Manila Filled with Tears



Hi everyone. I guess a lot of you have heard the tragedy brought by typhoon Ondoy to our country. I have my own set of experience with Ondoy which is remarkably a life changing one. Last Saturday, I woke up around 330 am to study for that day's subject. I already noticed the incessant drizzle of rain. I was awaiting as early as 4am for class suspension but no announcement came. I went to school with dad as my driver. I arrived at UST before 9 am and saw students going to school. I told my dad that I will go ahead. After 15 mins or so, the office announced suspension and the rain started pouring hard. I joined my 3 other boy classmates in going home, one of whom has a car. We drop other classmates of ours at their houses because dapitan by that time is already flooded. My classmate drove all the way to e. rodriqguez and to our amazement flood had already set in. We decided not to push thru and my dad advised us to go to Puregold E.Rodriguez. We arrived their at 10 am and ate brunch. We are waiting patitently for the rain to stop. But it did'nt. It continued raining for hours. I did not think of buying any water nor food because i never thought it would take that long. The scariest thing happened. The floods cannot be controlled anymore. I saw tha bus slowly submerging in water and other cars are soon gone. But the worse is still to come,, water entered Puregold Grocery. I started crying and praying.. Memories of my 23 years of existence started flashing in my mind. I was afraid that if the rain did not stop it would fill up the whole store with us and other customers in it. I thought I would die that day... that night.. that moment. I do not know how to swim and the flood was way above the height of man. Inside the store, We are about 100+ waiting for the rain to stop, the floods to die down. I slept at the cashier (the one where you grocery stuffs are being packed). There was no electricity. I asked my dad to call for help but he sternly told me he won't. WHy? He told me that There are hundreds who need more help than us. People stuck at the top of their roof without anything. We just ate bread and water because that damn grocery store won't let us purchase anything!!! (However, I commend the employees who provided us with water, bread and candle). The floods just started going down at 5am. Thank God, I have arrived safely home. I have lived to witness the wrath of nature. I hope politicians will stop pocketing money which are provided for sewerage system infrastructure. Oh please. spare the Filipino Citizens of a country worth living. To the Filipinos, please stop throwing your garbage anywhere. DO YOUR PART. I, for instance, never throw candy wrappers or anything on the street. NO joke. I keep it my bag and throw it at home or at school. This little things help, a lot.

There are hundreds of families who lost their houses. The worst part is the growing number of people DEAD. Let us extend our help to these people. Magtulungan po tayo at Magdasal.
Let us HELP EACH OTHER and continue praying.





(FROM http://www.spot.ph) As of 11 a.m. September 27, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) canceled all storm signals in all areas. Relief operations are in progress all over Metro Manila for typhoon Ondoy victims. Here’s a list of where to donate relief goods:


BINALOT
Branches are accepting donations

STARBUCKS
Branches are accepting donations

COFFEE BEAN AND TEA LEAF
Branches are accepting donations

MANILA
Deposit money with the Phlippine National Red Cross

Metrobank
Port Area Branch
Peso Acct.: 151-3-041-63122-8
Dollar Acct.: 151-2-151-00218-2
Type of Acct. : SAVINGS
Swift Code: MBTC PH MM

BPI
Port Area Branch
Peso Acct.: 4991-0010-99
Type of Account: CURRENT

BPI
UN Branch
Dollar Acct.: 8114-0030-94
Type of Account: SAVINGS
Swift Code: BOPI PH MM
For your donations to be properly acknowledged, please fax the bank transaction slip at nos. 527-0575 or 404-0979 with yourname, address and contact number.

QUEZON CITY

GMA 7 Kapuso Foundation: Ongoing Repacking Activity for Relief Operation

For those wanting to join the pool of volunteers, you may contact us at:

GMA Kapuso Foundation Warehouse
Charles Conrad Street
Doña Faustina Village II
Brgy. Culiat, Tandang Sora
Quezon City

Contact Person: Sheilana Ward
Telephone number: 931-7013

ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Center
Sagip Kapamilya hotlines 413-26-67, 416-03-87
Ondoy response: ABS-CBN hotline 416-36-41

Bank: Banco de Oro, Mother Ignacia branch
Acct name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.
Acct no.: 5630020111

ABS-CBN Foundation Inc for overseas donation: 1-800-527-2820 or www.abscbnfoundation.org

Routing code for international cash donations
BNORPHMM ABS-CBN Branch

In kind donation:
Drop off sites are at 13 Examiner Street or at Scout Bayona in front of Rembrandt Hotel.

ABS-CBN Foundation US Office Toll-Free: 1-800-527-2820

NoyMar Relief: Tulong Bayan Relief Operations
Old Seafood Market near Farmer’s Market, Cubao, Quezon City
Needs volunteers to help pack on Monday, September 28 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Numbers: 9137122, 9136254, 9133306, 09086579998
Website: www.marroxas.com

Church of the Risen Lord, UP Diliman
Relief Drive for UP communities start at 7 a.m. on Monday, September 28

UP College of Arts and Letters, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City
Go to: College of Arts and Letters (CAL), look for guard on duty at UP CAL
Operations: 24 hours until Wednesday tentatively
Numbers: 0929-6454102 (Prof. Roselle Pineda)
Donate medicines, clothes, blankets, food to be distributed by Citizens’ Disaster Response Center.

