Typhoon Ondoy

All of us here have their own stories to tell about their experience about the typhoon. The worst that happened to me was above waist water inside the house and upto neck flood outside the house.
Hours before, I can still be able to go outside and check the extent of the flood. If you noticed at the background, there are cars which they are trying to put in a safer area. After so many years living in this area, we never had experience flood, except outside. Little did I know that after 2 hours, my own car was also submerged in water and there’s nothing more I can do.

At Ondoys wake, the whole Marikina is submerged in water---murky, muddy, rancid and stale. It was happening too fast. So, we gather all things we can carry upstairs. One of our neighbors went outside to help us. At that time, the flood is only up to her waist on a tiptoe. I wasn’t able to take pictures anymore. I would say I was in state of shock. We cannot save all our things. It was just too painful to see things floating around (also the appliances and OMG... my paintings too). Some of the things we tried to save in the stairs float too.

Some of my friends, relatives and the community we live in are suffered too. Some stayed at their roofs.
Watching the flood outside, I can see cars with lights on, clothes, framed pictures, refs, tvs, etc. I just wished I could get it for them but the current is too strong for me. We were trapped. We cannot even open the doors downstairs. I am so hopeless. When we woke up, there’s no flood anymore inside, only full of mud. I went outside to look for food. There is no food available for sale. It was like a nightmare. I was walking in the mud and saw cars turned upside down, sacks of rice all wet. All establishments closed, no telephone, cables or signals. We eat at our terrace for days (glad we have sardines)
Though my family and I are safe and dry, does not give me guarantee to sleep soundly at night. I was informed that hundreds of people died and thousand of families have been forced out of their homes because of flooding by typhoon “Ondoy” and they are all at the evacuation center located just one block away from us. So, I found myself volunteering in the repacking of goods done at Brgy Malanday Office.

My aunt, Sr Sonia has also many packed goods donated by her friends and kind souls from everywhere. Together with my fellow officers of our village association, we were able to distribute packed food to the victims residing in Tumana (the part in Marikina which is greatly affected ) aside from Provident Village.

Right now, we are still cleaning the house and I hope school will open next week because some schools were used as evacuation centers. Even the Kindergarten room of my daughter Jali is submerged in water and all their things are totally washed out. Meanwhile,We still have tons and tons of garbage but we're trying to do something about it. MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando, on the other hand is busy into his Cleaning Drive.

Two weeks has passed but we are still continuously experiencing disaster brought by typhoon in different parts of the country. There's also this terrible outbreak of leptospirosis. Many people died particularly in Malanday & Tumana, Marikina area. With all the tragedies brought about by Ondoy It may take time for many to recover from the onslaught of Ondoy specially in Marikina These past few days, I saw the best in us. I realized that the worst kind of tragedy is also the time when we see good come out of people.

Women's Right

I attended a 3 day seminar workshop on Paralegal Training facilitated by the Women's Legal Bureau.

Jali's 1st Ballet Recital

Teatro Marikeno in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts conducted a Free Summer Arts workshop activity. I am fortunate that Jali was able to join the baby ballet lessons. This is Jali (at the center) during her recital.


The purple and pink group













Jali also joined Arts & Crafts for kids and here are some of their projects (left) Jali also played as one of the sleeping fairies ( right)


The teachers also performed in their Filipiniana costumes.

Picnic

Last Saturday, the Friendly Ladies Group of Marikina (that includes me) had a picnic at Tanay, Rizal. It is a very beautiful place and the group really had fun. The place is only about 42 kilometers from Katipunan and Marcos Hi-way.


What a magnificent view

Had a chat with Royet Padilla while Robin is sleeping. We ask him about Bebe Gandanghari and he has a lot of things to say about it. Hmmm.

San Fabian

with MMDA Chairman Fernando

Mayor Jaming Libunao of San Fabian, Pangasinan invited Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando and Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando to be their Guest of Honor and Speakers in their celebration of Women’s day. The highlight of the program was the induction of officers of women leaders and coronation night. The affair was attended by more than 5,000 women of the Pangasinan Council of Women, Inc- San Fabian Chapter.

