Sky

On the way for an overtime this morning. The clouds caught my attention. This is the last curve before ASCOT at Dicaloyungan. The large tree is a narra.

Fireworks

Last friday (feb. 4) aroung 9:30 pm, while i was working on something on the computer (it was the cover for the Aurora Day souvenir program) when i heard loud cracks that sounded like stones hitting our roof. I stood up to check it out when rapid burst of shots that sounded like fireworks stopped me from looking out. For a long time it sounded like an Iraqi assault outside and I thought i was being raided (for typing maybe). It stopped after about 5 minutes and i managed to take a peek outside. The road was full of smoke and the air reeks of gunpowder. It turned out that a house about 20 meters from ours (we live in Buhangin, near the cemetery) was assaulted by some people. I was able to check the house the next day and it was a total wreck. It's like one of those houses being shown on CNN during the height of the Afghanistan invasion. All glass windows were shattered and the walls were riddled with bullets. Everything inside the house were wrecked and there are two motorcycles outside that are full of holes. I heard one person was wounded and no one was killed. I don't know what's behind this thing and I don't listen to local radio anymore. Let's see if this story will seep in to the national news and into the net.

Aside from that, things are pretty normal here in Baler. They even started decorating the streets for the upcoming Aurora Day.

Kahapun ng Tanghali

Cemento Cove. Kuha kahapon ng tanghali mula sa Ermita Hill, Baler, Aurora. Pasensya na sa dalawang nagde-date na naabala ku.

Aurora, Nueva Ecija governors deny illegal logging raps

Let's read some news:

Santiago identifies RP's 'big-time illegal loggers'. She identified our present Governor and our last 2: Bellaflor Angara-Castillo (2004-07), Ramoncita Ong (2001-04) and Edgardo Ong (1998-2001).Here's the Senator's Top 10 Illegal Loggers.

Aurora, Nueva Ecija governors deny illegal logging raps. AURORA Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo described the statement of Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago linking her to illegal logging as "stupid" and "untrue." In a phone interview, Castillo said the Angara clan "has never been or will never be engaged in illegal logging." "What proof does (Santiago) have? Where did she get her information?" the governor asked, saying she wanted to get a copy of the senator's speech."No one in Aurora," she added, "will ever believe (Santiago's) claim."

This is an interestiong read:
This developer burns money and cuts trees. Perhaps the biggest of all his businesses is Green Circle, which has a special private land timber license (SPLTL) covering 28,000 hectares of land in Aurora and Quezon, an area much bigger than Quezon City and larger even than Batanes. It is the biggest privately owned property in what Roxas has called the country's "Wild, Wild East." Green Circle's timber area is spread out over the towns of Dingalan, Aurora and General Nakar, Quezon, and is one of only five timber license holders in Aurora.

All news are from inq7.net

Dimanagsag Redux

This was taken during our relief operation last December at Dimanagsag.

Tshirts

Batangbaler Classic
The Batangbaler classic shirt is on sale again while supply lasts. Again, only available in black and white. Other colors soon to follow.



Pasirit Shirt
The first in our lineup of surfing shirts. Initially available in black and white. Limited supplies only.

Here's the pricelist:

White Shirt: XS and S - P200, M & L - P210, 2XL - P220
Black Shirt: S & M - P210, L - P220, XL & 2XL - P230, 3XL - P240
(note: prices will be higer abroad)

To order, please contact:

Baler: Joseph (Kid) - 09215413720
Manila: Rommel (Mets) - 09208603048 or Enniele - 09192476157
USA: Joan Querijero - 09212012987 and +17327635501

Aurora Day 2005

Here's the tentative schedule for the
26th Aurora Foundation Anniversary:

