Bagyong Ondoy (Ketsana) Sept 26 2009

September 26, 2009---I went home just to sleep for a few hours after my graveyard shift thinking that the rains would be "conducive" for sleep. Waking up became another story.... our village, Eusebio Bliss Village in Maybunga Pasig City was among the many places hit by Typhoon Ondoy....Strike two, I should say, for me. Our first tragic encounter with a typhoon was in Quezon province, when it was hit by Typhoon Winnie and Yoyong in 2004. My mom died there among the 800+ victims of landslide and flooding. Now, I am far more than luckier. Yes, our place is still flooded (as of this writing, Oct 7), yes we are still temporarily staying in a friend's house, and yes we are anticipating our next move on whether to stay in our Pasig unit or find a new place. We have been residents of Pasig for almost six years...Our routine, our neighbors, our lives. It is easier said than done to simply leave things all behind. Our place is like our second home away from our province and we have to face so many issues if ever we finally decided to leave our unit for good. Transfer of billing statements, of our things (in six years, of course, we have acquired a few material possession!), transfers which means lots of unexpected expenses at a time when Christmas season is at our doors. Anyway, I am not really worried about our things.. I am lucky. Period. I have taken a few pictures just for the sake of photographing "nature's wrath".. Hirap kalaban si Ondoy. He came when most of us are not prepared... and it's effect is lasting....Sometimes it is not the typhoon, sometimes it is ourselves...Watching TV is different from actual pain.. Asking people what happened to them and lifting their spirits is different from actually experiencing the actual pain...I knew how my mom felt... fear for dear life.. I just could not asked her...

Pictures taken below were from Sept 28 and Oct 2 2009.

Freecycle Part II

Good day friends! I have another set of items I am planning to dispose of. I have posted 29 pictures. Most of these items are school supplies. Here’s a numbered list of what the items are.

Pic_1 These are “slide/rs” (not sure what to call them) used for folders, used
Pic_2 Computer dust cover, in green color, for CRT monitor and CPU, unused
Pic_3 Philippine flags, miniature size, not sure of the exact measurement, unused
Pic_4 Seven Periodic Table of Element plus Period Table Supplement (Chemistry)
Pic_5 Maps including map of Quezon province, Philippine map, Philippine
Power System Development Map from National Power Corporation, used
Pic_6 Sinamay, used to wrap flowers, used, in very good condition
Pic_7 Stationeries, a few pages of paper and envelopes, in good condition
Pic_8 Wall hanging accent, used
Pic_9 Plastic pencil case, unused
Pic_10 Lipstick holder with mirror, used
Pic_11 Small paper box (used as containers for earrings)
Pic_12 Small “Boracay” lantern, used, a little dirty but washable
Pic_13 Slippers from Bicol, size 5, in fuchsia color, unused
Pic_14 Rotring compass, used
Pic_15 Lipstick holder with mirror of cloth material
Pic_16 11 pieces of plastic diskette covers
Pic_17 Brown-colored wallet, unused; the black-colored one has already been used
Pic_18 Two TV antennae, unused
Pic_19 Plastic hooks, unused but quite old
Pic_20 Headrest, used
Pic_21 Dynamic Blade balancing kit (for ceiling fans), unused
Pic_22 ID necklaces and ID cover, unused
Pic_23 Cellphone housing, used
Pic_24 KFC cellphone strap
Pic_25 Birthday candles, blue, 4 pieces
Pic_26 Reloadable camera (quite an old model), unused, but some will still find
use for this (?)
Pic_27 Shower cap, unused
Pic_28 Three headphones, used and defective, not sure which one still works
Pic_29 Multi-use scissors

Just post your queries here or post a message at the Freecycle Yahoo Group (if you are a member) and I will contact you. Thanks and happy recycling...

ALL ITEMS POSTED WERE TAKEN!

For Sale: Baby Carrier/Rocking Chair

Hi Everyone, I want you to take a look at : April (avrilya17) Philippines
I am selling a baby carrier/rocking chair. Please check the advertisement I posted in my sulit.com account. Have a great day!!
ITEM SOLD!

TAKEN: Old School Uniforms and Shoes

THANKS TO THOSE WHO EMAILED ME. I have decided to give the uniforms/shoes to a wonderful lady who emailed me first. I am very glad that these items will be used by someone who really needs them...Happy Freecycling!!!!

