IMPACT 2020
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“We become the books we read”, are simple words of Matthew Kelly that were imprinted in mind as a young learner in a far ung area who have so much dream and hope for the future. - CRILYN N. SORIA, TEACHER LNHS
GALING FOUNDATION, INC.
MESSAGE
Dear Galing Partner: I personally wish to greet you a HAPPY NEW YEAR and to take a moment to give THANKS! “I will give thanks to you Lord, with all my heart; I will tell all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.” - Psalm 9:1-2. It has been a tumultuous year due to the pandemic yet I must say that we together at GFI have experienced an amazing year of blessings through innovation, creativity and connectivity to say the least. As I re ect on the year 2020, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to you and to the board of Galing Foundation! Together in prayer and in faithful service, we have navigated Covid-19 pandemic in year 2020 with utmost resiliency and perseverance in pursuing its mission. Without you, GFI would not have been able to serve and implement its programs and services. Your generous gift of time, talent and resources has kept us all moving forward navigating through the complexity of the “new normal”. In the beginning of the year, various initiatives have already been taking place to help reach its fundraising goal towards the Philippine Mission Trip scheduled for February of 2021 in partnership with my home church Cross of Life Lutheran in Roswell. By March 11, the WHO declared that the spread of Covid-19 has become a global pandemic. While our commitment to our partners in the Philippines and in the State of Georgia remain, it was decided that many of the activities and events be put on hold for safety and health concerns for all. As time moved on, keeping abreast with the CDC and public health safety guidelines, we worked together as a team with generous support from you -our partners and supporters. As a result, in spite of the various challenges and restrictions much has been produced through our joint effort and collaboration. The careful and deliberate planning of logistics and optimal use of technology were essential part of each programs and services successful delivery. In this issue of IMPACT 2020, we highlight the various projects and events throughout the year. Your contribution and support helped us ship books and school supplies, fund and deliver essential printing materials to produce distance learning modules and PPE ( Personal Protective Equipment) for students and teachers in the Philippines. You also helped produce several virtual programs focused on civic, historical, cultural and artistic engagements serving the local community in Georgia and beyond! You will nd links to these virtual programs and documentations through the following pages. We’re so excited to feature Crilyn N. Soria (her testimony on page 10) and our various bene ciaries who continue to remind us of our purpose as an organization. I could not THANK YOU enough for your continued support for us as a foundation and to those whom we serve! I hope that our partnership continue to be blessed and renewed. I look forward to an exciting journey with you in the year 2021. May God bless and protect you and your loved ones! Yours truly
Toni Daya-Luetgers
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Founder & Executive Director
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Message…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………2 About Us………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..4 LDERA Program
• Pawak Elementary School…………………………………………………………………………………..…..5 6 • Paaralang Elementarya Ng Lucban…………………………………………………………………………..…7 • Mindanao Outreach……………………………………………………………………………………………………8 Youth Leadership Program
• “The Solar System…………………………………………………………………………………………………..….9 • “GFI’s Legacy”……………………………………………………………………………………………………………10 Galing Collaborative Program
• Dr. Joel Aquino on Career Guidance Program……………………………………………………….……11 • Makabayan GA US Census Filipino Complete Count…………………………………………….…….12 • Filipino American History Month in GA……………………………………………………………….….13 14 • Philippine Arts & Culture in GA……………………………………………………………………………….….15 • Cross of Life Virtual International Festival & Philippine Mission Trip……………………………16 • MGI Filipino Covid 19 Response Task Force…………………………………………………………………17 Financial
• “How Each Dollar Was Spent”……………………………………………………………………………………..18 • Acknowledgment………………………………………………………………………………………………..…19 20 • Annual Events & Testimonials………………………………………………………………………………………21 • Recognition…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……22
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ABOUT US
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LDERA PROGRAM: PAWAK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Pawak ES received 100 reams of copy paper as grant from Cross of Life Endowment InFaith Community Foundation through Galing Foundation, Inc.
Pawak Elementary School is so blessed to have Galing Foundation, Inc. Georgia for its continuous support to the school in realizing its goal to provide quality basic education. Truly Philippine schools cannot soar higher with out the support of its stakeholders like GFI. In this pressing times, GFI has proved that Filipinos around the world are patriotic in their own ways thinking always of their “kababayans�. They are like beacons of light that shines when darkness conquers the world. May you continue to be bearers of hope to the Filipino youth. - Jhon Silvestre Bata, Teacher-in-Charge
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LDERA PROGRAM: PAWAK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Pawak Elementary School motivates parents to work harder and pay more attention to the education of their own children since this time of pandemic they plays a vital role in delivering teaching and learning process to their young.
