THE MELODY of "Touch The Philippines" accompanies the fund collection for the victims of Yolanda Typhoon, Sunday, November 17, 2013, at Bible Centre, Sukajadi Batam. The catastrophe that hit the Philippines inspires many Sunday worshipers to donate something for emergency aid of the victims. Initiated by some Filipinos expatriates, currently working in Batam, the IPC (International Pastoral Community) Batam organises this fundraising by the end of Sunday Mass. The fundraising is continued the following, Sunday, November 24. The two collections makes total amount of Rp 39.350.000, $SG 742,2 and Piso 1.000,- This amount is sent to the Caritas Manila, a Catholic agency that is very much involved in this emergency aid. After some other donations and currency change to Sing Dollar, the total amount sent to the Agency is $SG 4,897 and Piso 1,000.

In his letter addressed to Caritas, Manila, the Chaplain of IPC Batam, Fr. Aurelius Pati Soge, SVD, writes, " This is not a big amount but I am sure it may pictures the good will of many ordinary people, members of IPC: Filipinos, Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Malaysian, etc, and Indonesian, who want share what they have with their brothers and sisters in the Philippines. Let me assure you that you all are very much in our prayer these days."

The parishioners respond well to the aid program and donate something out of their own needs. A generous man - asked to be unnamed - even donates amount of Rp 30,000,000 (thirty million rupiah). "I wish we could distribute food, clean water, clothes, temporary shelter and medicines directly to these people", he says. "Hopefully our small contribution will bring some relief to them."(ap)