How to Prepare for Disasters

Many have been said and written about what to do when a disaster strikes. It has been said that prevention is always better than the cure. Although we may not prevent earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, typhoons from happening, we can always prepare for them. This is the reason why I wrote about Disaster Preparedness in the household level. Many thanks to the following for their contribution to the article- Kuya Robert Erfe-Mejia, Mja Bayle, Dave Paragas, Maite Quesada and Tin Tin Babao. 

Here is my Philippine Online Chronicles article: 

Bug-out bags and other ways to be disaster-prepared

Saturday, 26 March 2011 11:35 AM Simon Francis Blaise R. Vistro

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Don’t be scared; be prepared.

This admonition, sound as it is, is easier said than done. Who wouldn’t be scared with the current disasters that hog the headlines? These are headlines about the earthquakes, floods, tsunamis that seem like doomsday stories: Australia's Queensland faces 'biblical' flood; New Zealand earthquake: 65 dead in Christchurch; Death toll in Japan quake, tsunami surpasses 10,000 and At least 75 killed in Myanmar earthquake.

In the Philippines, the more recent disasters have been caused by floods and typhoons. Fresh in our minds are the lethal floods in Bicol and Isabela. Not too long ago were devastations and deaths caused by Typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng. But the recent earthquakes and the possible tsunami are the ones now terrifying Pinoys. Instead of being afraid and stressed out from worrying, we should learn from the disasters and prepare for whatever might happen.

Dagupan City after the 1990 Earthquake

It has been 20 years since the July 16, 1990 Luzon earthquake but the magnitude of destruction and number of fatalities continue to haunt the memories of those who experienced the seismic disaster. Who can forget an earthquake which caused deaths totaling to an estimated 1,621 people? The earthquake was one of the deadliest and costliest natural disasters in the Philippines.

I was a senior high school student in Dagupan City when the 1990 earthquake happened. My classmates and I were in the third floor of the Mother Goose Special Science High School building when the earthquake shook us like we were sardines in a crumpled can. Luckily for us, the building did not collapse or sink like the other buildings in the city. But chaos was everywhere. I fetched my younger cousins from their schools and we walked for kilometers as we braved the aftershocks, petrifying road cracks where water oozed and the horrifying scene of sunken establishments because of liquefaction. One of Dagupan’s bridges split into halves like a crisp soda cracker. Deaths caused by the killer quake could have been minimized if the structural integrity of buildings was frequently checked. People should have been calm and alert so that stampedes and accidents were avoided. Preparedness could’ve spelled a big difference between life and death.

Safety begins at home so I interviewed Dagupan City’s Public Order and Safety Office and City Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Council Chief, Robert Erfe-Mejia to know what to do for disaster preparedness at the household level. Here are prescriptions he gave:

1. Appoint a Safety Officer in the family. There is a need to have someone who will be in-charge of everyone’s safety in case of a disaster or an emergency. Someone who will not panic and lead the members of the family to the safe areas and be responsible to conduct first aid as well as decide for the welfare of the family. There should be at least two appointed safety officers just in case one is not around or if the other is injured or not capable to perform the duty. The safety officer could be the father, mother, one of the children, the kasambahay or the trusted house help.
2. Structural integrity of the house should be examined and checked regularly. This is important in preempting possible destruction that could cause serious injuries or even death. Repairs and reinforcements should be immediately made to ensure that the house can withstand disasters or at least minimize ill effects to the household in case of disasters.

Read the full article here.

Read my other articles at Philippine Online Chronicles here. 

Ground Zero Paintball is Now Open!

Pangasinenses no longer have to go to Camp John Hay, Baguio City just to enjoy a game of paintball. Ground Zero Paintball, the first paintball center in Pangasinan is now open! The opening day was a SPLAT (the sound of the paintball successfully hitting its target)! Fr. Anthony Layug officiated the mass and conducted the blessing of the playing area. He also played a round of 2 on 2 paintball game. 

SiRVis at the target range

Gilmark Meneses in combat

Rex Lor and his son Argee testing the paintball marker

Angelo, Aries and the GZPB staff

Nice shot by Derrick Dulay 

A Paintball player in action

Atty Joey Tamayo is enjoying the experience

DOJ Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III goes Splat!

The special guests who graced the paintball center's opening last February 18 were Rob Erfe-Mejia, the incoming President of Dagupan Practical Shooting Association (DPSA), Derrick Dulay of Terra and Footprints Spa and Massage, Gilmark Meneses and wife Lingayen Councilor Maan Verzosa-Meneses, former Dagupan City Councilor Joey Tamayo and Department of Justice Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III. The two media networks, ABS-CBN and GMA covered the event. The event was also livestreamed online at http://livestream.com/whatsupdagupan. 

