Loy krathong - letting go

Loy Krathong is a traditional Thai festival that usually falls in November (the full moon of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar.

Through the enthusiastic efforts of the Dusit Hotel Dubai, the festival was also celebrated here last October 29 (Oh yea, what a late post - I really have a lot of catching up to do!). It was an entertaining night with traditional music and food.

But what made the celebration special is the ritual of letting go which was also replicated here. 'Loi' means 'to float' and the 'krathong' means 'raft'. During the real festival, people will release beautiful handmade rafts into the river, to let go to their grudges and anger, to be able to start anew.


They also said we can make a wish before setting our rafts afloat.

So with banana trunks and flowers specially imported from Thailand and fashioned into elaborately-designed Loy Krathong festival rafts, we reflected on our grudges, and our hopes, and let them float on the water.




The rafts had a candle each in the middle, and they said, the longer the candle burns, the more your wish will come true.



I will not post my wish here... but I do hope they come true.

*pictures taken with phone cam

Thinking of home

Thinking of home means thinking of my vacation, thinking of the people I will meet, the shopping I need to do, the activities with my pampangkins, the food I want to eat.

I am always ticking off an imaginary list whenever I'm driving. It's mostly the time when my mind is free to wander.

Activities I want to do with my pampangkins:
1. Learn ice skating
2. Learn rollerblading
3. Camping

What I want to eat:
1. Kuya's sinigang na baka and chicken curry
2. Ninang's leche flan
3. Good Sheperd's Ube Yam
4. Bulalo and deep fried tawilis in Tagaytay
5. Danny's Grill's grilled squid
6. Sizzler rooftop's sisig (I wonder if it's still there)

Only a month and a few days to go! If I think of the time before my vacation then I wish I can speed it up, but if I think of the work I need to finish before that time then I want to slow it down. But accelerating it seems more fun!

Christmas in the air

It's that time of the year again, when I can forget for a few moments that I am in Dubai as I cruise along, windows down, the cool air touching my cheeks and hair blowing around my head.

The sun is shining straight down, blinding me. For a few seconds I am transported at the peak of the mountain. Cool air. Welcome sun. A freshness in the air.

I inhale deeply and miss home.

I drive on and the bowed, dust-covered foliage along the road reminds of the tall, ever green trees back home. I think of the grass that covers the ground. The sweat on my forehead as I look up, putting a foot forward to reach the top. Again, that fresh, leafy scent in the air.

My mind plays tricks. The playgrounds of my past appear around me. I look around and everything is familiar. People and places I've missed.

Christmas is just a few days away. My trip back home nearly here. But my heart is already there.

Direct donations to the Philippines

Just got a call from Albert Alba (UPAA-UAE), evidently, people are still calling his number to coordinate typhoon donations. The UPAA-UAE efforts to collect donations is now over. So, I'm going to take the mobile numbers down in earlier posts.

I am not aware of any more activities to collect donations. But you can still donate directly to organizations in the Philippines who will disseminate collection as they see fit, just click on the links below:

Unicef Philippines

Red Cross Philippines

Kapuso Foundation

ABS-CBS Foundation

Please consider financial donations. I know many are worried that if they donate money, it may not reach the intended recipients. But these are trustworthy organizations and we have to have faith. Consider too that there are a lot of logistics involved in sending goods: shipping costs more money and there are customs details that needs to be passed.

Filipino Community rallies to support the victims of Ondoy

It's really heart-warming to see the efforts of kababayans here in the UAE arrive at 7 in the morning and earlier, to rally support for the victims of Ondoy back home. Many feel that this is the least they can do to help. Many people from other nationalities also came to participate - great going everyone!

The Hakbang Buhay walkathon was organized by the Philippine Business Council with the Philippine Consulate, Giordano and Red Crescent Society.

A letter from Lucille Ong, the president of PBC:

Dear Friends and Collegues,

On behalf of the Philippine Business Council and sponsors, ABS-CBN (TFC), Giordano and Western Union, under the auspices of the Red Crescent, and with the support of the Philippine Consulate, we would like to thank everyone who forgo their Friday morning yesterday - to join in the Giothon "Hakbang Buhay" (Walk for Life - flood Relief) at Safa Park.

It was truly an amazing sight to see so many kababayans and our foreign friends and colleagues as well - queuing to make donations from their hard earned money. All your donations have been turned over to the Red Crescent (Dubai Chapter) yesterday after the event. They will count the money in their office with PBC present and a formal turnover will be made with the total amount received and signed by both parties.

