Simbang Gabi collections in Japan for 'Yolanda' victims

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo will organize the traditional nine-day series of Holy Masses before Christmas for the Filipino community there.

Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel Lopez said the traditional Simbang Gabi will be held at the Meguro Catholic Church in Tokyo with the support of Filipino community organizations.

Lopez said the monetary collections during the Mass will be donated to the victims of Super Typhoon "Yolanda" through the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Filipinos in Japan have already raised Y1 million or about P426,007 for the typhoon victims.

Lopez said the Y1 million was the profit from the Philippine Barrio Fiesta Festival in Yokohama held last September which attracted more than 100,000 visitors.

A symbolic check was handed over to President Benigno Aquino III, who is currently in Tokyo for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Japan Commemorative Summit.

“Hindi lamang po mahusay ang mga Filipino sa Japan, sila rin po ay may gintong puso at tunay na nagmamalasakit sa kapwa,” Lopez said in an article posted on the website of the Presidential Communications Operations Office.

Yolanda slammed into the country last month and devastated several areas in Eastern Visayas with its powerful winds and tsunami-like storm surges.

The death toll from the monster typhoon has breached the 6,000 mark.

About 11 million people were affected by the disaster, which has caused more than P35 billion in damage.