Welcome back, fellow geeks, Blu-ray collectors and movie buffs! If you enjoy disaster movies mixed with science fiction concepts, or if you enjoy Hollywood flicks of the 1990s, then you might want to consider Deep Impact 25th Annniversary 4 Blu-ray which is scheduled for release on May 2, 2023. For the eager fans of Deep Impact reading this, 4K Blu-ray is now available for pre-ordering online and it will come with native 4K visuals.
Paramount Home Media Distribution will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Mimi Leder’s Deep Impact (1998) with a brand new 4K Blu-ray edition of the film, which will be available for purchase on May 2.
Description: What would you do if you knew that in a handful of days an enormous comet would collide with Earth and all humanity could be annihilated?
The countdown to doomsday is underway in this “gut-wrenching, eye-popping blast of a movie experience” (Jeff Craig, Sixty Second Preview). Mimi Leder (The Peacemaker) directs, guiding an all-star cast featuring Robert Duvall, Tea Leoni, Elijah Wood, Vanessa Redgrave, Maximillian Schell and Morgan Freeman. With the film’s dynamic fusion of large-scale excitement and touching, human-scale storylines, Deep Impact makes its impact felt in a big and unforgettable way.
Originally released on May 8, 1998, Deep Impact grossed nearly $350 million worldwide on an $80 million budget.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
NEW 4K RESTORATION OF THE FILM
DOLBY VISION/HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM
Audio Commentary by director Mimi Leder and visual effects supervisor Scott Farrar
Preparing For The End
Making An Impact
Creating The Perfect Traffic Jam
For additional insight, posted below are the details from the Blu-ray.com page of Deep Impact 4K Blu-ray.
Video
Codec: HEVC / H.265
Resolution: Native 4K (2160p)
HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Audio
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
Subtitles – English, English SDH, French, Spanish
Discs – 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray Disc, Two-disc set (1 BD-100, 1 BD-50)
Digital – Digital copy included
Packaging – Slipcover in original pressing
Playback – 4K Blu-ray: Region free, 2K Blu-ray: Region A
Way back in 1998, I saw Deep Impact in the local cinema. The movie had an ensemble cast showcasing veteran Morgan Freeman as the United States President, Robert Duvall as the veteran astronaut, Téa Leoni as the troubled TV journalist, as well as the very young Elijah Wood and Leelee Sobieski as the teenage love team. With its pending disaster approach to storytelling, the movie had lots of drama occasionally mixed in with sci-fi spectacle and suspense to keep moviegoers entertained. The movie was entertaining enough for me, I got to replay it on cable TV a few times and even bought myself a DVD copy of it.
Deep Impact was released at a time when Hollywood was modernizing disaster movies using the latest in computer-generated imagery (CGI) of the time and along the way, their production team also had some practical effects.
I can only wonder how good and detailed the 4K visuals of Deep Impact 25th Anniversary 4K Blu-ray will turn out. Based on the details of the announcement, there is no indication if director Mimi Leder will be involved in the 4K restoration of the movie. If you look at Leder’s record, you will realize she has been much more involved in TV than in movies.
Watch out for Deep Impact 25th Anniversary 4K Blu-ray on May 2, 2023.
In ending this, posted below are YouTube clips of the movie. If you will be watching Deep Impact for the first time ever, I recommend you avoid watching anymore short clips of the movie online. Also you should avoid watching retro movie video reviews and movie reaction videos of Deep Impact.
Recently in the progressive city of Muntinlupa, Mayor Ruffy Biazon signed a key resolution pertaining to the preposition of relief goods by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Manila Bulletin reported. This is related to the DSWD’s storing of food and other items in local facilities in preparation of disasters.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…
Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon has signed a resolution for the prepositioning of relief goods in the city by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
He signed Resolution 2023-178 passed by the Muntinlupa City Council which gives him the authority as representative of the city government to enter “in a Relief Prepositioning Agreement (RPA) with the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office National Capital Region (DSWDFO-NCR) represented by its Regional Director Monina Josefina H. Romualdez.”
The prepositioning of relief goods allows the DSWD to put food and non-food items in storage facilities in Muntinlupa as preparation for any disaster.
“The City of Muntinlupa, within the period of three (3) years, supports the Prepositioning of relief goods posed by the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) as this would contribute in the increased preparedness for disaster of the city,” according to the resolution.
