Hunger and illness stalk families; mother pleads for help

At 10:38 a.m., local time, Tina sent me a text message: Sorry if I give you much [cause to be] worried, I hope you understand my situation, [after] 2 to 3 days without vit[amins] d kids get cough & flue; dat [is] why I need to buy it, pls help me; I don't have allowance here now.

At 2:41 p.m. she texted again: Pls help me, I really felt dizzy & hungry coz till now I didn't eat break[fast] ... *

Nearly four hours later, at 6:34 p.m., Tina emailed me from the CBK Company office where she was undergoing 3 months of unpaid on-the-job training.

Hello Bern,
Bern good p.m., I hope you are in good condition, sorry if I give you so much [cause to be] worried, because you're the only person who can understand my situation and can help me.

Bern, sorry If I mention to you my personal and financial problem, I really don't know what to do. I don't know what I can do tomorrow, when and where I can get my allowance [for] going here in work tomorrow.

Pls help me; on December 30 was holiday, Rizal day, our National Hero day, that [is] why the Cebuana [pawnbroker and remittance agent] possible will be close[d].

Pls help me on my ring**, I don't want to [have] lost it, just only for 1,800 for the interest [I] need to pay, and also vitamins of the kids to avoid flue and cold: when the kids stop taking Vitamins in 2 to 3 days they were sick, it will be more expensive if they were sick; I need 1,200 for Ceelin (Vitamin C) Clusivol (for appetite) supply of the 7 kids, also Bern our allowance for food, I will [need to have] left food at home for little Bern and Josephine and other kids, also my allowance here for transportation and food too, pls.

Help me for 5,000 [pesos] pls, understand my situation, pls kept in touch.

[To] tell you the truth I felt dizzy, and so much hungry because I did not eat breakfast and lunch till this moment; [it's] 4:20pm right now; I'm worried for the food at home too.

Love

[Tina]

* Some text was lost in transmission.

** The ring was awarded to mark Tina's graduation from high school as the Salutatarian and Commander of the Cadet Army Training battalion.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Vitamin Deficiency (slideshare.net)
• Veronilla Mendoza : Philippines (kiva.org)

Tina pleads for help

SMS Texts via Yahoo Messenger, 13:25: GMT+08 to 13:55

Bern: Hi Tina. My apologies if I'm interrupting a seminar. I'm sorry life has no doubt been extremely difficult for you today. I wonder how you are.

Tina: Bern I'm now in seminar, we have lecture right now. But tomorrow we will start d formal seminar; my problem [is that I] need to buy personal needs.

Bern: Thank you for that info Tina. To avoid interrupting your seminar again, I'll text you from Yahoo maybe 3 hours from now.

Tina: I'm not sure if I can [come] back tomorrow in seminar, coz I cannot afford to buy uniform, sorry to say this. Please help me.

Tina: Please help me Bern, so I can buy my needs for seminar.

Bern: This is an extreme situation for both of us. I'll contact you later.

Children are eating; adults will re-open eatery and make candies for sale

Bern (16:08:38 GMT+10): Hi Tina! I trust you received my text messages, especially the last one sent at 1:22 p.m. Philippine time, and that you have load and will be able reply soon.

Tina (16:55:31): Bern sorry for delay reply, we got d money, dis moment d kids was so happy, they are now eating at home, later I buy stock for eatery also chocolate, so we can [make candies for sale] tomorrow, thanks again.

Bern (16:58:12): Oh, thank you so much for that happy information! I'm relieved to hear the children are eating! I've some mixed news from Mel, though: he needs money for job training.

Tina (17:03:25): I'm interested to know what will be his job. Don't worry Bern, I know how important your money is. I will spent it wisely.

Bern (17:04:10): I don't know, but he [Mel] said several days ago that he and Michael would be canvassing supermarkets in Quezon City for work as sales clerks.

Benefactor reluctantly agrees to remit money for hungry families

SMS text messages via Yahoo Messenger program
Time: 10:31:32 GMT+08. Duration: 00:43:20

Tina: Bern, try out text if I sent. Pls, help us. D kids [are] crying coz they are hungry, I want to [start] back in making chocolate [candies for sale] again to have extra income and also [re-open] d eatery; pls help us.

Bern: Tina, with great misgivings, I'll try to help a little, but I'm going deeper into debt. I've finally decided to publish this online, hoping others will help.

Tina: Bern, can you help me start partial capital of 3K of making chocolate, 3K for d eatery, pls. All adult[s] [in the household] will help me to making a chocolate again; total 6K.

