Need Help for Sendong Victims

When I saw this picture, it broke my heart. It reminded me of my husband as he carried the lifeless body of our son a few months back. I know our family's Christmas will be very different this year. I'm also sure a lot of families in Mindanao are in much worse situations. Along with prayers, I appeal to your kind hearts to help our brothers and sisters. Here are some of the organizations that you can contact:

Personally, I got in touch with One Meralco Foundation since this is easily accessible to me. For inquiries, contact 632-8301.

As for the rest, I just lifted from this site:

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/19904/ways-to-help-sendong-flood-victims

1. TV5 Kapatid Foundation

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.

2. Red Cross: to help, send RED to 4143 (Smart) and RED to 2899 (Globe).
* Smart subscribers may send financial help to the Philippine Red Cross through text. To donate, cellphone users should send RED to 4143. Valid donation amounts are 10, 25, 50 and 100 and will be charged to the subscriber’s prepaid load or postpaid bill.
* Globe subscribers may send help to Red Cross. Just text RED and send to 2899. Valid donation amounts are 10, 25, 50, 100 (For ex, RED 10).

3. SMART Subscribers
* 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.”

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

5. 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.

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

7. Xavier University, Tabang Sendong
* 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. Panday Bulig Relief and Rehabilitation Center
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)

12. 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)

13. 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.

3 months in heaven

Three months ago, around this time, you have gone to heaven. We are still in the PICU waiting for Lola, Mamita, and the others to arrive. Tatay and I took turns carrying your body. It was heavy and cold. Your skin on the torso is purplish while your extremites are yellow. They removed the tubes and cleaned you up. They wrapped you in white plastic as we wait for the funeral parlor to pick up your remains.

A lot of people were there to see you. Ninang Ollie and Ninong Patrick, Tito Chris, Tito Manny, Auntie Yvette and Uncle Chito, Tita Grace and Ate Marie, Tita Salie are some of the people who saw you in the PICU. Others waited with Nanay and Tatay at the admitting area: Ninang Claire and Ninong Mike, Tita Janice, Tito Mannix and Tita Gio, Tito Danny and Tita Cecil, Uncle Nilo were there too. We received calls from Lola Lety, Auntie Nina and Lola Doris too.

Ninang Ollie and Lola got clothes for you to wear during the wake. They also picked up Ahiya from school. Ahiya still did not know what happened then.

Tatay and I went with you to Loyola in an ambulance while Ninang Ollie and Lola followed in the car. After which we went home and rested. We went back to Loyola with Ahiya to pick you up. Tatay even combed your hair. (a lot of people commented on your get up and hair) We followed the ambulance to Christ the King.

In CTK, Ahiya saw you for the first time. At first he did not want to look at you in the "special bed". After some time, he did and held back his tears. He just cried in front of Ate Michelle. Ahiya did not cry again after that. He only have good memories of you. He always reminds us of your tricks and your favorite things.

One of the things that help me remember you is this letter written by Teacher Kathy, your physical therapist. You have been together for over two years. Teacher helped you reach your developmental milestones. She is currently in Belgium for further studies.

Everytime I read this it makes me smile and sad at the same time. It is always good to remember the good and happy times. We love you Luc and we miss you so much.

Actively Waiting...

It is the season of Advent. We are all preparing for Christmas but this year, we are more active in our preparations. Here is the wreath we made as we prepare ourselves for the coming of our Savior.

We are currently looking for a short prayer or ceremony for Advent that a 4 year old can endure. We want the ceremony to be meaningful yet still fun for the kids. We don't want them dreading prayer time because it is too long :P If you have something, please share :) Thanks in advance.

Of course our Lucas should also take part in the preparations. We made him his wreath as well.

Lucas is the perfect example of someone who is actively waiting. I remember, whenever I go home, he is by the window waiting for the car to pull up. He calls / shouts to announce our arrival. As I open the door, he would be the first to greet me by kissing my hand ("mano" in filipino), hugging and kissing me. Aw, after a day's work, it's the best recipe to melt all your tiredness away!

Thank you, Luc. Loves and misses you so much!

Oh, Rafa had show and tell in school today. They culminated their discussion on community helpers. Here is his DIY police costume with an attitude :)

Rafa' Prayer for Our Youngest Member

As part of our evening prayers, we pray for our special intentions. We pray for our loved ones, those who are sick etc. Recently. we also pray for the baby inside my tummy. Our big brother Rafa prayed this last night: that the bones are not broken and the heart is not broken. AWW... it melted our hearts to hear that from him. How can God not grant that prayer? Haha Thank you Ahiya (big brother in Fookien) for that wonderful prayer intention for our baby boy! Your brothers are so blessed to have you as their Ahiya.

