Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced by means of interviewing a top official of the Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan in relation to a Philippine News Agency article about Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar’s statement that includes the Sangguniang Kabataan’s role in the national government’s COVID-19 Crisis campaign. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.
COVID-19 Crisis: PCOO Secretary Andanar expresses optimism in youth’s role in assisting the government’s fight against COVID-19
While delivering his opening remarks during the third COVID-19 virtual town hall meeting held yesterday, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar prodded youth leaders – specifically the Sangguniang Kabataan or youth councils – on helping the national government in its campaign on combatting the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“I am confident that our country in the future will be in good hands with the current SKs (Sangguniang Kabataan or youth councils) and youth leaders we have today. May you continue to shine your bright light to the immediate generation behind you and just do everything to beat this virus together, to heal and to rise as one,” Secretary Andanar said in the PNA.gov.ph article.
Among those who attended the virtual town hall meeting were members of youth councils and youth organizations. It was organized to keep the stakeholders updated as the nation struggles with COVID-19. To date, many thousands got infected and lots of communities nationwide were quarantined to reduce the risk of further infection. Along the way, a lot of people lost their jobs and their income, and families are relying on whatever relief goods their respective barangays and/or LGUs could provide to them.
In reaction to Andanar’s statement above, Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan (BFSK) chairwoman Mariel Angela Tumang expressed gladness since she and her fellow SK Kagawads had been doing their parts to protect their constituents from COVID-19 as well as the economic downturn involved.
“I’m glad with Secretary Andanar’s statement. As a youth or as a youth leader, I think we have played a big role on this pandemic. We did our best to provide something, even small things for our Contituents. We’ve started on giving hygiene kits, giving Hot meals like champorado and arozcaldo on every houses in mission areas and giving them Relief Goods,” Tumang stated.
I tried to get Barangay Baclaran SK chairwoman Rachel Garcia’s reaction to Andanar’s statement but she has not replied as of this writing.
Sangguniang Kabataan already working
To put things in perspective, the SKs around the nation have been working on local campaigns related to COVID-19 in their respective communities for the past few months as the barangays and local government units (LGUs) worked in accordance to the rules and standards issued by the national government and its units. Check out my exclusive local community articles about the COVID-19 campaigns done by the Barangay BF Homes SK and the Barangay Baclaran SK. Check out the pictures below.
Barangay Baclaran SK chairwoman Rachel Garcia (black t-shirt) and companions handing out free items to local constituents for their safety from COVID-19. (photo approved for publishing by Barangay Baclaran Sangguniang Kabataan chairwoman Rachel Garcia)Barangay BF Homes SK chairwoman Mariel Tumang handing out hygiene kits and fliers at one of the local communities. (photo contributed by Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan Chairwoman Mariel Tumang)
Barangay Baclaran and Barangay BF Homes are located within Parañaque, the city with the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Metro Manila. Parañaque’s city government has been struggling with containing the China virus and, as of this writing, their number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is HIGHER than Las Piñas and Muntinlupa city COMBINED!
Speaking of Parañaque, Muntinlupa and , I am inviting all of you to join the South Metro Manila Facebook group where you will find lots of updates about the three cities, updates about related local communities, business and commercial updates, the occasional overseas updates and Christian worship. Being part of the FB group will also help you engage with others from the different cities and local communities. Visit the South Metro Manila group now at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673/
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation,NO to plagiarists and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments.
Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced by means of interviewing a top official of the Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.
COVID-19 Crisis: Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan distributes relief goods to constituents
And then there were these two recent Parañaque City news videos showing more of the gloomy situation. It’s so sad, no beauty pageant in the city will ever lift up the frustrated. The promised Parañaque Renaissance will most likely not be realized during this final term of mayor Edwin Olivarez.
Fortunately in Barangay BF Homes, the youth living in mission areas are being taken cared of as the Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan (BFSK) led by chairwoman Mariel Angela Tumang has been moving around and delivering relief goods to them right at their respective residences.
Barangay BF Homes SK chairperson Mariel Angela Tumang personally distributing relief goods. (photo contributed by Mariel Tumang)SK Kagawad Jerry Dalmero doing his part. (photo contributed by Mariel Tumang)SK Kagawad Alma Galindo distributing to a lady. (photo contributed by Mariel Tumang)
According to Tumang, the relief goods were prepared by their team and, behind the scenes, the goods were acquired by means of using the SK’s own funds.
Very recently, Tumang along with SK kagawads Alma Galindo, Jerry Dalmero, Roselyn Regis, Kelly Haboc, Anne Corre, Stephanie Sebullen and SK treasurer Jefferson Ching personally delivered bags of relief goods to their constituents from one house to the next in the developing communities of Baong Silang, Villonco, Estrada 1 and Estrada 2.
