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San Miguel de Iligan

On December 15-16, Tropical Storm “Sendong/Washi” gave Mindanao its first major typhoon in decades. The island and its residents were not used to such phenomena that usually devastates parts of Luzon and the Visayas. Sendong was one of a kind this year, and it has devastated lives in the cities of Iligan, Cagayan de Oro, the Province of Compostela Valley and other provinces. Iligan was caught by a surprise as flood and muck rushed towards the city, 200 missing and 100+ dead so far. In Cagayan de Oro, 20,000 families were affected–this major city in Northern Mindanao has tasted the worse flooding in its recent history.

Father loses daughter (Photo by Maria Irene/Mindanaoan.com)

As of the time of this writing, the dead is pegged at more than 400, hundreds still missing. Mostly in Northern Mindanao cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. So many uncaught, so many people will spend their Christmas in muck and cold.

Iligan, Cagayan de Oro and the rest of NorMin needs help!

Tabanga nato ang Mindanao! This is the time that we help each other out, despite the distance! Our people needs help!

Our condolences to our kababayang taga-Mindanao who lost their loved ones a week before Christmas. Our prayers are for you folks for comfort, recovery and for the souls of the departed.

Here are some options that you may help:

Iligan Bloggers Society, Inc. is humbly requesting your generous help for the victims Bagyong Sendong of Iligan City. Iligan Bloggers Society, Inc. is accepting donations in kind for the victims of Typhoon Sendong in the city. We encourage the following items for donations: canned goods, noodles, bath and laundry soaps, toothpaste, rice, used clothings, slippers, and cash donations.

SENDONG DONATION DROP You can contact the following point persons for your donations and other inquiries.

ILIGAN BLOGGERS SOCIETY, Inc. SITE: http//:iliganbloggers.com EMAIL: iliganbloggers@gmail.com FB Fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/iliganbloggers

LISA (LAI) MARIE MIRASOL | Pinay Travelista, @pinaytravelista (IBS, Inc. Web Content Manager) http://www.pinaytravelista.com/ 09062558863; (+63) 222-2117

ALEXANDER SINGCOL | iligan Inquisitor, @lexuzinquisitor (IBS, Inc Board of Trustee Member) http://theiliganinquisitor.blogspot.com/ 09053117925, (+63) 8360272 REVILLA CARBONELL-NOEL | Adventures in Life (IBS, Inc Board of Trustee Member) 092193209944, 09427009788

For more Updates on Iligan City status after Typhoon Sendong: DXIC: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/rmn-dxic-iligan FB Fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/iliganbloggers

Your Donations will be shown at: www.iliganbloggers.com For donations on Paypal, your names and initials here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?hl=en_US&key=0AufHi9Th0W7KdHhLVGNaY2VWaFdfUjBadVgxTXdOV1E&output=html

‎#HELPCDO Paypal Donations now accepted. Send to Paypal: francis.siason@gmail.com through Cagayan De Oro Bloggers. 340+ died .. 400+ are missing missing as typhoon Sendong ravaged Cagayan de Oro. Proceeds will be donated and delivered to Xavier University Cagayan de Oro where the members of CDOBloggers are planning to volunteer. Thank you and God Bless!

Xavier University is now accepting donations. You may contact:

Fr. Eric Garcia Velandria S.J.
Coordinator of Sendong Operation,
KKP Office, Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan, Corrales Ave.
9000 Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines.

You may also cash donations through SLB. CASH/ CHEQUE: Direct deposits may be made online from any BPI branches, pay to:

SIMBAHANG LINGKOD NG BAYAN (Account Name/Payee)
Bank of the Philippine Islands (Loyola-Katipunan Branch)
BPI Peso Checking Account Number: 3081-1111-61
BPI Dollar Savings Account Number: 3084-0420-12

For donations from Manila, you may pass by the National Resource Operations Center (NROC) 852-8081(24 hours),Chapel Road, Pasay City (back of Air Transportation Office).

Donate with the Philippine National Red Cross:

Cash or Check Donations:
Account Name: Philippine Red Cross
Bank Name: Banco De Oro
Peso Account: 453-0018647
Type of Account: Savings

SMS Donations: Text REDAMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4143 (Smart)

Cebuana Lhuillier Pawnshops
Make a donation at any of the 1,500 Cebuana Lhuillier pawnshops nationwide.

