BCCF Newsletter

Vol. 5 No. 1
July 2005

Welcome New BCCF Members
Raffle Ticket Winners
Project Updates
A Mother Honored
Library to Remember
BCCF/ICF Project Report
Insights of a New Recruit
Road to Maguinda
Acknowledgement of Donors

Welcome New BCCF Members

Dr. Alaan, Tess Aquino-Ortiz, Gwen Fortun-Paraguya, Marilyn Martinez-Arquisola, Rose Gabor-Gucayane, Lulette Villanueva-Bryan, Evelyn Flores-Canete, Luz Piencinaves-Jandug, & Ray Gucayane

On behalf of the officers and members of the Butuan City Charities Foundation (BCCF), we extend our warmest welcome to our twelve (12) new members. We have come to know you over the years, and we have appreciated your support since BCCF.s inception. Some of you have been attending the regular meetings and supported our endeavors and have been regular contributors to our projects. One of you even wrote a positive article about BCCF in a major publication. Thank you. And now you want to do even more. Welcome to you all.

New members and guest during the drawing of the BCCF raffle at the residence of Dr. and Mrs. Lorens A. Alaan.	BCCF members Lulette Villanueva-Bryan and Bridget Aquio-Jandug during the ICF party last May 2005.

Below is the list of the dynamic and highly motivated Butuanons that are new members:

• Marilyn Martinez Arquisola . daughter of Vicente and Felina Martinez Arquisola of Concepcion Street
• Wilma (Lulette) Villanueva Bryan . daughter of Ignacio and Zenaida Panila Villanueva of Bangkasi
• Evelyn Flores Canete . daughter of Jaime and Josefina Aquio Flores of Lopez Jaena Street
• Adelfa Torralba Garcia .daughter of Arsenio and Isabel Plaza Torralba of San Francisco Street
• Ray Gucayane . son of Sammy and Eleasia Rosales Gucayane of Arujville Subdivision
• Rose Gabor Gucayane . daughter of Vicente and Vicenta Almendras Gabor of T. Calo Street
• Luz Piencinaves Jandug .daughter of Graciano and Juliana Aquio Piencinaves of Concepcion Street
• Rosa Ticon Lasam - daughter of Obdelio and Concordia Echavez Ticon of Negros Oriental
• Carmelita Balacuit Ortiz . daughter of Carlos and Adelaida Cupay Balacuit
• Teresita Aquino Ortiz . daughter of Jose and Marcelina Sabijon Aquino of Noli Me Tangere Street
• Gwen Fortun Paraguya . daughter of Salvador Fortun
• Ellinor San Diego Ward . daughter of Lourdes Aquio of Concepcion Street

Raffle Ticket Winners

Father Lito drawing the winning ticket assisted by Lorens Alaan, Warto Jandug & Gabby Ortiz

The Butuan City Charities Foundation (BCCF) held its 2005 raffle on April 30, 2005 at the residence of Dr. Lorens and Alice Cupay Alaan. A process of elimination was done as agreed on by those present. All ticket stubs were placed in the big raffle drum, and the drum was turned several times and the stubs thoroughly mixed. Twenty one tickets were picked up each by the twenty one present and the stub were dropped in a bowl without looking at the name and number.

Luz Piencinaves Jandug drawing raffle ticket assisted by Dr. Lorens Alaan

The raffle drum was emptied and refilled with stubs from the bowl. Father Lito Cubillas did the honor of drawing the two winning tickets. The second prize of $1000 went to Simeon Trillo holder of ticket # 2817. The first prizewinner was Andy Tecson, husband of the late Elizabeth Fortun, former vice president of BCSC, with ticket #1863. First prize was a round-trip plane tickets for two to Butuan City, with a three-day stay at a local hotel, or the cash equivalent of $2,500. As agreed on by the board of directors, only two major prizes were awarded during this fund raising.

Aside from the Alaans and Fr. Lito Cubillas, the following board of directors and guests present were Oscar Calo, Warto and Bridget Aquio Jandug, Gabby and Tessie Aquino Ortiz, Oscar and Irma Omila Butao, Jon and Mina Montilla Ladlad, Narciso and Luz Piencinaves Jandug, Remy Ortiz, Pris Arriola Harper, Mila Piencinaves Santos, Anthony Advincula, Dr. Melchor Collantes, Jerry and Lulette Villanueva Bryan, Benhur and Rosa Ticon Lasam, and Rey and Rose Gabor Gucayane. BCCF extends its congratulations to the winners and a heartfelt thanks to all who supported this fund-raising drive and continue to support BCCF's various projects.

