feature Archives - Stories of Life by the Sea

A Huge Blessing for Us: The Dialysis Center in Puerto Galera

Noe Lineses — Fri, 30 May 2025 03:46:13 +0000

How wonderful it is that we now have a dialysis center here in Puerto Galera. For many dialysis patients like me, this is truly a great relief. Before this center opened, we had no choice but to travel to Calapan three times a week for dialysis treatment. This meant long trips on the zigzag road for more than an hour each way. And if your treatment schedule happened to fall on the third shift, your session would finish around 8 to 9 p.m.—meaning you would have to arrange for your own transport and drive back to PG at night, which is not ideal or safe on that winding road. Aside from the physical strain, the financial cost was very heavy. I used to spend about ₱1,000 for transport, ₱500 for medicines, ₱500 for the driver, and another ₱500 for food—₱2,500 per dialysis session. For patients who go three times a week, that amounts to ₱30,000 a month. For many of us, that is a huge burden. Now, with the dialysis center at Puerto Galera Hospital, I no longer need to travel far. I can just go to the hospital here in town, and best of all—everything is free. The dialysis machines are brand new, which gives me peace of mind because they are less likely to cause complications. The center itself is very clean, and the nurses are kind and friendly. The environment feels safe and caring, which is very important for us patients. I truly thank God that we now have this facility in PG. I am also very thankful to Mayor Rocky Ilagan and to all those who made this possible. You have saved us so much money, time, and energy. For us patients, this is truly a big thing—it gives us hope and eases our daily struggles. To my fellow dialysis patients in Puerto Galera: we are truly blessed to have this center. Let us take care of it, be grateful, and continue to pray for its continued operation and support.

The post A Huge Blessing for Us: The Dialysis Center in Puerto Galera appeared first on Stories of Life by the Sea.

Mac-Mac: The Unsung Hero of Puerto Galera’s Streets

Noe Lineses — Wed, 21 May 2025 08:08:03 +0000

In the vibrant and picturesque town of Puerto Galera in the Philippines, where the azure waters meet lush green landscapes, lives a German expatriate named Manfred Schmitt. We call him Mac or Mac-Mac. He’s not your typical foreign resident, as he embodies simplicity, kindness, and a deep love for his adopted home. But what sets Mac-Mac apart is his unwavering commitment to cleaning up the streets of Sabang and Poblacion. Mac-Mac is a man of routine. At least twice a week, you can spot him walking from Sabang to Poblacion and back, covering a significant distance on foot. While this alone may not seem remarkable, what he does during these walks is truly extraordinary. Armed with a rubbish picker and a sack, Mac-Mac dedicates his time to collecting trash that litters the streets and beaches. It’s heartwarming to witness Mac-Mac’s dedication to preserving the natural beauty of Puerto Galera. As he strolls along the road, he meticulously picks up discarded plastic bottles, wrappers, and various debris. It’s a labor of love, a humble act that often goes unnoticed but leaves a lasting impact on the community. On a good day, Mac-Mac manages to fill three sacks with trash. This afternoon, he collected two sacks, a testament to his consistent efforts in keeping the town clean. His selflessness and commitment to environmental conservation deserve our heartfelt appreciation. Mac-Mac, you are a true inspiration. Your actions speak volumes about the kind of world we should all strive to create. As the saying goes, “Actions speak louder than words,” and you’ve proven this time and again. Your dedication to Puerto Galera’s streets has not gone unnoticed, and we wholeheartedly thank you for your tireless efforts. In the spirit of appreciation and gratitude, we believe that Mac-Mac deserves to be recognized as an adopted son of Puerto Galera. Your contributions have made our town a better place, one step at a time. Vielen Dank, Mac-Mac, for your selfless service, and may your tribe of dedicated individuals who care for our environment continue to grow.

The post Mac-Mac: The Unsung Hero of Puerto Galera’s Streets appeared first on Stories of Life by the Sea.

