PYAP IMUS CHAPTER CHAT ROOM IS NOW OPEN FOR MEMBERS

The PYAP IMUS CHAPTER has now its own Chatroom accessible 24/7 to members and non-members. We are now encouraging all members to interact with other PYAPians through this chatroom. It is available at the lower right side of www.pyaimuschapter.blogspot.com.

2009 IMUS GAWAD PARANGAL RECOGNIZES A-STAR FOUNDATION, INC.

The 2009 Imus Gawad Parangal recognized A-Star Foundation, Inc. for its unwavering and unconditional service to the indigent families in Imus. Hon. Manny Maliksi, Imus Municipal Mayor; Hon. Mandy Ilano, Imus Vice-Mayor together with the Municipal Councilors awarded to A-Star Foundation, Inc. the GEN. FLAVIANO YENGKO AWARD on October 7, 2009 at Imus Covered Court in celebration of the 234th founding anniversary of Imus. The plaque and medallion was received by Mrs. Stella R. Acedera, CEO of A-Star Foundation, Inc. assisted by Mr. Juriel T. Fabito, Volunteer-Community Development Worker of the foundation.

BACKGROUND:

A-Star Foundation, Inc. started its local operation in Imus in 1999. Ms. Cristina H. Viegan, RSW , its Social Worker then, coordinated with the local government of Imus to adopt five communities where their programs and services will be implemented.

Mayor Jaro, the Municipal Mayor that time granted the request of A-Star Foundation, Inc. to adopt Villa Fatima in Bucandala IV, Bicol Region in Pag-asa 3, Riverside in Tanzang Luma VI, Sitio Pulo in Anabu 2C, and Toclong 2B.

Five programs and services were introduced by A-Star Foundation, Inc. to the communities which include Family and Life Services, Livelihood Services, Environment Advocacy and Protection, Primary Health Care Services and Other Support Services (FLEPO).

The Family and Life Services are composed of spiritual and values formation programs, lenten recollection, seminars such as effective parenting, anti-drug campaigns, leadership skills training, pro-life advocacy, gift-giving and youth animation.

Livelihood services are composed of livelihood skills training for unskilled women/mothers and out-of-school youth; tapping of resources for the provision of capital to start a small business; and monitoring of livelihood programs in five depressed communities.
Environment Advocacy and Protection Services include clean and green projects, tree-planting, and waste management.

Primary Health Care Services include medical, optical and dental services; dog vaccination; operation circumcision; assistance to persons with disability and senior citizens; and referral of medical cases to government hospitals, PCSO and other government agencies.

Other Support Services include coordination meetings with various NGOs, POs, government agencies for joint-projects collaborations; assistance to walk-in clients; and attendance to seminars on social welfare and development.

For ten years, A-Star Foundation. Inc. has been a partner of Imus local government in delivering services to indigent individuals, families and groups. Their existence for ten years is a remarkable record for an NGO in Imus, which reflects genuine partnership of NGOs and the local government.

To-date A-Star Foundation, Inc. serves not only the initial five communities but majority of indigent communities within the Municipality. Thousands of Imusenos have been served and will be served by A-Star Foundation, Inc. as it continues to renew its commitment to deliver FLEPO to the people of Imus.

(photos by: Mr. Juriel T. Fabito)

EPIC FLOOD: A CALL FOR COMPASSION

THE pictures we see in the newspapers and television screen in these days, after the epic flood brought about by devastating tropical storm “Ondoy” have many stories to tell which are beyond words. Many of the victims of super typhoon Ondoy has a scary experience to narrate.

While we keep in our imagination the pictures that invite our deepest sympathy, and even listen in our hearts to their desperate cries for help, the victims agonizing and angry complaints at the slowness or absence of response from Disaster Preparedness Program, let us see in this situation a call to everyone for compassion. If there were no graft and corruption in our government, our government would be more prepared to respond to such crisis.

Typhoon Ondoy’s destructive path may be the worst flood in more than half a century. Through the ravages of nature in the past, the Filipino sense of compassion, which we also call “bayanihan,” has been called forth. The pictures we have seen in the past few days are pictures of Filipinos responding to the call for compassion, of people willing to “suffer with,” people with the spirit of “bayanihan.”

