THE February 22 earthquake in New Zealand was still making newspaper headlines when March 11 happened. The Philippines, along with other nations, rushed to the aid of Japan as it reeled from the most destructive natural disasters it had suffered in decades, which also majorly damaged a nuclear plant. This early, the 9.0-magnitude quake is being described as “the world’s costliest natural disaster,” even as the physical and economic toll continues to rise as the days go by.
Lopez Group chairman emeritus Oscar M. Lopez (OML), in his blog entry dated March 21, observed: “Tragedies like this unite people from all nations as we all face the unfolding drama not as Japanese or Filipino or American but as one humanity. [Japan’s] pain and suffering is also the world’s as we have all viewed the transpiring events, of giant waves wiping out whole villages, with the same horror and sense of helplessness.” OML urged readers to share their ideas on how to help the people of Japan, in consonance with the Lopez values of unity, social justice and nationalism. Incidentally, our chairman emeritus is marking his 81st birthday on April 19. Happy birthday, OML!
We take our hats off to Amb. Manuel M. Lopez for his and the Philippine Embassy’s swift response to our Japan-based compatriots’ cry for assistance in the wake of the twin disasters. Amb. Lopez, who took office only a couple of months ago, nevertheless acted with admirable authority and dispatch in locating or relocating hundreds of our countrymen to safety. He reiterated his commitment “to serve the needs of Filipinos in Japan.” An estimated 225,000 Filipinos are based in Japan.
ABS-CBN, too, helped ease the worries of thousands of our countrymen when it set up its Kapamilya Helpline several hours after the temblor and tsunami struck. As of this writing, more than 2,000 individuals have emailed the site to ask for help in locating their family members and friends in Japan; Kapamilya Helpline also extends assistance to those with relatives in the Middle East. Comments like “Thank you very much for your help! It is because of you that I was able to contact my mom and thank God she’s okay. Continue the good work and more power. You really are a Kapamilya” surely strike a chord with anyone who has loved ones in distant places (and that’s most of us Filipinos).
Lopez Group chairman emeritus Oscar M. Lopez (OML), in his blog entry dated March 21, observed: “Tragedies like this unite people from all nations as we all face the unfolding drama not as Japanese or Filipino or American but as one humanity. [Japan’s] pain and suffering is also the world’s as we have all viewed the transpiring events, of giant waves wiping out whole villages, with the same horror and sense of helplessness.” OML urged readers to share their ideas on how to help the people of Japan, in consonance with the Lopez values of unity, social justice and nationalism. Incidentally, our chairman emeritus is marking his 81st birthday on April 19. Happy birthday, OML!
We take our hats off to Amb. Manuel M. Lopez for his and the Philippine Embassy’s swift response to our Japan-based compatriots’ cry for assistance in the wake of the twin disasters. Amb. Lopez, who took office only a couple of months ago, nevertheless acted with admirable authority and dispatch in locating or relocating hundreds of our countrymen to safety. He reiterated his commitment “to serve the needs of Filipinos in Japan.” An estimated 225,000 Filipinos are based in Japan.
ABS-CBN, too, helped ease the worries of thousands of our countrymen when it set up its Kapamilya Helpline several hours after the temblor and tsunami struck. As of this writing, more than 2,000 individuals have emailed the site to ask for help in locating their family members and friends in Japan; Kapamilya Helpline also extends assistance to those with relatives in the Middle East. Comments like “Thank you very much for your help! It is because of you that I was able to contact my mom and thank God she’s okay. Continue the good work and more power. You really are a Kapamilya” surely strike a chord with anyone who has loved ones in distant places (and that’s most of us Filipinos).
