Barrio Siete, an alternative collective blog by a group of Filipino bloggers from different parts of the world is reaching out to the netizens for the victims of Typhoon Ondoy (International Name: Typhoon Ketsana).

The collective blog spearheaded by the La Kapitana has organized a fund raising called Barrio Bayanihan for the victims. Please do visit the site and check out the ongoing fund drive by reading the blog entry:  Barrio Bayanihan for Ondoy Victims.

Here is the excerpt of La Kapitana’s campaign:

In the spirit of Barrio Siete, we invite you all to join our Bayanihan Fund Drive: Donate to Ondoy Flood Victims. Very simply:

1.) Make a donation to our Bayanihan Fund Drive: Donate to Ondoy Flood Victims. If you can’t, then help us by making this viral and create an entry entitled: Bayanihan Fund Drive: Donate to Ondoy Flood Victims. A link to this original entry will be appreciated where your readers can make a donation. Please leave us a note in the comment section if you are joining so we can list your entry, in case the pingback doesn’t work.

2.) Invite other bloggers to join our Bayanihan Fund Drive: Donate to Ondoy Flood Victims.

3.) We will list the names of the donors in a worksheet, their organization and/or their websites, unless they prefer to be anonymous.

4.) The listing will be updated regularly and will be posted here in Barrio Siete Dot com.

5.) We are only accepting monetary donations in currencies accepted by Paypal.

6.) All donations will be remitted only to the Philippine National Red Cross in Manila. (We have not made any contact with them yet.)

7.) If you prefer: You can make donations directly to the Philippine National Red Cross. Here is the link: Ways to donate

In Barrio Siete, this is where you can make your donation. We will in turn, turn this over to the Philippine National Red Cross.

8.) Reyna Elenas entry on Ondoy here is getting a lot of messages from readers asking for help and assistance. If you are reading this, please head over to that entry and respond to some of the questions if you know because it kills me that I don’t know the answer to their questions or their plea for help. Hopefully, there is one here who could help.

As of this writing, thousands of family are still homeless and many people, most specially children are hungry. Many are also reportedly sick in the Philippines.

Please help the Filipinos affected by the typhoon by putting a badge or making a small donation here or if you would be so kind, please help us to spread the word by blogging about this fund drive.

Thank you so much.

Regards,

Donor’s List:

1. Reyna Elena, Philadelphia, PA, United States
2. Rob Angeles, Fort Worth, TX, United States
3. Mahalia Shoup, Massillon, OH, United States
4. Anonymous, Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
5. Beng Cozo Hafner, Brandenburg, Germany
6. Chuva Chienes, Voorhees, NJ, United States
7. Froi Bulaong, Singapore
8. An2nette & Dirk Bachmann, Appenweier, Germany
9. JMH Gabriel MD, Chicago, IL, United States
10. Victor Ancheta, Houston, TX, United States
11. Peter Whitcher, Bruchkabel, Germany
12. Amor Sartillo, Manila, Philippines
13. Bluepanjeet, Calabarzon, Philippines
14. Reesie, Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States
15. Agnes, Caloocan, Metro Manila, Philippines
16. Noel, Cavite, Philippines
17. Malen, Valenzuela, Bulacan, Philippines
18. Chi, Dartmouth, Devon, United Kingdom
19. Metro-Mogli, Sweden
20. Leonora Torres, Lucena, Quezon, Philippines
21. Diwatang Byaning, Cherry Hill, NJ, United States
22. Lalaine Siruno, Oslo, Norway
23. Silver, Calamba, Philippines
24. Buraot, Somewhere in California, United States
25. Melissa Patrice, Jawa Barat, Indonesia
26. Annalyn Jusay-Zoglmann, Manila, Philippines
27. Neil Acero, Caloocan, Philippines
28. Dakilang Islander, Warwick, Bermuda
29. Mel Beckham, Davao City, Davao Del Sur, Philippines
30. Therese S, Houston, TX, United States
31. Monique, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
32. Jonelo Padua, Pasadena, CA, United States
33. Anonymous, Barcelona, Spain
34. Analyn , Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
35. Julia Dance, London, United Kingdom
36. Frances Raymundo, San Juan, Philippines
37. Dexter Soy, Pangasinan, Philippines
38. Albert Balbutin, Daly City, CA, United States
39. Rachel Winer, Houston, TX, United States
40. Pinoy Hiker, Washington State, United States
41. Jose Palada, Vancouver BC, Canada
42. Raquelita Urbano Abadiano, Baesa QC, Philippines
43. Jocelyn Pagsolingnan, Newark CA United States
44. Snow, Taguig City, Philippines
45. M. Aguila, New York NY United States
46. Annie & Bebot Encarnacion, Thornhill ON Canada
47. Samantha Llamas, Daly City CA United States
48. Hazel Garcia, Pomona CA United States
49. Winnie de la Cruz, Edmonton Alberta Canada
50. Lee, Gilbert & Family, Marlton NJ United States
51. Phan Do, Somerdale NJ United States
52. Anna de Brux, Brussels Belgium
53. Junsy, Mt. Laurel NJ United States

