This is not a travel post: Stop Killing Journalists

Text by: Gypsygal Prime

Photos by Avi Olarte: Taken November 25 during the National Day of Indignation organized by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP).

I need to deviate from my usual travel posts, as no working journalist can remain apathetic given such atrocity. The Maguindanao massacre – which involved the murder of 30 journalists – has been described as by the International Federation of Journalists as “the biggest single atrocity against journalists in recent history.”

A week after the murder, the top suspect has been arrested and members of the powerful political clan being investigated and just about anyone can’t hide their outrage against the perpetrators (“para lang silang pumatay ng lamok, one of my colleagues told me). I don’t know if they’re human. I can’t call them animals, because that’s an insult to my pet cat. And I don’t think even the devil will appreciate being compared to them.

It’s very hard to just forget and let the courts decide. In a country which prides itself for having the freest press in Asia, it’s ironic that several journalists have been killed in the line of duty. A lot of people, it seems don’t appreciate a critical press or a journalist who’s just doing his/her job . Walang traba-trabaho, lahat personal.

Several analysts have already offered their explanation behind such audacity. You can read them here, here , and here. In an nutshell, it all boils down to a culture of impunity — They can do this because they can . And as long as such culture persists no one can stop the killings – not only of journalists but also of anyone who will dare stand on their way.

Which is why it’s important to remain vigilant and to continue pressuring the government and all our institutions to ensure that justice will be done. I hope I can do my part as a journalist not only by blogging about it, or constantly updating and editing reports on the massacre, but also to join protest actions to ensure that justice will at least be done.

The massacre, after all, is not just an assault to press freedom, but also a crime against humanity.

Note: The National Union of Journalists of The Philippines, the November 23 Movement and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) are inviting friends and colleagues to take part in the International Day of Action against Impunity – a collective expression of outrage against the killings of journalists and innocent civilians in Maguindanao and the call for justice for all victims. They will be holding a presscon and a rally in December 9. Please check out for more details.http://nujp.wordpress.com/

Postcard Moment: Butter Lamps

Photo by Gypsygal Prime

Temple Offering

Butter Lamps offered at a Hindu Temple in Johor Bahru, Malysia

Bulusan Lake: I should really go for some swimming lessons

Text and photos by: Gypsygal Prime

I’m a true blue city gal – born and raised in the city, and have traveled to several key cities (Melbourne, Toronto, Bangkok, Delhi – and perhaps in the very near future – Prague, New York, London, Cairo ) overseas. I love the color, the noise, the grittiness, the familiarity, the strangeness that every city has to offer.

There was a time that I wished I was living in a quiet farm or perhaps spend my days trekking and doing all these i-love-nature-thingys, But my recent forays in the terkking-hiking-whatever reveaked the many many things that I miss about city living: sipping designer coffees, browsing books in my favorite bookstores, admiring paintings in galleries and museums, connecting with my media colleagues.

But sometimes, I just need to get away from it all, so immediately packed my bags when Oxfam invited me for a brief tour of fishing communities in Sorsogon and how climate change is affecting them.

It was a very tiring interview, spending most part of my daty, listening how erratic weather changes is hurting the community and livelohood of these fishermen. While i did learn loads, by the end of the day, I was really drained and felt “heavy”. Which is why when Gil of oxfam suggested that perhaps I should see Bulusan Lake as a side trip, I immediately joined them.

It was a grueling one-hour trip, traversing over rough roads, from Sorsogon city to the municipality of Bulusan. Someone like me who enjoy her creature comforts may have balked at the mere idea of driving through these roads.
But then again, so what? I was rewarded by this stunning view of the lake – refreshing, nakakawala ng pagod! Just look at this:

Bulusan Lake

According to the U.S.-based nonprofit Lakenet
: Lake Bulusan is located within the Bulusan Volcano Natural Park.

Bulusan Lake has interesting legends. It is said that a village once stood where Bulusan Lake is currently located. The legend suggests that a pagan chieftain once managed the land, and one day when he did not honor a promise he made to set his slaves free, waters came from the skies and flooded everything creating the lake. His slaves that were working in the fields survived the floods and are believed to have been the founders of the city of Bulusan.

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Gypsygal Prime in Bulusan

I was so stunned by its beauty that even if I’m not into water sports (as I don’t know how to swim), I gamely joined Stef, Glen and Gil and kayaked in the lake. (But of course not without my lifesaver jacket)

Ahhh, my arms were hurting, as I wasnt used to paddling kayak. But it was fun! I told Glenn, who’s an avid surfer, that since I’ve always been keen on surfing (I saw Blue Crush

Colorful kayaks in Bulusan Lake

in Singapore several years ago. The surfer gurls and guys were so cool…) that it actually spurred me to go for swimming lessons.

I stopped my lessons when I came back to Manila to pursue a masters degree. I was very busy.