February 14, 2005
9.00AM : Soft Opening of Beach Bazaar (Sabang Beach) and Trade Fair (Capitol Grounds)
6.00 PM : Soft Opening of Acoustic Nights at the Quezon Park
February 15, 2005
7.00AM : Start of Aurora Surfing Cup Sabang Beach)
8.00AM : Ecumenical Service (Capitol Grounds)
9.00AM : Grand Opening of Trade Fair (Capitol Grounds)
10.00AM : Inauguration of Inter-Agency Sportsfest (Capitol Court/Sports Complex)
12.00N : Luncheon with the Governor (Guest House Courtyard)
4.00PM : Launch of Heritage Tour (Baler Poblacion)
6.00PM : Aurora Surfing Cup Welcome Dinner (Bays Inn)
8.00PM : Inter-LGU Tuklas Talino (Capitol Stage)
February 16, 2005
8.00AM : Drum and Lyre Competition, CAT-I Competition (Capitol Grounds)
February 17, 2005
8.00AM : Skills Olympics (Baler Municipal Plaza)
7.00PM : Bb. Aurora 2005 (Capitol Stage)
February 18, 2005
8.00AM : Sportsfest Finals (Capitol Grounds)
1.00PM : Street Dancing Competition (Quezon Highway/Capitol Grounds)
6.00PM : Aurora Surfing Cup Awards Night
7.00PM : Street Party (Quezon Hiway)
8.00PM : Fireworks Display (Capitol Grounds)
February 19, 2005
7.00AM : Mass/Assembly (Baler Central School)
8.00AM : Parade (Baler Poblacion)
9.30AM : Wreath Laying/ Anniversary Program / Outstanding and Inspiring Aurorans (Capitol Stage)
6.00PM : Governor's Ball (Guest House Courtyard)

****
provided by the Provincial Tourism Office


Goodbye Suman Festival! Adios patupat.

Kapuso

Villa Aurora was on network news the past two days. 24 Oras, GMA 7's primetime news program featured Kapuso Foundation's school rehabilitation program. The elemetary school in Villa Aurora was covered by a landslide during the November 30 typhoon. Well not only the school but the whole place. The foundation, with the help of Habitat for Humanity and the local officials, will put up a new school at the mountaintop of Sitio Dimani. No less than Mel Tiangco, did the groundbreaking for the construction. Good news.

Kaninang Umaga

Kaninang umaga, alas sais. Sa may labasin ng Baler.

Loggers Galore

Here's the list of all LEGAL loggers in Aurora. I took it from an Inquirer news, it was sent to them by the Multi-Sectoral Action Group (MSAG) of Aurora.

Pacific Timber Export Corp.
Verdant Agro-Forest Development Corp.
Inter-Pacific Forest Resources Corp.
Industries Development Corp.
RCC Timber Co., San Roque Sawmill Corp.
Benson Realty Development Corp.
Toplite Lumber Corp.
Green Circle Properties and Resources Inc.

****
from inq7.net:

"The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said the Office of the President and the DENR approved the logging operations of International Hardwood and Veneer Corp., Timberland Forest Products, Industries Development Corp., RCC Timber Co. and Top Lite Corp.

The government granted permits and concessions to these "logging giants" in the form of IFMAs between January 2001 and November 2002, Pamalakaya chair Fernando Hicap said in a statement.

The group said this was how the five firms got their permits:

In January 2001, the government allowed International Hardwood and Veneer Corp. to operate on 13,527 hectares of forest in Mauban town, Quezon.

On Nov. 12, 2002, the national government through the DENR approved the logging operation of Timberland Forest Products, covering 34,660 ha in General Nakar.

On Dec. 5, 2001, the President also approved the operations of Industries Development Corp. and RCC Timber Co. in Aurora through the IFMA. The two companies were allowed 48,877 ha and 23,140 ha, respectively.

On July 9, 2002, the DENR approved the logging permit of Top Lite Corp., also in Aurora, which covered 8,630 ha. "While former Environment Secretary Elisea Gozun suspended the permit for quite some time, new Environment Secretary Michael Defensor overturned the decision and lifted the suspension two weeks ago," the group said."

Here's the link to the inq7 article.

Tarlac News

Nolcom tags NPA of being behind Aurora illegal logging. The Armed Force’ Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) has tagged a guerilla unit of the communist-led New People’s Army (NPA) of protecting illegal logging operations in the calamity-struck province of Aurora.

Naks!

Mets (drinking from the poso) works at GMA as production designer of Nuts Entertainment, art director of 3R and recently as a researcher for Naks!, that Bearwin Meily and Benjie Paras magic program imitating David Blaine. Until about three episodes into Naks, Mets didn't know that he's working with another pure Akaw, Ethel Mapindan from Buhangin, daughter of Councilor Mapindan. Yes, that female magician in the show named Ethel is from Baler. She's in the show by way of Eric Mana, a great Fil-Canadian magician who is her husband. Anyway I told Mets about her and he just bowled over. They were talking "dipuntu" to each other not knowing that they are pure Akaws. Now they talk attilauys and enjoying their inside jokes about Tantul and Ka Paul. Aside from Mets, there are two other Balerians working at GMA.

