Pareng Ondoy

Strong rain woke me up at 3 am. First impulse told my sleepy head to close my window so I won't get soaked and leave it ajar enough to welcome a little cold wind in. Probably a few minutes later, it stopped and I was fully conscious. I opened the window and looked out.

(photo from MSNBCmedia)
It has been 3 days since Ondoy brought chaos in Manila, the entire Metro and some vicinity provinces. Seeing all the photos and videos posted in Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, Tumblr, and emails forwarded to my office account, all these were silently working in my head. It felt like I seem unaffected at first. I was just a mere observer from afar as the typhoon devastates the country I come home to. Ondoy left a homeless child, a dead woman buried in mud, an electricuted dog, a displaced family, a piece of junked car - and a whole lot of them.

So this is how it feels - to be safe while thousands of Filipinos battle the strong winds, the cold rain and the perilous currents it could carry one away and get drowned in the dirty waters that went up as high as head-level. I'm thankful my family in Pangasinan aren't affected. Consider us lucky to have been spared.

It was only now that my subconscious thoughts appeared in the surface. The visual inputs of Ondoy and its destruction in my head had been processed. I was more than sad for its victims and for my country as a whole. Apart from the little financial assistance I could extend, I have this yearning to personally lend a hand through volunteerism. Have I been in Manila, I will volunteer.

As I looked at my neighborhood here, how lucky Singapore is to have not experienced typhoons and other major catastrophes due to its strategic location. Add to that how the government does not fail to give what's rightful to its residents - an everyday life of comfort, convenience and safety. I do pray with all earnest that the Philippines will someday experience the same thing.

Yet for now, here's what we can do to help Ondoy's victims.

ondoy.tumblr.com

Like what an old classmate said, "Ondoy reminded us that even at this point of our history, man is still no match against nature..."

Disasters are an opportunity for progress and development. I myself feel optimistic despite this tragedy. May the Filipino government and every citizen of our country, including me, do its part plumply, with all discipline and genuine duty, to make our country rise again.

To the nations who felt with and for us in times of these calamities, who have extended their help for search, rescue and relief operations, financial aid and prayers, in behalf of the Filipino people, here's a grateful heart from a Filipina. Thank you very much.

Here is an dditional information for those from Singapore who wish to help and give donations.

The Filipino Association in Singapore (FAS) also announced that it is accepting donations in kind for the victims of Typhoon Ondoy. Donations may be dropped off at:

A-Freight Cargo
304 Orchard Road
#03-19 Lucky Plaza
Singapore 238863

i-Remit Singapore announced that it will waive remittance charges for donations to the Philippine National Red Cross. Remittances to the Philippine National Red Cross may be sent through:

i-Remit Singapore
304 Orchard Road
#03-69 Lucky Plaza
Singapore 238863

LBC announced that it will waive remittance charges for donations made to the following organizations: ABS-CBN Foundation, GMA Foundation, Philippine National Red Cross, and the National Disaster Coordinating Center. Remittances to these organizations may be sent through:

LBC Singapore
304 Orchard Road
#04-77 Lucky Plaza
Singapore 238863