Just before Christmas time we went with a bus load full of relief goods to Tacloban, Leyte. Thousands of schoolbooks and general school – supplies were delivered to various schools as well as construction tools which are shared between many people to re-build their houses.
All this was made possible by the generous donations of many people.
Many Dumagueteños saw the Dagpin Family on a facebook post of Dumaguete Information Office and Hulagway ug Kasikas sa Dumaguete; a family from Tacloban which are victims of typhoon Yolanda and got shelter in Dumaguete with relatives. Emely and family were washed away by the storm surge and stood afloat for hours before they could rescue themselves. They found shelter in Dumaguete with Dante Capistran and his Family in Candau-ay.
The mother and 7 kids between 21 and 1.5 years old wanted to go home to Tacloban urgently, after the DepEd announced, classes will resume 2nd of December. Two of the daughters are finishing college and high school this year.
As we have access to the money of the fundraiser held in Casablanca Restaurant, we thought, this is a great opportunity to support a family and help them to get back on track. We also prefer to help individually instead of giving money to an organization, which needs to sit down in many meetings (and waste time and money) to discuss the design of the T-Shirt for the helping operation.
Dagpin Family Totally wash out of Yolanda with Dante Capistrano in the middle and his family took care while they were in Dumaguete
We first contacted Dumaguete Information Office on November 27th to get some more info about the family. However, they were of course multitasking as at the same time the new elected Barangay Officials celebrated their oath taking, and a Lechon is just better when it is fresh. Therefore, we could not get any proper information out of them, let alone anybody who could make a decision. Multiple text-messages remained un-replied and those which were said something like: No, we can’t help them yet, maybe there are more refugees and we can get them out together. While we understand there are reasons for that, this “yes-no-maybe-but”-answers are just not good enough for us.
After two days waiting, we decided to take things in our own hands and got in touch with the family. On Friday night 9:00 pm we met them in Candau-ay near the Barangay Hall to get a feeling for the situation. With them were their honorable, generous hosts, Dante Capistran and his Family.
The decision was done quickly, as we could see the desperation in their eye the second we met them. They looked a little bit as they could not believe us when we told them after 5 minutes, that we would take care of their trip back to Tacloban after they approached different local offices the previous days and did not receive any help. When we left 30 minutes later, they slowly realized that we are serious and a kind of happiness sneaked into their faces.
We drove from Candau-ay to the pier to check out the schedule of ferries to have different options. The family are no travelers and in this situation, we wanted to assure that all will work out perfect.
Early Saturday morning we got all finalized and told them, that their trip will start in the evening at 11:00 pm. After we purchased the tickets from Dumaguete to Cebu, we also bought basic school supplies for the girls, some food, milk for baby Gabrielle and some other urgently needed stuff.
We met them again Saturday evening at 9:00 pm at the pier. Thanks to the announcement on the Facebook pages of Dumaguete Information Office and Hulagway ug Kasikas sa Dumaguete, they received additional relief goods. All was brought to the George & Peter Ferry, which left the Dumaguete pier at 11:00 pm, heading towards Cebu.
They arrived in Cebu at 6:00 am in the morning and after a quick breakfast, we purchased the tickets for Weesam Express to Ormoc. From there, they took the bus to Tacloban City. Sunday afternoon we received the text that they arrived safe in Tacloban.
Emily, Nadine, Marianne, Marineth, Arianne, Sharmaine, Doreen, and 1.5 years old Gabrielle are back home, thanks to the generous guests of Casablanca Restaurant, the owner Gunther Sanin, Dante Capistran and his Family, and the effort of each and everybody, who send donations, prayers, relief goods and good thoughts from the heart.
Waiting for the ferry to Leyte
We will keep in touch with them to know how they do and if the girls get through their schools successful.
We just want to share this video, as we believe it is very well done and just different. (put together by Tony Exall, owner at TXL Underwater Video, Director at Philippine Dive Holidays.)
With the big help of some friends, we are able to send direct help to Malapascua , an Island north of Cebu with no natural resources.
Rolf Mühlmann who is with Sea Explorers/Pura Vida and his team in Dauin was a huge help. They pick up our packs and take care of the transportation to Malapascua.
Also a great thank you to Asia Divers. They offered to pick up our donations from the Ceres Terminal in Cebu to get it to the drop point of HelpMalapascua.
Sea Explorer run also an operation in Malapascua. They were able to evacuate all their staff and families ahead of the typhoon. But they lost everything. Some generous donations let us buy relief goods which include 700 pcs. cloths, 200 plates, buckets, pitchers, etc.
UniTops in Dumaguete gave us again a great discount, that all the money gets even a little bit further.
I hope we could add a little bit and…
malapascua Yolanda Victim
A big thank you to all departments of the City and the various Rescue Teams which were not only on stand-by during the storm. Many had some sleepless days and nights ahead of the Typhoon. They cut trees, evacuated people as a precaution and gave a helping hand whenever needed.
