What’s really happening in Marikina
Posted by Carlo Ople in Current Events Oct 1st, 2009 | 20 responses
A good photographer friend of mine sent me a message on Facebook with a link to a blog post by Armi Millare, vocalist of popular local band Up Dharma Down. This hit a special spot in my heart since I’m actually a big fan of the band. I’m re-posting her entry here as well as adding my usual commentary after. In her entry, Armi details what’s really happening in Marikina and it’s quite disturbing. Politicians and hoodlums are taking advantage of the chaos and it’s really disgusting to see all of this unfold. Other than the theft, donations are actually being prevented from being distributed because of various stupid reasons. Someone from the Ombudsman or the Supreme Court (or whoever) should be there to sue the asses of those insanely selfish individuals.
Another quick post, folks.
The vultures everywhere are coming all out in force. Here are some of the things we’ve seen online:
1. Government officials allegedly not distributing relief goods in Provident Village Marikina because no media to cover their distribution.
2. Citizen apparently being told by SSS person that no funds are available for calamity loan.
3. DSWD allegedly repacking ABS-CBN relief goods in Pasig, reducing package contents.
4. Relief goods apparently being acquired by residents of a gated community for P1000 (sort of like shopping and delivery).
5. Taxi cabs doing “kontrata” (Metro Manila cabbies, what else is new).
6. Syrofoam care packages and plastic bags of relief goods with politicians’s names.
7. Looters in Provident Village, Marikina.
Well, let’s help our friends in the media use the information as leads to blow these people out of the water, so to speak.
Here’s what we’ll do:
1. Leave a comment, preferably not anonymous (dapat may bayag ka, ‘tol).
Tell us what you know and a link to the original Plurk message/ Twitter message/ Facebook message/ blog post/ and so on.
Eyewitness accounts/ personal stories are best, and avoid sharing replurks and retweets.
Photos will be excellent, especially if you can tell us who and where they were taken.
2. I’ll continue updating this post.
Don’t worry about messages on the same topic from different people; multiple eyewitness accounts are good for verification.
3. There is no 3. Let’s just hope mainstream media uses our leads.
this is armi millare of up dharma down. i have lived in provident village for the last 21 years and have never faced anything like this before. i hope that says it all. but for the sake of those who are interested in grammatically compromised, unedited and “biased” writing, please bear with me.
im overwhelmed with mixed emotions and a new found perspective in life. i feel grateful that my family and i are all okay, however there’s this cloud of fear hanging over me. we’re not secure with the way things are going, knowing there are no funds supporting the calamity victims, despite having been given the headcount and knowing that this has been the worst that the metro has faced, no good news regarding RESCUE EQUIPMENT or QUICK DEPLOYMENT of troops have come our way.
what more can i say about the mindless spending of our dear president who directed all the funds into one huge, lavish party in the US? they couldve been spent on rubber boats that could’ve saved my neighbors lives, along with other victims of this tragic chapter in philippine history. i went to the city hall last night to take a quick look at the families who lost homes and donated food along with my high school friends and asked about the estimate of the families they know of in provident. and guess what? they don’t know. how will they be able to track down the number of houses that need protection in the dark at night while looters run around and surround the area, taking advantage of their plight?
im not talking about provident villages alone, im talking about greenpark subdivision, dona juana subdivision, some parts of pasig, san juan and other areas gravely affected by the typhoon. or am i asking for too much? because THERES ABSOLUTELY NO POWER where my family lives up until now, understandably its to protect the areas damaged enough to become life threatening to whatever’s left of the population but what do you do to combat the predicament?
last monday, i dropped off food at home after 2 days of living off of what was left in the fridge. after i kissed my parents goodbye, i walked along with my brother and his girlfriend in the mud and were told to run for our lives by a group of bystanders carrying what looked like their only form of weaponry: flashlights, after hearing 3 gunshots just 2 houses down. i went to the front gate on my way out after balancing myself along with my brother and his girlfriend to tell the MMDA about what happened. they seemed VERY CALM and unattentive like everything was in order.
we drove to the nearest school, near the office of the bgy captain and they assured us that they had already sent “troops” when I DID NOT SEE ANY at the time the robbery was taking place. if not for my friend who’s the son of a high ranking police official, my mom, my dad, my brother, my aunt and uncle, cousins and friends coming over to bring food, the risk of losing the only thing i have right now would be larger than all this.
