|
Manila Charities are an integral part of this sprawling metropolisManila charities not only provide basic support but often stimulate hope for those that can most benefit. 2009 brought many challenges to the people living in Manila. Natural Disasters such as Typhoon Ondoy, highlighted the often inadequate and impoverished living conditions that a large segment of the population contend with daily. This list of charities neither intentionally favors any endeavor nor discriminates on the basis of any factors to include religion or location. Here is a recent brief report related to Charity in the Philippines: TEMPO Reports that Precious Lara's Pageant under review! Charity. Please scroll down for more information.
Smokey Mountain in Tondo, Manila is a paradox of what is both hopeless and hopeful within metro-manila. Here is an article on a Renewable Energy project in Tarlac, Philippines that aims to Empower 4,000 Filipino Families through "Community-based small scale renewable energy projects," that will harness "hydro, solar and/or wind power. Jeannette Andrade, on 08/07/2010 via the PDI has shared the impact of reading with an article titled FROM SCAVENGERS TO READERSLibrary brings hope to Smokey kids. Here is an excerpt which is a quote from Community leader Teodoro Iradiel Jr.: “Here at Smokey Mountain, children work in the dump to earn money, so they miss classes,” he said. “I know of families who do not send their children to school because they earn from scavenging. I wanted to change that mindset and to inculcate in them the importance of having an education and having options, so they don’t limit themselves to making a living out of garbage.” While a philanthropical contribution is only a click away at a site like The Hunger Site, if you want to contribute more or in another way, consider the following charities: manila charities Fundraiser to provide Cataract Surgery for a young girl: Pledges are currently being accepted to have this operation done with Dr. Kotts. The amount required is Php 40,000; contact manilatop10 to pledge, only, at this point and follow the profile here, coming soon. The exam and "unexpected" diagnosis, due to age, has already been done. Kevin sent me a note and asked me to help get the word out on this movie: Manila Top Ten Charities: (10) Philippine Charities Foundation: Good place to put some time in where the proverbial rubber meets the road. You have heard of "walking in another's shoes" to have empathy, well, many don't even have shoes! Here is a song by SADE that is of shoes and more. Former First Lady, Imelda, who won her election bid this week might want to listen along?  Sade - Pearls...(9) USAID: USAID's programs contribute in all over the Philippines and have a strong focus in combative areas. That being said, their efforts were indispensable in coordinating support of the many calamitous events of 2009. One of the most profitable businesses in the Philippines is lending. The Indians who control a lot of the lending at lower levels are generally called the 5 – 6 (borrow 5 pay 6) The interest rates vary but generally range up to 20% a month & they concentrate mainly on people who are unable to get loans such as for small market traders and small stores. What is USAID's approach and how is it different? Why not take a look at this ongoing effort through the Microenterprise Access to Banking Services or MABS "from the American People." Here is an excerpt: "10 July 2010 Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija – Fourteen participants from six Luzon-based MABS participating banks underwent training forgroup lending product evaluationand enhancement. The three-day workshop was conducted to help banks determine and address the demands of their clients and enhance their group loan products, many of which have been in existence for almost a decade." To read the report in full, simply click through on the above link!  (8) Lighthouse Club Manila: Shining some light on even the most difficult predicaments can lead to enlightening results.
Update 4/17/2010: The Manila Rotary Club will be hosting a play on Paul Harris: The life of Harris, “Journey to Rotary Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.” When & Where? Show date is April 29, 2010 at The Onstage Theatre of Greenbelt 1 in Makati City. A ticket costs P200. (5) SOS Children's Villages: A sponsorship vehicle without the need to set foot in Manila. "An eighth village in Bataan, in the north-west of the country, was also opened in September 2009 with the capacity for 120 children. The village is integrated into a residential area with no fences or walls to separate the family houses from the other houses of the subdivision. This way, the children living at the SOS Children's Village will find it easier to integrate into society." I plan on visiting this facility in September, 2010 to learn not only about the sponsoring potential for a child but the residency requirements etc. This is the direct link to the site managed from the Philippines though I have added the link to their current newsletter in PDF. sosphilippines.org Newsletter. (4) The Philippine Community Fund: It is not by choice that many young people toil long and hard with little reward and great risk. Even a donation here will help the people on-the-ground. (3) The Family International Manila: Drug usage is a fact of life for many whether illegal or legal access and usage. While the message does not always resonate with the intended effect, efforts to help those afflicted can only bring benefit.
