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








  

Rugao Gives Back 2 : We Care, We Share

Preparation

I remember last year when we first had this charity event, I was so nervous! Same feeling I had when we were preparing for Rugao Gives Back 2. I was worried about preparing everything with only Adam Diaz,  Nhor Bermudez and Jimboy Esteban around. Adam took charge of the t-shirt and tarpaulin printing. Nhor, Jimboy and I had to rush to Savemore to buy the groceries with the food from Jollibee already taken cared of a day before our activity. Last year, I wasn't able to join Nhor Esteban in purchasing groceries and I just realized how hard was her task. It took us hours buying (and computing haha). We even had an argument with the manager of savemore because they won't give us free plastic bags! Thank God we were able to convince them but we had harsh words thrown at each camp.

After our trip to the grocery, we immediately asked started packing the groceries and other items for the party. Adam, Andy and some kids and teenagers cleaned the basketball court and hanged the tarpaulin. Gladys and Stefan helped us with the decoration and tables with the help of Auntie Ofelia Agustin and Norma Agamata.


Showtime

I was not confident about the number of people who will attend our activity because of the "kasals" that week. Two weddings for the week! People might be too tired to go plus the weather was not good! But like lastyear, once nhor started the parlor games people started to come.

This year is a bit different though because we were able to feed people ages 3 - 12 and 30 up! Some of the kids and senior citizens were not able to make it for some reasons.

The parlor games were as exciting as last year. I loved it when the older people played and it was soo hilarious because they were so into the games!

We were hoping to have SB Gaoiran again but for some reasons she wasn't able to make it. SB Joji Baggao made it though. In her speech, she praised everyone who were behind the event. She was impressed that she even made a promise that she will tie up with us next year!

We were happy because most of those who got the groceries (which were raffled) were those who really need it.

We decided to end the program at around 11pm because of the wedding the next day.

It was truly a great night. The smiles and the memories of what you our dear sponsors gave our kabarangays are priceless. As they say, when you care you should know how to share.

Until the next Rugao Gives Back activity!

(more stories to come)

I wish I could show you a video of everything that had happened but our lightings were poor and it was hard for Stefan and yours truly to take videos!

ROC launches Rugao Gives Back 2

Rugao Online Community is set to match the success of the Rugao Gives Back last year as it launches "Rugao Gives Back 2" which will be held on December 21, 2011 at the Rugao Basketball Court, Rugao, Ilagan, Isabela. This year's theme is "We care. We share." The theme is in consonance to the organizations mission and vision, that is to reach out to people of Rugao.

Rugao Gives Back 2 is a gift-giving activity which includes a food distribution to children and senior citizens. Like last year, the celebration will include parlor games, presentations from the different puroks and a raffle draw.

The funds for the project will come from the voluntary donations of the members of ROC from different parts of the world including those who are based in the Philippines. As of this writing, a number of members have already expressed their desires to help. The organizers are still encouraging other members to donate and continue supporting the said project. The deadline for all donations is on December 15, 2011.

Rugao celebrates harvest festival; Fire dancer is ROC's Rugao Got Talent grand winner

Rugao celebrates the bountiful harvest this year from April 29-30, 2011. The celebration includes an invitational basketball tournament and a program.

INVITATIONAL BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

This year, Rugao opened its basketball tournament to neighboring barangays like Bangag, Manaring, San Lorenzo, San Juan among others. After several matches watched by hundreds of screaming basketball fanatics, San Lorenzo and the team from Rugao fought for the crown, which eventually went to the experienced team from San Lorenzo.

RUGAO GOT TALENT

What really made the festival memorable is the holding of the ROC-sponsored “Rugao Got Talent”.

Runner-up Justin Aquino

Grand Winner Lady Rara

Thirteen individuals/groups showcased their talents (mostly dancing).  But two of the contestants were standouts. Justin Aquino, 9 years old serenaded the judges with piano versions of The Gift and Tennessee Waltz to the delight of the crowd. The three judges gave their big YESes and they agreed that the performance was impressive for someone  his age. Two very young boys also sent the crowd to their feet when they started dancing ala-Shakira to the tune of Waka-Waka. The crowd went wild when Lady Rara (Ar-ar Daquioag) showed what talent really is with his very impressive fire dance. When asked how long  he has been doing the act, Lady Rara said that he’s only been practicing for two weeks and has never performed the act.  Impressed by the performance, SB Perlita Gaoiran, the program’s special guest even invited Lady Rara to perform at the Mamangi Festival this May. 

Reymond Pasio - Recipient of a Special Award

 As expected, Lady Rara claimed the title of being the first Rugao Got Talent Grand Winner. He won 3,000 pesos in cash, a scholarship grant and a special Rugao Got Talent plaque. Young Pianist Justin Aquino was declared runner-up winning 1,500 pesos in cash and a scholarship grant. A special award was also given to Reymond Pasio who showed his skills in acrobatics and has received the loudest applause from the crowd. He received 400 pesos in cash. All the contestants who performed each received cash as consolation prizes.