imagine having seen death floating around your house, just 3 feet away from you and your family and experiencing THAT after calling yourself lucky for SURVIVING a natural calamity. the day after that robbery i came back to provident to clear out more things, and guess what i found? 2 cops waiting outside the village gate, armed with rubber boots telling me they call the attention of suspicious looking people entering the village. how did these people get qualified to take such an important task? do i have to do the math and multiply the number of people whose lives depend on this standard of security we’re going to deal with until we all purchase new homes?
what about others who haven’t been found yet? there are SO many questions that we already know the answer to, its to let SOME of the mindless, insensitive government officials who think what happened was a natural occurrence. no it is not normal to find hundreds of thousands of people MISSING and finding infants dead and floating in your village. i have lived a quiet life before this, skipping the news night after night because of the negativity around me. back in the day i never really paid that much attention whenever i would see clips of people on top of their roofs, . because i thought there was nothing i could do to help, that something like that wont ever happen to me but now i actually spend more time thinking about how to INFORM people than attend to my personal needs so that what happened to the people around me and my family wont ever happen again.
but really, im just a girl who sings in a band that’s not so popular, and doesn’t have that much help to extend but a laptop saved along with a few things, who used to live in a 4 storey house, born into a family comfortable enough to sleep with the news on while people are dying from a few hours away by car. the gravity of the situation has completely changed me but i think that if this reaches those people CAPABLE enough of helping in a larger scale they might be able to save more lives.
we’re not asking for anything but the SECURITY and SURVIVAL of those in need. there is a storm to hit manila in the next 2 days and i have to fly out to take care of some personal things and what do i have hanging over me? the worry that 10 people other than my immediate family who still reside in that village along with the rest of manila, my friends and colleagues, bandmates, remaining family will never be safe enough to say help will come their way should something like that happen again.
my neighbors were on top of their roofs for more than 15 hours screaming for FOOD and HELP and i could hear the rescue teams roaming around the village but never saw them coming. yesterday there were reports that our neighbor from a street away were trapped inside their home because the rescue team couldn’t pull them out. they cant give me the load of crap and say we tried, because god knows these rescue teams WOULD DO EVERYTHING they can if they had the resources to act on a situation involving people at the brink of death. i know others were prioritized but there wouldn’t be a PRIORITY NUMBER in the first place if there had been enough equipment.
to volunteer for a position or to take up on a responsibility like that does not make them nincompoops. but the lack of equipment BECAUSE OF INSERT UNBELIEVABLY UNCONSCIENTIOUS ELECTED OFFICIALS that couldve been used as rescue equipment funds puts everyone’s lives in danger the minute a mention of a storm is underway. i sleep with one eye open and tremble in fear everytime the rain falls from the sky. i wouldnt wish that on my worst enemy however im being pushed to think ill thoughts because some people aren’t doing ANYTHING about it. what, visit the site and put the best worst face on?
and what about the useless politicking and the CLAMOUR FOR MEDIA ATTENTION before releasing goods to people who sleep at night hugging their ONLY MEAL until the next ration comes in? instead of SENDING MEDIA to places with ZERO survival count since saturday? i would LOVE to be proven wrong and i would love to be told that they’ve done enough, but how many storms will it take for their lack of equipment to cater to the population LEFT after what, 36 more storms in the next 5 years?
my neighbors would still be alive, or maybe the ones left behind would’ve been able to save more equipment if we were given some sort of WARNING that the goddamn dam (pun intended) was going to release water. who knows if all that ever happened? i would still be at home at least with a considerably good amount of important things saved. though you know what, however unbelievable, i’m not torn about how good it feels to KNOW that my peers and i are needed and that we could still do something to let people know as much as possible on how they can save more lives at a time like that.
im not zooming in on all government officials because we do have friends who we know are taking care of their respective areas, who are helping people i know without the malicious intent to PROMOTE themselves for the upcoming godforsaken elections instead of preparing for the safety of the people they want to take care of in the future. a responsibility one has sworn into, especially when neglected is tantamount to diving a knife through a sleeping child’s chest. im no good, im sure, a lot of other people are doing a lot and if not for them, perhaps my family and i would have perished along with 80 other residents in provident villages, but do they even FEEL anything? i would really love to be proven wrong.