Gabby and Lorens during the raffle draw..

Project Updates

l - Neurosurgery Project
Encephalocoele. This is a condition were in the baby is born with a cyst bulging on its forehead or back of his head. The mass is made up out of his own brain tissue with a cavity that connects with his main brain. There were 4 of these cases last January under the care of Dr. Jose Dacudao, the neurosurgeon who works with BCCF's Neurosurgical Project. These patients all belong to indigent families referred from the outskirts of the Butuan City by catholic priests.

The proprietors of Santos Hospital Butuan offered their facilities for free and Dr. Ganatan, an anesthesiologist and Dr. Librada, Pediatrician also donated their services. The patients, Jimboy Lojera, Rodney Ocampo, Julie Isabel Nahomar and Christian Misagal had the procedure done one after another within a week. I was at the hospital visiting Dr. Dacudao while patient Rodney was on the operating table. I also got to meet the other patients who were recuperating from the surgery and their grateful parents.

ll - Micro Lending Project:
Thus far, more than 2 million pesos worth of loans have been granted since its inception with only less than 5% had delinquent loans. The loans ranges from 3 thousands pesos for the first timers and 5 thousand pesos for repeat borrowers with good record. Bad borrower are no longer given repeat loans. The loans are payable in 6 months at 2% interest. Ivory Charities Foundation implement this project. They go to the farthest reaches of Butuan to meet and interview prospective borrowers , using their own vehicle and spending for there own gas and food. They have postponed releasing new loans for lack of funds. Borrowers who have passed screening interviews in Barangays of Kinamlutan, San Vicente, Liberted, Baan, Bilay, Camayahan and Maguinda have to wait until funds from BCCF become available.

III - Youth Development Project
On my most recent visit in Butuan Central Elementary School last January 2005, I met with the students, teachers and parents. The parents were happy. The teachers were enthusiastic. And, the students were very behaved. Very visibly behaved. Since the inception of the program, none of the participating students have been called to the Guidance Office for counseling. They have been observed by the teachers at the end of the recess period to gather other students asking them to help pick up trash in the campus before going back to their classrooms. The parents reported that the children have been respectful and ever ready to say thank you and .excuse me. trying to get their attention. The fourth graders will continue in the program with new sets of lessons appropriate for their age group.

IV - DIALYSIS CLINIC PROJECT
Hopefully, by the time this newsletter gets to our readers, two dialysis machine will have arrived in Butuan. This is a project we have been working on for about a year and a half. Two years ago, during the turn over of medical supplies donations at the Provincial Hospital in Butuan, Dr. Atupan, the Medical Director expressed that she would want to get a donation of Dialysis machine to start a Kidney Dialysis unit at the hospital to help the ever growing number of patients who needed it.

We were lucky enough to bump into Dr. Eusebio "Boy" and Malu Benemerito who immediately offered to help us. Dr. Benemerito is from Negros and Malu, Boy's wife who is also a doctor, is from Dipolog. They are both practitioners in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Dr. Benemerito is a Kidney specialist, who is recently retired. Since he closed his Dialysis center in Florida, he has been donating his Dialysis machine to several different provinces in the Philippines.

Luckily, he still had a few left that was not spoken for. And, he readily offered to donate them to our cause in Butuan. As of this writing, the machines are in sea transport via Bacolod. So, very soon, you.ll be hearing about this new project helping the indigent Provincial Board who approve the Budget to run the new project and the BCCF membership.

A Mother Honored

Rudy and Aging Elumba Marquez

It is such a beautiful gesture for siblings to honor the memory of their mother, especially so, when the community is able to benefit from it too. To honor Mrs. Caridad Trillo Elumba, loving mother, beloved teacher, dedicated educator, and respected member of the community, Rudy and Milagros (Aging) Elumba Marquez, have established an English library in her hometown, Butuan City.

