While our news here in the US hasn't offered much about the typhoon that hit Manila recently, I've heard enough from friends there to convince me this was a major event.
I just wanted to say to those of you I've never met (but hope to), I hope you and your friends are safe from the devastating floods and other damage caused by this terrible event.
clgsamson
September 27th, 2009, 11:19 PM
Thank you very much, Doc.
Babydamulag
September 28th, 2009, 01:54 AM
We had our nightmare with Frank last year. We know their pain all too well. We hope the gang is doing well during this terrible event.
clgsamson
September 28th, 2009, 03:11 AM
This one really hit home. Matthew hasn't responded yet to my text. He lives in one of those affected areas. Jon sez he's okay, jigo too. Wonder how's jag, paolo, maggie, evie... are doing?
AndyT
September 28th, 2009, 03:44 AM
Sorry to hear the bad news - my friends in Manila are keeping me informed.
Hope everyone here is Ok.
jigo
September 28th, 2009, 04:03 AM
saw jag online in fb. guess he's ok.
greatwolf
September 28th, 2009, 04:18 AM
Jag and Mags are accounted for on FB.
shugar
September 28th, 2009, 04:32 AM
no internet at home... just stealing free wifi where and when i can...
thanks Dr. Bill, and everyone else, yeah... this one was a total buttfu.....
we got off pretty easy, about 1ft of water in the ground floor - was able to raise the car engine a couple inches higher using some planks... heard my mom's place got chest-deep but she's thankfully doing ok
jon lives in cainta right? damn... hope he and the family are ok
Jag
weenerdoggs
September 28th, 2009, 05:18 AM
Yes best wishes to all the divers and people in the affected areas! What a terrible tragedy this is!
Jason & Sheila from Hawaii (& Cebu)
Babydamulag
September 28th, 2009, 06:47 AM
Maybe the rant is better understood now >flashback to my ranting last year<
World Wide Diver
September 28th, 2009, 07:01 AM
Can't we make a Paypal account here and donate? If there's somone in Manila who can help others with cash, then why not?
By cash - I mean cash to aid organisations.
blue steal
September 28th, 2009, 08:07 AM
Thanks DrBill for your concern.
I was finally able to contact my relatives in Manila last night, can't get in touch with those in anilao yet.
They live in Paranaque, suburbs of manila, and were hit hard.
They have a two story with bedrooms upstairs and everything else downstairs. water chest high, everything ruined, furniture, refrig, no power.......geez. Good news so far is everyone is alive.
blue steal
September 28th, 2009, 08:07 AM
Thanks DrBill for your concern.
I was finally able to contact my relatives in Manila last night, can't get in touch with those in anilao yet.
They live in Paranaque, suburbs of manila, and were hit hard.
They have a two story with bedrooms upstairs and everything else downstairs. water chest high, everything ruined, furniture, refrig, no power.......geez. Good news so far is everyone is alive.
chip104
September 28th, 2009, 09:18 AM
Be safe all. Heard about it but then saw the youtube videos, and realized how bad it was. And if Paranaque got hit hard this time...yowzers. Hope all of the PPDers are ok. Glad to hear your mother's alright, Jag.
iris_ice
September 28th, 2009, 09:53 AM
there's lots of links on facebook on how to help. here's just some...
bo sanchez.ph (http://bosanchez.ph/help-flood-victims/)
philippine aid (http://www.philippineaid.com/)
red cross (http://www.redcross.org.ph/Site/PNRC/wtd.aspx)
it's sofrustrating because it's the only way i know how to help :shakehead:
please post right away for any news on matt and the others.
aquapro
September 28th, 2009, 09:58 AM
We were in anilao doing clean up dives Sat - Sun. We didnt get to dive saturday coz the waves were too big for the bangka's, and we tried to drive to mainit point but small landslides covered the road. But sunday we got to dive Bahura area and i saw some other divers in other boats too. so im guessing anilao was overall ok.
h2odragon1
September 28th, 2009, 10:00 AM
My wife's family is in Bataan. I always worry about them when I hear about storms in the Philippines. They are wet, but OK. They live more in the hills; which makes me worry about mudslides!
Always worrying about my loved ones.
Evie G
September 28th, 2009, 10:39 AM
Im ok. But lotsa people w/o homes now.. :( Some friends lost all belongings as floods up to their roofs. :( Been bz rounding up goods & stuffs for d victims. So sad.. :(
Hammerhead
September 28th, 2009, 06:34 PM
Guys, sorry for hijacking Bill's thread, but I haven't been online for a few days as I've been working back-to-back shifts as a chamber operator for a commercial diving company back in HK.
