You know the figures by now, I’m sure. With over 200 killed, 42 still missing and 2 million people affected here in the Philippines (damage to agriculture and infrastructure estimated at a whopping P4.79B) , 11 killed  in Cambodia and 41 still in Vietnam, Typhoon Ondoy (international code name Ketsana) is no doubt a modern-day monster. Help and words of sympathy came from all over the world, latest of which is from no less than England’s Queen Elizabeth II and this huge monetary assistance from Germany — Vielen dank, Deutschland!

And as if that deluge has not brought enough suffering already, Northern Luzon must brace itself from an imminent typhoon about to be named “Pepeng” (international code name “Parma”) . This makes it easy for us to believe doomsday prophecies, I reckon. Which then makes this post about the next big storm rather prophetic.

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Whether  possibly taking cue from Bishop Vicente Navarra’s call (to divert campaign funds to relief operations) or doing it on their own volition, politicians and 2010 aspirants (a handful or so of them at least) have all been busy doing their share in easing up the situation of our fellow Filipinos whose lives have been turned upside down (literally and figuratively) by sudden flooding in Mega Manila, Philippines caused by incessant rains from Typhoon Ondoy.

Never mind that even plastic bags or styrofoam food containers come in various designs (others crude, others customized to perfection).

Never mind that photos of relief goods distribution stream faster online than news updates.

Never mind that they seem to be doing efforts on their own (shunning coordination with others probably in fear of being robbed-off of their turn in the spotlight).

Never mind.

At least, they are doing something. And times like these, we need all hands on deck, because  every little bit helps.

Help is help and there’s nothing wrong with knowing where they came from, specially if it’s food (for safety purposes and backtracking in case of food poisoning due to spoiled food, unintentional, of course, some get spoiled during transport).

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In an attempt to be non-partisan at this time, I’d like to commend all efforts being done everywhere regardless of their breadth and scope. This is also a call for help and unity, a call for action and active participation in all sectors, not just the political.

Below are activities I’ve noticed from 2010 aspirants.

Manny Villar’s team is so far the most organized in their Ondoy relief operations and boy, oh boy, are they stats-obsessed. Not that it’s entirely wrong though. “Right now, the most important thing is to help as many people as we can. We have the capability to make sure your donations reach those who most need them. Let’s work together at this most trying time,” Villar said. If you want to help out Tropang Villar efforts, call them at  0905-3316626 and 0917-4226800

Senators  Mar Roxas and Noynoy Aquino – Operation Tulong Bayan is now asking for more donations, especially of rice and water, to sustain the relief efforts.

Balay, Expo Centro (formerly Seafood Market), EDSA corner General McArthur St., Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City, inside the parking lot fronting the fruit section of Farmers Market. Hotline: 9137122, 9136254, 9133306. (Manilyn) 09086579998, (Jenn) 09393633436.

Chiz Escudero –in fairness to Senator Chiz Escudero, I’m pretty sure relief efforts are being done somewhere but I can’t seem to locate one or two specific hotlines or identify whether a particular project or fund drive is related to or organized by his camp. This senator seems to have a lot of online following. Just keeping up with 4 Facebook accounts must be a daunting task for his staff. I only keep track of Chiz’s  first Facebook account. But if you are a Chiz fan and would like to get in touch with him about his Ondoy relief efforts, try sending him a tweet here @SayChiz. His Twitter account seems to be well attended.

Jose De Venecia III – Calling on all Filipinos to rekindle our “bayanihan” spirit, Joey de Venecia (JDV3) writes in an email:

With millions of Filipinos affected by the flash floods caused by tropical storm Ondoy, today is a time for bayanihan, businessman Joey de Venecia III said today.

“All of us who were lucky enough to be spared from the effects of the storm should roll up our sleeves and help those who were,” he said.

De Venecia put together an emergency clean up crew which is on call and ready to help any barangay in need.
He is also distributing 2,500 food packages. His actions were the result of urgent calls and messages he received from his friends who live in Marikina and who were seriously affected.

He promised to do what he could.

De Venecia is also asking his friends and supporters to volunteer their services to the various relief centers all over Metro Manila after receiving feedback that most centers were swamped with requests and sorely lacking in manpower.

Since there are no classes until the end of the week, Venecia called on all students not affected by the floods to get together with their classmates and barkada and go to the relief centers.

De Venecia also called for a ceasefire on all political activities.

“There is no reason to attack the government, which I’m sure is doing all it can. The fact is this was a calamity that was totally unexpected,” the businessman said.

The floods even hit Malacanang, he pointed out.

“Whenever we are faced with a great tragedy or a national emergency, we Filipinos have shown time and again that we are capable of setting aside our differences and working together for the common good.
This spirit of bayanihan remains strong in us, and it is precisely what we need today,” de Venecia said.

Senator Dick Gordon – as Chairperson and CEO of the Philippine National Red Cross, and as rumors of him not really intent on running for president in 2010 goes around, the senator can hardly be accused of politicking now, even as some photos of PNRC rescue efforts show him as  if he was in joyful campaign mode. It is after all, joyous to see people being rescued, don’t you think? Regardless of what people might say, work is being done at the Philippine National Red Cross, and the least we can do is acknowledge it. By the way, you can click here for ways to donate to Red Cross. You can also  donate online. Red Cross now accepts donations via Paypal — just send donations to give@redcross.org.ph

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All that mentioned, let me just stress, that in dire circumstances as this one, it doesn’t really matter how much you contribute or what the ulterior motives are. Practicality is the name of the game. We need politicians because they have the resources. They need us for accumulating “pogi” points in the hopes that it would translate to votes. It is not condoning evil, it is sidelining every other triviality for something more important, more urgent, more practical.

So go ahead and take that blue/yellow campaign colored plastic of relief goods. Munch on that food inside that “crudely labeled” styrofoam. Shake their hands, pose and smile for the camera. Say “thank you” as if you really owe it to them to provide you with assistance (specially for incumbent officials). We are in crisis mode. Do what you have to do to get that food inside your stomach.

First things first. Think about candidate  preferences and nation-building mantras later. After all, what’s there left to build if we all die reveling in our pride.  We are a nation of people, not a nation of abstract ideals — or at least, until everything goes back to normal.

Be safe everyone. Volunteers and donors, you are all #%#%^#^ awesome! Rock on!