Performers from Bangag and other barangays also showcased their talents but were not allowed to compete. However, SB Perlita Gaoiran handed them cash and also promised to provide the dance group from Bangag t-shirts.

In a speech, SB Perlita Gaoiran again extended her admiration to the people of Rugao.  She also promised to help Rugao Online Community in its future project. She will donate to the organization hollow blocks and a television set to help ROC put up its Library Project (tentatively named ROC Learning Resource Center).

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Kudos to the generous members of Rugao Online Community who made Rugao Got Talent possible! In behalf of all the members and officers of Rugao Online Community, Thank you and hope you continue to share your blessings by supporting the future projects of Rugao Online Community.

Sponsors:

Anonymous Rocian from Singapore (Cash)

Adona Agcaoili and an Anonymous donor ( two scholarship grants)

Henry Diaz (Plaque/Trophy)

Shallee Manuel Fajardo (Cash)

Nhor Bermudez Esteban (Cash)

Melody Ramos (Cash)

Anonymous ROCian from the Philippines (Cash)

Councilor Perlita Gaoiran (Cash)

Special Thanks also to all the Barangay Officials of Rugao headed by Judy Bermudez , the SK Chairman and his officials and to the very supportive Ilagan Councilor Perlita Gaoiran. Thank you for believing in the advocacies of Rugao Online Community.

Aral sa pagbitay sa tatlong pinoy sa China – isang paalaala sa mga OFW

Kamakailan lamang ay nagluksa ang Pilipinas sa pagkabitay ng tatlo nating kababayan na sina Sally Villanueva, Elizabeth Batain at Ramon Credo. Masakit man sa pamilya ng tatlong OFW ang kanilang sinapit ngunit bilang Pilipino ay may mahalagang leksiyon na makukuha sa pangyayaring ito.

Ayon sa estadistika, umaabot sa isang milyon ang umaalis ng bansa upang makipagsapalaran kada taon. Sa kabuuan, halos 8.2 milyong mga Pilipino ang nasa ibang bansa. Sa bilang na yan, humigit kumulang na 7,000 na Pinoy ang nasa kulungan sa ibat ibang panig ng mundo na sangkot sa iba’t ibang kaso – at 125 na pinoy ang napipintong bitayin – 85 sa mga pinoy na ito ay sangkot sa kasong droga.

Sa ngayon, maraming mga pamilya ng mga OFWs ang nababahala sa kalakaran ng drug trade sa Pilipinas. Sa Rugao na lang, maraming mga kababayan natin ang natatakot para sa kanilang mga kapamilya na nasa ibang bansa. Natatakot silang sapitin din ng mga taga Rugao na OFW ang nangyari sa tatlo na naging biktima ng West African Drug Syndicate (WADS). Kaya naman naisip kong isulat ang artikulong ito.

Ayon sa balita, hindi alam ng mga nabitay na may dala pala silang droga. Sa kaso ni Sally Villanueva, siya ay napakiusapan lamang umano na dalhin at iabot ang isang bag sa isang tao sa China. Hindi niya ito inakalang droga pala ang laman. Kaya sa mga miyembro ng ROC, lalo na ang mga umaalis palabas ng Pilipinas siguraduhin na HINDI KAYO PAPAYAG NA KUMUHA NG ANO MANG PADALA NA IPINAPAKIUSAP SA INYO NG KAHIT NA SINO.

Sa kaso naman na alam ng mga biktima na may dala silang droga, siguraduhin na huwag kayong pasisilaw sa laki ng bayad at tamis ng mga pangako ng sindikato. Napag alaman na malaki ang perang kapalit ng pagiging ‘drug mule’ at pinapangakuan ang sinumang pumapayag na maging carrier. Pinapangakuan nila ang mga nabibiktima na kapag nahuli sila ay aayusin ito ng sindikato para makaalis din sa kulungan. Ito po ay puro pangako lamang. Kaya HUWAG KAYONG PASISILAW SA KAHIT NA ANUMANG ALOK NA MAY KAPALIT NA MALAKING HALAGA.

Ang ilan naman ay inakalang may trabaho  na inaalok sa kanila sa China o sa Middle East na walang placement fee at direct hiring. At pag pumayag, ay ipapadala ang biktima sa bansa ayon sa pangako at pagbibitbitin  ng bag na may lamang droga na hindi alam ng biktima. Kaya SIGURADUHIN NA ANG TRABAHONG PAPASUKAN SA IBANG BANSA AY DUMAAN SA LEGAL NA PROSESO. Wag dapat padadala sa madaliang pangingibang bansa dahil maari itong maging mitsa ng kalbaryo at kamatayan.

Naway makatulong ang paalalang ito sa mga taga ROC. Hangad natin na iwasan ang ganitong kaso lalo pa’t buhay ang kapalit.