Our Visit to St. Francis of Assisi School

We visited St. Francis of Assisi School during one of their special Sportsfest days and the campus was bursting with energy and activity!

We had the chance to tour an area of the school, in the thick of celebrating their 50th anniversary.  Everywhere one looked, the eyes were met by the colors of extolling the joys of knowledge and learning.  We were surrounded by the sounds exuberance:  from the cheers in the basketball court; and field for the athletes, the laughter in the play ground and in classrooms, to the excited murmurs in the hallways full of young scholars challenging each other around Scrabble and Chess boards.

Although the sweetest sound of the visit was hands down by a heartfelt song rendition by 6-year old Rodney after meeting him and 9-year old April. The chance to meet these two lovely boys was an inspiring gift during our trip to Negros for the holidays.

Henry Ford once said, "Life is a series of experiences, each one of which makes us bigger”. That lovely hour was definitely one those experiences. We left to catch a flight, hearts full, with a mutual promise to return, and a fortified commitment to help nourish the young minds that thrive there- so that their series of experiences continue to grow.

- Albert and Christine Santos are Tapulanga Foundation donors. They chose to help Rodney Davo III, a first grader, and April Bernasol, a third grader, go to school during the 75 Scholars in 30 Days Challenge launched by the foundation last April 1, 2014.  They visited the school last January 7, 2015 to meet their scholars.

Medical Mission 2014

The day after Christmas, Tapulanga Foundation held its annual medical mission at Our Lady of the Nativity Chapel in Hacienda Tinihaban I, Silay City.

The chapel was filled with more than 140 children -- from infants cradled by mothers to 18-year-olds, who received free check-ups and prescription from our doctors: Dra. Jo-an Ledesma-Millonado, Dr. Mike Gonzales, Dra. Len Ledesma-Gonzales, Dr. Ted Gonzales, and Dra. Vicky Benedicto-Gonzales.

Besides free medicine, free deworming was also given to children aged two to ten years old.

We would like to thank our nurse volunteers -- Ms. Marissa Guadalupe, Ms. Shiela Aspa, Jelaine Estardo, and Aeriel Guadalupe.

And to all who have helped us, through every possible way, a very big thanks to you for making this year's Medical Mission a success.

For more photos, please click here.

MassKara in Manila

The Masskara Festival has always been a high-anticipated event in the City of Smiles, Bacolod.  Last October 18, 2014, Tapulanga Foundation brought the festival to Manila, giving Manileños a taste of the Masskara festivities.

“MassKara in Manila” was held in Strumm’s, Bel-air Village, Makati.  Guests enjoyed a sumptuous buffet dinner consisting of potato and tuna croquettes, buttered vegetables, Yang Chow fried rice, crispy pata, spicy beef casserole, pasta marinara, leche flan and, of course, Bacolod City’s famous blend of chicken inasal.  Talented young musicians, Clara and Sarah Benin, serenaded the guests during dinner.  Our masters of ceremonies, Dr. Jo-an Ledesma-Millonado and Dr. Rachel Saban-Leelin, got the crowd revved up with a Last Group Standing Tapulanga Trivia Game.  The guests were then given the ultimate MassKara experience with exhilarating and exciting performances by the Buganda Drum Beaters, Poi dancers Firechill and Kazee, singer Dr. Marienella Francisco-Mallari and the Speed Dance Company.  Finally, the guests sang and danced the night away with our live band performers, In Heat and Mulatto.

Proceeds of this fund raising dinner party will go to Tapulanga Foundation’s college scholarship program.

To all who supported MassKara in Manila, we would like to express our sincerest gratitude.  Madamo guid nga salamat!!!

For more photos, please click here.

Christmas Giving 2014 for our Scholars, Teachers and Staff

In celebrating the spirit of Christmas, Tapulanga Foundation gathered all the scholars for the Christmas Giving 2014 at the St. Francis of Assisi School in Silay City and Campuestuhan Highland Resort last December 18-19, 2014.

Scholars from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 9 enjoyed a party at school with free cotton candy and ice cream and had fun playing games at the SFAS covered court and Edgardo Ledesma Hall on December 18, 2014.

All the scholars received eco-bags with lots of goodies such as toys, Noche Buena groceries, slippers, and more. Snacks were also served for everyone.

Our Grade 10 scholars had a great time out together with our college scholars at the Campuestuhan Highland Resort the next day. Each earned a free ride on Campuestuhan’s Sky Bike or Zipline.

All teachers and staff also received ham and dishwashing liquid last December 17, 2014.

Thank you to all the generous people who helped make possible Tapulanga Foundation’s Christmas Giving program this year. You have brought BIG smiles to the children, teachers and staff and their families!

For more photos please click here.

Photo Credits to Jaco Paz of ABMC4, University of St. La Salle- Bacolod.

