Paying it Forward

Stories about the supertyphoon Yolanda (Haiyan) still flood our country and the whole planet. The Filipino people is still gripping each other's hand in order for everyone to survive and grew stronger as the nation starts to rebuild a portion of the Visayas with nothing at hand except for hope.

In my own province, Negros Occidental, there are also parts that suffered the wrath of the supertyphoon; one in particular is Brgy. Tabunok, Cadiz City.

Gratitude goes to the kind who enjoined and sent out their gifts, money and effort to give the people a little bit of sunshine through a small pack of goods and clothes.

A total of 100 gifts were distributed to the families in Brgy. Tabunok. Though the total number of families affected counts to 380(+), we have at least served 1/3 of it and hopefully we will be able to return on December to cover the remaining 280.

For the meantime, here are a few pictures of the operation last November 24, 2013.

Upon arrival, people started forming a queue.

Kim, one of my students was the one in-charge for dispatching the goods form the pick up truck

Kim & Lira with teh little girls, smiling despite everything

Lira giving out the clothes we brought

Giving a little bit of spiel before handing out the goods

We asked recipients of goods to sign their names so that next time we can accommodate those who have not received yet

Special Thanks to Gilbert for volunteering his truck to transport the goods

And here are the names of the recipients. 

We actually coordinated with the barangay captain and sent out a coupon ahead of time so we could somehow control who receives the goods. And these coupons were given to the severely damaged households. 

Everything happened faster that I expected, and though we have given it still lingers in me the fact that there is still a lot of things to be done. I hope this is not the last.

Mothers were asking me if we brought a long pad papers and notebooks for school children because their school items got wet. I told them if we come back, I will bring some for the kids.

The relief project will not be successful and fulfilling if not for the gifts shared by the students and some private individuals. From the people pf Brgy. Tabunok, Cadiz City, Thank you very much.

Clothing:
1. Mr. Marlon Rey Anacleto
2. Ms. Mary Grace Baker
3. Ms. Tricia Cuenca
4. Ms. Dulce Verde Regatalio
5. Excellero Review System students
6. Riverside College Caregiver Class of 71 thru Verlyn Malvas

Canned Goods
1. MJ Alpas
2. Dyeka Tuparan

Noodles
1. Riverside College Caregiver Class of 71 thru Verlyn Malvas

Rice
1. Ms Lydia Jackie Rivera of California

Special thanks to:
Sir Daniel Francis Sustento, Steve Genzola, Kim Villarosa, Lira Catalan, Serlyn Locanilao & family and Gilbert Tan for helping out in the repacking and distribution of goods.

We hope that more and more people will be inspired to reach out as we have bigger goals to meet.
We are still planning the second leg of this relief operation by December and we welcome those who are still willing to help us in any way.

God bless and Mabuhay ang nagtutulungang Pilipino!