|Reminiscing the past|Sendong|ChristmasVacation|

December 17, 2011: I may still remember the said day when an undetermined number of families were left homeless (including my family)after Tropical Storm “Sendong” brought heavy rains and flooding in Dumaguete City and other parts of Negros Oriental. 

It was the most unforgettable moment in my life. :( It was a very challenging experience to me. Early in the morning, when I woke up, the rain is so heavy, the minute after I started to clean the house, the water from the river started to flood in our place. 

I and my family started to panic but still trying to save the things we may get. After an hour, one of our family friend send a text message to me telling that everybody are going to evacuate in our church and trying to convince us to stay there too. Without any doubt, we plan to stay in the church till the rain and flood stop.

Sendong really brought a big disaster in my place. I think it has an advantages and disadvantages for me. I want to start with the Disadvantages: First, major thoroughfares and interior roads were submerged in water. Second, 36 people including children were reported dead. Third, several houses along the Banica River were carried downstream by flash floods that also damaged the new Banica Bridge. Lastly, furniture, livestock, and homes made of light material were also washed away by flood waters in other parts of the city. The advantages are: First,people became more responsible and attentive every time there is a calamity. Second, it remind us that we're not in charge of nature. Third, We learn how to better respond to future problems. Lastly, we get blessings through the help of our loved ones (family friends, church friends and relatives).

I would like you to meet my co-refugees in the church: Montemayor Family, Fabillar Family and Tolentino Family. Here's some of our pics--->>

my sendong family.

Gamboa Family

The Boys! Jared, Romney, Kyle and Marc

me, jake,kath, rye and jared

Mama, Raya,Megan,Ate Marissa,Rachel

Chelsi! (guitarist)

Flood in the House

Montemayor couple, Fabillar couple and Tolentino couple

 We had our Christmas Celebration in the church, even though we suffered so much pain and loss we still have the time to thank God for all of this! I know that after every trial we encounter in our lives it brings blessings. Heavenly Father just want to test us if we are obedient to his commandments! He will never ever  leave us! Let's all be thankful and grateful <3 

|LDS|TheChurchofJesusChristofLatter-DaySaints|

Missionary friends

Most of my friends are now in the mission field. They were inspired by the Prophet Thomas S. Monson’s announcement last general conference, which the young woman aging 19 years old and young men aging 18 years old can now apply to go on a mission. I am also inspired by then. I am still confused of my decisions. Some say to finish my studies first and some say that follow your desire. It’s hard for me to decide whether to study or to mission. I am hoping for more encouragement and advices from you guys! J

Well, I don’t really want to talk about myself. I want to share things about my institute friends who are missionaries now! Of course I am a proud friend. Here’s some update of my missionary friends!

Toni Rose Maagad is now serving in Philippines Quezon City Mission. She thought that I am her trainee in the field. But then again, I am not, Haha. She is amazing and never fails to inspire me; I always looked up to those women who served their mission. 

Sister Maagad with her companion in Manila Temple.

Priscila Lee Enriquez is now serving in Philippines Ilo-ilo Mission. Our photographer in institute and our nurse in the institute. She's so talented.

Sister Enriquez's photo during his Brother's birthday.

Marcelo Maagad is now serving in Philippines Cauayan Mission. He’s the brother of Sister Maagad. He’s our band bass guitarist and vocalist in institute. He and Toni pass their mission papers at the same time.

Elder Maagad with his companion on his first baptism.

JakeMontemayor will serve in New Jersey Morristown Mission but his papers is still in process he's temporarily serving at Manila Mission. He's my friend since they come here in Dumaguete last 2010. 

Elder Montemayor with Elder De Ocampo

Ariel Joseph Acabal, Von Rigor Calingacion, Tom Lado is now serving in Philippines Butuan Mission. Ariel and Von passed their paper at the same time and in surprise they were assigned in the same mission field. Tom is now an office missionary. John Acuesta will serve in the same mission. 

Elder Calingacion. Elder Lado and Elder Acabal

Kenneth Hoyo-a and Benjamin Remolano Jr. is now serving in Philippines Quezon city North Mission. Kenneth is my brother from another mother, haha.  My adopted brother who always help me in everything. Jr is my co-organizer in every institute activity.

Elder Remolano, Elder Hoyo-a and Elder Posadas

Romil Anasario is now serving in Philippines Angeles Mission. The RN. The Artist and the geek (sorry for the word) coz he's so intelligent. 

Elder Anasario @ Philippines MTC

I miss them a lot! I  also love them. I know how blessed they are if they do what is right. They will receive their promised blessing. I hope I can go to mission and pursue my goals. Some of my friends now are preparing for their mission. They are: Rosemae Maagad, Princess Remolano, Kenneth Lou Culis, Maricar Flores and Jea Reva Azores. And I'm next in line. :)

|LDS Missionaries|TheChurchofJesusChristofLatter-DaySaint|

 

Institute is my PRIORITY!