Bern: Tina, at 9:03 a.m. you said you were sending your last text and had no money to buy load. What happened? I'm deeply shocked by this sudden emergency. 6K is a lot for me.

Tina: I borrow[ed] 15 pesos load to [i.e. from] my friend, near lunch, we're not eat since a.m., if I have 6K, we can start again, to have business, income for d family, so we will not suffer hunger again.

Bern: I guessed you must have borrowed a little. I'm deeply perturbed but will try to help a little. I can't promise that much.

Tina: OK, thanks a lot, thanks for understanding, d kids will wait to your help, they are happy when I said you will help us, just wait for a little hour & we can buy food later.

Wealth and poverty in the Philippines

Excerpt from the Global Education website initiated and funded by AusAID, the Australian Government overseas aid program

There is great unevenness in the distribution of wealth in the Philippines. A small percentage of the population is very wealthy while the majority of the people are very poor. The richest 10% of the population share over one third of the wealth while the poorest 10% share only 2.3% with 40% living below the poverty line. In rural areas, most farmers do not own the land that they work and are required to give a percentage of their crop to the landowner as rent. Nearly 10% of GDP is from Filipinos working overseas.

Poor, weary woman travels far and waits long hours for medical check-up

After leaving her home in Kalayaan around 3:30 a.m, Tina was, at 05:43 a.m., Filipino time, approaching Manila on a long distance bus.

She was on her way to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) for pathology tests and consultation with a hematologist following up after a diagnosis of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a splenectomy to counteract the malady, and a subsequent provisional diagnosis of possible fungal meningitis.

We exchanged text messages.

Tina had barely sufficient funds to pay fares and not enough for food, laboratory tests or prescriptions.

By 07:19 a.m. (Filipino time, GMT+8), I had remitted 4,600 pesos via the Money Gram service of the UAE Exchange corporation. This was likely to be barely sufficient to cover the medical and travel costs.

By 07:23 Tina was at the main gate of the hospital and in a position to encash the remittance at a bank or Cebuana Luhillier pawnshop nearby.

After that she needed to submit rapidly to blood tests, pay for them, and then register immediately for a place in the long queue to see the hematologist.

At 02:43 p.m. (GMT+8) I texted a request for an update on Tina's situation. She was still waiting in the Hematology Department for the female medical specialist (Doktora) who would examine her. The medical staff had held an emergency meeting in the morning so check-ups had only started after lunch. Tina was # 26 in the waiting list.

Tina anticipated that her check-up might not be finished until 6 p.m.

If all went well Tina was unlikely to arrive home again until around 10:30 p.m., but on this day I did not hear from her again.

Details of our exchanges are shown below.

Bern (07:41:51 GMT+10): Good morning Tina. Perhaps you're in traffic? I'm ready to leave home now for the city. Traveling by car and river ferry will take me at least an hour. Bern.

Tina (07:43:47): Gud morning Bern, I'm now in d bus, on d way to Manila Bern, thanks for your understanding Bern, take care always.

Bern (07:45:22): OK, I'll leave immediately. Expect to hear from me about an hour from now, or a little later.

Tina (07:46:35): OK, take care always, thanks a lot.

Bern (09:19:36 GMT+10):Tina, I've sent you 4600 pesos 12 centavos via Money Gram 20692971. This is precious. Do not ask for more.

Tina (07:23:20 GMT+8): Thank you very much Bern, I'm now in d gate of PGH, thanks for your understanding, I know d value of your money, I will spend it wisely, thanks again.

Bern (16:33:17 GMT+10): Hi Tina. If you're free and have sufficient load I'd appreciate an update on your situation now.

Tina (16:37:29): Bern, I'm still waiting for d Doktora in [the] Hema[tology] Dept. Coz they have [an] emergency meeting this morning, d check-up[s] only start[ed] after lunch. I'm # 26 in d list.

Bern (16:38:49): Oh, so much waiting! I assume the emergency meeting was not about you! It appears to me that Philippine medical services generally are in crisis.

Tina (16:39:25): I will text you after my check up, maybe it will finish [at] 6 p.m.

Tina (16:43:20): It's not me, maybe it was in general problem in hospital.

Scarce resources remitted and allocated with difficulty

Tina (08:41:41 GMT+8): Bern, if you don't mind, if you send money to both of us, Mel and I? Can you send it to my name; I'm d 1 [who will] send it to Mel, coz he felt jealous to me, when he know[s] d amount you [have] given to me.

