115th Jose Rizal's Martyrdom Observed

As the whole Philippine nation celebrated the 115th martyrdom of Jose Rizal, the La Carlota government had its own program to celebrate this momentous and heroic event.

The theme for this year's celebration was "Rizal: Haligi ng Bayan."

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Honorable Karen L. Aguirre, chairman, committee on education, Sangguniang Panlunsod of La Carlota was the invited speaker. She talked on "building bridges to freedom".

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The celebration was reverred by the floral offering of different local government units, schools, civic organizations and commercial establishments here in La Carlota.



Patriotic songs were offered by pupils and students of La Carlota City Elementary School 1 and 2, North Elementary School, and Special Education.

Kababaihang Rizalista, La Carlota and the city government of La Carlota sponsored the event.

Gift-giving Is Worth Doing

Kids and adults members of La Carlota first branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had their Christmas party tonight at the Church meetinghouse in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental.

Most of the indigent family members of the Church were invited and all of them were given gifts donated by generous members of the Church.

Everybody didn't go home empty-handed. Everyone received a gift.


(Last Sunday, the Church had already dispatched several sack-load of used clothes to the Church members who were also affected by typhoon Sendong in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City through the Bacolod Philippines Mission.)

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Member Couples, youths actively participated in the parlor games. And the full-time lady missionaries did their share too in some of the games.

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A hearty dinner of arroz a la valenciana, spaghetti, salad, pork barbecue
and a soft drink was served to every participant.



Christmas is not only gift-giving, but the intention of giving gift, that is, love - the very essence of Christmas.

Its' Showtime! No More Teaching Time!

Thursday night, Dec. 22 is the DepEd night of more than 7 hundred teachers in the Division of La Carlota City, both the elementary and high school teachers. It's a showtime for showing their dancing feats and singing talents in interpreting Christmas carol at the plaza of La Carlota.

The show highlighted the search for Santa Hunk and Santa Babe 2011. Schools Division Superintendent Juliet A. Jeruta and ASDS Ferdinand S. Sy did the honor in pinning the sashes and crowning and giving of scepter to the winning Santa Babe and Santa Hunk.



The show depicted the dances craze in different era like 70s, 80s, 90s, till the modern time.

'Given Much, I Too Must Give'

Deep in our hearts is a feeling on how we could of help to those "brothers" who have the need of help from us as we listened to the special musical number of President George Tobias' 4 children who sang "Because I have been given much, I Too Must Give." (Hymn # 219)

Our Church has received several used clothes for our brothers and sisters who have been victimized  by the typhoon Sendong there at Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City in Mindanao.

Our family has also given something [though not much] for them. At least we do our share.

This year's Christmas Day, my family is almost complete except my eldest son who is in Manalo Fortich, Mindanao right now. My in-laws and grandchildren are also with us as we go to Church and renew our covenant with the Lord this Sunday, December 25.

After our 3-hour Sunday services, we pose at the ground of the Church for a posterity souvenir.


Then before heading home, we drop by at the public plaza of La Carlota. Have another pose for Christmas Day's souvenir pictures.


MERRY CHRISTMAS!

December Night in La Carlota

Past seven in the evening this day, as I went home from our meetinghouse for an appointment with our branch president, but he wasn't there, so I took for a walk and was able to pass by the well-lighted plaza of La Carlota. The lighted trees, the city hall and the sangguniang building which were illuminated with Christmas lights of various colors caught my attention. I didn't want to let those realities go for naught. I got my digital camera and captured those beautiful scenes of the night.

Here are the realities of realities captured by my digital camera: