Have you done your part in helping the victims of super Typhoon Yolanda?
Forgive me for not blogging the past few days, my heart was totally torn with the tragedy that transpired in the Visayas region. I can’t help but cry seeing our brothers and sisters in despair, devastated and left nothing after the storm surge.Most of them lost their loved ones, some were still missing up to this day and those who survived are still struggling to live since they don’t have much food to eat. I intentionally stopped watching the news since I can’t take their agony. I hate seeing people suffer. I never had the brave heart for that. So instead of spending my time watching the news, I am doing several charitable works to help them.However, I noticed many negative posts in my Facebook timeline criticizing the government. Government officials may have lapses in alleviating right away the agony of our fellow countrymen but it’s quite unfair to point fingers and direclty blame them unfitted for their position. A lot of government representatives are in the Visayas region to help, to distribute relief goods, to ease the survivor’s pain and suffering and in a way to be a ray of sunshine amidst this catastrophe.
There are even scenarios like the local government of Tacloban vs. the national government, Ms. Korina Sanchez vs. Mr. Anderson Cooper, etc. We don’t need issues like these. A lot of homeless families are relying on government’s utmost support. Issues like these will only hamper the movement of relief aid needed by the affected individuals.
To my fellow countrymen, this is not the right time to act superior and all-knowing. We are not on the grounds of Tacloban to personally witness the real deal there. You are entitled to your own opinion in this adversity but have you asked yourself if you have done your part to help. Help should not be a one-time act, it has to be a continuous effort until people in the Visayas have a shelter to live, food to eat, etc. They almost lost everything – clothes, shelter, food and the worst; they lost their loved ones, their own family members.
We are not politicians, we are not government officials, we are not tasked to be of service to the survivors but we are Filipinos and the victims are our fellow countrymen. In our own little way, we can help them. An individual effort can make a lot of difference in this trying time. I just hope people will stop blaming and criticizing one another, this will not help the victims as this will only create another issue that has to be dealt with.
To the politicians who are greatly bashed, learn to shrug it off or just take criticisms as a challenge and a reminder to do better. To the government officials, please act in unity despite of political differences. Please set aside the feud between the Aquinos and Marcoses. To the media men, thank you for doing your job to keep us updated with the news in Tacloban and other provinces in the Visayas region, thank you for letting us know the truth but please don’t magnify and support movements to destroy our government. To all the countries sending monetary, machinery and manpower assistance thank you so much for your utmost support. May God bless your generous souls for helping my fellow countrymen.
In line with this, let me share ways on how ordinary citizens can continuously help Yolanda’s victims in the Visayas region:
1) Donate thru TEXT message
2) Donate Cash thru ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. Sagip Kapamilya
3) To those who are in other countries, they may help thru the ff.:
4) Donate cash or goods in malls and fast-food chain outlet
SM Malls
Eastwood Mall
You can donate the following items to Jollibee Maaga Ang Pasko boxes stationed in all Jollibee outlets for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda.
5) Dine for a cause
Dine-in at Ginza Bairin, one of the pioneers of the modern Japanese Katsu house, tonight and help the victims of the typoon. 100 % of profits will be donated to teh Philippine Red Cross for the victims of Yolanda. Visit them at Glorietta 2 and UP Town Center in QC.
6) Be a volunteer
You may be a volunteer and help repack relief goods in ABS CBN Foundation and in Red Cross. There are numerous private corporations renting our tourist buses and sending their employees in these two locations.
Let’s all unite and rise above this tragedy! We are Filipinos and we are born resilient! We will overcome this and stand again!
(photo source: Instagram and Facebook accounts of the companies/organizations cited)
Kaye Figuracion
6 comments
Thanks for sharing! This will really help the others who are still uninformed on how to donate. I did my share over Red Cross’ paypal too, I hope everyone donates even a little amount because even a little can do so much!
I am not from that place and I don’t have relatives who live in that are but I feel the agony and suffering most people have. It breaks my heart to see them lost their loved ones and now trying to survive from starvation. I hope and pray they will get their help soon.
It is so nice to see that a lot are doing efforts to help the typhoon Haiyan victims.
My family is in Leyte and yes our town is one of the town’s that got hit. My entire family’s safe, but slowly recovering after the storm. It was a chaos and it sure had me worried that I couldn’t sleep well. I had to like sleep in the couch while the computer is on hoping I would hear any news about the whereabouts of my family. I am overwhelmed at the help I got from people who’s willing to donate and I sure appreciated it. My heart also goes out to other victims of the storm.
I collaborated with other bloggers all over the world para sa isang fundraising event. And I am really happy that marami ang sumali at nag abot ng kanilang mga tulong. 🙂
Like you I was heartbroken with was has happened to our kababayan in Visayas. This is the time for bayanihan to help those who are affected by the typhoon.