Haikuman - Philippines Updates

[Speedy]

Dealmac via Dealnews is matching donations to $100k total to the American Red Cross for typhoon relief.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/16/world/....html?_r=3&scp=1&sq=red%20cross&st=cse&

"The American Red Cross keeps 9 percent of any money it raises,"

[Zoidberg]

I want to help -- but I am leery of all the charities, after seeing what I've seen for so many years. And I've heard that in times of disaster like this, it is better to give to the International Red Cross rather than the American Red Cross, because little of what you donate makes it to where it needs to go.

I wish it were clearer, and I wish the bastards of the world didn't come out in droves at times like these to make it difficult to help.

[ztirffritz]

Might I also suggest this donation route, through Oxfam: http://www.lifesaversystems.com/become-a-lifesaver

LifeSaver Systems will match your donation. They've already deployed 2500 GerryCan filtration systems. These filters can filter enough water for a family of 4 for 1 year.

[haikuman]

Good news arrives via cell phone conversation.
Lilian's Parents 2 house's only received roofing damage and loss
as reported to Lilian by her mother. A power pole hit the original very small
house. The other small house only lost it's roof.

They are currently using community well water that operates by hand pumping,
non purified or filtered. They do have rice and canned foods.They still have no
electricity or phone service in their Brangay Beta-og or Lawaan.

Lilian's mother and older brother are now in Catbalogan buying eggs, some fuel
for lanterns, maybe some fish, medicine, and other essential things.

It is many hours to Catbalogan, Western Samar, from Beta-og, Eastern Samar.

I will write more later as news comes in. Have a little loss of my own here this morning
as my neck/ c-spine is acting up and I am experiencing weakness in my arms and hands,
not usual normal control . . . <~ whinning

They seem to be much better off than we imagined, much better off than others that
sufferd much greater loss in their Brangay Beta-og and Lawaan.

People actually came to Lilian's, parents house for shelter during the storm.

[Frank]

Rudie, that's great news about Lillian's parents. Glad to hear it. Please take care of yourself.

[haikuman]

Update :

The majority of homes were destroyed in Beta-og even the house next to Lilian's parents.
Which makes the news we have received even more amazing, while also full of good fortune for
our family and us . . .

Lilian's family has expressed great sadness for their friends and neighbors who have lost their homes.
They have been helping others when able to.

They brought 4 small pigs into their house after rounding them up from the initial wave riding done by the pigs

The que for fuel was over 1km long in Catbalogan . . . so they were not able to get fuel today.

Most survivors from Beta-og have left for Luzon and other places.

More updates as they come in .

Rudie*(:>*

[haikuman]

Some of the story:
Written by Lilian as told to her by her mother.
I chose not to edit this so you can get a better feel for Filipinos from the Provinces.

My mother finally called me today 8 days after the typhoon. They (my mother and my older brother)had to go to Catbalogan to get a signal and will be able to call me and to buy some food and other stuff they might need but they weren't able to buy some stuff like kerosene and gasoline cause the line is about a kilometer long. Catbalogan is about 5hrs ride by van from our village if the road is good and no traffic.
            She said they are all ok and our old house is still standing although there are some damages on the roof since the electric pole fell into our roof and the same like our new house. They stayed in the old house since our store is there. The storm started around 3a.m. At around 5a.m in the middle of the storm my father went out to check the new house (200 meter away from the old house) and he saw people nocking on our door hoping to get some shelter because the place where they evacuated got flooded. They were wet, weak, freezing,hungry including very small baby a few months old. My parents let them in and gave them coffee and anything that will keep them warm. My mom cooked them foods to eat.
            Two days after the typhoon my father and my brother drove 8 hrs (due to heavy traffic and damaged road) by motorcycle to Brgy. San Jose in Tacloban to check my older sister and her 3 yr. old son. Thanks God they are ok after the water reach until 2nd floor of there apt.
            In our village so far after the typhoon my mom said the people there received a relief (2 kls of rice, 4 noodles, and 3 canned goods) just good for 1 day maybe by 5 people.

edit:
Lilian's English is better than mine anyway . . . so easier for you to read *(:>*

[haikuman]

Bando, Nerissa's husband also took many photos and some video with his camera.
As soon as I have some energy I will work on posting some of this. To be honest it is
pretty much like what we all have scene on the news. For us it shows what Musashi
and Nerrisa lived through.

Rudie

[haikuman]

Just a few Photos from Tacloban . . . miracles happen ~!~ Water was knee deep on the 2nd floor of their apartment during the storm.

Musashi's Pre School


Musashi in front of his apartment


Triplex where Nerissa and Musashi lived


Airport destruction


What does waiting at the airport for 2 days look like ?



Nerissa and Musashi waiting to be called for departure flight to Manila

[LaserKun]

Oh me, haiku, my prayers also for all of you! Thanks for keeping us updated.