If there’s something really remarkable about Tina, it’s got to be her determination to make a difference in this world. She’s out to set the world on fire (in a good way, of course). Though there are people who underestimate her capabilities, she does not let them topple her, but instead continues to prove them wrong by concentrating on her passions. Resilient, strong and different – a combination only Tina could handle.

Here’s the latest-
• Spotted on Facebook-
  

  REPOST: How to Build Emergency Kits for Your Household

  A component of your disaster kit is your Go-bag. Put the following items together in a backpack or another easy to carry container in case you must evacuate quickly. Prepare one Go-bag for each family member and make sure each has an I.D. tag. You may not be at home when an emergency strikes so keep some additional supplies in your car and at work, considering what you would need for your immediate safety.
  • Flashlight
  • Radio – battery operated
  • Batteries
  • Whistle
  • Dust mask
  • Pocket knife
  • Emergency cash in small denominations and quarters for phone calls
  • Sturdy shoes, a change of clothes, and a warm hat
  • Local map
  • Some water and food
  • Permanent marker, paper and tape
  • Photos of family members and pets for re-identification purposes
  • List of emergency point-of -contact phone numbers
  • List of allergies to any drug (especially antibiotics) or food
  • Copy of health insurance and identification cards
  • Extra prescription eye glasses, hearing aid or other vital personal items
  • Prescription medications and first aid supplies
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Extra keys to your house and vehicle
  • Any special-needs items for children, seniors or people with disabilities. Don’t forget to make a Go-bag for your pets.

  See the whole thing here.

  I must warn you though, be weary of the hype. Remember Y2K?

• Spotted on Twitter-

  @NBN_Ch4: Audio live stream of Radyo ng Bayan http://bit.ly/N8P5d #Philippines #Pepeng #Ondoy

  @littleboyblues: for residents near Laguna Bay: PLEASE EVACUATE. the water level is getting higher! #Ondoy #Pepeng

  @littlejontycruz: RT LSGH* badly needs volunteers now. They need to ship out relief goods by this afternoon before #Pepeng makes landfall.

  *LSGH is La Salle Green Hills

  @iamuser: As of 11.49am Bikol Time: Bulalohan’s along Concepcion Grande is closed due to Typhoon #Pepeng / #Parma. Pansit available in Centro.

• Death toll in flooding in Philippines rises to 293. (Kyodo News)

Okay, so i think i’ve told everyone that i’ve gotten into one of the most prestigious universities in the Philippines. But just because it’s one of the most prestigious schools in the country, doesn’t mean it’s great in every way.

On Sept 26, 2009, the Typhoon Ondoy hit the Philippines. I don’t know which regions got the first signs rains of Ondoy. At around past ten in the morning, I was in my Community Service class, or maybe it was earlier when it started to rain. An hour later, the “messengers” of the university, who go around the school, interrupting class to tell the professor that classes are suspended.

The professor didn’t let us go as soon as the “messenger” told us that classes were suspended. She grouped us up, but we didn’t stay put like she would have wanted us, and we were by the window, looking down on the street. We were on the tenth floor of Br. Andrew Gonzales Building, and we were in a room facing Taft Ave., Manila. From the tenth floor, Taft Ave. looked like a river.

When we got out of class, I was very hungry, having eaten only three spoons of rice that morning before I went to school. So I invited my friends, there was four of us who rode the bus together home, to eat at McDonald’s.

McDonald’s Taft was near the South Gate of the School, so we went down the building using stairs, and got out to a street leading to Agno, a smoking area and what seemed to be a canteen outside the university, built on private property. As we approached Agno, [already passed by Archer's Place] the water was already above our feet, around our ankles. We decided to go into Gokongwei building so that we can use the bridge that connected Gokongwei to Miguel Hall, because the way to Miguel Hall was flooded, and the water was way above our feet. But we were wrong. Gokongwei Hall was flooded as well. The water had gone inside the building. We went up to the second floor, and used the bridge connecting Gokongwei and Miguel to go to Velasco gate.

When we got down from Miguel Hall, the paths in the side of the Br. Bloemen all was flooded as well, water was up to over our ankles. We walked in that water to get to a covered walk beside the Velasco building to go to the Velasco gate to see if we can go out there. Turns out the path to Velasco Gate was also flooded. Some people in the clothes of a construction worker who’s off duty came in and put a piece of wood so that we could cross what we thought was a mini river.

When we crossed that little wood, we got to the La Salle Building. Again, it was flooded when we got to the conservatory. It was a good thing that we were able to get to the other side of the building without getting our feet in the water too much. We got to another gate, which was a few yards from south gate. We didn’t go out, because the water was knee deep. We went back and entered the La Salle building, taking an alternate route to the South Gate.

