HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

~ YEAR 2010 ~

Make a Smilebox slideshow

 

My-SECRET-Corner

is wishing you all the best during the holiday season !

View & Check Our

NEW ARRIVALS !

~ Get A Free Pair of Angel Earrings ~

 With Any Purchase Over $50.00

( Design Varies )

- FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE - 

( No Minimum Purchase Required )

Valid on Purchases of Any Finished Jewellery Items !!

From Nov 1st till end of December 2009, all finished Jewelries purchased within our store shall be posted for FREE within Singapore & Worldwide !
- Promo ends on December 31, 2009 -

* * * This is a Limited Time Offer Only ! * * *

So Do Your Shopping Now !

"ANGEL'S TOUCH " Fund Drive

~ " ANGEL'S TOUCH " ~

- Fund Drive -

When help is much needed ...
 it doesn't really cost anything to be there for them ... Does it ?

DECEMBER 2009 - Donate SGD$5.00 or more and get either a pair of Angel Inspired earrings ( Designs varies ) , a key chain or an Angel charmed phone strap as a token of appreciation for your generosity.

The proceeds  would go to  My-SECRET-Corner's "ANGEL'S
TOUCH"  fund campaign that would benefit ( for the month of December 2009 ) the poor flood evacuees in Sta. Cruz Laguna, Philippines who were  gravely affected by the previous typhoons Ketsana & Santi .

I was originally from this  province . I was born here as well as all my siblings . Santa Cruz  is a 1st class urban municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. It is also the capital town of the province of Laguna and considered as the service and commercial center on the eastern part of the province

 I had visited the area after the devastation to check on my mom and son's living situation. I came home hurriedly just after the said typhoons flooded our small bungalow house . I had moved my family to a different place few days after my arrival to make sure they're safe when it rains.

My house was also not spared by the past typhoons and water was waist deep inside it destroying all my wooden furnitures. I'm just happy that my mother & son were safe despite of what had happened. They were fortunate compared to people whose houses and way of living were strapped away from them by the gushing waters of the overflowing river of the said province. Some were extremely unlucky loosing the lives of loved ones. It was really so heartbreaking. Even just to see these poor people living presently in makeshift tents in open basketball courts and school grounds with small children without any belongings except for what they were wearing would cause your eyes to swell from non stop crying. I had seen the evacuees from a distance and couldn't come closer coz I felt so bad to come near them and got nothing to offer them I told myself that one day I would be back there to lend them a hand when I'm ready to do so. With hope and determination , I'll be there soon for sure !

 I just couldn't bear the sight of  the evacuees crowding in one site.  This memory of them gave me the push  when I got back here in Singapore ~ to do something for them to at least ease their sufferings somehow . On my own, I started organizing a fund drive called :

" ANGEL'S TOUCH "

I made  60 pairs of Angel inspired earrings, a few keychains & phones straps to start with. The items were designed with different Angel charms I have in stock.

So far, I had sold all the 60 pairs and a few other things just by attending  a charity dinner & dance at the Hilton Hotel, attending my friends' parties and selling them in other venues like at the recently held Sporty Joe's  Sportsfest, selling to the staff members of EZoo Music School , NKF Singapore Office Personnels , clientele of Lazy Lizard Pub as well as sales online via facebook  ). The support was overwhelming !

This week , I had sent the partial payment for a few sacks of rice to be distributed among the people living in the school grounds.

Presently, I had made more Angel items Hoping I can sell more so more funds for relief goods can reach these poor people before Christmas ... If you feel like joining me for my cause, please let me know @ taszel14@my-secret-corner.com

I extend my sincerest gratitude to the donors who supported the Fund Raising for our disaster-stricken countrymen.

