Monday, November 23, 2009

Lea Salonga helps raise P9.3M in Hawaii for cyclone victims

According to GMANews.TV

Lea Salonga has lifted up the image of Filipinos through her artistic achievements. She did it one more time for leading Filipino volunteers in Hawaii in raising millions of pesos for victims of recent cyclones in the Philippines.

Philippine officials in Hawaii thanked world-renowned Salonga and Filipino volunteers there for raising more than P9.299 million for victims of recent tropical cyclones Ondoy (Ketsana) and Pepeng (Parma).

Hawaii Councilman Romeo Cachola, Vice Speaker Michael Magaoay and Senator Robert Bunda gave Certificates of Appreciation to Salonga for enhancing the prestige and image of Filipinos through her artistic achievements and for her humanitarian contribution to the typhoon relief drive, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The DFA cited a report from the Philippine Consul General to Honolulu that Filipino volunteers raised $200,000 (P9.299 million) for the victims of Ondoy and Pepeng.

“Aside from this, (Salonga) donated a portion of the ticket sales of her sold-out concert at Blaisdell Arena on November 10," the DFA said.

The DFA did not specify how much from her ticket sales Salonga donated.

Cardenas hosted a reception to thank all Filipino community leaders and volunteers for their initiatives and efforts in rallying the Filipino community in Hawaii.

Almost 2,000 Filipinos were killed and millions were directly affected when tropical cyclones Ondoy and Pepeng lashed the country last September and October.

In October, Salonga managed to raise $19,000 (P889,200) in Washington D.C., and appealed to Filipinos and the international community to do more for victims of the recent cyclones.

At the time, Salonga made a special appearance at a “Solidarity Mass" at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle and had a reception for donors at the Philippine Ambassador’s Residence.

“Much has been done… but there is so much more that still needs to be done," the DFA quoted her as saying at the cathedral, where she sang “The Lord’s Prayer" in Filipino and made a special appeal to the Mass participants.

Salonga made a similar appeal at the donors’ reception and urged everyone present to do their part for the typhoon victims in the Philippines.

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Wilfredo Gaa thanked Salonga for her commitment to help raise awareness and funds for typhoon victims in the Philippines. - GMANews.TV

SOURCE

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Let's us wake up every morning thinking how we can bless others.  Of course, [many of us] are not like Lea Salonga and other international artists, but each of us has talents that we could use to give assistance in any way we can.  Hmmm...what was that movie talking about random act of kindness?
With regard to this news, we can see that there also Filipino community leaders and volunteers who gave humanitarian contributions.  May God bless you all as you bless your fellow countrymen.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

EU gives another P490M to Ondoy, Pepeng victims

EU aid totals P630M

Another great news from INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—The European Commission, the European Union’s executive branch, has allocated an additional €7 million (about P490 million) in humanitarian assistance for the victims of typhoons Ondoy (international code name: Ketsana) and Pepeng (international name: Parma).

The amount, which is in response to the second flash appeal for aid by the United Nations, is on top of the €2 million (about P140 million) EC grant approved in September. It brings the total EC aid for typhoon victims to €9 million (about P630 million).

“The extent of the suffering and damage caused by Ondoy and Pepeng had called for exceptional efforts and resilience by the national and local authorities, and by so many ordinary citizens who responded directly to help those affected by the floods and landslides,” said Ambassador Alistair MacDonald, head of Delegation of the European Commission in Manila.

The amount will come from EC’s Humanitarian Aid Office and will be coursed through the UN agencies as part of the Commission’s response to the revised flash appeal.

“The UN flash appeal, revised and substantially increased on November 18, underline the tremendous needs that still have to be addressed. The European Commission has been happy to respond to this need through this additional grant,” said MacDonald on Friday.

Last Wednesday, UN revised its flash appeal from the earlier target of $74 million to $144 million, owing to the extensive devastation in crops in Northern Luzon brought about by weather disturbance that came after Ondoy and Pepeng, typhoon Santi (international code name: Mirinae). So far, only $26 million has been raised.

The UN revised flash appeal is based on its latest assessment that Ondoy and Pepeng had affected 9.8 million people and destroyed more than 40,000 homes. It said 4.2 million people are in need of immediate humanitarian assistance, including 520,000 children younger than five years old.

The EU ambassador also said that aside from the €9 million in EC humanitarian assistance, another €7 million in grants was given by individual EC member-states to the Philippine government for the typhoon victims.

