SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Filipino families across Yellowknife are mobilized in response to the devastation wrought on the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia by Typhoon Ketsana.

Members of Yellowknife's Filipino community are working hard this month to raise funds for victims of Typhoon Ketsana. Annie Esteban, centre, launched the campaign with support from Philippine Cultural Association of Yellowknife president Laborita Senhouse, left, and acting vice-president Gloria Reyes. - Daron Letts/NNSL photo

A string of severe storms battered the Philippine capital of Manila and surrounding regions late last month. Hundreds of lives were lost and hundreds of thousands of homes were destroyed. Record rainfalls raised water levels as high as 20 feet, flooding crops and damaging urban infrastructure.

The typhoon hit hard on Sept. 26, cutting off power and communication to much of Luzon island. It took many Yellowknife families several days to reach loved ones by phone.

"We have so many blessings here and the only thing we can do is act and reach out," said Annie Esteban.

Esteban acted swiftly, organizing the Filipino community to launch a city-wide fundraising campaign last week. In just two days, the community managed to raise more than $4,000. At press time the sum had swelled to almost $6,000.

"The Philippines is in a state of calamity, so I said, 'OK, let's put our thoughts and prayers together,'" she said. "We should unite as a big family here in Yellowknife. They are all our brothers and sisters that are calling for help. I'm a Filipino, so whatever they feel I feel the same, too."

She approached local businesses to ask if they would display donation tins and co-ordinated volunteers to collect donations at several stores in the city, including Wal-Mart, Canadian Tire, and VideoLand, last weekend.

"Annie came out with the posters and the tin cans and volunteers on Saturday," said Felicito Domingo, a respected Filipino elder. "The campaign is a movement to appeal to the residents of Yellowknife for any financial aid to be given. Yellowknife residents are kind-hearted and any amount would be appreciated – and prayers for those in the Pacific area."

The Red Cross opened 130 evacuation centres in the Philippines as the flood waters quickly rose. The Canadian Red cross is accepting targeted donations to assist the region through its website.

"The losses are tremendous in the Philippines because most of the people there live in shanty houses," Domingo said. "Their houses are made of very light materials so a typhoon can render millions homeless."

Domingo's eldest daughter and two grandchildren live in Quezon City. He reached them by phone early this month.

"We were blessed and fortunate because our residence there is on a high level," he said. "Everything else is flooded. Houses were wiped out. My granddaughter was telling me 'grandpa, people were on rooftops and they were being washed away by the flood.' For a child that is a very traumatic experience."

Unfortunately, the families and friends of many of Yellowknife's Filipino residents have witnessed similar catastrophes.

Lian Vilan's sister lives near the Pasig River, which bisects metro Manila. She and her husband and four children had to evacuate as the typhoon slammed the city.

"I spoke to her the other day and she said they couldn't go back yet because the water level is still up to the chest," Vilan said. "It's one of the areas that was heavily affected. It wasn't expected and it's a disaster. They couldn't really do anything, just to leave the house."

The family is safe, but stranded. They have to travel by boat for two hours just to reach a market to buy food.

Residents are using anything they can for transportation, from makeshift rafts to air mattresses.

"It is really sad," Vilan said. "We're trying to help with whatever we can do down here. Even after two or three weeks we will still need help because it will take them a year to recover."

Vilan was among the volunteers Esteban recruited to distribute donation tins last weekend. She is also working hard this week to get ready for the feast at the big biannual cultural celebration being held at Weledeh School on Saturday night.

In addition to honouring Filipino food, music, language and dance, the grand event staged by the Philippine Cultural Association of Yellowknife (PCAY) will recognize Filipino solidarity. The event sold out last week. Proceeds from the event will be donated for typhoon relief.

"In spite of what's going on in the Philippines right now – no food, no houses – we have to go through with it," said Gloria Reyes, PCAY spokesperson. "And we are praying. A lot of praying."

The organization, which represents more than 100 Yellowknife families, is helping Esteban organize a barbecue fundraiser at Wal-Mart for tomorrow from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Volunteers will stage another fundraiser later in the month. The money raised this week will be sent to the Philippine-based relief organization Gawad Kalinga on Tuesday.

Yellowknife residents who wish to help can watch for donation jars at area businesses or contact the Canadian Red Cross.