Saturday, November 14, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
What, I have a blog?
Friday, October 23, 2009
This is where all the missing relief goods are. OUTRAGEOUS.

Aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo? (A special report from a volunteer)
Oct 21st, 2009 by ELLA
Dear friends,
I’m asking your help to spread the word. Tulungan po ninyo akong ikalat ito. Beyond this, we should also demand action. I disabled a plugin so you can copy the photos of relief goods rotting in DSWD warehouses. You can link this post to your blogs, facebook, websites etc. You can also email the photos.
Philippine News (US based Philippine newspaper) will use this as its front page story this week. Every Filipino has the right to know where the tons of donations from the UN and other counties go. Kahit po nakakahiya sa mga nag-donate. Kung sa ganitong paraan, matutulungan natin ang mga nasalanta, then by all means, let’s do it.
For those who have the time, please try to volunteer sa DSWD warehouses. Getting in was not easy. A friend had to put in a word for us. Let’s see kung madali nang makapasok sa DSWD warehouse ang mga volunteers.
Please read on and good luck to us.
Ella
(This post was last edited Oct 22, 12:30 pm)
Kahapon, tinanong ng Philippine News si DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral:
Editor of Philippine News: Why are the relief goods in DSWD warehouses not moving?
DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral: Wala kasing volunteers.
This short interview was done over the phone. Philippine News wanted to hear her side pero ayaw niyang makipag-usap sa press. After four tries, pinasabi na lang niya ang maikling sagot na ito sa secretary niya - “Walang volunteers”.
I don’t want to accuse her of corruption but at the very least she is showing signs of being totally incompetent. We are in a state of calamity where every second counts. May namamatay araw-araw dahil sa sakit.
In my opinion, these deaths could have been prevented if Secretary Cabral had tried a little harder to do her job.
Deaths from Philippine storms nears 1,000
“Tropical Storm Ketsana left 420 dead and 37 missing when it flooded 80 percent of Manila on September 26, a disaster the government saidAFFECTED 4.35 MILLION PEOPLE.
Some areas are still flooded three weeks later and 189,000 PEOPLE REMAIN IN EVACUATION CENTRES,
Typhoon Parma hit the northern Philippines on October 3 and lingered as a tropical storm for a week, triggering landslides that killed 438 people and leaving 51 missing mostly in mountain communities.
The government agency said Parma AFFECTED 4.16 MILLION PEOPLE, including more than 32,000 WHO REMAIN AT EVACUATION CENTRES.”
During the first week after the storm, lumabas ang “bayanihan spirit” ng mga Pinoy. “Makatulong lang kahi’t konti,” katwiran nila.
kung walang volunteers, ano ‘to, komiks?
From STELLA ARNALDO’S BLOG:
- “At the offices of many civic groups and private organizations, hundreds of people showed up to volunteer in packing relief goods.
At the Tulong Bayan center at the Expo Centro in Cubao, Most of the volunteers were adolescents as young as 10 years old, along with their kuya or ate in high school and college.
They came in huge numbers, many of them barkadas, classmates or siblings, dressed just in their tees and shorts, wearing their Havaianas. All were just enthusiastic to do their share!
Photos by Leah Navarro

Even grade school kids pitched in to help!