The above picture by the way was taken at Dimanagsag East, a sitio in Calabuanan, Baler, Aurora. With Mets are Ayie Pimentel and Enniele Sinsay.

Showbiz!

Regional

Here are some signs that things are pretty well getting back to normal in Baler:

Last Saturday, January 15, Kabalikat Civicom, probably the biggest "amateur radio-civic service" group in the country held its Regional Conference at The Baler Central School. Hundreds of officers and members of the org from Region 3 gathered for their annual eyeball of sorts. The highlight of the event was a relief and medical operation for the victims of the recent calamity. Kabalikat Civicom, the group with a "commitment to serve humanity" was founded by Gil Dela Torre from Baler, Aurora.

And today, January 17, is the opening of the one week event called The 26th Regional Schools Press Conference. It is an annual gathering of all Region 3 high school and elementary press teachers and students and will be highlighted by different contests related to school papers. Good luck to all the kids. Special mention to the staff of Nucleus, the official school paper of Aurora National Science High School. They featured Batangbaler in their recent issue. The good thing is the writer probably didn't even know that BB can trace its roots to one boring physics class in ANSHS.

Tree

photo by: olin, somewhere in Suklayin

Fishy!

Not sure about this one, consider this a chismis untill proven right:

Apparently, College Assurance Plan (CAP), a educational preneed company headed by Director Robert John Sobrepeña is in dire straits and needs money to settle maturing educational plans. This semester it has a P160 million liabilities to various schools.

To come up with the much needed money, the company is considering different options including loans, government buyout and share swaps with real-estate assets. This is where the Green Circle Properties and Resources comes in. Green Circle is a forest development (i.e. logging) company owned by a certain Atty. Romeo Roxas. The company holds thousands of hectares of logging concessions in Quezon (Gen. Nakar) , Dingalan and apparently, Baler.

"Roxas, through Green Square Properties and Green Circle Properties and Resources, is proposing to subscribe CAP shares worth P6 billion and pay for them by allotting parcels of land in Baler town in the eastern province of Aurora near Dingalan Bay." from inq7.net

Roxas reportedly owns 30,000 hectares of land in the area. The Securities and Exchange Commission is holding its letter of acceptance to the proposal because of some snags. Some of the land titles being offered by Roxas is said to be owned by the government and some are earmarked for agrarian reform.

For the record, Baler, Aurora has a total land area of 9260 hectares.

Here are the sources:

inq7.net. December 16, 2004. SEC lets CAP draw on trust fund; buy-in deal hits snag.
abs-cbnnews.com.December 16, 2004. SEC OK’s CAP withdrawals
inq7.net. CAP signs $300-M loan deal with US investment fund.
abs-cbnnews.com. CAP bares $300-M loan from US firm.

The Prelature Speaks

Words. In the January 10 inquirer column of Conrado De Quiros, he praised the recent statement of the cregy of Quezon, or the Prelature of Infanta (where Aurora is included) indicting the Government for the deaths in Quezon last December. The church statement was in reaction to the words, some of them coming from government officials, that the disaster was caused by nature.

" By speaking out against the crime, the prelature corrects yet another word that has been so widely bandied about, whose effect is to bury the dead in the mud twice over. That is the word "illegal," especially as affixed to "logging." By harping on "illegal" logging, government has exculpated, or tried mightily to, the true criminals in this case, which are the legal loggers, made so by the documents they carry from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Can anything be more idiotic than attributing the tons of logs that fell down the mountains and washed up to the sea to the nefarious activities of "illegal" loggers? Can anything be more idiotic than suggesting that the solution to that is to add more checkpoints to catch the “kainginero” [slash-and-burn farmers] and indigenous folk who operate on the fringes of the logging routes -- and often feed on them-and punish them "to the full extent of the law"?"

Townsfolk warn of war on logging

from inq7.net: TIMBER FIRM VS RESIDENTS Townsfolk warn of war on logging. DINGALAN, Aurora, Philippines -- Residents of this typhoon-ravaged town are resisting government attempts to bring logs swept off the mountain to a sawmill, warning of war should this happen.

