The Filipino in the Face of Calamity

October 16th, 2009
photo courtesty of Mackie Galvez

Hi guys,

Over the last few days, we’ve seen many unfortunate things happen to the country. The flooding and landslides have changed and continue to change millions of lives… but in the midst of this calamity, in a nation with morally bankrupt leaders, we find a people who help without asking anything in return, who donate their time, energy, and what little they can spare, to alleviate grief and loss of those affected the most. Watching and being a part of Bayanihan in action is an overwhelming feeling that cannot be put into words but I will try anyway.

… in the midst of this calamity, in a nation with morally bankrupt leaders, we find a people who help without asking anything in return…

Noy and I were in Bukidnon when the rains started. As soon as we heard what was going on though, we rushed to Manila. After seeing the devastation Ondoy caused, reducing parts of the metropolis to small urban ponds, we decided to do the only thing we could: help those who suffered, those who lost, and those who grieved. Warm food, water, and clothes were no longer just idle items in the back of our closets. These were critical necessities to those affected by the unrelenting tide of wind, rain, and floods. I asked my friends and family to help. I asked my staff to help. I asked you to help. This was no order from a public officer. This was a plea made to those capable of contributing the little things they could: canned goods, bottled water, rice, spare clothes, and noodles. Small, maybe even insignificant, commodities to many of us were now items of survival to those reduced to poverty overnight.

This was no order from a public officer. This was a plea made to those capable of contributing the little things they could…

With the help of thousands of volunteers, young and old like you, with donations coming from both rich and poor alike, we were able to provide these critical necessities to those needing them the most. Watching the Filipino spirit kick in, in this time of grief and desperation has moved me, our countrymen, and even the global community. I saw a twitter photo the other day which captured everything with the words, “Where I’m from, everyone’s a hero.” One only needs to read and hear the stories in the last few days to know this to be true. This may be one of the worst tragedies our nation has experienced in recent years but it’s also testament to our capacity as a people. I am very proud to call myself a Filipino.

Thank you for volunteering, for donating.

In behalf of those we serve, thank you.
M.

P.S. We are now trying to gather support for our countrymen in the north. Please contribute or volunteer if you can.

Share this
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • del.icio.us
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • Tumblr
, ,
  • LPerez

    Many of us who live half a world away from our homeland are with youthrough Gawad Kalinga. Together, we can help our own. Together, letus ensure aid is given to those who truly need it and not into the pocketsof the thieving powerful. It is high time we show the world that integrity and honestly will once again reign in our government. Hopefully sooner ratherthan later. Mabuhay

  • LPerez

    Many of us who live half a world away from our homeland are with you
    through Gawad Kalinga. Together, we can help our own. Together, let
    us ensure aid is given to those who truly need it and not into the pockets
    of the thieving powerful. It is high time we show the world that integrity
    and honestly will once again reign in our government. Hopefully sooner rather
    than later.

    Mabuhay

  • anna_r

    Hi Mar- thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. alam namin na hindi mo kami pababayaan

  • anna_r

    Hi Mar- thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. alam namin na hindi mo kami pababayaan

  • maureenmabad

    hi..i have been looking for a site wherein i could send a message to senator mar ever since he gave up his dream of becoming the country's president in favor of sen, noynoy. as i saw sadness in his eyes when he declared it, i also felt sad because i knew he would be a better one.any way with the tandem of the liberal party, i am still in high hopes that there would still be a better country for us if they will be the one who will lead. please do not break those hopes for if the same would not come true, filipinos will start to mourn for the death of the counrty for no one will be able to do better.goodluck to your campaign.

  • maureenmabad

    hi..i have been looking for a site wherein i could send a message to senator mar ever since he gave up his dream of becoming the country's president in favor of sen, noynoy. as i saw sadness in his eyes when he declared it, i also felt sad because i knew he would be a better one.any way with the tandem of the liberal party, i am still in high hopes that there would still be a better country for us if they will be the one who will lead. please do not break those hopes for if the same would not come true, filipinos will start to mourn for the death of the counrty for no one will be able to do better.
    goodluck to your campaign.

  • Moira Enerva

    Ang hirap naman pong gamitin ng website ninyo. Malinis nga syang tingnan, pero hindo po siya intuitive. Mas maganda sana kung sa homepage pa lang, makikita na lahat yung mga options at information na puedeng magamit. Ngayon, parang nakatago sila sa dalawang very vague headings.

  • Moira Enerva

    Ang hirap naman pong gamitin ng website ninyo. Malinis nga syang tingnan, pero hindo po siya intuitive. Mas maganda sana kung sa homepage pa lang, makikita na lahat yung mga options at information na puedeng magamit. Ngayon, parang nakatago sila sa dalawang very vague headings.

