BAHRAIN'S Filipino community has come to the rescue of people still trying to rebuild their lives following the devastating destruction caused by typhoon Ketsana.
They have raised more than BD1,100 in donations and dropped off clothes, shoes, blankets, towels and canned food for Manila residents affected by the disaster.
His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa earlier donated 25 million pesos (BD208,000) to the aid efforts.
More than 300 people were killed in storms of up to 100kmph, which battered the main island of Luzon in late September, leaving hundreds homeless.
"We are grateful to the generous donors of Bahrain, who brought various useable items, including clothes, shoes, blankets, towels and canned food to the Filipino Club," said club fundraising group chairman Nino Buhay.
"Our cash collection is BD1,181, out of which BD1,054 has been transferred to some of the foundations in the Philippines.
"The balance is with us and as we are expecting more donations, we shall send the full amount later.
"ABS-CBN Foundation, Kapuso Foundation and Department of Social Welfare and Development, all based in Manila, were selected.
"We would like to thank DHL, Forex Cargo, Fil Ex Cargo for dispatching all the goods free, and Nonoo Exchange for sending the donations."
He said the bank account opened for donations from Bahrain had been closed but the club was accepting cash.
"If people are willing to donate, they can either send donations to the Philippine Embassy, Zinj, and the club.
"We are looking for more cargo companies to come forward and help us send the donated items."
People can also send cash donations direct to Land Bank of the Philippines, Batason Complex Branch, Manila, account number 3122101184.
Former Bahrain resident Juan Paolo Gozum, 25, was among those killed in the typhoon.
The website developer and former Sacred Heart School pupil died at his home in Marikina City, Metro Manila, during the peak of the storm on September 26.
His friends are trying to raise funds to support his mother Josephine from Banquet, Abra.
She also used to live in Bahrain after working as a beauty consultant at Jashanmal for 10 years until December 1995.
Ms Gozum also worked as brand supervisor at Ashrafs and had a short stint at Jaffar Pharmacy in between a spell living in Oman.
She returned to the Philippines in 2001.
"We are trying to raise funds for her and send her as much as we can," said a family friend, who did not want to be named.
"She is one of us and we don't want to leave her in this period of time, when she needs us more than anything else."
Mr Gozum's employer website development company Web Dot Com earlier agreed to match 50 per cent of whatever was collected for his family, with the remainder paying for food, water, clothes and medicine for its staff and other typhoon victims.
Donations on behalf of his family can be made by contacting the Philippine Embassy on 17250990.