But kayaking in Bulusan (and my return to the gym to shed some of those unwanted pounds garnered by eating too much cake without doing anything to burn all those carbo and fat) is pushing me once again to renew my swimming lessons

Gypsygal’s Travel Resources:

* Salvador Adrao, a tourism officer in Sorsogon, helped us in our Sorsogon tour,His company – Eco Donsol Tours – offers guided tours to Bulusan and other parts of sorsogon. Please visit www.ecodonsoltravel.com for more details. Or e-mail him at donsol.ecotravel@yahoo.com.

* The Aggrupation of Advocates for Environmental Protection (AGAP) trains fishermen to conduct ecotourism tours in Bulusan (it was one of the fishermen who assisted me in my first kayaking adventure. The community based group promotes eco-friendly livelihood to protect Bulusan park. Aside from ecotourism, the group also sells delicious wild honey and pili oil. (Their office-cum-store is about a 15-minute ride from Bulusan lake) You may get in touch with them at agapbulusan@yahoo.com.ph Or call their president Philip Bartilet at +63-918-457-8767

Postcard Moment: Baguio Botanical Garden

I took these pics the day after Parma hit Baguio city. It was beautiful – the beauty after the storm. I love going to nature parks – looking at flowers, trees and just enjoying all those positive earth vibes!

(text and photos by: Gypsygal Prime)

Resiliency

The word “resiliency”, second only to the term”recession” is perhaps the most used (and abused?) word that we use in writing business stories. I’m guilty of that. Whenever I write a story quoting officials declaring – for the thousandth time – that the Philippine economy is “resilient” that it can continue the grow despite the “global recession” thanks to remittances (oh yeah, I forgot, I also use the word “remittance” – a lot! I, after all, live in a country where going abroad to earn a living is a way of life, ) But it was in my recent vist (and being stranded) in Baguio that I actually learned what “resiliency” means.

I was thinking about “resiliency” while having drinks with some journo-friends in Rumors – that famed watering hole in session road which Lisa compares to Cheers – the bar where everyone knows your name. That was the day after Parma slammed into northern Luzon, leaving Baguio city temporartily isolated as the rains caused landslides (damaging the main roads like Marcos Highway, and Nagulian that connect this mountain city resort to Manila). The electricity, which was cut off the day before, was restored (so no drinking in the dark for us). But a lot of people died while others are living in evacuation centers, displaced by the landslides. What surprtised me, however, was that Rumors, was jampacked, people were chatting and drinking as if nothing happened. I was like thinking-what are these people doing? Partying amid misery? But as my journo friends explained to me – this is not because the Baguio residents are so callous or just don’t care whatever happened tp the victims. It’s more because in many ways, Baguio city residents are true-blue survivors. Life goes on after a major disaster and residents know to stay ahead despite such setback.

Parma, after all, is not the first calamity to befall the city. The 1990 killer earthquake killed thousands and isolated the city for months. The city recovered in the end, and its residents managed to at least rebuild their lives and homes destroyed by the earthquake. The city, meanwhile, continues to draw domestic and international tourists, enamored by its cool weather and bohemian vibe.

****

It’s also important to realize that Parma didn’t just affect Baguio. Communities in the nearby towns of Benguet and other provinces in northern Luzo lost their homes, property, families and livelihood.. So if you want to help, here are some organizations that you may vwish to contact: If you are in Baguio city, you mat head to Cafe By The Ruins at Chuntug st, near the city hall. The cafe accepts donations in cash and kind (blankets, rice, beans and vegetables). The cafe has a soup kitchen which prepares food for evacuees. You may get intouch through

http://cafebytheruins.multiply.com

2. You may also go to the Cordillera Peoples Alliance

55 Ferguson Road Baguio City 2600 Philippines pic@cpaphils.org www.cpaphils.org Tel. No. 63-74-304-4239 Fax No. 63-74-443-7159

3. You can donate via paypal at http://www.redcross.org.ph/

Stranded in the City (of Baguio): Some Lessons In Letting Go

posted by: gypsygal Prime

I’m stranded here in Baguio and loving it.

Lisa, the innkeeper, can’t believe that there’s someone like me who is brave (or stupid) enough to go to Baguio in the middle of typhoon Parma. How can one enjoy Baguio’s cool weather, galleries and nature parks amid the heavy rains, floods and landslides? Aside from the two Korean students who’ve been in Baguio for months to study english, I’m the only guest in Atenara, this cozy b and b (I know that sounds trite, but how else can I describe an ancestral house-turned-inn which Lisa filled up with her own collection of handcrafted furniture?) located just a few blocks away from the Baguio Botanical garden.

