helping out Ondoy flood victims in the Philippines

(got this from Ri & Nel of N@W)


Friends in the US and Canada who wish to help in the rescue/relief operations,you may donate through the American Red Cross. Call 1-800-435-7669.


ABS-CBN HOTLINE: 416-36-41

SAGIP KAPAMILYA: 413-2667 / 416-0387
You can drop off donations at 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


GMA Kapuso Foundation calls for donations for families affected by Typhoon
“Ondoy”


The following donations are needed:
Monetary Donation
Rice
Canned Goods
Noodles
Clothing


you may drop your donations at:
GMA KAPUSO FOUNDATION, INC.
2nd Floor GMA Kapuso Center
GMA Network Drive cor. Samar Streets
Diliman, Quezon City 1103
telephone Nos.: (632) 982.7777 loc. 9901 & 9905
Telefax: (632) 928.9351 / 928.4299






METROBANK
Peso SavingsAccount Name : GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number : 3-098-51034-7




Dollar SavingsAccount Name : GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number : 2-098-00244-2
Code : MBTC PH MM






BANCO DE ORO (BDO)
Peso SavingsAccount Name : GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number : 469-0022189




Dollar SavingsAccount Name : GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number : 469-0072135
Code : BNORPHM






More numbers and information from Manolo Quezon's site



Those who are abroad who want to donate funds to the typhoon victims in the Philippines, please send money to Citizens' Disaster Response Center (CDRC) (a reliable NGO) or the Philippine National Red Cross. Please note that using Paypal is still the safest option.






More information on how you can help:

Businesses/ Commercial Establishments


1. Aranaz Stores in Rockwell & Greenbelt is accepting donations of any kind for Payatas communities affected by Ondoy

2. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf will be accepting canned goods, water, clothes, blankets, towels, medicine, and emergency supplies (no cash) in all our branches on behalf of the victims of Typhoon Ondoy starting today until Friday. Your generosity will be much appreciated during this difficult time for our brothersand sisters in need.

3. Luca stores (Rockwell, Shang-rila, Eastwood, or GA towers): Send your old clothes & donations (no cash pls).

4. Manor Superclub, Eastwood City will accept goods and other emergency items starting Sunday at 10 am.

5. Ministop IBARRA (Espana cor. Blumentritt, Sampaloc Manila) is also accepting relief goods, Food (non-perishable goods only) Clothing, Medicines, Beds, Pillows, Blankets, Emergency Supplies to help Typhoon Ondoy victims.


6. Moonshine boutique in Rockwell also accepting relief good to help Ondoy victims in Marikina and Cainta.

7. Papemelroti stores in 91 Roces Ave. / Ali Mall Cubao / SM City North EDSA / SM Fairview / SM Megamall / Glorietta 3 in Makati / SM Centerpoint / SM Southmall are accepting relief goods (canned goods / milk / bottled water / clothes – NO CASH pls.)

8. Power Plant Mall accepting donations for ABS-CBN foundation. Drop off at admin office, P1 level.

9. Team Manila stores in Trinoma, Mall of Asia, Jupiter Bel-Air and Rockwell shall be accepting relief goods (Canned Goods, Ready-to-drink Milk,Bottled Water and Clothes) for distribution by Veritas.

10. Whitespace 2314 Chino Roces Ave Ext as a Makati drop-off for relief goods.





Government/ Civil Society/ Others
1. Victory Fort is opening its doors to those affected by the typhoon. Call 813-FORT.

2. ABS-CBN through Banco de Oro account number 56300-20111 account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Incorporation


3. Akbayan’s taking donations, call 433-69-33/433-68-31 to donate or volunteer.

4. Citizens Disaster Response Center (CDRC): Relief goods for typhoon victims being accepted at 72-A Times St., West Triangle, QC. Tel (+632-9299820/22)




5. Sen. Kiko Pangilinan is accepting donations @ AGS Bldg Annex, 446 EDSA Guadalupe Viejo. Contact Vina Vargas at (+632917-8081247)


6. Luzon Relief: Donations can be brought to RENAISSANCE FITNESS CENTER, 2nd Floor, Bramante Building, Renaissance Towers Ortigas, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City starting MONDAY (Sept.28) / 9am – 7pm Contact Person: Warren Habaluyas (+632929-8713488) or email at luzonrelief@gmail.com


7. Miriam Quiambao drop off points: One Orchard Road Building in Eastwood, or message http://www.twitter.com/miriamq for more details.




