Zambales

Pundaquit Festival Season 19

noreply@blogger.com (Kat) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 05:14:00 +0000

The Pundaquit Festival is the community arts program of CASA San Miguel. It is designed to help develop the local fishing community through various programs that include short and long-term residencies for visiting artists and performers. Workshops and exhibits are also organized and held.

Photo courtesy of Pundquit Festival Season 19

The 19th season is entitled "Yaman Dagat: Ugat ng Lahi". The program aims to foster excellence and empowerment through enlightenment and direct mentorship.

The schedule for the Pundaquit Festival is listed below. For more details, please visit the Pundaquit Festival Season 19 website.

FEB
4
18
25
MAR
5-7
17
APR
6
8
21

Exhibit

Recital

Neo Nocturne Choir Chorost
Pundaquit Virtuosi/Coke Bolipata Chamber Concert 1
Raya Martin The Great Cinema Party

David Eggar (with Coke Bolipata & Pundaquit Virtuosi)
Mabuhay Singers

Good Friday: Seven Last Words
Easter Sunday: Brandenburg Concertos
Pundaquit Virtuosi/Coke Bolipata Chamber Concert 2

FEB Treasures Of A Hidden Zambales Heritage
MAR Leeroy New Psychopom's Reef
Brendale Tadeo/Rolf Campos Prusisyon
APR Nico Sepe Nag-iisang Dagat

Miguel Estrada (May 5)
Yvonne Madarang (May 12)
Kianne Estaban / Gab Mendoza (May 19)

Zambales Mango Festival starts tomorrow!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Kat) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 13:02:00 +0000

Friends, the annual Zambales Mango Festival will kick off tomorrow. It's a four day event and it celebrates its 11th year this 2011.

Gov. Ebdane and Vice Gov. Lacbain will lead the opening ceremonies to be held at Iba, the provincial capital. Expected to grace the event is Senator Francis Pangilinan, chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food. Regional directors Blesila Lantayona of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Ronaldo Tiotuico, Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 3 Director Alfredo Tolentino and Police Chief Superintendent Allan Purisima of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Region 3, as well as representatives from PhilHealth Region 3 are also on the expected guest list.

So what should you expect with the four day festivities? On Day 1, after the ceremonies, there will be a photo contest and featured art exhibits. An ultimate dance craze program will be part of the street parade and street dance competition.

Day 2 will include events like a boxing competition, search for talented employees, a pig catching game (a staple in most Filipino fiestas) and even a carabao race. There's also a dog show. Regular fiesta programs like the mango forum and PINAKA LGU booth competition are still present.

Day 3 will have mango carving and mango eating contests. There's also a battle of the bands and the judging of the photo contest. New events such as the Zambales Song Writing Competition and Ginoo at Binibining Zambales 200 Grand Pageant night will cap the events.

This annual celebration is a joint program of the Zambales Mango Development Council and the provincial government to help boost the mango industry of the province. (Thanks to PIA for the news)

Personal biases aside, I really believe that Zambales has the best tasting mangoes. Yes, I've tried others (I will not name them so as not so spark a fight), and I keep coming back to it. :)

2011 Pundaquit Festival Schedule (Season 18)

noreply@blogger.com (Kat) — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 12:45:00 +0000

The Pundaquit Festival is the community arts program of CASA San Miguel designed to develop the local fishing community through various programs including long- and short-term residencies for visiting artists, performances, workshops and exhibits. Now in it's 17th season entitled "r/evolution", the program aims to foster excellence and empowerment through enlightenment and direct mentorship.

Casa San Miguel (Photo by Miel David)

The performance series for Season Eighteen 2011 at the newly-renovated Ramon l. Corpus Hall features a series of intimate chamber music concerts featuring CASA San Miguel founder Coke Bolipata, with the Pundaquit Virtuosi (the chamber group composed of local talents he trains)with guest artists including David Eggar and the Philippine Madrigal Singers.

February 26: BACHBACHAN: Back-to-back Bach
Featuring: Concerto for harpsichord in F Minor with guest pianist Jourdann Petalver, the Concerto for violin and oboe with guest oboist Franz Ramirez, and the Orchestral Suite #1 in C Major.

March 11 & 12
Philippine Madrigal Singers in celebration of CASA San Miguel's 17th Foundation Day

March 27: Drama't Emo
Revives highlights of the romantic period including Dvorak's American String Quartet, Beethoven's String Quartet Op 18, Brahms String Sextet in B-Flat Major and Mendelssohn Octet in E-Flat Major.

April 16
Cellist David Eggar serves his week-long residency culminating with a concert on April 16 with the Pundaquit Virtuosi and Aeta tribes from Botolan. Eggar is a 2011 Grammy-nominated artist for his arrangement of Itsbynne Reel, a track on his Kingston Blues album.

