Yolanda is Alone, Humanity is United
While natural disasters capture headlines and national attention short-term, the work of recovery and rebuilding is long-term. In all of these happenings through time, man needs to attach meaning in tragedy, no matter how random and inexplicable the event is. Nonetheless, after every storm the sun will smile; for every problem there is a solution, and the soul’s indefeasible duty is to be of good cheer.
Who would have forget the tragedy that happened last November 8, 2013? Super Typhoon Haiyan cut a devastating path across the central Philippines. Nearly 13 million people have been affected across the Visayas region, where the storm is known as Yolanda. During that time, the scene in the Philippines is grim. Despite millions of dollars in aid pouring into the country, survivors of Typhoon Haiyan are still struggling to access water, food and supplies. There are reports of people digging up and smashing open underground water pipes, surviving on coconut juice, and covering their noses to mask the smell of dead bodies. Already, the death tolls increases with dozens more missing and thousands injured. Homes are destroyed; hospitals are overrun and aid workers continue to have trouble reaching all of the affected areas.
After a year, how are Yolanda survivors doing now? There were stories left untold, problems unresolved, and realizations that would make one fathom things for future endeavours.
The people in Las Islas de Gigantes are people who cannot afford to lose hope. In spite of the circumstances that they have to live with every day after Yolanda shattered their lives, they carry on.
Not to lose again
She was hesitant to talk at first, but when I asked about what she experienced during the onslaught of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), she swallowed a lump in her throat.
Adelfa Liusendo, 72, is a survivor of the super typhoon in Iloilo. She didn’t want her grandchildren to lose another loved one – their father has been missing since Typhoon Ondoy in Manila in 2009. Adelfa Liusendo, standing beside a roofless classroom on top of a hill that overlooks azure waters surrounding Las Islas de Gigantes in Carles, northern Iloilo. She is one of the many survivors of the said traitor typhoon last year. She could still remember how she saw the water rise from the ocean, accompanied by the strong and whistling winds. She huddled with her grandchildren inside their little house made of bamboo and galvanized iron sheets. In Lantangan, a barangay in the island, Adelfa witnessed the roof of her house get blown away by the strong wind. She made sure her grandchildren, 3 grade school students, were safe.
She did not want her grandchildren to lose another loved one. Her son Henry Liusendo Sr, the children’s father, was one of those reported as missing when Ondoy lashed through Manila in September 2009. She still doesn’t know if her son is dead or alive or simply missing.
She just tells her grandchildren that their father went to Manila to look for work. She doesn’t have the heart to reveal the truth to her grandchildren: that their father could be one of those whose lives were snuffed out when Ondoy rampaged through the country.
Adelfa did not say this with a sense of finality. She still hopes. She realizes that being careful is one of the best ways to survive a calamity. She doesn’t want to lose another loved one.
Students sit and learn in Tarpaulins
Six months after the super howler destroyed classrooms and livelihood, school children in Asluman Elementary School, sit on tarps laid out on the floor and get on with their lessons in a newly-constructed school building since the school lacks chairs, some of which were ruined by the typhoon.
Two newly constructed school building was made possible by the KALAHI-CIDSS (Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services), a national community-driven government program that seeks to alleviate poverty.
Together with the newly constructed classrooms comes chairs but KALAHI-CIDSS has yet to deliver them by the second week of June, according to Head Teacher II Angelo Rico Suya.
A fifth grade adviser, Svellen Rosario, shares that 41 of her students sit on the “tarp floor” because there are few chairs, the tarpaulin having been given by Canadians that gave emergency response during the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda.
The tarps served as roofing for classrooms ravaged by the super typhoon and soon after the classrooms were repaired, the tarps were recycled for children to sit on so their uniforms won’t get dirty.
Lori Ann Bituon, a fourth grade student who dreams of becoming a nun, shares that she does not mind sitting on the floor as long as she sits with her friends.
Located beside the sea, Sir Suya says Asluman Elementary School was among the areas directly affected by the executive order of President Benigno Aquino III on No Build Zones, which means that a school building cannot be constructed within Asluman Elementary School.
However, Suya said that a donor who requests anonymity has already signed a deed of donation for the land where the elementary school will be constructed and that it could take 10 years for the new school building to be constructed in a location away from the dangers of high tide and storm surges during typhoons.
