We just experienced the worst tropical storm in Manila for at least 20 years.

Hurricane Katrina rainfall = 380mm in Louisiana
Typhoon Ondoy rainfall = 410mm in Manila

That's about a month's worth of rainfall, in only six hours.

In areas, floods are deep enough to swallow up large vehicles. There are houses that are completely submerged. Thousands are stranded, some only having the roofs of their houses to stand on, with no decent shelter, food osr clean water. Among those people are infants, pregnant women, handicapped individuals and the elderly. Many have lost their homes and all of their material possessions. And there are some who have lost things that cannot be replaced - family members, friends, loved ones. Hundreds of lives gone, and each one followed by a long chain of broken hearts, belonging to the ones they left behind.

People I know are sick with worry. They have friends who have not been heard from since the typhoon hit. I pray they're all safe. Some of the places that got struck the hardest are places that are familiar to me. I know some of them will never be the same again.

Here are some images I gathered from different sources while trying to follow updates about Typhoon Ondoy (or Typhoon Ketsana to some of you). They're like scenes from a disaster film, but this is all very real.



I live far from where the typhoon made the most damage so it's safe here for now, and all my friends and relatives seem to be okay. (Thank you though to those of you who wrote to me out of concern. I really appreciate it.) But this is my country, this is my home, these are my people.

No good deed is too small, so if you want do anything to help those who are in need, please do.

[link]
[link]

Let us pay our respects to local heroes like Muelmar Magallanes, an 18-year-old construction worker who braved rampaging floods in the Philippines to save more than 30 people, but ended up sacrificing his life in a last trip to rescue a baby girl and her mother who were being swept away on a styrofoam box. A lot of people can live on because of him, and his memory will continue to be honored by many.

Although we can't all just dive in there like he did, there are a lot of little things we can do to make a difference. Let's take these opportunities to volunteer and donate, or even just to offer prayers or well-wishes. I know not everyone can afford to contribute anything material, but just wishing you could help and hoping for everyone's safety means a lot.

Check on your family members or friends who may have been affected by the flood. Please take care and stay safe.

• Check this list to look for donation sites in your country or state
  [link]



• The Philippine National Red Cross
  The Philippine National Red Cross is accepting online monetary donations through here:
    [link]
  (click Product/Activity and select Typhoon Ondoy)



• TXTPower.org (accepts PayPal)
  For those of you who want to use PayPal, you can send your donations to the PNRC's Typhoon Ondoy fund.
  Go to this post:
  [link]
  And follow the PayPal link.



• Kapuso Foundation (accepts major credit cards)
  [link]



• ABS-CBN Foundation (accepts major credit cards)
  [link]



• PhilippineAid.com (accepts PayPal)
  [link]



• World Food Programme
  - $18 provides a family with rice for 2 weeks
  - $90 feeds 5 families for 2 weeks
  - $180 feeds 10 families for 2 weeks
  [link]



• Check TULONG MANILA for a drop off point near you
  [link]



• Help spread the word by linking to this entry or other similar ones.

• Ayala Foundation USA</a> (accepts credit cards, US checks, bank transfers, and several other methods)
  [link]



• UNICEF (USA)
  Donations go directly to helping children
  [link]



• Drop off points for Typhoon Ondoy donations in the US (accepting clothes, blankets, medical supplies, monetary donations)
  - New York, New Jersey, Los Angeles, San Francisco/Bay Area
  [link]



• California
  Manila Forwarder (for California and Texas residents) [link]
  Pacific Supermarket [link]
  Carson/Hermosa Beach [link]



• New York
  Pandayan Center [link]

• Montreal
  Montreal Gazette [link]



• Toronto
  PIDC [link]

• Singapore</u>
  The drop-off point for relief goods is:
  Afreight Cargo #03-09 Lucky Plaza Orchard Road
  Contact: Maureen Schepers at 6235-1011/91117855
  
  More info and drop off points: [link]



• Hong Kong</u>
  Here's how you can help:
  Ateneo Almuni Association HK is calling for donations to support relief efforts for the victims of Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy) in the Philippines.
  Contact: Mike Reyes at +852.67131869
  
  Relief efforts in Hong Kong for Ondoy victims at Phil Consulate General conference rm,14th floor United Centre, 95 Queensway, Admiralty. 4.30pm today Tuesday, 29 Sep



• Bangkok</u>
  The Philippine Embassy will be receiving only donations in kind (ie., used clothing, shoes, blankets, and the like, and canned goods) anytime between 9am-5pm until Fri. For queries, please contact the Philippine Embassy at (02) 259-0139 up to 40 or (08) 992-65954, or at bangkokpe@gmail.com.

• SBS</u>
  [link]



• Sydney</u>
  Deliver donations to 303/5 Stromboli Strait, Homebush Bay 2127
  Message twitter.com/allorange for questions

• Oxfam
  
  [link]

• All donation sites across Luzon care of Google Maps. Check for a site near you where you can volunteer or drop off goods.
  
  Most needed donations (apart from cash):
  1. ready-to-eat food like sandwiches, hard-boiled eggs, boiled saba, biscuits, noodles, bread
  2. drinking water
  3. canned goods
  4. rice
  5. clothes
  6. mats
  7. blankets
  8. candles
  
  
  • A comprehensive and constantly updated list of how and where you can go to help the victims including text, NGOs, volunteer centers and credit card donations.
  
  
  
  • Stay updated by watching Ondoy, Pinoy Tumblr and Philippine Aid
  
  
  
  • Help spread the word by linking to this entry or other similar ones.

Since people have been asking - YES, by all means, go right ahead. I greatly appreciate your concern and efforts to raise awareness.

"Bayanihan comes from the root word bayani – which means “hero”. In the literal sense, bayanihan means to be a hero to one another. That’s exactly what this country needs. Not just in this hour of darkness, but every single day of our lives."
- from batangdagat (click link to read the entire post)


Here's a sliver of positive light during these dark days:

[caught on TV]
A man rescued in a rubber boat asked, "28 na ba ngayon?" (Is it the 28th today?)
Cameraman replies with, "Opo, 28." (Yes sir, 28.)
The man somberly replied, "Birthday ko na pala." (Oh. Apparently it's my birthday.)
Rescuers who were paddling hard turned to him in surprise before slowly singing, "Ha...ppy... birth...day... to you..."

Even in the midst of devastation the Filipino spirit never ceases to acknowledge and celebrate the gift of life.

- from Pinoy Tubmlr

Thank you so much to those who have already donated! You guys sure acted fast, I was completely surprised. Your generosity is overwhelming, I don't know how else to show my gratitude. And not just to those who donated cash, but also to everyone who simply wished us well and expressed the desire to help. _{Gah, I'm crying.}

And I know a lot of you must be having your own struggles so you don't have to force donations if you can't afford it, and you don't have to give up all you have if it will cause you a lot of trouble. It warms my heart to know that people out there can be so selfless, but I'd like you guys to take care of yourselves as well!

Thank you so much to everyone. I'm actually terrified right now because there are more storms coming, but your kindness gives me so much hope.