Posts Tagged ‘Tacloban City’

I Envy

United States

Army

General

Douglas MacArthur

United States Army

General of the Army Douglas MacArthur

Promoted to "Five-Star" rank , December 18, 1944. Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in the Southwest Pacific Area. U. S. Army Signal Corps Photograph.

by Samuel E. Warren Jr.

World War I , in the 20^th Century, taught the Citizens Of The World that War is Hell On Earth and no nation or person is “neutral.” World War I proved that War had evolved from nations with disagreements to a force that engulfs the world in a matter of days or hours.

World War II, in the 20^th Century, taught the Citizens Of The World, Hell On Earth is always just a heartbeat away.

The DVD cover shows Actor Gregory Peck in the role of General Douglas

MacArthur in the 1977 movie, “Mac Arthur.”

World War II divided the nations of the world into Us versus Them. World War II confirmed that any War, like fire, can quickly spread and engulf nations in a global holocaust that consumes everything in it’s path.

World War II’s Gift: The A Bomb is the constant reminder that when nations do not deal with issues, then, a violent force will always wait in the wings to settle those issues.

The A Bomb and nuclear weapons are not the threat – they are the reminder that when War becomes a global inferno, then, an Armageddon event is needed to end the War.

Every generation forgets or fails to learn : “The Eternal Lesson Of War is Hell On Earth demands you to find the courage to survive the death and destruction around you to survive and live your life.”

______________________________________________________

The U.S. Army’s Philippine Scouts

“These were General Douglas MacArthur’s soldiers—the guys who fought America’s first battle of World War II. The Philippine Division. Probably the best trained and possibly the best prepared U.S. Army division at the outset of the war.”

– Quote is the lead paragraph for the story on

The U.S. Army website

Shoulder sleeve insignia of the United States Army’s Philippine Division, 12^th Infantry Division. The head of the water buffalo symbolizes the Philippines. The colors red and gold represent the island’s Spanish colonial roots.

______________________________________________________

In my lifetime, there has hardly been a day, when I did not pick up a newspaper, turn on the radio or TV or log on to the Internet to read about, yet, another – War.

War is eternal.

War is inevitable.

War is a major event of Human Life.

When The Citizens Of The World forget or ignore The Lessons Of War, then, the next War is only mere seconds away.

The Korean War happened too quickly after World War II for people to understand that World War II was the global event that should of taught The Citizens Of The World that War can be “The Extinction Event For Human Life.”

I admire the American Generals And Admirals of World War II because they knew there had to be a way to quickly end the global pain and suffering. Those military leaders and their troops fought to find a way.

I salute General Eisenhower, General Patton, General MacArthur, all the Allies military commanders and troops for the courage it took for them to wage the battles and campaigns needed to end World War II.

October 20, 2012 was the 68^th Anniversary of the Leyte Landing. October 20, 1944, United States General of The Army Douglas MacArthur and Filipino leaders waded ashore at Palo, Leyte, near Tacloban City, Republic of the Philippines to begin the Liberation Of The Philippines.

Meanwhile, the Allies forces were gearing up in the waters of the Pacific for The Battle Of Leyte Gulf, which would become, “The Greatest Naval Battle In The History Of Global Naval Warfare,” in terms of the men, munitions, planes, bombs and ships available to be used to fight a battle at sea.

To date, “The Battle Of Leyte Gulf Is The Largest Naval Battle In The History Of The World.” The battle raged in the waters off the Philippine islands of Leyte and Samar from October 23 through October 26, 1944.

I have always envied General MacArthur because he kept his promise and set free a Pacific nation from the grip of a sadistic tyrant – Emperor Hirohito.

Sam

MONUMENT

TO THE

FILIPINO SOLDIER

Nikon D 100 Photos by Samuel E. Warren Jr.

World War II Battle Of Leyte Gulf Links

Leyte Samar Daily Express

http://leytesamardaily.net/2012/10/simple-memorable-celebrations-mark-68th-leyte-gulf-landings/

The 68th Leyte Gulf Landing Anniversary:

A Celebration of Victory

http://antacloban.wordpress.com/2012/10/18/the-68th-leyte-gulf-landing-anniversary-a-celebration-of-victory/

Tourism office calls on Leyteños to set up wartime museum

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/tacloban/local-news/2012/10/17/tourism-office-calls-leytenos-set-wartime-museum-248511

