Metrobank Group, Toyota Motor Philippines and Mitsui donate for Japan Quake Victims

Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman Richard Gordon receives donation amounting to Php 10 million from the Metrobank Group of Companies, and its partners, Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation and Mitsui and Co., Pte. Ltd. on Monday. This is in support to the Japan quake disaster appeal that the PRC launched to reciprocate the compassionate assistance of Japan to Philippines during disasters and emergencies.

http://www.redcross.org.ph/

Phil Red Cross launches an SMS Donation Campaign for Japan quake victims

Following the unprecedented 8.9 magnitude quake that shook Japan Friday afternoon causing extensive damages to lives and properties, the Philippine Red Cross launched a fund-drive through SMS Donation in support of the Japanese Red Cross Society's (JRCS) response to the emergency situation.


JRCS is an active supporter of PRC in times of disasters and other emergencies. It is also a partner in its several programs, including the Primary Health Care Project.

PRC Chairman Richard J. Gordon said, "It's our turn to give back."

"Being a third world country shouldn't hinder us from helping our neighboring country, which is in dire need of assistance," Gordon added.

He enjoins every Filipino to do their share and help the people of Japan.

The PRC has earlier alerted its disaster action teams for immediate deployment to Japan in case the need arises.

PRC is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement that is now working together to help alleviate the plight of the quake victims.

For more information, please call our emergency hotline: 143 or (02) 527-0000.

To donate, please text: REDAMOUNT to 2899, or DONATEAMOUNT4-digit M-PINREDCROSS to 2882 for Globe subscribers; and REDON to 4483 for Smart subscribers.

http://www.redcross.org.ph/

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Dick Gordon on radio and tv

Dick Gordon on radio and tv
By CHERRY MORIONES-DOROMAL
February 22, 2011, 8:47am
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/305672/dick-gordon-radio-and-tv

MANILA, Philippines -- Dick Gordon takes on a new role as radio
anchor with Cheryl Cosim "Aksyon Solusyon" Mondays to Fridays 10-11am
on 92.3 News FM and free channel TV 41(channel 29 in Cebu and Davao).
He will also be on tv as he co-hosts with Jake Macasaet on  "Duelo"
Mondays to Fridays 7-8pm on free (UHF) TV 41.

Watch Video of Launch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3H5mgPJyE8

Watch Video of First Day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHIimgC4ZHc

James Leonard Tagle Gordon (Jan 17, 1917-Feb 20, 1967)

J

 ames Leonard Tagle Gordon was Mayor of Olongapo City from December 30, 1963 to February 20, 1967. He was born on January 17, 1917 of an American father, John Jacob Gordon, and a Filipina mother, Veronica Tagle Gordon. 

He could have chosen to take American Citizenship and live in the United  States  like his four brothers where he could enjoy the comforts in a well developed country.  Instead, he chose to stay in the Philippines as a Filipino Citizen.  He raised his children as Filipino Citizens and brought them up according to Filipino values.

This is not surprising considering that he inherited the genes of a revolutionary hero, Jose Tagle. One of the three children of Tagle was Veronica who married John Jacob Gordon. Jose Tagle was known for his exploits in leading a raiding team against friars and Civil Guards in Imus, then against a strong Spanish force in Bacoor, Cavite. He was victorious in both instance and won the high regard if Aguilnaldo. In recognition of his leadership Aguinaldo appointed Tagle Municipal Mayor of Imus.

Inherited Traits.

This distinguished ancestry gave James Gordon the strong character that he, in turn, left to his progeny and to the people of Olongapo as lasting legacy. His private life and public career all bore the earmarks of decisiveness, of willingness to fight corruption against seemingly insurmountable odds.

James Gordon was a self- made man.  He did not depend on anybody but largely went through life on his own efforts, a trait that is part of his American heritage.  Being the only child left behind with his aging father, who was interned during the war, he took care of the old gentleman until his death in 1954.  In doing this, he followed closely the Filipino tradition of close family ties and of caring  for the elderly members.  As a true Filipino he kept in close touch with his children even when they were away in school in Manila.  He always wanted his children to excel in whatever they tried, be it a very lowly task.

Civic Consciousness.

His family orientedness showed in his successful attempts to put up an institution that would take care of orphans and abandoned children.  Together with his friends, he put up Boys Town- Girls Home which still exists to this day, caring for around 70 wards.. Jimmy Gordon’s widow Amelia J. Gordon continues this tradition of caring by keeping under her care children from very poor families.

