How To help Typhoon Sendong (Washi) victims

Another freaky Ondoy-like weather disturbance hit Mindanao last weekend.  Typhoon Sendong  (international codename Washi) dumped a total of 181 millimeters of rainfall in just 24 hours causing flash floods. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) executive director Benito Ramos, there are over 500 casualties (and still counting). The hardest hit are Iligan City (214) in Lanao del Norte and Cagayan de Oro (252) in Misamis Oriental.

I heard on DZMM this morning that water - especially clean drinking water - is needed and right now water is being rationed.  Below is a compilation by jsantos of organizations mobilizing efforts to assist in disaster relief operations to help typhoon victims.

ABS-CBS SAGIP KAPAMILYA

Hotlines
+632.411.4995
+632.394.9272 
+63917.887.4411 

Donations in-kind are being accepted at the locations listed below.

Metro Manila:

Sagip Kapamilya
ABS-CBN Foundation Inc, Mother Ignacia cor. Eugenio Lopez St., Quezon City

Cagayan de Oro
ABS-CBN, Barangay Bulua, Cagayan De Oro City

Davao
ABS-CBN, Shrine Hills, Matina, Davao City

Cash Donations can be received through the accounts listed below.

1. BDO Peso Account
Account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.-Sagip Kapamilya
Account Number: 39301-14199
Swift Code: BNORPHMM

2. BDO Dollar Account
Account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.-Sagip Kapamilya
Account Number: 39300-81622
Swift Code: BNORPHMM

3. PNB Peso Account
Account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.-Sagip Kapamilya
Account Number: 419-539-5000-13
Swift Code: PNBMPHMM

4. BPI Peso Account
Account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.-Sagip Kapamilya
Account Number: 3051-1127-75
Branch: West Triangle, Quezon City
Swift Code: BOPIPHMM

5. BPI Dollar Account
Account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.-Sagip Kapamilya
Account Number: 3054-0270-35
Branch: West Triangle, Quezon City
Swift Code: BOPIPHMM

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PHILIPPINE RED CROSS
http://www.redcross.org.ph/donatenow

If you would like to donate via your mobile phone you send via the following methods.

Red Cross (via Globe)
Text RED < amount > to 2899. You may transfer P5, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500

Red Cross (via Smart)
Text RED < amount > to 4143. Valid donation amounts 10, 25, 50, 100

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LA SALLE GREENHILS
Alumni Office — 721-2729, 722-7750, 725-4720
GS Principal — 721-2482
HS Principal — 721-8914
Buildings and Grounds Office — 721-8904 (Telefax)
La Sallian Mission Office — 726-5851 (Telefax)

La Salle will begin accepting donations starting on Monday, 19 December 2011.
Donations in cash and kind can be received at Gate 2 of La Salle Green Hills at 343 Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City 1550.

Please call any of the numbers above for inquiries.

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XAVIER UNIVERSITY CAGAYAN DE ORO

Fr. Eric Garcia Velandria S.J.
Coordinator of Sendong Operation,
KKP Office, Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan, Corrales Ave., 9000 Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines.
Click here for website

The Xavier University Relief Center is conducting a relief operation for families affected by Bagyong Sendong.They are asking for donations in cash, food, bottled water, clean clothes.

Donations are being accepted at the Helpdesk set up at the University’s front gate or at the Relief Center at the Satellite Canteen near the College of Agriculture building (beside the gymnasium). Personnel and student volunteers are being deployed to buy, pack and deliver relief goods all over the City, under the direction of the University Chaplain.

You can drop them off at the Xavier University KKP-SIO.
Volunteers also needed @DSWD (Masterson Rd, Upper Carmen).
Call 09066150095 or 858-8892.

Cash donations can be deposited at this account:

• Account Name: Xavier University
• Account Number: 9331-0133-63
• BPI MAIN BRANCH

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ILIGAN BLOGGERS SOCIETY

Iligan Bloggers Society, Inc. is accepting donations in kind: canned goods, noodles, bath and laundry soaps, toothpaste, rice, used clothings, slippers.

