The Message of Christmas: Leveling the Playing Field by Luz Torres-Hecker, M.D.

“A voice cries out in the wilderness:
Prepare the way of the Lord.
Make straight in the desert
a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up
and every mountain and hill shall be made low.
The uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed.”

(Isaiah 40:3-5)

For years, this passage has been with me whenever I think of Christmas.

To level the playing field. Indeed, the message of Christmas is a message of justice. Years ago, especially in religious circles, we referred to this as “preferential option for the poor”, poor not only materially but also those who are poor in many different ways. Nowadays, we hear and speak about reaching out to the least, the last and the lost.

All through the gospels, we see Jesus taking the side of the deprived and the helpless; the widows, the sick, the outcasts, the sinners, the women…all those looked down upon in the self righteous, patriarchal society of first century Palestine. To this he brought a new way of seeing things, a vastly different way of valuing, a different perspective, a new paradigm. He took what were held inviolable and sacrosanct in his day and turned them upside down. His teachings were revolutionary: the first shall be last, authority as service, man before the Sabbath. He spoke vehemently against injustice. He worked tirelessly to eliminate evil in all its forms: sin, sickness, isolation.

We, as Christians, are called to do likewise; to make Christmas happen, to respond to the call of justice; to level the playing field.

We start with the hard questions: why the phenomenon of the forever casual employee with no job security? Why is the Filipino labor our number one export to the sacrifice of the Filipino family? Are we only a democracy in theory but an oligarchy in reality? Why is the Philippines still poor? Why are there still groups marginalized in our own Church?

Christmas comes in different packages; when we choose a simpler lifestyle in the

awareness that the goods we squander belong to someone else; in the reasonable wages and benefits that are considered earned by virtue of charity if not of law; by choosing inconvenience over paying our way out of a traffic violation.

Culturally, this is a big challenge for us. We have to rediscover, individually, and as a people our collective conscience, that sensitivity to what is right and what is wrong, what is illegal and what is immoral. Values have been compromised often enough so that wrong is not only tolerated as norm but accepted as “SOP (standard operating procedure)”. We see this in our private lives and more blatantly in government. Nobody is exempt. Christmas happens when we humbly accept that we are all in need of conversion. Because we are all tainted.

I cannot accept that our culture is inherently corrupt. I grant though, that it is easily corruptible. We are deeply, passionately, communitarian. We have to constantly strive to delineate boundaries, physical and otherwise, lest we trespass against persons and /or property. It is a strong temptation to hold as ours what was given only in trust. Christmas happens when integrity takes precedence over personal relationships; when we realize that what we sometimes call kindness is actually timidity and when we finally muster the courage to speak up when we have to.

In a few months, we take to the polls. Once again, we, as a people are at the crossroads. But Christmas happens when we try to educate ourselves and others on the candidates’ backgrounds and stances on different issues. Christmas is in those groups, especially volunteers who sacrifice time and effort and sometimes limb to guard the sanctity of the ballot. Finally, Christmas is in us, when we claim one of our most treasured rights and responsibilities as citizens, as voters who are truly informed, honest and free.

God is always calling. But how do we know how to respond in our day to day living? It is different for each of us. He did not leave us with a detailed blueprint, but He gave us something more, a gold standard. Let us look up at the Christmas Star and follow where it leads…to the manger, to the Christ Child. And only in finding Him, do we begin to know.

A most Blessed Christmas to one and all!

Dr. Luz Torres-Hecker attends to patients during a medical mission in Candaba, Pampanga 

* Note: Dr. Luz Torres-Hecker is the Coordinator of the Volunteer Doctors' Group at the Holy Rosary Parish (Angeles City). 

Gearing Up for the 2010 Elections

Bp. Ambo David, D.D. delivers the opening remarks before the retreat participants

Fr. Albert  'Paring Bert' Alejo, S.J. synthesizes the participants' reflections on the 2007 elections experience

In response to the call of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) for “lay participation in social change” and, specifically, for a more active engagement in principled partisan politics the Holy Rosary Parish – Ministry on Service - Ad Extra offered a one-day Political Retreat last November 3, 2009. The activity was held at the Ephatha Development Center of the Social Action Center of Pampanga (SACOP). Fr. Albert Alejo, S.J., a popular social anthropologist and staunch good governance advocate served as the Facilitator. Paring Bert, as he prefers to be called, is the Director of Ehem!, a nationwide anti-corruption program and Director of Konsult Mindanao which helps facilitate the on-going peace consultations across Mindanao.

The Political Retreat was attended by lay leaders of the Holy Rosary Parish and representatives from the Archdiocesan Council of the Laity (ACL), the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV-Pampanga), Dominican Sisters of Our Lady of Remedies, Commission on Family and Life, Holy Angel University, Holy Rosary Parish – Social Action Center and various Catholic Charismatic Communities of Pampanga.

The morning session gave the participants an opportunity to look back and reflect on Pampanga’s 2007 experience. Mounting a copy of Luid Ka!, a coffeetable book which chronicles the events leading to the victory of Among Ed Panlilio, a Catholic priest who won through the Kapampangan Crusade for Good Governance on a podium to serve as reference, Paring Bert invited the participants to recall their experiences and tell their own stories about what many regard as a miracle in Pampanga. The book was published by Kapampangan Marangal, Inc. (KMI) in 2008.

In the afternoon, the facilitator shared his insights about politics and culture. The session paved the way for planning on both partisan and non-partisan involvement of church people. Key actors and possible actions were presented as outputs towards the end of the retreat.

“What happened in Pampanga in 2007 brought ripples of hope across the country. People from as far as Mindanao became hopeful of reforms as a result of your example. Always keep that one shining moment in mind,” noted Paring Bert. 

Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng Calamity Fund

Donations in Kind for Communities Affected by Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng

Donations for Botolan, Zambales

 

HRP Conducts Relief Operations for Flooded Communities in Botolan

 

Heeding the appeals for relief assistance made by Diocese of Iba Bishop Florentino Lavarias for Botolan folks, the Holy Rosary Parish (HRP) in Angeles City started a relief drive last August 14, 2009. Typhoons “Kiko and Labuyo” caused massive flooding in Botolan, displacing thousands and causing immense damage to properties.

Seeing the urgency of the need, Bp. Pablo S. David, D.D. appealed for donations in cash or kind. It did not take long for the parishioners of HRP to respond by delivering their cash and check donations as well as various goods including rice, canned goods, noodles, used clothes, etc to the HRP-Social Action Center (HRP-SAC) office . A total of P 129,700.00 in cash was remitted to the Diocese of Iba, along with three truckloads of assorted stuff delivered in three batches (Pls. see attached report).

HRP-SAC volunteers Fely Salita, Lourdes Sanga, Olive Dizon and Joel Ocampo personally delivered the first batch of goods on August 15, 2009, traveling all the way from Angeles to Botolan via the Tarlac-Pangasinan route. The trip took all of eight hours (one-way) since the Botolan highway had become a virtual river with rampaging floodwater flowing through it. Bridges and roads had become impassable because of the flood.

Rev. Frs. Ian Maniago and Kenneth Mason warmly welcomed the group upon its arrival in Sta. Monica Parish, Botolan, Zambales. Prior to this, the HRP-SAC volunteers paid a courtesy call on Iba Bishop Florentino Lavarias, a native of Mabalacat, Pampanga who was a member of the Pampanga clergy before he was ordained bishop and assigned in Zambales.

An ocular survey of the group on the affected areas revealed massive damage to properties including houses, schools, agricultural lands and business establishments. Brgy. San Juan was among the worst affected along with Barangays Carael, Paco and Bangan.

