It really is sad to end the year right now. I am talking about what happened in Northern Mindanao just a few days ago. I was really shocked. The Cagayan de Oro & Iligan were caught off guard in the early dawn a few days ago when Typhoon Sendong hit Mindanao. The storm passed right over Davao, but we got only a day of moderate rain, no real problems. but, Cagayan and Iligan were devastated.
Watching and reading on line, it’s just so hard looking at the pictures. It just break my heart seeing the body of people all lined up and washed away by the water. I just can’t imagine the fears of those people especially the children before they died. I’ve heard from a family that they heard a story. A doctor just went home from his duty at the hospital and he went to the bathroom. He died there inside because he was just trapped there. He didn’t know that there is already water gushing outside his house. Stories like that really make you cry. The pictures speak for themselves. Devastation all over there.
I was seeing on line a man carrying a kid. I am guessing that was his child because he was crying looking at the lifeless kid on his arms. Just as I was typing this post, the death toll was almost to a thousand. My gosh, they even had to dug up a hole and buried all the dead. No more medicine for embalming and no more caskets available. Can you imagine the feelings of the family seeing one of their loved one just be buried in mass grave? It would be a nightmare. But nothing they could do about it. No medicines came yet for the dead people. If they will not do anything with the bodies other people would be really sick there then from the bad odor.
Just looking at the pictures, it really reminds me of the Japan tsunami. Cars were piled up all over the place. Some were even on top of the gates and houses. The debris was just all over. It really worries me how can they clean up the place right away. Just by watching on TV, I don’t think they even started yet. I don’t know if they got help from Manila. As always everything has to come from Manila though. I’ve heard big officials from Manila will be coming to see the damage. Hopefully they will send help right away too. I don’t think they even asked help outside the country yet. I know lots of other countries willing to help out.
All in all I know that the Filipino people were united in helping. I’ve seen Filipinos that live abroad gathered money and stuff to sent to the people in Cagaya De Oro and Iligan. Companies like LBC were also helping out. You can just drop off stuff to their branches anywhere in the world and they will send the items to the in-charge here in CDO and Iligan area. Good thing we are using them for our shipment here locally for our business. I liked it that they really tried to help out.
To all our friends here that lost their loved ones on that typhoon, our heartfelt prayers and condolences to you guys. Also for those who lost their houses and all their belongings we are praying for you guys quick recovery too. I know its a sad holiday season for you all. We are praying for guidance and wisdom.
hello bob
i was feeling the same as you when i see the aftermath in northern mindanao.we have some friends in that area and we teamed up with some food suppplys to be delivered in cagayan today.all our prayers go to all effected in that tragic strom.
happy holidays bob and family and all lip readers
Hi Ron W – Very hard seeing them suffered. That’s good that you already extended your help there. That’s one good thing to end the year to help out with the needy people there in CDO and Iligan.
Have a Merry Christmas to you and your family. Good to see you again here!
Thank you for writing this article Feyma. Your compassion and concern for fellow Filipinos is very apparent in your writing. My wife, Virginia Padla is from Songco Bukidnon originally and we were married in Cagayan De Oro. It is heartbreaking to see the death and destruction in the internet pictures and videos. I read that President Aquino was there today. Hopefully he will authorize the U.S. to send assistance like we did to Indonesia several years ago. I pray for all the souls who have been affected by this tragedy.
Hi Dustin Smart – Thank you so much for the nice comment. I really appreciate very much. It’s really hard seeing the people there suffered so much. My heart goes out to those people. Really all of us had the same sentiments for all the people of CDO and Iligan.
I am hoping too that the Philippines will ask assistance from other countries. Just watching the videos and the pictures I always think of the Japan tsunami. CDO & Iligan was really in bad shape right now. It wil take awhile for the place to recover.
Our heartfelt prayers too for the lost souls and the people there. Sad Christmas for Mindanaoans right now.
Hi Ms.Feyma,
I cried seeing those pictures online… especially that dad who was crying while cradling his baby. I hope there’s a way for them to find strength and hope in such a tragic event. and I hope all of us despite of what we lack can be thankful for our lives and our families and being together.
Hi Speb Freespiritme – It is really a heartbreaking pictures to look at. I can’t agree you more on your comment. We just hope now and pray that the people there will recover soon.
Thank you so much for stopping by.
Happy Holidays to you!
Hi Feyma,
This one hits home a bit, although I have never been to this area of the Philippines.
