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TRIBU
BULUSANON CONDUCTS TREE PLANTING & INFORMATION CAMPAIGN
PROGRAMS
Pursuant
to its mission of saving, protecting and maintaining the rich
natural environment of Bulusan and the willingness of its
members headed by its officers to pay tribute in return to the
abundant resources that Bulusan is still experiencing, Tribu
Bulusanon implements the first priority project on information
campaign through establishment of information billboard
promoting clean and green.
This project is implemented in key areas such as: Bulusan
Lake, Agingay Lake and an additional proposed site, the Bulusan
River (source and banks). These sites were chosen with
appropriate considerations and pursuance to the local government
campaign in promoting ecosystem in Bulusan and also to inform
tourists, mountaineers, and hikers on the potential hazard of
improper garbage disposal.
Likewise, due to increasing demand on saving our
watershed areas and to limit forest denudation, the
organization, with some technical support from the Municipal
Agriculture Office and the Municipal Environment and Natural
Resources Office (which also provide the planting materials),
conducted a massive tree planting activity within the vicinity
of Bulusan Lake last February 15, 2003.
170 seedlings of mahogany and 15 seedlings of pili were
planted considering their versatility and adaptability to the
topographical conditions of the selected areas.
The organization believes that this minor undertaking,
although limited to some extent due to the group’s current
financial status, is yet another step forward in realizing its
dream and vision of promoting awareness and responsiveness among
fellow Buluseños especially on environment-related issues. (TRIBU)
SCHOLARS'
SPONSORS HONORED
Mr. Reynaldo Labrador receiving the plaque from Mr. Fuentes
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The
sponsors of the four scholars of Damayan-Buluseño, Inc who have graduated in
college this year received awards during the Pista sa Maynila celebration last
July 13 at the Knights of Columbus Clubhouse.
The
awardees were: Mr. Reynaldo F. Labrador, the sponsor of Cesar Gacosta who
graduated in Computer Science; Retired Maj. Gen. Cesar F. Fortuno who
sponsored Marlon Rabulan who finished Electrical Engineering; former Mabitac,
Laguna Mayor Bernardo R. Sayarot, the benefactor of Lea Balderama, a graduate
in Architectural Drafting; and Mr. Martin G. Halum, the sponsor of Salvacion
Gardon who graduated in Elementary Education.
The
awards were in recognition of their wholehearted support to the Scholarship
Program of the association thereby giving the Buluseño youths the opportunity
to acquire higher level of education and hope for a brighter future.
It also states that their benevolence is very laudable and worthy of
emulation by others so that more professionals can emerge from the ranks of
the poor.
While
all the scholars and their guardians were there to present the plaques to
their sponsors, only Mr. Labrador and Gen. Fortuno were around.
The members of the late Mayor Sayarot’s family who were invited to
receive the Posthumous Award for him were not present.
But, according to DBI President Rogelio F. Fuentes, it is
understandable that they may not come as the family was still still extra
cautious in going to places for the prime suspects in the murder of the late
Mayor and his trusted man, Gabriel “Gamby’ Fuentes, a Buluseño, are still
at large.
The plaque was personally delivered by Mr. Fuentes to the Sayarot home
at Valle Verde in Pasig City.
Mr.
Halum could not come; he resides in the United States.
MARTIN
G. HALUM IS THE ANONYMOUS SPONSOR
At
last the Buluseños now know the identity of the sponsor of college scholar,
Salvacion Gardon who graduated last March from the Bicol University in Legaspi
City. The sponsor who has been kept a secret for four years by
Damayan-Buluseño President, Rogelio F. Fuentes – is his childhood friend,
former classmate (Class ’51) and “Igsoon’, Mr. Martin G. Halum.
Mr.
Halum is a member of the very prominent Halum family of Barangay Dancalan,
Bulusan who is now based with his family in New Jersey, USA.