It was a sight to see. The Amphi theatre was flooded, so was the study area that was located under the trees, and the paths leading to Yuchengco building and Bro. Connon building were also flooded. Water was up to the knee as well. Imagine that. Flooded inside the university. It was like there was a lake in the school.

Anyways, we went past that, and went straight to south gate. Again, it was flooded. The water was up to half of our shin, but even so, we braced ourselves and went in. My shoes were new, did you know that?! MY SHOES WERE NEW. A freaking expensive new Sketchers Cali. And they got wet with icky, muddy, super bad smelling flood water! >_< Uggh. My poor shoes. T_T

When we got past South gate, we walked to McDonald’s. Yes, the water was knee deep again. So gross. We decided to eat when we got in the fast food chain, and set our bags aside on table and ordered. We were wet, and were in an airconditioned food chain, and were freezing.

After eating, my friends took the bus, while i stayed behind, because my father texted, saying that the driver will come and get me. I didn’t expect the driver to come to Taft Ave. with the car. The Mitsubishi Pajero wouldn’t be able to survive the water in Vito Cruz Ave, the street going to Taft. The water was up to our driver’s waist, and I, being the city girl I was, not used to icky stuff, didnt move from my spot in McDonald’s, until one of my high school friends, who was in the university as well, called and asked me how I was going to go home. I told him, and he came to me, telling me that we should go Harrison Plaza, where the car was parked. He got to McDonald’s with a friend who also lived near us.

So i called my driver from my cellphone, told him we’re going to go to Harisson, and we went in the flood water. It started from knee level, and made our way to a 7eleven store, because we couldn’t take the water. I called the driver again from my cell, and told him that we were in 7eleven, waiting. I told my high school classmate, Patrick, and his friend, Trish, that we should go to Starbucks, in the corner of Taft Ave and Vito Cruz. The guard of 7eleven said no, and told us not to go, but we still did. And then we found out why he told us not to go in the water. It was up to our thighs. With all the courage and guts we had, we went in the water and walked to Starbucks. Damn that cafe.

So we found my driver there, and he told us we’re going to ride the sidecar. And we did. But we didn’t go in the sidecar, but rode on the roof! Trish and I looked like damsels in distress with umbrellas over our heads. We looked like parasol girls. There were a lot of cars abandoned in Vito Cruz. Toyotas and Honda cars were submerged under the water, while the roof of vans and SUVs were above water.

We got to Harisson Plaza minutes later, and I got off the sidecar. The car was a few yards away and we got in. Patrick was in front with the driver and I was in the back with Trish. It wasn’t too much of a hassle to get out of Manila, but getting into Las Piñas was a drag.

Coastal road was shit. We spent eight hours in the traffic jam there. We couldn’t do anything to pass the time, so we just started singing songs and playing games. For eight hours. Singing and playing. For eight hours. And also wet and freezing. We were wet for over ten hours. It was good that we didn’t get sick.

I left for school that morning around 7am. School was suspended at 11am. We were dismissd 12nn. I got to McDonald’s at around 12:30pm. I left McDonald’s with my friends about 2.30pm. We got to Harisson at around 3pm. We left Harisson at around 3.30, got stuck in traffic in Coastal road leading to Bacoor, Cavite and to Las Piñas for eight hours, and got home at around 1.30am. Wow.

Anyways, this little adventure of mine can not compare to what my other fellow countrymen have experienced. A lot of people died, and a lot of people lost their houses. Rivers and creeks overflowed. Little boys drowned and died. A lot of people got their cars fucked up too.

I am thankful to God, Jesus, and their Angels for protecting us during the storm, and for St John Baptiste de La Salle for being there with us all through the things we’ve been through yesterday. I am not all that displeased with what happened to my friends and me, but we also had fun despite the icky water, and the long wait to go home. It was an experience I’ll never forget. And if ever it happens again, I know what to
do. ^^

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Post from Facebook:

LASALLIANS: DLSU WILL ACCEPT RELIEF GOODS TOMORROW by 8:30 am. For volunteers please be there by 8am in southgate benches, let us help OPERATION: SAGIP METRO.

You may also check out this spreadsheet:

Ondoy Places to Donate Relief Goods

Please help in any way that you can. A lot of people are in dire need of our help.

