Child of God
a fun-loving cheerful group of L9s
from the Church of Holy Spirit
a Catholic parish in Singapore
This blog journals our mission trip
to Bicol in the Philippines
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Bicol's Turn To Help
BICOL READY FOR H1N1
HOLY SPIRIT L9-09 CANCELLED
hahaha. i'm a L10-er
Chicken A La Carte
L908 Mission Trip Videos
PHOTOS!
The Wrap Up
Last Blog From Bicol
Thanks Be To God
November 2008
December 2008
May 2009
June 2009
July 2009
October 2009
Mission Formation
Mission from Glen Koh's Blog
Mission from Kelly Tseng's Blog
Catholic Church in Singapore
Mission from Mark Lee's Blog
BICOL READY FOR H1N1
HOLY SPIRIT L9-09 CANCELLED
hahaha. i'm a L10-er
Chicken A La Carte
L908 Mission Trip Videos
PHOTOS!
The Wrap Up
Last Blog From Bicol
Thanks Be To God
in his time
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May 2009
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July 2009
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By EliesBase Code & Inspiration nostalgia.
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celestial-star
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
4:10 AM
MANILA, Philippines -- Years ago, they were at the mercy of two killer typhoons and the relief efforts by Metro Manila. This time, it’s Bicol's turn to repay kindness with kindness.
Inhabitants of Bicol towns ravaged three years ago by typhoons “Milenyo” and “Reming” found themselves in an unfamiliar position after their storm-prone region was spared the wrath of storm “Ondoy” (Ketsana) and typhoon “Pepeng” (Parma).
Now, Bicol people are offering a helping hand to residents of Metro Manila badly hit by Ondoy.
“It’s our turn to return the generosity of those who helped us before,” said Rodel Batocabe, a lawyer and president of Ako Bicol Foundation, citing the “overwhelming response” of Bicol to Metro Manila’s call for assistance.
The Ako Bicol Caravan, composed of more than 30 cars, three trucks filled with donations, 10 dump trucks, and two dredgers, rolled into evacuation centers in Metro Manila and Rizal on Monday morning, bringing with them an assortment of food and supplies for typhoon victims.
A 50-member team of volunteers came along to help dredge canals and waterways and to clean up the muddy streets in two cities and two towns for the next two days.
A small group of Bicolano doctors also volunteered their services to aid the wounded.
“This has really brought out the best in the Bicolano,” Batocabe said, noting that even though the Bicol region had not completely recovered from the damage wrought by past typhoons, residents still spared their precious pesos to help out.
“Along the way, ordinary people in slippers would throw plastic bags with sardines or instant noodles or used clothes into our trucks,” he said.
“It was touching because these are things they still need for themselves but they are giving them away,” Batocabe said.
He said many Bicolanos felt fortunate that their towns were spared the impact of Ondoy and Pepeng, which wreaked havoc elsewhere in neighboring regions.
“It’s better to be in a position to give than to receive,” he said. “From our experience with typhoons, we were always the ones receiving help instead of giving it. But this time, we can help.”
On Monday, the Bicol caravan visited evacuation centers in Taytay town in Rizal province, Novaliches in Quezon City and Marikina City, three of many stops in their two-day itinerary around the metropolis, said Annie Sumanga, spokesperson of the group.
The group gave away more than P1 million worth of relief goods, including banig (mats), blankets, brooms, bottled water, canned food, instant noodles and coco lumber, Sumanga said.
Most of these relief items were collected from radio stations and other drop-off points, including Ako Bicol’s headquarters in Barangay (Village) Bónot, near the Port of Legazpi City.
The rest was collected along the way, as the motorcade made its way around Bicol toward Metro Manila.
“The people were running along the trucks. Some would throw noodles; others would throw used clothes that are still wearable,” Sumanga said.
In Albay alone, donations from people in the streets filled two-and-a-half trucks, Batocabe said. “The response was overwhelming,” he said.
As a result, the original target of 2,000 family-beneficiaries was raised to 5,000, he said.
