GMA News Online Pinoy Abroad

Filipinos in Laos raised at least $2,500 (P110,074) for victims of Tropical Storm Sendong (Washi), following a donation drive last Jan. 5.

 

The Philippine Embassy in Vientiane said the amount included contributions from Philippine Embassy officers and staff.

 

"Members of the Filipino community in Laos, consisting of teachers, medical workers, consultants, and administrators, gathered at the Embassy on Thursday evening to offer their prayers and cash donations for the victims of ('Sendong') which hit northeastern Mindanao recently," the Department of Foreign Affairs said in an article posted on its website.

 

During the event, pictures and videos of the devastation wrought by Sendong were shown.

More than 1,200 were killed and more than P1 billion in damage to property incurred when floods spawned by Sendong devastated parts of Mindanao and Visayas last December.

Inter-faith prayers

 

In the DFA article, it said the participants offered inter-faith prayers led by Sister Jesse Encio from the Daughters of Charity and pastors from various Christian denominations.

 

"In their prayers, attention was called to both the natural and human causes of the tragedy and called for greater care for the environment," the DFA said.

 

Ambassador-designate Maria Lumen Isleta expressed her gratitude to the Filipino community for their overwhelming support and kindheartedness.

 

She also recalled the kind gesture of the host government in donating $15,000 to the victims, as well as donations that had been sent to the embassy by other members of the community who could not make it to the fund-raising event. — RSJ, GMA News