Typhoon Ondoy Floods the World with the Power of Love and Compassion

Beyond the devastating sights of flooding, the panic cries for help, the horrific stories of survivors, the agonizing sounds of discovering a loved one’s body, the hazy eyes of victims who have lost everything they had in the floods affecting various parts of the Philippines, lies a powerful display of overwhelming love and compassion from every other human being all over the world.

It is in moments such as this that humankind is able to rise above any obstacle to help out a neighbor, a stranger, a people in dire need of help, assistance, support, compassion and love. The Philippines may have lost millions of pesos worth of properties and yet it has given rise to millions of heroes all over the country and millions more from all over the world.

This is the power of boundless love and compassion. No natural calamity like typhoon Ondoy can ever stop man’s inherent nature to express love and compassion to those in need. Man is willing to risk their own lives, use their own resources to save other lives, give food, clothes and shelter to victims, create fundraising projects to manage immediate release of funds to flood stricken communities and do all sorts of things just to extend help.

That two pesos given by a nanny’s little boy, out of his own meager allowance, to help Ondoy flood victims is as valuable as the helicopters sent out by corporations to do rescue work. Every little act of kindness and generosity speaks volumes of love beyond comprehension. Every bit of charitable act declares compassion reverberating through out the land.

I cannot help but be awed at the overflowing energy of love and compassion happening around me. I cannot help but increase my faith in the goodness of mankind. I cannot help but be filled with pride at the relentless efforts of my fellow Filipinos in doing their respective share to lend support to the various projects being undertaken by public and private organizations to send aid to the calamity victims. I cannot help but be grateful to God who has allowed us all to possess this natural power to love without limits, to love without conditions.

This hub does not only highlight the power of love but also provide readers the opportunity to send more of that loving abundance to the flood victims. Below are just some of the the hundreds of institutions that have provided ways you can send your love offerings.

• The Philippine National Redcross (PNRC) suggests that people donate the following: food items such as rice, noodles, canned goods, and potable water; Medicines such as paracetamol, antibiotics, and multivitamins; and toiletries such as bath soaps, face towels, toothpaste, blankets, and mosquito nets.

1. CASH or CHECK. Please send cash or check donations to the PNRC National Headquarters in Manila. Checks should be made payable to The Philippine National Red Cross.
2. BANK DEPOSIT - Account Name: The Phil. Nat’l. Red Cross

PNRC DOLLAR ACCOUNTS:

BANCO DE ORO
Port Area Branch

DOLLAR ACCOUNT : 453-0039482
Type of Account : SAVINGS
SWIFT CODE : BNOR PH MM

BANK OF PHILIPPINE ISLAND
United Nation Branch
DOLLAR ACCOUNT : 8114-0030-94
Type of Account : SAVINGS
SWIFT CODE : BOPI PH MM

METRO BANK
AndaCirclePort Area Branch
DOLLAR ACCOUNT : 151-2-151002182
Type of Account : SAVINGS
SWIFT CODE : MBTC PH MM

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK
Sta. Cruz Branch
DOLLAR ACCOUNT : 375-283500026
Type of Account : SAVINGS
SWIFT CODE : PNB MPH MM

UNION BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Cruz Branch
DOLLAR ACCOUNT : 132-070001012
Type of Account : SAVINGS
SWIFT CODE : UBPH PH MM

• GMANews.tv provides disaster emergency hotlines (911-1873, 912-5296, 912-2665) or go straight to Kapuso Foundation Inc. to give out your donations.

• Abs-cbnnews.com’s Sagip Kapamilya (Family Rescue) 413-2667 / 416-0387,No 13 Examiner Street, Quezon City, Look for Ms Girlie Aragon
  ABS-CBN Foundation Inc for overseas donation: 1-800-527-2820 or www.abs-cbnfoundation.com

The destruction caused by the floods brought by Ondoy may have crippled a portion of the Philippines but the cleansing power of water has paved the way for many to reflect and tackle issues on global warming, the quality of drainage planning and construction work in the country, the socio-political, economic, graft and corruption problems besetting the Philippines and the like. It has opened doors for individuals to take a stand and make their thoughts known.

I am confident that the coming days will reveal a stronger nation, with a mindful people ready to take on more challenges with dignity and pride. I am confident that the power of love and compassion will continue to show its face amidst wars, violence, environmental disasters and natural calamities.

I am confident of you and me giving all that we can for love and compassion to prevail.

Daisy Ba-ad