It's a very humid afternoon. I just came from Caritas Manila having brought a few goods--toothpaste, toothbrush, and bath soap for the victims of Thyphoon Ondoy. Today is my first time to venture out of the house after the big flood. During the past few days, I was glued to radio Veritas 846 AM band, listening to updates. It's been a little depressing since thousands of families have become homeless, and some people even died. I heard one text message about someone's friend who drowned in the flood... It is providential that my place didn't get denuded while the nearby streets have sunk in the waters. The worst case that happened in the apartment was the drainage clogging in the third floor. With the heavy downpour, it created a pool of water which sought realease and found it inside the house, but eventually ceased when I removed the cause--leaves and soil from my garden in the third floor. I, on the other hand, got drenched from head to foot in my attempt to stop the flooding of my apartment.
While in the jeepney, I couldn't help from thinking about the possible worst case scenario when the next thyphoon hits Manila. It's supposed to arrive sometime this afternoon. Peping can be very frightening especially because the streets are littered with garbage everywhere! I refrained from throwing my rubbish early this morning because I thought I might contribute to the remnants of floating debris from Ondoy's onslaught. And I wasn't mistaken.
I left the apartment with a plastic bag of moderate size filled with slippers, some mugs, glasses and medicines. A bigger bag with clothes, towels,and a blanket was too heavy for me by myself, so I left it at home. The one I could carry, I left at St. Anthony's Parish in San Andres, Bukid. The kind parish worker asked me to leave my parcel at the corner near the door and I noticed that it looked rather lonely. There were no other bags to give away. Noticing my expression, she hastily explained that the other goods have been taken to the evacuees yesterday. I hope other people living near the church will eventually bring more of their extras soon, otherwise, I fear that my bag will be very lonely indeed.
Caritas, on the otherhand, was a buzz with people coming and going. Young people were busy repacking noodles and coffee while exchanging funny banter. I suppose, to lighten the mood. The Caritas personnel I spoke with earlier told me that they didn't need more volunteers today as seminarians are on their way. Having heard that, I decided to leave for lunch. There were no medicines being packed or soaps, so after lunch, I purchased some from the nearby Mercury Drug, then texted a friend for help. He was fast asleep and replied only after I have already delivered the goods, but he's returning with me to Caritas in the next few days to bring more relief goods. He is particularly interested in actually going to the evacuation sites to meet the victims.
It's heart-warming to know that pinoys are ever ready to help the needy in times like this. Veritas now and then reports the amount collected and spent for the flood victims and in a matter of 2-3 days, money donated reached 3 million pesos. It will take some time before the families who lost their homes will be able to rebuild their lives. But no matter how long it takes, there will always be a helping hand, ready to assist them. Kudos to Caritas, volunteers and donors who remain nameless, yet within reach.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Healing with Fr. Suarez
For the past 2 months, I've been regularly listening to the CD of a homily by Fr. Fernando Suarez. In it , he tells about the start of his healing ability and his studying to become a priest in Canada. He also shared stories of people who got healed during the mass and even weeks after the healing masses were celebrated in different places. I first heard about Fr. Suarez on Radio Veritas AM band (846) last year and I've been faithfully listening to his radio program whenever I was home or I would also listen via the internet. Others wishing to be blessed by his program can log on to www.veritas846.ph every sunday 6 pm until 8pm Philippine time.
My Dad who's recovering from stroke also used to listen to him on the air when they were still in RP. I hope they still get to appreciate the program and continue to bask in its blessings while overseas.
This program never fails to take my yoke whenever I listen to it. It's a constant companion that provides my much needed guidance in daily living. Another website which can be visited is www.marymotherofthepoor.org
My Dad who's recovering from stroke also used to listen to him on the air when they were still in RP. I hope they still get to appreciate the program and continue to bask in its blessings while overseas.
This program never fails to take my yoke whenever I listen to it. It's a constant companion that provides my much needed guidance in daily living. Another website which can be visited is www.marymotherofthepoor.org
Updates for the past 2 months
Unexpected Relations
I unexpectedly met 2 other relations a few days ago when I went to collect some documents from the place where I used to work. While in the city, I learned that an Uncle is in the hospital,so I went to visit, and discovered a very warm person. I first met him at Lola's interment in Kabankalan a few years ago. I'll call him Tito X. He's 71 years old and is in town because he has colon problem which needs surgery very soon. A very cordial gentleman, he entertained me with stories of his days with Dad when they were younger in Visayas. He was accompanied by Tita Y, his youngest sister who returned to LA last Sunday since school will start soon and she has young children. Another one of their siblings, Tita Z, is afflicted with throat disease and went to PGH for ultrasound last weekend. I haven't met her yet, but maybe I will soon. Getting older is inevitable, but I wish we didn't have to get sick. I think its fortunate that these relations of ours have a sibling who's a medical doctor and has a hospital. A lot of people out there can barely scrape enough to get through the basic needs for the day...