The disaster experience of Botolan folks was likened to the experience of Kapampangans after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991. Floods and lahar took a heavy toll on the economy and changed the landscape of Pampanga. It has, since, become a mission among Kapampangans to give back and help other communities back to their feet after a debilitating disaster. The generous and timely response of the parishioners of Holy Rosary Parish to the Botolan disaster was part of that mission. (Olive Dizon)

COMELEC Resets Initial Hearing on the Pampanga Recount Case to Oct. 15

PPCRV Recount Monitoring Report 4
October 8, 2009
Contact: PPCRV Secretariat at Tel. Nos. 860-53-38 or 961-41-12


The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) on Thursday (October 8, 2009) reset the initial hearing on the recount case filed by defeated gubernatorial candidate Lilia Pineda against Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio. The hearing was moved to October 15 (Thursday), 8:30 a.m. at the COMELEC Office in Intramuros, Manila.

This as Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer, Presiding Officer of COMELEC’s 2nd Division, noted that the two other Commissioners of the 2nd Division, Hon. Lucenito Tagle and Hon. Elias Yusoph could not attend the initial hearing According to COMELEC rules, at least two of the three Commissioners comprising a Division have to be present in the hearings involving electoral contest adjudication. Comm. Tagle was in Indonesia while Comm. Yusoph was said to be attending an important meeting with newly-appointed COMELEC Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal.

The hearing was intended to be a venue for protestant Lilia Pineda to present evidences and prove her allegations against Gov. Panlilio. It may be recalled that Pineda lost to Panlilio by a slim margin of 1,147 votes in the May 2007 synchronized elections. She filed an election protest against Panlilio on May 25, 2007 on allegations of: a) mis-appreciation and misreading of ballots, and b) fraud and irregularities such as massive cheating, vote-buying and harassment of teachers and pollwatchers of the rival camp.

The lawyers of both parties, Atty. Jorge Garcia (Counsel for Pineda) and Attys. Sixto Brillantes and Ernesto Francisco, Jr. (Counsels for Panlilio) agreed to the postponement of the hearing. Comm. Ferrer agreed to give a one-week extension to the Pineda camp for the “pre-marking of their documentary evidence”.

When asked to comment about alleged recount results circulating through text which point to a sure win for Pineda, Atty. Francis Allen Abaya, Clerk of Court of the 2nd Division, emphasized that these are unofficial figures pending the completion of the hearings and the actual appreciation of votes.

Commissioner Ferrer appealed for cooperation from both camps for the speedy resolution of the recount case. He revealed that he has been getting calls almost daily from Kapampangans who inquire about the status and outcome of the case.

“Food for the Soul” for Typhoon Ondoy Victims in San Juan Baño, Arayat

In times of disasters, we become like guardian angels to affected families when we share what we have to help them rebuild their lives. Sometimes though, we tend to forget the equally important kind of assistance that people need which is spiritual assistance. With this premise in mind, Pampanga prelate Bp. Pablo “Ambo” S. David led hundreds of evacuees at the Mt. Arayat National Park in celebrating the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels on Friday (October 2, 2009).

The evacuees were among the 256 families affected by the floods and the landslide that occurred at the height of Typhoon Ondoy’s onslaught last Saturday, September 26 which claimed the lives of twelve (12) residents of Brgy. San Juan Baño, Arayat among whom were a pregnant woman and several children. Most of them lost their homes and material belongings as boulders and mud came rampaging down the slopes of Mt. Arayat noontime of September 26. The event was reminiscent of the lahar flows from Mt. Pinatubo which wiped out entire barangays in the early ‘90s.

Fr. Rey Cruz, Parish Priest of St. Catherine Parish and newly-ordained deacon Rev. Francis Mallari, who both concelebrated with Bp. Ambo organized the gathering with the help of parish lay leaders and in coordination with the Holy Rosary Parish – Social Action Center (HRP-SAC). Members of the Holy Name Society of the Holy Rosary Parish came all the way from Angeles to donate “sweet monay” bread and candies for the children. The said parish also delivered the second batch of relief goods (canned goods, rice, clothes, bottled water, juice, etc.) donated by generous Angeleños/as through HRP-SAC. The Angeles contingent was joined by volunteers from the Inocencio Magtoto Memorial Foundation, Inc. (IMMFI).

After the mass, Bp. Ambo and the HRP-SAC volunteers visited the site where the landslide occurred. The sight of mangled remains of nipa houses and personal effects such as muddied clothes and shoes strewn all over the place greeted the group. Signs warning people to stay away from the “Danger Zone” were posted at the entrance to the area. The warnings came too late for the residents who continue to wonder what could have caused the landslide. Was it illegal mining or did Mt. Arayat, which is believed to be a dead volcano erupt? Arayat residents have been requesting for an independent investigation on the matter, even as the Mines and Geosciences Bureau claimed that it was the high volume of rainwater that caused the landslide.

The evacuees are expected to stay for at least a month more at the evacuation center after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-III, on Thursday (October 1) declared a 700-m danger zone from the slopes of Mt. Arayat, where they had established their residences. Still unable to grasp how this disaster could happen at all, old residents swear that it was their first time to witness such a dreadful event in the area. A week into their evacuation, health and sanitation has become a problem due the lack of necessary facilities such as toilets and bathrooms with source of clean water. Toiletries (e.g. soap, toothbrush, toothpaste and alcohol) and medicines for common ailments (e.g. coughs and colds, diarrhea, skin disease, etc.) are among the more pressing needs of the evacuees at this period.

Harrowing Tales of Death and Destruction in Brgy. Baño, Arayat

“Bigla pong may narinig kaming ingay. Tapos nakita na namin yung bato at putik na umaagos. Dun po nakita yung magkapatid na namatay na magkayakap. Yakap-yakap nila yung kanilang alkansiya. Dun naman po nakita yung buntis. Kung di po kami nakalabas sa bintana, siguro patay na rin kaming lahat na magpapamilya ngayon.” (We heard a loud noise. In an instant, boulders and mud were flowing towards our homes. Rescuers found the bodies of two siblings who were locked in a tight embrace in that house. They were embracing a coin bank. The body of the pregnant woman was found there. Had we not been able to rush out of the our house through the window, we, too would have perished.)

Teener Jay-an Apudaca could hardly stop once he started telling his stories about the harrowing experience of death and destruction in the small barangay of Bano, Arayat, Pampanga. His face was devoid of any emotion. Words just kept pouring out of his mouth as he recounted the horror of the landslide that occurred on Saturday, September 26 at the height of Typhoon Ondoy’s fury which dumped 455 mm. of rainfall over a 24- hour period. PAG-ASA says the last time this occurred was in 1967 albeit at a lesser volume of 335 mm.

Jay-an and his family are now among the hundreds of evacuees staying at the Arayat National Park. They have nowhere to go, nothing they can call their own except the shirts on their backs. Residents of Brgy. Bano say that it was normal for floodwater to pass through their barangay from upstream. But this occurrence, this landslide totally caught them by surprise. “Did Mt. Arayat erupt? Or was it caused by illegal mining?” they ask, torn between shock and disbelief at what occurred high noon of Saturday. At least 12 persons died from the Bano landslide. Among them were members of the dela Cruz, Portacio, and Galang families.

“The children were watching TV. Then we heard their screams and shouts for help. By then, it was too late to help them because mud was rushing in at an unbelievable speed,” adds Jay-an. The proverbial sound of thousands of horses galloping in a rampage, along with creaking sounds that seemed to emanate from the core of the earth brought back memories of the Pinatubo disaster that devastated Pampanga in 1991. The center of destruction then was Bacolor and its neighboring municipalities.

