a Face Book chat with one of my security guards in Cebu

Tonight I chatted with one of my security OIC's in Cebu by way of Face Book.  He likes to call me "mom" and I call him "son."  Story behind that is when we were there at the Cebu Temple dedication  I would tell my guys that they are all my "sons" .  They all liked that but Manny Franciso liked it the best.  On the evening after the cultural celebration we were at the Cebu Temple complex taking pictures of some of the brethren before they all retired to their rooms at the Temple Patron Housing.  While I was taking pictures, Manny came over by me taking pictures and telling me...."I am going to stand by my mom and take pictures too" I smiled at him and was pleased but then he told me that his mother had died when he was just four months old and his father had died also at the age of 49.  He had no brothers or sisters and had to keep a watch on his father while he was in the hospital with a severe heart condition from which he died.  Manny told me that he felt so alone until he heard the missionaries speak about the purpose of life and joined the church at 16. 

We chatted about some of his struggles with his in-laws who didn't like him and were not members at the time.  Now his wife's family are all members and love Manny very much.  He has been blessed. So I told him that I would miss him and to remember that Elder Burningham and I love him very much and would miss him. The following is what he had said to me over chat.

"So do I Mom. My family loves you too we will always remember once upon a time in Manila and Cebu a Burningham Family is just like a Father and Mother to me and the security force are my Brothers thank you so much for everything you have done to our family and to the security dept we will be missing you Mom

Until we meet again.

Manny"

Juancho Pena Gallano new OIC in our department joining the other two new officers, Elijah Sosmena and Nilo Hisita

Juancho Gallano

Our three newest members of the staff. Elijah Sosmena,Nilo Hisita and Juancho Gallano

Juancho is our newest OIC as of about a week ago.  He couldn't be more happy.  He arrived on the day of his job offer very very early with a smile on his face. He asked for a picture of us so his daughter could draw us from a picture.  Juancho sent us the below email and I thought I would keep it in my blog.  No happier man here in the department than Brother Juancho.

Hi Sister B.

Good Morning, yes I am glad of this beautiful picture my daughter will make a souvenir for you at least you always to remember me and my family it is my blessing to be part of your Mission called here in the Philippines very short moment I have been working with you but I could not to forget this great work of Our Lord Jesus Christ to carry on to build the Kingdom on earth. again thank you for every things you share with me very strong spirit I thank you being nice parents I know Heavenly Father have another mission call for both of you of course first your own family there are very excited your coming back home I know your family missing you a lot specially all your grand children I know you have a lot of opportunity again to serve I admired all your effort and sacrifice here in Security department don’t worry we like to welcome Bro. Todd we will give all our full support as our New Security Manager Sister just keeping you in touch.

Best regards

Your Bro. In Christ

Juancho

July 11th Arrival of the Golf Cart Rain Cover

 In this picture is shown Alan Mercader on far right, far left, oursource guard, and in back is Paul Parrocha

Golf Cart Rain Cover, Paul Parrocha in the back, Alan Mercader far right and officer in far left in back.

It is the rainy season and the Security Staff asked for a Golf Cart Rain Cover so I got it ordered and it arrived this afternoon.  I had the guys install it on the cart as you can see here.  It has rained every day for the last three days and wouldn't you know it.....it is sunny on the morning of the 12th.

Our Replacements have arrived. Todd Tapp

This is the picture I took of Todd for his ID. He says I can't get anything better than this..LOL

July 8th at 11:00 pm, Brother Todd and Sister Pauline Tapp arrived at the Manila Airport where we picked them up  and took them to their home in a subdivision called Acropolis, near the Manila Temple and the Manila Philippine Area Office.  We then spent July 9th taking them around to places to shop for food and for basics.  Also we took their new Starex Van to their place for them to have transportation.  Their home is lovely and they will be very comfortable for themselves and for all that come to visit them.  We took time out for lunch at Johnny Rockets in Eastwood City not far from their place and enjoyed a wonderful visit. 

