ALIMODIAN ONLINE
CARE for DEAR
Categories: Bantayan Kang Alimodiananon, 46 words110 feedbacks •This space is for updates, announcements, acknowledgments, and comments on the book-lending, Drop Everything and Read (DEAR), and other initiatives of the Concerned Alimodiananon Resource on Education (CARE).
Gines Elementary School
The First Graders with Gines Elementary School Head Teacher, Mr. Arniel Aldamar and Grade 1 AdviserPermalink
http://alimodian.net/blog/htsrv/trackback.php?tb_id=26
10/20/07 @ 08:06Post details: CARE for DEAR
03/13/06
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
03/13/06 @ 21:04
Our thanks to Dennis and Mae for their donation of $50! This will go a long way to help our programs. SALAMAT!
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
03/13/06 @ 21:06
We also got the CDs (Indiana Girl, Vegas in the Morning and The End) given by John Krondes through our kasimanwa Noah Montenegro. We have started the sales and got $135.00 so far. If you would like to buy or sell them, please let me know. It's for 5 bucks each.
Comment from: al [Member]
03/13/06 @ 22:06
WE LIVE FOR WORDS LIKE THESE
From Chuchi Quizon, a friend (indi taga-Alimodian)who works in an ad agency in Manila:
I am very interested in sending a lot of books to your provincial magnum magnanimus
opus.
I have art books and paperbacks, etc. To whom do I send them?
Comment from: RAD [Visitor]
03/13/06 @ 22:42
LCA, Si Mae amo si Tundal? ...Maiden name Alinsangan?
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
03/14/06 @ 07:44
Yes. Sorry, I missed the family name in my previous email. The donors are DENNIS AND MAE PARAY. Mae's maiden name is ALINSANGAN.
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
03/14/06 @ 10:19
Our thanks also to SILFIDE ANAPE for her pledge to help out with the DEAR program.
Fides, as we fondly call her, is giving back to the community by financing 6 kids in college and one in high school. She is coordinating this unselfish gesture with the help of Maninay Viniang Nolasco.
Thanks to you both for making this happen!
Comment from: al [Member]
03/14/06 @ 12:48
It seems na most of those volunteering in Alimodian ay mga paryente kang OFWs in Hong Kong.
Waay sanda ti kamuang-muang kung ano ang gin pa-volunteer kananda kang anda mga paryente – kay most of them waay ti Internet access – so it’s very nice of them to take the time to inquire. The Alimodian crew is giving them “primers” for background purposes.
We may not call on all volunteers at the same time, but it is good to know that once we get going, there is a pool of people we can count on to help.
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
03/14/06 @ 13:17
Thank you Hong Kong group. We know we can count on you.
Comment from: al [Member]
03/14/06 @ 19:12
and FORMER Hong Kongites pa gali.
Comment from: al [Member]
03/14/06 @ 20:03
Our man NOAH is sending books in four (4) balikbayan boxes this Friday (March 17).
He collected the books from the book drive he initiated in the Darien, CT Post Office (where he had set up a collection box for people to drop off books) and from the Westport, CT Library that gave away remainder books after its winter sale.
He had previously gotten the Darien (CT) Book Aid to donate and pay for the mailing to Alimodian of a package of children books.
The Darien Book Aid has promised to donate more books in the summer. Noah will make sure they come through.
We requested the Westport Library to keep us in mind for future book give-aways, and they have put us in the mailing list of their online newsletter. The library will have another book give-away in the summer. LCA and company intend to camp out early in the library to get as many books as possible. (Daw bridal sale sa Filene's Basement.) RAD is threatening to fly in from San Diego if Noah invites his "kaurumul" volunteers from Tanza (this time modestly dressed in ampis and kimona).
The financial contribution from Mae Alinsangan and Junjun Paray, John Krondes (via his donated CDs), and one of our benefactors will defray the shipping costs of the four balikbayan boxes.
Comment from: Long [Visitor]
03/14/06 @ 20:13
CARE logo is not yet official. CARE is still looking for a good logo design. If you have any suggestions or ideas for a CARE logo, please send it to care@alimodian.net. Thank you.
Comment from: noah montenegro [Visitor]
03/15/06 @ 06:40
I will call the KAURUMULS of NYC to ACTIVE DUTY and they're ready by summer sort books and to meet "HUNK FAVIO" from San Diego in West Port. this is very exciting more exciting than the upcoming single of John Krondes 'BABY I LOVE YOU"
Comment from: michelle [Visitor]
03/16/06 @ 02:25
thanks to manong reying for his donation.
Comment from: reying [Visitor]
03/16/06 @ 07:19
Michelle,,You are very welcome. i am still in town,,just a bit busy sometimes..for something i can help,,my e-mail is reying@rogers.com cel..09217537219
Comment from: RAD [Visitor]
03/16/06 @ 11:39
In response to Comment from: al, 03/14/06 @ 12:48
...most of those volunteering in Alimodian ay mga paryente kang OFWs in Hong Kong.
Waay sanda ti kamuang-muang kung ano ang gin pa-volunteer kananda kang anda mga paryente – kay most of them waay ti Internet access – so it’s very nice of them to take the time to inquire.
_________
I second AL's appreciation for the OFW volunteers. Their eagerness to help should set an example.
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
03/16/06 @ 12:39
Our thanks to VICTORIA AMBE for her donation. She grew up in Manila but both her parents are from Alimodian.
Nang Bibok, your support is much appreciated!
Comment from: raymondalturadeza [Member]
03/16/06 @ 16:48
Tita Bibok, my Long-lost aunt! I will write...
Comment from: tundal [Visitor]
03/17/06 @ 09:24
al and lca-eh-buligan ako ni ne baby(sistre in lawko)eh-set up ang lugar sa veranda sa balay.mabakal kami ka lamisa kag purungku-annga gamay.ti-ano bay di-in kami mabu-ol ka libro sa plaza?mangayo man kami ka bulig sa mga bag-ong tubo nga maga maestra.AL-dya gali ang e-mail ni fr.GIL.Galinsangan@st.pauls.ph.
Comment from: tundal [Visitor]
03/17/06 @ 09:31
NANG LIBETH--ga contact kaw kay nong DIGOl.Basi makabulig man tana sa DEAR.daw tama ana barasahon dyan.ma-uli si nonong sa may basi may mga mayad pagid tanda nga input.si inday aileen pagid. ang mga kabata-an to sa lawod kama-an ron ma tung-it kag nagatambay sa mahjong imaw kay nanay nanda.
Comment from: RAD [Visitor] • http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/education/20050114-9999-m1m14tfrbdo.html
03/17/06 @ 10:57
Tnx a lot, Tundal!
Volunteers who run mini-library will determine which books the kids could use. Yes, as soon as books arrive in Alimod and are inventoried, we will loan books to your mini-library. Volunteers will be responsible for keeping track of books, so a secure place is recommended for book storage (i.e., indoors when un-manned).
Facilities/furniture to make kids comfortable are nice, but up to the center. Some schools in the U.S. actually have a Free-Read Period in the classroom. That's when kids read non-text book stuff, sitting down, lying on the floor, whatever makes them feel comfortable.
It's up to center to lend books to kids, for kids to simply hang out (and READ) at the center, or have a reading session.
Comment from: tundal [Visitor]
03/17/06 @ 13:14
RAD-t.y.gid sa suhestion.i will keep everyone updated.linglinga lang kung maka-uli kaw.
Comment from: al [Member]
03/17/06 @ 17:15
Tundal,
1. Bilib ako kanimo. Daw Uzi ka gid. Pag umpisa ratatak ka dayon.
2. Your sister and her co-conspirators can make of the “center” whatever they want (it to be). They can run it however they like. They own it, after all. Kung gusto nanda mag Saturday night bijou for kids, we will lend them “good” movies to screen (if they want). Malay mo, say, we will start showing Italian movies. Since kids pick up language skills quickly, nali one of these days mga Italyano kag Italyana ron ang mga bagets sa Lawod. Pasta ron, indi kan-on, ang sa dinner menu. Not to say nga Italian-speaking sanda kay “Diablesse.” Any activity that takes kids away from tambay sa anda ermat kag erpat nga naga madyong is worth doing.
3. Exactly. There are books that we can ask, borrow, or steal (hopefully it won’t come to this) from the neighborhood mismo. Am sure your friendly neighbors will be more than happy to donate or lend books and magazines from their homes. For example, you may be able to convince the encyclopedia owners to let go and give the set to your lending center; it will serve as sort of the center’s permanent collection.
4. We suggest strongly that the book-lending program be run like a Library. Process is part of the goals. By making the kids go through the routine – issuing them (those who are old enough) a library card, walking them through the procedures, making sure they return the books on time, etc. – we make them feel important, and in so doing, build their self-confidence. Sometimes we adult do not pay attention and give positive reinforcement to the development of self-perception in children. We leave them to figure out what life and the world is all about. Some children, the lucky ones, are able to on their own; most do not.
5. There should be a system of monitoring and maintenance. If we do not have a system in place, nali sara ka bulan pa lang wad-an ron taton ka libro kay no return no exchange ang mga borrowers ta, o kung i-uli man, ang colored pictures pinang gunting na.
6. Thanks for Father Gil’s e-mail address. Will write him ASAP. I know saku gid tana, pay nali maka liha sa Alimod kag may mabulig tana.
7. I e-mailed you a “primer” of sorts. Kung gusto mo ipadarhan ko ang sister mo sa Alimod, just let me know.
8. Good luck. We are only an e-mail away if you need help.
Comment from: JC1988 [Member]
03/17/06 @ 18:02
greetings from California.. first time ko mag blog. Batch 1988 aku nag graduate.
Si diin di-a ang mga libro e butang?..May designated place di-a?
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
03/18/06 @ 00:21
Please see previous blogs. This has been discussed in length. Let us know if there is anything that we need to clarify.
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
03/18/06 @ 00:23
Tundal, si Nang Pani retired ron. Basi puede man tana makabulig. Basi man makatawag kaw didto.
Thanks.
Comment from: RaymondAlturaDeza [Visitor] • http://community.webshots.com/photo/504028287/2378754190072035356MNJEiT
03/18/06 @ 00:38
Hi, JC1988!
I emailed a primer for CARE Volunteers to the Email address you registered with. I hope it would help answer your questions.
Any group of people who are willing to help teach and encourage kids to read can form learning centers or a mini-library. CARE will do its best to make reading materials available to them, no matter how remote the barangay is. If there could be a mini-library set up in Barrio Umingan on or before this coming Holy Week, I volunteer to backpack the books there - rain, snow or shine.
CARE will Not replace the educators' job; it will supplement and reinforce that at home or after school hours.
CARE is not for the advancement of anybody's political or career ambitions. Therefore, Private citizens will run CARE, manage and distribute the resources.
We hope that you could join us in helping the Forgotten and Invisible citizens of Alimodian by supporting CARE and its initiatives.
Greetings from California, too. (http://community.webshots.com/photo/504028287/2378754190072035356MNJEiT)
Comment from: al [Member]
03/18/06 @ 09:09
Tundal,
1. Gin e-mailan ko ron si Father Gil.
2. Next time mag tawag ka sa Lawod, palihog lang kuon kay Baby kung pwede na ita-o kanimo ang telephone numbers (kag e-mail add., kung may idyan) ni Pani y Rey kag ni Inday Luing Alipao.
Please email kanakon kung mag-abot. I will call them.
3. Salamat.
Comment from: al [Member]
03/18/06 @ 12:32
Tundal,
Update -- gin e-mailan ko ron si Pani kag si Inday Luing via M&M. I can still use their phone numbers, though. By the way, may naga panunlog to kanimo sa Vintage Gallery.
Comment from: tundal [Visitor]
03/18/06 @ 12:52
LCA-Hagadon ko lang si inday pani.AL-nabalusan ko ron ang gallery.
Comment from: iggy [Visitor]
03/18/06 @ 13:38
Tundal kampyon gid ang line up ka volunteers mo.
Miga ko bahala ma estorya kay pakas na Digol kung ano ang mabulig na sa CARE-Lawod. With Nonong and Digol as mentors what more can I say...Kids would be sooo fortunate. Pls don't forget your bestfriend Doc Teepay may input gid dia.
Ti basi kung gamay tubang balay niyo puede man ma huram ka papag sa Tinda kag palaypayan ang tubang pavement eh...for the launching??? Basi may mass kag ponsyon after bay...Ti ano si classmate mo Mare imo financial officer? Suggestion lang ha.
I'll take care of the uwad-uwad ni Tia Florencia..It's just a phone call away..he.he..or opps modern times ron In na In ang pastry ni Pakak.
Panawagan ko si sir Poncian, Sir Bong-bong (Principal sa Sinamay) Maam Winnie,Galdin,Isol kag Mare pleaassse help Tundal (Mae Angan).
CHILDREN ARE THE FUTURE!!!
Comment from: al [Member]
03/18/06 @ 13:57
CARE VOLUNTEERS IN ALIMODIAN
GRESCELDA ANZURES, sister of JLA, of the Hong Kong group, has come forward to be counted as CARE volunteer.
Thanks, Grescelda. Kung makaliha ka, nali gusto mo mag hapit liwan sa M&M kay indi nanda nabuol ang address kag contact number mo (so they will know how to get in touch with you kung may buruligan ron). Gina paabot ka nanda, along with other comrades-in-arms, including former Hong Kongites.
When RAD arrives in Alimodian, one of his assignments is to meet with the CARE Volunteers. Please try to attend. Indi pa naset ang date as of now.
CARE Alimodian will try to make a page on CARE Volunteers that they will link to the website so us Bloggers can see who they are and thank them properly.
Comment from: al [Member]
03/18/06 @ 20:24
BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS
Expected date of arrival of the four balikbayan boxes (of books) that Noah sent last week is end of April/first week of May.
In February, LCA sent a couple (?) of boxes containing sets of encyclopedia and children books. They should be arriving shortly.
A few weeks ago the Darien Bood Aid (Darien, CT) sent by mail about 50 children books. We are not concerned about the ETA as much as whether the books will arrive in Alimodian. Hopefully nag improve na ang security sa Philippine Postal Service, i.e., naga-abot ang mga gina padara.
Noah's one-man book drive is continuing in Connecticut. Daw tuboran sa Salngan . . .
RAD is hoping to fill up a box and send it before he leaves for the Philippines. (ALIMODIANANONS IN THE WEST COAST -- kung mag drop off kamo piram bilog kada isa kay RAD eh di mapuno ron ang box.)
We encourage those who are attending the ALSA dinner dance on April 22 to bring a book or two to drop off at a CARE collection box.
We are networking with people we know in Manila for book donation there so indi ron kita mag gasto sa shipping.
As Tundal is saying, maski sa Alimodian mismo pwede kita mag book drive.
WE URGE EVERYONE TO HELP COLLECT BOOKS HERE IN AMERICA OR IN THE PHILIPPINES. We (our benefactors) will defray the shipping cost if necessary.
When the books arrive in Alimodian, our CARE volunteers will process them - cataloging/listing, placing plastic covers, pasting forms at the back, and whatever else needs to be done so the books are ready to be manhandled by children and can be monitored and tracked down later.
Then a certain number of books can be brought (by volunteers)to a center that is ready to handle the book-lending program. After a specific period, the books will be brought back to CARE Alimodian (for inventory, inspection, giving books new plastic covers, forms, etc.), and then lent to another book-lending center.
Meanwhile, the first lending center will get a fresh set of books (new titles) that will stay there for another period of time. Of course the books that the lending center itself had collected will stay in the center; anda tana ria (but hopefully later nali pwede nanda pahuram sa iba nga lending centers).
And so it goes -- until the books crumble into bits.
That is why book collection does not end. Books do not live forever. Not that we want them to. When they crumble into shreds, think of how many children have thumbed through their pages -- and who knows, their lives may change because of the chance encounters?
Isn't that a magical thought?
Comment from: noah montenegro [Visitor]
03/19/06 @ 08:28
Spring cleaning is on the way, books and more books, continue to pour in Darien.New Canaan is lining up their support and promise to give more books after the Spring book sale.a Gentleman name PIETER HOETS,drop by and donated bags of books,he is the best friend of Sen. Juvy Salonga and a classmate at YALE UNIVERSITY law school a life long resident of Darien.Pieter is the Philiipine government lawyer assigned to recover the ill gotten wealth during Marcos regime. he is a prequent guest in Malacanang during the administration of Cory Aquino.he praises the DEAR program, offer his full support, and some good advices. he said and I quote;"THIS IS A GREAT PROGRAM AND EVERYBODY MUST BE PROUD OF IT" including Senator Juvy Salonga.he said he will tell this success story to a great Senator next time he talk to him. here we go again.. another distinguish person supporting the DEAR. this is a very good inspiration to all of us ALIMODIANON to do more,give more to capture our goal.we will make sure to do our best here in States, to put this program, the way it will be 5 years from now.our HEARTFELT THANKS to our volunteers and mentors in Alimodian.GO DEAR!GO!DEAR NOW AND FOREVER!WE NEED MORE IDEAS,MORE SUGGESTION,MORE VOLUNTEERS,AND MORE CASH! SO PLEASE, DIG IN YOUR POCKET AND RESPOND MANANG ANGIOL'S APPEAL!
in behalf of DEAR Group,
Thanks Again!
NOAH
Comment from: al [Member]
03/19/06 @ 10:29
L-O-L !
WE LIVE FOR HUMAN INTEREST STORIES LIKE THIS:
Pieter J. Hoets dropping off a bag of books at the Darien (CT) Post Office for the kids in some little town in the Philippines he had not heard of (until then) in response to Noah's posting at the post office.
L-O-L !
Pieter described his experience in tracking down the missing Marcos money for the Philippine Government in the book "The Yale Connection."
Noah, I am very jealous of you!
L-O-L !
Comment from: al [Member]
03/19/06 @ 10:36
Noah,
Nali kinahanglan ta ti poster from San Diego to thank the generous people of Darien, CT
for their generous donation?
How long will Diana the Postmaster allow you to use the post office as drop-off point for CARE books? Indi man ra seguro manukot kang parking fee, ano?
As always, go Noah go!
Comment from: Noah montenegro [Visitor]
03/19/06 @ 15:04
as long as I work at Darien Post office, that place is always be our DEAR/CARE program drop off Area.we're talking may be for the next 15 years or so? doesn't matter who's the boss is.and also Westport and New Canaan Libraries will be our permanent book donors after their book sale every year.by the way pretty soon Sen. Juvy Salonga will recieve a letter or email from our beloved Manang Angiol asking him if what can he do about our DEAR/CARE program. Pieter Hoets and I are still talking of how to lobby and present this Idea to our Great Senator Juvy Salonga. he is a good man Luchie had a chance to meet him last year when she's home for a vacation. and yours truly is a very familiar name to our famous senator. as what manang Angiol said and I quote again"Daw Tuburan sa Salngan ang DEAR."wa-ay pa ka sugpon ang taga San Diego kag taga Quincy ka dya. we need more of your input,more comments and suggestions! we'll put this things into action, not just talk. pls. volunteer and help!
Noah
Comment from: dc [Visitor]
03/19/06 @ 15:07
Commentary : Building a culture of quality education
First posted 00:23am (Mla time) Mar 20, 2006
By Butch Hernandez
Inquirer
Editor's Note: Published on page A15 of the March 20, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
"QUALITY EDUCATION IS ONLY FOR THE RICH STUDENTS. No one cares for the plight of poor students, especially in the Philippines. The government does not even care that the good and well-experienced teachers are leaving the country."
This message practically leapt out of my computer monitor the day after the commentary, titled "Quality education" (PDI, 3/13/06), of our board chair, Ms Eggie Apostol, appeared in the Inquirer. It was e-mailed by an overseas Filipino worker in the Middle East. He made no effort to hide his deep disappointment with what he believed was the limp response by the national government and education stakeholders to the problems facing today's public schools. (One of my chores as executive director of the Foundation for Worldwide People Power (FWWPP) is to review every piece of communication on Education Revolution that comes to our e-mail.)
The World Bank report on Philippine education, titled "Improving the Quality of Basic Education," succinctly states that "inputs into the education system have been either of poor quality, insufficient in amount, or not in the right mix." The document also points out that "many processes (e.g., teacher recruitment, deployment, in-service training, and promotion) are unwieldy and ineffective, and support mechanisms are not in place to help teachers do their job or students from impoverished or disadvantaged backgrounds attend good schools. Now is a good time to respond to the education crisis. Many other developing countries have been investing heavily in their educational development, leaving the Philippines to face tougher competition in the global economy."
The FWWPP's Education Revolution advocates sustained community involvement to help stem the crisis in our education system, especially in the aspect of quality education. This academic year, the FWWPP is introducing the concept of a performance-based support system to sustain organized initiatives that will improve education delivery at levels as deep as the barangay.
The object is to arrive at a "performance agreement" of sorts between the public school and the community it serves. The terms of the "agreement" are enumerated in a Strategic Plan jointly prepared by the school and the community. The achievement rates of its students as measured in standard diagnostic tests are the "currency of exchange" that the public school uses to unlock resources in the community.
Since we launched Education Revolution, specifically at the community level, we have been deluged with letters and calls from individuals and entities sharing in our belief that quality education is the best weapon against poverty. The statements of solidarity are very much appreciated and deeply encouraging. The problem is how to turn all this positive energy into a continuing community initiative. If you really want to help improve the quality of education in the public school in your own community, how and where do you start?
At the beginning, of course. By learning as much as you can about the state your chosen public school is in right now. You don't need to be an investigative reporter to do this. The basic information about the public school you are thinking of helping is quite accessible-as public documents-from a variety of sources. The Department of Education website at www.deped.gov.ph is a good place to start. More detailed information can be obtained from the Basic Education Information System (BEIS), a facility developed by Undersecretary Juan Miguel Luz. Please note though that the data go only up to academic year 2004. But they are still statistically valid.
From our own experience, we can confidently say that there is no scarcity of data. In fact, the reverse is true: there is so much information about the education sector that many community initiatives get sidetracked at this stage due to information overload. You'll come across such arcane terms like "cohort survival rate" and "inflation-adjusted budget allocation" and sinister-sounding acronyms like MOOE and SEF. Most likely, you will be shocked by what you will discover: unbelievably substandard facilities, overcrowded classrooms to the point of bursting, poorly motivated teachers, and the list goes on.
After your initial information gathering, the next thing to do is to get more people in the community talk about quality education: what it means and why it is important to the community, and not just to the teachers and the principal of the public school. In community development parlance, this is called "emphasizing stakeholdership."
The focus of these preliminary community talks goes beyond just raising funds to build better school facilities. Yes, these things are also important, but finding creative ways to help our children "learn for life" should be our primary goal. For example, being able to really read-and not just mouth the words-is a basic "life skill." The DepEd says, by Grade III, the pupil should already be an independent reader.
In the course of your inquiry into the state of public education in your community, you are bound to uncover a myriad of reasons why Jaime or Anita-already in Grade VI-seems to find difficulty reading newspapers like the Inquirer. The idea is to first make other people in the community aware of the problem. Putting together an organized education initiative that is premised on performance can come a bit later, when conditions are ripe. Remember that our goal is to build a culture of quality education.
The World Bank report mentioned earlier also says, "This is the important thread that needs to be woven [into all other efforts to improve basic education]. Many Filipinos are confused about what is meant by quality education. Many equate it with education credentials despite evidence that credentials do not necessarily correspond to learning competencies. Many also think that resources in schools (e.g., more computers, nicer buildings, more teachers) [are] a guarantee of good education despite evidence that well-endowed schools do not always deliver good instruction, while many poorer schools do.
Building a culture of quality [therefore] is to emphasize competency rather than credentials or inputs. It means defining performance targets and assessing performance against those targets, and regularly examining why those targets are not reached and what needs to be done."
The FWWPP will be glad to walk you through the crucial information-gathering stage, and answer any questions you might have. The DepEd's BEIS is available on CD. Just send us an e-mail should you want a copy, that is, if you haven't acquired one yet from the DepEd.
Most of all, we'd like to hear of any ideas you might have, to make the Education Revolution a national movement for quality education.
(You may send e-mail to the author at execdir@fwwpp.org.)
Comment from: tundal [Visitor]
03/19/06 @ 23:03
In order to become a reader, you've got to have access to books, and the more books you can hold and touch and page through, the better. Literacy programs that work to get books into the hands of kids who might not otherwise get to own them understand this. So do the writers, editors, and librarians who calmly claim that electronic books will never replace the real thing; they know that nothing can beat the look of an illustration on paper, the feel and the sound of turning a page, the particulaar smell and heft of a bound book. It takes a long time to learn how to read. It's a tedious and frustrating process, filled with uninspiring words like see and the and bat and difficult words like their and knife and when. FROM RAISING A READER: AUTHOR JENNIE NASH
Comment from: al [Member]
03/20/06 @ 12:08
Ay, Tundal, palihog lang ku-on to kay Baby nga i-palettering ang above quotes kay Neil Alonday, tapos i-paframe sa Insik sa Lilo, kag i-display sa Lawod book-lending center.
Amo dya aton "words to live by."
Comment from: al [Member]
03/20/06 @ 12:16
Tundal, JOKE lang dya. Nali mas mabilis pa sa a las kuatro raman timo.
I-set up ta anay ang book-lending center bag-o mag interior decorate.
Comment from: al [Member]
03/20/06 @ 19:14
ENCYCLOPEDIAS, ENCYCLOPEDIAS, ENCYCLOPEDIAS
Noah is having all the fun in book collecting, but we have our moments, too.
It still surprises us when people offer help – just like that, waay ti tama nga kiyaw-kiyaw.
At the ALSA meeting last Sunday, we did a short briefing on CARE initiatives, and immediately after two ALSA dependables offered to donate their sets of encyclopedia.
JULIUS (TOTO) ALIPARO, ALSA VP-External, said he has 2 sets of encyclopedia "that have not been opened, still intact" – and he is donating them to CARE.
TING SILVA, who has been helping in the preparation for the April dinner-dance, also offered to donate his set of encyclopedia. We requested Ting to post something here in the Blog one of these days. We are looking forward to hearing from him.
To TOTO and TING, thank you very much. It warms our hearts that you gave your help so effortlessly.
Comment from: al [Member]
03/20/06 @ 19:31
dc,thanks for the Inquirer story.
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
03/20/06 @ 21:25
Another note of thanks to MS. GUIA MENDOZA, AL's friend who is our latest donor. THANK YOU, GUIA for your financial support to CARE.
Halin sa tanan nga taga- Alimodian: SALAMAT GID!
Comment from: al [Member]
03/21/06 @ 09:35
Comment from: dc [Visitor] • http://news.inq7.net/opinion/index.php?index=2&story_id=68430&col=75
03/05/06 @ 15:09
An inspiring article. Maybe some of the the DEAR volunteers get in touch with the mentioned program and tee up with some private sectors support. I am sure the DEAR program can use these resources.
Comment from: raki boy [Visitor]
03/09/06 @ 03:17
DEAR in Guimaras!!! DEAR in Guimaras!!!
http://www.panaynews.com.ph/archives/2006/0308/news11.htm
________
dc and raki boy:
THE DEAR VOLUNTEERS NEED VOLUNTEERS TO HELP THEM.
Kung may tiempo kamo (kay daw pigado gid kami), perhaps you can review the above articles and let us know:
(1) how we can apply these initiatives to Alimodian
(2) the resources offered by the promotors kang programs, and the names and addresses of people and organizations we need to get in touch.
The Guimaras "Basa Para sa Bata" -- a reading and remediation program conducted by school teachers and community reading volunteers (CRVs)-- is supported by the Save the Children Federation, Inc.
The "Mentoring the Mentors Program" is an "Education Revolution" initiative of the Foundation for Worldwide People Power (FWWPP). The author of the article, Eugenia Duran Apostol, is the organizer and, if I am not mistaken, (still) the executive director of the organization. For whatever it is worth, we have good friends who are good friends of Ms. Apostol. The konek, no matter how roundabout, might be of some use.
SALAMAT, dc and raki boy.
Comment from: noah montenegro [Visitor]
03/21/06 @ 10:21
Thank you dc and raki boy, for your input.you give us a good idea about this "Basa Para sa Bata" of Guimaras,that supported by Save the children foundation. Save The Children Foundation is based in Westport Connecticut,it's very much easier for us to contact them and discuss this idea of DEAR. it's even easier in my part to stop by to their office, and present the DEAR program,and ask their support. I'll discuss this Idea to Manang Angiol,Nang Lei and-to Ray then we'll go from there.
Salamat gid dc and raki boy
Noah
Comment from: al [Member]
03/21/06 @ 21:23
Save the Children usually works through established institutions, e.g., local government units and school systems. I won't be surprised if it is involved in the Early Child Development (ECD) program in Alimodian.
But kung makaliha ka, Noah, nali gusto mo agyan kag mamangkot-mangkot. We know your charms always work.
What I am thinking of is finding out how the "Basa Para sa Bata" is conducted, by way of determining if we can have a similar initiative in Alimodian. It can be done WITHOUT financing from Save the Children (though I am not exactly sure what the nature of its involvement is).
We are not talking rocket science here. The idea is very simple -- public school teachers joining efforts with community volunteer readers to improve the reading skills of children. How complicated is that? Kag ano nga kapital gid ang kinahanglan para magbasa sa kabataan? Commitment, time, kag laway -- all of which should be in abundant supply in Alimodian.
The question is: why are not we doing it?
Comment from: noah montenegro [Visitor]
03/22/06 @ 05:49
one of these days I'll drop by at their headquarters in Westport,and find out how they can help us.
Noah
Comment from: al [Member]
03/22/06 @ 09:43
CHILDREN’S BOOKS
To those of you who travel outside the country, especially to Western and Eastern Europe, next time check out children’s books. An English edition is almost always available. Sometimes you discover treasures.
Almost one and a half years ago, on a trip to Russia, I brought home a dozen or so copies of a fairytale book that I bought from $10 to $13 a piece from street hawkers (they cost more in bookstores). I gave them away to a couple of adults (it was that kind of children’s book) and to children of friends and relatives.
As we all know, Russia has an entrenched literary tradition. Every other street in Russia is named after a poet or a novelist; Pushkin statues are all over the place; the country has an enduring tradition of children’s theatre.
When we started talking about the DEAR reading sessions this year, I thought it would be nice to have some copies of the book for the children of Alimodian. Mayha man ako nga bawi-on ang mga kopya kang libro nga gin ta-o ko sa mga bata kang Alimodiananon didya sa Amerika, so I checked out Amazon and E-bay for copies of the book. The book was widely available, but it was selling from $22 (US-based, used) to $124 (France-based, used), not including shipping charges. .
The title of the book is: Russian Fairy Tales: Palekh Painting. Published in 2000 and translated by Paul Williams, it is a collection of 19 beloved Russian fairy tales, all beautifully illustrated by Palekh artist Alexei Orleansky. It is a treasure.
If anyone has the time to look for the book on the wide world of Web and find cheaper copies, please let us know.
Comment from: al [Member]
03/23/06 @ 06:36
NETWORKING
“Pahinungod” is an outreach program of the University of the Philippines. It has been around for quite a while. The first e-mail below is from the former head of the program at UP Visayas (Miagao). The second is from the head of the program itself at the UP System (Diliman).
In the Philippines it has become axiomatic now that the only way we can make a dent in the country’s problems is through private efforts of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). So instead of complaining why the country is like this or like that, EVERYONE should roll up their sleeves and do SOMETHING. You forfeit your right to complain if you do not do your part in helping solve the problems you are complaining about.
__________
I am glad to hear of your friend's plan to contact Pahinungod folks re Alimodian project. I am no longer UPV Pahinungod Director but am quite active with VOICE, a network of volunteer organizations put up together with Dr. Dalisay.
Sure, I am willing to help. Alimodian is just 40 minutes away from the city and I have good working relationship with some leaders there including the current Mayor. You may give her/him my email address and my cell phone.
RUBEN GAMALA
__________
I think your involvement in the books project is wonderful and highly laudable. A cousin of mine has something like that in Malabon. She actually has scholars and also has a library for the children. I will donate copies of Time and Reader's Digest. Am putting them together presently. We really have to do something for the children of our country. Tell me more about it and maybe I can also donate some books.
I am head of the Pahinungod program of U.P. and as such am very much involved with the Gurong Pahinungod program. Actually, in April, I will be in Los Banos for three days. The new volunteers will be oriented and trained and the old volunteers (last year's) will share their experiences with the new. It is heartwarming to be able to be a part of this noble endeavor.
LYD RODRIGUEZ-ARCELLANA
Comment from: al [Member]
03/23/06 @ 10:37
E-mail:
I'd like to donate books, as I've said before. Let me know my next step. Thanks.
ART VELOIRA
New York City
Comment from: jc1988 [Visitor]
03/23/06 @ 10:46
sa diin ko e drop and my books..kay raku ang mga magazines ko didya.... especially Nursing journals and Children books.
Comment from: jc1988 [Visitor]
03/23/06 @ 10:47
ooops.. typo.. sa diin ko e drop ang mga books...
Comment from: RaymondAlturaDeza [Visitor]
03/23/06 @ 12:52
Kun sa Souther California ikaw pls let me know so we can arrange something.
Comment from: RaymondAlturaDeza [Visitor]
03/23/06 @ 13:09
Hi, JC1988! (Sorry, more details...)
Thanks in advance for helping.
We are starting with children's books first - Pre-school to High school - so please hold the journals for later.
My email address:
alimodian@gmail.com
Regards
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
03/24/06 @ 19:29
SALAMAT GID sa kay Nong Nani and Nang Shirley (Mr. & Mrs. Nacianceno Lisondra) from Philadelphia for sending a $100 check to support the DEAR program.
Nang Shirley's message:
"Enclosing a check of $100.00 for a worthy cause. We can always make a difference in a small way. Good luck and hope that others will do the same. Regards to all."
Comment from: al [Member]
03/24/06 @ 20:33
FROM MAAN
"KATHY BERTSCH, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was checking out this morning when she saw the donation jar for the DEAR program in the lobby. She asked for information about it and then wrote a check for $25. She said she would be dropping books in the next few weeks on her way to Rapid City . I gave her this website addresss for her to check out the DEAR program."
To KATHY, thanks a lot for your spontaneous generosity to the children in a small town halfway around the globe that most likely you had not heard of until today. Sometime in the near future we hope you drop by Maan's hotel to check on the progress of our initiatives.
And thanks also to our kasimanwa in South Dakota for setting up the DEAR donation jar in the hotel where she works.
Maan, you ROCK!
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
03/25/06 @ 06:43
Maan, thank you for your "DEAR JAR" initiative in South Dakota.
Anyone who might want to DUPLICATE this?
Comment from: al [Member]
03/25/06 @ 09:04
Speaking of duplicating, below is the announcement in Noah's poster than you can copy (of course, with the appropriate revision):
PLEASE DONATE BOOKS
Noah Montenegro is happy to accept donation of used books for his hometown in the Philippines.
The books will be shipped to the Philippines to be used in a book-lending and “Drop Everything and Read” (DEAR) programs. The book-lending program will supplement the inadequate collections of the town and school libraries. The DEAR program will encourage young people to develop a lifelong habit of reading through “reading sessions” conducted by adult volunteer “readers.”
Thus, your generous donation will be put into valuable use; you will be contributing to the nourishment of the “life of the mind” of young people in a small town halfway around the globe that most likely you have not heard of.
Books and educational DVDs that can be used by pre-school to high-school level ages are preferred.
If you need the books to be picked up, just call the Darien Post Office at 203-655-2595 and ask for Noah Montenegro. He will be happy to schedule with you a convenient time for pick-up.
Thank you very much for your generosity.
Comment from: al [Member]
03/25/06 @ 11:21
E-mail:
"Yes, the recipient of Amy's donation of used encyclopedia is CARE's Book-Lending Program. The complete volumes are in our garage and need to be boxed up. I'll let you know when the boxes are ready for pick-up/delivery.
"More power to you & all the wonderful human beings who CARE."
Ting
__________
Again, thanks a lot to TING and AMY SILVA for their generous donation
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
03/28/06 @ 20:13
I have the check from SILFIDE ANAPE. Salamat gid sa imo nga bulig. We're for the same cause.
Comment from: al [Member]
03/29/06 @ 22:51
From: FR. GIL ALINSANGAN, Rector of the St. Paul Seminary, Cavite, Philippines:
"I have just read your note on CARE. Certainly, I am most willing to help. I am going home to Alimodian . . . and will ask our sister-in-law Baby about the initiative. I owe this to Mae and of course the people in Lawod.
"Regards to the Alimodiananons."
Our deep appreciation to Fr. Gil.
Comment from: al [Member]
03/30/06 @ 10:29
E-mail from a friend (indi taga-Alimod):
"Books galore from the western seabord. May at least 2 balikbayan boxes na puwedeng mapuno to the brim. Nahuli ka pa nga nang lagay na yan. When we arrived here last year, de crowded na crowded at books overflow nga ang drama. So ang full set ng encyclopedia e binigay ko sa kapitbahay na may dalawang tigiting apo. Tigiti means mala kindergarten ang edad. That was before I discovered the Daly City library. At ke dami ko ding nai-unload sa Daly City Library. Mas deserving naman ang Alimodian kesa dito."
ROWENA MEDINA LUMEN
Daly City, California
Comment from: al [Member]
03/31/06 @ 06:34
E-mail from a friend (indi taga-Alimod): After reading it nga sabi ko:what if each of the 7 million overseas Pinoys just send one book/magazine/etc. to 'Pinas and the books get donated sa lahat ng mga barangays, baka wala tayong naeelect na Erap/Ate Glue-type of politicians. In our barangay in Bicol,which is just 3 kilometers away from the poblacion, there's nothing to read in the barangay hall. More power! MON YAN Manila, Philippines
Comment from: Dude [Visitor]
03/31/06 @ 13:34
Musta, Pisaraand kasimanwa's!
As you can see above, donations are pouring in even from people halfway across the world who have never heard of Alimodian. Therefore, Help is already available. What we need are volunteers to implement in Alimodian and kids to benefit from it Isn't that a COOL concept? Like AL says: Proactive. If only all the problems in the world were that way...
We want to make it clear to our kasimanwa's that if they need reading materials and are willing to take care of them (so others may use benefit, too), we will do our best to provide the materials.
Remember CARE is a non-government, non-partisan, non-denominational, non-profit movement, by private Alimodian citizens who care. It is NOT even a project of any Alimodian Association abroad, although ALSA is very kind to "erect" this public bulletin board.
Waay ti pinilian dia, naka-sapatos o nilas, o bitas nilas na, taga-assumption sa 'Lilo o taga Ugbo elementary school... basta taga-alimodian, puede ka-huram ka libro.
Though this Blog, we hope that you and the other Bloggers who obviously have the advantage of Internet access can put that advantage to work by speading the word, or better yet volunteering.
My final words:
The success of this program really depends upon volunteers and beneficiaries. Ano mahimo namun kun uyon namun mabulig pay waay ti kinahanglan bulig?
Comment from: ako man lang [Visitor]
03/31/06 @ 16:32
Kon waay ti nagakinahanglan sa Alimods, daw may interesado man to sa BICOL. Ku-on ni MON YAN barangay hall nanda waay ti barasahon.
Comment from: Noah [Visitor]
03/31/06 @ 17:29
OOps nadura si mamay mu, nagtuhaw si ako man lang. unahon ta anay ang aton sa Alimodian. I'm sure raku gid ang may gina kinahanglan ka bulig.kag sigurado gid ako na may mga taho na gina appreciate gid nanda ang mani na kawsa, bisan ang iba naga criticize.
Comment from: al [Member]
03/31/06 @ 18:47
ano nga nadura?
Comment from: Noah [Visitor]
03/31/06 @ 20:02
Ti! ano dya Nang Angiol may sangka balik bayan box ro man dya sa garahe ko naga hulat para ipadala sa aton kabata-an sa Alimodian.
Comment from: al [Member]
03/31/06 @ 20:18
Indi gid naga mara ang tuburan sa Salngan ba.
Di ipadara ta -- or we wait for another para darwa ka box (not that it matters).
Sa Darien Post Office tuburan lang dya?
Will get back to you about other things ASAP.
Comment from: Noah [Visitor]
03/31/06 @ 20:30
okay mas mani kong mga apat ro man ka Box hulat-hulaton ta lang Nang. siguro another few weeks. sadya gid dya rako ron naga collect ka libro,kag e donate malipay gid ang mga taho sa Alimodian kay gina dumdum ta gid sanda. kabay pa nga si "Pisara" kag "si ako man lang" magbulig gid sa kausa nga dia.
Comment from: al [Member]
04/01/06 @ 08:00
ALIMODIAN VOLUNTEERS
ELVIE ALLIN CASORLA now has a copy of the CARE primer, and hopefully can start organizing a volunteer group in Binalud very soon.
PAT TOLENTINO ALINGASA, who until recently was involved with the local ECD program, has indicated her desire to help with CARE initiatives.
We welcome Elvie and Pat to the fold of CARE.
Comment from: al [Member]
04/01/06 @ 12:04
NETWORKING
Since we started CARE, we have networked with friends, Romans, and countrymen, primarily to educate ourselves on Gawad Kalinga-type initiatives in the Philippines. Somewhere out there is someone who knows something about the ABCs of either volunteerism or sources of resources.
We devote space here to their comments in the hope that those who read them will learn something. This is one of the ways we move forward – by learning from one another. Kung magpungko ka lang sa baid bilog nga adlaw, paugat lang ang paabuton mo. ("Ikaw bala naga paugat lang sa imo nga pulungkoan?" This is an expression I learned for the first time only a few days ago; can’t resist using it here.)
The following are a couple of recent network e-mail:
From: NANCY CRUZ, Little Rock, AR
Has any group from Alimodian ever requested for book donations from the World Bank in Washington, DC?
Shortly before we left Bethesda, MD I am not sure how I got to talking to the Lady President of the World Bank Auxillary Organization. She was looking for a group in Manila that would receive and distribute a container of books donated and shipped by the World Bank. She did not want to deal with the Rotary or the Lion's Club since she thought the books only got distributed in Metro Manila or well-to-do areas. She wanted another group that would distribute the books to other provinces, outlying areas. The problem was finding a big warehouse as a temporary holding place for the books in Manila and someone or group who would take the initiative. I tried to help her but I got into a stumbling block.
I just remembered why I talked to the World Bank Auxiliary Group. I have heard about the book project. Sokoloff was getting rid of the journals in our laboratory library. I proposed to him that I would find a way to ship them to UP College Medicine in Manila. It did not work out with the World Bank but the UPMASA eventually took care of it – we sent through them ~100 boxes of various journals in biomed, biochem, neurology, etc. The librarian and the MD contact person sent us a photo perusing a journal and the stack of journals behind them to prove the donations were intact!
If this World Bank Book project is still ongoing, the request for the books (can be specified) has to originate from Iloilo or other town that is in need of such a resource.
It is worth calling the World Bank in DC.
_____________
AL: We are talking "containers" here, I presume. Wow, 100 boxes to UPMSA. I cannot even imagine it.
___________
NC: Yes, it is a container of books! It need not go through the local government. Any group of teachers from a school, for instance, or any civic group from the town can make the request to the World Bank. Just that the request has to be initiated from the Philippines. It is worth a try.
