MEMBERS of the Filipino community donated cash for the burial of farmer Armando Alampayan after the 6 p.m. Mass on Sunday at the Kristo Rai church.
Alampayan, 30, drowned in the waters off Micro Beach last week while spearfishing with friends.
Fathers Noli Alparce and Celso Magbanua asked the faithful to pray for Alampayan and the family he left behind.
According to Alparce, the Filipino Mass at Kristo Rai also allows Filipinos to talk about their concerns and needs.
“We should use this opportunity to give our Filipino brothers the help they need,” Alparce said.
He said a friend from Chalan Kanoa who happens to know Alampayan’s family called him last week to ask if he could do something for the family.
He said he decided to ask the Filipino community’s help after the Mass.
Members of the community dropped their cash donations into the box located near the church’s main entrance.
“I pity Alampayan’s family for their loss and for the financial problems they are facing right now,” said Joey Olivares, a contract worker.
He said it is only right for Filipinos to help each other while away from home.
Restaurant employee Karen Agustin said she donated money because “we should all help one another.”
Alampayan will be buried here next week since his family cannot afford to transport his remains to the Philippines.
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