News and updates of Typhoon Storm Ondoy that Hit Philippines .

Philippine man loses own life after saving 30 peoples from floods

2009-10-02T13:21:00.000-07:00

An 18-year-old construction worker braved rampaging floods in the Philippines to save more than 30 people, but ended up sacrificing his life in a last trip to rescue a baby girl and her mother who were being swept away on a styrofoam box.

Desperate relief effort amid rising death toll

Family members and people who Muelmar Magallanes saved have hailed the young man a hero, as his body lay in a coffin at a makeshift evacuation centre near their destroyed Manila riverside village.

Philippines residents go to all lengths to escape neck-deep flood waters. Photo: Reuters

"I am going to be forever grateful to Muelmar," said Menchie Penalosa, the mother of the six-month-old girl whom he carried to safety before being swept away himself. "He gave his life for my baby. I will never forget his sacrifice."

Mr Magallanes was at home on Saturday with his family when tropical storm Ketsana unleashed the heaviest rains in more than 40 years on the Philippine capital and surrounding areas.

At first the family, long used to heavy rains, paid little attention to the storm.

But Mr Magallanes and his father quickly decided to evacuate the family once they realised the river 800 metres away had burst its banks.

With the help of an older brother, Mr Magallanes tied a string around his waist and attached it one-by-one to his three younger siblings, whom he took to higher ground. Then he came back for his parents.

But Mr Magallanes, a strong swimmer, decided to go back for neighbours trapped on rooftops.

He ended up making many trips, and eventually saved more than 30 people from drowning, witnesses and survivors said.

Tired and shivering, Mr Magallanes was back on higher ground with his family when he heard Ms Penalosa screaming as she and her baby were being swept away on the polystyrene box they were using in an attempt to cross the swift currents.

He dived back in after the mother and daughter, who were already a few metres away and bobbing precariously among the debris floating on the brown water.

"I didn't know that the current was so strong. In an instant, I was under water. We were going to die," said Ms Penalosa, her eyes welling with tears and voice choking with emotion.

"Then this man came from nowhere and grabbed us. He took us to where the other neighbours were, and then he was gone," Ms Penalosa said.

Ms Penalosa and other witnesses said an exhausted Mr Magallanes was simply washed away amid the torrent of water.

Neighbours found his body on Sunday, along with 28 others who perished amid Manila's epic flooding. The official death toll stands at 100 with 32 missing.

Standing next to his coffin, Mr Magallanes' parents paid tribute to their son.

"He always had a good heart," said his father, Samuel.

"We had already been saved. But he decided to go back one last time for the girl."

His mother, Maria Luz, wept as she described her son as incredibly brave.

"He saved so many people, but ended up not being able to save himself."

The Age.

Free PAL airlift of donations for Ondoy victims.

2009-10-02T13:17:00.000-07:00

Philippine Airlines will airlift for free all relief donations intended for victims of typhoon Ondoy. All provincial PAL stations will load on flights bound for Manila any bulk cargo box containing donations addressed to reputable, non-profit, charitable organizations in Manila.

To maximize the cargo load of the aircraft, PAL station heads will be verifying and limiting the contents of the donation boxes to items of value and use, and exclude such donations as expired food and medicines, water, rice (due to weight considerations) and unusable stuff.

Complete information of the consignee organization must be supplied with the cargo box/container inscribed with "care of the PAL Foundation". Individual donations for private or personal families will not be accommodated.

Meanwhile, PAL passengers whose flights were affected by typhoon Ondoy will not be charged any penalties when rebooking for the next available flights.

PAL ticket holders with confirmed bookings from September 26 to October 4, 2009 will have all penalties waived when rebooking.

Philippine AirLines.

Senate donates P1.5M to victims of "Ondoy".

2009-10-01T14:11:00.000-07:00

The Senate on Monday donated a total of P1.5 million to the victims of tropical storm ‘Ondoy’ through the GMA Kapuso Foundation, ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc., and the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC).

At least two bills were also filed to fund the relief operations, reconstruction and rehabilitation of affected areas.

In a press statement, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said P500,000 would be given to each of the said organizations. The cash assistance would be sourced from the Senate’s discretionary fund.

