HELP ‘YOLANDA’ VICTIMS

source

List of businesses accepting donations for ‘Yolanda’ victims

Here’s a list of organizations and businesses that accept donations on behalf of the victims of super typhoon ‘Yolanda’.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
Location: NAIA Chapel Road, Pasay City (at the back of CAAP)
DSWD accepts cash deposits through their Landbank of the Philippines account
The account numbers: Current-3122-1011-84 Savings-3124-0055-81
If you wish to volunteer in repacking relief goods you may call 8512681 for schedule.

The Philippine Red Cross
You may donate through SMS by texting RED and send it to 2899 for Globe and 4143 for Smart. You can donate the following denominations: Globe: 5, 25, 100, 300, 500 or 1000 and for Smart: 10, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500 or 1000

For cash deposits:

Banco De Oro
Peso: 00-453-0018647
Dollar: 10-453-0039482
Swift Code: BNORPHMM

Metrobank
Peso: 151-3-041631228
Dollar: 151-2-15100218-2
Swift Code: MBTCPHMM

Philippine National Bank
Peso: 3752 8350 0034
Dollar: 3752 8350 0042
Swift Code: PNBMPHMM

Unionbank of the Philippines
Peso: 1015 4000 0201
Dollar: 1315 4000 0090
Swift code: UBPHPHMM

For in-kind donation you may send it to Philippine Red Cross – National Headquarters in Manila. You may also contact them to arrange donation pick-up.
World Food Programme Philippines

They accept donations via credit card or Pay Pal.

Operation Walang Iwanan – Gawad Kalinga
They accept cash donations only at their Philippine Peso Current Account number-3101 0977 56 BPI EDSA Greenhills and US$ Savings Account number-3104 0162 34
* BPI EDSA Greenhills. Their swift code is BOPIPHMM

Caritas Filipinas Foundation is accepting donations online. You may visit their website at http://ushare.unionbankph.com/caritasfilipinas/

Ayala Foundation also accepts donations online. You may visit http://victoryplatform.everynation.org.ph/victorygiveviacreditcard/giveviacreditcard.aspx or http://victoryplatform.everynation.org.ph/giveviabpi/giveviabpi.aspx

Victory also accepts in-kind and cash donations. They suggest that the items that should be prioritized are instant noodles, canned goods, bottled water, biscuits, coffee, mats and blankets.

* For cash donations they have Bank of the Philippine Islands. The name of the account is Victory Christian Fellowship. The account number for savings is 0063-3205-52. If the address is needed address it to the Fort Serendra Branch, Ground Floor, Serendra, BGC, Taguig City, Philippines. The Swift code is BOPIPHMM.

Cebu Provincial Government also calls for volunteers to repack relief goods for Northern Cebu, Leyte and Bohol victims. For those who are interested you may contact Evelyn Senajon at PSWDO, Ground Floor Executive Bldg., Cebu Provincial Capitol at 254-7198 and 254-8397.

For students who wish to donate yet they do not have time to travel due to their busy schedule, some schools are accepting donations. These are the following:

University of the Philippines System
UP Office of the Student Regent are accepting donations in cash or kind.
Their drop off pointis Vinzon’s Hall, UP Diliman, Quezon City. You may contact Alex Castro at 0917-8725396 or tweet him at @uscupdiliman, Eds 0927384-1392 and Zie 0916796-5740.

Ateneo De Manila Disaster Response and Management Team
Ateneo is accepting cash donations. You may visit their website for donations.

St. Scholastica’s College also accepts donations in any form. You send your donation at 2560 Leon Guinto St. Manila. You may also deposit at BDO account number 4580-000-210 and name it after St. Scholastica’s College Manila.

De La Salle College of St. Benilde
They will conduct a “Yakap Mo Yakap Ko Benefit Concert.”The entrance fee is P300. They will accept donations during the event on November 22 at 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Mapua Institute of Technology accepts relief goods. You may send it at 333 333 Gil Puyat Avenue Makati City.
Some restaurants are also donating for the victims of Yolanda for every food purchase.

Zark’s Burger which is located at Taft near De La Salle University is donating P20 for every order of their Jawbreaker burger.

Yabu: House of Katsu will hold a “Dine for A Cause” event on November 13. All 100 percent of their profit will be donated to the affected families in the recent calamity.

