Tsunami Strike in Samoa

Another tragedy...

I just finished doing the aftermath post on typhoon Ondoy that hit Manila,
when I read another disaster.

Samoa is located about midway between Hawaii and New Zealand. United States and Germany divided the archipelago; American Samoa (Eastern) and Samoa (Western).

The tsunami was triggered by a strong quake with a magnitude of 8.3 in the South Pacific which killed more than 100 people across the islands on tuesday.

What is happening? Isn't it alarming?

 3 days prior to this, there was Ondoy that drowned Manila...

These are the effects of climate change...

The nature has finally reacted...

I hope its never too late to prevent... or mayber yes, we were...

and all we can do is to think of solutions to somehow solve what we have done...

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To fix what we have ruined...

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And to survive before we're all gone.

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*source: photos - bbc news, info - reuters*

Sa Paghupa

Sa kasalukuyan: umabot na sa 246 ang bilang ng nasawi sa trahedya; 1.9M katao sa kabuan ang apektado ng pagsalanta ni Ondoy at nsa 4.69B na ang halaga ng mga ari-ariang napinsala sa baha.

(source: www.abs-cbnnews.com)

Ngayon, walang mayaman, walang mahirap.

Kapwa nilamon ng delubyo ang kongretong bahay at ang yari sa pawid... may gate ka man o natatabingan lang ng lawanit...

Kotse at padjak, sabay na lumulutang...

Pare-parehong kumakalam ang tiyan... Sabay na nananangis ng saklolo...

Pang-apat na araw makalipas ang trahedyang humampas sa ating bayan...

Lalong nagliwanag ang larawan ng paghihirap... lalong lumakas ang hagulgol ng mga biktima...

Sa paghupa ng tubig sa bawat kalsada, bumubungad ang pinsalang dala ni Ondoy...

Umaalingasaw ang amoy ng mga bangkay ng mga buhay na kasamang naanod sa bahang dala nito.

Mga bahay na wasak, gamit na nakasabit sa kable ng kuryente, damit na binalot ng putik, mga librong punit...

Lahat nalimas... nalubog na sasakyan... gumuhong pader... nilipad na bubong.

May hihigit pa ba sa sakit at hirap na dinaranas nila ngayon?

Gutom. Puyat. Pagod. kaya yan! mapag-tiis ang mga pinoy...

Hindi iindahin ang kalam ng sikmura, ang hilo dahil sa antok at ang panghihina dahil sa pagod...

Kinakaya ang sakit sa pagkawala ng mga mahal sa buhay... kailangang ipagpatuloy ang laban para sa mga natira...

Kumakapit sa konting pag-asang minsang nagkubli sa dilim.

Sa pagdating ng mga tulong... sa pagbukas ng pintuan ng mga tahanan para sa walang masilungan...

Sa bayanihan na nangingibabaw ngayon sa ating bayan... patuloy itong nagbibigay liwanag sa gitna ng madilim na hinaharap...

Lahat ay patuloy na nananaghoy, nananalangin na sana ay makayanan ang hirap ng pagsisimulang muli...

Hindi mahalaga kung gaano katagal bago maibalik ang lahat...

higit na importante ang katatagan... ang patuloy na pagyakap sa pag-asa at ang pananampalataya na hindi kailanman tayo pababayaan ng Panginoong Diyos, at hindi tayo mag-iisa! :)

__________________

*all photos-from the net*

Panaghoy kay Ondoy

Sa kasalukuyan (1:45PM, 28/09/2009)

• 
  
  HIgit 100 tao na ang naitalang namatay pagdaan ng bagyong Ondoy sa ating bansa.
  
  
• Nasa state of national calamity ang 27 probinsya sa 7 rehiyon, kasama ang NCR.
• Halos 300,000 katao ang apektado ng sakuna.

