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Saint Ignatius Village, Quezon City, Philippines

Issue 3____________ _____________________ _ October 2015_

o matter how much you love your home, being on unpleasant terms with neighbors, the Village Association (SIVA) or the Barangay Council can ruin the entire

experience. Owning your home should be exciting, fun, and rewarding, not stressful and aggravating.

Although it may seem simple, being a good neighbor isn’t always a no-brainer. There truly is an art to living next door, and I’d like to share my dearly departed mother’s advice and that of my own on how to be a good neighbor. If you’re a member of SIVA, then you already have a set of rules to live by. These rules are set to keep the neighborhood in good shape and to ensure everyone living there is happy with the community. Common rules include:

On Resident Behaviour.

1. All residents are expected to assist in keeping the surroundings in the village clean. The streets and the sidewalks immediately fronting their property should be kept clean and properly maintained by the homeowner. When you live in a neighborhood, everyone’s frontage is part of the scenery. If everyone takes care of their space, the entire community is better off for it.

2. Pay your homeowners association fees and remain in good standing. Living in a homeowner’s association community means that you are required to pay annual fees to be a part of it. These fees go toward the services like security and SIVA office administration.

3. Keep noise levels down. Be courteous of the times and types of noise you’re creating.

4. Keep up on home maintenance.

5. Practice tolerance with your neighbor, your neighbor’s kids and helpers.

On Architectural Standards.

6. When you live in a homeowners association your home must meet the appearance standards set by the Association. SIVA has a community development committee that must approve any requested changes to your house. A construction bond is advanced by the homeowner to SIVA before construction begins and is usually returned after construction.

On allowing your children to go out.

7. When riding their bikes or skateboarding around the neighborhood or simply getting some exercise, it’s important that kids understand what types of injuries could occur during these activities and how they can best avoid them. If an injury does occur, your kids need to know what actions to take.

8. Remind older kids to check in with you when they’re playing without adult supervision. It’s a great way for kids to build a sense of

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independence and for you to know they’re safe even when they’re not within sight.

On tending to your pets.

9. Control your pets and leash your dogs. Even if your dog is perfectly voice-trained, it is still important to keep your dog on his leash when you're around others, at all times. This makes everyone else feel more at ease and comfortable. Being able to actually see that your dog is physically under control, is being courteous to others. Never allow your dog to roam the streets alone even for a few seconds.

10. A good walk with your dog is healthy but pick up poop. It's also being a responsible dog owner by having poop pick-up bags or scoops on hand during outings with your canine. Whether you are walking your dog in your neighborhood, please pick-up your dog’s poop. There's just no excuse for not doing so.

11. If you’re like me, then you love dogs! However, your new neighbors may not. Be mindful of your neighbor’s property and make sure your animals stay within your own. Stay on the sidewalk or in as close proximity to it as you can.

12. Don't let your dog bark incessantly.

On Cleanliness around the village.

13. Pick up after yourself. Pick it up even if isn't your litter.

14. Waste segregation (separation of garbage/solid waste from degradable and bio-degradable) is a must. The association abides by R.A. 9003 on solid waste segregation.

15. Use a trash liner or bag to hold trash. This is the storm season. The wind blows. And with it goes your trash, right into the neighbor's property. Remember to put trash inside containers; cats tend to leave it all over.

16. Bring out your garbage only on days of collection.

17. Urinating in public or in any undesignated places is strictly not allowed.

18. Be considerate of common areas like the front of the chapel, the village playground, village facilties like the gym and the multi-purpose hall and etc.

On Security

19. Vehicles with no SIVA sticker will be flagged prior to entry. If you don’t have one, there are available for purchase at the SIVA office.

20. For guest vehicle entry, all guests will have to inform the guard of their destination inside the village and the guard will have to call the resident to confirm prior to entry. For smooth entry of your guests, you may call the guard in advance and give the plate number of your guest. All residents are also requested to provide the guard with their land line where the guards can call them to verify entry and exit concerns.

21. All helpers including drivers and house boys are required to secure a gate pass from the SIVA office.

22. Keep your outdoor lights on. It makes for a much safer neighborhood and doesn't cost that much.

23. Go slow. Nothing torques off neighbors like the dude who speeds through the neighborhood. Besides, the speed limit is 20 kph. While you're at it, remember to stop at the stop signs.

