Sharing some important things we might need

Important Emergency Numbers in case you need them:

National Disaster and Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Hotlines: 911-1406, 912-2665, 912-5668

Philippine National Police (PM) Hotline: Patrol 117 or send TXT PMP to 2920

Bureau of Fire Protection (NCR): 729 5166, 410-6254, 431-8859, 407-1230

Department of Transportation and Communications Hotline: 7890 or  0918-8848484

Metro Manila Development Authority Metrobase Hotline: 136 MMDA Flood Control: 882-41777, 882-0925

Department of Public Works and Highways DPWH - 304-3713

Red Cross Hotline: 143, 911-1876

North Luzon Expressway NLEX hotlines: 3-5000, 580-8910

Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway SCTEX Hotlines: 0920-96SCTEX (72839)

Skyway System Hotline: 776-7777,  0915-6256231,  0939-5006910

South Luzon Expressway SLEX hotline:  0908-8807539

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Hotline 433-8526

Philippine Coast Guard: 527-3877, 527-8481,  0917-7243682, 0917-PCG-DOTC

Local Government Units (Partial)

Manila traffic hotline: 527-3087

Cainta Traffic hotline: 646-0044, 6557368 loc 164

Las Pinas Traffic: 874-5756, 874-3957, 874-3927

Mandaluyong hotline:  534-2993

Taguig Traffic: 838-4301 loc 7112

Marikina STOC: 646-1651

Pasig Traffic: 643-0000l 724-5813

Makati public safety: 844-3146, 819-3270

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Pinas 911 has unified the most popular Philippine Flood related advisory hashtags from Twitter and laid them out here for your convenience. 

Visit: http://pinas911.info/

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A google map of donation areas:

View 2012 August - Donation Center Map in a larger map

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MANILA, Philippines - With over 20,000 people displaced due to torrential rains in Metro Manila, various evacuation centers have opened up to aid those affected by the rain.

Here’s a list of major evacuation centers across the Metro, as well as relief operations that have already started:

(We’ll be populating the list as more information comes)

Manila

Caloocan

Las Pinas

Makati

• Mats, old tarps, food, clothes for forwarding to DSWD are being accepted at The Commissary at Whitespace.
• The P&P Tattoo branch in Makati will be accepting donations for forwarding to the GMA

Malabon

Mandaluyong

• La Salle Greenhills has started relief operations inside campus. Donations are being accepted at Gate 2 of the campus along Ortigas Avenue, according to a Facebook post. As of posting, only the following donations will be accepted: ready-to-eat food, water, and clothes.
• People may seek center in Greenhills Christian Fellowship. You can also contact their Crisis Reponse team ( 0917-5327525).
• The lower ground floor of Mega Mall A is a drop off point for donations, as spearheaded by Divine Lee.
• Donations for flood victims may be dropped off at the main gate of the Poveda campus.

Muntinlupa

Navotas

Pasay

• People in the SM Mall of Asia may seek shelter inside the complex. The mall is open until further notice, according to a tweet.

Pasig

• Relief goods (canned food, rice, blankets, clothes, medicine, etc.) may be dropped off at the Tanjuatco Law Office at the 11th floor of Taipan Place, Emerald Avenue, Ortigas Center in Pasig. Look for Jessie or Jossette, call 6370200.

Parañaque

Quezon City

• In the Ateneo de Manila University Loyola Schools campus, some classrooms may be used by those in need of shelter from the rain. Those with gate passes to the campus may park their cars at the P-1 parking area of the campus, according to an announcement from the university. (Note: Ateneo has yet to announce if the classrooms are available to the public)
• Relief operations at Ateneo have also began. Food, water, and blankets may be dropped off at the lobby of Cervini Hall inside the Loyola Schools campus. As of posting, they will not be accepting clothes.
• Akbayanihan Relief Center now accepting donations. Food, water, clothes, and the like being accepted at the Akbayan headquarters in 36B Madasalin Street, Sikatuna Village. You may contact  (02)4336933 / 09175381816 / 09064304315 if you want to volunteer.
• Relief goods are being accepted at the Mt. Carmel Parish in New Manila, where 500 evacuees are staying.
• The Mother of Divine Providence Parish in Payatas needs uncooked rice, canned goods, noodles, and clothes. Donations may be dropped off at San Juan, Evangelista Street, Campsite, Payatas.
• IskoOperation in UP Diliman will now accept donations. They’re also on the look-out for volunteers. Contact the USC-UPD or the college councils (09277571005 or 09065701029), according to USC-UPC Chairperson Heart Dino.
• Those living in the vicinity of Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City are being asked to help provide food and drinks to 400-500 evacuees staying in the Church. Food, water, dry clothes deeded.

