A Little Deed for Our Fellow

The following slide show are aerial photos aftermath the typhoon Sendong (a.k.a. Washi). Photo credits to :  Richel V. Umel

Just few days before typhoon Washi strike northern part of Mindanao (which includes Iligan city, my hometown and Cagayan de Oro city), I was so excited on my homecoming this December 25, 2011. Along with my friends, we have planned several activities to enjoy the holiday season but then,  our exciting plans were shattered along with the villages that were flushed by the typhoon Sendong.

Now that our beautiful hometown was covered by storm debris and mud, going home is not exciting anymore. We have cancelled whatever plans for fun and replaced it with something that could touch some lives. Together with my kind friends, we initiated to do some kindness works to our fellow in Iligan city. We know it’s a small scale one, but it’s better than doing nothing at all.

Watching those poor situations of the families in the evacuation on the TV squeezes my heart in pain. I wish I could do more for them but we also have limitations. But if we would just have collective effort, I guess the impact would be great. Kindly include them in your prayers. If you are able to help, please do help while we are still able to. Their lives must go on with your aid. Please see the links below on how to help the victims.

Here's how (from the Philippine Red Cross website):

SMS

Text RED<space>AMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4143 (Smart)

G-Cash

Text DONATE<space>AMOUNT<space>4-digit M-PIN<space>REDCROSS to 2882

You can donate the following denominations:

Globe: 5, 25, 100, 300, 500 or 1000

Smart: 10, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500 or 1000

Donate to the following institutions:


Philippine National Red Cross
GMA Kapuso Foundation
ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya - Operation Sendong

CATASTROPHE IS INEVITABLE

Who would have thought that this kind of disaster will ever hit the majestic city of waterfalls, ILIGAN city? In my 24 years of living, I have never heard of ILIGAN city being mentioned in STORM SIGNAL #2. Although during hard rainy days, floods do occur occasionally.


On the same night, few hours before the typhoon strikes my hometown, I have already known that there was a typhoon upcoming, but I didn't bother much because my place was not known to be typhoon-prone area. The next morning, I was awaken by the bad news, that many homes were flushed out by the strong current of flood. Buildings, roads and bridges were wrecked and some paralyzed the normal transportation. The city was covered by mud and other debris. At least 250 people died and hundreds are missing and death toll continues to increase.


Many told me that it was the worst calamity that ever struck the city.


But, there is an important lesson to be learned here. Isn't it that this calamity is just Mother nature's wrath on us people? What have caused the poor drainage system in the area? Who is at fault why our rivers are clogged? Why does the soil from the mountain got eroded? Well, I guess, you know what I mean here so lets start to make an act and do our responsibilities as a citizen in this world.


Let us all pray for the souls of the casualties and their family to recover soon and to all people affected. God will help us. Lets do our part!

Other Links:
CNN News Update:
Al-Jazeera Update
Arabnews Update:

A/N: Disclaimer: Photos used in this blog is not mine, I just copied it from different people on Facebook