“Winnipeggers rally to help typhoon-struck Philippines”
Source: CBC News.15/11/2013 cbcnews.ca
Now that this blog has been up and running for the last few years, I can’t help but get a sense of deja vu during this time. It is typhoon season in the Philippines and it seems that its 7,000 islands annually anticipate these vicious storms. In 2012, I remember writing about “Diaspora Giving” in the wake of Typhoon Nesat (Pedring) and Washi (Sendong). It is 2013 and it is time to write about Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). I hope I never have to use the adjective “super” again.
I apologize to those expecting a post about my genealogical research (as I had originally planned). I hope to continue with those posts soon. Given the urgency of what has happened in the Philippines (in Leyte, Samar, and Cebu specifically), I want to share this blog to answer questions I’ve received. Winnipeggers want to know how to help.
First things first, please donate to registered relief organizations. The Canadian government has promised to match all donations made to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), but only until December 9th. A donation to these organizations will ensure that your help is doubled. I recommend:
For those who would like to take part in local fundraising events, I offer this sampling:
ZUMBA-iyan Relief Fundraiser
in support of the Canadian Red Cross Typhoon Haiyan Fund
Friday, November 22 from 6:30 to 8:30pm at St. Mary’s Academy (550 Wellington)
Tickets are $20 visit eventbrite
Tulong Kababayan:
A fundraising event for the Bohol-Cebu Earthquake and Typhoon Yolanda survivors
Saturday, Nov. 30 at 6 p.m. at Jimel’s International Cuisine (1045 St. James)
Tickets are $10 Contact Rey-Ar 204-956-7845
Lastly, for those with family living in the Philippines (like my own), I understand the only consolation we may have for not being with them is to offer them direct remittances.
There are a vast number of remittance centres that have sprung up in the city. I’m not talking Western Union, but family owned businesses that run Philippine franchises like iRemit, Instant Money Solutions, and LBC among others. It is a sign of the the growing Filipino-Canadian population in the city. I remember growing up in the 1980s and learning about remittances only when a friend or relative was returning to the Philippines. At that time, financial support was often offered in an envelope wrapped in a letter perhaps with some photographs. Times have certainly changed with the digitization of just about everything.
One can offer financial support with a click of a mouse at his/her desktop or even a text from his/her mobile phone. We can turn on the TV and watch Philippine news as it unfolds live. We can talk in “face time” and never have to wait for telephone connections to clear up like we did then. I’m grateful for all of these opportunities to connect more closely than ever before.
Lately, I’ve left my TV tuned in 24/7 to the Filipino channels our local cable company has offered for free (Thank you Shaw!). I’m usually too busy to sit down and watch, but the ambient noise it creates throughout the house makes me feel so close and so far from the Philippines at the same time. I’m reminded that I love hearing the different intonations of Tagalog and the vocabulary that is constantly changing. I’ve also come to love watching my dad laugh during those corny variety shows at jokes I don’t quite understand. But, I can’t say I enjoy feeling the overwhelming sense of guilt I feel when I watch the news. The images of constant devastation forces me to think about the life I left behind some years ago as a human rights intern. I can only hope my friends and colleagues are ok. I miss them dearly.
Thank you to everyone who has kept the Philippines in their thoughts and well-wishes. I only wish I knew how to do more.
Thank you to everyone who has kept the Philippines in their thoughts and well-wishes. I only wish I knew how to do more.
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