Tuesday, September 29, 2009

If you want to help typhoon victims in the Philippines, here's a list of orgs you can contact.

List of People's Disaster Relief Centers for your donations and volunteers:

1. Citizens' Disaster Response Center (CDRC)

CDRC is is need of volunteers for the ongoing relief drive. You can go directly to their office at 72-A Times St., West Triangle Homes, QC., or call 9299820/22 for inquiries.

2. Bagong Alyansang Makabayan

Bayanihan Alay sa Sambayanan (BALSA) of BAYAN is calling for help for the victims of deadly floods. Please send in your relief goods (RTE foods, clothings, medicines, bottled water) & money to #1 Erythrina Bldg. Maaralin cor Matatag Sts. Bgy Central, Quezon City, tel. 4340624 and 09227852356. Other drop-off points and schedules of relief and clean-up operations will be announced soon.

Kodao Productions is also accepting donations for BALSA.

You can deposit thru METROBANK:

Peso Account
Account Number: 007636020520
Account Name: KODAO PRODUCTIONS ORGANIZATION, INC.
Branch and Telephone No.: Examiner – Quezon Avenue (02) 3737340

Dollar Account
Account Number: 636-2-63600299-7
Account Name: KODAO PRODUCTION
Branch and Telephone No.: Examiner – Quezon Avenue (02) 3737340

3. Computer Professionals Union

All proceeds will go directly to CDRC.

Account Type: CHECKING ACCOUNT
Bank Name: BANCO DE ORO
Bank Branch: Anonas-Kamias
Account Number: 003988006344
Account Name: CP-Union.Org Inc
tel no: +63 4134196

For Check donations: Checks should be issued to CP-Union.Org Inc. Please drop the check payments at 4F Victoria Building 1, 1670 Quezon Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City. For willing volunteers, please contact Leon at +63915 869 6474.

CPU interns, volunteers and members are enjoined to support our team's effort to help typhoon ondoy's victims through CDRC's relief drive. Visit http://www.cp-union.com/ondoy-relief Please coordinate with Leon (09158696474 or +63 2 4134196)

4. Kabataan Partylist and TxtPower

Donations can also be sent to Kabataan Partylist Headquarters, 118-B Sct. Rallos QC. For more information please contact 09266677163 or kabataanpartylist@gmail.com.

TXTPower and Kabataan Partylist urges its members, supporters and friends abroad to make donations via Paypal. You may also donate via SmartMoney (5577-5144-1866-7103) or GCash 09266677163 or 0917-9751092. All donations coursed through the hotlines will be sent to the Philippine National Red Cross.

5. Bayan Muna Partylist

Bayan Muna cancelled 10th anniversary celebration due Sept 30. Rechanelled all efforts to relief and rescue operations Metro wide.

Volunteer, donate relief goods and material/financial support for those affected by Typhoon Ondoy. Bayan Muna Partylist relief drive ongoing. Goods & donations are accepted at the Bayan Muna National Headquarters at #45 K-7th St., Brgy. West Kamias, Quezon City or call 921-3473.

6. Migrante International (Philippines Chapter)

Migrante is calling the attention of our fellow kababayans abroad and also their families here in the Philippines who can donate goods and/or financial assistance for the victims of typhoon Ondoy.All donations are accepted at the Migrante International head office at #63 Narra St., Brgy.Claro, Project 3, QC. Or may call at 4210768 and hotline no: 09212709079. Or may email your inquiries at migrantecampaign@gmail.com.

7. Gabriela Women's Partylist

Relief Drive of the Office of Rep.Liza Maza at Brgy. Bagong Silangan will start at (Sept 28) 5pm today. You may continue sending your donations at GWP HQ, 118 Scout Rallos, Bgy.Sacred Heart, Quezon City or call 929-5342.

Bayanihan ng Masa: CALL FOR RELIEF GOODS AND CASH DONATIONS FOR VICTIMS OF TYPHOON ONDOY For cash/check donations please deposit to: Philippine Peso Current Account: c/o Rep. Liza Maza, Land Bank of the Philippines, Batasan Branch, Quezon City Current Account # 3125-0054-61

8. Polytechnic University of the Philippines

PUP SKM Office, 2nd Flr. Charlie del Rosario Student Center

9. University of the Philippines

College of Mass Communications
For inquiries and details, contact, Gina, Dean's office, 928-3188.

