Monday 10 November 2014

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WILLIE


A Birthday Celebration
The Filipino Migrants took some time off for a celebration.  After the EVD panic boiled over, simmered and fizzled out –(ever grateful to the very timely intervention of CMA Director Ellene Sana, Thailand-based author, free lancer writer/university lecturer Eunice Barbara C. Novio in collaboration with HE Alex V. Lamadrid and POEA Administrator Hans Cacdac and of course two of our very own council members Lito Nucum and Bennie Cruz) – FM Council member Engr. Wilfredo Brual of NAOC - AGIP Oil celebrated his birthday at D & S Club House last Friday 07Nov14.

It was an informal relaxed dinner –straight from the office – as they chattered and dined away the night.

...the Celebrant - Engr. Willy Brual - cake baked by Kumadreng Otie Barraquias
...the guy of the moment - Willy Brual









...some of the FM Council members

...and swimmers, too...John, JT (Jun Torres), Willy, Bernie, Sherwin, Rex and Bennie
Mercy, Vangie, Noel, Lito
Noel, Angie, Bennie, Willie, Lito, Sherwin, Mercy,Tickboy ...blessings before meals...can't wait - very hungry na...
...ahhh ...the best.....
...after dinner....

Friday 8 August 2014

Sister Estelita - MCST: 40 years anniversary in the Service of God

Sr. Estelita de Leon, MCST: June 29, 2014


In Christendom, June 29 is celebrated as the feast of two martyrs – St. Peter and St. Paul. St. Peter neither dropped bombs nor led believers to massacre those who didn’t. St. Paul once led in persecutions of the early Christians but when he found Christ, he capitulated unconditionally. These martyrs  only lived and led by examples in spite of persecutions – following the life led by the greatest leader of all time – Jesus Christ.

And centuries later, as their feasts are celebrated worldwide, a modern day disciple celebrates her 40th anniversary in the service of the church founded and strengthened by the martyrs in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

What makes a man or a woman leave the comfort of his/her home and abandon life’s worldly offerings?

People with all their human frailty, (descendants of biblical Cain, the first murderer after all – also a victim of human desires and want) it can still be rightfully stated that the grace of God still abound.

Humanity can and may serve each other in every way they find suited to their capabilities. Sr. Estelita de Leon MCST (Missionary Catechist of St. Therese), who joined this congregation in 1974 is one of the legions of men and women who offered their lives in the service of God.

As the Holy Mass (at the Nunciature in Abuja) was celebrated that day, the congregation wished her more blessings in the service of the Church. The Papal Nuncio also offered the mass to everyone named Peter and Paul and for those celebrating their natal day. Mr. Pablo (Lito) Nucum of Dantata & Sawoe Construction Co. felt so blessed – it was also his birthday.


Pictures taken Sunday June 29, 2014:


Sr. Estelita with a young parishioner
Fr. Juan Antonio; Celebrants - Sr. Estelita 40 years anniversary:  Pablo (Lito) Nucum - birthday celebrant
MCST Sr. Agnes, Sr. Estelita, Sr. Aurea and Sr. Josephine with the Philippine Ambassador Alex V. Lamadrid
Angie Alcaria, Marilyn Cabrera, Rose Urgel, Lito Nucum with the Phil. Ambassador

Sr. Estelita with well-wishers; The Papal Nuncio
Fr. Juan Antonio Lito Nucum and Sr. Estelita
Sr. Estelita



OFWS with Ambassador Lamadrid



Thursday 17 July 2014

SEND-OFF: From Abuja, Nigeria to Bangkok, Thailand


A FOND FAREWELL – JABBAR C. GURO

SEND-OFF:  From Abuja, Nigeria to Bangkok, Thailand
Held at Dantata& Sawoe Life Camp 
House No F07
Residence of Vangie Novio
on July 11, 2014
at 7:30 in the evening

A FOND FAREWELL – JABBAR C. GURO

We saw him as a very young bachelor joining the Philippine Embassy here in Abuja, Nigeria.  First impression of course – hmmm, maybe just to gain experience!

And experience it was – FOR US.  This is a young man WITH PRINCIPLES.

In a tough post as an Attaché – Finance, he did remarkably well.  It is an impeccable tract record where this post was once rife with scandals.  He worked with complete honesty and transparency – well ahead of always stalled FOI bill.

Philippine Embassy  Thailand – you are lucky to have JABBAR C. GURO in your midst.


