TOKYO, Japan, Dec. 10 (PNA) — As Christmas nears, people affected by super typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan) are assured of more aid coming from Japan, including a Japanese corporation and the Filipinos based here.
Philippine ambassador to Japan Manuel Lopez said the AEON Group had pledged 100 million yen in aid, in addition to the 10 million yen it had given earlier.
Lopez said the company, which operates fast food outlets and department stores, had offered to match donations customers would drop into collection boxes in its establishments.
“After three weeks, they were able to collect about 48 million yen. They matched it, dinagdagan ng 52 million yen para buo na 100 million yen (After three weeks, they collected 48 million yen. They matched it but made their share 52 million yen so the amount will total 100 million yen),” he said.
He said this was the single biggest donation coming from any Japanese company.
Lopez described the company’s gesture as “touching.”
Meanwhile, Lopez said the Filipino community is expected to donate as well during the nine Simbang Gabi (dawn Masses) leading to Christmas.
“Sa Sunday, Dec. 15, maguumpisa ang Simbang Gabi natin for nine consecutive days at 7 p.m. sa Meguro Church. Ang collection dito, padadala natin sa DSWD para makakatulong sa relief efforts (Starting Dec. 15, we will start the dawn Masses for nine consecutive days at Meguro Church. The collections will go to the victims and be coursed through the Department of Social Welfare and Development),” he said.
He said Filipino communities are to sponsor the Masses, to give the Filipinos a chance to “get together in the spirit of Christmas.”
But for now, he asked the Filipinos in Japan to join the dawn Masses.
“Nananawagan kami sa lahat na kababayan natin especially sa Tokyo area to come join us for the Simbang Gabi (We call on our fellow Filipinos, especially those in the Tokyo area, to come join us for the Simbang Gabi),” he said. (PNA)