Even a half-world away, it's difficult to miss the destruction that swept through much of the Philippines this weekend in the form of Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana).
Making landfall on Saturday, the storm proceeded to dump a month's worth of rainfall – 17 inches – in 24 hours, causing flooding that has left well over 100 people dead and many others missing.
Our thoughts and feelings go out to the individuals in the region affected by this disaster, including many Multiply members. As expected, the effects have been well-documented by Multiply users in the area (including m00nr0se, botomoipatrolmo, ashcastro) as well as the relief efforts (victoryfortb, kevintatco, and again, botomoipatrolmo).
Assistance for victims of the typhoon in the form of donations can be handled through ABS-CBN Foundation, among other relief organizations. A list of organizations accepting donations, though various forms of monetary payment as well as 'in-kind' donations, can be found on Google's Ondoy information page.
the effects have been well-documented by Multiply users in the area (including m00nr0se, botomoipatrolmo, ashcastro) as well as the relief efforts (victoryfortb, kevintatco, and again, botomoipatrolmo).
thanks for the links! i'm heading to some of those sites now to check out what they're saying.
Our thoughts and feelings go out to the individuals in the region affected by this disaster, including many Multiply members.
yes, very much agree
posted about on this on my site yesterday as it was on our BBC news [I'm in the U.K.], and I have some contacts in Manila and the Phillipines and was worried for them, and distressed for people who live there
thankfully a couple of my contacts posted, later, to say they're ok one in the States, originally from the Phillipnes, was trying to contact her relatives for a long time...eventually got tthrough and they're ok, thankfully
my physical therapist's in-laws live in Manilla...they are fine, however their property has been destroyed. 17 inches of rain in 8 hours with more expected. one of my contacts who now lives in vancouver, canada still has family there. they are fine as well, and they too have lost their home.
ABS-CBN has been doing a great job in helping those affected. though efforts have been extended to those in dire need in Marikina, Cainta and other parts of Rizal and the Metro, please try to reach out to those living in Pateros. My father and siblings are living there, though the neighborhood is trying to cope up, they still need help. I haven't heard and seen any news from that place.
The United States has donated $100,000 and deployed a military helicopter and five rubber boats manned by about 20 American soldiers from the country's south, where they have been providing counterterrorism training. The United Nations Children's Fund and the World Food Program have also provided food and other aid.
> I got these excerpts from Yahoo news from Associated Press. U.S. just donated $100,000 ...? Is this figure correct? That's just about a price of a car. That's all they can do ? I understand they are in economic recession .. but $100,000 aid? ... May I call Hollywood celebrities who keeps on donating millions of dollars , typhoon ondoy victims are in need. Angelina and Brad Pitt , Oprah, Bill Gates ... where are you?
I don't know where you get your figures from but there aren't many cars you can buy here in the US for that much money unless you are looking for ridiculously extravagant luxury cars like a Rolls Royce. Even a fully loaded BMW M5 is only about $75,000. You can actually buy a house for that much in most rural areas.
Get your facts straight before insulting a country which is donating cash, manpower (which costs money), military assets (which cost money to operate and maintain) as well as assisting through other means including the massive contributions this country makes to the UN itself as well as UNICEF and World Food Program. Your lack of gratitude is a disgrace to your country and humanity in general.
How much aid did your country send here when Hurricane Katrina buried New Orleans under water and 1,800 people died?
I don't know where you get your figures from but there aren't many cars you can buy here in the US for that much money unless you are looking for ridiculously extravagant luxury cars like a Rolls Royce. Even a fully loaded BMW M5 is only about $75,000. You can actually buy a house for that much in most rural areas.
Get your facts straight before insulting a country which is donating cash, manpower (which costs money), military assets (which cost money to operate and maintain) as well as assisting through other means including the massive contributions this country makes to the UN itself as well as UNICEF and World Food Program. Your lack of gratitude is a disgrace to your country and humanity in general.
How much aid did your country send here when Hurricane Katrina buried New Orleans under water and 1,800 people died?
