ellen tordesillas – Page 84 – Making life worth living.

Guiuan folks still struggle for their basic needs

Published by Ellen on November 17, 2013

Text and photos by Mario Ignacio IV,VERA Files

GUIUAN, Eastern Samar- One week after typhoon Yolanda made its first landfall in this coastal town, residents are still in dire need of basic necessities like food, drinking water, fuel to cook their food and shelter.
They are asking for assistance to repair their houses and to buy equipment and tools for their livelihood. Fishing equipment for fishermen and farming tools for farmers.

Homes, hospitals, and schools have all been destroyed. While some could still be used after major repairs, many have been flattened and need to be rebuilt.

Security in the town also needs to be re-established.

Bagsak si Aquino sa pagsubok sa krisis

Published by Ellen on November 17, 2013

Aquino inspecting relief efforts for victims of typhoon Yolanda.

Ang krisis sa buhay ng tao ay isang pagsubok. Dito makikita ang tatag o kahinaan ng isang tao.

Merong iba na magaling sa pangaraw-araw na gawain, lalo pa sa panahon ng sagana at kaayusan. Ngunit pagdating sa krisis, sa sitwasyun ng kakulangan at pahirapan, wala na.

Mas matindi ang hamon sa mga lider.Tatlong taon na si Pangulong Benigno Aquino III sa Malacañang. Popular siya. Magaling ang kanyang mga tauhan niya sa pagbenta sa kanya. Gusto siya ng mga tao dahil hindi siya corrupt.

Day 7 Yolanda:thank you note and more appeals for help

Published by Ellen on November 14, 2013

The anguish and misery caused by typhoon Yolanda has not at all diminished the wit and sense of humor of Filipinos. d I saw this suggestion, a brilliant solution not only to the breakdown of peace and order in Tacloban, still reeling from the destruction wrought by typhoon Yolanda week ago but also how to recover the people’s money from those who pocketed the Priority Development Assistance Fund or PDAF.

It’s the post by Edwin Molina in Ace Esmeralda’s wall. I’m sharing this without Molina’s permission.

He said: “We now need the so-called masterminds of the looters to run the show in Tacloban for their organizational/motivational skills, foresight, sense of urgency and swift, decisive actions after Yolanda hit the area.

Performing artists express desire to help typhoon victims

Published by Ellen on November 13, 2013

By Pablo A. Tariman,VERA Files

The typhoon that killed hundreds in the Visayan region elicited shock and an outpouring of sympathy from the country’s leading performing artists.

“It is horribly sad,” said pianist Cecile Licad who expressed willingness to participate in any fundraising concert. The pianist once again received standing ovations for her performance of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with Hawaii Symphony and the San Antonio Symphony in Texas.

Another artist who wanted to cheer typhoon victims is violinist Cho Liang Lin who has forthcoming engagements with the National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan and the symphony orchestras of Detroit, San Antonio, and Shanghai. He wrote to Licad saying how deeply he was touched by the plight of typhoon victims. “If there are events that I can help to cheer the victims, please let me know. I am in!” the noted violinist said.

Guiuan: first hit, almost leveled, late aid

Published by Ellen on November 13, 2013

Text and photos by Jose Bayani D. Baylon Immediately upon landing it became obvious to me that while there was a semblance of order, this…

The tenor and the ballerina pitch in for Yolanda victims

Published by Ellen on November 12, 2013

Update: Press briefing of Secretary Rene Almendras and Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa on efforts for Yolanda victims. http://www.gov.ph/2013/11/13/summary-of-the-press-briefing-of-secretaries-almendras-ochoa-and-ndrrmc-on-relief-operations-for-typhoon-yolanda-november-13-2013/ Artists are also doing their share. World…

Looking for the Fuenteses

Published by Ellen on November 12, 2013

I got a letter from Rosauro Fuentes who is currently in Mogadishu, Somalia asking help to locate members of his family in Tolosa, Leyte.

‘Wala akong ibang paraan na makontak ang aming pamilya. Sana po matulongan nyo kami,” he pleaded for help.

He forwarded to me the following letter of his brother, Armando, who is based in Texas, U.S.A, addressed to the Philippine Red Cross.

We will overcome

Published by Ellen on November 10, 2013

Update: Sheila Pino Ylagan informed me in Facebook that Richard Gappi and family are okay.

Does anybody know of the whereabouts of writer/editor Richard Gappi, community assistant officer of the municipality of Angono?

A Facebook post said on Nov. 5, he went to Tacloban for the birthday of his son, Intoy. His family in Angono lost communication with him during the typhoon.

Those who have access to him, please let us know. We pray he is safe.

***
When we saw the devastation in Leyte, we felt awkward about being engrossed about the damage wrought by typhoon Yolanda in our place in Guisijan, Laua-an, Antique.

The sight of the dead all over – on the street and underneath fallen structures – was simply heartbreaking.

Lawyer says Napoles as state witness will benefit country

Published by Ellen on November 7, 2013

Santiago questioning Napoles. Photo by Voltaire Domingo NPPA Image. From Yahoo.

The quote of the day from Thursday’s Senate Blue Ribbon hearing was Sen. Miriam Santiago’s “Ignorance can be treated, but stupid is forever. ”

Santiago was spot on in her observation that Napoles could not be stupid considering the pork barrel operator’s rise from her humble beginnings in Basilan to her being filthy rich today. In a press conference, Santiago said she thinks Napoles’ gall diverting money intended for the poor to private pockets of lawmakers, government officials as well as hers comes from ignorance. She said Napoles is used to cutting deals and she thinks she will be able to get away with plunder, which could put her in prison for 20 to 40 years, by cutting another deal.

One of those who monitored the hearing, Ginny Fabie, a member of the Concerned Citizens Movement, observed that Santiago used military interrogation tactics. Scaring her one moment (“Gusto nilang patayin ka, andiyan sa utak mong ‘yan ang pagkakasira ng, di lamang kayaman, pati buhay nila. Importante malagyan duct tape ang mukha mo” ) and giving her advice to turn state witness another moment after she got the businesswoman to admit that she is not the most guilty (“Gantihan mo na habang buhay ka pa.”)

Who’s maneuvering for Gazmin’s post and why

Published by Ellen on November 5, 2013

Amid rumors that Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin would be replaced next year, President Aquino heaped him praises during ceremonies to honor those who have battled with members of Nur Misuari’s Moro National Liberation Front in Zamboanga last month. He called Gazmin the “timon ng ating mga kawal sa tuwid na daan (the rudder that will steer the soldiers to stay in the right path). “

Aquino said when the Zamboanga siege happened, Gazmin immediately reported to him and did not hesitate to be in the frontline. He asked: “Sinong hindi matutuwa sa tulad niyang walang pinipiling panahon sa paglilingkod? (Who would not be happy with someone like him who knows no time when it comes to service?)

As he reminded soldiers of the supremacy of civilian authority over the military, Aquino recalled again (as he has recalled in past occasions) his traumatic experience during several coup attempts against his mother, Cory Aquino.

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