UP grads in HK hold fundraiser for flood victims

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InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5

DAVAO CITY, Philippines -- Graduates of the University of the Philippines now based in Hong Kong held a fundraiser for the victims of the floods that inundated Metro Manila and neighboring provinces this week.

UNIted for a Cause, organized by the UP Alumni Association Hong Kong, was held Friday night at Grappa’s Cellar at the Jardine Hous. 

More than 50 people paid HK$120 for a first stub good for two drinks at the event. Succeeding stubs were also sold for $50 a drink.

UPAAHK vice president Rey Asis said alumni from other Philippine schools, as well as other foreigner, also came to the event.

“We really intended to gather everyone we know who are living or working in Hong Kong. That’s the reason why we called it UNIted for a Cause because while, UPAAHK was in the lead, those who came from other universities were most welcome,” said Asis, who works for the Asian Students Association.

“It was a success. There are other initiatives here for the victims of the flood in the Philippines, the UNIted for a Cause being one of them. It was the first of the many initiatives,” Asis said.

“Aside from the drinks sold, there were also donations from those who attended,” he said, adding the funds they raised will be coursed through a group undertaking relief work in the Philippines.

Asis, who also works with overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong, says OFW groups will also hold fundraisers.

“Malaki ang puso ng mga OFWs para sa mga kababayan nilang nasasalanta ng bagyo o ng kahit anong sakuna kahit hindi pa nila pamilya (OFWs have compassion for their countrymen stricken by tragedy, whether they are family or strangers),” Asis said.

“Ang tanong lang sa isip ko habang ginagawa ng gobyerno ang pagbibigay ng relief katulad ng pagkain, tubig o safe na lugar sa mga nawalan ng bahay, hindi ba mas magandang i-moratorium muna ang pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin, ng kuryente at ng langis (But the question in my mind is while the government gives relief to the victims like food, water, and a safe place to live, would it not be better if it also imposed a moratorium on the increase of prices of basic commodities, power and oil)?” Asis added.

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