I never expected that this will happen. I left Manila Thursday morning, a week after typhoon Ketsana wreaked havoc in the country’s capital. My friend Avie told me that her Baguio-based aunt texted her to say that it was raining in Baguio and some roads were unpassable. But after checking with the bus company that all trips to Baguio will proceed as major thoroughfares are still open, I decided to pack my bags and hie off to a place where I can have some peace and quiet, a space to write for myself and do some projects that I always wanted to do but never had the time to finish. Far from the many distractions of Manila.

I arrived in Baguio Thursday night, hungry and wet as Parma was then starting to unleash one of the worst floods that Baguio (and nearby provinces of Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija) will experience in recent years.

***

Friday was really a bad, bad day for me.

I can’t stop worrying – what if I get stranded here for weeks? I don’t have enough money to tide me over. I hardly know anyone here. There’s no way I can work from here (sure I can report about the tragedy, but how can I file a story when the internet was down?). Besides, I just went to SM and oh, god, in Watson’s (where I bought heaps of toiletries, fruit cups and medicine because as usual, I was overreacting – so afraid that I wil end up sick and hungry if the heavy rains continue thus forcing the only shopping mall in Baguio to shut down) – they were not accepting credit card payments at the moment because Parma caused some comnection problems. Without a credit card, Parma practically took away my security blanket, making me panicky and more prone to another round of my drama-rama.

It didn’t help that I was stuck in my room, watching cable tv all the time, seeing footages of flooding and landslides and evacuees crying for help. At night, I can’t sleep, it was freezing cold (Nico, Lisa’s cousin and Atenara’s innkeeper told me later that the temperature dropped to 12 degrees Friday), that my blankets, socks, jackets anf mittens were not enough to keep me warm.

****

I only slept for about three hours, but it was  when I woke up Saturday morning that I learned to calm down. I hardly reacted even after Lisa told me that Baguio city was now isolated – bus companies cancelled as their trips to and from Manila – owing to floods and landslides.

I don’t know what happened – but that was the time that I find myself suddenly remembering all those stuff that I read in my books on Buddhism and yoga and other new age stuff: I let go of my inner control-freak and go with the flow.

So instead of worrying about things I can’t control, I decided to shut off the tv. I stopped trying to connect to the internet. I stopped trying to control something which I’ve known all along na hindi na talaga kaya ng powers ko (translation: that this is beyond my control) .

So I prayed and quietly typed in my netbook. Here are some things that I learned because I got stranded in Baguio:

1. Quiet time = focus = productvity: with no internet connection, I stopped checking my e-mail evety hour; avoided Facebook, Twitter and Multiply; and refrained from reading the many blogs and newsites that I subscribe to. With nothing to distract me, I finished one analytical piece that I’ve been trying to write for the past few days. Now I’m stearting to write another feature (notbto mention thjis blog ;post)

2. Business lessons in a nutshell: I spent a lot of time chatting with Lisa – a typical connector who practically knows anyone (“That’s why I don’t have a Facebook account, I have too many friends.”)

Lisa is not only an innkeeper but manages a number of small businesses. She buys and sells vintage car, breeds dogs, supplies vegetables grown in La Trinidad to Manila, an idependent management consultant and webmistress of several income generating websites.

For this serial entrepreneur, business is not just about making loads of money but having enough resources to sustain her lifestyle. Having multiple streams of incolme allowed Lisa to live in the city that she loves without having to give up her comfortable lifestyle.

3. There are small miracles everywhere: I was so absorbed with my masteral studies and journalism career,that I often forget the many small blessings that I should be thankful for. After Parma battered Northen Luzon Friday – killed hundreds of people and destroyed homes and farms – I woke up Saturday morning soo happy to see the sun and clear skies and feel the warm weather. I went for a stroll at the Baguio Botanical Garden – nature tripping, taking photos of pine trees and flowers.
(I can’t post them now, as I forgot that thingy which I use for uploading pics)

I am thankful for the hot mug of brewed coffee, a time and space to write.

I am just thankful to be alive, having another day to fulfill whatever is my life’s mission.

Photo Essay: Dancing in Damhsa (Part 3)

The Kabluchok Russian Group from Moscow performed a Russian folk dances. The group even has a musician hailing from Kazakhstan.

The Russians are not only good in ballet. They also know how to do the twist!

Everyone cheered at the end of the dance fest.

I hope we can have more festivals like these - we should respect and recognize diversity. It makes life interesting and worth living

Photo Essay: Dancing in Damhsa (Part 2)

Text and Photos: Gypsygal Nina

The dance festival or Damhsa is a yearly dance festival event in Cork which aims to celebrate diverse cultures.

One of the dance troupes I admire is the Kupalo Ukrainian Dance Ensemble . The Canada-based group is touted as the cultural ambassador of the Alberta-based  St. Basil’s Ukrainian Catholic Parish.