Bern (12:21:35 GMT+10): Tina, unfortunately the UAE Money Exchange is still not open. The manager altered a sign on the door: it will open at 12:45 p.m. I'll wait.

Bern (12:55:54): Tina, I've sent you 5,745 pesos 49 centavos via MoneyGram 838 . . . 489. Pls ensure Mel gets help ASAP to visit his mother. I worry also about Josie's health and Mel's future.

Tina (14:42:56): Bern, I'm now in Cebuana [pawnshop and remittance agent] to claimed d money. I sent 2,000 [pesos] to Mel, coz I buy 1 sack [of] rice, 1,800, 1 kg [of] meat for dinner, 500 vegetable, 500 groceries, I hope you understand, we will visit Nanay Josie later. Sorry, I try my best to budget wisely.

Wife of sick man, grateful for donation, goes job hunting

At 10:16 a.m., Philippine time, Jayson's family sent me messages bidding me good morning, asking how I was and hoping I would be fine.

Unfortunately I was not available online to receive the messages immediately.

I had sent a remittance. Janice thanked me very much for your helping and urged me to take care of myself.

"I go to my sister now to find some work," she added. " Love you always. Jayson, Janice and kids."

Receipt of remittance fraught with difficulties

Bern (08:48 GMT+08): Janice, please advise: have you received any message from PesoEpadala.com or Globe G-Cash yet?

Janice (08:52): Good morning, Bern.

Bern: Good morning. I trust you've received the question I just sent you.

Janice: OK! Bern.
:
Bern: Please advise: what messages, if any, have you received from PesoEpadala.com or Globe G-Cash?

Janice: I'm sorry BERN. What question BERN?

Bern: Have you received any messages from PesoEpadala.com or Globe G-Cash? And what is the result?

Janice: I receive - but I can't read bcoz my cellphone is can't open.

Bern: Please explain.

Janice: Hang I think Bern. I'm sorry for that.

Bern: I think that if you take the battery out of the cellphone then put it back in again you may find that the cellphone will work. It is possible, though, that the date and time will need to be reset. Of course, also, you need to keep the battery charged.

Janice: Yes Bern, already full charge. Bern please send it to my email.

Bern: You please try what I have requested. If you don't know how to do it, please try to get advice from someone who understands cellphones better.

Janice: OK Bern! Wait for 2 min. I try to get advice [from] someone.

Bern: You may also find that there are too many SMS text messages stored in your cellphone and that you need to delete some.

Janice: Bern, it's OK now - I can read the message from Globe G-cash already pick-up.

Bern: Are you saying that you have already picked up the money?

Janice: No, Bern, [they] said that the remittance is ready to pick-up.

Bern: I see. So I suppose you will leave immediately to go and get it?

Bern: Hello! What's the situation?

Janice: I can't receive the remittance #.

Bern: Please explain why you can't receive the remittance number.

Janice: Not in my message I receive this morning from G-cash. I receive the Yahoo message what the Yahoo message?

Bern: I suggest that you try to send a text to Globe saying you have not received the number. Then ask them to please send it again.

Janice: She saying Bern. I go to my email or what? Bern, I think to Jason's email he send. I look to Jason['s] email Bern - wait. Wait Bern. I open Jason['s] email.

Janice: From G-cash: "You have remittance ready for pick-up since yesterday afternoon: pick it up from Globe outlet where you used to pick-up your remittance. From friends@pesoepadala.com." This is the message I received.

Bern: Janice: this morning I phoned Peso Epadala in Sydney but received only a recorded message on an answering machine. Then I phoned their manager Annie on her cellphone and received only another recorded message. I'll have to go offline and try them again. But I can e-mail them.

Also you could e-mail them: I'll give you some addresses. Set the e-mails as high priority.

Janice: OK BERN, thank you.

Bern: Try anna ... That's Anna, one of the managers. There's also Annie... And Boyet, And the Processing Department ... Shirley's e-mail address ... The New South Wales office e-mail address ... You could send a single e-mail to all of those addresses simultaneously by using the CC method.

Janice: OK Bern.

Bern: I trust you are sending an e-mail or two without difficulty?

Janice (12:45:34): Yes! Bern, I send already some message of them all.

Bern (12:46:57): Good. I'll try to phone PesoEpadala.com again soon and after that I also want to send them e-mails.

Janice (152): OK, I'll will wait for her message.