Battle Of Leyte Gulf

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Leyte_Gulf

US Army Center Of Military History Battle Of Leyte Gulf

http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/leyte/leyte.htm

The U.S. Army’s Philippine Scouts

http://www.army.mil/asianpacificsoldiers/history/phillipineScouts.html

Philippine Scouts Heritage Society

http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

‘Forgotten Soldiers’ – The Philippine Scouts

http://www.armchairgeneral.com/forgotten-soldiers-the-philippine-scouts.htm

US Navy – Naval History And Heritage Command

http://www.history.navy.mil/

US Marine Corps History Division

http://edm-sepublic.documentservices.dla.mil/USMC_Oral_History/

US Coast Guard Historian’s Office Battle Of Leyte Gulf

http://www.uscg.mil/global/search/default.asp

U.S. Merchant Marine in World War II

http://www.usmm.org/ww2.html

US Navy Ship – USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55)

http://www.public.navy.mil/surflant/cg55/Pages/default.aspx

World War 2 Facts

Information and Facts on the Great War

Battle of Leyte Gulf

http://www.worldwar2facts.org/battle-of-leyte-gulf.html

Ahoy – Mac’s Web Log

Naval, Maritime, Australian History and more

Mackenzie J Gregory

http://ahoy.tk-jk.net/macslog/BattleofLeyteGulf.23-26Oc.html

Military History Online.Com

The Battle for Leyte Gulf Revisited
by Irwin J. Kappes

http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/wwii/articles/leytegulfrevisited.aspx

Mabuhay Tacloban City

Monument To The Filipino Soldier

http://www.tourisminthephilippines.com/city/Tacloban/historical-places/tacloban-monument-filipino-soldier-palo-picture-01.html

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons license.

Written by samwarren55

October 23, 2012 at 4:34 AM

Posted in Bloggers, Blogs, Current Events, Editorial, Holidays, Observances, Opinion, Patriotism, Philippines, Photos, Tourism

Tagged with 68th Anniversary of the Leyte Landing, actor, Allies military commanders, “Armageddon”, “MacArthur”, “The Battle Of Leyte Gulf Is The Largest Naval Battle In The History Of The World.”, “The Eternal Lesson Of War is Hell On Earth demands you to find the courage to survive the death and destruction around you to survive and live your life, “The Extinction Event For Human Life”, “The Greatest Naval Battle In The History Of Global Naval Warfare”, ” The Korean War, biographical movie, by Samuel E. Warren Jr., Citizens Of The World, editorial, Emperor Hirohito, Filipino, General Eisenhower, General Mac Arthur, General Patton, Gregory Peck, Hell On Earth, I Envy United States Army General Douglas MacArthur, Leyte, Liberation Of The Philippines, movie 1977, nuclear weapons, October 20 1944, October 20 2012, October 24 1944, October 25 1944, October 26 1944, Pacific, Palo, Philippine Islands, Republic of the Philippines, Samar from October 23 1944, Tacloban City, The A Bomb, The Battle Of Leyte Gulf, United States General of The Army Douglas Mac Arthur, war movie, World War I. 20th Century, World War II

The Saga Of Ramon’s Trike

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The Saga Of Ramon’s Trike

by Samuel E. Warren Jr.

As a child in Houston, Texas, I had a tricycle. It was made out of heavy black metal. It had a large wheel in the front and two smaller wheels on the side. I would zip up and down the concrete driveway of 313 East 26^th Street on my tricycle.

Of course, when I got stationed in the Republic of the Philippines in 1988, I quickly learned the word, “tricycle” had a totally different meaning in the Philippines.

I could still zip up and down the road to Clark Air Base in a tricycle. But, it wasn’t my “trike” and it always cost me a few pesos

RAMONS TRIKE_9049_resized

Saturday afternoon, Ramon explains the neat features of his tricycle to his family.

Canon EOS 40 D Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.

Monday, March 5, 2012 – The sun rises in the Republic of the Philippines and the morning breeze of Leyte carries the sound of a new tricycle through the coconut trees.

IMG_5059_resized

Ramon bounces along on this older motorcycle to try and use it to move sacks of coconuts. In the Philippines, a motorcycle can sometimes be expected to perform like a farm pickup in the United States.

Canon EOS 40 D Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.

Saturday, Ramon Q. Saldana Jr., took delivery of his new tricycle. While Ramon got his new Honda TMX 155 motorcycle, February 24, 2012, he had to wait for the sidecar modification.

RAMONS NEW MOTORCYCLE_FEBRUARY 24 2012_5868_resized

February 24, 2012 — Ramon is proud of his new motorcycle. He is happy to pose for a picture. Of course, once you get the motorcycle, then, you have to wait for the sidecar to be built to transform the motorcycle into a tricycle.

Canon EOS 40 Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.

Once Ramon got his motorcycle, he would need a sidecar modification to turn the motorcycle into a “trike.” In the Philippines, a tricycle, often called a “trike,” is a motorcycle with a sidecar that is used to transport passengers and products.

Ramon visited a local welding shop, in a nearby barangay, famous for their sidecar modifications. His name was placed on the waiting list behind the other orders. It appeared, at the time, that it might be the second week of march before the shop could begin work on his motorcycle for the conversion. Ramon picked the color and the design and in a matter of days, his new tricycle was ready to ride.

RAMONS TRIKE 002_9061_resized

Ramon gives his sister, Christy Warren, and his brother, Rafael a ride in his trike.

Canon EOS 40 D Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.