Dumaguete City Rescue 348
One team of the Dumaguete City Rescue 348 came to our Barangay to cut some trees which wouldn’t withstand the storm. As it happens, we had a huge, but dead avocado tree in our garden which we had scheduled to be cut this coming week by a private company. With the Typhoon coming in, we were very concerned. If that tree goes down in the storm it would damage three residential buildings.
dumaguete rescue 348 at work
With the assistance of Syril Repe and the Dumaguete Information Office, a team of the Dumaguete City Rescue 348 came Thursday morning and took down the dead tree.
dumaguete rescue-348 helps
The guys and girls of Rescue 348 did an outstanding job. With professional equipment, thoughtful planning to avoid unnecessary damage, and always smiling, they worked together as a great team .
dumaguete-rescue-348-job-done
This team stands representative for all helping hands and offices, who were working together to prepare Dumaguete City for the incoming Typhoon.
dumaguete rescue 348 team Well Done Job. Thank You so much
Last update – Saturday morning 7:00 am
Dumaguete was lucky and well prepared. The City Government evacuated some people from the riverbanks and brought them to different safe places as a precaution. The Rescue Teams of the City were all in stand-by. Actually they were busy the days before. Several Teams were cutting trees which might not withstand the strong winds Haiyan (Yolanda) would bring.
From here on we will NOT proceede with this topic. There is enough drama spread all over the internet, a lot of it just copy-paste. A lot of it simple useless stuff which does not help anyone.
Instead of wasting 30 PHP in an internet-cafe or for load, buy a kilo of rice and bring it to the drop-points all over the country
We will try to get more useful information about Dumaguete- specific emergency procedures and assistance in case if needed. Use the contact form if you need any specific information and we will try to get it for you. You can find one list with emergency contact numbers here.
dumaguete rescue 348 team Well Done Job. Thank You so much
Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) passed some 100 km north of Dumaguete at 11:30 am. Dumaguete was, like predicted, well out of the way and experienced some winds, which were not that strong. It also brought less rain. The rivers did not overflow and the winds caused no big damage. The power was cut of from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm. Telephone and Cellphones were still functioning.
The city and the people of Dumaguete were better prepared compared to the last storms and typhoons which passed or hit the region. It appears that all learned from the hard lessons we had to learn in previous years. Thankfully, the typhoon spared us out this time.
Other regions in the Philippines were less lucky. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.
The eye of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) has past in the north. In Dumaguete we had a bit a stiff breeze so far. Also not much rain so far. Absolutely nothing which does not happen 10 times a year. Lets wait what will happen the next 2-3 hours…
No changes in Dumaguete, still in the range of windspeeds of a tropical depression.
Haiyan Yolanda update friday -6am
Not much has changed in the prediction
Haiyan Yolanda update thursday 6pm
The latest track update shows another tiny chance. No change for Dumaguete, though. Still stong winds and rain, but no direct hit. However, Boracay is still directly on the track. Also another Top-Tourist-Destination of the Philippines is now in the direct path of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). The wreck-diving paradise of Coron might get a severe hit.
The track prediction of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) changed slightly. But really just a tiny notch to the north. What is good for us in Dumaguete might be really bad for Boracay. The last 6:00 pm prediction shows the typhoon hitting Boracay in the night from Friday to Saturday.
Here is the latest track-prediction. The Typhoon slowed a bit down, but picked up on windspeed and is now a category 4 Typhoon.
We are aware that many locals and some foreigners are experts in spreading panic and enjoying to be the sources of dramas.. But as of now, there is no reason to run around like chicken without heads. If the typhoon changes direction, we will notice that in time.
Be prepared but don’t spread panic because you heard something from someone who has a huge fantasy. If the typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) will keep this track, Dumaguete will experience some strong winds and heavy rain. We will NOT be hit by the typhoon directly. Winds will reach around 65-80 kilometer per hour.
The Typhoon keeps its predicted Track and is now south of Yap.
While there was no reason, other than utter laziness of the people in charge, to skip school on tuesday (the storm passed Dumaguete on MONDAY at 7pm … 12 hrs earlier), the next storm is on the way. A tropical storm already transferred into a typhoon called Yolanda. The local name for the Typhoon is Haiyan.
Track Prediction Typhoon Hayan
On Tuesday the Typhoon formed south of the Marina Islands and is on its way towards the Philippines. Haiyan will reach Central Philippines Friday afternoon. It will carry a wind gust over 125 mph and deteriorate as it goes through the island country. Haiyan will approach the Philippines on Friday. The most likely scenario is that Haiyan will be a very powerful typhoon with wind gusts over 125 mph as it approaches the central Philippines. (source Accuweather). Rain and increasing wind will reach the central Philippines Friday afternoon and conditions will deteriorate from east to west Friday night into early Saturday as the powerful typhoon crosses the islands.
Meanwhile, the JTWC, an agency of the US Department of Defense, already categorized Haiyan as a supertyphoon with wind speeds of 241 kph.
Track Prediction of Typhoon Haiyan – Nov. 5 at 4:00 pm (click picture to enlarge)
DumagueteInfo Net Service