My mom, Tita Zamora, has been making stuff with her hands since I can remember.
When we were kids she used to decorate our flannel pajamas using Japanese ball-point tubes of textile paint.
She did papier-mâché, stained glass, handmade stationery, flower arrangements made of bread dough, and so much more.

Mom (R) with Sen. Pia Cayetano

From her I learned the art of gift-wrapping and the therapeutic joys of wrapping books in plastic.
She started beading about 12 years ago around the time my first son was born. After taking a hiatus, she rekindled her love for the craft after taking lessons from Portia Leuterio.

L-R: Portia Leuterio, Jullie Daza, and Tess Colayco

These days, Mom starts beading before breakfast and works on her current project the whole day.
She can finish a beaded bag within five to six days.
“It relieves stress because you’re not really thinking of anything except the beads, the needle and the design,” she says.
Recently my mom and one of her beading BFFs, Tita Bing Blardony, decided to sell over 200 finished pieces to benefit charity.
The venue was my dad’s conference room at the Fort, where the dazzling bags were perched on top of pretty boxes.

Proceeds of the sales went to the Arnold Janssen Catholic Mission Foundation Inc., which is headed by my mom’s other BFF, Tita Vicky Sales.
“The foundation benefits the poorest of the poor,” said Tita Vicky, who shares that the foundation has 53 centers in Dasmariñas, Cavite, eight in Bacoor and the National Capital Region, one in Tagaytay, and 26 in Rio Tuba, Palawan.

L-R: Yolly Reyno, Vicky Sales, Tita Zamora, Tess Colayco, Eega Narvaez, Portia Leuterio, and Jullie Yap Daza

About 60% of the bags were sold, with each buyer getting an official receipt from the foundation.
The event was such a success, Mom and Tita Bing are already planning another for next year.

L-R: Bing Blardony, Frannie Jacinto, Tita Zamora

Nicole Zamora, Charmaine Zamora, Diday Riingen, Inez Galang

Senator Pia Cayetano with Tita and Manny Zamora

Baby Cruz and Bing Blardony

L-R: Manny Zamora, Cong. Ronny Zamora, Camille Villar, Mark Villar

Senator Alan Cayetano with his mom Sandy and Senator Pia Cayetano, Cong. Ronny Zamora, Bing Blardony

Former heartthrobs Jake Montenegro and Mau Blardony

Pammy Zamora, Inez Galang, Mimi & Ronny Zamora

L-R: Tita Zamora, Noni Galang, Bing Blardony, Dolly Galang

L-R: Dennis Zamora, Koichi Ishihara

Daffy Zamora and Tisha Riingen

Inez Manapul Galang and Monette Quiogue

Leo Riingen, Tita Zamora, Dolly Galang (All photos: Daniel Tan)

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

It’s 12 midnight in Pasig. The whole house is sleeping, and the kids don’t know there’s no school tomorrow.
To those wondering, it’s not raining here yet. Hard to believe the biggest storm of the year is on its way to the Philippines.
This media advisory comes from The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), who are monitoring Typhoon Yolanda which will impact the Philippines in the next 24 hours.
This public service announcement may be useful to help protect your pets or livestock.

What to prepare for your pets:
1) Food. Store at least three days of non-perishable pet food (canned or dried) in an airtight, waterproof container (remember the can opener!). Ideally this should be the same food as your normally feed your pet so as to avoid stomach upsets.
2) Water. Store at least three days of water for your pet, in addition to the water you need for your family (remember an animal can drink more water than usual when under stress). Plus you will need extra water to clean up after your pet.
3) Medicines. Store any extra supply of medicines your pet needs in a waterproof container, as well as any special dietary needs or supplements.
4) Veterinary/Medical Records. Store copies of any medical and vaccination records in a watertight container or ziplock bag including your vet’s name and telephone number (in case you have to shelter your pet or place them in foster care).
5) First Aid Kit. Prepare a first aid kit. Talk to your vet about any specific requirements such as tick/flea prevention, antibiotic ointment and saline solution (i.e. eye wash solution separate from your family use)

Advice for livestock owners:
If it is safe for you to do so, move your animals to higher ground or a designated safe place
Bring a 72-hour supply of suitable food and water.
Travel with emergency kit for your animals (this may include animal identification and records / documents / important contact numbers /first aid).

