Monday, November 30, 2009

TRIPLE GOLD

TRIPLE GOLD

At long last, I finally saw a Tarpaulin streamer announcing the celebration of the 150th Anniversary of Alfonso on Dec 11-13, 2009. Yes it is our Triple Gold Anniversary. Alfonso was established as a separate municipality from it’s mother Indang on May 16, 1859. There are 150 reasons to celebrate and ‘it is better late than never’, as the saying goes.

In other towns especial dates like this is given lavish attention with lavish celebration.Townmates abroad are requested to come home for the celebrations that usually are done monthly for the whole year. The date also falls on the feast day of St. John Nepomucene, our Patron Saint. Earlier I got so disappointed when both the Municipal Government and the Church seemed to forget the monumental occasion.

I, in my little and simple way tried to celebrate it by launching a tiny book about Allfonso on May 24, 2009. It was a very small book with a little bit of history, a little bit of legend and much about Alfonso that deserves to celebrate its Triple Gold. It has many defects as it was mainly based on oral history gathered and compiled for 50 years. It was indeed so thin that one can finish reading it in one sitting. But it was the only book about Alfonso officially accepted so far by the Cavite Historical Commision for publication to the point of sponsoring it together with De La Salle Dasmariñas, Cavite Studies Center and the Municipal Government of Alfonso.

Through my little book I am expressing my full hearted greetings to my "paradisic" hometown on its Triple Gold Anniversary this year.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

THE CHALLENGE OF GRACEFUL AGING

THE CHALLENGE OF GRACEFUL AGING

Growing old is truly fun that is why it has many names. Senior Citizen which depicts authority and wisdom; Second Childhood, as if being re-oriented anew to an entirely new world; Alzheimer’s, meaning one has reached the great period of confusion; Golden or Diamond Age to keep the glamour no matter what.

This stage of aging has also many nicknames too: “Amoy lupa”, “Uliyanin”, “Makulit”, “Burara”, “Bengengot” or worst still, “Tangengot” and many more according to the whims and enjoyment of the younger generation.

I am not referring to my own personal experience because in as far as I am concerned I am still in the prime of my life. I am sharing this to everyone after having observed several Senior Citizens who have surrendered to the difficult challenges of aging.

This is the phase of life when the person knows he knows but knows not what he knows. This is the period when the person remembers vividly what he did when he was a little boy but forgets where he was a while ago. This is the moment when the person looks everywhere for the item he is tightly holding in his hand. This is the time when one wonders why he is at the middle of the stairs not sure if he is going down or going up. This is the age when he usually has lapses in thought, in words and in deed.

He enjoys discussing his ailments and brags about the many pills he is taking but to no avail as he continue to have pains here and there. This is the time in his life when he is badly in need of a companion to guide him in his moments of disorientation but unfortunately this is also the occasion in his life when every one he knows and everyone that matters to him is nowhere to be found.

He wants and craves for many foods to eat but at the same time is afraid of the side effects and the untoward consequences. He wants to share a lot of his wisdom to the younger generation but said generation thinks what he is sharing is out of this world, obsolete or an idea applicable to life during the Stone Age.

Yes growing old is fun and overgrown persons are indeed funny. They are tired of living but they don’t want yet to die. They are left behind by the new trends and the new technologies but are too lazy to catch up, thinking that they are too old to comprehend anything that is new.

The best way to confront the challenges of aging gracefully is to continue being observant and curious about things, to find joy everyday anywhere you are, to nurture a healthy sense of humor and to continue pursuing a dream no matter how simple or how far it seems. At the end of the day, count your blessings and pray this way: Dear Lord, Your will! Nothing more, nothing less and nothing else. Amen

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

UNUSUAL MORNING

UNUSUAL MORNING

It is not the cold breeze. No, it is not the crowing of the roosters or the barking of the dogs. It is neither the sounds of the early tricycle motors that makes waking up in the morning unusual.

Something is missing that keeps you feeling as if you are missing a few beatings of your heart. It has been a constant reminder of the sunrise as far as you can remember that now its absence creates a lonesome mood.