_________
From: CARLOS HINAYON c/o MON YAN
Nang ako'y tumiwalag sa World Bank nuong unang panahon, may munting salusalo na ihahandog sana sa akin. Sinabi ko na ibigay na lang ang salapi na gagamitin doon sa World Bank-IMF Filipino Association Book Project (programang katulad ng nabanggit).
Maraming mga munting proyektong na nagagawa nguni't ika'y tumpak na ang mga ito'y kulang na kulang!
__________
AL:
KUNG NAGAPAMATI ANG MGA DISTRICT SUPERVISORS SA ALIMODIAN, WELL, HERE IT IS, THE WORLD BANK AS A RESOURCE FOR BOOKS. YOU MIGHT WANT TO GIVE THIS A TRY; YOU DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO LOSE. WE HAVE OUR HANDS FULL WITH CARE SO WE DO NOT HAVE THE TIME – OR THE RESOURCES – TO PURSUE THIS LEAD.
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
04/01/06 @ 22:26
Dr. Nap,dya ron ang sabat sa amo nga ginapangayo.
Comment from: al [Member]
04/03/06 @ 10:43
NETWORKING
We have received a nice note from PROF. RUBEN GAMALA, former director of UP Visayas Ugnayan ng Pahinungod.
The Ugnayan ng Pahinungod/Oblation Corps is a program of the University of the Philippines (system) that institutionalizes volunteerism among UP constituencies – faculty, staff, students, alumni, and units and organizations they represent – through free services in the geographic and substantive areas of greatest needs in the Philippines.
Ruben is now regional coordinator for Visayas of the Voluntary Organizations Information, Coordination and Exchange (VOICE), a network of volunteer organizations. Described by a mutual friend as the “quintessential volunteer,” he is a leading light in volunteerism, not only in the Visayas region but in the whole country, in fact.
Ruben is familiar with Alimodian, and says he has “good working relationship with some (of its) leaders.”
Here is part of Ruben’s note:
“Yes, I am willing to help . . . Please let me know the specific tasks and roles which I would be able to help you. I would be honored to be of help to . . . your group, CARE. “
The honor is ours. We are deeply grateful for Ruben’s generous offer to share his substantial knowledge and experience in volunteerism as we move forward with our very modest initiatives.
Comment from: al [Member]
04/05/06 @ 11:39
THE LATEST FROM OUR ONE-MAN BOOK DRIVE IN CONNECTICUT
This is another exciting news.
The Waveny Mansion in New Canaan, CT, is having a book sale starting tomorrow and ending on Saturday. On Monday they will give away the remaining books for free. Lee, who is one of the staff running the sale, stopped by and talked to me today. On Sunday they will open the Waveny Mansion for me so that I can have the luxury of selecting as many books as I want with out any interruption, because on Monday there might be hundreds of people who will come over and help themselves to the books.
This is a good news for our children in Alimodian. I hope more people will come forward and offer their help for a good cause like the CARE/DEAR program.
NOAH
_________
For the nth time, thanks a lot, Noah. With you, wonders never cease.
Comment from: al [Member]
04/05/06 @ 21:32
Thanks to PEGGY ANDRAL, secretary at the Darien (CT) Post Office, who also serves as de facto DEAR/CARE secretary of our book drive (LOL).
Noah says "Peggy is a big help to me. She loves our program."
We have e-mailed Peggy to tell her we appreciate very much her kind assistance to Noah.
Also we have thanked via e-mail LEE CUSHMAN, of New Canaan, CT, for inviting Noah to help himself to the remainder books after the book sale at the Maveny Mansion this weekend.
We are lucky to have people like Peggy and Lee help us in the unending task of collecting books, books, and more books.
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
04/08/06 @ 23:04
I also would like to thank Gina Doza and some staff from Spaulding who collected books for our DEAR program.
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
04/10/06 @ 00:25
HOT PANAWAGAN!
Nag- abot ron ang libro sa Alimodian. Michelle and Mariel need volunteers to cover and catalog the books. May mga T-shirts man nga gin ta-o ka Iloilo Supermart... First come, first serve" ang mga T-shirts!
RAD is there too. We will launch the DEAR program very soon. Nong Reying Sacuevo, Gema Aguilar Guanco and Iyo Rizal Amarillo are there too, among others.
kon sin-o ang gusto magbulig or volunteer your relatives back home nga mag volunteer para sa mga bata.
Comment from: NoahMontenegro [Visitor]
04/10/06 @ 20:07
town of New Canaan Connecticut, responded the CARE/DEAR appeal.the Waveny Mansion of New Canaan Connecticut,donated 5 Balikbayans of mostly Children books for the Children of Alimodian. our volunteer friends at the Mansion, help me select books some are still unuse.Manang Angiol email theme her wish list a day before the sale, and most of her wish list was carefully selected by some volunteers and put it in the boxes.we're lucky to have an access to the places like New Canaan,Westport,and Darien. Greenwich also love to give us books, I'm still working for it.these boxes of books are now in my Garage ready to be ship. manang Angiol will write these Ladies at Waveny Mansion to thank their help, and support to our program.also they might be giving boxes of pencils,pad papers and crayons I'm still negotiating for it. dugang sa HOT PANAWAGAN NI MANANG LEILA!!! we need more CASH for the shipment of our books. Check is good but we prefer CASH or MONEY order. kong alang-alang gid checki baton man, padara lang kay manang Angiol o kay Manang Leila. salamat gid halin sa CARE/DEAR group. U.S.A
sa guihapon,
Noah
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
04/11/06 @ 08:40
Noah, such a noble deed! Pasalamat gid kita sa mga tawo nga naga bulig sa aton project. Noah, you're one in a million!
Comment from: NoahMontenegro [Visitor]
04/12/06 @ 06:07
Thanks for a very kind words Manang,the CARE/DEAR message alone, and it's motive is more than enough to attract many supporters. it's a very good cause and anybody who knows about it loves the idea.no wonder we have so many supporters.in this case, it's not about the messenger,it's about the message it's self.to all our Kasimanwa out there, spread the word. this is one in a million project that helps a lot of children in our town.
Noah
Comment from: al [Member]
04/12/06 @ 19:16
Give it ten (maybe even just five)years -- i-induct si Noah nga dya sa hall of fame of "Unforgettable Characters of Alimodian."
If Connecticut does not beat us to it.
Comment from: noah montenegro [Visitor]
04/12/06 @ 20:31
L-O-L that's a good one Nang Angiol,daw nag lapad man talinga ko ba! I don't need recognition.as what mrs.Lee Cushman of Darien said: "just love to help"
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
04/13/06 @ 00:02
CARE acknowledges the generous financial support given by:
AGNES (Neneng Alcudia) and RUDY ALFECHE
and
CARMELA (Bingbing Dagdag) and JULIUS CABLAS
Salamat gid. This will go a long way to help out the younger generation of Alimodian.
Comment from: al [Member]
04/16/06 @ 19:01
We thank the CARE Alimodian volunteers who have been helping M&M process the first batch of books that have arrived in Alimod(covering the books with plastic and sticking borrower forms at the back). These young people will also help implement our book-lending and DEAR programs. We appreciate a lot their hard work and commitment. They are:
JUDY GRACE CANONERO
MARY JANE ONALE AMAGUIN
FRANCIS ALMIRA
HETZEL QUIA
AMELYN QUIA
NINA XIAMINA ALGER
Comment from: al [Member]
04/16/06 @ 20:30
Noah has just sent three (3) balikbayan boxes of books, two(2) of which are all children's books.
They are expected to arrive in Alimodian in 4 to 6 weeks.
His first shipment of four (4) balikbayan boxes should be in Alimodian end of April or early May.
LCA has a boxful collected from Spaulding that is ready to go, too.
Thanks to the folks in Connecticut and at Spaulding (MA) for the books, our donors whose contributions will defray the shipping expenses, and, of course, to Noah and LCA.
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
04/17/06 @ 01:28
Rosalyn, I have enough copies of the DVD for you to bring back to ALSACAN. If you are a blogger and can't be there, just let me know through this site and I'll mail it to you.
Comment from: noah montenegro [Visitor]
04/17/06 @ 06:37
Dr. Victor(Digol) Amantillo a good friend and my high school classmate sign up to be a CARE/DEAR supporter. solid ron ang Lawud.
Comment from: al [Member]
04/17/06 @ 16:16
From: NELIDA (BABY) ALDERETE-ONG, of Quezon City, Philippines
(The projects')noble intention is most welcome. I'm happy your group had thought of this; you will make our townmates happy and grateful.
When I visit Alimodian (I am in . . . this April), I will check the primary needs of your projects and will make them the bases of my support.
___________
We thank Nelid for her words of encouragement, and look forward to her involvement in CARE's projects.
Comment from: al [Member]
04/18/06 @ 09:48
Most of the time we do not think of children – unless they happen to be our own and our family’s, or we know them for some reason.
We tend to think of kids either as “cute,” “guapa,” ”guapo,” or, as someone once described them in this Blog, “sip-onon, sayod bayo na kag may gisi pa, kag waay ti nelas.”
We are wont to define children by how they look and how they are dressed. Rarely do we think of the children we see on the streets simply as God’s children with potentials to become whatever they want to be when they grow up.
I encourage everyone to go to RAD’s Holy Week photos on:
http://community.webshots.com/album/549563270TDohML
Among them are a couple of shots of some children of Alimodian. Linger for a few moments and look at their young faces. They are filled with stories already told and stories yet to come. You may recognize your childhood selves in some of them. Or they may teach you a thing or two.
Comment from: RaymondAlturaDeza [Visitor] • http://community.webshots.com/album/549683490kLEQBH
04/20/06 @ 21:13
During our trip to Seven Cities, we were also able to speak about DEAR and book-lending with the following:
Mr Dominador Macaya, Kagawad, Lico and our host
Ms Imelda Canaya, Teacher, Cabacanan Proper
Ms Analie Calambro, Teacher, Cabacanan-Rizal
Mr Tito Calibayan, Kagawad, Manasa.
We met the latter three in Cabacanan proper and enjoyed tinanuk nga saging with them at Ms Canaya's home.
They like the idea and only main concern is, "Ti basi ma-guba ang libro bay? Basi mamaraydan kami?" So I explained that wear and tear of books is OK, no big deal. Of course, it would be to their best interest to take care of books so we can lend them more.
Comment from: noah montenegro [Visitor]
04/21/06 @ 10:53
what a wonderful thing you did Toto Ray. that only shows, that the DEAR group CARES a lot. bisan pera pa ka bukid ang tukadon kag lagbayon,suba na tabukon, basta maka bulig lang. I hope you won't forget to stop by sa Dalid kag mag enjoyed ka tinanuk na Kamuti kag Kulabo na Niyog. problema you need an advanced reservation kay wa-ay ti taho didto. keep up a good job -To Ray, say Hi! to manong Tiyoy for me.
Comment from: noah montenegro [Visitor]
04/23/06 @ 12:10
The CARE DVD is now available,pls.call Manang Lei to order.this DVD contains the kind of penetrating truth of our Alimodian heritage,that usually found in a old europe.the transformation of the old days into a modern days.we enjoy those black and white pictures,classic outfits,and a nice hairdo's. at the end,you will feel not only crying but proud of your self of being a part of it.we love it, we enjoy it,I indorse it.it's worthy.I feel this DVD to be a significant addition to my children's collection.I'm sure you will feel the same.
Comment from: al [Member]
04/24/06 @ 10:12
UPDATE FROM CARE ALIMODIAN
FR. GIL ALINSAGAN dropped by M&M’s and Michelle showed him the book-lending operation. He said “books will not be a problem” (hopefully this means he will help in the book drive) but said the venue we are thinking of in Lawod might have a space problem.
Taga-La Wood volunteers – abi, buligi ninyo si Tundal kag si Baby on this issue (if it is indeed a problem).
The books from CHUCHI QUIZON, AL’s friend in Manila, have arrived via the postal service.
Thanks, Chuchi, for your support.
RAYMOND ALTURA DEZA has donated office supplies – pens, markers, staplers, pencils, etc. -- and children’s books.
Thanks, RAD, for this and the rest of it.
Comment from: al [Member]
04/25/06 @ 07:48
From CHUCHI QUIZON, who sent a box of books, some of which are art books:
You're welcome. It is my pleasure to be of help to the upliftment of our next generation. (Sounds like Imelda Marcos in her heyday.)
Sana nga may makinabang at maging Amorsolo o Juan Luna sa mga batang Alimodian.
10/20/07 @ 08:14Comment from: al [Member]
04/25/06 @ 14:09
Thanks a lot to FREDEN NIKA ANGELITUD, who donated some story books to CARE Alimodian.
We hope to meet Freden someday to thank her personally.
(Hmm . . . interesting name.)
In the Gallery, LCA has said thanks to MAAN, who brought to the NJ affair the proceeds from the DEAR jar she put up at the lobby of her hotel in South Cakota.
Maan said she simply put up a small poster with a picture of a couple of Filipino children "nga naga tuwang-tuwang." Apparently, Maan's photographic gimmick worked.
Nah, the hotel guests contributed to the DEAR jar because they liked Maan.
Thanks again, Maan.
Comment from: al [Member]
04/27/06 @ 10:44
NOEL aka RAKI BOY
Nali gusto ng high school class ninyo i-adopt ang
Sulong/Sinamay CARE initiatives?
This would be more or less the ACES class also, meaning, pag ACES grand reunion next year, your class can claim a meaningful contribution in honor of our Alma Mater.
Just a suggestion.
Michelle says she is waiting for the Sulong barangay captain to drop by so she could brief her on the book-lending operation.
It is important to remember that since this initiative is new to the people in Sulong/Sinamay, we will basically have to lead them by the hand.
Kung kinahanglan mamalay-malay ang volunteers para "i-encourage" ang bata nga manghuram kang libro kag ang mader kag pader manghuram man para i-bedtime story sa anda bata or to read themselves, we should do it.
Waay ti mehora kung mahulat kita nga ma-adto kusa ang mga bata sa library. They do not know any better. On a Saturday once a month (or whatever), dapat tiripunon sanda ka ria para sa reading sessions or maski just to watch a DVD and afterwards talk about what they have watched. May juice and cookies nga incentive.
Kag ang mga mader kag pader, dapat isa-isahon ron
"i-encourage" kang mga volunteers. The library will have adult books, too, so they can set examples to their children by getting library cards themselves.
The volunteers will need to work on this over and over again for however long it takes until maanad ang mga tawo. That is why we need lots of volunteers -- among others so there is a sense of this being a community effort of taga-Sulong/Sinamay.
We will be with the volunteers every step of the way.
Comment from: raki boy [Visitor]
04/28/06 @ 02:11
I will talk to our former classmates in Sulong/Sinamay area.
Nightingale, aton ron ja toka...
I'll keep you posted. Regards.
Comment from: NoahMontenegro [Visitor]
04/28/06 @ 10:12
ANCHS Class of '81 will set as an example of CARE/DEAR program headed by "RakiBoy" Noel Robles and "Nightingale"Angeles Amoyan, supported by Dr.Victor(Digol)Amantillo, me,and all of class '81. adviser: Angiol Loredo and Leila Amarra,consultant: Cirilo (Celong) Caparanga Jr.Raymund-To Ray Deza and Michelle Loredo.
Good Luck RakiBoy and Neneng Elis,we're here when you need us.
Comment from: al [Member]
04/28/06 @ 18:25
CARE IN BINALUD
Thanks a lot to the Casorlas -- Elvi (Alli) and Dooy -- who will set up and administer a book-lending operation in Binalud.
We encourage ang mga taga-Binalud to sign up as volunteers with Dooy and Elvi.
Good luck.
Comment from: al [Member]
04/28/06 @ 18:41
CARE IN THE CLASSROOM
CARE Alimodian is lending reference and other reading materials to teachers, especially those assigned in the barrios, who need to use them in their classrooms.
Kung kaisa the teachers do not have visual aids to help students understand the lesson that is being discussed. For example, in science class, when mentioning the “microscope,” sometimes the teacher does not have a picture of a
microscope around.
We are sure that among the books that have arrived or are on the way to Alimodian there is a picture of a microscope – and a host of other pictures that can be used as teaching aids.
We are trying to send a wide range of books to cater to children as well as adults who read for pleasure/leisure. They can be borrowed or read in the premises of the learning centers (if space permits).
We are also hoping to build a collection of DVDs as we continue with our book/educational materials drive. Actually, there are a million and one things we would like to do. For example, NOAH is working on his usual daw tuburan sa Salngan sources in Connecticut for donation of pencils, crayons, etc. We are sure the students in Alimodian, especially in the barrios, can use them.
Comment from: nightingale [Member]
04/29/06 @ 19:33
Hi, I had been trying my best, you know what? catching up, I hope I am really all over the place.
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
05/03/06 @ 09:27
HOT PANAWAGAN raman:
We're starting DEAR very soon. PLease have the kids registered through "BALABAW", the internet Cafe owned and managed by Michelle Loredo. We have Tshirts for kids, libre snacks pa. They can also borrow books. The first set of books we sent home is ready for anyone to borrow.
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
05/03/06 @ 09:44
A BIG THANK YOU to:
*GARY AND KATHY BERTSCH of Sioux Falls, SD for their monetary donation to CARE through our energetic kasimanwa and DEAR activist ALMA "Maan" NAVARRO.
*ALMA "MAAN" NAVARRO and her "Confort Inn" guests for their monetary donation and actively recruiting for our program.
*ROSALYN BALOLOT COWARD for her monetary donation and being an active blogger.
* MYRNA ALICER for her monetary donation and for having the whole ALICER CLAN actively participate in all Alimodiananon activities.
Comment from: al [Member]
05/03/06 @ 18:14
FROM DR. RIZALITO AMARILLO
Today I received a nice, long letter from Dr. Rizalito Amarillo, of Hagerstown, MD, who has just come back from Alimodian.
Before he left, I told Dr. Amarillo about the sorry state of the municipal library, by way of briefing him on the objectives of CARE/DEAR. (See the Gallery for pictures of the municipal library.) He probably thought that CARE was aiming to improve the physical facilities of the library because he visited the library twice and described at great lengths the termite infestation and its generally inhospitable condition. He feels very strongly about the library in part because many years ago when he was living in Sharpsburg, West Virgina, he was president of the town library, and through his leadership the library grew from a modest operation into a roaring success, so successful that the mayor of the town wanted him to continue serving on the board even after he left town. Somewhere in this Blog I had also recounted his story about getting a subscription to the National Geographic Magazine for the town library many years ago, but stopped it when he discovered that the magazines were stored away instead of being made available for reading to the Alimodian library users.
Anyway, here is part of Dr. Amarillo's letter:
“Granting that the so-called library is free of termites, it is not suited for reading. The public has a small table with small chairs – 3 on each side and 1 on each end. When 3 adults are sitting side-by-side, they will be hitting one another’s elbows. If the person is heavy-set and has a big buttock, when he/she gets up, the chair will rise, too, because he/she has to squeeze into it to sit down.
“The librarian has no assistant. If she leaves during business hours, she closes the library.
There is no indoor restroom. The shelves are full and most books are old, except for the Encyclopedia Britannica. In one shelf there were issues of the Readers Digest from 1993 – 1995.
“There was no one (user) in the library when I visited twice. School children don’t go there during school days. The sign says, no food, drinks (there goes your snacks), no sleeping, and be quiet.
“It’s shameful that the town was able to have a beautiful church, nice plaza, good tennis and basketball courts, a cultural center, cemented streets lined with white stones and flowering plants, large, beautiful houses and cars by overseas workers, but cannot provide a decent place for a library, the centerpiece of information and learning.
“If the town can find a place to put up a library, I will not hesitate to start the ball rolling in contributing to the construction.
“There is no budget for the library. The town pays only the librarian salary and the subscription to a daily newspaper, ‘The Star.’ The librarian cannot do anything; it’s like taking care of an old person in a nursing home with poor facilities and no help.”
(Dr. Amarillo ended his description with a disclaimer: “My view about the library is solely my own and may not reflect the point of view of others. Exchange of ideas is always fruitful in evaluating the pros and cons of any subject.”)
Comment from: al [Member]
05/04/06 @ 22:16
DROP EVERYTHING AND READ (DEAR)
We are having preschoolers, ages 5 to 7, as participants in DEAR's first reading session at M&M's "Balabaw Cafe" on May 10th. (Or is it the 17th? Sorry, I forgot; will confirm later.)
We hope to expand to older age and grade-school levels as we enlist more volunteers, more books arrive in Alimodian, and we find better and other venues for the reading sessions.
While "reading" (a story or two) will be the staple of the DEAR session, we hope eventually to include such activities as drawing, watching educational DVDs, games, etc. There will also be fun activities during holidays like Halloween, Christmas, etc.
The general intent is to provide a learning and stimulating environment -- even for only an hour or two, but on a regular basis -- where, hopefully, young people learn to exercise their imagination, develop social skills through interaction with their peers, and build their self-esteem though nurturing by caring adults.
And this has to be done on a sustained basis because that is the only way you get results.
The DEAR program is basically a very low-maintenance initiative, it can be done practically anywhere, including under the lomboy tree when the weather is nice, and all that is really needed are caring adults who will volunteer an hour or two of their time to spend with the kids. CARE will lend the books/DVDs/games, make photocopies of the stories to be read, pay for or get someone to donate the snacks, and other related matters.
Anyone can organize a DEAR program anywhere -- in their neighborhood, school, or baranggay -- and there are no hard and fast rules to follow. Do whatever works. If you want CARE's help, just let us know and we will be there.
Comment from: al [Member]
05/04/06 @ 23:25
THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF ALIMODIAN
I said once that part of the reason why we are in CARE is because we owe it to the young people who do good things in Alimodian.
Young people like Judy Grace Canonero, Mary Jane Onale Amaguin, Francis Almira, Hetzel Quia, Amelyn Quia, and Nina Xiamina Alger, some of whom appear in the Gallery (CARE in Action) processing the books that have arrived in Alimodian.
I am sure there a lot more like them in Alimodian – young people who want to get involved in things bigger than themselves, who want their young lives to matter. RAD has said as much of some young people he met during his trip home.
I am also reminded of this by a young, thoughtful Alimodiananon (an occasional Blogger) who suggested:
“I wonder if we can tap the ANCHS student government, the Legion of Mary (if this young girls group still exists), the Singles for Christ, and other existing youth-oriented groups in town. I know they are searching for meaningful projects, too. Maybe we can request them to assist in the DEAR program. In my opinion, this would also be a new experience for them young folks that aside from teaching the kids to read, they would realize later on that they are also gaining new things. They can boost their self-confidence through this or develop better personalities through lively interactions with different age levels.”
We agree wholeheartedly. The experience will no doubt teach them people skills – how to communicate, how to listen, how to get along with their peers, etc. – that will prove useful in the rest of their lives.
The invitation is open to these young people.
Comment from: al [Member]
05/05/06 @ 22:37
UPDATE ON CARE ALIMODIAN
The first reading session of DEAR will be on Wednesday, 10 May, 9:00 am, at M&M's.
The kids will be given IDs, on the back of which their attendance will be recorded. When they attend X number of sessions, they get little prizes/awards. Also, no one is too young to get a library card to be able to borrow children's books from our collection.
Noah's first shipment of 4 balikbayan boxes arrived in Alimod yesterday. The second batch of 3 boxes, sent mid-April, should get there by the end of May (or earlier). He has 3 boxes that are ready to go. LCA has a box that is also ready to go (or has gone already); her first shipment of 2 boxes arrived weeks ago. I think RAD has sent a box that's on its way.
Slowly but surely we are getting somewhere, thanks to the untiring efforts of Noah, LCA, and RAD.
Thanks to the CARE volunteers for processing the books when they arrive in Alimodia.
Comment from: al [Member]
05/07/06 @ 00:37
THANKS A LOT, MARIE We would like to acknowledge with great appreciation the generosity of MARIE F.T. UHRICH, of Norwalk, Connecticut. A retired high school teacher, Marie has donated her science reference books to CARE, along with a check for $100. She told NOAH, to whom she made the donation, that she liked the idea of DEAR, and volunteered her help. Hambala, a total stranger, who in all likelihood had not heard of Alimodian until she met Noah, acting on her better angels just like that. Thanks a lot, Marie.
Comment from: al [Member]
05/07/06 @ 14:08
FROM ROSE ANGOSTURA-AGUILAR
Yesterday I also got a call from ROSE ANGOSTURA-AGUILAR, of Portland, Oregon.
She asked, “Ti, kumusta ron ang ATON project?”
It took me a few seconds to realize she was asking about CARE’s initiatives – and not about our ACES project, or about our ANCHS project (not that we have any), or ALSA’s, or AAA’s.
We have received similar encouraging feedback from other Alimodiananons since CARE started.
To most of you this may sound too silly to mention, but for some of us, the idea of Alimodiananons embracing CARE’s project as a community project – ATON – is a wonderful,nurturing thing.
Comment from: nightingale [Member]
05/07/06 @ 22:31
Hello Raki Boy,
I am still on vacation mood. However, I have not stopped and think before going into heavy duty work schedule. PLease keep me posted or just tell me what to do next since you are more in touch with the program.
------------------------------------------------
Hello Noah,
Ti daw nahidlaw man ta kanimo. Waay gid timo nagpakita. Anyway I know you are somewhere over the rainbow. I have not seen 1981.
------------------------------------------------
Comment from: NoahMontenegro [Visitor]
05/08/06 @ 12:01
I'm sorry Neng Elis, you know, halin nga nagpa picture ako sa mga Kaurumuls ka NYC daw na dura sarig ni misis ka nakon. amo ra nga wa-ay ako maka uli. labi na gid nga, na man-an na nga ang Tanza ay sa Iloilo. anyhow balita ko sadya gid ang aton re-union. I heard you screaming in the back ground when I'm talking to Dr.Digol. TI? chansa ron ka Class "81 dya nga ma pa fast forward ang DEAR. si Dodoy Erak to ga kasa-kasa gid,mag bulig. kag gina sarigan ka gid ka DEAR U.S.A nga mag bulig sa Sulong kag Sinamay.gusto gid ka grupo ang imo leadership, and being a very possitive thinker. by the way I saw your Picture with Erak and Toto Raymond. wa-ay ka gid ga lubad charismatic mangod ikaw. I miss you too. don't work hard. pls. get involve we need you.Classmate mo dya.
Noah
Comment from: Long [Visitor]
05/08/06 @ 18:07
Our thanks to Noli & Ramella (Alzate) Anino for their help with the DEAR program. Thank you gid migo Nol.
Comment from: NoahMontenegro [Visitor]
05/08/06 @ 18:42
slowly but surely green bucks is pouring in. thank you too, Ter Noli and Inday Ramella. Mr&Mrs Roel Anino basi gusto man mag bulig? open gid ang DEAR/CARE sa mga taho nga manami sang tagipusu-on kag naga balikid sa aton gin halinan.
Comment from: al [Member]
05/10/06 @ 13:38
UPDATE FROM CARE ALIMODIAN
We had our first DEAR session this morning (May 10th).
There were 23 participants. We invited only preschoolers, but some grades 3, 4, and 5 kids came. Apparently nag network ang mga bata, amo ria nga sumobra ang mga participants. Anyway, we accommodated all of them.
Two stories were read. However, before we could start on the second story, there was a “brownout,” so everyone sweated it out to the end of the reading session.
Today’s volunteer “readers” were FELIPE “Cadoy” QUIJANO III and VERLITO MEDINA.
Happily, our roster of volunteer readers is slowly expanding.
We will prepare for the next session and resume covering the books. We have already finished one box of the four from Manong Noah that arrived last week.
_______
WE WILL POST ON THE HOMEPAGE A LONGER DESCRIPTION OF THE DEAR SESSION AND SOME PICTURES AS SOON AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE.
Comment from: al [Member]
05/10/06 @ 17:35
MANY THANKS TO:
LOURDES ALCUDIA, of Alimodian, for her financial contribution to CARE.
We appreciate very much her support.
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
05/11/06 @ 14:47
Our hats off to all volunteers of CARE, Alimodian led by Michelle and Mariel LOREDO for such a noble act!
DEAR (Drop Everything And Read)launching is a great success. We wouldn't have done it without the young volunteers from our town.
We are calling Teacher-Retirees to help out in this rewarding program for kids. You can contact Zenaida Titular or Michelle and Mariel Loredo.
Salamat gid!
Comment from: al [Member]
05/11/06 @ 22:33
THERE IS NO CORRECT WAY OR WRONG WAY TO DO A DEAR SESSION.
Mariel's description in the homepage is only a variation on a theme.
Since the DEAR program is a volunteer effort, the volunteers can design the session anyway they want.
However, we think it is important that the program adopts some kind of a "structure," and be conducted on a regular basis.
Children are not adults, so they have not learned how to "riff" yet. They need consistency and predictability.
Little things that adults usually don't pay attention to mean a world to children. LCA has told me how one of the kids who attended yesterday's session insisted on passing by the house of Lola Viting to show off her DEAR ID card. It was the child's literal as well as emotional "identity."
Who knows what children think of themselves, of the adults around them, and of the world, in general?
The heart of the DEAR initiative is to open the world of reading to young children, but its collateral effect is probably just as important
-- interacting with other children in a safe learning and nurturing environment provided by caring mentors.
Even for only a couple of hours.
It beats letting them hang out idly at someone's house while their parents play mahjong until daybreak.
Comment from: al [Member]
05/12/06 @ 21:26
CARE IN CABACANAN
RAD made the initial contact on this during his trip home a few weeks ago, and the folks he talked with had since been briefed by CARE Alimodian on the book-lending and DEAR programs.
The volunteers hope to bring the books to Cabacanan sometime soon -- before the rainy season starts -- and on the day they go up there, hold a DEAR session.
To the young people in Alimodian who want to get involved in the Cabacanan effort -- and in the overall CARE initiatives -- please sign up with M&M.
We are sure the Cabacanan sortie will be an interesting experience, besides the fact that you will be helping the kids there. Talk about their world as being "remote," literally and figuratively. Books can take the children's imagination anywhere and everywhere, and you would help make that happen for them.
To the not-so-young folks, any form of assistance to the volunteers and/or little gifts to the children of Cabacanan will be much appreciated.
(Kung may naman-an kamo nga retired teachers nga naka-agi assigned sa Cabacanan -- or for that matter any adult who has connection there -- we will be grateful if you let us know.)
Comment from: al [Member]
05/13/06 @ 11:07
CHILDREN ARE CREATED EQUAL
Experts on child development know a lot more now about what children need to develop into “healthy” adults than they did when most of us Bloggers were growing up. There is a wealth of research out there to those who are interested.
Urie Bronfenbrenner, a Cornell University psychologist, has studied children’s development by looking at all the interactions they make in their lives – in their families, schools, churches, and communities, with playmates – including the effects of the economy, health system, and media (TV). For years Bronfenbrenner has predicted that the problems we used to associate only with “disadvantaged” children can also apply to children who grow up in what are normally thought of as “better” circumstances (i.e., in economic terms).
There have been studies that suggest that children’s linguistic developments appear to have less to do with the economic and educational status of their families than with the ways in which their parents communicate with them (expose them to “language,” so to speak) at an early age.
Reduced in simplistic terms, this means that children who grow up in what can be described as “materially disadvantaged” households but with parents who engage them in frequent and positive verbal communication – and, we might add, may only be able to afford simple games and toys but the kinds that engage children physically, intellectually, sensually, and emotionally – develop larger vocabularies and better verbal and analytical skills than, say, children with parents who have good paying jobs but are too busy they leave their kids in catatonic state in front of the television set all day and who are never home to read them bedtime stories, and whose idea of games is simply to buy the whole Toys R Us.
Every child is born with God-given potential.
A child in Cabacanan, who is nurtured by caring parents, teachers, and neighbors -- and soon by CARE/DEAR (sorry, couldn't resist the plug) -- has the same (even) chance to make it in life as the child growing up in Tanza.
Comment from: al [Member]
05/13/06 @ 13:24
ATTENDANCE LIST at DEAR's inaugural session on May 10, 2006
1. Gloreanne Joel Escaño
2. Aureanne Joel Escaño
3. Elysian Jude Amarillo
4. Shilotom Angelitud
5. Jeiah Silenie Chan
6. Chatlea Quiamco
7. Giankarlos Rodriguez
8. Kerry Waynes Cablas
9. Sheelah Mae Cagayao
10. Sheeba May Cagayao
11. Jona Marie Legaspi
12. Genesis Firmalino
13. Lei Gerryl Cablas
14. Mark Lester Ande
15. Elly John
16. Geminea Alonday
17. Starlyn Jonalee Alger
18. Godwin Lorkan Cala-or
19. Renante Escaner
20. Rodelyn Escaner
21. Joahnna Marie Amarillo
22. Karol Cirilo Alejo
23. Kenneth Escaner
24. Elliane Remdell Cañonero
25. Zoe Renee Rodriguez
26. Vanessa Escaño
It appears that 3 in the list had registered but nag-atras dayon, that is why 23 ang headcount when the reading actually started.
The session was supposed to be for preschoolers, but ang inimbita nga mga bagets nang-imbita man, which was fine, and so while we are sure the experience was nonetheless positive for older kids, we will try in succeeding sessions to have more or less the same age group attendees.
Since this was our inaugural DEAR session, we were just overjoyed that DEAR was finally taking off, and seeing the pictures of the kids and the young people who served as readers -- most if not all of whom we do not know personally -- have made us happy beyond words. They made us all very proud.
As for the mechanics of the session -- who attends, when and where to hold it, what to do, how to do it, why do it, etc. -- we expect to finetune them as we move along. There are no hard and fast rules, we accept comments and suggestions, and we expect to be improvising all the time.
Again, many thanks to our volunteers and the children who participated, and our generous donors who have supported DEAR in cash and in kind.
Comment from: michelle [Visitor]
05/15/06 @ 06:49
sadya ang first session namon diri sa Balabaw kang May 10. nag brownout pa halfway ka session pay sige lang. we need more volunteers kay ang mga bata excited mag reading session kada semana. kulang powers namon ti twice a month lang kaya namon.sige pa amon cover ka mga libro so indi gid kaya. mas mayo tani if damo mag volunteer kay kada week may reading para maseparate ang mga grade schoolers kag preschoolers.
we are praying wala bagyo next weekend para maka saka kami sa cabacanan.damo na nagpalista maupod kag help maski hatag lang ka pamahaw or lista ka names ka mga bata. may taga-uyat man ka illustration boards nga may mga drawings.
wish us luck here! rako mga bata! puro excited gid sila.
michelle
Comment from: RAD [Visitor]
05/15/06 @ 15:51
To DEAR Alimodian,
Congrats on the successful launching and thanks for all the hard work. We wish you more power.
Maybe after the Flores de Mayo, would some of the Cathechism teachers be able to help? That way may continuity; transition from religion to education but same teachers, same snacks?
Comment from: al [Member]
05/15/06 @ 19:38
MORE BOOKS, MORE VOLUNTEERS
1. Today Noah sent four (4) more balikbayan boxes of books, mostly children's. Altogether our one-man book drive wonder in Connecticut has sent 10 boxes since early March. Daw tuburan gid sa Salngan (in the good old days). If he were attending the DEAR session in Alimodian, he would surely get a lollipop as prize. But since didya tana, our heartfelt thanks to you, Noah. You are a treasure.
2. CARE does not have the resources to do a systematic volunteer recruitment in Alimodian, so Bloggers, please encourage your family, friends, and relatives to sign up as volunteers. Sa taga-Alimodian, waay ti naga pang-imbita personal, so indi na maghulat imbitahon pa -- just show up at M&M's and ask, "what can I do to help?" Hindi mag mayha-mayha. There is something for you to do -- and it will go a long way. Nothing is too small or insignificant in this enterprise. What is in it for you? Absolutely nothing -- except that you will be making a little difference in the lives of your young and most vulnerable kasimanwas, and who knows, by working with other volunteers, you may learn a useful thing or two. Believe us, volunteerism can be a very empowering activity. Besides, you can do worse with the time and energy you can spare.
The more volunteers we have, the more reading sessions we hold, and the more children we reach.
3. CARE Alimodian can use donations for the pamahaw of the kids. It does not have to be cash; it can be in kind. You can bring a basket of fruit, or a plateful of native cakes. Or you can sign up to take charge of a specific session and bring the snacks at the appointed time. The only thing to remember is to sign up para hindi mag durongan ang donation. We do not want the snacks to be an elaborate component of the reading session, but at the same time it does not hurt for kids to have a substantial repast, especially if it is nutritious. And it won't cost much if a lot of people pitch in.
Salamat gid.
Comment from: al [Member]
05/18/06 @ 12:21
CLASS 1960
CARE Alimodian has requested AHS/ANCHS Class 1960 to help classmates Dooy and Elvie Casorla operate the Binalud book-lending center. It will most likely happen. Sanda ang bahala as to the extent of their "involvement." This is apart from the involvement of the taga-Binalud mismo (in Alimodian or abroad). Last we heard, Dooy is having bookshelves made to hold the books. As soon as CARE Alimodian volunteers finish covering the books, printing library cards, and pasting borrower forms at the inside backs of the books, we hope to get the Binalud operation up and running. Again, many thanks to Dooy and Elvie, who are devoting part of their retirement years in trying to help the children of Binalud.
CLASS 1981
Kung interesado pa kamo sa Sulong/Sinamay, start doing something. Kay kung indi, we will scout around and ask another class to consider it -- unless Raki Boy will undertake this on his own in coordination with the barangay kapitan. The children of Sulong/Sinamay cannot wait forever. Kung dada nga dada lang kita, waay gid ti mehora.
Comment from: al [Member]
05/18/06 @ 18:44
WE LIVE FOR STORIES LIKE THIS
We’ve said this before – of everyone involved in CARE, NOAH MONTENEGRO is the luckiest. Through his CARE efforts, he has met lots of interesting people in Connecticut, and his encounters with them make us very envious.
Noah’s latest encounter was with the interesting DEIRDRE K. LEWIN, the director of The Den for Grieving Kids, in Darien, CT, a nonprofit organization helping people who have lost their loved ones or who have ailing relatives. Deirdre grew up in South Africa; she is married to a lawyer-author. Husband and wife are also involved in an organization that has projects that help the “needy” in developing countries.
Not missing an opportunity, Noah asked Deirdre to keep CARE in mind in case their organization has a project in Southeast Asia. She said she will.
Deirdre checked out this website and said she was impressed with DEAR from the pictures she saw of the first reading session (in the homepage).
She said she was very happy to find a new home for the books she was donating to CARE through Noah.
The books are a good mix of children’s, histories, fiction, nonfiction, textbooks, etc. Noah estimates they will fill up one balikbayan box.
So, Deirdre, thanks a lot for the books you have donated to the kids you do not know halfway across the globe. We cannot thank you enough for your generosity.
Comment from: michelle [Visitor]
05/20/06 @ 06:33
nong noel nagkadto na ako sa sulong.
June 4, 2006 2:00 pm tentative schedule ka session ka DEAR didto sa barangay hall. kita-ay lang ta didto.
basta wala bagyo, dayon gid ni ang launching sa sulong. hagada lang mga batch mo nga masunod basi pwede tanda ka sponsor pamahaw sa mga bata.
Comment from: al [Member]
05/20/06 @ 08:21
Raki Boy,
According to Michelle, the U.P. grad whom you had earlier conversations with (neighbor ni kapitana),has agreed to be one of the readers during the DEAR session.
Sorry we failed to note her name. But we expect to acknowledge her when CARE Sulong takes off.
Speaking of DEAR, Michelle said excited gid ang mga kids who participated in the first reading session. So excited that yesterday (or was/is it today?) some of them came -- wearing their DEAR uniforms and IDs -- thinking that there would be a reading session. Kawawa naman at naruya lang.
The next DEAR reading session is on Wednesday, May 24.
So many excited kids, so few/litte resources (as yet).
But "hope springs eternal in the human breast."
Comment from: al [Member]
05/21/06 @ 09:54
THE CRITICS HAVE COME OUT OF THE WOODWORK
Children.
One would assume that any advocacy on behalf of this most vulnerable constituency would be universally welcomed and supported. How often have people told us: What an admirable thing you are doing; keep up the good work. Right?
Wrong.
Welcome to the underbelly of Alimodian.
Now that DEAR has taken off (we are having our second session on Wednesday) and we are starting some book-lending centers, the professional critics in Alimodian have started to come out of the woodwork.
Everyone who has grown up in Alimodian knows very well how this goes: If someone else has thought up something good or clever before you did, nothing would make you happier than to see it fail.
We think of these critics as the cost of doing business. We don’t need much inspiration in CARE. All we have to do is look at the pictures taken during the first DEAR session and those that RAD had taken during his trip home, especially of the children in Barangay Lico.
And from little heartwarming anecdotes from Alimodian, like some children showing up in the DEAR t-shirts and ID cards on a day when there was no reading session, and of a child who was so excited to show off his DEAR ID card she insisted on passing by her lola’s house.
Somewhere in this Blog LCA has quoted: “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”
These are such moments. And they are good enough for us.
We also take heart from the support of total strangers in Connecticut and elsewhere who don’t even ask, “who are they?”; the simple fact that they are children is reason enough for their generosity.
And most especially from the encouragement of thoughtful Alimodiananons, like a nice young man working in the Middle East who reminds us, “we have more open-minded townmates than the critics.”
We know.
Happily our volunteers in Alimodian are “seasoned,” understand perfectly what the deal is, and just keep their eyes on the ball.
As for the children:
“Unlike grown ups children have little need to deceive themselves.” (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)
Comment from: Raymond Altura Deza [Visitor]
05/21/06 @ 20:15
Let the people who believe we should NOT help the forgoten citizens of Alimodian stand up, identify themselves and be heard.
If they have a better way, let's hear that, too.
Comment from: Dude [Visitor]
05/21/06 @ 20:21
Thanks and congrats to our volunteers on a job well done.
I also like to remind them to leep on recruiting more recipients, especially those "nga waay 'nilas kag sip-onon."
Comment from: al [Member]
05/23/06 @ 12:47
E-MAIL FROM DEIRDRE LEWIN
(See 6th posting from here on 5/18)
"Thank you so much for the email. I think that what you are doing is wonderful and I am spreading the word.
"BEST of luck to you all."
Deirdre
"PS: Please don't feel you need to send me a more formal thank you. I am sure you are busy and this was very delightful to receive."
Comment from: michelle [Visitor]
05/24/06 @ 08:41
thank to IAN VINCENT LIMBAGA of New York for the books he sent.
ian salamat gid!
Comment from: al [Member]
05/24/06 @ 23:05
COPY OF A LETTER THAT CARE SENT TO MAYOR JUANITO T. ALIPAO ON MAY 23
Dear Mayor Alipao:
Greetings!
A few months ago we informed you and the Sangguniang Bayan about our small group and the modest initiatives we were planning as our contributions in the area of children education in our beloved hometown: book-lending and “Drop Everything and Read” (DEAR) programs.
Since then CARE USA has shipped to CARE Alimodian, c/o Michelle Ann Loredo, a few boxes of books; we intend to continue sending more in the months ahead. Also, our young volunteers launched the DEAR program by conducting a reading session for some 23 children on May 10; the second session will be held tomorrow, May 24. The pictures taken during the inaugural DEAR session can be viewed at www.alimodian.net.
