Worst typhoon in 40 years - a note from Charlie's mom

Noone expected Typhoon Ondoy to turn out this way. Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) was only signal number 1, the lowest storm signal. But, it dumped a month's worth of rain in 6 hours.

It rained hard on Friday and did not stop until late Saturday evening. Rivers around Metro Manila rose and water dams overflowed. The situation was exacerbated by blocked drainages and erosion from nearby mountains. Massive flood around Metro Manila resulted. In areas near rivers or creeks, waters reached 20 feet high! People were stranded on their rooftops waiting for rescue. However, since roads were not passable, it took time to provide help. It was painful to watch the news reporting children on the rooftops drenched by the heavy rains and going for several days without food or clean water. The typhoon left many without homes and over two hundred people dead.

Our family was spared. We consider ourselves lucky than most people. While water did come in our house, it was not that high and we had sufficient time to move our things to the second floor. We were stranded on the second floor for about a day but we were safe and warm and had food and water. I think Charlie had fun playing with his toys and sleeping on our beds.

It would take time to help all those affected and rebuild that which had been damaged. But, I believe in the resiliency of the Filipinos, tested by countless calamities like this one. For now, though, we need help. If you have something extra you could donate - food, used clothing, blankets, anything you can spare - please course them through the numerous organizations helping Filipinos get through this challenge.

Thank you,

Charlie's mom

Hiding the evidence

Mom says I'm a very picky eater and would rather starve to death than force myself to eat stuff I don't like. Today's menu is just dry dog food (bleech!). I hate hate hate dog kibble. I would much rather have tasty people food - like cheese, or hotdog, or chicken. Secretly, I would want to move to Teddy Bear's place because his mom cooks amazing stuff for him and his sister, Sierra.

This is what I do. I try to cover it up with what I can get so that they will think I already ate it. Pretty nifty idea, don't you think? That white stuff on it is the stuffing from one of my dolls which I operated on this morning.

Then, I cover it with the rug so that mama will think its already gone. Hehehe

Tada!

I 'm done with my food, Mama!

Rest in peace, Madam President

People Power\'s Philippine Saint: Corazon Aquino, 1933-2009

The day my dolly died

I was too focused on grooming you. I didn't realize I was already ripping you apart. Nor did I realize that later that day you would be buried in the big black garbage bin. Farewell Dolly, you will always be my favorite toy.

Love,

Charlie

Evil eyes

A dark creature has taken over the house and my postion as top...ummm...dog is threatened.

I call him "Evil eyes" because he always stares at me with those dark peircing eyes. I think Evil eyes is bad news. However, my mom is unable to see what I am seeing. To her, this creature is my new brother - a cute kitten, looking for a place to stay.

For now, I am confined to certain places in the house because mom said I am being bad for trying to shoo Evil eyes away. But, I am just protecting her from this creature who has made my mom's lap his favorite place to take a nap. I can see through his nasty tricks and I will be watching him.

Charlie