Janice (21:29:09): Good evening, BERN. Thank you very much; I get money at 2 p.m. I buy Jayson vitamins and some fresh fruits - and also medicine. Thank you, Bern, and always take care. We love you. [Received at 22:10:05.]

Family cannot afford medical consultation and treatment for small injured son

Email from Tina sent on December 07 at 17:04 GMT+8

Dear Bern,

This is the x-ray plate of Kert; the doctor [is] waiting to return us on Dec. 18, to discharge the cement, at 9 a.m.

I’m worried coz I’m sure doctor required us to have x-ray again to check if the bone back to normal. X-ray cost 980.

Bern, sad to say, Roderic['s] work will be till this week, he just have work as casual for only 1 month, [this] means to say the responsibilities [come] back to me again. Bern, pls, help us again when the day came need Kert return to doctor again on Dec.18.

I pray the bone return to normal again.

Tina

Underemployed father lacks food for his family; agitated brother-in-law begs for help

Bern (16:58:11): Hello Mel.

Mel [online] (16:58:30): Hi!

Bern (16:58:48): I'm surprised you're online.

Mel (17:00:10): I'm worried about you and me!

Bern (17:00:29): Please explain.

Mel (17:02:36): I want to mention again about help, bcoz I'm worried about my sister Anagel and I'm worried about you, you might have financial problem too.

Bern (17:04:20): It's true that many people ask me for help and my funds are limited. Please tell me more about Anagel's problems.

Mel (17:06:22): Robert is no job bcoz no tourist visit here, he was boatman. [It's] hard for him to work in other place bcoz they have four children to feed.

Bern (17:06:57): Oh.

Mel (17:07:24): Sometimes we shared but not enough, shared for food.

Bern (17:07:49): I see.

Mel (17:09:38): On Monday Angelica and Gilbert go to school again. I'm afraid they don't have food, too, after and before schooling.

Bern (17:10:01): I see. I hate going to Western Union. I want to stop doing it. You must know that it costs me $25 - that's 1,000 pesos - every time I go there, just for fees. That money is totally lost. And that's not counting, of course, the money for the beneficiary.

Mel (17:14:05): I see! And do understand that!

Bern (17:14:41): For the last week Ross in Paranaque has also been begging me for help for his family.

Bern (17:15:50): But there's something else that I've been worrying about a lot. I wonder whether you have really been selling cellphone loads.

Mel (17:17:07): Yes I do! my number when I selling load is this: 0918 . . . 355.

Bern (17:17:22): I think that is not your usual number.

Mel (17:17:54): Sorry, I forgot to tell you about that. Bcoz, Bern, if you register this number my load is automatically lost 2 pesos, that's every day. Like my other number.

Bern (17:19:51): I'm sorry Mel, I don't quite understand what you are saying.

Mel (17:20:47): It's [hard] for me to explain bcoz I'm not good in English. . . . I mean hard for me to explain.

Bern (17:21:31): That really does need some explanation but perhaps there's not time now.

Mel (17:22:12): I can't force you to believe me!

Bern (17:22:40): It's not a matter of being forced to believe something. It's a matter of understanding.

Mel (17:22:58): It's up to you. I'm upset your not believed in me and trust.

Young man's honesty doubted

Bern (11:20:02): Hi Mel. From Australia I successfully loaded Tina's Smart SIM with 900 pesos worth of load she can sell. Please advise your SIM retail info[rmation] so I can do it for you.

Bern (11:21:00) [to Tina]: COPY: Hi Mel. From Australia I . . . loaded Tina's Smart SIM with 900 pesos worth of load she can sell. Please advise your SIM retail info[rmation] so I can do it for you.

Bern (11:28:50): Hi Jester, how are you? I want to load Mel's SIM with about 900 pesos worth of load so he can sell it but I need Mel's retail SIM number. I'd appreciate your help.

Bern: Hi Jomar, how are you? I want to load Mel's SIM with about 900 pesos worth of load so he can sell it but I need Mel's retail SIM number. I'd appreciate your help.

Bern (11:36:03): Hi Tina. Thanks for your texts and e-mail. I've just texted Mel requesting retail SIM details, then also Jester and Jomar, seeking help to get them.

Tina (11:39:38): Bern, according to Nanay Josie Mel have a old cellphone, which he [is] now using, dat why all of your text was receiving by Mel, just for two of us, according to Nanay Josie.

Bern (11:48:14): I'm just waiting and hoping for responses from Mel, Jomar and Jester, so I can get a better idea of what's happening. I'm not optimistic, however.

