START HERE

One Year

noreply@blogger.com (Lorra) — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 16:33:00 +0000

Hi everyone. It's been a year since Ondoy came and went and we're still standing strong. I'm grateful that such a tragic event brought us all together.

There's always something positive that we can take from negative things that happen in our lives. I hope that everyone who was touched by this event has found a way to use the experience and become better versions of themselves.

Have a great Sunday my dear friends.

Padayon by Kristy Anne Ligones

noreply@blogger.com (Lorra) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:29:00 +0000

Artist: Kristy Anne Ligones
Title: Padayon
Description: "Padayon" is a Visayan word, meaning "to continue", and I think we all see how Filipinos showed their hope to everyone, despite the calamity that happened. We still continue on living and going along with life's flow.

Creeping Sun, Crawling Fog by Moe Twain

noreply@blogger.com (Lorra) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:27:00 +0000

Artist: mOetwain
Title: Creeping Sun, Crawling Fog
Description: The Pinoy Overseas Photographers Beijing (POP Beijing) spent an overnight at the Great Wall at Jinshanling - the only section where it is legal to camp. Waking up early in the morning mist, I was witness to Sun's smile and Fog's embrace.

Duo by Moe Twain

noreply@blogger.com (Lorra) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:26:00 +0000

Artist: mOetwain
Title: Duo
Description: Light passed between two high-rise buildings and cast shadows on the Duo, walking side-by-side, pacing stride-by-stride. It reminds me of my best friend.

Simplicity of Happiness by Moe Twain

noreply@blogger.com (Lorra) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:25:00 +0000

Artist: mOetwain
Title: Simplicity Of Happiness
Description: You were happy when life was much simpler, when it was easy to laugh, to love and to trust. You have been hurt and have been scarred. Search within and remember the simplicity of happiness. Baybay, Leyte.

Solitary by Moe Twain

noreply@blogger.com (Lorra) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:24:00 +0000

Artist: mOetwain
Title: Solitary
Description: Searching for my happy place. Santa Clara, California.

Hope and Love in the Hands of the Filipinos by Pauline Garcia

noreply@blogger.com (Lorra) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:23:00 +0000

Artist: Pauline Angelica V. Garcia
Title: Hope and Love in the Hands of the Filipinos
Description: Our Love for each other will build up our Hopes. Our Hopes will show that it is through our OWN hands that we CAN rebuild ourselves, rebuild our Nation, and recover what was lost. Together, WE CAN DO IT!

Pinoy Heart by Emereauldine Eliseo

noreply@blogger.com (Lorra) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:17:00 +0000

Artist: Emereauldine T. Eliseo
Title: Pinoy Heart
Description: "My heart has three colors: purity, patriotism, and valor." - Filipino

Reconstruction by Jackie De Luna

noreply@blogger.com (Lorra) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:16:00 +0000

Artist: Jackie De Luna
Title: Reconstruction
Description: Right now our nation is under so much turmoil and we are in that state that we feel hopeless in rebuilding the nation that once was...I hope this project can be a manifestation that it is still possible to achieve that is why I wanted to lend a hand in rebuilding/reconstructing the nation.

noreply@blogger.com (Lorra) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:14:00 +0000

Artist: Jackie De Luna
Title: Someone's Watching Over Us
Description: I just thought that we are all engrossed with what is happening in our lives that we tend to forget the purpose of why things are happening. we sob, and complain. There is a greener pasture that is waiting for us if we just know how to deal with the problems.

Moving Along by Jackie De Luna

noreply@blogger.com (Lorra) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:13:00 +0000

Artist: Jackie De Luna
Title: Moving Along
Description: The sea is always moving and it will take is to the path that we wanted to go so just keep on sailing, move along with the water/go with the flow, we will soon get to that place where everything is better.

P-Presto! by Jerusha Ong

noreply@blogger.com (Lorra) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:08:00 +0000

Artist: Jerusha Ong
Title: P-Presto!
Description: "So um...will you go out with me?" That's always a hopeful question, one that surrenders our inhibitions and our very selves to someone else.

Volunteers' Snapshot by Jerusha Ong

noreply@blogger.com (Lorra) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:06:00 +0000

Artist: Jerusha Ong
Title: Volunteers' Snapshot
Description: A snapshot of some volunteers working hard, helping out in the relief operations.

Every Hand Counts by Hazel Lynne Tan

noreply@blogger.com (Lorra) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:00:00 +0000

Artist: Hazel Lynne Tan
Title: Every Hand Counts
Description: We all want to help in some way but we sometimes hesitate on the extent of how much we can do, but what we should always keep in mind is that any hand, be it big or small, can do something to help. It may be a small gesture or a big one but it can surely make a difference. A small act can contribute to the success of a bigger purpose and anybody of any age or class can do something to help out.

Above My Head by Marjorie Limbonhai

noreply@blogger.com (Lorra) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:57:00 +0000

Artist: Marjorie Limbonhai
Title: Above My Head
Description: Above my head, above yours, above everyone's head, is hope. Hope, love, peace, mercy. No matter how hard the rain will fall today, better days will come. There will always be a greater hand that will give us something to cover our heads with, if we allow it to and recognize the help that we are sent...