The children who attended the DEAR session were so excited that some of them came back the next day and some days later – in their DEAR T-shirts and ID cards yet – thinking the session was daily. We wish it were – like the “summer camp” here in the U.S. – but for now we can afford a session only every two weeks. Our fantasy is that sometime in the future there would be simultaneous reading sessions for children in the neighborhoods, puroks, and barangays in Alimodian during the whole summer school break.
We cannot tell you enough how proud we were of the young children who attended the first reading session and, most especially, of our young volunteers. We in CARE USA wish we can take some credit for the successful launching of the DEAR program, but, no, the young volunteers in Alimodian organized, planned, and conducted the session all by their competent selves.
They made us very happy and proud because this is one of the collateral objectives we hope to achieve with CARE’s modest efforts: to provide a venue for young people in Alimodian to get involved in causes bigger than themselves, and for us adults in turn to acknowledge that their contributions are appreciated – that their young lives matter.
This letter is a sincere request for you and the Sangguniang Bayan to personally, if not officially, encourage the young adults in Alimodian to engage in activities that help the most vulnerable constituency in Alimodian develop into adults who are fully equipped to fulfill their God-given potentials. We are offering the CARE initiatives as vehicles of their involvement, but if they prefer to have their own initiatives, that is fine with us, too. It does not matter who does what, just that somebody is doing something.
We are aware that you and the Sangguniang Bayan are doing a lot on this area of our communal life in Alimodian – for which we are deeply grateful, on behalf of all Alimodiananons – but we hope you share our view that when it comes to bringing up our children, nothing is ever enough, the work does not end, and everyone’s help counts.
Our best regards to you and yours.
Comment from: al [Member]
05/25/06 @ 00:09
SECOND DEAR SESSION
CARE Alimodian volunteers conducted their second DEAR session today, May 24.
We will publish a description of the session as soon as it becomes available.
In the meantime, we would like to thank our donors, the DEAR participants, and Beverly May “Mai-Mai” AMBUT, a volunteer reader in today’s session.
We have posted some photos in the Gallery (Care in Action). The complete set of photos that CARE Alimodian had posted early today is available at:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/nutshell_ann/album?.dir=/1dc1re2&.src=ph&.tok=phtDw6EBKRwDoO7w
Whoever they are, whether you recognize them or not, enjoy the (photos of the) children. The way they look and the way they hold themselves up speak of how more integrated their lives are. They live for the present than the future, they are more interested in the process than the results, and they are not afraid to make fools of themselves. They are not like us adults. They are better.
Comment from: Raymond Altura Deza [Visitor] • http://alimodian.net/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-1027
05/25/06 @ 02:11
In response to Comment from "Emelda" in Link Above...
Inday/Yay/Nang Emelia,
What am I getting out of this? Helping CARE? It's already midnight here. I should be sleeping already or out drinking with my friends...
The thought of poor kids of Alimodian was what started CARE.
Amo di-a nga ginapamaan namun sa mga purok kag barangay nga nagapangita kami ti mga bata nga uyon mag-basa o mag-huram kalibro. Amo di-a nga naga-pangayo kami bulig kaninyo mag-pamaan sa mga taga-uma
Amo gani di-a nga naga pangita kami ti mavolunteer sa mga uma, mga barangay, kag mga purok para ma buligan nanda ang neighborhood nanda.
Gin-unahan ko run kang tapos Semana Santa. Nagagto run kami sa pinakarayu nga uma sa Alimodian. Nag-agto kami sa 7 Cities (on our own time, on our own expense, when I could have spent those days and money on Boracay or the night spots in Manila). Didto gin-presenta namun kay Mr Dominador Macaya (Kagawad kang Lico), Ms Imelda Canaya (Teacher, Cabacanan Proper), Ms Analie Calambro, (Teacher, Cabacanan-Rizal), Mr Tito Calibayan (Kagawad, Manasa) ang proyekto nga dia.
Gin-claro namun nga LIBRE ANG PAG-HURAM KANG LIBRO SA CARE, nga LIBRE ANG MAG-AGTO SA READING SESSIONS, nga waay kami gapangayo maski ano para KANAMUN. We only ask that they volunteer or help find volunteers to help the kids in their neighbohood. We only hope that our kasimanwas would care enough for the poor children to volunteer.
Volunteers just need to see Michelle/Mariel so they can arrange to issue them books.
If, and only if, you care about the poor kids of Alimodian who do not have parents abroad, who cannot afford to buy books, why don't you help?
Why don't you volunteer or find somebody who would?
Why don't you go out and find bare-footed kids, kids with running noses, kids without people o guide them, in your neighborhood who want to learn something and ask them to register for a reading session or to borrow books for FREE?
Why don't you speak to people you know in Dalid or other empoverished Barangay and tell them about the program that is FREE and was started because we are thinking and we care for them?
And just to emphasize the UNselfish objectives of CARE...
WE do NOT ask anything from those kids and their parents in return.
We do NOT ask them them for money- We get by.
We do not ask them for jobs, I for example have a good job where I can go run on the beach for as long as I want at lunch time.
We will not ask them for a piece of their land. I have my own prime lot in Alimodian; the greatest hero of the Philippines will tell you where it is.
Ti... Turog run ta?
Regards,
Raymond Altura Deza
Comment from: Raymond Altura Deza [Visitor] • http://alimodian.net/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-1027
05/25/06 @ 02:24
O... BTW, if anybody knows or see Neng Janet Alpuerto -She teaches in Ugbo- please follow up with her if she had mentioned the program to the people there, of if she had found volunteers.
Comment from: Raymond Altura Deza [Visitor] • http://alimodian.net/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-1027
05/25/06 @ 02:30
And anybody out there who thinks that CARE should NOT care? Who thinks we should leave the Alimodian kids alone?
Anybody who thinks we should not let anybody who wears shoes or are healthy or are wealthy participate in the program?
Anybody who thinks he has a better way of helping the kids of Alimodian?
Please step forward and be recognized by your real name, not an alias.
Then, if we are convinced that you have a better way, we will support you, too.
-Raymond Altura Deza
Apo Daniel kag Dulzura, Bata Alice
Comment from: al [Member]
05/25/06 @ 06:55
Amo dya ang ginaku-on nga sa Alimodian, NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED.
Per 2000 census, Alimodian has 31,494 citizens in 5,963 households living in 14,482 hectares of land.
CARE is 7 citizens, 5 of whom are not physically present in Alimodian, trying to make a LITTLE contribution.
Count that. Seven.
They are not paid public servants. They do not get public funding. Heck, they don't even have funds to speak of.
The criticism -- spoken or implied - is they are not doing enough and, worse, doing it the wrong way.
Go figure.
One is advised to ignore the "Emelias" of the world because they are the kinds who do not have anything good to say about their fellow human beings, anyway, whatever the circumstance.
They are the professional "crabs," lurking in the shadows all the time, waiting for every chance to pounce on anything that moves down.
I am of the school that believes you should deal with their likes -- at least once.
Comment from: al [Member]
05/25/06 @ 11:15
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
To GEMINEA "NEA" ALONDAY, who turns 8 tomorrow, May 26.
Among the beautiful children who have attended the two sessions of DEAR, Nea caught our eyes because she seems to have curiosity written all over her face. Pang poster.
We do not know her personally so we inquired from CARE Alimodian who she is.
She is the daughter of SUZETTE ALIP and ARTHUR ALONDAY, taga tubang tinda.
Happy birthday, Nea.
We wish that when you grow up, you will live the life that you have imagined.
Comment from: NoahMontenegro [Visitor]
05/25/06 @ 13:16
Neng Zette guapa gid ang bata mo. sunod gid ka nimo. indi mo gid pag pa absenon sa DEAR session si GEMINEA, kag pang hagad pa gid kamo ka iba nga kabata-an dyan sa may tenda para sadya sanda didto sa Plaza sa Dear session. basi si Lola ni Geninea available mag volunteer i palista mo man didto kay Michelle kag Mariel. sadyahon ta aton session kada simana.ipalapnag man dyan sa aton mga classmate nga may mga kabata-an.
Classmate NonoyNoah mo dya!
Comment from: michelle [Visitor]
05/26/06 @ 04:11
nong noah
ari na ang 3 boxes ka mga books. bag-o lang nag abot
we are also happy to announce that more people are coming to join CARE and DEAR.
Mr. and Mrs. Julius Alcantara dropped by to check what books they could borrow.
may nanay man nag inquire pano ka intra ana bata. mangkot if may bayad mag join sa reading.
NO REGISTRATION FEE. kadto lang diri sa balabaw kag magbasa.
Comment from: NoahMontenegro [Visitor]
05/26/06 @ 06:07
Michelle&Mariel,
Keep up a good Job Neng.there's a lot of children books in that boxes.and hundred's or may be Thousands more to come.
Nong Noah
Comment from: al [Member]
05/26/06 @ 08:53
CARE ON CHILDREN
We have said these at various times in the past but it does not hurt to state them again.
We at CARE believe that:
Children are created equal.
Children are born with God-given potentials, and it is our moral obligation as a community to help them develop their potentials.
Children’s participation in CARE’s programs is free and voluntary.
Children did not choose the circumstances of their birth, and therefore should not be penalized for them. When they participate in CARE’s programs, the names of their parents are important to us for the sole reason that we would like to know whom to contact in case of an emergency.
Children have the rest of their lives to learn selfishness, snobbery, hate, etc. It is our hope that the DEAR session, aside from encouraging reading, provides a positive experience for every child who attends to feel that he/she is as special as the other kid in the room. So maybe, just maybe, we help give them a more than 50 – 50 chance to grow up into sensitive and caring adults who will help make this planet a better place to live in for all of us.
If we get enough adult volunteers working with children in every purok and every barangay, with or independent of CARE, no child in Alimodian would be left behind.
Comment from: al [Member]
05/27/06 @ 08:34
SA MGA TAGA-SOLANA
We are hoping that MRS. JULIUS ALCANTARA (sorry, we did not get her name) and some residents in Solana (Cabaluna Street) will organize themselves into a volunteer group to conduct DEAR sessions for the kids in the neighborhood.
We will, of course, help them the best we could.
Julius is a head teacher in Quinaspan.
He also made the effigy of Judas for this year's Easter Sunday's "bitay."
Comment from: NoahMontenegro [Visitor]
05/27/06 @ 11:22
Solid ang DEAR sa sulana didyan ang mga paka-isahan ko Alturino,Alfiscar,Alinsao families.
we can tap them,to organize the DEAR reading session in Solana. Michelle and Mariel please tell your manong Tiloy Alturino,iyay estela Alfiscar,kag manang Janet alinsao mo, na involve si Manong mo Noah sa project nga dya, kag kong puede kag kinahanglan sanda mag co-ordinate kay mrs. Alcantara.it's even easier kay may uma man kamo didyan sa likud ka Sulana.I'm sure they know you well.
Comment from: al [Member]
05/27/06 @ 11:27
CHILDREN LIBRARY USERS
The children who are attending the DEAR sessions have been issued "borrower's card" to use if and when they want to borrow children's books from the M&M book-lending center.
Any child, DEAR participant or not, can, of course, secure a library card.
This goes for M&M's and ALL book-lending centers that will be set up in the future.
The library card is part of the PROCESS that is important if we want to develop the habit of reading among children.
For one, it makes children feel "special" to have something (even just a simple card) that gains them access to something -- books in this case -- and to go through the ritual of borrowing and returning.
The effect of the PROCESS in the overall development of the cognitive and emotional intelligence of children cannot be underestimated.
It goes without saying that the books we are sending are available to parents (especially those who want to read to their children at home), older gradeschool, high school, and college students, young adults, seniors -- everybody who wants to read.
We are trying to send a wide range of books to appeal to every level or kind of readers.
Comment from: al [Member]
05/27/06 @ 15:55
JUN VELOIRA, of New York City, dropped off some children's books today.
He thinks the DEAR initiative is wonderful, and says he enjoyed the photos taken of the children during the reading sessions.
Thanks a lot, Jun.
Comment from: RAD [Visitor]
05/28/06 @ 14:30
Sa mga taga Southern California,
Kun may idyan kamo nga libro nga puede padara, palihog lang email kanakun .
Ako ma-pick up.Kada agto ko sa LA pick-apun ko man. Ako bahala mag pack sa BBBox.
Comment from: al [Member]
05/30/06 @ 19:09
DEAR SUPPORTER
Thanks a lot to DAVID W. MORGAN, of Darien, CT,
who gave a check for $50 to Noah Montenegro.
His donation will help pay for the shipment of the balikbayan boxes (of books) to Alimodian.
David, we appreciate very much your generosity to the children in our small hometown in the Philippines.
Noah, thank you for your generous friends and acquaintances in Connecticut. May we get to know more of them.
Comment from: RAD [Visitor] • http://community.webshots.com/album/550946121rfaBtU
05/31/06 @ 23:39
New Links to Photos from Alimod...
Holy Week:
http://community.webshots.com/album/550947390NXjZwL
ACES Assembly:
http://community.webshots.com/album/550946121rfaBtU
Comment from: mariel [Visitor]
06/03/06 @ 03:17
nami gali ang feeling nga ang ngalan mo makita sa isa ka news article....hehehehe...salamat guid nong Noah kag sa Darien Times....daw sa cloud nine man ko bah...feeling ko sikat na ako...hehehe
Comment from: NoahMontenegro [Visitor]
06/03/06 @ 03:46
Michelle and Mariel you girls deserve a big credit you are doing great.your Tita must be proud of you.more publicity in America to come,and your names will be in the news all the time. keep up a good job.we're proud of you.
Comment from: al [Member]
06/04/06 @ 10:35
CARE/DEAR IS OFFICIALLY IN BARANGAY SULONG
Yesterday, June 3, CARE Alimodian volunteers went to Sulong to bring books for the book-lending program and to conduct a library use/reading session for the children.
The photos can be viewed in the Gallery (CARE in Action) or on:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/nutshell_ann/album?.dir=/8f9fscd&.src=ph&.tok=phGzW.EBPVVqeoPG
ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL FACES OF THE CHILDREN OF SULONG.
We will post the Sulong story as soon as it becomes available.
10/20/07 @ 08:15Comment from: Raymond Altura Deza [Visitor]
06/04/06 @ 19:38
Way to go, M's and Co.!
Comment from: al [Member]
06/04/06 @ 21:08
THANKS TO THE MONTENEGRO FAMILY
CARE's book drive has become a "family business" for Noah and his family.
Mom, wife, and daughters all help out in the collecting, sorting, and shipping of books to Alimodian.
So to Noah's Mom Warlina, Luchie, Kassie, and Isabella, we cannot thank you enough for your support of CARE's efforts, and for the love and understanding you give to the man of the house.
Comment from: LCA [Visitor]
06/05/06 @ 01:01
I can't describe my feelings having seen how our CARE program got to this level. Thank you 3Ms of the Loredo family and ALL the VOLUNTEERS in Alimodian who made this pogram a success.
Noah made is possible for the books to be shipped to our hometown. Our thanks to him and his family and the MANY DONORS who trusted and believed that this is a worthy cause.
Comment from: michelle [Visitor]
06/05/06 @ 07:45
we are now preparing for our session here sa balabaw on June 10. and packing books for Ugbo, Binalud, Ulay-Bugang ang Tarug.
if magbudlay na gid ang dalan mabackpacking na lang kami. i am telling my youth volunteers to exercise and prepare for hiking with books on their packs for these rainy season.
Comment from: al [Member]
06/05/06 @ 09:14
THANKS A LOT TO THE VOLUNTEERS WHO HELPED BRING CARE TO BARANGAY SULONG
They are:
FELIPE "Cadoy" QUIJANO III
VERLITO MEDINA
MELIZA JUNE "Meli" ALINGASA
BEVERLY MAY "Mai-Mai" AMBUT
EDELYN "Lyn" PRADO
THERESE MAY "TM" CALDERON
Lyn and TM are both SK kagawads.
Comment from: al [Member]
06/06/06 @ 22:46
NOAH’S MOMENT IN THE SUN
We are very proud of and very happy for NOAH MONTENEGRO in the wake of the generous press that he has received in Connecticut in the past few days.
It couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.
The publicity has also elicited more support for CARE from the generous residents of Connecticut. We could not be happier.
To Austin Amoroso, of the Darien Times, and Vesna Jaksic, of the Stamford Advocate, thanks a lot for the nice gesture and the wonderful words.
http://www.acorn-online.com/news/publish/article_7110.shtml
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-books4jun06,0,3969024.story?coll=stam-news-local-headlines
Comment from: al [Member]
06/08/06 @ 11:31
SELF-SERVING TESTIMONIALS
We are very proud of the children of Alimodian – and of the DEAR sessions and our volunteers – so every time we get a set of photos from Alimodian, we send them to friends (who have e-mail addresses) around the world.
Here are some of their generous comments:
Your initiative makes me proud . . . and guilty of not even finding out what my own hometown needs. Document your efforts so all of us can learn from it. The objective is laudable in its simplicity. Keep it up. The reward is not tangible but the sense of fulfillment and purpose cannot be denied. – LZD, Quezon City, RP
I was in NY on the day you sent the photos of the reading session in Iloilo. Thanks for that. There is hope! – EBM, Stockton, CA
Great to hear that the book project is moving along and gaining some momentum. More power to the group! – NC, Little Rock, AR
Wow! This is really great. I’m sure all the kids in that reading session had a great time. May pakain and film showing pa. I pray that the “little initiative” will someday become a “big initiative” that will touch the lives of many children. God bless! – DC, Quezon City, RP
I will write the U.N. para i-nominate and inyong organization for a humanitarian award! L-O-L! – OML, New York City
My brother and his friend embarked on a feeding program in the Philippines. You will not believe what happened . . . Ituloy ninyo pa rin. Good work. – MGL, Rome, Italy
Congratulations on your program to promote reading. Hope all will go well. As an ex-librarian, I am always interested in reading. – GE, Lancaster, PA
Congratulations! May your tribe increase a hundredfold. All the luck sa ating mga NGO concerns. Nakakaasar kadalasan, pero heart-tugging always. - RY, Quezon City, RP
Sino kaya sa mga bagets na to (in the photos) ang magiging Dan Brown of the future – or, rather, Teodoro Agoncillo, o, heavens forbid, Virginia Moreno. L-O-L! - VS, Los Angeles, CA
My, my . . . - JRE, Ottawa, Canada
Comment from: al [Member]
06/08/06 @ 17:21
FRIEND OF CARE
Thanks a lot to Dr. REY E. DE LA CRUZ, of Glenview, Illinois, who donated $100.
Rey, since you do not need anything in return, gawin ka namin na honorary citizen ng Alimodian.
Legal o hindi man ang citizenship, you are welcome to all the tsokolate e you can drink.
Comment from: al [Member]
06/10/06 @ 13:54
WE LOVE CONNECTICUT
As a result of the press coverage we have gotten from the Darien Times and the Stamford Advocate:
* NOAH MONTENEGRO has become a “celebrity” in Connecticut. And he is having fun with it. One time he drove to pick up books from a donor who could not drop them off at Noah’s work place. As he was leaving, the lady said, “Wait a minute, I have your picture in the newspaper. You better sign this because it would be hard to get you when you become very famous.” L-O-L!
* Some residents have stopped by the Darien Post Office simply to see the Noah in the papers and to encourage him about CARE’s projects.
* A lady stopped by the post office to drop off a bag of books – and give Noah $20 to help pay for the shipping charges. Now, that is a Kleenex moment. To the generous lady (we will get her name one of these days), thank you very much for your wonderful gesture.
*Noah’s wife Luchie and daughters Kassie and Isabella are getting their share of attention from officemates and classmates. And their share of – CARE work. Poor Isabella, her teachers and classmates are giving her books – and she has to carry them home a block away from her bus stop. We promise Noah we will give Isabella a gift come Christmas – a book!
* A resident of Stamford e-mailed us at care@alimodian.net offering to donate books.
*And here’s a SHOCKER: a business executive offered us a “warehouse” of books in Bronx, NY. Repeat: “warehouse.” He said we could help ourselves to all the books we want. Amo dya ang gina kuon nga – Be careful what you wish for. Kuarta lang ang kulang to pay for the shipment of a truckload of books.
Oh, the stories we can tell.
Comment from: al [Member]
06/10/06 @ 21:49
THANK YOU CONNECTICUT
LINDA O'HARA, of Darien, CT, was the lady who dropped off a bag of children's books and $20 with Noah. Thank you, again, Linda.
Our heartfelt thanks also to MARY LOU BLOXSOM, MELANIE RAKOCZY, and HERMA EHRICH, members of the faculty of the WESTOVER ELEMENTARY MAGNET SCHOOL in Stamford, CAT. These three ladies gathered the remainder books after the Bookswap program at Westover and donated them to CARE.
The executive who offered CARE a "warehouse" of books is FRANK X. McGAREY, of Budgetext Corporation; he is a resident of Darien, CT. Thank you, Frank, for your very generous offer. We have not gotten over the shock of the embarrassment of riches that your offer presents to us.
Comment from: al [Member]
06/10/06 @ 21:59
JUNE 10 DEAR SESSION
The description of today's DEAR session is on the cover of the homepage.
Photos may be viewed at:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/nutshell_ann/album?.dir=/f9c4scd&.src=ph&.tok=phNIXAFBRq0GSrpy
They will be posted on the Gallery soon.
Thanks a lot to CARE volunteer reader NINA XIAMINA ALGER.
ENJOY THE FACES OF THE CHILDREN.
Comment from: al [Member]
06/11/06 @ 10:26
CARE ALIMODIAN VOLUNTEERS
We have not mentioned their names for a while, so we would like to do now by way of acknowledging their continuing support:
JUDY GRACE CANONERO
MARY ONALE AMAGUIN
NIKNIK QUIA
Comment from: Raymond Altura Deza [Visitor]
06/12/06 @ 19:16
Thanks to Ms Kim Rosal and Kelly French, my officemates at Kyocera Wireless Corporation(www.kyocera-wireless.com), for their book donations.
I have shipped one Balikbayan Box to Alimodian.
Comment from: al [Member]
06/15/06 @ 09:20
FROM CARE ALIMODIAN:
Two boxes of books from the DARIEN BOOK AID PLAN, INC., of Darien, CT, have arrived via the post office.
The books are children's books and a set of science encyclopedia.
The Darien Book Aid Plan, Inc., is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization founded in 1949 to build a foundation of international peace, understanding, and friendship by the free distribution of books.
Again, thanks a lot to the Darien Book Aid Plan and to NOAH MONTENEGRO, who solicited the book donation.
Comment from: al [Member]
06/15/06 @ 16:33
THANKS TO THE TEACHERS AND CLASSMATES OF ISABELLA AND KASSIE MONTENEGRO
Earlier today Noah was at the Westover Magnet Elementary School, in Stamford, CT, to watch daughter Isabella's third-grade showcase of "The Princess and the Pea." After the presentation, Mrs. MARIA GIANETTI, a member of the faculty, invited Noah to walk around the classrooms to collect children's books for CARE. Noah brought home half a balikbayan box worth of books. Mrs. Gianetti said she would gather more books for the rest of the day.
Over at the Scofield Magnet Middle School, also in Stamford, other daughter Kassie has also been collecting books from her teachers and classmates since the story about her father's cause appeared at the Stamford Advocate.
Thanks a lot, everybody.
Comment from: al [Member]
06/16/06 @ 23:22
FROM CARE ALIMODIAN:
"Today the kids returned the books they borrowed last week and then borrowed again a new batch of books.
"And they brought 2 more kids na isali sa program. They are like 3-5 years old.
"We will have a small presentation at the DEAR session next week, and we are delighted that they volunteered to sing and dance during the session."
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
06/17/06 @ 02:02
"In time of trouble, I had been trained since childhood, read, learn, work it up, go to the literature. " --Joan Didion
Comment from: RAD [Visitor] • http://alimodian.net/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-1090
06/17/06 @ 19:44
Thanks to Ashley, Kimberly and Michael Villarta for their donation of books for their fellow Alimodiananon kids. They are the kids of Darlene Sta. Cruz and Noel Villarta.
Comment from: al [Member]
06/18/06 @ 00:44
UPDATE FROM THE TUBURAN KANG SALNGAN
Today Noah shipped 5 balikbayan boxes of boxes.
The generous residents of Connecticut, especially in the towns of Darien and Stamford, have been donating books nonstop.
The Montenegro daughters are besieged with books from teachers and classmates, and the paterfamilias with phone calls from residents wanting to donate books.
We are getting more books than we can afford to ship to Alimodian.
CARE Alimodian has put in a request for high-school-level science and math textbooks, college-level textbooks in nursing and medicine, and more encyclopedias.
Comment from: Raymond Altura Deza [Visitor] • http://alimodian.net/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-1090
06/19/06 @ 19:30
Now that CARE in Alimodian is moving forward and book donations are pouring in, we might need cash to pay for shipping (or to buy special titles, as deemed necesary).
Would it be a good idea if the overseas associations can adopt CARE? Make it a joint project? This time, instead of building infrastructure we would all be building the hearts and minds of Alimodian's youth- not just the beneficiaries but also the volunteers.
Comment from: Noah [Visitor]
06/19/06 @ 21:05
for me it doesn't make sense,and this is what we are experiencing now. we are getting more cash donation and moral support from Americans or indi taga Aliomodian than taga Aliomodian it seft.don't tell me these people are more excited and proud than we do.we should be proud that the town of Alimodian in the Philippines is a familiar place in one of the riches neigborhood in America. something wrong in this picture.
Comment from: al [Member]
06/21/06 @ 00:07
UPDATE FROM CARE ALIMODIAN
We are on the last set of children's books that need to be pasted on with library cards. We have asked the teachers who teach in Ulay and Tarug if, after we are done with that, they could help us cover the books and pack them for transport to their respective schools.
Two teachers have borrowed books for their their students.
The children who participate in the DEAR sessions continue to network and recruit new registrants. What the kids are doing is this: they tell their friends about the reading sessions and the books they borrow. When they come back, like in the last session and last weekend when they returned the books they borrowed and checked out new ones, they bring along 2 or 3 new recruits who would like to join the DEAR session. That is why the number of participants is increasing.
We have not yet gone back to Barangay Sulong, but a friend who asked the barangay captain how the book program was getting along was told that “nagustuhan naman ng mga bata.”
Comment from: al [Member]
06/21/06 @ 21:36
A COUPLE OF HUNDRED BOOKS
Today Mrs. ANNEA ROSENBERG, of the SCOFIELD MAGNET MIDDLE SCHOOL, in Stamford, CT, called Noah to donate "at least 200" history and reference books.
Noah will drive to the school tomorrow to pick up the books.
We thank Mrs. Rosenberg and the teachers and students (especially Kassie Montenegro) of Scofield for their generosity to the students of Alimodian.
Comment from: al [Member]
06/22/06 @ 22:59
NOW, HERE'S NOAH'S ACCOUNT OF HIS EXCELLENT ADVENTURE AT SCOFIELD:
"Yes, nadayon gid ako. Cart after cart loaded with Prentice-Hall books were waiting for me in the lobby of Scofield.
"Daw ma atras ako da-ad pay naga yapa-yapa si Mrs. Rosenberg pag kita na ka nakon. Kag una nga gin hambal na, 'Noah, these books are precious. They should be a big help to your cause.'
"Kag naga hulat ron ang darwa ka custodian para mag load sa sarakyan. Daw mayha man ako mag ku-on nga mabu-ol lang ako ti pulo. L-O-L!
"Yamat, pera gawa ka balikbayan box dya."
Again, thanks to Mrs. ANNEA ROSENBERG, the two custodians who helped load the books, and, of course, our Noah.
Comment from: michelle [Visitor]
06/23/06 @ 02:26
nong noah,
ari na ang 3 ka boxes ka books. i got it kahapon.
we will process this as soon as possible.
Comment from: michelle [Visitor]
06/23/06 @ 02:31
maam marilyn aquidado (principal of Dalid Elementary school) wants to be in our list. gusto na man makahulam ka mga books diri sa CARE.
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
06/23/06 @ 03:02
Everybody gets excited with our small but worthy initiative. If only we are in the same wavelength with our other kasimanwa, mas nami daad.
Keep the fire burning. Thank you Michelle and Mariel for a job well done. We know a lot of people have their hats off on your volunteerism.
Comment from: Noah [Visitor]
06/23/06 @ 06:11
michelle,I'm Happy na your maam Aquidado step forward,and approach the CARE.let me know if you're ready for Dalid, I'll help organize the Reading session.may be..may be..in the future we could change the name of the school to; "CARE PILOT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL"with the state of the art library.L-O-L keep up a good job ladies!help is on the way.
Nong Noah
Comment from: al [Member]
06/23/06 @ 22:11
CARE STORY HAS MADE IT TO NATIONAL NEWSPAPERS
The story "Residents Reach Out to Help Hometown in Philippines," by Vesna Jaksic, that appeared originally in "The Advocate" (Stamford, CT), on June 6, 2006, was picked up by the Associated Press (AP)and has made it to some national newspapers, including the "Boston Globe" and "Newsday" (New York), and some online news services.
Here are the appearances that we have been able to track down in the last couple of hours:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/connecticut/articles/2006/06/22/americans_reach_out_to_help_hometown_in_philippines/
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/connecticut/ny-bc-ct-fea--booksabroad0622jun22,0,4146114.story?coll=ny-region-apconnecticut
http://www.wfsb.com/Global/story.asp?S=5065580&nav=menu120_2
http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2006/06/06/1669973.htm
http://owli.org/node/1330
http://www.ebalita.net/go/news/printnews.php?id=2454
CARE is happy for the publicity if for no other reason than it validates our commitment to work harder for our modest initiatives --the book-lending and DEAR programs.
We will be happier if more Alimodiananons will support the programs, or, if not, organize their own programs to help improve the communal life in our hometown.
Comment from: al [Member]
06/24/06 @ 09:46
PANAWAGAN
TAGA-BINALUD
Comment from: Jla hk [Visitor]
03/09/06 @ 23:18
To LCA we are in standby for the project DEAR If pag ok ron tanan sa alimods padara na namon ang bulig.Gina our pres.here mauli sa March 15 mangkot lang anay tana didto.Basi pag balik na dya sa hk gusto na mag estorya kanimo.Pasenya lang kaw ako lang gid ang may time mag access sa net ti kon ano gani ang mabasa ko sa blog gina forward ko sa mga taga alimods.Blessing lang tong mga issues nag kilalahay kag nag join sa mga good intention for our kasimamwas.
thanks
COMMENT: JULIET, a site has already been chosen for the book-lending/DEAR center; we will start operating very soon. Nali gusto ninyo kontakon si DOOY kag ELVI ALLI CASORLA kung paano kamo makabulig. The Casorlas are very committed on this so we have high hopes for a successful program in Binalud.
__________
TAGA-LAWOD
Comment from: iggy [Visitor]
03/18/06 @ 13:38
Tundal kampyon gid ang line up ka volunteers mo.
Miga ko bahala ma estorya kay pakas na Digol kung ano ang mabulig na sa CARE-Lawod. With Nonong and Digol as mentors what more can I say...Kids would be sooo fortunate. Pls don't forget your bestfriend Doc Teepay may input gid dia.
Ti basi kung gamay tubang balay niyo puede man ma huram ka papag sa Tinda kag palaypayan ang tubang pavement eh...for the launching??? Basi may mass kag ponsyon after bay...Ti ano si classmate mo Mare imo financial officer? Suggestion lang ha.
I'll take care of the uwad-uwad ni Tia Florencia..It's just a phone call away..he.he..or opps modern times ron In na In ang pastry ni Pakak.
Panawagan ko si sir Poncian, Sir Bong-bong (Principal sa Sinamay) Maam Winnie,Galdin,Isol kag Mare pleaassse help Tundal (Mae Angan).
CHILDREN ARE THE FUTURE!!!
COMMENT: IGGY, medyo a little preoccupied si Tundal these days (with more productive endeavors), nali gusto mo alalayan tana so we can get CARE-Lawod off and running.
___________
TAGA-SULONG
Comment from: raki boy [Visitor]
04/28/06 @ 02:11
I will talk to our former classmates in Sulong/Sinamay area.
Nightingale, aton ron ja toka...
I'll keep you posted. Regards.
COMMENT:
RAKI BOY, now that CARE-Sulong is in place, nali gusto mo i-coordinate ang anda needs with the barangay captain and Lyn Pardo and TM Calderon, the resident volunteers. Kung sin-o ang interesado mag bulig should get in touch with Noel Robles.
NIGHTINGALE, the door is always open if you want to help set up a CARE-Sinamay.
Comment from: al [Member]
06/24/06 @ 15:12
THANKS A LOT TO DEE RONAGHAN, OF STAMFORD, CT
Sometime ago Dee sent an e-mail to care@alimodian.net saying she read the story about CARE in the Stamford Advocate, and offered to donate books.
Today she dropped off a bag of books at Noah’s, in the rain, and when Noah asked for her name, she said, “don’t worry about it.”
We e-mailed Dee to thank her for her donation. Here is her reply:
“Dropping off the books was not a problem at all.
“I have a lot more but they are novels, mostly fiction for grownups. I will be bringing them to the library soon; if you want them, please let me know.
“It was a pleasure, and I am glad they are going to kids who could really use and enjoy them.”
_______
More sightings online of the Stamford Advocate CARE story that was picked up by the Associated Press:
http://www.amny.com/news/local/wire/ny-bc-ct-fea--booksabroad0622jun22,0,6537715.story?coll=ny-ap-regional-wire
story.asiabulletin.com/p.x/ct/9/id/4416b093e18ecf4d/cid/
http://story.philippinetimes.com/p.x/ct/9/id/6bdac773e522c253/cid/3e5bbccc730d258c/
Comment from: Noah [Visitor]
06/24/06 @ 17:07
Welcome back Nong Iggy! you scare us abi namon inabandon ron ninyo ang CARE/DEAR U.S.A kumusta lang dyan sa Miga mo, kay inday R.,kag sa tanan ta nga kasimanwa sa Canada,kag kay pakas Digol.and also to our Kasimanwa sa Hong Kong, and Middle east. special mention kay Nonoy Escubar.we hope that you guys are enjoying reading the news,supplied buy associated press(AP) thru major U.S newspapers and various news organization world wide. a small town in southern Philippines thatnever heared of, and now is in the center of worldwide press coverage? the Mayor,the town council,and the town folks should be proud of this.this is called "Alimodian in 15 minutes of fame" this is not about CARE/DEAR in it's founders. this about Alimodian and it's people.
Comment from: al [Member]
06/27/06 @ 16:40
BOOKS FROM CALIFORNIA
CARE Alimodian is acknowledging receipt of one balikbayan box of books from the Alimodian Association of America, through its President, ADELIA CAPARANGA CRUZ.
Thanks a lot to our kasimanwas in TRIPLE A.
We wish them a happy fiesta picnic on August 26.
Comment from: al [Member]
06/27/06 @ 21:12
UPDATE FROM CARE ALIMODIAN
* JUNE 24 DEAR SESSION
Eighteen came. Saturday was the Feast of St. John the Baptist and some children were absent “at nag-outing.” We had a small program; the kids who came returned the books they borrowed last time and borrowed a new batch.
We had three new kids. We have not yet counted how many children altogether we have for the DEAR program.
Someone had borrowed our digital camera so we took pictures with a film camera. It will take some time to process them; as soon as they are done, we will post the pictures. We also took a short video that we sent to Manang Leila.
* BOOKS FOR BARANGAY SCHOOLS
As yet we do not have enough children’s books to lend to the three schools we had listed last time. With over 30 kids who borrow books on a regular basis, with a maximum of 4 books each, we have less than 100 books left in-house; most of them are for grade school ages. Our non-DEAR book borrowers are also increasing.
We are trying to finish processing the remaining books from the last shipment so we can open the 3 boxes that arrived on June 22 and take out the children’s books.
* BARANGAY SULONG
LYN PARDO, who is coordinating the book-lending program, says lots of children are reading the books. Lyn’s neighbors are helping her oversee the program.
The plan is, after a month, the books brought to Sulong on June 3 will be returned to CARE Alimodian and a new batch will be lent out so the children in the barangay will have new titles to read. The month ends next week.
Comment from: Dude [Visitor] • http://www.dinagyang.com/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,28/expv,0/topic,1539.0
06/28/06 @ 03:39
More people are noticing Alimodian, A-Net and CARE. I just came across this Blog tonight.
Comment from: al [Member]
06/28/06 @ 16:57
FROM DR. RIZALITO AMARILLO
Dr. Amarillo, of Hagerstown, MD, went home to Alimodian early this year. When he came back, he wrote about the miserable condition of the municipal library (see posting on 5/3), and said he wrote the LGU and asked them to repair the place. He also offered to fundraise for a new municipal library if the LGU can find a site.
We do not know what action, if any, has the LGU taken about the matters he raised in his letter.
From a letter received from him today, Dr. Amarillo does not know either.
"It has been over 2 months since I wrote to the mayor and council about the library, but I have not heard from them. I told them that if they have been informed about the condition of the library and took no action, then they are guilty of derilection of duty and responsibility.
"If the supporting structures of the walls and ceiling continue to deteriorate farther due to termite infestation, it doesn't need intensity 6 from the earthquake to bring it down. It can go down by its own weight. As far as my own thinking goes, the building has to be declared not suited for occupancy until some responsible individual has inspected it and assured it to be safe."
Comment from: nightingale [Visitor]
06/29/06 @ 21:24
Hello Al,
I had been trying to contact anyone in sinamay. However I have no luck.
P.S Raki Boy please contact either Mrs. Engracia Cubita if she can help set up CARE in Sinamay.
Thanks a million.
Comment from: al [Member]
06/29/06 @ 21:44
Hi Nightingale,
OK lang. Just keep trying.
Hopefully Raki Boy will see this posting.
Thanks for getting back.
Comment from: Noah [Visitor]
07/01/06 @ 06:17
Hi Elis,
Happy to hear from you again. Engracia!is she Enga Alimo-ot? became Mrs.Victor Cubeta? don't tell me we have another Erak and Argiel or Isyok and Idralyn.if this is true sikat ang class'81 "LOVE CLASS" patronizing each other. perdi pa ang class 69 ni manang Leila kag ni Nong Greg.although their number is quite noticeable! abi e update ta ka latest.and thanks to the effort of organizing the CARE/DEAR in Sinamay.
Comment from: piyak suba [Visitor]
07/03/06 @ 19:27
i talked to Victorio cubita last April ang asawa na hindi taga alimodian.waay lang ako kamaan kay Engra kon sin-o bana na.kinahanglan Noah mauli GId ikaw sa next year....
Comment from: Noah [Visitor]
07/03/06 @ 22:23
going home is part of my plan for next year.to help push the DEAR/CARE project and to lobby the bureaucratic establishment in Alimodian.I'll check and balance things out, and I'll go from there. thanks for the update.
Comment from: al [Member]
07/05/06 @ 00:40
CARING E-MAILS
From a couple of e-mails to care@alimodian.net:
*I recently read an article in my local newspaper (New Haven Register) about
CARE. My mother, _____, is Visayan and she is from Alimodian. She moved here to the US in 1971; however, she visits her hometown occasionally. She last visited in 2004. We still have family there as well as in Iloilo. I told her about CARE and we would like to know how we can get involved. My mother is part of a Filipino-American society in _____ (where she resides) and would like to incorporate other members in helping as well. Thank you for
any infomation that you can provide us.
* I have a number of books (about three shelves) that I am sure would be of interest to children. There are travel, space, National Geographic Books (not magazines) on varied subjects. Would you be interested in receiving them for use in the Philippines? I am the Past National President of the _____. The _____ has many branches in the Philippines and I count many of those shipmates as friends.
Comment from: al [Member]
07/05/06 @ 19:17
On Monday, July 3, NOAH shipped four balikbayan boxes of books to CARE Alimodian.
Comment from: al [Member]
07/05/06 @ 21:04
Thanks a lot to BRIAN WILLIAMS, of Norwalk, CT, who donated half a balikbayan box of math and science books (that are already on the way to Alimodian).
Brian contacted us via e-mail after reading about CARE in the Connecticut papers.
Comment from: michelle [Visitor]
07/06/06 @ 04:17
nong noah
puli na diri kag hagada ang bilog niyo nga batch i-adopt ang DEAR sa sulong. i have not heard from erak for some time. waay man kama-an ang iban niyo nga batchmates.
ang kama-an nga si tita suzette alip-alonday naga pa regards. di tana kamaan mag internet ti ang bata na lang nagpakita ka print out ka article nga ara imo picture.
Comment from: RAD [Visitor] • http://alimodian.net/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-1102
07/06/06 @ 13:09
Nag-pa Agony Hill ra man kami last weekend.
Lake pictured in link above reminded me of the lady who raised such cool kids.
3M's, thnx a lot for all the work!
Comment from: Noah [Visitor]
07/06/06 @ 16:12
Michelle,
please say hi! to your Tita Suzette for me. and please tell her to mention this wonderful project to our batch. like; tita's mo,Doc.catherine Amarillo,Lilian Allones,nene Lennie Escano,Maam Jane Siaton,and Maam Marissa Almira,Annie(Bokay)Anasarias,Raki boy and Argiel,Lynn Alturino,Suzette Apiado,Mila Tuzon, and of course Doc.Digol Amantillo and dozens more. I know that these guys are busy but if they can spend a little time with DEAR project, it would be a big help and I'm sure some of them are willing to do it.not to mention sa central barrios Like Dalid,Genomoy,Pian-daan north and south,Cagay and cuyad.we can solidify these barangay's for our CARE/DEAR in the near future.our family still have a big influence in this places,we can ask your Maam Aquidado to help us,lauch the DEAR thru Dalid Elementary school,since 90% of the faculties in Dalid are native of Dalid,if not product of Dalid Elem. school.I will ask them to get involve and put this program fast forward when the right time comes.in this particular area of Alimodian solid kita.with some good news from you,you inspire the CARE U.S.A and CANADA to do more for the good of some kids back home. good Luck to all of you!
Nong Noah
Comment from: al [Member]
07/06/06 @ 17:28
UPDATE FROM CARE ALIMODIAN:
In the past week we have been receiving a lot of inquiries from parents on how their children can join the DEAR session. A father brought his daughter to borrow some books; he said he was referred to the book-lending center by a friend. He wanted his daughter to join the DEAR session.
The parents call the DEAR session “schooling.” They are probably thinking – and no doubt wishing – it is some form of Saturday “tutorial” for their children. They are always asking “kung may bayad.” Obviously there are parents who recognize the shortcomings of the public schools, and are therefore willing to pay for access to additional and better educational resources. (NOTE: borrowing of books from a CARE lending center and participation in DEAR sessions are FREE.)
We need to ask help from those who know how to teach effectively. The Alimodian Association of America (AAA) has sent us teacher's guides/workbooks on sing-a-long and read-a-long exercises and a DVD containing a computer software for kids. We cannot install the software since we do not have a DVD-rom yet. We have been reading the teaching guides to help us prepare for the DEAR sessions.
The number of toddlers participating in the DEAR program is increasing. Since we have different age groups, we need to organize 2 or 3 sets of activity. By next year we wish and hope “may structure na ang mga readings kag exercises.”
