Ketsana (Ondoy, our local name) raged over the cities of the Philippines, resulting to a great flood, covering the city in 80% water. Ketsana produced a month's worth of rain in just several hours. Now that the rains have stopped, the flood fled on to the drainage. But in some places, the flood stood still. Muddy flood. It was estimated that all water would be gone in a month's time; and some are complaining that the water already smells 'fishy'.

The flood reached over the third floors of the hospital, some people fled to their rooftops in fear of being drowned, and cars were floating, crashing within each other, and some people were carried away with the flood, going nowhere or to their poor deaths. It grieved me.

Now that everything has calmed down and a new storm two days away, foundations started popping everywhere, packing relief goods such as canned goods, rice, water, clothes, etc.

Since we always have some clothes to give away, and we sorted it out. Gave it to a foundation Sagip Kapamilya. But turns out they already had too many volunteers, and so we shooed ourselves away and went to another helping site. Then we were in Cubao, a politician's foundation needed more volunteers. We worked for 10 hours repacking goods and noodles and rice, carrying the finished bags to the truck (which required a lot of arm muscle) and running errands for the staff.

Then came afternoon and more volunteers came, and the staff said that those who has been working since morning had to exit to let the others have the chance to help.

It was fun. I'd do it again and again if it weren't for my poor aching arms. Charity brings out the best in you, as my sister said one night. It shows who you really are as a person, what your personality really is. And it would really show how big your muscles can be. Wee!

Many people have died, many still grieve, many are afraid to get out of evacuation centers to start a new life. They're traumatized. I am very fortunate to have not been touched by the storm or my relatives; the only damage I felt was, taking a bath with a big hole on the ceiling. The storm ripped the ceiling out of the bathroom; another lucky thing is, it didn't expose the skies. We wouldn't be peeked at whatsoever.

My conclusion, we should do regular community work; if the best was brought in everyone, that's another step to achieving a part of world peace.