Ondoy

I underestimated Typhoon Ondoy. The news said it was to going to be Signal #1. Perfect weather for coffee and a thick book. Wrong. I overslept last Saturday morning and woke up lunch time, with rain drizzling on my face (rain was already coming in through the windows), confused. It felt like 4am. Outside the house, the flood was already knee-high and was starting to reach our garage. Our street never gets flooded, until Typhoon Ondoy.

We lost electricity a few hours later, and our only source of news was a battery-operated radio. Flood water was already inside the house. It was devastating to hear soooo many people stranded on rooftops with no food and water, waiting for rescue that came almost 24hours later. As usual, we had shortage of everything. Not enough rubber boats, not enough evacuation centers, not enough people to help in the rescue operations, not enough everything. (But apparently, GMA had enough money for the Le Cirque buffet. Imagine if that money was used for Pinas' emergency funds instead. Oh well, we can only imagine na lang.) And I can only cry and pray while accounting for all my friends who might have been affected by the typhoon's havoc. Thank God, they were all spared. Some were bruised, hungry for a long time, all their material possessions gone, but still alive and spared.

Now, several hours after the height of Ondoy's devastation, evacuees are still in need of ready-to-eat food, water, and clothers. And I intend to help in whatever way I can. And inspite of all the destruction around me, I am still grateful that my family and friends were spared, our house and car and everything in it were spared, and a lot of people are donating and volunteering to help. The government hasn't really done much (as well as most of the presidentiables and those running for office this coming elections. Where are they?!), but you and I are perfectly capable to help to the best of our abilities. Click HERE to learn how.


On a lighter note, this is our dog who took a bath yesterday since he went swimming... in flood water the night before :|

P.S. As of writing >> The NDCC also said that 5,146 people have been rescued in areas hit by the storm that has affected 337,216 persons.

FACT: Hurricane Katrina rainfall = 380mm in Louisiana. Typhoon Ondoy rainfall = 410mm in Manila, Philippines.

MIBF 2009

Hola! Long time no write (thanks to Grey's Anatomy marathons and Gone With the Wind book breaks)! :P

As you may have noticed, my writing is usually provoked by strong emotional encounters. So, I guess spending a day in Heaven requires a new post in my very quiet blog :D

Today is the 2nd to the last day of this year's Manila International Book Fair held at SMX Convention Center. And to all bibliophiles like me, this simply means... Heaven :D Rows and rows of books, book accessories, food, coffee, and books... all on SALE. The minute Ate Nette (a fellow book lover, coffee lover, froyo lover, conversations lover, God lover, oh we so love so many same things it scares me sometimes. Anyway :P) and I stepped inside SMX, we didn't know where to start. We were like kids set loose in a toy store.

After hours of shopping for great bargains (and the mandatory coffee break with yummy churros), we literally didn't have any money left that I had to use my credit card for my last purchase (EPS wasn't working grr and Ate Nette didn't have money left either). Our feet were on auto-pilot mode already and our arms got more muscle now than it did yesterday from carrying all the books we bought. But, at the end of the day, we were still sooo happy with all our new toys that the shoulder pains and tired feet were negligible :D

Here are the goodies I got:
Saving The World by Julia Alvarez
Original Price: Php670
Sale Price: Php250
Bought from: A Different Bookstore


The Secrets of a Fire King by Kim Edwards
Original Price: Php620
Sale Price: Php250
Bought from: A Different Bookstore


White Tiger by Aravind Adiga
Original Price: Php299
Sale Price: Php240
Bought from: National Bookstore


The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel
Original Price: Php300
Sale Price: Php240
Bought from: OMF Literature


The Seven Rules of Success by Wayne Cordeiro
Original Price: Php195
Sale Price: Php156
Bought from: OMF Literature


Your Passport to Heaven by Randy Alcorn
Original Price: Php20
Sale Price: Php16
Bought from: OMF Literature


And the best find of the day is:

a Personalized Handcrafted PURE LEATHER Book Jacket!!!!

Now, I don't have to worry about ruining the edges of my books when stashing them in my bag :D And the smell... Leather smells sooo good!!! HAHA :D Reading has never been this so Elle-Woods-classy :D

Original Price (in bookstores): Php750+ (and you can't have it personalized)
Exhibit Price: Php570 + Php40 for my name stamped on the front flap (Php5/letter)

Things to remember when I visit MIBF next year:
1. Go on the first day. Be first to get all the good finds. Only National Bookstore restocks.
2. If I can't go on the first day, go in the morning. Lines are longer in the afternoon.
3. Bring a reusable bag (or a small trolley) to put all my goodies in. It makes shopping easier.
4. Check out A Different Bookstore first. All the good rare books are there with big discounts. Books are sold for as low as Php120.
5. Bring cash. There were no ATMs inside SMX and most of the exhibitors don't have EPS or don't accept credit cards.
6. Go with a fellow bibliophile. Other friends might not appreciate the fact that you'll spend at least 4-5 hours shopping for books.

Can't wait for next year!!! :D