Eat.Share.Love. 2014

Once again, the Tapulanga Foundation hosted its annual fundraiser last November 21, 2014!

Eat Share Love is on its 6th year and has attracted more than 200 people, young and old alike. This charity event was held at the La Proa Halls of L’Fisher Hotel, Bacolod City.

The fundraiser started its registration at 5:30 PM and opened its doors to guests at 6 PM.

As a token of gratitude for all those who came, Tapulanga Foundation prepared a photo booth for everyone to enjoy before the activity starts.

The event commenced first with the dinner and these include palatable dishes from L’fisher such as Italian potato salad, baked meat lasagna, angus beef belly pot roast, chicken relleno, fish fillet in basil cream sauce and buttered mixed vegetables; as well as chocolate eclairs and blueberry cheesecake for dessert.

At dinner, guests were entertained by The Guitar Club and the Grade 4 Students of St. Francis of Assisi School in Silay, most of whom are scholars of Tapulanga Foundation, and a live acoustic performance by Miss Angelica Prado.

Attendees got to enjoy not only dinner and entertainment, but also had the chance to bid for toys, lamps, accessories, bags, skin care products and gift certificates from hotels, restaurants, boutiques and many more.

Proceeds of the fundraising event will go directly to our college scholarship program. 

To everyone who came, helped, donated, and sponsored Eat Share Love 2014, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Please visit our Facebook page to view more photos or you may click here.

Photo credits to Mr. Felix Querubin and Jaco Paz of University of St. La Salle - Bacolod Yearbook Office.

Happy Halloween for Tapulanga!

Every year, the Barrientos brothers, Diego and Andro, and their friends and even young at heart parents go all out for Halloween. This year they decided to collect candies for a cause and remembered their Tapulanga scholars, Reign and Ian.

They asked Anton, Tyler, Lucas, Mayur, Kody, Kabir, Lucas, Anton and another Lucas to bring toys, books and candies or anything they wish to share. And all came with these gifts and their scary faces!

After almost two hours of pillaging for candies, they brought home their loot and shared with Tapulanga!

Thank you very much Andre, Luis, Lucas, Kabir, Anton, Tyler, Lucas, Kody, Diego, Lucas, Mayur and Andro! May other kids follow what you have done!  

Eat. Share. Love. 2014

Eat. Share. Love. 2014

Join us in our 6^th Annual Fundraiser!

Eat. Share. Love. 2014 is a buffet dinner event with silent auction, raffle, door prizes and entertainment.  It will be held on November 21 at 6 PM at La Proa 1 and 2 Halls, L’Fisher Hotel, Bacolod City.

Dinner ticket is at Php 500 and Php 250 (children ages 6 – 12 years and nannies).  Kids 5 years old and under are free.

Raffle ticket is at Php 200;  iPad mini Retina model; only 150 tickets to be sold.

Please RSVP by November 19 (mgolez@tapulanga.org or 0998-1732788).

If you would like to donate an item for the silent auction, please contact us on or before November 15.  

EVENT SPONSORS

PLATINUM SPONSORS

L'Fisher Hotel, L'Fisher Chalet Tower II and L'Fisher Ecotel
Tinihaban Agricultural Corporation

GOLD SPONSOR

Hawaiian Philippine Company 

SILVER SPONSOR 

Mayor Jose "Oti" Montelibano, City of Silay 
The Mercantile Insurance 
Ayala Land Corporation VisMin
Akubo Software Philippines, Inc.
Anonymous Donors

PATRONS

PJL Auto Center

Standard Insurance
Orix Metro Leasing Finance
Datalink Technologies, Inc. 
SVG Schuurmans and Van Ginneken Philippines, Inc.
Twin Shell Service Station
Hotel PAGCOR Bacolod
Prudential Guarantee and Assurance, Inc.
 ADK Computers
SWIP Travel, Inc.
Dongon, Leong and Associates
Congressman Alfredo B. Benitez
Time Out Restobar
Anonymous Donors
Ceres Pasalubong