HOLY WEEK ACTIVITIES

April 22, Good Friday
Seven Last Words of Christ by Joseph Haydn

April 24
Light Easter concert featuring the Minstrels of Hope

May 28
SOLOISTS NIGHT with the Pundaquit Virtuosi under the batons of Olga Elloso and Jourdann Petalver featuring:

14 year old Miguel Estrada in Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E-minor;
10 year old Julian Duque in Sarasate's Gypsy Airs;
14 year old Yvonne Madarang in Mozart's Violin Concerto in D Major;
15 year old Joven Aquisap in Telleman's Viola Concerto;
19 year old cellist Nehemiah Lipana in Boccherini's Cello Concerto in G Major.

Concert tickets are priced at P1000 each, and includes entrance to the galleries, cocktails before the show and post concert dinner with featured artists and resident artists of Casa San Miguel. Activities for season seventeen are made possible primarily by Starbucks Coffee and D and L industries with partnerships with Sony, Lyric pianos, Star Philippines, and DZFE-FM. For more information, please call the secretariat at 6818304.

Casa San Miguel Facebook

Zambales mentioned in Lonely Planet's Top Ten Value Destinations for 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Kat) — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 04:46:00 +0000

Lonely Planet lists the Philippines as one of the "Top Ten Value Destinations for 2011". Our lovely province Zambales gets a special mention as well!

The Philippines may be just about to rudely shove Thailand off the ‘best cheap beaches’ perch it’s occupied for the best part of two decades. While travellers argue long and hard about which is cheaper, there’s no denying Thailand is more popular. For those who desire nothing more than to find great, undiscovered beaches, surf the odd wave and eat unique, distinctive food for under US$20 a day, the Philippines has the edge. Add in the possibility of beach camping along the Zambales Coast or in the Bacuit Archipelago and you’ve got the recipe for timeless island hopping that suits any budget. Ferries link many idyllic destinations in the Philippines. Expect to pay around US$5 for each hour you’re on the water. (Source)

I heartily agree that Zambales has one of the best coastlines in the country and is easily accessible from Manila.

Manila Bulletin article on Casa San Miguel

noreply@blogger.com (Kat) — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 14:03:00 +0000

This is one my favorite places in Zambales. My sister and youngest brother used to study here.

An art center betwixt the mountains and the seas
By VINCE G. LOPEZ
June 27, 2010, 11:58am
Some tourists travel to the province of Zambales to experience a quick beach getaway, others to get a taste of its bountiful harvest that includes the world’s sweetest mangoes. But for the artistically inclined, they visit the province to indulge in Filipino artistry at its finest.

Casa San Miguel is nestled within the stretch of wonderful beaches and breathtaking mountains.

This oasis for fine arts was built in 1921 by the Corpuz family. The house initially served as the family’s own retreat house by the sea and a place for picnics and numerous musical gatherings.

In 1993, Coke Bolipata, grandson of the original owner Ramon L. Corpuz, designed an Art Center to replace the house that was damaged over time. Since then, Casa San Miguel became a center where Filipino talent is honed and developed.

From being a haven for leisurely picnics and family gatherings, the place became a home for budding artists who wish to develop their skills and learn more about their craft. This center for the arts was built on the belief that art can extend its boundaries to create more awareness for an enriched humanity.

The main house features a distinctively artistic appeal for artists and art lovers. The interiors and accents within the main house instill inspiration and fascination for the arts. Amidst mango trees and lush greeneries are scattered art works including sculptures from Leeroy New. A relaxing ambience fills the air as visitors realize the overflowing creativity that the house has produced over the years.

Casa San Miguel complements the scenery by housing indoor concerts for the public. The Ramon Corpuz Hall is designed for concerts that can accommodate a chamber orchestra, theater plays, operettas and even ballet productions. Outside the hall is an outdoor circular theater that serves as an alternative venue where guests can enjoy concerts and performances with nature as its backdrop.

A two-storey building outside the main house is called the Anita Gallery named after the modernist painter Anita Magsaysay-Ho, niece of the original owner. The gallery is ideal for visual arts exhibits such as paintings and sculptures with its glass panels and spacious area.

Keeping the ideals for the progress of local arts, Casa San Miguel offers short and long term residences to encourage artists who wish to make a significant impact on the local community. The artists are provided with board and lodging, but they are required to devote a portion of the residency for lectures and demonstrations to other artists.

Casa San Miguel has also developed several youth programs to encourage the younger generation to develop their artistic inclinations. The center’s Cuerdas at Cuadros program seeks to ignite the passion of local talents for arts and creativity through exposure and lectures. The program is open to students from ages 5-16 within the community.

Among the pride of Casa San Miguel is the Pundaquit Chamber Players, the center’s Resident Ensemble. The ensemble is composed of young ensemble players who have been learning and developing their talents at the center for years. The ensemble recently played at the crowning of this year’s Binibining Pilipinas at the Araneta Coliseum.

From being a quaint house for leisurely activities almost a decade ago, Casa San Miguel has evolved into a center where one can freely learn and appreciate Filipino artistry at its finest.

Source: Manila Bulletin

News article: Zambales after Pinatubo

noreply@blogger.com (Kat) — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:03:00 +0000

19 years after Pinatubo’s ‘big bang,’ a lot of changes for these folks
By: Tonette Orejas
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Norther Luzon Bureau

WITH SIX GOATS IN TOW, Miranda King stands on the edge of a cliff, surveying the grass and shrubs below before the sun sets over Inararo, the closest village to Mount Pinatubo on the side of Porac, Pampanga.

