PANORAMA City, California - As days go by, it's been more difficult for Filipinos with ties to the typhoon ravaged Visayas to cope with not only lost properties but also lost lives.
Jane Cruz, whose family hails From Tacloban, Samar, and Maripipi in Biliran has yet to hear from all sides of the family.
"Hindi ko alam kung buhay lahat kasi hanggang ngayon yun sa father side ko, hindi pa alam. Yung mother's side lang, sa Maripipi Island, sila lang nababalitaan ko," she said.
She added, "Yung mga sa Tacloban, yung mga Francisco family, at saka Salunay family. Mga pangalan nila Daday, and Luling Francisco, yung Lolo ko. Palitugan Francisco. Yung mga kapatid ng Lolo ko".
The few updates she does get, only bare bad news.
"Yung bahay namin na washed out lahat. Tapos wala sila pagkain. Wala silang clothing. Kaya ang mga damit nila ano lang, yun lang ang suot nila hanggang ngayon," said Cruz.
Lisa Smith, who's been gathering donations to give to her religious contacts in Cebu, gets emotional when she thinks about her friends and family in the area.
"Sa Tacloban, sa Leyte may mga pinsan ako doon kaya iyak ako ng iyak. Hanggang ngayon, ang trabaho ko ngayon mag-tawag at mag-tawag naghihingay ng mga pag tulong, mga food, kahit ano," Smith said.
While the disabled Smith does her part in helping out, the Filipino community continues to mobilize.
Beautician Monet Lu, who is holding his Beautiful Life Celebration honoring community members, will now raise money for typhoon victims with the help of celebrity guest and honoree Ruffa Gutierrez.
The TFC Tambayan and Island Pacific Supermarket will also hold a Yolanda Fundraisers this weekend benefiting the ABS-CBN Foundation.
"We want to extend our help to support the suffering Filipinos with the help of Ruffa Gutierrez coming, she will able to grace the occasion and the portrait of Yolanda with the help of photographers," he said.
Despite a quick call to help, some Filipinos do have hesitations to send donations as this latest disaster comes amid the pork barrel scandal and reports of looting in affected areas.
But despite the concerns, Filipinos said nothing will stop them from getting aid to their families whom they continue to pray are safe.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
