Pinoys in Milan send cash to victims of Typhoon Rolly

Four Filipino Catholic communities in Rome have banded to raise funds for the victims of the Super Typhoon Rolly in Virac, Catanduanes.

Rolly left a swathe of destruction on the island province of Catanduanes in the Bicol region, after making landfall in the municipality of Bato before dawn on November 1, packing winds of more than 220 kph. 

"The 4tified By Christ group was organized by Rev. Fr. John Paul Herrera Avila, chaplain and spiritual director, to set up the fundraising 'Tabang Catanduanes 2020 - Operation STY Rolly," shared Julio dela Cruz Jr., chairperson of Our Lady of Penafrancia Community – Milan, Italy, referring to the recent initiative spearheaded by the "Our Lady of Penafrancia Community."

It has collected €827.00 (P46,868.39) then.

"And we have already sent the cash donation to Rev. Fr. Atoy Dela Rosa of the Diocese of Virac," he added in an interview via Messenger on November 17.

The 4tified By Christ is composed of the "Santissima Trinita FFC," "Nativita di Vergine Maria FFC," "Lingkod ng Espiritu Santo FFC," and "Santo Eusebio FFC."

It was started by Bro. Jerry Rabang of Monza and ex cappellano Fr. Joselin San Jose in 2014.

"It is always a part of our activities to help whenever and whatever we can. We have agreed to pick Catanduanes being the 'economically poor but not in spirit' island province first to be hit by the two successive typhoons."

"As the saying goes, 'sa Bikol 'pag may bagyo, inot na tinutukudan ang puon nin sili ta daeng siram kung mayong sili ang buhay kan Bicolano' (Sa Bikol pag merong malakas na bagyo, unang tinutukuran ng kahoy ang puno ng sili para huwag masira dahil walang sarap ang buhay Bicolano kung walang sili')."

The National Disaster Risk Reduction on Management Council (NDRRMC) had reported that 17 people died in Region V and Calabarzon (Region 4-A) due to the onslaught of super Typhoon Rolly.  —LBG, GMA News