#PRAYFORTHEPHILIPPINES (by Kryz Uy)
Today has been and continues to be a traumatic day for the Philippines as water continues to pour down on most of Luzon, causing extreme floods, landslides and casualties. Still fresh from the wounds of Ondoy, yet we are in a state of calamity once again. I can not express how fortunate and thankful I feel to be safe in my home where the weather is calm and forgiving, but it’s making me wish I was up there lending a helping hand. I’ve been through a fair share of scary flood trouble back in 2009, and it’s made me panic at the sight of rain ever since. I can only imagine the fear in everyone’s hearts right now. I’ve been glued to my twitter feed the whole day and it has been overflowing with news of help, trouble, distress, but most significantly inspiration and hope.
I will forever be in awe of all of the impassioned people striving to help others while they themselves are in the midst of adversity. The Filipino is truly something else. There are so many inspiring people who’ve struck me positively today. One of them is Divine Lee. She’s a local celebrity who I regarded as just another funny, well-dressed and well-off personality up until today. From the minute I woke up in the morning up to right about now, she has been making her own relief efforts NON STOP. While people were still in shock and panic, she brilliantly stood up and made a difference, gathering her friends and making a mini-call center, asking her thousands of followers if they needed any assistance, and calling every single person who asked to be helped. She gathered relief goods, trucks, volunteers and was even suspended a couple of times on twitter for replying to everyone’s concerns. Her dedication and eagerness to help is just beyond amazing. It is because of people like her that people in need find hope, and people in fear find strength and mobility. Hopefully we can find it in ourselves to help in any way we can, be it through offering clothes, food, medication or volunteering on the front lines.
Today we find ourselves in desperation and fear, but tomorrow we will stand strong and united, just like we did the last time.
Here are some of the ways to get info and help:
If you know anyone in need of immediate rescuing/evacuation assistance, tweet #RescuePH
If you know anyone in need of aid (clothes, medicine, milk etc.), tweet #ReliefPH
Project Noah: noah.dost.gov.ph
Twitter Accounts to Monitor:
@govph- Official PH Government portal
@nababaha – Project Noah
@mmda & @MMDATweets – Metro Manila Development Authority
@philredcross – Philippine Red Cross
@dost_pagasa – PAGASA
@DOTCPhilippines – for public transportation concerns
@meralco – for power/electricity concerns
@DSWDserve – for evacuation centers
@Rescue5PH – rescue team by TV5
@MarikinaPIO – efforts for Marikina City
@PTVph – PTV 4
@NDRRMC_Opcen – National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
Crowd-sourced documents for Rescue Ops:
Google Docs of Rescue Operations
Donations:
Donate directly to Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org.ph/donate
via paypal: fundgeneration@redcross.org.ph
Smart subscribers may send donations to Red Cross via SMS. Text RED to 4143.
Globe subscribers may just text RED<space>AMOUNT to 2899 (Globe).
For Globe Gcash users, text DONATE < amount > MPIN SLB to 2882 (e.g. DONATE 100 1234 slb)
You can donate the ff. denominations:
Globe: 5, 25, 100, 300, 500 or 1000
Smart: 10, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500 or 1000
Take note of these EMERGENCY HOTLINES
Here is a list of EVACTUATION CENTERS AND RELIEF OPERATIONS in Metro Manila where you can drop by and help
Keep in mind that after wading in flood waters, you need to take 2 100mg DOXYCYCLINE capsules as soon as possible. Take them for 3-5 days if you have any open wounds that were exposed to the water and consult a doctor if you get other symptoms.
If you have any more suggestions, please leave a comment below and spread the word. Let’s all try to help in any way we can.
*images from BBC News, The Globe and Mail, Yahoo News
*info from Yugatech, twitter, GMA News and others
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^August 7, 2012 was when I saw these words at Kryzuy.com, and it was so heart breaking to see these pictures >< (Our TV is not functioning here in the apartment so I can only imagine how striking the rains have been.) In UPLB, four days of classes have been cancelled. And universities don’t usually give up classes unless it’s really dangerous. Thank God that even if Laguna was declared as one of the places that are in a state of calamity, the flood didn’t even reach our knees. But sadly, not every place has survived like that.
The victims need our help ASAP, in anyway we can. Aside from the numbers above, check out these posts: http://itscamilleco.com/2012/08/rescue-ph/,
http://itspatriciaprieto.com/2012/08/07/please-prayforthephilippines/
^The thing that captured me the most with ate Patricia’s post is when she also empathized not only with humans but animals, too.
“My heart goes out to the pets that have been displaced and lost their families/masters. They can’t scream for help and they aren’t the priority in situations like this but please if you see animals or pets in need of rescue please contact PETA at 817-5292 as well as PAWS.” -Patricia Prieto
http://markgosingtian.tumblr.com/post/28913840220/pray-for-the-philippines-repost-from-2009
STAY SAFE, EVERYONE. MOST OF ALL, NEVER STOP PRAYING. THAT’S THE HELP THAT SURELY HAS EFFECT EVEN IF IT’S NOT TANGIBLE AND LITERALLY VISIBLE. Also, another suggestion dearies, never remove this song from your mind as you seek for peace and comfort: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6Fw8DgvTQA
PS. To LB residents, you can send your donations at Vega Center. :’\
(Source: kryzuy.com)
But this is special to me and isn’t just another copy :)) There’s something that sets this one apart from the rest..
(^a peek! :)
Here’s the first page of this cute handbook. What makes this copy special to me? It’s that it came from one of my friends! (and super classmate this semester) Tabitha :D
And awww, on the first page is also where her short yet sweet and sincere dedication can be found! :D (plus points because it’s written in PINK! :) I really appreciated these words. I love you too, Tij! 
Above is a pixie showing a peek of what’s inside :) 
Here are just four of its colorful pages. OMG, two of my favorite blogs, itscamilleco.com—my ultimate fave Miss Co!—and kryzuy.com! Love love love :) I plan to blog more of these pages next time after I read it. Also featured here are Laureen Uy, Vern Enciso, Patricia Prieto, Bestie Kinosis, and oh my gosh, more! There are loads of style tips whatever your mood is.
Isn’t she naturally pretty!? And she’s even prettier in person, no kidding! (Thanks Kay for taking this picture :)
