Yoko Ono donates $55K to storm victims

MANILA, Philippines, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- Artist and singer Yoko Ono has donated about $55,000 to aid victims of last September's Tropical Storm Ondoy, the Philippine Embassy in Japan said.

Nearly 500 people were killed and thousands left homeless when the storm hit the Pacific region.

GMANews.tv said the wife of the late British rock 'n' roll icon John Lennon visited the Philippine Embassy in Fujimi, Tokyo, before Christmas to pledge the donation.

"(Ono) learned about the very severe and continuing conditions of the 'Ondoy' victims and decided to take action. As a mother herself, she feels deep sympathy and love for suffering children," said a statement from the embassy.