The Philippine Online Chronicles

Dear Blog Watch readers,

As families gather together, as we meet friends and relatives this holiday season, and as we take time out to celebrate, may peace and love reign in our hearts and may our times together be meaningful. On behalf of the Blog Watch family, let me take this opportunity to wish you all the best of the season.  The heart of the season is to bring good cheer and great joy especially to our less fortunate brothers and sisters.

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May we also take the opportunity to reflect- what have I done for my country? And what more can I do?

The Yuletide season is more about giving more than receiving. President Benigno Aquino III  urged all to "help victims of tropical storm Sendong as their way of celebrating Christmas." He added that we should make disaster victims feel that they are not alone in their time of need.

Giving to the Sendong’s victims will truly make a difference in a person’s life. Whether the donation is large or small, all these will be much appreciated. There are many ways to help. Blog Watch listed a few individuals , organizations and corporations. Jane Uymatiao shares a comprehensive How to help victims of Tropical Storm Sendong.

If you don’t have the time to surf through the links, I have compiled three ways to help the Sendong Victims to make it easier for some of you to decide.

1. Yakapin: Batang Hilagang Mindanao (YBHM)

My friend Cathy Babao undertook the same project in Bicol around Christmas season of 2006. Think of one bear as one smile, one hug – one young life given joy and love this Christmas. Two thousand years ago, a child was (and is) the reason why we celebrate the most important holiday of the year.”

Put yourself in her shoes.

You fall asleep snug in the arms on your mother, the rain pounds on the room but you are not afraid because beside you is your mother and you know you will be safe. All of a sudden, the waters enter your home and you are swept and carried away from all that is familiar and everyone whom you love.

You wake up dazed not knowing what has happened to your family members. You walk around aimlessly, only to find that your home and all that you love is gone…

Toys are effective tools in helping children heal from the trauma of loss. Stuffed toys are effective comfort givers in times of stress and trauma. To children, stuffed animals are more than toys, they become the vehicles by which they are able to tell their stories and release their pain. Stuffed toys or teddy bears are able to provide some degree of comfort in a scary world.

Please send clean, friendly looking toys in good condition (no pigs please, owing to cultural and religious sensitivities) in any size, but ideally, big enough for a child to hug.

The drop off points are :

Alabang – 12 Brentwood Street, Hillsborough, West Service Road, Alabang Look for Magding or JC

Greenhills : 33 Madison Street, North Greenhills, San Juan. Look for Ann or Shirley

Asuncion Berenguer, Inc. 3/f Homestudio Building, 63 Connecticut Street (same building as Homestudio, Torch resto and Bose) Northeast Greenhills . Please leave with guard and indicate “Bears for YBHM”

Makati -- The Citadel Inn, 5007 P. Burgos Street, Makati City c/o Andre Urbina

Marikina: 1 Ferdinand Marcos Street, Industrial Valley Subdivision, Marikina Leave with guard please indicate “Bears for YBHM”

Paranaque -- Johnson and Johnson, Edison Road, Paranaque City (Edison is street by Zuellig) Leave with guard, indicate “Bears for YBHM”

14 C. Diamond Street. Greenheights Village Sucat Paranaqueque Look for Yaya Marlene
Quezon City: A-2 Dona Sotera, Pilarville Subd.,Quezon City c/o Dennis Mariano

41 Milkyway Drive, Blue Ridge B, Quezon City Look for Lily

C1C3 Narra Heights Condominium #28, Mariposa Street, Quezon City (near Camp Crame)

Eastwood area : Unit 5c Eastwood Lafayette Tower 3, Eastwood Avenue Libis Q.C (In front of Watsons, near Mcdonalds) Leave with guard indicate “Bears for YBHM”

More details at Yakapin: Batang Hilagang Mindanao (YBHM) Facebook Page

2. LBC Foundation

LBC will ship donations to Sendong victims for free. Just drop it off at any LBC branch in the Philippines, as well as in KSA, UAE, Singapore, HK, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, UK, Spain, and Italy.  Visit their Facebook Page for photos of their shipment.

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Everything that we own is a gift. The season is even more special when we share these gifts. Through our act of kindness , the season will be more meaningful to people who have lost loved ones or their homes.

A joyeux Noel ! Peace and Goodwill to All.