Fast food chain Mc Donald’s is also accepting donations in all Manila branches until November 15.

Reference: Manila Bulletin

Baler on Foot: What Else Can You Do in Baler Aside Surfing?

If you’re not the surfing type, you fear the sea or you feel like physically not prepared for surfing, or maybe if you’re typically just not into it, visiting Baler is still a must as it can offer you other places to spend your time with.

Baler Church and Museum

Despite of its simplicity, the church is a remembrance of the Siege of Baler. From July 1, 1898 to June 2, 1899, the revolutionaries laid siege to the church manned by Spanish troops in the town. Its a battle of the Philippine revolution and concurrently the Spanish-American and the Philippine-American War.

In Baler Museum, You’ll get to discover more of Aurora’s heritage, culture and arts. Apparently it was closed when we had our visit.

Aurora Aragon Quezon House

To discover what’s behind the life of the wife of Manuel L. Quezon President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines. The province was named after her wife, Aurora Quezon. We were unable to spend much here but you'll get to read facts about their family here.

Ditumabo Falls.  

Located at the small village of San Luis, Aurora is a hidden wonder. It was a rough unpaved rocky road plus a 30mins walk to discover the Mother Falls also known as Ditumabo Falls. An easy and constructed trail for the visitors and we also notice a well maintained surroundings. The falls exceed my expectation as it was magnificent on its own. We immediately dipped in. The water is so refreshing. Also no entrance fee but we can give donations for the caretakers.

Lukso-lukso Islets and Diguisit Beach 

 Located at the coast of Barangay Zabali, Baler Aurora, it’s another beautiful beach to see. It's a very scenic place. Sun was on its dusk when we visit the place and that makes it more appealing. You may also notice a small man-made pool at the side and the kids are enjoying it as much as we appreciate the view.

And the Ma. Aurora Old Balete Tree

Rooted at maybe around 1604 and was there to act as a place for some local tribes for their rituals from old times. The wide tree that was almost covered by its roots are very huge that I guess 15 persons can fit inside. Some locals are there to guide other tourists to climb. No entrance fee here but we might want to give donation for the caretakers. Majority decided to climb but for me, I decided to save my energy for tomorrow.


So that's just some of the province of Aurora. Its the surfer's paradise other side of the town. So when you're done surfing, or maybe before you begin to surf, you may want to explore the town first to warm up. But then let's not skip the Surfing part of Baler in here. :)

Surfing in Baler: Got stoked while I ride the waves!

It was a planned weekend trip to celebrate the birthday of our friend. And also, we haven’t had any trip for quite a while already. The weather is unpredictable so we decided to go rain or shine. And we decided to go Surfing!

Surfer-saya! 

We surfed on the next day in Baler, the first day was spent purely on land tours and getting drunk. If only my niece was there, I have an excuse to the drinking session, however since its all a party mood and all adults trip, we partied the night before as if we do not have any plans the next day.

So here’s the surfing day. Though we are around 2hrs late from the promised surf time, we still had enough time to go surfing. I am nervous as it was my first. We were so glad that the Sun was there to welcome us, wow God is really has a good timing!
Sunblock on and I am ready to go. I do not know what to expect. All I have in mind is I do not want to get bruise and I want to learn to ride the waves. I am on it!

This is it guys kabado inside! 

After a few walks to the shore, we saw our instructors in line together with the surf boards. I immediately stand in front of the 2nd guy from the left. He introduced himself as Rommel.

Tip # 1: Listen to your instructor. Proper position will help you stand up the first try. If the basic position is hard for first timers (like me), you can try 2 other positions, “popping up” may need a lot of strength and practice.

I am relaxed with my instructor from the start but not on the surfing part. He gave me a detailed briefing and I listened carefully.

Ang chubby cheeks ko lang dito, kainis... :p

At first I am hesitant and I felt that I am too heavy to stand the surf board. First 2 attempts were not successful and he gave me another technique. He also reminded me with the correct position as he was able to identify why I missed on those attempts. He showed me how (3rd technique) and on my 3rd and 4th try. I was able to make it! Wohoo! Feeling like a pro!

Tip # 2: Always look up; not on your feet. This will keep your balance and will help you concentrate.

After several rides with lesser effort on my end, he teaches me how to paddle, OMG I am so excited as I guess I am on the next level, he do not push the surf board anymore and was now just giving me a go signal to paddle and stand up. I struggle at first but was able to do it.

