BCIS Christmas Message

The world has experienced challenges this year that have tested the limits of human understanding. Here in the Philippines, we have also gone through trials which tested our mettle and our faith in God. Through several typhoons and political turmoil, we have remained steadfast in our faith in God and our fellow man. This christmas season, we turn to the message of hope and peace that God has promised through the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ Our Savior -- How He sent His only begotten Son that we may be saved from Sin. Today, that message of hope, peace and salvation rings ever so true not only in our clan, or in this nation, but in the entire world. The celebration of this season by Christians and by some of our brother Filipino Muslims show that there is indeed hope when there appear to be none, peace in its seeming absence, and salvation in the presence of unwavering temptation. This Season, let us all keep our quest for peace strong, and our faith in God stronger. May God continue to shower His blessings upon our clan, our mother nation, and the whole world. Let us not forget that because of Christ's birth, and eventual death at the cross, that the promise of eternal peace and spiritual salvation has come closer to realization. Merry Christmas and a B lessed New Year to all.

RODEL C. BANARES

Founder/Administrator

Banares Clan Information Service (BCIS)

Pictures of Jessie and Linda Banares' Vacation in Dubai uploaded

Some pictures of Jessie and Linda Banares' vacation in Dubai have just been uploaded at the Clan Gallery. The photos are courtesy of their daughter Maricar who sent us the pictures yesterday. You can see the pictures by clicking on the link entitled CLAN GALLERY at the right sidebar or access it directly at www.clan-gallery.blogspot.com.

Rodel Banares' Artworks

Here are some artworks i made using MS Powerpoint which i hope you will like. Thanks for all your support and merry christmas.
"Lorenzo Ruiz Church"

"Simbang Gabi"

"Misa de Gallo"

"Church at Late Sunset"

Liza Banares-Eusebio, husband Alex to fly to Albay Today

Lza Banares-Eusebio and husband Alex (Orlan) will be flying to Albay today at 7:00 am to visit her family at typhoon-ravaged Bacacay, Albay. Her parents, Henry and Aurora Banares recently sent their nephew Jaypee

to Manila to purchase a generator for their house in Albay. Their house is undergoing restoration as it was one of those heavily hit by typhoon Reming this month. Bacacay and the rest of Albay and some other provinces in the Bicol Region aren't expecting power to go back up until March next year.

President orders rush work in restoring power

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2006 ENERGY from www.gov.ph

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered the Department of Energy (DOE), the National Transmission Corp. (Transco), and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to fast-track the restoration of electric power in typhoon-battered areas in the Bicol region and Eastern Visayas. At this week’s Cabinet meeting, the President instructed the DOE and NEA to accelerate the restoration of power in Bula, Camarines Sur, before Dec. 16, 2006. She also wants to expedite the return of electricity in areas severely hit by Typhoon Seniang, including Albay, Marinduque, Sorsogon, Biliran, Camarines Sur, Aklan and Samar, according to Cabinet Secretary Ricardo Saludo.He said that the President also instructed the armed forces to provide two helicopters from the Cebu-based Central Command for use of DOE and Transco in transporting manpower, equipment, and structures needed to restore damaged power infrastructure in Samar.Saludo said that with the redoubled efforts by the energy agencies, as of a.m. today (Dec. 15), the status of power, communication and transportation was as follows:

* Fully-repaired damaged structures and equipment in Quezon and Sorsogon provinces.

* 100 percent load restoration in Quezon and Leyte provinces.

* 100 percent power restoration of Transco Lines in Panay and 86 percent in Caticlan-Boracay Line.

* 70 percent load restoration in Mindoro.

BCIS Advisory

Sorry guys. i've been trying to get my pre-recorded audio programs to "air" via YouTube but there seems to be something wrong with the audio i'm trying to upload. So for now, i'll be removing the YouTube screen until i can get the bugs fixed. I'm still hopeful that i can get the thing up and running before christmas. I don't know if the problem is with the computer i'm using or the headset or another bug. Another problem i have is that i can upload videos but my cam doesnt have a mic, so all video, no audio, Oh well. Anyway, i'll keep you informed.

Thanks for your patience.

RODEL BANARES

Photo of Chloe Gianne Ortiz-Dingcong

My niece Chiqui sent me via e-mail some pictures of her new daughter Chloe Gianne. I'm posting one of the pics here for you to view. Isn't she a gem? :) -- Rodel B.

3 additional pictures to be posted tommorow at the Banares Clan Gallery.

Access it directly at www.clan-gallery.blogspot.com/

Hello, Macai!

My first cousin Macai wanted me to greet her and her family (especially her parents Jessie and Linda Banares who are visiting Dubai and will be spending their christmas there). Hope you guys are enjoying your stay there! Merry Christmas and regards to your sister Lorna, brother Paolo, Parents Tio Jessie and Tia Linda, and the rest of your family.

