Safe from Harvey, U.S. Pinoys help flood victims


As monster storm Harvey hit Texas, Filipinos in the United States set out to help the storm's victims
Don Kevin Hapal
Published 3:50 PM, August 30, 2017
Updated 4:30 PM, August 30, 2017
BAYANIHAN SPIRIT. Members of the Houston Pinoy Gun Club help deliver supplies to hospitals and hurricane victims. Screenshots from Paul Vizcarra Osorio's video

BAYANIHAN SPIRIT. Members of the Houston Pinoy Gun Club help deliver supplies to hospitals and hurricane victims. Screenshots from Paul Vizcarra Osorio's video
MANILA, Philippines – As monster storm Harvey hit southeast Texas, particularly the city of Houston, Filipinos in the United States set out to help the victims. (READ: Texas flood disaster by the numbers)
Houston, the US's fourth largest city, was inundated with record high rainfall, swamping the metropolis with deadly floods.
"It is bad and growing worse," Texas Governor Greg Abbott told Agence France-Presse on Sunday, August 27. He added that the storm had inflicted billions of dollars in damage. Reports say that the death toll has reached 22.
The Department of Foreign Affairs reported no Filipino casualties in the affected areas, home to at least 80,000 Filipinos.
Safe from Harvey's wrath, many Filipinos in the United States organized efforts to help rescue and collect donations for the victims.
One of which is the Houston Pinoy Gun Club (HPGC), a shooting club with at least 900 members in Texas.
With most of Houston submerged in flood, a local dialysis center was having trouble getting patients in need of urgent treatment. With rubber boats and tall pick-up trucks, the HPGC is helping transport patients and deliver supplies.
"When one of my Filipino friend who happens to be the manager of the dialysis clinic asked for our help, we responded to his call. I am also a nurse here in Houston and I know how importance this is,” said Paul Vizcarra Osorio, who founded the group in 2010.

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