"If they proceed with the plan to take the logs out of here and bring these to Green Circle (Properties and Resources Corp.), I tell you there would be war," Benito Lopez, chair of the Samahan ng Magbubukid sa Umiray, the farmers’ association in Umiray village, told the Inquirer on Friday.

Olag Stories: The Catastrophe of December 27

The Catastrophe of December 27
by: Olag Zelasnog



December 27 was headline news the world over, that the quake that caused the tsunami demolished the nations around the periphery of the Indian Ocean. Not to mention the lost of life and severity of its economic impact, Aceh province in the island of Sumatra in Indonesia just 90 miles from the epicenter received a double dose of destruction. In the resort islands of Phuket and Phi-phi in Thailand, almost everything standing was swamped by the on rushing waves with tremendous velocity. And Sri Lanka, an island nation south of India, were turned into fields of debris and devastations.

But long forgotten and unknown to most of us, 349 years ago on the same date, 27 December 1735; similar catastrophic event occurred in the town of Baler. It was in the early morning around 2:30 AM that the town was engulfed by tsunami* or better known to the early years of the Spanish Missionaries as 'tromba marina' with tremendous proportion without no warning, that within an hour the town was gone. Fray Jose de San Rafael, the missionary of Casiguran who was on vacation in Baler and few accounted families** survived the deluge by swimming to the near by hill of Point Baja (Ermita). On his descriptive account of the destruction: “I was awakened by the Sacristan and informed me that the convent was moving, I rushed to the window to find out, and was shaken of what I had witnessed. The convent was being carried by the rushing sea When tide receded, there was no sign of civilization remains except the barren ground littered with scattered dead bodies and houses sheared clean by the on rushing waves with the exception of a few settlement further inland.”

The tsunami that struck Baler differs at present day tsunami, that in 1735, the only impacted area was mysteriously the town of Baler. Mission de San Miguel (Dipaculao, circa 1719) northwest of Baler did not experience the horrendous calamity, nonetheless, situated on the same shoreline. In Casiguran, ninety kilometers north of Baler did not even learn about destruction until sometimes later.

It was not long however, that a new Baler was built under the leadership of the parish priest with the help of the surviving families situated in an area belonging to Sitio Sabali and located a league away from the obliterated town.

What was significant about the present day disasters, it happened on the same date the old town Baler was so mysterious vanished from the map. Is that not weird? I come to think if it!

Notes:

* Tsunami is a series of large waves usually generated by a violent undersea earthquakes. The word tsunami (pronounced tsoo-na'-mee) is composed of the Japanese words "tsu" (which means harbor) and "nami"(which means "wave")

** Based upon the story of Mang Alejandro P. Ferreras in 1935; some of the tidal waves surviving families were: the Angara, Bihasa, Bitong, Carrasco, Lumasac and Poblete.

*** The story was taken from; Fray Felix de Huerta, O.F.M.: Estado geografico, topografico, estadistico, historico, religioso de la Santa y Apostolico Provincia de San Gregorio Magno "Baler, Distrito del Principe" 1855, Manila, pp 279-282

for more Olag Stories, go to www.olagstories.batangbaler.net

Seas of Our Minds

MLQ3's latest article in the Inquirer: Seas of Our Minds

An uncle remembers the (now) Aurora and Quezon Provinces of his youth, when people would set out in small boats to haul in tuna in such enormous quantities that boats were often in danger of being swamped. His memories are joyful ones: of abundance and community spirit.

The laughter of that generation will not be heard again, for those straits have long become ghostly expanses of emptiness. The tuna have long been fished out of the waters of his youth, and now only the merchant marines of more efficient states can catch tuna in abundance. But there is, too, the grisly, residual memory of the residents of Baler, Aurora, itself founded after the first settlement was destroyed by a tsunami in the 18th century.

Balikas - Barakong Kape

Edelio Delos Santos is the Editor-in -Chief of Balikas, a livelihood, environment, and community newspaper circulated in the Calabarzon, Area. He hailed from San Isidro, San Luis, Aurora. His regular column in the paper is Barakong Kape. This is his latest article:

Kwentong TV at Baha sa Aurora. Dumating ang ilang magkakasunod na bagyo na nagdulot ng pag-apaw ng Ilog Dikildit na katabi ng aming barangay. Sikat bigla ang San Isidro, halos kalahati ng aming barangay ay lumubog sa baha. Ang binahang bahagi ay ang Purok Tres, na tinatawag naming "Tondo," kung saan karamihan ng nakatira’y mahihirap na magsasaka. Ilang linggo ang inabot bago humupa ang tubig.

