EMPOWERED MOM

The CDO Bloggers Inc, the group which I belong have distributed Media Noche items to Sendong survivors in Barangay Pita, Kauswagan, in Macanhan and in Balulang. This year end activity would not have been possible if not for Paypal donors for Help CDO as well as in-kind donations of our blogger friends from Ilo-ilo, Ilo-ilo Bloggers Inc. After the rations were done, we headed to the Carmen bridge for the “Pagpanagkot” or the candle lighting ceremony by the Cagayan de Oro River.. individuals and groups also offered songs and prayers… It was an activity for thanking God for the lives of friends, family and relatives who were spared from Sendong’s wrath, and most importantly, for those whose lives were lost in the tragedy that they may find the light and leave this plane for eternal rest.

Personally, I would like to thank family and friends who have helped my family during this trying time. Without your assistance, support, concern and love, everything would be very difficult…thanks to you, we are feeling much better now.

*Ergina-Aguilar Family

Alexander and Victoria Dy and Family

Wilfredo and Letecia Aguilar and Family

Irma Baguio and Family

Doris and Jonathan Artes and Family

Arkin and Joanne Hernandez (and their friends for sharing water)

*Dela Torre-Mordeno Family

Rebecca and Ralph Mordeno

Ginalyn and Benjamin Mordeno

Evangeline and Eliseo Pia & Family

Mary Grace Mordeno

Caridad Mordeno (who came all the way from Butuan City just to help us clean up)

*Palomo-Aguilar Family

Evelyn  Hancock

Noel Aguilar

*Emz Aban Cortez

*Univet Nutrition and Animal Healthcare Company (co-workers of my brother)

*Freya Ruda

*Charles Honn

*Ella and Eda Ledesma

*Riz Bargamento

*Bisdak Bloggers (through Ruby Ricafrente)

*Elaine and Tonette Fajardo

*Pinay Mommies Community (through Ruby Ricafrente)

*Linus Miranda

*Amy Nobillos

*Lannel Verdadero and friends

*Grace Fancubit/Operation Blessings

*PR Palacio and wife

*National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (Officemates of my mother)

*Mary Jean and Dennis Apuan

*Alfie Nob

*Debbie De Leon Roco and Inding

*Toyang and Gerland

*Reynards Tan

*Lifetime Study Center/Teachers Karen and Marissa

*Ma. Corazon Chan of DSWD

*Rachelle Basan Dequina

*Jing and Bing (Maxie) Rodriguez

*Balingasag Firetruck for the water ration

*Nanuri International School for water ration through Faith Calo

*list to be edited for other names I have missed.

Without the concern and love you have shown, my family, especially my parents, would not have survived psychological warfare in dealing with the loss.. Most of all, we are thankful to God for helping them survive…

Sendong has taught us the value of life, but even more so, it has directed us to know who the real people are in our lives. Those who have shared good times as well as bad times, they are truly worth all the appreciation and love.. Again, thank you and God bless us all.

 As we shall be crossing 2012 in less than twenty four hours, we look forward to a better year ahead.

*** My Sendong Accounts of December 16/17

We have been busy. I am so sorry it took me almost 2 weeks after Sendong to update this blog. My family is one of the victims, and our houses and properties were not spared. On the lighter note, Sendong gave us a chance to decide on things to throw away and to keep what we can. With this, clean up means throwing away what we do not need anymore. A total downfall for some, but for us, is just a matter of getting new things to replace the old. Sure, thirty six years of hard work for my parents to give us what we enjoyed but perhaps, it’s high time to let go of them and look forward for a new one. Back to zero, back to step one. And it’s all for the better… Sometime in early January, they shall be moving into their new home.. One that is far from the river, and has lots of trees for protection from soil erosion.  So knowing that everything is okay now, I have given back to Kagay-anons my time and energy through my group, the CDO Bloggers and right now, we are actually busy for tomorrow’s activity. We shall be giving Media Noche items to Sendong survivors before 2011 ends.. Thanks to our paypal donors and sponsors, especially the in-kind donations of Ilo-ilo Bloggers Inc.

In case you are wondering what parts of Cagayan de Oro City were hit, below is the map of the River and those in red are the areas Cagayan de Oro River has passed though, during the course of Sendong’s fury…

The Typhoon swept away lives and property at a blink of an eye.. My parents lost all property, and all other properties that could be vacated to are also eaten by mud. So right now, they are here at the pad, with my brothers. We are all cramped up in a very small space, but no complaints as we are all safe.. our house in Balulang can no longer be salvaged.. All of Cagayan de Oro is at its worst. Well, technically except Upper Balulang where there is plenty of water and no sign of flooding at all.

Anyway, here is a video I found in You Tube that has been pinching for Kagay-anons to stand up amidst the circumstance..

This too shall pass. I pray that we can all hurdle the current situation that has traumatized our kids, even killed loved ones and more are still missing.. I shall blog about my family’s experience when I have a stable supply of electricity or battery.. Right now, I will simply post short ones.. That I am sure will be very long…

Three times in a row, the lights went dead. The rain never stopped pouring and I am not exactly happy about it. I wish it will stop raining. There are shout-outs at Facebook where it is said that flooding is already happening, or some accident have occurred.  It could be anyone we know— so I pray for everyone’s safety. As for my sister and me, we’re safe inside our pad. My daughter is with my parents for the get-together of parents and families tomorrow in El Salvador, and she had been excited about it since. We even bought a new swim suit for her to that effect. I could go with her and my family, but I decided not to. I have so much to do round the pad. And so much laundry, lol..

With the rain, so much clutter to clean up tomorrow, if the rain will ever stop pouring. And speaking of rain, I am much thankful to God for so many blessings that came. I bought a new camera, and well, I look forward to taking my panoramic images with it. Come Christmas vacation, we shall have better pictures, and more blessings yet to come.. I await the fees from clients and having a grand Christmas ever..

As to my best friend’s family, I know this will not be easy. Donna’s passing and her would have been very happy birthday celebration come December 30— well, life sucks for the most part, but it’s our attitude that makes us see rainbows every so often.. I have a card for her mom, thanking her for raising Donna to be a wonderful person. I pray for more kindred spirits to walk this earth, and more monsters, and their kin, banished to the kingdom of gloom. That way, we can all enjoy our holiday.

The rain just can not stop— but I know it will make flowers and plants grow. Oh and the orchids will love showing off their beautiful petals with the cold weather.. Looking forward to that..

Be safe everyone..

My daughter and I stayed up late last night to witness the lunar eclipse. It was one magical moment for the two of us together, as we witnessed the gallantry of the night sky. It was amazing how the stars shone and how magnificently orange the moon turned into.

It was our first actually, and I loved it. It was both educational and an emotional experience. Well, let’s just say that we may never have that moment again, for whatever reason, right? But I am hoping for more of those magical moments with the grandiose sky beaming upon us.. I am lucky, or should I say, we are lucky to be together in that spectacular display of lunar imagery. Some mothers are away from their kids and could not even enjoy that.

Anyway, it was the last lunar eclipse of this year and I am happy that although I was not able to see that lunar eclipse that happened last June 15, Lili and I saw this last one last night, December 10, 2011….