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ILOILO
CITY, Aug 4 (PNA Feature) -- The latest calamity in this island
brought the goodness in people and one of those is an Ilonggo-writer
and his family.
Quirino
B. Baterna, popularly known as Quin and an Ilonggo short story writer,
his beloved wife Gregoria and their eight siblings here and abroad
bonded together to help thousands of Typhoon Frank victims in this
place.
His
house, located in Barangay Cubay, Jaro, Iloilo City, was also hit by
the flashflood. His wife almost drown, but mysteriously saved by house
helps.
As
a way of thanking God for sparing his beloved wife, the 70-year-old
writer, together with the members of his family, embarked on a massive
fund-raising projects to gather funds and goods for the victims.
A
cash of P1.5 million was raised from Quin’s business connection from
Cebu which was handed to Iloilo City Rep. Raul Gonzales Jr.
Goods
worth P250,000 were distributed to Baterna’s less fortunate neighbors
in Brgy. Cubay, a son initiated to tap El Shaddai group to distribute
goods to victims in Pavia, Iloilo and in the province of Aklan while a
daughter in Belgium distributed goods to 1,250 people in Brgy.
Balabago, Jaro, Iloilo City. The family is still tapping friends in
Manila, Australia and Belgium to help people in Panay.
“We
want to help for we care for our fellow Ilonggos. Iloilo is our
well-loved place and proud of being Ilonggos,“ Louise Belle
Baterna-Hubert, Quin’s daughter-writer who married a Belgian, said.
Quin
Baterna was born in Culasi, Ajuy Iloilo. He wrote poems at age 10 and
earned his first published work then in Yuhum Magazine, a local
publication in Hiligaynon created by Manuel Villalon in the 1950s. This
magazine was widely circulated in the Visayas as well as in Mindanao.
He
was contributor and later became the assistant literary editor of
Hiligaynon. His first foray into radio broadcasting was with the Allied
Broadcasting in Iloilo, after returning from work and studies in
Manila.
He also worked with Bombo Radyo. Baterna was also involved in real estate business in Iloilo and Manila.
The
couple’s children who are now involved in businesses here and abroad
are: Q’Roni, Mary Gelle, Louise Belle, Quin, Jucelle, Q'Julie Rose and
Rina Grace. (PNA Feature) |