Tacloban

tacloban before and after

(photo via Daily Mail twitter here)

Friends, this is Tacloban, a small small city by a beautiful bay in the Philippines…this is one of the places decimated by Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), the largest typhoon to ever land on soil EVER….this place also happens to be where my aunt lives, my Tita A…and Tita A happens to be one of the pillars of my family, she is pushing 90–but like a cool, mean 90–she is beautiful, and probably the most valued person in our humungous family…she teaches us all so much.

We are a very very lucky family because while so many had to and still have to wait and wait to fly into Leyte Province to find their loved ones, my cousins are armed with press passes. And this afternoon we got word from someone that Tita A is fine and now we are all trying to get her and about 26 members of her extended family out to safety…sigh, there is still some work but I have to tell you, truly the relief of hearing she’s okay was palpable.

But my heart just breaks for the thousands upon thousands of people who lost loved ones and are still looking for their loved ones. My cousin is getting intel on the best charities to donate to, she is working in Tacloban for a news agency and is keeping an eye for charities who are on the ground doing good work and I will definitely share it here.

But in the meantime, please if you’re one for prayer, please pray…and if you’re not one for prayer please keep the people in the Philippines in your heart and wish them the best that can be in a time like this.

Will update you when I get a charity to recommend, but until then check out The Huffington’s Post’s list of charities HERE.

Update: Where I’m Donating

Read more on Convoy of Hope efforts HERE.

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4 Comments

  1. Casee Marie November 12, 2013 / 1:17 pm

    So relieved to read that your aunt and your extended family are okay! I’m certainly sending up prayers that they stay safe, in addition to the constant stream of prayers for all the lives impacted by this tragedy. Be well, sweets, and thanks also for your efforts to make the donation process more personal and more informational for people. xoxo

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