“For now, the main concern of the school is the repair of classrooms,” says Suya.
After the roof of her classroom was repaired, teacher Roselyn Cataluña says that in a class of 63 students, only 50 students can sit on desks and arm chairs, with the rest sitting on the floor.
She also shares that even after Typhoon Yolanda, some of her students would stare off into space.
The aim of education should be to teach us rather how to think, than what to think — rather to improve our minds, so as to enable us to think for ourselves, than to load the memory with thoughts of other men. ~Bill Beattie
Students seated on tarps during class.
New boats sailed like new hope
Henzel Articulo of Estancia, Iloilo lost all of his four motorized boats when Super Typhoon Yolanda lashed its 314-kilometer per hour (kph) winds on the town last November 8, 2013.
Henzel owned two passenger vessels and two fishing boats which were his main sources of income.
He vividly recalled that fateful Friday. When Yolanda battered the port of Estancia, he went out of his house around 1 p.m. to find out that the water was already up to his chest. He braved the strong wind and rain, awesome forces of nature that almost blinded his way. When he arrived at the shore in Bayas Island, Estancia, he discovered that all of his boats were washed away by the waves.
Every end spawns a new beginning. Henzel’s family helped him rebuild his livelihood. His sister-in-law loaned him money which he used to construct a new motorized boat.
Henzel’s new motor boat is hired by tourists who visit Las Islas de Gigantes, an island group known for its serene and picturesque beaches. The spot can be reached after a 90-minute boat ride from Estancia port.
Residents affected by Typhoon Yolanda were promised new motorized boats but as of this writing, these promises have yet to be delivered.
A man making his new motorboat after the typhoon.
There’s always another storm. It’s the way the world works. Snowstorms, rainstorms, windstorms, sandstorms, and firestorms. Some are fierce and others are small. One has to deal with each one separately, but you need to keep an eye on whats brewing for tomorrow. Sometimes fate is like a small sandstorm that keeps changing directions. You change direction but the sandstorm chases you. You turn again, but the storm adjusts. Over and over you play this out, like some ominous dance with death just before dawn. Why? Because this storm isn’t something that has nothing to do with you, this storm is you- something inside you. So all you can do is give in to it, step right inside the storm, closing your eyes and plugging up your ears so the sand doesn’t get in, and walk through it, step by step. There’s no sun there, no moon, no direction, no sense of time. Just fine white sand swirling up the sky like pulverized bones.
Philippines’ message to the world.
Read more:
Yolanda and the comfortable among us
Haiyan Devastation Takes Toll in Survivors
Journalist at Heart, Public Servant in Deed
Success is not defined by gaining a lot of trophies, certificates, medals, and plaques. Success is not also equal to how many dollars one has earned or number of properties one has. It’s more than that. Success goes beyond the aspect of material things. Many are confused as to what the word success really means. For most, it is the state of achieving what they are expected of them. For one, success is simply the definition of happiness.
Public service has never crossed the mind of this inspiring-journalist before. He was just like any other students who would like to go to school- do tiring stuff, excessive home works, listen to professor’s lectures in a 4-walled classrooms, fill his innocent childhood up, and enrich his personal growth. Thinking that he loves to study and explore the world, he graduated With Honors during his elementary days and was announced as the 4th Honorable Mention when he was in high school.
Without second thoughts, he enrolled himself in the College of Communication (formerly the College of Mass Communications). Being asked, he really understands the students of today’s hardworks because he also experienced how it is to be a West Masscom student- write essays for an hour and a half, do numerous researches and create exhilarating newspaper, portfolios, and term papers. Not to mention the making of the very time-consuming thesis- which he considered a very challenging part of his college life.
The call for public service has started to tickle his senses when he was in College. He became the Senior Editor for The Mediator (The Official Publication of the College of Mass Communications) during his time. He also willingly admitted himself to become the Chairperson of Young Journalists’ Society (The Official Division of All Journalism Majors in the College of Mass Communications). Lastly, he decided to lead the entire College against any endeavor for being the Chairperson of the College of Mass Communications Student Council in his senior year, 2006-2007.