Email us: fundgeneration@redcross.org.ph

Call Hotline 143
or (+632) 527.0000

NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
Bonifacio Drive, Port Area
Manila 1018, Philippines
Email: prc@redcross.org.ph

—————-

For Iligan Victims Cash Donations, you may deposit in this account
Account name: Association of IIT Alumni Foundation Inc.
Bank: BDO – - Iligan Quezon Avenue Branch
Account No: 003120169026

They will be providing complete financial audit documents to ensure that your money will help the hundreds of displaced victims in Iligan City, especially the evacuees in MSU – IIT Gym. I’ve personally coordinated with the Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology Chancellor Sukarno Tanggol on this matter.

Please do not hesitate to contact Rei Maranda from the Presidential Management Office thru 09052665014 or at rei.maranda@pms.gov.ph/rei_lena@yahoo.com for questions and clarifications.

We need all the help we can get. Please tell your friends/contacts/company/orgs about this. Then you can coordinate with Rei or Jane Dumaug for convenience. Kindly repost/retweet/blog/announce/publish this. Thank you very much.

La Salle Academy (Iligan City) is accepting cash donations to help the victims of typhoon Sendong.

Development Bank of the Philippines
Account Name: La Salle Academy
Account Number: 0820-016221-030.

Notes:
1. Please make cheques payable to La Salle Academy.
2. Kindly make a digital copy (or digital photo) of the deposit slip and email this digital file to Br. Raffy Reyes FSC (President of LSA) raffyreyes1018@gmail.com AND Br Dennis Magbanua FSC (President of DLSZ) brodennis@gmail.com for proper documentation and accounting.

You may also leave your donations in kind at the LSA lobby anytime today and tomorrow. Daghang Salamat!

Volunteers Needed
From Sec. Dinky Soliman of DSWD – Volunteers are needed at DSWD Cagayan de Oro (Masterson Rd, Upper Carmen) to repack and deliver relief goods. Call +639066150095 and +63 8822 8588892

Please be at CU Gym today December 18, 2011… Our fellow Cagay-anons need our help in these desperate times… Please look for Ms. Armi Sobremisana.

CIRCLE PRODUCTIONS INC., is accepting donations in cash or in kind for the flood victims of Cagayan de Oro City…. The drop-off point is at Max’s Restaurant in Limketkai Mall… Look for Francis.

Click the image to get more info

JRS Express now delivers relief goods for free. Click the image for more info...

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We humans have a basic instinct to move wherever “there are greener pastures.” My thesis back at college about migration depicted it so. Human beings move from scarce to bountiful. Rural to urban, less money to earning more money, these are dictated by our instinct to survive and live. Now, think about the animal kingdom—ever wonder why whales migrate, butterflies flutter to Mexico, to moving red crabs carpeting the forest floors of  Christmas Island, and wildebeest went on the madness to swim with the crocs—survival. It is Darwinian at its finest.

National Geographic Society’s “Great Migrations” is a seven-part series, to be shown simultaneously in National Geographic Channel, NGC Wild and NGC Hi-Def. It is said to be the most ambitious project that the organization has ever embarked in its history. Three years in the making, it captures the vividness, drama and life on the move in the animal kingdom with state of the art imagery shot on land, air, and under the sea. Now, that’s how close you’ll get with the wild—in such awesome drama and picture that National Geographic has truly mastered.

Behind the stunning sceneries and cinematography lies the underlying search in understanding the massive movement in the animal kingdom—from breeding, to feeding and all the way to the science of communication and life—all chained within the bounds of survival. It also features never before seen images of animal behavior such as Mali elephants paying tribute to a dead calf that died in exhaustion and the “touchy” bonding of male sperm whales in the Atlantic. The program also leads the breakthrough in scientific research by attaching radio transmitters to elephant seals and the delicate butterflies.

Great Migration premieres on National Geographic Channel starting November 7, 2010 at 9PM (Philippine Standard Time). Marathon episodes will air on December 26, 2010 from 11AM to 6PM.

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Great news for Cavite residents who study or work in the City of Manila, Lawton-Cavite-bound buses are back! Yes, you heard it right!

The City Government of Manila has now allowed the entry of provincial buses coming from Cavite (Dasmariñas line, Tagaytay line, Mendez-Nuñez line, Ternate/Naic line) at Taft Avenue, all the way to Lawton (Park and Ride) from 5 in the afternoon to 6 in the morning, the next day. Although limited, the Cavite-bound buses are allowed only until Quirino LRT Station before going back to Cavite from 6AM to 5PM, everyday.

No need to wait in chaotic Buendia-Pasay!

This is still subject to changes. Better ask the bus conductors or the Manila traffic officers for more information.

