate it?” “Of course”, I said. So I asked again the help of Mr. Dulawan and the barangay officials.

Every family gave money and rice. From the contributions, we bought two pigs for the celebration. Mr. Dulawan was incharge of cooking and the preparation of a stage at the school playground. The inauguration was very successful and everybody enjoyed it.

As years passed by, I can no longer teach because I already have six children. I also had a small store, then there’s work in the fields. So I resigned as a Cathechist in 1970. However, I regularly led the prayer meeting on Sundays. Then in 1979, my family migrated to Quirino Province where I started Christianity in Tucod, Cabarroguis, and facilitated the construction of the Saint Paul Catholic Church in Alicia, Aglipay, Quirino.”
-End-

BIG THANKS to Mariven Camhol Reantaso for the featured photo.

How to have a successful travel amid the covid19 restrictions using a fiancee visa

Pagdating ko sa quarantine hotel galing Netherlands, naibalita sa akin ng may-ari ng hotel taxi na may mga 34 na kataong na-offload sa airport last week. Nag-iyakan daw sila dahil mahirap at magastos ang pagproseso ng visa, pagkatapos, hindi makaalis. Then another lady who arrived from Florida, USA, told me that another one was able to fly to San Francisco but was stopped at the airport and was immediately returned back to the Philippines. Sayang ang gastos at masakit sa puso.

Kaya naisipan kong isalaysay ang aking karanasan at ang mga kailangang dokumento, sana makatulong ito.

Unang-una, alamin kung open ang borders ng bansa na pupuntahan mo, at kung anong klase o category ng visa na aaplayan mo. Ang category na ginamit ko para makapasok sa Netherlands ay ang LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIP.

At dapat may passport ka, visa, round trip ticket, Certificate of Filipino Overseas or  CFO, at Travel Declaration and Acceptance of Terms and Risk Form (This is a downloadable form from tge website of the Bureau of Immigration. Ang CFO din ang kadalasang rason kung bakit hindi nakakalusot ang marami sa immigration. May nakasabay na ako noon na na-offload din dahil wala siya nito.

Sa pag apply ng visa, ito ang mga dokumento na inihanda ko: (Bawat embassy ay may kanya-kanyang requirements. Punta ka sa website nila at alamin kung ano ang mga yon)

1. Cover letter of the visa application addressed to the Ambassador. Para sigurado, noong una kong pag-alis ay nagpatulong ako sa Fernweh Consultancy with email fernwehconsultancy@gmail.com

2. Duly accomplished visa application form. The form can be downloaded from the website of the embassy.

3. Round trip ticket reservation (Reserve ticket lang, hindi kailangang bayaran)

4. Travel Insurance with Covid19 coverage

5. Certificate of Employment.

6. Certificate of bank deposits or bank statement for the past six months.

7. Photos together kung nag meet na kyo, at emails or chats.

8. Birth certificates of children ( kung may mga anak ka).

9. Xerox copies of titles or tax declaration of properties.

Number 8 & 9 will attest that you have enough reason to return to the Philippines.

Ito naman ang mga dokumento na inihanda ng aking partner:

1. Invitation letter duly stamped at their municipal office.

2. Sponsorship letter, written in English and in the language of my partner. In my case, it was in English and in Dutch. This is also stamped at the municipal office. In other countries, it is an affidavit of sponsorship.

3. Xerox copy of passport and residence card.

4. Birth Certificate.

5. Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR)

6. Declaration of Long Distance Relationship. May form ito na nasa website din ng embassy. Ang form na ito ay pinirmahan namin ng partner ko.

7. Proof of residence

8. Proof of income or bank statement

Kung naihanda mo na lahat, mag- online appointment ka for submission and interview at the embassy. At kapag nabigyan ka ng visa, mag-apply ka na ng Certificate of Filipino Overseas. Punta ka sa website ng Commission on Filipino Overseas at magfill-up ka doon ng form. Meron silang i-assign na magbigay sayo ng orientation bago ka bigyan ng certificate. Aabutin ka rin ng isa o dalawang lingo bago mo makuha ang certificate.