Youth volunteers repack detergents for distribution

Making beds from carton boxes
GMA asked world for donations
Our government begged the world for more donations. Sumagot ang buong mundo sa ating panawagan. In less than three weeks, dumaong ang mga barko, ibinaba mula sa mga cargo planes, i-diniliver ng mga trak at container vans ang sandamakmak na relief goods. Cash donations were in the millions of dollars.
But these donations must be coursed through DSWD
Nagpalabas ng directive ang pangulo. Individuals, private companies and other nations were ENCOURAGED to send their donations to DSWD. I blogged about it HERE and the video of her announcement HERE.
This PGMA directive sounded suspicious to me then. Now I know why. Here’s the story.
A group of eight people, your ate Ella included, went to one of DSWD warehouses to help in repacking relief goods. We know they need volunteers pero hindi namin akalaing WALANG TAO TALAGA SA LOOB NG WAREHOUSE!
As in sa isang humongous warehouse (1000++ sq.m) NA PUNONG-PUNO NG RELIEF GOODS HANGGANG BUBONG, ISANG DSWD EMPLOYEE LANG AT ISANG SECURITY GUARD ang tao!!
Kailangang magpa-register at i-schedule ang volunteering
1) UNICEF Registration (as a volunteer)
The warehouse CAN ONLY TAKE AS MUCH AS 50 VOLUNTEERS at a time or per shift. Here you will find that there is a 4-hour shift, and an option for a 6-hour shift for the volunteers to indicate their availability.
What “volunteers”? Nasaan?
Aside from the 8 of us? Nope, there was nobody there. Bakit kailangan ang scheduling? Feeling hindi ba magkamayaw at nagu-unahan ang mga volunteers?
I know somebody who wanted to volunteer many times. She was always bumped off, laging nirere-schedule kasi “THERE WERE TOO MANY VOLUNTEERS” daw. At tuwing Sunday lang daw puwede. What the hell is going on here?
Nakatambak ang donations ng UNICEF sa warehouse, local and international
Mga banig na dapat ay nahihigaan ng mga nasalanta. Mga imported camp beds na hindi na yata masisilayan ng mga biktima. Mga kumot na hindi naman nakabalot sa katawan nila. At mga pagkaing hindi sumasayad sa sikmura nila.
The relief goods are not going anywhere
We arrived at about 8 am and left by midafternoon and yes, you guessed it right. Kami pa rin ang tao bukod sa isang DSWD employee sa loob ng warehouse maghapon. Walang ibang dumating.
The relief goods are not moving. By the way things look, they are not going anywhere. Hindi maglalakad mag-isa ang mga donations na ito papunta sa mga evacuation centers.
LET THE PICTURES DO THE TALKING
Note: Pinagbawalan kaming kumuha ng pictures sa loob ng warehouse. I wonder why.

“Not a creature was moving, not even a mouse.”

Parang haunted warehouse ang dating. May multo na yata.

Kahit na daig pa ang tindahan sa Divisoria sa dami ng naka-stack na kaldero

At walang katapusang kaldero pa ulit

Kahit halos natakpan na ang mga bintana sa dami ng mga kahon

Kahit umabot na hanggang kisame ang stack ng mga kahon

(Close up ng Coleman camp beds sa previous photo) Hindi ito kasama sa ni-repack naming goods. Para sa mga “special victims” kaya ito? Ire-repack kaya ang mga “imported” camp pads na ito ever?

Sabagay, may BANIG naman para sa “ordinary victims”. Ito ang kasama sa inimpake namin. Sayang ‘yung imported.

Ano kaya ang laman nito? Hindi rin pinabuksan. Pang-special victim din kaya ito? (teka, dito nga pala galing ‘yung mga kumot)

Mahiwagang mga kahon from Japan Aid.

(close up ng mahiwagang kahon) Hindi rin ito kasali, of course. Hindi namin alam kung ano ang laman nito. “Imported” are not included, we have concluded.

Marami ito, mga laruang kasinlaki ng tao. Hindi nakunan ng pic kasi nasa tabi ng sikyo.

PORK AND BEANS? Yup, you’d think kasama ito sa relief bag. Pork and beans lang ‘to, puwede na sigurong ipamigay,

Naaah! “Imported” pork and beans from Spain po ito. Sorry, hindi pa rin included
Now let’s take a look at what a victim will get from DSWD

Look Ma, sampung lata ng sardinas! How generous! Kaldero ang unang ilalagay sa sako. Sabong panglaba (bar soap) at sampung sardinas sa ilalim. Siyam na sabon sa gilid ng kaldero. Local goods lahat syempre.

Tapos papatungan ng isang tuwalya at isang pack ng sanitary napkin.