List of Donors :

FEWS Charity Dinner & Dance Guests ( Hilton Hotel )

Sporty Joe's Staffs & Students ( Sportsfest )

EZoo Music School ( Staff Members )

Mr. Michael Roggeman

Mr. Steffen Kohler

Mr./ Mrs. Jean Marie & Werner Meier

Ms. Nenty Asmary

Ms. Zeenat B. Ho

Ms. Cindy Craft

Ms. Wilma & Ms. Maryann

NKF Office Staff

Ms. Karen Chee Hansen

Ms. Jojo Hardy

Ms. Suz ( Facebook )

Ms. Kim Voorwalt Ho

Thanks so much for your generosity & support !

NOVEMBER 2009

Busy, busy, busy is what I would say for the month of November. I Had just finished the Asian Civilization event last week and it was such a huge success ! Being in the event was Indeed a wonderful experience ...

Kids and adults were lining up for the necklace workshop ...

 Age doesn't matter at all since I have even kids as young as 4 years old and even boys too who were very eager and interested to make a necklace of their own !

Bonding between parents and their children

and between siblings was a great sight that day too !

A girl wearing the pearl necklace she had created !

Good job girl !

 I had sold some pieces to the museum visitors as well .

People were amazed by the handcraftship and designs invested in every piece of jewelry in the displays.

Ms. Jenny Astbury wearing a pair of  dangling Semi-Precious stone earrings ...

Ms. Jovy Gillet was wearing the long Multi Color Pearl Necklace while Ms. Bheng Javier - President of FEWS ( Filipino Expat Wives Singapore ) wore the crystal pair of earrings bought from the display.

 I even had an on the spot interview with celebrity host Ms. Pamela Wildheart before my necklace making Demo on the 2nd day of the event ... Gee, I feel like a celebrity too ha-ha !

 I was so thankful to all the assistance, support given by the organizers ( Mr Zachary and his staffs especially ) who allowed me to put my jewelries on display for FREE for 2 straight days !

To all New friends and existing friends of course who came over and visited my stall.

Thank you, thank you and more thank you guys !

Land of the Morning: The Philippines and its People

Special Exhibition :
Land of the Morning: The Philippines and its People

The Image courtesy of Jeffrey and Jenny Co and Dr. Eleuterio M. Pascual

When : 16 Oct 2009 - 10 Jan 2010
Location: Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) ,
1 Empress Place Singapore

Website or Map: http://www.acm.org.sg/

Land of the Morning: The Philippines and its People explores the identity of the Filipino people, created by the blending of indigenous local cultures and foreign influences.

Learn about the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines - an eclectic blend of indigenous local cultures and Spanish, Chinese, Southeast Asia and Islamic influences.

This unprecedented exhibition at the Asian Civilisations Museum features more than 290 rare and important artefacts - ancient gold, Catholic imagery, tribal artefacts and contemporary Filipino artworks – from museums and private collections in the Philippines, some of which will be on display for the very first time.

This exhibition is organised in collaboration with the Ayala Museum, Manila.

Exhibition is Now Open until - 10 Jan 2010

One Of The Highlights on Nov. 7, 2009

~ How to Make a Pearl Beaded Necklace ~

Simple basic beading , stringing & wiring technique to be demonstrated  by Wella Dela Cruz Cornelis of:

WWW.MY-SECRET-CORNER.COM

Tutorial is free as well as the use of  all materials & tools.

Lessons are fit to apply with kids 6 yrs and above & Adults

Duration of lesson is 20-30 mins in (1 ) hour intervals.

First Come - First Serve Basis

Maximum of 4 students per seating so be there early to get a spot !

Free Admission To galleries 9:00am - 7:00am

Organized By: Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM), FEWS

CRYSTAL BLINGS Just Added !

Feast Your Eyes to these :

Newly added Crystal Beaded Jewelries !

#BR13 = SUNBURST Crystal Beaded Ring
Price : US$25.75 ( Inclusive of Postage / Shipping )
Payment Accepted : POSB Fund Transfer / Paypal

Sparkling Beaded Ring about 3cms in diameter & 1 cm thick made with Genuine SWAROVSKI Rivoli Crystal Bead surrounded by Toho Seed Beads & #5301 SWAROVSKI Bicones with Antique Style Plated Adjustable Metal Ring . This is A Unique design that will lighten up your day & night !

