Ajay's Writings on the Wall » typhoon Ondoy

Typhoons Ondoy & Pepeng show the importance of buying insurance, especially for Acts of God

ajay — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:32:14 +0000

Correct me if am wrong, but paying either life or non-life insurance isn’t a concept most, if not some, Filipinos take to. Perhaps, it’s our sense of fatalism, or feeling invincible, or simply not having the budget to pay extra when it’s more urgently needed for school fees and other necessities.

Some only take on insurance because purchase of their house or their car is funded by the company they work for. I had this belief myself, until approaching old age led me to think about the future of my children and other ponderable “what if’s…….” A little savings, even a few million pesos, certainly isn’t enough to assure my school-age children of support in the event of my death. More so now that pre-need companies have shown their inefficiency and have gone bankrupt.

Now it has taken the destruction wrought by Typhoons Ondoy & Pepeng in the Philippines for most people to rethink their stand on buying insurance to protect their life’s most precious assets. How many were actually caught red-handed when calamity struck because they didn’t read the fine print clearly enough? Most people only procured fire insurance for their houses, and not against floods. Those with cars got comprehensive insurance, but didn’t care enough to include the all-important “Acts of God” provision. The “Acts of God” clause protects your assets against accidents, disasters and other occurrences which are not man-made such as earthquakes, floods, and tsunamis. In short, calamities which are caused by nature.

I do believe that Filipinos should get insurance for their life’s investments, for as long as we are financially capable. No, it really should be made compulsory. Ignoring good judgment doesn’t make sense when we are visited by destructive typhoons every year. Ditto with those who live in earthquake fault lines and overlooking areas with active volcanoes.As we all know by now, places who pride in calling themselves Riverside, Riverfront, Riverview, Lakeshore, Bayhomes and other fancy names are at strong risk too, because of the ever-present possibility of floods and water inundation.

Insurance used to be the last resort of the seguristas. But for the pragmatic, it represents foresight in preparing for some of life’s inevitable events.

Typhoon Ondoy: the long road to rehabilitation

ajay — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:27:09 +0000

Visiting areas hardly hit by Typhoon Ondoy was a moving and eyeopening experience. Somehow, it’s always shattering when you come face-to-face with the effects of destruction and see it mirrored in the eyes of those who have been affected. The last time I felt this same air of despondency was going up to Baguio after the July 1990 earthquake and seeing buildings crumpled like an accordion. In Baguio as in Marikina as in Cainta, there’s the overwhelming sense of desperation brought about by the thought of starting over again and recovering immense losses. Most serious since the loss involves money and investments people built over a lifetime.

And for the penniless, there’s the challenge of appeasing immediate needs like hunger and a getting a roof over one’s head. You’d certainly feel powerless by the sheer number of those needing help, while the pessimist in you questions how far three cans of sardines, five packs of noodles and two bottles of mineral water will go.

I was touched by the sight of a scavenger happy to find a soiled teddy bear from among the ruins. It might have been dirty as hell but he was probably thinking of how happy his deprived little daughter would be to receive it.Even the most destructive of floods bring blessings : a time for the poor to be noticed and a time to realize that the wrath of God spares no one.

Let us say a prayer today for the wondrous beauty of another day. There’s such a thing as simply enjoying a warm blanket, especially when you think about how other people make do with a cold, hard pavement.

Orphaned Winnie the Pooh by the Marikina Riverbanks.

Bank documents drying out by the roadside. This was a common sight in commercial areas.

Shop helpers try to wipe out mud and other stuff from merchandise at the Ever Gotesco Mall in Ortigas Avenue Extension.

Life without a washing machine, refrigerator and other appliances is just damn hard….don’t you agree? I can just imagine how repair shops and scrap establishments are making a killing these days.

Classroom in disarray in Marikina.

A pitiful sight in Provident Village, Marikina – a middle class subdivision which was one of those hard-hit by typhoon.

This young mother lined up at the evacuation center is either recalling the terror of the day or pondering the not-so-bright future.

Stark images of Typhoon Ondoy, the morning after….

ajay — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 13:40:32 +0000

The following pictures are reprinted with permission from Ateneo de Manila graduate student Savann Ouerm who snapped these pictures at 6.am. in Marikina City today (September 27) – a day after Storm Ondoy ravaged Metro Manila. Apart from all the videos and pics that have been uploaded on social networking sites, these images truly moved me. Me and my family managed to stay dry throughout this whole event, but I can never imagine the hardship that everyone in flooded areas had to go through, with the waters threatening to go up their roofs, or even those left to struggle on the roads… and the many who went hungry, thirsty, sleepless, and hanging on to dear life.

In the meantime, there’s a massive drive to help families and victims who continue to suffer from the effects of the typhoon. Please show your support by volunteering, getting in touch with your favorite charity ( contact numbers are at the end of this post) or donating to Barrio Siete’s Bayanihan Fund Drive. God bless the Philippines!

These people were certainly glad to be on higher ground!

Where to donate to victims of Storm Ondoy:

Philippine National Red Cross – visit www.redcross.org.ph. Updates at http://twitter.com/philredcross

Relief supplies accepted in all branches of 7-11 in cooperation with NDCC and DSWD . Examples of needed supplies: canned goods, mats, mosquito nets and water jugs

Donations in cash and in kind are accepted in the following SMART Wireless Centers: SM Fairview, SM North EDSA, Gateway Mall Cubao, AliMall Cubao, SM Megamall, SM Muntinlupa, SM Bicutan, SM Sucat, Festival Mall Alabang, Alabang Town Center and SM Southmall.

Caritas Manila Office in Jesus St. Pandacan now accepting donations. Good can also be brought to Radio Veritas at Veritas Tower West Ave cor EDSA (tel no. 9257931-40).

World Vision Development Foundation in need of volunteers for repacking & distribution of relief goods. Please call Pam Millora 0917862320. Accepting donations at BPI Savings Account # 4251002415 or BDO #270043411. One family pack is worth P2,000.We need 12 noodles, 5 liter bottles of mineral water, 1 pack biscuits or crackers, 6 cans corned beef, 1 pack 500g brown suger, 2 cans pork & beans. This is the package per family.
Accepting donations 24 hours at the Worldvision ofc in Quezon Ave or at the lobby of One Orchard Road Bldg., Eastwood until Tuesday midnight.

Relief goods accepted in Jollibee branches.