These “reaffirm the long-standing commitment of the European Union to help the people of the Philippines affected by natural or man-made disasters,” MacDonald said, adding that the financial assistance will help provide food, shelter, and nonfood items; primary health care; psychosocial assistance; emergency livelihood assistance; and logistics and transport.

Aside from financial assistance, the European Commission also dispatched experts to help assess humanitarian needs within days of the disasters, and has contributed substantially to the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment currently being carried out in cooperation with the World Bank and the United Nations, MacDonald said.

SOURCE

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This is another proof of bayanihan not only in the Philippines.  This is GLOBAL BAYANIHAN! 
For the humanitarian assistance for the victims of typhoons Ondoy (international code name: Ketsana) and Pepeng (international name: Parma) provided by the European Commission, thank you so much [once again], and also to World Bank and the United Nations.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Katy Perry, Arnel Pineda, Jed Madela rock for ‘Ondoy’ victims-tonight

By Niño Mark M. Sablan
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Music fans got dissapointed when pop star Katy Perry’s one-night-only concert in the Philippines scheduled last October got canceled. The good thing is, not only is it finally happening today (11/14/2009), it has also turned into a fundraiser to help the survivors of Tropical Storm “Ondoy” and Typhoon “Pepeng.”

Dubbed “Katy Perry Rocks for Relief!” this musical extravaganza will happen tonight (11/14/2009) at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds, at 8 p.m.

Boys Like Girls, the band supposed to open for the international singing superstar last October, might have passed up on the chance to perform in the country due to schedule conflicts, but taking their place is a bunch of world-class performers to make the show even bigger than it already is.

Joining Katy Perry, who broke into the scene in 2008 with her smash hit “I Kissed a Girl,” are American rock band MAE, singer Jed Madela, plus Arnel Pineda and Neal Schon of Journey.

Watch “Katy Perry Rocks for Relief!” tonight and you can have a great time listening to her hit singles such as “Hot N Cold,” “Thinking of You” and “Waking Up In Vegas”—while making a difference, since all the net proceeds will be donated to the Philippine National Red Cross, the concert’s only beneficiary.

You can help out even more by bringing relief goods and old clothes; there will be donation booths at the venue. Get your tickets (P3,500 for VIP, P2,200 for Gold, P1,200 for Silver and P400 for Bronze, plus three-percent service charge) at www.ticketworld.com.ph, or call 891-9999.


The Ticketworld branch where you bought your old ticket from will also honor refunds. For more information, visit www.mtvphil.coml

SOURCE
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I also love to sing. To all producers, I would like to inform you that I would be glad to offer my talent for a concert that would help those in need! B-)  ...I believe it feels great to use your talents to help others...

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Clinton announces $5.2M in aid to flood victims

from INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—After visiting a school in Marikina that was damaged by the floods caused by tropical storm Ondoy (international code name: Ketsana), United States State Secretary Hillary Clinton on Thursday announced an additional $5.2 million (about P245 million) in disaster relief and recovery assistance to the Philippines.

This foreign aid is in addition to the more than $14 million in rescue and relief aid already provided by the US government after the three storms that hit the country between September and October.

Clinton, who visited the Malanday High School in Marikina after her bilateral meeting with foreign affairs officials and her briefing with the press, said the new monies will go to education, water and sanitation, health, and disaster preparedness needs.

The former first lady is on a 24-hour visit to the Philippines in what is dubbed as a solidarity trip in the wake of storms Ondoy, Pepeng (international code name: Parma), and Santi (international code name: Mirinae), which altogether affected over 10 million people and claimed almost a thousand lives.

According to a briefer from the US embassy, Clinton opened a book fair made possible by the American Brother’s Brother Foundation, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID),which donated 50,000 reading books to Malanday High School and Elementary School teachers. Aside from books, the teachers were able to pick other items donated by the USAID, such as desks and ceiling fans.

The Malanday High School, Elementary School and Health Clinic are part of the US embassy’s Community Partnership Program. Last weekend over 100 US embassy employees and family members worked side by side with Malanday community members to repair the schools and Health Clinic. The Community Partnership Program is a long-term initiative of the U.S. Embassy to participate in the local community as neighbors who work together to improve the health and vitality of Metro Manila.


SOURCE

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To madam United States State Secretary Hillary Clinton, and to everyone who offered their help, thank you so much.  May God bless you all...

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

50 nurses in Metro to help Ondoy victims

byVeronica Uy of INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — The labor department has deployed a second batch of 50 nurses in areas badly affected by typhoon Ondoy.