Only Piece available in this color so Buy it Now !

SOLD !!!

#CD231 = GOLDEN PETALS Crystal Beaded Earrings

Price : US$25.75 ( Inclusive of Postage / Shipping )

Payment Accepted : POSB Fund Transfer / Paypal

Sparkling Earrings accented with the wonderful additions of CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements 16mm #228 crystal baroque beads , 5301 Crystal Bicones, Glass Pearl Beads, Crystal Briolette Beads, #62007 22.5mm Swarovski Gold-Plated Crystal Filigree Lily ~

These gorgeous filigree flowers are set with Swarovski's exquisite Austrian crystal & Used them as a base for this chandelier earrings matched with Gold Plated Hooks.

Measures about 8.5 cms including hooks.

#CRN194 = VICTORIA in Fuchsia Crystal Beaded Necklace

Price : US$25.75 ( Inclusive of Postage / Shipping )
Payment Accepted : POSB Fund Transfer / Paypal

Sparkling Choker made with Genuine SWAROVSKI Rivoli Crystal Bead surrounded by Toho Seed Beads, Jablonex Fire Polished Beads #5301 SWAROVSKI Bicones with Silver Plated Metal Findings & Clasp . Lenght od beaded chain Measures approx. 15 - 17" including extension chain and pendant measures approx. 1- 3/4 inches with bail . A Unique design that will lighten up your day!

Only Piece available in this color so Buy it Now !

SOLD !

#CD228 = VANESSA Crystal Beaded Earrings
Price : US$18.50 ( Inclusive of Postage / Shipping )
Payment Accepted : POSB Fund Transfer / Paypal

Earrings are made with Genuine SWAROVSKI Teardrops Crystal Beads, #162007 SWAROVSKI Focal Point in Rhodium with 925 Sterling Silver Hooks. Measures approx. 6cms including hooks. A Unique design that will lighten up your day!

Bag Charms For More Bling !

~ New Bag Charms ~

Created to Spice up the look and for a More Added Bling  !

#CHARMED BAG - KEY Chains 104 = HONEY SWEET

Price : $18.50 ( Inclusive of Postage / Shipping )

 

Gold Plated Metal Findings with Pineapple Nugget Bead , Citrine & Crystal Quartz Large Chips , Opalite Glass Round Beads , Yellow Quartz & Jablonex Glass Beads. Measures about 9-10 cms long.

 

#CHARMED BAG - KEY Chains 105 = GOLDEN BLUES

Price : $18.50 ( Inclusive of Postage / Shipping )

 

Indian Glass Puff Coin Bead in Turquoise Blue, Pressed Glass Leaf Beads, Muli Color & Sizes Glass Fire Polished Beads with Lt Peridot Rondelle Crystal Beads & Gold Plated metal Findings. Measures about 10cms long.

#CHARMED BAG - KEY Chains 106 = BROWN EARTH

Price : $18.50  ( Inclusive of Postage / Shipping )

Excellent to hang on your bags for that extra bling or as a fashionable Key Chain . Comes with
Jasper Rondelles, Tiger Eye Rondelle Beads, Pressed Glass Leaf Beads with Yellow Citrine Smooth Glass Beads & Gold Plated metal Findings. Measures about 9-10cms long.

 #CHARMED BAG - KEY Chains 107 = AMETHYST & PEARLS
Price : $18.50 ( Inclusive of Postage / Shipping )
 
Bag Charm created with Jasper Rondelles, Tiger Eye Rondelle Beads, Pressed Glass Leaf Beads with Yellow Citrine Smooth Glass Beads & Gold Plated metal Findings. Measures about 9-10cms long.
 

Click Here For more Bag Charms / Key Chains designs !

The Island Fortress = Corregidor

~ The Island Fortress ~

Corregidor is a small rocky island in the Philippines about 48 kilometers west of Manila which is stragetically located at the entrance of Manila Bay.

This island fortress stands as a memorial for the courage, valor, and heroism of its Filipino and American defenders who bravely held their ground against the overwhelming number of invading Japanese forces during World War II.

