CARSON, California – At a special mass vigil, Filipinos with ties to the Visayas had their loved ones in their thoughts offering prayers for the deceased, missing and those fighting to survive.
"My younger sister, Celesty, who is still unaccounted for, and also my elder brother that died from drowning," said Edwin Tiu of the Tacloban Association of Southern California.
"One cousin is missing. We still don't have any word on him, but I was just told today the Mendiola clan in Tacloban, not one of them has been found yet and that really saddens me so much," said Fleur Mendiola from Tanauan in Leyte.
Susan Urbayan David said "We haven't heard from Perla Afable, and from Teresita Gonzales and their families."
The association held a prayer vigil in Carson, California helping bring some ease to Filipinos worrying over victims if typhoon Yolanda.
Many of the association's 200 members have friends and family members missing, or dead. Making matters worse are the reports of looting, and the slow relief efforts.
Edna Asuncion said her family has been accounted for but has no food, water, medical supplies, and dead bodies scattered throughout the town. She continues to have concerns for their health.
"I am sad to say that our government is there to help but the help is slow in coming. I'm sure they are helping in everything that they can do but it's very very slow. We need them right now not tomorrow," said Asuncion.
"We are wondering why the Armed Forces of the Philippines has not been mobilized to maintain peace over there and to help in the distribution of relief goods," said Ramon Duarte.
The highest ranking Filipino in the US Catholic Church in Los Angeles, Bishop Oscar Solis had also released a statement and plea for help to the nation's largest Filipino Catholic community.
"I personally appeal to all our pastors and communities for compassion as well as immediate action in the spirit of Christian unity," he said.
With communication still slow and media reports depicting more hardships, Filipino-Americans with Tacloban roots believe the power of prayer is the one certainty that will help them and their loved ones cope with the tragedy.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
