Flood waters- YOU WILL NOT DROWN OUR SPIRIT!

Amidst all the videos and pictures posted online, as it continues to hog the headlines of major dailies and TV news programs, after hearing all the stories of survivors firsthand, the aftermath of tropical storm Ondoy just knocks the wind out of me.

I can’t help but wonder- How does God answer all our prayers for assistance and pleas for help? I wonder how God prioritizes. I wonder if He covers His eyes and ears so He can have some peace and quiet. I wonder if He fears opening His Facebook account or if He dreads reading His mobile phone’s inbox since each would most likely be containing a message that unloads a problem unto Him.

Inasmuch as the horrendous stories brought about by Ondoy are overwhelming, the accounts of those made it and made others’ lives better are more powerful-

Stories of barangay (village) leaders who go from one house to another in their 4000-population area to ensure that the meager relief goods- boiled eggs, no-cook noodles, etc- gets distributed equally, but especially to those who need food the most

Couples stranded inside their cars at the height of the rains and floods who continue to tweet or post Facebook status messages that pass on vital information like emergency numbers to call or pleas for help from similarly stranded storm victims atop their homes’ roofs

Nurses and midwives who choose to clean the health center they work in first before cleaning their homes- all of which are inundated by muddy waters- so that first thing Monday morning they can already treat patients affected by the storm

Students who, rather than relish the unexpected holiday or study for exams, get together to sort donated food items, clothes, medicines and pack them into useful bundles ready for donation

Business owners who ask where can they bring freshly-baked bread enough to feed 300 people

People who readily cough out 250 sleeping mats after hearing a feeble request for one

From an innocent bystander, I was somehow thrust into a position to help orchestrate the University’s response to help our flooded partner communities. With mock resistance, I relented and shouldered the additional responsibility. I think I will end up with the better side of the bargain.

To be able to help is great, but an even greater blessing is to see God’s hands in action, through the magnificent people I mentioned above and the hundred others like them. They tweet and text without fear or favor, with eyes, ears, and hearts wide open.

I wish I can honor them through more eloquent words. But of course, true to their nature, having eased another human being’s pain is sufficient reward and motivation.

--==+==--

I am personally raising funds to help the survivors of Tropical Storm Ondoy here in the Philippines. I volunteer with two organizations right now who aim to help some 10,000 affected individuals. I am appealing to those happen to land in my blog to help by praying with us here in the Philippines. You can also put your faith into action by clicking the DONATE button below. Rest assured 100% of donated money will be used to buy the needs of those who survived the floods, including but not limited to getting them safe drinking water, sleeping mats, blankets, etc.

An accounting of money received, who gave them, plus where the money was used will be posted regularly.

I know that in this day and age of cynicism and jadedness, heroes for others still abound.

Thank you very much for your generosity =]

Help Tropical Storm Ondoy Survivors!

The UP Manila campus, including the Philippine General Hospital, plus the buildings surrounding it were hardly visible as tropical storm ONDOY passed through Metro Manila. But we were still luckier than most.

Here are some emergency numbers that maybe contacted if you or your loved ones need help or rescuing in your flooded communities:

Marikina Rescue 6462436

La Salle Greenhills Rescue 09209070290

Senator Manny Villar's dump trucks (which can pickup stranded passengers) 09174226800 09172414864

Red Cross Rubberboats 0917-899-7898 and 0938-442697

National Disaster Coordinating Council 911-1406, 912-2665, 911-5061, 912-5296, 911-1873, 912-2112, 734-2118

Hotline for rubber boats and truck 8383203, 8383354

Dump trucks for rescue 0917-422-6800 or 0927-675-1981

Nat'l Disaster Coord. Council 9115061 to 65

MERALCO +639175592824 +639209292824 +63216211

MMDA +632136

For those who wish to help the survivors of tropical storm Ondoy, I've setup a simple PayPal online monetary donation system. Just go to click on the *DONATE* button at the righthand panel on this page. Kindly leave a comment below or via email if you've made a donation so I can update you re how/where your contribution was used. Any amount is most welcome =] Thank you very much!