We pray against typhoons, earthquakes, floods and other natural calamities. But when they do occur, the heroism of the Filipino comes out. We salute, for example, to that 18-year old teen-ager, Muelmar Magallanes, who lost his life after saving more than a dozen neighbors, the last of whom was a six-month old baby.

This one heroic example is an inspiration of our appeal with the CBCP National Secretariat for Social Action. The CBCP NASSA has been mobilized to help with its limited resources the victims of the flood. Relief goods have started to be gathered and distributed to the flood-affected provinces around Metro Manila. Caritas Manila has started to respond to the flood victims in Metro Manila. Compassion is drawing many Filipinos to unite with their unfortunate brothers and sisters. Social Action Centers of other Dioceses may join the campaign by sending to CBCP NASSA whatever they may collect. Profound gratitude to the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council and the US Bishops’ Conference – Catholic Relief Services. They were among the first to respond.

Other Institutions like the RED CROSS, have also started to respond to the call for compassion, as we have seen in GMA network and ABS-CBN network in the spirit respectively of “KAPUSO” and “KAPAMILYA.”

We bend our knees in prayer for salvation against natural calamities, but when they do come, we are not so helpless as not to respond with heroism. We have said it before and we say it again “In the Church, no one is so poor as to have nothing to give, and no one is so rich as to have nothing to receive.” We are humbled by the crises that come to us. We pray to God and appeal for our neighbor.

+ANGEL N. LAGDAMEO

Archbishop of Jaro

CBCP President

September 29, 2009

source: http://www.cbcponline.net/

CDAO Prays for the Eternal Repose of the Soul of President Cory Aquino

The Community Development Assistance Office of Imus, Cavite is praying for the eternal repose of the soul of Pres. Cory Aquino, the 'People Power' icon.

Former President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino passed away Saturday morning after battling colon cancer for more than a year. She was 76.

"Our mother peacefully passed away at 3:18 a.m. August 1, 2009 of cardio respiratory arrest. She would have wanted us to thank each and every one of you for all the prayers and your continued love and support. It was her wish for all of us to pray for one another and our country. Hinihiling po ng aming pamilya ang konting panahon para makasama namin ang aming mahal na ina," a statement from the Aquino family. (courtesy: ABS-CBN NEWS)

"Prayer for a Happy Death" (2004)

by Corazon C. Aquino

Almighty God, most merciful Father

You alone know the time

You alone know the hour

You alone know the moment

When I shall breathe my last.

So remind me each day, most loving Father

To be the best that I can be

To be humble, to be kind,

To be patient, to be true,

To embrace what is good

To reject what is evil

To adore only You.

When that final moment does come

Let not my loved ones grieve for long

Let them comfort each other

And let them know how much happiness

They brought into my life.

Let them pray for me

As I will continue to pray for them,

Hoping that they will always pray for each other.

Let them know that they made possible

Whatever good I offered to our world

And let them realize that our separation

Is just for a short whileAs we prepare for our reunion in eternity.

Our Father in heaven

You alone are my hope

You alone are my salvation

Thank You for Your unconditional love.

Amen.

source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/

IMUS FLAG FESTIVAL SET

IMUS, CAVITE—The National Historical Institute has decided to make this town’s Wagayway Festival one of the centerpiece events in the 111th anniversary celebration of the proclamation of Philippine Independence.

The move, according to town officials, will allow the municipality to claim its rightful place in the country’s history.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is expected to attend the event as she is scheduled to preside over the groundbreaking ceremonies for the planned construction of a monument that would commemorate the Battle of Alapan.

The town launched the festival last year in its bid to spread awareness of the significance of the Philippine flag and to promote and renew the nationalistic fervor among Filipinos.

Mayor Manny Maliksi said the other objective of the weeklong festival is to make people aware of the events that led to the first waving of the national flag.

Maliksi said that contrary to what most people know, it was in Imus, and not in Kawit, Cavite, where the country’s flag was first displayed and unfurled.

He said it was first waved on May 28, 1898 at the epic Battle of Alapan, after the local revolutionaries won against the Spanish colonial forces.

www.inquirer.net
05/22/2009