San Juan

Taguig

• Those living in the Fort Bonifacio area may drop off their donations at the Enderun college. Those who want to help may contact Luz Cleofas of the Taguig DSWD (5423693, 09175637314), says director Lino Cayetano.

Valenzuela

Pateros

Did we miss out on an evacuation center? Send us a tweet (@rapplerdotcom) or leave a comment below, and we’ll update the list. -Rappler.com

Please stop the rain.

The rain isn't letting up and it's got me seriously stressed. The bu and his mom are stuck in their house. Stranded because the floods have already entered their household. It sucks when you realize that the place you call home cannot protect you from the rain when you need it the most because you have to worry about the flood too.

Ondoy happened almost 3 years ago. During that time the flood came in too fast that people were literally caught off guard. Unfortunately for the drainage system in the Philippines, things have not been improved. Which has me wondering what the h*ll all that construction that costs 4M is all about except make it harder for the residents. 

A few years ago when the first great flood happened it hit home pretty close. I say pretty close because the bu, my cousins and our house all had water in it. It was so traumatic because no one was prepared. My whole life I have never experienced flood remotely near our house, at that time flood was shin deep. I also believe that it hasn't flooded in my aunts house since 1983 and their house was completely submerged. I was out working that day hence the reason I wasn't home but the bu was. I've seen the water in their house enter the garage but none that wiped out the whole first floor. The scariest part was the fact that you had no way of reaching them. All roads were closed and the current was too strong for rubber boats to get near.

I think after those traumatic experiences we've all learned, except maybe the politicians who took 2 years to start scamming the people out of 4M worth of useless construction. People are more prepared. The bu was able to save more of our stuff. My cousins were able to leave their house early so they weren't there when the rains came in. Thank God our house didn't get flooded this year although our village gate is impassable rendering us hostages in our little island. I am not complaining. We are dry and safe.

our village gate as of 8/8/12
***photo from Mark Lamanilao

But see, there's always a silver lining in all this. This time around people are more prepared. They are more cooperative in the evacuation and everyone is helping out. I just thought it would be great to share a few things I found on the internet, to give us all something to smile about.

From a friend's FB status:

Heard in the news: In the midst of floods, and people panic-buying supplies... a Banana vendor slashes prices of his bananas... and then, just gives them away. When the reporter asks why he did such, he says... "minsan lang ako makakatulong" (it's not always that I can extend help to people)

From another friend's FB post:

                                       
Finally, an amazing story...my friend's dad is a Counselor of San Juan. But I've known their family for more than 10 years now and I know for a fact that even if he wasn't a politician he would still be more than willing to help. See they have a huge compound where they have their business and although it's customary for politicians to help people by donating and stuff they've taken it a step further and they've opened their compound to those who need temporary shelter. They now have 500+ people living in their compound and they are consistently cooking food to feed them. They need help, here are the details:

we currently have 500+ people and more coming to our office as an evacuation center. we need donations to feed them for the next few days. For anyone who is living near my house (a.lake aurora blvd, san juan) who is interested to donate, please send a message to my sister's number-09178087897. we can also ask our driver to pick it up from your place (if you're not too far.) thank you in advance.

 It's during these times that you smile and realize it's so awesome to be Filipino. Where everyone and anyone is willing to help.

                                                

Let's get physical!

During the start of the year I wrote down a few resolutions. Things I swore I'd do/ change within the year...well, yay for me I've actually started doing something that I wrote in one of those things.

I keep telling myself that Now is the right time to start getting healthy. I used to be a vegetarian for 4 years and I think the fact that I haven't been taking protein supplements really made things worse for me. I was always sick and I had a few other problems. As a quick remedy, I started eating fish again. Although it did work for awhile, the stress levels and the close to none protein intake was taking a toll on my body and so after much debate and heartbreak, for me, I decided my health is much more important. No, I do not take supplements, they make you fat. So it was back to the carniverous fold for me...although I do try to eat more balanced meals now. So step 1 to being healthy, have a proper diet! Check.

excuse what I look like, my first meal with meat after 4 years.
Celebrating Rub with my running buddies Ahia and Alay!