Bloggers for Barrio Bayanihan For Ondoy Victims

1. Manila Under Water: Barrio Bayanihan For Ondoy Victims by Social Media Philippines
2. Bayanihan Fund Drive: Donate to Ondoy Flood Victims by Chocolateword
3. B7: Barrio Bayanihan by Kubyertos
4. Barrio Bayanihan for Ondoy Victims by Silver
5. [149] Nang magalit si Kalikasan.Mga Politiko nasaan? by Dencios
6. Please make a donation to Ondoy Flood Victims by Edwin Jamora
7. Prayers, donations and help for all the victims of Ondoy by Ely of Phototecture
8. Mga Biktima ng Bagyong Ondoy by bloggityblogs
9. Stark images of Storm Ondoy, the morning after. by Ajay’s Writings on the Wall
10. help for ondoy victims by i heart manila
11. Typhoon Ondoy by Caligulina;s Blog
12. Barrio Siete Drive for Typhoon Victims by Journey in my head
13. Philippine Flood by Metro Mogli
14. Ondoy,pagmasdan mo ang ginawa mo!! by Bongga ka ‘day!
15. How to help and donate for the Victims of Tropical Storm Ketsana aka Ondoy by bluepanjee dot org
16. Pounced by Ondoy by Aiza
17. Barrio Bayanihan For Ondoy Victims by The Great Maldito
18. Barrio Bayanihan for Ondoy Victims by Mel Beckham
19. Bayanihan Fund Drive: Donate to Ondoy Flood Victims by Chuva Chienes
20. Barrio Bayanihan for Ondoy Victims by Mr. Nonsense
21. Let’s Keep The Bayanihan Spirit Alive by Chuvaness
22. Please Help Ondoy Victims by Medyo Guapo
23. I hate you Ondoy! by Ana Banana
24. Bayanihan Fund Drive Donate to Ondoy Victims by Mikes Sumondong
25. Bayanihan Fund Drive: Donate to Ondoy Flood Victims by Diwatang Byaning
26. Ondoy Flood: Typhoon Ondoy Update by Ronald Redito
27. Bayanihan Fund Drive: Donate to Ondoy Flood Victims by Nanay Belen
28. Help for typhoon Ondoy Victims by Brainchild
29. Desert Fishing by dFish
30. B7 Fund Drive for Typhoon Victims by An2nette Bachmann
31. They are in need by Mumusakanto
32. Barrio Siete’s Bayanihan Fund Drive by PugadCtoy
33. Ondoy, Not Ondoy at all by Reesie
34. How to help the Typhoon Ondoy victims by Ambibo
35. Bayanihan Fund Drive: Donate to Ondoy Flood Victims by Yami
36. Sticky tape and apron strings
37. Exodians, Netizens of the World by Darbs
38. Heartbreaking! by Joyo
39. Barrio Siete’s Bayanihan Fund Drive: Please Donate to Ondoy Flood Victims by Snow
40. How to Donate to Ondoy Flood Victims by Survivor SuperWoman
41. moderately confused pinay in deutschland by cheh
42. Barrio Bayanihan for Ondoy Victims by Juleste
43. Appropriate Light by My Manila

Fund Raising Update

1. 1st Remittance Report = $1,000 (September 29, 2009)
2. Ondoy Missing Person Database (September 30, 2009)
3. Progress Report of Bayanihan Fund Drive (October 1, 2009)
4. 2nd Remittance Report: Project Bayanihan Fund Drive for Ondoy Victims (October 3, 2009)
5. Barrio Bayanihan For Ondoy Victims = Now, Php159,214! is now CLOSED (October 3, 2009)

Malta's Mjandra Neolithic Temple

Photo Credit: Howard Bloom

Where is Malta located?

The Republic of Malta is lying in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea between the south of Sicily and the northern tip of Africa.

