Indigent Danao Girl comes to L.A. for Cranio-Facial Surgery
May 5, 2007
After nearly 10 years of trying the DAUSA finally had one of its original medical mission patient come to the U.S. to undergo a very delicate and expensive surgery.
Merylou Barriga, a 12-year old daughter of very poor parents, who had never been inside the Gaisano Store in Danao City, finally arrived Los Angeles aboard Philippine Airlines with a chaperone.
Through the Mending Kids International, a non-profit organization known to bring children from all over the world to undergo life saving procedures in top California hospitals, has accepted the case of Merylou for a cranio-facial surgery at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles.
During the first DAUSA Medical Mission conducted in Danao City in September 1998, a 3-year old baby with severe facial deformity was brought to the Danao General Hospital by her parents hoping that the Medical Mission surgeons who had been doing cleft-lip and palate surgeries could also fix their daughter’s face.
The DAUSA Medical surgeons found Merylou’s case too delicate to be performed at the poorly equipped Danao District Hospital, not in Cebu City or even in Manila.
The Filipino Spirit is Rising
April 30, 2007
Antonio ‘Almi’ Almacen, a long lost cousin I have not seen in 35 years, who like me was a Guinacot “askal”, now the big boss running the operation of San Miguel Corporation in Beijeng, China, emailed me to share a very inspiring story which he thinks every Danawanon must read and reflect on.
“Tony Meloto, the visionary and driving force behind the Gawad Kalinga movement, was conferred with a Doctorate of Humanities, Honoris Causa, by the Ateneo de Davao.
He then delivers a speech to the graduates of the university, a challenge actually, for patriotism and heroism. The same message will be given to eight other colleges and universities who have asked Tony Meloto to be their commencement speaker for 2007.”
‘The Filipino Spirit is Rising’
Antonio Meloto
2007 Commencement Exercises
Ateneo de Davao University
Today, I feel intelligent. Not only am I addressing some of the brightest minds in Mindanao, but I am also being honored by this prestigious university with a Doctorate in Humanities, Honoris Causa. This is the first doctorate that I have received and I am accepting it in all humility and pride as a recognition of the nobility of the cause and the heroism of the thousands of Gawad Kalinga workers that I represent. Thank you Fr. Ting Samson and Ateneo de Davao for bestowing the highest academic degree on a man who was born without a pedigree- the ‘askal’ (asong kalye) who went to Ateneo and came back to the slums to help those he left behind.
To a person like myself who did not excel in Ateneo in my pursuit of a college degree, receiving this Ph. D. is extremely flattering being fully conscious that my principal role in this movement is to be the storyteller of the many who put in the sacrifice and the hard work and yet have remained mostly unrecognized. It is also exhilarating because it builds on the growing global awareness, triggered by Gawad Kalinga and other movements that have not given up on our country, that the Filipinos can and will build a squatter-free, slum-free and hunger- free Philippines by committing their collective genius, passion and strength towards restoring the dignity and the potential for excellence of the poor, the weak and the powerless.
Boboy and Danao’s thunder things
April 24, 2007
By Karlon N. Rama
Stage Five
SunStar-Cebu
LAST week’s piece on the nineteen-eleven earned an email from Mr. Ramon “Boboy” Durano IV (boboy_rd @yahoo.com), former city administrator, vice mayor and councilor of Danao City. I emailed him back and asked about the treasure trove of firearms and firearm-history that he calls his hometown. His reply deserves to see print.
“Based on my little research, the gun industry in Danao started around 1905-1906 and one of the most popular gun maker at that time was a certain Mario Durano. I don’t know how he is related to us.
“I have a piece that was supposedly made by him in 1912. It is a revolver chambered for cal. 32, made out of bronze and patterned after the revolvers used either by the Spaniards or the early batch of American soldiers sent out to fight Aguinaldo. Gun making was then considered as a backyard industry, of course, and outlawed by the government.
