Right: The Man–Child. Popular cartoons flock the headspace of this eight-year-old boy, yet a beard amasses on his chin. This work displays the contradiction of a child mentally growing in an accelerated mental state that sprung from his exposure to adult activities and innuendos found in paraphernalia he is exposed to.

Dex Fernandez, a fine arts and advertising graduate from the Technology University of the Philippines, quit his job at an advertising firm to become a full-time artist. And the art world is better off for it. His art transports the viewer to another land—a tea-stained technicolor mash-up of the darling and the sinister—where both children and adults play with imaginary creatures, and otherworldly beings haunt us with the ugly truth about what’s right and wrong in the world.

Dex has an art show titled – + * running currently until February 24th, at Pablo Gallery at The Fort in Taguig, and was kind enough to answer some questions from me.

What was home life like growing up?

I grew up in Caloocan City until I was 23, and when I was 24 I left my family house and lived on my own in Cubao. Currently I’m living in Manila, together with some fellow artists.

Tell me about your job before you became a full-time artist.

I used to work as a graphic artist for a large printing company, then I worked overseas as a muralist. When I returned to Manila in late 2007, I decided to forgo the typical day job and become a full-time artist.

What kind of messages do you hope people get from your art?

My subjects, mostly, are stories of people I’ve met, or my everyday life experiences. I try to help my audiences feel and observe what’s happening in their surroundings, both socially and politically.

How does your history in advertising influence your artwork?

I love graphic design, and when I quit my job I never wanted to lose that quality in my own work, so I try to incorporate it in everything I produce, whether they’re paintings, drawings, or poster art.

Who and what are you influenced by?

I love foreign artists. I really love low brow art, art brut-like outsider art, tattoos and poster design.

What is your workspace like?

My bedroom is my studio. I improved the space a bit so I could make my stuff more freely and creatively, but it’s just my bedroom.

We all sometimes hit a creative block where it seems like we’re completely void of ideas. What do you do to overcome that?

I’ll watch movies, browse art books, or search online for inspiration. Sometimes I’ll chat with friends. Meeting new people and chatting with them helps widen my knowledge of the world, so I get a lot of inspiration and ideas from that. I love asking questions.

How do you keep your ideas fresh?

I doodle in my sketchbook non-stop. My sketchbook serves as a bank of ideas I can use in future pieces.

What do you do when you’re not making art?

I love hanging out with friends in Cubao X, drinking and conversing. Sometimes, though, I just stay in my studio, reading books and magazines. Especially when I don’t have much of a budget.

Do you listen to music when you’re creating?

I can’t live without it!

Tell us about your art show currently running at Pablo.

It’s called – + * and the birth of each artwork is a representation of mine, and other people’s beliefs, stands on different social issues, one’s lies, deceptions, empathy, grudges, the highs and lows of faith and politics, little monsters we’ve been keeping inside ourselves, universal mysteries and nakedness, and mush, as it may sound, the love that always enters the picture. From my parents’ visual rendering, to friends’ portrayal of other people’s imaginings, my paints, the stroke of my pen, threads stitched, and paper cutouts intertwined with their lives.

In math, plus and minus signs represent the notions of positive and negative, as well as the operation of addition and subtraction. On my part though, the + sign signify additional perceptions we have over the things surrounding us. We apply the – sign when we tend to judge these things and people, therefore, stealing whatever is left of them. If we interject an * in between, we give birth to new tales, new characters, and new settings to a passé world. Whatever symbol we might stumble upon, be it an asterisk, a minus or plus sign, why not peek deeper into it and discover something new? Because what you don’t know just won’t hurt you.

What would you recommend to an aspiring young artist who wants to see the same kind of success you’ve seen recently?

Just stay humble, and don’t forget to talk to God. Thank him for his kindness… Bad or good, it’s all in His will.

Any plans for the future?

I want to travel west, maybe to Europe. I’d like to buy some vintage posters from the ‘50s or ‘70s. Music or film posters. Pin-up girls.

Dexter Fernandez’s solo art show, – + *, is currently on display through February 24th at Pablo Gallery at The Fort, in Taguig, Philippines. Pablo Gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday from 12:00 to 8:00 PM.

Location: Pablo Gallery, Unit C-11, 26th Street, South of Market Condominium,
The Fort, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
Tel.: (02) 9863887
Email: fort@pablogalleries.com

The New Year is a time for setting goals; for bettering ourselves and getting closer to that ‘ideal person’ we hope to become. I’m nowhere near that mythical ‘ideal person,’ but for the first time in my life, I truly feel I’ve become the person I want to be. I wake up each morning happy with the goal I’m working towards, and feeling like I’m doing exactly what I’m meant to do in life. I’m lucky to have this opportunity, for as you know, many people around the world are struck by such poverty that they’re never able to pursue their dreams.

There’s still things about myself, however, that I’d like to change. My stomach seems to know no boundaries, expanding past my waistband to inch ever closer to its own dreams—one of which seems to be the dream of someday becoming the new mascot for Pillsbury. I know, however, that if I ate at home more often, and ate at restaurants less often, I’d not only save money, but I’d also lose some of this weight.

Shortly after I started work on Ferdinand, I made a list of expenses in my life. My house payments, cable bill, various web services, magazine subscriptions—these were just a few of my expenses. Then I tried to figure out where Ferdinand fit in my list of priorities. The answer was at the top. It was more important than any of my other expenses. So I started cutting stuff out of my life. I had a garage sale, sold all my furniture, my appliances, most of my DVDs, records and books, and was left with an empty house. Then I got rid of that too. I left my house and now live happily rent-free at my parents’ home while I work to get everything ready for Ferdinand to launch.

Moving into my old bedroom at my parents’ house really was an eye-opener, though. I thought I had gotten rid of most all of my stuff, but, you see, my parents have a funny way of not getting rid of my old things. My room is full of books I’ve read that I’ll probably never read again, DVDs that I don’t need, and various detritus that I don’t need in my life. Before too long, I’m going to haul a lot of it to Goodwill, but before I do that, I’d like to make you an offer. In the coming week or so, I’m going to take a photo of some of the books I’m willing to give away, and post it to our Facebook page. The first person to tag their name on one of the books will get to have that book. No matter where in the world you are.

I know a lot of our readers love books, but some don’t get the opportunity to buy them very often, so now’s your chance to get a cool free book. If you’re not already a fan on our Facebook page, become one!

Saving money is a beautiful thing.
When’s the last time you closely examined your expenses? For most of us, there’s little luxuries that we take for granted, and never think twice about spending money on. $5 cups of coffee from Starbucks. Meals eaten out at restaurants. Movies watched on the silver screen. These expenses eat away at our finances until there’s nothing left to spend, yet we don’t even think twice about them.

But when it comes time to pledge money to get a school built, we have to stop and think twice.

There’s many things we all can do to save money. Cutting down on dining out, for one, but you’re creative and can surely think of countless ways to cut down expenses.

Why don’t you make it your New Year’s resolution to do whatever it takes to make sure our school gets built? Think about it this way: if our goal is reached, you can say that you, personally, are the reason a design school is getting built in the Philippines. You, personally, are the reason countless students will be able to have access to quality design education, and have the opportunity to follow their own dreams. You, personally, are the reason that street children will further their education and get healthy meals.

You, personally, can be a person who makes wonderful things happen.

Here’s another idea: ask your colleagues at work to chip in and pledge money along with you. They’ll be in good company. And ask your boss if the company can match any donations their employees make. Tell them if their company pledges $100 or more, they’ll get the company name on a wall in our finished building.

Have a band? Throw a benefit concert.

Have some artwork you can sell? Sell it, so that a school may be built!

If you pledge money today, your credit cards won’t get charged until March 14th.

If getting this project off the ground isn’t enough of an incentive, though, we have some other really cool rewards for donors.

If you pledge $25 (about 1,150 PHP) or more, you’ll get your name published on our site, along with a link to your blog, portfolio, company site, or any organization’s site you want. This is a great way to advertise your site, or a cause you support.

If you pledge $50 (about 2,300 PHP) or more, you’ll get the above, PLUS a beautiful, limited edition poster, designed exclusively for this fundraiser. We’ll announce more about this poster soon, but trust me, you’ll want one.

If you pledge $100 (about 4,600 PHP) or more, you’ll get the link, the beautiful limited edition poster, as well as your name prominently displayed in three-dimensional letters on a wall of our finished building.

If you pledge $300 (about 13,800 PHP) or more, you’ll get all the above, but your name will be displayed in XL three-dimensional letters on the wall.

If you pledge $5,000 (about 230,000 PHP) or more, you’ll get all of the above, but with XXL three-dimensional letters AND you’ll get to DICTATE MY HAIRSTYLES FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR! Anything you want! Mohawk, afro, bowl cut. Go wild.

We hope you view this cause as something important enough to help out. We will do anything possible to get it off the ground, but it’s not possible without your help.

Thanks, and Manigong Bagong Taon! (Happy New Year!)
—Les

Watch this video on: Vimeo | YouTube | Facebook

or as an iPhone-friendly downloadable .M4V

We just launched our first fundraising campaign on Kickstarter.com! This is exciting for us, but, for me anyway, it’s also a little bit terrifying.

I’ve never had a baby, but I can imagine the fear and worry that must go through the head of the father, pacing back and forth in the waiting room while the mom goes into labor. Will the baby be born healthy? Will the mom have any problems? Will there be any complications?

It must be scary letting your baby out into the world for the first time; letting her stand up to the judgment of others; knowing that her fate is no longer solely in your own hands.

I worry about things. I worry, did I word everything right? Did I pick the right imagery? Do people care enough about our cause to open up their wallets and support us?

Up until now, it’s been easy to tell myself that people do indeed care enough, that we will find enough supporters to make this dream become a reality. That was up until now. Now is when we’re forced to test this theory, and that gets my heart beating faster.

I’m an optimistic guy. I’ve been optimistic about this project, and I know it will happen, no matter what. Because I won’t quit. I won’t allow it to not happen. And we have a board of directors that are equally strong of will. But now’s the moment that the optimism gets put to the test.

Here’s how Kickstarter works: people post a project they’d like to do, but need money for. Other people interested in seeing the project come to fruition pledge money to the cause. If the project reaches its goal by the deadline, then the donor gets charged and the project gets funded. But here’s the biggie: if the project doesn’t reach its goal by the deadline, it gets nothing.

Our goal is $50,000, in order to build a school on our property. Our deadline is March 14, Central Standard Time. If we don’t reach the goal by then, we get nothing.

And that’s terrifying.

If we’re successful with this fundraiser, though, it’s very exciting, and will allow us to open our doors that much sooner. I can’t wait for that day.

Terrific, right?

“Unfortunately we were getting squeezed by online global competitors in the U.S. and U.K. that outsource their logo design services to the cheapest offshore bidder, to places like India and Russia. This has driven prices to a new low of $50 USD and under.” says Impact Art Director Lara Johnson.

“In the end it was a case of if you can’t beat em’ join em’.”

I’m happy Filipinos are getting jobs, but reading their press release makes me feel a little sick inside. It’s like they’re apologizing for hiring Filipinos, when what they should be apologizing for is using Filipinos as cheap labor.

“[…]We have generally found Filipino Designers have a better education (degree qualified) are more likely to commit long term to a role and have outstanding creativity and design skill. No to mention their English is near perfect [sic]. All of these aspects make the Philippines a stand out in terms of quality design outsourcing.”

All of this is true, but if Filipinos are as qualified and as talented as your Australian employees were, why aren’t you paying them the same, Impact?

As someone who’s passionate about both design and the Philippines, I want to see Filipinos charging what they’re worth. Filipinos should be paid more, and designers from around the world shouldn’t be losing their jobs to the underpaid and overworked. I know many talented Filipino designers, more talented than myself and perhaps even you, who earn 1/10th what they would in other countries. Are you talented? Don’t sell yourself short.

Nothing makes me happier than going to an art gallery here in the Philippines and seeing a piece of art I could never even hope to afford. It makes me giddy with optimism.

Come on Filipino designers, make me giddy with optimism too.

Surprise birthday party with street children!

