Ilonggos, even away from their birthplace, have been united to help fight the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) back home in Iloilo City.
In two weeks, some 70 members of Facebook (FB) group “Ilonggo For One Another To Fight Covid-19” were able to pool P250,000.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas thanked the Ilonggos looking after their fellows as he received the assistance on April 20.
The FB group has gathered its members, with some extending hundreds of dollars.
US-based Raynel Parreño stated “we formed this group so that we can help in any way our less-privileged brothers and sisters back in our beloved hometown of Iloilo.”
Parreño said even someone from New York, the epicenter of the virus, had managed to send donation. Some sent from Canada, Australia and Singapore. There were also anonymous donors.
He noted he started formulating the idea on messenger and was able to connect more members on FB.
“To be honest with you, I didn’t even know how to start, and if what would be the end of it. I just followed my instincts to try this without any idea how to work it out. My only vision and goal was to do something to help out in any way, if this would be successful to gather people,” Parreño said.
“Members gave from the heart. Some shared the plan to their friends. There is no big or small amount, anything that you have extra is good enough. All we need here is to unite. All these will be credited to Ilonggos overseas, though it’s not the credit that’s important, but the beneficiaries,” he added.
Parreño said he might not be technology-savvy enough, and asked his best friend TJ Ramos to create the FB group, and has since then successfully ran the online donation drive.
“I didn’t know going forward with everything if this would work out, so anyone who was good at organizing and facilitating was more than welcome to lead the way. Again there was no pressure, we help one another and we can get through this. God bless us all. Keep safe everyone!” he said.Iloilo City PIO