Logging didn’t cause disaster in Aurora town - Punongbayan

What's your say on this?

from manila bulletin online: Logging didn’t cause disaster in Aurora town - Punongbayan : Former Phivolcs chief Raymundo Punongbayan said that the recent "flash floods" which devastated barangay Paltic, the most populated village of Dingalan town which lies at the foot of the Sierra Madre, should not be blamed on logging activities.

Punongbayan, who conducted a study on the natural features of the area where an avalanche took place, said that a portion of the mountain range was deeply eroded, indicating that a huge volume of water caused the "flash floods" that set off massive landslides.

Most of the trees that rolled from the mountain had the root systems intact, indicating the uprooting of the trees from loose, water-saturated soil, said Punongbayan, a veteran geologist.

***
Personally, i think it would be very hard to explain to the people of Dingalan especially those whose houses were destroyed and family members were killed by clear-cut (chainsawed) logs.

Villa Now

Oplan Villa Aurora

Part 3 of Aurora Volunteers' relief operation in Villa Aurora on December 31st was another success. The Villa residents are now in Sitio Dimani and we were able to give them our small yuletide presents. Going to the place is another story, the road was one big landslide from Diteki to Villa, and i guess up to Labi in Bongabong. Most of the concrete roads are now gone or unusable and the road condition reverted back to the 1960's. Villa is one big mess of a place. All structures were either submerged in sand or covered with landslides.

Big thanks again to those who helped with the goodies and the actual operation. Thanks also for the pandesal, the lunch, the cake and the merienda. Our New Year felt much much better.


Some part of the road are so bad we have to get out of the jeep and walk. Notice the concrete double box culvert thrown out of the road.


Cooling off the engine. We were perched on the roof of the jeep because priority was given to the goods. During the operation, people were treated only as second class cargo.


Arrival at Sitio Dimani


Sitio Dimani, located approximately two kilometers from Villa Aurora is located on the top of the mountain and was relatively unharmed during the disaster. The place served as the evacuation area for the Villa residents. This is also where the dislocated Villa residents will be permanently relocated.


The small chapel served as backdrop for the relief operation. Priority were given to Villa residents


Large crowd turnout.

Tsunami Scare

from inq7.net. Aurora gov asks residents to stay alert vs tsunami . Some 300,000 residents of Aurora, a province about 200 kilometers east of here and facing the Pacific Ocean, have been advised to always stay alert for tsunami as historical records showed that the town had a brush with the killer waves in 1735, Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo has said.

Tsunami Relief

Here are some important links:

Google's Tsunami Relief Page
Tsunami Help Blog
Wikipedia Coverage

Aurora Volunteers

Between typhoon Yoyong and Christmas the Batangbaler people managed to formalize a group and incorporate a non-profit organization called Volunteers for Aurora Province, Inc. aka Aurora Volunteers. Under the name, we successfully completed part 2 of our relief operation on December 26, this time with a certified doctor and some instant nurses and pharmacists to set up a one-day clinic at San Isidro, San Luis Aurora one of the worst flooded barangay in Central Aurora. We managed to give medical services to more than 80 persons and give relief foods and used clothings to more than 100 families. We also gave infant products and milks to about 30 kiddies and raffled off 5 blankets or banigs.

Then off we go to Sitio Tirung somewhere in Obligacion, Baler, Aurora. We gave about 100 bags of relief goods, infant and children products, blankets, towels, used shoes and sandals.

We also gave 30 bags of goods to our contact in Pingit for distribution the next day.

Part 3 of our operation will be on December 30 or 31 at Brgy. Villa and Dimani.

San Isidro, San Luis, Aurora Operation


The guys and the goods at the take-off point, Rizal St, Baler, Aurora


Aurora Volunteers Forever, arrival at San Isidro


The house of the Daguman's (thanks to them) volunteered their balcony for our medical mission. Dr. Ana Consuelo (of Kalinga) consulting with her first patient.


Alvin and Juvy doing a quick inventory of the medicines.