The Ground Zero Paintball is a venture of paintball enthusiasts Manda Abratique, Angelo Cerezo, Rex Lor and Aries Layno. Ground Zero Paintball Center is a 3,000 square meters net-enclosed facility with obstacles and designed scenario located at Brgy. San Vicente-Banaoang Road (Back of Plato Wraps, De Venecia Highway) Calasiao, Pangasinan. This is perfect for school and company tournaments, team building sessions,  barkada gimmicks, birthday parties, etc.

Print this coupon and present to the staff avail of your 10% discount.

Visit their website  http://www.groundzeropb.com for more information or call 09228503569.

Splat! Let's play paintball at Ground Zero Paintball Center

Splat! That's the sound of being hit by a round capsule with gelatin and food coloring (no worries because it's a non-toxic, biodegradable, water soluble mineral oil). One hit and you'd be tagged with colors- either red, blue, yellow, pink, orange etc. and you or your team would lose the game. This is a game called Paintball.


Paintball is said to be a combination of the childhood games "tag" and "hide & seek" but instead of tagging through physical contact, a paintball is fired from a painball marker (paintball gun). Paintball is played with potentially limitless variety of rules and variations, which are specified before the game begins. The most basic game rule is that players must attempt to accomplish a goal without being shot with paintballs. But what sets the game apart is the adrenalin rush, competitive edge, team work, and strategy brought by the gameplay. 

Before, I had to Camp John Hay in Baguio just to play paintball. That is about 1 hour and 30 minutes travel time from Dagupan City. Now, I could play paintball anytime I want because the first Paintball Center in Pangasinan is up. Yey! 

Ground Zero Paintball Center, a 3,000 square meters net-enclosed facility with obstacles and designed scenario field would be open starting February 18, 2011. It is also the FIRST Paintball Center in Pangasinan! It is located at Brgy. San Vicente-Banaoang Road (Back of Plato Wraps, De Venecia Highway) Calasiao, Pangasinan. This is perfect for school & company tournaments, team building sessions,  barkada gimmicks, birthday parties, etc.

Let the games begin! Splat!


Visit their Facebook page and their website for more information. 

Julien Drolon: French Musician, Filipino by Heart

Who is Julien Drolon? According to his biography, Julien Drolon is a singer, songwriter, and former International reporter who is on a mission for peace, and he is using music to promote a cause that is close to his heart. Drolon music style combines pop, reggae, funk, rock and he performs on stage with his talented Filipino band composed by Enzo Queyquep on the guitar, Joseph Duenas on the bass, Leal Nanca on the keyboard and Joven Palencia on the Drums.

Drolon recently played in Hong Kong and mainland China, at Asian music conference, Music Matters Festival, which was held in Hong Kong May 26-29, 2010. He also performed for the opening of the China Music Industry Park – Shanghai on July, 2010. 

Addressing the issue of why he started his career in the Philippines, he responded, “It’s a place that is blessed with amazing musicians that want to collaborate on the making of my album and Filipinos are music lovers”. For his first album, Drolon is working with producers Jack Rufo and Angee Rozul. Drolon's debut album is due to release in April 2011, followed by a SM Tour in Metro Manila.

I received an email from him politely asking for help in promoting their visit in Dagupan City through a gig at the Music Warehouse Dagupan on Saturday, February 12, 2011. According to him, Dagupan is the first city that we will visit this year for his band's Philippines tour.

To know more about him, I searched for more information through the old reliable Google. I found a Philippine Daily Inquirer feature and a couple of youtube videos (No More Divisions and Peace Through Music). The song and music video No More Divisions was arranged, produced. mixed and directed by Jimmy Antiporda of the defunct 80's and early 90's band Neocolors.


You may add him through his twitter @juliendrolon12 and facebook page http://www.facebook.com/jdrolon.     

Julien Drolon on youtube:

Julien Drolon's Philippine Daily Inquirer feature: 

French musician says he’s really Filipino 

Stars for others

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 19:18:00 02/08/2011

Filed Under: Music, Entertainment (general)

Most Read

THOSE WHO WERE there felt proud of these homegrown indie bands: Tek Templo; Julien Drolon Band; Manskee Music; Swissy; Jaycie and Honey; Flush and the Toilet (plus comic-“mentalist” Kel Fabie). The bands played in the benefit gig “We Love Lucas!” on January 29 at Last Home in Madison Square, Mandaluyong.

