Unity in action: Operation Damayan, FFCCCII, and QC assist 5,000 families
In times of crisis, the true strength of a community is revealed. On Saturday, Aug. 31, an inspiring collaboration unfolded in Quezon City, showcasing the power of unity and kindness.
More than 5,000 urban poor families, recently affected by typhoon floods and the southwest monsoon, received much-needed relief in the form of five kilos of rice and noodles in each bag, thanks to the collective efforts of The Philippine STAR’s efficient Operation Damayan, the Filipino at Tsino Magkaibigan Foundation, and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte.
The orderly, whole-day distribution spanned across Quezon City’s Districts 2 and 4, with the Amoranto Sports Complex hosting the morning event and District 2 barangays becoming the focal point in the afternoon.
A day of generosity
This wasn’t just charity; it was a display of solidarity between QC’s urban poor communities and 30 major Filipino-Chinese business, civic and cultural federations of the Filipino at Tsino Magkaibigan Foundation led by Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) under president Dr. Cecilio K. Pedro, STAR president and CEO Miguel Belmonte, and Mayor Joy Belmonte.
Operation Damayan, the humanitarian arm of The STAR founded by Betty Go-Belmonte in 1988, has long been a source of hope and succor for families affected by calamities.
Mayor Joy Belmonte’s heartfelt message assured the families that their local government is with them through thick and thin, and she thanked the Filipino-Chinese federations for their timely donations, while Dr. Pedro reiterated FFCCCII’s 70th anniversary slogan, “Dugong Tsino, Pusong Pinoy,” while exhorting the typhoon victims to keep faith in God.
STAR president Miguel Belmonte declined to give a formal speech, as he was busy on the ground, busily overseeing the relief distribution until every family had received aid. He was actively involved from early morning up to late afternoon at the food relief operations in various sites, while most of the officers and the volunteers participated in half-day shifts.
In a symbolic gesture, the first recipient of aid—an elderly woman from Barangay Roxas named Florence Medina—was presented with a mooncake in advance celebration of the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival on Sept. 17, also highlighting the shared cultural ties that continue to bind the ethnic Chinese minority with the rest of Philippine society.
Strength in unity
That Saturday afternoon saw continued relief distributions in District 2, covering barangays Batasan Hills, Payatas, Bagong Silangan, Commonwealth, and Holy Spirit. Councilor Mikey Belmonte, alongside volunteers, ensured that families in these areas received the same care and attention.
The Filipino at Tsino Magkaibigan Foundation, comprising 30 major Filipino-Chinese organizations, recently raised P60 million in donations during the height of Typhoon Carina. This allowed essential goods to be quickly distributed weekly, not only in Metro Manila but also in nearby provinces such as Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, Rizal, Bataan, and Laguna.
Reflecting on this Damayan civic project, one is reminded of the wisdom of philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who said: “It is more difficult to give money away intelligently than to earn it in the first place.” The collaborative efforts of Operation Damayan, Filipino at Tsino Magkaibigan Foundation, FFCCCII and the Quezon City government exemplify this thoughtful, meaningful giving. The recipients not only received material aid but also felt the compassion and dedication behind every effort.
American poet Albert Pike once said, “What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.” The generosity displayed that day serves as a reminder of the importance of philanthropy, especially as we face the ongoing challenges brought by natural disasters. The story of Operation Damayan and its partners shines as a source of hope during tumultuous times of calamities. Every act of kindness contributes to building a stronger, more compassionate community.
Filipino at Tsino Magkaibigan Foundation chairman and FFCCCII president Dr. Cecilio K. Pedro said that philanthropy goes beyond giving—it’s about standing together, sharing what we can, and ensuring no one is left behind.
Indeed, as this day of unity and generosity demonstrated, in helping others, we uplift ourselves. Let us all therefore continue to be part of this journey of compassion, unity, and hope.