One of my former students had just completed her international student teaching assignment in Cagayan de Oro when the devastation hit. I just talked to her mother today and of course they were very worried about their daughter until they were able to talk to her and knew she was safe. I’m sure she will never forget her teaching experience but even more so the human tragedy she witnessed. Her flight was to arrive home in Minneapolis tonight and I know mom and dad will be relieved.
Mrs Feyma,
Thanks so much for the caring attitude for the people of Northern Mindanao. Hopefully assistance will arrive soon to help the people with just the basic of needs so the suffering will end. Burying in a mass grave is unfortunately necessary to prevent disease, which would add to the tragedy. Will continue to keep those people in our prayers. Have a safe Christmas.
Thank you so much PapaDuck… Hopefully people still continue on helping. God bless everybody for that.
Hi Robert – Good thing that you had a good ending there. I’m glad your student was safe on that devastation there.
I hope more stories like yours happening there.
Thank you for sharing. Good to see you here!
hi feyma,
The government and the Red Cross appeal for help to feed, clothe and house more than 45,000 people huddled in evacuation centers, as soldiers battle to recover bodies.
The death toll from the flash floods is now over 1,000. Hundreds remained missing.
– From : http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/113597/deadly-mix-for-disaster
LBC Foundation : “Our branches in KSA, UAE, Singapore, HK, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, UK, Spain, Italy are also accepting donations for Typhoon Sendong victims.”
– From http://www.facebook.com/pages/LBC-Foundation/255449267840802?sk=wall
Xavier University is accepting donations at the Helpdesk set up at the University’s front gate or at the Relief Center at the Satellite Canteen near the College of Agriculture building (beside the gymnasium). Personnel and student volunteers are being deployed to buy, pack and deliver relief goods all over the City, under the direction of the University Chaplain.
– 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.
Xavier University Relief Center is conducting a relief operation for families affected by Bagyong Sendong.
They are asking for donations in :
CASH
FOOD (noodles, canned goods, etc.)
BOTTLED WATER and
CLEAN CLOTHES
You can drop them off at the Xavier University KKP-SIO.
Volunteers also needed @DSWD (Masterson Rd, Upper Carmen).
Call 09066150095 or 858-8892. Let’s help, please.
Other Useful Information:
For those live in Manila, you can help us
For CASH/ CHEQUE donations…(through Simbahang Lingkod)
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
– From http://www.xu.edu.ph/index.php/other-news/642-bagyong-sendong-relief-operations-in-xavier-university
LAST UPDATE – DEC. 19, 2011 (1:22 PM)
URGENT NEEDS – From http://janeuymatiao.com/2011/12/17/how-to-help-victims-of-tropical-storm-sendong/
Blankets
Bottled water (VERY URGENT!)
Canned goods
Clothes
Diapers
Food
Gauze
Hydrogen peroxide
Mats (banig)
Medicines
Milk
Off! lotion
Rice
Toothbrushes
Towels
Utensils
DROP-OFF POINTS
Ateneo School of Government and Kaya Natin! – will accept donations from Dec. 19-21 only, 10am to 10pm. Clothes, blankets, ready-to-eat food, toiletries and bottled water accepted. Bring to Fr. Ortiz Hall, Social Development Complex, Ateneo, QC.
Bigby’s – branches in Megamall, Ayala Cebu, SM City Cebu Northwing, Abreeza Davao, SM City Davao, SM City Bacolod, Limketkai Center, SM City Cagayan de Oro, Robinson’s Place General Santos
Caritas Manila (NEW) – can pick up cash and donations in kind. Call 563-9311 for cash donations; 564-0205 for donations in kind.
DSWD Field Office NCR: San Rafael St., Legarda, Manila
DSWD Field Office IV-A: Alabang-Zapote Road, Alabang, Muntinlupa City 1770
Tel. No.: (02) 807-4140 Fax No.: (02) 807-1518
Contact: Gina Laranan 09108860826
DSWD Field Office IV-B: 1680 F. T. Benitez St., Malate Manila
Contact: Shiela Tapia (02) 5252445
GMA 5 (Davao) – Please leave donations at Shrine Hills, Matina, Davao (info from @mindanaoan)
GMA Kapuso Foundation – for info on where to bring donations in kind, click HERE
Kristohanong Katilingban sa Pagpakaban (coordinated with Xavier University) – call (088) 8583116 loc 3210 for details
La Salle Greenhills – will start accepting donations Monday, Dec. 19 (info taken from HERE)
Donations in cash and kind will be received at Gate 2 of La Salle Green Hills at 343 Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City 1550.