In the field of civic work James Gordon led in the forming of groups that worked on community projects.  He was one of the organizers of the Olongapo Civic Action Group that worked on beautification projects and in general improvement of the city.  He was one of the founders of the Olongapo Rotary Club, which has given rise to four other Rotary Clubs at present.  He was also one of the founders of the Olongapo Knights of Columbus- and was selected the second Grand Knight.  He organized the Olongapo Businessmen’s Association which then, as now, played a significant part in community life.

Military Rule.

During Gordon’s time Olongapo was in a strange situation.  The rest of the Philippines had been declared independent of the United States on July 4, 1946.  Olongapo, however, remained under U.S. Government jurisdiction.  It had been declared a U.S. Naval Reservation soon after the U.S. and Spain signed the Treaty of Paris.  As such it was administered by a U.S. Navy officer.  In other words, instead of having a Filipino Mayor, Olongapo had as its governing authority an American military official.  Residents had to follow strict rules like: always having an ID Card issued by the Reservation office; home lots could not be owned, these could be taken back any time the US Navy needed the area; relatives from out of town can stay only for a few days and had to renew their passes if their stay is extended; only families with working members could stay in the Reservation.  These strictly followed rules made the residents angry.  But they became angrier when bus passengers going in and out of the Naval Reservation were made to get off the bus for strict searches of their belongings.

Turnover of Olongapo to Philippine Government.

Jimmy Gordon led the move to make Olongapo free from U.S. rule.  He was well respected by US Navy officials and had many friends among the Americans but he could not stomach the military regulations that limited the movements of people in Olongapo.  Jose Balein of the Manila Chronicle interviewed him and in a series of articles from July 3 to 7,. 1955 he exposed the abuses and harassments suffered by Olongapo residents under US military rule

The Zambales officials supported Gordon in this fight to be free of military restrictions. As Vice Governor of Zambales he was in a position to speak for people living in Zambales town north of Olongapo who worked in US Navy installations. Buses carrying passengers from Zambales towns passed through Olongapo and underwent the annoying searches. The concerted resistance to military rule could not be ignored by the U.S. Navy authorities. Talks were initiated to formalize the turnover of Olongapo to the Philippine Government. The American panel was made up of officials from the US Embassy headed by Minister Abbot and officers from the U.S. Navy. The Philippine panel was headed by Pacifico Castro of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Vice Governor Gordon was a member. The US Government was thus compelled to relinquish Olongapo to the Philippine Government after the RP-US panel met several times to discuss the conditions. Olongapo was turned over to the Philippine Government on December 7, 1959. On the same day President Carlos P. Garcia signed the Executive Order making Olongapo a municipality of Zambales.

Post Turnover Trouble.

After the turnover, the Zambales politicians moved in. they succeeded in placing their own men in sensitive positions in the new municipality because they worked to have officials appointed instead of elected. Gordon had no stomach for the corruption and he resigned from the post of Deputy Governor. He saw how Olongapo was marginalized. The government hospital was reduced in category; its equipment was carted off to Zambales. Illegal logging and cigarette smuggling were rampant. Land problems proliferated. The new officials tried to lease out the electrical utility for only P5,000.00 a month. Heavy equipment like bulldozers which had been acquired from the US Navy could not be accounted for.

Political Turncoatism.

The political disease of turncoatism was very evident. Party hopping politicians were motivated by the advantage that they could get from the party, not by the principles that the party stood for. The first few years of the new municipality saw this in evidence with the change of party of the Zambales Governor and the Congressman. Politics at its devious worst was the order of the day.

Prodded to run for Municipal Mayor during its first election four years after the turnover, James Gordon, though a reluctant candidate, won and was finally at the helm of his town on December 30, 1963.

Relentless fight against corruption.

If Gordon fought American rule for the military excesses, now he fought well entrenched politicians for widespread corruption. He contracted the services of a lawyer using his own money and won the case (albeit posthumously) that he filed to return the electrical system to the Olongapo Government. He exposed the anomalies that bedeviled the new municipal government. Understandably, his crusade earned for him enemies who tried all manner of harassment, including threats of suspension, hand grenade attacks and planned ambushes.

A City is born.

The situation deteriorated to the extent that Gordon, together with Olongapo residents, struggled hard to be free of the provincial government. He lobbied in Congress for the passage of a bill to convert the municipality into a City. Amidst strong opposition from the provincial government but to the triumphant rejoicing of the people of Olongapo, RA 4645, the Charter of the City of Olongapo, was signed by President Ferdinand Marcos on June 1, 1966. In simple but impressive ceremonies Olongapo City was inaugurated on September 1 of the same year.