They’re a really sweet group of kids. One of them, Jeff, was a kid I remember meeting last year. He was sitting outside KFC, and when I tried to give him some chicken and rice, he couldn’t handle any of it. He just laid on the ground moaning and clutching his stomach in anguish. I felt so bad for him, but there wasn’t anything I could do. I heard in July that the other kids hadn’t seen him in a couple months, so I was really worried for him. Well today, he looked happy and healthy; a sharp kid. I almost didn’t recognize him.

To see the whole set of photos, visit my flickr account.

Rescue InfoHub Center— Keep tracts and collates information about relief and rescue workers on who needs for rescuing immediately.

Typhoon Ondoy Emergency Hotlines and Relief Operations— Keep tracts and collates information about relief and rescue operations.

How You Can Help, by MLQ3—Posted dozens of ways to help in dark times like this.

Ondoy Donation Drop-off Points & Pick-up Routes—Areas where to drop-off your donations of clothing, relief goods and other essentials. Some offer pick up service as well. Please indicate if they accept CASH, DRY GOODS or FOOD.

Ondoy Places to Donate Relief Goods—List of places to drop relief goods.

TXTPower: Help Typhoon Victims in Luzon, Philippines—You can make donations via PayPal or SmartMoney here.

Dynamic Teen Company—Another charity you can donate to; they have US and Philippine bank accounts you can contribute to, as well as online donations via PayPal.

Ayala Foundation USA—allows online donations from America.

GMA Kapuso Foundation—allows donations by check or credit card.

Rescue Operations

1. National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) (+632-9125668, +632-9111406, +632-9115061, +632-9122665) Help hotlines: (+65 734-2118, 734-2120) ndcchelpdesk@gmail.com

2. Philippine Coast Guard (+632-5276136)

3. Air Force (+63908-1126976, +632-8535023)

4. Metro Manila Development Authority (136)

5. Marikina City Rescue (+632-6462436, +632-6462423, +632920-9072902)

6. Pasig Rescue Emergency Number (+632-6310099)

7. Quezon City Rescue (161)

8. San Juan City Hall Command Post (+632-4681697)

9. Bureau of Fire Protection Region III (Central Luzon) Hotline: (+63245-9634376)

10. Senator Dick Gordon (+639178997898, +63938-444BOYS, +632-9342118, +632-4338528)

11. Senator Manny Villar (+639174226800. +639172414864, +639276751981)

Civil Society/ Media

1. Philippine National Red Cross (143, +632-5270000)

2. Philippine National Red Cross Rizal Chapter operations center hotline: (+632-6350922, +632-6347824)

3. Go to GMA Facebook page & post complete addresses and names of people in need of immediate help.

4. ABS-CBN Typhoon Ondoy Hotline: (+632-4163641)

5. Jam 88.3: (+632- 6318803) or SMS at JAM (space) 883 (space) your message to 2968

6. GMA Kapuso Helpline: (+632-9811950-59)

All calls for help, please help us by filling out information here at the Rescue InfoHub Center.

Sahana Disaster Management System needs IT volunteers. http://sahana.kahelos.org. Email sahana@kahelos.org.

Rubber Boat, 4×4 Trucks, Chopper Requests

1. NCRPO (+632-8383203, +632-8383354)

2. Private citizens who would like to lend their motor boats for rescue please call emergency nos: +632-9125668, +632-9111406, +632-9122665, +632-9115061)

3. You can also text (+632917-4226800 or +632927-6751981) for rescue dump trucks.

4. For those who are able to lend 4×4 trucks for rescue: Please send truck to Greenhills Shoppng Center Unimart Grocery to await deployment, Tel No. (+632920-9072902).

5. Petron & San Miguel Corporation are lending choppers for rescue operations, call/text: (+632917-8140655) ask for Lydia Ragasa

Power Supply

1. Meralco (+63917-5592824, 16211, +63920-9292824) If you want service cut off to your area to prevent fires and electrocution.

