Singles For Christ's outreach day to the victims of typhoon Frank at Jaro..

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Posted on 25th July 2008 by Mary Jane in Hometown |Random |Typhoon Frank

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I have mentioned before that my parents are members of Couples for Christ, Oton Chapter. Well I am a member also of Youth for Christ. I actually joined when I was still in my third year in high school, I was 15 that time. I’m still a member although I’m inactive. My brother-Sev on the other hand is already affiliated with Singles for Christ (I should move on to their organization actually because I’m over the age bracket for YFC.) and they have activities suited for “singles” and young professionals. They’re actually a serious bunch but they also know how to have FUN.

As part of their outreach program, they organized a relief operation to selected residents of Barangay Buntatala last July 13th. This barangay is part of Jaro, Iloilo City. We actually lived here before my parents decided to transfer to Oton 8 years ago. They were greatly affected by typhoon Frank and their houses were all flooded out. Families were staying at the elementary school which has a second floor. When we went there they were still cleaning the school, clearing out the mud and all things that can’t be used anymore.

Here are photos of their outreach day:

This is my Alma Mater. Look at what Frank did!

The Singles for Christ (with Tito Manny, Papang and Mamang):

Why I Love Going To The Spa

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Posted on 22nd July 2008 by Mary Jane in Fixations |Health |Hometown

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Last Saturday Monica and I went to Spa Riviera again to have our monthly body massage and deep cleansing Thai facial. Its our way of rewarding our body for all the hard work in our very stressful jobs. I was kind of hesitant to go to the spa before because I don’t know what happens inside that place or what are its benefits. But after experiencing it, we made it a monthly regimen. Its nice to indulge our bodies once in a while, even for just 3 hours a month. :)

Here are the reasons why I love going to the spa (aside form being treated like a Princess!):

Going to the spa relieves stress, addressing problem areas with the body massage (for me its my lower back with all that sitting) and for that necessary moment of peace and quiet away from the city life. A time to relax and rejuvenate our tired bodies. A good facial also deep cleanses our pores–removing blackheads, acne, whiteheads–and leaves our faces smooth and hydrated.

Spa Riviera offers everything to pamper our body from head to toe at a very comforting and soothing environment. We’re going to try their back scrub and foot scrub next month. The attendants are very courteous and they make sure that we get what we came for. We really get our money’s worth everytime. And we will keep coming back. That’s for sure.

Iloilo's New Flyover

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Posted on 10th July 2008 by Mary Jane in Arts |Hometown

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Tim and I took photos of the new flyover which is right in front of our office building.  We took this shots before I started my shift so its at night (obviously!).

                                                                               

More Trivias About Oton

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Posted on 8th July 2008 by Mary Jane in Hometown |Travel

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Old records have revealed that Katagman was the original name of Barangay San Antonio before the coming of the Spaniards. It was in San Antonio where the civilization in this part of the country started.

As a coastal municipality, Oton has beach resorts which continuously attract local tourists. Gallera de Oton is also home to cockfight afficionados in the province of Iloilo and the home of REF Motors and Nang Palang’s Buko Pie.

Nang Palang’s Buko Pie is now a stopover for motorists plying the route going to Antique as well as customers from the city and Province of Iloilo .

Oton is also famous for its shellcraft industry and handicrafts made by famous Otonian artists as well as embroidery.

The best watermelons in the province of Iloilo are also grown in Oton. This produce is exported to Manila and other provinces.

The annual activities – Religious Fiesta every December 2-8, Light a Tree and Food Festival from december 15-23, and the Ogtonganon Festival on May 3 along with Bomborador (Kite Flying Contest), Motorboat Race and Painting Contests as part of the Foundation Day Celebration have been crowd drawers themselves.

The public plaza, the parish church, grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes and the new Adoration Chapel are landmarks whose distinct features make one’s stopover in Oton worthwhile.

OTON, Iloilo: The Place To Be

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Posted on 8th July 2008 by Mary Jane in Hometown |Typhoon Frank

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My family and I have been living in Oton for 8 years now. We lived in Jaro, Iloilo City before but my parents decided to transfer residence because the land that our house is standing at, which was owned by the Locsin family was sold to the Iloilo government to be used as the relocation site of the squatters of Ticud, LaPaz.

I didn’t know the reasons why my parents chose Oton as our new residential address before. But now, after 8 years, I finally know why. And typhoon Frank is one of the reasons.  :)

Oton is a 20 to 30 minute ride from downtown Iloilo city so its really not that far. Its a home for the many who are seeking for fresh air to go home to; no pollution.

The police officers of Oton are actually the most reliable ones in the whole province and they’ve been awarded because of that. There’s practically no crime rate in our town. Which is good for me because I work the graveyard shift. My parents don’t worry too much because they know that I’ll be safe when I go out at night.

Best of all, Oton is on higher land thats why its not prone to floods. While the rest of Panay Island suffered much due to typhoon Frank, we only suffered power outage for a week like I’ve mentioned in my previous blog entries.

The people of Oton are also very nice, when we first moved here, we felt welcomed right away because Ogtonganons are almost always smiling and in fact its known as the “Municipality of Character.”

As Roman Catholics we were happy to know that one of the first beautiful churches in the Philippines was built here and now we’re proud parishioners of the La Immaculada  Concepcion Parish Church. My family is active in joining church activities.

There are many subdivisions in Oton, no wonder its called the residential hub of Iloilo. Basically because of  its proximity to the city and being a coastal town, we have the benefit of relishing the blessings of the sea and its beautiful beaches. The farms also give us bountiful agricultural products like rice, vegetables and fruits like watermelons(Oton grows the best!), corns, mangoes, bananas, etc.

Do I need to add more reasons why we love living in Oton? :)

Oton really is THE PLACE TO BE!

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