Rise up again, Philippines!

For the past week, the island of Luzon has been at a standstill. Tropical storm Maring (internationally known as Trami) entered the country and, while it did not really come into contact with Philippine soil, it pulled the monsoon. That's where everything started.

Last Monday, the rain poured so heavily, the capital was literally submerged in the flood. More than half of the National Capital Region was flooded, people started fleeing their homes and evacuating to somewhere higher. All we ever heard and saw on the news were how deep (ankle-deep, knee-deep, waist-deep, chest-deep, neck-deep) the floods were; how the waters in the dams were rising at an alarming rate; how the rivers were on the verge of overflowing; how thousands of people were evacuating their homes for higher ground. Various news sites, both local and international, have painted on what literally is happening in the capital. Personally, I've had my fair share of flooded house experiences. Thing is, this is probably the worst one in my twenty years of existence. While my previous experiences (even if the flood did go inside my room) lasted for a day, this one lasted for three. Still, the rain has already stopped here (though I don't know about the other areas in NCR) and we've already started cleaning the house.

And while we're busy cleaning up, I would like to ask for your help. Be it donations, volunteer work, or you just know someone who may be in need of any help at all, it would do wonders to all of us Filipinos. Listed below are the emergency hotlines and other numbers which would get you into contact to whomever you want to contact, help-wise. If you are in need of rescuing or know someone who is in need of rescuing, please contact any of the numbers below.

Emergency Hotlines:

National Disaster and Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) hotlines
(02) 911-1406, (02) 912-2665, (02) 912-5668, (02) 911-1873

Philippine National Police (PNP) Hotline Patrol
117 or send TXT PNP to 2920

Bureau of Fire Protection (NCR)
117, (02) 729-5166, (02) 410-6319 (Regional Director, Information Desk)

Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) hotline
7890 or (02) 726-6255

Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA)
136, 882-0925 (flood control)
Trunkline: (02) 882-4150-77 loc. 337 (rescue), 255 (Metrobase)
Metrobase: 882-0860

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
(02) 304-3713, (02) 304-3904

Red Cross hotline
143, (02) 527-0000, (02) 527-8385 to 95

North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) hotlines
(02) 3-5000 and (02) 580-8910

Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) hotlines
(0920) 96-SCTEX (72839) (traffic hotline) or (045) 459-0522

Skyway System Hotline
(02) 776-7777, 0917-539-8762 (globe), 0999-888-0893 (smart), 0932-854-6980 (sun)

South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) hotline
0917-6877539 (globe), (049) 508-7509, (02) 584-4389

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) hotline
(02) 433-8526

Philippine Coast Guard
(02) 527-3877, (02) 527-8481, 0917-724-3682 (globe), 0917-PCG-DOTC (globe)

Manila Water Hotline
1627

PHIVOLCS
Trunkline: (02) 426-1468 to 79, local 124/125 (emergency);
Text/call: 0905-313-4077 (globe)

DSWD
(632)931-81-01 to 07, local 426 (Disaster Response Unit); (02) 951-7119

Local government units (partial)

Manila Traffic Hotline – 527-3087
Cainta Traffic Hotline – 646-0044, (02) 248-1743 (hotline)
Las Piñas Traffic – 874-5756, 874-3927, 874-5754, 874-5753
Mandaluyong Hotline – 534-2993 (traffic); 533-2225 (Command Control Center)
Taguig Traffic – 838-4301 loc. 7112
Marikina STOC – 646-1651, (02) 646-1633 (traffic)
Pasig Traffic – 643-0000 (Command Control Center); 643-1111
Makati Public Safety Dept – 844-3146, 819-3270 to 71

Source: Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines

To all those near the University of Santo Tomas and haven't had a decent meal since the rains started, here's a list of food stalls that have delivery services (besides the fastfood chains anyway).

Chef101: +63 921 562 9699
Noodle King: +63 910 803 7529
Pard's: 782 9044
Snack Bar:  +63 927 297 3898
JQK Chicken: +63 915 634 5887
Kinirog: +63 930 543 1502
Ate Olga's: +63 908 554 8420
Cow Wow: +63 922 851 3389

Unfortunately, I only know of those near my former Alma Mater. If you have anything like the list I gave for the other schools and universities, please do comment it below and I'll add it in here—a little help goes a long way.

Thank you, guys! Even if us Filipinos are very much resilient, a prayer or two won't hurt. Thank you again!

Or like what we always say: Bangon, Pilipinas!