PEARL...................retired executives and leaders

Dec. 29, 2009 was also a special day for senior citizens like me, especially members of the Board of the newly reorganized Palompon Executive and Retired Leaders (PEARL) headed by Jose Madejas and joined by Constancio Maupo,Jesus Sanchez, Agustin Arevalo, Alejo Ramirez, Claudio Villarmino, Greg Elep, and others.


They just held their induction ceremonies for new members of the PEARL Board at WEMDEES Restaurant at Rizal St., Central III, Palompon, Leyte on the said date.

The members of the board was formally inducted into office by no less than Mr. George C. Liok, after a hearty (bad for the heart) and sumptuous meal, a well known and prominent businessman, who we can say, rose from rags to riches.

Mr. Liok, and their family, we can say, attained their good life now through hard work and business acumen that can be seen usually on Pinoy's with some Chinese blood.

On this note, I, as a new member of the board can only wish to emulate their work attitude in order to gain the respect of the community with respect to business relationship.

Christmas...............time for giving

Part of the crowd who were able to receive something from our family was Albina Rios-Arnufo of Baranggay Cagnocot, Villaba, Leyte (photo at right).

She regularly goes to our house every month to be part of the pre-selected poor people to avail of the monthly help (one hundred pesos each) from our benefactor from abroad.

If you will notice, (see the picture) she has a big goiter dangling in her neck. I have already written the program "Wish Ko Lang" of Vicky Morales, Channel 7 program who helps other people who can't help themselves about her problem, but until now (several months later) the said TV Channel have not replied due to the bulk of request coming from all over the archipelago.

I do hope that you can help me solve her problem by praying for her and maybe calling the attention of Channel 7.

Senior Citizen's Christmas Party.......Gen. Assembly

December 16, 2009 was the red letter day for senior citizen's of Palompon, Leyte.

They definitely reserved a day for this momentous event to be with colleague's and friends to reminisce the days when they were still young and robust.

Many are looking forward for the announcement that they would be receiving something from the local government, together with the national government particularly the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Many are expecting that senior citizens between the ages 60 and 70 will be receiving P500 pesos, while those between the ages 70 and 80 will be getting about P1,000 pesos and lastly those above 80 will be receiving P1,500.00 pesos. Unluckily, those who are receiving pensions from either the GSIS or SSS will be getting nothing.

A presentation was made from the so-called Northern baranggays, Southern Baranggays and the Central Baranggays but only two were able to make a presentation which was won by the Central baranggays (above photo) wherein they depicted a serious pageant about the birth of Jesus Christ.

While the other presentor made a mockery of the birth of the Saviour by having an old man represent the child Jesus, the winner made a realistic presentation by having an authentic young baby boy be part of the drama which approvingly, was noticed by the judges to make them the runaway winner of the Christmas pageant.

Part of the appreciative crowd can be seen at right
were seriously following the action at the center of the Palompon Social Center were the program was held.

A sumptuous meal was held right after the program were everybody shared whatever food was brought by them (BYOP), to the once a year Christmas party and get together.

After a hearty meal, without waiting for the food to settle down in their stomach, music of yesteryears was played to bring itchy feet of dancers to grab another to the dance floor and join the beat of music flowing in the air.

After a while, you will notice that the dance floor have been dwindling with dancers, many of which are panting and trying to grab some fresh air and rest their shaky legs on their seats.

Really, the spirit is willing, but the body is not cooperating. After several dances, usually with the same sex, because many men opt to stay in their seats drowning with the local wine named "bahalina", some people can be seen making a beeline to the exits because they can't cope with what is happening in the dance floor.

Well, as they frequently say, "see you next year". (Hoping that they will still be alive for another day of camaraderie and dancing, if still able).

Death of a Colleague................

The demise of a colleague, although expected because of so many complications in his health and body was surely be missed by so many of his friends and relatives.

