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IN
BA KAMO, O KAMI AN OUT?
NAKA-IMOD na tabi kamo sin nagsasagka sa Buco pa-Kapangihan
na may kilik na bata sa wala, may inkakabit sa too, may
sipit na payong, may uto pa na bayong?
Pawot pag-imodon.
Pero on close-up nagkukuru-kanta pa ogaring!
Irog son an sitwasyon san sayo na inisyatiba sa
ato bongto – ini na Barangay Tourism.
Apesar san mga limitasyon, nagdudurudaginot pa
man gihapon magkiwa.
Maski na ngani may mga nagsasarabrag sin lapok,
duruderetso lang an pag-unhan.
Pa-otso-otso pa!
Batogon ta uli sa batog.
Flashback.
Disyembre 23, 2003 – Nagkanhi si Mr. Mario
Villanueva, Tourism Officer san Marikina City, para
i-introducir an concepto san Barangay Tourism. Naka-porma an Bulusan sin 7 na cluster san Barangay; nahimo
na pilot an cluster san Salvacion-San Rafael-San Roque.
Enero 17, 2004 – Primero na meeting san pilot
cluster. Naiboses an plano sin pagtindog sin Travel Mart sa Crossing
san Bulusan Lake. Sumunod
dine an pira kabeses na pakibagat sa tagsadiri san ingod,
si Mr. Norberto Fresado Olayres.
Enero 18, 2004 – Inbaragat an mga interesado
mag-apply bilang Tour Guides nan Tourist Police san
pilot cluster.
Enero 19, 2004 – Meeting pa san mga opisyales
san cluster.
Enero 30, 2004 – Nagkamay-on sin exhibits sin
raw materials nan produkto san pilot cluster sa San
Roque Elementary School.
Meeting san cluster kon diin presente an
representante san LGU: si Hon. Eugenio Regalario, SB
Member; Mr. Tam Belleza, Municipal Tourism Officer; Mr.
Albino Españo, Municipal Planning Assistant; nan Mr.
Roswel Ramos, Engineering Assistant.
Marso 1, 2004 – Bunaba an Executive Order No.
02 na nag-eestablizar san reglamento manonongod sa
pagcrear san Pilot Bulusan Barangay Tourism/Ecotourism
Council (PBBTEC).
Marso 13 nan 24, 2004 – Mga meeting pa san
cluster
Marso 28, 2004 – Binatogan an patrabaho san
Travel Mart.
Abril 10 nan 15, 2004 – Mga meeting pa san
cluster
Mahapot naman kita: nano kay Tourism/Ecotourism
an ato konsepto? Pag
sinabi ta pan-o na tourism, bongga bagaw an
dating, pareho san Boracay o kaya Baguio o Tagaytay.
Dapat may mga primera klase na facilidades:
mahimo kita sin mga hotel, mga restaurant, iba-ibang
klase sin sports, nan dapat may harani na airport o kaya
pier.
An ecotourism sayo na klase man san
turismo pero simple lang an dating, kon nano an oyon,
hingayadon lang, malinig, maaliwalas, maayos.
Natural. Comfortable
na sa mga turista/bisita, pagbuhay pa san komunidad.
Mao ine an bagay sa ato sa Bulusan.
Posible sa mga maabot na panahon, magkamay-on man
kita sin mga bongga na facilidades, di puede naman kita
sa tourism.
Kaya safe lang kita sa Tourism/Ecotourism.
Sa English, “Ecotourism or ecological
tourism is a form of sustainable tourism within a
natural and cultural heritage area where community
participation, protection and management of natural
resources, culture and indigenous knowledge and
practices, environmental education and ethics as well as
economic benefits are fostered and pursued for the
enrichment of host communities and the satisfaction of
visitors.”
Maiimod ta, na ini na PBBTEC sayo man na konkreto
na kasimbagan sa operating guidelines san Executive
Order No. 111 na pinirmahan ni Pres. Joseph Estrada san
taon 1999 pa, “Establishing the Guidelines for
Ecotourism Development in the Philippines.”
“…SECTION 9. National Ecotourism Program.
9.1.