If you have no choice but to leave your livestock behind:
Before evacuating, and if it is safe for you to do so, move them to higher ground. Leave them enough food and clean water for 72 hours. They will need protection from the elements and shelter.
Untie them so they have a chance to escape should floodwaters rise. Tethered or penned animals have no chance in a flood or storm surge. Animals are strong swimmers and untying them gives them a chance to survive.
When returning after flood waters have receded, have plenty of fresh water available.
On your return, check and secure fencing as these may have shifted in the floods.

WSPA, the World Society for the Protection of Animals exists for the sole purpose of raising the standards of animal welfare throughout the world.
To find out more, go to http://www.wspa-international.org.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

What if you could have:
a) Chocolate-covered Macadamias every single day for the month of July?
b) A packet of Potatochip for each day of January?
c) A bar of Creamy Milk every single day in September?
d) Chocolate wafers in October?
e) Amande Chocôlat’ in Milk for November?
f) All of the above?

What if you could have a different kind Royce’ chocolate every month for a year?
Royce’ makes it possible this Christmas as it gives the biggest gift of all—a year’s supply of chocolate.
Meticulously made in Sapporo, Japan using only the highest quality ingredients, Royce’ is one of the top choices when it comes to chocolate, cookies, and sweets.

From now until January 15, 2014, Royce’ customers will get a chance to win a year’s supply of Royce’ chocolates, with one raffle coupom for every single-receipt minimum purchase worth Php 3,000.
One lucky winner will take home more than enough chocolate to last for the whole of 2014.
And with a different Royce’ chocolate variant every month, this is a chocoholic’s dream come true.
Royce’ Chocolate is available at the Power Plant Mall, Greenbelt 5, Trinoma, Eastwood, The Podium, and The Cake Club at Bonifacio High Street.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

I may have saved a family of seven from super typhoon Yolanda.
My former yaya lives in Romblon with her husband and five children. They were the first thing I remembered when I turned on the TV yesterday and saw that Romblon was being hit by the typhoon.
I texted and hoped for a response.

Sometimes you just need to convince them to leave their worldly possessions.

Later that evening

This morning

This yaya, when we were both single, helped me during a very difficult time in my life. She was the sweetest, kindest yaya to me. I’ll never forget that, so I still help her more than 13 years later.

But then I have my limits too, hehe.

I’m not the best Catholic out there so I try to make up for my sins by helping others.
Besides, I feel safer helping directly someone I know, rather than giving to an organization.

“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one. — Mother Teresa

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

The Philippine Red Cross Fund Generation Department is now accepting donations in cash and in kind for relief of Typhoon Yolanda victims.

You can give cash or check to donations through the following:

http://www.redcross.org.ph/donate.php

For local in-kind donations, please send to Philippine Red Cross—National Headquarters in Manila.
The PRC does not accept rotten, damaged, expired or decayed goods, especially those that are expiring within 6 months.
Though we appreciate your generosity, the PRC also discourages donations of clothes as we have more than enough to go around.

For SMS donations, text REDAMOUNT to 4143 (Smart) or 2899 (Globe)
You can donate the following denominations:
Smart: 10, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500 or 1000
Globe: 5, 25, 100, 300, 500 or 1000

You can also make a donation at any of the 1,500 Cebuana Lhuillier pawnshops nationwide.
Go to Philippine Red Cross Tower, 37 EDSA corner Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila
Or donate your time and volunteer at the National Headquarters at Bonifacio Drive, Port Area, Manila.

http://www.redcross.org.ph/donate.php

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

My driver’s daughter was in Tacloban yesterday during Typhoon Yolanda. He hasn’t heard from his son yet and I don’t know what to say or how to help him, since lines are down and physically going there now isn’t such a great idea.
Our cable TV is down and I’ve been able to watch snippets of news online.
Times like these, I find it hard to function normally.
Ted Failon tells how bad it really was.

Google has a Person Finder for Yolanda. I hope people with Internet get to use it to help others find loved ones.
Here’s the link.

Donate: http://www.redcross.org.ph/donate.php

UPDATE: They found my driver’s daughter and she’s OK! And thank God the cable is back on!

