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San Miguel de Iligan

On December 15-16, Tropical Storm “Sendong/Washi” gave Mindanao its first major typhoon in decades. The island and its residents were not used to such phenomena that usually devastates parts of Luzon and the Visayas. Sendong was one of a kind this year, and it has devastated lives in the cities of Iligan, Cagayan de Oro, the Province of Compostela Valley and other provinces. Iligan was caught by a surprise as flood and muck rushed towards the city, 200 missing and 100+ dead so far. In Cagayan de Oro, 20,000 families were affected–this major city in Northern Mindanao has tasted the worse flooding in its recent history.

Father loses daughter (Photo by Maria Irene/Mindanaoan.com)

As of the time of this writing, the dead is pegged at more than 400, hundreds still missing. Mostly in Northern Mindanao cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. So many uncaught, so many people will spend their Christmas in muck and cold.

Iligan, Cagayan de Oro and the rest of NorMin needs help!

Tabanga nato ang Mindanao! This is the time that we help each other out, despite the distance! Our people needs help!

Our condolences to our kababayang taga-Mindanao who lost their loved ones a week before Christmas. Our prayers are for you folks for comfort, recovery and for the souls of the departed.

Here are some options that you may help:

Iligan Bloggers Society, Inc. is humbly requesting your generous help for the victims Bagyong Sendong of Iligan City. Iligan Bloggers Society, Inc. is accepting donations in kind for the victims of Typhoon Sendong in the city. We encourage the following items for donations: canned goods, noodles, bath and laundry soaps, toothpaste, rice, used clothings, slippers, and cash donations.

SENDONG DONATION DROP You can contact the following point persons for your donations and other inquiries.

ILIGAN BLOGGERS SOCIETY, Inc. SITE: http//:iliganbloggers.com EMAIL: iliganbloggers@gmail.com FB Fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/iliganbloggers

LISA (LAI) MARIE MIRASOL | Pinay Travelista, @pinaytravelista (IBS, Inc. Web Content Manager) http://www.pinaytravelista.com/ 09062558863; (+63) 222-2117

ALEXANDER SINGCOL | iligan Inquisitor, @lexuzinquisitor (IBS, Inc Board of Trustee Member) http://theiliganinquisitor.blogspot.com/ 09053117925, (+63) 8360272 REVILLA CARBONELL-NOEL | Adventures in Life (IBS, Inc Board of Trustee Member) 092193209944, 09427009788

For more Updates on Iligan City status after Typhoon Sendong: DXIC: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/rmn-dxic-iligan FB Fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/iliganbloggers

Your Donations will be shown at: www.iliganbloggers.com For donations on Paypal, your names and initials here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?hl=en_US&key=0AufHi9Th0W7KdHhLVGNaY2VWaFdfUjBadVgxTXdOV1E&output=html

‎#HELPCDO Paypal Donations now accepted. Send to Paypal: francis.siason@gmail.com through Cagayan De Oro Bloggers. 340+ died .. 400+ are missing missing as typhoon Sendong ravaged Cagayan de Oro. Proceeds will be donated and delivered to Xavier University Cagayan de Oro where the members of CDOBloggers are planning to volunteer. Thank you and God Bless!

Xavier University is now accepting donations. You may contact:

Fr. Eric Garcia Velandria S.J.
Coordinator of Sendong Operation,
KKP Office, Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan, Corrales Ave.
9000 Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines.

You may also cash donations through SLB. CASH/ CHEQUE: Direct deposits may be made online from any BPI branches, pay to:

SIMBAHANG LINGKOD NG BAYAN (Account Name/Payee)
Bank of the Philippine Islands (Loyola-Katipunan Branch)
BPI Peso Checking Account Number: 3081-1111-61
BPI Dollar Savings Account Number: 3084-0420-12

For donations from Manila, you may pass by the National Resource Operations Center (NROC) 852-8081(24 hours),Chapel Road, Pasay City (back of Air Transportation Office).

Donate with the Philippine National Red Cross:

Cash or Check Donations:
Account Name: Philippine Red Cross
Bank Name: Banco De Oro
Peso Account: 453-0018647
Type of Account: Savings

SMS Donations: Text REDAMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4143 (Smart)

Cebuana Lhuillier Pawnshops
Make a donation at any of the 1,500 Cebuana Lhuillier pawnshops nationwide.

Email us: fundgeneration@redcross.org.ph

Call Hotline 143
or (+632) 527.0000

NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
Bonifacio Drive, Port Area
Manila 1018, Philippines
Email: prc@redcross.org.ph

—————-

For Iligan Victims Cash Donations, you may deposit in this account
Account name: Association of IIT Alumni Foundation Inc.
Bank: BDO – - Iligan Quezon Avenue Branch
Account No: 003120169026

They will be providing complete financial audit documents to ensure that your money will help the hundreds of displaced victims in Iligan City, especially the evacuees in MSU – IIT Gym. I’ve personally coordinated with the Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology Chancellor Sukarno Tanggol on this matter.

