April 26: Turner announces GFI's First Mission Trip in May

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Galing Foundation, Inc. Mission Trip to Mindanao in May 2010:


GFI Missions Team:
 Arjho Turner – GFI Secretary/ Mindanao Outreach Director
 Bernard L. Turner – GFI Volunteer
 Latonia Barnaby – GFI book donor

GFI Missions Field (Beneficiaries):
1. Maligo Day Care School – South Cotabato Province
2. Maligo Elementary School - South Cotabato Province
3. Landan National High School - South Cotabato Province
4. Kipalkuda Elementary School – Sarangani Province
5. Maligo Public Library - South Cotabato Province

GFI Mission Objectives:

 To do on-site visit and assessment for Galing Foundation, Inc assisted schools for library development in Polomolok, South Cotabato and in New La Union, Maitum, Sarangani Province (request for current profile of each school, take photo-documentation, receive suggestions for effective partnership especially in giving feedback/reports, etc);

 To assess the public library development of Barangay Maligo, Polomolok and how it impacts public access for adult literacy and as community information hub;

 To officially meet with teachers, students, and respective local government officials for long term sustainability and expansion recommendation after the completion or implementation success of the 5-year development plan of the current beneficiaries, and to award Certificates of Partnership with support from the office of the Philippine Honorary Consulate General of Atlanta.

 To promote the GFI Projects e.g. Youth Leadership Award, Best in English Awards, Arts Workshop. Take photos with GFI awards recipients and also student artists participating the Arts Workshop;

 To do an official turn over December 2009 book shipment and the laminated world maps to each of the beneficiaries; and

 To meet the GFI Mindanao Local Coordinator, Mrs. Jocelyn C. Robles.

April 26: GFI ships educational materials to benefit Mindanao

In photo: Arjho C. Turner (GFI Mindanao Director), Talan Alberto King (GFI jr. volunteer)and Ces Alberto (GFI Treasurer)





April 26, 2010

Norcross, GA Galing Foundation, Inc. shipped 3 balikbayan boxes full of educational materials to benefit GFI assisted schools in Mindanao.

GFI donors include Cross of Life Lutheran Church in Roswell, Queen of Angels Catholic School, Ms. Lesley Thomas' 5th grade class, Abundant Life Church of Lithonia and Ms. Joanne Roberts.

Special thanks to community partners; Manila Mart (Norcross) and Mabuhay Store (Forest Park).

Cross of Life Social Concerns International Dinner & Silent Auction Benefit

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Roswell, GA Cross of Life Social Concerns Committee hosted the 1st annual International Dinner and Silent Auction to benefit Phadhar Mission School (India), Malawi Mission and Galing Foundation, Inc. (Philippines) sponsored by Cartridge World Lilburn, India Chef with generous donations from COL members.

In spite of the unfavorable weather condition, the community of faith joined hands to help raise money for its international outreach. Over 60 guests enjoyed an array of homemade dishes from Africa, India, the Philippines, Denmark, Italy and Myanmar. The program began with a blessing lead in Chichewa, Hindi and Filipino then translated in the English language.

The highlights include a Blaan Tribe dance performed by Arjho C. Turner and a talk by Amber Dismer on her experience as a Peace Corp volunteer in Azerbaijhan followed by a discussion.

"At first I was concerned that we wouldn't have enough guests to taste all the delicious international food but slowly the guests started to arrive and we ended up having more people than we expected. Everyone enjoyed and learned so much from this event. We are so grateful and we feel blessed." - Hermon Rao, COL Social Concerns Chairman

The event raised over $1,500 to help COL Social Concerns international outreach.

Save the Earth and Think Green

Photo: Talan King tossing used ink cartridges into a Cartridge World collection box at Mabuhay Store




April 22, 2010 * Forest Park, GA

Galing Foundation, Inc., Mabuhay Store and Cartridge World (owned & operated by Rene Caballa located in Lilburn) announces its "Think Green for Children's Education" Partnership program in celebration of Earth Day.

Take advantage of the opportunity to help the environment and at the same time contribute to children's education by dropping off used ink cartridges, toners and cellphones. These items will help raise funds to pay for shipment of donated educational materials benefiting public schools and libraries under the GFI Mindanao Outreach.