According to the Muntinlupa Legal Office, “During the disaster, the City is at the frontline of service delivery and thus, must always be prepared and equipped to take emergency action and relief measures. The prepositioning of food and non-food items from DSWD-NCR is a welcome augmentation to our disaster preparedness efforts.”
“The Muntinlupa Contingency Plans for Disasters (Flood, Earthquake and Covid-19 pandemic) has been adopted by the Sangguniang Panlungsod through various legislative measures where the policies, course of action, resources allocation aimed to build disaster resilient communities and institutionalize arrangement and measures for reducing disaster risks are underscored,” the resolution stated.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this development? Do you think this development will ensure the efficient and orderly release of goods for victims of disasters within the city?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
The City Government of Muntinlupa scored another achievement, this time it is achieving the highest “Beyond Compliant” award (related to disaster risk and management) at the prestigious Gawad Kalasag Seal for Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils and Offices (LDRRMCOs), according to a Manila Bulletin news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…
The Muntinlupa City government received the highest “Beyond Compliant” award at the 22nd Gawad Kalasag Seal for Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils and Offices (LDRRMCOs) organized by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) through the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).
According to the OCD, there are 135 Beyond Compliant and 436 Fully Compliant awardees this year among local government units (LGUs) nationwide. The assessment covered 1,715 LGUs in the country.
The Muntinlupa City government, through the Muntinlupa City Department of Disaster Resilience and Management (MCDDRM) and Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (LDRRMC), got the Beyond Compliant seal, one of the five LGUs in the National Capital Region recognized in the 22nd Gawad Kalasag.
Based on the guidelines, Beyond Compliant LGUs are those that get an assessment rating of 2.5 to 3 while Fully Compliant LGUs are those that receive a rating of 1.5 to 2.49.
Mayor Ruffy Biazon hailed the new achievement of the Muntinlupa City government.
“Congratulations, Muntinlupa City! We are recognized as Beyond Compliant LGU in the 22nd Gawad KALASAG Seal for Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils and Offices (LDRRMCOs), by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), through the Office of Civil Defense (OCD),” he posted on Facebook.
He said the Beyond Compliance Assessment or Gawad Kalasag Seal is the highest award given to an LGU in disaster resiliency.
The above article ended stating that the mayor thanked the MCDDRM and LDRRMC for their efforts, and cited former mayor and now Muntinlupa Rep. Jaime Fresnedi
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this recent development? Are you happy with the newest award the City Government achieved with regards to disaster risk and management?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
War is tragedy. No matter what caused the war and no matter what political ideologies clashed, there will always be victims left and right. Over there in Europe, there is a war between Ukraine and Russia (the invader) going on and already many Ukrainians saw their lives disrupted and filled with uncertainties. The war is already affecting the global economy which is very unfortunate because much of the world is still struggling to recover from the COVID-19 crisis.
Over in Australia, Hillsong Church officially launched the Ukraine Appeal online. The Ukraine Appeal is an act of emergency to help the Ukrainians. It is also notable that Hillsong Church has its own church there in Ukraine – Hillsong Kiev.
To put things in perspective, posted below is Hillsong Church’s message emphasizing the Ukraine Appeal…
After weeks of escalating tensions, on February 24, Russia orchestrated a military invasion of Ukraine. Hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes to neighbouring countries, the capital of Kyiv is under siege and thousands are sheltering in any place of safety they can find.
Globally, our hearts and prayers go out to our Hillsong church family in Kyiv. As such, Hillsong Global has launch an emergency appeal so our church family world-wide can support @hillsongkiev as they continue to assess the needs of their community in very rapidly changing and difficult circumstances. Giving is non-tax deductible for non-USA residents.
Please continue to pray for the people of Ukraine and Russia and @hillsongkiev as they endeavour to respond to the needs; for these hostilities to cease, and for a lasting peace to ensue.
Thank you for your generosity to the people of Ukraine.
If you have decided to help the Ukrainians through Hillsong Church’s Ukraine Appeal, then head on to https://hillsong.com/appeal/
Do not forget to also pray for the people of Ukraine who are struggling a lot in this new crisis. In case you missed the news videos and details recently published by CBN News covering the situation over there, there are lots Ukrainian Christians who are strongly worshipping and trusting in God. They are not giving up in their faith in Him even though there is danger around them. These details alone should convince you to pray for Ukraine and help them by donating through Hillsong Church’s Ukraine Appeal. Also pray for the Russians and for Russia’s leaders to look up to God, realize their destructive method is very wrong and stop the invasion.
