41st Year of Devotion to the Miraculous Medal

For us Christians, we have all prayed for the intercession of the Blessed Mary. We pray the "Hail Mary" to honor the Mother of Christ. Our prayers are heard. We got healed. We are blessed, and we live by the promises of Mary.

For our family, we celebrate the 41st year of this annual devotion. It started in November of 1978 as initiated by my parents in their early years of marriage.
Since then, their life has been blessed for the intentions that are granted through Mother Mary.

Growing up in the '80s, I witnessed our yearly devotion to the Miraculous Medal. Our relatives, mostly the elderly, would lead the Novena and the singing of praises. We have been touched by the songs and Hyhm. Our prayers became stronger and heard as we prayed together.

That is the power of prayers and intentions. Our heart's desires are granted if we firmly believe God is in us and hears us.

Ask - Believe -Receive, this philosophy is what I have believed in for years, and this has been the foundation of our call for the Miraculous Medal. We ask for our intentions. It will be granted. Then we receive miracles, healings, and blessings.

Our devotion to the Miraculous Medal will be celebrated through the years to come and witnessed by the next generations of the family. We continue to pray to the blessed Mary, and may we pass on this devotion to the young ones and the entire family.


© 2019 Del Cusay

The Insider's View: Opening of SIDC One Stop Shop in the Visayas

The largest Cooperative in the Philippines, The Sorosoro Ibaba Development Cooperative (SIDC), has opened its first-ever One-Stop-Shop in the Visayas. They have chosen our hometown of Jamindan, Capiz.

On October 30, hundreds of Jamindanganons attended the grand opening and blessing of the SIDC One Stop Shop at National Road, Poblacion, Jamindan, Capiz. Our Local Government Unit officials also attended it and welcomed this great opportunity that supports the livelihood and uplifts the economic development of the people and the entire community.

Reverend Father Jeffrey Estrella and Reverend Father Krys Señeres from the Our Lady of  Perpetual Help Lomboy Parish officiated the blessing ceremony. It was followed by a Ribbon-cutting ceremony headed by AGAP Congressman Rico Geron, Dr. Angelito Bagui, SIDC Chairperson, SIDC Board of Directors including the LGU officials of Jamindan led by Mayor Mac Valdemar, Vice Mayor Ildy Cusay, SB Members and Barangay Chairmen.

The messages of SIDC officials and LGU Jamindan officials inspired the people. They have warmly welcomed this newest development in town. They are grateful for the infrastructure project given by SIDC through AGAP Partylist, the Farmer's training center located at Poblacion, Jamindan, Capiz. We also welcome future programs and projects offered by SIDC and AGAP that have the economic benefit and social impact thru Barangay Development Fund.

The biggest grocery store in town, the COOP MART, offers a modern and convenient shopping experience and the lowest price for groceries and other merchandise. Its meat shop also offers modern, fresh, and highest-quality meat products of the highest sanitary standards.

On an opening day, hundreds of SIDC members had their first grocery experience at COOPMART. They benefit from the lowest price and the patronage refund. It is open to serve from Monday to Sunday, 7 days a week, from as early as 6 AM until 7 PM, and the friendly and helpful staff is ready to serve the members and consumers. These are the reasons more people and families will love COOPMART.

SIDC Feeds offers the highest quality products for pig raising and other animal livelihood farming. They also have veterinary products for quality produce. More families will benefit from this livelihood opportunity with the technical assistance of SIDC.

Another service is the SIDC Koopinoy Savings and Loans. For only 100 pesos, a member can open a passbook savings account and apply for different kinds of loans depending on their needs. There's also a Young Savers Club for those below 18 years of age to start their saving experience. Koopinoy Savings and Loans is open from 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday to Saturday.

SIDC One-Stop-Shop opens various opportunities and benefits for members and the whole municipality of Jamindan. May it continue to grow in the years to come and improve the quality of living of members and the people thru its various quality products and services. SIDC is our partner for local development as we work together to achieve our vision of a Shining Jamindan.

© 2019 Del Cusay

The Insider's View: A Better Living Through Cooperative

Life is easier, lighter, and brighter when people work together for a common goal and interests; when people aspire to uplift and improve their lives. That's the essence of a Cooperative— a group of like-minded people working towards sustainable economic development.

In our hometown in Jamindan, Province of Capiz, we have welcomed the establishment of the largest Agri-based Cooperative in the Philippines. It is the Sorosoro Ibaba Development Cooperative or SIDC that was founded and first established in the Province of Batangas in 1969.

In celebration of the 50th year of SIDC, we have warmly welcomed their partnership for local economic development and put up the first-ever SIDC One Stop Shop in the Visayas; which is in our hometown of Jamindan.

I am fortunate to have applied for a regular membership before its grand opening on October 30 and I was able to have a glimpse of their products and services to the people and community.

As an Agricultural-based Cooperative, SIDC will have products and services for its members which include Organic fertilizer, veterinary products,  feeds, meat shops, and provide assistance and partnership for Hog raising or pig farming. 

SIDC also has Koopinoy Savings and Loans service to its active members to support their financial needs and growth. Members will have an opportunity for a loan to start up their farm business. They also provide other loan services like a vehicle loans, motorcycle/tricycle loans, micro and enterprise loan for entrepreneurs with no collateral requirement for members.

For member Savers, Koopinoy provides a passbook savings account and time deposit with higher interest per annum. Even children below 18 years old can open a savings account to secure their future.

SIDC has a modern look grocery/convenience store that offers the lowest price in town. This is another savings for the members and consumers
aside from the Loyalty rewards as a member.

SIDC will also accept bills payment for various utility bills and also has a money remittance service in partnership with Truemoney padala. Consumers will experience convenience on these financial services.

SIDC One Stop Shop in Jamindan will open its door to everyone and may it bring progress in the lives of the people who patronize its products, services, and programs. This way we will achieve a better local economy leading to a better community.

© 2019 Del Cusay