To drop off, visit Mabuhay Store 4645 Jonesboro Road, Suite I Forest Park, GA 30297
(404) 361-9313 * www.mabuhayatlanta.com

Saturday, April 24 at 6pm: International Dinner at Cross of Life in Roswell

You are invited to join the International Dinner & Silent Auction Event on Saturday April 24, 2010 6:00PM at the Fellowship Hall sponsored by the Social Concern Committee of Cross of Life Lutheran Church in Roswell.

Please, if you can, come, join us, bring your whole family enjoy and have some fun.

Sample foods from India (Southeast Asia), the Philippines, Myanmar, Malawi, (Africa), China, Germany, Italy and Denmark.

Ms. Amber Dismer will speak about her Peace Corp experience in Azerbaijan and a Blaan Tribe dance presentation by Arjho C. Turner.


This event is free, only a love offering and silent auction event and International desserts for sale to raise funds to help our international outreach in India (Padhar Mission School); Africa (Malawi Missions) & Philippine schools (Galing Foundation, Inc.).

RSVP: Hermon Rao, Social Concerns Committee Chairman at email: hermonrao2@gmail.com

www.crossoflifega.com

April 29: The Upcoming Presidential Elections in the Philippines, What is at Stake?

The Upcoming Presidential Elections in the Philippines, What Is at Stake?
Date: Thursday, April 29, 2010
Time: 12:30pm - 2:00pm
Location: Troy Moore Library, 9th Floor of the General Classroom Building, GSU
Street: 38 Peachtree Center Ave
City/Town: Atlanta, GA

This event is free and open to the public.

DescriptionPanel Presentation and Discussion: Upcoming Presidential Elections in the Philippines, What is at Stake?
Speakers: Henry Carey, Eric Friginal, Aries Arugay and Toni Daya
Date: Thursday, April 29, 2010
Time: 12:30-2pm
Place: Troy Moore Library, 9th Floor of GCB

Citizens of the Philippines will be electing a new president on May 10. Who are the candidates? What are the stakes in the elections? Come join us for presentations about the political situation in the Philippines and an open discussion about the upcoming elections. We will also hear from Toni Daya about the local Filipino community in Atlanta and Georgia.

This event is sponsored by the GSU Asian Studies Center and the Galing Foundation, and co-sponsored by the Department of Political Science at GSU.

A Note on Our Speakers: Henry "Chip" Carey is an Associate Professor in Department of Political Science at GSU who has lived and done research in the Philippines. Eric Friginal is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Linguistics and ESL at GSU and has done extensive research related to call centers located globally, including in the Philippines. Aries Arugay is a Fulbright graduate student in the Department of Political Science at GSU and also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of the Philippines - Diliman. Toni Daya is the founder and executive director of the Galing Foundation, a local non-profit organization that promotes education in the Philippines.

Representatives of the Philippines at 74th Dogwood Festival in Atlanta

A Message of Thanks to Philippine representatives at Dogwood Festival

A message of thanks from the Philippine Honorary Consul General "Ray" Donato to the Philippine delegation at Dogwood Festival.

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Leaders and participants joined La Fete Internationale, a celebration of multiculturalism and camaraderie

April 17, 2010 Atlanta, GA


Galing Foundation Inc and The Atlanta Dogwood Festival welcomed leaders and participants from the Filipino community at La Fête Internationale last Friday, April 17.

Celebrating the multiculturalism and camaraderie by its international participants, the event showcased a truly international hospitality experience and was held in the newly renovated multi-million dollar Greystone facility. The guests shared and enjoyed a sampling of cuisine from around the world and were treated to some live musical entertainment.

April 24: The Blaan Dance as featured performance at COL International Dinner & Silent Auction

Photo: Blaan Dance as featured performance


Roswell, GA

Cross of Life Lutheran Church hosts an international dinner and silent auction on Saturday, April 24 at 6pm. The fundraising event will help COL's Social Concerns international outreach in Africa, India & the Philippines.

A Blaan Dance will be featured during the event. It is a cultural dance interpretation in relation to the beliefs of the Blaan tribe in upland rice farming. The dance opens with playing of the two-stringed guitar called Faglung. It is followed by asking God to guide the farmer in choosing the right field or plot to plant, blessing of the plot and then planting rituals. The final act is the thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest as a result of the blessing from God.

The music for the performance was originally composed and produced by the Tubad Performing Arts Group of Malapatan, Sarangani Province.