Jocey Valdenor, another Ako Bicol leader, said the target areas were the villages of Tumana and Tangka in Marikina; Bicol Compound in Bagbag village, Novaliches; San Juan village in Taytay, Rizal, and an unspecified location in Los Baños, Laguna.
Valdenor said the relief effort was organized by Ako Bicol, Sunwest Care Foundation, Rotary Club of Central Legazpi, Legazpi Jaycees, Tektone Foundation, the local government of Legazpi, dzGB, Bombo Radio Legazpi, among other government and nongovernment organizations.
Batocabe said the group would lend their trucks and heavy equipment along with 50 volunteers who would be staying to help dredging waterways and cleaning up the streets in the next few days.
In September 2006, Bicol, particularly Sorsogon province, was among several areas hit the hardest by Milenyo that killed almost 200 people and destroyed billions of pesos worth of agricultural crops and infrastructure.
In November of the same year, the region bore the brunt of Reming, which killed up to 1,000 people, mostly in Albay villages crushed by mudslides and boulders from the slopes of Mayon Volcano.
“More or less we’re already experienced in disasters,” Batocabe said.
“We know what is needed after a typhoon. We know what to bring and how we can help out from relief to rehabilitation,” he said.
0 comments
MANILA, Philippines -- Years ago, they were at the mercy of two killer typhoons and the relief efforts by Metro Manila. This time, it’s Bicol's turn to repay kindness with kindness.
Inhabitants of Bicol towns ravaged three years ago by typhoons “Milenyo” and “Reming” found themselves in an unfamiliar position after their storm-prone region was spared the wrath of storm “Ondoy” (Ketsana) and typhoon “Pepeng” (Parma).
Now, Bicol people are offering a helping hand to residents of Metro Manila badly hit by Ondoy.
“It’s our turn to return the generosity of those who helped us before,” said Rodel Batocabe, a lawyer and president of Ako Bicol Foundation, citing the “overwhelming response” of Bicol to Metro Manila’s call for assistance.
The Ako Bicol Caravan, composed of more than 30 cars, three trucks filled with donations, 10 dump trucks, and two dredgers, rolled into evacuation centers in Metro Manila and Rizal on Monday morning, bringing with them an assortment of food and supplies for typhoon victims.
A 50-member team of volunteers came along to help dredge canals and waterways and to clean up the muddy streets in two cities and two towns for the next two days.
A small group of Bicolano doctors also volunteered their services to aid the wounded.
“This has really brought out the best in the Bicolano,” Batocabe said, noting that even though the Bicol region had not completely recovered from the damage wrought by past typhoons, residents still spared their precious pesos to help out.
“Along the way, ordinary people in slippers would throw plastic bags with sardines or instant noodles or used clothes into our trucks,” he said.
“It was touching because these are things they still need for themselves but they are giving them away,” Batocabe said.
He said many Bicolanos felt fortunate that their towns were spared the impact of Ondoy and Pepeng, which wreaked havoc elsewhere in neighboring regions.
“It’s better to be in a position to give than to receive,” he said. “From our experience with typhoons, we were always the ones receiving help instead of giving it. But this time, we can help.”
On Monday, the Bicol caravan visited evacuation centers in Taytay town in Rizal province, Novaliches in Quezon City and Marikina City, three of many stops in their two-day itinerary around the metropolis, said Annie Sumanga, spokesperson of the group.
The group gave away more than P1 million worth of relief goods, including banig (mats), blankets, brooms, bottled water, canned food, instant noodles and coco lumber, Sumanga said.
Most of these relief items were collected from radio stations and other drop-off points, including Ako Bicol’s headquarters in Barangay (Village) Bónot, near the Port of Legazpi City.
The rest was collected along the way, as the motorcade made its way around Bicol toward Metro Manila.
“The people were running along the trucks. Some would throw noodles; others would throw used clothes that are still wearable,” Sumanga said.
In Albay alone, donations from people in the streets filled two-and-a-half trucks, Batocabe said. “The response was overwhelming,” he said.
As a result, the original target of 2,000 family-beneficiaries was raised to 5,000, he said.
Jocey Valdenor, another Ako Bicol leader, said the target areas were the villages of Tumana and Tangka in Marikina; Bicol Compound in Bagbag village, Novaliches; San Juan village in Taytay, Rizal, and an unspecified location in Los Baños, Laguna.
