THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Maraming salamat for those who assisted us with emergency relief goods, lending me your facilities and in providing us with supplies.

Carol Arguillas. Kara & Bobby Timonera. Leo & Norma Cabasag family. Brian's Ma, sis & brod. National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP). Atty. Danny Balucos. Ampy Montemayor. Pris Saladaga. Brian's classmates. Those unknown persons and groups who shared rice, can goods, some noodles, blankets/beddings, kitchenwares, pail, hygiene kits, and used clothes.

Special thanks to Ivy Santos, Penny Sanz, my bosom buddies Belle, Armi, & elementary classmates from SACES of Davao city [for medicines], as well as, Omar and Jade Sema who assisted our neighbor.

Thank you too Kumon Iligan for halving the tuition of my son for two months. It really helps a lot!

Engaging self and my child to emotional recovery differently

When the devastating flashflood brought by typhoon Sendong swiftly filled our home with murky or muddy water, my son was fast asleep. It was literally a shock for him to see the water getting into our room after I forced him to wake up. The water was already neck-level when we waddled through the sala out.

As we gathered with my two other home companions at the gate, Chacha and Bordie, we realized that escape was difficult since the road was already transformed into a muddy river. Our frantic voices seeking help from neighbors swerved with the wind. They heard us but can't help us. It was a frustrating moment. Good that Bordie was able to climbed on our roof through our Eba tree. It became easier for us to help each other climbed up.

Like our neighbors, we were on our roof until daybreak. Lex was shivering and all I could offer to him was a tight hug to give some warmth, which was actually difficult at such time because we were all wet. As water continued to rise, we could only surrender our fears at the recital of the Holy Rosary. No use thinking of the dialectics of flood, although we continued to hope that rescue groups would come because we aren't certain when the water would stop or if it will still reach us at the roof. Each time we'd reach the phrase "...pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen." it felt it was a recital of our acceptance to whatever would befall us that night.

We heaved relief when the level of water started to lower around 3:30 a.m. As the sunlit rose from the eastern sky, only then that relatives of Brian arrived to help us get down. For three or four days, we stayed at Brian's uncle while some relatives helped him removed and trash all cabinets, tables and things, including my research materials [in the last ten years] and my library.

Transcending the tragedy is difficult. We lost most of the things we struggled to acquire in the last six years. But we admit that our situation was bit better compared to those whose homes were slammed with logs and whose lives were taken away. We can chorus with the rest of the survivors that we can't complain. Being spared from death is more than enough although we grieve for those who suddenly departed because of that flash flood.

We survived, but each time heavy rain fall I would panic and becomes nervous.

I wouldn't want to hear stories of those who were flashed to the shores and have luckily survived. This is because our situation was close to that too. I'd rather pray for those who survived and those who unfortunately died. And, be kept busy with the clean-up.

Lex meanwhile, spent his time drawing what he thought and felt. There was that caricature he drew that he was sleeping and he was surrounded  with three persons. This could be the situation we had on December 16 before flood inundated our home.

The year 2012 started with a quiet and forlorn hearts. Lex's birthday was an attempt to make it bit colorful for us to help ease his trauma, too. It felt good that he started smiling and chatting well with invited children from our neighbors-- those who also survived from that tragedy.

It also felt great to be with the group of people although most of our conversation were centered about how they were able to survive. Stories about each others' neighbors were likewise shared, including those who  succumbed to death. It was still sad but I thought that sharing each others experiences could help us gather emotional balance, too.

The following day, we welcomed children from our neighbors. This continued up to these days. Letting them play and talk to each other may self-help them. Lex however, is also aided by his school when it conducted psychosocial intervention. I think I have already seen some signs that he is recovering except that sometimes, fear replaces his young strength.



Since December 16 of 2011, I do not like to write. I may have assisted institutions to network and communicate needs, as well as, recognize the endeavors made by those who accord support and emergency assistance to us through a social network...but still I do not like to write and reflect. The experience prodded us to take care of ourselves more.