There will be a new Sheriff in town and it is comforting to know that the Security Staff will be in good hands.  It is hard to leave our Filipine Family that we have grown to love so much, but now it is time to gear up and get ready to see our homeland and our family.  I am looking forward to seeing my mother who is somewhat infirm.  I hope she is with us when we return.  All is well, all is well.

July 7th, 2011, outing with Senior Missionaries for the day

This is a club sandwich at the Manila Hotel.  The bread is round and they cut it down and through with sides in tack then the bread is sliced sideways and chicken, bacon and stuff for a delicious sandwich.  This is a sandwich for two.  Yum.

We Sisters 4

Us Sisters at the Manila Hotel

 The eight of us, Elder and Sister  Bird, Elder and Sister Bell, Elder and Sister Goss and Elder and Sister B (us)

Carol Cunningham of DAM GOOD STUFF showroom.

Several Senior Missionaries wanted to see the Manila Hotel and have lunch and we were the only one that knew the way and have been there before.  We saw the Hotel Archives and the MacArthur Suite.  We had seen all several times before but the other missionaries have not had the opportunity.  So eight of us went in a pool care and traveled to the Hotel and got the tour then enjoyed a delicious lunch. Afterwards we took them to a Pearl Showroom operated by Carol Cunningham to meet her and do some shopping.  I have become interested in selling her jewelry in the states so perhaps my friends in Saint George will like to attend a home party where good knotted pearls can be bought for a fraction of the cost in the US.

Advertising in Manila July 2011

I wanted to snap a picture of how big the advertising is here in Manila traveling on EDSA, a main road. Here it is. As big or bigger than Las Vegas.

Post script....It is July 11th and we were told at the Family Home Evening last night by President DeLaMare that this advertising of men in their underwear was deemed as unlawful and have been taken down.  Interesting.

Boy on a truck ride - July 6, 2011

We went to the Wet Market in Araneta and found this dad using his dolly/truck to gave his son a ride.  Notice he has something of candy in each hand.  I stopped the man and asked if I could snap his picture.

July 3rd, 2011, last visit to our branch in Morong.

We are relinquishing our assignment now to the Morong Branch to Elder and Sister Goss.  Sister Goss took our picture just before we left.  You probably notice that there are not any cars.  That is because no one owns one.  All members arrive by Jeepney or trike and/or taxi.

Taking pictures of those I know here in the office including the hair stylist I go to.

 Jun, my haircut guy.  He does a great job and I have sent all my Sister Senior Missionary friends

 Dick with Facilities Management

 Dennis Santiago

 Alex Servidad in purchasing

 Ed Mendoza - Facilities Management

 Florante (Plor) Enriquez with Facilities Management

 Louie Costellas

 Lynna Espanola of CES

 Elder Miguel Valdez - a 70 over CES

Emelda (Neneng) Meneses of Purchasing

 Raymond Vicente of Purchasing

 Ramon of Purchasing

 Ryan Apduahn (Security front desk receptionist) in the Golf Cart

 Roehl Abonado, Aleah Ballados and Stephen Notarte of Travel

 Aleah in Travel with Ayen in the background on the phone

Stephen Notarte of Travel

 Armando Tolentino of Treasury

 Brad Anderson area controller over finance

 Girlie Macalincag of treasury

 The Deseret Distribution Store

 Elder Bird and Elder Bell in the Mezzenine conference room

Sister Smith of Welfare department

 Elder Smith Welfare Missionary

 Jaime Aquino of Finance

 MaeAnn Receptionist for Welfare

 ICS team, George Biol, Darlene Coporal, Venna Centeno and Michael Jacob (MJ)

 Roland Gaspar of ICS

 Sharon Perez Area Presidency secretary

 Lea Tesaluna of Finance

Marcial Evangelista of Finance

Sister Bell and Brother Franco (employee) from PEF

 Dina Alves of Human Resources

Ryan Manrique of Human Resources

July 1st. a sad day

Tonight I received word from my brother that our father passed on.  He was 90 almost 91.  He was very ill and in the hospital. 

We will stay the next few weeks on our mission to finish up before going back home.  I was expecting his passing and not sure if he would be there when I returned.  May he rest in peace.
Sister Burningham