Hohol at the Ateneo College Covered Courts #rescuePH

Hohol (noun, verb) - "hang-out hang-out lang", tambay

My high school bunch and I who moved to the capital city has been struggling ever since graduation to find time to hang out. Most of them are in U.P. Diliman, some in U.P. Manila and there are even fewer of us here in Ateneo. Logistics is always a big problem.

When heavy rains and flooding leading to class suspensions hit Luzon, we decided to spend time together helping out at the relief operations in the Ateneo de Manila College Covered Courts. We also checked out the U.P. operations at the College of Kinetics Gym nighttime last August 8, 2012 but it was already closing down to prepare for the second wave the next day. I also wasn't able to take photos. 

It is so nice how universities, being huge groups of able-bodied students, responded very quickly to the call of duty. 

Flooding in Katipunan was very minimal compared to what was happening to the rest of the region so it was easy for us to travel around the Ateneo-UP area.

On our way to U.P., we passed by the "Penetrator" - A Proud Filipino Invention. Made me smile.

Dana sorting out donated clothes into piles for children and adults.

Food which were donated by the box were prepared for repacking.

This was taken during the first day of the operations. The goods were still on their way to the covered courts.

Volunteers can rest.
A well-equipped snack bar was also put up at Manang's where hungry volunteers can grab snacks and chill some more. Finally got to wear the shirt I made! It looks cool. I'm so proud. Haha.

Operations are still on-going today at the Ateneo College Covered Courts. Donations can also be dropped off there. An enthusiastic crowd is always on the watch, jumping up and down, ready to accept your donations and very willing to breeze you through the short donation process.

Yesterday, our shifts began around 11:30 AM and we left a few minutes after 8:30 PM, tired but very happy. Yesterday alone, 2,294 family packs were prepared. These packs include necessities that will keep a family alive for 3 days. There will also be a thanksgiving mass open to everyone later at 5 PM. Also, the operation is in need of more food items (canned meats), clothes, toiletries, medicines, blankets/towels/mats. See you!