Tina (16:44:16): Mel using his old cp number +6392 . . . 321, Jomar using his own, according to Nanay Josie, Mel want I redeem d cel from Jomar and buy a brand new TV set, I'm so sorry about it.

Bern (11:46:50): Tina, if I understand correctly, then, Mel has his old cellphone and Jomar has his new one (which I paid for, about August 2007) and they are both working.

Bern (16:48:14): Hello, +6392 . . . 321 is the number Mel got in August. He was using it until he pawned the phone to Jomar. For a month, at least, Mel has wanted a new TV.

Bern (16:51:11): Evidently Mel was using that phone last Sunday, around 4:40 p.m., while walking to San Isidro to help Jomar campaign. None of them replied to me today.

Tina (16:51:42): According to Nanay Josie yesterday dat number using Mel in old cell, right now, Mel was now in bad mood dat why he [doesn't] want to reply, d celphone with camera was d cell pawn[ed] to Jomar.

Tina (16:57:35): When Nanay Josie was her getting groceries, she text Mel if he has still d SIM to retail Smart, sad to say he did not reply, I ask what Mel using? She told me dat number, maybe Mel just to tell you dat his cell with his SIM pawn to Jomar to force you to help him to redeem d cell right away. I'm so sorry about it.

Micro-businesses greatly handicapped by lack of capital

E-mail from Tina sent at 13:56 GMT+8

Dear Bern,

This is the reply e-mail from Joe, which I mention to you, to invest in my store. As I expected, he give his negative opinion.

What I can I do Bern, the canteen manage[d] by Sol will be close till Oct 25. Tell you the truth, she did not buy any more stock right now, coz she just want to collect for the payment on Oct 25.

The stock I buy last Saturday was almost gone, coz all security guard goes to our store. Bern I don't want to get additional capital from 5/6* just to support the needs of guard, coz I don't want to happen to my store [what] happen to the canteen manage by Sol.

I hope you understand, if you have a chance please help me to explain to Joe the situation.

Tina

-----

*5/6: a short-term monelender who charges high interest.

Mel distressed after waiting for information and assistance

Mel (18:42:41): Bern what the new's about your help, I'm very sorry for question[ing] you about that! Love.

Bern (18:45:25): On Friday I succeeded in sending money via PesoEpadala.com to Tina to be picked up through Tambunting Pawnshop in Paete. It's a Globe G-Cash outlet.

Bern (18:46:58): I also succeeded in sending Tina 900 pesos worth of Smart load. Tina says there is great demand for her to sell on credit to security guards' families.

Bern (18:47:33): I was very much hoping Tina and Jovs would be able to help you but until now this has not happened.

Mel (18:47:49): Ah! I see but Bern there's a problem of my account you cannot send money to my SIM card like Tina bcoz we're different SIM card and its available only for Smart load.

Bern (18:49:03): I succeeded in sending 900 pesos worth of Smart load to Tina. I tried to send 900 pesos worth of Globe load to her also but she hasn't received it.

Bern (18:50:26): Mel I will send load to your Smart phone if I can be sure that you will receive it. The PesoEpadala office in Sydney is not open until tomorrow, however.

Mel (18:52:09): But how can I use that, I'm not handed my phone, I pawned it.

Bern (18:54:12): Yes, Mel, I understand that, so the situation is more difficult. If I succeeded in buying load, perhaps Jomar or Jester could get the benefit.

Mel (18:56:33): No, Bern, stop trying if it's hard or difficult for you. I will stop hoping that you can help me Bern. You always take care: this is my last text for now. I love you!

Bern (19:00:10): Thank you for your love, Mel. But please don't ask me to stop trying. I'm so sorry it's your last text for now. I will find some way to contact you again soon. Love.

Mel (19:01:35): No, don't worry about me, I will be OK! Goodbye!

Ministore proprietor's request for financial help coldly rejected

October 19, 17:56 GMT+8: E-mail from Tina to Joe

Dear Joe,

I have a good news, I have a collection worth 5,337 from the other guard[s], here in NPC [National Power Corporation], it was deducted from their salary, last pay day it's only 3,000, now it's increase[d] depend[ing] on how I can have a stock from the store, like rice, can goods, household needs, cigarettes and groceries.

Joe I scan to you the list the name and my collection to prove that the store you provide for us has improvement.

Joe, Jovs now was with us, he continue his work, and serve as a messenger of order.

