Support pours in for 'Ondoy' drive

MANILA, Philippines - An outpouring of support followed the Philippine Sportswriters Association’s call for help as several sports personalities from here and abroad chipped in their share to help victims of Tropical Storm “Ondoy.”

World Boxing Council president José Suláiman and son Mauricio, the WBC’s executive secretary, wired a cash donation to the PSA through Dr. Allan Recto, a Texas-based friend of Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao.

The different foreign teams that participated in the recent Asian Men’s Senior Volleyball championship, whose opening day was wiped out by Ondoy, also contributed their share for the storm victims, along with food and beverage giant San Miguel Corp.

“The compassion shown by Filipino and foreign sportsmen and athletes toward the victims of Ondoy tugs at the heart,” said PSA president and Inquirer sports editor Teddyvic Melendres. “We didn’t have to ask; they learned about the plight of our helpless countrymen and they came forward to help.”     

Sporstsman Mikee Romero, who added to the cash he had previously donated, Sen. Chiz Escudero, former Philippine Sports Commission chair Philip Ella Juico, Quezon City councilor Joseph Juico and BEST Center founder Nic Jorge were among the first to respond to the PSA’s call for help.