Jay-an was one of the barangay folks who chanced upon the volunteers of Holy Rosary Parish-Social Action Center as they surveyed the damage caused by the landslide. Like the others, he was walking around what used to be a neighborhood of simple folks, all gone now to reside temporarily at the evacuation center. Muddied clothes, shoes, books, and remains of nipa houses littered the area, along with stones and boulders of various shapes and sizes. The ground was still wet and slippery when the HRP-SAC volunteers came on Tuesday to deliver a truckload of relief goods to the Parish of St. Catherine for the affected families in Arayat. With them were staff members of the Holy Angel University – Office for Community Extension Services (HAU-OCES) who came with an initial donation of goods, too from their academic community. The Social Action Center of Pampanga (SACOP) has, likewise, been monitoring the disaster and mobilizing resources for distribution among the affected parishes of the Archdiocese of San Fernando.

Learning of the situation in Arayat in the afternoon of September 27, Holy Rosary Parish Priest Bp. Pablo S. David and other priests assigned at the said parish immediately issued an appeal to Sunday mass-goers for donations in cash and in kind. Grateful, perhaps, for having been spared from the floodings, Angeleños/as responded overwhelmingly and with urgency filling the convent grounds with relief goods including old clothes, mats, blankets, slippers, instant noodles, canned goods, biscuits, candies, rice and medicines.

The first batch of relief goods was dispatched on Tuesday morning, September 29, with more to follow for other parishes needing assistance. Fr. Rey Cruz, Parish Priest of St. Catherine Parish received the goods in behalf of the parish community. The HRP-SAC volunteers were, then, brought to the affected areas including Brgy. Cupang where a portion of the protective earth dike (Arnedo Dike) is near breaching point as water continues to scour the sides and erode the soil. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has been rushing to fortify the dike through sandbagging with the help of residents. The dike protects Arayat town proper and neighboring towns from floods.

Barangay Baño, where the landslide occurred, used to be a popular destination among local tourists who came to bathe in the lukewarm waters of the Arayat National Park which boasted of a spring, a waterfall, and a legendary 100-step stairs leading to the top of the majestic Mt. Arayat. Nowadays, it has become a popular destination among mediamen and good Samaritans who come to visit the site of the landslide to gather information or extend a helping hand.

The Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council of Pampanga reported on Sunday that 190 barangays in 20 municipalities and 1 city were flooded. By Monday, the number rose to 236 barangays in 18 municipalities and 1 city. The whole of Angeles City was spared from flooding and destruction.

Monitoring of the situation in Pampanga continues as two weather disturbances threaten to occur within this week even as Central Luzon and Metro Manila residents have yet to recover from the ill effects of Typhoon Ondoy.

Updates from Pampanga re: Tropical Storm Ondoy (as of September 29, 2009)

Tropical Storm PARMA (PRE-PEPENG) rapidly gained strength...now a Category 1 Typhoon...currently showing a pin-hole EYE as it prepares to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

*Residents and visitors along the east of coast of Luzon, Philippines should closely monitor the progress of PARMA.

Forecast Outlook: PARMA is expected to enter PAR late this afternoon and track NW'ly w/in the next 12 to 24 hours and intensify. The 2 to 5-day Long-Range Forecast shows the system turning more to the WNW across the Philippine Sea as it reaches Category 3 strength with winds of more than 200 kph and a distance of about 565 km. NE of Metro Naga/CWC. PARMA shall be about 230 km. NE of Batanes Islands on Monday, Oct 5 - as it approaches the SE coast of Taiwan. Please be aware that long-range forecast changes every now and then. Continued monitoring on this potential typhoon is a must for disaster preparedness agencies.

Tropical Storm 18W (UNNAMED) to pass near Guam any moment from now...Gale-force winds w/ rains expected.

+ Forecast Outlook: 18W is expected to remain a weak system as it passes very close to Guam. The 2 to 3-day Medium-Range forecast shows the system dissipating and being absorbed into the circulation of Typhoon PARMA, which is a much stronger system.

Massive flooding occurred last Saturday, September 26 across Metro Manila, Southern Tagalog Provinces and Central Luzon. PAGASA Science Garden in Quezon City recorded a new record rainfall accumulation of 455 mm (17.9 inches) in 24 hours, erasing the previous record of 335 mm (13.2 inches) which fell in June 1967.

- 249 barangays from 17 municipalities and 1 city are flooded. Landslide reported in San Juan Bano, Arayat.
- Damage to infrastructure estimated at P 123,200,000.00
- Damage to agriculture estimated at P 270,228,810.50

Affected municipalities include:

1. Guagua – 31 barangays
- Affected Families – 19,783
- Affected Individuals – 98,934
- No. of individuals in evacuation centers – 117 at Lambac Elementary School

2. Candaba – 10 barangays
- as per PNP report, negative evacuation as of today

3. City of San Fernando – 2 barangays

4. Sta. Rita – 3 barangays

5. Sto. Tomas – 7 barangays

6. Apalit – 10 barangays
- Affected Families – 2,680

7. Sasmuan – 12 barangays
- Affected Families – 3,925
- Affected individuals – 19,625

8. Lubao – 29 barangays
- Affected Families – 10,025
- Affected individuals – 38,682

9. Mexico – 5 barangays
- Affected Families – 2,115 (All roads passable except the third street of Parian)

10. Floridablanca – 13 barangays
- Affected Families – 1,800
- Affected individuals – 9,000

11. Sta. Ana – 13 barangays
- Affected Families – 5,805
- Affected individuals – 24,965
- No. of individuals in evacuation centers - 141

12. San Luis – 11 barangays
- Affected Families – 2,377
- Affected individuals – 12,781

13. Masantol – 26 barangays
- Affected Families – 7,690
- Affected Individuals – 36,047
- No. of individuals in evacuation centers – 229 individuals (24 at Alauli Chapel, 75 at the Brgy. Hall of Sagrada, 50 at the Day Care Center of San Isidro Anak, 80 at Puti Elementary School)

14. Macabebe – 26 barangays
- No of Affected Families – 8,496
- No. of Affected Individuals – 43,657

15. Minalin – 15 barangays
- Affected Families – 4,339
- Affected individuals – 24,834

16. San Simon – 13 barangays
- Affected Families – 6,197
- Affected individuals – 28,283

17. Magalang – 10 barangays
- Affected Families – 6,384
- Affected individuals – 59,546

18. Arayat – 13 barangays
- Affected Families – 1,661
- Affected Individuals – 5,896

Arayat Landslide:

No. of Affected Families – 256
No. of Affected Individuals – 768
No. of individuals in evacuation centers – 625 (San Juan Bano Central Elem. School – 295, Anderson Elem. School – 330)

Casualties from the Arayat landslide:

1. Riza Portacio
2. Sonny Boy Portacio
3. Manilyn Portacio
4. Liza Portacio
5. Mackmack Galang
6. Catalina dela Cruz
7. Mary Anne dela Cruz
8. Marlon dela Cruz
9. Popoy dela Cruz
10. Shirley dela Cruz
11. Marilyn dela Cruz
12. Marco Galang

The Holy Rosary Parish – Social Action Center (HRP-SAC, 2nd Flr. of the Holy Rosary Parish Hall; Cellphone No. 0928-520-7485; Landline – 625-91-43) and the Social Action Center of Pampanga (SACOP, Maimpis, City of San Fernando, Pampanga; Tel. No. 961-41-12 or 860-53-38) are accepting donations in cash or in kind for distribution among the affected families.


