humanity Archives - Between Bites - Bites of Food, Travel and Lifestyle

September 29, 2009 by Janey

Last Saturday, the backyard experienced half-a-foot of floodwater due to overflow of water and clogging of drainage. My sister’s room, which was on the first floor had ankle-deep water. We only found out when we opened her room. She was stranded overnight in UST with other students, slept on the floor as food for the mosquitoes, exceedingly hungry and exhausted. My dad got stranded overnight also in his office with water up to the 6^th flight of the stairs. His car got flooded to the roof. A digicam and 2 phones busted. We were lucky.

Yesterday, Bubba and I left the office early to buy and pack relief goods. Extremely long lines in the cashier indicate that a lot of people are buying to donate and/or “panic-buying” for stock goods (since PAGASA expects another typhoon to hit Manila tomorrow, Wednesday).

It felt good to be there despite the chaos and sort out what donations are needed, primarily food like bread, biscuits and canned goods, and secondary like toothbrush, alcohol, etc. This is one of the few times, I really wish I were rich -more money to spare means more money to provide for others.

Overhead the mom and daughter tandem in front of us bought items for donation amounting to quite a huge amount and never bothered to sign the slip –it is most heartwarming when people help in private, anonymously. Silent in lending a hand. Politicians can probably do the same.

Not giving aid for the sake of the flashbulbs.

Note: If you’re shopping in Unimart, LSGH (La Salle Greenhills) has a donation drop-off point in the grocery area handled by students. You can drop off donations there right after shopping or order directly from the admin (if it’s in big bulks) and just present the item sales slip to the cashier. Any amount of donation and effort helps.