Valdenor said the relief effort was organized by Ako Bicol, Sunwest Care Foundation, Rotary Club of Central Legazpi, Legazpi Jaycees, Tektone Foundation, the local government of Legazpi, dzGB, Bombo Radio Legazpi, among other government and nongovernment organizations.
Batocabe said the group would lend their trucks and heavy equipment along with 50 volunteers who would be staying to help dredging waterways and cleaning up the streets in the next few days.
In September 2006, Bicol, particularly Sorsogon province, was among several areas hit the hardest by Milenyo that killed almost 200 people and destroyed billions of pesos worth of agricultural crops and infrastructure.
In November of the same year, the region bore the brunt of Reming, which killed up to 1,000 people, mostly in Albay villages crushed by mudslides and boulders from the slopes of Mayon Volcano.
“More or less we’re already experienced in disasters,” Batocabe said.
“We know what is needed after a typhoon. We know what to bring and how we can help out from relief to rehabilitation,” he said.
0 comments
Sunday, July 12, 2009
12:48 AM
BICOL READY for H1N1
Inquirer Southern Luzon
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines—The Regional Disaster Coordinating Council in Bicol came up with an information campaign on Influenza A (H1N1) flu to prevent the entry of the virus. The Department of Health-Bicol reported to an emergency meeting Friday at the Office of Civil Defense here that Bicol is still free from the virus.
Although two previous cases were reported in Albay and Camarines Sur these tested negative for the virus, said DOH-Bicol. “Those tested negative in Bicol were good news for the region but the one positive case from Canada is not good for the country,” said Raffy Alejandro, head of OCD-Bicol.
The meeting was called to make proactive plans and emergency response measures in case Bicol reports its first case. The DOH-Bicol was designated as regional crisis manager while the National Disaster Coordinating Council has similarly appointed the DOH central office as the national crisis manager.
Albay
Albay health authorities are on guard against the swine flu virus as tourists continue to pour in the province because of summer festivities and the whale shark watch in Donsol, Sorsogon. Albay Governor Joey Salceda activated the Provincial Epidemiology Surveillance Units (Pesu) end of March and identified three hospitals in the province where patients who would be affected by the virus could be brought.
The Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH) based in Daraga, Albay, the Ziga Memorial District Hospital in Tabaco City and the Josefina Duran Memorial District Hospital in Ligao City were all on alert. They designated isolation rooms for those who would show symptoms of the swine flu that has now affected some 25 countries worldwide.
Salceda also convened the Provincial Health Office (PHO) and the Albay Provincial Safety and Emergency Management Office and asked them to coordinate with DOH-Bicol and the BRTTH to devise proactive response to the swine flu crisis. “We have done this before during the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome incident. The standard operating procedures that we have taken in the past would be applied again with the swine flu crisis,” Salceda explained.
Operational funds are now ready for use in the event a swine flu case happens here, he said, adding that he had earmarked 24 percent of the province’s internal revenue allotment for health services. Salceda added that when DOH Secretary Francisco Duque learned of Albay province's anti-swine flu measures, the health official immediately called him up and told him that the department will be using the Albay Swineflu Response Strategy as a model for the whole country.
The DOH said the swine flu epidemic had entered a dangerous new phase as the death toll in Mexico had climbed to 149, while 2,000 people were believed to be infected. Salceda said the province’s readiness against swine flu is the same as its preparation for a coming typhoon with corresponding signals.
“As of now it is as if we are under signal number 1,” he said.
Reports from Rey Nasol, Jonas Cabiles Soltes, Maricar P. Cinco and Madonna T. Virola, Inquirer Southern Luzon
0 comments
BICOL READY for H1N1
Inquirer Southern Luzon
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines—The Regional Disaster Coordinating Council in Bicol came up with an information campaign on Influenza A (H1N1) flu to prevent the entry of the virus. The Department of Health-Bicol reported to an emergency meeting Friday at the Office of Civil Defense here that Bicol is still free from the virus.