College of Social Work and Community Development
Txt 0906-3504141 at 0939-3707556 (via Sinagbayan)

UP Diliman USC Office, Vinzons Hall

10. Kadamay

Urban poor group KADAMAY accepts donations of relief goods at 12-A Kasiyahan St, Bgy Holy Spirit, Commonwealth, QC Tel 4274315

11. Salinlahi / Children's Rehabilitation Center

Relief goods and materials may be dropped off in CRC office, #90 J. Bugallon, Barangay Bagumbuhay, Project 4, Quezon City. You can contact us at (+632) 913-9244 or 439-1053 and look for Malou or Sarah. For financial donations, you can deposit at:

Account name: Children’s Rehabilitation Center
Bank name: Bank of the Philippine Island – Kamias-Anonas Branch
Account number: SA 3323-2050-85

Please notify us of your deposit for your official receipt.

12. KARAPATAN Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights

Please send in whatever contribution that you can. Karapatan is now accepting donations.

You may drop off your donations of relief goods at:
No. 1 Maaralin corner Matatag Sts., Bgy. Central, Quezon City, 1100 Philippines.
You may reach us at telephone numbers: (+63 2) 435-4146 or 434-2837

For cash contributions, please e-mail admin@karapatan.org for details.

13. Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE) in cooperation with COURAGE PARTY LIST

We are asking our member-unions, friends and fellow public servants to donate food (rice, noodles, canned goods etc..), clothing, bottled mineral water, mats/beddings and medicines (for colds, coughs, fever, flu and antibiotics). Please send your support to COURAGE Party list National Headquarters at # 9B, KF Street, Kamuning, Quezon City or you may call their hotline at 4113965.

Cash /check donations are also welcome. You may deposit them at COURAGE BPI account number 3043-5929-62.

We are also calling all able-bodied individuals to volunteer their help in our campaign.
For further details, please call us at telephone numbers 9262235 (COURAGE) or 4113965 (CPL).

14. Samahang Operasyong Sagip - Council for Health and Development

Samahang Operasyon Sagip is a disaster response body convened by Council for Health and Development, Health Alliance for Democracy, Alliance of Health Workers, Community Medicine Development Foundation and Health Students' Action. These are health organizations based in Metro Manila.

Please send your donations to the victims of typhoon Ondoy through the Council for Health and Development which holds office at #35 Examiner Street, West Triangle, Quezon City with tel nos. 929-8109 or email chdmancom@yahoo.com

For your donations, please contact us at the address above or send it through the following bank accounts:

Philippine National Bank Savings Account # 219-8303219

Bank of Philippine Islands US $ account # 314 00 5391 with the swift code BPIPHMM

15. Task Force Obrero

The Task Force Obrero, of which KMU is a member, will be conducting relief operations and medical missions in the next few days. It is also part of the “Bayanihan Alay sa Sambayanan”, a disaster relief efforts of multi-sectoral groups spearheaded by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN). We are urgently in need of medicines, old clothes, mats, blankets, canned goods and other relief goods.

Financial donations can be sent to the Task Force Obrero Philippine Peso Account:

Account Number: 20-029-006840-5
Name of Bank: Banco Filipino
Bank Address: Kamias Branch, Quezon City
Account Holder: Noel Colina and/or Priscilla Ang-Maniquiz

Or thru Western Union or Xoom Payment:

Ms. Priscilla Ang-Maniquiz
Balai Obrero Foundation
63 Narra St., Proj. 3, Quezon City, Philippines
Telephone Number: (632) 421-0986

Material assistance can be sent to:
KMU
63 Narra St., Proj. 3, Quezon City, Philippines
Telephone Number: (632) 421-0986

You may also reach us at kilusangmayouno@gmail.com for questions and pertinent information.


International

1. USA

BAYAN-USA

We are making this appeal for financial support as the current administration is woefully unprepared and unable to help the hundreds of thousands of our compatriots and friends. BALSA will be coordinating efforts to distribute food, medicines, clothing and other basic necessities to help the people through this crisis. Because BALSA is firmly linked with the masses, aid will directly go towards the basic sectors of society – the workers, peasants and the urban poor who make up the majority of the victims (despite media attention that “the poor and rich are equally impacted”).