It took some time before am able to resolve that we needed to rise up from our fears. So, while my family is confronting the odds of regaining normalcy in our lives, I started appreciating what I learned from this tragedy. My needs are also mirrored by others needs. In fact, they needed more than we do. Like them, I am dismayed by the slow development and response of the local government. The latter lacked sense of emergency and sense of resiliency. What could I contribute aside from communicating needs? I have decided to make it a creative activity to engage my son by using those humble financial assistance given to us from friends to further help others in little ways. I am hopeful that it can provide more difference. Besides, while we receive relief goods as assistance to keep us moving, it is also wise to simultaneously initiate too the art of giving. Survivors for survivors. So, I engaged my home buddies and Lex to help start the campaign for children's needs. We were only able to make 30 bags and filled it with school supplies. Little ways but is also changing my home buddies and Lex's thoughts about needing but still transcending that needs to help those who are needing more.

Turning over of 30 bags with school supplies to the principal of
Cabili elem school. Most of their students here came from barangay
Santiago, one of the mostly affected community during typhoon.
The goods were donated by Ivy and Penny, my friends.

My elementary classmates in SACES and in SCCES--Belle, Armi and Ivy-- & friend Penny inspire us to be more kind to others. The process helped relieved us, too. It has become part of the many processes we are undergoing toward internal healing from that traumatic experience.

Medicines for leptospirosis, diarrhea, and dengue given by my elem.
classmates (and their families/friends)  from SACES and turned-over
to MSU-IIT College of Nursing that conducts medical mission for
hinterland communities. Forever thankful to them. The medicines
can help save lives.

A leaf on November 09

Another leaf has fallen.

It’s my birthday again.  

I stopped counting my age.

My 5-year old son asked me to stay at my current age so that we can grow old together [with his papa].

I don't usually write about my birthday. I just realized the other day that I have not updated two of my important blog sites-- online zones which I initially thought as an area where I could scan repository of past issues and problems I have frivolously or wisely pursued in this journey.

However, micro blogging has become the trend; much easier than writing an exposition, essay or any narratives on issues--where mind would articulate about co'z we can't yield to forget.

So, what about November 9?

I don't celebrate it lavishly. 
In the past, I would just go elsewhere, in some places where I wouldn't frequent but where I have seriously considered the emotional contentment it brings if am in that confines. Maybe in a restaurant; a new shopping site; a garden; a tourist site; a resting place... or maybe in a sacred place where candles are wildly aflame by prayers.

This year, I will celebrate it somewhere.
 In a solemn place still, although Brian insisted he wanted a bit of a homey celebration.

Ah, life. What I got thus far?
I have kept a young mind while slowly surrendering with age.

I am recently most reflective and have preferred more quiet conversations than noisy exchange of ideas.
I spent more time reading and appreciating books: hard-covered or online.

I found simple joys with my child.

I learned to summarize a daylong event into just three words, just like how that lengthy dogma was summarized by John Lennon into one-word-titled-song "Imagine."
I got tired with recycled and winding events; got tired of anger and unending cynicism; got tired of violence and politics. I got tired of pretensions and lies.

However, I maintain interest on people with clarity of thought and purpose, but prefer this time to be not sooo engaged with arduous, strenuous & demanding tasks.

This decision to be in a corner-while-watching-the-world-go-by is an experiential option taken after I have so much of the world and from people I've met. It’s a decision made, inspired, and caused by some elders who have indirectly nurtured me "to breath and get a fresher look within." An option to enjoy the solace of peace independent from the forces engaged in constant transformation of our state-of-affairs.

It’s quite a decision that I have morphed. 
Gee, I am happy [that I have a stage in life] that I morphed.

Anyway, except for my immediate family, I could say that my birthday is not very significant. In fact there are more significant events happening this November 9.  See my notes below I sourced from my emails, links and connections. There is a variety of important events, holidays, commemorations etc.

2nd Northern Mindanao Regional Media Conference.