Of course, vehicles have to be licensed and registered. The paperwork procedure proceeded along on schedule. Unfortunately, electricity in Leyte is not always reliable.

Everyday for a week, Ramon, went to the appropriate government office. However, the persistent power outages kept the computers off line. Finally, the last week in June, with all the paperwork completed,

Ramon was finally able to heed, “The Call Of The Open Road.” Now, Ramon get to zip up and down the road on his trike taking passengers to their appointments and taking kids to and from school.

Ramon heeds “The Call Of The Open Road” and motors along the highway on his trike.

Canon EOS 40 D Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.

Sam

Written by samwarren55

October 1, 2012 at 1:45 AM

McDonald’s Sail Thru Tacloban City, Republic of the Philippines

with 2 comments

McDonald’s Sail Thru People are accustomed to using a drive thru lane at their local McDonald’s, especially in the United States. But, “What If” McDonald’s had a “Sail Thru” lane ? In Tacloban City, Leyte, Republic of the Philippines, the waters of Pedro Bay come to within a few yards of the side of the restaurant. Nikon D 70 Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.

If it looks like a ship can almost sail up to the counter looking out through the window in the restaurant, then, step outside and look at the view from the road and the parking lot, where you can get a side view of how the boats dock against the road, which flows by the side of the restaurant. Canon EOS 40 D Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.

Written by samwarren55

September 8, 2012 at 12:54 PM

Samar–Leyte Earthquake Aftermath

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Earthquake Memoir

Samar – Leyte Earthquake Aftermath

by Samuel E. Warren Jr,

Today is Monday, September 3, 2012 in the Republic of the Philippines. In Barangay Baras, Leyte, life has returned to normal.

The Friday night, August 31, 2012 earthquake at 8:47 p.m., came as a surprise. Mano Bito Mora, and our nephews and nieces were watching the movie, “The Bourne Identity”Chrismar Roa, Ranyiel Saldana, Ranillo Saldana, Gilbert Roa, Junea Tanhale, and Vanissa Saldana. My wife, Christy Warren watched TV and knitted on an afghan.

Writing My Election Year Political Editorial

I sat at the laptop, writing a political editorial: “The Worser Of Two Evils,” were I compared this year’s monotonous American Presidential Election Campaign to 1972, where all American voters had were the selected Democrat and Republican Party nominees. What American’s wanted was a leader; in 1972, they did not believe they had a choice other than Democrat and Republican.

I don’t believe “History repeats itself.” I believe “History being cyclical, more or less rewinds to allow a new version of current events to unfold. Senator Eugene McCarthy in 1972, I believed was a leader in the Democratic Party, but, the Republicans were creative enough to label him a “Dove” in the ongoing debate over the Vietnam War and that label “doomed” his chances.

I point out that like 1972, in 2012, American Voters want a leader and a choice. I don’t see a choice in 2012. The Republicans have given Americans a rich Republican. Herbert Hoover, an orphan, who became a self-made millionaire was a Republican president, who sat in the White House and watched America come apart in The Great Depression.

We, Americans have the current Democrat, President Obama, who has let Congress keep him sedated in The Oval Office for four years.

The US Economy and the Global Economy is Stagnant Standing Water that on the best day seems to seep, but no longer flows because leaders seem “clueless” as to “how to open the dam” and get the global economy flowing.

I had made these and other points in my political editorial, when everyone jumped up and headed for the door.

Earthquake!

Earthquake, Christy shouted and dashed out the door behind the kids. The lights went out. “Brown out,” everyone shrieked. “Black out,” I grumbled stepping out the door.

Fortunately, it was a Full Moon, so the night was not that dark. The old years of military training kicked in – I made sure everyone was present and accounted for.

I had felt the ground move under my feet for a minute or so. You could feel the energy of the earth under your feet, as I had stepped outside on to the porch. Gilbert Roa, my nephew, had tuned into the Tagalog news reports on his cell phone and the kids were huddled around him to listen. I glanced back and through the window, noticed the light of my laptop glowing into the darkness.

Once a newsman; always a newsman. I went back and sit down at the laptop. I didn’t find any reports within the first few minutes, so I logged on to facebook and posted that we had had an earthquake that was felt in Barangay Baras.

I checked for breaking news and found a short release from the United States Geologic Survey, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Inquirer Net of the Philippine Inquirer. The initial releases all claimed 7.9 magnitude.

The Numbers Game Of Natural Disasters

I told my brother in law, Ramon, come sunrise, I’m sure they will downgrade that magnitude number. In my career as a reporter, I have reported on hurricanes in Louisiana and earthquakes in the Philippines; I have learned in crisis and natural disasters, people usually “go with their best guess at the time.”

Human nature means we all need some way to relate to an explain natural disasters. Thus, over time the system of numbers developed to help people to explain the intensity of a natural disaster.

Having covered natural disasters through the years, I have taken time to do research on hurricanes, typhoons, cyclones, volcanoes, and earthquakes.

