a tickle, an answered prayer

I've been receiving a lot of emails from people regarding the flood and typhoon that hit Panay Island in the Philippines. I better get the word out there and make this blog more than just a vehicle to rant, rave, and vent. I'm using this to appeal to all those who have generous hearts to please help the victims of this recent disaster.

Here's a look at the devastation which my friend, photographer Leo Solinap emailed to me: Typhoon Frank

Also, here's a part of an email from my aunt (who is an Assumption nun based in Thailand) that I also want to share especially to those who want to make a difference in people's lives:

"The Assumption sisters are going to facilitate donations to the victims of the Typhoon that devastated the lives and homes of people of the towns of Antique, Sibalom, Iloilo in the Philippines. Here in the United States, please make your tax-deductible check payable to the "Religious of the Assumption" and mail it to:

The Assumption Sisters
c/o Sr. Mary Ann Azanza
11 Old English Road
Worcester, MA 01609

If you feel the tickle to send something, be prompt and send it. That's God tickling you to be His answer to the pleading prayers of the victims. After all, we are the best vehicles for God's answer to prayers."

The sisters in the Philippines have also opened an account. Make your checks payable to: "Assumption Sisters Typhoon Aid". If you're in the Philippines, you can mail this to any Assumption campus (or in Iloilo: Assumption Iloilo, c/o Sr. Clare Cecilia, Gen. Luna St., Iloilo City, 5000).

I know how resilient we Filipinos are. We'll survive this tragedy. With YOUR help.

hell and high water

I'm in a state of panic. I found out yesterday about the typhoon that hit my hometown, Iloilo City. I talked to my husband last night and cringed at the damage the floods inflicted on the place I call home. It's a first for us all, to experience this kind of disaster. The house where I spent most of my growing up years has been marred by flood waters. But it is as resilient as its owners, so from what I gathered from my husband, the damage was not as bad as I feared it would be.

I feel quite helpless here. I'm thinking of my kids, my husband and my family back home. I can imagine how disorienting things are for them right now, what with the cleaning up that they have to do and the other little things they have to deal with after that kind of disaster. I can imagine what the thousands of people in the province might be feeling right now, having lost their homes, their possessions, their loved ones. I guess, compared to them, we should count our blessings.

I don't know what's happening to our world. I've been thinking long and hard at how we just take things for granted. And now, this is the price we have to pay. Nature unleashing its wrath. It is scary to be living in this angry, vengeful world. I'm thinking, is it payback time?

I don't want to be negative and paranoid. I want to dwell instead on the infinite goodness of God. Cliche or no cliche, I know that the sun always comes out after a long, dark night.

yippee! David Cook!

Yippee! David Cook! What else can I say? It's time for the MAN to win. Young, pleasant, wholesome Archuleta please exit to the backstage please -- for now. You'll have your time when you grow up little boy.

Heath, dead at 28

I first saw him in 10 Things I Hate About You. He gave that teen movie some oomph, some character. At 19, he had such intensity and depth. When I saw Brokeback Mountain, I admired him even more. He gave such a powerful and riveting performance in that movie. And now, Heath Ledger is dead. Reports say he OD'd on sleeping pills. It's depressing when things like this happen. What a waste. He was such a talented actor.