Alamin mo rin kung kailangan ng bansa at airlines ang negative PCR test result at ano ang validity.

Kapag kompleto ka na, bili ka na ng ticket mo at magdasal na walang hadlang sa travel mo. Lahat ng documents mo ay dapat dalawang kopya, dahil titingnan ng airlines at immigration officer.

Bon voyage💝

Are You a Wine Lover? Here are some Benefits of Drinking Red Wine

Last night after dinner, I suffered a terrible heartburn. Usually, I drink Sante barley juice but I ran out of supply so I tried red wine. Luckily, the one we bought is half sweet. After a few minutes of drinking, the pain receded. You may say that it’s the alcolhol content that did it. Nevertheless, I slept well and until now, the pain is gone.

I have read a lot about wine having health benefits, and wine is always my favorite drink. I don’t drink everyday but every month I consume atleast a bottle. Thus, I can attest that wine has health benefits because I seldom get sick.

For a qualified information, I copied an article published by Whitehall Lane on June 3, 2017 from the blog of Mark Davis.

So here is the 10 HEALTH BENEFITS OF RED WINE!
Whether red wine has any prominent health benefit is still a debatable issue. However, studies have shown that consuming a moderate amount of red wine, which has an alcohol content of 12% -15% on a daily basis helps in the prevention of a number of diseases including heart disease.

It should be remembered that there is a fine line of difference between moderate and excessive. Too much consumption of wine can be detrimental to health. On the other hand, too little of it would not give you the benefits usually enjoyed by the moderate drinkers.

10 Health Benefits of Red Wine
Red wines, which may vary in taste and color, are prepared by crushing and fermenting whole, dark-colored grapes. There are many varieties of red wine, the most common of which are Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz etc.

1. Rich in antioxidants

Before consuming a red wines you need to know to almost everything about a wine. What are the negative and positive effects it can cause on your health because it is enriched with powerful anti-oxidants. Darker grapes are higher in antioxidants like resveratrol, epicatechin, catechin, and proanthocyanidins. Of these, resveratrol and proanthocyanidins are mainly responsible for keeping you healthy.

2. Lowers bad cholesterol

Red wines are known to lower the bad cholesterol in your system. According to a study, the high-fiber Tempranillo red grapes, used to make certain varieties of red wines such as Rioja, lower bad cholesterol levels.

3. Keeps heart healthy

Not only does it regulate the cholesterol levels, but also keeps the heart healthy. Polyphenols, a certain type of antioxidants present in red wines prevent unwanted clotting by keeping the blood vessels flexible. However, it should be remembered that heavy drinking damages the heart.

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4. Regulates blood sugar

Resveratrol, the natural compound found in grape skin, controls blood sugar levels in diabetic persons. The research showed that subjects who took 250 mg of resveratrol supplements once daily for three months had lower glucose levels in blood than those who did not. Resveratrol also controls cholesterol levels and systolic blood pressure.

5. Reduces the risk of cancer

Regular and moderate consumption of red wine can effectively reduce the risks of certain types of cancers such as basal cell, colon, prostrate carcinoma, ovarian etc. Scientists used a dose of resveratrol on human cancer cells and found that it obstructs the key action of a cancer aiding protein.

#6. Helps treat common cold
The antioxidants present in red wines treat common cold, since antioxidants protects cells against the harmful effects of free radicals which has a strong role to play in cold, cancer and other diseases.

7. Keeps memory sharp

Wondering how to keep your memory sharp? According to research, resveratrol present in red wines inhibit the formation of beta-amyloid protein, a key ingredient in the plaque of the brains of people with Alzheimer’s.

8. Keeps you slim

You would be glad to know that resveratrol also helps keep a check on your weight. The chemical compound piceatannol converted from resveratrol reduces the fat cells in our body. According to the researchers, piceatannol fastens the insulin receptors of fat cells which blocks the pathways required for immature fat cells to grow.

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9. Reduces the risk of depression

A study carried out on middle aged to elderly people showed that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol daily keeps away depression. People who drink red wine are less likely to be depressed than people who don’t.

