Operation Tulong II: Fundraiser for Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) Victims in the Philippines
In response to the massive devastation that Super Typhoon Yolanda has caused in the Philippines, the Philippine Cultural Foundation, Inc. (PCFI) in Tampa, Florida, all its member organizations and in cooperation with Ang Bisaya of Florida, Sto. Nino Shrine USA, ABS-CBN Foundation International, One Philippines and Gawad Kalinga will hold “Operation Tulong II”, a fundraiser for typhoon victims on Saturday, November 23, 2013 at the Philippine Cultural Enrichment Complex and the Bayanihan Arts and Events Center starting at 10AM until 12 midnight.
Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) is the strongest tropical cyclone to make a landfall on record. With sustained winds up to 195 mph, it ravaged through Central Philippines on November 7, 2013 killing no less than 10,000 and severely affecting 11 million people in Samar and Leyte and surrounding provinces.
“Operation Tulong” was first initiated as a fundraising event following a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit Bohol and Cebu on October 15, 2013. This event generated more than $16,000 for the earthquake victims. Although just within a few weeks since, PCFI Chairman Rocky Barrido deemed it necessary to have another major fundraiser, hence “Operation Tulong II”.
Schedule of Events on November 23, 2013
| 10AM-5PM | LBC will be receiving drop-in donations in kind at the Philippine Cultural Enrichment Complex (PhilFest Grounds). Please do not donate perishable items and super worn-out clothing. |
| 10AM | Bake Sale by the Filipino-American Social Club at the Bayanihan Arts and Events Center |
| Other merchandisers will also open | |
| 2PM | Filipino Basketball Association will be sponsoring basketball games at the Philippine Cultural Enrichment Complex open basketball court |
| 2PM-4PM | “Zumbathon for Typhoon Haiyan” by the We R Fit Studio, LLC at the Bayanihan Arts and Events Center |
| 5PM-6PM | Special mass for the victims and survivors of Typhoon Haiyan |
| 6PM-9PM | Entertainment, games, auctions, karaoke singing with the help of Emil Cruz as emcee. Food drive is provided through Filipiniana Cafe, Mercel’s Bakeshop and Aling Fely’s Catering.Auction donors must give item donations (baked goods, jewelry, household items, houses…) to Emma Barrido before 5pm.Entertainment will be provided by local Fil-Am artists. Volunteer performers are also welcome. |
| 9PM – 12PM |  Special live streaming of Pacquiao-Rios fight at the Venetian Macao Gotai Arena in Macau, China, courtesy of One Philippines and The Filipino Channel (TFC).Suggested donation to participate in the evening event (starting at 5pm) is $20.00 although sponsorship of $100 or more will be much appreciated! |
Donations
Proceeds from “Operation Tulong II” will be equally divided to fund ABS-CBN Foundation International and Gawad Kalinga typhoon relief operations in the Philippines. PCFI will accept cash, check and credit card donations. If donating by check, please write out your check to “Philippine Cultural Foundation, Inc.” or “PCFI” with the annotation “Haiyan“. Your generous donation is 100% tax-deductible.
Participating Organizations
Member organizations of the Philippine Cultural Foundation include Alpha Phi Omega – Florida, Ang Kaliwat Bol-Anon sa Florida, Association of Filipino Students, Bicol Association of Southern Florida, Fil-Am Club of Pinellas County, Fil-Am Social Club of Pasco and Hernando County, Filipino Basketball Association, Ilocano USA, Inc., Knights of Rizal, Pilipino American Association of Tampa, Pilipino American Chamber of Commerce, Pilipino American Political Aggregation Group, Philippine Choral Group, Philippine Medical Society Gulf Coast, Philippine Medical Society Auxiliary, Philippine Nurses Association Gulf Coast, Philippine Nurses Association of Tampa Bay, Philippine Performing Arts Company, Inc., Tampa Bay Sports Club, Ang Bisaya of Florida, Sto. Nino Shrine USA, Filipino-American Social Club, Inc., We R Fit Studio LLC and LBC. PCFI’s Sampaguita Ladies Committee, led by Lucy Bautista along with Sampaguita Ball 2013 co-chairs, Lari Ongoco and Marly Balderama, are also actively involved in the project.
Where We Are
The Philippine Cultural Foundation, Inc. is located at the Bayanihan Arts and Events Center at 14301 Nine Eagles Drive, Tampa, FL 33626. For more information about this event, please contact us at (813) 925-1232 or visit us at www.pcfitampa.org .
Photos from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Noel Celis