#strongph

Over the past days, the Philippines has been all over the local and international news because of the destructive typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda).  The biggest to ever hit our country.

Every time that watch the news, read my social media feeds and even talking with someone (whether a Filipino or not), my heart keeps on sinking as I hear stories of what's happening in my country.

Photograph by: Bullit Marquez,AP

Photograph by: Raul Banias

On the other side, in this scenario, we have also seen how the world unites to bring support and aid to those who were affected by the storm. While countries all over the world gives the much needed financial aids (and reliefs), Filipinos have been busy as well to come up even in the simplest way to provide help and relief to our kababayans in Visayas.

As I was looking for news about typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), I came across this article from the Philippine's www.rappler.com on several creative fundraisers that are being organized right now. Here are a few of them.

Rappler.com's: Cool, creative fundraisers for Typhoon Haiyan victims

The Better Closet

MUNI is accepting pre-loved clothes which they will sell to raise cash donations for Yolanda victims.

Art with a Heart

Designer and illustrator Kitkat Pecson is selling signed prints of her artworks. 100% of proceeds will be donated to Typhoon Yolanda victims.

Original art auction by JL8 creator Yale Stewart

"Webcomic artist Yale Stewart is holding a special sale for an artwork dedicated to Typhoon Haiyan relief, as well as an auction for the original art seen in the image, to help raise funds. All proceeds from the sale and the auction will be donated to UNICEF Philippines."

Here in Dubai, from the time that the news broke out about what happened in Tacloban and other neighboring provinces, different groups have been organizing fundraisers to support our motherland.

Here are some of the fundraisers that will happen over the coming weekend. If you are in Dubai, you can choose to support any of the following.

Aside from these events, I am helping fellow Filipino travel blogger  with the event that she is organizing. It is an independent fundraiser that will happen on the 22nd of November. It's going to be a benefit lunch and dinner and it will be called Fiesta For A Cause.You can check the original post about this event in her blog www.pinayflyinghigh.com.

A food-filled Friday for the benefit of YOLANDA typhoon victims in the Philippines. Filipino-style buffet lunch and dinner will be served with unlimited drinks (water, softdrinks, tea) priced at AED60 per person. Food stubs will be sold starting Friday (15NOV), please contact these numbers / Rosso Amore Restaurant at 044564363/0552891931/0552586041 to purchase your tickets in advance.

Lunch timings: 11am to 4pm Dinner timings: 6pm to midnight Note: Separate food stubs for lunch and dinner.

Menu: Chicken lumpiang shanghai Kare-kare w/ bagoong Chicken Caldereta Fish Fillet in sweet & sour sauce Chopsuey Dessert: Buko pandan Plain rice

Note: Italian dishes will also be served.

Proceeds will go to: World Vision

In-kind donations will also be accepted and highly encouraged during lunch/dinner.

What you can donate:

MEDICINES – most especially basic medicines for colds, flu and cough. Also if possible, include medicine for surface wounds as many have been wounded because of the debris and fallen rooftops.

FOOD – Canned goods. There is currently no water source in Tacloban so anything which requires cooking with water is not recommendable (noodles, etc.)

CANDLES AND MATCHES – there’s no electricity for a minimum of two months so all people will need these.

FLASHLIGHTS AND BATTERIES

CLOTHES

ALCOHOL, SANITIZERS

BLANKETS

SLIPPERS

In-kind goods will be sent thru LBC the next day, Saturday 23NOV. LBC is currently accepting donations and is willing to send all these for free.

Here's the location map of the Rosso Amore Restaurant:

From the tragic calamities that happened in the Philippines (earthquake/typhoon) I know that we Filipinos will / can stand. It may not be that quick, but our spirit as a nation can never be drowned by any storm. It's time for us to unite, stop pointing fingers but instead, lend a helping hand.

As what I am always declaring in my life, I am serving a big God and no problem even the strongest storm in history can match my God.

Hope to see you all in one of these fundraisers.