Damayan ‘blast’ drive winds down

Philippine STAR’s Operation Damayan fund drive for the victims of last month’s Rizal Day bombings winds down today with a total of P411,100 in cash donations and a TV set for little Jomarwin Torlao.

Three-year-old Jomarwin, previously identified as "Emmanuel," lost a leg in the bombing of the Light Railway Transit station in Blumentritt, Manila.

STAR president and CEO Miguel Belmonte thanked yesterday all those who gave to the fund campaign, saying, "The generous response to our call for help on behalf of the victims shows the selflessness of the Filipino, even in difficult times."

Yesterday’s donors include Evelyn Petilla, P5,000; LCI (for Jomarwin Torlao), P5,000; Anonymous, P20,000; architect Mike Ynion and Agnes de los Santos, P1,000; Joshua and Hannah Palabay, P500; Benito Lo, P1,000; Anonymous, P1,000; W.L. P500; M.S. P2,000; A.U. P4,000; lawyer Hermenegildo Rapanan of Aparri, Cagayan P1,000 and A.B.A., P 1,500.

The fund campaign was launched last Jan. 4, with Speaker Arnulfo Fuentebella the first to respond with a donation of P50,000.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office announced that it has allotted P2 million for all 52 bombing victims who were confined in Metro Manila hospitals. Five of these victims had already succumbed to their injuries.

In a related development, Dr. James Dy, president and chairman of the Philippine Chinese Charitable Association Inc. said all the expenses of bombing victims confined at the charity ward of the Chinese General Hospital will be shouldered by the foundation. To date, a total of P1 million in hospital bills has been incurred by the 13 bombing victims there.

Damayan has also turned over P10,000 to the respective families of Rowena Chua and Eunice Canete, who died from the Rizal Day blasts. Their relative Nancy Chua received the donation from Damayan. — Ella Oducayen