LDS Institute of Religion provide religious educational classes for young single adults and university students who belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Our beloved President Thomas S. Monson said that "MAKE INSTITUTE A PRIORITY". Its been three years that I joined the said class. I've met different kind of people in institute. I was then an inactive institute student. One of my friend Jake Montemayor, the son of our Institute director invited me to visit the ces bldg and try to join on their activities. In my curiosity, I joined. I am so amazed the first time I visited the bldg. You know why? everyone welcomes me and greet me with a smile. Isn't it amazing? 

well, so much for my story. I want to talk about our one and only Institute Director. Each institute has an Institute Director. Ours is President Rogelio Montemayor. If you want to know about him just click his name and the information is given. He's been my father since I joined Institute Class. And not to mention her wife! As how he describe her wife: "My Beautiful Wife". Haha yeah its true, I love them both. They set an example to me and to others. They inspire me most to become a good leader. Through their inspiration and the examples they've set, I can say that I am molded to become one of a good and effective Institute of Religion Student Council. I am given an opportunity to spread my wings and fly! char. I mean, to share my talents and knowledge. 

Last June 28-29, 2013 we went to Bacolod City to have our IRSC Training with the Bacolod IRSC members. I experienced a lot of things. We shared our knowledge in planning the whole year activities and shared it with the bacolod saints. We also went to "THE RUINS" one of the best place in Bacolod city. We went shopping to SM on our free time after the training and travel back to Dumaguete. Here's some of our pictures:

President Montemayor

With the Sis Leah and my co-IRSC members

The Ruins

with Jake Montemayor and Sushmita Rivera
Background: Bacolod city Hall.

Dumaguete Institute of Religion Student Council with our Director and His Wife.

My co-IRSC Member. (From left to right: Jossa, Jake, Manuel,Jino,Sushmita,Rosemae,Leo)

And now, I am proud and happy to tell everyone to MAKE INSTITUTE A PRIORITY! as what our beloved President Thomas S. Monson said. I want them to feel what I feel, I want them to find their true friends and find peace in their life, You can only feel it INSTITUTE!  I know the feeling of being a first timer but, all we need is to fellowship the new ones! I know the church is true! Heavenly Father love us! Let us all be thankful and grab this big opportunity to know them more! :) I am a proud member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! :)

|LDSinstitute|TheChurchofJesusChristofLatter-DaySaints|

Salagdoong, Siquijor

Salagdoong Beach Resort  is one of  the most popular beaches in Siquijor. This white sand beach located in the town of Maria has a very wide area. Its beachfront is separated by a small rocky hill  which you can climb to enjoy a better view of the whole beach. Beach lovers will find the Siquijor Island an unforgettable place to stay. Located in the Philippines, Siquijor Island used to be called the Island of Fire and it originally formed part of Negros Oriental.

Siquijor is really an enchanted place for my friends and I. We are brave to cross from Dumaguete to Siquijor regardless of all the talks on witchcraft and sorcery.  The moment I saw the beach it was PARADISE! The beach was very clear, you could see different types of fish without even using goggles! That's how clear the water is. Although it is far from the pier, the trip is worthwhile. Our 2 days and 1 night stay at Salagdoong beach resort was full of fun and excitement. Our long trip to reach the place paved away as we experienced the enthralling ambiance of the resort. The beach was so relaxing and the refreshing scene from the beach was a relief from a long hours trip.

I was able to jump on the cliff but sad to say no one took me a picture! :(  Here's some of my pics! enjoy! :)

YSA|TheChurchofJesusChristofLatter-DaySaints|

Apo Island

Apo Island is a volcanic island covering 12 hectares in land area, 7 kilometers off the southeastern tip of Negros Oriental and 30 kilometers south of the Negros Oriental capital of Dumaguete City in the Philippines. The name "Apo" was derived from a Filipino word which means "grandchild". I went there last May 01, 2013 together with my church friends.

Here's our pictures:

My Church Friends

mehehe

On the way to Apo Island

I so love the the Background

Apo Island!!!

close view of the high stone!

Kinilaw. yum yum!

white sand.

Sinugba!

And we met these friendly "pawikan" or Turtle in the sea! And because I'm afraid to get near of them, i wasn't able to take a pictures with them! ahh, :( haha but anyways, I have here some of the pictures of Pawikan. :))) enjoy!

Kuya Sid with the Turtle

I really enjoyed my one day vacation there. Worth the everything! :)) Photo credits to: Ate Flaire Olivar and Kuya Sid Cataluna. Thanks to both of you!! 

|YoungWomen|TheChurchofJesusChristofLatter-DaySaints|