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Consumers always appreciate something in return for their loyalty. I know I do.
That’s why rewards programs were created. But sure, it can get frustrating when companies make it difficult for consumers to get their points.
With this in mind, BDO has come up with the BDO Rewards Program, which rewards clients for purchases, bank transactions and for simply maintaining a minimum balance.
You’ll get points for purchases and bank transactions like deposits, online bills payments, and other things you’d normally use a bank for anyway.
Because BDO belongs to the SM Group, rewards may be earned and used, though not exclusively as there are other partner outlets, at all SM establishments.
This is probably the only bank rewards card with the broadest coverage.

You are qualified for the program if you have any of the following:
• a personal peso, dollar savings, or checking account with an average daily balance of P50,000 or $1,000
• a BDO credit card
• an auto or home loan linked to a BDO savings or checking account

The BDO Rewards Program is multi-level, which means that the more your earn, the higher the level you will be in. The more transactions you do, the more perks and privileges you get.
It’s 5,000 points and below for the Emerald Card, 5,000 to 9,999 points for Sapphire and 10,000 points and above or more for Diamond.

How easy is it to get points?
Earn four points every time you gas up worth Php 1,000 at any Shell Station using your BDO card.
Pay your bill through BDO online banking, phone banking or ATM and earn five points for every Php 1,000 or $25 paid.
Maintain at least Php 50,000 in your personal checking or savings account every month and earn at least 10 points.
Because the SM Group has so many brands and partner-establishments, there are so many ways to earn points.

Now, here’s the best part. What do you get with your points?
The BDO Rewards card works like a cash card which stores your points. One point is equal to one peso. Members may redeem points to pay for purchases at any SM Department Store, SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarts, SM Appliances, SM Cinema, IMAX Theaters and other SM retail establishments.

To know more about BDO Rewards Program, click HERE.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Remember when Venus Raj made it as a Miss Universe finalist in 2010, and this reaction video of the gay designers’ sleepover became viral?

This year, the pageant was held in Russia at 2 AM Manila time. Our cable was down and the hubby was sleeping anyway (can’t make noise). Luckily I found a very clear livestream in Lithuanian.
For the last couple of days, Manila felt heavy and gloomy, even though we didn’t feel the full effect of Typhoon Yolanda. It was generally a depressing day. So at 2 AM many of us stayed up to watch the pageant, in hope that a Philippine victory would lift our morale.
As I watched in bed under the sheets, with only a laptop and headphones, many other Filipinos got together for a Miss Universe viewing party.
Now watch as the audience at BED—Manila’s premiere gay club, known for their Madonnathons, Kylie and Britney nights—made a collective sigh when Ariella Arida was announced the last finalist in Miss Universe 2013.

Beauty pageants. More fun in the Philippines!
Miss Philippines won 3rd runner up and that’s not a bad thing. Had she won the crown, you can imagine an earthquake of 7.7 with BED as epicenter. And that would take the focus off two more important things: Yolanda victims and their rehab, and the trial of Public Enemy Number One: Ms. Napoles.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Forgive me for being excited, but you know we have it bad when Anderson Cooper comes to town.

Oh my God!!! My loins are quivering. Anderson, minanahal kita!!

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

When Baguio was struck by a 7.9-magnitude earthquake in 1990, I remember hearing US Senator Richard Lugar on TV observing that “the Filipinos are stealing anything that’s not bolted to the ground.”
At that time I thought, nakakahiya.
More than 20 years later, I don’t really want to judge the looters in Tacloban. I get it if you’re desperate and need food or water, or even clothing or slippers. But to steal a Selecta ice cream chest freezer and brand new school trolley bags seems ridiculous to me. Are schools even open??

Actually this Selecta freezer stealing kind of cracks me up

It’s hard to judge because we’re not in their position. And thank God for us who are far away from the disaster sites. But I don’t know what to make of this video taken by one of the looters inside Gaisano mall.
What a mess it is! I feel so bad for Gaisano and its tenants.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

UNICEF is rushing emergency supplies to areas of the Philippines ravaged by Super Typhoon Yolanda on November 8, as the latest estimates indicate that up to 4 million children could now be affected by the disaster.
Therapeutic food for children, health kits, water and hygiene kits to support up to 3,000 families in the affected areas have already been mobilized from supplies available in the country, with distribution prioritized for the Tacloban area as soon as access is possible.