A National Ecotourism Program shall be
developed pursuant to the National Ecotourism Strategy
which shall encompass the following:
9.1.1.
development, management and protection of
identified ecotourism sites;
9.1.2.
product development and enhancement;
9.1.3.
accreditation;
9.1.4.
investment promotion; and
9.1.5.
support programs for community stewardship
and livelihood development…”
Maski
sa sayo lamang sini na 5 na area, makasolod an
PBBTEC, tama na.
Para sa kaaraman
san intero, an Bulusan Volcano (Natural Park), kon diin
sakop an Bulusan Lake, nakaopod sa listahan sin 32
Key Ecotourism Sites sa bilog na Pilipinas.
Kaso, aram ta man na may iba na ahensya an
gobyerno na nangataman sin sayo na protected area, an
DENR-PAMB. Maski
na ngani an pagmanejar san Bulusan Lake area hinatag
para mientras sa LGU san Bulusan, diri man puede
magsolod doon an PBBTEC.
Kaya naisip ta na dini na hamok kita sa luwas.
Pero an sayo na katuyuhan oyon man: an makadanon
sa pagpreserbar nan pagconservar san ato natural park.
An Travel Mart sayo na struktura na temporaryo
para hamok maakomodar an mga primero na inmamaw-ot san
PBBTEC, sa paagi san BalayBuhay sa Barangay Enterprise
– an makabatog magpadalagan sin community-based
ecotourism sa paagi sin pagcrear sin economic
activity na makadagdag pagkabuhay san mga interesado na
miembro san pilot cluster.
Sa 5x14 metros na kadako san Travel Mart, an
makasolod: display area sin mga produkto san cluster,
saday na kapihan/ristoran, saday na oficina na puede ser
magserbe man bilang Visitor’s and Ecotourism
Information Center.
An gahoy sini na Travel Mart na ini Balay
Buhay. Nakahudam temporaryo sin saday na puesto nan naka-paaram
maggamit san piliw san tinampo.
Sa inisyatiba san 3 na barangay, nag-avail sira sa
kanira AIP (Annual Investment Plan) sin tig-P10,000 o bale
P30,000. Kadaghanan
san labor sa paagi sin bayanihan. An iba na lokal na materyales, dinonar nan pinahudam san mga
miembro san cluster.
Himo sa indigenous materials (coco lumber, patong,
anahaw, lubid na abaka, amakan, rattan, balagon, lokal na
bato) nan diyo na semento, may burubalkon ini na open
bilang extension san kapihan.
Sa sirong san display area, may washroom na
panlalaki nan pambabaye, naka-tile, de-flush an toilet
bowl.
Nasa long-range plan san PBBTEC an makahimo sin
duru-dako na complex sa solod sin una hectaria na espasyo
para sa convention center, health-and-aromatic spa, mga
opat na family-friendly accommodation, walo na kiosko,
nursery/herbarium, butterfly garden, parking space, stable
para sa 6 na kabayo for horseback-riding to the lake,
wallowing area for carabaos for the carabao-drawn carts.
An mga structures karabit-kabit sa paagi sin
boardwalk para dire maraot an mga endemic na tanom nan
libre man makaagi-agi an mga saragday na hayop sa sirong.
Plano san cluster mag-LUAU party sa opening day.
At the same time, fund-raising campaign. An
problema: paano maka-opening day kon dire pa bilog an
Balay Buhay? Sa ristoran, mangaipo sin kalan, ref, coffee
maker o kaya thermos, mga gamit sa kusina nan mga gamit sa
lamesa, electric fan.
Sa oficina, mangaipo man maski patong na sala set,
maski manual na typewriter, mga office supplies, atbp.
Maski na ngani sabihon ta na proyekto ini san 3 na
barangay, inisyatiba ini san Bulusan, sa ngaran san
Bulusan.
Basi puede man manawagan sa mga Bulusanon na puede
magboluntaryo magheras san kanira katigayonan para
mapunuan an kakulangan sa Balay Buhay, maski second-hand
basta mayad pa an serbisyo?
Kon an 5 na tinapay nan 2 na isda, na hale sa
nagkapira na nagdonar sine, nahimo na makabusog sa pira
ka-ribo na katawohan, an involvement pa kaya san kada
Bulusanon an dire makapalawig sine na Barangay Tourism sa
Bulusan hanggan sa masunod na henerasyon?
