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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider 'Bags of Hope' reach Intramuros fire victims through Manila Bulletin aid drive

'Bags of Hope' reach Intramuros fire victims through Manila Bulletin aid drive

Published Feb 28, 2026 12:27 pm  |  Updated Feb 28, 2026 03:36 pm
Bags of Hope. Sacks of rice donated by Manila Bulletin are prepared for distribution to families displaced by the Feb. 25 fire in Intramuros, Manila. The rice forms part of the publication’s ongoing relief efforts for affected residents.
Bags of Hope. Sacks of rice donated by Manila Bulletin are prepared for distribution to families displaced by the Feb. 25 fire in Intramuros, Manila. The rice forms part of the publication’s ongoing relief efforts for affected residents.
The smell of smoke still lingers in Maisan Compound in Intramuros.
Charred wood, twisted metal, and fragments of what were once homes lie scattered across the streets of Cabildo and Anda, grim reminders of the fire that killed two people, displaced around 600 families, and destroyed at least 300 houses on the afternoon of Feb. 25.
But on Friday afternoon, the same streets welcomed something else: help.
Barangay 655 Chairman Jhonny “Nonoy” Yacub (center) receives sacks of rice from Manila Bulletin Public Relations Manager Badette Cunanan (left) and Brand and Marketing Manager Leslie Araujo as part of the paper’s donation drive for Intramuros fire victims.
Barangay 655 Chairman Jhonny “Nonoy” Yacub (center) receives sacks of rice from Manila Bulletin Public Relations Manager Badette Cunanan (left) and Brand and Marketing Manager Leslie Araujo as part of the paper’s donation drive for Intramuros fire victims.
The Manila Bulletin (MB) on Friday, Feb. 28, joined ongoing recovery efforts by donating sacks of rice and pre-loved clothes to fire victims, providing immediate assistance to families struggling to recover from the loss of their homes and belongings.
Barangay 655 Chairman Jhonny “Nonoy” Yacub personally received the donations from MB Public Relations Manager Badette Cunanan and MB Brand and Marketing Manager Leslie Araujo. He emphasized that food assistance remains among the most urgent needs of displaced residents.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa Manila Bulletin. Bigas ang isa sa pinakamalaking tulong. Pagkatapos naming i-pull out ang bigas mula sa evacuation center, magsi-stage kami kung saan ito ilalagay. Talagang pagkain ito ng mga tao (I am grateful to the Manila Bulletin. Rice is one of the biggest forms of help. After we pull out the rice from the evacuation center, we will stage it and decide where it will be placed. This is truly the people’s food), Chairman Yacub told Manila Bulletin, noting that other supplies are being carefully distributed to affected families as they remain in evacuation sites and temporary shelters.
Manila Bulletin also launched a donation drive, accepting various forms of assistance from company employees, including clothing and food.
According to Yacub, many residents are currently staying at the Dalpan Sports Complex, where they continue to receive support from the Manila city government, national agencies, private donors, and volunteer groups.
Some families, however, have been temporarily sheltered in enclosed parking areas and church compounds, including spaces near San Agustin Church, while barangay officials work to secure longer-term transitional housing.
“Bags of Hope,” or sacks of rice donated by Manila Bulletin, are placed at an evacuation center in Intramuros for fire victims.
“Bags of Hope,” or sacks of rice donated by Manila Bulletin, are placed at an evacuation center in Intramuros for fire victims.
“Naghahanap kami ng isang urban housing, kung saan puwedeng i-stage ang mga tao. Kapag sakaling i-pull out na sila sa evacuation area, habang inaayos pa namin ang mga bahay, doon muna mananatili ang kanilang mga pansamantalang tirahan (We are looking for an urban housing site where people can be temporarily staged. Once they are pulled out of the evacuation area, while we are still repairing the houses, that is where they will stay in the meantime).”
Yacub also confirmed that authorities have filed an arson case against the suspect, who allegedly set the fire following a personal dispute driven by anger and jealousy involving his former partner.
Read story: https://mb.com.ph/2026/02/28/arson-filed-vs-man-behind-intramuros-fire
In the meantime, he appealed for continued assistance, saying victims are still in urgent need of food, clothing, and shelter.
Volunteers carry sacks of rice, dubbed “Bags of Hope,” for distribution to families affected by the Feb. 25 fire in Intramuros, Manila.
Volunteers carry sacks of rice, dubbed “Bags of Hope,” for distribution to families affected by the Feb. 25 fire in Intramuros, Manila.
“Sa mga ahensya ng ating gobyerno, sa mga may mabubuting kalooban. Lumalapit po ako sa inyo kasi nakita ninyo ang sunog na nangyari sa aking lugar. Talagang napakalakas ng apoy. Akala ko nasa impiyerno na kami dahil pababa ang apoy at sabay-sabay kaming tinamaan. Kaya ito ay laban para sa survival (To our government agencies and to those with kind hearts, I am appealing to you because you saw the fire that happened in our area. The flames were extremely intense. I thought we were already in hell because the fire was coming down and hitting us all at once. This has truly become a fight for survival)."
“Lumalapit po ulit ako sa inyo, baka may maibigay kayo, buong puso po naming tatanggapin (I am once again appealing to you, if you can give anything, we will accept it wholeheartedly),” he added.
The Manila Bulletin’s donation drive remains ongoing, with employees continuing to collect clothing and essential items to help affected residents rebuild their lives in the aftermath of the disaster.

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