Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

No other foundation could ever be as hardworking and zealous in its mission to build a better world for the next generation of Filipinos than ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. (AFI). The socio-civic arm of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation, one of Asia’s biggest media conglomerate, AFI offers outreach programs for children, their families and their families, and their community.

Extending its reach to Filipinos here in the United States, AFI USA is dedicated to raising funds to help improve the lives of abused and disadvantaged children and women in the Philippines. Through the backing and programs of AFI in the Philippines, AFI USA accomplishes its mission to alleviate problems like poverty, calamity relief, education and environmental concerns.

Gina Lopez, ABS-CBN Foundation Philippines’ Managing Director and Board Member for AFI USA, believes that it is important for Filipinos overseas to extend help to their kababayans. "Because the Philippines is their heritage," she said and explained, "Helping is not limited to physical locations. Even though you’re not here, you’re still part of the history, sharing common bondage of being Filipino. It doesn’t mean you stop doing your responsibility."

Although AFI USA has a number of programs in its fold, three major projects are now being pushed aggressively. One is the BayaniJuan initiative (Country of Juan), which was launched in May 2008. It is an integration of all Foundation programmes including Bayan Microfinance at the grassroots level. BayaniJuan brings together all of AFI’s programs and more in a comprehensive campaign designed to rehabilitate the most impoverished regions and communities in the Philippines.

"BayaniJuan is about building the country from the bottom up in the spirit of bayanihan," said Lopez. "Education, nutrition, environment, money – these are simple, important things that make life complete. The (economic) numbers alone don’t translate the nation’s progress."

Bantay Kalikasan was launched to serve as a catalyst in addressing the concern over the worsening state of the Philippine environment characterized by air and water pollution, denudation of forests, irresponsible waste disposal and their life-threatening effects. Two major projects -- Eco-Tourism and The Pasig River Rehabilitation Project are slated to roll out with the recent signing of the Memorandum of Agreement with DOT and DENR for Eco-Tourism in four strategic areas: the Tubattaha Reef, the Verde Passage, Region 5 - the Bicol Region and El Nido; and a signed MOA with DENR to undertake the cleaning of the Pasig River - Manila Bay and Laguna Lake.

Lopez explains AFI’s mission and vision in pushing for cleaning up Manila’s major waterway. "The project’s impact is beyond Manila," she said and added, "We have 400 river systems in the country, and we have to act together. This project shows there is a way." She also mentioned that the project has symbolic benefits, that Pasig River is part of our history. "Tagalog actually comes from the word, ‘taga-ilog.’ We are essentially river people...But would we want to be called mga taga-ilog na madumi?"

"These are three mammoth projects - and I have jupitarean confidence - that much can be accomplished. I have good government partners - and the power that comes from great dreams that benefit a multitude," Lopez stated.

"We, in the ABS-CBN Foundation are truly blessed - and we are looking forward to ever greater partnership with our stakeholders - and with the rest of our Kapamilya as we continue - no holds barred - to let our country realize its and our dreams."

Other programs espoused by the foundation are the Bantay Bata (Child Watch), a 24-hour child abuse rescue operation, Educational TV (ETV), a value formation and curriculum enhancement program for public elementary school children and Sagip Kapamilya (Saving the Family Members), a calamity relief and rehabilitation program.

 Of course, with all its intentions, hardwork and efforts come the challenges. "We still have a long way to go," said Lopez and further explained, "Our invitation is that 100 percent of what you donate will go a long way. And it can be of any form, not just money – your effort, your energies."

With this, Lopez believes that there is a need to reach out even more. However, part of the challenge also is convincing the second generation of Filipinos. "They grew up in the US, some of them have not even been here," she said.

Still, she puts her faith that Filipinos will see the beauty of the Philippines and the need to be part of its building process.

"We have an amazing country, we haven’t really come out of our way," she stressed and added, "There is the need to build the country from the bottom up in the spirit of kapamilya. If we all work together, I have no doubt that the country can be rebuilt. Everyone needs to help. Apathy? It needs to be thrown out. There is no power in this earth that could withstand the force of good, sincere intentions.

( www.asianjournal.com )

( Published on January 7, 2008 in Asian Journal Los Angeles MDWK Magazine p. 2 )