I am referring to the sound of the church bells that used to bring new challenge, new adventure, new hope to the parishioners as they wake up early in the morning to meet the new day.

For quite some time the inviting great alarm sound is not heard on waking up or throughout the whole day. The bells with most beautiful melody have been silenced not because they are no longer needed but because they have been serving their purpose for more than a century that the belfry where they are hanged needed repair and restoration.

The bells were brought down to rest while the bell tower is being repaired. No one still alive remembers how the original belfry, much more the whole church, looked like. No document so far has yet been found to show the original appearance. Since its destruction by a great typhoon during the 1920’s so many incidents have happened. The whole roofing was blown away while the bell tower and the façade were greatly damaged. A temporary church has been erected and was in use until the early 1950’s when the old church was rebuilt.

The temporary church would have offered more historical value as it was used as temporary holding shelter for all the males, 15 years and above gathered by the Japanese during the occupation. But it was demolished completely when the original church was rebuilt.

Before the old church was rebuilt it served as hiding place by guerillas fighting the bandits during the war. After the liberation it was temporarily used as Poultry farm. Aside from regular religious ceremonies, no recorded historical event happened in the church. The National Historical Institute did not find reasons to include it as one of the protected heritage site.

Now a new bell tower is being built to hang again the precious bells of the Parish of Saint John Nepomucene. The wisest thing for the parishioner to do is to help revive the glorious morning when we again shall all be awakened daily by the heavenly sounds of our most important and priceless treasure. Back again will be the laughter of the “iskelas”, the lamentations of the “aguniyas” and the “plegarias”, the wake up calls at 5:00 in the morning and the come home summons during the praying of the “oracion” at 6:00 p.m.

Monday, November 9, 2009

POSITIVE CONVERSION

This is an invitation to all blog users to practice positive conversion specifically for our beloved country, Filipinas.

The reason why generally people are prone to act negatively is because we are negatively energized by what we see and experience everyday:
NO PARKING ON THIS SIDE, NO SMOKING, DO NOT ENTER, DON’T URINATE HERE, DON’T THROW YOUR GARBAGE, etc.

By positive conversion I mean we could convert a negative perception or notice or whatever negative there is so that in the process we also convert our feelings and attitude into something positive.

The example of a negative notice that says NO PARKING ON THIS SIDE, could be converted positively into PARK ON THE OTHER SIDE, PLEASE.

DON’T THROW YOUR GARBAGE could be converted into USE THE GARBAGE CAN.

DON’T URINATE HERE could be converted into USE THE COMFORT ROOM.

You will be surprised. Your attitude, outlook and disposition in life will also be turned into positive as you are positively energized in the course.

Negative: I WAS ROBBED OF THOUSANDS LAST NIGHT. I FEEL BAD.
Positive Conversion: THANK GOD THE ROBBER SAVED MY LIFE.

Let us all challenge ourselves to positively convert all our negative experiences.

To start with… Negative: FILIPINAS IS LEFT BEHIND BY MANY COUNTRIES.
Positive conversion: FILIPINAS IS FAR ADVANCE THAN OTHER COUNTRIES.

THEY LOST EVERYTHING BECAUSE OF THE CALAMITIES is negative.
Positive conversion: WHEN EVERYTHING ELSE IS LOST THE FUTURE STILL REMAINS AND THE FUTURE HAS EVERYTHING…

Sunday, November 8, 2009

LIFE'S RECIPE

LIFE’S RECIPE


If life is a recipe it is made up of three very important ingredients: Heredity, Environment and Education cooked on an equally important pot over a tripod of Family, Government and School. The finished product is appropriately sauced with the morality offered by the Church.

The three main ingredients must be properly balanced and rightfully cooked for life to be deliciously palatable. Most of all the tripod that holds the cooking pot must also be equally strong and sturdy to keep the cooking constantly in good process.

The tripod is made up of the family values, the governmental concerns and the moral teachings and guidance of the Church.

It is unfortunate that the family cannot perfectly accomplish its mission as sometimes both the father and the mother have to work outside the home to make both ends meet.

Likewise the government has so much concerns that the family is sometime left less attended. In like manner the Church that should cater for the moral regeneration of children are also affected by the appearance of so many religious sects to the confusion of the parishioners.