Although two previous cases were reported in Albay and Camarines Sur these tested negative for the virus, said DOH-Bicol. “Those tested negative in Bicol were good news for the region but the one positive case from Canada is not good for the country,” said Raffy Alejandro, head of OCD-Bicol.
The meeting was called to make proactive plans and emergency response measures in case Bicol reports its first case. The DOH-Bicol was designated as regional crisis manager while the National Disaster Coordinating Council has similarly appointed the DOH central office as the national crisis manager.
Albay
Albay health authorities are on guard against the swine flu virus as tourists continue to pour in the province because of summer festivities and the whale shark watch in Donsol, Sorsogon. Albay Governor Joey Salceda activated the Provincial Epidemiology Surveillance Units (Pesu) end of March and identified three hospitals in the province where patients who would be affected by the virus could be brought.
The Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH) based in Daraga, Albay, the Ziga Memorial District Hospital in Tabaco City and the Josefina Duran Memorial District Hospital in Ligao City were all on alert. They designated isolation rooms for those who would show symptoms of the swine flu that has now affected some 25 countries worldwide.
Salceda also convened the Provincial Health Office (PHO) and the Albay Provincial Safety and Emergency Management Office and asked them to coordinate with DOH-Bicol and the BRTTH to devise proactive response to the swine flu crisis. “We have done this before during the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome incident. The standard operating procedures that we have taken in the past would be applied again with the swine flu crisis,” Salceda explained.
Operational funds are now ready for use in the event a swine flu case happens here, he said, adding that he had earmarked 24 percent of the province’s internal revenue allotment for health services. Salceda added that when DOH Secretary Francisco Duque learned of Albay province's anti-swine flu measures, the health official immediately called him up and told him that the department will be using the Albay Swineflu Response Strategy as a model for the whole country.
The DOH said the swine flu epidemic had entered a dangerous new phase as the death toll in Mexico had climbed to 149, while 2,000 people were believed to be infected. Salceda said the province’s readiness against swine flu is the same as its preparation for a coming typhoon with corresponding signals.
“As of now it is as if we are under signal number 1,” he said.
Reports from Rey Nasol, Jonas Cabiles Soltes, Maricar P. Cinco and Madonna T. Virola, Inquirer Southern Luzon
0 comments
12:29 AM
The Church of the Holy Spirit L9 2009 mission trip has been cancelled. Surely the cancellation will not stop us from praying for the people of Bicol, even as they face an imminent eruption (Please see news item below). If anyone (non-L9s, at least L10) or any other ministry (not necessarily from the Church of the Holy Spirit) is interested in organising a mission trip to Bicol in December or late November, please contact missionariesinbicol@gmail.com .
To the L9-09 youths who journeyed with Uncle Al for eight weeks as part of the mission formation programme, many thanks, and your efforts are truly appreciated. AMO hopes that even though the mission has been cancelled, you now have the heart and mind of a missionary, ready to tellt he good news not just in Judea and Samarai, but to teh ends of the earth!
7,000 around Mayon ready for evacuation
July 11, 2009 18:05:00
Rey M. Nasol
Inquirer Southern Luzon
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines—Close to 7,000 residents—or 1,675 families—living around the slopes of Mayon Volcano are being readied for evacuation once the volcano's alert status is upgraded to level 3.
Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said the 7,000 residents was only the initial target of evacuation in the cities of Legazpi, Tabaco and Ligao and the towns of Guinobatan, Camalig, Daraga, Sto. Domingo and Malilipot once the alert level is raised.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised the alert level status of the volcano from one (low-level unrest) to two (moderate unrest) on Friday after showing signs of increased unrest.
Alert level 3 means that there is an increased tendency towards eruption and there is relatively high unrest.
Vehicles were on standby for possible mass evacuation of residents should the abnormalities of Mayon further intensify. Authorities have started informing the population at risk and updating critical resources data of cities and towns around the volcano to determining the number of people to be placed in safer grounds.
City and town disaster councils around the volcano to are on a 24-hour watch, review their respective contingency plans and evaluate their communications and warning capacities.