Usually the experts will decide on a “number” that represents “an Armageddon, Apocalypse, Doomsday, End Of The World scenario.” Based on my research, I was convinced that come sunrise “the experts” would have to “downgrade’ the number.

Mother Nature Doesn’t Use A Day Planner

The earthquake happened on “a Friday night.” It happened “on the weekend.” Thus, without knowing the duty rosters of the “experts” organizations, I knew the earthquake happened on the “night shift, at the start of the weekend.”

My guess, based on human nature and experience is the people on duty monitoring Mother Earth, were, for the most part, single men and women, who would be on duty while most if not all the married people were at home with their families.

Thus, when the quake happened, the veteran senior earthquake experts were probably all at home with their families. Therefore, it would be the young researchers monitoring the planet and reacting to the sudden natural event.

My theory about 7.9 being “Too High A Number” was right. Now, the number has been downgraded.

Absence of Aftershocks ?

What impressed me about this earthquake, was I felt no aftershocks. In my experience, earthquakes ALWAYS have aftershocks. In Barangay Baras, Leyte, I waited until almost 1 am, to feel an aftershock. I did not feel an aftershock.

Yet, my gut instinct, tells me seismic devices probably did record some type of faint tremors because the shifting of the plates suggests that some of the excess energy had to go somewhere on the planet.

Higher Ground

Within minutes after the earthquake, vehicles and people were moving along the Barangay Baras Road. I learned the next day that a tsunami warning had been issued for low-lying areas near the ocean. The City of Tanauan is a low-lying area that borders Pedro Bay, which is a child of the Pacific Ocean.

Drive through Tacloban City and on to The San Juanico Bridge and you are on the long bridge that connects the island of Leyte with the island of Samar. Thus, an ocean earthquake, near Tanauan or Tacloban City is going to cause people to move inland to seek “higher ground.”

Some of the residents of Barangay Mohon and Barangay Cameri are said to spent the night sleeping in the schools, since they didn’t feel safe returning home. Residents of Tanauan and Tacloban City are also reported to have spent the night in one of the schools.

Blue Moon Over Leyte

In glancing at different news headlines, a reference to “Blue Moon In Pisces” caught my eye. I left my ephemeris back in the United States when we moved to the Philippines.

What I have learned about Western Astrology through the years, a “Blue Moon” in a water related Zodiac sign in Pisces would definitely be an indication of some eye-opening activity involving water.

The moon scientifically exerts a gravitational “pull” on the earth. Almanacs use this knowledge to predict “high” and “low” tides. The moon works on a lunar cycle. Every woman on planet earth is aware of the lunar cycle, whether they realize it or not because the moon, or it’s gravitational “pull” affects the biological changes in a woman’s body.

Believe it or not hospitals and law enforcement agencies know that a “Full Moon” is going to give them a “busy night shift.” Every month has at least one Full Moon. Sometimes a month will have two Full Moons. It is the “Third Full Moon” that is rare. A “Blue Moon” is a Full Moon that happens “twice” in the same zodiac sign in the same year. While the moon is not blue in color, the phrase, “Once in a blue moon,” reminds us that this type of Full Moon is rare.

The Western Astrology Zodiac Signs of Water are Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. Water in people is described as “emotions.” The Water Sign of Cancer rules babbling brooks and small streams of water.

The Water Sign of Scorpio rules larger bodies of water like the Amazon River, the Nile and the Mississippi River, thus, the Scorpio adage of “Still water runs deep.”

The Water Sign of Pisces is “The Mother Of All Large Bodies Of Water.” Pisces rules the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and all the “Seven Seas.” It is left up to the oceanographers and astrologers to figure out which massive lakes come under Scorpio or Pisces.

An astrological indication of a “Blue Moon in Pisces” based on traditional Western astrology suggests “Motion In The Ocean.” Fortunately, the scientific experts were watching for the motion in the ocean to issue the tsunami warnings in the Pacific.

Saturday, Sunday Smooth Sailing

Saturday, I didn’t notice any earthquake related damage in Barangay Baras. Saturday morning, my nieces and some of the nephews attended the Special Mass at the Barangay Cameri Church.

Saturday evening, I looked at the clock as the lights came back on at 10:22 p.m.

Sunday, Ramon, Ranillo and I went to Tacloban City and Tanauan. I did not see any earthquake or tidal wave related damage in the area. From what I have seen the island of Leyte was fortunate and did not sustain the damage that is being reported that happened on the nearby island of Samar.

Sam

Written by samwarren55

September 3, 2012 at 12:59 PM

“Blackouts In Leyte” — The Electricity Editorial

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Blackouts

Leyte

by Samuel E. Warren Jr.

In the United States, when the lights go out, people shout, “Blackout.” In the Philippines, when the lights go out people shout, “Brownout.”

Perhaps, the term, “brownout” seems more politically correct or suggests that the power outage may not last as long as a “blackout.” Despite the political correctness of words, I like the term “blackout<” because when the lights go out – day or night – you are “in the dark.”