8. Move for Chiz is asking for volunteers and donations at Bay Park Tent, along Roxas Blvd., beside Max Restaurant and Diamond Hotel in Manila, or at Gilas Minipark at Unang Hakbang St., Gilas Q.C.


9. NoyMar relief Operations: Clare Amador (+639285205508) or Jana Vicente at +639285205499). Drop off for relief donations is at Balay Expo Center across Farmers Market Cubao.


10. Operation Rainbow (Zac Faelnar Camara) at Ayala Alabang Village needs Canned Goods, Ready-To-Eat Food, Bottled Water, Ready-To-Drink Milk/ Juice, Clothing, Blankets, contact (+632-4687991)

11. Philippine Army Gym inside Fort Bonifacio or GHQ Gym in Camp Aguinaldo are now distributing donations for Ondoy Victims.


12. Philippine National Red Cross‘ different ways to Donate.

13. Red Cross Load Donations: Right now the easiest way to make donations from the seat of your chair is via mobile phone load. The Red Cross Rescue and Relief Operations. Text: REDAMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4483 (Smart)

14. Relief Efforts for Pasig at Valle Verde 1 Village Park, contact (+632916-4945000, +632917-5273616)


15. Sagip Kapamilya hotlines (+632-4132667, +632-4160387) #13 Examiner St. West Triangle, QC.

16. Tulong Bayan hotlines for donations and volunteers are (+632908-6579998) Marilyn, (+632939-3633436) Jenn (+632-9137122, +632-9136254 & +632-9133306).


17. TXTPower now accepts donations via SmartMoney 5577514418667103, GCash 09179751092 and Paypal http://is.gd/3GvuN


18. World Vision partners with Phil Coast Guard and kind individuals for relief distribution to 3k families. Call (+632-3747618 local 242) or text (+632917-8623209) to help.


19. Worldvision Foundation is also accepting donations/volunteers to pack relief goods in QC. For $-donations, BPI:USDacct #4254-0050-08






Schools & Universities/ Religious


1. Ateneo de Manila University is now accepting donations for the victims of Ondoy. Donations can be dropped at MVP Lobby. For those stranded/those who need help: To all students who need help or know of people who need help. Please text the name, location, and contact number to (+6329088877166).
ATENEO, which is now an open shelter, accepts refugees. Call (+632917-8952792)


2. DLSU is accepting relief goods by 8:30 a.m. today. For volunteers please be there by 8am in southgate benches.

3. Caritas Manila Office at Jesus St., Pandacan Manila near Nagtahan Bridge(+632-5639298, +632-5639308)


4. Hillsborough Village Chapel – Water, blankets, shoes, and clothes may be sent to Hillsborough Village Chapel in Muntinlupa City. These will go to families whose houses were washed out in the nearby sitios.

5. La Salle Greenhills for Greenhills/Mandaluyong/San Juan Area, if you want to help out with the rescue and relief operations, you can drop off your donations (clothes, food, etc..) at LSGH Gate 2 or volunteer from 9am to receive, sort, repack the donations.


6. Our Lady of Pentecost Parish (+632-4342397, +632-9290665) per Gabe Mercado, donations are very much welcome. The Parish is located at 12 F. Dela Rosa corner C. Salvador Sts., Loyola Heights, Quezon City.


7. Playschool International in Better Living is open to receive relief goods. Feel free to drop it there for your convenience. No Cash Pls.


8. Radio Veritas at Veritas Tower West Ave. Cor EDSA (+632-9257931-40)


9. Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan Task Force Noah, a disaster response arm of the Jesuits, is accepting donations. Please drop it off sa Ateneo Cervini Dorm.


10. Katipunan Avenue. Contact Erica Paredes at (+632917-4741930) — they need bread, packed juice, sandwich filling (tuna, chicken, anything) You can help her make them, deliver the sandwiches to her house, or help her distribute! Call for more details.



11. Xavier School in San Juan is now accepting donations, please bring to Multipurpose Center (MPC).



Please disseminate these information as much as you can. Prayers are most welcome. Thanks.