As a result, I only heard about the devastation on my way to work late last night.
I can only hope that you're all Ok, and that you and your loved ones weren't too badly affected; in HK, we're already seeing the rainbelt, and apparently will for the rest of the week, so yes, this was a monster.
Thinking of you all,
Larry
jonix
September 28th, 2009, 10:42 PM
i'm ok thanks guys. areas around our place got hit hard. i've documented the event from my end there's still a lot to do back in cainta
Typhoon Ondoy: Images from a disaster area - a set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaguirre/sets/72157622351713381/)
btw, any word on matthew? landline, dsl & mobile networks are either dear or intermittent back in rizal.
edit: just got a reply from matt. he's safe as well.
greatwolf
September 28th, 2009, 11:52 PM
Good to hear that you're safe Jon, and Matt too. :-)
drbill
September 29th, 2009, 01:34 AM
Great to hear that so many of you are at least safe but sorry about the loss of homes and possessions. Hopefully everyone will be accounted for as communications networks get repaired.
prandyulo
September 29th, 2009, 02:27 AM
Just posted a new thread moments ago but taking the opportunity here too; just heard on the radio they are looking for scuba divers to help in the rescue efforts in Taguig. Please pass on to the concerned club or group.
Matthew
September 29th, 2009, 11:36 PM
Thanks everyone. I'm fine, as well as my family. I got stranded in an office building in quezon city and was only able to go home on monday night. The flood was waist deep inside our house on Saturday and everything on the ground floor, was damaged, but everyone was safe.
Caloy, I must have been passing through a dead spot when you texted. As of yesterday, large areas in Cainta still had no Globe coverage. Thanks pards.
Izel
September 30th, 2009, 03:03 PM
Sorry for not logging in earlier. I could have informed you of Matt's whereabouts earlier as I was in contact with Pinoy Scuba friends the whole time. I was in Isabela, Negros Occ from Sept 23 - 29, 2009 so I missed all the action. I was lucky our home in Manila was spared.
Sigh... Countless were affected. But it hits home when sooo many people you know, officemates and friends lose their home and livelihood. Any help will go a long way. We visited a friend on Tuesday and their most immediate need / request were the following:
1. cooked rice, cooked ulam and water - they have been cleaning and trying to salvage their belonigings that they do not have the energy to think of cooking, much less go out to find food.
2. ice - most basic pleasures
3. Off lotion - mosquito repellant
4. band-aid, antiseptics
5. medicines like paracetamol, ibuprofen
5. vitamin C
6. garden gloves and other cleaning implements
7. candles
It's also heart-warming to see the over-flowing generosity, selflessness and resilience of Pinoys. Nature is not yet over, though. Peping is inside the PAR now and will potentially be stronger than the last. It will make landfall tomorrow evening. It's predicted to enter the Bicol region so Western Visayas and Mindanao will be affected. So, to our southern friends, lets all be safe always.
To those who waded in the waters, a precautionary measure is to take 100 mg twice a day for 7 days Doxycyline, an antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent infection from rat urine. The generic brand is about Php40 per capsule. I waded chest deep the waters of Sucat memorial park to rescue my parked flooded car in the middle of a cremation which had to be switched off so we can escape to higher ground which is inside the oven. Stranded whole day there and overnight in a friend's home as the expresssway wasn't moving.
tboxcar
October 1st, 2009, 01:19 AM
Not that I'm a doctor, but from my experiences in Africa and the Indian sub continent, I would think one would have to be on the watch now for diseases such as typhoid, cholera, and possibly even meningitis? Being that there is so much standing water around, I would certainly take all the precautions you could.
jigo
October 1st, 2009, 06:11 AM
doxy is precaution against leptospirosis from rat urine that one may be exposed to during floods. not sure how its supposed to be taken. my doc friend posted in facebook that adults should take 200mg immediately and protection is good for a week. can anyone verify?
Babydamulag
October 1st, 2009, 06:20 AM
Amoxil (Amoxicillin) Drug Information: Uses, Side Effects, Drug Interactions and Warnings at RxList (http://www.rxlist.com/amoxicillin-drug.htm)
The usual precaution for those allergic, pregnant or under 8-12 years old apply. Please consult someone who knows(ie; a doctor) prior to taking any medication.
shugar
October 1st, 2009, 07:41 AM
thanks for the doxy info and warning...
have penn and aimees checked in? any more news on the other PPD?
@iris/ van: hope your families are ok and you've been in touch with them...