Smart kid Ennielle distributing stubs for the infant goods


Kapuso Rommel checking blood pressure. Thank God they taught him how to do BP check before he shifted course.


Leny doing the peptalk.


Giving out the goodies


Ennielle doing a therapeutic rap performance. Actually he's raffling off some blankets


On the way to Tirung.

Thanks

Thank you to the following people, groups and offices for your donation and help with our small operation. May the Lord and the world be as good to you in your own time of need.

Smart Communications (through Ennielle Sinsay and Ivan Alvarez)
Mapua students (through Juvy Teneza)
PLDT East Avenue (through Ennielle)
LTO East Avenue (through Lei Cenon)
Singles For Christ (through Ayie Pimentel)
UST students (through Ayie Pimentel)
Unionbank employees (through Tina Laroza)
Marilyn Aratea
Jan Xavier Lumasac
Mervin Rubio and Family
Bon Borreo
Irene
Lorie
Anna Barbaca Lorenzo
Direk Dominic Zapata (the more reason we should watch Mulawin and Nuts Entertainment)
Maru Pineda
Joshua De Guzman
Mia Santos
Gaius De Asis (NKI)
Rochelle and Mike
Joseph Ganata (RCBC)
Benjou Elgincolin
Jonh Fier
Gay Avellano
Gerry Teneza
Alvin Camcam
Jerome Tinio and family
Ymay Calugtong
Russielle Rada
Emil Ruidera
Anita & Luis Ruidera
Shella & Michael Lee
Jaymee David
Arthur & Jocelyn David
Joseph Querijero
Joan Querijero
Mrs. Rosie Espinosa and Family
Munting Sambayanang Kristiano ng Baler
Vanmarvill Construction
Dr. Ana Consuelo

And to all those who requested not to be mentioned and those we forgot to mention, our deepest thanks.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year To All!


Buhangin, Baler, Aurora


Paltic, Dingalan Aurora


Baler, Aurora

Thanks to the Provincial Government of Aurora for the pictures.

Aerial

Villa Aurora Video

This is an aerial shot of the part of Baler-Bongabong Road leading to Villa Aurora. This is a 60 second streaming video and can be viewed using Windows Media Player or other apps. Just click on the link or right-click and choose Save Target As..


Video courtesy of the Provincial Government of Aurora through DPWH and the Provincial Tourism Office.

Adios Villa Aurora!

Villa Aurora before:


photo by: Olin Duaso


photo by: Kidlat

Villa Aurora now:


photo courtesy of Provincial Government of Aurora


photo courtesy of Provincial Government of Aurora

Batangbaler through Volunteers for Aurora is still accepting donations. Please scroll down the page or click here for info.

Adios Panday

Da King during his campaign sortie in Baler. April 27, 2004.

Help Is Still Needed

"After the initial outburst of concern and support and assistance, it's when the news dwindles on the front pages that help is that much more needed." - MLQ3

The Call Continues...

Our call for help is not yet over. We are still accepting donations for the people of Aurora affected by the series of floods and typhoons in the past weeks. For those who want to help and want it fast and without bureaucratic ilks, were it. We're accepting help in form of foods, clothing, medicines and money. Please contact the following if you're in the Manila area:

Rommel Espinosa - 09208603048
Jerome Tinio - 09178429675
Enyel Sinsay - 09192476157
Ayie Pimentel - 09275102081
Ella Friginal - 09194993163

For those who are in other parts of the world, you may send your donations to your relatives in Manila or through:

Rachelle V. Friginal
Bank of the Philippine Island
MRT Ayala Branch
Account Number: 5556 1434 22

If you want to send money via Western Union, you can send it direct to Baler through:

Joseph T. Gonzales
ASCOT
Baler, Aurora
plese SMS or call +639215413720 or email batangbaler@gmail.com for the MTCN no.

Thank you.

Pictures

Metz checking the relief goods the morning after the arrival at Baler. Their house at Gloria Street became the temporary headquarters of the Aurora Volunteers.



The River at Dimanagsag in Calabuanan, Baler, Aurora grew to about 20 times in width and flooded the residences near the river up to a meter deep. The roads were nearly wiped out. This picture was taken one week after the flood.



The brothers Sinsay handing out relief goods to residents of Dimanagsag in Calabuanan.



