Thursday, January 20, 2011
Starting our Performance Reviews today January 20, 2010
Today we start a series of Performance Reviews for our FTE officers and guards with the help of our Supervisor Jess. They are great guys and we know that they have performed well. This coming Sunday we will speak in Sacrament Meeting. I will speak on the blessings of the temple and Elder will speak about baptism.
Monday, January 17, 2011
January 17th, Met the new MTC President Taylor
President and Sister Taylor looking at David's pictures of his family
President and Sister Taylor and us.
President and Sister Taylor of the MTCToday we met the new MTC President, President and Sister Taylor. They came to our office today to have me prepare their new proximity cards. In the course of our conversation we found out that he had been a Mission President and had a tall red headed Elder by the name of Burningham. I told him that we have a son who served in the Las Vegas Mission. Both President and Sister Taylor said that they had a David Burningham in their mission. Low and behold.....the same President and the same Elder Burningham. What are the odds?
Sunday, January 16, 2011
January 16, 2011 - Church in Morong
Elder and Sister Burningham and Sister Gadayan and Sister Araneta
Sister Gadayan and Sister AranetaToday we traveled to our branch in Morong and enjoyed the Sacrament Meeting and other Auxiliary meetings. The Branch's full time missionaries Sister Araneta and Sister Gadayan have been here a couple of months and they anticipate that they will be transferred this coming week. Both of them help translate for us from Tagalog to English. They do very well. Helps us to understand more what's going on. We are not immersed in the language here and mostly English is spoken. I was asked to relay an experience to the sisters in Relief Society and I wasn't sure they would understand me. I asked "Can you all understand me?" They nodded yes. I said, " I am glad as I was worried. One sister said "Don't worrrrryyy" Elder and I had our picture taken with them. I took their picture and emailed it to their ldsmail.net email address.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Our Accomplishments serving in Security for the past year January 2010 thru January 2011
I decided to put a summary of this past years accomplishments while on our mission in
Security. This shows that we do work and not out sightseeing.
SECURITY DEPARTMENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR 2010.
We interviewed Security agencies to be placed at the Cebu Temple. Centurion Security Agency was hired to help with our security at the Cebu Temple. Moved three of our Manila officers to be OIC’s in Cebu. Interviewed and hired a Church Member to be an OIC in Cebu, Francisco Dolino, was hired.– April 2010
Prepared for Dedication and the arrival of President Monson at the airport. Met with the police to have an escort to and from the airport for President Monson. February through June 2010
Worked with airport on VIP entry of cars on the tarmac at the airport for the arrival of President Monson and general authorities at the Cebu airport . February through June 2010
Worked with Cultural Event committee in Cebu for Security. February through June 2010
Programmed the cell phones for the brethren and security for their use at the dedication and acted as support to Church Security surrounding President Monson. February through June 2010.
Strengthened the relationship between Security and the Temple department at the Manila Temple by meeting several times to resolve issues that caused contention. Changes were agreed upon and implemented in the Security manual. February 2010, ongoing. Endeavored to strengthen relationships so that we could be of one heart and mind regarding the Security of the Temple.
Updated the Security Manual for Manila Temple Complex. June 2010
Wrote the Security Manual for the Cebu Temple Complex. June 2010
Worked with Facilities Management to clean up the guard house on Area Office side of the complex. Facilities Management repaired the Guard House at the PBO site. Temple repainted the guard house across the street. There remains a few items needed to be repaired. June through August 2010.
Updated the Monitor in the Security office by working with Ed Mendoza in Facilities Management. Monitor in place.
Security did investigations on theft in the office. April through June 2010. We made adjustments to security to better control the premises by having the building clear and locked by 10 pm.
Put better control on parking at the complex by patrolling the parking lot, putting into place rules for who can park and where. Having the guards give out parking passes to visitors and put into place where employees can park. Citations given to those who did not abide by the rules. Repeating offenders will be issued citations and be put into their files. It took a couple of months to get all employees to understand the parking issues but at this writing, January 2011, it is now quite effective.
The morale of the security staff has improved. Security staff officers and guards were given assignments according to their expertise and education to enhance the security of the Temple and area office complex. The participation of the security staff with their expertise and knowledge helped to raise the self image of each officer and guard. By so doing the security department has been a recognized as a valuable part of our Area Office and a trusted part of our church employees. The Security Staff has expressed their satisfaction in working in security by being trusted.
