A Flooded Weekend

[A7]

I just got back online after a violent storm that hit most the northern Philippines on Saturday. Fortunately, the village where I'm at is located on the hills. We still had electricity on the day of the storm, but the internet connection was shot.

Sadly, the same cannot be said for hundreds of thousands of people in Metro Manila, who saw their homes submerged in up to 2 stories of floods. For those who either live in New Orleans or volunteered in disaster relief during the time of Hurricane Katrina, you know what it's like.

Here are some videos of the damage done.









BTW, much thanks to Kirsten and Sara for the well wishes they sent me on Facebook.

 

[Metallicat180]

Wow, that sucks. Glad to hear you're ok!

 

[BRIAN MAIDEN]

So sorry for the folks who were affected. Good for you that you are ok!

 

[MiniMurray]

that's alot of water. did it stop raining yet?

 

[A7]

that's alot of water. did it stop raining yet?

We get sunlight and occasional drizzling, but otherwise, the rain has stopped. I have not seen how the affected areas look now, but the damage was much worse than expected. Rescue teams have recovered at least 140 bodies in the city alone.

 

[Kirsten "Bruce Chickinson"]

What a terrible tragedy for those affected, but so glad to know you and your family are safe. Hang in there!

 

[A7]

Peter, a.k.a. NeonAngel, posted this on Facebook:

My friend Joel Velasco is helping out the Manila Flood Victims. We need to help as much as we can. Goal is to fill up a 40-ft container in 1 week with new/used clothing, shoes, blankets, medicines, canned food items, etc.

Dropoff Location:
205 West Torrance Blvd
Carson, CA 90745

If you would like to donate money, please call DINO BALGEMINO @ 562-338-4733. Thank you & God Bless Manila.

 

[Doodoobubbachuck]

OMG, those videos are heartbreaking. I'm so sorrry this is happening, but I am so grateful you and your family are alright, Jeremy. Stay strong and help those who you can out there.

 

[NeonAngel]

This is from my childhood friend Joel Velasco:

"Per our post on Facebook, we are collecting donations for the Manila flood victims.

"Our goal is to fill up a 40 foot container by this coming weekend. Priority right now is canned food items, butwe are also collecting new or used clothing/shoes/blankets, medicines, etc. Also open to cash donations which will be used topurchase additional canned goods and partly cover some of the logistics expenses.
"
Support from the FB network has been overwhelming. Within 24 hours, weve received calls, pledges, and actual donations from random strangers. Weve also received pledges from various organizations, medical groups, etc, but still need more help so were reaching out to you for further support if you could, please share with your friends and relatives.

"Donations will be sent directly to Relief Operations Center at La Salle Greenhills which currently has a massive network of volunteers these volunteers have already started relief efforts including collection and distribution of donated goods all over Metro Manila.

"Our house (Dino & Jan Balgemino) is one drop-off point, but weve also enlisted the help of other relatives, including ALAS Cargo to open their warehouse for collection, storage and eventual loading. We'll facilitate immediate shipment to Manila."

Here are the addresses:
Our house: 16622 Amberwood Way Cerritos, CA 90703 (DROP-OFFS WELCOME UNTIL FRIDAY, 10/2/09)

ALAS warehouse: 205 West Torrance Blvd., Carson, CA 90745; (310)808-0041 (DROP-OFFS WELCOME UNTIL SUNDAY, 10/4/09)

ALAS branches (DROP-OFFS WELCOME UNTIL SATURDAY, 10/3/09). For addl info: http://alascargo.com/contact_form:

WEST COVINA (626) 820-8870
(Inside Island Pacific)
1512 E. Amar Rd., Unit D
West Covina, CA 91792
OFFICE HOURS Su-Sa 8AM - 6PM

MORENO VALLEY (951) 220-5374
24907 Sunnymead Blvd Ste B
Moreno Valley, CA 92553
OFFICE HOURS Tues - Sat 9:30AM - 5:30PM / Sun 9:00AM - 4:00PM

PANORAMA (818) 894-5688
(Inside Island Pacific)
8340 Van Nuys Blvd., Unit A
Panorama, CA 91402
OFFICE HOURS Su-Sa 8AM - 6PM

CERRITOS/ORANGE COUNTY
(562) 809-5070
11620 South St.
Artesia, CA 90701
OFFICE HOURS M-F 9AM - 6PM
Sa-Su 9AM - 5PM

SAN DIEGO (619) 470-1023
3126 E. Plaza Blvd., Ste. F
National City, CA 91950
OFFICE HOURS Su-Sa 10AM - 6PM

EAGLE ROCK (323) 340-8888
(Inside Philippine Village Center)
4515 Eagle Rock Blvd.,
Los Angeles, CA 90041
OFFICE HOURS M-Sun 9AM - 5PM

Main contact info: (562)338-4729 (Look for Dino or Jan)
If you have Twitter, follow us on twitter.com/SoCal4Ondoy for updates

Thank you in advance for the support!

Dino & Jan Balgemino
alascargo.com

PLEASE PITCH IN TO HELP THE FOLKS IN MANILA!
THANKS, PETER G.

"I only dream in black and white. I only dream 'cause I'm Alive!"--from "The Dream of Mirrors", Iron Maiden

 

[A7]

Now all hell's breaking loose in the Pacific. Yesterday, the Samoan Islands were hit by an 8.0 earthquake that triggered 13-foot tsunami waves, killing at least 141 people. Now, I just got word that western Indonesia just got hit by a 7.6 earthquake that has killed at least 75 people and trapped thousands in collapsed buildings.

 

[A7]

I've just been informed that another typhoon has been spotted approximately 520 km (323 miles) east and will be headed towards the country, with winds up to 210 km/h (130.5 mph).

 

[Kirsten "Bruce Chickinson"]

Yes, it's mind-blowing to see the aftermath of nature's fury, utterly tragic... Stay safe, Jeremy, and know that your friends here are sending good thoughts and prayers your way. I want to make it to the Panorama collection point but can't get there before 6 pm. I wonder if it's safe to leave stuff outside the door?