Super Typhoon Haiyan: Help from Holland

Over the weekend, a number of Filipino organizations came together to organize Bangon Pinoy!, a prayer service and fundraising event for the survivors of Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda.

It reminded me of all the Pinoy gatherings from my Glee Club tours, when we were hosted by Filipino communities in Europe. It wouldn’t be a Pinoy event without lots of food (the arroz caldo and Spanish bread alone were worth coming for!)…

… lots of singing, and lots of people. Celeste Legaspi’s Isang Mundo, Isang Awit (sing it with me: “Je t’aime, te amo, I love you!”) also inevitably becomes part of the default soundtrack for these things.

It was Marlon’s and my first time to go to a Filipino community gathering since we moved to Amsterdam. There are over 17,000 Filipinos in the Netherlands, but majority of them don’t live in Amsterdam. The Filipino population in the Netherlands is dispersed pretty widely, with the larger communities being situated in the nearby cities of Amstelveen, Hoofddorp, and Den Haag, where the embassy is.

As you can see from her somewhat bewildered expression, it was also Tala’s first time to experience Filipino levels of noise! I think I need to let my inner fag hag out more often at home to prepare her for our trip to Manila this Christmas.

And it was Tala’s first time to meet a little Pinay just like her. They even look alike! Her new friend’s name is… wait for it… Tara.

Here in Holland, Filipinos aren’t the only ones working to bring aid to the survivors of Haiyan. The Netherlands’ response to the Philippines’ cry for help has been swift and decisive. Here are some of the things our Dutch friends have done to bring relief to those most in need.

Dutch DJ Ferry Corsten and his Filipina wife have organized a Donate & Dance event at one of Amsterdam’s hippest clubs this Wednesday. (I still need to find a babysitter so we can go to this!)

The Dutch Red Cross opened Giro555, a special bank transfer number, for the survivors of Yolanda. The Netherlands phased out checks a while back (so first world!), so most payments are done bank-to-bank via Giro transfers.

Today, November 18, marks a National Actiedag (Action Day) for the Philippines, with a telethon and special media coverage featuring Dutch celebrities. The Giro555 Actiedag raised nearly €8 million just 15 minutes after it opened at 6:00 this morning.

UPDATE: Total amount raised by the Giro555 Actiedag: a whopping €18.5 million! How amazing is that?!

The Netherlands has also sent 29 tons of relief supplies via the Royal Netherlands Air Force, in addition to 3,700 tarpaulin tents brought in by ship. Preparations are being made for a second airlift operation.

Above and beyond the “official” channels of aid, what truly warms my heart are the responses of ordinary Dutch citizens, such as this neighborhood flower shop owner. “Support the Philippines: a bunch of roses for €7.50!” says his chalkboard sign.

Every Euro helps, and you have given us so much. Lieve Nederland, I hope with all my heart all your generosity will not be wasted. Thank you so very much. Hartstikke bedankt. Maraming salamat po!