Mga instrumento man hamok kita san Mahal na Diyos
para sa Kaniya plano sin kadianesan dine sa kinaban.
Sa paagi sin mga alternatibo nan inisyatiba,
mamantener ta man logod nan dire na madagdagan an pagraot
san pagka-natural san hinimo niya na kagayonan san ato
kapalibutan.
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DAMAYAN
SPIRIT WORKS FOR CIVAC '04
 It
was a very heartwarming scenario how true Damayan spirit worked in
the hearts of eighty-two Buluseños and a few friends to realize
the success of a humanitarian mission aimed at serving the
indigents in need of medical, dental , and other services free of
charge.
Each one of them
gave his/her share of service in various ways in the first civic
action project or free medical/dental clinic and operation: tule
conducted last April 10 in Bulusan.
With letters appealing for support, nine Buluseños and two
friends sent cash donations, seven of them came from the US. Ten
donated various medicines and other supplies.
Eleven local residents contributed foods and drinks for the
volunteer workers composed of five doctors, three dentists, five
nurses, thirteen health workers, two municipal health center
staff, ten former DBI scholars and their parents, and nine members
of the kitchen brigade.
With their joint efforts, the following were the number of
beneficiaries:
Medical patients
565
Dental patients
58
Operation:Tule patients
25
Total
648
Members of the board of trustees of this newly organized
foundation could just wonder how this big group of people were
motivated to join together for a common goal – to offer free
services to their less fortunate brothers and sisters in the
community. They could
hardly believe they have just accumulated an estimated
P220,000.00–worth of medicines and other items for such purpose.
In fact, there were lots of excess medicines. Some were donated to
the Rural Health Unit. Others
were kept for next year’s project.
Those who were involved in this undertaking in one way or
another were the following: Cash donors were: Mr. & Mrs. Lee
Hasal (USA) –
P6,000.00; Mrs. Rosario Gallanosa (USA) – P5,500.00; Mrs. Elena
Halum-Cuevas (USA) – P5,500.00; Ms. Lynda Freo (USA) –
P5,440.00; Dr. Joseph B. Tison (USA) – P 5,000.00; Ms. Belen
Goncena (USA) – P5,000.00; Mr. Go Lac (MM) – P4,000.00; Mr.
& Mrs. Primo Gallanosa (USA) – P2,500.00; Ms. Nenita
Somatiza (MM) – P2,000.00; Mrs. Eliria Gonzales-Fabic (MM) –
P1,000.00; and Mrs. Elizabeth Gallego-Cajigal (MM) – P1,000.00.
Donors of various medicines and other supplies were: Pharma
Gain Drug (c/o Teresa Galindes); Engr. Pablito R. Freo; San Roque
Life Bringers Foundation (c/o Ms. Luz Z. Gamba); Dr. Alma
Fortades-Escultura; Dr. Emmanuel L. Cajayon, Jr.; Mr. Relly
Fortes; Mrs. Norie Tan-Fat; Mrs. Celinia Gallinera-Ang; Mrs. Ester
Fulleros-Abitona; and Lucel Drug (c/o Ms. Loida Frontuna).
Local residents who donated cash and food items were: Mr.
Jesus F. Garalde – P100.00; Mr. Roger Fulo – P50.00; Mr. &
Mrs. Leonardo Firmanes – rice; Engr. & Mrs. Jose Ortiz, Sr.
– rice; Ms. Amparo Tan – cookies; Ms. Salvacion Manda –
bread; Mr. & Mrs. Paterno Fuasa – fish; Ms. Erlinda
Gallineto – pork; Mrs. Luzviminda F. Ballesteros – pork; Mr.
& Mrs. Alberto Fragio – pork; Mr. & Mrs. Romeo
Fullon – sliced bread, sandwich spread, bananas, cookies, and 8
o’clock juice drink; Mr. & Mrs. Juan Son – sugar, Nescafe,
powdered milk; and Mr. & Mrs. Ramon Estipona – ballpen and
bond papers.
Volunteer workers were: medical doctors – Dr. Gloria E.
Guysayko and Dr. Elino G. Fortades; medical students – Mr. Audie
G. Silva, Ms. Eleanor F. de Castro, and Ms. Irene T. Gacias.
The nurses were: Mr. Raul Esternon and Mrs. Leda G.