Also known as "the Rock," it was a key bastion of the Allies during the war.

The ISLAND'S GEOGRAPHIC SECTORS  :

Topside - is the highest geographic sector in the island where the terrain elevation above sea level ranges from about 400 feet and higher. Topside is said to be the nerve center of the island fortress. It is here where you will find the ruins of the following buildings: Mile-Long Barrackes, Post Headquarters, Cine Corregidor, and a number of buildings previously used as quarters for bachelor officers as well as the senior officers of the garrison. All the major gun emplacements are also located around this high ground. The parade ground, a small golf course, the old Spanish flagpole, and the reconstructed Spanish lighthouse are similarly located at Topside. The more recently constructed buildings and structures that are now found at Topside include the following: The Pacific War Memorial Dome, sculpture of the Eternal Flame of Freedom, and a museum.

Mile-Long Barracks

Cine Corregidor

Spanish Lighthouse

Eternal Flame of Freedom

Pacific War Memorial

Middleside - is a sector located within the tadpole head of the island where the ground elevation approximately ranges between 100 feet and 400 feet above sea level. It lies between the Bottomside and Topside sectors where a number of landmarks, buildings, and structures are found. Currently, the Filipino-American Friendship Park, Aviary and Bird Park, and the Youth For Peace Campsite are found at Middleside. It is also at this sector where you will find the ruins and former sites of the following: YMCA, Middleside Barracks, Post Stockade, Officers Club, quarters for officers and enlistedmen, warehouses, some service and utility buildings.

Filipino-American Friendship Park

Middleside Barracks

Bottomside - generally, this sector encompasses the lower part of the island. Except for the current location of Corregidor Hotel, the terrain is mostly a flat stretch of land where the elevations measured above sea level are lower than 100 feet. Landmarks such as the North and South Dock, Lorcha Dock, and the former site of Barrio San Jose are found at Bottomside. Among the more recently reconstructed buildings, parks, and structures found in this area are: Administration Building, Gen. MacArthur Park, San Jose Chapel, Gen. Wainwright Park, a basketball and tennis court, and Corregidor Hotel.

Gen. Douglas MacArthur Park

Tail End - is the remaining portion of Corregidor's long and twisting tail which was not given a particular name. The western half of this narrow, two-and-a-half mile area consists of a low ridge with several distinct hills which is said to have assumed crucial military importance during the siege of Corregidor in 1942 by the Japanese forces and also during its recapture by the American forces in 1945. A portion of the eastern end of the tail, being a fairly level terrain, was leveled off for the construction of the island's only airstrip which was named Kindley Field. East Point, at the island's extreme tail, contained a small cemetery. Just a little further beyond it is Hooker Point which is often separated from East Point during high tide. In the early years of the presence of American forces in Corregidor, Hooker Point was a favorite place for hikers and sightseers. Among the recently constructed buildings, structures, and parks that are now found at the Tail End include the following: Statue of The Filipino Woman, Filipino Heroes Memorial, Japanese Garden of Peace, the two parks which were erected in honor of Presidents Manuel Quezon and Sergio Osmena, and the Corregidor Beach Resort

Japanese Garden of Peace

Filipino Heroes Memorial

MALINTA TUNNEL

To the east of Bottomside a hill rises abruptly to an elevation of 390 feet. Called "Malinta," it severs Bottomside from the tail end of the island.

The North and South Shore roads curved from its slopes and girdled the hill and ran on down the curving tadpole tail. To facilitate passage and to create a bombproof shelter, the Americans drove a shaft from a rock quarry at Bottomside directly through the hill, creating the famous Malinta Tunnel. Construction of the tunnel took about 10 years. I would say that Credits be due to the Filipino Convicts who were the main labor force to build the said shelters and buildings in the island of Corregidor . These group of Filipinos were never mentioned in any articles regarding the construction within Corregidor but they well deserve the praises and due respect I must say..

