
The Alitaptap Project
hello! Im a Filipino-American who is currently residing in the Philippines. Our country has been hit with multiple typhoons in the past few weeks. Typhoon Vamco (Ulysses) struck the area that I currently live in, hard. Although my house wasn't damaged that much, most of the city was not as lucky as I am.
Marikina City is situated near a river, so when typhoons make landfall, Marikina City is one of the 1st in the metro to be affected. I've been driving thru the city and seeing the damage 1st hand. Talking to people who have lost literally everything they have worked so hard for, breaks my heart. People are covered in mud, salvaging what they can; piles on top of piles of trash all over the city, gives you a small glimpse of how much some have lost.
I live behind a school where a lot of evacuees were transferred to. This whole year, due to COVID, the school was always dark. Now, it's well lit, not because school is in session but because families have lost their homes and have nowhere else to go. Not all families can fit in the evacuation centers that are provided all over the city. Many people are donating, but a lot of it doesn't reach the people who are still stuck on the streets. When we walked one of the badly hit streets, people were pushing and shoving just to get as much donations as they can.
I'm starting this fundraiser because I want to help those who were not able to get the help from well known places (where people send most of the donations). For the people who stayed behind to help salvage what's left of their homes or helping their neighbors out. For the people who can't make it to the centers because of logistics, disabilities, or just because there in no more space for them anywhere.
I own a candle company here called The Alitaptap (the firefly). Which was always set on helping people 'find the spark that they've been looking for', while locally sourcing all our products to support the mas' & pops' of the country. Now, more than ever, people need help finding their spark.
*Photo was taken when I went to visit families I personally know that are in dire need of help. Alot of streets nearest to the river look pretty much like this.