The major drawback to life on the island of Leyte, in the Republic of the Philippines is obviously “electricity.”

Frequency Of Blackouts – “Preposterous, Ridiculous,

Nonsense”

The frequency and the number of “blackouts” since December of 2011 until the day I started to write this article, August 8, 2012, brings the words, “preposterous”,“ridiculous”, and “nonsense” to mind. Sometimes the “blackouts” last several hours as in 12, 16 or a whole day. Sometimes the “blackouts” only last a few minutes. What is frustrating about the “blackouts” is the frequency. Hardly, a 24-hour period goes by that there is not at least one “blackout.”

Government Seeks Answers

A couple of months ago, the Philippine government announced that they had questions about the high electric bills that citizens on the island of Leyte had to pay. I haven’t seen anything in the newspapers recently on the situation.

The most frustrating factor of daily life in Leyte is the unreliability of electricity. The electricity is as unreliable as the political campaign promises of an American presidential candidate. I could appreciate the circumstances if I knew that electric company officials were working to solve the problem. But, I haven’t seen or heard anything in the news media to suggest that anyone is doing anything.

Rural Missouri Blackouts

As a boy in Missouri in the 1960s, I knew that come the winter months, there would be probably a couple of times during the winter, when we would be without electricity for two to three days. Snow and ice would collect on tree limbs and either the limbs or trees would fall on power lines and then the electric company would have to locate the tree and try to repair the line. By the 1980s, power outages in winter time in rural southwest Missouri had become one of those events that usually belonged “to the memories of childhood.”

Why The Blackouts ?

I don’t know why there are so many “Blackouts” in Leyte ?

I can theorize that the island infrastructure presents a challenge to maintaining a consistent and persistent supply of electricity. I have, no doubt, that weather situations like typhoons and monsoon rains bring havoc to power lines. I even imagine the number of household that rely on the electricity and the appliances and devices that they use are taking a toll on power consumption and supply. I am more than willing to give the power company the benefit of the doubt. I can understand and appreciate these limitations.

But. . .

On a sunny day, when it has not been raining and the power goes out – then, you wonder, “Why ?”

More than an annoyance or frustration, the “blackouts” are probably taking their toll in credibility. Leyte is a beautiful island, which should attract herds of foreign investors seeking to do business in the Philippines.

Profitable Population

This eastern visayas paradise – Leyte – offers a culturally diverse population. Chinese immigrants were among some of the first settlers to this island, so there is several Chinese businesses in Tacloban City.

Of course, the significant Spanish history and influence of the Philippines for more than 400 years is reflected in the Waray and Tagalog languages as well as cultural ideas and lifestyles.

The American presence at the beginning of the 20^th Century, though World War II and until Mount Pinatubo brought the closure of Clark and Subic in the 1990s accounts for the wide use and understanding of English.

The Airport Of The West – Western World Ways

Thus, the Philippines in the Asia realm is “The Airport Of The West”, where people can land, stretch out, relax, rest and be ready to try and relate and communicate with a major section of the world that does not always understand, appreciate or have a way to communicate and relate to Western World Ways, in terms of ideas, or the English language.

People in the Philippines truly understand “The West.” The major reluctance of the use of English by Filipinos seems to be a “cultural shyness” in the use of English. Other English speaking citizens: Americans, Australians, British, Canadians and South Africans – are quick to “criticize” the use of English words and phrases.

Thus, the availability of a population that is accustomed to tourist, foreign business people and other languages should have foreign business investors beating down the door to offer employment to the population. Then, of course, “the lights go out.”

International Reporters and Photographers – Power Up !

If your editor sends you to cover breaking news in Leyte or another island of the Philippines. Before you dash to the airport, check your laptop battery and consider buying or packing another digital camera battery. Electricity is as reliable as an American politicians’ campaign promises – it isn’t !

In country, in Manila, Tacloban City, Tanauan and other large cities in the Philippines you can find the voltage regulators to handle the American 110 volts, but, if you get off a chopper, hop off a jeepney or a trike into the small villages and towns, the American laptop or American digital camera will have to use the power it has.

Remember, Canon and Nikon, are Japanese cameras that make American models to handle US voltage. Laptops bought in the US market are not designed to handle Asian 220 voltage. Know your gear, before you plug it into an Asian electric outlet. You might consider packing a small battery alarm clock and a small battery flashlight in with your camera gear to handle “blackouts.” Nikon D 100 Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.

Voltage Regulator

The voltage regulator in the photograph was purchased at Citi Hardware in Tacloban City. The 578 Emporium and the Gaisano stores in Tacloban City usually have the voltage regulators for sale. Nikon D 100 Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.