Interestingly, one of the musicians was not a Filipino, but a Philippines-loving Frenchman, Julien Drolon. With his all Filipino band—Enzo Queyquep, lead guitar; Joseph Duenas, bass; Leal Nanca, keyboard; Joven Palencia, drums—Drolon joined the fundraiser for 2-year-old Lucas Gallardo, who needs an urgent heart surgery. The Pinoy toddler, Drolon says, “needs our support now, but is going to be fine soon.”

Drolon, a former journalist, first came to the Philippines on a writing assignment in 2007. In 2008, he resigned from his job and came back here in 2009 “to sing and create music,” as he has written in Filipino in his blog, “talambuhay.” He has lived in the country since.

After forming his Pinoy band, he produced the No More Divisions and Peace Through Music videos viewable on www.youtube.com.

Why has he picked the Philippines for a home? “Filipinos are always smiling,” is his simple reply. He has also written a song about the country, “Phils So Good,” and claims he is really Filipino.

The Julien Drolon Band is set to release its first album, “Time For Peace,” in March. Meanwhile, the band performs at Music Warehouse, Dagupan City, on February 12, and at the UP Fair on February 15. Diwa Lagura, Contributor

TV5 in Dagupan

It all started when I responded to Pinoy Gossip Boy's tweet. He then forwarded my number to Lhot Jiz de Ortega of TV5. 

I met Lhot and Judy Dimayuga-Magdame of TV5 personally during a dinner which they sponsored at Silverio's. The dinner was attended by the local media and bloggers (Rhodora Montemayor Palinar, Allan "Dr. Heart" Sison, Freddie Fajardo and Mortz Ortigoza to name a few)

From L-R: Percival Intalan, Entertainment and Creative Production Head; Raul Dela Cruz; Provincial Operations Head; SiRVis, Bobby Barreiro, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

I attended the TV5 Regional Launch Press conference the next day where I met the top honchos of the TV network. They discussed the TV network's plans for regional expansion specifically for Dagupan City and Pangasinan.

I was tweeting and live blogging during the presscon.  

I also asked Mr. Intalan, Entertainment and Creative Production Head about TV5's upcoming shows and if Aga Muchlach is transferring to TV5.  He replied that program offerings to expect in 2010 are Extreme Makeover Home Edition (a local adaptation of the huge international hit), remakes of TV and movie hits of the past decades ("Bagets", "Iskul Bukol", "Humanap Ka ng Panget", "P.S. I Love You", "Ang Utol kong Hoodlum" and "Babaeng Hampaslupa") and Komiks Novels by Carlo J. Caparas ("Bangis" and "Limang Daliri ng Diyos"). He however would not confirm or deny if Aga Muchlacjh is joining the Happy Network and to become a Kapatid. It would've been a big scoop for me. Abangan na lang daw.

Where the Bangus Sizzles

Dagupan City, the city where I was born and where I grew up is offering a "kaleidoscope of activities, including singing and dancing, cooking and feasting, gastronomic delight, visual treat and games" for all of us this summer- from April 14- May 1, 2010. Dagupan is indeed where the Bangus sizzles!

Here is a glimpse of my article which is published at thepoc.net Buhay Pinoy Features section: 

Summer sikat at sulit: Dagupan Bangus Festival 

It’s summer in the Philippines! With or without El Nino, it is the warmest season of year and also the period marked by the longest days and the shortest nights. To beat the heat, Filipinos and foreign tourists often go to Baguio City (the summer capital of the Philippines) or to the thousands of beaches scattered across the archipelago. We have 7,107 islands, so we have 7,107 options where to go this summer vacation.

The summer getaway place in Pangasinan this April is a city once known as Nandaragupan -- a popular appellation for a place ‘where people met or gathered.’ Today, that city is now known as Dagupan. Where is Dagupan City? The city government’s official website listed it as about 225 kilometers north of Manila and about 70 kilometers southwest of Baguio City. It is located in the mid north section of the province of Pangasinan and bounded by Lingayen Gulf in the north, the towns of San Fabian in the northeast, Mangaldan in the east, Calasiao in the south, and Binmaley in the west.

Dagupan Bangus Festival

Dagupan City is April’s ‘must visit’ destination and ‘place of gathering’ in time for the celebration of what is called the Dagupan Bangus Festival. The festival is named after the city’s foremost product- the Dagupan bangus (milkfish).  Also known as Bonuan bangus or ‘betel’ in the vernacular, it is said to be the world’s tastiest milkfish. The milkfish, by the way is our ‘Pambansang Isda.’

In an email interview, Dagupan City CIO Ryan Ravanzo said ‘that the Bangus Festival was launched in 2001 to court civic pride and the call to excellence has then been translated into commitment and dedication upon which its development as a city is solidly anchored.’

