Today, I am featuring another heartbreaking video from Glenn Omanio, this time, with a new set of photos and Asin's classic song "Masdan Mo (ang Kapaligiran)" (Look Around You) playing in the background. Definitely a must-see. Also see, the first video here.
This video hits two birds with one stone -- that of disaster-preparedness and environmental responsibility. We've heard about the long and boring discussions about global warming and climate change and yet, no picture or technical explanation can get any clearer than this. This is reality. It is not God's punishment. It is the law of interaction laid out in our face. Every action solicits a reaction. It is a punishment we may have brought upon ourselves.
But all is not lost. We -- the ones who are left, must now do the long and boring process of rebuilding and re-educating ourselves in disaster preparedness and environmental accountability. Had we heeded that call and listened to it then, this may not have happened.
The long and boring is inevitable. We can delay but we will ultimately pay.
Masdan Mo Ang Kapaligiran (Asin) Wala ka bang napapansin sa iyong mga kapaligiran?
Kay dumi na ng hangin, pati na ang mga ilog natin.
Refrain 1:
Hindi na masama ang pag-unlad at malayu-layo na rin ang ating narating
Ngunit masdan mo ang tubig sa dagat dati'y kulay asul ngayo'y naging itim
Ang mga duming ating ikinalat sa hangin sa langit huwag na nating paabutin
Upang kung tayo'y pumanaw man, sariwang hangin sa langit natin matitikman
Refrain 2:
Mayron lang akong hinihiling sa aking pagpanaw sana ay tag-ulan
Gitara ko ay aking dadalhin upang sa ulap na lang tayo magkantahan
Ang mga batang ngayon lang isinilang may hangin pa kayang matitikman?
May mga puno pa kaya silang aakyatin may mga ilog pa kayang lalanguyan?
Refrain 3:
Bakit di natin pagisipan ang nangyayari sa ating kapaligiran
Hindi na masama ang pag-unlad kung hindi nakakasira ng kalikasan
Darating ang panahon mga ibong gala ay wala nang madadapuan
Masdan mo ang mga punong dati ay kay tatag ngayo'y namamatay dahil sa 'ting kalokohan
Refrain 4:
Lahat ng bagay na narito sa lupa biyayang galing sa Diyos kahit nong ika'y wala pa Ingatan natin at 'wag nang sirain pa pagkat pag kanyang binawi, tayo'y mawawala na
I laud GMaNews.tv for this new project development in support of real-time collaboration and database access. I would like to share the wonderful news that their Ondoy Victims Missing Persons List / Databaseis now online. This is the kind of vital information that needs to be disseminated as quickly as possible and to as many online audience as possible. As you know, most people turn to search engines during this time as they search for their loved ones and friends affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Ondoy.
Aware of the fact that Google and most search engines favor blogs in their search results page, I decided to publish this here and link to the original article in hopes that doing so will increase the news articles search results page prominence.
They call this the "Missing Persons Database" or simply MPD.
Do you have a relative, friend, classmate, workmate, neighbor, or acquaintance that went missing during the chaotic weekend of Sept. 26-27 as storm “Ondoy" wreaked havoc on Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon?
Or maybe you happen to be in touch with Ondoy-displaced or stranded people in the process of rescue, evacuation and relief operations, and you want to send word that they are safe and sound? -- GMANews.tv
Whether possibly taking cue from Bishop Vicente Navarra's call (to divert campaign funds to relief operations) or doing it on their own volition, politicians and 2010 aspirants (a handful or so of them at least) have all been busy doing their share in easing up the situation of our fellow Filipinos whose lives have been turned upside down (literally and figuratively) by sudden flooding in Mega Manila, Philippines caused by incessant rains from Typhoon Ondoy.
Never mind that even plastic bags or styrofoam food containers come in various designs (others crude, others customized to perfection).
Alleged "Tulong ni Manny Villar" food label on relief packages for Ondoy victims. This is an unverified photo circulating online to the disgust of many and the apathy of a few. We can't confirm as yet if this is an authentic photo of the package. For all we know, someone may have just cut and pasted that piece of paper on that styrofoam food container (just for fun). Senator Manny Villar has been known for "customized branding" but I doubt such a crude label as that would pass his "taste".