24. Be a good citizen. Keep an eye on things when your neighbors are out of town. You're not only protecting them, you're also protecting your neighborhood.

On following parking rules and street signs

25. Parking is our streets are open and unrestricted for residents and visitors. Hence, no resident owns the roadway in front of his or her house. First come first served policy will be followed and parking spaces should be clear of any obstruction.

26. Please observe the one-side only parking rule. This has been implemented to allow free-flowing traffic along our streets.

27. Relative to item #25, since most streets have a one-side only parking, neighbours along the “no parking” side are permitted to park on the other side of the street.

28. Residents are encouraged to park their cars inside their carport.

29. Wheel cramping or placing stones against your wheels is recommended when parking along inclined roads. You can also block your wheels

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diagonally against the curb by turning your wheels into the curb when facing downhill and out to the street when facing uphill.

30. Be aware of signage when you park. Read all signs...they may include one way traffic, parking in one side and other parking guidelines.

31. Parking on a sidewalk is not allowed, since sidewalks are not designed to carry even half the load of vehicles

One of the best parts of being a neighbor is getting to share your knowledge with people who are new to the area. I recommend speaking with neighbors on a regular basis to inform them of service professionals, local restaurants, and nearby attractions. They’ll be very appreciative and you’ll feel good about it too! It’s not required that you become best friends with your neighbors. In fact, you may not have much in common with them at all. However, you can invite them over for the occasional party or social event so you can stay in touch and keep on good terms. These get togethers, especially those sponsored by SIVA, will be a great opportunity to learn about what’s going on throughout the village. The connections you make by

being social with neighbors will help you out when you need to borrow that “cup of rice” or when you leave town for a weekend and need a watchful eye over your home. Part of being a good neighbor includes getting involved when your neighbors need a hand. In times like these, it’s always good to remember the Golden Rule…do unto others as you would have them do unto you!

Remember all the rules above are general and there are specific rules that need to be followed. It will also be a good idea to ask for a copy of the SIVA’s by-laws so you know the specific rules for the community you live in. When you don’t like the rules in your Association, or you think they are unreasonable, you can be proactive by volunteering for a committee or task, becoming a board member, and helping to find a solution.

The rules in a homeowners association should be set to protect the safety and well-being of the members in the community, property values, and quality of life. It’s important for members to respectfully follow the rules set forth by the Association, but it’s equally important for the Board to reasonably enforce them.

SIVA Corner

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SIVA Corner

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SIVA Corner

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Announcements

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Ang Sabi ni Lola

By Marivi R. Octaviano

was cleaning up my old paper files when

I chanced upon this yellowed piece of writing I had written in my youth,

probably for my Pilipino Class or merely to give vent to my hobby of moving pen on paper to release those puerile crazy

thoughts from my overloaded head.

Hindi pa uso noon si Lola Nidora – today’s

most famous strict “lola” played by comedian Wally Bayola that has made the AlDub

Kalyeserye of Eat Bulaga a startling phenomenon

here and abroad. Not that I am an avid follower; but,

I have seen some of its scenes that were

both entertaining and trite. And if you are still clueless who AlDub (love team of Alden

Richards and Yaya Dub) is because you’re no Kapuso but a faithful Kapamilya fanatic, watch the new TV Commercials of

McDonalds and Talk and Text.

I found this old writing quite amusing, I

would like to share it with you. ...

Noong bata pa si Lola

Ang uso‘y Maria Clara Kaya’t nang siya’y nagdalaga Suot nya’y baro at saya.

May hawak na panyo At abanikong malaki Panakip sa bibig Tuwing siya’y tatawa.

Ang utos ng kanyang ina, “Mahinhin ang kilos, Malumanay ang salita, Matipid ang ngiti

At ‘wag bubungisngis.”

Yan daw ang larawan Ng dalagang Pilipina. At dahil masunurin, Siyang ginawa ni Lola.

Ang wika naman ng kanyang Lola, “Ang isang dalaga Kailangangang mailap, Mabilis umiwas Sa binatang pangahas.

At upang makasiguro Dapat laging maingat Sa pag-upo at maging Sa paglalakad.”

Subalit isang araw, May binatang nanligaw Si Lola’y inawitan Ng natatanging kundiman. At di sinasadya, Daliri ni Lola’y nahawakan Na siyang kinagulat ng Lola ni Lola.

