Hubbers in the Philippines

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   Writer Foxposted 10 years ago

   I know there are many Hubbers in the Philippines.  It's daybreak there now, so if any of you can get online, please let us know how you are and what the situation is now. The reports I hear say that over 10,000 people have died in the typhoon and many more are homeless and without food and clothing.

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      yougotmeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I'm so glad about the concern and help people are giving over Philippines and the residents. It makes me believe more that we are united despite boundaries and distance.
      
      I'm living in the city of Manila which wasn't affected much by the typhoon. However, the most affected areas are those in the Visayan area as well as other parts of Luzon (mostly southern). Yes, it is tragic but with the Filipino spirit as well as the help coming from all over the world, we will definitely make it through. Thanks again everyone!

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         Writer Foxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Thank you so much for the update and I'm so glad you are OK.  At least the Internet is still working in parts of the Philippines.  The pictures I see on the news reports are just dreadful.  I hope your country quickly receives the help it needs and please keep us updated here.

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            yougotmeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Provinces located in the mentioned island groups are the ones gravely affected. Food is becoming scarce, signals are down and people there virtually have nothing, and hence rely upon the relief goods and help offered by fellow Filipinos and thankfully the rest of the world.

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         Earl Noah Bernsbyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Glad to hear you're okay, yougotme!  I hope none of your family or friends were caught up in Yolanda.

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            yougotmeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Fortunately, my relatives and friends weren't affected much by the storm as well. Thanks Earl!

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      Alphapxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I am from Philippines. We were ready but sad to say that in our neighboring islands the result is unexpected.
      
      We are very sad but fighting spirit help us to overcome this tragedy.

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      Alphapxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Later, I will post few clips around our house during that typhoon. It was extremely powerful typhoon.

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   Writer Foxposted 10 years ago

   I think communications have been wiped out from the Philippines.  If you look at Quantcast, Australia is awake but there is zero traffic from the Philippines right now.

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      Barbara Kayposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      The news I listened to said 10,000 in one city alone. It could be thousands more. I don't they have power there, phone service or anything.

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         Writer Foxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         I think you're right, Barbara.  This is major!  Over 350,000 people are homeless, maybe more.  This is what the storm looked like from the International Space Station (you can't even see the islands):
         

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            Barbara Kayposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            The photo is amazing. A lot of them posted at Bubblews about the storm before it happened. They were frightened. I felt so sorry for them.

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            snakeslaneposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Wow, looks horribly intense, my heart goes out to these people.

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         Earl Noah Bernsbyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Yes, 10,000 in Tackloban alone, so far:
         
         http://goo.gl/sJT3AJ

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      Earl Noah Bernsbyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      At least one of our Hubber friends in the Philippines - jemuelO - checked in yesterday:
      
      http://hubpages.com/forum/topic/118254
      
      10,000 lives snuffed out like a candle ...  "Tragic" doesn't seem to be sufficient to describe the catastrophe.

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         jonnycomelatelyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Like 230,000 in Haiti 3 1/2 yrs ago.   Unimaginable, and our hearts go out to these people.

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3. 32

   Writer Foxposted 10 years ago

   I didn't even see that post because it is in the Topical forums.  But, that Hubber hasn't been on the site in over 12 hours.

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   Marie Flintposted 10 years ago

   I just watched a news video on Yahoo. The report is saying 10,000 dead and 2,000 missing. I'm sure these figures will change over the next 24-48 hours.
   
   I'd better sign off now to do my Violet Flame decrees and Archangel Michael Rosary. We don't need any more of these kinds of storms. Earth is going through many changes and the planet needs all the help it can get! ***

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   LeanManposted 10 years ago

   I am currently in Manila and we did not have too many problems here. However in my main home near Bacolod there are many trees down and my business property lost part of the roof. But thankfully no injuries amongst the family or neighbours.
   I am currently trying to raise friends in Samar on the phone but there is zero service there, reports are very sparse from that area but it looks like severe devastation. It is near to Tackloban where reports are saying as many as 10,000 people have died. In Samar there are 300 dead and more than 2000 missing.
   It looks like the Typhoon bought in the sea, they are saying that the waves were like a tsunami with 20foot waves rushing inland - with many people living on the coast and most not having concrete homes I think the death toll is going to be horrendous.
   
   If you can contribute to any of the appeals that are going out please do!

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   LeanManposted 10 years ago

   http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article … pines.html
   
   Just some pictures and reports for those that have not seen......

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      Writer Foxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Those pictures are horrific.

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      Writer Foxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Those pictures are horrific.

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         LeanManposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         The weather has been truly wild this year! A couple of months ago we had major flooding after an earlier typhoon here in Cavite where I am. The water levels were up to roof height in many areas close to me again with many people dead - but nothing like the devastation of this latest Typhoon.
         The trouble is that the Philippines is far from a rich country, most of the people live in bamboo  or wooden homes rather than concrete houses; these are always destroyed when we have these extreme weather events and of course earthquakes. It is always the poorest that suffer the most.

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            Writer Foxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            I forgot that you actually live there now.  I hope the worst is over.  I know you have lived in many countries. Are you and your wife going to continue living in the Philippines?

