U.A.E. based Filipino groups coordinate fundraising

Dubai: In the spirit of bayanihan or 'working together' Filipinos in the UAE are doing their best to help storm victims in the Philippines. Food, medicines, blankets, canned goods and any other item that will help their countrymen survive the natural disaster is being collected and sent.

It was the worst storm to hit the Philippines in 40 years, and has displaced over 450,000 people. Victims of tropical storms Ondoy and Ketsana are desperate for assistance. Chris Bautista, director of San Beda College Alumni Association, said his organisation's initiative is based purely on spontaneous humanitarian effort.

Currently, they are helping the Filipino community collect donations, which will be sent to the Philippines National Red Cross. Bautista "whole-heartedly" thanked Filipinos in the UAE for their effort and support. Enrico Garcia, treasurer, said that the officers of the National Association of Mapua Alumni - UAE Chapter, had launched a donation drive to help the victims of Ondoy.

The group started by raising funds from the companies in which members were employed. They were able to raise Dh11,420 and have already remitted the initial amount. Robert Ramos, chairman of Filcom, due to the urgency of the needed help, encourages cash donations. To date, Filcom has received a donation of Dh18,618.75. Joseph Alipio, president of Filipino Off road Auto Club (FORAC), is spearheading the collection of urgent foodstuffs and medical supplies dubbed 'Lingap Kapwa for Ondoy Victims'. Residents who want to donate can drop items off at the Dubai Outlet Mall, Sunday to Wednesday, from 10am to 10pm and to the West Zone supermarket in Karama, Satwa and Deira branches, from 3 to 8pm on October 2.

Lucky that yoshikuzu is an igorot and he stays in the mountain "bundok". No floods only landslides.