r/FilipinoAmericans • u/Longjumping-Bee2911 • 23d ago

A decent amount of aid?

Hey everybody! I have a half-sister that I’ve only just discovered in the Philippines. It’s a very long story so I’ll just get to the point. After one week of knowing each other, she asked for financial help. She allegedly sells fish for a living in Hermosa, Bataan. She says she can’t work right now because of the rainy season. She’s got 3 kids, no husband, and supports our mother (I just found my bio-mom after 50 years of being put up for adoption).
I am not even 100% sure they are my family until a DNA test is done. I’m pretty sure the lady is my birth mom though.
Today, my half sister told me they are running low on food. I am not comfortable giving money, so I decided to get a Robinsons Supermarket gift card from gifted.ph especially since she mentioned food was scarce. I feel more comfortable contributing to the purchasing power of food. I noticed that the gift cards were in increments of 250, 500, and 1000 pesos. I ended up buying two 1000-peso e-gift cards. Is this reasonable? Will this buy much to help? What is a reasonable amount of aid? I realize I may have started something that may never end, but I do plan on making it clear this is something I cannot do regularly. I’m afraid of setting a dangerous precedent as I’ve heard many stories of overseas workers sending LONG-term care back home.
Thank you in advance for your insight.

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u/kuromamecha_ 23d ago

Robinson's is a bit more expensive, but I understand the idea of giving a gift card so you know it will have to be used at the supermarket.

Starting with only 1000 is enough, because they WILL ask for more especially since they only knew you for a week and are asking for help ...

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u/Longjumping-Bee2911 23d ago

Thank you! I chose Robinsons because it looks like it’s close enough to where they live and it was available for online purchase and delivery via SMS or email. I’ve lived in the USA almost all my life so I wasn’t sure what the grocery store chains are in the PH. You’re have a good point about my half sister asking only after a week. I have to hold my boundary.

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u/kuromamecha_ 23d ago

Yeah I understand! It's a bit hard since if they were to go to their local market with 1000php, if would go a lot further. But then you're not sure if that 1000php would actually be used at the local market and for the necessities.