We will also need sando bags for repacking and volunteers to help in the repacking. For further details please contact CAL Dean’s Office at 928-7508, look for Ms. Aurora Carandang.

Ateneo de Manila University
Loyola Heights, Katipunan Avenue. Relief operations have been moved to the covered courts and volunteers are needed. Call 426-6001. Or contact 09176312423 and 09177035357

Citizens Disaster Response Center (CDRC)
72-A Times St., West Triangle Homes, Quezon City.
Numbers: 9299820, 9299822
Operations: 8 a.m. onwards.
Donate money, old clothes, blanket, bigas, munggo,.volunteer to help distribute goods.

Radio Veritas
Veritas Tower , West Ave. corner EDSA, look For Karla Turingan
Numbers: 9257931 to 39, 0918VERITAS
Operations: 24-hours, tentatively until Tuesday.
Donate old clothes, food, assorted goods, bottled water, cash.

Our Lady of Pentecost Parish
12 F. dela Rosa cor. C. Salvador Streets, Loyola Heights , Quezon City
Numbers: 632 4342397, 63 2 9290665
Operations: 7 a.m. till 10 p.m. Sunday, until further notice.
Donate packed meals, bottled water.

Erica Paredes
Go to: Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City, look for Erica Paredes
Numbers: 09174741930
Operations: Throughout the week tentatively, from 10 am to 6 pm
Donate ready-to-eat foods like hard-boiled egg, bread, packed juice, sandwich filling, volunteer to prepare sandwiches and distribute goods

Relief Operations for San Francisco del Monte, QC area
Please call Rache Gillego at 0918-9241636. Operations start at 7 a.m., Monday, September 28

Caritas Manila office
Relief goods can also be brought Radio Veritas at Veritas Tower West Ave. corner EDSA, Quezon City
Tel No. 9257931-40.

Camp Aguinaldo
For donations of relief goods, please deliver them to CRS Office, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. or call 0915-1162853. Food, Medicine, Clothes and other relief items are much needed.
A collection point for relief goods was also set up at the GHQ gym in Camp Aguinaldo (near the Soldier’s mall, past Gate 3).

Miriam Quiambao and World Vision Development Foundation
Go to: One Orchard Road Building in Eastwood or at the World Vision office at 389 Quezon Avenue, corner West 6th St., Quezon City, look for he guard in the lobby (on One Orchard Road)
Number: 0917-8623209
Website: http://www.twitter.com/miriamq, www.worldvision.org.ph
Operations: Until Sept. 28, 2009 (Monday), 24-hour operation

Donate goods like clothes, blankets, canned goods, crackers, mattress, hygiene kits, noodles, bottled water, oatmeal, instant coffee, sugar (for relief pack to be distributed by World Vision)
Volunteer to help repack relief goods for World Vision starting today at 7pm

Deposit cash donations to World Vision Development Foundation, BPI savings account number 4251002415 and BDO savings account number 270043411

Gabriela Women’s Party Headquarters
118 Scout Rallos, Kamuning, Quezon City
Call 929-5342.

MAKATI/TAGUIG/MUNTINLUPA

San Antonio Parish, Forbes Park
Accepting all kinds of relief goods.
Contact JJ Yulo or Mike Yuson.

Power Plant Mall Stores: Myron’s, Team Manila, ARANAZ, MOONSHINE, LUCA
Now accepting donations of food, water, clothing and medicines, no cash pls. Call 898-1702 for Power Plant Mall.

NoyMar Relief: Tulong Bayan Relief Operations
White Space, Pasong Tamo Ext., Near BMW, Makati, look for Clare Amador or Jana Vicente
Numbers: 09285205508, 09285205499, 0908-6579998, 0939-3633436, 9137122
Operations: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. throughout the week until further notice.
Website: www.marroxas.com
Donate drinking water, old medicines, clothing, blankets, canned goods, noodles, Volunteer to man stations and repack food.

Philippine Army
Go to: Philippine Army Gym inside Fort Bonifacio, Makati or General Head Quarter’s Gym in Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, EDSA, Quezon City, look for any on-duty personnel
Number: 892-3417 (direct line), 845-9555 (trunkline) local. 6464 and 6466
Operations: Ongoing everyday for 24 hours until further notice
Donate relief goods (no cash)
Call hotline for rescue, evacuation or relief assistance.
Call to report missing persons

Victory Fellowship – Fort Bonifacio
Go to: Victory Fellowship, Every Nation Building , across Market-Market, Fort Bonifacio, look for Pastor Bernard Marquez
Numbers: 813-FORT, 8171212
Operations: Tentatively until 5pm, may may extend hours. Entire week until Friday.
Website: www.twitter.com/VictoryFort
Donate canned goods, milk, bottled water, clothes, cash.
Volunteer to help pack relief goods

Sacred Heart of Jesus Chaplaincy
Hillsborough Village, Cupang, Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila, look for Genelyn Sembrano, Meanne Cuneta
Numbers: 8428148, 8079847
Website: www.sacredheartofjesus-alabang.org
Operations: Tuesday-Sunday (Sept. 29-Oct 4). 8 am to 12 noon, 2 to 6 pm
Donate water, blankets, shoes, clothes and other goods
Donate in cash

MANDALUYONG
SM Megamall: Smart branches, Papemelroti store (no cash)

Shangri-La Plaza Mall: LUCA
Now accepting donations of food, water and medicines.

