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| GK Global Summit in Boston: RP out of 3rd world status by 2024 |
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BOSTON – "It is our dream at Gawad Kalinga to bring the Philippines out of the third world by 2024 through the collaborative effort of all sectors of the Philippine society in the Philippines and abroad," Gawad Kalinga (GK) founder Tony Meloto announced to the media before the formal unveiling of the organization’s first global summit in this city. The GK 2024 vision is a 21-year timeline to end the poverty of five million Filipinos and build a First World Philippines through community development and people empowerment with engaged multi-sectoral and trans border partnerships."We are all here because Boston plays a great role in America’s history, and it will play a great role again in our history as a
Filipino people. GK as an Asian model of development is now capturing global attention," Meloto told the Asian Journal in a chat moments after the reception which also celebrated the 111th Philippine Independence Day.Vice President Noli de Castro delivered the keynote during the reception, and welcomed patriots from all over who have not forgotten to help the motherland. De Castro even managed to sing Wonderful World, the Louis Armstrong classic. "Para sa GK, itataya ko ang reputasyon ko," (For GK, I will bet my repu tation) he remarked.
The historic event also gathered a veritable who’s who in the worlds of Philippine politics, business and civil society.
Senators Francis Pangilinan and Miguel Zubiri, Agriculture Sec. Arthur Yap, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, Taguig Mayor Freddie Tinga, Parañaque Mayor Jun Bernabe, Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Congressman Rufus Rodriguez, Camarines Sur Governor LRay Villafuerte, former Globe President Gerry Ablaza, Pilipinas Shell President Ed Chua, Seafood City’s Steve Go and other personalities mingled with the almost 700 delegates who trooped to Boston to attend this three-day summit.
Former Cabinet secretaries Avelino Cruz (Defense), Elisea Gozun (Environment and Natural Resources) and Cito Lorenzo (Agriculture) also participated.
"GK has become a testament to what our future will be as a nation. We will not allow despair to triumph over genuine change. Through the synergy of the government and private sector, we will be able to change the quality of life of our people," Sen. Pangilinan told the audience during the last plenary.
For about six hours on Friday, June 12, Kendall Square in Cambridge was transformed into a small Filipino town fiesta, with colorful performance arts, exhibitions and culinary samplings. Earlier in the morning, Vice President Noli de Castro, Philippine public officials and leaders of Fil-Am organizations raised the Philippine flag and sang Lupang Hinirang, the Philippine national anthem.
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