SK Kagawad Anne Corre. (photo contributed by Mariel Tumang)SK Kagawad Roselyn Regis. (photo contributed by Mariel Tumang)SK Kagawad Stephanie Sebullen. (photo contributed by Mariel Tumang)SK Kagawad Kelly Haboc. (photo contributed by Mariel Tumang)SK Treasurer Jefferson Ching. (photo contributed by Mariel Tumang)
Their operation will only continue today in other areas. For the Barangay BF Homes youth reading this, rest assured that your youth council is coming to provide you goods to consume. Tumang and the SK kagawads are working hard under the heat of the sun to take care of you. Contact the SK by visiting their official FB page at https://www.facebook.com/skcouncilbfhomes/
For all others reading this from around the Philippines and overseas, I know many of you who got negatively affected by the imposed community quarantine under the China virus crisis are thinking about giving up hope. I urge you not to give up hope. In fact, I encourage you, my readers, to stand up and look up to the Lord! Pray to Lord Jesus with confidence and trust in Him. Study the Holy Bible and apply its lessons to your life. Pray in tongues and honor the Lord.
Remember that the government is not our source. It is God who is our source. God Himself is not limited by your circumstance and trust me that He is already waging a battle against Satan (who is the cause of China coronavirus COVID-19). In due time, God will win yet again over Satan and end the COVID-19 Crisis that hampered us all. As such, always keep faith in the Lord and keep on trusting in Him. Do not worship idols, images and people. Worship only the Lord.
Let me end this with a holy scripture.
For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3: 16 (Amplified Version)
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation,NO to plagiarists and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments.
Suicide is defined as the act or an instance of taking one’s own life voluntarily and intentionally (source – Merriam Webster Dictionary). For so long has suicide affected societies worldwide and left a lot of families very hurt.
What is disturbing in the survey of the WHO on the said topic is that the age-group of 15-29 years saw suicide as the 2nd leading cause of deaths in 2016. To break down the 2016 statistics, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for people aged 15-29 among both genders and the females. Among the males, suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death.
While varied organizations and researchers have their own definition of the age group for youth, the Jesus Global Youth Day organizers defined it verbally as below the age of thirty, which I personally witnessed during the 2019 Jesus Global Youth Day held here in the Philippines. As such, the 15-29 age group would be counted as youth at least in this article.
Back to the topic at hand, the menace of suicide affecting youth right down to the local level of Barangay BF Homes, Parañaque City made its presence felt when I interviewed Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan (BFSK) chairwoman Mariel Tumang twice in 2019.
During the first interview (published here), she told me that suicide among the youth in the local community was present not just in the form of committed suicide (confirmed death) but also in the form of thoughts (suicidal thoughts or suicidal thinking) inside the minds of young people.
Then, months later, in another interview Tumang confirmed to me that a tragedy happened when a 21-year-old man living in the depressed community of Masville hanged himself to death because he broke up with his girlfriend (click here). The victim was a loss not only to his family, his friends and the neighborhood, but also for the economy (note: he was already working in the private sector). Tumang stated that their definition of youth is 15 to 30-years-old.
Along the way, Tumang and her SK kagawads (Youth Councilors) attended seminars on dealing with suicide through the aspect of psychology and behavior. Whatever topics and skills they learned, they made ways to make their community youth aware of it by holding seminars locally.
The sad trail of youth suicide also goes a long way back in the form of archived news reports. In January 2014, a 16-year-old boy killed himself inside his house in Cebu City because of his failure in school (click here) and his school adviser confirmed to his mother that he would not be going to fourth year high school.
On April 2016, a 15-year-old girl was found dead hanging from a mango tree (click here) in Talisay City, Cebu. According to the archived news report, a suicide note was left behind by the victim (a stay-in student of a school) and she reportedly told one of her superiors she wanted to kill herself and no reason was given. Before the tragedy happened, her superiors at school found it disturbing that she (the victim) was very silent. Included in the news report was a police officer who revealed that the victim lost her father to insurgents while her mother (who was then linked to another man) was later killed in a vehicular accident with her live-in partner.
What cause young people to commit suicide? There are several factors related to society, economics and psychology. Here are the factors I narrowed down.