Joe, our problem now: it's of them ask[ing us] to provide then 25 kls of rice, and other lots of groceries:

25 kls of rice x 30 persons (8 sacks x 1,200) . . . . . . . 9,600

Cigarettes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,000

Load to sale from Globe and Smart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,000

Groceries, soft drink etc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,400

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25,000

Joe, can you help us to have this additional capital for the store. It's a big help for us. I hope this is the only way Jovs make busy to help me in managing the store, and he realize to stay with us.

There is no problem in collection, if I can have this capital I can earn 500 to 1,000 pesos cash daily from the store.

I hope you understand.

Tina

October 21, 20:31 GMT+10: E-mail from Joe to Tina

If you do not make enough from the shop to buy new stock and have some profit left-over, you should not have the shop.

You can NOT rely on me to keep paying for stocking up.

Joe

Impoverished young man Mel helps comrade campaign for election

Life goes on despite hunger

Mel (18:27:37): Gud p.m., Bern, it's me, Mel. I'm with Jomar now. I'm with him campaigning in their barangay. Hope you're OK. I'm worried bcoz you're not texting. Love, Mel.
 

Bern (18:29:06): Hi Mel, I'm so glad you replied. I've been worried about you. May I ask: who is the candidate for whom you are campaigning?
 

Mel (18:30:16): Jomar Yaneza for councilor!

Bern (18:32:57): Oh, so Jomar is a candidate! My best wishes to him! Unfortunately I can't vote for him also!

Mel (18:35:07): He said thank you so much, yes, me too, I can't vote for him bcoz we're different barangay: he's from Barangay Uno, San Isidro, and I'm from Magdapio.

Bern (18:37:16): So Jomar lives across the river, somewhere near the cemetery, I think! I wonder how you cross the river to see him - by boat, or via the hanging bridge?

Mel (18:38:47): Of corz by hanging bridge! And I'm just walking to get here in his place.

Bern (18:40:01): No doubt it's cheaper that way. But it's several kilometres to walk! At least the exercise will keep you fit, if you're well enough for it.

Mel (18:42:41): Yes, I don't have to use tricycle, eh! . . .

Poor parents cannot afford school uniforms so uncle pawns cellphone

October 16

Mel (20:16:24): Bern my sister Anagel need help too for her son Gilbert and Angelica for their uniform in school 1500 jogging pants and t-shirt it cost 750 each.

October 17

Bern (08:59:02): Hello Mel. Are you saying that jogging pants cost 1500 each and T-shirts cost 750 each? What is the TOTAL cost for the two children, Gilbert and Angelica?

Mel (10:48:42): Yes Bern, bcoz it's not like ordinary jogging pants and t-shirt, it needed print name and print of the name of they school, that's why it's expensive: 1500 for dey both.

Mel (10:53:36): I mean to say Bern that jogging pants and t-shirt cost 750, plus Gilbert too, that's why the total is 1500 for the two children; sorry for misunderstood my texts.

Bern: (18:38:54): Mel, the Peso Epadala business has an office in Sydney. Their website indicates that I may be able to buy Smart loads for you. But exactly what kind is best?

Jomar (18:52:10) [using Mel's number]: Mel said if you text just let him know. I will told him you text, but now I'm the owner of this phone. He pawned me this bcoz he need money. I'm Jomar, Mels friend.

Bern (18:59:27): Hello Jomar. Thank you for your text. I'm extremely disappointed that Mel pawned his cellphone. May I ask when you'll see Mel again?

Bern (20:02:11): Jomar, may I ask: if Mel wants to get back the cellphone from you, how much will he need to repay you?

Jomar (20:29:45): Bernie I don't know, I text you again if he is here. He said will go here again to asked if you text. Sorry I cant text you more. I don't have more load now.

Bern (20:32:12): OK Jomar, thank you very much for that. You'd better save your load and I hope you'll be able to get more soon. I worry about Mel. Best wishes to both of you.

Jomar (20:36:00): One more thing! Mel decided to pawned this bcoz he said his sister Anagel need money for her son and daughter. That's all I knew. That's why I accept this.

Bern (20:38:58): Mel texted me this morning that they needed jogging pants and T-shirts at a total cost of 1500 for 2 children. I don't understand why so much rush suddenly.

College girl's skin lesion healed following surgery: father seeks help again

Fernando (10:38:13): Hi, how are you now? Hope you're OK. About Rhea-Fe: she is good condition and also operation is perfect. We are here in my house. I am a candidate as a councilor in our Brgy. 2 at Kalye Pogi. Thanks a lot to your help my family.

