In response to the recent spate of devastating typhoons to hit the country, Dr. Vicki Belo, founder and CEO of the Belo Medical Group (BMG), has mobilized her team to assist families in dire need of assistance.
When super typhoon Rolly hit Catanduanes, for instance, BMG sent water filtration systems to provide residents with much-needed potable water. A mercy flight was flown by pilot Lester Codog to transport supplies since island-province was isolated from the rest of the country soon after the super typhoon made landfall.
Belo also donated the same filtration buckets to the typhoon victims of Cagayan through the kids of AmongUsPh, who had volunteers in the area.
Without time to recover, the country was subjected to one cataclysmic storm after another. Houses were destroyed and covered with mud in the wake of the typhoon Ulysses, which followed in the heels of super typhoon Rolly.
Many families were left with nothing but the clothes on their backs, as they quickly fled their homes amidst rising floodwaters. Marikina was so badly hit, floods submerged many people’s homes within hours. Overnight, the city recorded 14,000 evacuees as a result of massive flooding.
After typhoon Ulysses, BMG once again mobilized its resources to help. This time, they set up a community kitchen to provide hot, freshly cooked and nutritious meals to thousands of evacuees in Marikina.
The Belo Community Kitchen, which will run for at least a month, was coordinated through the office of Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro and Vice Mayor Marion Andres. BMG and friends provided equipment and initial supplies for the kitchen.
Dr. Hayden Kho spearheaded the project and later encouraged friends to send their donations. Among the volunteers and donors were Yana Asistio, who was the kitchen’s head cook, Rhian Ramos, Lingling King, Dani Barretto, Vern Enciso, Pinky Tobiano, Kagawad Kate De Guzman, Manuka Health Honey PH, Myka Sy of Dessert Museum and Udenna Foundation.
“We will try to provide hot meals to the evacuees for at least a month to aide our kababayan in rebuilding their lives,” said Kho. The meals are curated by Alyana Asistio, a trained chef, who generously gave her time to make sure evacuees get to eat healthy as well as properly prepared and presented meals. “At least we’re giving them back some dignity even through the food we serve,” he added.
Aside from providing hot meals through the community kitchen, the group was also able to distribute relief packages to people living outside evacuation centers. Moose Gear, for instance, gave away 1,000 pieces of children’s clothes.
“It is our responsibility to help our neighbors in need. This is an important lesson I teach my kids, including Scarlet,” Belo said.“We want her to be aware. And hopefully when she grows up, she can continue to show the same kindness to everyone, especially those who are in need.”