The Senate welfare fund amounting to P120,000 would also be donated and divided among the three organizations, Enrile said.

Meanwhile, the Senate employees through the Public Assistance Center (PAC) have also initiated a fund-raising drive to gather donations in cash or kind for the victims of the typhoon. These donations will also be turned over to the three organizations.

Also on Monday, Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago filed Senate Bill 3461 appropriating P10 billion to fund the disaster management efforts in the wake of storm 'Ondoy.' Of the amount, P8 billion will come from the proceeds of the Road Users Tax and the P2 billion will be sourced from local government units.

“The road tax should have been used for road maintenance and drainage systems in the first place. What could have been used as preventive measures will now be used as a cure," Santiago said.

She also filed Senate Resolution 1378 urging fellow senators to donate at least P1 million from their Priority Development Assistance Fund to aid the victims of the storm. - GMANews.TV

Facebook delivers help to Ondoy victims.

2009-10-01T12:30:00.000-07:00

University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law bar examiners who lost their permits when their houses were submerged in floodwaters do not have to worry that they might not be allowed to take their exams on Sunday, October 4.

UP Law professor Theodore Te is offering help to get them new permits. He said so himself in his Facebook account.

“Please let us at PEP-BAR OPS know if you need help with your permits, which may have been washed out. You may reach me through my cell phone, this account, email or through the Bar Ops Hotline,” he posted at 1 p.m. on Monday.

The last of the four installments in the bar exams should have been held on Sunday, September 27, but it was postponed because of tropical storm Ondoy.

Apparently, it is a big issue among bar examiners. In a comment posted on Te’s facebook page, a fellow lawyer said Supreme Court spokesman Midas Marquez has acknowledged the problem and vowed that the Bar Confidant would assist the victims.

Since Saturday, Facebook had been a receptacle of various forms of assistance to Ondoy victims—news and information on the storm, initiatives taken to assist victims, prayers, and contact numbers for various purposes.

Schools and companies organized relief operations and called on volunteers in Facebook. The site was also deluged by photos of the devastation wrought by typhoon Ondoy personally taken by the users.

Accessible, free
Accessible and free, the social networking site had been effective in disseminating information.

“Facebook is effective because there is a face behind every post that makes it credible to the reader. Since the one posting is presumably one's friend, there is greater trust. Of course, some friends are more credible than others,” shares prolific Facebook user Ateneo School of Government (ASoG) Dean Antonio La Vina.

La Vina had to fly to Bangkok on Sunday to attend a climate change conference. But thanks to Facebook, the distance didn’t stop him from organizing the ASoG Task Force Ondoy.

In a note posted on his page, La Vina on Monday created the task force that he envisioned would be “at the center of the national conversation on why this happened and more importantly what steps to take so that it never happens again.”

“Through this memorandum, I constitute ASoG Task Force Ondoy with all ASoG Managers and Staff (regardless of employment status) as Members,” he wrote in the note.

In the same note, La Vina named the leaders of the task force and then gave out specific instructions.

“For our affected colleagues, I have set aside resources to give them immediate assistance. While we will contribute to the greater effort, it is also important for us to set aside significant resources for them,” La Vina wrote.

La Vina is consultant to presidential adviser for climate change former Senator Heherson Alvarez. – abs-cbnNEWS.com/ Newsbreak

Hollywood stars tweet for ‘Ondoy’ victims.

2009-09-30T11:21:00.000-07:00

The devastation wrought by typhoon “Ondoy” has made the Philippines one of the hottest topics on Twitter even among Hollywood stars.

Husband and wife Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore, who, until the last few hours were still continuously ‘tweeting’ about the situation, have posted links to organizations that could help in alleviating the plight of so many distraught Pinoys.

“Typhoon victims in Philippines in dire need of food/clothing. Call the American Red Cross to help,” the two urged.

Singer Josh Groban, who was one of the more graciously received visitors in Manila recently, also aired his concern via the web-based networking site.

“My heart goes out to my friends in the Philippines,” he tweeted, advising followers to send donations through Red Cross.

Singer Marie Digby voiced her sadness over the situation, calling out to Pinoy ‘Digbyholics’: “So sorry to hear about all the flooding in the Philippines!!! I'm hoping and praying for everyone's safety.”

