We really wish we could be launching our new site under happier circumstances. I originally wrote this post a few days ago, but since then, Typhoon Ondoy has ravaged the Philippines; so much that the government has declared a “state of calamity” in Metro Manila and about two-dozen storm-hit provinces as more than a month’s worth of rain fell down in six hours. The most rainfall in recorded history.
I don’t feel there’s anything meaningful I can add to the news. People are dying. This is terrible.
Now seems like a terribly inappropriate time to launch a website for a Philippine nonprofit graphic design school.
But we’ve had this date set for a while now. I’m boarding a plane in a few days, headed back to the Philippines, after spending several months in Alaska preparing nonprofit documents for our launch.
A very ambitious Ferdinand fundraiser was supposed to launch today as well. It has been delayed. For now, please donate to The Philippine National Red Cross or the Kapuso Foundation.
BIG BOLD NOTE: This storm, and any future storm, has not weakened our will to start Ferdinand Center for the Creative in any way whatsoever. It has only strengthened our resolve—there are so many more people who need help, now, and we will do everything we can to help.
UPDATE!
DISASTER EMERGENCY HOTLINES YOU CAN CALL:
These are the hotlines that Filipino citizens can call for disaster emergency situations, especially urgent rescue and relief needs.
National Disaster Coordinating Committee
911-1406
911-1873
911-1906
911-5061
912-0984
912-2665
912-3046
912-5296
912-5668
Help hotlines:
734-2118
734-2120
Bureau of Fire Protection, National Capital Region
729-5166
410-6254
413-8859
407-1230
Bureau of Fire Protection, Region III (Central Luzon)
Hotline (045) 9634376
Philippine Coast Guard
527-6136
Red Cross
143
911-1876
527-0000
Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA)
136
896-6000
Taguig emergency hotline
1623
Meralco
16220
0917-5592824
0920-9292824
Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. emergency hotlines
for dumptrucks going to flooded areas for rescue of stranded people:
0917 4226800
0917 2414864
0927 6751981
Sen. Dick Gordon (Philippine National Red Cross)
Please send address of stranded friends/family to
09178997898
0938444BOYS