King, 80, makes a slow descent, wanting to feed his goats with plants wet by the morning dew. To his far right, layers of charcoal-colored rocks cover the slopes in this part of the volcano that erupted in June 1991 and changed Central Luzon’s landscape.

The sand, ash and pumice stones that the eruptions spewed out are gone, washed down by rains. No one in his Aeta tribe ventures here, though, because the rocks chip off from the weight of climbers.

Far down, to King’s left, the river in San Marcelino, Zambales, looks every bit like a winding highway leading straight to the South China Sea. Houses dot what is now a green sweep.

In Inararo, two waterfalls gurgle off water, feeding streams in the village. But irrigation is not enough because farms covered by volcanic debris need lots of water.

And so members of King’s clan planted banana one would think a plantation is out here. They were so desperate to earn that they cultivated the plant even on steep rises.

Villa Maria resettlement, a half-day walk from Inararo, offers a bird’s eye view of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway that cuts through the highlands of Hermosa and Dinalupihan towns in Bataan, and Floridablanca and Porac towns in Pampanga.

King’s grandson, Joseph, left for Saudi Arabia two years ago to work as a welder.

“Dakal na ing menibayu (A lot has changed),” King said of his clan’s life and their environs.

Read more: 19 years after Pinatubo’s ‘big bang,’ a lot of changes for these folks

News: Ebdane declared as Zambales governor

noreply@blogger.com (Kat) — Thu, 13 May 2010 10:25:00 +0000

Three days after the country's first automated elections, the winning candidates of the gubernatorial and congressional slots in Zambales were declared. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., former Public Works and Highways Secretary came victorious against Amor Deloso, who was seeking re-election as Zambales governor.

Mitos Magsaysay and Antonio Diaz, both re-elected representatives of the first and second districts of Zambales respectively, were also proclaimed.

The delay in the proclamation was attributed to transmission problems in several clustered precincts, as well as compact flash cards in four towns that were deemed defective.

Source: Inquirer.net

Pundaquit Festival Season 17 Calendar of Activities

noreply@blogger.com (Kat) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 05:33:00 +0000

For more details, visit the Pundaquit Festival blog.

The Seventeenth Season of the Pundaquit Festival is made possible by support from Starbucks Coffee, D&L Industries and Lyrics Pianos with additional contributions from generous individuals.

Interested sponsors can call 632-6818304 or e-mail pundaquitfestival@gmail.com for details regarding support.

Holy Week events at the Casa San Miguel

noreply@blogger.com (Kat) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 05:30:00 +0000

It's the 17th season of the Pundaquit Festival. On Friday, April 2, 2010, the Pundaquit Virtuosi will perform Haydn's "Seven Last Words." This performance is a yearly event conducted by the group as part of the Pundaquit Festival as well as the celebration of the Holy Week.

Haydn was commissioned by the Cathedral of Cádiz in 1785 to write seven orchestral interludes to be performed alongside the recitation of Jesus' seven last words, including an introduction and an epilogue.

On Sunday, April 4, 2010, the Pundaquit Virtuosi will perform Handel's "Messiah," an English oratorio composed by George Frideric Handel.

These events are open to everyone and admission is free.

For more details, visit the Pundaquit Festival blog.

I was able to see this about two years ago. You must give this a try at least once. The Pundaquit Virtuosi is a very talented group of kids and young adults, led by Coke Bolipata.

Know your candidates!

noreply@blogger.com (Kat) — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 02:57:00 +0000

Source: Know-your-candidates.com

Zambales Candidates

For Provincial Governor

Deloso, Amor Dominado ; (LP )
Ebdane, Hermogenes Jr. Edejer "Jun"; (LM )
Español, Myrna Flordelisa "Myrna"; (IND. )
Pangan, Hilary Dantes "Padz"; (AKP )

For Provincial Vice Governor

Ablola, Samuel Domil "Sam"; (IND. )
Bactad, Saturnino Viado "Satur"; (LP )
Collado, Renato Hebron "Atong"; (LKS-KAM )
Deloso, Jury Elamparo ; (LM )
Lacbain, Ramon II Groesbeck "Mon"; (IND. )
Viloria, Willie Bonilla "Boy Agimat"; (IND. )

For Member, House of Representatives (1st District)

Gordon, Anne Marie Cuñada "Anne"; (B.BAYAN )
Magsaysay, Maria Milagros E Habana "Mitos"; (LKS-KAM )

For Member, House of Representatives (2nd District)

Deloso-Montalla, Cheryl Poynter "Cheryl"; (LP )
Diaz, Antonio Magsaysay "Buenas Diaz"; (LM )
Mendoza, Alfred Sebarrotin "Al"; (LKS-KAM )

For Provincial Board Members (1st District)

