His Royal Highness Prince Haji 'Abdul 'Azim yesterday graced and officiated the launching of the Tulong Mindanao Charity Auction and Bazaar at the Indoor Stadium Berakas. His Royal Highness viewed a video presentation on 'Typhoon Washi Montage' and later officiated the fundraiser and toured the bazaar.

Supported by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS), the auction had more than 60 lots and all items were donated by businesses wanting to help fund efforts to rehabilitate Philippine communities hit by the tropical Storm Washi December last year.

All proceeds from the charity event will be handed over to the National Humanitarian Fund for Philippine Storm Victims set up by MCYS.

The government through the ministry set up the humanitarian fund following the news of the tropical storm that caused 1,249 fatalities and displaced 600,000 people in Mindanao.

Among the businesses that helped with the charity event were Intracorp-Akira, JPMC Fitness Centre, ToysRus, Adsem, Syarikat Aliaa Sdn Bhd, Nestle/Jasra Harrison, Canon, The Rizqun International Hotel, Holiday Lodge Hotel, RBA, Mohan's Carpet Palace, CityNeon, Fitness Zone, Hi-Rope Engineering and the Radisson Hotel.

Also contributing to the fundraiser were Faceshop, Laneige, The Body Shop, McDonald's, Ideal café, Sehat, Sri Lembayung, Chop Jing Chew and Jollibee. - Borneo Bulletin (9 April 2012)