The
revelation was made by Mr. Fuentes before the huge crowd of Buluseños before
presenting the Plaque of Recognition in the presence of the scholar and her
guardian, Ms. Rosario Futalan during the organization’s Pista sa Maynila
celebration at the Knights of Columbus Clubhouse in Intramuros, Manila last
July 13.
Mr.
Fuentes recalled the events that led to the offer of Mr. Halum of sponsoring
the scholarship of Salvacion. According
to him, it was one evening in 1999 when Mr. Halum called him up from the
Philippine Village Hotel in Parañaque City where he was billeted prior to his
departure for the US early the following day.
Mr.
Fuentes said he was elated to hear from Mr. Halum that he enjoyed very much
reading the Damayan-Buluseño Gazette which he received regularly.
In fact, he told Mr. Fuentes, it’s the only newspaper which he reads
over and over again as it reminds him of his youth in Bulusan.
When
asked what assistance Mr. Fuentes would want him to extend to the association,
Mr. Fuentes asked him to sponsor the scholarship in college of a bright high
school graduate who belong to a poor family.
Mr. Halum agreed but on the condition that his identity would remain
confidential. For four years,
except for his wife, Ester, Mr. Fuentes kept his identity to himself.
But,
a few months before graduation, he asked Mr. Halum to whom shall the Plaque of
Recognition be addressed when it is presented at the Pista sa Maynila
celebration. It was then, that Mr. Halum consented that his name be
revealed and be engraved on the Plaque.
He
also pledged to sponsor the last year in mechanical engineering at the Bicol
University of Randy Labong. Randy,
whose appeal for support to his studies was published in this Gazette several
months ago, was in his fourth year in his course when his father passed away
forcing him to quit his studies and work as service crew in a fast food
restaurant.
Before
finally reading his name and the text of the Plaque, Mr. Fuentes appealed to
his fellow Buluseños to pray for the quick recovery of Mr. Halum from a
serious illness, lung cancer.
To
Mr. Martin G. Halum from Damayan-Buluseño, Inc. and the people of Bulusan:
Don't lose hope. We will pray hard and ask God to restore good health to
you and free your family from anxiety so that peace will reign in your
home.
APPEAL
FOR SUPPORT TO X'MAS DRIVE '03
Damayan-Buluseño,
Inc. is again appealing for support to the Damayan-Buluseño Christmas Drive
’03 for the benefit of the poor families in Bulusan.
This is a yearly joint project of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of
Bulusan under the administration of Mayor Juan G. Guysayko and the local
residents and Damayan-Buluseño, Inc. in Metro-Manila in their desire to bring
cheer to the homes of the less fortunate during the Christmas season.
In this project, DBI solicits donations of food items and used
clothings and other personal effects to be sent to Bulusan in time for
Christmas. These items will be
supplemented with rice coming from the LGU and civic-minded Buluseños.
Last year, a jeepney load of various food items and personal effects
was sent to Bulusan by the association while 30 sacks of rice were donated by
the LGU and the local residents. Hundreds
of indigent families were benefited.
With the present economic hardships when many are living in poverty,
DBI expects more Buluseños and friends in Metro-Manila and elsewhere would be
induced to give their share in the spirit of Christmas.
Those who wish to be a part of this project, they may bring or send
their donations to the Knights of Columbus Clubhouse in Intramuros, Manila
where the mass and Christmas party of Damayan-Buluseño, Inc. will be held on
December 14, 2003 at 2:00 P.M.
For more details, please inquire from DBI President, Rogelio Fuentes at
telephone no. 929-5277.
FIESTA
OF THE RAINS & COLORFUL BANNERS
August
is the month of the monsoon rains.
In Barangay San Roque this is exacerbated by the fact that
we sit on top of a plateau some 300 ft above sea level and we are
at the fringes of a rain forest with its 17-hectare mountain lake.
This
means that whatever water evaporates from this rain forest and
this lake must generally fall on us.
As rain.
So that it may be safe in fact to say that when Sorsogon is
called “la orinola del mundo”, the label specifically
refers to Barangay San Roque.