Sisiksikan ng tatlong rolyo ng kumot(?) ang blue water jug tapos ipapatong sa kaldero sa loob ng sako.

Last but not the least, lalagyan ng dalawang banig.

Sabay tatahiin na ang sako. O di ba, parang asong tinapunan ng buto ang mga nasalanta? Eniwey, busog naman sila sa SAMPUNG lata ng Mega sardinas
Do not delay

YOU THINK?? WTF is the matter with these people? Mag-iisang buwan na mula nang masalanta ang mga kababayan natin. ISANG BUWAN!! Do you mean “do not delay ang dati nang delayed”?? Shet.
Anong ginagawa ng mga donations na ito sa warehouse?? APAT na warehouseang nasa loob ng compound na ‘yon! APAT na warehouse na punong-puno ng inaalikabok na relief goods! Relief goods na ayaw yata ibigay sa mga nasalanta. Halatang-halata.
Marami pang pabubulukin

Wow! May bagong shipment na naman! At the rate DSWD is moving, next year na madi-discover kung ano ang laman ng mga kahong ito.

- “The first of two of the largest high-energy food shipments from the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) arrived in the country two days ago for victims of storm “Ondoy” and typhoon “Pepeng.”
The biscuits were fortified with essential vitamins and minerals for supplementary feeding to children, pregnant women and the elderly in evacuation camps. Another 100 tons of biscuits will arrive on Oct. 24, in a continuing effort to provide food assistance to flood victims.
Sige, ideretso ‘nyo ulit ‘yan sa DSWD warehouse. Para AMAG naman ang abutin ng biskwit… at sapot ng gagamba.
Conclusion
Sa maghapon namin sa warehouse,nakagawa kami ng 150 sacks of relief goods.150 bags of relief goods lang ang lumabas sa warehouse na ‘yon that day.At nandoon pa rin sa loob ang mga imported relief goods, safe, sound and packed as the day they arrived.
Nakisakay kami palabas sa isang DSWD delivery van. Gusto sana kaming ihatid ng driver hanggang Makati pero wala raw siyang sobrang gasolina. Ibinaba na lang niya kami sa gitna ng EDSA. Millions of dollars in donations, walang extrang pang-gasolina.
Susulpot din siguro ang laman ng mga mahiwagang kahon at mapapasakamay din ng mga tao…sa ARAW NG ELEKSYON. O mabibili na nila ang mga imported goods na ‘yon sa mga puwesto sa Quiapo at Divisoria.
Suggestions lang po sa DSWD:
Kung talagang gugustuhin ninyong makarating agad sa mga kawawang biktima ang mga donasyong ‘yon, nagawa ‘nyo na ‘yan. Maraming paraan…kung talagang gusto ‘nyo lang.You are the government. You have the power, the resources and the money. You just have to really care.
You are the government. You have the power, the resources and the money. You just have to really care.
Monday, October 05, 2009
The Hunge Games (Review)
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Random
Friday, August 07, 2009
Monday, August 03, 2009
Closing Cycles (by Paulo Coelho)
Sunday, August 02, 2009
It's back
I came home Friday with bad news. I was told my physical exam results were back and that I can't report for work unless I can present a fit to work notice. It's my x-ray. Apparently, they saw the same thing they saw 5 years ago. It was -possible Koch's infection of unknown origin- that's what I read from the results.
My dad said my uncle had the same findings 20 years ago, and when he had himself checked a couple months back because he had recurring coughs, the same thing appeared on his x-ray. He was informed that those were just scars from his previous case and that he was going to be fine. (I refuse to call it "infection" as it makes me nervous).
And so from when I got home last Friday, I couldn't take my mind off it, try as I may. I found it impossible to sleep. The last time my xray looked like this, I was asked to resign from work and rest for 6 months. In the past I was able to haggle 3 months rest on the condition that I take my medications with no fail.
I can't be asked to resign from my job. I can't afford it. There's just too many bills to pay and I have people depending on me. And what happens to me when I lose my job? I'll probably lose someone too, eventually.
