06 June 2014 - The Asia Pacific Group of the United Nations Women’s Guild (APG-UNWG) held a fundraising event on May 10 for the victims of typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) at the Casa Generalizia of the Society of the Divine Word in Rome.

Led by its President, Winy Amato, Vice President Susheela Rodrigues, treasurer Takako Fujinami, and overall coordinator Maris Gavino, the APG-UNWG held a food fair and cultural program featuring dishes, songs and dances from the Asia-Pacific.  Dr. Noelle Rodriguez coordinated the Philippine participation in the event, as well as the preparation of dishes for the Philippine food table.

The event generated a festive atmosphere with a wonderful collage of Asian taste, sound, color and movement.

Filipino performers— such as singer Robert Jacinto and a group of young Filipino residents in Rome called the “Pinoy Teens” — joined counterpart performances for the Asia-Pacific region. 

Mr. Jacinto and the Pinoy Teens entertained all present with Filipino songs and traditional Philippine folk dances. Other performers rendered an Indian dance, a Japanese children’s song (Koinobori) and dance (Doraemon Ondo), Bangladeshi New Year and harvest dances, and the Sajojo Indonesian dance.

Ms. Marie Luarca-Reyes, on behalf of her husband, Philippine Ambassador Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr., thanked the organizers for once again remembering to help those that were seriously affected by typhoon Yolanda.  She also thanked the guests who came to support the noble project of the ladies of the APG-UNWG.

The Asia Pacific Group identified the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in the Philippines to help those affected through the project “Bancas for the Philippines.” This project aims to bring fiberglass boat technology to the communities affected by Yolanda, while reducing the use of sawn timber and plywood.  The project seeks to avoid increasing fishing pressure on the environment by sharing climate-smart technologies to small scale, sustenance fishermen whose boats rely on paddle or sail power. END