'Halad kay Kang-Laon' : 1st Mt. Kanlaon National Park Festival held by La Carlota

All roads led to Sitio Guintubdan, Brgy, Ara-al, La Carlota City on August 11 for the first Mt. Kanlaon National Park Festival as "Halad kay Kang-Laon" (Offerings to Kang-Laon). Its theme was "Pag-amlig sa Dungang Manggad para sa Kaayuhan sang Katawhan" (To Protect the Natural Resources for the Good of the People).

The City Tourism of La Carlota had initiated to celebrate this festival to give honor and respect to Haring Laon or Kang Laon as the great protector and provider of the natives who lived long time ago in the said volcano. And also this is to boost tourism industry in the said place which the neighboring towns and cities could benefit too.

According to local history or local legend, Kanlaon or Canlaon is an ancient name of a Visayan god. It is idolized by the natives as their highest Ruler. The natives did highly esteemed by worshiping him as "One who is the Ruler of Time".

The volcano is where the said Ruler stayed wherein native priests and priestesses visited and did some rituals and some offerings of their good harvest as tokens of their gratefulness and respect. Some other versions of this legend had been handed by the natives to one generation to the other.

Elder Plarao, One-Handed Missionary Completes Mission with Honor

President Plarao

I know a true latter-day saints know the importance of doing a missionary work. They know it in doing so for they've done their part in fulfilling one of the 3-fold mission of the Church, and that's to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

But what about if you're unable to do it due to a handicap or physical disability, can you do the missionary work? In one of our leadership meeting with the Church leaders, if a member is disabled and wanted to spread the Gospel in doing the missionary job like the full-time missionary is doing in the field, by his honest and willing desire he is already doing it  and he doesn't need to go out anymore to fulfill it.

On the other hand, if you're partially handicap, like the one I know from La Castellana Branch. He is Bro. Angelo Plarao who has no right hand which was amputated due to firecracker accident when he was 14 years old. His Branch President, the late Rogie Belarmino encouraged him to go out for a mission in spite of that handicap. Bro Angelo responded approvingly. He never hesitated or had a second thought "because all circumstances and problems have their own worth of purpose" in which he strongly believes it.

Students' Reactions to Olive Tree Allegory

I am handling the Institute of Religion class of the La Carlota First Branch every Saturday and we're in the 4th week of our classes. This is one of the educational programs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We're deliberating on the spiritual significance of the Olive Tree as mentioned in the  12th verse of the 15th Chapter of 1st Nephi of The Book of Mormon and the 13th verse which specified those kind of people to bring back those who have been lost.

Before, they expressed their thoughts on the central message which the Olive Tree has signified. They grouped themselves into two and did an actual grafting of the croton plants of various. They're given enough time to complete their grafting activity.

Last Camp Fire for Sir Romeo Toda

Scouts and scouters coming from the City of San Carlos, Sagay, Talisay, Bago, Binalbagan, Himamaylan, Kabankalan, and La Carlota paid the last tribute to Sir Romeo B. Toda's last camp fire conducted by the Negros Occidental Council, Boy Scout of the Philippines in a 2-hour heartbreaking simple rites.

Best Tatay (Father), Am I?

Today is Father's Day. What's it in store for me, especially from my children?

The Fathers in our family: ltr-Papa Tipoy, Toto Jun, Papa Almon, Papa Dondon, and Tatay Gilbor

I have six children. Four of them are married. They've their job to support their family. Only my 2nd daughter and the youngest daughter are single. We've raised them through thick and thin. At least we've not failed them. We've sent them to school. We've raised them according to the "nurture and admonition of the Lord".

In this special day for all fathers, our children have shown their thoughtfulness by sharing me inspiring  messages and words of gratefulness. My wife, Rebing and I are so happy about it. We've nothing to give them in return but to be proud and be happy and to continue or to edify our family relationship for we believe that family could be together forever.

Revisiting Talisay 'Ruins' after 6 years

A second look to the noted "Taj Mahal of Negros Occidental" - the Ruins in Talisay. The oldest ruins in Negros Occidental. It has been recognized as the highest art form of a magnificent architectural design based on "structural strength and stability, lasting function and flexible use, and beauty in its distinctive details"

The new set of "ruiners" excluding the tricycle driver, Almon, my son-in-law and me visited for the first time the "fascinating ruins of the world. These eager and curious "ruiners" were composed of my wife, Rebecca, our smart granddaughter, Sophie; Carissa, my daughter-in-law and her siblings: Zarah, Mae An, Eron, and her nephew, Elyan.

My wife and me

It was six years ago that I paid a visit to this "Ruins. It was a half-day morning tour to the ruins of mansion of  Italianate architecture of the sugar baron, Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson (1865-1948) in Talisay City on December 11, 2011.

The group was composed of  the newly wed couple, Ricalyn Camporazo (blogger's granddaughter) and Glenn Salas,; Nidabel with her daughter Ara, Marzon Oceña, Bebing (blogger's nephew), Gingging (blogger's 2nd eldest daughter), and Grace Nicor, a friend. As first timer visitors, they curiously inspected the historical remnants of the building which was considered as the Taj Mahal of the Philippines in Negros Occidental. They were all amazed of the engineering features of the ruins.

35th Birthday of 'Strongest Woman' An An

Our third elder daughter is celebrating her 35th birthday, January 15. How our wish that we could celebrate with her when she's around with us for she's working abroad. Anyway, we are all stay happy and join with her to celebrate her birthday by sending her birthday greetings and wishes through her social media page. Her friends don't miss in greeting her too.

Reminiscence of 2011 First Family Outing

My family is the best associate, companion I ever have. I thank God for this wonderful family I have had. This is one of the things I treasure most. For good times and bad times, the members of my family are there to be with me to inspire and strengthen me. I'm thankful that family can be forever and we can be together for time and eternity.

My wife and I sharing foods

Year 2011 is another opportunity to nurture and rear up my family in the Lord's way. We welcome year 2011 and thank the Lord for the blessings He has given us in any form and situation. Thus we strengthen our family in anyway and by going out in the beach for the first time in the New Year is a realization of this gratefulness to our Father in heaven.

With this particularly kind of family bonding in going out to the beach, we had already commenced and would do it again and again in the following year and even in the years to come.

We reiterate that family is so important for us. It makes our life worth living because of our family especially in taking care of our children's future. We could have a better position in doing so if we are united, if we are one as inspired by the Lord's work and purpose for making our family together forever.

CAMPORAZO FAMILY: 2017 Family Bonding at Soleo Beach

This is already the 3rd time that we spend this new year at the said beach. We have started this family outing in 2013, This is our family tradition that in January 1 we spend our quality time to the beach to welcome the New Year in another family activity like outing at Soleo beach, San Enrique, Neg. Occ., PH. This is to continue our thanksgiving that aside from New Year's eve we have our family get-together to have some fun with children, grandchildren and in-laws, family dinner, and family prayer.

PICTORIAL ESSAY

A. At New Year's Eve

As we formally are bidding a grateful goodbye to 2016 and we happily welcome the New Year 2017, we do some revelries on the street, family prayer and eating the New Year's eve dinner with full of thanksgiving in our hearts to our Great Divine Providence that we're able to get through the challenges of 2016.