VOLUME XXXIVIssue 9

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014Serving Los Baos and nearby communitieswww.lbtimes.ph

LBFPWD, nagsagawa ng malawakang pulong

Plans for 400th Foundation Day bared

TAG volunteers showed to the children the proper way of brushing teeth. (Photo courtesy of TAG)

ni Jeanette Talag, presidente ng Los Baos Federation of Persons withDisabilities, Inc.

by Cien Angela Baurile, Dana Louise Bersamin, and Adrianne Beatrice Braga

Continued on page 4

Continued on page 2

Naging matagumpay ang idinaos na general assembly (GA) ng Los Baos Federation of Persons with Disabilities, Inc. (LBFPWD) noong ika-29 ng Disyembre sa bagong musipiyo ng Los Baos. Dinaluhan ito ng mga PWD officers mula sa ibat ibang mga barangay ng Los Baos.

Dinaluhan din ang pulong nina Mayor Caesar Perez, Vice Mayor Copie Alipon na siyang nagbigay ng pambungad na pananalita, at Kon. Antonio Kalaw. Ang mga nasabing opisyales ay nagbahagi din ng mga pamasko sa mga may kapansanan. Naisagawa ang GA sa tulong ni Luzviminda Alvarez ng Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, at ni Angie Silva, ang PWD focal person.

Para sa anumang katanungan sa LBFPWD, maaring makipag-ugnayan sa mga sumusunod: Jeanette Talag 0936-347-1973, Lorelie Liwanag 0915-584-8844, at Lenie Bonapos 0935-683-6995.

The municipality of Los Baos launched its year-long celebration of its quadricentennial foundation as a municipality starting December 2014 up to September 2015.

According to Rommel Maningas, the Los Baos tourism officer, the 400th Foundation Day celebrations showcase the development of Los Baos in the past four centuries based on four themes, namely: Piyestang Kay Ganda, Paskong Makulay, at Masaya, history, arts, and culture; sports and youth development; and Baamos Festival.

Libre!

TAG holds dental missionby Camille Anne Mendizabal, Emmanuelle Dominique Mendoza,and Neil Arwin Mercado

LB FARMC, nagsanay sa pagproseso ng isdani Francisco Carandang, pangulo ng Los Baos Fisheries and AquaticResources Management Council

Limampung miyembro ng Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (FARMC) ang lumahok sa Hands-on Training on Bighead Carp Processing na isinagawa ng Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) noong Oktubre 17 sa BFAR IV-A Regional Office sa Brgy. Bambang sa Los Baos, Laguna.

Ang mga miyembro ng FARMC ay nagsanay sa paggawa ng fish ball, kikiam, fish nuggets, embutido, fish siomai, at burger patty.Ang pagsasanay ay nagbunga mula sa pulong ng limang pangulo ng FARMC mula sa mga barangay ng Tadlac, Bambang, Malinta, Mayondon, at Bayog. Layon ng pulong na matulungan ang mga miyembro ng FARMC sa paghahanap ng karagdagang pagkakakitaan upang makatulong na maibsan ang kahirapan at pangangailangan sa pang-araw-araw na pamumuhay. Humingi ng tulong ang FARMC sa

Itutuloy sa pahina 3

On November 9, over a hundred residents of Brgy. San Antonio in Bay, Laguna received free dental services from the dental mission MataTAG na Ngipin 7 organized by The Altruist Group (TAG) Los Baos and was conducted in partnership with the Philippine Dental Association-Laguna Chapter and Red Cross Laguna Chapter.

The medical mission was organized in coordination with the local government of Bay through a series of community visits. TAG opted to focus on dental mission to ensure that their project will address more specific concerns as well as offer a more defined type of assistance. Ariel Palermo, TAG president, explained that MataTAG na Ngipin addressed the need for dental services of community members who took part in the activity. Pain relievers and antibiotics were also given to the participants.

Palermo emphasized that TAG continues to improve the

2 LOS BAOS TIMES

Home gardening seminar; dinaluhan ng KASAMAni Ma. Emily Alforja, presidente ng Kapisanan ng mga Samahan sa Malinta

Kabilang ang mga miyembro ng Kapisanan ng mga Samahan sa Malinta (KASAMA) sa mga nagsidalo sa isinagawang Home Gardening seminar noong Nobyembre 24 sa barangay hall ng Brgy. Malinta.

Nagsilbing pangunahing tagapagsalita sa seminar si Kon. Rolly Atienza ng Municipal Agriculture and Fishery Council. Ayon pa sa kanya, hindi hadlang ang kakulangan sa lupang pagtataniman.