Sources:

Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council - Pampanga (Tel No. 860-55-83)
http://www.maybagyo.com/

Updates from Pampanga re: Tropical Storm Ondoy (as of September 28, 2009)

Typhoon KETSANA (ONDOY) approaching Category 2 strength as it rapidly intensifies...endangers Southern Hainan and Vietnam.It is expected to continue moving West and shall reach the coast of Vietnam tomorrow morning. Landfall is likely along Central Vietnam near the City of Hue tomorrow afternoon. The 2-day Short-Range Forecast shows the system dissipating rapidly along Laos on Wednesday Sep 30.

Massive flooding occurred last Saturday across Metro Manila, Southern Tagalog Provinces and Central Luzon. PAGASA Science Garden in Quezon City recorded a new record rainfall accumulation of 455 mm (17.9 inches) in 24 hours, erasing the previous record of 335 mm (13.2 inches) which fell in June 1967.

- 236 barangays from 18 municipalities and 1 city are flooded. Landslide reported in San Juan Bano, Arayat.
- Damage to infrastructure estimated at P 123,200,000.00
- Damage to agriculture estimated at P 270,228,810.50

Affected municipalities include:

1. Guagua – 31 barangays
- Affected Families – 19,783
- Affected Individuals – 98,934
- No. of individuals in evacuation centers – 117 at Lambac Elementary School

2. Candaba – 10 barangays
- No. of families in evacuation centers – 20 families at Earth Park, Mandasig

3. Porac – 4 barangays

4. City of San Fernando – 6 barangays

5. Mabalacat – 4 barangays
- Affected Families – 20
- Affected individuals - 100

6. Sta. Rita – 3 barangays

7. Sto. Tomas – 7 barangays

8. Apalit – 7 barangays
- Affected Families – 1,460


9. Sasmuan – 12 barangays
- Affected Families – 3,925
- Affected individuals – 19,625

10. Lubao – 29 barangays
- Affected Families – 10,025
- Affected individuals – 38,682

11. Mexico – 11 barangays
- Affected Families – 2,115 (All roads passable except the third street of Parian)

12. Floridablanca – 13 barangays
- Affected Families – 1,800
- Affected individuals – 9,000

13. Sta. Ana – 14 barangays
- Affected Families – 6,105
- Affected individuals – 26,377
- No. of individuals in evacuation centers - 141

14. San Luis – 11 barangays
- Affected Families – 2,377
- Affected individuals – 12,781

15. Masantol – 26 barangays
- Affected Families – 1,230
- No. of families in evacuation centers – 15 families at the Brgy. Hall of Sagrada, 10 families at the Brgy. Hall & Day Care of San Isidro Anak, 16 families at Puti Elementary School

16. Macabebe – 10 barangays

17. Minalin – 15 barangays
- Affected Families – 4,339
- Affected individuals – 24,834

18. San Simon – 13 barangays
- Affected Families – 4,698
- Affected individuals – 23,254

19. Magalang – 10 barangays
- Affected Families – 6,384
- Affected individuals – 59,546


Arayat Landslide:

No. of Affected Families – 211
No. of Affected Individuals – 985
No. of individuals in evacuation centers – 985 (San Juan Bano Elem. School – 597, Anderson Elem. School – 152, Plazang Luma – 236)

Casualties from the Arayat landslide:

1. Riza Portacio
2. Sonny Boy Portacio
3. Manilyn Portacio
4. Liza Portacio
5. Mackmack Galang
6. Catalina dela Cruz
7. Mary Anne dela Cruz
8. Marlon dela Cruz
9. Popoy dela Cruz
10. Shirley dela Cruz
11. Marilyn dela Cruz
12. Marco Galang


The Holy Rosary Parish – Social Action Center (HRP-SAC, 2nd Flr. of the Holy Rosary Parish Hall; Cellphone No. 0928-520-7485; Landline – 625-91-42) and the Social Action Center of Pampanga (SACOP, Maimpis, City of San Fernando, Pampanga; Tel. No. 961-41-12 or 860-53-38) are accepting donations in cash or in kind for distribution among the affected families.

+ Forecast Outlook: Tropical Depression 19W (PRE-PEPENG) heading west towards Yap and Ulithi Islands in Western Micronesia.19W is expected to continue moving due West for the next 2 days, reaching Tropical Storm status tomorrow afternoon and shall enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Wednesday morning, Sep 30. The 3 to 5-day Long-Range Forecast shows the system turning abruptly WNW to NW-ward, becoming a Category 1 Typhoon while about 500 km. to the east of Camarines Sur on Friday afternoon Oct 02. It shall be about 300 km to the east of Cagayan Province in Northern Luzon on Saturday afternoon, October 3. Please be aware that long-range forecast changes every now and then. Continued monitoring on this potential typhoon is a must for disaster preparedness agencies.

+ Forecast Outlook: Tropical Depression 18W (UNNAMED) now starting to move West. 18W is expected to start tracking WNW and intensify into a Tropical Storm. The 2 to 5-day Long-Range forecast shows the system continuing moving WNW, passing very close to the south of Guam by Wednesday afternoon Sep 30. 18W shall enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Friday afternoon, Oct 2nd and then turn more on a near-westerly track across the Philippine Sea on Saturday Oct 03, threatening Northern Luzon. Please be aware that long-range forecast changes every now and then. Continued monitoring on this potential typhoon is a must for disaster preparedness agencies.



Sources:

Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council - Pampanga (Tel No. 860-55-83)
http://www.maybagyo.com/

World Rabies Day Activities in Angeles City

Stage 1 of Pampanga Recount Over, COMELEC to Set Hearings Soon

PPCRV Recount Monitoring Report 3
September 17, 2009
Contact: PPCRV Secretariat at Tel. Nos. 860-53-38 or 961-41-12


The Commission on Elections (COMELEC), on Wednesday (September 16, 2009), wrapped up work on the physical count (which is stage 1 of the recount process involving sorting and classifying ballots and recording claims/objections) as the remaining 104 of the 4,839 ballot boxes were opened for revision.

As text messages containing figures and claiming victory for former Board Member Lilia Pineda started circulating on Wednesday, 2nd Division Presiding Commissioner Nicodemo T. Ferrer reiterated his earlier statement that, “At this point, we do not know who is going to prevail. The COMELEC is not bound by press releases but by concrete evidence.” He admitted that this particular case had the biggest number of revision committees because time had been running out. The most number of committees ever created for a recount was 10 to 12 partly because of limited space at the COMELEC office in Intramuros, Manila.

In a meeting with representatives of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV-Pampanga) and the Holy Rosary Parish-Social Action Center (HRP-SAC), Comm. Ferrer stated that the Pampanga recount case will be resolved before the 2010 elections (although a definite time frame has not be set and will largely depend on the hearings and motions to be filed). He added that the COMELEC will not allow any party to delay the process any further and will instill discipline in the court hearings that are expected to start after the reports have been submitted and reviewed. The twenty one (21) revision committees have 10 days (from the end of the physical recount) to submit their consolidated committee reports for review of the COMELEC 2nd Division before the court hearings are set.

The Pampanga Recount stemmed from an election protest filed last May 25, 2007 by losing gubernatorial candidate Lilia Pineda against Gov. Eddie Panlilio on allegations of mis-appreciation and misreading of ballots and fraud and irregularities. The case reached the Supreme Court which issued an order stopping the COMELEC from retrieving the ballot boxes - an order that was lifted last July 15, 2009 paving the way for a recount that started on August 12, 2009.

All ballot boxes from Pampanga (excluding those of Angeles City) were immediately retrieved and brought to the COMELEC warehouse at the Maxi-lite Bldg. in U.N. Avenue for safekeeping until the physical recount could be completed. Juanito Roño, COMELEC-employed Custodian stationed at the warehouse revealed that three sets of security forces including the COMELEC’s ECAD (Electoral Contest Adjudication Department), an organic security force and the Special Action Force (SAF) have joined forces to provide ample security and protect the integrity of the ballots.