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Quirino Grandstand Flags. The location of the hostage drama

Indeed, Quirino Grandstand in Luneta, central Manila, capital of the Philippines, is one historical place. It was here where several presidents took their oaths, celebrate the independence of the country from the United States, concerts and a whole lot more. It is a landmark dedicated to the former President Elpidio Quirino. The Grandstand that I guess all Filipinos know and synonymous to Luneta and Rizal Park–just several meters away from the place. On August 01, 2010, the 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines, Benigno Aquino III, took oath here. On August 23, 2010–a massacre unfolds as a former policeman took hostage of Hong Kong nationals in a stand-off that left the hostage and several hostages dead, and a mark of trauma in the image of the Philippines in the international community. Luneta has seen another blood spilt over her domain.

At around 10AM, an former policeman, identified as Rolando Mendoza, took hostage of several foreign tourists in a bus whom are supposed to visit Luneta and the Manila Ocean Park as reported. Mendoza brought a high-powered M16 rifle–guns for “big boys/police.” He demands to be reinstated after being dismissed from his job due to an extortion case. Negotiations went all the way, several hostages were freed. However, it failed. At around 7PM, gunshots were fired from the bus and the police went on to storm the said bus. The storming left Mendoza dead, three (as of the moment) hostages are confirmed dead and several are injured.

Philippine Police storms the bus during hostage crisis - Photo from CNN/Getty Images

The weather seemed to have been cooperating with the mood at Manila. The storming scene sent heavy rainshowers, streaks of lightning and thunderstorm. Like Hollywood, but its for real!

The drama was beamed all over the world, through CNN, BBC, Reuters, Sahara India, KBS, Channel News Asia, Star Phoenix and TVE as I’ve monitored. Yes indeed, Philippines got international exposure–on a negative light!

August 23rd of the year 2010, is a sad day for the Philippines and for those who have lost their loved ones in the said drama. It ended up in a blood bath. Now that the crisis is over, as usual, there would be a lot of pointing fingers on who is responsible for the mess. Some say that we need to snap up our police force–check their morale and their psyche. The police image here in the Philippines has failed miserably, a few days before, a video exposé of police brutality was shown by the media. Looks like the Philippine National Police has a lot to do cleaning up the ranks! The Filipinos ask, is the Philippine National Police still trustworthy?

Quirino Grandstand, where the drama/crisis unfolded:

View Quirino Grandstand – Manila Hostage Drama in a larger map

On the other side, media was to blame with the full-blown coverage of the situation. I heard that the hostage-taker (or his brother) got weary because of the media coverage. Does the media help the dissemination or simply making matters worse? I’ve said earlier, the drama was broadcasted all over the world! So much for media mileage and Philippine exposure. Something that the new administration of the Department of Tourism should start cleaning up and do some damage control. Just as now, Hong Kong officials have issued a travel advisory against the Philippines. It would really be a great impact in our tourism industry–since the hostages were tourists!

There are a lot of questions that still bother the Filipinos right now, but the most pressing is, why does it even have to happen?

On August 23, 2010, at around 8PM, the hostage crisis was over. The body of Mendoza was at the door. Dead hostages were taken out of the bus and the strong survived this fateful day.

Tomorrow, I’ll try to visit the site. At least offer some prayers for those who have lost their lives and to seek out justice out of this mess.

The crisis is over. The question is, how to we move on from this juncture?

Indeed, the skies of Manila mourned. The thunder stopped but the rain still poured. The streets were flooded, with tears coming from the sky. El cielo estaba llorando sobre Manila, ese noche. The sky was crying over Manila, that night.

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Easter really did catch up my surprise. It was almost noontime when I received the good news of 4438. Like how the Easter should be celebrated, Globe finally revealed the good news from 4438—have patience and ye shall be rewarded! I started my day editing some photos and cooking for lunch. While I was editing photos, my phone beeped and shown “Message from 4438.” Finally, it is the text that every Globe and TM subscribers have been waiting for.

Whether you’re a prepaid or post-paid Globe subscriber or even with TM, you could enjoy the benefits of this loyalty programme–Introducing My Rewards, My Globe and TM Astig Rewards! Freebies, great deals, perks and other rewards such as free passes to some of the country’s top tourist destinations, earn miles with Asia’s First, get gifts and discounts with several retail shops. You could also have a chance to get free gadgets from Globe, pamper you in the salon or at spa, and indulge yourself in gastronomic feast in several restaurants all around the islands—all these for Globe and TM subscribers! Talk about great things that happen during Easter!