In 2003, the Philippines, thanks to the Bangus Festival, held the Guinness World Record for the longest barbecue grill, beating Peru’s 1999 record of 613 meters long.

Regular festival highlights include the Gilon! Gilon! ed Baley, Festivals of the North street dancing competition, the Bangus Rodeo, Bangus Cookfest and the Bangusan Street Party. This year, the Dagupan Bangus Festival starts on April 14 and ends on May 1.

Gilon! Gilon! ed Baley

Gilon! Gilon! ed Baley (harvesting in the city) is a street dancing extravaganza and competition that depicts and interprets the ‘Gilon’ or the traditional way of harvesting bangus through visual display, graceful gyrations, and well-choreographed group dances using indigenous materials as props. Scheduled on April 23,  the street dance competition will showcase the dancing talents of  residents of Dagupan City’s 31 barangays and  students of the Dagupan City National High School. The winner in this contest will be Dagupan City’s official representative in the Festivals of the North Street Dancing Contest.

Festivals of the North

On April 26, visitors will be treated to the cultural street dance spectacle, where the best festival dancers in the north  compete with each other in a single event called The Festivals of the North. With this year’s prizes totaling P500,000, the participants are expected to slug it out in presenting street dancing choreography culled from local folklore and indigenous traditions, culture, and products. At the time of this writing, the following contingents have confirmed their participation: Baguio City, Laoag City, Pinili, Paoay, San Nicolas, San Fernando City, Naguillian, Sto. Tomas (La Union), Anda, Binalonan, Binmaley, Infanta, Lingayen, Manaoag, Sto. Tomas (Pangasinan), Umingan, Urbiztondo, Masinloc. The cities of Laoag and Baguio have registered two entries each. This year’s guests include the 2010 Champion Tribu Taghidaet of the Dinagyang Festival from Iloilo City.

Bangus Rodeo

The Bangus Rodeo is a fun-filled showcase of the flourishing bangus-growing and processing industry in the city. Here, contestants compete on who is the fastest bangus deboner, eater, and classifier (according to live weight). The biggest, heaviest and yes, -‘prettiest’ bangus (one that possesses a small head, round belly, good eyes, intact silver scales nd fins) are also selected from entries from all over the bangus-growing coastal communities of Pangasinan province, including Dagupan. Last year, the heaviest weighed 5.6 kilograms while the longest was 89 centimeters long.

The Bangus Rodeo will be held on April 27 at the city’s Malimgas Market and will be featured in ABS CBN’s morning show Umagang Kay Ganda.

Bangus Cookfest (100 and 1 Ways to Cook Bangus)

The Bangus Cookfest, also scheduled on April 27, is a competition among seasoned and amateur cooks, students, and mother-and-child tandems in cooking bangus in many different ways.

Chefs from the finest restaurants in the city and elsewhere will showcase their bangus concoctions, while GMA Kapuso chefs will present unique bangus recipes through a televised cooking demonstration.

After the competition, spectators will be treated to a free taste of the bangus dishes.

Last year's best recipe was bangus butchio with curry crab sauce and crispy bangus beanskin with green mango salsa in the family tandem category and grilled milkfish with vegetables and coriander pesto and bangus bandeau with avocado in the high school category.  The entries were judged on originality and uniqueness, palatability (taste, flavor, and aroma), use of sponsors' products, and presentation.

Bangusan Street Party

The penultimate event in the festival is the Bangusan Street Party, formerly known as ‘Kalutan ed Dagupan’ or barbecuing in Dagupan.

To launch the party, there will be a ceremonial lighting of thousands of barbecue grills on which 3,000 kilograms or 20,000 pieces of the succulent Dagupan bangus will be roasted by Dagupeños and tourists.

The city’s Vice Mayor and event Chair Belen Fernandez vowed to stage a bigger and more exciting Bangusan Street Party this year, consisting of a kaleidoscope of activities, including singing and dancing, cooking and feasting, and games.  Bamboo, Parokya Ni Edgar, Rico Blanco, Spongecola, Gloc 9, Chicosci, Callalily, Urbandub, and The Authority are among the the famous bands expected to perform. 

The Bangusan Street Party will again be held at the Pantal-Lucao Diversion Road.

Last year, an estimated crowd of 700,000 to one million trooped to the highway for the event.

Pista’y Dayat

The Dagupan Bangus Festival culminates on May 1 when the city holds the time-honored Pista’y Dayat (sea festival), a celebration of the bountiful harvest from the sea. It is basically a fluvial parade from Pantal River to the Tondaligan Beach and will be followed by a thanksgiving mass at the Tondaligan Beach.

Other activities are mudwrestling and boxing match and the Dagupan Bodyfest Bikini Open.

Photos by Willie Lomibao