NoyMar Relief Packages? Not sure. Unlike the first one, this one's a bit subtle, relying mainly on campaign colors. But maybe it's just me. Maybe that's the only plastic bag colors available, it's easy to run out of white plastic bags in crisis. Maybe this isn't even for the NoyMar relief operations at Balay, Expo Centro, could be for another relief operations. Again, this is an unverified photo circulating online.
Never mind that photos of relief goods distribution stream faster online than news updates.
Never mind that they seem to be doing efforts on their own (shunning coordination with others probably in fear of being robbed-off of their turn in the spotlight).
Never mind.
At least, they are doing something. And times like these, we need all hands on deck, because every little bit helps.
Help is help and there's nothing wrong with knowing where they came from, specially if it's food (for safety purposes and backtracking in case of food poisoning due to spoiled food, unintentional, of course, some get spoiled during transport).
*****
In an attempt to be non-partisan at this time, I'd like to commend all efforts being done everywhere regardless of their breadth and scope. This is also a call for help and unity, a call for action and active participation in all sectors, not just the political.
Below are activities I've noticed from 2010 aspirants.
Manny Villar's team is so far the most organized in their Ondoy relief operations and boy, oh boy, are they stats-obsessed. Not that it's entirely wrong though. "Right now, the most important thing is to help as many people as we can. We have the capability to make sure your donations reach those who most need them. Let's work together at this most trying time," Villar said. If you want to help out Tropang Villar efforts, call them at 0905-3316626 and 0917-4226800
Senators Mar Roxas and Noynoy Aquino - Operation Tulong Bayan is now asking for more donations, especially of rice and water, to sustain the relief efforts.
Balay, Expo Centro (formerly Seafood Market), EDSA corner General McArthur St., Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City, inside the parking lot fronting the fruit section of Farmers Market. Hotline: 9137122, 9136254, 9133306. (Manilyn) 09086579998, (Jenn) 09393633436.
Chiz Escudero -in fairness to Senator Chiz Escudero, I'm pretty sure relief efforts are being done somewhere but I can't seem to locate one or two specific hotlines or identify whether a particular project or fund drive is related to or organized by his camp. This senator seems to have a lot of online following. Just keeping up with 4 Facebook accounts must be a daunting task for his staff. I only keep track of Chiz's first Facebook account. But if you are a Chiz fan and would like to get in touch with him about his Ondoy relief efforts, try sending him a tweet here@SayChiz. His Twitter account seems to be well attended.
Jose De Venecia III - Calling on all Filipinos to rekindle our "bayanihan" spirit, Joey de Venecia (JDV3) writes in an email:
With millions of Filipinos affected by the flash floods caused by tropical storm Ondoy, today is a time for bayanihan, businessman Joey de Venecia III said today.
“All of us who were lucky enough to be spared from the effects of the storm should roll up our sleeves and help those who were,” he said.
De Venecia is also asking his friends and supporters to volunteer their services to the various relief centers all over Metro Manila after receiving feedback that most centers were swamped with requests and sorely lacking in manpower.
Since there are no classes until the end of the week, Venecia called on all students not affected by the floods to get together with their classmates and barkada and go to the relief centers.
De Venecia also called for a ceasefire on all political activities.
“There is no reason to attack the government, which I’m sure is doing all it can. The fact is this was a calamity that was totally unexpected,” the businessman said.
The floods even hit Malacanang, he pointed out.
“Whenever we are faced with a great tragedy or a national emergency, we Filipinos have shown time and again that we are capable of setting aside our differences and working together for the common good.
This spirit of bayanihan remains strong in us, and it is precisely what we need today,” de Venecia said.
All that mentioned, let me just stress, that in dire circumstances as this one, it doesn't really matter how much you contribute or what the ulterior motives are. Practicality is the name of the game. We need politicians because they have the resources. They need us for accumulating "pogi" points in the hopes that it would translate to votes. It is not condoning evil, it is sidelining every other triviality for something more important, more urgent, more practical.
So go ahead and take that blue/yellow campaign colored plastic of relief goods. Munch on that food inside that "crudely labeled" styrofoam. Shake their hands, pose and smile for the camera. Say "thank you" as if you really owe it to them to provide you with assistance (specially for incumbent officials). We are in crisis mode. Do what you have to do to get that food inside your stomach.