We will email you again and will let you know of the total amount collected.

Maraming maraming salamat po ulit and please send this thank you email to all your friends that you have emailed for this event.

Warm regards,
Lucille

Drive for victims of Ondoy continues

The drive to collection donations both monetary and in kind continues. The victim of Typhoon Ondoy still needs help. Two new storms are approaching the Philippines, hopefully, they will not be as devastating as Ondoy. Regardless, the Philippines cannot take another hit.

Here's a list of where you can send donations, sent by the FilCom here in Dubai:

CASH DONATIONS
1. All cash donations whether group or individuals may be remitted directly to the following beneficiary of their choice using remmittance center preferably Al Rostamani.

A. NATIONAL DISASTER COORDINATING COUNCIL (NDCC)
Account Name: National Disaster Coordinating Council
Current Account No. (Philippine Peso) 0-00149-435-3
Swift Code : DBPHPHMM Account No. 36002016
Bank: Development Bank of the Philippines, Camp Aguinaldo Branch
Quezon City, Philippinnes

B. DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
Account Name: Department of Social Welfare and Development
US Dollar Account No. 3124-0055-81
ZIP Address : TLBPPHMMXXX
Bank: Land Bank of the Philippines, Batasan Branch
Quezon City, Philippines

C. PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS
Account Name: Philippine National Red Cross
US Dollar Account No. 151-2-151-00218-2
Swift Code: MBTC PH MM
Bank: Metrobank, Port Area Branch,
Manila, Philippines

Account Name: Philippine National Red Cross
US Dollar Account No. 8114-0030-94
Swift Code: BOPIPHMM
Bank: BPI United Nations Branch, Manila, Philippines

D. SAGIP KAPAMILYA
Account Name: ABS-CBN Foundation INC
Account PT No. 5630020111
Routing Code for International Cash Donation: BNORPHMM ABS-CBN BRANCH
Bank: Banco De Oro, Mother Ignacia Branch,
Quezon City, Philippines

E. GMA KAPUSO FOUNDATION INC.
Account Name: GMA Kapuso Foundation Inc.
Peso Saving Account No: 3-098-51034-7
Bank: Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company
Account Name: GMA Kapuso Foundation Inc.
US Dollar Account No: 2-098-00244-2
Bank: Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company

2. FILCOM in its effort to make a summary report of all donations to Philippine Consulate, we request you to send a copy of your remittance slip via E mail at mercedes.macalalad@yahoo.com / elsafahrer@yahoo.com. Let your donation be counted to encourage other people to do the same to the victims of typhoon Ondoy.

DONATIONS IN KIND

For those who will donate food stuff, medicine, clothing, blankets, etc. Filcom have set up the following drop off points: on Friday Oct. 2, 2009 between 3:00 - 8:00 PM. Donations will be collected for shipping on the same day.

1. Reef Mall will start accepting donations today Sept 30, 2009 during office hours 10AM-10PM at EX-BOOK Plus ground floor near Dome Cafe. If possible food items are our priority so that we can ship as soon as possible via air. For inquiries please contact Rollie Arlante at 050-6533150 and Ronie Balilo at 050-6562301.

2. West Zone with branches in Deira, Satwa and Karama will accept donation on Oct. 2, 2009 between 3:00-8:00PM only. Donations will be collected for shipping on the same day. For inquiries please call Joseph Alipio of FORAC at 050-7456452.

3. Dubai Outlet Mall from sept 30, 2009 to Oct 2, 2009 during mall hours from 10AM to 10PM. For inquiries please call Joseph Alipio of FORAC at 050-7456452

SEA & AIRFREIGHT SPONSORS

Makati Express

- Complimentary (all inclusive) air freight of 500 kgs
- Due to strict policy of airfreight procedures, liquid and pressurized products are not acceptable
- Medicines, in small quantity only, will be acceptable
- Priority items will be food items
- Kindly ensure that the above are followed, to ensure that the boxes for airfreight will not be held back by Customs

LBC Cargo
- Complimentary (all inclusive) sea freight with collection for 2 Fridays (2 and 9Oct 09)
- Boxes will be available at all the above drop-off points (2Oct) + POLO-OWWA office (2 & 9 Oct)
- All items have to be sorted out so that they can be categorised easily for distribution
- Boxes can also be dropped/picked up to those who require this service.