You may call any of the following telephone numbers for further inquiries:
Alumni Office — 721-2729, 722-7750, 725-4720
GS Principal — 721-2482
HS Principal — 721-8914
Buildings and Grounds Office — 721-8904 (Telefax)
La Sallian Mission Office — 726-5851 (Telefax)
Online Help Desk > https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1LSXx2Xt3D_0203ah6VyzLDLrI5v19oYaMnErsNwHRLI&pli=1
Relief Channels > http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=760098&publicationSubCategoryId=200
http://www.facebook.com/notes/fil-alcaraz/how-to-help-the-victims-of-typhoon-sendong/10150525620399882
my family just donated 10k yesterday at the Philippine red cross, hope mindanao will recover and my the people never lose hope in life
Hi Biz Doc – Thank you so much for the link. Highly appreciated.
Hi Feyma – Words cannot describe the effect of the typhoon on CDO and Iligan one has to see to really believe and take in the aftermath. This is the second time this has happened to the inhabitants of CDO in particular although the first time January 2009 was less severe in terms of lives lost and damage, it was a warning of what could happen in the future.
The coastal area between CDO and Iligan is the outlet for the large rivers from the mountains of Bukidnon and Lanao which feed into the sea. During heavy rains if you stand on higher ground and look out to sea you can see the silt and soil from the mountains being washed into the sea from the rivers by their brown orange colour against the blue of the sea water.
One of the main reasons for this soil erosion from the mountains and upland hill areas is the denuding of the forests. Tree roots hold the soil on the mountain slopes and hillsides and prevent it from being washed down with the rains into the rivers during heavy rain storms which are an ongoing event in the Philippines not something new.
The silt and soil builds up in the river bottoms particularly when the river loses its momentum due to becoming wider as it nears the sea. The heavier particles sink to the river bed whilst the lighter particles continue to the sea causing the river to discolour as I mentioned earlier.
The silt and soil build up on the river bed causes the river to become shallower each time it rains so that when the rivers is flooded as happened during the recent typhoon the surge of water has no where to go and its also fighting the coastal tide to reach the sea. The result as witnessed in CDO and Iligan and the surrounding areas was massive flooding causing death and destruction on a large scale.
If the natural mountain and hill forests in Bukidnon and Lanao were properly managed and replaced as they are felled and new trees planted on the lower slopes this type of tragedy could be avoided at best and greatly reduced at worst. Until the new trees have taken root and are able to impact on preventing further soil erosion the rivers should be dredged on a regular basis to prevent the build up of silt and soil on their beds thus allowing for unexpected surges of rain water as happened in this recent tragic event.
Nothing will bring back the lives already lost during this tragedy but by decreeing action now as suggested this type of situation may be prevented in the future. Each year the Philippines feels the brunt of numerous typhoons and numerous lives are lost as a result and many are due to landslides and flooding. Therefore how important is trees to the survival of the Philippines and its people?
Yes the people of the effected area will pick themselves up and get on with life as they have always done but I think they deserve more from their legislators as an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.
Regards.
Jim.
Hi Jim – I know it is hard to imagined what happen. I felt sorry for the people there. Everyone’s heart bleed out for them. Just watching on TV the devastation there really makes me cry. I hope that the government will have strict laws on cutting trees.
I hope that people will also have more responsibility on their surroundings.
Thank you for stopping by!
My colleague lost 10 of his relatives in CDO beacuse of Sendong. He came home yesterday from Saudi Arabia. What a tragedy!
Hi Jonathan – I’m sorry to hear about your co-worker. Gosh, the hardship on coming home with lots of your love ones were gone. Very devastating.
Hope in time, people will slowly recover.
I have been following the tragic events in Iligan City since the first drops of rain began to fall there. One of my friends there lost everything he had except the clothes on his back and his life. He was living in one of the most hardest hit areas and as his house began filling up with water he was lucky enough to escape to the roof of this one story, recently constructed, house. Part of the house went floating away as the big waves carrying huge logs acted like battering rams on many of the buildings there. A little after dawn as the water began to recede my friend and other rooftop escapes were able to wade their way out of that area for safer grounds.