Kinabukasan, naroon na’t nag-uusap

Ang mga magulang nila’t Pinagkakayarian Ang kanilang kasalan.

Umiyak si Lola Subalit anong magagawa Yaon ang kaugalian Noong panahon niya.

Mabuti na lamang At binatang nagkamali Makisig, mabait at may sinasabi rin. Kaya’t natutong ibigin

Ni Lola hanggang libing.

Sila’y nagkaanak At iyon si Ina Subalit makalipas ang ilang taon

Si Lola ay nabiyuda.

Matagal nang nanahimik Ang mga magulang ni Lola

I

Announcements

Insight

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Pati ang Lola ni Lola Ay namayapa na.

Inarugang mag-isa Ang anak na naiwan At si Ina’y lumaki Sa bagong kabihasnan.

Iba na ang uso. Passé na si Maria Clara Corny na ang Kundiman.

Rock en Roll at Boogie Ang bumibingi kay Lola.

Mabait si Ina kaya walang problema. Di nagtagal, siya ay nag-asawa. Nagkaroon ng anak – Apo naman ni Lola.

Mabait rin na bata, Pero ubod ng kulit Sa dami ng tanong Lalong namuti Ang buhok ni Lola.

Lumaki ang apo. Iba na rin ang uso. Luma na ang Rock en Roll Rock Baby Rock na! At ang dating Maria Clara Aba’y Maria Liberated na!

Hindi na nga nabibingi si Lola Subalit napupuyat naman Sa kahihintay sa apong Sa party o disco Kasama ng barkada.

Hawakan ng daliri

Pangkaraniwan na lang Dahil maging sa escalator o bus May naghahalikang nakikita si Lola.

Di na uso ang paldang abot sa paa Dahil mas maikli, mas “in” na. Di na rin uso ang pusod

Dahil buhok - Long and Silky na!

Kasalang tradisyon nabawasan na Dahil iwas sa handaan Kapag couple na in-love Nag li-live-in na lang

At dahil modern world na, Lahat ay nagbago na. Kaya’t dating kaugalian Lumang tugtugin na!

Ang sabi ni Lola, “Mabuti pa noong kapanahunan ko, Matiino ang tao, maayos ang mundo. Di tulad ngayon, Marami ng sira ulo.

Kung nabubuhay lang ngayon Ang Lolo’t Lola ko, Hindi sana ganito Ang takbo ng mundo!”

As I read this now, this is how I would end

this story with the way the world is going on today ...

Ang sabi ng apo,

“Mabuti nga at sila’y sumakabilang buhay na.

Kung makikita nila ngayon Ang gulo sa mundo

Tiyak na malalagutan rin ... sila

ng hininga!”

To all our great grand Lolos and Lolas, may

they all rest in peace. And to us living in this more chaotic and eccentric world, may

we still live with joy and in peace.

P.S. Modern times have brought us great changes

and freedom but let us help revive the good

values of the past and teach them to our kids to save them and future generations from

the continually deteriorating morals that

ruin humanity.

Insight

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Halloween Pinoy Style By Lilian Ramos-Yeo

I just got the 2010 Halloween catalog from Toy

Kingdom. My kids and I pored over every page

excited to find the perfect, not too expensive

costume. The other pages are a bit too scary and

gory I had to staple them so the kids won't get

nightmares.

Trick or treat! So American! But the Philippines has

caught on to the trick or treat bug much to the

delight of kids and parents as well. Another day to be

whimsical and fun.

For the past 4 years, we have been lucky enough to

get invited to our friend’s village which has a row of

single detached houses which are not too far apart

making walking from house to house a breeze. Plus

since it's a fairly new village, most of the villagers

have young kids so most houses participate giving

treats and adorning their houses in festive

Halloween decor.

Of course, Pinoy flair is injected everywhere. Houses

offered Pinoy cart treats to the kids - dirty ice cream,

popcorn, ice candy, cotton candy, fish ball, sago

gulaman even mini burgers! Everyone is full to the

max just going around tasting the treats.

This year (2009) though, we celebrated our

Halloween both at my friend’s and threw a small

party in our house for the close friends of my kids. It

was fun! My daughter and I had so much fun

decorating the house with our handmade decors.

For the centerpiece I bought dry ice at the Nestle ice

cream house. It was an instant hit!