The ensemble's name came from the Rite of Kupalo - an agricultural festival celebrating the summer solstice in Ukraine. Kupalo dance group members have easily filled up the stage and they did not disappont the audience with dance formation like the one shown here

The Kupalo group featured a summer solstice theme dance

Each dancer wore beautiful, handmade costumes

The Kupalo group performs with dynamic style and energy!

Did I mention that they were also good looking?

They're really awesome!

How To Help “Ondoy” Victims

posted by Gypsygal Prime

photos: thank you Luis Liwanag for photos posted in your FB

This is sort of like part 2 of my previous post on Typhoon Ondoy. Below is another list of relief centers which I got from my anthro-diliman yahoo groups. so if you want to help, you can send money and/or food, medicine and clothing to the following drop off centers:
In Metro Manila

1. Citizens’ Disaster Response Center (CDRC)

CDRC is is need of volunteers for the ongoing relief drive. You can go directly to their office at 72-A Times St., West Triangle Homes, QC., or call 9299820/22 for inquiries.

2. Bagong Alyansang Makabayan

Bayanihan Alay sa Sambayanan (BALSA) of BAYAN is calling for help for the victims of deadly floods. Please send in your relief goods (RTE foods, clothings, medicines, bottled water) & money to #1 Erythrina Bldg. Maaralin cor Matatag Sts. Bgy Central, Quezon City, tel. 4340624 and 09227852356. Other drop-off points and schedules of relief and clean-up operations will be announced soon.

Kodao Productions is also accepting donations for BALSA.

You can deposit thru METROBANK:

Peso Account
Account Number: 007636020520
Account Name: KODAO PRODUCTIONS ORGANIZATION, INC.
Branch and Telephone No.: Examiner – Quezon Avenue (02) 3737340

Dollar Account
Account Number: 636-2-63600299- 7
Account Name: KODAO PRODUCTION
Branch and Telephone No.: Examiner – Quezon Avenue (02) 3737340

3. Computer Professionals Union

All proceeds will go directly to CDRC.

Account Type: CHECKING ACCOUNT
Bank Name: BANCO DE ORO
Bank Branch: Anonas-Kamias
Account Number: 003988006344
Account Name: CP-Union.Org Inc
tel no: +63 4134196

For Check donations: Checks should be issued to CP-Union.Org Inc. Please drop the check payments at 4F Victoria Building 1, 1670 Quezon Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City. For willing volunteers, please contact Leon at +63915 869 6474.

CPU interns, volunteers and members are enjoined to support our team’s effort to help typhoon ondoy’s victims through CDRC’s relief drive. Visit http://www.cp- union.com/ ondoy-relief Please coordinate with Leon (09158696474 or +63 2 4134196)

4. Kabataan Partylist and TxtPower

Donations can also be sent to Kabataan Partylist Headquarters, 118-B Sct. Rallos QC. For more information please contact 09266677163 or kabataanpartylist@ gmail.co
m.

TXTPower and Kabataan Partylist urges its members, supporters and friends abroad to make donations via Paypal. You may also donate via SmartMoney (5577-5144-1866- 7103) or GCash 09266677163 or 0917-9751092. All donations coursed through the hotlines will be sent to the Philippine National Red Cross.

5. Bayan Muna Partylist
Bayan Muna cancelled 10th anniversary celebration due Sept 30.

Rechanelled all efforts to relief and rescue operations Metro wide.

Volunteer, donate relief goods and material/financial support for those affected by Typhoon Ondoy. Bayan Muna Partylist relief drive ongoing. Goods & donations are accepted at the Bayan Muna National Headquarters at #45 K-7th St., Brgy. West Kamias, Quezon City or call 921-3473.
6. Migrante International (Philippines Chapter)

Migrante is calling the attention of our fellow kababayans abroad and also their families here in the Philippines who can donate goods and/or financial assistance for the victims of typhoon Ondoy.All donations are accepted at the Migrante International head office at #63 Narra St., Brgy.Claro, Project 3, QC. Or may call at 4210768 and hotline no: 09212709079. Or may email your inquiries at migrantecampaign@ gmail.com.

7. Gabriela Women’s Partylist

Relief Drive of the Office of Rep.Liza Maza at Brgy. Bagong Silangan will start at (Sept 28) 5pm today. You may continue sending your donations at GWP HQ, 118 Scout Rallos, Bgy.Sacred Heart, Quezon City or call 929-5342.

Bayanihan ng Masa: CALL FOR RELIEF GOODS AND CASH DONATIONS FOR VICTIMS OF TYPHOON ONDOY For cash/check donations please deposit to: Philippine Peso Current Account: c/o Rep. Liza Maza, Land Bank of the Philippines, Batasan Branch, Quezon City Current Account # 3125-0054-61

8. Polytechnic University of the Philippines

PUP SKM Office, 2nd Flr. Charlie del Rosario Student Center

9. University of the Philippines

College of Mass Communications
For inquiries and details, contact, Gina, Dean’s office, 928-3188.

