Outreach Just Within Cugman

I was totally clueless that there were hundreds of washed out houses within my Barangay. Although I knew that there were houses in the area that were flooded, but I was not aware that some were totally damaged. With that newfound information, I quickly ask for financial pledges through FB. And with God's graces, two persons heeded my call: Rhiza (cousin), Wendy (FEU classmate) and Grace (HS classmate) along with her friend Emilou.


January 24, 2012
With their money, we were able to provide kitchen utensils to 10 students in Cugman National High School and then 70 school supply kits to preschoolers in Cugman Elementary School.

The Giving Continues...

January 7, 2012...well past the New Year, the passion to alleviate the pains and sufferings of those who where devastated by Sendong still lingers. And so, with a few pesos left from all the pledges, I bought mosquito nets for the evacuees in Agusan Elementary School.

I became active in a Facebook page that unites all volunteers of the tragedy, and  in that page I came across a post asking for donations specifically mosquito nets for 40 families living in the said school. Right there and then, I confirmed the donation and bought the items they need.

URLE'S AFFAIR with the KIDS

2 days after the tragedy and havoc caused by Sendong, I diverted the funds I have raised to giving food, toys and relief goods to the victims. But for Urle, she had to continue with her pledge in Zone 9 Cugman, because as early as the first week of December the kids were already informed of the "party" and were all looking forward to the activity. 

I could not say no to this project, because after all, giving a Christmas party to the kids in our neighborhood is actually the very purpose of our Christmas Family Affair. And so, on December 18, me and the family, along with Urle's employees gave toys and laughter to the kids.

Urle and her most favorite part, gift wrapping

Vincent (my 5 year old son) did his part, by performing his magic tricks during the program

one of my wacky moments while hosting the show

kuya DJ :)

Christmas is all about toys for the children

just enjoying the food :)

Typhoon Sendong

The family was getting ready for the affair, then tragedy struck. Typhoon Sendong hit Cagayan de Oro on December 16 and claimed thousands of lives and millions worth of properties. Excessive rain caused severe flooding all over the city, that left thousands homeless and scores dead. The tragedy really hit us so bad, we could not really celebrate Christmas as it is.

just a few of the many heart-wrenching photos that captured the tragedy

With this incident, I have to divert the funds intended for the Christmas Family Affair to giving relief goods to the victims of the flood. The toys were already prepared for our recipients for the year, but with the catastrophe, I just had to give these toys to kids who were living in evacuation centers. The first area/recipient are families living in Xavier Heights evac center which we visited with staff of Home Radio on December 20, 2011. Donations from friends, Shelley (classmate in high school) and Urle were such a big help.

a naked boy, happy to receive the small token we gave

Next day and stop, giving away water in Pagatpat, December 21, 2011. The money we have saved up intended for our Christmas Family Affair is used to buy bottled water for victims in two areas in Barangay Pagatpat.

Kuya DJ helped in distributing the water.

 

Families whose houses were flooded had to stay in line to wait for the water we gave away

After these two sets of outreach activities, I could not help but still feel the need to help out. And so, on the very day of Christmas ( December 25)with a few resources left and with donation from Steve Graeve and urle, Alma (classmate in high school), the Chinese Community, Ritegen Pharma and some volunteers, we head out again to Sili-Sili, Pagatpat and Baikingon this time bringing with us foods, grocery items,sleeping mats and of course, toys for the kids.

Residents in Pagatpat were so thankful for all the gifts we gave to them

Smiles from children made it all worthwhile

volunteers with their sincere smiles

all the way to Baikingon, relief goods were also distributed

 

It's November yet again

It is exactly 38 days before Christmas, and the family is getting excited yet again for another round of our annual FAMILY AFFAIR. This time, Urle will be in Belgium by the time we hit the street and start giving gifts, but she pledged to have her own "party" with the kids. It will not be the same without her, but we are going to make it fun and enlightening as always.

As early as now, we are buying toys and gifts since we are planning to hold 2 affairs intended for the kids of Kibaniog Creek and Zone 5, still in Cugman. I will be needing all the physical support in these two events, but I know my family is with me as well as some eager friends - sans Urle of course :(

Well, for those who want to take part in this endeavor, feel free to comment or to send me a message at my FB account. We really need all the support we could get. So if you want your Christmas to be truly memorable, join us in this year's CHRISTMAS FAMILY AFFAIR.

The Christmas Family Affair Event

Indeed, the Lord works in mysterious ways. When we arrived at the venue in Malasag on 1-1-11, the attendance of both kids and senior citizens ovewhelm us with fear that the food and gifts we brought with us may not be enough for all of them. But alas, the food was more than enough to even feed even those who were just there to watch the event. The gifts? It is as if the gifts were limitless, as we were really surprised that we had so many leftovers. We decided to go to another place in Cugman to spread the remaining toys, and on the way there, we saw kids along Tabacoan Road and decided there and then to just give the toys to them. But still, after 50 or so kids were given with toys randomly, there were so many still in the box waiting to be given away. I just remembered a story in the Bible, the miracle of the five loaves and two fish, with just this meager food, Jesus was able to feed 5,000 people that day. On that day in Malasag, it seems that the miracle of Jesus was upon us. God worked his wonders on us that day with which we are will always be grateful. 

Enjoy this video as much as we enjoyed making this event. Til' next year . . . Thank you to all our donors and may the blessing of the Lord shower upon us for the whole year of 2011.

Christimas is Synonymous with Generosity

Christmas is not just THE season for family to get together and share good food on the table. It is not just about enjoyment til the wee hours in the morning. And Christmas is not just about gifts at all, for more than the gifts we receive on Christmas Day is the gifts we give to people we barely know. Christmas is synonymous with generosity. Give beyond what you normally do. And it is in giving where you truly can experience the real meaning of Christmas.

This video touched my heart, not so much of the shoes that the boy gave his mom, but more so on the stranger that helped the boy give the gift of smile to an ailing mom. How often do we help people we do not know?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpkI7GW2V34