Now though, the Nestle plant at Aurora Boulevard is

already closed so you could get your dry ice from:

Philippine Industrial Gas

Corp in Navotas

281-7951

Philippine CO2 Corp in

Novaliches

939-3806

Our Halloween games:

1. Zombie Centipede Walk

- make 2 groups of kids.

First kid of each group will

walk like a Zombie, walk to

a chair and get his other

group mate who will hold

him by the shoulder and

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they have to go to chair again and so forth.

2. Longest wolf howl - the kids should howl like a

wolf. The one with the longest howl wins.

3. Find your monster group - Each kid will be

assigned a sound - witch laugh, wolf howl or monster

growl. Cover their eyes. At the go signal, they are

supposed to imitate their assigned sound and find

their other group mates. First group to complete

their team wins.

4. Mummy Wrap - form 2-3 groups of kids. Each

group should have a kid assigned to be wrapped ala

mummy using toilet paper roll. 2 rolls per group

should be more than enough. Time it 5 minutes. The

one with best mummy wins.

5. Pass the Head - design one of those cheap vinyl

balls - put eyes, yarn for hair etc. make it as ghoulish

as the age of the kids can take. Let kids form a circle

and pass the head. Kid who ends up with the head

when the music stops gets booted out. Last 2 kids

wins.

Note: You can't have a Halloween party if you don't

have Michael Jackson's "Thriller" blasting at the

background. Toy Kingdom also has a CD collection of

spooky music.

Prizes: plastic creepy crawly bugs, snakes, frogs, rats. P5 each but the kids loved it!

The kids capped off the night with lights out and the "Monster House" movie.

It was monsterrific night!

Lifestyle Lifestyle

The Clarion Editorial Board

Editor-in-Chief Brandon Bulahan

Writers Raissa Rosales Lilian Ramos-Yeo

Contributors Jorge L. Banal, Sr. Marivi Octaviano

Staff Rhea Evangelista Russel Negrete

Publisher St. Ignatius Village Association Board

Email don.bulahan@gmail.com

Email us your thoughts or reactions. We’d love to hear from you.

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YOUNG ONCE By Jorge L. Banal, SIVISA President

“Igalang ang Nakatatanda at ang Kanilang mga

Karapatan!”

A timely and appropriate 2015 theme, indeed, for

the 19th year since former President Fidel V. Ramos

signed President Proclamation 470 in 1996 declaring

the first week of every year as “Elderly Filipino

Week.” And with added emphasis on the need to

give due respect to our “Young Once” who, during

their younger years, contributed to a large extent to

community and nation-building and, thus, truly

deserving proper recognition and honor, not only

during the week-long celebration, but for their

lifetime!

Briefly, EFW schedule of activities, October 1-7,

included: October 1, 5:30-11:00a.m., Walk for Life at

Quezon Memorial Circle hosted by DOH and QC

Government, with song and dance presentation by

LGU FSCAP chapters to the delight of some 1,000

Senior Citizen-participants (yours truly and DOH’s

Jing Guerrero as co-emcees); October 2, Retirees

Forum, DSWD; October 3 and 4, Dalaw Kalinga-

Visitation to Haven for the Elderly, Tanay,

Muntinlupa Bilibid Prison, Correctional for Women,

Mandaluyong, QC Hospicio de San Jose, etc; October

4, 8:30a.m., Thanksgiving Mass, Channel 4 (JLB, 2nd

Reading) and “10 Ulirang Nakatatanda,” 2:00p.m.,

Phil. Heart Center, hosted by Coalition of Services for

the Elderly (COSE);

October 5, 7:20a.m. Flag Ceremony, QC Hall, with

this SIVISA-FSCAP QC President doing “Panalangin sa

Nakatatanda,” and 2:00-3:00p.m. FSCAP QC Officials

with snacks and gifts, and Drugstore Association of

the Philippines Director and Social Services Chair

Susan Uy bringing toiletries and other gifts to the

elderly wards of the Ladies Dorm (Correctional),

Camp Karingal, QC, with song and dance program to

everybody’s delight; October 6, 9:00a.m. to

2:00p.m., Disaster Preparedness Forum, Bulwagang

Amoranto, 3/F, QC Hall, co-sponsored by COSE,

Dept. of Finance, FSCAP QC and Civil Defense Office;

October 7, 10:00a.m.-3:00p.m. Talakayan on Social

Insurance and Closing Ceremonies, co-hosted by SSS,

GSIS, PhilHealth and SM Cares at 5/F, Mega Trade

Hall III, Building “A”, Ortigas.