2nd Regional Media Conference on November 9 and 10, 2011 in Iligan City. Theme for this year is “Environment Watch: Reporting Disasters”. The event is organized by the Mindanao Media Forum, a group established in 2002 as a result of the Mindanao Media Summit, with MindaNews as the secretariat. For this summit, we have invited the Voice of Mindanao, a non-government organization composed of youth and young professionals, to be our Secretariat partner for Region 10 [Source: Letter]

IMT and GPH, MILF ceasefire committees meet to set date for Al-barka probe

COTABATO CITY (MindaNews/07 November) --  The ceasefire committees of the government peace panel (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are meeting with the International Monitoring Team (IMT) here on Wednesday, November 9, to finalize the schedule of the joint probe on the October 18 clash in Al-barka, Basilan. Admiral Adib of Malaysia, Deputy Head of Mission of the IMT told MindaNews in a text message that an advance team from the IMT will be sent to Al-barka this week as part of the preparations. The heads of the GPH and MILF CCCH secretariat – Major Carlos Sol of the GPH and Rashid Lidasan of the MILF –  told MindaNews  the November 9 meeting with the IMT will discuss the date of the probe, the preparations and the team composition. The Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) of both GPH and MILF peace panels had earlier filed their respective protests over alleged ceasefire violations by the other in the Al-barka tragedy that left 25 persons dead (19 soldiers and five MILF guerillas) 17 injured (14 soldiers and three from the MILF) and 8,000 villagers displaced. Brig. Gen. Ariel Bernardo, chair of the GPH CCCH, filed government’s protest on October 20 while Said Shiek, chair of the MILF CCCH, filed their protest on October 30. [Carolyn Arguillas/MindaNews]

Peace Media Forum with Sec. Ging Deles and Panel Chairs Marvic Leonen & Alexander Padilla

In an effort to clarify issues linked to the Peace Process and to orient the media on the Government’s Peace Framework, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) holds a Peace Media Forumon Wednesday, November 9, 10 a.m. to 12 noon at Gateway Suites, 4/F Gateway Mall, Cubao, Quezon City. OPAPP Sec. Teresita Quintos-Deles and GPH Panel Chairs Marvic Leonen for the GPNP-MILF and Alexander Padilla for the GPNP-CPP/NPA/NDFP, with their respective panel members, will grace the occasion [Opapp].

ELSEWHERE IN SOME PART OF THE GLOBE

Feds Will Temporarily Cut Off All TV and Radio Broadcasts on Nov. 9

If you have ever wondered about the government’s ability to control the civilian airwaves, you will have your answer on November 9th. On that day, federal authorities are going to shut off all television and radio communications simultaneously at 2:00PM EST to complete the first ever test of the national Emergency Alert System (EAS). This isn’t a wild conspiracy theory. The upcoming test is posted on the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau website. Only the President has the authority to activate EAS at the national level, and he has delegated that authority to the Director of FEMA.  The test will be conducted jointly by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through  FEMA, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS). [The Blaze./ Oct. 22, 2011; details can alse be viewed in this link  http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/emergency-alert-system-nationwide-test]

  

No water on Nov 9, 10 in India

BANGALORE: Fill those water tanks and sumps at home, for there will be no water supply on November 9 and 10 (Wednesday and Thursday). BWSSB will shut down supply for maintenance works. BWSSB engineer-in-chief T Venkataraju said the water board will take up maintenance work in Netkal Balancing Reservoir and minor works in Tataguni, Harohalli . Pumps will be shut down for 4-8 hours on November 9. [The Times of India/ Nov 7, 2011]

IMF Starts Hungary Regular Overview on November 9, MTI Reports

The International Monetary Fund’s regular annual overview of Hungary will take place between Nov. 9-21, state news agency MTI said, citing the Economy Ministry. [Edith Balazs - Nov 7, 2011/Bloomberg]

In Berlin & Germany

Nov 09 is German day of Destiny.

Berlin wall was opened by East Germans on November 9, 1989 and torn downby end of 1990, as Communism collapsed and Cold War ended.