The Big Hole In Your Wallet

My wife, Christy opened her, “CSW Cafe” in Tacloban City, near Leyte Normal University. Like any small businessman or businesswoman, she meets the daily challenges of business. Her cafe provides buffet style Filipino food in a bistro atmosphere Fortunately, in Tacloban City, the “blackouts” don’t seem to be as frequent as “out in the country” where we live.

But, when the power goes out – the air conditioning goes off and the tropical temperatures of the Philippines sends you looking for a shade tree or a cooler place to wait until the power comes back on.

“Blackout” or “Brown out” – whatever you call the situation. The unstable state of electricity is more than frustrating or annoying – it comes down to “The Big Hole In Your Wallet.”

The Electricity Gamble

This morning, – “Blackout.” It lasted for five to ten minutes, while the kids got ready to go to school. Fortunately, the kids had already had their breakfast. Unreliable electricity is no doubt one reason, why people rely on small canisters of propane and a large hot plate appliance to cook meals, rather than an electric stove.

Blackouts In Leyte_Barangay Baras Photos_Nikon D 100 Photo 0018_by Samuel E Warren Jr

Gas Stove ?

The large appliance is a two burner hot plate. The line runs to a Recreational Vehicle-sized propane canister and is, essentially, a gas stove in Leyte. I have not seen any electric stoves and the frequency of “brownouts” and “blackouts” would explain why electric stoves, ovens and ranges are extremely rare, if at all. Nikon D 100 Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.

The afternoon past without a “Blackout.” This evening – from now until midnight is still “a flip of the coin” because electricity in rural Leyte is “a minute to minute and hour to hour gamble.”

Without unreliable power, it makes it difficult for all businesses to do business. Unstable power means farmers and fishermen really have to rely on the daylight, in order, to be sure they can earn their day to day living.

Families in rural Leyte, seem to have adopted a “slot machine attitude toward electricity.” You realize some days are like pulling down the arm and watching the machine “hit”, “Three Across !” The dials click into place and you listen to the jingle and jangle of coins clanking into the tray.

Electricity Is A Slot Machine Gamble In Leyte

Pull the arm of any “One Arm Bandit” slot machine and watch the dials whirl. If the mechanical or computer programmed machine “hits” then you get a “payout” of tokens or coins.

Daily electricity in Leyte is like playing a slot machine. From second to second, minute to minute and hour to hour the dails whirl. Somedays in Leyte, the only “payout” of electricity is a persistent “blackout” that can last for minutes to several hours and there can be several “blackouts” on a given day.

And, like slot machines, it seems the electric bills can consume major portions of your wallet for an erratic payout of electricity over a month’s time. Nikon D 100 Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.

Other days, you pull the arm and the dials spin. Clunk ! Clunk ! Clunk !

Nothing on the three dials match and those are the days, when the electricity may be on and off again several times throughout the day or the electricity may be out for several hours during the day or night. You almost have to have – A Slot Machine Attitude – because from sunrise to midnight, you never know what the celestial spinning of the dials of the cosmic electric slot machine is going to “payout.”

In the 21^st Century, it is ridiculous for any citizens to have to try to farm, do business or live like 12^th Century peasants. The peasants had daylight and candlelight. They used the daylight to accomplish the majority of the day’s tasks.

Keep The Candles Handy

Thus, somewhere on planet Earth, in the 21^st Century, someone should hold “The Secret” or the knowledge to help the power companies of Leyte to figure out “How To Keep The Lights On” and make “Blackouts” a historical footnote of the past. Until then, don’t forget to keep your candles and box of matches from the sari-sari store handy.

Keep The Candles Handy

Local sari-sari stores in provinces in the Philippines are numerous and usually have a ready supply of candles and small boxes of matches. Nikon D 100 Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.

Sam

Written by samwarren55

August 8, 2012 at 10:53 PM

Posted in Bloggers, Blogs, Current Events, Ecology, Editorial, Family, Leyte, Money, Nature, Opinion, Philippines, Tourism, Tropics, Vacation

Tagged with 12th Century, 20th Century, 21st Century, American, August 8 2012, Australians, “Blackouts In Leyte”, “Brownout”, “electricity”, “How To Keep The Lights On”, “in the dark”, “The West”, British, business in the Philippines, by Samuel E. Warren Jr., Canadians, candlelight, Check Your Power Supplies, Chinese immigrants, Clark, daylight, December 2011, Eastern Visayas, electric bills, electric stove, English, Filipinos, foreign business people, foreign investors, Frequency Of Blackouts – “Preposterous, Government Seeks Answers, ice, International Reporters And Photographers, Keep The Candles Handy, large hot plate appliance, Leyte, Mount Pinatubo, Nonsense”, P.I., Paradise, Philippines, Profitable Population, Republic of the Philippines, Ridiculous, Rural Missouri Blackouts, small canisters of propane, snow, South Africans, Spanish, Subic, Tacloban City, Tagalog, Tanauan, The Airport Of The West – Western World Ways, The Big Hole In Your Wallet, The Electricity Gamble, tourists, Waray, Why The Blackouts ?