Let me end this post with the bible scriptures below. Certain lines in boldface…
This is what the Lord says: Be fair-minded and just. Do what is right! Help those who have been robbed; rescue them from their oppressors. Quit your evil deeds! Do not mistreat foreigners, orphans, and widows. Stop murdering the innocent!
Jeremiah 22:3 (NLT)
Love empowers us to fulfill the law of the Anointed One as we carry each other’s troubles.
Galatians 6:2 (TPT)
My times are in Your hand;
Deliver me from the hand of my enemies,
And from those who persecute me.
Psalm 31:15 (NKJV)
But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Note: Hillsong logo is a property of Hillsong Church.
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/
In the spirit of “bayanihan” and solidarity, the City Government of Muntinlupa announced that it will be donating P20 million financial assistance to typhoon-stricken towns in Visayas and Mindanao.
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi announced the city’s pledge of financial aid during Muntinlupa’s 104th Founding Anniversary on December 20 to towns and municipalities that were affected by Typhoon Odette (International Name: Rai).
“Ako po ay nagpapasalamat sa Sangguniang Panlungsod dahil kanina ay pinagtibay nila ang pagbibigay ng ating lungsod ng tulong sa mga naapektuhan ng Bagyong Odette. Naglaan ang ating lungsod ng halagang 20 million pesos,” Fresnedi said.
The Muntinlupa City Council has passed an ordinance authorizing the grant of financial assistance amounting to P20 million to at least 30 local government units devastated by Typhoon Odette in Visayas, Mindanao and Palawan.
P1 million each shall be granted to Dinagat Island and Siargao. While the remaining 28 LGUs to be determined by the Office of the Vice President (18 LGUs) and by the City Government of Muntinlupa (10 LGUs) shall be granted at least P500,000.
The funding shall come from the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund which is a 5 % mandatory appropriation in the annual budget for providing financial assistance, among others, to other LGUs hit by various calamities.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Monday that it has confirmed 9 deaths and 2 injuries after Typhoon Odette battered the country. While, undergoing validation are reports of 49 deaths, 199 injured, and 18 missing.
NDRRMC estimates an initial P343 million worth of damages to infrastructure and agriculture across Visayas and Mindanao.
At least 54,783 houses were either totally or partially destroyed, 41 road sections and four bridge sections collapsed, along with four airports and 118 seaports were damaged while 5,391.77 hectares of crops, and many livestock and poultry areas were completely wiped out in the affected regions.
More than 249,000 persons have been displaced, staying in evacuation centers or other houses, according to a report of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council last December 19.
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The above information was sourced from an official press release. Some parts were changed for this website.
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
A four-hour fire incident displaced at least 200 families in a residential area along PNR Site in Barangay Cupang, Muntinlupa City before midnight this past Tuesday.
According to an initial report from Muntinlupa City Fire Station, the fire broke out at Aquino Damaso Compound, Purok 2, PNR Site in Brgy. Cupang at 11:36 PM last April 27.
The fire was raised to 2nd alarm leaving 50 houses damaged and around 200 families or 1,000 individuals affected. The estimated damage in the area is at P1,400,000. A total of 79 fire trucks from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), city government, and other volunteer groups responded to the incident.
BFP declared fire out in the area at around 4:02 AM of April 28 and the cause of fire is still under investigation.
Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi visits residents who were affected by a fire incident in Brgy. Cupang last April 28. The local government has provided hot meals and family kits to affected families who are temporarily taking shelter at Mullet Compound Covered Court. Fire victims are also set to receive financial assistance through a local resolution. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)
Muntinlupa Social Service Department chief Analyn Mercado said the City Government has provided hot meals and family kits to affected families who are temporarily taking shelter at Mullet Compound Covered Court. The local social service department also continues to conduct mapping of affected families and facilitates stress debriefing to affected residents.
Further, the City Health Office and Department of Disaster Resilience and Management are closely monitoring the evacuation center to mitigate COVID-19 transmission. Fire victims are also set to receive financial assistance through a local resolution.
Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi visited the fire victims to extend the City Government’s assistance on Wednesday. Fresnedi vowed to support the fire victims and help them through the city’s social programs.
Muntinlupa City Fire Station encouraged locals to stay safe and take preventive measures in avoiding fire accidents.
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The above information was provided by the City Government of Muntinlupa for the purpose of public information and transparency. Some parts were edited for this website.
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
In an effort to improve community resilience and level of disaster preparedness of city residents, the City Government of Muntinlupa formally inaugurated its Mobile Learning Hub, the first innovative roving ‘learning bus’ in Metro Manila designed teach disaster resilience.
