When it rains

In our environmentally challenged times, it not only rains, but it pours and floods, particularly in our own Cebu. Most of our mountains, except in some interior areas, are barren except for brush-and-grass (cogon) land. We know that this is the result of previous cutting down of trees for fuel and construction by rural mountain folk, later banned by the government. But things have changed, and moneyed city residents are living in modern residential developments in the mountains, while the mountain folk are down in the cities making a living, many ending up in squatter areas.

So the environmental degradation continues, resulting in disastrous landslides in mountain barangays, and in the cities due to wanton trash disposal in our narrowing or built-over waterways. Adding to the woes of Cebu City and crowded areas are the unusual and alarming series of disastrous fires, ironic in our rained-over times.

Media reports on political turmoil and unrest in other countries, including the worldwide financial recession (depression?), especially in the United States, affecting our numerous overseas Filipino workers are fluid and changing daily. These I will then leave you to you to follow daily, while I deal with local (particularly Cebuano) current, civic, historical, cultural and religious events, with more on the good news, including my personal involvements and participation in some of these.

To note some of our local mishaps. Regarding that recent disastrous traffic crash in the recently constructed and opened SRP subway tunnel, I remember passing through it a few months ago, admiring it and remembering the number of some such awesome (to me) subways during my trips abroad. Then that dump truck crash in Barili claiming 10 deaths in its load of the funeral coffin and mourners, so not just one dead, but 10 additional ones in the funeral that was later held on foot. I remember taking that route many times in the past in a speeding bus, always apprehensive over the many curves in the mountain highway from Carcar to Barili. As also that fast-craft bursting into flames and sinking off the coast of Talisay City, remembering the tension I always felt in a wave-tossed ship on my trips to Manila, also many years ago.

Now for my community organization involvement with the Cebu Zonta Club I. At our monthly general membership meeting last Thursday, birthday celebrants for the month traditionally honored first thing, included August-born Helena Benedicto, Anita Cabinian, Anita Sanchez and yours truly. This was followed with a special Mass said for departed spouses of members, Anita Cabinian’s Hermenigildo, Anita Sanchez’ Filomeno and Tina Ebrada’s Benjamin, as well as Zelda Borromeo’s brother Francisco, with prayers that their souls may rest in peace. Updates were reported on some of the fund-raising projects of the Club, including the Run Forward and Fashion and Rhythm.

Then last Friday morning I attended the wedding of one of my late husband’s grandnieces, France Julianne Babiera (Chiki) to Alex Mendoza del Mar at the Redemptorist Church, followed by the reception at one of the new popular hotels at the Reclamation Area. It was bonding time for me with my husband’s grandnieces surnamed Babiera, their families and other relatives as well: Imelda and Nazario Santos, Maria Lourdes and Judge Vicente Cabatingan, Dr. Teresita and Dr. Eduard Galon, Agnes whose husband surnamed Von remained in the States, and Dr. Carmelita and Dr. Edgardo Sabitsana.

In the evening, the Cebu United Radio and TV Artists Corp. (Curta) opened our “Beauty of Life” celebration at the Convention Center of the Sacred Heart Center at D. Jakosalem Street. That day, Aug. 19th, was the birthday of our late founder Emiliano Rizada Jr. Mass was celebrated by our longtime chaplain, Msgr. Jose Tajanlangit (Fr. Joe to us).

This was followed by the third induction of board officers and consultants. Reelected officers were reinducted, led by president Edgar Gutierrez and vice president. So was new officer Boy Patalinghug. Consultants included Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy, who was also our guest speaker; Dr. Warfe Engracia who also rendered a couple of songs for us; TV executives, news anchors and program hosts Bobby Nalzaro and Dante Luzon and yours truly. Especially honored at Mass was a specially decorated side arrangement with the portrait and urn of cremated ashes of the Curta founder. His widow, our honorary chairperson Rose Rizada celebrated her birthday last Wednesday, the 24th, for which we belatedly greeted her here a happy birthday! Rose was the moving spirit behind that very successful affair through the dinner and climatic “Beauty of Life” celebration.

Especially good news: the very warm public welcome and rejoicing for the triumphant Philippine Dragon Boat Team, and the eight Cebu nursing graduates among the national top 10 successful nursing board examinees, from three Cebu Schools of nursing, the Cebu Normal University (my alma mater), the Cebu Doctors’ University (also my alma mater) and the Systems Technology Institute. Congratulations, all!

And now, a chronological listing of some of the more significant (even personal) happenings in the past week and days: the XXVI World Youth Day from Aug. 17th to Aug. 21st led by Pope Benedict XVI in Madrid, Spain, which live coverage I followed on TV; media colleague Sam Costanilla of the provincial government’s media group’s birthday Aug. 18th, happy birthday, Sam!); the late should-have-been president Fernando Poe Jr.’s birthday last Aug. 20th; the anniversaries of the Plaza Miranda bombing on the 21st in 1971 and of the late Benigno Aquino, Jr.’s airport assasination in 1983; the University of San Carlos’ University Days from the 20th through the 27th; and the Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, on the 22nd.

In closing, may God continue to bless us, one and all!