College of Social Work and Community Development
Txt 0906-3504141 at 0939-3707556 (via Sinagbayan)

UP Diliman USC Office, Vinzons Hall

A. We are accepting the following donations. You may drop off your contribution( s) at the Church of the Risen Lord, UP Diliman campus.

a. Food: canned goods, noodles, biscuits, bread, rice and potable water
b. Clothing – usable, wearable, clean, and dry clothes (any size), slippers
c. Beddings – blankets, sheets, pillows
d. Toiletries – soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush
e. Medicines – Paracetamol, Mefenamic acid, band aids, iodine, alcohol, Doxycycline, etc.

B. Volunteers are encouraged to join the relief efforts. Please contact 0915-8666968 for more details, or drop by the operations center at Church of the Risen Lord, UP Diliman campus.

a. Communications – with computers/laptops, cellphones, wireless landlines, radios
b. Sorting and packaging
c. Transportation – drivers, big cars, etc

C. For assistance to flooded/missing UP Diliman students, you may send their name, college, location, contact details, and status (flooded, missing, stranded, sick) to any of the following:

a. Cellphone: 0917-8619022
b. Landline: 219-9848
c. E-mail: updusc@gmail. com
d. Facebook: updusc@yahoo. com

You may also fill in the form at this link.

D. Student organizations and local councils are highly encouraged to join hands with the USC in making our relief operations more efficient and responsive. Org heads are invited to contact 0917-8114511.

10. Kadamay

Urban poor group KADAMAY accepts donations of relief goods at 12-A Kasiyahan St, Bgy Holy Spirit, Commonwealth, QC Tel 4274315

11. Salinlahi / Children’s Rehabilitation Center

Relief goods and materials may be dropped off in CRC office, #90 J. Bugallon, Barangay Bagumbuhay, Project 4, Quezon City. You can contact us at (+632) 913-9244 or 439-1053 and look for Malou or Sarah. For financial donations, you can deposit at:

Account name: Children’s Rehabilitation Center
Bank name: Bank of the Philippine Island – Kamias-Anonas Branch
Account number: SA 3323-2050-85

Please notify us of your deposit for your official receipt.

12. KARAPATAN Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights

Please send in whatever contribution that you can. Karapatan is now accepting donations.

You may drop off your donations of relief goods at:
No. 1 Maaralin corner Matatag Sts., Bgy. Central, Quezon City, 1100 Philippines.
You may reach us at telephone numbers: (+63 2) 435-4146 or 434-2837

For cash contributions, please e-mail admin@karapatan. org for details.

13. Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE) in cooperation with COURAGE PARTY LIST

We are asking our member-unions, friends and fellow public servants to donate food (rice, noodles, canned goods etc..), clothing, bottled mineral water, mats/beddings and medicines (for colds, coughs, fever, flu and antibiotics) . Please send your support to COURAGE Party list National Headquarters at # 9B, KF Street, Kamuning, Quezon City or you may call their hotline at 4113965.

Cash /check donations are also welcome. You may deposit them at COURAGE BPI account number 3043-5929-62.

We are also calling all able-bodied individuals to volunteer their help in our campaign.
For further details, please call us at telephone numbers 9262235 (COURAGE) or 4113965 (CPL).

14. Samahang Operasyong Sagip – Council for Health and Development

Samahang Operasyon Sagip is a disaster response body convened by Council for Health and Development, Health Alliance for Democracy, Alliance of Health Workers, Community Medicine Development Foundation and Health Students’ Action. These are health organizations based in Metro Manila.

Please send your donations to the victims of typhoon Ondoy through the Council for Health and Development which holds office at #35 Examiner Street, West Triangle, Quezon City with tel nos. 929-8109 or email chdmancom@yahoo. com

For your donations, please contact us at the address above or send it through the following bank accounts:

Philippine National Bank Savings Account # 219-8303219

Bank of Philippine Islands US $ account # 314 00 5391 with the swift code BPIPHMM

15. Task Force Obrero

The Task Force Obrero, of which KMU is a member, will be conducting relief operations and medical missions in the next few days. It is also part of the “Bayanihan Alay sa Sambayanan”, a disaster relief efforts of multi-sectoral groups spearheaded by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN). We are urgently in need of medicines, old clothes, mats, blankets, canned goods and other relief goods.

Financial donations can be sent to the Task Force Obrero Philippine Peso Account:

Account Number: 20-029-006840- 5
Name of Bank: Banco Filipino
Bank Address: Kamias Branch, Quezon City
Account Holder: Noel Colina and/or Priscilla Ang-Maniquiz

Or thru Western Union or Xoom Payment:

Ms. Priscilla Ang-Maniquiz
Balai Obrero Foundation
63 Narra St., Proj. 3, Quezon City, Philippines
Telephone Number: (632) 421-0986

Material assistance can be sent to:
KMU
63 Narra St., Proj. 3, Quezon City, Philippines
Telephone Number: (632) 421-0986

You may also reach us at kilusangmayouno@ gmail.com for questions and pertinent information.