Tip # 3: Learn to paddle; paddle as hard as needed, your instructor can let you know when to paddle, stop and when to get up as the timing to catch the waves needs more practice.

 Winning moment ni Rommel ng makapag paddle ako then stand up on my own. 

I do not want to brag but my coach and I are doing better than the rest. I applaud my coach for that, he really encourages me and was able to give clear directions. Hal and I compared our instructors after the surfing lesson and we know that Rommel was better that’s why I did well too. It might be that I am secretly good or maybe “Kinarir ko lang talaga” but I believe it’s also because I have a good coach too.

Tip # 4: When you’re about to fall off your board, try falling on the side of the board and not in front, try to fall not face down. Then falling means get back and try again.

He invited me to go back to Baler for more. I’m sorry as I forgot to get his number. I do not have any phone with me that time and my over excited-ness just made me forgot all about it. However I guarantee you that he is so passionate on what he was doing and will surely make your Surf trip in Baler so “Sulit”, so look for Rommel on your Baler trip please!

Nag- Apir pa kami ni Kuya (another instructor), a high-five for a good job! Yey Kilig!

Here are the rest of the surfers plus me.

Umay pics of me... 

Good job kaming lahat! - Thanks to Rony for the great shots (buti nlng di siya nag-surf :p)

We spend roughly around 2200-2400Php per pax for 2days-1night trip. Really, it’s a steal right? We stayed at Pacific Waves Inn along Sabang Beach which provides a pretty decent place despite of its affordable rate. We rented the family room for 3500, good for 12 pax. And also, I finally know what stoked means and glad to say I’m STOKED!










By the way, this is Rommel, my instructor. I wish you’ll get to remember him and look for him on your Baler trip:

One of the best weekends ever and I am sure I’ll be back for more! Let’s surf again, sige na!

What’s Keeping Me Busy?

I failed to satisfy my itchy feet for quite a while now and I'm really longing for another stress-free escape. I cannot blame the "Bed" weather too because I  know these months are really the rainy lazy months. Though I know I’ll be back soon, I am still feeling great on what’s keeping me busy these days.

1.     Wedding preparation – Yey! Although we still have plenty of time to prepare, we wanted to be hands-on and wanted to find the best team to work in our wedding. Finding wedding suppliers this early will lock the price increase for next year too. And yeah, I created a wedding blog too. 

2.     Business planning – Hal and I are working on our business plan; our passion to travel could be our sweet spot. We are also preparing for our digital printing business. Having a capital doesn’t mean you can start a business; you need a wise planning, good marketing, dedication and passion. And it’s a continuous learning. See, I’m learning a lot now. I’m looking forward on that day, business running smoothly, so our dreams will soon come true.

3.     Keeping a more balance life, Ensuring to exercise regularly while having a Sunday morning bonding with my Nanay is a great way to start my day every Sunday. Now I’m more consistent on this morning routine and more discipline. And I am hoping to add more "staying-fit" time, or maybe less rice?! :p

4.     Increasing my Net Worth, I wish it’s as easy as it sounds but yet it’s possible to achieve your financial goal as long as you know how to manage your money wisely with the I CAN attitude. Keep the attitude and always read and learn. Lucky for those who got a “better than good paying job” as you have plenty of money to manage. However, for those who earn fairly enough to save a few bucks for rainy days, it's still possible. Learn where to save your money and let it work for you. Don’t put your money into sleep. You know inflation right?! Have you heard Mutual funds, Stocks and Bonds. Yeah, I wish I could talk more about this but I’m not an expert. You can check Carlo’s blog and Lianne as they are. 

I will find my way to travel back soon… How about you? What’s keeping you busy these days? 

Tropical Storm and After: How To Help

Another ‘Habagat’ from the tropical storm ‘Maring’ affected majority of the cities and provinces in the country. I know some of you may have suffered because of this another calamity. Some may have chillin and enjoying the long vacation, some are just laughing it out because we are just happy Pinoys with pure humor even we got stranded or had to walk home.  

Just  made my day!
From humorous memes found in Rappler

If you want to extend a helping hand that’s great, though a sincere PRAYER will surely do.

Sharing a list from Yahoo on where and how to help our fellow Kababayans. 

TRUE - from Rappler