Net in Laguna
Net is one of my best friends. She was one of my classmates in Nursing School and from there, we formed a click. She is now one of the best real estate managers in the country and because of that, the company gave her a new vios and assigned her to work in Laguna together with 5 of her best agents. We were in Makati yesterday, looking for gifts for Zola's baby shower on saturday, with me buying my presents for the precious Baby Girl. Net will start working in Laguna in October. I guess we sort of traded places because I used to work in Laguna and am now back to Manila.
Friends from decades of old
Last August, I went climbing Mt Makiling with 2 old friends from primary school. Among the 3 of us, I was the only rookie. It was a pretty rough climb, especially because the first climb I did was about 5 years ago when I was with other nursing students who decided to go trekking where we could enjoy the falls. The Makiling experience was phenomenal! I got to meet a pal after almost 3 decades and stayed in her place and shared life experiences with. Umm, we're not old. It only seems so in numbers but our hearts and minds will always remain arduous, creative and curious. :P
Cyrano, Anyone?
Have you ever met a Cyrano? Well, in the flesh? I haven't, but fiction has a way of making them exist and a few days ago, I had the pleasure of encountering him when I read Cyrano de Bergerac--a play by Edmond --uh I forgot his last name. It was a comedy and a tragedy at the same time. Cyrano's love story that ended in tragedy which gave me a hodgepodge feeling that all was not lost and yet all was lost at the same time. Kind of the same feeling you get when listening to news on the radio about Philippine politics. Well, almost. Cyrano, in the end, was able to let the object of his love know that it was him all along who wrote all the love letters daily in the middle of the war, but it was too late for he was dying from the head wound inflicted by an unknown assailant's fallen wood. Cyrano also had other qualities rarefied by the kind of people we see in office. I'll try to update this so I can give the author's complete name. It's a good read. I wonder if there are still Cyrano's in the world today?..
I unexpectedly met 2 other relations a few days ago when I went to collect some documents from the place where I used to work. While in the city, I learned that an Uncle is in the hospital,so I went to visit, and discovered a very warm person. I first met him at Lola's interment in Kabankalan a few years ago. I'll call him Tito X. He's 71 years old and is in town because he has colon problem which needs surgery very soon. A very cordial gentleman, he entertained me with stories of his days with Dad when they were younger in Visayas. He was accompanied by Tita Y, his youngest sister who returned to LA last Sunday since school will start soon and she has young children. Another one of their siblings, Tita Z, is afflicted with throat disease and went to PGH for ultrasound last weekend. I haven't met her yet, but maybe I will soon. Getting older is inevitable, but I wish we didn't have to get sick. I think its fortunate that these relations of ours have a sibling who's a medical doctor and has a hospital. A lot of people out there can barely scrape enough to get through the basic needs for the day...
Net in Laguna
Net is one of my best friends. She was one of my classmates in Nursing School and from there, we formed a click. She is now one of the best real estate managers in the country and because of that, the company gave her a new vios and assigned her to work in Laguna together with 5 of her best agents. We were in Makati yesterday, looking for gifts for Zola's baby shower on saturday, with me buying my presents for the precious Baby Girl. Net will start working in Laguna in October. I guess we sort of traded places because I used to work in Laguna and am now back to Manila.
Friends from decades of old
Last August, I went climbing Mt Makiling with 2 old friends from primary school. Among the 3 of us, I was the only rookie. It was a pretty rough climb, especially because the first climb I did was about 5 years ago when I was with other nursing students who decided to go trekking where we could enjoy the falls. The Makiling experience was phenomenal! I got to meet a pal after almost 3 decades and stayed in her place and shared life experiences with. Umm, we're not old. It only seems so in numbers but our hearts and minds will always remain arduous, creative and curious. :P
Cyrano, Anyone?
Have you ever met a Cyrano? Well, in the flesh? I haven't, but fiction has a way of making them exist and a few days ago, I had the pleasure of encountering him when I read Cyrano de Bergerac--a play by Edmond --uh I forgot his last name. It was a comedy and a tragedy at the same time. Cyrano's love story that ended in tragedy which gave me a hodgepodge feeling that all was not lost and yet all was lost at the same time. Kind of the same feeling you get when listening to news on the radio about Philippine politics. Well, almost. Cyrano, in the end, was able to let the object of his love know that it was him all along who wrote all the love letters daily in the middle of the war, but it was too late for he was dying from the head wound inflicted by an unknown assailant's fallen wood. Cyrano also had other qualities rarefied by the kind of people we see in office. I'll try to update this so I can give the author's complete name. It's a good read. I wonder if there are still Cyrano's in the world today?..
Weight gain
I'm gaining weight! Yes, that's a definite affirmative and happy admission of this almost 3 years' obsession to reach 100 pounds. While everyone is trying their best to shed excess fats whether real or imagined, I've been trying to add to my puny size--horizontally; and I've finally succeeded! Ha! Here's hoping I can add 20 more pounds and keep them happily. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
