Send Hugs to the Children of Marawi

The Department of Health (DOH) recently reported that evacuees, or bakwit, from the war torn Marawi experiences depression, trauma, and a host of mental disorder. DOH says that this is the effect of the bakwits’ the ongoing war between government forces and the Maute terrorists.

The DOH and DSWD are doing various interventions to help the bakwits cope with the depression. They do drawing, Zumba, sharing of experiences. Volunteer doctors and psychiatrists were also on board to help the refugees.

Unfortunately, these efforts are not enough. Thus, 1000BearHugs with the Dominican Province of the Philippines launched a toy drive campaign to help the most affected by the war in Marawi: the little children.

1000 Bearhugs is a special reach out to kids by kids put the spotlight to children displaced by disaster and conflict.

To children, teddy bears and stuffed toys are imaginary friends who are effective comfort givers in times of extreme stress and fear. These cute and cuddly toys will help them heal from trauma or tragedy.

1000 Bear Hugs only accepts toys that are:

1. Adorably cute and in good condition.

2. Huggable size (minimum of 6 inches height and maximum of 24 inches height)

3. Clean and ready for distribution

They do not accept the following toys:

1. Non-stuffed

2. Scary-looking

3. Pigs or wild animal replicas

4. Weapon-like (i.e. teddy bears holding a gun)

5. Battery-operated

6. Damaged or soiled

Those who are interested to send hugs to the children of Marawi may drop their cute and cuddly toys at the Sto. Domingo Parish Information Center, which located along Quezon Avenue in Quezon City.

The collection period is from June 15 to July 15.

For more information, you may send a message to @1000Bearhugs at Twitter.

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Ignore the SONA, Join the SSONA

It is just few days before the lackluster Philippine president Noynoy Aquino will deliver his second State of the Nation Address (SONA). After a year in office, I can't see that Noynoy made any improvement in the Philippine government. Noynoy Aquino promised that his administration will pass the "Matuwid na Daan" (Straight Road) and will not copy the rampant corruption of the Arroyo Administration. Well, that promise was broken and the corruption in the Philippine government continue unabated. Corrupt politicians can't even "moderate their greed." Well, this is not surprising because the allies of Noynoy Aquino in the Philippine congress are the former allies of PGMA and are a bunch of political hooligans.

What's worse is that the current president created division in the nation, instead of promoting unity. Noynoy Aquino foolishly supported the Reproductive Health Bill and played in the hands of the makers of condoms and the health-hazardous contraceptive pills.He also opened the gates for irrational people who have nothing but hatred against God and against the Church.

This is why there is nothing to be expected in Noynoy Aquino's SONA this year.He will just bash the former president so as to hide the failings of his administration. He may even gloss over the "benefits" of the RH Bill and will promise the its quick passage in the future.

So, I say let us ignore the SONA.Instead of listening to lies, let us listen to the true state of the nation. Everyone is invited to this event:

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The State of the Soul of the Nation Address or the SSONA is set to commemorated the 43rd Anniversary of the Humanae Vitae, which re-affirms the traditional teaching of the Catholic Church regarding marriage, responsible parenthood, and lawful and unlawful ways of regulating birth.

The event will be held on July 25, 2011 (Monday) at Greenhills, San Juan City.

This event is not a Catholic gathering. Various leaders from various religious groups will attend the SSONA.  Ashort program will be held at the Corazon Aquino Kalayaan Hall at the Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City to be led by various heads of the inter-faith alliance.

Everyone in invited to join the SSONA. Let us show Noynoy Aquino that we do not approve of the RH Bill and his policies that disrespects the sanctity of life and divides the nation.

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Read more about the SSONA at Filipinos for Life.