One of the most devastated areas in Baler is Sitio Gabgab in Buhangin. One week after the flood, the area is still covered in mud and some pockets of water still remains. The November 30 flood hit them at midnight and covered most of the houses up to the roof. Most of them spent the rest of the night on their roof until they were rescued by boats in the morning.



Handing out relief goods to Gabgab residents.



The flood washed out some of the riverside residences at Sitio Puduk in Buhangin. The bridge where this photo was taken almost collapsed when half of the foundation was washed out by the water. For days it was unpassable to heavy vehicles.



The other side of Pudok River.

News

The Manila Times. Angara: Allegations baseless. Sen. Edgardo Angara today denounced as baseless and false allegations that his family profited from illegal loggers operating in Aurora and Quezon.

inq7.net. 9 big loggers identified. SENSING "all talk but no action" from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, environmentalists in Aurora and Quezon challenged her to immediately cancel the permits of at least nine big logging companies in the two provinces where hundreds of people died from massive floods and landslides blamed on the rampant cutting of trees.

abs-cbnnews.com. Task Force Aurora given a week to repair damaged roads. Task Force Aurora of the Department of Public Works and Highways was given one week or until December 15 to finish the rehabilitation of damaged roads in Aurora province, it was learned Wednesday.

Sweet Relief

The respond to our cry for help was overwhelming and the Baler Volunteers or Aurora Volunteers (organized for this project only) were flooded not with water but a torrent of clothes, rice, sardines and instant noodles. From the bunch they were able to repack about 350 packs of relief foods and more than 200 bags of clothes. Without any help from any politicians, they were able to bring the goods to Baler on rented vehicles. On Monday, with the help of more volunteers from baler and the Munting Sambayanang Kristiyano peeps as coordinators we were able to distribute the good to Digisit, Dimanagsag (Calabuanan), Sitios Tabon and Gabgab and the affected barangays of Buhangin. Surprisingly, after a week and with lots of relief goods coming to Baler on helicopters and from different politicians and civic organizations, some of the areas we visited mentioned that we were the first to come to them for help. Maybe the officials are still labeling the bags with their names, that's why there's a delay. We were even told that we should get a permit or coordinate with them first before we do our thing. We just ignored them and went on with our unlabeled goods and with shy volunteers who wouldn't even mention their names.

And it is not yet over. The group is still receiving anything from kind hearted people like YOU! There are still many people who needs YOUR help! Just scroll down from here for the list of people to contact.

And for those of you who already gave something - Thank you!

'Legal' Logging also to Blame

Here's something from Jarius Bondoc of Philippine Star. "I once went fishing with two retired Air Force sergeants in what we thought was a quiet, sleepy cove an hour from Baler, Aurora’s capital. From lush treetops a flock of hornbills suddenly took flight in fright. Moments later came the grating whirr of a chainsaw, followed by timber falling one by one, then thick smoke. Whoever it was apparently was burning a path for his booty. My companion couldn’t contain himself and yelled, "You S-O-B, what you’re doing is wrong." Came an unmistakable crack from a rifle and a splash in the water a foot from our boat. We sped back to town to report the incident to authorities. No action; orders from the top most likely to ignore such complaints. Everyday too along Quezon’s coast, one would spot barges tugging floating logs. Again, official inaction."

Update

Magandang araw po uli.

Isang madali uli at generator pa kami at malapit nang maubus ang krudo. Hindi masyadong malupit ang bagyong Yoyong pero todong paghahanda ang ginawa ng mga taga Baler. Kami rin ay sa kumbento sa simbahan nagpalipas ng gabi at baka nga magkatutuu ang mga kumakalat na text na magkakatidal wave. Di ako masyadong mapapaniwalain peru sabi ko nung isang linggo imposible namang bumaha ng magkasunud. Anu nga at magkasunud ngang bumaha. Kaya nagbakwet na rin kami at nangyayari na dito ang imposible. Sa Buhangin kami nakatira at naging ilog ang harap ng bahay namin nung dalawang baha. Kaya maigi nang mag-ingat. Marami kami sa Carmel, at sa simbahan. May mga lumikas din sa Munisipyo saka sa ASCOT sa Dikaloyungan. Malakas din si Yoyong pero di masyadong maulan kagaya nung dalawang bagyo. Mga sanga lang ng puno ang nagkalat sa daan kinabukasan. Walang baha.