So these things have kept me awake for the last 2 nights.
I'm not sure what to do or if there's anything that I can do to stop things from falling apart, really.
I'll visit the specialist tomorrow. Not knowing what's gonna happen sure scares the hell out of me but I know it's out of my hands now.
Like any other defining moment in my life, I'm choosing to leave it up to Him. He hasn't let me down anyway.
_______________________
Keep breathing
I said that I'll always be there
Now I mean it more than before
there's a future worth fighting for
Don't be scared
I know how you must be feeling
No one to help you carry the pain
I'm coming to save the day
Saturday, August 01, 2009
from myden
~ oo naman.
2. If you married the last person you texted, what would your last name be?
~ twitter. haha.
3. Were you happy when you woke up today?
~ hindi gaano kase absent ako kagabi.
4. When were you on the phone last? And with who?
~ tatay ko kanina, para sabihin na nandito nako
5.What is the last thing someone bought you?
~ starbucks coffee jelly
6.What’s something that can always make you feel better?
~ getting answers. knowing tomorrow's gonna be okay
7. What are you excited for?
~ hindi ako excited.
8. What were you doing yesterday?
~ Work. Mega, bumili ng cardigan sa Mango. Ortho, nagpa-adjust. Metrowalk, bili dvds. Umuwi ng mga 5.30 ng hapon at sinalubong ng bad news.
9. Honestly, who was the last person to tell you they love you?
~ medyo matagal na pero si behng
10. What's the last thing you put in your mouth?
~ ripe mango
11. Have a best friend?
~ i used to be obsessed with this term before, thinking i was different if i didn't have a person to call my bestfriend. but that was a long time ago when i was stupid. it's all good now. and to answer the question (and daming segway), yes, i think i do.
12. Are you scared to fall in love?
~ minsan. ginawa na akong praning ng tadhana.
13. Do you think teenagers can be in love?
~ kahit sino naman e.. kahit dogs. cats. love birds. kahit si totoro naiinlove siguro.
14. Last person you wanted to punch in the face?
~ hmmm wala akong maisip
15. What time is it right this second?
~ 2011PM
16. What do you want right now?
~ ang maging kampante.
17. Who was the last person you took a picture with?
~ hindi ko maalala
18. Are you single/taken/heartbroken/or confused?
~ taken
19. When was the last time you cried?
~ kanina lang
20. Do you have a good relationship with your parents?
~ i think so
21. Do you find it hard to trust others?
~ i have trust issues.
22. How fast does your mind change?
~ not too fickle.
23. I bet you miss somebody right now.
~ oo. nakakabaliw.
24. Can you honestly say you're okay right now?
~ no, i'm not okay. =(
25. Why do you think so many people cheat?
~ kasi hindi makuntento. o kaya people are just plain polygamous
26. Tell me what's on your mind.
~ ang dami.. parang sasabog na nga utak ko sa dami e
27. What are you looking forward to in the next three months?
~ i dunno.. preparing for xmas? haha ang aga! kala ko pa naman hindi ako excited
28. Have you ever worn the opposite sex's clothing?
~ oo minsan yung nabibili kong shorts and tshirts, pang boys. pero di pa ako nakasuot ng damit ng lalaking kakilala ko.
29. When did you last talk to your number 1 top friend
~ wait di ako sure sinong number 1 top friend ko..
30. When is your next road trip?
~ wish ko lang may time for roadtrip
31. Do you have someone of the opposite sex you can tell anything to?
~ oo may ilan ilan din.. karamihan bading.
32. How's your heart?
~ kabado
33. Have you ever felt like you weren't important?
~ sometimes
34. Do you think somebody's in love with you?
~ oo. (wow confident!) pero oo nga. siguro naman.
35. What are you planning on doing after this?
~ ligo
36. When will your next kiss take place?
~ hindi ko pinaplano yung mga ganyan bagay.. basta it just happens.