Failure to deal with fear early in life
Depression
Physical abuse
Loss of purpose
Peer pressure
Gender confusion
Lack of parental guidance or counseling
Being misled by pop culture or online trends
Internet addiction
Being misled by fake news or distorted news
Getting bullied
Being misled by rumors
Living with negative vibes in his/her local environment (note: in the Philippines, most barangay youth councils have presence in economically depressed communities dubbed as developing communities)
Shame or embarrassment
Being misled by those living with unbelief
Temptations
Obsession with people, images and things they idolized
Becoming addicted to something dangerous
Being trapped by religious traditions, rituals and other restrictions
Having selfish desires or very high expectations
Lack of focus on the Lord
While taxpayers’ money is being spent by government bodies of different levels to develop the youth and help prevent suicide, I honestly believe that the menace of suicide can be solved more effectively by having the youth realize their true purpose as creations of God. It is by having faith in the Lord that young people can truly become strong, stable and more knowledgeable with their lives. It is by having a personal relationship with the Lord that the youth can truly move forward with. If the youth can be educated to reject all forms of hindrances that prevent them from truly establishing faith in the Lord, they would be better off and youth suicide would be reduced dramatically.
Sadly, government programs for youth development remain insufficient to bring the youth to God, His Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
What I noticed is that the Christian faith and spiritual approach to solving and preventing youth suicide is missing among the key development programs of barangay youth councils.
Ironically in 2019, in the city of Parañaque specifically, there were barangay youth councils that organized their own beauty pageants featuring local homosexuals as candidates which most likely added to the suicide factor of gender confusion. This is sad because not only was taxpayers’ money most likely used to fund such events, it gave the youth the false message that homosexuality is legitimate. In truth, homosexuality is an abomination and certainly Satan loves it when people are fooled into believing that homosexuality is good and accepted as normal in society. Let’s read a holy scripture confirming that homosexuality is wrong and evil.
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 6: 9-10 (NKJV)
As a whole, 1 Corinthians 6: 9-10 made clear that people trapped by sin will never make it in God’s kingdom. As such, the youth today still have time and opportunities to turn away from sinful behavior, submit themselves to Lord Jesus for forgiveness, accept Him as their Lord and Savior to start a new life with dedication to live under His holiness. This is the good news that the youth, whether they are still trapped by the darkness of unbelief (read: atheism and secularism) or religion (read: idolatry, wrong theology, traditions and rituals) should know.
To help the youth understand their true purpose in life as God’s creations, they should be taught with the following holy scriptures (apart from teaching them they need to be born again as written in John 3: 3):
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, will all your mind, and with all your strength.
Mark 12: 30 (NKJV)
If you then were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3: 1-2 (NKJV)
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
1 Corinthians 6: 19-20 (NKJV)
Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
Colossians 3: 5-7 (NKJV)
By becoming Christian, the young one can start a new life free from the sins and youthful lusts of the past. As part of getting reformed by Lord Jesus, the new life youth should learn to strongly reject the many form of lust like gratifying sensual cravings (example: losing his or her virginity in exchange for sexual pleasure), desiring the forbidden (example: taking illegal substances), longing for evil (example: bringing down other youth to bring yourself up just to feel good and proud), and engaging in experiences that are contrary to God’s will. These are emphasized in the holy scripture below.
Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
2 Timothy 2: 22 (NKJV)
The Christian youth living the new life should learn to conduct himself or herself in an exemplary manner. This is expected because once someone gets born again, he/she is under the Lord and has been anointed with the Holy Spirit. Because really, under the watch and care of God, age does not matter and this also means being youthful as a Christian is NOT a disadvantage. It also does not matter if people will find Christians a peculiar people because this is expected. Learn from the next holy scriptures.
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
1 Timothy 4: 12 (NKJV)
The LORD has chastened me severely, But He has not given me over to death.
Psalm 118: 18 (NKJV)
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special peope, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
1 Peter 2: 9-10 (NKJV)
Conclusion
I believe that involving Lord Jesus in the lives of the youth will spare them from suicide and all other factors that lead to self-destruction. I honestly believe that no amount of taxpayers’ money spent and no sophisticated government program can be more effective on preventing youth suicide (and suicide in general) than emphasizing faith in the Lord, believing in His Word (with the Holy Bible as the main reference) and applying biblical lessons in life.
Please take note that the dreaded presence of secularism is still in the minds of many government officials (note: there is a so-called separation of church and state in the 1987 Constitution).
If the youth realize their true purpose as creations of God, then it would be great not only for the local community but also the whole world. An enlightened youth, as children of God, definitely would not even think about suicide nor give the devil any room into their lives. The youth should realize how essential it is for them to study the Word of God (the Holy Bible) and prioritize it as their ultimate authority among all reading materials. With the Lord on the youth’s side, the menace of suicide and Satan can be defeated and the youth can grow in holiness as they grow into adulthood. Christianity, not feelings or earthly matters, should be embedded into the minds and hearts of the youth. Because really, everybody needs Lord Jesus and the youth need Him. With more youth believing and trusting in Jesus, cases of youth suicide will be much smaller!