Pakistan, IMF officials to meet on November 9

KARACHI: Pakistan, which opted out of an extension of a three-year IMF $11 billion emergency loan programme that ended in September, will meet International Monetary Fund officials from November 9-16 to review the economy, a finance ministry source said on Friday. “We will meet with IMF in Dubai for article IV consultations,” the official said, referring to annual talks the fund holds with each member government to assess the health of the economy. [Reuters/Dawn.com Business]

In The IT Front:

Eee Pad Transformer Prime on Nov 9 tips ASUS doc

ASUS’ Eee Pad Transformer Prime will launch on November 9, according to an investor conference presentation, with two further Eee Pad “hero products” expected in Q1 2012, as the company attempts to build on the success of the first-gen Transformer. Meanwhile, Windows 8 tablets are set to follow on later in 2012, according to the slide desk [pdf link], though the first such models won’t arrive until Q3 next year (Davies, Chris/ Oct 31, 2011/Slashgear.com]

OUTER SPACE

Asteroid 2005 YU55 to Approach Earth on November 8, 2011. NASA made a trajectory that the asteroid is near to Earth by November 09, 2011 [For details see link http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news171.html of Near Earth Object Program]

Probable Book To Read

Decision Point published on November 09, 2011 authored by George W. Bush.

Decision Points brings readers inside the Texas governor's mansion on the night of the 2000 election, aboard Air Force One during the harrowing hours after the attacks of September 11, 2001, into the Situation Room moments before the start of the war in Iraq, and behind the scenes at the White House for many other historic presidential decisions. [Description of the book from http://www.amazon.com/Decision-Points-George-W-Bush/dp/0307590615]

Wikiqoute for November 09, 2011

Since, in the long run, every planetary society will be endangered by impacts from space, every surviving civilization is obliged to become spacefaring — not because of exploratory or romantic zeal, but for the most practical reason imaginable: staying alive. ~ Carl Sagan

[Qoute was proposed by Kalki who believes that

"Love is the ultimate of holies, by which all else receives its worth." 

Kalki also belives that "All attempts to share wisdom with others is an expression of love for that which is truly essential." [Source: http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/User:Kalki]

From Wikipedia

Holidays & Observance

Christian Feast Day:

Dedication of the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, Cathedral of the Pope (memorial feast day)

Theodore of Amasea (Roman Catholic Church)

Vitonus

Benignus of Armagh

November 9 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

Day of the Skulls or Dia de los ñatitas (Bolivia)

Independence Day, celebrates the independence of Cambodia from France in 1953.

Inventor's Day (Germany, Austria, Switzerland)

Schicksalstag (Germany)

World Freedom Day (United States)

Links for November 09

1. http://www.humanitas-international.org/showcase/chronography/timebase/november9.htm

2. http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/November+9

RIGHTS-BASED FACT FINDING MISSION: A PHENOMELOGICAL STUDY OF INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY AND MINING ISSUES OF BAYOG TOWN (Zamboanga del Sur)

FFM Teams are composed of PhilRights Inc., DIOPIM Committee on Mining Issues (DCMI), Social Action Ministry-Ipil (SAM), Legal Rights and Natural Resource Center-Kasama sa Kalikasan (KsK),Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), Meriam College, Alternate Forum for Research in Mindanao (AFRIM), Ecoweb Inc., Medical Action Group (MAG) and Pikhumpongan Dlebon Subanen Inc. (PDSI), Bayog laymen, media workers and other support groups.

by

VIOLETA M. GLORIA

September 2010

------------------------------------------------------

Human-right fact-finding investigation is crucial to understand the socio-economic and political discourse of a community that is controversially plagued with conflicting issues and interests on the utilization and maximization of its resources; of flagrant human rights violations; lack or absence of responsible governance; disorientation and non-enforcement of laws exacerbated further by disempowered local organizations that can’t independently intervene or introduce social mechanism for problems resolution.

Fact-finding becomes a strategy and method of human-right based group in gathering information and evidences that are imperative in engendering a broader understanding of an issue based on context and cultural anthropological realities.

Facts gathered will enable the teams to formulate recommendations for decisive action or as evidence to generate intervention from local, national and international development partners; concern officials within governmental structures; community-based stakeholders i.e. indigenous community; and of other affected institutions in this investigation like mining companies operating within the ancestral domain of the lumad.

Hence, the investigation drew varied expert groups or institutions for cooperative sharing of findings and information as well as concrete proposals for technical support.

