Archive | September, 2009

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The Day My Country Stood Still: A Typhoon “Ondoy” Aftermath Video by: Glenn Omanio

Posted on 30 September 2009 by RJ Marmol

This entry is part 7 of 10 in the series "The Great Flood"

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.

******

Find out the many ways you can help typhoon Ondoy victims.

If your in the Philippines, here’s a list of verified relief centers / drop off centers for donations.

You can also donate online to Philippine National Red Cross.

The Day My Country Stood Still (Aftermath of Typhoon Ondoy) from Glenn Omanio on Vimeo.

*****

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

Repeat refrain 2:

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Ondoy Victims Missing Persons List / Database

Posted on 30 September 2009 by RJ Marmol

This entry is part 6 of 10 in the series "The Great Flood"

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 / Database is 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

You can use this in two ways:

1.  CLICK HERE TO FILE A REPORT OR INQUIRY ABOUT A MISSING OR ‘FOUND’ PERSON

2. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MISSING PERSONS DATABASE.

Alternatively, you can view the Typhoon Ondoy Missing Persons on Google Maps here.

This map was created by Franklin Naval and maintained by him and several others, and makes use of GMA MPD data and other missing-persons sources.

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NoyMar Relief Packages? Not sure.

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Sidelining Politics for A Greater Cause: Helping Victims of Typhoon Ondoy

Posted on 30 September 2009 by RJ Marmol

This entry is part 5 of 10 in the series "The Great Flood"

You know the figures by now, I’m sure. With over 200 killed, 42 still missing and 2 million people affected here in the Philippines (damage to agriculture and infrastructure estimated at a whopping P4.79B) , 11 killed  in Cambodia and 41 still in Vietnam, Typhoon Ondoy (international code name Ketsana) is no doubt a modern-day monster. Help and words of sympathy came from all over the world, latest of which is from no less than England’s Queen Elizabeth II and this huge monetary assistance from GermanyVielen dank, Deutschland!

And as if that deluge has not brought enough suffering already, Northern Luzon must brace itself from an imminent typhoon about to be named “Pepeng” (international code name “Parma”) . This makes it easy for us to believe doomsday prophecies, I reckon. Which then makes this post about the next big storm rather prophetic.

*****

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

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.

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 IIICalling 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 put together an emergency clean up crew which is on call and ready to help any barangay in need.
He is also distributing 2,500 food packages.
His actions were the result of urgent calls and messages he received from his friends who live in Marikina and who were seriously affected.

He promised to do what he could.

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.

Senator Dick Gordon – as Chairperson and CEO of the Philippine National Red Cross, and as rumors of him not really intent on running for president in 2010 goes around, the senator can hardly be accused of politicking now, even as some photos of PNRC rescue efforts show him as  if he was in joyful campaign mode. It is after all, joyous to see people being rescued, don’t you think? Regardless of what people might say, work is being done at the Philippine National Red Cross, and the least we can do is acknowledge it. By the way, you can click here for ways to donate to Red Cross. You can also  donate online. Red Cross now accepts donations via Paypal — just send donations to give@redcross.org.ph

*****

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!

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Name RJ Marmol
Location Calamba City, Laguna
Twitter rjmarmol
Bio Web/Tech/Politics enthusiast. iPhone app junkie. Blogging since 2008. RJ doesn't comment or blog anonymously because that's lame and irresponsible.

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