Tropical Storm Trami, and a Comfort Food Recipe

Urgent help is needed to support storm victims in the Philippines

Hi, friends. I’m writing this in Newfoundland. I flew home last week to be with my mother, who died on Monday morning. I’m grateful to have gotten home in time to be with her. There’s so much to be said about all of it, but the time for me to write is not right now, so I asked my dear friend Ali if she would guest post while I step away for a few days. I’ll be back soon. Much love to you all. - MJ ❤️

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Hey, Besties!

I’m Ali Lu. I’ll be hanging with you this week while MJ is on grief leave, and I am grateful to my dear friend for entrusting me with this opportunity. 

It seems like the last couple of months have been unnecessarily difficult for people. An alarming number of friends are suffering through their respective losses and are sprawled across the vast spectrum of grief. If you or someone you know has recently lost a loved one, a job, a romantic relationship, a friendship, an opportunity, or even just lost your temper following coverage on this election, you are not alone.

It’s late October, and I’ve done nothing to celebrate Filipino History/Heritage Month other than make a bastardized version of my Tita L’s arroz caldo (chicken rice porridge). The recipe is below! As a Filipino American who also happens to be a comedian, I appreciate whoever made the decision to put Filipino History Month in the same month as Mental Health Awareness Day.  I wrote that joke just moments before learning that The Philippines was hit with a tropical storm. 

What’s Happening?

Tropical Storm Trami, known locally as Typhoon Trami, swept through the Philippines this week, causing widespread devastation. Intense winds and heavy rainfall resulted in significant flooding, landslides, and structural damage.

The impact of Storm Trami has been widespread, particularly affecting areas like Luzon and Visayas. The storm caused devastating flooding and landslides. At least 14 people were killed. Hundreds of families have been uprooted from their homes and lack the necessary resources for survival, like clean water and food. Communities are pulling together to brave facing the aftermath, and their resilience is inspiring, but the reality is stark: help from the outside world is essential.

Ongoing Relief Efforts

Local organizations and volunteers have rallied to provide emergency aid, distributing food, hygiene kits, and emergency supplies, but the sheer scale of the crisis means they face an uphill battle. The support needed to effectively respond to this tragedy is overwhelming. Additional resources are urgently required.

How You Can Help

There are a few ways you can support victims of Storm Trami. First, you can contribute financially, by donating to reputable organizations that are directly involved in providing aid. Even small donations make a big difference! Here are a couple of trusted organizations to give to:
- Philippine Red Cross
- Rise Against Hunger

Secondly, you can spread the word about the situation: use social media to raise awareness about the situation, and share opportunities for others to help. You could point to the links above. Lastly, you can call for government support by reaching out to elected officials, and advocating for more resources to be allocated for disaster relief efforts in the Philippines.

Comfort Food: Arroz Caldo Recipe

As we unite to support recovery efforts, it’s essential to find comfort in community and shared meals. One dish that brings warmth and care is my Tita L’s arroz caldo. This comforting rice porridge is a staple that lifts spirits and boosts the immune system. I would never risk my life by sharing Tita L’s recipe, but this version gets the job done.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of rice (preferably glutinous and wash it, ya animals!)

• 1/2 pound of chicken (chopped)

• 1 onion (finely chopped)

• 4 cloves of garlic (minced)

• 6 cups of chicken broth (or water)

• 1 1/2-inch piece of ginger (sliced)

• Fish sauce (to taste)

• Salt and pepper (to taste)

• Chopped green onions and boiled eggs (for garnish)

Instructions

1. In a large pot, begin by sautéing the onion, garlic, and ginger over medium heat until fragrant.

2. Add the chopped chicken and cook until lightly browned.

3. Stir in the rice, continuing to cook for another minute to combine.

4. Pour in the chicken broth and season with fish sauce. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer until the rice is soft and creamy (about 20-25 minutes).

5. Serve hot, garnished with green onions and slices of boiled eggs. 

Take Action Now

I know it can feel unfathomable for some of us to think globally when things stateside are the way they are, but the situation following Storm Trami is critical, and our collective actions can make a difference. Each contribution, whether it’s financial or a few hours of your time, plays a role in supporting recovery efforts and showing compassion to those affected.

Thank you for your consideration and willingness to help. Your solidarity and generosity can light the way for many who are facing uncertainty.

Your BFF,
Ali

Friendship Club