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                Less than three months to go, another year shall have passed and a double whammy had struck Bulusan.  Around the middle part of June, Bulusan Volcano erupted and not a single individual in any barangay of Bulusan got in any way affected because the wind was towards the direction of Irosin, Juban, and Casiguran – towns which were the ones that suffered enormously from the ash falls.  In a span of five months after the first eruption, Bulusan experienced severe ash fall when the volcano erupted again last October 11. The wind headed southeast thereby dropping all the ash towards Bulusan and Irosin.

                According to reports, the LGU officials relentlessly performed their duties by giving assistance to the townsfolk.  Facemasks were distributed in the affected barangays.  Ash fall victims from San Roque were brought to the Municipal Health Center for medication.  Mayor Guysayko did well in his task of assisting the victims.  He even borrowed a fire truck from Sorsogon and sprayed the streets with water to wash out the dust which when inhaled is unhealthy for people especially those with respiratory ailments. Bulusan Volcano remains at a high level of unrest with a mudflow threat each time it rains.

                The second whammy was furious Milenyo. Though it might not really be the strongest to ever hit Bulusan, Matnog, & Sta. Magdalena- still it was able to bring down trees.  Banana, mango, coconut – all were similarly battered and many farmers lost their livelihood. The LGU thus distributed relief goods like rice & sardines.

                If Milenyo may seem like it is unfair to the poor, the rich were likewise affected by its power and might. Almost all businessmen were complaining about the slow pace of business, “maluyahon . . . pan-o man na wara produkto, kaya wara man ibarakal an mga tawo”.

                Bulusan folks can be compared always to a bamboo tree, pliant and patient. They can stand to the worst crisis, and can promptly get back on their own feet. This is because they are so prayerful and believes strongly that St. James the Greater, their patron – is never neglectful of them.  His intercession during times of danger and chaos is incomparable.  Thus we say, “Viva, Señor Santo Santiago!”

                Now, we at Damayan are focusing on how we could contribute to the local government’s objective of helping the families most affected by these calamities. Thus, this Christmas season, we shall have the CHRISTMAS GIFT GIVING PROJECT.

                We are soliciting canned goods, rice, noodles, and used clothing to be given to those families. We were hoping that with your help, we might be able to reach out to our town mates back home who are in most need of assistance.

                Should you wish to be a part of this worthy undertaking, kindly get in touch with any of our officers or call tel. nos. 921-9141, 727-6353, (0918) 559-6522.

                Salamatunon tabi, nan mabalos!

“Wara Mapabakal Kon Wara Mabakal - II”

              Sadto, an Sorsogon, trangkiluhon na lugar lalo na an Bulusan kon panahon san eleksyon.  Wara darayaan, wara barakalan sin boto.  Makusugon pa sadto sa puso san mga tawo an delicadeza nan prinsipyo.  An publiko an nagpipirit sa tawo na gusto nira ikandidato kay aram nira na magayon an kredibilidad para mamuno.  Daghan an habo magkandidato kay aram nira dako na sakripisyo na serbisyo oras na manggana.

                Wara sadto nagpapabakal sin boto kay wara man mabakal.  An mga botante naderetso sa presinto para iboto an gusto nira na kandidato.  An gasto hamok san kandidato, an pagpakaon bilang pasalamat sa mga nahapit sa kanira.  Dahil malinig an eleksyon, diri makulog sa buot san napierde kay an resulta tunay na kagustuhan san mga botante.

                Dako an pagbag-o san situasyon san umingkod sa trono an diktador lalo na san mag-reeleksyon san 1969. Para makasiguro an panggana, bunaha an kuarta san gobierno na ibakal sin boto nan ibayad sin mahal sa mga traydor na lider san oposisyon.  Mao kauso an GUNS, GOONS, and GOLD.  An habo san kuarta, bala o nawawara.  Hanggan niyan, nag-aayo sin hustisya an mga pamilya san mga ribu-ribo na biktima.  Para madagdagan an pondo, nauso an milyun-milyon na GHOST PROJECTS, KICKBACK, PAUTANG SA MGA ALIPORES NA KULANG AN KOLATERAL, nan SOP.  Kaya, diri nira makontrolan na magsukot man an NPA sin SOP.