Please do not hesitate to contact Rei Maranda from the Presidential Management Office thru 09052665014 or at rei.maranda@pms.gov.ph/rei_lena@yahoo.com for questions and clarifications.

We need all the help we can get. Please tell your friends/contacts/company/orgs about this. Then you can coordinate with Rei or Jane Dumaug for convenience. Kindly repost/retweet/blog/announce/publish this. Thank you very much.

La Salle Academy (Iligan City) is accepting cash donations to help the victims of typhoon Sendong.

Development Bank of the Philippines
Account Name: La Salle Academy
Account Number: 0820-016221-030.

Notes:
1. Please make cheques payable to La Salle Academy.
2. Kindly make a digital copy (or digital photo) of the deposit slip and email this digital file to Br. Raffy Reyes FSC (President of LSA) raffyreyes1018@gmail.com AND Br Dennis Magbanua FSC (President of DLSZ) brodennis@gmail.com for proper documentation and accounting.

You may also leave your donations in kind at the LSA lobby anytime today and tomorrow. Daghang Salamat!

Volunteers Needed
From Sec. Dinky Soliman of DSWD – Volunteers are needed at DSWD Cagayan de Oro (Masterson Rd, Upper Carmen) to repack and deliver relief goods. Call +639066150095 and +63 8822 8588892

Please be at CU Gym today December 18, 2011… Our fellow Cagay-anons need our help in these desperate times… Please look for Ms. Armi Sobremisana.

CIRCLE PRODUCTIONS INC., is accepting donations in cash or in kind for the flood victims of Cagayan de Oro City…. The drop-off point is at Max’s Restaurant in Limketkai Mall… Look for Francis.

Click the image to get more info

JRS Express now delivers relief goods for free. Click the image for more info...

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Kulintang--distinctly Mindanao (from MSU-Gensan Museum)

I grew up in Greater Manila for most of my childhood life. Eat, sleep, talk and think as a city boy. Although I frequently visit the provinces because my parents are provincianos and my dad has a lot of out-of-town projects, which is a nature of his work. However, when I stepped into college, have chosen myself as Ilonggo and hometown at Iloilo, it was the time that I was reintroduced and reoriented with my parent’s birthplace…the “Land of Promise” down south, Mindanao. The fascination and the sojourns have changed my life forever.

Peace and Unity amongst the three peoples of Mindanao (Davao City)

My first glimpse of South Mindanao -- Mount Matutum from Sarangani Bay taken from my old camphone

I remember one incident in 2003. There was a news video clip shown in our dorm television and I was watching. Being an outspoken person, however tactless, I uttered these words in front of the boob tube, “Ano ba yan! Ang gulo na lang parati sa Mindanao!” Not knowing that I have a true blue Mindanaoan beside me at that time. She then reacted, “Hay naku! Nakakainis yang mga taong may makikitid ang utak!” and she walked away. I was surprised. Why the sudden burst dear? What did I just said? It’s on television for crying out loud! Later I realized that she is from one of the Cotabato Provinces, wherein the conflict between the government and the separatists were still on fire. Despite my reason, I am still confused…why the outburst?

Except for Pacquiao, this what defines Gensan (2004, Gensan Fish Port)

Then an opportunity came. In 2003, I was part of the school paper and I was one of those who will be sent to Davao for a meet of writers for College Editor’s Guild of the Philippines. I have been to Davao before, but was exiled at paradise called Talicud Island. I can still remember Davao back then (1996). So, I did…

Old Cotabato City Hall (2005)

And General Paulino Santos points to Dadiangas (2005)

Instead of going all the way to Davao by ship, when the ship from Iloilo docked at General Santos City (Gensan), I immediately called up my best friend and asked for a short tour. Dusty, hot yet there is something in Dadiangas wherein I fell in love. Then I uttered these words, “Pakiramdam ko parang nanggaling na ako dito dati…” There is a peculiar feeling of déjà vu seeing the peak of Mount Matutum watching over Gensan. Then dawned to me, I have affinity with South Cotabato—my blood once run here, I said.

Gensan's Pioneer Avenue

Marbel Roundball--just one of the several "roundballs" or rotundas in Cotabato cities and towns

And Tacurong Roundball in Tacurong City

My affinity with Mindanao started. My best friend (who was also one of my dorm-mate like the girl who was offended by my remarks earlier) said, “O ano? Kinain mo rin sinabi mo no?” Indeed, I was embarrassed. He still remembers that remark that I caught from her…I said, “Oo, di lang kinain, nilunok at inilabas ko na nga!” From then on, my fascination to Mindanao, particularly south-central Mindanao (one of the origins of “HabagatCentral”) bloomed.

Tnalak weaver at Lake Sebu in South Cotabato

Over the next few years, I have visited this area very frequently. Shuttling on and off Davao and Soccscksargen (abbreviation of South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City region), I met new friends and rekindled old ties with my relatives from my father’s side. In a way, I understood more of the Mindanao situation and opened up my mind to a whole new perspective, now seemingly distant from that of Imperial Manila’s.