0 comments
The Church of the Holy Spirit L9 2009 mission trip has been cancelled. Surely the cancellation will not stop us from praying for the people of Bicol, even as they face an imminent eruption (Please see news item below). If anyone (non-L9s, at least L10) or any other ministry (not necessarily from the Church of the Holy Spirit) is interested in organising a mission trip to Bicol in December or late November, please contact missionariesinbicol@gmail.com .
To the L9-09 youths who journeyed with Uncle Al for eight weeks as part of the mission formation programme, many thanks, and your efforts are truly appreciated. AMO hopes that even though the mission has been cancelled, you now have the heart and mind of a missionary, ready to tellt he good news not just in Judea and Samarai, but to teh ends of the earth!
7,000 around Mayon ready for evacuation
July 11, 2009 18:05:00
Rey M. Nasol
Inquirer Southern Luzon
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines—Close to 7,000 residents—or 1,675 families—living around the slopes of Mayon Volcano are being readied for evacuation once the volcano's alert status is upgraded to level 3.
Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said the 7,000 residents was only the initial target of evacuation in the cities of Legazpi, Tabaco and Ligao and the towns of Guinobatan, Camalig, Daraga, Sto. Domingo and Malilipot once the alert level is raised.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised the alert level status of the volcano from one (low-level unrest) to two (moderate unrest) on Friday after showing signs of increased unrest.
Alert level 3 means that there is an increased tendency towards eruption and there is relatively high unrest.
Vehicles were on standby for possible mass evacuation of residents should the abnormalities of Mayon further intensify. Authorities have started informing the population at risk and updating critical resources data of cities and towns around the volcano to determining the number of people to be placed in safer grounds.
City and town disaster councils around the volcano to are on a 24-hour watch, review their respective contingency plans and evaluate their communications and warning capacities.
0 comments
Saturday, June 20, 2009
10:18 PM
haha. hey everyone! omg i haven't been to this blog in such a long time. but i stumbled across my Bicol Photos again and i decided to come see the progress that you guys have made in the planning.
I think it's really cool that everyone in the planning team's so hyped up about it. I will be praying that your enthusiasm will last even past your trip to Bicol. It truly is quite an eye-opening experience and sometimes even a true test of your faith at points.
ok and for all those who wanted to see like, more photos from the trip last year, i am [finally] on the way to uploading it on facebook. you can find me at www.facebook.com/julianhallems
but facebook is being fussy and not allowing me to upload it all at one go. So give me a while, there's like, about a 1000+ photos to upload and
i can only upload like, 30-40 a time. yeah.
:D god bless.
glen kilian koh eng kai.
0 comments
haha. hey everyone! omg i haven't been to this blog in such a long time. but i stumbled across my Bicol Photos again and i decided to come see the progress that you guys have made in the planning.
I think it's really cool that everyone in the planning team's so hyped up about it. I will be praying that your enthusiasm will last even past your trip to Bicol. It truly is quite an eye-opening experience and sometimes even a true test of your faith at points.
ok and for all those who wanted to see like, more photos from the trip last year, i am [finally] on the way to uploading it on facebook. you can find me at www.facebook.com/julianhallems
but facebook is being fussy and not allowing me to upload it all at one go. So give me a while, there's like, about a 1000+ photos to upload and
i can only upload like, 30-40 a time. yeah.
:D god bless.
glen kilian koh eng kai.
0 comments
Saturday, May 9, 2009
1:12 PM
Heyy everyone, Kelly (from the L9'08 batch) here.
I stumbled across this video and I really think all of you (missionaries who went to Bicol last year and those going this year) should take a few minutes to watch it.
They say that pictures speak a thousand words. Videos are moving pictures, so shouldn't they speak millions of words? Well this video - Chicken A La Carte by Ferdinand Dimadura - topped the 56th Berlin International Film Festival in February 2006 and it describes every single reason why we (L9'08 missionaries) went on the trip last December.
Oh and the video starts off with 2 ladies eating at Jollibee. Brings back so many fond memories, aye? (: All the Jollibee chicken wings, rice, burgers.. Jollibee is the most awesome fast food place in the world!