Bern (10:45:28): Fernando! It's so good to hear from you at last, and especially good to hear that Rhea-Fe is in good condition and the operation perfect!

Fernando (10:51:12): Thanks very much Bern. [I] was running a candidate as a councilor this coming Oct 29 barangay election.

Bern (10:55:40): Yes, congratulations! You have wide experience of life so I'm sure you'd make a good councilor. I hope you win and also receive a good regular salary for it.

Fernando (11:06:50): Thanks and hope you have a good health and 19 of Oct starting of campaigning so I need your help in a meantime; it's me, Poe*.

Bern (11:09:34): So it's a 10-day election campaign? I worry when you say you need my help because I suffer from great financial stresses now.

Fernando (11:16:56): It's OK, I [am] just asking to you if you give me help a good for us. I am going to Comelec** now to file my candidacy. Thanks Bern.

Bern (11:18:23): My best wishes go with you. Fernando, Jov's wife Tina from Kalayaan is begging help today. She has fever and no antibiotics.

Bern (11:19:37): Jov's younger brother Mel is also begging urgently for help from Magdapio. He has no work and no money but wants to buy cellphone loads to sell again.

Bern (11:20:50): I just spent AU$600 to pay for an elderly lady to fly to her daughter's funeral and I must spend another $700 or more to register my car immediately.

Fernando (11:28:01): Well thanks again and hope you're always in good health and condition course I knew you have given help here in Pagsanjan especially [to] Jov's family. Rubee-Fer asking when did you come back in Phil[ippines].

Bern (11:29:58): Oh, I wish I could return soon but I just don't see how it's possible for some time. My health is not bad, all things considered, but I suffer many stresses.

Fernando (11:32:44): Regards to you, Rubee-Fer say love you, ninong [godfather]. Take care of yourself. I know you're going older. Thanks, gud a.m.

Bern (11:34:37): Hey, don't remind me I'm growing older! Age is only a number (I wish!). I'm so glad that someone and especially Rubee-Fer loves me! My love to her also!

Fernando (11:39:40): Yes I know only a number getting older not in your body. Rubee getting taller and beauty. She is graduating now at her grade six elementary she wish you come back soon.

Bern (11:42:08): Well, children getting taller and more beautiful, that's a bit different! But please pardon me now, I'm being called urgently to merienda [snack] with a visitor!

---

*Poe: a nickname derived from the movie star Fernando Poe.
 

**Comelec: Comission on Elections.

Six families of National Power Station security guards lack food to eat

Tina (10:03:57): Gud am Bern, I wake up early, to open d store. Sad to say I cannot raise money for Ken['s] allowance coz I don't have stock to sale, sorry to tell you Bern we don't have food to eat today, specially d kids.

Tina (10:15:14): You know Bern, 5 guard outgoing dis 7 a.m., complaining to me dat there is no rice and food to their house. They are rely[ing] on my store for their needs. [Above texts received online at 14:53 GMT+10]

Bern (15:55): Sent 10000 Western Union 3476808634. I rely on you to take great care. Please try to help Mel also. He should sell loads and also take great care.

Tina (16:07:18): Bern I received your text thank you very much, I will invest your money to d store, and I give 2,500 to Mel to sale load, I will try my best to take care of it.

Bern (16:18:32): Tina, thank you for your confirmation of my text sent 20 minutes ago. I worry that the money isn't enough though, for elec[tricity], stock, Mel's therapy, Jayson etc.

Unemployed young man needs to work and plan for the future

October 05

Bern (16:58:28): Tina Mel contacted me from the computer store. He's very distressed and crying and has just gone offline. Please try to comfort him right now.

Bern (17:16:51): Tina, just now I tried to ring Mel but I can't get through to him. Please try to contact him and comfort him. Also, please try to reply to me soon.

Bern (17:19:04): Hi Mel, it's distressing to me that you are so sad. I tried to ring you just now but, most unfortunately, I couldn't get through. I worry about you.

Tina (17:26:05): Ok I will, I will get d money first. We're on d way to Sta. Cruz now.

Tina (17:29:45): Don't worry too much Bern, I will talk to him, and I also give d money to him, so he can start to sale load again.

Tina (17:31:37): I will text you again after I talk to Mel, we're now near in Sta. Cruz.

Bern (17:36:22): Thank you for that. Mel is very distressed at receiving 2,500 while (as he sees it) you receive 7,500. I think he feels hopeless and neglected.

