Donors support Damayan fund drive; relief set

MANILA, Philippines — Kindhearted donors once again heeded the call of The Philippine STAR’s Operation Damayan to raise funds for families that were affected by Super Typhoon Carina last week, with donations and pledges amounting to more than P1 million thus far.

Stargate People Asia led the call for donations during the gala night of its “Men Who Matter” Awards night on Wednesday, July 25 (see related story on C-4).

Editor-in-chief Joanne Rae Ramirez said, “When we realized the gravity of the floods and that we could use our event to draw
 attention to help those displaced and suffering, our publisher on leave Ambassador Jose ‘Babe’ Romualdez asked me to come up with a way to make the night matter.”

The awards night for ‘men who matter’ made sure the night truly mattered.

“We knew we could link hands with STAR’s Operation Damayan because of its credibility, efficiency and heart,” she added.

In addition to P328,000 in initial donations including a pledge for $1,000 from Romualdez, Special Assistant to the President Frederick Go, one of the night’s awardees, gave P300,000 to the fundraiser. The following donors also sent in donations through the event: Cristina Cuevas, P50,000; Vesticom chairman and CEO Ramon J.A. Cruz, P25,000.00; Potato Corner COO Joey Alvero, P20,000; Renato V. Puno, P10,000; Susan Joven, P10,000; Connie Haw, P10,000; Joy and Joel Rustia, P10,000; and an anonymous donation of P1,000.

The fund drive also received a P50,000 donation from ticket proceeds to The STAR’s anniversary event called the Truth Festival. Held at the Bridgetown grounds in Pasig City, the event drew thousands who came to listen to P-pop bands.

With the amount raised, Operation Damayan is set to provide relief to residents of hard-hit Barangay Silangan in Quezon City. Low-lying areas of the barangay are prone to flooding due to proximity to the Marikina River. As of yesterday morning, a number of families from the area remained situated in evacuation centers due to heavy damage to their dwellings.

Donations to Operation Damayan may be sent via bank deposit to Philstar Daily Inc./ Operation Damayan Metrobank Savings Account No. 151-7-15152422-9 (email deposit slip to [email protected]).

Interested parties may contact Operation Damayan at tel. 8527-7777 local 2111.