Abata, Virgilio Esteves "Dong"; (LP )
Dela Llana, Loretta Panlilio "Baby"; (LP )
Felarca, Jose Benedicto Dela Cruz "Jb"; (LP )
Gutierrez, Jose De Jesus "Peping"; (IND. )
Khonghun, Jonathan John Ferrer "Jon"; (LP )
Pantaleon, Teofilo Jr. Gallardo "Boy"; (NP )

For Provincial Board Members (2nd District)

Abasta, Sancho Jr. Agostosa "Jun"; (LKS-KAM )
Bada, Lawag Fontelera "Ding"; (NP )
Blanco, Roberto Ronquillo "Boy"; (LP )
Dacquel, Leonardo Goce "Dong"; (IND. )
Ebarle, Eric Estella "Eric"; (IND. )
Edora, Quentin Estella "Kens"; (LKS-KAM )
Ejanda-juarez, Gigi Ejida "Gigi"; (LP )
Elamparo, Porfirio Felix "Toy"; (LP )
Fallorin, Conrado Caguineman ""k""; (IND. )
Fogata, Florante Viado "Dante"; (LP )
Guatlo, Milagros Araña "Rosie"; (LP )
Gutierrez, Gabriel De Castro "Bing"; (IND. )
Jugatan, Lito Tominis "Tubag"; (AKP )
Medina, Herminigildo Flores "Power Eagle"; (IND. )
Misa, Eddie Boy Edquid "Boy Misa"; (LKS-KAM )
Pacis, Jose Torres "Boy Pacis"; (LKS-KAM )
Pamoleras, Danilo Uy "Danny"; (IND. )
Pangan, Wilfredo Paul Dantes "Jun"; (LM )
Paradeza, Erodito Ancheta "Rody"; (LP )
Tarongoy, Reynaldo Cabana "Rey"; (LP )

Maligayang Pasko cu mo yo halban!

noreply@blogger.com (Kat) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 16:28:00 +0000

Hope I said that right. God bless!

Philippines: 25 Best New Trips of 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Kat) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:56:00 +0000

The Philippines is included in the 25 Best New Trips of 2010, published in the November 2009 issue of National Geographic's Adventure magazine.

Summit to Sea

The Philippines has a PR problem. While it harbors as many islands as the Caribbean and some of the most spectacular reefs on the planet, the nation sees only a fraction of the visitors of nearby Thailand. Even travel companies, it seems, have bought the bad rap: Other than the occasional sea kayaking trip, U.S. guides have largely avoided the archipelago.

But Wilderness Travel has finally gotten wise. This May the outfit will lead clients high into the 4,000-foot Cordillera Central, then deep into the world’s most biodiverse marine environment.

The trip begins in Banaue, where travelers spend days hiking into terraced mountains and nights back at the town’s namesake hotel (pine cabins, private balconies, killer views). Then it’s down to the island of Cabilao, trading butterflies for fish� species of them. For the next five days, you’ll bob around reefs, scanning the area’s 350 varieties of coral (including table coral that’s a whopping nine feet wide).

But don’t forget: The best snorkeling starts at dusk. “It’s like being in a train station during commuting hours,” says Barbara Banks, Wilderness Travel’s director of new trip development. “The day fish are moving out and the night creatures like octopuses and eels are moving in.”

Links:
25 Best New Trips in 2010
Philippines – RP in National Geographic’s 25 Best New Travel Destinations in the World for 2010; Ancient Cultures, Structures and Biodiversity Cited

Time to shine folks!

Cross-posted: Candelaria, Zambales

Where to send help

noreply@blogger.com (Kat) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 03:08:00 +0000

Hello everyone, sorry for the lack of updates. I hope you're all doing well. Northern Luzon is slowly recovering the Pepeng's wrath, thanks to the generosity and bayanihan of the people.

I wanted to gather a list of places you can go to help, or donate, but there's just too much information. Thankfully, friends from Sayote Republic have done just that, so I'm linking to it.

For help to Typhoon Pepeng victims in Northern and Central Luzon.

News: 5,800 Botolan folk told to permanently leave homes

noreply@blogger.com (Kat) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 09:37:00 +0000

5,800 Botolan folk told to permanently leave homes
By Ding Cervantes
The Philippine Star
Originally posted: October 10, 2009

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga , Philippines – Zambales Gov. Amor Deloso said residents of four barangays in Botolan town have to permanently abandon their homes as the Bucao River continues to flow through their villages toward the South China Sea.

Rampaging waters from the Bucao River, which first wreaked havoc in Botolan during storm “Kiko” last Aug. 6, have prevented some 5,800 evacuees from returning to their homes in Barangays Carael, Paudpod, Batonlapoc, and lower San Juan.

A dike breached during Kiko collapsed again during tropical storm “Ondoy.”

An official of the Provincial Disaster Coordina-ting Council earlier admitted that the natural channel of the Bucao River used to flow through the four affected barangays.

Earlier, Chief Superintendent Leon Nilo de la Cruz, Central Luzon police director, said the government would permanently relocate the displaced residents and allow the Bucao River to run its path now.

De la Cruz said Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane reached this decision in a recent meeting of the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council.

“The decision was to let the river seek its natural course,” he said, echoing statements that the Bucao River has merely reclaimed its original channel.

