Disaster Preparedness

Nearly one week after Typhoon Ondoy brought havoc and tradegy into thousands of families in and around Metro Manila, specially, in Pasig, Marikina and Cainta, there are still many Filipinos within our midst and own communities who need are help. Photos credits to Reuters.

I got this list below from Lisa Bruan, via a forwarded email. You can see many ways and means on how we can help.

1. Victory Fort is opening its doors to those affected by the typhoon. Call 813-FORT.

2. NoyMar relief Operations: Clare Amador (+639285205508) or Jana Vicente at +639285205499). Drop off for relief donations is at Balay Expo Center across Farmers Market Cubao.

3. Miriam Quiambao drop off points: One Orchard Road Building in Eastwood, or message http://www.twitter.com/miriamq for more details.

4. Philippine Army Gym inside Fort Bonifacio or GHQ Gym in Camp Aguinaldo are now distributing donations for Ondoy Victims.

5. Team Manila stores in Trinoma, Mall of Asia, Jupiter Bel-Air and Rockwell shall be accepting relief goods (Canned Goods, Ready-to-drink Milk,Bottled Water and Clothes) for distribution by Veritas.

6. Caritas Manila Office at Jesus St., Pandacan Manila near Nagtahan Bridge (+632-5639298, +632-5639308)

7. Radio Veritas at Veritas Tower West Ave. Cor EDSA (+632-9257931-40)

8. Aranaz Stores in Rockwell & Greenbelt is accepting donations of any kind for Payatas communities affected by Ondoy

9. Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan Task Force Noah, a disaster response arm of the Jesuits, is accepting donations. Please drop it off sa Ateneo Cervini Dorm.

10. Red Cross Load Donations: Right now the easiest way to make donations from the seat of your chair is via mobile phone load. The Red Cross Rescue and Relief Operations. Text: REDAMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4483 (Smart)

11. Ateneo de Manila University is now accepting donations for the victims of Ondoy. Donations can be dropped at MVP Lobby. For those stranded/those who need help: To all students who need help or know of people who need help. Please text the name, location, and contact number to (+6329088877166). ATENEO, which is now an open shelter, accepts refugees. Call (+632917-8952792)

12. Papemelroti stores in 91 Roces Ave. / Ali Mall Cubao / SM City North EDSA / SM Fairview / SM Megamall / Glorietta 3 in Makati / SM Centerpoint / SM Southmall are accepting relief goods (canned goods / milk / bottled water / clothes – NO CASH pls.)

13. Our Lady of Pentecost Parish (+632-4342397, +632-9290665) per Gabe Mercado, donations are very much welcome. The Parish is located at 12 F. Dela Rosa corner C. Salvador Sts., Loyola Heights, Quezon City.

14. Hillsborough Village Chapel – Water, blankets, shoes, and clothes may be sent to Hillsborough Village Chapel in Muntinlupa City. These will go to families whose houses were washed out in the nearby sitios.


15. Greenhills/Mandaluyong/San Juan Area, if you want to help out with the rescue and relief operations, you can drop off your donations (clothes, food, etc..) at La Salle Greenhills Gate 2 tomorrow or volunteer from 9am to receive, sort, repack the donations.

16. “LUZON RELIEF: Volunteer / Donate / Pray”: Donations can be brought to RENAISSANCE FITNESS CENTER, 2nd Floor, Bramante Building, Renaissance Towers Ortigas, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City starting MONDAY (Sept.28) / 9am – 7pm Contact Person: Warren Habaluyas (+632929-8713488) or email at luzonrelief@gmail.com

17. Katipunan Avenue. Contact Erica Paredes at (+632917-4741930) — they need bread, packed juice, sandwich filling (tuna, chicken, anything) You can help her make them, deliver the sandwiches to her house, or help her distribute! Call for more details.

18. Citizens Disaster Response Center (CDRC): Relief goods for typhoon victims being accepted at 72-A Times St., West Triangle, QC. Tel (+632-9299820/22)

19. Tulong Bayan hotlines for donations and volunteers are (+632908-6579998) Marilyn, (+632939-3633436) Jenn (+632-9137122, +632-9136254 & +632-9133306).


