Barely a week have passed when typhoon "Ondoy"(international name: "Ketsana") ravaged and caused so much damage in Luzon here in the Philippines.  The cities and families that was affected have just started to recover from the damages, these five days after "Ondoy" have left the country.

But as if Ondoy's damage is not enough, another typhoon is now entering the Philippines and once again it is going to pass Luzon.

According to the Severe Weather Bulletin Number EIGHT issued by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), 11:00 a.m. today.  Typhoon "PEPENG" (international name: PARMA) continues to move, with speed of 19 kph, West Northwest and increases its threat to isabela - Aurora area.  Its center, as of 10:00 a.m. today, was located 180 kms East Northeast of Virac, Catanduanes, with the coordinates of 14.9°N, 125.8°E.  PAGASA's forecast says that PEPENG is expected to make landfall in Aurora-Isabela area noon this coming Saturday.

Public Storm Warning Signal No. 2 (60-100 kph winds) is raised on the following areas:

• Catanduanes
• Camarines Norte
• Northern Quezon
• Aurora
• Polilio Islands
• Isabela

While areas with Public Storm Warning Signal No. 1 (30-60 kph winds) are:

• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur
• Abra
• Apayao
• Kalinga
• Cagayan
• Babuyan Islands
• Mt. Province
• Ifugao
• Benguet
• La Union
• Nueva Vizcaya
• Quirino
• Pangasinan
• Nueva Ecija
• Tarlac
• Zambales
• Pampanga
• Bulacan
• Rizal
• Southern Quezon
• Camarines Sur
• Albay
• Sorsogon
• Burlas Island

Residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes under signal #2 and signal #1 are advised to take all the necessary precautionary measures against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Those living along the coast under signal #2 are advised to be on alert against big waves generated by the typhoon.

The public and the disaster coordinating councils concerned are advised to take appropriate actions and watch for the next bulletin to be issued at 5 p.m. today.

Yesterday, the tropical storm named "Ondoy" by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), wreaks havoc to all the places that it passed by as it moves through Luzon.

Me and my family personally experienced it's devastating force as it passed by out town, trees are plucked from the ground, part of our roof got blown-off by the force of the wind, and water came in and flooded part of our house. But compared to other places I can say that what we have experienced is still not that bad, and I thank God for that.

According to the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) as of 6 p.m. today, "Ondoy" had caused 73 fatalities.

According to Situation Report No. 7, 44 people died in Region IV-A: one in Calaca, Batangas; one in Calauag, Quezon; 23 in Tanay, Rizal; 10 in Angono, five in Baras; three in Montalban and one in Theresa, all in Rizal province.

Seven People were killed in the National Capital Region - three in Muntinlupa City, two in NIA Road, Quezon City; one in Marikina City, and 1 in Brgy. Bato, San Juan.

Twenty-one died in Region III: nine in Bulacan and 12 in Arayat, Pampanga. In the Cordillera Administrative Region, one was killed in Kabugao, Apayao.

Among the fatalities were a soldier and four volunteers from the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit who took part in the search and rescue efforts for the storm's victims.

The number of affected families across Luzon has swelled to 69,513 (about 337,216 people). The partial total number of evacuees has also reached 11,967 families (about 59,920 people) who are staying in 118 evacuation centers, NDCC data showed.

Twenty-three others were reported missing: 20 in Tanay, Rizal; two in Arayat, Pampanga, and one in Kabayan, Benguet. Four were injured: three in Kabayan, Benguet, and one in Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

The NDCC's official tally, however, did not include the 36 fatalities and 100 other missing according to the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) of San Isidro Church in Barangay Bagong Silangan in Quezon City.

Indeed nobody is excempted in Ondoy's destructive force, even celebrities were not exempted with the disasters caused by the tropical storm. Christine Reyes, Jean Garcia and her daughter Jenica Garcia, Kaye Brosas, Silvia Sanchez and Gladys Reyes are among the local celebrities that got stranded and asked help, when their houses were submerged in the flood caused by the heavy rain brought by Ondoy.

Today efforts are being given by everybody to help in their own way, those who are most affected by the tropical storm "Ondoy". T.V Networks and other organizations are gathering donations to help those in need, even the cyberspace are flooded with call for help. If you are interested in helping or donating here is a list where you may send your donation for those affected by "Ondoy."

Citizens Disaster Response Center (CDRC)
72-A Times St., West Triangle Homes , QC
9299820, 9299822
looking for donations and volunteers

Relief Operations Center
AGS Annex, #446 EDSA Guadalupe Viejo after PET Tower
contact Ares at 0917.855.4935 or Rachel at 0918.924.1636
accepting donations of used clothing (esp for children),blankets,canned goods,instant noodles,bottled water,rice, etc.