“This is part of democracy; everybody is entitled to due process,” said Comm. Ferrer as he urged the public to ‘at least presume that we are honest unless proven otherwise’ in the midst of controversies surrounding the Pampanga recount case. “Give us the benefit of the doubt,” he appealed as he recounted that the COMELEC has always been blamed by losing candidates and their supporters after each election. “Let’s give automation a try this coming 2010 elections instead of conjuring scenarios that sow fear and panic among the people,” he added.

Revision Process

Recount Status as of September 9, 2009

COMELEC TO WRAP UP PHYSICAL RECOUNT IN A WEEK’S TIME

Long tables and benches occupied by twenty one revision committees fill the lobbies and the corridors of the 7th and 8th floors of the Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros. The now familiar sight of yellow ballot boxes with masking tape seals and padlocks litter the hallway, some waiting to be picked up for the revision and some with the “Revised” label waiting to be hauled back to the warehouse.

The revisors are hard at work – sorting and segregating the ballots, opening the ballot boxes with the help of a wrench, examining the condition of the boxes and the documents contained therein, recording the observations, writing reports, photocopying contested ballots, etc. Once in a while, they briefly lift their gaze to welcome visitors and guests with inquisitive looks or cheerful greetings.

Such is the atmosphere at the COMELEC office, site of the on-going physical recount of ballots. As Kapampangans wait with bated breaths for the outcome of the on-going recount of the gubernatorial votes (Lilia Pineda vs. Eddie Panlilio, filed on May 25, 2007), the COMELEC office in Intramuros, Manila hums with activity in a bid to beat the 45-day timeframe set for the completion of the physical recount process.

True to its commitment to monitor the recount process and give factual information to the public, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV-Pampanga) sent four representatives to the COMELEC office on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 to document the recount process and hold an audience with Hon. Nicodemo T. Ferrer, Presiding Officer of the COMELEC 2nd Division for updates.

“We have a week to go before we wrap up on the physical recount,” said Comm. Ferrer. He pointed out that this is 10 to 15 days less than the original target of 45 days. The recount of Pampanga votes started on August 12, 2009 after the Supreme Court en Banc ordered the COMELEC to proceed with the recount in a ruling issued last July 15, 2009. (Please see attached Status of Recount).

Comm. Ferrer explained that when Gov. Panlilio filed a motion to suspend the recount for a few weeks due to lack of funds to pay for his revisors, the COMELEC responded by speeding up the process to cut down on the number of days and, hence, on cost. Panlilio’s camp responded by appealing to its revisors for a little sacrifice to allow them to decrease the daily allowance from P550 to P 300 per day, a move that has allowed Panlilio to continue sending revisors.

Comm. Ferrer emphasized that at this point, it is impossible for anybody to know how the COMELEC will rule on the case. This runs contrary to earlier news reports that Pineda was winning in the recount and would assume office as Governor of Pampanga before the year ends. Both Comm. Ferrer and Atty. Allen Francis Abaya, Clerk of Court of the COMELEC 2nd Division assured the public that both parties will be given a fair chance to prove and disprove allegations based on concrete evidence to be presented during the hearings.

The two COMELEC officials added that after the physical recount, a legal battle is expected to ensue between the parties (Pineda and Panlilio) to assert their positions – a battle that may reach the Supreme Court. Following the physical revision of the ballots, the Clerk of Court will collate individual reports from each of the twenty one committees for submission to the 2nd Division which is composed of the following Commissioners: Hon. Nicodemo T. Ferrer (who succeeded Comm. Florentino Tuason and Rene Sarmiento as Presiding Officer of the 2nd Division); Hon. Lucenito N. Tagle and Hon. Elias R. Yusoph. The 2nd Division will then set hearings, examine the reports and the contested ballots and review the evidences presented by both parties before coming up with a resolution on the case. Motions and counter-motions could be filed with the COMELEC en banc and appeals could be filed with the Supreme Court later.

When asked about the pending disqualification case filed by Averell Laquindanum against Lilia Pineda for vote-buying, Comm. Ferrer stated that its outcome will not, in any way, affect the recount case. He added that the disqualification case which stems from an alleged election offense was re-raffled and is now handled by the 1st Division. It was revealed that the ponente is currently in the process of penning a resolution on the case.

“We appreciate organizations like the PPCRV which help us reach out to voters (so that they will be aware of what is going on),” said Comm Ferrer. “In protest cases such as this, people are usually suspicious of what we are doing. It causes unnecessary tension,” he added, noting that this is a celebrated case that is closely followed by the media and the people. He appealed to the lawyers of both parties to “help us do our job well instead of causing confusion by issuing premature claims”.

PPCRV Holds Public Forum on the Pampanga Recount

“Your presence will mean a lot. You should be ready to sacrifice.” Thus, said Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Commissioner Rene V. Sarmiento as he encouraged Kapampangans to be more vigilant and diligent in monitoring the recount process.

Speaking at a Public Forum on the Recount held last September 5, 2009 (Saturday) at the University of the Assumption Auditorium, Commissioner Sarmiento explained the on-going recount process that stemmed from an election protest filed on May 25, 2007 by losing gubernatorial candidate Lilia “Baby” Pineda against incumbent Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio.

The Public Forum was organized by the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) – Pampanga and the Archdiocese of San Fernando (ASF)-Pampanga in response to a clamor for accurate information and guidance on the raging recount issue which Panlilio supporters tagged as a “moral issue” and a “threat to democracy in Pampanga”.

Citing Section 255 of the Omnibus Election Code of 1985 (OEC) as the legal basis for the recount, Commissioner Sarmiento emphasized that the COMELEC is just an implementor of the law, as mandated by the Philippine Constitution which provides that “election contests will be under the exclusive jurisdiction of the COMELEC.” If we are after electoral reforms, then we should start with legal reforms,” said Commissioner Sarmiento as he pointed out that OEC is 24 years old and needs to be reviewed and amended to make it more relevant to modern times.

The forum was attended by 337 representatives from various civil society organizations, church-based groups, academe, youth groups, commissions and parishes of the ASF. Pampanga Prelate and Forum Convenor, Abp. Paciano B. Aniceto, D.D. graced the event with Auxiliary Bishop and University of the Assumption President Roberto C. Mallari.

Apu Ceto, as Abp. Aniceto is fondly called, noted that the recount “is a secular process and the church will respect it”. He challenged the laity to take the lead in secular matters. He, likewise, challenged Panlilio’s supporters to sustain their involvement and accompany him as he confronts this issue.

For his part, Fr. Francis Dizon, Executive Director of the Social Action Center of Pampanga and PPCRV-Pampanga Chairman, vowed to give the public factual information on the progress of the recount/revision. He revealed PPCRV-Pampanga’s Plan of Action which includes posting of observers to monitor the process and holding of an audience with Commissioner Nicodemo T. Ferrer of the COMELEC 2nd Division every Wednesday for regular updates on the status of the recount. These updates will be posted on the following websites: www.rcasf.com; www.sacop.org.ph ; www.ppcrvnamfrel.blogspot.com; www.hrp-sac.blogspot.com; and www.parokya-santalucia.org.

The physical recount (e.g. sorting and segregation of ballots) is expected to be accomplished in 45 days starting August 12, 2009, after the Supreme Court ordered the COMELEC to proceed with it. Commissioner Sarmiento emphasized, though, that the battle does not end with the revision. After the COMELEC 2nd Division issues a resolution on the case, any of the parties can file a motion for reconsideration – a move which can wind up to the Supreme Court before the decision becomes final and executory.