The Elderly Filipino Week 2015 in Quezon City was a

meaningful and fun-filled celebration with the

continuing warm support of our QC Government led

by Mayor Herbert Bautista and Vice-Mayor Joy

Belmonte. With DSWD spearheading the week-long

event, the active involvement and participation of

FSCAP NCR led by its QC Chapter, other NGOs and

various government agencies ensured its success!

Rep Bolet Banal, with the support of DOH and

QMMC and in cooperation with SIV Bgy. Council and

SIVA, conducted FREE Anti-Flu Vaccination in District

III (so with the other QC Congressmen), and adding

Anti-Pneumonia to our St. Ignatius Village and

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neighboring Barangays, with the added support of

Rotary Club of Katipunan.

Radio-TV Interviews:

The Elderly Filipino Week celebration gained media

support through radio-TV interviews featuring this

SIVISA-FSCAP President, the more prominent of

which were:

September 28, 7-8 a.m., “Good Morning Boss,”

PTV4; October 2, 12noon-1p.m., “SIKHAY, KILOS,”

DZUP radio program, U.P. Mass Communication

Building; October 3, 10:30a.m.-12noon, “Konsyumer

Atbp (KATBP),” DZMM TeleRadio, co-hosted by Alvin

Elchico and DTI USEC Victorino Mario Dimagiba;

October 6, 10-11a.m., “SAKTO”, DZMM TeleRadyo

hosted by Marc Logan and Amy Perez; October 7,

“Radio Vision”, Radyo ng Bayan & Channel 4, hosted

by Francis Cansino and Vivian Gulla. Of course, lead

agency DSWD and other government agencies (DOH,

DOF, GSIS, SSS, PhilHealth, etc.) held their respective

radio-TV interviews.

Incidentally, UNILAB invited this FSCAP President to

endorse its ENERVON Prime health product for the

Elderly “to stay stronger for longer.” And the 30-

second commercial is aired the whole day in radio

stations DZMM, DZRH, etc. and in FM station

96.3KHZ.

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MS. FSCAP QC 2015 search is on! Adding life and

color to the Elderly Filipino Week celebration is the

annual search for MS. FSCAP QC which was launched

recently and culminates with its Coronation and Ball

at the QC Bulwagang Amoranto on November 27.

The twin objectives of this worthy undertaking is to

raise modest funds, primarily for the Chapter’s

Mutual Aid and Welfare Program which grants

P5,000 burial assistance to the grieving family of a

MAWP-enrolled member, and consequently,

enhance fellowship and closer “bonding” among the

Elderly.

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As earlier reported, a Local Poverty Reduction Action

Plan (LPRAT) project “Day Care Center Services” for

QC Senior Citizens, was approved with a FIVE

MILLION ONE HUNDRED TWENTY THOUSAND

(P5,120,000) allocation from the National

Government for services and materials, and a THREE

MILLION TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND (P3,200,000)

counterpart funding from the QC Government for

the renovation of the QC Senior Citizens Center to

make it more equipped and suitable to render Day

Care Services to the Elderly , a legacy of QC LPRAT!

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GOOD NEWS for SSS Pensioners? The Senate Hearing

presided over by Senator Cynthia Villar last August

18, 2015, 9:00a.m. at the Sen. Laurel Room,

favorably acted on the proposed TWO THOUSAND

(P2,000)PESOS across-the-board increase of the SSS

Pension which was approved months ago by the

lower House of Congress. Once the committee’s

recommendation is deliberated and approved by the

Upper House upon resumption of Senate session on

November 3, the legislative measure will then be

passed on to the Bicameral Committee and if said

committee OKAYS it, the final action will be the

President’s signature.

As many SSS pensioners still receive below P3,000

monthly pension (lowest is P1,200.00 and highest

pension is P16,000.00 only), let us pray that said

proposed increase be “Pamaskong Handog” come

December of this year! This “Young Once” made

time to talk to Senator Villar, SSS President Emilio de

Quiros and Cong. Neri Colmenares during and after

the Senate Hearing.

Vintage Perspective