We are working with the Jubilee Celebration committee for the Jubilee Celebration this coming April 2011. September 2010 on going.
WORKING DILIGENTLY on the specifications and implementation of the CCTV Cameras and proximity card readers’ hardware and software for the MTC expansion. THIS IS MOST IMPORTANT. September 2010 ongoing.
Security department updated security regulations at the MTC - October 2010.
Audited the Proximity cards for the Area Office. Had many returned proximity cards from former employees and from employees who do not come here to the MPAO often enough to warrant having a proximity card to the office.
We have responded to security issues on missionary apartments by visiting the areas of break-ins and possible crimes requested by Mission Presidents and with the approval of Salt Lake Church Security department and the Director of Temporal Affairs. October- November 2010 and continuing.
Security. This shows that we do work and not out sightseeing.
SECURITY DEPARTMENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR 2010.
We interviewed Security agencies to be placed at the Cebu Temple. Centurion Security Agency was hired to help with our security at the Cebu Temple. Moved three of our Manila officers to be OIC’s in Cebu. Interviewed and hired a Church Member to be an OIC in Cebu, Francisco Dolino, was hired.– April 2010
Prepared for Dedication and the arrival of President Monson at the airport. Met with the police to have an escort to and from the airport for President Monson. February through June 2010
Worked with airport on VIP entry of cars on the tarmac at the airport for the arrival of President Monson and general authorities at the Cebu airport . February through June 2010
Worked with Cultural Event committee in Cebu for Security. February through June 2010
Programmed the cell phones for the brethren and security for their use at the dedication and acted as support to Church Security surrounding President Monson. February through June 2010.
Strengthened the relationship between Security and the Temple department at the Manila Temple by meeting several times to resolve issues that caused contention. Changes were agreed upon and implemented in the Security manual. February 2010, ongoing. Endeavored to strengthen relationships so that we could be of one heart and mind regarding the Security of the Temple.
Updated the Security Manual for Manila Temple Complex. June 2010
Wrote the Security Manual for the Cebu Temple Complex. June 2010
Worked with Facilities Management to clean up the guard house on Area Office side of the complex. Facilities Management repaired the Guard House at the PBO site. Temple repainted the guard house across the street. There remains a few items needed to be repaired. June through August 2010.
Updated the Monitor in the Security office by working with Ed Mendoza in Facilities Management. Monitor in place.
Security did investigations on theft in the office. April through June 2010. We made adjustments to security to better control the premises by having the building clear and locked by 10 pm.
Put better control on parking at the complex by patrolling the parking lot, putting into place rules for who can park and where. Having the guards give out parking passes to visitors and put into place where employees can park. Citations given to those who did not abide by the rules. Repeating offenders will be issued citations and be put into their files. It took a couple of months to get all employees to understand the parking issues but at this writing, January 2011, it is now quite effective.
The morale of the security staff has improved. Security staff officers and guards were given assignments according to their expertise and education to enhance the security of the Temple and area office complex. The participation of the security staff with their expertise and knowledge helped to raise the self image of each officer and guard. By so doing the security department has been a recognized as a valuable part of our Area Office and a trusted part of our church employees. The Security Staff has expressed their satisfaction in working in security by being trusted.
We are working with the Jubilee Celebration committee for the Jubilee Celebration this coming April 2011. September 2010 on going.
WORKING DILIGENTLY on the specifications and implementation of the CCTV Cameras and proximity card readers’ hardware and software for the MTC expansion. THIS IS MOST IMPORTANT. September 2010 ongoing.
Security department updated security regulations at the MTC - October 2010.
Audited the Proximity cards for the Area Office. Had many returned proximity cards from former employees and from employees who do not come here to the MPAO often enough to warrant having a proximity card to the office.