Bp. Bobet Mallari delivered the closing remarks and reiterated the call to “offer ourselves as sacrificial lambs” and “to inquire and observe - for truth to triumph and the will of God to shine brightly”. Earlier during the open forum, 73-year old Lucila Valdez of Angeles City pledged to help start a fundraising campaign with a 10-centavo contribution to help the beleaguered Governor pay for his revisors.

It may be recalled that Panlilio recently filed a motion for the halting of the recount due to lack of funds to pay for his revisors. On the other hand, petitioner Lilia Pineda paid the P 4M plus deposit in August 2007 and provided trucks to haul the ballot boxes to the COMELEC warehouse in Manila for the recount. Panlilio’s motion was junked by the COMELEC.

Understanding the Recount Process

Understanding the Recount Process

Contrary to a popular notion that the recount involves a simple re-counting and re-tallying of votes, what Commissioner Sarmiento described was a long process of checking and validating results. Applied to the Pineda vs. Panlilio case, the recount process is as follows:

Timeline of the Case

• On May 25, 2007, defeated candidate Lilia Pineda through her legal counsel, Atty. George Garcia filed an election protest against Gov. Panlilio on allegations of: a) mis-appreciation and misreading of ballots and b) fraud and irregularities such as massive cheating, vote-buying and harassment of teachers and pollwatchers of the rival camp;

• Pineda’s petition specifically asked for a recount, where misread or misappreciated votes were to be counted in favor of Pineda. All ballot boxes from all the polling precincts in Pampanga (except Angeles City) were to be brought to Manila for the recount. In the event that the recount will yield a result favorable to her, Pineda has asked the COMELEC to proclaim her as Governor and annul the proclamation of Gov. Panlilio.

• Gov. Panlilio, through his legal team, filed a counter-protest on June 12, 2007 followed by a Motion to set Affirmative Defenses for Dismissal of Petition on July 2, a move that was denied by the COMELEC on July 23, 2007.

• Gov. Panlilio’s legal team filed a Motion for Reconsideration on July 31, 2007. The division’s presiding commissioner, Florentino Tuason Jr., dismissed the motion on August 1, 2007 and issued a notice of order to do the recount and revision. Pineda issued a check dated July 31, 2007 in the amount of P4,000,886.00 as deposit for the revision.

• A legal battle ensued and the issue was elevated to the Supreme Court (SC). The SC En Banc, on July 15, 2009, ordered the COMELEC to proceed with the recount. The process started on August 12, 2009 with a 45-day timeframe for its completion.

Recount Process

• Twenty one (21) Revision Committees, each consisting of six (6) revisors were constituted. All the ballot boxes from the province’s twenty towns and one city (City of San Fernando) were brought to Manila and distributed among the twenty one revision committees

• On the first day of the revision, the ballot custodian opened the ballot boxes and observed the condition of these boxes and their contents (taking note of the serial number, the condition of the padlocks and inner seal, and the documents contained therein). The observations were noted in the minutes of the proceedings.

• The ballots were segregated according to vote (per candidate – Panlilio, Pineda, Lapid and Stray Votes). Stray votes include those earlier declared as null and void (e.g. name of candidate not written on the proper space; name written on the ballot not accepted initially such as Nanay for Baby Pineda or Among for Gov. Panlilio).

• As the process progresses, ballots with Pineda votes are given to the revisors of Panlilio and ballots with Panlilio votes are given to the revisors of Pineda. It is up to the revisors to validate and register any objection (e.g. presence of unnecessary markings, etc.). It is also up to the revisors to claim votes for the candidate they are representing or contest the votes of the opponent. Objections and claims are noted down, collated and submitted to the Chairperson of each revision committee who is tasked to prepare a revision report for the precinct/cluster of precincts assigned to his/her committee.

• The revision is expected to be finished by September 2009 following the 45-day timeframe set by the COMELEC. After the revision, all reports will be collated by the counsels of both parties and will be offered as evidence to the 2nd Division of COMELEC.

• The 2nd Division will study the reports and in the event of any doubt on the veracity of these reports will go back and examine the ballots for validation. After studying the revision reports, the 2nd Division will issue a resolution.

• After the 2nd Division issues a resolution, any of the contesting parties can file a motion for reconsideration. In this eventuality, the case is to be elevated to the COMELEC en banc and raffled off among the COMELEC Commissioners, one of who will be responsible for deciding whether to sustain or to reject the resolution. In case of a tie in the voting on the case, the COMELEC Chairman will break the tie.

• After the COMELEC en banc’s decision is issued, the losing party can file a petition for certiorari with the Supreme Court which will make the final decision on the matter.

The public is advised to stop believing in unfounded claims that this or that candidate is gaining edge over his/her rival. Results of the recount/revision will not be final until after the resolution is issued by the COMELEC En Banc (and Supreme Court En Banc if the case is elevated to the SC). Factual information from PPCRV (which coordinates directly with the COMELEC 2nd Division in monitoring the recount process) can be accessed at the following websites: www.rcasf.com; www.sacop.org.ph ; www.ppcrvnamfrel.blogspot.com; www.hrp-sac.blogspot.com; and www.parokya-santalucia.org or call the PPCRV-Pampanga Secretariat at tel. nos. 860-53-38 or 961-41-12.

Sapang Balen’s Curse

“Magmula sa araw na ito, binibigyan ko ng sumpa ang
Sapang Balen. Sinuman ang lalapastangan nito ay magiging
malas sa buhay.” (From this day on, I am putting a curse on
Sapang Balen. Whoever dares to show disrespect to it will be
unlucky in life).
With these words, Bp. Pablo “Ambo” S. David walked
the length of the Sapang Balen, portable sound system in
hand, and warned the people to stop killing the helpless river
lest they want to be unlucky for the rest of their lives. As he
was doing this, he could hear gasps and whispers from
onlookers and passersby. Then, a handful of residents living
near the river joined his group and hastily picked up some
trash lying in heaps along the riverbank.
Why would a Bishop go to this extent to help revive a
waterway?
“The river has life and anyone who dumps garbage
without compunction is killing it slowly. Laws and ordinances
do not seem to work at all; people just ignore these. Let us see
how they will react to a curse from a Bishop,” he stated.
Bp. Ambo has been deeply involved in the revival of
Sapang Balen since the “Sagip Sapang Balen Project” was
launched by the Holy Rosary Parish in May 23, 2009. The aim
is to revive the dying river which used to be a haven for
aquatic creatures and a beautiful sight to behold for many
Angeles folks of old.
The Bishop, who is well-known for his insightful
homilies/lectures and his penchant for social development,
confesses that “as a Filipino, I believe in “sumpa” (curses or
hexes). These are very much part of Filipino culture and
tradition. Usually pronounced by someone in retribution for an
extreme act of disrespect or wrongdoing, a curse is believed to
be effective especially when pronounced by a person of
authority such as one’s elders or by a priest. To Kapampangans
who are well known for their legendary love and respect for
the clergy, being the object of a priest’s sumpa is a fearsome
prospect.
Bp. Ambo offers an easy way out of his “sumpa” -
“Kung gusto ninyong pagsisihan ang inyong ginawang
paglapastangan, mangumpisal kayo at ang tanging parusang
ibibigay ko sa inyo ay magpulot kayo ng dalawang sako ng
basura mula sa ilog.” (If you want to make amends for the sin
you committed, just confess to me. For your penance I will ask
you to collect two sacks of trash from the river.)