“When World War II came, the Danao gunsmiths went underground, joined the guerrilla movement or were inducted into the USAFFE under the command of Gen. Douglas McArthur.
“Their task was to re-chamber the Japanese Arisaka rifles to fit the US cal.30 round or kept the original Japanese rifle in good serviceable shape for the use of our forces.
“After the war, there was a lull because of the proliferation of US surplus goods, among them firearms.
“The industry went on, still underground. Until the ’60s, somebody coined the word ‘paltik’ to the guns. The brand made it popular and, being synonymous to Danao, people now began to realize that there was something, a special skill, that is embedded in the Danao gunsmiths.
Two Indigent Danao Kids Coming to L.A. for Surgery
April 7, 2007
Two DAUSA Medical Mission indigent patients whose cases were extremely delicate for local hospitals to handle, are finally coming to the U.S. on May 19, through the assistance from Mending Kids International.
Merylou Laurito Barriga, 11 years, old has an extreme facial deformity. The girl was brought by her parents to the DAUSA Medical Mission every year since it started in 1998.
DAUSA’s partner, the St. Martin de Porres Catholic Medical Mission Guild, tried helping little Merylou through referrals to Hongkong and South Korea hospitals, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
Keith Casas Montesuso, 8 years old, has multiple heart defects, in and out of hospitals in Cebu, and still in fragile condition, because his case requires open-heart surgery which could cost well over a million pesos at Cebu Doctors Hospital, and more, if done in Manila.
Sometime last year we sent an urgent appeal to Mending Kids International, a charitable non-profit organization based in Valencia, California.
MKI is known for helping kids from all over the world whose medical conditions could not be helped in their home countries.
Among those that MKI had helped were a conjoined twin from Guatemala. (This was in the news, maybe 2 years ago, a rare case of twins joined in the head and separated successfully).
UV-Danao Grand Alumni Homecoming Announced
March 23, 2007
Hundreds or maybe thousands of UV-DVI Alumni from all over the country, including many OFWs, some U.S. residents will soon make their sentimental journey back home to reunite, reconnect with high school classmates and reminisce their youth in their U.V. beloved.
UV-DVI President Dr. Luzviminda Roble has reported to dausa.org the plans for the Grand UV Homecoming that U.V.-DVI Alumni Association will be having this year.
According to Dr. Roble, the anticipated biggest alumni homecoming event in the history of the school will be on the 19th of May 2007.
Dr. Roble said that the alumni homecoming will start a with motorcade at 8AM, then a mass and variety and fellowship show after 2PM on that same day, possibly at the newly renovated airconditioned Danao City Gym.
It was only last year that Dr. Wilfredo Ypil sort of revived the Association. There had been no activities since the death of former City Councilor Tatong Perez who led the UV-Danao Alumni for several years. (Left Photo: Dr. Linda Roble, President of UV-Danao Alumni Assn.; Right Photo: Post-WWII Students of UV Danao, Atty Felix Munoz & co.)
2007 Champions of the Earth–Includes a Danawanon, also Al Gore
February 21, 2007
Award winners announced on Eve of Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum
(One of the 7 awardees is Eliza Gozun of World Bank, daughter of DAUSA Member Socorro Almendras-Gillera. Monching)
Nairobi, 1 February 2007 – – Seven leaders whose achievements range from chemical safety, sustainable waste management and the greening of sporting events to the conservation of deserts, rainforests and the global climate are to be honoured as Champions of the Earth 2007, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) announced today.
The winners, who will be presented with their awards at a special ceremony in Singapore on 19 April, were named as:
• His Excellency Mr. Cherif Rahmani for advancing environmental law in Algeria and for his role in leading the Year for Deserts and Desertification.