***


On 26 September 2009,Typhoon Ondoy (international name Ketsana) passed through the Philippines. Nearly a month's worth of rain fell in just six hours, which triggered the worst flooding here in 40 years. According to Philippine weather bureau PAGASA, the metropolis received 42.4 cm of rain in just 12 hours, exceeding the 39.2 cm average for the entire month of September. Typhoon Ondoy dumped 455 millimeters of rain in Quezon City alone in 24 hours, compared to the 250 millimeters of rain that Hurricane Katrina brought to New Orleans, Louisiana. A State of Calamity was declared in Metro
Manila and 25 other provinces in Luzon (this is the northern portion of the country). Roughly 80% of Metro Manila was underwater yesterday. In some areas, the water reached even the third floors of people's houses. A lot of homes were completely swept away. As of today, 73 people are dead, and over
300,000 people are displaced.

Lovers in Paris...er Malaysia

This evening, my friends and I are flying to Malaysia via Air Asia. One of my close friends and ultra-super dancer-by-night-and-abaper-by-day, Reysiel, is finally tying the knot with long time fiance Julian. I am so happy for both of them. They are one of the best examples that God really puts together couples that complement each other.

 Tomorrow morning, we will be participating in one Malaysian wedding custom, Chip San Leong. It's my first time to do this and based from examples we've found in youtube, this should be a truly fun exercise. haha. Ria, Raine and I spent some time in Starbucks over the week to make some of the props. Since the game starts early, good thing we just stay in a nearby hotel, Pyramid Hotel in Sunway. So our walking won't take us too long (I hope) .

 I just know it is going to be a beautiful wedding this weekend. Here is a sample shot from Reys and Julian's awesome prenup pictorials in malaysia. This is my fave pic (from their collection of equally gorgeous shots):

Congrats in advance Reys and Julian! :)

It's Paui's turn!

It was Paui's turn to do his wedding preps when he went home to Manila for the long weekend. He was very busy and very productive . He gave out the first batch of invites , got his barong and some other stuff wedding-related. Thanks to Ate Emily for our really pretty invites

our first batch of invite recipients! (got this picture from Grace).

And most importantly, Paui got his pinya barong for the wedding. Correction he now has two . Oh di ba, daig pa ang bride. :P I think I have to get a second gown too. hahaha.

he liked the detail...

Good job H2b! hehehe.

trying out animoto

I used animoto to create this sort of teaser/invite. It was really easy to use. I just put in the pictures I wanted in the order I wanted and ta-da...animoto rendered the file itself. Of course I was using a free account so I could only create a 30 second video.

I showed it to H2B and tried to persuade him to buy their premium account. But unfortunately, I failed. But fortunately, Ate Emily volunteered to create our  AVP for us which is great. Less stress for me :)

Jim Ubalde -- the dream maker

After all the food has been eaten at the party, and all the favors taken away, my future hubby and I would be left alone with three important things to remember this very special day --- each other, our wedding rings and our photo/videos.

It is no wonder then that those three take up the major bulk of our budget. The rings (which I am so supremely proud of) I will post later. But this is a post for a photographer whose work I truly truly love.

I am not a big fan of vintage, wine-colored photos. I want clear shots of the happy faces during my happy day (besides, like I told a friend, I can always edit it to become sepia looking via picnik). 

Here are some pics taken from his site on why I booked him just a month after I started my preps.

cute artistic ki-at shot

another fun ento shot

unique bridal shot

We met up with him last April (our first and only meeting thus far) and he is funny, candid and clearly sincere about what he does. And he was also so accomodating when we invited him to come to Singapore to take our prenup shoots. He even agreed to stay at our HDB and not at some hotel to help us out and without OOT fee pa. So buotan! 


I'm a bit nervous about our upcoming prenup in November. Nervous, because well, H2B and I aren't really seasoned posers (ok so maybe I ham it up for the cameras more than him. hehe). But with a photographer like Jim Ubalde, everything would turn out just perfect! 

mini HS reunion (SG Chapter)

Met up with some Cebu Sci hi batchmates yesterday, and surprisingly, it was so much fun that it lasted till the wee hours of the morning. The invite was for the party to be initially a Wii night. But no one spent much time playing it (only Aldrin and Theresa) and more time was spent talking and laughing.

