Financial Management Seminar For Ibaan OFW Family

Some members of Ibaan OFW families who attended the seminar.

Working abroad is not an easy thing to do since you have to leave your family behind. With the mindset that there is so much financial rewards being abroad, it somehow defeats good working family relations. Thus, with a non-profit organization primarily concerned with looking after families left behind by OFW workers KATIKHA, a seminar on the said issue was conducted at Ibaan Municipal SB Hall, April 12.

The seminar was made in an effort to make the families left behind to understand the hardships and the dilemma experienced by an OFW. Much more, it was conducted to help them more appreciate the contributions of an OFW, not only to the family, and also to the community. But more importantly, how to make the children understand their parents who are working abroad.

The Doctors Are In: Ibaan Medical Missions

One of the doctors who sent Ibaan kids to manhood.

In span of two months, we've witnessed medical and dental doctors storming Ibaan to provide medical assistance to Ibaenos for free, benefiting those who hardly can afford to avail the services of doctors for personal medications.

Last May, as part of summer traditions, doctors from University of Tomas headed by Beta Sigma Tau Fraternity and from Lipa City District Hospital brought Batang Ibaan a step closer to manhood through "Free Circumcision" held at Municipal Health Office.

All in all, there were 525 Batang Ibaan had themselves circumcised hassle free. All of them were also given free antibiotics and other medicines needed for them to recover from wounds they sustained.

Circumcision gears being prepared.

Based on the number, more than P1.5M were spent on the said activity. However, the said amount was actually given to beneficiaries.  A circumcision with a private doctor would cost an average of P1,500.00 already. Plus antibiotics and other medicines, each beneficiary have saved around P2,000.00. It can't be denied this has brought smile not only to parents but to kids as well who has finally come closer to manhood.

A kid aching for manhood.

Dr. Nestor Bagsit, a resident of Brgy. Palindan, is to be given credit for bringing the UST Beta Sigma Tau Fraternity doctors. They include Dr. Jeffrey Chua, Dr. Kris Icyn B. Nunez, Dr. Richard R. Sarmiento, Dr. Robern Isiah A. Cruzado, Dr. Miguel Pocholo Luis R. Siatan, Dr. Armine Lee D. Supnet, Dr. Kevin T. Porciuncula, Dr. Matt Jason J. Navarro, Dr. Enoch Mariano C. Cruz, and Dr. Russel W. Young.

Dra. Patricia Toreja, Mayor Danny Toreja's wife, and Dr. Noel Toreja, the youngest brother of the Mayor, also provided their services.

A UP-PGH doctor giving lecture on kidney problems.

Middle of June, another medical mission was conducted at MHO. This time, it coincided with the celebration of World Kidney Month. And again, doctors made their way to Ibaan. Kidney treatment practitioners and specialists from University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) extended their expertise in the said area to Ibaenos.

Compared to other medical missions where doctors immediately go through checkup and treatment of patients, an orientation/seminar on how one can take care of their kidney, avoid kidney problems and proper medication when suffering from kidney illness is first conducted with participating patients. The patients were also allowed to ask questions in an open forum.

Participating doctors in medical mission in connection
with the celebration of World Kidney Month.

Mayor Toreja, in his speech after the seminar, thanked the doctor-lecturer and asked the latter of the possibility of conducting another seminar in the same field in the future. According to him, the seminar benefited even those without any kidney problems since they've gained knowledge on how they can keep their kidney in good working condition.

"Kidney problems are not always that easy to detect. There are signs that we take for granted believing it's just a natural body reaction. Unknowingly, our kidney has gone worst until it's too late for us to realize. I myself learned a lot on this seminar. Thus, there is a need for more seminars on this issue. And I'm sure our doctors here are more than willing to grant our request", says Mayor Toreja.

Dra. Pat, Mayor Toreja and Ibaan
Administrator Rico Caringal
thanking the doctor lecturer.

Almost 200 patients were given attention by the participating doctors (names of the participating doctors will be provided once we get the information).

June 26. The Municipality of Ibaan hasn't gotten enough of providing social services to Ibaenos. A bigger dental and medical mission was again held to close the month of June. And this time, almost a thousand Ibaenos benefited with pockets full of free medicines both for babies, young and adults.

The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce
and Industry, Inc. doctors and representatives.

