The following story released by the Philippine Information Agency of Region VIII depicts how technology, coupled with a CeC manager’s goodwill and commitment, can touch the lives of people within and outside the community.
The official website of the local government of Tanauan, Leyte, which was instrumental in locating the Filipina's family, is designed and maintained by the Tanauan CeC ICT Team.
Tacloban City (September 9) -- Losing contact with her family due to Pinatubo eruption, a Filipina found her family through cyberspace after her 18-year search.
Maria Christina "Christy" Saldana Warren, 44, of Galena, Missouri, lost contact with family members in Angeles City, near Clark Air Base when Mount Pinatubo erupted.
"My husband and I got orders to report to Japan only days before Mount Pinatubo erupted. I heard all the horrible stories and saw some pictures of the ash in Angeles City. I tried everything to find my family. I talked to any Filipino or Fililpina who mentioned that they had been to Angeles City hoping against hope that they know my family. I wrote letters that were not answered and didn't get returned," Christy said.
Christy didn't lose hope. She routinely visited Philippine websites trying to find a clue about any member of her family. One day, she found the Tanauan, Leyte government website.
"I found the Tanauan-Leyte government website," Christy said. "I studied the web page. I couldn't find any email address. I asked my husband Sam if I should sign the Guest Book. He said, go for it."
On August 27, 2008, at 2:39 in the afternoon, Maria Christina Saldana Warren signed the Tanauan, Leyte Guest Book. To the question what is the title of your website, Christy wrote, "Filipina On a Mission - To Find My Family in the Philippines."
August 27th 2008
02:39:46 PM
What is your name? Maria Christina Saldana Warren
What is the title of your website: "Filipina On A Mission - To Find My Family In The Philippines"
Type a quick description of your website: A page with information and photos about me
How did you find this website? Internet Search Engine
Where are you from? Originally, Camire, Tanauan, Leyte, Philippines. I currently live in Galena, Missouri in the United States.
Please enter your comments?
My husband and I left Clark AB the month that Mount Pinatubo blew up in Angeles City. I lost all contact with my family. I have been searching for my brothers, sister, nieces and nephews ever since. If anyone knows Sunny, Peter, Rafael, Ramon Saldana, Rose and Willie Nanquilada, Fe Saldana and Esmeralda Saldana, please ask them to email me.
I am the granddaughter of Peter, also known as Pedro Saldana, of Camire. If anyone knows my brothers or sisters please contact me or ask them to..
My email address is
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My webpage is http://www.myspace.com/mariacswarren
Maraming Salamat Po Christy
In Tanauan, Leyte, Mr. Eugene Ramos, the webmaster of the Tanauan website, informed Mayor Roque Tiu about Christy. Mayor Tiu instructed Mr. Ramos to immediately go to Barangay Camire to find out the whereabouts of Christy's family.
"I checked my email, a couple of hours later, to find a reply from Mr. Ramos," Christy said.
"I was so excited and also a little frightened. I didn't know what to expect," Christy added, "Mr. Ramos talked to my brothers, Rafael and Ramon, and he gave me the whereabouts of the rest of my family."
With tears streaming down her face, Christy re-read the email three or four times. Finally, she had her husband read it aloud to her to make sure she wasn't dreaming.
Eugene Ramos, an IT staff of the Municipal Government of Tanauan, Leyte, arranged a phone call for Christy to speak with one of her brothers.
When she heard her younger brother, Ramon, on the telephone, Christy cried so hard she had trouble talking.
"My heart was beating so fast. My hands were shaking I could barely stand up," Christy exclaimed. "It was so nice to hear his voice."
Christy's brothers, Rafael and Ramon Saldana, are farmers in Camire, Tanauan, Leyte. Christy has talked to her baby sister Maria Fe Saldana Roa who operates a sari-sari store in Pastrana, Leyte.
Although she has not talked to the rest of her family yet, Christy now knows that her brothers Sonny and Peter live in Bulacan. She also knows that her sister Rose still lives in Angeles City and that her sister Esmeralda lives in Palo, Leyte.
"I do not know if I can be at the Saldana Family reunion in Tanauan in December," Christy said, " but I look forward to visiting my brothers and sisters and meeting for the first time some of my nephews and nieces, sometime soon."
"My prayers were answered. My birthday is in August and this year, I got the birthday present I wanted - to be able to find my family. I am truly grateful to Mayor Roque Tiu, Mr. Ramos and the local government of Tanauan for all their efforts to reunite me with my family after my 18-years search. Maraming Salamat po," Christy said. (PIA 8) |
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