Filipinos in Jeddah help raise funds for Gaza victims

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia - Filipinos in the western Saudi city of Jeddah have been cited for helping a group of Arabs raise funds for victims of Israeli attacks in Gaza. Organizer Mohamed Munif, operations manager of Party Zone — where the event was held last Saturday — said he was elated because his Filipino friends are always ready to render community service. “I’m happy that Filipinos are always helping us, especially since the victims in Gaza are not the only ones in need but also those in Saudi Arabia. Whenever I ask help from them, they immediately come and wholeheartedly lend their service," he said. Which is good, he said, because humanity doesn’t have anything to do with religion or race. He said that Palestinians, especially the children and elderly, suffered a lot in the hands of Israelis. He said that everybody who attended Saturday’s event donated money, food, and other items aside from paying for entrance tickets. Among those who came was magician Chris de Jesus, a.k.a. Magicris Boom, who performed free of charge. He said that it was a great honor to have helped in anyway to the victims in Gaza, adding that it’s important to help others regardless of nationality and creed. Husband and wife Bonifacio and Raiza pledged the earnings of their body painting business on that night to the cause. Other people who attended the event not only enjoyed the fund-raiser, especially the magic show and the comedy act put up by clowns, but also got inspired away into giving donations. A 16-year-old Saudi, after having expressed his delight over the splendid magic show, pledged to donate some of his toys for Palestinian children. Aya, a Palestinian teenager, volunteered to help by selling books and asking for donations from her family members who attended the event. Philippine Consul General Ezzedin Tago said he was delighted to hear that Filipino entertainers performed for free while others gave their time for the cause of Gaza war victims. He said he was hopeful that Filipinos like De Jesus would always be ready to help other people in need. The other Filipino volunteers in the show were Susan de Jesus, Jody de Jesus, and Cierome Hizon, who also performed magic.- with Kimberly Jane T. Tan, GMANews.TV