The Caridad T.Elumba English Library was set up with an initial donation of $5000 sent by Rudy and Aging to the Ivory Charities Foundation in Butuan City, through the Butuan City Charities Foundation in Los Angeles. The library will be inaugurated in May with the children attending.

Library to Remember

Aging Elumba Marquez and the heirs of Caridad Trillo Elumba at the Library's turn over ceremony

A Library to remember a brilliant mother is to be established soon. Milagros Elumba Marquez has been wanting a meaningful way to honor her mother.s memory. She thought of a library of English to be established in one of the secondary public schools in Butuan City, and it was agreed that the Agusan High School would be the appropriate site of the library.

It is located at the eastern end of the present Agusan National High School General Library on Noli Me Tangere Street, Butuan City, with an area of 32.56 square meters, it would be named, Caridad Trillo Elumba Library of English, her mother's full name.

Mrs. Elumba was a great English teacher in Agusan High School. Her passion was knowledge, literacy and English literature. She was sent to the United States as an American scholar. She was one of the early .pensonadas.. She went to school at the Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, and at Miami University , Oxford, Ohio. Mrs. Marquez and her husband Rudy donated $5,000.00 as an initial amount, and IVORY CHARITY FOUNDATION is the recepient of the donation.

The proposed library is almost ready for occupancy. The beneficiaries will assign appropriate personnel to diligently index, inventory, manage, maintain, and update the donated library, its equipment and materials. The English Department of the Agusan High School is at present making a list of books to be purchased from different book stores in Cebu or Manila. The library is schedule to be turned over in May, and it is expected that the heirs of Caridad Trillo Elumba will be around to grace the occasion.

BCCF/ICF Project Report

Butuan City Charities Foundation Vice President for Operation Warto G. Jandug presenting cash donation of $ 4,000 to ICF last May 2005

A. MICROLENDING:
One Day In The Life Of Ivory Volunteers:
By: Dr. Rene Vargas

Ivory Village Committee (Pito Santiago, Inting Lagnada, Crispin Young, Jim Kho, Elmo Montilla and myself) kigabhi-an yesterday doing an 'ocular' visit to microlending borrower-applicants in 3 remote villages:

• Sumile - more than an hour's drive south, on gravel road, where we already have 2 seldas, and a third one is applying. This barrio is nestled on top of a mountain range, beyond Maguinda. One lady applicant is a dressmaker who rents a sewing machine for her small "sideline", she can not afford a sewing machine. Behind the shack where she works out from is a forest reserve where one can still see monkeys, a rare sight nowadays. The village folks served us coconut butong.
• Maguinda - where a second selda is applying. Lorens, you remember this remote village, you were with us in our evaluation visit there several weeks ago. This remote village along the Agusan River, without landline phone connection, is one of only two in the Philippines granted computers and internet connection through small satellite disc, interconnected with the Dept. of Science and Technology. Maguinda's first selda paid their loans on time, inspite of the death of our appointed Village Rep. She was bleeding while pregnant, and died on the road on their way to the city hospital (usual travel time is one hour, longer on rainy days). Her husband is now the borrower. We had to disapprove a 3rd selda, because they were all teachers in the Barangay School there, already receiving comparatively good salary.
• Ma-ibu - this village is also very remote. After driving a while, one is surprised that here was a settlement, among the hills, where one would expect nothing but wilderness. We have one selda there already, with good record in payments. Now two more seldas are applying. Some of them need money to buy supplementary feeds for pigs raised in their backyards, others need additional capital for their sari-sari stores to cater to folks who take a week or two to pay off their debts to the store.

Mr. Elmo Montilla, ICF member visiting piggery project

Typical rural scene, typical difficulties in rural living. Every one of us IVCom members thought that they really need and deserve assistance. The microlending program has released a total of Ph 2,141,000.00 in 19 barangays as of end of the year 2004. Prompt payment rate is 98.3 %. In arrears is 1.7 % , and these accounts are still being paid in small installments, and are not lost yet. We would like to think that the money BUTUAN CITY CHARITIES FOUNDATION OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA provided as seed capital for this village livelihood assistance program has reached its intended recipients and achieved its intended purpose.

We appreciate your generosity and that of your donors. Somehow, the good intentions of guys like you have made a big difference to the lives of those in need.