As such, I highly recommend that Christian teaching (complete with studying the Holy Bible) should be included more in youth development programs and suicide prevention programs of youth councils. The youth who are spiritually unsaved must be taught the truth that they need Lord Jesus and have faith (not religion) in Him.
At this point, I’d like to reach out to the unsaved youth reading this…if you seek salvation and are ready to submit yourselves to the Lord, and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then pray this simple prayer in sincerity from your heart:
Dear God,
I believe that Jesus is Your Son, and that He died on the cross to pay the penalty of my sins. I believe that Jesus has been raised from the dead and that He is alive! Right now, I call on the name of Jesus. Jesus, come into my heart. I receive You as my personal Lord and Savior. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me by the power of Your blood. Thank You for saving me and giving me eternal life! Help me now to follow Your plan for my life. Amen.
Congratulations! You are now a child of God! Praise the Lord and always be faithful to Him! No more darkness in your life caused by unbelief or religion (and the idolatry, traditions and rituals that come with it). Your new life under the Lord has truly begun!
From this point on, acquire for yourself a copy of the Holy Bible (New King James Version is recommended), study it and apply its many lessons in your life no matter what situation you are in right now. I also recommend you to join a church of born again Christians near you and find your place in the spiritual family. Worship the Lord together with them and remember that each of you has a personal relationship with Him. That personal relationship with God is strictly off-limits to everyone, even to your family.
The Holy Spirit is in you and you are now a new creation! You are a youthful Christian right now, and you can keep growing spiritually for the rest of your life. Remember that God loves you and He is definitely happy over your conversion.
As a new and young Christian with the Holy Spirit in your heart, never allow yourself to get involved in youth movements that involve unbelief, religion, idolatry, traditions and rituals because those are not holy. The only youth you need to get involved with are your fellow Christians (those who got born again like you), and the only reference of authority you need is the Holy Bible. Once you get involved in a new Christian church, you can always ask the pastor if they have a youth ministry you can join in.
In ending this piece, feel free to enjoy these Christian praise-and-worship YouTube videos plus a few ones featuring the model Christian youth herself, Sadie Robertson! Hallelujah!!!
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. Sharing this Christian piece means spreading the good news of the Lord to others. It can help you save the unsaved souls out there.
Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the Our Home Tahanan coffee table book, inquiring with Florencia Umali and doing research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.
Our Home Tahanan is the Definitive Book about Tahanan Village
If you want to discover and study the history of a well-established village such as Tahanan Village in Barangay BF Homes, Parañaque City, don’t rely on a pretentious, so-called independent local community print media publication. Instead, pursue such information recorded in the official documents or an official publication of the village produced by the villagers.
As many of us here in South Metro Manila are confined into our homes with the ongoing quarantine on communities (which is part of the COVID-19 Crisis), I found time to read the official Tahanan Village coffee table book titled Our Home Tahanan.
The coffee table book itself.
Published in 2006, Our Home Tahanan is a commemorative publication that emphasizes the past, the present and the future of Tahanan Village which in 2005 celebrated what was back then its 30th Foundation Day. It has a collection of stories and testimonies from the pioneering residents and the later residents who contributed to the development of the Tahanan community in more ways than one. I myself enjoy reading it and examining the photos which clearly showed how much Tahanan Village developed through the decades.
A special project of the 2005 Board of Directors of the Tahanan Homeowners Association (THA), Our Home Tahanan has an extensive look at the history of the village starting even before it was founded in the 1970s. It also offers readers a look at the many organizations that not only organized several in-village activities and events, but also emphasized how lively Tahanan’s community really has been.
Let’s take a look at how Our Home Tahanan was conceptualized and turned into an actual coffee table book.
From concept to a published work
The idea of developing an official coffee table book about Tahanan Village was raised in a meeting that was held on June 10, 2005. The Committee composed of Tess Arriola, Florencia Umali, Corly Vergara, Peter Olivares, Reno and Malou Araneta, Nene Sandico and then THA president Milton Lalisan had a thorough discussion about the elements and topics for a souvenir program in relation to the 30th Foundation Day of the village.
A group photo of the yearbook committee members. An article and a full page image.
The idea of a coffee table book alone was perceived to be challenging at first and there were expressions of skepticism and incredulity. The mood eventually turned into optimism and determination.
According to then THA president Milton Lalisan, the Committee came to a decision to develop the coffee table book project.
Below is an excerpt with words of Lalisan…
It was agreed that we would develop a really nice, glossy book, semi-hard cover, with lots of colored and black/white pictures. The book should appeal to different types of readers:
+ Residents who have grown with the village, who were here when Tahanan was still on its pioneering stage.