School distributes supplementary learning materials to its learners printed out from the bond papers allocated by the GFI. As these supplementary learning materials offers a great impact to develop or maintain reading skills and other competencies required by the Department of Education.
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LDERA PROGRAM: PAARALANG NG ELEMENTARYA NG LUCBAN SPED
Thank You Message Video link from PEL-SPED
Covid-19 lockdown was imposed in March and public health crisis intensi ed the challenges. The school was faced with a dif cult task to procure supplies for learning materials and to access broad band connection. Paaralan Ng Elementarya Ng Lucban Special Education headed by Clarissa Terando received (click on link) contributions and grants to purchase a year supply of copy paper, ink cartridge and PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) with the help from Cross of Life InFaith Community Foundation, Cross of Life Church and private individuals. These school, of ce and PPE supplies bene ts 88 special needs students and 6 teachers. PEL special needs students include the visually and hearing impaired, autistic, cerebral palsy and intellectually disabled. As a public school, PEL SPED is using the country’s K-12 curriculum.
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LDERA PROGRAM: MINDANAO OUTREACH
S.W.O.T. on Mindanao Outreac
Partners: Jocelyn Robles – GFI Mindanao Outreach Coordinator Julie Morga – Lamcuah Elementary School Principal Nemia Julie – Lamcuah Day Care Center Head Jujohn Bejona – Datal Bila Integrated School School Principal Joy Ellaga Ante - Palakasam Integrated School GFI Coordinator Arjho C. Turner Mindanao Outreach Director
2020 status: 7 GFI Boxes shipped last year arrived in General Santos City. 5 Boxes were claimed and 2 boxes remaining to be picked up once the school is allowed to do local mobilization due to the COVID-19 restrictions. No in person activities in the school due to COVID-19 restrictions.
• Strengths: Schools are interested to sustain partnership with GFI as signed in the LDERA Agreement. Schools • • •
have great potential to later on have their library established. Reading comprehension have increased and lots of students are using the educational resources they got per my visit in 2019 to some of the schools. Teachers are very happy of the partnership. Students are appreciative for the books and other educational resources they enjoyed and felt blessed that even if they are living very far away, they have access to quality materials that helped them do well in their studies. Weaknesses: The schools are far away from the town or city center and have dif culty in transportation of educational resources materials. Challenge with communication as the means of communicating to them is via social media (Facebook) and they are not always online. Opportunities: Support for internet access to the school and students is of high priority especially so that they were forced to do virtual and or home-based learning. Threats/Risks: The COVID 19- restrictions and the no in-person school situation have also contributed for hampered school operations and kids are not able to use the educational resources in the school.
“I feel fortunate with all the educational resources that I have had in my life and wanted to give back to a community that doesn’t have access to those same resources. These communities deserve to have access to a good education, and I just wanted to contribute in any small way that I can . Adriana Carter, Academic Magnet High School, Charleston, NC Class of 2019
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YOUTH LEADERSHIP & BEST IN ENGLISH PROGRAM MINDANAO OUTREACH
Jennylyn M. Bornales Student, DBIS
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YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM: IMPACT 2020 COVER
GFI’s Legacy “We become the books we read” , are simple words of Matthew Kelly that were imprinted in mind as a young learner in a far- ung area who have so much dream and hope for the future. It gives me courage in believing that I can achieve and unleash my full potential with the help of my school teachers and the authors who m I call mentors in the books I read. Looking back, going out of my sweet haven, Barangay Landan, is a luxury I can barely afford, thus, books offered me a huge window to the enormous world. My Alma Mater, Landan National High School rose from the foot of Mt. Matutum with barely anything in the year 2004, with its makeshift buildings as classrooms and reading materials that were not enough for the learners, until Galing Foundation Inc. came and extended their sel ess generosity. This paved way to the construction of our rst school library. Not everyone understands how important books are, but for us in Landan National High School who have tried having limited resources, our joy is immeasurable.
Crilyn N. Soria Teacher, LNHS Youth Leader 2019
I am one of the thousands of LNHS learners who had the privilege to use the books and educational materials sent to us by GFI. I am one of yesterday’s constant readers in our school library until year 2009 when I graduated, today, serving as an educator in the same school. And, I am overwhelmed by the unceasing support given by GFI over the years. Today, Landan NHS owns a bigger functional school library that caters learners’ needs, where most of the resources are from GFI. I cannot put into words my sincerest gratitude to the foundation on behalf of the administrators, colleagues, parents, my fellow graduates, and today’s learners. What GFI has done to Landan National High School will be sincerely remembered like unending ripples. GFI had been a huge part of our humble beginnings and our soaring future. GFI’s legacies are not only the books in the library but the students whose lives were forever touched and changed. I am Crilyn N. Soria, Best in English and Most Outstanding Youth Leader Awardee 2009 and I am GFI’s living legacy.