(2) Gawad Kalinga: Similar to the Habitat for Humanity movement but perhaps with a more community oriented cornerstone. I have personally spent time with kids at these communities; time well spent. This photo is one from their website and is of the Ateneo Blue Eagle GK Village in Quezon City. (1) DSWD: The food distribution efforts of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) were second-to-none in the aftermath of typhoon Ondoy as they set-up sites and distributed meals to people in need. Any outside contributions, whether financial or volunteer time, definitely go toward uplifting people's lives directly.
Though Senator Villar's hometown is Las Piñas City, the Presidential candidate was born to humble beginnings in Moriones, Tondo, Manila. This CNN article on Smokey Mountain, by By Anna Coren, details the enormity of one issue that the next President of the Philippines, whether Senator Villar or not, will be entrusted to address head on. Perhaps the best location for fire response capability is near Quiapo with the modern fire trucks of the Filipino & Chinese volunteers but when a fire strikes in Tondo, it often ravages the residents. April 6th, 2010: Fire razes 200 shanties in Manila’s Tondo district; the fire was believed to be caused by an unattended cooking pot.
I have met and spent time with many people here in the Philippines without a camera but since deciding to put up a website, it is going to be a complimentary step to put faces on words. I hope to be able to profile some of the small success stories of the past in the months ahead :)
Sarah, who is ten, and I met for the first time in March of 2010 and she has a special place in my heart since she shares the name of my own 'favorite daughter' who is going on 24. This shot was taken the morning of April 9th; we had already shared food earlier at about 3 A.M. Perhaps the blurry picture matches the precarious hopes of this remarkable child, who at ten years of age, smiles like the angel that she is and shares with her siblings (all younger) with a maternal-like instinct of giving that is often neglected or even outsourced once we are affluent. While empowerment presents a practical solution or means to put through transitional changes that last, the least we can do for others is share some time and support.
Update 5/15/2010. On my 5th visit, after some planning, I moved Sarah, her 4 younger siblings and her mother into a small home with one really neat thing, a new roof, before rainy season :) I want to publicly thank the Guardians Brotherhood Founder in their new neighborhood along with his daughter-in-law, for their hospitality and loving flexibility in ensuring this can become a long-term stepping stone to a brighter future for Sarah and her family. I will post more updates here in the near future. Positive Update 5/20/2010. Delivered a 50 Kilogram sack of rice to Sarah and her family of 6. Martin, a friend of mine, had brought this back from Tarlac and the cost to me was priceless since this will provide basic sustenance for a month :) The real good news is that they were ALL out and making-ends-meet since 6 A.M.! Martin and I caught up with them, and after sharing some drinks, I was able to discuss the next step or two. Within two weeks, I will be sponsoring a small vendor business for them to build on going forward. There are some decent facilities nearby where they sleep at night including a school and playground, which to be frank, is more than some of the so called family focussed condominium communities provide, even though they advertise differently. I digress, perhaps I have an axe to grind elsewhere and there will be a time to relate that. My reward for today was some genuine warmth, a special hug, smiles for all and shared hope for a brighter future. There is no poverty in the soul and essence of this special girl and I'm looking forward to seeing the changes ahead. At this time, I am not a member of the Guardians Brotherhood Inc.; here is a link to their site here in the Philippines: Manila Charities: Mainstream Guardians. 