Please Help the Children of San Fernando, Sibuyan

I have learned two lessons in my life: first, there are no sufficient literary, psychological, or historical answers to human tragedy, only moral ones. Second, just as despair can come to one another only from other human beings, hope, too, can be given to one only by other human beings. - ELIE WIESEL

It is everything that disaster management SHOULD NOT be.

The manner by which Sulpicio Lines has handled the terrible tragedy that is MV Princess of the Stars is most deplorable. However, another tragedy that has not been written about much has befallen the town of San Fernando in Sibuyan Island. San Fernando is the town closest to where the sunken ship lies. A pall of gloom covers the island that was badly ravaged by "Frank". Majority of the families have lost their homes and been displaced. There is hardly food and shelter available. The children are in dire straits. They have lost all their books, toys, clothing and are very much in need of basic necessities. Government agencies, owing to a lack of resources, just cannot be depended on to address all the tragedy surrounding us today. As private citizens, and as human beings, we must step in and do our part.

In a Philippine Daily Inquirer report today, Dr. Ted Esguerra of the Philippine Coast Guard said that attention should also be given to children on the island. During a quick visit at Barangay Asagra, he saw classrooms, school equipment and books destroyed.


If you can find it in your heart, to share a bit of yourself, here is a wishlist for the children of San Fernando --

1. Clothing (for ages 2 - 16)
2. Books and toys (in good condition please) for kids ages 5 - 16
3. School supplies - pens, coloring materials, pencils, notebooks
4. Snacks

Donations may be brought to 41 Milkyway Drive, Blue Ridge, QC. Please call 0917-529-1964 if you wish to have your donation picked up.

A good friend and I are coordinating with the Red Cross and plan to even go there ourselves in the latter part of next week to deliver these items. I know that times are difficult, but when we look around us and see the tragedy that has befallen our brothers and sisters, most especially the children, we cannot help but be moved to action. We continue to be blessed, in spite of... It is our Christian duty to help out. We have been blessed in both big and small ways so that we can continue to bless and bring hope to those who need our love, support and concern at this time.

Thank you very much. God bless!