Flooding since Ondoy has affected 10 out of 31 barangays in Botolan, but the four barangays that Deloso named were the most severely affected.

The provincial government, Deloso said, is now drafting a master plan for a 4,000-unit socialized housing project that will be put up on a 52-hectare land he himself donated near the still-to-be-completed Iba-Tarlac Road in upper San Juan.

Deloso could not readily give an estimate of the cost of each housing unit but said the road construction alone would amount to some P61 million.

“We are trying to lessen the cost of the project so that the beneficiaries will not have a hard time paying for their units,” he said.

News: Flooded cemetery disgorges tombs, bones

noreply@blogger.com (Kat) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 04:54:00 +0000

Flooded cemetery disgorges tombs, bones
By Robert Gonzaga
Inquirer.net (source)

BOTOLAN, Zambales – It was surreal and frightening sight that greeted residents here this week: Floating coffins and corpses, body parts and human bones washed ashore.

In the village cemetery of Paco, which is now littered with the ripped clothing of corpses and where the odor of rotting flesh lingers in the air, several rows of tombs lay open or submerged in floodwater.

All around the area, villagers rushed to save whatever was left of their departed relatives: clothes worn by the dead, their caskets and their bones.

Sunken tombs had gaping holes where villagers pulled the remains to save them from being swept away by rampaging floodwaters.

Since Typhoon “Kiko” dumped heavy rains and breached a major dike that flooded the town in August, residents had started worrying about the flooded cemetery.

“I went to look for my father who was buried there and did not find him. His body was one of those that got swept by the water along with many other corpses,” said Feliciano Pagar, 52.

He said he had to destroy the tombs of his brother and his child who were buried there “so I won’t lose them.”

“I opened their tombs and took their bones out of there. I had to do it, most residents were doing it, too,” he said.

Pagar said he asked local officials if the town government could pay for the transfer and burial of the remains of his relatives to another area in the cemetery.

“I don’t have the money to pay for another burial. Their remains are now in small tombs provided for those who asked for them,” he said.

Flooding in Botolan was aggravated by heavy rains spawned by tropical storm “Ondoy” and typhoon “Pepeng.”

Some of the floods were also believed brought by excess water released from dams that were connected to river systems leading to Zambales and other provinces in Central Luzon.

Essential links for help to Northern Luzon

noreply@blogger.com (Kat) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 03:43:00 +0000

Friends, I'm happy to report that the Filipino online community is getting up and making things happen to help our kababayans in Northern Luzon. Here are some links that will help, courtesy of MLQ3:

Essential link No. 1: Pls. make sure to report No. Luzon rescue calls here

Essential link No. 2: GMA7 also has an emergency/rescue report form for No. Luzon here

Essential link No. 3: Database of real-time emergencies No. Luzon

Essential link No. 4: GMA7's map of Northern Luzon devastation/emergencies

Essential link No. 5: ABS-CBN flood map.

Essential Links No. 6: Bayanihan Online consolidating Tweets/FB re: No. Luzon.

Hotline numbers for Northern Luzon Typhoon Victims via Ralph Guzman

Northern Luzon needs your help! From The Marocharim Experiment

Thanks.

Note: Will try to constantly update this list. Thanks!

News: Destruction everywhere in Botolan

noreply@blogger.com (Kat) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:10:00 +0000

Destruction everywhere in Botolan
By Robert Gonzaga
Inquirer.net (source)

BOTOLAN, Zambales – After the howling of winds stopped and heavy rains that triggered massive floods here became a drizzle, residents are struggling to regain a sense of normalcy amid the devastation that has swept the town.

In the coastal village of Bangan, a community facing the South China Sea, Conrado Durong, 64, said Typhoon “Pepeng” left an unexpected and unwelcome trace of its passing before it raced toward extreme Northern Luzon.

“Our problem here is not just the flooding, but also the waves coming from the sea. We have to watch out for them every time there is a storm, like this last one,” he said.

Durong said the waves rose to almost as high as some of the coconut trees and crashed into houses along the coast, decimating a section of the village populated by fishermen and their families.

Bigger waves
No one, however, was hurt. Residents did not consider it out of the ordinary because most of them had gone through similar experiences, although Durong said his fellow villagers ran to the town plaza in panic as the waves grew bigger and bigger this time.

“Where the water is now, there were houses before. Each storm that comes here takes away a little of our village. This time, the sea took a lot. My house did not get hit because it was farther away from the shore. But they should build a seawall here just to be safe,” he said.

Mayor Rogelio Yap said the waves might have risen due to high tide and this is the typhoon’s exit path.

“Also, since the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo [in 1991], the shoreline in that area has come closer to the houses there,” he said.

Of eight coastal villages in Botolan, only Bangan was hit hard by crashing waves.

Rice farms gone
A cluster of rice fields which leads to Capayawan, another village of Botolan hit hard by the flooding, is now gone. A wide expanse of agricultural land in Capayawan is now navigable only by boat.

“There used to be farms here. Now there is a new river that leads to the South China Sea. We lost our livelihood. A relative living nearby lost her house. We have to place sandbags in front of our houses to prevent the floodwater from reaching us,” said farmer Manolo Dagsaan, 47, a resident of Capayawan.