Fuentes; with nursing students Ms. Janice Pautline S. Palma, Ms.
Monaliza Santiago, and Jennylen Morales.
The barangay health workers were: Ms. Jean G. Barral, Ms.
Janette F. Esperida, Ms. Ivy F. Fuedan, Ms. Agnes Fuentes, Ms.
Cristina G. Baloloy, Ms. Corazon Cantal, Ms. Adelina Gabion, Ms.
Ruby Escaño, Ms. Adelina Gapas, Ms. Rosario L. Fulo, Ms. Lina
Furaque, Ms. Salvacion Correa, and Ms. Leonor Mendizabal.
The dentists were: Dr. Rolando Gallor, Dr. Pedro Manda, and
Dr. Harold Enteria.
The former DBI scholars and their parents were: Celeste G.
Freo, Lea D. Balderama, Ma. Cecilia G. Dineros, Salvacion Gardon,
Cesar L. Gacosta, Luzviminda Fragio-Ballesteros, Daisy Galos-Furio,
Paz D. Balderama, Emma G. Dineros, and Romeo Fullon.
From the Municipal Health Center staff were: Ms. Grace
Blasquiño and Mrs. Ruth Gallinera-Villanueva.
Members of the kitchen brigade and those assigned to
different tasks were: Remigia G. Fulleros, Emerita G. Silva,
Renato J. Frayna, Arnulfo Tan, Olivia G. Silva, Leonor F. Peñalosa,
Andrew D. Espedido, Melchor Hasta, and Mr. Juan G. Galindes- the
Local Coordinating Board Chairman of DBI who supervised the
entirety of the activities.
It will be recalled that Damayan-Buluseño, Inc. has
conducted this project yearly since 1983 until last year. But
starting this year, it has been undertaken by the DBFI.
It is very interesting to note that most of those whose
names appear in the list have been actively involved in this
project for the past several years. It means the Damayan spirit is
now instilled in their hearts and minds that this mission has
become a part of their lives.
It would be more inspiring if more and more Buluseños
would take part in such activities for the sake of their
constituents who are so much in need of their concern due to
poverty.
From Damayan-Buluseño Foundation, Inc., to all of you,
THANK YOU VERY MUCH! GOD
BLESS!
DBI
PRODUCES 3RD CUM LAUDE
 CELESTE G. FREO, a scholar of
Damayan-Buluseño, Inc. graduated Cum Laude with a BSE
degree last March 26 from the Bicol University (BU) in
Legaspi City.
Celeste, of Barangay Mabuhay, Bulusan, is the third scholar
of the association through its Scholarship Through Sponsorship
Program to graduate with such scholastic honors.
The first was Carmelita Borja of Barangay San Bernardo,
Bulusan who graduated in B.S. Psychology from the Polytechnic
University of the Philippines (PUP) in Manila several years ago.
The second was Ma. Cecilia G. Dineros of Barangay Sapngan,
Bulusan who finished her course in education two years ago.
Celeste was a valedictorian when she graduated in high
school in the year 2000 from then Jose S. Reyes Memorial Institute
(JSRMI) in Bulusan town proper.
Realizing that her widowed mother would not be able to send
her to college due to extreme poverty, this petite young lady
immediately applied for a scholarship grant from the DBI.
Knowing the family’s predicament and Celeste’s
willingness to pursue her career to become a teacher, the
association exerted all efforts to find a sponsor for her.
Luckily, Mr. Alejo O. Dy, a businessman from Isabela but based in
Metro-Manila offered himself to be her benefactor.
He felt elated when he was informed that Celeste would be
graduating Cum Laude when he received the invitation to the
graduation ceremonies from her. He said, “if only Legaspi City
is but a few kilometers from Metro-Manila, (he) would surely
attend it to personally congratulate Celeste.”
Celeste is the 26th scholar
of DBI to graduate in college.
Three more are expected to finish their courses soon.
Another scholar, Randy Labong, may enroll this coming
school year but it will be a one-year scholarship only for him to
finish his fifth and last year in Mechanical Engineering at the
Bicol University. Randy was already in fourth year but had to stop
schooling when his father died.
