The Days that Were

The past week has been a rough hell for most of my fellow Filipinos, with the uber-destructive Ondoy wrecking havoc in most of NCR and leaving behind thousands of homeless people, families who've lost their loved ones and a terror more than anything. It was heartbreaking and eye-opening at the same time. Everybody was cursing the government's slug-like response, pointing fingers at who should be blamed. But despite the destructive typhoon that left everyone dismayed and stunned, one true thing that stood out was the Filipinos' capability to rise above any kind of disaster. This event also gave way for the extraordinariness in every Filipino to come out, to help their kababayans in a time where hopes seemed almost impossible, to give where it is needed, to lend a helping hand, to support and most of all to pray.

I wish this would not be the only time our best trait as a Filipino will come out. I really believe that it is there in each of us, in every one of us, a true hero waiting to come out. I'm sure wherever, Jose rizal is right now, he is beaming with pride.

Them kids at work. Mando and Ida joined by two other kids in packing pasta noodles.

Day 3 of volunteering in RFM. The usual, but good,chaos.

We did not ask for free lollies but it definitely made our day.

Boys just being boys. Pizza party on a stormy Friday. D, Jed and JC

Mini reunion of bebes. Vianne, Reynan and Marye

I'm no big fan of white chocolate but I am a big fan of Ice Cream and Macadamia nuts.

My nerds are back. Hawt!

“In the world of emoticons, I was colon capital D”

That scene really made laugh out loud! From my daily dose of Sheldon Cooper. :)

Wednesday LOVE

As I have mentioned in my previous blog entries, my friend and I was quite frustrated when we did not get to volunteer at all last Monday. It was, I believe, a glitch on the organizer's part that time plus the fact that way too many people poured in to help. We had no bad feelings to the station whatsoever, just the general feeling of failing. Flop di ba?

Ida

And so when another chance came again for me to volunteer, I grabbed the chance and well, held on tightly to it. Megatent volunteering was a second Flop but in my third try, I finally hit a success. What an awesome, awesome word. Together with Mando and Ida, and hundreds of other volunteers too at RFM Gym in Pioneer, Mandaluyong, we can proudly and strongly say now that we at least made our part in this whole Bayanihan system, we Filipinos, are known for. We have contributed, whether big or small, in giving aid to our fellow kababayans who were unfortunate enough to be hit and affected by the typhoon Ondoy (international name Ketsana).

Mando

God bless everyone who lend their time to help in every way possible, either by donating or being part of the workforce. It sure made a difference.

Relief goods packed waiting to be delivered.

Kaya natin 'to!

Scenes from all Over

Caught on TV - Man rescued in a rubberboat asked, "28 na ba ngayon?" Cameraman: "Opo, 28." Man somberly replied, "Bday ko na pala." Rescuers who were paddling hard turned to him in surprise before slowly singing, "ha...ppy.. birth..day... to you..." Even in the midst of devastation the Filipino spirit never ceases to acknowledge and celebrate the gift of life.

reposted from latenightepisodes. Seriously, my eyes welled upon reading this.

The turtle survived!

# photo from itsantonia. I believe he was considered as a school pet. :)

Cute. Poor kid though. I sure hope he was fine!

# photo from teejae05.

Philippine Scene after Ondoy

According to Inquirer, death toll has now reached 240, up 100 from the previous day's tally. And there are still news of another typhoon to hit the country in 24 hours. Jeez. Hoping and praying there won't be another like it. Not yet, not ever..

Marikina River scene

Road scene.

Overview

The Aftermath of Ondoy (intl name Ketsana)

Death.


Hope.

##
photos from yahoo.ph.

~~
Yesterday, I, together with my friend Sarsi, had every bit of good intention volunteering in helping the victims of typhoon Ondoy. But it got so complicated in station centers where there were more than people willing to help than things to be done. I'm sure that's not how it was supposed to turn out but we left the place with sodden but light hearts. We don't want to be nuisance anyway. Volunteers were sent home, acknowledging their good intentions, because well, there were really too many people that day. Too many people is not good for the task to keep going.

But alas, there are still centers looking for volunteers. You just have to find the right place. Here are some of it:

Balay Expo, Cubao, Quezon City.
Megatent, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City
Ateneo de Manila University
University of the Philippines Church of the Risen Lord

If you are outside the Philippines and want to help here is a blog where you can go that will help you: http://moongirl.wordpress.com/2009/09/28/donating-to-manila-from-abroad/

As for emergency hotlines (thanks to MiriamQ for the link):

Rescue Operations

1. National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) (+632-9125668, +632-9111406, +632-9115061, +632-9122665) Help hotlines: (+65 734-2118, 734-2120)
2. Philippine Coast Guard (+632-5276136)
3. Air Force (+63908-1126976, +632-8535023)
4. Metro Manila Development Authority (136)
5. Marikina City Rescue (+632-6462436, +632-6462423, +632920-9072902)
6. Pasig Rescue Emergency Number (+632-6310099)
7. Quezon City Rescue (161)
8. San Juan City Hall Command Post (+632-4681697)
9. Bureau of Fire Protection Region III (Central Luzon) Hotline: (+63245-9634376)
10. Senator Dick Gordon (+639178997898, +63938-444BOYS, +632-9342118, +632-4338528)
11. Senator Manny Villar (+639174226800. +639172414864, +639276751981)

Civil Society/ Media

1. Philippine National Red Cross (143, +632-5270000)
2. Philippine National Red Cross Rizal Chapter operations center hotline: (+632-6350922, +632-6347824)
3. Go to GMA Facebook page & post complete addresses and names of people in need of immediate help.
4. ABS-CBN Typhoon Ondoy Hotline: (+632-4163641)
5. Jam 88.3: (+632- 6318803) or SMS at JAM (space) 883 (space) your message to 2968

The Day After Ondoy

Slept and woke up with the images of typhoon Ondoy left my home country. They are real images, so NOT good. Pretty much heartbreaking. I pray for Filipinos everywhere, I pray that we rise from this disaster stronger and with more wisdom than any experience could ever give us. We will rise against this!

This is not the time for any other agendas, the only agenda would have to be: Help our kababayans who are in badly need of help.