COMMENTS FROM CARE USA:
CARE ALIMODIAN is doing a helluva job with what they have got. Their resourceful creativity and dogged dedication have enabled them to accomplish things that exceeded our wildest expectations. However, with limited manpower and space, they can only accomplish so much.
Our hope – fantasy, if you will – has always been to encourage Alimodiananons, especially the younger ones, to form themselves into volunteer groups that will organize tutorial sessions and DEAR-type activities for the children in their neighborhood or barangay. It does not matter if these volunteer groups work with CARE or not, just that they do something to help educate the kids.
That something is not rocket science. It does not cost much, if at all. Michelle and her group of volunteers have demonstrated one way of doing a DEAR program. A volunteer group can copy it, improve on it, or craft an entirely different program.
Think of what all of us can do together.
It is obvious by now that the children of Alimodian desperately need outside intervention in their education.
We think it is our moral obligation as Alimodiananons to intervene.
Comment from: al [Member]
07/12/06 @ 18:10
UPDATE FROM CARE ALIMODIAN
BOOKS FOR BARANGAY TEACHERS – We have packed the books for Barangay Ulay but the teachers haven’t passed by for them yet since it has been raining continuously here. Maybe they will pick them up on Monday. Among the teachers who have borrowed books for use in their classrooms are those teaching in Barangays Tarug, Ugbo, and Cagay.
BINALUD CENTER – The books earmarked for Binalud are already packed. The mga taga-Binalud were painting the structure last week. It will open for business very soon. The structure, across the former CBRS building and is visible from the road, used to be a “tiangge” for poultry feeds. It was made available to DOOY CASORLA, who will oversee the Binalud center, after the LGU turned down his request for the use of the former children’s room at the old CBRS building.
DEAR SESSION – In last Saturday’s session (July 8), we used the ”Read Along” CD that was sent by the Alimodian Association of America (AAA, in California). It was like having a storyteller na rin, which was a big help since we were undermanned. The title of the story was “Elephant Upstairs.” We typed the story, scanned the pictures from the original book accompanying the CD, and then printed copies for the children to read along. When the CD was played, there was a “bell” that told the children when to turn the page. After the reading, we divided the children into two groups. Those in grades 3 to 6 were given two worksheets on “sentence construction.” The worksheets for those in grades 2 and under were writing exercises on letters A and B. Another activity for all was coloring the drawing sheets. In the next session, after the storytelling, the grades 3 to 6 children will have new exercises, and the preschool to grade 2 age levels will work on the next two letters. Hopefully by next year we would have already a “structure” in place for the DEAR sessions.
During last Saturday’s session, the children who had perfect attendance (5 DEAR sessions) were given “Balabaw Internet Café” pens as “rewards.”
Yesterday a mother inquired if she could "enroll" her child in the reading program. We told her, sure, just send the kid to the next session. And last Sunday, the day after the DEAR schedule, a child was waiting outside. He said he wanted to join the “class”; he thought there was one everyday. We told him the reading “class” was held every other Saturday, starting at 9 o’clock in the morning, and advised him to come back then.
PROCESSING OF BOOKS – We are rushing the processing of the remaining books (from the last balikbayan box arrival) since the children are reading “puro pang level 2-3.” Only a few has started reading stories that are “longer” and have “fewer” pictures.
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
07/13/06 @ 02:30
CARE Alimodian has done an exceptional job of organizing the programs. It is our hope that parents will stay and help out instead of leaving their children. Parents can have some kind of a "workshop" by helping out catalog the books and for whatever is needed during the sessions. Volunteerism is much sought for.
Comment from: al [Member]
07/15/06 @ 09:46
PSYCHIC REWARD
The CARE ALIMODIAN volunteers do not get much from CARE USA by way of material incentives. Once or twice we threw in a few pieces of chocolate and a few cheap odds and ends in the balikbayan box for them. Nothing valuable and not too often.
Aside from their own sense of civic duty, they get their personal rewards from the children themselves.
Children are not like adults. Most, especially the very young, are guileless. Their minds work in instinctive, simple way. You show them kindness and most of the time they will repay it.
So CARE Alimodian volunteers live for little human interest stories like: a kid waiting at the gate for a long time on a Sunday (when there was no DEAR session) because she wanted to join the reading program; how, in the earlier sessions, a few DEAR participants came back the next day because they thought the reading session was everyday; and this has got to be one of the best - "Nakakatuwa naman ang mga bata. When the kids return the books on weekends when there are no DEAR sessions, naka uniform pa yan. They wear their DEAR t-shirts para lang ibalik ang libro nga gin huram nanda."
Man does not live by bread alone. Indeed.
Comment from: al [Member]
07/21/06 @ 07:26
UPDATE FROM CARE ALIMODIAN
* The BINALUD CENTER is ready. Last week we transported to the center the first batch of books; we are preparing the additional books that will be brought there. Kulang pa ang children's books ta; pati ang mga nanay e children's books pa lang ang anda ginabasa. Tito DOOY CASORLA is very committed to the project. Purigido tana kag si Tita ELVI to help in the education of mga taga-Binalud; they have been thinking of this kind of program for a long time already.
* We went to SULONG on Monday to replace the original batch of books with new titles. We were happy to learn that the volunteers (LYN PARDO et al.) have conducted reading sessions almost every Sunday afternoon. We will try to visit again soon to watch their DEAR session.
* Nong RAYMOND'S balikbayan box arrived on Tuesday.
* ULAY -- The first batch of books has been picked up by the teachers. We will send more as soon as we have processed more books.
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
07/22/06 @ 06:34
Another commendable work of volunteers headed by Michelle and Mariel Loredo.
We are inviting the parents to help out with the programs, either by reading to these young ones or by helping out catalog the books.
CARE is not here for babysitting. CARE is here to help out kids and encourage them to read. CARE is here for parents, for them to get the habit of reading to their children and continue their love for reading.
Let's all join forces and make CARE work for the young ones and the "young once".
Comment from: al [Member]
07/23/06 @ 13:46
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FROM JAKARTA
I've been fortunate to have received a copy of the article that Rey wrote about your group and your dream of making children read. I think what you're doing and your contribution to your hometown is priceless.
The situation in the Jakarta public schools is not much different. Most of the children here don't have the luxury of reading story books because of the limited number of books available to them. I've gotten some very good ideas from you (the lending library and soliciting donations from everyone).
At the moment I am trying to start a reading program (much like the Sa Aklat Sisikat program in Manila) but on a very small scale.
I think your group is making a big difference (not a small one). Books can open up a whole new world to these children, and so many things are possible for children who can read. So keep up the good work. Thank you for sharing your vision with us.
All the best,
CLARISSA SUBAGYO
Jakarta, Indonesia
______
Clarissa is co-founder and administrator of the Sekolah Mentari Elementary in Jakarta.
http://www.sekolahmentari.org/elementary/home.htm
The Sa Aklat Sisikat Foundation (SAS), based in Manila, promotes the love and habit of reading in Filipino children by providing the resources for implementing a Reading Program in Philippine public schools.
http://readerstransform.com/
Comment from: al [Member]
07/24/06 @ 11:20
RESOURCES JUST WAITING TO BE TAPPED
Speaking of the Sa Aklat Sisikat Foundation (SAS), the following are comments from AMY VIJAYANAGAR, its Executive Director:
17 July
How wonderful to hear about Filipinos abroad doing so much to promote reading among kids in their hometown. I checked out their website and it's truly impressive how much they have been able to achieve with just a small circle of volunteers. I like their idea of the photo album DVD for fundraising. Given their strong commitment to reading, perhaps we could contact them to see if they would be interested in helping to bring the Reading Program to the schools in Alimodian. Do you think they might be open to something like that?
24 July
Since we share a common vision and desire to promote reading, we at SAS were wondering if your group might be interested in working with us, perhaps to bring the Reading Program to schools in Alimodian. If you would like more information about our program, you may wish to visit our website www.readerstransform.com. We would also be more than happy to send you a packet of materials about who we are and what we do.
We believe that the Reading Program may be a good complement to the excellent work you are doing in the community and would help sustain your efforts by building a culture of reading in the school, training teachers, and putting brand-new storybooks into classrooms.
___________________
O, ayan, Amy already knows about Alimodian. The door is open, so to speak.
The SAS Reading Program is something that the Alimodian public schools can use. There is financing involved, but it is not insurmountable. Financial resources can be found by soliciting funds from concerned Alimodiananons, or the LGU can appropriate funds for it. The cost is a fraction of the money that the town spent to buy a brand new official car. Or how about the proceeds from the town fiesta activities?
The SB in-charge of education and the district supervisors of the Alimodian public school system should explore the possibility of bringing the SAS Reading Program to Alimodian.
It won’t be the panacea to Alimodian’s education problem, but if we go by the SAS proven track record, we are confident it will make a difference.
Will someone in Alimodian please pass on this message to JOB ALMACEN and Dr. NAP ALLONES? They lose nothing by contacting Amy and exploring how the Sa Aklat Sisikat Foundation can help the students of Alimodian.
We need -- and expect -- LEADERSHIP from both the LGU and the public school administrators to solve the educational crisis in Alimodian. This is an opportunity for them to provide it.
Comment from: al [Member]
07/25/06 @ 00:28
MORE ON THE SA AKLAT SISIKAT FOUNDATION READING PROGRAM
More from AMY VIJAYANAGAR:
At SAS we try to emphasize the ways in which the
program will help the local officials achieve their goals for their communities. The
program is pre-packaged (with all books and materials included), tried and tested nationwide (in over 500 schools), and easy to implement
(since it is step by step) and therefore makes their jobs (and the Principals' and teachers' jobs) easier, plus they will see positive
results in their schools which they can share widely and take credit for.
Last year we implemented the program in Ajuy, Iloilo in partnership with Mayor Jett Rojas, who has since become a strong advocate of the program
(though was always an advocate of reading), so if the folks in Alimodian are looking for perspectives from their LGU peers, they may want to speak with Mayor Jett.
If you think it would be helpful, we would be happy to send packets of our materials to any local officials or potential funders that you would recommend, both here in the Philippines and in the US. If any of your local contacts happen to pass through Manila we would be more than happy to meet with them and make a presentation anytime.
_________
SO THERE, IF AJUY CAN DO IT, THAT MEANS ALIMODIAN CAN, TOO.
Comment from: al [Member]
07/25/06 @ 11:36
AND SPEAKING OF AJUY . . .
Here's a portion of a news story (by Ma. Beatriz S. Valencia) from the website of the University of the Philippines Visayas: http://www.upv.edu.ph/news/news.php?id=52
UPV FIELDS ANEW VOLUNTEER TEACHERS
Now on its 9th year, the Gurong Pahinungod Program of UP Visayas deployed 10 graduates who comprise this year's batch of volunteer teachers for 5 rural high schools in the provinces of Iloilo, Aklan, Cebu, and Leyte for SY 2006-2007.
Ms. Anadel Rodrigo and Ms. Lucelle Balinas are assigned in Toledo NHS, Nabas, Aklan; Ms. Tesa Gulanes and Ms. Sunday Rose Fernando at Bucana Bunglas NHS, Ajuy, Iloilo; Ms. Kristin Mae Pedrosa and Ms. Maria Victoria Gicana at Bantayan NHS-Patao Ext., Bantayan, Cebu; Ms. Olivia Merioles and Ms. Kate Allison Gapul at Bung-aw NHS, Hilongos, Leyte; and Ms. Rizel Burlat and Ms. Emmylou Queenie Pelino at Anahawan NHS, Bato, Leyte.
The Gurong Pahinungod Program (GPP) is a joint project between the University of the Philippines and the Department of Education to help enhance the quality of education in the rural areas.
The GP volunteers are selected and trained UP graduates who teach Science, Mathematics, English, and History depending on their expertise and the need of the school. The GP's, as they are called, are expected to serve above and beyond their role as teachers by undertaking projects for the community and the school.
Beneficiary areas during the first four years were the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) such as Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Maguindanao and the provinces of Agusan del Sur, Lanao, and Compostela Valley. On its fifth year, however, when UP Mindanao had its own graduates to serve the area, the UP Visayas Ugnayan ng Pahinungod (now Office of Continuing Education and Pahinungod) decided to focus on Visayan regions VI, VII, and VIII. The provinces of Antique, Capiz, Aklan, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, Leyte, and Samar are among those being served by the program.
Among the constituent universities of the UP System, UPV consistently produces the largest number of volunteers. The number of GP's who willingly serve as volunteer-teachers range from 10 to 45 per year.
_________
Now, how did Ajuy get a Gurong Pahinungod volunteer teacher for one of its schools? Obviously the town's LGU and/or school administrators are doing something that Alimodian's own LGU and/or school administrators are not doing.
We are aware that there is a University of San Agustin-Barangay Dalid tie-up in place (still is?). Alimodian can use more of this kind of collaboration with outside institutions.
Sometime ago we mentioned the Gurong Pahinungod Program of the U.P. Visayas in this Blog. CARE does not have the resources to do the work needed to connect with the people involved in the program at UP Visayas. It can only point the folks in Alimodian to this direction, and, for whatever it is worth, some of us who are graduates of the University of the Philippines can help in some way with their own contacts at the university. The actual work has to be done by the town officials and public school administrators.
Comment from: al [Member]
07/25/06 @ 21:29
WE LOVE CONNECTICUT – AGAIN AND AGAIN
Thanks to the ROWAYTON SCHOOL, in Rowayton, CT, for giving us lots and lots of books; to SARA REILLY, the School Principal, but most especially to JOAN WARD, the School Secretary, who made the arrangements for the donation.
Like most of our generous donors in Connecticut, the school administrators learned of CARE through the stories published in the Darien Times and the Stamford Advocate (the story in the latter was subsequently picked up by the Associated Press). This year, instead of donating the books to their usual recipient, the local library, they gave them to CARE. We are very grateful.
NOAH thought his trip to collect books from Rowayton last Friday was one of his most successful book drives so far. And an overwhelming experience: “Joan Ward, the school secretary, invited me to the school gym, where she offered CARE hundreds, if not thousands, of children books, sets of encyclopedia, science and math text books, and many more.” Noah felt like a kid let loose in a candy store.
Thanks to the generous residents of Connecticut, we have reached a stage where we have more books than we can afford to send to Alimodian, and more book sources than we can possibly exhaust.
WE WELCOME FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM EVERYONE WHO SHARES OUR DREAM OF MAKING AVAILABLE AS MANY BOOKS AS POSSIBLE TO THE CHILDREN OF ALIMODIAN.
The more books we send, the more books the children can borrow, the more children will be able to borrow books; the more books there are for teachers to borrow for their students, the more teachers will be able to borrow books for their students.
IN ALIMODIAN, WE WELCOME VOLUNTEERS TO HELP IN THE PROCESSING OF BOOKS (PUTTING PLASTIC COVERS, PASTING BORROWERS’ FORMS AT THE INSIDE BACKS, CATALOGING/INVENTORY, ETC).
We expect about 17 balikbayan boxes to arrive in Alimodian between now and the first week of September. There will be lots of books to be processed. The sooner they get processed, the faster they are made available for the children, students, teachers, and learning centers to borrow. We cannot offer rewards or incentives to the volunteers – except an opportunity for them to do something good for their young kasimanwas. And CARE’s appreciation and gratitude.
Salamat.
Comment from: al [Member]
07/26/06 @ 09:54
BRING THE SA AKLAT SISIKAT (SAS) READING PROGRAM TO ALIMODIAN
A few hours ago, Amy Vijayanagar, SAS Executive Director, had e-mailed to say that the SAS information kits are on the way to Mayor JUANITO ALIPAO and School District Supervisor NAPOLEON ALLONES.
We urge every Alimodiananon who cares about the education of the children of Alimodian to lobby the municipal mayor and the district supervisors to bring the SAS Reading Program to Alimodian.
If they need testimonials, they can ask Mayor Jett Rojas and the school district supervisors of the municipality of Ajuy about their experience with the SAS Reading Program.
IF AJUY CAN DO IT, SO CAN ALIMODIAN.
Amy had also indicated that should the mayor and the district supervisors -- or their representatives –- find themselves in Manila, SAS “would be more than happy to meet with them and make a presentation anytime.”
______
P.S.
Small world – Ajuy Mayor Jett Rojas was RAD’s schoolmate in high school.
Comment from: al [Member]
07/26/06 @ 12:46
STILL ANOTHER RESOURCE WAITING TO BE TAPPED
When we say there are many resources on improving education that are simply waiting to be tapped, we are not being facetious. There are.
Here's another:
SYNERGEIA, based in the Philippines, "is an organization that aims to transform basic education in collaboration with local governments, parents, and the private sectors."
Website:http://www.synergeia.org.ph/?Module=home
SYNERGEIA works with local governments and encourages them to take responsibility for improving the quality of basic education.
Several LGUs in the province of Iloilo are "institutional partners" of Synergeia.
These municipalities and their respective mayors are:
Ajuy - Jett Rojas
Balasan - Simeon Ganzon
Barotac Viejo - Raul Tupas
Batad - Pedro Alarcon
Carles - Felipe Bernal
Concepcion - Raul Banias
Jaro - Jerry Trenas
Lemery - Lowel Arban
San Dionisio - Pio Villanueva
The municipality of Alimodian should be in the list.
Comment from: RAD [Visitor] • http://www.readerstransform.com/
07/26/06 @ 21:47
Copy of my email to Mayor Alipao and Dr Allones
Dear Dr. Allones and Mayor Alipao:
In earlier correspondence, Dr. Allones indicated the desire to acquire books for Alimodian school libraries. Since then we have found various potential sources of book for such a large endeavor.
On behalf of CARE, I would like to bring to your attention the Sa Aklat Sisikat Foundation (SAS). According to their website (http://www.readerstransform.com/) it is, "a non-profit professional Philippine organization that promotes the love and habit of reading in Filipino children. Our vision is to build a nation of readers. We work with public schools all over the country, providing resources to motivate students to make reading a part of their daily lives." More discussion about SAS and other resources that Alimodian could use on: http://alimodian.net/blog/index.php?blog=1&p=55&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1
We think the Sa Aklat Sisikat Foundation is a valuable resource that the Establishment in Alimodian could use to help our youth. We would also like to encourage the ACES Alumni association to work with SAS to help develop the future generations of alumni.
According to our contact at SAS they implemented the program in Ajuy, Iloilo in partnership with Mayor Jett Rojas, who has since become a strong advocate of the SAS program. Mayor Rojas might be able to share with our LGU his experience dealing with SAS and how it benefits the children of Ajuy. Our contact also says, "If any of your local (Iloilo) contacts happen to pass through Manila we would be more than happy to meet with them and make a presentation anytime."
Best regards...
Ti... Uli run ko ah... Yapon raman tabagak-TG!
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
07/28/06 @ 02:22
Francis Almira is the IS for the municipality of Alimodian (as far as I know).
Francis, kindly print the blog from RAD and AL about SAS for the mayor and the supervisor, if they don't see these ones here.
Thank you.
Comment from: al [Member]
07/29/06 @ 10:02
CALLING LYN PARDO
Hi Lyn,
Nali gusto mo i-Blog ang inyo nga SULONG EXPERIENCE so we can share it.
We've been trying to get your phone number so CARE USA can thank you personally, but we have been unable to so far. Maybe you can get in touch with us through e-mail address care@alimodian.net?
Again, please know we appreciate very much the work that you and the other volunteers are doing in Barangay Sulong.
Comment from: Butód [Visitor]
07/29/06 @ 13:21
Tribute to Volunteers
" We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop. "
~ Mother Teresa ~
I salute you all!!!
Comment from: al [Member]
07/31/06 @ 14:12
UPDATE FROM CARE ALIMODIAN
Didya ron ang 5 balikbayan boxes from Nong Noah.
We will concentrate anay in packing the "processed" books for distribution to the centers so we decongest our book inventory here at the cafe.
FELIPE "Cadoy" QUIJANO III will read at this Saturday's DEAR session. We will have a story telling, then their "activity" will be a "masquerade"; the kids will create masks using felt paper.
May mga bata na "malulusog" so ang t-shirts from the Iloilo Supermart e masikip. We need larger t-shirts for them.
Comment from: al [Member]
07/31/06 @ 17:14
TO: KIND HEARTS
To anyone who feels generous enough to donate t-shirts for the DEAR participants, you may contact us via e-mail at: care@alimodian.net OR contact Michelle in Alimodian.
Today Noah shipped 9 balikbayan boxes (of books).
By now we have sent a substantial quantity of books to Alimodian, thanks to our generous donors, particularly the residents, libraries, and schools in the state of Connecticut.
We can use financial support from the Bloggers or those who visit this website so we can continue sending more books to Alimodian.
Except for a small amount that pays for the plastic covers and office supplies used for the processing of books and snacks for the children during the DEAR sessions, the money that we have raised (and sometimes still to raise) all goes to the shipping charges of the balikbayan boxes. From Connecticut, it costs $75 a box to ship to Alimodian.
A box of books is more than a box of books.
Each book will get passed from one child to another in Alimodian until its pages crumble into bits -- heaven knows how many children that will be.
And, God willing, that book will be replaced with ten or more books, in an unending cycle of book passing from one child' hand to another child's hand.
Our newfound DEAR supporter in Jakarta tells us: "You should never underestimate the effect reading has on children and making books available to them. To have made a difference in ONE child's life is already significant."
We hope so.
Comment from: al [Member]
08/07/06 @ 13:06
THANK YOU, INDAY ELENA
ELENA BUENSALIDO MANGAHAS, of Stockton, California, is sending -- and paying for -- a balikbayan box of math and science textbooks to CARE Alimodian.
Elena is one of the early supporters of CARE, and continues to inspire us with her cheerful encouragement and profound talking-from-experience wisdom.
A social activist in Northern California, she is the co-chairperson of the Little Manila Foundation, which “advocates for the historic preservation of the Little Manila Historic Site in Stockton, California, and provides education and leadership to revitalize the Filipina/o American community.” www.littlemanila.net
A stage actress/director, her most recent theatre accomplishment was helping the Filipina Women’s Network (FWN), based in San Francisco, bring two benefit performances of Eve Ensler’s “The Vagina Monologues” and “Usaping Puki” (Tagalog version) to New York City in June this year. The Filipina Women’s Network is “a nonprofit association for women of Philippine ancestry. It provides educational resources through publications, lectures, activities, and programs to further the professional and personal development of its members.” www.ffwn.org
Comment from: al [Member]
08/08/06 @ 08:58
DEAR SESSION
Thank you to the following CARE readers and volunteers for their help during the August 5 DEAR session:
ANA LEA ALGER
NINA XIAMINA ALGER
VERLITO MEDINA
NIKNIK QUIA
HETZEL QUIA
FELIPE QUIJANO III
We have not kept up with the posting of photos and reports on the DEAR session, but we are happy to note that the program goes on without fail every other Saturday at the Balabaw Cafe.
We still have to feature the reading program in Sulong.
To our young volunteers, again, thank you very much for your hard work and commitment.
10/20/07 @ 08:16Comment from: al [Member]
08/09/06 @ 08:47
AUGUST 5 DEAR SESSION PHOTOS
Copy and paste:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/nutshell_ann/album?.dir=/a125scd&.src=ph&.tok=phwrHUFBhePCS54a
The "activity" du jour was "masquerade," i.e., creating masks out of felt paper.
Enjoy the faces of the children of Alimodian!
Comment from: al [Member]
08/09/06 @ 21:08
CARING FOR THE CHILDREN OF ALIMODIAN
Looking at the photos of the DEAR participants we are reminded yet again how much we wish there are more of the reading session happening all over town and in all the barangays of Alimodian.
At the very least, the session provides the children with something positive to do on Saturday mornings, even for only a couple of hours – time otherwise spent loafing around, or doing nothing, or watching their parents play mahjong.
At best, aside from fostering the habit of reading, the session provides a stimulating learning environment in which children learn to use their imagination and creativity, develop social and communication skills through interaction with other children, and through mentoring by caring adults, gain self-confidence.
One cannot underestimate the effect on a child of an activity like a DEAR session.
As the young volunteers who have been conducting these sessions since May demonstrate to us all, just about all that is needed to conduct these sessions are time, energy – and commitment.
If they can pull it off, so can other young people, professionals, retirees – actually, all the physically able citizens of Alimodian.
Think of the difference that simultaneous reading sessions involving as many children as possible can make in the education – nay, the lives – of the children, and, we daresay, in the future of Alimodian itself.
Everyone talks about “helping” or “giving back” to their town – well, here is one cheap, tangible, meaningful contribution that everyone can make.
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
08/12/06 @ 05:22
"I can't imagine where I'd be or who I'd be had reading not been such a fundamental tool in my life." --Oprah Winfrey
Comment from: al [Member]
08/13/06 @ 09:53
Magician David Blaine is spokesperson for the New York State 2006 Summer Reading Program, "Books: A Treasure!"
"It was in the Brooklyn Public Library Park Slope Library that I first read about Houdini and the other magicians that started my lifelong passion for magic. There I got lost in the world of books and the dream that allowed me to become who I am today was born.
"Books are truly a treasure! I encourage kids all over New York to go to their libraries this summer, register for the Summer Reading Program, and discover the surprises waiting for them between the covers of books. Summer is not the time to stop reading, it's the time to keep reading. With the support of their local librarians, kids should use the summer to experiment with books and explore the topics that fascinate them. They will soon realize that reading is fun and not just for school. And parents: reading over the summer has been proven to help academic performance during the next school year. So get your youngsters out to the library! They may discover a new interest, hobby, or who knows, maybe even their career."
______
A "summer reading program" is the kind of activity that the Alimodian LGU and the Alimodian District School Administrators should be collaborating on for the children of Alimodian.
Comment from: Butód [Visitor]
08/13/06 @ 11:09
"Get over the idea that only children should spend their time in study.
Be a student so long as you still have something to learn,
and this will mean all your life."
--Henry Doherty (1870 - 1939)
Learning, and that includes reading, is a lifelong process as they say. So this DEAR program is a give-and-take process for the kids and the volunteers. These guys are lucky.
Poor me. Nobody told that "sintirmo", one of my most dreaded Halloween stories, was "St. Elmo's Fire" in English.
Comment from: al [Member]
08/13/06 @ 13:33
Poor me also.
I do not remember being taught "directions" - apart from "the sun rises in the east, the sun sets in the west" and "Lawod" and "Raya" -- unless I was absent on the day they had the following lesson/activity in class:
"To begin, students should have a clear understanding of front, back, right and left. This will allow for them to use transferring as a way of learning and turn directions into the cardinal directions of north, south, east and west. Students will begin with a game that will direct them to the concept of a fixed point of reference and an understanding of why we need cardinal directions. Students will also learn that the North Pole is the point of reference most commonly used. Students will also learn that north is always the same no matter where they are on Earth. Students will create their own compass roses. Students will use their compass roses to identify objects as being north, south, east, or west. Students will practice using their compass roses and reinforce their understanding of cardinal directions by playing a game where they are to locate a hidden treasure by following clues based on the cardinal directions. Finally, the students will show they have mastered the skill of understanding cardinal directions by listening to a story, following directions on a map and marking certain locations."
I hope kids now are luckier/smarter than we were at their age.
Comment from: michelle [Visitor]
08/15/06 @ 03:56
mga kasimanwas
you can now view the online edition of Filipinas Magazine.
http://www.filipinasmag.com/magazine.html#
click niyo lang ang button nga "click here to read online edition" gabukas pa man maski may nakabutang nga asta lang May 2006 ang free.
the article can be found on pages 47-48.
salamat sa liwat sa tanan nga naga supporta sa program sang CARE.
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
08/23/06 @ 02:54
CARE thanks Mr. & Mrs. Gary Marlow for a box of books they gave and the $50 to help with the shipping cost. Mr. & Mrs. Marlow are from New Hampshire and in full support of our program.
I was also informed by some friends that they read the article written by Rey de la Cruz in the FILIPINAS magazine about CARE and are impressed with the volunteerism of the youth in our hometown.
Our thanks to our young volunteers. We are waiting for retirees to join us soon!
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
08/28/06 @ 23:21
CARE volunteers thank Mrs. Cecilia Almeria for the books her family donated to CARE at Balabao and for the P3,000 (three thousand pesos) she donated for a book shelf.
Thank you Nang Celia for your donation. We also welcome you to join and be a volunteer.
Comment from: al [Member]
09/02/06 @ 15:38
RESPONSE TO THE FILIPINAS MAGAZINE STORY ON CARE ("Turning a Page for the Barrio," by Rey. E. de la Cruz, August 2006 issue)
How absolutely wonderful to read the article in Filipinas Magazine of your good work in Iloilo. My husband and I have been devoting our lives to bring decent books to kids in barrios in the Phils. We have developed 56 world class schools and one of the requirements is DEAR . . . we call it SSR, sustained silent reading. Developing the culture of reading is THE priority as well. A problem that we encounter all the time is to convince teachers that it is OK to have kids take home books. So often, they think the Dep Ed memo that if a child loses a book, the teacher is responsible. I salute you for doing such good work. We send a 40 foot container of books out every 4 to 5 weeks . . . and we are all volunteers! Groups of school children come and learn that the children in the Philippines are “JUST LIKE US”, except when they go to school and that is where the likeness ends. Please give me the correct address and a cell phone number so I can donate some of our boxes to your school. Thanks for seeing what REALLY needs to happen in the country that is so close to my heart. AND, thanks to GREG MACABENTA for publishing such important work. By the way, I was born and raised in TRUMBULL, Connecticut. MABUHAY! -- NANCY HARRINGTON
Nancy is the Executive Director of Books for the Barrios, which she and her husband DAN HARRINGTON started while they lived in the Philippines from 1981 to 1986.
For more information, check out: www.booksforthebarios.com
LCA has already responded to Nancy's wonderful letter. We hope to learn from the long and productive experience of Books for the Barrios as CARE continues to move forward with its own modest initiatives.
Many thanks to Nancy for taking the time to write.
Comment from: al [Member]
09/02/06 @ 16:00
MORE PEOPLE TO LOVE IN CONNECTICUT
Thanks a lot to:
MARJORIE H. MERRIAM, DAVID W. MORGAN, and Mr. and Mrs. TOM RYAN, all of Darien, CT, for their financial contribution that paid for the shipping charges of two balikbayan boxes that NOAH sent on August 25.
Darien, CT residents KATHI TORMEY and her officemates, who donated boxes of children's books; and MARIO OQUENDO, of Shelton, CT, who drove to Darien to drop off children's books with NOAH. These generous donors had read about CARE's programs in news stories published in various newspapers in Connecticut.
Comment from: al [Member]
09/02/06 @ 16:39
UPDATE FROM CARE ALIMODIAN
* Photos of the August 19 DEAR session can be viewed at:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/nutshell_ann/album?.dir=c781scd&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/nutshell_ann/my_photos
* The balikbayan boxes of books shipped by LCA (2) and NOAH (4) in July have arrived in Alimodian.
Comment from: al [Member]
09/03/06 @ 10:38
THANKS, NOREEN
LCA has already thanked CECILIA ALMERIA and family for their generous cash donation to pay for a bookshelf for a CARE book-lending center.
We would like to reiterate our appreciation for their generosity, and to thank in particular daughter NOREEN ALMERIA.
Thanks a lot, Noreen.
Comment from: al [Member]
09/04/06 @ 06:59
(STILL) MORE PEOPLE TO LOVE IN CONNECTICUT
CARE acknowledges with deep appreciation the cash donation of Mrs. SARAH RAVER, ROBERT DALY Esq., and Dr. JOHN M. WILSON, all of Darien, CT; and ROBERT SPOSATO, of Norwalk, CT.
Their donation -- plus a small amount from future donors -- will pay for the (near future)shipment of two balikbayan boxes.
The kind souls of Connecticut are donating cash from $2.00 to $100.00 to pay for the shipment of balikbayan boxes to Alimodian.
FRANK McGAREY, of Darien, CT, who earlier shocked us by offering a "warehouse" of children's books and textbooks, is reminding us that we are welcome to "empty" his warehouse. He is probably mystified why we have not yet taken up his generous offer. We are talking containers of books here -- and consequently a few thousand dollars to defray shipping expenses; we are still cranking up ideas on how to raise subtantial amounts of money.
As always, our gratitude to NOAH MONTENEGRO for his untiring efforts to make more new best friends for CARE -- and for keeping faith.
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
09/05/06 @ 18:44
Empanada for CARE
Eddie Mesa was in Boston for a concert. CARE took the opportunity to raise fund for CARE and we got $75.00 for selling empanada.
Rosemarie Hill loves it so we gave her a bag to bring home.
Our thanks to Arme Dela Cruz Gallanaro for accomodating our request for a fund-raising for CARE. We also have a display (pictures) of our DEAR sessions on the table.
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
09/05/06 @ 18:46
CARE would like to thank Mr John O'Dowd of Braintree, Massachusetts for donating $20.00 for our CARE initiatives. He was impressed with our project and enjoyed the empanada!
Thank you JOHN!
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
09/05/06 @ 18:49
Wow! Things are getting better for CARE!
Thank you to the family of Tony and Rossini (Sta Cruz)Decastro for the $20.00 donation for CARE. She also collected $28.00 from the sales of the DVD that we have about our town.
Thank you ALL!
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
09/07/06 @ 16:08
We also would like to thank the members of Alimodian Association of America (AAA) through the leadership of Adelia Caparanga Cruz. They collected $340 as donation for the DVD that the webmaster produced.
Comment from: al [Member]
09/07/06 @ 19:29
WOW!
The DVD (Alimodian Photo Album) is a treasure to own. It is priceless.
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
09/09/06 @ 23:07
In response to CARE's campaign, RENE ALINGASA expressed his interest in bringing our two programs in the seven cities. He is the head teacher in one of the schools there.
DIOLY MENESIS ANDEO is also refurbishing the mini-library in her classroom with some of CARE's books.
Welcome, Dioly and Rene!
Please continue to spread the word.
Comment from: michelle [Visitor]
09/09/06 @ 23:48
manong noah, ari na ang 9 boxes. we are working on it already.
Rene, pirme ka man diri gakadto wala ka gid hambal nga head teacher ka na. kadto ka lang di liwat kay i-orient ko kaw sa program.kag if tawhay masaka kami sa cabacanan a.
Comment from: al [Member]
09/11/06 @ 11:42
ANOTHER EDUCATION RESOURCE THAT THE LGU AND THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION CAN – AND SHOULD – AVAIL
The following is an e-mail from ROWENA JIMENEZ, founder and director of Bagong Kulturang Pinoy, a nonprofit organization based in N. Andover, MA, “whose overarching mission is to develop a reading culture among Filipino children in poverty-stricken areas in the Philippines.”
BKP’s website is: www.aklatan.com
Among others, BKP offers free “read-aloud method” workshops and helps set up mini libraries in collaboration with local NGOs in the Philippines.
We urge strongly the Alimodian LGU and public school administrators to avail of this valuable resource.
They can coordinate their efforts with LCA.
_________
“Hello. I found out about CARE thru Leila Amarra of MA. We run a similar program to the one you have in your hometown. Please visit our website at www.aklatan.org.
“I thought we could share info on how to get more books in your area -- tons of books are being discarded everywhere! Please let me know if you’re interested with some book drive tips!
“Moreover, would you have someone in the Philippines that could work with BKP Philippines in learning about the read-aloud method courtesy of the Rotary International? Workshops are free of charge -- and the method can be used by teachers as it works well when done in conjunction with teaching.
“Hope to hear from you -- and more power! Literacy really is power!"
Blessings,
Rowena Jimenez
BKP volunteer
______
CARE thanks Rowena for her generous offer.
Comment from: al [Member]
09/14/06 @ 17:02
MANY THANKS TO DR. AMARILLO
CARE acknowledges with deep appreciation the $150.00 check donation from Dr. RIZALITO AMARILLO, of Hagerstown, Maryland.
Apart from his generous financial support, Dr. Amarillo has encouraged CARE's efforts from the very beginning, for which we are very grateful.
Comment from: al [Member]
09/15/06 @ 10:32
WILL SOMEONE PLEASE PASS ALONG THIS MESSAGE TO THE LGU?
Earlier this year, Dr. RIZALITO AMARILLO went home to Alimodian, during which he observed the Lenten celebration and attended the kick-off of the ACES grand reunion.
When he returned to Maryland, he wrote the LGU:
* requesting them to refurbish the tarnished bust of Gregorio Alvior, Alimodian’s first town mayor
* asking them to send someone to deal with the termite infestation and inspect the other damage in the municipal library
* offering to match the funds the town can raise for the construction of a “decent” library if they can find a place to build it
We have printed excerpts of his letter in a couple of postings in this Blog in May this year.
(If the LGU is doing its job, it should be monitoring every avenue in which Alimodiananons post information, opinions, etc. -- like this web site, for example.)
UNTIL NOW DR. AMARILLO HAS NOT HAD THE COURTESY OF AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF, MUCH LESS A RESPONSE TO, HIS LETTER.
For goodness sake, the guy is pushing 81 years old, he has given back to his hometown in good measure, starting with his service in town as medical doctor in the late 50s, and over the years through financial contribution to one project or another in Alimodian.
For example, many years ago, through funds he raised in conjunction with the Lions Club in Sharspburg, West Virginia (of which he served as president), he financed the reconstruction of the two-room school building in Barangay Laylayan that was destroyed by the typhoon.
All in all, he is one of those rare overseas Alimodiananons -- no matter how far he has travelled in his professional and personal life, he has always looked back at his hometown, always concerned about the welfare of his kasimanwas.
Alimodian should give him an award or something.
Even if the LGU chose to ignore the suggestions he noted in his letter, how much does it take to send him a short letter to acknowledge that, yes, we have received your letter, thank you very much?
At the very least, Dr. Amarillo deserves respect from the government officials of his hometown.
Comment from: al [Member]
09/16/06 @ 08:35
SEPTEMBER 16 DEAR SESSION
In today's session, each kid read aloud a story of his/her choice.
The photos may be viewed at:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/nutshell_ann/album?.dir=/5926scd&.src=ph&.tok=ph7npgFBPaGlUQTp
They are the photos that speak "DEAR in Alimodian."
Be happy for and proud of the children!
Comment from: al [Member]
09/17/06 @ 08:35
SPECIAL THANKS to
CARE volunteers XIAMINA and LEA ALGER, who helped MICHELLE mind the kids during the September 16 DEAR session.
Comment from: al [Member]
09/17/06 @ 15:21
THANKS A LOT, NEO
From Michelle:
"May nagbigay po kanina dito ng cash donation of 5,000.00 pesos. Ang pangalan na binigay e NEO. Ayaw magpakilala kung sino talaga. Pinabigay niya kay Mrs. Barredo. Sabi nya huwag na daw banggitin ang pangalan ng donor."
_____
We continue to be suprised by kind-hearted souls who give help to CARE out of the blue.
This donation is special to us because the donor has an aversion to publicity -- and true to his word.
We know who NEO is (Michelle did not, or probably forgot). He is a young, thoughtful Alimodiananon who was very encouraging in the early days when we were not sure we could pull off CARE/DEAR.
We appreciated very much his moral support then; his financial donation now is icing on the cake.
To NEO, salamat gid.
Comment from: al [Member]
09/18/06 @ 20:56
ANOTHER HEARTWARMING STORY FROM CONNECTICUT
CARE is grateful to HELEN C.M. MILLER, of Darien, CT, for her check donation of $200.00 through Noah Montenegro.
As Noah tells the story:
"A lady resident of Darien came to the Post Office. She was very apologetic. I asked her, Why?
"She said she left for Europe a few weeks ago, and while there remembered that she was supposed to give a cash donation to CARE.
"She read about CARE's appeal for help in paying for the shipping charges of balikbayan boxes to Alimodian in the August 10 issue of the Darien Times.
"She asked how much she could donate. I smiled and said, 'from $1.00 to sky is the limit.'
"The nice lady wrote a check for $200.00 to CARE."
_______
We live for stories like NEO's and Helen Miller's.
Comment from: al [Member]
09/22/06 @ 19:57
AND STILL ANOTHER . . .
Thank you very much to GORDON and ELAINE SMITH, of Darien, CT, for their $50 check donation.
Here's the story from Noah on how Mr. and Mrs. Smith's support came about:
"A couple dropped off a set of children's encyclopedia at the Darien Post Office, with a note:'please give us a call, we'd love to see you.'
"I phoned to make an apppointment, and after work I visited with them at their gorgeous place in the back country of Darien.
"After a brief, warm conversation and a firm handshake, Mr. Smith gave me a check for CARE worth $50.00. Not bad for a short talk and a firm handshake.
"They are a nice couple with a great interest in education."
________
What can we say? As always, we envy Noah's endless wonderful adventure working on CARE initiatives!
Comment from: rosalyn [Member]
09/23/06 @ 00:00
http://www.alimodian.gov.ph/
I just came across this website while doing a search tonight. Maybe if we send something through the webmaster or the lgu e-mail, there might be a response?
Comment from: al [Member]
09/23/06 @ 12:34
L-O-L!
Good luck.
Moi, I will communicate with the LGU the old-fashioned way -- via carrier pigeons.
Nali mas may sabat ang communication if brought kang mga kalapati (na mata-as ang lipad) kesa sa hand-delivered letters, postal mail, e-mail, telephone calls, smoke signals, etc.
Hope springs eternal.
Comment from: Noah [Visitor]
09/23/06 @ 16:49
We have a good chance of hitting a POWER BALL jackpot than getting the LGU's respose.been there, done that,still we're like talking to the wall. Inday Lynn, good idea.anybody else can think the best idea or at least give 10 reasons why? we haven't get even just a single response from LGU. please be gentle!mahina ang kalaban:
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Comment from: Butód [Visitor]
09/23/06 @ 17:30
Da website is still raw. Da establishment may not even dare take a look at it.
But we are kind pipol.Give dem sometime to make it more interesting.
Mas rako pa info ija sa blogsite.
So,keep bloggin''til da establishment gets rockin'.
"We are made to persist. That's how we find out who we are." - Tobias Wolff
Comment from: al [Member]
09/24/06 @ 09:14
The website will start "rockin" in time for the next -- ELECTION!
Start counting.
Comment from: rosalyn [Member]
09/24/06 @ 10:09
How about this.... instead of addressing it to Mayor Alipao, address it to the SB Member who would be in-charge of these projects?
Comment from: rosalyn [Member]
09/24/06 @ 10:10
There is an election next year.
Comment from: al [Member]
09/24/06 @ 12:09
PROJECT ACCOUNTABILITY
In the next election campaign cycle, we intend to (1) record every promise that every politician will make on the campaign trail, and (2)if they get elected, in this Blog (among others), hold them to account for every promise they have made.
The project will be a nonpartisan, strictly in-their-own-words, without malice undertaking.
What do we hope the project to accomplish?
Absolutely nothing.
Except the willfull belief that it is our civic duty to do so, and in this electronic Blog age we no longer have an excuse not to exercise that duty.
Volunteer "recorders" and "accountants" (Inday LYN -- this is for you. L-O-L!) are welcome.