Blog Action Day = Day to talk about climate change (10/15/2009)

Change.org is powering the Blog Action Day 2009 happening on October 15th. On this day, bloggers the world over are highly encouraged to talk about a common theme to raise awareness about a global concern that just cannot be ignored - CLIMATE CHANGE.

In our own creative way, whatever niche we occupy in the blogosphere, we can take part in Blog Action Day 2009: tech blogs can talk about environment-friendly gadgets, travel blogs can discuss on how to be green while on the road, photography blogs can feature photos exposing environmental heroes and villains, etc.

We have about three weeks to prepare for this mega-event. Let's use our blogs as avenues for making the world a better place- one blog post at a time.

In My Life (Star Cinema, 2009)

After a series of excellent films, it felt wrong to not see right away the newest John Lloyd Cruz film, In My Life, its plot and the entire hullabaloo around it notwithstanding. The presence of Philippine movie legend Vilma Santos plus the choice of New York City (one of my most favorite places in the world) as the story’s backdrop really made it a really compelling film to watch. Once again, Star Cinema casts its filmmaking net wide and manages to produce a film that talks about your story, his struggles, her frustration, our victory, my life.

The film is happily unsettling in the sense that it has shatters prevailing stereotypes and mindsets about so many peoples, things, and happenings.

(Spoilers maybe in the movie review that follows below.)

Read more »

Task Force Noah: Aid needed for the flood victims in Zambales

Posting this appeal for help for the survivors of floods here in the Philippines.

Let's all be a blessing to them. Share your resources. Spread the word.

Thank you!


SLB TASK FORCE NOAH: Bangon Botolan
for the victims of recent flooding in Botolan, Zambales

On September 9, Tropical Depression Maring brought non-stop rains caused massive flooding areas of Zambales and Olongapo, particularly in the municipality of Botolan.

The people of Zambales have lost livelihood and crops, amounting to 9.7 million pesos. And The Zambales Olongapo-Bugallon Road is not passable to all types of vehicles. In the meantime, continuous monitoring, restoration and repair of the scoured approach is on-going.

In line with this we are mobilizing SLB TFNoah : Bangon Botolan

Yes the floods are starting to subside and the families are slowly getting back to their houses. This is precisely when they will need our help, while they are in the process of rebuilding their old homes and livelihood. Your donations and assistance will be of much help to them as they try to regain their homes and farmlands which were lost to the flood.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Donations may be brought to Cervini Dorm, Ateneo De Manila University
(Please also leave a comment or send me an email via my a.k.a. elsalvadordelmundo link on the right to know more about ways of sending your donations.)

Lend your time. Be a volunteer, help packing and transporting the goods.

Nourish them. Donate rice, sardines, noodles, coffee, sugar, noodles, salt

Keep them warm. Supply mats, blankets, mosquito nets, towel, clothes, slippers, toiletries

Provide for them. Direct deposits (cash or check) may be made to:

SIMBAHANG LINGKOD NG BAYAN (Account Name/Payee)
Bank of the Philippine Islands (Loyola-Katipunan Branch)
Peso Checking Account Number
3081-1111-61
Dollar Savings Account Numbe
3084-0420-12

Or channel to:
Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan
Loyola House of Studies
Ateneo de Manila University
Loyola Heights 1108, Quezon City

Contact Information:
Landline: +632 426-6101 loc. 3440/3441
Telefax: +632 426-5968
Web: www.slb.ph
Look for: Ms. Love Dorero

For proper acknowledgement:

1. Please fax a copy of the validated deposit slip to SLB through telefax +632 426-5968
2. Kindly indicate contact information: Name, address, email, landline/mobile
3. Those who wish to be anonymous may skip this procedure

We would like to extend our gratitude to our partners in the Ateneo Dorm’s ARSA (Ateneo Resident Students Association) who volunteered to receive the donations and offered their place as a drop-off point. Maraming salamat.

BRO. ISMAEL JOSE CHAN-GONZAGA, S.J.
Executive Director
Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan

Of Black Eyed Peas and Jollibees

Examples of
A- Things I learned from Facebook
B- Things we can accomplish if we just work together =]

Enjoy the videos, especially for Pinoys enduring this cold, rainy season =]


Oprah's 24th Season Kickoff Party, video from Oprah.com


Jollibee's SM Mall of Asia Flash Dance Mob, video from http://bestyoucanbee.com/

UP Manila - Ayala Recyclables Fair / September 29, 2009

This September- Celebrate sanitation! Declare freedom from the tyranny of trash!