Young star Demi Lovato of “Camp Rock”-fame joined in on the cause by re-tweeting links to the American Red Cross but not before stating, “Come on guys, the Red Cross is a beautiful thing and the Philippines need OUR help… Let's put it to good use and make our country proud…after all, it is called the AMERICAN Red Cross… and we have to be there for other countries. Please help them.”

Other celebrities like Pinoy singing sensation Charice Pempengco, “Charmed” actor Alyssa Milano, Paris Hilton, Ricky Martin, former M2M singer Marion Raven, singer-guitarist Michelle Branch, and Fall out Boy’s Pete Wentz have all called out for help in behalf of 'Ondoy's" victims by re-tweeting links to either the Philippine or American Red Cross.

Author Paulo Coelho (“The Alchemist,” “By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept”), meanwhile, posted on Twitter his frustration over what he termed the Philippine Red Cross’ seeming ‘Jurassic methods’ of collecting donations.

He posted: “I had to send a bank order. Jurassic! (People) can't act on impulse. Filipinos talk to Red Cross: (open) donations online!” and emphatically, “(Your) link does not have online donations. Paypal is not an option. Open online link.”

Manila Bulletin.

China donates $10,000 to Typhoon Ondoy victims .

2009-09-30T11:11:00.000-07:00

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government on Sunday pledged to donate $10,000 to victims of a devastating tropical storm that killed 52 and displaced hundreds of thousands in northern Philippines.

"The damages caused by incessant rains and unexpected floods were heartbreaking. The Chinese Government and people were saddened by loss of lives and have deep sympathy with the Philippine Government and people," Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Liu Jianchao said in a statement.

Liu said the fund will be channeled to the Philippine National Red Cross.

Tropical storm Ondoy (international name Kestana) slammed into the eastern coast of Luzon region on Saturday. Heavy rainfall and landslides brought by the storm left 52 people dead, 27 missing and over 300,000 people affected, most of whom were evacuated from their flooded homes.

Full-scale rescue operations started on Sunday as the storm left the country. Hundreds were believed to remain stranded in half-submerged villages and towns near the national capital region.

Philstar

"Flowing Cars" During Storm Ondoy at UERM

2009-09-29T14:41:00.001-07:00

Typhoon Ondoy (Sept. 26, 2009) - Flood near West Avenue, Quezon City

2009-09-29T12:58:00.000-07:00

Typhoon Ondoy Ketsana Strike Philippines - Photos.

2009-09-29T12:44:00.001-07:00

Actual ongoing heavy Rain on Metro Manila.

About Trophical Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana).

2009-09-29T11:48:00.000-07:00

Typhoon Ketsana (International designation: 0916, JTWC designation: 17W, PAGASA name: Ondoy) formed early on September 23 2009, about 860 km (535 mi) to the northwest of Palau.
The depression remained weak and was downgraded to a low pressure area later that day by the Japan Meteorological Agency.
The low pressure area then reintenisfied early the next day and was named as Tropical Depression Ondoy by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration as the Joint Typhoon Warning Center issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert on the depression.
It was then reupgraded to a tropical depression by the JMA later that morning before the JTWC followed suit early on September 25, designating the depression as 17W.
The intensification of Ondoy was hampered throughout September 25 by the system moving into an area of moderate vertical windshear and an upper level trough of pressure which was moving over the system.
It was then upgraded to a Tropical Storm and named as Ketsana before passing over the island of Luzon in the Philippines. As it moved into the South China sea later that day the system dramatically deepened and expanded whilst moving towards the west which lead to the JMA upgrading it to a Severe Tropical Storm.

While located over the Philippines Ketsana brought torrential rains to the Philippines before heading out to the South China Sea, where it is currently located. Ketsana has brought record rainfall to Metro Manila, not seen since the start of rainfall record keeping according to PAGASA[1], producing only moderate winds but hours of extremely heavy rain, which led to the worst flooding in living memory.
At least 86 people were reported dead in landslides and other incidents, and president Gloria Arroyo declared a "state of calamity" encompassing most of Luzon.[2] Flood water levels reached a record 20 feet high in rural areas. By September 28, at least 240 casualties were reported officially.
WIKI

Help for Typhoon Ondoy Victims in the Philippines.