Kabataan Partylist
Drop off donations or volunteer at 118-B Sct. Rallos QC.
09266677163 or kabataanpartylist@gmail.com

Brainbeam Events, Inc.
2/F MB Aguirre Cornerhs Bldg,15 Pres Ave cor Elizalde Sts, BF Homes Pque rt across the old Caltex in BF
will accept relief goods

UP College of Arts and Letters (CAL)
Donation center at CAL/text 0929-6454102
will accept goods and cash

UP Diliman USC
contact TITUS 09178001909, JOSE 09273056607 and TIN 09154906106
is collecting food, clothing and/or cash

Coffee Bean and Teal Leaf (all branches)
accepting canned goods, water, clothes, blankets, towels, medicine, and emergency supplies (no cash)

Erica Paredes
Katipunan Avenue, QC
0917-4741930
donate bread, packed juice, sandwich filling or you can help her team distribute the goods

Junior Chamber International Manila
Baypark Tent, Roxas Blvd.
will accept goods starting Monday

Tulong Bayan
09086579998 (Marilyn), 09393633436 (Jenn) 9137122, 9136254 & 9133306
is looking for donations and volunteers

Corporate Network for Disaster Reponse
bank account no. 0031 0654 02 BPI Ayala Paseo Branch
for cash donations

Akbayan
call 4336933/4336831 for details
will accept relief goods and needs volunteers for relief effots

Our Lady of Pentecost Parish
12 F. Dela Rosa corner C. Salvador Sts., Loyola Heights, Quezon City
(+632-4342397, +632-9290665)
will accept relief goods

Kapuso Foundation
2/F GMA Kapuso Center
Samar St. cor. 11th Jamboree St. Diliman, Quezon City
Call 9827777 loc. 9901/9904/9905.
accepts relief goods and cash

METROPOLITAN BANK & TRUST COMPANY (METROBANK)

Peso Savings
Account Name : GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number : 3-098-51034-7

Dollar Savings
Account Name : GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number : 2-098-00244-2
Code : MBTC PH MM

UNITED COCONUT PLANTERS BANK (UCPB)

Peso Savings
Account Name : GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number : 115-184777-2
: 160-111277-7

Dollar Savings
Account Name : GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number : 01-115-301177-9
: 01-160-300427-6
Code : UCPB PH MM

BANCO DE ORO (BDO)

Peso Savings
Account Name : GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number : 469-0022189

Dollar Savings
Account Name : GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number : 469-0072135

Code : BNORPHM

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK (PNB)

Peso Savings
Account Name : GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number : 121-0032000-17

Dollar Savings
Account Name : GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number : 121-0032000-25
Code : PNB MPH MM

Sagip Kapamilya
ABS-CBN Warehouse
13 Examiner St
will accept donation goods

ABS-CBN Foundation
cash donations
BDO acct # 56300-020111
Account Name: ABSCBN Foundation

Miriam Quiambao
One Orchard Road Bldg, Eastwood City
will accept donations starting Monday

Operation Rainbow
Ayala Alabang Village
4687991
Accepts Canned Goods, Ready-To-Eat Food, Bottled Water, Ready-To-Drink Milk/ Juice, Clothing, Blankets

Monique Villonco
Whitespace 2314 Chino Roces Ave Ext
will accept relief goods in behalf of NoyMar volunteers

Every Nation, FORT
32nd St cor University Pkwy across Market Market
will accept donations for Red Cross esp. purified water, canned goods, and infant formula

CDRC
72-A Times St., West Triangle, QC.
9299820/22
will accept relief goods

Manor Superclub, Eastwood City
will accept goods and other emergency items starting Sunday at 10 am

All Petron branches
will accept relief goods

La Salle Greenhills
Drop off goods at Gate 2

Ateneo
Drop off goods at the MVP Lobby

Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan Task Force Noah
Ateneo Cervini Dorm

Caritas Manila Office, Pandaca, MANILA
accepts relief goods esp. milk, dry clothes, food

Philippine Army Gym
Fort Bonifacio
accepts relief goods

Camp Aguinaldo
CRS Office, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City
0915-1162853
will accept food, medicines, and other relief items

Radio Veritas
Veritas Tower West Ave. Corner EDSA
9257931-40
accepts relief goods

Hillsborough Village chapel in ALABANG
Water, blankets, shoes, and clothes etc. are being accepted at the Hillsborough Village chapel for families whose houses were washed out in the nearby sitios.