We have responded to security issues on missionary apartments by visiting the areas of break-ins and possible crimes requested by Mission Presidents and with the approval of Salt Lake Church Security department and the Director of Temporal Affairs. October- November 2010 and continuing.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Staff Meeting with our officers and birthday celebrations
Standing is Peter, Sitting is Paul, Philip, Carlos and Felix
Alex to the left, then Ed, Jener, Paul and standing is Peter
Felix from left and then two outsource guards and Bary TampariaTuesday the 11th we held this years first staff meeting. Everyone was present with the exception of Orly who's wife just delivered a baby boy. Both mother and son are doing fine. It was also Ed Manzano birthday on the 10th and Bary Taparia's on the 19th. So at the end of the meeting food was brought in. Ed bought some peanut brownies and then some pancit was ordered. It is a noodle dish with vegetables, eggs and cheese sauce mixture. Also some soft drinks and bread. One of oursource guards, Mark also had a birthday. Pictures are a quick view of the frivolity.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Cebu visit with OIC's and Security Staff January 4th through the 6th
This is a view of the Patron Housing at dusk
Great Picture of the Temple at Dusk. The nativity is just to the left of the picture.
Nativity at night. 
Cebu Temple at dusk January 6th 2011
Daytime view of the Nativity at Cebu Temple January 6th 2011
Centurion Guards in front of Patron Temple Housing
From left Manny Francisco, Lot Revillo, Elder Burningham, Sister Burningham,Edwin Quiray and Francis DolinoOn Tuesday January 4th we got up early and headed to Manila Airport to catch our flight to Cebu to arrive at 8 am. Once in Cebu we taxied to the Cebu Temple Complex where Lot Agustin our Security Supervisor in Cebu met us. We spent the morning greeting and speaking with our Supervisor there, Lot and OIC's Manny Francisco, Edwin Quiray and Francis Dolino. It was good to see them as we were not able to visit Cebu since the dedication due to no travel budget for the latter part of the the year 2010.
At 1:00 pm we had a staff meeting with our officers and the outsource agency Centurion together in the Stake Center on the complex. During the meeting we served Pizza and soda which everyone loved. One of the staff of the Centurion Security agency also attended. There were at least 8 maybe more of the Centurion Guards who attended.
Manny conducted the meeting. It was started with a song and prayer which was great as all but one of the Centurion guards are nonmembers. Manny reported the minutes from the last meeting and then turned some time over to the Agency representative for a few remarks. He said he was pleased with all that he saw regarding the guards post responsibilities. The Centurion guards all had yellow barongs which signifies Tuesday wear. They have two other colored barongs which signify and other day. They dress very sharp and with black patent leather shoes. Our OIC's wear white shirts and Ties which signify that they are OIC's. They were attentative, sharp looking and so respectful. A note about the guards. There have been a few who have been taking missionary lessons and one has accepted an invitation to be baptized. Others have quit smoking and drinking alcohol. Smoking here in the Philippines is quite common. People can buy cigarettes off the street by the singles. So the Temple has an influence upon those guards who work here that are not LDS. One Centurion Guard expressed his gratitude for his job there at the Cebu Temple Complex. He said that everyone that comes there is religious and happy and he enjoys that. They all were smiling and glad to have the job. That pleases us very much.
Wednesday morning we had interviews with each OIC and our supervisor Lot Revilla. All of our interviews are prefaced with a report called "Regular Results Discussions" We have interviews with our staff in Manila also and have interviewed each full time employee who is on the security staff. It should be stated here that the Manila outsource guards from Vallum Security agency number about 6 and the Full Time Employees are 12 including our supervisor Jess Batoon. There is a difference in number from Manila to Cebu. A fifth OIC will most likely be hired for Cebu soon as it has been proven that the work load requires one more OIC. The interviews with the Cebu staff went well and we are very very pleased with what we see. We took notes on items stated that needed our attention.
In the afternoon of January 5th we held a goal setting session with our OIC's and Lot for the year 2011. This was based on incidents from the previous year where improvements can be made. Some incidents are a bit comical as they described a trash can being lit on fire at the Stake Center on the complex and one of the guilty parties is the son of the counselor in the stake presidency. Oops...I think he will a have a good talking to. One is, ooops, the fire alarm is accidentally pulled. Not accidentally as the camera showed a girl who purposely pulled the alarm. Some things are funny but they have to be dealt with.
All the meetings went very well and we are very very pleased with what we see. We will see them more often now...perhaps every other month until we leave. It is our goal to have a Family Home Evening with the staff in May. This will include food, fun and get together with all the staff. We have to hurry to do all that we want to by the time we leave in July 2011.