20. AKBAYAN’s taking donations, call 433-69-33/433-68-31 to donate or volunteer.

21. Worldvision Foundation is also accepting donations/volunteers to pack relief goods in QC. For $donations, BPI:USDacct #4254-0050-08

22. Xavier School in San Juan is now accepting donations, please bring to Multipurpose Center (MPC).

23. Move for Chiz is asking for volunteers at Bay Park Tent, along Roxas Blvd., beside Max Restaurant and Diamond Hotel in Manila, or at Gilas Minipark at Unang Hakbang St., Gilas Q.C.

24. Sen. Kiko Pangilinan is accepting donations @ AGS Bldg Annex, 446 EDSA Guadalupe Viejo. Contact Vina Vargas at (+632917-8081247)

25. Operation Rainbow (Zac Faelnar Camara) at Ayala Alabang Village needs Canned Goods, Ready-To-Eat Food, Bottled Water, Ready-To-Drink Milk/ Juice, Clothing, Blankets, contact (+632-4687991)

Please call given contact details and find out how you can help and make your presence felt to thousands of families who need our help and prayers too!

No matter how big or small, every amount of sweat or little piece of used clothes or blanket would bring warmth to many hearts.

Firefighters' Presence at Campos Rueda fire

On our way home last 09 June 2009, coming from Manila, where we had secured our NBI clearances for adoption, we got caught into some traffic along Buendia Avenue.

Why? There was a fire at the Campus Rueda Bldg, along Urban Avenue. This is walking distance from the Makati Medical Center or just behind the Tropical Hut Hamburger Restaurant, front the Makati Post Office.

The earliest firemen dates back to at least Ancient Egypt. During the times of the Romans, firefighters were privately organized and funded groups. They were really more a business than a public service, until Julius Caesar Augustus called for the creation of trained firefighters. He equipped and paid these men. They also were the early police force. Augustus was the first emperor of the Roman Empire. He ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in AD 14. Here is an 1878 illustration of early firefighters.

Wished I had my Canon Rebel XTI with me? Still, I snapped a few pictures with my iPhone. Other pictures were taken by Chief as I still had my hands on Shaq.




I remember this building much from my old Manila Bulletin days, when I was assigned at the Makati Peninsula Branch. We had a couple of advertisers held office at Campos Rueda. Wow, that was back in the early 80s and there was still the Rizal Theatre, where the Makati Shangrila now stands.

The Campos Rueda is relatively an old building. It is probably made of flammable materials such as wood which is different from so called "fire-resistant" buildings we see in a modern metropolis. These "fire-resistant" buildings can be designed to limit fire to a small area or floor, thus giving occupants the time to evacuate the building.


It was quick presence of the firemen that prevented the fire from spreading to the other buildings. The firemen had to be on the spot easily as the Makati Fire Station was just across the street, at the back of the Makati Post Office.

The Makati Fire Department (MFD) has often won the search for Best Fire Station in the National Capital Region (NCR) and is recognized as a multi-awarded firefighter in the country today.

No way for any Constituent Assembly

Constituent Assembly?

No way for all these Filipinos present at the corner of Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas last June 10, 2009!

Yes, I snapped these pictures of Filipinos who oppose the House of Representatives being set as a constituent assembly. Many see the passage of HR 1109 convening a Constituent Assembly to amend the 1987 Constitution as a step for PGMA to become prime minister, thus extending her stay in Malacanang. All 23 senators signed a resolution expressing their opposition to a Senate-less Con-Ass. They claim it is unconstitutional.

Am sure even Senator Trillanes would have, if allowed, make his presence felt in these street protests. Groups like Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), Kilusang Mayo Uno, Gabriela, Kabataan, Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines, Pagbabago! movement and Artists Revolution are making their presence felt. They believe that HR 1109 was intended “to strengthen” President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s “hold on the reins of power."


A joint statement by the United Opposition, civil society and militant groups says, "We believe the resolution is intended to change the Charter in order to strengthen Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s hold on the reins of power either through term extension, a shift to parliamentary system or any other underhanded device.”


Even the religious made their presence felt in this last rally. “Hindi democratic ang ginagawa nila sapagkat sinosolo nila ang pagpapalit ng ating konstitusyon. Kahibangan na yan," said Jaro archbishop Angel Lagdameo. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is taking a stand. "What happened last night... it’s like they are betraying the people. When power corrupts, it corrupts absolutely," the CBCP president added.


Many of us, including media, have been through this road before. The parliament of the streets. From the days of EDSA 1, back in February 1986 to these days, when recession and swine flu share headlines in con-ass!

Mabuhay ang malayang Filipino!