In response to the extensive damages brought about by Category 5 Super Typhoon Rai (Local Name Bagyong Odette) in Central and Southern Philippines, Mabuhay Credit Union hosted a Press Conference / Meet and Greet / Fundraiser with WBC Bantamweight Champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. on Tuesday, December 28, 2021.
Odette has claimed over 400 lives, with almost 100 still missing; has affected over 13 million people in some way, shape, or form (140,000 of whom were severely affected); and has caused over P40 billion or about $800 million in damages when it touched down in Mindanao and tore through the Visayas on December 16–17, 2021.
Nonito Donaire is a 9-time World Boxing Champion across 4 different Weight Categories who had most recently defended his WBC Championship Belt against fellow Filipino pugilist Reymart Gaballo in Carson’s Dignity Health Center last December 11th. Born and raised in Talibon, Bohol, Donaire is taking time away from his ultimate goal of unifying the Bantamweight Belts to respond to a higher calling – which is to help his fellow Filipinos who have been devastated by the strongest Super Typhoon to hit the Philippines in 2021. According to Donaire, “I am truly grateful to see the unity from people all over the world, and I am happy that we can all work together in putting effort and energy into this to support our kababayans, especially those who have been affected by Odette.”
Fred Docdocil, the Mabuhay Branch & Business Development Coordinator of Mabuhay Credit Union who is a Planning Commissioner and an active Community Leader in the City of Carson, CA, helped to spearhead and organize this event in only a few days time by invoking the famous Filipino Bayanihan Spirit – which refers to the spirit of community unity, work, and cooperation to achieve a particular goal. “We don’t need to wait for anybody else to tell us what to do, we should have that initiative, and most importantly, we should be courageous enough to follow through on that initiative (of helping those in need),” said Docdocil.
Miguel Ileto Carlos, who works with the Champ on his Finances, set up a GoFundMe to collect cash donations that will be going directly towards the purchase of food, water, and other necessities to benefit those who have been drastically affected by Odette. Furthermore, he has also pledged to donate an additional dollar for every new follower that he gets to his YouTube channel.
Commissioner Alex Cainglet got the fundraising started off strong by purchasing $400 worth of Team Pilipinas jackets that the Champ gamely signed and took photos with the community with. Among those who attended and showed their support were Benny Uy and Nikki Arriola of the Filipino American Press Club of California as well as former Miss Asia USA Didi Caneda, who participated despite already having their own fundraisers. Much appreciation to Councilwoman Arleen Bocatija Rojas for preparing a Certificate of Appreciation for Donaire, and to former MPT Jim Dear for presenting it to the Champ.