“We are rushing to get critical supplies to children who are bearing the brunt of this crisis,” said UNICEF Philippines Representative Tomoo Hozumi. “Reaching the worst affected areas is very difficult, with limited access due to the damage caused by the typhoon to infrastructure and communications. But we are working around the clock to find ways to get these supplies to children as quickly as conditions allow.”

UNICEF’s warehouse in Copenhagen is airlifting US$1.3 million worth of additional supplies for another 10,000 families, including those affected by the recent earthquake in Bohol. The shipments contain water purification tablets, soap, medical kits, tarpaulins, and micronutrient supplements.
Children who have escaped the terrible damage of Haiyan still need urgent assistance to survive the aftermath of the storm. Particular concerns include health, due to the impact of the typhoon on water supply and sanitation systems. Children also need safe and protected spaces to be able to play and resume studying while adults work to recover their homes and livelihoods.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

I’m compiling a list of smaller groups collecting donations.
Email me chuvaness@me.com if you would like to contribute to this list:

Donate in Eastwood for Leyte
Marisse Joson is accepting donations in kind at 17L, Michaelangelo Wing, Eastwood Palazzo, Eastwood City.
They are hoping to receive bottled water, easy to open canned food, and clothing (particularly clothing for children and babies).
Donations will be accepted until 10 AM Wednesday (November 13)—at which time a truck will arrive to pick-up to deliver goods to Ka Eskwela’s head office at 581 Wack Wack Road, Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong.
Ka Eskwela is helping their partner organization, Backpackers, which will target Barangays Balugo 1, 2 and Lawis, Leyte. These areas have not yet been reached by relief operations. Backpackers will travel there this weekend (Manila-Cebu via plane and Cebu-Ormoc, Leyte via boat).
Please direct inquiries to Marisse at (0927)608-4048. Should you have donations for pickup along Katipunan please text (0917)515-8858 for arrangements.

Donate in Greenhills for Ormoc
Paula Bondoc is collecting relief goods to fill up a C130 plane leaving on Saturday (November 16).
The relief goods will go to Ormoc and neighboring towns.
Drop off at 2 Nevada Street, Northeast Greenhills

Donate in Pasay City for Coron, Palawan
They mostly need food.
Drop off at the domestic airport c/o CM Aero services or Milgom
Delta Gate, Domestic Road, Pasay City
Contact Joy at (0917)847-1156 or Fel at (02) 852-1049.
If donating items other than food, please contact Gail Miller ‪at (0917) 831-3674‬

Eat and donate through Underground Supper Club
Special pop-up dinner at Cova this November 19. Php 3,500 per head.
100% of profits will go to the Philippine Red Cross.
To reserve, text (0927) 574-2727 or email: ugsupperclub@gmail.com.
Follow @ugsupperclub on Instagram

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

To help communities severely affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda, the country’s three mobile phone operators—SMART Communications, Globe Telecom, and Sun Cellular—have agreed to provide 25 free SMS per day for five days that may be used for local and international text messages.
The joint offer will be available to subscribers in Tacloban City and the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Leyte, northern Cebu and the Samar.

“This is a time for Filipinos to come together and help our countrymen in their hour of great need. This joint effort will help Smart, Sun Cellular and Talk ‘N Text subscribers in the typhoon-struck areas to communicate with their loved ones at home and abroad,” said Charles A. Lim, executive vice president of SMART and chief operating officer of Digital Mobile Philippines.

“This free service is open to all Globe Postpaid, Globe Prepaid, and TM subs in these Eastern Visayas provinces. This is the company’s way of giving assistance to our customers who are suffering from the typhoon’s onslaught and who need to reach out to their family and friends in the country and abroad,” said Peter Bithos, Chief Operating Advisor for Globe Consumer Business Group.

The free 25 daily SMS bundles are available from November 13 to 17, 2013 and can be used to send text messages across all networks. There is also an allocation for international SMS. It will be pushed automatically to subscribers at the start of each day. Subscribers will receive SMS notifications once the bundles are sent. No registration is required.
The three operators came to this unprecedented agreement in response to the extreme devastation caused by the super typhoon. They are also working to restore their respective services and assist emergency relief activities of the government and humanitarian agencies.

