Task Force Ondoy Going Strong in Ateneo

A personal project inspired by my Multimedia Journalism class with Prof. DJ Clark

Published: Ateneo.edu, October 2009

Task Force Ondoy from Angel Constantino on Vimeo.

September 28, 2009, Quezon City — Task Force Ondoy is in full swing at the Ateneo College Covered Courts. Volunteers are busy receiving donations, repacking goods, and preparing for deployment to areas struck by the typhoon.

According to volunteer Eric Santillan, mobilization for Task Force Ondoy started last night. It was spearheaded by the Ateneo Sanggunian, the university’s student council, with the help of some Jesuit social organizations.

Santillan is heartened by the sheer number of goods and people who came to help. “Last night it wasn’t this big. Donations were coming in and organically it just grew and grew. Now we have around 800 to 900 volunteers from everywhere. I saw a grade 5 kid volunteering and a 70-year-old grandmother sign up. People of all ages came. We are helping out several areas, like the Gawad Kalinga areas of Ateneo. I heard they are also sending goods out to Barangka, Marikina. Just this afternoon, they sent to Cainta, which is probably the hardest hit area right now.”

Volunteers first sign up at the registration booth. A short orientation follows so the volunteers know what to do. Various donations are also welcome. Santillan says, “Water is really needed right now. Slippers would be a good thing to donate. There’s also a need for mattresses, blankets, canned goods, and plastic bags for the individual packing.”

Ateneo Alumnus and singer Miguel Escueta has been going around giving help where it’s needed. He invites others who are capable to help out too. “Me and my family were fortunate enough not to be hit badly by the storm. For the people who are still okay, I think it’s your calling to help out as much as you can. A lot of people are in need of help, they’re stranded, they haven’t been able to come home, and they don’t know what’s going to happen. It’s useless if you stay home. Try to do whatever you can. There are a lot of relief centers—in Alabang, in Paranaque, near Quezon City. Just ask around and for sure you’ll be of great use around the Metro. Be informed and do what you can.”