WHAT:
UP Manila - Ayala Recyclables Fair

WHEN:
September 29, 2009 from 9am to 3pm

WHERE:
the Philippine General Hospital basketball court Taft Avenue, Manila

The following can be bought, sold, or disposed of:

Used paper and posters, old newspapers at magazines, obsolete books

Plastic bottles, sando bags

Plastic furniture, Tetra Pak cartons

Aluminum cans and tin cans

Used lead acid batteries

Non-working electronic appliances

Betamax, cassette tapes

Old TVs, CPUs, monitors, etc.

Toner and ink cartridges

Tarpaulin streamers, household batteries, Styrofoam, mobile phones, chargers


For inquiries, please get in touch with Anna De Guzman of the UP Biology Majors Society thru anna16_deguzman@yahoo.com.

Never lost, always found (15): Timely, timeless

Tired? Tortured? Tormented?

Here is a timely, timeless reminder of God's love-


...[A]nd say to the faint-hearted, 'Be strong! Do not be afraid. Here is your God, vengeance is coming, divine retribution; he is coming to save you.'

Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, the ears of the deaf unsealed,

then the lame will leap like a deer and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy; for water will gush in the desert and streams in the wastelands,

the parched ground will become a marsh and the thirsty land springs of water...

Isaiah 35:4-7, First Reading for Sunday, September 6th.

Two hundred fifty days 'til the May 2010 Philippine elections

Gray skies loom overhead but a swathe of hopeful sunny clarity is not too distant.

While I believe that each time to vote is an important civic duty, I really feel that the upcoming 2010 polls is make or break for the Philippines. This crossroads we are treading towards could be the spark we all need in order to make the country teeter in favor of development or the slope unto which we continue to be mired in the muck of stagnation, if not worse.

Recent not-so-mini upheavals the Philippine political landscape have left many wary and worried about the 2010 elections in particular and the country's future in general. Inasmuch as it leaves a bitter taste in the mouth when the political leaders we look to for direction and guidance seem to be lost themselves, we must be firm in the resolve that those leaders DO NOT solely have the responsibility in mapping our collective future. For the most part, it is still up to the voting public who will get to sit and govern our 90-odd million population. Definitely, the 1-million-strong civil service system pales in comparison to the power wielded by the entire nation.

I hear from many people that they are beginning to feel that they might as well not participate in the polls since the choices are the proverbial devil and the deep blue sea. Sure, for now, the options seem to be not... optimal... for the needs of the country. But I am certain further scrutiny will yield a candidate who is better than most, a lesser evil, so to speak. The candidates will run, whether we like it or not. But the equation for their election will remain incomplete until we permit them to govern. We just have to do our part in making the country better. We must not remain limited to the sidelines, merely booing, cheering, or lambasting leaders alternately; rather, we must be partners in building the nation, brick by brick, in whatever sphere of influence we belong to.

If we all give up on our country, we become instruments facilitating our own demise, unwittingly fulfilling what the naysayers among us have been predicting. There is a lot that needs to be done, there is still time.

--==+==--

We still have until October 31st to register for the 2010 elections. The procedures on how to register, mechanism to check your name if it's still in the voters' list, and the laws governing campaigning, among other information, can be found here in the official website of the Commission on Elections.

An online contest like no other

I hardly deviate from my usual line-up of topics I write about. However, I interrupt regular programming to bring a bit of good news for bloggers, small online business owners, etc. Here is an opportunity to earn cash, advertising credits, domains, blog makeovers, reviews, hosting space, increase the number of links to your blogs, etc through a contest like no other.

Be a part of The 1 Million EC-Free Traffic-Contest either as a prize sponsor or a participant to the weekly contests and have the chance to win the following:


25 $ cash prize from
Business Sphere - Business Advice, Entrepreneurship, Consulting, Real Estate

20 $ cash prize from
My Financial Corner

15 $ cash prize from
A Little Boy's blog
Too little time to blog

10 $ cash prize from
One World Realty Philippines
PF ♥ Org

Other prizes are as follows:
Read more »