Paliwanag ni Atienza, marami pa ring paraan upang makapagtanim tulad na lang ng paggamit ng plastic bottles, paso, lata o anumang gamit na maaaring lagyan ng lupa. Hindi rin hadlang ang kakulangan sa espasyo kung saan pwedeng magtanim dahil maaaring ibitin ang mga pananim sa bakod ng bahay o kung saan mang maaaring pagsabitan.

Bukod sa mga miyembro ng KASAMA, dinaluhan din ang seminar ng ilang mamamayan ng Barangay Malinta.

Ang seminar ay proyekto ng Rotary Club ng Los Baos sa pangunguna ng kanilang pinuno na si Micaela Vega at project director na si Glesly Vasquez.

Ipinaliwanag ng tagapagsalita na si Kon. Rolly Atienza na panahon na upang matutoat magkaroon ng kaalaman sa pagtatanim ng halaman o mga gulay ang mgamamamayan para sa pang-araw araw na pangangailangan. Sa ganitong paraan,makakatipid at hindi na magiging malimit ang pagbili sa merkado ng mgamamamayan. (Larawan mula sa Facebook Page ng Rotary Club of Los Baos)

Continued from page 1TAG holds...

E D I T O R I A L S TA F FMa. Emily Alforja Malaya Ampon Cien Angela Baurile Dana Louise Bersamin Adrianne Beatrice Braga Francisco Carandang Darryl Joi Fuentes Shaime Latap Demee Ludia Rackelle Matoto Camille Anne Mendizabal Emmanuelle Dominique Mendoza Neil Arwin Mercado Almary Joyce Paigao Franz Allen Ranas Jeanette Talag Anna Nicole Teston Danica Tialban Hannah Mae TolentinoWriters

Ricarda Villar Editor-in-ChielJoyce Marie Maloles Associate EditorAreen Chelsie ValentinoRicarda VillarLayout Artists

Rosa Pilipinas Fadri-FranciscoAdviser

The Los Baos Times is produced by the students and staff of the Department of Development Journalism

at the UP Los Baos College of Development Communication. No part of this paper may be

reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means stored in a database or retrieval system without

prior consent. All rights reserved.

The Los Baos Times is located at Rm. 201 B, Department of Development Journalism,

College of Development Communication, University of the Philippines Los Baos

College, Laguna

Tel. No.: (049) 536-2511 local 401 or 410Email: lbtimes@devcom.edu.ph

Website: http://lbtimes.ph

NEWS

LBFPWD, dumalo sa Gender Sensitivity Trainingni Jeanette I. Talag, presidente ng LBFPWD

Naging parte ang Los Baos Federation of Persons with Disabilities, Inc. (LBFPWD) sa isinagawang kombensyon sa Richville Hotel, Mandaluyong City noong Nobyembre 20. Tampok sa kombensyon ang gender sensitivity training at usapin patungkol sa kung paano patuloy na maipaunawa sa lipunan ang angking kakayahan ng mga may kapansanan.

Nagkaroon ng pagkakataon ang LBFPWD na makipag-ugnayan sa ibat-ibang organisasyong dumalo sa kumbensyon. Ilan sa kanilang mga nakasama ang Philippine Commission on Women at National Organization on Visually Impaired Ladies na parehong nais na matulungan ang LBFPWD upang makapagpatayo ng sariling tanggapan.

Patuloy ang LBFPWD sa kanilang hangaring maipamulat ang kanilang halaga at parte sa lipunan.

ERRATUMN: In the article titled LB celebrates Filipino Elderly Week on page 5 of the October 2014 issue, the paper cited Presidential Decree 470 as the basis for the Filipino Elderly Week. It should have been Presidential Proclamation 470.

MataTAG program. For the seventh dental mission, TAG incorporated a feeding program, fluoridation, and a lecture on dental hygiene for children. The feeding program was organized by the San Antonio barangay council to complement TAGs dental mission.

As part of the preparations for the dental mission, TAG conducted a survey among the residents of Brgy. San Antonio, and coordinated with the barangay council headed by Brgy. Chairman Efren Quintos. The barangay council, through Quintos, expressed their appreciation for the initiative of TAG and its partners in providing dental services for their constituents.

With the conduct of MataTAG na Ngipin 7 in Brgy. San Antonio, TAG ended 2014 by bringing smiles to more than a hundred Bay residents.

3LOS BAOS TIMESNEWSIndigent senior citizens receive pensionby Malaya Ampon, Almary Joyce Paigao, and Franz Allen Ranas

Nearly a hundred senior citizens from various barangays of Los Baos received their pensions last December 4 at the Municipal Hall as part of the Social Pension Program.

Organized by the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), the distribution of pension is held quarterly and is in line with Republic Act 9994, also known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010. Indigent senior citizens aged 75 and above are given a monthly pension worth Php500. This program aims to financially assist the senior citizens who have no regular source of income and support from family members and/or from government and private agencies.

The quarterly release of pension in Los Baos was facilitated by OSCA in partnership with the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office.

A list of all the beneficiaries were prepared beforehand by OSCA, participants only needed to show up with their identification cards on the day of the distribution of pension.

For those who cannot personally claim their pension, they may be represented by their families and/or relatives with an authorization letter signed by the director of OSCA along with the identification cards of the senior citizen and the representative.

Nanay Rosalinda Miranda, an 83-year-old participant, thought that the event was only a Christmas party for senior citizens in Los Baos. She added she was very happy when her named was called.

Dr. Federico A. Cruz, of OSCA , stated the turn out of the beneficiaries in the list was along 85% to 90% of the indigent senior citizens in Los Baos.

Those who were not able to receive their pension will wait for the next round of distribution of pension scheduled in March 2015. Pacita Alvarez, one of the few who were not able to receive their pension, said she was not informed until the last minute by her neighbor. According to her, it was around noon when she was told about the event on that day.

Accompanied by her friend Rebecca Ramirez, she arrived a few minutes after the organizers have left.

The beneficiaries of the Social Pension program, like the other beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program across the country, are selected through the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Each barangay social worker conducts house-to-house surveys. The list of senior citizens who meet the qualifications will be submitted for reassessment to the central office of DSWD

Once the final list of beneficiaries is issued, the beneficiaries will be informed about the results and pay-out scheme.

Pantaliona Vallespin (91), with her daughter, is one of the recipients of pension under the Social Pension Program.

Lantern-making contest kicks off LBs quadricentennial celebby Anna Nicole Teston, Danica Tialban, and Hannah Mae Tolentino

In celebration of its 400th Founding Anniversary, the Local Government of Los Baos organized a Lantern-making Contest participated in by over 23 local organizations. With the theme Piyestang Kay Ganda, Paskong Makulay, at Masaya, the event was held on December 1 at the Old Municipal Hall of Los Baos

The Parol-making contest committee headed by Municipal Councilor John Emmanuel Oliva, is the first event in the year-long celebration of the 400th foundation anniversary of Los Baos. The contest was opened to all Los Baos organizations including private, non-government and government organizations, associations, cooperatives, among others.

The participating organizations were required to make a four- to five-foot lantern made of indigenous or recyclable materials. For the lighting, LED lights were mandatory to save on electricity. Three artists from Los Baos, namely, Al Buenaventura, Paul Hilario, and Cherry Leonardo served as judges.

The Community Organization for Peace and Security (COPS) Los Baos won first place. According to Henry Tidon, president of COPS LB, this project showcased their members unity and hidden talents. They are more than just fireman, police multiplier, and rescue volunteer, he said. They learned that it is possible to create a big lantern without spending too much money.

The group received Php15,000 and a certificate of recognition. The cash prize would be used for their uniform and Christmas Party. It would also support the organizations future operations in the municipalitys police and fire departments. Other winners include BBLB TODA (Second Place), and Kawayanan Bayanihan Multi-Purpose Cooperative- Purok 2 Chapter (Third Place). They received Php10,000 and Php5,000, respectively.

Mula sa pahina 1LB FARMC...BFAR IV-A sa pagsasagawa ng pagsasanay sa pagpoproseso ng isda noong Setyembre 26. Ito ay agad natugunan at ang pagsasanay ay naidaos noong Oktubre 17.

Ang pagsasanay ay naisagawa sa pagtutulungan nina Marilou Mosqueda, ang officer-in-charge ng Postharvest Section ng BFAR IV-A; Fe Banasihan, ang municipal agriculture officer ng Los Baos; at ng mga opisyal ng FARMC ng Los Baos.

Ang mga produkto ng mga nagsanay ay naging bahagi ng 1st Organic Congress na ginanap sa Sta. Cruz nong Oktubre 28-30. Muling nagbigay ng free taste at nagbenta ng fish products ang FARMC noong Nobyembre 28 sa SM Calamba sa lungsod ng Calamba.