Relief Aid & Donations

URGENT: Donations of heavy duty flashlights needed for rescue operations in Cainta area. Contact Cielo at (+632918-8824356)

Business & Commercial Establishments

1. Aranaz Stores in Rockwell & Greenbelt is accepting donations of any kind for Payatas communities affected by Ondoy

2. Binalot at Greenbelt 1, call Tetchie Bundalian at (+632922-8573277)

3. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf will be accepting canned goods, water, clothes, blankets, towels, medicine, and emergency supplies (no cash) in all our branches on behalf of the victims of Typhoon Ondoy starting today until Friday. Your generosity wi…ll be much appreciated during this difficult time for our brothersand sisters in need.

4. Luca stores (Rockwell, Shang-rila, Eastwood, or GA towers): Send your old clothes & donations (no cash pls).

5. Manor Superclub, Eastwood City will accept goods and other emergency items starting Sunday at 10 am.

6. Ministop IBARRA (Espana cor. Blumentritt, Sampaloc Manila) is also accepting relief goods, Food (non-perishable goods only) Clothing, Medicines, Beds, Pillows, Blankets, Emergency Supplies to help Typhoon Ondoy victims.

7. Moonshine boutique in Rockwell also accepting relief good to help Ondoy victims in Marikina and Cainta.

8. Papemelroti stores in 91 Roces Ave. / Ali Mall Cubao / SM City North EDSA / SM Fairview / SM Megamall / Glorietta 3 in Makati / SM Centerpoint / SM Southmall are accepting relief goods (canned goods / milk / bottled water / clothes – NO CASH pls.)

9. PowerPlant Mall accepting donations for ABS-CBN foundation. Dropoff at admin office, P1 level.

10. R.O.X. – Recreational Outdoor eXchange is accepting donation for relief good for Typhoon Ondoy victims. You can bring it in the store located in B1 building Bonifacio High St., Tel. No. (+632-8564638/39)

11. Team Manila stores in Trinoma, Mall of Asia, Jupiter Bel-Air and Rockwell shall be accepting relief goods (Canned Goods, Ready-to-drink Milk,Bottled Water and Clothes) for distribution by Veritas.

12. Whitespace 2314 Chino Roces Ave Ext as a Makati drop-off for relief goods.

Government/Civil Society/Movements

1. Victory Fort is opening its doors to those affected by the typhoon. Call 813-FORT.

2. ABS-CBN through Banco de Oro account number 56300-20111 account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Incorporation

3. Akbayan’s taking donations, call 433-69-33/433-68-31 to donate or volunteer.

4. Citizens Disaster Response Center (CDRC): Relief goods for typhoon victims being accepted at 72-A Times St., West Triangle, QC. Tel (+632-9299820/22)

5. Sen. Kiko Pangilinan is accepting donations @ AGS Bldg Annex, 446 EDSA Guadalupe Viejo. Contact Vina Vargas at (+632917-8081247)

6. Luzon Relief: Donations can be brought to RENAISSANCE FITNESS CENTER, 2nd Floor, Bramante Building, Renaissance Towers Ortigas, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City starting MONDAY (Sept.28) / 9am – 7pm Contact Person: Warren Habaluyas (+632929-8713488) or email at luzonrelief@gmail.com

7. Miriam Quiambao drop off point: One Orchard Road Building in Eastwood, or message http://www.twitter.com/miriamq for more details.

8. Move for Chiz is asking for volunteers and donations at Bay Park Tent, along Roxas Blvd., beside Max Restaurant and Diamond Hotel in Manila, or at Gilas Minipark at Unang Hakbang St., Gilas Q.C.

9. NoyMar relief Operations: Clare Amador (+639285205508) or Jana Vicente at +639285205499). Drop off for relief donations is at Balay Expo Center across Farmers Market Cubao.

10. Operation Rainbow (Zac Faelnar Camara) at Ayala Alabang Village needs Canned Goods, Ready-To-Eat Food, Bottled Water, Ready-To-Drink Milk/ Juice, Clothing, Blankets, contact (+632-4687991)

11. Philippine Army Gym inside Fort Bonifacio or GHQ Gym in Camp Aguinaldo are now distributing donations for Ondoy Victims.