No need to register. All these perks and more by just being a Globe or a TM subscriber! Great news also to overseas Globe subscribers worldwide—they too can enjoy great rewards!

Just imagine how much I could do within a day for such perks!

Indeed, Easter brought good news. The My Rewards, My Globe and TM Astig Rewards programmes are just one way for thanking 25 million subscribers of Globe, Globe Tattoo and TM.

To know more what’s in store for you, just text the keyword REWARDS and send it to 4438.

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In the Philippines, Easter Sunday comes in with the good news of the resurrection of the Saviour. A holiday that is observed by millions of Filipinos, as the atmosphere becomes jubilant after three days of spiritual reflection. Festive as it is, families and friends all gather and celebrate life in the province, homes, malls or wherever it may be!

As the country celebrates life this Easter Sunday, it’s not just the Gospel that brings in the Good News. On April 4, 2010—over 25 million subscribers of Globe, Globe Tattoo and Touch Mobile would receive good news. Yes, that good news to the subscribers would be sent by the mysterious number 4438. Huh? Okay, seriously, what or who is 4438? What’s the relation of this seemingly cryptic code for 4438? Although I’ve said earlier that 4438 may probably be April 4 (04-04), but what about 38? Could 4438 mean an access code of a prize? Could it be another one of those unlimited call or text promos? Could it be an access code for something special? I just really wonder what Globe has in store for its subscribers for them this coming Easter Sunday? Intriguing indeed.

So to all Globe and Touch Mobile subscribers, have your mobile phones ready. Makakatanggap kayo ng napaka-gandang balita mula sa 4438, kaya abangan!

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An earthquake rocked the Philippine capital of Manila and its surrounding metropolitan area and provinces in Tuesday, January 12, 2008.  According to USGS, the epicenter is located 50 kilometers west of Manila, pertaining directly to Bataan and was measured magnitude 5 on the Richter scale. So far, no damages have been reported.

For more technical information, please refer below: (Source USGS)

Location of the earthquake:

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Image of the Black Nazarene

Thousands of faithful will gather again this Saturday, January 9 for the annual feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo district, Manila. As old as tradition, Manila’s streets will be jam-packed with thousands of devotees flocking the Quiapo Church, Plaza Miranda and the streets of downtown Manila. The Manila Police District, in cooperation with the Quiapo Parish, released the 2010 procession route of the image of the Black Nazarene. It would still start at Quirino Grandstand and will pass by Lawton towards the streets of Quiapo, just like last year. However, the Quiapo area of the procession has been changed back to its traditional route because nakasanayan na ng mga deboto ang ruta na ito to prevent another untoward incident like that of last year. The reason is to accommodate the growing number of devotees to have contact with the image. And along with that would be the closure of some streets right at the heart of downtown Manila.

Here’s the route as per Manila Police District – Traffic Enforcement Unit:

Map courtesy of Google Maps:


View The Black Nazarene Procession Route 2010 in a larger map

ROUTE OF GRAND PROCESSION OF BLACK NAZARENE / CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC AREAS:

Route-From Quirino Grandstand going to Katigbak Drive thru P. Burgos, straight to McArthur Bridge, right Palanca, left Estero Cegado, right Carriedo, left Evangelista, right Raon, right Quezon Blvd., thru under Quezon Bridge, left Palanca, left Globo de Oro, left Gunao, right Arlegui, left Nepomuceno, left Aguila, right Carcer, right Hidalgo thru Plaza del Carmen, left B. Viejo thru G. Puyat, left Guzman, right Hidalgo, left Barbosa, right Globo de Oro St., thru under Quezon Bridge, right Palanca, right Villalobos thru Plaza Miranda going to Quiapo Church.

Motorists are advised to stay away from the streets of downtown Manila, especially Lawton and Quiapo areas. However, the Police District has provided instructions on re-routing of vehicular traffic posted in their website.

Quezon Boulevard, Quiapo. One of the roads to be used in the procession

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Mapping the world was a challenge to most of the explorers, but Google has encouraged young people to use technology for a cause. Google has announced the first Google Map Maker Global Competition. The contest is for everyone interested in mapping their localities, cities, campuses and a lot more. This has encourage civic volunteerism amongst the tech-savvy young people to help humanitarian organizations such as UNICEF in creating better guides.

Google Map Maker (www.google.com/mapmaker) enables users to become “citizen cartographers” and contribute their knowledge of their hometowns to the online community. Users can add familiar points of interests, draw roads and buildings, and generally create maps of places with just a few clicks of a mouse.

