2010 New and Old Constructions............addendum

With the onset of 2010 one thing is sure, that the construction of new houses and commercial building won't stop. There are so many edifice lined up for construction especially the much publicized New Palompon Social Center to be constructed at the old oval behind the Palompon South Central School.

Budgetary solution of the said building, part of which will come from the sale of the Palompon Social Center at Rizal St., to the Gaisano Group of Companies. I was told that part of the area to be sold will include the areas behind the social center up to the sea.

At left photo is the 50% complete Palompon Legislative Building, a project of Mayor Eulogio Tupa and Congressman Eufrocino Codilla of the 4th District beside the Palompon Municipal Building.

Really, its very important that elected officials try to give to their constituents, projects that they need and deserve without making themselves corrupt in the eyes of the people they serve.

If only those who are in power and in the position to help those whom they are suppose to serve, and will be honest enough to give them what is theirs, then there is no problem when they ask to vote for them again.

New constructions that will usher 2010.........and beyond

The year 2010 as predicted by almost everyone will be a good year..............year of the metal tiger that would usher a robust and prosperous year as compared the past year wherein we saw a year of frustration particularly on big financial institutions and business enterprises whose downfall is unimaginable.

Photo above is the newly completed SFXP plaza complex where anybody, young and old, men or women can spend their own sweet time, day or night and breath a sniff of fresh air while revitalizing their lungs for the day's new start.

Another new contribution to our fast growing business establishments in town is the new building (above photo) on Magallanes St., owner of which are the (Juanito) Asayas family who started their photography business in Tacloban City which is now the biggest photo shop in this town, located in another building at a smaller but significant addition to the towns facade.

In another part of the town is an almost complete building owned by Mr. Harvey Fel Pinon located at Arellano St., Palompon, Leyte.

From the looks of the building, its so massive and concrete that it would easily cost several millions, which an ordinary family would not be able to afford.
Well, there are so many other buildings that can be said to be mushrooming in this part of Northern Leyte. We can say we are not really affected by the recession that hit almost globally particularly the good old USA.

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.