About the main ingredient, Heredity, nothing much could be changed or totally improved. We never had a chance to choose our ancestors. On the other side protection of the environment depend so much on how we take care of it.

Education is the ingredient where much could be expected. While in some remote communities many children walk miles to reach school and while in still other villages no school is at all available, Alfonso is solucky that schools are as common as common colds and is a commodity like common sense.

At the Poblacion alone there are the old Central Elementary School, the National High School, the private Sacred Heart School of Cavite, the Victorious Montesorri College, the Maranatha Living Hope Academy,the Westpoint College plus several Day Care Centers and many tutoring services.

Nearby at Barangay Pajo is the Nazareth Institute and the Biblica La Belle Academy at Bgy.Marahan. At Bgy. Luksuhin there are about half a dozen functioning schools, such as Agnus,Die, Blessed Ville, Flanessa Martin, Gracious Gift plus the Govt. High School. Outside the Poblacion, all the other Barangays are not deprived of educational institutions like the St. Joseph Parochial School a Kaytitingga.

Taking all things into consideration, Alfonsinos are indeed still lucky that the recipe of life is still carefully and properly cooked the right way in spite of light disruptions here and there brought about by the ‘modernities’ and technologies of the present generation. We must all thank God for all our blessings.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

ALFONSO REMAINS A PARADISE

ALFONSO REMAINS A PARADISE

Two negative incidents do not convert a community into hell. They could only be two dirty stains in an otherwise immaculately clean sheet of linen. It should not be a reason to despair.

I am talking about two recently televised news reports about what happened in our town. First, the death of a young man by hazing and second the rape of a seven year-old girl. Yes, they are both disgusting news but they are isolated and do not substitute for the many good things that our town has to offer.

I am writing this in reply to many reactions of Alfonsinos abroad who are greatly disturbed by the two incidents. I don’t blame them because the two sad events generated pictures of disarray and lawlessness. It is really nauseating but as a permanent resident of our lovely town I assure you that the place you left whether temporarily or permanently is still the same old PARADISE.

You will still meet the same old superstitiously cautious but greatly hospitable compatriots. There are new comers from other places brought here generally by marriage but they are quickly absorbed and influenced by the lovable practices that we are all proud of. Our traditions and heritages are still intact and maintained.

A ‘Balikbayan’ or visitor who shall care to scrutinize the progress and the present pride of our town would be surprise to discover new frontiers in our midst. There are so many improvements.

To begin with, after passing Tagaytay’s ‘Thank You Arch’ if you decide to turn right to Brgy. Sikat you will immediately be met by “TAAL SILANGAN”, the Ambulatory Care Center built according to U.S. standard and have modern equipment using the latest technologies. It offers diagnostic services, Executive Check-up. Women’s Health Care, General Medicine and many others. There are available Residential Condominiums.

Next to it is “VILLE SOMMET” a ‘magical place where great food could be had, relaxation can be captured, momentous occasions celebrated and the abundance of nature experienced’. It caters for all events such as weddings, team building and social events. Just accross the street is the new Marcia-Adam;s Tuscany, a sophisticated place for fine dining. Not far after Ville Sommet is the ‘ACADEMY OF WORLD HEALING’ a “non-profit educational healing foundation established specifically for the purpose of addressing the issues that result from our unhealthy, un-natural life styles’.

Should you care to proceed towards Nasugbu, you will see ROYALE TAGAYTAY COUNTRY CLUB, INC. at Brgy. Upli with a nine-hole golf course, clubhouse, swimming pool. There are sports facilities and many other amenities. Nearby immediately after the grand entrance of Royale Tagaytay is located, ALFONSO HOTEL with its extension, the ALFONSO FARM RESORT at Brgy. Pajo. It is a Wedding venue which serves also as a place for Team Building and Horse riding lessons.