Dr. Alaan observing Dr. Dacudao neurosurgical operation.

Your help has span across the land to places where some of your donors may be unable to imagine as inhabited. But, yes, out there beyond the hills, are hands tilling the earth, sunrise to sunset. And you are helping them immensely.

The roads were rough and the drive was long yesterday. It was already dark when we got back to town - in one-piece inspite of the shaking and beating my car was subjected to. We didn't fall off the ditch this time, unlike what happened last January with Lorens. Yet, just thinking of the recipients, makes this one-day day in the life of Ivory volunteers a joy, and the hard trip well worth the drive.

Over the years,we have lent out more than 2M pesos. Almost 1M pesos are currently in the hands of borrowers. Just over 30K pesos are overdue, and being paid in small amounts every so often. Since we have only over P110,000.00 available, IVFCom (Ivory Village Fund Committee) decided last month to suspend the granting of new loans until the funds get replenished. Yep, we need fresh transfusion of funds from donors. Applications for loans by village folks from Kinamlutan, Libertad, and additional seldas in San Vicente, Maguinda, Baan, Pagatpatan, Bilay, and Camayahan are all on hold until we get more funds.

B. NEUROSURGERY:
There was no Neurosurgeon in Butuan and for the whole of Caraga Region until Dr. Amado Layno Jr., a Neurosurgeon par excellence from Liangga Surigao Sur and one of the leading Neurosurgeons in Cebu, advised his student and trainee Dr. Jose Ma. Eduardo Palu-ay Dacudao to practice in Butuan.

Dr. Dacudao started practicing in Butuan on September 30, 2002. He applied as a consultant in the public hospital Butuan Medical Center, and the private hospitals MJ Santos and Butuan Doctors'. His first patient was a Butuan Medical Center admission. Butuan Charities and Ivory Foundation were instrumental in providing for donated Neurosurgical instruments that made Dr. Dacudao's first Neurosurgical operations possible.

Dr. Dacudao is proud and honored to have been trained by Dr. Benigno Aldana Jr., one of the founders of Neurosurgery in the Philippines, and the most senior Neurosurgeon still actively practicing. Dr. Dacudao trained under Dr. Aldana, Dr. Layno, and Dr. Wyben Briones in Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center Cebu from 1996 to 2000.

Dr. Dacudao finished BS Biology magna cum laude in U.P. Diliman in 1986. He graduated from the UP College of Medicine in 1991 and was at the top of his Neurosciences (an integrated Neurology and Neurosurgery academic program that the UP College of Medicine curriculum follows) class. He placed high in the 1991 Medical Board with a rating of 88.5.

Dr. Dacudao is also a good chess player and was the first Philippine Kiddies National Chess Champion. He is also a founding member and incorporator-trustee of DILA Philippines Foundation Inc., and a founding member and president of the SOLFED Foundation Inc., NGOs dedicated to the preservation of native Philippine ethnolinguistic groups.

Since Dr. Dacudao started his Neurosurgical pratice in Butuan, there has been an increasing number of patients evaluated and managed by him in the public hospital Butuan Medical Center. In April 2003 alone, there were 29 patients managed by Dr.Dacudao in BMC, almost all of them charity cases. There is no doubt that Neurosurgery has been established in Butuan. Dr. Dacudao is deeply grateful to the Butuan Charities and Ivory Foundations for their crucial assistance. The census for the last two years of patients managed by Dr. Dacudao has shown a steady increase in the number of charity patients, both admissions and operations, but the number of paying patients remaining about the same.

Year 2003
Admissions:
	Charity: 235
	Pay: 273
Major Operations (Craniectomies and the like):
	Charity 35
	Pay: 66

Year 2004
Admissions:
	Charity: 409
	Pay: 265
Major Operations (Craniectomies and the like):
	Charity: 103
	Pay: 63

C. I LOVE BUTUAN YOUTH PROJECT
Alaan Project Benefactor Visits BCES
by Zenaida C. Lagnada, Co-chair - Alaan Youth Project

One hundred two (102) grade III pupils of the Butuan Central Elementary Schools (BCES) and their parents tendered a rousing welcome to Dr. Lorens Alaan, the benefactor of the Alaan Youth Project through Butuan Ivory Charities Foundation, during his last visit here in Butuan City.