Jag
shugar
October 1st, 2009, 07:44 AM
This has been going around Facebook... as with everything else on the intarweb take it with some salt... or in a Pinoy's case patis or bagoong...
it does uplift the spirits somewhat though:
News comment of an American Dweller in our country: "I wish you all could see the amazing community spirit, charity and compassion in the Philippines. What I see happening here totally blows away the response to hurricane Katrina. People here ha...ve less to give, yet they are giving ABUNDANTLY. There is such a greater story than just the 'death toll' that the lame american media fails to capture."
Jag
Babydamulag
October 1st, 2009, 07:49 AM
Those Kanos got nuthin' on us Pinoys...er...uh....wait a minute...
drbill
October 1st, 2009, 11:56 AM
Jag... how true. Our government's response to Katrina was disgusting. I hope yours is doing a better job. Of course the comment that you posted from the American reflects what I've sensed of Filipinos... a greater sense of community than what we have here in much of the States. I grew up in a small Midwest town where a sense of community was strong... and live now in another one here on Catalina where it is still prevalent.
Again, wishing all my present and future Filipino friends a safe recovery from this disaster. You remain in my thoughts.
iris_ice
October 1st, 2009, 12:34 PM
my family's fine but they had to rescue an aunt and uncle in cainta. signal that day was crappy and my cousins were all in a panic for their parents' safety. they bought lifevests and a kayak to rescue them the following day. their printing business is gone but at least they're okay.
time to pick up the pieces and move on. if only we had more time to recover before the next typhoons hit the Philippines *sigh*
jigo
October 1st, 2009, 03:17 PM
Those Kanos got nuthin' on us Pinoys...er...uh....wait a minute...
Bayanihan sa Bayan ni Juan!
this is the battle cry in most relief centers.
tboxcar
October 1st, 2009, 06:53 PM
I'm curious about the fact that 'rat urine' is more toxic than other types of urine, just the sound of it sounds rather disgusting. Anyway, let's hope this next storm goes far north and misses you guys!
shugar
October 2nd, 2009, 05:53 AM
Jag... how true. Our government's response to Katrina was disgusting. I hope yours is doing a better job. Of course the comment that you posted from the American reflects what I've sensed of Filipinos... a greater sense of community than what we have here in much of the States. I grew up in a small Midwest town where a sense of community was strong... and live now in another one here on Catalina where it is still prevalent.
Again, wishing all my present and future Filipino friends a safe recovery from this disaster. You remain in my thoughts.
it's the non-governmental response here that's been truly amazing... even before the sun set on the chaos people were mobilizing when reports from the really badly-hit areas started coming in, by the next day anyone who was anyone was on one crusade to help or another...
the stream of facebook status updates is amazing
:biggrin:
Jag
drbill
October 2nd, 2009, 10:51 AM
Agree, Jag. I am very impressed with the way the people in the Philippines have banded together to help. I don't see that happening here in the fragmented US. I know Violeta has been issuing repeated updates on Facebook that help keep us informed here.
tboxcar
October 2nd, 2009, 11:10 AM
Agree, Jag. I am very impressed with the way the people in the Philippines have banded together to help. I don't see that happening here in the fragmented US. I know Violeta has been issuing repeated updates on Facebook that help keep us informed here.
I will have to disagree with Dr. Bill here, as to people being so fragmented, that they won't 'band together' to help. Many saw the efforts of heroic individuals back during the '89 Loma Prieta quake here in the SF Bay Area. And we all know it's only a matter of time before a quake of Biblical proportions will strike the Golden state. I sincerely believe most people remain 'humane' during these events and help their fellow brother. But as in all disasters there will be those who take advantage of others:shakehead:
schaffld
October 2nd, 2009, 09:06 PM
Just wanted to relay a few thoughts and experiences and it seems this thread would be as good a place as any to express them... so thanks, Dr. Bill, for getting it started.
We've experienced first hand this week that when times are at their seemingly worst, humans can be exceedingly kind and generous. The stories of strangers helping each other during a crisis like this are uplifting. For us, it has also been extraordinary to see my girlfriend's most distant relatives come immediately to our assistance to get things back to normal. I'm sitting here essentially helpless in Saudi Arabia while these people - strangers, friends, and relatives - put their own busy lives on hold or even at risk to provide support and comfort to my girlfriend, her kids, and her mom.
I will always be grateful to the man who literally rescued her mom and daughter by dragging them to a neighbor's two storey house while the water was rising and cresting at the roofline of our house in Marikina. My girlfriend and her son were stranded overnight in a shelter in Quezon City but when the flooding receded the next day, the small act of kindness the taxi driver showed by manoevering his car through the thick muck and foul smell to get her home safely will also be appreciated.
