Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) devastates Philippines

My parents' home country, the Philippines, was hit by a devastating typhoon this past weekend. Typhoon Ketsana (in the Philippines it is referred to as "Ondoy") hit the country's main island of Luzon on Sept. 26. The storm is said to have affected over 300,00 people leaving many homeless and without food. The storms' winds are said to have been 85 kilometers per hour with gusts of up to 100 kph.

According to an article posted on Bloomberg.com by Francisco Alcuaz Jr. and Clarissa Batino about three hours ago, "At least 95 people have died, many of them from drowning, according to government reports. The dead include two soldiers and three militiamen who were killed during rescue operations, and Red Cross Secretary General Gwen Pang said in a phone interview that more people may die waiting for relief."

My family and I have been glued to my television watching The Filipino Channel (which I get through Direct TV) that has been showing news coverage of the situation nonstop. We are thankful that our family members living in the Philippines are safe, but our hearts our breaking for those who are not as fortunate. Many have lost their homes; their mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, children; and their lives.

News coverage in the Philippines is not as censored as it is here in America. Video clips of dead bodies have been shown and makes it almost unbearable to watch, but I want and need to stay informed.

Even though I'm feeling sadness right now, I am also very angry. I read an article last night with the headline "GMA [Gloria Macapgal Arroyo, current Philippine president] used P800-million emergency fund for foreign trips". It is no secret that the Philippine government is made up of mostly corrupt individuals led by a woman who lacks morals.

When President Arroyo was in Washington, D.C. and New York this past summer, it was reported in The New York Times that she and other Philippine government officials wined and dined at expensive restaurants. The tab for one single dinner was $20,000 which is nearly P20 million. Arroyo does not seem to understand that she is suppose to uplift the Philippine citizens and help to better the lives. Instead, she is spending millions of pesos that is so desperately needed right now for rescue efforts in Luzon.

Survivors seethe with anger - Philippine Daily Inquirer

Calls for help flood cyberspace as "Ondoy" pummeled Luzon - GMAnews.tv

Dozens dead as flooding engulfs Manila - CNN.com

Up to the minute news articles about the current situation in the Philippines can be found on Inquirer.net