100,000 'Yolanda' Fishermen Lost Boats

A group of fishermen expressed frustration at plans announced by the Department of Agriculture (DA) to distribute 1,300 boats to fishermen, saying the number of fishermen who had lost their boats to Supertyphoon “Yolanda” could easily reach 100,000, reports Inquirer.net.

Pinoy Ingenuity--Fridge as a Boat Post-'Yolanda'

Usually a fisherman catches a fish and puts it in the fridge. In one typhoon-wrecked Filipino village, fishermen are putting themselves in the fridge and then going fishing, reports NBCNews.com. Typhoon Haiyan laid waste to just about everything in its path, including the long, stylish fishing boats moored along beaches. Jimmy Obaldo's kids gave him the idea to use debris-refrigerator as a boat.

Dutch Relief Drive Raises 28 Million Euros

The Netherlands' national campaign for "Yolanda" reiief, Help the Philippines Giro 555, an 18-hour live TV/radio fund-raising last November 18 in Hilversum-The Netherlands, raised 24,720,728 Euros, reports Muntingnayon.com.

WW2 Japanese Soldier's Son Gives Relief Money as Reparations

Kenji Hirakawa of Fukuoka last week sent 200,000 yen (around $2,000) in 'Yolanda' relief donation to the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, on behalf of his father, who was killed in the Philippines as a member of the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II, reports Inquirer.net. “My father lies sleeping on a mountain somewhere in Luzon,” Hirakawa wrote in his letter to the embassy. “I am enclosing here 200,000 Japanese yen for all the troubles my father may have caused the Filipino people,” Hirakawa wrote.

Typhoon Grants for Filipino Non-Immigrant Students

The Institute of International Education (IIE) announced the availability of the Philippines Emergency Student Fund for students from the Philippines enrolled at US institutions who have an immediate need for funds due to of the financial situation in their home country caused by Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). The fund will provide grants of $3,000 each to selected Filipino students. Priority will be given to undergraduates and to those with the most urgent financial need and those closest to graduation. Students must be citizens of the Philippines and have non-immigrant status in the USA (e.g. F-1 or J-1 status). How to apply: Contact the International Center at istudents@ucsd.edu; 858-534-3730 Deadline: Wednesday, December 4.

Imelda's Ex-Secretary Convicted in Art Scheme

Imelda Marcos' former secretary was convicted on Monday of conspiring to sell art that the former Philippine first lady acquired during her husband's presidency, including a famous Claude Monet water-lily painting, reports ABS-CBN News. After deliberating 2-1/2 hours, a jury in New York state court found Vilma Bautista, 75, guilty of conspiracy and other charges. She faces 8-1/3 to 25 years in prison.

Filipino Millennials Happiest in the World, Says Survey

Filipino millennials are the happiest and least stressed in the world, according to a study that surveyed the millennial generation across 32 countries, reports Inquirer.net. Filipinos have a happiness level of 83%. India is next with 81%, China (80%), said the Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) study.

Fil-Am Woman Leads US Gov't Relief Efforts in PH

Gloria Steele, the five-foot-tall Filipino American director of USAID mission in Manila, is leading the US government's relief efforts in the Philippines pic.twitter.com/bmU07sr8Dm. US Yolanda relief aid is now $30 million.