In Glenda's Aftermath...

With signal number 3 raised in Laguna on the evening of July 15, I knew Glenda (international name Rammasun) would hit our province our hard. The typhoon was expected to make landfall in the Bicol region at around 3 or 4 am the following day, and true enough, heavy rains and howling winds kept me up during the wee hours of July 16. I could hear the trees rustling in our backyard, while in the front yard, I could hear ripping and crashing sounds of what seemed to be roofs and pole posts.

I was scared as hell the entire time, while my little boy was sleeping soundly beside me. I have never prayed so hard in my entire life, asking for this ordeal to be over and done with, for the typhoon to finally leave, and for our house to be safe from falling and flying objects. Floods don't scare me (as this is a rare occurrence here in San Pablo City) but falling coconut trees do.

It was around 10 am when the rain finally subsided and the skies began to clear. It was only then that I had the courage to step outside the house and check the damages that Glenda left in our compound.

Flooded garage and front yard.

Fallen trees and flying roofs.

Here's how our backyard looks like.

I'm thankful that bananas, and not coconuts fell on our backyard.

Electricity, phone lines, and cellphone signal were down and out, but luckily we had potable water. By nighttime, our telephone line had been restored, much to the the relief of our loved ones abroad. And as of 5 pm today (July 18), after almost three days of darkness, power has been restored in our barangay and in most areas here in San Pablo City.

Earlier today, the little man went to the mall to eat out and do some grocery shopping. Here's the devastation that we saw along the way.

Photo credit: ANC Facebook page.

Who would have thought that the biggest mall here in my hometown could be damaged to this extent? Well I never.

Photo credit: ANC Facebook page.

Pizza Hut along Rizal Avenue.

I heard there's another typhoon coming, so I stocked up on batteries, canned goods, and drinking water. I am hoping this new weather disturbance (he now goes by the name 'Henry') will not be as threatening as Glenda. Stay safe and dry, everyone!

Wordless Wednesday #51 | Typhoon Maring.

The country is literally in shambles right now, as Typhoon Maring continues to devastate the greater part of Luzon. Classes and even work, have been suspended for the past two days (today is a National Holiday, so no classes still), there's flood everywhere, with houses, buildings, and livelihood all destroyed.

Photo credits: Yahoo / PhilStar / Rachel Linatao

I'm thankful to be living in a place surrounded by mountains. My family is safe, and so is the rest of my hometown. Other towns in my province are not as lucky, as they have been ravaged by floods as well.

The rain seems to have stopped today, and I'm going to the nearest donation center to help in my own little way. I'm bringing some of my little man's old clothes, along with a few canned goods. It's the least I can do for the victims of Typhoon Maring.

If you would like to donate too, here's a list of places I know where you can drop off your relief donations:

- Red Cross

- SM Malls

- LBC branches

- McDonald's 

- Ateneo de Manila

- Colegio de San Agustin Makati

- DLSU - Dasmarinas

- UP Diliman

And here's a list of emergency hotline numbers for everyone's reference.

Here's hoping that Typhoon Maring leaves the country soon. Stay safe and dry, everyone!

A Little Help Goes A Long Way.

In light of the recent tragedy that befell Cagayan de Oro, Iligan City, and Dumaguete, my fellow mommy bloggers and I are appealing for your help. The easiest way would be donations through the Philippine Red Cross. If we can work together, the littlest amount that you can give (that's a measly Php 5) to our 'kababayans' can go a long way. Donations can be made by simply following these instructions:


For Globe subscribers:
via SMS, c/o Red Cross – text RED <amount> and send to 2899 – valid donation amounts are P5, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500 and 1000 (For ex, RED 10). Transaction is free.
via GCASH, text DONATE<space><amount><space><MPIN><space><REDCROSS> and send to 2882

For Smart subscribers:
via SMS, c/o Red Cross – text RED <amount> and send to 4143 – valid donation amounts are P10, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500, 1000 (For ex, RED 10).

Donations made through Paypal and credit card are also accepted. Also listed in this page are the bank accounts where cash / check donations can be deposited.

While most of us are looking forward to Christmas Day (which is just a few days away), the people from these afflicted areas can only think of how they will be able to live after this devastation. Let us, in our own little ways, extend help to our grief-stricken brothers. After all, Christmas is about giving and sharing.