Red Cross crosses disasters

A team of Philippine Red Cross emergency responders heading to Cagayan at the height of typhoon Ompong (Mangkhut) was flagged  down in Gonzaga by a bystander who informed them of an electric post that collapsed and hit an ambulance belonging to the Alfonso Ponce Enrile District Memorial Hospital. The team, led by Don Orje, freed  the passengers from the wrecked ambulance. After receiving first aid treatment, Dr. Laillani Basin,  41, and driver Victor Materum, 50, were safely transported to their hospital.

Philippine Red Cross Chairman Richard Gordon lauded the responders for helping save lives amid the strong winds brought by the typhoon.

“This reflects the PRC mantra - ‘Always First, Always Ready, Always There,” Gordon said.  “Our team proves that PRC volunteers are ready to respond to challenges in any situation when it comes to saving lives.”

The same team has been on the ground traversing different areas in Cagayan and Isabela to assess the damage brought by Ompong and rescue affected individuals.

Even though Typhoon Ompong has left the country, the Philippine Red Cross remains on the ground to rescue and provide relief to communities devastated along the typhoon’s path.

Gordon said there would be no letup even after the Philippines is now out of harm’s way. 

As of 7 a.m. Tuesday, PRC provided 8,394 individuals with hot meals and rendered psycho-social support to 1,687 persons.  Biscuits were handed out to 3,726 individuals and bottled water to 89 individuals.

Non-food items such as blankets were distributed to 113 families, thermal blankets to 85 individuals, plastic mats to 100 families, clothing to 500 individuals, and hygiene kits to 13 families.

PRC also distributed 10,000 liters of water and promoted good personal hygiene practices to 936 individuals. In Pangasinan, 2,000 pieces of Doxycycline, an antibiotic for use as prophylaxis against leptospirosis, were also distributed.

PRC staff and volunteers rescued 43 individuals in Pangasinan and gave first aid to 11 persons (four in Quezon, two in Isabela, and 5 in La Union).  The blood pressure of 95 persons in Quezon and Guimaras were checked and 19 individuals were attended to by PRC’s welfare desk.

A third PRC humanitarian caravan is now in Benguet province to distribute water at the Itogon Training Center and assess five barangays in Baguio City and Itogon.   

PRC Olongapo Chapter, with the support of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), prepared a Land Cruiser, one water tanker, a fire truck, and a pick-up truck for the conduct of rescue, clearing and flushing operations.

All these activities were made possible by generous donors. If you want to be one, deposit your donation to:

PRC’s BDO Banco de Oro (Port Area) savings account (swift code: BNORPHMM): 00-453-0190938 (peso deposit) and 10-453-0039482 (dollar deposit)

Metrobank (Port Area) (swift code: MBTCPHMM): 151-7-15152434-2 (peso deposit) and 151-2-15100218-2 (dollar deposit).

 For donations in cash or kind, call Shervi Corpuz at (02) 7902413 or (63 917) 8348378, and Rizza Genil at (02) 7902410, or email [email protected].

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 My friends at the Chinese embassy informed me that Chinese President Xi Jinping has extended condolences to President Rodrigo Duterte after Typhoon Mangkhut hit the Philippines, killing nearly 100 persons. Xi said China and the Philippines are friendly neighbors, and the Chinese people shared the sadness of the Philippine people over their sufferings and are willing to help as much as possible. 

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The  UP School of Economics (UPSE) will celebrate its 53rd anniversary and hold its grand alumni homecoming on Sept. 22, adopting the theme “BUHAY UP.”

The theme refers to beloved scenes, landmarks and experiences that are familiar to anyone who has gone to UP Diliman. Buhay UP can mean a lot of things to the different generations of graduates of the UPSE. Since the school has been around for 53 years, the experiences and even landmarks may have evolved over the years, especially now with modern technology and the digital revolution characterizing the present generation. Somehow, there is something uniquely special about BUHAY UP that one cannot seem to explain. It’s like a mystique deeply ingrained in the hearts, minds and spirit of the UP alumni. 

The UP School of Economics Alumni Association (UPSEAA) itself seeks to bridge this divide given the composition of its board of trustees led by president  Jeffrey Ng ,  a 1985 BSBE cum laude graduate and a very successful entrepreneur. At the other end of the spectrum is Verge Gepuela, AB Econ, ’69. Another is my friend Sally de la Paz-Magat, who graduated magna cum laude in 1971 with an AB Econ degree.

The UPSE introduced the course Bachelor of Science in Business Economics (BSBE) in 1972 and later also transformed the degree name of AB Econ to BS Econ. The immediate past president of UPSEAA, Ronee Villanueva-Juanengo, is a 1980 BSBE magna cum laude graduate. Indeed, the present members of the UPSEAA board of trustees represent the best of economics students, most of whom belong to the ’80s and ’90s  generation like Florentino “JR“ Bautista of Class 2002, and the youngest trustee Aaron Limpe BSBE, Batch 2013 and scion of the owners of Destileria Limtuaco. 

In line with the homecoming theme, the organizers led by the Silver Jubilarians-Batch 93 headed by UPSEEA trustees  Gigette Javier-De Luna and Bim Mojica-Mercado have come up with a very special, light and informative talk show format hosted by KKDavila who will interview a panel of distinguished UPSE alumni who have pursued different fields or professions such as Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat, Ferdinand Constantino, Mark Querubin, Jeffrey Ng and Prof. Solita Monsod.

Alumni can partake for free the roasted calf, specially catered food from kiosks reminiscent of those days which we call BUHAY UP. Alumni attendees can drink to the products of San Miguel Corp and Destileria Limtuaco. Everyone can enjoy music and dance to be provided by the Rocketwill Band and Johhny’s.  There will be games,  raffles and an art exhibit on the theme “Buhay UP Econians.”

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You’re what you eat.  This truism is so true among the regular customers of the 35-year-old  Bangus Specialty Restaurant, which has been known for its authentic Filipino food that is tailor-fit for individuals concerned about health and wellness. It also happens that the restaurant’s homestyle, slow-cooked cuisine is something that customers have a craving for.

The Manila Dragons Dragonboat Team attests to living the healthy lifestyle Bangus Specialty Restaurant wants to uphold.  These regular diners are Noelle Wenceslao (Mt. Everest Climber/Philippine Coast Guard), Carina Dayondon (Mt. Everest Climber/the only Filipina to be able to climb 6 of the 7 highest peaks in the world), and Michelle del Rosario (Triathlete and Crossfit trainer). These women are genuinely  happy with what they do and have achieved. 

Other accomplished personalities seen eating at the restaurant are James Sandoval (physical trainer/coach-instructor, a travel bug and foodie) and Vince Datiles (sportsman and adventurous food lover) both incessantly campaigning for active lifestyles, exercise and eating well. Dr. Augusto ”Tico” Sarmiento (a practicing medical surgeon at 94 years old),  balances his medical practice with his fondness for golf, travel and good food.

Email: [email protected]