Butuan Central Elementary School (BCES) pupils, participants of the ALAAN Youth Project.

The moral intervention for the youth here in Butuan is the brain child of Dr. Lorens Alaan and his family who provided a P 1,000,000 funding. It aims to inculcate in our children moral values, self-worth, love of home-town and of native dialect. Its success will assure its replication in other grades and schools.

Dr. Alaan monitored the implementation of the moral intervention for the youth wherein modules were prepared and distributed to the teacher-volunteers.

Output of the lessons in the Module entitled Kalinisan, or .Ang Pagpanglimpio. in Butuan dialect, are

• Children now come to school clean and neat, in their project uniform (2 sets of T-shirts were provided each pupil);
• They volunteer to clean the school surroundings during their lunch break, for at least 30 minutes, and became role models of personal hygiene.
• Children clean their own tables, lockers, and keep things orderly.
• They pick up trash without being told to do so.
• Children are motivated to gather materials that can be recycled, made into flower vase, pencil holder, or jewelry box.

Outputs in Lesson Kaugaliang Pilipino and/or Butuanon Practices:

• Parents report that children kissed their hands/cheeks when they leave/arrive home
• Pupils say "excuse me" or "paagi" politely when passing
• Instead of trend games, they now play .saki-ki. which attracted a significant number of other pupils. Mrs. Norma Pulido, an old folk from Babag, acts as a resource person in teaching the games. Another game that amused the children is .supla-supla..
• Songs in Butuanon dialect were taught and learned by the pupils.

Lesson guide Paggalang sa mga Paniniwala, Opinyon, Kaaralan at Kaugalian, and Pagmamalaki sa Mayamang Kultura have been taught and internalized. The Butuanon dialect is emphasized.

Our parent role - there is an agreement between the teachers and the parents. Parents observation about their role are reported.

Other observations:

Last August 20, 2004, BCES was visited by a group of school officials from Region VIII, with Dir. Layon of Caraga Region. They appreciated very much the moral intervention scheme of the Foundation. They noted the pupils in yellow T-shirts printed with "I LOVE BUTUAN - ALAAN YOUTH PROJECT" . The visiting school officials' interests prompted many questions, among them: how the project came into being, how the project is funded and by whom, why are the teachers in these special classes called volunteer teachers.

D. BARYO KLINIK
An ICF Project that BCCF somehow is indirectly involved. A brain child of Dr. Rene Vargas and ICF members.
By Perla Aquio Magno, Ivory Health Committee Member

Dr. Alaan with Ivory ladies during one of the Baryo Klinik

The latest project of the ICFI, the Baryo Klinik was launched August 28, 2004 at Barangay Taguibo. Succeeding 3 kliniks were made since the launching. Indeed it is a laudable project and the community participation is commendable. In spite of limited resources, the klinik is quite a success. Many thanks to the volunteer doctors and to the great ideas of the president of ICFI, Dr. Vargas. Of course, the members are very supportive too. The management of the Baryo Klinik is taken cared of by the patients' organization, which was organized before the launching. Patients are made to donate a minimum of P10.00 if they can afford. The amount then will be used to replenish medicines purchased. Medicines are either donations from doctors and drug companies and the rest purchased by ICFI. Actually, this is a village activity and we hope to duplicate this to other barangays in the near future.

August 28, 2004, the ICFI headed by the ever-active President, Dr. Rene C. Vargas proceeded to Barangay Taguibo for the launching of the "Baryo Klinik" the latest project of the foundation. The lady members who were around were Sonia and Chicoy Martinez, Zenaida Lagnada, Fely Young, Vicky Sanchez, Choling Chiu, Edna Piencenaves, Araceli Dy, Josie Defensor and Perla Magno. Of course, the male members came too - Vicente Lagnada, Cris Young, Elmo Montilla, Pete Santiago, and Jim Kho.

The Klinik would not have been made possible without the volunteer doctors, Dr. Amee Domingo, Dr. Fe Alfante and of course Dr. Rene Vargas.