Comment from: Noah [Visitor]
09/24/06 @ 16:25
another brilliant idea from AL. we'll held these local officials accountable of what's coming from their mouth,during the compaign trail.we can not afford another broken promises,and nonsense excuses.we'll put them in the spotlight to be a responsible public servants.this is not about kong sin-o ang SIKAT or SIGA kay opisyal tana ka banwa.this is about serious public service. (Inday LYN-- please organize a watchdog group asap!)I love the idea.I'll support you 100%.
Comment from: rosalyn [Member]
09/24/06 @ 19:00
I am honoured to be assigned this task. hehehehe.
My only problem is, I need a source from alimodian who will write down what the candidates' promises. That's kinda hard to do when you are thousands of miles across the globe.
FYI. ALSACAN 2006 Fiesta pictures have been uploaded on the Gallery.
Comment from: al [Member]
09/24/06 @ 19:23
Don't worry, we will make sure you will have your volunteer recorders/reporters.
Comment from: Butód [Visitor]
09/25/06 @ 10:31
excerpts from:
COMMENTARY
Making education a national priority
By Aniceto M. Sobrepeña
Inquirer
Last updated 00:17am (Mla time) 09/25/2006
Published on page A15 of the September 25, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
...THE INQUIRER REFERRED TO private sector involvement as the brightest spot in Philippine public education...So much money, so much energy, so much generosity...(but) The National Achievement Test (NAT) results remain low, the High School Readiness Test (HSRT) results are dismal, and our ranking in the Trends in International Math and Science Studies (TIMSS) has not improved...We propose that the private sector, the Department of Education and our partners jointly adopt, for the next five years, this goal: To bring up the national average test results from 57 percent to 75 percent in five years.Clear. Measurable. Performance-based. And reasonable. For now, we only ask for the passing grade: 75...I know of a mayor in Nueva Ecija who has made a commitment to take care of raising the quality of education in the 15 public schools in her town. At this level, isn’t 57 to 75 more doable? What if we make 57 to 75 the goal of every region, of every province, every city, every town and even every barangay?...This proposal has four components. The first one is community participation. The second component is called “the minimum basket of goods.” Our programs and activities should be simple enough to be delivered system-wide. The third component is resource mobilization. And finally, we will need enabling laws and policies. Any school level assistance can prosper only with a supportive and enabling legislative and executive policy environment...Targets “57 to 75” and “no school below 60” might just be the light we are all looking for at this time. Let us all walk together—toward this light.
Comment from: Butód [Visitor]
09/25/06 @ 11:13
that would be a good "plataporma" if i were to run for the town council. just one program for the whole 3-year term. i'll leave the other concerns to the local executive.
but i don't have P100k to fund my campaign. not a single centavo to buy a basketball for one barangay. i can't provide coffee and pandesal to my supporter(s) if ever there is one.
any chance that i get appointed? maybe, but i should first be the chief's son.
Comment from: al [Member]
09/25/06 @ 14:42
Butod,
OK, you want to serve/give back to your hometown but:
1. Cannot be elected to a public office because you do not have the financial resources to run a campaign, i.e., money to buy votes and/or provide meryenda to supporters/voters.
OR
2. Cannot be appointed to a public office because you are not the mayor's wife or an SB member's nephew.
So, what should/can anyone in your predicament do?
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
09/26/06 @ 02:53
Butod, if you really REALLY want to serve our beloved hometown, be a volunteer for CARE. Open your house to children where they can read, have a satellite library for the book-lending program and organize volunteers in your barangay. You don't have to buy coffee and pandesal for them...the possibilities are endless!
Comment from: Butód [Visitor]
09/26/06 @ 16:21
Dear CARE,
Consider me in one way or another, as one of your volunteers in spreading this drive to improve the literacy rate in Alimodian even if I am constrained to open my house just like as what you have done.
I thought you were talking about the coming elections so I sent a possible scenario of somebody who may be interested in running for a post with a platform in mind but without resources to depend on to. What I said were just the recurring things that happen during elections and these are the things people pay attention to. Most of these voters may not even recall what has been promised to them for the next three years. They will only expect the one-time monetary reward if the other opposing candidate gets nil.
Maybe I am wrong. But with the reactions I read from this site regarding the present establishment, I am certain that the same is still happening. So, how could that interested somebody reverse this practice and come out a winner fair and square?
Perhaps, the proposed records of promises would be some sort of deterrent to those who would just like to attach the word “honorable” to their names. They may have second thoughts in pursuing this title. But if they insist to run, it would still be you and me that decide who to vote for.
It is best to be non-partisan but it is our duty to find ways to put people in the establishment whom we believe can meet our expectations.
One doesn’t need to be in Alimodian for him/her to make a difference. Maybe we can make this blog site serve as the candidates’ dissecting chamber.
That would be another section.
(This is getting serious. Want some tea?)
Comment from: al [Member]
09/26/06 @ 20:23
We will open a new thread where we can discuss politics, Alimodian-style.
Comment from: al [Member]
10/01/06 @ 16:02
KIND STRANGERS IN THE MAIL
Every now and then care@alimodian.net receives e-mails from complete strangers offering to donate books. Oftentimes we cannot take them up on their kind offer because we do not have the means to pay for the tranport of the books, but we do appreciate very much and thank them for the gesture. Also, most of the time we love the stories they tell.
Like this recent e-mail exchange from Bob B. (we think he resides in the Pacific Northwest).
September 20, 2006:
“We are thinning out our books and probably have 50 – 200 which we will get rid of. We cannot afford to ship them.
"Is there a way to get them somewhere that they can be sent? Are you looking for particular subjects? Condition? Authors?
"I read about this in the 07/11/06 ASIAN REPORTER printed (published) in Portland, Oregon."
September 29, 2006:
“I commend you for the effort that you are making for books for your hometown. And I do appreciate you replying to my inquiry.
“We will be thinning our books from time to time as we get them read. You can only read so many at a time.
“My wife’s great-grandfather fought in the Civil War (North), so her grandfather bought a lot of Civil War books. He only had one child who survived to adulthood, so my father-in-law inherited the books. Also he loved Civil War and WWII and bought his share. When he passed away, my brother-in-law, living in Oklahoma, did not want the books, so we have all of them plus our own.
“We have history, religious, self-improvement, cooking, gardening, American Heritage (originally a hardback magazine now a soft back) from day one. If you believe you could use any of them let me know. I do not like to dump books, which I did 15 years ago to 2 sets of encyclopedias.
“Thank you for all you do.”
Comment from: RAD [Visitor] • http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9104192146068872601&q=alimodian
10/02/06 @ 01:01
If there are any kind kasimanwa's in the Pacific Northwest (Washington/Oregon), may we ask you to see if you can facilitate or finance shipping of books to Alimodian? Again, as I have mentioned earlier:
1) CARE/DEAR is a free service for the benefit of Alimodian's kids,
2)CARE will not dictate where to send it. We only ask that you send them to where they could be put to use & shared with whoever needs them .
If you'd like to send books to your choice of beneficiaries, may we suggest that you have a volunteer there to take care of them?
Also if the recipient's need help/ideas of how to set up the mini-library or conduct reading sessions, please ask them to contact Michelle Mariel at Balabaw Cafe.
Comment from: al [Member]
10/05/06 @ 15:16
A FRIEND WHO CAREs
Thank you very much to ANTONIO C. ANTONIO, of San Leandro, CA, for his $25 donation to CARE.
Comment from: RAD [Visitor] • http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2768040530089878695fxtqcJ
10/06/06 @ 01:49
Here's the Copy of the Filipinas Magazine article on CARE. (Link Above)
Comment from: al [Member]
10/06/06 @ 08:53
UPDATE ON THE EFFORT TO BRING SA AKLAT SISIKAT READING PROGRAM TO ALIMODIAN
Amy Vijanagar, Executive Director of SAS, has sent us a copy of her latest communication to Sir Nap:
Dear Dr. Allones,
Warm greetings from SAS! I hope you were spared the effects of Typhoon Milenyo more than we were here in Manila. Finally we have power restored in most areas, so life is getting back to normal.
Many thanks again for sharing with us the data we requested for the public elementary schools in Alimodian. Please find attached the proposal and budget that we have submitted to Mayor Alipao’s office by hard copy. We have also sent a hard copy to your office, for your reference, as well as a copy of the cover letter we submitted to the Mayor. We hope that Mayor Alipao will agree to sponsor the program so that we can work together to bring the love and habit of reading to the children of Alimodian!
I am copying here Mr. Ray Deza and Ms. Angioline Loredo from CARE, as I know they are very interested in learning about possible reading programs in Alimodian and have been very enthusiastic about and supportive of the SAS program. I am also copying here my colleague Ms. Jean Alingod-Guittap, our Reading Manager, who will be managing the program on behalf of SAS once sponsorship is approved.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like any additional information. Also, if there is anything we can do to encourage the Mayor to implement the program, please feel free to share your recommendations.
With very best wishes,
Amy
__________
We encourage everyone to lobby the LGU and help find financing for the program, if necessary.
We have pointed out previously that Mayor Jett Rojas has brought the SAS reading program to the municipality of Ajuy.
If Ajuy can do it, surely Alimodian can, too.
We are keeping our fingers crossed.
Good luck to the children of Alimodian.
For information on the SAS reading program, check out: www.readerstransform.com
Comment from: al [Member]
10/07/06 @ 10:42
OCTOBER 7 DEAR SESSION
"Seventeen children attended today's reading session.
"CARE volunteer NINA XIAMINA ALGER read 'The Giving Tree' by Shel Silverstein."
__________
["The Giving Tree," published in 1964 by Harper & Row, has become a classic of modern children's literature. How it got published and became one of the most successful children's books in years is an interesting story in itself. The book, illustrated in graceful cartoon style by author Shel Silverstein, is a story about a relationship of give and take between a boy and a tree throughout both the tree's and the boy's life span. It begins with "Once there was a tree..." (Dots are Silverstein's).]
__________
"The story was a perfect segue to a lecture and discussion on the importance of trees, a subject of important currency given the flashfloods brought on by two typhoons that had just pummeled the country. We gave the children home assigments on trees that they should bring back for the next DEAR session."
__________
We will post photos of the October 7 DEAR session as soon as they are available.
As always, we thank the CARE volunteers who helped conduct today's session.
We continue to urge other Alimodiananons to organize a "reading session" in their own neighborhoods and barangays -- with CARE's assistance OR on their own, INDEPENDENT of CARE.
We continue to fantasize about the impact of simultaneous reading sessions bringing together the greatest number of children of Alimodian.
And we continue to wonder why this is NOT happening when all it takes is a small place, simple juice and cookie snack -- and a couple of hours of ADULT time every other weekend or once a month.
PAMORNINGAN kita sa mahjongan -- and we cannot give two hours of our time reading to children? To paraphrase an oft-quoted admonition: No man ever said on his deathbed "I wish I had spent more time at the mahjong table."
As it has evolved in the last few months, the DEAR session, aside from encouraging a habit of reading, is a "nurturing" and "mentoring" place for the children.
During the DEAR session we try to reinforce simple lessons of courtesy, responsibility, caring for their fellow children, etc.
For a couple of hours every other Saturday, the children MATTER, they are the most important people in the world of Alimodian.
We do not have delusion/illusion about the difference that the session is making -- or not making -- on the young lives.
Who knows how children think? Who knows how they learn? How do they grow up into responsible and caring adults? Theoretically we have some ideas, given the research studies done on children in the last couple of decades.
Based on our own experience and looking back at our own childhood, we take everything in and process it unconsciously. We become the adults we are in great part because of the children we were.
Children grow up very quickly. We do not have time to waste.
Comment from: al [Member]
10/08/06 @ 08:17
UPDATE FROM CARE ALIMODIAN
* Two balikbayan boxes from Nong Noah have arrived. One box is all encyclopedias; the other we have not opened yet. We will start coding the books today so they can be transferred into smaller boxes.
* The CAGAY Elementary School has picked up the first of the three boxes of books that they have requested.
* We are preparing additional books for the barangay schools of TARUG and ULAY -- science, English, and math textbooks that we did not supply in the first batches of books that we lent them sometime ago.
* Teachers are going over the teaching manuals to check what, if any, they can use.
Comment from: Butód [Visitor]
10/08/06 @ 11:31
DepEd Chief Relaunches Adopt-A-School
"Pasig City (20 September) -- Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Jesli Lapus urged various business leaders to support basic education during the relaunching of the department's Adopt-A-School program at the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City..."
Lots of packages are presented there with corresponding amount to every package. SAS is just one of the packages. This may help the different alumni batches in deciding on what will be their reunion gift to Alimodian.
Interested? Please check:
http://www.adopt-a-school.ph/index.htm
Comment from: al [Member]
10/08/06 @ 23:49
FOLLOW-UP FROM CARE ALIMODIAN
We requested CARE Alimodian to amplify on how the books for barangay schools program works. Here's a follow-up from Michelle:
"The principal and/or head teacher of the barangay schools are usually the ones who request books. We ask them whether the books are for kinder or grade school students. Then we show them the books. Ideally we should have all the books on display so they themselves can make the choices, but right now we are still in the process of organizing our space and will soon start building additional book shelves. So what we do is collect a mix of children's books and textbooks on English, Science, and Math, and books that can be used for home reading assignments like literature and classics. We put these books in boxes and get them ready for pick up.
"We also have individual teachers who come to borrow books, like some teachers from Ugbo, and a teacher from Ulay who requested teacher's manual.
"These teachers include Ms. MARY JERT SABIT, head teacher, Cagay Elementary School; Mrs. ROSE SACLOTE and Ms. JEAN ALCALDE, Ulay Elementary School; and Mrs. FATIMA ALDAMAR, Tarug Elementary School.
"The Dalid Elementary School and the Quinaspan Elementary School, which have put in their requests, have yet to pick up the boxes earmarked for them.
"The Ulay Elementary School and the Tarug Elementary School had previously borrowed books; the additional books we are sending now come fron the 9 boxes from Manong Noah that arrived a month ago.
"Today Mr. ANACAN of Brgy. Ginomoy came. He is the father of Mrs. EDNA ANACAN HERNANDEZ, probably a Triple A member since she resides in California. He requested books for his barangay. We told him they will be ready on Friday and to get somebody to pick up the box.
"As soon as the books for the two schools (Dalid and Quinaspan) are picked up, we will visit the schools and barangays that have borrowed books, solicit their comments, and post the comments on this Blog."
_________
PANAWAGAN -- Sa mga taga-Dalid kag taga-Quinaspan, please pick-apa ron ninyo ang mga libro kay kanugon ang oras.
Comment from: RAD [Visitor] • http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1403659481936813073&q=alimodian+picnic
10/10/06 @ 12:46
Thanks for the updates, M&M!
Yes, Edna Anacan hernandez is a new member of the AAA. Here she is with the other new members introducing themselves, during the Alimodian Fiesta Picnic in Dana Point, CA. (Click Link Above)
Comment from: al [Member]
10/10/06 @ 14:36
Wow! Instant replay of oral history!
As usual, thanks, RAD.
Comment from: al [Member]
10/13/06 @ 05:47
UPDATE ON BOOKS FOR GINOMOY AND CAGAY
From CARE Alimodian:
GINOMOY - Mr. JAIME ANACAN himself picked up the books. In the next few days we will pack one additional box for the barangay.
CAGAY -- Ma'am Jert (MARY JERT SABIT) says nagustuhan naman ng mga bata ang mga books. She gave the children an orientation on how to use the books and urged them to take care of the books so more children get the chance to read them. The children's books ay pinag-agawan, but wa-ay ti nagahikap kang encyclopedia. We suggested that teachers give the students some assignments that require research.
Comment from: RAD [Visitor] • http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2466189760089878695QfeWdy
10/13/06 @ 12:36
IRT Comment from: al [Member]10/13/06 @ 05:47
... an orientation on how to use the books and urged them to take care of the books so more children get the chance to read them...
________________________________________
Two of the core principles of CARE:
1) Put the books to use.
2) take good care of them so more may benefit.
Tnx a lot to CARE Alimodian.
Comment from: al [Member]
10/13/06 @ 16:19
We have learned from Noah that Mr. JAIME ANACAN, of Barangay Ginomoy, is a retired principal of the Dalid Elementary School.
We applaud Mr. Anacan and wish there are more retirees like him, i.e.,those who continue to help educate the children of Alimodian in their retirement years.
Comment from: al [Member]
10/21/06 @ 22:38
FRIENDS OF CARE
By way of saying thank you again, we have listed the names of people and institutions that have supported the book-lending and reading programs of CARE.
On top of the homepage, click on "Friends of CARE."
We apologize if we have inadvertently left out some names. Please e-mail us so we can correct the omission. Our e-mail address is: care@alimodian.net.
Comment from: al [Member]
10/27/06 @ 16:36
Update from CARE Alimodian
LENDING BOOKS TO BARANGAYS AND SCHOOLS
Barangays that have recently requested books include UBODAN, ABANG-ABANG, and CUNSAD.
Abang-abang, through Mrs. YOLANDA CANUTO, has already picked up the books earmarked for them.
The TARUG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL has returned the books they borrowed sometime ago and has gotten a set of fresh/new titles.
This is the way CARE envisions the book-lending program to work – a school or a barangay borrows a set of books, returns them after a period of time, and borrows a new set of books. And on and on.
The books get passed around, from school
to school, barangay to barangay, until they fall apart. For this reason, book collecting never stops.
Comment from: al [Member]
10/30/06 @ 22:14
BE SINCERE. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Linus: . . . and then on Halloween night the "Great Pumpkin" rises up out of the pumpkin patch. . . and he brings toys to all the good little children in the world!
Charlie Brown: You're crazy!
Linus: All right, so you believe in Santa Claus and I'll believe in the "Great Pumpkin". . . the way I see it, it doesn't matter what you believe just so you're sincere.
(From “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!” )
Comment from: al [Member]
10/31/06 @ 05:48
DEAR PUMPKIN PATCH
From CARE Alimodian:
"The children are having a Halloween party tonight.
"Volunteers XIAMINA ALGER, ANA LEA ALGER, and NIKA ANGELITUD handled the party preparations."
Comment from: al [Member]
10/31/06 @ 23:03
From CARE Alimodian:
THE HALLOWEEN PARTY
The children were quite excited to be at last night’s party, since here we do not have a Halloween party wherein kids of every age can just join in.
Too bad we could not go out for trick or treat sa mga pamalay. We were afraid of the dogs that barked every time they saw children in costumes. Nali makagat pa kami kang mga ayam; mahal ang anti-rabies vaccine.
Instead the CARE volunteers were the ones who gave treats to the children. Every child went home with a small “kalabasa” with candies inside. During the party the children played games. Two won the “best costume” prize.
The children came to the party with their parents, who seemed to enjoy themselves as well. For most of them it was their first time to come to a DEAR gathering and to meet some of the CARE volunteers.
We are looking forward to our next DEAR party in Christmas. We hope to have the parents come again, as they did last night.
We will post photos taken during the DEAR Halloween party as soon as they become available.
Comment from: RAD [Visitor] • http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=alimodian
11/01/06 @ 17:39
Hopefully the parents, having actually seen what we're doing for their kids, would help spread the word as well as help out.
Comment from: Noah [Visitor]
11/02/06 @ 07:20
Give the children of Alimodian a chance please help out. they got books, only the privilege families in the Philippines can afford. exactly the same books that the area schools are using. CARE USA is making the playing field even for the children of Alimodian. parents be smart take advantage of it.
Comment from: al [Member]
11/02/06 @ 20:36
Today NOAH shipped 3 balikbayan boxes of books to CARE Alimodian.
As always, we are grateful to Noah for his unflagging enthusiasm and energy on behalf of CARE.
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
11/08/06 @ 04:51
We thank Edna Garcia Miranda for the $56.00 from the sale of DVD's. Thank you!
Another box of books from Boston is on its way to Alimodian.
Comment from: al [Visitor]
11/10/06 @ 22:59
Thanks a lot to ROSE and ROMERO "INGGOL" AGUILAR, for their $80 donation "to pay for the shipment of a box of books to Alimodian."
Also for their hospitality and kindness during my brief visit with them yesterday and today in Milwaukie, a few miles from Portland, Oregon.
The Aguilars are fine and doing well. The three girls -- Grace, Rona, and Diana -- have grown into lovely, independent women. Grace and husband John have an adorable son, Simon Henry, who turns 2 years old on Saturday.
Needless to say, Simon is the apple of his grandparents' eyes. He knows a few Pilipino and Kinaray-a words (kili-kili, busong, pusod, etc.), courtesy of Lola Rose.
Comment from: RAD [Visitor] • http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=ili-ili+dandansoy
11/13/06 @ 11:57
In case anybody wants to teach his little ones how to sing Dandansoy or Ili-ili, I hope this link helps.
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
11/15/06 @ 00:43
For anyone who reads this and have some "connection" with the organizers of the ACES Centennial, here's some suggestions:
1. Other than having fun, can we have this celebration with some educational activities? We have a lot of resources from Alimodiananons, from all walks of life and from all over the world. We can tap on them and ask if they can share their expertise with the younger generation. I am willing to share my knowledge on current trends in nursing practice if anyone is interested. Another townmate can share his/her expertise on education and teaching strategies or in accounting/banking. We can have motivational speakers...rako resources ta!
2. We can have concurrent seminars/workshops and CARE is willing to have displays/books and presentation of what we have done so far to encourage more "takers".
I would love to talk to the organizers and explain this program over the phone if they are interested.
Comment from: al [Member]
11/25/06 @ 07:28
UPDATE FROM CARE ALIMODIAN
* NOVEMBER 25 DEAR SESSION -- We had a short reading. Five kids took turns in reading "The Ugly Duckling" (Hans Christian Andersen; 1844). Then we gave the children a list of books that we will be using for the Quiz Bee during the DEAR Christmas Party in December. In our next session we will have a reading marathon of the books listed as some sort of a review. We have shortened the due dates of these books from 1 week to 3 days so everyone gets a chance to read all the books.
* For reasons we have not yet figured out, we could not upload photos as easily as we used to. So pasensya anay while we try to iron out the technological glitch.
* BOOKS FOR BARANGAYS -- We continue to pack books for the barangays. Barangay DAO is our latest CARE book borrower. We were hoping to trek to the barangays to check on how the book-lending is working out, but it is rather difficult still since it rains every now and then.
_________
As always, many thanks to our CARE volunteers for their dedication and hard work.
We do not mention this often enough because we have taken this for granted, the book-lending operation in the poblacion (at the Balabaw Cafe) is a busy operation. Students from grade school to high school, and some in college, are regular book borrowers. We only wish we have a bigger facility, or, a dream comes true, a real library.
More volunteers would be nice, too, specially if they run a mini-library in their own neighborhoods so that the children do not have to go to the Plaza to borrow books.
Comment from: al [Member]
11/26/06 @ 12:50
SOME ENCHANTED EVENING
Thanks a lot to the MONTENEGROS -- Noah, Luchie, Kassie, and Isabella -- for hosting a wonderful dinner Saturday night at their lovely home in Stamford, Connecticut.
LCA, GREG AMARRA, Ma'am VITING STA. CRUZ, and Ma'am ZENAIDA TITULAR drove from Quincy, Massachusetts.
We missed LONG CAPARANGA, who could not make it.
RAD (who spent Thanksgiving in the East Coast), his brother Joey and family, and AL drove from Jersey City/New York City.
Many thanks to JOEY DEZA for driving.
The Montenegros were very gracious hosts, the food was fabulous, the company was -- what can one say? -- scintillating, and the conversation was loads of fun (Butod's "Heavenly Hills" came up again and again).
RAD and NOAH were meeting each other for the first time, and AL and RAD, as well. And we all owe it to this website for bringing us together.
Comment from: al [Member]
11/27/06 @ 21:40
POSTSCRIPT TO THE NOVEMBER 25 DEAR SESSION
Thanks a lot to CARE volunteers XIAMINA ALGER, JOY ALGABRE, and NIKNIK QUIA, who helped Michelle conduct the DEAR session.
Eighteen (18) children were present.
Reading marathon -- the children were "assigned" 64 books (actually short stories) to read. One of the highlights of their culminating session in December will be a Quizz Bee, when the kids will be grouped according to age levels and quizzed on the stories they had read.
Or something like that.
CARE USA does not have a hand on how the DEAR program is structured; the Alimodian volunteers do it their way. All we do from here is watch in admiration and applaud. Just as well -- the young CARE volunteers (most of whom we have not had the pleasure of meeting personally yet) are far more creative, far more dogged than we could ever hope to be.
Comment from: al [Visitor]
12/22/06 @ 14:24
UPDATE FROM CARE ALIMODIAN
One box from LCA and 3 boxes from NOAH have arrived.
More books for the children of Alimodian . . .
Comment from: al [Member]
01/04/07 @ 23:23
NO UPDATE FROM CARE ALIMODIAN
We continue to have technical difficulty in Internet connection in Alimodian (the latest being a problem in accessing Yahoo e-mail accounts supposedly on account of fiber optics damage caused by an earthquake in Taiwan) and so have been unable to post reports and photos from CARE Alimodian.
But the book-lending program and the DEAR session continue.
This Saturday, January 6, will be the first DEAR session for the year 2007.
10/20/07 @ 08:17Comment from: Noah [Visitor]
01/05/07 @ 20:29
slowly but surely book aid of Darien is donating more books for CARE. people are always asking when I'm going to restore our book collection in Darien.not to mention that at least 15,000 more OF children's books waiting in the warehouse for a shipment back home.and the area schools who are ready to unleash their used books for CARE can not wait for too long.our problem here is money.the CARE group are making a good effort to register the CARE USA into a not for profit status so that we can raise more cash.hopefully this year,we can attain that status.please help us pray for a successful transformation. in the main time basi gusto ninyo mag donate para sa shipping ka 1 balikbayan box nga ready ron didya sa garahe palihog lang padala ang inyo donation kay Nang Angiol o kay Nang Leila.donating to CARE for the good of some Children back in our home town, is a good start of a new year. SALAMAT GID!
Comment from: al [Member]
01/10/07 @ 17:48
FROM CARE ALIMODIAN: Outtakes from the DEAR Sessions
December 23, 2006
The kids had a Christmas party. Unfortunately, nag brownout during the session. Not that it dampened the holiday mood of the children. The main event was a “Quiz Bee,” for which the kids had prepared for by reading/rereading about 64 books (stories). Then they performed some vocal numbers, played games, and exchanged gifts.
They must have been exhausted from the activities because when it came down to sit down for Christmas lunch, the rice and fried chicken disappeared in a flash! (L-O-L)
January 6, 2007
We got the children started on volunteerism by requesting them to help “code” the books that have arrived from Manang Leila. The children of grades 1 to 3 age levels pasted the envelopes for the borrower cards on the inside back covers, while the older children stamped the code numbers on the books and wrote the titles on the borrower cards.
They had spaghetti and juice for snack.
The kids also sang “Happy Birthday” to MICHELLE (whose birthday is on January 10).
______
Thank you very much to CARE volunteers XIAMINA ALGER, NIKNIK QUIA, and JOY ALGABRE for helping Michelle conduct the DEAR sessions.
In about 3 months, it will be summer break for the children. It has always been our dream that during at least the two months that the children are out of school, grown-up Alimodiananons will care enough to organize learning activities to occupy the children’s time. It is such a waste to leave the children idle, or let them miron in mahjong or tong-its.
We have always said that although the DEAR session is primarily a reading program, we hope that in the whole it provides the children a positive learning experience through interaction with other children and mentoring of caring adults. For a couple of hours every other Saturday, we hope they feel they are the most important children in Alimodian, and, eventually, the cumulative experience will help boost their sense of self-worth.
BINALUD BOOK-LENDING CENTER
As far as we know, the Binalud center is now open.
We hope to persuade DOOY and ELVI CASORLA to hold a simple “launching” in the summer, preferably sometime during the holy week.
Comment from: al [Member]
01/21/07 @ 12:46
JANUARY 20 DEAR SESSION (Update from Michelle)
"We had exercises using 'Concept Cards.'
"Concept cards are like flash cards with objects and situations like a BIG DOG, a SMALL DOG, a CURVED BRIDGE, etc.
"When the kids were shown a card, they told me what they were seeing, and if the image in the card was of a situation, what they thought was the 'story'.
"I gave them an 'assignment' for the next session -- to 'research' on the English translations of some Ilonggo/Kinaray-a words/terms they are not familiar with as yet, like 'funnel for 'imbudo'. We are trying to build up slowly the children's English vocabulary.
"In the next DEAR session I will be asking them to form sentences or phrases from the concept cards. We are hoping these concept card exercises will help the kids develop their knowledge reserve as well as their communication skills."
Comment from: Noah [Visitor]
01/24/07 @ 12:57
Darien Book Aid just confirm me,that few weeks ago,they received a lovely letter fron nang Angiol. as a result they are sending 2 boxes of children's books to DEAR Alimodian.
Comment from: joey [Visitor]
02/16/07 @ 15:30
SOME ENCHANTED EVENING....
RAD (who spent Thanksgiving in the East Coast), his brother Joey and family, and AL drove from Jersey City/New York City.
Many thanks to JOEY DEZA for driving.>>>
My pleasure, Nang.
Comment from: al [Visitor]
02/18/07 @ 09:25
Good to hear from you, JOEY.
Do come back again and again.
Regards to Inday Rozenda and Miko.
Comment from: al [Visitor]
03/03/07 @ 23:51
A friend and supporter of CARE -- he donated $100 and wrote a story on CARE for the "Filipinas Magazine" -- has made it to the "My Turn" column in Newsweek Magazine.
Check out:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11884162/site/newsweek/
Congratulations to REY DE LA CRUZ, of Glenview, Illinois.
Comment from: Noah [Visitor]
03/04/07 @ 18:10
Highly recommended! A classic story of incredible friendship.the first letter was post mark dated back in 1966 when they're both pre-teen.
this is a kind of story nga mabasa mo lang sa "Komiks" nga Hiligaynon kag "Yuhom" magazine kag esturya sa radyo ni "Tiyay Evelyn" but it happens in newsweek and the person involve is CARE friend.check it out! it's worth to read.
Comment from: al [Visitor]
03/05/07 @ 00:21
Pen-pal writing was one of those sweet moments of childhood. Most of us stopped writing to each other when we became teen-agers or young adults, and got preoccupied with other sweet things in our young life. Remarkable are those who continued their correspondence and literally grew up together, albeit in opposite ends of the world. _________ Now, to go back to CARE . . . ZENAIDA TITULAR has organized a reading session attended by the children in her neighborhood in Sulod. Hers is the kind of commitment that we are hoping her fellow teacher retirees will emulate. As we never tire of saying, just think of what simultaenous reading programs going on all over town will accomplish in helping educate the children of Alimodian. And all it requires from those who organize the reading programs is a little TIME - of which one has plenty of in retirement. Although we do not have much time these days to chronicle every activity of CARE, the book-lending program continues on, with barangay kapitans and school teachers borrowing books from CARE. Except for one Saturday when the volunteers had school exams and could not conduct the session, the DEAR class goes on every other Saturday. As a culminating activity of sorts to mark the end of the schoolyear, the volunteers are planning to bring the DEAR kids to a field trip in Guimbal (if not to another place of interest) sometime in April.
Comment from: Noah [Visitor]
03/05/07 @ 10:40
CARE U.S.A is very grateful to Mrs. Zenaida A. Titular for her effort to expand the DEAR program in Sulod.
this was started when Iyay Naida attended the CARE reunion in Stamford when she realized how the CARE people work hard spending their own money and time to help our hometown kids.they drove all the way down from Quincy,Manong Greg is so kind to volunteer his services as a driver.
Toto Raymond Deza flew from San Diego to visit his family and friends and a chance to meet us. Joey Deza also Volunteer to drive, we're grateful to Joey also and his family.
Ma Ting Sta. Cruz is volunteering to use her PATIO for a DEAR prgram. Michelle and Mariel continue to excert effort to bring the DEAR program into the most recognizable useful Non-profit organization in town,even with out the help of our Local officials. you too can help..like Ma Ting Iyay Naida,Nong Greg and Joey Deza and the rest of our Volunteers.LET'S MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER.
Comment from: al [Visitor]
03/06/07 @ 22:12
SULOD DEAR
Here are the students that NAIDA TITULAR is mentoring in her neighborhood in Sulod:
1. April Rose Cagayao - 2nd Year High School
2. Joseph Jon Azik - 1st year High School
3. Bright Son Michael Azik - Grade V
4. Jan Ric Zuito - Grade I
5. Shaila Dione Amargo - Grade I
We apologize if we got name 2 wrong. However, we are told that the fanciful name "Bright Son" (3) is oh-so-correct. (Bilib gid kami. How do they come up with these inspired monikers?)
We wish the kids a bright time ahead, and we thank Ma'am Titular for giving her time and herself to mentoring them.
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
03/08/07 @ 04:23
Our many thanks to the SUMIDO sisters for giving CARE $50. They have seen how our volunteers worked hard and what the kids have accomplished.
Thank you!
Comment from: Raymond Altura Deza [Visitor] • http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17439002/site/newsweek/
03/14/07 @ 20:47
FYI, I saved the "Dear Satu" article that into a file. If anybody needs a copy please let me know.
Comment from: Raymond Altura Deza [Visitor] • http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2453187630089878695Yubeol
03/14/07 @ 21:03
Also, a scan of the Filipinas Magazine article "Turning a page fro the Barrio" in link above.
Tnx a lot, Nang Naida and other friends of CARE!
Comment from: al [Visitor]
03/15/07 @ 09:52
CARE is exploring other initiatives to help in the education of the children in Alimodian.
LCA is starting the groundwork for a pilot "Big Sister, Big Brother" program in a Grade II class at ACES, hopefully, starting in the coming schoolyear.
We are aware that several organizations, as well as individuals, are involved in various forms of assistance to the children, especially in barangay schools.
They include donation of school supplies (especially in schools where the teachers often have to personally subsidize them) and money/foodstuff to feed the children.
Of the latter assistance, we know of Alimodiananons who donate, on a monthly basis, packets of noodles -- or money to buy them -- to serve to the children in the morning. As someone describes it, there are children who come to school without having eaten breakfast. Sometimes the teacher thinks a student is sleeping/napping; it turns out he/she has fainted from hunger.
There is no shortage of ideas if one wants to help.
Comment from: LCA [Visitor]
03/31/07 @ 05:41
I go with you AL.
We acknowledge the support of Rolando and Crispina Caroline Ampane of Quincy with their $50 donation for CARE initiatives. Thank you Mo, Boyet and Carol.
Comment from: LCA [Visitor]
03/31/07 @ 05:44
Just before leaving for Iloilo today, a friend and co-worker CORRINE LABRECQUE RN gave her $20.00 donation for our program. Thank you Corrine. She is also a bonafide member of the Philippine Nurses Association-New England. I could say she knows more Filipinos than some of us here!
Comment from: al [Visitor]
04/17/07 @ 23:23
CARE IN ALIMODIAN
LCA and I were in Alimodian for the holy week observance and the ACES reunion.
I did not stay long enough to join the ACES reunion; LCA attended most, if not all, of the activities, and no doubt will fill you in on the details when she returns.
However, we did a few CARE-related activities during our brief stay in Alimodian.
In the morning of April 7, Saturday, we had a blessing and inauguration of the CARE Center in the Plaza Libertad square, a small kamalig (nipa and bamboo affair) built through the generosity of GREG and LEILA AMARRA.
The center sits on a lot between the Amarra and Amantillo residences. The lot is owned by LINA ALTURA-SALARDA and her brother GEOFFREY ALTURA, to whom we say thanks for the temporary use of the space for the center.
We hope that the modest physical structure solidifies in visual terms CARE’s presence in Alimodian.
The Center will operate as a reading and book-lending center. It will be open for as many days in a week and for as many hours in a day as we can enlist volunteers to staff it.
Already the Amarras are thinking of “expanding” the structure.
Fr. GIL ALINSANGAN, a great supporter of CARE from the beginning, gave the blessing. Mayor JUANITO ALIPAO did the ribbon-cutting honor.
We thank Fr. Gil and Mayor Alipao for their presence and support.
After the blessing, Greg and Leila hosted a luncheon for the attendees as well as a number of Alimodian retired teachers. It gave us a chance to explain in greater detail the CARE initiatives to the retirees.
In the afternoon, we went to BINALUD to launch the reading center that was set up and is managed by DOOY and ELVIRA (ALLI) CASORLA. It is housed in an old farm feed (?) store a few meters from the Casorla residence and the former CBRS building. We will thank the owner of the space for her generosity as soon as we can find the kodigo on which we had listed her name.
The Alimodian CARE volunteers organized a simple presentation to mark the launching.
Dooy Casorla delivered a moving brief remark on how the Binalud CARE center came to being. LCA gave a short infomercial on CARE and thanked the Casorlas and the Binalud residents for their support.
A group of DEAR children (in their Iloilo Supermart uniforms), who were also present during the CARE Center blessing in the morning, did a cute reading-and-acting (complete with props)of the children’s folk tale “Three Little Pigs.”
A bright Binalud sixth-grader (his name escapes us at the moment; we will note it as soon as we find our kodigo) did a highly emotive reading of a children’s story.
We talked to some Binalud teachers and day care workers present at the launching who told us about the work they were doing and some of their needs in school. They have since given MICHELLE a wish list of school supplies; we are currently processing their request. We will give them the items CARE has from previous balikbayan box shipment from NOAH; those we do not have we will try to procure for them. According to one of the teachers, oftentimes they have to cut a pencil into three pieces so all the children in the class will have something to write with.
LCA will post other details and photos of the CARE Center blessing and the Binalud Center launch as soon as she is able to.
We thank everyone who attended the twin CARE events, those we met who encouraged us and offered to set up book-lending centers and other forms of support, and our CARE volunteers and DEAR participants who did us proud.
Comment from: Noah [Visitor]
04/19/07 @ 16:17
Well DONE!Lovely and encouraging Nang A. we're very excited to see those pictures of some cute kids with their uniform along with their mentors and the participation of some key players in our town.what that means? that means the success of the project rely on all of us who support and believe,that this a heck of a great cause.
Also CARE are happy to let everybody know that "CONCERN ALIMODIANANON RESOURCE ON EDUCATION,INC." was accepted and now registered as a NON-PROFIT organization in the State of CONNECTICUT with a home base In STAMFORD and DARIEN.this a first step towards a very ambitious and challenging task. our group believe we have a "GOOD SHOT" for success here in Fairfield County Connecticut,combine with your generous financial help and with a strong community base support in Alimodian this project will be a great success story.
Hopefully this will clear the clouds above everybody's head and embrace this project for the purpose of helping,and again helping only,with no political motives involve, for the good of others who need.
Comment from: RAD [Visitor] • http://raymonddeza.multiply.com/music/item/149
04/19/07 @ 19:26
Thanks a lot, Nang A, Nang L, and everybody who made the launching so successful. From the bottom of my heart.
-To Ray
Comment from: al [Visitor]
04/20/07 @ 16:48
WHAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE THIS UPDATE
10/06/06 @ 08:53
UPDATE ON THE EFFORT TO BRING SA AKLAT SISIKAT READING PROGRAM TO ALIMODIAN
Dear Dr. Allones,
Warm greetings from SAS!
Many thanks again for sharing with us the data we requested for the public elementary schools in Alimodian. Please find attached the proposal and budget that we have submitted to Mayor Alipao’s office by hard copy. We have also sent a hard copy to your office, for your reference, as well as a copy of the cover letter we submitted to the Mayor. We hope that Mayor Alipao will agree to sponsor the program so that we can work together to bring the love and habit of reading to the children of Alimodian!
I am copying here Mr. Ray Deza and Ms. Angioline Loredo from CARE, as I know they are very interested in learning about possible reading programs in Alimodian and have been very enthusiastic about and supportive of the SAS program. I am also copying here my colleague Ms. Jean Alingod-Guittap, our Reading Manager, who will be managing the program on behalf of SAS once sponsorship is approved.
AMY VIJANAGAR
Executive Director of SAS
________
Since this communication in October 2006, Amy has relocated to Bangkok, Sir Nap has been promoted to Aklan – AND STILL NO WORD OR ACTION AT ALL FROM THE ALIMODIAN LGU.
On a recent trip home, I tried contacting Ajuy Mayor JETT ROJAS to learn about his experience with the SAS reading program. I was particularly interested on how the municipality of Ajuy FINANCED the program.
When we started working on SAS to consider Alimodian for its reading program, Amy had written: “Last year we implemented the program in Ajuy, Iloilo in partnership with Mayor Jett Rojas, who has since become a strong advocate of the program (though was always an advocate of reading), so if the folks in Alimodian are looking for perspectives from their LGU peers, they may want to speak with Mayor Jett.”
Mayor Rojas was away, so I did not get a chance to speak to him. Instead I spoke to the Ajuy Municipal Treasurer, RUNSTEDTH ARCOSA.
Arcosa said the money that paid for the SAS program came from the municipal funds. He said it matter-of-factly that for a moment I thought I heard wrong. I had always assumed the LGU would seek outside financing for something like this. I shouldn’t have been surprised – from the beginning Amy was telling us that “Mayors do have Special Education Funds, but not all Mayors are actively using theirs for quality education initiatives.”
Arcosa said they were definitely satisfied with the results of the reading program, and, yes, felt strongly that it was worth investing on.
So here is the difference between the LGU in Ajuy and the LGU in Alimodian:
The leaders in Ajuy are investing in their children, they are constantly thinking outside the box for solutions to their problems, and are always networking and reaching outside of Ajuy to people and institutions that can help them achieve their development plans.
In comparison, the leaders in Alimodian are PALATOY-LATOY. I doubt if they even extended SAS the simple courtesy of acknowledging the letter/proposal. The culture seems to be that kung indi ka nanda nag halin ang idea (for which they can claim credit) – kag indi mapagkwartahan ang prohekto – they will just ignore it.
Comment from: RAD [Visitor]
04/22/07 @ 02:40
Amen!
DYWII-FM
What's In It - For Me
Welcome Back Al and LCA!
Comment from: al [Visitor]
04/23/07 @ 05:09
UPDATE FROM CARE ALIMODIAN
We had a DEAR session last Saturday.
We welcomed two new volunteers: EUGENIE MARIE ALMIRA and JANCE ALCARIOTO.
They helped process and transfer the books to the "kamalig" (Plaza CARE Center).
_______
CARE USA thank Eugenie Marie and Jance and add their our own welcome.
May they find a fulfilling life in the world of CARE volunteerism.
Comment from: al [Visitor]
04/24/07 @ 20:13
APRIL 21 DEAR SESSION
"The children did math exercises. They were able to answer correctly a good number of the exercises, except for the subtraction and addition portions that they found a bit difficult.
"They scored perfect on shapes and pag determine ng greater than at less than symbols.
"We hope to put some blocks and math figures here para makapag exercise sila ng math.
"(CARE Volunteer) NINA XIAMINA "Xiaxia" ALGER introduced odd and even numbers, polygons, and word problems."
Comment from: al [Visitor]
04/25/07 @ 13:22
Thanks a lot to GERARDO "R-ding" ANGOSTURA for donating a bookcase to CARE.
The bookcase is much needed, and, therefore, much appreciated.