Oyayi ni Jose at Maria

Oyayi ni Jose at Maria (Lullaby of Joseph and Mary) is an original composition of Mimmon Vicente of 29AD. 29AD is the music ministry of Couples for Christ Central A3 cluster. After our son, Lucas, died, the composer dedicated this song to him. My husband made this AVP for the song. Hope you enjoy it.

A Blessed Christmas to all.

We love you, Lucas! Christmas would be very different this year without you.

Gingersnaps Warehouse Sale 2011

I have been going to their warehouse sale for years. Mostly to look for gift items but I realized the items there are not really for gift-giving but for personal or family-use only. They are authentic Gingersnaps clothing but they are dirty and some damaged. So it will not be presentable as gifts but if you wash them and put in new buttons for the missing ones, it is definitely worth the time to rummage through the piles.

I will be going there for some trousers for my boy hehe He has grown and he always wear shorts :P I want him to wear pants because I think he looks handsome in them (haha mothers!) and it serves as protection from scrapes and deadly mosquito bites. Oh, how we hate mosquitoes!!!

Hope you get the chance to visit the sale. It runs from November 14 - December 29. 8am - 4pm except on holidays and sundays

Warehouse 19, Armal Compound 2, M. Eusebio Ave. Pasig City

Tel 9161553 / 9161542

Happy shopping and Merry Christmas!

 

and then there are three...

Last Saturday, we went to have our congenital anomaly scan for the first time. Yes, after  three pregnancies, this is our first congenital anomaly scan. Let me tell you why we did not have it done in with our previous babies. First, according to our OB-GYN, it is optional. Second, it is not covered by my benefit. Thirdly, if we found out something is wrong, I might have to carry my baby to term worried and sad. But after we had Lucas, our second child with down syndrome, and when we found out we are pregnant again, we decided to have the congenital anomaly scan. First, since we want to be prepared if in case there is an anomaly. Second, if there is, we won't be too disheartened since it won't be the first time and we know it is really not that bad as others might think :)

The scan was performed by Dr. Pilar T. Lagman-Dy. I have to say she is an expert! The moment the probe touched my tummy, she immediately knew the gender. My hubby was not even ready with his camera haha She worked fast. Most CAS take around 30-45 minutes but she finished in less than 20 minutes! It does not mean she was haphazard. She is just so precise that she knew what to measure.

Anyway, here are the results

Fetal Biometry
BPD 64.60 cms 26 1/7 weeks
HC 22.50 cms 24 4/7 weeks
AC 19.60 cms 24 2/7 weeks
FL 4.30 cms 24 2/7 weeks

No. of Fetus 1
Sex Male
Presentation FRANK BREECH
Fetal Heart Rate 153 BPM
Amniotic Fluid Volume Adequate
Placenta Posterior, Grade 2, No Previa

Mean Ultrasonic Age (UA) 24 6/7 weeks
Estimated Fetal Weight (EFW) 690.00 grams
Expected Date of Delivery (EDD) 2/12/2012

Others
No obvious gross anomaly seen in this scan; Normal head; no hydrocephalus; normal face; no cleft lip/palate; no nuchal thickening; intact spine; 4-chamber heart; intact diaphragm; intact cord insertion; (+) stomach bubble; normal liver; normal kidneys; (+) bladder; 4 extremities; 3-vessel cord.

Diagnosis
Pregnancy uterine, 24 6/7 weeks gestation by fetal biometry
Breech Presentation, Live, Singleton
Male Fetus, 690 grams (1lb 8 oz) Estimated weight
Good cardiac activity, FHB=153 BPM
Posterior Placenta, Grade 2, No Previa
Adequate amniotic fluid volume
No obvious gross fetal anomaly seen in this scan
EDD=February 12, 2012

We praise and thank our God for this great blessing!

FACE

NASAL BONE

BRAIN

SPINE

HANDS

LEGS

2001 Richwell Warehouse Sale - new venue

Just heard from Richwell that they are having the warehouse sale again and I scoured the net looking for details and here is what I found.

Thanks to http://www.contagiouslifestyle.com/ for the info :)

Please note that the location is different. This saddens me a bit since I am much nearer Calle Industria. Oh well, a new place to conquer. Hope we get great finds for our little ones :) Enjoy shopping and Happy Christmas!!!

2011 LJS Annual Bodega Sale

For expecting parents and those with little ones...

Hope I can still go to this one.

Luc's 40th Day

until we meet again... we love you lukie!