In an exclusive interview with theAsianparent Philippines Janina Dizon, a third-generation jeweler, and mother of 2 shared her experience in helping the victims of Typhoon Odette.
Know how she made a significant impact in the last months, leading donation drives and providing assistance to victims of Typhoon Odette in Bohol.
Why was she helping and what motivated her to go to such lengths for the people of Bohol? Read her story here.
Janina Dizon’s Instagram
The family fell in love with Bohol
During the pandemic, Janina shares that she and her family would often go to Bohol for vacations. Visiting the place so many times made them fall in love with the province – the food, the people, and the activities. It was so beautiful that they decided to buy a property where they can spend vacations, like Christmas of 2021.
Janina’s dad went ahead to do minor renovations and waited for the family to come over. However, the unexpected onslaught of typhoon Odette had hampered the Dizon family’s plans.
His dad was stuck on the island for the first few days with no electricity, and with fear of no drinking water. It was indeed a devastating occurrence not just in Bohol but in many parts of Visayas.
After a few days, Janina’s dad got back to Manila. And Janina’s efforts started rolling.
Janina on the Bohol devastation: “All I knew was that I wanted to help”
Janina relays that when she saw the devastation of Typhoon Odette on social media and have heard firsthand accounts from his dad. Her only thought was it was the best time to help the Boholanos.
She said it was a spur-of-the-moment idea and she didn’t expect to gather so much help from connections and people who have seen her posts.
Janina started by posting on her Instagram and Facebook and asking for donations. Soon after, these posts gathered a lot of interest, and many generous people have donated – from PHP 20o to so much more. The response was indeed overwhelming.
Nevertheless, there was a lot of struggle getting help
Janina recounts how it was a struggle to get drinking water to the island. The water system was down so she had to reach out to friends living in Bohol as well as the mayor of Panglao on how to get water to the island.
According to her, the Philippine Air Force was one of the people who provided great help as they tirelessly carried gallons of water to the cargo planes.
This was under the pressure of having to be done efficiently as the cargo plane was also busy ferreting goods to other disaster-stricken islands.
However, transporting water from Manila became difficult. Janina narrates how he has to get water from nearby islands, as suggested by her good friend Dianne Borres. Her friend, Stella Yap who was in Cagayan de Oro was also able to assist in bringing drinking water via roro.
It didn’t end with that.
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Janina Dizon’s Instagram
The second struggle was getting a roofing and building materials for the affected communities in Bohol. Janina said she was able to get in touch with construction companies in Bohol and so started buying locally.
She was also able to procure generators from Lazada and was sent to charity foundations she was connected with, who are also helping with the Typhoon Odette relief operations.
According to Janina Dizon,
“So many people and friends were just so ready to help. It is really the Bayanihan spirit in action.”
How they were able to help Bohol
Janina Dizon’s Instagram
When electricity was finally restored in the province, Janina and her companions flew immediately to assess the situation. One of the foundations she has always supported, International Care Ministries, had an office there. And helped her roam around the communities that they were able to help during the past week.
It was also then that Janina knew that their team was the first on-ground team that handed out donations, food, and housing materials.
Janina said she cannot put into words how emotional that made her feel. She says, that the steadfast work of her on-ground team was really valuable to immediately dispersing the goods to the communities. It was important and helpful that she had people whom she can trust.
Janina’s advice to those who want to help but have no resources
“Anyone can help, whether it be donating monies, physical labor, or knowledge. A few people shared my page and I believe that just through that. We were able to achieve the many connections and assistance we were able to gather.
Whenever you are in a position to help, just do it right away as most usually with these kind of disasters. Fast action is key.”
Janina Dizon being raised in a helping and charitable environment
Janina is a third-generation jeweler and a graduate gemologist. Growing up, her parents have always supported many charities.
Her mother, Jul Dizon, was a board member for the Foundation for the Musical Filipino. The same foundation sent young classical musicians to study abroad. When Jul passed away, there was an outpour of people attesting to how Jul has helped them.
Through her parents’ example, Janina shares that she learned that with the blessing that comes her way, she can be a vessel of help to others.