We Remember the 7.2 Bohol Quake Today

A significant milestone for Your Blogger and an important day of remembering for Boholanos will usher in October 15, 2015

 

 Our Lady of Assumption Church, Dauis, Bohol

Today, Your Blogger gets to post his 1,000^th blog feature. Yes, it’s true! A thousand posts since Your Blogger started his blog three years ago, on September 13, 2012 so that means an average of one post a day. Not bad at all for someone who’s not exactly known for writing great prose.

Today, we join fellow Boholanos in a day of remembrance for the day that was when the 7.2 Bohol temblor struck Bohol at around 8 in the morning. Thank God, the death toll was not that high. On hindsight, we have our brother Muslims to thank for since the entire country observed the Islam holiday Eid Al-Fitr. Imagine if there were classes and work that fateful day.

Exactly two years ago, we had pre- nuptial photo session for soon- to- be- wed Borgy and Glenda at the breathtakingly beautiful Our Lady of Assumption Church in Dauis, Bohol. We never had an inkling that something would jolt and disrupt lives that very day. Who would have thought? It was such a bright & beautiful day. Nothing could possibly mess up with our shoot. Everyone was in high spirits when we headed off to Dauis.

 

Your Blogger

  

Upon arrival, the photo and video crew members of ace photographer Dennis Saco of CIO Photography immediately started to set up their equipment. Hair & make up maven Kim Villamor & assistant Girlie were sorting out the gowns and accessories plus their hair & make up set.

We decided to start the shoot at Café Lawis at the back of the church since there was a necrological mass going on.

Just a few minutes before the photo shoot would commence, it happened. Click  HERE for the story.

During those harrowing days after the earthquake and after super typhoon Yolanda slammed the Visayas region, stories of heroism & selflessness soon started to surface. In between, random acts of scam artists also came out. 

Those were trying moments for Boholanos but we were able to bounce back not only because of our resilience but also because of our strong unwavering faith in God and trusting in the innate goodness of man.

Berdeth's Birthday Cheers

Last year after a devastating quake struck Bohol, we took Italy- based Berdeth Piquero of Candijay, Bohol to Panggangan Island,Calape, one of the hardest hit towns of the province. She saw for herself how the school children were the most affected when their school building collapsed. 

This year, as a way of sharing her blessings on her 50th birthday, we went back to Panggangan to distribute slippers and other stuff together with close friend since high school days Engr. Necie "Oua" Pepito- Yu, wife of Calape Vice Mayor Nelson Yu &  Ate Lourdes Pepito

It was a sunny sunny day that was warmed further by the excitement & radiant smiles that beamed from the children's faces

Philippine Christmas lanterns peek out from the windows

Berdeth shows what caring & sharing is all about

Berdeth & Necie take a break with the head teacher & pupils

Your Blogger mugs for the camera

Photo Credits: raulgatal & berdethpiquero

Saudi Fashion Photo Shoot for a Cause

When I found out recently that Saudi Arabia based- Jane Ampoloquio of Tagbilaran City had facilitated the turnover of cash donations & goods for the families that had been affected by the October 15 2013 earthquake that struck Bohol, I got elated with the news and my mind suddenly went back to year 2003 when I first met Ms. Ampoloquio.

We were organizing a big fashion gala as one of the TBTK 2003 highlights and I had picked Jane from the casting call for the fashion event. Although she was practically a newbie in modeling, she had the willowy and svelte figure, height and the beauty that was perfect for modeling. 

She was still raw but had a lot of potential and was a fast learner when it came to posing and gliding on the runway

After that fashion show, our paths never crossed again perhaps, because I was so engrossed in the academe and she had become a registered nurse.

It had to take an earthquake for our paths to connect once again through B.R.I.D.G.E.S were we both volunteer

According to web designer & photographer Chrismael Caldo, the donations were through the collective efforts of a Saudi Arabia- based group of models and photographers that includes our very own Jane Ampoloquio.

Jane Ampoloquio worked tirelessly to help gather these artists in the arts & fashion world for a photo shoot that generated cash donations and relief goods

Lest people forget, there are still scores of families that are still reeling from the devastating after effects of the earthquake that struck Bohol four months back. Their plight has been eclipsed by Super Typhoon Yolanda that ravaged most parts of Eastern Visayas

To Jane Ampoloquio and to everyone involved in the fundraiser, hats off to you!

PHOTOSHOOT FOR A CAUSE     :  (BOHOL EARTHQUAKE)

PARTICIPANTS                                : PHOTOGRAPHERS FROM SAUDI

LOCATION                                       : AMERAYAH PRIVATE FARM RIYADH K.S.A.

ORGANIZERS                                   : RIYADH CREATIVE ARTISTS

DONORS:   

LAGUNA LAKERS CARGO FORWARDERS, PINOY SINING K.S.A. , DANTE LAYOSA , NORMAN CUNANAN, RODEL MINDA, JAM C. NAVA ,ZHARIYA SILVESTRE CAMID & A LOT MORE!

THRU THE EFFORT OF MS. JANE AMPOLOQUIO (REGISTERED NURSE)

(MEMBER OF B.R.I.D.G.E.S.)

 

THANKS TO DENNIS SACO & THE REST OF B.R.I.D.G.E.S. FOR FACILITATING THE DISTRIBUTION     

Celevel & Lou: Helping Rebuild Bohol's Schools

"We" meant Celevel Ranoco- Butler, her son Breit, her mom the former Evelia Mozo Fostanes and another companion whose name escapes me at the moment

But the gloom that came with the overcast weather was quickly dispelled by the sunny disposition of the mother – daughter tandem of Celevel & Evelia.

I quickly warmed up to the effervescent Evelia who regaled us with her life as a young island girl! 

Our Mission:  

Mom & Daughter Tandem (File Photo)

  a three- room school building rises  

To check on the situation and status of the school rebuilding efforts in Panggangan Island after a devastating 7.2 earthquake knocked down and forced the temporary transfer of the grade school and the secondary school buildings in the island

We were met by the hardworking teachers of the island along with Fr. Lito Masula who briefed us on the prototype of the classrooms that would be built in lieu of the tent and bamboo structures that serve as temporary classrooms for the kids 

Serious- looking Breit with Grandma Evelia with school teachers 

The highlight of the visit?

Celevel Butler handing out to Fr. Lito Masula and the public school teachers the amount raised through the efforts of Singapore- based advertising executives Celevel Ranoco- Butler and Lou De La Pena who initiated some fundraisers in Singapore to help rebuild some of Bohol’s damaged schools

  Your Blogger, Celevel & Fr, Lito 

Celevel hands to Fr. Lito the check for the school rebuilding

Before we went back to Tagbilaran City, Fr. Lito and the school teachers invited us to partake of an island feast of crabs, fish and kinilaw

Wow, the perfect way to wrap up a wonderful day! Cheers!

P.S. Did I mention to you that Celevel is also a Miss Bohol Sandugo titleholder? She won her crown back in the 90’s  

Celevel & Lou: Helping rebuild Bohol's schools

If you share in Lou & Celevel & my vision for a brighter future for Bohol’s next generation through quality education learned in conducive surroundings, please visit our Facebook Page:    

 Bohol Friends Forever- Rebuilding Schools