Thank You, Benefactors to Rolly's Family

Rev Father Marce Singson today expresses his sincerest thanks and appreciation to those who have helped the bereaved family of the late Rolando Cortez.

The above letter lists individuals and organisations who have donated time and money to raise funds towards the repatriation and interment of the former Filipino Contract Worker, Rolando Cortez.

They include: donations from the FSW Welcome Party, funds collected from the Brisbane Barrio Fiesta, Transafe Engineering and Staff, various church groups and kind-hearted individuals and families.

"We are delighted to inform you that the chaplaincy has collected the total of $7608.30 as donation to the family of the late Rolando Cortez," announced Father Marce.

"Our sincere thanks and appreciation for your kind generosity. We wish you every grace, blessing and good health from our almighty God," added Father Singson, the leader of the Catholic Filipino-Australian Chaplaincy of Brisbane.

The letter is co-signed by Efren Altez, the chaplaincy coordinator who assisted Father Singson in this task.

It is remembered that 52-year-old Rolando Cortez left the Philippines two years ago to work as a welder under the 457 temporary visa in Brisbane. Earlier this year, he passed away from a heart condition, surviving a family of 6.

The repatriation of his remains back to the Philippines became an issue with the delayed response of the government authorities involved, exacerbating the grief of his family left behind in the Philippines. The Philippine government eventually responded positively to the issue.

However, the initial and additional help that was gathered from the Filipino community in Brisbane towards the speedy repatriation of Rolly's remains were a testament to the generosity, genuine concern and caring disposition of Filipinos in Brisbane.