The Winnipeg Filipino community is coming together to raise awareness and resources for those impacted by an unexpected volcano eruption.

Sunday, January 19, the Taal volcano in the Batanga province of the Philippines erupted and left its residents in a state of destruction.

Leila Castro, co-founder of 204 Neighbourhood Watch, a group of Winnipeggers that provide community-based security and mental health first-aid is from the province where the Taal volcano erupted.

Castro witnessed an eruption decades ago in the area and knows first-hand how difficult it can be for survivors to recover from. "It took years to bounce back," she says. For 12 years she lived in her family home on the border of the 14-kilometre danger zone only 1-2 kilometres away from the most impacted eruption areas. Now, the bulk of the evacuees have taken refuge in that area.

She says this eruption came as a contrast to the feelings usually surrounded around the start of a new year. "Everyone was hopeful that it would be a better year and a better decade," Castro says. Unfortunately, this was the beginning of 2020. 

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Almost a million people have fled their homes, and 11 towns are on forced evacuation. Tens of thousands of families are using schools and churches as makeshift evacuation centers.

"Filipinos are very resilient people, we've been through a lot of calamities."

She believes that soon, the border areas will be compromised as well. "It's not similar to flooding when the water subsides; in a dry area you may be out of the danger zone but you are still reachable by ash. No matter where you are if that is the direction of the wind then you are not safe.

"The volcano is acting erratically and it's possible it's quiet right now but it could release ash again," Castro says. Ash is not the only worry. A potential volcano tsunami may also be on the horizon.

Castro remains hopeful throughout this devastation. "Filipinos are very resilient people, we've been through a lot of calamities," she says. 

For now, the impacted communities are looking for ways to rebuild and recover and the Filipino community in Winnipeg is doing their part. "Being on this side of the globe doesn't mean there's nothing I can do," Castro says. Through social media, she and others in the community are hearing about people with disabilities who are suffering without aid. 

"We are thinking of you, and on this side of the globe, we are doing something so things will lighten up."

"204 Neighbourhood Watch has a lot of volunteers and they are willing to help, to put in their time, and put in their connections," she says. 

Charmaine Hernandez, a Filipino local realtor was moved by the stories she heard of people losing their homes and she was inspired to launch an event titled "United for Taal" to help the most vulnerable. With the help and generosity of others, time and resources have been donated to raise support for the evacuees.

On January 24, at Maples Collegiate, a $10 entrance fee will provide attendees with a show, light refreshments, and opportunities to win raffle prizes including a trip to Vegas. One hundred per cent of the proceeds will go towards more vulnerable communities impacted by the eruption such as the deaf, blind, and those with limited mobility.

Castro says, "to those that are going through it, hold on, we hear you. We are thinking of you, and on this side of the globe, we are doing something so things will lighten up. There's hope, you are not forgotten.

"They are still a part of our hearts, we are still very much connected," Castro says.

January 26th evacuees will know if it is safe to return to their homes however, there is still no assurance that there will be no danger.