do not call me an ignorant monger who doesn’t know what she’s talking about because i do. scroll up and you’ll know that sometimes other people wake up in the middle of the night having nightmares and drowning in their sleep. i hope that never happens to anyone in real life. i hope nobody gets to see the food they need to eat for sustenance and yet be deprived of it just because nobody but GOD and the people in sight can see the random act of kindness.
this morning my parents decided to make our house a place to drop off goods to donate to other neighbouring areas affected by ondoy until a friend advised me to halt the planning for the upcoming operations in 2 days. apparently delivery trucks with goods and places without enough security get mugged and attacked by those in need. but that wont stop me. or the people i work with. i will keep everyone posted, and help in another way. if this doesnt change the entire world, i hope this changes yours and that is more than enough.
rest in peace ondoy victims, tony chua, alexis tioseco, nika bohinc, eguid family and unnamed heroes who died for others. especially those who are still not given justice and quick action. there is hope and its not too late. however i may need your help starting from today.
sincerely yours,
rmi millare
To those who are exploiting the situation, I don’t know how you can sleep at night. I wrote earlier about the alleged crocodiles in Cainta are true or not. After reading this, let me say that YES, there are crocodiles even in Marikina. However these crocodiles ARE THE WORST KIND. They don’t have sharp teeth and they don’t have scaly hides. What they do have is a black heart that just corrupts and burns everything that surrounds them. I don’t understand for the life of me how they can live with themselves! Just sickening.
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Hello, I want to share my story coming all the way from Japan. I hope that we can learn from this also. Thank you so much.
The original article can be found in my blog at http://gino510.blogspot.com/2009/09/thinking-out-of-box-19.html
Philippine Storm Ondoy: The Adrenaline Rush in Facebook
It was an awesome experience to be part of Philippine history. From the so many typhoons that my country have every year, the typhoon with international code name Ketsana, proved to be the worst since 1967.
Working with my computer from the northernmost island of Japan, the Hokkaido Prefecture, I was monitoring the weather situation from Philippine AM band radio through the Internet. From the beginning, I sensed that this weather disturbance was rather unusual. The Filipino radio commentators seemed more toxic than usual in sending emergency telephone numbers to the public. So, there I was in front of my PC carefully jotting down the contact numbers of agencies concerned with disaster management, and posted them in, where else, Facebook!, referred to as FB from here.
Few minutes after sending one or two wall postings, my FB friends reposted the same message. I was surprised with how the speed of communication took place. It did not take long to realize that FB could be used as a tool to provide the correct information to everyone. A bit more later, the same postings became more sophisticated as I was feeding more developments from the tragedy.
I remember the long list of threads that I had to tell all of my FB friends to hide me in their account for the time being as I could not help but relay the information to the public, my own little way of helping the country in times of calamity like this. I worried that they might find it irritating as the calamity was just starting to unfold. I was more surprised to know from my friends that they received more information from my feeds than they did who are in the Philippines themselves.
Later, I could not leave my PC because there was too much information that needed to be relayed to the public. Thank heavens that the Internet connection here in Japan is so fast I could gather additional information from all over the web space. One by one, some of my FB friends, whom I haven’t even met, started to relay the much-needed information also. I was getting more excited as there were additional manpower to send out warnings.
In addition to emergency phone numbers, we relayed the situation in various areas of the metropolis that were heavily hit by the storm, the number of affected people and casualties, traffic situation, stranded people, and much later, rescue and relief operations and all. It was a nice and exciting moment to miss, to be a part of this momentous event however tragic it was.
Some unbelievable moments were women who were about to give birth in the middle of the great floods who had to be airlifted to hospitals; a decapitated person; one Korean student who died due to electrocution; and requests for decent donations like food, water, fresh towels, and underwear, unlike the useless gowns, costumes, swim suits, and torn shoes.
As the events unfolded, several agencies opened up as relief agencies. Many blog sites, including mine, provided information where people can send their own contributions. From there, several national and international donations poured in.
I have to mention some remarkable people from my own circle in FB, and I salute all of them. Marissa M. Andal-Zamora; Chris Otero; Manuel L. Quezon III, his wall postings were so fabulous I think I relayed his messages the most; Alvin Trono; Marou Pahati Sarne; Xerez Baluyot, became an instant FB friend when we both requested a son of a politician against his untimely politicking in FB, thank heavens the politician removed it; Edgar Antonio Portugal Bautista; Ricky Bacay; Jinno Rufino; Mari Kaimo; Noli Dazo; Bam Aquino; Jojo Digao; Henry Uri; Gilbert Teodoro, his postings were timely and useful as well; Ramon Mitra; Leah Navarro; Charo Santos Concio; Andy Jocsing; Rico Hizon; Ruffy Biazon; Jim Paredes in Twitter; and US Ambassador Kristie Kenney, you rock Madam!, thank you so much for being cool, and help to my fellowmen, I admire you.
