Faces of relief

MANILA, Philippines - It’s been almost a week since Typhoon Ondoy dumped its 411 millimeters of rainfall on Metro Manila and nearby areas, devastating and displacing an estimated two million people. If you haven’t been making ready-to-eat meals, helping pack relief bags, ransacking your closet or raiding the supermarkets, you’ve got a heart of stone. Or maybe you’re just not on Twitter and Facebook and don’t know what the hell’s been happening: an unprecedented citizen-based upswell of volunteerism, most of the times bypassing “official” channels. The government and many presidentiables have been slow to act on what could have been their Hurricane Katrina hero moment — or quick to use it for electioneering. Instead, it is thanks to the generosity of the common Filipino that hundreds of thousands of victims have been fed, clothed, and sheltered. Save yourself — volunteer now, meet lots of great people and be inspired by working towards a shared goal. Here is a partial list of donation and volunteer centers, please call for specifics on what kind of goods or services are needed. Or better yet, log on to Twitter (#ondoy) and Facebook (make sure you have friends who are not insensitive or prone to hacked accounts) for up-to-the-second updates on what needs to go where, and when. And as for a certain congressman who whined about regulating social media sites — the power is in the networks! You can’t shut us down. — ANC

Relief Centers

ABS -CBN Foundation: Call 924-4101 loc 3765 for details. Goods are accepted at #13 Examiner St. center. Or call 411-0846, 413-2667.

Angel Brigade: Former Grand Shang Tower Showroom, right across Pacific Place Tower, Rizal Ave. cor 4th St. You can donate as well as volunteer.

Ateneo de Manila University: Drop off at the College Covered Courts. Call 426-6001.

Balay Expo Across Farmer’s Market in Cubao: Contact Clare Amador (0928-5205508) or Jana Vicente (0928-5205499).

Blue Leaf Events Pavilion: For the Philippine National Red Cross. Drop-off point at The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion, 100 Park Avenue, McKinley Hill Village, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. 8 a.m to 8 p.m.

Caritas Manila Office: Jesus St., Pandacan Manila near Nagtahan Bridge. Call 563-9298, 563-9308.

Kapuso Foundation: GMA Network Center, Quezon City. Call 932-777.

La Salle Greenhills: Gate 3 for drop-off donations.

Megatent: #30 Meralco Ave. Ortigas, Pasig City, Manila. Call 0917-5180802 and look for Monina Peralta.

Operation Blessing Philippines: They need volunteers for relief activities like feeding programs, goods distributions, medical missions and house cleanups. Call hotline numbers: The 700 Club Counseling Center at 810-7176 / 810-7717 or toll-free at 1-800-1-888-8700; Operation Blessing at 812-0581 in Manila, (082) 297-3080 in Davao, or Gigi Endaya at 0918-906-7753.

Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS): Loyola Heights PAWS on Aurora Blvd., Loyola Heights, Q.C., now accepting donations for dog food and shelters for animals. Telefax: 475-1688. Also open to all animal evacuees, just bring them in.

Philippine General Hospital:  They're in dire need of expressed breastmilk. They will process donations (pasteurize, etc.) and bring to evacuation centers. PGH Milkbank, 4th flr. Call 554-8400 local 3409. Ask for any NICU staff.

Radio Veritas: Veritas Tower, West Ave. cor. EDSA. Call 925-7931 to 40

Red Cross: To donate text RED (space) <amount> and send to 2899 for Globe and 4483 for Smart Users.

Red Cross Rizal: Contact Cielo at 0918-8824356.

Santuario de San Antonio Parish: McKinley Road, Forbes Park.

WhiteSpace: 2314 Pasong Tamo Ext. Drop-off for relief goods, volunteer for sorting and packing.

World Vision: Call 849-6911 to donate using your credit card.