12. Philippine National Red Cross’ different ways to Donate.

13. Red Cross Load Donations: Right now the easiest way to make donations from the seat of your chair is via mobile phone load. The Red Cross Rescue and Relief Operations. Text: RED<space>AMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4483 (Smart)

14. Relief Efforts for Pasig at Valle Verde 1 Village Park, contact (+632916-4945000, +632917-5273616)

15. Sagip Kapamilya hotlines (+632-4132667, +632-4160387) #13 Examiner St. West Triangle, QC. and Scout Mayoran, cor. Morato, near Alex III.

16. Tulong Bayan hotlines for donations and volunteers are (+632908-6579998) Marilyn, (+632939-3633436) Jenn (+632-9137122, +632-9136254 & +632-9133306).

17. TXTPower now accepts donations via SmartMoney 5577514418667103, GCash 09179751092 and Paypal http://is.gd/3GvuN

18. World Vision partners with Phil Coast Guard and kind individuals for relief distribution to 3k families. Call (+632-3747618 local 242) or text (+632917-8623209) to help.

19. Worldvision Foundation is also accepting donations/volunteers to pack relief goods in QC. For $-donations, BPI:USDacct #4254-0050-08

20. The South Cares – To Volunteer: Red Cross Alabang, ATC along Zapote Road in front of National Book Store 809-71-31/850-68-13; To Donate Relief Goods: Sacred Heart Church, Hillsborough Village St. James the Great, Ayala Alabang Village De La Salle Zobel, Ayala Alabang Village Vivera Suites.

21. Pasig/Ortigas Relief Center – For those in Pasig/Ortigas areas: There is a relief goods/drop off site here at 135 CAPT. HENRY JAVIER ST. BRGY. ORANBO, PASIG. This is near ULTRA, Bagaberde and right in front of Skyway Twin Towers.. If you would like to donate goods, volunteer or you’re simply nearby please do not hesitate to call 910-07-77 or 910-06-97.

22. Sagip Metro – Relief Drive for flood victims, bring your donations at Miguel Walk, Central Plaza, SJ Walk, SC Office.

Religious/Schools & Universities

1. Assumption College San Lorenzo is now accepting donations. Please drop them off at the AC guardhouse.

2. Ateneo de Manila University is now accepting donations for the victims of Ondoy. Donations can be dropped at MVP Lobby. For those stranded/those who need help: To all students who need help or know of people who need help. Please text the name, location, and contact number to (+6329088877166). ATENEO, which is now an open shelter, accepts refugees. Call (+632917-8952792)

3. Caritas Manila Office at Jesus St., Pandacan Manila near Nagtahan Bridge (+632-5639298, +632-5639308)

4. CFC Center Ortigas is now open for donations in cash or kind. Call (+632-7270682 to 87) or text (+632922-2542819)

5. Hillsborough Village Chapel – Water, blankets, shoes, and clothes may be sent to Hillsborough Village Chapel in Muntinlupa City. These will go to families whose houses were washed out in the nearby sitios.

6. La Salle Greenhills for Greenhills/Mandaluyong/San Juan Area, if you want to help out with the rescue and relief operations, you can drop off your donations (clothes, food, etc..) at LSGH Gate 2 or volunteer from 9am to receive, sort, repack the donations.

7. Our Lady of Pentecost Parish (+632-4342397, +632-9290665) per Gabe Mercado, donations are very much welcome. The Parish is located at 12 F. Dela Rosa corner C. Salvador Sts., Loyola Heights, Quezon City.

8. Playschool International in Better Living is open to receive relief goods. Feel free to drop it there for your convenience. No Cash Pls.

9. Radio Veritas at Veritas Tower West Ave. Cor EDSA (+632-9257931-40)

10. Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan Task Force Noah, a disaster response arm of the Jesuits, is accepting donations. Please drop it off sa Ateneo Cervini Dorm.

11. Katipunan Avenue. Contact Erica Paredes at (+632917-4741930) — they need bread, packed juice, sandwich filling (tuna, chicken, anything) You can help her make them, deliver the sandwiches to her house, or help her distribute! Call for more details.

