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World Moms Network

Connecting mothers; empowering women around the globe.

December 10, 2012

PHILIPPINES: A Time to Help – The Aftermath of Typhoon Bopha (Pablo)

Typhoon Haiyan

Recently, I wrote an article for Philstar.com, a local news website here in the Philippines, entitled, “We Are All Connected.” It was about the typhoon in the Philippines, dubbed internationally as “Bopha,” but known locally as “Pablo.” Allow me to share a few lines from that article here:

“Dear readers, the reality is this: We are all connected. Whether we like it or not. Whether we believe it or not. Whether we have the same beliefs or not. Whether we are Muslim, Catholic, Christian, Hindu, Buddhists, atheists — we are all connected somehow. At least, that’s what I believe.

As Filipinos, we have witnessed our country and our countrymen rise from different calamities and disasters — both natural and man-made. We know that ‘the Filipino spirit is waterproof. We know that, after this typhoon, there may still be more to come (though let us pray that there aren’t any more) — yet we will still stand strong.”

Well, as of Sunday, December 9, the typhoon was still making its presence felt in our country, although as of Sunday afternoon, it had already been “downgraded” from a tropical depression to a low pressure area. Bopha was actually supposed to have left the Philippine area of responsibility by then, but it veered back in, the evening of December 8.

As I write this post, the latest news reports state that “some 177,801 Filipinos are living in evacuation centers,” translating to “37,220 families living in a total of 173 evacuation centers in nine Philippine regions: Palawan, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao, Soccsksargen, and Caraga.”

The same report says that the Philippine National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) estimates that typhoon Bopha affected some 5.41 million Filipinos living in 2,317 barangays in Southern Philippines, killed over 500 and left at least 800 more missing.

It is a tragedy of epic proportions, much like last year’s Typhoon “Washi” (locally known as “Sendong”), which was dubbed the world’s deadliest storm in 2011.

Here in Manila, where my family and I live, the effects of Typhoon Bopha were hardly felt (at least where we are located). In fact, if one were not in tune with updates on the storm via media (online or otherwise), one would probably not even realize that there were other people in the country who are suffering the wrath of the Typhoon. This is especially true, as December is the time of year when people are busy completing their Christmas shopping, or decorating their home,s or attending parties; or just generally being occupied with all that the Christmas season brings.

Yes, it is tempting to just “look the other way” and pretend that nothing has happened, especially if no one you know has been affected by a tragedy such as this.

But, we are all connected. Being part of World Moms Blog has made me realize this even more. There is something that links all of us somehow. In my humble opinion, just being human connects us.

So if it’s not too much to ask, I would like to make an appeal in behalf of my countrymen who are now homeless or cramped into shelters; who have lost people they love; who have lost their lives, homes and possessions — would you be willing to help out in any way? After all, Christmas usually is a time to give and share our blessings, and what better way to do so than to reach out to those who most need our help?

Should you feel compelled to help the victims of Typhoon Bopha, Rappler.com has compiled a list of evacuation and donation centers here. International readers may find it easier to donate through non-profit organizations like ANCOP (Answering the Cry of the Poor) Foundation USA  or Gawad Kalinga. If you do choose to help — even if it’s just by lifting up the typhoon victims in prayer or sending warm thoughts their way — I know it will make a big difference.

“We may have different religions, different languages, different colored skin, but we all belong to one human race.” — Kofi Annan, 2001 Nobel Peace Prize recipient.

This is an original post to World Moms Blog, by Tina Santiago-Rodriguez in the Philippines. 

Photo credit to Gawad Kalinga.

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Tina Santiago-Rodriguez (Philippines)

Tina Santiago-Rodriguez is a wife and homeschool mom by vocation, a licensed physical therapist by education and currently the managing editor of Mustard, a Catholic children's magazine published by Shepherd's Voice Publications in the Philippines, by profession. She has been writing passionately since her primary school years in Brunei, and contributes regularly to several Philippine and foreign-based online and print publications. She also does sideline editing and scriptwriting jobs, when she has the time. Find out more about Tina through her personal blogs: Truly Rich Mom and Teacher Mama Tina.

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6 Comments
Natural Disaster Philanthropy Philippines Truly Rich Mom

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Comments

  1. Elizabeth Atalay says

    December 10, 2012 at 9:19 am

    This is such a heartbreaking situation. Thank you for giving up ways we can help out!

    Reply
    • Tina Santiago-Rodriguez (Philippines) says

      December 10, 2012 at 11:41 am

      Thank YOU, Elizabeth (and all the other awesome WMB moms!) for allowing me to post/share this! 🙂 And for helping spread the word! 🙂 God bless you all!

      Reply
  2. Simona says

    December 10, 2012 at 10:48 am

    Yes, Tina, I totally believe as you do! We ARE all connected!! Thank you for sharing this with us. I will do whatever I am able, in my own small way, to help.

    This post touched me deeply and reminded me of one of my all-time favourite songs; Imagine by John Lennon (lyrics follow)

    “Imagine there’s no heaven
    It’s easy if you try
    No hell below us
    Above us only sky
    Imagine all the people living for today

    Imagine there’s no countries
    It isn’t hard to do
    Nothing to kill or die for
    And no religion too
    Imagine all the people living life in peace

    You, you may say
    I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one
    I hope some day you’ll join us
    And the world will be as one

    Imagine no possessions
    I wonder if you can
    No need for greed or hunger
    A brotherhood of man
    Imagine all the people sharing all the world

    You, you may say
    I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one
    I hope some day you’ll join us
    And the world will live as one”

    I believe there are many of us “Dreamers” in the world today … this lets me dare hope that the world “Imagined” so long ago, might actually come to pass … IF we all keep remembering that we ARE “a brotherhood of man” and start acting like it!! NAMASTE

    Reply
    • Tina Santiago-Rodriguez (Philippines) says

      December 10, 2012 at 11:43 am

      Hi Simona! 🙂

      Yes, we’re all connected somehow, aren’t we! Thank you so much for helping out in whatever way you can — even just sharing this post will help make a difference! 🙂

      Best,
      Tina

      Reply
  3. Jennifer Burden says

    December 11, 2012 at 12:30 pm

    This post really hits home, Tina. Less than 10 minutes away from my home, there are Red Cross Disaster trucks coming in and out with supplies for the people of Union Beach, NJ in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

    Recovery after an natural event like this is heartbreaking! It is really interesting to hear your perspective on the typhoon in the Philippines.

    Thank you for sharing it!

    Jen 🙂

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. What's Up Juan? » Let’s Help Typhoon Bopha/Pablo Victims says:
    December 10, 2012 at 8:02 pm

    […] PHILIPPINES: A Time to Help – The Aftermath of Typhoon Bopha (Pablo) […]

    Reply

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