Because of his journalistic capacity matched with the right ingredients of leadership, he was awarded by the following titles which he did not expect or ask for:
Outstanding Boy of Iloilo- YMCA
Gerry Roxas Leadership Award
IWAG Award- PIA 6
PGMA Leadership Award
Youth Leadership Excellence Award- Philippine Jaycess, DepEd, Sen. John H. Osmena
Most Outstanding Delegate- Student Leadership Development Program- WVSU
Excellence in Leadership, Excellence in Service, Excellence in Journalism- WVSU
Outstanding Youth- Province of Iloilo
Most Outstanding Tourism-Oriented Campus Writer- DOT 6
Certificate of Merit- National Rizal Youth Leadership Institute
University Service Award- WVSU
He decided that his calling for public service is really meant for him when he took and passed the Civil Service Eligibility Exam for Professionals in 2007. His skills and wisdom garnered from the professors in the West Visayas State University especially his mentors from the College of Communication has thoroughly prepared him when became a writer in Sun.Star Iloilo/Sun.Star Weekend. When he decided to shift from his workplace, he became a Team Supervisor for the National Statistics Office’s Census for Population in 2007 and served the people for 2 years. In 2009, he joined Iloilo Provincial Office as he became the Population Program Officer I/Provincial Teen Center Coordinator.
As of the present, he is already the Information Officer II of the Commission on Population Region VI. He also render informative talks and seminars Peer Helping and Facilitating and Leadership Skills, Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning, Gender and Development, Population and Development Integration. Aside from that, he is also a Program Advocate and Peer Counsellor-on-air on Radio shows Tingog sang Pamatan-on sa Hutik sang Kagab-ihon in Bombo Radyo and Pautwas in MOR.
The man behind this success is Roilo Vincent Laguna who justified that not all success in life is defined by the things that we are expected to achieve. He was a graduate of Journalism and landed in public service and it’s a little bit far for the 2 dots to be connected. He is one solid proof that success can be attained in any way, as long as one is happy and contented of what he/she is doing. He is but a definition of the expression “Basta West Masscom, the best!”. His happiness is public service, his happiness is his success.
Roilo Vincent Laguna
Read more:
20 Reasons why you should Major in Journalism
8 Reasons Why you shouldn’t date a journalist
Reasons for dating a journalist
Advantages and Benefits of Public Service Work
WVSU holds Booklatan sa Bayan 2014
Booklatan sa Bayan- a regional writing and publishing conference that seeks out to reach communities to promote readership and book development was held at the Center for Teaching Excellence on September 24 to 25, 2014.
Aside from the event that was held in the CTE, the organizers also put up a Book Fair at the Administration Building. With the theme “The book publishing supply chain and the academic perspective,” the National Book Development Board (NBDB) prepared speakers with designated topics on Authorship and Publishing in the University, Writing and Publishing Venues for Young and Aspiring Writers, New Technologies in Book Publishing, Highlighting Literature and Local Books in the Curriculum, Forming a Book Club and Other Ways to Increase Readership in the Community, and Copyright 101. Workshops on book designing and storytelling were also tackled.
Students, professors, supervisors, librarians, publishers, and editors of different schools and universities in Iloilo were the participants in the said event.
NBDB highly encourages more people to join and exchange ideas that would greatly help in upgrading the skills of budding writers and educators.
Participants from the College of Communication coming on an early morning for the registration.
(L-R) Dr. Luis A. Abioda, Dr. Luis M. Sorolla, Dr. Isagani Cruz, Graciela Cayton.
Read More:
Booklatan sa Bayan in Cotabato and Iloilo
Betrayal’s E-Generation
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres,” as 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 would ever go. The world of today is full of temptations hard to resist, uncontrollable things that happened during the times when you expect the least, and experience betrayal that only time can heal. Things are inevitable today, even heartaches are digital.
One could possibly sell the world if he/she has the assurance of what is presumed of a lifetime partner. Women can endure more pain, stress, and hardships, both mentally and physically, than a man could ever do. The emotional demands on women are great, quite a woman is solely responsible as the emotional support for her family and friends. In this instance, one’s integrity has been degraded and thrown off.
In the early quarter of the year, a couple (boyfriend-girlfriend) of 5 years, Ris and MR were enjoying their meals in one of the restaurants along Jalandoni road when a girl, in her teens, approached them. The girl, familiar to both coupled, projected a genuine smile to both of them. It took a little time for the couple to determine it was Jasmin, MR’s high school friend. She was not a total stranger because MR and Jasmin exchanged good vibrations for a long time already and that they treat each other as sisters separated by schools.