How much aid did your country send here when Hurricane Katrina buried New Orleans under water and 1,800 people died?
it seems Penny [pvlc] is in the Phillipines herself, so would be feeling this tragedy badly.. it's quite a poor country, [which is why the actual topic in this thread is so tragic]. I would not expect them to be able to match the aid which the U.S. gives ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
anyway, thank you to the person above who posted the news about the increase in the death toll I guess sadly, that will keep on increasing :(
One of my contacts is from the Phillipines and posted on the 26th about the flood with pictures showing the water outside her gate - haven't heard from her since, so I'm quite concerned for her and her family - as well as everyone else that is going through this.
it's quite a poor country, [which is why the actual topic in this thread is so tragic]. I would not expect them to be able to match the aid which the U.S. gives
Nor would I, but I would expect the recipients of our aid to show a little gratitude instead of complaining we didn't give enough. The US gives billions of dollars (26 billion in 2008) every year to help countries around the world without asking anything in return. Many of those countries are chock full of people who'd like nothing more than to see the US wiped off the map but we help them anyway. The US gives literally half of the world's food aid, and is the single largest international economic aid donor on the planet so it really ticks me off when someone from a country on the receiving end of our generosity (120 million dollars last year) has the gall to complain that we didn't give them enough especially when they are from a country which has already received over 5 BILLION dollars of aid from us over the past 60 years from ONE US Gov't agency alone.
Now, before you criticize me for my attitude and give me the standard line about how it doesn't affect me, it's half a world away, I don't know what they're going through blah blah freakin' blah, you should know that my wife emigrated from the Quezon City area of the Philippines in the early 80's and that much of her family and most of her old school classmates from St. Bridget School are still there. One of the her classmates has already been found dead, several more are still missing. We finally heard from her father yesterday, he told us several family members are still unaccounted for. Most of their houses are damaged (some were completely submerged), most of their automobiles (those who had them) are pretty much destroyed, everything most of them own is either lost or ruined. So yeah, it affects me. When we send them whatever we can to help them out, I bet their response won't be "What, that's all you're going to give us?"
wow, it's really great to know that there are people from around the world who are genuinely concerned and are willing to help the victims of bagyong ondoy, in our country. thank you very much, to all of those who gave importance to what our local citizens are going through, right now. may God bless you all.
No ,I am not insulting U.S. I just couldn't believe that a country will just donate $100,000 to HELP those in need but can spend an estimate of $255 million PER DAY on WAR.
No ,I am not insulting U.S. I just couldn't believe that a country will just donate $100,000 to HELP those in need but can spend an estimate of $255 million PER DAY on WAR.
thankfully there will be many voluntary donations from various countries I've just Googled U.K. pages to find out. I just pray that the further typhoon predicted for tomorrow [Thursday] will be averted
good and bad news quote [from The Guardian U.K.] President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who has allowed her palace to be used for the relief effort, admitted that the flooding had stretched the Philippines' "response capabilities to the limit".
I'm from the Philippines. We felt Ondoy as the water entered our house and reached some two feet deep and we never got flooded before.
Thanks to everyone for all the help and support. Ondoy brought and left a devastation beyond anybody's expectation. Every little bit of help surely counts. It may not help everybody but I'm sure it will be tremendously appreciated by those it can and would help.
it is time for everyone to give as much as he could to help those affected, at least to rebuild what was left and what was gone. But this is just a part of the solution, the thing is, we should take this as a BIG SIGN that nature is taking its toll...
Why don't we start taking care of our environment? at least in simple things that we do... just a simple saving of electricity and the like...
I don't know where you get your figures from but there aren't many cars you can buy here in the US for that much money unless you are looking for ridiculously extravagant luxury cars like a Rolls Royce. Even a fully loaded BMW M5 is only about $75,000. You can actually buy a house for that much in most rural areas.
Get your facts straight before insulting a country which is donating cash, manpower (which costs money), military assets (which cost money to operate and maintain) as well as assisting through other means including the massive contributions this country makes to the UN itself as well as UNICEF and World Food Program. Your lack of gratitude is a disgrace to your country and humanity in general.
How much aid did your country send here when Hurricane Katrina buried New Orleans under water and 1,800 people died?
I concur.
