06 November 2013 - Kokua Philippines, the name of the fundraising drive organized by the Filipino community in Hawaii and the Philippine Consulate General, raised US$1,839.03 for victims of southwest monsoons and typhoons (e.g. Maring) that struck the Philippines in August 2013.

The amount was collected through the following activities during the month-long fundraising drive:

·         Designating collecting areas in major supermarkets, groceries and restaurants;

·         Conducting phone brigades;

·         Holding telethons with Filipino radio stations; and

·         Announcing the fundraising drive at every Filipino community event and gathering.

Consul General Julius D. Torres together with Ms. Rose Churma of the Filipino Community Center, Dr. Raymund Liongson of Kokua Philippines and Dr. Serafin Colmenares of the Congress of Visayan Organzations (COVO), formally turned over the check to Mr. Jon Matsuoka, President and CEO of the Consuelo Alger Foundation on October 31 at the Consulate.

The Consuelo Alger Foundation is a private foundation that supports and operates programs in Hawaii and the Philippines that prevent and treat abuse, neglect and the exploitation of children, women and families. Its office in Makati City will facilitate the donation to the victims of the typhoons.

During the turnover ceremony, Dr. Colmenares and Dr. Liongson briefed the Consul General about the Filipino communities’ efforts to raise funds for victims of the Visayas earthquake, while Ms. Churma and Ms. Maita Milallos shared the Filipino Community Center’s upcoming roundtable discussion on 23 November to discuss disaster preparedness with the Filipino community in Hawaii. END