Monday 23 February 2009


STA MARIA

Three (3) kilometers away from AG&P, lay a barrio coined after the Mother of Perpetual Help. So meek and humble, like the Virgin, it rose from a lowly sitio of 76 residents to a full Barangay of 890 early 1900s before the WWII broke.

Sta. Maria is the land of Calingasans, Ramoses and Agenas. “Isang pisa”, as the natives term the families who inhabit the barrio relating to close family relations, actually came from one biological origin.

After several attempts to bridge community relations with adjoining barangays, AG&P Foundation Inc finally found a way to motivate volunteers to social services and cooperation. Planting and caring for trees!
Led by a team of 8 from the office of Barangay Captain Restie Agena, the humble chieftain escorted AG&P Foundation Head of Sponsorship Ben S. Aclan and training Manager Walter Faustino to plant 37 Mahogany trees to its reclaimed land extending 3 hectares of rectangular shore off Sta. Maria break water ridge.

Residents witnessed how these mahogany trees were planted on grassy pasture just beside the shore rim. And they were amazed how fast the plants grew after 3 weeks of watering and caring. AG&P Foundation Inc. has been visiting Sta. Maria regularly for the last three weeks to educate the sponsors on trees management and growing. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources through Mrs. Nelia Sazon, DENR/CENR Forester hosted some informal seminars with Sta. Maria volunteers mostly youth and Barangay officials, including the Barangay chairman Restie Agena. Upon instructions from CENR chief Laudemir S. Salac, Ms. Sazon shared some basic plant management techniques and vouched to return on bi-monthly basis to visit the Mahogany trees planted by the young volunteers. AG&P Foundation Inc. assisted DENR/CENR in the preparation and meetings. Mr. Zaldy I. Quizon took notes of every activity completed in Sta. Maria and has logged an inventory on the 37 plants already growing inside the Barangay.

The Municipality of Bauan, Office of the Mayor Ryanh Dolor, appointed Ferdie Agena, Sangguniang Bayan Secretary to look over the needs of AG&P Foundation Inc and Brgy. Sta. Maria on tree planting. Since Mr. Agena also came from the Barangay, it was not so hard for the Secretary to join the previous two (2) meetings with AG&PFI.
100 trees are being requested by Barangay Chairman Agena from AG&PFI to be planted around the proposed playground area of Sta. Maria shore just beside the community chapel. The request is still pending approval until further notice.

Sunday 22 February 2009


Aclan wins photo contest in Batangas

In memory of the birth day of our most blessed Mother, on September 8, the parish council of Batangas launched a parade of exhibits and photo competition inviting effigy owners and photographers in the city to a one-day photography contest.

Ben Sevillano Aclan won Grand prize on his “Matimyas na Ina” (graceful mother) shot of the Mother of Perpetual Help taken inside Batangas Basilica with a ‘prayerful manang’ silhouetted impression giving emphasis on traditional ‘mother’s devotion to the Virgin Mother’. September 8, 2008

Friday 20 February 2009

AG&P FOUNDATION FIRST MEDICAL MISSION ON SEPTEMBER 5



Bauan, Batangas - ‘On September 5, 2008, Friday, the Atlantic, Gulf & Pacific Company of Manila Foundation Inc. will go out of its highly industrialized metal fabrication yard to hold the ‘softest’ hands of the children and family heads of Barangay San Roque, Bauan for a one-day Medical and Dental Mission jointly sponsored by the local government unit headed by Barangay Captain Leopoldo R. Salcedo.’ - Preface
The government has allocated P3B budget in Agriculture just recently to mitigate the diminishing countryside farm industry, to support livelihood and feeding programs of local governments in sow regions. Public and private institutions were encouraged to support the government through copious social and civic ventures.
The Atlantic, Gulf & Pacific Company of Manila Foundation Inc, came up just recently programs that were sustainable and pro-nature elevating the lives of its constituents as part of their corporate social responsibility and community service like the most recent Tree plantings and Organic Vegetable Farming.

One of the most ‘touchy’ community based project is the Medical and Dental mission scheduled on the 5th of September, first Friday of this month where 180 dental patients and 900 medical recipients will gather to avail of the foundation’s philanthropy.

Executive Director, Renato M. Alarcon assembled a team of 12 to design a concrete plan for the one day activity where the Barangay Captain of San Roque, Bauan, Mr. Leopoldo Ramos Salcedo was invited to chair the prime organizing and patient’s relation committees.

Medical Doctors, comprised with Pediatricians, Internist, Surgeon, Physician and EENT were invited by AG&P Company through Doctor Michael Cayetano, head of the operations committee. Dentists will join the force through the auspices of PHO, Provincial Health Officer II, Dra. Rosvilinda Ozaeta. Nurses from the Philippine Red Cross, Bauan Doctor’s Hospital and the Philippine Nurses Society of Bauan will also join the mission. Municipal Health Officer I, Dr. Bejer, in cooperation of the Municipality of Bauan, Mayor Ryanh Dolor, pledged coming to the most awaited charity to assist and document outcomes thereto. A conservative estimate of 55 combined professionals will treat the ‘softest’ hands of San Roque, Bauan on the day.