In a statement issued Tuesday, labor department’s Metro Manila regional director Raymundo Agravante said the “warriors of wellness” were assigned in Marikina, Pasig, Pateros, Taguig, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Mandaluyong, San Juan, and Pasay.

Under the department’s Nurse Assigned in Rural Service (NARS) Program, the nurses will try to stem “the surging rise of leptospirosis” and prepare for the “second wave of A(H1N1) flu virus.”

Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said NARS trainees shall work on a five-nurse team in each critically affected village. He said they are expected to render the three I’s in nursing care: initiate primary health, school nutrition, maternal health programs, and the first line of diagnosis; inform the public on community water sanitation practices and perform health surveillance; and immunize children and mothers.

The program, which is aimed at addressing the glut of untrained but registered nurses, will compensate the nurses P8,000 for a period of six months. The program aims to give them practical experience that will make them more employable here and abroad, as well as help the government achieve the Millennium Development Goal targets.

Jointly implemented by the departments of labor and health and education, and the Professional Regulation Commission’s Board of Nursing, the program is also part of the government’s pump-priming strategy in the face job losses following the global financial meltdown.

SOURCE

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Providing service to areas badly affected by typhoon Ondoy and at the same time helping not-so-experienced but registered nurses to have practical experiences that will make them more employable, is a good idea.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Typhoon Ondoy: Marikina

Marikina, Philippines is one of the places severely damaged by typhoon Ondoy.  One of my sisters-in-law is from Marikina.  I admire her because she has a positive outlook in life, and even in the midst of Ondoy, she retains that attitude.

To give you an idea regarding the aftermath of typhoon Ondoy at Marikina, here's a video entitled typhoon Ondoy- Aftermath (Marikina) uploaded by ondoy2609




SOURCE

Friday, November 6, 2009

MAS Staff Rally To Aid Of Typhoon Ondoy Flood Victims

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- Staff of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) have donated 1.1 tonnes (1,128 kilograms) of rice, essential items and cash to helpthe victims hit by Typhoon Ondoy that swept through Manila on Sept 26.

The drive to collect the donations was held at both MAS headquarters in Subang and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

The contributions were flown to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, MAS said in a statement Friday.

MAS area manager, Philippines, Mustaffa Kamal, said the donated items were packed into 80 boxes, with each box containing items for one household like rice, noodles, biscuits, drinking water, canned food and blankets.

The packages were distributed to several parties, including MAS own staff who were affected, he said.

MAS also gave 40 boxes to the governor of Rizal for affected families in the province while another 25 boxes were distributed to about 120 families in Barangay Singkamas, Tumanac and Marikina.

-- BERNAMA

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There are more and more people that are becoming blessings to others!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Space-based technology to help RP prepare for next Ondoy, Pepeng

by JOSEPH HOLANDES UBALDE, GMANews.TV

If it weren’t for satellite technology, the Philippines would have a difficult time assessing the damage done by two recent tropical cyclone visitors, said Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Hilario Davide, Jr.

During the Fourth Committee of the 64th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Davide thanked the UN’s help for their valuable assistance when tropical storm Ondoy (Ketsana) and typhoon Pepeng (Parma) pummeled the country last month.

In his statement on Agenda Item 30: International Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, Davide thanked the UN Platform for Space-Based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER) of the United Nations Office for Outer Space (UNOOSA).

“The recent onslaught and damage wrought by Ondoy and Pepeng in the Asia-Pacific region allowed the Philippines to experience the usefulness and effectiveness of satellite imagery in tracking the movement of these massive typhoons," he said in a statement released by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Tuesday.

According to Davide, the Philippine government has found the satellite imagery of flooded areas in Metro Manila and Northern and Central Luzon useful in the planning for future disaster mitigation and response, particularly in high-risk areas.

“When efficiently combined with modern information distribution methods, such data can be sent rapidly to affected communities and local emergency agencies as early warning before the disaster occurs or as post-disaster maps to assist in recovery operations," he said.



Linked by the UN-SPIDER,the National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service showed meteorologists the satellite image of tropical storm Ondoy as it unleashed a month’s worth of rain in Luzon in just six hours last September 26. NESDIS screen grab

During Ondoy’s height, Davide said the UN-SPIDER immediately made an effort to consolidate satellite date on the tropical storm and its impact, including post-disaster imagery to support the response effort in the Philippines.

