It’s ironic that in several major local cosplay and anime forums, after-events threads are called “aftermaths” or “aftershocks”. After the catastrophic event that was Typhoon Ketsana (PAGASA name: Ondoy), I am taking this one time to go massively off-topic, with a plea for aid on behalf of the victims of the worst flooding to hit Metro Manila in over forty years.

I am very close to an aunt who heads one of the chapters of The Philippine National Red Cross, and she personally advises prospective donors that if they want their donations to reach the people who need it most (and IMO not be hijacked by local politicians or media groups to be rebranded as their own donations), they should head directly for the PNRC Headquarters at North Pier, Manila or to their local chapters in Pasay, Pasig, etc.

The PNRC is in dire need of the following items:

Food items: rice, noodles, canned goods, sugar, iodized salt, cooking oil, monggo beans and potable water

Medicines: paracetamol, antibiotics, analgesic, oral rehydration salts, multivitamins and medications to treat diarrheal diseases

Non-food items: bath soaps, face towels, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, plastic mats, blankets, mosquito nets, jerry cans, water containers, water purification tablets, plastic sheetings, and laundry soap

Construction materials: corrugated aluminium roofing material, plywood or chipboard, hammers, nails, and cement

You can also wire money directly to their PHP and USD bank accounts, or for more convenience SMS your donations from your mobile phones via GCASH or SMART MONEY. They also accept donations charged to your credit card via the Official Website. For more information on how to donate cash to the PNRC, please visit their Donations page.

Likewise, you can help out with the donation drive run by friend and femme fatale gaming otaku Miachan over at The Bare Necessities. They are appealing to donors to send in bottles of potable water, flashlights and batteries, matches and candles, toothbrushes and toothpaste, canned goods and can openers, and most importantly clean, unused underwear. The last item is especially comforting to people who have lost everything and waded through mud and dirty water just to get to safety.

Remember kids: not everything in this world is about cosplay or anime, and I hope you find it in your hearts to give. Thanks to everyone for your generosity, and stay safe.