6/01/2010 Update: A minor setback but hope and progress has been restored during this night and I will have an update after the upcoming weekend. There is going to be a food vendor business up and running by June 3rd and this has a great opportunity for success and self-sufficiency over time to BUILD ON! 6/05/2010 Update: Heartwarming Progress as the Food Vendor business is taking hold. There will be some added and necessary improvements by June 14th. I will share some photos from today along with regional information soon. Thanks for following this story with me here :) Update 6/30/2010 or Inauguration Day for President Benigno Aquino III here in the Philippines. I have been back twice to check on the progress and have met Mark, in the process (see below via DISQUS.) I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Jude Gatuslao of Universal Outdoor Systems INC. for contributing to this charitable cause with some direct financial aid that I passed along on 6/26/2010. Thanks sir for having a good heart! Obviously, there are basic living expenses that need to be met with food perhaps most important & that is why I followed through on helping to establish a small food vendor business. I have paid their rent through August and will extend that through November, 2010 by the second week in July. For anyone that would like to join in for this cause, I will prepare a expense record for your review and post a link here soon. On behalf of Sarah and her family, I appreciate your consideration. Update 8/31/2010: I don't wish to impugn the character of the mother of 5 children, all under ten years of age, but suffice to say that this has proven to be a challenging and complex undertaking. Sarah and her 4 siblings have relocated from Baseco, Manila to the cover of trees in downtown Manila and live amidst a group of about 30 people, ranging from 2 weeks and up. Some income is being earned via barking fares for jeepney passengers and collecting rubbish, but there is a malaise at work here. Some of the people that should grasp an opportunity with both hands have chosen or have succumbed to the snare of drug usage. Whether sniffing solvents or using other illicit drugs, this has weakened their resolve to climb out of their current predicament for the betterment of the children involved. On the other hand, there is an outreach program that is providing some education for the kids on Saturday's and I will pursue some other options that include taking advantage of existing shelters and orphanages. Please see #5 above. Compilation of Interim Updates through 10/07/2010: There are a few good people monitoring and helping this specific situation. I want to thank Joy for her industriousness & resolve. Sarah's birthday is this month and IT WILL NOT be about cake so much as an opportunity that she, and many others deserve :) They sure enjoyed the cake after two saw President Clinton. Please show your support, rather GIVE your support to Sarah!Thanks :) blog comments powered by Disqus I apologize for the poor quality photo taken by the Manila City Library and a stones throw from the homeless. Alexander Pushkin (June 6, 1799 - Feb. 10, 1837) "Aleksandr Sergeyevich Pushkin was a descendent of the oldest families of the Russian gentry. He published his first poem at the age of fifteen, and was already considered a great literary talent by the time he graduated from the Imperial Lyceum. During his time, many of his poems were considered controversial, to the point that there was fear of a political demonstration at his funeral. Today, he is considered the father of Russian literature." Take the Clinton Foundation CLIMATE QUIZ by going here. You don't have to report your score here; I'm not proud of mine but it does "push" $2.00 toward an effort in Haiti and remember that with the news-cycle ever shifting to one catastrophic event after another, ongoing support is critical. After participating, you should get a note similar to this: "Thank you for joining us in the fight against climate change -- and helping the people of Haiti. When you tested your knowledge of climate change with the Clinton Foundation's quiz, $2 was donated toward the purchase of solar flashlights for Haitians displaced by the devastating January earthquake. To reach our goal of 100,000 people taking the quiz -- and sending 20,000 solar flashlights to Haiti -- we need your help." Some months later, here is an article related to the Clinton Foundation that you may enjoy:
"Celebs race to P1-M -- for a cause" "The celebrity racers and their foundations are Akihiro Sato for Gawad Kalinga, BJ Manalo for World Vision, Paolo Paraiso for Loretta Maglalang Foundation, Amanda Coolly for Anastacio Cataguis-Sabina Unson Memorial School and JC Tiuseco for Gawad Kalinga." "The race started last Sunday at Metro Manila and Cavite. Catch the celebrities and their teams in Baguio and Pampanga (May 16), Bacolod (May 23), Davao and Cagayan de Oro (June 13), Cebu (July 11), and Metro Manila (August 11) for the final leg." Status can be followed at www.medicol.ph.