Donate Online via Paypal

Or, donations can be directly deposited into the following account:

Bank: Chase
Account Name: BAYAN-USA
Account Number: 340-209749-3

Thank you for your support.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Rhonda Ramiro, Secretary General of BAYAN-USA at secgen@bayanussa.org, or Jeff Rice, Finance Officer of BAYAN-USA at finance@bayanusa.org.

Various Drop-off centers

New York

NAFCON (Nat’l Alliance for Filipino Concerns)/SANDIWA Nat’l Alliance of Fil-Am Youth are now receiving relief donations (clothes, blankets, medical supplies, monetary). NY drop-off @ BAYANIHAN Filipino Community Center, 40-21 69th St. Woodside, NY 11377. Call (516)901-1832 or email sandiwa.national@gmail.com if you would like to help.

New Jersey

Drop-Off Points:
1) Sinugba Cafe – 561 Westside Ave. Jersey City, NJ 07304
2) Casa Victoria – 691 Newark Ave. Jersey City, NJ 07306-2803 You can send CASH through Metro Bank acct. 3 189 14540 1 For BAYAN’s “BALSA” (Bayanihan Alay sa Sambayanan)

For donations in New Jersey please contact:
(201)621-3156-Yves Nibungco
(917)476-7855- Nick Cordero

Los Angeles

In Los Angeles area please contact Kuu Hilo (818)395-9207. You can send CASH through Metro Bank acct. 3 189 14540 1 For BAYAN’s “BALSA” (Bayanihan Alay sa Sambayanan)

San Francisco/Bay Area

For donations in San Francisco/Bay Area, please contact Ryan Leano (626)534-4971. Monetary donations can also be dropped off at these sites. Checks can be made out to “Lakasdiwa,” a non-profit organization that will send the funds directly to MIGRANTE International in the Philippines, a workers’ organization directly helping the victims in the disaster relief efforts. Please put “Typhoon Ondoy Relief” on the check’s note.

Filipino Community Center
4681 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94112

Liwanag Kultural Center
Hillside Park Clubhouse
222 Lausanne Ave.
Daly City, CA 94014
Mondays 3:30-6:00
Tuesdays 3:30-6:00
Wednesdays 3:30-8:00
Thursdays 3:30-6:00

Asian Pacific Islander Youth Promoting Advocacy & Leadership
Attn: Armael Malinis, AnakBayan-East Bay
310 8th Street, Suite 215
Oakland, CA 94710

Stanford’s Pilipino American Student Union (PASU) is also collecting donations to be sent to the Philippines to help victims of Typhoon Ondoy (international name Ketsana). If you would like to make a donation, please contact AV David at avhdavid@stanford.edu or (650) 491-4561.

Jacque Bermejo airs her side

After a almost a week of being hated, lambasted and insulted in the online community, Jacque - the real one - finally makes her voice heard via a public letter airing her side of the story.

Please read below:
===========================
Dear All,

Please read below the official statement from Ms. Jacqueline Bermejo, regarding the controversial post which had circulated in various social networking sites which in turn resulted to a hate campaign against her:

"I am issuing this statement to clear my name in the current controversy in which I allegedly posted a highly insensitive and offensive message on the social networking website, Facebook, in relation to the victims of typhoon Ondoy that recently struck parts of the Philippines.

About two years ago, an anonymous source created these accounts using my identity, posting my personal details, my real pictures captioned roughly and attacking other people. Because of these incidents, I reported such abuses and sent my credentials to the administrators of such sites, particularly Facebook. I have been abused and am still being abused online in social networking websites such as Facebook, Friendster, Multiply etc.

In the early stages, I was advised by close friends to ignore the situation, saying this would simply go away. Unfortunately, it has not stopped. Hence, I filed a complaint with the Dubai Police about eight months ago hoping they could help me with my problem. Should anyone wish to check my statement, my case is still under investigation with said authorities.

Time passed and these sites continued to generate malicious, obscene and cruel messages that are widely exposed and relayed to the public under my name.