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Dr. Joel S. Aquino Adviser
One of GFI’s board of directors, Dr. Joel Aquino, was invited to give a science career talk to senior high school students of The Philippine School in Dubai last May 2020. Due to the current global pandemic situation this was done through a video conference call via Zoom Meeting. The 30 student participants were actively engaged on Dr. Aquino presentation on “Types of Advanced Civilizations and Future of Humanity”. Dr. Aquino challenged them to write an essay on how the world will look like 10, 25 and 50 years from now. These essays will then be printed, encapsulated and buried in two locations - Dubai and Georgia. In due time, these buried essays will be retrieved in the future and be read again to see how close the students’ visions of humanity have become.
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GALING COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM: Career Guidance Program 2020
GALING COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM: MAKABAYAN GA US CENSUS FILIPINO COMPLETE COUNT
July 2020 Georgia US Census newsletter article
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO
July 2020 Self Response Rate
October 2020 Self Response Rate 12
GALING COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM: FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH IN GA
Absent any October celebrations of Filipino-American History Month (FAHM) in GA in recent memory, Galing Foundation, Inc. (GFI) initiated this annual project in 2019, with a Jane Rolen very short planning time. It was accepted and embraced by the Philippine Community of FAHM Chair GA with enthusiasm and cooperation. FAHM 2019 was a huge success and in 2020, GFI spearheaded this celebration again, with the help and cooperation of different organizations in the Philippine Community. FAHM is essential to the Filipino people in this great country, and especially to the young generation, so as "to know and be proud of the past, and embrace the future;" "to recognize the accomplishment and achievement of our Filipino Ancestors and pioneers, while embracing the limitless possibilities for today and the future." Therefore, GFI is committed to continue celebrating FAHM, to continue learning our history, as well as to continue bringing the community together to celebrate our people. The success of FAHM 2019 was a very pleasant surprise considering the very short planning and execution timeline. There were 4 successful events during the month of October, commencing with a Celebration of Faith, followed by a Declaration of FAHM month at the GA Governor's Of ce, a program by the Filipino- American Historical Society of GA (FAHS) culminating with the FAHM Symposium, presented by GFI and sponsored by Makabayan, Inc . In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic precluded us from conducting the celebrations face to face. However, we were determined to move forward, and executed the weekly celebrations/events, virtually (except for the face to face Celebration of Faith). This is why the FAHM 2020 theme was: "Filipinos Overcoming Challenges, Soaring High," to highlight the resilience of the Filipino as a people. With the participation and cooperation of our partner organizations, we were able to celebrate FAHM 2020 through the following events. On October 3, 2020, a Holy Mass was celebrated by Father Diosmar Natad, at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Cummings, GA. It started with a rosary led by our very own Venus Soriano. Board members and friends of GFI attended and participated in the readings, offertory and singing. All CDC pandemic protocols were strictly followed. Father Natad delivered a very moving homily highlighting the Filipino spirit and community, even in trying times, such as this. As this was the rst face to face mass for the Filipinos since the start of the COVID, it was an emotional moment. On October 17, 2020, Kalayaan, GA, led a Virtual "Family Fun Day" celebration in the morning and a virtual "Kalayaan Day" celebration in the afternoon. Both celebrations were very interactive and enjoyed by many. "Family Fun Day," and "Kalayaan Day" are normally celebrated in June as commemoration of the Philippine Independence Day. However, this year, because of the pandemic, Kalayaan Committee was not able to get celebrate in June. GFI was both happy and grateful to the Kalayaan Committee for accepting GFI's invitation to celebrate both events as part of the FAHM 2020 celebration. Our many thanks to Dr. Cecile Bregman for making this happen.