A parade was held after the mass. It was sooo hot but it was really fun touring around the town with Mayor Libunao and Chairman Fernando.
It was really a long trip and we arrived home past 1 am in the morning but it’s all worth it. I also enjoyed the company of the City Women’s Council leaders. We had fun meeting and dancing with the people of San Fabian.

MCF Bday

A special program was held ot the Marikina Municipal Hall in honor of Mayor MCF. The title of the program dubbed ass the "Mothers Confession Forum" showcases different types of mothers who shares their experiences in different situations. it wasw some sort of a stand up act and a monlogue.
My role as a politician's wife proved to be challengiong in a way. Im like Tessie Tomas ala Imeldific. my role is a former beauty queen who wants to be an actress but becomes the wife of a congressman. I later on discovered that I have a husband who is a pedophile. (hahaha)Can you beat that? lol



Well, that not all. each of us must perform a talent in relation to being a " mother". You will not believe it (specially my friends who knew me that i have 2 left foot) I did an interpretation dance titled "Iingatan ka" by Carol Banawa. It was a religious song and everyone was so amazed because it was a serious one and most of the audience later on told me that were touched on the story or rather ---my interpretation. Oh boy, I was flattered by the response.

Confession

I feel so blessed with all the things that are happening in my life. I never expected to win in any contest particularly a beauty contest because I never joined any and I have no intentions whatsoever during my younger years. Honestly, I was hesitant at first to join the pageant considering that I’m not working at municipal hall or directly connected with the committee compared with the other contestants. I joined because I was the youngest in the group (most of them are senior citizens) and our organization lack funds for our projects. Even if my intentions are noble, I feel so shy asking for solicitation. So finally I said to them, why not? It’s for our group anyways. The committee headed by the City Women Council officers conducted a preliminary interview to all the contestants. We were asked to make an essay about ourselves and how we represent the vision of Marikina women (something like that) I can’t seem to recall all the details—it just happened so fast. Next thing I know, we had our practice in preparation for the coronation night. My group was very supportive; they were there during the first up to the final stage of the contest.
Tita Cora A ask me to go their house and she asked me to fit all the gowns of her daughter. I chose the yellow dress because I thought that it would be appropriate for my talent portion. She gave it to me as a gift. Tita Letty Ramos who is also busy at that time agreed to play the piano organ as accompaniment since we cannot find minus one for that particular song. She also plays for the AFP Chorale and other programs of the AFP. I’m glad she is my neighbor and officer in our group. Before Tita Eli B left for the States, she left me a couple of accessories for me to wear. Tita Norie is always there too giving constructive criticism. Lisa lends me her organ stand. Tita Fely accompanies me to buy adapter for the organ. Lola Maring lends me her diamond earrings. I decided to wear that with my gown because I want a very simple accessory to go with it. My friend Toinette accompanied me to the salon and recommended the best hair specialist. She also volunteered to be my Production Asst, Manager, Director, and Coordinator for that day and I would say that she is the BEST.
During the coronation night, I feel confident and I felt that I’m going to have a place. I thought that I’d be lucky enough to be in 2nd or first runner up. But my intuition proves me wrong when Ms Mel announced that I am the 1st Gng Kababaihan ng Marikina 2007. Not only that---I’m also the “ Best in Gown” Of course the highlight is the announcement and coronation of the winners by Mayor Marides Fernando and Vice Mayor Marion Andres and the P12,000 cash prize.
I was also surprised to see some of my classmates and friends there. Some of our neighbors watched too with their families. My relatives, Mama Vecca and Lenlen became my official photographers and Papa Samudio ( as my daughter fondly called him) volunteered to take videos. My mom and dad were very happy with the news, so as with my friends and relatives who greeted me.
You can call me baduy or corny. Basta --- Now I know how it feels like to be a beauty queen. What more can I say -- I’m in cloud9.

Feeding time

Twice a week, we conduct feeding at the Malanday Elementary School. I have been active with the Kabayani Ladies' for quite somtime and this is just one of our projects. We cook food for the children. And this christmas, we hope we can gather funds to give them extra treats.



I bring along Jali with me because I want to show her what mom does and I hope someday shes going to realize that there are less fortunate children in the world. She helps us distribute the food and she later joined them.