Hope you guys like our blogsite. We will be testing our pre-recorded radio show tomorrow and we hope to have it up and running by Christmas. Watch for it!

Regards to all!

RODEL

BCIS Advisory

We will be trying out our BCIS Audio News in the following days. We apologize if you may have a difficult time accessing www.banares-clan.blogpsot.com. However, we believe that there won't really be any real technical problems insofar as the home page of our blogsite is concerned.



Any comments or feedbackk can be sent to banares_feedback@yahoo.com.



Thanks for your continued patronage.







RODEL C. BANARES

PGMA sends off "Caring and Sharing Caravan" to Bicol

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2006 GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT from www.gov.ph

Some 250 trucks and other vehicles laden with relief goods left for the Bicol region this morning in what was aptly called by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the government’s "Caring and Sharing Caravan."The caravan, spontaneously organized by civic-minded groups, is a tribute to the theme of the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Cebu that was called off on account of Typhoon Seniang which ravaged most parts of the Visayas over the weekend."I want every Filipino family to know that their government is ready to serve them in times of extreme distress when food, clean water, warm clothing and shelter cannot normally be availed of," the President said in her sendoff statement at the Central Business Park (CBP) along Diosdado Macapagal Ave. in Pasay City."Your President and the entire Cabinet feel your pain and we will do all we can to gather the energies and resources of the nation to help you," she added.It will be recalled that the President agreed that the Summit in Cebu be postponed to January next year despite contrary opinions, as "she doesn’t want to be attending the Summit when the typhoon was ravaging most homes along its path."The President came to the sendoff to check on the schedules and destinations of the trucks in the caravan which was led by the Office of Civil defense (OCD) and the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).Military and police elements escorted the caravan to secure the relief goods for the victims of the typhoon.The President commended all government officials as well as civic spirited leaders of the private sector who have joined the caravan."As this humanitarian effort traverses the disaster areas, giving aid and comfort to our distressed brethren, we symbolize a nation of one heart and one mind, a nation that derives its strength from unity and compassion, from the spirit of bayanihan and damayan," she said.The President wished the convoy Godspeed, saying "I join the nation in their prayers for the comfort of the distressed, the healing of the families and communities that have lost brethren and loved ones in the wake of misfortunes."

Weather Advsory as of 8:00 am from PAGASA

As of 8:00 am today, 10 December 2006, the Philippine weather bureau PAGASA has lowered the storm signal warning of Albay to Signal No. 1. For more nformation on the typhoon "Seniang", clck on this link: http://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/

PAGASA Severe Weather Bulletin Number TEN

from www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph

Satellite Picture at 10:00 p.m., 09 December 2006

PAGASA Track as of 8 p.m., 09 December 2006

Severe Weather Bulletin Number TEN
Tropical Cyclone Warning: Typhoon "SENIANG" {UTOR}
Issued at 11:00 p.m., Saturday, 09 December 2006

Typhoon "SENIANG" is now traversing the Visayan Sea and heading towards Aklan-Romblon area.

Location of Center:(as of 10:00 p.m.)
110 kms East Northeast of Roxas City or80 kms South Southeast of Masbate

Coordinates:
11.7°N, 123.7°E

Strength:
Maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the centerand gustiness of up to to 150 kph

Movement:
west northwest at 22 kph

Forecast Positions / Outlook:
Sunday morning:over Boracay IslandSunday evening:80 kms West Northwest of Coron, Palawan
Monday evening:over the South China Sea or480 kms West Northwest of Coron, Palawan
No Public Storm Warning Signals Raised
Areas Having Public Storm Warning Signal

Signal No.3(100-185 kph winds)
Masbate, Romblon,Southern Occidental Miindoro,Southern Oriental Mindoro
Capiz,Aklan,Northern Iloilo,Northern Antique,Calamian Group

Signal No. 2(60-100 kph winds)
Sorsogon,Albay,Burias Island,Rest of Mindoro,Marinduque
Cuyo Island,Rest of Antique,Rest of Iloilo,Guimaras,Northern Cebu,Northern Negros,Biliran,Leyte,Northern Samar,Eastern Samar,Western Samar

Signal No. 1(30-60 kph winds)
Catanduanes,Camarines Sur,Southern Quezon,Batangas,Lubang Island
Northern Palawan,Rest of Negros,Rest of Cebu,Bohol,Southern Leyte
Siargao,Dinagat Islands

Public Storm Warning Signals elsewhere are now lowered.Residents in areas under Public Storm Warning Signals # 3, # 2 and # 1 are alerted against flashfloods and landslides. Those residing in coastal areas under Public Storm Warning Signals # 3 are advised to seek higher grounds due to possible storm surges or big waves.The public and the disaster coordinating councils concerned are advised to take appropriate actions and watch for the next bulletin to be issued at 5 a.m. tomorrow.