A total of 126 patients were attended to - adults 64 and pedia 62. The collection of the treasurer of the patients organization amounted to P964.00. It was quite a long afternoon but then everyone has done something fruitful to their fellowmen. On Oct. 17, 2004 the 2nd Baryo Klinik was graced by the presence of the volunteer services of Dr. Tony Robles, Dr. R. J. Villanueva, Dr. Amee Domingo and Dr. Vargas. Members who came were Sonia Martinez, Chicoy Martinez, Fely Young, Naiding Lagnada, Perla Ponce, Perla Magno, Vicky Sanchez, Edna Piencenaves, Coling Chiu, Cris Young, Jim Kho and Inting Lagnada. A total of 135 patients came for consultation - 75 adults and pedia 60. Donations totaled to Ph 1,047.00.

On Jan. 23, 2005, the 3rd Baryo Klinik, Dr. Lorenz Alaan, the president of BCCF and a great benefactor of ICFI has honored us with his presence. Dr. Cas Garcia, an equally great benefactor, and Margie Japitana McDermott were there too. The doctors who were there were Dr. Tony Robles, Dr. Amee Domingo & Dr. Vargas. Members who came were Perla Ponce, Sonia Martinez, Zenaida Lagnada, Chicoy Martinez, Edna Piencenaves, Choling Chiu, Perla Magno, Vicente Lagnada, Elmo Montilla, & Jim Kho. 93 patients were attended to of which 35 were adults and 58 pedia. P873.00 was the local donation.

Baryo Klinik, patients waiting for their turn to be examined

Feb. 26, 2005 the 4th Baryo Klinik, Dr. Dacudao and Dr. Vargas were the only volunteer doctors around. The members who came were Sonia and Chicoy Martinez, Perla Magno, Boy Martinez, Elmo Montilla, Jim Kho, and Cris Young. It was a blessing that only 16 patients came for consultation.

Hopefully, this month will be our 5th Baryo Klinik. I believe that more volunteer doctors and members can join and that more medicines will be available to cope with the needs of the people.

We need people who show us the "ALREADY" and point out to us the "NOT YET" as we journey on ' - Fr. Jerry Orbos, PDI 3.6.05

V. IVORY LECTURE SERIES
In the fourth Ivory Lecture Series, the speaker Dr. Cas Garcia, a famous Obstetrician and a well-liked Butuanon is also a board member of BCCF. The following is the report of Sonia Martinez, Chair, and Ivory Health Committee.

Lecture on HRT
The menopausal period of a woman's life marks the end of her active reproductive life, but there is nothing abnormal about the change of life and nothing unusual about the continuation of happy marital relations after menopause. From the medical point of view, this period is of concern because of certain more general manifestations - some temporary, some permanent - that may appear.

Thus, a competent speaker in the person of Dr. Casimiro .Cas. Garcia gave a lecture on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).

It was held at the Agusan del Norte Provincial Hopspital last Feb. 24, 2005. The lecture was intended to provide new information about HRT and was attended by doctors, nurses, student nurses, and the "Golden Girls" of ICF.

All ears were on Dr. "Cas" Garcia who is an expert on the topic, being a retired OB/Gynecologist from Atlanta, Georgia

After the lecture, 2 units of infusion pumps, donations from Dr. Garcia were turned over to the Hospital Director, Dr. Mercedes Atupan after which a sumptous lunch followed at the Director's Office.

Insights of a New Recruit

Evelyn A. Flores-Canete

Why did I join the Butuan City Charities Foundation? My immediate response would be, "Butuanon ba ko!" or "Curious lang ako!" My observation of BCCF since its inception four years ago, BCCF has been very effective with its various charitable projects. Butuan - based Ivory Charities as implementers, BCCF is operating smoothly. I helped collect and pack medical supplies bound for one of the hospitals there for one of BCCF's projects. It holds annual fundraising events for worthy causes. The deep commitment displayed by its members is very commendable and contagious.

It was a privilege to be asked to join this prestigious organization. Dr. Lorens Alaan, founder and president, held a get together party at his residence to welcome new members. He described several of BCCF's current projects. The Neurological Surgical Unit, equipped for neurological procedures and the rehabilitation of patients at the City General Hospital and Medical Center, is a godsend. Now Butuanons need not incur unnecessary medical expenses by going to other cities for the above needed services.