The country is located in the heart of the Mediterranean. Malta is a melting pot of civilizations with a history stretching back thousands of years. The small European country has been inhabited since around 5200 BC. In fact, a significant prehistoric civilization existed on the islands prior to the arrival of the Phoenicians who named the main island Malat, meaning safe haven.

The island loyally supported the United Kingdom during World Wars 1 and 2. The country even remained in the Commonwealth when it became independent in 1964. A decade later Malta became a republic.

The island has transformed itself into a freight transshipment point since the mid-80s. Malta became a financial center and a tourist destination. Malta became an EU member in May 2004 and began using the euro as currency in 2008.

OTHER FACTS ABOUT MALTA

Location: Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy). The country is slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC.

Climate: Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers

Government Type: Parliamentary Republic

Capital: Valleta

Official Language: Maltese, English

Ethnic groups: Maltese 95.3%, British 1.6%, other 3.1%

Independence: From the United Kingdom: September 21, 1964

Republic: December 13, 1974

My blogging adrenalin soars high this week so I guess I was like blogwalking nonstop to ensure that I covered the buzz in our Pinoy blogosphere! So, without further ado, listed below are the things that rocked our world in my Bloggery Buzz of the Week:

Swine Flu Hits the Philippines

Yeah, guys and gals! We better watch out because the dreadful H1N1 virus has finally landed here in the Philippines. As a mom and an occasional lakwatsera, I am very scared because we know that the regular flu shots won’t be effective to this swine flu virus nowadays! Check out Gem’s post on the petrifying flu that hit the world and have your say on this timely issue.

Hayden Kho: Here, there and everywhere

Hayden Kho vs Katrina Halili

I guess the entire country is really fuming mad about Hayden Kho’s escapades! Based on my observations alone, almost all the bloggers in different walks of life is blogging about their thoughts on Hayden’s unbecoming video habits. Yeah, Hayden’s sensational scandal even upstaged Susan Boyle’s media outburst!

Oh well, let us see what will happen next! In the meantime, check out the Barrio Siete’s discussion regarding the water-pouring incident in the Senate! Yeah, Hayden is really sizzling hot like the sun these days!

Fatherlyours is now up and running

L to R: The Struggling Blogger, Zorlone, Fatherlyours and Letsgosago

Kuya Mon’s saga to recover his beloved blog is now a reality! Yehey! His daughter Mae, has hosted the site and Kuya Mon is picking up the pieces so to speak. Welcome back again Fatherlyours Dot Com!

Pinoy Director: Best Director Winner at Cannes Festival

Brilliante Mendoza

Our very own Brillante Mendoza has grabbed the jury award for Best Director at Cannes Festival. Congratulations to you and may you continue to make our country proud! Hmmm, my next dream for you is to grab that uber precious Oscar. 

And lastly again…

Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs of 2009 Update

courtesy of Influentialblogger.net

Ms. Janette Toral’s Writing Project is now heating up as more and more bloggers are participating every week. So far a total of 29 bloggers have given their bets. The entries came from Ed, Lee, Paulnatic, Reesie, Reyna Elena, Brotherutoy, Regnard, Leirs, Eliment, New Media Philippines, Aileen, Lace Llanora, Momblogger, Roy, Nina, Mon, Rhona, Simon T Small, Fritz, Itot54joni, Kelvin Servigon, Jena Isle, Mico Santos, Ada, Blogie, Micamyx, Shaihyie, Ceblogger, and Elmot. The project will enter on its 3rd week this coming Monday so let us see how the new entries will affect the current standing.

Let me also say thank you to all the bloggers who nominated my blog for the Top 10! I really really appreciate the nomination. 

The news and blogs above rounds up my Bloggery Buzz for the week! Please drop by again next time for the weekly buzz in our blogosphere!

Cheers,

Photo Courtesy of Flickr

It has been reported that the Metro Rail Transit will be offering round-the-clock train rides starting Monday, June 1. Assistant Secretary Reynaldo I. Berroya, General Manager of the MRT-3, stated that:

MRT surveys revealed that most call center agents finish their shifts at about midnight and at 4 a.m. At this period, most buses and jeepneys are in their garages already, and most call center agents have to wait a long time

The round-the-clock operation is also seen as an advantage to commuters who may become stranded during the rainy season as there are shortages of public vehicles around Metro Manila.

Well, as a graveyard shift employee of a BPO firm and a regular commuter – let me express my thoughts on this move:

Kudos to the great idea of the MRT administration! I also hope that you will continue the 24 hour operation instead of just doing it as an experimental one because more and more people like me is getting annoyed with the traffic and the high cost of taxi fares in Metro Manila!

