With the Metro reeling from the devastation Typhoon Ondoy has brought upon it, volunteering has been the word of the day, week, and quite possibly month. Aside from donating relief goods and sending in cash donations, lots of people have been going the extra mile to be more hands-on with the help they feel compelled to give. So, as we slowly get back into the routine of work and school, here are some bite-sized tips and reminders to help all of you intending to keep on keeping on:

Don't's:
- Don't bring your bags with you. I'm talking to the girls (and girly guys) here. Just keep your essentials in your pockets or in a small sling bag around you. If you're not too fashion conscious—or you're committed enough to swallow your vanity for now—a fanny pack would actually be your best bet to hold your stuff in. There have been reports of theft at the volunteer centers.

- Don't just stand around when you find yourself with nothing to do. Have the initiative to seek out how you can be useful. For the guys, here's your chance to shine when you see girls struggling with what they're carrying. This is a situation where being a gentleman and garnering pogi points is good for efficiency too.

- Don't linger in your relief center of choice when there's clearly more than enough volunteers present, and don't loiter. If you find yourself loitering, look for other nearby centers that need more help and move the party there. Of course, taking a break is a must, but it's just bad manners to be kicking back with your buddies or checking out people while those around you are sweating balls and working hard. There are other clubs besides Embassy that haven't closed down. Go there if you wanna hang.

- Don't back down from volunteering just because you don't know anybody at the relief centers. Use this also as an opportunity to get to know people from all walks of life. Real service sees beyond comfort zones.

- Don't blow your own horn. It's one thing to broadcast your volunteering to entice other people to help out, but it's a completely different thing to just show off. Much is robbed from your sincerity if you're too busy camwhoring and loudly proclaiming the good feelings you get from helping out. It might even look like you're running for office.

- Don't pass along information that isn't verified. Thanks to Facebook and Twitter, information travels really fast and each stone we cast creates ripples that can reach infinitely. This can be a very good thing, but it can also create a lot of confusion.

- Don't swipe the goods that aren't meant for you. This is basic kindergarten wisdom, but there have been stories of people pocketing donated Havaianas and eating the food meant for the typhoon victims. I understand the temptation of a new pair of Day-Glo Havs, but come on, guys!

- Don't hate. As unbelievably inappropriate as some people's status messages may be, as ridiculously clueless as your workmates can get, and as fun or cathartic it may be subject these fools to your cruel wit or righteous anger, the one thing we don't need right now is negativity. The only curse word you should be uttering right now is “putik.”

- Don't forget to rest and eat! It may be noble of you to turn down the offers of respite, but trust me, no one wants a volunteer collapsing from fatigue in the middle of a relief chain (there are enough needing rescue and relief, after all). Indulge every now and then. You, the hard worker, do deserve it.

Do's:
- Do dress appropriately. Good on you if you came straight from work and don't mind working in your polo and slacks, but to everyone else (ahem students), don't dress like you're on your way to a party. Volunteering at the relief center isn't gimmick time. 'Course, if you think repacking endless supplies of rice and canned goods is the ultimate height of fun, we won't hate.

- Do take pictures to document what's going on. A lot of people would like to know the conditions where you're working at. And if a picture's worth a thousand words, a good photo can motivate more people to come on over or pledge donations.

- Do make friends with the people you end up working with. Strong rapport and engaging conversations can speed up productivity—just don't get too carried away with the chismis.

- Do give updates through Twitter and Facebook if you can. This will help keep the people at work and home up to speed on what the centers need and what they can give as donations, vehicles, or manpower. It might even guilt-trip the remaining lazy asses out there to get out and help. Stranger things have happened.

- Do stretches before you head to the centers. Sounds dorky? Maybe. But some of the tasks may require you to lift boxes of mineral water or sardines. Let's see who gets a hernia, shall we?

- Do put safety first, always. Taking your jetski out to the most flooded areas and jumping into rivers to save drowning puppies may get you in the news, but it might not keep you alive to volunteer another day. If you're planning to do relief operations in affected areas, get the right info, coordinate with the right people, and take care of yourself and your fellow volunteers.

- Do think about sustainable solutions as soon as now. Even before the volunteering dies down, we should already start looking for ways to prevent ourselves from falling into the same watery mess all over again. It could start with better waste disposal or organizing clean ups. How about helping raise funds for a Doppler radar (read: super-sophisticated weathervane)? All ideas, big or small, should start coming in now, and, in hosting this discussion, Facebook will be our best friend.