Cebu Stake Conference

One of the best stake conference I have had because the strong spirit which where present in this day. It was started with a beautiful choir, a chosen individual for each of every ward handled by Sister Matthews. Hope to upload all of the music I had recorded because it was sang beautifully. 

As we go through with our stake conference which was presided by President Choi the second counselor of the area presidency we were filled with many instructions come from the Lord. In the leadership training we we're taught how to rescue a soul in this mortal journey and outside of the veil. We are taught to OYM(Open your mouth) in terms of what we have known to be true and would bring happiness to individuals. We need to have a spiritual momentum in which would bring more souls unto the Lord. 

In the adult session, we we're taught how to have joy by this equation fun + spirit equals joy.  We we're also taught how we can show our love to the Lord and how we always keep our covenant that will lead us to happiness and joy. 

Stake Conference

Our stake conference was full and it was something to see how our stake in Cebu is growing rapidly. We can see how the promises of the Lord that I will gather my children in the four quarters of the Earth. Our area seventy spoke about the conversion in the Philippines, in which the baptism has increase more than the previous years of the Pandemic. He and his wife were Koreans and shared about how the filipino helped them in the freedom during the Korean war. Her wife bowed down with us to show how they were grateful to the filipinos. They encourage us even if we have nothing we still willing to help somebody specially those who are in need. They spoke about how we need to open our mouth in the Gospel of Jesus Christ in which would bring more joy to many.  They shared about their family and how they we're blessed in the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

As we go along with his teaching and counsel he give us promise that as we keep our covenants we will be blessed.  Paying tithing will always open the windows of heaven and grand our desire to bring forth his work to every one. 

As I spiritual feast upon the counsel of these leaders I was filled and recharged. I know that all these counsels are from the Lord and he loves his children. I will always treasure how the Lord will always feed his sheep during these latter days. 

 

Baguio Potato Products

Baguio Potato Source

One of the source of potatoes in the Philippines is in the province of Benguet. The farmers of Benguet grow different type of potatoes but farmers plant granola variety. The expertise of these farmers knows how they would yield to better crops when they plant. Starter farmers who are new to would need more experience to yield more potatoes during harvest.  

Potatoes has many usage, from the kitchen down to companies that need starch and supplies for their business. Metro Manila, Metro Cebu are the biggest consumer of potatoes in the country. Each of these cities consumed almost 100tons in a week. 

How can you buy Potatoes in Baguio or Benguet

If you are a trader locally you can buy potatoes in Baguio but somewhat another challenge to take. The challenges are the following: 

• Is the potatoes is in good quality
• Sizes
• Prices

If you don't have somebody to take care of your potatoes in Baguio you might be getting the bad potatoes which will lead to spoilage and bad potatoes. This is one reason you need a reliable source to assist you with your purchase. 

Another Important Days to set Goals

Setting goals will always be one of the important parts of our lives. 

I've learned why setting goals are important because of this one copied story I've took in our church website. 

Share the following journal entry of a farmer:

“Decided to cut hay. Started to harness up the horses and found that the harness was broken. I took it to the granary to repair it and noticed some empty sacks lying around. The sacks were a reminder that some potatoes in the cellar needed the sprouts removed. I went to the cellar to do the job and noticed that the room needed sweeping. I went to the house to get a broom and saw the wood box was empty. I went to the woodpile and noticed some ailing chickens. They were such sad-looking things that I decided to get some medicine for them. Since I was out of medicine, I jumped into the car and headed for the drugstore. On the way, I ran out of gas.”

Ask:

• What derailed the farmer from his goal to cut hay?

• Why do we sometimes behave like the farmer?

• What is a goal?

• Why is it important to remain focused on a goal?

• Why is it important to set goals?

• How do we reach goals?

Share the following concepts, which can help us learn to set worthwhile goals:

• A goal is an anticipated accomplishment.

• The value of a goal helps determine its priority.

• Prioritizing goals means to put them in a desired order.

• A calendar helps us schedule all that we need to accomplish.

Most successful people set goals. Goal setting helps us plan and gives direction to our lives.

Write on the board Long-Range Goals, Intermediate Goals, Short-Range Goals, and Daily Tasks. Ask:

• What do you consider to be long-range goals?

• What do you consider to be intermediate goals?

• What do you consider to be short-range goals?

• What are some examples of daily tasks?

