Galing (Great) News: December 2008

Thursday, December 18, 2008

A Big Thank You to GFI Financial Donor

December 18, 2008

GFI would like to express its thanks to financial donors:
Sonya McRay & family

GFI Box Nos. 95 & 96 to Cavite

click play for video

December 18, 2008, Norcross, GA

GFI volunteers Grace Ragheb & Lauren Luetgers packed and shipped GFI Box Nos. 95 & 96(MMW Logistics invoice no. 70004) full of children's and reference books donated by families of Jackson Elementary School in Atlanta to benefit Ladislao Diwa Elementary School library in Cavite c/o Lorna Angkico.

Special thanks to Brian Burtnik of Manila Mart. Manila Mart is located on 6247 Peachtree Industrial ATlanta, GA 30360 (770) 451-4585.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

GFI Mindanao Outreach: Gift for Indigents

GFI Mindanao Outreach: Gift For Indigents
Prepared and submitted by:

Josephine L. Turner
GFI Mindanao Outreach Director
December 16, 2008

Achieving a quality education in the indigenous cultural communities (ICCs) in southern Mindanao can be very challenging. Most of the schools in these communities lack the substantial educational resource materials and do not have their own school libraries that could aid the teachers as well as students to have the same academic standard enjoyed by other school counterparts in the town center and even in highly urbanized cities.

In 2007, the Galing Foundation, Inc. (GFI) Mindanao outreach initially started with one elementary school. Now, it has grown to have assisted 4 schools specifically in the province of South Cotabato and one elementary school in Sarangani. The GFI Mindanao outreach coordinator, Mrs. Jocelyn C. Robles, has been doing the proper documentation and turn over of the GFI boxes to the recipient schools. Also, she is doing great job in coordinating with the respective local officials and the school authorities for advocating GFI’s goal of helping to establish school libraries along with increasing English literacy among the indigent school children. In November, Mrs. Robles has facilitated the turn over of 2008 GFI boxes for the following schools: Maligo Elementary School, Maligo Day Care School, and Landan National High School. The outreach was focused to serve the indigenous cultural communities of the Blaan tribe largely concentrated in Barangays of Maligo and Landan both located in the town of Polomolok, South Cotabato.

In a 2008 year end report to the GFI Board, Mrs. Robles shared that “joy, passion and advocacy ignited me during the turn over of books, toys and school supplies to the Maligo Day Care School, Maligo Elementary School and the Landan National High School.” She further added to say that “the terry eyes of the students who lovely received the educational resources from GFI gave me the courage to perform my task as the GFI Mindanao local coordinator. The books were very helpful to promote their English proficiency. In Maligo Elementary School (MES) and the Maligo Day Care School, the experience was just amazing for the students to play the toys and enjoy some children’s clothes sent along with the books that their parents cannot buy for them.”

One of the community achievements as a result of GFI’s intervention in Maligo Elementary School since 2007 is active involvement and support from the Maligo Barangay Council to establish a public library since the school has no designated space for a library yet. Since then, the Barangay has been very helpful partner for the GFI in its mission to help their school. In September 28, 2008, Barangay Maligo won the Category B Most Outstanding Barangay in the province of South Cotabato with a financial grant amounting to PhP 50,000.00. Mrs. Robles shared that “one of the factors that they got the award is because they have started establishing a barangay library starting with the GFI assistance. This makes our joint effort worth to be proud of because GFI has been part of their community’s success.” Barangay Captain Rogelio Garmino also noted that “we very proud of the GFI intervention in our school and our barangay as GFI is not only promoting English proficiency but it also paved the way for the barangay to get the reward to make more projects for more community development.”

Students and teachers gathered at another turn over of GFI donated books and school supplies done at the Landan National High School (LNHS). On behalf of GFI, Mrs. Robles was given the opportunity to share the vision and mission of GFI in partnership with their school. She also took the “the opportunity to challenge the students to work hard in their studies and encouraged them to have faith in GOD because He and He alone is the source of all wisdom.”

Mrs. Robles also recollected what Mr. Reynante Balleno, an English teacher at Landan National High School shared to her during the turn-over. “He said that he got one English book and when he read it, he did not give up on it and he used it in his teaching everyday.” Another testimony for a biology teacher was quoted to say as “we are very happy because at last we have good reference materials to use for our class”. Mrs. Nemfa Macabenta, the principal of Landan National High School (LNHS) was also very grateful for the intervention of GFI for supporting educational development in their school. Since then, she lobbied before the Department of Education (DepEd) for their school to have a designated place and space for the school library and now they will have one under construction.

As to the reaction coming from the student during the respective turn-overs, Mrs. Robles shared that “all I hear from the students is their applause and thanks giving for the opportunity that their school has been a recipient of GFI and they really appreciate the books that was sent to them. It is indeed a great help to them to advance their learning. Almost all the students shout out loud and very happy that they have the books with them. This is the first intervention they have in the life of the respective schools for establishing their school libraries.”

Finally, Mrs. Robles heartily expressed her personal experience along the way as a GFI Mindanao coordinator in her own community impact version of GFI… as in “Gift For the Indigents: Ang GALING!”. As a volunteer in the GFI Mindanao outreach, it adds my self worth as a human and as a young tribal leader to inspire more youth leaders for our next generation. I cannot express in words how much blessed I am to be a GFI volunteer. I am very proud I am part of GFI.”

The students, teachers and community leaders of the assisted schools wanted to convey their appreciation to all GFI donors and supporters. Thank you so much for touching the lives of these students in giving them hope and supporting their educational development.

