Hello, everyone. I have been busy with “real life” as of late, so my apologies for not keeping up with the ‘resolution’ of bringing you interesting randomness regularly. Also for not having a ‘passionate person profile’ up yet (that one I hope to remedy by next week; title for the feature included in things to fix).

Knee deep in researching and analyzing how to present a case involving organizations I care about, I find it apt to post about a few groups that instantly come to mind when I think of the Philippine Third Sector:

World Wildlife Fund Philippines (WWF-Philippines)

Not really needing a description (since anyone who doesn’t know what this organization does must be living under a rock - and maybe should stay there to save the planet), let’s just say that WWF-Philippines works to conserve and protect the natural beauty our country possesses. From the Donsol Whale Shark Research and Ecotourism Sustainability Program (w/c contributed to TIME Magazine citing the Bicol Region as ‘best animal encounter destination in Asia’) to the Coral Triangle Support Partnership Project, WWF-Philippines has programs that you may want to support. 

Here’s a WWF video that went viral a few months back:

Philippine Eagle Foundation

I have yet to go to Davao to see this organization in action in person, but I’ve talked to one of their staff more than a couple of times and a few other people who’ve been to their facility, to know that they’re doing great work. I believe I’ve featured this organization here already before, but I have to mention them again, if only to have you go to their website and see how you can help an eaglet.

TEN Moves! (The Entire Nation Moves) Campaign

While not an organization per se, this campaign was brought to my attention by a director at the Ayala Foundation, where I used to work and the org that manages this campaign. Its strategy is to have 2 million people donate P10 per day for 10 months. For a population nearing 100 million, the Filipino people shouldn’t find it too hard to make this public fundraising initiative a success. And what’s the money for? To build 10,000 classrooms for public schools all over the Philippines. Sabi nga nila, “Barya lang po. Para sa classroom ng mga bata.”

See ways to help here.

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Well, that’s it for now, folks. Need to study some more.

To usher in 2012, here are five things from/about/in the Philippines that make me smile. They definitely do not have the same weight of significance for me, but these are the first five things that came to mind (in order of their appearance in my head), thinking about all things Pilipinas that are, to put it simply, good.

BenCab

Benedicto Reyes Cabrera, more famously known as BenCab, is a Filipino National Artist who is a painter and a printmaker. When I think of BenCab, I think of Sabel, his muse. From his bullet biography on the BenCab Museum website:

1964

Observes and sketches from his window in Bambang a bag lady/madwoman/scavenger named Sabel. To him she is a symbol of dislocation, despair& isolation – the personification of human dignity threatened by circumstances. Undergoing numerous transformations over the coming years, she becomes a landmark for every stylistic painting transition.

The lobby of one of those condominiums in Rockwell is graced by a BenCab painting. And a home somewhere in Negros has artist proofs from the master printmaker himself. Nothing quite like his work, especially these days of modern conceptual art. As he himself puts it in this Wall Street Journal feature, “Skill: That is what is missing now. A lot of modern art now is mostly conceptual. It is sloppy. I’m old school. I look for good composition… and I like artists who are innovative.” I tend to agree.

BenCab is also one of the many reasons a trip to Singapore is so enticing.

Philippine Development Foundation or PhilDev

For full disclosure, I’ve worked (and still work every now and then) for PhilDev (formerly Ayala Foundation USA). I loved the work that I did there, connecting the Filipino diaspora to worthwhile development initiatives in the homeland. Now, their focus is more strategic - zeroing in on science and technology and the field’s impact on the Philippines’ economic growth and development. All the same, I respect the work that they do and look forward to the coming years as they carry out their new mission.

You can read about PhilDev’s work on their website, but here’s a video of Filipino/Filipino-American artists, Lea Salonga included, talking about the concert they held for PhilDev:

Panlasang Pinoy

I’m pretty sure I featured Panlasang Pinoy on this tumblr already, but when you talk about the good things in the Philippines, you cannot - just cannot - leave out food. And when I thought of Filipino food, Panlasang Pinoy popped into my head. Just look at his list of Top 10 Filipino Christmas Recipes. I know Christmas is done, but hey, with this menu, it’s never too early to practice for Christmas 2012.

Interaksyon | TV5-MMDA Traffic Monitoring System

Yes, I’m including this one. Because it is pretty cool to have this system in place, updated every five minutes or so. My husband and I are guilty of checking this even if we’re not driving anywhere, just because it’s so nifty.

Pilipinas-loving Tumblrs

And of course, my fellow Tumblrers who post about the Philippines. A few that I enjoy:

I Write As I Write: History. And Stuff.

The Wolf: A thirty-something writer who has mellowed down from the broadcast news industry. After that, he taught high school kids history and economics. Using the skills acquired in journalism, he gets involved once in a while with farmers, environmentalists, and human rights activists.

Pag-aral at Pag-ibig… Lessons & Love: newly married lit phd trying to figure out life, love and the future.

Please do not just read or reblog. That’s alright, but at least do one of the things listed below. Salamat.

unibersidadngpilipinas:

December 17, 2011

by Janeuymatiao.com

Early dawn today, two areas in Mindanao (a southern island of the Philippines), were hit with sudden and unexpected flash floods from Tropical Storm Sendong (international code name Washi). The floods hit Iligan and Cagayan de Oro around 2AM — when everyone was asleep. Many villagers were caught and trapped wherever they were, with little preparation and no forewarning.

A bloated Pulangui River (photo from Francis Awiten, a blog reader of mindanaoan.com and posted via Twitpic)

A young Sendong victim (photo posted by @mindanaoan via Twitpic, with credits to Atoy M.)

(UPDATE: Bukidnon and Dumaguete likewise need assistance so I will be including in my list donation info for these places as soon as I get them.)