To augment the existing Libreng Tawag services in several typhoon-hit areas in the Visayas, Smart Communications, Inc. is providing free all-network and International SMS bundle to Smart, Sun and Talk ‘N Text subscribers.
The free SMS bundle, comprised of 25 all-net text and three international text messages will automatically be available daily for five days beginning midnight of November 13, 2013 for both postpaid and prepaid subscribers. The service does not require any registration.
The offer is initially available in hard-hit areas Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Leyte, Northern Cebu, Palawan and Samar, where an estimated five million subscriber base stands to benefit.
Restoration of network facilities in these areas commenced immediately in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda in order to provide vital communication services to the various institutional partners and local government units involved in coordinating post-disaster response efforts. As of November 12, 82% of the network has been restored.

Libreng Tawag stations continue to operate in the following areas:
• PNP Headquarters, Tacloban City, Leyte
• PLDT Office, Jones St., Tacloban City, Leyte
• DSWD booth, Tacloban City Hall
• Smart cellsite near VNG Subdivision, Tacloban City, Leyte
• Municipal Hall, Palo, Leyte
• Smart Store, Ormoc City, Leyte (with free mobile phone charging)
• Ormoc City Plaza, Ormoc City, Leyte
• Ormoc Airport, Ormoc City, Leyte
• Municipal Hall, San Francisco, Camotes Island, Cebu
• Cebu Cultural Center, Bantayan Island
• Smart cellsite in Sta.Fe, Bantayan Island (with free mobile phone charging)
• Madridejos Municipal Hall, Bantayan Island (with free mobile phone charging)

Charging of mobile handset batteries is also offered free at the Smart cell site facility in Roxas City, Capiz and in Old Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

The offices of Senator Alan Cayetano and Taguig City Hall headed by Mayor Lani Cayetano will have a five-day Bayanihan RORO mission/relief operations to Visayas and is now accepting donations to fill up a RORO vessel that can carry 300 tons of goods.

Drop off points in Taguig:
• Enderun College
• Slice Cafe in Bonifacio High Street
• Taguig City University
• Taguig City Extension Office, 3rd floor, Market! Market!

From these drop off points, all donations will be transported to Batangas by lunchtime.
Ro-Ro vessel will leave Batangas Friday night to deliver goods to Isabel, Leyte and Guiuan, Eastern Samar
So far, goods we have now include food and water, generator sets, and water filtration units.
Taguig City will donate P5M-worth of goods and medicines.
They will also provide boats to ferry evacuees from Samar and Leyte to Cebu and even Batangas.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Last Tuesday my dad sent a King Air plane to Guiuan (pronounced “gii-wan”), Eastern Samar to check the conditions there.
The 12-seater plane had Nickel Asia’s JB Baylon on board, who brought medicines and supplies to the devastated town.
On the way back they boarded victims to safety in Cebu and Manila, including some injured and the former Mayor of Guiuian, Analiz Kuan.
Following are photos taken by JB Baylon.

People hoping to get a ride out

More photos HERE.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

When my first son was born, I couldn’t sleep properly because I thought that if I slept, he would die.
I woke up several times at night to check if he was breathing.
“Don’t worry,” our housekeeper told me. “He’ll be running around the house in no time.”

I can’t believe that boy I gave birth to is now 12 years old and taller than me!
He grew so fast, he is no longer interested in toys that are not gadgets.
A few months ago I was able to convince him and his brother (10) to give up toys they were no longer using.
We filled up six balikbayan boxes, which ended up in a garage sale.

In the Philippines, so many children don’t get to enjoy toys, that’s why Jollibee launched Maaga ang Pasko over 19 years ago. Watch how someone’s pre-loved toy can make a girl so happy.

Maaga ang Pasko is considered the country’s longest-running toy and book collection drive, with over two million toys collected since it started. It is committed to spreading smiles and Christmas cheer to thousands of Filipinos children all over.
Now, families here or abroad can donate a toy and/or book online through the Maaga ang Pasko microsite with the help of campaign partners Toy Kingdom and Goodwill Bookstore.
Global Filipino communities in the USA, Middle East, Hongkong and Singapore can also reach out via Maaga ang Pasko donation boxes at Jollibee branches in these markets.