I should make note that Manny was following up on Elder B's Ferrari spoof. Elder is always saying that he wants to see his Ferrari there, so Manny has been collecting Ferrari toy cars. He told Elder that he had his Ferrari ready for him. Elder said "Good" and Manny said what color do you want? Then he brought out an assortment of colors of his Ferrari's, so he picked out a red one although too embarrassed to accept it. I accepted it because I wanted the keepsake of his shtick with the guys regarding the Ferrari. I thought it was pretty funny but heartwarming at the same time. Thanks Manny. It is a nice remembrance.
On Thursday we were able to attend the 11 am session at the Cebu Temple. We did not get a chance to do that after the dedication as the Filipino Saints just flocked to the temple and there was a waiting list to get in. The rush has slowed down now and we could get in. We had our own family file cards to do endowments for and then in the afternoon we performed a number of sealings of families and spouses by proxy. All the family file cards were from Elder B's mother's side of the family. Names and genealogy information were found on a website for the Balcom Family. The website was just a family website not affiliated with the church. So Elder was able to look up the names to see if ordinances were done and if not clear the names for Temple work. We had a great day in the temple before heading back to Manila in the evening.
Now we are back at our desks this Friday January 7th catching up with the work we have set goals with. Attached are pictures of our OIC's, Temple grounds and a a couple of guards from Centurion.
Good visit to Cebu.
Monday, January 3, 2011
A little more about Sonya's Gardens
Sonya's Vegetable Garden in a Greenhouse on the property
White Bouginvilla
Papaya
Hibiscus
Poinsettia and blue flowers
Orchid
Jack Fruit
A delicate single yellow flower
This lady gives tours of the gardens. She is showing us the lettuce grown here.
Spectacular shot of these blue Lily's
Stunning red flower..sorry I don't know the namesI know I have already written about our holiday with Brad when he was here that included Sonya's Gardens, however, Elder B had taken some amazing pictures that I wanted to post.
Sunday January 2nd - Church in Morong
Yesterday we attended our Sunday Services in Morong where we are assigned. The full time Sister Missionaries were there and fortunately they are always sitting with us to translate. Otherwise we would just sit there in wonderment. It was fast and testimony meeting and that makes for a more interesting meeting as we get to hear the members bear their testimonies and hear their stories. It is impressive to hear of how the Gospel has blessed them and how they have endured their trials. These are pretty humble people that find their happiness in a third world county. Their struggles to survive, to have jobs, good health or endure their illnesses are impressive and they find a sense of humor through it all.
I heard a young man about to leave on his mission full of faith and excitement upon the venture of spreading the Gospel. Another young man awaiting his mission call here soon. I heard a single mother who came back to activity in the church through the encouragement and fellowship of other sisters and her children. One of her children bore her testimony that she was so relieved that her mother returned. That same mother is serving as the Relief Society Secretary. All that spoke today expressed their faith in the New Year and expressed gratitude for their membership.
Baptisms are happening here but the retention rate is low. Sister Araneta told me that the area is difficult to work and keeping new members strong is a challenge. She was the teacher for Relief Society today and she spoke (I heard this through another translator) about how to fellowship new converts. Most everyone in the room had joined the church within the last five years so they could tell of how they felt when they joined the church and what they felt needed to continually attend. Many just said that it was the friendship. So it was discussed at length the importance of fellow shipping and the importance of Home Teaching and Visiting Teaching. Sister Araneta herself became a member just a few years ago. The one thing that I noticed about new converts and what I saw there in the branch is the light of happiness in their faces and the desire to be apart of the Gospel. They are all poor people, wearing what they have or what they can find that is appropriate to wear to church coming to be apart of the meeting. Singing the hymns, partaking of the sacrament and earnestly listening or participating in the meeting. The young girl playing the piano can barely play but she is there every week trying and being the accompaniment to our meetings hymns. No one cares how well she can play we are all there doing the best we can. A good way to start the New Year.
The last time we were here I asked the Sister Missionaries where they bought their stockings as they wear stockings all the time. Some stockings are black in color, some skin tone. She was showing me that she wears knee highs but they were very worn looking. So as a surprise Christmas Present I bought each of them two pairs each, one in black and the other in skin tone. They were both very appreciative of them. I would imagine they wear them out in a short time. I was glad to do something for them.