The state-of-the-art Mobile Learning Hub. (photo contributed by Muntinlupa PIO)
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, Congressman Ruffy Biazon, and other local officials inaugurated the Department of Disaster Resilience and Management (DDRM) Mobile Learning Hub during the City Government’s first flag raising ceremony yesterday.
The learning bus is equipped with state-of-the-art Virtual Reality area where residents can wear VR headsets to experience being in ‘close-to-actual’ scenarios of disasters including earthquakes, flooding, storm surge, bomb explosion, chemical poisoning, volcanic eruption, tsunami, and landslide.
The VR facility aims to provide immersive, visual and sound-based experience of weather disturbances and calamities and to train residents on disaster response.
Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi inaugurated the city’s DRRM Mobile Learning Hub and tried the Virtual Reality facility during its inauguration ceremony last January 4. Muntinlupa LGU officials led the inauguration ceremony of the Mobile Learning Hub, the first innovative roving ‘learning bus’ in Metro Manila to teach disaster resilience. The learning hub is equipped with state-of-the-art Virtual Reality area where residents can wear VR headsets to experience being in ‘close-to-actual’ scenarios of disasters an interactive Lecture Area with informative videos on disaster mitigation, adaptation, and resiliency. Fresnedi hopes that the Mobile Learning Hub will enhance the level of preparedness and awareness of Muntinlupeños on climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.(photo contributed by Muntinlupa PIO)
Further, the DDRM Mobile Learning Hub has an interactive Lecture Area with informative videos on COVID-19 Protective Measures, Disaster Prevention, Mitigation and Preparedness, First Aid Response and Management, and Basic Life Support, among others.
Muntinlupa City DDRM chief Erwin Alfonso says the Mobile Learning Hub targets to mainstream disaster mitigation, adaptation, and resiliency by bringing learning resources to communities and vulnerable sectors.
Alfonso added that as the Learning Hub is expected to visit several communities during the time of the pandemic, health and safety protocols will be strictly implemented and regular disinfection of the facility will be conducted. MCDDRM is yet to release the schedule of the Mobile Learning Hub through their Facebook Page.
Mayor Fresnedi hopes that the Mobile Learning Hub will empower Muntinlupeños to become well-prepared on disasters and calamities and to enhance their level of preparedness and awareness on climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
Inside the Mobile Learning Hub. (photo contributed by Muntinlupa PIO)
Recently, the local disaster response department also installed early warning system across the city to inform communities in a timely manner about typhoon signal warnings, severe flooding, and earthquakes, among others.
Muntinlupa City has been named Rank 1 in the Resilience Pillar – Highly Urbanized Cities category of the 2020 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index organized by the Department of Trade and Industry and National Competitiveness Council. The city bested at least 145 LGUs in the country and was followed by Valenzuela City (Rank 2) and Manila City (Rank 3).
As of January 3, Muntinlupa City has 54 active cases, 5,126 confirmed cases with 4,905 recoveries, 167 reported deaths, 22 suspect cases, and 138 probable cases.
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The above information was provided by the City Government of Muntinlupa for the purpose of public information and transparency. Some parts were edited for this website.
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
As Typhoon Rolly continues to intensify while moving westward towards Luzon, Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime Fresnedi convened the Local Disaster Risk Response and Management (LDRRM) to discuss the City Government’s preparation and response efforts.
Today Mayor Fresnedi presided the LDRRM council and ordered barangay chairmen to prepare for preemptive evacuation and implement disaster risk response protocols. He also ordered the city and barangay risk reduction and management teams to be put on red-alert. The local exec also urged the public to inspect their houses and have necessary reinforcements especially in their roofs as Typhoon Rolly is expected to bring strong winds.
“Maging handa po tayo sa parating na bagyo dahil mas malakas po ito sa nauna. Dapat ay maging seryoso tayo sa paghahanda,” Fresnedi said.
According to the latest forecast track of DOST-PAGASA, the center of the eye of Typhoon Rolly is likely to make landfall over the Aurora-Quezon area on Sunday evening or Monday early morning.
The typhoon is forecasted to continuously intensify over the Philippine Sea and is likely to make landfall at peak intensity of 175-185 km/h. Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal 3-4 is expected to be raised in Metro Manila.
Already the City Government is preparing for the prepositioning of emergency response resources and equipment such as rescue boats, generators, emergency vehicles, search and rescue equipment, among others.