He said those who owned boats have been offering rides.

Many residents now fear that a significant area of Botolan would be wiped out by the widespread flooding.

Julius Dimayuga, 37, whose family has lived for a long time in Barangay San Juan near the Bucao Dike, said the dike breached because “it was made of cheap materials.”

Under water
“Now, almost a third of San Juan is under water. A lot of houses there are abandoned. I have taken my family to an evacuation center. It seems like all their focus is on that bridge in Carael but not yet on other parts of Botolan,” he said.

Let's pray for our kababayans in Botolan and other affected areas in Zambales and other provinces.

News: Thousands still displaced by floods in Zambales

noreply@blogger.com (Kat) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:59:00 +0000

Thousands still displaced by floods in Zambales
By Robert Gonzaga
Inquirer.net

OLONGAPO CITY, Philippines — As more than 3,000 evacuees in Zambales started returning home on Monday after typhoon “Pepeng” crossed northern Luzon, thousands more in Botolan town remained in evacuation centers due to severe flooding there since August, local officials said.

Graciela Macabare, provincial disaster coordinating council chief in Zambales, said the 3,403 residents of Sta. Cruz town, who were asked to leave their houses on Friday to avoid the floods that would be generated by Pepeng, had gone back home.

She said the preemptive evacuation was ordered by Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. before Pepeng reached Sta. Cruz, the northernmost town of Zambales, because most residents there were living near the coastline.

“They are the ones usually hit when typhoons hit Northern Luzon,” Macabare said.

But in Botolan, which has been experiencing floods since a major dike was damaged by typhoon “Kiko” in August, floodwaters reached up to five feet on Saturday night when Pepeng dumped heavy rains in the area.

At least 2,120 families or 7,393 people have been staying in evacuation centers in the town since August.

Macabare said knee-deep water swamped the villages of Tampo, San Miguel, Batonlapoc and Paudpod on Saturday. In the villages of Paco and Carael, floodwater was neck-deep.

“We’re not sure when the supply for the [Botolan] evacuees will last. We still have some stocks. They will last for awhile, but if the rains continue and the number of evacuees rises, then we won’t have enough,” said Mayor Rogelio Yap.

Lorenzo Cailing Jr., 43, president of an organization of evacuees in one of the largest evacuation centers in Botolan, said they had started receiving a regular supply of relief goods from the town’s social welfare office.

Earlier, a group of evacuees complained that they had not been getting food and supplies for several days.

Yap said shortages would be inevitable.

“Our resources in terms of staffing and supplies are sometimes not enough to service all of them at once. But we are working hard to provide for all of their needs,” he said.

To ensure order in providing assistance and relief to evacuees, Yap asked donors to coordinate with the town’s social welfare office.

“What happens sometimes is that some evacuation centers are visited more than others by donors. Without coordination with us, then we cannot be sure that relief goods are going to those most in need of them. We ask the private sector to please help us and coordinate their relief missions with us,” he said.

Gov. Amor Deloso said the Olongapo-Bugallon Road remained impassable to all types of vehicles, cutting off access to northern Zambales.

He said the national road passing through Botolan was muddy and some sections were flooded.

“It’s hard right now to get around there. It is impossible to get from both ends of the province … You’d have to wait a few days at least before you can do that again,” he said.

He said no typhoon-related casualty was reported in the province but many houses and roads were damaged by floodwater and strong current.

Senior Supt. Rolando Felix, Zambales police director, said the five fishermen from Sta. Cruz, who were reported missing on Sept. 23, had been found.

News: Botolan flood misery refuses to end

noreply@blogger.com (Kat) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:22:00 +0000

Please don't forget the provinces. They still haven't recovered from the previous storms.

Botolan flood misery refuses to end

BOTOLAN, Zambales -- It is a test of resilience that residents of this town may not be able to bear any longer, forcing them to cry out loud for help.

In August, Typhoon “Labuyo” struck the town of more than 58,000 people, soaking clothes, appliances, mementos, food and lives in muddy, murky flood waters.

Labuyo struck just as the town thought it was on its way to recovery from previous flooding. Barely a month after, the rains poured again followed shortly by floods.

The disaster bore a different name, “Ondoy,” but it brought the same, if not higher, levels of destruction and suffering to the town.

Since August 6, thousands of evacuees in 16 evacuation centers here have become dependent on other people’s help since their houses were destroyed by floodwaters.

Forgotten

Now food is running out and most of the people are getting sick, according to Lorenzo Cailing Jr., spokesperson and president of a group of evacuees in Botolan.

He said in the last five days over 500 families in two evacuation centers have not received relief goods.

“Many people here think that we have been forgotten. We have not received anything ... We have been here for almost two months already,” he said.

He said the last batch of relief goods that came was from the social welfare department office of Botolan.

Each family got half a kilogram of rice, two sardine cans and two packs of noodles.

“We don’t know when the next relief goods would come. We’re sure that what they gave us won’t last long,” said Cailing.

