MANILA, Philippines - Three weeks since winding down relief operations in Yolanda-stricken areas in Cebu, Samar and Leyte, The Philippine STAR’s humanitarian arm, Operation Damayan, continues to receive donations from benefactors wanting to reach out to those affected by the super typhoon.
Last November, the Filipino community of St. Maarten, an island in the Caribbean, helped raise funds for Yolanda survivors through a “Lemon-aid Fundraiser,†which garnered nearly $9,000 in donations. The Prime Minister of St. Maarten attended the fund-raiser and commended the volunteers for their hard work. During the event, young Filipino children held up homemade posters and thanked everyone who donated to the worthy cause.
Of the amount raised, $5,000 or around P210,000 was donated to Operation Damayan, and the community also gave to the Philippine Red Cross.
Operation Damayan was also a beneficiary of the kindness and generosity of the Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC), which turned over a P200,000 check yesterday to STAR president and CEO Miguel Belmonte. The MOPC decided to forgo their Christmas celebration and to instead donate the amount so Operation Damayan can spread cheer to those trying to rebuild their lives disrupted by Yolanda.
Over the past week, Damayan also received donations from the following donors: the management and staff of Boysen Paint, P100,000; J.S.D.G. Romualdez, P50,000; Fabulous O’Bar, P50,000; Legispro Corp., P20,000; Walker Keglers Bowling Club, P15,000; Aie See, P7,000; Zosimo Uy-Masonic Lodge Labong Br. 59, P5,000; STARweek extra workers, P5,000; Gerry Francia, P5,000; PSN Advertising, P4,660; Anonymous (c/o Grace Laurel), P3,000; PSPC production, P2,550; Tina Mendez, P2,000; Juan Gabriel dela Cruz, P1,000; Norycel Capistrano, P500; Rhodina Villanueva, P500; and Anonymous, P500.
Operation Damayan also accounted P380,250 from a host of anonymous donors, bringing the total amount raised for Yolanda relief to P10.007 million.
The Philippine STAR will be heading back to devastated areas in the next month to provide further assistance to families that have been badly affected by the disaster.
For those who would like to continue sending in their donations, deposits may be made to The Philippine STAR Operation Damayan c/o MBTC Aduana Branch Savings Account No. 151-7-15152422-9 (kindly confirm your deposit via 527-7901 local 152).
For inquiries, please call 336-9598, email contactus@philstar.com.ph, follow @philippinestar on Twitter or visit www.facebook.com/ThePhilippineSTAR for updates.