‘Government officials could make loan availment less of a trip to Calvary.’

The many ways to help

FUNDRAISING for the victims of typhoons "Ondoy" has turned creative.

On Friday, "Bagong Sigla," a concert featuring the country’s top bands will be held simultaneously in Manila, Dagupan, Davao, Iloilo and Davao for the benefit of the victims of typhoon "Ondoy" and "Pepeng".

In Manila, it will be "Bamboo" at Liwasang Ullalim ((beside Folk Arts Theater) at the Cultural Center Complex starting at 7 p.m.

It’s "Imago" in Dagupan at CSI Stadia.

In Iloilo, it’s "Cueshe" at the Freedom Grandstand.

It’s "Spongecola" in Davao at the Damosa Market Basket parking lot.

It’s a free concert in the sense that you don’t have to buy a ticket to watch the concert. But to enter the concert venue, one has to drop an old shirt or canned good or one peso. If you can give more, the better.

This is the first leg of the "Bagong Sigla" concerts. More are expected in different parts of the country after Oct. 9.

Also on Friday at 5 p.m. will be the Awards Night of the Philippine Blog. Awards at the PETA-PHINMA Theater, No.5 Eymard Drive (formerly Sunny Side Drive), New Manila, Quezon City.

The organizers are requesting guests to bring for dry clothing, towels, blankets and shoes. The donations will be turned over to RockEd for distribution to victims of the recent typhoons.

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Blogger Tongue-Twisted helping families San Pedro, Laguna displaced by "Ondoy" find apartments where they can transfer to. "Many villages in San Pedro along the coastlines of Laguna Bay are still submerged by knee-deep to neck-deep waters. The children can’t return to school yet because they have no books and school uniforms. All lost in the floodwaters.They estimate that the earliest they can return to their homes is by late December," he said.

Desired rental is within the range of P4,000 to P7,000 monthly per family. It has to be within San Pedro area because they are rotating among family members the duty to watch over their possessions because there are undesirable elements taking advantage of other people’s misfortune.

"Please help me help these people," Tongue-Twisted said.

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Will the officers of PAG-IBIG please have the heart and common sense to provide tables, and chairs for applicants for calamity loans. And also tents to protect them from the elements especially when it rains?

I went to PAGIBIG in Lawton last Wednesday and it was like a standing room only movie screening. The problem was the sad stories of the people were not just in the movies. It was real and they were there to avail of calamity loan.

I understand the situation is worse at the GSIS.

It was good that in Pagibig, they were giving out application forms outside the office. But there were no tables and chairs where the members could fill up the forms. They were doing it against the glass wall.

This is where the insensitivity of government officials shows. In fastfood chains, when the manager sees a long queue, he would deploy customer assistants to get orders of those on the line to speed up the ordering.

If government officials are sincere about their pronouncements to ease the misery of the typhoon victims, they could make the loan availment less of a trip to Calvary.

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The Philippine Animal Welfare Society Animal Rehabilitation Center (PARC) is open for animals stranded or displaced by "Ondoy." PARC, on Aurora Blvd., Katipunan Valley, Loyola Heights, Q. C. serves as a temporary shelter for dogs, cats and other animals.

Those in the medical profession who want to help, please e submit your name and contact details to Dr. Gisbert ( 0917-8922-807) or Dr. J. Sinon ( 0917-5261345).

To report missing loved ones or areas in need of help: call the Sagip Kapamilya hotlines at 411-0011; 4110012; and 4110013.

Hotlines for missing persons:

Marikina – 09209389914; Quezon City – 09216555262;

Pasig – 09189356318; and Cainta – 09175606241.

Last Friday, I published donation and relief centers in Metro Manila. Here’s some outside the country:

Sydney, Australia: 303/5 Stromboli Strait, Homebush Bay 2127.

In Belgium, contact Shiera Catalan at +32485328811

In Winnipeg, Canada, at the Philippine Community Centre of Manitoba.

Singapore: Dropoff for relief goods is at Airfreight Lucky Plaza #03-09, open up to 7 p.m.. Call 62351011,.

In the United States, Island Pacific Supermarket in California is gathering donations to be shipped to the Philippines. Or you may call ABS-CBN US Helpline at 1-800-5272820 to know how you can help.

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