• Elisea ‘Bebet’ Gillera Gozun for pushing forward the environmental agenda in her native Philippines by winning the trust of business leaders, non-governmental organizations and political decision-makers alike;
• Viveka Bohn of Sweden for playing a prominent role in multilateral negotiations and her leadership in global efforts to ensure chemical safety;
• Her Excellency Ms. Marina Silva of Brazil for her tireless fight to protect the Amazon rainforest while taking into account the perspectives of people who use the resources in their daily lives;
• Al Gore of the United States for making environmental protection a pillar of his public service and for educating the world on the dangers posed by rising greenhouse gas emissions;
• His Royal Highness Prince Hassan Bin Talal of Jordan for his belief in transboundary collaboration to protect the environment and for addressing environmental issues in a holistic manner;
• Jacques Rogge and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for advancing the sport and environment agenda by providing greater resources to sustainable development and for introducing stringent environmental requirements for cities bidding to host Olympic Games.
Mai-Mai Barriga Domaboc & Co. – A Day with the Orphans
February 4, 2007
As soon as my morning alarm cracked up my entire house, I went straight to the altar and prayed my visit would somehow be successful.
I have a lot hang ups in my mind and I always wished my day with the orphans would make me forget about my daily-yet-shallow-problems. I took a quick shower and did all my finishing touches.
The weather was perfect. The chocolates were already in the party bags and the toys were already piled up and were good to go. I was hoping I could catch up with my mom who happened to go to work as early as 7 am.
I was a bit nervous as to how the kids would accept me knowing how much they enjoyed the company of the DAUSA members who visited them last September.
I was at least happy because I would be giving out the toys and chocolates from PJ Mallari who was one of the DAUSA members who visited the kids.
I heard my friend honking her Starex Van and I knew we were good go. I was amazed how my highschool friends responded to my invitation when I saw the boxes of Juice, the tuperwares piled up with hotdogs, spaghetti, marshmallows and sliced bread. I didn’t expect they have the sincerest intention to help.
The day was bright, the sun was warm and I can feel my heart pounding while I was walking down the tiny little aisle going to that little house. The kids welcomed us with a warm hug so I guess they knew we were coming over to visit.
It was like around 2 in the afternoon when we got to Danao and the kids were in their tantrum moods since we disturbed their afternoon nap. I told them who I was and they were smiling when I told them the toys I have are for them from their Kuya PJ.
The Jacksons: Leading the Medical Mission in Danao, then their Big Wedding in Bohol Right After
September 28, 2006
Despite her much anticipated Catholic Church wedding with husband of 22 years – Ben, scheduled on Friday, September 22, in Tagbilaran, Bohol, DAUSA President Dr. Anita Cal-Jackson, still took the task of spearheading the 9th DAUSA Medical Mission on September 19 – 21, with Ben helping out.
And she did it with same enthusiasm and energy the way she did as Chief of Medical Mission since 1998, as if there was no other major forthcoming activity to prepare.
Her attention was totally focused on the activity at hand – the DAUSA Medical Mission. As usual, the Medical Mission – this time Anita serving as President and Chief of Medical Mission – was another huge success – helping indigent Danawanons in a big way.
Surprisingly, the couple even attended the culmination program hosted by City Mayor Ramon Durano III, held at the Mayor’s residence in Guinsay, Danao City, Thursday evening, September 21.
Ben and Anita got up 3:00 a.m., Friday, getting ready for an early morning drive to the Pier in Cebu City to catch the 6:00 am boat to Tagbilaran.
A REAL WAR HERO, COL. ALEJANDRO ALMENDRAS: MILITARY STRATEGIST
May 9, 2006
(Editor’s Note: While browsing some reading materials at the Cebuano Studies Center of the University of San Carlos during a visit to the USC Library in Cebu – I came across an old book – THE CEBU PATRIOTS IN ACTION – published in 1946 and authored by Cayetano Villamor, a guerrilla officer during the war. Only two Danawanons were featured and considered war heroes and patriots. A lesser known Danawanon hailed as a valiant war hero was a certain Capt. Agripino Casia. He died in combat bravely fighting against the Japanese invaders.