Comment from: al [Visitor]
04/26/07 @ 06:03
BINALUD
Now that we have their names, we would like to say thanks a lot to:
CONSOLACION "Soling" STA. CRUZ ARMADA, for donating the space that houses the Binalud reading center. Her generosity inspires us to work harder.
NICON STA. CRUZ, for his impressive storytelling during the Binalud Center launching. We predict a bright future for the young man, and we wish him good luck.
Earlier we wrote that during the launching we met a couple of women who are involved in the teaching of the taga-Binalud kids. They are RACHEL EMBATE and JOCELYN DE LA CRUZ.
Rachel is a kindergarten teacher at the Gelacio Allones Memorial Elementary School. She is not in the Department of Education fold since she does not yet have an "item" as a teacher. She gets her salary from the monthly tuition fees (of 50 pesos each, we think) paid by the kinder students.
Jocelyn is a barangay day care worker. She teaches at the Day Care Center, which is run according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development program for day care (they have a feeding program, among others). We forgot how much she is paid (if at all)for her work.
They gave us a wish list of books and school supplies for their students. Since classes have not commenced yet, they have not indicated how many they would actually need.
We encourage the taga-Binalud who can afford to donate school supplies and books to do so directly to these teachers and/or the schools. Their wish list includes: reference books, story books, coloring books, toys, pencils, crayons, water colors, erasers, colored chalks, colored pens, colored papers, and floor blocks.
We thank Rachel and Jocelyn for their work with the taga-Binalud children.
Comment from: michelle [Visitor]
04/26/07 @ 20:00
sa tanan nga donors kag sponsors sang CARE madamo gid nga salamat.
we have more than 200 membership in our resource center here in Balabaw Internet Cafe - CARE Center. we are happy to see kids borrowing and reading the books. maski kis-a ang nanay gaugtas na kay pabug-at lang na ang mga libro sa dala ka bata, ang bata sige man gihapon hulam ka libro.
this week we are busy encoding the books sa kamalig. and we have new volunteers who assisted us. thanks to JUNELYN "Jhing" BUHAY and ANA LEA ALGER.
Comment from: LCA [Visitor]
05/01/07 @ 02:10
Our thanks to DR. GEMA AGUILAR GUANCO for her donation of an electric fan with lights. She will request a relative to deliver it to KAMALIG so we can extend our HOURS for the community to enjoy.
THANK YOU Dr. Guanco for your donation! You saw the CARE KAMALIG and am sure you are impressed with what the volunteers do to make this project a success.
Comment from: al [Visitor] • http://angiol.multiply.com/photos/album/3
05/01/07 @ 18:03
THE CARE KAMALIG
The “Kamalig” -- the new CARE Center in Plaza Libertad -- is now in full operation.
It is open in the afternoon, until 6 p.m., seven days a week -- or as often as there are volunteers to mind the place.
Click on the link above for some photos. The photos were taken by a phone camera at the available light at dusk so they have a "Blair Witch Project" quality to them. We are very excited so we want to share them maski medyo madulum.
The Balabaw Café CARE Center is still operating. It has the overflow books that
cannot be accommodated in the Kamalig, and it is open for book-lending in the morning when the Kamalig is not open and at night after the Kamalig closes.
In other words, we have two CARE centers in the plaza area.
Anyone in Alimodian who wants to sign up as volunteer to staff the Kamalig (an afternoon once a week, once every other week, once a month, etc.) can simply see Michelle or any CARE volunteer.
Earlier we welcomed two new volunteers -- EUGENIE MARIE ALMIRA and JAYNCE ALCARIOTO.
Both are taga LaWood. Eugenie is this year’s Valedictorian at ACES. Jaynce’s father is
Sir RUPERTO “Bong” ALCARIOTO, a head teacher in a barangay school (whose location escapes us at the moment).
Both will enter high school this coming schoolyear.
Comment from: al [Visitor] • http://angiol.multiply.com/photos/album/3
05/02/07 @ 06:16
FROM CARE ALIMODIAN
GERARDO "R-ding" ANGOSTURA, who donated a bookcase recently, gave us some markers, crayons and scissors today.
We also got four new volunteers to staff the Kamalig -- ACES classmates of Eugenie Almira and Jaynce Alcarioto.
They are: ZENAILEN NEDULA, BEVERLY ANINO, and GINA MAE BARREDO. We forgot the 4th name; we will post it tomorrow.
______
We thank R-ding Angostura for continuing to give and support CARE.
We welcome Zenailen, Beverly, and Gina Mae to the world of CARE volunteerism. We are encouraged by young people who start caring for their kasimanwas at an early age.
Comment from: LCA [Visitor]
05/03/07 @ 05:23
In reference to 4/17 written by AL regarding CARE KAMALIG, "The center sits on a lot between the Amarra and Amantillo residences":
CARE KAMALIG is in the lot between the residences of Cecilia AMANTILLO and Visitacion STA. CRUZ at Plaza Libertad Street, facing the Cultural Stage, a project of ALSA (Alimodiananon Sa Amerika).
Comment from: al [Visitor] • http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/nutshell_ann/album?.dir=/fbb6scd&.src=ph&.tok=phFDIsGBb609TDok
05/03/07 @ 09:40
PHOTOS
Click on the above link for photos of CARE volunteers transferring and setting up the books in the Kamalig.
Thanks a lot to all of them!
10/20/07 @ 08:18Comment from: michelle [Visitor]
05/05/07 @ 05:12
thanks to our volunteers.
EUGENIE MARIE ALMIRA
MARIANNE JYNCE ALCARIOTO
JOSEPHINE TABAOSARES
ZENAILEN JHEN NEDULA
BEVERLY ANINO
MA. K.C. ALCUBILLA
Comment from: Zenailen Jhen Nedula [Visitor]
05/07/07 @ 01:26
As a voluntier on the first day, excited gd ako. I enjoy lending books for those kids who borrowed.With out CARE, summer is so boring. di ako nagsisi kung bakit ako naging voluntier. dahil dito marami akong nalaman. nakakatulong talaga ito sa mga batang katulad ko... ngaung summer mabuti talagang magbasa, madadagdagan pa ang aking nalalaman... sana mas marami pang libro ang aking mababasa sa ganon, magiging Einstine na ako... hehehe!!! Maraming salamat sa mga taong walang sawa sa pagpapadala ng libro para sa mga batang tulad ko!!!
Comment from: Zenailen Jhen Nedula [Visitor]
05/07/07 @ 01:28
As a voluntier on the first day, excited gd ako. I enjoy lending books for those kids who borrowed.With out CARE, summer is so boring. di ako nagsisi kung bakit ako naging voluntier. dahil dito marami akong nalaman. nakakatulong talaga ito sa mga batang katulad ko... ngaung summer mabuti talagang magbasa, madadagdagan pa ang aking nalalaman... sana mas marami pang libro ang aking mababasa sa ganon, magiging Einstine na ako... hehehe!!! Maraming salamat sa mga taong walang sawa sa pagpapadala ng libro para sa mga batang tulad ko!!!
Comment from: marianne jynce alcarioto [Visitor]
05/07/07 @ 01:53
When I start being a voluntier here in Care I was so excited and happy too.because I can help more children and I can also help Alimodian our town.showing my love to our town I decided to be one
of the voluntier here in CARE.Infact this summer I was very bored,nag voluntier nalang ko para maging worth ang summer ko kag maka bulig pa ako.I learn more here in care reading books while woking.wow! it's so nice.I hope that this program is 4ever.tnx gd sa mga tga america who ere alwys supportng CAre Good bless
Comment from: RAD [Visitor] • http://raymonddeza.multiply.com/photos/album/73
05/07/07 @ 02:25
Thanks a lot to our young volunteers. May you be an inspiration to other young ones to help out, and gain a sense of accomplishment and pride knowing that you ar no only helping others, you are also helping yourself.
BTW, above is link to my scans of pages of August 2006 Filipinas Magazine, that features the article about CARE from Rey De La Cruz.
Comment from: al [Visitor] • http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/nutshell_ann/album?.dir=/fbb6scd&.src=ph&.tok=phO.VtGBfeaJTDok
05/07/07 @ 05:32
The above link has (additional) photos of:
* Volunteers and older DEAR kids cleaning and waxing the floor, and dusting the windows of the Kamalig.
* DEAR session last Saturday (May 5), held at the Kamalig. EUGENIE MARIE ALMIRA, a new CARE volunteer, read the story of "The Sleeping Beauty."
On May 19 the DEAR kids are going to Leon for a "culminating activity" of sorts.
Comment from: al [Visitor] • http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/nutshell_ann/album?.dir=f7e3scd&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//
05/07/07 @ 05:54
And a link to three photos we have not seen before:
The DEAR kids during the 2006 HALLOWEEN PARTY.
Comment from: Eugenie Marie Almira [Visitor]
05/07/07 @ 07:16
being volunteer of CARE..... is a lot of fun... and besides i'm enjoying it i also help little children to learn and also the townspeople of alimodian here and abroad, by donating my time in looking our mini-library and helping our loyal readers in the books they are looking for. alimodiananons were really proud of us because my classmates and i used our boring summer in helping alimodian.... i'm also happy because i've encouraged my fellow classmates to volunteer like me.... beside of helping we enjoy our quality time with each other......i hope we could encourage many young adults like us to volunteer.... " helping really ROCK".... CARE rule....
Comment from: Noah [Visitor]
05/07/07 @ 11:06
Eugenie thanks for devoting your precious time for our fellow Alimodianon.it's a good thing to do at THAT early stage in your life.it's a habitual and it's a good habit. set as an example for others to follow.it's very rewarding the father upstairs is watching you. you're doing a great job.he'll appreciate that.GODD LUCK TO YOU AND THE REST OF YOUR FRIENDS WHO HELPS CARE.
NONG NOAH
Comment from: al [Visitor]
05/08/07 @ 21:57
CARE LENDING CENTER MARAPIT SA TIENDA
JUN and TESSIE (ALBAY) DULACA have offered to set up a mini CARE library at their house for the children living in the Tienda area.
On Monday MARIEL brought them an initial collection of about a hundred books, along with a batch of borrower forms.
We thank Jun and Tessie for supporting the goals of CARE.
We hope the neighborhood kids avail of the books, especially during this summer.
Comment from: michelle [Visitor]
05/08/07 @ 22:30
Books from Tarug had just been returned for replacement. processing has been on going as we expect more books to be picked up in the next few weeks in time for the opening of classes this june.
we are thankful for the continuous support and encouragement by the friends of CARE.
Comment from: al [Visitor] • http://angiol.multiply.com/photos/album/6
05/09/07 @ 15:24
DEAR IS ONE YEAR OLD
One year ago today, CARE launched its DROP EVERYTHING AND READ (DEAR) initiative at the Balabaw Café.
We had intended the reading session (held every other Saturday) merely as a pilot project, but through an irrestible mix of contagious enthusiasm of the children and sheer willpower of a small core of volunteers, it has gone on. Before we knew it, a year has passed.
It has been quite a year of learning – for the bagets, as well as for us.
CARE thanks its friends here and everywhere who have supported this project, but most especially the young volunteers in Alimodian who did it all; we cannot tell them enough how proud we are of them.
We wish the children a continued meaningful learning experience in DEAR, and may they grow up to live the life they have imagined or will imagine.
Hopefully during the past few months we have instilled in them a sense of caring for their peers, and when they grow older they will remember their time in DEAR, and if they have gotten somehing positive from the experience, try to give back to the next generation by becoming CARE volunteers themselves.
To help the children remember their year in DEAR, in the above link we have posted some photos taken from the inagural session on 10 May 2006 to the last session on 5 May 2007.
Enjoy!
____
. . . in the end, the love you take/is equal to the love you make (from a song by the Beattles)
Comment from: michelle [Visitor]
05/09/07 @ 21:45
THANK YOU!
it's a start of a new year for us here in DEAR. we are looking forward to another challenging year. and of course full of FUN.
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
05/10/07 @ 23:38
CARE USA got the approval as a non-profit organization with the incorporation in Connecticut, home state of Noah. We are still processing the last phase to make all contributions to CARE tax-deductible.
THANK YOU Noah for processing this very important phase.
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
05/10/07 @ 23:43
We also want to convey our thanks to Limuel and Baby Lao for their intent to donate more T-shirts for CARE kids. Baby is the manager of China Bank while Limuel is with MetroBank. They are not Alimodiananons but they believe in our mission and in full support of the project.
Our thanks to the LAO FAMILY for their support.
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
05/11/07 @ 04:27
BIG BROTHER, BIG SISTER
This program was initiated by the younger generation of our family, meaning: my children, nieces and nephews.
There is no money involved in this. We asked a first grade teacher, MRS. DIOLINA M. ANDEO to select 10 deserving first graders and she objectively gave us kids from all over the poblacion.
While we were there, we had a chance to meet the kids with their parents and we explained the program. This is some sort of pen pal/mentorship wherein the kids write letters to each other. We brought letters from their big bro/big sis that they read one afternoon. They were given back packs with notepads, bookmarks, markers, pens and pencils with the instruction that they use it for summer and to share the supplies with their siblings.
The kids were brought to SM City the following day where they enjoyed the rides and had lunch at Jollibee. It was a day to remember for the kids as it was for us.
The kids are to join CARE, visit KAMALIG and borrow books. Parents are also encouraged to bring their children to CARE Kamalig and read to them.
We will continue to communicate with these kids through our CARE volunteers and Mrs. Andeo. We look forward for an enriching communication between the 2nd-graders and their manongs and manangs here in the US.
Comment from: al [Visitor] • http://angiol.multiply.com/photos/album/3
05/11/07 @ 09:43
If more of us set up something like this in our own neighborhood, think of the multiplier effect it will have in the education of the children in Alimodian.
During the inauguration and blessing of the KAMALIG in April, we met LYN PARDO, CARE's point person in Brgy. Sulong, who said a few words about the book-lending operation in Sulong.
We would have loved it if the barangay kapitan and other volunteers (like T.M. Calderon) came so we could have thanked them personally as well.
We encourage the taga-Sulong to contact Lyn and work with her to improve and/or expand the initiative to help the barangay kids.
The link above has photos taken when CARE came to Brgy. Sulong in June last year.
Comment from: al [Visitor] • http://www.alimodian.net/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=1295&fullsize=1
05/11/07 @ 16:57
CARE BINALUD
In the GALLERY, LCA has posted some photos taken at the launching of CARE Binalud reading center.
In the group photo (click on the link above), among the adults standing in the last row are CONSOLACION "Soling" STA. CRUZ ARMADA (extreme left), who lent the space for the center, and ELVI ALLI (8th from left, in black top) and DOOY CASORLA (beside Elvi, in striped shirt), who made it happen.
Again, we thank them for the wonderful afternoon we spent in Binalud.
The rest in the photo are taga-Binalud, CARE volunteers, DEAR kids, AL, LCA, GREG AMARRA, and friends of CARE.
Comment from: al [Visitor] • http://www.alimodian.net/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=1295&fullsize=1
05/11/07 @ 18:36
Ay, nali in my excitement mali gali ang ID ko kay Madame Soling Armada.
LCA or Michelle -- please confirm.
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
05/11/07 @ 22:39
Extreme left in the picture is Mrs. Milagros Sta Cruz(mother of Consoling and Baray). Consoling Sta. Cruz Armada is in pink top in front of Dooy Casorla.
Comment from: al [Visitor]
05/14/07 @ 14:02
TESSIE ALBAY DULACA reports that the kids in the neighborhood of Tienda have started borrowing books from the CARE mini-library in her house.
When Tessie offered to set up a book lending facility in her house, we were mindful that the operation did not encroach into her lifestyle (say, the kids do not knock on her door while she is taking an afternoon nap). She said it’s not a problem at all.
As we do not tire of noting, CARE will supply the books; all one needs to provide is a bookcase -- and a few hours of one's time.
Comment from: michelle [Visitor]
05/19/07 @ 02:48
thanks to inday lars for her cash donation.
Comment from: al [Visitor] • http://angiol.multiply.com/photos/album/6
05/19/07 @ 10:05
KIDS CELEBRATE ONE YEAR IN DEAR
As their "culminating activity" for their year in CARE's Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) program, the kids went swimming in Leon.
Here is a brief report from CARE Alimodian:
"We arrived in Leon at 9:00 AM; we left at 1:00 PM.
"There were 22 kids, 4 young volunteers, 4 parents, 3 guardians, and 4 of us CARE volunteers. We were 37 altogether who went to Leon. The kids e nag enjoy sa paglangoy. Some were asking if we were coming back the next day to swim again. We were there for half a day only since some of the kids had Flores de Mayo to go to back in Alimodian.
"Our friend LARA SALARDA donated cash for the field trip."
___________
We are happy the kids had a safe field trip.
We thank the CARE volunteers for organizing the (half a) day of fun, and for the parents and guardians who helped keep on eye on the children.
To Lara, thank you very much for your support.
Comment from: al [Visitor] • http://angiol.multiply.com/photos/album/6
05/19/07 @ 11:03
THANK YOU
As CARE marks its first year, we would like to thank the following young people who worked hard on our Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) and book-lending initiatives, making CARE a viable presence in Alimodian:
NINA XIAMINA "Xiaxia" ALGER
FELIPE "Cadoy" QUIJANO III
MA. LISA "Niknik" QUIA
MICHAEL "Padoy" QUIA
HETZEL QUIA
MARCHIE QUIA
JOY ALGABRE
MARY JANE ONALE AMAGUIN
JUDY GRACE CANONERO
AMY QUIA
FRANCIS ALMIRA
BEVERLY MAE AMBUT
VERLITO MEDINA
FREDEN NIKA "Nyka" ANGELITUD
ANA LEA ALGER
LYN PARDO (Sulong)
T.M CALDERON (Sulong)
We acknowledge the support of our older volunteers in puroks and barangays:
JAIME ANACAN (Bgy. Ginomoy)
CONRADO HARO (Bgy. Dao)
ADOLFO "Dooy" and ELVIRA CASORLA (Binalud)
TERESITA ALBAY DULACA (San Rufino "Tienda")
ZENAIDA TITULAR (Sulod)
Also the following teachers:
MARY JEAN CABRIAS and MARY JEAN ALCALDE (Tarug Elementary School)
ROSE CABLAS SACLOTE (Ulang-Bugang Elementary School)
MARILYN AQUIDADO (Dalid Elementary School)
JULIUS ALCANTARA (Quinaspan Elementary School)
MARY JERT SABIT (Cagay Elementary School)
This is a partial list. We will add more names as they become available.
Comment from: al [Visitor] • http://angiol.multiply.com/photos/album/3
05/20/07 @ 07:23
THANK YOU (Continued)
MARIA FATIMA CLARA ALPES ALDAMAR (Ubodan Elementary School)
DAISY ALMINAZA (Cunsad Primary School)
YOLANDA CANUTO (Abang Abang Primary School)
Comment from: RAD [Visitor]
05/21/07 @ 15:07
The above is encouraging News. Keep up the good work, young ones and young once! We are doing this for the future of Alimodian.
Comment from: al [Visitor] • http://angiol.multiply.com/photos/album/6
05/24/07 @ 20:44
ADVERTISEMENTS FOR OURSELVES
Every now and then we update our small circle of friends (nonAlimodiananons) on how “our little project in Iloilo” is doing. Recently we sent them a picture of the launching of CARE Binalud and an account of the “culminating activity” of the DEAR kids (a swimming trip to Leon).
We are reprinting some of their comments here. If you think they are “self-serving,” of course they are.
__________
* Little Project? BIG PROJECT!!!! Congratulations.
Ang galing ng culmination activity. Ang galing ang pagkakuwento ni M.
MARIE (Rome, Italy)
* I agree with Marie, not a small project, it's a BIG ONE, what with all the passion, dreams, and frustrations that go with it! Congratulations!
The account of the field trip is really heart warming!
MON (Manila)
* Ay, talagang nakakatawa namin ang blow-by-blow account ni M. Specially yung tiles sa swimming pool and fishpond. Keep up the good work. May konswelo naman ang inyong project. Thanks for sharing.
FRYNE (New York City)
* Thanks for sharing the story of the swimming trip!!
NONI (San Francisco)
* The story of the swimming party is cute !!!!!!
DANI (Quezon City)
* Nakatutuwa naman at may culminating activity pa yong project ninyo sa Alimodian. You and the others supporting this project should feel good about what you’ve done.
SARI (New York City)
* Pretty soon, it will be a big 'little' project! The fact is - you have moved people!
Thanks for sharing.
NANCY (Little Rock)
* Wow naman....
JUN (New York City)
* You may consider it "little" but your efforts certainly contribute to the formation of children's minds. Your input is a major ingredient to the final product--the future of the kids. Keep going!
Your reading program has expanded! May swimming event na sila. I am sure the kids will continue with their program because of these little add-ons. You are indeed making a difference. You may think it is small but the memories of these kids will include this special event in their childhood, fried chicken, hot dogs, and all. You have brought joy in their learning. Continue making a difference!
LILY (Quezon City)
Comment from: michelle [Visitor]
05/25/07 @ 10:38
thank you sa lahat ng mga tumulong at tumutulong pa rin sa CARE at sa DEAR program. we can not thank you enough for being a part of this project. we will do our best to continue bringing smiles and joy sa mga bata dito sa alimodian.
i would like to take this opportunity to thank my teachers at lahat ng staff sa Angelicum School, Iloilo. napakalaking tulong po ng mga aral na natutunan ko sa mahigit sampung taon kong pag-aral diyan.
Comment from: michelle [Visitor]
05/27/07 @ 04:38
thank you to our storyteller Ms. Ellen Ann Anino for our DEAR session last saturday.
we hope to hear more of in the coming weeks.
Comment from: al [Visitor] • http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view_article.php?article_id=60869
05/27/07 @ 12:46
We welcome ELLEN ANN ANINO to the fold of CARE volunteers.
One of CARE's friends in Connecticut is long-time resident of Darien, PIETER HANS HOETS.
Pieter has donated bags of books (through NOAH), and continues to encourage and support CARE.
Recently Pieter sent us an inscribed copy of his recent (2006) book, "Buitengaats! Met een Engelandvaarder de wereld in," a follow-up memoir to an earlier (2000) book, "De Yale Connection"; the latter is an account of the work he did with Yale classmate Sen. Jovito Salonga in tracking down the Marcos ill-gotten wealth after the collapse of the Marcos regime.
We thank Pieter for the book (we need to learn Dutch quickly), but more inmportantly, for being a good friend of CARE.
Comment from: Noah [Visitor]
05/28/07 @ 08:18
Lovely picture of our kids participating in DEAR program along with their voluteers,mentors,and CARE USA team. Nong Greg,Nang Lei,Nang A. a picture perfect of a small initiative with a big ambition to help.with the right tools from CARE USA which is books and possible financial support from our potential donors, this program will go farther more than anybody else is expecting.
Again a sincere thanks and appreciation to those who are actively involve,for a job well done.
Comment from: al [Visitor]
05/28/07 @ 09:25
BOOKS FROM NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Two boxes of books from ROWENA MEDINA LUMEN, of San Rafael, California, have arrived in CARE Alimodian through LBC.
Rowena is not from Alimodian, but she has been a supporter of CARE since day one. She did not forewarn us about the shipment, so it came as a very happy surprise.
Thanks a lot, Weng.
By the way, aside from children's books, CARE Alimodian has a collection of fiction and non-fiction books for older readers (high school, college, professionals, retirees, etc.). Also, in the KAMALIG, there is a shelf assigned to text and reference books on nursing (courtesy of LCA). Students of nursing are welcome to use the books (and they have, according to our volunteers).
Comment from: xiaxia [Visitor]
05/29/07 @ 02:13
The May 26, 2007 dear session was attended by 7 kids from the dear sessions, 2 from the mentorship program, and 3 new volunteers and Miss Ellen Ann Anino as the reader.
The kids sat on the rubber mats while Miss E sat sa kanyang "magic carpet" (banig..hehehe) while reading the story. She read "Teddy's Surprise Party." It was a story about a small bear expecting for a present for his birthday. His friends were secretly preparing for a surprise for Teddy and did not want Teddy to know of their plans so they were always in a hurry when they were around him. "gaaso and aragyan ka dalagan ka friends ni teddy bear," miss e would translate the text for the kids. “Teddy bear" was later given a surprise party by his family and friends.
Miss E later asked the kids who wanted a surprise party for their birthday but nobody raised a hand maybe the kids were shy. From there she started giving jokes and checking the kids’ vocabulary which made the kids interact some more that’s when they started answering her questions with vigor.
After a few questions, miss e told them about the important things to do during their birthdays. She told the kids that parties and gifts are not of great importance. What’s important is that they should be thankful to their parents for taking care of them and to god for continuously blessing them and giving them good health. She even told the kids to go to church and light a candle and pray and thank god for the blessings they have received.
After the session we surprised the kids with salad and soda. They ate their food then played with the rubber mats and borrowed some books before they went home at around 11:30.
We had a good chat with miss e about the needs of children here in Alimodian that are not catered properly like improvement of their "reading and comprehension" and values formation. She liked the session she had with the kids and wanted to do it again!
Comment from: al [Visitor] • http://alimol.multiply.com/photos/album/4
05/29/07 @ 05:47
Thanks a lot, Xiaxia. Do come back and blog again.
NINA XIAMINA "Xiaxia" ALGER is one of the hardworking volunteers whom we had the pleasure of meeting when LCA and I went home in April. She has been a volunteer since the beginning. She is a student at U.P. Visayas.
Xiaxia, we appreciate very much the hard work you and the other volunteers are doing for the kids of Alimodian.
Click on the above link for photos of the May 26 DEAR session.
Comment from: al [Visitor] • http://alimol.multiply.com/photos
05/29/07 @ 10:51
UPDATE ON THE KAMALIG
From CARE Alimodian:
As of yesterday, mga 100 ang nadugang sa amon library membership. Kids from as far as Alibango are coming to the Kamalig. Some seem to be just browsing through the books, just looking at the pictures. However, we see that tuwang-tuwa sila sa activity na magkadto sa Kamalig and borrow books.
Kahapon there was only one volunteer attending to the kids so Xiamina and I (Michelle) went there to help. There was a "multitude" of children . . . Tapos, since medyo umuulan na, naka pile-up ang sangkatutak na tsinelas sa labas ng pintuan.
The electrical works have also started. May mga konti na lang na aayusin at magkaka-ilaw na doon.
__________
Most children acquire the habit of reading by first browsing through the pictures. They are “visual” by reason of their age. Slowly they learn to read – and enjoy -- the words that tell them the story of the pictures. The Kamalig is there for this reason, among others.
We are looking for more volunteers to staff the Kamalig and assist in the DEAR session now that classes are starting and Michelle, Xiaxia, Cadoy, and most of our volunteers are going back to their studies.
We are also trying to "decentralize" the DEAR program by bringing some of the sessions to the neighborhoods in the poblacion.
Kung may i-volunteer kamo nga miembro kang pamilya o paryente sa Alimodian, please encourage him/her to sign up by dropping by the Kamalig (when it is open) or seeing any CARE volunteer.
Thanks.
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
05/29/07 @ 15:44
Our CARE Programs are very encouraging. Little by little we are moving forward. We are thankful for having dedicated volunteers and we need more. Age is not a hindrance in any way.
We have nursing books and periodicals. I ask nursing students to visit KAMALIG and expand their horizons. While there, you can also extend a hand by being a volunteer. It could also be your "study time" instead of studying at home with the blaring TV and noisy surroundings.
You can call Michelle for the times you can help out.
10/20/07 @ 08:19Comment from: lca [Visitor]
05/29/07 @ 15:47
We're almost there with our application as CARE Corp, a NON-PROFIT organization and every dollar you give would be tax-deductible.
We already have the EIN and we're just fine-tuning it at this time. Our thanks to NOAH MONTENEGRO for making this a reality.
Comment from: al [Visitor]
05/30/07 @ 20:19
BOOKS FROM DARIEN, CONNECTICUT
Belated thanks to the DARIEN BOOK AID PLAN, for the two boxes of books it sent through the postal service that arrived in Alimodian some weeks ago.
This is the second donation to CARE from this nonprofit, all-volunteer organization that "builds a foundation of peace, understanding, and friendship by distributing free books."
It sends books in response to specific requests from Peace Corps volunteers, libraries, and schools all over the world.
CARE is grateful for being one of the beneficiaries of the Darien Book Aid.
Comment from: al [Visitor] • http://alimol.multiply.com/photos
06/01/07 @ 13:03
WE LIVE FOR WORDS LIKE THESE
From CARE Alimodian:
Last month, going to CARE Kamalig was like the IN thing to do for the kids. Having a library card and carrying books home was like, cool, to them.
After they finished with the Flores de Mayo, they ran to the Kamalig and browsed the books.
The older children and young adults are borrowing the fiction books in our collection. There are also mothers working in the munisipyo who drop by to borrow books for their children.
I (Michelle) asked the young volunteers staffing the Kamalig if they will still come back and help maski na may klase ron sanda. They said they will come back and continue to volunteer after school. I told them that if that would be the case, I will bring some of the textbooks we have (at the café) to the Kamalig so they can study and do their homework there while minding the library. I hope that by then we will have electricity already so the Kamalig can stay open a bit longer.
Comment from: al [Visitor]
06/01/07 @ 22:36
THE POWER OF BOOKS
Many of our non-Alimodiananon friends are excited about CARE’s book-lending initiative because it reminds them of their own experience as children.
M., in Rome, writes:
While reading M’s story, I recalled my younger years in Naga when I used to visit the city library to read and to borrow books. Talagang immense joy discovering new things and new places.
Sayang at puro Italian ang mga books dito kaya hindi mareplicate ang ginagawa ninyo.
M., a mutual friend in Manila, has a suggestion for M. (in Rome):
Donate the magazines kahit in Italian. Iyong visuals lang, mind boggling na iyan sa mga young people. Nasa grade five na yata ako ng 1st time ako makakita ng colored fotos sa Life Magazine and I couldn't believe na meron palang colored magazine, kasi ang Liwayway noon ay puro black and white lang. And I wanted to cut out the colored fotos!
As you said the experience of knowing/seeing new things. Baka isang makakita niyan ay isang future Amorsolo or Felix Resureccion Hidalgo na ma inspire sa mga fotos ng isang foreign magazine.
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
06/02/07 @ 07:07
Excited gani ang indi taga-Alimodian, ano pa gid ayhan ang taga-Alimodian nga nagabasa ka dya?
We get support from people who have never been in our town. Let's show the world what we can do.
The possibilities are endless if you want to help.
Abi i wagwaga ang patadyong ta kag magbulig.
1. We need financial help to send more books and for snacks of DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) kids back home. You can send it directly through your relatives in town or through us here.
2. We also need your services. We need volunteers to man CARE KAMALIG and to read to the DEAR kids.
3. or, open your house to the neighborhood kids. You can borrow books from CARE KAMALIG and set up a mini library with some books for them.
Volunteerism should make both the volunteer and the recipient feel good about themselves.
Comment from: Noah [Visitor]
06/02/07 @ 14:34
One of the many reasons why, the CARE group are so inspired about DEAR project is not only our children are in need of good reading materials but also to those who support,inspire and believe that this project worhty and have a long and lasting good effect to our community.
personally?my honest feeling is;as a parent my self,if I live in Alimodian with my two girls, the DEAR project is the answer to my prayers.unlimited amount of knowledge that they can extract out of those books that only the children of the priviledge families,children in the united States and other industrialized countries can enjoy.honestly? we the CARE group will feel bad if the town folks won't take advantage of this.not because we need something in return,but because this a good chance for your children to learn outside school for free and you're giving them a chance to learn more.we wish we have this kind of project when we we're Kids. this is a perfect opportunity for you folks in Alimodian. grab it!
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
06/05/07 @ 03:04
GOOD NEWS
I found boxes of nursing and PT books for "donation" at my school. I got 4 big boxes of it and should be ready for mailing soon. Nursing students, visit KAMALIG and see what's there for you!
Comment from: al [Visitor] • http://pcij.org/i-report/2007/literacy.html
06/07/07 @ 21:04
A NATION OF NONREADERS
By Juan Miguel Luz
WHY IS it that despite our supposedly high literacy rate, many Filipinos can barely read and write? Why haven’t we been able to develop a reading habit among Filipinos?
THE problem of nonreading lies at the heart of why the Philippines is so uncompetitive in the world economy and why so many of our people continue to live in poverty or barely escape it.
Straightforward questions about something so fundamental. Yet there are no easy answers to such a complex problem. Worse, the problem of nonreading lies at the heart of why the Philippines is so uncompetitive in the world economy and why so many of our people continue to live in poverty or barely escape it.
To read more, click on the above link.
Thanks to G.A. for directing our attention to the article.
One alarming statistic:
"Department of Education (DepEd) data show that for every 100 children who enter Grade 1, close to 15 do not make it into Grade 2, and roughly one-quarter (24 percent) have dropped out before Grade 4.
"Grade 3 (10 years old) is a critical year in terms of formal schooling. Since preschooling is neither compulsory nor part of the package of free public education guaranteed by the Constitution, Grade 3 marks the third full year of basic education for children who attend public elementary school and the year when the facility to read, write, and do the four operations of arithmetic with competence is expected. (Less than 20 percent of those who go to public elementary school actually attend a full year of preschool education.)
"Dropping out before this grade level thus becomes a major contributor to the lack of functional literacy, which in turn has a negative impact on adults and their eventual work productivity. This is assuming, of course, that by the end of Grade 3 (or the third year of formal full-time schooling), our children’s competence in the three ‘Rs are being honed fully. But as we are seeing, that may not be happening in far too many schools."
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
06/08/07 @ 03:26
Thank you AL. For this reason, we urge all our kasimanwa, in town or abroad to take part in our CARE programs.
If you're in town:
You can be a volunteer by helping out in the CARE KAMALIG operation,read books to kids or open a mini library in your home.
You can also be a recipient of the program by bringing kids to the DEAR sessions or by borrowing books for you and your family.
For out-of-towners:
You can send books to boost our stock, send your financial help for mailing or snack for the kids and volunteers.
LGU and non-gov. organizations:
You can help support our programs in soooooo many ways!
How's that?
Comment from: al [Visitor]
06/09/07 @ 00:00
THE VILLAGE SHOULD RAISE THE CHILD
A volunteer who has set up a CARE mini-library in her home for the neighborhood kids was telling me how she is trying to get a little girl to come over to her house so she could teach her how to read.
The kid is already in grade three but medyo nabudlayan magbasa. Like many children in Alimodian who belong to large, financially disadvantaged, families, her parents most likely do not have the time – if not the skills – to practice reading with her.
The little girl, however, is making herself scarce. Nagapanago when she sees the CARE volunteer. She is either shy or terrified, or both.
She is the kind of child that CARE wants to reach. Without support from the “village” around her, the little girl has a big chance of falling through the cracks. If she drops out after grade 3 because of incompetence in the three ‘Rs or for other reasons (as 24% of Filpino school children do, according to statistics), the likelihood is that not only will she not fulfill her God-given potential, but she will be consigned to a life of economic unempowerment that is the lot of functional illiterates.
She is the child who needs YOU.
Comment from: RAD [Visitor] • http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2935953950072035356JlDeqz
06/10/07 @ 14:56
Yes, guys, please help us help the kids of our less fortunate neighbors.
Comment from: Noah [Visitor]
06/10/07 @ 17:16
Just like Nong Greg email to me;subject:"CARE to Harvard" we're hoping to inspire our youngster to maximize their potential in life.Nong Greg is refering to Mr.Oscar Franklin Tan who Just graduated from Harvard Law school our fellow Visayan from Negros Occidental.
in his speech Mr. Tan discribed his father experienced who slept in his Aunt's couch to study law at U.P. good example of a success story about a poor young man from Negros,who has a good outlook for his future.his determination sacrifices,to achieve certain goal in life.
back to our DEAR project. based with the story of Mr. Tan's success, we're not be surprise that one day, one of these children who is participating in our initiative will achieve something like Mr. Tan has achieved.in his speech at U.P, Harvard or Yale he/she may include in his speech"I develop my study habit from CARE Kamalig in a small farming town of Alimodian,Iloilo in southern Philippines"
sounds good right?and who's gonna be credited for that?not CARE nor our Volunteers and mentors.but the town of Alimodian as a whole."LET'S GO FOR IT"
Comment from: al [Visitor]
06/10/07 @ 22:45
LCA,
You might want to update us on the MENTORSHIP PROGRAM?
Comment from: al [Visitor] • http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2935953950072035356JlDeqz
06/10/07 @ 23:34
RAD,
Thanks again for the wonderful picture.
I loved it then, I love it now.
Comment from: xiaxia [Visitor]
06/12/07 @ 05:24
We played Twister during the June 9, 2007 DEAR Session.
We invited kids within the ages of 6-9 to attend to our DEAR Session. We posted the invitation at the Kamalig.
There were 16 kids who attended the Session, 7 of them are from the mentoring program while the rest are the “old” DEAR kids who are still within the age limit. The session started around 10 AM on Saturday. Unfortunately, there was a brown out that lasted until the afternoon so we had to suffer from dripping sweats the whole session.
We started the session by dividing the kids into pairs. One will play twister on the board while the other will pick the color and move the player will make. There are two players on the Twister board that we laid on the floor and they play “matira ang matibay” between them while they twist their bodies according to the move picked by their pair. If one player gives up, the other player will be pronounced as the winner. Then the pair will change places and the player will then be the one to pick up the moves while the other pair plays. There were four 5 pairs who played. One said “mayad lang gymnast ako!” and “amo rn ja pag intsakto nga acrobatics!”
The game helped us evaluate whether our children can distinguish their left and right foot and legs. Unfortunately some of them had difficulty following the directions since they cannot determine their left from their right foot. After every player had played, Megan Ledesma led the song “You put your right hand in, you put your right hand out…” so the other kids would bear in their minds which hand is the left and which hand is the right.
After all the games, the children were given cheese sandwiches and iced tea as their refreshments. After eating, some volunteers entertained the kids by playing twister, too!
When all were done, Mam Michelle did a introduction of the “Mentorship Kids” to the “DEAR kids.” There was then a meeting and the kids were told to invite their friends to join the session and that admission will still push through until august. And then the kids voted on how to spend the June 23 session and they chose to have an ice cream party since there will be birthday celebrants too by that time. The kids then sang again on their own without a leader and they did distinguish which hand is the left and which is the right.
The DEAR kids were then dismissed while the mentoring kids were asked to stay for distribution of additional school supplies, fitting of their school uniforms and school shoes and further instructions.
Comment from: al [Visitor]
06/12/07 @ 10:59
Hi Xiaxia,
Thanks a lot for your report, and, as always, for the hard work you put in as CARE volunteer.
You are a good storyteller.
Seems like you and the kids had fun, despite the brownout.
It is a big deal -- knowing which is your left foot, and which is your right foot.
Maybe one of these days you and the other volunteers can give the kids lesson on directions -- north, south, east, west, etc.
You'd be surprised how many of us grow up into adulthood WITHOUT learning to figure out these seemingly inconsequential but significant facts of life.
Is MEGAN LEDESMA a new volunteer?
We are all very proud of all you volunteers.
Salamat gid.
Comment from: xiaxia [Visitor]
06/12/07 @ 22:21
thank you po.
megan ledesma is the daughter of doctors manuel and mary ann ledesma. she is one of the kids who joined the DEAR session. a very bright child at the age of 9. she actively participates in most of our activities.
Comment from: al [Visitor]
06/12/07 @ 23:17
Megan and the other DEAR kids are lucky to have you, Michelle, Cadoy and the other older volunteers as mentors and role models.
When they grow a little older, we hope they become volunteers themselves and mentor and serve as role models to the younger ones.
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
06/13/07 @ 05:24
Al, here's the info you're asking about the CARE Mentorship Program:
The CARE mentorship program is a supplement to the pupils’ formal education to help them reach their maximum potential. This is a “big brother, big sister” role model plan where a pupil is matched with a mentor/friend in the United States.
Ten 2nd grade pupils were objectively chosen among the many with the help of Mrs. Andiolina Andeo. Assistance is given to these kids as in unlimited visits to CARE Kamalig, DEAR Program, school bag, school supplies, a set of school uniform and shoes. Beneficiaries are expected to study well, get good grades, attend DEAR program, and avail of the other services offered by CARE.
We will review and evaluate the students at the end of the school year. At this time, we will need the input of their teachers to determine their eligibility to remain in the program.
We will continue and support these kids until the 6th grade.
Initially, their big brothers/sisters wrote each of them a letter. In return, most of them already wrote back to their mentors. This is one way we can foster communication and letter-writing ability among these kids.
We are hoping that more Alimodiananon will join as mentors. We have a lot of kids who are waiting for a manong/manang.
This is a way of helping our community especially if we are not physically available to offer our services.
We welcome everyone.
Comment from: rosalyn [Visitor]
06/13/07 @ 10:50
Hello Nang Lei,
How do you become a mentor? Please e-mail me some info.
Thanks,
Inday Lyn
Comment from: RAD [Visitor] • http://www.bookcrossing.com/
06/15/07 @ 16:35
Hi, guys!
I wonder if you have come across this.
http://www.bookcrossing.com/
You can register a book you want to share with the world and give it its own unique number. Then you leave it at a spot (you can designate a spot anywhere that's convenient i.e., a break room here at work) where people may drop off or pick up books, read and pass it on to others, etc.
Whoever reads the book and cares could log into the website and enter the books's ID and where he is.
You can then trace the where book has been, the lives it has touched, etc...
Looking forward to seeing the kasimanwa's tonight.
Comment from: al [Visitor] • http://pcij.org/i-report/2007/literacy.html
06/16/07 @ 11:12
LITERACY -- WHAT IT REALLY MEANS
We Filipinos love to brag about our so-called "high" literacy rate.
Actually, we don't have much to write home about.
From the above link:
"Simple literacy" is the ability of a person to read and write with understanding a simple message in any language or dialect.
"Functional literacy," meanwhile, is a significantly higher level of literacy that includes not only reading and writing skills, but also numeracy (the ‘rithmetic that completes the ‘three Rs’), which leads to a higher order of thinking that allows persons to participate more meaningfully in life situations requiring a reasonable capacity to communicate in a written language.
"The simplest, most direct measure of functional literacy is the ability to follow a written set of instructions for even basic tasks. Thus, functional literacy is the more important indicator of competence when it comes to adults in the workforce.
". . . our simple literacy rate might even be overstated, meaning there may be even more Filipinos incapable of reading and writing a simple message, with understanding, than reported officially. The measure of simple literacy, after all, is not determined by a test but rather by a census question. A census-taker asks respondents: 'Can you read or write a simple message in any language or dialect?' It’s easy to imagine that quite a number of household heads would answer affirmatively to hide the fact that they are illiterate, out of a feeling of hiya (shame). And I do not think census-takers take the time to test the literacy level of a respondent during the survey.
"Professor Dina Ocampo of the University of the Philippines School of Education says that literacy is really about the ability 'to construct and create meaning from or through written language.' To do so will require a higher degree of abstraction. Therefore, the true measure of literacy must be functional, not simple."
Comment from: al [Visitor]
06/17/07 @ 21:50
More:
The Philippines has free public education through grade 6 (or age 12), but only about 60 percent of school-aged children actually attend. Parents have difficulty accommodating the cost of sending their children to school, including food and transportation allowances. Many of these children from poor families eventually drop-out.