Long-Range Goals	Increase my skills for advancement in my employment. Be worthy of exaltation and becoming like my Heavenly Father.
Intermediate Goals	Complete a year’s worth of courses in classes focused toward a degree or certification. Receive the temple ordinances. Serve in the kingdom.
Short-Range Goals	Enroll in and complete a semester or quarter of classes toward a degree or certification. Pay tithing and offerings regularly. Be faithful in my home teaching or visiting teaching each month.
Daily Tasks	Complete assignments for my next class. Read scriptures 30 minutes each morning. Pray morning and night.

Making Partner Important in our lives

There are many important tasks to do in life,  but your partner is one of them to be the priority.  After so much work on my potato trading here in Cebu, I was so glad that I had sold most of them to my clients. 

 

 

It seems to me that days are passing so fast and it's my wife's birthday and I need to make time with her to celebrate as a family.  I'm glad that before her birthday, I was able to ask her about what she wanted when her birthday comes. I've learned that she wanted to relax and be near the beach. Although going to the beach would need some preparation like time, money, and resources.  It seems unplanned but my mind is set to go to Tabuelan, Cebu to celebrate her birthday as a family.  

 

What had happened during the day of her birthday, I woke up early morning and prepare the potatoes to be delivered and after that, we bring these sacks of potatoes to my client at Carbon Market. Right after, we took a few food and cake on the way to the north, passing by the central highway and going to Tabuelan where the beachfront is good. Although we had arrived late at night at the resort we still sing "Happy Birthday" to my special birthday celebrant. After the celebration, we wanted to go out to explore more about the resort but it was raining so we just stay in our room, discuss my wife's stories,  after the talk and we sleep. 

We wake up early in the morning.  To our amazement the ocean is calm and it is perfect for us to swim and enjoy our stay.  We swim before the sunrise comes and we're happy at that moment.  We took our breakfast and stay for a while on the beach. 

Posting pictures that I took during our overnight stay in this resort. 

Balangui Clan in Mankayan

After doing research on my father's ancestors I'm found something interesting on family history search that was provided by Familysearch.com 

I've attached a record that was recorded in 1927 and I do believe this is important for my generation to come that they could know where they came from. 

I hope these names are usable to our genealogy as part of my research. 

Aglamas -Sabelo - Saltin Clan from the Northern part of the Philippines

I'm a descendant of Aglamas Clan. I was working with our genealogical work from our Church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) and I'm grateful that my parents still remember their forefathers. In this way, we can always preserve the names of these important people in our lives. Knowing where we come from, and where we are heading is one of the greatest treasures we could have in this life.

My grandfather Sabelo Aglamas father was Andiso which was married to Cal-osen. My mother had told me that our forefather uses only one name and their record might not be accurate since they don't have a formal education before.

2020 Covid19 - Is there still for tomorrow

In the past month of February, we've heard the news about this virus infecting the people of China. They had shut down one of their major city Wohan, quarantine everyone and the government imposing everybody to stay at home. 

Last February we are still fine in Cebu and visited one of the best spots in Cebu called Tops Lookout.  There is where we took the pictures below. Anyway, Cebu is in normal operation but meanwhile, the media are talking about the virus that is taking lives in China.  I've noticed that if China is affected by this virus, then tourism will be affected too.  As I look on the 12th day of March 2020 the Philippines started to stop the incoming and outgoing flights in Manila and to some flight were also canceled here in Cebu. There once one time that an aircraft that comes from Wohan were not tolerated to come down from their aircraft but they need to go back to Wohan. 

With this situation, we were informed that we need to prepare for lockdown. We are glad that we had prepared some food for us that we can use for around 5 weeks. Manila is starting now to be infected with Covid19 and there are hundreds of them need medical assistance. Doctors and nurses are also vulnerable to this and some of them were infected and died especially with the older individuals. 

Cebu is still not on lockdown but we are vigilant on the matter. I still have a few guests that I need to cater to from our Tourism business but it did only last in the mid of March.  We were also informed that we need to be in quarantine, to stay at home.  

After a few days, we have heard that there are two doctors that died, but we still don't know if from the virus or not. They had informed us that these doctors died from Covid19 because the testing kit is already available here in Cebu. 

On March 30, 2020 Cebu City started to lockdown it borders. No one is allowed to go out and socialize with each other, keep a distance and commanded to stay at home. 

Now its already a month passed and still there are cases being found for this virus. At this time we were thinking that is there still for tomorrow? 

We have families to take care of and to provide, I hope that this pandemic that is infecting the human families will be over. Prayers and fasting were done but I think there is something more that God would want us to understand and to experience.

In this life, I've realized that life is a test. If we will do our best to be faithful to the covenant we have made with Him, then someday our hope for peace, safety, and happiness will come.