Roberto Suarez's sister-in-law and her family survived the devastating effects of one of history's worst storms. But many in the Typhoon Haiyan-ravaged central part of the Philippines weren't so lucky.
Suarez, who works at Echoflex Solutions in Squamish, on Tuesday (Nov. 12) said the storm that lashed the small island of Tegen De Oro and many others with winds upwards of 300 km/h on Friday and Saturday was of great concern to himself and other members of Squamish's tight-knit Filipino Canadian community of more than 400. Most have family and friends affected in one way or another by the storm, Suarez said.
The city of Tacloban (pop. 218,000) was perhaps hardest hit by the storm that's being described as one of the worst ever worldwide. Tacloban is among the first places to have been reached by international aid, but according to Suarez, the stories emerging from family and friends indicate the entire region is badly in need of immediate help. Friends of his sister-in-law on Tegen De Oro, for example, were still missing as of Tuesday, he said.
According to a friend of ours, the dead are still scattered around the streets, he said of the scene in Tacloban and outlying communities. There are some remote areas that help has not reached yet.
Another Squamish resident of Filipino descent, Dennis Ranada, said he was horrified at the scenes that began to emerge from the storm-ravaged area on Sunday (Nov. 10).
It's now being called the worst storm in history, Ranada said. The images from the TV are just heartbreaking.
Though Ranada's family is from further north, near Manila, all with connections to the country in Squamish are affected by the tragedy and everyone he has come into contact with want to help in some way, Ranada said.
Ranada and Suarez are part of a group called Team Kaleidoscope World that has worked to raise money for cancer research at the Relay for Life for the past five years. The group planned to meet Wednesday (Nov. 13) evening to discuss the best way to gather aid locally and get it to the areas that need it most. Results of that meeting were unavailable at press time.
Ranada, in fact, said many in the broader Squamish community have voiced a desire to help in any way they can.
The response has been fantastic, he said. We've put it out there on social media and there's a strong willingness to help out.
Arman Arellano, owner of the Pampanga Market on Buckley Avenue, said the images he's seen of the affected region are very disturbing. There is just such a lack of resources and there has been lots of looting already. It's just so sad.
Arellano, whose family hails from the northern island of Luzon, said St. Joseph's Catholic Church is a frequent gathering place for Squamish residents of Filipino descent both those who are Roman Catholic and those who are not. Suarez said the church's pastor Father Mark Bautista, who is Filipino Canadian, has agreed to accept donations at the two regular masses at the church this weekend.
Phone calls to Father Bautista for details on the church's relief efforts were not returned by press time.
Suarez said the Team Kaleidoscope World group wants to be sure that the aid raised locally goes directly to those most in need and has contacted groups in Vancouver about how best to accomplish that aim. He said those with questions about where to send money and other forms of aid may phone him at (604) 567-8271 or email [email protected]
Keep checking www.squamishchief.com for updates on the local relief effort.