One of the first relief efforts to mobilize was the Iligan Bolggers Society Inc. They have started their own ” One For Iligan ” relief campaign and had a Paypal account set up within hours making it easy for people like me and many others from all over the world to send donations. They will use every Dollar, Peso, Pound Sterling, Euro or what ever else is contributed 100% towards the relief effort ( No Administration Costs etc. ) . They have even established their own local netowrk such as places for relief donations to be left, a local restauranteur who lost his place of business began cooking out of his home to feed the Iligan Bloggers as well as preparing food for some of the evacuee centers, The Iligan Bloggers are doing their own distribution and I believe one of the military vehicles and a driver is assisting them with transportation.
On my recent visit to Iligan, I met with the Iligan Bloggers Society several times and I must really commend them on what they are doing now. Dontations continue comming into their donation accounts.
” LIP” is one of the most active blogs I have ever encounterd on the internet. I have known of Blogs and blogging for years and with many of the blog pages I have seen I have thought to myself at times ” I wonder who really reads all of these blogs ” ? Well, with all of the action I have seen on the main website of the Iligan Bloggers, and additionally the rapid response from all over the world for donations, I am more than convinced many blogs out there must have a lot of followers although not many of them get comments in the quantity and variety as I enjoy reading here on LIP.
This is the worst calamity of this kind Iligan has ever experienced according to a comment Mayor Cruz made on a commercial TV news item. So sad especially at this time of the year.
Further info on the efforts of Iligan Bloggers Society Inc. can be found here as well as donation information for those so inclined.
If you look very carefully on the main page of their website, you might see a picture of a famous Mindanao Celebrity !
http://iliganbloggers.com/
The Iligan Bloggers also have a facebook page which they are regularly adding pics and other information on their efforts. They have also been featured on the GMA News Website.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/242339/scitech/socialmedia/social-media-drives-mindanao-relief-efforts
https://www.facebook.com/iliganbloggers
also
http://networkedblogs.com/rJKPY
God Bless all, in Iligan and Cagayan De Oro and other affected areas.
Hi Bob New York – Thank you so much for the comment and the links. I’m hoping that people there will slowly recover in time. It’s the worst devastation in that area ever since I think. I’m glad that a lot of people tried to helped out too. Thank goodness for the internet. A lot of people all over the world were ready to helped out.
Thank you again for helping the Iliganons.
Good to see you here!
Hi feyma,
Salamat Kaayo sa imong Concern sa Taga Cagayan og Iligan.
People in region 10 are in deep sorrow. Not only in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City. We did not even know that the season of joy has already passed. Many are still missing until now. I just can’t imagine how the government handle disaster preparedness. I hope and pray that all will be okey now. It is inevitable to see and compare what is the most needed to ease the pain. However the aid being distributed are short lived (Temporary) I am praying that there could have been a group of people who will personally see the immediate needs of the affected and somehow give a concrete analysis on what are the most essential that are preferably given attention first. I think, they will also see the Psyco-Social debriefing side (for the experts) On check and balance, I think it is not necessarily the job of the government but for all including the NGOs and the Civil Society.
If you happen to visit the Evacuation Centers (ECs) you will always feel the loneliness of the people.. hearing their stories makes you feel sad (Ultra sad). That when you hear them.. you just cant help but cry with them.
Hi feyma,
Salamat Kaayo sa imong Concern sa Taga Cagayan og Iligan.
People in region 10 are in deep sorrow. Not only in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City. We did not even know that the season of joy has already passed. Many are still missing until now. I just can’t imagine how the government handle disaster preparedness. I hope and pray that all will be okey now. It is inevitable to see and compare what is the most needed to ease the pain. However the aid being distributed are short lived (Temporary) I am praying that there could have been a group of people who will personally see the immediate needs of the affected and somehow give a concrete analysis on what are the most essential that are preferably given attention first. I think, they will also see the Psyco-Social debriefing side (for the experts)
If you happen to visit the Evacuation Centers (ECs) you will always feel the loneliness of the people.. hearing their stories makes you feel sad (Ultra sad). That when you hear them.. you just cant help but cry with them.
Hi estrellitachanrellama – Thank you. I think any citizen(Filipino & Foreign) here in the Philippines really felt the sorrow of the people in CDO & Iligan. Who would not? My gosh, even just hearing the stories on TV really makes anyone here cry. I’ve heard from friends that it is still in bad shape there. The needs of the stuff still there. I am hoping and praying that the help still pouring in until our fellow citizen from that area will be a bit okay.
God bless everybody! Good to see you here!