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Month: August 2012

Yes Virginia, their telephones work

Published by Ellen on August 13, 2012

By MARILYN MANA-AY ROBLES, VERA Files

The week past was very revealing. Filipinos again displayed resilience in the midst of tragedy. As the floods came and swept away treasured material possessions people grinned and bore it out. Some were unable to have food for days and shivered in the cold. Even the untimely death of loved ones buried in mud was taken as mere fate. Could something have been done to prevent or reduce the effect of this calamity?

Yes, something could have been done. We have a National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) if you need help. They operate 24/7.

The hotlines of NDRRMC are 911-1406, 912-2665 and 912-5668.

Continue readingYes Virginia, their telephones work

The gift of sunshine after the rains

Published by Ellen on August 13, 2012

Marikina residents doing their laundry. Photo by Luis Liwanag of VERA Files
What a joy to have two days of sunshine after several days of heavy rains.

Floodwaters are receding and relief goods can now be delivered to areas once inaccessible.

Please click here (VERA Files) for Luis Liwanag’s article and video “For Marikina residents, life goes on”

My friend, Marilyn Robles, was able to heave a sigh of relief when informed yesterday that upon the request of the director of Region 3 National Disaster Response Coordination Center, an Army truck from Camp Olivas in Pampanga had delivered food and water to her bedridden brother, retired Police General Ed Manaay, who was trapped during the height of the flood (water was neckdeep )in his home at Olivas subdivision, just behind the Philippine National Police Region 3 headquarters.

Click here (VERA Files) also for Vinvent Go’s “Malabon’s forgotten evacuees.”

After the depressing rains, just to be able to dry out our laundry under the sun is a blessing much appreciated.

Continue readingThe gift of sunshine after the rains

Senatorial aspirants can’t resist opportunity in other people’s misery

Published by Ellen on August 10, 2012
Valuable political exposure 1

This picture of President Aquino’s visit to Barangay Tunasan in Muntinlupa accompanied by Liberal Party 2013 senatorial aspirants is generating controversy in social media. Among those with Aquino were Transportation and Communications Secretary Mar Roxas, Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon, former sectoral Rep.Riza Hontiveros, TESDA Administrator Joel Villanueva, and Aurora Rep.Sonny Angara.

Some comments:

Mae Paner: Siguro mas okay na di kayo ma expose na ganito kasi we cannot afford you guys, esp our president PNoy sick. Ang perception pag w Kris, wannabee senatoriables, Mar, tapos open truck, parang nangangampanya! So i guess you are hitting two birds w one stone? Tulong sa kalamidad sabay kampanya na rin? Di ba kung hiwa-huwalay na lakad mas maraming area na matutulungan at mako-cover?

Continue readingSenatorial aspirants can’t resist opportunity in other people’s misery

Trapped

Published by Ellen on August 9, 2012
Where the hostilities erupted

It’s not only in Metro Manila that people are trapped.

While flood and landslide due to the monsoon rains the past days have confined people to certain places and access to them difficult in Metro Manila and some parts of Luzon, it’s a more worrisome situation in Muslim Mindanao.

Reports from Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur said people are caught in the middle in the latest clash between government troops and the breakaway Moro rebel group headed by Ameril Umbra Kato.

Here’s yesterday’s report by Mindanews’ Froilan Gallardo:

Continue readingTrapped

Published by Ellen on August 8, 2012

VERA Files’ Vincent Go went around Metro Manila and these are the images he captured: Click here (VERA Files) to watch slideshow.

What to do before, during, and after the flood

Published by Ellen on August 7, 2012

VERA Files’ Luis Liwanag made the rounds of Quezon City. Here’s what he saw:

We pray that the number of casualties caused by the current flooding would not increase even as we cope with continuous rains.

I’d like to share notes from the “Disaster Preparedness and First Aid Handbook” produced by the Senate Committee on Climate Change chaired by Sen. Loren Legarda.

When warned of flood, here are the things you should do:

Continue readingWhat to do before, during, and after the flood

Keep safe, monitor situation, and Pray

Published by Ellen on August 6, 2012

VERA Files’ Mario Ignacio went to Marikina. Please click here (VERA FILES) for his report.

Bulelak gym in Barangay Malanday, Marikina City

From ABS-CBNnews.com:

No classes, gov’t work in Metro Manila, other areas

Malacañang has ordered the suspension of college classes and work in government offices in Metro Manila and other areas Tuesday because of heavy rains and floods.

Continue readingKeep safe, monitor situation, and Pray

A former fratman gives a glimpse of “The Brotherhood”

Published by Ellen on August 2, 2012

Marc Andrei Marcos
The death of San Beda Law student Marc Andrei Marcos due to hazing once again causes pain and frustration to many who can’t understand why fraternities have to be brutal and violent in the screening of their members.

Raymund Narag, a member of Scintilla Juris fraternity when he was studying at the University of the Philippines, was imprisoned for almost seven years in connection with the death of another fratman, Dennis Venturina of Sigma Rho, during a rumble at the U.P in 1994.

He has written several articles posted in his blog (www.raymundnarag.wordpress.com) which he shares to the public for a better understanding of what he calls “the brotherhood”.

Hopefully, these senseless deaths would stop.

The introduction of one of Narag’s articles, titled “My Honor,” gives a glimpse of how his life had been turned upside down by the tragedy:

Continue readingA former fratman gives a glimpse of “The Brotherhood”