Overseas:

1. USA

BAYAN-USA

We are making this appeal for financial support as the current administration is woefully unprepared and unable to help the hundreds of thousands of our compatriots and friends. BALSA will be coordinating efforts to distribute food, medicines, clothing and other basic necessities to help the people through this crisis. Because BALSA is firmly linked with the masses, aid will directly go towards the basic sectors of society – the workers, peasants and the urban poor who make up the majority of the victims (despite media attention that “the poor and rich are equally impacted”).

Donate Online via Paypal

Or, donations can be directly deposited into the following account:

Bank: Chase
Account Name: BAYAN-USA
Account Number: 340-209749-3

Thank you for your support.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Rhonda Ramiro, Secretary General of BAYAN-USA at secgen@bayanussa. org, or Jeff Rice, Finance Officer of BAYAN-USA at finance@bayanusa. org.

Various Drop-off centers

New York

NAFCON (Nat’l Alliance for Filipino Concerns)/SANDIWA Nat’l Alliance of Fil-Am Youth are now receiving relief donations (clothes, blankets, medical supplies, monetary). NY drop-off @ BAYANIHAN Filipino Community Center, 40-21 69th St. Woodside, NY 11377. Call (516)901-1832 or email sandiwa.national@ gmail.com if you would like to help.

New Jersey

Drop-Off Points:
1) Sinugba Cafe – 561 Westside Ave. Jersey City, NJ 07304
2) Casa Victoria – 691 Newark Ave. Jersey City, NJ 07306-2803 You can send CASH through Metro Bank acct. 3 189 14540 1 For BAYAN’s “BALSA” (Bayanihan Alay sa Sambayanan)

For donations in New Jersey please contact:
(201)621-3156- Yves Nibungco
(917)476-7855- Nick Cordero

Los Angeles

In Los Angeles area please contact Kuu Hilo (818)395-9207. You can send CASH through Metro Bank acct. 3 189 14540 1 For BAYAN’s “BALSA” (Bayanihan Alay sa Sambayanan)

San Francisco/Bay Area

For donations in San Francisco/Bay Area, please contact Ryan Leano (626)534-4971. Monetary donations can also be dropped off at these sites. Checks can be made out to “Lakasdiwa,” a non-profit organization that will send the funds directly to MIGRANTE International in the Philippines, a workers’ organization directly helping the victims in the disaster relief efforts. Please put “Typhoon Ondoy Relief” on the check’s note.

Filipino Community Center
4681 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94112

Liwanag Kultural Center
Hillside Park Clubhouse
222 Lausanne Ave.
Daly City, CA 94014
Mondays 3:30-6:00
Tuesdays 3:30-6:00
Wednesdays 3:30-8:00
Thursdays 3:30-6:00

Asian Pacific Islander Youth Promoting Advocacy & Leadership
Attn: Armael Malinis, AnakBayan-East Bay
310 8th Street, Suite 215
Oakland, CA 94710

Stanford’s Pilipino American Student Union (PASU) is also collecting donations to be sent to the Philippines to help victims of Typhoon Ondoy (international name Ketsana). If you would like to make a donation, please contact AV David at avhdavid@stanford. edu or (650) 491-4561.

*****

The National Food Authority also e-mailed this press release:

NFA Opens Four Metro Warehouses as Relief Collection Centers

Agriculture secretary Arthur C. Yap has instructed the National Food Authority (NFA) to make available four of its warehouses in strategic locations in Metro Manila as collection centers of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to receive relief goods from concerned individuals or groups who may wish to help alleviate the plight of the victims of typhoon “Ondoy” within the metropolis and across the country.

Designated as DSWD Relief Collection Centers are the NFA Visayas Warehouse located along Visayas Avenue across the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) main building; NFA Kingswood Warehouse on No. 222 Quirino Avenue, Baesa, Quezon City (near Baesa Cemetery); the NFA-FTI Warehouse at the FTI Complex along DBP Avenue, Taguig City; and NFA Warehouse 1 in Antipolo, Rizal located along M.L. Quezon Avenue Extension (near Lores Market) in Antipolo City.

For inquiries, all interested parties may contact the following NFA personnel: Manager Marciano Alvarez of the NFA Central District Office at telephone number 561-894; Billy Vallejera at 920-9605 (Visayas Warehouse) and Rene Pamilar at 362-4066 (Kingswood Warehouse); Manager Bernardo Asetre at 821-0783 and Jojo Muncada and Ric Bucad at 824-3301 for the NFA-FTI Warehouse; and Manager Romy Ragonton at 696-0785 for the Antipolo Warehouse.