+ Residents who have built their houses at a later stage but who quickly managed to acclimatize to the environment around them.
+ Sons and daughters of residents who had their childhood in Tahanan Village, some who may now be in their teens, young adulthood or are parents themselves.
+ and those who have personal interests in Tahanan Village, the lot owners who have not built their houses, the prospective homeowners who are considering living in the village.
Afterwards, several forms of preparation followed: writing articles, researching, organizing an in-village photo contest, financing, editing and finally, publishing it.
According to Florencia Umali (now the incumbent president of the Century Club of Tahanan, Inc. or CCTI), she and her fellow members of the Committee worked long and hard to make the project a reality.
“We coordinated with the different clubs and organizations, and the previous Tahanan Board (of Directors),” Umali recalled. “We also coordinated with the first homeowners of Tahanan Village. We also worked on collating their old pictures and memories.”
After much hard work as well as editing done by a local resident, Our Home Tahanan got published.
The history of Tahanan Village and its origin
As mentioned earlier, this coffee table book also has the official history of Tahanan Village and what happened behind the scenes that led to its foundation way back in the 1970s.
Here’s an excerpt from the article Tahanan Village: How It All Began written by Digoy Fernandez.
I guess the Tahanan story really began with the friendship of Dominador “Bandoc” Mercado with both the Rufino and the Campillo families. According to youngest Campillo son Lito, Bandoc had a special way with his father, Sostenes Sr. Bandoc even had a free place to stay in the Campillo managed Shellbourne Hotel located strategically at the Luneta. I remember my group of friends, which included Charlie Rufino, going to watch movies for free in the Rufino theaters, and then dropping by the hotel to meet up with Bandoc and middle Campillo son, Jun, on many an occasion during our high school and college years.
One day, Bandoc approached the Rufino family with a proposition to develop 60 hectares of the Campillo rice farm in Parañaque into a subdivision. At that time, the heirs of the eldest Rufino patriarch, Vicente, wanted to try their hand in horizontal development. Their past experience in real estate was mostly in vertical development. At that time, BF Homes had already started and proved that a housing development beyond the Merville area could be a success. The Rufino family agreed provided that Bandoc take the helm of the management of the project.
Youngest son Charlie and youngest daughter Pixie were assigned to the project and were mentored directly by Bandoc. The latter drew up a joint venture agreement with the Campillo family, and thus, Tahanan Development Corporation had its beginning. The eldest Rufino daughter, Ditas, thought up the name “Tahanan” Village and also the use of flowers to denominate streets.
The definitive book about Tahanan Village
Our Home Tahanan also contains articles about how the Tahanan Homeowners Association (THA) started, what were the facilities and organizations in the village, how the village’s very own tennis club began, who were the pioneers and notable residents, and more. Special attention was also paid to the THA’s relationship with contracted security agencies as well as the breakthroughs on securing the village that were realized when the association formed their Security Committee.
A few of the many congratulatory pages.Another villager-written article.
There are also many literary pieces written by village residents who shared their experiences and what living in the village truly is like. Adding depth to these articles are the many, many photographs of the times, the events, and the people involved with the village.
In my experience, Our Home Tahanan is not only a great published work to discover and research about Tahanan Village…it is the definitive published work complete with the contributions and involvement of the villagers.
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com
Special thanks to Augusto Tejada of Tahanan Village.
Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced by means of interviewing Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan (BFSK) chairperson Mariel Angela Tumang. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.
Youth group organizes private donation-driven assistance for the needy affected by ECQ in key areas of Barangay BF Homes
The Oplan SendNudels team together. (contributed by Mariel Angela Tumang)
Like the rest of Luzon, families residing in Barangay BF Homes, Parañaque City have no choice but to stay at home to avoid any risk of getting infected with coronavirus COVID-19 under the rules of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). With the exception of stores, food businesses and groceries, most businesses have been shut down which negatively impacted a lot of people leaving them jobless and with no new income of their own.
Under the ECQ, families can designate one authorized household member (if he/she has a quarantine pass) to go out and buy the essential food and household materials. Unfortunately in Barangay BF Homes, there are families who are poor and don’t even have the means to shop. Adding more to their problems is the recent extension of the Luzon ECQ until April 30.
As such, a private donation-driven assistance project called Oplan SendNudels is being implemented in the above-mentioned community by Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan (BFSK) chairwoman Mariel Angela Tumangand her friends. To be clear, this is NOT a project nor an operation of the BFSK even though one of the SK Kagawads joined in to help Tumang and friends. Here are the details I received straight from her.