Where was the Philippine's Aid when Guam was hit by Super Typhoon Paka '97. Super Typhoon Chataan and Pongsona '02? The USA gives more aid than people from other countries realize.
Like Sarcastik1, who has family in the Philippines. My wife and daughter are in Northern Mindanao, so my wife my finish her degree in nursing. I was there and saw the Cagayan River burst it's banks earlier this year. So yes, it does affect us as well. But we don't dwell on how much was given.
No ,I am not insulting U.S. I just couldn't believe that a country will just donate $100,000 to HELP those in need but can spend an estimate of $255 million PER DAY on WAR.
What is the Philippines putting in to fight the WAR ON TERRORISM? The USA is supporting many allies, to include your country. If is wasn't for the U.S. military helping your armed forces, Jolo would be overrun with extremists.
How many times has the U.S. military gone there to help out with humanitarian aide. Our national guard was in Bicol building schools. We provided military equipment to help with your landslide victims, years ago. Your country gets millions in military aide from the USA. I'm pretty sure Arroyo can funnel some of that to help with recovery efforts.
Instead of griping how much the USA gave, What are you doing to help your people out?
Thank you for posting this Everett. We Filipinos are going through a lot right now. Up until now, many are still stuck in their homes because the area in which their homes are situated are still flooded in.
My home too was all flooded in last Saturday and we only got our electricity back a couple of days ago, still I feel lucky as compared to the others who no longer have homes. They stay at schools that have been turned into evacuation centers with only limited food. A lot are already dying because of hunger, sickness and cold.
And now, another typhoon came in which mainly affected Cagayan. :( This is really sad news but we're not losing faith, we know God always listens and we also have you guys. We need your prayers so that we'll be able to get through this.
with everything that's happening ryt now, the only message that the Lord wants to deliver is to keep our faith in HIM and trust HIM all the time. typhoon ondoy was just an instrument of the Lord to make us realize that we human beings are neglecting the most important thing here on Earth. and that is the Trust and Faith to God.
avayadown wrote on Oct 6, '09, edited on Oct 6, '09
It's just a "wake-up" call to everyone. Our climate's changing fast and we need to do something about it. This might just be a taste of what's to come. The effects of Global Warming is starting to reveal itself upon us. The important thing is thing is that we Filipinos are in this together. It only shows that everything "material" that you could ever work so hard to achieve can vanish just like that. It is "life" that matters most. We're all alive and that's all that counts. We got hit & beaten to the ground but WE'RE GONNA STAND UP AND CONTINUE TO STRIDE. LEAVE THE PAST BEHIND, LEARN FROM IT & MOVE ON TOWARDS A NEW PATH... Everybody gets a bad beating every once in a while.. but it's not how hard you can hit and strike but how hard you can take a blow and get back up to your feet & stand up again...
"Be the Spark, Ignite the Flame & Start to Catch Fire..." - avayadown.multiply.com
P.S. I JUST WANNA SAY "F**K YOU" TO ALL THOSE "SHOW-OFF" BITCHES WHO HELP JUST FOR RECOGNITION & PUBLICITY. YOU TELL THE WHOLE WORLD HOW MUCH eFFIN' DOLLARS YOU HAVE GIVEN TO HELP. IF YOU REALLY WANT TO HELP, DO IT W/O BRAGGING!!! YOU & YOUR MONEY CAN DROWN W/ THE FLOOD AND GO TO HELL COZ WE DON'T NEED YOU!!!
No ,I am not insulting U.S. I just couldn't believe that a country will just donate $100,000 to HELP those in need but can spend an estimate of $255 million PER DAY on WAR.
Just $100, 000. We're talking about dollars here, not pesos. In the midst of a financial crisis, be at least thankful that they still thinking of giving aid which more or less, will be pocketed by the corrupt officials in the Philippines? That amount is not even the average per annum of a middle cass American. It is more. A car here is not worth that price. A Toyota car is worth $20,000 not $100,000. Maybe in pesos, a Toyota car would be Php100,000.