The micro lending project enables farmers to start their own businesses like making peanut butter from the peanut grown on their farms. Youth Development is an after-school program that has had a huge impact on the 3rd grade pupils at the Butuan Central Elementary School. Happy parents say that this program encourages respect and discipline among their children. Simple phrases like "Thank you" and "I'm sorry" are now part of the little ones. vocabulary. They know how to keep their surroundings clean by picking up trash without being told to do so. These are little changes with big results.

In a hectic world like ours today, volunteering takes time and effort to keep the Foundation going. I applaud my fellow Butuanons for their inspiring work of helping other Butuanons. I am proud to join their ranks.

Road to Maguinda

Dr. Lorens A. Alaan trip to Maguinda

Maguinda is one of the 86 barangays of Butuan, located 24 krms south of poblacion, about 22 kms from concrete Butuan-Surigao highway. It was just after the rain stopped on Jan 23rd 2005, when we started our journey to this sleepy village of 11,000 people. I went along with a group of Ivory Charity members in their scheduled trip to meet with the loan recipients of this barangay and few others from adjoining barangays of Sumile, Maibo, and Bilay. In the convoy of three vehicles were Dr. Cas Garcia and wife Tess and Margie Japitana, a visiting Butuanon Nurse from Florida. We turned south on the Tiniwisan junction and proceeded to drive thru this unpaved gravel road which on this day had puddles of mud and boulders sticking out of the road bed. It was no problem for the Toyota LandCruiser wich carried the group of Dr. Garcia, but, the Mitsubishi SUV of Dr. Vargas had to weave around avoiding the boulders and the deep gutter of the road on each side. It was quite a site seeing motorcycles with three to four passengers hanging on. I found out that these bikes the locals call "Habal-habal" was their primary means of transport carrying both people and their cargo of live animals and bundles of belongings on each side of the bike, constantly screaming their heads off. A few bikes had bundles of vegetables piled up over the heads of the passengers on their way to the market to sell their products.

I was told that there are only 2 jeepney trips per day to Maguinda. And , that week, there have been none since it has been raining continuously, making the road conditions very tough to vehicles. Well, I was sure I didn.t see any jeepney that day. Almost an hour later, we arrive at the Maguinda Community Center. We were met by a crowd of smiling people, seemingly very happy to see the Ivory Charity members. Pito Santiago explained that Maguinda is one of the two Barangays in the country that was provided with a satellite dish and several computer with internet connection because of its remoteness and its lack of telephone connection It was odd to see a couple of bare footed individual working the computers inside this small but neatly maintained building.

One local told me that one of them was the barangay secretary in charge of communication and reporting of activities in Maguinda and surrounding areas and the other , a lady who seemed to be struggling with the keyboard, was learning how to use the computer, under the tutelage of the secretary. The meeting with the loan recipients went on while the two continued to work the computers.

.Habal-Habal. Maguinda's means of transportatrion

This sleepy agricultural village was once a commune of a religious cult leader Datu Tiago Ecleo, now deceased but most of the inhabitants until this day remained practitioners of their faith. On this day, religion and politics were set aside. The only issue discussed was Micro lending. One Ivory member informed me the first Selda borrowing group of six families was established a year ago. The first loan was released on Jan 13, 2004 to six borrowers at Ph 3,000,00 each. Most of the borrowers used the money to buy feed for pigs raised in their backyards. Immediately the next month on Feb 17, one pig died then another pig died the following month. Yet, the loan was paid on time and the second loan of Ph 5,000,00 each was granted on July 22, 2004. On June 8th came another bad luck. The lady village rep died of miscarriage without being seen by a doctor, nurse or midwife. The husband took over as borrower and never missed a payment. Recent report stated that the loan was paid on Jan 29, 2005.

During the meeting, each borrower was asked to relate how the loan helped them. It was hard to hold your tears as they related how in their lives this little amount of money has lifted the several notches above poverty and how they expressed their gratitude to Ivory and BCCF. There were many in the crowd who asked for loans but, Ivory told them to wait till funds become available.