            New city status failed to damper the avidity of Gordon’s enemies who continued to plan his extermination.

 

A Light is Extinguished.

There were three attempts on his life: On July 4, 1965, he was lured out of his house by a false report on a fire.  On the way back home a grenade was thrown at his car. He survived this first attempt. On August 4 of the same year several prisoners were allowed to escape from the municipal jail of Subic, Zambales.  Again, a fire was made as a ruse to make Gordon appear.  Three grenades were thrown at the crowd, wounding one US Navy officer who was with the team that helped to control the blaze.  Again, James Gordon survived the attempt.  The third try was again linked to a fire.  The Gordon residence in Quezon City mysteriously burned down on All Saints’ Day.  The family later learned that an ambush had been prepared at the Zig-Zag pass although he went through this third attempt unscathed.

On  February 20, 1967, while talking with a constituent on the first floor  of City Hall, he was gunned down by Nonito Alincastre, an scaped inmate of the National Penitentiary.  He was immediately brought to the USS Repose, a US Navy hospital ship, but he could not be saved because of his massive head injuries.

His funeral was the longest Olongapo ever saw.  Senators, Congressmen, Ambassadors, joined the grieving Olongapo public in the funeral cortege.  His death brought inconsolable loss to his grieving family.  Son Richard rued the fact that his father died before he could prove himself equal to the challenge of service that was constantly dinned in his consciousness both by his father’s word as well as by example.  Thence began his promise to himself that he would make something of himself to make his father proud of him.

It was a loss felt nationwide.  Senator Jose W. Diokno’s tribute to him resonates in every Olongapeno’s heart: “He was born to an American father, chose to be a Filipino, raised his children as Filipinos, served his country as a Filipino and died a Filipino hero.”

Jose Rizal: My Ateneo Hero

Our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, is my Ateneo hero because he dared to break the walls built by Spanish colonizers around Filipino minds to conquer us into servitude. His entire life was dedicated to the proposition that Filipinos can overcome our self-imposed apathy and indifference and that, like our early ancestors, we become horizon chasers who know no limit to our dreams and aspirations. 

To project their might and power, the Spanish built the formidable walls of Intramuros and intimidating structures within the colonial city. This physical barrier worked not only to keep the lower-ranked indios away, but to the greater detriment of the Filipino people, subjugated our minds into submission, propagating the myth that we are incapable of unity and the creation of a strong independent nation.

Despite colonial efforts to limit education for Filipinos, Rizal pursued and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ateneo Municipal de Manila in Intramuros. At school, he exhibited natural intelligence, and the Jesuits further honed his intellectual capability to organize, discern and critically think.  So he started to ask questions and see things differently than other people of his time.

Rizal’s passion for education was relentless, and he took up Medicine at the University of Santo Tomas. He went abroad and continued his studies in Universidad Central de Madrid, earning the degree of Licentiate in Medicine. He also attended the University of Paris and later on earned a second doctorate at the University of Heidelburg. He educated himself some more and proved that Filipinos could debate, argue, compete with the best and most importantly, that we could assert ourselves. Rizal became the first of our people to break the walls in his mind; walls, which were built to psychologically bludgeon the Filipinos’ consciousness. He realized that even if we were colonized by foreign nations, we can refuse to be bound by them and can achieve far beyond what we think we can reach, if only we have the vision and the will to achieve it. His values dared with a concept that the Filipino will one day be free especially through the perseverance and determination of young people like him to saw the future and chased after it. 

The road, he knew, would not always be easy.  Initially using the pen name Laong Laan, Rizal later overcame his own fears and put his own name down to Noli Me Tangere and the El Filibusterismo. This was a valiant effort to awaken the Filipinos to boldly fight for their freedom and liberty.  In the face persecution and death, Rizal came home to face and accept his fate, knowing that by his sacrifice, the Filipino would awaken and aspire for a nation that is independent and free.   

I grew up as an Atenean trying to emulate Rizal’s short but meaningful life as an ideal which shows that we must break the walls in our minds, regain confidence in our capabilities, and become courageous about the future as he did.

