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Life After the Storm

03 Nov 2009 03:07 GMT

Published by: A Better Chance Foundation

The past month was a very busy time for us, with a flurry of different activities.

Last month, the country was taken by surprise by tropical storm Ondoy and the devastating blow it dealt most of Metro Manila and neighboring provinces. Many people lost their homes, possessions and even their lives from flash floods or landslides brought on by Ondoy’s torrential rains.

Fortunately, response from the government, private organizations and individuals was immediate. Those who were able did their part in helping those in need. Donations in the form or foodstuffs, cash, time and resources poured in from the country and from abroad.

We also did our part in coming to the aid of Ondoy victims. We collected donations from different companies and individuals and gave out relief goods to our affected scholars in Taytay, Rizal, Bagong Silangan and San Francisco Del Monte, Quezon City and Pulilan, Bulacan. We distributed relief goods in the form of groceries, used clothing, beddings, medicines, and personal hygiene supplies such as toothbrushes, soap and shampoos.

We teamed up with our partner schools in Siena, Taytay, Quezon City and St. Dominic in Pulilan, Bulacan to identify families who were affected and gave emergency relief goods to those who needed them most. We did the same for our pre-school and elementary scholars with ERDA Foundation. Our pre-school scholars were among the most needy – all being from Bagong Silangan, one of the areas hit hardest by the typhoon.

Almost all our scholars and their families lived in evacuation centers around the community for a few weeks, with their homes underwater and everything they had either covered in mud or washed away by the flood.

Fortunately, none of our scholars or their families died, and most of them now have their houses back up and are leading normal lives.

October 24, we went to Bagong Silangan with ERDA and a sponsor to distribute some of our last donations of used clothing, beddings and other useful items.

As relief efforts wind down all over the Metro, we have also started to shift our focus back to our scholarship program and other outreach projects. We have stopped actively collecting donations for victims of tropical storm Ondoy, but if anyone is still interested in donating for that cause, we will be more than happy to recommend you to ERDA Foundation who will give donations to families of Bagong Silangan.

One of our regular outreach programs that we did recently was our Eyeglass Project, which we do twice a year. We completed our second one October 21 and gave out 360 pairs of prescription eyeglasses to the boys and girls of Baseco Elementary School in Tondo, Manila.
This eyeglass project was done in partnership with our good friends at Springboard Foundation and 2 very good Charity Partners of ABC Foundation, who paid for all 360 pairs of eyeglasses given.

Baseco Elementary School has a population of more than 4,600 students with only 77 teachers. The campus is cramped but clean and the administration and teachers all work hard in providing for the needs of the students. Most of the students are undernourished but the school has provided feeding programs with the help of government institutions and other private organizations.

The eyeglass program was a huge success and we are looking forward to doing it again next school year.

We are very grateful for all of the donors who have continually supported us, not only our regular programs, but also emergency projects like helping out Ondoy victims. We were overwhelmed with the positive response we received.

On a lighter note, the most unique donation we received for the relief of the typhoon victims were 2,000 pieces of ice cream bars, which we successfully distributed to very happy families at Taguig, Metro Manila. The ice cream bars may not have fed families for a week or a day, but instant smiles on the faces of the recipients and the happiness it brought were just as real as if we had given them a weeks’ worth of groceries.
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Happy Anniversary, ABC!

03 Nov 2009 03:01 GMT

Published by: A Better Chance Foundation

ABC Foundation is now 8 years old! We celebrated our 8th anniversary August 26, 2009 by inviting people who have helped us get to where we are now – school administrators, partner foundations and organizations, sponsors, scholars and friends, for a short program to show our appreciation, followed by lunch.

Our ABC family has grown over the years - from one class of 40 Night High Scholars at Siena College, Taytay, Rizal, School Year 2001-2002, to 1,109 scholars with the ERDA Foundation and 4 Siena College campuses for School Year 2009-2010 and since our first Eyeglass Project in 2001, we have given over 2,000 pairs of prescription eyeglasses to needy elementary and high school students.

Our sponsors and supporters have also grown over the years, and for that we are very grateful.