Comment from: al [Visitor] • http://alimol.multiply.com/photos/album/4
06/18/07 @ 21:04
CLICK ON THE ABOVE FOR PHOTOS OF:
26 May 2007 DEAR session
09 June 2007 DEAR session
Comment from: al [Visitor] • http://alimol.multiply.com/photos/photo/4/15
06/21/07 @ 08:05
Every now and then one of the kids in the DEAR session photos catches our eye.
Click on the above link.
We are told his name is GENESIS FIRMALINO.
The only other info is: "He was the "wolf" in the "Three Little Pigs" that the kids presented during the CARE Binalud launching.
Anyone knows who his parents are, where they live, etc.?
Just curious.
Comment from: Noah [Visitor]
06/21/07 @ 09:17
to those who are Coming for a FIESTA at COVE ISLAND,
call SUSAN at (203)323-1978 or
check this website:WWW.SOUNDWATERS@.ORG
FOR COMPLIMENTARY (CANOE AND KAYAK LESSON OR MAY BE SAILING AT THE SOUND)
Comment from: al [Visitor] • http://alimol.multiply.com/photos/album/7
06/23/07 @ 14:22
THANKS TO MA'AM ZENAIDA "Naids" TITUTAR AND MA'AM VISITACION "Viting" STA. CRUZ
As Mariel writes in the homepage, last Sunday, June 17, to mark its first anniversay, CARE said thank you to the volunteers who had worked hard on the book-lending and DEAR initiatives.
Ma'am Titular handled the arrangements for the simple pamahaw and helped orchestrate the affair. Although not all the volunteers made it, many of them did, and we are happy about the turnout. We could only share the joy vicariously, through photos; still, it was hard not to choke up looking at the young faces.
Ma'am Sta. Cruz, as Mariel tells us, said all the right words. We could not have said them better if we were there ourselves.
Ma'am Titular and Ma'am Sta. Cruz not only provide "adult supervision" to the CARE volunteers in Alimodian -- they provide the young people a moral center.
Last year during their visit to the States (and during RAD's visit to the East Coast), we got together at Noah's place in Connecticut. After dinner, when we got to talking about our little project in Alimodian, Ma'am Titular and Ma'am Sta. Cruz promised that they will support CARE's initiatives in every way they could.
And they have.
Moreover, during the dinner, Ma'am Sta. Cruz made a "plea" to us: STAY WITH IT.
And we have.
Comment from: Noah [Visitor]
06/30/07 @ 20:14
Literacy program gives hope to poor kids
By Jeannette Andrade
Inquirer
Last updated 03:55am (Mla time) 07/01/2007
MANILA, Philippines—In every child lies the potential for changing the world, according to the Philippine Christian School of Tomorrow. And this capacity, PCST marketing and events manager Rowena Kakilala said, should be tapped through education.
But with education beyond the reach of a large segment of society, particularly families who live below the poverty line, some children may be deprived of the opportunity to develop their potential. For this reason, the PCST, through its Basic Life Empowerment Support System or BLESS, has been offering a literacy program which aims to teach children from poor families to read in 18 to 20 weeks.
The PCST is a private school in Barangay Don Bosco, Sucat, Parañaque City which offers pre-school, elementary and high school education. According to its website, the school aims to provide preparation for life, address unique and individual children’s needs and assist them in reaching their God-given potential through the use of Bible-based methods and curriculum.
In empowering children aged 5 to 8 years old with the ability to read and write, the BLESS program also wants to give their families hope.
“The children learn that they are unique individuals created by God. They know that they are made in the likeness and in the image of the Lord that is why they start to have hope, and I think that is one of the needs we should meet in our countrymen,” Kakilala, BLESS project director, pointed out.
She said that negative reports in the newspapers have made a big impact on the way many Filipinos live. “They (poor families) tend to lose hope. They are prone to think that because they were born poor, they will die poor. After death, there is nothing more. But in this system, in our program, we teach them that having a relationship with Jesus Christ gives them hope,” Kakilala added.
Under BLESS, the children’s parents are partners in the learning process. “We cannot teach the child values and then find another set of values at home,” Kakilala pointed out, adding that some of their students in the BLESS program do not know the concept of authority or even love because they grew up in an atmosphere devoid of basic human emotions.
The need for affection, however, Kakilala said, is being addressed by the BLESS program where facilitators and teachers offer a caring environment revolving around Christian education.
The program also affords nourishment to children under the simple belief that students cannot assimilate what they are taught on empty stomachs. BLESS likewise provides a supply of vitamins which are given to students during class.
Kakilala said there are parents who consider their children dull and, thus, do not see the need for education. “We do not look at any child as dimwitted. Nobody is dull. Each child is created unique and we have to prepare this child for life. They each have special traits. We ask our teachers to help the children discover those traits,” she added.
The only thing required of the parents, according to her, is their commitment to the program. They must ensure the attendance of their child for four hours every day for 18 to 20 weeks. “Most of the parents whose children we have enrolled in the program take it for granted because it is free. But we meet with them and emphasize that this is not free because their education has been paid for by sponsors who want, as they do, their children to grow up with a sense of self-worth,” Kakilala said.
Under the BLESS program, a child is trained for life. “In life you have to set goals. You have to finish your goals. You have choices in life. Everything in life is about the choices that you make so we are seeing those traits work,” the BLESS project director said, pointing out the educational system used by the PCST veers away from the traditional classroom setting.
In PCST, the students are given individual workspaces where they set their own goals for the day and are placed under a disciplinary system of merits and demerits. Merits earned may later be exchanged for trinkets.
Under the BLESS program, literacy is not taught by rote where a picture is associated with a letter but through phonics. “We teach phonics. They learn the sounds of letters. Once they have mastered the 35 letter sounds, we teach them how to blend the sounds. That is the reason why it is effective,” Kakilala said.
She claimed that children who have completed the program have been instantly accelerated to the next higher grade level because they can read better than most children.
To date, the BLESS program has over 600 beneficiary-families with some 1,200 children enrolled in more than 100 centers nationwide, including Mindanao.
The PCST hopes to duplicate the success of the BLESS program in its Basic Literacy Intervention Training System (BLITS) for public school students aged 6 to 8 years old and even older children “who may not have developed reading skills.”
The school believes that incorporating the BLITS program into the public school curriculum “will enhance the efficiency of the existing system. Because of the development of comprehension skills, teachers will not have as much difficulty making students understand their textbooks.”
And by improving the quality of education offered in public schools, the PCST is hopeful that there will be an improvement in the lives of many Filipinos.
Copyright 2007 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Comment from: al [Visitor]
07/03/07 @ 18:43
We received a lovely letter from one of our volunteers, EDELYN "LYN" PRADO, of Brgy. Sulong, and we are sharing it because it makes us proud to have young people like her in Alimodian. Here is part of Lyn's letter:
"I and my fellow volunteers in our community try our best to offer our service for the kids every other 2 weeks. I can see some positive feedback from those people who appreciate the program. However, our team has found a little
problem. Some kids are a little hesitant to borrow books because they are afraid to lose them. But so far, it's a success!
"I visited the Kamalig 2 weeks ago and met some of the volunters there. I was surprised to receive an incentive and a certificate from C.A.R.E. Thank you so much! We didn't expect that we're really appreciated in this project.
By that, we are more encouraged to render our simple way of service for the betterment of our town, especially in Barangay Sulong."
To Lyn, her team in Brgy. Sulong, and other CARE volunteers, thanks a lot for caring about the kids of Alimodian.
Comment from: al [Visitor] • http://alimol.multiply.com/photos/photo/7/20
07/03/07 @ 19:00
Here's a photo of LYN PRADO, with Ma'am ZENAIDA TITULAR and Ma'am VISITACION STA. CRUZ, during the volunteers appreciation pamahaw on June 17.
Comment from: al [Visitor] • http://angiol.multiply.com/photos/album/6
07/12/07 @ 10:35
FROM THE MAIL
Hi there,
Thanks for the photos – great!
Do you want any more books?
We have US history, Psychology, and some novels.
DEIRDRE K. LEWIN, M.A.
Director
The Den for Grieving Kids and The Center for Hope, programs of Family Centers Inc.
590 Post Road, Darien, CT 06820
__________
I am not yet involved in your book-lending and reading programs, but I'll look into this and see what I can do for you and Noah. And in any event I also look forward to meeting you this summer.
With kind regards, sincerely,
PIETER J. HOETS
11 Rocaton Road, Darien, CT 06820
Author, "De Yale Connection" and "Buitengaats!"
Comment from: Noah [Visitor]
07/12/07 @ 17:59
This is only a few of many best wishes and moral support we got from our American supporters who are eager and willing to give even their financial support to see the success of CARE in Alimodian.
This is not about nga gusto ka CARE Dayawon? we don't make CARE a big deal out of our personal advantage. this is about helping out,sa may gusto. kong indi timo wa-ay ka man gina-pirit.
It's very unfortunate that we got some bad comments from our own kasimanwa's(sometimes too personal)and good comments and financial commitment from the people who don't even know where the hell Alimodian is."SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG IN THIS PICTURE!YOU WILL BE THE JUDGE".
Comment from: xiaxia [Visitor]
07/14/07 @ 21:39
about book and reading...
lifted form bob ong's fifth book "stainless longganisa"
"Sa panghuli, higit sa lahat, magbasa ka ng libro. Kung nabasa mo lahat ng mga libro ko, salamat. Pero kung makakbasa ka pa ng ibang libro bukod sa mga isinulat ko o mga ipinabili ng teacher mo, mas magaling. Hikayatin mo lahat ng mga kakilala mo na magkaroon ng kahit isa man lang paboritong libro sa buong buhay nila. Dahil wala nang mas nakakaawa pa sa mga taong literado pero hindi nagbabasa. Ayos lang lumaki nang lumaki, magpatangkad, at tumanda nang walang natututunan-kung puno ka! Pero bilang tao, may karne sa loob ng bungo mo na nangangailangan ng sustansya. Maraming pagkakataong kakailanangan mong sundutin yon. At sa bawat sundot, tulad ng sundot-kulangot, mas maigi kung may kapaki-pakinabang kang makukuha."
Comment from: al [Visitor] • http://angiol.multiply.com/photos/photo/6/132
07/14/07 @ 22:33
Thanks, Xiaxia.
"Hikayatin mo lahat ng mga kakilala mo na magkaroon ng kahit isa man lang paboritong libro sa buong buhay nila."
That's what we are hoping to encourage through CARE's book-lending and reading programs.
NINA XIAMINA "Xiaxia" ALGER has been a dedicated volunteer since CARE started its initiatives in Alimodian.
The link above has a photo of Xiaxia during one of the DEAR sessions she conducted.
Comment from: al [Visitor] • http://angiol.multiply.com/photos/album/6
07/16/07 @ 20:33
A SUMMER TREAT FOR DEAR KIDS
Sometime in May, to mark the first year of DEAR and as the culminating activity for the school year, the volunteers in Alimodian took the DEAR kids swimming in Leon. The account of the field trip (written in Taglish), which we have shared with some friends of CARE, is funny and heartwarming. We want to share it now in the hope that you will find it funny and heartwarming, too. We are reproducing it unedited, except for the names that we have deleted to spare those involved from -- well, you know what.
Here it is:
Nagpahatid at nagpasundo kami kay ___ sa van niya. Papunta 21 kami lahat – 4 kami sa tabi ni ___ tapos the rest sa likod. Seven people hinatid ni Tito ___ at 6 hinatid ng kanilang driver – yung neighbors ni ___ from Sulod who came after the funeral of their grandfather. Tapos may 3 pa na nagcommute kasi naiwanan sila. Late na kasi dumating tapos umiyak kaya hinatid ng yaya nila sa Leon.
Two kids were left behind – sina ___ at ___ of Taban-Manguining – mga pinsan po yan ng mga ___. Akala kasi namin nauna na sila kasama doon sa pick-up ni Tito ___. Yon pala sila ay tinanghali ng gising at naiwanan. Pagdating nila sa Café kami ay nakaalis na kaya ang isang bata ay umiyak at nag text kay ___ na sila ay nasa Cafe at naiwanan. Tapos sila ay naglakad pauwi sa Taban. An hour later, naandon na sila sa Leon kasama ang kanilang yaya ___ na hindi alam kung saan ang venue ng swimming. Subalit si ___ ay talagang desidido na pumunta at alam niya ang venue kaya siya ang nagturo sa kanyang yaya pano papunta sa Villa Assuncion. Pagdating doon sila ay dali-daling nagpalit ng swimsuits at lumangoy ng lumangoy.
Ang aming lunch ay all-time favorite "fried chicken," hotdog with marshmallow on a stick, at iced tea. We cooked 3 calderos (medium sized) of rice at lahat ay naubos. And then we had a drinking water shortage kasi wala silang dala na drinking water nila. The 10 liters we brought naubos. Yung extra water namin hindi nakarating kasi ___ and the group weren’t able to make it sa Leon. Si ____ na lang ang nagdala ng tubig namin later.
Pauwi, 24 na ang laman ng van. Tapos 5 of us nag commute na lang. The group from Sulod together with their parent and guardian stayed behind at nagswimming pa kasi late na rin sila dumating.
Kay ___ lang kami nagpahatid kasi kapos na sa budget if we will hire a jeepney for transportation.
It was good kasi yung iba ay hindi pa nakakalangoy sa swimming pool. At nagtanong pa kung lahat ba ng swimming pool ay naka-tiles. Sagot naman ng isang bata e siyempre alangan naman lupa at baka ito ay tawaging fishpond.
Yan po ang nangyari kahapon sa aming fieldtrip.
10/20/07 @ 08:19Comment from: al [Visitor] • http://angiol.multiply.com/photos/album/6
07/25/07 @ 13:03
OUT OF THE MOUTH OF BABES
Sometime ago, to mark the one-year anniversary of DEAR, we requested the children to tell us what they had learned during the every-other-week reading sessions.
In the Homepage we have posted the comments from four kids. Eventually we hope to post the comments from all the DEAR participants.
Apart from the sheer joy of seeing their handwriting and drawing, and reading their comments, the exercise helps the CARE volunteers in Alimodian figure out where in the learning curve a child is, and what skills she/he requires assistance in.
The DEAR session is not intended as a substitute for classroom education. The “education” aspect of it is meant not to provide the basic learning tools, but to reinforce the educational rudiments that he/is is learning (or supposed to) in the grade or elementary school.
If DEAR is able to develop in a small group of Alimodian children a life-long habit of reading – and the whole experience that goes with it – that would be more than enough reward for us in CARE. If in some little way we help raise them into kind and caring adults who will become productive citizens of Alimodian – that would simply be icing on the cake.
Aside from the primary activities of reading and storytelling, the DEAR participants watch educational movies/videos, act out short plays, do art activities, play games, etc. They are encouraged to practice simple courtesies like saying thank you and excuse me; to learn basic concepts of responsibility, honesty, cooperation, and the like; to clean up after a group activity; to make friends and get along with their peers – the rules of living that they learn (or should) at home and in school, anyway, but could use some reinforcement outside. They are invited to attend CARE activities like the blessing of the Kamalig, launching of CARE Binalud, and the appreciation pamahaw for the volunteers. As a “culminating activity,” in May we brought them to a swimming field trip to nearby Leon (which explains the “I learned how to swim” comment). By getting them in contact with caring adult volunteers, we hope to provide them with good role models as they grow into young adulthood.
In DEAR for a couple of hours every other Saturday, they are the most important children in Alimodian. We hope the setting of a reading session helps them feel good about themselves, because if they do, they have a better chance of turning out OK as adults.
________
Thanks a lot to MICHELLE for creating the comment postcards.
Comment from: al [Visitor] • http://angiol.multiply.com/photos/album/6
07/28/07 @ 13:20
ONE CARE VOLUNTEER’S PERSPECTIVE ON THE DEAR SESSIONS
“May mga bata na talagang natutukan ang kanilang pag aaral at may support talaga ang parents. Yung iba e napabayaan at mahina talaga so we encourage them to read aloud sa sessions so we can hear how they pronounce words, like if they know ang pagkakaiba ng tunog ng "i" sa "e".
”It's also a little difficult kasi magkakaibang levels po sila. Ideally we should be giving different sets of exercise for different levels of learning, but since wala pa po kaming gaanong naprepare na mga materials, we choose na lang the activities na somehow maaddress lahat ng levels. Yung iba kakantyawan nila ang mga slow learners if di sila nakakasagot ng tama. Pinagsasabihan din naman namin sila na di tama yung pagtawanan ang mga di nakakaalam. And we give them questions na rin na masasagot nila para ma boost naman ang kanilang self-esteem.
”This coming Saturday, Tagalog naman ang mga stories namin kasabay sa pagcelebrate ng Linggo ng Wika sa mga eskwelahan.
”Nakakapagod po pero di na rin po kami makapag hinto since looking at their work and hearing them read, lalo po kaming nachallenge how to help these kids improve themselves. Yung bang matanim sa isip nila na hindi kahirapan ang magiging hadlang sa kanilang pag-aaral and to become better citizens someday.”
Comment from: michelle [Visitor]
08/04/07 @ 07:21
good day kasimanwas!
thanks to our webmaster for posting the kids work. we viewed it today and the kids enjoyed it.
Comment from: michelle [Visitor]
08/09/07 @ 06:34
thank you to Mrs. MARIVEL TOPACIO-ARO for sponsoring the mats and chairs for CARE Resource Center.
Comment from: al [Visitor]
08/11/07 @ 12:53
We would like to add our own thanks to MARIVEL TOPACIO-ARO, who is not a taga-Alimodian; she is a resident of Quezon City (and The Hague part of the year). She is one of those admirable people who helps what she thinks is a worthwhile undertaking -- without being asked. And she is fond of referring to the movie "Pay It Forward" (2000) by way of "explaining" her support.
The movie, in case you have not watched it, is a story of a young boy (Haley Joel Osment) who was given an assignment by his social studies teacher (Kevin Spacey): think of a plan to improve mankind and put it into action. The boy comes up with the idea of paying a favor FORWARD, not backward, i.e., repaying acts of kindness not with a payback to the people you owe, but by doing new acts of kindness to three new people. His efforts to implement his idea bring a revolution not only in his own life, his mother's and his teacher's, but to an ever-widening circle of people who were strangers to him.
Also in the movie are Helen Hunt, Jon Bon Jovi, and Angie Dickinson.
Comment from: al [Visitor]
08/26/07 @ 11:20
ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF ALIMODIAN SCHOOLCHILDREN
We asked the CARE volunteers in Alimodian for their assessment of the academic skills (spelling, writing, communication, etc.) of the DEAR kids (samples of which are posted in the Homepage). The kids attending the DEAR sessions do not constitute a representative sample of the Alimodian grade/elementary school population so the observations are by no means "scientific". Still, they are instructive -- even if we had known this for years now.
"Sometimes we feel helpless makita ang results at di namin alam saan maguumpisa. Outside of school, the children do not get much help from adult Alimodiananons. The retirees are busy with other things. They no longer concern themselves with what the students now are capable and incapable of doing at their different grade level.
"Yung iba high school graduate na nga kung turingan pero di pa rin marunong magbasa."
Comment from: al [Visitor]
08/28/07 @ 21:54
THANK YOU TO OLD FRIENDS IN CONNECTICUT
* The ROWAYTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, in Rowayton, CT, through JOAN WARD, the School Secretary, for 2 sets of encyclopedia.
* GORDON SMITH, of Darien, CT, for a set of encyclopedia.
Both are repeat donors.
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
08/30/07 @ 05:30
CARE is opening its doors to prospective volunteers who are willing to keep CARE Kamalig open for longer hours and help process the borrowing of books.
For interested parties, please see Michelle at BALABAW Cafe.
Thank you.
Comment from: al [Visitor] • http://alimol.multiply.com/photos/album/12/DEAR_8_photos
09/02/07 @ 21:30
1 SEPTEMBER DEAR SESSION
ACTIVITY OF THE DAY: "We practiced playing the stick puppet we made of 'Si Matsing at si Pagong.'"
The kids also tried the floor mats donated by MARIVEL TOPACIO-ARO.
Click on the above link for photos.
Comment from: michelle [Visitor]
09/12/07 @ 03:37
thanks again to MARIVEL TOPACIO - ARO for her donation.
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
09/14/07 @ 13:11
I wrote Nang Delma del Rosario Jo a letter inviting her about our CARE Kamalig. We have a nursing corner for our nurses/students of all ages. We are inviting all nursing students and nurses to visit KAMALIG. We have nursing books and periodicals/journals that may be of benefit to you.
Comment from: xiaxia [Visitor]
09/16/07 @ 03:42
september 15, 2007 DEAR Session
it was a rainy saturday morning which could be the cause of the low number of atendees. we only had 12 kids during the session, 3 of them from the mentoring program.
we started the session around 9:30. three kids from the mentoring program volunteered themselves as readers for that day. we explored greek methology by reading "the adventures of odysseus." The story was first read then I explained the story ny telling it in karay-a. After the story was read, mam michelle explained to the kids the value of myths and legends for a specific place by giving examples like our own stories of "si malakas at si maganda" and "biag ni lam-ang." Thay were able to relate to these stories that was when they realized what myths and legends are.
we then had a snack break. the kids were given refreshments and cookies. After eating, we recalled the adventures of odyssey one by one. The adventures were from the land or ciconians, lotus-eaters, cyclops, sirens and more...
the kids enjoyed the story although they had dificulty remembering the name of the places. they were also given some vocabulary words to remember.
the session ended around 11:30.
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
09/16/07 @ 10:04
Xiaxia and the CARE Volunteers:
Thank you for your continued enthusiasm in the CARE program. Yes, you may have (only) 12 kids, but you enriched the 12 kids with a session that helped them. The volunteers are the lifeblood of our program and we cannot thank you enough for the work you have done.
We also invite parents to take an active part in our programs. It could be by bringing their kids (and some neighborhood kids, if they want)to Kamalig, let the kids choose the books, read to them and bring some home for daily reading. It is unbelievable how this simple gesture helps kids learn. This is also a quality "bonding" time for parents and kids.
I challenge the PTA officers to take an active role in education outside of the school yard.
Comment from: al [Visitor] • http://philippines.usaid.gov/mindanao_gem2_armmedu_ease.php
09/16/07 @ 11:36
lca,
Thanks for mentioning the Parents-Teachers Association.
Here are a couple of links that show what PTAs in other parts of the Philippines are doing to help educate the children in their communities.
As we say over and over again in this Blog (for the last two years), there is help out there. We just need to look for it and work
for it.
http://philippines.usaid.gov/mindanao_gem2_armmedu_ease.php
http://www.habitat.org.ph/portal/news_detail.php?news_id=112&PHPSESSID=61fb00c240993b9f019c47ec7e03d68d
Comment from: Nablus_ni_Paok [Visitor] • http://raymonddeza.multiply.com/photos/photo/91/2
09/17/07 @ 00:00
Reporting from Disneyland Hotel, Disneyland, CA...
(Here for convention)
I just came from Tita Cel Selarda-Datu's place. she gave C.A.R.E. a bunch of books- from quick glance High School and Elementary level- that filled half the trunk of my Honda Civic! Lots of them are multiple copies of a title. Good so different locations can have similar sets of books at a time.
Sige... mangita ko anay ti manyapon....
Comment from: Nablus_ni_Paok [Visitor] • http://raymonddeza.multiply.com/photos/photo/91/2
09/17/07 @ 00:04
Reporting from Disneyland Hotel, Disneyland, CA...
(Here for convention)
Link Above Shows Where there are C.A.R.E. satellite lending centers; where the townsfolks are willing to help the kids in their neighborhood or village schools.r /> I just came from Tita Cel Selarda-Datu's place. she gave C.A.R.E. a bunch of books- from quick glance High School and Elementary level- that filled half the trunk of my Honda Civic! Lots of them are multiple copies of a title. Good so different locations can have similar sets of books at a time.
Sige... mangita ko anay ti manyapon....
Comment from: al [Visitor] • http://philippines.usaid.gov/mindanao_gem2_armmedu_ease.php
09/17/07 @ 17:19
Thanks a lot to FRANCIS "Boyet DAGDAG, of Oak Point, Texas, for paying for the shipment of one balikbayan box of encyclopedias.
Moreover, Boyet has promised to donate a bookcase to CARE Alimodian.
We are very grateful more than twice over (i.e., sobra-sobra gid nga pasalamat).
Comment from: al [Visitor] • http://alimol.multiply.com/photos/album/12/DEAR
09/18/07 @ 19:15
A few more photos of the September 1 DEAR session has been added. See above link.
Comment from: lca [Visitor]
09/19/07 @ 08:44
Thank you AL for posting this. We see the inner joy in children's faces. We hope more Alimodiananons will open their homes for CARE books and share them in their neighborhood.
Our goal is pure and simple: To help our kasimanwa in our small way.
Comment from: al [Visitor] • http://alimol.multiply.com/photos/album/12/DEAR
09/19/07 @ 19:26
THANKS A LOT TO CARE'S NEW BEST FRIENDS
1. EDNA ANACAN HERNANDEZ, of California; originally of Brgy. Ginomoy, is paying for the shipment of one balikbayan box containing encyclopedias.
2. NOAH MONTENEGRO's colleagues, at the Darien Post Office in Darien, Connecticut, have pitched in to pay for one balikbayan box (with some cash left over). They are:
ROBERT SPOSATO = $40.00
RAY ZODA = $20.00
JOHN YATES = $20.00
KATHY MORRIS (Post Master)= $20.00
ROSE BURKE = $20.00
JK HARVEY = $10.00
This weekend NOAH will send 3 balikbayan boxes to Alimodian, 2 of which will contain 3 sets of encyclopedia.
NOAH, as always, saludo kami kanimo.
Comment from: al [Visitor]
09/20/07 @ 19:01
ROBERT SPOSATO is a repeat donor. Last year he made a donation of $20 to CARE.
The heartwarming thing about CARE's friends in Connecticut, especially in Darien, is that they continue to support CARE's initiatives after their initial donation of books and/or cash.
We love Connecticut!
Comment from: NOAH [Visitor]
09/21/07 @ 10:16
who want's to move to CONNECTICUT and help me haul some books and raise more money for CARE?
let me know.
Comment from: RAD [Visitor]
09/21/07 @ 17:22
Tita Cel Salarda-Datu has collected more books (7th grade / 1st year HS materials), but has no more space in their garage, so they're sitting outdoors.
I am not sure when I could go to Los Angeles to pick up so I'm hoping there would be somebody there to pack and have it shipped by balikbayan box. If there's a volunteer, please contact me, Nang Lei or Nang Angiol for shipping funds.
Salamat gid!
Comment from: al [Visitor]
09/22/07 @ 15:33
MORE THANK YOUs
LINDA O'HARA = $20.00
MACK PETTWAY = $20.00
These two residents of Darient, CT are REPEAT DONORS.
Last year Mack donated $10.00; Linda, who spent some time in the Philippines years ago, donated $20.00 and bags of books.
These additional funds will enable Noah to send 4 instead of 3 balikbayan boxes to Alimodian.
10/22/07 @ 09:29Hello everyone,
Glad to know that our website is up and running. Here is an email from my classmate who organized an international health group. Steve is helping us collect medical and nursing books here and added our site to their website link. This is a great opportunity for our townmates. Thank you Steve.
My name is Stephen Wood, and I am an NP student at the MGH IHP. Last year I started an international health group for the students at the Institute. You can check us out at
http://homepage.mghinternational.com
I recently read about your efforts to collect medical and nursing text for a medical library. Our group would like to help you out with your efforts of getting some medical texts. Do you think it would be OK for us to have a "book drop" at the school and maybe some of our clinic sites as well to support these efforts ? Please let me know. Many thanks.
Steve
10/22/07 @ 15:39Thanks a lot to CHRISTINE DULACA BUYCO for donating a bookcase to CARE Alimodian.
We need bookcases badly, so Inday Christine's generosity is much appreciated.
10/22/07 @ 16:06UPDATE FROM CARE ALIMODIAN
* We're preparing for the Halloween party. We are asking some stores and friends to join us by giving candies to the kids for the trick or treat. The kids will be going to the nearby houses in the Plaza area.
* A schoolteacher from the ATABAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL dropped by to request books for the school. We will fill in the request during the semestral break and the box will be picked up as soon as it is ready.
* Manong BOYET DAGDAG dropped by and asked how he could help. We told him that our pressing need is to have more bookshelves so we could display the books that are still in boxes.
10/29/07 @ 13:08Darn it! If some politicians and their investor friends did NOT kill CDMA in the Philippines, this (link above) could have been Umingan!
10/30/07 @ 20:28DEAR KIDS GO HALLOWEENing
Report from Alimodian:
"Nag Halloween Party po kami kagabi. We prepared for 25 kids; ang dumating 35 kids! Nag trick or treat sila sa Nichol at Dawis sa mga friends namin, with the young volunteers at mga parents. They collected lots of candies.
"Nag games and presentation of costumes. Tapos may salo-salo din po -- soup, sandwich at fried patatas ang handa namin, tsaka juice.
"Tuwang-tuwang naman po ang mga bata at mga nanay.
"We hope next year mas marami ang kids at mas marami ang house na magjoin sa trick or treat."
THANKS A LOT TO THE CARE VOLUNTEERS WHO ORGANIZED AN EVENING OF FUN FOR THE DEAR KIDS.
11/02/07 @ 17:46Thanks a lot to ROSALYN FARKAS, of Staten Island, for donating a big bag of books and a few DVDs.
Roz saw pictures of the DEAR sessions, was very impressed by them, and asked her son Michael to collect his old children books and donate them to CARE.
CARE is always impressed by mga indi taga-Alimodian who support CARE’s initiatives.
11/02/07 @ 18:03THE CHILDREN OF ALIMODIAN ARE ALL OUR CHILDREN
We keep urging everyone who reads this Blog to organize activities, no matter how modest, that help educate and nurture the children of Alimodian.
Whether we like it or not, the children of Alimodian will grow up into adults. ALL of them -- our own and those of our kasimanwas'. What they do as adults will affect ALL of us, directly or indirectly, for good or bad. So helping raise ALL of them into good and productive citizens is in our best interest; we are investing not only in their future but in ours as well.
11/03/07 @ 07:35CARE HALLOWEEN PARTY 2007
CLICK ON THE ABOVE LINK FOR THE PHOTOS.
Again, lots of thanks to the volunteers for organizing the affair.
We love the photos.
11/08/07 @ 06:56We don't have to look far to see examples of volunteerism. It's in our town. CARE is there. We have our youth helping out kids in our DEAR program and other activities. We have our fellow Alimodiananons who opened a corner in their homes to accommodate books for their neighborhood. We have teachers and barrio folks who borrow books from CARE and bring them to the kids in their respective schools and barangays. We have other organized and unorganized volunteer groups in town. We also have individuals who in their own way help our kasimanwa.
People overlook local volunteerism. We recognize the foreigners helping our country because of the impact they present. We recognize people from other localities with whatever heroic deeds they do. It is about time we recognize our local heroes. They are just right in our backyards.
A Compassionate Mission and an Exemplary Philanthropy : Tales of Transformation Worthy of Emulation by Dr. Napoleon A. Allones
8 11 2007
With all the negative news about the country being fed daily by newspapers, radio and television, one could not help but feel distressed with the dark thought that the nation seems heading towards self-destruction. That’s why people who want to avoid stress and feel relaxed avoid buying newspapers, listening over the radio or viewing the newscast on TV. A righteous person’s reaction to a sensational news item could be hazardous to his health. However, some articles could be inspiring like what is narrated below:
A front page article of The Philippine Star, Oct.22, 2007 issue, caught my attention and upon reading it, I was extremely touched by its awe-inspiring story. It was entitled, “Angel of the Dump Saves Lost Souls”. It tells the story of a 43- year old former British publishing house executive named Jane Walker who was so deeply touched with Christian pity and empathy towards the scavengers of Smoky Mountain that she left her lucrative publishing job in her native Britain to put up her Philippine Christian Foundation which funded the establishment of an elementary school at Smoky Mountain, Tondo, Manila upon her immigration and relocation to Manila.
Arriving in Manila as a tourist in 1996, Walker was shocked to see the object poverty and distressing squalor of the community of scavengers at Smoky Mountain which transformed her into a real Christian with a missionary zeal. Returning to Britain, she quit her publishing job, took on three others to save more money to put up her foundation. When her partner left her after the birth of their son, she left Britain and lived in Manila where she put up an elementary school without any government help. The school now has dozens of volunteer teachers and health workers to attend to around 500 pupils who are provided with free books and supplies.
Walker could be considered as the modern Mother Theresa of Manila in terms of her missionary work. While the Philippine government, through the city government of Manila and the MMDA, painted the roofs of the tenement houses of the squatters to hide the ugly eye sores from the eyes of the visiting dignitaries, no government agency paid attention to uplift the living condition of the poorest of the poor in Metro Manila. It takes a foreigner to take action and improve the plight of the destitute among our countrymen. This classic example of man’s humanity to man could likewise be expressed in philanthropic acts.
In Aklan, where I am presently assigned as Assistant Schools Division Superintendent, I learned of two philanthropic and charitable families who were duly recognized as great benefactors of two schools. One is the Repiedad family of Linabuan, Banga, Aklan. The family patriarch, the late Mr. Aguinaldo T. Repiedad Sr., was once the Schools Division Superintendent of Capiz but later on transferred to Aklan. Due to the absence of a public secondary school in that community, the former principal of the Linabuan Sur Elementary School envisioned a public secondary school established annexed to the elementary school site. So he asked the Repiedad family for a donation of a lot for the secondary school. The Repiedad family readily donated one-half hectare initially in 2003 and another one-half hectare this year. Furthermore, the family donated an amount of P168, 000 for the air conditioning unit, percussion musical instruments for the school band and a grass cutter. The school is now named as Aguinaldo T. Repiedad Sr. Integrated School.
Another is the family of Rizalina Raz Feliciano of Bacan, Banga, Aklan. She was a PGH nurse in 1939 but immigrated to the U.S. in 1955. Retired in 1984, she lived in Malate, Manila. When she visited Bacan National High School in 2001, she was shocked by the pitiable sight of the office building. So she promised to help. Within a year, a new Administration Bldg. was constructed complete with tiled floors, water and electrical facilities. With the support of the whole Feliciano family, mostly residing in the U.S., two years later, a new Library Bldg. and Media Center was constructed, complete with adequate supply of books, magazines and periodicals sent from the U.S. Later on, a Computer Laboratory Room was likewise constructed. All of these infrastructure projects and facilities were funded solely by the Feliciano family through their Fund for the Lord. The two buildings were named after her parents and after Mrs. Rizalina Raz Feliciano, respectively.
I’m writing these aforementioned stories of missionary compassion, benevolence, charity and philanthropy as an eye-opener to our countrymen abroad who left their homeland to seek greener pastures and become naturalized citizens of their adopted country. It is with fervent prayer and hope that some of our countrymen upon reading those stories, might be touched and awakened in their dormant sense of patriotism so that they could also share a part of their God-given bounty to the less fortunate and needy town mates, especially for any worthy and noble projects and undertakings for community welfare. To quote Mrs. Feliciano, “God has given us the gifts so we give some of it to others and be a part of that gift because we have a philanthropic mission.” Charles Simons said: “If you would take your possessions into the life to come, convert them into good deeds.”
11/08/07 @ 07:29It is heartwarming to read about stories of philantrophy in OTHER places.
But it is meaningless if this all there is to it -- storytelling.
One must either EMULATE the stories, or INSPIRE our family, neighbors, relatives, friends, and kasimanwas to DO ACTUAL work.
Those of us who are in a position to prod, encourage, motivate, etc. should do so.
Then we will have our OWN stories to tell.
11/08/07 @ 07:52Thanks AL.
11/08/07 @ 12:21The reason why the quiet acts of volunteerism (such as those mentioned by LCA) do not grab attention is that people equate do-gooding with a building they can see or with a big sign that proclaims "Donated by the family of the late So-and-So."
We can only dream of handsome buildings filled with books, computers, electronic gadgets, and the like.
The bottom line, however, is: BUILDINGS DO NOT EDUCATE CHILDREN.
You nurture children by working with them, one on one, mentoring them, stimulating their imagination, setting positive goals, serving as role models for them to look up to, etc.
And you can do this even under the mango tree.
So we make the argument that Alimodiananons like "Tito TURKO," who drove the DEAR kids to their swimming party in Leon; JAIME ANACAN, who borrowed books for the kids of Ginomoy; the QUIA siblings, who help manage the DEAR sessions and who brought books to their home in Malamhay for the kids to borrow; NOREEN ALINGASA, "Inday LARA," NEO, among those who donated cash; the volunteers who spend hours mentoring the kids during the DEAR sessions, minding the book-lending operation, and processing the books make a contribution to the education of the children in Alimodian that is as valuable as those made by people who donate buildings.
Or it may well be that their contribution, if you really think about it, is more meaningful because they give something that money cannot buy -- themselves.
11/09/07 @ 16:15CARE would like to acknowledge the kind-hearted people who gave AGNES CAPARANGA LEGAYADA "Cash for CARE" for her birthday:
Angelo & Aileen Lardizabal-------------$50.00
Proceso & Ma Corazon Castillo ---------$30.00
Robin Jaffe-Burke ---------------------$10.00
Domingo & Rodelia Ona----------------- $30.00
Larry & Adelia (Caparanga)Cruz --------$50.00
Agnes Legayada's friends-------------- $180.00
Thank you!
11/09/07 @ 16:23Kind-hearted people know that CARE is there for Alimodiananons.
Our thanks to ROLANDO AND CAROLINE (CAPITULO) AMPANE for their CARE donation of $30.00 and for our friend from Baguio, VIOLETA MENZI, for her never-ending support to CARE with her donation of $100.00.
We sent more Nursing and Medical books lately.
Thank you all for your support.
11/13/07 @ 00:37Here's an email from Jerry C., our new volunteer for the mentorship program:
Last Saturday, November 10, I met the children at Kamalig. We talked about their studies.They are bright kids.I discussed with them some stories from the books and they were attentively listening to me.I told them to study hard so that someday they will achieve their dreams. Majority of them wanted to be a nurse,while others wanted to be a policeman, and to be a doctor. I asked them about their grades and some of them said that their highest is 90,87,86,while their lowest is 80,81,83. I was enjoying their company.The eagerness to learn can be seen in them. I will meet them again this Saturday and I told them that the one who comes first will receive a prize.
11/14/07 @ 22:28Another email for a person who has been helped and is grateful:
".. that without you I cannot continue my tertiary education because of financial constraint on the part of my family. In short, because of your kind heart, I see my bright future.
Kids who belong to the same situation need good Samaritans like to finance their education, for them to have a better future.
Even in simple ways like volunteering my services to CARE, I can give back the good heart that you have shown me. It is a good feeling to help if not to serve my fellow less-fortunate individuals.
Yeah,it is a great opportunity for me to engage in such projects.
Thank you."
11/15/07 @ 15:33As in "Pay It Forward," the movie.
11/18/07 @ 05:38Here's another one from Jerry, one of the volunteers:
I had a reading session with the kids yesterday.I discussed with them the story (The Turtle's Pond).They were attentively listening and got high scores in the short exam I gave them.
I am enjoying mingling with the kids and at the same time being a "little" teacher to them.I can see in them the willingness to learn.
11/24/07 @ 13:03IRT Comment from: japayoke, 11/23/07 @ 22:25 in Politics Blog:
Mayad gid nga idea mag-butang ti venue para sa anti-corruption group. Salamat gid sa pag-bring up ka dia.
Pero, ang C.A.R.E., pira run namun gin-claro, INDI puede mag-pahilabut sa relihiyon o politika. Pro-ang C.A.R.E. Indi kami gusto nga hambalun nga ang C.A.R.E. idea kang incumbent, o ana kang contra-partido, o ana kang mga katoliko. Idea di-a ka mga pumuluyo (Ang Alimodian.Net kag sanday AL, Noah, Webmaster, balabaw cafe, kag ako, mga mensahero lang).
Kag sara pa, paano kami ka siguro nga ang AAC ligitimate nga INDEPENDENT ogranization, nga ang mga miembro waay ti vested interest? Basi platform lang dya ka contra-partido? Personally, Waay ako ti problema sa taga-contrapartido (mga paryente do didyan), pay indi puede ma-involved and C.A.R.E. sa politika.
Sorry, but I'd say NO to using C.A.R.E. kamalig for AAC.
11/30/07 @ 22:16TO AAC....
PAHIMO MAN KAMO KAMALIG NGA INYO EH....MANGHILABOT KAMO INYO SA CARE MAN?!!!!
GAPA TUKOD GANI DA MGA TAHO SA ALIMODIAN KA KAMALIG FOR MAHJONG ANG TONG-ITS AREA AYHAN PA PARA SA ISA KA CAUSA!!!!
12/02/07 @ 08:05May idyan?
Nali pwede ta padarhan ti mga libro para basahon kang mga bagets while naga miron sanda sa mahjong o tong-its.
Kanugon ang tiempo nanda.
Naga putok ang butsi kang mga bloggers didto sa "Alimodian Government and Politics" about corrupt practices in the political establishment.
'Ti, ang sakit sa mahjong kag tong-its is also corruptive.
Nali mas corrosive pa ang influence than political corruption.
Ano na lang dya?
Ang nakikita kang mga bata sa Alimodian, while they are growing up, are political leaders who are incompetent and corrupt and everyone else who should have been "role models" -- their teachers, the professionals, their neighbors, their family mismo -- spending an inordinate amount of time every day of their lives in mahjong table (or tlad, kamalig).
Do we expect these children to internalize that this is NOT the kind of culture they should aspire to when they grow up?
If we try to help educate them -- by giving them books that expand their minds and by mentoring them -- we are helping them escape from the milieu that we adults have created for them.
We are telling them -- there is more to life than sitting all day (and all night) in the mahjong table. YOU CAN DO BETTER.
Some of us are looking forward to a knight in a shining armor striding into the municipal hall in a white horse the day after the election of 2010 to SAVE ALIMODIAN.
Dream on.
"People power" threw out Marcos and Erap. Has anything changed fundamentally because the rascals were thrown out of office?
No.
Alimodian will CHANGE only if every Alimodiananon wills it.
As we have said time and again, those of us who talk incessantly of what is wrong with Alimodian must not only talk the talk, we must walk the walk.
Otherwise, we are simply wasting time.
12/03/07 @ 21:31MANY THANKS
To volunteers GRACE ALITAO (bata ni MERLA) and JIMBOY SALAY (apo ni RAUL), who are minding the Kamalig in the afternoons. Aside from attending to the library users/borrowers, they do housekeeping chores like checking that the books have borrower forms and are stamped with inventory codes. CARE is grateful for their invaluable work.
We want to add our own appreciation to JERRY CANOGORAN, who is minding the Mentorship program. We now have a point person to monitor the progress of the kids in the program. Other CARE volunteers do lend a hand when necessary.
There is no shortage of work to volunteer for in CARE/DEAR.
12/19/07 @ 18:56At this time of the year once again we get the pleasure of rereading our all-time favorite Christmas homily.
Michelle -- during the CARE Christmas Party, ask one of the DEAR kids or volunteers to read the following. If he/she does a good job, taw-an mo ti premyo (L-O-L).