UP Mindanao (CHSS) back then (Summer 2005)

After that council meet, I was able to go back to Mindanao before I was out of the school paper. By that time, each time I go back, I make sure I’ll be back…and because of the seemingly intricate and somehow controversial make-up of Mindanao society, I was curious and like to know more. How about taking my summer class at UP Mindanao perhaps? That was a good idea…and indeed!

Du-aw Dabaw and my durian-lambasted face, lol! (2005)

The motorella, the jeepney and the city hall of Cagayan de Oro (2005)

Misamis Oriental Provincial Capitol (2005)

I spent my two months at summer in Davao…more than a usual visit and as a tourist. I was there as a student far away from my parents. I can still remember the cool breeze that comes down from Mount Apo that brings shiver in the middle of summer at UP Mindanao campus. At that time, I was able to memorize the places of Davao City, explored it and knew more of its culture. The experience of habal-habal and the pungent yet delightful scent of durian plantations bring back memories. And before I knew, it was time to come back to Iloilo—and again promised to come back. As a bonus, I passed by and spent the whole day at Tsada City of Cagayan de Oro!

Cotabato City near Plaza (2005) Street scene

Me at Dole Cannery at Flomlok (Polomolok), South Cotabato (2004)

How can I go back to Mindanao? I can’t find any excuses or valid reasons now…oh, I know for one…it was 2005—senior years, the thesis year has come, and I know just the right excuse for me to come back to Cotabato—use my curiosity: how in the world Ilonggos came as far as Tacurong City!—the birthplace of my dad. At first, my late mentor thought it was too ambitious and may probably be risky, but later he appreciated my idea, since he too lived in Mindanao (and met his wife there) for a long time. I knew that it would be hard since there are only a few people—very few publications about the Kristyano (Luzon/Visayas natives) migration to Mindanao. Yet it was a pioneering feat, especially for Iloilo and for the hometown of my father’s birthplace.

The calm Ba'Sebu, South Cotabato (2005)

The main building of the office of regional council of Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao in Cotabato City (2005)

Security at Gensan (2005)

As the field work ensued, the color that makes up the Mindanao society and culture went into full view. The migration brought by the desire to prosper, the consequences that they have encountered and the controversial topic of ancestral domain and political power that played a vital role in Mindanao’s affairs—all seem to make sense now. As I interviewed more people and read more journals, I now have a clear picture of what Mindanao is. Second time at field work proved to be more tedious as I looked into more clues—and even ventured to unknown territories, one of which would be the town where the execution of the Martires de Maguindanao took place. Mindanao’s colors were so vivid—and that vivid color has changed my perspective for good.

Hinugyaw Festival in Koronadal City (2005)

Sunbathing at 8AM at Davao International Airport to achieve "golden tan"

After all the hard work, traveling and even went wild over it, my thesis passed with flying colors. It has one whole page solely dedicated for acknowledging this adventure that I took down south. Again, I said to myself, I’ll come back. And since then, I haven’t returned to Mindanao…the copy of the thesis for Tacurong is still here, since I promised myself that I’ll take it personally—not through courier.

You know to whom this mansion belongs to...Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao (2005)

Half-a-decade later, traveling was made cheap because of the budget carriers. Then one day, “Oi Piso Fare!!!” I scrambled at the internet and thought of destinations to choose from. Then it dawned to me, “Gensan!” since plane fare to Mindanao from Manila is expensive, I took the opportunity. Then came successive promos: for Davao, Zamboanga and lastly Cagayan de Oro. Most of my travels this year would be in Mindanao, spanning from June to November. It would be revisiting a place that changed my perspective, my life and my thoughts on how this country work.

Clouds over Sulu Sea (2005)

She may not be my hometown or birthplace, but the blood that it is in my veins has Mindanao on it.

Mindanao, I’ll be back. I shall return on your embrace once more.

First stop: General Santos City, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and probablym Maguindanao and Cotabato City.

(by the way, I got a lot of photos unposted…since most of them are from film, hehehe!!!)

Ohai Tuna! I'll be seeing you again, wahehe!! (Gensan Fish Port, Tambler, Gensan City) 2005

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A Box of Pastel

Ask anyone in my folks in the office who likes to have a taste of manna from CDO (short for Cagayan De Oro City) or the pride of Camiguin, and everyone agrees it’s the “pastel”. Nope, that’s not one kind of crayons you use when you’re still elementary, and it’s not about the color.  It’s a delicacy from heaven.

Pastel, is a sweet delicacy from Camiguin Island, known for paradise in Northern Mindanao. These are soft, fragrant and sweet buns filled with the original yema (made mostly of milk, eggs and sugar) or any other flavors that gives this delicacy that makes the food melts in your mouth.

Boxes of 6 are sold at stores in Camiguin towns or at the shopping centers of Cagayan de Oro for about P50 and Boxes for 12 at around P120. It’s a hit pasalubong for anyone craving for sweets and anything Camiguin or CdeO (of course don’t forget the lanzones and the pineapple).