Friday, December 12, 2008

GFI box nos. 91, 92, 93 & 94 is shipped to Cavite & Mindanao

click on play for video clip

December 12, 2008 Norcross, GA

Galing Foundation, Inc. volunteer Ms. Grace Ragheb helped pack and ship books and school supplies donated by Friends of Roswell Library, KMTLC Tutorial & Phil. American Women Association of Georgia (PAWAG).

GFI box nos. 91, 92, 93 & 94 (invoice nos. MMR25 & MMR26) is on its way to be distributed in rural areas of Cavite and Mindanao.

Special thanks to Hannah & Bryan Burtnick of Manila Mart.

Friends of Roswell Library, KMTLC Tutorial & Phil. Am Women's Assoc. of GA donates to Filipino indigent children through Galing Foundation, Inc.

Click on play to view video

Year End Dinner with Philippine Honorary Consul General & GFI Youth Leadership Award

In photo: Gloria Enriquez, Janice Winona Alcalde GFI Youth Leader Awardee, PHCG Ray Donato, Omar Ragheb & Jamie Alberto

Wednesday, December 10, 2008 - Atlanta, Georgia

The Philippine Honorary Consul General Ray Donato and Galing Foundation, Inc. Youth Leadership Award Committee Chairs Ms. Gloria Enriquez of UPS and Ms. Jamie Alberto, president of GSU International Student Association Council awarded Ms. Janice Winona Alcalde the certificate and $400 Savings Bond EE Series. Mr. Omar Ragheb, 2007 GFI Youth Leader recipient witnesses the award.

Present during the award ceremony were leaders of the Philippine American community and businesses, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Thai Association and faculty members of Georgia State University.

Friday, December 05, 2008

Appreciation Ceremony at Year End & GFI Youth Leadership Award

The Philippine Honorary Consul General in Atlanta and Galing Foundation, Inc. would like to express its sincere appreciation to its 2008 Partners. On Wednesday, December 10 The Year End Dinner & GFI Youth Leadership Award will include a ceremony to present a Certificate of Appreciation to the following:

Abundant Life Church
Altobeli's Restaurant & Piano Bar
Bridgeway Christian Academy
Bryan Ramos, Esq.
Carenet Pregnancy Resource Center
Center for Pan Asian Community Services
Christine Joy
Cross of Life Christian Education
Cross of Life Endowment Fund of the Lutheran Community Foundation
Dynamic Vision Entertainment, LLC
Edmund Silvestre
Emelita D. Breyer, PhD
Esther Wilson
Faith Ward
Filipino American Association of Columbus, GA
Filipino American Christian Church
Filipino American Volleyball League of Georgia
Filipino Reporter
Friends of Roswell Library
Gawad Kalinga of Georgia
Georgia Asian Pacific Islander Community Coalition
I&M Catering
Jane Rolen
Jim Paredes
Kaley Hecht
Katie Zimmerman
Liga Sa Georgia
Mabuhay Store
Manila Mart
Maria Fields
Marilyn Doromal
Ministry in Motion
Monlu Forwarders
NaFFAA Region 4
Northwest Phil-Am Association
Philippine Nurses Association in Georgia
Philippine Women's Association of Georgia
Queen of Angels Catholic School
Randy Barnes
Roger Olivares
Roland R. Roldan
Romeo Kempis Dela Paz
Sarah Hawk, Esq.
Shallowford Elementary School
Social Security Administration
Soli & Rod
Toni Michelle Nardiello
Winifredo M. Alfelor
Yakiniku Team

The Event: 6-9pm Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Canton House located on 4825 Buford Hwy, Chamblee, GA 30341-3618
(770) 936-9030

Welcome Address by Ms. Jane Rolen, Social Security Administration
Message by: Honorary Consul Raoul "Ray" Donato
Recognition: Joel Aquino, PhD "Teacher of the Year" & 2008 Consular Volunteers
Galing Foundation, Inc. Youth Leadership Award & Appreciation Ceremony

$25 per person advance purchased until Dec. 5
$35 regular price
Contact:
Ces Alberto: (404) 361-9313
Ana Blackburn: (404) 925-2639
Email: galingfoundation@yahoo.com
www.galingfoundation.com
1050 Wilde Run Court
Roswell, GA 30075

Galing Foundation, Inc. is non profit public charitable foundation 501 © 3 tax exempt status EIN: 20-5508331

Congratulations to Janice Winona Alcalde, 2008 Youth Leader Awardee

Congratulations to Janice Winona Alcalde, 2008 GFI Youth Leader Awardee

Janice Winona Alcalde, 10 yrs. old is a 5th Grade student at Huntley Hills Elementary School in Chamblee, Georgia. She was born on January 23, 1998 in Arlington, VA. She's an active member of the Holy Cross Catholic Church Tucker Chamblee.

Janice is a straight A student, principal's list, a talent of DUKE-TIP and has achieved first place in "Reflections", French Club Drawing Contest and Visual Art Contest in Social Studies (2005). Since Kindergarten, Janice has always qualified in the Gifted and Talented Program.

Her other awards include: Dr. Seuss Reader's Award, Best in Math, Reading and Language Arts.

Janice's community involvement includes her service as a member of the Safety Patrol, library helper, Girl's Scout outreach programs, Children's Restoriation Network and Galing Foundation, Inc. local community programs.

As a talented, charitable minded young lady, she recently shared her gift of voice to Gawad Kalinga's fundraising concert, together with the group called "Munting Tinig".

Currently, she serves as the president of the Student Council. Janice Winona Alcalde never fails to share her gifts to help others. She is especially grateful to her mother Fe Abulencia for being her great inspiration.

She will receive the 2008 Galing Foundation, Inc. Youth Leadership Award on Wednesday, December 10.

For more information, please visit www.galingfoundation.com

Galing (Great) News

Galing Foundation, Inc.