ONDOY'S AFTERMATH UNFURLS (WE'RE ASKING FOR AID)

Bayanihan (pronounced [bajɐˈnɪhan]) is a Filipino term taken from the word bayan, referring to a nation, town or community. The whole term bayanihan refers to a spirit of communal unity or effort to achieve a particular objective. (Wikipedia)

It's been two days since the epic rain last Saturday, and we're starting to see the extent of ondoy's damage in the philippines. Up to now, some areas are still flooded. There is a seemingly unending list of people that still need rescuing. The number of casualties keep rising. The term nightmare is now overused to describe the ordeal, but rightly so, because no other word is more fitting.

If there is any good this has brought, we're starting to wake up and shake the sleep off our eyes. Bayanihan—a concept most Filipinos thought was already passe—has filled the metro with hope. people have trooped to schools and other centers to volunteer; they'll be assigned to coordinate, pack goods, and ask for more help.

TV stations have started their own phone brigades to extend their help. a while ago, a station announced that they were able to raise an astounding P40M yesterday, and the help keeps coming. Regular folk have also been clearing their closets of clothes, and pantries of goods that they can give away to those who've lost everything.

There is still a lot to be done, and in two days we're expecting another typhoon. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this bayanihan high will last longer than any morphine ever created.

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If you'd like to help, below are organizations that would be able to take your donations:

Philippine National Red Cross                           

for local donors:

text RED(space)amount  (send to 3899 for globe and 4483 for smart; the service accepts the following amounts: 10, 25, 50, and 100)  

for international donors:                                                  

american red cross: call 1800-4357669 (ask how you can donate to the philippine red cross or visit http://www.redcross.org.ph/)

ABS-CBN                                                                               

hotline: 416 3641                                                               

sagip kapamilya: 413 2667 / 416 0387                                          

no.14 examiner street, quezon city (contact: ms. girlie aragon)           

bank: banco de oro, mother ignacia branch                                  

account name: abs-cbn foundation inc.                                        

account number: 5630020111                                                   

routing code for intl cash donations: BNORPHMM ABS-CBN Branch              

abs-cbn foundation us office: call 1-800-527-2820 (toll free)