The fact-finding investigation in this area was conceived following reports of series of killings by indiscriminate firing and hacking of civilians initially recorded to have reached 15 persons, 8 of whom are lumads. Reports mentioned that the killings are politically motivated though a number of harassments, surveillance and threats are related to mining operations within this municipality (CHR-Region 9, 2010).

Moreover, indicators showed that the IP communities are polarized with the vigorous entry of mining companies—both large and small scale, due to conflicting interests, lack of awareness on mining’s impact to environment and social relations, cultural disorientation, absence of opportunities or employment, and lack of transformative collective leadership that can unify the tribal community in Bayog . Some IPs opted to undergo tribal mining apparently suspected as backed with capital from Chinese business sectors while those opposed, confuses further the situation by signing an agreement with another mining company which later became a litigious issue among tribal leaders now, such as the case of Manda, along with three others, who are accused of falsifying documents at the Office of Ombudsman in Mindanao.

It is in this context that the fact-finding mission (FFM) was conducted in identified barangays of Bayog town, Zamboanga del Sur from August 28-31, 2010 by expert groups. The team was composed of representatives from PhilRights Inc., DIOPIM Committee on Mining Issues (DCMI), Social Action Ministry-Ipil (SAM), Legal Rights and Natural Resource Center-Kasama sa Kalikasan (KsK), Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), Meriam College,Alternate Forum for Research in Mindanao (AFRIM), Ecoweb Inc., Medical Action Group (MAG) andPikhumpongan Dlebon Subanen Inc. (PDSI), media workers and other support groups.

The approach and method of the study are fitted to the sensitive construct of human right standards that are upheld in the following instruments with due respect to other existing laws:

a. Bill of Human Rights under the 1987 Philippine Constitution;

b. Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997 (Republic Act 8371);

c. United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples;

d. Other right-based instruments upheld by the United Nations;

e. Mining Act of 1995;

f. People’s Small Scale Mining Act of 1991.

[IMPT. NOTE: This is a 36-page document and accessible to partners of the Fact Finding Mission Teams only. This post is just to provide a general picture on the conduct of said study. ~ Violy]

Violence mars special polls in Lanao del Sur, “where election is business”

ILIGAN CITY (MindaNews / June 4) – A child died from stray bullets as armed followers of politicians in Lanao del Sur shot it out with rivals in a special election marred with violence and fraud.

The indiscriminate firing was only one of many cases of election-related violence and irregularities that was reported as widely occurring in the towns where political warlords are still in control.

The Citizens Coalition for ARMM Electoral Reform (Citizens CARE), a Commission on Election (Comelec)-accredited election watch group, did not identify the child victim, but siad the victim died on the spot when caught in the middle of indiscriminate firing by rival
political groups.

Salic Ibrahim, executive director of Maradeca Inc. and head of Citizen CARE, said indiscriminate firing was done by support groups of politicians in Sultan Domalondong and in Masiu towns.

“Although police and military manned the precincts, the tension was still high with indiscriminate firing to threaten voters,” Ibrahim said

“It was still different if the trained Board of Election Inspectors (BEI) would manage the election because the military and policemen lacked expertise in handling the election,” Ibrahim said.

Read more at MindaNews, VeraFiles, Yahoo!

Dimaporos reign over Lanao Norte

By Violeta M. Gloria/MindaNews

ILIGAN CITY (MindaNews/13 May) — It’s all Dimaporos — mother, son and daughter — who took the highest elective posts in Lanao del Norte.

Reelected governor is Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo. Representative of the first district is his mother, Imelda Q. Dimaporo, who once served as governor. Representative of the second district is Khalid’s sister Fatima Aliah.

Khalid was proclaimed winner by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday, while Aliah was declared winner around 6:45 p.m. today. Imelda was declared much earlier.

Comelec bared that Khalid, who won his second term, gathered 179,402 votes; the far second is Alijandro Batalo with 17,755 votes.

Fatima Aliah will succeed her father Abdullah, now on his third and last term, as representative of the second district.