My Freecycle group message dated 05/26/09:

"OFFER: SCHOOL UNIFORMS AND LEATHER SHOES

a. The school uniforms were used by my sister in college. Some are in still in good condition, a few needs repair. These included 8 blouses, 2 navy blue skirts and 4 black slacks. Blouses are of small size. Waist line of skirt is 27 to 28.
b. The shoes need repair of its heels but otherwise in very good condition as they have not been used. Shoe size is 7. Leather. Brown colored.

To those interested, email me privately ****. I will ONLY be responding to the first ones who expressed interest in the above items. To those who will not receive a reply from me either through email or phone, it means the items are already taken.

I am available for meet-ups ONLY during Sundays/Mondays. Pick ups: Either Megamall, Shangri-La, or Robinsons Galleria."

Lilian De Vera's Letter

An email claimed to be written by Mrs. Lilian de Vera is circulating. I received one. Below is the letter. I am posting it here to, at least, help in Mrs. De Vera’s quest for justice for her loved ones, a daughter and a husband.

“Two months ago I considered myself as one of those blessed and happiest people on earth. Why not? I married a guy who was an epitome of kindness. A guy who worshiped even the footsteps I made. More importantly, our union blessed us with a daughter who not only became the main source of our happiness….more so; she was the center of our lives.

“We’re simple folks who led a simple life. We felt the happiest even about mundane things and inconsequential ones that most people would only take for granted. Our joy mostly revolved on simple pleasure like a sudden trip to Jollibee or a late night marauding the fridge for any leftovers. A family, which shared plain happiness, humble dreams, and modest aspirations. Everything was fine…Until that fateful night on December 5, 2008.

“In keeping with my ritual or “panata” on every first Friday of every month, I went to Quiapo Church, to pay homage and respect to the Almighty One. My husband and daughter were supposed to pick me up in Pasay City after which we planned on giving our daughter a treat to Jollibee. I tried calling my husband’s cell phone, just to let him know I was on my way to our meeting place. He wasn’t picking up. Despite my trepidation and wonder, I took the next jeep going home and prayed that everything was alright.

“I felt relieved when near our place my phone rang. It was my helper. And the words I heard will forever change my life. My husband and daughter were shot to death by ‘men in uniform’.

“The ‘men in uniform’ were allegedly on a mission to take some gang of robbers victimizing people at large. The police shot the Crosswind van my husband and daughter were riding. Based on some witnesses’ narration, the police sprayed bullets into the van despite the lack of provocation or shots coming from the Crosswind van. In his last effort to save their lives, my husband grabbed my bloodied daughter and shielded her with his body while trying to run away from the police and tried to get cover from a parked jeepney My husband and daughter were so defenseless. How can you mistake a child for a robber? How can you shoot at someone who was already kneeling with head bowed, an indication of helplessness.

“These men, who were sworn to protect innocent people from criminals, had brutally slain my most precious ones, Jun and Lia. These men, whose avowed duty was to preserve the lives of the public against all harm and danger? They murdered my loved ones in the most cruel, savage and pitiless way.

“My husband’s face was unrecognizable because he was shot in the head at close range, while he was kneeling with his head bowed down. My daughter’s young body was riddled with bullets, one hit her head. Those ‘men in uniform’ killed my baby. They aimed and fired powerful weapons at two innocent and defenseless individuals. My husband and daughter are gone…….forever.

“I miss both of them so much. My heart bleeds in pain. My sorrow is deep. Their loss is too much to bear. I am alone.

“The only thing motivating me to go on with life is the mission to seek justice for the senseless killing of Jun and Lia. All I want in life right now is to see the people who were responsible for their death be convicted and punished, that Jun and Lia be given justice, and that their death will not be meaningless. My pains will be alleviated. The misery I feel will be lessened. My husband and daughter will be vindicated. I will learn to live the remaining years of my life…without Jun and Lia.
“I’m asking and begging everyone who will come across this letter/e-mail to please forward to all your relatives, friends, and acquaintances. Help me bring my cause to the eyes of the people capable of steering the wheel of justice to the right direction. Help me make the loudest cry worthy of attention by those people in charge in rendering justice…for Jun and Lia.

“Strength comes in numbers; it is where the impossible becomes possible. It is also where the unattainable becomes achievable.

“May God always protect and bless each and every one of you.”
— Lilian De Vera

Angel Baba

She is my niece, Baba. I believe she is an angel. One sent down to us from Heaven. I am thankful for the magic she brought into our lives now.It seems that every life issue becomes so easy to deal with when you are with an angel as innocent as her? I may not be her mother but I am a certified doting Tita!