No other place else.
As
early as the first week of August this year, to be safe therefore,
we already made the offering of eggs at the Poor Clares Monastery
praying for a favorable weather during the forthcoming 4 days of
celebration.
During
this time, too, colorful banners 2.5 meters long and an assortment
of buntings began to grow on some 150 bamboo poles planted along
the main road.
Hitsura man san Roxas Blvd.!
It
rained on August 14th.
The following day, a low pressure area was estimated to be
at 1,050 kms east of Northern Luzon.
On the 16th, it came nearer to 600 kms; on the
17th at 500 kms.
Until it became a typhoon and was eventually baptized Lakay,
the rains came avisiting all this time.
On
the 15th, however, the sun came out bright behind an
overcast sky.
The parade spritely made its way along the main barangay
road, first to Purok Malungoy-lungoy, then to Purok Tiris and back
to the elementary school grounds.
In this parade, the Ginabangan Festival offered a new
glitter to the annual fiesta activity.
Eight floats representing 8 of the 9 puroks showed off the
motif of the puroks they represented: Villamor I-Pili ;
Villamor II-Burak; Quinajon-Produkto sa kadlagan;
Ilawod-Anahaw; Central-Abaka; Bacolod-Lubi;
Tiris-Solihon; Iraya-Karagumoy.
(Only Purok Malungoy-lungoy did not participate.)
Every float had a baby queen and her escort.
At
the end of the parade was the street dancing, to express
thanksgiving to God for his continued blessing and beneficence
through Señor San Roque.
Fifteen pairs of village girls, with baskets made of coco
fiber, bearing flowers, fruits and ibos, danced to the tribal
music of the drums.
Behind them were five pairs of manangs and manongs
dancing the novena as an elderly woman parades and elevates
the statue of Señor San Roque.
Mrs.
Cecilia Duran, Chairman of the Provincial Tourism Council, who
came with her husband Mr. Fernando Duran, former Mayor of Sorsogon,
and with Mr. Reynaldo Jamoralin, Secretary of the PTC, historian,
writer, and head of Sorsogon Arts Council – had accolades heaped
on this novel tourism attraction.
Also on hand were Dr. Lorenzo de Castro and some members of
his staff at the DepEd District Office in Bulusan.
Judging
the contest of the floats were: SB Kgd. Aloi Bañares as chair and
members Mrs. Rosie Frando, Mr. Alex Fulminar, Mr. Ricardo Galve
and Mrs. Alita Geñorga.
In
all, the outcome of the festival was way beyond our expectations.
The artistic presentation and the use of indigenous materials
depicting their motif could only speak of the long strides
Barangay San Roque had taken all these years.
Purok Bacolod specifically did us proud with the innovative
rendition of a gown worn by their Baby Queen – it was a paste up
of squares made of gusot, that jute-like material from up
the coconut tree.
What
surprised everyone was the Grand Prize winner – the float of
Purok Iraya with its karagumoy motif – that received a
cash award of P 5,000. Kontodo de Bulusan Volcano with its dadiangaw-smelling
smoke! Also the generous use of the motif included the attire for
the Baby Queen and her escort and that of the Mascot – all made
of banig from karagumoy.
The 2nd prize of P 3,000 went to Purok Bacolod
while the 3rd prize of P 2,000 went to Purok Central.
The remaining five other entries received a consolation
prize of P 1,000 each.
Cash awards for the Ginabangan Festival came from Bulusan
Travel and Tours Corporation c/o Madam Luz Z. Gamba.
Earlier
in the week, the Clean and Green contest by Purok was also
conducted. Panel
of judges included: Mrs. Evelyn de Mesa, Municipal Environment and
Natural Resources Officer, Chair, and her members: Mr. Tanoy
Bailon of the DepEd District Office, Mr. Tony Emberga of the
Municipal Agriculture Office and Mrs. Elsa Fulo, Office of the
Sanitary Inspector of the Rural Health Unit.