10. Has positive effects on the digestive system

The anti-bacterial nature of red wines has enabled it to treat stomach irritation and other digestive disorders. Wine consumption has also proven to reduce the risk of infection from Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium usually found in the stomach.

Excessive drinking of alcohol can have a number of negative effects on the body, which include liver cirrhosis, weight gain etc. It can even pose a threat to life. However, that doesn’t mean you cannot indulge in drinking your favorite red wine once in awhile. Ideally, it shouldn’t be more than 1-1.5 glasses a day for women and 1-2 glasses a day for men. It is also advisable to skip wine for 1 or 2 days in between so that there is sufficient gap in drinking. However, this should be your total drinking limit and not for wine alone.

It is not always necessary to consume wine by the glass alone. You can use it as an ingredient in your food or prepare a red wine sauce to go with your dinner and still reap the same benefits. Red wine also has a host of other health benefits such as treating headaches, reducing calorie intake by killing the appetite, etc

I like this brand because its a bit sweet. It’s imported from Spain. Bottled by Cherubino Valsangiacomo in Spain and distributed by Plus Retail B. V in Utrecht, Netherlands. Accordingly, it’s a full soft wine, taste like sweet ripe red and black fruit
Continue reading “Are You a Wine Lover? Here are some Benefits of Drinking Red Wine” →

PAANO AKO GUMALING SA COVID19 VIRUS NA HINDI NAOSPITAL

Last week of June 2021 ng pumunta ako sa Manila para mag apply ng Schengen Visa. Marami akong nakahalubilong aplikante din. Sa pagpunta at pag-uwi ko, kumain ako at nagkape sa mga restorants. At nag CR din sa mga public toilets. Kaya hindi ko alam kung saan ako nahawaan.

Sa pag-uwi ko, dumerecho muna ako sa aking anak at natulog doon ng isang gabi. Kinabukasan, sinama ko ang dalawa kong apo sa pag-uwi sa Santiago City.

First week ng July, ito ang mga sintomas na naramdaman ko:

1. Grabeng pangangati ng lalamunan na napapaubo talaga ako;

2. Fever – kinuha ko ang temperature ko at ang lumabas ay 39.3;

3. Shortness of breath – hirap akong huminga na parang hanggang ilong lang ang hangin kaya laging deep breath ang paghinga ko;

4. Pagkahilo – sa pagtayo ko, kinailangang humawak ako dahil matutumba ako. Kahit sa paghiga, para akong naiduduyan;

5. Walang panlasa at pang-amoy – nawawalan ako ng ganang kumain dahil mapakla talaga ang mga pagkain;

6. Diarrhea, halos maghapon akong umupo sa toilet. Maya’t maya, tatae ako na loose bowel talaga, masyadong matubig.

Sa mga sintomas na yon, may hinala na ako na covid positive ako pero ayokong magpa check up dahil siguradong i-quarantine ako. So ito ang mga ginawa kong panlaban:

1. Matinding panalangin🙏🙏🙏, kasama ko mga apo ko at nag-alala ako na kung covid positive ako, mahawaan sila;

2. Every hour, alternate ang pag-inom ko ng Sante barley at ginger tea;

3. Every 15-20 minutes, mag-sip ako ng tubig;

4. Ginawa kong candy ang fresh ginger;

5. Every 6 hours, mag take ako ng Sante barley Daily C (Vitamin c na 750 mg);

6. Ang isang main meal ko daily ay prutas, combination of banana, apple, pineapple, and grapes (buti na lng maraming roving vendors);

After two days, ok naman ako maliban sa pangangati ng lalamunan at pag-ubo kaya itinuloy namin ang pagcelebrate ng birthday ng pangalawa kong apo noong July 4. Marami kaming bisita. Kinagabihan, hindi ako nakatulog dahil sa matinding ubo.

Hindi ako makabili ng anti-biotic dahil walang reseta ng doktor. So noong July 5, nagpacheck-up na ako. Pero hindi ako i-check ng doktor kung wala akong swab result. So nagpa swab ako ng antigen at kinunan ako ng dugo para sa anti-bodies check.

Lumabas ang result, COVID POSITIVE talaga ako. Hiningi ko na mag-home quarantine at pinayagan naman ako. Naresetahan na ako ng gamot.