4 LOS BAOS TIMES NEWSLBFPWD lumahok sa regional abilympics, parol contestni Jeanette Talag, presidente ng Los Baos Federation of Persons with Disabilities

Sampung (10) miyembro ng Los Baos Federation of Persons with Disabilities, Inc. (LBFPWD) ang dumalo sa Kakayahan 2014: Regional Abilympics na may temang Talino at Paninindigan ng Taong may Kapansanan, Pasaporte sa Kaunlaran noong Oktubre 17 sa Jacobo Gonzales Memorial School of Arts and Trade ng Bian Laguna.

Idinaos ang Regional Abilympics upang maitanghal ang ibat-ibang angking talento at kakayahan ng mga may kapansanan. Ang ilan sa mga itinampok na gawain ay ang pagpapakita ng gilas sa paggawa ng magandang flower arrangements, paggawa ng sapatos, pagpipinta, pagluluto at paglikha ng mga maikling kwento.

Dinaluhan ito ng mahigit sa 150 na mga miyembro ng ibat-bang samahan ng mga may kapansanan mula sa ibat-ibang bayan na kabilang sa Region IV-A.

Naisagawa ang Abilympics sa pakikipagtulungan ng Department of Social Welfare and Development at ng National Council on Disability Affairs Office.

Samantala, muling nagpamalas ng kagalingan ang mga miyembro ng LBFPWD sa parol na kanilang nilikha para sa Parol Contest ng munisipyo ng Los Baos noong ika-30 ng Nobyembre.

Nagpakitang gilas ang ilan sa mga dumalo sa Regional Abylimpics ng kanilang kagalingan sa pagpipinta. (Larawan mula sa LBFPWD)

Continued from page 1

Bagamat hindi pinalad na manalo, masaya ang samahan sa kanilang naipamalas na pagkakaisa sa paggawa ng sariling parol. Ito ang kanilang unang pagkakataon na sumali sa isang Parol Contest.

Plans for 400th Foundation...In Piyestang Kay Ganda, Paskong Makulay at Masaya,

locals were encouraged to share the Christmas merriment with other members of the Los Baos community. Some of the activities lined up were competitions for barangay decorations, lantern-making, dance, singing, as well as a gay beauty pageant and a mass wedding.

The second theme will run through from January to March 2015. The activities aim to showcase history, arts, and culture in line with the celebration of the National Arts Month. With Cleofe Cabuatan as head, the Philippine High School for the Arts will be in-charge for the programs lined.

Municipal Councilor Jay Rolusta will be in-charge of activities under the youth and sports theme. The activities for the third quarter aim to empower the youth and promote Philippine traditional games. It will start on April until June. According to Councilor Rolusta, the municipality also aims to beat the Guinness World Record of massive shower in an area. The expected participants are at least 1,000.

The planned activities include Laro ng Lahi and Palarong Pambata. Laro ng Lahi is a sports event wherein Filipino games are going to be played instead of the usual basketball and volleyball. Palarong Pambata focuses on the in- and out-of-school youth. Since children nowadays do not play outside because of the popularity of electronic gadgets, street games are going to be taught to the children.

Meanwhile, the Baamos Steering Committee will manage the events for the month-long celebration of the Grandest Baamos Festival.

The quadricentennial celebration will also cover the opening of the Los Baos museum located at the old Municipal Hall. This museum will house memorabillas from Los Baos in the past years. The campaign Ambag Mo, Ambag Ko: Pamanang Museo, launched last June 12, aims to gather century-old or decade-old photos and items which have been part of the history of the Municipal Hall and the whole of Los Baos. Councilor Rolusta said that this museum can help promote to the tourists, especially to the youth, the diversity and richness of the history of Los Baos.

The year-long celebration is expected to attract more tourists to visit Los Baos. Councilor Rolusta said that he is very positive that many local and international tourists will come since the Baamos Festival attracts many tourists. Also, our fellow Los Baneos will be benefited because if there are lots of tourists, then our food stalls, our pasalubong shops, and our transport groups, all of them will gain a lot. That is the effect of tourismto increase the income of our kababayans and to promote Los Baos.

The Quadricentennial Celebration is an important event in the history of Los Baos. According to Councilor Rolusta, our generation is lucky to be witnessing Los Baos in its 400 years and we do not want it to pass without celebrating it. We need to be aware of it and we have to introduce Los Baos not only nationally, but also internationally.

For updates about the events in the Quadricentennial Celebration, visit the Los Baos Quadricentenial Celebration facebook page at www.facebook.com/losbaos400.