  • Jennifer Bautista

    Am I right to be feeling bad that the only reason why Ondoy and its “devastation” is getting so much attention is because it happened in Metro Manila, and not elsewhere? Have there not been worse disasters in other areas that went under the radar of the media, the government, and popular relief?

  • Jennifer Bautista

    Am I right to be feeling bad that the only reason why Ondoy and its “devastation” is getting so much attention is because it happened in Metro Manila, and not elsewhere? Have there not been worse disasters in other areas that went under the radar of the media, the government, and popular relief?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Dingdong-Jingco/100000258606366 Dingdong Jingco

    I support you Mar!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Dingdong-Jingco/100000258606366 Dingdong Jingco

    I support you Mar!

  • elainevernice

    bahala ka hinde ko ma gets website

  • elainevernice

    bahala ka hinde ko ma gets website

  • leonaire tagnong

    i have always believe in the integrity of mar. all the more when he gave way for noynoy to take over the mantle of leadership for the 2010 elections. but please, look into the corrupt set up of your office in iloilo city. the one in charge is making monkey business in his capacity as coordinator. it happened b4 when he was in manila getting caught. he’s at it again. Its bad for mars image having him as coordinator.

  • leonaire tagnong

    i have always believe in the integrity of mar. all the more when he gave way for noynoy to take over the mantle of leadership for the 2010 elections.
    but please, look into the corrupt set up of your office in iloilo city. the one in charge is making monkey business in his capacity as coordinator. it happened b4 when he was in manila getting caught. he's at it again.
    its bad for mars image having him as coordinator.

  • johnzel

    bagay tlga kau ni korina..

  • johnzel

    bagay tlga kau ni korina..

  • johnzel

    we want u 2 win.. here n mindanao!!

  • johnzel

    we love u>>>>>>>>>>>>…

  • johnzel

    we want u 2 win.. here n mindanao!!

  • johnzel

    we love u>>>>>>>>>>>>…

  • johnzel

    sana po maka punya kau d2 sa mindanao. we want u 2 win.. here n mindanao!!

    we love u. bagay tlga kau ni korina..

  • johnzel

    sana po maka punya kau d2 sa mindanao

  • maxviterbo

    Congratulation to your wedding Mar.Best wishes, luck and lots of happiness.

  • maxviterbo

    Congratulation to your wedding Mar.

    Best wishes, luck and lots of happiness.

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liza.c0nciLLado Liza Concillado

    congratulations to your wedding :)

  • wid2js

    continue on fighting for our country…you are a heaven sent…

  • wid2js

    continue on fighting for our country…you are a heaven sent…

  • wid2js

    continue on fighting for our country…you are a heaven sent… congratulations and best wishes!

  • wid2js

    congratulations and best wishes!

  • Analiza

    Hello po Sir Mar & Madam Corina,Congratulation Po! sa inyong dalawa Wishing you a Long Life Happines po! sana matikman po ninyo yung Yakiniku Sir at Madam Masarap po din yun! Thanks & God Bless!…. Enjoy Life! in Japan! sana rin po mabalik na din po ang Entertainer sa Japan sa maayos na pamamaraan para maraming pong matulungan ang mga kababaihan na nawalan ng trabaho at Si Senator Mar po ang isa sa mahusay na makakapag-bigay lunas kung anong paraan ang magagawa niya para sa mga kababaihan na nawalan ng trabaho sa Japan. Salamat po At Kamusta po kay Mam Korina….

  • Analiza

    Hello po Sir Mar & Madam Corina,

    Congratulation Po! sa inyong dalawa Wishing you a Long Life Happines po! sana matikman po ninyo yung Yakiniku Sir at Madam Masarap po din yun! Thanks & God Bless!…. Enjoy Life! in Japan! sana rin po mabalik na din po ang Entertainer sa Japan sa maayos na pamamaraan para maraming pong matulungan ang mga kababaihan na nawalan ng trabaho at Si Senator Mar po ang isa sa mahusay na makakapag-bigay lunas kung anong paraan ang magagawa niya para sa mga kababaihan na nawalan ng trabaho sa Japan. Salamat po At Kamusta po kay Mam Korina….

  • Rosemarie

    Hi po Mr and Mrs Roxas,best wishes to both of u and may u have more blessings to come :)

  • Rosemarie

    Hi po Mr and Mrs Roxas,best wishes to both of u and may u have more blessings to come :)

  • http://twitter.com/venusdemiilo Sheena Gepilano

    I almost cried. Thank you for all the enthusiasm and the passion you have for the Filipinos. We certainly need a leader who has a heart.ü

blog comments powered by Disqus