i dedicate this to my boholano and boholana friends who continue the unforgiving and necessary tasks of keeping us updated with trustworthy island news from the ground since the 10/15/2013 7.2 magnitude earthquake to super typhoon haiyan/yolanda, to now, the current time: you know who you are, my dear friends. thanks for teaching me what bangon bohol really means. ARISE! Bangon!

Forgive me. I wept the night super typhoon yolanda hit the islands and continue to shed tears the morning after upon reading about the calamities in the islands far away post-10/15/2013 earthquake and post super typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda, far away from loved ones. i weep in solidarity for Naderev “Yeb” Sano’s plea at the recent UN climate conference and in 2012 at Doha, Qatar appeal. yes, i know people of the islands are ‘resilient’ that is known before these recent catastrophes – islanders fought off the spanish colonizers for 150 years, chieftain lapu-lapu killed magellan, many more she-roes and more of these ‘unknown’ stories from US history books that I must say I am proud from the archipelago of strong warriors and healers. But we are humans nonetheless and healing has to start now even far away from the motherland, i pray for safety and protection to all. Now that that is out of my system, staying focused and positive for help is on its way, however small, in whatever shape or form. Sending light to you from my heart as i stand here in the bay and continue the work – for you, my friends in the islands, are not alone. and i am in deep gratitude for your self-less commitment. daghang mabuhi kayo! and i smile with you from afar with love