12. Xavier School in San Juan is now accepting donations, please bring to Multipurpose Center (MPC).

13. Ondoy Relief Drive – You can drop off your donations at the USC Office, 2nd Floor Vinzons Hall UP-Diliman. For inquiries, contact Jose Alinea (0915-767-5353)

Private Citizens

1. MAKATI: 5729 Calasanz St., Olympia Makati City or call for pick up at (+632-5017405 or +632-7290530) c/o Omel Santos

2. SOUTH: Accepting relief goods in SOUTH AREA. Please contact Anne at (+632915-2854240)

People Tracker (using your phones, get your friends and family to turn on their finderservice for you)

• FINDERSERVICE. For Smart, text “wis <your name> <your mobile>” to 386.
• FINDERSERVICE. For Globe, text “find <your name> <your mobile>” to 7000.

I don’t feel there’s anything meaningful I can add to the news. People are dying. This is terrible.

Now seems like a terribly inappropriate time to launch a website for a Philippine nonprofit graphic design school.

But we’ve had this date set for a while now. I’m boarding a plane in a few days, headed back to the Philippines, after spending several months in Alaska preparing nonprofit documents for our launch.

A very ambitious Ferdinand fundraiser was supposed to launch today as well. It has been delayed. For now, please donate to The Philippine National Red Cross or the Kapuso Foundation.

BIG BOLD NOTE: This storm, and any future storm, has not weakened our will to start Ferdinand Center for the Creative in any way whatsoever. It has only strengthened our resolve—there are so many more people who need help, now, and we will do everything we can to help.

UPDATE!
DISASTER EMERGENCY HOTLINES YOU CAN CALL:

These are the hotlines that Filipino citizens can call for disaster emergency situations, especially urgent rescue and relief needs.

National Disaster Coordinating Committee
911-1406
911-1873
911-1906
911-5061
912-0984
912-2665
912-3046
912-5296
912-5668

Help hotlines:
734-2118
734-2120

Bureau of Fire Protection, National Capital Region
729-5166
410-6254
413-8859
407-1230

Bureau of Fire Protection, Region III (Central Luzon)
Hotline (045) 9634376

Philippine Coast Guard
527-6136

Red Cross
143
911-1876
527-0000

Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA)
136
896-6000

Taguig emergency hotline
1623

Meralco
16220
0917-5592824
0920-9292824

Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. emergency hotlines
for dumptrucks going to flooded areas for rescue of stranded people:
0917 4226800
0917 2414864
0927 6751981

Sen. Dick Gordon (Philippine National Red Cross)
Please send address of stranded friends/family to
09178997898
0938444BOYS

His name’s Alwyn Cortez, and he wasn’t in trouble. He was waiting for some street kids he’d talked to earlier.

Today’s Alwyn’s birthday, and a few months ago he confided in me that he didn’t want presents this year. He wanted to share his birthday with street kids, and let them experience a stress-free day of fun and games, a good meal that filled them up to beyond full, and some of the luxuries that you and I take for granted.

So amidst the pouring rain yesterday, he stood outside waiting for the street kids in his neighborhood to arrive. He’d invited twenty. He’d bought t-shirts, flip-flops, towels, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and more for them, and they’d be spending a couple hours in the party room at Jollibee.

He didn’t do this for accolades amongst his peers; in fact, he didn’t tell his closest friends he was doing it. He didn’t even know I was going to write this (I have, however, gotten permission from him now). He performed a seriously noble act for seriously noble reasons, and I’m insanely proud of him.

Alwyn is our Coordinator at Ferdinand, soon to be head of our street child outreach program, Kalye Ferdinand, and I first met him 16 months ago, when I was planning a documentary on the troubles and trials people living in poverty go through to support their families. He was one of our subjects, but he also became one of the closest friends I’ve ever had, and someone I trust more than just about anyone. His mom had recently gotten cancer and he had to drop out of college to support her. She died shortly after, and Alwyn was left as the sole provider for his family. To say things were rough for him during this period is a massive understatement.

The party went off without a hitch. One by one, the kids started showing up, and Alwyn gave them their bags of goodies. Then they walked the short distance to Jollibee, where employees seemed amazed that all this was happening, without a camera crew in sight. The Jollibee mascot showed up, and the kids played games with the employees.

Everyone had a blast. And for once, for those street kids, everything was right with the world.