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Finding missing loved ones

Published by Ellen on October 6, 2009

One of the heart-rending surviving- Ondoy stories I’ve read was Agence France Presse’s account of Rojanie Asuncion and her Alzheimer’s stricken mother, Flora Geronimo.

The story tells of Flora, only 69- years old, who went missing on Sept. 26 amid floods that swamped 80 percent of Metro Manila. Since Because of her condition, she was unable to tell rescuers her name, where she was from and how she got to the center in Marikina City.

For three days Rojanie, 37, her family members and friends searched for her mother “across the disaster zone, trudging through mud, climbing over debris and checking mud-streaked faces of survivors.”

Continue readingFinding missing loved ones

Iba na ang maganda

Published by Ellen on October 5, 2009

Kris Aquino3Ay naku, balik na nga tayo sa normal pagkatapos ng hagupit ng bagyong “Ondoy”. At balik intriga na naman tayo.

May kumakalat ngayon sa text at Facebook yung sinabi ni Kris Aquino noong Sabado na, “Aminin natin. Mas masarap tumanggap ng relief goods pag maganda ang nagbibigay sa iyo.”

Sabi nga ng isa sa Facebook, “Kaya mga panget exempted sa volunteer relief work.”

Sinabi kasi ito ni Kris bilang reaksyun sa mga kumalat na batikos sa kanila na minsan daw matagal naghihintay ang mga bao sa evacuation centers kahit na nadun na ang mga relief goods dahil hinihintay daw ang mga artista na siyang mamimigay habang kinukunan ng TV.

Continue readingIba na ang maganda

Arroyo must make good on radar systems pledge

Published by Ellen on October 5, 2009

Editorial of South China Morning Post
Oct. 5, 2009

A government’s priority is to protect the well-being of its people.
There is no better test of its commitment than when disaster strikes.
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s administration has, in
this regard, failed time and again. It did so spectacularly with
Tropical Storm Ketsana, again revealing how little it cares for its
constituents.

The Philippines is pounded by as many as 20 typhoons a year. Dozens,
sometimes hundreds, of people are killed and many millions of dollars
of damage is caused. Nature cannot be tamed, but in the case of severe weather events, technology means its wrath can be anticipated. Arroyo for the past five years has repeatedly promised to have advanced forecasting radar systems installed; politicking, corruption and government waste means they remain a pledge.

What happens when such systems are absent was demonstrated by Ketsana. (Ondoy)

Continue readingArroyo must make good on radar systems pledge

The many ways to help

Published by Ellen on October 4, 2009

Fundraising for the victims of typhoons “Ondoy” has turned creative.

On Friday, “Bagong Sigla”, a concert featuring the country’s top bands will be held simultaneously in Manila, Dagupan,Davao,Iloilo and Davao for the benefit of the victims of typhoon “Ondoy” and “Pepeng”.

In Manila, it will be “Bamboo” at Liwasang Ullalim ((beside Folk Arts Theater) at the Cultural Center Complex starting at 7 p.m. It’s “Imago” in Dagupan at CSI Stadia.

In Iloilo, it’s “Cueshe” at the Freedom Grandstand and “Spongecola” in Davao at the Damosa Market Basket parking lot.

It’s a free concert in the sense that you don’t have to buy a ticket to watch the concert. But to enter the concert venue, one has to drop an old shirt or canned good or one peso. If you can give more, the better.

Continue readingThe many ways to help

Bantayan ang Ukay-ukay

Published by Ellen on October 3, 2009

Pinayagan na ulit ng pamahalaan ang donasyon ng mga lumang damit galing sa ibang bansa. Ito ay para mapadali ang tulong para sa mga biktima ng bagyong “Ondoy”. Walang taripa ngunit kailangan naka-address sa Department of Social Welfare and Development ( DSWD).

Kailangan kasi ma-inspeksyun ng husto ng DSWD at mapausukan (fumigate) dahil hindi naman alam kung anong bakterya ang nandyan sa mga lumang damit.

At gustong siguraduhin ng pamahalaan na hindi maabuso ang pagpasok dito ng mga lumang damit, katulad ng nangyari dati. Baka kasi ang bagsak niyan ay sa ukay-ukay ulit. Sa halip na ang ang mga nasalanta ng bagyo ang makinabang, ang mga mapagsamantalang tao ang magsasaya.

Continue readingBantayan ang Ukay-ukay

Obama offers condolences to Samoa and Indonesia

Published by Ellen on October 2, 2009

I’m just curious, why is the Philippines not included?

NHK TV website:

US President Barack Obama has offered his condolences to victims of the natural disasters in the Samoan Islands and Indonesia, saying the US will fully support rescue efforts in these areas.

Obama told reporters at the White House on Thursday that the United States will continue to provide full support to American Samoa, and extend any necessary help to Samoa as well. The areas in the south Pacific were devastated by tsunami after a major earthquake on Tuesday.

Obama also said he was deeply moved by the loss of life in Wednesday’s earthquake in Indonesia, where he had lived as a child. He said he has given orders for the US, as a friend of Indonesia, to extend its full support for Indonesia’s rescue and recovery efforts.

The US government though was one of the foreign governments which gave assistance to the victims of typhoon Ondoy.

Continue readingObama offers condolences to Samoa and Indonesia

Pichay and other officials could be charged for extravagance during a time of calamity

Published by Ellen on October 1, 2009

by JP Lopez
Malaya

The Local Water Utilities Administration, a government-controlled corporation, held a “lavish” feast for its 36th anniversary Wednesday night, a virtual slap on the face of half a million Filipinos victimized by storm “Ondoy” who are scrounging for relief goods.

President Arroyo arrived at 9 p.m.

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano said that while most celebrations have been cancelled to donate to victims of Ondoy, the move of LWUA to proceed with its anniversary is the “height of insensitivity.”

Continue readingPichay and other officials could be charged for extravagance during a time of calamity

Want to help? More helping hands needed

Published by Ellen on October 1, 2009

The way the whole nation responded to help victims of typhoon “Ondoy” is awesome.

The TV networks, ABS-CBN and GMA-7 used their power and influence for something noble. So many groups are taking it upon themselves to undertake their own independent relief operations.

ABS-CBN’s Ted Failon did an admirable thing focusing on raising funds for more portalets for evacuation sites. Ted, in his radio program at DZMM, said he saw the unhealthy situation in evacuation centers where there were only one portalet for over a thousand evacuues.

This morning, Ted, though donations was able to acquire 15 portalets to be rented for at least P10,000 a month including services.

We got this note from Habitat for Humanity:

Habitat for Humanity Philippines will be conducting a mini-soup kitchen at two Pasig Evacuation Centers where our homepartners are. We need volunteers from 6am-2pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 2,3 and 4) to distribute arroz caldo. Please contact 8973069 or 09178260881″

Some of you have been asking me the past days where to give your donations because you want to make sure that they get to the intended beneficiaries.

Continue readingWant to help? More helping hands needed