Bensalem Woman Fundraising for Typhoon-Stricken Philippines

Even though Philippines native Rhodessa Abarintos Seda no longer lives in the area impacted by the torrential Typhoon Haiyan which hit northern Cebu on Nov. 8, the devastation hit close to home. 

"It could have been my family," said Seda, whose loved ones, including her 94-year-old grandmother, still live in the Philippines. "I can't imagine what these people are going through. The amount of loss."

Barely a day after the storm–which according to NBC News impacted an estimated 13 million people and resulted in roughly 4,000 deaths–Seda, through the Filipino American Association of Bucks County, was hard at work planning a local fundraiser. 

Exactly two weeks after the massive typhoon hit the Philippines, local help, through the Bensalem woman's beef and beer fundraiser, will be on the way. 

Even in such a short amount of time, Seda told Patch that 150 people have so far committed to coming to the Friday night fundraiser, which will be held at St. Ephrem's Parish in Bensalem. Because of the quick turnaround, she said there was not enough time to print and sell actual tickets ahead of time. Instead, attendees will pay at the door, she said. 

"I think we’re in a good spot," she said, adding that there's room for a total of 250 people at the church, which donated its space for free. "Everyone has just been so willing to help. It makes me feel good in a town, in a country where people are just this philanthropic."

"They have a huge lower class and barely any middle class," she said. "The upper class is mostly government."

Her mother and father, a nurse and engineer, respectively, moved to Philadelphia when she was 6 years old and two years later to Bensalem, in search of "better opportunities," "independence" and "to live in a place where it wasn’t so heavily corrupt," Seda said.

Seeing the most recent devastation on TV and knowing that the government may not be as willing to help as perhaps it should be gave Seda an overwhelming desire to do something–anything–to give the people of the Philippines food and water as cleanup and rebuilding efforts continue. 

"I couldn't just watch," she said. "Seeing the pictures broke my heart."

In the days leading up to the fundraiser, Seda said she was able to raise $6,000, which in the Philippines, based on its exchange rate, would feed and quench the thirst of many people. 

"For 44 pesos you can feed a whole family. That’s a ton of water," Seda said, adding that the exchange rate for $1 is 44 pesos. "There's a lot we can do with a dollar."

How you can help

The Filipino American Association of Bucks County is holding a beef and beer fundraiser on Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. at St. Eprhem Parish, 5400 Hulmeville Road in Bensalem. Cost is $25 per person, or $45 per couple. Kids under 12 are free. Tickets can be purchased at the door. All proceeds will benefit the Typhoon Haiyan, which devastated the Philippines on Nov. 8. Those unable to attend, but who are interested in donating, can give through Catholic Relief Services, by clicking here.