[edit]
Upon re-watching the video, I don't think the 2 ladies ate at Jollibee (the decor of the restaurant is different). But in any case, Jollibee is still awwwesome haha!
[/edit]
The short film clip may be a little dry and boring at the start, but be patient (patience is a virtue) and just keep watching yeahh. It's short, it's sweet, and it's powerful. Nothing more needs to be said.
Enjoy.
kelly;
0 comments
Heyy everyone, Kelly (from the L9'08 batch) here.
I stumbled across this video and I really think all of you (missionaries who went to Bicol last year and those going this year) should take a few minutes to watch it.
They say that pictures speak a thousand words. Videos are moving pictures, so shouldn't they speak millions of words? Well this video - Chicken A La Carte by Ferdinand Dimadura - topped the 56th Berlin International Film Festival in February 2006 and it describes every single reason why we (L9'08 missionaries) went on the trip last December.
Oh and the video starts off with 2 ladies eating at Jollibee. Brings back so many fond memories, aye? (: All the Jollibee chicken wings, rice, burgers.. Jollibee is the most awesome fast food place in the world!
[edit]
Upon re-watching the video, I don't think the 2 ladies ate at Jollibee (the decor of the restaurant is different). But in any case, Jollibee is still awwwesome haha!
[/edit]
The short film clip may be a little dry and boring at the start, but be patient (patience is a virtue) and just keep watching yeahh. It's short, it's sweet, and it's powerful. Nothing more needs to be said.
Enjoy.
kelly;
0 comments
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
3:42 PM
More than 15 gigs of photos and lots of headaches later, here's our so-called "offical" mission trip photo-video in three parts, no thanks to our non-cooperating software. Great songs accompany the video. Only part 1 is in Youtube, but all are in Facebook.
Part I
Part II
Part III
6 comments
More than 15 gigs of photos and lots of headaches later, here's our so-called "offical" mission trip photo-video in three parts, no thanks to our non-cooperating software. Great songs accompany the video. Only part 1 is in Youtube, but all are in Facebook.
Part I
Part II
Part III
6 comments
Monday, December 22, 2008
6:50 PM
Hello everyone. Glen here, so sorry but it's way way easier to give information through the posts that the small tagboard. so here's the deal about the pictures, I currently only have the pictures which i got from people till the day of the closing party over at Bicol itself. so to all those who had cameras with pictures inside from either the entire trip or from where i left off. please do find a way to pass to me your photos either via a thumbdrive or a SD memory card.
If you'd like, i'll be attending the Christmas Midnight Mass at church. You can pass me your photos then too. just text me to tell me where i can meet you to get your photos, and i'll return it to you the following Sunday where i'll probably be in the Catechist's Room in the morning.
Next thing, If you want the photos. you'll need to inform me about it at least one week in advance. because there's really that many photos. and i only have so many DVD-Rs to spare. if i put all the photos together. it'll probably take up about 5-6 discs for all the photos to go in. [you are welcome to you know, help out with the funding. :p] so do give me some time to put it into the discs.
so far, people who've responded to wanting the photos are....
Uncle Al, Sam Pang, Melissa, Kevin Ke, Ivan, Michelle. Jacintha, Sarah Mao, Jonathan, Kelly, Rae, Daniel, Jamie, Sister Angeline, Bhing and Professor Lani [i have no idea how i'm gonna pass you the photos though.]
i'll keep this post updated if anything else comes up.
God Bless!
[edit!] Liz gave me an idea. If you guys have like, thumb drives or external hard drives that have at least 25Gb worth of space. you can pass it to me too and i'll upload there. I can't pass around my hard drive as there's some private information inside. :D and no, there's no pornographic material involved. just personal writings. [/edit]
3 comments
Hello everyone. Glen here, so sorry but it's way way easier to give information through the posts that the small tagboard. so here's the deal about the pictures, I currently only have the pictures which i got from people till the day of the closing party over at Bicol itself. so to all those who had cameras with pictures inside from either the entire trip or from where i left off. please do find a way to pass to me your photos either via a thumbdrive or a SD memory card.