We’d like to thank everyone who made it to the event, especially Fr. Pierre Tritz, S.J. and everyone at ERDA Foundation, Mo. Teresa Examen, O.P., Prioress General of the Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena, Sr. Aurelia Navarro, O.P., Sr. Mesalina Cloma, O.P. and everyone at Siena College, Taytay, Rizal, Sr. Sophia Taguinod, O.P. and everyone from Siena College, Quezon City, Sr. Gina Galang, O.P. and everyone from Siena College, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, Ms. Annette Helbig and Springboard Foundation, Dr. Jeson and Ms. Anne Viñas, ABC Board of Directors, Dr. Bayani Delos Santos, Mr. Rene Logatoc, Dr. Tes Mercao, Atty. Walter Young; sponsors, Ms. Dinah Salonga, Mr. Rolly and Mrs. Linda Quintos, Mr. Jay Quintos, Atty. Nemie Peralta, Mr. Ted Mercado, friends and scholars. Thank you for sharing this special day with us!

Our gratitude goes out to everyone who believed in us. We are encouraged by your support and trust and we look forward to many more years of working with you in helping disadvantaged but very deserving Filipino children.
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ERDA Pre-school Graduation at Bagong Silangan, Quezon City

16 Mar 2009 07:35 GMT

Published by: A Better Chance Foundation

March marks the end of the school year and the start of summer! March is also the time of graduations and to start things off, we had our first graduation last Friday, March 13 with our ERDA Pre-school class at Bagong Silangan, Quezon City.

Two groups of our pre-school students totaling 50, had their Commencement Exercises at Bagong Silangan last Friday, with their proud parents, teachers and social workers in attendance. The 5 and 6 year olds were all smiles as they were called up on stage with their parents to receive an academic or behavioral award, as well as a Certificate of Completion.

Bagong Silangan is just one of the 17 pre-school classes that ABC Foundation sponsors every school year. The top 3 students from our pre-schools in Quezon City are automatically sponsored by ABC Foundation to continue on to elementary school as scholars, also in partnership with ERDA Foundation.

With ERDA Foundation (Educational Research and Development Assistance), ABC Foundation is sponsoring 44 elementary school scholars and 425 pre-school scholars for S.Y. 2008-2009. All our scholars are from very poor families and for only P1,700 or P2,000 you can sponsor one pre-school or elementary school student for one whole school year. The cost includes uniforms, miscellaneous school fees, allowance and other school-related expenses.

This pre-school scholarship program is designed to help these young children become better prepared for entering grade 1 and it also gives their parents a chance to be able to find jobs to augment their family income.
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Congratulations to our Night High School Scholars!

13 Mar 2009 02:58 GMT

Published by: A Better Chance Foundation

We would like to congratulate two of our Night High School Scholars from Siena College, Taytay, Rizal, Kristofer Delas Peñas and Maureen Denice Alfonso for passing the UPCAT and qualifying to enroll at the University of the Philippines, Diliman for upcoming school year 2009-2010.

It is the dream of many Filipino students to be able to pass the UPCAT and attend the country’s premier university but unfortunately, only a very select few make it. We are very proud of Kristofer and Maureen Denice, not only for passing the UPCAT, but for being the first two Night High scholars to study at U.P.

Kristofer Delas Peñas is son to Mr. Teddy Delas Peñas, a laborer and to Mrs. Cristina delas Peñas, a housewife. Kristofer is the youngest in the family with one older brother and one older sister. His older brother, Kristhed was also a Night High School scholar at Siena College, Taytay, and is now an ABC Foundation College Scholar, attending Polytechnic University of the Philippines and majoring in BS Biology.

Kristofer was awarded by ABC Foundation as the Most Outstanding Night High School Scholar in Siena College, Taytay during its first Night High School Scholars Assembly last February 3, 2009. He is planning on taking up B.S. Computer Science when he enrolls in U.P. this coming school year.

Maureen Denice Alfonso is the middle child in her family, with one older brother and a younger sister. Her father, Mr. Prudencio Alfonso has passed away and her mother, Mrs. Herminia Alfonso sells clothes at a tiange in the market.

Maureen plans on majoring in B.S. Psychology when she enrolls for the first semester in June, 2009.