Yesterday, September 27th 2009, I received phone calls from my close friends regarding very alarming posts in the above mentioned websites that directly offended flood victims as a result of typhoon Ondoy..

These malicious statement(s) which are posted under account names Jacque or Jackie are not of my doing. It is unfortunate that such statements were maliciously attributed to me andI do sympathize and understand the adverse and somehow verbally violent reaction that has been elicited by such insensitive statements or posts. Rest assured, I have taken every legal step that can be done in this regard.

I too, have become a victim as much as those who may have lost their lives and properties to such a devastating natural calamity. This recent controversy has greatly affected my reputation, my family, and my friends. I am devastated and shocked at the extent my character, my personal information and private space have been violated.

I have a deep respect and regard for my country. I am proud to be a Filipino and would never say or do anything to harm the interest of my country or countrymen. I have also had the privilege of participating in civic-oriented activities in Dubai, particularly in trying to help my fellow countrymen seek employment during the height of mass layoffs brought about by the ongoing global financial crisis, as well as those seeking employment for the first time. Making a mockery of any unfortunate incidents befalling any of my fellow Filipinos is simply contrary to my character. I condemn the person or persons behind these malicious acts to impute damage on my integrity and I hope that you can dig deep into your hearts and minds to truly find the truth in all these.

Jacqueline Bermejo"

====================
Please let us stop the mud-slinging and instead focus our energies into helping our country and countrymen in need.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

It's nice to blog after eons of years!

It's mid-year and I have one blog to show for in 2009. Ok shoot me. The year has come and is almost getting towards its curtain call and I have had so many things on my mind, so much in fact that I don't even know where to start and whether I should just forget about it and not send it off to the black hole that is the world wide web. A few french fries and lots of mayo-chup (mayonaise mixed with ketchup to dip oily fries in)later, I found my oily and still potato and oild smelling fingers on my desktop PC, opening my Blogger account and viola, here we are!

So what to share with you, oh 34 inches of glowing, hot, monitor as you stare back each letter that I type?

First is that I celebrated Father's Day realising that I have no more dad, save for my father-in-law of course. My biological father died in 1987 and my adopted father passed on in 2005 and yet it took me another four years to realise that both are no longer with the living. It sent me into a bit of depression last weekend as I remember the man who made me and the man who nurtured me. I may have the genes of Tom (pronounced as Th-hom!) but surely I have many of Nonong's idiosyncracies: his tastes in books, films, even food. I may have been the product of the former but much in me has really been a creation of the latter. I miss having a father.

I may be old (oldER really!) but I would have wanted the wisdom of one who has gone down the road I am travelling with well-earned battle scars gained from the many challenges he has taken on and surpassed in life. Raising kids, moving homes, taking a new job, starting a business, resolving family conflicts, being strong for everyone if only for show. And yet taking each day like a plain, white canvas, ready for whatever design or pattern it will contain; singing along with Frank Sinatra or Tom Jones for the nth time like he is memorising the songs for a show; driving, just driving to discover what lies beyond the comfortable boundaries that we know and delve into the unknown.

I used to resent my fathers. I looked down on one for the life he chose and for abandoning his responsibilities of parenthood on me and my siblings. I resented the other for not being my real father and yet disciplining me (sometimes punishing me - getting grounded, getting a lengthy sermon, etc.) like I was his own child.

If Tom didn't leave, I wouldn't have Nonong for a dad. Would Tom had been a better father than Nonong? Would I have turned up the way I am today if fate had other plans aside from what passed?

I look at my husband and smile as I realise he is turning into his own father. I have fear, for my daughter and my husband's personalities are quite strong contrasts yet they share a fiery temperament that could only spell disaster, if not a 'telenovela-like' dramatic and explosive confrontations loom in the not so distant horizon. But I also have a sense of hope, my silver lining that my husband will be a good and caring father to my daughter no matter what. He will not do a Tom but would be more a Nonong or well, as my father-in-law is closely named, my husband will be a Nonoy (trust Filipinos with their funny names!).

It is not often that I stop and think about my fathers. But when I do, my computer screen suddenly looks hazy and I grab a wad of tissues to clear my snot-filled nose. I do so miss having a father, especially round Father's Day. To Tom and Nonong, wherever you guys are...I love you and will forever miss you in my heart.

