THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, November 18, 1994 TAG: 9411170200
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK PELLEGRINI, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
Tessie Baker grew up on the Philippine island of Mindanao but has lived in America for half of her 44 years. Although she no longer has relatives in the Philippines, she insists that ties to her native country remain strong.
Filipinos consider themselves ``part of one large family,'' she explained proudly, ``and we who have made it to the United States feel responsible for our countrymen.''
That spirit of community led her to organize Filipiniana of Virginia's ``Operation Christmas,'' which collects donations locally and sends them to needy families halfway around the world.
The fifth annual effort was launched recently in a small garage overflowing with boxes and piles of canned goods, pasta, housewares, stuffed animals, clothes and peanut butter. Members of Filipiniana of Virginia worked in close quarters to prepare the donated items for shipping to Pangasinan, a small province in the Western Philippines.
The drive was begun in 1990 by Baker, then president of the 16-year-old club, as an extension of the ``Toys for Tots'' program sponsored annually by the Marines.
Filipiniana, which numbers about 100 families, approaches businesses and individuals for donations each fall. Baker said some donors worry that the items might not reach those who need them because of government corruption or the black market. She insists, however, that those fears are unjustified.
To ensure proper handling, the club establishes a direct contact in the chosen province, usually a priest or bishop. This year the contact is a personal acquaintance of club member Jesse Abrazado, whose wife and daughter now live in Pangasinan, and who will fly ahead to a seminary in that province to directly oversee distribution of the goods.
Donated items will be sent courtesy of Joe and Tita Cabaccan, owners of Regent Forex Inc., a Virginia Beach-based shipping company that ships exclusively to the Philippines.
This year's shipment will exceed 30 boxes.
``We do this for organizations that are trying to help the poor people of the Philippines,'' said Tita Cabaccan. ``We will continue to do this for any institution that will contribute to the quality of life of the people of our country.''
The boxes were shipped Nov. 7 to allow time for them to reach Pangasinan by Christmas. Most shipments require 30 to 45 days.
Although the poor of Pangasinan and their American benefactors will likely never meet, Baker said that Filipiniana members consider themselves richly rewarded.
``We get so many pictures of kids and letters saying `Thank you so much. . glad they are that they `haven't been forgotten by you guys,' '' Baker said.
The drive has brought enough appreciation that it has spawned a sister project, called ``Operation Literacy.'' This project, started last year, targets a different school each year in the Philippines and supplies it with paper, pencils, crayons, rulers and other items.
For now, though, the efforts of Filipiniana are focused on Christmas.
``There are children over there who have never had even a doll, who have never seen Reebok shoes,'' Baker explained. ``I have been here since 1973, and sometimes it's easy to think of all the conveniences you have here, and some people there don't have toilet paper.''
Baker seemed genuinely touched by the reality of what she and her friends were doing. ``We are all like family,'' she said. ``It is very, very good.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by FRANK PELLEGRINI
Volunteers from Filipiniana sort through donations for Operation
Christmas.
by CNB