As Ondoy strikes in Makati! (and its aftermath)

Often we organize safety drills during earthquake or fire but how about this simple and yet very rampant typhoon cases? It's more than just an eye wakening experience wherein we are reminded that we have to take serious precautions during calamities such as typhoons causing our areas traffic and floods.

September 26 was truly unforgettable! I was sharing my lectures with my students when the announcement for a class suspension was made. In order to maintain calmness as the weather seemed to be in fury, some of the faculty members gathered their students for an intended short socialization. While having some snacks and at the same time having some fun, we finally realized the extent of what the typhoon Ondoy has brought in Metro Manila. De la Rosa St. was seemed like a river and similar cases were also reported to us by our handy gizmos in other parts of the Metro. Aware of the danger, the faculty members and non teaching personnel, specifically of CEU Makati- both Gil Puyat and Legaspi, organized an impromptu committee in order to assist our students. Without a wink of an eye, everybody acted with concern and initiatives. Some faculty and non teaching personnel extended their generosity and assistance with the preparation of refreshments as provided by reliable fastfoods like McDonalds and Jollibee. Some have offered time and effort to comfort rattled and worried students wondering where and when will they have to leave the school or will they even be fetched by their relatives or friends. Also there are some who thought of students who got stranded outside and on the streets or perhaps in malls, and thus coordinated to some authorities for assistance. I was thankful to the following people: SPO1 Bueno and team from the Makati Police Station, who offered their service to assist students who were stranded in some areas of Makati, as they have fetched students from public places and have brought them back to CEU Makati custody. Another is Mr. Remus Ritwerma, the Security Head of Ayala Malls in Makati, for sheltering 7 nursing students overnight and providing them with their necessities such as food. Nice to mention were some students who also made their herculean efforts in assisting this very noble mission along with the elders. Truly the event provided us an avenue that a university such as CEU, is truly a home to the students!

Kudos to the management for providing us the support and sharing their concerns to all employees and students. Most of all, thank you to all people who have been involved in this instant "caring" activity. Rest assured that with these good team, students could always believe to the mantra of Cientia y Virtud (Science and Virtue), that is by Centro Escolar University!