PutoBe

Puto + Ube color = A delectable PutoBe
Yummy!

Say no more to risk-aversion!

Afraid to take risk? Who isn't?

Anyway, according to a text message I received, there are three reasons why you have to overcome the fear of taking risk.

(1) If you do not Go after what you want, you will NEVER have it.

(2) If you do not ASK, the answer will always be NO.

(3) If you do not STEP FORWARD, you will always be in the same place.

Taking risk may make you uncertain, weak, and not in control. But the courage to take risks may in turn offer you gifts you may not even have thought of.

Count me in. I am into taking risks. I do not intend to remain stagant.

Four Ws and an H after Ondoy and Pepeng

The most common topic of discussions to date is about the two recent typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng. Conversations range from personal or featured stories about traumatic ordeals during either of the two typhoons, to the updates on the remnants, extent of destruction caused by the unusual heavy down pour of rain and flash floods, and the immediate needs of people greatly affected by the typhoons. All the different stories have the same bottom line --- typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng equate loss.

This kind of loss is definitely what we all would not want to experience again. Once is enough. The aftermath of the typhoons are still evident: trash and mud-filled streets and houses, and isolated baranggays due floods.

Urgent response for the pressing needs. For the time being, our fellow Filipinos who were greatly affected by the typhoons need help. Different government and non-government agencies who have organized relief operations have a number of drop off points were we can give our donations of food, toiletries, beddings, medicines, and other goods. Cash donations and volunteers for packing and distributing of relief goods are also needed.

In time of troubles, Filipino custom of Bayanihan is a relief by itself --- relief because it shows that we care and that we will act because we care. The small act of kindness we and will extend may not totally relieve the sense of loss felt by the typhoon victims, but at least we help them hold unto hope and to the possibility of a new start.

Behind the stories. I have heard a lot of remarks about this and that place that do not become flooded after heavy rains and about floods in a particular place subsides immediately. Sad to say, typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng changed the usual into unusual --- a very scary unusual.

It was mentioned in news reports that the chest-high floods are expected to subside after a month, worse, even longer. A month of wait is a very long time when we consider its drawbacks: diseases that may be acquired by the victims, the adversity on means of living, and the difficulty of starting over. It is a domino effect, isn’t it?

A wake up call. The effects of typhoon Ondoy became our topic during lunch break: almost landfill roads, dilapidated houses, lost lives. The remnants shown in the news left us with this question "What now?" Blaming is of no use now since the damage has been done (but I think the idea of "someone should be blamed" implied that we admit our inadequacies in preemptive measures and our irresponsibility to live reasonably considering the environment). On top of this blame-no-more attitude should be our resolve to take action---now.

Four Ws and an H after the two typhoons. The garbage-clogged water ways and sidewalks, landslides, and muddy stagnant waters are give-away clues that floods are caused by our own misdemeanors. In short, our pointing finger should be directed to ourselves, who else? Thus, solving the problem concerns not only those greatly affected by the typhoon, but each and every one of us.

Here is an announcement --- a reminder and campaign to act--- for us and for mother earth too.

WHO: Each one of us, starting with me/you

WHAT: Our acts of green (An environment-friendly campaign)

WHEN: Now (this is an immediate concern); tomorrow may be too late.

WHERE: At home -- the basic unit of the community, better yet start with your self.

HOW: Find ways of reusing (most specially the non-biodegradable items) and let your creative juices kick in, join in clean up drives, segregate and dispose garbage properly, help plant trees, minimize the use of plastic containers, campaign against slash-and-burn and illegal logging...others

BTW, calling the attention of real estate developers, the flood is a reminder for you to have better plan for water ways. It is also apt to revisit and revise the law on log ban. It is high time to faithfully implement total log ban (and please include the clean air act too).


There are other ways to help our community (our country) be a better and safer place to live in. Our eco-friendly acts will also save our lives from misery and devastation. Please share your ideas.



Note: This is a tranferred blog entry, and is an updated version of my entry last 30 September which was posted on my other blog.

Pinoy at CNN Heroes 2009 Top 10 list

The Top CNN hero for 2009 will be chosen on 27 November 2009. Time is of the essence. Let us support, thru casting our votes, Efren Peñaflorida , one of the Top 10 nominees in the CNN Hereos 2009.




Peñaflorida and the other member of his founded group, Dynamic Teen Company (DTC), aim to make a difference in the lives of children living in the slums thru education. DTC have pushcart classrooms to be able to teach on the street every saturday. They teach reading, writing, arithmetic, English, and hygiene. Click here for more info...

BTW, casting of votes is until 17 November 2009. Hurry, vote Efren now (as many as you can).

From me to my brother's ears (and beyond)

I've heard my bother's side of the story. I understand but do not agree with his course of actions.

If only I am given the chance to have my say, I'll tell my brother:

Be sure that the choices and actions you do at the time being serve as your stepping stone to a brighter future, and definitely not otherwise.

If things are getting a bit tougher along the way, don't hesitate to have a break. A breather will clear your mind and will help you decide on the right and best alternate route to take.

It is okay to take risks, but make sure it is the calculated ones---risks to your advantage.

Also, keep in mind that the accountability to every thing you do is solely yours ( Blame and escape goating is not part of the equation).

It is not too late for a change.

I hope my bro will open his mind and consider this perspective.

I am disappointed

I am disappointed with my brother's choices for the past couple of months. Or should I say I am dissappointed because of the unpleasant consequences of his choices/actions.

But, "to be disaapointed" is all I can do. He made the choices and the consequences are his to bear.*sigh*

I pray He'll realize things before it is too late...

Kalan+banga=Calamba

The name of Calamba, according to legend, came from Kalan(clay stove) and Banga (water jar). I learned about this through the leaflets given during the 1st cityhood anniversary of Calamba.




Here it is:

During the Spanish period, two guardia civil (soldiers) were lost. As they walked around the place, they met a young lady who was carrying a jar of water and a wooden stove. In order to conceal the fact that they were lost, the soldiers asked her the name of the place using the Spanish language . The maiden, who do not understand Spanish, thought she was being asked on what she was carrying. She answered kalan-banga. It was believed that because the Spaniards could not pronounce kalan-banga properly, the town was then called Calamba.

To remind Calambeños of it's history, or should I say, of Calamba's etymology, a life-size replica of clay jar made of cement is in the city plaza and is called Banga. A fully-furnished Banga was finished in 1939. The banga is placed on top of a concrete mound. Inside the mound is a small, white fountain at the center and benches around. The semi-spiral stair beside the mound leads to the banga.



You will notice that 1939 inscription seems to be written on a white cloth. It is a common practice to put a cloth on one's head, as protection, before placing a pot or whatever one intends to carry on his head.






Inscribed in the giant jar are the names of the different barangays comprising Calamba. I am a resident of Brgy. Mayapa, and I was frustrated when my BIG bro was unable to clearly and fully capture its inscribed name on Banga.




Banga(and the city plaza) is situated across Rizal shrine and St. John the Baptist church. You may view this for more information.