Taking the fight to the Philippines relief effort

Flanagan’s Irish Pub hopes to raise $10,000 for the relief effort in the Philippines from its screening of Manny Pacquiao’s fight against Chile’s Brandon Rios on Saturday, November 23.

Bermuda’s Filipino community has been left heartbroken by the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan in their homeland, with thousands of homes destroyed, 11 million people affected and a death toll currently estimated at 2,500.

Some on the island still have friends and family unaccounted for.

With staff from the country, Flanagan’s is  proud of its links with the local Filipino community, said to be around 3,000.

 It prompted manager Chris Garland to act: the $20 entry fee to watch the fight will go towards the fundraising total, while Flanagan’s will also make a ‘sizable’ donation. 

Mr Garland said: “It was just a personal idea. Everybody wants to watch the fight and anyone who has a heart will want to do something.”

He added: “I think we are all devastated by what the people are going through. We take for granted a lot of things in our life.

“We were struck by a hurricane in 2007 and we get worried by a few roofs and trees. I know two people died in Fabian but when you’re talking about thousands your heart goes in a different direction and it’s more humanitarian than anything else.

“We have a big Filipino following. 

Our staff’s association with the local Filipinos is strong, so we get a lot of Filipinos in to eat, have  special occasion parties and obviously whenever Pacquiao fights there’s a strong contingent that would come in for that.”

Staff member Synthia Abuan, 31, is originally from Manila and has been on the island for seven years. 

She said: “It depresses me. I refused to watch any of the vidi-clips until last night. Just by looking at how much damage there was – it just breaks my heart. 

“My family and friends were all good, thank God, but for my fellow countrymen it’s devastating.

“A lot of Filipinos will come to the pub to watch the fight because they all support Pacquiao, for sure.

“This fight will have extra meaning. It will be a little bit emotional.”

Abuan’s colleague Eddie Planes, 45, also hails from Manila and believes the Pacquiao effect can galvanise his people back home — and help raise some much-needed money here.

He said: “Manny Pacquiao is really huge in the Philippines. 

“He is the type of person who helps a lot and he cares about the people. If someone needs help he is always there. 

“He came from nothing so he knows what it is like.”

Garland is urging people not just to come out for the fight but also to think about other ways they can help the relief effort. 

“We can only get 300-350 in but hopefully the health and safety lords will look the other way for the night! It’s a chance to show our support for people who have helped many Bermudians prosper over the last many, many years.”