On January 4th we will leave for Cebu to see our Officers there, attend a temple session and whatever else we need to do.
I heard a young man about to leave on his mission full of faith and excitement upon the venture of spreading the Gospel. Another young man awaiting his mission call here soon. I heard a single mother who came back to activity in the church through the encouragement and fellowship of other sisters and her children. One of her children bore her testimony that she was so relieved that her mother returned. That same mother is serving as the Relief Society Secretary. All that spoke today expressed their faith in the New Year and expressed gratitude for their membership.
Baptisms are happening here but the retention rate is low. Sister Araneta told me that the area is difficult to work and keeping new members strong is a challenge. She was the teacher for Relief Society today and she spoke (I heard this through another translator) about how to fellowship new converts. Most everyone in the room had joined the church within the last five years so they could tell of how they felt when they joined the church and what they felt needed to continually attend. Many just said that it was the friendship. So it was discussed at length the importance of fellow shipping and the importance of Home Teaching and Visiting Teaching. Sister Araneta herself became a member just a few years ago. The one thing that I noticed about new converts and what I saw there in the branch is the light of happiness in their faces and the desire to be apart of the Gospel. They are all poor people, wearing what they have or what they can find that is appropriate to wear to church coming to be apart of the meeting. Singing the hymns, partaking of the sacrament and earnestly listening or participating in the meeting. The young girl playing the piano can barely play but she is there every week trying and being the accompaniment to our meetings hymns. No one cares how well she can play we are all there doing the best we can. A good way to start the New Year.
The last time we were here I asked the Sister Missionaries where they bought their stockings as they wear stockings all the time. Some stockings are black in color, some skin tone. She was showing me that she wears knee highs but they were very worn looking. So as a surprise Christmas Present I bought each of them two pairs each, one in black and the other in skin tone. They were both very appreciative of them. I would imagine they wear them out in a short time. I was glad to do something for them.
On January 4th we will leave for Cebu to see our Officers there, attend a temple session and whatever else we need to do.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year - 2011
Sister and Elder Goss crossing the bridge
Resident with chickens on route
Wawa Dam resident and baby
Elder and Sister Goss and Elder and Sister Burningham
Bamboo Raft
Dam dock
Wawa Dam dock
Look out over Dam
A closer look at the Dam
Hiking through the tunnel
The Wawa Dam
Looking back on the Dam
The Wawa Dam
River below the dam
Hiking back to the Dam. Rocky terrain below the damYesterday on New Years Eve we took a day trip about an hour away to a place called Wawa Dam. It had very rural surroundings and the drive there was not picturesque. In fact we drove through the city dump to get there. Once there we had a local guide take us up to the dam. A bit of a hike with some paved places and other places a lot of rock. At the dam it was very scenic..a jungle in fact with a lot of bamboo. The bamboo here in the Philippines is quite large...different from what we are used to seeing in the states. The bamboo can be used as water pipes they are so big. And tall....very tall. Pictures will follow soon. We took with us Elder and Sister Goss from Public Affairs. They have only been here about 6 weeks or so and seem to be getting the hang of the Philippines. Its a challenge for all of us to be here however, we learn and adapt and get feeling comfortable. Except for the traffic. There is nothing you can do about it.
In the evening about 11:00 pm. we went to the Area Office where three of our church employed staff were on duty. They had their families with them and we joined them on the roof of the Area Office to view the fireworks. We could not take a picture of this as it just would not show up but it was amazing. Bombarding of fireworks in all directions. It was a 360 degree firework display. The temple was backlit from all the fireworks. Peter Negrido and his wife and two children, Bary and wife and son, Ryan Apduhan and his family were there. For about 45 minutes the fireworks lit up the sky. I have never seen such a display. So Happy New Year...bring it on 2011.
In the evening about 11:00 pm. we went to the Area Office where three of our church employed staff were on duty. They had their families with them and we joined them on the roof of the Area Office to view the fireworks. We could not take a picture of this as it just would not show up but it was amazing. Bombarding of fireworks in all directions. It was a 360 degree firework display. The temple was backlit from all the fireworks. Peter Negrido and his wife and two children, Bary and wife and son, Ryan Apduhan and his family were there. For about 45 minutes the fireworks lit up the sky. I have never seen such a display. So Happy New Year...bring it on 2011.
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