The big guns of Corregidor are now silent and the ruins of buildings, structures, and tunnels in the island tell a very moving story of a war that has claimed so many lives. A visit to this former battleground is a memorable experience especially for those who cherish and value peace and freedom.

Please note that  the Original descriptions of Corregidor written in this blog can be found at : http://corregidorisland.com
For More Articles / informations about Corregidor , Please visit the site created by:
 Juny P. Laputt . Bsce, Ms, Pe

Many Thanks for your Visit !

German European School = Building Bridges

Building Bridges


( German European School Manila )
 ( Please note that All Photos are from GESM of Flickr )

The Aftermath of 'Ondoy' (Ketsana)

Metro Manila was caught unprepared for the devastation brought about by typhoon Ondoy during the weekend. Thousands of families were affected, losing homes, properties and even lives.

Thankfully, the school fared well during the onslaught of the rains. And because of this privileged status, concerned students and parents from GESM  together with teachers, organised themselves and put together their very own relief mission to the victims of this tragic event.

Their team went to affected areas in Marikina and Muntinlupa to provide basic needs like food and medicine to those families in dire need of help. GESM community continues to accept donations to send to the affected areas as soon as possible.

In response to this, GESSingapore where my 12 year old daughter Tacha from E-7A will be having a Fund Raising day this coming Friday . She's already looking forward to this day and hoping she can give even more to the poor victims of Typhoon Ketsana .

Mr Hewitt, her school teacher had forwarded me a message coming from the Student Council regarding the event . Message as follows :

Dear E-7A Community,

The first of our four casual days will take place this Friday, the 9th of October and we would like to ask you to remind your students during registration about this date. As always, a donation of

S$ 1 for Kindergarten/Preschool and grades 1- 5 and

S$2 for grades 6-13

will be collected, and Ziploc bags for each class will be provided in the registration files. Please pass the donations back to the main office at the end of registration for collection.

The donations will proceed to the victims of the typhoon in the Philippines through close collaboration with our friends at the German European School in Manila.

Additional donations instead of the usual S$1/S$ 2 are most welcome and appreciated, considering the devastated situations of the victims.

Thank you for your support!

Your Student Council

I'm very happy that GESS in connection with GESM are trying their best to support the victims . A Real big salute to all of you out there and many , many thanks for all your help !

Matter of Being Professional ...

~  Dealing With Professionalism  ~

( Photo from "greensurvey" of Flickr )

I'd been attending Yoga classes for the last 10 months. My main purpose was not to loose weight but to avoid having water retention I'd been suffering lately on my legs and encourage more mobility for myself. Since I'd  been  sitting  most of the times doing my beading crafts and attending to my computer duties.

Anyway, most people loose weight doing Yoga but I don't ... I gained even more and at least a kilo ! But I don't mind coz loosing weight is not my goal in doing Yoga anyway. I'm more happy  to loose my water retention as well as the stress piling within me . Somehow Yoga Therapy / Gentle Yoga in particular help and strenghten my concentration mentally & emotionally.

 I have a few friends who started doing Yoga trial classes last week and had been with them certain times in other Yoga classes. They started to spread the word that Yoga classes in this place located inside Pacific Plaza was good and advised their other friends to join the group for more fun and encouragement. Julie , Nessy and I joined the Therapy class yesterday 1st of October. It was really fun doing such activity with friends around. But I left immediately after the class to do some errands. Julie & Nessy were left to pursue their membership applicatuion with the Yoga Staff while awaiting for 2 more friends ready to sign up for the classes too.

Somehow during the processing, Julie asked if the they could pay by cash or cheque instead of GIRO / Credit card auto debit . After few exchanges of views considering facts of what's the best mode of payment on both sides, the attending staff  had allowed them to pay by cheque ( Why not ? at least they're paying for God's sake ! ) . One more thing, Julie and her friend had asked if processing fee of SGD$150 per application be waived . After all they're a group of 4 people and maybe even more friends would join the group later on. Obviously, the male staff got no power to grant their request and courteously told them he'll ask the management first. Then off he went to the office & ask the higher personnel  if the " discount" is possible or not. He came back behind a Singaporean Chinese lady who straight forward & loudly introduced herself as the "GM" and without any further expalanation said "If you can't abide with our terms and policy , you all go somewhere else! " and marked all their signed applications VOID without any hesitations at all ! Things happened that fast like a flick of a finger !

