Heroes of Philippine FM Radio - Jam 88.3's Gang, Lambert and Steph - Voices of Hope Amidst Typhoon Ondoy

Unbeknownst to those who had the luxury of having access to electricity and television last night, heroism was ever alive in Philippine FM radio during the wake of Typhoon Ondoy -- Thanks to Jam 88.3's Gang, Lambert and Steph.

In the midst of uncertainty and suffering brought about by Ondoy and the lack of electricity in most parts of Mega Manila, DJ Gang of RockEd Radio, DJ Lambert and DJ Steph selflessly gave their time and effort into making sure that cellphone owners - especially those stuck in disaster stricken areas, whose only access to news was their dying cellphones' FM radio app - were kept updated on the status of relief operations and were somehow kept alive by Jam 88.3's display of resilient and pro-active hope. They practically turned the usually indifferent FM radio scene into a venue for disaster relief info dissemination and volunteer coordination.

What was truly heartening is the public's involvement in Jam's efforts. There were those who called the station to give updates on the traffic situation across the metro. Doctors texted to give tips to those staying on the roofs of their flood-engulfed houses on how to avoid hypothermia, while a former red cross volunteer shared the procedure on how to prepare an oral rehydration solution. The listeners online, on the other hand, used technology to help by tweeting relevant news to the DJ's and opening a website for consolidating relief efforts. Three alumni from the Ateneo de Manila University, namely Mike, Gabe and Royce, even dropped by Jam's office to offer their volunteer services to any organization that needs them. Rei and her husband, business-owners who were trying to find their way to Marikina to rescue their employees, also called Jam's hotline number to report that people who have been trapped in their cars for hours on the clogged thoroughfares also need help and immediate attention. Sky, a girl from Tondo, called Jam to remind everyone to pray for their loved ones.

I listened attentively to the station via my cellphone for more than 5 hours and if there's something that I realized while tuning in to Jam, it is that Filipinos are Heroes. And this heroism is not a heroism that caves in and cops out in the face of a reckless and indifferent force of nature, but rather a heroism that becomes all the more alive in the face of disaster.

I'd like to express my sincerest gratitude to Gang, Lambert and Steph, the Jam 88.3 crew and to all the listeners for their efforts and concern. Thank you for much for doing something that a lot of us would have wanted to do but, for the lack of resources, couldn't. Thank you for sharing your selves so unselfishly with those in need.


more photos of damage and suffering brought by Ondoy, HERE.



Dear TP reader, if you are interested to help those who are most in need in these times, you may do so via:

Donate to the Philippine Red Cross for ONDOY victims

September 26, 2009 — ninaterol

Monetary Donations

1. CASH or CHECK
Please send cash or check donations to the PNRC National Headquarters in Manila. Checks should be made payable to The Philippine National Red Cross. We can also arrange for donation pick-up.

2. BANK DEPOSIT
Account Name: The Phil. Nat’l. Red Cross

METROBANK
Port Area Branch
Peso Acct.: 151-3-041-63122-8
Dollar Acct.: 151-2-151-00218-2
Type of Acct. : SAVINGS
Swift Code: MBTC PH MM

BANK OF THE PHIL. ISLANDS
Port Area Branch
Peso Acct.: 4991-0010-99
Type of Account: CURRENT

BANK OF THE PHIL. ISLANDS
UN Branch
Dollar Acct.: 8114-0030-94
Type of Account: SAVINGS
Swift Code: BOPI PH MM

For your donations to be properly acknowledged, please fax the bank transaction slip at nos. +63.2.527.0575 or +63.2.404.0979 with your name, address and contact number.

Credit Card

Please fax the following info to +632.404.09.79 and +632.527.0575:

Name of card member, billing address, contact nos. (phone & mobile), credit card no., expiration date, CCV2/ CVC2 (last three digits at the back of the credit card), billing address, amount to be donated.

For online donations you may also visit our website at www.redcross.org.ph .

In-Kind Donations

LOCAL
Please send in-kind local donations to The Philippine National Red Cross – National Headquarters in Manila. We could also arrange for donation pick-up.

INTERNATIONAL

Send a letter of intent to donate to the PNRC
A letter of acceptance from PNRC shall be sent back to the donor
Immediately after shipping the goods, please send the (a) original Deed of Donation, (b) copy of packing list and (c) original Airway Bill for air shipments or Bill of Lading for sea shipments to The Philippine National Red Cross–National Headquarters c/o Secretary General Corazon Alma de Leon, Bonifacio Drive, Port Area, Manila 2803, Philippines.
The PNRC does not accept rotten, damaged, expired or decayed goods. Though we appreciate your generosity, the PNRC also discourages donations of old clothes as we have more than enough to go around.

SMS and G-CASH (Globe)

SMS
text REDAMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4483 (Smart)

G-CASH
text DONATEAMOUNT4-digit M-PINREDCROSS to 2882

Most urgent needs

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

Rehabilitation Programs: Shelter materials for house repair

Call Hotline 143 or 527.0000

THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
Bonifacio Drive, Port Area,
Manila 2803, Philippines

[via MeowSiopao]

God Bless The Philippines. We can make it through this.

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