Tropical storm “Ondoy”, or “Ketsana” to others, has dealt a devastating hand to the Philippines, especially in the Capital, last Saturday, September 25, 2009. A month’s worth of rain came down in buckets in only a span of roughly 6 hours causing an awful deluge that left many stranded, homeless, loose family, friends and loved ones, and worse, even loose their lives. It was an equalizer of sorts, as others call it, as it affected everybody—rich and poor, young and old, the healthy and ailing.
Even now that a week has passed and another typhoon, Pepeng (Parma) is keeping Filipinos on fearful and prayerful watch as it makes a pass in the northern Luzon area, there is still a lot of work to do, rehabilitation to carry forth, and lives to help rebuilt in light of the Typhoon Ondoy “survivors” (a term I prefer over “victims”).
Though to the “survivors” and sympathizers, the situation that the calamity left in its wake is bleak, it presents opportunities for everyone—Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike—to be a blessing to the lives of these survivors. We can share our time (through volunteer work), resources (either in cash or in kind) and even prayers and wishes for hope and recovery for those who were dealt with such a hard hand by the infamous tropical storm.
To learn more on how Typhoon Ondoy carved its devastating mark across the Philippines, and just as important, to learn how you may lend a helping hand, please visit the following links:
The Philippines Needs Your Help
Victims of Ondoy(Ketsana): How You Can Help!
List of Places to Donate
Donating to Manila from Abroad
Typhoon Aftermath News Feed
Donation to Philippines Red Cross via SMS
If you have a Facebook account, you could repost this and include this text:
There are at least 1.6 million Filipino Facebook users. Donating just P100 each to Red Cross will easily give them P160 MILLION to help in their rescue and relief operations! Just text RED (space) AMOUNT and send to 2899 for Globe or 4483 for Smart.
The BPP Pencil Drive for Typhoon Ondoy Victims
Project Aral 2 by National Book Store Foundation
May you be blessed manifold as you have generously become a blessing to others. I wish you a nice and pleasant weather ahead. :3