The children are vulnerable to disease, although the elderly, too, suffer from coughs, fever, diarrhea and skin diseases.

“Our water source is also a problem,” he said.

A deep well that supplies water is 5 feet from a septic tank. Toilets don’t have doors “so we just cover them with umbrellas,” he said.

Nosebleed

The evacuees live in tents or shelter boxes donated by the Rotary Club International.

Rogelio Lima, 47, an evacuee from Barangay Carael, expressed gratitude for the shelter boxes but said the people could only stay there until 9 a.m.

“After that, it gets so hot your nose could bleed. We have to stay outside,” he said.

In Pampanga, the provincial government and private groups pooled funds and distributed relief goods to Ondoy victims in the province.

Governor Eddie Panlilio visited victims in Arayat town where 12 persons died in a landslide.

The provincial social welfare development office distributed more than P1 million worth of relief goods, including 60 cavans of rice, 140 boxes of canned goods, blankets, mosquito nets and kitchen ware, to flood victims in Masantol, Sta. Ana, Sta. Rita and Candaba towns and City of San Fernando.

Seeds, fingerlings and piglets will also be distributed to flooded villages while P12 million was allotted for the repair of dikes, roads and bridges and other government facilities.

Help coming

In Clark Freeport, the Clark Development Corp. (CDC), Clark locators, and the Philippine Air Force 600th Air Base Wing have raised more than P1 million to help typhoon victims.

Benigno Ricafort, CDC president, said the CDC and the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) each donated P250,000 while Cyber City Teleservices gave P100,000. Smart Shirts Phils. pledged P100,000 worth of clothes.

The National Information and Communications Technology Confederation appealed to all its member councils and partners to likewise help.

SM City Clark and SM City Pampanga have put up donation boxes inside their malls.

News: Flood after flood, Botolan victims kept from returning home, are now restless

noreply@blogger.com (Kat) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:25:00 +0000

Flood after flood, Botolan victims kept from returning home, are now restless

Written by Henry Empeño / Correspondent
Monday, 28 September 2009 18:20

BOTOLAN, Zambales—After losing their homes and most of their belongings to a series of floods that inundated 10 villages in this town since early August, residents who fled to the safety of higher grounds face new problems, mainly lack of food and medicine, as well as a stressful life in overcrowded evacuation centers that have served as their temporary homes.

“They badly need basic items like food, potable water, medicine, clothing, and most of all, housing,” said Vibelen Dimalupig, a social-welfare officer in Zambales, during a briefing at the capitol building in Iba on Thursday.

The relief goods issued by the government and those that come from donors “simply cannot cope” with the needs of the displaced families, she added.

The massive displacement of residents here began last month after heavy rains spawned by Typhoon Kiko combined with excess runoff from the mountains and packed a deadly headwater of debris-filled watery lahar.

The rampaging waters then breached a portion of the San Juan dike along the Bucao River, one of the major catch basins of lahar from Mount Pinatubo, and shifted the river course to nearby villages, sending residents scampering to safety.

In the aftermath of the typhoon, 4,783 families comprising 20,581 persons were displaced, a summary report prepared by the Zambales Provincial Disaster Operation Center showed. These included 4,913 persons from the riverside barangay of San Juan; 3,655 from the village of Carael, where the river passes through; 2,292 from Paco; 2,064 from Bangan; and about 1,500 each from the villages of Tampo, Batonlapoc, Paudpod, Capayawan, Beneg and San Miguel.

In the succeeding weeks when more typhoons brought torrential rains to Zambales, the number of evacuees in Botolan rose and fell along with the dreaded floodwaters, social workers noted.

When Typhoon Maring lashed the province on September 7, for example, 4,673 families were again affected by flash floods.

Of these, 718 families said their houses were totally damaged, while 333 reported that theirs were partially destroyed, a report by Botolan social-welfare officer Isagani Ecle said.

The new floods again led 1,931 families to seek refuge at evacuation centers, and 1,277 others to stay with relatives elsewhere.

Because of the recurring floods, 2,141 families composed of 7,942 men, women and children are still housed in 12 evacuation centers scattered in this municipality as of September 24.

But the relative safety of evacuation centers has apparently started to wear thin and exact some toll on the evacuees over time.

The emerging culprit, evacuees complained, is overcrowding that has inevitably strained the facilities and resources in the evacuation centers.

At the New Taugtog resettlement area, for example, a total of 901 evacuees from 235 families share a warehouse-like structure previously occupied by the Technology Learning and Resources Center.

Camping inside the building, the evacuees erected makeshift rooms that they share with family members and occasionally, household pets like dogs.

Over time, however, the noise and smell became hardly bearable that it was hard to sleep, said 74-year-old Gloria Dimacusa, who evacuated with her six grandchildren.

To make matters worse, the building has only three toilets to serve the whole evacuee population.

Social workers in this town admitted that the situation could be worse in other evacuation centers like the Babon San Juan, which has 1,771 evacuees, or the so-called Tent City, which has a total of 1,288 evacuees.

Gina Acuña, a rural health officer in this town, said the unsanitary condition in the evacuation centers, coupled by lack of adequate food and medicine, has made some residents sick.