Chiqui Ortiz-Dingcong Gives Birth to baby girl

Chiqui Ortiz-Dingcong, wife of George Dingcong and daughter of Cesar Banares Ortiz and Bes Pagala, gave birth to a bouncing baby girl Dec. 8 around 10 am at the Lourdes Hospital in Mandaluyong City. The couple decided to name the baby Chloe Gianne. Viewing at the Lourdes Hospital nursery is from 6 pm to 7 pm daily. The couple wishes to thank everyone for their prayers. From BCIS, congratulations!

Virginia Banares-Dado burried today

The clan bade farewell to clan elder Virginia Banares-Dado today, amidst the backdrop of a storm-ravaged Bacacay. Few clan relatives from Manila save for her adopted daughter Sheila and sister Norma Pimentel were able to attend the burial. She was laid to rest beside her father Tomas, mother Crispina and husband Herminio.

Bacacay Association Calls for Emergency Meeting

The Metro Manila Bacacay Residents Association Inc. (Bacacay Association) has called an emergency meeting this evening to discuss plans on how to aid the typhoon-ravaged municipality of Bacacay, Albay. In a telephone conversation with BCIS Administrator Rodel Banares, Ms. Eva Japay, an officer of the Bacacay Association promised to inform BCIS of the plan as soon as it is finalized. She has also expressed condolences in behalf of the association upon learning of the death of Clan Elder Virginia Banares-Dado.

BCIS Update on Typhoon-Ravaged Bacacay

Dear Banares Clan News & Information Blogiste Browsers:

This morning at 10:00 am Manila Time, the undersigned personally spoke with Ms. Eva Japay, an officer of the Bacacay Association (an association of Bacacay residents in Metro Manila). She informed us that there will be an emergency meeting of the Bacacay Association tonight in the City of Manila to discuss plans of assisting the typhoon-ravaged municipality. She assured BCIS that all plans will be relayed to us and the same will be posted in our blogsite.

As of this writing, we have gathered unconfirmed information that the Sto. Domingo road leading to Bacacay is already passable. This has not been confirmed as of yet. We also have information that power is still not up over most of the Bicol Region, including the island of Catanduanes.

We have also received reports that there is still no means to contact our relatives in Camarines Sur's Binagasbasan Island. We are coordinating with the family of Lalaine Salazar for updates.

We thank you for your prayers and assistance for our affected relatives in Bacacay, as well as for your continued patronage of our news and information blogsite.

Sincerely yours,

RODEL C. BANARES

BCIS Administrator

VIRGINIA BANARES VDA DE DADO DIES

Clan Elder Virginia Banares vda de Dado passed away today in Bacacay, Albay a few days after a super typhoon plowed through the municipality of Bacacay. Virginia is the daughter of Tomas Banares and Crispina Binamira Salazar (Lim). She was a school teacher in Albay and head of the Science Department of a Bontoc school. She is the widow of Bontoc Province Judge Herminio Dado, also a native of Bacacay, Albay. She is survivied by adopted daughter Sheila. Virginia has been ill for a few months before passing away. A two-day wake will be held at her residence in Bacacay. The clan is requested to pray for the eternal repose of her soul. Burial will be on Thursday, 07 December 2006 at the family plot in the Bacacay Municipal Cemetery.

SEND YOUR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE DIRECTLY

For those who want to send their financial assistance directly to Henry S. Banares, you may do so via the following:

Account Name: HENRY S. BANARES

Bank/Branch: UCPB Legaspi City

Account No.: 206-000922-0

There is a suggestion from RUTH BANARES-DAVID of Tandang Sora, Quezon City to hold a tiangge in one venue every weekend before Christmas, with proceeds going to our relatives in Bacacay affected by typhoon "Reming".

Those who have a suggestion on where to hold this tiangge, and if you have any items you wish to sell, please call us at (02) 933-17-96 and look for Rodel.

Any other suggestions on how to raise funds can call or emial us at banares_feedback@yahoo.com

Bacacay won't be left unattended -- Office of Cong. Lagman

BCIS administrator Rodel Banares called up the Office of Albay Congressman Edcel Lagman, a resident of Bacacay, Albay this morning and was told by his staff that Cong. Lagman was in Bacacay to check on the situation there. His office assured BCIS that the representative will not allow Bacacay to be left unattended, even as he assured BCIS that the congressman was already coordinating with the proper authorities. Even the house of Cong. Lagman in Bacacay was not spared from the wrath of Reming, the staffer added.

BCIS would also like to thank Mr. Joe Braga, owner of Villa Michaelangelus Resort in Bacacay for giving us the contact number of his personnel in Bacacacay. He told us that we can call his personnel and ask about the condition of other relatives in Bacacay.