CHRISTMAS – AND STANDING ON ONE’S HEAD
By Horacio de la Costa, S.J.
(These are excerpts from a homily delivered by the late Fr. Horacio de la Costa, SJ, at the old Ateneo de Manila College of Law chapel. Delivered in the mid-1950s, it still uplifts with its insights into this feast of feasts.)
Christmas is when we celebrate the unexpected; it is the festival of surprise.
This is the night when shepherds wake to the songs of angels; when the earth has a star for a satellite; when wise men go on a fool’s errand bringing gifts to a Prince they have not seen, in a country they did not know.
This is the night when one small donkey bears on its back the weight of the world’s desire, and an ox plays host to the Lord of heaven. This is the night when we are told to seek our King, not in a palace, but in a stable.
Although we have stood here, year after year, as our fathers before us, the wonder has not faded, nor will it ever fade; the wonder of that moment, when we push open the little door, and enter, and entering find in the arms of a Mother, who is a Virgin, a baby who is God.
Chesterton said it for all of us: “The way to view Christmas properly is to stand on one’s head.”
Was there ever a house more topsy-turvy than the house of Christmas, the cave where Christ was born?
For here, suddenly, in the very heart of earth, is heaven; down is up and up is down; the angels and the stars look down on God who made them and God looks up at the things He made.
There is no room in an inn for Him who made room and to spare, for the Milky Way. And where God is homeless, all men are at home.
We were promised a Savior. But we never dreamed that God, Himself would come to save us.
We knew that He loved us. But we never dared to think that He loved us so much as to become like us. But that is the way God gives. His gifts are never quite what we expect, but always something better than we hoped for.
We can only dream of things too good to be true; God has a habit of giving things too good to be false.
That is why our faith is a faith in the unexpected, a religion of surprise. Now more than ever, living in times so troubled, facing a future so uncertain, we need such faith. We need it for ourselves and we need it to give to others.
We must remind the world that if Christmas comes in the depth of winter, it is that there may be an Easter in the spring. ####-
12/24/07 @ 12:46Click on the above link for photos of the:
CARE CHRISTMAS PARTY
THANKS TO THE VOLUNTEERS FOR GIVING THE KIDS A FEW HOURS OF FUN THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.
01/03/08 @ 04:19Please check CARE Presentation (part I) in the homepage. Thanks to Sean Marlow and Greia Lyn Amarra.
01/03/08 @ 13:22Please visit
http://youtube.com/watch?v=4fXy2oQOr2M
for PART 1 of CARE
01/04/08 @ 21:37We now have the part 2 of CARE in the you tube.
To access, go to:
alimodian.net and click CARE presentation
01/11/08 @ 13:27Here's the second part of the you tube:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Z0oaRIhjHHk
01/11/08 @ 16:55The KAMALIG has a new reading table and chairs.
Again, thanks to our generous donors.
01/13/08 @ 12:12Thanks a lot to GUIA R. MENDOZA, of Redmond, WA, for her donation of $50 to help pay for the snacks of the kids during the DEAR sessions.
Guia is a repeat CARE donor.
01/14/08 @ 20:03PHOTOS THAT WARM THE HEART (1)
Click on the above link for:
Three DEAR kids during the 2007 Christmas party.
01/14/08 @ 20:15PHOTOS THAT WARM THE HEART (2)
Click on the above link for:
Two DEAR kids during the 2007 Christmas party.
01/14/08 @ 20:18PHOTOS THAT WARM THE HEART (3)
Click on the above link for:
Two CARE volunteers minding the kaldero (and the kids) during the 2007 Christmas party.
01/19/08 @ 22:28To: The Webmasters & Fellow Kasimanwas
I wish on this site another archive for Alimodian Politics & Government would be created with evidences of Photos & Videos of our town development as well as failures of governance for the guidance of our local leaders and the Alimodiananon. We neglected already of the investigation of the alleged anomalies at the LGU ended with the height of enigma and mystify legend in the history of the town that was not able to present to the fore of proper venue for appropriate action.
A consideration to assert who is the most corrupt mayor of Alimodian?
If the account of allegations would not be able to produce a substantiate proof, please erase the Alimodian Politics & Government archive, MAKAHURUYA!
Thank you.
01/20/08 @ 10:18Click on the above link for photos of the DEAR session on January 19.
As usual, thanks to CARE volunteers who conducted the reading session.
02/08/08 @ 07:57UPDATE ON DEAR
Come May, the Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) initiative of CARE will be two years old.
Held every other Saturday, the reading session has been conducted without interruption since it started in May 2006.
As a CARE volunteer describes it, “no matter how busy or tired we are, the session goes on because the kids come.”
These kids attended the DEAR session last Saturday (February 2):
1. Krisele Medez
2. Caelleen Carreon
3. Czenelle Carreon
4. Starlyn Alger
5. Chatlea Quimco
6. Vanessa Escaño
7. Jun Mark Algecera
8. Jenevie Francisco
9. Allen Grace Andasa
10. Collen Andoloy
11. Kate Catalan
12. Sheena Marie Auditor
13. Maever Solocosa
14. Krismar Almira
15. June Philip Alipat
16. Elly Albiendo
17. Genesis Fermalino
18. Jona Marie Legaspi
19. Jona Teri Legaspi
20. Elyzza Marie Melicado
21. Mary Joy Melicado
22. Eugine Alto
During the session, the kids re-read the “Giving Tree,” and discussed the importance of trees to environment conservation, a theme that they hope to advocate this summer. It was also partly a preparation for a presentation that DEAR hopes to bring to the Anino area this summer. (This is in line with CARE’s objective to bring the DEAR session to the different neighborhoods in Alimodian to encourage the residents to organize their own reading program.)
For the next session, the kids were requested to bring “scratch paper” from home or school that they will recycle into journals, note pads, and the like.
We have advocated time and again that an initiative like DEAR is something that many adult Alimodiananons who care about the children of Alimodian can get into literally without breaking a sweat.
It is a low-maintenance program in terms of financial support. All it takes is a little time and energy, and plenty of COMMITMENT.
Many Alimodiananons spend a lot of time and energy talking about “helping” Alimodian.
We suggest that their time and energy be directed toward doing actual work like nurturing and mentoring the children of Alimodian.
02/20/08 @ 06:33CARE thanks the following Alimodian Association of America members for their monetary donation for our cause:
Angelita "Baby" Villarta Janeo
Angelo and Aileen "Bingbing" (Sta, Cruz) Lardizabal
Alred and Gemma (Sta. Cruz) Paragas
Henry and Lourdes (Villarta) Seno
Noel and Darlene (Sta. Cruz) Villarta
and for 2 sets of encyclopedia from
Rey "Panto" and Rose Sta. Cruz
and freight to send it home from
Rex and Pamela Sta. Cruz thru Pentagon Cargo
Our goal is to have a set of encyclopedia per baragay.
and also to Vera London, RN, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, MA
Thank you to all our donors.
CARE is already a tax-exempt corporation.
03/03/08 @ 07:15Anyone who reads this, please print this out and give to SB members especially to SB Almacen who is the chairperson of the education committee. I will also mail this:
Concerned Alimodiananon Resource on Education, Inc. (CARE)
63 Turning Mill Lane, Quincy, MA 02169
3 March 2008
The Members of the Sangguniang Bayan
Alimodian, Iloilo, Philippines
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
As some of you know, the Concerned Alimodiananon Resource on Education, Inc. (CARE), organized in 2006 and recently approved as a nonprofit/tax-exempt corporation by the State of Connecticut, is committed to helping educate the children of Alimodian.
CARE is proud of its book-lending, Drop Everything and Read (DEAR), and mentorship and awards initiatives. Like most projects that involve the “life of the mind,” the results are not tangible, and therefore do not lend to visual presentation, but a casual observation of the operations of the book-lending in the Kamalig and the reading program (DEAR) in the Plaza area validates our optimism that efforts of the sort that CARE is involved in do make a difference.
CARE would like to reach as many children as it could by expanding its initiatives to the outlying barangays of Alimodian. In the last two years it has shared its modest resources with the public school teachers in more than half of the 51 barangays. Now that it has more resources to share, CARE is now in a position to increase it contribution to the education of children outside of the poblacion. For starter, we can provide a set of encyclopedia to every barangay. Our hope is that every barangay will use this initial offering to organize a reading center that is all its own, and provide reading and educational resources to its own residents, especially its schoolchildren.
In this regard, we will appreciate if you will provide us with the names of the barangay kagawad/kapitan, and, more importantly, if you will encourage them to work with CARE in bringing an educational resource to their barangays.
We at CARE believe that every child in Alimodian deserves to realize his/her God-given potential, and all Alimodiananons owe her/him the chance to realize that potential. The numbers do not matter; one child we help raise into adulthood is one potential realized to become a productive citizen of Alimodian – and ALL we Alimodiananons will be better for it.
Please visit us at www.alimodian.net.
On behalf of CARE, thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Leila C. Amarra
President, CARE
Concerned Alimodiananon Resource on Education, Inc.
Leila Caparanga Amarra . Raymond Altura Deza . Angioline Loredo . Noah Montenegro.
Michelle Ann Loredo . Cirilo Caparanga . Mariel Fleur Loredo
04/01/08 @ 22:23Ou many thanks to Nong MILLIE and Nang MADELINE OCTAVIANO for their $50 donation to CARE. This will definitely go a long way in helping our CARE projects.
04/20/08 @ 06:29CARE COMES TO BRGY. MALAMHAY
Click on the above link for photos taken during the launching of the CARE learning resource center in Barangay Malamhay yesterday, April 19.
We hope to have a report on the wonderful event very shortly.
Thanks a lot to the CARE volunteers who arranged the affair, the DEAR kids who participated in the launching, the Alimodiananons who donated goods and services, and the residents of the barangay, especially Kapitan Armen, who helped bring CARE to Malamhay.
CARE looks forward to a long and productive presence in the lives of the children of Malamhay.
04/20/08 @ 11:41MORE ON CARE IN MALAMHAY AND OTHER BARANGAYS
Update from Michelle:
"We asked the day care worker about the number of school children in Malamhay. She said there is only a few enrolees in the day care center -- about 20 this year; also a few elementary pupils and high school students. We will get the exact number as soon as possible.
"We also checked on some of the facilities in the day care center. Daw kulang ang anda mga gamit. The teacher said they have very few story books. They also have very little by way of educational toys.
"The volunteers who made the trip to Malamhay (with MICHELLE and MARIEL) were: FRANCIS ALMIRA, XIAMINA "Xiaxia" ALGER, FELIPE "Cadoy" QUIJANO III, IRISH ANN ALONDAY, BEVERLY MAE AMBUT, MARY GRACE ALITAO, and ARMAND JAMES SALAY.
"The DEAR kids from the poblacion who presented a dance number were: ELLY ABIENDO, AIRA and JUNE PHILIP ALIPAT, JONA TERI LEGASPI, COLEEN ANDOLOY, CHARISE and ELIZA.
"We dropped by Brgy. ABANG-ABANG to drop off the books for the barangay at the house of the scholar of Tito GREG AMARRA.
"A few weeks back, the other scholar of Tito Greg, JERRY CANOGORAN, brought a box of books to Brgy. BONDOLAN.
"We are preparing another box of books for Brgy. BULOD.
"Although we had an activity this Saturday and we are supposed to meet every other, we will have a DEAR session this coming Saturday because we were not able to bring all of the kids to Malamhay."
04/20/08 @ 21:14The pictures are priceless! We cannot thank the volunteers enough for their initiative, to share their talent and give services to the kids of Malamhay. It warms my heart knowing that we have young Alimodiananons who are willing to take the lead and make a difference.
As always, we welcome volunteers.
04/24/08 @ 14:31CARE thanks:
* Kapitan ARMEN AMOYOT and daycare center worker HELEN ANICO, for their support
* AMY QUIA and HONEYLOU QUIA, CARE's point persons in Brgy. Malamhay
As I understand it, Brgy. Malamhay has no school except for the day care center. The children travel by foot up and down the hills, or if they are lucky, by jeep (usually on Tuesday and Friday, the market days), to another barangay -- Barangay Gines -- that offers both elementary and high school education.
The children have to cross a river to reach the school(s)in Brgy. Gines. Thank God, someone said, there is now a hanging bridge that the children can use kung mataas ang tubig sa suba.
CARE is exploring modest ways by which it can help the schoolchildren of Malamhay aside from the book-lending initiative.
Thanks also to the Webmaster for posting photos of CARE Malamhay in the Gallery.
06/11/08 @ 10:41A HELPING HAND
This schoolyear CARE starts a new initiative – school supplies assistance to kids beginning first-grade.
The recipients are first-graders in the barangay schools in Ubodan (16) and Tarug (9), and first-graders in Malamhay (5) enrolled in the barangay school in Gines.
We lauched the initiative this week with a presentation of CARE packages to the first-graders at the Felix Amparado Memorial Elementary School in Brgy. Ubodan.
Typically a CARE package consists of: notebooks, pencils, pencil case, eraser, ruler, box of crayon, plastic envelope, and large brown envelope. In addition, because they bring their lunch to school, first-graders in Malamhay and Tarug get a lunch box set consisting of a plastic food container, a plastic drinking cup, and box to carry them in.
The initiative complements another CARE program that is in its second year – the Caparanga Big Brother, Big Sister Mentorship Program. The Program started last year with 10 second-graders who are now in third-grade at the ACES. Aside from school supplies, the students get a set of uniform, a pair of shoes, and bag. In return, they are expected to attend the DEAR sessions.
Both are modest initiatives in terms of assistance and number of recipients, but nonetheless we are hoping we can build on these modest efforts to cover more students in Alimodian.
WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO EMBARK ON SIMILAR PROJECTS ON THEIR OWN OR IN COOPERATION WITH CARE (if they wish).
Click on the above link for photos of the CARE recipients and the presentation of CARE packages at the Felix Amparado Memorial Elementary School in Brgy, Ubodan.
The photos are wonderful.
We thank FAMES head teacher Ma’am FATIM ALPES ALDAMAR and Grade 1 teacher Ma’am FELTRIN ALIFONSO for their kind support.
06/15/08 @ 16:34Thank you to CARE volunteer NIKA FREDEN ANGELITUD for her donation to the school supplies assistance initiative.
06/18/08 @ 09:38SCHOOL SUPPLIES ASSISTANCE
Click on the above link for a photo of the presentation of CARE packages to the five children of Brgy. MALAMHAY who are enroled in first grade at the Brgy. GINES school.
Since they live some distance from Gines and therefore bring lunch to schooL, CARE has added a lunch box to the school supplies package.
CARE thanks Sir ARNIEL ALDAMAR, head teacher, and the Grade 1 teachers (whose names escape us at the moment) of the Gines Elementary School for their support.
06/20/08 @ 13:25Thank you AL (Angioline Loredo) and family for helping the kids of Ubodan and Gines with their school supplies, tsinelas and lunch boxes. \
If you are already helping our kasimanwa, THANK YOU!
If you are contemplating to help but don't know where to start, CARE can help you set it up.SALAMAT!
http://alimol.multiply.com/photos/album/25/CARE_School_Supplies_Distribution#35
07/14/08 @ 19:12CARE thanks Ma'am MARY JEAN ALCALDE, head teacher of the Brgy. Tarug Elementary School, for facilitating the school supplies assistance to the first-graders.
We hope the small assistance will go a long way toward helping a few first-graders off to a good start in their education.
08/09/08 @ 22:48VOLUNTEERS FROM SHANGHAI
Thanks a lot to CAROLINE "Ling-Ling" CAFUGAUAN SY CHU and her son, JOSEPH TROY, for volunteering their time to process the books donated to CARE; they encoded the books and placed individual borrowers cards on them.
Click on the above link for a photo of Ling-Ling and Joseph Troy.
Mother and son, who are based in Shanghai, were visiting Alimodian to help celebrate the 96th birthday of Ulang ROQUETA "Roquing" TOLENTINO BELANDRES on August 6.
Ling-Ling is the daughter of IMELDA BELANDRES CAFUGAUAN, youngest of the two daughters of Ulang Roquing (the eldest being FLORECITA "Tita"
BELANDRES).
CARE appreciates very much the kind help of Ling-Ling and Joseph Troy.
08/21/08 @ 21:34Thank you to the REAL Alimodiananons for helping out in our CARE project.
"Children are apt to live up to what you believe of them." --Lady Bird Johnson
So, we keep our spirits high and continue our literacy programs.
Anyone who can volunteer some time or help out in any way possible can contact any of the CARE volunteers in town or the webmaster.
08/29/08 @ 18:35ANOTHER ALIMODIANANON IN ACTION!
Edna"Ging-ging"Anacan Hernandez is stepping up in the plate and making a difference at her home Barrio of Ginomoy.
Like Michelle and Mariel Loredo she want's to initiate a book lending program in Ginomoy.needless to say Edna is a daughter of a educator and education is the name of the game at their household.
Like Edna who tapped me to supply books in Ginomoy,anybody is welcome to do the same.
I'll be delighted to volunteer to pack and ship those books to wherever you want to send in Alimodian free of charge.all i need is your eighty bucks for shipping.
(Packing Tapes and BENGAY for my back pain, i'll take care of it. no big deal)
Waveny Mansion in New Canaan and Westport library here in Connecticut are throwing out tons of precious books every year.i feel like it's a waste the fact that we need more books in Alimodian.
If anybody is interested please let me know.
08/29/08 @ 21:04Hi Noah,
Please encourage EDNA "Ging-ging" ANACAN HERNANDEZ to enlist the participation of other taga-Ginomoy (everywhere) in an expanded Concerned taga-Ginomoy Resource on Education initiative. One model they can adopt (or modify) is the Alli Resource Development Corporation (ARDC) education initiative in Binalud.
Here is how DO-OY CASORLA describes the program in a posting early this year in the Politics and Government thread:
NUTRITION ENHANCEMENT
ARDC is sponsoring, by providing financial and logistical support to a milk feeding program for day-care center pupils and other children in the barangay from 0 to 7 years old. The milk component of the program is supplied with fresh cows milk free of charge from the Alli family dairy farm also situated at Barangay Binalud. This program is being bolstered by including in the children's menu, fresh vegetables harvested from the barangay communal garden.
COMMUNAL GARDEN
This garden was established by ARDC in the lot owned by the Alli family in cooperation with the Sangguniang Barangay Officials, maintained by the parents of day-care center pupils and other barangay residents. All barangay residents are allowed to harvest vegetables in the garden for their home consumption but they are required to help in the planting of and caring for the plants, weeding, pest control and cleaning of the area. All expenses needed in the maintenance of the garden is being defrayed by ARDC.
LITERACY ENHANCEMENT
A barangay Library or Book Lending Station was established as a joint project of ARDC, C.A.R.E. Program USA and some barangay residents. Building space was provided by the Armada Family. Fabrication of book shelves, tables, chair and other library fixtures was financed by ARDC. All books and other reading materials were provided for by the C.A.R.E. Program Coordinator with offices at Balabaw Internet Cafe. The station is open to all pre-school and elementary school children in the barangay and nearby areas. It is being operated and maintained by parents and children volunteers. This book station is hoped to stimulate the interest of children more particularly those of pre-school age on books and reading.
We firmly believe that the poor family's best hope to get out of poverty is thru education. However, most parents of poor and malnourished children are also malnourished, barely able to read, much less write. Even our workers, majority of them finds difficulty affixing their signature on their pay envelopes.
We, therefore, opted to start with the children of pre-school age. Likewise, we also encourage and motivate older children in the elementary levels to borrow books from the station and make it a habit to read. This year, we will also implement the DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) advocacy of the CARE program. Our continuing corporate policy in the implementation of the program, however, is to feed the children first with nutritious food before teaching them the value of reading books. As the tagalog saying goes: "Mahirap magkalaman ang utak kung walang laman ang tyan".
_______
Needless to say, CARE will help Edna and her group in every way it could.
Thank you.
08/30/08 @ 02:32I will relay the message Nang A.
Thanks
Noah
09/13/08 @ 07:50PARTICIPANTS IN THE CARE CAPARANGA MENTORSHIP PROGRAM (CAMP)
Click on the above link for a photo of the 10 third-graders who are in the CARE Caparanga Mentorship Program.
Four of the kids are in the special science class program at ACES.
Hopefully next year we can get more of them into the SSC.
Thanks a lot to the Caparanga siblings, Michelle, and the ACES teachers who helped facilitate the kids' participation in the SSC program.
ONCE AGAIN, WE ENCOURAGE ALIMODIANANONS TO SPONSOR EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES, BIG OR SMALL, AT ACES OR IN THEIR BARANGAY SCHOOLS.
Every form of assistance to help educate the children of Alimodian COUNTS.
09/13/08 @ 12:45TIRELESS SUPPORTERS..ENDLESS DREAM!!
There are so many amazing stories to tell,one of them is CARE/DEAR Alimodian a modest initiative that would create tremendous amount of impact to our children's life and their future twenty years from now.
Connecticut residents who knows about care never hesitate to draw their check book and contribute even just a little amount for book shipping.
To mention the few Mr. David Morgan,Bob Daley, Peter J. Hoets big time lawyers never miss a chance to donate for the chilren of Alimodian.
waveny mansion,Westport Library,Darien library and some local schools are still calling offering us if we still need some books.
We have unlimited supply of books but limited amount of cash for shipping.
To those who..again I'll repeat! who CARES about the future of our children in Alimodian we are open for cash donation. not only you're helping your town,but! the money you donate is Tax deductable.
We are now a registered NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANIZATION in the state of Connecticut.
Nong Greg Amarra our accountant will make sure that you will get your receipt before April next year tax filling.
Please join us,like Mr.Morgan,Mr.Daley Mr.Hoets and the rest of our supporters.
let's help each other for a better future of our children in Alimodian.
PLEASE DONATE!!!!!! IT'S TAX DEDUCTABLE!!!!!!!
09/14/08 @ 07:01Our thanks to Ms Fatima Alpuerto for her guidance to these students. She is here in Quincy now and hopefully we can tap her as our adviser/resource person.
Welcome to America (again) Ma'am Alpuerto!
10/07/08 @ 09:40“FRIENDS . . . THEY CHERISH ONE ANOTHER’S HOPES. THEY ARE KIND TO ONE ANOTHER’S DREAMS.” (Henry David Thoreau)
We thank MARIVEL TOPACIO-ARO, friend and supporter of CARE, for starting an education initiative in Alimodian.
Marivel will help pay for the school expense of a gradeschool child (or two) whose family is financially “disadvantaged” and could use some support.
A non-Alimodiananon, Marivel, who resides in Quezon City, is a big fan of CARE. She has donated floor mats for the DEAR sessions and chairs for the KAMALIG.
Marivel writes:
“My husband and I would like to donate on a regular basis to this project because we would really like to keep one of these children in school. Education is, after all, the ‘great equalizer,’ so we believe that these kids must be given a fighting chance for a better future. . . . Who knows, someday we might get to visit Alimodian and meet these kids in person! Mabuhay ang inyong project. Mabuhay ang mga bata sa Alimodian! Mabuhay si Michelle at iba pang volunteers and donors! Mabuhay tayong lahat! May our tribe increase (LOL)!”
MARIVEL, may YOUR tribe increase.
Salamat gid.
10/25/08 @ 22:19WAITING FOR HALLOWEEN
Dateline: CARE Alimodian
"We are busy preparing for our Halloween party on Friday. We are expecting more children to join this year so we are asking more friends around town to welcome us to their houses for trick or treat. Last year maraming nakuhang candies ang mga bata."
Have fun!
10/31/08 @ 08:56CARE HALLOWEEN PARTY
Click on the above link for photos of the CARE Halloween Party taken today.
Description: ". . . ang saya po. Nag enjoy po kaming lahat. Marami din po ang nakuha nilang mga candies sa kanilang pag-iikot."
Thanks to Michelle for sharing the photos.
ENJOY THE CHILDREN OF ALIMODIAN!
10/31/08 @ 22:14Who is the stylish kid seated at extreme right?
The one with a Kabuki make-up and looks like a cross-dressing Roger Daltry/Prince/Dorian Gray.
Sosyal.
Am impressed.
11/01/08 @ 08:12SALAMAT GID
We thank the following Alimodiananons who tricked or treated the CARE (Halloween) children.
We would like them to know that their (seemingly) small act of kindness is important.
Childhood is made up of "moments" that subconsciously form the fabric of the kind of adults that they grow up into.
We hope the Halloween Party provides the children one such "moment".
Among others, a "moment" of recognition and appreciation of the embracing warmth of the town they belong to; of the friendship of their fellow children; of the presence of caring adults and role models in their lives.
So, thank you to:
Mrs. GLORIA SALARDA and Family
Ms. SHEENA MARIE ALZATE
Mrs. AILEEN ALLI ALMACEN (Prop. of Uhao Purified Drinking Water Station)
Mr. and Mrs. JOEMARIE TOLENTINO (Prop. of Video Haus)
Mrs. JUNELYN BUHAY LORIEGA
Mrs. JO AGULTO(Dept. Head)
Mrs. DIO BIACO (Municipal Social Welfare Assistant)
Ms. ONALEE AMAGUIN (Municipal Social Welfare Assitant)
Mr. FREDO ANGELITUD
Ms. ANDREA ALGABRE
The ALGALLAR Family
The DECLARADOR Family
We apologize if we missed anyone.
As always, we are proud of our hardworking CARE VOLUNTEERS. We cannot thank them enough.
11/20/08 @ 08:53SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO THE KIDS IN ALIMODIAN
We are hustling a small initiative to bring a little holiday cheer to some children in Alimodian.
If you are interested in giving a child or two a gift this Christmas -- say, a pair of shoes or slippers -- you can contact LCA here in the States or any CARE volunteer (Xiaxia, Cadoy, Maimai, Michelle, etc.) in Alimodian.
For many children in Alimodian, no gift is too small, be it Christmas or any time in the year.
12/17/08 @ 05:14CARE sponsors 10 families this Christmas season.
Care volunteers plan to have a Christmas party with the DEAR kids to read the Christmas story, and 10 families will be given baskets of food for the Christmas celebration.
This is the time of year when we can share the blessings we have with our families, friends and kasimanwas. If you have not given yet, please send any amount c/o CARE. All donations go to recipients 100% and it's a tax deductible contribution (by IRS).
Thank you for your generosity.
And, thank you to the following for sharing their blessings this holiday season:
Dr. Rizalito Amarillo
Andrew and Liezl Grijaldo
Noel and Marilyn Alejan
Larry and Adelia Cruz
Albert and Agnes Legayada
Leia Amarra
also, our thanks to those whose checks are on its way.
12/17/08 @ 17:39Also in addition to Nang Lei appeal,i would like to mention to anybody who would like to pay for a shipping for a box of Encyclopedias and sent it to their favorite school in Alimdian, i have one box here ready for you.
This is great gift that generations and generations of school children can enjoy and learn.
please let us know if you're interested.
12/18/08 @ 02:17WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS
Click on the above link for a video clip of a group of DEAR kids wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.
12/18/08 @ 03:31FROM MARIVEL ARO, A FRIEND OF CARE:
"Sent a Christmas "gift" for the kids to Michelle Ann today. She said in time daw ito for their gift-giving there."
Marivel is a regular donor, and CARE appreciates very much her continuing support.
12/19/08 @ 01:23Let's continue our list of sponsors for the Christmas baskets:
Stephen and Nenette (Altura)Amarra
Dennis and Mae Paray
Sean Marlow and Greia Amarra
Johnny Francisco of Travelfast International
Dr. Rizalito Amarillo
Andrew and Liezl Grijaldo
Noel and Marilyn Alejan
Larry and Adelia Cruz
Albert and Agnes Legayada
Leia Amarra
We're waiting for more donors so we can feed more of our kasimanwa for Christmas.
...and to our webmaster, Cirilo Caparanga Jr. for making this site alive.
12/26/08 @ 07:47"A Food Basket for sharing at Christmas is alaudable project! Congrats LCA. Keep up kay damu pa kami di gahulat!
12/26/08 @ 12:14Our thanks also to our two kasimanwas who donated for the food baskets. We will give them on New Year's Eve:
Virginia Alinsao
Bernaline Ambut Bottex and family
Any other donation is not late. We will share the blessings as we get the donations. This is a year long project.
12/28/08 @ 00:03CHRISTMAS 2008 IN ALIMODIAN (1)
Click on the above link for more Christmas greetings from the children of Alimodian.
12/28/08 @ 00:34CHRISTMAS 2008 IN ALIMODIAN (2)
Click on the above link for photos of the Gift-Giving initiative.
CARE thanks the Alimodiananons (see list above) who shared their blessings with their kasimanwas; the families in Alimodian who let us share the spirit of the season with them; and the volunteers who made it happen.
12/28/08 @ 00:58CHRISTMAS 2008 IN ALIMODIAN (3)
Click on the above link for photos of the CARE Christmas Party held on December 27.
CARE thanks MARSHA GRACE AMBONG VOORN for providing the food; MARIVEL TOPACIO-ARO for the gifts; the volunteers for organizing the affair; and the children of Alimodian for reminding us always of their promise and possibility.
12/29/08 @ 23:59Blessings are rolling in for our kasimanwas.For New Year's Eve, we are giving three more families their media noche meal from:
VIRGIE ALINSAO
BERNALINE AMBUT BOTTEX AND FAMILY
FRANCIS "BOYET" DAGDAG AND FAMILY
We know our recipients may not personally thank you for your generosity but deep in their hearts, they do.
Salamat gid.
01/05/09 @ 14:49Happy New Year kasimanwa sa Alimodian kag sa rayo' nga mga lugar.
This is also to acknowledge the donation of
Dante and Emy Panganoron of Maryland for the gift of love for DEAR kids and families.
Salamat!
CARE
01/19/09 @ 11:48THANKS A LOT TO THOSE WHO CAREd IN 2008
We did not get the chance to post this before 2008 ended . . .
THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO:
*Those Alimodiananons and friends who either supported CARE's initiatives or did their own initiatives in support of the chidren and families in Alimodian.
* The hardworking CARE volunteers who continued to initiate and manage programs and projects to help raise the children of Alimodian.
* Those who wished us well.
* The Webmaster, CIRILO CAPARANGA, JR., for keeping the faith.
We owe you all a debt of gratitude.
02/04/09 @ 07:57WELCOME
We welcome SARAH JANE MANALOCON and NOELLE TANESHA SACLOTE to the CARE corps of volunteers.
These two high school students drop by the Plaza reading centers after class to help arrange books and attend to other reading-related stuff.
We cannot stress enough that every effort one makes on behalf of the children of Alimodian makes a difference, and the fact that young high school students are getting into volunteerism is especially heartwarming.
Thank you Sarah Jane and Noelle.
02/16/09 @ 20:01Hi, I am a friend of Carmela Dagdag and would like very much to have her email address or some other way to contact her. Thank you, Neri Mamarion Brown
02/16/09 @ 21:58You can send her an e-mail c/o this e-mail address: care@alimodian.net
We will forward your message to Carmela.
Privacy concern prevents us from posting her e-mail address on this Blog.
Thanks.
03/01/09 @ 09:26YOUNG ALIMODIANANONS WE ARE VERY PROUD OF
We do not thank enough the volunteers who find time in their busy school, office, and business schedules to help nurture the children who participate in the CARE initiatives.
Here are some of them (click on the above link).
We thank and say how grateful and proud we are of them.
03/01/09 @ 09:30WELCOME
And we welcome our newest recruit -- a future CARE volunteer (click on the above link).
03/10/09 @ 17:06Bukun ti test
Alimodian heritage & people will be featured during the at the UP Visayas Museum (part of the iloilo campus main building) starting april 1, 2009.
The Alimodian Heritage Conservation Society
is asking for old and new photographs that depict the people, culture and interesting places of our town. Does anybody have anything to contribute? Scans of photographs would work.
The cut off date is march 15, 2009 for the alimodian heritage conservation society to prepare the materials to be brought to iloilo city.
If you have any digital pics you could share, please email to me raymonddeza@yahoo.com.
Salamat gid.
04/12/09 @ 10:02THE JOB OF HELPING RAISE ALIMODIAN'S CHILDREN NEVER ENDS
In a month and a half, another schoolyear begins in Alimodian.
CARE will start anew with its CAMP and school supplies assistance, and hopes to start another program. We don't know if the AAA's initiatives started last year will continue this year, or if ALSA has any educational program in Alimodian (haven't heard from or about ALSA for the longest time).
Whatever, they will barely scratch the surface.
Thus, we encourage everyone to start their own initiatives in schools of their choice.
Every act of generosity, big or small, will make a difference in Alimodian's depressed schools. A donation of flip-flops (smuggles), for example, will help a group of children get through the schoolyear with a bit of cushion on their feet.
Thank you.
04/14/09 @ 19:28ERGO, THE JOB OF RAISING FUNDS ALSO DOES NOT END
So if you wish to pitch in, you may contact LCA or NOAH, or e-mail CARE at: care@alimodian.net.
Thank you.
04/17/09 @ 20:30IT MUST BE SPRING
At this time of the year, like most people in the country, the residents of Darien, Connecticut, go through the annual ritual of spring cleaning; meaning, that, among others, they have tons of books to give away to whoever wants them.
It must be said, however, that at all times of the year there is no shortage of books to be had in Darien. Ikaw lang ang mang ampo. We love the residents of Darien.
MARIA DELANEY, a kababayan who is married to an American businessman, had offered Noah books to send to CARE Alimodian. Noah told her thank you very much, unfortunately CARE does not have money to pay for the shipping of the books. A few moments later, the Delaney couple called back and told Noah, no problem.
So tomorrow, our Balikbayan man in Connecticut will go to the Delaney residence to pick up a Balikbayan box of books to be shipped to Alimodian. The Delaneys will pay for the shipment.
Thank you very much to the Delaneys.
We live for stories like this.
04/18/09 @ 21:41just intil now CARE can not figure out why our Alimodianon Bloggers or Kasimanwa is not getting in this kind of generousity other people extending to their hometown.
people like the Delaney's and dozens other who gave money and books,encouraging comments and appreciations, don't even know where the heck Alimodian is.
but then by knowing this kind of great program they dig their pocket and share a little bit of their good blessings for a good cause.
couple of years back i shared a story about a volunteer a sixty or seventy something years old woman from New Canaan Connecticut who want's to left a books, helping me load to my car.
when i insist that the books are too heavy for her, she is upset and look at me with an angry eyes, then she said and i quote "what do you think of me old?" i want to help. this is a great program you guys is doing.i'm almost certain nga indi pa tana Ulianon because she know what is doing.
my goodness this woman is from New Canaan we don't know how many millions she have in the bank.
This kind of story is not just about a good story. but the srory that we can learn a moral lesson, of no matter who you are, where you came from, when it comes to disperate times like this you're there when somebody needs you.
Kong sa aton tumandok nga tinaga ma aram ikaw mag DAGYAW. BAYANIHAN ika nga sabi nila sa talalog.
05/21/09 @ 18:09OUR BFFs IN CONNECTICUT
Many thanks to ROBERT SPOSATO and LISA, friends of Noah Montenegro, for chipping in to pay for the shipment of a box of children's books and 3 sets of encyclopedia.
Robert, a regular CARE donor, contributed $40, while Lisa gave $30; Noah made up the difference in the cost of shipping a balikbayan box to Alimodian. We thank Noah for sacrificing his caffeine intake for a week -- and for having lots of nice friends.
05/26/09 @ 20:06No problem at all. i mean it's worth to sacrifice a simple pleasure in life like a cup of coffee a day for a good cause.
and by the way i know a lot of people thru my job that donated cash not because they know me, but because they believe CARE is a very good cause.
most of them are just ordinary Joe, just like a typical Alimodianon sa America whom without doubt can afford to spare 40 bucks for their fellow alimodianon. but they choose not to. but to some who share their blessings we thank you for your support.
I am just a messager who happens to be in a right place and a right job.
06/05/09 @ 17:00SPEAKING OF TRUE BELIEVERS
CARE would like to extend its gratitude to MARIVEL TOPACIO-ARO, of Quezon City, who, in the truest sense of the word, is a Godmother to the kids who participate in the Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) program.
Marivel supports the program -- and the children of Alimodian -- on a REGULAR basis, thus becoming a SINGULAR special friend among the many friends of CARE.
And to think that she has not been to Alimodian and has not met any of the DEAR kids.
CARE is lucky to have a special friend in Marivel, and we thank her and wish her a good, long life.
06/05/09 @ 22:34We are the members of Dear.We are helping together.
And we are having fun.We are happy,that we are the part of DEAR.We believe that the project is already ok.We have gone to many places,and we learn many things like reading books and how to eat properly.
06/05/09 @ 23:19Re: ABOVE POSTING
It's Saturday morning in Alimodian, and the kids participating in the DEAR program have their usual reading session.
To mark the opening of the schoolyear, LCA, in Quincy, Massachusetts, talked to the kids via Webcam/Skype.
Description:
"Ini-interview po ni Nang Leila yung mga kids.
We told the kids to speak in English pero parang nauubosan sila ng baon nilang Ingles."
Regardless, we are giving them an A+ for "affort" and thank them for their posting.
DEAR stands for "Drop Everything and Read"; CAMP for "Caparanga Mentoring Program".
06/15/09 @ 12:47FEED THE KIDS PROGRAM
Click on the above link for photos taken during the launching of the "Feed the Kids" Program, a joint undertaking of CARE; the Alli Research Development Corporation (ARDC); the teaching staff of the Gelacio Allones Memorial Elementary School (GAMES), situated between Binalud and Balabago; and the Parents-Teachers Association of GAMES.
The beneficiaries of the program are the children enroled in the Kindergarten, Grade 1, and Grade 2 classes.
Feeding is done every school day during the morning snack recess at 9:30 A.M., for the entire schoolyear.
We thank everyone who worked hard to conceptualize and implement the program, and who will be managing it throughout the schoolyear -- and, hopefully, beyond.
06/15/09 @ 19:54MARAMING SALAMAT SA MGA PUNONG-ABALA
Several Alimodiananons helped launch the Feed the Kids Program yesterday -- teachers, parents, relatives, volunteers, etc. We thank everyone who appear in the photographs for their assistance and participation. One of these days we hope to list down all their names. In the meantime, we extend our gratitude to the Ad Hoc Committee who will be managing and supervising the program. They are:
ADOLFO C. CASORLA, Committee Chair and Representative, ARDC
MICHELLE ANN T. LOREDO, Treasurer and Representative, CARE
ALLEN ALITRE, Secretary and Representative, GAMES
ELSA STA. CRUZ, Auditor and Representative, Parents and PTA
RACHEL EMBATE, Member and Representative, Kindergarten
MYRAVIC ALIPAT, Member and Representative, Grade I
RUBY AMBOT, Member and Representative, Grade II
EVELINA ALGARJA, Member and H.E. Teacher, In-Charge, Kitchen Team
________________
On a personal note, we thank ELVIRA ALLI CASORLA, for her indefatigable cheerleading.
06/15/09 @ 20:07WE THANK OLD AND NEW FRIENDS OF CARE
who are supporting the Feed the Kids Program:
MARIVEL TOPACIO-ARO
CECILIA BANZON
BEULAH CABANBAN
NANCY L.F. CRUZ
JULIUS & BING (DAGDAG) CABLAS
JUN DELFIN
GLENNA M. ESHLEMAN
ROSALYN FARKAS
PAT KEENE
ROWENA LUMEN
GIA MENDOZA
NONI MENDOZA
MILLY & MADELYN OCTAVIANO
SANDARE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
LUTZEA SATIN
MARIA CLARA VALENZUELA
SARI VALENZUELA
JUN VELOIRA
06/20/09 @ 07:59FEED THE KIDS PROGRAM
Because of limited resources, the FEED THE KIDS PROGRAM at the Gelacio Allones Memorial Elementary School could cover only a limited number of students (Kindergarten, Grade 1, and Grade 2). It breaks our heart that students from Grade 3 to Grade 6 are left out of the program. Moreover, there are components, such as a decent kitchen facility, cutlery items like cups, saucers, spoons, and cooking utensils, that must be built and/or bought.
In other words, the FEED THE KIDS PROGRAM could use additional help in cash or in kind from friends in and out of Alimodian.
If you are interested in helping, you may contact any of the following:
ADOLFO C. CASORLA, of ARDC
MICHELLE ANN T. LOREDO, of CARE
ALLEN ALITRE, of GAMES
ELSA STA. CRUZ, of GAMES PTA
RACHEL EMBATE, Kindergarten Teacher
MYRAVIC ALIPAT,Grade I Teacher
RUBY AMBOT, Grade II Teacher
EVELINA ALGARJA, H.E. Teacher, In-Charge, Kitchen Team
ELVIRA A. CASORLA, of ARDC
06/22/09 @ 22:12Our big THANK YOU to all the volunteers especially to Nong Dooy and Nang Elvira for spearheading the project, with the dedication of Michelle Loredo and CARE volunteers.
06/24/09 @ 19:41WE THANK OLD AND NEW FRIENDS OF CARE
who are supporting the Feed the Kids Program (Continued):
VICTORIA AMBE-INCIONG
06/26/09 @ 15:54HERE'S A LETTER THAT MADE OUR WEEK:
Hello,
Through the help of Noah (Darien/Stamford, CT) I sent a package last January, 2009 to your organization in the Philippines via 'Balikbayan Box' c/o MAGCOR INT'L. Could you please email me the Philippine (Iloilo) address as I would like to send another 'Balikbayan Box' to your organization.
I have misplaced the address from when I sent a 'Box' last January.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
MARIA/MARICEL DELANEY
__________
Maricel sent the first box of books at her own expense, and is doing the same for this next shipment.
CARE thanks Maricel and her husband for their continuing generosity.
07/06/09 @ 17:34WE THANK OLD AND NEW FRIENDS OF CARE
who are supporting the Feed the Kids Program (Continued):
TERESITA P. PASCUAL
SHIRLEY B. THOMAS
07/26/09 @ 08:11WE THANK OLD AND NEW FRIENDS OF CARE
who are supporting the Feed the Kids Program (Continued):
RUDY and AGNES ALCUDIA-ALFECHE
07/26/09 @ 11:14LAPIS KAG PAPEL
Thanks a lot to VIRGILIO "Boy" SOMO and his sister SYLVIA SOMO-BUYCO for their donation to the school supplies initiative of CARE.
A pencil and a pad of paper are a big help to schoolchildren whose parents have other financial needs to meet.
08/28/09 @ 13:18The beneficiaries of the school supplies program are the first-graders in the barangay schools in UBODAN and GINES.
The individual package consists of notebook, pad paper, pencils, pencil sharpener, and plastic envelope.
We hope to extend the school supplies program to the first-graders in the barangay school in TARUG as well.
We also hope to have some pictures soon.
The principals of the barangay schools are Ma'am FATIMA ALPES ALDAMAR for Ubodan, and Sir ARNIEL ALDAMAR for Gines.
Once again, thank you to BOY SOMO and SYLVIA SOMO-BUYCO for their donation.
08/28/09 @ 13:30WE THANK OLD AND NEW FRIENDS OF CARE
who are supporting the Feed the Kids Program (Continued):
REY DE LA CRUZ, of Glenview, Illinois
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