In cooperation with the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. Madam Milagros  T. Ong-How, Executive Vice President of Golden Harvester and AETC Medical Dispensary of Fernando Airbase, Lipa City, doctors crowded Fr. Guido Gym (Saint James Academy) to give hope among Ibaenos in dire need of dental and medical attentions.

But what's so special about this is that, majority of true-blooded Ibaan doctors went out of their comfort zone and participated in the said event. A round of applause and appreciation are due to be given to them. They include Dra. Agnes Chua, Dra. Aurelia Miral, Dra.Felicitacion Samson, Dra. Fritzie Tenorio, Dra. Grace Guerra, Dra. Lily Austria, Dra. Marilou Banawa, Dra. Rowena Quitaua, Dra. Aida Madlangbayan, Dr. Sonny Claveria, Dr. Alberto Ambida, Dr. Bobby Austria, Dr. Rico Librea, Dr. Dennis Tenorio, Dr. Dioscorro Angelia, Dr. Nesty Bagsit, Dr. Orly Quitaua, Dr. Rogelio Panganiban, Dr. Romeo C. Bicol, Dr. Wilson Chua, and Dr. Mario Madlangbayan (other participating doctors names' will be added later).

Doctors from Fernando Air Base
getting their gears ready.

A day before the dental/medical mission, the municipality sent out its van to spread the word of the event. Expectedly, more than a thousand from different walks of life flocked the event at Guido. While other Ibaenos  attended the Sunday mass, others didn't let the opportunity pass to be attended by a doctor. Some brought their babies, pregnant women came to be assessed of their prenatal condition, while most waited their turns to be checked up with various illness.

Everyone were also given
free medicines.

Trucks of medicine boxes were delivered. The medicines were brought along by participating doctors. Some private personality who are friends of both Mayor Toreja and his wife Dra. Pat Toreja also sent/donated medicines for everyone's consumption.

The full force of Municipal Health Office and Barangay Health Workers also extended their helping hand to assist the patients. They made an initial assessment of the patients, like basic checking of blood pressure,  before referring them to participating doctors.

Dentists at work.

Everyone stayed the whole day not forsaking the patients. Likewise, Mayor Toreja remained at the gym refusing to take a seat just to entertain the participating doctors and to give assistance to Ibaenos. He was there until the last doctor has left the said medical mission. Vice Mayor Sixto Yabyabin also kept himself busy in assisting the patients and in providing anything that is needed to make things work for everyone.

Some SB members also came to the event. However, they went home ahead of time before the end of the activity. Also, some dropped by at the later part of the day.

Looking over the prescription.

For medical treatment, 620 were given attention. Four hundred twenty (420) on the other hand availed of the services of dentists. All patients also went home with their hands full of medicines. With this, more than a million peso worth of medicines and professional services were given away to Ibaenos.

A private dentist's services costs around P300 at the least cost. While consulting fee may run from P500.00 to P1,000.00 already. If one will sum them up, it may amount to more than a million peso.

Mayor Toreja handing the Plaque of Appreciation.

All participating doctors were given a Plaque of Appreciation and boxes of tamales-Ibaan and barakong kape as a sign of gratitude and appreciation of their free professional services.

The tandem of Mayor Toreja and wife Dra. Pat Toreja has been instrumental to these medical missions. Dra. Pat, being in the field of medicine, has made it easier for Ibaenos to avail these tremendous services. Thus, it's high time that they, together with the municipality of Ibaan, be recognized for their relentless efforts to be in the service of Ibaenos.

Photos for World Kidney Month Medical Mission
Photos for free circumcision.
Dental And Medical Mission Part I
Dental And Medical Mission Part II
Dental And Medical Mission Part III

A Lead To Plastic-Free Ibaan

This photo has stirred interest among our friends. Even Vice Mayor Sixto Yabyabin was also enticed to post his comment. According to him, he, together with Mayor Toreja and all municipal councilors has started drafting Ibaan's Environment Code which include the prohibition in using plastics and styro. Initial public hearing was already conducted to be followed with another. Vice Sixto, with the Mayor, municipal councilors, admin, DILG and 3 representatives from Ibaan Market Vendors Association are set to go on a "Lakbay Aral" on May 25 to Paete and Nagcarla, Laguna to learn more on how the project can be implemented. We're crossing our fingers that we be invited to join the group on said trip.