Like Rizal, I learned to conquer apathy and indifference by initiating change. I grew up in a city and community that was faced with many challenges.  Together with the people of Olongapo, we made fear our friend, and faced these challenges head on. Our efforts as a united people, rising above our own limitations and seeing what we could become, just as Rizal would have hoped, have seen us through the most difficult times of our history.  In the 1980s Olongapo became a model city for peace and order, governance, and public services. After the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo and the withdrawal of the U.S. Navy in 1992, a community of volunteers transformed Subic into a modern Freeport, making it the nation’s showcase for progress and development. Rallying the entire nation to scream Wow Philippines saw our country overcome overwhelming odds in the last decade. And in the Philippine Red Cross, an organization fueled by the energy and dedication of thousands of volunteers, we have able faced the tumultuous disasters of the new millennium.

For me, Rizal unlocked us from the bondage of the mind and soul. In death, he consecrated his blood in Bagumbayan (what today is known as the Rizal Park in Manila) as with Fathers Gomez, Burgos and Zamora and before them Rajah Sulayman. It was not a mere coincidence but a symbol of what he wanted for the Filipinos -- a new Philippines, a Bagumbayan – the new country.  Bagumbayan is not a place. It is an attitude. It is time we become horizon-chasers once again like the Ateneo eagle. We have to change ourselves, reinvent ourselves, and we must not cease from hoping. It is time we break our walls and say, we can do it. We have the power to shape our future and determine the destiny of our country.

Bagumbayan is Rizal’s dream of a new nation, and I continue to aspire to fulfill Rizal’s Bagumbayan, not as a place or a circumstance, but an attitude crying to break free. We need to change from being a transactional country to a transformational people, guided by a common vision – grounded in  steadfast values and responsive to the call of lofty and worthwhile causes through volunteerism so that we can emerge as a nation no longer of victims, but a victorious nation, defined in its identity, united in its goals and passionate in its freedom and pride.

I thank my parents, the real heroes in my life, who did not finish college but through perseverance and hard work, were able to send me to the Ateneo, inculcating the right values and work ethic in my formative years.  My father chose to become Filipino and dared that one day Olongapo would be free from American rule like the rest of the country.  Heroism encompasses not one singular act, but the collective acts of bold decisions that involve much effort and self sacrifice to achieve lofty ideals for mankind.

(My Ateneo Hero, By Richard J. Gordon HS’62, AB’66; "My Ateneo Hero: A collection of 150 Essays"; August 2010)

Christmas with the most vulnerable

 

December 24, 2004: Bringing Christmas cheer to children victims of the Aurora and Quezon province mudslides.

December 24, 2006: Spending Christmas with victims of Typhoon Reming in Albay..

YOUTUBE VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yfj6gbdltP4

December 24, 25, 26, 27 2009: The Holidays spent with victims of Mt. Mayon eruption and fires in Pasay as well as rescuing victims of M/V Baleno sinking in Batangas.

December 22, 2010: Yuletide season turning over homes for Typhoon Ondoy victims in Rizal.

PRC Antipolo shelter beneficiaries deserve their new found homes

"We did not award the shelters to the 355 Typhoon Ondoy affected families out of mere pity. We did it because they deserve it," Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman Richard J. Gordon firmly stated in line with the PRC Antipolo shelters turnover ceremony held at Sitio Sumilang, Barangay San Jose, Antipolo, Rizal yesterday (December 22).

And to further elaborate this thought, he added, "The Philippine Red Cross is never all about spoon-feeding, and this is the reason why we incorporated a sweat equity program in this project."

The sweat equity program is an arrangement between the PRC and the beneficiaries, which requires the latter to participate in the actual construction of their homes. Its purpose is to uplift the dignity of the typhoon-affected population by showing them that they are not passive recipients of what the PRC has to offer, but rather an active partner of the organization in alleviating human suffering and uplifting human dignity.

"At least, through this program, these families could further appreciate the value of their new homes, since they themselves built it with their own hands," Gordon uttered in line with the advantages of this program.

To date, 400 transitional shelters have already been completed in Antipolo; but unfortunately, not all were distributed yesterday since some of the recipients of the said project are still halfway from concluding their responsibilities, as posed by the sweat equity program.

Other than the transitional shelters, on the other hand, the 355 beneficiaries yesterday received additional benefits, such as, kitchen sets and sanitation kits. And by January next year, the PRC will start the livelihood program for them, with Php 7,000.00 starting capital.

The PRC has much more than material things in store. More importantly than tangible things that provide relief, what the PRC aims to offer is an opportunity for the vulnerable to regain their dignity their own way; and be the help they need, not only for the benefit of their own well-being, but also for the benefit of others.


www.redcross.org.ph

Philippine Red Cross turns over 355 transitional shelters in Antipolo

In time for the Yuletide season, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) formally turned over the first 355, out of 1,100, transitional shelters for Typhoon Ondoy affected families in Sitio Sumilang, Barangay San Jose, Antipolo, Rizal on December 22.