To know more, visit the microsite at http://www.jollibee.com.ph/MaagaAngPasko.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Lauren Bush’s FEED project began in 2006 when the model and activist designed a bag to benefit the United Nations World Food Programme’s (WFP) School Feeding program.
As a WFP Honorary Student Spokesperson, Lauren has visited Asia, Latin America, and Africa where WFP operates.
To date, FEED has been able to raise money to provide over 60 million school meals to children around the world.
FEED has also partnered with UNICEF to provide over 46,000 children with essential nutrients.

Now FEED has designed a special T-shirt to benefit victims of Typhoon Haiyan, which has impacted an estimated 4 million children.
Children are the most vulnerable after a natural disaster, often becoming separated from their families and in urgent need of nourishment.
Purchasing this T-shirt will provide 10 high-energy biscuits for children and families and FEED hope in the Visayas as it rebuilds.

The FEED Philippines T-shirt is available for preorder at $33 and will be ready to ship between November 20-26, 2013.
To order, click HERE.

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

DJs Ferry Corsten, Quintino, Blasterjaxx, Dennis Ruyer, Jacob van Hage, Marco V, Sandro Silva, Sied van Riel, Oliver Twizt will be playing at Club Panama in Amsterdam on November 20, 2013 to raise funds for the victims of the superstorm in the Philippines. The country is in great need of clean water, shelter, food, and medical care.
Proceeds from this benefit show will be donated to the Dutch calamity fund GIRO 555, which has been set up to receive funds from Dutch Nationals who wish to donate.

Ferry Corsten

Ferry Corsten, the DJ who initiated this event has a close relationship to the Philippines.
“It breaks my heart to see what has happened in the Philippines. My wife is Filipino, our daughter is half Filipino, and of course we have many family and friends who live there who have been directly affected by the typhoon.
Hundreds of thousands have lost everything and are in urgent need for help. This is why the benefit #DonateandDance has been set up.
We are so happy that so many DJs reacted positively to this event and that we have been able to set this up in just a few days. Unfortunately, some DJs were out of the country so they cannot be there for the evening, but many will be supporting our cause via their social media. It is our hope that through this event we can influence others to show their support for the victims in their own way.”

Joining Ferry at the benefit concert are DJs Quintino

Blasterjaxx

Dennis Ruyer

Jacob van Hage

Marco V

Sandro Silva

Sied van Riel

and Oliver Twizt.

Club Panama Amsterdam is normally closed on a Wednesday night but has taken the initiative to open its doors for the benefit.
“Words can’t express our emotion regarding the destruction caused by the super typhoon in the Philippines. We are more than willing to help the cause and Ferry’s initiative to raise funds for the evening. We hope to raise a lot of money for the Philippines. Every cent counts.”

http://www.donateanddance.com

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.

Dear Andy,
I think I know where you are right now. If I were single with no kids, I might fly out there. But stalking isn’t my thing.
Not since Adrien Brody stepped into Manila have I felt this way.
I’m kind of happy you’re gay because I can’t stand the thought of you dating a girl with pwet-length hair (see Adrien’s girlfriend).
When you were stuck in a Manila hangar because you couldn’t fly to Tacloban, I felt frustrated for you.
When you were in Tacloban, I wondered where you slept or what you ate. My girlfriends and I were worried sick about you, on top of being depressed about the situation in the Visayas.
I hope you’re getting good sleep now and we will be sad to see you go.

I’ve been watching CNN everyday for years. It’s either CNN or ANC that keeps me company while I’m working.
I love the way you come in and wear a dark grey T-shirt while you’re working for the world’s greatest news network, in my opinion.
And I love how you handled the Korina issue. I have nothing against Mar or Korina, but what you did is something we don’t see in the Philippines, where celebrities bash and fight it out on TV (or in this case, radio) Twitter or Instagram.
As Teddyboy Locsin said, you didn’t have to explain yourself, but you did anyway. And we love you more for what you said about our people.
Thank you.

READ ANOTHER VIEW:
Stop Catastrophizing Relief Efforts in the Philippines— Time.com
Why I won’t be criticising the Philippine relief effort after Typhoon Haiyan – I’ve been there— The Telegraph UK

Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.