Drop Off Points:
Iligan-based Donors: St. Michaels’ Cathedral, DXIC Radio Station, City Hall, Rizal Park, and Calda Pizza Iligan City Branch

Non-Iligan Based Donors: Ship your donations via LBC for FREE (details below) and send it to the address:

ONE FOR ILIGAN (Iligan Bloggers Society, Inc.)
c/o CALDA Pizza, The Strip, Quezon Ave, Pala-o,Iligan City, 9200

Donation Paypal ID: singcol.inquisitor@gmail.com
UNION BANK Account: Revilla N. Carbonell-Noel – 109451077611

Volunteers Needed Look for Erika Cruz (09052802002)
See at Rizal Park at 8AM everyday, until the need subsides..
You can contact the following point persons for your donations and other inquiries.
http//:iliganbloggers.com, http://www.facebook.com/iliganbloggers
Email: iliganbloggers@gmail.com

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LBC

LBC will accept and deliver for FREE relief goods. Donations may dropped off at any LBC branch nationwide.
Contact #: +632.858.5999 or +632.858.5999
www.lbcexpress.com

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GLOBE G-CASH
Text DONATE(space)AMOUNT(space)MPIN(space)SLB and send to 2882

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PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER

Relief Goods: Canned goods, noodles, rice, water, medicine, hygiene kits, clothes and blankets.
Drop-off address: PDI Office, 1098 Chino Roces Ave. at Mascardo and Yague Streets, Makati City.

Cash donations: Inquirer Help Fund’s
Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), C/A# 4951-0067-56 for account Philippine Daily Inquirer Inc.

Contact: Bianca Kasilag, Connie Kalagayan at +632.897.8808 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting +632.897.8808 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

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PHILIPPINE AIRLINES

PAL is offering to fly free-of-charge disaster relief donations from reputable NGOs, companies, religious groups.

Donations must be addressed to designated recipients in Cagayan de Oro and Dipolog. Recipients of donations should send their representatives to the Cagayan de Oro and Dipolog airports to receive their goods. Goods will be carried as cargo on any of the 5 daily flights to Cagayan de Oro, and weekly flights to Dipolog.Priority items will be medicines and foodstuffs (lightweight, non-bulky essential items).

PAL will require the following information regarding your disaster relief donations:

1. full details of the sending and the receiving organizations;
2. the description of the relief goods;
3. the quantity and weight of the boxes;

PAL will not accept rice, water or other items that might be “more economically procured” in-and-around Cagayan de Oro.
Neither will the airline accept non-essential goods such as toys and books.

PAL Contact Person: menchu_sarmiento@pal.com.ph

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ROCK ED PHILIPPINES
Contact: Gang Badoy @gangbadoy (Twitter)
Through Rock Ed (Iligan) has set up a temporary soup kitchen for the homeless.
To donate funds to keep a flow of hot meals going, you can do so through the account listed below.

Rock Ed Philippines, BPI Loyola Heights, A/C# 3080.0073.44

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DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE & DEVELOPMENT

DSWD Cagayan de Oro
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS to repack relief goods.
Fr. Masterson Avenue, Upper Carmen
Cagayan de Oro City
+63906.615.0095 or  +63906.615.0095

Click here to go to site.

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HELP NORTHERN MINDANAO

http://www.rmp-nmr.org
Tel #: +632.223.5179

The Rural Missionaries of Mindanao is accepting donations in kind in the cities below.

Cagayan de Oro City and Misamis Oriental
Panday Bulig Relief and Rehabilitaion Center
Tabang Mindanao Center
12th-22nd streets, Nazareth, 9000 Cagayan de Oro City
T/F: +63 (88) 856 6413
E: pandaybulig@gmail.com
(look for Ms. Beryl Tranco)

Iligan City
Rural Missionaries of the Philippines
Northern Mindanao Sub-Region
Room 01, Kalinaw Lanao Center, 0016 Bougainvilla Puti, Villaverde, 9200 Iligan City
T/F: +63 223 5179
E: rmpnmr@gmail.com
W: www.rmp-nmr.org
(look for Ms. Ida Melody Bucog)

Bukidnon
Bukidnon Peoples’ Center
1st Floor, Montero Residence, Purok 4, Pantaron St., Poblacion, Valencia City
Mobile #: 0926-592-1806
Contact: Zaldy Galamiton)

Metro Manila
c/o StartArt Project
10A Alabama st New Manila Quezon City
Mobile: +63926 7112450 or +63926 7112450
Contact:info@startartprject.orgornikkiluna@startartproject.org

The Rural Missionaries of Mindanao is accepting cash donations through the account listed below.

Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)
Quezon Avenue branch, 9200 Iligan City, Philippines
A/C # 009359-1348-08
Swift Code: BOPIPHMM
For Account Name: RMP-NMR Inc.
Room 01, Kalinaw Lanao Center for Interfaith Resources
0016 Bougainvilla Puti, Villaverde
Iligan City 9200, Philippines

Philippine Holidays 2012

PNoy has already declared via Proclamation No. 295 the regular holidays and special non-working days for the year 2012 which includes Chinese New Year!!  Mind you, there are four holidays that fall on a Tuesday!  Anyway, we have five 3-day weekends and two 4-day weekends.

Here's the regular and special holiday for the year 2012:

January 1 (Sun) - New Year's Day
January 23 (Mon) - Chinese New Year

February 25 (Sat) - EDSA Revolution Anniversary (only for schools)

April 5 (Thu) - Maundy Thursday
April 6 (Fri) - Good Friday
April 9 (Mon) - Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valour)

May 1 (Tue) - Labor Day

June 12 (Tue) - Independence Day

August 21 (Tue) - Ninoy Aquino Day
August 27 (Mon) - National Heroes Day

November 1 (Thu) - All Saints Day
November 2 (Fri) - Additional special non-working day
November 30 (Fri) - Bonifacio Day

December 25 (Tue) - Christmas Day
December 30 (Sun) - Rizal Day
December 31 (Mon) - Last day of the Year

Trek in Sta Lucia Banahaw

The left photo was taken at  Santo Kalbaryo on top of Sta. Lucia in the mystical mountain of Banahaw, referred to as the new Jerusalem or the Holy Mountain of the Philippines.

I've been to Banahaw several times before but I seriously don't remember climbing up to Kalbaryo, one of the puestos of the sacred mountain  A puesto is a natural feature that is considered holy - such as a rock, cave, waterfall and even the summit. The puestos are visited in sequence and at each stop, a candle is lit.

The trek around the holy sites in Sta. Lucia took us 3 hours and 35 minutes (or 1190 calories burned). The starting point was at Boy Fajado's place who incidentally converted his home to a Bed & Breakfast called "Nature Villa".

From the B&B, we decided to do the long way - which is following a small trail to San Bernardo. The property is now  fenced (well, it wasn't during my last visit). According to our guide Gilbert, the property was recently purchased and will be converted into a botanical garden. We went down the newly built stairs and at the bottom, lit our first candle.

at Sta. Lucia falls

We followed the river, wading through knee deep water and cautiously working our way through slippery rocks and boulders. At the end of the river is Sta. Lucia falls where we went under two falls - the stronger, powerful diyos ng ama and  feminine diyos ng ina.

We then climbed the 269 steps up and headed to the next puesto  called the Kweba ni Santong Jacob, a wishing well where we had to enter through a narrow crevice and shimmy through sharp rocks to go deep down. The cave is lit by only candles. There is an underground river where we climbed down a steel ladder to dip three times in the cold, sulfuric water.

Crosses on Kalbaryo

At this point, we were soaking wet from the falls and well. We climbed up to the next puesto, a cave called inang awa.

From there,  it was an uphill climb through a  rocky path to Kalbaryo (Cavalry). The site simulated Christ's crucifixion with three crosses. Next to it though is a  mound with "Jove Rex-Al".

The next time I visit, I'll make sure to go to Durungawan and do Husgado again or try to climb the mountain again.

Delectable Taipei

the tourists

During the All Soul's Day holiday in Manila, the three of us decided to head out to Taiwan.

Its not easy to travel with a lawyer and a banker since both are very, very busy. If I didn't ask what the plans were, we wouldn't have any place to stay and probably spend time looking for a travel agent. Thank God for the web! I was able to research and short list possible sites combining what these two busy bees want - basically, spend more time outdoors.

For the tours, it was a toss up between the customized itinerary offered by a local guide from Tours by Locals.com or book the  package tours offered at Viator. The latter, by the way, is the best-value site for booking trips but a warning though - it's a hit and miss with the tour guide. Our guide for the city tour may be a bit burned out because he barked "I'm here everyday, why don't you walk down to see the shrine and I will wait for you here."