And for starters, PRC also provided additional 355 kitchen and sanitation kits to the beneficiaries of the abovementioned shelters, in order to warmly welcome all of them in their new homes.

No less than PRC Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon led the turnover with PRC Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang, Rizal Chapter Chairman Alfred Burgos, International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Head of Delegation Selvaratnam Sinnadura and was also graced by the attendance of Rizal Province Governor Casimiro Ynares, III and other renowned guests.

Christmas is one of the most celebrated occasions in the Philippines; and hopefully, this activity will further give some of the Typhoon Ondoy affected families more reason to rejoice," Gordon cheerfully uttered.

He added, "We truly understand that most, if not all, of them tremendously suffered from late last year's super typhoon's attack; but despite the said desolation, we are looking forward that this event could help them rebuild their lives."

In totality, PRC targets to put up 3,476 transitional shelters for the vulnerable families who have been devastated by last year's successive super typhoons, Ondoy and Pepeng. As of December 20, a sum of 1,744 have already been constructed within the areas of Benguet, La Union, Laguna, Kalinga, Pangasinan, and Rizal; not to mention the 5,418 shelter repair kits that have been distributed nationwide to some of the families who were left with partially damaged houses after the said super typhoons.

"Currently, we are at the rehabilitation stage of our Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng operation," Pang elaborated, in line with the still ongoing transitional shelter project.

She also added, "Other than transitional shelters, we are also working on the provision of livelihood programs for those typhoon-affected families who wish to start income generating activities."

According to recent records, around 986 families have already benefited from PRC's livelihood program. Each of them has received Php 7,000.00, which could serve as a starting capital for their prospected businesses.

Meanwhile, it has been recorded that, all in all, the PRC was able to provide more than 15,000 homes all over the country—particularly in the provinces of Southern Leyte, Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Marinduque, Mindoro Oriental, Quezon, Aurora, Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Quirino, Sorsogon, Lanao del Norte, Iloilo, and Aklan—for families affected by major disasters ever since year 2005.


www.redcross.org.ph
Photos courtesy of Edgardo Vasquez

Christmas Safety Tips from Red Cross

The Christmas season is a time for countless parties, family reunions and exchanges of presents. However, this is also a time when several incidents of fire due to faulty Christmas lights and crimes such as robbery holdup occur.

"It is said that the Philippines has the longest Christmas celebration in the world. It starts from the onset of 'ber' months until the Epiphany in January. That means, our heightened alertness for any untoward incident during the Christmas season lasts for about five months," said Philippine Red Cross Chairman Richard Gordon.

Stay safe while keeping the festive mood alive during the Yuletide season by following these reminders:

 At Home
1. Examine your Christmas decors like Christmas lights and lanterns. Make sure that these were inspected by the Department of Trade and Industry.
2. Put up your Christmas tree and decorations away from curtains and other combustible materials.
3. Avoid leaving Christmas lights turned on overnight to avoid fire or overheating.
4. Avoid octopus lines to minimize overloading of electrical system.
5. Never place appliance cords or extension cords under a carpet.
6. Do not leave infants or children alone in places where they are in danger of falling or near electrical outlets or gadgets and candles.
7. Always position appliances (TV, computer, sound system, heating appliances, etc.) in a spacious area to prevent overheating.
8. Repair faulty functioning appliances.
9. Use appliances at a specified voltage only.
10. Unplug appliances by grasping the plug, not by yanking the cord, when not in use and when leaving the house.

To Avoid Incidents of Holdup/Snatching1. Avoid wearing jewelries, talking over the phone and texting in a crowded area.
2. When waiting for a public utility vehicle, do not stay in a dark area.
3. It is best to call for a company taxi in case you will go home at midnight or early in the morning. Lock all doors once inside to prevent "bukas kotse gang" from declaring hold up. Do not sleep inside the taxi. Make sure to get the plate number of the taxi and give it to a friend in case something happens.

www.redcross.org.ph

PRC turns over PHC Infra Projects in Quirino

Philippine Red Cross (PRC) formally turns over infrastructure projects to barangay beneficiaries of Primary Health Care (PHC) Program in Quirino last December 8.

PRC Chairman Richard Gordon, PRC Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang, PRC Quirino Chapter Board of Directors and Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS) representatives graced the symbolic turnover ceremony.