All the 4 ladies were visibly stunned and shocked by the GM's treatment but nothing compared to the embarrassment and shame my friend Julie had encountered. She had invited her friends to join but they were all humiliated infront of each other. The last 2 ladies who just arrived don't even have any idea what's the argument all about. One of the ladies who's partly Chinese was able to argue back and with a Texan accent said  " You're such a very rude person . You pride yourself being called a professional ... a General Manager ... but you should act as one... Be One ! You don't have any idea of what customer service is ... We are not illiterate and you can just reply to us with either a "yes or no" to our request and whatever your reply  would be accepted & appreciated. You don't have to push us out . You have no respect for clients. You're nothing but a moron !" . The ladies left in disgust & angry while the male staff apologized continously while they were all leaving.

In this kind of situation was it fair that imposing a company's policy of:

 " We Reserve the Right to Refuse Service to Anyone! "

 be taken in effect ? Where clients  requesting for a little consideration be treated harshly infront of everybody in public ? Was the immediate application of this policy necessary just because the GM was caught in a bad mood during that time ?

( Photo from Go Go Boy Go! flickr.com )

A policy like this doesn't offer any explicit or implicit implication of intention to discriminate. It only serves to state owner's right. Yes, under many conditions, the owner or any authorized personnel is legal to refuse service to anyone who may disrupt the business. Or they can even refuse services to someone who the owner doesn't like. Nothing like that is against law. We are so accustomed to the concept that "Customer is the King...".

Yes, What about the saying that " Customers are always right ! "  ?

But that concept is only a good business concept, it has nothing to do with legal system. Theoretically speaking, if the business is so good, the customer doesn't have to be the king. However, in order for a business to be good, the enterprise needs to treat customer well. This is only a good business conduct, but never a God endowed duty in any social system.

Despite of whatever, For me, it doesn't cost anything to be nice to people ! Material things don't last but the sentimental value surely does .

As we all know, First impression lasts !

New Month of OCTOBER ...

What is the Birthstone & Flower for October?

( Photo credits  to R.Weller/Cochise College )

For those who were born in the month of October the Opal is the traditional birthstone. The October birthstone poem reflects some of the properties with which the Opal is associated - hope, innocence and purity. The Traditional Metaphysical Properties for the October Birthstone Opal are happiness, faithfulness, loyalty and confidence. The healing properties of the October birthstone are reputed to be effective for health problems relating to the eyes and eye infections. The Opal is also used to enhance visualization, imagination, dreams and healing.

October Birth stone poem - the Opal

"October's child is born for woe,
And life's vicissitudes must know,

But lay an opal on her breast,

And hope will lull those woes to rest."

18K Gold Wire necklace with Opal pendant bought by dear hubby from Opal Fields when he went to Australia some years ago.

The word Opal is derived from the Latin word "opalus" which means "a stone". The precious opal presents a peculiar play of colors of delicate tints, and is highly esteemed as a gem. One kind, with a varied play of color in a reddish ground, is called the harlequin opal. The fire opal has colors like the red and yellow of flame. The Common opal has a milky appearance. Menilite is a brown impure variety, occurring in concretions at Menilmontant, near Paris. Other varieties are cacholong, girasol, hyalite, and geyserite. The crystal structure of the Opal (hydrous silicon dioxide), the October birthstone, is Amorphous. Opal miners restrict use of the term opal to precious opal, calling material that does not show a good play of colors, 'potch'.