He went to Manila to work and save so he could finish his
course. When he met a
former classmate in high school who is currently working for the
Gazette, he was accompanied to the Knights of Columbus Clubhouse
where the mass for the Buluseños is held.
His case was referred to the Damayan-Buluseño, Inc. for
possible assistance. He was advised to send a letter to the association which was
later on published in this Gazette.
His appeal reached Mr. Martin G. Halum whose scholar,
Salvacion Gardon, was about to finish her degree in education
then.
Through Damayan-Buluseño, Inc., Mr. Halum offered to
sponsor his one-year study but his allowance will not have to be
coursed through DBI anymore.
To make it easier for Randy, his allowance will be given to
him by Dr. Oscar S. Halum in Bulusan.
Randy will be the last scholar under the Scholarship
Through Sponsorship Program of Damayan-Buluseño, Inc.
Starting school year 2004-2005, the scholarship program
will be undertaken by the Damayan-Buluseño Foundation, Inc.
FIRE
VICTIMS RECEIVE DONATIONS
Two good Samaritans based in Metro-Manila took pity of the
plight of the family of Mr. & Mrs. Erneo Fuellas of Barangay
Lalud, Bulusan, whose shanty was totally burned down on the
midnight of February 27, 2004 leaving them penniless and with only
their clothes on.
Through
Damayan-Buluseño, Inc., the family received P1,000.00 cash and
two cartons of clothes and shoes.
The cash donation came from Mr. Francisco Fernandez, Jr.
while the clothes and shoes were donated by Ms. Teresa Galindes.
The two are both
very supportive of the association’s cause. On several
occasions, Mr. Fernandez, a businessman from Mandaluyong City, has
donated various foodstuffs to the association’s Christmas Drive.
He has also extended assistance to distressed Buluseños
referred to him by the DBI.
Although not a
full-blooded Buluseña, Ms. Galindes cared so much for Bulusan and
the Buluseños. In fact, for the past several years, she has been
the consistent biggest donor of various medicines to the
association’s yearly civic action.
She is the eldest daughter of the late Vicente Galindes,
former US Navyman from Barangay Sapngan who died in a road
accident in the US many years ago.
Tessa, as she is
fondly called by relatives and friends, stayed for a year in
Bulusan when she was still very young.
After the death of her father, he practically grew up in
Mindanao, the place of her late mother.
It was only after she graduated in college when she came
back to Bulusan which she since then considered her second home.
She is a
businesswoman based in Caloocan City where she operates two
drugstores.
TWO
CLANS HOLD REUNIONS
Two big clans held their reunions simultaneously on Black
Saturday, April 10, 2004 in separate venues in Bulusan.
The Frades Clan held its reunion on a beach at Sitio
Baluarte, Barangay Dapdap which was blessed during the occasion as
Frades Resort.
On its third grand reunion, the Fuentes Clan gathered at
their usual place, the Bulusan Cultural and Sports Complex.
Actually, the Fortades Clan was also set for their fourth
reunion on Maundy Thursday, April 8 in Barangay Sablac, Matnog,
Sorsogon, but because of the sudden death of its president, Mr.
Santiago Fortades a day before, they had to drop their plans.
Instead, they intend to push through with it next year.
Although it was its first, the Frades affair was well
attended by members from the different barangays of Bulusan, other
towns of Sorsogon, and Metro-Manila.
During the occasion, the members decided to hold their next
reunions consecutively for three years, 2005, 2006, and 2007 on
Easter Sunday. This
day is favorable to both clans as many members of the Frades Clan
are also members of the Fuentes Clan.
Inducted officers of the Frades Clan were:
Councilor Celestino Fortuno Frades - President; Artemio G.
Frades - Vice-President; Evelyn Frades-Frilles - Secretary; Perla
Frades-Buhion - Treasurer; Ana Frades - Auditor; Ruben Frades
Gallanosa & Arturo Frades – Businnes Managers; Raul Frades
& Joel Frades - PRO. The
coordinators are: Teresita F. Frades - Talaonga; Juan Frades - San
Antonio; Emma Frades-Garalde – Lalud; Gloria Frades – Furio
– Cogon; Arnulfo Furio – Tinampo; Eriberto Frades – Mabuhay;
Delia Madrid – Sabang; Elma Frades & Myrna G. Frades –
Central, Dapdap & Looban; Lupo Frades Furio – Buhang; Rafael
Escarda – Sta. Magdalena; Isidro Frades Fugen – Gubat;
Baltazar Frades – Sorsogon City; Salvacion Givero, Joey Frades,
Recto Frades, Adonis Frades, Jose Arcos, & Natividad Fortuno
– Metro-Manila.