I myself am originally from the Philippines. before bashing the amount of US aid, why don't you ask the Philippine government where were they when they knew there'd be a typhoon this strong? Debating nonsense in the senate! You see, rather than focusing on more important topics, they were even able to discuss for weeks the Hayden Kho-Katrina Halili scandal(which should have been in court rather than the senate) and that robbed the Filipino people of MILLIONS of money!
Another thing: it is a fact that the Philippines is a typhoon-prone country, so why did the Philippine government not think of improving infrastructure, drainages and dams, especially? At least portion of the taxes paid by the American people go to aid; whereas taxes paid by Filipinos go to the pocket and bank accounts of Filipino politicians. And the saddest thing, a lot of Filipino politicians are now using this aftermath to have an early campaign for next year's election. I hope Filipinos won't vote for this people putting their names in loot bags that they distribute.
You're clearly anti-American. Just seeing the bad of the US as if the Philippines is a perfect country.
Now, I ask you, what are YOU doing to help the victims of the typhoon in the Philippines? I bet, complaining about the $100,000 aid by the US. Wow, that really helps. A lot.
As a Filipino living in the US, my apologies. But sad to say, these kind of people aren't uncommon in the Philippines esp. the extreme close-minded left. Funny that when things go wrong, the country that they ask for aid is the US.
No ,I am not insulting U.S. I just couldn't believe that a country will just donate $100,000 to HELP those in need but can spend an estimate of $255 million PER DAY on WAR.
Maybe you didn't know that when typhoon Ondoy devastated the Philippines, major earthquakes also struck Indonesia and tsunamis wiped out villages in Samoa??
And in the first place, why should you even belittle the amount of aid that US donated to the Philippines? The fact that they offered something is enough. It's not America's obligation (or any country for that matter) to provide financial assistance to other nations; rather, it's up to their own discretion whether they would give some money or not. Instead of criticizing how US allocates its national budget on warfare etc., why don't you just be grateful that somehow the Philippines is receiving some kind of help from this country (and others as well)?
I'm a Filipino too although I live here in New York City, and I perfectly understand how bad it is right now in the Philippines. That's why when I read the news about this tragedy, I quickly donated something so that I can be of help in some way. Yeah, it wasn't that much. But hey, at least I did give something..
As a Filipino living in the US, my apologies. But sad to say, these kind of people aren't uncommon in the Philippines esp. the extreme close-minded left
Hahaha, not really uncommon, but they're there.
I was not affected by the typhoon (except for the power lines being cut off), but my heart goes out to those who were, and I am eternally grateful for those who have helped, big or small, even if it was only through prayers or well-wishes.
im one of the victim typhone ondoy i have no dres foods monney pls help me hirs the bank acount of my sister metro bank 0523052322716 send you monney if you want thank you in advance my email joseph_07_06@yahoo.com
m one of the victim typhone ondoy i have no dres foods monney pls help me hirs the bank acount of my sister metro bank 0523052322716 send you monney if you want thank you in advance my email joseph_07_06@yahoo.com
No ,I am not insulting U.S. I just couldn't believe that a country will just donate $100,000 to HELP those in need but can spend an estimate of $255 million PER DAY on WAR.
firstly my heart goes out to all those affected by this tragedy..
and secondly i agree with you ..but the US government is not alone in in this kind of hypocrisy.. i`m English and our government is equally self serving but hopefully now an appeal has been broadcast on tv here .ordinary people might find the compassion and generosity in their hearts that our governments are so lacking in
and secondly i agree with you ..but the US government is not alone in in this kind of hypocrisy.. i`m English and our government is equally self serving
The US Government, like yours, is obligated to help it's own citizens, not the world. Having said that, the US Government gives more humanitarian aid to many nations, than any other. My country is not obligated to help every nation. Yet, it seems when disasters happen, everyone calls on the US Government to help.
I`m thankful for the help that US sent to my country. I`m sorry for what my "kababayan" acted out here. Maybe she wasn`t thinking straight right now. That $ 100,000 is really a big help. But only, if you really, really know, how much money goes to the victims, maybe you`d think twice of helping us. Our government is not that "helpful". Elections here is fast approaching, so maybe our politicians are rushing to "help" so that they`ll earn votes. But then again, I want to thank the American country for helping the Philippines and other Filipinos who are abroad who sent help to our kababayans.
