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

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

Berdeth Gives Back for Bohol's Future

REACHING OUT

It was a meaningful birthday celebration for Italy- based Boholana Berdeth Piquero when she celebrated her natal day with a visit to Pangangan Elementary School located in Pangangan Island, Calape, Bohol last Thursday November 21 to share her blessings with the school's teachers and 452 pupils

She was joined by your blogger and her high school classmate and good friend Lyndon Boiser who incidentally, is marking his golden year today

Good friends Lyndon & Berdeth with Bohol's future
 

CLASSES IN A TENT CITY 

Both were immediately drawn to the innocent faces of the young pupils who were oblivious to the makeshift tent and bamboo structure that has been their classroom for the past few weeks after an earthquake devastated their school and houses

During our visit, we found out that several of the teachers and the pupils have fallen ill because of the not so conducive ventilation from the nylon tarpaulin that turn the makeshift classrooms into ovens when the sun comes out during the day

It was an eye- opener for my companions who witnessed the deplorable surroundings. 

After the visit and the distribution of the school supplies, both Berdeth and Lyndon thanked me for the opportunity to reach out to the kids. 

I said "Don't thank me for I'm just an instrument" 

Before she flew back for Italy this morning, Ate Berdeth promised to initiate a fundraiser so that the community's dream for their kids to have a sturdier classroom will be fulfilled

Cheers to you both Berdeth & Lyndon!

If you want to help rebuild Bohol's school buildings and classrooms that were either totally destroyed or partially damaged by the October 15 temblor, please visit the FB Link below:

Bohol Friends Forever - Rebuilding Schools

Photo Credits: Raul Phillip Gatal & Berdeth Piquero