We’ve had a busy couple of weeks since our last report…the banca still looks the same but, we have now sealed it with Marine Epoxy and it is in the final stages of being prepared for it’s new paint jobs that will be applied in the next week.
The Very Friendly Mayor of Oton, Vicente B. Flores Jr, when I was visiting with him on business, loaned me a fabulous book written by his Great, Great Grandfather. The book is crammed with so many surprises, it is a real treasure for anyone looking at the history of Panay Island and Iloilo specifically.
Here is what the press release that accompanied the re-published version of the book had to report: “the Instituto Cervantes in Manila and Cacho Publishing House present Memoirs of the Philippines by Félix Laureano. Published in 1895, Laureano´s work provides us with scenes of daily life, landscapes and peoples, mostly from the region of Panay. He penned essays to accompany each photograph, lavishing details that, until today, draw the viewer´s gaze to that other time and place.”
If you can find a copy, make sure you get it…it is well worth the trouble of finding it as well as the expense of acquiring it.
Progress Report 1
Mary Anne and Ralph have completed their new home. Speed was of the essence as you may recall because of the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Ofel. There’s still no running water or ‘sanitary facilities’ and they’re not likely to happen anytime soon.
The Banca was delivered on November 5 and Ralph and his eldest son got to work immediately the next morning. The first sanding job has now been completed…
Remembrance Day is officially observed at 1100 hours on the on the 11th day of the 11th month marking the the Armistice that became effective at the end of World War I. This commemorates those Canadians who lost their lives in Wars and other Military and Peace Keeping operations and actions in which Canadians have participated over the years.
Remembrance Day is today in Canada and many countries around the globe. The official national ceremonies in Canada will take place at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, our National Capital, as well as at other War Memorials or Cenotaphs in villages, towns and cities across the nation, starting at 1100 hours on November 11, 2012.
On this important day, here is a brief visit to the National War Memorial in Ottawa.
Honour Guard at the National War Memorial, Ottawa, 1100 hours on November 11, 2012
The National War Memorial of Canada Ottawa (The Nation’s Capital)
The Cenotaph was originally built to commemorate those lost in World War I.
( it now commemorates All Canadians lost in all of Canada’s Wars and other Military and Peace Keeping Operations around the World).
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the National War Memorial, Ottawa ( Canada’s National Capital).
As the ceremonies take place in Ottawa, we here in Iloilo, Philippines will fly the Canadian Flag at half mast and maintain 2 minutes of silence and contemplation at 1201 hours on Monday, November 12, 2012 which will be 1100 hours on Sunday, November 11, 2012 in Ottawa.
We ask all our friends around the world to say a prayer for all those around the world who serve in the armed forces of their respective countries and especially for my son Fergus (pictured above) and his colleagues who are currently serving in the Canadian Armed Forces stationed across Canada and around the world, who work so hard and risk their lives to alleviate hardship and conflict wherever they may be.
Iloilo Time