As soon as friends and relatives could come, they were at the house and helping out with the clean-up which continues to this day. Why am I posting all of this on SB? Well, after she told me about the events of the previous 24 hours, my girlfriend informed me that my dive gear was the first thing people grabbed to wash, rinse, and hang up to dry. My girlfriend was also apologetic to me over the loss of her AOW manual that she's been studying in preparation for the course in December. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when she told me this.
So, as another typhoon is rapidly approaching northern Luzon, a tsunami smashes through Samoa and American Samoa, and another earthquake devastates Indonesia, I can take comfort in the knowledge that there will be countless heroic - as well as simple - acts of kindness to ease the suffering of the victims.
Just a few thoughts to chew on...
shugar
October 3rd, 2009, 09:36 AM
Just wanted to relay a few thoughts and experiences and it seems this thread would be as good a place as any to express them... so thanks, Dr. Bill, for getting it started.
We've experienced first hand this week that when times are at their seemingly worst, humans can be exceedingly kind and generous. The stories of strangers helping each other during a crisis like this are uplifting. For us, it has also been extraordinary to see my girlfriend's most distant relatives come immediately to our assistance to get things back to normal. I'm sitting here essentially helpless in Saudi Arabia while these people - strangers, friends, and relatives - put their own busy lives on hold or even at risk to provide support and comfort to my girlfriend, her kids, and her mom.
I will always be grateful to the man who literally rescued her mom and daughter by dragging them to a neighbor's two storey house while the water was rising and cresting at the roofline of our house in Marikina. My girlfriend and her son were stranded overnight in a shelter in Quezon City but when the flooding receded the next day, the small act of kindness the taxi driver showed by manoevering his car through the thick muck and foul smell to get her home safely will also be appreciated.
As soon as friends and relatives could come, they were at the house and helping out with the clean-up which continues to this day. Why am I posting all of this on SB? Well, after she told me about the events of the previous 24 hours, my girlfriend informed me that my dive gear was the first thing people grabbed to wash, rinse, and hang up to dry. My girlfriend was also apologetic to me over the loss of her AOW manual that she's been studying in preparation for the course in December. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when she told me this.
So, as another typhoon is rapidly approaching northern Luzon, a tsunami smashes through Samoa and American Samoa, and another earthquake devastates Indonesia, I can take comfort in the knowledge that there will be countless heroic - as well as simple - acts of kindness to ease the suffering of the victims.
Just a few thoughts to chew on...
thanks for this... you're right, it's the small things that will see everyone through
glad to know your loved ones are ok...
Jag
drbill
October 3rd, 2009, 10:24 AM
Ah, but you're in the more civilized Bay Area, I'm stuck in the "Lost" Angeles area where most people don't even know their neighbors.
As I read the stories from PPD members in this thread and elsewhere, my desire to finally get to the PI increases. Everything I read simply confirms what I have heard about the people from friends who have visited there.
I will have to disagree with Dr. Bill here, as to people being so fragmented, that they won't 'band together' to help. Many saw the efforts of heroic individuals back during the '89 Loma Prieta quake here in the SF Bay Area. And we all know it's only a matter of time before a quake of Biblical proportions will strike the Golden state. I sincerely believe most people remain 'humane' during these events and help their fellow brother. But as in all disasters there will be those who take advantage of others:shakehead:
tboxcar
October 3rd, 2009, 12:29 PM
HI Bill, I was going to mention 'the North/South Divide' here in California, but I thought I'd leave it out;)
Anyway, let's hope for the best over in PI!
jonix
October 3rd, 2009, 09:09 PM
again thanks for this thread dr. bill. yesterday i had the chance to visit taytay, rizal the municipality where matthew lives. the areas near the coast of laguna lake are still very much a danger zone where flood waters (with trash) are about as high as the street. i was there to help identify where to give/deliver private donations from friends who were not affected by the flooding. the welfare department representative is appealing for the following besides food which is a given:
i'm now appealing to the PPD who can spare such items. i can have them picked up by my staff in the following weeks or we can meet at ortigas. as i write this me & some of my rizal based friends are preparing to delivering the first batch of rice & clothing to taytay municipal hall. you may ask why not cainta where i live? simple, they've got tons of stuff coming in. cainta isn't the only place hit. from cainta to tanay people have been flooded it's just cainta who got the most media exposure.
in advance salamat mga kapatid...
btw, me & my drinking buddies have donated our drinking budget so no booze for the next few weeks :rofl3:
Babydamulag
October 3rd, 2009, 11:22 PM
Wow, that is awesome. I wish we would have had this sort of relief effort last year when Frank hit us. Wow. This is great. Good job guys!
