Fil-Ams in New York raise initial $6,000 for 'Sendong' victims

Filipino-Americans in the Northeastern United States have raised an initial amount of $6,000 (P261,059) for victims of tropical storm "Sendong" (Washi), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Saturday. The DFA said Handang Tumulong Foundation, Inc. (HTFI), a community organization mobilizing relief efforts for the tragedy, presented a check for US$6,000 to the Philippine Jesuit Foundation in New York. "The Jesuit Foundation will course the donation directly to Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City which is undertaking relief efforts in both Cagayan and Iligan cities," the DFA said.. The DFA said the HTFI will continue to send monetary aid as more donations come in from concerned members of the Filipino-American community. Other groups like the Filipino Social Club of New York and the Mindoreno Association of New York have also sent donations to Cagayan de Oro City. Cagayan de Oro City is one of the areas hit hardest by "Sendong," which devastated parts of Mindanao and Visayas earlier this month. HTFI President Nelsie Parrado handed over the check to Philippine Jesuit Foundation Executive Director Margaret Llamas at the Philippine Jesuit Foundation office in Manhattan. Witnessing the turnover were Consul General Mario de Leon Jr., Fr. Victor Salanga of the Philippine Jesuit Foundation Inc., Steve Parrado of HTFI, and HTFI Vice President Ave Pimo. The HTFI was founded in 2009 in the wake of the devastation brought about by tropical cyclone "Ondoy." It seeks to provide immediate monetary assistance to communities affected by natural calamities. "To date it has sent aid to victims of typhoons, earthquakes, and other natural disasters in the Philippines and in other countries like Japan. The Consul General in New York serves as organization's Honorary Adviser," the DFA said. Meanwhile, other Filipino-American community groups have mobilized charitable activities, including: 

• a dance benefit in New Jersey organized by concerned Filipino groups in that state in cooperation with the Cagayan Association

• a marathon concert entitled "Banding2gether for Sendong" featuring Filipino-American performing artists in January 2012 - a planned event by PinoyAid for early 2012.

For its part, the Consulate continues to issue regular advisories on relief efforts and benefit events. It also sent its own monetary assistance to the victims through the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). - VVP, GMA News