Empowering Women, One Project at a Time

Noe Lineses — Sat, 02 May 2020 08:08:38 +0000

Under the dynamic leadership of President Rosemarie L. Gerdtman, Soroptimist International (SI) of Lipeñas has made powerful strides in creating a better, more compassionate world for women and girls. Gerdtman, a successful businesswoman originally from Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, now based in Lipa City, has channeled her passion for service into action—transforming lives through a wide range of community projects. Staying true to the Soroptimist mission of empowering women and girls through education and opportunities, SI Lipeñas has accomplished several life-affirming programs in recent months, including: 🌈 Featured Projects Led by SI Lipeñas: 👣 Tsinelas Para sa mga Anghel (Slippers for Angels): Donated slippers to indigent students of Sta. Catalina Elementary School in Lopez, Quezon, giving comfort and dignity to young learners. 🎁 Handog Pagmamahal Para sa mga Lola (Gift of Love for Grandma): Brought joy to 25 elderly women at the Tanauan Home for the Aged in Batangas through meaningful gifts and personal visits. **📚 Women’s Rights Seminar: ** An educational campaign that raised awareness on Teenage Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, and Anti-Human Trafficking, equipping participants with knowledge and support. **🌳 Puno ng Pag-asa (Tree of Hope) Tree Planting Project: ** Planted 50 fruit-bearing trees at Lapantay Elementary School in Puerto Galera, with the vision of building a future source of livelihood for the community. **🧺 Alay-Pag-asa sa Kapatid na Mangyan: ** A heartwarming outreach program that provided gifts and essential supplies to 100 Mangyan students and 70 families in Lapantay. **💖 Gift-Giving for Cancer Patients: ** Raised PHP 50,000 to assist cancer patients at Pasig Public Hospital, giving hope during the holiday season in December 2019. Each initiative echoes the commitment of SI Lipeñas to make meaningful contributions to society—rooted in love, compassion, and purpose. 🔍 The Soroptimist Mission: More Than Charity—A Movement Soroptimist International is a global volunteer movement that champions the rights of women and girls, helping them access education, healthcare, and income-generating opportunities. Gerdtman emphasizes that education is at the heart of everything they do: “Educated women are less vulnerable to exploitation. They are empowered to escape domestic abuse and build stronger families and communities.” 📌 A Brief History of SI Lipeñas Chartered on October 8, 2017, SI Lipeñas began with 12 dedicated women at New Farm, Pusil, Lipa City—led by Charter President Gina Sy under the SI Mariverde District. Since then, the club has grown in strength and scope, proving what a committed group of women can do when united by purpose. 💡 The Four Pillars of Soroptimist: Program Pillar – The soul of Soroptimist’s service, guiding clubs in impactful community engagement. Membership Pillar – A diverse sisterhood of women from different backgrounds coming together for global change. Public Awareness – Promoting their causes, especially Women’s Opportunity Awards and Stop Trafficking, across media platforms. Fundraising Pillar – Empowering clubs to sustain local and international programs through innovative fundraising. With President Rosemarie Gerdtman at the helm, SI Lipeñas continues to shine as a beacon of hope, proving that empowered women truly empower others. Through service, advocacy, and community engagement, they are not only transforming lives—they are also rewriting the future. 👏 Mabuhay ang Soroptimist International of Lipeñas! 🌍 For more information on how you can support or join their mission, visit your local SI chapter or reach out to SI Lipeñas today.

The post Empowering Women, One Project at a Time appeared first on Stories of Life by the Sea.

Chuck Driver: An Adopted Son of Puerto Galera

Noe Lineses — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 04:08:17 +0000

Chuck Driver, the partner-manager of Capt’n Gregg’s Dive Resort in Sabang Beach, is more than just a familiar face in Puerto Galera—he is family. Since first setting foot in Sabang in 1987, Chuck fell in love with the then-sleepy seaside village. What was once a quiet coastal nook has grown into a lively dive destination, and Chuck has grown along with it—one bubble at a time. Originally from Australia, Chuck served with distinction in the Royal Australian Air Force as an airframe and jet engine specialist. His adventurous spirit was evident early on, whether it was taking up scuba diving in the waters of Australia or playing rugby for the Air Force. He earned his PADI Divemaster certification in Darwin, the northernmost city in Australia, and his dive journey only expanded from there. Over the decades in Puerto Galera, Chuck has logged more than 6,000 hours underwater—yes, that’s a lot of bubbles. He’s a certified scuba instructor under multiple organizations, including PADI, BSAC, INTD, and SSI, with a host of specialty certifications under his belt. In 1999, Chuck made waves in the global diving community when he and John Bennett completed a world record-setting open sea dive to a depth of 166 meters. After this incredible achievement, Chuck shifted focus, realizing that the best dives aren’t always the deepest—they’re the ones that bring you joy. Beyond the water, Chuck is one of the founding members of the Puerto Galera Hash House Harriers, the local chapter of the international running and social club with over 1,900 chapters across 154 countries. Known for his humor, energy, and “Gin Juice” concoction, Chuck is also a talented mechanic, often helping locals and expats with their outboard engines and compressors. He’s as comfortable fixing a motor as he is hiking around Puerto Galera—his power walks around the municipality are legendary. But perhaps the most unforgettable moment came during a Hash House Harriers “On-On” at Pirate Cove. While leading the circle, a local dog ambled up and—well—mistook his sturdy legs for tree trunks. The result? One wet and very unimpressed Chuck. “You know why the dog did that,” a friend later quipped. “Because you’ve got legs like tree stumps.” True enough. Chuck Driver is more than a dive pro, mechanic, and fun-loving hasher—he’s a beloved member of the Puerto Galera community. Here’s to more dives, more stories, and more of that infamous Gin Juice. More power to you, old friend!

The post Chuck Driver: An Adopted Son of Puerto Galera appeared first on Stories of Life by the Sea.