125th birth anniversary of
Chiang Kai Shek on October 31

Anyway, I ended up booking with Viator. We had two half-day tours on the first day - a city and a night tour- and two out-of-town. Another warning: all the tours include a stop in a handicraft or food shop or both.

For first timers like moi, its good to get your bearings by joining a half-day city tour. The tour started at Zhangshou district's Presidential Building, then stop at a traditional Taiwanese temple, the massive Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall to see the changing of the guards (note: the guards do not blink for an hour, I kid you not),  a handicraft center, the Ming Dynasty architecture at the Martyr's Shrine and the last stop  was at the National Palace. We should have skipped the handicrafts center and spent more time in the museum. If I heard the guide correctly, in the 1930s, Chang Kai Shek transferred 3,000 crates out of China or over 600,000 pieces of anicent Chinese artifacts and artworks belonging to the Imperial family.

The night tour started with a Mongolian barbecue dinner (yes, i know - why on earth eat Mongolian in Taipei?). After dinner, we drove to the western side of Taipe to visit the Lung Shan budhist temple. It was packed with locals praying and burning incense sticks.

Snake Alley 

I guess the Taiwanese love to eat because there are 14 night markets in Taipei!!!  From the temple, we walked next door to Hwashi famous for its snake alley. Meaning, snakes - the meat and the blood, including other whatnots are sold in this special market. None of us were adventurous enough to try ordering snake or turtles and even alligators but we ate everything else outside snake alley.

To cap the tour, we headed to Taipei 101, the second tallest building in Asia.

At Yehliu Geopark 

The next day we booked a half-day North Coast tour which took us to Keelung City and the famous Yehliu Geopark to see the rock formations. Another warning: do not go on Sundays, lots of  tourists and also locals.

Taipei averages about a hundred earthquakes per year. Well, we didn't feel the 6.5 magnitude earthquake that hit Keelung at 11:38 that day. I guess we were on the road. Our guide said that Taiwan is located at the intersection of the Eurasian and Philippine Sea plates and thus, seismicity is extremely active.

Must visit Shin YehJ apanese buffet

Back in Taipei, we decided to venture on our own. First stop was the highly recommended Japanese buffet  in Shin Yeh which was only two blocks from our hotel. The restaurant is listed as one of the five places to eat in the Miele Guide 2009/2010. The fare is unlimited!! There are separate food stations - from the makis and shushis, the noodle station, cold appetizers with gigantic oysters and shrimps, the tepanyaki grill, the prime rib and roast pork, pizza (yes, pizza!), hot dishes and dessert. I especially liked the drink station which served fresh juices (kiwi and guava were my staple), beer, calpis (uncarbonated soft drink, tastes like Pocari Sweat), coffee and even home-made ice cream. Another warning: favorite of locals too, go early.

local fare at Shinlin night market

After lunch, we decided to check out Beitou which is 20-min via MRT and dip in its natural hot spring. Some of the main bath houses are still in the Japanese style with tatami mats. A short historic note: Taiwan was ceded to the Empire of Japan by the Qin Empire after the first Sino-Japanese war in 1895. Anyway, the best hot spring is located in Wailu where the waters are odorless and colorless. In Beitou, there are two kinds - the clouded almost white with strong sulfur odor and the green color.

After Beitou, we stopped at Shinlin night market, the biggest in Taipei. Must try are: oyster omelette, grilled scallop, the sausages, the gigantic chicken, fried pao.

Taroko Gorge 

The next day we were up early for the Taroko Gorge Tour in Hualein touted as Asia's 7th wonder. It's a 25min flight from Taipei. Its a must-see! If I were to do this again, I'd stay 2-3 days and do the trails like the .Old Jhilu Road in the Swallow Cave area.

We were able to do Shakadang Trail, the Gorge, Eternal Spring Shrine, Swallow Caves,  the Tunnel of the Nine Turns (left photo), Tienshiang Lodge and the Chi Hsing beach at the back of the airport.

The last fourth day was some shopping and  to taste the celebrated xialong bao (steamed pork dumplings) of Din Tai Fung. Three people recommended this - Dedet, Cyrenee and Rae, not to mention the german couple with us. So we trooped to the original branch at 194 Xinyi Road, A bit pricey but I enjoyed the crab roe and truffle and the double boiled chicken soup.

I might go back next year and do the Taroko Gorge Marathon and stay longer for the trails!