UP Ibalon Bicol: family

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US Visa Availability September 2009

9/01/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Each month, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issue the visa availability of those who wish to immigrate (family-based application) or work (employment based application) in America. For the month of September 2009 here are the abridged priority dates:

FAMILY CATEGORIES September

Categories----Worldwide----China (PRC)----India------Mexico-----Philippines
1st------------05-15-03-----05-15-03-------05-15-03----01-01-91---09-22-93
2A------------04-15-05-----04-15-05-------04-15-05----12-22-02---04-15-05
2B------------07-01-01-----07-01-01-------07-01-01----05-15-92---05-01-98
3rd-----------12-15-00-----12-05-00-------12-15-00----07-01-01---09-22-91
4th-----------02-22-99------02-22-99-------02-22-99----09-22-95---10-22-86

EMPLOYMENT CATEGORIES September

Categories--- Worldwide----China (PRC)----India-----Mexico-----Philippines
1st-------------Current------Current-----------Current---Current----Current
2nd------------Current----- -01-08-05--------01-08-05---Current----Current
3rd------------Unavailable--10-22-02--------10-15-01---08-15-03---05-01-05
Unskilled-- Unavailable--Unavailable----Unavailable--Unavailable--Unavaiable
4th------------Unavailable—Unavailable—-Unavailable-Unavailable--Unavailable
Religious----Unavailable---Unavailable---Unavailable—Unavailable--Unavailable
5th-------------Current-----Current------------Current---Current------Current

For detailed information I suggest the websites: State Department Visa Bulletin---http://travel.state.gov/; http://shusterman.com/vb.html (Photo Credit: Yuhuru1701)

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Labels: Baao PIntakasi USA, employment, family, immigrants, immigration, Totie Mesia, Visa

Reading Ninoy Aquino's letter

8/11/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

As Pres. Corazon Aquino’s demise starts to settle permanently in our senses, I can’t ignore an email a friend sent me. It is part of the “forwards” I receive each day. But this one is exceptionally good to read and think about. It comes from Philippine hero Ninoy Aquino--- writing his daughter Ballsy in 1973.

I thought, for its incisive and compelling content, Ninoy's letter deserves to be posted for those who haven’t read it.

Ninoy, the martyred husband of Cory may well be a father who lives, trying to share something lovable, beautiful, and sublime for his family and the rest of the world. (Photo Credit: Mon Solo)=0=

NINOY'S LETTER TO DAUGHTER BALLSY 1973

August 18, 1973
Fort Bonifacio
Makati, Rizal

Ms. Maria Elena C. Aquino
25 Times St. Quezon City

My dearest Ballsy,

I write you this letter with tears in my eyes and as if steel fingers are crushing my heart because I wanted so much to be with you as you celebrate your legal emancipation. Now that you have come of age, my love, a voice tells me that I am no longer young and suddenly, I feel old.

An old poet gave this advice very long ago “when you are sad, remember the roses will bloom in December.” I want to send you bouquet of roses, big red roses from my dreamland garden. Unfortunately for the present, my roses are not in bloom, in fact they have dropped all their petals and only the thorns are left to keep me company. I do think it is fitting to send you a thicket of thorns on this memorable day!

I am very proud of you because you have inherited all the best traits of your mother. You are sensible, responsible, even-tempered and sincere with the least pretenses and affection which vehemently detest in a woman. I am sure like your mother, you will possess that rare brand of silent courage and that combination of fidelity and fortitude that will be the life vest of your man in the tragic moments of his life.

During my lonely hours of solitary confinement in Fort Magsaysay, Laur, Nueva Ecija last March and April with nothing else to do but pray and daydream, with only my fond memories to keep me company, I planned a weekend barrio fiesta for you in Tarlac for your 18th birthday. I fooled myself into believing that my ordeal would end with the fiscal year. I planned to invite all your classmates and friends and their families for the weekends.

The schedule called for an early departure by bus from Manila and the first stop will be Concepcion, where lunch will be served by the pool. And after lunch, you were to visit the SantaRitaElementary School to distribute cookies and ice cream to the children of that public school where you were first enrolled.

I guess sheer nostalgia prompted me to include Santa Rita. We were only three then: Mommie, you and I. Those were the days of happy memories little responsibilities, tremendous freedom, a great future ahead and capped by a fulfillment of love... You are the first fruit of our union, the first proof of our love and the first seal of our affections.