While in Danao Elementary School I never heard about these two Danawanon patriots who fought bravely against the Japanese. Their names were never mentioned by our History teachers. And sadly, not a street, not even a tree has been named in their memory. Monching)
**************
Colonel Alejandro Almendras, A Military Strategist
by: Cayetano Villamor, author, “The Cebu Patriots in Action”, published 1946.
Times change and the hearts of men change with them. The statement is absolutely correct.
But I propose to make an exception. With greatest confidence and with an enormous lift of my heart I can forcefully state that our people sincerely believe our recent resistance against Japan will always remain a glorious chapter of our country’s history.
There should be no controversy on this point. You and I cannot quarrel with Fate and cannot successfully rise against posterity’s verdict.
It is therefore fitting and proper that honor, pride and glory, in fact, everything that is best and sacred in our people be given the patriots. Their sacrifices and miseries gladly undertaken because they love their country readily found responsive echoes in our hearts.
This is precisely the reason why I always greet with respect and appreciation Lieutenant Colonel Alejandro D. Almendras, a brilliant mind, a forceful and persuasive character.
During the most perilous years of our national existence this dashing and energetic leader cheerfully defended his country and its institutions.
Featuring Old Bisayan Folk Stories: SI HARING WATI (KING WORM)
January 31, 2006
Si Haring Wati
(Author Unknown)
Dugay nang nagpuyo si Haring Wati sa ilalom sa yuta, apan usa ka adlaw niana mihangyo siya sa atong Ginoo nga unta mahimo siyang tawo aron makaalagad sa mga kabos.
Unya, pagkahimo na niyang tawo, nadato siya.
Paglabay sa panahon, gitawag sa atong Ginoo si San Pedro ug miingon: “Dro, adtoon ta si Haring Wati ug tan-awon nato kon makaila pa ba siya nato.” Tuod man giadto nila si Haring Wati, apan wala na siya makaila kanila.
Miingon ang atong Ginoo, “Paimna intawon kog tubig.”
Gitawag ni Haring Wati ang iyang sulugoon ug nagkanayon: “Hoy, tagai na siyag imnonon sa manok.”
Miinom lang usab ang atong Ginoo sa tubig. Pagkahuman, miingon siya kang San Pedro: “Dali, Dro, mamauli na lang ta, kay si Haring Wati wa na gyod makaila nato.”
Namauli tuod sila ug nag-ilis ug maanindot nga sapot. Tingpaniudto na pagkabalik nila sa ka Haring Wati.
“Maayong udto, ‘Nyor.” matod nila.
Pagkakita ni Haring Wati sa maanindot nilang sapot, iya dayon silang gipasaka ug gipalingkod. Giingnan ni Haring wati ang iyang mga sulugoon sa pag-andam sa lamesa, unya gidapit ang atong Ginoo ug si San Pedro pagdungan ug paniudto kaniya.
Gihukas dayon sa atong Ginoo ang iyang amerikana ug gibutang duol sa kan-anan. Unya mao usab ang iyang gihimo sa iyang karsones ug sapatos, ug miingon siya: “Nan, amerikana ug sapatos ko, pangaon na lang mo kay kamo may gisilbihan ni Haring Wati.”
Unya, giatubang sa atong Ginoo si Haring Wati ug miingon: “Haring Wati. mihangyo ka kanako nga unta mahimo kang tawo aron ikaw maoy magbuhi sa mga kabos. Apan tataw na kaayo nga dili gayud ikaw mohimo niana. Nan karon, balik ka sa yuta.”
Si Haring Wati miluhod sa atubangan sa atong Ginoo ug nangayog pasaylo. Apan wala gayud mabalhin ang hukom sa along Ginoo.
Mao nga karon ang Wati nahibalik sa iyang gigikanan, ug usahay gani ginatumban ra siya sa mga lumalabay nga gadanghag lang. (Click Read More for English Translation)