The project started when I woke up from the loud volume of our television set downstairs. As I got closer, I saw the news of another typhoon. This time, it was called Typhoon Pablo. My exact thoughts were: a different name but same old story. Desensitized from my previous day’s exhaustion, I tried not to think too much of what I had seen on TV. 

However, as I was eating my breakfast, my dad asked me: Don’t you want to help people? Don’t you want to help those people? These questions really bothered me. Doesn’t he know that I’ve been so busy with school? Doesn’t he know, it is exam time and I really need to not think of other things? But then I also asked myself, Isn’t this what I want to do in the future, help people? Why not start now?

>> Read more about Operation Walang Iwanan: Typhoon Pablo here

Out of confusion, I remembered crying. I also remembered making a decision six months ago that when my country called me for service, I wouldn’t think twice. Six months ago was Tito Tony in Toronto at the GK Global Summit 2012. And yet here I was confused as to what actions to take. 

And so I continued on with my day. Without trying, I kept on thinking about the issue. Until I realized that it really would not hurt to contact the GK Canada Board Members. After all, this was the organization that truly lit up the passion in me to help my kababayans. And I do not regret the decision to email. Otherwise I wouldn’t know that there were others like me, some younger and some older; other people who share the same passion. I got to know Ate Cheryl and Kuya Francis.

During our first meeting and the conversations that followed, we played our individual strength to really set the stage for the event. As a student, my only experience and skill set had been acquired through extra-curricular activities involving other youth. Ate Cheryl and Kuya Francis, on the other hand, represent the other spectrum. They are business professionals who have experienced the world beyond the academia. What they had to offer and what I had to offer really projected the larger movement that was to be witnessed at the event. This larger movement composed of the young and the old; the amateur and the veteran; really made me realize that time was not wasted in planning and helping our kababayans. Living the philosophy of Walang Iwanan was effortless with our support for each other.

In fact, I soon realized that living the GK way of life was simpler than living my everyday life. It was a life filled with support and relentless passion to serve our country. Now that I think about it, this story is not just my story. It’s a story of harmony between the young and the not-so-young; a story about family beyond blood relations. This was a story unraveled on the 18th of January 2013 in a church in Toronto, Canada.

Luis Oquiñena, GKCDFI Executive Director, recounting his first day on the relief operation for Pablo victims; 

He advised the audience to go beyond pity and guilt. He said, "We must be compassionate towards our kababayans, treating them as family."

On the day of the event, we saw volunteers coming together to make sure that everything was just what they should be. Through the different talents and skills offered by the volunteers, the event really unfolded as it should have. Once you enter the hall, you will see busy volunteers smiling their ways through the crowd. We heard musicians, who, despite their hectic schedules, found time to sing a few songs. Actually they didn’t just sing the songs, their voices intended to send out a message closely related to the philosophy of Bayanihan. From commemorating the wonders of the natural landscapes of the Philippines to portraying the compassion which runs through a Filipino’s blood, the power of music truly took over the night. The heartfelt messages given by Kuya Luis and Kuya Pidoy captured the minds of the audience. It had forced them to ponder what it meant to lend a helping hand. The fundraising, as they had emphasized, was not solely to raise money. Rather it was to be an event which compels generations of Filipino-Canadians to stand up together to bring our country up and out of the threats of dangers – natural or human-inflicted. The great thing was that these words did not fall on deaf ears. We could really see the light in each and every eyes of that room.

Gone were the times when events like this were only filled by our grandparents and our parents who have lived a great deal of their lives in the Philippines. The seats were mostly filled with the young, wanting to learn about the Philippines – a country which some have never set foot in. They really took it to heart when Kuya Pidoy had called on them to sacrifice their meager lunch money. At that time, young individuals started to go up to the podium and hand as much as $10.00 out of their own allowances. Adults couldn’t help but tear up. And while we were extremely pleased with the youngsters in attendance, we couldn’t help but be thankful for the support that the adults had shown throughout the event.

Pidoy Pacis, GK Canada Chairman, encouraging the young ones to donate their lunch money 

and give up fast foods for one month in order to help fellow youngsters devastated by the flood.

While their age may accurately portray their wisdom, it betrays the passion that lies within them. In the event, we saw elders being reckless as a youth would just to help their kababayans. Some had given financial supports; some had extended help through sponsorship and other through volunteerism. The wisdom and passion that comes from the older Filipino-Canadian community had really exerted itself within the event. It had inspired the young ones to care despite their busy and young schedules. 

We are really thankful for the financial outcome of the event. However, we are most thankful for the seed it has sown in the Filipino-Canadian community. The seed calls for the unity of the young and the old. This unity compels us to further think about and live the philosophy of Kapit Kamay at Walang Iwanan. A seed that we hope would grow, not only with those who’ve seen the Philippines, but also for the younger ones who have yet to experience the real beauty of our country.

Francis Rementilla (Marketing, GK Canada) and Pidoy Pacis (Chairman, GK Canada) handing over the GK Canada Donation Box to Luis Oquiñena (Executive Director, Gawad Kalinga Headquarters)

GK Heroes, composed of volunteers and performers 

(upper left to upper right: Kim, Scott, Maria, Jonathan, Mark, Cheryl; lower left to lower right: Luis, Francis, Michael, Pidoy)

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OPERATION WALANG IWANAN is ongoing, and we need YOUR help. Let us transform this disaster into an opportunity to bring hope to the families affected by Typhoon Pablo. Walang Iwanan! For more details about how you can help, click here.

We thank everyone who had shared their gifts, talents, efforts and business with us!

* To our donors: Action Honda, Bodybliss, AV Communications, TFC ABS CBN Canada,TFC Dealer Aurora Cajucom, Sunlife Financial - Arnold Vallon, Cristina Menzoda, Portia Arriola, Rogelio Diaz, Rhonrose Printing, UMAC Express Cargo, Marylou's Fashion Boutique, Mary K Jewelry, Seacret Agents Jun & Renee Siao, Jeffrey and Theresa Jose, RM Printing, Judith Gonzales, Edna Tiozen, Rory Elefano,FRNAO. 

* Toronto’s finest Filipino stores and restaurants also reached out to help: Kanto by Tita Flips, Casa Manila, Max’s Restaurants, GAA Enterprises and Bayan Grocers.

* Friends in the media: Warren D’Aoust, Jose Baking, Rene Sevilla, AM530 and Pinoy Radio.

* Production crew: Kim Jose, Cheryl Cantonjos, Jose Austria, Chuck Dumrique, Marjorie Jose and Hariett Capalla.

* GK volunteers, Maripi Leynes, Agnes Manasan and Odette Montelibano. Videography was provided by George Escano; photography, Gene Laomoc and Ian Surage, content development, Digital Ink; graphic design, Diana Roldan; and event and production, Benchmark Management Events and Promotions ; and the staff of Glenview Presbyterian Church