                                      

I don't know if you'd agree with me but I think the hardest part when getting healthy is the exercise. I used to be an athelete of some sort, used be being the operative word. I was active in grade school and high school, I loved sports. Growing up with 2 brothers and no sisters tends to make you more active and more competitive. You just had to keep up. But when I got to college things changed and well as they say the rest is history. Hahaha...I have had a relaxed lifestyle with little burst of energy every now and then. I am blessed enough to have a small frame so for awhile I wasn't really the dieting kind of girl. Exercise however...baaah. hahaha...

Last year I got a copy of the Insanity Workout from my officemate Rendy. Aptly named, that workout almost killed me, or should I say the warm up to that workout almost killed me. I couldn't even get 10 mins through that thing...hahahaha...I doubt I still can. I don't think circuit training is for me.

only the insane would do this torture...hahaha...I kid!
***photo from the internet

But this year, things changed. I went on my first 5k run, without training I might add, and I didn't die. Progress! And because I was able to do that it actually gave me motivation to do more. Weee. Ok, I must share the first time I ran after a long time I could barely run 1k so 5k is a big step! So my brother and I have started this routine where we would run every Saturday/Sunday morning in the UP Academic Oval. It's so much fun because I don't need to stress myself getting up early. The academic oval has sooooo many trees that it doesn't really get too warm to run even if you get there at 9 in the morning. Haha

the bu did the 10k, I barely survived the 5k
***photo from Sigue Correr Runners FB Page

Aside from that I have these 2 awesome friends who ended up having their own fitness goal this year. They're actually more into it than I am, it puts quite a pressure. But still so much fun! :D They're my gym buddies. They go to the gym 3 times a week, I try to go as often as my schedule permits, sadly it seems to be down to once a week for me but here's to hoping things get easier and I can get back on that treadmill! :D

our Gym Clique, Rendy, Thea and me. Drinking is so much better with these 2! :D
***photo from ZBM

These 2 friends are soooo supportive that sometimes they take it a notch too far always commenting on my cookie pouch. hahahaha...I kid, I kid. I love how we all work through it together. Getting fit is so much more fun when you have people there with you. Who knew gym would be such a team sport! :D

So here's to a more fit 2012 to everyone! :D

couch potato...smouch potato

Have you ever been so into a show that it's literally heartbreaking when they announce it will end. It feels like a break up. When you can't get over the fact that you wont be able to watch any more new episodes of the show because they aren't making anymore. When you rewatch old episodes because they remind you of the good ol days when the episodes were brand new and there was always something to look forward to?

Why did I all of a sudden have the urge to write about this? Well, how do I even begin to explain...how about a photo.

How could you Shonda Rhimes? Fine, I will admit I was not really a Lexie fan in the beginning. But she's part of the show and she played an awesome role. Her story was barely starting. Mark had just begun to realize how much she meant to him and you take her away? Why? I could not get over. Way to twist the story and catch everyone off guard. I am not a fan of this episode. I hate this finale.

Watching your favorite show go off air sucks. Watching one of the characters you thought was awesome get killed off is just as bad.

Makes me reminisce about my favorite shows that I wish would start showing again. So I thought maybe it would be nice to list them down. But the list might go on and on and on and on. So I'm just sharing with you my top 3. :)

My 3rd show: Sex and the City. Because I am a girl and what girl did not watch that series. It was entertaining and extremely fun to watch. All my girlfriends at one time or another felt they were one of the girls be it Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte? It was one of those guilty pleasures I enjoyed. Followed up by 2 movies, Sex and the City made a statement, it made talking about sex less taboo. It was generally a fun show to watch.

I'm a Charlotte, hahaha...right.

Top 2: Friends. A mix of witty banter, love and well just plain crazy. Who did not love Friends? No matter how many times you watch an episode you still laugh out loud. How many years has it been since they drew the final curtain and yet people still talk about it, quote funny lines from it, watch it to sleep today. For me though, part of it's charm is the fact that it's fun to watch how the stars used to look. :D What makes a good show, the fact that people are attached to the characters as if they've been friends for a long time.