Having said that, the US Government gives more humanitarian aid to many nations, than any other.
that is simple logistics it's bigger and richer
the test comes when smaller and poorer nations give [principle of the 'widow's mite']
I agree with the post above [paraphrasing] that talks about giving without boasting etc giving should be for the right reasons, and thanks should not be demanded from those who have less thanks should not be demanded, especially from those who are still going through the trauma of their country being afflicted by tragedy!!
It's just a "wake-up" call to everyone. Our climate's changing fast and we need to do something about it. This might just be a taste of what's to come. The effects of Global Warming is starting to reveal itself upon us. The important thing is thing is that we Filipinos are in this together. It only shows that everything "material" that you could ever work so hard to achieve can vanish just like that. It is "life" that matters most. We're all alive and that's all that counts. We got hit & beaten to the ground but WE'RE GONNA STAND UP AND CONTINUE TO STRIDE. LEAVE THE PAST BEHIND, LEARN FROM IT & MOVE ON TOWARDS A NEW PATH... Everybody gets a bad beating every once in a while.. but it's not how hard you can hit and strike but how hard you can take a blow and get back up to your feet & stand up again...
"Be the Spark, Ignite the Flame & Start to Catch Fire..." - avayadown.multiply.com
P.S. I JUST WANNA SAY "F**K YOU" TO ALL THOSE "SHOW-OFF" BITCHES WHO HELP JUST FOR RECOGNITION & PUBLICITY. YOU TELL THE WHOLE WORLD HOW MUCH eFFIN' DOLLARS YOU HAVE GIVEN TO HELP. IF YOU REALLY WANT TO HELP, DO IT W/O BRAGGING!!! YOU & YOUR MONEY CAN DROWN W/ THE FLOOD AND GO TO HELL COZ WE DON'T NEED YOU!!!
still I feel lucky as compared to the others who no longer have homes.
well, me too. I live in an elevated place, and then the water was already so near our home. I dunno how, but the water really stopped at my neighbor's house. Of the many houses where the water can stop, it stopped at the left edge of our house. So, there was no flood in my house and I was just relaxing at home, watching the news. I saw the family standing on galvanized iron roofing (aka yero, for the Filipinos) and water lilies woven together being swayed away by the waters as they are about to go under a bridge. It was shown repetitively on TV. Alas, I think only one survived? Because of my immense luck, I wish there is some way I can help. My parents didn't allow me to go volunteer in the relief operations. And now, after a week-long of class suspension, it's been a week now since classes resumed. Waahhhhhh!!!! Cramming!!!! (so I guess I won't be able to do themes in a while)
And now, after a week-long of class suspension, it's been a week now since classes resumed. Waahhhhhh!!!! Cramming!!!! (so I guess I won't be able to do themes in a while)
wow. can't believe you said that after what you said at first.
I never really thought people outside Philippine territories would care and a lot of foreign countries proved me wrong. Thanks to everyone. God bless you all :]
No ,I am not insulting U.S. I just couldn't believe that a country will just donate $100,000 to HELP those in need but can spend an estimate of $255 million PER DAY on WAR.
you are a shame to your countrymen. much worse, if you are a filipino yourself.
no amount is too little. many of the refugees are in much more peril than you and having said that most of them do not even have the privilege of the internet unlike you... and yet they do not complain of the aid given to them.
how dare you underestimate what US offered in these times of need. shouldn't you be humbled instead that they had the time and effort of going out of their way when they are in crisis themselves?
to the US, if ever this ingrate is a filipino, we do not share the same opinion with him/her. we are grateful for your generosity. may you receive blessings in times of need.
