I went to Binan today to gather documents from our contact at the Municipal Hall. Nilo Guarino was my consignee for the container of goods. He is also the head social worker managing all relief sites in flooded areas.

Mr. Nilo manages seven evacuation centers. Some of the evacuation centers have up to 400 families. He makes sure they have temp housing and relief goods. He is also planning for rehabiltation in the community, helping build homes for victims.

There are up to 2,500 children in all evacuation centers and twice every week his office feeds them all.

As I sat in his office, there were people coming up to him asking questions. I looked at him and simply asked, “Dont you get overwhelmed?” He responded by his sigh, one that screams that nothing ever gets accomplished.

The reason why I asked is because I felt the same way. You help but it seems like it’s neverending… there are too many people in desperate need. Especially for Mr Nilo who sees it day in and day out.

I hope that people see.. It’s not easy to help. It’s the most hardworking and tiring job there is. Not to mention low pay or no pay (for ngo and non profit worker). It makes me appreciate people like Mr Nilo. They do it from their heart.

There are so many people like him around us… Teachers, social workers, volunteers.. They all make a difference and it’s huge for those that need it.

I guess the point is: we should all strive to be a Mr Nilo. It does make a difference after all.

I’m going to be blunt and say that I’ve been through hell this past week.

I have been waiting feverishly to get the container here so we can begin relief work in Pangasinan and several parts of the Philippines. It’s been hell.

I told a man at the Dept of Finance today that we’ve worked so hard to get help for victims but it’s not that easy to help people when they need it the most. There are so many processes and politics you have to go through here in order to make things happen. Again, I’ve been through hell.

I don’t want to go through the details of the process because there are so many things that need to happen. I feel like how I once felt as a reporter when I did an investigative piece. You are put through a maze and at each turn are asking people questions to get you to the next step. This was my week so far.

So in the end I will have to say that this is a learning process… The hell to get things done will be worth it once I see the smiles of the children. They will have a great Xmas afterall!

I’ve been through many parts of the Philippines providing what i can to those affected by the floods and poverty.

What amazes me the most is that people here are so grateful for the help. It may be just a bag of used clothes or some canned goods but to them, it is everything. I don’t really think it’s about ‘stuff.’ It’s about the recognition.

Many people who have money simply forget the poor. This is my observation of what I’ve seen so far. It’s disturbing to see the contrast. The poor seem to be the forgotten. It’s heartwrenching to see at times.

Poverty is so prevalent here. It’s normal for many to live without appropriate shelter, electricity or clean water. It’s something Americans take for granted but it’s something Filipinos live with. I hope people from all over would open up their hearts to this… to know we can’t stand by and let this be ‘normal.’

Let the forgotten have a chance… Just a chance to dream, to know they are cared for, to know they exist.

There are those who’s hearts have stood out to me. Even with only brief meetings, I am impressed by the sincerity of these people. WE International is led by a team of professionals who have gone out of their way to help flood victims and families on Smokey Mountain. The Long family has dedicated their lives to help children and then there was a pastor I met in Cainta, Rizal who provides hope in a seemingly bad poverty-stricken area.

There are many people I’ve met along the way who I admire whole heartedly. These are the exceptional people. These are the people we should look up to…

I thought I knew what poverty was but I really had no clue until I stepped onto Smokey Mountain. It’s been a few days since I toured the area but I really wanted to think about what to write you.. How I should describe this poverty-stricken area. This has to be the worst of the worst. It is poverty to the extreme.

Every day, a child wakes up to the smell of garbage, combine that with the gases below the mountain of trash. Every day, a child searches the piles of trash. Every day, a child’s hopes disappear. Is there a way out of this? For many, this is life.

I never knew that layers of trash can ignite gases below and that is why there are holes in the mountain for the combustible gases to expel from.. Thus the smoke that comes out of it. This is why it’s called Smokey Mountain.

Thousands of families live on this mountain. It’s so hard to see the children who play barefoot on the toxic ground. Homes are built on top of accumalated trash. I can’t even begin to explain the smell. It stays in your nose hours after the visit.

I saw children scavenge through the garbage looking for any disposables like plastics or metals. Every kilo of metal a child gathers is 20 cents in their pocket. How can a child live like this? Should we allow it?

This tour was the most eye-opening out of everything I have experienced thus far. I had never seen anything like this. I didn’t even think this existed. I’ve been sad and confused at the same time. I kept asking myself ‘Why?’ I don’t know how ‘we’ as human beings can allow for this to happen. It’s amazing but it’s happened for generations.

I hope my pictures and video will show you a glimpse of what I experienced. I hope you question why this exists.