ROC launches "Rugao Gives Back"

Rugao Online Community (ROC) is bringing back, in its third year Rugao Gives Back, an annual gift giving and feeding activity.

This year's theme "Share. Inspire. Change" is aligned with the organization's mission to serve the people of Rugao and to set an example in bringing about change to the lives of other people.     

 

The annual activity is scheduled to take place on December 22, 2012 at the Rugao Basketball Court.

Among the activities during the event is a Christmas Party featuring raffle draws, exciting games, feeding and gift-giving.

ROC has extended the invitation to support the said endeavor to individuals who are not from Rugao but believe in our advocacies.

Barangay Captain Judy Bermudez has promised his all-out support including the SK Officials this year as City Officials and other special guests have signified their intention to grace the occasion.  

Rugao Gives Back has benefited hundreds of Rugaoenos for the past two years.

A CORNy Story

Plastic bag. Sumbrero. Sweat shirt. I'm all set!

Sumisikat pa lang ang araw, parang fiesta na sa dami ng taong nasa daan. Bata at matanda. Lalake at babae. "Intayon!", sigaw ng aming kapitbahay at mga kaibigan. Buong sigla at saya akong lalabas sa aming bahay dala ang aking mga gamit. Ngayon ay araw ng pamimitas ng mais sa tumana o kuman.

Sa aking pagkakatanda, siyam na taong gulang ako ng una akong sumabak sa pamimitas ng mais sa bukid. Inaya ako ng aking mga pinsan sa bukid ng aking Inang Baket (Lola) dahil bibigyan daw kami ng mais para ibenta kung tutulong kami.

     

Maliban sa perang kikitain na noo'y nagkakahalaga ng 25 pesos para sa halos limang oras na pagbababad sa matinding init ng araw, ay hindi matatawaran ang saya na dulot ng pamimitas ng mais. Ito ay isang pagkakataon na makakasama mo ang mga kaibigan mo. Di ko malilimutan ang mga nakakatawang huntahan (kwentuhan) habang binabraso ang makakating mga dahon ng mais at uod at minsa'y masukal at hitik sa matitinik na Gamuza. At siyembre, inaabangan ko rin ang meryenda na kadalasan ay concentrated orange juice na nakabote at tinapay na binili mula sa tindahan. Ni hindi ko nga alintana ang tagaktak ng pawis ko. Idagdag mo pa ang sayang dulot ng paglalakad ng ilang kilometro bago marating ang bukid. 

Naaalala ko, isa rin sa mga dahilan kaya nakikipitas ako ng mais ay para may baunin ako sa paaralan. Nakakatawa nga lang, minsan ay nakikipitas ako para may ipangsugal. Oo, bata pa lang ako ay nakikipaglaro na ako ng baraha sa mga matatanda kasama ang mga bata ring tulad ko. (Alam kong ilan sa inyong bumabasa nito ay nakalaro ko din noon).

Sa ngayon, panahon na naman ng anihan. Sa aga kong nagigising para pumasok sa paaralan kung saan ako nagtuturo, nakikita ko ang mga taga Rugao na pumupunta sa bukid. Para ngang nakikita ko ang sarili ko sa kanila. Sabi ko tuloy, parang wala pa ring pinagbago. Minsan nalulungkot ako kasi marami sa kanila ang matagal ng ginagawa ito pero madalas masaya ako kasi bumabalik sa akin ang gawaing aking kinasanayan at kinagisnan at hindi ko ito ikinakahiya. Sa totoo lang parang gusto ko ulit mamitas ng mais kaya lang wala akong panahon dahil maghapon naman akong babad sa pagtuturo. Pero kung may magpapapitas ng gabi malamang pupunta ako para muling maranasan ko ang masayang kwentuhan sa kuman. 

Gusto nyo bang sumama? E ikaw, ano ang iyong CORNy story?   

A Day at the Majestic Abuan River

Looks pretty ordinary from where we parked our van, but as we move closer, it's majestic beauty left as in awe!That's how Abuan River captivated us during our visit last month.

We took off from Baligatan in Ilagan and reached Villa Imelda in more or less than15 minutes. The travel was smooth as there were very few vehicles on the road, which makes the road trip faster and safer. The Abuan bridge served as our entry point. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the Agtas who, according to people we met used to live at the riverbanks but were relocated due to the danger posed by the river when it swells. We saw a lot of "bangkas" sitting at the riverbanks and most of them looks old and non-functional. Since we were all first-time visitors of the area, we were curious to ride the bangka. We were told that Abuan River looks beautiful from upstream so we have to walk east from where we parked our van. We split our group into two. One group decided to ride the bangka going against the current of the river (although most parts are calm) and my group decided to walk. We commissioned the Agtas to pilot the boats, who were ages 9-11 (we paid them 200 pesos for the job).

The other group had fun riding the boat. As for our group, we have to climb rocks at the foot of the mountain. It was a bit scary but over all we enjoyed the challenge.

We wondered why Abuan River was not promoted as a tourist destination. It was a paradise! The water is clean, cold, and deep. You can see fishes in the water and the chirping of birds is music to the ear. The rocks are amazingly huge. The sheer and towering cliffs and mountains are breathe taking. Some parts of the river is perfect for water rafting. The photos we took speaks for themselves. (although I just read an article about Abuan River and it was promoted by the local tourism last year. You can read the article here and another article here. Sadly, I think the rafting or kayaking mentioned in these articles were no longer offered in Abuan) 

We left Abuan river with so much great memories that we will never forget. It was a trip that we wish we would have done a long time ago. We recommend that you visit Abuan River when you have time.

 Photos by : Demi Anduyan