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On October 19, 2020, the Philippine-American Chamber of Commerce, GA (PACCGA) sponsored a free online event, titled "The Evolution of Terno," with guest speaker, Mr. Eric Pineda, an Award Winning Filipino Costume and Fashion Designer. Mr. Pineda spoke about how the Filipiniana with the original butter y sleeved terno evolved into many contemporary designs today. Many of his designs were worn by Filipina beauty queens who garnered international beauty titles. And on October 24, 2020, the month long celebration culminated with the (see link) Symposium "The Filipino American History Month," presented by GFI, with the generous support of the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP), as our 2020 sponsor. The engaging and thought provoking symposium was participated by most all of the Philippine Community leaders and government of cials. The Philippine Honorary Consul General in Atlanta, Raoul Ray Donato gave the Welcome Remarks, and the Philippine Ambassador to the USA, Jose Manuel Romualdez delivered his greetings and message. The keynote speaker was Marvin Lim, GA State Representative, who delivered a very inspiring message to the community. This program was packed with information and inspiring stories from Filipinos from all walks of life: Veterans, medical practitioners, teachers, workers from the food industry, janitorial services, agricultural workers, all of whom are front liners in the nation's ght against the pandemic. We heard voices from our community leaders, representing the medical, education, faith, arts and culture, sports, history, and from our very rst Filipino GA State Representative. We witnessed outstanding cultural performances from our Filipino sister organization in Western North Carolina and our own ballet dancer in Atlanta. The question and answer portion was lively and very engaging. When it was time to adjourn, we didn't say goodbye, but said "until next year" and logged off with smiles on our faces and pride in our hearts , to be Filipinos. We look forward to FAHM 2021, when we hope we can do all these activities face to face. We plan to convene the planning committee in the rst quarter of 2021. We hope to be able to copy, if not supersede the previous celebrations. We will continue to collaborate with our partners in the community for activities for the month. The GFI Symposium will hopefully include an Exposition of Philippine Arts and Artifacts; Philippine Businesses; Philippine products; Philippine Books and Authors, etc. A cultural show is also in the blueprint. We are hoping for a bigger celebration . We look forward to the community's inputs and suggestions. Until next FAHM. Thank you.
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GALING COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM: PHILIPPINE ARTS & CULTURE IN GA
INTRODUCTION: In pursuit of GFI’s mission of building a legacy of hope through the power of literacy, the Arts and Culture Team successfully embarked on several arts and culture related activities in the year 2020. PROJECT ACTIVITIES AND RESULTS:
• June 11: In partnership with Embassy of the Philippines (Washington DC and Atlanta, Isa Thompson Arts & Culture Director
Georgia), Fernbank Museum of Natural History, NCCP and Obo Monuvu Indigenous Peoples Group, “Of Threads and Beads Documentary Series” successfully launched with a combined viewership of more than 1500 viewers in social media.
•November 20-January 8:
GFI participated in Fernbank’s Winter Wonderland Exhibit. The Philippines’ Christmas Tree was artistically decorated with capiz shell ornaments highlighting the heroic efforts of Georgia’s FilAm Frontline Nurses amidst the Covid 19 Pandemic. The Exhibit was successfully viewed by over 1000 visitors of Fernbank during the holiday Season.
• November 30:
In collaboration with friends, GFI participated in Atlanta Airport’s Winter Wonderland Exhibit. The Philippines’ Christmas Tree was uniquely decorated with 2019 Family Fun Day Children’s Arts and Crafts Postcard Ornaments and a handcrafted jeepney replica created by GFI Member Randolf Cabanog.
• December
6: GFI hosted a Virtual Christmas Show entitled Maraming Salamat in honor of at least 200 FilAm Frontline Nurses in Georgia. The show consisted of messages from invited speakers and entertainment numbers from Filipino Artists and viewed with joy and animated participation of over 80 viewers from Georgia, Florida, California, Canada, Malaysia and the Philippines.
• C O O P E R AT I O N
B E T W E E N G F I , C O L L A B O R ATO R S a n d
BENEFICIARIES
On a scale of 1 to 10, Arts and Culture Team measures the level of cooperation at 95%. 2020 partnership highlights include Philippine Nurses Association of Georgia and Philippines American Medical Association of Georgia. PROJECT SUSTAINABILITY The Arts and Culture Team envisions a promising future for its ongoing projects sustained by its pioneering and future donors and patrons as well as seed money in the GFI Treasury.