the philippines especially metromanila should now embark on a long term process of remodeling this urban center. there is no other way to solve the flooding of metromanila and its nearby cities if we just do patchwork and mini repairs around the city. there should be a comprehensive program to rehabilitate the whole metropolis and solve this yearly problem of inundation. this should be our legacy to our children and our grandchildren and the rest of future generations. remember manila is an area termed semialuvial plains - meaning it is prone to flooding. the national government and local officials must sign on a long term comprehensive program that would span maybe 10 to fifteen years for reconstruction of the manila. manila's problem will get worse before it gets better especially now the present threat of climate change, over-population, non existent urban planning, chaotic garbage disposal, utter disregard to the environment, continuous siltation of the rivers and lakes and deforestation in the sierra madre mountains. but also we have to remember that there is a human component to this problem namely political, social and economic. we also have to change how the filipinos regard their country. we have to let our countrymen learn the values of hardwork, unity, love of country, civil duty, loyalty and honesty. the filipino may go around the world in search of his fortunes but he will and always go home to the philippines. he might be a migrant worker but he is still a filipino in heart and spirit. if we dont act now and the world would continue to experience climate change - we might see metromanila under 20 to 30 feet of water a hundred years from now.
Im asking a help for my friend who is victim of typhoon ondoy, not all people live in provident village is well off. Her name is Azucena Tayag at Provident village Marikina City they have been rescued at the night after the typhoon, i offer my help as i can. They have to return to their home to provident and clean up the house from the flood, house was full of mud and submerge into water not even a single things, clothes and appliances can be use again. loosing everything is very sad things ever happened to a family, when i was there i feel the pain and sadness in my heart. i try to help them as much as i can but having an extended family of 5 persons is also hard for me. One of my friend told me to ask help at the net and hoping one of you have a good heart to help them. I know there's a lot of family who is also a victim by this typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng but giving help for this one make's a different. Ive been looking for a site where i can blog or post this message and ask for a help but unfortunately can't find one so i decided to post it here
Thanks you very much in advance for those who will help the family of my friend.
To send help for them:
Gcash: send money to all Globe Business Center
Name: Azucena Tayag Provident Village Marikina City Number: 09177580585
Paypal:
contrerascarla89@yahoo.com - This is my paypal account.
it is sad to note that these things happens in our country. we just have to realize that the philippines is in the typhoon belt and earthquake belt. i just mentioned my 15-25 year plan for the philippines and i think this plan is the best step to mitigate disaster in our country. without concerted efforts from the people and government, the the filipinos are doomed to experience this calamities year after year. let us focus developments in the visayas and mindanao/ there are no typhoons in this areas. this would probably minimize the billions and billions of pesos the government spend each year for damages brought about by these typhoons.
Nor would I, but I would expect the recipients of our aid to show a little gratitude instead of complaining we didn't give enough. The US gives billions of dollars (26 billion in 2008) every year to help countries around the world without asking anything in return. Many of those countries are chock full of people who'd like nothing more than to see the US wiped off the map but we help them anyway. The US gives literally half of the world's food aid, and is the single largest international economic aid donor on the planet so it really ticks me off when someone from a country on the receiving end of our generosity (120 million dollars last year) has the gall to complain that we didn't give them enough especially when they are from a country which has already received over 5 BILLION dollars of aid from us over the past 60 years from ONE US Gov't agency alone.
Now, before you criticize me for my attitude and give me the standard line about how it doesn't affect me, it's half a world away, I don't know what they're going through blah blah freakin' blah, you should know that my wife emigrated from the Quezon City area of the Philippines in the early 80's and that much of her family and most of her old school classmates from St. Bridget School are still there. One of the her classmates has already been found dead, several more are still missing. We finally heard from her father yesterday, he told us several family members are still unaccounted for. Most of their houses are damaged (some were completely submerged), most of their automobiles (those who had them) are pretty much destroyed, everything most of them own is either lost or ruined. So yeah, it affects me. When we send them whatever we can to help them out, I bet their response won't be "What, that's all you're going to give us?"
please dont be miffed. that ungrateful one is only an isolated case. he may be just engaging you in a conversational tassle. after all, he must remember, beggars cant be choosers. there are many devils that should be exorcised in the hearts of may of us Filipinos. i am proud of the few noble filipinos who know how to be grateful without looking like beggars. but please pray for us so that that disaster would not occur again. thanks for the US aid!
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the effects have been well-documented by Multiply users in the area (including m00nr0se, botomoipatrolmo, ashcastro) as well as the relief efforts (victoryfortb, kevintatco, and again, botomoipatrolmo). 