By JOSEPH G. LARIOSA

(© 2011 Journal Group Link International) 

C HICAGO (jGLi) --  Ed Navarra, national chair of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), appealed this week to “give generously and find ways to bring comfort and consolation” to survivors of hundreds of victims of Typhoon “Sendong.”

At the same time, Jelly R. Carandang, chair of NaFFAA-Illinois, also appealed to Filipinos and Filipino Americans and their friends to “open your hearts and pockets and share some blessings with the needy, both here in our mother country.”

In an email circulated by NaFFAA’s Bing Branigin and Jon Melegrito, they quoted Mr. Navarra as saying, “We are keeping in our thoughts and prayers the thousands of displaced and devastated Filipino sisters and brothers, especially the families of nearly a thousand dead, as a result of last weekend’s flooding in Mindanao caused by Typhoon  Sendong (international code name, Washi).

 “We are also saddened to learn that Filipino Americans have lost relatives and loved ones. We wish to express our deepest sympathies to their families for their pain and devastating loss.

“I would like to appeal to all our kababayans to do everything you can to help and provide relief and assistance.  You can help through the Red Cross, churches or local agencies involved in humanitarian operations.

“The human element of this flash flood is too vivid to dispel. But in the spirit of this season, I hope that we can all give generously and find ways to bring comfort and consolation to our fellow human beings in their time of greatest need.”

Mr. Navarra can be reached at  e-mail addresses ejn0115@aol.com and ejnavarra@gmail.com while Ms. Branigin can be reached at  mcbranigin@aol.com, (Tel. 202-361-1024) and Mr. Melegrito can be reached at jonmele@aol.com, (Tel. 202.361-0296) or on the web: http://www.naffaausa.org

FIL AMS INVITED TO NaFFAA-ILLINOIS FUND RAISING

M eanwhile, Miss Carandang invited Filipino Americans to join “the overdue induction of NaFFAA (National Federation of Filipino American Associations) Illinois Officers by Region 3 Chair, Princess Emraida Kiram. Venue will be announced, as soon as confirmed.

“In keeping with NaFFAA's mission to help protect the welfare and well being of Filipinos and Filipino Americans, this will be a fundraising event that will benefit the victims of Typhoon Sendong. 

“We are very much aware that we have officers and members who suffered personal loss from this calamity, and we offer our thoughts and prayers to them and their families.”

Miss Carandang added, “We are currently working with both private and public organizations (here and in the Philippines) in our efforts to coordinate our help and support through them. 

“Donors will have the option to decide whether they want their donations coursed through a private or public organization.  We understand the hardships that most of us are experiencing due to the current economic situation. 

“However, we should all consider ourselves still luckier than those who lost their lives, and the families they left behind due to this natural calamity. They need our help, morally, spiritually, physically, and financially.

“If you or anyone you know lost family members, relatives and friends during this devastating event, please let us know so we can extend our good thoughts and wishes, and say a prayer for them. 

Miss Carandang said check donation can made payable to NaFFAA Illinois, and snail-mailed to: NaFFAA Illinois, 5120 Golf Road, Skokie, IL 60077 and she can be reached at msjellybeans@aol.com.

NAFCON ACTIVATES BAYANIHAN RELIEF PROGRAM

A nd meanwhile, the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON), with member organizations throughout the U.S., is activating its Bayanihan Relief  program for the victims of 'Sendong' in Mindanao.

NAFCON is collecting exclusively monetary relief (not material goods) and ensures that your donations go directly to the communities of the Philippines who are deeply and adversely affected by 'Sendong'.

"As we near Christmas, we urge our kababayans to ease the suffering of children, families, and loved ones back home who were hit hard by 'Sendong' by making immediate monetary donations in the true spirit of the holidays," said Terry Valen, NAFCON President.

NAFCON has established collections centers throughout the U.S and has a Paypal account. For Paypal go to: http://tinyurl.com/bayanihanrelief

Cash or checks go to locations listed below. On memo please write: NAFCON Bayanihan Relief North East: Checks Payable to “Philippine Forum” snail-mail to 40-21 69th St. Woodside, NY, Regional Coordinator: Michelle Saulon, ne@nafconusa.org, (347) 867 – 1550;
Mid West: Checks Payable to "Good Shepherd Congregation" and snail-mail to 4707 W. Pratt Ave Lincolnwood, Il 60712, Regional Coordinator: Lorena Nabua, mw@nafconusa.org, (224) 678 – 3415;
Nor Cal: Checks Payable to "FOCUS-Filipino Community Support" and snail-mail to 4681 Mission St. San Francisco, Ca 94112, Regional Coordinator: Angelica Cabande nc@nafconusa.org, (415) 946 – 9904;
So Cal:  Checks Payable to "Tulong Sa Bayan (TSB)" and snail-mail to: 519 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90013, Regional Coordinator: Alex Montances, sc@nafconusa.org, (253) 381 – 7444; North West: Checks Payable to "Pinay Sa Seattle" and snail-mail to 5740 Martin Luther King Junior Way  Seattle, WA 98118, Regional Coordinator: Freedom Siyam, nw@nafconusa.org, (206) 659 – 1130. # # #

Editor’s Note: To contact the author, please e-mail him at: (lariosa_jos@sbcglobal.net)