Again,
it was Purok Iraya that romped off with the Grand Prize, another P
5,000.
The 2nd prize of P 3,000 went to Purok Villamor
II while the 3rd prize of P 2,000 went to Purok Tiris.
Cash awards this time came from the Honorable Mayor Johnny
Guysayko.
Whereas a few months back, no motorcycle would dare tread
the trail to the Purok, this time even an owner jeep can!
This trail has been widened, the protruding rocks and roots
of giant trees disappeared and the trail moderately leveled.
How they in Purok Iraya did it, no other person can explain
better than the Kagawad-in-Charge, Cecil Olan.
In
the evening of the 15th, there was no trace of cloud in
the sky.
The SORECO poles we borrowed towered at the center of the
school grounds and from its top were lines of fluttering banderitas
like gaily-painted spokes of a giant colorful umbrella covering
the green lawn of the elementary school.
Underneath were the jampacked revelers and dancers of the vespera
ball.
The ambiance was just too tempting and irresistible!
Iba kasi, eh!
At
four of the early morning of the 16th, when the last of
the night revelers started for home, the rains started falling
again.
After the 9 AM concelebrated mass officiated by the Vicar
General, Msgr. Francisco P. Monje, it rained hard we could hardly
hear our conversations in the little convento we have.
But it stopped quickly as it came.
In
the evening of the 16th, before the Barangay Ball
started, former DAR Undersecretary Danilo L. Encinas, gave the
awards to the Ginabangan Festival and Clean/Green Contest winners.
He was to be present again on the 17th --
the Grand Alumni Homecoming Day.
Just
like the 15th, this day opened with a parade – this
time of the Batch Kings and Queens.
At 7 AM, some of the retirees and former teachers/head
teachers of San Roque Elementary School started to arrive:
Mr. Juan G. Galindes, Mrs. Remedios F. Galindes,
Mrs. Josefina B. Fulo (to represent also Inoy Maxi), Mrs. Cleta
Batalla, Mrs. Delia G. Diamante, Mrs. Raquel Grabador (who also
stood for Mrs. Cleofe Gallano-Gacosta), and the retirees from San
Roque: Mrs. Fay Fresado, Mrs. Matilde Gamba, etc. Like St.
Peter’s entourage, they stood at the main gates to receive the
Batches as they were introduced and acknowledged by the Emcee and
entered the grounds to settle in their selected booths.
At
10:20 AM the procession started.
Marching towards the altar on the SRES covered stage were
Rev. Fr. Nap Fumera, Rev. Fr. Bert Traballo, and the main
celebrant, the Most Rev. Jesus Y. Varela, retired Bishop of
Sorsogon, for the Alumni Homecoming Thanksgiving Mass.
In his homily, Bishop Varela expounded on the theme: Alumni
– Pillars of the Community.
After
the mass, Bishop Varela blessed the marker of the newly
rehabilitated Marcos-type building, the two covered walks, the
three gates and the renovated fence.
A
simple lunch was tendered at the Marcos-type building.
Bishop Varela sat with the two concelebrating priests, USEC
Danny Encinas, Atty. Jess Fumera, and other guests.
Meanwhile,
lacking sleep from the fiesta celebrations and tired from the
morning parade, the alumni rested in the afternoon. Activities for
the day resumed in the evening with the call for the last
canvassing of the Homecoming Kings and Queens.
But
first came the awarding of plaques of recognition and
appreciation: the SRESAAI to the retired teachers and the set of
Barangay Officials, SRES PTA officers and generous donors during
the year 1996, three of them posthumously – to the late
Honorable Señor Don Teodoro de Vera, the late Genaro
Ferreras and the late Conrada B. Jao – and the SRES PTCA to the
incumbent SRESAAI officers, both local and Manila chapters.
Then
came the symbolic turn-over of the rehabilitated Marcos-type
building and the other school improvements from the SRESAAI
President Ms. Luz Z. Gamba to the DepEd in the person of PSDS Dr.
