Let us Help the Victims of Typhoon Sendong

It's really sad that this tragedy had to happen just a few days before Christmas.  My heart aches every time I see photographs of the victims, especially the children.  I can't imagine how terrifying it might have been to suddenly wake up in the middle of the night and be washed away in muddy flood waters and  to be separated from the people you love.  I can't imagine how painful it must have been for parents to loose their children, to feel so helpless against the power of nature.  The victims did not just drown, their bodies were slammed by debris of floating logs, appliances, cars.  They struggled to be alive, and there were a few lucky ones who did, but the memory of that fateful would forever haunt them.  Hopefully in time they would learn to move on from this painful memory.


The flood has subsided, but the effect of the tragedy is evident and words cannot describe the destruction that  typhoon Sendong has caused in Iligan City, CDO and other areas affected in Mindanao.  The victims need all the help we could give, water, food, clothing and other basic necessities.  So I would like to applea to everyone who could read this blog to please extend any help you could give.  Let us share our blessings to those affected by this tragedy and let's help them feel that it is still Christmas, that despite what happened there is still a reason to celebrate the birth of Jesus.  Any donation you could give whether cash or kind will go a long way.  So please let us do our share...

***DONATIONS (MONEY)***

SMART

Smart Money: Donors to Typhoon #Sendong may help through Smart Money acct. no. 5577-5130-6822-1104 at any BDO, Hapinoy or Cebuana Lhuillier outlets.

Text: Smart subscribers may donate to #Sendong victims via text. Send RED to 4143. Valid donation amounts 10, 25, 50, 100

GLOBE

Gcash: For GCASH, donate through Red Cross by texting DONATE MPIN REDCROSS and send to 2882.

Text: Text RED and send it to 2899. You may donate in these denominations: 5, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500 and 1000.

RED CROSS

Details in their website

SAGIP KAPAMILYA 

1. BDO Peso Account

• Account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.-Sagip Kapamilya
• Account Number: 39301-14199
• Swift Code: BNORPHMM

2. BDO Dollar Account

• Account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.-Sagip Kapamilya
• Account Number: 39300-81622
• Swift Code: BNORPHMM

3. PNB Peso Account

• Account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.-Sagip Kapamilya
• Account Number: 419-539-5000-13
• Swift Code: PNBMPHMM

4. BPI Peso Account

• Account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.-Sagip Kapamilya
• Account Number: 3051-1127-75
• Branch: West Triangle, Quezon City
• Swift Code: BOPIPHMM

5. BPI Dollar Account

• Account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.-Sagip Kapamilya
• Account Number: 3054-0270-35
• Branch: West Triangle, Quezon City
• Swift Code: BOPIPHMM

GMA KAPUSO FOUNDATION

1) METROBANK

Peso Savings

• Account Name: GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
• Account Number: 3-098-51034-7

Dollar Savings

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

2) UNITED COCONUT PLANTERS BANK (UCPB)

Peso Savings

• Account Name: GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
• Account Number:115-184777-2 or 160-111277-7

Dollar Savings

• Account Name: GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
• Account Number: 01-115-301177-9 or 01-160-300427-6

3) CEBUANA LHUILLIER

GAWAD KALINGA

1) Through Bank Deposit

Gawad Kalinga Philippine Peso Current Account
# 3101 0977 56 BPI EDSA Greenhills

Gawad Kalinga US$ Savings Account
# 3104 0162 34 BPI EDSA Greenhills
Swift code: BOPIPHMM

2) Donate online: http://gk1world.com/DonationPage.aspx?page=form&section=sendong

Before you go to bed tonight, please offer a prayer for those killed in the flash flood that hit Northern Mindanao,  and to their families as well... many of our brothers and sisters are left homeless and worse have lost their loved ones. Let us try to help out in any way that we can.

Health is Wealth

Being a doctor, it's pretty ironic that I sometimes tend to disregard any aches or discomfort I feel in my body.  I would often ignore it, or just pop a pill and when the pain is gone, I'm pretty much OK.  But lately, I have been very sickly, I guess my body was not able to cope with my sudden weight loss and so my immune system lowered and I easily get sick.

I always knew it all along, but I chose to ignore the fact that when we feel anything abnormal, that's our body sending us a message that something is wrong, or better yet that we are taking our health for granted.  I learned my lesson the hard way.  I needed to have blood tests, an ultrasound and a visit to the doctor who never failed to remind me that I am a doctor myself and that I should know better.  Worse, my constant sick leaves cost me more than half of my paycheck.  

Now I am slowly adapting to a healthy lifestyle, and that includes taking care of my body, getting enough sleep, eating the right food at the right time, drinking lots of water and instead of munching on junk food, I'm switching to fruits or salads.  Hopefully I could maintain it, I admit it's hard but I know I'll get used to it.  I do cheat once in a while, and give in to my cravings... but in time I would learn to control it.  I'm slowly getting there. :)

What I Learned from Maya Angelou...

While browsing for quotes, I came across this excerpt from Maya Angelou.  It is beautifully written and it expresses exactly what she wants to convey to anyone who reads it.  Each line tells of a different lesson, but when summed up, it basically teaches us how to have a positive outlook in life, how to deal with people we meet each day, how to value the people in our life, especially our family.  It tells us that no matter how difficult things get, we don't have to be a pain to others... and that we can actually make a difference by reaching out with kindness to others.  It mirrors the same things I have learned in life all these years, thanks to Maya Angelou, she was able to express it perfectly  and came up with something inspiring.

“I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. 

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. 

I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.

 I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life." 

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. 

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. 

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.

 I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. 

I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. 

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. 

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”