After office hours: John Hernandez, Angie Alcaria; Lito Nucum with Willy Brual; Maris and Tickboy Mercado

...waiting for the rest: there's Sherwin Cayabyab and Nonits Barraquias, Rex Lautrizo and Lito and Otie Barraquias; Jabbar, the honoree with Angie and John

..a simple dinner - for Jabbar to break his fast as well...

...prayers as shared with Jabbar  
...dinner time 

...and as always with these migrants - jokes galore abound

Jabbar, intently listening to Tita Maris - result? all jokes  (matured jokes! namumula si Jabbar)
...Willy still eyeing the cake Otie is cutting - Mind you even cake-cutting has instructions!!!

...threatening Jabbar -THAT we'll all see him in Bangkok! - medyo nabulunan ata si Jabbar
Nonits Barraquias with inaanak Sherwin Cayabyab; Otie Barraquias - as always multi-tasking...
...ako na lang hindi kasama sa group picture -singit na lang (sign off - vanz)

Thursday 10 July 2014

Isang Araw ng Linggo sa Buhay ng Mga OFWS sa Abuja Nigeria

Isang Araw ng Linggo....
...and this Sunday of June was a celebration of sorts:

Birthdays - June celebrants - Rami Barraquias (08Jun), Bernie (Tickboy) Mercado (11Jun), John Hernandez (24Jun), Lito Nucum (29Jun)
Bienvenida - Joseph dela Cerna Florendo (joining our company)
Despedida - Donna and Dyet Cayabyab (hopefully to come back in January 2015 - by then Dyet IS already talking!)
Although there was a real threat (according to newspapers) from Boko Haram, Filipinos by the grace of God, are out of the harm's way.
And this celebration still manifests the unified family spirit of The Migrants.
To the Birthday Celebrants:
....A PIECE OF ADVICE:




as always...food prepared as in 'lutong bahay' 
the ever helpful Rex...and Mareng Maris with her ever-popular cassava cake

...naku ang labo...(labo kasi mata ng kumuha ng piktyur) - that's sherwin with his Ninong Benjie; Rami, the celeb with Rex, Donna and Gel and Maebs (sorry Gel and Maebs - ganda pa rin)

...waiting for the 'call' - kakain naaaaaa!!!

Celebs Lito and John and Rami with Sherwin and Donna 


...celebs - giving thanks to God for another best year in their lives...and praying for more fruitful and blessed years ahead.

...simula naaaa......

...lunch time...
Nonits and Wilmar; Lito, Jerry and Friends 

Donna, Rex, Maris...and Angie (nakahabol din...)

...and welcome to Mang Kepweng (Joy - our Pranic Healing Practitioner)


...and Dyina Dadia with Dyet Cayabyab (and ...how we'll miss her....)



Tuesday 13 May 2014

Yolanda


The Devastation that brought forth the inherent Humaneness in Humanity

November 8, 2013 typhoon Haiyan paid a very devastating visit to Southeast Asia specifically Micronesia, Southern China, Vietnam and the Philippines.
Haiyan, the strongest storm at landfall and the strongest typhoon ever recorded in terms of wind speed left the deadliest and most hideous destruction in its wake, smashing from island to island in Central Philippines on Friday morning November 8, 2013.

Tacloban City was hard-hit - struck by the northern eyewall, the most powerful part of the storm. And so were the cluster of islands in Eastern Visayas; in Samar down to Palawan and brushing Mindoro Islands on its way out.
Haiyan, aka Yolanda rendered 6,340 confirmed dead and 1,061 missing with more than $2.86b worth of damage.

Human kindness and compassion flowed from around the world. CNN anchors and the throngs of newscasters locally and from different countries showed before the eyes of the world the searing anguish of the victims.
Not even a week after the devastation, relief came pouring in. And the Filipinos' resilience complemented the world's efforts to help rebuild their shattered lives.

OFWS scattered all over the world, made a concerted effort to help their countrymen. Because of the widespread corruption, OFWS made sure that the donations they set aside out of their meager incomes will actually reach the victims. The Filipino Migrants in Nigeria via its council member Mrs. Dorothy Barraquias of the embassy of Ireland contacted an NGO 1 Meal SAFEC, Inc. - with their Adopt-a-Fisherman program.

It is very heartwarming to know that the 12 fishermen who benefited from the program sent their Thank You's with their pictures - as sent by Ms. Tent Laguilla, Secretary, Adopt-a-Fisherman Program.