October Birth Flower

The October Birth Flower is the Calendula (Marigold), as shown below:

( Photo by Delicious Monster of Flickr )

The meaning of the October Birth Flower, the Calendula (Marigold) is sorrow or sympathy

Sign of the Zodiac and Dates:
Libra - September 23 - October 23

October Birthstone: The Opal

Characteristics of Libra :

Charming, Perceptive, Diplomatic, Pleasant & Refined

ONDOY TRAGEDY: HELP DONATE (Philippines Typhoon) Sept 29,2009

SHARE THIS VIDEO WITH ANYONE SO ANY TYPE OF HELP CAN COME !!!!

ABS-CBN - Tuesday, September 29

MANILA (AFP) - – Philippine flood survivors crowded into the presidential palace, gymnasiums and hundreds of other makeshift evacuation centres on Tuesday as the death toll from the disaster soared to 240.
The humanitarian crisis facing the government deepened significantly after it reported hundreds of thousands of people had poured into the centres, where food, medicine and other relief supplies were in dire shortage.
The government said 374,890 survivors of the devastating rains unleashed by tropical storm Ketsana on Saturday across the nation's capital Manila and surrounding regions were now sheltering in the centres.

The death toll had also jumped to 240, 100 more than Monday's assessment, after authorities finally started to record those killed in Manila.
The government said 101 people had been confirmed killed in the capital, up from seven on Monday, but the death toll was expected to rise even further with some areas of the disaster zone still submerged.
After admitting it could not cope on its own, the government on Monday appealed to the international community for help.
"The potential for a more serious situation is there and we cannot wait for that to happen," Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said as he launched the appeal.
The floods on Saturday followed the heaviest rain in more than 40 years in Manila and other areas of Luzon island, leaving 80 percent of the capital underwater.
President Gloria Arroyo described the floods as a "once-in-a-lifetime" event and in an extraordinary move opened the Malacanang presidential palace to flood survivors.

"Evacuees will be given shelter in available areas among the Malacanang buildings and in tents that will be put up in between the buildings," Arroyo said in a statement late on Monday. Related article: Flood hero who perished
"If required, our employees will yield their work stations to provide more space for our displaced countrymen."
Arroyo said she had temporarily moved office to the headquarters of the presidential security force in another section of the compound along the Pasig river. Related article: Arroyo opens palace residence
Elsewhere, hundreds of thousands of people crammed into schools, open-air gymnasiums and other makeshift centres, with officials in charge of them saying they could simply not cope.

"We need clothing, food supplies, food rations and medicines," village chief Joe Ferrer told AFP at an evacuation centre for 3,000 people in Cainta town, east of Manila.

"We don't know how long we will be able to sustain this," he said.

For Donations please refer below :

http://www.redcross.org.ph/Site/PNRC/wtd.aspx

Send a Fee-Free Money Transfer to Help the Typhoon Ondoy Relief Efforts

Xoom is concerned about the situation in the Philippines and our hearts go out to everyone

impacted by Typhoon Ondoy. To help the Typhoon Ondoy relief efforts, we are offering

fee-free money transfers to the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC).

You can donate to the relief efforts by visiting Xoom.com and entering the coupon code

“HELPONDOY” to make a fee-free money transfer donation to the Philippine National Red

Cross. This special coupon code is valid until Friday October 9, 2009.

How to Use Xoom to Help the Typhoon Ondoy Relief Efforts.

Use the following steps to make a donation to the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC):

Step 1 – Sign up for a Xoom.com account, or sign in to your existing Xoom.com account.

Step 2 – Select Bank Deposit as a disbursement option.

Step 3 – Enter the following Recipient Name and Bank Account details:

Recipient Name - Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC)

Bank Account Details - The following Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) bank

account details will be needed at the time of the transaction. You can enter any one

of the following bank accounts to make their donation:

PNRC Peso Accounts:

• Banco de Oro – Peso Account: 453-0018647

• Bank of the Philippine Islands - Peso Account: 4991-0010-99

• Metrobank – Peso Account: 151-3-04163122-8

• Philippine National Bank – Peso Account: 3623-3680-0011

PNRC Dollar Accounts:

• Banco de Oro - Dollar Account: 453-0039482

• Bank of the Philippine Islands - Dollar Account: 8114-0030-94

• Metrobank - Dollar Account: 151-2-151002182

• Philippine National Bank - Dollar Account: 375-283500026

Enter Recipient Address and Phone Number:

Philippines National Red Cross

National Headquarters

Bonifacio Drive, Port Area

Manila 2803, Philippines

Phone Number: 632 527 0000

Step 4 - Enter the coupon code "HELPONDOY" at the bottom of the Payments page.