                Mao na an pagkalubong sa utang san gobierno nan pagbatog san mga rally nan demonstrasyon kontra sa administrasyon.  An maraot pa, an mga kaso kontra sa administrasyon bale wara kay pati building na may ebidensya sinusunog; an mga testigo, nawawara.  Nadomdoman ko, may diri nakapugol na kandidato para vice-mayor sa Quezon City san 1971 an nagdiskurso sa TV nan radyo na sinabi: “The president exported gangsterism and other criminalities from the north to the rest of the Philippines.” Sa init nira, diniktahan an sayo na relihiyon para iboykot san mga miembro an kandidato.

                Dahil sa puersahan na panggana sa eleksyon san mga kaalyado san 1971, mao nabuhay an NPA.  Diri pa nakuntento, mientras natapos an ikaduwa na termino san diktador, dineklara an Martial Law san 1972 na sinundan pa san pagbag-o san constitution sa parliamentary.  Dahil kontrolado na sin husto an administrasyon, duon sira nakasikwat sin bilyun-bilyon na kayamanan na dineposito sa iba-iba na nasyon para diri maabot san gobierno.

                 Dahil habuon sira na maagaw sa kanira an puesto, pinatay si Ninoy Aquino san 1983 nan dinaya pa sa eleksyon si Cory Aquino san 1986.  Kaya, dahil sa kanira sobra na pagkagahaman sa puesto nan kayamanan, diri na nakapagpugol an mga Pilipino.  Sa paagui san People Power pinalayas an pamilya san diktador nan mga alipores san mga tawo na  nagsamba sa kanira sa sulod sin 20 anyos.

                 Bagaman dako na kasal-an an pagsikwat nira san bilyun-bilyon na kayamanan san Pilipinas, pero, an pinakasumpa-sumpa na binilin nira an pinakamaati-on na sistema san pulitika.  Wara sira sin paki-aram kun pira na buhay an mawara nan kun pira na milyon na kuarta san gobierno an mawaldas basta manggana sira.  An pinauso nira na guns, goons, and gold naging parte na san buhay san mga pulitiko hanggan niyan dahil pati sira naging gahaman na man sa puesto. Pati an iba na mga propesyonal nahali naman an delicadeza nan prinsipyo kay diri kuno duon sira magkakakuarta. Nagpadagos an darayaan nan barakalan sin boto batog sa pinakahataas na puesto hanggan sa barangay kagawad nan SK. Pati mga kabataan nawara naman an moral values na ideyalismo dahil sa namasdan na ehemplo san mga tradisyunal na pulitiko. Kaya, nano an magiging hitsura san kanira administrasyon sa maabot na panahon? Mao yuon an pinakamarauton na legasiya na binilin nira.

               Naniniwala ako na may solusyon pa sa problema na ini mientras maraot sin husto an ato situasyon na sugad san mga nangyayari sa iba na lugar na pati mga magkadugo nagpaparatayan dahil sa maati-on na eleksyon. Kaya, para sa katiwasayan san ato bungto nan alang-alang sa masunod ta na henerasyon, ini-engganyo ko uli an mga lider san iba-iba na relihiyon, organisasyon, nan sektor san edukasyon na mag-aratubang kita para hanapan ta sin solusyon ini na problema. Diri na kita manguntinuar nan mahadok. Diri ta kinokontra an sin-o man na pulitiko kondi gusto ta hamok ibutang sa tama na situasyon an maabot na eleksyon kon madadagos. Aram ko, nauyamon naman kamo san darayaan nan barakalan san boto na nakaraot sin husto san moralidad san ato mga kabubungto. Kaya, magkasarayo kita para mabag-o ini  na sistema sa panahon ta para may makahulugan kita na ibilin na legasiya sa ato mga kabataan.