Most of those afflicted have acute respiratory tract infection, fever, colds and cough, headache, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Acuña added.

Severino Magsanop, a 93-year-old retired soldier, has been living with his wife Felisa, 80, at the Taugtog resettlement site ever since their house in barangay San Juan became flooded last month.

Magsanop said the government should do what it can to help evacuees rebuild their houses and their lives.

“It’s very difficult to live in this kind of place,” Magsanop told the media in Pilipino during a visit last week. “We’re overcrowded in here. The place is dirty and it smells bad.”

The same plea came from Ester Josafat, 69, and Andres Bulanhigan, 65, who also left their family homes in San Juan when the floods ran roughshod over the village.

Bulanhigan, a vegetable farmer who has three children ages 5 to 16, said it is important for them to have a new home.

“We can make do with not much food, even with a few belongings, but we need to have our own house,” he said.

Typhoon Ondoy

noreply@blogger.com (Kat) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:23:00 +0000

Hello everyone. I hope you're all doing well after all that's being on with Typhoon Ondoy. I haven't had a chance to update, as I lost my Internet service last Saturday and could only use the Internet at work.

Anyway, I'm sure you've read and head a lot about what has happened over the weekend. The greater Manila area, and nearby provinces, experienced the worst rainfall ever last Saturday, about six months worth of water in about six to twelve hours. Many families lost their homes and belongings, some were unfortunate to lose their lives. Those who made it safely to the evacuation centers were all just thankful that they still have their families together.

For those who wish to help, here's three sites that might prove helpful (via MLQ3's Twitter).

List of Places to Donate
Map Update Form (places that still need rescuing, etc)
Ondoy Victim Directory

Also,let's not forget the people in the provinces who were affected by previous storms and were still having trouble recovering. They could also greatly use your help.

Stay safe everyone.

Online forum

noreply@blogger.com (Kat) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 01:29:00 +0000

I created an online forum/message board for this blog. If you'd like to further interact with other Zambaleños, feel free to sign up. It's basically empty, but I'm hoping it'll soon be a bustling community.

Invite your friends too! Spread the word! Thanks!

Online forum for Zambaleños

Note: Some of the threads require membership to view.

PCIJ articles on Zambales mining

noreply@blogger.com (Kat) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 03:30:00 +0000

Something that I stumbled upon just today. You may find it interesting.

Mining Mayhem Triggers Eco-Disaster in Zambales
PCIJ report
by: Jaileen F. Jimeneo

Firms mining watershed, forest areas of Zambales
PCIJ report
by: Jaileen F. Jimeneo

Zambales affected by Typhoon Labuyo

noreply@blogger.com (Kat) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:20:00 +0000

After the typhoon Kiko, we now have typhoon Labuyo affecting the residents of Zambales.

Severe floods hit Zambales areas
By Robert Gonzaga, Anselmo Roque

OLONGAPO CITY, Philippines - Heavy rains caused by Typhoon “Labuyo” flooded sections of this city and other parts of Zambales on Tuesday.

The floods that hit at least nine Olongapo villages were the most severe since 1997, said Angelito Layug, city disaster management chief.

“We have not seen something like this since 1997. The river in Sta. Rita overflowed fast, and there is a lot of flooding in the city,” he said.

Layug said the floods swamped the villages of East and West Bajac Bajac, Gordon Heights, Sta. Rita, Old Cabalan, Mabayuan, Ilalim, Kababae and Barrio Barreto

More than 70 people, mostly from Sta. Rita and Old Cabalan, were taken to the Olongapo City National High School while other flood victims chose to seek shelter with their relatives in other parts of the city.

Rains also triggered minor landslides that blocked a road and damaged at least two houses.

Employees of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority at the Subic Bay Freeport were allowed to go on leave Tuesday due to the flooding in Olongapo, where most SBMA workers live.

“Almost 80 percent of our employees are affected by the floods. That’s the SBMA’s workers alone [excluding those who work in companies inside the freeport],” said SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza.

Continue reading

Just two weeks ago, I was able to go to Candelaria. The roads in Botolan were passable, but you could clearly see the devastation Kiko wrought. Now there's news (still looking for it though), that the town's flooded again. :(

I was able to take some photos from the bus. I can only imagine how it might be now that it's raining again.

Botolan, Zambales: Aftermath of Typhoon Kiko.

Zambales signs deal for $50-billion investment

noreply@blogger.com (Kat) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 00:29:00 +0000

Governer Amor D. Deloso, on September 3, 2009, signed a US $50-billion investment for priority projects in Zambales, focusing on tourism, real estate development, infrastructure, agricultureal research, indigenous power supply and mineral enchancements.

The Memorandum Agreement was inked between the Zambales Provincial Government and the Swiss Global Connect USA, in partnership with the AIPAC Philippine Management Corporation. This was in accordance with the build, operate and transfer (BOT), or the build, operate and own (BOO) programs of the national and provincial government, witnessed by various political leaders, heads of agencies and guests.

Read the full article: Zambales inks $ 50-B investments with Swiss Global Connect USA