Considering that Jasmin is already a Medical Technology student in one of the best schools in Iloilo City, she always insists herself to go with the couple wherever they go. MR is a Masscom student while Ris is just starting his career. The three of them always go out, exploring new restaurants and window shopping, as long as the hectic schedules of them would permit them.
The tripping of the three went stronger for a couple of months. Until MR had the chance to go abroad to attend an intensive seminar/workshop. Before MR left, her heart beat is running after the other because her instinct says that there is something wrong. She trusts her 5-year relationship, so she left her wild instinct and set her mind to enjoy the country where she’s heading to.
When MR came back after 5 days, her instinct strengthen that something is really wrong- something is going on between Ris and Jasmin. MR fathomed her suspicious feelings and thoughts and connected the dots. She drawn from her wide vocabulary that all the times, Jasmin wouldn’t text or contact her if it wasn’t about Ris. For her, it was so obvious that Jasmin is after him. Without any material proof, she confronted Ris and told him to stop seeing Jasmin- to avoid temptations and any other conflict that may lead to destruction of a 5-year foundation.
Without second thoughts, Ris agreed. The couple has stopped seeing Jasmin. The two enjoyed each other’s company- like what they were doing before. Go to movies and found themselves crying because of the film, walk through the Esplanade and talk about future plans, and of course, have fun with each other as team mates in computer games.
One Sunday evening, MR was fixing herself to go to bed when Brylle, Jasmin’s boyfriend of 5 years messaged her. Upon having a short conversation with Jasmin’s boyfriend who happened to MR’s classmate since school grade, MR was jailed in silence. Ris and Jasmin was having an affair. Brylle said that it wasn’t his attention to ruin both relationship but considering they were classmates and childhood friends, Brylle told her the betrayal.
“Gintaga-an ko na sila MR sang chance nga i-stop, galing wala gihapon, so ginsugid ko na sa imo”- Brylle
At first, MR wouldn’t believe because there were no other signs of betrayal. She has an access on all the accounts of MR, online and offline. His phone is locked but she knows the password. She can go crazy thinking how the two can communicate.
His statements were not yet as far as MR has thought. Brylle has said that Ris has a another facebook account named Alladin De La Cruz and that account is being used by Ris to communicate with Jasmin. MR wasn’t able to hold her emotions so she called Ris. He rushed to her house and attempted to explain. Because MR’s parents was there and that MR still don’t want them to know about it, she entertained Ris but never did she listen to the explanation.
The following day, MR had the access to Alladin’s face book account and upon seeing the conversation, her heart died. There were pictures of the two, Jasmin and Ris, going out with each other, kissing on the cheeks, talking about creating a family of their own and worst, they were backstabbing MR. It was hard for MR to digest all of these things. It was the account which enlightened her. She could not bear the extent of betrayal.
For MR, trust is peculiar resource. What happened to her and Ris is a lesson in life. The chance being asked by Ris is not just a candy easily given, considering that it wasn’t the first betrayal. Technology of today can be a tool to either make or break hearts. For MR, it broke hers.
The very definition of Cheating.
Read more:
A Real Story Of Love And Betrayal
The Betrayal (A Secret Draco Malfoy Story)
Spokesman defends IC Mayor Mabilog’s Facebook post
In line with the city mayor’s Facebook post on weekend about the flooding that is happening in the city, the mayor’s spokesperson defended the said post on Tuesday, October 13.
“The post is valid as the city mayor, Jed Patrick Mabilog , personally observed and experienced the flooding in the city,” added Mr. Rey Delfin. The said Facebook post mentioned the Department of Public Works and Highways which caught the department’s attention.