“My friends and I formed this project. While it does not necessarily target the whole of Barangay BF Homes, we are selecting the families who are the poorest among the poor based on the volunteers. We also helped families and individuals who are now struggling because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Enhanced Community Quarantine,” Tumang elaborated. “Our donation drive is divided into the Barangay BF Homes areas of Villonco, Estrada 1, Estrada 2, Masville, Warerfun and Goodwill 2.”
Tumang stated that the current Oplan SendNudels (#OplanSendNudels) donation-driven assistance project for poor families is not the first but the latest of an ongoing series. She confirmed that the most recent donation drive they organized helped one hundred and twenty of the poorest families they found plus seventy frontliners and fifty street dwellers.
“The Oplan SendNudels project has helped a large number of families and persons who got hit hard by the pandemic. These families are trying hard to make ends meet because they lost their capability with the low-income jobs due to the Enhanced Community Quarantine,” she added.
Donations are being accepted as of this writing.
How to donate
Mariel Angela Tumang (standing 3rd from left) and her many friends plus BFSK Kagawad Jerry Dalmero (standing 4th from right) are dedicated with their private donation drive to assist the poorest of the poor in key areas of Barangay BF Homes. (photo contributed by Mariel Angela Tumang)
Donations are accepted in the form of packed lunches (for the frontliners, the volunteers and street dwellers), in-kind goods and toiletries and cash donations.
Anyone who wants to donate cash to Oplan SendNudels and the BFSK take note of the following bank details:
Metrobank account number 6423642207491 (Mark Anthony Luzano)
BDO account number 0035-5034-7213 (Mariel Angela Tumang)
UCPB account number 101480131018 (Marilou Babatio)
GCash 09176436467 (Aira Mae Vargas)
If you have enough resources and you are interested to help Mariel Tumang and her pals keep organizing Oplan SendNudels to help others, take time out to go to the bank or contact the above recipients via Facebook Messenger.
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation,NO to plagiarists and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments.
Note: Pictures above approved for publishing by Mariel Angela Tumang.
Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced directly from Dante Pacheco, the officer-in-charge of the Office of Senior Citizen Affairs of Parañaque (OSCA-Parañaque). Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.
Parañaque, a city with over one hundred fifty confirmed cases of COVID-19 (as of April 5, 2020), has something coming for its senior citizens who are legitimate members of the OSCA Cares program under the Office of Senior Citizen Affairs of Parañaque (OSCA-Parañaque).
Today OSCA-Parañaque officer-in-charge Dante Pacheco confirmed to me that an estimated fifty-seven thousand (57,000) members of OSCA Cares in the city will soon be receiving from the City Government gift certificates of SM Hypermarket.
Each SM Hypermarket gift certificate is worth P1,000. Do the math, the value for the declared number of OSCA Cares beneficiaries is worth at least P57,000,000. Based on the current foreign exchange rate with the United States Dollar, that is worth over $1,000,000.
Pacheco further said that each gift certificate will be delivered to the homes of the beneficiaries via Air21. He also stated that this move is the brainchild of mayor Edwin Olivarez.
If you are a senior citizen in Parañaque (or if you live with a senior citizen in the same city) and you have something to say about this breaking development, please reply to me via the comments below.
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation,NO to plagiarists and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments.
Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced by means of interviewing a top official of the Barangay Baclaran Sangguniang Kabataan. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.
Barangay Baclaran Youth Council plus Partners at Work (Community Quarantine and COVID-19 Crisis)
Barangay Baclaran Sangguniang Kabataan chairwoman Rachel Garcia (left, wearing black t-shirt) and her companions hand out free items to local residents to help them protect themselves from coronavirus disease (COVID-19). (photo approved for publishing by Barangay Baclaran Sangguniang Kabataan chairwoman Rachel Garcia)
With the enhanced community quarantine in effect here in the Philippines as a result of the ongoing corona virus disease (COVID-19) crisis, life is now much different. Most businesses have been halted, people are required to stay at home and others have no choice but to make hard adjustments just as the national authorities work on preventing an outbreak of COVID-19.
When it comes to the authorities of each city, the local government unit (LGU) as well as the barangay units are mandated to govern and manage their respective communities. This includes enforcing curfew, the ban on liquor, traffic management, implementing awareness campaigns about COVID-19 and distributing useful items to the constituents.
A man assisted by Baclaran’s SK chairwoman herself. (photo approved for publishing by Barangay Baclaran Sangguniang Kabataan chairwoman Rachel Garcia)
According to Baclaran SK chairwoman Rachel Garcia, her team and the KK prepared a total of 3,000 units of alcohol (with free refilling), 3,000 units of hand sanitizer and 2,000 units of soap. Those said items, which are meant for prevention of COVID-19 from spreading, were distributed by the Baclaran SK and the KK around the local community for free. Garcia and her companions endured the heat of the day visiting residents in Barangay Baclaran from one house to another house.
