Sharing a personal year end practise

coin purses from different regions of the country and made from various local materials

Among the year end practices I keep and observe is the handing out of cash gifts to those who can appreciate a meager augmentation of money in their pockets. I do this more as a gesture of personal gratefulness for my situation than as charity to others.

However, instead of putting money in 'ampao' envelopes, I put mine in locally made coin purses which I buy as souvenirs whenever I am able to travel in the country or visit trade exhibits. In this way, I can also help local craft makers and at the same time spread a little cheer.

Waters of Itogon

spring water from the mountains feeding resort pools in Itogon

Itogon is one of the mining towns comprising the gold rich province of Benguet. Yet for all the gold that has been mined there, one can be forgiven for wondering where all the wealth it has generated  went.

Fortunately, apart from gold, this town possesses another natural treasure that has a huge potential to benefit the community and its people- its waters. And so far, this treasure has remained under appreciated and its many potential untapped.

As Itogon is situated at the foot of the Cordillera mountains. the town abounds with clean, mineral rich spring water coming from the bosom of the mountains.

At present, these waters are utilized to feed the resort spas that are sprouting in the area. But certainly, there are many other possibilities that can be explored.

Whatever they are, I hope the community and people can more fully benefit as well.

Sa barangay nagsisimula ang pagbabangon ng bansa

Natutuwa ako na malaman na ang balanghay ay ginawang simbolo ng DTI para sa OneTown, One Product program nito.

Ang balanghay ay ang bangkang kahoy na ginamit ng ating mga ninuno upang maglayag at tumawid dagat sa paghanap ng bagong lilipatan o sa pakikipagkalakal. Ito ay kayang magdala ng ilang pamilya na pinangangasiwaan ng isang pinuno at dahil dito , ang balanghay ay maituturing na pinakamaliit na yunit panglipunan bago dumating ang mga kastila. Sa kalaunan, ito ay pormal na ring ginawang pinakamababang yunit political at nakilala sa pangalang barangay.

Para sa akin, mahalaga ang pag-unawang ito dahil sa pagbabangon ng bansa, sa barangay tayo dapat magsimula at hindi sa ating mga politico.

Kapag sinasabi ko sa aking mga kausap na sa barangay nagsisimula ang pagbabangon ng bansa, lahat sila ay sumasang-ayon. Pero kapag tinanong ko sila kung ano ang ginagawa nila kung naniniwala sila dito, wala naman silang maisagot.

Wala naman sigurong isang tamang sagot sa tanong na ito. Ngunit sa pagkilala ng DTI ng balanghay bilang simbolo ng OTOP,  nagbigay na rin sila ng isang ideya - ang pagbuo ng mga tagabarangay ng isang kabuhayan na pagtutulungan nilang itaguyod at paunlarin ay isang pagtupad sa tanong na ito.

Idea for Senior Care Center

- monitor vital health indicators
- continuous social interaction and support
- continuous learning
- diet monitoring
- appropriate exercise and body conditioning
- meditation and mind healing
- entertainment and leisure
- charity/benevolent work