And to end my list...

My Top 1: Gilmore Girls. It was such a treat to catch the show again on TV the other day that right after I just had to get a hold of the entire show, good thing my OC cousin had copies. I love Gilmore Girls. I love the relationship Lorelai had with Rory. I love her love-hate relationship with her parents because it mimics reality. I love the Lorelai and Luke story. I loved watching Rory figure out her relationships. I liked Dean and I was all for the Logan and Rory tandem but I hated Jess. It was like he was out to make her worse. Meeeh.

In the end I wanted Rory to end up with Logan, how could she not say yes to him?!? But then again, she wouldn't be Rory is she had! :D Sometimes I just wish they would make a reunion show just so we can see where they are in their lives now...like the Sex and the City movies. 

Don't you think a Gilmore Girls movie would be totally awesome? I do!!!

Want to know why I love Baguio?

I know I've been absent from the blog for more than a month now. It's just every time I sit down and start writing I lose my thought and the whole process just goes to the dogs.

But since there's no better time than the present, I thought it would be an awesome time to actually start writing and since my last post was about Baguio let me tell you about our trip and my constant love affair with the City of Pines. :)

Growing up, Baguio has always been a constant. It's one of those places I know I will always go back to. There's just something about it.

Memories of my wonderful childhood...Sneaking up to the loft when the parents were away just so we could slide down the banister, which was high up the DO NOT DO THIS EVER list my parents unofficially issued. I loved the trips to La Trinidad, although we gave my dad grief about it, where Strawberries were abundant. Barbecue cook outs with the family in John Hay because eating outdoors is so full of win when you're in the mountains. And of course, I loved horseback riding, boating, biking and all the wonderful fun things you do because that's what tourists do when they're in Baguio.

Ate Agnes' first time in Baguio, note the exaggerated winter wear...hehe

we abused her cause it was her first time. haha

more embarrassing photos cause it's fun like that!

But after how many years of doing the same thing, you start looking for new things to do and places to visit. So the last trip the bu and I decided we would find new things to do, or actually new places to eat. And that we did. 

On our first night there I dragged everyone to have dinner in the 50's Diner because everyone who's been to Baguio has been raving about it and I haven't had the chance to try it despite being there every year. Since the choice was between humoring me and starving to death, I think there really was no question...we were off to the famous 50's Diner.

Seats were full when we got there so we had to wait awhile...

how handsome is my boyfriend, he humors my love for Baguio

the light makes everything inside look pink especially my mom and dad

The meal was alright, serving sizes were huge and well, if you're really a quantity kinda person then this is a good choice. I wouldn't rant about it but it's not exactly something to rave about either. If you're looking for a quick place to dine and value for your money then this is the place for you.

The next day I half-drag, half-influence the bu and my mom to go out again. We wanted to go to Country Club to buy some bread since everyone knows BCC Raisin Bread is yum, although personally I love their Banana Bread more! :D And since BCC is right beside John Hay we went there too. The excuse was we would check out the stuff in Manor, they have good bread too! Don't ask about the bread obsession, I barely understand it myself. Of course we drive past another place I wanted to try cause everyone kept talking about it...Choco-late de Batirol

my mom does not look to happy, she bullied 2 people to get this table

my more than willing victim. :D

happy cause I got to go out! :D

It was ok, nothing spectacular to note their either. I guess just like in the movies, when something is over-hyped you end up leaving disappointed. If you like good 'ol Filipino Chocolate then you would love this place. I thought it was just too bitter.

We also tried O'Mai Khan or something like that, although for all the hype that restaurant really didn't do anything for me so I don't think I even have any photos there...

Apparently Baguio is turning into a foodie haven. So many more new things to try out and so many old things to return to. Gives me more reason to come back. :D Excited!!!

Since August is apparently a month of long weekends I'm hoping a Baguio trip can be squeezed in there on one of those weekends. Here's to never losing hope!

Before I end the post, I just wanted to share a realization I had when I was talking to the bu about my childhood. You never realize how much of an awesome childhood you had until you get to the point where you can't wait to share the same experiences with your own kids. :D Here's to happy memories!