Smiles and Singing The Filipino Way to react to a tragedy.
As I was watching this film by Janssen Powers I was thinking of how people react to tornadoes and other disasters in the USA which is what I was most familiar with until about six years ago. Oh, don't get me wrong, people in the USA are strong and reliant. That's part of being human. However, Filipinos mostly react with "Thanks for what I have" and a lot less concentration on "What I loss".
When we did the Let Them Smile Again campaign I kept telling people that Filipinos deserve our help. This film does a good job of showing what I could only try to say in words.
This kind of reaction is exactly what I would expect from my knowledge of Filipino culture. I've made an effort to absorb the best of the culture of the Philippines. Its resulted in a more relaxed version of Rusty Ferguson. :) The Philippines has given me the best years of my life.
However, that's not the reason I'm working on this issue. In a month, I plan to take on a new cause. I won't stop reminding people what happened in the Philippines though.
I met a family in Cebu City in December that are from the Tacloban area. A bit north, from Samar actually. They wanted to go home for Christmas. I sent her a text today. She's still in Cebu. "Yes sir, we are in Tent City Number 5" was the reply I got when I asked if she was still in tent city. She has no home to go home too. Her husband worked as nurse but the hospital is gone now.
She is beautiful but her personality and spirit are even better. She gave birth while living in a relocation center. She never once complained but I saw the pain in her eyes but only when I wasn't looking at the smile on her face.
Look at what was destroyed. These people are poor. Most are in dire need of help.
I'll say it again:
A lot of people doing a little will have a big impact.
If you can spare a dollar to any a good organization such as the Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity or any other oganization that distributes aid directly themselves then do a little and be one of the many that makes a big impact.
It doesn't matter to me where you give but if you can give a buck please do.
Here is one such place that I have been supporting:
http://www.give2habitat.org/member/rustyf/haiyan
This site solicit donations in pesos. If you want to donate a dollar that is about 45 pesos. It might be a bit more than a dollar.
Some people have said they have trouble donating. I didn't but I had logged in and created an account there. I know that's a pain but its not much considering what Filipinos are still going through.
If you can't give, you can share if so moved. When you share someone may see it that can give.
Thanks,
Rusty
#typhoonhaiyanrelief #typhoonhaiyan #rebuildthephilippines
#charity #rustyferguson #philippines #filipinoculture
http://vimeo.com/80476161
http://click-to-read-mo.re/p/55ST