If you'd like, i'll be attending the Christmas Midnight Mass at church. You can pass me your photos then too. just text me to tell me where i can meet you to get your photos, and i'll return it to you the following Sunday where i'll probably be in the Catechist's Room in the morning.
Next thing, If you want the photos. you'll need to inform me about it at least one week in advance. because there's really that many photos. and i only have so many DVD-Rs to spare. if i put all the photos together. it'll probably take up about 5-6 discs for all the photos to go in. [you are welcome to you know, help out with the funding. :p] so do give me some time to put it into the discs.
so far, people who've responded to wanting the photos are....
Uncle Al, Sam Pang, Melissa, Kevin Ke, Ivan, Michelle. Jacintha, Sarah Mao, Jonathan, Kelly, Rae, Daniel, Jamie, Sister Angeline, Bhing and Professor Lani [i have no idea how i'm gonna pass you the photos though.]
i'll keep this post updated if anything else comes up.
God Bless!
[edit!] Liz gave me an idea. If you guys have like, thumb drives or external hard drives that have at least 25Gb worth of space. you can pass it to me too and i'll upload there. I can't pass around my hard drive as there's some private information inside. :D and no, there's no pornographic material involved. just personal writings. [/edit]
3 comments
Saturday, December 20, 2008
6:23 PM
Uncle Al writes:
The L908 mission (Alpha Mission Omega) returned safely to Singapore early this morning just minutes before 1 am, but not before an hour's delay in Manila's super cold Terminal 3. After a fun three and a half hour flight aboard Cebu Pacific, we landed in Singapore, and were met at the Budget Terminal by parents, friends and relatives. I couldn't help the sense of joy and relief among those who met us at the airport. After all, we're home, safe and sound, never mind if it's at that unholy hour.
For those of us who took a leap of faith and heeded God's call, this mission trip will be a momentous event that we will cherish all our lives.
As mission leader, I would like to thank the adults who joined us in this mission: Sr Angeline Lim, our spiritual director who always calmed us and made us aware of God's providence whenever we were down and troubled; Amy Lim, head of the faith formation ministries who was an able whipmaster whenever I am unable to do so; parents Richard Seow, Juliana Tan and David Koh for their invaluable assistance in keeping us well-fed and happy throughout; Jamie Bong, an RCIY catechist and one of the stewards of the junior catechist ministry, whose dedication and servant-attitude should be a role model for everyone; and Anthony Tann, whose presence and contributions made a lot of difference in looking after the well-being of the group.
I would also like to give this affirmation to all our youths who participated in this mission. You wholehearted participation was commendable, and your parents and our parish priest should be proud of you. But let me mention a few names for their exemplary conduct and leadership qualities, their dedication to the tasks assigned to them, their willingness to serve and not to be served: Glen Koh, Mark Lee, Timothy Low, Brian Chin, Jonathan Chng, Nicholas Neo, Samantha Chia, Kelly Tseng.
I would also like to thank the parents and friends who kept our spirits up by posting positive messages and affirmations in this blog throughout the mission trip. Those meant a great deal to us here while we were away, and we thank you for that.
To everyone in Bicol who helped us, and everyone everywhere who prayed for our well-being of the success of our mission trip - thank you, and may God bless you abundantly.
Thanks everyone, for the opportunity. It was a privilege serving you. And thanks Bicol for being there. It was a joy being there, too.
What exactly did we bring to Bicol? Yes, we brought supplies, books etc etc. But what really was important for the children there was our presence in the mission areas, our smiles, and our time spent with them. So, to our teens: never mind if you drew that line off centre. Never mind that you painted the wall a shade darker than required. Never mind if you forgot to bring extra Milos and biscuits. Never mind that you sang that song dissonantly. Never mind if you spoke so fast like a the MRT that the local kids didn't understand you or the local kids thought you were an idiot. Never mind if you woke up late, or clogged the toilets, or wore the wrong t-shirt. Or you came up late for prayers and meals. Or you made a nuisance of yourselves, whether at the dorm, at the mission areas, or at the airports. Never mind if we were off-key a little bit during the Mass on Dec 14. Never mind.
