Pinoys in Australia offer Mass for Sendong victims

Aside from sending material help, the victims of tropical storm "Sendong" received spiritual support as well from Filipinos based in Australia.   Filipinos attended a Mass for the victims at the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney on December 28, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Wednesday.   "Representatives from the Philippine Community Council (PCC) of New South Wales, the Iliganon Lanaonon Association (ILISA), the Banag-Banag Bisaya Speaking Association Inc., the Australia-Philippines Business Council (APBC), the Order of the Knights of Rizal, and the choir of the Filipino Chaplaincy as well as several parishioners of the Our Lady of Dolores, Chatswood, Sydney, led by Mr. and Mrs. Dom and Marte Tagle, attended the mass," the DFA said in a news release.   The main celebrant was Fr. Manuel Santiago, with Fr. Renato Paras as co-celebrant.   In his homily, Santiago appealed for assistance for those affected by "Sendong." He cited the circumstances of Jesus Christ's birth as similar to that of families who staying at evacuation centers, who he said now rely on the kindness of others for shelter and for their other basic needs.   After the Mass, ILISA president Gina Mae Aldea and founding member Anne Paras echoed this appeal and expressed their gratitude to those who gave donations.   PCC President Marivic Manalo also spoke on the Council's Philippine Australia Disaster Emergency Response (PADER) program, which raised A$7,155 ($7,322 or P330,923) for drinking water, food, medicine and other needs of the flood victims.   Manalo also announced the PCC is organizing a concert on February 5 at the Bowman Hall in Blacktown, Sydney to raise funds for the victims.   For its part, the Consulate made a presentation on the ongoing efforts of Philippine government agencies to assist the flood victims. - VVP, GMA News