The People We Had Helped Rebuild Their Homes

If you recalled my first post regarding my fund drive for Typhoon Yolanda victims in Brgy. Bagongon, Concepcion, Iloilo, we have already gave cash to some families (see related post here). I was not able to go to the island personally. I was actually advised not to go there because the weather these past few weeks is not good for travelling to the island. I handed P15,000 to Mrs. Catherine Buenafe and she took charge of distributing the money to her neighbors. 

Mrs. Buenafe accepting the cash donations last December 2013.

Here is a list of names of the recipients of the donations:

Reynaldo Olano

Jona Panday

Lorna Gabayeron

Elena Gabayeron

Bonifacio Vinalon

Herminio Buenafe

Rona Buenafe

Mary Jaene Sanchez

Joey Herbolario

RIna Camayodo

Mrs. Catherine Buenafe promised to give me photos of the recipients. However, she could not give it to me yet because she has not yet crossed to the mainland because of bad weather. I want to get photos of the recipients and the area for transparency purposes for our donors but then, I don't want also that these people risk their safety for a simple photo. I'll just post it here as soon as I get them.

Please encourage your friends to make their donations through my gofundme page so that we could help more families in the island. http://www.gofundme.com/5d0qv8 

As of today, we have received $199 dollars donation. I am planning to cash this out next week so we can send funds to some families.


EDITED (January 30, 2014)

Here are the photos of the people who have received assistance from us last December. 

A Summer Getaway: Campuestohan Highland Resort

The managers of Bristlecone Branch of Sunlife Financial went to the Campuestohan Highland Resort, a mountain get away that is currently getting a lot of tourist traffic, last January 24, 2014. If you love to commune with nature, Campuestohan is the right vacation spot for you.

Mt. Mandalagan in the background.

Campuestohan is situated right in the boundaries of Talisay City and Bacolod City of Negros Occidental. The place offers breathtaking views. Serving as a backdrop is the majestic Mt. Mandalagan while on the other side is a scenic view of the plains of Negros Occidental, a portion of the sea and a peek of the Panay islands. The weather is very cool which makes it a perfect summer getaway. 

Picking up the Pieces: Typhoon Yolanda Survivors

These are some of the photos taken by my husband Jonathan, of the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda from Northern Iloilo. He was a member of the group called Typhoon Yolanda Story Hub. The group provided some of the photos used in compelling news articles about damage brought by the strongest typhoon ever recorded in history.

Children from Nagpana, Barotac Viejo

Trecia Ann Docejo. 2 yrs old. From Poblacion, Concepcion, Iloilo.

Helping Rebuild Northern Iloilo - Our Typhoon Yolanda Aid Story

It's been two months since Typhoon Haiyan (Philippine name Yolanda) struck the Visayas area of the Philippines. Some of the hardest hit areas are in Northern Iloilo composed of Estancia, Batad, Ajuy, Barotac Viejo, Carles and Concepcion. Public structures were destroyed, homes were flattened, livelihood were lost, and some lives perished during and after the storm. 

A Happy Birthday Greeting!

Carrot cake in whipped cream frosting. I made
 this cake last year as gifts for friends. The nice
photo  was taken by my loving husband.
Will post my carrot cake recipe here soon.

It's been awhile since I last made an entry in my blog. I had been very busy these last few months. I was busy with school, with a new job, and being a Mom to my two hyperactive kids. 

I posted here an image of a cake in this article. So what's with the cake? What's there to celebrate?

Cakes are usually associated with celebrations and birthdays. And today, we are celebrating the birthday of Jesus! Happy Birthday Jesus!

Why "happy birthday" and not Merry Christmas, some friends ask. Let us all remember that it is indeed the birthday of Jesus Christ that we are celebrating this season.  I know some little children think that Christmas is about those lovely Christmas trees, the abundant food and the new toys and clothes they will get as gifts. Maybe, we the adults, were not able to explain to them the real essence of Christmas. Let us bring back the focus of the celebration to Jesus Christ and not our own merriment. 

To Christians, everyday...most especially today....JESUS...you are the Star! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!