” Extreme Fixer Upper ” — Photo for Katie — Photography Patrol

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” Extreme Fixer Upper ” — Photo for Katie — Take a camera and take a walk, sometimes you might be amazed at the sights you find near your front door. July 15, 2012 — I took the Nikon D 100 and strolled down the road. A few yards down the Barangay Baras Road from my front door at One Warren Way is this former Filipino bamboo home.
I saw this building and thought of my favorite American realtor, Katie. For three years, in the United States, my wife, Christy Warren and I used the Internet and I went to numerous websites trying to sell the more than 70 acres of Warren Land in rural southwest Missouri. We even listed the property with two other realtors and one realtor was a national American real estate firm.
Yet, it was a third generation Stone County, Missouri native, Katie Philipps of Tri-Lakes Realtors, who helped us to find a “buyer” and close the deal in less than three months Thanks to Katie, Our Favorite American Real Estate Agent, Christy and I are now living “Our American Dream” on the island of Leyte, in the Republic of The Philippines. Nikon D 100 Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.

Written by samwarren55

July 20, 2012 at 1:36 PM

“Happy Birthday, Marife !”

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Happy Birthday, Marife !

May 29, 2012

by Samuel E. Warren Jr.

The Birthday Girl – Marife Saldana Roa, the birthday girl, opens her birthday cards. The kids and Tito Sam used their best creative efforts to make some birthday cards for the special day. Nikon D 100 Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.

Marife Saldana was about 14 when she came to Angeles City and her sister, Christy, enrolled her in Dau Academy.

The Sisters — Christy Warren and Marife Saldana Roa, the sisters, talk and joke for a fe moments, before the birthday party gets underay. Nikon D 100 Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.

I met Marife, when she was the teenager.

Like her friends in the school’s white uniform blouses and required green skirts they talked about the things teenage girls talk about like: boys.

It was the late 1980s, so cell phones had yet to be invented, thus, classmates talked about things on the way to and from school

“Girl Talk” — Pina Gempis and Marife Roa talk in the kitchen. Pina spent the morning, cooking spaghetti and pancit canton for the birthday party. In the Filipino culture, pancit canton is the Filipino dish you expect to find at a birthday party because tradition states that pancit canton is a symbol of a long life. Nikon D 100 Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.

and on weekends because “texting” had yet to be invented.

May 29 is Marife’s birthday.

Even as a teenager, Marife had a smile and a quiet personality. In 2012, Marife is married to Ninoy Roa and the mother of four boys: Gilbert, Glen, Chrismar and Mac Mac.

“Happy Birthday to you.” — Christy Warren lights the candles on the birthday cake.
Nikon D 100 Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.

Today was a milestone, other than age. The last time Christy bought a birthday cake and had a birthday party for her sister, Marife, she was 16. Christy returned to the Republic of the Philippines in December 2011, and this was the first opportunity, she had to have a birthday party for her sister Marife.

Although Marife Saldana Roa is my sister-in-law, I have always believed, “She is the daughter I should of had.” As a teenager, Marife was always respectful to her elders, did well in school, and never hesitated to use her English skills to tell me what was going on in school. As a teenager, she always treated me like a father and since our return to the Philippines, Marife continues to be the daughter I should of had.

The Good Morning Bakery Birthday Cake. Nikon D 100 Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.

May 28, Christy went to the “Good Morning Bakery” in Palo and ordered the birthday cake. Christy looked through the pictures of the birthday cakes and picked out the design. The selection of the birthday cake became a Major Military Operation because I went along to order the birthday cake. I’m one of those people, who as a child was always “picky” about the kind of food I ate and “where I ate.” As a senior citizen, I remain “picky” about my food from birthday cakes to anything I eat.

While the bakers were discussing the cake with Christy, I had questions about the size and flavor. Christy remembered that Marife like vanilla. One of the baker’s assistants brought out a cake pan to show up the size. I took one look and figured three people would get birthday cake and everyone else would watch them eat. I smiled and asked bigger. The assistant then explained that they had a cake pan about twice the size. I nodded, “Texas size.”

When selecting the novelty to place on the cake, Christy remembered as a teenager that Marife liked the TV show, “Darna.” Darna is a Filipino super heroine, whose American counterpart is “Wonder Woman.” Like “Wonder Woman” in the United States, “Darna” is a character in the Philippines that is always portrayed by the most beautiful Filipina actresses of every generation in the movies and on TV. Darna has always been a positive role model for Filipina girls.

Back in the 1980s, whenever a Darna TV show or movie came on, I plopped down on the sofa beside Ramon and Marife to watch. Thus, the Darna super heroine doll stood tall in a corner of the cake.

The Good Morning Bakery birthday cake was pleasing to the eye. I was impressed by the taste. The vanilla cake was moist to the tongue. Regardless of where I have been in the world and had birthday cakes or wedding cakes, one thing I always remember is that sometimes the cakes are dry.