First things first. Think about candidate preferences and nation-building mantras later. After all, what's there left to build if we all die reveling in our pride. We are a nation of people, not a nation of abstract ideals -- or at least, until everything goes back to normal.
Be safe everyone. Volunteers and donors, you are all #%#%^#^ awesome! Rock on!
I stare at this screen perplexed. All along, I knew there weren't any reports of injuries, much less, of death in my barangay. When I went to the barangay hall Sunday morning after the waters subsided, I was told the evacuees, most of them, if not all, were already back home tending after their damaged properties.
All along, I thought the worst that happened this little side of my Philippines is the exodus of people in a village in Landayan, San Pedro, Laguna.
CALAMBA CITY, Laguna, Philippines -- One died and over 3,000 families in this city were evacuated to safe ground as floods spawned by typhoon Ondoy swamped this city, disaster officials reported on Tuesday morning.
Officials identified the dead as David Rafols, 20, a resident of Barangay (village) Looc, Calamba City while the city's Action Center said 3,084 families or 15,765 individuals were already in 43 designated evacuation centers in the area.
It added that so far, 4,598 families or 22,015 persons in this city either fled from the floods or lost property due to the floods spawned by typhoon Ondoy.
City government and resident-volunteers had been clearing the streets of mud since Monday afternoon
My heart goes out to these people. I am duty-bound as neighbor and ka-barangay to help them out and search them in 43 separate evacuation centers I hardly heard of until now. I spend so much time publishing information in the knowledge that all is well here now. Apparently, not all.
Flood at Mahogany Villas, Brgy. Looc, Calamba City, Laguna at the onset of Typhoon "Ondoy"; Manageable compared to what our fellowmen in Metro Manila experienced.
I am from Barangay Looc. Where we are, the water went up as high as ankle-deep. Maybe knee-deep in other streets/blocks. The affected people may be the ones occupying that low-lying area at the mid-part of this barangay (our village rests on the border between the other barangay (San Juan) and Looc.
God rest his soul.
I guess this is part of the risk of living so close to bodies of water. Besides, they wouldn't call this "Looc" for nothing, would they?
I'm posting this heartwrenching video on "Ondoy's Trail of Fury" shared through Facebook by Ding Gagelonia and originally uploaded on Vimeo and YouTube by Glen Omanio. I suppose he also owns the rights to this video and he was kind enough to express on his Facebook link that it's okay to share and spread it as means of informing everyone and gathering support and donations for our kababayans devastated by Typhoon "Ondoy" (international code name "Ketsana").
The video is so good because it captures in snapshots and music the tragedy that befell us while at the same time urging us to move into action, to do something and to trust that help is at hand because although we may be ill-equipped, short of supplies and other resources, we rest in the comfort that we have each other. You and me.
This video deserves a wider audience outside of Facebook.
I hope it reaches the far corners of the world wide web and touches the hearts of those who can help either in rescue/retrieval operations, delivery of supplies, lending of equipment and tools, gathering, donation of, repacking and distribution of relief goods to isolated areas and evacuation centers. Don't ever think that there isn't much you can do. We need each other's help here. Every little bit counts. As of last report, relief centers are running out of goods. Our brothers and sisters need us.
To share and/or embed the video on your own blogs and social networks, please click on either or both Vimeo and YouTube link above.
On Sept. 26, the Philippine capital Manila and its neighboring provinces suffered one of nature's worst beating. Typhoon Ondoy, international code name Ketsana, poured more than a month's worth of rain in six hours, submerging most parts of... the bustling metropolis, drowning at least a hundred people as of press time. My prayers to the victims, and may we emerge victorious and live by the lessons of this tragedy. Donate now via PayPal at is.gd/3IOATthrough consumer group TXTPower, txtpower.org. All proceeds go to the Philippine National Red Cross. (Photos by Reuters. Music by Ennio Morricone, "Love Theme" from "Cinema Paradiso").