Cheers,

Anna Anisimova

Anna Anisimova, the Russian daughter of Russian metals mogul Vassily Anisimov, is an heiress to her fathers’ 2 billion dollar fortune. She is presently residing in New York.

Anna Anisimova – or Anya, as she was known in Russia – is also considered as the Russian Paris Hilton by the elite circle of New York because she also happens to have an affluent lifestyle like Paris. In 2007, Forbes featured her as one of the 20 most intriguing billionaire heiresses due to her mysterious demeanor. She also made headline when she has undergone boob job and made a perfume line like Paris.

Miss Anisimova is not just sitting around waiting for her fathers’ fortune. It is notable to say that she also works hard just like Paris. Just recently, the ex-model is conquering real estate business when she purchased a 4000 square foot pad in the Time Warner Center for 15 million dollars.

However, it seems that her family may suffer financial crisis at this time as her father Vasily lost 3.2 billion dollars from his Metalloninvest Holding. Forbes just released the billionaires for 2009 and Anya’s father Vassily was one of the 55 Russian billionaires out of the list this year.

Pretty tough huh? So who says that only the poor gets poorer? I believe the rich is getting poorer too in this time of depression! Oh well…

image courtesy of cebuonwheels

I admit it, yours truly is again guilty for not consistently making a bloghop! Oh geez, unfortunately, my son and I are still both quite sick.  What a luck! Anyway, I hope that everything will be alright next week because I am a blog addict! Yeah, it pains me not to bloghop, to comment and to create a nice blog. But guys and gals, I won’t let this week passed by without my weekly bloggery buzz (hehehe…addict talaga! ). For this week, I have chosen to showcase the Philippine online official news websites because I want to comment on the current issues at this time. Here are the things that caught my fancy while reading the news online:

1. Era of overseas migrant workers ending
Economic and political analysts are now making ‘predictions’ that overseas migrant working will gradually decline because of the U.S. recession. However, let’s face it, it’s just a forecasts so it has a tendency to become true in some aspects. Let’s just cross our fingers then.

2. Qatar needs 37,200 more OFWs
President Arroyo on the other hand assured to the Filipinos that there will be more jobs in Qatar. Jobs needed are in energy, petroleum, natural gas, hospitals, car dealerships, transportation, construction, heavy equipment, and retail industries. Could this be true? I don’t know guys as I now realized that everything our government declare is not usually true. So, I just hope again that the ‘assurance’ is not a ploy again to earn millions of votes of the Filipino people this coming 2010 election. Ganyan kasi nangyari sa pag-issue ng Philhealth noong 2006. Parang ipinain lang para makakuha ng boto.

3. US funding on hold due to RP corruption
I personally like the idea of The US Millennium Challenge Corp. (MCC) for not providing Philippines with the much needed economic assistance. Yeah, MCC I do agree with you 101% that my dear country is evidently controlled by corrupt individuals. So, even if it pains me to see my fellowmen suffering,  I would rather support the ‘on hold’ status than to see these ‘hoodlums in robes’ pocketing the funds first to their ever fattening bank accounts. Sila lang naman ang nagke-care na walang pondo noh? Sa akin kasi, who cares? The much needed assistance doesn’t go directly to people anyway. Baka ipanggamit pa nila yan sa 2010 campaign. Hmmpft!

4. On this survey, it’s not perception
Wow, it seems that Malacanang welcomes the findings of the Social Weather Stations with so much delight nowadays because survey says that a number of Filipino households no longer regard themselves as poor and food-poor has decreased. Well, palace boys and girls don’t jump too high about the matter because it’s just a freaking survey! I bet that survey doesn’t count the homeless people around the metropolis and people from far-away provinces. Just my two cents here! Grrr… I can’t feel the progress talaga kasi.

And lastly…

5. Filipinos rally against rewriting the Constitution
I’m one of those people who doesn’t like the charter change. So, I agree with the rest that Arroyo must give a statement to the nation that she will not tamper the Constitution for her personal gain. But from the looks of it, nothing is being said at this point. Well, isa lang masasabi ko diyan, ayoko ng maulit pa yung iisang tao lang ang naupo sa gobyerno for 20 years. Hmmm,

Alright, these news rounds up my observation nowadays. Apologies for being a little political recently but I really can’t accept the fact that we are being merely treated as ‘subjects’ of these political personalities. Last time I’ve checked kasi, we are still a democratic country. However, how can I possibly feel that if those who governs us doesn’t even care?