Umuwi na ang aking mga apo pero minonitor ko sila at ang lahat ng dumalo sa birthday. Laking salamat ko sa Dios dahil walang nagkasakit sa kanilang lahat. Naging ok naman ako, nawala ang ubo at lahat ng sintomas ng covid19.

Itinuloy ko pa rin ang pag-inom ng Sante barley at ginger tea pero three times a day na lang. Two times a day na ang pinag take ko ng vitamin C.

Noong August 4, 2021, nagpa swab ulit ako para malaman kung ok na ako dahil flight ko ng August 12. Salamat sa Dios, negative ang result. Nag pa RT-PCR test ako sa PADLAB before my flight at negative din ang result.

Hindi ako nabakunahan dahil ayokong pabakuna.

KAYA HUWAG MATAKOT SA COVID19! MAGING ALERTO AT PALAKASIN ANG IMMUNE SYSTEM dahil itong immune system ang inilagay ng Panginoon para labanan ang anumang sakit na dumapo sa katawan natin. At higit sa lahat, palakasin din ang pananampalataya sa Dios. Kapag mahina ang immune system ng isang tao, kahit simpleng ubo ay mauwi sa malubhang komplikasyon at maaring ikamatay.

HOW TO GET A TRAVEL PASS (Particularly in Santiago City, Isabela)

Metro Manila will be in a hard lockdown from August 6 – 20, 2021. So if you are living outside Metro Manila plus bubbles, and planning to travel there, here is how you get a travel pass.

First, you have to acquire a BHERT Barangay Health Declaration from your Barangay Health Center duly signed by the Barangay Captain.

Second, you go to the City Hall. You login at the entrance and have your temperature be checked. Then you go to the Information where you fill up a form and state the office where you are going.

Next, you go to the Municipal Treasurer to pay for the Medical Certificate which is 75 pesos. Then you go to the Municipal Health Office to get your Medical Certificate.

From the Municipal Health Office, you now go to the DRRM where you have to register online. But before opening the registration link, take a photo first of any of your government issued ID, your BHERT, and Medical Certificate. In taking the photos, you have to capture by putting your camera a bit further from the document then crop it, because the system won’t accept images exceeding the required pixels.

Now, you open the link by typing sdckn.com on your browser. Choose the kind of travel pass you need from the selections that come out. Then give the needed information. Upload your ID, BHERT, and Medical Certificate and click the box to agree with the policies, then click submit.

When the system accepts your application, you will receive this:

Click Done then submit your documtents to the DRRM Officer and wait for your Travel Pass. A soft copy will likewise be emailed to you.

It’s quite easier to get one now because you don’t have to que at the Mayor’s Office for the Mayor’s approval and also get a Travel Authority from the Police.

Plantitas, Don’t Throw Away your Vegetables and Fruit Peelings, Turn them into Organic Fertilizer

When I started growing flowers and ornamental plants, I wanted very much for them to grow fast. So I used inorganic fertilizers. Sadly, I might have put too much because as days went by, some of my plants rot and died.

I did not buy fertilizer anymore. Instead, I used my vegetables and fruit peelings. During the dry season, I prepared three pails half filled with water. Everytime I peel fruits or clean vegetables, I cut the peels in small pieces then put them in the pails. The following day, I added water to the pail and used it to water my plants.

Now that is rainy season, I don’t soak the peelings anymore. I put them directly on my plants. And what a wonder, my plants grow healthily.

Other benefits? Rubbish is minimized; flying insects don’t come inside because they flock to the peelings; no money spent on fertilzer, and the soil on the pots don’t get acidic from inorganic fertilizer.

Try it plantitas and plantitos. Let’s preserve mother earth.

Avocado, apple, potatoes, lemon, and other vegetable peelings are on my plants

Annulment in the Philippines (My personal Experience)

There is no divorce in the Philippines. So when the marriage goes sour and can not be reconciled, the only option is to file an annulment for an absolute nullity of the marriage as in my case. I filed my annulment using Article 36 (Psychological Incapacity) of the Family Code.