Thanks also to Vice Mayor Sixto Yabyabin for letting us know of the municipality's plan regarding plastics and styro. Such Environment Code will be of great help to keep Ibaan clean and refreshing.

Vice Mayor Sixto Yabyabin Turned Helper Boy

Vice Mayor Yabyabin with his daughter. 

Back in the old days, servants were already in place among households. We have "aliping sagigilid" and "aliping namamahay". These days, "alipin" has evolved into houseboy or helper. Funny thing is, regardless of social status, when it comes to public service, Ibaan Vice Mayor Sixto Yabyabin turned "boy helper" during Mutya  Ng Ibaan 2012 Candidates' pictorials held at Himamawo Spring located at Brgy. Malainin last May 1.

Unfortunately, we were not able to take photo of Vice Mayor Yabyabin doing the photo ops chores, but everyone in the location, specifically the candidates, can attest to that.

While spectators and others have their eyes burning staring at the candidates, Vice Mayor Yabyabin went down the spring's stairs to provide a hand and acted like the candidates' Personal Assistant (PA) while they're busy posing for the camera. Not much get to notice it since all eyes were on candidates. But standing next to him, I got a bag of appreciation for what he has done.

Since Himamawao Spring is covered with lush trees around, sun light hardly passes through were the pictorial is being held. And in any photo shoots, light is very important. To augment that, a reflector is needed to catch the sun light and have it directed towards the subject of the photo shoot.

Vice Mayor Sixto and Mayor Toreja on their way
down to Himamawo Spring.

The camera man came to shoot without anyone with him. So he's left with no option to ask somebody to hold the reflector for, to help him out, and to make things easy for him and for the candidates as well. At first, a youngster did the job. The boy had difficulty capturing the sun light with arms shaking out of fatigue. But he was able to finish the first three sets of the shoot. After which, the group changed location and decided to have more sets of the shoot at the water falls just adjacent to the spring.

The youngster who have been holding the reflector went gone with the crowd. And guess what, Vice Mayor Sixto Yabyabin volunteered to do the reflector stuff. And there it went on, Vice Mayor Yabyabin also got himself a shaking and dead beaten arms running after the sunlight and directing the latter to the candidates.

Vice Mayor Sixto sharing light moments
with Mayor Toreja before the start of
the pictorials.

The Vice Mayor came with his wife and daughter. But instead of attending to them, he acted more like a father to the candidates and stripped himself off of his public office title just to make things run as smooth as they can be.

For almost an hour, he was the camera man's boy helper and the candidates' PA at the same time. Although standing next to refreshing spring water with cool nature's breeze, doing the job can still be a stubborn one when you can't move your arms around. The light should remain still or the candidates photos will turn into a bizarre canvas with half-baked lighting effects. And for sure, the candidates won't like it, much more for those waiting for their photos.
Now, had his phone not rang, he would not have asked anyone to replace him. Luckily, Mun. Coun. Rodel de Castro extended his kindness and did the job a little more before the end of the photo shoot.

The pictorials ended well. Everyone was exhausted. And at this juncture, giving credits of appreciation to Vice Mayor turned "boy helper" is commendable. Respect for the Vice Mayor is appropriate.

Mutya Ng Ibaan Candidates Send Himamawo Spring At Boiling Point

Mayor Danny Toreja (center) with Mutya Ng Ibaan 2012
Candidates on hot swim wear.

In April 29, 1912, Tuguegarao almost melt when it registered a record-high 42.2 °C (108 °F) temperature which was considered as the hottest temperature ever experienced in the Philippines.

This afternoon, the record almost went into oblivion when Mutya Ng Ibaan 2012 candidates stormed Himamawo Spring at Brgy. Malainin to have their photo ops and pictorials in preparation for next year's 180th Ibaan Founding Anniversary Celebration.

Candidates getting ready for the shoot.

The travel leading to Himamawo Spring was already a crucifying experience with dust and bones jockeying for a place in everyone's flesh and blood. Himamawo, with its cold and refreshing water, hidden in the bush at the other end of vast agricultural field, for a long time has been the source of life around. But on this faithful day, with the coming of sexy and gorgeous Mutya Ng Ibaan candidates, its water level almost dropped dead, almost sending it to boiling point.

