December 30, 2011

  • Aboitiz Group, Foundation brings relief goods to Negros Oriental

    Events

    An overnight brush with Tropical Storm Sendong (Washi) in the Philippines left more than a thousand dead and missing and countless homeless, particularly in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. Some parts of Negros Oriental were also affected with its share of casualties and families left homeless. But because CDO and Iligan were badly hit with the most number of dead and homes destroyed, we were basically left with what's left.

    There were however a few good people who found it in their hearts to help our province and its people recover from the overnight devastation. Aboitiz Group through its corporate foundation is one of those.

    From what I heard, they allocated 500,000 pesos (11,420 USD) for this relief operation and more will hopefully come as the floods did not only carry with it the homes of thousands of people but for some even their source of livelihood. Schools were also destroyed. It was really depressing seeing the people trying to recover what's left of their property and passing by schools all covered in mud.

    One thing I really admire with the Filipino spirit is that we always find a reason to smile despite the bad things happening in our lives.

    Here are some of the photos that I took during the relief operations with Aboitiz last December 27 and 28. Notice the smiling people. Gratefulness was written all over their faces. They were so excited to receive their bags filled with underwear, slippers, canned goods, drinking water, and rice.


    At a Roman Catholic church in the town of Pamplona, Negros Oriental


    The famous Philippine Jeepney


    A church group were also distributing relief clothes for the victims of Sendong


    Busy eating (rice kernels being dried along the road)


    While people were busy trying to get their share of the relief goods, this young kid was busy repairing his improvised cannon for the new year.


    One of the beneficiaries of the relief goods


    City Savings Bank - Tanjay Branch's manager distributing relief goods in Brgy. 7, Tanjay City


    Relief goods sitting in Tanjay's City Hall, for distribution, I suppose.


    This nativity scene decorated a government building (see below). I can only imagine that if this were in the US people would be protesting over the obvious religious display on a government building.


    The City Hall in Tanjay City

    My gratitude to Ms. Theresa Gonzales of AEV for allowing me to take part in this wonderful activity. I was happy to see Yul and to get to know two new friends in the Aboitiz family - Rowena of Aboitiz Foundation and Kenneth of Aboitiz Power. And of course the manager of City Savings Bank-Tanjay City.

    The group visited Valencia, Dumaguete, Tanjay, and Pamplona, giving to a total of around 1,200 families.

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