2009-09-28T16:57:00.000-07:00

On September 26, 2009, Typhoon Ondoy brought a month's worth of rainfall to Metro Manila and nearby areas in just a few hours, causing severe flooding which resulted in the loss of many lives and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people. This site compiles relevant information about the disaster, including a volunteer-maintained map of persons needing rescue and a list of relief organizations accepting donations, so that more help can be provided where it is needed.

Help our Ondoy Typhoon Victims and our volunteers by donating in our campaign. Your Donations is much appreciated.

Death toll from storm 'Ondoy' continues to rise.

2009-09-28T11:46:00.001-07:00

The death toll from tropical storm "Ondoy" (international name Ketsana) rose to 86 as of early Monday morning, but may go much higher as authorities verify reports of more deaths caused by the cyclone.

As of 6 a.m., the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) also shifted the focus of its efforts from search-and-rescue to relief work.

"Right now we will concentrate really on providing food and other necessities," NDCC chairman and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said at the NDCC's 6 a.m. briefing.

Teodoro said that as of 6 a.m. Monday, NDCC figures showed "Ondoy" had affected 86,313 families or 435,646 people. Of these, 23,126 families or 115,890 people were brought to 204 evacuation centers.

Ondoy struck Luzon on Saturday, bringing epic proportions of floodwater in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon. [See: Epic flood in Metro Manila caused by record rainfall]

The death toll rose to at least 86, including seven in Metro Manila, 22 in Central Luzon, and 56 in Southern Luzon. Of the fatalities, five were military personnel trying to rescue residents affected by a landslide in Laguna province.

But Teodoro said the 86 does not include 12 reported deaths in Antipolo City, 29 in Quezon City, and 58 in Marikina City. At least 32 people remained missing, he added.

Damage to property was initially reported at P60 million, including P41.1 million in damage to infrastructure, P19.2 million in damage to schools, and P212,000 in damage to agriculture.

Blue alert

Meanwhile, dzBB reported the Department of Health placed all public hospitals placed on blue alert, meaning all medical personnel are to be on duty 24 hours a day.

Also, the DOH had medical personnel prepare anti-tetanus shots.

On the other hand, the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAP) said at least 50 of its members in Metro Manila and Luzon were affected in Tanay and the cities of Marikina, Muntinlupa, Las Piñas and Parañaque.

"Baka mag-advance sila ng payment sa future claims namin para makabawi... para makaserbisyo (We hope PhilHealth can advance payments for our future claims so we can continue operating)," PHAP president Rustico Jimenez said on dzBB radio.

Also in Manila, the US Embassy said some of its units would be closed for Monday, including those for visa appointment.

In Pasig City, vendors at the Mutya ng Pasig market had to move their stalls to the nearby church, according to a report by dzBB’s Manny Vargas. - GMANews.TV

News

Typhoon Ondoy flood the streets of Metro Manila.

2009-09-28T11:34:00.001-07:00

MANILA, Philippines – As typhoon Ondoy continues to hit Luzon, Metro Manila and nearby areas are currently flooded, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) reported.

Based on NDCC’s latest situation report, areas in the National Capital Region that are not passable include Malabon (C4 Letre, M.H. Del Pilar, Panghulo Road, Catmon and Dampalit); E. Rodriguez cor. Araneta Avenue in Quezon City; Palasan in Valenzuela; Brgys. 180, 185, 187 in Pasay; Brgy. Santolan in Pasig; Barangay Malanday in Marikina; Brgy. Tunasan in Muntinlupa; and Brgys. Banaba, Sta. Ana, and San Mateo in Rizal.

According to the recent weather bulletin from Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) signal no. 2 remains in Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Zambales, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Northern Quezon, and Polilo Island. While Isabela, Mountain Province, Ifugai, Benguet, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Mindoro provinces, Lubang Island, Marinduque, Camarines Norte, Bataan, Metro Manila and the rest of Quezon are under signal no. 1.

PAGASA added, typhoon Ondoy continues to move with a maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 100 kph. and is expected to leave the country’s area of responsibility by Monday morning.

Philstar