MEDIA SPONSOR
My Channel Cable Network

SILENT AUCTION DONORS
Php 100 gift certificates from Taters Snack
Php 100 gift certificates from Grill Guru
Php 100 gift certificates from Bascon Cafe and Restaurant
Php 150 / Php300 gift certificates from Grand Royal Spa
Php 200 gift certificates from Fruits in Ice Cream
Php 220 gift certificates from MY PhAat Traditional Thai Foot and Body Massage
Php 250 gift certificates from Fogo Grill
Php 250 gift certificates from Roli's Diner
Php 250 gift certificates from eL. Kay Salon and Waxing Spa
Php 250 gift certificates from Massage at Home
Php 250 gift certificates from Anak ng Baka
Php 250 gift certificates from Imbiss Sausages
Php 300 gift certificates from Inaka Japanese Restaurant
Php 300 gift certificates from Livewell Spa and Massage
Php 500 gift certificates from Aboy’s Restaurant
Php500 gift certificates from Café Uma
Php500 gift certificates from Trattoria Uma
Php500 gift certificates from Bacolod 18^th St. Palapala
Php500 gift certificates from Felicia's Pastry Cafe
Php500 gift certificates from Mushu Asian Restaurant and Lounge
Php 500 gift certificates from 21 Restaurant
Php 1000 gift certificate from Italia Restaurant Bacolod
Php 1000 gift certificate from L'Kaisei Japanese Restaurant
Php 500 gift certificates from Branded for Less
Php500 gift certificates from Kamiseta (Robinson's)
Php 950 gift certificates from Play Studio Specialty Photography
Php 2,500 gift certificates from Sarabia Optical
Signature Massage gift certificate from The Cocoon by L'Fisher
Gift Certificates from Chicken House
Gift Certificates from YSA Skin and Body Experts
Gift Certificates and Body products from Soybe's Place Flowers and Gifts
Gift Certificates from Heart Warmers
Gift certificates from Sugarland Hotel
Gift certificate from The Quiet Place
Gift certificate from Nature’s Village Resort
Brazos de Mercedes from Cake Castle Bacolod
Revel Bars from Miren Desserts Cafe
Fondant Cake with Moist Dark Chocolate Cake from Quino's Cakes and Pastries
Sansrival from Ann Co Cakes
Assorted Tarts from Virgie's Homemade Products
Table lamps from Lopue’s East Centre
Lampshade from Art Energy
Lampshade from Jojo Vito Designs Gallery
Bags from Azatri Souvenirs
Bags from Papel Handicrafts
Bags from Tickled Tripper
Bags from Kiculo Crafts
"Pilo" Soft Storage from Hacienda Crafts Company
Eyeglass frame from Sarabia Vision
Electric Ice Shaver from Season's Trading

Bath and Body Works products from Margie Abello
Beach and Eco Bags from Margie Abello
J.C. Penny Home Bed Sheet Twin Set from Anonymous donor
Tools of the Trade Basics 10-Piece Cookware (Stainless Steel) from Anonymous donor
Pyrex 15-Piece Bake and Prep Set from Anonymous donor
Wilton 4-Tier Dessert Tower from Anonymous donor

Blue Aster 6-Piece Bath Towel Set from Anonymous donor
Multiple Choice "Isadora" 20-Piece Dinner Set from Anonymous donor
3 Boxes of Spritzerglas (Wine glasses) from Sheila Yap-Saratan
Adidas Real Deal Shoes from Ramon Iligan
Tattoo mobile wifi stick from Globe
Brothers Printer from IEC Computers
Philippine and US Coin and Bill Collection from Matthew Ledesma
"The Ruins" Mural by VIVO Handicrafts
Acrylic Painting on Canvas by Ting Cristales
Acrylic Painting on Canvas by Joan Honoridez
Acrylic Painting on Canvas by Jojo Regollo

Hot Wheels Batman & Robin Batmobile
BAYO Floral Dress
Rajo Laurel's Rags2Riches Edition Clutch Bag
Rafe New York - Carrie Medium Handheld Tote 
Gap Blouse, size Large
Gap Sleeveless Blouse, size XL
Shoe Girls Stilletto, size 38
MIA Glee Army Green, size 8 1/2
Lantern from Domesticity
Trivelino Table Lamp from Artisan Island Crafts
Watercolor Painting in Glass Frame from Pinky F. Lizares

To see photo of items and other details, click on this:  
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152789200589647.1073741876.29670069646&type=1


DOOR PRIZE DONORS
Merzci Pasalubong
Brazos de Mercedes from Cake Caste Bacolod
Assorted Tarts from Virgie's Homemade Products
Crystal ball paper weight from Lopue's East
Monopods from Sun Cellular
Tattoo mobile wifi stick from Globe
Supercard from Shakey's Pizza
50th golf umbrellas from St. Francis of Assisi School of Silay City

Tapulanga Foundation, Inc.  has been providing educational and healthcare assistance to impoverished families in the rural areas of the Negros Occidental, Philippines.  We currently send 350 children to St. Francis of Assisi School of Silay City, a private, highly accredited school, for free.  We also provide them with books, school supplies, daily lunches in school, immunizations, medical check-ups and much more.  Deserving high school students are also given a chance to go to college on full or partial scholarships.

Our healthcare program provides free medications, diagnostic procedures and annual medical free clinics to the Hacienda Tinihaban community and scholars of the foundation.

Our event entitled “Eat. Share. Love. 2014” aims to promote awareness about Tapulanga Foundation and to generate sponsorships and funds for our college scholarship program, so that we may give those with less a chance for a better life.