5LOS BAOS TIMES

Mga natatanging kwento ng Los Baos

Noong ika-20 ng Oktubre 2014, kinilala ng munisipalidad ng Los Baos si Mang Melencio Gemil Willy, 99 taong gulang at tubong Los Baos, bilang Pinakamatandang Nabubuhay at Malakas pa na Lolo ng Los Baos. Ang pagkilala ay iginawad noong Araw ng Pagdiriwang ng Linggo ng Nakatatandang Pilipino.

Paano nga ba ang mabuhay ng halos isang siglo? Kami ay nakipagkwentuhan kay Tatay Melencio ng Brgy. Anos.

Dala ang malayong tingin ay napangiti si Tatay Melencio at inumpisahan na ang kanyang kwentoang kwentong nagdala sa amin pabalik sa kanyang Los Baos kung saan siya namulat at lumaki.

Ayon kay Tatay Melencio, labinlimang (15) buwan pa lamang siya nang iwan sila ng kanyang ama. Naaalala niya pa daw kung paanong nababanggit ng kanyang mama na nagpapadala pa ng salaping panggastos ang kanyang papa hanggang sa ito ay biglang natigil na lamang. Mula noon ay wala na silang natanggap pa na balita tungkol sa kanyang ama.

Limang taong gulang naman siya nang maulila siya ng kanyang mama dahil sa sakit na tipus. Mula noon ay ang ninong na niya sa binyag ang nag-alaga sa kanya.

Naging mapag-aruga ang kanyang ninong. Marami itong naidulot na aral sa kanya. Ang isa sa mga pinaka hindi niya makakalimutang aral mula sa kanya ng kanyang ninong ay ang mga katagang:

Huwag kang magsisiga sa loob at sa la-bas ng bahay, at wag kang titikim ng tubig at pawis ng demonyo, at wag kang masisilaw sa balat ng demonyo, at wag kang tutuka gaya ng sa manok.

Nang amin siyang tanungin kung anong ibig sabihin ng mga salitang ito mula sa kanyang ninong, ngumiti siya at ipinaliwanag na ang ibig sabihin ng siga ay ang paninigarilyo, ang tubig at pawis ng demonyo ay alak, ang balat ng demonyo ay salapi, at ang tutuka gaya ng sa manok ay ang pangingialam sa ibang mga tao at bagay.

Gamit ang kanyang natutunan sa kanyang ninong ay ikinumpara niya ang henerasyon niya sa henerasyon ng mga kabataan ngayon sa Los Baos.

Kinuwento niya kung gaano kahalaga ang disiplina sa kanila at kung paano ito pilit itinatatak ng mga nakatatanda sa kanilang mga isipan. Nagbiro pa si Tatay Melencio at sinabi kung paanong ang mga kabataan ngayon ay madalas makikitaan na ng bote ng Ginebra sa kanilang mga bulsaisang malaking patunay ng kaibahan ng mga kabataan noong panahon niya at ng mga kabataan ngayon.

Isa pa sa mga napansin niya ay ang tungkol sa isa sa mga ipinagmamalaking katangian ng mga Pilipinoang pagmamano.

Naalala niya din kung paanong ang pinakamataas na

Noong panahon ko, kahit sinong makasalubong mo sa daan, kahit hindi mo kakilala, basta matanda sayo magmamano ka, ika ni Tatay Melencio.

Itutuloy sa pahina 7

Si Tatay Melencio ng Brgy. Anosnina Cien Angela Baurile, Dana Louise Bersamin, at Adrianne Beatrice Braga

6 LOS BAOS TIMES

Why you should donate bloodby Darryl Joi Fuentes

The Red Cross Youth of the University of the Philippines Los Baos collected 202 blood bags/units in its recent conduct of Bloodline: A Pledge of Life held November 6, 2014 at the UPLB College of Human Ecology (CHE) lobby. These 202 bags were collected and brought to the Philippine Red Cross, Laguna Chapter for testing and storage. However, this number is still very small compared to the demand for blood in various blood banks.

According to Dr. Antonio Emmanuel Villafania, PRC Laguna Blood Center Physician, during a brief talk on Voluntary Non-Remunerated Blood Donation, the blood collected during blood drives last only three days due to high demand. Based from the statistics released by the American Red Cross, someone needs blood every two seconds. Moreover, according to the records of PRC Laguna, the number of requests they receive on a daily basis ranges from 80 to 100 blood bags/ units, equivalent to 36,000 45,000mL of blood daily. In addition, according to a report by Department of Health (DOH), statistics from PRC showed that annual blood collection from all blood collecting agencies like DOH and Philippine Blood Coordinating Council falls short of what is actually needed. For example, in 2010, 550,000 blood units were collected, but the national requirement was 950,000 blood units.