And what I liked about last night was we didn't spent too much time reminiscing about the past as reunions are wont to do. But we spent more time talking about current stuff...what we have been doing and more importantly, thanks to Facebook, how our other classmates not present have been up to --in short, we had a lot of tsismis.


Honestly, I really couldn't remember what I was like in HS.  I hope I wasn't too anti social or weird. hahaha. I think I have selective amnesia.


But it was really great hanging out with HS batchmates (not to mention being able to speak bisaya so freely). The only downside was we forgot to take more pictures (na busy sa pag chika chika). So I will just have to wait for Aldrin and Carrie to upload the few pics they were able to take.  In the meantime, here is a shot of our old sky blue and white uniforms when we were just young, unsuspecting freshmen...

the (written) word is out!

Now it's official. We are giving out the first batch of invitations to our friends this weekend. Yippee.
We can't give all at the same time because we ran out of paper and have to source them again from Bangkok (we are DIY-ing our invites, thanks to Paui's sis Emily).


I asked Paui just before penning the first name on the envelope..."Sure ka na ha? Wala nang atrasan." hahaha.


Due to sheer excitement, I scanned the invites after finishing up those that Paui will give to his friends (yeah his friends first . grrr. hehe). Our invites are elegant, simple and uncluttered, just like us. :)


First Insert containing our main invite. Thanks to Ate Emily for the words.

Our entourage list and those of our principal sponsors. Paui actually asked why it is called Bridal Entourage, not Groom's entourage. hahaha.

Our map which is also a DIY courtesy of my cousin Neil. He didn't actually do this but he asked someone else to . hehe. Thanks kuya.

This card is from the 555 store in MBK, Bangkok. It looks formal enough for an invite, but not too stiff. And it has these vines coiling in the middle that gives it this uniquely exotic look.

and ta-daa...of course the envelopes would be pink. As if it would be any other color. haha.

We finished this off by writing in script the recipient's names with silver ink and sealing the deal with our monogram.

sacred heart church cebu

As early as January (barely a month after Paui proposed hehe), we already had Sacred Heart Church booked. Friends and family did warn me that this church was more strict compared to the others in the city so I would have a harder time dealing with them. But I'm Atenean and they are Jesuits...the shoe fits , right?  ;)

But I guess I just really wanted to be married in this church. I love that the inside and outside of the church are clean and free of too outlandish decors. It looks simple, elegant and uncluttered. And when weddings are held here, you would be assured that it would be a private affair...no lurkers or passers-by hanging around.

absolutely divine noh?

SACRED HEART PARISH
Address: 242 D. Jakosalem St., Cebu City
Contact info: (032)253-6479;254-3950 Fax (032)255-6366

GUIDELINES FOR WEDDINGS


Your marriage is a sacrament, a "sacred action". Everything in the celebration
(decoration, music,dress,picture-taking,etc.) should be in conformity with the
sacramental rite. Please read and follow these gyidelines carefully to ensure that your
wedding be properly celebrated according to the norms of the Church.

I. REQUIREMENTS BEFORE THE MARRIAGE:


1. Reservation by the contracting parties is made personally at the Office at least two months before the wedding.


2. Canonical Interview of the contracting parties by a priest of SHP is made one month before the wedding, with the Baptismal Certificate (new copy for the "marriage purposes") Confirmatio Certificate, Government Marriage License (or Marriage Contract if already Civilly Married) shown to the priest.


3. Certificate of Attendance of the one whole day and a half Pre-Cana of Sacred Heart Parish conducted every 2nd Saturday of each month 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. to Sunday 1:00 - 6:00 P.M. Only certificate of attendance in the Discovery Weekend or Weekend for the Engaged will be accepted in lieu of SHP conducted Pre-Cana.


4. Publication of marriage banns is made in the parishes of the bride and groom.


5. A writted permission from the Archdiocesan Chancellor (Office at Patria Bld.) is required for mixed-marriage (Catholic with non-Catholic), or if one is a non-Filipino citizen, and for those who cannot have the marriage banns published for serious reasons.


II. IMPORTANT INFORMATION:


1. TIME for the whole ceremony should be limited to one hour and fifteen minutes,from the processional to the end of picture-taking, to allow for another scheduled wedding to follow.