LUCA store
Rockwell, Eastwood, Shangri-la
will accept relief goods

Myron’s
Greenbelt
will accept relief goods

Papemelroti Stores
will accept relief goods (canned goods / milk / bottled water / clothes – NO CASH)
91 Roces Ave. / Ali Mall Cubao / SM City North EDSA / SM Fairview / SM Megamall / Glorietta 3 in Makati /… SM Centerpoint / SM Southmall

Aranaz Stores (for Payatas communities)
Rockwell and Greenbelt
will accept donations

MOONSHINE
Powerplant Mall, Rockwell
will accept relief goods

Balay Expo Center across Farmers Market Cubao (NoyMar Volunteers)
will accept relief donations as well as volunteers

Office of Congressman Ruffy Biazon
Ground Flr South Center Tower, Madrigal Business Park Alabang.

Team Manila
Trinoma, Mall of Asia, Jupiter Bel-Air and Rockwell
shall be accepting relief goods for distribution by Veritas

Luzon Relief
Renaissance Fitness Center
2nd Floor, Bramante Building, Renaissance Towers Ortigas, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City
Contact Person: Warren Habaluyas, (0929) 871 3488, luzonrelief@gmail.com
Relief goods will be accepted

TXTPower.org
will forward donations to Red Cross
Paypal
Smart Money – 5577-5144-1866-7103
G-Cash – 0917-9751092

Red Cross
1. CASH or CHECK
Please send cash or check donations to the PNRC National Headquarters in Manila. Checks should be made payable to The Philippine National Red Cross. They can arrange for donation pick-up.

2. BANK DEPOSIT
Account Name: The Phil. Nat’l. 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

BANK OF THE PHIL. ISLANDS
Port Area Branch
Peso Acct.: 4991-0010-99
Type of Account: CURRENT

BANK OF THE PHIL. ISLANDS
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. +63.2.527.0575 or +63.2.404.0979 with your name, address and contact number.

Credit Card

Please fax the following info to +632.404.09.79 and +632.527.0575:

Name of card member, billing address, contact nos. (phone & mobile), credit card no., expiration date, CCV2/ CVC2 (last three digits at the back of the credit card), billing address, amount to be donated.

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

In-Kind Donations

LOCAL
Please send in-kind local donations to The Philippine National Red Cross – National Headquarters in Manila. They could also arrange for donation pick-up.

INTERNATIONAL

1. Send a letter of intent to donate to the PNRC
2. A letter of acceptance from PNRC shall be sent back to the donor
3. Immediately after shipping the goods, please send the (a) original Deed of Donation, (b) copy of packing list and (c) original Airway Bill for air shipments or Bill of Lading for sea shipments to The Philippine National Red Cross–National Headquarters c/o Secretary General Corazon Alma de Leon, Bonifacio Drive, Port Area, Manila 2803, Philippines.

SMS and G-CASH

SMS
text REDAMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4483 (Smart)

G-CASH
text DONATEAMOUNT4-digit M-PINREDCROSS to 2882

Most urgent needs

Food items: Rice, noodles, canned goods, sugar, iodized salt, cooking oil, monggo beans and potable water

Medicines: Paracetamol, antibiotics, analgesic, oral rehydration salts, multivitamins and medications to treat diarrheal diseases

Non-food items: Bath soaps, face towels, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, plastic mats, blankets, mosquito nets, jerry cans, water containers, water purification tablets, plastic sheetings, and Laundry soap

The controversial $20,000 meal of President Arroyo in Le Cirque NY appears to be not the only extravagant meal the President had in the U.S., for another extravagant meal that Madam President and her entourage took during their visit of the United States had been published. This time the story came out in The Washington Post and it states, "Arroyo is under fire in her native country for a $20,000 meal at Manhattan's Le Cirque on Aug. 2, which included caviar and several bottles of champagne. The dinner, first reported in the New York Post, has Arroyo's critics comparing her to the extravagant Imelda Marcos.

The Reliable Source has learned that three days earlier, Arroyo and an entourage of about 65 people (including security and food tasters) had dinner at Bobby Van's Steakhouse on 15th Street NW hours after she met with President Obama. The group took over one of the restaurant's private rooms and dined on lobster, steak and fine wines; at the conclusion of the meal, an unidentified woman opened a handbag stuffed with cash, counted out bills and paid the $15,000 tab -- which included a generous tip."

This news only proves that the President and her entourage indeed has a very expensive taste when it comes to what they eat during their visit in the United States. As to defend Madam President, Malacañang asked everybody to stop bickering over hefty dinner bills for she has racked up billions worth of investments in return.

Anthony Golez, a deputy spokepersin of Mrs. Arroyo, also defended the president and her entourage and he said “Whatever monies may have been spent for the appropriately ceremonious conduct of her official trip abroad are but a tiny fraction of the billions of pesos she has committed, and will continue to commit, to the alleviation of hunger and the amelioration of poverty in our country,” reading from a statement at a media briefing. He also said that the president merely accommodated her generous host, and did not bother with the cost of the dinner out of "respect". Golez said “If you are an invited guest, normally, [you] don’t ask the host about the food that they will serve, or ask how much they paid for that.”.

