When bushfires ravaged Australia, a group of Filipino community leaders leaped to action and initiated a bushfire appeal. “It was time to give back,” they said.
The group, Handog Pinoy, identified the small rural town of Bobin, one of the most devastated rural towns. Bobin is located in the mid northern part of New South Wales, 40 kms from Taree. It was one of the hardest hit towns, with 17 houses burnt to the ground including their local school. Contact was made direct to the Bobin community who indicated that their most urgent need was fodder for the farm animals.
The townsfolk of Bobin said that they had enough food and clothes from donations. However, they did not have money to buy fodder for their animals. The grass had been burnt and their animals had nothing to eat. Providing hay for the animals, meant ensuring their livelihood.
Calling themselves the HaPi team – for Handog Pinoy (a gift from the Filipino) – monies raised was used to purchase 371 bales of hay which was delivered directly to Bobin town. Spearheaded by Mr. Mao de Vera, the group including Ferdi Francisco, Dr. Cora Francisco, Atoy & Tess Sayas, Grace Alvarez and Toto Espatero embarked on a 5 hour marathon drive to meet the townsfolk. By the time, they got there, people were already lined up waiting their share of hay. Then, they shared heartbreaking stories over a BBQ lunch, and the HaPi team gave them a taste of ‘Hopia’.
For the people of Bobin, the help from the Filipino community was timely and greatly appreciated. “The community of Bobin would like to say a very big thank you to the lovely Filipino people who came up from Sydney to bring some much needed hay this weekend. It was a pleasure to meet you all, you brought smiles to many faces with your generous gift. Feeding livestock is a challenge at the moment with so many burnt out paddocks that can’t be used due to the damage. Your donation is very much appreciated by our farmers.”
“It was a little amount from us but for them it was a BIG help. It was most satisfying experience,” said Mao de Vera.
Thanks to the organizations who to date have answered the call for help: Philippine Australian Medical Association (PAMA), Aguman Capampangan of Australia, Bowler-Oz League, CRFCC, Filipino Cooperative, Mapua Alumni Association, Metro Sydney Golf Club, Pinoy Australian United, Samar Association of Australia and Timek La Union, along with other individuals. (See list below which is updated on a regular basis).
As of January 2020, total funds raised amount to $11,609.00 and a 371 bales of hay has been delivered in 3 installments between November and December 2019.
However, more is needed and donations for the bushfire appeal are still welcome. Donations may be made through direct deposits to: Handog Pinoy – Commonwealth Account, BSB 062 339 Account no. 1103 2537
A little hay for a little sunshine of hope.
For more information contact: Mao de Vera – 0434 516 734 / Dennis Laxamana 0416 269 270.
Thank you to those who donated:
Alex & Rowena Agra
Erlinda Arocha
Drs. Raul & Arlene Amor
Josephine Aquino
Dr. Henry Avedillo
Jade & Marissa Bala
Aida Basto
Ninoy Batara
Amparo Bayongan
Ruben & Elsa Collado
Razel Cruz
Minda de la Cruz
Dr Cecilia Cuaresma
Marissa Daguhoy
Grace del Rosario
Manny & Amy Diel
Gloria Estrada
Michael & Josephine Ezzy
Dr. Roger Fabian
Ferdi & Dr. Cora Francisco
Danny & Tita Garcia
Owen & Lei Guarin
Miriam Habito
Jorge & Haydee Javier
Loty Jazic
Mercy Jones
Dennis Laxamana
Dodee & Dr. Alexis Leones
Tess Lopez
Rey & Marivic Manalo
Jose Manio
Alice Martin
Nene Mamone
Marissa Manoto
Bernadette Manthey
Lee Meekan
Theresa Mejia
Rey & Shirley Morcilla
Rosalie Ouano
Nelia Palmer
Danny Peralta
Espie Pogson
Juliet Ramos
Connie Ramsay
Melinda Rectin
Ramon & Len Rendon
Lillian de los Reyes
Tony & Malou Rivera
Ida Romagos-Hoad
Pabs & Lillian Roqueza
Cr. Linda Geronimo Santos
& Fiel Santos
Ananias Sarmiento
Dan Rhea Sarmiento
Atoy & Tess Sayas
Jon Siera
Engr Rod & Marlene Silvestre
Meg Simpson
Ethel Singzon
Normie Steward
Stephanie Tancev
VP & MM Tangon
Thomas & Ariella
Fe Torrecampo
Rowena Turnbull
Beth Turner
Benjie de Ubago
Mao & Dr. Ophee de Vera
Jess & Ludy de Vera
Alex & Helen Vazquez
Irene Villamar
Kenneth & Gen Violenta
Dr Grace Vizcarra
Nenita Weekes
Dr Zac Win Oo
Flora Wu
Charlotte Yuque
Carla Zammit
Evelyn Zaragoza �����
and the passengers on Aguman’s Cherry picking Bus Trip; the guests at the birthday of Mr. Manalo ; and at the Christmas parties of Samar Association and BowlerOz players.