Why blood supply in blood banks is not enoughDr. Villafania said that only one percent of the population

voluntarily donates blood. The National Blood Services Act of 1994 highly encourages donor recruitment and retention. Aside from demand for blood being greater compared to the number of blood units collected, there are many factors that contribute to insufficient blood supply in blood banks. One factor is the unstable number of donors. According to Dr. Villafania, during lean months-- Lenten season, Christmas season and New Year-- there is a significant decrease in number of blood donations because most people are not conditioned to donate. Another reason is the limited shelf life of the collected blood red blood cell expires 42 days after collection; platelets must be used within 5 days of collection; and plasma, stored in freezers, last for only one year after collection. Dr. Villafania said that there are instances when the blood type requested does not match available blood types in the blood bank inventory. If undistributed, the excess supply of certain blood types can no longer be used. said Dr. Villafania.

Furthermore, there are collected blood units which are deemed unsafe after further tests. Most of the tests are called assays wherein each blood unit is screened to see if the donated blood contains infectious diseases that could possibly cause the recipient to acquire HIV, Hepatitis B & C, Syphilis and Malaria. These series of tests usually take 8-12 hours. According to the Philippine HIV and AIDS registry report, there are already 114 blood units that have been detected to be contaminated with HIV from January to March 2014. These contaminated bloods will be thrown away, therefore decreasing the number of blood units collected.

Why people should donate bloodMany people have been donating blood already, but still, there is an

urgent need for more donors. The need for blood is very high; according to Department of Health (DOH), almost 2000 units of blood are being transfused daily. Nobody knows when one will need blood; nobody knows how much blood he or she will need, so it is very important that there is always enough supply in the blood banks.

Mrs. Purita Razo once needed 63 blood units of any type for two of her children who both had dengue at the same time. They tried approaching blood banks, however, there was no enough supply to provide for their request. Their youngest used the power of social media to announce their need for blood donations and to connect with possible donors. Luckily, they got an overwhelming response from relatives, friends, and friends of friends who volunteered to be live donors.

There are many cases similar to Mrs. Razo. According to Dr. Villafania, these cases happen during lean months, particularly early January, March, April and December and the most convenient solution is to refer the patient to other blood service facilities or blood centers. Daryl Jose Deanon, vice president of the Chapter Youth Council, Laguna and a regular blood donor, also experienced being referred to other blood centers at the time when their family needed blood. Naghagilap dati nanay ko ng dugo para sa lolo ko, walang makuhanan. Nakailang referral kami pero walang nakuha (My mother tried looking for blood for my grandfather; however, there was no enough supply. We got a number of referrals but still we did not get what we needed.), said Deanon. Their family tried consulting different blood centers, however, they were not able to get it for free and their last resort was to pay Php1,500 processing fee for every blood unit.

Aside from saving lives, blood donation also gives benefits to the donors. Many donate blood because they feel a sense of satisfaction for being able to help extend another persons life. Some donors donate because they or members of their family once needed blood transfusion as well. Glocel Olmeda, who regularly donates blood do so because she promised her deceased sister, who died of acute leukemia, that she would help add to the blood supply in blood banks.

Blood donation also gives health benefits to the donor. A potential donor gets a free check-up and blood analysis. Donating blood regularly also lowers ones risk of heart attack and stroke because donating blood helps maintain balanced iron levels. In addition, blood donation helps the donors body to stay healthy by replenishing old blood cells. According to Deanon, one reason why he regularly donates blood is that it has health benefits. Blood donation hastens the process of blood rejuvenation or the renewal of old blood cells every three months. These are just some of the health benefits one gets from donating blood.

Blood donationis not only about giving to othersbut also giving for yourself it gives you satisfaction and health benefits.

7LOS BAOS TIMESFEATUREMula sa pahina 5

Overcoming the cocolisap...

Si Tatay Melencio...edukasyon na maaaring maabot noong mga panahon niya ay ang makatapos ng hanggang sa ika-pitong baitang. Ikinuwento niya rin na ang mga kababaihang nakakatapos hanggang sa baitang na ito ay ang mga siyang nagiging guro.

Ayon kay Tatay Melencio softball at volleyball ang pinagkakaabalahan ng mga binata noon ayon sa kanya. Ang mga larong ito ay natutunan nila mula sa mga Amerikanong naglalaro sa Camp Eldridge.

Labing-walo naman siya, kasama ang iba pang mga kaibigan niya dito sa bayan, nang hasain sila upang maging mga sundalo. Ang mga sundalong ito ang dinala sa Bataan upang doon makipaglaban sa mga Hapon.

