Please help victims of typhoon Ondoy in the Philippines

(from Facebook sources)

Typhoon Ondoy has caused great devastation in the Philippines. If you can, please help through the following:

RELIEF/SHELTER/DONATIONS:
Red Cross donation through SMS: text REDAMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4483 (Smart) or contact your local Red Cross Chapters on how to Donate.

FRIENDS IN THE US AND CANADA WHO WISH TO HELP IN THE RESCUE/RELIEF OPERATIONS,YOU MAY DONATE THROUGH THE AMERICAN RED CROSS. CALL 1-800-435-7669. DONATE THRU THE RED CROSS RESCUE AND RELIEF OPERATIONS OR pinoys abroad they can DONATE THROUGH TXTPOWER'S PAYPAL!

You may also deposit your donations directly to ABS-CBN Foundation's Banco de Oro account: *Branch Name: BDO Mother Ignacia Account Name: ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. Account #: 5630060113 Relief Goods can be sent to Caritas Manila Office at Jesus St., Pandacan Manila near Nagtahan Bridge (tel.no. 5639298/5639308).

Relief goods can also be brought Radio Veritas at Veritas Tower West Ave. Corner EDSA (tel no. 9257931-40). Aquino volunteers: contact Jiggy Cruz who is organizing relief goods collection and distribution. Or call Ms. Clare Amador at mobile no 09285205508 or Jana Vicente at 09285205499 for more details regarding Noy/Mar relief efforts. Roxas volunteers: donations for flood relief can be brought to Balay, Expo Centro, Edsa cor. Gen, MacArthur, Araneta Center, Cubao.

Victory Fort is opening its doors to those affected by the typhoon. Call 813-FORT Charo Limaco has posted a list of specific items needed and where to donate them: Water, blankets, shoes, and clothes etc.. are being accepted at the Hillsborough Village chapel for families whose houses were washed out in the nearby sitios. – Donations of any kind for Payatas communities affected by Ondoy accepted at ARANAZ stores in Rockwell & Greenbelt. –

TeamManila stores in Trinoma, Mall of Asia, Jupiter Bel-Air and Rockwell shall be accepting relief goods (Canned Goods, Ready-to-drink Milk, Bottled Water and Clothes) for distribution by Veritas to displaced countrymen due to Typhoon Ondoy. –

Caritas Manila Office and Radio Veritas (see above) appealing for the following goods: Canned food, rice, used clothes especially for children, milk.


Here is a comprehensive list of coordinated efforts for consolidating and distributing assistance to the needy on Sour Politics.

Peanut butter and Jelly Muffins

I was on the lookout for other muffin ideas and this sounded rather yummy and interesting. Peanut butter and jelly! A winning combination as sandwich spread, must be great in muffins too! So I tried this recipe courtesy of My Mum's Muffins. It was goooood. Peanut butter flavor with jam filling inside!

Bluefin Tuna an endangered species

The next time you plan to order your tuna sushi or sashimi, think again: the bluefin tuna is an endangered species. While the World Wildlife Fund has identified the Mediterranean bluefin tuna as an endangered species, its other cousins such as the North Atlantic bluefin tuna, the Pacific bluefin tuna and the southern bluefin tuna have also seen alarming population decline. The fish is being caught mainly due to the huge demand for the delectable Japanese dishes sushi and sashimi.

The alarm was raised since 2006 of the rapid decline of bluefin tuna population but had been largely met with inaction. What we need now is awareness that this fish is in danger of extinction and WWF has recommended temporary ban on its fishing. Not controlled fishing, not fish farming, but a ban on the trade of Atlantic bluefin tuna.

While we are undeniably at the other side of the world, technological developments in the systematic fishing, freezing and transportation of goods worldwide has made distance a small hurdle. So we have to make sure that we do not consume Atlantic bluefin tuna by checking the source (by asking the manager of the restaurant where their tuna comes from, or checking the label of canned goods). If in doubt, don't purchase/order; the Pacific bluefin tuna is also being overfished so why not steer clear of tuna altogether? Let's do our part and be vigilant of bluefin tuna products: fresh, canned or cooked.

Related links:
World Wildlife Fund (and photo credit)
Greenpeace calls on governments to support a ban on Bluefin Tuna Trade

(cross-posted at watson)

Street barbecue

Wherever you go in the Philippines, there is bound to be readily-accessible food just around the corner. One street food I like having is barbecue. When I was a kid, the only time we'd have hotdogs roasting merrily away over hot charcoals is during Christmas and New Year, and so just having a hotdog on a stick can spurn happy memories. Having one by the roadside is like an instant party!


I still remember when I had this pork barbeque (pictured above). We were in Dolores, Quezon at that time (my wife's hometown). We were simply strolling by when we saw the grill and barbecue waiting for us near the gate of a neighbor. While we waited for our orders to be done, my wife chatted with the proprietor. It's one of those towns where you practically know everybody. A charm that my hometown, Baguio City, has unfortunately lost already.

Now where was I? Ah yes, the barbecue. Usually the sauce can be found nearby, with a choice of sweet, sour, or spicy. We chose sour for that round as we dipped our scrumptious snack on some vinegar with a bit of pepper. My mouth is watering from just remembering that day!

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