Here in the Philippines, millions of Filipino families experience hunger everyday and the number never decreases but increases. If this fact is bad enough, what makes it worst is that Mrs. Arroyo and the delegates that came with her in her meeting with President Obama doesn't seem to care, for they indulged themselves in a $20,000 dinner in Le Cirque in New York.


The news came out last August 6, 2009 in the 6th page of the NEW YORK POST and it states, "The economic downturn hasn't persuaded everyone to pinch pennies. Philippines President Maria Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was at Le Cirque the other night with a large entourage enjoying the good life, even though the former comptroller of her country's armed services, Carlos Garcia, was found guilty earlier this year of perjury and two of his sons were arrested in the US on bulk cash-smuggling charges. Macapagal-Arroyo ordered several bottles of very expensive wine, pushing the dinner tab up to $20,000.". When this news reached the Philippines, people of Malacañang immediately came to defend the president and her group stating that the news was grossly exaggerated and that the dinner was just a simple one. But I find it so hard to believe, that a dinner in a restaurant that was ranked among the best restaurants in the world by food experts worldwide could be "simple".


Even if the palace insist that Madam Arroyo never spent 1 cent from the country's fund and that the dinner was paid by Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, the question that needs answering is, is it ethical for a President and for government officials to spend so much money for a dinner equivalent to an amount that could feed 200 hungry families in their country?


While Filipinos have nothing to eat in their tables, the President and her entourage feast in French cuisine and caviar, while the country mourns for Mrs. Aquino's death they celebrated with expensive bottle of wines and while Filipinos have no money in their wallets Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez have a million peso pocket money.

But what can Filipino's expect from a president who got her position by force and by cheating? If she really have any shame in her, she should have stepped down the moment Filipinos discovered that she cheated her way to the presidency in the 2004 Philippine Presidential election, through the hello Garci cd but what did she do? She just said "Sorry" and goes on with her term, which is filled with controversies and problems. Sadly all we can do is hope that the next President would do better than she does.

Mrs. Corazon "Cory" Aquino was buried last Wednesday 5th of August 2009, the funeral procession which is scheduled to end at noon lasted until 8'oclock in the evening. Thousands of Filipinos who were waiting at the roads wanting to join the procession or even catch a glimpse of her coffin had caused the delay. But among the sea of people who accompanied the late former President to his final resting place at the Manila Memorial Park, four men standout LITERALLY.

They are PO1 Danilo Malab, Private First Class Antonio Cadiente, Airman Second Class Gener Laguindam and Navy Petty Officer 3 Edgardo Rodriguez. The four service men motionless atop former President Corazon Aquino’s cortege for eight straight hours.


A lot of Filipinos admired their endurance, not moving the whole time and wondered where they have drawn the strength to last the eight hour stand. As they were interviewed the four men themselves could not explain how they lasted the funeral procession without moving, for they themselves could not believe that they were able to survive it.

As they recall the experience they said that if it is not for the rain they might not even got to quench their thirst and their knees might have collapsed. Rodriguez recalled during the heat of the sun, he had recited a prayer in his head asking Mrs. Aquino to help them last the travel for she is close to Jesus. Then he prayed for rain, amazingly a few minutes after he had recited the prayer, his prayers was answered. Still not being able to move, fearing that their superiors might caught them, the service men clandestinely sip water that was running down their face. Rodriguez even said that he never imagined that rain would taste so good.

But aside the heat of the sun the four service men also endured the coins being thrown at Mrs. Aquino's coffin, for it has been a tradition and was believed to be good luck. But it served as bad luck for the service men for some of the coins flew straight to their face, but because they were not allowed to move they were not able to dodge the coins.

When they were asked what was the first thing they did right after the burial, Rodriguez said he went directly to the Navy service coaster and rested his legs while he ate a packed meal. Malab on the other hand said he immediately went straight to the comfort room. Although the four said that during the long time of the procession none of them felt the need to urinate.

But if you think their sacrifice would pass unnoticed, then you are wrong. They were admired by the whole nation because of that T.V. programs had them in their show as their guests, their story were featured in news and even in some of the internet forums their story is being talked about. Also PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa said he would be promoting Malab to PO2 after due deliberation. As for the three honor guards from the AFP, military spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner said they would be commended and given medals. And today each of them received cash reward from former senator Agapito "Butz" Aquino, brother-in-law of the late President Cory Aquino. They are the living proof of the Filipino saying "kapag may t'yaga may nilaga", and may their story inspire others to also perform their duty more than what is expected of them.

And as my sister have said it, to Cory's Fantastic Four "Saludo ako sa inyo!(I salute you!)"...