                An totoo, an hihimuon ta mas pabor pa sa mga kandidato kay aayuon ta sa kanira an magdiyalogo an mga partido para sa sayo na PAREHAS, MALINIG, nan HONESTO na eleksyon. Kaya, kulang pa sira sa gastos, mataas pa an kanira dignidad. An ibakal nira sin boto, iindono na hamok sa sayo na proyekto na pakinabangan san mga tawo, uumawon pa sira. Domdomon nira na mas maogma na manggana na may kredibilidad nan mapierde na may dignidad. Domdomon man nira na an intero na bagay may katapusan. Maogma an natapos na may binilin na magayon na panomdoman kesa natapos na kinokondena hanggan kamatayan san mga tawo na inagrabyado sugad san diktador nan iba na mga gahaman na lider.

                Kon sinsero sira na maserbe sa publiko, diri magub-at ini na aayuon ta sa kanira. Kaya, sa mga maabot na adlaw magmiting kita manungod sa katuyuhan na ini. Masurat ako saiyo kon mag-aaratubang na kita.

                 Pinapadomdom ko uli na WARA SIN MAPABAKAL SIN BOTO KUN WARA MABAKAL!

"Diyos Ko, Kaluoyi Kami - V"

KAGURANGNAN, uya naman nakaluhod, padagos na nangadyi kami

Kay padagos an mga nakapuesto na pinipirit nan pinupursigue

Na maliwanan an constitution para sa interes na pansadiri

Kaya, guiyahan tabi sira sa liwanag, DIYOS KO, KALUOYI KAMI!

Diri na sira nakokontento na nakapang-agrabyado nan nakaapi

Sa mga naging kalaban sa pulitika san eleksyon na nakaagui

Niyan, isusulong naman nira an gobierno na parliamentary

Kaya, guiyahan tabi sira sa liwanag, DIYOS KO, KALUOYI KAMI!

Salamat sa Korte Suprema kay an mga huwes diri nakombinse

San People’s Initiative na ginastuhan sin kuarta na grabe

Hali kuno sa gobierno na makadagdag pa sa pagkabangkarote

Kaya, guiyahan tabi sira sa liwanag, DIYOS KO, KALUOYI KAMI!

Pan-o maniwala an mga huwes na totoo na Sigaw ng Bayan ini

Kay daghanon kuno an mga pirma sa listahan na puro mga peke

Pirmado na pati an mga nakahigda na sa pantyon na may R.I.P.

Kaya, guiyahan tabi sira sa liwanag, DIYOS KO, KALUOYI KAMI!

Bagaman may pirma man kuno na tunay nan diri man mga peke

Pero, inagoy ngon-a sin sobre mientras sira nakakombinse

An mga iba naman pinapirmahan sa kanira mga tawo na sadiri

Kaya, guiyahan tabi sira sa liwanag, DIYOS KO, KALUOYI KAMI!

Daghan an mga naniniwala na ini kuno Sigaw ng Grupo ni JDV

Na sinabayan man san Sigaw ng mga Gobernador at Alkalde

Sinundan pa san mga alipores nira na gutumon an mga bulate

Kaya, guiyahan tabi sira sa liwanag, DIYOS KO, KALUOYI KAMI!

Niyan, kon diri pasado an Plan A an ikasa naman an Plan B

Isulong an Constituent Assembly diri kuno an senado kasali

Sugad na san martial law na an gobierno kanira na sadiri

Kaya, guiyahan tabi sira sa liwanag, DIYOS KO, KALUOYI KAMI!

Natural, an Charter Change sa kanira ipirit nan ipursigue

Kay oras na makalusot daog pa an tumama sa lotto an suerte

Padagos sa puesto, wara eleksyon, padagos an abot san S.O.P.

Kaya, guiyahan tabi sira sa liwanag, DIYOS KO, KALUOYI KAMI!

An mga pinakanakakadisganar na hinihimo nira nan pinakagrabe

Kay badi bala an masalo san mga nangontra nan diri komporme

Diri na ginagalang an mga Alagad san Diyos na mga militante

Kaya, guiyahan tabi sira sa liwanag, DIYOS KO, KALUOYI KAMI!