“Paging DPWH – I dont think you are blind nor naive that you dont see the condition of the road. You dont need a letter because you yourselves pass through this highway – tagalogon ko para ma intiendehan sang tagalog nila nga regional director “tingnan mo ang bagong gawa mo na ninoy aquino diversion road sa area ng overpass, ang pinagyayabang ay sira sira at lubak lubak na ang kalye. Yung Barangay San Rafael na hindi binabaha noon, ginalaw nyo lang ang kalye binabaha na ngayon, huwag muna kayong magyabang dahil wala naman kayong talagang ipagyayabang!!! Sana huwag kayong manhid” – Mabilog account’s 1st post
“DISTRICT ENGINEER RODNEY GUSTILO ang drainage and street projects mo sa housing, navais mandurriao, sa plaza molo, san pedro, east baluarte, delgado, mabini, tanza bonifacio, sa rizal, sonalan, lopez jaena, lapaz, burgos jaro, simon ledesma, sooc, calajunan kag madamo nga iban pa, salamat sa madamo nga projects , galing gina BAHA tanan kung mag ulan.”- Mabilog account’s 2nd post
Delfin clarified that the said post wasn’t meant to put the DPWH and its Regional Director Engr. Edilberto Tayao and Engr. Rodney Gustilo of City District Engineering Office in shame. The said post, he added, was made just to call the department’s attention.
Engr. Rodney Gustilo says that it is unfair to blame the DPWH alone. He also admitted that the ongoing projects of the DPWH are one of the reasons for the flooding in the city. On the other hand, factors of the city being located below sea level, garbage thrown in the manhole, and the wrong disposal management of commercial establishments were being emphasized by the engineer as also one of the reasons for flooding.
Engr. Tayao also fathomed that he and Mayor Mabilog is not in conflict.
The Floodway Project taken at Barangay Buhang Bridge Jaro on Saturday.
Want to know more? Read the stories below.
Mabilog takes a swipe at DPWH via Facebook
DPWH Regional Director Edilberto Tayao, nag athag nga wala sila away ni Mabilog
8 COC studes are Youth Ambassador
Eight students from the College of Communication have been accepted to the Japan-East Asia Networks for Exchange for Students and Youth 2.0 and went to Japan on September 29 to October 7, 2014.
Stephanie Erica Louise Ricamonte, Bern Andrew Bernabe, Krezyl Joyce Pugna, Edelaine Ellenson Queen Encaguez, Rachelle Etino, Jemima Aranas, and Joseph Bernard Marzan were accepted to the program with the theme on Mass Media and Rona Jane Frondoza on the same program with the theme on Disaster Management were chosen to represent the Philippines in the different prefectures of Japan.
“The thing about JENESYS program is that, it provides an avenue for the youth to be more united and bonded. The JICE are implementing such projects not only to boost their own country, but of course, also to help the country where the ambassadors came from. They help the student leaders enhance their personal growth through exposing them to Japan’s advance technology and rich culture that the students can use in their personal endeavors,” Ricamonte said.
The group was exposed to different universities, temples and shrines, local government offices and famous tourist spots. The ambassadors also experienced to have a Japanese home during their homestay.
The JENESYS Programme (Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths) is a project advanced by the Japanese government from the standpoint of providing a sound foundation for strong solidarity within Asia through large-scale youth exchange.
For a five-year period since 2007, the JICE (Japan International Cooperation Center) is carrying out exchange programmes aimed at promoting mutual understanding and friendly relations.
Bernabe (maroon sweater) and Marzan (white shirt) as they render a dance number during one of their gatherings.
Kamogawa Chiba Group of Ambassadors during their Farewell Party.
Want to know more? Click the stories below.
WV student help strengthen JPN-PH ties thru JENESYS
24 students to join Japan exchange program
Youth commission sets deadline for exchange program application
World’s largest lands on world’s worst
World’s largest passenger plane lands on world’s worst airport. Find out here
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/business/10/07/14/worlds-largest-passenger-plane-lands-naia
Cameron seeks sorry
I believe everyone has that second chance
Read here https://ph.celebrity.yahoo.com/news/cameron-apologize-queen-indiscretion-100826472.html
WVSU-COC holds 1st National Media and Communication Forum
More than 300 participants have attended the 1st ever National Media and Communication Forum on September 20, 2014 at WVSU Cultural Center.
The event was organized by the West Visayas State University- College of Communication and the Communication Student Council in partnership with the Asian Congress for Media and Communication wherein speakers from Manila have been invited which highlighted the said event.
Topics on From Aviation to Communication: Mapping a Career in Media Education, Communication for Development with the Poor: Our Concern and Calling, Pornography, Morality and Violence in the Philippine Mass Media, and Acting Matters: The Relevance of Acting in Human Life has been tackled.
Masscom studes from University of San Agustin, St. Paul University Iloilo, and Central Philippine University also attended the said event.
Sphere 
