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SHIGA LEGISLATOR AND CIVIL ASSOCIATION  DONATE 3.6 MILLION YEN FOR YOLANDA VICTIMS

03 March 2014 - The Honorable Kenichiro Ueno, a member of the House of Representatives (LDP)  representing Shiga Prefecture’s 2^nd District, and Mr. Takayuki Matsui, Chairman of the Shiga War-Bereaved Association turned over a check for 3.6 million yen (around PHP 1.58 million) to Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel M. Lopez on February 28 at the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo.

(L-R) Mr. Yasoharu Oonaga, Former Shiga Prefecture Governor Yoshitsugu Kunimatsu, Mr. Takayuki Matsui, Ambassador Manuel M. Lopez, Deputy Chief Of Mission Gilberto G.B. Asuque And Minister Josel F. Ignacio.


The association has long been supporting various grassroots projects in the Philippines. Among others, the association has helped fund the construction of elementary schools and hospitals in the country. Ambassador Lopez thanked the group on behalf of the Philippine Government, for its valuable assistance. The donation will be turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

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PHL CONSULATE GENERAL IN SHANGHAI THANKS FILIPINO COMMUNITY LEADERS, SUPPORTERS FOR YOLANDA ASSISTANCE

24 February 2014 – Philippine Consul General in Shanghai Charles C. Jose hosted a merienda cena on February 15 at the Longemont Hotel to express the Philippine Government’s gratitude to the leaders of the Filipino community in supporting the work of the Consulate and for their initiatives in raising funds for victims of typhoon Yolanda.

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J-POP ARTISTS HOLD CHARITY CONCERTS FOR YOLANDA CHILD VICTIMS, PLEDGE PHP8.7 MILLION FROM CONCERT PROCEEDS

26 February 2014 - Japanese pop artists under the Vision Factory Company held on  February 23 two concerts for child victims of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) at the Maihama Ampitheatre, located adjacent to Tokyo Disneyland.  Entitled “Save the Children of the Philippines,” the concerts were organized by Goodwill Ambassador of Japan to ASEAN Ryotaro Sugi, with Rising Productions and Vision Factory officials Mr. Testuro Taira and Mr. Takashi Kasuga. 

Around 4,000 fans watched the two concerts featuring the popular J-Pop groups DA PUMP, Lead and w-inds., as well as singer Daichi Miura.  The seven-member DA PUMUP is known for songs which include elements of rap.  Lead is a hip hop song and dance group, while w-inds. is a boy band that has a large fan base not only in Japan but also in Taiwan and Hong Kong.  Daichi Miura is a well-known singer, songwriter and dancer.  

In a short ceremony at the opening of the second concert, a pledge of donation was presented to Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel M. Lopez by Mr. Kasuga, on behalf of Rising Productions.  The certificate states that the company will donate JPY 20 million (approximately Php 8.7 million) for building elementary schools in the devastated areas.  The donation will be given to the Department of Education, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.    

Ambassador Lopez thanked the audience and the people of Japan for their support for the typhoon victims.  He particularly expressed appreciation to Ambassador Sugi, the organizers and the featured artists.  Ambassador Lopez said that Yolanda caused great destruction in the Philippines but Filipinos will work to rebuild better communities, much like Japan did after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011.   

After the Ambassador’s speech, the Department of Tourism’s “The Philippines says thank you” video was shown.  The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo also put up a display of photos of the devastation caused by Haiyan at the concert venue.  Most of the photos were from the “Displaced” photo exhibit of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and award-winning photographer Rick Rocamora

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PHL AMBASSADOR TO SPAIN CO-HOSTS BENEFIT DINNER FOR YOLANDA VICTIMS

(From left to right) Mr. Anders Julin, Swedish Ambassador Cecilia Julin, Mrs. Isabelita Salinas, and Ambassador Carlos C. Salinas

24 February 2014 - Philippine Ambassador to Spain Carlos C. Salinas co-hosted a benefit dinner together with Swedish Ambassador to Spain Cecilia Julin on  February 13 at the latter’s official residence for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).  

The benefit dinner was mainly organized by Spanish NGO Acción Contra el Hambre (ACH) in coordination with the Philippine and Swedish Embassies in Spain. All proceeds of the charity dinner will go to Typhoon Haiyan-related projects of ACH in the Philippines. 

Ambassador Julin opened the night’s festivities with remarks recounting how the benefit dinner came about and that it all stemmed from a need to show solidarity to those affected and make a difference in their lives. 

In his remarks, Philippine Ambassador Carlos C. Salinas thanked the Swedish Ambassador and the ACH for organizing such event for all those affected by Typhoon Yolanda. 
He further conveyed the appreciation of the Philippine Government and the Filipino people for the overwhelming response of the Spanish people to the tragedy.
Ambassador Salinas also took the opportunity to screen the newly-released Department of Tourism (DOT) presentation entitled “The Philippines says Thank You” which was warmly received by all the guests. 

Secretary of State for International Cooperation and Ibero-America Jesús Manuel Gracia Aldaz confirmed the Spanish Government´s continued support of reconstruction efforts of the Philippine Government in spite of the current economic crisis in Spain.  

The dinner, which featured Swedish and Filipino inspired food and desserts, was prepared by two Michelin-star Spanish chef Sergí Arola.   Spanish composer Juan Antonio Simarro, Rebeka Brown, a famous Spanish singer, and Laura Pamplona and her band entertained the guests during the dinner. 

The organizers also raffled off prizes, including trips to the Philippines and Sweden, as a way of enticing guests to buy more tickets to the dinner benefit.  

The dinner was attended by high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MAEC), members of the diplomatic corps, officials of key Spanish companies with interests in the Philippines, popular Spanish artists and TV personalities.