HRP-SAC Medical & Allied Health Services BRINGING HOPE TO LIVES OF AILING PARISHIONERS by Olive Dizon, Organizational Development Committee

Your
donations
helped save
the life of
2-yr-old
Emerald
Ashley
Lorega, a
girl with a
congenital
heart
ailment

What started as a simple profiling of the seven (7) barangays covered by the Holy Rosary Parish opened up opportunities to help bring hope to the families of four (4) children afflicted with various ailments and handicaps. In January of this year,
volunteers of the Holy Rosary Parish-Social Action Center (HRP-SAC) embarked on a profiling of the parish’s seven barangays to help identify social issues and problems that the parish community could respond to. The “Litrato ng Barangay” served as a tool that brought to the attention of HRP-SAC four cases needing immediate medical assistance. These included a 2-year old girl from Brgy. San Nicolas
who was afflicted with a congenital heart disease (Patent Ductus Arteriosus in medical terms); a 6-year old girl from Brgy. San Jose who was born with
an imperforate anus; a 4-year old girl from Brgy. San Jose and another 4-year old boy from Sto. Cristo. The last two suffered from profound hearing loss.
Recognizing that the resources of their families were insufficient to meet the medical needs of the children, HRP-SAC volunteers started preparing the necessary documents and requirements needed to seek professional help for the four beneficiaries in February. This was done in close coordination with the Chapel Pastoral Councils (CPCs), the Barangay Councils and the City Social
Welfare and Development Office. The parish linked up with various nongovernment
organizations, government institutions and private groups to facilitate delivery of the muchneeded medical services. Inocencio Magtoto Memorial Foundation, Inc. performed audiometry on ten (10) children with hearing problems to identify
the level of hearing loss and recommend possible interventions. Among those recommended for treatment were the two 4-year olds who were later
referred to Better Hearing Philippines Inc. University of Sto. Tomas Hospital (Charity Ward) for the fitting of high-powered hearing aids.

The Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital, for its part, has scheduled a surgery on the child with an imperforate anus on July 7, 2009. The procedure was originally scheduled earlier but because of the patient’s weak lungs, the operation
had to be delayed. Recently, another ailing child received assistance for a procedure called transmission electron microscopy at the Philippine General Hospital. The 7-month old baby is afflicted with Epidermolysis bullosa (EB). EB is a rare disorder characterized by the presence of extremely fragile skin and recurrent blister formation. It results to painful sores that are comparable to third degree
burns. Mobilization of resources for the HRP-SAC’s
Medical and Allied Health Services started in March when Bp. Pablo “Ambo” S. David aired an appeal to parishioners of the Holy Rosary Parish to help finance the surgery of Emerald Ashley Lorega, the two-year old child with congenital heart disease. The young patient had a successful surgery at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) last June 5, 2009, with PGH raising a counterpart fund to match
HRP’s assistance and help save the child’s life. Bp. Ambo has, since, earmarked the First Friday and last Wednesday mass collections every month for HRPSAC.

WHEELCHAIR DONATION

Still as part of its Medical and Allied Health Services, HRP-SAC distributed wheelchairs to indigent patients from various barangays of Angeles. Among the beneficiaries were a 40-year old resident of Villa Angela, Angeles City who suffered from a bone fracture as a result of an accident; a 60-year old resident of Brgy. Pulung Bulu, Angeles City who had below the knee amputation due to diabetes); and
an 18-year old resident of Brgy. Pulung Bulu, Angeles City who suffers from Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

The said wheelchairs were donations from a private donor and from Bahay Pag-ibig, a center run by the Archdiocese of San Fernando for the Elderly and the Abandoned. In November 2008, Bahay Pagibig donated two wheelchairs for a 60-year old
resident of Brgy. San Jose and a 71-year old resident of Brgy. Pulung Bulu. Both beneficiaries survived cardio-vascular arrest, which diminished their ability
to move freely. Prior to the distribution of the wheelchairs, the beneficiaries had to undergo interview and screening to verify their health condition. The City Social Welfare and Development Office assisted in the assessment and
preparation of a case study for each of the beneficiaries.

HRP-Doctors’ Group

In a related development the parish, with the help of volunteer doctor Dr. Luz Torres-Hecker (an Angeles City-based Internal Medicine specialist), has started organizing a doctors’ group for its Referral Program.

A component of HRP-SAC’s Medical and Allied Health Services, the said program aims to
provide medical attention to qualified indigent patients through referrals to either public or private clinics. It is intended to benefit indigents requiring major procedures that are not easily accessible and affordable to them. To date, twenty (20) physicians of varying fields of specialization have signed up for
the HRP Doctors’ Group.

HRP-SAC hopes to attract more volunteer medical and allied health professionals to afford a wider range of services available for the parish’s poor and ailing members. This initiative is a venue for doctors to provide services not only as professionals
practicing their profession, but as Christians giving flesh to their faith through concrete acts of service for the neglected and disadvantaged in society.

Service to the Community and Society

HRP-SAC currently functions as a group under the Parish Ministry on Service – Ad Extra (extending service to the community and society). It provides the necessary services to enable the barangay pastoral councils and parish-mandated
organizations to implement programs and projects for the upliftment of the quality of life of the poor and marginalized in their immediate environment.
Its four committees (Formation & Capacitybuilding Committee, Organizational Development Committee, Program Development & Management Committee and the Secretariat) have been put in place with corresponding functions and tactical plans (from May to October 2009). Bp. Ambo regularly facilitates formation sessions for the spiritual growth and nourishment not only of the HRP-SAC volunteers but for interested parishioners and leaders. HRP-SAC is currently engaged in a number
of parish-level projects and services intended to address social concerns such as environmental protection, health promotion, advancement of the rights and welfare of marginalized sectors including women, children and persons with disabilities.

“Story-telling with Bp. Ambo” Launched By Vangie Nicdao, Project Development and Management Committee

The newly-organized Holy Rosary Parish- Social Action Center (HRP-SAC), in coordination
with New Life Lay Missionaries, Inc. launched “Story-telling with Bp. Ambo” last May 23, 2009.
The once-a-month activity features Bp. Pablo “Ambo” S. David, Parish Priest of Holy Rosary
Parish as storyteller narrating stories on varying themes every third Saturday of each month. It is
designed to educate children about social issues and the parish’s advocacies. It is on its trial run from May to September 2009.

Session on Rabies Prevention
The story-telling session for May featured the story of a 5-year old boy who died of rabies after getting scratched by a neighbor’s unvaccinated dog.
“Mga bata, kung mahal n’yo ang inyong mga alagang aso paalalahanin ang inyong mga magulang
na pabakunahan ang mga ito taun-taon at huwag hayaang magpagala-gala.” In simple words, Bp.
Ambo advocated for responsible pet ownership and rabies prevention before an audience of 52 children (aged 5 to 10) from four barangays of Angeles City, namely Brgy. Amsic, Cutcut, Sto. Rosario and Cutcut. The children are beneficiaries of a 6-month catechesis cum feeding program implemented by the New Life Lay Missionaries, Inc. since April 2009. Seated comfortably on plastic mats spread on the floor in the Bishop’s Conference Room, the children nodded vigorously and listened attentively as Bp. Ambo, whom the children fondly called Among Ambo, narrated his story with the passion of a well-seasoned story-teller. The session was made interactive by a question and answer portion that elicited eager response from the children. Holy Rosary Parish has involved itself in the advocacy against rabies through its membership in the City-Government-initiated Coalition Against Rabies Disease (CARD). It sits as member of the
Committee on Education and Information of CARD along with Santungan ng Kababaihan at Kabataan sa Pampanga (SANGKAP) which sponsored the food for the launching of the story-telling project. SANGKAP is a non-government organization that concerns itself with issues affecting children, women and the youth. Its initial project is Rabies Prevention and Organized Intervention (R-POI).