“An officer was also put on duty 24-hours a day, seven days a week," he added."It also contacted additional satellite providers; sourced funds for non-free satellite imagery; and compiled, uploaded and shared this satellite information with the Philippines and other users."

Davide said that the Philippines is hoping to join the ranks of Asian countries that have signed cooperation agreements with UNOOSA to allow the establishment of a UN-SPIDER Office in Manila by June 2010.

Established in 2006, the UN-SPIDER is a special knowledge portal created to provide space-based information and services relevant to disaster management to all countries. - GMANews.TV


SOURCE

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Yup!  We definitely need all the hi-tech equiptments that we could get.  Planning for future disasters and immediate distribution of data to all local emergency agencies as early warning before the disaster occurs are key factors to at least minimize damage and of course to save lives. 

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Sony Philippines extends its services to all victims of Ondoy and Pepeng

Hey, guys!  For those of you [in the Philippines] who are Sony products users, you have until Nov. 30, 2009 to avail of the special assistance from Sony Philippines!

Here's the report from
Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation

Sony Philippines supports victims of Ondoy and Pepeng


Sony Philippines stands united with the Filipino nation in its efforts to rise above the tragedy of the Ondoy and Pepeng typhoons as it commits to do what it can to provide relief goods, participate in rehabilitation activities, rent its trucks for delivery to the affected areas, supporting medical missions, among others.

Furthermore, knowing how hard it is to rebuild one’s life once again after calamity, Sony Philippines extends its services to all victims of Ondoy and Pepeng. Sony announces its Service Support Project, which offers Sony product users special assistance on the following:


- Free labor, check-up and cleaning of all Sony products* sold by Sony Philippines, Inc.
- 40% discount on all parts charged (as quoted by the Sony Service Center)


This special assistance is applicable to both walk-in and Home Service customers within Sept. 27, 2009 to Nov. 30, 2009.

While the loss of lives and property from the two storms remain tragic, Sony Philippines draws inspiration from the strength, hope, and faith of the Filipino nation, and the sense of camaraderie and heroism its people have shown, to reaffirm its commitment not just to provide the best products and services, but also to uphold the welfare of its consumers. For more information about this special assistance, visit the website: www.sony.com.ph

SOURCE

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

DepEd hustles to replace 11 million damaged books

Edson C. Tandoc Jr. of Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Education is considering an emergency purchase to address a looming text book shortage in many public schools damaged by tropical storms Ondoy (international codename: Ketsana) and Pepeng (Parma).

Ondoy and Pepeng damaged more than 11 million copies of text books in six regions worth more than P739 million, the department said in a report.

The Instructional Materials Council Secretariat has 467,676 spare but the number is puny in comparison to the number of books that were lost to the floods and need to be replaced, said Socorro Pilor, the secretariat’s director.

In a press conference on Friday afternoon, Education Undersecretary Ramon Bacani said replacement of text books started in Marikina City last week. Deliveries are ongoing in Pasig City and Caloocan City.

Deliveries in other affected areas in the metropolis will be completed by November 6, he added.

Bacani admitted the student-text book ratio would likely deteriorate. But Pilor said some book publishers have already donated some text books while learning
modules were also being distributed in place of text books for the meantime.

The department buys new books every year, but the annual purchase is only for one subject for all levels. The books lost to the typhoons cover different subjects, so waiting for the scheduled purchase next year will not address the shortage.

Schools in Metro Manila lost some 2.68 million text books while schools in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon lost 2.44 million. Some 2.4 million text books were damaged in the Ilocos Region during Typhoon Pepeng.

Ondoy damaged some P547 million worth of school buildings while Pepeng damaged some P549 million worth of classrooms, Bacani also reported.

He added that many school buildings damaged by typhoons which hit the country last year also remained unrepaired. These will cost more than P293 million.

The DepEd has allocated for building repairs at least P115 million, the only amount remaining from its P600 million quick-response fund for this year.

It is also asking private groups to join its adopt-a-school program, Bacani said.

source

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Education was severely affected by typhoon Ondoy.  Not only books and school materials were affected, but of course the amount of time taken from the students...I saw kids who were so excited to go back to school not only to see and play with their classmates, but actually excited to study again!

Typhoon Ondoy made, not only adults, but children very depressed to see their own school materials devastated by typhoon Ondoy [and Pepeng].  But again, let's look and focus at the bright side!  We still see people from different places continuously offering help!  Again, even people who were also victims themselves!  Also, private groups and organizations all over the world who have had helped and continuously giving help, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!