Today is December 19. Only six (6) days before Christmas and a dreadful tragedy brought by Typhoon Sendong struck the southern part of the Philippines, particularly Cagayan De Oro (CDO) and Iligan in Mindanao. By this time, most of us are in a cheery, merry-making mood; doing last minute shopping, packing gifts and doing grocery shopping for Noche Buena.

The political crises within the government has been depressing. But my heart breaks even more for my kababayans (fellowmen) in Mindanao who, only a few days before Christmas lost everything - their house, their material things, their food and what makes me tear up above all, their family. 

Living on the fourth level of an apartment-type of housing, I've never been affected of typhoons and floods but if there's one thing that I deeply sympathize by experience is the remorse of the victims upon losing their family. I lost my brother six years ago and my family has already moved on. But every single time I hear about other people losing a member of their own, the memory always strike back and the feeling of loss is something I can truly relate to.

I sincerely pray for all the victims. While praying in the comfort of our own homes, let us take (kahit saglit lang) a break from all the Christmas festivities and HELP the victims. They need our prayers but they also need the money and material things from us so they can build their lives again after this.

I've retweeted so many announcements of donation outlets but Sarah of Fashion Eggplant did a great job in compiling the many ways in which you can extend your help to the victims of typhoon Sendong and I'd like to share it in my blog as well. God bless the Philippines. 

SMART
Smart subscribers all over the country may send help to those affected by typhoon Sendong. Smart Money users can instantly transfer funds through their mobile phones to the official Baha Fund account number 5577 5130 6822 1104. Donors may also deposit cash to the same Smart Money account number in any Banco De Oro branch nationwide or through Hapinoy and Cebuana Lhuillier outlets. * SMARTCares: Subscribers may donate to #Sendong victims via text. Just send RED to 4143. Valid donation amounts 10, 25, 50, 100.”

Globe
Globe Subscribers Through GCASH, text DONATE and send to 2882.

One for Iligan
Iligan Bloggers Society through One For Iligan allows you to donate $1 for the Iligan flood victims of typhoon Sendong. * One for Iligan is a Google doc that tells you how you can donate at least US$1 via PayPal * Contact points SITE: http//:iliganbloggers.comEMAIL: iliganbloggers@gmail.comFB Fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/iliganbloggers * How to else to help?The group Iligan Bloggers Society says that aside from paypal donations, they are also asking for canned goods, noodles, bath and laundry soaps, toothpaste, rice, used clothings and slippers.

DXIC 
SITE: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/rmn-dxic-iligan
FB Fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/iliganbloggers

Xavier University, Tabang
Any help -- food, clothes, books, bottled water, others -- can be sent to Fr. Eric Garcia Velandria SJ, coordinator of Sendong Operation, KKP Office, Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan, 9000, Corrales Ave. Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. According to XU-CSG President, GemGem Tero, food and clothes donations are more needed. Account Name: Xavier University Bank Name: Bank of the Philippine Islands, CDO Divisoria Branch Account Number: 9331-0133-63

Armed Forces of the Philippines 
The Civil Relations Service AFP at Camp Aguinaldo is accepting donations. It will fly donations/relief goods via C130. Contact details: Situation Awareness Center (SAC), CRS AFP, Camp Aguinaldo, QC Landline: 912-6615 CP Nr. (0917)2471252 Focal Person: Lt. Col. Rolando Rodil, Operations Officer

DSDWD
Department of Social Welfare and Development Volunteers are needed at DSWD Cagayan de Oro (Masterson Road, Upper Carmen) to repack and deliver relief goods. Call 09066150095 @DSWDserve

The Oblate Missionary Foundation 
(OMF) accepts donation for the victims of Sendong. Email us: oblate.missionaryfoundation@gmail.com Call or text us 0644212652/09177204604/09228366422 You can send food items, drinking water, used clothing, blankets, medicines, cash and what you have to the following dropping centers.

Panday Bulig Relief and Rehabilitation Center 
Located in: Tabang Mindanao Center 12th-22nd streets, Nazareth 9000 Cagayan de Oro CityT/F: +63 (88) 856 6413E: pandaybulig@gmail.com(look for Ms. Beryl Tranco)

Rural Missionaries of the Philippines 
Northern Mindanao Sub-Region Room 01, Kalinaw Lanao Center0016 Bougainvilla Puti, Villaverde9200 Iligan CityT/F: +63 223 5179E: rmpnmr@gmail.comW: www.rmp-nmr.org(look for Ms. Ida Melody Bucog)

StartArt Project
Drop Center in Metro Manila c/o StartArt Project 10A Alabama st New Manila Quezon CityMobile:+63926 7112450 email:info@startartprject.org ornikkiluna@startartproject.org For cash donations, please send to this account: Bank Name and Address:Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)Quezon Avenue branch, 9200 Iligan City, Philippines Account number: 009359-1348-08 Swift Code: BOPIPHMM Account Name and Address: RMP-NMR Inc.

TV5
Cash donations may be sent through the following accounts: TV5 Kapatid Foundation Inc. BDO Savings Account No. 005310-410164 and Bank of the Philippine Islands Savings Account No. 1443-05333-2 | 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.

Photo Credits: Google images
Compiled list credits: Aisa & Sarah