Calamities don’t spare anyone. Even 79-year-old Tatay Renato, who lives in the streets of Parañaque City, had to wade in chest-deep flood at the height of the monsoon and typhoon “Crising” onslaught of Luzon and Metro Manila last week.

The daily struggle of finding food and shelter for the homeless and family-less senior citizen was more challenging. Fortunately, he was rescued and taken to one of the city’s evacuation centers, a reality also faced by other well-off locals. In fact, thousands of families across 16 barangays of Parañaque were forced to evacuate when flood submerged their homes.

Amid the disaster, Bloomberry Cultural Foundation Inc., (BCFI), the corporate social responsibility arm of Solaire Resorts and Casino, mobilized relief operations for the affected communities last 25 July. 

Over the years, BCFI has remained committed to rebuilding communities, protecting the environment, fostering values, inspiring hope and supporting development institutions that respond directly to people in distress. 

“We don’t want these calamities to happen, but when they do, we make sure to show up. Not just with aid, but with the kind of presence that reminds people they are not alone,” BCFI executive director Paul Gayanilo said during its relief operations in Parañaque and Quezon City. 

“What we do, anywhere in the Philippines — typhoon ‘Yolanda’ in Tacloban, typhoon ‘Odette,’ Bicol, Cagayan, anywhere, as long as there’s a calamity, Bloomberry Cultural Foundation or Solaire Resorts and Casino or ICTSI will conduct the relief operation. It’s a joint effort,” Gayanilo added. 

To ensure the smooth process of providing aid to calamity victims, Gayanilo said that they directly work with local government units, barangay leaders and the police. 

Roughly around 1,500 families received blankets, pillows, fresh food packs, hygiene kits and other essential goods donated by BCFI. 

They include Tatay Renato and Barangay Tambo resident Maria Victoria Primbuela, her husband, and their pet cat, who were also rescued from their flooded home. 

“It was a difficult situation. We waded through the flood. There was no food, we couldn’t even cook,” Primbuela recalled. 

The temporary shelter offered them safety and relief from hunger through the assistance of BCFI.

Women’s Desk officer Crisanta Punan of Barangay Tambo had been working around the clock since the rains started early morning on 22 July. 

“We were on standby 24/7. Thank you very much to Solaire. We are grateful for the help you provided,” she said.

Authorities said evacuations went smoother this time through stronger awareness and preparedness. Marlo Gabato, acting commander of the 3rd Special Operations Unit Maritime Group in Don Galo, attributed the well-organized relief goods distribution to BCFI. 

“In giving aid, Solaire has really been our partner. They always tap us whenever there’s a relief operation,” he said.

Aside from its relief operations in various Parañaque City villages, BCFI simultaneously distributed 5,000 gallons of potable water, linens and blankets to 496 families, equivalent to 1,625 individuals, sheltering at the evacuation center of Barangay Bagong Silangan in Quezon City on 25 July.

BCFI representative Martin Joel Barrameda led volunteers from the Solaire Resort North Team and Manila Water in the relief goods distribution, according to Jeonald Saldo, director of facility security of Solaire.

The benefactor’s commitment does not end now that the storms have passed and the floods have subsided. BCFI supports a wide range of public assistance and service. It provides scholarships, hospital donations and even recovery programs during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Specially for the people of Parañaque City, which hosts its businesses, Gayanilo said that BCFI is just one call away when they need help again.