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               LeanManposted 10 years agoin reply to this

               To be honest this Typhoon went through very quickly, where we are in Manila we did not really notice it very much as it was late evening and although the winds were high and heavy rain it was over within an hour or so. We were very lucky as we were on the very edge.
               But in the Visayas where my main home is it was very bad, it has taken down many trees and damaged many buildings. We actually had a large tree cut next to our business there just before the storm hit as one fell right beside it during the last storm. So we decided to remove this one as it would have destroyed the building if it came down - this was a good decision as many of the trees there did come down as well as parts of the roof coming off of the business.
               
               But yes; we will continue to live here. While there is a risk or earthquakes and storms etc it is still a very beautiful country to live in and the people are very friendly indeed. Nowhere in the world is free of risk.
               We are just lucky that we can afford to live in a secure and well built home, too many people here live in very poorly constructed homes and slums especially in the cities. When these disasters come it is always these people that suffer the most and are least able to help themselves after.

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                  Rochelle Frankposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  Glad you  are safe.

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      Barbara Kayposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      After looking at those photos, we don't know how blessed we are.

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         Earl Noah Bernsbyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Amen to that, Barbara Kay! Whenever something terrible happens in the world, it makes us take a look back at all of the petty things we may or may not have complained about recently - spilled coffee, being late for work due to a speeding ticket, etc. - and realize just how good we've got it. A catastrophe like this really puts things in perspective, as my Mom is always wont to say.
         
         I just hope that the relief effort saves as many people as possible ...

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      tillsontitanposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      How horrible!  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Philippines as the face this horrible devastation.  I hope our Marines and other aid will ease their burden.

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   twentyfiveposted 10 years ago

   I am from the Philippines. The Super typhoon wrecked Central Visayas and Southern Luzon. 10,000 death is not yet confirmed but I hope it won't reach that number. Communication has shut down on affected areas. Roads and airports were badly damaged so transpo is hard too. There is no electricity and internet on affected areas but the rest of the Philippines (Luzon and Mindanao) is normal.

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   Rochelle Frankposted 10 years ago

   I have seen some of the video news reports-- terrible damage, grief, injury and disruption of all services. 
   The survivors there seem to be working hard to help everyone, but there is so much to be done.

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   Thelma Albertsposted 10 years ago

   I am here in the Philippines since Oct.30. Due to my jetlag and changed of time, I have not seen the news on the telly (for almost 2 weeks) on what is happening in my country. I was on and off sleeping and no news came from my relatives as well.
   
   Shamed on me that I have just looked at the news yesterday how the typhoon caused the death of more than 10,000 Filipinos. We had only 2 days strong rain in my home town at that time of devastation caused by Yolanda, in the south of the Philippines. The Gihaw-an river was not overflowed but the people were vigilant.
   
   I´m so sorry for my fellowmen who have suffered a lot. I hope the money donations from different countries will really go to the victims and not to the corrupt politicians.
   
   I hope God will help us especially now that there´s another typhoon coming and it´s nearer where I live. I heard that it´s in Hinatuan Surigao del Sur now which is 4 hours drive from my home town.

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    liesl5858posted 10 years ago

    I am from the Philippines too but I live here in England, but just wanted to say, I saw the news on T.V. and I felt sorry for my Kababayans who experienced the typhoon. I never seen anything like it before. I have experienced typhoons when I was there, but nothing like this. I can't do anything but pray for my Kababayans and hope they will survive this disaster. I agree with you Thelma, we just hope the donations from kind- hearted people from other countries will go to the victims not to the greedy politicians.

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    LongTimeMotherposted 10 years ago

    I heard the winds were over 300km/h and coincided with tidal surges, creating much greater devastation than anyone expected. I sincerely hope Australia's new government steps up and offers immediate assistance.
    .
    We saw footage of one poor young woman, 8 months pregnant, who lost 11 members of her family. So much heartbreak.

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    jemuelOposted 10 years ago

    I live in Cebu City, Philippines, one of the cities visited by typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda last friday.
    I am so sad... and it breaks my heart to see the unfortunate event that happened to our neighboring provinces (Leyte and Samar) here. The typhoon was really destructive. It left horrible damages to several provinces in Central Philippines. The number of deaths and casualties are now rapidly increasing, we're afraid that almost 10,000 (estimated, according to the officials) people have died due to the 'killer' typhoon, and we don't know about the extent of damage in the other provinces because some municipalities are unreachable (it only means that death tolls will reach even higher in the next few days-horrible!).
    As seen on local news, pile of dead bodies are on the streets of Tacloban City. It is said that storm surge brought by Haiyan, was the main reason for the deaths incurred in this city. According to the people living there, storm surge were like tsunami that flooded the entire city.
    
    Some parts of Leyte and Samar are still unreachable as of the moment. No power, water, and communications in these areas due to the damaged electrical/telecommunications facilities.
    
    I am so thankful that Cebu City was not badly affected by the typhoon (Northern Cebu was)...and that we are safe - thanks God. As I've said before in the other forum, that was the strongest typhoon I have ever experienced. I think that's the reason why widespread destruction was reported in the areas where the typhoon made its 1st landfall
    I posted on this forum 3 hours before Haiyan hit our area last Friday: http://hubpages.com/forum/topic/118254
    
    Let's continue to help and pray for the victims of the super typhoon Haiyan.
    