The Process

Before I hired a lawyer, I consulted google first. I read a lot about annulment. I also asked my friends and relatives who experienced the process. I consulted one law firm but I was told that the number of years they can finish is two to five years. That’s too long for me. And worst, they said that they can only work out a legal separation. But it’s not what I need. Because in legal separation, one remains married so the civil status is still married. So I searched for other lawyers who can work speedily. When I found one, I gave him the story of my marriage that I wrote. When he ascertained that my case has merits, we agreed on the terms of payment and the price, which is supposed to be a total package that cover all expenses. But when I gave my first installment, I was made to pay also for the psychologist fee and the filing fee. So I suggest that one should be very specific and agreements should be made in paper signed by both parties to avoid this kind of unexpected additional payments. I spent nearly three hundred thousand pesos before I got my annotated marriage certificate.

I wrote the story of my marriage, starting on the courtship stage and detailing the problems and causes of the problems. This is the basis of the lawyer in preparing the petition. When the lawyer finished the petition, we reviewed it together, then he finalized it and I signed. I was interviewed by the Prosecutor to determine wether there was a collusion. Collusion, according to legal jargon, is a conspiracy of a husband and wife, to suppress evidence, to present false or manufactured testimony, or for one of them to commit, or appear to commit, an act which would lead the court to grant an annulment. The prosecutor certified that there was no collussion in my case. I also undergone a psychological evaluation to determine my psychological incapacity.

After another month, when my case was raffled and was assigned to an RTC Branch, I had my first appearance in court and signed all pertinent documents. A summon was sent to my husband and we had to wait for the three-month period for his action. Luckily, my husband did not counter. He returned the summon. So my lawyer collaborated with the court, and after two months, the first hearing took place. I prepared two witnesses but only one testified plus myself.

The Decision

After that, I waited for the decision. The legal process started in May 2019 and I received the decision in July 2020. According to my lawyer, it would have been earlier but because of the pandemic, it was delayed due to the limited number of personnel allowed to report to office. After a few months, the court did not yet receive the Proof of Receipt from the Office of the Solicitor General in Manila. My lawyer said that the court only received those that were decided the previous year. I then registered at the FOI (Freedom Of Information) and requested for the Proof of Receipt. I was asked to pay for the fee via postal money order which I did. After a week, I received a call from a certain Mr. Ejay. I told him that I already paid and he informed me that postal money orders can take a month before they receive a report about it. I asked for an alternative and he gave me their LBP account number. I paid again and sent the proof of deposit. After a few days, I received thru LBC the Proof of Receipt. (There are things that lawyers don’t know about. But I am a person who can not just sit and wait. I always endeavor to find other ways) After a month, I received an email that they received the postal money order (phew!).

Registration

I sent the document to my lawyer then he submitted it to the court and requested for the Decree of Nullity, Ceritficate of Finality, and Certificate of Authenticity. After another month of following up with my lawyer and the court, I was finally told that the documents are ready. I paid the court for their xerox services before I got the documents. I registered the docs at the Civil Registrar in the same area of the RTC and paid nearly four thousand pesos. This is another item that one should specify if it is included in the cost package or not. After three days, I released the documents from the civil registrar and registered it again at the Civil Registrar where my marriage was registered. Then I registered again all the documents at the main office of the Philippine Statistics Authority in Manila. Finally, after two weeks, my annotated marriage certificate came out. This is the document I used in applying for a new passport with my maiden name.

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Free LittleLibraries

While going around Netherlands, I noticed some small shelves or cabinets full of books that are outside houses and along the roads. Some are made of wood, some are made of glass. Some have stuff toys, and some have puzzles. The Dutch call them minibieb or minibibliotheken.

According to my partner, these are small libraries that started sometime in 2013. This practice was copied from the USA where people put books for othe people to borrow or take for free. People who borrow can return it anytime they like. Some of those who take books replace them with some of their own. But people can always take books for free.

We stopped at one and I inspected the contents. Some books are new, some are old but still in good condition. In other areas, a bench is put beside the free library for people to sit and read. In some areas, it’s just the the little library.

This is worth replicating and it would be nice if it can be done in the Philippines.