• Umabot na sa 20M ang halaga ng perang nalikom ng ABS-CBN Teethon at 25M na mga goods para sa pagtulong sa mga nasalanta sa buong bansa.
  at ang bilang ay tumataas pa...

Bilang OFW, isa na namang pagsubok ito ng katatagan, na piliting maging OK sa gitna ng trahedyang nangyayari sa ating bayan...

Mali ba ako na sa kabila ng kalunos-lunos na sinasapit ng ating mga kababayan, nangingibabaw ang pagka inis ko sa ating gobyerno kesa sa awa sa kasalukuyang sitwasyon?

Mali bang isipin na ngayon pinadurusahan ng mga tao ang walang pakundangang paglapastangan sa ating kalikasan?

Sa mga ganitong kalamidad, nangingibabaw sa atin ang bayanihan... ang pagtutulungan ng ating mga kababayan...

Pero hanggang kailan kaya natin kailangang saluhin ang pagkukulang ng ating gobyerno? Hanggang kailan natin pagtatakpan ang bulok na sistema ng ating bayan? At ilang baha pa ang kailangan bago matuto ang bawat isa na mangalaga sa ating kapaligiran.

Malakas ang bagyo, halos katumbas daw ng isang buwang buhos ang bumagsak sa isang araw lamang. At sa sukatang ito, tiyak nga na lulubong nga ang buong Maynila.

Kung sa simpleng ulan nga lang, lumulutang na ang ilang bayan, lalo pa sa ganun kalakas na bagyo ang dumaan. Halos buong taon, may bagyong namiminsala sa ating bansa...

At nakainis isipin na hanggang sa ngayon, di pa rin tayo handa sa ganung sakuna.  Ilang rubber boats ang meron tayo, 25 ata, un ang napanood ko sa interview kagabi kay Sec. Teodoro. Nananawagan cia ng tulong kung sinong merong mga rubber boats, jetski.. atbp na puedeng magamit sa pag-rescue...

May nagtanong pa nga na televiewer, kung bakit wala pa ang sinasabi nilang mga rescue team... at ang nakakahiyang pahayag nya ay kasi ung ibang bangka at walang motor... kaya nahihirapan makapunta agad. Pero panay ang sabi nya na ginagawa nila ang lahat para mailigtas ang mga nasalanta.

At ang mga taong bayan naman, kasama nilang lumulutang ang mga basurang ngayon ay bumalik sa kanilang mga tahanan. Sa pagbulusok ng malakas na tubig, lahat ay naagusan. Mayaman at mahirap, lahat ay pantay-pantay. Lahat ay nagbigay kontribusyon sa pagsira ng kalikasan na ngayon ay kailangang pagbayaran.

Sa mga susunod na araw, limpak na halaga ang kailangang ilabas ng gobyerno para pantulong sa mga nasalanta. Gandang timing din para sa mga kakandidato at trapo... kanya kanyang pa pogi sa pag abot ng tulong sa mga tao... sakto!

At maswerte pa rin ang mga nakaupo sa pwesto... dahil ngayon, maglalabas ng pondo ang gobyerno, para sa kampanya... este, para pala sa mga apektado!

Ang gulo noh?

Naaawa ako sa ating bayan... lubog sa tubig, lubog sa utang, lubog sa kahihiyan gawa ng mga buwaya sa gobyerno...

Tuluyan na nga bang lulubog sa putik at burak ang Perlas ng Silanganan?

---o0o---
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya
Tel: 00632 - 413-2667 / 00632 - 416-0387
Add: No 13 Examiner Street, Quezon City, Look for Ms Girlie Aragon

Bank: Banco de Oro, Mother Ignacia branch

Acct name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.
Acct no.: 5630020111

Routing code for international cash donations

BNORPHMM ABS-CBN Branch
ABS-CBN Foundation US Office Toll-Free 1-800-527-2820

Source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
Photos: google images

Embarrassed

I had several "embarrassing moments" in my life...
Bloopers that can be compiled or added to funny komiks!