    Thank you HP community for thinking about the Philippines. God bless us all!

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       Barbara Kayposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       I have been and will continue praying for the people there.

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       Pearldiverposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Our hearts go out to all our friends there and we hope that you have got through the storm with your families intact..
       Houses and property can be replaced...
       Take care and know that all throughout the world this sad and tragic event has brought us together to think of and pray for you.
       And Em, if you are able, please let us know you are okay...

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    LeanManposted 10 years ago

    If anyone wants to help the people in the Philippines the link below goes to a page which in turn links to several organisations that are providing help and support to the affected areas. If you can help please do.
    
    The death toll is expected to continue to rise and the people that have survived in these areas are now desperate for help.
    
    http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/1 … rref=world

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       Writer Foxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Thank you so much for posting that link.  Some people are literally starving.  This is the fourth day without food and clean water for many.

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       Marie Flintposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       I  made a small donation through CRS. I'm almost tempted to join a nonprofit group and go there physically, but I'd best take care of my own health first.

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    pamijposted 10 years ago

    My prayers are with the families that fell victim to the typhoon. Are there any plans to get water and food to the surviving families?

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15. 32

    Writer Foxposted 10 years ago

    The latest report on the Philippines is: between $12 and $15 billion in damages and 530,704 people are homeless.  There is a critical need for food, water purification and medical services. Direct financial donations in foreign currencies may be made according to the instructions on this government website:
    www.ndrrmc.gov.ph
    
    Making direct financial donations bypasses middlemen who might take a cut and avoids possible fraudulent charities (which always seem to mushroom during tragedies).

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    Writer Foxposted 10 years ago

    The government website for the Philippines says that 530,704 people are homeless. Many of the injured are without medical services and there are critical shortages of food and water purification equipment. Direct financial donations in foreign currencies may be made according to the instructions on this government website:
    www.ndrrmc.gov.ph
    
    Making direct financial donations bypasses middlemen who might take a cut and avoids possible bogus charities (which always seem to mushroom during tragedies).

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       Marie Flintposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Thank  you, Writer Fox, for keeping up updated. I feel confident the Catholic Relief Services will use my donation wisely.

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          Marie Flintposted 10 years agoin reply to this

          "us" updated  . . . (I corrected this, but there was a glitch.)

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             Writer Foxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

             That probably is a reputable, established charity, but so many new ones spring up after a disaster.  It happened after Katrina and 9/11.

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                Marie Flintposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                I'm sure you're right, Writer Fox. I keep my visualizations for our planet high and hope someday instigators of fraud will be a thing of the past. When energies come into alignment, there will be no need for war, crime, or cataclysms, such as the likes of Haiyan.

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       Alphapxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       As a pure Filipino, I may say you are right. Donations should be given with concrete measures. I am from Cebu but not the affected part. We are in the southern part and the poor ones are in the Northern part. We are planning to give our simple contributions may it be cash or kind this coming Saturday.
       
       We are crying deep in our hearts even we are smiling in our daily work these week. We are Filipinos. We are happy people.
       
       I am happy that in my village, we are now making sign boards to receive donations from fellow villagers and just this time one pledge his pick up car for delivery. Another a while ago just gave one sack of rice, since Filipinos are rice eating people. We like rice.
       
       I wonder how other countries gave their simple donations. Here are some photos.
       
       

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          Alphapxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

          My friends and family out there in Tacloban City and Leyte including Cebu told me that it is about 12, 000 now are affected. 2 days ago it was only about 10,000.

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             Alphapxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

             It is sad to know and think that many children are begging along the road as we passed by with the bus.

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                Alphapxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                We are now packing with the goods. Probably we will be in North Cebu morning of Saturday. We are blessed with good people around our small village
                
                

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    Billie Kelpinposted 10 years ago

    Writer Fox,
    
    Great idea for this forum.  I haven't read through the replies, but in 1980 I was working at a non-profit agency.  I came to our Director and asked what he thought about the annual report of OXFAM America.  He was VERY IMPRESSED and said that they had one of the highest ratios of donation to cost of operation that he had seen.  We have contributed monthly to OXFAM through all these years.  They are documenting their efforts here: 
    http://www.oxfam.org/en/emergencies/phi … oon-haiyan
    
    There is a link to their typhon blog on that page as well.
    
    This is an agency that is extremely well-respect and always seem to have "boots on the ground" and ready to go.

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    Writer Foxposted 10 years ago

    The situation is getting worse.  Read this account:
    http://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/13/world … on-haiyan/

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       Marie Flintposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       I read the entire article without watching the videos. I am glad some relief efforts are being initiated. This will undoubtedly be a long haul in the months to come. ***

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    arshiacomposted 10 years ago

    I am a resident of india but do tell me if you have any problem.

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       Alphapxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       There are many problems.

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    lisa maria jonesposted 10 years ago

    My heart goes out to them all,i will say a pray for each and every one of them.amen.

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