UAE residents can help the victims of Typhoon Ondoy

The University of the Philippines Alumni Association-UAE (UPAA-UAE) has started a collection of goods and monetary pledges to send to the victims. Please go to www.upaauae.org for more information.

Also posted below are the contact info of the UPAA-UAE members you can contact, they accept both cash and in kind donations:
Dubai, contact Abet Alba, 050-XXXX
Abu Dhabi, contact Earl Palacios 050-XXXX
All other emirates, contact Emily at 050-XXXX.

(Numbers now taken down on Nov 4 - the collection is now over).

If you want to donate goods - blankets, clothes (esp. for children), slippers, canned goods, rice, cooking oil, sugar, coffee, sleeping mats, medicine and first aid kits, etc. you can also coordinate with Arn Cerneo from LBC XXXX and he can give you a free box.

Philippine Red Cross
For cash donations, you can also donate directly through the Philippine Red Cross (you can find this info in their website):

Bank donation:
METROBANK
Port Area Branch
Peso Acct.: 151-3-041-63122-8
Dollar Acct.: 151-2-151-00218-2
Type of Acct. : SAVINGS
Swift Code: MBTC PH MM

BANK OF THE PHIL. ISLANDS
Port Area Branch
Peso Acct.: 4991-0010-99
Type of Account: CURRENT

BANK OF THE PHIL. ISLANDS
UN Branch
Dollar Acct.: 8114-0030-94
Type of Account: SAVINGS
Swift Code: BOPI PH MM

For your donations to be properly acknowledged, please fax the bank transaction slip at nos. +63.2.527.0575 or +63.2.404.0979 with your name, address and contact number.

Credit Card
Please fax the following info to +632.404.09.79 and +632.527.0575:
Name of card member, billing address, contact nos. (phone & mobile), credit card no., expiration date, CCV2/ CVC2 (last three digits at the back of the credit card), billing address, amount to be donated.

For online donations and other details visit www.redcross.org.ph.

Videos
Here are some video posts from the Philippines to show the gravity of the situation:

The video has a message at the end 'click to donate' - I don't know where that leads to. And as you know, we must always be wary of frauds too (I'm not saying that whoever posted that is one, but we should be always wary). It's always safe to donate with institutions you know like the Philippine Red Cross.

Prayers for Pinoys

Pinoy media are hopping with the news of Typhoon Ondoy and its devastating effects. Filipino families, handicapped children, pregnant women are being reported trapped, waiting for rescue. It's heartbreaking.

A friend here in Dubai is so worried that his parents and sisters are also trapped in the second floor of their house, unable to sleep or rest for fear the water will reach up to them.

Prayers for all of you out there who are affected or who have family affected.

I haven't spoken to my brother yet, but I take comfort in the fact that our house is in an uphill part of the neighborhood.

Lord, please keep them all safe.

Help now

The UPAA-UAE is starting a collection of goods and monetary pledges to send to the victims. Please go here to help the efforts of UPAA-UAE for the Filipinos affected by Ondoy.

Cash pledges and donations in Dubai please call Abet Alba, 050-136 7265. Abu Dhabi alumni can get in touch with Earl Palacios, 050-8223516. All other emirates, kindly coordinate with MemCom, Emily at 050-9533459. If you want to donate goods - blankets, clothes (esp. for children), slippers, canned goods, rice, cooking oil, sugar, coffee, sleeping mats, medicine and first aid kits, etc. - please contact Arn Cerneo from LBC 050-9250662 and he can give you a free box. Mabuhay ang bayanihan spirit lalo na sa ganitong mga sakuna. Salamat sa inyong tulong at pakikiisa.

You can also donate through the Philippine Red Cross. Just click here for the link.

So is the Filipino Community, here's an email from the FilCom Chair:

Dear All,

As you are all aware that most areas in Luzon are under severe flooding because of the typhoon. In particular Metro Manila and nearby provinces has been declared under state of calamity. In this kind of situation our help is badly needed.. I urge officers of all organizations to solicit voluntary help from their members whether in cash or in kind. Kindly forward your donations to our Finance Director Mercedes Macalalad or Olie Pineda Deputy Director of Health and Welfare committee.

Please feel free to call us for any inquiries on this matter.

Best regards,

Eng Robert Ramos
Overall Chairman (2009-2010)
FILCOM Organizing Committee
T: 050-4566272
E: rmr_0601@yahoo.com.ph