37. Have you told anybody you loved them today?
~ nagawa ko pa lang after reading the question.
38. Who do you not get along with?
~ ayoko mag-name drop pero meron.
39. What does your 3rd recent text say?
~ "Crush is a trending topic? Haha that's awesome! Thanks you guys! =)"
40. What are you wearing right now?
~ pambahay ng shorts and tshirt
41.Are you wasting your time on the person you like?
~ no. it's been worthwhile
42. When's the last time you had a grilled cheese?
~ in bulacan
43. What's your favorite boy and girl name right now?
~ tobey
44. How did you feel when you woke up?
~ weird. nanibago kase hindi ako pumasok na dapat nung time na nagising ako, lunch ko pa lang sa office nun
45. Do you wish someone would call or text you right now?
~ oo
46. Do you crack your knuckles?
~ i know it's a bad habit but i do it sometimes, lalo pag kinakabahan at di mapakali
47. What were you doing yesterday at midnight?
~ tulog nako 10pm pa lang. sobrang pagod
48. What are your LEGAL initials?
~ MKJL
49. Who's the first B in your contacts?
~ Babuy
50. When was the last time you laughed really hard?
~ everyday. bungisngis ako eh.. konting bagay lang natatawa na ako.. lalo pag humirit na si beh ng "spreadie" jokes nya
51. Your number 1 top friend walks out of your life, do you go after them?
~ depende kung bakit nag-walk out.
52. Last awkward moment?
~ kahapon after reading a text from somebody sa office
53. Are you afraid of the dark?
~ no
54. Do you have good vision?
~ no. as per the last check up i had (which btw, was not too long ago), i have astignatism in my left eye and i am certified color blind.
55. Have you ever tripped someone?
~ no
56. Have you ever slapped someone?
~ wala pa.
57. Are you Irish?
~ nope
58. Do you use chap stick?
~ noon.
59. Do you have any scars?
~ yes
60. Is there someone you will never forgive?
~ napatawad ko na. pero i don't think we'll be friends again.
61.Do you laugh off embarrassing moments?
~ yes
62. Name the last person to text you?
~ fherrie
63. Would you marry someone 8 years older than you?
~ ewan ko.. depende kung okay naman kayo.
64. Can you go in public looking like you do?
~ yes. ganito itsura ko pag nagpapasyal ng mga aso sa umaga.
65. What side of the bed do you sleep on?
~ single lang yung bed ko so parang lahat ng sides nagagamit! haha
66. Is it easy for someone to make you smile?
~ oo, hihirit lang si behng, matatawa na ko
67. What's the first thing you'll do on your wedding day?
~ gigising
68. Do you fall for people easily?
~ not really. it takes a lot for me to like someone.. mahilig kase ako maglista ng mga sablay
69. Has anyone put their arms around you in the past 5 days?
~ yes while sleeping
70. Do you miss the way things used to be?
~ okay naman ako ngayon but i guess it's just normal to look back and miss some things from time to time
71. How often do you hold back from saying what you are thinking?
~ hmm.. depende, i tend to think before verbalizing espacially kung mean yung naiisip ko.
72. Song you're thinking of right now?
~ save the day - david archuleta
73. Want someone back in your life?
~ andrew and my lolo. nakakamiss lang =(
74. Will tomorrow be better than today?
~ hindi pa siguro. monday kase ako hahatulan e.
75. What’s the color of you’re shirt you are wearing?
~ color blind kase ako so ang hula ko beige/grey-ish sha. but i can be very wrong.
76. Has anyone ever sang or played music for you personally?
~ yes
77. Does it bother you when someone lies to you?
~ pag yung kung sino sino lang wala naman akong pakialam mashado..it only matters if it's someone i really care about.
78. Is there anyone who understands your relationship status?
~ oo there's a handful of them
79. Are you a naturally happy person? Or is your happiness forced?
~ naturally happy
80. Is there anyone you wish would fall in love with you?
~ sha lang okay na. hindi ko na kailangan ng iba. mushy kung mushy!