2. MUSIC & PHOTOS: All hymns before, during and after the wedding must be sacred music sung live, not recorded music. No secular song hits are sung in church. No music during the rite of marriage. Photographers should be properly dressed in polo or polo barong, not T-shirts, and not wearing shorts or slippers. Standing on pews is not allowed. They should be instructed to be careful not to distract the attention of the couple or the congregation from the sacredness of the ceremony and the Mass. Wedding coordinators, photographers and videographers must be licensed by the Commission on Worship. Refer to separate instruction for music.


3. The couple and the whole wedding entourage are reminded to dress modestly befitting the sacredness of the Sacrament and the Church. The dresses of the bride and entourage must be designed to cover the shoulders and back. Dresses should be below the knee and shall have no slits.

4. OFFICIATING PRIEST: If a pries is invited to officiate at the wedding, his name, address, and the number of the Certificate of Authority to Solemnize Marriage must be submitted to the Office no later than one week before the wedding. The priest's stipend is given to him by the contracting parties.


5. PRINCIPAL SPONSORS: One pair of legal sponsors is required who must be practicing Catholics. Additional sponsors are charged P100.00 each.


6. FLOWER GIRLS, RING AND ARRHAE BEARERS: Only flower girls, ring and arrhae bearers who have made their first Holy Communion can be part of entourage.


7. WEDDING SERVICES: P8.500.00 for weekdays;P10,000.00 for Saturdays. Sundays are for Parishioners of SHP only: P25,000.00. For Air-conditioning: additional P25,000.00 to cover electricity and maintenance. St. Francis Xavier Chapel (air-conditioned): P18,000 for weekdays and P20,000.00 for Saturdays (limited to 2 HRS.,surcharge of P1,000/HR. for succeeding hours). Downpayment of 50% is required upon reservation; deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable in case of cancellation. Wedding services include floral decorations for church or chapel and the wedding car. Please refer to separate guidelines for floral decoration. (Contact for decor: Lorna Tirol, Tel. 255-6802) A penalty of P100.00 will be charged for a change in the wedding schedule. The Office and the officiating priest must be informed of the change. Additional P100.00 electrical charge is required for use of video and other power consuming devices. Final payment must be paid 7 calendar days before the scheduled wedding date together with the submission of all requirements and complete list of sponsors.


8. MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE: Marriage Certificate must be checked by the couple before the wedding date. A copy of the Marriage Certificate will be available one week after the wedding.

9. SOCIAL HALLS: Two Parish Social Halls with tables and chairs are available for reception. An offering of P2,100.00 is expected for the use of each hall to assist in maintenance and electricity costs. A P500.00 deposit (non-refundable) is required upon reservation. The caterer has to be provided by the parties concerned. No sound system provided. No band allowed. Premises must be left cleand after wedding reception.

10. MISSALETTE/BOOKLET: If a missalette will be printed, it should be modeled after the official SHP Marriage Missalette (ask for a sample), and the proof submitted to the Office one month before the wedding. Couples are prohibited from composing their own vows. Lectors and psalmists should practice their parts and read them slowly and clearly. No commentators and commentaries are allowed.

11. There is no unity candle or bible blessing or any other extraneous rites added. Yugal or the cord should not be made of coins or o rosaries. Coin should be loose and placed only in a pouch, not in a cage. No offering of flowers and candles during offertory. Pew candle lamps are not allowed.


12. Use of rice, bird seed, confetti, flower petals are forbidden in any Catholic church and Church grounds. Releasing of doves, balloons, butterflies and bubbles and singing of love songs during or after the ceremony inside or outside the church is prohibited. This should be done at the reception.

every bride's nightmare...

So ayaw kahibulong if I am putting Paui under lock and key the night before. hehe.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2008/02/22/news/bride.sues.runaway.groom.html

why I'm writing again

I used to have a small blog back when I was just starting work in Bangkok. I kept it updated for about 6 months and then the blog entries kept getting fewer and fewer.  What can I say...I got lazier and lazier and there was always multiply where I can just keep on posting pictures.


But I think my writing and my english are getting rusty. And I need something to do during office lunchtime. And I just want an avenue where I can rant and rant and rave without anyone ranting back (or they may but I will never know...).


So here's to me and my new blog with the hopes that the tamaditis virus doesn't catch up to me and swallow me alive. Cheers!