No more blackouts please!

"MANILA, Philippines - As the country struggles to rise from the devastation of storms “Ondoy” and “Pepeng,” Metro Manila and Rizal province are facing long power outages after a fire forced the shutdown of a power transformer in Taytay last Wednesday.

The rotating blackouts that the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) had hoped to end today are expected to drag on after three of its substations tripped “due to critical loading and in its attempt to shift load” to compensate for the shutdown of the Dolores substation of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP).

Meralco said the development “will result in longer duration of power outages in affected areas.”

Meralco, in a statement, said the three substations that conked out were Mandaluyong, Hillcrest and SM-Shangri-La.

“Both the NGCP and Meralco are doing everything to restore normal state of power,” the Meralco statement read. “We beg your indulgence for this inconvenience.”

Eleven cities and towns in eastern Metro Manila and Rizal province were subjected to rotating blackouts yesterday. Meralco had targeted to restore normal power today but its substations tripped.

The blackouts yesterday lasted three to four hours each twice a day in Makati, Marikina, Mandaluyong, Pasig, San Juan and parts of Quezon City, and Binangonan, Taytay, Angono, Cainta, and Antipolo City in Rizal." taken from yahoo news

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I think they got it wrong because sadly the blackout lasted for about 12 hours here in Ortigas. My friend shared this list with me containing the blackout schedules. I really don't know how long this will go on but hopefully things get back to normal soon.

Help needed for Montalban

"60,000 people are looking to us for help! People are getting sick. Immediate dangers now are infections, water borne diseases, dengue, cold and flu. Hunger, thirst and lack of basic goods are still a big problem. All houses were out of electricity and water and the stench was terrible.

It was shocking to see that nothing had been done by any big aid agencies there. We were still the only ones there.

People need to get started with their lives again. "

This excerpt is from an email about Montalban, one of KaEskwela's focus areas. Students from our partner schools there have reportedly lost their homes and everything else they own.

Help us help them. KaEskwela will be visiting Montalban on Oct. 18, Sunday and we hope to give donations to at least 100 families.

Although helping hands are welcome, what KaEskwela needs more are material donations. Here are some ideas on what you can donate:

Food: the usual canned goods, rice, but also those that do not need to be cooked-- biscuits, bread, fruits (eg, mga saging na di pa gaanong hinog/ nilagang saba)

Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, toilet paper, sanitary napkins

Medicines and medical supplies: alcohol, betadine, medicines for colds/cough/ diarrhea/ skin infections, cotton, gauze

Beddings: blankets, pillows

Household items: cooking utensils, pots, pans, spoons, forks, plates, cups, glasses

Old clothes and new underwear

Slippers and shoes (no fancy footwear please)

Pails, basins

Diapers, milk for babies

Any other extras that you have at home are most welcome. You don't have to buy. Ransack your closets! We don't mind getting random, assorted goods.

Donations may be brought to these dropoff points:

1. WEEKDAYS 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM ONLY

Padilla Asuncion Bote-Veguillas Matta Carino Law Offices
5th floor, Strata 100 building
F.B. Ortigas, Jr. Avenue (Emerald Avenue)
Ortigas Center, Pasig City 1600

2. WEEKDAYS, 10AM TO 5PM

Citrus Productions

Unit 1015 Medical Plaza Ortigas

San Miguel Avenue

Please text 0920-9534294 before going there

Cash may also be deposited to KaEskwela's account. Email us at kaeskwelavolunteers@yahoo.com if you want to give cash. We will email the account details to interested donors, and inform you what we bought with your money.

Deadline for donations is on Oct 16.

Good Morning!

Good Morning! Today is going to be a happy and productive day :) But before anything else it's time for the most important activity: spot the nugget!meow?

oh, there you are!

meow meow meow!

Don't leave your pets behind

I come from a family of cat lovers. I remember hearing stories of how my grandmother packed her pet cat in a bayong (straw bag) when they were fleeing from the war. Coming to think of it I don't think I recall a time in my life when we didn't have a cat in our home. It's funny because even when I am away from home I am constantly on the look out for cats... Yes, I think I am a little cat obsessed, don't you think? haha!

Our pets play a very important role in our lives and we should always be thinking of their safety - not only during normal days but also in times of calamity. I really was very sad to hear so many reports of pets dying in the flood.

Anyway here are a few safety tips taken from PETA

Before a disaster:

• All animals should have collars with identification tags. Make sure you have a current photo of your companion animal for identification purposes.
• Hotels often lift "no pets" policies during emergencies, but keep a list of hotels that accept companion animals just in case. Include the Philippine Animal Welfare Society's (PAWS) phone number, (02) 475-1688, in your list of emergency numbers. It might be able to provide information during a disaster.
• Keep packed a carrier, lease, extra animal food, and any other supplies that you will need so that you can grab them easily if you need to evacuate in a hurry.

In case pets are left behind:

• Do not tie animals outside, leave them caged, or keep them in a vehicle unattended. Leave them in a secure area inside your home.
• Leave out at least 10 days' supply of water. Fill every sink, bowl, pan, and plastic container with water and set them on the floor. Do not leave just one container because it may spill. If your toilet bowl is free of chemical disinfectants, leave the toilet seat up to provide animals with one more source of water, but do not let that be the only source.
• Leave out at least 10 days' supply of dry food. Canned food will go rancid quickly.
• If you can't get to your home, contact a reliable neighbor or friend to check on animals and get them out, if possible. Provide specific instructions for care.

Orange days

We miss our warm sunny afternoons!

“It’s Krrunch Time, Get Playful!”

I think I have a pretty cool job since I work from home. Thanks to the internet, I get to talk with my officemates and partners from all over the world! But of course there are times when I find it hard to concentrate with all the distractions around me. When I start feeling unproductive or uninspired I know that it is time for me to take a quick break. I usually walk around for a few minutes or get myself a nice cup of coffee... but so far, the most effective "get back in the zone" technique for me is to grab a quick bite :)
I like having Krrunch snacks like Pringles! My all time favorite flavor is Cheese but I also like the newer varieties such as Salt and Pepper and also Salt and Vinegar. Yum! After my Pringles Krrunch moment I feel really happy and energized to go back to work... or take another mini break to play with the chips :) haha!


“It’s Krrunch Time, Get Playful!”

Sleep buddies!

Erman sent me this photo of the cats in his house. He said that they are mortal enemies when awake or during meal time but friends when asleep! So cute :) I love them both!