* scroll down to the 2 earlier posts for photos and details.
So everybody is still stunned on what happened during the weekends. Us Filipinos are still in shock and are still trying to recover from the devastating typhoon that hit us. Everyone wants to help and reach out to those who were badly affected and in serious need of rescuing, shelter, food, clothing, and medicines. My Twitter and Facebook are still flooded with updates on hotline numbers, donation drop-off locations and other details on how to volunteer in the relief operations of the typhoon's victims and for the first time... I don't care about my timeline and my wall being flooded with numerous re-tweets and re-posts of "help" and "donation" messages. The more people re-tweet and re-post, the more people we can ask for help, the more people can actually help us.
I was watching the news earlier and I was teary-eyed all throughout. Dead bodies were being carried out of the muddy water that they were trapped in. Children feeling helpless. Parents mourning over the loss of their children. Years of hard earned hundreds of millions worth of properties (furnitures, cars, houses, etc.) all trashed and ruined just within 24 hours. It was... heartbreaking. I cannot even find the right adjective to describe the feeling that I had while watching the news.
But amidst the calamity that our country suffered, our spirit is still intact. We are still hopeful that we can all get through this as one and we with our bayanihan spirit are now united to give help to those in need. Every Filipino, mostly those who were spared from the flash floods, are now actively volunteering in every relief operations that the country has. There are numerous ways to reach out and extend a hand. We can all donate. One local celebrity posted a compilation for volunteers and donations on her blog. There are also several universities who are also gathering donations and pledges, there is Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, University of Santo Tomas, and other provincial schools. This is nationwide and worldwide. There were Hollywood celebrities and personalities who posted about our situation on Twitter too.
I really, really, really want to go out there and donate. I have never felt this greatly affected towards a tragedy and I want to do something good because I know I can and there are a lot of ways for me to do it. I know some drop-off places are quite far from where I live but McDonald's branches and Petron gas stations are also accepting donations and I can go there instead since there are one or two of those establishements near my place. Hopefully tomorrow or on Wednesday I could go out and buy some food and toiletries to give out. Some of my friends have already gone to the schools and volunteering places mentioned and other have dropped off their donations too. So far, I have only done the Red Cross text donation thing and I am still not contented with it. I can do better than just text and I am going to do it.
If you want to help out too, in-kind or monetary donations of any amount would be greatly appreciated, you could check out Philippine Red Cross or for a more complete list go to Bianca's blog.
Thank you very much!
Sunshine greeted me good morning as I woke up earlier, now the gray storm clouds have taken over the sky and rain is starting to pour again. There are still a lot of families and individuals waiting to be rescued on their rooftops. Some have been saved just hours ago. Dead bodies have been found and some are still missing. Cars that were left submerged under water yesterday are now being "rescued" by their owners. Relief goods donations are on-going NATIONWIDE through ABS-CBN Foundation and other private sectors and WORLDWIDE through our kababayans abroad. Celebrities and known personalities also helped in the rescue operations together with the NDCC, Red Cross, local governments, Philippine soldiers (Air Force, PNP, etc.) and regular volunteers.
Here are some of the Tweets I have been getting as of this hour, Julius Babao's tweets and re-tweets give me goosebumps:
Tony Slick Sam: If anyone still needs help (stranded on top of their roofs or on bridges)call or text them for rescue: 0917.814.0655 (ask for Lydia Ragasa)
: if you have family in the US that want to helpRT @chercalvin relief in the Philippines donate thru the American Red Cross. Call 800-435-7669
: RT @momtintinbabao: deposit to : BDO acct # 56300-020111 ACCOUNT NAME : ABSCBN FOUNDATION .ur cash donations! Will go a long way. tnx
: DZMM: Classes suspended in all levels of NCR & parts of Rizal, through an Executive Order issued by palace.
Julius Babao: Angel Locsin donates P 500,000 to victims of Ondoy! KUDOS Angel!
: In this hour of darkness let us show the world that this is our shining moment as Filipinos.
: There are hundreds of unknown people who have displayed heroism and continue to do so in this time of need. I salute all of u.
: Actor/ Host Cesar Montano and Bayani Agbayani braved the floods to save people in QC. KUDOS GUYS!
: Jericho Rosales rescues group of kids using his surfboard. KUDOS ECHO!
: RT @mlq3: RT @beatrixpg: Wow (I'm in tears)... Philippine Dragon Boat team lending their dragon boats for rescue & relief ops . KUDOS GUYS!
: RT @martinladores: @juliusbabao Once again, our bayanihan makes me proud to be Filipino! We see a united Filipino just when we need it most!
Miriam Quiambao: PLEASE RETWEET: International donations through Paypal please read: http://www.txtpower.org/2009/09/philippines-help-typhoon-victims-in-luzon-philippines/
My Tweet RT: typhoon victims in Philippines in dire need of food/clothng. Call the American Red Cross to help. 18004357669
Facebook Status Updates:
For people who need assistance: National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) Emergency Numbers: 912-5668, 911-1406, 912-2665, 911-5061; Help hotlines: 734-2118, 734-2120. Please repost!
Hello, 1.6 million Philippine Facebook users. Donate 100 pesos each and we'll raise 160 million for Red Cross rescue and relief! Red Cross donation through SMS: text REDAMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4483 (Smart).
A calamity like this strengthens the bonds of the Filipino people. You would see and feel those who genuinely cares for their fellow citizens. In times like this, Filipinos bayanihan spirit always rule among others.
I will try to post some videos and more photos from Ondoy (international name: Ketsana) a little later. For now, I have sent my donation to Red Cross through SMS and I will go and sleep some more. I really don't feel good, I have taken in my med, lots of water and now rest is all that's left for me to do.
Thank you for the prayers and donations are very much appreciated. Please refer to the hotline numbers and the link for international donations that I have posted above.