I am creating this post for you, my dear readers, wherever in the world you are. If your heart is touched by some of these pictures, there are many ways you can donate, either in cash (PayPal included) or kind.

Please note that I will try to list as many as I can. I have been listing based on posts in social networking sites, some news sites, government agencies, etc. If I miss some, please leave me a comment at the bottom so I can add to this list.

LAST UPDATE – DEC. 18, 2011 (5:30 PM)

URGENT NEEDS

Blankets
Bottled water (VERY URGENT!)
Canned goods
Clothes
Food
Mats (banig)
Medicines
Off lotion
Rice
Toothbrushes
Towels
Utensils

DROP-OFF POINTS

Ateneo School of Government and Kaya Natin! - will accept donations from Dec. 19-21 only, 10am to 10pm. Clothes, blankets, ready-to-eat food, toiletries and bottled water accepted. Bring to  Fr. Ortiz Hall, Social Development Complex, Ateneo, QC.

GMA 5 (Davao) – Please leave donations at Shrine Hills, Matina, Davao (info from @mindanaoan)

Kristohanong Katilingban sa Pagpakaban (coordinated with Xavier University) – call (088) 8583116 loc 3210 for details

La Salle Greenhills - will start accepting donations Monday, Dec. 19 (info taken from HERE)
Donations in cash and kind will be received at Gate 2 of La Salle Green Hills at 343 Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City 1550. You may call any of the following telephone numbers for further inquiries:
Alumni Office — 721-2729, 722-7750, 725-4720
GS Principal — 721-2482
HS Principal — 721-8914
Buildings and Grounds Office — 721-8904 (Telefax)
La Sallian Mission Office — 726-5851 (Telefax)

LBC Foundation – bottled water, food, blankets, clothes, etc. Drop off your donations at the nearest LBC branch nearest you, nationwide. Call (632) 8585-999 to find the closest LBC branch.

Mercato Centrale (BGC) / Soderno (Alabang) - bottled water, rice, canned goods, bottled water, utensils, toothbrush, mats, used clothes, blankets

The Philippine Daily Inquirer, 1098 Chino Roces ave Mascado cor Yague, Makati ph.+63 2 8978808 Ms. Kasilag/Ms. Kalagayan.

Sagip Kapamilya ABS-CBN Foundation Inc., Mother Ignacia cor. Eugenio Lopez St., Diliman, QC – for goods in kind

Sen. Kiko Pimentel – accepting donations starting Dec. 19 at Room 512, GSIS Building, Senate of the Philippines. Contact person: Ron Munsayac (new media group)

TV5 Kapatid Foundation Inc. - Donations in kind like food, clothing, utensils, blankets, mats, water containers, and medicines may be sent to News5 Aksyon Center, TV5 office in San Bartlolome, Novaliches, Quezon City. For inquiries, please call News5 Aksyon Center hotline – 938-6393.

Xavier University KKP-SIO – cash, food, bottled water, clean clothes. You can drop them off at the Xavier University KKP-SIO.

CASH DONATIONS (INTERNATIONAL)

Ateneo de Manila University – please see how to donate HERE

ONE FOR ILIGAN – a Google doc that tells you how you can donate at least US$1 via PayPal
Your Donations will be shown at: www.iliganbloggers.com
For donations on Paypal, your names and initials HERE

HELPCDO (PayPal Donations) – Proceeds will be donated and delivered to Xavier University Cagayan de Oro where the members of CDOBloggers are planning to volunteer. (Note: Info received c/o Ria Jose)
Email Address for PayPal donation: francis.siason@gmail.com

Simbahang Lingkod (info taken from HERE)
Direct deposits may be made online from any BPI branches, pay to:
Account Name/Payee: SIMBAHANG LINGKOD NG BAYAN
Bank Name: Bank of the Philippine Islands (Loyola-Katipunan Branch)
Dollar Savings Account Number: 3084-0420-12

TV5 Kapatid Foundation Inc.
BDO Savings Account No. 005310-410164
Bank of the Philippine Islands Savings Account No. 1443-05333-2
For inquiries, please call News5 Aksyon Center hotline – 938-6393.

CASH DONATIONS (WITHIN THE PHILIPPINES)

For Globe subscribers:
via SMS, c/o Red Cross – text RED <amount> and send to 2899 – valid donation amounts are P5, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500 and 1000 (For ex, RED 10). Transaction is free.
via GCASH, text DONATE<space><amount><space><MPIN><space><REDCROSS> and send to 2882

For Smart subscribers:
via SMS, c/o Red Cross – text RED <amount> and send to 4143 – valid donation amounts are P10, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500, 1000 (For ex, RED 10). Transaction is free.
via Smart Money acct. no. 5577-5130-6822-1104 (Baha Fund for Typhoon) at any BDO, Hapinoy or Cebuana Lhuiller outlets. P2.50/text

Ateneo de Manila University – please see how to donate HERE

Pilipinas Natin HQ (contact PN Head June Joson at CP 0915-855-2599; 0939-9372353)

Red Cross (cash/check)
Account Name: Philippine Red Cross
Bank Name: Banco De Oro
Peso Savings Account: 453-0018647

Simbahang Lingkod (info taken from HERE)
Direct deposits may be made online from any BPI branches, pay to:
Account Name/Payee: SIMBAHANG LINGKOD NG BAYAN
Bank Name: Bank of the Philippine Islands (Loyola-Katipunan Branch)
Peso Checking Account Number: 3081-1111-61

Xavier University, Tabang Sendong
Account Name: Xavier University
Bank Name: Bank of the Philippine Islands, CDO Divisoria Branch
Account Number: 9331-0133-63

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

DSWD - Cagayan de Oro (Masterson Rd, Upper Carmen). Call (0906) 6150095 or 858-8892 – to repack and deliver relief goods