The Zimmbodilion

Thirty-four (34) years ago, on 30 September 1974, Mommy Bingbing, gave birth to a Pidjanga, who was later to be named Zimmbodilion! That was me!

Two weeks before I was born, during a prenatal check-up, a Butuanon doctor pronounced me to have no fetal heartbeat. A Butuan Hospital was the best medical facility within Daddy's and Mommy's reach because they were then living in the hinterlands of the Diwata Ranges of Agusan, helping indigenous people (the Manobo). To save Mommy's life, the doctor recommended that I be removed through a surgical operation. Daddy refused to accept the recommendation and flew to Manila right away.

Mommy was brought straight to St. Lukes Hospital in Quezon City. There was no available room. With few calls and some connections, Daddy was offered the Presidential Suite. While Mommy was on the operating table, Daddy stayed in the hospital chapel, and stormed the heavens with prayer.

By dawn, I came out via normal delivery. A healthy baby!

Miracle? or Medical glitz?

Whatever it was... my parents were very delighted to see their firstborn, healthy and bouncing!

I think every parent wants the BEST name for their children. For their firstborn, who was almost aborted due to weird medical results, my parents named me ZIMMBODILION, a coined name.

ZIMMBO, according to Daddy, was a local radio drama character hero who had exceptional courage, nobility and strength, while DILION was taken from a dictionary of names (which until now I failed to find) which meant Prince of Intelligence.

Obviously, upon my baptism in the Catholic Church, the priest had to question my name. The Catholic tradition, then, requires that every member should have a Christian name. Daddy chose PETER, after one of Jesus' great apostles, St. Peter. (Unfortunately, my Catholic records forgot to include Peter, hence I removed it in my official papers even after using it consistently from kindergarten until I graduated in college).

With those VERY HEAVY meanings and with more than a dozen letters to write, one can imagine the burden it brings. Fortunately, it did not. Instead, at an early age, I learned to write very fast, which I think was a great advantage because while the rest were still writing and I was already finished, I had the time to review, reflect, and think beyond the current discussions. It became my motto to submit FIRST in every project, exam, and competition. And while growing up, Daddy instilled in us, speed and accuracy. Being first to finish also meant having more time to ensure that your answers were accurate.

Technically, by definition, I am a Tagalog. I was born in Quezon City, spoke Tagalog as my "first language", and had my first taste of schools in this city.

But I choose to be a Pidjanga because I was brought up where the Pidjanga is - Mainit, Surigao del Norte. My formative years were spent there. And my values and character were shaped up by families of the Pidjanga tradition, of which I am very proud of.

I believe in the Pidjanga and I believe there are other great Pidjangas out there. Be it through individual contributions or a joint and collective efforts, I strongly believe that WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE and be able to build a strong township and people. I envision that this blog will be among the venues to which those contributions will be channeled. Please help me realize this vision by ensuring your participation are geared towards our common good and aimed at the development of our town.

Please use our comment features (Cbox, Post Comments, Emails) responsibly.

Postscript: Daddy and Mommy eventually had three sons. My second brother was named KIRCHEULZ (a 10-letter name with no letter being repeated and pronounced KI-ZEEL). He was eventually named Paul Kircheultz, of which Paul was suggested by the same priest who baptized me. Learning from the "baptismal requirements", our parents named our youngest JOHN KARACHI. Daddy also adopted a new name coining selected names of his godparents: Hilarionito Mentalbouni Fukusima Simchico Mosende. Indeed, an inventor of names.

And to those who remembered my birthday, muchas gracias! I wish the same to you, more bountiful blessing and happiness!

Sep 2008

33

Turned 33 years old today and celebrated it in 4 countries... 1) Manila, Philippines, 2) Guangxi, China, 3) Frankfurt, Germany, and 4) Geneva, Switzerland courtesy of course of Lufthansa. Quite a unique experience.

Jesus Christ died at the age of 33 and he has already saved the world! Well, he is God!

This little Pidjanga, still has a long way to go... marami pang bigas na kakainin! But despite my shortcomings, I am still very thankful... God has been very, very kind to me... with a loving wife, with 2 kids and another one coming, with a good educational foundation and a promising career... and with very loyal and supportive friends and family members... life is great! But I still wish for more... so that I can give more and more!

Post: Zimm (www.pidjanga.blogspot.com)
Sep 30, 2007

Dad's Burial

Salamat karadjaw sa ijo mga mensahe... I read every line that you have written and we thank you for your sympathy and support.

Daddy will be brought to the Mainit Gymnasium tomorrow (11 April 2008) at 1PM for a Necrological Service ( by the Local Government of Mainit) with the following program:

Opening Song: Mapaso Chorale
Eulogies:
1. Mr. Antonio Sannoy, Former Comelec Officer; Co-Officer - Mainit Concerned Citizen for Development (MCCD)
2. Rev. Stenio Labrador, UCCP Pastor
3. Mr. Perfecto Odtojan, Former Sangguniang Panlungsod Member
4. Hon. Jessnar Mosende, Municipal Vice Mayor
Message: Hon. Ramon Mondano, Municipal Mayor
Response: Peter Zimmbodilion Mosende, Eldest Son
Closing Song: Mapaso Chorale
At 230PM, Fr. Rey Maldo, MSC, will officiate the Funeral Mass at the Mainit Parish Church.

Final rites and burial will be at the Mainit Cemetery at 3:30PM. The Municipal Police Force will give military honors to Daddy.

God bless

Post: Zimmbodilion (www.pidjanga.blogspot.com)

What’s so special about CARAGA?

By RACHEL C. BARAWID

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2005/11/07/TOUR2005110748510.html

Where can you find world-class waves that rival that of the world’s best surfing spots, the country’s largest marshland and fourth largest lake and a thousand-year-old city all in one region, within a few traveling hours from each other?

The Philippines’ 13th region, the CARAGA Administrative Region is home to Siargao, the country’s surfing capital; the Agusan Marsh, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the picturesque Lake Mainit where over 33 various kinds of species thrive; and the historic city of Butuan which claims to be first discovered by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan.

All these and more of CARAGA’s unspoiled natural beauty, world-class tourist attractions, rich history and distinct people are being unveiled to the public in a rare cultural-cum trade show at the "Philippines’ Best" in Intramuros, Manila. [READ MORE]

By: Zimmbodilion Y. Mosende

Categories: news, mainit, surigao, mindanao, philippines, articles

Botika ng Barangay in Mainit

PIA reports (10 April 2006) that there are at least two Botika ng Barangays (BnB) in our town: in Barangay Roxas and in Barangay San Isidro.
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news.asp?fi=p060410.htm&no=20

Botika nga Barangay is "one of the government’s major thrusts and priorities is ensuring continuous access to low-cost, but high quality medicines".
http://www.doh.gov.ph/CAR/annual%202003/botika_ng_barangay.htm

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Side bet: Pidjanga Blog refers now to BnB as "Botika ng Barangay", and B&B as "Bed and Breakfast" accommodations for Pidjanga Tourists.

By: Zimmbodilion Y. Mosende
Apr 23, 2006 

Categories: news, projects, mainit, surigao, mindanao, philippines