For from the classrooms of the town, to the little houses of Tagaytay, to the devastated landscape of Masarawag to the far-flung hills and vales of Dona Mercedes, you made the children smile and laugh and feel loved by a people from another part of the world. You brought joy to them, even for a moment. You saw how they welcomed you, and valued your company. And they saw the love and mercy and compassion of God in you.
We painted and sort of refurbished the Dona Mercedes chapel in 3 days. Jesus died and was resurrected after 3 days. Remember his promise that he would build God's temple in three days?
This has been a post-confirmation mission trip that will be etched in our memories forever, not just because of what we have experienced, but also because of the circumstances that surrounded it, and the blessings that God has bestowed upon it.
To God be the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
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Uncle Al writes:
The L908 mission (Alpha Mission Omega) returned safely to Singapore early this morning just minutes before 1 am, but not before an hour's delay in Manila's super cold Terminal 3. After a fun three and a half hour flight aboard Cebu Pacific, we landed in Singapore, and were met at the Budget Terminal by parents, friends and relatives. I couldn't help the sense of joy and relief among those who met us at the airport. After all, we're home, safe and sound, never mind if it's at that unholy hour.
For those of us who took a leap of faith and heeded God's call, this mission trip will be a momentous event that we will cherish all our lives.
As mission leader, I would like to thank the adults who joined us in this mission: Sr Angeline Lim, our spiritual director who always calmed us and made us aware of God's providence whenever we were down and troubled; Amy Lim, head of the faith formation ministries who was an able whipmaster whenever I am unable to do so; parents Richard Seow, Juliana Tan and David Koh for their invaluable assistance in keeping us well-fed and happy throughout; Jamie Bong, an RCIY catechist and one of the stewards of the junior catechist ministry, whose dedication and servant-attitude should be a role model for everyone; and Anthony Tann, whose presence and contributions made a lot of difference in looking after the well-being of the group.
I would also like to give this affirmation to all our youths who participated in this mission. You wholehearted participation was commendable, and your parents and our parish priest should be proud of you. But let me mention a few names for their exemplary conduct and leadership qualities, their dedication to the tasks assigned to them, their willingness to serve and not to be served: Glen Koh, Mark Lee, Timothy Low, Brian Chin, Jonathan Chng, Nicholas Neo, Samantha Chia, Kelly Tseng.
I would also like to thank the parents and friends who kept our spirits up by posting positive messages and affirmations in this blog throughout the mission trip. Those meant a great deal to us here while we were away, and we thank you for that.
To everyone in Bicol who helped us, and everyone everywhere who prayed for our well-being of the success of our mission trip - thank you, and may God bless you abundantly.
Thanks everyone, for the opportunity. It was a privilege serving you. And thanks Bicol for being there. It was a joy being there, too.
What exactly did we bring to Bicol? Yes, we brought supplies, books etc etc. But what really was important for the children there was our presence in the mission areas, our smiles, and our time spent with them. So, to our teens: never mind if you drew that line off centre. Never mind that you painted the wall a shade darker than required. Never mind if you forgot to bring extra Milos and biscuits. Never mind that you sang that song dissonantly. Never mind if you spoke so fast like a the MRT that the local kids didn't understand you or the local kids thought you were an idiot. Never mind if you woke up late, or clogged the toilets, or wore the wrong t-shirt. Or you came up late for prayers and meals. Or you made a nuisance of yourselves, whether at the dorm, at the mission areas, or at the airports. Never mind if we were off-key a little bit during the Mass on Dec 14. Never mind.
For from the classrooms of the town, to the little houses of Tagaytay, to the devastated landscape of Masarawag to the far-flung hills and vales of Dona Mercedes, you made the children smile and laugh and feel loved by a people from another part of the world. You brought joy to them, even for a moment. You saw how they welcomed you, and valued your company. And they saw the love and mercy and compassion of God in you.
We painted and sort of refurbished the Dona Mercedes chapel in 3 days. Jesus died and was resurrected after 3 days. Remember his promise that he would build God's temple in three days?
This has been a post-confirmation mission trip that will be etched in our memories forever, not just because of what we have experienced, but also because of the circumstances that surrounded it, and the blessings that God has bestowed upon it.
To God be the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
5 comments