This is taken directly from their site: Vision And Mission Our Vision To uplift the quality of life of the Filipino people. Our Mission To be a model government agency in carrying out its responsibility to provide medical and health services to the disadvantaged sectors of society through a professional workforce with integrity, competence, a deep sense of accountability and transparency in all its official transactions. Five Vision Pillars The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Mandated by RA 1169, as amended, commits five pillars to realize its Vision-Mission: Professional workforce with integrity, competence and a deep sense of accountability and transparency in all its official transactions. Timely adequate services Increased number of satisfied beneficiaries with improved health and other social conditions; Effective, efficient and self-reliant organization with strong operating system and infrastructure; and, Good corporate image Of note, as stated under Charity Services, Special Programs, "The PCSO also allocates and donates to local government units a 5 percent share from the total sales of on-line lottery (lotto) outlets operating within their jurisdictions, including of the documentary stamp tax for the said donation." Now, in my opinion, that is of more VALUE than the 12% VAT ;) Here is a link to their homepage which is celebrating 75 years of, in their words, Spreading the Charity Virus. This might fall into the For What it's Worth Category, I'll leave you to be the judge of that. Combating Poverty seems to me an always worthwhile goal. I just added seven of the charities highlighted above to a Wikipedia submission titled List of charities in the Philippines. Perhaps this will broaden their support and reach in concert with any growth or impact through this site as well. I didn't see PCSO or DSWD listed on that particular Wikipedia listing of charities, but since these are strong and vibrant Official Programs with great impact, perhaps that is for the best.
Yet another wellspring of good works in the Philippines is the Kapuso Foundation . Here are two recent examples where they have had direct impact in re-building the lives of those in conditions of material poverty :) "GMA Kapuso Foundation gave immediate relief assistance to fire victims in Brgy. Potrero, Malabon City last May 7, 2010." "A total of 172 families, equivalent to 688 individuals, whose homes were razed by fire last March 18, 2010, in Tondo, Manila." Yet another fire recently ravaged Manila this last week of August, 2010. "At least two people have been killed and nearly 1,500 more made homeless after a massive fire tore through two coastal villages north of the Philippine capital, Manila." "A senior fire officer for the Navotas district, where the fire began, said on Friday that the fire started in one shanty and quickly spread." Whatever charity in Manila or Philanthropic organization you support or lead, I wish you the best. Whether in Smokey Mountain, Tondo Manila, a province or within your neighborhood, the wave of giving can indeed inspire others! 07/04/2010: Here is the latest update from Mark & Christine Pedder via their Wordpress blog that clearly demonstrates their commitment to doing charitable work in Manila and the joy they get in return. Welding Training Centre, up and running. CRISPINA MARTINEZ-BELEN on July 4th, in an article published on the Manila Bulletin online, related that the showing of "CATS" on July 23, 2010 has a charitable aim. For ticketing or more news on this popular musical, visit the manila events page on this site. "‘Cats’ July 23 show for Asian Hospital Asian Hospital Charities, the charity arm of the Asian Hospital and Medical Center, presents the first night of “Cats” on July 23, where all proceeds of the show will go for the medical and surgical needs of its indigent patients. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that fans of the musical ‘Cats’ should not miss as they get to help those patients who are in dire need,” said Dr. Josephine Tuason, director of the Asian Hospital Charities. With the special block buy, Asian Hospital Charities hope to raise funds for the benefit of its patients. The aim of the charitable institution is to help select underprivileged patients to attain specialized healthcare not usually available in government hospitals. Facilitating the procedures are Asian Hospital’s very own surgical experts led by top cardiologist Dr. Jorge Garcia, who perform the procedures free of charge. You can buy your tickets at Asian Hospital."
Eric Phillips  Create Your Badge New! CommentsHave your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. |
(7) Rotary Club of Manila: Great place for professionals to use the power of networking and combined 