Once the cake comes in contact with your tongue you dash like a man in the desert for the nearest source of liquid to quench your steel wool thirst. Christy overcomes the dryness problem with cakes by using butter to keep the cake moist.

Christy Warren serves up a helping of birthday cake and pancit canton to Edwin Mora. Nikon D 100 Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.

I do not know how the Good Morning Bakery kept this cake moist, but it passed my tongue test and I enjoyed the cake. Naturally, I would of liked the cake to be a tad more moist, but, when it comes to food I am “picky.” I am a Scorpio, but, when it comes to food, my taste buds and stomach are obviously Virgo in the extreme – my eyes and digestive system give new meaning to the phrase, “Attention To Detail” and the word, “Perfection.”

The smiling faces of the attendees and the second-helpings were a testament to the flavor of the birthday cake. And the icing was a favorite with the adults as well as the kids.

Marife is not the only Saldana relative, who celebrates May 29 as the birthday. Randy Abano, a second cousin, is a close family member, who also shares the Gemini day.

All Western astrological signs have their positive and negative values and Gemini is a sign often considered to be “moody.” However, Marife and Randy remind me of the famous American Gemini, who served as a United States Navy PT boat commander, who went on to become a great American President – John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

Before the birthday party began, Ranyiel Saldana handed one of the pet pigeons to Randy Abano to examine. Nikon D 100 Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.

Randy is a quiet young man, who is always ready to help out.

Perhaps, he is “picky” about dating because he is still a single man.

Before I conclude this birthday article, I leave my readers two points to ponder.

Point Number One

In my lifetime, at birthday parties, I have always noticed that usually it seems the birthday boy or the birthday girl is expected “to cut the cake.” Why is that ?

The birthday is the day of days, when the individual can truly celebrate the anniversary of their birth into this world. It is the one time every year, when every man, woman and child should be respected as one of “God’s unique gifts to the Universe.” While family and friends usually do try to honor the person, the glitch always seems to come at cake time. Instead of a family member or friend stepping up from the ranks to do the honor, the birthday boy or birthday girl is usually left positioned behind the cake to decide how to cut if, while the fate of the Free World and human civilization hangs in the balance.

Someone hands them a knife, and leaves the birthday boy or birthday girl to decide, “How do I cut the cake ?”

On my birthday, I always smile, step back and would hand the knife to my mother, Cousin Donna, or my wife, Christy, and reply, “I do a lousy job of cutting a cake.” I knew my talents in life did not include cake cutting, thus, one of my trusted love ones had to have a more precise skill of cake cutting than I would ever master.

In my experience, most people usually stand there bewildered until some hungry family member takes pity and decides to step up to assist. I am no protocol person, but on someone’s special day, the goal is to honor and celebrate their birthday. Thus, it should already be decided long before the traditional song is sung, who will step up to assume command of “The Cutting Of The Cake.”

Point Number Two

Most often a Wedding is an expensive personal ceremony that ranks right up their with Presidential Ignauration Ceremonies. All the planning, pomp and circumstance goes into planning weddings as though it were a re-enactment of “The D-Day Landing.” After the traditional “cutesie moment” of the bride “smushing” cake into her new husband’s face and him doing likewise to his new wife, then, the marvelous machinery of the wedding celebration rockets into high gear and the wedding cake is quickly distributed to the masses.

Unfortunately, Birthday Celebrations are sometimes one of those “Fly By The Seat Of Your Pants” events that suggests you are making it up as you go along. The best birthday celebrations always seem to collapse like a fallen cake at serving time. One reason maybe the absence of the ingenious device – “The Cake Server” – a utensil shaped like a pizza slice with a laid back L shaped handle that allows the utensil to slide in under the cake and raise it triumphantly in one piece up into the atmosphere.

Without the cake server, people’s stomachs always override their sense of logistics and spoons and forks are stabbed at the cake like prehistoric cave people trying to free the charbroiled dinosaur bone from the family flame pit. It is a given, that the piece of cake will wobble and collapse like a badly constructed tower, near, and sometimes actually in the plate. My solution is to use a knife and a fork or spoon to actually “balance” the piece of cake to the nearby plate. My crude forklift tactic usually prevents the cake from becoming a Tower of Babble re-enactment.

The Royal Imperial Professional College of Birthday Cake Taste Testers — of any country is kids. The Saldana and Roa kids enjoyment of The Good Morning Bakery of Palo’s birthday cake quickly attained a positive five-star rating from the M &Ms, to the vanilla flavor and the icing. Nikon D 100 Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.

Of course, Marife and Randy’s birthday party went off without a hitch because Christy Warren is a natural born protocol officer. I suspect my wife must have been a protocol officer at a Royal European Court in one of her past lives.

Thus, when it came time to blow out the candles Marife and Randy made their wishes and blew out the candles.

The Birthday Dignitaries – Marife Saldana Roa and Randy Abano gather around the birthday cake, while Ann Ann Natividad watches in the background. Nikon D 100 Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.