But the three most embarrassing are my conveys with my nephew, Derick...

The first one happened about 6 months ago... when I was talking with him, after his operation (when he had a motorcycle accident).
I can clearly recall how I cried, every time I hear his voice, the pain, the fear that I had while he was in the hospital...
And there was this one time that right after one of his operations, he was conscious when they brought him out from the OR. My mother told me that I can talk to him, and so I did...

Me: How are you? Are you in pain?
Him: I am fine, Tita. I am numb... they injected anesthesia...
Then I started crying...
and he said: Don't cry, I am fine... I already prayed...

He is just 10 years old and lying on that hospital bed...

The second incident happened maybe just a month after the first. He was already home, on the stage of recovery, we were chatting... then he stopped and told me that the driver of the motorbike and his father were there to talk to my parents and brother...

I was 4,297 miles away from home, but when I knew that the man who almost took my nephew's future and brought problem to my family was there... I wished that I can fly and reach home at that moment to slap his face and get vengeance for what he does.

And when Derick was back online... I asked him:

Me: What happened? Are they gone?
Him: Yes, they left already. They talked.
Me: Are you Ok? How did you feel upon seeing that guy?
Him: Nothing.
Me: Are you angry?
Him: No. It was an accident.

He was still healing then, and the wounds were still fresh.

The third happened just yesterday... still online as we were chatting.
He told me that he will finish his assignments first, and will just buzz me when he's done.
After like three hours, he went back and gave a buzz...

Him: Hello! Sorry, it took me so long. I fell asleep because I was so annoyed!
Me: Why? What happened?
Him: Because Eca (his sister) threw a slipper and hit my head.
Me: Oh! Maybe it was an accident.
Him: Yes, it was...

Then he told me that he will try one game online, and will buzz me again after...
I know he was not OK.
If that happened to me, I'm sure my brother and I will fight...

After some time, I buzzed him:
Me: Are you mad at Eca?
Him: No. It's fine. There is nothing I can do.

I know that my nephew look up to me. We are so close. Everyday, he gives me a buzz to say Hi. To remind me not to miss a meal or to have a rest once in a while. He will send audible hugs and kisses at times that I am busy. And never ashame of telling me that he loves and misses me.

Yet he don't know that there are many things that I learned from him.
All this time, I know that my faith can move mountains... yet his can't only move but can transform mountains..
I know how to forgive, but it will take me some time to do that. There are people that I didn't greeted for years... yet for him, the guy who hit him and gave so much pain physically and emotionally was easily forgiven.
And the sibling fight... for me, I won't let it pass without doing the same... yet he knows that he needs to be more patient to them.

If I sounded like a proud tita... well, maybe I am.
And I'm thankful that his parents... and grandparents... and tita :) raised him well.
I am praying that those traits that I admire won't change, as he grow up...

"Train a child in the way he should go, & when he is old he will not depart from it."

Proverbs 22:6

Eid Al Fitr

Eid is an Arabic word meaning “festivity”, while Fitr means “to break the fast”;

and so the holiday symbolises the breaking of the fasting period.
It is celebrated starting on the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal and upon sighting of the new crescent moon which signals the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan.

It is a joyous occasion for all Muslims.

It is a time when Muslims give thanks for the blessings they have received from Allah, celebrated the victory of the forces of good over evil, and forgive their neighbours for old grudges and ill feelings. It is also a time for spreading peace, sharing with others and giving thanks for completing another period of fasting for the month of Ramadan.

- * - * -

WoW! Its my 3rd year of celebrating Eid here in the UAE :)
It seems like yesterday, when I first saw BAGONG BUWAN (new crescent moon which signals the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan)...
and here I am again, joining the Muslim people in commemorating this joyous occasion.

Yes. I am joining them, not for the long weekend... but in prayers... and in faith...
This is the best time to give thanks... to forgive... to be healed... to share love and spread peace.

And isnt it even non-muslims can do it?