Sa kulog san buot haros maputok na an dobdob san mga naapi

Kaya, sa Langit na inaayo an hustisya sa maraot na nangyayari

An init san Nasa Itaas, sa iba-iba na mga kalamidad pinaagui

Kaya, guiyahan tabi sira sa liwanag, DIYOS KO, KALUOYI KAMI!

Lalo lugod pabor sa kanira kon may kalamidad na nangyayari

Dahil puede naman makapagdeklara sira sin state of calamity

May lalaumon na naman sira na suerte sugad san sa Mercury

Kaya, guiyahan tabi sira sa liwanag, DIYOS KO, KALUOYI KAMI!

Masuerte naman an kanira kaalyado na mga tuso na negosyante

Nagiging sardinas an naabot na mga donasyon na karne norte

Diri bale maagrabyado an mga pobre basta busog an mga buitre

Kaya, guiyahan tabi sira sa liwanag, DIYOS KO, KALUOYI KAMI!

THE PHILOSOPHY OF KARMA (CONTINUED)

                In the previous issue, we said that karma is action. But what exactly is action? Action is the energy of  our consciousness expressed through the body. And at most times, we are either giving out or taking in energy from someone or something. This giving and taking is the same as taking a loan from, or making a regular deposit in a bank. You  either have a debt or you will have accumulated money plus a little interest. And so we have accounts in our relationships. If you have deposited a lot of pain and sorrow with someone, if your actions have caused them suffering, eventually that must be repaid.  The same happens if you have become dependent on another person for support, in which case that “loan” will eventually have to be paid back.

                In all relationships there is some give and take and the greatest interaction takes place with those who are closest. To get a sense of the value of your interactions, consider the three kinds of action through which the soul carries out through the body: Positive Action arises  from being soul-conscious. The action is purely benevolent  and there is no motive or desire for any return. Actions carried out in soul-consciousness will help others rediscover their own soul-consciousness. Negative action is motivated by body-consciousness. In this state, one seeks self-gratification or one gets angry at someone because desires are not met. These are the actions that accumulate karmic debts. Neutral action involves routine tasks which do not affect others; washing dishes, brushing teeth, cleaning the house, driving car, etc. However, even these actions, if carried out in a state of body-consciousness, can become negative. Why? Because the quality of intention or motive behind an action also determines result.   

                This present time, we all find ourselves with debts to settle- debts also accumulated from previous births. These prevent us from finding true freedom  and are always interrupting our peace and happiness. If someone keeps coming into your mind, interrupting your concentration, or triggering feelings of frustration or depression, you can understand that you have some outstanding karmic debt.

                There are three methods of settling your karmic debts and setting yourself free: 1. You can stop performing action in a state of body-consciousness, i.e. taking from others. 2. You can begin to repay your outstanding debts by serving those souls with whom you have a karmic account. This however, can take time and perhaps as long as it took to create the debts. 3. The fastest way is to meditate; to establish that direct link with the source of spiritual power, the Supreme Soul, God the Supreme Father,  to pass on to others through your good wishes, positive thoughts and vibrations. This union with the Supreme is the key to your own personal freedom from the bondage of karma with other humans. Not only does that power transform your old habits, which created the debts in the first place, but it is also the income you need to settle all your debts comparatively quickly. The quality of your actions becomes higher.

                Now, that we have knowledge of karma, we can accept that whatever has happened in our life up to this moment cannot be attributed to any person, ancestors, the government or even God. It is ours and ours alone. Equally what our future holds depends on us. Rather, what we choose to do at the moment is already creating our destiny for tomorrow. 

                We should not forget that the only real time for creating our future is the present, NOW. Karma teaches that we are the creator of our own little world. We are also the creator of the environment immediately around us. On greater level, we are co-creators together with God of the world of tomorrow.

                That we can create the future of our choice- love, peace and happiness is what is going to happen. If we choose to exchange love and peace in our interactions with others, we create relationships based on those qualities.