Bro. Cesar Viacrusis, who died last Dec. 3, 2009 and buried Dec. 6, 2009 was a tremendous loss especially to the Palompon Parish Church were he is serving religiously as a member of the Extra-ordinary Minister of the Holy Communion (EMHC).

For those going to Masses daily, he can be seen serving the 5:30am mass without fail, except of course
when he is not feeling well and when it is necessary for him to be brought to the hospital.

But in the last month of his life, he was still given the hope and chance to ask forgiveness for all the sins he has committed and prepare for his homecoming to the Lord's bosom. What a beautiful death. As Jesus Christ Himself promised through St. Gertrude "You may be sure that regarding one who devoutly assist at Holy Mass, I will send him as many of my Saints to comfort him and protect him during the last moments of his life as there will have been Masses which he has heard well". How consoling!

Voters Education Seminar

The Parish Formation Team under the Parish Pastoral council during the month of November 2009 conducted a Parish Information Campaign in the parish under the auspices of various Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC's).

The Parish Formation Team composed of different teams coming from various organizations/faith communities of the parish such as the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP), Community of God's Mercy (CGM), Neo-Cathecuminate, Family And Life Apostolate (FALA), Extra-ordinary Ministers of the Holy Communion (EMHC), Lay Presiders and Catholic Faith Defenders and others went to different Baranggays at various dates to emphasize the importance of doing away with the old habits of asking and receiving from would-be politicians money and other give-aways in connection with the forthcoming national and local elections on May 2010.

Before the teams were sent out to their asssigned Baranggay's, a training of participants was conducted by Mr. Roosevelt Henoguin, the BEC coordinator.





Photo at left and below was taken from the community chapel of Baranggay Mazawalo were Bro. Antonio Salazar was the main speaker/facilitator.

Viva Senor San Francisco............a yearly remembering

Another year is getting to a close and together we Palomponganons will always remember the past year with the help of our "manlalaban" Senor San Francisco. The past, many says have been terrible especially to those who have been affected by natural calamities including the two typhoons ("Ondoy and Peping") that hit Metro Manila with so much power and fury that almost drowned the whole of the metropolis for several weeks.

But we will not touch the negative things that happened to our countrymen because it was covered thoroughly by tri-media both local and foreign. We will be talking about what happened this past few days here in our local town of Palompon.

After the initial salvo on November 23, 2009 where a parade and motorcade was participated in by enthusiastic parishioners, to signal the start of the nine day novena in honor of the town's patron saint, the miraculous St. Francis Xavier, a nightly affair is being held to unwind and relax from the days hectic schedule and activities.

As usual the evening entertainment sponsored by various associations, NGO's, LGU's, Civic and  Religious take turns in sharing their best to offer the populace, whether its drama, disco or whatever.

December 2nd is the peak night of the various nightly offerings that can be offered by well meaning sponsors and concerned citizens. Mutya ng Palompon is a highly anticipated night were beauties from different organizations are presented after a series of tryouts and eliminations before they are finally shown to the public on the big night called "Mutya ng Palompon" night.

On the same day (Dec. 2) the highlight of all parades, where all participants in the daily activities are again invited to show their wares on the last day or wind-up of performances in honor of the revered Saint.

Nia Na Gyod..........BERNARDITA's Grocery

Just as what the ads indicates, Bernardita's Grocery finally opened last November 30, 2009, in time for the town fiesta being celebrated every 3rd of December in honor of our patron Saint Francis Xavier. It was a grandiose opening as per local standard with the usual balloons and flowers in abundance.

Of course the added amenities of discounts and prizes that accompanies the early customers and "suki" is a welcome respite. And take note the convenience of marketing in an air-conditioned and clean (spotless) surroundings. It also smells good, i.e. dried fish sealed in plastic and some are even vacuum packed, that even pest like ants, cockroach, houseflies and others are ashamed/afraid to get inside the new building and come near the foodstuffs.

An added bonus of course are the usual calendars being given away to loyal customers of the store and those who are allowed to purchase on credit with or without limit.