Prior to the turnover program, PRC officials conducted site visits in Barangay Ramos and Barangay Cabugao in Aglipay, Quirino where latrines and a barangay health station were constructed and hand pumps were given, respectively.

The PHC Project is an initiative of PRC which seeks to improve the health and living conditions of the vulnerable people in priority upland barangays of the municipalities of Nagtipunan and Aglipay in Quirino.

The key components of the project include community health education and mobilization of trained community health volunteers; water sanitation, hygiene and health promotion; construction and rehabilitation of barangay health stations and rural health units; and strengthening of community health planning and organizational support.

Started in 2005 in Nagtipunan, the PHC Project is funded by JRCS and implemented by PRC Quirino Chapter, in partnership with the local government of Quirino.

www.redcross.org.ph

Red Cross all set for Undas 2010

To give immediate assistance in case of any emergency, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is prepared to mobilize its staff and volunteers for the national observance of All Saint’s Day and All Soul’s Day on November 1, 2010 and November 2, 2010, respectively.

Red Cross chapters nationwide will put up first aid stations with ambulances to be manned by their staff and volunteers to ensure safety of the general public.

"PRC volunteers and emergency response teams will be deployed to major thoroughfares such as North and South Luzon expressways, cemeteries and memorial parks to give emergency care and assistance to people who will suffer from heat stroke, wounds, hypertension and other illnesses. This is our commitment every year," said PRC Chairman Richard Gordon.

All Saints' Day is a feast celebrated on November 1 in honor of all the saints, known and unknown. The feast also commemorates all those who have attained the beatific vision in heaven, while the next day, All Souls' Day, commemorates the departed faithful who have not yet been purified and reached heaven.

(www.redcross.org.ph)

Red Cross launches international appeal after Typhoon Megi batters Philippines

As details of the devastation caused by typhoon Megi continue to emerge, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is launching an international appeal seeking 4.2 million Swiss francs (USD 4.3 million/EUR 3.1 million). The funds will support ongoing relief and recovery efforts carried out by the Philippine Red Cross which has been assisting affected communities since the typhoon struck the northern part of the country last Monday, claiming 31 lives and causing severe damage across four regions.

It is estimated that 427,300 families (2 million people) have been affected by the typhoon, with 8,000 people sheltered in 22 evacuation centers. National and local emergency and rescue teams from the Red Cross have been active on the ground. A rapid survey of the damage revealed an urgent need for shelter materials, since 31,000 houses have been destroyed and 118,000 are estimated to be partially damaged.

"Survivors continue to trickle out of evacuation centers, not because they have homes to return to, but to salvage whatever they can. They need every support to rebuild their lives and to live in dignity," says Richard Gordon, Philippine Red Cross Chairman.

The Philippine Red Cross has provided – and continues to provide – food and non-food items to the most vulnerable families in the hardest hit provinces. The national headquarters dispatched additional relief supplies to enable its chapters to serve people displaced by the typhoon in the worst-affected provinces of Cagayan, Kalinga, Isabela, La Union and Pangasinan provinces. Also dispatched were tarpaulins to meet the immediate needs of 7,000 people in Isabela. As of 25 October, Red Cross chapters had served around 16,000 people with relief supplies such as food, water storage containers and sleeping items.

The IFRC appeal will help the Philippine Red Cross to provide relief and early recovery support to 60,000 people across the five worst-hit provinces over the next 12 months. The operation will focus on distributions of food and non-food items and shelter repair kits as well as providing essential water storage and hygiene items together with hygiene promotion.

The Philippines is hit by an average of 20 typhoons every year, roughly a third of which are destructive. In this region, experts have predicted an increase in frequency and intensity of extreme weather and climatic events due to the effects of climate change. In late September 2009, Typhoon Ketsana lashed parts of Luzon, bringing unprecedented rains. Ketsana was shortly followed by Typhoon Parma. The combined effects of the two typhoons resulted in widespread flooding which left a trail of destruction and killed 1,000 people. (Necephor Mghendi, IFRC)

Volunteers' selfless service for Typhoon Juan victims

While looking for a job, newly registered nurse Julius Lansang volunteers for Philippine Red Cross in the meantime.

Richard Satuito (center) helps pack items for relief distribution to Typhoon Juan-affected people as part of his volunteer work for Philippine Red Cross to fulfill his community service requirement in school.

Pia Faustino celebrates her birthday by helping Philippine Red Cross pack relief goods for the families affected by Typhoon Juan.