During the height of Typhoon Ondoy’s wrath here in Manila, all I could think of is this scene from the Titanic movie (Nearer My God To Thee). It rained too hard leaving houses, cars, building submerged in muddy floodwaters. People were dying left and right while some were left in the rooftops of their house waiting for rescue. We were all caught unprepared and I thought that we cannot do anything but to ask for divine intervention. You can’t really blame people who resorted to praying during these harsh times—religion keeps people sane.
My family has a couple of near death experiences. I’m not proud of that fact instead, I’m thankful that we’re still alive. While most part of the metro is submerged in floodwaters, we almost didn’t feel the wrath of Ondoy (International name: Ketsana) except that we lost our phone line and DSL connection and my Mom had to wade through the floodwaters of Pasay City to reach home. We were lucky for we were all safe and dry. Losing our phone line and DSL connection is nothing as compared to those who have lost their loved ones and homes. Somehow, this incident made me value life even more.
I glued myself to the television screen (sometimes, the radio), watching (or listening) updates on the ongoing rescue and relief operations for the victims of Typhoon Ondoy. The images shown on screen and stories told by the survivors were heartbreaking—bloated dead bodies, homeless and helpless babies and people crying for help to name a few. But it was heartwarming to see a lot of people extending there help to those in need.
My siblings and I, including my mom, raided our closets to look for clothes to donate to those who are in needed. My sister, Dianne, even volunteered for the relief operations of the Philippine National Red Cross while I donated a little to World Vision. I was also online in different social networking sites, including Twitter, Facebook and Plurk to help in the information drive on different drop-off centers for donations and to share different ways on how to volunteer and help flood victims. I wasn’t able to volunteer for I was stuck at home trying to beat the deadline for some school works. But, I tried my best to help and encourage others to extend some help, too.
You know, I firmly believe that this isn’t the right time to blame those in the government for not doing anything to help. Of course, there are doing the best that they can to help. However, resources are limited and that’s the sad truth. I cringe every time I hear celebrities doing the “blame game” on Twitter and on national TV. Seriously. Everyone is exerting effort but these people (those who are extending help) can only do so much. It’s just sad that some people resort to blaming other people during these times. Actually, I really don’t care about those politicians who donated relief goods with their names and pictures on it. Well, at least those politicians helped even though they have a different motive.
Let’s not be stubborn. I just hope that we could all learn from this incident and that we all could start being aware of our environment.
Interested in helping Typhoon Ondoy flood victims? Check out this Typhoon Ondoy Google page for more information on how you can help.
For the past few days, I’ve been experiencing problems with our internet connection. I can’t live without the Internet. Since we don’t have internet connection the past few days, I heavily relied on mobile internet to go online and do some work. Unfortunately, I can’t steal someone else’s Wi-Fi connection because there is nothing to steal (LOL).
As I’ve said on my other post, September is the busiest month in school since we are already near the end of the semester. And, September is not a good month for our internet connection to act up or go down completely. I have tons of school works to do, and I can’t do them without going online. Also, I study online so submissions are also done online. Internet connection is essential to my academic life. Seriously. I’m really grateful that I can use my mobile phone to connect to the Internet. This mobile internet thing is a lifesaver; I tell you!
Although I don’t use those USB modem thing (I just connect my mobile phone to my laptop), this is actually a great time to invest on one. Our friends at Globe have decided to drop the price of their Globe Broadband Tattoo Kit from around P1,000++ to just P895 and you could surf the Internet for just P5/15 mins! What’s great with this deal is that every kit comes with free 5 hours of Internet, which is worth P100. Globe Broadband Tattoo prepaid kits are available at Globe Stores and authorized dealers nationwide. Call (02) 919-8888 or surf over to www.globe.com.ph/tattoo to grab a Tat today.
It’s great to have a backup internet connection because you’ll never know when your main internet connection would act up. I mean, let’s face reality, internet service providers here in the Philippines aren’t really up 24/7. Of course, there would be downtimes and yes, they are unavoidable that’s why having a backup internet connection is important if you’re like me, who relies heavily on the World Wide Web.
NOTE: The Globe Broadband Tattoo offer will only last until October 31, 2009.
I know that we’re just in the first week of September but, I really can’t wait for this month to be over. Ever since first-year college, September got to be the busiest month on our academic calendar. Well, the first semester is about to close and students like me are required to take examinations, submit projects, work on term papers and other stuff. Well, that’s life! I just hope I can accomplish everything on time because I can’t manage to fail any of the courses I’m currently taking.
So, what has been happening on my part of the world?
Well, nothing interesting. My life is boring. Same things happen every single day. Plus, every single day, I’m trying to save myself from further insanity—insanity caused by too much school works, and other responsibilities I have in life.
But, if there’s anything in my life now that keeps me sane, it’s the child I’m sponsoring through World Vision. I’ve been sponsoring a child through World Vision since June 2009. I don’t know whether its coincidence or what, but the child I’m sponsoring and I have a couple of similarities. First, we were born on the same month (Yey, Gemini!) and second, our parents are separated (FTW!). So far, I’ve received two letters from him. He’s 6 years old and can’t write that well yet so his family members or relatives would help him write letters. I’ve sent him coloring books, coloring materials, and other writing materials so he could practice. Sponsoring a child through World Vision is very much fulfilling. I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about World Vision since time immemorial, and I’m happy that I finally decided to sponsor a child. Well, I urge you to sponsor a child through World Vision, too! You’re not only helping the child you’re sponsoring but you’re also helping his/her community and family. Check out the World Vision website for more details.
By the way, it feels so good to be back on the “personal blogging” niche. I missed this so much. Sometimes, it’s just tiring to write about other people or other things which you really don’t care about. I guess it’s pretty healthy to write about your own thoughts, ideas and things that matter to you once in awhile. Since, I’ve been “out of touch” for a very long time, I think I’ve lost most of my readers. If there’s still a living soul reading this blog, please do comment.
Speaking of blogging, I haven’t been attending blogging events lately because I really don’t have the luxury of time to do so. I’m really eagerly awaiting our break after the first semester closes so I can finally devote time to other things that I love to do.