Tina (17:39:16): Bern, I will pay 3,500, for elec. bill, then 1,000 for Ken['s] tuition fee, I just buy 1 sack rice, 1,200, d rest I buy stock.

Bern (17:42:45): I see. Ken's tuition fees sound high. I wonder how long that is for. Maybe you can explain a little to Mel. I hope he'll be settled enough to discuss things.

Tina (17:45:45): Bern I will buy also 500 for load Smart, 500 for load Globe, I'm so sorry. I hope Mel will understand.

Bern (17:46:51): I certainly hope he will try to. I do care about Mel. If I had money I'd help him far more than I do.

Tina (17:48:24): Don't worry Bern if I have stock in d store and he needs it, I'm wiling to give.

Bern (17:49:02): Thank you very much for that.

Bern (17:50:08): Hi Jester! Sorry it's been so long. I hope you and your family are well. Jester, Mel is very sad. I'd be grateful if you could visit and comfort him very soon. Bern. "Jester will receive your messages on a mobile device."

Bern (20:02:35): Hi Tina. I'd appreciate a report about the family situation soon, and, if possible, news about Mel especially.

Tina (20:05:33): Bern were just on da way home, we buy stock in d store while were in Sta. Cruz, when we got arrived home, we will go to Magdapio to talk and give money to Mel.

Bern (20:06:55): I see. Thank you for that information. I'll be very interested to hear more later tonight.

Tina (21:31:22): Gud evening Bern, sorry if I'm not personally give money to Mel, coz when we got home little Bern was sleeping, and we don't have food to prepared to eat so Jov decide dat he will bring 2,500 alone, coz I'm d one who will take care [of] little Bern at home, I just text Mel dat Jovs was on da way now.

Bern (22:19:57): Tina thanks for your text advising that Jovs was taking money to Mel. I'd be grateful for information about Mel's condition when it becomes available.

Tina (22:37:16): Bern Jovs has been arrived 5 mins ago. He already gave 2,500 to Mel. Nanay Josie was also there. He did not stay long der coz he knows we eat dinner when he return.

Bern (22:39:14): Oh! I hope Josie will be of some comfort to Mel but I'm not confident of that. Also: I want MEL to benefit from that money, not someone else.

Tina (22:43:45): Don't worry Bern, Mel is da one manage his money, Nanay Josie is with Mel always, she is d one carrying water used [by] Mel while taking a bath, washing cloth of Mel, Mel is like a prince in d house, Nanay Josie was just his servant, cooker, cleaning d house etc. Tina.

Bern (22:46:06): Oh. It's curious that Mel never mentions his mother. Really the prince does need to work at any job, no matter how humble.

Tina (22:51:37): I don't know why he did not mention to you Nanay Josie. But I'm so sorry I'm just saying d truth, Mel is like a prince in his way of living, dat [is] my observation.

October 06

Tina (00:20:14): But Mel need to have determination how to earn money by his own [efforts]. Sorry to tell you dis, but he need to think dat you are not always be there to help him, he was 22 yrs old, he need to be responsible [so that] sooner or later he can have his own family and kids. Sorry for telling dis. It's only my opinion. Tina.

Bern (00:21:58): Hello, I'm still here! I meant to be in bed but an American has been contacting me. I can't see how Mel can ever afford a wife and family. Sad but true.

Tina (00:26:04): Yes Bern, I believed and observed it, but Mel need to think about dat in d future.

Bern (00:26:29): Years ago in Penang, Malaysia, I met a youth aged maybe 18 who said he was unable to marry. I thought he saw no way to get out of poverty.

Bern (00:27:03): Maybe Mel feels hopeless about his life changing.

Bern (00:29:11): People say the longest journey starts with a single step. I was hoping that selling loads would at least provide Mel with a little income.

Tina (00:31:39): I observe Mel spend[s] his time with his barkada [comrades], and wait[s for] his allowance from you. I did see any effort or hear any idea to earn money.

Tina (00:33:43): I hope so, in 500 pesos he can start to sale load if he want to.

Tina (00:38:10): Bern I'm worried about you, it's been too late for you to slept, you must take a rest now.

Bern (00:48:57): Sorry, I was distracted by the American. You are right, I should be in bed. I was feeling regretful this morning after too many very late nights.

Tina (00:56:30): Take care of your health Bern, sweets dreams Bern.

Bern (00:57:11): Oh, thank you. And you'd better get some rest too. No doubt you'll be up early. Good night!