Things you may want to donate:

1) Bottled Water
2) Instant Noodles (preferrably in bowl packaging like Nissin or Lucky Me)
3) Canned Goods w/ pull tab cover (no can opener available in relief centers)
4) Bread or Biscuits
5) Coffee or Juice
6) Multivitamins (preferrably Vitamin C)
7) Medicines (Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Loperamide, Betadine)
Blankets
9) Old but wearable clothes
10) Slippers/ Flip flops
11) Alcohol
12) Some organizations will accept cash donations.
13) Anti-mosquito Lotion

For babies/toddlers:
14) Diapers
15) Milk/ Infant Formula

For USA Residents:
1) Help in the typhoon relief effort by calling ABS-CBN Foundation USA toll-free 1-800-527-2820

2) American Red Cross call 1-800-435-7669

For those near ABS-CBN:
Help pack relief goods at Sagip Kapamilya at #13 Examiner St. They are also looking for people willing to go to provinces and distribute the goods.

For those near The Philippine Daily Inquirer Office or a McDonald’s Branch:
Go to: 1098 Chino Roces Ave. cor. Mascardo and Yague Streets, Makati City or to any of its classified ads branches and to any Mcdonald’s Branch within Metro Manila
Hotline: 8978808 loc.260 and look for Megi Garcia

For the Cebuanos who want to help:
Please click on the link>> Living For A Cause

For those near a La Salle School:
(OPLAN: Sagip Metro) DLSZ (Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa) and LSGH (Greenhills) are now accepting relief goods and looking for volunteers from 8am to 6pm. DLSU- Manila (Taft Avenue) will accept relief goods as early as 8:00 A.M. at South Gate

For those near Ateneo De Manila:
Go To: Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights , Quezon City
Manuel V. Pangilinan Building Center for Student Leadership Lobby
University Dorm Cervini Hall

Hotlines: 09089977166, 09178952792, 4266001 local 5050

Operations: 24-hours operations for the entire week.

For those near a Petron Station or 2Go Branches:
Visit any Petron or 2GO Branches to drop off your donations.

The Philippine National Red Cross:

Monetary Donations           

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.  We can also 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.  We 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 Gwendolyn Pang, Bonifacio Drive, Port Area, Manila 2803, Philippines.

The PNRC does not accept rotten, damaged, expired or decayed goods.  Though we appreciate your generosity, the PNRC also discourages donations of old clothes as we have more than enough to go around.

Other Ways You Can Help:
1) Visit a branch of the Philippine National Red Cross and volunteer. You can also send donations using your mobile phone: text RED <space> AMOUNT and send to 2899 (GLOBE/TM) and 4483 (SMART/ TNT). Globe is accepting P300 txt donation through G-Cash text DONATE<space>AMOUNT<space>4-digit M-PIN<space>REDCROSS to 2882

2) Visit Citizens Disaster Response Center (CDRC)
Go To: 72-A Times St., West Triangle Homes , QC
Hotlines: 9299820, 9299822
Operations: 8 a.m. onwards.

3)Radio Veritas
Go To: Veritas Tower , West Ave. cor EDSA
Look For: Karla Turingan
Hotlines: 9257931 to 39, 0918VERITAS
Operations: 24-hours, tentatively until Tuesday.

4) Victory Fellowship- Fort Bonifacio
Go to: Victory Fellowship, Every Nation Building , across from Market-Market, Fort Bonifacio
Look for: Pastor Bernard Marquez
Hotlines: 813-FORT, 8171212
Operations: Tentatively until 5pm may may extend hours. Entire week until Friday.
Website: www.twitter.com/VictoryFort

5) Tulong Bayan
Go to: Balay Expo Center, EDSA (northbound) cor. Gen McArthur, Araneta Center (right across Samson College) or visit WhiteSpace 2314 Pasong Tamo Ext. beside Faith Christian School
Hotline: 09175273906/ 09086579998/ 9137122/ 9136254/ 9133306
Operations: Come as early as 8:00 a.m.
Open to volunteers/ cash and goods donation

6) World Vision Philippines
Go to: Quezon Avenue (near Delta Theatre)
Open to volunteers/ cash and goods donation

7) Corporate Network for Disaster Response
How to: Donate cash through BPI Ayala-Paseo Branch with account number 0031 0654 02

Luzon Relief
Go to: Renaissance Fitness Center, 2F, Bramante Bldg., Renaissance Towers, Ortigas, Meralco Ave., Pasig City
Hotline: 0929-8713488
Operations: 9am to 7pm Daily
Open to volunteers/goods donation

9) Brainbeam Events
Go to: 2F MB Aguirre Cornerhouse Bldg 15, President Ave. cor Elizalde St. BF Pque. Across old Caltex
Goods donation