In the Fuentes Clan affair, aside from the members who came
from the different barangays of Bulusan, other towns of Sorsogon,
and Metro-Manila, there were those who came from the province of
Cebu.
The occasion was made even livelier with the presentation
of different musical numbers by the different barangays, and
parlor games.
Mr. Rogelio F. Fuentes, the clan’s organizer who was
re-elected chairman thanked the members for their presence and
lauded their active involvement in all the activities which
contributed to the success of their reunion.
He urged them to set aside personal differences for the
sake of the clan’s unity to make it an image of one big happy
and harmonious family. He
repeated what he has been saying before that he will never use the
name of the clan for his personal interests particularly in
politics as he has no political ambition at all.
All he wanted, he added, is a brotherly concern for one
another regardless of one’s social status.
Mr. Fuentes also vowed to dedicate the rest of his life to
the service of the clan as long as the members would want it and
as long as his health warrants it.
Aside from Mr. Fuentes, the officers for 2004-2006 who were
also inducted were: George Fuentes – vice-chairman for Sorsogon;
Rufo O. Fuentes – vice-chairman for Metro-Manila;
Teresita G. Fuentes – secretary; Recto Fuentes –
treasurer; Nathaniel Fuentes – auditor.
Members of the board of directors and the areas they
represent are: Jose Fuentes – San Francisco; Juan Furio –
Lalud; Renato Fuentes – San Antonio; Romeo Fuentes – Tinampo;
Pepe Fuentes – Talaonga; Dominador Fuentes, Jr. – Irosin;
Guiming Fuentes – San Isidro, Bulan; Teodorico Fuentes – Naga
City; Arturo Fuentes, Jr. – Sorsogon City; Jose Fuentes –
Macabari; Ramon Fuentes – San Bernardo; and Teodulfo Fuentes –
Salvacion.
DBI
PREXY BOWS OUT AS YEAR ENDS
After twenty-two solid years of serving as president of
Damayan-Buluseño, Inc., Mr. Rogelio F.
Fuentes will finally relinquish the position at the end of
his term this year. This
was declared by him late last year and on several occasions during
the association's monthly board meetings so the other officers
could prepare themselves to take over the moment he retires.
Mr. Fuentes also told them that automatically he will cease
to be the chairman of the board of trustees of the newly-formed
Damayan-Buluseño Foundation, Inc.
which he holds in interim capacity until a formal election
is held in March next year.
According to him, his retirement from the said position is
long overdue. Actually,
he said, he should have vacated it several years ago but he was
prevailed over by the other officers particularly the senior
members of the board to stay, as the association was then still
shaky.
But now that he has seen the great potentials among the
younger officers to lead the association effectively to its right
direction, there is no more reason for him to stay any longer.
It is about time to infuse younger blood into the
association to attune its direction to what is most needed in
these times, he continued.
He added, he dedicated himself faithfully to the service of
Damayan-Buluseño which has deprived him of quality times for
himself and his family for so long.
All he wanted for now is to be free from so much pressures
and tensions which he has gone through all those years just to
ensure the success of every activity of the association.
Anyway, he said, it is now easy for the new leadership of
DBI to manage its affairs as it has already its established
activities such as the monthly mass, the yearly civic action, the
Pista sa Maynila celebration, the Damayan Christmas Drive, and the
bi-annual Damayan Homecoming.
However, Mr. Fuentes assured the would-be incoming set of
officers that he will always be around if ever his assistance is
needed as long as it would be for the best interest of the
association.
He also told them frankly that although he may not in any
way interfere in their administration, still he would continue
writing in his column in the Damayan-Buluseño Gazette and no
amount of pressures can stop him from exposing the abuses of some
sectors in our society which will affect the peace and order situation in our community
and eventually our economy.
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