Filipinos in LA show ‘bayanihan spirit’ to help wildfire victims, fire responders

Filipinos based in Los Angeles (LA), California showed the power of “bayanihan spirit” as they came together to help wildfire victims and fire responders.

Charina Vergara, owner of Tito’s Bar and Restaurant in West Covina, California, initiated a donation drive for wildfire victims in LA.

Vergara said during their first donation drive on 12 January, people donated brand new blankets, personal hygiene products, and diapers.

She said all the collected donations were brought to Hilton Garden Inn in Pamona, California who are housing families that are greatly affected by the Eaton fire.

As a way of saying thank you to firefighters battling the fires, Vergara said they are also offering free pizza to the responders.

“The community response is incredible — so many people are volunteering, food is overflowing, and there are plenty of care packages and comforters to keep everyone warm in this cold weather,” Karen Joy Bulaclac, a Filipino volunteering alongside Vergara, said.

“A lot of folks have been affected, and I also see some pets-cats and dogs-seeking shelter with their owners. It's heartwarming to see everyone coming together to provide care and support,” Bulaclac added.

‘Poor air quality’

Meanwhile, a Filipina nurse from LA said that while their area has been spared from the fire, the air quality was poor that they had to evacuate to a safer location.

“Last week, may mga establishments na nagsara or nag-cut ng hours due to the fire (Last week, there were establishments here that closee or cut their operating hours due to the fire),” Marie Jecellina Rongavilla-Ona told DAILY TRIBUNE.

“Sa area namin walang evacuation order pero over the weekend nag-stay muna kami sa in-laws ko an hour away sila, just to be and feel safer (In our area, there’s no evacuation order but we stayed in our in laws an our away, just to be and feel safer),” Rongavilla-Ona said.

Luckily, the condition has improved compared to last week.

“Compared to last week, nag-improve na dito kasi paibang direction na ata yung hangin at fires (the condition has improved, because it seems like the fire and wind are now heading to a different direction). Some of them significantly contained, but the biggest one which is the Palisides fire, continues to grow towards a different community,” she added

The total area burned by the Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst fires — the current three major wildfires in LA — is about 16,425 hectares (40,588 acres), an area larger than Paris, according to an Al Jazeera report.

About 150,000 residents in LA remain under evacuation orders, with more than 700 individuals seeking shelter in nine facilities.

Investigators are still trying to determine what caused several wind-driven wildfires that started 7 January.

According to the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles, the number of Filipinos affected by the massive wildfire has reached 191 and are still expected to rise in the coming days as the blaze rages on.

Meanwhile, no Filipino has been confirmed among the 24 casualties and 24 missing persons.