It was all over the news---how the different places in Manila were devastated and how so many of our countrymen lost everything, including loved ones. We didn't know the extent of the damage until...

Reddish-brown mud caked on the soles of our shoes, hundreds of hungry and impatient eyes watching and waiting, and kids poorly clad running all over the place--San Mateo, Rizal after the devastation of Ondoy, needed help badly and Lifeline Foundation was more than willing to give their help. In partnership with ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya, Lifeline was able to distribute food, bottles of water, clothing and toiletries to the residents who lost everything to the typhoon. This calamity brought out the best and the worst in people--some were grateful, others were concerned only about themselves. We saw how greed and fear manipulated most; the instinct to survive had kicked in. Others though, were relieved and were only grateful.

Conditions were terrible--there were trash and mud everywhere. The people were hungry and tired; pushing and shouting, they were starting to get out of hand. It angered us to see pregnant women with their children get pushed around in the crowd; at the same time, why did it take this long for help to arrive? The blame doesn't soley lie on the people, but on the system here in the Philippines where things hardly get done on time. It should not have taken this long to bring aid. Lifeline Foundation is changing that--it's time to for action now.

We are calling for compassion, compassion that moves people to action.