Pruning of trees at dangerous areas are also being prepared by the local environmental sanitation center. Construction sites are set to be inspected to ensure safety precautions on “cranes” and “construction booms” while billboards in the city will be rolled up this weekend.
As of October 30, the Muntinlupa City Department of Disaster Risk Resilience and Management Department (MCDRRM) recorded the water level in Laguna de Bay at 1.61 meters (normal). The warning level is from 4.5 to 6.75 meters and above. MCDRRM has coordinated with the Philippine Coast Guard for monitoring in Laguna de Bay.
MCDRRM advised the public to be vigilant and monitor advisories from PAG-ASA and the City Government.
Recently, the local disaster response department installed early warning system across the city to inform communities in a timely manner about typhoon signal warnings, severe flooding, and earthquakes, among others.
For emergency concerns, the public may reach the city’s hotline at 137-175.
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Latest City Government of Muntinlupa details sourced from their official media release. Some parts were edited for this website.
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to distorted views and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, engagements, commerce and updates, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from New Life Community Care by means of an interview and research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.
New Life Community Care Feeds and Assists Taal Volcano Eruption Victims
For a period of nine days, the New Life Community Care Foundation International, Inc. (NLCOM) and its personnel worked hard to take special care of the many evacuees of the Taal Volcano Eruption (which happened on January 12, 2020) in the province of Batangas
It was there where the NLCOM’s very own mobile kitchen was set up. With precision, careful management of resources and dedication to help the evacuees, the team behind the mobile kitchen produced several hot meals daily during the nine days feeding a whole lot of evacuees who had no choice but to leave their respective communities behind.
According to NLCOM’s program assistant Thessa Joy Jimenez, a total of 52,000 hot meals were served to the evacuees who came from varied communities affected by the January 12 eruption. Mathematically, the mobile kitchen produced an average of more than 5,600 meals per day (breakfast and dinner specifically). This was made possible by having the sophisticated food preparation equipment and sufficient supplies of food and ingredients collected from their donors. The feeding is just one form of NLCOM’s assistance for the evacuees.
One of the many meals being prepared with the utmost care. (photo source – New Life Community Care)
A child watches as NLCOM’s people prepare to serve him. (photo source – New Life Community Care)
Along the way, their team coordinated closely with the local authorities and helped keep things in order. Their assistance to the evacuees was not limited to feeding as they also provided them with hygiene kits, grocery bags and medical services. They also interacted closely with the local community members with a strong focus on helping. These recent acts were in accordance to the NLCOM’s core approach of Respond-Reach Out-Rebuild.
“During calamities, we organized training for the congregants and the volunteers involved in our foundation. We reached out by doing relief operations, medical missions and the mobile kitchen operation to help those who got affected. We rebuild by means of doing livelihood assistance for them,” Jimenez said during my interview with her at their office.
Relief goods like water, hygiene kits and other useful items were released to the victims by NLCOM. (photo source – New Life Community Care)
Packages of relief goods organized carefully by the basket inside New Life Alabang. (photo source – New Life Community Care)
Behind the scenes, NLCOM responded quickly to the eruption by communicating first with the local authorities in Batangas. At their facility inside Alabang Hills Village, their team organized a huge collection of relief goods and cash from their donors (including churches within New Life’s own network), carefully arranged all the relief goods (which include the sleeping mats, blankets and water to name some) in a very orderly fashion, and piled up all the needed supplies before making the long trips to Batangas. Their team was led by their Executive Director Edwin Tugano.
“Our initial plan for the Taal Volcano eruption operation was to operate for three days which was followed by an extension of two days. This was in response to the local authorities’ request for more assistance,” Jimenez said. “Shortly after, our operation became seven days all of which were in Bauan. After that, our team rested and eventually returned to Batangas to serve other barangays in different evacuation areas for two days. Breakfast meals were provided during those two days.”
With sharp precision, NLCOM team prepared the items for relief operations in a very orderly fashion. (photo source – New Life Community Care)
Ultimately, the volcano eruption victims were happy with all the assistance they received. Jimenez recalled that after the seventh day, the victims were very thankful to NLCOM and there were some who verbally expressed their love to them.
“They were very thankful and we could tell through their personal expressions and their hugs to us,” she said. “We really saw the positive impact we made to them. It was all a very heartwarming experience for us all. Tiring but very fulfilling.”
