"Super strong. It's like bombs were dropping incessantly on the village." This is how we describe what it was like while super typhoon Goni (called Rolly in the Philippines) was ravaging the Bicol region around eight o'clock in the morning of November 1, the day when we were supposed to commemorate All Saints' Day—the day when approximately 10 million people in the region were fearing the onslaught of the super typhoon.

Aftermath of Goni

November 2 was the day to commemorate All Souls' Day, remembering the deceased members of the family. Because of massive destruction left by the super typhoon, however, it's not only the souls of departed whom we remembered but also our homes that were left submerged in debris, floods, and landslides.

Instead of easing our pain by trying to accept that loved ones were no longer with us, the aftermath of the super typhoon weakened us again, adding just another heavy burden on us, not to mention the eighth month of living under community quarantine with lockdowns everywhere due to COVID-19 global pandemic—traveling across the country has been restricted, millions of employees were terminated, hundreds of thousands of small businesses were closed, and many things best left unmentioned.

An old couple in front of their small house destroyed by Super Typhoon Goni | Photo: Eron B. / Dalupaon.com

Center of the Eye of Super Typhoon Goni

The beautiful province of Camarines and neighboring provinces of the Bicol region were the center of the eye of the super typhoon. Camarines was once the seat of Spanish power in the region for 333 years before it was taken over by Americans for the next 48 years. The beautiful province shares history with Spain and Mexico as well as with the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands during World War II.

Do you want to help rebuild the lives of families affected?

The funds that we are raising will enable us to rebuild more lives affected.

To individuals who are willing to support us, we are laser-beam focused on:

• Blankets, towels, underwear, toiletries set, facial tissue, wet wipes, cotton gloves, medicines (ointment, bandages, painkillers, pain relief patches, etc.), dustproof mask, hand sanitizers / sanitary pads, hygiene kits that include toothbrushes, toothpastes, laundry and bath soaps, malong (traditional tube skirts), nail cutters, and mosquito nets
• Drinking water, food items, and other continuous relief goods for every family until they are able to find new sources of income
• Materials to reconstruct ruined houses by the shores and mountains

All of you, our beloved donors or sponsors, will be allowed access to watch via online platforms all activities that we are doing to address issues in the poorest communities.

With your constant support, we will be able to reach more provinces in the Bicol region.

Your support will be the greatest gift for all beneficiaries of this cause. May God bless us all.

Beneficiaries

At the very moment, our target beneficiary is a barangay with about 1,500 families. Read more about Dalupaon.

Check our Facebook page on fb.com/dalupaon.

We set up a fundraising activity for about 1,500 families in a small village with fascinating history since before the Spanish colonialism in 1565.

The village is where two Spanish galleons were built in 1610. See Galleons.

The village is where the first English-speaking school was first opened in a little chapel by an American teacher on a mission in 1910. See Memoir.

The village is called Dalupaon. See History.

We're reaching more villages. We're adding more soon.

For those who are willing to help us, you may also PayPal us directly.

Email us at [email protected]