On the way back, just a few kms from Maguinda, the SUV of Dr. Vargas got stuck on the right side embankment of the road after the right tired slid down as he was trying to avoid a boulder on the middle of the road. We flagged down a Habal-habal bike for help. He said he would come back and bring some friends and pick a shovel and help us. He showed up after 20 minutes with some friends in another bike. They got us out of the predicament and after a tip of Ph 400.00 we were back on the road. We took another road back making a left turn to Manlukay, Mahay then to Baan and back to poblacion and decided to wash up at a Jollibee restaurant.

Flakes of mud followed our tracks around the restaurant, we sat relieved and fulfilled. Quite a trip for me. Just routine for those Ivory folks.

MAGUINDA UPDATE: A third loan was released on February 10; It will be due on August 10, the death anniversery of the first village rep of Maguinda. March 10, another shelda was granted their first loan of Ph 3000,00 to each borrower. The loan is due on Sept 10, 2005. Sheldas in Bilay, Maibo, and sumile, the Barangay adjacent to Maguinda where the roads are even rougher, not one loan is in arrears. Applications for loans by village folks from other barangays: Kinamlutan, Liberated, San Vicente, Baan, Pagatpatan, Bilay, and Camayahan are all on the hold pending availability of funds.

Acknowledgement of Donors

Mrs. Consuelo Gacula-Lopez
Mrs. Nenita Gacula-Fermin
Dr. & Mrs. Casimiro S. Garcia
Mr. & Mrs. Ron Ruelos
Mr. & Mrs. Wilfredo Bayani
Mr. & Mrs. Apolonio Montilla
Mr. & Mrs. Alfonso Dubouzet
Mr. & Mrs. Jesus Oclaret
Mr. & Mrs. Romulus D. Busa
Mr. & Mrs. Cindy & Mark Baptiste
Mr. & Mrs.Madeline & Phil Burroughs
Ms.  Vienna Kristen De Guzman
Ms. Susan Fortun-Corpuz
Mrs. Gwen Fortun-Paraguya
Mr. & Mrs. Arnold Alsua
Mr. & Mrs. Lienne Flores
Mr. & Mrs. Gustavo Garcia
Mr. & Mrs. Steve Mcnulty
Mr. & Mrs. Danilo Manabat
Mr. & Mrs. Norman Sablan
Mr. & Mrs. Edwin Benedetto

Mr. Cesar Castillo
Dr. & Mrs. Lorenzo Alaan
Dr. Joseph Tan
Mr. & Mrs. Raymund Vargas (AT&T)
United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast
United Way of San Diego County
Dr. & Mrs. Jose Manaligod
Ms. Johanna Aquio Jandug
Ms. Maricor Ylagan-Calo
Ms. Nida De La Cruz
Ms. Leah Beltran
Ms. Mags Villamin
Mr. & Mrs. Cris Canete
Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Aquino
Mr & Mrs. Romeo Transmonte
Mr. Chad Wright.
Ms. Elli San Diego Ward
Mr. & Mrs. Harvy Hall
Mr. & Mrs. Louie Villalino
Dr. Siony Sumodilla
Mr. & Mrs. Cayo Maghanoy

Dr.&  Mrs. Juan Galido
Mr.& Mrs. Rafael Flores
Mr.& Mrs. Pedrito Plaza
Mr.& Mrs. Eric Ostensjo
Mr.& Mrs. Antonio Aquino
Mr.& Mrs. Ray Burdeos
Dr.& Mrs. Vicente Grana
Mr. & Mrs. Teoderico Lawenko Jr.
Mr. & Mrs.   Ben Cassion
Mr. & Mrs. Max Garcia
Dr. & Mrs. Pete Balacuit
Mr. & Mrs. Raul Bustamante 
Mr. & Mrs. Rey Osoteo
Mr. & Mrs. Eduardo Flores
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Aquino
Mr. & Mrs. Mark Hoffman
Mr. & Mrs. Leonardo Buranday
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Guibault
Mr. & Mrs. Restituto de la Torre
Dr. & Mrs. Abelardo  Mayol
Mr. Ben Fortun

Dr. & Mrs Lorenzo A. Alaan
Dr. & mrs. Johnny Daloc
Mr. & Mrs. Mel Lasam

Mr & Mrs. Eddie Trillo
  US Aid Operation Los Angeles
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Arquisola

Mr. & Mrs. Manuel Montilla
Ms. Madelon Lasam-Lapus
Mr & Mrs. Warto Jandug