“It exceeded our expectations – our goal was to raise $5,000, but over $7,000 was donated and still count­ing,” an obviously happy John Temo­nes told Philippine Asian News Today (PNT) in a telephone interview two days after ‘Operation Sendong’. All proceeds will be sent to the Cana­dian Catholic Organization for Devel­opment & Peace (D&P), the church’s development arm who is mounting a national appeal for the Philippines. D&P already donated $50,000 to the Philippines and is coordinating with Caritas-Philippines, known as the Na­tional Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA).

The 19-year old Temones, one of a group of young people some of whom belongs to Mission Ablaze, organized the event held last Saturday (Jan. 7) at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Joyce St. in Vancouver.
Over 20 performers – from as young as five-year old hip hop dancers to 70- year old seniors entertained over 200 people in a jam-packed church base­ment for a two-hour talent showcase.

Temones, who goes to David Thompson Secondary School, said the idea came about after he watched TV footage of the floods and decided to do something about it. More than 20 young singers and dancers came together to showcase their talents for a good cause.

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