Lorenzo F. de Castro.
To
maximize the time, while the canvassing was going on, the election
of the incoming officers was also conducted.
The results: New President: Nerio Beltran, VP-Local:
Matilde Fortajada-Gamba, VP-Manila: Delia Palero-Aguilar,
Secretary-Local-Fe F. Fumera, Secretary-Manila: Nida S. Dineros,
Treasurer-Local: Flory Grefaldeo, Treasurer-Manila: Sol F. Adeza,
Buss. Managers: Local – Prudencio Bo/Salome J. Fortes,
BM-Manila: Rufino Balbalosa, PRO-Local: Santiago Forneloza,
PRO-Manila: Esperanza Gapas-Masagca, Auditor-Local: Myla Ferreras,
Auditor-Manila: Eden Abad-Seve.
Other
members of the new Board of Trustees: Esteban Ete/Thelma Escopete/Nelly
Ferreras/Natividad Lavarez/Freddie Luterte/Alma Berba/Roque Gabito/Buenaventura
Ferreras/Lorna Forneloza/Domingo Balasta/Shirly Olayres/Salvacion
Fuentes/Salvacion Perez.
The
new officers were given the chance to speak.
Oath-taking and turnover ceremonies being scheduled to take
place soon.
Final
tally of the Homecoming King and Queen shows the following
results: forty (40) batches turned in a total of P 87, 080 votes,
with the following batches in their rank of First to Tenth places:
Batch 65, Batch 62, Batch 54, Batch 64, Batch 93, Batch 51, Batch
58, Batch 46, Batch 60, and Batch 98.
The
rains finally poured when Lakay intensified and the
colorful banners had clung tight to the poles.
By then, we have had our fill. ‘T was perfect time to
tuck in bed and sleep and dream.
Like
Scarlett O’Hara, speaking of Tara, the place she loves, we also
say, “Tomorrow is but another day.”
(Sim E. Gamba)
BARANGAY
SAN ANTONIO FIESTA CELEBRATION
The quaint south-easternmost barangay of San Antonio (Balete)
celebrated its fiesta in honor of St. Anthony of Padua last June 26-27, 2003.
The occasion was one of thanksgiving, of worship and of merrymaking.
The activities kicked off with a parade for the 1st Alumni
Homecoming on the vesper day. It
included all classes from 1953 to 2003. The Drum & Lyre Corps of the
Talaonga National High School had been invited through the joint efforts of
the affair’s organizers, the teachers, and barangay officials.
A benefit dance followed in the evening sponsored by the San Antonio
Capilla Council officers. The
proceeds, which amounted to around P 12,000 – will go to the repair of the
barrio chapel.
In the morning of the 27th was a mass at 5:30 and a high
mass at 9:00, followed by baptismal rites.
Officiating priest was Fr. Ninoy Lagarde. The night’s dance was briefly interrupted for the election
of a new set of officers for next year’s General Alumni Homecoming.
Following are the names of those elected:
| President |
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Salvacion Giuero |
| Vice-President |
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Antonio Fuentes |
| Secretary |
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Imelda Fuentes |
| Asst.
Secretary |
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Maricon Avila |
| Treasurer |
-
Nerie Fuentes |
| Auditor |
-
Beata Gojar |
| Buss.
Manager |
-
Mirasol Gaton |
Another association and its officers and members were likewise
introduced. SAMMA or San Antonio
Metro Manila Association is composed of people who came from this barrio but
whose work or residency is based in Metro Manila.
It is the members’ objective to help their barriomates especially the
needy. Under the leadership of
SAMMA President Eltam Fulong, various other activities were conducted such as
raffle draws and the Pantomina dance. In
the latter, the money collected was given to a family who lost their house to
a recent fire incident.
Indeed, fiesta is not just about revelry.
It is also so much about friendship, brotherhood and goodwill. (Atanasia
F. Frivaldo)
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