Regarding NLCOM’s volunteers, Jimenez said that they consistently orient them with disaster preparedness methods, group assistance and working closely with the victims and local authorities. Then on February 19, NLCOM completed another distribution of relief goods for Taal Volcano eruption victims (four hundred families) in Barangay Barigon, Agoncillo, Batangas. They assessed the homes that were damaged (partially or totally) from the disaster.
To date, New Life Community Care continues to engage with its partners, its own network of churches and outreach units, and the varied local authorities around the nation. For the future, Jimenez confirmed to me that NLCOM is continuing its preparation of provisions for further emergency operations as well as maintaining contact with varied authorities and planning what could be the next step to take for future assistance.
Personal interactions with members of the local community is another thing that NLCOM does well. (photo source – New Life Community Care)
Truly New Life Community Care lives up to its name and has an undeniable record of assistance for those who badly need it.
What is New Life Community Care?
New Life Community Care is a foundation, operating exclusively for charitable and social welfare purposes. While associated with New Life Alabang, it is separate and has an independent board.
New Life Community Care is a non-stock, non-profit organization registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with registration number CN200323699. It is also registered with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) with registration number DSWD-SB-RL-001582015. Their website is at www.nlcom.org.ph
How Did It Start?
It began in 2003 when their Senior Pastor Paul Chase was led to respond to the needs of street children who were abandoned and neglected. The NLCOM eventually partnered with the City Government of Muntinlupa to take care of the said children.
Ten years later, super typhoon Yolanda (internationally referred to as Haiyan) overwhelmed the Philippines very hard, especially the regions south of Luzon. Tacloban City in the province of Leyte got hit so hard, people lost their homes and belongings, their lives got terribly disrupted and there were several casualties. The damage was so immense, Tacloban caught the attention of the whole world.
In response to the disaster, Senior Pastor Paul Chase and some volunteers of the church came to Tacloban to provide much needed help. This resulted the creation of a makeshift kitchen at the said city and went on to produce six thousand hot meals daily for school children there.
You must be wondering: how was New Life’s team able to create such a high number of meals every day back then? The answer is this: New Life Alabang partnered with Rev. Kim Beam Kon of Truly Good Friends Foundation from South Korea. The joint effort resulted a feeding program that lasted for a year and led to the establishment of the New Life Community Care Foundation.
Along the way, Senior Pastor Paul Chase envisioned the local church to stand in the gap, step up to meet the need and demonstrate God’s love by responding, reaching out and rebuilding the lives of families and communities in the event of disasters. In times of disaster, New Life church provides manpower to NLCOM to enable it to assist victims.
The Foundation’s program is structured this way: Respond to the immediate needs of disaster victims by providing food, relief goods, medical services and executing rescue operations. Reach out with their pro-active volunteers who engage in raising awareness and increasing the knowledge and skills of families, churches and communities on preparing them for disasters and teaching them how to respond during those times. Rebuild by helping the victims by means of clearing the debris, providing shelter kit materials and assisting families and the local communities in the repair and reconstruction of the properties that got damaged from the disaster.
Conclusion
Let me end this post with these three scriptures from the Holy Bible.
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6: 2 (NKJV)
For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
Hebrews 6: 10 (NKJV)
We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.
Romans 15: 1-2 (NKJV)
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Las Piñas City to Donate P1 Million to Taal Volcano Eruption Victims
Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda T. Aguilar announced recently that the City Government is donating P1 million as financial assistance to the victims of the Taal Volcano eruption specifically those in the municipalities of Agoncillo and Lemery in Batangas. The City Council presided by Vice Mayor April Aguilar-Nery approved a resolution authorizing the release of P500, 000 to each municipality.
Mayor Aguilar said that “the donation is a gesture of the people of Las Piñas to help the residents of Agoncillo and Lemery rebuild their lives.”
For its part, the Las Piñas City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LPCDRRMO) has initiated a relief drive to provide assistance to the remaining evacuees in the different evacuation centers. The various departments of the city government, national offices based in Las Piñas and non-government organizations have turned over their donations to the LPCDRRMO, the office in-charge of distributing the donated relief goods. Mayor Mel Aguilar and Vice Mayor April Aguilar-Nery had also donated hygiene kits to the residents of Lemery, Batangas.
City Administrator Reynaldo Balagulan has already notified Mayor Daniel Reyes of the Municipality of the Agoncillo and Mayor Eulalio Mendoza Alilio of Lemery about the donation of the City Government of Las Piñas. The turn- over of the cheque will be held next week.
This was a Press Release issued by the City Government of Las Piñas today for this website.
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