From Concepcion we were to proceed to Luisita for the barrio fiesta. I intended to invite a friend who could roast an entire cow succulently. Swimming, pelota, dancing and eating would have been the order of the day.

Sunday morning was reserved for a trip around the Hacienda and the mill and maybe golf for some of the parents and later a picnic-lunch on Uncle Tony’s Island. Return to Manila after lunch. I am afraid this will have to remain as one of the many dreams I had in Laur.

Our future has suddenly become uncertain and our fate unknown. I am even now beginning to doubt whether I’ll ever be able to return to you and the family. Hence, I would like to ask you these special favors.

Love your mother, whose love for you, you will never be able to match. She is not the greatest mother in the world, she is your sincerest friend.
Take care of your younger sisters and brother and lavish them with the love and care I would like to continue giving them but am unable to do so.

Help Noy-noy along and pray hard that he will grow to be a real, responsible man who in later years will protect you all.
You are the model for your three younger sisters. Your responsibility is therefore great. Please endeavor to live up to our highest expectations. Be more tolerant to Pinky, more accessible to Viel, our little genius-princess, and more charitable to Krissy, our baby doll, and make up for my neglect.

Finally, forgive me, my love, for not having been an ideal, good and thoughtful father to you all as I pursued public office. I had hopes and high resolve of making up, but I am afraid my destiny will not oblige.

I seal this letter with a drop of tear and a prayer in my heart, that somehow, somewhere we shall meet again and I will finally be able to make up for all my lapses, in the kingdom where justice reigns supreme and love is eternal.

I love you,
Dad
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Labels: Ballsy, Cory Aquino, family, hero, Letter, Love, martyr, Ninoy Aquino, Pres. Corazon Aquino, Totie Mesia

US Visa Availability August 2009

7/18/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Each month, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issue the visa availability of those who wish to immigrate (family-based application) or work (employment based application) in America. For the month of August 2009 here are the abridged priority dates:

FAMILY CATEGORIES August

Categories----Worldwide----China (PRC)----India-------Mexico-----Philippines
1st------------01-08-03-----01-08-03-------01-08-03----01-01-91---09-15-93
2A------------01-15-05-----01-15-05-------01-15-05----09-22-02---01-15-05
2B------------05-01-01-----05-01-01-------05-01-01----05-08-92---05-01-98
3rd-----------11-01-00-----11-01-00-------11-01-00----07-01-01---08-08-91
4th-----------12-22-98------12-22-98-------12-22-98----08-01-95---09-08-86

EMPLOYMENT CATEGORIES August

Categories--- Worldwide----China (PRC)----India-----Mexico-----Philippines
1st--------------Current------Current---------Current---Current----Current
2nd------------Current------10-01-03--------10-01-03---Current----Current
3rd------------05-01-05-----10-22-02--------10-15-01---08-15-03---05-01-05
Other workers---Unavailable--Unavailable---Unavailable--Unavailable--Unavaiable
4th------------Current------Current----------Current---Current----Current
Religious-----Current------Current----------Current---Current----Current
5th-------------Current------Current--------Current---Current----Current
Targeted
Employment areas--Current----Current--------Current---Current----Current

For detailed information I suggest the websites: State Department Visa Bulletin---http://travel.state.gov/; http://shusterman.com/vb.html (Photo Credit: Yuhuru1701)

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Labels: August 2009, employment, family, immigration, OFW, overseas worker, petition, State Department, Totie Mesia, USA, USCIS, Visa

US Visa Availability June 2009

6/01/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Each month, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issue the visa availability of those who wish to immigrate (family-based application) or work (employment based application) in America. For the month of June 2009 here are the abridged priority dates:

FAMILY CATEGORIES June 2009

-------Worldwide------China (PRC)--------India------------Mexico--------Philippines
1st-----11-08-02-------11-08-02---------11-08-02--------10-08-92-------09-01-93
2A------12-15-04-------12-15-04---------12-15-04--------05-15-02-------12-15-04
2B------02-01-01-------02-01-01---------02-01-01--------05-01-92-------04-01-98
3rd-----10-08-00-------10-08-00---------10-08-00--------10-22-92-------07-01-91
4th-----08-15-98-------08-15-98---------08-15-98--------05-22-95-------08-01-86