Imelda ran and lost against Vicente “Varf” Belmonte in the 2007 elections when Iligan City was still part of the first district of Lanao del Norte, but starting this year, Iligan is now a separate district. [More at MindaNews]

Imelda Dimaporo proclaimed as 1st district Lanao Norte rep

ILIGAN CITY (MindaNews/12 May)— The Commission on Elections in Lanao del Norte proclaimed Imelda Quibranza Dimaporo as winner in the congressional race in the first district at 6 p.m. May 11.

Proclaimed board members were Giselle Matalines, Casimero Bagol, Baldomero Zamora, Alexander Ali and Mohammad Maruhom.

Irma Rosales, assistant to provincial election officer Irma Rosales said that as of 8 p.m. today, 15 towns have already transmitted results of election turn-outs, but they are still waiting for the transportation of results from eight towns.

The towns that have been canvassed are Baloi, Bacolod, Baroy, Kapatagan, Kolambugan, Lala, Linamon, Magsaysay, Maigo, Matungao, Pantar, Sapad, Tagoloan and Tubod.

The towns of Munai, Pantaoragat, Salvador, Poona Piagapo, Nunungan, Tangkal and Sultan Naga Dimaporo have not reported election results yet. [More at MindaNews]

Old style violence in Lanao Sur despite automated polls

RYAN ROSAURO, VIOLETA M. GLORIA, AND JULES BENITEZ
Mindanews and VERA Files

The automated election system failed to bring change to Lanao del Sur, traditional warlord and goon country of Mindanao where violence and a low voter turnout marked the May 10 elections, as they did in the past.

The police, military and election watchdog groups reported incidents of killings, explosions, abductions and gunfights between opposing camps in this province, which has traditionally been the backdrop of the worst cases of dagdag-bawas (vote padding and shaving), when counting was done manually.

But voters in seven towns did not get a taste of the new automated system because teachers failed to show up for election duty as members of the Boards of Election Inspectors amid the climate of fear.

A failure of elections was declared in the towns of Masiu, Lumba Bayabao, Lumba Caunayan, Bayang, Tuburan, Sultan Marogong, and Lumbatan because there were no teachers, and in Ganassi where there were no ballots. [More to Read at MindaNews and Vera Files]

Also posted at Yahoo! News, Malaya, Manila Times.

PPCRV: Lanao Norte polls generally peaceful

ILIGAN CITY (MindaNews/11 May) – The conduct of elections in Lanao del Norte can be considered generally peaceful despite delay in the transmission of results from 11 hinterland towns, Fr.Rey Pati-an, provincial head of the Pastoral Parish Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) said.

Pati-an gave credit to the voters for reportedly behaving well.

He also attributed the peaceful election to the separation of Iligan City as a lone district, saying politicians in Lanao Norte disdain being ruled by officials coming from the city.

He said there were hitches, however, like the threats against the Board of Election Inspectors in Kapatagan town, the attempted use of flying voters in Tangkal town and the delay in the canvassing of results. [More at MindaNews]

Also posted at Vera Files.

Lanao Sur election death toll now 6; disorderly conduct of polls noted

ILIGAN CITY (MindaNews/11 May) – Six persons have been killed in election related violence in Lanao del Sur, a poll watchdog said.

Ibrahim Salic, head of Citizens Coalition for ARMM Responsible Election (Citizen’s CARE) reported that three were killed in an encounter Monday between armed men and soldiers in Kapai.

Salic said the casualties were a police officer, one of the armed men and a certain Salem Sarip who was caught in the crossfire.

Also on Monday, Bolke Panda, 12, died when an M70 grenade launcher exploded in Tugaya town while Aslia Panda, 19, was hit with M17 bullets. Panda was declared dead at the Amai Pakpak Provincial Hospital.

Algamar Latiph a resident of Tugaya and member of the Muslim Youth Professionals (MYP) said he was horrified at the fact that politics could make some people in his town resort to violence.

Latip himself barely escaped death when a M79 launcher exploded. [More at MindaNews]

also posted at Vera Files.

Related story is posted at Malaya (with correction that my complete name is not Victoria M. Gloria as posted but Violeta M. Gloria:

Old-Style Violence in Lanao Sur despite automated poll