TABOK’S VAGABOND


Coordinator’s Corner

“This is a story about a man from Bicol who volunteered to take care of AG&P’s Trees for a reason…”

For those living in the lower areas of Tabok River, known to many as “Riverside”, growing trees will become part of their daily obligation to tend seedlings of Mahogany and Narra trees since they squat in private lands of BIPI and AG&P.

Mang Romy, turned vagabond from Bicol, has been living along AG&P land since 1983, 25 years now and has restituted to picking garbage living out of it. Labor settling on construction sites was his main skill but fate deprived him of this privilege after his left foot got stuck to break on a harness that hang him for an hour on a high rise structure in Batangas City some ten years ago.

Alone he lived an austere life in AG&P soil.

Today he is part of Barangay Captain Leo Salcedo’s volunteer team who looks after the trees AG&P Foundation Inc. planted for the country’s clean and green programs, not to mention AG&P’s quest to save lives and create livelihood to Bauan communities.

Families have started gathering to protect the environment, by caring for the Mahogany and Narra trees, AG&P instigated June this year.

When interviewed, Mang Romy narrated that the tree planting ceremony of July 1, 2008 inspired him to look beyond his failures and move ahead to a new life just as the new trees were being planted. He nearly cried after everyone left just looking at the seedlings to find his self like these foliages. He thought that if these trees were pluck out from somewhere and brought to AG&P ground to live a new life, why couldn’t he?

From the stories told about Mang Romy, these trees will all forever be his inspiration. And as it grows to maturity so shall a new life for the man from Bicol grow, a new beginning, an inspiration shared by AG&P Foundation Inc.
His hands will nurture the trees for a reason and this reason grows as a motivation for other residents in Tabok River to follow.

What grows along the Riverside? TREES….. NEW LIFE!

“Alulod” is about a family who lived on top of ‘sitio siete’ hill of Sinala, Bauan, Batangas where water scarcely flow and rain seldom drops. Families share a toll at the bucket area called “Tunggaan” (manual ‘Jetmatic’ water pump) 1.5 kilometers down the hill near the Barangay tubigan (water) center. A sufficient 6 to 7 buckets full is worth P35.00 equivalent to the price of a kilo NFA rice to feed the day of a family of 5. As important food is to each family, so is water.
For 15 years nothing has changed in the lives of the poor at Barangay Sinala. The flow of life produces marks obvious to tell how poverty eats up dreams of the growing children. The marks may deceive the newcomers but for those familiar with Sinala, the smudges of water are ambitions surged under the drains.

FREE MEDICAL and DENTAL services from AG&P

SAN ROQUE RESIDENTS RECEIVE FREE MEDICAL AND DENTAL CHECK-UPS

In line with its community relations project, AG&P Company of Manila Foundation, Inc. conducted its first Medical and Dental Mission in SRES Multipurpose Hall, Barangay San Roque, Bauan, Batangas, September 5.
Approximately 150 medical and dental practitioners coming from different groups and organizations such as Bauan Doctors General Hospital, Bauan Medical Society, Bauan Rural Health Unit, Bejasa Hospital, Municipal Health Office, Provincial Health Office-Bauan, Provincial Health Office – Lemery, Philippine Nurses Society of Bauan, and Philippine National Red Cross took part in this noble undertaking.
Medical Doctors, which include pediatricians, internists, surgeons, ob-gyne, physicians, and EENT, provided free medical consultation to an estimate of 1500 San Roque residents, ranging from infants to the elderly inhabitants of the barangay. Moreover, roughly 1500 residents and AG&P employees received dental services from dentists coming from Provincial Health Office. Upon the doctors’ prescriptions, medical and dental recipients were able to avail of the free medicines from the Provincial Health Office headed by Dra. Rosvilinda M. Ozaeta, Provincial Health Officer II; Municipal Health Office headed by Dr. Victor C. Bejer, Municipal Health Officer I; Dr. Celis Mercado of Pharmavantage; Councilor Manuel S. Aclan and Governor Vilma Santos-Recto; Orly Foundation; Boeringger Philippines; Pfizer Philippines; and Astra Zeneca.
Aside from the participation of volunteer doctors, dentists, pharmacists, and nurses from various organizations, the event was graced with the presence of Philippine National Red Cross Administrator Ronald G. Generoso, Bauan Mayor Ryanh M. Dolor, AG&P Vice President for Finance and Administration Marcial P. Morales, Jr., BHFY Finance and Administration Head Winefreda O. Madarang, Mrs. Vicky A. Florendo of Batangas Press Club and fifteen other local media, Philippine National Police – Bauan, and Brgy. San Roque Health and Sanitation and Peace and Order Teams.
The success of this first Medical and Dental Mission of AGPFI can also be attributed to the Medical and Dental Mission Committees: Executive Committee chaired by Richard A. Reyes and Renato M. Alarcon; Recruitment (Medical & Dental practitioners) Committee composed of Dr. Michael L. Cayetano, Eduardo S. Villena, and Ben S. Aclan; Solicitation Committee led by Dr. Cayetano; Media and Promotions Committee led by Mario C. Lacerona; Stubs Distribution Committee led by Leopoldo R. Salcedo and Dr. Cayetano; Security and Parking Committee led by Benedicto C. Corona; Ushering and Assist Committee led by Renato M. Alarcon and Walter G. Faustino; Transport Committee led by Rosulo P. Carag; Logistics Committee led by Leopoldo R. Salcedo and Rosulo P. Carag; Food Committee led by Rufino M. Ocampo and Eduardo S. Villena; and Entertainment Committee led by Leopoldo R. Salcedo.

