Mexican boy donates savings to RP typhoon victims
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 10/16/2009 12:13 PM
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Fifth grade student, Alejandro Luna Flores with Philippine Ambassador to Mexico Alejandro Ortigas III/Photo courtesy of the Department of Foreign Affais |
MANILA - A Mexican student in his fifth grade donated his personal savings to benefit Filipino children affected by the twin calamities in the Philippines.
Alejandro Luna Flores was with his family when he personally visited Philippine Ambassador to Mexico Alejandro Ortigas III last October 9, 2009.
This was the report received by the foreign affairs department in Manila. The DFA said the boy expressed his sympathy to typhoon victims and turned over his donation of 410 Mexican Peso or about P2,451.
The DFA said the boy developed an interest about the Philippines during a summer class and since then, started collecting items about the Philippines, including two-peso Philippine bills.
In his letter to Ambassador Ortigas, Alejandro said he likes reading the history of the Philippines. One of his favorite tourist destinations in the country is Chocolate Hills in Bohol.
Aside from the cash donation, the boy also presented the Philippine Embassy a rooster art work in blown glass. The artwork is a product of the State of Hidalgo, which the boy’s father said symbolizes the cockfighting influence of the Philippines to Mexico.
In turn, Ambassador Ortigas gave Flores a Philippine table flag and other mementos.
The Ambassador also intends to ask a friend in a chocolate and cookies business to match hundred times the donation of Flores, so it can benefit more Filipino children.
Early reports from the government indicate that 1.6 million out of the 3.9 million people affected by Tropical Storm “Ondoy” are children. Of this number, 780,000 are 5 years old and below, while 195,000 are less than a year old.
The Save the Children Organization reported that more than half of the children in evacuation centers are already sick because of unsanitary conditions and the lack of clean food and water.
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