Likewise, I was fortunate to have a first-hand experience who in the Philippine political scene should be forgotten. There are senators and children of politicos, now politicians themselves, who, without being sensitive to the situation, had the audacity to post their infomercials and a big dead snake video in FB. It was an entirely useless act to politicize and joke in the middle of a tragedy. I had to plead several times in my own wall and in their respective walls to refrain from posting those that are not directly helpful the time, they can find another occasion for that, so please cooperate. I also had to repost their message so that the people will become aware what kind of people we have in the public office. There was also this rich politician, who allegedly labeled the relief goods with his name. Another rich politician was seen in a liquor house probably buying the finest wine. The images are circulating all over the Internet. Expectedly, these politicians removed my message in their wall. There were also many political personalities who were silent during the critical moments only to surface when the sky cleared. Too much learning experience in such a short time, indeed. I shall re-read this article before the May elections, really.
I also could not believe that some of my FB mates had the time for Farmville, Mafia wars, and Poker game. Some also posted their family and travel photos. While I appreciate them during normal times, I had to hide them during those toxic moments because they clog my wall. I had to relay the more important information to others.
This exercise once more proved the resiliency and the camaraderie of the Filipinos in times of calamity. We have had many in the past. But sadly, we never learned from history that is why it keeps on repeating: the bad habits, and we know what and who they are. Unless we change, the lessons will keep on haunting us.
I was pleased that despite the heavy flood, my family is safe in Manila. There are many avenues on how to help the victims. Aside from prayers and monetary assistance, I chose to give my time and I feel happy about it.
Rehabilitation is necessary. Seat not on our laurels. Another storm is brewing. Enjoy the ride.
These people are truly insane and victims should be given true justice.
Damn Politics!
MY NAME IS DJILA WINEBRENNER AND I AM FILIPINO. I received a link to this blog through Gab Gaskell. It’s time that we stand up and demand what we deserve and we should not allow the government and the corrupt politicians to continue treating this country like a personal bank account. If the moneys were spent on proper training and equipment, the situation would not be as bad as it is. WE ALL KNOW WHAT’S WRONG WITH OUR SYSTEM. I have heard many stories during this ordeal, it’s not over yet. I encourage those who read this share your story, LET’S STAND UP ONE BY ONE UNTIL WE ARE ALL STANDING TOGETHER. I’m proud to be Filipino but the GOV’t SUCKS big time.
Hi Carlo,
I’ll be making a blog about an unfortunate incident with my volunteer efforts yesterday about a VERY POPULAR personality in the midst of the crisis which hopefully you can share as well. Will keep you updated.
this is precisely the reason why i prefer to bring goods and other form of help directly to refugees center.
i don’t trust the system nor the governemnt.
i do feel great hope though, they way ordinary citizens pull efforts together to make little difference to the lives of our brothers and sisters. we don’t need the government for their bulok system!
This is totally unacceptable! I for one have been one of the first to contribute (and to contribute further)to fundraising drives for the victims of the typhoon. I just wish the non government organizations would step up also in facilitating not only the direct distribution of the relief goods to the affected families but also to push for the security of what is left for these victims. I ask ABSCBN and GMA7 to please please take a look at this. This is something we definitely don’t need in these times of trouble.Shame on you, you heartless vultures!Kayo ang sinasabi ng nanay ko nung nabubuhay pa sya, buhay pa kayo sinusunog na ang kaluluwa nyo sa impyerno! Mahiya naman kayo kahit konti! Para nyo nang awa!
Someone better investigate the situation of water in major dam systems being released without warning residents. The record rise in flood water within minutes (!!!) is unheard of and took people by complete and horrifying surprise. Authorities are denying any such thing happening and are blaming the calamity solely on rainfall. There’s a story here, and there’s something fishy about it.
Martin C,
Hopefully you’ll post a link to your blog here, as well? Thank you.
We wanted to reach out. But Red cross was a bad choice.
