The devastation to life, property and livelihood caused by the onslaught of typhoon Ondoy prompted Filipino youth in Spain to organize a relief operation to help Pinoys affected by the calamity.

“Damang-dama po namin ang sakit na nadaramdaman ng mga Pilipino po doon. Kaya po nag-initiate kami mga kabataan dito sa Madrid kung ano po ang maari naming maitulong kahit kaunti lang po damit, pagkain,” said Sancta Mater Dei Costan, one of the members of the Pinoy Youth League in Madrid.

The Pinoy Youth League in Madrid actively works to prepare donations like clothing, medicines and other relief goods which will then be sent to the Philippines.

“Kahit papaano may mga kapamilya at kaibigan po kaming naapektuhan. Ginagawa po namin ang lahat ng makakaya namin para makatulong sa kanila,” said Nanel Balagulan.

The group also appealed to the Philippine government to extend immediate assistance to affected Filipinos.

“Nais po naming iparating sa lahat ng kabataang Pilipino at mga kababayan po namin d’yan sa Pilipinas na mahal na mahal po namin kayo. Nananawagan din po kami sa lahat ng opisyales ng gobyerno na sana po ay masolusyonan at matulungan ang mga kabababayan,” said the group’s president, Airam Debbie Oligo Obillo.

Meanwhile, the Philippine embassy in Madrid thanked both the Filipino and Spanish communities for responding to the needs of Pinoy typhoon victims.

“We are very happy and pleased to announce that support has been very overwhelming both from the Filipino community and Spanish community both in Madrid area and Barcelona,” said Consul-General Celia Ana Feria.
 
The embassy is now coordinating relief efforts from the Filipino community in Spain.

“Nagsisimula na po ang mga donations coming from Spanish NGOs, example itong K-9 group from Tarragona. Nag offer po sila ng services for free, said Feria.

The tragedy jolted many overseas Filipino workers based in Spain. Catherine Tan Moraga said her family back home lost everything in the flood.

“Nawala po ang lahat sa amin. Apektadong apektado po ako kasi naka-schedule po akong umuwi ngayong November after two years. Pero dahil sa nangyari, napag-desisyunan namin na i-cancel po muna dahil marami pang dapat unahin sa ngayon at mga prayoridad,” Catherine Tan Moraga said.

Despite the tragedy, the Pinoy Youth League in Madrid appealed to Filipinos to continue praying and not to lose hope.

“Huwag po kayong mawawalan ng pag-asa. May awa po ang Diyos. Parati lang tayong magdasal at magtiwala sa kanya,” Costan said.