EMPLOYMENT CATEGORIES

-------------------Worldwide------China (PRC)------India-------Mexico----Philippines
1st-----------------Current--------Current--------Current------Current----Current
2nd-----------------Current--------02-15-05---------01-01-00---Current----Current
3rd-----------------Unavail.------Unavail.---------Unavail------Unavail.-----Unavail.
Other workers-----Unavail.-------Unavail.---------Unavail.------Unavail.---Unavail.
4th-----------------Current-------Current----------Current------Current----Current
Religious-----------Current-------Current----------Current------Current-----Current
5th------------------Current------Current----------Current------Current-----Current

For detailed information I suggest the websites: State Department Visa Bulletin---http://travel.state.gov/; http://shusterman.com/vb.html (Photo Credit: Yuhuru1701)

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Labels: employment, family, immigration, March 2009, OFW, overseas worker, petition, State Department, Totie Mesia, USA, USCIS, Visa

US Visa Availability May 2009

4/23/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Each month, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issue the visa availability of those who wish to immigrate (family-based application) or work (employment based application) in America. For the month of May 2009 here are the abridged priority dates:

FAMILY CATEGORIES May 2009

-------Worldwide------China (PRC)--------India------------Mexico--------Philippines
1st-----09-22-02-------09-22-02---------09-22-02--------10-08-92-------08-01-93
2A------10-08-04-------10-08-04---------10-08-04--------04-01-02-------10-08-04
2B------11-15-00-------11-15-00---------11-15-00--------05-01-92-------02-01-98
3rd-----09-08-00-------09-08-00---------09-08-00--------10-22-92-------06-22-91
4th-----06-08-98-------03-22-98---------06-08-98--------05-01-95-------07-08-86

EMPLOYMENT CATEGORIES

----------Worldwide------China (PRC)-------India-----------Mexico--------Philippines
1st--------Current---------Current----------Current---------Current-------Current
2nd--------Current--------02-15-05---------02-15-04--------Current-------Current
3rd--------Unavailable---Unavailable-----Unavailable----Unavailable---Unavailable
Unskilled--Unavailable---Unavailable-----Unavailable----Unavailable---Unavailable
4th--------Current---------Current-----------Current---------Current-------Current
Religious--Current---------Current-----------Current--------Current-------Current
5th---------Current---------Current-----------Current---------Current-------Current

For detailed information I suggest the websites: State Department Visa Bulletin---http://travel.state.gov/; http://shusterman.com/vb.html (Photo Credit: Yuhuru1701)

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Labels: employment, family, immigration, March 2009, OFW, overseas worker, petition, State Department, Totie Mesia, USA, USCIS, Visa

In Memoriam: Aida B. Abella-Felipe, 84

4/18/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

For a time, she was one of Naga City’s most admired citizens. In the tradtion of devoted domesticity and homely calm, Aida B. Abella-Felipe lived the full life of a loving mother to children Cecile, Annabel, Amelia, Marlene, Emeterio, Ramon IV, Antero and Jesus. In peace, she died on April 4, 2009 at the age of 84 to be with the Lord.

Married for 66 years to the respected Naga ex-mayor Ramon H. Felipe, Jr., the faithful and resolute lady won’t be forgotten as the convent-bred granddaughter of Manuel P. Abella, one of the 15 Bicol Martyrs. She was a woman whose passing makes her family and those who know her feel the big loss.

In Colegio de Sta. Isabel (Naga) where the genteel and polished women of her days got their Catholic Christian upbringing, Mrs. Felipe got her character formation---just right for her to become the admirable matriarch of the Abella-Felipe clan. Helped by the Daughters of Charity sisters, she got further learning in Manila's Assumption College at a time when not so many women in her community devoted themselves to higher education.

In the backdrop of World War II, she married the guy who was to be one of the nation's top-notch lawyers and public servant. At peacetime, she patiently nurtured their 8 children, 7 children-in-law, 19 grandchildren, 6 grandchildren-in-law, 11 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson, for a total of 52 descendants.---Bicol Mail (04/16/09, Escandor, Juan Jr)

UP Ibalon Bicol and friends offer their prayers and sympathy to Hon. Ramon H. Felipe Jr. and his bereaved family at this time of mourning. Photo Credit: Maya) =0=

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Labels: Aida Abella-Felipe, Colegio de Sta Isabel, death, family, Memoriam, Milestone, Naga, Naga City, Obituary, Ramon Felipe, Totie Mesia, UP Ibalon

US Visa Availability March 2009

3/02/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Each month, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issue the visa availability of those who wish to immigrate (family-based application) or work (employment based application) in America. For the month of March 2009 here are the abridged priority dates:

FAMILY CATEGORIES March

Categories----Worldwide----China (PRC)----India-------Mexico-----Philippines
1st------------07-22-02-----07-22-02-------07-22-02----10-08-92---07-15-93
2A------------07-01-04-----07-01-04-------07-01-04----10-15-01---07-01-04
2B------------06-22-00-----06-22-00-------06-22-00----05-01-92---12-01-97
3rd-----------08-08-00-----08-08-00-------08-08-00----10-15-02---06-08-91
4th-----------03-01-98------11-15-97--------03-01-98----04-08-95---05-15-86

EMPLOYMENT CATEGORIES

Categories--- Worldwide----China (PRC)----India-----Mexico-----Philippines
1st--------------Current------Current---------Current---Current----Current
2nd------------Current------02-15-05--------02-15-04---Current----Current
3rd------------05-01-05-----10-22-02--------10-15-01---08-15-03---05-01-05
Unskilled-----03-15-03-----10-22-02---------10-15-01--03-15-03---03-15-03
4th------------Current------Current----------Current---Current----Current
Religious-----Current------Current----------Current---Current----Current
5th-------------Current------Current----------Current---Current----Current

For detailed information I suggest the websites: State Department Visa Bulletin---http://travel.state.gov/; http://shusterman.com/vb.html (Photo Credit: Yuhuru1701)

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Labels: employment, family, immigration, March 2009, OFW, overseas worker, petition, State Department, Totie Mesia, USA, USCIS, Visa

US Visa Availability February 2009

2/03/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Each month, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issue the visa availability of those who wish to immigrate (family-based application) or work (employment based application) in America. For the month of January 2009 here are the abridged priority dates:

FAMILY CATEGORIES

Categories--Worldwide---China (PRC)----India----------Mexico---------Philippines
1st---------07-08-02----07-08-02------07-08-02--------10-08-92--------07-15-93
2A----------06-01-04----06-01-04------06-01-04--------09-22-01--------06-01-04
2B----------05-08-00----05-08-00------05-08-00--------05-01-92--------10-15-97
3rd---------08-01-00----08-01-00------08-01-00--------10-08-92--------06-01-91
4th---------02-15-98----09-22-97------01-15-98--------03-22-95--------05-01-86

EMPLOYMENT CATEGORIES

Categories----Worldwide--------China (PRC)------India-----Mexico-----Philippines
1st-------------Current----------Current------------Current---Current-----Current
2nd-------------Current---------01-01-05---------01-01-04---Current-----Current
3rd-------------05-01-05--------10-01-02--------10-15-01--04-01-03----05-01-05
Unskilled-------03-15-03--------10-01-02--------10-15-01--10-15-01----03-15-03
4th-------------Current-----------Current---------Current---Current------Current
Religious-------Current----------Current---------Current----Current-----Current
5th-------------Current-----------Current---------Current---Current------Current

For detailed information I suggest the websites: State Department Visa Bulletin---http://travel.state.gov/; http://shusterman.com/vb.html (Photo Credit: Yuhuru1701 PD)

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Labels: employment, family, immigration, OFW, overseas worker, petition, State Department, Totie Mesia, USA, USCIS, Visa

Labels: employment, family, immigration, OFW, overseas worker, petition, State Department, Totie Mesia, USA, USCIS, Visa

US Visa Availability January 2009

1/07/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Each month, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issue the visa availability of those who wish to immigrate (family-based application) or work (employment based application) in America. For the month of January 2009 here are the abridged priority dates:

FAMILY CATEGORIES

Categories----Worldwide----China (PRC)----India-------Mexico-----Philippines
1st------------06-15-02-----06-15-02-------06-15-02----10-01-92---07-15-93
2A------------05-15-04-----05-15-04-------05-15-04----08-15-01---05-15-04
2B------------03-22-00-----03-22-00-------03-22-00----05-01-92---09-01-97
3rd-----------08-01-00-----08-01-00-------08-01-00----10-01-92---05-22-91
4th-----------02-08-98-----08-22-97-------11-01-97----03-08-95---05-01-86

EMPLOYMENT CATEGORIES

Categories--- Worldwide----China (PRC)----India-----Mexico-----Philippines
1st--------------Current------Current---------Current---Current----Current
2nd------------Current------07-08-04--------07-01-03--Current----Current
3rd-----------05-01-05-----06-01-02--------10-15-01--11-15-02---05-01-05
Unskilled-----03-15-03-----03-15-03---------03-15-03--03-15-03---03-15-03
4th------------Current------Current----------Current---Current----Current
Religious-----Current------Current----------Current---Current----Current
5th------------Current------Current----------Current---Current----Current