Tree planting a social responsibility

Bauan Technical Highschool
Bauan – “Mahogany Trees grow on straight vertical line downward and upward, roots don’t thrive nor expand, I like it because it blooms faster than any other tall trees we’ve planted inside the campus.” Danny Dolor

The AG&P Company of Manila Foundation, Inc. (AGPFI), jointly with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO), Bauan Municipal Agriculture office (MAO), Bauan Municipal Government and the Bauan Technical High School (BTHS) conducted a tree planting program with the theme “Nurture the Nature, Sponsor a Tree” with BTHS teachers, students, guests and staff on July 31st, a day after the opening of its annual intramurals and sports festivities

The Foundation sponsored 100 trees to be planted inside the 4.2 hectares school campus.

On a Department of Education Order number 33 series of 2008, that states’ “Responding to the threat of climate change and global warming through massive, intensive and sustained tree planting, tree growing and tree program” Bauan Technical High School was obliged to deliver a sustainable plan that would address this concern by building alliances with organizations and institutions capable to assist.

Promoted to start, Mr. Walter G. Faustino, Training Department Manager with AGPFI Coordinator Ben S. Aclan organized their tree planting team of 12 to formulate a defined plan for the upcoming program and submitted the work plan to Mr. Renato M. Alarcon, AGPFI Executive Director, for approval.

The Chronicle:
Prior to the agenda Donna P. Dalangin, tree planting team chief OIC for BTHS, set up a registration table to accommodate 100 sponsors for Mahogany trees. 90% were teachers and 10% were staff, maintenance crew and guests. Photo ops came after each one registered as they wave their respective ‘sponsor’s tags’ with ribbons and ‘tying cords’ to pose. The event was clustered orderly immediately commencing the formal procedure.

At least 1000 spectators assembled at the covered grandstand of the host school to witness the ceremonial tree planting program.

The ceremony:
Called together inside the covered grandstand seated 1000, student audiences at the core, teachers on the left lyceum and school staff on the right side of the hall. School Administrator Danny Dolor introduced the emcees, Mr. Jun Dimalibot (BTHS Skills training Instructor) and Mr. Zaldy I. Quizon (AG&PFI Registrar), to the crowd commencing the 45 minutes gathering.

“The need to resolve issues in global warming and nature’s threat to extinct mankind needs to be addressed, now or shall we wait?”, was Principal Erlinda Ilagan’s opening speech as she congratulated AG&P Foundation Inc in its efforts to promote tree planting in Bauan. The concerted school efforts were rewarded when the school head introduced their special guests to the stand to deliver speeches of inspiration, harmony and generosity.

AG&P guests were, Roberto S. Paglinawan, Assistant Vice-President, Richard A. Reyes, Resources Management Head, Leopoldo Salcedo, Barangay Captain of San Roque, Bauan, Ben S. Aclan, AG&P Foundation Inc Coordinator, the Team under the Training Department led by Donna Marie P. Dalangin.

“Trees are grown and not just planted. As we go about caring for trees we learn how to appreciate the goodness of God our creator. The values that we develop while we nurture the nature sponsoring a tree are far beyond what people can teach us for these are actions voluntarily shared usually it comes from beneath and even deeper.” AVP RS Paglinawan emphasized during his inspirational talk. And before the address ended Paglinawan challenged every able body to plant a tree and grow it as if it was a part of self thus being responsible.

Tree Planting:
Richard A. Reyes planted the first tree to inaugurate the pinnacle of the program. Mahogany trees were earlier lined up over dug holes around the campus with bamboo pegs to support each tree. Mr. Reyes, rested the first tree for AG&P and also planted trees under the names of AG&P hierarchies, Agelito D. Bermudo, President, Marcial P. Morales Jr, Vice President for Finance and Administration, Aquilino G. De Vera, Vice-President for Operations followed by school officials, AG&P Officers, Barangay San Roque Captain, Teachers and the students instantaneously.

The ceremony ended as each participant tied their green ribbons around their child trees. Name tags were also placed atop each tree guard and everyone had their share of rationed water to sprinkle.

“Trees are not only planted for display but are cared for and grown to save lives and protect mother earth”, Vice President Marcial P. Morales, Jr.