At Brgy. Buck Estate you will find the former SONYA’S SECRET.GARDEN (with Bed and Breakfast). It is intended to be a private paradise but due to much prodding from friends and some guests is now share with more people and is no longer secret. SUNRISE HOLIDAY MANSION could also be experienced as it is perfectly situated at the elegant Royale Tagaytay Estate. And so is the MC MOUNTAIN APARTELLE, a ‘highland vacation within reach’. Not very far from here, at Baranggay Palumlum you will find the Kampo Trexo, a place that offers events that promotes health and care for the environment.The former 100 hectare site of the Magnolia Dairy Farm is now Father Suarez' healing place. Plans are already being finished to convert it to a Little Jerusalem.

At Brgy. Amuyong is located SAN MIGUEL CORPORATION MANAGEMENT TRAINING CENTER. Not very far away at Brgy. Sulsugin can be found the ALFONSO FARM MONTESORRI. It has Eco-tourism facilities consisting of campsite, a pavilion, fishing huts, barbecue grills and picnic. Parking space is good for six buses.

At Brgy. Bilog could easily be reached the modern retreat center TALITA SUMI, managed by Italian Priests. nearby is Kampo Trexo at Barangay Palumlum where you can also find the popular Coffee Farm House. A quick trip to Brgy. Taywanak shall bring you to MOSQUEDA FARM where you’ll find the Air conditioned ACADEMY OF COCKFIGHTING. A little farther to the north is the ST. PAUL’S FORMATION CENTER. Back to Brgy. Luksuhin you will see the HILLCREST GARDENS, also a beautiful Wedding venue. At the Poblacion there is the new ALFONSO GRILL AND NATIVE FOOD RESTO at Palinta street. MICO'S RESTAURANT and LETT AND AJ RESORT are both very much around. There are still many new venues I have not yet visited.

The absence of big factories results to the absence also of Beer Gardens and Red Cottages. That is why there are many rest houses by important people coming from other places making the place a haven for retirees.

Alfonso is not considered CAVITE FLOWER CENTER for nothing. Here one will find the PHILIPPINES CUT FLOWER CORPORATION at Brgy. Buck Estate where one could find varieties of European Roses. PURIFICACION FARM at Brgy. Matagbac produces orchids, cacti and mini roses.

BLOOMS AVENUE at Brgy. Taywanak produces vanda, catleya, gumamela and bromeliads. VERSANO PLANTS AND FLOWER GARDEN is in Brgy. Pajo where you can find mums, gerberas and others. In Brgy. Marahan there is ALPIÑA’S FARM also producing mums, garberas, anthuriums and many others.

Aside from those mentioned above there are many backyard gardens exhibiting beautiful and fragrant flowers sometimes together with honeybees. There are also interesting private projects at almost every corner of the 32 Barangays making Alfonso truly a Paradise to behold. Some of these projects like that of DR. PANGANIBAN in Brgy. Palumlum and the nearby JOHN’S GARDEN have their own things to offer.

With so many beautiful places to experience I don’t give much interest to some petty bad news.They are mini serpents in the old Paradise.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

BROWN-OUT

BROWN-OUT

A strong Typhoon is expected to enter the country. Early in the night the lights are turned off. There is power interruption due to the Typhoon Santi which is expected to arrive at 10:00 p.m. It is good to cut off powers than risk many accidents from electrocution or massive neighborhood fire.

Whenever there is power interruption many people say there is brown-out. I cannot comprehend what is the basis for the term brown-out when actually every corner suddenly turns black. Black-out must be a more appropriate terminology.

But whether we call it brown or black, whenever there is power failure, people in the community somehow gets disoriented. One has to stop whatever one is doing, whether watching television, eating, reading a book or writing a letter.

Candles are searched and lighted with fear that the flame may touch a curtain flown by the wind or simply forgotten in one corner to start a dangerous conflagration.

The more affluent families turn on their generators unmindful of the noise it produced resulting to a roaring sounds as if continuously being emitted by a dinosaur.

At moments like this I find writing under the glow of a lonely candle challenging though inspiring. It makes me busy while allowing the valuable time to pass-by fruitfully.

This is also the time to recall and reminisce the by-gone days. It reminds me of past mistakes and successes as intensely as future dreams and plans.

The misnomer ‘brown-out’ could also remind us that we are brown as dust especially when such brown-out occurs a couple of days before All Saints’ Day.