Session on Heroism
All 52 children who attended the May session were in for another treat, this time with a
story about heroism. The June 20 story-telling session featured a faculty member of the Holy
Angel University Lab School who narrated a story entitled, “The Most Beautiful Thing in the
World”. With the aid of an oversized storybook with colorful illustrations Ms. Naomi Villanueva,
the story-teller, kept the children attentive throughout the session which was made livelier by
audience participation. Ms. Villanueva stood in for Bp. Ambo who had a hectic schedule throughout the month of June. After the session, members of the New Life
Lay Missionaries, Inc. and Barangay Health Workers distributed food among the children and
other participants as part of their supplemental feeding program.

SEMINAR ON DETECTION OF HEARING & VISUAL IMPAIRMENT HELD By Vangie Nicdao, Project Development & Management Committee

Seminar participants with Bp. Ambo and facilitators, Jean
Cunanan & Tonette Gomez of IMMFI (seated, 2nd and
3rd from the left, respectively)


The Holy Rosary Parish-Social Action Center (HRP-SAC) in partnership with the Inocencio Magtoto Memorial Foundation, Inc. (IMMFI) conducted a seminar on Early Detection of Hearing and Visual Impairment among Young Learners on May 21-22, 2009. 43 teachers from 36 Elementary and Secondary Schools of the Division of Angeles City attended the seminar held at the Bishop’s Conference Roe Rof the Holy Rosary Parish. Resource persons included Ms. Antonita M. Gomez and Ms. Jean W. Cunanan of IMMFI. On the first day, Ms. Gomez discussed
the Hearing Screening Process and the Hearing Examination Process. Ms. Cunanan, on the other
hand, conducted the hands-on demonstration that gave the participants a first-hand experience
on how to detect hearing impairment among their pupils and what to do if such cases are
discovered. The participants took turns in acting as pupils, which made the whole learning process light and enjoyable. On the second day, Ms. Gomez delivered a lecture on visual impairment. Among the topics discussed were: Visual Acuity Test Procedures, The Eye and Its Parts, Types of Visual Impairments as well as Signs and Symptoms of Eye Problems. After the lecture, Ms. Cunanan conducted an actual workshop on detecting visual impairment using the visual acuity chart to check the vision of the pupils. The facilitators emphasized
that it is important for teachers to develop skills in detecting hearing and visual impairment among their pupils because these could impede the learning process of the children. Early detection can also prevent further damage to the hearing and vision of their pupils. The participants resolved to start performing hearing and visual impairment screening among their
pupils this school year. In the event of any confirmed case, appropriate action will be taken including referral to medical specialists if necessary. HRP-SAC has, recently, initiated the organization of a Volunteer Group of Medical Practitioners as part of its Medical and Allied Services. (Please see related article, page 7). Bp. Pablo S. David, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of San Fernando and Parish Priest of the Holy Rosary Parish closed the twoday
session with an inspirational message for the participants and the resource persons.

Holy Rosary Parish Goes Green ...

non-biodegradable trash like plastic bags and styropor containers that littered and clogged the waterway. Participants brought with them sticks, empty sacks, and other cleaning implements to facilitate the removal of trash.

To this day, the old folks of Angeles
remember how crystal clear water used to flow freely along the river. They used to wash their
clothes and bathe in it. The advent of economic progress and “development” eventually led to
environmental degradation that manifested in the death of the city’s waterways. Non-biodegradable waste materials started to amass along the river. Fishes and other aquatic organisms started to disappear. Water pollution became a major concern. Soon enough, the Sapang Balen of old had become a fond memory, tucked away in many old folks’
treasure trove of childhood stories.

Unabated increase in population and lack of
discipline and awareness among the people living near the Sapang Balen were seen as major factors that contributed greatly to the death of the river. As houses began sprouting along the length of Sapang Balen, improper waste disposal became more rampant. In recent years, the occurrence of flashfloods during heavy rainfall has become aproblem in the city because of clogged waterways. When flooding occurs, the garbage that has been improperly disposed comes back to litter the streets of the city.


The May 23 rally served as a kick-off activity for the project which the parish hopes to
sustain through community involvement. Groups and individuals have pledged to continue with the clean-up drive every Saturday to help revive Sapang Balen. Meetings have been conducted to plan for an organized and sustainable campaign using appropriate methods that would help
address this particular issue.

The Sagip Sapang Balen environmental rally was a wake up call not only for the City
Government of Angeles but for all the residents of Angeles. With it came the realization that each
citizen plays a vital role in caring for the environment for the sake of future generations of Angeleños and Angeleñas.

Giving Flesh to Christian Service and Social Responsibility

Giving Flesh to Christian Service...

When Bp. Ambo took over as Parish Priest in May 2008, he opted to continue what Bp. Bobet
started but with shifts in nature and organizational set-up. The Desk for the Poor has, since, come to be known as the HRP-SAC. It shifted to a developmentoriented nature to give people a venue to address social concerns and issues in the context of Christian service and social responsibility. Concern for the poor is translated to action in a manner that allows the poor to help themselves and maintain their dignity. Structurally, it has been made
a part of the Parish Pastoral Council and has been given an allocation from the Parish Priest’s
Discretionary Fund through the Parish Finance Council. Other sources of funding are: First Friday and 3rd Wednesday collections as well as pledges and donations from generous groups and individuals. HRP-SAC is manned on a rotation basis by twelve part-time volunteers who hold office at the 2nd floor of the Holy Rosary Parish Hall in Sto. Rosario,
Angeles City.

Strategic Planning & Team-building

HRP-SAC went through an organizational development process (OD process) from February to
April of this year to provide a strong footing and direction for its volunteers. The OD Process
culminated in a Strategic Planning Workshop/Team-building Session on April 15 to 16, 2009.
Sessions on the first of the two-day workshop tackled the following: a) Review of the Organizational Structure; 2) Definition of Roles and Functions of the Different Committees; and
3) Tactical Planning. Volunteer Consultant Tonette M. Gomez of the Inocencio Magtoto Memorial Foundation, Inc. (IMMFI) facilitated the lecture/ workshops. On the second day of the workshop, the HRPSAC volunteers hied off to Pita, Bataan with Bp. Ambo and volunteer consultant Nina L.B. Tomen of Santungan ng Kababaihan at Kabataan sa Pampanga (SANGKAP) for the Team-building Session. Bp. Ambo led the group in a reflection on charisms and mission. HRP-SAC Report (January—June 2009) Page 3 Contextualizing the team-building session on the biblical passages on “One Body with Many Parts” (1 Corinthians 12:1-31), Bp. Ambo
emphasized that “team-building in the Christian setting means building the body of Christ”. “To
be a Christian is to respond to a calling. We are all sent to fulfill a mission. If we are attentive to
the proddings of the Holy Spirit, then we learn to recognize what our mission is. Our gifts become
charisms when we share these for the good of all,” he added. After Bp. Ambo’s talk, the volunteers exchanged stories and insights about their work at the HRP-SAC – their fears, expectations and sentiments. They returned to Angeles City with renewed zeal and love for their mission. (Pls. turn to page 8) HRP-SAC Volunteers hamming it up at the Davids’ Resthouse in Pita Contextualizing the team-building session on the biblical passages on “One Body with Many Parts” (1 Corinthians 12:1-31), Bp. Ambo emphasized that “team-building in the Christian setting means building the body of Christ”. “To be a Christian is to respond to a calling. We are all sent to fulfill a mission. If we are attentive to the proddings of the Holy Spirit, then we learn to recognize what our mission is. Our gifts become charisms when we share these for the good of all,” he added. After Bp. Ambo’s talk, the volunteers exchanged stories and insights about their work at the HRP-SAC – their fears, expectations and sentiments. They returned to Angeles City with renewed zeal and love for their mission.