For detailed information I suggesgt the websites: State Department Visa Bulletin---http://travel.state.gov/; http://shusterman.com/vb.html (Photo Credit: Yuhuru1701)

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Labels: employment, family, immigration, OFW, overseas worker, petition, State Department, Totie Mesia, USA, USCIS, Visa

Disgruntled "Santa Claus" goes on a massacre spree

12/27/2008 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Santa Claus did not come to cheer the family in Covina, California on the eve of Christmas. Instead, Bruce Pardo, a 45-year old recent divorcee with marital problems personified a costumed Santa Claus visiting with incendiary device and weapons concealed in a Christmas gift. The angry man gunned down an 8-year old girl who opened the door of his former wife’s home. The bloody shooting was intended as revenge against his ex and her parents.

The event which followed became a gruesome killing spree, causing the deaths of at least 9 people including his former wife. Some party-goers sustained injuries and were brought to the hospital. Before Pardo left, he set the house on fire leaving charred bodies on the scene.

Coming out of his red Santa Claus garb, Pardo drove away. He was later found dead with a single self-inflicted gunshot wound in his brother’s home in the Sylmar area of Los Angeles, CA on Christmas day, 25 miles away from the crime scene.

Such tragedy must not be the message of Christmas, but an incident of such brutality and senselessness happens. Marital and family problems need not end in this manner. It makes us ponder of the dark soul that ails some people today. (Photo Credit: AP/ Covina Police Department; blue_fam) =0=

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Labels: Bruce Pardo, Christmas massacre, crime, family, killings, Massacre, Santa Claus, Totie Mesia

Fecund birth and elderly parturition

12/20/2008 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

The arrival of a baby is one of the happiest moments of a family. It is even happier for the Duggar family in Arkansas that welcomes Jordyn-Grace Makiya, a 7 pound, 3 ounces baby girl, the 18th member of the brood. Jim Bob Duggar and wife Michele who are devoted to parenting have now 10 sons and eight daughters. “The ultimate gift from God,” said the ecstatic father whose baby was born by caesarean section (CS) on Thursday, December 18, 2008 at Mercy Medical Center in Rogers, AK.

In India, a similarly happy couple celebrates the birth of their healthy daughter after a pregnancy that was made possible by fertility treatment. At 70 years old, two decades beyond the usual age of menopause, Rajo Devi delivered by CS at the National Fertility Center in Hisar, India, Monday, Dec. 8, 2008. She and husband Bala Ram, 72, had been trying to have a baby for about ten years in a community which bears stigma on childless couples.

Because of modern technology, changing cultural norms, and individual preferences, more couples like the Duggars and the Rams are able to decide on unusual choices of family size and age of childbearing. It is unclear what these choices will bring to their children of the future. (Photo Credit: AP/ Beth Hall; AP /Devendra Uppal) =0=

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Labels: Arkansas, childbirth, children, Duggar, family, family planning, fertility, Health, Hisar, India, Medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pregnancy, Rajo Devi, science, Totie Mesia portest

The Traditional man-woman marriage

11/10/2008 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

"Love the family! Defend and promote it as the basic cell of human
society; nurture it as the prime sanctuary of life. Give great care to the
preparation of engaged couples and be close to young married couples, so
that they will be for their children and the whole community an eloquent
testimony of God's love."--Pope John Paul II, 2001

"Marriage is the foundation of the family and the family is the foundation of society: if we strengthen marriage, we strengthen the family, we strengthen the children and we strengthen the community. If your goal is to help improve the world, marriage is as good a place as any to start."---Diane Sollee, Grand Rapids Family Summit, 1998

(Photo Credits: msbernal; msbernal; bloomsdayflowers)

RELATED BLOG: "Moral Challenge: angry gays protest ban of same-sex marriage in California" Posted by mesiamd at 11/10/2008

Labels: children, Diane Soullee, family, marriage, Pope John Paul II, social, tradition

UP Ibalon Bicol

US Visa Availability September 2009

Reading Ninoy Aquino's letter

US Visa Availability August 2009

US Visa Availability June 2009

US Visa Availability May 2009

In Memoriam: Aida B. Abella-Felipe, 84

US Visa Availability March 2009

US Visa Availability February 2009

US Visa Availability January 2009

Disgruntled "Santa Claus" goes on a massacre spree

Fecund birth and elderly parturition

The Traditional man-woman marriage

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