The Good Relief by Aletheia Rio

noreply@blogger.com (Lorra) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:53:00 +0000

Artist: Aletheia Rio
Title: The Good Relief
Description: There are some things better than just the relief goods after the storm. (Watercolor and Photoshop)

Hands by Paul Imbong

noreply@blogger.com (Lorra) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:51:00 +0000

Artist: Paul Imbong
Title: Hands
Description: This is something I came up with which I am planning to put up on a wall somewhere in Marikina over the weekend if I have time, preferably in one of the areas hit hard by Ondoy. The mural will be about 2 meters long.

On To The Other Side by Arvin de Leon

noreply@blogger.com (Lorra) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:50:00 +0000

Artist: Arvin de Leon
Title: On to the Other Side
Description: Someone crossing over the flooded sea of trash represented by a patch of tape. It's a picture about crossing over and overcoming difficulty. With a flying boat nonetheless.

Hope Floats by Arvin de Leon

noreply@blogger.com (Lorra) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:29:00 +0000

Artist: Arvin de Leon
Title: Hope Floats
Description: People enjoying themselves during the flood. Kids and adults alike were swimming and ferrying people to and fro.

Updates

noreply@blogger.com (Lorra) — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 19:09:00 +0000

Hi everyone,

I hope you had a happy Christmas and that you're going to have a great year ahead. It's been 11 days since the new year rang in and I hope everyone took the time to really think of ways to make this great opportunity of still being alive and well count.

Honestly, during the weeks after the deadline for submissions for START HERE, I was feeling very low and unmotivated and have met personal problems that I won't talk about in detail anymore, which is why I still haven't been able to upload some of the submissions. For this, I am truly sorry. I should not have let personal problems affect the way I treated this project and of course, the artists who so willingly and unselfishly contributed. You guys deserve better and I promise to have things sorted out by the end of the week.

Let's all start the year right and fresh. :)

By the way, we're still looking for the right beneficiary to donate the money we raised to. All other endeavors have not pushed through, unfortunately. We're currently looking into Blue Bayanihan. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to email us at starthere.rebuild@gmail.com. Thank you!

Important Notes

noreply@blogger.com (Lorra) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:20:00 +0000

LETTER TO ALL START HERE SUPPORTERS, sent through the START HERE Facebook Group:

Hi everyone!

First of all, it's finally November 26 and we're closing the submission time for START HERE artworks. BUT if you still want to contribute, don't hesitate to send your piece to starthere.rebuild@gmail.com. We'll figure out a system for it and will announce it as soon as possible. We understand that everyone's busy and artworks take time to make.

Also, I've got a bit of bad news to share. We have decided to forego working with WE Philippines because we've been having trouble getting responses from them. Elbert and I really want to be able to donate the money we raised as soon as possible, hopefully before the year ends. However, we still believe in what they do and admire them for the great effort that they put into trying to change poverty and provide more educational opportunities to underprivileged children.

So, with that said, if you guys know of any organization that's continually working to help the Ondoy survivors, please send us a message with the name of the organization and contact details so we can reach them.

We're currently looking into PCF (The Philippine Christian Foundation). They are working to improve the quality of life in poor communities through education, nutrition, health, medical and family enhancement programs. But we're really open to any suggestion, preferably those who are really focused on Ondoy survivors and rehabilitation.

Another thing, we already have Php13,400.00 that we can donate and we're hoping to raise more. Thank you to Comics Every Thursday for sharing a portion of their proceeds during the Mangaholix last week to START HERE. We will be releasing a complete list of benefactors soon, just to thank them for all their support.

Finally, to those who have submitted artworks this past week, we've received them but we're sorry that we haven't had the time to post them yet. Work and school have been really hectic but we'll make sure to post them. Thank you so much for submitting. [Arvin de Leon, Marjorie Limbonhai, Hazel Lynne Tan, Jerusha Ong, Emereauldine Eliseo, Pauline Garcia, Kristy Anne Ligones, Jejomar Limbo, Jackie de Luna, Moe Twain]

- Lorra

Apologies

noreply@blogger.com (Lorra) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:54:00 +0000

To those who have submitted new artworks to the START HERE e-mail account, we have received your submissions but have been unable to upload them these past 2 weeks because of how hectic school/work has been. Rest assured that we will respond to your e-mails as soon as possible. Thank you for understanding.

Again, last day (as of now) for submissions is tomorrow, November 26.

Deadline Reminder

noreply@blogger.com (Lorra) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:03:00 +0000

November 26 marks the 2-month mark since Typhoon Ondoy ravaged the country.

It also marks the deadline for submissions of hopeful artworks for this online exhibit. Hurry and send in your masterpieces!

START HERE Sketch-a-thon is featured in the Philippine Online Chronicles

noreply@blogger.com (Lorra) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:50:00 +0000

Fidelis Tan writes about the Sketch-a-thon. Read statements from artists who attended and see some of the photos taken during the event.

Click here to read the entire article.

Sketch-a-thon Artworks Up!

noreply@blogger.com (Lorra) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:45:00 +0000

Hi everyone!

We're so happy to finally have uploaded the artworks made and photos taken during the Sketch-a-thon last Sunday. Please head on to the START HERE Multiply site to view them.

I'm trying to figure out how to make sure that the artworks aren't copied and posted elsewhere so if anyone knows, please leave a message.

Thank you and enjoy,
Lorra