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GALING COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM: CROSS OF LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL & MISSION TRIP
“God's Mission Without Borders” Video link here
October 17 “God Mission Without Borders”, the 8th annual Cross of Life International Festival was presented in a virtual format. Galing Foundation, Inc. as one of COL Social Concerns global partner along with Sue Hijos in El Salvador and Padhar Mission in India were among the participants in raising awareness on the various basic needs in some of the vulnerable areas in the globe. The one-hour presentation provided up-to-date information on the works of COL, some cultural entertainment, fundraising auction and a message from Cross of Life and Social Concerns Ministry. On Philippine Mission Trip
Ireneo Caya, Datal Bila Integrated School, Principal
Arjho C. Turner, Mindanao Outreach Director
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In September, Cross of Life and Galing Foundation, Inc. have of cially announced the postponement of The Philippine Mission Trip. The Mission Trip’s goal was to see rsthand the work of GFI for its work in the last several years. A call has been made to teachers to lead or participate in online workshops with GFI Outreach counterparts. Opportunities to await.
GALING COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM: MGI COVID 19 FILIPINO TASK FORCE
-Raoul “Ray” Donato, PHCG Atlanta
-Wil Bonus, MGI Covid 19 Filipino Task Force Leader
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Mary Ann Stochowiak Treasurer
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FINANCIAL REPORT
GALING 2020 PARTNER ACKNOWLEDGMENT
A Big Thank You!!! (Video Link)
Cross of Life InFaith Community Foundation Cross of Life Lutheran Church Makabayan GA, Inc. NAAAP Atlanta Chopstix for Charity Philippine Medical Association of Georgia Al & Frances Tiangco Anita Granada Anne Marie Logarta Anne W. Stanley & Mary K. McClain Anonymous Apolonia C. Torres Arjho C. Turner Bernadette P. Gasgonia Dr. Joel & Elizabeth Aquino Ed & Elizabeth Villanueva Jane B. Rolen Jessica H. Cartiaux Jose & Cristina S. Guardiario Jose & Humbeline Panlilio Linda Milazzo Mai & Phil Hecht Maria Goseco Maria Isabelle Thompson Maribelle Bonnevie & Manolo Gallego Mary Anne Stochowiak Natale Farrell Norma & Pablo Consebido Peter & Cecile Bregman Renato DeHitta Robert & Deborah Martin Robert & Pam Peterman Venus Soriano Von Doromal Wade Thompson
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Adriana Carter Al & Frances Tiangco Alexandra Thomas Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez Ana & Jeff Blackburn Annaliza Thomas Anne Marie Logarta, Esq. Atlanta Ballet Beth Villanueva, ARN Bernadette Manaois Bobby Rodrigo Boyet Mundog Brian Rodriguez Bush Jumping Production Butch Granada Butch San Juan, Esq. Constancio De Guzman Consul Darell Ann Artates Danny Amoyo Datu Del n & Tribal Elders Designer Bae Conchita Icgang-Auden Didi O'Connor Dr. Cecile Bregman Dr. Chris Villongco Dr. Romy Moriles Ed Villanueva Eleanor Mae Pascual Elsie Vidanes Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines Washington, D.C. Ener Toguin Eric Pineda FANHS-GA Chapter Father Diosmar Natad Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta Fil-Am Assoc. of Greater Atlanta Filipino American Community of West North Carolina Filipino American National Historical Society Francis Gallego Francisco Japhet Moralde Georgia Asian Times Georgia HR Rep. Marvin Lim Dist. 99 Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Hall County HS Grace Ragheb Jon Joven Uy Jonathan Badon Jose Corazon De Jesus Kalayaan Family Fun Day Committee
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Jamie Poole Kalfas, RN Jauston Neely Joel Aquino, PhD Joyce Arellano-James Kim Tong Lehnie Estacio Lilia Hagler Lolit Elliot Luke Nguyen Makabayan GA Maki Garcia Evans Marites Pellicer Mary Ann Neely, RN May or Chokshi Mayette Bayani Meg Buillon Melchor Umpan Bayawan Meliza Reyes Mika Santos Myrna Gacusan, RN NAAAP-Atlanta Chapter Natalie Uy National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Manila, Philippines National Commission on Indigenous peoples (NCIP) Manila, Philippines Obo Monuvu Indigenous Peoples Obo Monuvu Kuglung Music Obo Monuvu Princess Limpayen Sibug-Las & Datu Ramil Lipatuan PACCGA Pam Peterman, RN PANIG Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. Philippine Honorary Consul General Raoul “Ray” Donato Philippine Nurses Assoc. of Georgia Pia Valeriano Pocholo Espejo & Atlas Shipping Randy Cabanog Reynard H. Navarro Rose Chua Tan, RN State Governor of Georgia Brian Kemp Stephanie Casajuana Theresa Palmer Tina Nguyen US Census Bureau Willee Bonus Willy Blanco & Atlanta Pinoy
ANNUAL EVENTS & TESTIMONIALS
Filipino American History Month in GA
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RECOGNITION
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