The warehouses shall be open for donations starting 1 pm on September 29, 2009 and shall be available 24 hours a day thereafter.

Prospective donors can go directly to any of these warehouses or arrange for pick up by NFA trucks for large volumes of goods. The collection centers shall accept all kinds of donations in cash or in kind. All donations shall be received by DSWD personnel and donors will be provided a receipt for their donations.

Aside from providing warehouse space, the NFA shall also assist in the repacking of relief items, delivery and distribution to disaster areas as identified by the DSWD.

“We encourage all of our kababayan, especially those who have been spared from the typhoon’s wrath, to come out as one big Filipino family to help the hapless victims and uplift their spirits in their time of extreme need,” Yap said. ##

Let us all help the victims of typhoon Ondoy

Posted by: gypsygal Prime

I’ve been a travel blogger for the past four years and while it’s an on-and-off thing or me, one thing remains constant: I never get tired of ranting and raving about the many places I visited here and abroad.

But Typhoon “Ondoy” which ravaged most of the Philippine capital and outlying provinces have spurred me to stop navel-gazing for a while and write this “different” type of travel blog post.

Ondoy, experts said was among the worst flood to hot the Philippines in the last forty years

Our family “suffered” from the flood – a bit. Water seeped in our living room and my dad and the help had to spend hours just hauling out pails of floodwater out of our sala. Then of course, the brownout was terrible, there was no internet, the phone line was dead, and my mom was complaining all the time. Still, I consider myself lucky. Very lucky. None of us got stranded in traffic, we’re still safe and sound, we have drinking water and food to eat and a roof over our heads. And for that, my family would forever be grateful.

Others, however, were not. Various media outlets have reported about hundreds of people who lost evrything – their homes, famkily, livelihood, loved ones – because of the flood. Others died. Still others ended up stranded in their rooftop.

Here are the photos posted by photojournalist Luis Liwanag in his FB account.

The tourism dept. won’t be very happy with this blog post nor would I earn brownie points for posting these pics. I’m more than happy to promote the “touristy side” of Manila, but as a journalist (and a human being), I can not post those kinds of pics when I know for a fact that this is what Manila looks like esoecially during the monsoon season.

But most of all,I hope that through this blog post, I can do my own share in making life a bit easier for the victims of typhoon Ondoy.

I compiled here a list of websites/numbers/e-mail adresses that you can contact if you wish to donate and/or volunteer in helping the typhoon victims:

A. GMA News TV online published a comprehensive list of relief centers in Metro Manila where you can bring your donations:

QUEZON CITY

UP College of Arts and Letters

Go to: College of Arts and Letters (CAL)
University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City

Hotline: 09296454102 (Prof. Roselle Pineda)

Look for: Guard on Duty (in UP CAL)

Operations: 24 hours until Wednesday tentatively

You can:

# Donate medicines, clothes, blankets, food to be distributed by Citizens’ Disaster Response Center.

Erica Paredes

Go to: Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City
(Call or text contact number for complete address) Contact #: 09174741930

Look for: Erica Paredes

Operations: Throughout the week tentatively, from 10 am to 6 pm

You can:

# Donate ready-to-eat foods like hard-boiled egg, bread, packed juice, sandwich filling

# Volunteer to prepare sandwiches and distribute goods

NoyMar Relief Operations – QC

Go to: Balay Expo Center, Farmers Market, Cubao or in White Space, Pasong Tamo Ext., Near BMW, Makati

Look for: Clare Amador or Jana Vicente

Hotlines: 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

You can:

# Donate drinking water, old medicines, clothing, blankets, canned goods, noodles

# Volunteer to man stations and repack food.

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

Hotline: 0917-8623209

Look for: The guard in the lobby (on One Orchard Road)

Website: http://www.twitter.com/miriamq, www.worldvision.org.ph

Operations: Until Sept. 28, 2009 (Monday), 24-hour operation

You can:

# 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

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

Hotline: 892-3417 (direct line), 845-9555 (trunkline) local. 6464 and 6466

Look for: Any personnel on duty

Operations: Ongoing everyday for 24 hours until further notice

You can:

# Donate relief goods (no cash)

# Call hotline for rescue, evacuation or relief assistance.

# Call to report missing persons

Papemelroti Gifts and Decorative Accessories

Go to: 91 Roces Ave., Corner Scout Tobias, Quezon City or mall branches in Ali Mall Cubao, SM City North EDSA, SM Fairview, SM Megamall, Glorietta 3 in Makati, SM Centerpoint, SM Southmall

Hotline: refer to website for individual branch numbers

Website: www.papemelroti.com

Operations: Mall hours (10am-9pm), ongoing everyday until further notice

You can:

# Donate goods like canned goods, clothings, blanket, cooking utensils and other relief goods EXCEPT cash.

Ateneo de Manila University Disaster Response Group

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

Look for: Gio Tiongson, President, Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral

Website: www.ateneosanggu.com

Operations: 24-hour operations for the entire week

You can:

# Donate goods like bottled water, sardines, canned goods, candles, cup noodles.

# Volunteer to help repack relief goods, administer basic first aid.

# Report missing persons.

# Seek evacuation/temporary shelter at University Dorm Cervini Hall.

Citizens Disaster Response Center (CDRC)

Go To: 72-A Times St., West Triangle Homes, Quezon City.