Please forward this to your friends and family who would like to donate to the

relief efforts.

Thanks So Much For Your Support !

 

Even my own hometown ( see video below shot about few streets away from my own little house in Villa Silangan ) where my mother and son live right now was not spared from the devastation of " ONDOY" . My house in Sta Cruz Laguna was submerged in water too but I'm so relieved that my love ones were safe although my small house was damaged .

Clouds & Darkness , What is there to see ?

A cloud is a visible mass of droplets or frozen crystals suspended in the atmosphere above the surface of the Earth or another planetary body. Funny but true that I'd been watching & spotting some unique clouds lately and it's really fascinating to see some nice shapes out of it ... oh well I'm feeling like a kid sometimes ..LOL !

Here are some unique ones I'd spotted :

By the kitchen terrace one afternoon, I spotted the " MOUSE" Cloud ! What a cloud ...

This one I saw while waiting  for my son in a football field in Turf City, Singapore. I named it " SNOOPY" Cloud due to the resemblance of its shape to the cartoon character. It really looks like a dog ready to catch a ball ! The image was gone immediately after 1 minute ! Lucky I was fast to take a snap of it !

Can you spot the "Crocodile Dundee" here ? The colors were really bold and beautiful one late afternoon by the beach of Phuket , Thailand !

Amazing "Cotton Balls" Clouds I saw when I was opening the door of our terrace one very early morning while the morning sun is starting to rise. Normally it's clear blue sky but that morning, it was a very weird cloudy sky but with lots of sunshine .

"Keeping your body healthy is an expression of gratitude to the whole cosmos - the trees, the clouds, everything."  ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

I was not only amazed by the clouds but also by the darkness around me . Truthfully, I'm not the chicken hearted person you'll find on the face of the earth. I'm always alert and you can bet that I watch my sides on a 360 degrees turn specially at night either when I'm alone or with a bunch of friends ( who are mostly drunk all the time ha-ha ! ). Eventhough Singapore is one of the safest country here on earth that I know where women and children can walk around without any worries during the night , still, caution has to be considered and not to be taken for granted . Sometimes you'll never know what the future holds so better be safe than never !
Criminality is not a big thing in this hi-tech society of Singapore as compared to European and  American cities as well as all other surrounding Asian countries . Still it's not a guarantee so we all should always watch ourselves wherever we go. Nevertheless, I'm thankful that I'm living here with my family . We feel safe and secure where we are now by 100% unless badluck or destiny come our way ... knock on wood that nothing wrong comes along at all !

But anyway, Here are some photos of scenes I had set my eyes on while roaming randomly during the night in our neighborhood :

This Tree was huge just like most of the trees you'll notice growing in Singapore. It surely looks very creepy at night if you're walking underneath it . But luckily, we were walking on an overpass just right beside it and there were lights all over the place. Kids were a bit scared despite of the lights surrounding the area ... like as usual when they walk near bushes and trees at night what else is to be expected with them ?

The Lamp post guiding the people walking up or down the steps of an overpass along Bukit Timah road. I like the colors blending in this photograph .

Ceiling light doesn't get noticed in a toilet room unless it's really dark in there ... but this one really caught my attention . Not because its not so bright but due to the way it looks . There's something about it that makes me feel different that moment I was in there looking at it ... I still wonder what it was ...

And last but not the least is the facade with the grand stair case leading to the condominium's  pool infront of us . I took the photo while sitting by our living room terrace overlooking the facade. The pool area actually was the same level as our terrace. The facade looks great and even more grand at night rather than during the daytime .

" I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness for it shows me the stars. "~ Og Mandino (1923 - 1996)