Yoko Ono donates P2.5M to ‘Ondoy’ victims

by Nikka Corsino/KBK/RSJ, GMANews.TV

Yoko Ono, widow of the late Beatles member John Lennon, has donated ¥5 million or P2.5 million for the thousands of victims of Tropical Storm Ondoy (international code: Ketsana), which hit the Philippines September last year, killing hundreds.

Yoko Ono sympathizes with victims of storm Ondoy (Ketsana) which devastated the Philippines in September 2009. Photo courtesy of Philippine Embassy in Japan

A statement from the Philippine Embassy in Japan said Ono visited the Philippine Embassy in Fujimi, Tokyo before Christmas to personally pledge the donation.

"[Ono] learned about the very severe and continuing conditions of the "Ondoy" victims and decided to take action. As a mother herself, she feels deep sympathy and love for suffering children," the statement read.

A total of 464 people were killed when Ondoy brought a record rainfall in Metro Manila and several nearby provinces on Sept. 26, 2009. Thousands were left homeless by the floods it caused.

Ono, an artist herself who belongs to an aristocratic family, grew up in the Fujimi manor that now houses the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo. The mansion was built by Ono’s uncle, who later sold it to the late President Jose P. Laurel.

After World War II, the Philippines bought the property from the Laurel family and is now called the "Jewel of the Philippines."

"The Fujimi residence is very close to my heart and I consider it my home sweet home in Japan. I am therefore very grateful to the Philippine government for maintaining the house in a good condition all these years," the statement quoted Ono as saying.

Ono and Lennon married in 1969 and collaborated on several projects. They have a son named Sean. John was shot dead Dec. 8, 1980 in New York by Mark David Chapman. - Nikka Corsino/KBK/RSJ, GMANews.TV

SOURCE

====================================
This is a very inspiring move by Yoko Ono.  A mother's love for children.
Thank you so much.

BAGYONG ONDOY a.k.a. STORM KETSANA... "KANG YAWEH" (God alone)

featuring the song "KANG YAWEH" (Cebuano dialect)
by Gary Granada...
September 2009
Manila Philippines

Gary Granada is a public school tutor (University of the Philippines) of a masteral subject in Development Communications.  He is a musician and his name is synonymous to musical excellence in Filipino music.  Gary Granada's music awards are numerous.
To know ore about Gary Granada, click here (Gary Granada Profile) or visit Wow Celebrities!



I saw this video from kimphils

Memorial plaque for 956 Ondoy-Pepeng dead unveiled in Australia

Some 956 Filipinos who died during the destructive cyclones Ondoy (Ketsana) and Pepeng (Parma) will be forever remembered in Australia after a memorial plaque for them was unveiled in New South Wales.

The plaque was unveiled at the Pinegrove Memorial Park in Minchinbury, New South Wales, according to a report from the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney.

According to the Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs, the plaque is now a permanent marker in a section of the cemetery called the “Filipino Memorial of Christ the Risen Lord."

Philippine Consul General Eva Betita and Invocare General Manager Arman Mikaelian were present at the unveiling held during the solemn rituals concelebrated by the priests of the Filipino Chaplaincy of the Sydney Diocese and the Filipino Chaplaincy of the Parramatta Diocese.

Figures from the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) show at least 956 deaths in the wake of the two cyclones, including 492 from Pepeng and 464 from Ondoy.

As of November 15, the Filipino community in New South Wales had donated at least A$470,000 (P20.031 million) in assistance funds, as well as over 1,400 boxes of relief goods and 21 pallets of canned food products totaling over 26 metric tons, to the victims of the recent floods.

The Australian government gave A$3 million (P127.859 million) in relief assistance to the calamity victims. - JV/GMANews.TV

SOURCE
=================================================
 Remembering those who died and helping those who survived are manifestations of love. 
Also and most especially, we will always remember you people who have given your help and love, you are all Ondoy-Pepeng heroes!