In addition, the group also organized an awareness campaign so that Baclaran residents will know what they can do to avoid infection, how to avoid infecting others and why they should follow the quarantine by staying at home.
Like their counterparts in BF Homes, the Baclaran SK has a tough task and a huge responsibility to fulfill with regards to the COVID-19 crisis. If you think about it very carefully, it’s just mind-boggling that very tiny microbes like COVID-19 could cause a tremendous, negative impact on the whole world. Look at the many people getting infected as well as those who died.
Going back to the publicly elected officials of Barangay Baclaran and its youth council, Garcia and her SK kagawads have more than two years of service left before the next barangay and SK elections will take place. Previously the barangay-SK elections were scheduled to happen this coming May but that all changed when President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law Republic Act Number 11462 (titled “Postponement of the 2020 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections Act”).
To learn more about the Baclaran SK, read my January 1 article and visit their Facebook page.
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation,NO to plagiarists and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments.
Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced by means of interviewing a top official of the Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.
Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan (BFSK) Takes Part in Communities Assistance Campaign Related to COVID-19
Informative flyers and hygiene kits were distributed by the Barangay BF Homes Youth Council to the residents in the mission areas. (photo contributed by Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan Chairwoman Mariel Tumang)
With the imposed enhanced community quarantine in effect, most businesses and all other activities of life have been halted. This shows just how tremendous microbes can have on people and society in general when it becomes widespread. Of course, I’m talking about Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) which has infected a few hundred people here in the Philippines.
With the enhanced community quarantine going on, officials of the barangays have been ordered to do their part on managing their respective local communities. To put things in perspective, there is the standard barangay unit led by its chairman (or captain) and council members (kagawads) who were elected into office by their constituents.
And then there is the youth council under the barangay referred to locally as the sangguniang kabataan (SK) which is led by elected officials the youth chairman and youth council members (SK kagawads).
For the topic of this post, I’m focusing on the Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan (BFSK) which, as of this writing, is already doing really serious work on managing the Barangay BF Homes local communities in relation to the COVID-19 crisis that has affected everyone.
Barangay BF Homes SK kagawad Jerry Dalmero distributes a hygiene kit composed of soap and alcohol. (photo contributed by Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan Chairwoman Mariel Tumang)Barangay BF Homes SK kagawad Roselyn Regis gives to a resident. (photo contributed by Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan Chairwoman Mariel Tumang)
To put things in perspective, Barangay BF Homes is one very large local community in terms of both land area and population. As the late Parañaque Congressman Roilo Golez (1947-2018) told me years ago, Barangay BF Homes is a very vote-rich community in the city.
The Barangay BF Homes main unit led by Captain Paolo Marquez has been working hard implementing several rules (meant to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 infection) such as night-time curfew (8PM to 5AM), social distancing (persons are supposed to be a short distance apart from each other), ban on mass gatherings, educating the residents about coronavirus and more.
Barangay BF Homes SK kagawad gently hands over a hygiene kit to a lady. (photo contributed by Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan kagawad Alma Galindo)
For their part, the Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan (BFSK) headed by chairwoman Mariel Angela Tumang and the SK kagawads have been working hard by visiting the many houses in the developing communities doing information campaigns about COVID-19 (with flyers being given to them personally) as well as distributing hygiene kits. Today, the BF Youth Council performed their duty by visiting eight mission areas and will continue to do so tomorrow in six mission areas.
BFSK Kagawad Anne Corre hands over a hygiene kit. (photo contributed by Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan kagawad Kelly Haboc)Even in a tight place like this, BFSK Kagawad Kelly Haboc persevered to hand out a hygiene kit. (photo contributed by Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan kagawad Kelly Haboc)BFSK kagawad Stephanie Sebullen gives a hygiene kit to someone at a store. (photo contributed by Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan Chairwoman Mariel Tumang)
Chairwoman Tumang confirmed to me that she and her team prepared five thousand (5,000) hygiene kits to be distributed to the residents at their respective homes. According to her, each kit comes with soap and alcohol which are essential for people to protect themselves with from the raging coronavirus. Along the way, they did their best to educate their constituents with discipline in mind.
“Maliit na tulong po na nanggaling sa amin pero alam po namin na hindi po ito yung lunas para makaiwas sa sakit ang talagang makakapaglunas po rito ay yung disciplina po ng tao. Sana po matututo nalang silang maging madisiplina, sumunod sa mga sinasabi ng gobyerno, manatili sa kanilang bahay at ingatan ang kanilang sarili,” BFSK chairwoman Tumang stated.