Dalawampung taong gulang siya nang magkaroon sila ng tyansang makatakas sa kamay ng mga Hapon bago pa man sila maisama sa Death March.

Nagdeklarang Open City ang Maynila at naging maluwag ang pagbabantay ditoisang oportunidad upang makapasok sila kasabay ang mga taga-Mariveles, Bataan at matakasan ang kamatayan na sigurado nang naghihintay sa kanila.

Kitang-kita sa mukha ni Tatay Melencio ang pagkamuhi sa mga Hapon. Maraming kasamahan niya ang namatay sa malulupit na kamay ng mga dayuhang ito. Kinuwento niya sa amin kung paanong hinihiling na lamang ng karamihan na mamatay na upang huwag nang maranasan pa ang mga hirap sa ilalim ng mga Hapon. Para sa kanila, kamatayan na lamang ang paraan upang makatakas sa mga paghihirap noong mga panahong iyon.

Maswerte si Tatay Melencio dahil nakuha niyang makawala sa mga Hapon. Nakabalik siya ng ligtas sa Maynila, at mula doon ay nilakad niya pabalik ng Los Baos. Iisang beses lamang siya tumigil upang makiinom sa may bandang San Pedro, Laguna. Nakakabilib na tandang-tanda pa ni Tatay Melencio na sa mga ganap na alas-otso ng gabi ng marating niya ang kanilang bahay sa Bambang.

Ilang taon din siyang nanirahang muli sa Los Baos bago siya lumipad pa-Okinawa, Japan upang doon maging all-around soldier. Ang Okinawa, ika nga ni Tatay Melencio, is one of the most beautiful air bases in the Far East. Makalipas ang dalawang taong pagtatrabaho dito ay bumalik siyang muli ng Los Baos.

Habang nagtatrabaho bilang General Foreman sa quarrying, nakilala niya ang kanyang kasintahan na nang lumaon ay siya ring naging kanyang kabiyak.

Ayon kay Tatay Melencio, iisa lamang ang simbahan noon dito sa Los Baos at doon daw sila kinasal ng kanyang asawa. Sinabi niyang noon ay puro Katoliko lang daw ang mayroon dito sa Los Baos ngunit ngayon ay nagulat pa raw siya sa dami ng mga nagsulputang ibat-ibang relihiyon at paniniwala.

Hinayaan lamang namin si Tatay Melencio na alalahanin ang

buhay niya noon sa Los Baos. Mayat maya ay may mga bago siyang sinasabi tungkol sa kung paano ang naging buhay nila noon dito, madalas pa ngay kinukumpara niya ito sa panahon natin ngayon.

Ayon kay Tatay Melencio, mas simple ang pamumuhay noon sa Los Baos.

Noong mga kabataan niya nga raw, ang lechon ay mabibili sa halagang limang piso lamang, ang isang kabang bigas ay halagang pitong piso. Ibang kwento naman ang sa mga gulay, dahil ito ay nakukuha lamang sa mga likod bahay ng libre at hindi tulad ngayon na kailangan pang bilhin. Sinabi niya na bawat bahay noon ay may kanya-kanyang tanim na gulay sa tabi ng kanilang mga bahay. Ang ilan naman daw na walang taniman ay nanganganihan, sabi ni Tatay Melencio, sa mga may taniman.

Kaugnay ng pagkaparangal sa kanya ay naisipan naming siyang tanungin kung paano nga ba pinangangalagaan ang mga nakatatanda noong kapanahunan niya. Tinanong naming siya na kung ngayon ay mayroon tayong partikular na araw na nakatakda upang bigyang pagkilala ang ating mga nakatatanda, ano naman ang ginagawa nila noon?

Simpleng tawa lamang naging tugon niya. Pabiro niyang sinabi ang mga katagang, Wala. Tumatanda lang, mamatay, tapos.

Binanggit niya ring nagulat siya nang parangalan siya. Ayon sa kanya, hindi niya raw inaasahan ito dahil kailan niya lamang nalaman ang tungkol sa Araw ng Pagdiriwang ng Linggo ng mga Nakatatandang Pilipino. Nang tanungin naming kung ano ang naramdaman niya sa pagkaparangal sa kanya, sinabi niyang masayang maparangalan bilang pinakamatanda sa Los Baos.

Biglang napakalayo na ng narating ni Tatay Melencio, tinanong rin namin sa kanya kung ano ba ang sikreto niya.

