Story of Every Juan

A juvenile crested serpent eagle was rescued in Surigao del Sur town on May 23.

Jaykiel Mercado, DENR-CENRO Cantilan, said that local children saw the eagle under a coconut tree at Purok 5, Brgy. Doyos, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur, at 5:00 PM, and immediately reported to the local authority.

“We decided just to let the eagle rest at the house of [Police Officer Juanito Cifra of PNP Carrascal]. We fed the eagle with meat and fishes as we believed the eagle was tired and hungry,” Mercado said.

The local authorities tried to release the bird on May 25, but it failed to fly away.

“Unfortunately, the eagle maybe was tired and lacked the energy, hence failing to fly. So, we decided to bring it to the baywalk and monitored it, believing it would be his advantage to fly thereat as the place was a little bit quite. The eagle showed signs of flying, but still, it failed,” he stressed.

Mercado said that the eagle is currently in their custody and to undergo care and treatment until it can fly back into the wild. — Story of Every Juan

Eljem M. Pogio, 20, from Muabog, Tabogon, Cebu province, unleashed his wit and creativity amid the community quarantine as he made his DIY drone.

The DIY drone was made out of his smartphone attached to a kite.

“Actually, na-curious lang ako kung ano [ang] view sa taas. Pangalawang saranggola na yan, yung una di kinaya ang bigat ng cp ko kaya nilakihan ko na sa pangalawa,” Eljem shared to Story of Every Juan.

• 

“Maraming beses din nabagsak tapos try and try lang at patience, kaso yung cp ko nag overheat kaya hindi na continue and video,” he added.

Eljem was happy and contended of the outcome of his attempt to see the aerial view using his DIY drone. — Story of Every Juan

A netizen shared on Facebook this bizarre piglet with three eyes and two heads in Brgy. Quiasan, Balasan in Iloilo on May 17.

Uploader Cathy Dulalia Cancel said that the characteristics of the said animal was uncanny and unexpected. His father who assisted its birth was also surprised the moment he saw the piglet as he’s never seen anything as such.

“Para sa amin ay swerte [ito] at kahit mga ka-barangay naming sinasabi na swerte daw ito,” Cancel told Story of Every Juan.

She added that some villagers flocked to see the little creature as they were amazed by its abnormal features. -Story of Every Juan

A family in Simbuawan, Nailon, Bogo City, Cebu transformed a tent into a home as they could not afford to own a house.

The couple Danlie Baldos and Alna Timba’s livelihood is to glean shellfish (kinhas) and sell it to sustain their family needs.

“Wa ni sila balay ug bisan asa nalang sila mangatulog ug asa sila abuton sa kagabhion kuyog ang inusara nilang anak,” Eduardo Suderio, a concerned citizen shared on Facebook.

Eduardo said that the tent they were housing as their home was donated by someone who pitied to their situation.

The family-owned tricycle used for livelihood was even impounded due to insufficiency.

“Unta ug naay malooy nga matabangan ni sila nga mapa abot sa mga nangatungdanan ang ilang makalolooy nga kahimtang,” Eduardo added. — Story of Every Juan

Cebu, Philippines — “Working away from home is far different from studying abroad. As a seafarer, it’s hard for me to work, knowing I’m far from my family, especially that I overthink a lot. I always get worried whenever I got home, admitting to myself that I do miss my loved ones. When you get sick, nobody will take care of you but yourself. Most of all, when you’re longing for your family whenever there are nights, occasions, reunions, and gatherings that you missed. Whenever that happens, I just think of the thoughts that in everything I do is for my family and my dreams.

So, my seaman-story started way back before college. My first choice was to take up any medical courses. I thought of “Nursing.” I got mesmerized by the thought of wearing white uniforms; that was what I really liked, and honestly, never had I ever thought of taking maritime courses not until the day came, and everything suddenly changed vanishing all my initial plans. What happened was still clear in my mind. There were maritime schools who went to our school and encouraged students to take up maritime courses, and after that, I suddenly had the interest and curiosity to join in. Besides, even when I was thinking of taking up a Nursing course, I felt that no one would ever support me in pursuing it because admittedly, it’s too expensive. Since my sisters would be the one who would support me financially in my studies, I once mentioned them those maritime schools that went to our school, and I could also felt that interest had poured into them. And yes, after months of contemplating and years of study and training here, I am now spending almost my entire life in the maritime field, which made me think of ‘this life I currently live in is where I am destined to be.’

When I was in college, I was appointed as a student leader, and I experienced holding big events such as founding anniversaries. I admit it pressured and stressed me so much. I never thought of it being necessary, not until I started working as a seaman, experiencing greater pressures and stressed. I realized that coping with stress while you’re away from the ones that give you strength is not that easy and will never be. Dealing with different types of people, pressures at work, thinking you might not be able to do your task right, and the fatigues that your job can cause you, these are some of the instances that give me stress and worries. I can still remember how I asked God for this moment to have my vessel for my apprenticeship, so the thing I did to cope up with stress is just simply enjoy what I am working for and merely enjoying my stay while onboard and keeping in touch with my loved ones.

The moment I started my career, this one is by far the best realization for me throughout my transition as a seafarer. Don’t be afraid to experience something you are most good at it. As I’ve mentioned earlier, where I am today, never crossed my mind even once before I step on my first milestone. Thus, I didn’t really see myself on a male dominated course. When I started studying Marine Transportation, it was almost new to me especially the environment. I barely had a female classmates. This maybe was not my dream but this is where I think I am destined.

Life is never easy but don’t ever allow negativities to put you down, that will just give you another stress. Most of all, always look up from above. Pray and ask for His guidance throughout your journey.”

Khatmar Jones A. Martinez, Seafarer