PASIG CITY
LUZON RELIEF: Volunteer / Donate / Pray

Renaissance Fitness Center

2nd Floor, Bramante Building, Renaissance Towers, Ortigas, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City, look for Warren Habaluyas, co-founder
Numbers: 0929-8713488
E-mail: luzonrelief@gmail.com
Operations: Monday to Saturday (Sept. 28-Oct. 3), 9am-7pm
Donate non-perishable food items, beddings, pillows, blankets, clothes
You can donate cash but it is not encouraged

From Carlos Celdran:
Please text 0927-9103919 or 0927-3770808
They’ll pick-up the goods from your place and bring it to a centralized depot (Ateneo Covered Courts). Kindly text us your address/location and they’ll do best they can.

ONLINE
For online donations you may also visit the website at www.redcross.org.ph.


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18 comments

  1. it's good to know that ure safe now. take care Donna! and to all Filipinos, be strong!

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  2. I am sorry that you turned out to be a real witness to this case! I would not even know what to think about my death, and especially to observe someone's death!
    Very sorry! But so glad it Ok now and ... hope it will be OK!
    Here in Korea a lot of same case occur, but the authorities did not allow repeated flooding. They are making huge bilge pumps, which 6 of them right below our apartment, underground openings and ll that stuff! Hope your country will take serious measures of that!

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  3. Oh my goodness.. I'm glad you're okay. That was one scary experience. And I absolutely agree that we should all do our part.

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  4. Yes. We should not wait for that moment wherein we'll have to cling to just anything to survive. We have to do something. Now. Thank you for this post Donnarence.

    For Cebuano followers/readers of this blog, you may go to this link (http://tinyurl.com/updatedareas) to know where you can drop off your donations.

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  5. I'm glad you and your family are safe. I hope your properties did not get destroyed. I'll pray for all the people [including my fam] who lost their homes. :(

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  6. That was a scary thing you went through! I'm glad you're safe.. I am looking at the photos of the aftermath of the storm and it is just so sad :(

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  7. that;s good your ok!
    it's really sad. its already a hard life there and then they get hit by all that stuff. worse than anything here. so everyone needs to stop taking things for granted aye? My grandmas house was affected.. their ok... but all flooded and i think their roof flew off. Grabe talaga to, nakakaawa yung mga bictima. thoughts and prayers always...

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  8. It is so sad to watch how nature is destroying everything. Keep strong, girl! :)

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  9. Thank goodness you're safe. It's different when the tragedy hits closer to home. It's really heartbreaking to watch the news.

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  10. its crazy to think that something so calm like water can devestate like that. I'm so happy to hear that you are ok and I'm glad you blogged about it. Manila and yourself are in my prayers. Take care of yourself and you are so brave!

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  11. donnarence i was scared for you reading about your first hand experience with the flood. i'm glad you got home safe! that was amazing how your dad thought of other people and didn't want to call for help. god bless sis!

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  12. girl, napanood namin ng family ko and bf sa philippine news. As in grabe! Its soo sad. My friends and family back home are from sta. rosa laguna, I dont know how they are doing.

    I hope youre doing ok. Take care!

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  13. im so sorry you had to deal with it first hand. glad to know you and your family are ok. if you know anyone from the bay area please spread the word about the fundraising events going on in san francisco and south san francisco for the typhoon ondoy victims. more info can be found in my blog. thanks. btw, i also grabbed the info regarding places where ppl can make donation from your blog. salamat!!

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  14. OMG - so glad to hear you are okay! Best wishes to everyone involved. Good luck!

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  15. Oh my goodness! I heard about it on the news. It is so sad to see people lose their homes and/or loved ones. My prayers go out to these people. I am glad you made it home safely.

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  16. Thank God you are safe. My heart n prayers go to all the victims of the typhoon T.T I heard about it last week but didn't know it was that big and harmful

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  17. Thank God sis and you're safe. I can't imagine myself spending the night in a grocery store. Parang eksena sa isang movie. I, on the other hand was on tears while watching the news that week. Di rin ako mapakali kasi dyan nakatira sa Manila ang parents ko at kapatid ko. Worse, di ko sila makontak kasi walang signal. Thank God at safe din sila. First floor lang daw ang binaha. Dito sa Baguio malakas na hangin at ambon lang ang dumaan sa amin. I just hope though that all of the victims will be able to recover from this tragedy.

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  18. oh my gosh! I remember you leaving a comment when you just got home. Thank God you are safe, but I cant begin to imagine what that mustve been like. :/ A lot of the people who were stuck at work (Ever gotesco) decided to brave the floods because they wouldnt allow them to have food and was more concerned with the sales:/ hayy.

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