REGINA – When the storm hit the country’s east coast late Saturday, knocking out power and toppling trees, Divina Linantud and her family were glued to their television.
Three people are confirmed dead and around 900-thousand displaced following a powerful typhoon in the Philippines. Far from the aftermath, Filipinos living in Saskatchewan have also felt the impact by Typhoon Hagupit, known locally as Typhoon Ruby.
“We feel so sad for them and especially those who are victim, because last year we had a big typhoon too: Yolanda,” said Linantud, owner of T & D Filipino Sari grocery store.
Linantud and her family worried this weekend’s typhoon might leave the same type of massive destruction her home country saw almost one year ago that left more than 7,300 people dead or missing.
“I phoned my family back home to ask them what is going on back there,” she said.
Fortunately, Hagupit weakened before it hit the region’s shores.
“As of today, we are less worried because the Typhoon Ruby already hit the Philippines, but it was not that bad like what they said before,” explained another Reginan from the Philippines, Cynthia Costa.
On Saturday, Finance Minister Joe Oliver announced Canada was ready to help and a rapid response team had already been deployed to provide assistance to victims impacted by the typhoon. Last year, Ottawa matched public donations and raised $90 million dollars for aid relief.
Local Filipinos are grateful for the financial aid – and for one other thing.
“Thanks for all the prayers of all the citizens,” said Costa.
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