We can all join them.
Christians and Muslims can always be united in prayers...

I am sure that we are all hoping for peace.
To have a better world where our children and grand children can enjoy their freedom.
Together, we are hoping for an economic stability, that we can live life with less pressure.
We are all praying for happiness... for ourselves and our family.
Everybody wants a life without an enemy. nobody loves war... it only happens when people were not treated fairly...

We are both calling God, maybe in different names, but what's important is that we have faith in Him.
We may be divided through different teachings... language... customs and traditions, but still,we share the same world... we have the same hope... we pray with all our faith and we know there is God that listens.

EID MUBARAK!

Dubai Metro 09-09-09

9 minutes and 9 seconds after 9 in the evening

on the 9th day of the 9th month in the year '09

Dubai, again made a history on the inauguration of

The Largest Automated Driverless Metro System in the World.

The Dubai Metro is the first railway transport in the GCC, with inital opening of 10 stations from the 29 Red line station and 18 Green Line stations, which will all operate on 2010, already had a record of 114,000 passengers on the first 2 days.

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The interiors of the stations are uniquely designed based on the four elements of nature: water, air, fire and earth. All stations are fully aircontidioned. Equipped with world class facilities based on international standards. There are platform screen doors for passengers' safety. They also have the record of the largest undergound metro station in the world - the Union Square station.

Stations along SZR have bridge across the highway.

Fully airconditioned with walkalators.

up to the ceiling and down to the floor...

inside the station and outside the door...

Dubai has stepped another milestone.

with all the worlds' best...largest and now... driverless!!!

-*-*-
Its not my first time to ride a Metro.

I first experienced that when I was still a kid... the LRT in Manila, which is so far behind compare to this Dubai Metro.

and come to think of it, riding metro is a part of everyday journey by most Filipinos since 1980s. yet Dubai Metro is the first in GCC.

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and as I tour around with the Metro, I saw families, different type of people who were amazed, having rode the train for the first time in their lives...

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and I realize, its worth the wait for them.

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because despite the overcrowded passengers, and not to mention the "perfumes" that covers the

air, their Metro deserves the title of the World's best.

many incident that caused delays were acceptable, since its still on trial period.

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in our country, we already have 3 (MRT, LRT1 & LRT2).

but still, its nothing compared to this.

we had it earlier. but they have it better.

HBD

to my bestfriend in the whole world...

may God continously guide you in this journey called life.

i love you always.

Bunso

Tita Bunso, as we all call her.

the youngest in the family, the baby of everybody.

Soft and fragile, that's what she is...

a kind hearted lady, that was loved by many.

Most of us, grew up with her...

or maybe not most,

but im one of those, little girls who loves her the most.

the "pamperer", as I may say...

she gave us everything as long as its ok...

and there is nothing that she asks in return...

just hugs and sweet kisses, the only request she will say.

As I grew up, I got to know more...

of my auntie, whom I adore.

She was always been, my favorite and my idol...

my ever inspiration... in life as I go on.

A lady of strength and determination...

a woman of faith, hope and aspiration.

loving, giving and forgiving ...

my tita bunso... is one of the best person!

im not saying this, because its her birthday today...

its just a fact... that i really want to say.

a woman of God, and she'll always be...

that beautiful person, that I also want to be :)

Happy Birthday to my Dearest Tita Bunso!

Above and Beyond

"The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of His hands."
Psalm 19:1

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where have I been?

just somewhere...

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in the place where my heart stays.

where there are too much laughter in the air.

and where smile sticked on my face...

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there in the comfort zone of my being.

where 2 minutes lasts for decades...

and seconds of fun stays forever.

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in paradise where i was surrounded by love.

where all the people that matters are just within reach.

where nights were like days... and days dont turn to nights.

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there, rain and sun are together.

wind blows cold, yet sunshine kept us warm.

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the place where my mind rests...

where my heart beats...

and where my dreams achieved.