Here in Southern California, Filipino-Americans like Virgie Lyons from El Monte are trying to help by gathering whatever money they can to send their own aid.

For many, this aid money comes on top of regular remittances that they send back to their family members in The Philippines. All this cash may be a major force in what rebuilds the country and people's homes.

Last year, the U.S. sent The Philippines $158 million in development aid. That same year, Filipino-Americans sent their loved ones $9 billion. 

For a look now at the effect of Filipino-Americans and their remittances on the recovery effort, we're joined by Jay Gonzalez, a professor and director of the Philippines Studies Program at the University of San Francisco.