Monday, March 09, 2009

Bye Kiko

Affected

I don't know why I find any affinity for Francis Magalona - maybe it's because he's such a great looking guy, or maybe because my eldest brother named my eldest nephew after him, or maybe because he is Negrense like my family, or he is a Skeptron like my husband - but whatever the reason, I really felt a great loss when I learned of his death last Friday. I was hooked on Eat Bulaga listening for tidbits of news about him, watching the tributes to him by the Dabarkads last Saturday, up to StarTalk and the next day at Showbiz Central.

It is truly sad. A big loss. I am still in denial and have spent my weekend and our extra holiday (Prophet's birthday) listening to his songs; introducing him (songs) to my six year old daughter (although Amber knows of him, but not his many songs); keeping him alive in my memory - if only for a while...until the mundane and trivial takes over again.

Goodbye Francis M. Rest in peace.
----

Master Rapper

I consider Kaleidoscope as one of my fave songs. I still sing it in the shower (sheepish grin) and whenever I watch something colourful in the sky...also when I am literally looking into a kaleidoscope.

As for his many rap creations, Ito ang Gusto Ko still rings true for me. Here's the lyrics to the song/rap:

Ito Ang Gusto Ko!
Francis “Kiko” Magalona

(Bring the noise!)

Mabuhay ng maayos at lubos
Magbigay sa kapwa magmahal ng taos
Gusto kong tikman ang sarap ng buhay
Hawakan ang bukas sa aking mga kamay

Makita ang (Alin?)
Makita ang (Alin?)
Makita ang liwanag sa gitna ng dilim
Ayoko sa dilim nagdidilim ang paningin
Ang kalayaan inaasam ay ibigay mo na sa akin

Mabuhay (ng tunay)
Makulay (ang buhay)
Ang luha ay ialay sa mga buhay na hinalay
Ang buhay natin di kayang hamakin
Ipagtanggol ang karapatan natin

Katarungan (ito ang gusto ko)
Kalayaan (ito ang gusto ko)
Kapayapaan (ito ang gusto ko)
Karapatang pantao (ito ang gusto ko)

Kalikasan (ito ang gusto ko)
Kabataan (ito ang gusto ko)
Kaibigan (ito ang gusto ko)
Sa buhay kong ito, ito ang gusto ko

Gusto kong lasapin ang tamis ng panahon
Maniwalang mahihigitan ko pa ang kahapon
Ayokong mawalan ng pag-asa
Gusto ko ng masasayang alala

Sama-sama, Sari-sari
Sabay-sabay
Sabay sumasakay sa gulong ng buhay
Mapaitaas o mapailalim
Ang tao’y natitisod pag tumakbo ng matulin

Relaks ka lang at huwag kumilos ng madalos
Kumilos ng maayos at umiwas ka sa galos
Iisa lamang ang ating katauhan
Bigyang kahulugan ang kasalukuyan

Karangalan (ito ang gusto ko)
Kalusugan (ito ang gusto ko)
Kabutihan (ito ang gusto ko)
Sa buhay kong ito

Kagitingan (ito ang gusto ko)
Kasipagan (ito ang gusto ko)
Kapatiran (ito ang gusto ko)
Sa buhay kong ito, ito ang gusto ko!

Bring the noise!
Yeah-yeah
Wo-oh-wooh

Katarungan (ito ang gusto ko)
Kalayaan (ito ang gusto ko)
Kapayapaan (ito ang gusto ko)
Karapatang pantao (ito ang gusto ko)

Kalikasan (ito ang gusto ko)
Kabataan (ito ang gusto ko)
Kaibigan (ito ang gusto ko)
Sa buhay kong ito, ito ang gusto ko

Karangalan (ito ang gusto ko)
Kalusugan (ito ang gusto ko)
Kabutihan (ito ang gusto ko)
Sa buhay kong ito, ito ang gusto ko

Kagitingan (ito ang gusto ko)
Kasipagan (ito ang gusto ko)
Kapatiran (ito ang gusto ko)
Sa buhay kong ito, ito ang gusto ko

You can also listen to the song via imeem on this link.