Hotlines: 9299820, 9299822

Operations: 8 a.m. onwards.

You can:

# Donate money, old clothes, blanket, bigas, munggo.

# Volunteer to help distribute goods.

Radio Veritas

Go To: Veritas Tower , West Ave. corner EDSA

Look For: Karla Turingan

Hotlines: 9257931 to 39, 0918VERITAS

Operations: 24-hours, tentatively until Tuesday.

You can:

# Donate old clothes, food, assorted goods, bottled water, cash.

Our Lady of Pentecost Parish

Go to: 12 F. dela Rosa cor. C. Salvador Streets, Loyola Heights , Quezon City

Hotlines: 632 4342397, 63 2 9290665

Operations: 7 a.m. till 10 p.m. Sunday, until further notice.

You Can:

# Donate packed meals, bottled water.

MAKATI/TAGUIG/MUNTINLUPA

Victory Fellowship – Fort Bonifacio

Go to: Victory Fellowship, Every Nation Building , across 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

You can:

# Donate canned goods, milk, bottled water, clothes, cash.

# Volunteer to help pack relief goods

Sacred Heart of Jesus Chaplaincy

Go to: Hillsborough Village, Cupang, Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila

Hotline: 8428148, 8079847

Look for: Genelyn Sembrano, Meanne Cuneta

Website: www.sacredheartofjesus-alabang.org

Operations: Tuesday-Sunday (Sept. 29-Oct 4). 8 am to 12 noon, 2 to 6 pm

You can:

# Donate water, blankets, shoes, clothes and other goods

# Donate in cash

PASIG CITY

LUZON RELIEF: Volunteer / Donate / Pray

Go to: Renaissance Fitness Center, 2nd Floor, Bramante Building, Renaissance Towers, Ortigas, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City

Hotline: 0929-8713488

Look for: Warren Habaluyas, co-founder

E-mail: luzonrelief@gmail.com

Operations: Monday to Saturday (Sept. 28-Oct. 3), 9am-7pm

You can:

# Donate non-perishable food items, beddings, pillows, blankets, clothes

# You can donate cash but it is not encouraged

b.ABS-CBN through its Sagip Kapamilya foundation is accepting food, medicinde and money donations.

For donations, you can drop by at the Sagip Kapamilya Warehouse in 13 Examiner St. West Triangle, QC or at the JUSMAG HQ in Scout Bayora across Rembrandt Hotel.

For more details, contact Sagip Kapamilya at 413-2667 or 416-0387. Look for Ms. Girlie Aragon.

For cash donations, please deposit in the following accounts:

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

Routing code for international cash donations
BNORPHMM ABS-CBN Branch

For overseas donations, please contact ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. at 1-800-527-2820.

c. The Philippine Daily Inquirer,the Philippine National Red Cross, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Assisi Foundation and the Sagip Buhay Foundation launched a donation drive.

Donations in kind, such as instant noodles, canned goods, formula milk, blankets and clothes may be brought to the Inquirer office at 1098 Chino Roces Ave. corner Mascardo and Yague Streets, Makati City, and to any of its classified ads branches, and to any McDonald’s branch within Metro Manila.

For questions and other concerns, you csn call 8978808 loc. 260 and look for Megi Garcia.

d. Bayan Muna accepts relief goods, donations for Ondoy victims at 45 K-7th St., Bgy. West Kamias, QC. Tel. 9213473.

e. DLSU-Dasmariñas is accepting donations. please proceed to DLSU-D CAMPUS 2ND FLOOR SBC BLDG.

in the Middle East:

You may contact officials of Migrante’s chapter in Saudi Arabia – the Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan (KGS or Brotherhood in the Middle East).

-KGS-Migrant chair Eric Jocson (mobile phone no. 0531822766) and secretary general Mike Garlan (050562989930) in Riyadh
-Migrante-Al Khobar chair Choie De Leon (0569117563) and secretary general Gerry de Guzman (0507373906)
Migrante-Jeddah chair Bob Fajarit (050502745340).

In Europe: You can go to Oxfam http://www.oxfam.org.uk/oxfam_in_action/emergencies/philippines-floods09.html