Competition entrants will be evaluated according to the quantity and quality of their map edits and moderation activity, which is essential to making sure that other peers’ edits are accurate. The winner’s efforts will result in a USD50,000 donation from UNICEF to benefit projects that empower local youth through technology in his or her homeland.

“We are very excited to be launching this mapping competition and we hope that Filipinos will participate in mapping as many universities, schools, hospitals and medical clinics in the country as possible to help humanitarian organizations implement their projects effectively,” said Therese Lim, Head of Communications for the Philippines, Google Southeast Asia. “We have seen how useful online maps can be during the aftermath of typhoons Ondoy and Peping, when Filipino volunteers used Google Maps to plot locations of people needing urgent rescue and areas with high levels of flooding. Those maps were relied on by a number of relief organizations to deliver aid.”

“We are delighted that Google is supporting UNICEF’s efforts to help build a world fit for children. We know that mapping is a proven method to enhance community development. Google Map Maker is a powerful tool to create better situational awareness for both young people and communities at large. It will enable organizations like ours to better deliver services, respond to crises and adapt to change,” said Gerrit Beger, leader of UNICEF’s innovation drive focusing on youth.

Interested people can register for the Map Maker Global Competition at http://www.google.com/help/mapmaker/competitions/global/getstarted.html. The contest is open from December 15, 2009 to January 31, 2010. Entries will be evaluated on:

• Mapping quality: Mapping additions and edits must be accurate and detailed.
• Mapping quantity: The more mapping additions and edits published, the better!
• Moderation quality: Moderations of mapping changes must be polite, helpful, and correct.
• Moderation quantity: The more moderations completed, the better!

In addition to the USD50,000 UNICEF donation, the contest winner will get a VIP tour from UNICEF officials of the local project in their country that will benefit from the donation. Google will also invite the winner to attend the Google Super Mappers 2010 conference, all expenses paid.

The winner will be announced by February 15, 2010.

Additional information about the Map Maker Global Competition can be found on http://www.google.com/help/mapmaker/competitions/global/index.html.

About Google Inc.
Google’s innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google’s targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit Google Philippines.

Google and Google Map Maker are registered trademarks of Google Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.

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Harapan The ANC Presidential Forum | Photo courtesy of ABS-CBN

Last 2nd of December 2009, the students of Manila’s university belt, together with the Filipinos accross the globe converge to watch and listen as the presidential aspirants give their wits, ideas and their platapormas as ABS-CBN’s presented Harapan: The ANC Presidential Forum from the Medicine Theatre of the University of Santo Tomas.

The 7 presidential aspirants who participated at the debate were: Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro of Lakas-CMD, Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III of Liberal, Former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada of PMP, Richard “Dick” Gordon of Bagumbayan, Bro. Eddie Villanueva of Bangon Pilipinas, Nicanor Perlas, an independent candidate and Councilor JC delos Reyes of Ang Kapatiran.

Photo courtesy of Ang Sa Wari Ko/Flowell Galindez

Each presented their ideas and thoughts on particular issues that any potential presidentiable would face in its administration by the time they’ll be elected by the Filipino people. Here are some of the ideas and excerpts from the said event:

1. Their thoughts about President Arroyo being the new prime minister of the Philippines

• Gibo: Will follow party’s plans and aims.
• Erap: Will not allow Gloria to be a prime minister of the country.
• Nicanor: Old politics and new politics. Will not allow Gloria to be a prime minister.
• Bro.Eddie: Transforming the bureaucracy and still wouldn’t allow Gloria to be the prime minister.
• Dick: “Kapampangans should think why Gloria should be running for congress.” He will not allow Gloria to be the new prime minister.
• Noynoy: “Great danger if she gets into power… Will oppose any measures to put her into power.”
• JC: “Against delicadeza. Will not allow Arroyo to run as prime minister.”

On the second question about the Maguindanao massacre, most of the candidates asserted immediate action, total gun ban, the state taking control over the affected area and the dismantling of the private armies of the local warlords. Gibo however emphasized on “how to implement” the acts that the others have suggested.

There are a lot of questions that were raised during the debate. I would suggest people to watch its replay on ABS-CBN this Sunday evening, December 6 after TV Patrok Linggo at around 9:30 to 10:30 PM or visit their website at http://www.abs-cbnnews.com to know more of your presidential candidates even closer. This is the time you as Filpino citizens should practice your right to chart your future…get to know more of the people and see who would rise to be the next commander-in-chief and head of the state of this nation of 7,107 islands.