Mayor Danny Toreja with (from
left) Vice Mayor Sixto Yayabin,
Coun. Rodel De Castro and
Munting Tubig Brgy. Chairman
Domingo Acebo

That might be too much of exaggeration to say. But had you've been at Himamawo Spring, aside from the fact that the local government is conserving and promoting the latter, the prickly body heat that the candidates bring among spectators can only be perfectly tamed by the spring's arctic water. And had everyone took the plunge, smoke will definitely blur our vision of the glamorous candidates.

It's every girl's dream to be the "Princess" in a fairy tale story. The Royal Wedding in England just reached its conclusion and all single ladies will always have the cravings to start a new fairy-tale-tailored-romance with their "Prince".

But this time, it was the other way around. Every man surrounding Himamawa Spring watching the Mutya Ng Ibaan candidates move like a butterfly and float like a feather on their dazzling skinny one-piece and two-piece swim wear felt like a pauper and as a commoner yearning to be noticed by the Royal Highness Mutya Ng Ibaan 2012 Candidates.Not a man in the place will or can deny this. That can be seen on their burning eyes (including me. hehe).

The forces behind the photo shoot.

The Candidates


Unfortunately, candidates from Brgy. Matala, Brgy. Tulay and Brgy. Lucsuhin didn't make it. They failed to join the group due to some work, academic and personal commitments. However, despite it all, the rest optimistically grabbed the opportunity to show their body curves -every lady's source of envy.

Municipal and Barangay officials
with the Candidates.

At around 8:30am, they, together, either with their parents, friends or PAs, assembled at Ibaan Municipal Hall where they we're met by Ms. Myla Soriano, Vice-Mayor Sixto Yabyabin and some Barangay Chairmen who provided their transportation. The candidates came with their make-up on, ready to take on DSLR camera flash bulbs. And since they'll be at Ibaan's source of pride and natural wonder, they're all geared up with swim  wear covered with the most comfortable linen they can suit their body with.

The enticing Himamawo Spring.

By 10:00am, engines went roaring in the middle of humid and dusty road en route to paradise that have been waiting for the candidates for a lifetime. Setting foot on Himamawo Spring's fertile territorial ground, still keeping a bag of decency in their pockets, the candidates were at first hesitant to reveal their skin with spectators' eyes on them.

But when the man on camera started mapping the shoot location, and with words of encouragement from their company, the company went out their way to everyone's delight and astonishment. And after a couple of body jerkings figuring out the most striking pose they can make, the rest was a hassle-free photo shoots as if everyone is enjoying great music in a rave reggae beach party.

The water is trapped with a water wall that results
to a swimming pool like scenario.

The Shoot  

The shoot was done in three locations within the vicinity of the Spring. And for every location, the candidates were allowed to make three poses. During the first set, they were directed on how they should conduct themselves. At least to give them some pointers or hint on how they can take advantage of their assets and what they can show. On the next two sets, they were given the freedom to pose the way they can project how sexy and seductive they are, and to prove their worth as daughters of Queen Hera of Mount Olympus.

The first set was done at the stair steps kissed by the Spring's water sweets. The second was done at the water wall the runs across the center. And that is where we're able to see the reasons why men can afford not to have women by their sides and the motive that pushes men to their stupidity. The candidates were alluring. One can even take five straight shots of jigger full of Ginebra San Miguel jigger without water or finger foods by simply looking at them. They were in control. They were sizzling and oozing with revered beauty.

Mutya Ng Ibaan Candidates all set to set the Himamawo Spring
at boiling point.

The third set was done at the falls located at the other end, almost adjacent to Himamawo Spring itself. The candidates went "dare devil" striding the dicey rocks that lead down the falls. And just like in the second set, although still with little directions, they were granted all the freedom, time and space in the world in creating a scene for themselves. And as DSLRs went rolling, perfect images of Ibaan sexy and fair ladies registered like Monalisa on a pure and untainted canvas.

Watching them simply brought back to Greek Mythology's goddesses of charm and beauty back to life! And even without fire, living creature in the area began smoking, holding their pounding hearts up to the end..up to the last minute of the photo shoot.

Well, I guess, literally, Himamawo Spring did went boiling and smoking.

But much more with any other words we can say, we congratulate the Mutya Ng Ibaan 2012 candidates for their bravery and for a job-well-done. You gals rock! You turned the heaven and earth upside down.

Click to read related story on Himamawo Spring.