I am fundraising for my cousin, Roman Yanesa, and his wife, Annabile Yanesa. On February 2, 2026, a devastating fire tore through the town of Labo, Camarines Norte, Philippines, changing their lives forever.

In a matter of hours, they lost everything: their home, all of their personal belongings, and their primary source of income.

A Loss of History and Livelihood

The house they lived in was more than just a building; it was the ancestral home of the Derez clan, a landmark of our family history that had stood for nearly 75 years. Seeing it reduced to ashes is a profound loss for our entire family.

Beyond the home, the fire also claimed their backyard livestock. Roman and Annabile raised pigs as their main source of income. They have a market stall at the nearby public market, but with the loss of their animals, they lost their ability to support themselves.

How You Can Help

We have set a goal of $1,000 to help Roman and Annabile get back on their feet. These funds will go directly toward:

Purchasing new livestock so they can restart their business.

Initial costs for clearing and rebuilding their home.

Necessities like clothing and food.

I am personally donating $400 to jumpstart this campaign. I am reaching out to our cousins and relatives across the US and Canada—and anyone else moved to help—to ask for your generosity. No amount is too small to make a difference for Roman's family in the Philippines.

A Message from Roman and Annabile

Roman and Annabile asked me to share this message of gratitude with you:

"Kami pong mag-asawa ay lubos-lubos ang pasasalamat sa tulong na ibinigay niyo. Dahil po dito ay makakapagtinda na ulit kami ng karneng baboy na siya naming hanapbuhay, at maipapatayo po ulit namin ang bahay pa ng aming lola. Lubos po ang aming pasasalamat."

(Translation: My wife and I are deeply grateful for the help you have given. Because of this, we will be able to sell pork again, which is our livelihood, and we can rebuild our grandmother's house. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.)