Umiling lamang siya at bumulong ng Wala. Ibinahagi sa amin ni Tatay Melencio na ang mga nangyayari

ngayon ay nakatakda talagang mangyari. Ito raw ang natutunan niya mula sa itim na libro na may krus sa unahan ng kanyang ninong. Sa aming palagay, ang tinutukoy niyang libro ay ang Bibliya, kung saan makikita ang kanyang mga paniniwala.

Bago kami umalis ay iniwan niya kami ng isang mensahe: ang maniwala sa mga laman ng Bibliya.

Nang may ningning ng kanyang mga mata at pataas na kurba ng labi, nagtapos si Tatay Melencio ng kanyang kwento at sinabing God bless, anak. And may God guide you on your way home.

Hindi lamang buhay at karanasan ni Tatay Melencio ang makikita natin sa kanyang mga kwento. Bakas din sa mga ito ang mga katotohanang malaki na talaga ang naging pagbabago dito sa bayan ng Los Baosmula sa kultura hanggang sa mga pinaniniwalaan at pananampalataya.

Continued from page 8

Farmers became hopeful once again until Typhoon Glenda. In the afternoon of July 15, 2014, Typhoon Glenda or internationally known as typhoon Rammasun, damaged a lot of properties and even claimed lives. Castillos house was washed away. But even after losing their house, Castillo claimed that Glenda had a good effect to the coconuts of their farms. This is what Pealver and Barias claimed as well.

They have noticed that after Glenda, the coconuts started growing normally once again and the once yellowish and withering leaves of coconuts have started to become lush green.

Coconut farmers had to endure the devastation brought about by the coconut scale insect but they have remained hopeful that their coconut trees will soon become a source of livelihhod for their families.

8 LOS BAOS TIMESOvercoming the cocolisap: Coconut farmers journeyby Shaime Latap, Demee Ludia, and Rackelle Magtoto

Even before dawn, Nicanor Nic Aguilar is already up preparing for the day ahead. He packs his water bottle, some towels, and most importantly, his tools. By the time the sun is up, he is already in his work placeMt. Makilingto harvest coconuts.

Mang Nic is a coconut fruit harvester or, in the local dialect, he is known as a mangkakawit. Coconut fruit harvesters like Mang Nic suffered a blow when coconut farms in CALABARZON became infested with coconut scale insect or more commonly known as cocolisap.

In 2010, Mang Nic noticed that the leaves of coconuts in the farm were turning yellow. He dismissed it as a minor coconut disease. When he realized that other coconut farms in Calauan area were in the same situation, Mang Nic knew it would take a year and a half for his crops to recover.

According to Viataliano Pealver, president of the Samahan ng Magsasaka sa Paanan ng Bundok Makiling, the farmers dismissed the signs as a minor and passing condition so they did nothing. It was only in early 2014 that they took the condition seriously as it was starting to affect the lanzones and mangosteen trees. The coconut leaves have dried and harvest was little to none. The quality of the coconut fruits deteriorated and the harvest was mostly considered rejects. They knew they have hit a low point when they, themselves, the coconut farmers and supposedly suppliers had to buy coconut milk for their own use.

In Mt. Makiling, Pealver estimated that the income of coconut farmers decreased by 20 percent due to the coconut scale infestation. Meanwhile, Calauan Councilor Renato Barias estimated that income of coconut farmers in their area decreased by 50 percent.

The coconut fruit harvesters like Mang Nic learned to find other sources of income for the next year and a half. Following other farmers, Mang Nic resorted to selling flowers like calling bird, guadalupe, and corcona in Dangwa flower market in Sampaloc, Manila. The mangangawit also sold vegetables like lady fingers (okra), eggplant, and bitter gourd (ampalaya). Other coconut farmers planted fruit-bearing trees like lanzones and mangosteen. Coconut plantations resorted to clearing cutting all the severely damaged coconuts in their farms but hoped that relatively undamaged coconut trees would recover in the coming months.

Calauan and Mt. Makiling coconut farmers recounted how the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) conducted an investigation after receiving numerous identical complaints. PCA studied the infected plants and named the pest as coconut scale insect, a leaf-sucking pest that attacks the coconut tree by eating the leaves, fruits, and flowers until only the trunk is left. These pests were first observed in coconut plantations in Batangas in 2010. The pest wreaked havoc to the coconut industry for three years as the PCA looked for ways to save the coconut trees and combat the pest.

The farmers recounted that in 2013, they were given a pesticide but after using it, they did not observe substantial improvements to their coconut trees. Rather, they observed that introducing a natural predator of cocolisap was more effective in controlling the infestation. This also meant that they did not have to use strong pesticides which affected not only the coconuts but other neighboring plants as well.

Be a community correspondent.Continued on page 7

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