Barangay BF Homes SK chairwoman Mariel Tumang wearing a mask and protective clothes. (photo approved by Barangay BF Homes Sangguniang Kabataan Chairwoman Mariel Tumang for this website)
As Tumang made clear, the BFSK and Barangay BF Homes itself have been working hard on preventing COVID-19 from spreading in their local communities as well as doing their best to educate the constituents. All of these are being done in accordance to the rules and orders of the national authorities.
Watch out for further BF Homes and South Metro Manila updates here soon.
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation,NO to plagiarists and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments.
Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced by means of interviewing people of the Tahanan Homeowners Association (THA) and those connected with them. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.
This morning I visited Tahanan Village in Barangay BF Homes, Parañaque City to meet some of my friends and check on the latest with their homeowners’ association, the Tahanan Homeowners Association (THA).
And then I noticed something at the village park, specifically at the corner of Chrysanthemum street and Jasmin street…..the children’s playground (identified as Tahanan Children’s Park on Google Maps) was being redeveloped and there were several personnel working under the heat of the sun.
A view of the work going on at the playground at the Tahanan Village park.
According to former THA president and current village administrator Augusto Tejada, the playground was being redeveloped and it will involve digging and, most notably, fill the gaps with brand new garden soil. The intention was to make the playground a better, safer and cleaner place for children to play at.
A THA maintenance worker at the playground confirmed to me what Tejada said. He added that in order to get the job done, he and his fellow workers had to collect the many stones as well as all the volcanic ash that came from Taal Volcano which erupted this past January. Around the park were these piles of volcanic ash and garden soil.
A THA maintenance worker pounds something.
Once the redevelopment of the children’s playground has been completed, it should become much more suitable for the kids to spend time at.
Coronavirus impact on THA
Going back to Tejada, he confirmed to me that their association had to postpone several planned activities due to the impact of the spreading coronavirus or COVID-19. Some meetings that were planned did not push through, and organizing new meetings as well as getting lots of villagers together have gotten more challenging as mass gatherings have been prohibited as part of the Metro Manila community quarantine related to the national government’s effort to prevent COVID-19 from infecting anymore Filipinos.
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation,NO to plagiarists and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments.
Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from the Tahanan Homeowners Association (THA) by means of inquiry and research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.
Hey everyone!
Going to and from Tahanan Village in Barangay BF Homes, Parañaque City is more challenging nowadays as the still incomplete diggings related to a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) drainage project along Presidents Avenue struggles towards completion leaving motorists no choice but to be stuck in traffic as a result of the reduced road space located near the corner of Don Rufino street.
After enduring a long wait myself, I finally entered Tahanan Village, visited the clubhouse and learned that the Tahanan Homeowners Association (THA) is currently processing applications (both brand new and renewal) for the 2020 edition of their village sticker. As long as there is a supply, stickers get released to the applicant and have it placed on the windshield of the vehicle (with assistance by THA personnel).
How to apply for a 2020 Tahanan Village sticker
From the application form.
To begin with, an applicant must obtain from the THA an official registration form which is to be filled up with details (including the vehicle). Of course, the required documents such as the certificate of registration (CR), the latest official receipt (OR) and cash for paying the corresponding fee should be prepared.
If the vehicle is under the applicant’s or homeowner’s name, the OR and CR must be submitted. If the vehicle is not under the applicant’s name, a notarized deed of sale must be submitted along with the OR and CR. If the vehicle is under the name of the company, the Company Certification (with the company letterhead) must be submitted along with the OR and CR. If the vehicle has been recently acquired and has no license plate yet, the sales invoice and the delivery receipt must be submitted.
Applicants who are not residents of Tahanan Village (therefore applying for the non-resident sticker) should obtain an endorsement from a village resident.
Now for the fees….
The cost of the 2020 Tahanan Village sticker
The fees for the 2020 THA sticker for applications made on or before March 31, 2020 are P100 for residents, P150 for non-residents and P700 for commercial vehicles and school buses. Effective April 1, 2020, the fees will be P150 for residents, P300 for non-residents and still P700 for commercial vehicles and school buses.
When it comes to statistics as of this writing, the THA confirmed to me that already 69 non-residents, 2,185 residents, 124 motorcycle operators and 5 commercial vehicles/school bus operators applied for their 2020 stickers.
If you are interested to secure a 2020 THA sticker, visit the Tahanan Village clubhouse now or call 88425955.
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation,NO to plagiaristsand NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments.
Author Carlo Carrasco 