History or Background of the Blaan Tribe:

The indigenous peoples constitute a significant segment of Philippine society. The indigenous peoples of the Philippines are generally regarded as those who have opted to retain their customs and traditions, most of whom remain steadfast to their ancestral domains. The Blaan tribe is just one of the 110 indigenous peoples groups of the Philippines.

The Philippines National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) described the Blaan tribe as another proto-Malayan indigenous peoples group particularly in Southern Mindanao Provinces of Davao del Sur and South Cotabato (http://www.ncip.gov.ph/resources/ethno_detail.php?ethnoid=47). The Blaans are the most numerous of the indigenous peoples group of the newly formed Sarangani Province (www.sarangani.gov.ph). They are found mostly in five municipalities namely Malungon, Malapatan, Alabel, Glan and Maasim. Since ancient times, the Blaans have populated both upland and coastal areas and subsisted primarily on upland agriculture using indigenous technology founded on field rotation. Blaans called the world Banwe or Tah tana. Blaans called their god Dwata, a male god who cannot be described since nobody has seen Dwata in heaven. Dwata is as compassionate as a human being and always expects people to obey him. The people oftentimes pray for Dwata’s blessings and for their wishes to be granted.

The Blaan symbol for religion is the bird called Almugan. The bird serves as a messenger for Dwata. It warns people when disaster is about to come. It also announces the coming of prosperous days. The evil Dwata lives in stones, balite trees, or in the creeks (sbang). Dwatas easily get offended. They are offended when their domicile is distributed or destroyed, when somebody speaks of evil things, or when mortals name them. Those who have offended them must ask forgiveness and offer a deer or a chicken as a sacrifice (damsu) in the place where Dwatas are disturbed (Gloria, et. al. 2006).

The B'laans practice swidden agriculture or the kaingin system as the main source of livelihood (http://www.ncip.gov.ph/resources/ethno_detail.php?ethnoid=47). They grow upland rice, corn, sugarcane, banana, papaya, and other root crops. Some of their crops are used as barter commodities in exchange for tools and other utensils that they need. The B'laans observes certain rituals in their upland rice planting cycle. In these rituals, they make offerings to their deities requesting for signs to know where to best make a clearing for a particular planting season. The Blaan sing songs during planting and harvest of rice. They sing lamgi wherein everyone joins in the singing.

Today, most of the Blaans have been evanglized with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and are involved with different protestant churches/denominations in southern Mindanao, Philippines. Rituals and traditions are usually commemorated during community festivities.

For more information about the Internation Dinner & Silent Auction, please visit www.crossoflifega.com

Galing Supplies for Mindanao

Brian Burtnik of Manila Mart & Melissa Luetgers of Galing Foundation, Inc.










March 31, 2010, Norcross, GA

Galing (Great) supplies are on its way for the children of Galing Mindanao (invoice 100611). Many thanks to our donors, Ms. Esther Wilson & members of NW Philam Association of GA, Ms. Marietta Pryor of FPAOG (Federation of Philippine Associations of Georgia), Sandra Spaeth & students of Queen of Angels school in Roswell, Wendy Rao & members of Cross of Life Lutheran Church in Roswell.

The shipment contains books and school supplies to benefit GFI Mindanao Outreach schools: Landan National High School, Maligo Elementary School, Maligo Day Care Schol
and Maligo Public Library.

GFI acknowledges continued support from MMW Logistics & Manila Mart as its shipping partner since 2006.

Manila Mart Store is located at 6135 Peachtree Pkwy, Ste. 103 Norcross, GA 30092 (678)389-8595

You are invited to La Fete Internationale on Friday, April 16

Galing Foundation Inc and The Atlanta Dogwood Festival

Invite you to La Fête Internationale

Come and share a new event at the Atlanta Dogwood Festival – La Fête Internationale –where you can sample cuisine from around the world, mingle with dignitaries from the Atlanta Consular Corps and participants in the International Village & stage. There will also be entertainment and a cash bar.

DATE: Friday, April 16, 2010
TIME: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
LOCATION: Greystone event facility in the heart of Piedmont Park
DRESS: Business attire or national costume

TICKETS: $25.00 - Book on line here or $35.00 at the door (if available)
Go to www.dogwood.org for more information.

We hope to see you there.