Wherever you are in the world, you can help by donating online:
If you know of anyone who needs help/rescuing, click here (fill out form, please be as specific as you can) and our heroic IT/Google maps proficient kababayans will update the map for you. It will be of great help to rescuers in identifying which specific areas to go to.
Rains have stopped here in Calamba, and I've heard and read in reports that some areas have already seen the sun shine this morning. But could this merely be the so-called "calm before the bigger storm"? Let us hope not. But let us not let our guard down just yet.
This message from Facebook shared by Ms. Julie Javellana-Santos , originally written by Ms. Inday Espina-Varona may be alarming indeed and yet it is very important and not to be ignored.
After "Ondoy", seems like new storms are brewing
See direct link to storm satellite photo here shared on Facebook by Binky P. Siddayao.
*****
A SERIOUS WARNING FROM ONE WHO KNOWS: ATTENTION GIBO ET AL!!!
Yvette Lee, a veteran diver, and the friend I rely on for weather forecasts, has never been wrong yet about which way the wind blows (or how much rain will fall). Many times, she has told me to disregard Pag-asa because various other satellites, including those used by the US military, are showing different storm tracks. On Friday, she said winds would be light but waters very heavy and to prepare for serious floods.
Tonight, with some urgency, she asked me to contact Gibo, if I could. I've texted her message en toto to a defense reporter, but am posting it here anyway in the hope someone who does know Gibo or the AFP Chief or some such top gun can relay it. They may know what Yvette knows already but she is worried due to the absence of clear-cut warnings on TV and radio news. She would post here but has no Internet access at the moment. I'm tagging as many people I know that cover Crame and Aguinaldo (or who are there, thus the soldiers). Perhaps, other media people can check with their own sources and issue warnings that people can heed.
Here's her message:
IF YOU HAVE CONTACT NUMBER OF GIBO YOU BETTER LET HIM KNOW TO EXPECT RAINS AGAIN BEGINNING TOMORROW. BAKA KALA NILA WALA NA TYPHOON WALA NANG RAIN. THE WEATHER SATELLITES SHOW RAIN COMING IN FROM THE EAST FOR 2 DAYS AT LEAST.
THEY SHOULD ASK THE PEOPLE WHO WERE STANDING ON ROOFS AND WHO WENT BACK INSIDE, TO LEAVE TILL WATER GOES DOWN TO NORMAL BECAUSE THE WATER WILL RISE VERY FAST AGAIN WHEN IT STARTS RAINING. YOU WATCH.
******
No let up, please. Let us make full use of the good weather we are having right now to hasten rescue operations in Marikina, Pasig, Quezon City and Caint, Rizal and the rest of the Metro hardest hit by the typhoon Ondoy. As I write this, dark clouds are forming where I am. I pray the same is not happening in Metro Manila.
Mayor Strike Revilla of Bacoor, Cavite has also been appealing for help from NDCC (National Disaster Coordinating Council). Apparently, the town where I lived for 15 years, never before devastated by floods of this magnitude was not spared from this disaster.
Volunteers, dear heroes we owe so much gratitude to, please take care of yourselves. So many people depend on your own strength, optimism, kindheartedness and enthusiasm. We have heard of people who have sacrificed their own lives already just to save our kababayans. May God bless you all and give you strength.
I can only cry in deep gratitude for all of you guys going out of your comfort zones to help out. As much as I'd like to help, I cannot leave my little boy in this flood-prone area of Looc, Calamba. I can only help the best I can by donating online to Red Cross using credit card , through SMS and other means and by being an information link, propagating information online for people searching for answers and calling for help.
This site is offsetting all electricity use with wind-generated Renewable Energy Certificates which prevent the release of 2,660 metric tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere each year.That’s equivalent to planting nearly 2,390 acres of trees, or removing 510 cars from the road. Reinforcing my commitment to combating climate change.
Get FREE email updates!
Join now!
ARE YOU PROUDLY PINOY?
March is Women’s Month
Phenomenal Woman by: Maya Angelou
Many people wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
When I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
The flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
The joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Men themselves have wondered
what they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Now you understand
just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palms of my hands,
the need for my care.
Because I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's my mother and all your mothers
And my grandmothers and your grandmothers
And my great grandmothers and your greats
And my great greats
And yours
And all you women
And Me!
Loading ...