BACACAY UPDATE: HOUSE OF HENRY BANARES AND FAMILY DESTROYED BY TYPHOON “REMING”

Our cousin Emily Banares-Basbas was able to contact her sister Lisa Banares-Eusebio later today to report that their house in Bacacay was destroyed by Typhoon “Reming”. The only part of the house livable now is the kitchen, were the family has established temporary living quarters. No reports on the condition of ailing clan elder Virginia Banares vda de Dado who lives a few distance behind the destroyed house.

The BCIS wishes to call on members of the Banares Clan to send any help they can. BCIS will be establishing a plan to help our relatives in Bacacay. For now, you may send any help you can by calling Lisa Banares-Eusebio at (02) 646-95-61.

We appeal to ALL BANARES CLAN MEMBERS to extend any and all help possible. Bacacay was also hit heavily by Typhoon “Reming”. Many of the old houses have been destroyed. By tomorrow morning, BCIS will post a disaster relief plan for our relatives in Bacacay

If you have any news regarding other members of the clan in Bacacay, please call us at (02) 933-17-96.

LET US HELP OUR RELATIVES IN THEIR HOUR OF NEED.

Send us your messages and pledges at rodel.banares@gmail.com, banares_feedback@yahoo.com, and theprman_ph@yahoo.com.

We will be posting your pledges along with the corresponding amount in this blogsite.


RODEL C. BANARES
Founder / Administrator
Banares Clan Information Service

Philippines Mudslide (reported from ABC Radio Australia Website)

Last Updated 02/12/2006, 13:08:52

The Philippines National Disaster Co-ordinating Council reports 198 people dead, and another 260 missing, after typhoon Durian blasted through the mid-eastern Philippines with winds of up to two hundred kilometres an hour.

Rescue and retrieval operations are trying to find survivors in several devastated villages as the typhoon moves into the south China sea heading for Vietnam.

Shirley Escalante reports five cities and towns in the mid-eastern Philippines which were badly hit by typhoon Durian have been placed under a state of calamity.

Under Philippine laws, declaring a state of calamity paves the way for the release of calamity funds.

The national government has also released 20 million US dollars for rescue and recovery operations.

Aerial inspections will be conducted, particularly over the Bicol region where a mudslide buried at least six villages.

More rescue teams will head to the region as roads have been cleared.

The Philippine Navy will also bring relief supplies. Typhoon Durian was the eighteenth storm to hit the Philippines this year.

Mudslide Hits Daraga, Sto. Domingo and Legaspi City

A mudslide caused by pyrolclastic debris from Mayon Volcano and triggered by Typhoon Reming caused damages to properties in Daraga, Sto. Domingo and Legaspi City. As of last count, around 300 people are dead or missing as rescue efforts continue in the aforementioned towns.

As of this time, no word yet from our relatives in Bacacay, Albay. It is reported that cellular sites in Bicol are down and that electricity will be out until the 15th of this month.

Letter from Maureen Bernardo

The following letter was e-mailed to the Banares Clan Blogsite Administrator Rodel C. Banares from Maureen Bernardo (bernardo@redzone.com.au):

Dear Rodel,

I have read with interest your family history from the Bicol region. I am the wife of Rondo Banares Bernardo….yes a Banares and have visited your town Back in 1973. How badly are your family affected by this latest volcano/typhoon disaster. We are praying for their safety. I am of the belief that our branch of the Banares (Cornelio) is descended from the first record of your family. He stowed away on a ship after his mother died—he was about 9 years old and finished up in Macau, Hong Kong where he made his own life and dynasty. This knowledge makes me feel concern. Do let me know if the area the family live has been affected badly by this disaster.

MAUREEN BERNARDO

>>>>>>

Blogsite Admin's reply:

Hello Maureen,

Thank you for checking out our clan's news and information page. I am sorry to tell you that Albay province has been badly affected by the recent typhoon (International codename "Durian"). For your information, The towns of Daraga, Sto. Domingo and Legaspi have been badly affected by a mudslide yesterday as a result of the continuous rains that the storm brought in. As of last count, almost 300 are presumed dead or missing. As for our town of Bacacay, we have not heard from any of our relatives and friends since after the storm. We have been told that electricity would not be restored before the 15th of this month. Power cables, cellular sites and other telecommunications towers are either out of order or destroyed by the storm. We are continuing to establish communications with our relatives and we will post any updates in our blogsite www.banares-clan.blogspot.com. I am sorry i have not been able to update our blogsite for the past 24+ hours. I have just arrived from Bataan Province to visit my friend's farm and to report on the storm there.

I believe that all BANARES are related one way or another. Please continue to pray for the Bicol Region.

Hoping to hear from you again,



RODEL C. BANARES
Banares Clan Historian / Blogsite Administrator