Most of us are now feeling the financial drain brought by Typhoon Frank.

 

The weird thing is, while we help ourselves and our families, we still try to help and share whatever goodies we have to our less fortunate neighbors. Sometimes we feel guilty that we are not doing enough.

 

But TA-RA! Yes, you can help with little or no money! No Gimmiks!

 

Here are four innovative ways, and feel free to share ideas!

 

  1. The GIFT OF LISTENING –

Typhoon Frank destroyed our neighborhood. The entire province. Your best friend across the street is also affected. You walk around town, and as much as you want to get a smiley face to cheer you up, you are greeted by grim faces. So who are you going to talk to?

 

Yes, I am here in California. But it did not take some rocket-science thinking to understand the damage caused by this huge calamity.

 

At the height of the news black-out, Aklanons here in the U.S. call each other, lending a quiet support. We abroad listen to the voices of Aklanons. We read and respond to your emails.

 

If you listen closely, victims don’t need your pity nor judgment. They just want to talk and let those feelings out.

 

Just be there. It doesn’t cost you a single cent.

 

      2.   The GIFT OF SPEAKING UP –

The reason why I became a strong advocate for children is because I felt the kids who are disabled, abused and neglected do not speak up. At work, most if not all of my 100+ cases involved fighting on behelf of children with autism so these children can practice their legal right to go to school.

 

Some people are just way too quiet, trying to forget what happened. We even try to minimize the extent of the damage. Worse, some even deny Frank ever set foot.

 

When asked ‘kamusta kamo?’, you will hear, ‘okay man ah’, when in reality they are hungry, cold, dirty and sick. Paanong okay eh the streets are muddy for two weeks and now the people wearing masks covering the stench lingering all of Kalibo?

 

How are the infants and children coping? The elderly and frail? The poor and the sick? The Aeta’s?

 

I am not telling you to start talking in front of a moving bus and campaign for a love offering.

 

A week ago, a neighbor (who read my blog) asked, how’s Aklan? I just told her while help is on the way, a lot of people lost their belongings, clothing and household items. The next day, my neighbor dropped 3 bags of clothing and shoes in my front door. I got relief goods just by randomly talking.

 

Talk to your family, your neighbors, your co-workers. You will be amazed at how much goodness people have.

 

Speak up! What are you going to loose?

 

        3.  The GIFT OF WRITING –

Ah, the blogs. Popping out on the internet like mushrooms. Google or yahoo it up, blogs grabs No1 spot way ahead of CNN.

 

Typhoon Frank lashed out everyone from Mindanao to Luzon, rich and poor, doctors or politicians. Recent article showed over 50 journalists from Aklan and Iloilo were also victims. In short, we are kinda short-handed with regards to media and exposure.

 

If someone has the gift of writing or publishing … WE NEED YOU! Write, write, write. Go back to typewriter or just plain paper and pencil. Write in English, German, Tagalog, Aklanon or Hiligaynon. We need your voice.

 

            And if you’ve got a blog, link us up.

 

4.   The POWER of POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT  –

 

            The reward system! Let’s not forget that!

 

Give a simple thank you to a doctor from the neighboring province who came on a medical mission. Provide a snack and cold drink to each MMDA personnel for working tirelessly round the clock. Send thank you emails to organizations who’d been there in Aklan during our darkest hours.

 

Take pictures of relief efforts, provide them with copies and post it on your blog, Friendster, Facebook or Flickr along with heart-felt thanks. Call their supervisor and inform them that Engr so-and-so or Doctor so-and-so came to Aklan and performed above and beyond their call of duty.

 

 

     5.   TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.

     Eat and sleep well. Try not to get sick. Do not stress out. Hug your family. Continue with work and routine. Declare a day-off not thinking of Frank.

 

Remember, you are of no use to Aklan if you are not emotionally and physically well. We need you, so be well.

 

So, that’s all folks. We can do this Aklan!

 

And on the lighter side of things, thank you to all those who greeted and supported me on my 35th birthday last Wednesday. Ha Ha Ha!