(Note: The topic on body-consciousness and soul-consciousness was expounded in previous issue of the Gazette.  Source: Teachings of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University)      

EDITORIAL

It’s great to be back.

 There, I’ve finally said it.  I did not have the chance to say it in our previous issue due to space constraints, but now – well, finally.  After hours (mostly night)  of staying up with eyes locked to the monitor and the copy holder,  and an occasional cup of extra strong coffee at hand,  this issue is almost done. Save for this space I have allotted to myself. Everything else has been laid out, you see – and all that is missing is this piece - my piece.

 The previous issue – released on the 2^nd Sunday of October this year, was our first ever after more than a year of  non-publication.  It was of course memorable not only to me but to everyone else who cares about the Gazette. It was a statement, if more than anything else – that there really is hope for Bulusan and its people to be actually united in one spirit, to be a  community of Buluseños striving to work out their differences despite everything that’s been said and done – and yes, written.

It  re-opened long-awaited avenues, highways, and even bridges to Buluseños everywhere – those in need, and those who could help; those who are homesick, and those who can bring news of home. It continues to inspire and to actually make people think of and consider lasting solutions.

This current issue is intended for release on the 2^nd Sunday of December, when the association shall be celebrating its annual Christmas party.  It was primarily intended to cover events relative to the calamities that recently hit Bulusan, and of the immense import for unity during these times. 

Yes, it’s great to back. And what greater sight would it be than to see people of the same roots and blood helping one another, knowing that deep within either side resides love, sincerity and mutual respect.

 MAILBOX

Dear Editor,

I would like to thank Eden G. Tan for her very touching and inspiring letter published in the last issue of this Gazette.  It gives me more courage, strength, and firm determination to pursue the goals of Damayan-Buluseño, Inc. to attain peace and progress for our hometown, Bulusan.

I admire her for her courage in expressing her sentiments against wrong doings in our community which had greatly eroded the moral values of our people including the youth who will be our future leaders.

I remember Eden was then a COCOFED scholar in Chemical Engineering in Manila in the early days of Damayan when I personally asked her to organize the youth.  Through her and other Buluseño young men and women, the Metro-Manila Youth Chapter of the association was born which contributed a lot to the success of its various projects and activities.

I appreciate very much their group because despite their limited resources derived from different forms of fundraising, they were able to undertake meaningful projects of their own. Among their significant accomplishments were: the whole-day seminar in Bulusan on Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs conducted by two representatives from the Dangerous Drugs Board in Manila which was the first to be sponsored by a youth group in Region V; and the three-day Youth Leadership Seminar in Barangay San Roque conducted by Mr. Tim Villanueva of DILG- Manila.  The latter was through the efforts of the late Annie Ferreras, and Edith Gapas-Dome (now based in Melbourne, Australia) who were then both officers of Damayan. The seminar which was attended by youth from the 24 barangays of Bulusan paved the way for the organization of the Barangay Youth Chapters long before the creation of what is now the Sangguniang Kabataan.

In those days, I could see how earnest their desires were to support the goals of Damayan all for the benefit of Bulusan and fellow Buluseños.  I am glad that although they are now settled elsewhere and are far apart, they are still in close contact with each other and the spirit of Damayan still lingers in their hearts and minds.

If only our youth of today would have the same enthusiasm and dedication to serve our community, then the dreams and aspirations of Dr. Jose P. Rizal would not be in vain.

To you Eden, I hope you will always stand firm on your commitment of support to the mission of Damayan-Buluseño for the benefit of our hometown and our people.  I wish you more power.  God bless.

(Sgd.)

ROGELIO “ELIO” FUENTES

Source: Parish Records of Deaths

TO OUR READERS

            Those who wish to send in their reactions to the letters and other articles published in this Gazette, opinions, and suggestions – are requested to indicate their complete names with signatures and addresses.   

They may request that their names be withheld if they so desire for security reasons.

Letters with no names, signatures, and return addresses will not be accommodated.

                                                                                    DAMAYAN-BULUSEÑO, INC.

 

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