Check this out.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/album.php?aid=111406&id=543652103&ref=mf
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=140018652269&id=1547302480&ref=mf
The Philippines Politicians are damaging their own country….think how on earth the make a big highways without drainage, rubish bin everywhere. They can not protect our own country neither cetizens but they can only do protect their own names to the country…..stop voting them…….Lets government govern the country, politicians are not represent to the people at all…….
Tama yun… pag walang media, walang relief goods!
Yung family ko sa Summer Homes and neighboring subdivisions and villages dinadaanan lang nga mga rescue teams and taga gobyerno.
Parang hindi kami binaha. Eh hanggang leeg ang baha samin.
Posted an illustration of this, Carlo…
http://joelchua.com/blog/2009/10/01/ondoy-crocodile-politics/
OMG! Panalo sobra Joel. Is it okay if I re-post? Will credit you of course.
i hear a lot of stories like these and hindi na bago sa pandinig ko ang mga ganitong bagay. i am already sick and tired of knowing everything i already know… mga demonyo talaga ang mga politiko… i didn’t finish reading ur article dahil auko ng marinig ang mga kwento tungkol sa kasuklam suklam nilang kaluluwa! i always believed in karma i just can’t wait for them to feel the sweet taste of it! salamat!!!
Gosh, may God’s justice be upon these people who take advantage of people who are in dire need of help. I pray that their evil schemes will not go unpunished by God. I must let you know that it is more admirable what the ‘Iglesia ni Kristo’ people are doing to help out the flooding victims and this is without publicity nor without any intention to run for any public office. Mind you, I am not one of their members but i admire them for their sincerity to help. Where are the politicians? Where are the funds of each city government locality? Are they not going to release funds because it would be used for campaign funds? Why are politicians just waiting for donations of the public citizens, of foreign countries, of concerned hollywood stars and concerned groups from other countries? Where is Mike Velarde to help and he wanted to run for president? Where is Eddie Villanueva, he, too wanted to run for presidency? Politicians, now is the time for you to show your concern for your country with or without the media to cover the work you are doing. It is best to work without any publicity and let the people affected do the talking of praise for good works you may do. It is frustrating that the Philippines are in the hands of ‘vultures’ just waiting to snap on the victims. FILIPINO PEOPLE THIS IS THE TIME ALL OF US SHOULD TAKE NOTE OF THE PEOPLE WORKING FOR THIS COUNTRY SO WE MAY PUT THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN OUR GOVERNMENT. THIS IS THE TIME TO BE WISE WHEN WE VOTE NEXT YEAR. LET US VOTE FOR A MAN/WOMAN WHO HAS A HEART FOR THEIR COUNTRYMEN. LET US VOTE FOR THE WORKING MAN NOT THE ‘VULTURES’WHO ARE AFTER THE MONEY OF EACH HARDWORKING FILIPINO.
Hay mga lokong politicians…pwede din wait nila media coverage at habang nag didistribute sila ill ready my USMC M40A3 sniper rifle wearing Mossy Oak APX G2 Gear camo. lying there on someones roof. its like shooting ducks but this time crocs alongside with those pesky looters. (sorry guys but this is my fantasy..shooting greedy politicians in the head)
patawarin nyo ko, pero minsan, pag nakakabasa tayo ng mga ganitong insidente, (which is madalas), ikinahihiya ko na maging pinoy. Can you blame me, or anyone who seem to think the same? May maiboboto pa ba tayo para mabago ang ganito?
damn politicians. why do they always want fame and money. they wouldn’t be able to bring them to hell! that’s right, they are going to hell! this is the time where karma should really work.
TIla paulit-ulit na lang ang mga ganitong sitwasyon. Ang kabulukan ng sistyema ay pumapaloob na sa ating kultura. Huwag nating hayaan na magpatuloy pa ito.
Panahon na ng pagbabago sa 2010. Ako tahasan kong sasabihin na ito ang dahilan kaya ako pumili ng aking kandidato na susuportahan sa 2010. SAWA NA AKO SA GANITONG SISTEMA… TAMA NA! SOBRA NA! PALITAN NA!
Ibangon ang Perlas ng Silangan!
Ram,
I am an OFW working here in Dubai. Tama ka, ako rin, kung minsan (actually mas madals) e ikinahihiya ko na ang maging Pinoy. To be honest, ano pa ba ang meron tayo na pwede nating ipag malaki?? Si Pacquiao?? -:)
Even my colleagues here who are mostly Europeans say that we have a great country but its these corrupt politicians who smear our image.