Di po madaanan ang Baler-Bongabong Road. Ang Canili-Pantabangan ay passable din pero sa Brgy. Puduk may damage ang pundasyong ng tulay kaya light vehicles lang ang pwedeng dumaan kaya ang mga luluwas ay pupunta pa sa Maria para dun sumakay. Ang Villa Aurora daw po ay na wash out kasama yung tulay. Marami ang namatay pero di pa eksaktong mabilang. Kasama sa namatay si Engr. Suril na tinangay ng agos ng ilog nang bumagsak yung tulay na tinakbuhan nila. Tatlong linggo na po ditong walang kuryente at siguradong matatagalan pa bago magkakuryente.


Maaraw na po ngayun dito sa Baler. Ang Dingalan ay sobrang nasalanta. Mahigit isang daan ang patay. Marami po tayung kababayang nagagailangan ng tulong. Kung gusto po ninyong magbigay ay kontakin lamang ang mga nakalista sa ibabang post. Sila na po ang bahala sa pagdadala dito sa Baler ng kung anu mang maibibgay ninyo.

Sigi po.

Joseph Gonzales
batangbaler@gmail.com
+639215413720

sort of a cry for help

Magandang Araw po sa lahat.

Ang ating mga kababayan po sa Aurora ay nangangailangan ng tulong in the form of food, clothing and medicine. Badly hit by two typhoons in a matter of days, a lot of families have already left their homes and properties.

According to Mrs. Yolly Angara of DSWD Baler, one of the hardest hit is Brgy. Buhangin, while residents of Brgy. Sabang have also been evacuated to the Municipal Hall. As for other areas, Villa Aurora was said to have been completely washed out by the rain and is now erased in the map. The total number of casualties is still undetermined.

Currently, Baler is expecting a supply of food from the DSWD regional office in Pampanga. A truck is supposed to pick up the supply today and is expected to reach the town tomorrow.

However, with the incoming typhoon "Yoyong" expected to hit Aurora (again) tonight, we fear that the next ration of food is not to be expected soon.

With the blessing of our grandmaster Kidlat AKA Batangbaler, a group of volunteers, mostly active members of batangbaler.net who are based here in Manila, took the initiative to organize some sort of a relief mission for our kababayans, under the name AURORA VOLUNTEERS.

We are gathering food - canned goods, noodles, rice, etc., used clothes and medicine, or anything that you want to give our kababayans. The plan is to bring these items to Baler and other areas on Sunday, December 5.

We are hoping that you would join us in this cause. We don't discourage you from sending your donations to television stations and other groups as we all have the same goals, but the idea is to make sure that our kababayans will receive help and assistance. The group assures you that whatever you give will go directly to our own kababayans in Aurora.

You probably have received a text message about this but for those who want to help, you may contact any of these volunteers:

Rommel Espinosa - 09208603048
Jerome Tinio - 09178429675
Enyel Sinsay - 09192476157
Ayie Pimentel - 09275102081
Ella Friginal - 09194993163

For those who are in other parts of the world, you may send your donations to your relatives in Manila or through:

Rachelle V. Friginal
Bank of the Philippine Island
MRT Ayala Branch
Account Number: 5556 1434 22


Along with the donations, we continue to ask you to please pray for the safety of our families and friends in Aurora. Right now, it's the only contribution that we could give.

Thank you all in advance and may God bless us all.

***
posted by: Ella Friginal

NPA rebels kill 8 troops on 'Winnie' rescue mission--Army

from inq7.net. NPA rebels kill 8 troops on 'Winnie' rescue mission--Army. "The soldiers were on their way to conduct rescue mission when ambushed by the communist rebels. This act is condemnable," Army spokesman Major Bartolome Bacarro said.

I posted this because one of the soldier who was killed in the ambush was from Baler - Eric Angara from Buhangin.

Again!

Hi there. So, we're still alive. This is still Batangbaler. I just redirected the mainsite to this blog because i can update this more easily. We will go back to to normal programming when things go to, well, normal.

Here are the links to the batangbaler pages:

Homepage
Messageboard
Guestbook

Here's the inq7.net news about the typhoon.

Click here for more internet news updates about the floods. It's a sad fact that Baler only becomes front page news when disaster strikes.

I'll post a quick rundown after this. We're running low on diesel and the generator could shutdown anytime.