Photo: ABC Foundation Coordinator Marie Encarnacion with Maureen Denice Alfonso, Kristofer Delas Peñas and ABC Foundation Founder and President Mr. Lewis Edwards
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A Day of Firsts

13 Mar 2009 02:56 GMT

Published by: A Better Chance Foundation

By: Raniel Madrona

“First time” experiences in people’s lives can never be forgotten, especially if they are good experiences. The first time to meet a significant person, the first time to be in a unique place, the first time to ride in a different kind of public transportation vehicle, and the first time to discover something new - these are just some of the ‘firsts’ in my life that I experienced all in a single day.

The moment my teacher told me that I would be meeting my sponsor soon, I became very excited because I’ve longed to meet her since I was in my first year of night high school. Days passed and I kept thinking about what would happen on that day, or what she looked like, or about her attitude towards people. As a matter of fact, I really couldn’t sleep because I was quite nervous as well as excited about the things that would happen.

Thursday, March 5, 2009, at about 3:30 in the afternoon was the start of my “day of firsts.”

I, accompanied by my mother, went to Alimall in Cubao, Quezon City to meet with Ms. Marie, ABC Foundation Coordinator and the person who will take us to the actual place where we will meet my sponsor. Even though we only stayed for a little while at the mall, it made me happy because it was my first time in Alimall (though I have been to many SMs).

After that we went to Farmer’s Plaza and rode in the MRT (Metro Rail Transit) going to Ayala Station in Makati City. That’s another first, because it was my first time to ride in the MRT where cards are flashed to enter the trains. Though we were like sardines in the train because it was so crowded inside with everyone standing, I was still wearing a smile on my face, ignoring how overloaded the train was.

After we had arrived at the Ayala Station, we rode a taxi going to Fort Bonifacio (The Fort), - the actual place where the real events will take place.

The moment we stepped out in The Fort, the first person we saw was Mr. Lewis Edwards, the founder of ABC Foundation, which helps many poor children go to school. He is a very kind-hearted man and he gave us a warm welcome when we arrived.

He first took us around to show us the beautiful sites at The Fort. He took us to many of the stores there and introduced us to many people. It was my first time to talk to Mr. Edwards for a long period of time and that made me very happy. I also discovered for the first time that all of the stores in the Fort had ABC Foundation Donation cans where people can help the foundation through their coins and extra money. I was touched to discover that many people are still willing to help despite the crisis and hardships of life.

After this, Sir Lewis brought us to E Gallerie where I will be able to meet my sponsor. As we were climbing the stairs, my hands, my feet, and my whole body shook from nervousness. Then we found out that Ms. Sarah was not there yet but will arrive soon. While waiting, we looked at the different paintings which looked unique and you can really see the harmony, the symmetry and the emotions in the artworks. We were also surprised when we found out that these paintings cost hundreds of thousands and even a million pesos! I couldn’t believe that those paintings cost as much as a house and lot! They were so expensive! I was really happy to see those paintings because it was also my first time in an art gallery. After I saw all of these I had a dream of becoming a skilled painter and artist one day.

After much looking and waiting, the person I had been longing to see finally arrived! Mrs. Sarah Evangelista was very beautiful!! I was astounded by her beauty and she looked stunning in the green dress she was wearing. I couldn’t believe that my sponsor was so gorgeous! All the things I prepared to say to her disappeared when I saw her and the only thing that came out of my mouth was “Hi! Nice to meet you ma’am! Thank you for everything! Salamat, salamat po!”

As Mr. Lewis Edwards said, I am very lucky because I’m one of the few who got to meet their sponsor personally. My heart was racing with joy as I saw her, and I whispered, “thank you God.” Then we also took some pictures together and talked for a while.

I began my day with a smile, and ended it with an inexplicable feeling of joy in my heart. I thank God for this wonderful experience. “First time” experiences never fade and I will treasure this one my whole life.

*Ranier Madrona is an incoming 5th year Night High School Scholar at Siena College, Quezon City. His sponsor, Ms. Sarah Evangelista is the manager of 2 art galleries - Gallery Big in Makati and E Gallerie at Serendra, Fort Bonifacio.

Photo: Mr. Lewis Edwards, founder and president of ABC Foundation with Mrs. Madrona, Raniel and Ms. Sarah Evangelista at E Gallery, Serendra, Fort Bonifacio.
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